Though the worthy old Earle is confined in Prison,
And also they say that it is for high Treason,
Yet I hope to this charge he will prove a denyall,
When that he doth come to appear at his Tryall,
For let Atheist and Papist do all what they can,
Yet this good old Earle is a Pollitick man.

For he loves the King and his Countrey ’tis true,
And nothing unjustly I hope he will do,
But a Trap for his Life did the Papists lay,
And sought by all means this good Peer to betray,
For let &c.

’Tis thought that his charge but a Scandal will prove,
Which Justice I hope will most quickly remove,
And our lives were indangerd some people do say,
But Godfrey and Shaftsbury stood just in the way,
Yet let &c.

But Godfreys blood they already have shed,
And now they would feign have old Shaftsbury’s Head,
He has lived so long he’s unwilling to lose,
His Head by the Plots of such fellows as those,
Yet let &c.

And bold Madam Celiers that cursed Midwife,
Did strangely conspire against Shaftsbury’s Life,
But God did forbid that his blood they should spill,
And I hope will protect him from treachery still,
But let &c.

But when he shall answer to his accusation,
I hope he will prove a true friend to the Nation,
And be clear’d in despight of such persons as those,
Who now do appear his implacable foes,
And let &c.

God send he may prove a true Protestant Peer,
Though Tony by Tories he’s call’d in a jeer,
Let mercies forever his person defend,
That would both his King and his Countrey befriend,
And let &c.

But some who are Members of the Church of Rome,
Do wish that he quickly may come to his Doom,
Let their expectations be frustrated quite,
Let him be the King’s and the Countreys delight,
The let &c.

His Friends they do hope he’l come off without shame,
Or injury done to his person, or name,
A pattern of Loyalty still let him be,
And set him from Tories and enemies free,
For let &c.

And now to conclude with a hearty desire,
I wish his inlargement grows nigher and nigher,
That he’s guiltless of Treason there's many suppose,
But honest men alwaies have numbers of foes.
Yet let &c.