Miscellaneous works of George Wither

Occasion from a trifling Object springs,
Once more, to offer heed of serious Things,
For, by perusing some late printed Rimes,
That, which may much concern the present Times,
Was tender'd to my Thought; and what to me
Was offer'd, shall to you now offer'd be.

When I began to know the World, and Men,
I made Records of what I found them then,
Continuing ever since, to take good heed,
How they stood still, went back, or did proceed,
Till of my Scale of Time, ascending Heav'n,
The Round I stand on, maketh ten times Seven;
And, being likely, now, ere long to leave them,
A Memorandum, I intend to give them,
Of what, this day, they do appear to me,
As also, what they may hereafter be;
(According as they shall direct their Course)
That, whether they are better grown, or worse,
It may be to GOD's Honour seen and read,
(What ere befals) when they and I, am dead.

When in this Isle my Muses first were known,
The heads of VICE were not so Monstrous grown,
(Nor then so numerous) as now they be;
For, Cerberus in those dayes had but three,
And Hydra seven: At present, they are more
In Number, and more Large, then heretofore:
So that these Monsters, for whose overthrow
I was ingag'd, nigh fifty yeers ago,
Are grown so formidable, that, they make
The Fortresses of Moral Vertue shake,
And, yield at present, work enough to do,
For Hercules, and Mighty Sampson too.
Yet I have lost no Ground, but kept the Field;
And will, till I have Conquer'd, or am Kild:
For, though some daily fall off, who pretended
Adherence to the Cause which we defended,
(And though my Elder Brethren do but flout me)
I find an Unseen Army, pitch'd about me,
Which takes my Part, and will effect at length,
That, which is far beyond my single strength:
And, he, who dies, in making good his Place,
Though he prevails not, dies without Disgrace.

The List, I enter not, with guileful Charms,
Of Humane Eloquence, nor with such Arms
Defensive, or offensive, as were brought
By them, who have of late, our Battails fought;
But onely with a Sling, Stones, and a Staff,
At which my Friends jeer, and my Foes do laugh;
Yet (mark the Sequel) for, a day will come,
That shall place Justice in the highest Room;

That, they who by their Brethren were envide,
(Or by their Masters wronged) shall be tride;
That those Poor People, who oppressed be,
In Body, or in Conscience, shall be free;
And, that, though this be scorn'd, it shall be sed
Whilst I am Living, or, when I am Dead,
That, by those, now-contemned Pebble-stones,
Which I have flung, there will be Broken-Bones,
And Bruised Braines, which did to some of those
Prove Mortal, who have been my Countries Foes.

Mean while, I'll prosecute what I intend,
Not much regarding what a Foe, or Friend,
Shall either Counter-act, or Counter-say,
But, bear their Spights, and Censures as I may.
Nor to my Theam will I so close be tide,
As not, sometimes, to make a step aside,
To take in that, which may conduce unto
The Work, which I in chief, intend to do;
But, act as my INSPIRER, moveth me:
For, I'm by Him inspir'd, not He by Me.
And therefore, here, before I take my leave,
I'll warn you, (lest your thoughts I may deceive)
That Method not to look for, which by those
Is used, who express their Mindes in Prose;
For, Things, not in pre-meditated Thought,
(To me upon a sudden, being brought)
I took in, as they came; and what they were
Oft knew not, till in Words, they did appear:
Which having signifi'd, you may thereby
Guess, what to judge of them, as well, as I;

And, whether, that should not your hearts incline
To think, there's somewhat in them more then Mine.

Last Year, I sent a FLASH, which is let pass,
Unheeded, as a Thing that never was:
Now follows the Report, or Clap of Thunder,
Which have been seen and heard, thus far asunder,
To give the longer Warning; for the SHOT
And THUNDER-BOLTS, (if Grace prevent them not)
Will next year fly among you: GOD amend us,
And, then, I am assur'd, He will defend us.

Your Servant and Remembrancer, GEORGE WITHER.

SALT upon SALT:

Made out of certain ingenious Verses upon the late Storm, and the Death of His Highness ensuing; by which Contemplative Object, occasion is taken to offer to consideration the probable neer approaching of greater Storms, and more sad Consequences.

The said Verses are these that next follow, according to the Author's printed Copy.

We must resign; heav'n his great Soul doth claim,
In Storms as loud as his Immortal Fame;
His dying Groans, his last Breath shakes our Isle,
And, Trees uncut, fall for his Funeral-Pile;
About his Palace, their broad Roots are tost
Into the Air; so, Romulus was lost;
So, New-Rome, in a Tempest, mist her King,
And from obeying, fell to worshipping.

On Oeta's top, thus Hercules lay dead,
With ruin'd Oaks, and Pines about him spread:
Those, his last Furie, from the Mountain rent,
Our dying Hero, from the Continent
Ravish'd whole Towns, and Forts from Spaniards reft,
As his last Legacy to Britain left.
The Ocean, which our Hopes had long confin'd,
Could give no Limits to his Vaster Minde.
Our Bounds inlargement was his latest toil,
Nor hath he left us pris'ners to this Isle;

Under the Tropick, is, our Language spoke,
And Part of Flanders hath receiv'd our Yoke.

From Civil-Broiles, he did us dis-engage,
Found Nobler Objects for our Martial Rage,
And with wise Conduct, to His Country shew'd
Their Antient Way of Conquering abroad.
Ungrateful then, if we no tears allow
To Him, who gave us Peace, and Empire too.
Princes, who fear'd Him, griev'd, concern'd to see
No pitch of Glory, from the Grave is free:
Nature herself, took notice of His Death,
And, sighing, swel'd the Sea, with such a Breath,
That, to remotest shoars, her Billows rowl'd,
Th'approaching Fate of her great Ruler told.

The Result, occasioned by the preceding Theam.

Away with self-respects; For now of late
My Private, and this Publick Weals Estate
Are much alike; and both of them, to me
Seem in their Crisis, at this day to be,
Threatning a Sudden Ruine, if much further
Confusion spreads, before reduc'd to Order.
My Genius therefore, doth my Heart incline
To seek that Weal, whereon dependeth mine,
Lest, whilst for Private welfare, I endeavor,
That, and the Publick Peace, be lost for ever.

This to prevent, (though some will think I dream)
There is occasion couched in this Theam:
And (notwithstanding, much it may be fear'd,
That, what it shall produce, will not be heard,
Among the tumults and confusedness
Which now abound) it will have some Success:

For, otherwhile, by Trifles, that is wrought,
Which could not by great Powers, to pass be brought.
A small shrill whistle, in a Storm, becoms
More signal then the beating of great Drums:
And, who knows not, (he breathing thereinto)
What, by a Ramshorn Trumpet, GOD, may do?

Our late loss, doth on me to call begin,
As if I somewhat were concern'd therein,
And had a part to Act, wherein I may
Supply, at least, a Fools part in the Play.
And, since occasion given there is none,
I, of my own accord have taken one,
Which, if a causless anger, it provoke
To mischieve me, the care's already took;
I am too low a mark for Supreme Pow'rs,
Too high, to dread an equal when he low'rs.

The main prop, of this Government is gone,
The Stone, our Master-builders built upon
Is now remov'd; and, either I mistake,
Or, all that's built thereon begins to shake,
And quite asunder too, will fall at length,
Unless upheld, with more then humane strength.
No former Prince, whose Actions yeelded matter
So worthy of a Muse that would not flatter,
Di'd at a time, wherein there liv'd so few
To give him that, which justly was his due,
(Without a diminution or excess,
Either of which, makes great things, to seem less)
For, having view'd most paper-monuments,
Whereby the Fancie of this Age presents
His Fame to memorie; I finde their Rimes
Are so distracted, as if with these times
Their Authors sympathized in their wit,
And knew not what they meant, nor what they writ:

Else, doubtless, none had fail'd so in expressing
His purpose, as to curse, instead of blessing;
As he, whose Poëm-elegiacal
Is clos'd up, with the name of Jerubbaal.

Some, so malitiously Invectives write,
As if their Pens, in Juice of Aconite
Were dipt (or rather in more venom'd matter)
So opposite to that, which they who flatter
Hide underneath their tongues, that, in the stead
Of shewing hatred only to the dead,
They, living men impoyson through the ear
When their uncharitable Charms they hear:
For, these have not alone in scurrile Verse,
Blur'd him with what their malice could asperse
True, or untrue; but, also, take GOD's roome,
Dare to pronounce his everlasting Doome;
And, wickedly, with Damned souls in Hell,
(As others do with Saints) him parallel:
Which argues an Intention, to defame
The person, though he merited no blame.

Some others, on that subject wantonize
As if their Muse were hawking Butterflies:
Some, are all Oyl: some, have but this one fault,
The want of Sulphur, Mercurie, and Salt:
And, few of them, save he, whose lines preceding,
I make my Text, afford ought worth the reading:
And, they now put me into such a fit
That, if I have not much more Grace then wit,
It may to harsher Censures me expose
Then any one of them, yet undergoes.

Except Obscene Verse, (and strong lines, from whence
Are hardly screw'd intelligible sense)
Strains like to this, these Times, best prize to praise;
And, 'tis a smart neat Peece, ΘΡΙΚΙΟΝ sayes:

Which, I deny not; for, it mounts as high
As any English Pegasus can flie,
And, is as well-pac'd: But he feels the Reins
Lie loose upon his Crest, and overstrains,
To know, what best the season doth befit
With his own Ends, this Author wants not wit,
And, I believe, takes much more care then I,
What will best please, and wherewith to complie;
Though I, have more then forty years and five
Found, that my Course, is not the Course to thrive.

These Verses, which to make my Theam I chuse
Are but the sportings, of their Authors Muse,
And seem to me like Knacks which in a Hall,
I've seen hung up, for Flies to play withall.
These are Wits bubbles, blown up with a Quill,
Which watrie-Circles, with weak-Air doth fill;
Or, like a squib, which fires, and cracks, and flies,
And, makes a noise, that little signifies.

I, envie not his Fame, who is deceast,
Nor ought, whereby, it may be more encreast:
I, never suffred ought by his Displeasure;
But, did enjoy his Favour, in some measure,
Which he knows, unto whom all things are known,
I, more employ'd for his weal, then mine own,
And, disadvantaged my self, to do him
Such services, as, I thought, I did owe him.

For these respects, none justly can suppose
I grudge him ought, which may by Verse or Prose,
Be added to his Fame; or, that the Mome
I'll play, by carping, or detracting from
Another's contributions, if I see
They are in truth, what they may seem to be.
I, should be pleas'd that those Lines, which precede,
(With what else doth relate to him that's dead)

Whereby, some think, he may be honor'd much,
To all who hear, or view them, might prove such,
That, no occasion might from them be took,
Of what, to his dishonour, will be spoke;
Or, to encrease those Vanities which are
Already, multiplied, over far.

I, therefore, now expect to be excus'd
Although at this time, I have nothing mus'd,
That, may concern him, in the common mode;
For, in that place, he, now hath his abode
Where he regards not Bawbles. Praises, there,
Or Flatteries, no whit regarded are;
The most inchanting Charms, there, cannot charm him:
Detractions, or Invectives cannot harm him;
To write those Truths, which might have done him shame
Whilst here he liv'd; or gain'd the Writer blame,
Ought, now to be declar'd as well as those
From whence his highest commendation flowes;
And, that may settle Peace, now being spoken,
Which in his life-time, might the Peace have broken.

