Miscellaneous works of George Wither

Is that design'd? then it is time to vary
My Theme, lest, on a suddain, all miscarry.
Riddles adieu, let clouds away be blown,
And my Dark Lantern, quite aside be thrown;
That e're it be too late, I down may charm
The Spirits conjur'd up, to do us harm:
For in my contemplations I have had
A Vision, which hath some discov'ries made,
And in a plain song I intend to sing,
How we may concord, out of discords bring,
Order out of confusions, and restore
That Peace, whose late infringements we deplore;

Where, to begin the work; how to proceed,
That which is yet but words, may be a deed,
And to declare our means of settlement,
To be an everlasting Parliament.

It may appear, (and will be thought perchance)
At least much rashnesse, if not arrogance,
That I adventure to employ my pen
Upon a subject, which more able men
Have hitherto declin'd, and which of late,
Hath ground administred of much debate,
(And much dispute) to Counsells of renown,
Without a full resolve, as yet made known:
But these are blasts, whereof small heed I take,
For chaffe and feathers only, they can shake;
And he that all things hath at his dispose,
Is pleased some expedients to disclose
To poor and simple persons, now and then,
Which he conceals from wise, and noble men:
He, sometimes calls men from within the grates,
To Counsell grave, and mighty Potentates;
And they in meeknesse have embrac'd the same
Without a jealousie of any shame
Which might thereby reflect disparagements
Upon their wisdome, from those instruments.

Nor is there any cause, why such as are
Made instrumentall, those things to declare
Which may be serviceable, should therefore
Esteem their wisdome, or themselves the more;
Since they have nothing, but what they receive,
And are but earthen pipes, to help derive
To others, what into themselves they take,
Not so much for their own, as others sake.
And if assume ought to my self I would,
J nothing know, that arrogate J could

By what shall be proposed, more then they,
Who have not to this end a word to say,
Jf they desire to serve you; when they shall
Meet such occasions, as J met withall.

For, as when two great Armies, long ingag'd,
Having each others fury so inrag'd,
That over all the fields there are bespread,
Disorders rais'd out of despair and dread;
Such renovations on the hills and vallies,
Of charges and retreats; of routs and rallies,
So loud a noyse of drums, and guns, and cries;
Such clouds of smoke and dust to blind their eyes;
Such stops by them that slain and wounded ly,
Such throngs and tumults among those that fly,
And, such confusions, that the Chief Commanders
Know not what course to take; if then, by-standers,
Upon a neighb'ring hill, shall thence discern
Where some advantage lies, which may concern
Their friends ingag'd; and from among them one
Shall (ventring down) inform them what is done;
Where their foes weakness lies; and how they may
Rally their broken troops, and win the day,
What great thing hath he done, whereof to boast?
Or what dishonor hath that Army lost,
By his officiousnesse? or what's his gains
But knocks perhaps, or woundings for his pains;
From those, it may be, of his Party too,
Who know not what he thither came to do.

This is my case; who for such services,
(And such adventures heretofore as these)
Have gain'd so little, that none needs envy
The profit which J have receiv'd thereby;
Or, those advantages J might expect,
Jf that which J propose should take affect;

Considering, how many still there be,
To make my best deeds mischievous to me.

But, whatsoever shall thereon succeed
With what is now intended, I'le proceed,
As my peculiar work; and to be done
By no man, if I let the same alone.
For, (as it by my Journall Books appears)
Somwhat above the term of forty years
I have been on the hills of contemplation,
A voluntary Watchman for this Nation.
I, oft, when none to second me I knew,
In times of greatest danger stood perdue.
I oft was pris'ner took, and did inlarge
My self, at all times, at my proper charge.
I, more then once, to scape my Foes made shift,
With nothing, but my life, and raiment left;
And have perswaded been (ev'n ever since
J reacht the years of ripe intelligence)
That (next unto his service) GOD, in chief,
Gave me my being, faculties and life,
To serve my Country, and to have an eye
On those who hindred her prosperity;
And, to imploy my studies and my wit,
Jn searching out what might advantage it,
Though no man should regard it; yea, though still
J injuries receiv'd for my good-will:
And this hath oft produc'd such fruits as these,
Judge me, or use me for it as they please;
J shall, at last, be paid for all J do:
And, so shall they, who dare oppose it too.

Having thus prefac'd, to anticipate
Miscensures, J, my Visions thus relate.
When with sad thoughts J many nights and dayes,
Had over-look'd my one, and others wayes,

Considering seriously, both what they were
And in what posture, our affairs now are;
I saw so much confusion, and disorder,
The Chaos daily, so much widing further
By new confusions, and so few, that see
Or credit, in what hazards we now be,
That in these overwhelmings I almost
Was swallowed up, in danger to be lost:
And doubtlesse in those whirlpools lost had bin,
But that the clew, by which I ventur'd in,
Did bring me forth, and set me on a Station
Where I might view them, without perturbation;
With safety too, and with so true a light
That, thereby plainly, I discover might
From whence this Chaos springs; and by what course
We might (if possible) drink up rhe source,
Or make some such diversion, as would win
An entrance, where good order might begin.

As I stood musing, how this could be done,
A voice within me said; this works for none
But him to do, who first did out of nought
Bring something; and from something, all things brought.
Then said my heart, LORD, though this work, to thee
Belongs alone, yet instruments there be,
By which thou workest all things here below;
Some instrumentall means, now therefore show,
Whereby this may be done; and, then alone
Shal't reap that honor which insues thereon.

Insteed of vocall answer hereunto,
A firm perswasion, that it should be so
Possest my soul; and that he whosoever
Would faithfully and seriously endeavour
A restauration, either should acquire
The full accomplishment of his desire;

Or so much toward it, as might at least
Secure him in his noble interest.
Herewith well satisfi'd, aside I threw
My own affairs, and privately withdrew
Into my self, in season to begin
That undertaking which I now am in;
And whereto you, by these long lanes are led,
To signifie that I've considered
The Propositions, which to light I bring,
With good precautions, and examining.

