Prologue.
A Pedlar in haste with an Horn.
STand off, make roome, give way, for I come Post,
My Fairings do run wilde from the Irish Coast;
Poore Cram a Cree untrouz'd, O hone! O hone!
Hath lost his cows, his sheep, his Bagh, all's gone:
All is transported hither, view it, view,
Patrick is to be sold at Bartholmew.
All Saints must bow in the old Calender
Unto Saint Ireton, and Saint Oliver:
For the himself is shipp'd, Father and Son,
Pompey and Caesars Wars are now begun.
Thus for a Ceremony, and poore jarres,
The Saints do keep us still in civill warres.
This Bartholmew will be the last, I fear,
Fair, we shall see: the next is Py-Powder.
Take every one, a Fairing now, be sped,
You Presbyter, a Bishop in Ginger-bread:
You Cavaleers what will you buy? or how
Here go by Goldsmiths Hall, the States milcht Cow.
You Independents buy no trifling matters,
Hobby horses, babies, d [...]shes, or Platters:
You are for Kings Revenues, Crown, and Jewels,
And Hangings too, or you'l nere have your due else.
Come buy these curious Pendents, and these knots,
They are Scotizing Saints, Saintizing Scots.
You Papists, which have juggled with the King,
Buy you these Crosses, now the Saints-bells-ring.
You honest Citizens who yet stand true,
Gainst Pres, and Dep, and Pap. and Div: and Jew:
Take ye this Book, and on the day of joy
Laugh at old Nol, and drink to the black Boy.
Exit.
Enter 3. Independent Committeemens wives, Mrs. Avery, Mrs. Try-all, and Mrs. Woola'stone.
Mrs. Aver:
GOod day to you sisters, I may give you the good speed, for I know you to be of the Houshold, for unlesse it be to such, (it was Mr. Fenne of Coventrey's opinion, and a good one) we might not give it truly.
Mrs. Try.
Mr. Wheatley of Bambury (under whom I was taught in my minority, and learn'd the passive obedience of a Bride (though his Rush was a very thorny one to us since) was of the same minde, and would not have us scatter our Salutations at randome upon any whom, but onely Chosen ones, such as you Mrs. Avery, and you my most intimate and throughly edified Sister Woola'stone; and I think we may bestow the kisse also (salute.)
Mrs. Wool:
Verily yes sister, it is now holy, when holy persons use it, we make every thing holy we use; for the Creature was made for us, and Creature-comfort too; Be they higher, or be they lower.
Mrs. Aver:
Indeed sister you have said well, and do well, and we shall all do so, we do endeavour it.— Creature-comforts! a pretty word, that of my sisters—(steps aside and writes it down) I would not for a world but that I could use my hand; I can raise any thing by the means of it, and hold what I get.—Creature-comforts! very good.
Mrs. Try:
It was very long ere the Parliament thought upon us, in that point, but I knew they would put home at last; Mr. Martin promised upon his Honesty, (an Oath truly that I have kept with me) that we should in time be remembred for our Bodkins, Silver-spoons, and Caudle-cups, and now they have done it to the purpose: this gift of the New Park, insooth sister was it not a pat, a very pat and opposite, a very pertinent, and as Mr. [Page 2] Goodwine said, a very sutable and agreeing Present for us; We had no place of Air before, but common with Infidels, the Cabs and Cabbages, the Grays-Inne-Rufflers, and Hide-Park-Jesabels, who did prophane and unhallow those good places, and otherwise wholsome Recreations.
Mrs. Aver:
Indeed our Husband shall buy a Coach; it is too far for a Sedan, and I cannot endure to have men under me, it is unnaturall, and unfriendly; what can a St. do a Man-back? Fy, fy, fy.
Mrs. Wool:
My Husband shall get stone-horses, and we will use them, indeed we will sister, and flant it with the best, and in our own Park too. In our New Park, we will have Old doings, I warrant you.
Mrs. Try:
I have acquainted Mr Martin with our intentions, and he saith he will move the House, and will not be denyed now Cromwel's gone; and we shal have an Ordinance for a Cheescake House, and there shall be a Summer-house too, and meet with-drawing Places. Mr. Martin is a very understanding Gentleman, as most is in the House, and knows what belongs to womens matters very well.
Mrs. Wool:
The Noble Lieut: Gen: is as understanding every whit as himself, and would have gone as far in the Businesse, as he, if you would use him as I have done, you would say so sister; He has a notable Head-piece, and another Piece too: Indeed he is a Man every inch of him. They call him Iron-sides; Alas, he is flesh and blood as other men are, and after the Conquest of Ireland and those wilde Savages, he will return and do wonderfully.
Mrs. Aver:
We will have our New Park strew'd with Rushes against his return, and we will have Cornets under every Tree, our Husbands shall find all. O it will be a glorious thing to hear all our Hus [...]ands Cornets sounding together!
Mrs. Try:
I, and all the Saints Cornets in the City befides, what an harmony 'twill be! The Hoboyes are nothing to it; no, the Lanc: Horn-pipe is not to be compar'd to our London Cornets.
Mrs. Wool:
I long for that day, that will be a Summers day, that will be a day of Jubilee; it shall be St. Olivers day, the Aldermen shall be in their Scarlets, and the Livery in Velvet, all our Husbands shall be in Velvet from head to foot.
Mrs. Aver:
O deer! in good sooth sister it will be very pomponatious. But are you resolv'd upon the meeting there? I will send my 3 Dishes, besides Wine and Sweet meats, and a Rosebag and other knacks. But my Husband cannot possibly go, he is so given to the world, he is a very Martha.
Mrs. Try:
So is mine too; when I am abroad he is seldome with me. But who shall we have then in their places?
Mrs. Wool:
Some of the young Divines, they will about the beginning of the week be for us: Good men! The latter end they bestow upon our Souls, and the beginning upon our Bodies; they labour night and day for our goods.
Mrs. Wool:
My Man Ralph hath made the prettiest things upon the Present, and so magified the Parliament, as passes all understanding.
Mrs. Try:
My Man is a Poet too, honest Roger, a Knights Son, I can tell you: His Father is a Cavalier, and with the residue of his estate after his Composition bound him to my husband, and truly he does such rare things as I cannot tell they do so ravish me: he shall bring some of his works with the junkets. Remember I prethee the Codling Tart sister.
