Poems, elegies, paradoxes, and sonets

AN ELEGY Upon my Best Friend L. K. C.

SHould we our Sorrows in this Method range, Oft as Misfortune doth their Sub∣jects change, And to the sev'ral Losses which befall, Pay diff'rent Rites at ev'ry Funeral; ••ike narrow Springs drain'd by dispersed Streams, We must want Tears to wail such various Themes, ••nd prove defective in Deaths mournfull Laws, Not having Words proportion'd to each Cause. In your Dear loss my much afflicted Sense, Discerns this Truth by sad experience,

Who never Look'd my Verses should survive, As wet Records, That you are not Alive; And less desir'd to make that Promise due, Which pass'd from Me in jest, when urg'd by You. How close and slily doth our Frailty work! How undiscover'd in the Body lurk! That Those who this Day did salute you well, Before the Next were frighted by your Knell. O wherefore since we must in Order rise, Should we not Fall in equal Obsequies? But bear th' A••s••ults of an uneven Fate, Like Feavers which their Hour anticipate; Had this R••le constant been, my long wish'd End Might render you a Mourner for your Friend: As He for yo••, wh••s•• most deplor'd s••rprise Im••rints your Death on all my Faculties; That hardly my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Phant'sie or D••sco••rse, This final D••ty from the Pen inforce: Such Influence hath your Eclipsed Light, It doth my Reason like my Self benight. Let me, with Luckless Gamesters, then think best (After I have Set up and Lost my Rest,) Grow'n desp'rate through mischance, to Venture last My whole remaining Stock upon a Cast, And ••linging from me my now Loathed Pen, Resolve for your Sake nev'r to Write agen:

For whilst Successive days their Light renew, I must no Subject hope to Equal you, In whose Heroick Brest as in their Sphear, All Graces of your Sex concentred were. Thus take I my long Farewell of that Art, Fit only glorious Actions to impart; That Art wherewith our Crosses we beguile, And make them in Harmonious numbers smile: Since you are gone, This holds no further use, Whose Virtue and Desert inspir'd my Muse. O may She in your Ashes Buried be, Whilst I my Self become the Elegie. And as it is observ'd when Princes Dye, In honour of that sad Solemnity, The now unoffic'd Servants crack their Staves, And throw them down into their Masters Graves: So this last O••fice of my broken Verse, I solemnly resign upon your Hearse; And my Brains moisture, all that is unspent, Shall melt to nothing at the Monument. Thus in moist Weather when the Marble weeps, You'l think it only his Tears reck'ni••g keeps, Who doth for ever to his Thoughts beq••eath The Legacy of your lamented Death.

On the Earl of Essex.

ESsex twice made unhappy by a Wife, Yet Marry'd worse unto the Peoples strife: He who by two Divorces did untie His Bond of Wedlock and of Loyalty: Who was by Easiness of Nature bred, To lead that Tumult which first Him misled; Yet had some glimm'ring Sparks of Virtue lent To see (though late) his Errour, and Repent: Essex lies here, like an inverted Flame, Hid in the Ruins of his House and Name; And as He, frailties sad Example, lies, Warns the Survivours in his Exequies. He shews what wretched bubbles Great Men are, Through their Ambition grown too Popular: For they Built up, from weak Opinion, stand On Bases false as Water, loose as Sand; Essex in differing Successes try'd The fury and the falshood of each Side; Now with applauses Deisy'd, and then Thrown down with spightfull infamy agen: Tells them, what Arts soever them support, Their Life is meerly Time and Fortunes sport,

And that no Bladders blown by Common breath, Shall bear them up amidst the Waves of Death: Tells them no Monstrous Birth, with Pow'r endu'd By that more Monstrous Beast the Multitude; No State-Coloss (though Tall as that bestrid The Rhodian Harbour where their Navy rid) Can hold that ill-porportion'd Greatness still, Beyond his Greater, most Resistless will, Whose dreadfull Sentence written on the Wall Did sign the Temple Robbing* 1.1 Tyrants fall; But Spight of their vast Priviledge, which strives T' exceed the Size of ten Prerogatives; Spight of their Endless Parliament, or Grants, (In Order to those Votes and Covenants, When, without Sense of their black Perjury They Swear with Essex they would Live and Dye) With their Dead General ere long they must Contracted be into a Span of Dust.

An Elegy on Sir Charls Lucas, and Sir George Lisle.

IN measures solemn as the groans that fall From the hoarse Trumpet at some Funerall;

With trayling Elegy and mournfull Verse I wait upon two Pearless So••ldiers Hearse: Though, I acknowledge must, my sorrowes dress Ill matched to the cause it should Express; Nor can I, at my best Inventions cost, Sum up the Treasure which in them we lost: Had they with other Worthies of the Age, Who late upon the Kingdomes bloody Stage, For God, the King, and Laws, their Valour try'd, Through Warrs stern chance in heat of Battel Dy'd, We then might save much of our griefs expence Reputing it not duty, but offence. They need no tears nor howling Exequy, Who in a glorious undertaking Dye; Since all that in the bed of honour fell Live their own Monument and Chronicle. But these, whom horrid danger did not reach, The wide-mouth'd Cannon, nor the wider Breach, These, whom till cruel want and coward fate Penn'd up like famish'd Lions in a Grate, Were for their daring Sallies so much fear'd Th' Assailants fled them like a frighted Heard; Resolving now no more to fight, but lurk Trench'd in their Line or earth'd within a Work. Where not like Souldiers they, but Watchmen, creep, Arm'd for no other office but to sleep:

They, whose bold charge whole Armies did amaze, Rendring them saint and heartless at the Gaze, To see Resolve and* 1.2 Naked Valour charmes Of higher Proof than all their massy Armes: They whose bright swords ruffled the proudest Troop (As fowl unto the towring Falcon stoop) Yet no advantage made of their Success Which to the conquer'd spake them merciless; (For they, when e'r 'twas begg'd did safety give, And oft unasked bid the vanquish'd live;) Ev'n these, not more undaunted in the Field Than mild and Gentle unto such as yield, Were, after all the shocks of battails stood, (Let me not name it) murther'd in cold blood. Such poor revenge did the enraged Greek Against (till then) victorious Hector seek, Triumphing o'r that Body bownd and dead From whom in Life the Pow'rs of Argos fled. Yet might Achillis borrow some excuse To colour, though not warrant the abuse: His dearest* 1.3 Friend in the fierce combate foyl'd Was by the Trojans hand of Life despoyl'd; From whence unr••ly grief grown wild with rage Beyond the bownds of Honour did engage. But these, confirm'd in their unmanly hate, By Counsels cruel yet deliberate,

Did from the Stock of bleeding honour hew Two of the noblest Branches ever grew; And (which our grief and Pitty must improve) When brought within their reach with shews of Love: For by a Treaty they entangled are, And Rendring up to Mercy is the Snare; Whence we have learn'd when e'r their Saint-Ships Treat, Then ends are mortall, and the means a Cheat; In which the World may read their black intent, Drawn out at large in this sad President. Who (though fair promis'd) might no Mercy have, But such as once the faithless* 1.4 Bashaw gave, When to his trust deluded Bragadine Himse••f and Famogasta did resign. Whose envy'd Valour thus to bonds betray'd Was soon the mark of barb'rous slaughter made: So gallant Shipps which rocks and storms had past, Though with torn Sails and spending of their Mast, When newly brought within the sight of Land, Have been suckt up by some devouring Sand You wretched Agents for a Kingdoms fall, Who yet your selves the Modell'd Army call;

Who carry on and fashion your Design By Syllaes, Syllaes red proscriptions Line, (Romes Comet once, as You are Ours) for shame Henceforth no more usurp the Souldiers Name: Let not that Title in fair Battails gain'd Be by such abject things as You profan'd; For what have you atchiev'd, the world may guess You are those Men of Might which you profess. Where ever durst You strike, if you met foes Whose Valour did your odds in men oppose? Turn o're the Annalls of your vaunted Fights Which made you late the Peoples Favourites; Begin your course at Naseby, and from thence Draw out Your Marches full circumference, ••ridgwater, Bristol, Dartmouth, with the rest Of Your well-plotted renders in the West; Then to the angry North Your compass bend Untill Your spent careere in Scotland end, (This is the perfect Scale of our mishap Which measures out your conquest by the Mapp) And tell me he that can, What have you won, Which long before Your progress was not done? What Castle was besieg'd, what Port, what Town, You were not sure to carry 'ere sat down? There needed no Granadoes, no Petard, To force the passage, or disperse the Guard.

No, Your good Masters sent a Golden Ramm To batter down the gates against You came. Those blest Reformers who procur'd the* 1.5 Swead His armed Forces into Denmark lead, 'Mongst them to kindle a sharp warr for hire, Who in mear pitty meant to quench our fire, Could where they pleased with the King's own coyn, Divert His Aids and Strengths at home purloyn. Upon Sea Voyages I sometimes find Men trade with Lapland Witches for a Wind, And by those p••rchas'd Gales, quick as their thought, To the desired Port are safely brought. We need not here on skillfull Hopkins call The States allow'd Witch-finder General. For (though Rebellion wants no Cad nor El••e, But is a perfect Witchcra••t of it self) We could with little help of art reveal Those learn'd Magitians with whom You deal: We all Your Juggles both for Time and Place From Darby-house to Westmiaster can Trace, The Circle where the factious Jangle meet To Trample Law and Gospel under feet; In which, like Bells Rung backward, they proclaim The Kingdom by their Wild-fire set on flame, And, quite Perverting their First Rules, invent What mischief may be done by Parliament:

We know Your holy Flamens, and can tell What Spirits Vote within the Oracle; Have found the spells and Incantations too, By whose assistance You such Wonders do. For divers Years the credit of Your warrs Hath been kept up by these Familiars, Who that they may their providence express Both find you Pay and purchase Your Success: No wonder then You must the Garland wear, Who never fought but with a Silver Spear. We grant the Warrs unhappy consequence With all the num'rous Plagues which grow from thence, Murthers and Rapes, threats of Disease and Dearth, From You as for the proper Spring take birth: You may for Laws enact the Publick Wrongs, With all fowl Violence to them belongs; May bawl aloud the Peoples Right and Pow'r Till by Your Sword You both of them Devour, (For this brave Liberty by You up-cry'd Is to all others but Your-selves deny'd,) May with seditious fires the Land embroyl, And in pretence to quench them take the Spoyl: You may Religion to Your lust sabdue, For these are actions only Worthy You: Yet when your Projects, crownd with wish'd event, Have made You Masters of the ill You meant,

You never must the Souldiers glory share, Since all your Trophies Executions are: Not thinking your Successes understood, Unless Recorded and Scor'd up in Blood. In which, to Gull the People, you pretend, That* 1.6 Military Justice was Your end; As if we still were Blind, not knowing this To all your other Virtues suited is; Who only Act by your great Grandsires Law, The B••tcher Cade, Wat Tyler, and Iack Straw, Whose Principle was Murther, and their Sport To cut off those they fear'd might do them hurt: Nay, in your Actions we compleated find, What by those Levellers was but design'd, For now Committees, and your Arm'd supplies, Cant•••• the Land in* 1.7 petty Tyrannies, And for one King of Commons in each Shire, Four hundred Commons rule as Tyrants here. Had you not meant the Copies of each Deed, Should their Originals in ill exceed, You would not practice sure the Turkish Art, To Ship your taken Pris'ners for a Mart,

