University of Virginia Library

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