Skip directly to:Main content Main navigation

University of Virginia Library

Miscellaneous works of George Wither

Wither, George (1588-1667)

1.

FIRST COLLECTION

2.

SECOND COLLECTION

collapse section

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.

collapse section

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.

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

collapse section

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

1

God sits where he doth see and hear,
Where Kings and Lords consulting are,
And heeds what is intended there:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
To make them better understand
His Will, and what he hath in hand,
He wonders acts at Sea and Land:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.

2

His Mercies here were lately shown,
They who abus'd them are o'erthrown,
And now by Judgements he is known:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
He sev'ral ways mens hearts hath tride,
He fools their Wit, he shames their Pride,
And by their shame is glorifide:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.

3

To Tryals every man he brings,
He spares nor Commoners nor Kings,
And of his Deeds the whole earth rings:
Sing there Hallelujah.
Such marvels as in times of old,
Have either written been or told,
We did with our own eyes behold:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.

155

4

He stirs and stills the winds and seas;
Yea, Kings and Nations can appease,
Things, oft, less tameable then these.
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
He wounds and cures, he builds and breaks,
He kills and saves, he gives and takes,
And as he finds cause, mars or makes:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.

5

He by contention, endeth strife;
By leaving helpless, gives Relief;
And, by death bringeth unto Life.
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
He for well-doing, and for ill,
Doth promises and Threats fulfil,
And is both just and gratious still.
Sing therefore Hallelujah.

6

By doing Right, he cureth wrongs,
Turns mournful cries to joyful songs;
To all gives what to them belongs.
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
He giveth ease, by making sore;
He makes men rich by being poor,
And Loosers win, by losing more:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.

7

To crown all this, and cure the fear
Which doth in many Saints appear,
His Kingdom now is drawing near:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.

156

For GOG and MAGOG joyn in one,
Their Gen'ral Musters are begun,
And their destruction cometh on:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.

8

As he foretold us heretofore,
Revenge pursues the Scarlet Whore,
And she ere long shall be no more:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
The Kings and Captains of his Foes
Shall then be Carrion for the Crows,
And all who do the LAMB oppose:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.

9

That we more watchful may be made,
We lately three Probations had;
And now he doth another adde.
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
New offers of his grace have we;
And though yet obstinate we be,
Still merciful to us is he:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.