Skip directly to:Main content Main navigation

University of Virginia Library

Miscellaneous works of George Wither

Wither, George (1588-1667)

collapse section

1.

FIRST COLLECTION

collapse section

To the ENGLISH.

collapse section

What Peace to the wicked?

Carmen Expostulatorium:

AMYGDALA BRITANNICA, Almonds for Parrets.

collapse section

A single SI QVIS, and a quadruple QVERE, with the Occasions of them, presented to the Members of the honorable House of Commons, touching a Petition, with certain Verses annexed, and lately layd at their feet in the said House of Commons, by Major G. W.

The SI QUIS, and the Occasion of it.

The quadruple QUERE, and the Occasion of it.

VATICINIUM CAUSUALE. A RAPTURE Occasioned By the late Miraculous Deliverance OF HIS HIGHNESSE THE Lord Protector, From a Desperate Danger.

collapse section

Epistolium-Vagum-Prosa-Metricum:

[When I was young, these Words my Motto were]

[Though very much, and long, I have endur'd]

VERSES Intended to the King's Majesty,

collapse section

2.

SECOND COLLECTION

collapse section

The meaning of the Frontispice.

collapse section

TO THE KING, PARLIAMENTS, AND PEOPLE, OF These British Isles.

The Contents of the severall Canto's contained in this Volumne.

Carmen Eucharisticon:

collapse section

A Suddain Flash

A Preoccupation, relating to this Title.

To his Highnesse, the Lord PROTECTOR.

collapse section

A Suddain Flash

A Prologue, to him, who shall behold, or hear, this Flash.

A Cause Allegorically Stated,

collapse section

To that Member of Parlament, who takes up this Paper, with the Petitions inclosed.

A Postscript to the Preceding Verses.

collapse section

A Triple Paradox:

collapse section

A Triple Paradox;

For an INTRODUCTION, the AUTHOR flings this Express to the WORLD.

Confinement is more advantageous than Liberty.

SLANDER is more Beneficiall than PRAISE.

Poverty is more profitable than Riches.

A Word on the behalf of Mr. Zachary Crofton Prisoner in the Tower.

collapse section

A Proclamation In the Name of the King of Kings, To all the Inhabitants of the Isles of Great Brittain:

I.

I. To those Friends, unto whom this Author hath been scandalously mis-represented in private, by some false Brethren and others.

II.

II. A causual Meditation on Faith, Hope, Fear and Love.

III.

III. To those who enquire, why this Author is now imprisoned in Newgate?

IV.

IV. A Hymn of Thanksgiving, for deliverance from a dangerous and sharp Sickness, during his Imprisonment.

V.

V. To them who say, or suppose, that a vain desire of Fame, was this Authors principal motive, to the Composure of what he hath written and published.

VI.

VI. A Meditation, occasioned by considering the manifold Temptations to distrust in GOD, whereby his best Servants are otherwhile proved and exercised.

VII.

VII. Another Scrap, to them, who carp at this Author's frequent writing.

VIII.

VIII. An Eccho from the Thunders, in the celestial Temple, reverberating, in part, the effect of what was uttered by their Voices.

IX.

IX. A brief Reproof of them, who take pleasure in Scandalous Invectives, whereby others are personally defamed.

X.

X. A Disclaim, by way of Advertisement, of a Paper, falsly imputed to this Author.

XI.

XI. To them who object it as a fault, that this Author hath written several Poems, since he resolved to write no more.

XII.

XII. Of Governours and Governments; and how we ought to demean our selves toward them.

XIII.

XIII. A Scrap added to the former, since the sending of the Authors Remonstrance to the house of Commons.

Verses written by Mr. George Wither upon three Trenchers with Oker, during his close-Imprisonment, and carried to the Lieutenant of the Tower by the said Prisoners Keeper.

Hearing it reported, that the Diurnal women cryed the news of his Impeachment for Treason, he composed this Epigram.

Ingenii Largitor Venter.

collapse section

3.

THIRD COLLECTION

collapse section

THE TWO INCOMPARABLE GENERALISSIMO'S of the world, with their Armies briefly described and embattailed, visibly and invisibly opposing each other.

collapse section

The dark Lantern,

TO THE PARLIAMENT, AND PEOPLE OF THE Commonwealth of England.

A DARK-LANTERNE,

The Perpetuall PARLIAMENT.

collapse section

WESTROW REVIVED.

collapse section

WESTROVV REVIVED.

collapse section

1.

The first CANTO.

2.

CANTO the second.

3.

The third CANTO.

4.

The fourth CANTO.

collapse section

AN IMPROVEMENT Of Imprisonment, Into Real Freedom; Of Disgrace, Into Honest Reputation; Of Poverty, Into Perdurable Riches; Evidenced in a few Crums & Scraps Lately found in a PRISONERS-BASKET AT NEVV GATE;

[HE, who, five thousand hungry Souls had fed]

THE AUTHOR OF THESE Fragments, TO THE Humble, the Poor in Spirit, and to all those Afflicted-Ones, who disdain not these CRUMMS.

George Wither, to his Friends, who have inquired after him, since the late seizure of his Person, Books and Papers.

George Wither, His first Meditation, upon his Commitment to Newgate, Aug. 22. For his Poem called Vox Vulgi, neither Published nor Finished.

To the City of London.

Another Meditation, (or Ballad as the World perhaps, will call it) composed by the same Prisoner since his Commitment to Newgate.

A Return, in Answer to some of them, who sent to know how it fares with me in my Imprisonment.

A Pass-By, in Relation to those, who seem offended at my Frequent-Scriblings, as they call them.

collapse section

George Wither's Appollogy for composing the Poem called Vox Vulgi; being a Welcome home from the Counties, Citties and Burroughs, to their Prevaricating Members; saving the honour of the House of Commons, and of every faithfull and discreet Individual member thereof; which Poem was surprised before quite finished.

Another Meditation in Newgate, somewhat alluding to this old verse in Seneca, Nunquam non Potest, esse Virtuti locus. Which implies, that no Place, or Time can disadvantage an Honest-man.

A Meditation, occasioned by the same Prisoners calling to mind, Jeremies Prophecie to Ebed-melech, the Blackmore, Jerem. 39. 15.

An Antidote against Fear, composed upon the Citizens being unexpectedly in Arms, Sept. 28. 1661. at night.

A short Excuse, rendering some Reasons why this Prisoner makes no Adresses for his Release, to great Persons for their Favour in his Cause.

A Composure, for his private Refreshment made by the same Prisoner, upon considering the sad outward Condition of his Dearest Relations in the Flesh: after which is added the Narrative of a sudden distemper thereupon ensuing.

Another Spiritual Song composed, by occasion of the last mentioned Distemper.

A Meditation whilst he was taking a Pipe of Tobbacco.

A Hint, of that, which may hereafter (if not despised) conduce to the Setling of Peace and Concord in Church and State.

A Hymn of Thanksgiving to Almighty GOD;

A Penitential Hymn, composed by occasion of a Dream the 19th. of Octob. 1661. about Midnight.

A Requiem to the Soul.

A Meditation upon the many Prodigies and Apparitions, which are mentioned by Publick writing, or common Fame.

A Riddle for Recreation, not impertinent to this Place.

A Proclamation made by this Prisoner, with the advise of his Privy Counsel, the Muses.

A Concluding Epigram.

A Post-script to the Readers.

An Appendix in Relation to what concerns his Wife.

The Authors Dream, the night before the Imprinting of this Book, and (as he believes) the true Interpretation thereof.

collapse section

collapse section

A Hallelujah, alluding to the 150 Psalm.

collapse section

Sigh for the Pitchers:

[My Sighs concern you all, throughout this Nation]

Sighs for the Pitchers.

collapse section

4.

FOURTH COLLECTION

collapse section

Prosopopæia Britannica:

[For ev'ry thing, which is below the Sun]

To the meeke ingenuous Reader.

To the scornfully Censorious.

PROSOPOPOEIA BRITANNICA.

To the Parliaments.

Aliquid ex improviso

Faults escaped.

collapse section

Salt upon Salt:

collapse section

SALT upon SALT:

The Result, occasioned by the preceding Theam.

Sarcasmus Ænigmaticus.

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

collapse section

The Prisoners Plea:

Jamq; Opus Exegi.

collapse section

A Memorandum to London,

A Seasonable Memorandum

A Warning-Piece to London,

[The meek, and humble to advise]

A SINGLE SACRIFICE,

June 15. 1665. A PRECAUTION Relating to the time present.

collapse section

The Authors Epitaph.

A Petitionary Meditation on the behalf of F. S. The Authors much Honoured and Charitable, Friend then visited by a Languishing Sickness.

collapse section

Vaticinia Poetica.

collapse section

Vaticinium Poeticum:

Hic , desunt nonnulla

Hîc deest multum.

[Last Midnight, many things to minde were brought]

collapse section

Three Private MEDITATIONS, Which being, for the most Part, of Publick Concernment, are therefore Published, by their Author, Geo. Wither.

collapse section

A Private THANK-OBLATION, Consisting of Three Hymns,

The first Hymn, is a Preparatioon of the heart to the Duty intended.

