large doth gâ—ow The number of thy vagrant Rogues and Cheaters That they begin to imitate their betters In Government and Method and are growne To have both Lawes and Language of â—heir owne Thy Children yeeld some good conformity To Rules and Precepts of Morality But most observe good orders to enjoy Their owne state safe and to prevent annoy That might beâ—ide themselves much â—ather then In true obedience unto God or men Within thy Corporation I likewise Have notice taken of Societies Which beâ—re a goodly shew of ordering Thy sev'rall Trades and I in many a thing Theire use commend yet some of them to me Grosse Monopolies doe appeare to be Which do in secret with some open shewes Of publike good the publike weale abuse Nor would it be aâ—isse if some things were Mâ—re free which by their meanes restrained are Or if the State would better looke unto Those injuries which many of them do Foâ— when these Bodies politick oppresse Their pow'r doth make the wrong without redresse Their purses and continuance may o'rebeaâ—e The righâ—full'st cause if so they pleased are The friends and oft the very noise they 'll make Because a multitude much hold doth take For their advantages although the cause Be both against good Consciâ—nce and the Lawes Nay should the Commonâ—wealâ—h her sâ—lfe oppose These Corporations for some wrong that flowes From their proceedings it would scarce obtaine That pow'r which could these Petty-weales restraine For having gaine or losse accrewing by Their Claime which doth concern theÌ„ far more nigh Then that oft seemes to touch those men who stand To take the Kingdomes gen'rall cause in hand It makes them tâ— pursue it more then they More Patrons to procure more bribes to pay And at the last to conquer by that course Which makes the better cause to seeme the worse This brings to mind same wrongs that I have had And what aâ—count of honest suits is made If once a greedy foolish multitude Vpon the right of any doth intrude But left by thinking on it mixe I may My private harmes with what I meant to say For publike ends here breathe I will a space Vntill my present thoughts I can displace Forgive me Lord if I have guilty beene In this my worke of any private spleene My Musings hâ—llow thou confirme thy love Infuse me with thy Spirit from above With better things then flesh and blood discernes Inspire me with each Veâ—tue which concernes The finishing of what I undertake Make profitable all that I shall speake And to thy Name some honor let it be Although it should both shame and ruine me The seventh Canto First of Himselâ—e he somewhat speakes Then of the Cities errors makes A larger Scrowle and therewithâ—ll Inserts abuses generall He shâ—wes by reason of her sin What misery this Land is in What ill successe and what dishonor Is for her follies come upon her In forraigne parts and here at home How senselesse also she 's become What sev'rall wayes against this Land God hath of late stretcht out his hand And how the blame for what 's amisse From one to th'oâ—her shiftâ—d is By many Symptomes he declares How sicke this Commonweale appeares Disputes â—he late distemper bred Beâ—wixt the Body and the Head And layes the blame wheâ—e lye iâ— should Yet therein proves not over-bold Tâ—en aymes he at some imperfections In Burgesses and their Electionâ— And briefly pointeth at the way By which our Cure effect we may WHen I whose lawfully emboldned Muse The faults and errors of her time pursues Have by some slips or frailties of mine owne Alaid that flame which Gods good Sp'rit hath blown Or when such heat within me waxeth lesse By fainting through a nat'rall weaâ—inesse Or by that willing or constrained pause Whereof my friends or buâ—â—nesses are cause At such a time when I perusall mâ—ke Of these beginnings and strict notice take What here is dared I oft find as then Such feares in me as move in other men And being flesh and blood as fraile as they I stagger in my best approved way E're I thus farre proceeded I was tyr'd Ev'n in this present Worke although inspir'd With all that zeale thereto which you may see In some fore-going Leaves exprest by me My heart was oft assail'd and I almost My best confirmed Resolutions lost Yea twice at least since I this Taske assaid It