The Honest Man's Litany


FROM a wife of small fortune, but yet very proud,

Who values herself on her family's blood:

Who seldom talks sense, but for ever is loud,

Libera me!



From living i' th' parish that has an old kirk,

Where the parson would rule like a Jew or a Turk,

And keep a poor curate to do all his work,

Libera me!



From a justice of peace who forgives no offence,

But construes the law in its most rigid sense,

And still to bind over will find some pretence,

Libera me!



From dealing with great men and taking their word,

From waiting whole mornings to speak with my lord,

Who puts off his payments, and puts on his sword,

Libera me!



From Black-coats, who never the Gospel yet taught,

From Red-coats, who never a battle yet fought,

From Turn-coats, whose inside and outside are naught,

Libera me!



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