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The excellency of Monarchy compared with Aristocracy and Democracy joyntly. SECT. XV.
641.
NOw, though I know our books are fill'd with praise
Of good mens vertues, freedoms popular;
Yet he that will not Audit words, but ways,
And over-look the dreams of time with care,
In smart succession, he shall cleerly find
No long liv'd state hath been of either kind.
642.
For whatsoever stile these men affect
Of Optimates, or of Democracy,
Their courses basely practice, and effect
A servile Oligarchal Tyranny;
A swell in Laws as in establishment,
Like ill mixt humours, never well content.
643.
So that such onely have escap'd mischance,
As luckily, by publick opposition,
To ballance Consuls, Tribunes did advance,
Or by a more refined composition,
Have rais'd (like Venice) some well bounded Duke
Their self-grown Senators to overlook: