Miscellaneous works of George Wither

Starres, of the great, and lesser magnitude;
Behold us not, as if we would intrude
Upon your Orbs; nor think, this Throng appeares
To interrupt the motion of your Spheares;
To hinder your aspects; or, take offence
At any late effect, or influence,
Derived from your Power; or, at ought done
By you, in both; or either House alone,
When, violence their motion suffers not,
Whereby prodigious things may be begot:
For, so heroick, and so noble, ever,
Hath been your prudence, and your stout endeavor,
To keep upright the wheeles of Charles his waine;
And, ev'ry harmfull Vapour to restraine,
Exhald by Meteors, to the wrong of them,
Whose habitations are within your Clyme;
That, we confesse, with praise, and admiration,
Your constant Labours, in the preservation,
Of this distracted Empire; and, present
All humble, and all due acknowledgment,
For persevering, through those many stops,
Obstructing the fruition of our hopes.

We are not ignorant how many Feares,
How many reall-mischiefes, Rubs, and Snares,
Great hazards, hardships, murm'rings, calumnies,
Scoffes, and almost-Impossibilities,
You, with untired constancy have past,
In hope, to wrestle out, for us, at last,
The Blessing we desire: And, we confesse
You, are the means of what we, yet, possesse

We do ascribe, as to the Second-Cause,
The preservation, of our Lives, our Lawes,
Our Conscience, Liberties, and of what e're
To us, or ours hath been esteemed dear,
To be from you: And, we confesse, likewise,
That, in your Honour, and your safetie, lyes
Our safety, and our Honour; and, that, we
In your well-being, judge our VVeale to be;
And, ev'ry danger, and disgrace of your,
To be a danger, and disgrace, of our.

Excuse us therefore, if the Double-due
Of what, we owe, both to our selves, and you,
Produceth an Attempt and an effect,
Which you do nor imagine nor expect;
And, drew us to the pardonable Fault,
Of making this unlooked-for Assault
Upon your patience; since, the thing we do,
Is that, which we appear oblig'd unto;
And, tends to nought lesse, then the preservations
Of you, of us, and all the British-Nations.

Suspect not, our assembling, thus, together;
Nor look upon us, as if we were either
Of their Confederacy, or their Condition,
Who come to raise an uproare, or Sedition;
Or, to compell you forceably, to do
What our wild Fancie hurried us unto:
But, rather, pleased be to understand,
That, we are of those people in the Land;
Who are most peaceable; and, well content
To be obedient to that Government,
Which doth preserve the Freedomes of the Nation,
Continuing firmly on the first Foundation;
And, free from Superstructures, which pervert
The works of Nature, by the Quirks of Art.

We are no Partners, with those Factious-Fellowes,
Who bring the fewell, or, who blow the bellowes
Of Civill-Discords: nor, of those, that, Dary
Their Principles, when their Designes miscarry:
Nor of their Creed, who will believe no more,
Then, what they have believed heretofore:
Or, what their Grandsires did believe, of old;
Or, what shall by their Priest, to them be told:
Nor are we of their mind, who, therefore do,
What they have done, because, they have done so:
But, we are men, who, good advisement had
Of what we do (though some, yet, think us mad;)
Men, that, have all our best endeavours vow'd,
To loose no Freedome Reason hath allow'd;
Men, who resolve to seek a perfect way;
To walk it, as uprightly, as we may;
To keep unchanged, God's and Natures Lawes,
And, change all other things, as there is cause.

Sirs, we are they, who, for the Common-right,
Began to speake, e're we began to fight;
Some of us, are well known to be the men,
Who, with the Purse, the Person, and the Pen,
Engag'd our selves, this Quarrell to defend,
Before we had an Armie, or a Friend,
To ayd, or second us. We did expose
Our selves, against the violence of those,
Who exercise Oppressions of all sorts,

In Monopolies, Arbitrarie-Courts;
And upstart Offices; although it cost
Our liberties, and our preferments lost,
Whilst they, who such rewards to us afforded
Were for their Villanies, enricht and Lorded.

And, we are they who, but a while ago,
When Tyrannie did so presumptuous grow,
(And, to such impudency, as to dare
Improve wrongs-private, into open-warre)
Who did oppose it: yea, when Superstition
Was, to oppresse us, joyned in Commission
With Tyrannie, and these came both together
So furiously, and boldly marching hither,
That, justly, you began to be a fraid
Of Publike-Ruine, and call'd out for ayd;
We were the men; ev'n we, who first of all
Came in, to your Assistance, at your call.
And, when we came, we came not backward, in,
Or, as if we insensible had bin
Of your, as our own dangers: But, came flying,
As if we heard our Wives, or Children crying,
Come helpe, or we are murthred! without stay,
Our Callings, and Estates we flung away:
Our Plate, our Coyne, our Iewels, and our Rings,
Armes, Ornaments, and all our Pretious-things,
To you we brought as bountifully, in,
As if they had old rusty horshooes bin:
Yea, (God is witnesse with us) we, our lives,
Our Parents, our dear Children, and our wives,
Have often valued at so low a rate,
And, so neglected them to serve the State,
At your Command; as if they had not seemed
Things, worthy to be any whit esteemed.