One afternoon, as on my couch I lay,
About the ev'ning twilight of the day,
My contemplation introduced there,
A mask, that might beseem a theater;
And many grave spectators: for thereby
Was represented our late tragedy
From that time, when the Prologue did begin,
Ev'n to the very act, we now are in;
With each materiall circumstance, which might,
Be usefully presented to my sight,
Pertaining to this Nation, and to those
Who are, or have been, thereto friends or foes.

It likewise drew a map before mine eyes,
Of all our past, and present miseries,
With those distractions, and those contradictions
VVhich do prolong or multiply afflictions:
As also of each actor and his actions
Confusedly wrapt up with their transactions,
As they to me, and other men appear,
When we do look upon them in our fear;
Or as they passed by us day by day,
Whil'st we among the same confusions lay.

This mummery withdrew: and then me thought,
It back again, each part and actor brought,

Distinctly represented, so that I
Might perfectly discern with reasons eye,
What in themselves they were; and that we had
Of many things a wrong conjecture made.
That some, which to our practise were commended,
Have to our shame, and our destruction tended:
That others, which we judged might destroy
Our interest; produc'd what we enjoy.
That wicked projects, otherwhile brought forth
As good effects, as those of reall worth,
(Though not without a woe, to them, by whom
Offences, and prevarications come)
That some, which good appear'd, were nothing so,
That, others, making but an evill show,
Were (if consider'd simply) very good,
Or, better then they seem'd, if understood
According to the time, and present state
Of these affairs, whereto they did relate.

A Curtain then was drawn aside, that shew'd
A Table, whereon portraited I view'd
A Directory, teaching me the use
Of all that I had seen, with their produce:
Which could my memory, have brought away,
Had done this work (which I intend to day)
Much better, then this picking out again,
What their impression left upon my brain.

A thousand sev'rall things (some, neither fit
For my expression, nor in season, yet
To be divulg'd) were brought as in procession
Before me, in an orderly progression.
Sometimes confusedly, there passed by
Strange Apparitions, which away did fly,
E're I could well discern them; or my thought
Take notice, to what purpose they were brought.

Sometimes bright shinings from a light I had,
Which cheer'd my heart, and made my spirit glad.
Another while, a darknesse me surrounded,
Which, all my notions, for a time, confounded,
And sadned so my spirit by privations,
That I well neer lost all those observations
Which I had made sometimes appear'd to me
Such things, as in our Antimasks we see
Ridiculous, and worthy laughing at;
Sometimes things terrible, and after that
Appearances, which promised to some,
Much comfort, peace, and happinesse to come;
And so the Vision vanish'd, and the day
By that time to the night had given way.

But by what represented thus hath been,
By well considering what I have seen;
(By spelling out, what every character
Held forth, and what things evidenced were
By readring all together) found hath bin
Where that great work must first of all begin,
Which may make up our breaches, when thereto
Our selves we settle, as we ought to do.
In brief, I saw, that in the settlement
And constitution of this Parliament
Upon a just foundation laid with speed,
A course of restauration might succeed;
And draw on by degrees, a means to bring
Into right order, ev'ry other thing
Conducing to our Weal; and if we take
That way whereof proposall I shall make,
I dare adventure, if it do not thrive,
To lose my head, or be inter'd alive.

I have attain'd assurance (and without
So much as any shadow of a doubt)

That by this Parliaments misconstitution
We are uncapable of that fruition
Which we expect; that for the most part thence
Proceed the causes of our indigence
And myseries; and that 'tis naythelesse
The chief, or sole means left of our redresse.
Ev'n this in being now, this which men seek
To bring into contempt, and to dislike.
This, which they (justly too, in some respect)
Have laboured to make of no effect,
And to annihilate, as if thereby
(And thereby only) they should perfectly
Injoy their full desires, and be secur'd
From all the troubles hitherto indur'd.
Ev'n by this Parliament, God will effect
That future settlement which we expect,
If we too long delay not the pursuit
Of an impartiall rativall recruit.

For though the body of it being made
Of many members, hath among them had
(And hath yet) overmany so corrupted
That they have not alone much interrupted:
The activenesse of those that have been sound,
But are oft likely also to confound
The whole at once, by seeking how to please
Their lusts, or friends, or how themselves to ease:
Yet by their faithfulness, who have been true
Unto their trust, and active to pursue
The publike interest, redeem'd we are
From that captivity in which we were;
And many things enjoy of him esteem
(Though by some wants, enjoyments lesse do seem)
Whereof we had e're this been quite dispoil'd,
If they in their endeavours had been foil'd.

It therefore were an Act of Tyranny,
(Of high injustice, and of cruelty)
To wrap up these, with those that have misdone,
Because some fail, to have respect to none;
But cast off all at once, and from us thrust
With men unrighteous, those that have been just.

For if we weigh things well, it is their praise,
That they have marched through uneven wayes,
(Oft, ill accommodated) and have long
Opposed without wearinesse, a strong
And cunning enemy; that they have bin
Assail'd by some without, and stob'd within
By bosome foes; that they were lamed too,
In their own limbs, yet forward still did go
With perseverance: and that also they
Stand for us in the gap, ev'n to this day;
It is their glory, rather then their blot,
Though their good purpose they accomplish not.

It is from these that we denominate
This Parliament; in them is lodg'd the fate
Of this Republike; yea, what e're it seem,
This, as I said, is that which must redeem
Our late lost honor; and if e're this shall
Dissolved be, down all our Structures fall,
Not to be rais'd, without the cost of more
Then hath been spent upon it heretofore.

For what should keep it up? can wise men think,
They shall uphold it, that it may not sink,
Whom these depute? who while they do subsist,
Preserve, with much care, their own interest?
Can any of us, reasonably believe
The power which to their Substitutes these give,
When they themselves are outed, shall be able
To keep up strongly, that which is unstable,

Untill a Phœnix, yet unhatch'd arise
Out of their ashes, with renew'd supplies?
When, having far lesse power, and lesse esteem,
(As being an extraction out of them
Who are prejudicated) they shall contend
With those immergencies, that may ascend?