Least if with Freedome they at Home remain, They should (which is your Terrour) Fight again. A thing long since by Zealous Rigby mov'd, And by the Faction like himself approv'd; Though you uncounsell'd can such Outrage try, Scarce sampled from the basest Enemy. Naseby of Old, and late St.* 1.8 Fagans Fare, Of these inhumane Truckings witness are; At which the Captiv'd Welch in Couples led, Were Marketted, like Cattel, by the Head. Let it no more in History be told, That Turks their Christian Slaves for Aspers sold; When we the Saints selling their Brethren see, Who had a Call (they say) to set them free; And are at last by Right of Conquest grown, To claim our Land of Canaan for their own. Though luckless Colchester in this out-vies, ••giers or Tunis shamefull Merchandise; Where the Starv'd Souldier (as th' agreement was) Might not be suffer'd to their Dwelling pass, Till, led about by some insulting Band, They first were shew'd in Triumph through the Land: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which for lack of Dyet, or of Strength 〈◊〉〈◊〉 any Fainted through the Marches length,

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Void of the Breasts of Men,* 1.9 this Murth'rous Crew All those they could drive on no further, Slew; What Bloody Riddle's this? They mercy give, Yet those who should enjoy it, must not Live. Indeed we cannot less from s••ch expect, Who for this Work of Ruine are Elect: This Scum drawn from the worst, who never knew The Fr••its which from Ingenuous Breeding grew; But take such low Commanders on their Lists, As did revolted Ieroboam Priests: That 'tis our Fate, I fear, to be undone Like Aegypt once with Vermin over-run. If in the Rabble some be more refin'd By fair Extractions of their birth or mind, Ev'n these corrupted are by s••ch allays, That no Impression of their Vertue stays▪ As Gold embased by some mingled Dross Both in it's Worth and Nature s••ffers Loss. Else had that Sense of Honour still Surviv'd Which Fairfax from his Ancestors deriv'd, He ne'r had shew'd Himself, for hate or fear, So much degen'r••us from renowned Ver•• (The Title and Alliance of whose Son His Acts of Valour had in Holland won), As to give up by his rash dooming Breath This precious Pair of Lives to timeless death;

Whom no brave Enemy but would esteem, And, though with hazard of his own, redeem▪ For 'tis not vainly by the world f••rmis'd This Blood to private Spleens was sacrifis'd. Half of the guilt stands chardgd on Whaleys score, By Lis••e affronted on his guards before; For which his spight by other hands was shew'n, Who never durst dispute it with his own. ••wice guilty coward! first by Vote, then Eye, Spectator of the shamefull Tragedy. But Lucas elder cause of quarrell Knew, From whence his Critical Misfortune grew▪ Since he from Berkley Castle with such scorn Bold Ra••sboro••gh's first Summons did return, Telling him Lo••dly at the Parley's Beat, With Rogues and Rebells He disdain'd to Treat; Some from this hot contest the world perswade His sleeping vengeance on that ground was laid: If so, for ever blurr'd with Envies brand, His Honour gain'd by Sea, was lost at Land: Nor could he an impending Judgment shun Who did to this with so much fervour run, When late himself, to quit that Bloody stain, Was, midst his Armed Guards, from Pomsret slain. But all in vain we here expostulate What took them hence, private or publick hate:

Knowledge of acted VVoes small comforts add, VVhen no repair proportion'd can be had: And such are ours, which to the Kingdomes eyes Sadly present ensuing miseries, Fore-telling in These Two some greater ill From Those who now a Pattent have to Kill. Two, whose dear loss leaves us no recompence, Nor them attonement, which in weight or Sense VVith These shall never into Ballance come Though all the Army fell their Hecatomb. Here leave them then; and be't our last relief To give their merit Value in our grief. VVhose blood however yet neglected must Without revenge or Rites mingle with Dust; Not any falling drop shall ever dry Till to a Weeping Spring it multiply, Bath'd in whose tears their blasted Laurell shall Grow green, and with fresh Garlands Crown their fall. From this black region then of Death and Night Great Spirits take your everlasting flight: And as your Valours mounting fires combine, May they a brighter Constellation shine Than Gemini, or than the Brother-Starrs Castor and Pollux fortunate to warrs. That all fair Souldiers by Your sparkling light May find the way to Conquer when they Fight,

And by those Paterns which from you they take Direct their course though Honours Zodiak: But upon Traitors frown with dire Aspect, Which may their perjuries and guilt reflect; Unto the Curse of whose Nativity, Prodigious as the Caput Algol be, VVh••se pale and ghastly Tresses still portend Their own despair or Hangman for their end, And that succeeding ages may keep safe Your Lov'd remembrance in some Epitaph, Upon the rains of your glorious Youth Inscribed be this Monumentall Truth: Here ly the Valiant Lucas and brave Lysle, VVith Amasa betray'd in Ioabs smile: In whom revenge of Honour taking place His great Corrivall's stabb'd in the Embrace, And as it was the Hebrew Captains stain That he two Greater than himself had Slain,* 1.10 Shedding the Blood of Warr in time of Peace, VVhen Love pretended was, and Arms did cease, May the fowl Murtherers expect a fate Like Ioabs, Blood with Blood to expiate: VVhich quick as Lightning, and as Thunder sure, Preventions wisest arts nor shun, nor cure. O may it fall on their perfidious head! That when, with Ioab to the Altar fled,

Themselves the Sword and reach of vengence ••lee No Temple may their Sanctuary be. Last, that nor frailty nor devouring time May ever lose impressions of the Crime, Let loyal Colch••s••••r (who too late try'd To Check, when highest wrought, the Rebels Pride, Holding them long, and doubtfull at the bay, VVhilest we by looking on gave all away) Be only Nam'd: which like a Columne bail•• Shall both enhearse this blood ••n-nobly spilt, And live, till all her Towres in rubbish lye The Mon••ments of their base Cruelty.

