Classic Poem

Am I mad, O noble Festus ,
When Zeal and godly knowledge
Have put me in hope
To deal with the Pope,
As well as the best in the Colledge?
Boldly I preach, hate a Crosse, hate a Surplice,
Miters, Copes, and Rochets:
Come hear me pray nine times a day,
And fill your heads with Crochets.

In the house of pure Emanuel
I had my Education,
Where my friends surmise
I dazell'd mine eyes.
With the light of Revelation.
Boldly I preach, &c.

They bound me like a Bedlam,
They lasht my four poor quarters;
Whilst thus I endure,
Faith makes me sure
To be one of Foxes Martyrs.
Boldly I preach, &c.

These injuries I suffer
Through Antichrists perswasions;
Take off this Chain,
Neither Rome nor Spain
Can resist my strong invasions.
Boldly I preach, &c.

Of the beasts ten horns (God blesse us!)
I have knock'd off three already:
If they let them alone,
I'le leave him none:
But they say I am too heady.
Boldly I preach, &c.

When I sack'd the seven-hill'd City,
I met the great red Dragon;
I kept him aloof
With the armour of proof,
Though here I have never a rag on.
Boldly I preach, &c.

With a fiery Sword and Target
There fought I with this Monster:
But the sons of Pride
My Zeal deride,
And all my deeds misconster.
Boldly I preach, &c.

I unhors'd the Whore of Babel
With the Lance of Inspirations:
I made her stink,
And spill her drink
In the cup of Abominations,
Boldly I preach, &c.

I have seen two in a Vision,
With a flying Book between them;
I have been in despair
Five times a year,
And cur'd by reading Greenham ,
Boldly I preach, &c.

I observ'd in Perkins Tables
The black Lines of Damnation,
Those crooked veins
So stuck in my Brains,
That I fear'd my Reprobation,
Boldly I preach, &c.

In the holy tongue of Canaan
I plac'd my chiefest pleasure,
Till I prickt my foot
With an Hebrew root,
That I bled beyond all measure.
Boldly I preach, &c.

I appear'd before th' Archbishop,
And all the High Commission:
I gave him no Grace,
But told him to his face
That he favour'd Superstition.
Boldly I preach, hate a Crosse, hate a Surplice,
Miters, Copes, and Rochets:
Come hear me pray nine times a day,
And fill your heads with Crotchets.