adorn The Diadems which English Queens had worn She as her Glorious Offering did bring To purchase ayd more Sacred for her King. No sooner Covetous Belgians these behold But they Comply on such to lend their Gold Tho' adding to the Summ before deny'd So Sure are Mortalls by their profit try'd But oh the Fate of Princes that deplore Their want of power as well as being poore Orange who from Imperial Linage Came Had by Alliance no less mingled same In seeing late wedded by his hopefull Son The eldest Princess of the Brittish Throne With Generous Greatness to the Queen thus speaks Since my Bloud Glory from the Rule partakes Of your Just King 't were mean should I deny My Purse to ayd his Injur'd Majesty Wishing my Treasure could alone Compleat Such Noble sorce as might his foes defeat And did not Age forbid with such affairs That here Imploy my person and my Cares I 'de like a Soldier 'mongst his Bravest Fight And Honour'd if my death his Cause could right The Queen thus furnish'd by this Great Ally To purchase Arms and Men she does apply Her soonest Care Next Martialists consults And then does ponder from their bold results How best to guide her Force what Port to finde Wishing her Love could wings add to the Winde That soon returning with well-formed Power She might her Charles assist some usefull hour The Queen thus active in a Forraign State My Muse shall by her Measures here relate A further Progress of Intestine broils And how our King prepared for Martial Toyls Whose Rule by stubborn Evills then opprest Tho' it so long Ingratefull Subjects blest Who Kingly Grace and pardon durst neglect The Balms which Publick Cures so oft effect Which Impious arrogance did then Improve In such who their Prince would not fear nor Love. And Notion'd thus th' Impetuons Crowd was taught To vent defyance to his Pallace brought Whitehall his Sacred residence beset By Crowds for Threats and Terrors there had met No Humane Violence could with this Compare But in Men-Monsters who deny'd to Fear The Heavenly Scepter Jove was thought to hold When he Olimpus saw attaqu'd of old The King enough deploring soon beheld Th' Inflam'd vulgar Fury unrepell'd By London Magistrates due advice or ayd Where more then Law was Factions then obey'd Who durst his Pallace wish despoyl'd by such That Royall Mansions thought for Kings too Much The King less greiv'd from his Lov'd Court to move Then there to trust such Pledges of his Love Whose Tender years could not his hast partake Nor Left behind securely for his Sake His Lands Towns Treasure soon to be possest By such as wish'd his Crown should be opprest Whilst he retiring like that Trojan Prince Who could no longer be his Troy's defence Yet with high Courage Resâ—n'd there from Futâ— The Princely Heir of that declining State â—ad many dangers pass'd that round him stood When sav'd the Blooming Hero's of his Blood. â—is Prince of Wales and York's Duke young in years Preserv'd from Foes by his Supremest Cares And by their Fathers Suss'rings grew to know The Streights to Glory they must undergo Who tho' he Kingdoms had and Cities Great Which ow'd obsequiance to his Regal State Yet in their vast Circumference knew not where 'T was best to Influence first his Martial Sphere Till too like Private Majesty remov'd And Journeying far his Prudence had approv'd The North's Metropolis to which adjoyn'd Regions to Loyal Glory full Inclin'd And being a Prince resolv'dly Great and Just In Law supporting as his Scepters trust Thought Heaven and he divinely were obey'd When Subjects should his Cause most dauntless aid Soon did the Nobles then themselves convey Unto their King scorning from him to stay Or with time-serving Disobedience stain Their part of Honour in his Glorious Reign The Generous next their Brave Example take Whilst soon their worst remains both Houses make An Impious Body-Politique to sit Where future Parliaments may blush to sit Since from that Fatal late abused Name A spreading evil kindled first its flame Unhappy Westminster so oft to be The Seat of Publique Good and Infamy Our Second Edward and our Richard tell How black from them thy Records there do dwell And what adds more unto thy Monstrous Date The Best of Kings there doom'd to wicked Fate Which Deeds with their Prodigions Story may Unequall'd stand to the World 's ending day Nor could the Houses subtlest Gloss evade Reflections by the Wise were early made When Actlons how-e're worded did imply They pointed at the fall of Monarchy Design'd by such to Rule would force their way Tho' Slave-like Fellow-Subjects them obey From which Ambition oft man's proner Curse When tempted by bold perils to be worse The face of War did gradually appear Foreseen by more then durst divulge their fear Seditious Scotland that had first begun To form Rebellion before Forty One And from their wicked Presidents had been Slily instructed in this Impious Sin That where known Story most Allegeance blots 'T will doubtless yield to History of Scots England they saw they could not then compell To grant them Seats where they might warmer dwell For which our King they envy'd tho' their own But most because most Happy in our Crown Craft thus imploy'd that subtly had inclos'd Their labour'd Mischiefs which they thus dispos'd Their Schism and Faction unto England brought Intrigu'd so firm that with their Snares 't was caught Which to uphold both Houses joyn'd their Vote That with Arm'd Scots their Arms they might promote Rebâ—â—liouâ— Ireland that could not stay 'Till Scâ—…ch and English Bloud was cast away With headstrong guilt begins this wicked Time Few apprehend which Nation 's greatest Crime The King his Person offers to oppose Against his Irish Rebells yet not knows Which Kingdom would to him most safety yield Or where best first for him to take the Field England his dearest Pledge imploy'd his Grief Whilst bleeding Ireland call'd for soon relief Which lest he should Conduct the Houses pray That he at home as unsecure might stay Resolv'd their Pow'r his Arms should first oppose More to encourage every where his Foes Fearing lest he from Just occasion might Others subdue and next them stronger fight No Sword by their Consents with him they 'd Trust Whose great Revenge they fear'd yet knew 't was Just. Essex whose stubborn Will and sullen Pride Had with this Poplar Faction long comply'd With greater Zeal Heads their Rebellious Cause Nor grants 't is guilt to fight against the Laws Who fway'd by specious Arts and thirst of Fame Discern'd not then a Loathed General 's Name Forgetting whence Nobility did spring Or how 't is stain'd when Arm'd against the King. Thus crowded into Power he Leads that Force Which the bold Houses Vote their Foot and Horse Numbers no Less then Mighty to Impower The evils which that Age did soon deplore What was thy Crime O London then to be The Numerous Ayd of this Calamity
by most Gen'rous Bloud of English Led Of whom he thought no praise enough cou'd be Or Greatness joyn'd unto their Dignity Untill Great Rupert his Renown'd Ally He made First Captain of their Cavalry A Prince that did in his High Lineage joyn Best German Race with England's Royal Line And what did most embellish his High Bloud No less in Story fam'd for Brave then Good. Who for this Expedition duly chose Troops best approv'd to meet the hardy Foâ—â— Worcester that had Allegeance early shown When many Cities were disloyal known Tho' her distress from future Fate did bring A Second Charles to live an Exil'd King. Implor'd of Heaven a soon Auspicious hour As near her then took Field the Royal Power To which Campagne the Houses eager Vote That War on their part should its haste promote Had sent their firmest Regiments of Horse In hopes they 'd there succeed by strenuous force Sands had these Glittring Troops resolv'd for Fame Led to this Field with full Couragious Flame His thought 's with Number rais'd and boldest Pride To be held early signal by his Side Not as he wou'd the Juster Cause maintain But Glory sought mixt with pernicious Gain Which profitable Encomium much did sway Men that the Houses serv'd for Praise and Pay. His Troups encounter'd swift Resistance find And next like Stubble scatter'd by the Wind With a Confused Haste their flight confound Whilst with their gasping Friends Death strows the Ground Their Resolute Chief whose Courage could not yield Timely to grant his Foes the Conquer'd Field Too deeply wounded is a Captive made The Prince with Courteous grief his Cure assay'd By best skill'd Surgeons who his wounds explore But found too far past aid his Vital Power Nor did his Valour harden so his end As 't did his Cause then Courage more commend Great Rupert prosp'rous thus and fill'd with hope To gain by future Conquest further scope Unto his Royal Unkle did retire With many Trophies of his Martial Fire The King with Temperate Thoughts so poyz'd his Mind That no events in him a Change could find To his Brave Nephew with Indulgent Grace Did thus express Tho' of my Princely Race I gladly prove thy Valour such as may Preserve my Scepter in each doubtfull day Should my Opposers fiercely still adherè To stain their Crimes more deeply by this War Yet 't is my Royal Soul that bids confess That I must welcome less then they Success Tho' they fight to resist what I maintain Yet still my Subjects are on both sides slain Wherefore so Lead my Battels that I may When Victor shew more Mercy still then they As with Calm Glory thus the King exprest A Warlike heat enflam'd Great Rupert's breast Who thus replies Since your severest Foes Cannot your steady Greatness discompose In nothing I 'le be wanting to incite Your boldest Troups with forward Zeal to fight Nor shal't be said that I one Peril shun Where Service can for you by Arms be done Unto your Powers Heaven daily does dispense Aids undiscern'd by Humane Providence Your Royal Standard no where is display'd But Welsh and English gladly are Array'd Who when War's Discipline improves their Might Will soon for you undaunted Soldiers fight The King tho' in his Nephew thus beheld Example's Grandeur which had oft upheld Daring Attempts by forward Captains Led Who Fortune 's briskest Smiles had sometimes had His Nobless Gentry to Atchievements prone That most Magnanimous might assist his Throne Yet could not â—e allay such Anxious thought As his Affairs in prospect to him brought His Forces newly rais'd and thinly Arm'd And more the Sinews of their Hearts uncharm'd By Coins alluring force his Treasure spent Or greatest part unto his detriment By the bold Houses rigidly possest And in that Nerve of State him first distress'd Whilst to his grief his wanting Files might say That Duty set off almost ali their Pay. All which did in their Grievances declare How deep the King concern'd and Nation were Throughout its Parts and Orders un-intire And Notion'd as did least their Peace conspire Some Vassals with their Lords themselves array Others their Lords by fighting disobey No State or Birth their due distinction find Whilst mean and bad then joyn'd their worst design The Swain his tilt neglected in despair Of what his Globe might yield another year Judging that Camps would better him sustain Then his disorder'd toil for future Grain No Aid whate're but did reception find Wars Darling Force is best with Number joyn'd Essex from London march'd with highest State When throâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…s did his Soul clate By th'Houses manâ—…ent and Crowds design'd To heighten Fervour in his Poplar Mind Who with