Mrs. Aver:
I shall dear sister, and doest hear? put good store of Amber greece in the Werden and Quince Pyes.
Mrs. Try:
I am foro the Marrow Pyes, I will so feast my little Levites, that they shall take New Park for Marrow-bone.
Mrs. Aver:
And when all's eat, and throughly concocted, and applyed, it shall be Hide Park too.
Exeunt.
Actus secundus.
Enter three Independent Ministers, Mr. Learned, Mr. Olduns, Mr. Bew, as in a Chamber.
Mr. Ler:
Welcome my fellow-Labourers: our Harvest
Is not as the lean Countrey-Pulpit-Thrashers,
Who work for the tenth-cock, and Easter Book,
And twice a yeer rejoyce, or chance to chirpe
At the delivery of a pregnant sow,
Or teeme of goslings: No my Sunday swabbers:
[Page 4]We have one day of Adams heavy curse
The Sabbath, that's our day of sweat, not Rest.
So that our yeer consists of fifty two
Dayes of work and swinck: All the rest are holy.
Almost 300. holyd a yes we make,
My head's a Bible with an Almanake.
Mr. Old:
Moonday's our prime festivall, Luna
Begins our merriment, and Venus ends:
For Saturne makes us melancholy; then
We are for Text, and Exposition: that is
But half holy day, some sack, some notes:
The morn at Syon Colledge, the afternoon
At [...] in Coleman-street: where we agree
What part oth' news to preach; what Pray'r, what Use,
(Such as the State prescribes) and the works done,
This Work of double Honour.
Mr. Bew.
Double? Treble:
The Primitive Converts layd not more at feet
Of th'Apostles, nor did they spend it so.
Yet we allow old Paul 3 Tavernes, but
Mr. Ler:
Come sit my friends.
(draws a bottle from under the Table)
Come forth (my Posteller) this is Tonseca
The Learned Spaniard, this, this is the Book,
Which gives us Learning, and a politique look:
By vertue of this Author, Don Canary,
Wespeak what truth we please, or else it vary.
(Fils into the glasse,
Look! how he spirits dance, see how they skirre it?
We that drink this, must need hold forth the Spirit.
Olduns, this lusty glasse to all those eyes,
(dr.)
Whose whites we lift (as I do this) toth' skies.
Mr. Old:
To those that sigh at every Lard, and ab,
And hum, we make upon the Sabbath day.
(dr.)
Mr. Bew.
To all those pretty rogues, whose hearts we break
On Sunday, and tickle on the rest oth' week.
One knocks without.
Mr. Ler:
How now! my Spaniard must retyre, hees grave,
And can't endure strange faces. Back to the cell.
[Page 5]This brittle Instrument must to his case;
Hides Bottle and glasse.
Reach hither Foxly he shall lye ith' place;
(Here Reynolds Sermons) whose most learned Books
Are the gull'd peoples baits, and we the Hooks.
Knocks again.
Whose there? have patience, and I come; (brother)
Remember where I left, we must not smoother
Our sgifts, nor under Bushels put the light.
Yes.
Enter Ralph Short-hand.
Mr. Ler:
Ralph Shorthand! what my Stenographicall Sermon catcher, my Imp of Repetitions, and Conserves of my small wares of Divinity, little Pedlar of my Dominicall labours, how doest thou sweet youth? what is the businesse?
(Gives a Letter.)
Ralph.
This Letter (Sir) will speak it self; the letter (Sir) as you have often hinted, is no killing letter, nor a dead letter, Sir, I have brought the Argentum vivum of the last Edition: no Carolus upon these white-boyes, nor Dei gratiâ neither, but Anno Libertatis, and what is it? Crucis novae? as you will read (Sir) better in these circles.
delivers the money.
Mr. Ler:
Very hand some Coine? Brethren peruse this letter, it does concern us all. I am much taken with this stamp, I have some skill in coyning: for I my self am newly stamp'd.
This shews the State is fixt,
And learned too: O let me kisse this Crosse,
The signe of vanquish'd superstition,
The signe of Reformation in the State
As well as Church; for this we blesse, and curse
Thus we will carry Crosses: — in our purse.
Mr. Bew.
With what regard of words? and godly tokens
Are we invited to this feast? This whistle,
This silver whistle of the Saints is shrill,
These Charmers may eene charm me where they will.
Mr. Old:
Next Sunday we will hold forth of Thankfulnesse,
And praise the open handednesse o'th' Saints:
Our thanks to those, who ministred to our wants.
Ralph.
It shall he done: Mr. Learned Sir, I have an humble [Page 6]suit to you, I know your ingeny, you have a sparkling forge: It would for ever make me (with my Mrs.) to have an handsome smart copy of verses (Sir) upon the Park & the present Thanksgiving. Pray Sir think, you have it if you but scratch o'the fantasticall side. Sir, I have a piece of singular Tobacco for your Muse. The very pryme of the leaf. Ochechampano Poca-Hunto's Father great Custos of the Indies drinks not so good. Against night I pray let them be compos'd, fair wrote, and scratch'd under where the emphasis must lye, for my Mistrisse is much taken with my emphaticall pronounciation and action. It stands me much upon at this time, for I am upon the point of preferment, and your wit must work about, or I am disappointed quite. Think Sir, I finde the fancy in your eye, you have a Poeticall muscule Sir.
Mr. Ler:
I have indeed Ralph, thou seest more then these seers. Thou shalt haveum: and Ralph do you hear, drink no Clarret to night, that will furre the throat, let Ʋrsula make you some butter'd Ale, and I warrant thee for a smart one.
Ralp.
May your wise Notes, I have wrote, swell into volumes,
Exit.
Untill the weight suppresse my tender columnes.
Mr. Ler:
We must conclude this meetings; I have work,
This Poem will ask pains, and time, and sack;
I am a Hinde at prose, but a dull Ox
At verse, my feet are as they'd been ith' stocks.
Friends we will meet the Sisters with their knacks,
Keep all things wisely, specially your backs.
Enter Roger Trusty. Solus.
