`Object. "Our Princes Coronation by a Statute,
"Inflicts these fines on those that were not at it:
"Provided they have fourty pounds by yeare
"Of free-hold Land, the Statute makes it cleare.
Answ. Tis true; but this reflecteth not on me,
For I was at that high solemnitie,
And I'•…•…h best note my rurall Muse could sing,
Tendred my Poemes to my gratious King,
Object. "Yea but the Proclamation did forbid it,
"You were not well advis'd then, when you did it.
Answ. 'Slid, should I neither then be here nor there
But like a Ball hang hovering in the ayre?
O bject. No; though the Coronation wil'd you come
"The Proclamation wish'd you stay at home,
"You should not have c•…•…me up Sir;
Answ. No more did I,
For I, as fortune fell, was there allready;
Where my ambitious Muse did Knighthood crave,
But what I had I hold, no more I have.
Discusse my Lord, then each particular,
I shall be found in nought irregular.
"I came not up; I broke not th' Proclamation;
"The Statute 's kept; I was at Coronation;
At which (I'le justify with heart and hand,)
I joy'd as much as any Knight ith' Land.
These duely weigh'd, your Honour Umpire be,
Whether I pay the King, or King pay me.
His regall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 receiv'd this Muse of mine,
And were this reason, think you, for my rime?
I sung, my Sov'•…•…igne heard me, now wee say