University of Virginia Library

Vpon the renewing of that worthy and laudable Custome of Uisiting the Springs and Conduite Heads, for the Sweetnesse and Health of the City.

A Uisitation long discontinued.
A Water-Nimph, seeming to rize out of the Ground by the Conduit Head, neare the Banquetting-House, thus greets the Honourable Assembly.
Hah? let me cleare mine Eyes, me thinks I see
Comforts approach, as if They came to me;
I am not vsde to e'm; I ha beene long without,
How comes the Vertue of the Times about?
Ha's Ancient Custome yet a Friend? of Weight?
So many? rare! Goodnesse is wak't alate
Out of her long Sleepe sure; that ha's laine still
Many a deere Day, charm'd with Neglect and Will,
I thought I'de beene forsaken, quite forsooke,
For none these 7. yeares, ha's bestow'd a Looke
Vpon my watry Habitation here;
I meane, of Power, that ought to see Me cleere,
For yon'd faire Cities health, which Sweetnes blesse
And Vertue in full Strength, euer possesse;
Well fare thy Visitation, Noble Lord,
And this most Graue Assembly; that accord
In wayes of Charity and Care with Thee;
Ioyes visit You, as Your Loues visit Me:
The Water stands so full now in mine Eyes
I cannot chuse but weepe; but the Teares rise
From Gladnesse, not from Sorrow, for that's lost
Now I see you, Vnkindnesse yet ha's cost
Many a deere Drop, since I beheld the Face
Of the last Magistrate, in Power and Place;
I h'a done good Seruice; t'is no boasting part
In one forgot, to speake her owne desert:
I grant my kind and louing Sisters both
Chadwell and Amwell, haue exprest no Sloth
In their Pipe-Pilgrimage, but fairely proou'd
Most excellent Seruants, hous'de, and welbelou'd;
And haue, when hard Necessity requires,
Giuen happy Quench to many mercilesse Fires;
Therefore am I neglected? An old Friend?
The Head? that to the Heart a'th City send
My best and cleerest Seruice, take Delight
To be at hand, make your Dames Pure and White;
Who for their ciuill Neatnesse, are proclaim'd
Mirrours of women, through all Kingdoms fam'd:
Can I be so forgot? and daily heare
The noise of Water-bearers din your eare?
Those are my Almes-folkes, trotting in a Ring,
And liue vpon the bounty of my Spring,
Yet like dull wormes that haue no sence at all,
Lick vp the Dewes, ne're look from whēce they fal,
The head's not minded, whēce the goodnes flows:
So with the worlds condition right it goes;
“Blessings are swallowed with a greedy loue,
“But Thanks flye slowly to yon'd place Aboue,
From whence the Euerliuing Waters spring,
Which to your soules eternall comforts bring:
The Dewes of Heauen fal on you, prosperous Fates
Like fruitfull Riuers, flow into your States.