Wesley Corpus

Page 17 Flock to the city of confusion Giv'n up to mobbish execution. Who can against the ruffians stand, Or dare deny their just demand? Religion's friends, our faith's protectors, Our guards an army of collectors, May they not maintenance require, As workmen worthy of their hire, And lay us under contribution, And bring us to a good conclusion? "That good and full conclusion's come, Your sure, inevitable doom: Th' exterminating word is past, And the next night shall be your last: 'Tis fixt (the hellish murth'rer cries) A thousand fires at once shall rise; Your aqueducts cut off shall fail, And flames unquenchable prevail, (Strange flames that never can expire, A compound of Tartarian fire) Destruction shall your city sweep, Burnt down into a ruinous heap Your proud metropolis shall lie, And London's boast for ever die." What can their purpose fell defeat, Or snatch us from the gaping pit? We shudder on the brink of fate, And for our sure excision wait: Let but another night pass o'er, And England's glory is no more, Triumph the Luciferian host, Abaddon reigns, and all is lost! Page 18 Canto IV. But lo! At the appointed time, On his eternal throne sublime, The Lord, who o'er all nature reigns, And holds rebellious powers in chains, Who sets the raging sea its bounds, HE looks and all our foes confounds! He calls the man of his right-hand, His image, in the gap to stand, Inspir'd with wisdom from above, Cloth'd with authority and love, Deputed by the Lord most high To deal the vengeance of the sky, Root out the sons of wickedness, And save a most unthankful race. His faithful troops from every side Are brought to turn the rapid tide, To scatter the wild beasts of prey, The felons and destroyers slay, To seize th' appointed heirs of death, And pluck the prey out of their teeth, The brands half-burnt out of the fire, And pay th' incendiaries their hire. Compel'd at last the loyal bands To execute their king's commands, (Their king by heaven's Almighty Lord Intrusted with the nation's sword) No more they tenderly forbear, No more with cruel pity spare,