Angliae Speculum: OR ENGLANDS LOOKING-GLASSE.
Devided into two pats, By C. VV. MERCER.
Scribimus indocti, doctique poaemata passim.
LONDON. Printed by Tho: Paine. MDCXLVI.
ANGLIAE SPECVLVM. Or ENGLANDS LOOKING-GLASSE.
You may perceive, and in this Looking-glasse
see Englands worth [...]'s, either more or lesse:
And in the same, look, and you likewise shall
see, in the face, Lord ESSEX, Generall.
The Authors picture usually is put,
and not the Patrons, this they tell me, but,
I pray, who cares to see a peece so bad
as I? but I have seen them running mad
To see my Lord, but here now they may stand
and hear and see, and have him in their hand:
Besides, another of my reasons are
his Excellence ought to be singular.
W. M.
Vpon the Dedication of my Booke.
I Did intend, but now I come too late,
it was the Printers fault, who did not get
My Glasse in time, for this was all my drift,
to give my Lord this, for a new-years gift:
But it is never out of time to take;
this I created for your Lordships sake.
And gives you here, what best I may, and can,
My humblest service, whilst I am a man.
W. M.
TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE, MOST VALIANT AND THRICE worthily Renowned LORD, ROBERT Earle of ESSEX, and EVVE, &c. His EXCELLENCIE, My most Noble Lord and Patron.
The continuance of all chief Honors, and true Happines in highest measure, in this life, and the fruition of all felicity in the Life to come, Is VVished, By the most humblest, and unworthyest, of all your Excellencies Servitours, William Mercer.
Anagr.
I'm reall, rec'iv' me.
Vers.
I give my self herewith, I'm reall, rec'iv' me,
if I were ten times better, ye might have me,
I once resolu'd that nothing should be seen,
And so presum'd to interpose, a Screen.
Becaus I thought the Multitude with greed,
Would love to looke upon the Peece, not read.
But in the end, determind for to take,
Aside the Curtaine, for the Figur's sake.
That seeing first, this Haero's in the face,
They then might read, but in the second place,
Englands brave Gen'rall, in its just defence,
Yet but the Shaddows of his EXCELLENCE.
TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE, THE EARLE OF ESSEX, HIS EXCELLENCY:
Anagr. 1.
Earl Robert Deavorex's Anagr.
A real dexterous Orbe.
Ʋers.
A real dexterous Orbe, so fix'd, agreeing,
by whom we liv'd, we mov'd, and had our being.
Earle Robert Deavorex. Anagr. 2.
Our rare exalter robd,
Ʋers.
Our rare exalter robd, brave Essex, hee
Is robd from us, so we must ruin'd be.
Robert Deavorex, Anagr. 3.
Brave Or'tor ex'eed,
Ʋers.
Brave Or'tor exceed, why? say exceed,
Your Excellence surpasse them all, indeed.
Robert Deavorex. Anagr. 4.
Vexe art, or Robd,
Ʋers.
Vexe art, or Robd, forloe envious men,
Vse art to rob thee, vex and rob them then.
Sonnet Acrostick.
Rare and renown'd exalter of our Faith,
Of all our hopes, robd, as it were by death,
Belov'd, above expressions of my pen,
Esteem'd by Angels, as much as by men,
Renown'd for ever, for thy feits in warre,
The times to come shall us exceed as farre,
Day after day, to sing thy praises then,
Even as we now, distinguish thee from men:
Vnto those Trophees, which we take in hand,
Or to those Bayes, which on thy Temples stand,
Return we will, and on these princely browes,
Even place those Trophies, and those Bayes with vowes,
Xceeding joyfull, and surpassing all, to eternize our Noble Generall.
W. M.
TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE, MY most Noble Lord Generall his Excellency, and my most honourable Patron.
BEhold I come, and humbly on my knee,
present my self in thankfulnesse, to thee.
Renowned Champion, chosen first in chief,
For Parliament, and Protestants relief:
To thee brave Essex, singular, and such,
Who never can be magnified too much:
To thee, who when fair Englands worthies went,
And weigh'd thy worth, by votes in Parliament,
And thee compar'd with all those prudent men,
Whose vertues were laid to the touchstone then,
To thee, I say, who was so well belov'd,
The resolutions could not be remov'd,
Of neither noble, nor the mean degree:
But all did smile, and condiscend to thee:
To thee, even thee, who if I dare protest,
Did then accept, when no m [...]n thought it best
To be beginner, nor to put his hand
To contradict his Soveraigns command,
To thee whose courage, by consent, I say,
Was found the fittest to command the day:
And still to thee, who with a loyall heart,
Did far remove all private thoughts apart:
And whose impartiall prudence, did by far
Exceed the usuall stratagems of warre:
To thee, who ventur'd when the Royall power,
Appear'd in person, and proclaim'd the houre,
[Page]Wherein he would, with his triumphing band,
(As he did term them) all his foes withstand;
Did sound his Trumps, and caused beat the drum,
Whose noise did seem to say O! dare ye come?
To thee, I say, who then with courage great,
Did Eccho back those voyces with delight,
And said, O come, let us defend our faith,
We shall prevail, astonish not at death:
To thee, I say, so pregnant, I approach,
And all thy actions, worthily avouch,
To thee, I owe, and really will pay,
Even what I am, what I can do, or say,
Thy far fetched vertues are above my wing,
I cannot soar to such a sacred thing,
Yet to my power, I must present as much
As is, and hopes, thou wilt accept of such,
I was a witnes, of the weaker kind,
To thy undaunted and magnifique mind:
And had the honour for to have command,
By thy Commission, Signed with thy hand:
Was one who first, was entered in the time
When souldiers sins were reckoned for a crime,
And ever since, continued still, for one,
Till thou laid down thy high Commission:
O! at the first, when no man would ingage,
Nor go to act upon that Tragick stage:
Nor undertake to meddle with the thing
So thought, for to reflect upon the King:
But thou, whose faith and courage did exceed
The subtle number, saw the present need:
For to oppose those errors then begun,
And did apply thee to it, did not shun
[Page]The sentence which thy soveraigne did expresse,
Knowing thou meant his lawes not to transgresse:
But when all others of the higher sort,
For such a charge, confest they all came short:
Or if they knew that they could manage it,
There was some secret, which they thought not fit:
Therefore forbore, but standers by did see,
They all determin'd, thou wert onely he
Who could, and must, or if thou wouldst not do it,
All must be quiet, no man will go to it.
Some did desire it in their hearts, but that
Was all the thing in secret aimed at,
They fain would rise to have commanded all,
But durst not run the hazard of a fall:
Here was the fault, they had some private aim:
Therefore I cease, and say no more of them.
But Noble Essex thou wert all in all,
And must be chosen Englands Generall:
Thou hadst no thought of Soveraignity,
Nor searcht in things conceived privately:
But undertook it for the Kingdoms good,
And for thy Princes priviledges stood:
No private aims importun'd thee, but still
The publicks profit was thy practice, till
Thou hadst trod down the number most of those,
Who did presume to be imployd as foes:
O! how thy spirit did appear abroad,
As onely thou establisht were by God,
And how thy courage in the eyes of all,
Did make the armies cry aloud, and call,
Go on, go on, brave Essex is our guide:
Behold, his presence makes us to confide:
Thy Armies as the starres into the aire,
The boundlesse Ocean of thy noble veines,
Gave influence to many thousand straines:
Nor didst thou so diminish yet thy store,
The more thou furnishd, still thy stock was more:
And as it prov'd, the spirits even of those
Appeard much sharper then the present foes
We now pursue; but policies in war
May oft prevail, and give advantage far:
Their former courage makes me more and more
Think, that they are not what they were before:
But now I must impart one passage yet,
I cannot choose, but must remember it:
Like as the Sun sends out his beams of light,
But all of them returns to him at night:
So likewise those who had their power of thee,
When thou forbore, no more abroad would be:
Who having done thy part abroad, thought sit
For to afford thy presence, and to sit
In that assembly of the highest strain,
From whence thou cam'st, and where thou art again.
To thee I come, imploring thou wilt be
My noble Patron, for to shelter me,
Which if thou wilt, ther's none I will avouch,
That for thy Names sake, dare presume to touch
Those enterprises, humbly I present
Vnto my Lord, without a Complement.
W. M.
To the Curteous Reader.
THou sees I stand resolved to defend
What ever cursed malice dare pretend:
But cannot stil be present when they vent
And spit the venom of their discontent:
Therefore in absence must appeal to thee,
For to assist if any injures me.
It is a thing so common to deride,
And throw a book disdainfully aside,
Or if they fortune for to see a name,
And hate the author, thats enough for them
They take no notice though the thing be just,
Mislikes the bearer, therefore cannot trust,
But more allowance I presume to take,
They will beleeve me for my matters sake:
Nor do I strive to elevate my words,
Nor counterfet, but what the truth affords,
Nor have Is kill, nor knowledge for to skan,
Nor dare I flatter such a faithfull man,
Nor have I practice for to put in verse,
Nor wit enough his vertues to rehearse,
As for my learning, to my shame I speak it,
I may begin, and go to school to seek it:
And dare protest for each year of my age,
I never read of verses not a page:
[Page]And Poets, whence I challenge no discent,
Though scarce of matter, meerly they invent,
But I a stranger to that stock, which sprung
From out Parnassus, and my muse so young,
She never suckt the sisters sacred font,
Nor d d repair the place where they were wont
To walk upon, to imitate those nine:
Such is this ill bred bastard muse of mine:
She knowes of nothing, but usurps the name,
Presumes to ryme, since reckoned one of them;
Yet both of us you see are so well bred,
That we have written more then we have read
But famous poets furnisht with those parts,
Of Natures gifts, and garnisht with the arts
Of learning fully, they can so indite,
As if it all were reall, that they write:
They can bring fictions far above the sky,
And forge inventions, but so cannot I:
I tell of nothing but what you have seen,
Nor prophecy, but tell you what hath been:
And heres my comfort, I have such a theame
In entermedling with this Noble Name,
That not a man will murmure if he see
Me do my best, although in small degree,
Because they know I cannot well eclips
Those high conceptions entered in the lips
[Page]Of all that lives, exceeding so his sex,
And in the Name of E. S. S. E. X.
That let me labour either more or lesse,
This very name all noblenesse expresse:
Therefore 'tis folly for to crave thy aid
To pay this debt, which never can be paid:
For let me speak, and all my spirits spend,
And ever write, and never make an end:
Yet in that boundlesse Ocean of his worth
I may well enter, cannot set it forth,
And seeking for to satisfie my mind,
I well may wander, but I cannot find
The thing I seek, and therefore will forbeare,
Can go no further, I must rest me here.
W. M.
To the Criticall Reader.
I Know I stand condemned at the barre
Of thy best judgement, but I know they are
Not yet in print, who can escape the tongue
Of thy detractions, or can shun the wrong
Of thy invectives and the wicked spight,
Which thou pronounceth unto such as write:
The froward Curre who nothing can but bark,
Thou dost resemble, and the self same mark,
Makes me provide for to prevent the worst,
To save my self, though thou with barking burst,
Thou thinkst to vent thy wisdom if thou prate,
But thou expresses ignorance in that:
Thy Criticks carping crackt braind bragging words,
Nothing but poor despightfulnes affords:
And Ime perswaded thou wilt be so brief,
Thou'lt censure me, before thou readst a leaf:
It is an easie task for to traduce,
And in my absence for to threat abuse:
It's also common for to carp by those,
Who scarce have sence of smelling in their nose;
The Actor's alwaies readiest in his rage,
For to be beaten from his acting stage:
The horse who hath not eyes for to direct
Him in the way, well rashly break his neck.
And thou who scarcely hath a nose to smell,
Or eyes to see, or knowledge for to tell
What now thou readst, or on the stage can say
That was a bad, or this a better play:
Thou wilt presume thy verdict for to spend
At my expressions, and darst vilipend
[Page]My Muses labours, though thou speak in vain,
And spend the issues of thy empty brain.
This is the best, thy idle words may wander,
Thy tongue will never be accounted stander.
But 'tis a thing [...] not account so small,
Nor love to seem so superficiall,
As for to passe it for thy partiall word,
But dare and will maintain it with my sword.
Nor do I speak because I love or hate,
Nor spend my time at any such like rate:
But meerly venture with indifferent eye,
And from a heart full of sincerity▪
Doth know my fault, much better it may be,
Then thou who art so bold to censure me,
I erre in nothing that I do intend,
But that my knowledge cannot comprehend
The height of his deservings▪ when I strive
For to recount his vertues▪ and contrive
Within the compasse of my Muses skill,
His actions, surely herein do I▪ill:
But this it is▪ in witnes of my love,
And I affection more then fashion move:
Therefore forbear, and touch not on the quick,
There are Commanders numerous, and thick,
And thousands more of Souldiers are abroad,
Of dispositions desparate, and odd,
Who bears about them wears it as a badge,
The name of Essex, O! do not inrage
The multitude; for they were ever all
So much ad [...]ted to their Generall,
And He was alwaies as the fixed starre,
About the which all others placed are:
[Page]For to attend, of whom they took delight,
And followed all couragiously to sight:
To have a Leader so belov'd, an Earle,
Whose vertues were more glorious then a Pearle
Of rich esteem, or such a noble Lord,
To sing whose praise all Christendom accord:
It is a fault in me, I do confesse,
To undertake it surely I transgresse,
And do deserve to be condemnd but then,
Let me intreat thee for to take the pen,
And where into thou sees I do offend,
Do but so much my errors to amend:
Which if thou dost, I can no more require:
My Patrons praise is all I do desire.
Ad Eundem.
I See I once more must be censur'd yet,
But I am armed for to answer it:
I know thou thinkst the entry of the peece
Is almost bigger then the Edifice.
To this, I say, rich jew'ls, though they be small,
Must have strong gates, be compast with a wall.
VVilliam Mercer. Anagr.
I'm reall receiv' me.
Ʋers.
I'm reall, receiv' me▪ or else, if not,
I will not be receiv'd by such a sot.
W. M.
In commendation of the Author, and his worke. To Himselfe.
Sonnet.
FRom that representation, which in this
Your mirror of the worth of others, is
Vnto our view exposed, doth reflect
The Image of your self, in an aspect
More semblable, then ever Looking-Glasse
Did shew the beauty of a Ladies face.
Then seeing that the picture of your merit,
Can by the pensil of no other spirit
Be drawn so to the life, for that these lines
Set forth your splendour, ev'n as your name shines
In their contexture, making you, and your
Poaems be either th'others portraiture,
It shall suffice me onely to avow,
That you renown the book, and the book you.
T. F.
The Author to his worke, and in relation to the former lines.
Sonnet.
IHave created, made, and christned thee,
Thou hast thy being, all thou art, of mee:
I best know what's inclos'd in thy contents,
And to beholders, what thou represents,
Yet is the least part of the praise but due
To me, the honour wholy doth accrue
Vnto the substance whereof thou art made,
So purely fine, because had I not had
Such quintessences, rarify'd, and fine,
For to compose rhee of, no skill was mine,
To make thee so, in lustre, pure, and rare,
So absolute, so curious, singular:
Then as mine own I freely speak to thee,
But thy perfections challenge more of mee.
VV. M.
The Prologue to this ensuing Discourse.
THe Author first doth invocate the Nine
To aid him with intelligence divine:
Then enters in a Civil threefold VVarre,
And fights through al the forces which there are
Presenteth divers Actors, though not all,
Fomenters of this Story Tragicall:
Promotes the City, parlies for a peace:
And puts the Kingdom in a better case,
VVhich done, to raise this Ilands endlesse glory,
He shews some worthies, & breaks of the story.
ANGLIAE PECVLVM. OR ENGLANDS LOOKING-GLASSE.
O Come and aid mee, teach me to indite,
Inspire my Muse, instruct me for to write,
Come all you sisters of the sacred nine,
Infuse in me, your vertues most divine;
Bow down the branches of Parnassus bow's,
And give me thereby strength to tell my vows
Afford me favour (that I may go on)
To tast the waters of sweet Haelicon.
