Machiavels ghost, as he lately appeared to his deare sons, the moderne projectors divulged for the pretended good of the kingdomes of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Nicolaus Machiavelus Dilectis Filijs suis PROIECTORIBVS SALVTEM, &c.

ANd why deare Off-spring should you feare to fall, When you approach to triall, since you all Can with bold faces firmly stand the test, And on your inocence securely rest.

Voyd of all blame, and spight of envy be As free from punishment as honestie. Who dares disturbe my Darlings, or compell Them 'fore their times to take their Thrones in hell, Who can convert your meanings for the good Oth' publike weale to bad? since what you would Have bravely acted was to increase the store Oth' kingdom, & your own wealth ten times more. Sweet Sons of Policie, whose glorious traine Flew like Minerva from my Iove-like braine; Why should your actions suffer censure, when You were indeed the onely Men of men, That did with cautious industrie supplie Natures defects; and to Monopolie Reduce all Trades, and Sciences within The Kingdome, from the Bever to the Pin. With what a care of sobernesse did you Inhance the price of Wine, and made men brew By Licence onely: not the Coals, or Salt, But was excis'd, not Butter, no not Malt; Nay, even the Rags themselves did tribute pay, Tobacco too, and every thing that lay

Open to your Inventions: Cards and Dice, Laying an imposition on mens vice. Just so in Rome, where they doe strive to win Soules, they doe raise a profit out of sin: And to augment the holy Fathers store, Inflict a set rate on each publike whore. Such a fine quaint invention, such a reach Had your Aetheriall fancies, as would teach Furies themselves new Arts: and why then should You the grand Patriots of the publike good, Suffer or shame or punishment; debarr'd Your liberty, when you deserve reward? VVhich you shall have, triumphantly to deck, Like a faire Chaine, each ones well-fashion'd Neck. Nor shall Tiburnian Gregorie with stroak Of paltry penny Cord have power to choak VVesands so meritorious: you shall shine Still in your Orbes, bright Stars, and ne're pay fine Able to break an Alderman: for should you Suffer, your punishment does kill vertue too. But to incourage you, deare children, looke On my last Legacy, this little Booke,

VVhich now emergent from the Presse does shew, (Perhaps what others scarce did know) Your noble qualitie, how just, how true You are to th' State, what wayes you doe pursue For your owne profits: so deare Sons farewell, Ere long I hope to welcome you to hell.