The sacred-Pen-men, future times acquaints,
Not only with the merits of the Saints,
But also, with their Failings; and as great
By th'one, as th'other, is mans benefit:
For, which respect, I will not be afrayd:
To speak, what to good purpose, may be sayd;
Nor, from my Text (as now) to wheel about
To fetch in that, which others needless thought;
For, Method, is not so much my intent,
As by good means, a mischief, to prevent:
And, my digressions, may advance my end,
As much as that, which I did first intend.

'Tis now, high time, for us to spend our hours,
In gath'ring Fruits, and not in picking Flow's.

I love to see truth, in her nakedness;
And, that, she should sometimes, put on a Dress,
With such Poetick Flourishes adorn'd,
That safe may keep her, and from being scorn'd;
To which end, I my self, compell'd have been
To mask and vail her, when I have foreseen
Apparent Dangers; and another time
To cloath her, in that fashionable Trim
Which most affect; that, therewith brought acquainted,
True Beauty, may be known from what is painted.
And, that, they who were drawn in, by the Signe,
Might Guests be, for the goodness of the Wine.

My Reverence to the Muses, is not small;
For, all true Poets are Prophetical,
And had a Preparation in the Womb,
Before they forth into the World did come;
Not, that their Faculty, should be appli'd
To stir up Carnal Lust, or puff up Pride;
But, that they should to Pietie invite,
And make Mankinde in Virtues more delight;
From which, prevaricating, they have lost
Their Honour; and are quite despis'd almost.
They should not strive for words to please the ear,
In which, no solid Matter doth appear;
But, write so plainly, that, the meanest Wit
Might from their Musings, reap some benefit.
They should not weave their Webs of Stuffs that be
So, diff'ring, that, they never can agree;
Nor, when our Sin, for Sober-Mourning calls,
Play us a Jigg, or sing us Madrigals.
Meer verbal Whimseys, in a Serious Cause,
Which most part of the Readers more amaze
Then edifie; (by that which never was,
Nor is, nor shall hereafter come to pass)

Look like solemnizing an Ordinance
In Pious Duties, with a Morrice-Dance;
Or, like their actings, who, against the Forces
Of well-arm'd Foes, bring Troops of Hobby-horses.

What, in the Theam foregoing, is there said
Which honours him deceased, if well weigh'd?
And hath not rather into question brought
Things, which to question, few men would have thought?
There, at his Death, a Storm, is fain'd to roar,
Which was o'er-blown almost a week before;
And, had it not been so, some would from thence
Have drawn, perhaps, an evil Consequence;
More Fancies, forming in the People's Brain,
Then two such Storms, would have blown out again.
Allusions, too, are made, as if surmiz'd
That, He, henceforth should be Idolatriz'd,
As more then Man, whom we this day perceive
Laid lower then the meanest Men that Live.
To teach us, that, in Princes, there's no trust;
That, all meer Human-Glories, are but dust;
And, that, Death will, their Vanity discover,
At whatsoe'er cost, Double-Guilded over.

So, did His last Breath shake this Isle of our,
As Pellets from a Pot-Gun, shake a Tow'r.
For, all her Shakings, to my best perceiving,
Rise from our own Distempers who are Living.
So, for his Funeral-Pile, un-cut Trees fell;
So, Romulus and He were Parallel;
So, New-Rome, in a Tempest, mist her King,
Then, from obeying, fell to worshipping;
And, so, on Oeta, Hercules lay dead,
As Chalk's like Cheese, and Beer is like to Bread.
So, from the Continent, He Towns hath torn,
As he, who tears a Hedge, and gets a Thorn

Which wounds his hand, and when he dreads no harm,
Doth gangrene, to the losing of his Arm.
So, are our Freedoms, and our Bounds inlarg'd,
As his, who, from a small Debt, is discharg'd,
To re-oblige himself, in that, which may
Sweep Liberty, and all he hath, away;
And, if our Endings prove like our Beginnings,
Our Losses, vvill be greater then our Winnings.

What Comfort yields it, to impose a Yoke
On others, if our Fetters be not broke?
VVhat Pleasure brings it, if our Confines be
Inlarged, if in them, vve are not free?
VVhat Profit, is it unto us at Home,
That some in Forraign Parts, inrich'd become,
If, vve mean vvhile are Beggars? or else more
At least, impov'rish'd, then we vvere before?
VVhat Honour is it, that, both Tropicks hear
Our Language, if to speak Truth, few men dare?
Or vvhat by Conquests, vvill be got or sav'd,
If they vvho Conquer'd, are at last inslav'd?

Not unto us, not unto us, be given,
(Or to our Chiefs) but to the GOD of Heaven,
The thanks and honour, that, both our Late Wars
VVith Neighb'ring Foes, and our Domestick Jarrs
Are Superseded: VVould GOD, I could say,
VVere vvholly ended: (as I hope I may)
For, had not He, with our Protector stood,
VVe, till this day, had wallow'd in our Blood;
Yea, had not GOD, a timely ayd brought in,
Destroy'd long since, both He, and vve had bin.

Our Antient Way of Conquering abroad,
VVhich this Muse, doth implicitely applaud)
VVhat got vve by it, but a Cursed Game,
Atchiev'd vvith Blood, and lost vvith Blood again?

I know not vvhat the Conscience of a State
Or Policy by Law, may tolerate;
VVith that I vvill not meddle: But to me
It seemeth not to Quadrate or agree
VVith Moral Honesty, or Sacred Laws,
(Unless there be unquestionable Cause,
And Pow'r apparent, vvhich doth vvarrantize
GOD's calling us to such an Enterprize)
That, vve, into our Neighbours Lot, should fall
VVith Fire and Sword; and Honourable call
Those Deeds, for vvhich, LAVV, to their Actors gives
The stiles of Pyrats, Murtherers and Thieves:
Or, that, a few, should vvithout free assent
Of all the People in a Parliament,
Ingage them by a Quarrel, which may cost
Their Lives, and all that may vvith Life be lost:
I know no Law or Gospel, vvarranting
So hazzardous or reasonless a thing;
Or, that, vve vvho subjection do profess
Unto the King of Righteousness and Peace,
Should take the Wages, and the Colours carry
Of him, that's both His and our Adversary.
Nor can I understand, how vve then do
As we would willingly be done unto,
VVhen to accomplish the ambitious ends
Of Princes, vve have hazzarded our Friends,
To trouble, and infringe the Peace of those,
VVho vvould not vvillingly have been our Foes;
Till many hundred thousands are undone,
To satisfie the boundless Lust of One;
Squandring away those Blessings to th'increase
Of Discord, which we might have kept in Peace.

How many a goodly City, Town and Field,
VVhich did a comfortable Dwelling yeild

To Millions, who were no way interested
In Tyrants Quarrels, have of late been wasted?
And, what a sad Accompt to make have they
Upon whose heads, that Blood and Spoil doth lie?
Believe it; though to keep from Violation
Those Laws, which have respect to every Nation,
GOD's Universal Justice, doth engage
The Nations on each other, War to wage;
Yet, use they should not make of His Commissions
To satisfie their Vengeance, their Ambitions,
Or Avarice; nor any vvay extend them
Beyond those Ends for which he doth intend them.

It is but little less then Blasphemy
The Works of Nature, so to mis-apply
As this Muse doth, who in a Strain doth write,
As if none could express a Glow-Worm's light
Unless he did Hyperbolize, so far,
At least, to equalize it to a Star.
He seems, as if he would insinuate
That Nature, at his Death was passionate;
And makes that Creature speak, which never Flatters
Or Speaks at all, save onely in such Matters,
As do concern GOD's glory, or, may shame
Those Wits who grossly mis-apply the same.
So, Nature, hath took Notice of His Death,
And, sighing, swel'd the Ocean with her breath,
The Death of her great Ruler to foreshew,
As 'twas presaged when my Cat did Mew:
For, Nature, never heed in such wise, took
Of any Princes Death, but, when it shook
The Universe, to see the SON OF GOD
Dead on the Cross, with Arms display'd abroad:
And from the Reverence that's due to such
High Mysteries, this, hath detracted much.

Of this kinde, and of such-like Airy-Puffs,
Of such deceivable, vain, empty stuffs,
Are most of all those Books, and Trophies made,
Which Princes, to eternize them have had:
And, so small credit, is attributed
To what is either to their Honour sed,
Or their Dishonour, that, wise Men reject it,
As of no Value; or at least, suspect it,
As an effect of Flatterie, or of Hate,
Though many set it at a higher Rate.
For, their Praise, whom we finde most prodigal
Of Praises, merits no respect at all;
But, rather, from the Hearers, back returns
On him that's Prais'd, and on the Praiser, Scornes:
And, seldom, shall you finde much worth in them,
That have immodest Praises, in esteem.
Yet, these vain Blasts of Fame, oft, sound as loud
As Cannons, or as Thunder from a Cloud:
The People entertain them with Applause;
Of much Expense, they are the needless Cause:
By these, wise Men, are otherwhile bewitch'd;
By these, are Fools and Flatterers inrich'd:
But, thereby, such effects alone are got,
As Powder hath, when fired without shot.
Yet, so to prize them, many men are given,
As if, without them, none could climb to Heaven;
Or, as if he, of whom most Lies we tell,
Should find least Torments, in the Pains of Hell.

The Principle I own, is to adhere
To that Power, which Supremacy doth bear,
And I'll (without an Oath) be true to those
VVho are by GOD, and by this People chose,
Till they advance another, whom I see
Invested with Pow'r-Absolute, to be;

And, whether he comes in, by Right or Wrong,
Leave that, to them, to whom it doth belong.
Him, I will serve, not with base Flatteries
VVhich blind his Judgement, or put out his eyes.
In my Addresses, I will never tell
To him, what I may fear he knowes too well:
Nor further then I know him, magnifie him,
Lest his own conscience knowing I belie him,
(Or speak more then my knowledge can acquire)
He, hereby know, I am a fawning Lyar.
Before him, I will those things onely set,
VVhich I think, he may possibly forget,
Or, vvhich unto his knowledge are not brought,
Or (if known) not consider'd as they ought;
And, do it so, that he shall not despise
VVhat's done, if he be either Good, or Wise:
If not, yet vvhen my Duty I have done,
I'll bear with Patience, vvhat ensues thereon.

In all the Changes, vvhich have been of late,
I have preserv'd this Rule inviolate,
Though some think not, vvhen one Pow'r vvas made two,
And, wiser Men, knew not vvhich vvay to go.
For, so far as my conscience vvould permit,
I serv'd that Pow'r vvhich in the Throne did sit
Most visibly; in every change that came,
Siding vvith none in changing of the same:
And vvhen the Soveraignty, on him vvas plac'd
By GOD's permission, vvho enjoy'd it last,
I did, accordingly, employ my Force
To keep vvhat might be naught, from being worse;
Adventuring, sometimes, so far therein,
That, to my disadvantage, it hath bin.
I, was to him, in all things, alwayes true,
VVhich nothing took from his Superiors due.