I undertake to tell of civil wars,
Of such disasters, and distracted jarrs,
I tell a story Tragi Comicall:
And sing the praises of my Generall.
I do presume a little, now and then
To tell the acts of Englands worthy men
Although in weaknes, willing am to show,
How much affection, England I do owe,
What great regard my inclination bears
Unto its noble and renowned Peers:
With what respect I labour to present
My duty to the House of Parliament:
And these Committees, set for to attend
All grievances: I also recommend
(Without deceit, of my impartiall pen)
The endlesse vertues of some martiall men.
I shew the sufferings of a glorious City,
Their vast expences, and their endlesse pity:
I tell the travells of those deep divines,
Too high a task, for my unlearned lines:
I do invent a second way, and set
A Glasse before thee, wherein I do let
[Page]Thee see such things, though by [...]econd fight,
As cannot well be represented right,
I do report the praises of the day,
When Mars set meetings, and I truly say,
I undertake to tell thee with my pen:
The actions of ten hundred thousand men.
Nor is this all, my running pen denotes
The famous Lords, commissioners for the Scots
With their assistants, morall, and divine:
A glance of each, within this glasse of mine,
My travels do extend themselves, as farre
From hence, as to the fixed North pole starre,
A triple travel do I also take,
And in that Irish Iland Journey make,
This is a labour for a larger wit,
Excuse me therefore, if I fail in it.
It was the yeer six hundred thirty nine,
When first we saw these evils to incline:
This angry storme arose first in the North,
And thence its force in violence sent forth,
Till it infected Englands banks about,
From East, to West, the South, and North throughout,
That Irish Iland which I treat upon
Was likewise bent in this combustion,
A threefold cord in such a cursed cause,
So strongly linkt to overthrow the laws,
Subjects of one united Diadem,
As if their Soveraign had invited them,
All were combin'd, and in this base designe,
As is apparent in this glasse of mine.
Two mighty great incendiaries meet
In this rebellion, each another greet,
A skilfull, cunning, cursed Machiavil.
Joynd with the wisdom of Achitophel:
The one a Depute, meerly set aside,
To ruine all, by Diabolick pride.
[Page]The other was, chief Metropolitan,
Within whose breast this busines began▪
These were the men who undertook the thing,
Pretending all in honour of the King:
Did lay aside the loyall bond of peace:
And priviledges of the present place;
Forgot the glory of the great Creator,
This Prelat who shouldst prov'd a Mediator,
Joynd with this Iudas, in his Masters case
For to betraid him, in his very face,
But yet behold, these Machiavilians were
For all the wicked waies they could prepare,
Found out, and forc'd for to imbrace the end
They did for others treacherously intend,
They sought to curb the honour of that God,
Who did prevent them by his angry rod:
Strove to destroy Religion, in pretence
That all was for Religions defence:
This is the work I undertake to write,
O! give me knowledge, and a perfect sight▪
Of such assistance, as I shall desire,
In flame my Muse with that Coelestiall fire,
Which shall afford me, what I stand in need,
And what shall serve them, who desire to read,
According to the nature of the thing:
O! add some strength unto my feeble wing.
That I may fly, before my feathers tire,
To tell the truth, where only I aspire:
And for to speak in order, let me enter:
First, at those worthies, who did give adventure,
In legall manner, with a mighty hand,
Those Potentates, and plots for to withstand:
See how the God of order did them blesse,
Who sought by order, and prevented this:
They cald a counsell of the highest kind,
There to assisted, by their Soveraignes mind,
[Page]And by consent of the imperiall power,
Committed these Confederates to the Tower,
But they had done the worst that they could do,
According to the bad intents of two:
Had turnd the just intentions of the State,
To be conceiv'd, cause of their Soveraigns hate:
Had set the Nations all three, by the ears,
Sweld up their hearts with jealousies, and fears,
Till in the end, they were arraignd, derided,
Accus'd, condemnd, and both of them beheaded
Yet did that seed, which they had sown about,
Spring in such plenty, and did take such root:
That like those trees, whence are the branches lopt,
Or as those weeds, the oftner they are cropt,
Increase the more, so did those rebels rise,
Like moats into the Sun, before our eyes,
But here's their craft, their Soveraign they incense,
He must suspect his Parliament, go hence,
They do perswade him, if he will deny,
The royall presence of his Majesty:
Their was no Law to authorize their actions,
But that they would dissolve in sudden factions,
This was the doctrine that they taught the King
Although there was no warrant for such thing,
For notwithstanding statutes do ordain
Kings to confirm, yet are they not in vain:
Although their Soveraign contrair to that trust
The Laws allow him, shun them through his lust
But as the members without a head must fall,
The King and Subjects, are reciprocall.
Yet Kingdoms can be ruled, by a thing
Calld Civil Laws, albe't there be no King;
But will you tell me? can a King do so,
Without a Law? or rule aright, or no)
No, no, a Law without a King can be,
But Kings without a Law, you cannot see,
[Page]It is much safer to enjoy a Law
Without a Soveraign, if he will withdraw,
Then if a Land be subject to that cruel
Command of Kings, where is no Law to rule:
But as the body's joyned with the mind,
And as the tree is coupled to the rinde▪
So should the Soveraign, and the Subject too,
Agree in one, do what each other do.
But this was that, which they tell him, he must
Or do, or else he nothing hath to trust:
Vpon such bad instructions, he retires,
Forsakes the Counsels, and the just desires
Of his ingenuous Court of Parliament:
Which did provoke, a fearfull detriment
Unto his Highnesse, and that dignity
Which doth belong unto his Majesty▪
For his great Counsel, by his high command,
Kept constant meetings, with a mighty hand,
And by his Law, did issue out their orders
In every corner of the Kingdoms borders:
Requiring thereby, subjects to submit,
And render due obedience unto it:
And to give strength unto their just intents,
They raised Armies by commandements:
For to regain their gracious royall prince,
To vindicate their honours, and convince
Those errors, which were in their King inspir'd
And this was that they constantly desir'd:
But yet one passage must I not forget,
Into its highest nature to relate.
They do incense, to make the breach the more,
Their Soveraign, for to approach the door
Of Parliament, and there would take the embers,
Destroy the body, cutting off the members:
Accompanied with proud pernicious foes,
Call'd Cavaliers, from whence their name arose:
[Page]This was their plot: more hatefull to be held,
Then was that powder treason paraleld:
For that was by our enemies abroad,
But this by those confest the self same God:
That was by powder, to dispatch with speed,
All in an instant: hereby might they bleed
Above an Ocean, issuing every day
Forth from their sides, who I dare truly say,
Sought by all means for to maintain the sence
Of ancient statutes, and their Kings defence:
O! highest, horrid, massacre of hell,
It makes me tremble, when I strive to tell:
But am reviv'd, O! how my spirits fill
With joy and gladnesse, when I saw this ill
So wisely shund: O! but a secret hand
Of power divine, did do't I understand,
But hereupon our Soveraign thought it right
Himself for to sequestrate from the sight
And presence of this highest Parliament;
Inspir'd with fury of fierce discontent:
Then as the child, who sees an angry Father,
Or like such loyall loving subjects rather,
Or like the chast imbraces of a spouse,
Who prayes, perswades, solicites, and she woes,
A wilfull husband, when he will divorce,
Or her abandon, or which may be worse,
Accuse her of a breach, and urge upon her
Those insolencies of a base dishonour:
She still pursues, importunes, pleads, and speaks,
And on her knees, submissively she seeks
To reconcile her thoughts to his again:
But all her time and tears are spent in vain:
These free-born subjects, like to those, I say,
They seek their Soveraign, and they humbly pray:
They do petition, and they call on high
Upon the maker of his Majesty:
[Page]Into whose hands the hearts of Princes be,
He would be pleasd to move him, let him see
Their zealous hearts, with what affection
They would submit unto his sacred throne,
If he would please but condiscend to stay,
And ratifie those actions, which say they,
Shall be determin'd, after to the lawes
In former times, in every point, and clause:
The priviledges of your Majesty
Shall be establisht in a high degree:
We will contrive as lines of law shall lead,
Your Highnes shall corroborate, as head.
But all is nothing, lo, he stops his eare;
Retires himself, and leaves them sitting there:
Conveens huge Armies, on a fair pretence,
That all was for his personal defence.
Then in the wisdom of that Councell great,
Which was establisht in its proper right,
Whence he remoov'd, they sent an army out
For to defend the faith, its foes to rout:
Their banners were bedect with holy phrases,
And in their marches sung their masters praises:
And to prevent more imminent mischief,
They went and waited for the next relief:
Had no commission, if conceiv'd aright,
But to defend, not to inforce a fight:
Else had they often, if not so restraind,
Reduc'd these sad divisions which remaind.
They were commanded by that famous Lord,
Who by the least neglect, did not debord.
The first, or great encounter which was seen,
Was by Edge hill, so nam'd, or Kenton green:
'T may be some meetings fortun'd for to fall
Between two parties, which I do not call
To mind; but here the onely place was set,
Where these two Royall armies fiercely met:
[Page]It was the year six hundred forty two,
The twenty three October, when they do
Draw up their forces, on the Sabbath day:
I was a witnesse, therefore dare I say;
I will not seem so partiall with my quill,
For feud, nor favour, nor for no mans ill,
But will declare such as I then did see,
Or as my charge sometimes permitted me:
The royall presence once prepar'd, approach'd,
Vnmounted from his horse, or else uncoach'd:
Gave orders to his chief Commanders then,
To shew themselves couragious, valiant men,
This did I hear by true report, and I
May well avouch, they, herein do notly:
Then with the sound of trumpets, and the noise
Of Drums, and Canons, and a mighty voice
Of Souldiers threatnings, thirsting after blood,
Did cover all the fields, as a cloud;
Came on, gave fire, pursued, and they set
Themselves at worke; and were as fiercely met:
For though we had not orders to pursue:
Yet must they not tryumph, I tell you true;
Their banners were with wickednes adornd,
Our holy ensignes sinfully they scornd:
Yet once ingag'd sincerely I protest,
They fought with courage, while the battel last,
But was constrained for to give us ground,
As by their absence in the morning found:
Fled from their peeces, left their dead behind them,
And at such distance as we could not find:
The royall Standard, this day did we gain,
Lord Lindsey Gen'rall in the field was slain:
Took divers Ensignes, placed them to fly
As Emblems, Trophees, of our victory:
With certain thousands of the vulgar sort,
Which were destroyd, yet they, for to be short,
[Page]Conceiv'd a shadow of a second strength:
As broken reeds, which faild them: in the length
Approacht in presence of fair Londons walls,
Expect relief; but listen what befalls▪
For on another Sabbath day they sought
Advantage, but it treacherously was wrought:
Because they had a conference between
Their chiefest men, and ours, and we did mean
Upon the passing of each faithfull word,
That none should dare for to unsheath a sword:
Yet notwithstanding that they had ingag'd
Upon a treaty, and their honour pledg'd;
On this pretence they did approach, and are
In armes at hand; bad stratagem in Warre:
To stain their honour, or to violate:
The trust impos'd, should be immaculate.
But what advantage gaind they by this act?
Their mighty Army very nigh was sackt:
For had they not in secret of the night,
As formerly, returned while they might:
Their many thousands, both of Horse and Foot;
And in the which they trusted, were so stout,
Were very like to be confounded then,
Such was the minds of our heroick men:
For they confided, first, to find supply
From out the City, else had they not come nigh.
But all their plots were disappointed, so
That they were glad with greedines to go:
For London long'd their Soveraign to enjoy,
But shund to let them enter to destroy
Themselves, and shopps, their houses, and their ware:
No, they resolv'd they should not enter there.
Thus must they march: to make the matter worse,
They presse the people; and they plunder horse:
They do pretend they seck the Subjects good,
As innocents, they shun to shed their blood.
[Page]The Papists have preheminence at Court,
And Jesuits have Jesus, to be short:
They pray unto those Idols, but pretend
The Protestant profession they defend:
Their God is blind, so are they also too;
He cannot help, nor know they what to do:
This God of theirs deceives them, yet will they
Create a new Creator every day;
Such means as those they use to move the people,
And rings Religion out of every steeple:
They make a processe in impious actions,
And strive to bring the Common wealth in factions:
The scope of all their carriage abroad;
Hath prov'd but high derision to God:
For whatsoever from the source was sent
Of good Religion, with a strong intent:
They trod it under footsteps, and did fly
The happines of true divinity:
Thus did they spend the power they did contract
To ruine Gospel, bring the best to wrack:
For let me ask, as one who hath an eye
And pen, free of impartiality:
What did they do in all their great proceedings?
Or what perceive you in your by past readings?
'Tis true they sought, and manfully did stand;
But it was most because of good command:
And so they rangd in most unruly kind,
With stretcht out armes, and irteligious mind:
Till at each meeting, by the sword, or power;
We took them captives, or we did devour▪
The chiefest of their Champions, uncontrold;
Which made their armies by their presence bold
Yet notwithstanding that they are so stout▪
The Chivalry are ruind, and the foot
Are forc'd to fly, or in the end must yeeld,
But for the most part was an equall field:
[Page]I attribute, next, to th'Almighties hand
As I have said, all to their wise Command;
For had they not, that high renowned Scot,
Surnamed Ruthen, Earl, a man of note,
Their Generall; and of that Nation many
As brave Commanders, in the world as any,
Besides, their high determinations cease,
When they perceive their richest spoils decrease:
Their hands did fail them, and their hearts relented▪
It was too late, or else they had repented.
They knew the cause wherein they had been bent,
Was contrary to the Laws commandment:
And that they had no warrant from the Word
Of God, nor did it privilege afford,
Unto their persons for to interpose
Between their Soveraign, and the seed of those
Who were elected, in a legall band
As one united body, for to stand.
And now you see, when power is in our hand
By full Commission, absolute command,
How they are vanquish'd, Towns regained, so
But if you ask me how, I do not know.
Thus from this place of powerfull residence
To that, where Phebus leaves his influence;
Both Towns, and Countrey, once, which did submit,
Were gaind into obedience of it:
Of it, I say, which should our actions guide,
And from the which, our thoughts should never slide.
Likewise their strength, extended to the North,
Throughout the Kingdom, reached over forth;
But by the way, opposed were by might
With multitudes, and millions in their sight;
That all were as, the stubble to the fire,
Or as the dust which from the winde retire.
Some were confounded, others forc'd to fly,
Their bodies wounded all were glad to cry,
[Page]And beg for pardon, safe it were those Priests
And Jesuits, who counted all but jeasts
Till they were routed, totally, and then
They saw their Gods, were given prayes to men.
This did expresse the providence, and wit
Of prudent Essex, who appointed it,
By vertue of, His Warrant from his hand,
Which gave all others, absolute Command
As high, immediate, onely Generall:
Nor do I seek to derogate at all,
From those, whose actions were approv'd to be
Heroick, noble, vertuous, yet let me
Without offence, give every one their own,
Nor give my Generall, but what well is known
To be, and is, and ever shall be due,
His proper pow'r, I will a vouch it true,
Yet this is not the scope of my intent,
My pen importunes, and my Muse is bent
To take her flight fair Albion throughout,
From East to West, its borders round about;
Nor rests she there, but lo my Muse she must
Travers the waters, and in secret thrust
Her self, amongst such as count nothing just;
But what's invented by their wicked lust.
And what by them is acted, and resolv'd,
Though they themselves, are thereby much involv'd
In wofull sin; yet they forsake with shame
The noble title, of a I oyall Name.
They do deny the pow'r, and vertue too
Of Covenants, and this they likewayes do
Deny the truth, nor will they entertain
A Triple Crown, but labours to ordain
By private factions, what they think is fit,
According to their diabolick wit:
And this they call a Covenant, because
They covenant, to contradict the Laws:
[Page]Lay's truth aside, forsakes the God of peace,
Abandons vertue, wickednesse embreace.
They cut the throats of such as are not Rebels,
And will not bow to their pernicious bables.
Thus have they run, and rang'd, five falls almost,
Triumphed o'er poore Protestants, and crost,
Yea, and tormented, Innocents, and such
As had not knowledge to discern, nor which
Was good, or bad, was right or wrong, nor what
Was to be chosen, or be aymed at.
