As the fork’d lightning rives the knotted oak: 
Fear, hope, dismay, all signs of shame or grace,
Chain’d every foot, or featured every face;
Then took his sacred trump a louder swell,
And now they groan’d, they sicken’d, and they fell;
Again he sounded, and we heard the cry
Of the Word-wounded, as about to die;
Further and further spread the conquering word,
As loud he cried—­’The Battle of the Lord.’ 
E’en those apart who were the sound denied,
Fell down instinctive, and in spirit died. 
Nor stay’d he yet—­his eye, his frown, his speech,
His very gesture, had a power to teach: 
With outstretch’d arms, strong voice, and piercing call,
He won the field, and made the Dagons fall;
And thus in triumph took his glorious way,
Through scenes of horror, terror, and dismay.”

LETTER V.

Say then which class to greater folly stoop,
The great in promise, or the poor in hope?

Be brave, for your leader is brave, and vows reformation; there shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny; and the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops.  I will make it felony to drink small beer:  all shall eat and drink on my score, and I will apparel them all in one livery,that they may agree like brothers; and they shall all worship me as their lord. 
Shakspeare, Henry
VI.

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The election.

The Evils of the Contest, and how in part to be avoided—­The Miseries endured by a Friend of the Candidate—­The various Liberties taken with him who has no Personal Interest in the Success—­The unreasonable Expectations of Voters—­The Censures of the opposing Party—­The Vices as well as Follies shown in such Time of Contest—­ Plans and Cunning of Electors—­Evils which remain after the Decision, opposed in vain by the Efforts of the Friendly, and of the Successful; among whom is the Mayor—­Story of his Advancement till he was raised to the Government of the Borough—­These Evils not to be placed in Balance with the Liberty of the People, but are yet Subjects of just Complaint.

Yes, our Election’s past, and we’ve been free,
Somewhat as madmen without keepers be;
And such desire of Freedom has been shown,
That both the parties wish’d her all their own: 
All our free smiths and cobblers in the town
Were loth to lay such pleasant freedom down;
To put the bludgeon and cockade aside,
And let us pass unhurt and undefied. 
   True! you might then your party’s sign produce,
And so escape with only half th’ abuse: 
With half the danger as you walk’d along,
With rage and threat’ning but from half the throng. 
This you might do, and not your fortune mend,
For where you lost a foe you gain’d a friend;
And to distress you, vex you, and expose,
Election-friends are worse than any foes;