An Elegy upon the most Incomparable King Charls the First.

CAll for amazed thoughts, a wo••nded sen•••• And bleeding Hearts at, our Intelligence. Call for that Trump of Death the Mandrak•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 VVhich kills the Hearer••: This besits alone O••r Story which thro••gh times vast Calendar, Must stand without Example or Repair. VVhat spouts of melting Clo••ds, what endl••ss Sp••ing•••• Powr'd in the Oceans lap for Offering••,

Shall feed the hungry Torrent of our grief Too mighty for expression or belief? Though all those moistures which the brain attracts Ran from eyes like g••shing Cataracts, Or our sad accents could out-tongue the Cryes VVhich did from mournful Hadad••••mmon ri••e, Since that remembrance of Iosiah slain In our King's m••rther is reviv'd again. O pardon me that but from Holy VVrit Our loss allowes no Parallel to it: Nor call it bold presumption that I dare Cha••ls with the best of Iadah's Kings compare: The vertues of whose life did I prefer The Text acquits me for no Flatterer. For he like David perfect in his Trust, VVas never stayn'd like Him, with Blood or Lust. One who with Solomon in Judgment try'd, VVas quick to comprehend, VVise to decide, (That even his Judges stood amaz'd to hear A more tra••s••••ndent Mover in their Sphear) Though more Religious: for when doting Love A while made Solom••n Apostate prove, Charls nev'r endur'd the Truth which he profest, To be unfixt by bosome interest. Bold as Iehosapha••, yet forc'd to Fight, And for his own, no unconcerned Right.

Should I recount His constant time of Pray'r, Each rising Morn and Ev'ning Regular, You'ld say his practice preach'd, They ought not Ea, VVho by devotion first not earn'd their Meat: Thus Hez••kiah He exceeds in Zeal, Though not (like him) So facile to reveal The Tr••asures of God•• Ho••se, or His own Heart, To be supplanted by some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 art. And that he might in same with Ioash share VVhen he the ruin'd Temple did repair, His c••st on Pauls late ragged Fabrick spent Must (if no other) be His Monument. From this S••rvey the Kingdom may conclude His Merits, and her L••sses Magnitude: Nor think he flatters or blasphemes, who tells That Charls exceeds Iudea's Parallels, In whom all Ver••ues we concentred see VVhich* 1.11 'mongst the best of them divided be. O weak built Glories! which those Tempests feel To force you from your firm••st bases reel, VVhat from the stroaks of Chance shall you secure, VVhen Rocks of Innocence are so unsure? VVhen the VVorld's only mirrour slaughter'd lies, Envies and Treasons bleeding sacrifize; As if His stock of Goodness could become No 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but that of Ma••ty••dom.

See now ye cursed Mountebanks of State, VVho have Eight years for Reformations sate; You who dire Alva's Counsels did transfer,* 1.12 To Act his Scenes on England's Theater; You who did pawn your Selves in Publick Faith To slave the Kingdom by your Pride and VVrath; Call the whole VVorld to witness now, how just, How well you are responsive to your trust, How to your King the promise you perform, VVith Fasts, and Sermons, and long Prayers sworn, That you intended Peace and Truth to bring To make your Charls Europes most Glorious King. Did you for this Li••t up your Hands on high,* 1.13 To Kill the King, and pluck down Monarchy? These are the Fruits by your wild Faction sown, VVhich not Imputed are, but Born your own: For though you wisely seem to wash your Hands, The Guilt on every Vote and Order stands; So that convinc'd, from all you did before, Justice must lay the Murther at your Door. Mark if the Body does not Bleed anew, In any Circumstance approach'd by You, From whose each motion we might plain desery The black Oftents of this late Tragedy. For when the King through Storms in Scotland bred, To his Great Co••ncel for his shelter fled,

VVhen in that meeting every Error gain'd Redresses sooner granted, than Complain'd: Not all th••se ••rank Conc••ssions or Amends Did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the then too Powerfull Faction's ends: No Acts of Grace at present would Content, Nor Promise of 〈…〉〈…〉, Till by a f••rmal ••••w the King had past This Session should at Y••ur pl••••sure last. So having got the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and that 'twas ••nown No power could diss••lve Yo•• b••t Your own, Your grac••less Junto m••••e s••ch use of this, As once was pract••s'd by Semiram••s;* 1.14 VVho str••ving by a subtile S••te to prove The largeness of her H••••band Tr••st and Love, Did from the much ab••sed King obtain That for Three d••y••s She might sole Empress r••ign; Before which time expir'd, the bloody VVi••e D••priv'd her Lo••d both of his Crown and Life. There needs no Comment when your deeds apply The Demonstration of her Treachery. VVhich to effect, by Absolon's foul w••le You of the Peopl••s He••rt your Prince beguile; Urging what Eases they might reap by it Did you their Legistative Iudges ••it. How did you fawn upon, and Court the Ro••t, VVho••e Clamour c••ry'd your whole Plot about?

