Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 2.djvu/180

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A DIGRESSION IN THE MODERN KIND.

upon obtaining a pardon from the king[1]. In the midst of all this clutter and revolution, in comes Peter with a file of dragoons at his heels[2], and gathering from all hands what was in the wind, he and his gang, after several millions of scurrilities and curses, not very important here to repeat[3], by main force very fairly kicked them both out of doors[4], and would never let them come under his roof from that day to this.





SECT. V.


A DIGRESSION IN THE MODERN KIND.


We, whom the world is pleased to honour with the title of modern authors, should never have been able to compass our great design of an everlasting remembrance, and never dying fame, if our endeavours had not been so highly serviceable to the general good of mankind. This, O universe, is the adventurous attempt of me thy secretary;

—— Quemvis preferre laborem
Suadet, & inducit noctes vigilare serenas.

  1. Directed penitents not to trust to pardons and absolutions procured for money, but sent them to implore the mercy of God, from whence alone remission is to be obtained.
  2. By Peter's dragoons is meant the civil power, which those princes, who were bigotted to the Romish superstition, employed against the reformers.
  3. It should be, 'here to be repeated.'
  4. The Pope shuts all who dissent from him out of the church.

To