I did so far forth as it would consist
VVith GOD's Praise, with the Publick Interest,
And his true Honour, do what in me lay
All those Obstructions to remove away,
VVhich, by disabling him, might heretofore
Have made his Dangers, and our Mischieves more.
And, though those Services which I could do him
Some will deride, they have been useful to him:
For, 'tis at present, known, to more then One,
Yet living, (and was known to him that's gone)
That, in the greatest hazzard he e'er had,
I, seas'nably, by Providence was made
An Instrument of Safety, when th'intention
VVas almost rip'ned, beyond all Prevention.
Yea, to prevent them, vvho by his Disgrace,
Endeavour'd to destroy the publick Peace:
His Actings, too, I praised as I ought,
In what, I, them to be Praise-worthy thought,
Consider'd in themselves: But, his Desart
Left in the main, to Him, who knew his Heart:
And knowing it to be GOD's priviledge,
(Even his alone) of Secret things to judge,
No further ever did, (nor ever will)
Of him, or any man, judge well or ill,
Since first this Principle to me was known,
And by Consideration, made mine own.

It is enough, that Princes whilst they live
Are borne withal; and that vvhilst they survive
VVe hide their failings, that, none might through them
That Pow'r, and that Authority contemn
By which they Govern: for, a Tyranny,
Is somewhat better then an Anarchy.
If, I suspect my Prince a vvicked man,
To make him better, I'll do what I can;

Lest, he that's next be worse: As once by Paul
Agrippa courted was, him court, I shall,
If, need be: or, vvill flatter him so far
As by our Servants, Children flatter'd are,
To make them do their Duties: but, not vvo him
For my own ends, to that which may undo him:
(VVhich I conceive, is such a Pious fraud
As GOD allows, and honest men applaud.)
In Life, I serv'd him thus; now Dead he lies
I'll speak no more of him, then may suffice
To make those better, and take better heed
VVho shall henceforward, in his Room succeed.

Examples, we from Holy-Writ, may take,
That of the Dead we nothing ought to speak
But, vvhat is true; and that we are as well
Oblig'd, their failings as deserts to tell.
That, GOD, may have due Praise by every one;
That Men, by knowing truly, what is done,
In those things, vvhich concern them; (and by whom
Their Mischieves, or their Benefits do come)
May actuate accordingly, in season,
The Dictates of their Conscience, and sound Reason.
It vvas not then thought (as now in these times
Perhaps, it may be) that, to blaze the crimes
Of Eli, David, or Jehosaphat,
Or Hezekiah; (though unto the State
Some of them had respect) vvas sawciness,
Or vvant of Manners, though they did express
Both to those times, and future Generations
Their Failings, vvith their proper aggravations.
And therefore, if a just occasion be,
Expect the like plain-dealing novv from me:
For to the same End, I vvill do mine Arrants,
And make good my Commission, by their Warrants.

I, grant it Thanklesness, as he infers,
If we for Benefactors have no tears
When they are dead: For, I desire we may
Their Dues, both to the Dead and Living pay:
But, I conceive it more ingratitude,
Upon the World, our Fictions to obtrude,
And, let that as impertinent pass by,
Which GOD permits, or acts, to glorify
His Justice, or his mercie, whose neglects
Make other things, to want their due effects.
GOD, make us grateful for what is bestown,
In such wise, that to every one his own
We may ascribe, and, not to any give
So much, that, of his dues, we him deprive;
Nor so much to one man, that, they may be
Defrauded, who, deserv'd as well as He.

Such Partialities, at first, brought in
All Tyrannies: By such, Free-men have bin
Enslaved by degrees, and thereunto
Our Fawnings add more, then all else can do;
And 'tis impossible a means to finde
To keep those Free, who have a slavish minde,
Or Currish nature; For, the first want courage,
And give their Birth-rights, for a Mess of Porrage:
The other, must like Bandogs chained be,
Else none who live among them, can be free.
GOD, grant us grace, so to bewail his Fate,
Who is deceast, as to rejoyce in that
Which is thereby design'd: and, to take heed
We do not complementally proceed
In formal mournings, till the Counterfeit
Makes us, those Christian mournings to forget
Which are now cal'd for; and till we have more
True Cause of sorrow then we had before;

And, for the Dead, pursue a formal grieving
Destructive to the welfare of the Living:
Lest, when the Dead, their Dead, in earth shall cloth,
One day, become a mourning-day to both.
For, to suspect, just cause enough I find
Some mischief, for that day would be design'd
And acted too, if Vengeance could raise pow'r
To do, what might be done at such an hour:
As those despights, do questionless assure
Which on his Scutcheon and his Portraiture
VVere lately acted, if believe we may
VVhat seems believ'd, and common Fame doth say.

Interments of the Dead, were first intended
Lest by them, they who live, might be offended
If not remov'd from sight: Therefore, by giving
Things to the Dead, belonging to the living,
Doth injure both; and neither get, nor give
Such honour, as we may perhaps conceive:
But are occasions rather of Disgraces
And of returning durt in our Faces.
So Cynical my humor never was
To think, men should be buried like an Ass;
Nor shall I Judas-like, be discontent
To see a box of pretious Odors spent
In burying him; though for a while the Poor
May want it; if, their wants it make not more
Then they can bear; And, mends be made for that
Which they have suff'red ere it be too late.
But, I abhor it, when I do behold
Walls clothed, and poor men expos'd to cold
And nakedness: or at their needless cost
Another honour'd whilst their credit's lost
VVhich is more worth then Life; and which to save,
They many times, their Lives adventur'd have.

Small honour, by that Fun'rall-Pomp, is got
VVhere they who bear the charge approve it not.
To bring a Prince, with glory to his grave,
Is not to make his lifeless Image brave;
To give as great a reverence thereunto
As Pagans, to their Idols, us'd to do,
Or, as they, who like worship have appli'd
Unto his Image who was crucifi'd.
It is not to make Pageants at their cost
(VVho think they have too much already lost)
VVith those vain Ceremonial Rites attended,
VVhereby, the sober-minded are offended;
And till Spectators, Jeeringly do say,
It is a very costly Puppet-Play.
Or, till it gives them cause to be afear'd
That, way thereby, to worse things is prepar'd:
For, this way, was Idolatry brought in;
This way, most Superstitions did begin;
And, this way, if GOD let it be pursu'd
A little further they will be renew'd
Till that day comes, in which, what men endeavor
To build up, shall destroyed be for ever.

Philip of Spain, the Second (as 'tis sayd)
Did, of a Funeral-Pageant, thus arayd,
A Patern leave; which is resembled much
By this; one circumstance, (and some few such)
Excepted, (and for ought that I yet know,
That might be privately, performed too.)
Those Anti-roomes of State, with Blacks beclad,
Through which, men to th'Effigies passage had,
And, wherein they were forced to stand bare,
Became a property unuseful there:
For, Pater-nosters, they should there have sed,
And Ave-Maries, for the Soul that's dead,

If they that Ceremonie had observed
For which those places were at first reserved;
And, whereto (though unpractis'd at this day)
Such Innovations, will perhaps make way.

VVe are already, drawing very nigh
To superstitions, and Idolatrie;
And, at the Back-door, that is coming in,
VVhich at the Fore-door, hath expelled bin.
Who, would have thought, that we, who do neglect
One of the goodliest Piles of Architect
In all the Christian World, because, long since,
It seem'd profan'd, by things which gave offence?
That we, should raise up Trophies, in its stead,
Of Straws and Sticks, and Kexes to the Dead?
And with exploded Vanities, defile
The Palaces and Temples of this Isle?
Who, having seen what zeal expressed was
In pulling down of Crosses, painted Glass,
Old Altars, Images of Saints and Kings,
(And with these, of some inoffensive things)
Did then suppose, he should have liv'd to see
An Idol, in that place advanc'd to be,
Where heretofore, an Altar, and a Rood
To be adored by the People stood?

Who can believe, that HE, who vilifide
Not long ago, the vanitie and pride
Of former Princes? That, HE, who had spoke
Against the heavie burthens, and the yoak
By them impos'd, and was himself the Rod
And sword assum'd into the hand of GOD,
To root them out? That HE, who but of late,
VVhen he dismist the Counsellors of State
Sayd to their Sergeant, Take away that Bable;
(His Mace at that time, lying on the Table)

Should ever of his own accord, think fit
Those Trinkets which he sleighted to admit?
And, when he down into the Grave descended,
Should thither, with more vain pomps be attended
Then any English Prince, that heretofore
A Soveraign Scepter, in these Islands bore?

Oh! times, oh manners! how exceeding vain
Is mans Heart, and how giddy, is his Brain?
Who thinketh not, that such a Change hath seen,
And, heeds what they seem'd who so chang'd have been?
But, that, far greater Changes, will appear,
If GOD, prevents not, that which we may fear?
For that old Leven, which aside was lay'd,
Into the lump, is secretly convey'd:
And now corruptions, do so over-spread
The Body Politick, from foot to head,
That swarms of Hornets, and of Butterflies,
Produc'd and fed, by new-sprung Vanities,
Are like to multiply, till they shall drive
The lab'ring Bees, quite out of every Hive.

Excuse my zeal, if over-tart I seem
In this point; For, from no disgust of him,
For whose pretended honour this is done,
Nor from malevolence to any one
Who did design it, this expression flows;
Nor from what Prejudice, may mis-suppose;
But, from the Cause that's given of offence,
And, what I fear may be the Consequence.

What Meteors, Windes, and Tempests do foreshow
I know not, neither take much care to know;
Because, they rather warn us, to take heed
What's doing, then declare what will succeed:
But, by our Flatteries, and by other things
Which Pride produces; by what daily springs,

From our self-seekings; from our Avarices,
And, from our many other sordid Vices,
This, I am sure's presag'd, that if we run
Much farther, in the Course that's yet hel'd on,
(And, GOD, our folly to take place permits)
We shall ere long run quite out of our wits;
And, be at last destroyed all together,
By that Storm, which I see approaching hither.

But, who am I, that say I do foresee
A Storm, that you should credit give to me?
How can such things, to me, you say be known?
How know you, when the Sun is almost down
That, Night will follow? and the Day draw near
When you behold the morning-Star appear?
Look not on him, who tells what may ensue,
But look to that, whereby you may eschew
The threatned Plague, which (as God's threatnings all
Are for the most part) is conditional.
To that intent, your old neglected Friend
Amongst you, one Remembrance more, will send
To second this, before perceive he shall
A MENE TEKEL, written on your Wall,
Unless he sees GOD's patience out of date,
And all fore-warnings, like to come too late.
Mean while, take this that follows: For he knows
You look for Signs, of that which he fore-shows;
And, these (although they trivial may appear)
Are true Fore-tokens of what's drawing near.

Black Clouds, are now ascending o're these Lands,
Whose Figures do portend some humane hands
Promoting that great Storm; But, when abroad
It spreads, you will perceive the hand of GOD,
Who, by a slow-approaching doth express,
He comes to punish, with unwillingness.

Each man, who is not wilful, plainly sees,
He enters into Judgement, by degrees,
To move us to Repentance, that the Doom,
But threatned yet, might vanish ere it come.