Roger.
Why my father being a Cavileer should after my exclusion from the University bind me Apprentice to this D [...]aper, and a Committee man, is beyond my intelligence, though not my obedience: I have scratched my head over and over, and cannot reach the depth, unlesse it be for revenge: sure he would have me pervert my Mistresse; for, for the conversion of my Master, it is as impossible, as the others secible; it is so, it mull be so: Revenge is sweet; what my Master got of him at Goldsmiths Hall, be would have me get up at Drapers: My father hath been in [Page 7]Purgatory, and I must go to hell for it. She is an handsome Rogue, and reads the Alchoran, there's the book now. Our Independent Sisters are as much taken with the Alchoran, as our Ladies were with the Arcadia. Certainly, Mahomets Pidgeon was a pretty Pidgeon, and the Sisters would have the Spirit hang like a pendent in their eares. They are much taken with his Paradise for the enlargement of their eyes at the Resurrection; certainly, if there be such fine additions unto women, they have a hope the men of Paradise shall be augmented in some part as pleasurable to them, as their great eyes will be to their glorified servants: These Babylonian whores will never be satisfied without a Salisbury spire: well if I must work about this Composition, I will to it as soon as I can: Nocuit differre paratis.
I cannot tell which is readiest, my Mistresse or my self. She hath been teaching me how to handle the yard these three daies, and saies I must learn to give a little over measure, it t [...]kes Customers mainly. Besides she takes me into the darkest place of the shop, and saith, There I must shew my wares. I shall learn (Mrs.) I shall apprehend you. If you bring tinder, I'se bring flints, and such as shall break upon a Feather-bed; you have met with your match. She hath this day enjoyned me upon a piece of Rivallship in Poetry with righteous Ralph, emulation is good Mistresse, my brains are at your service. The subject is the Park, and I must to work.
Who can such sweet, and gratefull work refuse,
Who hath a Mistresse Patronesse, and Muse?
Actus Tertius.
Enter three Committee-men, Mr. Woollastone, Mr. Avery, Mr. Tryall.
Mr. Wool:
I did not think the gain of Godlinesse
Had been so quick, and great. No mysterie,
No traffique half so sure. No hazands run.
For first, we know we are Saints, and that granted:
[Page 8]That world's our own, all that we see, and covet,
That we may safely take; tis All, All ours;
The Childrens Birth-right; All the rest Aliens,
Usurpers, and Oppressors: onely we
The heirs oth' House.
Mr. Tr:
This is our surest Title.
The Scripture is our Charter, we have text
To shew for't. The Scripture is a fountain
Of end lesse treasure if app'y'd aright,
And for our purpose: As you hinted (brother)
The righteous (that is we) possesse the Earth,
The estates of all Delinquents: Earth includes,
As bread all that is needfull, I or meet
For men.
Wool:
Upon that very principall
I did betray a Trust, which gain'd me all,
I now enjoy. It was an Orphans state,
Whose blinded Father dy'd in actuall Arms
Against this blessed Parliament: I first
Discover'd my engagement; then disclos'd
The foule Delinquencie, and for a sleight
Reward unto the Chairman, (some two, or
Three thousand Crowns, a very toy, a toy.)
For services, (I never yet knew done)
And for my losses (truly I was lost
But for this happy windfall) and because
I was affected to the State (as no man more)
And for I was a man of known integrity,
(None serve the State but such) I was voted
Lord of the whole estate, and the Orphan
Proscrib'd and disinherison'd. Hees sent
Into Barbados with Instructions
Unto a Master, to unlearn his Birth,
Which if he can forget, he may do well,
Then he may live, and prove in time a Planter.
Mr. Av:
A piece of charity I have not heard of,
You have approv'd your trust abundantly
[Page 9]Into the State, the end of Fe [...]ffe-ships.
Mr. Tr:
The youth by these your conscientious means
May in some twenty yeers become a man.
Mr. Av:
And with a little help of Aqua-vitae,
Stockings, and Hats, old Ling and Martlemasse,
Rise to a Fortune great as Cravens was.
Mr. Tr:
On whom can he bestow his thanks for it,
But on your care, and providence, and love.
Mr. Wooll:
I look for no such turns, contented I
Am satisfi'd ith' act of good. That's all,
All that (old Woolastone) cares for; nor do I
Act without president, that honour'd Knight,
And now great States-man, Sir John Danvers shew'd
Woolastone the way: why did not he prove,
That sometimes valiant man, and Earl
His brother, a Delinquent for some pounds
Lent to the King, and by those vertuous means
Orethrew the Will, and cosend his own sister,
And all the Legatarys? still it holds
The Argument is good. A Friend toth' King,
An Enemy toth' State, a Reprobate,
A Reprobate, no title to the creature,
Argo no power to dispose, no power,
No Will and Testament. Argo tis null.
I have some Logick left, enough I think
To confound all the Hierarchy of England,
And gravell um, though all their land be genne.
Mr. Av:
I am a purchaser.
Mr. Tr:
So am I.
Mr. Wool:
And I. They talk of sacriledge: the text
Is plain: He doth not live in Temples made
With hands; Heaven is his seat, yet these Bishops
Will have their Sees Gods seat, and conclude it
Against the sence oth' House, and Harry th' eight:
Tis sacriledge to buy their Lands forsooth,
Out with them Antichrists!
Mr. Aver:
Indeed if one
Should purchase Heaven, then the text were plain:
[Page 10]But we nere mean it. Let't alone for me.
The House are far enough from such an Act;
That were sacriledge ith' highest, and not
On any termes to be committed. No,
Heaven at no rate: O little England
For my money!
Mr. Try:
A little Ireland too
Will now do well. That Renegado Lord
Apostat Inchiquin, who hath committed
The high offence, revolting to the King,
Tis he that plague us, he hath dismunster'd,
He hath dismunsterd me, (Dee'l Inch him fort)
Of full three thousand Acres, (his very name
Makes every Inch I have about me quake)
Which if I could have quietly enjoy'd,
I would not have engag'd in Bishops Lands.
