University of Virginia Library

A common Fame Reports there will be War
Betwixt the English and the Hollander
And, by their preparations, I conceive
We may with probability, believe
It will be so. Their many panick Fears,
Their groundless hopes, their bitter Scoffs and Jeers,
Cast on each other, are plain symptoms too,
Of what, in likelihood, they mean to do.
We likewise, by the Truths and by the Lies
Which to divide them wicked men devise,
And, whereby such Partakers on both sides
Augment that hatred which still more divides,
May fear, as well as by their other deeds,
The mischief will go on, as it proceeds,
Untill the power doth rest in GOD alone,
To undo, what is wilfully misdone.
But, that, which most confirms it, is the sin,
The Crying Crimes, that both continue in
Without Repentance: For, among the rest
These I enumerate are not the least,
(Nor any whit abated, since GOD made
The late Breach up, which them else ruin'd had)
Such, as their bragging vaunts of that frail strength
Which will destroy their foolish hopes at length;
The confidence, the sottish vulgar gathers
From Ships and Armies, long hair, Muffs & Feathers;
Their hot contestings which shall have the hap
To wear the greatest Bauble in their Cap.
Or, whether 'twill at last, be brought to pass,
That th'Asse shall ride the Man, or Man the Asse.
These, and some other things, that are perceiv'd
Now acting, or about to be contriv'd,
Have made me, with small diffidence to deem
Most of them are as mad as they do seem.