But, grant it possible, what way shall we
Contrive, whereby this power dissolv'd may be
Without a force, that may indanger more
Our safety, then it hath done heretofore?
(Since by a Law, it was perpetuated
Which is not rashly to be abrogated;
And which without inforcement, can by none
Repealed be, save by it self alone?)
It were not rationall we should petition
That they now sitting (weighing their condition)
Dissolve it should, till they can be assured,
How they may for the future be secured,
For giving their intrusted power away,
To those they know not; or, to such as may
Ruine both them, and those too, for whose sake,
They serv'd, that reasonlesse resolve to make;
Yea, should they leave to such uncertainties,
(And, to such hazards, as might thence arise)
This Commonwealth, it were an Act unjust,
And, an unanswerable breach of trust.

This Parliament, though (by and for our sin)
Her vigorous actings have delayed bin,
Through those obstructions, which it long hath had,
And, is by many foul bespatterings made
Unacceptable; though, that it should raign
O're them, the sons of Belial, do disdain:
Although, some also (without cause) have thought
That, to defame it, I my self, have sought

(Because thereto misunderstandingly,
They such invectives, and reproofs apply,
As were intended only against those,
Who seeming to be friends, were secret foes.)
Yet since it first begun (ev'n all along)
I have perceiv'd what works thereto belong,
And ever had a care how to prevent
Their scandall, by a plain distinguishment
Of Doves from Crowes, and of mens private factions,
From publike, and authorized transactions.

For as that man, who can nor hear, nor see,
And half whose limbs, corrupt and rotten be,
May possibly be all the means reserv'd,
By which a noble house may be preserv'd
From extirpation; so, how bad soe're
This Parliament may be, (or may appear)
I am assur'd, by many a circumstance,
It is that means by which GOD will advance
This Commonwealth, unto that settlement,
Which may accursed Anarchy prevent,
If those conditions be not long neglected,
Whereby our happiness may be effected.

As heretofore, when Sarah was bereav'd
Of that which gave her hope to have conceiv'd,
She, naythelesse, obtain'd a lovely son,
In whom a num'rous Off-spring was begun:
And whence did spring that light, and that salvation,
Which is the happiness of ev'ry Nation;
Ev'n so, when we had wanted many a year,
The likely Symptoms of enjoying here,
Another Parliament; yea when a stop
Was raised and proclaim'd, against the hope
Of such a mercy, when nought did appear
But that whereby dispairs increased were:

VVhen Tympanies had swoln our Sarahs womb,
And made it rather seem to be the Tomb
Of dead things only, then to quicken ought,
VVhich for our comfort could from thence be brought;
Lo, then, (and not before) it did conceive
A son of Consolation, to revive
Our drooping hearts; and which, if faithlesnesse
Deprive us not of what we may possesse,
Will free us from all tyrants, and restore
Those rights which they usurped heretofore:
And not restore our liberties alone,
But propagate the blessing here begun,
Throughout the world, untill all other Nations
Are freed from their Oppressors usurpations.

Before the sons of Jacob entrance found
Into their promis'd Land, they had a round,
Or Progress to fulfill, and many years
They in the Desarts were Probationers,
By sev'rall hardships, thereby to improve
The seeds of faith, new sown at their remove
From Ægypt, and by signs and wonders shown)
To make unto themselves their frailty known.
But they at each restraining of their lust,
Brake forth into repinings and distrust;
Yea into flat rebellions, into rearing
Of Idols (when his Law GOD was preparing)
Into a wicked causlesse murmuring
Against the means of their delivering
From Ægypts thrall; and into wishes vain
That they might thither back return again.
For which of many hundred thousands none
Enjoy'd the promis'd rest, but two alone.

And we are just like tkem; yea, we have done
Since God, to bring us from our thrall begun,

The very same things in the wildernesse
Of our Probation, and our carkasses
Shall there be left, unless we do betimes
Make an attonement, for our passed crimes;
And with unfainedness that course pursue
Which leads unto the rest, that is in view.
So shall our Leaders, likewise, who comply
With such transgressors, and unsanctifie
Their power: so shall, moreover, those
Who with our Dathans, and Abirams close
In their conspiracies, and quite from all
Their likely hopes, and present glory fall.
For on conditions, (as King Jehu had
His Throne) the peoples heads, they have been made,
And if they shall from those conditions swerve,
They must expect the portion they deserve.

Let them endeavour, therefore, how they may
Remove that fear and jealousie away
Which doth possesse the people, and withdraws
Their good affections, with apparent cause:
Let those, (ev'n those, who have among the rest,
Been least to blame, and have deserved best)
Consider, that by such as carelesse are
Of those great burthens, which they seem to bear,
The weight increaseth, and, that they so fast
Decrease, on whom their weightiness is cast,
As will e're long o'rewhelm them, if with speed,
They do not to some remedy proceed.

Let them take notice, that the people rage
At their delayes, as likely to ingage
In some disorderly resolve, unless
They see that follow'd with more seriousness
Which they desire; either a Parl'ament
New made, or somewhat that's equivalent:

For thereby, they conceive, (and that thereby
Alone) their sufferings may have remedy.
And somewhat to that end (although not so
As most would have it) may be fit to do.
Yea, if I have not misadvised bin,
Our cure must with the Parliament begin.
Assist ye therefore, to promote the same,
Lest ye partake with sinners in their shame.

There is a course, whereby without disgrace,
Or danger, you may bring that work to pass,
And free your selves from that great cost and pain,
Which without thanks, or profit you sustain;
Afflicting others too, by those confusions
Which are increast by your irresolutions.
Untill a better, therefore shall appear,
Be pleased that expediment to hear,
And, if of those preventions, or that good,
It promiseth, you find a likelyhood,
Take heed, that no self-interest, divert
That Approbation, whereunto your heart
Inclineth you; for God will find it out,
And cross the counter-work you go about.