Through heat and cold; through dangers & through Fears;
Through wāts & woūds; & thorow swords & spears.
Yea (which is worse) through their neglects & scorn,
For whom (in part) we, all these things have born,
We have adventur'd; that, we might uphold
Your Honour, to the uttermost we could.
Which we repeat not, to derive from thence,
Selfe-praise; but, to beget a confidence

In you, this day, that, we appeare as Friends
With our first-love, and with as loyall ends
As when we first came in to offer to you,
The services, we able were to doe you:
And, we are still resolv'd, if need appear,
To be as free, and forward as we were,
Your Dignitie, and Honor to maintain;
Yea twice more, yet, and three times thrice, again.

If you (which we suspect not) shall goe on,
With faithfulnesse, to doe the worke begun;
And, shall nor faint, nor faile, in your pursuite
Of what, you are about to execute:
We do ingage, with you, to fall or stand;
To give assistance, both with heart, and hand,
To all your just Designes; and, settle them
In spight of those, who shall our hopes contemn.
Yea, whether your Antagonists are they,
Who, here at home, your Counsels would betray;
Or, Enemies who, from abroad, shall dare
Invade our Freedomes; we resolved are
To stand the shock, of all their threats, & powers,
Be they States, Prelates, Kings, or Emperours,
Or, altogether: For, what, hard can be
To these three joyned? God, and You, and Wee?

But, You, and Wee, (as reasonable men)
Must, to God's helpe, adde our endeavors, then;
Or else, both You and VVee, in vaine presume
That, God our Coadjutor will become.
Our best endeavours, too, must be imployed,
Where we most likely are to be destroyed;
Which, otherwhile, he better may discerne
Who trims the Sails, then he that Guides at Stern,

You are the Braine, the Liver, and the Hart
Of this great Bodie, and the Vitall-part
Which gives it motion: But we are the Hands,
Whereby it Acts; The Feet whereon it stands;
The Bulk and Bones which must the burthens bear:
And, VVee with You, may claime to have a share
In all the senses; and, without offence
In that, which hath been cal'd the Common-sence.

By us together, therefore, and alone,
Our Duties must respectively be done,
According to the Common-Interest,
(And to the Faculties, by us possest,
Vnited, and a sunder) with such care
To heed each others counsels, doubts, and Feare,
And with such mutuall readinesse to add
All comforts, all good helpes that may be had,
And all endearements, which may knit together
Our Forces, and our Loves to one another,
That, none may come between us; or, find way
To mixe with us, our Counsels to betray.
This last, will more endanger us, then all
The strength of Spain and France united shall,
If we prevent it not: And, there is need
That, hereof, at this present, we take heed:
For, of this Evill, to our griefe, we view
Both symptoms and effects; yea, not a few.

Most honor'd Peers & Comons; whilst you wake,
And watchfull are, that we no harmes may take,
We sleep not so supinely, as to sleight
Our own securitie, or, that which might
Indanger You: And, by this meanes, our eyes
And Eares, have made some late discoveries,
Which, your imployments for the Publike-weale,
(Or trust-abusing friends) from you conceale,
With such faire guildings, that, both You and wee
Are lost, unlesse they quickly heeded be;
And, heeded so, that, likewise, you provide
A remedy, and see the same applide:
For, we have good Provisions, oft, and many;
But, little execution made of any.

Your Courage, and your wisdome we confesse,
Your Piety, your Care, and watchfulnesse,
In your own Persons; and, that, you oppose
With good successe, your most Malignant Foes
Which are abroad; by meanes of that dispis'd,
(Yet valiant Armie) lately modelliz'd,
In Gods own time: But, noble Sirs, there be
Worse Foes within, then those abroad you see:
And such they be, as doe require you should
As much reduce your Houses, if you could,
As you have done your Armie: For, we feare
Disguised Foes do lurk among you there,
Which need a Privy-search; & one to show them,
Who by their Spots & secret marks, doth know them
Foes, that, have put your Friends quite out of grace;
Plead Priviledge of Person, and of Place:
Such, as by some well-doing, now and then
Have done more harm, then Troops of fighting men,
And Private-Priviledges, have enjoyd,
Till Publike-Freedomes, are almost destroyd.

Hîc Dolor, Worthies! all our doubts are here;
Hence, is our greatest Grievance, and our Feare.
We sleight as Trifles, all the Frights and Foes,
Which, some, for our discouragement propose
To be considered on. We sleight all that,
Wherewith we have been menaced of late;
Aswell the threats of open-Foes, at home;
As those, which from beyond-Sea hither come.
The Cavaleers, who swagger up and downe,
And mixe among us, now, in every Towne,
And Country village (with their foolish brags)
We fear no more, then when their Feather wags.
Although the King should frowardly be bent
Against the Propositions you have sent,
Or, by delaying his assent, delay
That Blessing, which we look for every day;
It would not startle us: Nor, do, we fear
Those Inconveniences which may appear
Drawne on us, by the Prince his running from
The Kingdome, whereto he was praid to come,
To make a misadventure into France:
Nor, how, the Queene her Projects may advance
By that occasion: For, God's providence
Hath, for our good, it may be, sent him hence:
And, we may find, when all accounts are cast,
Their Losses, will be greatest at the last.

Our hearts it not a whit discourage can,
That some have hopes, the Hollander or Dane,
May by perswasions, their own fingers burne
To do their Neighbours, here, an evill-turne,
Which, (ere the Cup, now filled, hath gone round)
Unto their own destruction may redound:
Nor feare we those Alliances, with which
Great Princes, one another doe bewitch,
And, knit themselves together in a band,
Which binds, them like a Cable made with Sand.

Nor are we frighted, with the Leagues of those,
Which have been old confederated Foes
Against this Kingdome, though we often heare
Of mighty men, who, in their Cause appear;
And, of great sums, rais'd by their Munks and Fryers
(Whose brats, men say, sit by their neighbours fires)
Though Fame reports of many Horse and Men,
Which they will set aflote (they know not when)
With Ships and Armes, and other things in hope,
Beside the Curse and Blessing of the Pope,
We feare them not: for God, before they come,
May, peradventure, find them work at home;
Or they will (as of old) but make a crack,
And funck, and smoke a little, and fall back:
Since, they who act their Catholick-Designes
Observe the Principle, Selfe-Love injoynes,
As men do here; and will no longer drive
Their neighbors Car; then they thereby may thrive:
Yea, we our selves, by dear experience, know
That, Ayd soone promis'd, is in comming, slow.

Nor fear we, that, our Armie, or the Citie,
(As they who more suspitious are then witty,
Suspect of late) will any thing assay,
But, that, which they with your good liking may,
Whilst firme to your own Principles you stand;
And, act not with your left-malignant hand.

Nor do we fear a breaking with the Scot;
For, greater cause of fear they give us not,
By ought we see then some of us have given
To them, of late; So, we and they are even,
In giving Cause; as, we hereafter shall
In ruines be, if we asunder fall.

Nor fear we (though reviv'd among us are,
Old-Prophesies, which put Young-fooles in fear)
That they who do with Ireland, now, begin,
Shall not give off, till England they do win:
For, till our wickednesse doth here increase
To equall us with them, in barbarousnesse,
(And bloody crying-sinnes) there is no dread,
Of being, by those Blood-hounds conquered,
Or, any other; if we will prevent
The threatned Plagues, by being penitent;
And, ere it be too late, some course foresee
To scape those Foes, that mixt among us be.

These are the Foes, whom most of all we fear,
And, those, of whom we wish you to beware.
For, without these, all other, outward Foes,
Would prove like ragges, set up to scar the crowes;
And, harme us, by their furiousnesse, no more,
Then Paper-guns discharg'd against the shore.
Nay, other Foes would be occasion, rather,
To make us prudently more strength to gather;
Arme us within, against our Foes abroad;
And, make us sly unfainedly to God.

But, these, if long conniv'd at, will be able
To make the meanest Rascals formidable,

That shall oppose us: These, will skrew into us,
If suffred) Principles, that, will undo us
VVithout another Foe, and draw us, on,
To trust in our own wits, as they have done;
And leave our Faith and confidence in God,
To seek our happinesse, in flesh and blood:
These, have, already, made us, grow afrayd
Of those, that are our Friends, and bring us ayd;
Yea, fearfull of our selves; nay, of our shade,
And, things, by meer imagination, made.
These, will deprive us, e're perceiv'd they are,
Both of the Bones and sinewes, of the VVar;
Steale from us, to be Factors for their ends,
Our Wives, our Children, and our bosome-friends;
Enfeeble, by degrees, the publike-strength,
And, altogether, ruine us at length.

