Miscellaneous works of George Wither :: :: University of Virginia Library

George Wither, to his Friends, who have inquired after him, since the late seizure of his Person, Books and Papers.

VVhere I now am, you much desire to hear,
What, I am blam'd for; what,
I want, or fear;
Which, this will briefly tell you: I am well,
(In Purgatory, between Heaven and Hell.)
My Fact, (which I acknowledge, in good sooth,
May some offend) is only writing Truth;
And, that is, in prevaricating times,
Much more offensive, then some hainous Crimes.

I nothing Want, that's truly needful, save
Due thankfulness to GOD, for what I have,
Who hitherto, in an unusual wise,
Without my care, vouchsafeth me supplies;

Which hereby, I acknowledge, to this end,
That, others may in straits, on him depend.
All, I need now to fear, is, that before
I shall be freed, I way be made so poor
The Messenger, will hardly get his fees,
Or, that the Remnant of a Loaf and Cheese,
Which at my now forsaken Chamber lies,
Will mouldy be, or eaten by the Mise.

I do not fear, that what I have exprest
Or published, will not abide the Test,
Unless my Judges, do, by looking back
The Gen'ral-Pardon, ineffectual make:
For, that, which I last wrote, was but fruit torn
Out of the Mothers Womb before 'twas born,
Which, whether Life, or Death receive it should,
No man with certainty, determine could;
And, if (according unto my Appeals)
That, which I purpos'd for the Publick-weal,
And honor of the King, may be perused
Intirely, and not palpably abused,
By taking from, or adding thereunto,
I do defie the worst, this World can do;
Well knowing, that, if she conceal what's done,
From Publick view, yet passeth doomes thereon
Which may be to my wrong, 'twill be reveal'd
And judg'd by GOD, to whom I have appeal'd.

Though now there be not left with me, one Line
Of what I last wrote, I no whit repine:
For, Providence will further my intent,
Thereby, much better, than the course I meant;
Or, else will raise up, if that be calcin'd,
A sprightlier Product of the self-same kind,
Which to obliterate, none shall presume,
Nor time abolish, nor the flame consume,

Till it hath took effect to that good end,
For which I did at first, the same intend;
And, Joseph-like, when I shall tried be,
Either the King, or GOD, will set me free,
To whose Free-mercies only, I appeal
Ev'n in those things, which I intended well:
For, extream Justice, is a dreadful thing,
Whether pronounc'd by GOD, or by a King:
And, otherwhile, men of an upright-way,
Permitted are, in somethings to mis-say,
That Spirits may be tri'd, and those things known
Which are of GOD, from that, which is our own.

I have not purposely, one Paper hid
To cloake the worst, that er'e I said or did;
And if men would but at my frailties wink,
I'le tell them, when they please, ev'n all I think,
Although against my Life it might offend
So, their Demands to publick wellfare tend:
For, to that purpose, if it needful were,
I dare say more, than many dare to hear,
(As would be known by what is now surpriz'd,
might it be read in publick, undisguis'd)
Yet, not exceed my limits ne'r-theless,
Or, bounds of Reason, or of Soberness.

I have discharg'd my Conscience, as I thought
The present times required that I ought,
Considering, that otherwise, such Tools
May be of use; and, men reputed Fools
Speak things, as pertinently in some cases
As they, who are imployd in Wise mens places.
I am not ignorant, with what disdain
Our Pantaloons my Poems entertain;
Nor ought displeased, that what I have writ
Seem'd Frothy-stuffe, unto a Flashy-wit,

My sowr Herbs are as pleasing to some pallats
As Apricocks, Muskmillions, or sweet Sallets
To wanton Appetites; and wholsomer
Than that, wherein they more delighted are.
My Verse, to them, seems Vanity to be;
So seem They, and all Earthly things to me.
By them, I numbred with Phanaticks am,
And they, by me, reputed are the same.
My Muse, harsh sounds unto their ears applies,
Their Manners do as much offend mine eyes;
And, if I merit Punishment, who chid them
For things misdone, what merit they who did them?
Should none Reprove, but persons wholly free
From Sinfulness, no Sin Reprov'd should be;
And where our general Reproofs offend,
Few men, their private Errors will amend.

All that is in my Thoughts, my Words or Deeds
Approvable, from GOD's free Grace proceeds,
And none deserveth blame, but I alone
(If I do) for what now is thought misdone.
Yet, come not at me, till you may be sure
Your Visits may no detriment procure
Unto your selves; for (though that I am zealous
Of publick Safety) many are so jealous
Of our Sincerity, whom they shall find
From them, in some things, of a diff'ring mind,
That they, who walk by Gospel and by Law,
May chance to suffer like Jack Fletcher's Daw,
Which taken among Pigeons, Pies and Crowes
For whom a Net was laid, did speed like those:
And, to help keep an Innocent from starving
May censur'd be, by some an Ill-deserving,
Which paradventure may be now my Lot.
(If Christian Charity prevent it not)

More to their shame than mine, who, now have here
Been their Remembrancer, nigh fifty year.

But, for me, take you neither care nor grief;
Death, will much more advantage me than Life:
I walk not blindly, in the Paths I tread,
And they will make me safe, alive, or dead.
I am assured, that his Providence
Which orders things of much less consequence
(Whether conceal'd or published) will make
That which I've written, good effects to take;
And also by their means, perhaps, who be
As yet displeas'd, both with my Book and me.

Grant me but NATURE'S Freedoms, and let then
The Priviledge of COURTS and SINGLE-MEN
Do what they can: for, I have broke no Law
Whereof, a sober Man should stand in aw;
Nor need I Patrons; nor ought have I done
To make me be afraid, through want of one.
I, reverence the Powers that are Supream,
And, know so well, what doth belong to them,
That, I cannot offend by Libelling
Either against the Parliament, or King
As many may suppose; for, VICE may be
Reprov'd, yet, they kept from Aspertions free;
As will appear, when I have open laid
What, for my Vindication may be said.

I love and honour more, a Foe, that's just
Than him, who saves my life, and breaks his trust:
And, will not thank them, who, shall see wherein
I merit blame, yet palliate my sin;
Or, shall excuse me from due punishment,
When I shall know my fault, and not repent.
Nor will they be excus'd, in future times,
(Though yet they may) who make our DUTIES crimes

Mine, is (if any) no more but Omission
Of somewhat; or, at worst, but a Misprition:
And, my Case now, may be resembled well,
By what, unto a Northern Lasse befel,
Who, having been corrected very sore
For calling of her younger Sister Whore,
Which was indeed untrue; her Mother, said
Unto the lesser Girle, tell truly Maid,
Did she not call thee Whore? She answer'd, NO,
(She did not) but, she thought to call me so.

I know there are those, who consider can
What use there may be of an honest Man
Who seeketh not for Honours, or for Pelf;
Hates none; affects his Neighbour as himself;
Fears nought but GOD, and his own heart; his King
Doth reverence, and can in Prison sing:
When more desire to be affected thus,
It will be better both for them and us:
And, he who makes these things his chief ambition
Though Wrongs he feel, can never fear Perdition.
If less than formerly, I am befriended,
I, and my Suff'rings, quickly shall be ended.
If I find favour, you shall hear that from me
Which, to acknowledge, it will well become me:
Till then therefore Adew; and hereby know
That I am pleas'd, and well, if you be so.

Chr. oUr reDeeMer LIVeth.

Aug. 12. 1661. From Mr. Northrops, one of the Kings Messengers in Westminster, where I am civilly used.