The Character of a Protector - anon (c. 1654)

Anon., ‘The Character of a Protector’ (c. 1654) (more at stuarts-online.com)

What’s a Protector? ’Tis a stately thing That apes it in the nonage of a king; A tragic actor, Cesar in the clown, He is a brass farthing stamped with a crown; Aesop’s proud ass masked in a lion’s skin, An outside saint with a white devil within; A bladder blown with others breath puffed full, Both Phalaris and Phalaris his bull; Fantastic shadow of the royal head, The brewer’s with the king’s arms quartered; In fine he is one whom we Protector call, From whom the King of Kings protect us all.