The tired Petitioner, to His noble Friends who are Members of the honourable House of Commons [by George Wither] |
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 | The tired Petitioner, to His noble Friends |  |
1
The tired Petitioner,
TO His noble Friends, who are Members of the honourable House of Commons.
Sirs, if this Paper find you (who, to me
Are not so fully knowne, as you should be)
It comes to move, that, my Petitions may
Obtaine your Answer without more delay;
Lest by Attendance (as my Neighbours do)
With my Estate, I lose my Patience too.
For, I have waited, and endur'd so long,
That, no Result can doe me greater wrong
Then lingring hopes; And, were I quite undone,
I, possibly, another course might run
To be repair'd again, ere I obtaine
That Benefit, which I, had hope to gaine:
Or, els, might find some other likely way
To fit me for the part I have to play.
Are not so fully knowne, as you should be)
It comes to move, that, my Petitions may
Obtaine your Answer without more delay;
Lest by Attendance (as my Neighbours do)
With my Estate, I lose my Patience too.
For, I have waited, and endur'd so long,
That, no Result can doe me greater wrong
Then lingring hopes; And, were I quite undone,
I, possibly, another course might run
To be repair'd again, ere I obtaine
That Benefit, which I, had hope to gaine:
Or, els, might find some other likely way
To fit me for the part I have to play.
Some say my Friends are moe then I do know:
And, I am hopefull that it may be so;
For, if kind language, and much complement
Are signes thereof; nor Christendome, nor Kent
Knowes any man who may himselfe apply
Unto your House, with better hopes then I:
But, if by reall-deeds, it must be known
What Friends I have, their number small is grown:
Or, els, their Pow'r attaineth not unto
Those Friendly Offices they wish to do;
And, peradventure, they obstructed be
In their endeavours, by defects in me.
And, I am hopefull that it may be so;
For, if kind language, and much complement
Are signes thereof; nor Christendome, nor Kent
Knowes any man who may himselfe apply
Unto your House, with better hopes then I:
But, if by reall-deeds, it must be known
What Friends I have, their number small is grown:
Or, els, their Pow'r attaineth not unto
Those Friendly Offices they wish to do;
And, peradventure, they obstructed be
In their endeavours, by defects in me.
2
It may be 'tis observ'd, I want Relations,
Guifts-qualifying, or those Commendations
That should advance my Suites; and, which do make
Those active, who, mens Causes undertake;
And I halfe think it so: For, e're this day,
Some one or other had, els, gotten way
For my Petitions; or appeared able
To make my suites and me considerable;
Since, others, who have neither lost, nor spent,
Nor for the Publike, hazzarded or lent
Life, Limb, or money; (yea, though they, before,
Had profitable places) meet with more
Successe then I; and, daily can be heard
With expedition, and with good regard.
Guifts-qualifying, or those Commendations
That should advance my Suites; and, which do make
Those active, who, mens Causes undertake;
And I halfe think it so: For, e're this day,
Some one or other had, els, gotten way
For my Petitions; or appeared able
To make my suites and me considerable;
Since, others, who have neither lost, nor spent,
Nor for the Publike, hazzarded or lent
Life, Limb, or money; (yea, though they, before,
Had profitable places) meet with more
Successe then I; and, daily can be heard
With expedition, and with good regard.
But, (whatsoe're the other causes are
Why thus it comes to passe) this, doth appear,
That, they who now are my Competitors,
Have so o'rematched my Solicitors,
That, if I speed, your House, will prove, to me,
A better Friend then Individuals be.
Why thus it comes to passe) this, doth appear,
That, they who now are my Competitors,
Have so o'rematched my Solicitors,
That, if I speed, your House, will prove, to me,
A better Friend then Individuals be.
I find, that, many who, a while agoe,
Appear'd for me, do now (Gradatim) grow
Elsewhere ingag'd. I find, that, they begin
To reckon, how the place hath valued been;
And, to expostulate, and to admire
How, I, to an Employment dar'd aspire
Of Trust or Worth; who, am dispoil'd of that,
Which (in their judgment) should secure the State:
As if, a known unblamed-Conversation
Were no Security; or, out of fashion:
As if, my portion, in the publike hand,
Might not, aswell, for good-assurance stand,
As if it were in mine: Or, as if he
Who, for his Country, prodigill could be
Of all he had, deserv'd not to be thought
As trusty, as they are, who, never, ought
Adventur'd; nor had ought, but what they got
By gaining Trust, where they deserv'd it not.
If all were weigh'd admire they rather may
That, I my paines dare venture in a way
Wherein, I have so often sought in vain,
Those things, which unto me of right, pertain.