Mr. Av:
Ormoud and he shall nere be pardon'd, nor
Montrosse, Hopton, nor Langdale, no nor Dives
That shitten Royalist, 'tis strange he is
Not made a Privy Counsellour, or Groome
Oth'stoole. But our brave Oliver will send
Them all to Dives, to their Winter quarter.
Mr. Tr:
I was afraid of Ireland once, I gave it
For an unwholsome air, Bogs and Quagmires,
But Collonel Jones hath clear'd it all again,
With the States Thunder, Powder, and Money.
Mr. Wool:
It was a plot of Crumwels all this while
(And Munck will justifie it) to loose so much:
To make the businesse seeming desperate,
To his eternall honour to restore it:
This was the plot, if Ormond had tane Dublin;
He should have put in Governors, then marcht,
And joyn'd with Jonny-Presbyter in Scotland,
Then should those Governors have sold it back
(For what's the City money for, but that?)
Unto the high Lieutenant; that once ours,
Grumwell had powdered after Ormond, whiles
Good Sir Arthur Haselrigg, and Lambert
[Page 11]Rebuilt the wall betwixt the Picts, and us,
And kept them out of England, pent in Scotland:
This was the plot which none but sure ones knew:
This is the day to raise more money for't.
Mr. Tr:
It shall be levy'd, what we say's a law,
This, is the word, Do it, or Crumwell comes;
Wee'l fetch him with a whistle, if they boggle,
He lyes in Wales on purpose at a lurch:
(Upon prtence of waiting on the winds)
But the truth is, it is to aw those here
The Leveller, and discontented party.
Hee'l squirt you Regiments into Dublin,
And fright off Ormond with a whiffe of's tayl.
Mr. Av:
The Welch do love him mainly.
Mr. W:
They have reason.
He is their Cozen very neer ally'd,
Once Ap-Lord Leiftenant Generall, Ap-All,
Ap Teudor, ap Queen Elsabeth, Ap-Besse,
Ap Great Protector presently; The States
Must have a Grave, and who is fitter for't?
Mr. Tr:
We have divorc'd our King, and broke his Bonds,
Wee'l try new Lords, variety is best.
One head would never serve the Cities turn,
A change of Governors, if such as these,
Is as delightfull, as of meats, one dish
Though it were Capon, and white broth will not
Please alwayes.
Mr. W:
Kings were too stately for us,
They thought it much to feast, or ly us,
The State will condescend to take a lodging
With their poore servants, and communicate
The secrets of the House unto our wives,
And they tell all again (good gyrles) to us.
They pump the Juncto for Intelligence,
And on that confidence we buy Kings Lands,
Bishops, or any thing: They word it all.
I intend for her good services, and love
[Page 12]Unto the State, and me, to make a joyncture
Of Theobalds to my Consort, honest Dorcas:
This day she hath my leave to see the Park.
Mr. Tr:
The State are wondrous wise, there was a gift!
When did the King bestow a Park on us?
There is not such a State in all the world!
To hit the fancie of all sides! our wives
Are taken above measure, out of cry:
It may be I shall air my horse toward night,
I told my Hanna, I had businesse,
But I may chance to steal upon her.
Mr. Av:
Do.
My Abigall, will joy to be surpris'd.
Mr. W.
Let it be so; I'le along for company.
Mr. Tr.
It will do excellent, the righteous waggs
Will joy to see their husbands breathe their Naggs.
Exeunt omnes.
Actus 4tus.
Enter Ralph and Roger as at New Park gate.
Ralph.
Twas well drove Carochman, the Ladies to shew they love good Drivers, give you this to drink above your hire, be moderate, and warm your selves, but not too much; remember Phaeton, whip and away, that's counsell. Roger the joy oth' Park to you.
Reg:
Ralph! you and I must run a race to day, a wit course, pray heaven your Pegasus be well breath'd, I shall have the heels of him else: Gold to silver on't.
Ralph.
Poore Cab! little doth he think, whose flying horse I ride, I'le shall make you spur and switch fort: weel order the Feast, and then Sir, weel try your veine. But Mr. Lerned now hath given his master-piece to me, he hath done it to the life, if I can word it.
Reg.
No prompting Ralph.
Exeunt.
Mr. Lerned leading Mrs. Wooll: Mr. Old: leading Mrs. Avery. Mr. Bew, Mrs. Tryall, in the Park.
Mr. Ler:
These were sometimes high places, and the Groves,
Where Ahab burnt unhallowed gumms to Baal.
But now a sanctified Inheritance,
A Naboths vineyard, or an Eden rather,
A Paradise, where Innocence is sure,
And holy guards keep out the fiery Dragon,
The riggling, though old serpent, Satan hight.
Old:
Here no Abaddon comes, nor creeping thing,
You may sit down, and fear no lurking Suakes.
The herbage is of Grace.
Mr. Bew.
The trees all Elder.
Such as are planted about Syon banks,
And do surround our new Jerusalem.
Mrs. Wool:
What are those creatures, that trip it so, with the high things upon their foreheads? they have goodly foretops.
Mr. Ler:
Those are the savoury meat oth' place, the dyet
Old Isaac long'd for, (we call Venison)
Which Esan hunts, but onely Israel eats.
Mr. Tr:
Is it true indeed, that at sometime they cast their nature, a wofull season that, and without doubt a great discomfiture unto the creature.
Mr. Av:
As snakes cast their skin, for a time they are naked, but they are new clad suddenly, and the liver fort.
Old:
Spirit returns upon the reparation.
Mr. Ler:
Their parva naturalia are renew'd,
And as they say, a novum organum
Ariseth in the place.
Mrs. Av:
We shall soon dispatch
These Deer upon Thanksgiving-dayes for Crumwell,
And then wee'l keep our Dairys here, the Countrey
Churming's too grosse for Saints, wee'l have glasses,
And servants, lusty servants of our own,
And, we will see it come, The buttermilk
Wee'l sell unto the Cabs, and eat the creame,
[Page 14]The creame oth' kine our selves in stately dishes.
Mrs. Woo:
Twas pity so much ground should ly unoccupied.
Mrs. Av:
And be a randezvous for savage beasts.
As hideous Stags, and uselesse barren Does.
A goodly herd of Cows, led in, and out
By serviceable, and untyring Buls
Were farre more usefull for the Common-wealth.
