The Vicar of BRAY.
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IN Charles the Second's Golden Reign,
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When Loyalty had no harm in't;
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A zealous High Church Man I was,
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And so I got Preferment:
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To teach my Flock, I never miss'd,
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Kings were by God appointed;
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And he was damn'd that did resist,
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Or curse the Lord's anointed.
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And this is Law, I do maintain,
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And to the Day I die will,
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That whatsoever King shall reign,
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I'll be the Vicar of Bray still.
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When Royal James our King became,
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And Popery was in Fashion:
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The Penal Laws I voted down,
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And I read the Declaration:
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The Church of Rome I found would fit
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Full well my Constitution,
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And I had been a Jesuit,
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But for the Revolution.
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And this is Law, etc.
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When William was our King delcar'd,
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To redress the Nations Grievance;
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With this new Whim I then averr'd,
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And swore to him Allegiance:
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Old Principles I then revok'd,
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Set Conscience at a Distance;
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And prov'd Religion was a Joke,
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And a Jest was Non Resistance.
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And this is Law, etc.
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When Royal Anne our Queen became,
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The Church of Englands Glory;
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Another Face of things were seen,
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So I became a Tory:
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Occasional Conformists base,
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I curs'd their Moderation;
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And prov'd the Church in Danger was,
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By such Prevarication.
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And this is Law, etc.
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When G--- came o'er in Pudding-time,
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And moderate Men look'd big, Sir,
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The Cat in Pan I turn'd again,
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And so became a Whig, Sir:
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By which Preferment I procur'd
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From our great Faith's Defender,
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And almost every Day abjur'd
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The Pope and the Pretender.
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And this is Law, etc.
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The Illustrious House of H---------r,
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And Protestant Succession,
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To them I lustily will cleave,
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While they can keep Possession:
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And in my Faith, no one shall say,
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I any ways do falter;
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For G------ our rightful King shall be,
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Until the times do alter.
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And this is Law, I do maintain,
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And to the Day I die will,
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That whatsoever King shall reign,
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I'll be the Vicar of Bray still.
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