That, you may know, we speak the truth of these;
Observe it, now, in practise, if you please:
For, you your selves, have seen with lamentations,
Their practises, and their prevarications.
Behold, your Friends and servants are disgrac'd;
Malignants, in Authority, are plac'd;
They, who inform you, how we are abus'd,
Are for Suborners, shamelesly accus'd,
And, voted such, without due proofe or hearing;
Or, any probability appearing.
They, who came, first, our Freedomes to redeem,
Are set among the hindmost, in esteem:
Even by their prevalency, who, conceale
Their disaffections, to the Common-weale.
These, by their cruelty, injustice, pride,
And wicked practises, have justifide
All Courts and Persons, that corrupt have bin,
Before this Reformation did begin:
And, these, by fooling some, and failing more;
By making Villaines rich, and good men, poore;
By sleighting others; by oppressing many,
And, seldome doing Justice unto any,
Have so displeased, and inraged so,
The generalitie, that, mad they grow;
And, are upon the point, if none prevent,
Of shewing symptoms of their discontent.

And, upon whom, do your Malignants lay
The blame of this? who, do these (think you) say,
Is cause of all our Troubles, and distractions?
Of our oppressions, and our large exactions,
But, ev'n this Parliament? nay, many a one,
VVho for this Parliament, hath said and done,
And suffred much; begins to think the same:
And, that, the best among you are to blame,
In most that is amisse: because, they see
Their known Oppressors, kept among you be.

VVhat would this come to, if the many cryes,
Of men opprest, should make the People rise?
And, like a furious whirl-wind, hurry hither,
Newters, Malignants, Friends and Foes together,
In such a posture, as a Multitude
Disordered comes? how, could it be withstood?
VVhat, could be done or said, that, might asswage
The roarings, of such Waters, when they rage?
Then, what, your packt and false Committees vote,
VVould not be valu'd at an old crackt groat:
Nor would the people, in their fury hear you,
Although both Houses, should assent to clear you.
None, would be able to distinguish, then,
Betwixt the Faithfull, and the Faithlesse men,
VVho, had occasion'd this: But, while you have
Their Company, their sins to you will cleave;
And, nothing will be able to prevent
Your sharing, in their shame and punishment:
For, these, we fear, would hardly be so tame,
As He, who, but to seize Five Members came.

Or, if th'offenders, who, now home are brought,
Should practise (as tis likely some are taught)
To work upon the peoples discontent,
And, so much their distempratures foment,
As, that, they should withdraw away from you,
Their former Love; or, their obedience due,
To your Commands: or, make them colder, in
Their zeale, then they, in former time, have bin
How, would it all our present hopes indanger?
How would it hearten an invading-stranger?
How would it please, and reincourage those,
VVho seem your Friends, but, till they may be Foes
And, then, how nimbly would your False-ones prove
That mischiefe, for their purpose, to improve?

How quickly, then, would many turn upon you,
VVho, hitherto, have outside-service done you?
How many scandals, would there, then, be rais'd,
From actions, which are, at this present, prais'd
How many flatring Priests, who, now applaud
Your courses? and, ascribe the praise and laud

Which you deserve; would say as much for them,
VVhose practices, both you, and they condemn?

And, then, what will it profit those among
Your Members, who delight in doing wrong,
That they when an apparent wrong they do,
Shall add a greater injury thereto,
To cleare themselves of what they were accus'd?
What, will it profit them, to have abus'd
The well-affected, by unjust proceeding,
And false reports, the Parliament misleading,
To cast a heavy censure upon those
As wilfull Malefactors, or, as Foes,
Who, if impartially they had been heard,
Instead of punishment should have reward?
VVhat will it them availe, by saving, thus,
Their credit for, a while, by wronging us,
If they at last, be to those Judges turn'd,
By whom their power and censures will be scorn'd?

Excuse us, if our love and faithfull care
Compell us, plainly to expresse our feare,
By these Expostulations; and to vent
Our councells thus, beyond all president:
For, neither have our dangers, nor our crimes,
Had any president in former times;
Nor can we think our selves, from treason free,
If, in these perills, we should silent bee.

Oh! let us not be judged to exceed
Our Bounders, at a time of so much need;
Nor, suffer us, who seek but to maintain
Your honour, and your lives, to speak in vain:
But, rather, purge, or cure, or cut away
Your Gangreev'd-Members, with what speed you may.

If, you suppose there are no such among you,
As we suspect; that, thought wil greatly wrong you.
And, bring you all in danger, by degrees,
Of dying without sense of your disease.
You know, there have been breakers of their trust,
And, many Members heretofore unjust
In both your Houses: And, why may not there
Be such among you, as aforetime were?
Nay, who can think there are not, who doth see
What oppositions, yet, among you be?
For, where much disagreement, see you shall,
There, out of question, some are naught, or all;
Since bitter Factions, rarely have been made,
But, where are to be found, both good, and bad,
Or all corrupted. And, the man who sayes
That, none, among you, walks corrupted wayes,
Is, doubtlesse, one of those, who hath deserv'd,
To have his wayes and walkings well observ'd.