their Sanguine Zeal had less conspir'd Had not Fame's Tinder so his Temper fir'd By which Impulse or from the Fate of things That Rugged Souls to proner Violence brings He soon his Army full compleated Led Near to Campagnes in which the King 's was spread Not doubting but his Num'rous Warlike Force So well accoutred by the Houses Purse Would soon the King 's best formed Powers defeat When they should boldest his in Battel meet And that his Cause no smooth pretext should lose Which for its Vail the Senate's Votes had chose Unto the King a specious Errand sends That to his Sovereign safety recommends By wishing he 'd from Perils soon withdraw Since no respect can flying Bullets awe Or Swords promiscuoully in Battels kill And may 'mongst Lower Bloud the Highest spill So plausible wou'd men their Figures take If words for their Offence can Varnish make The King whose even Greatness did compose His Person to the wonder of his Foes Thus to the Earl's delusive Message says Tell the bold man who for Inglorious praise Does near Imbattel'd to our sight appear And dares by Arms to bid his Sovereign fear That Phoebus may as soon decline his Lighr When Cloudy Meteors would obstruct his sight As witness my Just Glory I disown Or Deeds my Scepter highest can renown Tho' with my Pers'nal Sufferings shou'd combine The worst that Armed Subjects shall design The King here ends And next Great Lindsey spake Since Me Great Sir your General you make Suffer that I unto this Earl commit What may my Honours Station well besit He is a Captain and I 'de have him know My Prowess shall him equall'd that way show But if before the fury of this day He 'l singly Combate me a Soldiers way Our Persons shall our Battel 's Signal be As we begin to fight for Victory This Errand thus return'd Essex declin'd All other Fight then with his Army joyn'd Who judg'd that'twas a much securer course To wave then meet Brave Lindsey's single force The King from Edge-Hill's top like Jove on high When Mortals once 'gainst Heaven Incamp'd did lie Undaunted saw the near Campagne disclose Power that durst him divine on Earth oppose And as a Royal Chief did next descend Strictly to view if orderly extend His Battel Wings of
longer â—ight Command Or hope my Conduct may him now repair Since in my breach of Faith his Cause wou'd share Much had this speech the Gen'rous Dornland mov'd Who Strict Integrity in Man approv'd Judging no Fortitude deserv'd that name Unless best Justice does Compleat the claim Which Thought well Ponder'd next he Feilding leaves And unto Courage and his Fortune gives His Persons Safety resolv'd his Trusty steed The same way back unto the King shou'd speed But soon Perceiv'd his Foes had Stations chose Where they cou'd fiercely his return oppose Or any durst with daring hazzard bring Intelligence or Errand from the King That might th'engaged Feilding's Soul relax And Essex leave a fruitless Truce to Tax The valiant Dornland seeing now how fast The Furious Enemy did accost his haste Before behind and round about him spread Admiring how they fail'd to leave him dead Whilst Shot like Lines unto a Point design'd Flâ—w as no Center but his Heart 't wou'd find On all sides in his flight he fought with some Through others to their Fate he forc'd his room Untill his Nimble Courser and his Fight At once out-did his swift Pursuers Might And in this bold Adventure did receive Such Marks of Glory with best Verse may live His Vesture torn with Shot as Ensigns show When Eyes the Bearers Valour thence allow Besides some Scars upon his Visage seen Which told how sharp his perils then had been Thus he return'd and to the King made known Nobly what Sense of Feilding was his own With all Averments by that Chief were made Why he his Princes Mandate disobey'd Since he oblig'd by Truce must Redding yield And not to save that help to win the Field The King now Dornland's worth perceived more Then from observance first he did explore Resolving thence that with his Kingly Grace He 'd such remark upon his Merit place That should most aptly unto Fame convey The Loyal value he atcheiv'd that day Saying Thy Prince this Jewell gives to thee And if presage of his Auspicious be His Cause shall prosper with renown'd success Whilst thee to wear this gift Heavens will shall bless This worthy Mans Intelligence thus told Soon mov'd the King to bid that his force should No longer suffer by continuing sight Which so much Fruitless prospect gave to sight And thus both sides with too great loss withdrew Since English bloud did that more precious shew Much like to Ships with Masts and rigging tore And Men disabl'd next must tack to shore Where with most leisure and industrious Care Their dismall loss and figures they repair The FIFTH BOOK The Argument Redding deliver'd by a Martial Call The Actions Tax'd and Feilding doom'd to dye Conduct deprav'd the Court and Field affects Which Dornlands Soul does ominously revolve Who unto Polyaster next repairs From his deep Science prospects to discern Of this Wars fature Actions and Events THe Tongue of Fame whose Ensign is the Crowd When various Clamours she disperseth Lowd Or Throws on Mortals multiply'd Mistake As they through Errors-Glass their Prospects take Whence oft to Vulgar thoughts such Mediums rise That feed the Ignis-fatuus of their Eyes Nor seldom do contests in Camps proclaim How boldly Militants Impose on Fame To which Court-Minionâ— their concurrence yield When they with Martialists Intrigue in field And would on Measures by the Armed chose Their complisance most plausibly dispose Whose Souls are to such gawdy Moâ—als joyn'd As least unto adversity are kind Or genuinly the deeds of men Express When Int'rested their value to depress All which unhappy Feildings Case now prov'd Gainst whom both Court Camp displeasures mov'd Nor less then dreadfull Martial sense must free His person charg'd with Faithless Infamy Which did the Kings just Temper more Incense As Reddings Loss was aggravated thence And thus before this Rigid Bar did come The once Fam'd Fielding to receive his doom Whose former worth no Mitigation gain'd As he then seem'd to Honours Jury stain'd By whose strict Verdict sentence soon was past And day appointed that must be his Last From Executioners that Mars does call When his Delinquents shou'd most daring fall Tho' Honor'd held if they by Engines dye That Force with utmost dread the Arm'd to â—â—y Whilst he with Constant â—ortitude Comply'd To bear th' Infliction 'gainst his Life dâ—creed Whence many worthys had more value plac'd On him so â—â—concâ—rn'd his end embrac'd As Gen'rous confidence when Death is near Implys the Soul disdains her Cause to â—â—ar Which worth in him Compassion more Inclin'd With such discernments as might aptost find Regards of Mercy if those Motives might His death prevent and wounded Honour right Considering next if like a Soldier He Had yielded Redding to the Enemy On Terms that prudent Captains wou'd embrace When they 'd surrender fortified place The Scituation weigh'd and what might thence Induce him not to hazzard its defence All which discurssions with their Calm and heat Found soon Conveyance to the Royall Seat Which Pallace-Perdu's watchfully attend That their Address may thither first ascend Whilst of Court Intercessors most admir'd Beauty for Feildings safety then Conspir'd And with the Eminent Lusters of her Face Begg'd for this Chief her Sovereigns Act of Grace With Tears that most resistless Men surprize When made the grief and Prayer of womens eyes Which Far Compassion in her Sovereign mov'd Who Chastly Female Gracious spendors lov'd And held no Bounty by their Charms obtain'd But was their value when with Virtue gain'd And to this worthy of her Sex thus said Happy is Fielding for whom you have paid The Value of your pity shed in Tears Tho' Warlike Sense a Ruffer course oft Stears Then Mercies Milder Orb or Conduct show Whose Beams from Breasts of Kings most boundless flow Nor has Attentless ear to Mercies call Been e're my Crime or Subjects unjust fall Which Candid mildness shin'd throughout my Reign When Sanguine guilt did other Scepters Stain And if Offenders I less prone forgive Their Souls may in their bodies blush to live But Providence whose secret Acts of Grace Incline the hearts of Kings to Mercies Case And like Heavens bounties in the Orbs above Do Sovereign Conduct more benignly Move To which within the Royal Sphere was joyn'd Wales blooming Prince whose soon compassion shin'd As Princely Souls when most enrich'd by Heaven Have Mercies Talents early to them given What verse his Royal Graces can declare In Acts his Mirrors so transparent are And in a Second Charles the Former known As Kings whose Souls no Interregnum own And thus unto his Royal Father said Th' Address that for your Gracious Pardon 's made By this fair object let my Heart conspire To aid as her attractive Beams require Nor is 't denied that with my youthfull years Compassion flows where Woman sheds her Tears By whose bright Sex I early do explore That hard 't is to deny when they Implore These Intercessions of a Royal Son Much on the Kings
find How Sep'rate Souls Paternally are kind Then Thinks he kneeling did his Blessing pray And wish'd that Souls might oftner find their way From deaths recesses and Teach men to see Their bad deeds past and future misery Next Thought he strove t' Imbrace his Fathers knees Whilst like to Air repress'd his figure flees Or as the Gloomy Horrors of the Night Vanish with dreams at days approaching Light. Thus he awak'd and soon revolv'd in thought The sad concern his slumbers to him brought With Visions that did dreadfully deterr His further Heightening this destructive War Which Nourish'd Factions that might soon conspire To lay him Low and raise their Creatures higher Whence Peace he wish'd tho' far remov'd from Men Might as the Souls Aâ—â—rea come again Yet fear'd Heavens wrath was easier to asswage Then the sterne Houses full determin'd rage Tho' that rough Medium he resolv'd to Try As Time gave Calmer opportunity Till when on other Causes he could lay The Motives did his Martial flame delay Mean while the King that wondrous year of War Which adds to Fames Heroick Calendar Had weigh'd maturely in his Prudent mind What 'gainst his Active Foes was best design'd Knowing the Voting Houses had decreed That their Vast Force should yet more daring spread The North with Mighty Yorkshir's far extent Committed to the Warlike management Of thâ—t Lord Fairfax and his Valiant Son Who by their Conduct there had gain'd Renown These how-e're held in Soul too bravely Just For such who then allur'd them to this trust Infusing subtile Notions of a Cause That well disguis'd seem'd to support the Laws Strenuously did their Friends and Interest guide T' Oppose within that Sphere the Royall side 'Gainst whom the brave New-Castle did appear Gen'rous of mind and resolute in War. Whos 's high repute did many Hero's raise That next his Acts on Story fix their praise But none surpassing his admir'd Ally Heroick Cavendish in whose prowess Lye Deeds that Fames wings must as her Trophe's bear And verse that could his Grandeur full declare Nor less the Senates party did Imbroil The West of Englands rich and pop'lous soil For which attempt they Active Waller chose A Knight whose Zeal could mighty things propose And whom their Votes did Celebrate so high As he then March'd their Western Excellency That far as waves there wash the Brittish shore He might all vanquish by their Haughty power And was their