hath by false suggestions beene delaid And many painfull strivings are within me When from this Worke Temptation fights to win me Lord thinks my heart somtimes what means my Soule To make me in this desp'rate wise controule Those carelesse Times have I done well or no With nests of angry Waspes to meddle so Hath he or wit or common sense that stirs A fâ—oward Beare or playes with testy Curs Will any think me capable of Reason Thus bold to be at such a dangerous season Nay will not all account me mad to vent Such Lines as these adventuring to be shent And be undone perhaps to no more end Then that whereto my Labor seemes to tend Doe I conceive the Times or Manners be Amended ought by what is said by me Am I that have my selfe unwisely done A fitting man to hurle this heavy stone At other sinners what may many say But that in this I raile or else doe play The witlesse Furie It hath brought me losse Thinke I already and will surely crosse The setling those affaires of mine which are Nigh rip'ned with much paine expence and care And then the world and my necessities Begin to tempt me by such fallacies That I halfe yeeld How wilt thou live or pay Where thou engaged art they seeme to say By what or whence thy wants wilt thou supply If thou for this imprisoned shouldst lye Divided from thy friendâ— or on the bed Of sicknesse shouldst by God be visited Nay though thou nothing wantest yet thou haâ—t So universally thy censure past On all offenders and it will so vexe In private and so openly perplex Great multitudes so many sev'râ—ll wayes That it will make thee hated all thy dayes Where dost thou live or whiâ—her canst thou goe But there thou art assured of a foe The City and the Court thou hast controld With Commons and with Nobles thou art bold Vnconscionable Lawyers here are checkt Thou dost some faults of Clergy-men detect With so much evidence that be thou sure Of all the mischiefe which they can procure And that not one of them thy friend will be Who from those imputations is not free All they that are notoriously Transgressors All Schismaticks and all our false Professors Will bitterly oppose thee And no spight Is like the malice of an Hypocrite In briefe excepting those that are sincere In life and Doctrine no man will appeare As thy partakers And what are those â—ew To that great Army which will thee pursue If this deject me not another thought Is by another way upon me broughtâ— It whispers to me that these Liâ—es
am beyond the reach of â—v'ry scorne And could But what mean I this seems a â—â—raiâ— Impertinent Sweet Muse come downe againe Soare not so high For in these lofty flights The Fooles below doe thinke our Eagles Kites The world to flout such Raptures now is prone I will enjoy them therefore alâ— alone Of their unhallow'd censuring take heed And in my former purpose thus proceed When as you heard before the Court of Heav'n Commission to the Pestilence had given To scourge our sinnes and signed her directionâ— She tooke vp all her boxes of Infections Her Carbuncles her Sores her Spots her Blaines And ev'ry other thing which appertaines To her contagious practices and all Her followers she did about her call Appoint them to their places and their times Dâ—rect them to the Persons and the Crimes They should correct and how they should advancâ— Her maine Designement in each circumstance Then on she marched not as doth a Foe Proclaiming Warre before he strikes the blow But like an Enemy who doth surprise Vpon the fiâ—st advantage he espies For passing through the streets of many a Towne Disguised like a Fever she unknowne Stole into London and did luâ—ke about The well fill'd Suburbs spreadâ—ng there no doubt Infâ—ction unperceiv'd in many a place Before the bleaâ—e ey'd Searchers knew her face And since they knew her they have bribed beene A thousâ—nd times to let hâ—r passe unseene But at the length she was discover'd at A Frenchmans house without the Bâ—shopsgate To intimate perhapâ— that such as be Our spirituall Watsâ—men should the more foresee That they with dâ—scipline made strong the Ward Which God appointed hath for them to gâ—ard And chiefly at this present to have care Lest now while we and France unâ—ted are In bodily commerce they bring unto us Those Plagues which