In England, and in Wales, there is a Shire,
For ev'ry week that's numbred in the year.
By twelve, according to the moneths divide
The Counties, with their persons qualifi'd
For Knights and Burgesses, proportioning
As neer as may be, to an equalling
The number of the whole, so, or so many
Unto each moneth, without omitting any.
Ascertain then, the moneth and day, wherein
Each twelfth part an election shall begin;
(The middle of the week, appearing best
As being furthest from the day of rest)

On each first Wednesday, of each moneth, let those
By whom their Deputies are to be chose,
Respectively convene in ev'ry Shire,
Upon that moneth, and Wednesday ev'ry year,
Which is to them assign'd; and having chosen,
(At moneths end) let each twelfth part, of the dozen,
Send up their chosen men, to represent
Their Shires and Boroughs in the Parliament:
And on that very day, in which they come,
Let all their Predecessors give them room.

Thus one moneth some; and moneth by moneth for ever,
Let each twelfth part, still orderly persever
To take a turn, till ev'ry share hath had
A moneth in ev'ry year; and having made
Their choice, let them still enter and withdraw
Successively, by a perpetuall Law,
No man a place of trust, supplying there,
At one election, longer then one year.

Thus, as the Thames, doth still continue one,
And is the self-same river, though there run
A new supply of waters ev'ry day
Along the channell, so continue may
This Parliament, by annuall supply,
To be the self-same everlastingly,
With very little charge or molestation
To those who chuse, or represent the Nation.
Thus may this Parliament, be both together
Successive, and perpetuall; yet neither
Enjoying such a perpetuity
As can occasion future tyranny,
Or present grievances; nor that succession,
Which may bring danger by an intermission:
But make that constitution, which will add
All power, which may from both of them be had,

Either to compass, what good men affect;
Or to prevent the mischiefs they suspect,

What I intend may plainly be conceiv'd;
And to that end, some things may be contriv'd
Much better, if your wisdome shall refine
The rudeness of my profered design;
And by authority, some rules provide
Whereby th'elected may be qualifi'd;
And their Electors too; for 'twere unjust,
In things of this concernment, those to trust
Who have disturb'd our Peace, untill a time
For their Probation be allotted them:
And till they likewise, by some good desert,
Make manifest a reconciled heart,
Atested, and approved by those Judges,
Who shall suspend their former priviledges.

And since, ev'n they who are the best affected
To Publike welfare, often have elected
Such as deceive their hopes; since ther's no eye
But GODS, that sees the hearts hypocrisie:
Since it appeareth in the best Record,
(Ev'n in the volumes of the sacred Word)
That lots were needfull in the choice of those,
On whom they did a Supreme Trust impose:
Yea, since, ev'n when the purest Congregation,
In all the world, had with deliberation,
(And from among the most approved men,
Which to their knowledge liv'd among them then)
Elected two; a lot was also cast,
That GODS Election might on theirs be plac'd,
To send forth him, who was to be employ'd
In executing of the place then void:
Since also GODS Election, joyn'd with our,
May peradventure on the Elected pour

New gifts; since we by doubtlesse warranty
May with that antient President comply:
Since it will probably give good content
To prudent men, and may oft times prevent
The choice of those, whom for sinister ends,
A numerous corrupted Party sends:
Why may not? nay, why should not two be chose
For ev'ry place that's void, and one of those
Be sent by lot? that GOD may have a voice,
And joyn with men in making up their choice?
Since they, who must this Nation represent
Are GODS Vicegerents in the Government,
As well as our Trustees? who would not more
Confide in such a choice, then heretofore
They did in others? or, then they will do
In them, who shall not now be chosen so?

Why was it not? why should it not be thus,
If this the Kingdome be of GOD WITH US?
But that self-seekers find, were this admitted,
They by reputed fools, should be out-witted?
And get no Julet, others to devoure
Hereafter, by an evill gotten power?
Yea, wherefore hath the lot been from among
All our Elections kept away so long,
But that Usurpers, and Intruders know
It would their Kingdomes wholly overthrow;
Make them afraid, that CHRIST would raign indeed
Among us, (as they sometimes hear and read)
And that they should hereafter never come
To revel (as they have done) in his room:
Nor will they, doubtless, if this take effect,
Except it be our failings to correct;
When GOD shall by permission for our sin,
Reject the lot, and let a Knave come in.

If therefore some Provision might be made,
That we should lots to our Elections add,
A great security would thence redound,
And much contentment therein might be found.
Moreover, as an out-work pertinent
Remisseness in Electors to prevent,
(Upon whose due performance much depends,
Which to the publike woe, or welfare tends)
It were not labour lost, if whensoe're
To execute that duty we appear,
Some short speech might be made, or cautions read,
Whereby it should be offred to our heed,
How much it will concern us, to take care
What choice we make, and what the dangers are
Which may ensue; lest for sinister ends,
(For fear of great men, or to please our friends)
We may displace our trust, and cast away
Our selves, and all, for ever, in one day.

To which intent, our Orator should show
What trust it is, which we that day bestow:
What benefits may gen'rally arise
By chusing men couragious, honest, wise,
And fearing GOD; what perills will ensue
(Which by forepast examples he may shew)
If cowards, fools, ungodly men, and vitious,
Or to the present Government pernitious
Elected be; he likewise may declare
How qualifi'd such persons should appear,
And warn them, that they never do unhallow
Their choice, with any such as these that follow.

Men over-talkative, and loving much
To hear themselves speak; for not many such
Can keep or give good counsell; and they'l prate
Much precious time away, in vain debate.

Your common Gamesters: for, they are unjust
Unto themselves, and them we should not trust
With other mens estates, who have been known
To lose, or hazard, desperately their own.
Men to their pleasure overmuch addicted,
For Publike works, will be by these neglected.
Such as apparently are Avaritious,
Or of Promotion greedily ambitious:
For if their ends thereby acquire they may,
These may be hir'd, their Country to betray.
Such as indulge their lust, and famed are
In their uncleannesses to persevere;
For they will leave their Charge, to please their whore,
And shame their fellows, if they do no more.

