University of Virginia Library

A storm, is brewing, whereunto, perchance,
The late North wind, hath given an advance;
For, I perceive, (although from Camps or Courts
There be where now I am, but few reports)
Some Actings have produced an effect
Much differing from what I did expect,
And working on the common peoples passions
According to their various inclinations;
So that he must be wiser than Apollo,
Who shall inform us, what events will follow.
Some rail, some rave, some scoff, and some do jeer,
Some ring, some sing, some hope, and some do fear,
Some of them do insult, some others whine;
But, all these whirlwinds shake no corn of mine:
To my old Principles, I still am true,
And will be, whatsoever Change ensue:
Because, I am assur'd the Cause we had
Was very good, though we our selves are bad;
And, that, if after all our pains and cost
We lose it, by our wickedness 'tis lost.
And, for my part, my portion hath been such,
That, if I lose all, I cannot lose much;
Nor by my Foes be much worse dealt withall
Than I have been by those whom Friends we call.
The World can me of nothing disinvest,
Save that, which heretofore my cares increast;
And, though she somewhat more oppress me may,
She shall not take my happiness away,
Nor mar my hopes with all her scorns and brags,
Although, she wears, and tears, my flesh to rags.
I can be but abus'd, and ground between
Two Mill-stones, as I hitherto have been.
The favours of the World, to men upright,
Makes them the more obnoxious to despight.
If she, to place of Pow'r and Trust commends
Well-minded men, 'tis but for her own ends:
For, when her purposes to pass are brought
By them, who, her preferments never sought,
(And, others for her service fitter seem)
The first she slights, with barb'rous disesteem,
And them exposeth to disgraceful scorns,
Because, no longer they can serve her turns.
Therefore, though worse I speed than heretofore,
My peace thereby shall be disturb'd no more,
Than if I heard a drivelling fool did swear,
His Bable, and Bell'd-cap, I should not wear.