Mahomet's Kingdom. Poem by Nicholas Amhurst

E'er the sixth Age the Christian Faith decreas'd,
And stubborn Errors spread o'er all the East;
The Judas Priest, debauch'd with sensual Pride
Aspir'd to Empire which his Lord deny'd;
The Layman too, from present Joys debarr'd,
Spurn'd at the Promise of a late Reward;
Which Mahomet observ'd, and in his Mind,
The crafty Kingdom of this World design'd;
He saw how vain was all persuasive Art,
The Task how tedious to convince the Heart;
In spite of Truth that Heresies prevail'd,
That Signs from Heaven, and Miracles had fail'd;
And boldly therefore, in th' Almighty's Name,
Arm'd with the Sword, and carnal Weapons came;
In Fields of Blood he prov'd his Mission true;
And who embrac'd not what he taught, he slew;
Nor was our Prophet wanting to delude,
The fearful, dull, believing Multitude;
To their own Wish he fram'd his Paradise,
A courtly Mansion of celestial Vice;
Fair Virgins, purling Brooks, and flow'ry Shades,
Delicious Themes! for your Arabian Blades.
What airy Belle, or modish courtly Knight,
Whom lewd Intrigues and Gallantry delight,
Cou'd not with Ease think that Religion good,
Which courts his Sense, appeals to Flesh and Blood?
Thy Wit we all, O Mahomet, applaud,
Tho' Heav'n commands us to detest the Fraud;
Wealth to thy Sons on Earth and Pow'r is given,
And after Death, a soft luxurious Heaven.