A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CITIES OF LONDON AND PARIS, In Relation to the present Posture of Affairs, rendered into Verse, and made applicable to the Disturbances which now seem to threaten the Peace of Europe. Written by a Person who has no Money to pay Taxes in Case of a War. [From a Folio Edition, containing thirteen Pages, printed in London, 1701.] THE PREFACE. PREFACES have formerly been made use of to clear up some obscurities which have crept into the body of the books they belonged to, and let the reader into the author's design. But as there is no occasion for such a plea, either to vindicate my present intentions, or illustrate what is so obvious to every man's understanding, that has any knowledge from the news-papers of the publick transactions, I shall forbear making comments in prose, upon that which is no otherwise clouded with verse, than the common performances that run about the town so merrily, as pieces of scandal have of late. I ought, indeed, to account for my making cities speak, when their inhabitants have tongues loud and capable enough of expressing their dissatisfactions at some proceedings, which are like to embroil them in a new war, and be very burthensome to their pockets, which they, probably, might wish to have loaden with more agreeable things than taxes, which are the likeliest methods imaginable to make them too light for those whom they belong to. But since Chaucer's birds and beasts have lately been talkative, and spoke their minds with a sort of assurance and freedom, I presume I may take the liberty to give stones the same privilege, which is altogether as poetical. But as some expressions, probably, may give occasion to some people who are subjects for satyre, and make them very ready to run down and decry them, so I must let them know something of my sentiments, and acquaint them, that its two combatants business to try which can cut deepest, and it has been the custom of every Roman gladiator, to take care, Ne parma caderet, that he should not drop his guard, and lay himself open to his enemy's attacks. This, I hope, will excuse the freedom one city takes with another; and since he, who has set them together by the ears, has taken care, like a true-born Englishman, to state the case so, as to make his own countryman's side the strongest, it is hoped, the English reader will give the design his favourable interpretation, especially since the author has as little to get by a war (being no military man) as he has hitherto got by the peace. London. THOU City, whose aspiring turrets rise, Paris. Ah! sister, while we two divided stand, London. Our Kings will surely do as sov'reigns shou'd, We, that are neighbours, should like neighbours prove, Paris. But ties of blood, and friendship's laws, enjoin And ought, from hence, to be with aid supply'd, Yonder 's a land, from whence your monarch drew What e'er he speaks or acts has their applause, While he for arbiter of fate is own'd, And reigns a sov'reign where he 's not inthron'd. Since there is no distinction in their claim, As I a native's right with zeal pursue, And practise what should be perform'd by you? London. 'Tis own'd that natives should for natives stand, Such is thy Philip when my William's name Paris. Presumptuous wretch, thy base reflexions spare, Is there a line ignoble in his face, Or what's degenerate from Bourbon's race? Is there a thought admitted to his soul, That prompts him to commit a deed that's foul? Or can a mind so prodigally good, That has for other's rights so bravely stood; See this well explained in the Rights of the House of Austria to the Spanish suc cession, beginning on page 483, in this volume. Alluding to the bloody Bartholomew massacre of the Protestants at Paris, at a time when all seemed to live in peace. Universal monarchy. This is the doctrine of absolute monarchs, who pretend to an hereditary right, not only to the crown, but to the liberties and properties of their subjects, by divine right, or that they are commissioned by God to inslave their subjects. That kings exil'd maintains within his court, When armies might make good his grandson's + claim, Which must have been without a will' his own? And promis'd France and Spain should ne'er unite; Since there are different kings that govern both, London. Not that I'd wrongfully crown'd heads abuse, But, when fictitious births, as true, are feign'd, All must allow, as it by all is known, Yet all must likewise hold this maxim good, Through devious paths in quest of crowns appear'd As he through joyful crouds to empire rode, Unweary'd with the mischiefs he had done. James. Philip's claim to Spain. ↑ See the first note in the foregoing page. Cardinal Mazarine was the supposed father. King William the Third, Prince of Orange and Nassau, } VOL. X. k k With his insatiate strumpet by his side, If no kind beams of goodness grace his soul? Paris. When threat'ning foes her provinces invade, London. Mistake him not; but take a nearer sight, His troops are Spain's assistants in pretence, But times will come, should German armies fail, When her brave sons, that have so long withstood • Madam Maintenon, who lived openly with the King of France, in defiance of God and his holy religion. + Sways the councils of the court of Spain. |