How did you thank Seditious men that came To bring Petitions which your selves did frame▪ And lest they wanted Hands to set them on, You lead the way by throwing the first stone. For in that Libel after Midnight born, VVherewith your Faction labour'd till the Morn, That Famous Lye, you a Re••o••stra••ce name;* 1.15 VVere not Reproaches your malic••o••s aim? VVas not the King's dishonour your intent, By Slanders to traduce his Government? All which your spightfull Cunning did contrive; Men must rec••ive through your false Perspective▪ In which the smallest Spots improved were, And every Mote a Mo••ntain did appear▪ Thus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by th' ungratef••ll Senate found His Life ass••ulted through his Honour's VVound. And now to make Him hopeless to resist,* 1.16 You g••ide His Sword by Vote, which as you li••t Must, Strike or Spare (for so you did enforce* 1.17 His Hand against His Reason to divorce Brave Str••fford's Life,* 1.18) then wring it quite away By yo••r us••rping each Militia: Then seize His Magazines,* 1.19 of which possest You turn the VVeapons 'gainst their M••ster's Breast This done,* 1.20 th' unkennell'd crew of Lawless men Led down by 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Penni••g••o••, and Ven,

Did with confused noise the Court invade; Then all Dissenters in Both Houses Bay'd. At which the King amaz'd is forc'd to flye, The whilst your Mouth's laid on mantain the Cry. The Royal Game dislodg'd and under Chase, Your hot Pursute dogs Him from place to place: Not S••ul with greater fury or disdain Did flying David from Ieshimon's plain Unto the barren Wilderness pursue, Than Cours'd and Hunted is the King by you. The Mountain Partridge or the Chased Roe Might now for Emblemes of His Fortune go, And since all other May-games of the Town (Save those your selves should make) were Voted down, The Clam'rous Pulpit Hollaes in resort, Inviting men to your King-catching Sport. VVhere as the Foyl grows cold you mend the Scent By crying Privilege of Parliament, VVhose fair Preten••ions the first sparkles are, VVhich by your breath blown up enflame the VVar, And Ireland (bleeding by design) the Stale VVherewith for Men and Money you prevail. Yet doubting that Imposture co••ld not last, VVhen all the Kingdoms Mines of Treasure waste, You now tear down Religion's sacred Hedge To carry on the VVork by Sacriledge;

••eputing it Rebellions fittest Pay ••o take both God's and Caesar's dues away. The tenor of which execrable Vote ••our over-active Zelots so promote, ••hat neither Tomb nor Temple could escape, ••••r Dead nor Living, your Licentious Rape. ••tatues and Grave-stones o'r men buried ••ob'd of their Brass, the* 1.21 Coffi••s of their Led; ••ot the Seventh Henry's gilt and curious Skr••en, ••or those which 'mongst our Rarities were seen, The* 1.22 Chests wherein the Saxon Monarchs lay, ••••t m••st be basely sould or thrown away. May in succeeding times forgotten be Those bold Examples of Impiety, VVhich were the Ages wonder and discourse, ••o•• have Their greatest ills improv'd by worse. No more be mention'd Dionysius Theft,* 1.23 VVho of their Gold the Heathen Shrines bereft; For who with Yours His Robberies confer, Must him repute a petty Pil••erer. Nor Iulian's* 1.24 Scoff, who when he view'd the State O•• A••••ioch's Church,* 1.25 the Ornaments and Plate,* 1.26 Cry'd, Meaner Vessels would serve turn, or None Might well become the birth of Mary's Son: Nor how that spightfull Atheist did in scorn* 1.27 Pisse on God's Table▪ which so o••t had born

The Hallow'd Elements, his death present: Nor he that ••ould it with his Excrement,* 1.28 Then turn'd the Cloth unto that act of shame, VVhich without trembling Christians should not name▪ Nor Iohn of Leyd••n, who the pillag'd Q••ires Employ'd in Munster for his own attires; His pranks by Hazle••••g exceeded be, A wre••ch more wicked and as mad as he, Who once in triumph led his S••mpter Mo••l* 1.29 Proudly b••d••••ked with the Altar's spoyl. Nor at Bizantium's ••ack how Mahom••t In St. Sophia's Church his Horses set. Nor how Belshazzar at his dr••nken Feasts Carows'd in holy Vessels to his Guests: Nor he that did the Books and Anthems 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Which in the daily Stations used were. These were poor Ess••yes of imperfect Crimes, Fit for beginners in ••nlearned times, Siz'd onely for that dull Meridian Which knew no J••suit nor Puritan, (Before whose fa•••••• Birth were no such things As Doctrines to Depose and Murther Kings.) But since Your prudent care Enacted well, That there should be no King in Israel, England must write such Annals of Your reign Which all Records of elder mischiefs st••in.

Churches unbuilt by order, others burn'd; ••hilst Pauls and Li••col•• are to Stables turn'd; ••••d at God's Table you might Horses see 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (those more Beasts) their Riders manger'd be, ••••me Kitchins and some Slaughter-houses made,* 1.30 〈◊〉〈◊〉-boards and Cloths for Dressers laid: ••me turn'd to loathsome Goals, so by you brought ••nto the Curse of Baal's House:, a Draught. ••he Commo•• Prayers with the Bibles torn, ••he Co••ps in An••••ck Moorish Dances worn, ••••d sometimes, for the wearers greater mock, ••he Surplice is converted to a Frock. ••••me bringing Dogs the Sacrament revile, ••••me with Copronimus the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de••ile. •• God! canst Thou these prophanations like? •• not, why is thy Thunder slow to strike ••he cursed Authors? who dare think that Thou 〈◊〉〈◊〉, when not punish them, their acts allow. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which outragious Crimes, though your pr••tence ••••ould fasten on the Souldiers insolence, ••e must believe, that what by them was done ••••me licens'd ••orth by your probation, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as your selves with Athaliah's Brood 〈◊〉〈◊〉 strong contention for precedence stood,* 1.31 〈◊〉〈◊〉 robb'd Two Royal Cha••els of their Plate,* 1.32 ••hich Kings and Queens to God did dedicate;