They might admire, that I, who have not bin
A Servant, nor, am known to be, of kin
To Peer or Commoner; nor have the skill
To make a Partie; nor, thereto, a Will:
That, I who follow Suites, as if I thought,
That Justice, should be neither sold nor bought,
Or got by importunities; save, where
The Judge doth neither GOD, nor Mortal fear:
That, I, should ever hope to compasse that,
Which any other thinkes worth aiming at;
Since, cause, perhaps enough, is found, why none
Thus minded, should presume to think upon
A Place of profit; and, conceive to get
His hopes, by merit, honesty, or wit:
For, I do find that, in this undertaking
Great rubs are made (and many other making)
So troublesome to passe, that, I am tir'd:
And, had I but that competence acquir'd,
Which I have lost; this life, I would not live,
For all, the King and Parliament could give.
Appear'd for me, do now (Gradatim) grow
Elsewhere ingag'd. I find, that, they begin
To reckon, how the place hath valued been;
And, to expostulate, and to admire
How, I, to an Employment dar'd aspire
Of Trust or Worth; who, am dispoil'd of that,
Which (in their judgment) should secure the State:
As if, a known unblamed-Conversation
Were no Security; or, out of fashion:
As if, my portion, in the publike hand,
Might not, aswell, for good-assurance stand,
As if it were in mine: Or, as if he
Who, for his Country, prodigill could be
Of all he had, deserv'd not to be thought
As trusty, as they are, who, never, ought
Adventur'd; nor had ought, but what they got
By gaining Trust, where they deserv'd it not.
3
That, I my paines dare venture in a way
Wherein, I have so often sought in vain,
Those things, which unto me of right, pertain.
They might admire, that I, who have not bin
A Servant, nor, am known to be, of kin
To Peer or Commoner; nor have the skill
To make a Partie; nor, thereto, a Will:
That, I who follow Suites, as if I thought,
That Justice, should be neither sold nor bought,
Or got by importunities; save, where
The Judge doth neither GOD, nor Mortal fear:
That, I, should ever hope to compasse that,
Which any other thinkes worth aiming at;
Since, cause, perhaps enough, is found, why none
Thus minded, should presume to think upon
A Place of profit; and, conceive to get
His hopes, by merit, honesty, or wit:
For, I do find that, in this undertaking
Great rubs are made (and many other making)
So troublesome to passe, that, I am tir'd:
And, had I but that competence acquir'd,
Which I have lost; this life, I would not live,
For all, the King and Parliament could give.
One, of your Order, told me, at your dore
Since my last-suite was tendred (and, before
He had perused it) that, I deserved
No Favour: (Oh! how strangely have I swerved!)
But, as, I to his face, made answer, then,
So, now, I say, (and I will say't agen)
Let me receive but Justice, and I'le wave
All humane-Mercie; and, yet hope to have
A happier condition by the same
Then that, whereto, I now exposed am.
Since my last-suite was tendred (and, before
He had perused it) that, I deserved
No Favour: (Oh! how strangely have I swerved!)
But, as, I to his face, made answer, then,
So, now, I say, (and I will say't agen)
Let me receive but Justice, and I'le wave
All humane-Mercie; and, yet hope to have
A happier condition by the same
Then that, whereto, I now exposed am.
Another of them tells me, that, in vain,
I seek, what I make suit for, in the maine,
Whil'st I am in Confinement: As if, you
Could but one Blessing, at one time, allow:
Or els, as if, because I now have had
(Like one, of whom the slight'st account is made)
Nine Months Restraint (and, thereby am become
A Bond-man, without either formall-doome
Or, Breach of Law,) I, therefore, must expect,
My chiefe desire, will find the lesse effect:
Which seemes to me, as if a man should say,
The more he owes, the lesse he means to pay.
I seek, what I make suit for, in the maine,
Whil'st I am in Confinement: As if, you
Could but one Blessing, at one time, allow:
4
(Like one, of whom the slight'st account is made)
Nine Months Restraint (and, thereby am become
A Bond-man, without either formall-doome
Or, Breach of Law,) I, therefore, must expect,
My chiefe desire, will find the lesse effect:
Which seemes to me, as if a man should say,
The more he owes, the lesse he means to pay.
A third man intimates; because, he sees
I wear not, yet Sheeps-leather, or Welch-freeze;
(But, by GOD'S blessing, hitherto have borne
My usuall Port, to put aside the scorne
Of Knaves and Fooles) that I am not undone
Sufficiently, to be so thought upon
As I desire: But, such as these prolong
The publike Judgements, and our private wrong,
Through want of reall feeling what we bear
Whose plaints they pocket, and whose cries they heare
Without regard: For, when we most are griev'd,
So little of our suffrings is believ'd,
As if men had nor heart nor power to think,
That ought we ayl'e, till we be dead and stink.
