Earl of Rochester. 115X.

Great Negative, how vainly wou’d the WiseEnquire, define, distinguish, teach, devise,

Did’il thou not stand to point their dull Philosophies*.

XL

Is, or Is not, the two great Ends of Fate,

And 'True or False the Subject of Debate,

That perfect or destroy the vast Designs of Fate.

XII.

When they have rack’d the Politician’s Breast,

Within thy Bosom most securely rest ;

And when reduc’d to Thee, are least unsafe, and best.

XIII.

But, Nothing, why does Something still permit

That Sacred Monarcbs Ihou’d at Council sit

With Persons highly thought, at best, for Nothing fit?

XIV.

Whilst weighty Something modestly abstainsFrom Princes Coffers, and from Statesmen’s Brains,And Nothing there, like stately Nothing reigns.

XV.

Nothing, who dwelPst with Fools in grave Disguise,

For whom the Rev’rcnd Shapes and Forms devise,

Lawn Sleeves, and Furs, and Gowns, when they, likeThee, look wife.

XVI.

French Truth, Dutch Prowess, British Policy ;Hibernian Learning, Scotch Civility,

Spaniards Dispatch, Danes Wit, are mainly seen in Thee*

XVII.

The Great Man’s Gratitude to his best Friend,

Kings Promises, Whores Vows, toward Thee they tend,Flow swiftly into Thee, and in Thee ever end.

A Ram-