University of Virginia Library

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:
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,
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.