Classic Poem

Within this House is to be seen
Such a Monster as hath not been
At any time in England , nay
In Europe, Africk, Asia .
'Tis a Round body, without a Head
Almost three years, yet not dead.
'Tis like that Beast I once did see,
Whose Tayle stood where his Head should be;
And, which was never seen before,
Though't want a head, 'thas Horns good store,
It has very little hair, and yet
You'l say it has more hair than wit,
'Thas many Eyes and many Eares,
'Thas many Jealousies and Fears,
'Thas many Mouths, and many Hands,
'Tis full of Questions and Commands.
'Tis arm'd with Muskets, Pikes, it fears
Naught in the World but Cavaliers;
'Twas born in England , but begot
Betwixt the English and the Scot .
Though some are of Opinion rather
That the Devil was its Father,
And the City, which is worse,
Was its Mother, and its Nurse.
Some say (though perhaps in scorn)
That it was a Cretan born,
And not unlike, for't has the fashion
Just as may be of that Nation,
For 'tis a Lyer, none oth' least;
A slow Belly, an Evil beast;
Of what Religion none can tell,
It much resembles that in Hell.
Some say it is a Jew disguis'd,
And why, because 'tis circumcis'd;
For 'twas deprived long ago
Of many a Member wee well know,
In some points 'tis a Jesuited Priest,
In some it is a Calvinist:
For 'tis not Justify'd, it saith
By Good-works, but by Publick Faith.
Some call't an Anabaptist: Some
Think now that Antichrist is come.
A Creature of an uncouth kind,
Both for its Body, and its mind:
Make hast and see't, else 'twill be gon,
For now 'tis sick, and drawing on.