GOD, hath made known unto us, in some measure,
By every Element, his just Displeasure:
Those things, without which, nothing is enjoy'd,
Have of our late Enjoyments much destroy'd.
By sudden Fires, our dwellings are consum'd,
And, into smoak, our pretious things are fum'd.
The Waters, in their Wombs, have swallow'd up
No little Portion of the Merchants hope,
And, overflowing new, and Antient Bounds,
Swept Flocks and Herds out of the lower Grounds.
The Air, by Storms and Blastings, Frosts and Snows,
Destroy'd our last Crops, in their fairest shows;
Yea, after publickly we made Confessions
That, GOD, accepting our Humiliations,
Had thereupon, vouchsafed pregnant Hopes
Of Future Health, and of more Plenteous Crops;
Even since that likely hope, we, for our Sin,
Depriv'd of that Expectancy have bin.
The Earth which bears us, too; for our Offences
With-holds her Bounty. Their sweet Influences
The Heavens withdraw. Death, when unlook'd for, seizes
More oft then formerly, by New-Diseases;
And, they, to give Accompt, are call'd upon,
Who liv'd, as if accomptable to none.

Hereto, the Naturalist, perhaps will say,
Such things do happen to us every day,
Or, in a short time, either more or less:
Which I will grant; but notwithstanding, this
He must grant too, that from the Worlds beginning
These vvere, and are, the known Rewards of Sinning:

That they are also Signes, GOD vvill bring greater
And more Afflictions, if we grow not better:
That Judgements, (though they be not general)
On Families, and Private Persons fall
Ev'n day by day: That, we have lately seen
Large Vials of GOD's Wrath, powr'd forth have been
Upon the stubborn Irish, and the Scot,
To warn us what will also be our Lot;
And that none should GOD's Patience, therefore slight,
Because a long time, He forbears to smite;
Or, pass by timely Warnings, when he sends them,
Because this way, to us he recommends them:
For, this way, they declared were of old,
And, this way, they shall now again be told.

But, hear me further, and relate I shall
Some things, which do not ev'ry year befall;
Our ablest Horse, (ev'n those perhaps, wherein
More trust reposed was, then should have bin)
Die suddenly, and Ditches are bestrow'd
With those Bones, whereupon our Gallants rode:
Their Stink (as once a Prophet said) ascends,
Yet, still, his hand against us, GOD, extends.
Those Leggs, likewise, which are our Second-Strength
Do reel already, and will sink at length
That Body which they bear: the Wings by which
We flew from Shoar to Shoar, and were made rich,
Begin to flag, and fly not to and fro,
With such Success, as they were wont to do.
Some, whose new Honours bloomed but last Spring,
Fell with the Leaf, to shew, how vain a thing
Ambition is, and let them understand
VVho flourish yet, their Winter is at hand.
Much, of our pretious Life-Blood up is drunk,
The Sinews of our Pow'r are crack'd and shrunk;

Our Honour, vvith our Publick Faith is lost;
Our Private Credits are destroy'd almost:
And, hard it is to say, whether the Debtor
Or Creditor, is in Condition better.
The Parliaments Securities are slighted,
And, He, whom they have by their Acts invited
To purchase, (and, of paying whose just Dues
An Ordinance, and Orders made fair shews)
Though, more then ten years, are elapsed since,
Gets neither Mony, Land, nor Recompence,
Nor hope of Justice; but, Suits, to the wasting
Of his Estate, which may be everlasting:
And, they, who should, from these Oppressions clear him,
Either regard him not, or sit and jeer him;
Though both by Law, and Oath, they stand oblig'd
To see the Publick Credit dis-engag'd.
That which is due to Poor Men, is delay'd
Till they have lost it twice, ere 'tis once pay'd.
He that hath Lent, till he can lend no more,
Is sure to lose all, that he lent before;
And, that which to be given, hath been thought,
Proves dearer otherwhile, then vvhat we bought.
All which things, being rightly understood,
Are Signes (if not of much ill) of small good.

Should I here mention all Prevarications,
Which have been offer'd to my Observations
By being fifteen Years together, tide
(As by the Leg) near London to reside,
They vvould fill up a Volume: and, but that
Thousands can vvitness vvhat I might relate,
It vvould be thought, I did Untruths aver,
And, that, I vvere a shameless slanderer;
For, our Abominations have exceeded
All Measure, and are more then can be heeded.

It can by no true Englishman be born,
Without much Indignation, and more scorn,
To see Foot-walkers, vvhen on Horse-back set,
So much their late Condition to forget,
As, superciliously to look on those
By whom, out of Obscurity they rose;
And when men seek but Justice, and their own,
How these, (as if to have an Alms bestown
They vvere implor'd) provoke vvith harsh replies
The suff'ring-Suppliant, till his Blood doth rise,
The Words are spoken, vvhereon doth ensue
Another Wrong, because he spoke vvhat's true.

Sometimes, from vveek to vveek, from year to year,
Suits are defer'd, vvhich they vvith speed should hear;
Yet, nothing then effected, but expence,
More adding to a former indigence.
Both Means and Time, vvhich fully might enable
To do their Work; they spend in Bibble-babble,
Or needless Complements; and vvill not vvave
A Feast or Visit, though it vvere to save
A man from Ruine; and when Plaints are long,
By long Oppression, they away are flung.
Their Suppliants are forc'd to hunt them thorough
Their starting-holes, like Rabbets through their Borough.
Yet, hardly come to speak with them, before
They (as it were) set Purse-Nets, at each door;
And then, unless they likewise, get a Hay
Pitch'd round about them, they will slip away.
That, which is absolutely in their Pow'r,
And, might be finished in half an hour,
Is made a Business during term of life;
And, then, the Suitor dies without relief:
For, Suppliants are oft defer'd so long,
That, they at last, vvho should redress the Wrong

Are puzzel'd too; and such as have been griev'd
So num'rous grow, that few can be reliev'd.
No marvail; for the Body-Politick
In every part almost, is Lame or Sick;
So, that, those Limbs, which in themselves are able,
Are render'd by the rest unserviceable;
For, though the Foot be whole, it cannot go
Because, the Great Gout, lames the greatest Toe.
And, very mean performances are found
Where, in both Hands, there's but one finger sound.

If, it objected be, that such Delayes
May justly be occasion'd many vvayes;
'Tis granted, that, it may be so in some;
But not till twice seven years elaps'd become,
Without apparent wrong: And, that abuses
Are this way offer'd, for which no excuses
May be allow'd, some thousands living are,
VVho, if need be, thereof can vvitness bear.
VVhen Publick-Debts have many yeers been due,
And Creditors compel'd for them to sue
Till they, in Labour, time, and other Cost,
The Principal, and so much more have lost,
The Shameless Officers instead of paying,
Put off the Creditors, with this harsh saying,
'Tis an old Debt; as if men did them wrong
To ask for that vvhich had been due so long;
And, that, the way to right them, vvho implore
Redress for old wrongs, vvere to do them more.
Nay, there is so much falsehood and deceit
In many, that, they make poor men to vvait
From day to day, from morning untill noon,
From noon till night, Delay, still spinning on,
(Till many dayes and nights, and weeks are spent)
As if to grant their Suits they truly meant,

Although they from the first hour, did intend
To give them flat denial in the end.
And, usually, when they speak fair and smile,
They pick your Purse, or cut your Throat the while.

They, who are guilty of such things, and know
That I, and thousands, know them to be so,
Will say, perhaps, I Rail; but 'tis no matter;
To Rail, is somewhat better then to Flatter.
None but a Fool will term it Railing, when
Reproaching Vices, we conceal the Men.
None, but a Brazen-fac'd-Offender dares,
Exceptions take to that, which truth avers;
And none but Mad-men cast reproach on those
Who chide them, to prevent their overthows.

I will proceed to further Demonstration
Of those Signes, which portend a Desolation.
Strange Prodigies, which not so oft have been
In this our Clymate, are now often seen.
By Looks, or Language, it is hard to know
VVhom you may now repute your Friend or Foe:
They, who have but one Head, have now two Faces,
And two Tongues: Both their Offices and Places,
The Members of the self-same Body shift;
Though neither of them, hath the others gift.
The Little Toe, although to be a Thumb
It hath been rais'd, will not content become,
Unless it may obtain that both the Hands
Shall be subjected under his commands.
The Head's cut off; and though that in its stead,
The Foot, may have admittance to be Head,
It (quite forgetting what it vvas before)
VVill scarce be pleas'd, unless it may be more.
Nay, from Ambition, Vermine are not free;
The nasty Body-Lice, would Head-Lice be.

Those wicked Spirits that engender strife,
Among us, more then ever, are now rife.
Stupidity, Distraction, Giddiness,
VVith such-like, many thousands do possess;
And, haunted now, our Habitations are
VVith vvorse Hobgoblins, then the Faires vvere.
To their own Principles, but very few,
Save Enemies and wicked Men are true.
Those Changes, which but rarely did befal,
Are in these Islands Epidemical.
The Servant rides, the Master goes on foot,
And, is his Servant's Servant, too, to boot:
The silly School-Boyes do presume to teach;
The Foxes pray, the foolish Geese do preach;
And, most things are so turned topsy-turvy,
That what looks best, methinks, is very scurvy.

Not onely those Ægyptians, among whom
We live, oppressors of us are become,
But Brethren also strive; yea, Saints, with ire
Are so inflam'd, that they call out for fire
From Heaven, on those, who onely disagree
From them, in things that but indiff'rent be;
And, we are told, by one whom I believe,
VVhat it portends, where such things we perceive.
By Natural Experience, we have found
That, Instruments which yeild a diff'ring sound,
(And Tones, and Voices, though they various be)
In Consort, do melodiously agree.
So, we should likewise, finde these Differences
In Judgement, whereat we now take Offences,
VVould make true Harmony, if we to Him
Did leave it, who knows how to order them;
And took more care (then most of us have done)
To set our own Tongues, and our Hearts in tune.

Our Friends in Forraign Parts, and here at home,
Each of the other jealous are become;
And should there be a Breach, no Mortal knows
VVhether our old Friends, or our elder Foes,
VVould prove our greatest Enemies; or, whether
They, would to mischieve us, joyn all together.
Our New Allies, are likely at our need,
To be to us, but an Ægyptian Reed,
Or, like a costly Armour, by whose weight,
VVe are more tir'd, then guarded in the Fight;
And somewhat sounds from them (unless Fame lies)
VVhich an unpleasing Sequel signifies.
These things, (at least united) do foreshew
That, some foul Weather shortly may ensue:
GOD, also stands, with Arm outstretched still,
The Sentence of His Justice to fulfil.
If we consult but with meer Human Reason,
VVhat's likely to succeed at such a Season
As this appears, by loss of him alone,
VVho lately was removed from the Throne:
VVhat Counsels and what Cost it will require
To keep so many Irons in the Fire
As he hath left unwrought; and what it would
Cost more, to let them lie till they are cold.
If vve consider, That he was of late
The Middle, and, main Pillar, of this State;
The Atlas (as the Attribute that's giv'n
By one, hath term'd Him) of our British Heav'n,
And, into what Confusions, it is thought
All things at his Decease, might have been brought;
Observing therewithal (without concluding
Upon false Theses, or, our selves deluding)
In what apparent Dangers we are left,
By being, at this time, of him bereft,

It may portend, although the Sun shines yet,
A Storm will rise before that he doth set.

