University of Virginia Library

[For who can (but with pittie) here behold]

For who can (but with pittie) here behold
These multitudes of mischiefes manifold,
Shall Rivers thus be barr'd with stops and locks,
With Mills, and Hills, with gravels beds, and rocks:
With weares, and weedes, and forced Islands made,
To spoyle a publique for a private Trade?
Shame fall the doers, and th'Almighties blessing
Be heap'd upon their heads that seeke redressing.
Were such a businesse to be done in Flanders
Or Holland mongst the industrious Netherlanders,
They to deepe passages would turne our hils,
To Windmills they would change our watermils.
All helps unto these rivers they would ayd,
And all impediments shall be destroyed:
Our vagabonds (the wandring brood of Caine,)
They would inforce those runnagates take paine,
Whereby much profit quickly would accrue,
(For labour robs the hangman of his due.)
In common reason, all men must agree:
That if these Rivers were made cleane and free,
One Barge, with eight poore mens industrious paines,
Would carry more than forty carts or waines.
And every waine to draw them horses five,
And each two men or boye, to guide or drive.
Charge of an hundred horse and eighty men
With eight mens labour would be served then,
Thus man would be imployd, and horse preserv'd,
And all the Countrey at cheape rates be serv'd.
'Tis said the Dutchmen taught us drinke and swill,
I'm sure we goe beyond them in that skill,
I wish (as we exceede them in what's bad)
That we some portion of their goodnesse had:
Then should this worthy worke be soone begun,
And with successefull expedition done?
Which I despaire not of, but humbly plead,
That God his blessings will increase and spread
On them that love this worke, and on their heires,
Their goods and chattels, and on all that's theirs?
I wish them blest externall, and internall
And in the end with happinesse eternall.