All were alike in their polluted hearts,
They pierc'd the sides of Infants with their darts:
Began, go on, and entertains a war;
And those are they, 'gainst whom this Nation are
So well ingag'd, and daily doth send over
Supplyes of all things, them for to recover;
What vast expences, in a boundlesse measure,
Enough to have exhausted Chrysus treasure.
Millions of men, and multitudes in store,
The more is spent, they still imploy the more:
And all is furnish'd, by this famous place,
The Metrapole of England, and the grace,
Yea, and the glory, of the worlds delight,
For sumptuous buildings, wonders to the sight.
To what shall I endeavour to compare
The excellencies of this place so rare?
Whose beautie shines, whose glory is so great,
That I should rob it, of its proper right,
If I should lay it in the Scales to try
If any be of such equality;
But what my Muse, are these the news thou brings?
Canst tell us nothing, but such dolefull things?
As Kingdoms ruins, nothing but of war,
And what is worse, if any worser are:
O, yes, the waters are abated much,
The evils are not now so bad; but such
[Page]As thou mayst see, the deep deluge is dry,
The Ark is opened, and I can espie
A peacefull Dove, transporting in her bill
An Olive branch, directed by the will
Of that divine, high wisdom of that God,
To tell them this, who in the Ark abode,
The floods are fled into their former bounds;
We can perceive the waters from the grounds:
The Sun doth shine, dispersed are the clouds,
The stormes are calm'd, abated are the floods.
The Ark of England, doth in safetie stand,
The Creatures enjoy a peacefull Land.
Now are we fully satisfide, and more
Then ever we could be at all before,
That this destruction was by divine Hand
To wash away the wicked from the Land.
For was not God derided to his face?
His Laws neglected, misregarded grace:
Pride was become superlative, and I
May well avouch, that base hypocrisie
Was plac'd within the very breasts of all
Both rich, and poore; the greater sort, and small
Were all infected: and the height of sin,
When God forbore a while, increast therein.
That should I reckon, irreligion, lyes,
The sin of Murther, and adulterous eyes,
Contempt, deceit, and all the sins of hell
Raign'd in this Nation, in the which we dwell.
But now all tokens of a peacefull time,
That we are cleansed from the guilt, or crime
Of those offences, wherewith we were cloy'd;
And for the which, we well nigh were destroy'd.
Approach, and do present themselves at hand,
And do proclaim, a quiet peacefull Land:
Our bloody battels have brought better things,
The Subjects thoughts, united to the Kings.
[Page]Our former evils, avarice, and greed,
And all those sins which heretofore you read,
Are now so blotted, and abated too,
That what they did before, they no more do;
So are the thoughts now of our Soveraign turn'd,
For which the Land, and all thats therein mourn'd;
That what the Subject sought, and much entreated,
And by uncessaut Messengers invited;
Yet were deny'd, now is it freely sent
To be embraced by the Parlament.
The King and Subject now are almost one,
The way to make the most Magnifique Throne
That ever was, or in this Land hath been,
Or heretofore by any hath been seen.
O happie time, may I be bold to tell,
Within the which this great discention fell;
Which is so like to gain so great a good,
Though we have bought it dearly, by our blood.
Religion's aym'd at, in a truer kind,
If we can get them all but of a mind;
Our errours are removed, all intend
Their former frailties fully to amend;
So that the evils of our by-past age
Shall gain us far more faithfull privilege:
And make us further, to forsake the sin
Which heretofore we so were wallowed in:
Shall make us know, whence all of us did come,
Where we shall bend our actions and to whom,
Shall reunite, as formerly you read.
The Members, so, divided from the Head
Shall move our Soveraign for to smile again,
And with his Subjects joyfully remain:
Shall still be thought immediately the cause
Next unto God, that we possesse our Laws.
It shall speak peace assuredly, and shall
Cure these diseases Epidemicall;
[Page]Shall make these Nations, happie, more and more,
And thrice so fruitfull, as they were before.
Shall make them quite forget the evils gone,
When they shall see their Soveraign in his throne.
O what a change then shall our souls perceive,
What greater pleasure, could we wish or craue?
But all our former tears for to be wip'd
Away, and we, who were extremly strip'd,
Shall be made glad: and all our by-past grief
Be turn'd from terror, to a full relief!
Then shall we sing the praises of the day,
Wherein we heard the Proclamation say,
So many thousands sacrificed were,
And shall acknowledge, we be happier
By far, then ever we did think to be.
This is my hope, what say you now to me?
Or to my Muse? is this not all you would?
Or what by me, was promist to be told?
Then let me yet, insist a little still,
And pen the praises, with my tyring quill
Of that most famous, glorious City, and
Set forth its fame; so making great the Land
Wherein it lies, fair London which hath lent
Its treasure to afford us this content;
They speak of Sparta, for its famous worth,
And write huge volumes for to set it forth:
The pens of Poets and their pains are spent
To praise its glory most magnificent:
Not onely for the grandor of its Gates,
Nor for those vertues, which the world relates,
Nor for its pomp, nor for its pleasant walls,
Nor for its Worthies, which within it dwels,
Nor for those riches, which it doth contain,
Nor yet these Nobles, it doth entertain,
Nor for those Statues, therein which do stand,
Nor yet the Archyes, builded with the hand
[Page]Of Curious art, nor for its streets so fine,
Nor for such things as they account divine:
Nor for the pleasures of its breadth, nor length,
Nor for the numbers, which affords it strength;
Nor for its fame, nor for its fair renown,
Nor all the things, that can extoll a Town:
But for a Cause, that cannot be exprest,
And that is this, it far exceeds the rest.
Yet all is nothing, if I shall compare
This Soveraign City in its vertues rare;
It far excels my telling, or my tongue,
My enterprises may provoke its wrong.
The pens of Poets, have been all imployd,
And all the Muses, have their skill convoyd
To praise its pomp, its pleasures to expresse,
And sing the praises of its worthinesse.
Its riches, and its Nobles doth exceed
Not onely Sparta, but all parts I read:
Its statues are established in state,
With brave triumphant Archies on each gate:
Its streets in straightnesse, standeth as a line,
Pav'd so for pleasure, it doth purely shine.
It is so spatious, yet of precious stones,
That every place, appeareth sumptuous thrones,
It is the Seat of all Divinitie,
And in its Learning none can come it nigh.
A place so praist, and spoken of, a farre,
In just compare, no places equall are.
Are not the eyes of all the earth abroad
Fix'd on its glory, as it were a god?
Do not all Nations labour to reside
Within this City? which can fully feed
Far more in number, with its rairest dainty,
Then it can harbour, so great is its plenty:
A place wherein, all Nations are concern'd,
So populous, and yet so well govern'd.
[Page]Besides all these, in mornings of the Spring,
When Ecchoes answer, Quiristers that sing;
And from the steeples, when they strain the Bells,
Whose melody sweet Musick paralels:
When all the airie branches of the trees
Are whistling for the multitudes of Bees:
And at whose wals, the Ocean once a day,
Or twice, or thrice, returns without delay,
To do it honour, and to wash its walls;
Which having done, as surfeted it falls
Abake, for to imbrace its former banks,
And then returns, unto its by-past pranks.
That fairest River of Renowned Fame,
Or Chrystall Conduict, named by the Thame,
Almost surroundeth, this, so sacred Citie,
That to compare with Sparta were a pitie.
And then we speak of Sparta, by report,
So that such contemplations, must come short
Of such a thing as herein I intend,
Although I can the full not comprehend.
Yet in compare, I must expresse so much
The Lacedemons never dwelt in such;
Not onely for all other things, but then
It far exceeds all Cities for the men:
Nor is this all yet, one thing I must tell,
In which fair London, doth the world excell,
And which indeed, makes all things to appear
The more delightfull, unto all that's here.
And of it self the onely joy to men,
Superlative for pleasure now and then:
Those fair Idaeas, of the femall kind,
Such matchlesse beauties no where ever shin'd;
The daintie visage fair Venetian Dames,
Are far inferiour darkned at our flames
Of admir'd features; those heart-piercing eyes,
In full resemblance of the Deities.
[Page]But Ile forbeare, I know their Sex are such
They may wax prouder, if extold too much:
O fair magnifique glorious Citie thou
Art so exalted and extolled too
That my so shallow superficiall brain
Cannot expresse (with such a fluent strain,
As is requir'd the excellencies and
The manner, method, form, how thou dost staud,
Upon the East part, where fair Phoebus rise
There stands a Tower, with Crownes up to the skies
So strong, so stately, each way wal'd about,
Such wealth within it, Lyons are without;
The famous Theams, which it doth stand upon
So arched over with a Chrystall Throne,
That look afarre, and it appeareth there,
The Houses hang, between the earth and aire:
And at the west, or other end of it,
Two palaces, where mighty Princes sit,
Thereby the Stately monuments of Kings,
(Bedeck'd with robes, with Trophees, and such things,
As shall remaine for glory of the place
Untill the time, that time shall have no race,)
doth stand, and with it, is adjoyn'd so nigh
As if it were it selfe, a Sanctuary,
A place appointed for a solemne seat
Where Orthodox divinity doth meet,
Between which two, the Tower and Royall Seat,
Such famous Churches stand in every street,
That if I erre not almost doth appear,
A severall Church, for each day in the year:
There is the place establish't for a throne
For Englands Soveraign's for to sit upon,
There are the Seats of Justice for the Land,
And there the Scepter swayes in Justice hand,
There sits the Counsel of that Court so high,
Which represents, a Royall Majesty;
[Page]That every thing; considered, as you see
It no more Citie, but a World may bee,
But stay my muse, where minds thou for to run?
Hast' not forgot thy self, since thou begun?
Thou may'st run out in hyperbolick speeches,
But 'tis much higher then thy knowledge reaches,
Forbeare with fairnesse, labour not too far
Be not too forward runing in the warre,
Thou mayest loose thy labour and abuse
The good intentions of thy vertuous Muse:
Thou must not seem too curious, nor too nice,
Let it suffice, that thou hast broke the Ice;
It is the mark of any wise Commander
In such a field, not too farre to wander,
The times are dangerous, and thou walk'st alone
And hast to doe with more men then with one▪
The number's many, which thou hast to please
And thou art object of as many eyes:
Thou hast run over in few certain hours
The Compasse of three Kingdomes, and their powers,
Hast been in all the Armies of the land
With nothing but a pen into thy hand,
Hast travel'd rashly, and hast met with many,
I think it strange thou didst not strive with any,
But yet retire, remember I have told thee
A hundred thousand thousands may behold thee,
And of them all, perchance some may commend it,
And it may happen some men be offended.
But send it forth unto the world to view
Crave good men mercy, bid the bad adue.
William Mercer. Anagr.
I arm merci well.
Vers.
I arm merci well, arm's and merci too,
I here expresse, and leavs the rest to you.
FINIS.
Angliae Speculum: OR ENGLANDS LOOKING-GLASSE.
The second Part, Consisting of severall Speeches, Anagrams, Epigrams, Acrosticks, and Sonnets. &c.
By C. VV. MERCER.
Scribimus indocti, doctique poaemata passim.
LONDON. Printed by Tho: Paine. MDCXLVI.
To the Right Honourable LORDS Assembled in PARLIAMENT.
SHall dust and ashes dare to utter words
In presence of such high & mighty Lords?
Who are so set, and circled by the throne
Which their dread soveraign use to sit upon:
Dare I lift up my eyes upon that place?
Or shall I have the honour to imbrace
Time for to talk? or will they tell me, I
Must stand aside, they are a Majesty;
Made up of many: no, no, not so, they
Are not so proud, their presence every day
They do afford; therefore let me not fail
To enterprise, my purpose will prevail:
Why should I think of such things as forbearing?
The tale is ill that is not worth the hearing.
Those noble Lords are Peers into the Land
Brooks not such pride: I pray you understand,
They are the chief, most eminent, allow'd,
For Englands vertues; will you have them proud?
No, I perswade you, will you walk about,
And view the world, even every way throughout:
Scarce shall you find such Worthies as they are,
Or such as can compare with them, by far▪
And in pursuance what you hear me speak,
Come but and listen, you shall see me seek.
And crave their patience, and make bold to ask,
And in their presence will present my task.
[Page]Most noble Lords, whose constanci's admird▪
Whose Vertues waies, and travels are untyrd;
By whose consent, the Scepter beareth sway,
And in your great assembly every day.
What constant minds, are seen about your throne;
What noble Spirits do appeare thereon,
What joyfull smiles, shine in the subjects ey,
To see amongst you, such a Sympathy;
No emulation, nor confounding pride,
Your high attempts, nor actions doth divide,
Your enterprises are so prudent still,
You nothing but, the ancient lawes fullfill,
You still concurre, and with the Commons stand
Their Honours thereby, beare an equall hand,
What high applaus shall be pronounc'd of you,
When after ages, shall repeat your due?
Declaring how you stayed with the State
When there was striving dayly in debate:
Some going hence and others doubting what
Was best to do, yet you not question'd that;
Did not my brave and Noble ESSEX ever
'Gainst all Temptations constantly persever?
What shall be said for all your certain waies?
Your Noble brow's, shall beare a crown of boyes:
Thus if I fail in what my muse affords,
I humbly leave it to the House of Lords.
W. M.
To the Honourable House of Commons.
VVHere am I now? O! let me wisely weigh
Since I presume thus, to approach so high;
As to appeare in presence of that place
Which is so stor'd with statelinesse, and grace,
The body which doth represent a King,
Admits no title but a Sacred thing,
Each member there, may well be said to be
A perfect part of our chiefe Sanctuarie:
The true extract of Wisdom, and the best
Which by consent, are sifted from the rest,
Whose easlesse labours, with impartiall eyes,
Prevents the dangers, dayly which arise,
Expires their Spirits, almost to regaine
What cursed catives, labours for in vaine,
Are early up, can skarcely go to bed,
Five falls and springs, such troubles have they had,
Must heare the cries, of every one that are
Almost confounded with this cruel war.
The great man coms, petitions in his griefe;
And then the poor petitions for reliefe:
The Widdow cryes, my husband's slain, and I
Am destitute for want of food may dy.
Then comes the Orphan, Loudly cries alasse
I most of all am in a fearfull case:
As also numbers of the hurt, and lame,
All have recourse, calls for reliefe at them:
The great and mean, the destitute and poore,
All call for pittie at their pious doore.
[Page]Yet they have patience, and do much prevent
The pressing sorrowes of the discontent:
Like to the tender parents, who provide
For such, as on them faithfully confide:
Themselves are robd of all that was their own,
Yet must maintain such as are overthrown.
Must strive to still the out-cryes of all those
Who have been ruind by their raging foes:
But wherewith do they what they have to do?
I ask it of thee, and must tell thee too:
Their prudence, and unwearied pains appear,
They do provide it, though it be not here:
Their ardent prayers prevaileth most of all:
God grants their suits, they so divinely call;
See how they do such certain dayes allot
For such occasions as requireth note:
Each moneth a solemn publick Fast they keep,
Presents their pray'rs in private, and they weep:
What they forbear, that is collected truly,
And to the poor is dedicated duly:
They put restraint long since to sinfull plaies,
And have prevented idle holy-daies:
They have collections constant for the needy:
To act such things, their goodnes makes them greedy:
'Tis not the heat of Summers scorching Sun,
Makes them desert the busines begun:
Nor yet the sharpnes of the winters day,
Prevents their travels, nor provokes delay:
But they go on still, with undaunted fear;
Observes no times, nor seasons of the year.
This is the course continually they keep,
More constant then they either eat, or sleep:
[Page]Yet all is counted nothing, since they can
Not please the persons of each private man;
This is the thanks they conquish for their care,
They boldly ask them, wherefore sit they there▪
But O! the charge wherein they are ingag'd,
Cals for our reverence not to be enrag'd;
But these are they, those Worthies whom I would
If I had knowledge, faithfully unfold;
But since my skill cannot extend so high,
I must desist, and pardon of them cry:
The [...] actions are true witnesse of their wayes,
What ever malice, or Malignants sayes.