I wear not, yet Sheeps-leather, or Welch-freeze;
(But, by GOD'S blessing, hitherto have borne
My usuall Port, to put aside the scorne
Of Knaves and Fooles) that I am not undone
Sufficiently, to be so thought upon
As I desire: But, such as these prolong
The publike Judgements, and our private wrong,
Through want of reall feeling what we bear
Whose plaints they pocket, and whose cries they heare
Without regard: For, when we most are griev'd,
So little of our suffrings is believ'd,
As if men had nor heart nor power to think,
That ought we ayl'e, till we be dead and stink.
A fifth, doth much perswade me to forbeare
My present Suite; because he seemes to fear
My late bold-numbers have incenst so many,
That, I shall hardly find regard from any,
When I expect it: which, to be believed,
(Where I have hope with grace to be received)
Is so abominable; that, I trust
To find their Generall-Conclusions just,
(Though I in person, goods, and reputation,
Have lately suffered by misinformation:)
For (thought I otherwise) I would disdain
To them, for Grace or Justice to complain;
Though I were plung'd, into a worse condition,
Then seems approaching, by my last Petition.
My present Suite; because he seemes to fear
My late bold-numbers have incenst so many,
That, I shall hardly find regard from any,
When I expect it: which, to be believed,
(Where I have hope with grace to be received)
Is so abominable; that, I trust
To find their Generall-Conclusions just,
(Though I in person, goods, and reputation,
Have lately suffered by misinformation:)
For (thought I otherwise) I would disdain
To them, for Grace or Justice to complain;
Though I were plung'd, into a worse condition,
Then seems approaching, by my last Petition.
I cannot fear that they who true-men be,
Will for true-speaking be displeas'd with me,
But, rather, by vouchsafing what I crave
Be glad the Kingdome may occasion have
To see their Justice, by repairing him,
Who gave himselfe, to be undone for them:
For them, who buy lesse honour, at the price,
Then may be purchased by this device.
Will for true-speaking be displeas'd with me,
5
Be glad the Kingdome may occasion have
To see their Justice, by repairing him,
Who gave himselfe, to be undone for them:
For them, who buy lesse honour, at the price,
Then may be purchased by this device.
But, hitherto, my hopes, do not succeed
According to my suffrings, and my need.
Two Monthes, upon one Suite, I have bestowne;
Upon a former, thrice three Monthes, and one;
Upon another, foure times three, and nine;
Yet, still, some other Cause out-justles mine:
And, ev'n by favours hitherto obtained,
More Mischiefes, then Advantages, are gained;
Because, in th'execution, they have wanted
That influence, whereby they first were granted.
According to my suffrings, and my need.
Two Monthes, upon one Suite, I have bestowne;
Upon a former, thrice three Monthes, and one;
Upon another, foure times three, and nine;
Yet, still, some other Cause out-justles mine:
And, ev'n by favours hitherto obtained,
More Mischiefes, then Advantages, are gained;
Because, in th'execution, they have wanted
That influence, whereby they first were granted.
This, with uncrazed patience I can bear,
So long as my desires delay'd appear,
By those affaires, which profitable bee
Unto the Publike, though they hinder mee;
Since, whilst that thrives, I cannot be bereft
Of all my hopes, nor comfortlesse be left.
But, if I still perceive my Suites delay'd,
Or crost, for Private-ends; I am afraid
My Greevances, will make my Plaints outroare
The Cries, of all the Women at your dore.
So long as my desires delay'd appear,
By those affaires, which profitable bee
Unto the Publike, though they hinder mee;
Since, whilst that thrives, I cannot be bereft
Of all my hopes, nor comfortlesse be left.
But, if I still perceive my Suites delay'd,
Or crost, for Private-ends; I am afraid
My Greevances, will make my Plaints outroare
The Cries, of all the Women at your dore.
Preserve I would, according to my might,
My Private-Freedomes, with our Publike-Right;
And, Wise-men will consider, that, unlesse
They heed, sometime, a single-mans distresse,
(At least in his extreames) that, one by one,
The Generality may be undone;
And, that, a bruise upon the smallest-toe
May cause the bodies totall overthrow.
My Private-Freedomes, with our Publike-Right;
And, Wise-men will consider, that, unlesse
They heed, sometime, a single-mans distresse,
(At least in his extreames) that, one by one,
The Generality may be undone;
And, that, a bruise upon the smallest-toe
May cause the bodies totall overthrow.
In me (although my sufferings are despis'd)
The Common-Greevance, is epitomis'd;
And, as, this day, the Kingdomes Cause doth lye
Distrest between two Factions, so do I;
For, what some would have granted for my sake,
Is crost, for their sakes, who the motion make;
And, that man, by no party groweth strong,
Who sides not with it, both in Right, and Wrong.
The Common-Greevance, is epitomis'd;
And, as, this day, the Kingdomes Cause doth lye
Distrest between two Factions, so do I;
6
Is crost, for their sakes, who the motion make;
And, that man, by no party groweth strong,
Who sides not with it, both in Right, and Wrong.
