The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan :: :: University of Virginia Library

The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan

Edited with introduction, notes, and glossary by William Tough

Mure, William (1594-1657)

VOL. I

EARLY MISCELLANEOUS POEMS

III.

II.

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

What horrid Actings force unwilling ears
With worst of news? do fancies and fond fears
Mock troubled minds? or doth a reall blow
For preface passe to Albion's overthrow?
Have Parricids, professing Brother-hood,

The traiterous murther of our late King, most justly to be laid to heart, and duely resented.

Put hand in Cæsar? shed his Royall Bloud?
Low in the dust this Island's Glory laid
And, at one stroak, her Children Orphans made?

O Heavens! O Earth! heer I must pause a space.
Grief's tide flows higher, then, in this sad case,
Can calm'd be by expression: But, to speak,
Allegiance pleads. Men soberest, minds most meek,
Most free of passion, cannot but resent
This high Injustice; yea, in freedome vent
Their Thoughts, and what a dialect to use,
This bloody prelude speaks. Then free-born Muse

Tell Britaine, tell the World, that hence, in vain

Treaties and parleyes to be suspected, the parties being in an unequall posture.

Words shall be heard of any milder straine
Then Martiall eloquence. In trumpets' sound
Be Scotland's Musick henceforth deeply drown'd,

Arms therefore necessary to be ordered and made use of as the God of Arms shall call for and imploy.

From Heav'ns th' alarme, attended orders bee,
All doubts discust, all judgments clear and free.

Let Colours fly, Drums beat. Gird on your swords.
Arme Gallants, Arme. The Battell is the Lord's.

1 Sam. 25. 28; 2 Chr. 20. 15.