Those lies alone are formidable

Where artful truth is mix'd with fable.
But Gage has bungled oft so vilely,

No soul would credit lies so silly,
Outwent all faith, and stretch'd beyond
Credulity's extremest end:

Whence plain it seems, though satan once
O'erlook'd with scorn each brainless dunce,
And blundering brutes in Eden shunning,
Chose out the serpent for his cunning;
Of late he is not half so nice,

Nor picks out aids because they're wise:
For had he stood upon perfection,
His present friends had lost th' election,
And fared as hard, in this proceeding,
As owls and asses did in Eden.

"Yet fools are often dangerous enemies; As meanest reptiles. are most venomous : Nor e'er could Gage, by craft or prowess, Have done a whit more mischief to us; Since he began th' unnat❜ral war,

The work his masters sent him for.

"And are there in this freeborn land

Among ourselves a venal band;

A dastard race, who long have sold
Their souls and consciences for gold;
Who wish to stab their country's vitals,
Could they enjoy surviving titles;

With pride behold our mischiefs brewing,
Insult and triumph in our ruin?
Priests, who, if satan should sit down
To make a bible of his own,

Would gladly, for the sake of mitres,
Turn his inspired and sacred writers;
Lawyers, who, should he wish to prove
His claim to his old seat above,

Would, if his cause he'd give them fees in,
Bring writs of Entry sur disseisin,
Plead for him boldly at the session,
And hope to put him in possession;
Merchants, who for his friendly aid
Would make him partner in their trade,
Hang out their signs in goodly show,
Inscribed with, Beelzebub & Co.;

And judges, who would list his pages,
For proper liveries and wages;
And who as humbly cringe and bow
To all his mortal servants now?

There are; and shame, with pointing gestures,
Marks out th' Addressers and Protesters ;*

Whom following down the stream of fate,
Contempts ineffable await;

And public infamy forlorn,

Dread hate and everlasting scorn.”

As thus he spake, our 'Squire M'FINGAL
Gave to his partisans a signal.

Not quicker roll'd the waves to land,
When Moses waved his potent wand,

Nor with more uproar, than the Tories

Set up a general rout in chorus;

[jeer'd ;

Laugh'd, hiss'd, hem'd, murmur'd, groan'd and
Honorius now could scarce be heard.
Our Muse, amid th' increasing roar,
Could not distinguish one word more ;
Though she sate by, in firm record
To take in short hand every word,

* The Addressers were those who addressed General Gage with expressions of gratitude and attachment, on his arrival with a fleet and army to subdue the country: the Protesters, those who published protests against the measures of the first Congress, and the resolves of the people in town-meetings and conventions.