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University of Virginia Library

Miscellaneous works of George Wither

Wither, George (1588-1667)

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FIRST COLLECTION

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SECOND COLLECTION

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3.

THIRD COLLECTION

THE TWO INCOMPARABLE GENERALISSIMO'S of the world, with their Armies briefly described and embattailed, visibly and invisibly opposing each other.

The dark Lantern,

WESTROW REVIVED.

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AN IMPROVEMENT Of Imprisonment, Into Real Freedom; Of Disgrace, Into Honest Reputation; Of Poverty, Into Perdurable Riches; Evidenced in a few Crums & Scraps Lately found in a PRISONERS-BASKET AT NEVV GATE;

[HE, who, five thousand hungry Souls had fed]

THE AUTHOR OF THESE Fragments, TO THE Humble, the Poor in Spirit, and to all those Afflicted-Ones, who disdain not these CRUMMS.

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

George Wither, His first Meditation, upon his Commitment to Newgate, Aug. 22. For his Poem called Vox Vulgi, neither Published nor Finished.

To the City of London.

Another Meditation, (or Ballad as the World perhaps, will call it) composed by the same Prisoner since his Commitment to Newgate.

A Return, in Answer to some of them, who sent to know how it fares with me in my Imprisonment.

A Pass-By, in Relation to those, who seem offended at my Frequent-Scriblings, as they call them.

George Wither's Appollogy for composing the Poem called Vox Vulgi; being a Welcome home from the Counties, Citties and Burroughs, to their Prevaricating Members; saving the honour of the House of Commons, and of every faithfull and discreet Individual member thereof; which Poem was surprised before quite finished.

Another Meditation in Newgate, somewhat alluding to this old verse in Seneca, Nunquam non Potest, esse Virtuti locus. Which implies, that no Place, or Time can disadvantage an Honest-man.

A Meditation, occasioned by the same Prisoners calling to mind, Jeremies Prophecie to Ebed-melech, the Blackmore, Jerem. 39. 15.

An Antidote against Fear, composed upon the Citizens being unexpectedly in Arms, Sept. 28. 1661. at night.

A short Excuse, rendering some Reasons why this Prisoner makes no Adresses for his Release, to great Persons for their Favour in his Cause.

A Composure, for his private Refreshment made by the same Prisoner, upon considering the sad outward Condition of his Dearest Relations in the Flesh: after which is added the Narrative of a sudden distemper thereupon ensuing.

Another Spiritual Song composed, by occasion of the last mentioned Distemper.

A Meditation whilst he was taking a Pipe of Tobbacco.

A Hint, of that, which may hereafter (if not despised) conduce to the Setling of Peace and Concord in Church and State.

A Hymn of Thanksgiving to Almighty GOD;

A Penitential Hymn, composed by occasion of a Dream the 19th. of Octob. 1661. about Midnight.

A Requiem to the Soul.

A Meditation upon the many Prodigies and Apparitions, which are mentioned by Publick writing, or common Fame.

A Riddle for Recreation, not impertinent to this Place.

A Proclamation made by this Prisoner, with the advise of his Privy Counsel, the Muses.

A Concluding Epigram.

A Post-script to the Readers.

An Appendix in Relation to what concerns his Wife.

The Authors Dream, the night before the Imprinting of this Book, and (as he believes) the true Interpretation thereof.

Sigh for the Pitchers:

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FOURTH COLLECTION

5.

FIFTH COLLECTION

6.

SIXTH COLLECTION

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27

A Return, in Answer to some of them, who sent to know how it fares with me in my Imprisonment.

God, gave me Grace; by Grace I did conceive
A saving Faith; by saving Faith I live.
My life of Faith, hath had a preservation,
By Hearing, Acting, and by Meditation.
By Meditation, I reduce to Words
What my Experience in this life affords.
By that Experience which I have attain'd,
A Patience in my troubles I have gain'd;
My Patience hath such hopefulness begot,
That, this disgraceful Prison shames me not.
Though I am poor (and, as our Proverb sayes)
As poor as Job) unto my God be praise,
I am no Beggar; for, I have not yet,
Been forc'd to ask for Money, Clothes, ot Meat;
Nor tempted (having dayly bread) to borrow
Through fear of wants, that may befal to Morrow:
And, well remembring, who was pleas'd to say
There's Care enough belonging to each Day,
I, for a day to which I may not live,
Will not of what I have, my self deprive.
With my Condition, I am pleas'd, and merry,
Of my long-suff'rings I am not grown weary.
And wish those who pursue me with most hate
No worse, then to enjoy the like estate,
Except my Bands. I have acquir'd this rest,
By those Means and Degrees, afore exprest,
And, this, unfeignedly, to you declares
How, at this present time, with me it fares.

Sept. 7. 1661. from Newgate.

George Wither.