Of irreligious persons make no choice,
For these will very seldom give their Voice,
But in the Negative, to any motion,
That may be for advancement of Devotion.
Chuse none who are defam'd in any kind,
As being vitious; for these means will find
To hinder all enactings, which restrain
Ill manners; or to sober life pertain.
Elect not children: for it is unfit
That in our Supreme Counsell they should sit,
To Vote in Grand Affairs, whom Law restrains
From managing, what to themselves pertains.
Chuse none, who are observed to withhold,
Their long due debts, when they discharge them could;
Or outlaw'd persons; for, unfit are they
To make our Lawes, who will not Lawes obey.
Chuse none, who shall solicite, or propose
That they for your Law makers may be chose;
(And their Electors, by the old abuse,
Of feasting, wine, and banquetings seduce:)

For they, who shall uncall'd, themselves advance
To that great work, have much more arrogance
Then worth; and it is also ten to one,
They for themselves, have something to be done.

And lastly, take good heed, that none get in
By your Elections, who have active bin
Against this State, till you, of them have had
Good proof, whereby secure you may be made:
For he that hath into subjection brought,
A Thief, who on the way, to rob him sought,
And straight way trusts him, with his sword and horse,
Takes not a very safe, or prudent course.

This being done, (as in preceding ages)
Let those who are Elected have their wages
Well paid, and rendered proportionable
To what the times require, to make them able
To serve their Country in the Parliament
Without their private cost or detriment:
For both our Lawes, and equity requires,
That Labourers should be allow'd their hires:
Yea, 'tis a kind of bribery, in those
Who offer, without wages to be chose;
And Boroughs, which unable seem to beare
That charge, not worth the representing are.
Beside, their choice, is (for the most part) made
By some Malignant Stewards; or, or'e aw'd
By misaffected Landlords, to the wrong
Of what to them, with others doth belong:
And their objections are but cavillings,
Who shall alledge, that these establishings
Infringe their Antient Right: for, be it known,
The Commonwealth no priviledge can own
Destructive to it self: much rather, we,
Who now, by Conquest, reinvested be

With what was lost, are bound to settle it,
Not as our foes wish, but as may befit
The present, and the future preservation
Of safety, peace, and freedome to this Nation.

Moreover, as upon the House of Peers,
It was the custome, in preceding years,
That there the Sages of the Law, attended;
To whose debate such points were recommended,
As to the Law related; so, let some
Selected be, and summoned to come
To whom each matter questioned relates,
To be advis'd withall, in their debates,
As needfull it shall seem; whether the cause
In controversie shall concern the Laws,
War, Merchandize, or whatsoever may
Require their best experience on the day
Thereto assign'd: that ev'ry work begun
May by it proper instrument be done.
Which will prevent much doing, and undoing,
And make new comers, in short time, as knowing,
As they that have sate long, and finish more
In three weeks, then in three moneths heretofore.

These outworks, will much strengthen, and secure
The works within: yet that they may endure
All sieges, underminings, and scaladoes,
Battries, assaults, and stormings, with Granadoes,
By foes without, and treacheries within,
To build a Cittadell, let us begin
Upon some Fundamentalls; and provide
They may for ever, unrepeal'd abide.

Let it inviolably be decreed,
That Cities, Shires, and Boroughs do proceed
Once ev'ry year, upon the time assign'd,
(On penalty of being deeply fin'd)

To make Elections; that we never may
For time to come, be headless for one day.

Let it be everlasting banishment
To him, who shall to change this Government
From being a Republike, motion make:
And to act further if he undertake,
Let it be death, with totall confiscation
Of his estate, without commiseration;
Unless the great Disposer of all things,
(Who, as he lifts, sets up and pulls down Kings)
Shall thereto by a conquering power compell;
And, not to do it then, were to rebell.

Whoever with the publike Treasury
Shall stand intrusted; and doth knowingly
Defraud the Commonwealth; or shall purloine,
(Whether it be in goods, or ready Coyne)
The worth of twenty ounces in pure plate,
Let it be loss of life, and of estate.

Whoever this Republike shall betray
Maliciously, or for advance or pay,
Resigne his Trust; or cowardly give up
What he had means to keep, or likely hope;
Let it (when prov'd) be death without reprieving,
Or any hope of temporall forgiving.

Whoever shall from any foraigne State,
Or Prince, take pension; or negotiate
With them, or with their Agents, when they are
With us in Treaties, or in open war,
In State affairs, unless the State gives leave;
Let him, without a pardon, death receive.

Above a moneth together suffer none
To sit hereafter in the Speakers throne,
On some great penalty: Because thereby
Both publike wrongs, and private injuries

May be occasioned. Impose the like
On him that shall absent himself one week
From Parliament, without a good cause shown;
Or, that without leave shall depart the Town.
Let some appearance every day be made,
That this great Body never want a Head
That's visible; and to prevent what may,
Unthought upon, befall us in a day.
Yea, on the Sabboth, for an houre or two,
Convene: for, 'tis a Sabboth-work you do:
And Venice, hath by long experiment
Found, that this Caution may be pertinent;
Nor will it over-burthensome appear,
When they are to continue but one year.

Let none in Parliament have toleration
To mention ought to their disreputation,
Who absent are; except they undertake
Of what they shall aver good proof to make,
On pain of an expulsion; or, permit
An Intimation, likely to beget
A misconjecture, to the injury
Of him, that is not present to reply:
But let th'Accusers and their Accusations
Be known, that those may have due vindications
Who are traduc'd; For, no man should enjoy
A priviledge, his neighbour to destroy.
Moreover, lest the Parliament become
(By multiplying Suits) more burthensome
Then all those other Courts, of whose oppressions
We have complain'd, (and render our conditions
Less curable) let it admit no Cause
But such as hath no remedy by Lawes
In force; or, for a non-fruition
Of Iustice, by their partiall execution.

For, by removing of such grievances,
And to provide against immergencies
Which may occurr (both in affairs abroad,
And here at home) they will have still their load.
If not: the being of a Parliament
Thus constituted, doubtless, will prevent
So many mischiefs, that it will return
Large recompences for all charges born.