requisite expedient thought Since Greenville Slanning had stout Cornish brought That won at Stratton-field a mighty day Which Stories with their Future worth display And by their Prince more gratefull understood Since this of his Successes cost least bloud Whose Temp'rate Spirit wa like Heaven's design'd In being to Offending Mortalls kind Yet hearts so harden'd had his Rugged Foes That they durst Royal Grace with power oppose Howe're the discompos'd or cold delay Of Timing Essex wou'd their Fury stay Whilst powers conjoyn'd from other Camps appear'd With such the Vig'lant Houses had deâ—laâ—'d From his must be detach'd and by Chiefs led Whom they less doubted then this Peer their head And did unto Campaigns near Oxford guide The well-form'd Numbers of their daring Side Tho' Fame and Rumour us'd their swiftest Wing To speed the bold Allarum to the King. With these a Leader subtile Hampden joyn'd Vast. in his Parts and deep contriving Mind Who by his Conduct and his Sword thought â—â—t To aid the Quarrel Patron'd by his Wit. And more t' Inflame his fierce Assistants then Did thus express If with our Armed Men Reason avails or Maxims that have found Where fast Designs their strong assurance ground Know these are ours with Swords that only can Sever Prerogative Bonds Infesting Man. How-e're such Gordian Knots Miraculous reach From Thrones to Subjects as some vainly teach Or speciously the Lawyers Brain might find When Courts the Peoples Purse had theirs design'd This e're our Senate sate I first withstood And held it then a Cause worth English Bloud Tho' now unsafe at Wrongs redress'd to stop 'Till surplusage of Power we further Lop. That like the Limbs of some far-spreading Tree Shaded too long our growing Liberty Which res'lute force will perfect and design That do the Foxes part and Lyons joyn 'Till when the Houses wisely must disown How Levell they intend to lay the Throne On which account this day I welcom here And full resolv'd with you in Arms appear Whilst from this Field our hopes improv'd must spring Where late I prosperous Led against the King The Houses bold Militia whence first grew 'Twixt him and us the Quarrel we pursue Thus he express'd like one that cou'd Cajole With powerfull words the Soldiers daring Soul. This Speech scarce ended Rupert did appear With Troups well Formed to joyn â—ierce Battel there Swift as the Trumpet 's sound his Prowess led And in that haste saw scatter'd Foes lie dead The Orange Scarst the cognizance made then Of Resolute Essex and his Fighting Men Were in their Gawdy Habits forc'd to run And turn their Tawny backs against the Sun Wishing that Parthian-like they now could fly And by back-shooting kill their Enemy Which Stratagem to Rome's bold Legions brought Dâ—sâ—sters as that People flying fought 〈◊〉 how should these act any Conducts Part When headlong Fear had first surpriz'd their Heart 〈◊〉 close pursu'd as all must needs agree Where Rupert's Valour forc'd his Victory And thus confus'd unto their Camp they stray Where Essex hoping better Tidings lay Hampden amongst the rest the Field had left By deadly wounds almost of Life bereft Few days him end whilst much his Party griev'd That Fate of such a Grandee them bereav'd Lest from Death's hast they but in Embâ—io find The change of State which his strong Brain design'd Or left unmodell'd by deceased Pym Who subt'ly to their Cause Intrigu'd esteem Tho'by a homlier Fate the latter fell Whom Lice by Legions slew as many tell So Herod full of Pop'lar Vogue and Pride Attacqu'd by these most vulgar Vermin dy'd Rupert successfull thus in this Campagne Where Foes thought Fame by Cavalry to gain Which on their side more numerous did consist Had they been Soul'd as boldly to resist Such dread diffus'd through all their mounted Force As long they fear'd to fight such Loyal Horse And did in Essex Soul improve delay Caus'd by disgnst and Fortune of that day Which gave the King apt Leisure to dispose Embody'd Powers against his Western Foes Whom Active Waller had combin'd with care More Pop'lar now then Essex in this War. The Noble Hertford sit for Royal Trust And Int'rested in those parts to Adjust His Sovereign's Cause did from an Honest Fame Deserve by him unsought a Gen'rals Name Little he had of Wars experience known And therefore did refuse to guide alone T' assist whose conduct by the King was chose His Newphew Maurice Daring unto Foes Great Rupert s Brother which enough does tell How like to him his Prowess did
Test As Famous deeds are thence recorded best Too Numerous for my Measures to preserve Or what my Muse may doubt she can't deserve The day just spent and well it happen'd so When both sides still to fight resolv'd did show As if Heav'ns Conduct auxiously took care How Men against their wills should Mankind spare And thus Night sever'd both these mighty Powers So fiercely was Imploy'd that days sad hours Night in which Terrors most accost man's thought And shapes bad deeds in worser forms then wrought What apprehensions might her hour's instill On such whose latest Guilt had been to kill Nor did the rising day to them appear Less dismall to their Conscious Crimes or fear The Sun beheld far more then usuall red If not his blush when view'd the blood here shed As sometimes Heaven does prodigies bestow To Frighten Mortalls for Misdeeds below And might then op'rate whilst with like decree Both Armies quit the Field yet neither flee Essex to Warwick does his Forces guide Enough exulting that his Stubborn side The King 's had sought and unsuppress'd cou'd own Such spoils of Dead and Living his were known And what Fate most peculiarly did prize Brave Lindsey after made his Pris'ner dyes Lindsey whose great Example valour taught In perills bold yet these not heedless sought A Captain aptly in a Hero Joyn'd As is for Honours Master-piece design'd And in that days fierce Harrass like a Chief Of Infantry On Foot led Foot 's relief Till overpower'd and weaken'd much by wound His foes him seiz'd near dead upon the ground Compleated thus his Memory does Claim A lasting mention from the Tongue of Fame The King his Camp to Oxford next remov'd Where his Commands were full obey'd and lov'd As Arts to â—mpire must obsequions be And Measure thence their best Felicity The Court and Camp no sooner settl'd here 〈◊〉 fresh Emergencies of War appear 〈◊〉 on which the King did most reflect As a wide source whence slow'd the sighting Sect That for the Houses sâ—…cest did oppose To check which heat he did this season chuse Besides he judg'd that in that Mighty Town Were many Subjects highly did disown The Interest which the Factious manag'd there And might abate if his Force nearer were But London's Temper would not then Endure To cease Rebellion by his force or Cure. T' approach that Town to Bransord he arrives Where Silver Thames its usefull Current guides And like Vicissitude in Humane things An Intercourse of Ebb and Flowing brings But here he finds his March obstructed so That he must sight or else not forward go The Streets and Avennues with Men beset Who here surviving Keinton-field had met And with like resolution durst defy The sorce Conducted by arm'd Majesty Hollis's Regiment being first at hand Was led to combate by his bold Command Soon were the Streets with gashly slaughters fill'd Some Houses Ransack'd and their owners kill'd The Town obscur'd from sight by smoak and fire As if with Lives designed to expire The Kings stout foot that wou'd not yield to be Repuls'd by dangers worst Extremity Had the opposing Infantry Compell'd To quit the Post which they so dauntless held And full of Resolution did proceed To give their Vigorous force more Gallant speed Untill observ'd that London Powers were brought To aid the Squadrons that already fought Then which Not Mighty Seaven-hill'd Rome had shown Legions more splendid Arm'd and expert known Tho' their unhappy Guilt that bloudy time To be Defenders of their Senat 's Crime These Essex heads in hopes next to repair His Parties loss so much the Zealous care Of many smart and Comely City Dames Who to his Strenuous Cause apply'd their Flames And might his Manhood else not much regard As doubting he too long liv'd Nature's Ward The King who did in this Conjuncture know Timely the Reinforcements of the Foe Consults such Chiefs in Conduct most excell'd And round his Person no less great beheld Then famous Hero's did of old appear When Arm'd in Field's they King's Advisers were And as Fame does such high concernments blaze Her Warlike records must these Worthies praise Who did their subtle Enemies deseat And in despite of more as bold retreat Whilst with nine Ensigns won and other Spoyls The Royal Army then renown'd their Toyles Tho' Kings by Martiall Glory least obtain When by their Subjects loss they Trophies gain Or so inforc'd to Vindicate their Right As their just Arms must their delinquents sight Who as their Swords in battell Princes daro From dread of Justice Mercy next despair Nor Law Infring'd more Resolute defy Then Conscience the Soul 's inward Majesty Now had the Sun his Autumn Glory spent When longer hours of Cold to Night were lent And fields did in their fading Green appear The Change of Livery Nature gives the year Which season not admitting longer stay Abroad for Arm'd both sides withdrew their way So Bees in Clusters from fierce Battles Come By cold enforc'd unto their waxen Home Untill refresh'd by ease and warmer Air Their busy files to sight again prepare Essex near London does his Quarters spread Where by the Houses Votes they 're warmly sed And nothing's wanted might his loss Recruit At Keinton-Field or Bransord's later Rout. Yet Neither Boasted strength or joys best Guise Could tears repell from the Lamenting Eyes That griev'd for dear Relations wanted were As in Death's Muster read their Numbers are Tho' Pop'lar Conducts such Accompts most hide Lest People thence their dangers less abide Or from the sum of Lives profusely lost Perceive how dear such aid themselves must Cost The Royall force to Oxford next return'd Where Joy's were high and some disasters mourn'd As with Auspitious deeds of Warr appear Bays that must needs some sanguine Tincture bear Whilst here the Court that had with spendour fix'd Shin'd as with fading Glories Intermix'd Where Noble Matrons fear'd what Threads of Life Fate wou'd allow their Consorts in this Strife No less did Beauties fain would Love espouse Dread in their Lovers more then Life to loose Which high Asllictions Civil War does find To throw on best repose of Humane Kind Yet now as Fame her Festival wou'd raise For Celebration unto future days Her Record swift she sends on Rum'rous Wing As her high Present to be given the King By which from his Illustrious Queen was known Her Person safe and soon would meet his own Tho' Neptune more her Greatness to display Allow'd his boldest Seas t'opose her way Which did the far admiring world inform How she Our Heroine vanquish'd Waves and Storm Great Maro so did Fam'd Eneas blaze His Glory heighten'd on the highest Seas The King whose Love was servent to his Queen By whom he to her Fame oblig'd had been As she his Cause did to her peril aid To meet her Person no delay he made Attended by the Eminent of his Court Fully compleated in their Noblest sort Beside applauded Beauties that did wait On this so high Concern of Love