And yet, we ought not so much to reflect
Our thoughts on Him, that we those things neglect
Which more concern us; or suppose that we
Depriv'd of any such advantage be,
As is conceived; for, he had not gone,
But, that, the work ordain'd for him vvas done.
GOD, rais'd him, by Destroying, to prepare
A vvay for that which he intends to rear,
And, to that purpose qualifi'd him so,
As they were, vvhom of old he call'd to do
Such Services; and, as it seems, intended
No further use of him, when that vvas ended:
He saw, the Pow'r vvhich vvas on him bestowne
Imployed in Designments of his own;
Then, re-assum'd it: and, they had been troubled
Perhaps, who pray his Spirit might be doubled
On his Successor, if GOD, should have said
AMEN, to that, for which they blindly pray'd.

VVe, likewise, (as of late that Parliament
From vvhom he took the Supreme Government)
So Idolized, that, vve thought too little
Confer'd upon him by the Soveraign Title
VVhich, GOD permitted him to undertake,
And, what his Army pleas'd of him to make.
To govern us, vve long'd for such a Thing
As other Nations have; forsooth, a King,
VVith all the former burthensome Aray
Of Kingship, which vvas lately took away:
Though he, as much as Flesh and Blood could do,
Refus'd it, vvith some perseverance too.
And, not content to make him parallel
VVith all who are recorded to excel

In Vertues, by Prophane or Sacred Story;
But plac'd him, in a higher Sphere of Glory.
VVe gave him Attributes, vvhich unto none
Belongs, but to the Deitie alone;
And towards him, our selves oft so behaved,
As if by him alone, we could be saved;
VVhich peradventure, did provoke GOD's vvrath
To do to Him and Us, as done He hath.
GOD's dealing therefore, let us duly vveigh,
To do him all the honour, that we may:
For no respect of Persons, Love, or Fear,
Should from that Duty, flatter or deter.

To that intent, it will have some Relation,
To know and heed, that his last Visitation
By Sickness, did that Day on him appear,
VVhich made the time compleatly just a Year,
Since he solemnized a Publick Fast
To pacifie GOD's Wrath for Failings Past;
As also for removing from our Clime,
Such Sicknesses, as raged at that time:
And, that, some Cautions, for that day prepar'd,
VVere in their Season, unto him prefer'd,
To minde him vvhat small good could be expected
From Formal-Fasts, vvhere Justice was neglected;
And what at last would follow thereupon,
If Works of Mercy, were still left undone.
At that time, such Pre-Cautions tendred vvere
(As, if need be, hereafter you shall hear)
For, GOD, to offer them, did me incline,
And, to his hands, they were prefer'd by mine:
But, whether he perused them or no,
Since they presented were, I neither know,
Nor vvhat Effect they had, if that be none,
VVhich at the years end, did ensue thereon.

We should consider too, how on that day,
Just that day twelve-month he was took away,
(Wherein he kept a Formal Celebration
Of Thankfulness, for publike preservation)
That very day, of his chief Triumphs turning
Into a sad and Fatal day of mourning:
How that day, whereon (if Fame hath not lide)
He purpos'd to be crowned King, he dide;
Leaving an Image, with a waxen Face,
To be instal'd, and crowned in his place:
Which, as since we defac'd Crowns, 'twas the first
That wore one, I desire, may be the worst,
Who shall from this time forward, live to bear
A Soveraign Scepter, or a Crown to wear.

If we consider duly as we ought,
These things; with such like, as to serious thought
Are thereby tendred; more, from thence there might
Inferred be, then I think fit to write.
Or, should I tell, vvhat vvas prepar'd, likewise,
To make compleat his Formal Sacrifize
Last mentioned, and what effects it had,
Some wholsome uses, might thereof be made
Which must deferred be; because my Reason
Perswades me, that they are not, yet in season.

I know a Flatt'rer, feared not to say
That, was the third time, his Victorious day
By conqu'ring Death: But, wisemen, do contemn
That Gloss, because, that day, Death conquer'd him;
And, do believe, and know, that none but he
Who dide for our Redemption on a Tree
(And, rais'd himself, to breathe immortal breath)
Ought to be stil'd the Conqueror of Death.
He onely, vvho, above the Heav'ns doth dwell,
And conquered vvith Death, both Sin and Hell,

Deserves that Attribute: and they, vvho dare,
To others give the same, Blasphemers are,
(Except in that sense, which, makes all who die
In him, partakers of his Victorie.)
He had his share of Honour, and, not little
His Portion was; Let not his Masters Title
Ascribed be to him: For, they, who hear it,
And are his Servants, cannot, will not bear it;
Nor be affraid to speak, vvhat may encrease
GOD's honour, vvhose soe're it maketh less.

GOD call'd him hence that day, to make us heed,
That, he in all his Actings doth proceed
By Number, Weight, and Measure; both to places,
And Times referring them in many cases,
To make observable his Visitations;
As also, to raise up our contemplations
To that, vvhich he Designs: yea, he advances
Their executions, oft, with Circumstances,
Not common; that, by searching, we may finde
His meaning, and conform unto his minde.

I know, he vvas upon that day, advis'd
To somewhat, vvhich he should not have despis'd
Whereto he gave small heed, or none at all,
Till vvhat vvas justly feared did befal:
And, vvho knows, vvhat beside that vvas neglected?
VVhat vvas pretended then, vvhat, since projected?
Or, vvhat mis-prosecuted, or mis-done,
Which might provoke the great Almighty-one,
To call him on that very day from hence,
VVhich vvas the day of his magnificence;
And lay the Scepter level with the spade.
Oh! make thereof, such use as should be made;
For, knowing vvhat I know, relates thereto,
I, cannot unobserved let it go.

We know that Death, vvhich is the hire of Sin,
On that day, always payable hath bin,
In vvhich 'tis acted, though, GOD, by reprieve
Defers it oft, or, vvholly doth forgive.
We know there are some sins, for vvhich, ev'n they
VVho are GOD'S chosen ones, are took away
From those Enjoyments, vvhich they might have had,
Until a Forfeiture of them is made.
Moses, for speaking rashly, was denyed
The promis'd Land, and in that Desart dyed,
Where others fell; and, thus, it doth befal
To many of GOD's Saints, if not to all.

We either know, or vve should know, likewise,
That, for our National impieties
As vvell as for their own sins, Princes may
In wrath be given, or, be took away.
The Holy-Ghost hath said, that, when to lies
The King gives ear (and such are Flatteries)
The people, there are wicked. And, our sin
The Cause in chief, hath peradventure bin,
VVhich, from his first Intentions, him declin'd,
To that vvhich vvas not for our weal design'd,
Nor for his honour: yea, our selves vve may
Most justly blame, if he forsook the way
VVherein, he by the Publike-Card should steer:
For, some of us thereto his Tempters were,
And, by our servile Flatt'ries, both made voyd
His first Resolves, and our own Hopes destroy'd.

As, therefore, when GOD, gave the Jews a King,
He then, did by a dreadful Thundering,
And by a great Rain in their Harvest time,
Declare that they had much displeased him;
So, peradventure, that Storm, which did roar
So universally four days before

He took hence our Protector, was intended
To signifie, that he is much offended
With all this Land, ev'n from him that's on high
Enthron'd, to him, who in the street doth lie:
For, not alone, high Palaces it rock'd,
But, also very dreadfully it knock'd
At ev'ry door; and made a signal spoile,
In ev'ry Shire and Province of this Isle.
Oh! let us therefore search out his intent;
For, when he speaks loud, there is somewhat meant
Deserving more then ordinary heed,
Whereon (if sleighted) mischief will succeed.
He seldom, putteth forth a dreadful Voyce,
Save unto those, whom nothing moves but Noyse:
And, if that, wakes them not, nor makes them fear him,
The next time, they shall feel him, ere they hear him.
Let not a vain respect to Worms and Dust,
Make us to GOD, and to our selves unjust:
For, what he acts, and how he doth proceed,
We ought, in ev'ry Circumstance to heed,
Whomever it concerns, and nothing hide,
Whereby he may be duly glorifide,
Or, men reform'd. Then, let us, since we may
Be dead to morrow, hear his Voyce to day.

We have had many days, wherein, he hath
Shewn Mercy, and forewarn'd us of his wrath.
Sometimes, in Calm-still voyces, he doth speak;
Sometimes, in whirl-winds, which the Rocks do break:
As once 'twas sayd to Isr'el heretofore,
Then what he hath done, what should he do more?
We have had many days, wherein, we made
Both Vows and Prayers, which acceptance had;
In them we made some shews of penitence
For that, which gave him cause to take offence,

And for an Ahab-like humiliation,
GOD, of his dooms, vouchsaf'd a mitigation;
Yet, still, the very same, our Courses be.
Now, GOD, will have his days as well as we.
He hath decreed a time, wherein, he will
As we have done our pleasure, his fulfil;
And who can tell, how slowly, or how soon,
That, which he hath resolved, shall be done?

What look we for? Lo, on a day of note,
Our Shepherd, our Protector, he hath smote.
A Prince, of whom our own and neighb'ring Nations,
Had great proofs, and far greater expectations:
Beyond his set day, if he spar'd not him,
How can we hope, he will defer our time?
Who knows, but that, if it succeeded thus
With him in one yeer, One yeer more to us
May be as fatal, if we still put off
Repentance, and at this fore-warning scoff?

Protector, and ye Counsellors of State,
Be therefore wise, before it be too late:
Ye Princes, and ye Judges of the Land,
Learn, and observe what GOD hath now in hand:
And all ye people throughout these three Nations,
Take notice of those dreadful Visitations
Which are portended, that, they may be made
Quite voyd, and have Effects to make you glad.
Trust not in Riches, for, they wings have got,
And, will flie off, when you suspect it not.
Trust not in Earthly Power; for 'twill at length,
Break, and be ruined, by its own strength.
Trust not in Princes; For you can of none
Have more hopes, then you had of him that's gone;
But, trust him, who, doth no mans trust deceive;
Of whom nor Death, nor ought else can bereave;

And, vvho, nor Love, nor Power, nor wisdom lacks
To finish, what for you he undertakes.

Think, and speak soberly of him that's gone;
For, he the work of GOD hath carry'd on,
So far as his appointed Station vvent;
And, being but a mortal Instrument
Made of the self-same brittle earthen stuff,
That others are, was not, of so much proof
Against the baneful Flatteries of those,
VVho seem'd his true Friends, as against his Foes
In open Field, who could not act the part
Of such as made their Batt'ries on his heart.

I look upon his Failings as mine own,
And neither whilst he lived made them known,
(Nor will disclose them further being dead)
But, that the living may be profited,
And that, GOD may be honour'd as he ought
By that which to remembrance should be brought.
My Conscience bears me witness that I know
No malice, in my heart against a Foe,
Much less against a Friend, vvhom I profest
To serve; and vvho, to his own Interest
(In what he from the right-way did decline)
Did much more injury, then unto mine.
His Words and Deeds, were all the means I had
To know him by; and what Result was made
By me thereon, I did since his decease
Thus briefly in an Epitaph express,
Which here I'll add, the Censures to prevent
Both of the Flatt'rer and Malevolent,
Who (in a manner) crucifie his Name,
Betwixt a Glorious and In-glorious Fame
As much as may be, to advance self-ends,
And nullifie, what GOD, thereby intends.

The EPITAPH.

