The Protector A poem Briefly illustrating the Supereminency of that Dignity; Rationally demonstrating, that the Title of Protector, providentially conferred upon the Supreme Governour of the British Republike, is the most Honorable of all Titles, and, that which, probably, promiseth most Propitiousness to these Nations; if our Sins and Divisions prevent it not. Composed by George Wither |
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To the Readers.
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 | The Protector |  |
To the Readers.
The
Subject of my Muse, is now a TITLE;
Which, though yet known unto the World but little,
May much concern it: but, abov the rest,
(And in the first place) Britain's Interest;
If we destroy not, by a wilful sinning,
The glory of it, in the first beginning.
Which, though yet known unto the World but little,
May much concern it: but, abov the rest,
(And in the first place) Britain's Interest;
If we destroy not, by a wilful sinning,
The glory of it, in the first beginning.
'T is not my Principle, to take away,
Or, to resist the Pow'r I should obey,
Or, question that, which Providence approves,
Or sets up, when another it removes;
Confirming visibly, what it advances,
With all the Supplements and Circumstances
Which make a Pow'r: and therefore, when at first,
Pow'r was dis-joynted, and I seem'd inforc'd
To take one Part of what was then divided;
I clave to that, wherewith, I thought resided
Most Equity, adhering to the same
With Constancie; and, I think, without blame
Justly imputed: for, with an intent
To serve as well the King, as Parliament,
I put on Arms; and, as sincerely sought
His good, as theirs, beneath whose Flag I fought,
Till, I, betwixt them nigh destroy'd became;
And, then, perceiving they were both to blame,
Left off the Quarrel, unto Him, that knew
Which best deserv'd, and, what to both was due.
Yet, firm continu'd, to this Commonweal,
When, by the Sword, GOD, answer'd her Appeal,
According to our Laws, (which, in such case,
Combate allows, when no proof else, takes place.)
Yea, to the Peoples Representative,
I, did (though thereby wrong'd) obedience give;
Contributing, what I was able, then,
With my Estate, and also by my Pen:
Which, (though despised) somewhat did effect
Producing more Advantage, then respect:
For, they, who were not pleas'd it should be known
To come from me, made my Designes their own;
And left me to the mischief of their hate,
Who, malic'd my Affection, to the State.
Or, to resist the Pow'r I should obey,
Or, question that, which Providence approves,
Or sets up, when another it removes;
Confirming visibly, what it advances,
With all the Supplements and Circumstances
Which make a Pow'r: and therefore, when at first,
Pow'r was dis-joynted, and I seem'd inforc'd
To take one Part of what was then divided;
I clave to that, wherewith, I thought resided
Most Equity, adhering to the same
With Constancie; and, I think, without blame
Justly imputed: for, with an intent
To serve as well the King, as Parliament,
I put on Arms; and, as sincerely sought
His good, as theirs, beneath whose Flag I fought,
Till, I, betwixt them nigh destroy'd became;
And, then, perceiving they were both to blame,
Left off the Quarrel, unto Him, that knew
Which best deserv'd, and, what to both was due.
Yet, firm continu'd, to this Commonweal,
When, by the Sword, GOD, answer'd her Appeal,
Combate allows, when no proof else, takes place.)
Yea, to the Peoples Representative,
I, did (though thereby wrong'd) obedience give;
Contributing, what I was able, then,
With my Estate, and also by my Pen:
Which, (though despised) somewhat did effect
Producing more Advantage, then respect:
For, they, who were not pleas'd it should be known
To come from me, made my Designes their own;
And left me to the mischief of their hate,
Who, malic'd my Affection, to the State.
When their Pow'r subdivided, I adher'd
To that, in which most Righteousness appear'd:
And, though I suffer'd still, without regard,
(Aiming at nobler Guerdon, and reward,
Then they could give me) did the best I could,
Their Peace, and crazie Honour, to uphold
By secret Cautions, and, by publishing
What I much fear'd their course would on them bring:
But, Selfness, Pride, and Avarice, made void
All good endeavours, till they were destroy'd;
And, some among them, who deserved well,
Were wrapt up, in the Mischiefs which befel,
Blam'd, and unpiti'd; yea, and most of all
By them, whose wickedness, drew on their fall.
To that, in which most Righteousness appear'd:
And, though I suffer'd still, without regard,
(Aiming at nobler Guerdon, and reward,
Then they could give me) did the best I could,
Their Peace, and crazie Honour, to uphold
By secret Cautions, and, by publishing
What I much fear'd their course would on them bring:
But, Selfness, Pride, and Avarice, made void
All good endeavours, till they were destroy'd;
And, some among them, who deserved well,
Were wrapt up, in the Mischiefs which befel,
Blam'd, and unpiti'd; yea, and most of all
By them, whose wickedness, drew on their fall.
How, it so came to pass, I, could not mark;
For, in a Cloud 't was done, and in the dark,
(As in respect of me) till, GOD reveal'd
That Mystery, which was at first conceal'd:
And then, from late Corruptions, forth did peep
(As Eve from Adam, whilst he was asleep)
Appearances; which, when they were reduc'd
To their perfection, visibly produc'd
The present
Government, ere well I knew
What men were doing, or, what would ensue.
But, when it shew'd it self, I, plainly saw
A Creature form'd, cloath'd with such Pow'r, and awe,
That, none but GOD himself, could Author be
Of that, which I did then produced see:
Consid'ring, what Confusions we were in;
What, might, much rather, have expected bin;
And, how, to wonderment, he had asswag'd
Their Fury, who, were Envious, and enrag'd.
For, in a Cloud 't was done, and in the dark,
(As in respect of me) till, GOD reveal'd
That Mystery, which was at first conceal'd:
And then, from late Corruptions, forth did peep
(As Eve from Adam, whilst he was asleep)
Appearances; which, when they were reduc'd
To their perfection, visibly produc'd
What men were doing, or, what would ensue.
But, when it shew'd it self, I, plainly saw
A Creature form'd, cloath'd with such Pow'r, and awe,
That, none but GOD himself, could Author be
Of that, which I did then produced see:
Consid'ring, what Confusions we were in;
What, might, much rather, have expected bin;
And, how, to wonderment, he had asswag'd
Their Fury, who, were Envious, and enrag'd.
Therefore, although, before that time, I had
Some Overtures, within my own heart made;
And, some Expedients fancy'd, how to lay
Foundations of our Peace, another way;
And, to rebuild the Structure late o'erthrown,
By gath'ring out, from what was pulled down,
The Good, from Bad, (and that, which proved sound,
From Rubbish, which therewith, was mixed found.)
I threw by my own thoughts; and, thenceforth, sought
To work on, in that Work, which GOD had wrought;
And am resolv'd, with all the strength I have,
(And, ev'ry Faculty which I receive)
To fortifie that Pow'r, which rais'd I see,
Till God himself removes it; though to me
It prov'd less favourable, yea, and more
Destructive, then the Pow'r, which raign'd before:
And (without other purpose) to that end,
These Musings, on this Title did intend,
Which here ensues; that, you away may cast
Your own Designes, as I did mine, at last,
And joyn together, in advancing that
New Pow'r, and Title, which, GOD, did create;
Rather, then by a foolish wilfulness,
Oppose his will, and ruine your own Peace.
Which Mischief, that you timely may prevent,
(And, not destructive Discord still foment)
I have contriv'd this Engine, to prepare
Their hearts for Concord, who divided are;
And shew them, what Advantages may rise
By that, which they through Ignorance despise.
Some Overtures, within my own heart made;
And, some Expedients fancy'd, how to lay
Foundations of our Peace, another way;
And, to rebuild the Structure late o'erthrown,
By gath'ring out, from what was pulled down,
The Good, from Bad, (and that, which proved sound,
From Rubbish, which therewith, was mixed found.)
I threw by my own thoughts; and, thenceforth, sought
To work on, in that Work, which GOD had wrought;
And am resolv'd, with all the strength I have,
(And, ev'ry Faculty which I receive)
To fortifie that Pow'r, which rais'd I see,
Till God himself removes it; though to me
It prov'd less favourable, yea, and more
Destructive, then the Pow'r, which raign'd before:
And (without other purpose) to that end,
These Musings, on this Title did intend,
Which here ensues; that, you away may cast
Your own Designes, as I did mine, at last,
And joyn together, in advancing that
New Pow'r, and Title, which, GOD, did create;
Rather, then by a foolish wilfulness,
Oppose his will, and ruine your own Peace.
(And, not destructive Discord still foment)
I have contriv'd this Engine, to prepare
Their hearts for Concord, who divided are;
And shew them, what Advantages may rise
By that, which they through Ignorance despise.
Consider therefore, duely, what it may
Concern you, to take heed, of what I say;
And, that sometime a Title, or a Word,
(Scarce thought worth heed) occasion may afford
Of furth'ring matters of great Consequence,
And of removing things which gave offence.
Consider what is offer'd to your view:
Remember, that some things, and not a few,
Which were foretold (ev'n many yeers before
They came to pass) were carelesly pass'd ore,
And what befel. Remember, that, to you
I have nought tender'd, yet, which prov'd untrue,
(If rightly understood) when 'twas profess'd
Delib'rately, and, seriously express'd:
And, let me finde respect, as I intend
Your weal, by that, which now I recommend.
Concern you, to take heed, of what I say;
And, that sometime a Title, or a Word,
(Scarce thought worth heed) occasion may afford
Of furth'ring matters of great Consequence,
And of removing things which gave offence.
Consider what is offer'd to your view:
Remember, that some things, and not a few,
Which were foretold (ev'n many yeers before
They came to pass) were carelesly pass'd ore,
And what befel. Remember, that, to you
I have nought tender'd, yet, which prov'd untrue,
(If rightly understood) when 'twas profess'd
Delib'rately, and, seriously express'd:
And, let me finde respect, as I intend
Your weal, by that, which now I recommend.
Your ancient Remembrancer, Geo. Wither.
| The Protector | |