Mrs Tr:
Deer was the Tyrant's game; but Buls is ours,
Bishops and Plays were in a day put down,
I well remember; and Bull baytings allow'd:
These are no wanton sports.
Mrs. W:
Wee'l have it Common.
But stinted Common, a dozen Cow Commons
Unto a Saint is good proportion,
And a Bull; wee'l hayne the richer ground:
We may have grazing geese too, and at season
Green gostlings of our own and Pigs, and nere
Be jeer'd with Bow, and Bartholmew Fair meetings;
Nor James, nor Sturbridge: our husbands shall ply them,
We and our Levites will ply these.
Mr. Ler:
We may employ our gifts, and exercise too here
Upon the Turfe; Repentance was first preacht
By John ith' Wildernesse, and ye being
Washed Disciples, may use any place:
All things are clean to you, as you to all;
New Parks as sanctified to us, as Peters,
Margarets, or Ʋnder shafts, or Antolines
To them.
Enter Roger and Ralph.
Ralph.
All things are plac'd convenient; the Repast
Is set in order, and the Earth is spread.
Rog:
Adams first and best Table, where green Carpets
Were senior unto Diaper, and Damask;
Eve in her Innocence did use no other;
A go [...] broad Sycamore leaf was all her napkin,
Nut-shels their cups, Sallads their meat, and sawce.
[Page 15]Six pretty mole-hils of dame Natures making,
Yet such as Art can scarce exceed, the work
At first oth' Mole, by her blind pains cast up,
Are fince by silver Jupiter fresh verdur'd,
And moss'd with Cushions for your Lady-ships ease.
And in the middle is a Rising Bank,
Swelling most strangely in a ovall form,
On which the dishes stand in equipage.
Mr. Ler:
It doth resemble much the seat oth' whore,
Hight Babylon, On which the Saints in time,
(And verily I weene the time is come)
Were promised to sit, and judge. Pray move.
Exeunt omnes.
Enter Mr. Avery, Mr. Tryall, Mr. Woollastone with Musicians.
Mr. Av:
Here, here behind these trees will be the shelter, (Musitians) and ours too. Cornets and small Musick Together, makes good harmony, you have your Hoboyes.
Mr. Tr:
Vex not your guts untill the Cue be given, well Tryall this devise was thine, and 'tis a signall one, and will advance the Festivall exceedingly.
Mr. W:
Would Collonel Jones were here for an houre, and Captain Oatway! we could spare him from following after Ormond for a while.
Mr. Av:
Who would have thought Ormond had been a gamester, I took him alwayes for a Protestant.
Mr. Tr:
I know not, nor I care not. He was against the Papists alwayes, pro, and con, he made a League and not a league, and so he I think he is well beaten fort, and not beaten too they say.
Mr. Wool:
How not beaten!
Mr. Tr:
Not so much as he will be, for Jones will Ormond him if he catch him; but he is a naturall Irish, and not easily to be caught, they'l run like mad. But Crumwell with his running Army will o're-run Ireland, and take all, the Divell (God blesse him) is in him, he will have all, all's his.
Mr. Av:
I but the Papishes have done some honest services.
Mr. Tr:
Hang um Hereticks! our Reformation swords are as [Page 16]simple as their Toleday Blades were in the Spanish Invasion, they could not distinguish betwixt an English Catholique, and English Protestant, if he were rich; but for the poore Catholicks they shall have mercy.
Mr. W:
Come to our Ambush.
Exeunt.
Actus 5tus.
The Sisters upon the grasse (sitting) the Levites (standing). Roger and Ralph, (waiting) the Husbands lying) the Musick (sleeping).
Mr. Ler:
To blesse the Creatures is the businesse,
We will all sanctifie, the Messe is great,
Like that of Benjamins; and may deserve
A triple Blessing well; attend with care:
Rog:
The grace begins, when will it end? we shall have three graces now, and never a vertues grant me Christian patience, he hath snuffd, and twird enough, now it comes forth—.
Mr. Ler:
Blesse us-um-blesse us (Lard) and these thy gifts,
Marcys, and Creature comforts: By these shifts
Thou try'st our thankfulnesse, — um, — this great store,
(Lard) it doth make us praise thee more, and more.
Thou takest from the mouths of Cavilers,
And f [...]l' [...]t our hellies with good things of theirs.
Thou feedest Ravens (Lard) who call on thee,
Young Ravens (Lard) thou feedest such as we.
They can not praise thy Name, they eat indeed,
But we do eat and praise, and praise and feed.
So that our life is nought but a thanks-giving
For every eaten thing, both dead, and living.
From stirring oyssers, unto Capon stiffe,
And cold, we eat throw saith, and corned Beef.
This venison py, a wild untamed beast
Ative; is dead, provision for the blest.
All sorts of Pye-meats (Lard) blesse unto us,
[Page 17]And sanctifie our stomacks, by it thus.
Let not our wembs be streightned, but enlarge
Our ventricles unto the whole discharge,
Even unto succetts, confects, dry, and moyst,
Let us go thorough, and be not debauch [...]t;
Be it as thy servant prays, unto his wish,
That he may tast the Lard in every dish.
So be it.
(2d. Grace.)
Mr. Old:
O all sufficient, all satisfying, all sending Power, we the worst of thy creatures have here before us more then a tast of thy goodnesse, even fish, flesh and fowl; O what are we that so regardest us! um what are we? Ah who are we? we are things of nought man is a thing of nought; A naugh-ty thing! not worthy of the crums that fall from under thy table (Lard) and yet we are at the upper end of the Board. Blesse us together in the joynt receit of these gifts, and inable us through them to perform even what thou shalt put into our hearts, for all things are sanct fi'd unto us, and we unto them; thou seest no sin in us, conform us to thee, that we may see no sin in our selves. In confidence hereof, we shall make bold with every thing before us, which thou hast therefore bestowed upon us. We will praise thy name both full and fasting, upon thy dayes of Humiliation in abstinence and um — forbearance. On Thanksgiving dayes, such as these, and (ah Lard) send us more, and more, and many more, in laying about us, and playing the men. Be it so.
3d. Grace.
Mr. Bew.