Here Dead He lies; who, Living here,
Was Britain's greatest Hope and Fear.
And, by what was on Him bestown,
Had all His Equals over-grown:
His Predecessor's Sins and our,
Made way for Him to Soveraign Power;
By rendring that an Act of Reason
And Justice, which had else been Treason.
No Prince, was ever heretofore
More praised, or dispraised more.
Advantages, few ever won
So great: None lost so great a one.
This World afford no Pattern can
Which better shews what is in Man.
His Vertues, were enough to do,
So much as GOD design'd Him to.
He Failings had: But, when liv'd any
That had not every way as many,
If he (whilst here abode he made)
Such Tempters and Temptations had?
Presume not therefore; but with Fear
Minde, what you know, and see, and hear:
Yea heed, what GOD, and Men have done,
But judge none but your selves alone;
And aim in chief, how to increase
GOD's Glory, and the Publick Peace.

This Change, and failing of our Expectations,
In many sev'ral Things, which have Relations

To Us and Him, forewarn us to pursue
Some speedy Course, Confusion to eschew,
And fortifie our Peace: But, what to do
Few know, or vvhat vvill best conduce thereto;
Nor shall know, till a Parliament convenes
To search vvhat GOD, this Prince, & People means.
In order to their wish'd-for Settlement,
The State hath chose another Instrument,
Whom GOD, hath in the room of OLIVER,
Permitted to be his Probationer.
In Prudence, this Expedient they have us'd,
Lest our Confusions, growing more confus'd,
Might bring in Anarchy: And if they now,
Pursue vvhat GOD's, and humane Laws allow,
And shall not Arbitrarily proceed
Ought further, then unquestionable Need
Necessitates, till those things on their Basis
Are fixed, vvhich vvere thrust out of their places:
It may in little time, conduce to that
Which Men of single Heart, have aimed at.
But, who, or what, vvill henceforth be a Bar
To Righteousness, the Sequel must declare,
And vvill make manifest, vvhat Mask soever
It put upon an opposite Endeavour.

If he hath conscientiously been chose,
(Which none but GOD and his Electors knows)
Our Peace, by this Prince, vvill be further'd more,
Then by him vvhom vve vvrought vvith heretofore.
Although he brings not such APPEARANCES
Either for His, or Our Advantages,
As did his Predecessor: for vve may
Finde those Defects supplide another vvay;
Yea, vvant perhaps, of what the former had
In some kindes, may to our advantage add.

Time, oft discovers in a timely season,
What cannot be till then discern'd by Reason.
Wise Samuel, fail'd in his conjecturing
VVhich of the Sons of Jesse should be King.
A Man of War, now fittest for the Throne
Some thought; but, vve behold instal'd thereon
A Man of Peace: And if in his Probations
He bide the Test, he shall be to these Nations,
A Fortress of Defence, in spight of those,
VVho, in his Government, shall him oppose;
Provided, vve obstruct not Providence,
By persevering in impenitence.

The Supreme Title, is on him confer'd,
And, by vvhat vvay soe'er it vvas acquir'd,
That, for the present vvith a Soveraign Pow'r
Invests him; and vvhatever we call our,
Is in his hands, vvith all th'Authority
VVhich Scepters, Globes, or Crowns do signifie.
And, of that Dignity he stands possest
(By GOD's permissive Providence, at least)
Not that he should Usurp, or challenge them,
As due unto his Fathers House, or Him;
But, being forfeited by our Transgression,
Them, in his hands he hath by sequestration,
To be secur'd there, till by Penitences,
A Pardon, be su'd out, for our Offences,
That, vvhat, by Natures Law, and by GOD's Word,
To us belongeth, may be then restor'd:
For, GOD, Almighty, to no other ends,
Such Seizures, by a Soveraign Prince intends:
Save when, on wicked Nations he bestowes
A wicked Prince, for both their overthrows.

If to GOD's ends, he Quadrate his Desire,
He, shall become, far greater then his Sire.

He shall do nobler things, then ere he did;
More he shall Conquer, then he conquered:
Affairs, which he of whom vve are bereft,
Both difficult and in confusion left,
He shall reduce to Order; not alone
Subduing Men and Realms, as he hath done,
But conquer also, those destructive Evils,
Which would destroy all, and triumph o'er Devils.
Nay, though he had been, either by his Youth,
By Flatterers, pretending zeal to Truth,
Or if he by a carnal Hope or fear
Of Danger, had been tempted to adhere
To those Designs, which under fair pretences,
May, to the Publick Rights, do violences;
Yet, if he shall conform to GOD, and them,
Whose Love, and Counsel, he should not contemn;
It shall (by much) a greater honour do him,
Then Scepters, Crowns, and Thrones can add unto him.
Yea, if upon the day of his Probation
He to the Supreme Council of this Nation,
(Assembled lawfully, and duly chose)
Shall rather hearken, then give ear to those
Who flatter him in secret; they shall never
Forsake him, but his Servants be for ever.
It shall on him, confer more Happiness
Then, I in words, am able to express.
VVin him more Love then can by gold be bought,
Bring in more Joy, keep Terrors better out,
And (whilst on Earth he lives) secure him more,
Then if each single Souldier vvere a score;
And, were my Life, of value to be pledg'd
For that Adventure, it should be ingag'd.

Contrary-wise, if he their Lore pursue
VVho will perswade him, that all is his due

VVhich he can grasp; or shall instead of Law
Imploy the sword, to keep Free-Men in aw;
GOD, will arise; and none shall need to strive,
A Remedy, by Violence, to contrive.
For if we vvait on him, and sit but still,
Submitting patiently unto his Will,
Our Chief Oppressors he will cause to be
Their own destruction, and so set us free.
Or, make our Foes our Friends, and back restore
All that was taken from us heretofore.
By such means, GOD in former times releast
His People, who by Tyrants were opprest,
As doth appear, by that which did befal
In Babylon, and in th'Egyptian-thral,
VVhere, not a man made use of hand, or tongue
To free himself, by violence, from wrong,
Except by Prayers, which (although offence
It gives to some) is lawful violence.
And, by some such means when GOD's time is come,
Our Bondage, we shall be deliver'd from.

GOD, hath a thousand wayes, to break the pow'r
Of twentie thousand Tyrants in an hour;
Yet, may prove many Tooles, till he finds one,
Or, moe, to finish what he hath begun.
If this turn Edge, he, peradventure may
Take those again, that have been flung away,
VVhich being purged in Afflictions Fire,
VVill, now be pliable to his Desire.
Their Actings, vvhom vve now impow'red see,
VVill shortly, evidently signal be,
Of what shall follow: But, I fear th'event,
VVill not produce a happy Settlement,
Till our Trustees, Elected shall appear
For Conscience-sake, more then for Belly-Cheer,

Or such-like by-respects; (by which we seem
To have our Birth-Rights in a mean esteem:)
And, till, GOD, likewise, hath by Lot a Voice,
(As well as men) both in the future Choice
Of our Protectors; and of others too,
Who must help act the work that's yet to do.
But, this will be no pleasing Proposition
To Avarice, Self-seeking and Ambition.

There's yet a Signe (to which things fore-exprest
Relation have) more signal then the rest,
Which, if it shall continue as it hath
Continu'd, will add Vengeance, unto Wrath;
And, what vain hope soever, we may cherish,
VVe, with our Prince and Government, shall perish.
GOD, where this grows predominant, despises
All Vows, Tears, Prayers, Cries and Sacrifices,
Fasts and Thanksgivings: For, he findes them all
VVhere this remains, but Hypocritical.
This is that Signe, which did in ev'ry Age,
Those irrevocable Fore-Dooms presage,
That introduc'd the final Desolations,
Of all those mighty Empires, Kings and Nations,
VVhereof there's little left now, but a Name,
Preserv'd among us by an empty Fame,
For our Examples: This is that which shook
Their Thrones, their Crowns defac'd, their Scepters broke:
Yet, this Signe is upon us, at this day;
From us, with speed, remove it LORD, away.

You look, as men expecting I should show
VVhat Signe that is. Good GOD! what do you know
If this you know not? Do you not behold
That Signe, by what I have already told?
Are you asleep Friends? have you neither Ears
Nor Eyes, that, undiscern'd this yet appears?

Do you not hear the Groans of Men distrest?
The Loud-loud Cries, of those who are opprest?
Nor what a sad Complaint attested stands
This day, by many hundreds of their hands?
Have you not heard, how Pris'ners do complain?
Nor seen what Tears are poured out in vain
By Widdows and poor Orphanes? see ye not
What vast Estates are by Oppressors got,
To their undoing, who their Lively-hood,
Their Fathers, Husbands, or their Brothers Blood
Lost for the Publick? see you not how sad
(Poor souls) they are? how lean, and how unclad?
Have you not heard a Merciless-Decree
Condemn the Just, and set the Wicked free?
Do you not see, that, hundreds of Petitions
Have many yeers made known Mens sad conditions,
Without Compassion? and what dis-regard
Befalls them, who have merited reward?
Observe you not, that they, who made complaints
Ev'n unto those who are esteemed Saints,
Finde them as sensless of their saddest moans,
As men hew'd out of Blocks, or carv'd in stones?
And, that Hypocrisie (in GOD's account
The worst of sins) is now grown Paramount?
Have you not seen Blood, as if water spilt,
And Black Designes with Golden Colours guilt?
Nor many foul Offences made appear
As if they meritorious Actions were?
Perceive you not, who joyning are together,
VVho give and take Pow'r, to and from each other,
To re-infringe our Christian Liberty?
And, by pretending Zeal to Piety,
Or Civil Peace, advance the Interest
Of our old Foe, the Seven-headed Beast,

VVith his False Prophet? and invented have
A Grin, both Soul and Body to inslave?

Perceive you not, that Importunities,
VVhich made one from his Bed and Children rise,
(And mov'd a Judge, who fear'd not GOD nor Men)
Prevails not now, as it prevailed then?
And, that, Mens tender Mercies are become
More cruel, then their Cruelties to some?
Nay, see you not, this Signe more signal made
By that, which our Apostacies now add?
And, that, this day, we do apparently
Stand guilty of the great'st Apostacie
From our first Covenants, Vows and Protestations,
Then ever could be charged on these Nations?
Obsérve you not, what foolish Prophesies
VVe take up? how, of Fictions and of Lies
VVe make us Refuges, as heretofore
They did, whose Paper-Works, we down have tore?
And how the lying Prophets and the Priests
Comply, to save their carnal Interests?
Have you not lately taken observation,
That Laws by gross, have had a confirmation,
Of which there's nothing on Record, (or little)
To warrant them, except their Names or Title?
And heed you not what Mischieves that abuse
VVith such-like, may insensibly produce?

VVell, GOD, forgive us all; for I believe
These things you may apparently perceive.
But, if you shall make doubt, whether or no
It be, as I believe, or else, not so,
To GOD Himself, for tryal I'll appeal,
And, to the People of this Commonweal,
VVho, know what's done, and will not be afraid
To justifie what may be truly said.

For, when this Signe is fix'd; though men look high
Or big, it shews Destruction draweth nigh.
Yea, though the Proud may seemingly contemn
This Signe, it will impressions leave on them:
For, horrid inward Pangs, and secret Dread
VVill seize upon their Hearts, when this is read;
And that great Storm of Brimstone, Fire, and Snares,
VVhich GOD, for men impenitent prepares,
VVill oft to minde be brought; and waking keep
Their eyes, sometimes, when they desire to sleep.