And in the Evening of their wearied day
Their greatest foes, shall be enforc'd to say,
They have done well; and in the end of all
For their rewards, receive a welcome shall▪
So that at last, they shall be cald to rise,
And keep their Meeting farre above the skies.
W. M.
TO The Right Honourable the LORDS COMMISSIONERS of SCOTLAND.
MY LORDS,
AS you are persons of a High discent,
So do your persons highly represent,
The body of a Kingdomes whole estate,
Whose former freedomes, need I not relate;
You know the case, therefore I will forbear,
Yet let me humbly tell you since ye're here,
Scotland hath kepe its Crown unconquish'd ever,
Foes oft invaded, but they had it never;
Nor did they love it for its riches then,
But for the active spirits of the men:
By whose assistance, all the world so wide,
So much triumphs; and in their faith confide.
How great a Glory is it to that place?
They had the honour in so short a space,
Even by their pow'r, to enter and withstand
The sorrowes threatned in their Neighbours Land;
By their assistance set the Borders free,
And what they did, the world a witnesse be?
This is the Land, these are the men, for who,
You all were chosen, and came here to do:
Be not too slow▪ nor seem not in a fleep,
Lose not the thing, which you so long did keep;
[Page]Cast not your burthen, on this noble Band,
But know your selves best what you have in hand▪
They have affairs so weighty, that they must
Begin at home, according to their Trust;
Think on your selves, and that, for which you came,
It is enough, all is allow'd by them:
Nor onely must the Publike be relieved,
But every private Member that is grieved,
It doth belong a little to your charge,
Such to assist; or if you doe inlarge
Your warrant there, it cannot do amisse:
You may commit a greater sinne then this,
And I conceive it cannot give offence
To further things that suffer in suspence,
Such as were sharers in the self-same thing
For w [...]ich you say, you did your Army bring,
And Natives too, it cannot be unfit,
For to befriend them, they deserved it,
In Suits so just, what is't you may not do?
They covenanted for to answer you▪
And then your actions cannot but must thrive
Such grave Divines, assist you to contrive,
Who constantly invoke with holy words,
For blessings from above, and so affords
Assistance alway's, from the heavenly Throne,
And still obtains the same before they'r gone.
Then in a three-fold manner may you take,
Concurrence also, and a Linck may make,
Of such-like strength, as it will ever last
For to prevail, and take it from the rest,
I meane of those judicions Gentlemen,
Whose Ayd you have, and I am certain then,
You nothing can desire, not yet demand
But you will surely have it at their hand▪
Excuse my boldnesse, that I speak so much,
But I presume because I know you such
[Page]You will but smile, to see a souldiers Pen
Imployd to write, unto such mighty men;
But to be plain, I am so poor in purse
And void of learning; which the greater curse?
That I consider, neither what I say,
Nor what I write, nor have I time to stay:
Yet Noble Lords, the errors that I make
I pray you pardon, for the Countries sake.
W. M.
TO THE HONOƲRABLE COMMITTEES.
COmmittee-men, so cald, no question then;
It were most needfull you were honest men:
For by the name Committee, you may finde,
All is committed to your honest minde.
Abuse not then what comes into your trust,
Committee-men should constantly be just;
Know you are Members of that Noble place,
Which pleads its pow'r proceeds of Law, and Grace.
You all are sworn to be just, and then,
If yee be so, ye'r right Committee-men▪
I do believe ye all are just, but ye,
Must not believe me, not unlesse ye be
Both just, and honest, and you must examine
Your selves in secret, what concerns the samen;
Stain not that State from whence you do proceed,
Shun long debate, in things concerning need.
[Page]You men of honour, think upon your fame
Be not defil'd, it is a fearfull shame:
And you who are men of a meaner kinde
Be not perswaded to a partiall minde;
Nor let not love, nor hatred, nor the lust
Of earthly things, move thee to be unjust;
Nor waxe too proud, because thou sees thou can,
Sit in the Chair as chief Committee-man:
But now I fear, that thou wilt shake thy head,
And think me sawcie, for the thing ye read,
Yet I have had experience now and then
Of some of those you call Committee-men,
And if you chide or challenge me, in spite,
I will accompt you, one of whom I write;
Besides, conceive the nature of the time,
And you will give me leave to speak in rime:
Or if you quarrell, and will call me to it
And question me, how I durst dare to do it?
I tell you this, the wats have made me bold,
And I am lately, very scarce of gold;
That to be plain, I have no more to say,
But cure this evill,
I shall humbly pray.
W. M.
TO The Right Honourable the Earl of Northumberland: Earl ALGERNOUNE PERCIE.
Anagr.
Areall Princel'e Governer.
Vers.
A reall Princely Governour, so be;
Thy royall Name denotes so much to me.
Epig.
TO thee brave Piercy, in thy prime of yeers,
Who art made choise of 'mongst the chiefest Peers,
To be great Guardian for the good of them,
The royall Off-springs. of a Diadem.
Those hopefull branches of that high-born Stock,
Those Infant-Anchors, Englands fenced Rock,
The rarest fruit, which heretofore have sprung,
Apparent heyrs to Kingdomes, though they'r young:
How grea [...] [...] trust then, is repos'd in thee,
To have su [...] Treasures in thy custody?
But sure, experience of thy by-past worth,
Hath thee promoted, and haste pointed forth
Thee onely fit; for such brave, high designes,
The education of such Princely Vines.
Long may they live, and rise to honours high,
Even till each one become a Majesty.
And thou, great Earl, whose Grandor shines in state,
Live still in spight of destiny, and fate.
I know not whether of thy parts to praise;
Thy self, place, fame, thou equall art in these.
W. M.
To the Right Honourable the Earl of PEMBROOK: Earle PHILLIP HERBERT.
Anagr.
Peer help al liberty.
Vers.
Peer help all liberty; Brave Lord, we see
Thy actions, and thy Anagram agree.
REnowned Lord, brave Earl, fair Englands pride,
I stile thee so, since England doth conside,
And ever did, in thy fidelity,
Both in their triumphs and tranquilitie.
First, while this Nation did securely rest,
As thou wast Noble thou wert worthiest:
For still the Court, thy carriage did commend
Didst not co-act for thy luxurious end:
And now when Mars did muster all at armes,
Thou still art constant upon equall termes.
True to the State, couragious in faith,
Most absolute in minde unto the death.
A rare example in a case so high,
Friend both to subject and His Majestie.
The Tombs of Traitours, where their Hersesare,
Shall all bear witnesse, how wise Pembrook, farre
Surpass'd their practice; and his Trophées shall
Survive in honour, when theirs, perish all,
Patron of truth, patern in Pietie,
Two matchlesse Emblems, of Nobilitie,
Pembrook for Prudence, Piety, and worth▪
These Epethites shall onely set thee forth.
W. M.
To the Right Honourable Earl, Lord WILLIAM CECIL of SALISBURY.
Anag.
I Will really accord.
Vers.
Agree in truth, I will really accord,
To nothing else, Will I consent afford.
Epig.
SO high a Task, to undertake or chuse,
For my so empty brdin, or shallow Muse,
Doth argue Weaknesse, for it is a thing,
My knowledge cannot; to perfection bring.
Yet in submission, from a loyall heart,
I undertake sincerely to impart,
Those high extended excellencies, rare,
Which with the best; most worthy may compare:
A high-born, Baron, ancient Lord, and Earl,
Of matchlesse splendor, bright as any Pearl,
True Conquerour of Honour, Valour, fame,
Of vertue, favour, and magnifick name!
So Constant, in, the cause for which we fight,
And spend our bloud, maintaining Englands right.
Adds thy assisting Land, unto tho [...]e Lords,
Whose matchlesse wisedome, all true worth affords.
Of thee therefore, whose Vertues are so high,
I take my leave; in all humility.
W. M.
To the Right Honourable the Earl of Warwick, Lord High-Admirall of England. Earle ROBERT RICH.
Anag.
Thrice real, or beter.
Vers.
Warwicks Heroick, Thrice reall, or better,
Brave Admirall, all England is thy debtor.
Epigr.
THis new: prepared piece, though it be dumb,
Yet represents, as it is Speculum,
The chiefest Actors, in this Great debate,
Between the Sovereign, and this Mighty State.
I am not ty'd, nor must I, stand content,
Howbe't it be without my Element.
But since your honour had the sole command
By Sea, and guarded us upon the Land;
Where, when your greatnesse did on Neptune ride,
And notwithstanding of his swelling pride,
Triumphed there; mongst his frothy flouds,
Whose threatnings seem'd to swallow up the Clouds.
Yet there you rul'd, and forced forraign pow'rs,
For to forbear, these Islands here of ours.
Wherefore while I, those Worthies do proclaim,
I must make bold, to magnifie your fame;
Whose admir'd warfares, and Heroick deeds,
Shall be recorded unto all that reads:
That your affection to your Native Land,
May be perceived, though by the Seas command:
Brave Warwicks▪ Valour shall be stated still,
Till Neptune no more shall be seen to fiil,
Daign yet the greatnesse of your dignity,
Accept this signe, of my humility.
W. M.
TO The Right Honourable Bazill Fielding, Earl Denbeigh.
Anagr.
Fli'd il, begin zeal.
Vers.
I fli'd from ill, in zeal I did begin,
In all my acts, continued still therein.
Epigr.
BRave Lord thy Banners in this War were born,
And were by Mars both massacred, and torn,
Thy self bore Arms, when errours thought to rage,
And act'd thy part, upon that Tragick Stage:
Where dead mens sculs, lay strowed on the ground,
A sunder from their bodyes being found.
There thou triumph'd, against their tyrannie,
And rais'd up Trophees of thy Victory.
Prov'd active, faithfull, valourous and just,
And no lesse constant, in continuall trust.
Expos'd thy person, and didst spend thy state,
Incur'd the danger of thy Soveraignes hate;
Art one in number of the House of Lords,
So all these reasons, matter me affords,
To fall upon this subject, and to pen,
Thy praise; and place thee with those Noble men.
W. M.
To the Right Honourable, Earle Henerie Rich.
Anagr.
Here hence ir' realj▪
Vers.
Here hence ire really. Thy Eagle-soring Wings▪
Surmounts all envy, Ire, or such like things.
Epig.
WHat high Renown can be return'd by me,
Most Noble Lord, as attributes to thee?
Extents of honours, in their rarest kinde,
On Hollands head have been increas'd I finde:
Bounty beyond expressions of my Pen,
Thy beauty too, exceeds the Sex of men;
The miracle of Fame, Dame Natures glore,
The life of vertue, graces house of store:
Thy Courtly presence, and thy Princely grace,
Adds to the splendor of thy Royall Race.
Nor Spain, nor France, the Netherlands, nor all,
The Nations, nam'd; on this unmeasured Ball,
Can justly brag of such a one in worth,
For valour, vertue, and what issues forth.
The rarest tongue of Eloquence, and skill,
Which doth exceed, brave Cicero his quill.
The mindes of Monarchs, and the Courts of Kings,
Are onely fit, for such unequald things.
The eyes of England, gloried heretofore,
In thee brave Holland, pray thee keep thy store,
And stand aside, lest any stain thy state,
By private Envie, undeserved hate.
And when thou find'st occasion, then come on,
Thy person fits, for to approach a Throne.
W. M.
To the Right honourable the E. of Manchester, Earl Edward Montigue.
Anagr.
Do not gr'eve me, I rul'd al.
Vers.
Do not grieve me, I rul'd all; at arms,
Where I commanded, kept you all from harms.
Epigr.
THat priviledge which Poëts do presume,
To practice by, I shall not need assume;
These are but fictions, for to figure forth
Such counterfeits, as have no reall worth.
If I had Tullyes Eloquence of tongues,
And all the Nature to the Nine belongs▪
Or rare Apelles knowledge in his Art,
And should imploy them all, for to impart,
Those Noble vertues, valourous and wise,
Heroique actions, which do sympathize,
And correspond with these brave Worthies here,
They could not yet so exquisite appear,
For to demonstrate, nor draw to the life,
Thy high deservings, but engender strife;
And there should stay; and not determine truly,
The rich esteem of thy demerits duly.
The Chronicles of Englands true record,
Shall eternize thy Noble name, brave Lord.
Time shall expire, but that extent shall not
Extenuate, nor thy remembrance rot;
Succeeding ages, while the ayr gives breath,
Shall speak, how thou expos'd thy self to death,
In doing service for this famous Land,
Wherein thou art a Prince, Peer, Earl, and
Which yet is more then each of these, or all;
Next to brave Essex, second Generall.
W. M.
To the Right Honourable Henerie Gray, Earl of STANFORD.
Anagr.
Agree herein, realy.
Vers.
Forsake all Shichems, take consent of me,
Maintain the truth, herein, really agree.
Epigr.
MOst courteous, and right stately Stanford, thou,
To whom I'm bent to pay that reall Vow,
Which for thy worth, I solemnly have sworn,
And in my breast, so long a time have born:
Because thy constant countenance, hath still
Been opposite, to Actors in this ill.
Hast proved pious, pregnant, painfull, and
With resolution, for the Faith didst stand.
Sent forth the substance of thy self, thy Sonne,
And free-born Heyr; what further could be done?
To fight in Battles for thy Native Land,
And for the Subjects freedome, for to stand.
Thus then thy self, still by uncessant pains,
Untill this time untyr'd, and true remains,
To serve the State; and as I said, even so
Thy Noble Son, as resolute didst go;
And made a two-fold tye, to truth and fame,
In lines of Gold to write thy worthy Name.
And yet another reason moves me too,
In humble thanks to do this that I do.
Thou art a lover of that Native Land,
From whence I came; and who for England stand.
All these, and I, shall still be bound to say,
Live still in honour, stately Stanford, Gray.
W. M.
TO The Right Honourable John Maitland, Earl of Laudersdale: Earle John Maitland.
Anagr.
I aim'd at reall honer.
Vers.
I aim'd at reall honour; that, I will afford:
To lesse then that, I never will accord.
Epigr.
ONe constant Star, still in the North did stand,
A Directory both by Sea, and Land:
But now two lights, more glorious then that one,
Are seen appear, forth from that Horizone.
Thou shinest for one, brave Laudersdale, a Star,
Whose splendour bright surpasse all others far:
But being darkned by the Clouds at home,
Thou chang'd thy Seat, and to the South didst come.
To let thy Light, shine constant, cleer, and pure,
Though wandring Stars, shall vanish, not endure.
W. M.
TO THE RIGHT HONOƲRABLE JOHN ELPHINGSTOWNE. Lord Balmerinoch.
Anagr.
I own honest helping.
Vers.
I own honest helping, and I did engage,
For honest help, the Covenant in plage.
Epig.
THat other light for which I lent my word,
Thou art; our wise Balmerinoch, brave Lord,
Who chang'd thy own true proper place in Sphear,
And set thy self to shine in Englands ayr:
Shine still, but so, that sending beams abroad,
Thy light reflect upon thy old abode.
Seek Englands good, next thy Creators glory
In all thy actions, and thy Oratorie.
But having shin'd, and shew'd thy true intent,
Return, and shine in thy own Firmament.
W. M.
TO The Right Honourable William Fiennes, Viscouut SAY and SEAL.
Anagr.
Live man, flee sin.
Ʋse in, live in fam▪.
Wise man in life.
Vers.
Live man, flee sin'; Use in, live in fame,
Wise man in life; These are thy very Name.
Epig.
MEcoenas is made famous for his Wit,
Yet thine is not inferiour unto it,
Mars by no name but Mars, can be made known,
And Say (thy name) doth Say and Seal thine own.
Poëts spend time, and speak in praise of Plato,
And shew the rare excellencies of Cato:
I, reading finde, Remembrances of some
So high extold; grave Senators of Rome.
But though it did, so brag, and boast, I dar'
Avouch, that London, may out-brag it far.
For neither Plato, for his wisest parts,
Nor Mars for valour, Cato for his Arts,
Nor yet Mecoenas, for his worthy praise,
They need not make so much report of these.
Nor yet needs Rome, extoll, and tell so much,
As if the world, nor we, could shew them such.