Then by a Vote more sordid than the Stealth, Melt down and Coyn it for the Common-wealth; That is, give't up to the devouring jaws Of your great Idol Bell, new styl'd The Cause▪ And though this Monster you did well devise To seed by Plunder, Taxes, Loans, Excise; (All which Provisions You the People tell Sc••rce serve to diet Your Pa••tagru••l.) We no Strew'd Ashes need to trace the Cheat, Who pl••inly see what Mouthes the Messes eat. Brave R••••ormation! and a through one too, Which to enrich Your selves must All undo. Pray tell us (those that can) What fruits have grown▪ From all Your Seeds in Blood and Treasure sown? What would you mend? when Your Projected State▪ Doth from the Best in Form degenerate? Or why should You (of All) attempt the Cure, Whose Facts not Gospel's Test nor Laws endure? But like unwholsome Exhalations met From Your Conjunction onely Plagues beget, And in Your Circle, as Imposthumes ••ill Which by their venome the whole Body kill; For never had You Pow'r but to Destroy, Nor Will, but where You Conquer'd to Enjoy▪ This was your Master-prize, who did intend To make both Church and Kingdom's prey Your End▪

'Gainst which the King (plac'd in the Gap) did strive By His (till then unquestion'd) Negative, Which finding You lack'd Reason to perswade, Your Arguments are into Weapons made; So to compell him by main force to yield, You had a Formed Army in the Field* 1.33 Before his Reared Standard could invite Ten men upon his Righteous Cause to ••igh••: Yet ere those raised Forces did advance,* 1.34 Your malice struck him dead by Ordinance, When your Commissions the whole Kingdom swept With Blood and Slaughter, Not the King Except. Now hardned in Revolt, You next proceed By Pacts to strenghten each Rebellious Deed, New Oaths, and Vows, and Covenants advance,* 1.35 All contradicting your Allegiance, Whose Sacred knot you plainly did unty, When you with Essex swore to Live and Dye.* 1.36 These were your Calves in Bethel and in Dan, Which Ieroboam's Treason stablish can, Who by strange Pacts and Altars did seduce The People to their Laws and King's abuse; All which but serve like Shibboleth to try Those who pronounc'd not your conspiracy; That when your other Trains defective are, Forc'd Oaths might bring Refusers to the Snare.

And lest those men your Co••nsels did pervert, Might when your Fraud was seen the Cause desert, A fierce Decree is through the Kingdom sent, Which made it Death for any to Repent. What strange Dilemmaes doth Rebellion make? 'Tis mortal to D••ny, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Partake: S••me 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who would not aid your Traiterous Act. 〈…〉〈…〉 are Hang'd if they Retract.* 1.37 〈…〉〈…〉 who their Contracts have unsworn. 〈…〉〈…〉 Devils are in pieces torn. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 still the rageing Tempest higher gro••••▪ 〈…〉〈…〉 the Kings Resolvings throw•• 〈…〉〈…〉 every where appears, 〈…〉〈…〉 multiply our fears▪ Whilst blind Ambition by successes fed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 You beyond the bound of Subjects led, Who tasting once the sweet of Regal Sway▪ Resolving now no longer to obey▪ For Presbiterian pride contests as high As doth the Popedom for Supremacy. Needs must you with unskilfull Phaeto•• Aspire to guid the Chariot of the Sun, Though your ill-govern'd height with lightning be Thrown headlong from his burning Ax••••-tree. You will no more Petition or Debate,* 1.38 But your desire in P••opositions state,

VVhich by such Rules and Ties the King confine, They in effect are Summons to Resign. Therefore your VVar is manag'd with such sleight, 'Twas seen you more prevail'd by Purse than Might; And those you could not purchase to your will, You Brib'd with Sums of Money to sit still. The King by this time hopeless here of Peace, Or to procure His wasted Peoples ease, VVhich He in frequent Messages had try'd, By you as oft as Shamelesly deny'd; VVearied by faithless Friends and restless Foes, To certain hazard doth His Life Expose: VVhen through your Quarters in a mean disguise He to His Country-men for succour flies,* 1.39 VVho met a brave occasion then to save Their Native King from His untimely Grave:* 1.40 Had he from them such fair Reception gain'd, VVherewith ev'n Achish David entertain'd. But Faith to Him or Hospitable Laws In your Con••ederate Union were no Clause, VVhich back to you their Rendred Master sends To tell how He was us'd among his Friends. Far be it from my thoughts by this black Line To measure all within that VVarlike Clime; The still admir'd Montross some Numbers lead In his brave steps of Loyalty to tread.

I only Tax a furious Party there, VVho with our Native Pests Enleagued were. Then 'twas you follow'd Him with Hue and Cry, Made Midnight Searches in Each Liberty, Voting it Death to all without Reprieve,* 1.41 VVho should their Master Harbour or Relieve. Ev'n in pure pity of both Nations Fame, I wish that Act in Story had no Name. VVhen all your mutual Stipulations are Converted at Newcastle to a Fair, VVhere (like His Lord) the King the Mart is made, Bought with Your Money, and by Them Betraid; For both are Guilty, They that did Contract, And You that did the fatal Bargain Act. VVhich who by equal Reason shall peruse, Must yet conclude, They had the best Excuse: For doubtless They (Good men) had never Sold, But that you tempted Them with English Gold; And 'tis no wonder if with such a Sum Our Brethrens frailty might be overcome. VVhat though hereafter it may prove their Lot To be compared with Iscariot? Yet will the VVorld perceive which was most wise, And who the Nobler Traitor by the Price; For though 'tis true Both did Themselves undo, They made the better Bargain of the Two,

