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OXFORD BESIEDGED, Surprized, Taken, and Pittifully Entred, on Munday the second of Iune last, 1645. by the Valiant Forces of the London and West∣minster Parliament.
LOndon and Westminster, (though neither of you are my Native or Naturall Mother, yet) I was borne in Glocester, a City that hath stood to it in our Loyall and obedient Warres against the King, not much inferiour for Parliamentall obedience or Publique Faith and Confidence to you, as hath been obstinately manifested. But leaving Glo∣cester, with her Massy zeale and valour, I returne my loving Remembrance to London, who hath been, and is the inexhau∣stible Magazine for Men, Mony, and Maintenance, for the sup∣portation of those durable, famous and lasting Warres against the King, (which the Cavaliering and Malignant Party calls Rebellion) and which we have causes to call, entitle, nomi∣nate, and acknowledge to be the Holy Cause.
And as our Armies have with unexpected successe, been Horrible, Terrible, Dreadfull, Fearefull, Victorious, and Invin∣cible, and have forraged through England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Coventry, and Canterbury, yet that stiffeneck'd Gene∣ration and People of Oxford, have (till now) stood out in Re∣bellious opposition against us; for that Academy and City, have ever since these distracted and disturbant times, been the Treasury of Refractory obstinacy, and the Store-house of our Mischiefes; whom to suppresse and bring into order and conformity, our Almighty Parliament hath sought by all fa∣vourable meanes, and by most perswasive Exhortations from the Presse and Pulpits, there hath been nothing by us negle∣cted,