CATHOLICK HYMN ON THE BIRTH OF THE PRINCE OF WALES
WHen inraged Southask
In his Female's Womb cast,
A Clap which cost twenty Guinny's
A project he had
Of Revenge on the Dad,
And to blow up the Race of the Ninnys.
(2)
The Poyson soon wrought
Which his Highness had caught,
And Nancy was tainted soon after;
Soe the Infection prevail'd
That the Pox was intail'd
Sans distinction on Son and on Daughter.
(3)
The Vaults in the Abby
Receiv'd many a Baby,
Brought forth in a Stinking condition
And if ye have not forgot it
The Dutches too Rotted,
Soon after in spite of Physitian.
(4)
Tho' a Convert she dy'd
If she be not bely'd,
'Twas resolv'd in cabal soon after
To raise up a breed
Of true Catholick seed,
To Supplant the two Heretick Daughters.
(5)
Then from Lambardy came
A Dutches of Fame,
Instructed in arts Italian
Who rather than Church
Should be left in the lurch,
Might be'indulg'd the use of a Stallion.
(6)
At first She' had ill success
With his Royal Highness,
For no sooner was She a Mother
But Her Children all Di'd,
Like those of Nan Hyde,
'Twas said of something or other.
(7)
The Poyson entail'd
So far had prevail'd,
'Twas high time to seek out for a wonder
Our case must be sad
If a Boy can't be had,
To keep the Hereticks under.
(8)
Then streight we repair
To the Infallible Chair,
Who advise we must not forget o
To present at the Shrine
Of the Lady Divine,
That Miracles works at Loretto.
(9)
The Present was sent
And Mother Duchess went,
On a Voyage from this World to th' other
Where She made a Prayer
For a Catholick Heir,
That the Queen might once more be a Mother.
(10)
The Request was soon granted
And Modenae Sainted,
And streight the glad tidings came down here
Which at Court was full hot
Before the Child was begot,
That we must have an Heir to the Crown here.
(11)
The Fathers kept Reckoning
Some of them were speaking,
O' th' other side of the Water
That Trinity Sunday
wou'd bring forth a young Boy,
Shou'd convert the Nation hereafter.
(12)
Much of this may be done
By way of Dragoon,
As France hath taught us the fashion
Religion to Plant
By true Church Militant,
Far better than Convocation.
(13)
The Church has still took care
To provide for an Heir,
When Crowns are in dispute Sir
This made the French Queen
To take Mararine
For Cardinal Coadjutar.
(14)
From hence Sprang the Man
[...]
And who knows but it may be
Given in Commission
T' answer Duches's's Petition,
To his Eminence Nuncio Data.
(15)
Some think 'twas an Omen
Of no good to some Men,
That before the Critical hour
When the Queen was to lye Down
Are the Prince came to Town,
The Bishops were clapt in the Towner.
(16)
And now he's come out
A Blessing no doubt,
And an Hero as sure as may be
As big and as Bold
As a Boy a Month Old,
More like than a new Born Baby.
(17)
Let no Woman despair
Of having an Heir,
Altho' She be never so Barren
So long as there are Fathers
There'l not fail to be Mothers,
Without any fear of Miscarrying.
(18)
May all Catholicks Pray
All Night and all Day,
(Or else our Projects come short all)
That the Goddess which sent him
Would Graciously grant them,
That the Boy may be Immortal.
(19)
Then we will not forget ho
To sing Praise to Lorreto,
And set up great Winnifreds Fame
And let all Men be willing
That new Pauls which is Building,
Henceforth be call'd Nostre Dame.
White-Hall, St. Barnabas's Festival: June the 11th. 1688.