Caroloiades, or, The rebellion of forty one in ten books : a heroick poem.

CAROLOIADES, OR, The Rebellion of England. Begun in the Year, 1641. A HEROICK Poem. (Book 1)

The Argument of the First Book.

Unhappy War begun in Forty One, The Causes Mischiefs, here the Poets Song Briefly relates: The Houses from their King Highly divide, whence discords soon increase, Nourish'd by Pasquills, Libells, Threats, Demands. Nor Royal Acts of Grace suffice to calm All daring Vulgar rage: The Queen departs, And Heroine-like undaunted Seas does pass.

THE Wars and period of a Mighty King, Which did from furious Crimes of Subjects spring: My Muse presumes here to describe by Verse, And Hero's deeds of Brave Renown rehearse.

Whose English Valours, on account of Fame, Are no less blaz'd then Greek or Roman Name. Their Grandeur weigh'd, and such admir'd Designs, As give high Theams unto Heroick Lines: Had Homer them, or Mighty Maros's wit, Unto Times Future admiration writ; With every Fiction, as should intervene, For silling Glory to each weighty Scene. And had their Genius, like some Sacred Merit, Left with Pernassus Legacies of Spirit To be Implor'd from thence, I well might now That Supplication to my Soul allow: As wondrous Actions here my Verse relates, And things Prodigious form'd 'gainst high Estates. No Civil War did e're so Impious sway, When Subjects durst their Sovereigns least obey. And tho' thy Reign First Charles sills no Record With spoils of Nations, or a Lawless Sword: The bad example of most Neighbour Kings, Whose stern Ambition unjust ruine brings:

Yet in the even Conduct of thy Mind Was Grandeur above Scepter unconsin'd. Not more dismay'd when unthought Storms appear'd, Then in best Calms whose change was causless fear'd. And to Celestial Councels only known, Why he, whose Virtue did adorn his Throne, Should so accomplish'd not successfull be Against the Wicked when his Enemy. Vile in their rise, and in that more Accurst Because proceeding from Peace loathed first By Graceless hearts, which were too proudly bred, And from their Peace and Riches Ranc'rous fed. Whence Faction's Itch did more envenom'd sprout, Contagion spreading through the Vulgar Rout. And like quick Plagues, when mingling with their breath, The Crowd Infected e're they fear'd their death. With these high Evils poysonous Libels joyn'd; Fame's Vulgar Magick, aptly then design'd By men whose Subtleties could full delude, And to their ends engage the thoughtless Crowd.

And next, themselves did wholsome Patriots blaze, More to allure the Vulgar's Giddy praise. Divulging faults where none Just fault could find, Or call that Crime which they for Crime design'd. Nor less Supine 'gainst Church then State durst rail, Whilst Scots help'd England with their Pious Tale: Or Covenant form'd that speciously might bring Both Nations to Oppose their Laws and King. How did their knotty evils then awake, The Just Repose our Monarch's Rule did take? Abroad he saw Peace bless'd him every where, No Less Made Forraign Wonder then their Fear: Nor more, at Home, did Troubles apprehend, Who thought, his Good might others Evil mend. Whence Heavens permissive Will did him allow Much ready Justice with a Sword too slow. A Merit that on bad Men little gains, Whose fear, not love, their duty most retains. Now Pop'lar fury, with it hop'd for Swinge, Had set Commotion on the smoothest Hinge.

When Low'd desires brought Parliament Estates, To colour more three Kingdom's wretched Fates: In hope the Scepter without blow might fall, Or shar'd by Lords and Commons at their Call. No Negative Will their Sovereign they'd admit, All they would Act, nay kill as they thought sit. Thy bloud Great Strafford foremost must be Spilt, His Head their fear, and death no loss their Guilt. Whilst Poz'd the Senats Artisice to Maintain, That Law did Treason in his Case Explain. Whose fall his Princes Cares did much Augment, Who griev'd, yet grieving gave his wrong'd Consent. Flatter'd with hopes of future good from Men That were bad first but to be worse agen: And shows to Kings how dangerous they Comply, When they (with evil) Subjects Gratify. Nor less the Multitudes unruly Fate, Who thought his Bloud more prosperous days should Date. Not judging Heav'n had but deferr'd the time When they must bleed to expiate their Crime.