VVhich all may reckon who can difference Two hundred thousand Pounds from Thirty Pence. However something is in Justice due, VVhich may be spoken in defence of You; For in your Masters Purchase you gave more, Than all your Iewish Kindred paid before. And had you wisely us'd what then you bought, Your Act might be a Loyal Ransome thought, To free from Bonds your Captive Soveraign, Restoring Him to his lost Crown again. But You had other Plots, your busie hate Ply'd all advantage on His fallen State, And shew'd Yo•• did not come to bring Him Bayl, But to remove Him to a stricter Gaol, To Holmby first, whence taken from His Bed, He by an Army was in Triumph led; Till on pretence of safety Cromwel's wile Had juggl'd Him into the Fatal Isle, VVhere Hammond for his Jaylor is decreed, And Murderous Rols as Lieger-Hangman fee'd, VVho in one fatal Knot Two Counsels tye, He must by Poison or by Pistol Dye. Here now deny'd all Comforts due to Life, His Friends, His Children, and His Peerless VVife; From Carisbrook He oft but vainly sends, And though first Wrong'd, seeks to make you Amends;

For this He 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and by his r••stless Pen Import••nes Yo••r deaf E••rs to Treat agen, VV••ilst th•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Faction scorning to go less, Return th••s•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Votes of Non Ad••ress,* 1.42 VVhich 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were by th' Armies thundring* 1.43 To 〈…〉〈…〉 ag••inst the King. Y••t wh••n 〈◊〉〈◊〉 r••mov'd, and the clear Light Drawn f••••m 〈…〉〈…〉 Reasons, gave You sight O•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 own 〈◊〉〈◊〉, had not Their Intents Re••ard••d b••en by s••m•• cr••ss Accidents;* 1.44 VVhich 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a while with f••rtunate 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ch••c••'d 〈◊〉〈◊〉 div••r••••d Their swoln Ins••l••nce: When the whole Kingdom f••r a Treaty cry'••, 〈…〉〈…〉 Tha•• 〈…〉〈…〉 Votes,* 1.45 and God once m••r•• Your 〈…〉〈…〉 Kingdome did restore?* 1.46 Rem••mb••r how 〈…〉〈…〉 Treat••r•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Not to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 P••ac••, but to pro••ong D••b••te; How Yo•• that precious time at first d••l••y'd, And what ill ••se of Your advantage made, As if from Yo••r 〈◊〉〈◊〉 H••nds God had decreed Nothin•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 War and Mischi••f should succ••ed F••r wh••n by ••••sy Gra••••s the Kings Assent Did your Desir•••• in greater things prevent, Wh••n 〈…〉〈…〉 yield ••••ster than You intreat, And m••r•• th••n Mod••sty dares well repeat;

Yet not content with this, witho••t all sense Or of His Hono•••• or His Conscien••e, Still you prest on, till you too late descry'd, 'Twas now less safe to stay than be deny'd. For like a Flood broke loose the Armed Rout, Then Shut Him clos••r up, And Shut You out, Who by just Veng••ance are since Worried By those Hand-wol••es Yo•• for His Ruine bred. Thus like Two smoaking Fireb••ands, You and They Have in this Smother choak'd the Kingdom's Day: And a•• you rais'd Them first, m••st shave the Guilt, With all the Blood in those Distraction•• spilt. For though with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Foxes backward turn'd, (When he Philistia's fruitfull Harv••st burn'd) The f••ce of yo••r Opinion, stands averse, All yor Co••cl••sions b••t one Fire disperse; And ••very Line which carries your Designs, In th•• s••m•• Centre of Conf••sion joyns. Tho••gh then the I••d••pendants end the Work, 'Tis known they took the••r Platform from the Kirk; Though Pil••te Br••dsh••w with his pack of Jews, God'•• High Vice-g••r••nt at the Bar accuse; They but r••viv'd the Evid••nce and Charge, Yo••r poys' no••s D••cl••rat••ons laid at large; Though they Condemn'd or made his Life their Spoil, Yo•• were the S••tters forc'd him to the Toil:

For you whose fatal hand the Warrant writ, The Prisoner did for Execution fit; And if their Ax invade the Regal Throat, Remember you first Murther'd Him by Vote. Thus they receive your Tennis at the bound, Take off that Head which you had first Un-crown'd; Which shews the Texture of our M••schiefs Clew, If Ravell'd to the Top, begins in You, Who have for ever st••in'd the brave Intents And Credit of our English P••••li••ments: And in this One caus'd grea••••r ••lls, and more, Than all of theirs did Good that went b••fore. Yet have You kept your word against Your will, Your King is Great indeed and Glorious still, And You have made Him so. We must impute That Lustre which His Sufferings contribute To your preposterous Wisdoms, who have done All your good Deeds by Contradiction: For as to work His Peace you rais'd this Strif••, And often Shot at Him to Save His Life; As you took from Him to Encrease His wealth, And kept Him Pris'ner to secure His Health; So in revenge of your dissembled Spight, In this last Wrong you did Him greatest Right, And (cross to all You meant) by Plucking down Li••ted Him up to His Eternal Crown.

