 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
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The Contents of the severall Canto's contained in this Volumne.
The Contents of the first Canto.
First, here is to your view prefer'dWhen, where, and how this VOICE was heard:
What kind of Muzings, were the ground:
What worlds, and wonders, may be found
Within our selves: what safe-Retreats
From those oppressions, frauds, and baits
Which are without: how little feare
Of Terrours, which affright us here:
How plainly, there, a man may see
The villanies, that acted be
For private ends, with publike showes:
How generall the mischiefe growes:
Why, to acquaint you with this VOICE,
GOD, by so meane a man, makes choice:
Then, shewes how our grand-hopes deceive us,
And, prayes his aid, that must relieve us.
The Contents of the second Canto.
This Canto's Preface being done,The VOICE, to these effects, goes on;
Tells, how unworthy we are, yet,
For Peace desired, how unfit:
How vain, how harmfull Treaties be,
Till both Sides, in one Third agree;
And (laying by ignoble ends)
Vse likely meanes of being Friends.
Shewes, that the Peace which most pursue,
Will be nor permanent, nor true.
Then, that some Cures may be appli'd,
Declares, which Parts are putrifi'd;
Which, must be purg'd, without delay;
Or, cauteriz'd, or cut away,
If we will, e're it be too late,
Recure this weake, this dying State.
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The Contents of the third Canto.
Here, whether you be pleas'd, or no,This Author, maketh bold to show
That Portion of his private wrongs,
Whose knowledge, and redresse, belongs
To Publike Justice; that, her eye
May through his wounds, her own espie.
The VOCE, then speakes again, and schooles,
In Him, all other froward-Fooles,
Who, with impatiencie do vent
Their private wrongs, or discontent:
As if their Trifles could be heard,
When Kingdomes cannot finde regard.
It shewes, our Senate blamelesse are,
Of those Distractions, raging here;
And, where the Fault, and Fountaine lies,
From whence, our present plagues arise.
The Contents of the fourth Canto.
While here, our Authour doth reciteHis Muzings after Naesby fight,
The VOICE returnes; and, doth begin
To shew us, what must usher in
Exiled Peace. Then, told are we,
How kept our Vowes, and Covenants be:
How we reforme, and fast, and pray:
What Thankfulnesse we do repay:
What, must in generall be done;
What, by each Individuall-One:
What course both King and State must take,
E're they their Peace with GOD shall make:
What he expects, from ev'ry Nation,
From ev'ry Town, and Corporation,
And ev'ry House, in some degree,
Before our Peace renew'd will be.
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| Miscellaneous works of George Wither | |