But to be plain (why should there be a doubt
Of that whereof, Proofs need not to be brought?)
I, see the want of Justice and Compassion
(The most apparent Signe of Desolation)
So evident; that, I, do boldly here
Before GOD, Men and Angels, witnesse bear
That our Oppressions are at this day more
Then ere I knew them at one time before,
Since first I knew the world; though I have been
No stranger where mens actings best are seen;
And, where I saw (for their and our Offences)
Six Parliaments cut off by Violences,
Or by untimely ends, within the space
Of these last twenty years, and somewhat less:
Yea, though I've seen two Governments arow
Destroyed for Injustice; and see now
A Third indanger'd; which thus makes me speak,
And like the Son of Crœsus, forth to break
Into expressions beyond Expectation,
To make men seek their timely Preservation.
For this Signe is so fatal, that unless
It quickly be remov'd by Righteousness
And Brotherly Compassion, we shall never
Enjoy that Peace for which we do endeavor.

Some, naytheless, will judge me worthy blame
And punishment, thus to disclose the shame
Of this my Nation; and, I should confess
That for so doing, I deserv'd no less,
If Malice had inclin'd me thereunto;
Or, if I ought have aggravated so,
That it exceedeth Truth; or, if o'er-blown
These Crimes had been, unless by me made known.
But, 'tis not so, nor so; And, if he may
Deserve the Rod, who doth but write or say
What is mis-done, (and speaks it with intent
Those Mischieves which may follow to prevent)
What merit they, who act them without care
Of what sad things, they certain Symptomes are?

That this bears Date the last day of December
In sixteen hundred fifty eight, remember;
And, that a Reconcilement be before
VVe have provok'd GOD's Patience, one yeer more;
Lest, I my self, be made another Signe
Of what the former Symptomes pre-divine.
For, those Confusions VVhich distract this Sate,
Are typified in my outward Fate,
And printed on me, by that violation
Of Justice, which defiles this Generation.
They seem to have enough in outward show,
To bear their Port, to pay the Debts they ow,
And for the future a sufficiency:
So also, if I had my Right, have I.
As (notwithstanding this) with much ado
They, now subsist: So, fares it with me too.
As, at the present, their Expences be
More then their Incomes; So it is with me.
They have more Foes then Friends; And much I am
Deceived, if I may not say the same.

My Foes and troubles in another year
May ruine me; and so will theirs I fear
If he on whose assistance I depend
Prevents not what their Foes and mine intend,
Before another yeer wheels round, I may
Enjoy an outward Peace; And so shall they
If they embrace the means, that will be shown,
And, follow not Devices of their own.
Yea, that perhaps, which will to them betide,
Shall in my Lot, be first pretypifide.
If timely Justice, be vouchsaf'd to me,
By timely Mercies, they reliev'd shall be:
If I, permitted am to be destroy'd,
Their Power, may not long after be enjoy'd:
And GOD so much incensed may appear
(As with the Jews once) that, he none will hear
But for himself, who ere from thenceforth stands
Within the Gaps, to keep Plagues from these Lands.

Thus, in plain language, and in homely Rimes
You have a brief Character of these times,
Made on a sleight occasion; to awake
The drowzie; that more heedful, it may make
Men heedless; and him to be somewhat wiser
Who is not of good Counsel, a Despiser.
A Souldiers dream, but of a barly-Cake
Told to his fellow, when he did awake,
And Spirited with his Interpretation,
Produced an Effect, worth observation;
And so may this, although to some, it seem,
No better then a silly Souldiers dream.
I'll add no more (though much more add I might)
For, here will be too much for them to sleight,
Who, in those Flatt'ries, much more pleasure have
That send them with dishonour to the Grave,

Then in plain spoken Truths, which would to them
Have brought salvation, if embrac'd in time.
And here, will be enough to startle some,
To stir up others, till th'Alarum come
To such a number, as may then suffice
To make a reconciling Sacrifice.
Unless we Sodom-like, stand unreform'd
Until with Fire and Brimstone, we are storm'd.

This SALT, made out of SALT, I took occasion
To boyl up, for the service of my Nation
To this height, as conceiving it was meet
To keep what's yet unputrified sweet,
And those corrupted humors to expel
Which in GOD's nostrils have an evil smel.
I hope, men will not throw it in mine eyes,
Neither so universally despise
These timely warnings, that they shall by none
To good effect, be read, and thought upon:
And, if but two or three, shall thereby gain
Some benefit, I have not lost my pain.

Mine be the shame, if I, hereby to him
Intend disgrace, whose Verses, are my Theam.
I did but thus, his Mercury calcine
For Physick; Let him do as much by mine;
And, if, ought from my failings, he deduce
Which may to others, be of wholsom use,
I, shall be pleas'd; because, what lose I may
In one kind, will be gain'd another way.
But, if he hath, so generous a minde
As to believe he hath, I am inclinde,
He will return me thanks, that I have us'd
To no worse purpose, that which he hath mus'd.
Yea, and rejoyce, that, what in sport he writ,
This needful premonition did beget.

When I had pen'd this, and o'erview'd the same,
Therewith consid'ring what a worm I am,
What they are, who, offence thereat may take;
What misconstructions, Prejudice may make;
With what scorn and contempt it may be read;
And, having therewithal considered
That, I, am one adhering to no Faction,
To give me countenance in such an Action.
Nor having in my self, pow'r to defend me,
From Injuries, nor Patron to befriend me;
It quail'd my Courage; and I'll not dissemble,
It made my heart ake, and my Flesh to tremble.
And I had hid my Talent in the ground,
Unless, a timely Cordial had been found.
But, he who gave it, my faint heart reviv'd;
From him, new Resolutions I receiv'd,
Wherewith confirm'd, my Soul to him addrest
Such Musings, as are next, in Words exprest.

Lord GOD, if, to thy glory, this may tend,
Give it, some way a Pasport to that end,
And set thy Imprimatur thereupon;
For, Thou hast done it, if it be well done:
If it be such, as will not honour thee,
'Tis mine, and as mine, let it smother'd be.

I feel a strong perswasion, in my minde,
That, hereunto, I was by thee inclinde
And, that, there may be somewhat more exprest,
Whereby, thine, and the Publike Interest
May be advanced; which if it be so,
And, thou shalt please, to call me thereunto,

By giving me a Spirit, that may fit
So weak an Agent, to adventure it,
I'll prosecute it home, although it shall
Cost all, which in this World, I mine can call.

I have been subject to some Hesitations,
Through pity, to those dear and near Relations,
Which thou on me bestow'dst; and thereby, have
Lost much, which by that means, I thought to save,
To make me take more heed, by, and from whom
All things that shall advantage me, must come:
Them, therefore, henceforth, I resolve to trust
To thy disposal, whom, I knew so just,
That, thou of those, unmindful canst not be,
Who truly place their Confidence on thee:
And, now to fix in me, a Confidence
For time to come, upon thy Providence,
By those Experiments, which I have seen,
I will confess, what thou, to me hast been.

So universally thou dost extend
Thy Love, that, all men it doth comprehend,
Who shall not wilfully reject thy Grace,
When thou, to them shalt offer an embrace;
And, all things dost vouchsafe, which may enable
To honour thee, or make life comfortable,
So far, as we may carnal things possess,
Without obstructing, our chief happiness.
To evidence this gratiousness of thine,
No living mans experience outgoes mine:
For, ev'ry Faculty of mine hath heard
Thy wondrous Mercies, thereunto declar'd
In its own language, to th'intelligence
As well of every Passion, and each sense,
As of my Reason; so, that I can say
They have to me, abounded ev'ry way.

For since I knew the World (ev'n ever since)
Thine, extraordinary providence
Hath watched over me; and, I, from none
Have had subsistence, but, from thee alone;
Or, by those, whom no temporal Relation
Could move thereto, without thine Invitation;
Kind'red have been to me, in wants and dangers,
If not my Foes, at best, more strange then Strangers:
And, not the smallest portion of my wrong
Hath from their malice, or their envie sprung.
Few have been more Censorious of my ways,
Or, apter to believe what malice says.

That, which my secret Foes designed had,
To ruine my estate, thereto did add;
And, through thy mercy, more unto me gave
Then ere I got, by all the Friends I have.
Friendships acquired by mine own endeavor,
And, all my own works, have been fruitless ever;
Except it were, to bring those troubles on me,
Which have no less then twice or thrice undone me,
And made work for thy Mercy. Thrice, thou hast
Redeem'd me, when in Prison I was cast
By Supreme Pow'r; and freed me without shame,
When I was threatned, by the voyce of Fame
With loss of limb and tortures, and knew none
On whom I could rely but thee alone.
Through dangers, into safety, thou hast led me;
And, when I wanted meat, by Ravens fed me.
Twice, nigh as poor as Job, I have been made;
And ev'ry time, that, which was lost, I had
To me returned double; without cheating
The Common-Wealth; or private men defeating,
Of what to them belonged; Nor, by wiving,
(Which is to some, a sudden way of thriving)

Was my Estate repair'd; nor thereunto,
Did I, by fawning upon Friend or Foe,
Add ought; nor ever had a Legacy
To me bequeath'd, these losses to supply;
But, by such means, that, if I should declare it,
Few would, perhaps, believe it, when they hear it.
For, I confess, that I my self do wonder,
When past, and present things, I duly ponder,
In what great Wants, I, without Want have liv'd,
And under what Oppressions, I have thriv'd.
This makes the World, which hitherto hath grutcht
That, I, with what is hers should be enricht,
(As many think I am) to wonder more
How I, whom she intended to keep poor,
Subsist in her despight, then, how all they
Grew wealthy, who were beggars tother day:
And from her sight, thy Bounty, being hid,
She thinks, I thrived, as her Servants did.
And, leaves no means unpractis'd, to destroy
That Competencie, which, I yet enjoy.

When to be thought poor, it may do me shame,
(Or, make me poorer, then she thinks I am)
She taketh all occasions, then, to say
That, more I owe, then ever I can pay.
When to be deem'd rich, may deprive of that
Which is my due; she trebles my Estate.
But to prevent the mischief, which thereby
Had else ensude, thou sent'st in a supply;
And, always, hast enabled me, at least
To bear the weight, wherewith, I was opprest.

Thou, likewise, kept'st me without shame of face,
Maugre Detractions, malice, when Disgrace
Was then, and there intended, where it might
With most disparagement, on me alight:

And though but few, more scandaliz'd have been,
Few, of my Rank, have liv'd in more esteem.
Thou, from the violence of great Oppressors
Of Pietie's, and Friendship's, false Professors
Hast often sav'd me; yea, and from the Rage
Of those, to whom, I long since did presage
VVhat they, and I, saw afterward inflicted,
According as my Muses had predicted;
And, they, who then, for that, at me did rave,
Have many yeers, lain quiet in the Grave.

In that great Pestilence (whereof no time
Hath mentioned the like, in this our Clime)
Thou did'st preserve me, when on ev'ry side,
In short time, many twenty thousands dide,
Though underneath the self-same Roof I lay,
VVhere many by that Plague were took away,
That I might leave that Judgement on record,
To them who were reserved for the sword:
And when the Sword was sent his work to do,
From that, thy Mercy, did preserve me too.

