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University of Virginia Library

Miscellaneous works of George Wither

Wither, George (1588-1667)

1.

FIRST COLLECTION

2.

SECOND COLLECTION

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3.

THIRD COLLECTION

THE TWO INCOMPARABLE GENERALISSIMO'S of the world, with their Armies briefly described and embattailed, visibly and invisibly opposing each other.

The dark Lantern,

WESTROW REVIVED.

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AN IMPROVEMENT Of Imprisonment, Into Real Freedom; Of Disgrace, Into Honest Reputation; Of Poverty, Into Perdurable Riches; Evidenced in a few Crums & Scraps Lately found in a PRISONERS-BASKET AT NEVV GATE;

[HE, who, five thousand hungry Souls had fed]

THE AUTHOR OF THESE Fragments, TO THE Humble, the Poor in Spirit, and to all those Afflicted-Ones, who disdain not these CRUMMS.

George Wither, to his Friends, who have inquired after him, since the late seizure of his Person, Books and Papers.

George Wither, His first Meditation, upon his Commitment to Newgate, Aug. 22. For his Poem called Vox Vulgi, neither Published nor Finished.

To the City of London.

Another Meditation, (or Ballad as the World perhaps, will call it) composed by the same Prisoner since his Commitment to Newgate.

A Return, in Answer to some of them, who sent to know how it fares with me in my Imprisonment.

A Pass-By, in Relation to those, who seem offended at my Frequent-Scriblings, as they call them.

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George Wither's Appollogy for composing the Poem called Vox Vulgi; being a Welcome home from the Counties, Citties and Burroughs, to their Prevaricating Members; saving the honour of the House of Commons, and of every faithfull and discreet Individual member thereof; which Poem was surprised before quite finished.

Another Meditation in Newgate, somewhat alluding to this old verse in Seneca, Nunquam non Potest, esse Virtuti locus. Which implies, that no Place, or Time can disadvantage an Honest-man.

A Meditation, occasioned by the same Prisoners calling to mind, Jeremies Prophecie to Ebed-melech, the Blackmore, Jerem. 39. 15.

An Antidote against Fear, composed upon the Citizens being unexpectedly in Arms, Sept. 28. 1661. at night.

A short Excuse, rendering some Reasons why this Prisoner makes no Adresses for his Release, to great Persons for their Favour in his Cause.

A Composure, for his private Refreshment made by the same Prisoner, upon considering the sad outward Condition of his Dearest Relations in the Flesh: after which is added the Narrative of a sudden distemper thereupon ensuing.

Another Spiritual Song composed, by occasion of the last mentioned Distemper.

A Meditation whilst he was taking a Pipe of Tobbacco.

A Hint, of that, which may hereafter (if not despised) conduce to the Setling of Peace and Concord in Church and State.

A Hymn of Thanksgiving to Almighty GOD;

A Penitential Hymn, composed by occasion of a Dream the 19th. of Octob. 1661. about Midnight.

A Requiem to the Soul.

A Meditation upon the many Prodigies and Apparitions, which are mentioned by Publick writing, or common Fame.

A Riddle for Recreation, not impertinent to this Place.

A Proclamation made by this Prisoner, with the advise of his Privy Counsel, the Muses.

A Concluding Epigram.

A Post-script to the Readers.

An Appendix in Relation to what concerns his Wife.

The Authors Dream, the night before the Imprinting of this Book, and (as he believes) the true Interpretation thereof.

Sigh for the Pitchers:

4.

FOURTH COLLECTION

5.

FIFTH COLLECTION

6.

SIXTH COLLECTION

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If he comes hither with the self-same heart,
VVith which, he did, in likelihood depart;

38

New cover'd over with a fairer skin,
And fully fraughted with Revenge within:
If he shall make his Royal Word a snare,
If he by hopes delayed nourish fear
In stead of love; by mental Reservations,
(Or by deceiveable Equivocations)
His promise vacates; or, if what he swore
In presence of his Sov'raign heretofore;
Or, if he shall confine to other brests
These Acts of Grace, which to his Interests
Will most advantage give, when it is known
The pardons which he granteth are his own:
If he refers his Justice to their Zeal
Who may prefer their Ends before his Weal,
Until it shall unhappily destroy
That new-sprung hope which many yet enjoy;
And by converting it into despair,
Blasts that in Autumn, whereof blowings fair
Appear this Spring; we may thereby perchance,
Ere many Springs compelled be to dance
Another Matachin. If, GOD so please,
I wish and pray it may be otherwise;
And that this might be weigh'd: for, on this BALL
None are so firmly fixt, but they may fall
If Righteousness and Truth support them not,
What other prop soever they have got.
We have a sight of this days joy and sorrow,
But no man knows what will befall to morrow:
And should GOD be as rigorous as men,
That which is done, would be undone agen.