Give us, ô Lard, what wilt thou give us? even Reading stomacks: (good Lard) to wit, thorough stomacks, which will not jade us, nor tyre untill we come unto the Tables end. Our life is a Race, and here is our viaticum, um — we are Travellers — um — here is our Inne, here we have a good Bayt, a very plentifull bayt. It will not wrong us to sweep the manger, to make clean work. For we are not as other hypocrites, reprobates, and Enemies of the State, but unto us thou hast given, from them thou hast taken, (blessed be thy name A Lard) they are at rack and [Page 18]manger, but we are at full meale. Thrice blessed we, if we now shew in our receptions, embracings, and takings in unto us thy overtures, our unwearied gratitude, and more then feeding-on-by heart-thankfulnesse. Which that we may no longer be kept from, with all powerfulnesse and sharpnesse of sense and appetite we buckle to the creature, before us in meats, behind us in drinks, aside us in sisters.
Selah.
All sit down.
Mr. Ler:
Carving the creature is allow'd, you may
Mrs. Wook carves.
Approve your skill in firm, or hollow meat;
You have a liberall hand, and use the knife,
As well as those, that learn it from a pattern:
An Italian Carver handles not so clean,
Nor cuts so large a limb, and full.
Rog:
What a load she hath laid him? A messe of Spaniards and wise Italians would dine with that one service. These are true Lutheran stomacks! How they tew it! Blesse the man! Olduns will choak himself with gobbets! masticate you Cormorants: Here's Reformation gulleys. There's a weezle wil passe a widows house, and nere strain for'c. How the dish dances! The Surloyn nere mov'd so fast when 'twas alive. Mr. Bew tickles the Chyne, it is assimilating meat; when will they wa [...]er trow? A hog, or a horse, are gentilemen commoners to these.
Mr. Ler:
Some drink; a plenteous glasse of Clarret Ralph, such as I alwayes use after the 3d remove of my trencher. (dr.)
Mr. Old:
A hearty draught unto us all.
Bew.
Let go round. dr. I thirst again. dr. and again I say I thirst. dr This chyne was corned to the purpose, salt as thy Mistrisse, and as toothsome! it will draw down a hogs-head.
Mrs. Wooll:
Ralph, some white-wine Ralph of that the Merchant sent my Husband for his Brothers quick dispatch at Squeezing Hall. It is a high, full, and brisk piece, a friendly glasse sister Hanna.
Mrs. Try:
May we not not tope about a little sister with the Levites approbation?
Mr. Bew. I:
And example too.
Mrs. Try:
Healths are profane. Masky Tope sister Abigail. dr.
Mrs. Av:
Tope sister Dorcas. (dr.)
Mr. Ler:
A dry Tope now ant please you sister.
Mrs. Wool:
What's that?
Mrs. Tr:
That's a salute. Frolick is stale.
Mr. Ler:
You are very apprehensive, it is so. Tope about.
Mrs. Wool:
A tope to the Lieut: Generall.
(kissE the Levites.)
Mrs. Av:
To Mr. Martin too a tope.
Mrs. Try:
A tope to all the Able Members of the House.
Mr. Bew.
Now a wet Tope upon the occasion. Let's not forget the valiant Collonel Jones, and Captain Oatway. Fill largely Ralph.
(All dr.)
Mr. Old:
Now one tope to Mr. Goodwyn the Elder; (dr.)
Mr. Bew.
He is a Saint sure.
Mr. Old:
I mean in Opposition to younger,
Mr. Bew.
I have top'd. I do tope to you (brother) to the worthy Visitors of Oxford, a swinging tope.
Mr. Ler:
They deserve it highly, they have reform'd that plae to the purpose, there's no dust left behind the doore, they have made clean work, they have swept all out. To good Sir Nat.
Mr. Bew.
The Malignants say he is an Asse.
Mr. Ler:
He? an Asse? and so am I.
Mr. Old:
And I.
Mr. Bew.
And I. So they say Cheynell and Wilkinson are mad.
Mr. Ler:
They mad? And so am I.
Mr. Ol:
And I.
Mr. Bew.
And I. Nay they stick not to speak unreverently of Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Harris, and call them hypocrites and dissembling knaves.
Mr. Ler:
They knaves! so am I.
Mr. Old:
And I.
Mr. Bew.
And I.
Rog:
This was the best Tope yet; had it been sung it would have gone to the Tune of thou knave excellently well.
Mr. Ler:
Let us return unto the solid creatures; the venison and cold Capon are untoucht, for which we did particularly give praise, we must not play with holy things, they must be eaten.
Enter the Husbands from the Ambush.
Mr. Av:
Now is our Time, I will be in at the venison Py: How dos my Chuck.
Mr. Tego:
How dost thou Duck.
Mr. W.
How dost thou Cony?
Mrs. Wool:
Welcome Wat.
Mrs. Av:
Welcome Hart.
Mrs. Tr:
Welcome Deere: this is thy Plot, thou art such a man.
(Lerned rises.)
Mr. Ler.
Your Fatherhoods are welcome to the place, The meats are blest, and thoroughly sanctifi'd, sit down; there needs no repetition, the creature can not fall from Grace.
Mr. Old:
Here should be a Chapter read, or one of Mr. Rous his Psalms: A parenthesis of Scripture, or a pauze in a hymne would do well, that we might fall on more vigorously.
Mr. Bew.
Talk not of Chapters, unlesse it be of Deans and Chapters, and their Lands, and those, that will expound them.
Mr. L:
It will do better farre to have the verses of the Park, (Ralph) do it with a Grace now.
Rog:
Then you must rise again.
Mr. Ler:
Loose nothing (Ralph) accent right (Ralph) emphasis it right (Ralph) speak out (Ralph), and boldly, be confident (Ralph) as I am at a Thanksgiving Sermon, and all's thine, (Ralph.)
(Ralph does his homages.)
Ralph.
Not such a Present since good Noahs Ark,
As this of the new State, their Fine-New-Park,
The Arke, and Parke, I do compare the rather,
Because ith' Ark and Park were men and beasts together.
Mr. Ler:
Well held out (Ralph,) the elbowity of that verse was very gracefull. How it tinks too, the Arke, and Parke, 'twill take I see. On (good Ralph.)