Thou hast, moreover, from the menacing
And dreadful Wrath of an incensed King
Deliver'd me, without a Mediator,
Or back receding in the smallest matter,
From Truths aver'd. Thou from th'unjust intent
Of Evil Members in a Parliament
Did'st twice preserve me: and, all those Neglects,
Of Justice, and those other sad effects
Which I have suff'red, Demonstrations be
VVhat, most men are, and what thou art to me.
Nay (which is more then this) thou hast, thereby
Not onely shewn to me the Vanity
Of other men; but also, made mine own
Deficiencies unto my self, more known:

And both my Sins and Follies to appear
More my advantage, then my Vertues were:
For, those things, which the Devil to undo me
Design'd; and whereto Flesh and Blood did wo me,
Thou mad'st to be a means of Preservations
From those, and also, from the like Temptations;
And all the troubles, which the world brings on me,
With those great Injuries which have been done me,
(Instead of harming me) have in the Dust
But tumbled me, to rub away the Rust;
Or been a necessary Discipline,
To fit me for those Services of Thine,
VVhich else had been omitted to this day;
Or, if done, not so done, as now they may:
For which my Soul out of that Dust doth raise
A Voice, in Hallelujahs, to thy Praise.

Yet lest, these thy great Mercies, might at length,
Prove ineffectual, by that little strength
VVhich is in Flesh and Blood, if they vvere quite
Depriv'd of that, wherein they take delight;
THOU, who know'st vvhat defects are in mans nature,
(And therefore art indulgent to thy Creature)
Hast graciously been pleas'd to intermingle
VVhat might distaste, or be unwholesome single;
So temp'ring sweet vvith sow'r, that I by neither
Might harm receive, but Good from both together:
And, vvheresoe'er I live, dost still provide
To neighbour me, one of the Sons of Pride,
To make me vvatchful, and consider vvell
VVhere I yet am; and, among whom I dwell.

To me, Thou likewise hast vouchsaf'd a share
In vvhatsoever Pleasant doth appear
To men of all Degrees, vvho grow not mad
Or drunk, by those Delights, vvhich they have had:

For Poverty and Sorrow have to me
Made Common things, more pleasureful to be
Then their chief Dainties, vvho to that are born
VVhich must be won by others, ere 'tis worn;
VVho have but such Enjoyments at the best,
As they, who come full gorged to a Feast.
Yet, when of those Delights, I am bereav'd,
By whose enjoyment, I content receiv'd;
They leave not, (when departing I do finde them)
A Bitterness upon my Soul behinde them;
But, give the better appetite to those
Whose taste, and pleasure, I shall never lose:
And LORD, it flows from thy great Mercy, too,
That, flesh and blood, should willingly forgo
What constitutes themselves, to place affection
Upon an inconceivable Perfection.

Though, (as Thou know'st) the world my Foe hath bin,
And, would afford me little share therein;
A Portion I have also, there acquir'd
By thy Free-Grace, more then I once desir'd:
And vvhen I coveted more to possess,
(Though by a lawful meanes,) thou mad'st it less,
To minde me, that, nought will with me indure,
Save what by Thy meer Bounty, I procure.
If, therefore, it be lost, confess I must
That, Thy permission of it will be just;
And, with contentment, I will let it go,
Though all the rest, be taken from me too:
For, I most covet those things to enjoy,
Which neither I, nor others can destroy:
And, though sometime, Thy Cup imbitter'd be,
By those distempers vvhich remain in me,
I take it, naytheless, with true Thanksgiving,
And vvould not change my Lot with any living.

Though out of Levity and Custom, too,
I, ev'ry day, think, wish, and speak, and do
Like other foolish Men: yet, if I know
Mine own Mind, though Thou vvould'st on me bestow
All I could vvish, for vvishing; I vvould vvave
That Grant: and onely ask of Thee to have
VVhat Thou vvilt; and that Thou vvould'st take away
My Self-will, though my Life upon it lay:
For nought I now desire, to have or be,
But what may be best pleasing unto Thee:
And, if this temper could be still retain'd,
Men vvould believe, vvhat they, yet, think is fain'd.

To fortifie my Faith, and that desire
VVherewith, at present, Thou dost me inspire,
Thus of thy Mercies past, I have in part
Confession made: and, if I know my heart,
I durst not them before Thee thus aver,
VVho knowest all things, if untrue they vvere.
Yet, pardon my mistakes, if any be,
And, make, what I conceive thou art to me,
A Pledge, of what thou wilt be, to mine end.
Above all other Enemies, defend
And, save me from my self: For, World nor Devil,
Can then inflict upon me any evil,
That shall deprive me of ought transitory,
Which may advance my welfare, or thy Glory.

Next to my self, my second-self, and They
Who sprung from us, do stand most in the way
To hinder me, in that, whereto, my minde
Perswadeth me, it is by thee inclinde:
For, my respect to them, I must confess,
Oft, makes me guilty of faint-heartedness.
Oh! be so merciful to them and me,
That, neither of us, may a Grievance be

Unto each other, in vvhat doth pertain
To Thy Affairs, whilst vve on Earth remain;
Or make us, vvith Reluctancy, to spare
Our selves to serve Thee; Or, vvhat is more dear
To either, then our selves: But, give each other
To thee, that we in thee, may live together
VVhen we are called hence, and timely know
Our Bliss consists not in things here below.

I know, Thou art vvell pleas'd it should be thus,
And that, hereto Thou wilt enable us:
For, though I feel them, to be somewhat neerer
Unto my Flesh, Thou to my Soul art dearer;
And, as thou gav'st them vvhen they vvere desir'd,
I'll back return them, vvhen they are requir'd,
VVith mine own Soul to boot: Do not dispise
This All; For, in these, All, I sacrifice.

To Thee, for these Relations, I am Debter,
Then vvhich I know no man enjoyeth better,
VVho meriteth so little the possessing
Of any extraordinary Blessing.
Yet, if thou hast a Work to call me to,
By which, I may my Self, and them undo,
I'll undertake it, so, Thou stand but by me,
And shalt thereto, with needful Pow'r supply me.
Yea, though Thou shalt no more Thy Blessings double
As heretofore; but waste away in trouble
(By multiplied Sufferings, Wants, and Grief)
The remnant of my, yet, prolonged Life;
I am resolv'd, that, I will never more
Thereat, repine again, as heretofore:
But onely pray, my Sins, may be forgiven,
Believe, and love, and seek my LOT in Heav'n.
LORD, keep me in this minde; and then, let MAN,
World, Flesh, and Devil, do the worst they can.

Sarcasmus Ænigmaticus.

Hereto is added the following Riddle, with the occasion of composing it, as neither altogether impertinent to what precedes, nor to what is counselled by this Portion of Scripture;

Answer a Fool, according to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own conceit, Prov. 26. 5.

As well, to Foes, as Friends, I thought it fit
To shew this Poem, ere I publish'd it,
Because a Foe, sometimes, lets fall a word,
Which (heeded well) more Caution may afford
Then friendly Censurers: And, to that end,
When I to some had read what here is pen'd;
By them, proposed jeering Questions were,
Fit for no Answer but by Counter-jeer.
Yet I will Answer them, when unto me
This following RIDDLE, shall unriddl'd be.

What may that be, which, when it is Exprest
Is most Unknown? Is Worst, when 'tis at Best?
And when it is at Greatest, then 'tis Least?
'Tis Black and White, Red, Yellow, Blew and Green;
Yet, Understood, Felt, Smelt, Heard, Tasted, Seen;
Neither now is, nor shall be, nor hath been.

To any one, who tells me what it is,
That's answerable ev'ry way to this,
I do engage; and thereto set my hand,
To tell him any thing he doth demand.

George Wither.

A bitter-sweet Passion of the Soul, Expressed in A HYMNE to GOD.

By The same Author.

[1]

My dear, my gracious GOD!
From me Thy Face, why hidest Thou?
Oh! why is Thy aboad
So far, so long, removed now?
See, how alone
(Now Thou art gone)
And helpless, I am left;
Of ev'ry thing
That joy may bring,
Heed, how I am bereft.

2

I, who but lately seem'd
Of many Friends belov'd to be,
And so of some esteem'd,
As if their Souls had liv'd in me;
(Though, nor neglect,
Nor dis-respect,
Of them deserv'd I have)
Am now, forlorn
As one unborn,
Or lodged in his Grave.

3

The lovely Desart-Owl,
Which dares not fly abroad by Day;
That persecuted Fowl,
For which the Fowler Snares doth lay;
Is not hipt at,
As I, of late,
By Wag-Tayls, Dawes and Crows.
Nor hardlyer scapes
His Gins and Traps
Who seeks her overthrows.

4

For, when with some Delight,
My heart began on Thee to muse,
This World, forsook me streight;
And, ever since, doth me abuse.
To Hate and Scornes,
Her Love she turns;
Her Friends, my Foes she makes:
What sland'rous Lies
She can devise,
Of me, she faines, and speakes.

5

And, now, with Vaunts and Brags,
That, she, on me, aveng'd appears;
From me, her gaudy Rags,
With all her Gifts, away she tears:
And not content
So to have rent

What was by her bestown,
She would bereave
(With what she gave)
Those things, that are mine own.

6

She doth corrupt my Friends,
My Wrongs and Sorrows to increase;
Job's Comforters she sends,
To make more grievous my Distress:
To mind she calls,
Things true and false,
Which may my Peace impair;
With whatsoe'er,
May make me fear,
And, let in Black Despair.

7

Not those Defects alone,
For which, she justly me suspects,
(Or Duties left undone,)
To my Vexation, she objects;
But, doth devise
How, she likewise
May to my blame pervert,
What I design'd
With upright minde,
And singleness of heart.

7

And, (which augments my care)
My Selfness oft with her conspires,
Which ere I am aware
Lets in false Fears, and vain desires;
Which, taking part
Against my Heart,
Therein such Tumults make,
That, sometimes, they
Bear Spoiles away,
And, cause my Faith to shake.

9

Yet this affrights me more,
Then all their Malice, Force or Guile;
Thou, though I Thee implore,
Stand'st by, as Newter, all the while.
What she hath done
Thou look'st upon,
And, knowst what they intend;
Yet letst them still
Pursue their Will,
As if Thou wert her Friend.

10

Oh! whither or to whom
Can I for Health or Comfort fly?
If thou, my Foe become,
Whereon, henceforth, shall I rely?
I hope may have
That in the Grave

Immortal Life may be;
And finde as well
A Heav'n in Hell,
As Joy in ought save Thee.

11

But, LORD, though in the dark,
And in contempt, thy servant lies;
On me there shines a Spark
Of Loving-kindness from Thine eyes:
Yea, though without
(Quite round about)
I am inclos'd with Sin,
Increasing Foes,
Fears, Wars, and Woes,
Thou, Peace, preserv'st within.

12

For, when I looked on
Those Terrors which begirt me round,
I thought, Thou had'st been gone,
Because no outward Hope I found.
Yet hid Thou wert
Within my Heart,
Still present, all the while,
And my late Fear
Doth false appear:
For, now I see Thee Smile.

FINIS.

University of Virginia Library

Salt upon Salt:

Made out of certain INGENIOUS VERSES Upon the Late STORM And the Death of His HIGHNESS Ensuing.

By which Contemplative Object, Occasion is taken, to offer to Consideration the probable neer approaching of greater Storms, and more sad Consequences.

To the READER.