Miscellaneous works of George Wither :: :: University of Virginia Library

TO THE PARLIAMENT, AND PEOPLE OF THE Commonwealth of England.

So let me speed, in all that I pursue,
As, in what followes, I mean well to you:
And, as I bear a loving faithfull heart,
To all of you, united and apart;
Although, I peradventure, may appear
On some occasions, bitterly severe,
To those, in whom, I private-failings see,
Which, to the Publike may obnoxious be;
To make them judge themselves, and scape the doom,
Which, from another judgement, els may come:
For, at no single person, have I strook,
By any line, or passage, in this book.

If here, I further seem to have presum'd,
Or, more upon my self to have assum'd,
Then may be warrantable thought, at first,
Examine it, before you judge the worst;
And, try by circumstances (as ye may)
What Spirit, hath directed me this way;
Or, for what likely ends, or for whose sake,
I could, or dared, this attempt to make;
Except it were for GODS, for your, and mine,
As they with one another, do intwine.

Yea, search, if my Religion, studies, wayes,
Or, manners (which have beene throughout my dayes,
Before your eyes) may any sign afford,
That, I have, hitherto, in deed, or word,
Been an Impostor; or, presented you
With ought, that hath been uselesse, or untrue;
And as that justly may incline your mind,
Let these expressions acceptation find.

If madnesse, they appear; consider well,
That, such miscensurings have often fell
On sober men, when those deluding crimes,
Were prevalent, which raign in these our times.
If foolish, they be thought; remember this,
That, truest wisdome, seemeth foolishnesse
To worldly prudent men, when, God, forth brings
To fool their wisdome, despicable things.

Men, hear fools gladly, when themselves are wise,
And, meekly pity, rather then despise
Their folly; learning, thereby, sometimes too,
More, then by their own wisdome, they could do:
But, wise, mad, foolish, or, what ev'r I am,
To do this work, into the world I came;
To these times, was reserv'd; to this end, taught;
And, to the sight of many things, am brought,
Which, els I had not known, nor would have seen,
But, that, I ty'd, (as by the leg) have been,
(Ten years together, ten dayes work to do)
To know them, whether I so would or no.
And, when I knew them, I would fain have done
My own work first, or els, like Jonas run
To Tarsis, or Lundee, or any whither
(Adventuring through Seas, and Tempests thither)
Much rather, then to have proceeded on,
In doing that, which I, at last, have done.

For, I am like the world, in many things,
And, oft so tempted by her promisings
Of ease and safety, in another course,
That, I, with much strife, did my heart inforce,
To prosecute her duty; as ye may,
Perceive, if, you the following tract survay.
But, my own thoughts, would neither let me sleep,
Nor suffer me a waking-peace to keep,
Or, follow my affairs (though they were brought
Neer to a point, of coming quite to nought)
Till, I, my musings, had in words array'd
To be, by you, and other men, survay'd.
All those affairs, aside, I, therefore threw,
To cloth my meditations, for your view;
Which, being finish'd, I can now lye down
And sleep, as well as any man in Town.

The times are dangerous; and, I am told,
By that which is my Guide, I should not bold
Beyond discretion be; which makes me talk
In riddles, and with this Dark Lantern walk:
That, I may see my way, and not be seen
By ev'ry one, whom I may meet, between
My goings out, and in: and that it may
Give light to some, who are beside their way,
As I occasion find; and, where I see
The light that's offer'd, may accepted be.

But, what my visions are, as in relation,
Unto this Parliaments perpetuation
I plainly shall unfold; because, it may
Concern you all, with good advise to weigh.
Yea, fearlefly, my free thoughts, I will shew,
What liking, or dislike, soe're ensue.
For, though to all intents by me design'd,
They may not reach; it much contents my mind,

That I have freed my soul, by thus imploying
My Talent, to an inward rests injoying;
And, rais'd a Witnesse up, that may declare
To future times; what GOD'S proceedings are.

If this find acceptation, it will be
A sign of future peace, to you, and me.
If, you reject it; I will fit my mind
To bear the troubles, which are yet behind:
Bewail, our manifold procrastinations,
Of GOD'S intended blessings, to these Nations.
Possesse the little portion, I have got
As lost, or, els, as if I had it not;
And, strive to wean my heart, from things abroad,
To seek my rest, and peace, alone in GOD:
A refuge, so secur'd to me, that, neither
My frailties, faults, or foes; or these together:
Or friends, or Trustees failings, either may
Hazard, or forfeit; tear, or fool away.

Your most humble, and most faithfull Remembrancer, Geo. Wither.