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THE FEAREFVLL SVMMER: OR LONDONS CALAMITIE.
THe Patience and long suffering of our God,
Keepes close his Quiuer, and restraines his Rod,
And though our crying Crimes to Heau'n doe cry
For vengeance, on accurst Mortality;
Yea though we merit mischiefes manifold,
Blest Mercy doth the hand of Iustice hold.
But when that Eye that sees all things most cleare,
Expects our finits of Faith, from yeere, to yeere,
Allowes vs painefull Pastors, who bestow
Great care and toyle, to make vs fruitfull grow,
And daily doth in those weake Vessels send
The dew of Heauen, in hope we will amend;
Yet (at the last) he doth perceiue and see
That we vnfruitfull and most barren be,
Which makes his indignation frowne,
And (as accursed Fig-trees) cut vs downe.
Thus Mercy (mock'd) plucks iustice on our heads,
And gri••uous Plagues our Kingdome ouerspreads:
Then let vs to our God make quicke returning,
With true contrition, fasting and with mourning:
The Word is God, and God hath spoke the Word,
If we repent he will put vp his sword.
Hee's grieu'd in panishing, Hee's slow to Ire,
And HE a sinners death doth not desire.
If our Compunction our Amendment show,
Our purple sinues Hee'll make as white as snow.
If we lament our God is mercifull,
Our scarlet crimes hee'll make as white as wooll.
Faire London that did late abound in blisse,
And wast our Kingdomes great Metropolis,
'Tis thou thar art deie••••••ed, low in state,
Disc••••••late, and almost desolate,
(The hand of Heau'n that onely did protect thee)
Thou hast prouok'd moil iustly to correct thee,
And for thy pride of Heart and deeds vniust,
He layes thy Pompe and Glory in the dust.
Thou that wast late the Queene of Cities nam'd,
Throughout the world admir'd, renown'd, & fam'e
Thou that hadst all things at command and will,
To whom all England was a hand-maide still;
For rayment, fewell, fish, fowle, beasts, for food,
For fruits, for all our Kingdome counted good,
Both neere and farre remote, all did agree
To bring their best of blessings vnto thee.
Thus in conceite, thou seem'dst to rule the Fates,
Whilst peace and plenty flourish'd in thy Gates,
Could I relieue thy miseries as well,
As part I can thy woes and sorrowes tell,
Then should my Cares be eas'd with thy Reliefe,
And all my study how to end thy griefe.
Thou that wer't late rich, both in friends & wealth,
Magnificent in state, and strong in health,
As chiefest Mistris of our Country priz'd,
Now chiefly in the Country art despis'd.
The name of London now both farre and neere,
Strikes all the Townes and Villages with scare,
And to be thought a Londoner is worse,
Then one that breakes a house, or takes a purse.
He that will filch or steale, now is the Time,
No Iustice dares examine him, his crime;
Let him but say that he from London came,
So full of Feare and Terrour is that name,
The Constable his charge will soone forsake,
And no man dares his M••••nus to make.
Thus Citizens plag'd for the Citie sinnes,
Poore entertainement in the Country winnes.
Some feare the City, and fly thence amaine,
And those are of the Country fear'd againe,