he exprest As Valiant Scaeva did for Caesar's sake When he by Num'rous shot did Life for sake Next whom stout Lyle his Tragick Scene must end By the same Guns that slew his Valiant Friend Death he before had wish'd as he beheld In Cruel Fight his Dear Flavira kill'd And had from Loves Impulse then sought to dye By desp'rate charges of the Enemy Had not his Loyalty and publique Spirit Been more endear'd by him then his Loves Merit Not much he spoke resolv'd that Actions more Should win on hearts that would his worth explore And witness how brave Subject and best friend In him conspicuous were to his Lifes end Who as he Lucas body did perceive Lying near the place where death he should receive Often he kiss'd his friends yet dying Face And whilst he kiss'd his Eyes shed Tears apace Then with expanded Arms their shot receives As his last word his Murtherers forgives Thus dy'd these Chiefs above what verse can blaze At least such here as would Inscribe their praise Longer then Sculptur'd Lines in Marble tell How Gloriously at Colchester they fell The TENTH BOOK The Argument Wars last great stake at Colchester thus won The Bloudy Armies Insolence Improves As on the Houses Members they Impose And violate the Treaty with the King. In shape of Friend the Devill Cromwell Tempts By wâ—ckâ—dest Ambition to aspire The â—rayâ—'rous Court and Characters describ'd That Murder'd by their Dooâ— K. Charles the First THE Army Leaders who by Faithless guilt Had Cruelly Heroick Bloud thus spilt Soon sound how English hearts their deeds did hate And wish'd the Authors an accursed fate T'Imprison'd King whose Soul had hop'd to hear Some happy progress of that furious War Which his Brave Subjects for his Scepters Aid And pers'nal safety Loyally had made Too soon alas descern'd the sad Novell That told what them and Colchester befell And how the Valiant Lyle and Lucas were In Cold Bloud kill'd by Conquering Rebells there Heroick Capell Goring and of Fame A many Chiefs whom verse here needs not name Forc'd to surrender and attend the will Of Tyrant Subjects as they 'd save or kill Which Tydings Hammond by the Juncto made Their Sovereigns Jaylor boastingly convey'd In hope that Grief his Kings Soul might depress As his Tongue durst these Horrid facts express Whilst Guns for wicked Joy from Carisbrook Towers And shouts of Foes divulg'd these dreadfull Hours The Royal Breast where streams of sorrow flow'd Above what Parent e're for Children show'd Piously did in Secret Thought complain That he should Live at that Time King in vain Since Heaven did not his Sword and prayers allow Mighty enough the wicked to subdue Whilst grievously restrain'd he heard the Sounds Of his best Subjects deaths and Kingdoms wounds Wishing that Heaven had his Lifes end decreed When Bravest Men for his just cause did bleed At Keinton-field or Naseby's Fatall Toyls Where as a Soveraign Chief he led bold Files Or if Clandestine Fate must be his doom Why did not Rolph to kill him sooner come Or was discover'd e're his Piistoll shot King Charles had ended by their shortest Plot Then to their shame let him surviving see A longer series of their Villany Happier he thought was Second Edwards fall Or Richards next to that deplor'd by all Since by a quicker guilt usurped Power Forc'd on their distress'd Lives their dying hour So Seldom prison'd Monarchs period have Other then Murder'd laid within a grave Yet how'ere dreadfull unto humane sense Such terrors might their dismall shapes dispense He Judg'd in Prince 't was next the Sin of Fear To apprehend Fates steps however near If Impious Men who had no right to Live Could killing power unto Deaths Scepter give Resolv'd what'ere his foes 'gainst him design'd His glory to his Soul should still be Joyn'd Cofirm'd by patience full to undergo What Royall fortitude could suffering show And as these words unto himself he said A Circling Flame around his head display'd Is not some brightest Angells spreading wing That did to him Caelestial comfort bring As thus the King divinely great here spent Severest hour's of his Imprisonment His Loyall friends far more concern'd thâ—n 〈◊〉 Fear'd that their Soveraign would soon Murder'd be As Fame's bold Tongue dispers'â—ly did relate Deeds that Conspir'd with that sad Juncture's date And as swist means such horrors did convey By Fatall accident they pass'd a way That near was unto Rosalin's abode Where then her Woman walking on a Rode Had met a Passenger that did declare How Lucas dy'd and Lyle at Colchester She having been by Wise Hâ—rmander taught That by her means no Tydings should be brought Unto her Lady that her heart might grieve Or worst of wounds for Lucas death receive This prudent Female having these words weigh'd T' amuse fair Rosaline on purpose made â—…story that no other stress display'd Then that great Lucas was by Foes decree Banish'd his Country for his Loyalty Having on purpose so contriv'd this Tale As 't did not only Lucas death conceal But to her Lady apt occasion give To travel where she thought he yet might Live. When Rosaline did graciously Address All that her thanks and wonder could express Unto Hermander bidding him farewell And next declar'd she was resolv'd to dwell By choice an Exile in Outlandish Clime Hoping abroad to hear in happy time Of her Lov'd Lucas where her womans Care Long kept sad Truth from coming to her ear But how her person she dispos'd when known His fatall Loss or how she did bemoan Her Lov 's Misfortune verse can't fully say Or in what Cloyster was her ending day Thus Noblest passions deepest did deplore The Impious progress of Usurping power Whilst in this Nation no Just state of Life But did Lament that War 's prodigious strife When Haughty Cromwell did in Embrio Lay Aspiring thoughts to rise a future day If he could first his Soveraigns Life destroy And next by Bold degrees his Throne Injoy To aid which ends he Bloudy Men Cajol'd That for King-killing were alike him Soul'd But these thoughts caus'd some strugling in his breast As guilt of Conscience would have them supprest Tho' at a time when his proud heart was Swell'd By routing the Scotch Duke and risings quell'd Throughout the Nation which the Royall side Did unsuccessfully that Season guide One Evening as he Towards London went Pondring past deeds and what to come he Meant His Inward horror did his Soul assail And 'gainst his dire ambition did prevail So far that now his haughty Minde did yield To force of Conscience all his Bosom's field And as he thus awhile had walk'd alone Near to a lofty Grove perceiv'd by None Fix'd to the Ground on sudden his feet seem'd As he upright then stood in trance or dream'd Amaz'd his looks erected was his hair Like one that did some dismall object fear When for more wonder round him figures stood That from their Bosom 's t'wards
their likeness truth more pleas'd I own If some by travell distant parts have seen And what their greatness now and past has been Yet never there like yours could poem Read Written so well of men alive and dead With how much joy will Living Heroes see Their deeds recorded thus of Gallantry And what their Youthfull toyls in Bettells were Or Wouuds by prowess felt in that times War. Nor less the lineage of great Captains dead Will be oblig'd as their fames by you spread Thus does your Pen Old Loyalty renew And from its patern fortifies the new G. M. To the Author of Caroloiades THo' I no Muse pretend to as do some That to give Pass-ports unto Wit presume And judge if their Muse does the Author stroke The favour on the World must pass his Book I 'le leave that part to such as can bestow On under-graduate Wit probation so Whilst your works value best it self Commends As to Pernassus top its flame asconds Morally great Philosophick and Divine Yet nothing teâ—ious in your Grand design Throughout your Lines emphatical I see The Genius of Heroick Poesy A Skill I sometimes thought above the Height Of English Tongue or Poet best could Write Fully I wish to heighten Christian fame That Brave Lorrain and Great Bavarias name Could find a Muse that might their Actions tell High as your English Heroes do excell That worth is yet remaining for your glory When your Pen will add Grandeur to their story The Macedonian Victor who for praise Envy'd the Muse Achilles deeds did raise Unless that such a Homer his might sing From whose Immortal Verse did t'others spring Surpassing either to the World convey'd I read First Charles whose fames by you display'd Thus brighter oft in the Caelestial sphere The Setting Sun then Rising does appear Great Mâ—ro to compleat his Trojâ—n Prince From Heavenly race derives his excellence But had he this Kings attributes renown'd His Virtue above Demy-god he'ad found Thus far has Câ—roloâ—â—des out done Aeneidos the Theam which Virgil sung T. C. To his Worthy Friend Author of Caroloiades SIR YOu having been pleased to afford me the perusal of your Poem aptly stiled Caroloiades when it was in its first rude and rough draught and before it was better shaped and corrected by you I did freely give my sence and opinion on many passages and you seldom differed from my sentiments therein For tho' I am no great Judge of Poesy as you may see by my writing to you in Prose yet I am an Admirer of those refined Wits who by the sweet harmony of Verse have conserved the History of those Ancient Wars which might have been lost had they been wrote in Prose and the Iliads of Homer and other Antique Writings might have ran the same fate of time with many other excellent Histories which perhaps perished because they wanted the spirit and soul of Poetry to conserve them The subject Sir on which you have chosen to Write is worthy of an Heroick Poem Our Wars more then Civil with the ultimate Tragedy thereof is such a period as is sufficient to silence all the Muses and cause them abruptly to break off in sighs and lamentations I know not how it comes to pass that for these Forty Years since which these Wars have been ended that none of the Elevated Wits of our Age have taken upon them to describe these mighty Actions in Heroick Verse untill you happily took up this subject so worthy of your Pen which I wish may delight as well as inform the World and that when Histories fail and are exstinguish'd by time your Poem may survive and give knowledge of what we have seen to future Ages I am Your very humble Servant Paul Rycaut CAROLOIADES OR The Rebellion of England Begun in the Year 1641. A HEROICK Poem The Argument of the First Book Unhappy War begun in Forty One The Causes Mischiefs here the Poets Song Briefly relates The Houses from their King Highly divide whence discords soon increase Nourish'd by Pasquills Libells Threats Demands Nor Royal Acts of Grace suffice to calm All daring Vulgar rage The Queen departs And Heroine-like undaunted Seas does pass THE Wars and period of a Mighty King Which did from furious Crimes of Subjects spring My Muse presumes here to describe by Verse And Hero's deeds of Brave Renown rehearse Whos 's English Valours on account of Fame Are no less blaz'd then Greek or Roman Name Their Grandeur weigh'd and such admir'd Designs As give high Theams unto Heroick Lines Had Homer them or Mighty Maros's wit Unto Times Future admiration writ With every Fiction as should intervene For silling Glory to each weighty Scene And had their Genius like some Sacred Merit Left with Pernassus Legacies of Spirit To be Implor'd from thence I well might now That Supplication to my Soul allow As wondrous Actions here my Verse relates And things Prodigious form'd 'gainst high Estates No Civil War did e're so Impious sway When Subjects durst their Sovereigns least obey And tho' thy Reign First Charles sills no Record