University of Virginia Library

The SI QUIS, and the Occasion of it.

He that is prostrate on the floor,
Lies there, whence he can fall no lower:
So does this Orator of Your.

Petitions, he, hath oft conveyd
Into your hands; yet finds no ayd
These, therefore, at your Feet are layd.

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2

Where, let them not neglected lie,
Nor, unregarded, throw them by,
But view them with a gracious eye.

And, let our Parents not provoke
Their Children, till offence be took,
By which, their patience may be broke.

Consider those, who lie below;
For, you shall reap, what you do sow;
And, find such mercy, as you show.

Refresh their spirits, who are sad,
As God, this day, hath made you glad,
By those good tydings you have had.

Among the rest, this Beadsman here,
That feels the wants, which they but fear,
Who, dread th'effects of this moyst year.

And, blame him not, that, thus he shows
His Cause, as well in Verse, as Prose,
And, in a Path untrodden goes.

For, scarce, Earth, Water, Air, or Fire
Enjoys he; or, wherewith to hire,
That Pittance Nature doth require.

And, men in danger to be drownd
Lay hold on any Trifle found,
To reconvey them safe a ground.

But, his annexed Paper view,
And let him favor'd be of you,
As, that, which it avers, is true.

And, if for that, which he prefers
His suit, there stand Competitors,
Let it be neither, His, nor Theirs,
But, as most equitable, it appears.

These (to my Prayer fixed) for your view,
I left upon the Pavement, and withdrew;

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3

In hope some kind hand, would have been extended
To raise it, that my Cause might be commended
To free Debate. But, six days, now, are gone,
And, God, since then, the favor late bestown
Doubles and triples upon you; yet, I
Still at your door, unheard, unheeded, lie;
And find not so much as a Friend, by whom
To learn, what of those Papers is become.
Of private searches, therefore, being wearie,
I set up now, a Si quis, and a Quære,
And, thus, it follows here: If any man,
“Who sits, within your Walls, instruct me can,
“How I may know, what hand convey'd away
“My Prayer from your sight, upon the day
“Of your glad tydings: Or, if he that seiz'd
“Those humbled Papers, will be nobly pleas'd
“So to produce them, that, I may obtain
“Due remedy, for what they do complain;
“It shall beget a servant, who will strive
“To merit those Occasions it may give
“Of that obligement: And, for his reward,
“Shall gain him Prayers, too; which will be heard
“For him, and his, perchance, when feel they may,
“What 'tis to be neglected, when we pray.
But, whatsoe're effect vouchsafed be;
God bless the King, the Parliament, and Me.