may eternally undoe us For such like Pestilences soone begin And ere we be aware will enter in Vnlesse our Bishops both betimes and late Be diligent and watchfull at their Gate As soone as e're the Women-spyes descry'd This Foe about the City to reside There was a loud All-arme The Countrimen Began to wish themselves at home agen The Citizens were gen'rally appalâ—'d The Senators themselves to Counsell call'd And all who might advise in such a case Assembled in their Common meeting place Where what discretion publikely was used What was admitted of and what refused What policies and stratagems invented That mischiefes comming on might be prevented I cannot say For I had never wit Nor wealth enough to sit in Counsell yet Bâ—â— if to judge of things it lawfull were By â—heiâ— events the propositions there Were such as these Most thought the surest play To save their persons was to runne away But lest some higher pow'r might then forbid it They did not puâ—lish that bâ—fore they did it Some urged that the Scavâ—nger should keepe The sâ—reetâ— more cleane and oft the channell sweep Some thought it fit and these no harme did thinke That ev'ry morning we should eate and drinke Some to allay the heat did hold it meet To sprinkle water often in the street Some did a little further nat'â—allize And these unto the Ayre would sacrifize In evening fires pure Fâ—ankincense or Myrrhe Sweet herbes or odorif'rous Iuniper Or for default of those Pitch Rosin Tarre And such perfumings as lesse costly are For if the Heart and Liver of a Fish Burnt by yoâ—ng Tobit in a Chafindâ—â—h A Spirit from his chamber could expell They hoped these might purge ill ayres as well Some others not contented herewiâ—hall Did into consultation also call The Pâ—iests of Aeâ—culapius and Apollo And held it fit their grave advice to follow Nor without cause For from the wise Physitiaâ— We best shaâ—l know this Enemies condition And some there were of those who did advise Not onely to assume those remedies Which Art prescrib'd but also therewithall Observed what was Mâ—taphyâ—â—call Yea some sâ—ncerely and religiously Vpon the soules infection had an eye As well as on the boâ—ies and thâ—se went The surest way that sicknesse to prevent But there were others who derided these And talked heath'nishâ—y of this disease They prated much of Humours Inclâ—nations Conjunction planetary Constellations Of nat'rall causes unbeleeved fictions Impostures Fables and meere contradictions In thâ—t Philâ—sophy which they professe VVhich fill'd mens mindes with much unsetlednesse Yet in their disagreeings they agree'd On that which might their common profit breed One had a rare Perfume of speciall note Another had a precious Antidote VVhich at Constantinople had been tride VVhen there two thousand on a day have di'de A third prefert'd a Mixture in a bag Of whose large vertues he did largely brag And said the same they doe in Plague times weare At Rome and so I think when he was there A fourth by Diets safety did assure A fifth by Drinkes the Pestilence would cure A sixth of Cordials and Elixars prates And some of Treacles and of Mithridates To offer up a portion of the blood To save the rest for some it seemed good For other some to purge for all to take Such meanes as might their purses heavie make They to the rich prescrib'd Preservatives On costly termes and to prolong the lives Of poorer men their consciences abated The value much For health to them was rated At some few handfuls of that herbe or grasse Which to be gotten for the gathering was This being knowne the Senators dismisse Those men and by advice it ordered is That some Instructions shall be published To further what was gravely counselled Moreover that their discipline might cary Some likenesse to proceedings military A band of Haâ—beâ—â—s mustred was to guard The people from the Plague in ev'ry Ward And if they found by serious inquisition Or had but any probable suspition Where lodg'd it was although but for a night That Host exiled was from publike sight Close pris'ner him they kept boâ—h night and day As one that elsâ— their Citie might betray And to compell that his unwelcome Guest Should keepe wiâ—hin his dooâ—e was crost and blest And many VVatchmen strengthned by