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

Ye, Men of Valour, honorably bred
At armes; whose Glory, deeply Registred,
Stands to succeeding Times, as men of Trust,
Integrity, and tendernes, in Just
Defence of Truth, King, Country, Covenant,

The calling of our deserving Commanders, Officers in chief and Souldiery evidenced, from proof of constant faithfulnesse in the Cause of God, as reserved for the ensueing work.

God calls anew. Behold, he will not want
Your Testimony. Never grounds more clear
For Noble action, did then now appear.

Have guarded been your hearts, your hands kept clean
In Scotland's late Eclipse? How clear is seen

In this God's speciall hand? While not the least

From their witnessing against the unlawfull engagement choosing rather to be without charge, then to charge their consciences with a sinful compliance.

In quality and number, were possest
Of a Malignant Spirit, did ye stand
Free of Compliance, Order, or Command
Destructive to his Cause, and closely kept
At your first Principles? The hand that heapt
Upon them shame did fixe you in your spheare,
That yet his Standart ye on high might reare.

How calme a Peace, what quietnesse of minde

Their peace of minde arising from the sense of mercie, supported against the power of temptations from the Isle of Wight and preservd from acting at Mauchlin-mure, the prelude of an unlucky Tragedy.

I ask, enjoy ye (if a tongue can finde
Words sutable) whom frown, nor favour's smile,
Nor Hopes, nor Honours, from the fatall Isle
Whence were reviv'd our woes, (Preferment, Place,
And Pension proof) enduc't not, charge t' embrace
Saints' blood to shed; while (witnesse to their zeal)
To some, death sign'd a passe; and some a seal
Bare hence, best suteing base Malignancy;
Men, whom unsound diseased Times did try.

But heark! a voice, past whispring in the ear,

Their concession to the late King's removall from Newcastle objected and answered.

Calls for your vindication, how ye clear
Your Rendring in the powre of Armed bands
Your Rendred Prince, while pow'r was in your hands.

But, (as profest, protested, and declard,

1. As proceeding from Trust to these manifold professions, protestations, declarations, yea engagement of the publike faith of the Kingdom in order to a safe, free and honourable Treaty between the King and Parliament.

2. From the foreseen danger to the Work of Reformation and breach of the peace of the Kingdoms through his Ma, supposed purpose of addresse to Scotland, being firme in judgment and profestly standing for grounds solemnly abjured by Us and destructive of the Covenant.

Yea publick faith empaund,) who have not heard
How, not a shew pretended of intent,
Save (for a Treaty with the Parliament)
To serve his Royall Person for a guard,
Yet, of base acts they not the basest spar'd
Could serve their ends? And, what the Consequence
Had (heer) produc't, (if by your conduct hence
He should haue hither turn'd, while broiles and blood,
(Effects of factions and of tumults rude)
The Land did fill, who lay aright to heart?
Yea, while his resolution not to part
With principles (exprest, by him, a Tye
Which Life and Crownes engadg't,) for Prelacy

And book of Pray'r, so solemnly abjur'd:
While this His minde his Majestie assur'd,
Who could haue (heer) comply'd? Who, saue these men
(Our Peace-disturbers) should haue said Amen?
How (both within, and from without, renu'd)
Had not a bloody dispute thence ensu'd?
Us, Conscience of our League keept firme. If they
Prevaricating, wickedly did stray
From Honour, Duty, Faith, then grounds how Just
Thus offer, how this doubt may be discust?

The ignoble carriage of those perfidious Impostors (betrayers of trust) a just motive for men of honour so fowly faild to, to call to account the Authors and complices of this impudent Treachery.

How best your candour and ingenuous way
May as the Sun appear at the Noon-day,
Endeavouring (in due time) to Right a wrong,
Which heavens, though men should passe, shall judge ere long.

A broken Covenant, base perjury,

All degrees sensible of God's and the Kingdom's dishonour called to joine with the King (owning the Cause and Covenant) in charging home upon wicked Covenant-breakers this inexpiable injury.

All with their sin who stick not to comply,
Call to make ready, and for God to rise,
For King and Country, lookt on as a prise
By men of bloods. Thus shall fowl mouths be closde
Your streight proceedings to reproach disposde,
Thus Scotland's glory grow, and thus made known
That Gedeon's hundreds heer, our God will own,
Lead forth, and fit, when he the word shall give
For him to Act; dead hearts who can revive,
Even prompt your hands and Spirits for these ends
On which the Generall Happinesse depends,
The Prince and People acting (one in heart
In Will and Counsell) each, a gallant part,
Engadg'd in God; on which condition closde
Our Noble undertakings are supposde,
That all obstructions from the way remov'd
By Uniforme consent may be approv'd.
Let Colours fly, Drums beat. Gird on your swords.
Arme, Gallants, Arme. The Battell is the Lord's.