In all things which, undoubtedly appeare,
Unto my Conscience, I, to both adhere;
And, do from neither, purposely dissent,
To make a Schisme, or nourish discontent.
I have in both, professed Foes and Friends;
In both, I have some hopes, on both, some ends;
But, without all designments upon either,
Save, how I may unite them, both together,
In such a Posture, as may free this Land
From those distructions, that seeme neer at hand;
And, wooe them to be just, in every Action,
Without respect to Friend, to Foe or Faction.
Unto my Conscience, I, to both adhere;
And, do from neither, purposely dissent,
To make a Schisme, or nourish discontent.
I have in both, professed Foes and Friends;
In both, I have some hopes, on both, some ends;
But, without all designments upon either,
Save, how I may unite them, both together,
In such a Posture, as may free this Land
From those distructions, that seeme neer at hand;
And, wooe them to be just, in every Action,
Without respect to Friend, to Foe or Faction.
Who e're, among you, shall thus minded be,
Whether he seem to love or malice me,
Whether he be of th'one to'ther side,
Whether my Suites be granted or denide,
By his endeavourings; it shall not wrest
My thoughts, for any private interest,
To murmur at him; so, he will befriend
My Suite so much, to bring it to an end:
That, from your Labyrinths, I may retire;
And, be again at leisure to enquire
What will become of Me; and, what of Them,
Who take the Courses, which I most contemn.
For, to retreat, and gotten ground to yeeld,
Is, otherwhile, the meanes to win a field;
And, he that would turne Floods another way,
Must dig his Draine, hefore he builds his Bay.
Whether he seem to love or malice me,
Whether he be of th'one to'ther side,
Whether my Suites be granted or denide,
By his endeavourings; it shall not wrest
My thoughts, for any private interest,
To murmur at him; so, he will befriend
My Suite so much, to bring it to an end:
That, from your Labyrinths, I may retire;
And, be again at leisure to enquire
What will become of Me; and, what of Them,
Who take the Courses, which I most contemn.
For, to retreat, and gotten ground to yeeld,
Is, otherwhile, the meanes to win a field;
And, he that would turne Floods another way,
Must dig his Draine, hefore he builds his Bay.
Heu; Temporum, prævaricati Mores!
Quis, delegabit Misero favores?
Quis, auscultabit Populi Clamores?
Vel, quis pensabit Pauperum Dolores?
Quis, delegabit Misero favores?
Quis, auscultabit Populi Clamores?
Vel, quis pensabit Pauperum Dolores?
7
Nemo, fert Opem, viro perituro;
Sic ERAT, EST, ac ERIT in futuro;
Vt olim, tamen, in hæc Verba juro,
Nec Habeo, nec Careo, nec Curo.
Sic ERAT, EST, ac ERIT in futuro;
Vt olim, tamen, in hæc Verba juro,
Nec Habeo, nec Careo, nec Curo.
Nec Habeo, quod visus sum habere;
Nec Careo, quod multi caruêre,
Nec Curo, quamvis devoratus ferè;
Nam, Deo Vero, spem repono, verè.
Nec Careo, quod multi caruêre,
Nec Curo, quamvis devoratus ferè;
Nam, Deo Vero, spem repono, verè.
Which is in English to this effect.
Oh! how corrupt this Age in manners growes!
Who, to the Miserable, mercy showes?
Who, on the Peoples cries, an ear bestowes?
Or, who compassionates the Poore-mans woes?
Who, to the Miserable, mercy showes?
Who, on the Peoples cries, an ear bestowes?
Or, who compassionates the Poore-mans woes?
To succour the Distressèd, none appear;
Thus 'twas, thus 'tis; and thus I'me like to fare:
Yet, as of old, this Motto, still, I bear;
I neither have, nor want, nor do I care.
Thus 'twas, thus 'tis; and thus I'me like to fare:
Yet, as of old, this Motto, still, I bear;
I neither have, nor want, nor do I care.
I have not, what I had a while agoe;
I want not, that, which many others do;
Nor care I, though I quite neglected grow;
For, I in GOD confide, and will do so.
I want not, that, which many others do;
Nor care I, though I quite neglected grow;
For, I in GOD confide, and will do so.
A Post-script.
He, that hath Money to procure his ends,Needs neither strain his wits, nor tire his Friends.
He, that hath Friends, his matters to contrive,
May (though he hath nor Wit, nor Money) live.
He, that hath Wit, and wants the former two,
May live more richly, then he seemes to do.
He, that hath two of these, und wants but one,
Can neither happy be, nor quite undone?
He, that hath all of these, might be a King,
If he could wish, to be so poore a thing:
And, he that is depriv'd of all the three,
May be an English-man, for ought I see.
FINIS.
| The tired Petitioner, to His noble Friends | |