command Did round about his dwelling armed stand I doe not thus expresse or mention this As if I thought those Orders were amisse But that I might hereby the better show What miseries attended on this Foe And that this Malady on us did ceâ—ze With circumstances worse then the Disease My Muse inspires not me so foolishly That I all naturall causes doe deny I doe not thinke but to this Pestâ—lence The Constellations by their influence Might somewhat adde and that corrupted ayre Might helpe our healthy being to impaire I hold that Diets Meats Complexions Passions With such as these and all their mitigations May helpe or hinder much in such diseases As we endeavor shall and as God pleases Nor doe I flout the wisedome or the paine Of those who sâ—ught this miâ—chiefe to restraine Nor blame I their much diligence or care But praise it and
In any merriment this world can make No not in all her pleasures if among Her sweets there should be sharpnesse wanting long For being fearfull that his bodies rest The soules true peace might secretly molest His mirth would make him dull his being jolly As worldlings are would make him melancholy And if no other cause be thought upon Would gâ—ieve because the sense of griefe were gone Whilst I have gallopt on in that Career Which youth in freedome so affecteth here And had the most delightfull blandishment My youth could yeed me for my hearts content When I in handsome robes have beene araid My Tailor and my Mercer being paid When daily I on change of dainties fed Lodg'd night by night upon an easie bed In lordly Chambers and had therewithall Attendants forwarder then I to call Who brought me all â—hings needâ—ull when at hand Hounds Hawkes and Horses were at my command When chuse I did my walks â—n hills in vallies In Groveâ— neere Springs or in sweet garden allies Repoâ—ing either in a naturall shade Or in neat Aâ—bors which by Art were made When I mâ—ght have â—equir'd without deniall The Lutâ— the Organ or deepe-sounding Violâ— To cheere my spirits with what else beside Was pleasant when my friends did this provide Without my cost or labour Nay when all Those pleasures I have shared which beâ—all In praises or kinde welcommings among My dearest friends my soule retain'd nor long Nor perfect rest in those imperfect things But often droupt amid their promisings Grew dull and siâ—kly and contrariwise Hath pleased beene in want â—and miseries Foâ— when long time ev'n all alone they laid me Where ev'ry outward comfort was denayd me To many cares and wants unknowne obtruded From fellowship of all mankinde excluded Expos'd to slandrous censures and disgrace Subjected to contempts and usage base With Tortures threatned and what those attends By Greatmen frown'd on blamed of my Friends Inâ—ulted on by Foes and almost brought To that for which their malice chiâ—fly sought Ev'n then my spirits mounted to their height And my Contentment slew her highest flight In those diâ—easings I more joy received Then can from all things mortall be conceived In that contemn'd estate so much was cleared My Reasons eye and God so bright appeared To my dim-sighed Faith that lo he turned My Griefes to Triumphs Yea me thought I scorned To labour for assistance from abroad Or beg for any favour but from God I fear'd not that which others thought I feared Nor felt I paine in that which sharpe appeared But had such inward quiet in my brest Till outward ease made way to my unrest That all my Troubles seemed but a Toy Yea my Affliction so encreast my Ioy That more I doubted losse of my content By losing of my close imprisonment Then ever I can feare the bodies thrall Or any mischiefe which attend it shall For as if some Antipathyâ—rose â—rose Betwixt the pleasures of the world and those Enjoyed then I found tâ—ue Ioyes begin To issue ouâ— as they were entring iâ— Tiâ—l others brought me hopes of my Release I scarcely held it worth my hopefulnesse I had no frighting dreame no waking care I tooke no thought for meat nor what to weare I sleighted frownes and I despis'd the threat Of such as threatned were they meane or great I laught at dreadfull Rumors and disdained Of any suffrings to have then complained I valued not a jot the vulgar doome Nor what men pratâ—d might of me bâ—come I