With this Encircled in that radiant Sphear, Where thy black Murtherers must ne'r appear; Thou from th'enthroned Martyrs Blood-stain'd Line, Dost in thy Virtues bright Example shine. And when thy Darted Beam from the moist Sky Nightly salutes thy grieving Peoples Eye, Thou like some Warning Light rais'd by our fears, Shalt both provoke and still supply our Tears, Till the Great Prop••et wak'd from his long Sleep, Again bids Sion for Iosiah weep: That all Successions by a firm Decree May teach their Children to Lament for Thee. Beyond these Mournfull Rites there is no Art Or Cost can Thee preserve. Thy better Part Lives in despight of Death, and will endu••e Kept safe in thy Unpattern'd Portraicture: Which though in Paper drawn by thine own Hand, Shall longer than Corinthian-Marble stand, Or Iron Sculptures: There thy matchless Pen Speaks Thee the Best of Kings as Best of Men: Be this Thy Epitaph; for This alone Deserves to carry Thy Inscription. And 'tis but modest Truth: (so may I thrive As not to pl••ase the Best of thine Alive, Or flatter my Dead Master, here would I Pay my last Duty in a Glorious Lye)

In that Admired Piece the World may read Thy Virtues and Misfortunes Storied; Which bear such curious Mixture, Men must doubt Whether Thou Wiser wert or more Devout. There live Blest Relick of a Saint-like mind, With Honours endless, as Thy Peace, Enshrin'd; Whilst we, divided by that Bloo••y Cloud, Whose purple Mists Thy Murther'd Body shroud, Here stay behind at gaze: Apt for Thy sake Unr••ly murm••rs now 'gainst Heav'n to make, Which binds us to Live well, yet gives no Fence To Guard her dearest Sons from Violence. But He whose Trump proclaims, Revenge is mine, Bids us our Sorrow by our Hope confine, And reconcile our Reason to our Faith, Which in thy Ruine such Conclusions hath; It dares Conclude, God does not keep His Word If Zimri dye in Peace that slew his Lord.

From my sad Retirement March 11. 1648.

CAROLUS STUART REX AN∣GLIAE SECURE COESUS VITA CESSIT TRICESSIMO IANUARII.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Belshazar, Dan. 5.
• * 1.2

  Sir George Lisle at Newbury charged in his Shirt and Rout∣ed them.
• * 1.3

  Patro∣clus.
• * 1.4

  Fama∣gosta de∣fended most Valiantly by Signior Bragadino in the time of Selymus 2^d. was upon Ho∣nourable terms sur∣rendred to Mustapha the Ba∣shaw, who observing no Conditions, at his Tent Murthered the Principal Commanders, invited thither under shew of Love, and slayed Bragadine Alive.
• * 1.5

  The Swedes hired Anno, 164. to invade the King of Denmark, provided to assist his Nephew the King of England.
• * 1.6

  See the Letter sent to Edward Earl of Manche∣ster, Spea∣ker of the House of Peers pro tempore, from T. Fairfax, Dated Au∣gust 29. 1648. at Hieth.
• * 1.7

  Wat-Tyler and his co••∣plices de∣sign was to take away the King and chief Men, and to erect petty Tyrannies to themselves in every Shire. And already one Littistar•• a Dyar had taken upon him in Norfolk the Name of King of Commons, and Robert Westbor••. in Sastolk, Rich. 2. Anno 1381. Speed.
• * 1.8

  A•• St. Fagans in Glamor∣ganshire near Car∣diff, The Welsh un∣armed were taken in very great Numbers, and Sold for twelve pence a piece to cer∣tain Mer∣chants, who bought them for Slaves to their Plan∣tation.
• * 1.9

  Grimes now a Cap¦tain, for∣merly a Tinker at St. Albans, with his own hand Killed four of the Pri∣soners, be∣ing not able for Faintaess to go on with the rest, of which number Lieutenant Woodward was o••e: Lik••wise at Thame, and at Whateley, some o∣thers were Kill'd.
• * 1.10

  1 Kings 2. 32. vers▪
• * 1.11

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.12

  Call'd the Councel of Troubles.
• * 1.13

  The form of taking the Covenant, June 1643.
• * 1.14

  〈…〉〈…〉 lib. ••.
• * 1.15

  Remon∣strance of the State of the King∣dom, Dec. 15. 1641.
• * 1.16

  Ord. Feb. 29.
• * 1.17

  Voted March 15.
• * 1.18

  The Nivy seiz'd Mar. 28. 1642.
• * 1.19

  The Lon∣don Tu∣mults.
• * 1.20

  Jan. 10. 1641.
• * 1.21

  At Ba∣sing-Chapel Sold Dec. 29. 1643.
• * 1.22

  At Win∣chester.
• * 1.23

  Lactant. •• l. 2. c. 4.
• * 1.24

  Iulian.
• * 1.25

  Praefectus Aegypti.
• * 1.26

  Theodoret. l. 3. c. 11.
• * 1.27

  ibid.
• * 1.28

  G••nguin. l. 6.
• * 1.29

  The Carpet belonging to the Com∣m••••io•• Ta∣ble of Win∣chester Cathedral, Dec. 18. 1642. Adrian Emp.
• * 1.30

  At Winch∣comb in Glocester∣sh••re.
• * 1.31

  Whitehall, Windsor.
• * 1.32

  Feb. 3. 1643.
• * 1.33

  E. of Essex Army, Aug. 1. 1642.
• * 1.34

  The Stan∣dard at Noting∣ham, Aug. 25. 1642.
• * 1.35

  June 27. 1643.
• * 1.36

  Declarati∣on and Re∣solution of Parl. Aug. 15. 1642.
• * 1.37

  History of English and Scotish Presbytery, p. 3••0
• * 1.38

  The 19 Propos.
• * 1.39

  April 27. 1646.
• * 1.40

  May 5. 1646.
• * 1.41

  This Order publish'd by beat of Drum, May 4. 1646.
• * 1.42

  Jan. 3. 1647.
• * 1.43

  Jan. 9. 1647.
• * 1.44

  C••••chester Si••ge.
• * 1.45

  Jun•• 30. 1648.
• * 1.46

  Tre••ty V••∣ted, July ••8. 1648.