University of Virginia Library

UPON Sir Thomas Martin

Who subscribed a Warrant thus. We the Knights and Gentlemen of the Committee, &c. When there was no Knight but himselfe.

Hang out a flag, and gather pence a piece
(Which Affrick never bred, nor swelling greece
With stories Timpany) a beast so rare,
No Lecturers wrought cap, nor Bartholmew fare
Can match him; natures whimsey, one that out-vies
Trediskin and his arke of Novelties.
The Gog and Magog of prodigious sights
With reverence to your eyes, Sir Thomas Knights:
But is this bigamy of titles due?
Are you Sir Thomas, and Sir Martin too?
Isachar couchant 'twixt a brace of Sirs,
Thou Knighthood in a paire of panniers.
Thou that look'st wrapt up in a warlike leather,
Like Valentine and Orson bound together.
Spurs representative! thou that art able
To be a Voider to King Arthurs Table:
Who in this sacrilegious masse of all,
It seems ha's swallowed Windsors Hospitall.
Paire-royall headed Cerberus his Cozen:
Hercules labours were a Bakers dozen.
Had he but trumpt on thee, whose forked neck
Might well have answered at the Font of Smeck:
But can a Knighthood on a Knighthood lie,
Mettall on mettall is ill Armoury.
And yet the knowne Godfrey of Bullion's coat
Shines in exception to the Heraulds vote.
Great spirits move not by pendantick laws
There actions, though eccentrick, state the cause,
And Priscian bleeds with honour: Cæsar thus
Subscrib'd two Consuls with one Julius.
Tom never oaded Squire scarce Yeoman high,
Is Tom twice dipt knight of a double dye?
Fond man! whose fate is in his name betrai'd,
It is the setting Sun doubles his shade;
But it's no matter, for Amphibious he
May have a Knight hang'd, yet Sir Tom go free.