mindâ—d no such trifles wherewith you And I and others are oft busied now But being as it were exiled then From living in the world with other men Twixt God and mine owne Conscienâ—e to and fro My thoughts in a quotidian walke did go With Contemplations I was then inspired Beseeming one that wholly was retyred I thought like him that was to live alâ—â—e I did like him that had to doe with none And of all outward actions left the care Vnto the world and those who lived there Nor hath God onely pleased beene to show What comforts from a pâ—ivate griefe may flow But that a new experience might be taught me He to the house of Publike-sâ—rrow brought me In this late Pestilence And there I saw Such inward joy commixt with outward awe Things bitter with such sweetnesses allaid Such pleasures into sorrowes cup convaid Such fiâ—me assurance in the greatest dangers Such fâ—endlines when others friends were strangers Such fâ—eedome in restraint such â—ase in paine Such life in death and ev'ry feare so vaine Which outwardly affrights that Pleasures Court Would halfe be robbed of her large resort And stand lesse visited if men could see What profits in the Cels of Sorrow be For he that knew what wisdome there is had Would say that mirth were foolish laughter mad That â—ase perpetuâ—ll bringeth endlesse paine That carnall joy arives at hope in vaine That from all outwâ—rd perilsâ—o â—o be free Mâ—y prove most perâ—llous that hâ—alth may be The dâ—adl'est sicknesse that our pleasures are But pit-fâ—llâ— our seâ—urity a snare And that sometimes those things to which we run May bane us more then those we sâ—eke â—o shun I found it so And in my blamed slay Whilst others fâ—om the Plague made haste away I gained some renewings of that â—esâ— Whereof I hâ—d beene formerly possest It forced follâ— further to depart It brought Gods meâ—cies nearer to my heart Brave combats in my soule did then begin Which I tooke courage from and pleasure in New trialls of my Frailty did befall And of Gods love I had new pâ—ooâ—es withall In all my discontentments such conâ—ents And of Gods woâ—kings such experiments Vouchsafed were that crowned should I live With all those glorious wreathes that Kingâ— can gâ—ve And had by them obtain'd each happinâ—sse Which woâ—ldlings in their greatnesse doâ— possesse I would not sell the comfort of my sâ—ay For that and all which those imagine may Nor doe I over-prise the same altho The ignoranâ—e of some will think I doe For it hath left within me ever since Of Gods firme love so strong a confidence That whatsoever accidents betide I hope to stand the better fortifi'd Whilst here I live and that no time to come Can send me to a place so perilsome That I shall feare it or to undergoe The dreadfull'st perills man can fall into If that my calling doe oblige me to it Or God in Iustice mâ—ke me undergoe it In other cases I expect no moâ—e But rather lesse imboldning then beâ—ore For he that any dangerous taske assumes Wiâ—hout good warrant foâ—lishly presumâ—s Tempts God and justly perisheth unlesse The veâ—le of Mercy hide his wilfulnesse Yea they who over desp'rately have dar'd Bold things at first at last have basely fear'd Reâ—enting their foole-hardinesse in vaine When hope was lost of turning baâ—k againe For though from dangâ—râ— griefes and miseries Far greater comforts oftentimes arise Then from prospeâ—ity if we attend Godâ— pleasure and accept
Though thou hast heard the Midianites doe give Their daughters to no end but to deceive And that the people who to Moloch pray Wiâ—l for their Idoll cast their sonnes away Though thou hast heard what plagues ensu'd upon The wivings of the wise King Solomon And knowest that by God forbid it was A Bullocke should be yoaked with an Asse Though thou hast seene that their â—ffinitiâ—s Are ev'n among themselves poore slender ties And such as they doe nought at all respect Vnlesse they serve their pâ—ojects to â—ffect Yet in their course thy Children doe proceed And sow Gods Garden with a mixed sâ—ed Oâ— which unlesse they tâ—uly doe repent And sâ—eke by carefell tillage to prevent What may ensue thereon as yet they may Thy Land will suffer for 't another day Tâ—y Guiltinesse oh Britaine makes thee feare And often troubled where no terrors