Are none of those, think you permitted, yet,
In either House of Parliament, to sit,
Who, when the City should have been betray'd,
Did know of it? think you, when VValler say'd,
(To strengthen his Confederates) that, he
Knew many, who therety, would aiding be
In either House? think you, he should have had
His pardon; if none fear'd he could have made
The saying true? Or, that, he naming none,
Should, into banishment, so cheap have gone,
Unlesse, because, he could have named so many,
That, if the Houses should have questioned any,
It might have brought upon us, at that season,
A danger, almost equalling the Treason?

VVhat ere ye think, we think, this was the cause,
VVhy he, who was in breaking of the Lawes,
The Principall, escap'd with life, when they
That Accessaries were, their debts did pay:
And, are we bound to think now VVallers gone,
That, here, of his Confederacie are none,
VVhile we perceive Delinquents so defended,
As yet, they are, and we so ill befriended?

VVho, in both Houses, would have scorned more
To hear such questions asked, heretofore,
Then Strafford and the Prelate, who, are now
A headlesse paire? And, which is he of you
Among the Commons, who injoy'd a name
More honourable, and a fairer fame
Then Hotham had? which of you stood so strong
A charge as he? and, held it out so long
VVithout recoyling? Or, ingag'd this Nation
Unto him, by a greater obligation,
Then he did, for the time? And, yet, at last,
You saw he fell; because, he had not plac't,
The Structure, (though 'twere strong) upon those rocks,
That could abide reiterated shocks.
And, if men, in desert so eminent,
(Till we discover'd in what path they went)
Fell from that bravery in resolution,
And, so much constancy in execution,
Then well may we distrust that, some of those
VVho, at this present make faire seeming showes.

May possibly be false? At least, when they
Have trodden heretofore beside the way,
And, are at present probably suspected;
Though, they in some things, faithfully have acted?
Since, we have oft, experience had, that, none
Have to the Common-wealth, more mischief done,
Then some, who, for a while, have, had the fame
Of Patriots; and, did but play that game,
Till they had opportunity, to catch
That grace at Court, for which they lay at watch.

And wherfore should it seem to wrong the rest,
If, we have jealousies of some exprest,
Who gave us cause? (And, if no cause there be)
What mean those symptoms, which, thereof we see?
Wherefore, do some of you, yourselves bewaile,
As if you felt some limbs of your to faile?
VVhy do you halt, somtimes, and are so slow,
At other times, when you should faster go?
And, find defects among you, now and than,
VVhich frustrate good designs, do what you can?
VVherefore, so frequently, do you divide,
As if you had a Palsie, on one side?
And, often, have so much ado to stay
Your Votes, from running on the left-hand-way?
Yea, wherefore, do the best among you find
Some failings, of your fellowes, in this kind,
If none be questionable? Or, if we
Offend, in saying such among you be,
Why, are there daily, strivings in your wombe,
As if Rebecca's twins, again, were come
To be new born? and, to afflict the Mother,
By strugling how, they may supplant each other?
Why, are complainings, if no wrongs be done?
Who can Oppressors be, if, there be none
VVithin your Houses? Or, if none of your
Corrupted-members, have abus'd their Pow'r?
Since, all Oppressors, ev'ry other where,
May have, or, ought to have, redresses there?

As Samuel said to Saul; if none are spar'd
Whom God condemns, whence are these bleatings heard,
Which fill our eares? How, come th'Amalakites
To be so jocund, and the Israelites
So much dis-heart'ned? VVhat mad-men are they,
VVho bring Petitions, almost ev'ry day,
Against your Members? And, wherefore do some
(Although, they pris'ners for it are become)
Still prosecute their charge, and Plaints, as far
As men imprisoned enabled are,
Against those men; if, really they be
From Guiltinesse, and just Suspition free?
And, why, are not Accusers dayly hear'd,
That, knaves may punish'd be, and good men clear'd
If, all are in their actions so upright,
VVhy do not they, on whom aspersions light,
Offer themselves to tryall by the Lawes,
According to the merit of the Cause,
VVithout respect of Persons; that, the greev'd
May in their suffrings duly be releev'd?
The mouth of clamour stop'd, if she hath made
An out-cry, when no cause, at all, she had?
And, that, all men who truly guiltlesse are,
May not in scandalls, with men guilty, share?

VVhy should you, like the Benjamites connive
At wickednesse, untill Gods Justice drive
The much incensed-people, of the Land,
To come, and to require it, at your hand?
Nay we draw nearer: VVhy, have you so long,
Pursu'd the King, because he did us wrong,
To keep from censure, those, who merit blame;
If, you your selves, have done the very same?
VVhy, may not we as justly question them,
VVho break their trust to us; as, you do him?
And, hope, that, GOD will find us out a way,
VVereby, the Common-wealth deliver may
Her self from those, that, her Trust-breakers be,
(In most convenient time) aswell as he,
Gave us this Parliament, ev'n when else, none,
Knew how, without Rebellion, to have done,
VVhat, now, we do? although the King had broke
That Trust, wherewith, the Crown he undertook.