Against them all, I do protest, appeal,
To thee brave Fiennes, Lord Viscount Say and Seal.
W. M.
To the Right Honourable William Gray, Lord GRAY.
Anagr.
Aym, I will agr'e.
Vers.
What good I gather in your mindes to be,
First, I will speak, then, Aym, I will agr'e.
Epigr.
THose worthy Heroes, thrice Renowned Earles,
Whose lustre shines, more bright then Orient Pearles,
Or as those Stars, which glister in the sphear,
When duskie darknesse, mantles o'er the ayr;
VVhen they brave Lord, in presence of that place
Approach, with prudence, statelinesse, and grace,
They do make choise to charge thee, for thy worth,
To contribute those secret thoughts, sent forth;
From their so wise impartiall breasts, they aym,
And thou a wise Mecoenas sits with them,
And finding all their actions faithfull be,
Thou hear'st them speak, then sayes, I will agree.
To thee brave Lord, the Loadstone of the State.
VVhose worth appears, in intricate debate,
Attractive, and, by understanding too,
Thou first collects, then wisely dost thou do.
Dispensing all in such a pious way,
Pure in thy colour, constant, reall Gray.
The acts of England shall be clad with thee▪
And thy rich fame, thereby renowned be.
But worthy Lord, let me pertake of this,
Thy Noble word (though in Parenthesis)
And then return, into thy state again,
In endlesse honour, and I say Amen.
W. M.
[...]
[...]
TO The Right Honourable LORD IOHN ROBERTS: Lord ROBERTS of Truro.
Anagr.
Trie on bold Hero's.
Vers.
Try on bold Hero's, do thou, nothing remove at,
In all attempts, Fortuna audaces juvat.
Epig.
HEroick Roberts, and renowned Lord,
With Martiall actions, in aboundance stor'd,
Whose valour hath triumphantly trode down,
Brave Englands foes, with thy undaunted frown.
Those feats of Warre which from thy force, did flye,
And seconded, so by thy piercing eye,
Did crush thy foes, and make them trembling stand,
By Manhood, and thy Method, in command.
Great Mars Field-Marshall, when his Armies met,
Sole sentence-giver, when his Consuls set:
Thy worth, thy vertue, and unequal'd fame,
Are Epithites, but onely of thy Name;
Thy passive actions, pious, peremptory
Are reall Emblems of thy endlesse glory.
What then although, I often was a witnesse
Of thy exploits, yet must my Muse's unfitnesse
Forbear, and cease; nor can she solemnize,
Thy high deservings in their just degrees.
Or why should I, with this my fleeting quill,
Seek for to sound thy praise? I do but ill.
Thy worth is written with those drops of Blood,
Which seals thy Honour for thy Countries good.
W. M.
TO the right Honourable Thomas Bruce, Lord BRUCE.
Anag.
Com, be as tru'.
Vers.
Come, be as true, unto your State as I.
Who shall assist with all fidelity,
Epigr.
I Stand obliged, by a strong relation,
To pay thee tribute; one is from the Nation,
Whereof thou art, an ancient Earl true born,
And I a Native of the same am sworn.
The second cause, by which I finde me bound,
Is this; thy actions have been alwayes found
So faithfull here; in what thou dost afford
For Englands good wherein thou art a Lord,
And hast remained certain, by-past yeers,
In Parliament; in number of the Peers.
The last is this, which makes a threefold tie,
I stand ingaged, by affinitie;
These three may challenge, since they all are true,
A dutifull remembrance of thy due.
And were it not I partiall should be held,
I would expresse thee searcely Paralleld.
But I forbear, because thy fame doth flie,
Beyond the reach of my arrested eye:
Continue still in favour, wealth, and fame,
And honours, encrease on thy Noble name.
And if curst envie, doth affirm I flatter,
Yet can my lines, not make thee worse, nor better.
W. M.
TO The Honourable William Lenthall Esq. Speaker of the Honourable House of COMMONS.
Anagr.
I hat' all'vill men.
Vers.
I have all evill men, the chair have I,
To sit and plead speak and impartially.
Epig.
THou wast found fittest after long debate,
To be chief Speaker in the Chair of State,
A place so high, so weighty, honourable,
Thou hadst not had it, hadst thou not been able.
Nor when thou hadst it, had thou not been just,
Thou hadst not had it; so long in thy trust.
But thou hast prov'd so painfull, pregnant, wise,
Appear'd so upright in brave Englands eyes,
That so long as the greatest Councell sit,
By all consents thou maist inherit it.
The mouth of those who sits about that throne,
Speaks all their mindes, and yet thou art but one.
To thee each grievance must be given out,
Then prudently thou speaks it round about.
[Page]And then those worthies what they finde is best,
Return't to thee, by thee to be exprest.
VVhich thou by Order, causest to dispence,
In method, manner, to divulge the sence
Of their designe, so that thou still remains,
Full of conceptions, and uncessant pains.
The place belongs most properly to thee,
I wish thou wouldst speak once a word for mee.
They fay that Poëts still continue poor,
And this makes me so often at the door.
But if thou pleasest, when the House is set,
Think on my service, and declare my debt:
I know I may just curtesie receive,
Amongst such Masters, having much to crave:
I hope you will not let me praise your pay,
And yet my self come craving every day.
You all are gods, your actions ever pure,
And I presume, because your Creature.
Yet I appeal unto that place so high,
VVhich is establisht in fidelity.
VVhere thou dost sit, whose vertues I adore,
I kisse thy hand, and so I say no more.
W. M.
TO THE HONOURABLE JAMES FIENNES.
Anagr.
1. My fansi'seen.
2. I see sinnes aim.
Vers.
My fansie seen, I see sinenesse aime;
These are the just Characters of thy Name.
Epig.
I Shall be thought to have some slight intent,
Or that I speak by way of complement;
Nor can I shun, but they will censure me,
Upon the sight of what I say to thee.
But I appeal, unto the mindes of those,
If thou hast any, who art term'd thy foes;
They will bear witnesse, that I have a Theam,
In venturing to write upon thy Name:
Which neither Poët, Prophet, nor Divine,
Can change the Nature, it is truly fien,
And what is Fien? But onely the extract,
Of all things good, which wholly is compact,
In one entire, and formall shape of thing,
Which, if they ask me where it is? Must bring
Thy self in presence, proving it is thine
Or thou art it; that brave and Noble Fien:
Which yet I finde, is but a branch that springs,
From such re-fiens; as are renowned things.
Thus of such ancient Worthies art thou sprung,
But wilt exceed them all, thou art but young.
W. M.
To the Right Worshipfull Sir JOHN MERRICK, Knight.
Anagr.
1. I kno' merci's hire.
2. I, one, me'ker, rich.
Vers.
To vertue, knowledge, honour, I aspire,
But most to mercy, I know Mercies hire▪
Epigr.
VVHat? Richer, and yet meeker? This is much,
One may be meeker, but both, seldome such,
This argueth goodnesse; addeth to thy worth,
To have such Emblems made to set thee forth▪
Riches is much, but meeknesse is far more,
That one is earthly, tother's heavenly store,
But now a third thing, in thy name doth sit;
It says, I, one, but what a one is it?
Add then these two, unite this I, and one,
And you shall see, it is nothing but John.
Joyn then the summe, and you shall see a Theam,
Too high for me to write on such a Name.
But one thing yet, lest partiall I appear;
If any ask me why thy Name is here?
I must return this answer, let them know,
I have two reasons, which I truly owe
Unto thy vertues, and which ties me to it,
And these are sure, the causes why I do it;
The one is this, thou hadst a speciall hand,
In all this Warfare, and a high command,
And wer't beloved by his Excellence,
A cause to me, of no small consequence.
These two together, with the love I bear,
To thee; makes me, stay and consider here:
That since I have not better things to grant,
Accept of these Sir, and you shall not want.
W. M.
TO THE Right VVorshipfull Sir Henrie Mervyn, Knight; my Father in Law.
Anagr.
Here in my vrne.
Vers.
Here in my urne, when death hath paid its debt,
Above this box, or Cabin shall be set,
Th' abstract of knowledge, Learnings highest parts,
Chief piece of Nature, notable in Arts.
All these combin'd, which way you please to turn,
Lies here intomb'd, or rests, Here in my Urn.
Epig.
AMongst those worthies, I were much to blame,
If I should not remember thee, with them,
Whose pregnant parts, appeared so abroad,
Thy skill transcended like a demy God:
Thou couldst, within thy closet, compasse all,
And bring to light the secrets of the Ball,
And truly still, contrive within a span,
VVhat may be travaild in the age of man.
Couldst dip within the Oceans deep, and yet,
Keep distance, at the self-same time with it,
Prevent the perils therein; which lay hid,
Give notice likewise to the blind, who did,
Not dare to dive, but did forbear to be,
So bold to venture if they wanted thêe▪
[Page]Thy skill could reach unto the Starry sky,
And know the secrets therein, by and by,
Those private periods on the Compasse stands,
Did all lye open instant in thy hands.
Nothing lay secret, but by thee was seen,
That is, or shall be, or hath ever been,
Thou wast a feather of the Soveraign Wing,
To flie, and serve thy sometime Master, King.
Thou also hadst the sole command by Sea,
And every one did homage unto thee:
Scarce one, but one, so favour'd in the Court,
Nor yet hadst been, had not the time cut short,
Of famous James, thy Royall Master, than,
Whou could distinguish wele twixt man and man:
Thou art of those, and it is known most true,
Accompted Noble, by thy birth as due;
Nor are thy high deservings lessened yet,
(But thou forbeareth to be seen in it.)
Stands as the Center where men do resort,
To learn thy knowledge, wherein they come short.
Thou lov's to look, and with indifferent eye,
Behold the changes of the time passe by,
Else hadst thou doubtlesse had the sole command.
On either side, within this troubled Land.
For few or none, if I should finde it fit,
For to declare, exceeds thy worth, thy wit.
For which respects, I may include thy Name,
As adding so much to the worth of them,
Whom I do chuse most chiefly, for my charge,
To play upon their Noble Names at large;
And if my duty challeng'd not a tye,
Upon my thoughts, I would say more, but I,
Will cease; because thy worth is so well known,
Write what I will, I give thee but thine own.
W. M.
TO THE RJGHT WORSHJPFƲLL Sir WILLIAM BELFOURE Knight.
Anagr.
1. Lofam' I will be ever.
2. I will be ru'l of fame.
Vers.
Lo fame I will be ever, I will be rule of fame.
This is no fiction, but thy very Name.
Epig.
WHen England did impartially imploy,
The Nations spirits, for them for to fight.
They did desire the honour to enjoy,
Thee, in the fields, for their foes despight;
And with consent, thee to a place did call,
Which was indeed, their second Generall.
Lo how their high intentions unto thee,
And thy performance did so well agree.
Thou prov'd so faithfull in their Royall Tow'r,
They almost did idolatrize Belfoure.
But they peceiv'd thy spirit was too high,
To be so private, in extremitie.
And thus resolv'd, to satisfie the eyes,
Of those who long'd to see some enterprize
Perform'd by thee; but with a sad goodnight,
When thou departed, from thy former right,
There, were they sorry, that thou shouldst go hence,
Yet must submit to such a fair pretence,
[Page]And then their care, into a terrour turn'd,
The multitude made much ado and mourn'd,
Suspected, and exprest themselves dismaid,
In jealous doubts, the Tow'r might be betraid.
Yet they must part, thy presence must be gone,
Thou must be mounted, thou wert called on;
Thy by-past vertues to thy valour-yeilds,
A Saint in private, Lyon in the Fields,
It was enough, to hear thy Noble name,
Thy constant courage, did thy worth proclaim;
And with such action, as thou didst perform,
Prov'd dexterous in many dangerous storm,
I did behold thee, when thou hadst to do,
In publike fights, and private counsels too.
I saw thy practice and thy prudence fit,
Renownd for courage, and cride up for wit,
The fierce encounters which did crush thy foes,
Triumphing on them by undaunted blowes,
Did move an Eccho, made the Mountains shake,
And forc'd thy foes to call abake, abake,
Belfours abroad, O do not venture then,
To re-encounter, lest ye lose your men:
This was thy practice in the place of Warre,
Thus did thou then, but now behold you are,
Injoyd in peace, thy presence is at hand,
At home, and hence, thus hast thou had command:
And in each place, where ever thou hadst trust,
None will accuse thee, thou prov'd wondrous just,
Thou prov'd a pattern in each place of Note,
An honour to the Nation of the Scote;
From whence thou cam'st, and didst thy being take,
But I will cease, it is in vain to make
More Lines, unlesse I had more Letters too,
That I may know more promptly what to do.
And so resolve to say no more, but rest,
My thoughts are such, they cannot be exprest.
W. M.
TO THE RJGHT WORSHJPFƲLL Sir PHILIP STEPLETON, Knight.
Anagr.
1. O thy pleasant lips.
2. Help on, pitie still.
Vers.
O thy pleasant lips, farre from speaking ill,
Make good thy Anagram; Help on, pitie still.
Epig.
I should be much asham'd, to see thee look,
And not perceive thy Name within my Book,
Who having had such favours at thy hand,
May well afford, a room for thee to stand;
Amongst those Worthies where you daily sit,
Thy many vertues well deserveth it.
The Romans who were ruled by a seat,
Of worthy Senat's, had none more compleat,
Then thou who hast a double burthen taken,
With heart and hand, hast not the Cause forsaken,
Thy valour, and discretion did agree,
In open fight, I oft perceived thee,
A sometime second, to that Noble Lord,
To whose decrees thou truly didst accord,
Abroad a pattern often didst appear,
And for thy wisedome art renowned here,
Thus hast thou had a hand in every thing,
To reunite the State, unto the King.
Thy double vertues, doth deserve renoune,
And Lawrell Boughes, to loyall Stepletone.
W. M.
TO THE RJGHT WORSHJPFƲLL Sir JOHN CLATWORTHYE, Knight.
Anag.
Now thy holj care.
Vers.
Now thy holy care, and ayd's requir'd,
Thy knowledge and thy vertues are admir'd.
Epigr.
VVHat? But a few prove loyall to the State?
When all the Irish Rebels, made debate,
And of those few it is my onely aim,
To speak of thee, because I know not them.
I finde thy vertues makes thee much renown'd,
Thy wayes are upright, and thy wits profound▪
Thou art a Member of that House so high,
Which is a Touchstone to fidelitie.
Of ancient stock, which addeth to thy fame:
A Noble Nature, and a Worthy Name:
Who sometimes hath shew'd friendship unto me,
Shall then my Book, not bear the Name of thee?
Yes whilst it lasts, thy Name shall live therein,
And when its lost, thy praises shall begin.
W. M.
TO The VVorshipfull his most Respected, WILLIAM JEPSONE.
Anagr.
I am one espj evill.
Vers.
I am one (in all things) espy evill.
I seek the good, but shun, despise the Devill.
AN ACCROSTICK SONNET.
Wise Maro pend, Mecoenas worthy praise,
Instately stile, in high, and lofty phrase:
Likewise my lines can give no lesse to thee,
Lesse of themselves, though they of nature be;
In civill things, so prudent and so just,
And, one espying evill, shunning lust.
Mirrour of vertue, active in the truth,
Jngenuous, gentle, scorning idle sloth;
Evill espying, and one pursuing good;
Prudently pious, one of Noble blood:
Sincere, so wise, and vertuous in thy minde,
One who to me, hath proved truly kinde:
Nothing shall therefore make me to forbear,
but want of Letters to extoll thee here.
W. M.
TO The VVorshipfull Sir Charles Erskin, Knight.
Anagr.
1. Search, kill Siners.
Shin's liker Caesar▪
Epigr.
VVHat praise may my impartiall pen expresse,
And yet thy worth not to the full confesse?
Nor need I urge, to make my matter fine,
False flourishings, nor can I reach the line
Of thy profound approved prudence, neither;
Who searches first, then kils the sinners; rather
Then thou wilt not, shine liker Caesar, and
Though thou be young, gain honour to that Land,
From whence thou cam'st, and for thy worth who chus'd thee,
To send thee here; and for thy faith have us'd thee:
In state affairs, search and kill sinners; then
Shine liker Caesar, more then other men.
