Wesley Corpus

Page 21 How came Mynheer our doom to know, And publish it two months ago? French prophets whence could they foresee Our swift-approaching destiny? Or Congress, from across th' Atlantic, Behold th' Associate mob so frantic, And promise the destruction near Of London and of Westminster? In answer to these choaking questions, Or ministerial suggestions, The patriots say, "No harm was meant, No plot; but all was accident!" By accident the rabble came Together, in religion's name; By accident, without a plan, They with the mass-houses began; They next suppress'd all evidence, And all who justice could dispense; The statesmen to destruction doom'd; By accident the jails consum'd; (While water we in vain require To quench the hell-compounded fire) By accident the people's lees Concurr'd our wealth and arms to seize; From step to step, by measures just To lay our cities in the dust, Our name and nation to erase, And build their empire in its place; To reign yet still with no intent To reign "for all was accident!" Page 22 So, as the sons of Epicurus With modest confidence assure us, Atoms did into order dance And formed an universe; by chance! "But why is no discovery made? We see the tail, without the head." Our rulers may know more, and see Farther, perhaps, than you or me; And at the time that best befits To bring the nation to their wits, Unravel the compleat DESIGN, And shew the face of CATILINE! Meantime in spite of all your covers, And sly, political manoeuvres, This inference the public draws, Th' effect must pre-suppose a cause, The mischief point at the contrivers, The headlong herd detect the drivers.