Let it expulsion be from thence, for ever,
With some great mulct, for any whosoever,
That, as a Member of the Parliament,
Shall sit two years together; yea, though sent.
And, let no Lawyers practise for a Fee,
Or plead, whil'st of the Parliament they be:
Or any, who there siteth as a Peer,
Be Iudge of any supreme Court that yeer;
Or, during that imployment, execute
A Place, permitting not a Substitute;
That, in Appeals, none may infringe the Lawes,
By being Iudge and Partie in one Cause.

And, that to all men, justice may be done,
Among your Fundamentalls make this one;
That whatsoever shall be taken from
One, few, or many (through all times to come)
In publike wants, and dangers, be repaid
By equall Taxes, generally laid:
And, that they shall not make, or abrogate
A Law, diminishing one mans estate
More then anothers, without recompence,
On whatsoe're occasion or pretence.
Yea, let all mens estates reduced be
To lesse then forty shillings, yearly Fee,
Rather then friend or foe, should justly say,
The publike faith were broken, any way.

Which would inrich us, and innoble more
Then, if our hills of chalk, were silver Oar;
Our sand pure gold; our pebles, pearls of price,
Our fields as fruitfull as old Paradise;
And, ev'ry son, which forth each mother brings,
As Prince, or Lord, and all their Fathers Kings.

Then to prevent, the drawing those together,
Who, for by-ends, would fortifie each other;
Let him that place in Parl'ament supplies,
Who shall by letter, word, or otherwise,
Either contrive, solicite, or propose
Another, during that time, to be chose,
Be from his Trust, exiled with disgrace,
Never to be admitted, to that place.

And, that all Fundamentalls ratifi'd
In Parl'ament, for ever may abide
Inviolated; let no man be sent
A City, Town, or Shire, to represent,
Till by Indenture, under hand and seal,
He stand ingaged to the Common-weal,
And his Electors, that by no endeavour,
He shall repeal, or any way for ever
Weaken these Fundamentalls; but assay,
At all times, to inlarge them what he may:
For, Parl'aments (as heretofore our Kings)
Are but Trustees; and therefore in such things,
As to the publike damage may redound,
As well as they, shold Act within some bound.

By these provisions, (with some other such
Made Fundamentalls, we might very much
Advantage this Republike; and as far
As humane industries enabled are,
(To promise safety and establishment)
Secure from change the present Government,

Till men may dry-shod walk upon the sand,
From Deal, and Dover, Cliffs to Callis strand;
Or, Penmin Maure, be set on Snow-down hills,
And, Time unto their springs, turns back the rills.

This, would be like the river, wherewithall
The Tyrant Queller, clens'd th'Augean stall,
(As Poets faign) and wash away that soil,
And bloud, and filth, which doth our beauty spoil.
By these means, we might both in one, contrive
A true successive Representative,
Compleated in a safe establishment,
For ever, of the self-same Parl'ament,
Producing all their just desires together,
Who seek the one, or who desire the other;
And with prevention of all harms, that may
Be feared, by the one or other way.

By these means, we shall never be without
A Supreme power, or live in any doubt
Of harmfull change, if wisely we pursue
This course; and to our selves continue true.
By these means, there will still be an appearance
Sufficient, to keep up a perseverance,
In all great undertakings, with due order,
And with such quick dispatch, the suits to further
Of men opprest; that, they may hope to see
Those plaints determin'd, which yet endless be;
And never will have end, till wit or force,
Reduce us unto this, or some such course.

By this expedient, they that are in place
At present, may resign without disgrace
The Trust they have, to take awhile their ease,
(Or follow their affairs, as they shall please)
And after one year, back perhaps return
To reassume the burthens they have born.

Hereby, a likely means will be contriv'd
Of that security, which is deriv'd
From many Counsellors: and, distribution
Of burthens, will make easie execution;
More quick, yea, and more cheap dispatches too,
For those, who shall have ought with them to do.

By these means, if, a worthlesse Member come
Among our Worthies, to supply a room,
His heart may changed be; whereas, now, they
Who came in honest, are oft drawn away
From their first Principles, with them to close,
Who, mean to gain, what e're the Publike lose:
Or, at the worst, he must from thence be gone
Before much mischief, can by him be done.
And, such as do confederate and plot
That, for themselves, advantage may be got,
(Though to their Countryes loss, and neighbors wrong)
Shall want the time and means, which doth belong
To such contrivements, as are frequent now,
When, most, each others minds, and interests know:
For, by new Parties, monethly, coming in,
They'l break, as fast as they to knit begin;
And, Gins, which heretofore effects have took
By kindred and alliance, will be broke.

By these means, they, who do command, to day,
Shall learn again to morrow, to obey.
Many, shall be encourag'd to enable
Themselves, in publike, to be serviceable;
And, in few years, some thousands more then now,
The common interest, will learn to know;
And, how they may advance it, when they come
From that grand School, to live again, at home;
And, think themselves, obliged, ev'ry where,
To further it, as well as sitting there.

By this means, ev'ry man, within his Orb
Shall be restrain'd; and none have power to curb
Supreme authority; or, to aspire
By his ambition to a Station higher
Then shall be safe to all, and judged fit
For this free State, with prudence to admit:
Nor shall the daringst tyrant in the land
Presume to move a tongue, or lift a hand
Against that power; or plot, vent, or concceal
Ought which may damnifie this Common-weal.
Yea, by this means, we calmly shall reduce
The Parl'ament, unto it genuine use,
Without advent'ring what may intervene
By Intervalls; and, what hath feared been
(Not without cause) by hazarding to call
A new one; or, by an additionall
Supply to this; as now affairs relate
To home designs, and our next neighb'ring State:
But, if we fail in any circumstance,
Here mentioned, we never shall advance
The Publike interest to that effect,
Which by this Parliament we might expect;
Nor scape that tyranny, which is design'd
By those, who are contrarily inclin'd:
For, they that would be tyrants (knowing those
Who did the Regall tyranny oppose
Still zealous, for the peoples liberty)
Will to effect their purposes comply
With any party; and, then, by displacing,
By disenabling, or els by disgracing
The well-affected, at last, compasse that
Which is by them, in secret aimed at,
(Unlesse prevented) and involve us more
In servile slaveries, then heretofore.