W. M.
To the Worshipful ALEXANDER POPHAM, Esquire.
Anagr.
Read here an 'xample.
Vers.
Of all unconquer'd worth, Read, here, an 'xample,
Thy Name, and fame, sufficiently is ample.
Epigr.
TO thee, I come, brave Conquerour of fame,
Of valour, vertue, and Heroick Name,
And on this Stage, or new impressed stamp,
Or in this Glasse, where Englands Worthies Camp,
About brave Essex, and where each do shine,
I represent that Noble worth of thine:
By Birth in number with the best, and yet,
Thou rests not there, but addeth unto it,
By acts of honour in the highest kinde,
The parallels of Alexanders minde:
What passive patience hath importun'd thee?
Thy Edifices ruines witnesse be:
What vast estate, by tyranny destroid?
Which thy innumered Ancestors injoyd?
Yea what expences, hast thou pleast to spend?
Thy faith and freedome, truly to defend.
Nor didst thou, yet, here limit thy delight,
But all thy curious buildings didst thou quit,
With great estate; (the Grandor of that glory)
Seem'd, but to thee, like Esop in his story.
And Mounted, marcht in most Magnifick manner,
VVhen Mars threw out, his sacrifizing Banner;
Bedect with Emblems of pale death, and darts,
To dull the sences of submissive hearts.
Yet all was nothing, when they were combinde,
Nor could they conquer Alexanders minde.
W. M.
For the Worshipful, DENZAL HOLLIS Esquire.
Anagr.
Holds in Zeal.
Epigr.
REader, be rev'rend all the time thou stands
And hath our famous Holles in thy hands,
Who, though the sin Apostacie prevail
Yet changes not, but he still Holds in Zeal.
Religions encrease, he hath ever aim'd,
I mean the true Religion, which is nam'd
The Protestant, and purely doth apply,
Himself thereto, with an impartial Eye;
Shun's faithlesse Factions, Errours, and Pretences,
Still Holds in Zeal, and pow'rfully convinces
Connivings, sides not, with Schismatick bands,
But for the Tim's opposed Truth, he stands.
Wise, holy Holles, Heavens let thee not fail,
Pattron of Piety, thou who Holds in Zeal,
Long may'st thou live, renowned for thy worth,
Whose Actions well become thy honoured birth.
And thou who run the hazard of thy bloud
For thy Religion, and thy Countrey's good;
Nor stood upon, the losse of thy Estate,
Nor greater dangers, nor the highest hate
Thou could'st incurre, but constantly did'st stand,
To all these things, sign'd with thy heart and hand.
W: M,
For the Worshipfull, JOHN GOODWIN, Esquire,
Anagr. Ho! I winn Good▪
HO! I winn Good, Dost win it where thou sits?
No, That's enough to win men from their wits:
The whole Petitions of this plundered Land
Must be presented to thy piou hand:
The bloudy, thirsty, starving Souldier, greeves,
Haunts your Committee, every day beleeves
To have relief: and by Petitions,
Calls in your eares, have pitty Sir upon's,
The handsom, and hard-favor'd widows, wooe,
They much importune, puts you to it too,
Officers wives, and Waggoners conveen,
At your Committee, and are alwayes seen,
Soliciting, yea threatning you for food,
Is this the way then, that ye Win your Good?
No, 'tis by granting favour unto them,
VVho stand in need, that way ye win your Name.
And were it not, your goodnesse did appeare
In all your pains, you had not had the Chaire.
Brave Noble Sir, then since ye are so free,
Loose not the Good ye VVin, prove good to me.
VV. M.
For the VVorshipful MICHAEL NOBLE ESQVIRE.
Anagr.
Lo men be Clay,
Call him Noble.
Vers.
In Heaven Archangel, in Earth, we call him Noble.
Lo Men be Clay, a Two fold praise, one trouble.
Epigr.
THy real goodnesse, and thy noble Name,
Requires me to remember thee with them,
VVhose high deservings, and renowned praise
(In such Encomiums as thou seest I raise)
Are here inrol'd, as Emblems to remain
And signes of Honour, Trophies in a Train,
To Eternize your Vertues, Names, and Fames,
So long as London stands upon the Thames.
VV. M.
To the truly Honourable Collonel, Collonel Audelay Mervin, my brother in Law.
Anagr.
Adieu al my ru'ne.
Vers.
Adieu al my ru'ne, resolutely I dare,
Withstand, contemn, all frowning Fortunes far▪
Sonot.
WHat shall I say, for to extoll thy Praise?
Which formerly is not expres't of these
To whom I writ? So that without offence
I think I may, extract the Quintessence
Of most those Vertues, which are here allow'd,
And yet may my Hiperboles make good;
It cannot lessen their Esteem, for they
Are truly valued, therefore must I say,
Though thou art young, yet are thy parts so rare,
Ther's no disparage, freely to compare
Thy Pregnancie, and thy approved Fame
May well be coupled, and annex'd to them:
Thy high Discent, heroick actions too
Makes me take freedom, for the thing I doe▪
W. M.
To the Right Worshipful, Sir Richard Strode, Knight.
Anagr.
Rid Christs order.
Vers.
Stop those who strive to stray from Iustice border,
Hereby thou shalt gal [...] Fame, and Rid Christs order▪
Epigr.
STay yet my Muse, for as the case doth stand,
Thou art too rash, and tak'st too much in hand,
Dost thou intend of active Strode to write?
Though thou indeed wilt prove most imperfit▪
To pen his praise, when Plato might come short,
If he were living, and would labour for't.
His noble birth is equall with the best.
His other Ʋertues cannot be exprest;
Hath he not lost, and left his state behind;
And hath endeavor'd, with a faithful mind,
To make this Kingdome, stand engag'd, and grant
My skill is scarce; though I no matter want
To write upon, in penning of his praise,
And me approve, to crown his head with Bayes.
Who was so forward, for to serve the State
He did not stand, as others to debate,
What place was best, according to his Birth,
Or fit for gain, or equall to his worth,
But put himself, for Devons good to be,
Upon imployment, night, nor day was free▪
Nor did he cease, thus with his Sword to stand
But with his Pen, hath pleaded for this Land;
Nor rests he there, but sets himself at odds,
Against all Persons, wbo by practice plods
As he perceives; by self-conceited skill,
To do the Kingdoms Priviledges ill,
Then in a word, let Strode be still renown'd,
In whom those vertues so much do abound.
To the Right Honourable, Thomas Adams, Lord Major.
Anagr.
Or I add more alm's as Th'am,
Vers.
Our Londoners Thames, adds much Alms to them:
Yet I do more, Or I add more al'ms as Th'am.
Epigr.
MOst admir'd, vertuous, Governour supream,
Whose well-deserving actions▪ gaind the Name,
As only fit, to sway the Sword, and bear
The Badge of Honour, so renowned here.
In time of War, a token of such state
It were too high for me, for to relate.
Amongst such Members, of admired worth,
By all consents, to chuse thee only forth.
And for the trust, they truly put in thee,
They all accompted it absurdity
To strive, or study as they use, or wooe it,
But cal'd thee there, a▪ ber [...] thou hadst bin to it,
And solemnized, thy new elected Name,
With no lesse new Inventions on the Theam.
VVhat high Attendance to thy Trains allow'd?
Enough to move a Monarch to be proud?
Yet such is that unmatched mind of thine,
Thou Values not these outwards, but dost shine
By those reflects, which from thy Vertues flyes,
And so yeelds comfort to Spectators eyes▪
That course which Custome for a Right doth claime,
Shall cease, and no more change its Majors Name.
Because it onely changed with intent,
To chuse a new one for amendement.
Long mayst thou live, Lord Major and remain
Renownd in London, till the Floods refraine
To flow, or fall and till the Thames return,
And change its Nature in a Fire to burn.
W. M.
The Right Honourable, Lord Major, and Court of Aldermen.
HEre Adam on his Paradizial Throne
Is Circled with his Off-Spring thereupon;
Or view Him sitting on a Seat so high,
And representing of a Majestie,
VVith Four and twenty Elders in a Train
Attending on him, while he doth remain
Upon the Plane; yea one more yet you see,
But at his right hand, the Recorder be.
And everyone; because I can not bring
Themselves; these letters, signifie the thing.
Behold out first Man Adam, Lord Major Chiefe,
Surrounded with his Off-Spring, here in briefe:
Recorder, Knights, Grave Aldermen, and yet
I Place them all in order▪ as they sit.
1 Renown'd Recorder, pregnant Glinn, in Law,
2 Knight Rainton likewise, for his worth I saw,
3 Brave Pennington, so prudent, wise, and just,
4 Knight Williston, so upright in his trust;
5 Applauded Atkins, famous for his Faith▪
6 Knight Cordwell also, honoured to the death.
8 Grave, pious, Geer, Knight, likewise and renown'd▪
9 Good Gerret, Knight, in Vertues with the best,
10 And worthy Warner ought to be exprest;
11 Renowned, Reverend, Reinoldson, so wise,
12 And gracious Gerrer, so in each mans eyes.
13 Commended Clerk thy knowledge doth excell,
14 Beloved Langham, thy worth I cannot tell;
15 Admired Andrew's modest, free of Pride,
16 Let faithfull Ponks, in memory abide▪
17 But Bunce thy bounty cannot be forgot,
18 And Gibs, much goodnesse falleth to thy lot;
19 See cheerfull Chambers, Cabinet of worth,
20 Firm Foot in friendship, London paints thee forth:
21 Kind Kindrick courteous, constant, active, and
22 Couragious Cullom, fit for high Command;
23 Esteem brave Edmonds, eternize his Name,
24 Acknowledge Evere, admir'd for his Fame;
25 Behold brave Byde, bedeck'd with vertues high▪
26 Thrice worthy Witham, keeps a simpathie,
And makes a Court of Aldermen, and Knights,
Whose glory shines, even like as many Lights,
And all in one do contribute their skill
To keep this famous City free from ill.
Thus have I plai'd impartially on their Names,
Being ly'd to Termes, and Titles, two extreams,
But briefly thus, I boldly do afford,
And put their Names for ever on Record.
To the Right Worshipfull Sir John Northcute Knight.
Anagr,
He cherisht honnour,
Vers.
He cherisht honnour, when he was at warre,
And still goes on in this same straine as farre.
Epigr.
THy wisdom, valour, and fidelity,
Thy knowledge actions▪ and thy constancy,
First mov▪d the Kingdom cal for thee, as fit,
In its High Court, and Councell for to sit,
From thence a two fold testimony too
Thou didst afford▪ couragiously didst do,
In open fields, and there didst fight, and stand,
VVith constant mind, and an heroick hand:
Thy loyall self, sequestrate for a time,
For no offence, nor for a sinfull crime,
Yet there▪ with patience, then thou didst submit,
Nor didst thou therefore shrink aside at it:
But didst continue to the State, so true,
That I come short to solemnize thy due.
W. M.
To the Right worshipfull, Sir Samuel Roule.
Anagr.
Rise me real soul.
Vers.
Rise my real soul, henceforth take no rest,
Till thou enioy the ioy, is not exprest.
Epigr.
THy name, thy nature, and thy practice too,
Are all prepar'd, what they resolve to do.
Thy name sayes Rise my real soul, no rest,
Till thou injoy, the joy is not exprest.
Thy nature likewise really is bent,
And to as early rising gives consent:
And then thy reall practice every day
Of early rising, makes it good, I say.
The age of time, nor yet the times of year,
Nor losse of gain, nor wearied travels here,
Makes thee omit: but thou prevents the day
By early rising, and makes hast to pray.
In publike place, and sacred sermons haunts,
Where schismes are not, amongst protestants,
In number art one of that noble band,
Who for the Nations priviledges stand.
And in its service sent thy noble Sonne,
And freeborn heir, what more then could be done?
Thus to the State thy good extends, and I
Am likewise bound unto thy courtesie.
Wherefore in reason I could do no lesse,
Then represent thy vertues in my Glasse.
W. M.
To the worshipfull Anthonie Nicholls, Esquire.
Anagr. T'schine holi alon.
THough thy name saies, T'schine holi alon,
And where thou'rt set, thou dost not shine but one
Yet lo thy vertues, like the Eastern star,
Shines with those worthies where thou placed are.
Their splendour adds unto that light of thine,
And they get encrease by thy glorious shine,
Be holy also, though not so alone,,
And strive thou to be singular for one.
And as thy name comes nigh to say so much,
Still enterprise to make thy actions such:
Shine holy still, be upright in thy place,
Deferre not justice in a needfull case.
For holy, just, the humble, meek, and true,
And such as are not, shall receive their due.
VV. M.
To the much honoured, Major Generall Edward Massie.
Anagr.
Made wars's aid.
Vers.
Thy valour, vertue, have thee famous made,
Deservedly thou art made wars's aide.
Sonnet.
MAy not my Muse one sonnet sing, to raise
The famous name of Massies worthy praise?
May not my glasse, a glimps give of his glory,
Although deficient of so fine a Story?
Yes, they may both be busied in the same,
And yet scarce add one tittle to his fame:
'Tis not the dulnesse of my Moses wit,
Nor yet a glasse, that can discover it.
Yet since he ha [...]h been active on this stage,
Where most those worthies honours did ingage,
My Muses musick, shall make melodie,
And sing his praise, so shall my glasse let see,
Though not himself, yet something of that kind,
Words cannot well expresse so high a mind.
W. M.
To the worshipfull Godfraie Bossezile, Esquire.
Anagr.
If zeal is Gods Robe.
Gods zeal is before.
Vers.
If zeal is Gods Robe, ô Covet that store,
Be covered therewith, Gods zeal is before.
Epigram.
IF Vertue, Valour, Honour, and the rest
Thy attributes which cannot be exprest,
Such as is Wisdom, Gravitie, and Wit,
Discretion, knowledge, in abundance fit,
Besids that sacred Excellence of Faith
Which thou hast vow'd and seal'd unto the death.
Joyn'd with that favour, and that free good will
Which thou affords to others in their ill,
Makes me acknowledge that it is my part
Amongst those worthies, fitly to insert
Thy selfe; and yet the rather since thou 'rt one
Who in this warfare hast so freely gone,
And much expoz'd thy person for the State,
To tyranny and irreligious hate;
Those things I say, shall keep alive thy name,
When after ages shall thy praise proclaime:
And Titan shall not undertake to rise,
Nor run his race throughout the spangled skies:
Before the Trumpet of thy Fame forbeare
To sound abroad thy high deservings here,
W. M.
To the VVorshipfull, Mr. Hue Kennedie.
Anagr.
Hee, even kind.
Vers.
Endowd With divers vertues of the mind,
Such as is conscience, knowledge, hee even kind.
Epigr.
SInce in the wisdom of a twofold state,
(When matters stand at such a high debate)
In their election they did look on thee,
Most proper for employment Kennedie:
It was the good opinion of thy friends,
Who would intrust thee in such publike ends,
By which thou art in number one of those,
Whose prudence shal suppres the Nations foes.
Go on therefore, joyn in that just designe,
Give God the glory, and the honours thine.
W. M.
To his worthy friend, Mr. Iohn Cheesly, Secretary to the Commissioners for Scotland.
Anagr.
Hence is holy.
Ʋers.
What he records, it is so far from folly,
He pennes With prudence, and he hence is holy.
Epigr:
REnowned Cheesly, unto thee I speak,
And for thy worth, unfained praise I seek
What perfect practice is performd by thee,
It cannot fully be exprest by me:
But they appoint thee promptest, I averre,
For fittest pen-man, wisest Secretair.
Ioyn then th [...]t iudgment which thou dost ingage
The honour of thy Nation l [...]es in pledge,
Add thy assistance, intimate thy will,
Require performance prorogate no ill,
And then no doubt thou wilt be, I beleeve,
Fit for employment, more superlative.
W. M.
To the Honourable, and Right worshipfull, Sir Archibald Iohnstoun, Lord Warestone.
Anagr.
