The Virginia Gazette

The BULL of GOTHAM, a canonical FRAGMENT.

AND behold! there was Wickedness over all the Land, for the People had departed from the Ways of the Just. And they did not as their Fathers did; they despised their Rulers, and they followed the Persuasions of evil Men, and they bowed themselves unto them even as they list.

And it came to pass, that among these was one Man of evil Aspect, named John; he was of the Tribe of the Wilkites, of the Race of the Jews, and his Father's Name was Israel*.

Now this Man was a Hypocrite, a Dissembler of the Truth, and great was his Cunning; and he laid false Snares, and gained the Hearts of the People, insomuch that they despised their Rulers, and him only did they obey.

Now it so happened, that some of the Elders of the City, seeing these Things, became wroth, and were displeased, and said unto this evil Leader of the People, even unto John, Why, O Son of Israel, hast thou dealt with us in this Manner?

Behold! when thou wast poor we took thee in, when thou wast hungry we gave thee Bread, when thou wast thirsty we gave thee Drink, and when thou wast naked we clothed thee in Fur and Scarlet, yea we heaped Honours upon thee when thou hadst no Honours of thy own.

These Things have we done unto thee; yet behold, Son of Israel, in what Sort thou hast dealt with us!

Thou hast, by thy Cunning, seduced away the Hearts of the People from the Laws; Confusion is gone forth through the Land; they will not that they be ruled as their Fathers were ruled, and us they obey not, but thee.

Now when John heard these Things, he wist not what to say; for the Pride of his Spirit was raised in him, and he became exceeding wroth.

And he arose from his Seat, and he looked furiously upon the Elders, and he said unto them, What! and is it come to this? Hear me then, ye whom I despise, and listen to me, ye whom my Soul disdaineth!

Have I not been the Protector of your Laws, and the Guardian of your Liberties? Have I not watched the People from Harm, even as the Shepherd watcheth the Flock by Night, because of the Wolves?

Have I not fought against your Foes, and conquered; And have I not guided you in your Councils, blind and foolish as you are, and said unto you, Thus, and thus, shall ye do?

And lo! what is my Reward, and what the Price of my Wisdom? Reviling, and Scoffing, and Envy!

Now, touching those Things which ye have said concerning the People, hear me: It is true I possess the Hearts of the Multitude, and that I will endeavour always to possess them is not false.

Yet this I will turn to your Confusion, and the Punishment of your Ingratitude shall be great.

I will depress you, and humble you, and bring you unto Shame; for all-powerful is my Voice, and I will cause that Beasts rule over you instead of Men.

Thus said, he left the Assembly of the Elders.

And he went unto the Flock, and there he found a Bull Calf, even a BULL; and he tied him by the Horns, and led him to the publick Place where the Multitude of the People were assembled.

And he entered among them, and stood up in the Midst, and cried out with a loud Voice, Behold, ye People of Gotham, I bring you a Chief Ruler, and a Head of the Elders!

And the whole People shouted, and danced with Joy, and answered him with one Voice,

"Wisely hast thou done, O John, Son of Israel!"

He then departed with the Beast, and mounted him, even as People mount Horses, and rode upon him to the Mansion House of the Chief Ruler of the City.

And, as he went along, he ordered Taapha, who came from the western Country, even the Country of Goats, to play upon the Harp.

And Taapha obeyed him: for though he was one of the Elders he was also one of the Servants of John, the Leader of the People.

And how the BULL roared, and reigned, behold will it not be found in the Acts of the Times to come?

Mr. Wilkes is the Son of Israel Wilkes.