are Thy faith hath fail'd thee and thou didst not see Those armies which have round enclâ—sed thee For thy protection For had they beene heeded Thou no Aegyptian succours should'st have needed If thou coulâ—'â—t walke within a constant pâ—th This Iland should not feare Iberiâ—'s wrath It should be needlesse for thee to proâ—ure Alliances that cannot long â—ndure Thou shouldst not care but as tâ—ey Christianâ— be What Kings on earth were friends or foes to thee No pow'r abroad should make thy children tremble Nor home-bred faction cause thee to dissemble But being safe in God thou shouldst contemne The greatest dangers and get praise by them Oh! call to minde the times now past away Those which our Fathers yet remember may And let thine Elders tell thee for they know How strong in Gods protection thou didst grow What â—antedst thou when thou weâ—t all alone When thou hadst nothing to rely upon But Gods meere mercy and such grace bestowne That thou couldst use those pow'rs that were thine owne When blest Eliza wore but half thy Crown And almost all the world on her did frowne When Romes proud Bishop and of Christendome The pow'â—fulst Monarck did her foes become When â—he had no Alliance to make strong Her party but waâ— hatefull growne among The neighb'ring Princes for her casting by The yoake of â—abylonish tyranny When she within her Kingdome had a swarme Of Hornets which did howrly threaten harme Both to her State and person VVhen their pow'â— And fury wâ—â— more likely to devoure Then at this present it appeares to be VVhen her owne Court â—rom traytors was not free VVhen she had Irish Rebels to coâ—rect Oppâ—essed Netherlanders to protect And France to umpire in ev'n when all these And other troubles did her State disease VVhat glory wealth and safety haâ—â— tâ—ou got That she amid those dâ—ngers purchast noâ— Religion in her dayes did still enâ—reâ—se At home she had boâ—h plentiousneâ—se and peace Abroad â—he was renowâ—'d she did not pausâ— In executâ—ng oâ— her wholâ—â—ome Lawes Through feare oâ— any Malecontents at home Or any threatnings from the Sea of Rome She triple Geriâ—ns forces did conâ—emne Her neighbours sought hâ—r ayd she sought not theÌ„ She aw'd the West she from the Spâ—nish Coast Did rend their golden-flâ—eces and she crost Their hopefull'st aimes They could not undeâ—mine Heâ— Counsells nor by any slye designe Defeaâ— her Forces Frâ—nce was prudent then And would not stir the wâ—ath of Enâ—lishâ—eâ— For they pâ—eserv'd their honor by prâ—serving Their trust in God and coastan pâ—â—hs observinâ— Then to affront us did no Dâ—â—chman dare Nor in ouâ— Voyages presume to shâ—re But with our favour VVe had â—ame by land Oâ—r pow'rfull Navies did the Seas command To ours the strongest Fleets did strike their sailes They that now bark then dâ—r'd not wâ—g their tailes Yea â—hough our Lyons not so many were Our strongest Foâ— to â—ouze them stoâ—d in feare No sonne of thine presumed then to be So traiâ—erous unto thy God and thee As to allow a popish Liberty Much lesse to move â—or that impiety In publick hearing No man sought to sell For any summe the peace of Israel No noâ— within ouâ— Irâ—shâ—onfinâ—s â—onfinâ—s tho It somewhat urgent seem'd to have it so Because that peaceâ—â—ll pow'r thou hadst not got Which now thou hast nor then the neighb'ring Scot So firme unto thy State nor so engaged To tame that Nation if a war it waged Thy Patriots percâ—iv'd that to begin With Ireland would become the meanes to win Great Britaine to the Romish yoake anew And give the Spaniard courage to pursue His great designe upon the British nations They saw what civill broyles their Tolerations Have bred in France For if within her wombe Rebecca could not but diseas'd â—ecome Whilst she at once two sons did nourish there Which Fathers of unlike Religions wâ—re They â—hought that if one Kingdome should admit Two such Conceptiâ—ns to grow â—ipe in it They â—ould by daily struggling with each other Afflict the body oâ— their nat'ralâ— Mother And cause an endlesse Warfare untill one Were setled in possession all alone Thou didst not then within tâ—y Bounds afford An Altar bâ—th to Baal and to the Lord. What thou resolv'dst was put in execution Thy zeale was chill'd with no irresolution