Journal of the Plague Year

continued, by a Gentleman

There is News that the Mediterranean Ports are being cloſed on account of the Peſtilence, and accordingly much Worrie and Biting of Nayles for feare of the effect on Buſineſs, rather than rejoycing in the Lord's just Retribution againſt the forces of Popery. On Sunday juſt gone the Biſhop ſpoke moſt profoundly on the wages of Sin, noting the Miraculous Eaſe with which the plague hath moved between the Dæmoniack Hordes of the Far Eaſt and the Popiſh Beſtialities of the Mediterranean. Alas that ſo few now recall the Depredations of Spayne during the Age of Navigation, and the Unſpeakable Horrors inflicted by the Roman Empire upon Good Queen Boadicea. If you aſk me it ſerves them right.

Many in theſe days are wont to quote the Prime Miniſter's moſt memorable and ſtateſmanlike ſpeech of onlie a few months ago, to the effect that given the choyce of Buſineſs or Sovereigntie, then to ſexual Intercourſe with Buſineſs. It is regrettable to report that numerous Malcontents are now abroad who remember theſe noble Words out of Context, forgetting the veritable Teares of Joy which they occasioned upon their Pronouncement.