Sigh for the pitchers breathed out in a personal contribution to the national humiliation the last of May, 1666, in the cities of London and Westminster, upon the near approaching engagement then expected between the English and Dutch navies : wherewith are complicated such musings as were occasioned by a report of their actual engagement, and by observing the publike rejoycing whilst this was preparing by the author / George Wither.

To the English Nation, and to every Individual Person within these Brittish Isles, Geo. Wither, wishes that Grace, Peace, and Love in CHRIST JESUS, which by an unfeigned Humiliation, may reconcile us all to GOD; Vnite us by an indissolvable Band of Charity, to each other; and in a Christian Amity, withall Nations through the world.

MY Sighs concern you all, throughout this Nati∣on Who are this day, in true Humiliation To seek the face of GOD; For, we make One Of those two Pitchers whom I do bemone: And, unto whom (then fearing much their breaking, When first I saw War preparations making) I sent a Trumpet, both with an Intent And hope, that which was feared, to prevent; Which, failing my good purpose to produce, I send this now, to mediate a Truce; For, who can tell, but that my words may have Such ••ssue now, as heretofore GOD gave Unto a private-womans when she spoke For Abel, what effect in season took? So may it prosper as I am sincere In that, Which I have Superscribed here; And, let my Foes on earth, be still as many As there are men, if I wish ill to any; Or, am not pleasd that all should live and die As happy, both in Life and Death as I Who shall not, by a final Wilfulness, Deprive themselves of what they might possess; And slander GOD, as cause Original Of that, which doth amiss to them befal. For, though, not few, my Adversaries be Or such, as, yet, bear no good will to me,

I, ev'n for that cause, am in love, their debter; For, him, who loves his Foes, GOD, loves the better: Yea, having partly been, in my distress Relievd by some few who, do naytheless Seem still my Enemies; it, makes me more, Love GOD, and all Mankinde, then heretofore. A time is come, in which, it is our turn Both altogether, and apart to mourn: Those General Calamities befal Which, for a general Repentance call, And, for particular Humiliation, In order to a publick Reformation, From which, at present, are excepted none; No, not the King, who sitteth on the Throne: For, that which is in Cottages begun Will seize the Pallace, ere the Round is run, If GOD in mercy, answer not our hope, And, to our sins and fears, vouchsafe a Stop. To that end, though this be not what I would Or, should contribute, it is what I could And, may now, be as usefully exprest, As what more artificially is drest: Yea, (though it be, that onely) in effect, Which I have ost preferd without respect, This, seems a very seasonable time, To greet you, with a Reasonable Rime. Accept it therefore, and be not offended With what is conscientiously intended. GOD, who from us doth Trifles oft receive, Requires of none, more then he hath to give; And, if you shall accept what's in my powr He, will of that accept, which is in your; For, all that is contributed, by this, Worth your acceptance, is not mine, but his.