All which the Politique Houses had foreseen, When left to Crouds Seditions welcome Scene. Well knowing that such must for their Crimes be stroak'd, Before they could be more subservient yoak'd. Or Grants obtain'd, Be aiding unto more, That should confirm an everlasting Power To sit and Vote; To which their Prince Agrees, Hoping to winn them with Benignities; And this High gift like which none e're had been By Subjects ask'd, or given by English King. Whilst they neglecting his too facile Grace, Give to their asking still a bolder Face. Resolv'd to Compass such Disloyall things, As should dethrone him with his line of Kings. No thoughts like these did complicate his Cares, And pierc'd him deeper in his Consorts Tears: Her Person Menac'd and defam'd by those Who most did high disorders then dispose. Which tho' 'gainst her Ingloriously apply'd, Yet no occasion she her Soul deny'd,

That to her King her Value could assure, Or tell the World what she'd for him endure. To whom, with Meen and Greatness duly Joyn'd, She briefly thus express'd her Glorious Mind. What Fate soe're in these Commotions lyes, Or sury staring in your Peoples Eyes; Should it shame Starrs that such presages guide, Or to your Rebell Subjects joyn their side: No day, from aiding you, shall me deterr, How dismall e're may look the face of Warr. Too sure your friend, your Foes do me suspect, Since my Soul most your Cause must needs affect. Like which no Glory from my Life can spring, Or Courage in the Wife of such a King. What Ally won't your Warrs concern embrace, Or Prince descending from a Royall Race, When I your praises shall to them declare, And how Compleat to Rule your Virtues are: These, your best Standards, I'le abroad display, If through the Occean Starrs assist my way.

To these obligements of her Soul to him, Whose Virtue best their Merit could esteem; He thus replyes: If Heaven designes to me By Peace or Warr a due prosperity: The greatness of thy Mind and Love I'le own, Above Attempts that may support my Crown. My Kingdoms dangers threaten every where, As from black Clouds Men future Thunder 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ Fierce Pop'lar rage above its Region swells, Whence few discern where most the mischief dwells: But more severe that Crime unto my Heart, As your affliction has with mine its part. What Absence can you sever from my mind, Where like another Soul your value's join'd. Whilst I assisting of thy Just Retreat, Shew my Affection's no less kind then Great. Nor would I that true Annals should disperse My Acts of Glory, and not Thine rehearse. His Queen in whose Heroick Soul did meet All things that Love and Majesty compleat▪

Yields to depart, with so Serene a Grace, That Gries seem'd vanquish'd in her Tender Face. Much kindness she express'd, and more forbears; Lest Words too sadly should produce her Tears: Or that her Soul to utter wanted power How kind she'd leave him in that dismal hour. Such Nobless as with Duty did attend On this Departure, how did they contend To six Impressions on their Souls that might Admi••e the Grief and Grandeur of this sight? Nor Judg'd they sorrow could enough Address, With tears their wives and daughters did Express▪ As they fear'd evills from that hour would spring, That destin'd was to part a Queen and King. Thus they Lamented; and next Joyntly pray, That Heaven might safely guide on Seas her way. And from the Glory of her Voyage yield, Fa••r fam'd Assistance to her King in field. Winds soon their wishes take, whilst Neptun's face His Azur'd Curls and smoothest Billows grace:

Proud that his Swiftest waves her fraight must bear, As her stout Ship to Belgick ports did steer. Had former Poets this Atcheivment known, Not their verse Thetis Queen of Seas would own. Since Love and Glory more Sublimely raise A Consort to our Empire on the Seas. The Queen thus to a Forraign Coast retir'd, Where Highest Potentates her worth admired, And how she more then Woman's skill apply'd, That her Kings Cause might soonest be supply'd. When Belgian States (so long oblig'd had been To Fam'd Elizabeth our English Queen; By whom their Body-Politique did rise In spight of Spain then held so Great and Wise) She with Pathetick words did highly move, Wishing their Power as Gratefull as her Love. Since by a sad Vicissitude of Fate, The English Crown Courts their obliged State: Letting 'em know to what a Glorious end They may for ever be call'd Englands freind.