For, doubtless, most of those who did befriend
The tyranny of Kings, will to that end
Adhere to these, in hope by doing thus,
To be reveng'd at last, on them and us.
These are no such Proposalls, as may hatch
A Cocatrice; or, be abus'd to catch
A private interest. No impostures are
Beneath a fair pretence obscured here:
Nor doth their Author act the Mountebank
To any end: For, he expects not thank
For ought by him design'd; nor, cares for more
But to discharge the debt upon his score;
And (if occasion be) to find a gap,
Through which, without a mischief, he may scape.
Which, if he do, he will confess, 'tis more
Then ever he could boast of heretofore;
Or, any other, who thus interrupted
The wilfull practise of a power corrupted,
Unless that GOD, whom nothing can withstand,
Secur'd him, by an over-ruling hand;
Or, by a miracle did change their heart,
As when he did great Nineveh convert.

This is the sum of that, which I remember
Kept me awake, some nights of this November,
When my affairs, which then at hazard lay,
Had tir'd in vain my body all the day;
For, my necessities requir'd the one,
My conscience cry'd, the t'other must be done;
And, if, now ought the worse thereby I fare,
My lot, as I am able, I will bear.

Much more was represented to my view,
Which I am unprepar'd (as yet) to shew,
And you to hear: but, if I had a pen
As acceptable, as some other men,

(And undisturb'd) it might produce perchance,
That, which the Publike weal, might much advance:
Or, had I but a volubility
Of tongue, to help my fluid memory;
Or, durst declare my thoughts, e're them I see
Array'd in words, that, weigh'd they first might be:
Yea, could I speak, as many now can do,
More in one hour, then they e're thought in two,
(Or, then I can be understood in three)
Much more esteem'd would my Proposalls be.

Here I had fixt, but, that there comes to mind
A supplement, remaining yet behind,
Of somwhat represented, as relating
Unto this Parliaments accommodating,
With due conveniences; and with supply
Of things pertaining to the Majesty
Of Supreme Senates: For, though, doubtless, they
Are best adorned, who themselves array
With holiness; though, they have most renown
When righteousness and mercy, is their Crown:
And, though the dignity of Governments,
Consisteth not in outward ornaments,
Or, neat accommodations; yet, the wise,
Having regard to mans infirmities,
Did in all ages, by their joynt consents,
Add to essentiall things, such accidents
As might to those men, make their worth appear,
Who could not see, what in themselves, they were:
And, that they who discern'd it, might not find
Discouragements, in that which is injoyn'd,
To which end, we prescribe unto the sick,
A gilded pill, and trim with Rethorick,
Our Arguments, thereby to palliate
What, we to others would insinuate.

And, to this end, were tipifi'd to me,
Some things, which will, perhaps, hereafter be.
Mark them, if they be worth your heed: if not,
Let them be passed over, as forgot.
Methought, I saw WHITEHALL, new model'd out;
With Tow'rs adorn'd, with strong walls fenc'd about;
With buildings, having much variety
Contriv'd into a neat conformity
Of fair aspect, and duly beautifi'd
With Gardens, walks, and with what els, beside,
Did render it magnificently fit
For their abode, who did inhabit it.

Beside the Fabricks, destined unto
Meer publike use, and common works to do;
As, in the Firmaments wide Orb, there are
Twelve mansions; so, twelve structures, saw I there,
In each of which (as in the Zodiake,
The twelve celestial signs, their Stations take)
The Senators, who moneth by moneth, vvere chose,
Had their distinct abodes; each one of those
In lodgings, by himself; yet, altogether
In one pile, vvho, in one moneth vvere sent thither:
That, for conveniency they might be neer
On all occasions; and, that ev'ry Shire,
Might thereby find the easier addresses,
And, quick dispatches in their businesses.

A constant Table, of one meal a day,
Was there prepared for a frugall pay,
That none might be compelled to stray forth
To places unbeseeming men of vvorth:
And, all things pertinent to preservation
Of health, vvith ev'ry fit accommodation,
Was there contrived, so, as they might
Pursue the Publike service, vvith delight.

No family, was licens'd there, to host;
No, not a wife (except a week, at most,
In guest-wise) lest the publike services
Might be disturb'd by houshold businesses:
Or, least the drudgeries, or nastinesse,
Occasion'd by a numerous accesse
Of children, servants, and their visiters,
Might spread diseases, in infectious years:
And, lest among them, some, through want of grace,
Might bring an evill name upon that place.

Nothing uncomely, or disorder'd there
Could I behold; no noyses did I hear,
Or such loud clamors, as have oft been heard,
Among the rude Jncommers, and the guard;
But, such an awfull silence, as if there
The Turks Grand Signior, always present were
By Mutes attended. To offend the eye,
Or smell, no dung, or sinks, did open lye.
I saw not then, a despicable shed;
No Coach hous'd there, or any Coach horse fed:
No little children in the garden sprawling,
Or, in the Galleries, or Chambers yawling:
No Bakers Boy went tooting of his horn:
No Milk pails there, from place to place were born,
As in those Courts, and Allies which we see
Pester'd with Inmates, and poor lodgers be:
Nor was there born through any passage there,
(Save such, as out of common concourse were)
Unseemly burthens, or, ought els permitted
But what the honor of the place befitted.

A Guard was needlesse then for their defence,
(Since, justice, mercy, and true innocence,
Are guard enough, and keep more safe, by far,
Then if an armed Phalanx doubled were)

They had true peace within; and through the land
No man against them, durst to lift a hand;
But, ev'ry one was ready to attend them,
And with their lives, as their life, to defend them.
Yet, for magnificency, and to further
The preservation of respect and order,
In times of concourse; and that no address
Be made, but with all due respectiveness,
They had an able Band of men selected
Out from among those persons well-affected,
Whose faith and valour had been well approved
In publike services; who, had unmoved
Stood firm in trialls, and whose conversation
Had gained them an honest reputation;
And these, arm'd, govern'd, decently array'd
In liveries alike, and duly paid,
Appear'd to give attendance altogether
When Princes, or Ambassadors came thither:
And, in their turns, at other times, to do,
That service, which they were injoyn'd unto.