With spoils of Nations or a Lawless Sword The bad example of most Neighbour Kings Whose stern Ambition unjust ruine brings Yet in the even Conduct of thy Mind Was Grandeur above Scepter unconsin'd Not more dismay'd when unthought Storms appear'd Then in best Calms whose change was causless fear'd And to Celestial Councels only known Why he whose Virtue did adorn his Throne Should so accomplish'd not successfull be Against the Wicked when his Enemy Vile in their rise and in that more Accurst Because proceeding from Peace loathed first By Graceless hearts which were too proudly bred And from their Peace and Riches Ranc'rous fed Whence Faction's Itch did more envenom'd sprout Contagion spreading through the Vulgar Rout. And like quick Plagues when mingling with their breath The Crowd Infected e're they fear'd their death With these high Evils poysonous Libels joyn'd Fame's Vulgar Magick aptly then design'd By men whose Subtleties could full delude And to their ends engage the thoughtless Crowd And next themselves did wholsome Patriots blaze More to allure the Vulgar's Giddy praise Divulging faults where none Just fault could find Or call that Crime which they for Crime design'd Nor less Supine 'gainst Church then State durst rail Whilst Scots help'd England with their Pious Tale Or Covenant form'd that speciously might bring Both Nations to Oppose their Laws and King. How did their knotty evils then awake The Just Repose our Monarch's Rule did take Abroad he saw Peace bless'd him every where No Less Made Forraign Wonder then their Fear Nor more at Home did Troubles apprehend Who thought his Good might others Evil mend Whence Heavens permissive Will did him allow Much ready Justice with a Sword too slow A Merit that on bad Men little gains Whose fear not love their duty most retains Now Pop'lar fury with it hop'd for Swinge Had set Commotion on the smoothest Hinge When Low'd desires brought Parliament Estates
Was it because thou wert too richly great Or too long pamper'd in a blest Estate That thy Ingratefull heads then seem'd to ake And by pretended flame a Feaver take An Artisice to worst Delusions joyn'd As Zeal transported had the Peoples Minde And if my Verse a Prospect duly take Of what did then so fierce Transactions make Truth soon declares that 't was no publique Sense That had diffus'd so vild an Influence But heatfull Parties that within their Frames For ends devis'd had rais'd such horrid flames And but the name of Parliament did feign On purpose to convey a larger stain And which no well-form'd sense allows to be That full Conventious Publique Infamy A Constitution Great to all effects As it our Good discerns and Bad detects From whence the Nation best their Pulse perceives And when 't is sound more soundness then receives If Craz'd or will not other help endure That prov'd State-Phisick can compleat the Cure. And what beyond all Treasures Aid Imparts It both receives and gives the Peoples Hearts An Envy'd Glory through which Nations see Cause to repine our just felicity When wild exorbitance of Pride and heat In other Rules have their pernicious date And more detects our Late Unhappy Times In which Men boldly strove to heighten Crimes Kindled by such on each side did Convey Their fiery Ends the most destructive way By perverse Parliaments the Factions sought That low and poor their Monarch might be brought Denying for their ends their publick Aid As fiâ—st their Niggard purse him disobey'd Which forc'd Prerogative by Royal Right To claim for Common good the Purses Might An Aidfull Power that Scopâ—… Lest Subjects ill retain what Crowâ—s should 〈◊〉 Tho' Pop'lar Patriots did this Act diâ—own And cast aspersions on the Straiten'd Throne As they 'gainst Shipmoney disgusts proclaim With high Contests which to Tribunals came That their Great Monarchs Rule might want supply Till Senats should less peevishly deny When this fam'd King whose Soul was full propense To give his Royal Claim no wrong defence Consented to give Law it 's due repute That Legall Process might his Plea promote Which Misconceived in a furious Time When Jealousies and fears durst vent their Crimes By deeming things undutiously amiss That men might thence distrust their Nations Bliss Ceas'd not their Rancour tho' by Act of State This Tax abolish'd was to Lasting Date As they abetted a Disloyal fear Of Oblique Motions in the Royal Sphere Whence Crowds were Taught more strictly to embrace What then was call'd their Senat 's sighting Case Lest that subdu'd they might be next undone And Lives and Fortunes grant by Conquest won A Sense devis'd by obloquies of Fame To blemish their King's Rule and Sacred Name Thus some did with most horrid Arts devise How to Impose on all more Just and Wise. Such subtle Members as the Houses sway'd Soon their Delusions takingly convey'd With what by Vulgar Fury cou'd promote The Cause which their sierce Patrons first did Vote To which their violent Spiritual Guides comply'd Who taught Rebellion then was Sanctify'd Was 't not enough that former Ages found How such Incendiaries did then abound That Pulpits must afresh divulge their flame And stead of Beacons publick Broils proclaim Provoking Heaven and Inauspicious Starrs To haste the bloudy Aspects of our Warrs When in their Orbs the rest began to fear Lest Mars in spight of Jove should domineer Nor less the Azur'd Regions did presage Prodigious Fights and Battels in that Age Arms against Arms to mens affrighted eyes Seem'd as array'd Battalions on the Skies Where flashings did like Guns discharging shew And Flames resembled Pikes in Skirmish too Most fear'd what these strange Visions should portend Or hop'd Heav'n might by them bad men amend Whilst nothing the fierce Houses then restrain'd Or that rough Earl whose Conduct they had gain'd Not as they did for Bloud and Treasure thirst Or wou'd for Horrid Spoils of War be Curst More specious they seem Laws and King to treat So subtly Mortals would their guilt abate The SECOND BOOK The Argument Intestine Discords by what Method spread The Quarrel the unhappy Title bears Of King and Parltaments opposed Arms. And like the body of the State confus'd The Members differ Towns Cities Counties Miserably behold their Magistrates Tho' Guardians of their Peace turn'd Enemies And arm'd in this destructive War appear WAR thus prepar'd and boldest Summons sent T'Incite more swiftly Minds to Fury bent Without perceiving the Impetuous Source Of boundless Evils which their Crimes did force Or that Peace seem'd their Universal pain 'Till after War 't were begg'd of Heaven again A Crisis oft gives Furious Tempers ease When War 's rough Physick proves their worst disease What man can in most touching Numbers shew The various Ills with that Time's License grew When neither tie by Bloud or Parents Tears Nor Conscience which man's Soul diviner fears Could Son or Brothers daring heart deterr From being ally'd more guilty by this Warr. Or not with headstrong fury soon oppose The side their dearest Friends for safety chose Nor did the Aged then forbear to show That Peace was wither'd no less then their Brow Conspiring in the Autumn of their Time To misguide others by their Graver Crime Whence Evils with more Grandeur did augmeâ—…t As Age taught Youth so little to repent And by their joint endeavours did assure That this Wars fatal flame would long endure The Forts and Castles that had slighted been And by their Ruines told Wars Antient Sin Laborious hands did Numerously repair And with their Dusty Toils obscur'd the Air. Whilst distant Men affrighted did behold New forms of Terrour far surpassing old When but Bows piercing Shafts from Bulwarks flew And not so horridly as Guns Men slew Thus some Lamented whilst the Many strove Their Nations fury highest to improve And did Tumultuous Rage through Regions spread With Thefts from Wars bold License sadly read Some total Plunder'd and their Persons sent Revil'd by Crowds to loath'd Imprisonment Whilst others forc'd from Houses and Estates Were left like Wanderers unto wretched Fates Tho' Charg'd upon their Souls no other Crime Then not to Aid the Mischiefs of that time When violent Men Delinquencies durst make In such as would not Peace with them forsake Or hop'd that Moderate quiet might be had When but to live secure was counted bad Number the People's Monster like the Birth Of that vast Giant fam'd the Son of Earth It s own unweildy Power did roughly bring To Aid Intended Arms against the King. Who tho' his Life and Crown he soon might Stake Beheld his Leavies for his Cause too weak Courage his Hope sustain'd and Conscious Right Which to defend Best Kings renown'dly fight But e're his Enemies did neer him joyn Or Re-inforcements further their Design Their strongest Parties vigour he 'd first try And teach them from his Sword 't was Just to fly Whilst then his Power in Horse began to spread And
Infantry and Horse Inspecting next if their Souls vig'rous force Stood on their Looks and how each Persons Face Spoke daring Conduct in his Martial place 'Mongst these as Valours Ornament he saw Best Peers and Gentry Glistring Swords to draw Not readier to Command then to Obey Where Voluntiers they rank'd themselves that day Mingled with these he more Intent beheld Some by him least oblig'd or favour'd hrld T' inlarge his Royal Files did there resort Without expected Gift or Place from Court. Whilst others by his Royal Bounty rais'd To Honour Wealth ne're in their ' Scutcheons blaz'd Ingratefully from his Just Cause withdrew Or 'gainst him did worst Renegado's shew Which frontless guilt when well the King compar'd With such full-Soul'd with Duty him rever'd Their Loyalty unpamper'd by his Gifts Whilst Falshood had in others gainfull shifts How might this Prince hope Heaven his Crown won'd right Since Conscience thus for him won hearts to sight When Factions did the Houses Votes maintain Blended with various Interests and Gain Some Bankrupt Commons and of Gentry such Who safe Estates and Lives would others grudge And purposely Commotions did Create To share Large Gleanings by their Nation 's Fate Which gave the King occasion to deplore Where his Arms lost they lessen'd Virtues Store And could but low retaliation find If Bloud they vanquish'd mean or unresin'd Essex whose Talent was in words not great Or like such Chiefs whose Oratory's heat The fervour of their Militants could raise And by apt Speech and Conduct mingle praise Yet Lest his Soul too heavy seem'd to fill His Organs or unbent his Armed Will He boldly own'd to Heaven a specious way His Lawless Cause as he presâ—…'d to pray With Canting Teachâ—… who could Prayers devise And Texts expound Rebellion to disguise Besitting well the Factions of those Times And men who fought and begg'd success for Crimes Thus to his Name 's reproach his Files he Led In Keinton-Field against his Nations Head Where soon both Armies furiously Engage That English might kill English on that Stage When first from loudest Canons Bullets slew And Ranks of Men at remote distance slew Some view'd their sever'd Limbs e're they could dye In parts by Deaths severest Cruelty Others were slain outright by one huge blow And happy whom such Guns had killed so Or were by stunning Shot bereav'd of breath As Canons without wound enforc'd their death Some Horse throw Riders wanting Limbs to tread Others by Bullets torn in halfs lay dead Thus with Man's Fate the servile Beast complies And in Wars method most alike him dies This Thund'ring Prologue ceas'd the Scene did fill With