Consider this; and, keep your selves, and us
From straights, and courses, which are hazzardous
Least you both loose the glory you have got,
And, feel a mischief, when you fear it not.
For, if you do not wicked men protect;
Yet, while their prosecutions you neglect,
You may incurre the curse of their offence,
VVho do the work of God, with negligence;
And to destruction, all your friends expose,
By beeing too indulgent to your Foes.

Let GOD, or Baal be serv'd: For, hate we do
Those, that are alwaies halting between two.
All they, who in simplicity of heart,
Adhere to one, though to the worser part,
Are, so far in the way of walking right,
That, those we hate not, though with them we fight.
Nor shall we fear, when reconcil'd these be,
But, that, they will be found as true as we.

Take not we pray you, this free-powring out
Of Gileads Balm, as if we went about
A needlesse Cure: Or, would have men believe
VVe did annoint, when blowes, & wounds, we give;
Nor think, we rub too hard: For, we are friends
(VVhat ere we may be thought) whose love intends
Your honour with your weal: And, having found
How to advance them, do as we are bound.
VVe are no Mountebanks, who would endear
Our Surgery, by putting you in feare
Of greater dangers, then indeed are found:
But, we would search the bottome of the wound;
Because, we cannot perfectly be heal'd,
Till all our kown corruptions, are expel'd.
VVe know no means of saving you, and us,
But, by plain dealing; and, by speaking thus;
That you may take some wise, and speedy course,
To stop this mischief, ere it groweth worse.

The Common remedies, are at a losse;
The Sanctuary gold, is mixt with drosse;
And, there's no meanes to part them, which wee know
But, by attempting that, which we do now:
Nor can you save your honor, (though you save
Your selves) if long, you ill companions have.
For, what your evill Members, have mis-done,
Upon your score, is ev'ry day set on,
As well as your best deeds: and, in your faces
Their dirt is hourely flung, to your disgraces.
Those Resolutions which conduce unto
The Publike-weale, want but a Voice, or two,
Somtimes, of being lost: Such are their wiles,
Or, such their number: And, if otherwhiles
They carrie on a Vote, in your despight,
That seems not to advance the publike-right,
You beare the blame thereof, as much as they:
Yea, to the Parliament, the People lay,
Not onely, that which is concluded on
In either House, although the same were done
By some unjust contrivance: But, it beares
The faults of ev'ry Member, too, of theirs,
Whose life is scandalous; yea, it pertakes
In blame with him, for each known scape he makes.

For, when abroad the Common-people heare
A Member of your Houses, lie, or sweare,
Or, some of them, no conscience make to pay
Their long due debts; when, well enough they may;
Or, see them reeling out of Tavern doores;
Or, impudently, courting of their Whores;
Or some such way imployed: Oh! how quick,
They shoot at you their Arrowes! and, how thick!
Some say in scorn; and some, in discontent;
These, are the Members of our Parliament:
These, ase those Worthies, that, must set us free
From Tyrannie: These, our Deliv'rers be:
These are the Chosen ones, who to this Nation
Must bring the blessing of a Reformation:
Yea, these, whom here you thus debauched see,
Pertaining, to the Honest-party be,
Or to the Godly; the Malignant sayes:
And, on them, descants many other waies,
With such like scoffings, as no modest ear
Can without grief, or indignation heare.
All which, reflects on you, who are the best;
And, so it will, till you reforme the rest.

How can you be insensible of this?
And, since an injurie suppos'd it is,
To let aspersions, on one Member fall;
Why brook you them, who scandalize you all?
Why keep you those unquestion'd, who are thought
Blame-worthie; till, the blame on all is brought?
If you seem all concerned, though but one,
Be some way toucht, as if he had misdone;
How much more are you scandaliz'd if they
Who justly do accuse, have cause to say,
They could not have their Informations heard;
Nor legall-tryall; nor, their due regard?
How doth this scandalize you, if, when we
(As by our Covenant injoynd we be)
Have Informations brought, which closely touch,
On what concernes the publike-safety, much,
We have, not onely, waited with submission,
And hearing sought by Speech, and by Petition;
But, persevered, also, weeks of dayes,
Nay, months and years; and, then, tir'd with delays,

Gave off, because, we none, that while, could find,
To heed our Cause, or, bear the same in mind?
How scandalous is this? 'Tis either true,
That, in your Houses, there be very few
Affecting Justice; or, they hardly found;
Or, that in their employments they abound;
Or, else, that they perceive the question'd-crime,
Would come to tryall, in an evill time.

