John Spateman

“ Their Heroes false, more fitly, by themselves,
Sometimes compar'd to rav'nous Beasts of Prey.
Rapt, by the magic Sweetness of their Verse,
From due Reflection, Men with Pleasure hear
Of horrid Wounds and Death; which Souls humane
Should with Abhorrence think of, tho' deserv'd.
This brutal Fierceness, by a vile Abuse
Of Words, was Fortitude and Manhood call'd,
As most becoming Man; tho' his chief Shame;
Contrariant quite to true Humanity:
For Man was in GOD'S Image made; and GOD
Is Love; which therefore suits with Manhood best. ”

“ Walk o'er the Field of Battle, soak'd with Blood,
As after plenteous Rain; and if thy Soul
Sustains the shocking Sight, the Carnage view;
Their maim'd, and mangled Corpses, horrid Wounds,
Surprising Postures, Countenances grim,
Convuls'd by Rage and Death, and threat'ning still:
But if thy Heart be Flesh, and loves Mankind,
Soon, with Abhorrence, wilt thou turn away,
And, weeping; curse abominable WAR.
Assemble, all ye Beasts, and Birds of Prey,
Lo, what a Feast the Cruelty of Man,
And WAR, provides you: Fill yourselves, devour ”

“ Christians, a Scandal to the Name, that lov'd!
The Sword, and War, and Bloodshed, Sons of Mars,
Not GOD'S; vile Cain's Disciples, and not Christ's.
What Havock will it make of human Race!
With what Effusion dire of Christian Blood
Pollute the Earth, and half the World o'er-run! ”

“ While, o'er their Heads, the Billows booming close.
Thus Christians war, who should not war at all,
But, as they are one Body, have one Soul,
One Spirit, Breath of mutual Love and Peace.
If Christians thus encounter, what the Wars
Of Fiends? Or, more to shame us, have they none!
Should peaceful Flocks of Sheep, with rabid Jaws,
Assault and tear each other, could it be
More monstrous, than for Christians thus to fight? ”

“ In His, who should be like their peaceful Lord,
A People all of Innocence and Love.
But, ah! Mankind continue still the same,
And we must wait for this, till He returns
To raise us to immortal Life, and Bliss
More perfect than our first; Then this shall be,
And more: At present Sin's Corruption works,
So strong in all, but in his chosen Few,
That, oh! instead of better, they are worse;
They war like Heathens, and like Heathens live;
Yet Christians they will be, in spite of Heav'n,
Instead of Hell ”

“ Pinch'd by bleak Winds, and chilling Rains, surround
A Flock of Sheep, safe-fenc'd; secure the Lambs
Bleat by their Mothers; they, excluded, rage,
To be debarr'd: Keen Hunger, and their Jaws
Long dry from Blood, to utmost Fury urge:
So these, prohibited Access, and foil'd,
Vexation, Rage, and foaming Spite consume;
Their cruel Ire could eat them all alive.
With resolute Patience long they wait, and hope
By Famine dire to conquer, whom their Swords
And Spears can't reach: Nor idle they the while;
But batt'ring Engines vast, and moving Tow'rs,
Their dev'lish Ingenuity, invents. ”

“ In wooden, tott'ring Tow'rs, of equal Height,
Hoping by Bridges laid to pass from thence
To the near hostile Wall. These Ladders fix,
And, cover'd with their Shields; to Death devote;
With desp'rate Valour mount; and with their Hands
Seize on the Summits; maugre all th' Efforts
Of the Defendants to prevent, repel,
And back precipitate with huge Stones, and Beams,
Torrents of boiling Pitch, and molten Lead,
Darts, Arrows, Spears, and Swords. What dismal Work!
Horror stands horror-struck; Fiend Mars exults ”

“ Would soon convert its Glories to a Hell.
For hard'ned Clay, Dominion, Fame; for these
Without which Man may be as blest; they this
Endure; and hazard horrid Wounds, and Death,
Yea, Hell, if Hell there be ”

“ Dove-like; and think that Man can't murder Man?
We are the Savages. The Christians, These,
In Love, at least; well-fitted to receive
The Gospel's Seed divine, and bring forth Fruit.
But, ah! what Isle so secret to escape
These Christian Murderers, with eager Scent,
Hunting for Gold all o'er the spacious Main?
When once they find us out, our peaceful Minds
Will nought avail us; Spoiling, Chains, or Death,
Must be our Lot ”

“ What is a King? Or will the Pest revere
Your Sceptres? Will your Gems and Diadems prove
Sure Amulets? Or Gold secure your Lives?
Ah, save us from the Judgments that impend,
Ah, save yourselves! Reflect how Virtue fails,
How little Piety our Age can boast.
Will War amend our Ways? Is War a School
Where Christ is taught, and his Commands inforc'd?
Far from it; they proceed from Sin to Sin,
Till Turks and Heathens have much more of Christ.
O Sires, consider that your Hosts make War
On Christ, and on His Brethren, and your own,
On Virtue, Piety, and Plenty too. ”

“ And none in greater Credit; none esteem'd
Fitter for such as boasted noble Birth.
And, as this wicked World is now become,
None is more fit for such who should excel
In Magnanimity, as well as Wealth:
When WAR is unavoidable; I mean,
In Self-defence against invading Foes;
Then GEORGE, then Cumberland, by Heav'n approv'd,
Intrepid lead their animated Troops;
Then Marlbro', then a hundred Heroes more,
Follow their glorious Chief; with Him resolv'd
To live or die: Yet, gen'rous, pity Those
They conquer; and had rather do them Good.
But these esteem'd WAR glorious, tho' unjust ”

“ The Mischief, and his Brethren most could hurt.
Offensive and defensive Arms were now
Their chief Delight, and all their Thoughts engross'd:
WAR'S murd'rous Implements increas'd apace:
Now the bent Bow was practis'd to dispatch
Wounds unforeseen, and sudden Hurt from far:
Now Death and Enmity see speedy Work
Were furnish'd: Now in Companies unite
The Sons of Belial, bent to spoil or slay
Their mild and peaceful Brethren; Men from Men
Appear'd not safe, unless completely cloath'd
In Steel, from Head to Foot: Amazing Change!
From naked Majesty to Skins of Beasts,
And now to Steel ”