thicker Mischiefs tho' less Engines kill Which Musket's close opposing Peals convey Numerous as Attoms when the burning day Provokes their intermingled globulous flight And by their adverse motions seem to sight Which Slaughter past another did ensue That gives some death who had scap'd Powders blow And did as dismal Prospects soon expose As these fierce Legions closer fought their Foes Foot against Foot their brandish'd Pikes imploy And with bold Stands no less the Horse annoy Such soonest fall as wou'd most daring live In so short time Fames Stage can Honour give But now as Fortune wou'd the King assist Or teach his daring Foes less to resist His Cavalry with furious drift had chas'd Th' Enemies Horse on their Right-Wing were plac'd Whilst vanquish'd through this spacious Field they fly Nor thought to stop howe're by flight they dye So strangely fear produc'd Ignoble haste Tho' Fate they prov'd o'retook their Lives too fast Great Rupert who the Royal Cavalry Led And had too far pursu'd Brigades that fled Remembred then the Friends he left behind And how distress'd perhaps he them should find With whom the King might highest dangers share Untill relieved by his Valiant Care. Thus he presag'd and in his Mighty Mind As much his boundless Valour then repin'd That had surpass'd occasions Limits so As Fortunes Time did from him backward go Whose Minutes slipt she proudly does disdain The self-same favours to bestow again Whilst in that hasty hour the Thirst of Spoils Too soon had mingled with his Soldiers Toyls Some seizing Baggage of the op'lent slain When others vaster Booty strove to gain Their Fatal Profit as too early they Would have the Gleaning of the Field that day Which by this Prince discern'd with res'lute Brow And highest Indignation bids them throw To earth mean Pillage and with boldest Might Return with him unbroken Ranks to sight Being rally'd thus like Billows on the Main That with more furious Tides revolve again He forc'd his passage back through Armed Foes And Horse and Man Impetuously o'rethrows His Soul Impatient to accomplish more Then he had left behind undone before Yet could not his Attempts though prais'd by Fame Prevent the froward Cast of Fortunes Game When the Essexians with great Valour fought And the King's Battel unto hardship brought Whose Valiant Infaâ—…ry tho' o'repowr'd with force At once Encountred tâ—… both Foot and Horse Whence many various sad effects ensu'd As here Death had her Tâ—…k Scene pursu'd The hardy Pikemen that sometime withstood The strenuous Charge of Horse with loss of Bloud 'Mongst Broken Foot defended least by flight In much disorder was enforc'd to fight Their Front compell'd to mingle with the Reare And many kill'd confus'dly sighting there Some trod to death by Horse in furious hast Others by Cruel Leisure fell more fast Too many can't resist resist wou'd fain So much their Valour of their Fate did gain Such Gen'rous Chiefs as could no longer guide Their bravest Conduct 'gainst the prevailing side With their distressed Militants now yield To fall the Glory of this Bloudy Field Where Fortune dreadfull revolutions wrought As if the Destinies her Aid had sought When Valiant Bands which like a Sacred fence Had stood the Royal Standards stout defence Disorder'd were yet then disdain'd to fly Or cease to fight but as they 'd fighting die Belford who res'lutely his Squadrons Led To force their room by laying Files first dead With Steps well dy'd in Bloud a passage made Where the King 's Standard's Glory was display'd Which matchiess Trophy he aim'd to surprize As his bold Present to the Houses eyes Whilst Loyal Varney who with Valiant Trust That highest Ensign's safety hop'd to boast As he with signal Prowess sometime stood Unconquer'd tho' expending Streams of Bloud And as Life had thus bravely from him fled The Standard fast supported held when dead But this Knight's fall tho' in desert alone Enough to save that Emblem of the Throne Could not without conjoyn'd Atchievments bring Sufficient rescue to their Figur'd King. Which Glory valiant Smith with others gain'd And to retire the Enemy constrain'd A Prowess with their Fame must still survive Whilst deeds in Keinton-field with Story live What Epithites in Verse can aptly raise Trophees that may perpetuate their praise Or History that gives Truth such a
valu'd deem Then worthy of the Height of their esteem Tho' Envy mourn or talk her self then dumb To see our Crowds to you with Laurel come You more then Chief did first espouse our Cause When Thâ—… by our displeas'd King and Laws Your Father did to Pop'lar deeds add Grace Tho' Term'd by some the headstrong of his Race Which Oblâ—â—â—y or Court design might blaze When dreading most the Compass of his praise Contemn all Motives wou'd your conduct stay The Peoplâ—s 〈◊〉 oft Cools by small delay The â—arl who little did applaud the Sense Of soothing words the dress of Eloquence Or had for quick reply no ready brain Little return'd unto this speech again Like one that wou'd be understood to be Their Creature by his prone Credulity And next unto his Army did repair Where shouts like suddain winds flew through the Air. From which applauses and a soul well fill'd With such designs the Houses had instill'd Boldly resolv'd he do's towards Redding guide His Armies March a Town the Royall side Had strengthen'd well and Conduct duely plac'd That had with famous trust in War been grac'd Redding a Borough of a large extent Yet greater far in the Emolument Commodious Thames do's plenteously convey And opulent Freights from London stem their way Besides a Pass that might no less withstand A far Commerce with England's East by Land. Which prejudice the Houses hop'd to Cease By soon Compelling by their Power that place But e're this Town 's vast Danger we rehearse Some things at Oxford first require our Verse Which for their strangeness darkly Story'd are Or left for heedfull Poets to declare Whose thoughts do Records most remote sublime And perfect Deeds unfinish'd left by Time. Poets are Authors when they Actions tell That suit with Truth or it resemble well And even the real Deeds I here pursue Seem no less strange then if allow'd untrue Which did so vild from these Commotions spring That all their Changes did still worser bring The King perplex'd how things might further tend As Mediums bad with like effects do end His Subjects ruin'd by a wretched War Some near him spoil'd whilst some from Countrys far Quit their Aboads whence they were forc'd to fly As Objects of their Nations Misery The Gen'rous Born of their Estates bereft And unto Want and Wars wild Ruines left Who thus despoil'd by men of Vulgar Race That strove to levell all above their place Were forc'd by Arms to vindicate their Right And to their loss the Low of Mankind fight Whilst none by suff'ring more renown'd was known Then Valiant Dornland in whose sigure shown The Muses Pencil Story may direct How there his Fame best Copy'd should be Left. Who having dangers Past and sharp distress His worthy Life and duty did address And had affairs of that Importance brought As did require his Soveraigns Ear and Thought And witness'd that his future deeds shou'd be No Less renown'd for dauntless Loyalty Whilst from delays and slights of Court he found Some Tho' too near the King in heart unsound Who cou'd with flattering Mene their Courtships pay For Treacherous ends and Gain the subtlest way Whence too Indulgent Princes often find Their Favours with their Fate too nearly Joyn'd This Generous sufferer full perplex'd that he Could not yet meet sit Opportunity By which he to his Soveraign might convey Things that he found himself might safest say At Last Sydesmond passing by him saw To him he steps and said ere you withdraw Acquaint the King his Loyall Subject here Waits to Impart what 's fit for him to hear Sydesmond with a Glaring Parasits Look Surveying first the Man to him thus spoke Alas mean friend for thou in Cloaths seem'st poor And for thy wants perhaps woud'st Coin Implore Could'st thou no better furnish'd now appear And hope for Cause of thine the Courtiers ear We favours do to Sprucer Men convey And who no Less us quaintly give then pray Perhaps thy person Merit wou'd Import Merit a Drugg that slowly vents at Court. The King's Cause glorys in their Sufferings most Wh'are Poor and Loyall at their proper Cost If thou art So in time the King may know How many kind words he to thee does owe. And how thou dar'st thy person too expose With any Mony-Less against his foes When if well maim'd perhaps I 'le thee Commend Unto some Hospitall thy days to end Aboads I grant few varnish'd Shrines Destow That half-Lim'd Hero's with their exployts show Things which brave Souls will never there repine That can their reliques to their Crutch consine Excuse my hast I must on Men attend Can frankly Give or will their money lend All ways are welcome Treasure may disburse To wanting Courts or such as guide their Purse Thy Name I should have ask'd or let it be With thy Address hereafter known to Me. Dornland's the Name false Minion I do own And wish you to your Prince so just were known Whose Royal Cause I never did despair Or felt in Soul one mean relenting Care When other Loyalties did make their Halt Lest Ruine like to mine should them Assault All this I quit and gladly offer more Then what my single Merit could explore Things that your ready favour might endear Tho' you move nearest to your Sovereigns ear Perhaps a Story aptly may unfold The means of gaining Loyal Friends and Gold. At which Sydesmond shifts his wayward look And with a feign'd Embrace to him thus spoke Alas kind Gentleman how soon amiss May man judge man in such a world as this Tho' not unlike to thee one t'other day No less glad Tidings did by me convey And know if thou hast Courts but slightly read That even Best Kings are oft by profit led Papers I guess thou hast and would'st present Enough the King shall soon know thy Intent The Noble Dornland thus being lest alone Imploy'd his Leisure aptly to bemoan The sad effects which Minions might prepare As they give Pass-ports to the Royal ear And by their Fawning Avarice design How best their Int'rests may their Purses line A Paper reades which next his Breast he wore Some well known Poet written had before And did black guilt of Parasists describe And how to Pride and Sin ally'd their Tribe Which his Emphatick Verse does thus relate 'T is told says he e're Lucifer by Fate Was cast from Stars or Heav'n did him Intend Of all Internal Powers supremest Fiend A Daughter then was his of Mighty Fame Call'd Sycophama if none her Misname Sprung from his Beams what cou'd Serener look took That Stars some tell with her smooth Court were A Tongue so Glibb might Tongue of Fame supplant And for worst deeds no Glozing words did want Composed thus and Garnish'd with a Dress No Painter cou'd by Drapery express Or like to what Aurora best does wear When welcom'd Phaebus to his early Sphere Which Flattering Beauty being thus adorn'd As if for Sins allurement then Suborn'd With soothing Gestures to her