Sober, and just, holi Shrin.
Vers.
Thy name saies Sober, just and holi Shrine:
So that by Nature thou must be divine▪
TO be so honour'd and esteem'd so hie,
And so promoted, in a Kingdoms Ey,
And yet be sober in so great a trust,
Declares thee truly Noble, surely just.
But then to be so holy and divine,
Of all these vertues for to be the shrine,
Is somewhat far above my rurall pen,
To paraphrase upon such pious men.
Thy prudent practice in affairs of State
Are things beyond my knowledge to relate.
Thy Art in learning is so eminent,
And reaches so above my Element,
That if I strive to walk into that aire,
I stand in danger, lest I perish there.
W. M.
To the Right worshipfull Sir Oliver Fleming.
Anagr.
Vse firm religion.
Ʋers.
Vse firm religion, this imports thy name,
Let then thy practise alwaies be the same.
Sonnet.
THy Name, thy Nature, and thy practise too
Iuvites thee to use firm religion, doe
Even as the number of these letters lead
What these Characters spell, let practise road:
But why should I take on me to advise
Thy Noble self, whose constant enterprise
Is to perswade the people to go on
In zeal, and to Vse firm Religion.
Nor yet is this the scope of thy designe,
Nor full intent, but Morralls with divine,
Thou contributes, so by a twofold Care,
Thou gain'st the name of Act ve, upright, rare,
Therefore I cease to paint thy praises forth:
Thy selfe, and actions, shew thy reall worth.
W. M.
To the Right Honourable IchCambell, Earle Lowdon, Lord high Chancelour of Scotland.
Anagr.
Cal him real'e noble.
Vers.
Cal him real'e nohle, sound his fame,
Since you do read his actions in his name.
Epigram.
A Hand divine. or some heroick quill,
Imploid with all Parnassus muses skill▪
Must contribute their knowledge to contrive,
The excellence, the eminence, and strive,
Yea strain themselves for to extoll thy fame,
Thy noble nature, and renowned name.
Thy worth, thy vertue, and admired wit,
Made all thy Nations wisdom, think thee fit,
For to be chosen Chancelour Supream,
And to support a Monarchs diadem.
Thy birth that burthen best became, but then,
Thy education did exceed all men:
As far as Phoebus in his highest sphear,
Excels the smallest meteors in the aire.
Most famous Lord, beloved Lowdon Earle,
More beautifull then is the brightest pearl:
Whose price surpasse those estimations high,
Within the compasse or Capacitie
[Page]Of my conceptions, surely I may aim
To intimate, but cannot come to them.
All Europs eies have long time gazd to see
Those enterprises entertaind by thee:
And duly did determine for to stand,
To those intentions thou didst take in hand.
When faith fell foul, and noman must appear,
In none of these three kingdoms, thou camst here▪
And with a constant courage, and a mind
Most certain, zealous, in undaunted kind,
Thou didst declare, with hazard of thy blood,
Thy resolutions for Religions good.
And when confin'd by Soveraign high consent,
Nor did thy thoughts nor alter, nor relent:
But in a pious and a prudent forme:
Past through the power of that tempestuous storme:
Stood stedfast, faithfull, as that fixed Star,
Which stands, whereby all others ruled are.
A learned l [...]ght, a Peer unparaleld:
Whose high expressions in the tongues exceld,
And still excels, the eloquence or skill
Of Cato, Plato, or Apollo's quill:
When time shall cease, when Phoebus shall not shine,
And human nature shall become divine,
When day in darknesse shall disolve, and when
A thousand years shall be the age of man:
Yea when the Spring to winter time shall turn:
And when the Ocean in a fire shall burn.
Then shall they cease to sing thy praise, and then
Thy name shall be quite cancelled by men.
But not till then (and that will never be)
Shall after ages cease to honour thee.
VV. M.
TO THE RIGHT HONOƲRABLE, Lord Major of the Citie of LONDON. WITH The Honourable Aldermen, and the rest of the Common-councell-men.
REnowned worthies; when I weigh your fame,
Your greatnesse, lustre, and your vertuous Name,
Your wisedome, knowledge, providence, and arts,
Your grace, your goodnes, and diviner parts,
The Zeal, the love, the charities, and what
Belongs, as proper attributes to that▪
Your power, your plenty, with your worth, and wit,
Your faith and forward arguments of it;
The highest honour of your enterprise,
Which from the secret of your hearts arise,
[Page]Your noble Natures, not enough admired,
Your reall actions, active, and untyred,
Your constant Cariage, and uncessant care,
The vast expences, daily you prepare;
Your paines and practice, in a pleasant kinde,
Proceeding from your piety of minde:
Makes up a modell of admyred worth,
To beautifie, and set your glory forth,
Before whose feast, in presence of whose table,
And in whose eyes, so high and honorabel,
My meane designes, or infants of my Muse,
Scarce date approach; yet doubting to refuse,
They do draw nigh; submissively to tender▪
Those true intentions, which I freely render,
In these few lines, Characters here, insert,
As reall Emblems, of a zealous heart,
And do acknowledge I am bound to prayse,
Those who may claime, such Epithets as these,
Grave Judges then, admit me as I am,
Though one unworthy; yet with what I came
Contemne the treasure, not a whit for mee,
Although I bring it, yet behold, and see,
What I present, and at your vacant how'rs,
Look on his lynes, whose life is wholly yours.
I have contrived in a mean degree,
Though not the whole, yet an Epitomie,
Of Englands troubles, and a true relation,
Of all the sufferings, of this famous Nation,
The cause was Gods, the glory is your own,
You have maintain'd the truth, and made it known,
I need not bid you perseveer, you are,
I do perceive you, what you alwaies were,
I only throw my myte into your store,
To shew affection not to make it more,
And do advise you, humbly to eschew,
The bad divisions, of a factious crue,
[Page]Go on with courage, as you have done ay,
It is the evening, that doth crowne the day:
Your Fame is flown' with its wings so far,
You do not know what things reported are,
The eyes of Europe, opened are to view,
If you continue and prove constant true,
Great be the Grander, wherein you may shine,
And heaps of honour from a hand Divine,
Be daily added in your heads, and then,
You will appeare the rarest of all men,
This is the sum: I have for to present,
Your servant can afford no complement,
Accept of these, and if you think it fit,
As you are pleased let me heare of it,
Your good acceptance may incourage much,
I hope your Greatnes will vouchsafe me such,
So shall my book bear witnes at your table,
I am your Servant, Devoted as I am able.
W. M.
To the Renowned, Learned, and Worthy, DIVINES; • Mr. ALEXANDER HENDERSON. , • Mr. SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. , • Mr. ROBERT BAYLY. , and • Mr. GEORGE GILESPIE. Commissioners for the CHURCH of SCOTLAND.
Author. Eccho.
I Could not be resolved of my doubt,
Nor could I finde Divinity well out:
But askt the Eccho, and it answer'd (Ecch.) I
Do know four Fathers of Dininity.
I cald again, if it knew where they were?
And it repli'd, (Ecch.) Ile tell thee where they are.
I askt the place, or if it knew their names,
And then it said, (Ecch.) I know them by their ayms.
What do they aym at? Then I askt aloud,
It answer'd me, (Ecch.) To pay what they allow'd.
What do they pay? Preach Peace to all that sins?
Then did it answer, (Ecch.) Pardon all that's in's.
I askt if it could name them one by one,
1 And thent it answer'd, (Ecch.) Learned Hindersons.
I cald a second, and it Eccho'd (Ecch.) I
2 Must Ecch out rare B. A. I. L. Y.
And then the third, I askt it to afford,
3 The Eccho then did eccho Rutherford.
For one more yet, I prayd it to espie,
4 The Ayrie Eccho whisperd (Ecch.) Gil es pie.
These are the four profound Renownd Divines.
The Eccho ended, praising their Ingin's.
W. M.
For Apologie to these Persons of Honour.
BLame not my Muse nor my impartiall eye,
If I mistake your place of Heraldry;
I am not hanted with the same, nor yet,
Have I advised with your selves in it:
I seek not to engender discontent,
Nor meddle with your place in Parliament;
But see how Mars did muster you in Warre,
As I conceive, so you inserted are:
Or if I place a Member here amisse,
Misconster not my meaning here in this.
You all are Members of one body, be
Not disunited, 'twere bad policie.
You did attend upon his Excellence
At Arms, I pray then take it in that sence.
And if your charge did challenge you the Van;
If I mistake it, yet be you the man.
But you remember often in the Reer,
The best be ranked, think it not a jeer,
Nor that I jest; it was more honour then
To strive for place, so do Heroick men;
Or if I borrow for a friend, a place,
I hope you will excuse me in this case.
Yea, take this New'ars gift gladly, and confesse,
Ye joy to shine so in your Generals Glasse.
And since your honours I do seek with thirst,
Let him that's first be last, and last be first.
W. M.
To the Right Worshipfull and Renowned Physitian; Doctor Alexander Ramsey.
Anagr.
Examen all rare ayd.
Vers.
Examine all rare ayd, yet you shall still,
Rev'rence the excellencie of Ramsay's skill.
Epigr.
HYpocrates, and Galen got the praise,
The rarest of Phisitians in their dayes,
But Ramsay, had those times produced thee,
Thou hadst been Reckoned rarest of the three,
They were Renown'd for Knowledge, but thy Name,
Shall be more famous, far, then both of them,
They practised most on subjects; by report,
Thy Soveraigne skill, was singular, at Court,
I knew no fit preferment for thy worth,
To place thee in; but I have picked thee forth,
For best Phisitians; to attend on them,
Whose noble Presence, may promote thy Name,
Preserve them then, in honour strength and health,
From paines displeasure, and in heaps of wealth;
Which if you do, you shall pertake of that,
Their happie being; and your selfe know's what▪
But singular Ramsay, by thy admired skill,
Say, canst thou cure this Epidemick ill,
Of Iealousies and fears, or this sad griefe,
The want of gold, of all diseases chiefe;
Which if thou dost, as is no doubt thou may,
(If men will but, submit unto thy way)
Then we shall be made rich, and thou renoun'd,
Thou shalt have patience still: none will be sound,
TO MY BROTHER, Captain John Mercer.
Anagr.
Hence, no more ir.
Vers.
Hence, no more ire; this comes well nigh your name.
Let Anagram and actions; be the same.
Sonnet.
THose curtesies which common are to others,
May very well be us'd between two Brothers,
You see I have presumed with my pen,
To write my minde to many worthy men.
I shall not therefore think it much amisse,
To visit you with these few lines, in this.
Nor think's unproper, though you have the age,
For to receive, this Sonnet for a pledge
Of my respects; and be advis'd by me,
To let your outwards, and your minde agree.
Nature, in each thing, hath perform'd, and Art,
In you; and Parents also, playd their part;
Make good these gifts, curb passion, lose no time,
And though you think me, guilty of the crime;
Which I condemn, yet strive you to be better,
And for so doing, I shall be your debter.
W. M.
TO THE FAMOUS POET Capt. George Withers.
Anagr.
I go gether Verso.
Vers.
Thy name it selfe sayes; I go gether verse.
So that thy store-house never can be scarce.
The Stock Whence thou, thy lines, and loaves, do gether,
Shall fresh continue, and revive, though Wither.
Epigr.
ALL ye who brag of brave Saint George come hither,
And England, henceforth, boast of thy George Wither,
Lay off your emblems, do no Trophies raise,
Unlesse for Withers solemnize no dayes,
Rare Withers, thou whose verses were foretold,
As Prophesies; and secrets to unfold,
Whose young, and yet, undaunted spirit priz'd,
Thy rare inventions, (well nigh sacrifiz'd)
Before thy freedome; and whose fluent pen,
Makes thee more famous then those mighty men,
Whose mines of gold, and greatest store of such,
Can not be reckoned, near thy worth by much,
To thee, my Muse, though unacquainted must,
Into thy wing of fame; a feather thrust,
To mount thee higher, and to make thee flye,
Above thy own expressions, mortals eye:
The best of wits, the rarest of the Nine,
Whose high inventions, in thy verse divine,
Makes me admire thee far much more, then others,
Renowned Poet; ra [...]e and worthy Withers.
W. M.
The Pen-mans Apologie to the Common Reader.
IF any take me for to be a stranger
That penn'd this peece, I hope there is no danger,
Or if a Native here his seed hath sown,
No doubt, you will excuse him as your own:
And if a Poet you presume I am,
The Muses will excuse me whence I came,
In any thing if I have pleased thee,
Then I am sure thou wilt not censure me:
But 'tis a thing impossible, that I
Can please all parties, or the standers by:
'T may be thou hates some one of whom I write,
And therefore thou must rail at me in spight:
Or else thou'rt angry that I did not touch
Thy praises likewise, speak of thee as much:
My free-borne Muse, or mother of my rime,
Cannot be ti'de to humor every time:
Yet I am certain that I speak to thee▪
If not my self, my Satyre is not free:
But if thou wrongs me with an angry look;
I love not thee, more then thou loves my book.
My mind's my grand Committee, must not seek
Another Chair-man, I am charg'd to speak.
VV. M.
A Satyre.
GO swift wingd Satyre, fly abroad, and spare no earthly thing,
Thou art not to obey a law, nor subject to a King,
Pluck out a feather from thy quill, and fear nothing but write,
And see thou neither▪ spare thy friend, nor foe, nor men of might.
Fly in the air, where thou maist see, through clearnes▪ of the Sun,
And cease not till thou censures all, when once thou art begun:
Tell every kind of creature who bears the shape of man,
That thou must prove impartiall, and with thy feathers fan:
Till thou wilt take the quintesscence of every thing thats quick,
And with a feather from thy wing wilt freely chuse and pick:
Tell first the highest of us all, whose footstool is a throne,
That Kings themselves may catch a fall, if they be left alone:
And tell our Soveraigne, spare him not, but ask him, what is he
If he his Subjects once forsake? he cannot answer thee.
Tell tyrannizers in their teeth that they tryumph too far.
And tell the proud & mighty men, they know not what they are,
Tell subjects, that they must remember they are subjects still,
And tell the self conce [...]d tool, thou cat'st not for his ill
Tell Divines that the most of them are divelish and that they
Have but a shew of Godlines and do not as they say
Tell ludges that they are unjust nor do they judge a [...]ight
And tell them that their avarice is alwaies in thy sight
Tell Protestants profession is almost dead and gone:
And tell thou knows not where to go to find Religion.
Tell that the City's full of schismes, sects, and herisies,
And that the hainous sins of Sodome lurks, and in it lies:
Ma [...]k as thou marchest in the streets, take notice, they will cry,
What do you lack? what want you Sir? what is it you will buy?
This is the Scriptures call you know▪ but in another sence,
[Page]For thou must pay for every thing thou getst, ere thou goes hence▪
The Scripture bids thee buy for nothing, here's all things good and evil,
Thou maist for thy money have, and thou maist buy the Divel;
Go tell the bloody thirsty souldier, running inarreer,
And Lawyers craving whole accompts, when they come to appear,
And plead for their oppressions, at that impartiall bar,
Arguing pro, and con, and what equivocations are:
There shall the trumpet sound, and tell them▪ they were paid, and wood;
But Item then, and memorandum, if it be allow'd:
When all accompts shall be cast up, & reckonings be made even▪
By the high Committee of accompts, for the whole Kingdom of heaven:
O! then how gladly would they wish the most part of their pay
Should be abated▪ and the rest put to the longest day.
Tell when thou comes in open place, amongst the multitude,
They are become pernicious, impertinent, and rude:
Tell Gentlemen that they are just like unto Apes, and that
The Courtiers are play the knaves, and say they know not what.
Tell trades-men they mistake themselves, and for their former pride,
Some have shut up their shops at home, and gone abroad to ride
Tell such of them as are become Commanders for the cause,
They will repent them ere 'tis long, they learned souldiers lawes:
Tell such as practice plundering, their pastime will not last:
And tell the idle loyterer, 't were good that he were prest.