Then, forasmuch, as outward habits draw
Respect unto mens persons, there, I saw
That custome, which all Senators did hold
In strict observance, through most times of old,
The Knights and Burgesses who represent
The Nation, entred not the Parliament
In common habits only; but, each one
A robe, or upper garment, did put on
Peculiar to that Senate, differing neither
In fashion, stuffe, or colour from each other.
To signifie (as I conceive) thereby
Their brother-hood, and their equality;
And that, they being thereby differenced
From vulgar persons, might be honored

According to their place, and known among,
And by the people, as they past along
Into the Senate; or, as to and fro,
From place to place, on their affairs they go.

Moreover, when that they had laid aside
Their Senate robes, about their necks I spi'd
A golden Wreath, which thereat pendent had
A Tablet, whereon was enamelled,
The British Isles, within the Ocean plac't;
And with a Verge of curled waves embrac't:
Which was bestown upon them for a badge
of honor, and likewise to priviledge
Their persons, wheresoe're they were unknown;
That due respect might ev'ry where be shown,
And no affronts receiv'd. These badges were
From man to man, (and still from year to year)
Resign'd to their Successors, to be born
By those whom their Electors should return.

Much more I saw, which should I here relate,
Would yet appear, things worthy laughing at;
(As these declar'd, already do to some)
But, when the daies of their admittance come,
(Which I believe draw neer) it will be found
That these Previsions had some likely ground;
And that the heart, from whence all this did flow
Meant well to you, though these things prove not so.

Hear me with patience, but a few words more,
And, to their freedome, I'le your ears restore.
As country folks, to keep out Witches, do
Within the threshold, nail a horses shoe,
So did I, at the fore-door of this piece,
Insert a charm, to keep out prejudice:
And, now, if some way els, it in be brought,
That, at the Back-door, I may thrust it out,

I'le fix a Si quis, (or it may be mo)
Upon the Postern Gate, before I go.

If any think the posture we are in
Will still as prosperous be, as it hath been,
Or, that GOD will this Nation still deliver
By miracles, although we shall persever,
In high presumptions, and supreme neglect
Of that compliance, which he doth expect;
They greatly are deceiv'd: For, know, the end
Of most things, on contingence doth depend.
We of this Nation, having walk'd upon
The Pythagorean Y or, Ypsilon
Are come unto the fork thereof, this day,
Where lies before our face a double way,
The one of them directeth us unto
Prosperity; the other to our woe:
On this hand, Bliss, on that hand, Curses lie;
Proceed this way, and live; go that, and die.
Ev'n Davids temp'rall Kingdom, (though there had
Large promises, concerning it, been made)
Was on his heirs intail'd, for their fruition,
Not absolutely, but upon condition;
Which, being broken; all th'externall power
And glory of it vanisht; so shall our.

Moreover, if that any shall believe
Our hazards are far less then I conceive;
Let them not trust to such a dream as that,
Lest they discover, when it is too late,
The dangers threatning us: For, I have been
Inform'd aright, what perills we are in.
And, whereas, of those things which passed by
From time to time, I sought to satisfie
My private knowledge only, (that I might
Assured be I had observ'd aright)

If I had thereby gathe'rd proofs, to show
To other men, the truth of what I know,
I should of such things demonstration give,
As few suspect, and fewer would believe:
And you would see, that we are in a course
Like his, who in a dark night rode his horse
O're Chepstow bridge, upon a single board,
When lowd to him, the dreadfull waters roar'd,
(Beneath the broken arch) and seem'd to say,
Oh fool! take heed, ther's danger in the way.
And some, perhaps, if they assured were
What hazzards they have past, would die through fear,
As it is said he did, when he had sight,
Next morn, of what he scaped over-night.
We think perhaps, we all this while have been
Upon as plain firm ground as Richmond-green,
Or in a Course, wherein as safe we run
As on the race at Bansted-downs at noon;
When we are rather dancing o're the tops
Of tottering pinacles, on rotten ropes,
Where, but that we by providence are kept,
We down had fell, at every stride we stept.

Yet, for the most part, every losse and streight
Which we are in, makes us but lay more weight
Upon the weak; and each Deliverance
Doth but increase our pride and arrogance,
As if we were resolved, without heed
Of judgments, or of mercies, to proceed,
Untill confusion should compell us to
What we might orderly, and timely do.

Lastly, if any shall be pleas'd to say,
Or dream (as peradventure many may)
That, with affairs I intermeddle here
Which pertinent to my Superiors are,

And not to me: To all these be it known,
The businesse which I treat of is mine own.
I claim, in this Republike, with the best,
A share, proportion'd to my interest;
And freedome, boldly to expresse my mind
As often as I just occasion find.
The common liberty, and common peace
Are truly mine, and no mans, more, or less:
I fought for't, and I pay for't, thrice my share,
According to the part, which many beare.
My Countries wrong is mine; her grief my sorrow,
And therefore they that wound her thrust me thorow.
They, who her wealth or honor fool away,
Fool me, when in that kind the fools they play:
And, therefore they, who thereto Traytors be,
Are therein also Traytors unto me;
And no man can without apparent wrong
Restraint impose upon my pen, or tongue,
In pleading of her cause; nor will I fear
To act my own work in my proper sphere.

For, though I have not power to make a Law,
Or raise an Armie, which can keep in awe
Her private enemies, and open foes;
Yet, I have charms equivalent to those,
In some respects; which operate unseen
Those ends, whereto they have intended been;
And will have due effects, in their despight
Who seek to trample on the common Right.
In this assurance, here I'le add a close,
To this, and leave th'event to GOD'S dispose;
Who, if we shall neglect (a few weeks more)
Good counsell, as we have done heretofore,
Will break down that, which might preserv'd have bin,
And, on another Base his work begin.

NOV. 30.

FINIS.

University of Virginia Library

The Perpetuall PARLIAMENT.

BEING The Result of a Contemplative Vision, revealing a probable meanes of making this Parliament to be both perpetuall, and acceptable to these Nations, if they so please.