The second Hymn, being an imperfect Narrative and Confession to Gods glory, of what he hath done for us in the late Ingagement; how little we have merited the mercies vouchsafed, and how merciful GOD hath been to both Nations.

The third Hymn, proceeds to a thankful Illustration of GOD's deserved Praise, by acknowledging his Almightiness; his observing what hath been openly and secretly done in every part of the World, by both the said Nations, and that no praise is justly due to either of us, but shame rather, for ought performed in the said Ingagement.

A Sacrifice of Praise & Prayer

collapse section

5.

FIFTH COLLECTION

collapse section

Opobalsamum Anglicanum:

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

The Speech of the Wel-affected, to their perfidious-Trustees, dishonouring the Parliament, by deserting the same, or, by not acting cordially therein.

collapse section

THREE GRAINS of Spirituall Frankincense,

[If Scorners term these Ballads, 'twill not much]

1.

2.

3.

collapse section

Furor-Poeticus (i.e.)Propheticus.

Furor-poeticus,(i.e.)Propheticus.

A Postscript to Mr. R. Hamon, Merchant.

collapse section

Speculum Speculativum:

To the KING'S MAJESTY, If this Considering-Glass comes accidentally to his View.

[George, wer't not fit, ere from thy hands it pass]

collapse section

SPECULUM SPECULATIVUM:

Opobalsamum Anglicanum, Page 20.

See Fpistolium Vagum-prosa-metricum Page 20

In the Book last mentioned, Page 24.

In these words, Page 47.

These were my words:

A HYMNE Of Confession and Praise.

Another Meditation relating to the Authors present Condition.

The Contented Mans Morice.

A POSTSCRIPT In answer to some cavilling Objections, made against the Author of this Considering-Glasse, since the composing thereof.

THE Shepherd of BLEDONHAM HIS CASE.

collapse section

6.

SIXTH COLLECTION

collapse section

Fragmenta Prophetica.

collapse section

A PREFACE to the following REVIEW, offering somewhat therewith considerable.

[GOD's Promises and Threatnings, unto all]

[Though Lot a while in Zoar stai'd]

collapse section

A Review of Neglected Remembrances.

An Interjection, occasioned by a sudden Ejaculation, whilst this Review of Neglected Remembrances was transcribing; which shall here stand inserted, thought it be no part of what was heretofore expressed, or intended to be hereunto added.

collapse section

A THANKFUL RETRIBUTION,

Page the Second.

BONI OMINIS VOTUM:

collapse section

A Si quis, or Queries, with other Verses annexed.

These Verses next following, were upon the same Occassion presented to several Members of the House of Commons, repairing thither the 23d of December 1648, being the next day after their Humiliation, with an Imprinted Petition thereto annexed.

collapse section

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

That, he was once a Captain for the King,
Doth him with me, in no suspition bring,
If he retain but so much gen'rousness
As honourable Sword-men do profess:

13

For, there are many persons whom I know,
True to him then, and faithful to us now:
And touching him, this is considerable,
That he made no revolt dishonourable
To his Profession: nor his aide withdrew
Fro him, to whom he thought his service due;
Or left him till that Obligation ended
By his decease, on whose life it depended:
No, nor did afterward desert his Cause,
Till having leisure to peruse the Laws
And Customes of this Nation, he perceiv'd,
Crowns were not alwaies by descent receiv'd;
Nor justly could be worn by any here,
Till by the People they elected were
Upon conditions; whereto they were both
By Law obliged, and engag'd by Oath:
Which having weigh'd; and that by GOD's permission
The Pow'r was in another mans possession
Without dispute; meer conscienciousness
(Not Levity) induc'd him to profess
And Act, as he hath done. This, I take leave
Till he shall contradict it, to conceive;
And, of my hopes concerning him, expect
To see ere long, a sutable effect;
Whereof, if I unhappily shall miss,
My damage will be ten times less than his;
Since really, he thereby forfeits more
His honour, than he did in shew before:
And, if at this time, to his moral trust,
And his Engagements he shall prove unjust,
(Which may be possible) no further, then,
Thenceforward, in the words or deeds of men
Will I confide, beyond what I know true;
Whether of honesty, they make a shew,

14

Or of Religion: But conclude that we
On whomsoere we trust, may cheated be;
And think, (as I did heretofore suppose)
None but false friends, and reconciled foes
Should overthrow our Cause. My hopes of him
Are better yet: (Oh GOD! continue them.)
No cause to me appeareth of suspect,
Save such as I may reasonably reject.