The Prince of Orange Welcome to London

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Melody - "The Two English Travellers"
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From the Pepys Ballads, Harvard Press, 1930

The Prince Van Orange he is come to this Land,
Who does in defiance of Popery stand:
He does not desire Supream for to Reign,
But ourLaws and Liberties here to maintain.

2. Which some evil Persons did strive to Invade,
And we into Bondage might havebeen betray'd
We see all their dealings, which troul'd us sore,
The Fryars and Iesuits dayly came o're

3. In City and Town they did Mass-houses build,
Which was with poor ignorant Proselites fill'd
The Prover of old is made true in his case
We see that an ill Weed will flourish apace

4. They still are inventing and forging of Lyes
Against our Bible and Clergy likewise
In hopes they might suddenly be overthrown
And then they conclude the Game was their own

5. The Bishops away to the Tower was sent
As stout and as chearful as Martyrs they went
Not fearing what ever might fall to their doom
They scorn to submit to the Clergy of Rome

6. Now while the true Church thus did tottering stand
It was a great grief to most Men in his Land
But while we withsorrowful sighings did grieve
Each Fryar and Isuits laught in their Sleeve

7. And Old Father Peters was one o' the Train
Who did for a while in his Rogery Reign
But Fortune was pleased to send him a Frown
And from his high Honour to tumble him down

8. Now seeing himself in this sorrowful case
He thought it no boot to remain in this place
And herefore his Breetches with Guinnies he lin'd
In order for running some shelter to find.

9. Now while he was taking this dangerous flight
He pray'd to Saint Francis and Briget all night
But yet notwithstanding his Religious Prayer,
He was taken napping as Moss catcht his Mare

10. There is many more as we well understand
Wishes that they were safe out ofthe Land
They'd rather leave Brittain, and flye to the Pope
Than here to take part of the Hatchet and Rope

11. And not to retun to the Prince Van Orange
Whose cost, care and Conduct, has wrouht this great change
This Nation from Thraldom I hope he'll set free
And then there will none be more happy than we.

12. And now let us drink a good Health to the Mitre,
And may that Church flourish, tho' enemies spight her
Next health to that Seven that stood by our Cause,
As stout as our Martyrs, as just as our Laws

13. God bless all the Noble, Religious and Iust,
Who always was faithful and true to their Trust
I hope they will settle this Nation again
That we may ne'r have any cause to complain.

14. And when a Free-Parliament shall Regulate
And Compose our Fractions in matters of State,
The Ioys of this Nation again to restore
Then both King and People may flourish once more.

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