University of Virginia Library

To write plain Truth, why should I bee afraid?
By what man may it not be justly said,
Our publick faith hath been the shamless'st Debter,
And throughout all these Realms the greatest Cheater
That ever was; and that our Parliaments
Have been beyond all former Presidents:
The worst Security (and never more
VVill be confided in, as heretofore)
If unconfirm'd they leave what hath been bought,
And, what was justly sold (as then 'twas thought?)
Or, if they make not recompence at least
To those, who by their actings are opprest?
For this is the same Nation, though the Cause
The Governour, and in some part the Laws
Are changed now; GOD, who the wrong doth see,
Is yet the same, the same will alwaies be,
And both for what is suffered, and was done,
VVill prosecute the Judgement that's begun.
By meer Cheats, many thousand Families
Destroyed are, and with complaints and cryes,
So fill mens ears, that they make all to grieve,
Save those, who sense of no Afflictions have
But of their own. The Children, do bemoan
Their Aged Parents helplesly undone;
VVho, now have nothing left of what was theirs
To recompence their pitty, but sad tears:
And, he, who thinks Life a gratuity
In such a case, loves Life much more than I.
Supposing that's a Mercy, which to mee,
A barb'rous cruelty, appears to be.