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Flosculum Poeticum

Poems Divine and Humane, Panegyrical, Satyrical, Ironical. By P. K. [i.e. Peter Ker]

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An Elegy, On the Murther and Martyrdome of CHARLES the First: King of Great Brittain, &c.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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15

An Elegy, On the Murther and Martyrdome of CHARLES the First: King of Great Brittain, &c.

'Tis said late times, and Ages could but bring
Two names of good Kings graven in a Ring.
But CHARLES the Great, and Good, augments them three,
And leaves the World, a new TRIUMVIRI.
A Black Swan sure: a KING! that did excel
All Learned Subjects: under him did dwell
In his Dominions; what could be the cause?
'Gainst Wisdom, Knowledge, Reason, Natur's Laws;
Great Brittain slew it self, and Murthered
It's greatest Honour, and cut off it's Head.
Religion kill'd the CHURCH; and LAW did fall;
And LOYALTY did tax the Crown for all.
Great Brittain's Blush, rigidity of Fate!
Revenge, without the meanest cause of hate!
A Pious King, and Master of such Reason!
And Murthered Martyr, guilty of High Treason!

16

'Gainst whom? I cannot tell; in Love, or Hate,
Nor no Man else, but say it was his Fate.
What Contradictions, and Enigmaes lye
Within the Riddle of this Cruelty!
But by past Ages, tell me if ye saw
KINGS clear'd by Justice, and condemn'd by Law.
What Law? Rebellion only, that dare bring
Objections in, against a Lawful KING.
But ther's no need (in such Self-murdering Treason)
To knock down Contradictions, by sound Reason.