Clievelandi Vindiciæ, or, Clieveland's genuine poems, orations, epistles, &c. purged from the many false and spurious ones which had usurped his name, and from innumerable errours and corruptions in the true copies : to which are added many never printed before, with an account of the author's life.

The Answer to the Newark-Summons.

BUT that it argues a greater Courage to pass the Test of a Temptation un∣corrupted, than with a timorous Vertue to decline the Trial, so jealous is this Mai∣den Garrison of sullying her Loyalty, that she had return'd your Summons without perusal. Which rebound of your Letter, as it were a laudable Coyness to preserve her Integrity; so it is the most compendi∣ous Answer to what you propound. For I hope you intend it rather as a Mode and Formality to preface your design, than with expectation of an Issue sutable to your Demands. You cannot imagine this un∣tainted Newark, which hath so stoutly de∣fended her Honour against several intend∣ed Rapes, should be so degenerous from her Virgin Glory as to admit the Court∣ship of either your Rival Nations. Having therefore received a Letter subscribed with Competition of both Kingdoms, she won∣ders not at your busie endeavour to divert her Trent, since the Thames and Tweed with equal Ambition would crowd into her Channel▪ Which Letter, since it proceed∣ed from a Committee, and was directed

after the same Garb, as to a Committee-Governour, by putting the Gentlemen and Corporation in equal Commission (though the joyning us together was with Intention to divide us) I shall in satisfaction of yours unanimously desire you to reflect upon the King's Letter, lately sent to both Houses of Parliament, where, in a full Comply∣ance with all their Desires upon the softest Terms, and gentlest Conditions that ever Prince propounded, he offers to disband all his Forces, and dismantle his Garrisons. To what end then do you demand that of of the Steward whereof the Lord and Master makes a voluntary tender? In vain do you court the Inferiour Streams, when the Spring-head prevents your expectation. It is our Duty to trace his Commands, not to outstrip them. So that if Honour and Conscience would permit the Delivery, meer Manners would retard us, lest by an over-reaching speed we frustrate his Maje∣sty's Act of Grace, and antedate his Roy∣al Disposal. I shall wave the Arguments wherewith you endeavour to evince our Consent. I am neither to be stroak'd into an Apostacy, by the mention of fair Condi∣tions in a misty Notion: Nor to be scar'd into Dishonour by your running Division on the Fate of Chester. For as I am no

Huckster in the War, to measure my Alle∣geance by my interest for the former; so I disdain that Poverty of Spirit, by a Resemblance of Chester to be executed in Picture. I shall be Loyal without that Co∣py, and I hope never to be the Transcript of their Calamity. You may do well, Gentlemen, to use your Fortune modestly, and think not that God Almighty doth up∣hold your Cause by reason of your Victories; perchance he fattens it with present Suc∣cess for a riper Destruction. For my part I had rather embrace a Wrack floating upon a single Plank, than imbarque in your A∣ction with the fullest Sails to dance upon the Wings of Fortune. Whereas you urge the expence of the Siege, and the pressures of the Country in supporting your Charge, there I confess I am touched to the quick: But their Miseries, though they make my Heart bleed, must not make my Honour. My Compassion to my Country must not make me a Parricide to my Prince. Yet in or∣der to their ease, if you will grant me a Pass for some Gentlemen to go to Oxford, that I may know his Majesty's pleasure, whe∣ther, according to his Letter, he will wind up the Business in general, or leave every Commander to steer his own Course; then I shall know what to de∣termine.

Otherwise I desire you to take notice, that when I received my Com∣mision for the Government of this place, I annex'd my Life as a Label to my Trust.