No haltings were appaâ—aâ—â— No disunion Did hazard though it troubled thy Communion And though thy many follies brought afflictions Which of thoâ—e errors were the due corrections Yet was thy faith in God lâ—sse violated Apparant evils not so pâ—lliated Prophaâ—enesse not so patroniz'd as now Nor didst thou such impieties allow But thâ—u art changed from what once thou wâ—râ— Thy worse hath ouercomâ— thy better part Vpon thinâ— owne distempeâ—s thou art â—ost Thy confidence in God is almost lâ—st And thence it comes that though thou dost abâ—und In many blessings thou art needy found This makes Transgressions to encrease upon thee They bring new troubles and new dangers on thee These make thee feare thy terror causes thee Impatient of thy feared harmes to be Impatience makes thee so unfit to stay Gods lâ—asure that thou ruâ—n'st another way And seek'st for helpe in thine owne Fantasies In fleshly Leagues and humane Policies Those courses overwhelme thee with new sins From them another bâ—ood of Plâ—gues begins Whiâ—â— doth not mollifie but more obdure Thy â—linty brest and will at last pâ—ocure Thy toâ—all overthrow unlesse thou climbe The hill of heaâ—ty Penitence in time Growne fat with case wealth thou hast forsook Thy God and many crooked courses tooke God who did thee so love and so esteeme Who did create thee and thy life redeeme Thou hast foâ—gotten yea râ—jected him And sought those gods thy Father did contemne His Counsells and his law thou hast despised Naâ— unto Deviâ—ls thou hasâ— sacâ—ificed And them and tâ—ine owne â—ustâ— preferd before His honour whom â—hou shouâ—dst have prized more The corne and oilâ— wine which thou enjoyedst As tokens of his love thou misâ—imployedst The jewelâ— he vouchsaâ—ed to adorne thee For his own pleasure thou on those thâ—t scorn thee Bestowst agaiâ—e The beautie
thee For none thogh thou art wise can wroÌ„g thee ought To think that thou hast members may be taught And as in pitched Battels when by-standers Do apprehend mistakings in Commanders As oft they do 't were better they should say What they observe then let them lose the day So also though I may be thought too bold 'T were fitter my experience should be told Then that a publike mischiefe should ensue And I in times to come my silence â—ue For some no doubt will well approve the same Though other some will think I was to blame Yea that which I will speak shall help perchance In times to come thine honor to advance For I will speak no more then what is due And what my Conscience bids my Pen to shew Thou art an honor'd Counsell but upon thee Such blots are cast and so much wrong is done thee By some who scaâ—cely nat'rall members be That as this Kingdome represents in thee Her Body so thou dost become likewise A representment of her Vanities Yea when at first to be thou dost begin Thou art conceived and made up in sin For to thy Hoâ—se of Commons whither none Thou shouldst admit excepting such a one Whose life or knowledge that respect may draw Which doth become the Maker of a Law Too oft elâ—cted are in stead of those The rich and them that make the greâ—test showes Of youthful gallantry and otherwhile The very'st humorists of all this I le When choice was of thy Members to be made Thâ—ir entâ—ances but little signe have had Of prosperous ends for they that should have past A fâ—ee election have their voices cast By force constraint or for some by-respect On those whom others for their ends elect There be in Court and bordâ—ing round about Thy Burroughs many wiser men no doubt Then some that in Elections have their voice And by their ayd there is sometime a choice Of good and able men yet best it were That all men leâ—t to their just freedomes were For they to whom the Providence of heaven The right of chusing Burgesses hath given Are also by that providence how wise Or foolish e're they seeme in others eyes In making of their choices so directed As best may serve to make his will eâ—tected And though the same shall just as well be done By meanes of them who lawlesse courses run Yet not for their advantage to the best Who from their proper motions such things wrest Why did the King from his Prerogative To any place a priviledge derive But that they might enjoy them And I pray