To which the Belgick State, with Supine pride, (Th' effect of Power and Riches) thus reply'd; What er's the Cause that this Address does bring, Thus Honour'd by the Queen to Brittains King. An Envoy, which our Greatness must confess, Does more then Humane Majesty express: Far be't that our now Mighty-States disown Their past Oblig'ments to the English Throne, By whose brave Aid's we did best force obtain On Land and Sea to Curb Aspiring Spain. And what is more, did next advantage take Our selves (of Subjects) Mighty Lords to make. For which Spain Lowdly did us Rebells call, Who durst hope Safety by that Scepters fall. A bold Necessity which Subjects brings First to oppose, and then Dethrone their Kings. Whether the Brittish quarrell be the same, Or from a specious greivance would disclaim Like us their Monarch's Rule; in either Case We can't the English Crown's demand embrace.

Least held our States high Blemish to resist Our Prince at Home, and one abroad assist. We with most Kings a free Commerce Maintain; Whose coin may Ships, Arms, Men, from us obtain. No Princes Wanting Cause our States espouse, To gain's our business when our Neighbours Loose. The Queen by prudence and experience taught, Disdains to utter the Contempt she thought, These Courser States deserved, tho' well she knew How few Dominions are to others true, And what a Cold redress most Princes sinde, When Fortune is to their affairs Unkinde. Yet with her self concludes (tho' stript of all That could a Monarch's suffering Spouse befall) Nothing to Mis-imploy that can assure Her King's great Safety, or his Ayd procure. Such Matchless Gemms whose Luster did adorn The Diadems which English Queens had worn; She, as her Glorious Offering did bring To purchase ayd, more Sacred, for her King.

No sooner Covetous Belgians these behold, But they Comply (on such) to lend their Gold: Tho' adding to the Summ before deny'd, So Sure are Mortalls by their profit try'd. But oh the Fate of Princes that deplore Their want of power as well as being poore, Orange, who from Imperial Linage Came, Had by Alliance no less mingled same, In seeing late wedded by his hopefull Son, The eldest Princess of the Brittish Throne: With Generous Greatness to the Queen thus speaks, Since my Bloud Glory from the Rule partakes Of your Just King, 'twere mean should I deny My Purse to ayd his Injur'd Majesty. Wishing my Treasure could alone Compleat Such Noble sorce as might his foes defeat. And did not Age forbid, with such affairs That here Imploy my person and my Cares, I'de like a Soldier 'mongst his Bravest Fight, And Honour'd if my death his Cause could right.

The Queen thus furnish'd by this Great Ally, To purchase Arms and Men she does apply Her soonest Care, Next Martialists consults; And then does ponder from their bold results, How best to guide her Force, what Port to finde, Wishing her Love could wings add to the Winde. That soon returning with well-formed Power, She might her Charles assist some usefull hour. The Queen thus active in a Forraign State; My Muse shall by her Measures here relate, A further Progress of Intestine broils, And how our King prepared for Martial Toyls. Whose Rule, by stubborn Evills then opprest, Tho' it so long Ingratefull Subjects blest: Who Kingly Grace and pardon durst neglect, The Balms which Publick Cures so oft effect. Which Impious arrogance did then Improve In such, who their Prince would not fear, nor Love. And Notion'd thus th' Impetuons Crowd was taught To vent defyance, to his Pallace brought.

Whitehall his Sacred residence beset By Crowds, for Threats and Terrors there had met, No Humane Violence could with this Compare, But in Men-Monsters who deny'd to Fear The Heavenly Scepter Jove was thought to hold, When he Olimpus saw attaqu'd of old. The King, enough deploring, soon beheld Th' Inflam'd vulgar Fury unrepell'd By London Magistrates due advice or ayd, Where more then Law was Factions then obey'd. Who durst his Pallace wish despoyl'd by such That Royall Mansions thought for Kings too Much, The King less greiv'd from his Lov'd Court to move, Then there to trust such Pledges of his Love, Whose Tender years could not his hast partake, Nor Left behind securely for his Sake. His Lands, Towns, Treasure, soon to be possest, By such as wish'd his Crown should be opprest. Whilst he retiring (like that Trojan Prince, Who could no longer be his Troy's defence,

