University of Virginia Library

[But I would have this Monarchy I make]

But I would have this Monarchy I make,
To have a Judge

I call the chief Ruler Judge as they did in the old Law or Time.

that will good Counsel take;
One that is wise to govern, and to see
What Faults to mend, and what the Errors be,
Making the Common-wealth his only Minion,
Striving for to enlarge his own Dominion,
To love his People, with a tender Care,
To wink at Frailties which in Nature are,
And Just to punish Crimes, as hating ill,
Yet sorry for the Malefactor still;
Glad to reward, and Virtue to advance
In real Favours, not in Countenance,
Not to pay Merits with good Words and Smiles,
(Dissembling Promises poor Men beguiles)
Nor yet good Services are done long past,
(Ungratefull Souls will in Oblivion cast)
But have the Eye of Memory so clear,
The least good Service shall to him appear.
Nor would I have one idly to neglect
His Peoples safety, but for to protect
Their Lives and Goods, with all the care he can,
And upright Justice to the poorest Man;
To be a Father to the Common-wealth,
And a Physician to restore them Health,
By purging out the Humours, which are Crimes,
Which Crimes, like corrupt Humours, breed oft-times
Factious Diseases, which without all doubt
Would Ruin bring, if timely not cast out:
No cruell Scarlet Favorite to make,
Nor Pleading, Fauning, Cheating men to take
Into their Bosoms, who with Gouty Pride
Straight swell so bigg, they must on Shoulders ride,
Or else on Noble Cush'ons they must lye,
To bear them up; but oft the Feathers fly,
If Pride do presse too hard, and oft they take
Some great mens Fames, thinking thereby to make,
In giving Praises high, a Screen to hide
The face of Favour, but the Tail is spide.
Nor such a Judge, as one that takes delight
To play at Cards and Dice most of the Night;
Or drink till drunk, then carried to his Bed,
As to a Grave, he seeming like one dead,
When he those watchfull hours, and times should spend
In thinking which way he should Errors mend;
For Commonwealths what ere, and Kingdoms, Realm,
Like Garments, have full many a Stitch and Seam:
This Publike Garment oft the Prince must view,
Where it is rent, cause't to be sticht a new,
Or else it soon wears out, in pieces fall,
And though they patch, it will not last at all.
Nor such a Judge, so timorous, lives in fear,
And durst not, without Guards, walk any where,
Which starts at every Noise, or Object fee,
If strange and new those Sounds and Objects be;
Suspects the Light, yet Darkness hates like Hell,
And thinks Conspiracy in's sleep doth dwell,
And with this Fear a Tyrant he becomes,
And then he Massacres, and Martyrdoms
All his best Subjects, free from factious strife,
That Loyal are, and wish him longer life,
But scorn to flatter, or applaud his Crimes,
But keep up Right, and Honour in their minds,
Nor are they guilty, in Word, Deed, or Thought,
But by Suspition judg'd, to Slaughter brought;
But all the innocent Blood that they do spill,
Like to a Sea, flows to their Conscience ill;
And every Thought that moves within their Brain,
Appears like Ghosts of Men that they have slain;
And when they dye, into despair they fall,
Or like a Beast or Stone, no Sense at all.
Nor such a Judge that is given to the Spirit,
Or so devout as Heaven he thinks to merit,
Praies Night and Day, or Beads do number ore
Upon cold Stones, Joves Altar kneels before,
Unfit in Earthly Government to Reign,
For Praier seldome doth a Kingdome gain,
Nor keeps in safety from an Enemy,
But leaves his People all to Slavery;
For if he praying be, whilst they do Fight,
They'll soon be taken, or be put to flight;
Jove Courage gives to Man, as well as Zeal,
And Prudence for to Rule a Commonweal;
And doing Justice, pleaseth Jove far more
Than lazy Praying, idly to implore
His great assistance which he seldom gives,
Unless no hope of Human Help there lives.
Jove gives man Strength, himself for to defend,
Which, if he useth not, may Jove offend.
But such faint-hearted Prince, is fitter for
A private life, than Kingdome that's in War;
And fitter to Obey, than to Command,
Or Rule and Reign, in Peace, War, Sea or Land;
And fitter far it were, whilst he doth live,
That he the Sovereign Power up did give
Unto a Kinsman, or himself did choose
A Wise and Valiant man, that Power to use,
Not but Religious Orders are right meet;
For why, Religion is the Publicke Feet
On which the Common-Wealth in safety stands,
And Ceremonies are the Sacred Hands
To Consecrate good Custome, Dutious Zeal,
And make Obedience in a Common-weal.
The Judge I chuse, his Wisdome shall be such,
The whole Worlds Government shall seem not much,
In which of all the Planets there must Reign
I do not care, I tell my Readers plain.

[Of all my Works, this Work which I have Writ]

Of all my Works, this Work which I have Writ,
My best Belov'd, and greatest Favorite,
I look upon it, with a pleasing Eye,
I Pleasure take in its sweet company,
I entertain it with a Grave Respect,
And with my Pen am ready to Protect
The Life and Safety of it, 'gainst all those
That will oppose it, or profess its Foes;
But I am sure there's none Condemn it can,
Unless some Foolish and unlearned Man,
That hath not Understanding, Judgement, Wit,
For to perceive the Reason that's in it.