University of Virginia Library

Our King's return'd: but we, to him from whom
Our perfect Peace, and saving-health must come,
Are not as yet return'd; and whilst we are
As we now be, things will be as they were.
We shall be cheated, if we do suppose
Wasps will turn Bees, or Doves proceed from Crows,
Till GOD himself, whose proper work it is,
Shall bring to passe that Metamorphosis,
Which hath been long expected by this Nation,
And, will require a longer expectation;
Ev'n till we more indeavour it, from him
VVho may to us, as to Jerusalem,
Cry out, How often have I sought your good,
And as a Hen that's careful of her brood,
Would fain have brooded you? but, you would not!
His Mercies we have sleighted, or forgot:
This negligence, (or, I might rather say
This wilfulness) hath made us at this day
So wretched, that no hope doth now remain
But that which quickly may be lost again:
For, we do finde, whatever is pretended,
That, like Sowre Ale in Summer we are mended;
And, that as since we innovated first,
At ev'ry Change, the last prov'd alwaies worst.
(Whether things were presented to our sight
In Habits old or new, in black or white)
So still, 'tis like to be, till we adhere
To Righteous Actings, with hearts more sincere,
By what vow, promise, or fair show soever,
The Politician works on his Beleever:
Yea, though the King should do the best he can,
And act beyond the sphear of mortal man:
For, here Herculean labours finde he shall,
And, that he's come now to th'Æugæan-stall,
Which must be cleansed (as the Poets say
That was) by turning Streams another way.