When a holy black Swede, the son of Bob,[2]
With a saint[3] at his chin and a seal at his fob,
Shall not see one[4] New-Years-day in that year,
Then let old England make good cheer: 
Windsor[5] and Bristol[5] then shall be
Joined together in the Low-countree.[5]
Then shall the tall black Daventry Bird[6]
Speak against peace right many a word;
And some shall admire his coneying wit,
For many good groats his tongue shall slit. 
But spight of the Harpy[7] that crawls on all four,
There shall be peace, pardie, and war no more
But England must cry alack and well-a-day,
If the stick be taken from the dead sea.[8]
And, dear Englond, if ought I understond,
Beware of Carrots[9] from Northumberlond. 
Carrots sown Thynne a deep root may get,
If so be they are in Somer set: 
Their Conyngs[10] mark thou; for I have been told,
They assassine when younge, and poison when old. 
Root out these Carrots, O thou,[11] whose name
is backwards and forwards always the same;
And keep thee close to thee always that name
Which backwards and forwards is [12] almost the same. 
And, England, wouldst thou be happy still,
Burn those Carrots under a Hill.[13]

[Footnote 1:  Although Swift was advised by Mrs. Masham “not to let the Prophecy be published,” and he acted on her advice, many copies were “printed and given about, but not sold.”  To Stella, Swift writes:  “I doubt not but you will have the Prophecy in Ireland although it is not published here, only printed copies given to friends.”  See Journal to Stella, 26, 27 Dec. 1711, and Jan. 4, 1711-12.—­W.  E. B.]

[Footnote 2:  Dr. John Robinson, Bishop of Bristol, one of the plenipotentiaries at Utrecht.—­Scott.]

[Footnote 3:  He was Dean of Windsor, and lord privy seal.]

[Footnote 4:  The New Style, which was not adopted in Great Britain and Ireland till it was brought in by Lord Chesterfield in 1752, was then Observed in most parts of Europe.  The bishop set out from England the Latter end of December, O. S.; and on his arrival at Utrecht, by the Variation of the style, he found January somewhat advanced.]

[Footnote 5:  Alluding to the deanery and bishopric being possessed by the same person, then at Utrecht.]

[Footnote 6:  Earl of Nottingham.]

[Footnote 7:  Duke of Marlborough.]

[Footnote 8:  The treasurer’s wand, taken from Harley, whose second title was Lord Mortimer.]

[Footnote 9:  The Duchess of Somerset.[1]]

[Footnote 10:  Count Konigsmark.[2]]

[Footnote 11:  ANNA.]

[Footnote 12:  MASHAM.]

[Footnote 13:  Lady Masham’s maiden name.]

[embedded footnote 1:  She had red hair, post, 165. ]

[embedded footnote 2:  Or Coningsmark.]

CORINNA,[1] A BALLAD 1711-12