Haughty Sire Did thus address Since Jove and Fate Conspire That shining Seats no longer now must be The Wide Extent of your Sovereignty Tho' to Coelestial Records 't was unknown That any Sublime Power cou'd Star dethrone But grant that Heavens decree does you remove â—… the Illustrious Sphere is yours above â—… Command that Lower you descend â—… Unfathom'd Sea or Earth extend â—… you o're Churlish Fiends and Ghost must Reign â—… win even them t' obey without their Chain And if your Rule repute would varnish'd raise Sin shall from me receive the smoothest praise Me I am sure you will not leave behind So well my Arts may to your Throne be joyn'd This Court address'd unto her Stately Sire She fawning knâ—els to perfect her desire To which her Haughty Father thus reply'd Hard 't were smooth Daughter if to you deny'd What Greatness by my Scepter may be given Tho' that must fall beneath my Orb in Heaven Where next my shining Pomp I joy'd to see The taking Meen and Gestures form'd by thee A Greatness Angry Jove to me denies Lest even in Hell thy Quaint Hypocrisies Should those quick Spirits heighten to be worse Then does consist with Heavens precedent Curse Tho' for thy Glory Highest Powers do grant That thou no Greatness shalt below e're want Courts there thou 't find most gladly thee will own And make their Arts in thine more taking known And should none Earth their Paradise now call Thou't least of any there repine thy fall This said he downward fell with confus'd hast No Thought did ever Time surprize so fast Tho' some suppose that 't was no more then when A Star doos seem to fall to sight of Men. His Daughter left his Counsel she obeys And swiftly unto Earth her self conveys Kingdoms and States were soon made her abode So pronely Sin finds out the Largest Road. Where more her Artfull Flatteries to disperfe She leaves her Fame to future Prose and Verse The Gen'rous Dornland having ponder'd well The usefull Sense which wiser Poets tell When they by choicest Allegories teach How man's best Morals Vileness shou'd Impeach Commits this Poet's Verse to further thought With what Instructions might from it be sought Griev'd that he did so long his Sovereign wait E're told what did import his Royal State. Which apprehension soon did lessen here As he beheld the King in Person near Whom by his Speech he humbly thus does move Since you Just Prince oblige no less the Love Of Loyal Minds then what their Souls shou'd dare When utmost Perils wou'd Impress their fear Howe're's the plight in which I 'me now beheld From Friends Lands Houses Impiously compell'd My Life unto a Cruel end Design'd â—y that strong Rage against your Powers combin'd Which Fury tho'it late did me surround When Guards and Scouts were my Pursuers found Whom as I flew through uncouth Tracts and Woods And swimming more then weary dangerous Flouds Some Star's compassion me did hither guide To serve your Cause and to express besides Things which my Duty would to you impart And full assure the Conduct of my Heart The King took thought a-while e're he reply'd Sydesmond having whisper'd him aside And next to Dornland turning thus did speak What-e're's the Figure thou woud'st seem to make Think not that 't is unto thy King unknown How vilely men for ends have falshoods shwon And have sometimes deceiv'd our Royal Ear As one can witness that attends Us here Proof I expect of what thou wouldst express And if thy Flight's from London as I guess Supplies from thence I secretly expect 'T was told thy Errand might the like effect Howe're proceed that I may surely know Whether thy Merit be mistook or no. Tho'Souls of Kings next Heaven there 's nothing can So high oblige as well-deserving Man. Since Mighty Sir you do admit that I Attest before you my Integrity Which without Blush I wish as much to some That to your favours hold the nearest roome Alas I fear you are too far betray'd By such as should your Royall Councells ayd And with sincerest Faith preserve untold What Souls corruptly guided sell for Gold. Your Secret Councells by the soothings found Of Men unto your safety most unsound Friends thus deterr'd would else profusely show Their Coyn and Persons offer'd unto you With whatso'ere your Cause might best supply If fighting so they unbetray'd may dye Nor shall Lights Orb one days bright Measure run Till in that revolution deeds be known That most perniciously themselvos display And shew what Serpents move too near your way Towards Redding now does March a mighty soâ—de I saw Roads thickly â—ill'd with Foot and Horse Whence Clouds of Dust so strove to darken sight As if they next would smother ayr and Light. Essex their Cheif amongst them too I saw His Looks confus'd as if some thoughtfull awe Hung on his Soul or that he did devise How he might soon that eminent Town Surprize Which Lest my Sovâ—… should not timely know What I have pass'd I willing un dergo Nor shall your Cause Assistance want from me What ere 's my Cross or Future destiny More he had said but that some suddain thought Too deeply on his Soul Impression wrought Of what had been predicted for his Fate And might too nearly to his King 's relate Which Gracious Prince did Dornland further Grace Beholding strictly his firm Mene and Face And next thus speaks excuse thou didst not sind More quick remembrance from our Royall Mind Tho' better then by sight th' art known to Me So well thy Merit and thy Fame agree Thou didst before Intelligence Convey Which gives thy story Credit too this day Releif for Redding I 'le command in time Tho' some in Trust cannot discharge their Crime Who by Improper Correspondence sail Or wou'd by faithless ends themselves avail From which this usefull observation springs Few Earth affords Heaven duely serve or Kings Sydesmond let it be thy Task to shew By what we give how more to him we owe. The King withdraws whilst false Sydesmond stays His eyes fresh Garnish'd by their fawning rays Like Glozing Parasits some Courts have known When to their Princes Smiles they faign their own Dornland discover'd had this Minion well Whose Mene did partly what he Look'd for tell Next lets him know since 't is his â—'hriving way To hold it meet Men should for favours pay He 'l something add to what he can expect If but one Just Obligement he 'l effect Which was that if his Covetous Soul could be Induc'd to value Future Honesty And that his Royall Master's Cause sustain No Mischeif from his Tongue and Impious Gain The Gift the King to Dornland lately gave He now to bribe thee honest bids thee have Which said this Generous sufferer next departs Enough observ'd by him some Courtly Arts With what neglects endur'd and cold delay Mens expectations their attendance pay Whilst busy rumour soon his Name had spread And how endanger'd he from
mean his Birth of Disposition sit To be subservient to their ruling Wit. A Complysance they did believe Improv'd As they had the more haughty Earl remov'd By Martiall deeds this Knight had gain'd renown And for the Houses was Successfull known Implicitly he could their rule Obey Which most Endear'd them to his Fighting way Whose Brain more with the Soldiers part conspir'd Then Ends by which to Factions Men Aspir'd Or how Presbitery's Interest was wain'd As Independency Improvement Gain'd Both in the Houses and the Armys Sense Who did their high Caresses then dispense Unto aspiring Cromwells growing Name The darling Leader of Fanatique Flame Poor had he Liv'd altho' Gentilely born His Interest despicable and sorlorn Whilst his Life past to Shame had vitious bin Till he by Covert Zeal Transform'd his Sin. And now ' tho but Lieutenant-Generall made By craft was more than Fairfax soon obey'd And had this new form'd Army so Cajol'd As all therein seem'd for his purpose Soul'd Thus was the Man and thus his figure rose Above what story most Prodigious shows But how he made progression to this height The Mediums tell which briefly we 'l recite Essex discarded by that Factions Power Of which then Cromwell was esteem'd the Flower This Subtle Man to Grandees next propos'd How Martiall Force might surer be compos'd If from their Numbers they 'd Scelectly take Men that by zeal their valours fiercer make And with them so devoted Legions fill Prepar'd by Conscience for their sakes to kill Declaring how Perswasion hardens fight And how men Motiv'd so all perills slight Tho' Stetes Subverted are or Thrones remov'd The Action seems to them by Heaven approv'd Who deem it Sublime Glory to destroy Prophaner Rule which Mortalls would enjoy Nor feazibly will this our war proceed If Harden'd conscience does not formost Lead Each man is more then man whom that Inspires The Spirituall Gideons which no money hires And tells how fruitlessly we conquest sought As men for us of hireling Genius fought Who but for Muster pay to Fields make hast And would Wars hours in Plenteous quarters waste The Armed Drones that Nationall Treasure Spend Without a sting of Spirit to Contend Let Votes Instead of them Bold Godly chuse To Fight our Battells and our Cause espouse Nor think that Militants with softer Flame Can the Fierce Honour of the Kings side Tame This zealots Speech like Tinder's catching fire Did with the Houses servent votes conspire Which by a self-deniall Nam'd decree Ordain'd their Army should new modell'd be O're which tho' Fairfax Generall we finde His Power to Cromwell ward-like was design'd The Knight but factions Nominall allow'd Whilst Cromwell rose the Phaenix of their Crowd Fatall Conjunction as their Actions Tell That direfull on their King and Nation fell But how their Crimes arriv'd unto that height Our sorrowfull Measures will in Course recite Well did the Commons House Approve the Choice Of this new Modell and in hope rejoyce Events they judg'd from such a Power would spring That they held keenest form'd against the King. And tho' in t'other House the sitting Peers Had long concurr'd with Voting Commoners And had to Lapse of Honour vilely been Abetters of this Wars designed Sin Yet in this Juncture had this Act withstood From sense perhaps of their Neglected Bloud By which the Furious Commons did require The Knight's Advancement and his Hardy Squire Howe're unto their Essex thought disgrace And Peerage then deny'd a Generalls Place Thus did Inferiour Votes the Higher Sway As Lords did Commons in effect Obey And now this Novell Army does prepare To raise their Faction by Succeeding war. For whose Success were many prayers said By such as held themselves most Sanctify'd Tho' Prayers hopes wishes had their different Crime As London's Juncto vary'd at that time Where for disbanded Essex's party's sake The Presbyterians high disgust did Take And from Regret could Inwardly Scarce pray For Independents on their fighting day Lest that sierce Party on a Martiall Score Shou'd end what T'other Left undone before Whilst highly Fairfax and his Cheifs Caress Their Souldiers to attain by Arms Success And with Bold confidence their March design'd Where e'er they might the Royall Army find When rumours from this Movement every where Busy'd the thinking Heart and watchfull ear As men did Problems and conclusions draw From what they heard or Judg'd their Souls foresaw Whence various Expectations fill'd the Minde As to the King or Houses they Inclin'd Or did their forward Emulations guide By Gallantries observ'd on either side Nor did some Beauteous of their Sex decline Glory which love to Valour could Assigne If not by Speech their Rivaldries declare As they did Hero's Martial Acts compare When in Flavira's Character and Deeds Was passion found that womans's Soul exceeds Brave Lyle she Lov'd as is declar'd before And thought it Heroine valour to explore His Fame in war the Jewell of her heart Like which she Judg'd no Hero's valiant part To whom a visit Rosaline now makes Of whose bright figure verse precedent speaks Pensive in Minde as she for Lucas sake Did prospect of wars fatall dangers take And thought she did that Instant him behold