This saves your Credits: For, God hath a season
For every thing: and (though you see no reason,
Of such, and such obstructions, or delayes)
Doth all things timely; and walks prudent wayes.
And, peradventure, he will now, begin
To do, what hath so long deferred bin.
VVork you, with him; as, also, we intend;
And, he shall give our hopes, a happy end.

Take not thereat offence, as if, we wrong you,
VVhen we affirme there are false-men, among you.
VVhy seemes the scandall, any whit the more,
To have this spoken at the Senate-doore,
Then, to be made the common talke, of all
VVho travaile through the streets, or walk the hall?
VVhat are men lesse dishonored, though none dare,
In print, to publish, that, they traytors are?
If ev'ry man, almost, who hears their names
Thinks, knowes, & speaks of their deserved shames?
And, wonders, that, no Member, no Committee,
No County, Corporation, Towne, or City,
Takes thought to question them? or, forth to learn
The truth of that, which doth so much concern
The Common-Peace? For, 'tis no work for one,
Except for him that meanes to be undone:
So chargeable, so troublesome, they make it:
So long; so dangerous, to undertake it.

These things, we mention not to be the least
Detraction from your dues, or interest;
Or, from your Honour: or, because, we grudge
You, or your Houses any Priviledge
That may preserve your Persons, or that Power,
VVhich may be for the Publike-weale, with your:
But, we would only mind you, to have care
No other, make them larger, then they are,
Both to th'indamaging of Vs and You;
VVho know, that, all the Priviledges due
To Publike Persons, were, at first, bestowne
More for the Publike-sake, then for their own,
And, presently, are forfeited; if, used
Beyond their bound, or, any way abused.

VVhen Cato, that great Senator of Rome,
VVhose dignity, it did as well become,
As any mans here living, to have claym'd
Those Priviledges, whereat, some have aym'd:
Although his Innocence was oft abus'd,
And, He, no lesse, then fifty times accus'd
By false Informers; and, though, thereupon
The Senate, thought to have decreed, that, none
The boldnesse should assume, in future time,
To charge a Senator, with any crime,
Not sully prov'd against him; Cato, rose,
And, their intention, stoutly, did oppose.
By this Edict, said He, we should deprive
The Common-wealth, of that preservative,
VVhereon her Safe-subsistence, much depends:
This, would secure her Foes, destroy, her Friends
And, make it faser, Treason, to commit;
Then, to endeavour, for preventing it.

He, that shall give occasion of suspition,
Hath, so far, forfeited the true condition
Of one in Innocence; that, he must bide
The rubbings of the Test, till he be tride;
And, cannot, justly, say, it is a wrong
To beare, what to purgation, doth belong:
Since, ev'ry man is bound, as well to shun
Appearances of Ill, as, evill-done:
Else, to submit (for giving of offence)
Unto the tryall of his Innocence.

Suspected-men, therefore, if innocent,
VVith noble Cato, rather, are content
To stand accus'd; and, guilty to appear
Some space, then, willingly, to leave a fear
Upon the Publike; or, to countenance
A Custome, which might Treacherie advance;
Or, bar a needfull, or, a just-proceed,
Against those men, who guilty are, indeed.

But, faulty-men accus'd (if, still, they find
Their power continue) fee'l another mind.
Unto their guiltinesse, they malice add;
They grow revengfull, mischievous, and mad,
Plunge, in the toile, strive, strugle, scratch and tear
Rage like a Tyger, roar out like a Bear;
And are so netled, that, you may behold
Their guiltinesse, before the same is told;

Yea, and by hearing them, e're them you see,
May know what Vermin, and, what Beasts they be.

These things consider, with a serious thought,
And, let to triall, ev'ry man be brought
Who hath deceiv'd his trust; or, ought, neglected,
Or done, whereby, false-dealings, are suspected.
If you intend, in safety to remaine;
Hear all, who, reasonably, to you complain:
And, judge with Righteous Judgment, that, God may
Delight to be among you, all the day;
That, all your Members, may be men approved;
And, Iealousies and grudgings, be removed;
So, you shall strengthned be, in one another,
And, knit, with such assurances, together,
That, there shall neither be, in all your actions,
Frauds, failings, fears, repentings, or distractions.
So shall the Peoples hands with you be strong,
And, we in hope, of that which doth belong
To our just Rights. Then, all your open-Foes
Their greatest strength; their greatest hope shall lose,
And, all their new-designes, and jugling plots,
With Vs, the French, Danes, Hollanders, or, Scots,
Shall come to nought; or, by preventing-grace,
Redound unto the welfare of this place.

