 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
Though they forgot us, I suppose it fit
To mind them; lest themselves they may forget
When I am dead; and, therefore, I will here
Leave somewhat to be their Remembrancer.
Let them remember with consideration,
With true repentance, and with due compassion,
How many thousands (whilst they live at rest)
Are either quite destroyed, or opprest,
Either in Person, Credit, or Estate,
Whose aid they did not onely oft intreat,
But also (thereby to promote their end)
Compelled to contribute, pay and lend;
Yea, to engage their Persons in their Cause,
Under pretence of Piety and Laws,
Whom they have now made innocently poor,
And forc'd to beg, or else to suffer more;
Whilst they from all those miseries are clear,
VVhereof their failings chief occasion were:
Not onely, making that an Instrument
To ruine them, which ruine should prevent;
But also (probably) by their endeavour,
To make, and keep the people Slaves, for ever.
To mind them; lest themselves they may forget
47
Leave somewhat to be their Remembrancer.
Let them remember with consideration,
With true repentance, and with due compassion,
How many thousands (whilst they live at rest)
Are either quite destroyed, or opprest,
Either in Person, Credit, or Estate,
Whose aid they did not onely oft intreat,
But also (thereby to promote their end)
Compelled to contribute, pay and lend;
Yea, to engage their Persons in their Cause,
Under pretence of Piety and Laws,
Whom they have now made innocently poor,
And forc'd to beg, or else to suffer more;
Whilst they from all those miseries are clear,
VVhereof their failings chief occasion were:
Not onely, making that an Instrument
To ruine them, which ruine should prevent;
But also (probably) by their endeavour,
To make, and keep the people Slaves, for ever.
| Miscellaneous works of George Wither | |