Yet with high Courage Res••n'd there from Fut•• The Princely Heir of that declining State,) ••ad many dangers pass'd that round him stood, When sav'd the Blooming Hero's of his Blood. ••is Prince of Wales and York's Duke young in years, Preserv'd from Foes by his Supremest Cares: And by their Fathers Suss'rings grew to know The Streights to Glory they must undergo. Who tho' he Kingdoms had, and Cities Great Which ow'd obsequiance to his Regal State, Yet in their vast Circumference knew not where 'Twas best to Influence first his Martial Sphere. Till too like Private Majesty remov'd, And Journeying far his Prudence had approv'd The North's * 1.1 Metropolis, to which adjoyn'd Regions to Loyal Glory full Inclin'd. And being a Prince resolv'dly Great and Just, In Law supporting as his Scepters trust: Thought Heaven and he divinely were obey'd, When Subjects should his Cause most dauntless aid.

Soon did the Nobles then themselves convey Unto their King, scorning from him to stay, Or with time-serving Disobedience stain Their part of Honour in his Glorious Reign. The Generous next their Brave Example take, Whilst soon, their worst remains, both Houses make: An Impious Body-Politique to sit, Where future Parliaments may blush to sit. Since from that Fatal late abused Name, A spreading evil kindled first its flame. Unhappy Westminster so oft to be The Seat of Publique Good and Infamy. Our Second Edward and our Richard tell, How black, from them, thy Records there do dwell. And what adds more unto thy Monstrous Date, The Best of Kings there doom'd to wicked Fate. Which Deeds with their Prodigions Story may Unequall'd stand to the World's ending day, Nor could the Houses subtlest Gloss evade Reflections by the Wise were early made:

When Actlons, how-e're worded, did imply, They pointed at the fall of Monarchy. Design'd by such, to Rule, would force their way, Tho', Slave-like Fellow-Subjects them obey. From which Ambition (oft man's proner Curse When tempted by bold perils to be worse) The face of War did gradually appear, Foreseen by more then durst divulge their fear. Seditious Scotland, that had first begun To form Rebellion before Forty One, And from their wicked Presidents had been Slily instructed in this Impious Sin; That where known Story most Allegeance blots, 'Twill doubtless yield to History of Scots. England they saw they could not then compell To grant them Seats where they might warmer dwell. For which our King they envy'd, tho' their own, But most, because most Happy in our Crown. Craft thus imploy'd that subtly had inclos'd Their labour'd Mischiefs, which they thus dispos'd:

Their Schism and Faction, unto England brought, Intrigu'd so firm that with their Snares 'twas caught. Which to uphold both Houses joyn'd their Vote, That with Arm'd Scots their Arms they might promote. Reb••••liou•• Ireland, that could not stay 'Till Sc•…•…ch and English Bloud was cast away, With headstrong guilt begins this wicked Time, Few apprehend which Nation's greatest Crime. The King his Person offers to oppose Against his Irish Rebells, yet not knows Which Kingdom would to him most safety yield, Or where best first for him to take the Field. England, his dearest Pledge, imploy'd his Grief, Whilst bleeding Ireland call'd for soon relief. Which lest he should Conduct the Houses pray That he at home as unsecure might stay. Resolv'd their Pow'r his Arms should first oppose, More to encourage every where his Foes. Fearing lest he from Just occasion might Others subdue, and next them stronger fight.

No Sword by their Consents with him they'd Trust, Whose great Revenge they fear'd, yet knew 'twas Just. Essex, whose stubborn Will and sullen Pride Had with this Poplar Faction long comply'd, With greater Zeal Heads their Rebellious Cause, Nor grants 'tis guilt to fight against the Laws. Who fway'd by specious Arts, and thirst of Fame, Discern'd not then a Loathed General's Name. Forgetting whence Nobility did spring, Or how 'tis stain'd when Arm'd against the King. Thus crowded into Power he Leads that Force, Which the bold Houses Vote their Foot and Horse. Numbers no Less then Mighty to Impower The evils which that Age did soon deplore. What was thy Crime, O London! then to be The Numerous Ayd of this Calamity: Was it because thou wert too richly great, Or too long pamper'd in a blest Estate; That thy Ingratefull heads then seem'd to ake, And by pretended flame a Feaver take,

