sire more instances of my zeal, I have
them for you. For example, I have converted my
natural sons from Popery; and I may say, without
vanity, it was my own work, so much the more
peculiarly mine than the begetting them. 'Twould
do one's heart good to hear how prettily George can
read already in the Psalter. They are all fine children,
God bless 'em, and so like me in their understandings!
But, as I was saying, I have, to please
you, given a pension to your favourite, my lord
Lauderdale; not so much that I thought he wanted
it, as that you would take it kindly. I have made
Carwel duchess of Portsmouth, and marry'd her
sister to the earl of Pembroke. I have, at my brother's
request, lent my lord Inchequin into Barbary,
to settle the Protestant religion among the Moors,
and an English interest at Tangier. I have made
Crew bishop of Durham, and, at the first word of
my lady Portsmouth, Prideaux bishop of Chichester.
I know not, for my part, what factious men would
have; but this I am sure of, my predecessors never
did any thing like this, to gain the good-will of their
subjects. So much for your religion, and now for
your property. My behaviour to the bankers is
a public instance; and the proceedings between
Mrs. Hyde and Mrs. Sutton, for private ones, are
such convincing evidences, that it will be needless
to say any more to't.

I must now acquaint you, that, by my lord treasurer's
advice, I made a considerable retrenchment
upon my expences in candies and charcoal, and do
not intend to stop there, but will, with your help,
look into the late embezzlements of my dripping-pans
and kitchenstuff; of which, by the way, upon
my conscience, neither my lord treasurer, nor my
lord Lauderdale, are guilty. I tell you my opinion;
but if you should find them dabling in that business,
I tell you plainly, I leave 'em to you; for, I would
have the world to know, I am not a man to be
cheated.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I desire you to believe me as you have found me;
and I do solemnly promise you, that whatsoever
you give me shall be specially managed with the
same conduct, trust, sincerity, and prudence, that
I have ever practiced, since my happy restoration.'

In order to shew the versification of Mr. Marvel, we shall add a
beautiful dialogue between the resolved soul, and created pleasure. It
is written with a true spirit of poetry,