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 | Works of John Taylor the Water Poet not included in the folio volume of 1630 |  |
7
A Dialogicall brief Discourse between Rainsborough and Charon, at their meeting, Octob. 29. 1648.
Charon.Welcome to th'shades; hail Brother Rainsborough:
I am a Boat-man, so were you.
Most opportunely! See th'triumphant Mayor,
(No lesse a man) is our first fare.
Had you not come, his Honour had (by Styx)
Fairl' in a Sculler gone t'Old Nick's.
Rainsb.
Now he may ride in Oares—forbeare; alas,
He that you speak of may not passe.
What will Iudge Rhadamanth and Minos say,
If we th' arrested Corps convey?
I that on Earth was above Law, yet know
How to conforme my self below.
Charon.
Hum! I have lost my Naula; let it go;
Now to your businesse Rainsborough.
Rainsb.
Know then, that I from th'English Coast am sent
By th'States, to know your Government.
And e're the Vote passe, hence must have command,
That the new Anarchy may stand:
Speak Charon, speak; if Pluto think it good,
I have already seal'd it with my blood.
Charon.
Dull Man, or Ghost; or whatsoe're thou art,
Thou think'st to alienate my heart:
Know'st not we have a Prince; and though the Devill,
One that abjures all you that Levell?
You that incroach, my Office to enjoy;
Were you not once a Skippers Boy?
By all th'infernall gods, lay by thy Spade,
Or be suspected guilty Hell t'invade.
Rainsb.
No more; I yeeld: the Government stand,
I was but sent here under-hand)
8
They would put hard for Anarchy.
Charon.
Anarchy? Hell and Furies! such a word
Once more, and thou go'st over-board.
Belzebub, if he knew thee at this height,
Would have thee carbonado'd streight.
Leave us—and yet I'le write thy Epitaph,
Meerly to make the Devill laugh.
For, by the Rabbies leave, without controule,
'Twas not a Fire removed his pure Soule.
| Works of John Taylor the Water Poet not included in the folio volume of 1630 | |