The honest ghost or a voice from the vault [by Richard Brathwait] |
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[Who can prohibit me abroad to tell] |
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 | The honest ghost |  |
[Who can prohibit me abroad to tell]
Who can prohibit me abroad to tell
The Crimes of such high-peeres as doe not well?
Why, this Obsequious, Odious, Vicious time,
That weaves a Cobweb o're a great mans crime.
But Masters, would yee know how I am serv'd
Whose honest actions ne're from goodnes swerv'd?
“Sense by Petition hath procur'd that Reason
“For writing nought but truth, should go to Prison.
The Crimes of such high-peeres as doe not well?
Why, this Obsequious, Odious, Vicious time,
That weaves a Cobweb o're a great mans crime.
But Masters, would yee know how I am serv'd
Whose honest actions ne're from goodnes swerv'd?
“Sense by Petition hath procur'd that Reason
“For writing nought but truth, should go to Prison.
After this Suite, as I am now resolved,
Shall be decree'd, determin'd, and dissolved,
I'le take a long farwell of my Laws journey,
Unlesse it be by Proxie or Atturney;
For who from Hippocrene would Rivers draw
Must not imploy his Bucket in the Law;
Farre from Courts clamour then I'le build my nest,
‘A smooth-composed line requireth rest.
Shall be decree'd, determin'd, and dissolved,
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Unlesse it be by Proxie or Atturney;
For who from Hippocrene would Rivers draw
Must not imploy his Bucket in the Law;
Farre from Courts clamour then I'le build my nest,
‘A smooth-composed line requireth rest.
One askt of me what might be my intent
To leave the Towne in time of Parliament?
Why, answered I! because I held it fit
When th'City hath ingross'd the Country wit,
And that scarce seven wise Masters now were left
Which were not to the Parliament enfeoft,
That purposely I to the Country cam,
Where I am held a nimble-pated man;
For though a Swan's a Swan, yet when th'Swan's gon,
A white-plum'd Chough is held a comely one.
To leave the Towne in time of Parliament?
Why, answered I! because I held it fit
When th'City hath ingross'd the Country wit,
And that scarce seven wise Masters now were left
Which were not to the Parliament enfeoft,
That purposely I to the Country cam,
Where I am held a nimble-pated man;
For though a Swan's a Swan, yet when th'Swan's gon,
A white-plum'd Chough is held a comely one.
| The honest ghost | |