What consciencâ— tyes the People to obey Those Lawes or Acts in Parl'ament concluded By those that have by force or fraud intruded What reason is it that a stranger should Entreat me to commit my best Freehold To be dispos'd of by some one whom he Shall for I know not what commend to me What man but he that modesâ—y doth want Can be so impudently arrogant To sue by fâ—iendâ— or lettâ—rs plâ—ce to take In such a Counsell yea and Lawes to make As if because he hath a little pelfe He therâ—fore might some Solon think himselfe Or some Licurgus Or as if he thought The Common-wealth would surely come to nought Vnlesse his knowledge or his vertues were Elected to be exercised there Whereas God knowes too many do aspire To such employments either through desire To shew their wits to gaine some vaine repute Themselves or friends to furtheâ— in some sute To keep off Creditors or else perchance To entertaine their curious ignoâ—ance With mysteries of State Beleeve it those Whose modesty forbids them to expose Themselves to be elected I think far More apt for such employments then they are That seeke them aâ—d 't is fittest that in all Such places men should sit till they do call Of their owne will to whom the choice pertaines For those God sends and unto them he daignes Fit graces for the worke The other hast Mov'd by their owne ambition to be plac'd In that great Counsâ—ll with a mind corrupt Which doth dishonor oft and interrupt Their best pâ—oceedâ—ngs And from hence it is So many things among us are amisse Hence is it so much time is spent about The searching of undue elections out Hence is it that in stead of persons grave Such numbers of our Burgesses we have In those Assemblâ—es who come â—uffling â—n With habits which have far more fitting bin For Theatâ—rs then for the reverent And sacred presence of a Parliament Thence is it that so many Children are Elected to have place and voices there Yea chosen Counsellers when hardly past Their Tutors rod beleeve me this is hast Although it might excused be if some Youngmen should thither for experience come It is not tollerable nathelesse That many should admitted be much lesse Those noâ—age Youths to whom our Lawes deny A pow'r in things that smaller trust imply Hence is it that sometime the very noises Arising from the multitude of voices Foiles Reason This maintaineth also factions And makes in plainest maâ—ters great distractions Tâ—is to those meetings much disturbance bring And doth occasion many foolish things Thence is it also we admit of those In making Lawes who either do oppose Proceedings legall or protections gâ—ve To them that in contempt as Outlawes live I hold it not amisse that they who spend Their time the publike bus'nesse â—o attend Should have their servants from arestings free Whilst they themselves in those employments be Nor is it worthy blame if they protect Poore Debtors who endeavoring to efâ—ect Their Creditors contents as they are able And using time in courses warrantable For such a purpose or else to prefer Complaints against some vile extortioner Or to such ends But when they doe by dozenâ— To ev'ry pâ—odigall that cheats and cozenâ— Vouchsafe protections yea to those that are Meere strangers too it worth reproving were And them who do it I suppose unfit In places of Lawgiverâ— there to sit Mâ—reover an Election out of order Doth other inconvenieâ—t matters further Not mention'd yet The party that is chose By suit or ill-got favour seldome goes Against his Chusers if it chance that ought In opposition unto them be brought Whereas in such a case each man is bound To be as if new risen from the ground He should not know his father nor the son Of his owne body no nor any one Oâ— all his neere acquaintance or his kin Nor any that his friend or foe hath bin But fixe his eye upon the cause alone And do as that requireth to be done Had this beene practis'd many a good conclusion Had follow'd more then did Yea much confusion Much needlesse cost and pains had beene prevented And many had not gone so diâ—contented To their owne homes when they with hearts o'regrieved Besought the Parliâ—ment to be relieved For if theâ—r causes which but right had bin Their trials had receiv'd as they came in If no man might by savour of a