Poems on affairs of state from the time of Oliver Cromwell, to the abdication of K. James the Second. Written by the greatest wits of the age. Viz. Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Rochester, Lord Bu-------st, Sir John Denham, Andrew Marvell, Esq; Mr. Milton, Mr. Dryden, Mr. Sprat, Mr. Waller. Mr. Ayloffe, &c. With some miscellany poems by the same: most whereof never before printed. Now carefully examined with the originals, and published without any castration.
Buckingham, George Villiers, Duke of, 1628-1687.
PROLOGVE.
WHoever looks about and minds things well,
And on Affairs abroad doth take a view,
Page 137May think the Story which I here do tell
Was never dream't it falleth out so true.
I do confess it's something hard to find
A crooked Path directly in the dark;
And while a Man's asleep, you know he's blind,
And can't easily hit on a Mark.
Well, be it so, yet this you know is right,
What's seen i'th' Day is dreamt again at Night.
A Dream I hope will no Wise man offend,
Nor will it Treason be (I trow) to lend
A Copy of my Dream unto my Friend.
Cabal, beware your Shins,
For thus my Tale begins.
