Classic Poem

The Alligory.

1.

A S Plutarch doth write, (a Man of known Credit)
A Serpent there was had a Mutinous Tayle ,
Rebell'd 'gainst the Head , that so oft had fed it,
And would not permit it to lead, or prevaile:
Is't not fit that by turns we Leaders should be
Quoth the Tayle? follow me, as I've follow'd thee.

2.

Now, the Body , being grown too strong for the Head ,
Quoth the Head , if it must be, then let it be so;
For quietnesse sake I yield to be lead,
But fear that from hence some mischief will grow;
A thing so un-naturall never was read,
As the Head to turn Tayle , and the Tayle to turn Head .

3.

A Monster like this, but of stranger Conditions,
Engender'd there was in the year thirty nine;
Rebell'd 'gainst the Head , but with fawning Petitions ,
To have him his Pow'r and his Right to resign;
This Monster (the truth on't to speak) was begot
By a Mongrell Parson , and that Hagg the Scot .

4.

So large and so mighty this Tayle grew in length,
That where e're it came, it swept all before it;
There was no resisting so pow'rfull a strength,
The Head at the last was forc't to implore it:
All our Castles and Towns this Tayle did subdue,
A sad tale to tell, but-believe me 'tis true.

5.

Above seven years Conflict this Head did endure,
With that Monsterous Tayle , and the Spawn it begot:
During which time no Man's life was secure,
Our Goods and our Cattle all went to the Pot:
At last came a Champion with an Iron flayle,
And ended the strife 'twixt the Head , and the Tayle:

6.

The Head being departed, the Body began
To consult with the Tayle what was best to do;
St. George (quoth the Body ) 'tis said was a Man,
But what can this thing be is called St. O .
Why he (quoth the Tayle ) was one of our Rout,
And 'tis wonderous strange he should turn Tayle about.

7.

While thus they did argue in rusht our St. O .
With Courage more keen then the Sword that he wore;
Quoth he, ye are vile things, not fit here to grow,
Such Fiends ne're was known in this place heretofore.
The wealth and the fat of the Country doth feed you,
And now I do guesse it is high time to bleed you.

8.

Some say that this Tayle wore the mark of a P ,
O , is a Letter in rank known before it;
How e're 't makes no matter, 'tis all one to me,
Save this, that I'm sure the O had the more wit;
There's no Man so blind, but may easily see
He hath added unto his small O , a tall P .

9.

My Story now ended come viva St. George ,
That old true-blew Lad, and Hospitable-Saint,
Bring a Butt of good Sack to fill up my George,
At this tale of Head and Tayle I almost faint;
Howe're let it pass, if you studdy upon't,
I hope you will neither make Head or Tayle on't.