An Artisice to worst Delusions joyn'd, As Zeal transported had the Peoples Minde. And if my Verse a Prospect duly take Of what did then so fierce Transactions make, Truth soon declares that 'twas no publique Sense That had diffus'd so vild an Influence. But heatfull Parties that within their Frames, For ends devis'd, had rais'd such horrid flames; And but the name of Parliament did feign, On purpose to convey a larger stain. And which no well-form'd sense allows to be That full Conventious Publique Infamy. A Constitution Great to all effects, As it our Good discerns and Bad detects. From whence the Nation best their Pulse perceives, And when 'tis sound more soundness then receives. If Craz'd, or will not other help endure, That prov'd State-Phisick can compleat the Cure. And what, beyond all Treasures, Aid Imparts, It both receives and gives the Peoples Hearts.

An Envy'd Glory through which Nations see Cause to repine our just felicity. When wild exorbitance of Pride and heat, In other Rules have their pernicious date. And more detects our Late Unhappy Times, In which Men boldly strove to heighten Crimes: Kindled by such on each side did Convey, Their fiery Ends the most destructive way. By perverse Parliaments the Factions sought, That low and poor their Monarch might be brought: Denying, for their ends, their publick Aid, As fi••st their Niggard purse him disobey'd. Which forc'd Prerogative, by Royal Right, To claim, for Common good, the Purses Might: An Aidfull Power that Scop•…•…▪ Lest Subjects ill retain what Crow••s should 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Tho' Pop'lar Patriots did this Act di••own, And cast aspersions on the Straiten'd Throne; As they 'gainst Shipmoney disgusts proclaim, With high Contests, which to Tribunals came;

That their Great Monarchs Rule might want supply, Till Senats should less peevishly deny. When this fam'd King, whose Soul was full propense To give his Royal Claim no wrong defence, Consented to give Law it's due repute, That Legall Process might his Plea promote. Which Misconceived in a furious Time, When Jealousies and fears durst vent their Crimes, By deeming things undutiously amiss, That men might thence distrust their Nations Bliss: Ceas'd not their Rancour, tho' by * 1.2 Act of State This Tax abolish'd was to Lasting Date, As they abetted a Disloyal fear Of Oblique Motions in the Royal Sphere: Whence Crowds were Taught more strictly to embrace What then was call'd their Senat's sighting Case: Lest that subdu'd they might be next undone, And Lives and Fortunes grant by Conquest won.

A Sense devis'd by obloquies of Fame To blemish their King's Rule and Sacred Name. Thus some did with most horrid Arts devise How to Impose on all more Just and Wise. Such subtle Members as the Houses sway'd, Soon their Delusions takingly convey'd: With what by Vulgar Fury cou'd promote The Cause which their sierce Patrons first did Vote. To which their violent Spiritual Guides comply'd, Who taught Rebellion then was Sanctify'd. Was't not enough that former Ages found, How such Incendiaries did then abound: That Pulpits must afresh divulge their flame, And, stead of Beacons, publick Broils proclaim: Provoking Heaven and Inauspicious Starrs To haste the bloudy Aspects of our Warrs. When in their Orbs the rest began to fear Lest Mars, in spight of Jove, should domineer. Nor less the Azur'd Regions did presage Prodigious Fights and Battels in that Age

Arms, against Arms, to mens affrighted eyes, Seem'd as array'd Battalions on the Skies; Where flashings did like Guns discharging shew, And Flames resembled Pikes in Skirmish too. Most fear'd what these strange Visions should portend, Or hop'd Heav'n might by them bad men amend. Whilst nothing the fierce Houses then restrain'd, Or that rough * 1.3 Earl whose Conduct they had gain'd, Not, as they did for Bloud and Treasure thirst, Or wou'd for Horrid Spoils of War be Curst: More specious they seem Laws and King to treat, So subtly Mortals would their guilt abate.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The City of York.
• * 1.2

  By Act of Parliament Ship-Money was damn'd, by which and o∣ther Gracious Condescensions the King endeavour'd to prevent the future Miseries of his Nation.
• * 1.3

  Of Essex, who was the first General, and Head of this Grand Rebellion.