Ralph.
The paralel still holds, God made the Arke,
God made the Parke. God made them both: ô hearke,
How I shall sing, the wondrous works oth' one,
And th' other, 'fore my sylval muse be done.
The Creatures came to Noahs Arke by two's,
So did we come each did his Copesmate chuse.
Mrs. Wool:
Well (Wat) my Ralph shall be made free to morrow, sweet (Wat) let him set up for himself, I will give somewhat towards his setting up; shall I Wat?
Mr. Wool:
(Cony) it shall be.
Mrs. Wool:
Forward Ralph. I could dry Tope him if Wat were gone, he looks and speaks like a Cherubin.
On Ralph.
Ralph.
The Rutting Buck, and Doe together came,
[Page 21]The Bull and Cow, the tupped Yew, and Ramme.
The leaping Horse and Mare: The Asse and she
Who doth submit unto his waggery;
No Mules did come, nor Eterogeneous thing,
My Muse doth onely of pure doing sing.
Birds in their kinde: the Billing Turtles came,
The Cock and Hen, the very Cock oth' Game:
There was the Raven, and the Ravenesse,
(The Type of Glergymens-wife-lawfulnesse.)
Whom he no doubt in multiply'ng did blesse.
Mr. Ler:
I made a triple close there, first because the second verse is not exactly rime, then secondly to shew the fruitfulnesse of my veine upon a fruitfull subject. On Ralph. He set it forth exceedingly.
Ralph.
This Park will not contain the things were there,
Nor can this Parke swim, as that Arke I hear.
Yet here are Beasts good store, and the States minde,
Is that they should increase, and that in kinde
For unto you is given to eat, and feast,
The Parke not onely, but the very Beast.
The State a lean, and slender Present scorns;
The Parke, the Beasts are yours, the Hides, the Horns,
The Ark and Park in this do differ thought.
The Arke was for the Water, this not so.
This Park is given to us for Land, untill
That Irish Canaan be at Olivers will.
Mr. Ler:
Now conclude Ralph smartly, with the sting in the tayl, as all Epigramaticall Poems should.
Ralph.
Tis all our own, it comes; Be wondrous merry,
The next good news: All Irelands London Derry.
Mr. Wool:
Well said Ralph, and well spoke (Ralph,) I could bite thee by the eare for this (Ralph,) you have learned more then my Trade, sirrah, when I was a young man I was much given to such toys, you have been peeping in my loose sheets, go to; 'tis my very Fancy, the length of my feet to a hair. Well done Ralph, thou shalt wear Cuffs to morrow, and be Free, thy Indentures shall be cancell'd; He has serv'd me but ten yeers, [Page 22]and I'le remit him one of eleven for his fancy sake: I am a mercifull Master.
Mrs. W:
Well don (Wat) Ralph shall know he hath a Mistrisse too before I sleep.
Mrs. Try:
Where's our Hodge (Deer)? what cant he say Bob to a Goose now? he was not turn'd out of the variety for nothing: Hodge do somewhat, or nere come nere me more. Art not asham'd to see a stripling do more then thou canst, come, when? out with it (Hodge.)
Rog. Tr:
Of gold and goblets chang'd to Parks I sing,
Assist ye States, from you these wonders spring,
A backward Alchymy, which quaintly turns
Gold into wood, and yet no Coals it burns.
Each Bodkin in this new Alembeck proves
A Tree, Earings and Thimbles start up groves;
Gilt spoonet are saplings, and the Orphans food
Papp with a hatchet, it is nurst with wood;
The Widows joynture here most stately shews,
She calls for't in, the Feoffees say It grows.
Estates are All in Common, this new Parke
Is a Fee-simple, the Evidence in Barke:
The City Chamber is a Meadow: There's
No more Aldermen now, but Forresters;
Our Charters, that they may with ease be seen,
And Charta de Forresta's, all in Green.
Greenmen the Sheriffs are, the Major the while,
And the Recorder John an Oakes, and Steile.
The Registers are leafs: Go burn your Hall;
Attend October, then the Leases fall.
O Providence of State, who wisely pay
Ith' nick of time, their debts in grasse and Hay.
The Publick Faith was poore security:
Wu'd you a longer liver, then a Tree?
Earth is no Flincher, and for want of Rain
Is bound toth' purpose; Lend, lend on again.
Old customes are revived from the scurfe,
Possessions are new given by the Turfe.
[Page 23]Old London Stone, forth' good oth' Commoners,
(That each may know his own) cut into Meeres.
Canaan was thus divided, and the Tribes
Possess'd by stones, before the use of Scribes.
You are the younger Saints, and your pro-gresse
Is yet, but in a kinde of Wildernesse.
But when the States have vanquisht Ireland once,
You shall have all, and meet it out with stones.
Engage, engage apace, while the State lives,
She is a liberall Governesse, she gives.
This is a taste to th' City of their loves,
Lend all you have; and you shall all have Groves.
Then though the King return with forraign Force,
And take your Forrest, what are you the worse.
When these are gone, the State more favour yeelds,
They give Parks now, and then Elysian Fields.
Mr. Ler:
You are a little too bitter (sirrah.)
Rog:
Satyrs in Woods (Sir) are most proper.
Mr. Old:
'Twas well he was turn'd out of Oxford. He would have prov'd a dangerous Fellow. He was one of some of the Riming Colledges I warrant you.
Mr. Bew.
I would not have a Poet, nor Orator left in that University. Let it be an Article, if any be witty turn him out. Let it be sped to the Visitors, they'l do it.
Mr. Tr:
Well Hodge, 'tis very well, I like thee well enough.
Mrs. Wool:
Fy, fy, 'tis a Hodge podge, neither head nor tall; Ralph is worth a thousand of him.
Mrs. Tr:
Ralph! Hodge shall put him in his pocket, Hodge is a man of his hands, as well as feet.
Mrs. Wool:
Marry get with your Delinquents brat!
Mrs Try:
Set that aside, and he is as clean a youth as ever ser [...]'d City Dame, I, as Ralph.
