y-pity underneath prevail'd,
And, while he sav'd the keeper's life, he fail'd.
With the priest's vestment had he but put on
The prelate's cruelty, the crown had gone.

'In his state Poems, is contained much of the secret history of
king Charles the IId, in which time they were all written. They
were composed on various occasions, and chiefly to expose a corrupt
ministry, and the violence of those who were for persecuting all who
differed from them in opinion. He has several Poems in Latin, some
of which he translated into English, and one in Greek. They have each
their proper merit; he discovers a great facility in writing the Latin
tongue. There are some small pieces of his in prose, which ought not
to escape observation. From his letter to Sir John Trott, there seems
to have been a friendly correspondence between him and that gentleman.
By his Familiar Letters, we may easily judge what part of his works
are laboured, and what not. But of all his pieces in Prose, the King's
Mock-Speech to both Houses of Parliament, has most of spirit, and
humour. As it will furnish the best specimen of Mr. Marvel's genius
for drollery, as well as the character of that prince and ministry, we
shall here insert it, as a performance of the most exquisite humour we
have ever seen.

His Majesty's most gracious Speech to both
Houses of Parliament.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

'I told you, at our last meeting, the winter was
the fittest time for business, and truly I thought
so, till my lord treasurer assured me the spring was
the best season for sallads and subsidies. I hope
therefore, that April will not prove so unnatural a
month, as not to afford some kind showers on my
parched exchequer, which gapes for want of them.
Some of you, perhaps, will think it dangerous to
make me too rich; but I do not fear it; for I promise
you faithfully, whatever you give me I will
always want; and although in other things my
word may be thought a slender authority, yet in
that, you may rely on me, I will never break it.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I can bear my straits with patience; but my lord
treasurer does protest to me, that the revenue, as it
now stands, will not serve him and me too. One
of us must suffer for it, if you do not help me. I
must speak freely to you, I am under bad circumstances,
for besides my harlots in service, my Reformado
Concubines lie heavy upon me. I have a
passab