Poems upon Several Occasions | ||
30
The Penitent Rebel.
I
By the fond Counsel of my Friends misledI banish'd Love out of my Breast;
Now surely I shall be at rest
(Said I) now Love the covetous Tyrant's sled,
Who all my Thoughts and precious Minutes challenged.
II
But ah! no sooner was his Majesty,Which kept the inferiour Passions tame,
Withdrawn, but in they rudely came,
Pride, Avarice, Envy, Rage and Cruelty,
With undetermin'd Lust that flies at ev'ry she.
III
And now these Monsters in my Face do fly,They tear my very Soul and part
Amongst them my divided Heart:
31
Into a Common-wealth of lawless Tyranny.
IV
So England in an unauspicious hour'Gainst her indulgent Prince arose,
His Golden Sceptre to oppose:
She murder'd him, but fell into the Pow'r
Of Cromwell, and an Host of armed Villains more.
V
What Fools were they to think they'd kil'd the KingWho never dies? His Royal Son
Return'd with Honour to his Throne:
Now free from Wars and Fears we sit and sing
Under the peaceful Shadow of mild Charles's Wing.
VI
Return thou too, dread Sov'raign Love, and saveMy poor distracted Heart which lies
A Prey to cruel Enemies;
32
To a long Parliament of sordid Lusts a Slave.
VII
Taught by the sad Experience of these wrongs,Thy Laws for ever I'll obey,
And all thy Tributes duly pay:
I'll give whatever to thy Crown belongs,
Gales of fresh Sighs, Floods of salt Tears, and mournful Songs.
Poems upon Several Occasions | ||