Mrs. Wool:
Out Impudence! As Ralph? you carry him his shirts, I warrant you, and reckon with him on Saterday nights for his week lapies, and bring him on his knees for it. Do you not?
Mrs. Tr:
Do you traduce my good name, you Jesabell? I'le [Page 24]send to you, though I cannot reach you.
(Throws a corner of the Pasty at her.)
Mrs. Wool:
There's mustard and sugar to your venison.
(The husbands run forth.)
Ralph.
Sweet Mistrisse return unto your temper, let me allay your heat, pray do not swell so much.
Mr. Ler:
This is unseemly in the Saints, and shews you are flesh, which for a while, and but a while I hope, resists the spirit.
Mr. Old:
(rises, and with his hat off) Hum (Lard) Ah why hast thou made a Belshazzars feast of this? hum why this confusion Lard? Let not such a spirit of violence, and not bearing with one another any longer possesse and teare in pieces the good sisters; Command the Abaddon out of them, even as farre as Rumford (Lard) amongst the Hoggs: I charge thee spirit of trouble, and Feast-Interruption, spirit of unsociablenesse, and Aversenesse unto good doings, and Brother and Sisterly meetings Come forth, Come forth, Come forth I say instanter, instantanèè, instantissime.
Enter the Husbands with the Musick.
Mr. Try:
Strike up merrily now, such an aire as were able to reduce the wildernesse, or settle the wilde Inhabitants of Bethlem, or compose the tortures and vexations of Darby House-Consciences, such a tune now beyond the Taratantara, must recover this Tarantula.
(Musick play severall smart Tunes.)
Mr. Ler:
I shall not need to hold forth ought of Peace
And reconcilement, there is in Musicke
Strange sympathetick virtue, and occult
Quality's beyond my knowledge, to allay
Passions enrag'd, or else enrage, tame spirits:
The things is hinted to us in Saul and David.
Mr. Wool:
I will no longer strive against my sister,
She is a weaker vessell, as my self.
Mrs. Try:
It was a frailnesse in me: I am strengthened, and am [Page 25]confirm'd in love: I do tope to you in signe of Reconciliation.
Mrs. W:
I take your tope, both the dry, and wet.
Salute and dr.
Mr. Bew.
What a Becoming, hum, as I may term it,
One-somenesse, and Christian-piecingnesse is this?
Your broken arcon will be stronger for't.
So; I would have you wedg'd, and cramp'd together.
Mr. Wool:
Now for a Dance, pace um my nimble (Levites) about with them, about with um stoutly till they steam again, when I was a yonker as you are, I would have workt a Sister into sudds, and landred her in her own Bath.
Mr. Tr:
To it, to it. Mr. Olduns they say you are a Firker.
Mr. Av:
Mr. Bew, my wife will dance with none but you, you have been her Valentine these ten yeers; Couple, couple, quickly.
The Levites dance the Sisters.
Mr. Wool:
Wee'l run over the Diurnals in the mean time. The Moderate Intelligencer is very full this week: what a comfortable Letter is here from Collonel Jones? What was it Ormonds Faire, that there were such rich prizes taken? who would have taken it for a Siege? And you will, we will send and buy it all, 'twill be good chaffer.
Mr. Tr:
It came ith' nick of time, my heart was almost done, I was even Arkins'd: we may break off again with Cathlicks now, Munck was too hasty. It is a shrewd aspersion to the Saints to have their necessities made their upbraidings; we cannot thoroughly serve God and Belial.
Mr. Av:
The Presbyterian are more convenient for our purposes; we did begin with them, and we should not part my thinks. If they would leave their hankering after King and Coenant, we should unite, and carry all before us. They were not so well sighted as we to see the end of the Covenant, and the Saints get ground upon the wicked by advantages; I would they were all enlightned as I am, they would not care for formes and discipline so much: they are blinde Brethren yet, and want a dipping more. They will look about if this News hold.
Mr. Wool:
I warrant it, it holds: dost hear?
[Page 26]His Lordships shipp'd: we are Princes all.
Mr. Av:
I must unto my Court at squeezing Hall,
There wait those Oranges, those humbled things:
While we sit uncontroul'd, like Petty kings.
Mr. Wool:
We will have the Song and so conclude:
Our wives to their Caroches, we to our Horses, Levites to their
Books. Boys to the Shops, and Musick to the scrapps.
The Song.
To the Tune of, In the merry Moneth of May.
1.
In the merry merry Moneth of June,
When the Rose fades: But Venison
Ranges stately by the Wood side,
With Head branched in her pride.
Then the State look'd down upon
Citizana, and Citizon.
2
The States that stiled are the Free,
More then those of Germany:
Free of Flesh, as any State,
Gave us Venison for our Plate.
They will give us any Thing,
A New Parke for an old King.
3.
What Returns are these for our loanes?
No man grudgeth, no mayd groans.
She that layd her Bodkin down,
In New Park has a green gown.
And if that be not enough,
What is farre more pleasing stuffe?
4.
Here shall be plenty of kisses then,
And young mayds may kisse young men.
Here shall be lusty Troopers sent,
To recruit the Mayds Regiment.
And every barn that shall be seen,
A Robin hood, or John a-Green.
5.
Let every joyfull Citizen
Clothe his triumphant head with Green;
Here's Green enough for all their Brows,
Seem like a Forrest All in Bows:
To after Times let it passe for good,
The men oth' City were all Wood.
(Close.)
Thus Enge-land for a Crown of Gold
Is with a silly Willow garland fool'd:
thus Engeland by successe-full knaves,
Is become a State of Fools, and Slaves.
Thus for a Parke, like a sort of Owls,
The Charters lost of the Forrest of Fools.
Epilogue.
Roger left behinde.
IF any thing obscure, not understood
Be here, the State expounds the darkest wood:
And makes the thickest thickets plain and clear,
As the back of your hand, as Shot-over:
For Nol expounds, the officers expound,
The Souldiers too expound, All in a Round:
You'd think Jerusalem were building new,
With Swords in hand and Bible, nay by th' Jew:
The Jews buy all, the Independents sell,
The wares the King's and's friends; the Fair is hell:
D [...]fference there is twixt that, and Bartholmew,
That brings Brimstone and Fire, this the cold Deaw.
FINIS.