Then, you shall get Confederates, and Friends,
Who, heeding, with your just, and prudent ends,
That power and Counsell, timely, you provide;
Will think, they in your Friendship, may confide.
And, then, we, likewise, whom you oft have tride,
Will, firme, to you, at ev'ry need, abide;
Still, freely hazard all our lively-hood,
Our Limbs, our Lives, and our dear Childrens blood,
To vindicate our Birth-rights, and our Lawes,
In spight of all th'opposers of our Cause.
Yea, if the much desired Reformation,
Of those, who are the Chosen, of our Nation,
You shall begin; we, will to you adhere
So closely, that, you shall not need to fear
Effecting it; although, of Trustie-men,
There were not, in both Houses, five times ten:
For, we are confident, halfe of that number,
Well rouz'd, would wake us all, out of our slumber:
Strike terrour, into all the hearts, of those
Who dar'd, that undertaking, to oppose;
And, make (when their Foundation they had laid)
Malignancie, and Tyrannie, afrayd.
We are as confident, (and, to this Nation,
We dare assure it, on our Reputation,
And, on our Lives) that, if, you shall go on,
To do this Work, as, yet, it may be done;
You should, not only, shew the VVordly-wise,
How far, just-dealing, out strips Policies;
But, also you shall honestie reduce
To practice; bring true Pietie in use;
And, build up such a Fabrick, in this Land,
Of Prudent-Government; that, it should stand
To be a pattern, for all Christendome;
And, flourish, till the Son of God, shall come.

But, if you hear us not, with such respect,
That our just-motion, may have due effect:
Then, know fró us (for, 'twill be worth your knowing)
That, down the Hill of ruine, you are going;
That, all things you shall order, or ordaine,
Vote, or debate on, will be done in vaine:
That, by our Contributions, and our Ayd,
Destruction, shall be, for while, delayd,
But, not prevented: That, the Hypocrites,
Shall do you, for a while, as great despights,
As have been, lately, done unto you, here,
By our prophane, and, Godlesse-Cavaleer;
And, that, God shall give back again these Lands
Into this Kings, or, some worse Tyrants hands;

Till, his Avenging-power, hath rooted hence,
All those, who, without either care, or sense,
Of publike miseries; of private woes;
Of their own fall; of others overthrowes;
Of either God or man; of heav'n or hell;
Have spurned, at the way, of doing-well.
For, let us not suppose, that, we may trust
Upon our Cause, though, that be very just.
The Iewish-cause was good: yet on them, fell
Destruction, for not handling of it well,
And, for Injustice; wherein, we offend
So grosly, that, unlesse we soon amend,
God will put off (if we can truth presage)
The VVorke now doing, till the following age:

And, then, shall rise another Generation,
And make compleat, that work of Reformation,
Which now is hindred, by the cunning sleights
Of Tyrants; Hypocriticall-deceits;
Selfe-seekers; and the Avarice and Pride,
Of some, who seem to take the better side.

And, that, which hath by Iehu, been begun;
Shall, by Elisha perfectly be done.

But, we, no longer, Noble Senators,
Will tempt your patience, or oppresse your ears
With our bold pleadings; left, by speaking much,
We unawares, upon some strain may touch,
Which by our ill expression, or mistake,
Us, to miscensures, liable may make.
What e're we say, be pleased to believe
We, would not, willingly, occasion give,
Of your displeasure; or, of discontent
To any Member of this Parliament
That, maketh conscience of his publike-trust;
Much lesse, would we in any thing, disgust
The whole, conven'd together; or, forget
Our selves so far, as to dishonour it:
Or, draw one Line, that really, might shame
Or, shadow, any Glory of the same.

To witnesse, that we mean the thing we say,
The faults now found, our purpose is, to lay
On those, with whom we found them, and with whom
To chide a little, we, are hither come.
On those, alone, to whom reproofes are due;
On those, whose falshoods, have dishonour'd you,
By thrusting in, among you; Ev'n, on those,
The burthen of our Speech, we will impose:
And, (by your Favour) as we cause do find,
Speake, now, to them, a parcell of our mind.

“The Welaffected, when they ended had
“This Speech, unto the Faithfull-Members made,
“Paws'd, for a while; to mark, if an assent
“Were likely to be granted, with content,
“To their desire of Leave, to speak their thought,
“Of, and to those, by whom, our Woe is wrought;
“And, ghessiing (by their grave, & gracious smiling)
“Them, to that motion, not to be unwilling;
“They made a low obeysance: Then, withdrew
“A little back; and, taking into view
“The Trustlesse-Members, fixt, on them their eyes;
“And, with a Speaking-frowne; spoke, in this wise.

University of Virginia Library

The Speech of the VVell-affected-English, to the Faithfull Peers, and to their constant Trustees, being Members of the honourable House of Commons.