Tell to the City, that their sins, and insolencies odd,
Have been the cause that many souls are sacrific'd abroad,
Tell to the Preacher in the Pulpit, seeming so precise,
He may deceive the peoples sight, but not his masters eyes:
And tell the hearers of the word, some comes but for the fashion:
Tell all of them, ere it be long, must answer their transgression.
Tell husbands they are bad become, their families prophane,
And tell the females in their faces, they are wondrous vain.
[Page]Tell every one their part, I pray thee, spare not high, nor low,
And tell them▪ that thou came of purpose for to tell them so
And having flown both far and nigh▪ returne, and do not fear▪
But tell the errors of the time unto them that are here;
Tell in the House of Parliament, but not as persons there,
Tell them that private men may fail▪ and that is wondrous faire
Tell Englands Looking-glasse, it fails, for all its golden case
And that it shewes not really, but counterfets the face:
Tell also him that made it too, what ever he pretends,
That Poets often flatter men, and have their private ends.
Thus telling all the truth abroad, returne, and do not stay;
For having spoke thy mind so much, thou knowes not but they may
Be so incens'd against thy self, before thou art aware,
They may make bold to question thee, how thou durst fly so far:
For though the truth be best to hear, thou knowes we alwaies would,
That oftentimes you should forbear, the truth must not be told
But thou hast done good service sure unto the States, in this,
Thou hast dischargd thy conscience too, so that thou canst not misse
To be maintaind, and much made of; or else thy paines are lost:
Thou nothing hast, but only this, thy labour for thy cost.
To the Right Honourable, the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament: and the Right Honourable Lord Major of London, The Right worshipfull Aldermen, and the rest of the Common Councel.
The humble petition of Captain William Mercer,
Who's forc'd to leave of prose, and turn a Verser.
Sheweth,
THough here I never did my suits preferre,
Yet I have been an old Petitioner;
And after long times wearyed fights abroad,
Am sore tormented; with this angry rod
Of Courting, Crouching, Craving, and my eyes,
Cast down so low, that I Idolatrize▪
Must haunt Committees, follow on the Clerk,
Must pray, solicite, and make such a worke,
As I have been in severall Nations six,
But all my troubles came not nigh to vex▪
Your supplicant, in manner like to those,
As I had been one of your greatest foes,
I have been true in standing for the State
And of my friends have therefore had much hate.
I never plundred money, horse nor arms,
Nor did the Country any kind of harms;
But took free quarter, when I had not pay,
And that was often but one meal a day:
[Page]Would never let them kill a handsome Hen,
To feed me, if I could not pay it then,
Have borrowed from my boy, who could disburse
Money, when I had nothing in my purse:
Preserv'd the People from the plundring band
Of Souldiers, and still for their good did stand.
Yea, and with patience suffered for the cause,
According to our Covenant, and Lawes,
Not doubting, though I much run in areer,
But I should surely have it some time here.
And if I were to write my finall will,
Upon my death, I never did more ill.
But now your true petitioner indeed
Is so confounded, as you here may read,
That I am almost wearied of my life,
Tir'd and tormented with this cruel strife
The cries of children and an angrie woman,
Two heavy Anchors, when their ty'de unto men,
They cry for money, bread, and beer, and beefe,
But they may eat their fingers for reliefe,
Then call they Father; What have we to burne?
Poor children thinks that I can do their turne.
How doth your selves content these Infant cares?
Or do you bid them go and say their Prayers?
Perchance ye do, and't may be so do I,
But then they enter in a lachry my,
And tels me this, what have we now to eat?
The grace is said, but we can get no meat,
My creditors have cal'd so oft unto me
That now they sweare they shortly will undoe me.
They say my charge hath turn'd me in a cheat,
And such like things have hapned me of late
[Page]When I'me abroad, I stand and stare to skan,
Lest I on sudden meet a Marshalls man:
This is most grievous, and a great disgrace,
A Souldier dare not look men in the face:
And I'me already run so in the score
To tell the truth, they will not trust me more.
And now the Printer, and the Stationer,
Threatens to prison your Petitioner.
For I who could before these Wars did enter,
Attaine more trust upon one lines debenter,
Then now I can for either word or writ,
They do not care for both, here is the spite:
And if I tell them much to me is
900. l.
ow'd,Then say they; Item, if it be alow'd.
Nor can I walk along the street, and look
Vpon a Butcher, nor come nigh a Cook
But they step in, between me and their stall,
And there they stand, till I be in the Hall,
Still as I passe, I hear them whispering, So,
And sends a boy to dog me where I go;
They are afraid lest hungry men prove rash
And seize upon their unprepared fl [...]sh.
This is my case, but this doth me recherish,
So many worthies will not let me perish,
Nor lay my lines aside, (it is not that)
Unlesse contented, which is aimed at.
Nigh four years now I have been in this war,
Yet I am poorer then I was, by far,
And all this time, a Captain too, to Horse,
But my estate still waxed worse and worse.
How could I choose, you see what was my pay,
And what I took, you likewise heare me say:
[Page]In two years time I had not pay almost
For once a day to buy a buttered toast.
I lost my being in that Irish land,
Where by commission I had first Command.
My Fathers heir was therein put to Sword,
His wife was also cruely devour'd,
His goods destroy'd, his Children sent abroad
To beg; and I was scourged with this rod.
Yet not the lesse, if prose nor verse prevails,
There's no more hope, I must ly by the heeles:
Nor dare I speak, or if, this is my lot,
They shake their heads, and say, you are a Scot,
Deriding me, as if I were forlorne;
Or to be cald a Scots man were a scorn,
The case is alter'd, for when I came here
The Scots were counted Loving brethren deare:
Nor's that the love the Scripture doth commend,
Whom Christ did love, he lov'd unto the end.
But good my Lords, and noble Gentlemen
Be pleas'd to heare, and have but patience then,
Yea, pardon me, who is so forc'd to presse
Vpon your patience, I can do no lesse:
Nor let the spleen of any one or two
If there be such; stop what you mind to doe,
The best amongst you, have some private foe,
And so may I, for any thing I know.
Vertue's alwaies envide, there's none so witty
To shun the slandrous tongues, the more's the pitty.
But let them speak and prove, which if they do,
I'le burne my bookes, and will be banisht too.
The Parliament for freedome needs not sit,
If one will do all that's requir'd in it:
[Page]And if that Justice may not claim its place
Where malice sits, that were a fearfull case.
I'le take my oath, (all times I were abroad)
And prove it too, though ye may think it odd:
I never went into a Tavern twice
Nor in an Ale-house was I ever thrice
To call for drink: nor drunken in my time,
There's no man can accuse me of that crime:
Nor do I know, (pray think it not a tale)
The prizes of the Wines, nor beer, nor ale:
So, never drinking for to make me rash,
I'me sure I seldom faulted being fresh.
I scorn'd to plunder, cal'd it base to rob,
Resolved rather to be just like Iob,
Both poor and upright, but I see what falls
In favours of such cursed Animals
As plaug'd the people, Fortune smiles on them,
They rise to honours, and they have no blame.
But this may be, that saying to fulfill
Which is, The wicked flourish in their ill,
I have more comfort of my honest mind,
Though for a time I opposition find,
Then they who gain their riches so with sorrow,
And may be proud to day, but poor to morrow.
My heart shall hold my resolution still,
Endure with patience, if I do no ill,
I have perform'd that part to me belongs,
And God shall be a witnesse of my wrongs,
If I must perish, but I do appeal
Vnto your honours, hops for to prevaile
In this my suit so honest, just and true,
But do submit me, wholy unto you,
[Page]Whose greatnesse will grant pardon to my sin,
For being so presumptuous herein,
How can I choose? For after three yeers war
I find them striving fully to debarr
Me of my pay, which truly I deserve,
The only way me to constrain to strave,
Or beg my bread, as others dayly do:
But more then this I'le tell thee something too:
At six moneths end, when I my 'compts desir'd,
To go to Cornhill then I was requir'd,
To that Committee, which of Lawyers be,
Be what they will, they were too hard for me:
For though my debts I did present most true,
Yet they write Item, if the same be due:
Which when I saw, I vex'd, and waxed wroth,
And then they told me, they were on their oath:
For what? said I; they answer'd, to do right,
Or as it should seem good in their own sight:
Well, this they did, but when we came to read,
We found it needfull they would come to plead
At that Committee; where they did returne us
Who when we came with our accompts, did scorne us:
This griev'd my soule, to run so up and down
From him, to him, and thorow so long a Town
As this, and yet when all is come to all
I cannot get a penny, though I call
My very eyes out of my dolefull head,
Al's noe to them, for they will make no speed.
They send me there to heare the monie Chink
In Lumberstreet, no question some men think
That that will tempt me, then they will pretend
If I should rob men, I'me for my own end.
[Page]Then think not strange although my verse be bad▪
For such like things, have made me almost mad.
I borrowed oft to pay my men abroad,
And not to pay me that, were very odd:
My poor half
400. l.
part, out of the publick purse,Or lesse then that, would free me from this curse,
I do not crave you in so high a measure
So small a sum would not exhaust your treasure.
What comes of all Collections and excise?
Malignants monie? Flies it in the skies?
Pray if ye will not pay me, make me then
But one full fortnight a Committee-man,
I'e pay my selfe; nor will I charge the State,
But only take the mony I can get:
If I would ask a Groat, you would not grant
It think, although ye saw me strave for want▪
Ten thousand pounds to call for or a penny
Is all alike, ye cannot part with any.
To give me nothing were a bad revenge,
And for my pains to let me starve were strange:
It makes me think the thing is true they say,
Ye are resolved never for to pay:
But that were strange, would make me wonder too,
Since for the truth ye make so much adoe:
but therein act as you shall think it best,
Give me my pay; I strive not for the rest:
There's not a man will do so much as speek
Or look, without allowance every week:
Yet I did fight, Fast, watch, had much to do
To save my life, and must have nothing too.
Malignants sees me in so poor a plight,
They laugh, ond tellsme I am served right:
[Page]Nor hate they me because that it is I,
But I will tell the reason by and by,
They do abhor all of that Northern Nation
Who joynes not with them in their Congregation:
For though they did make promise thereunto,
It was when they had greater things to do:
Like people in a strait, but now they'r free,
The turns nigh done, they care no more for me.
'Tis not our part upon their souls to presse,
And for my part I freely must confesse:
If they will pay me I will speak and plead
Against my Country men to go with speed.
And let them preach, and use their minds to pray,
Or do ev'n what they please to do or say,
Or where or how, yea be they wives or men,
And so I think they would be pleased then:
For can I force them, where they will not do?
Time is not yet for lew and Gentile too.
I hold me bound of Conscience for to move them,
But I must neither challenge nor reprove them.
Preach in their streets or in their private Hall,
(If not in Church) by my consent they shall.
Nor say I'me wanton, though I write in verse,
I had not done so, had I not been scarce
Of mony, Lodging, credit, and the rest:
Nor could I well consider what was best
To do; for I had spent so long a time
I prose, that I was forc'd to write in rime,
Resolving what in me did ly, to do,
And if I perish, lay the fault on you.
I was made come, and go, and come again,
But all I did was labour spent in vain:
[Page]From one to tother, to that Committee man,
And then as wise as when I first began.
Some said I'le do't, then said I am but one,
And then they said ye must petition:
They bid me fast and pray, if I bee sick,
When I have well nigh fasted all the weeke,
And if I tell them that my spirit's spent,
They bid me then, be patient, and content,
The Colonels have laid their cloaths in paund,
And many Majors have not strength to stand,
The Captains and Commanders all in chiefe
Are quite confounded, even with very griefe,
And many good men fast a moneth from meate,
And when they have it, then they cannot eat;
Now tell them this, and zealous like they pause,
And sayes, that we must suffer for the cause:
Those Characters Jobs messengers may spell,
For I alone, am only left to tell:
Is this the dealing with a friend or brother?
Or mutuall manner of maintaining other?
Yet if I must go, furnisht as I came,
I cannot be made worser then I am,
Nor is this halfe the burthen that I beare,
No flesh, and blood would suff [...]r nor endure
Those great neglects, wherewith I am supprest,
So that I am ashamed to confes't;
But if it were not for the reverence,
(A matter of so mighty consequence,)
Which I do bear this hopefull Parliament,
And that I likewise look for some content,
I would cry out, though I therefore should dy,
And let the World even know my destiny.
[Page]Thus craving leave to speak, please you to read,
This is the Subjects freedom which I plead,
As for the issue, I prescribe not what,
The honour of the house will think on that.
But I beleve your greatnesse will consider
To make my State, as first when I cam hither,
So wrestling with you, till I have my will
Then will I think it time for to be still:
You know that Iacob, by his faith abode,
Nor would he leave off wrestling with his God
Till he obtain'd; so you still with your King
Have wrestled likewise, till ye have the thing.
Even so the woman in the Gospel got
What she desir'd, yea she departed not
Till she obtain'd; and Jacob on demand
Obtain'd the blessing, at good Isaacks hand.
What shall I say? Is not one Isaack then
Amongst so many full five hundred men?
Or if ther be: in vain bear not the name,
Let me receive the blessing then from them.
For I'me affraid lest Esau like I sell
My whole debenter for a dish of Kell,
Therefore I do determine still to call,
Till I have some part, I desire not all.
I hate to beg, but being so orethrown
I humbly hope ye'l help me to mine own.
I have petition'd, and I do not doubt
before the question is resolv'd about.
Amongst those worthies whom I do implore,
But they will take a course to cure my sore:
[Page]For if I had but third part of my pay
To free my charges, I would go my way.
I have no more to say,
but I shall ever pray.
William Mercer.
Anagr. I am very ill cu'r me.
Iam very ill cu'r me of my Paine,
Or else my wars and verses are in vain.
I am veri ill cu'r me, if I die
Of this disease ye'l spoil my Poetry.
I am veri ill cu'r me, but if not,
I never will write more while I'me a Scot.
I am veri ill cu'r me, if so long,
My muse may chuse to sing another song.
One word more to Momus.
Ba [...]e wide mouthd Momus rage and rail thy fill
Spue out thy venom words can do no ill,
But to thy self, thy being is thereby,
For having spent thy spirits, thou must die.
The crawling snail the passenger to scorne,
Cannot forbear, extols his feeble horne,
But trod upon, he quickly doth withdraw,
Because he knowes his weapons have no awe;
Pluck in thy horne, spue out thy venom then,
Thou Miscreant, vile creature of men.
This is the worst I wish to such a snail,
Thy slandrous tongue were st [...]king in thy—
To the scornfull Passenger.
SLight not my lines, nor lay my labours by,
Laugh not to scorn, because the Author's I:
I know thou'st come, and with disdainfull look,
Wilt, passing by, say, what's this Mercers book?
But Mercers book, if thou couldst take the time,
Or stay from Taverns, to peruse his rime:
Will pay thee home, presuming to appear,
Or lay thy hands upon these Persons here.
Without thou stand bareheaded, and a farre,
Such one as thou shouldst not come wherethey are.
Forbear therefore, in silence, stand aside,
Or take not notice, Mercer makes a pride▪
If he approach, and sples such in the place,
To look amisse: he spits into their face.
VV. M.
Ad Eundem.
MY Christall glasse, clear, spotlesse, clean, and pure,
Can no infectious filt by breath indure,
To blow upon't so also would my Muse
Be even as rash, if she knew how to chuse:
But she is mine, and cares not for the frown
Of any churlish, base, backbiting clowne,
As for my glasse, in innocence it stands,
If staind by thee, between a knaves two hands.
William Mercer, Anagr.
I am merrili cru'l,
Vers.
I am merrili cru'l to Momus,
For I wish all such fellowes were from us.
From my Lodging in King-street Westminster, at the three Pidgeons. Ian. 6. 1645.
Vpon the title of the Book.
THere are some books which bears the very Name
That mine does own, yet they are not the same,
Thou never heldst a glasse before thine eyes,
VVherein thou saw all these Nobilities,
And worthies, wherefore thou must needs confesse,
'Tis fitly named Englands Looking-glasse.
Or if this glasse should have been calld by me,
The glasse of these three Kingdoms 'twere no lye.
Then with a threefold reverence see thou stand
And looking in it, hold thy hat in hand.
VV. M.