THE WOLF in SHEEPS CLOATHING; or, the VILLAIN TRIUMPHANT

Now, my young readers, lend an ear, And you a matchless Tale shall hear, How one in a canonick gown, Pilfer'd away old England's crown; And how (which aggrandiz'd the matter) The globe and sceeptre sollowed after: But watchful providence decreed To bring to light so dark a deed. In gay king Charles the second's days. (So, readers, my historian says) One Blood , one Parrot , and another Notorious rogue, their friend and brother, Laid a bold scheme, in one half hour To seize the treasures of the Tower. The better to secure success, Blood strait put on a parson's dress, And took his wife, an artful jade, Well yers'd in the Mercurial-trade , To see the jewels in the Tower, And stay'd, at least, full half an hour. Madam at length sunk gently down Into an artificial swoon. Blood, saint-like, lifted up his eyes, And feign'd a husband's fond surprize: One Edwards who ther kept the house, With great indulgence treats his spouse; Calls for assistance, holds her head, And leads her gently up to bed. With eyes half clos'd th' imposton fell, Slunber'd an hour, and all was well. The parson, at departure, said, How shall this goodness be repaid? Hence a firm friendship was profest, And gifts his gratitude exprest.

In short—to ripen the design Of this arch-villain, sham divine, He made an offer quickly after To wed his nephew with her daughter. — Her husband lik'd the proposition: Writings were drawn with expedition: Fix'd in an instant was the day, The memorable ninth of May. On which the bold attempt was made; The crown was stoln, the villains fled, And Edwards left at home for dead.

Treason and murder soon was cry'd; The crown beneath Blood's gown was 'spy'd; And Parrot, being before suspected, Was, with the globe conceal'd, detected.

Thus the Regalia were recover'd; And thousands round the villains hover'd.— Both were in irons quickly laid, And to the Tower, White Tower, convey'd.

Soon they were summon'd to Whitehall, Where to the king Blood own'd it all. Fearless, he added to't a lye. Told him of a conspiracy, If He or Parrot once should dye; Of men who would in ambush lay, And take his precious life away: But if they met with his compassion, They'd prove of service to the nation. The king, sore frightened at that time, Not only pardon'd the bold crime, But, what is monstrous to declare, Gave Blood five hundred pounds a year.