Leading his Troops too desperatly bold And how his wounded Horse did three times bound And threw him off as it fell dead to ground Wishing that from such chance Flavira might Less prompt her Lovers Soul to dangerous fight And now Flavira as if she perceiv'd The Sentiments that Rosaline had griev'd By complysance and Generall converse From what Fame did in Town or Court disperse A while directs her Language and her mene And seem'd without Caprice a Lover then Or that she had on Glory solely Layd The Pride of Passion which her Soul obey'd Reflecting on the Exigent of Times And how Improv'd by mens degenerate Crimes From which Mean Source the Chills to valour spring As some relentingly assist their King. Tender perhaps as Ladies please to Fear That would their Hero's Softer Toyls endears And think 't is Glorious if their choicer Beams Do from Campaignes with-hold their Lovers flames Know Rosaline says she Flavira shall Never her Lovers honour so Enthrall Let it her Emulation rather be To heighten others by his Gallantry What verse can tell how Rosaline was mov'd When these words heard whose Soul more calmly Lov'd Pos'd as she would her apt return now fit Unto Flavira's speech and sprightly wit And could not but with troubled minde explain Her Sense which in these words did utterance gain Highly your valoâ—… Madam is Confest By my hearts def'rence to what yours exprest Whereby your Admir'd Loyallty appears Unto our Soveraign whom my Soul revers Nor shall e're my Affection Arm withdraw That can in Field his Rebell Subjects Aw Begging of Heaven that Titulary Stars May Loyall Lives defend throughout these Wars And that the Jewell Life which Love would save May not from Bloudy power a Period have Little this Speech did with Flavira weigh
she withdrew My Muse in proper time Intends to shew Whilest valour Loyalty and Love's high Glory Commends this Hero's worth to future story Who having then obtain'd a Glorious day With Trumpets Sound he March'd his design'd way Thus raging war fermented every where By Fates decree this most unhappy year In which the King tho' much his Force Impair'd As 'gainst him had the Houses four years warr'd Their Interest Mighty and no less their power From Londons Endless Srength and Treasures store Was Northward March'd as many did suppose T' encounter in those Regions Scottish Foes Who would not Grant that duty should compell Their Persons in their colder Clime to dwell And Southward to Assist the Houses came Their Friends by League but with more zealous slame Their bold partakers as they hop'd to share Treasures and Spoyls of England by this War. Yet nearer then these Enemies were found That 'gainst the King at that time did abound Thus was great Leicester fill'd with fighting Men That the King might not there have passage then But be repuls'd in case he should assay To Curb that daring City in his way The King his Summons sends to this bold Town Which like to others Principled did own That Royal Power did not of right Command Whilst it the Houses Arms in Field withstand So far Allegiance badly then decay'd As Men by Power or Interest were sway'd Affronted thus the King soon Storms the place Which Stifly did resist some few hours space Till oft attaqu'd by res'lute Foot and Horse Like Boistrous Waves that break through Bays by force This City they by Strenuous onset take And with its Spoils their numbers richer make This Action great yet Signally must be By the Permissive will of Heavens decree The last Successfull that the King obtain'd As he by Arms his Crown and Life maintain'd Forward the King meant to have Northward gone His Soldiers heighten'd by this City won And were for number and reputo the Flower Of his remaining Millitary Power But soon diverted was his design'd course As Fairfax led his sierce New modell'd force In sight of Oxford and dread to Create Seem'd Siege-like there his Army to dilate Hoping that Town the Kings Force not at hand Durst not if frighted well his Power withstand Nor did he want Intelligence within That could avail him from Sydesmonds Sin Or others by the Houses money paid As usefull Tydings they to them convey'd The Queen who with her Court and Ladies there Resided then what unkind cause of fear Did this Appearance to her bosom bring Tho' the dear Consort to a Mighty King Since Londons furious Senate durst decree Her Person Guilty cause their Enemy And that she like a Kings Imperiall Wife Endeavour'd to preserve his Crown and life When her concern was by Fame's speedy wing Carry'd unto the most Indulgent King He as a Lover and a Sovereign Chief Resolv'd to give his Heroin Queen relief The EIGHTH BOOK The Argument Fairfax does sometime before Oxford stay The Queen a prospect of his Army takes A Martial Habit 's by Flavira worn In which she deeds to wonder does perform Sydesmond subtile Cromwell does deceive For private Gain not service of his Prince Naisby's Fierce Battle and the fatal loss The Crown there suffers after which the King His Forces every where declining is By the vile Armys power sometime Restrain'd And next Imprison'd in the Isle of Wight SMall was at Oxford Loyall hearts repose As Eyes there saw how bold and numerous Foes Begirt the Town and as appear'd days light Allarum'd all within to Arm for Fight If as Defendants Bulwarks they 'd maintain And posts that did least Fortify'd remain Or for more Glory skirmishes design By daring parties led beyond their Line Whilst youthfull Students Colledges forsake And Pikes and Guns to defend Science take To lead whom Gravest of the Long Robe joyn'd And unto Arms their Pupills disciplin'd Inciting them from apt and Learned Phrase To Merit Next the Muses Martial praise When the fair Queen and Ladies of her Court Early awak'd and with a Glorious port Ascended to a Turret rais'd on high That fac'd the thick arrayed Enemy Where being seated by each Mene and Grace She added to the splendors of her Face Or such from Grandeur of her Bloud relate To Daughter of French Henry the Great And now Magnanimously beheld the force Of her Opposers ranks of Foot and Horse Their Martial equipage and daring Spirit And what their valours she allow'd might Merit Did they by rightfull War their King assist Or Forreign powers by his Command resist Next pittying their bold errors dropt a Tear Whose Soul in perills ne're had wept for fear The Female Nobless waiting round the Queen Like lesser Stars in Constellations seen When one of supreme Magnitude and height Appears the most conspicuous to sight By aptest words did sev'rally extoll The serene worth of her Majestick Soul Wishing that for her sake Time did allow As heretofore when Dames us'd dart and bow That they might with Men hardy Courage vye And force them when array'd by arms to â—â—y This Glorious Spectacle by Fairfax seen And known that there spectator â—ate thâ— Quâ—â—n His Modesty that always did attend Actions that do his Vaâ—our most commend Produc'd his Blush and thought his Cause less brave As their perfections it desiance gave But Cromwell hating all superiour sway And Legall power which Subjects should obey Projected had in his aspiring thought How he 'd to supreme height himself promote As gradually the Ligaments of State He 'd sever and vile Factions animate That in the end he might subvert the Throne And Line of Brittish Kings so famous known And in this juncture gladly would have gain'd This Town where for security remain'd The Queen and Royall Children whom to surprize He now and after blackly did devise And calling Hugon on whose preaching part Aided besides 't is thought by Magick-Art He much rely'd to fascinate the Soul And spirit Men against their Sovereigns rule To him thus said well I discern thy Gifts In Prayer and Preaching and such Spiritual shifts As do Enthusiasms usefully disperse For which I can't enough thy Fame rehearse When I revolve that quaintest Pulpit-cheat Could but thin schisms heretofore dilate Whilst thy Insinuations Men incite To Aid our Cause yet know not why they sight Which Mighty Nothing from thy Preached sense Does fruitfull use of Souls to us dispense O're Church and State Faith's Chaos first must spread E're here Created Rule Improveth dread Then Hugon hugs and bids him apt Texts find T'â—nstruct their Forlorn hopes when next design'd To which this Canting Imp did thus reply What words enough can Cromwell magnify Fairfax too meanly were to you compar'd As you for Brain and Valour stand rever'd Heaven has throughout your Visage Sprinkl'd grace Like Moses shines your elect Nose and face Each of your Features do by Semblance speak A Scripture Hero and his Context make When to New-England
banish'd for a Crime By Prelats held Sedition at that time In dream I there Prophetique Vision had And saw as now your Person Arm'd and â—lad And how at Marston-Moor a Cannon shot By Miracle swarv'd that else had miss'd you not For Joy asleep I smil'd and will some day To applaud you my dream in Pulpit say Accept this List in which you 'l some perceive That to our Cause their lives will fearless give â—… â—… and Plot. Their Courage â—â—tly will this Town oppose Where Bookmens rules assist our greatest foes The Goths that sack'd old Superstitious Rome Did not more fierce destroyers thither come Then these would Oxfords Libraries despoil And Profligate the Studious Gownmens Toyl Thy Catalogue said Cromwell I embrace And for facin'rous deeds against this place Such Principles and Swords I will Imploy As Our Foe prating Science shall destroy And thou a Spiritual Renagado known Our Army shall for that Complyance own Thee Chaplain-General and Impower'd to preach Sworded when e're thou men wouldst boldest teach To aid our counsells few we must sâ—elect Tho' in that manage Fairfax we neglect Or else allure his easy Nature on To forward deeds he meant not should be done But now the motions of this Town let 's see And how t' oppose prepar'd the Enemy Mean while Flavira who from height of Mind Fame to her Sex and beauty had design'd And would not grant that Natur 's elder choice Or cuâ—â—om deem'd by her man's partiall voice Should Prowess most on Sex of men confer And Value heighten'd by their deeds in war Excluding women by a tender Name And habit from advent'ring life for fame Or seldom rais'd to higher future Glory Then to adorn with Men a painted Story And next Magnanimously does disdain That womans habit should her Soul restrain From such Atchievments Hero's might admire And in her brave esteem her Sex raise higher Discreetly weighing the Commanding Cause That Subjects call'd to Fight for King and Laws And tho' no woman Summon'd it to Ayd None were forbid she judg'd if not afraid Nor did she doubt but in Lyles Gallant Minde Her virtues would sublimer value â—inde If as her Soul his valour did esteem His might on that account her worthyer deem And by alternate Glory next Improve The estimate of Fame as well as Love. But her designs she so resolv'd to Guide As for Flavira she 'd be not espy'd Whilest habited like man to fields she 'd go And there encounter with the warlike Foe Her woman-dresser did not now explore Further her Ladies sense then told before Thinking that to raise Mirth by some Surprise She did intend her person to disguise Or from her love of Arms and sprightly Minde To visit the Kings Camp thus clad design'd Perhaps that valiant Lysle might there confess How well she did become a Heroine dress But this she might intend her waiter thought When way from Oxford might be safer sought Or chiefly to take pleasure in her glass By seeing how Arm'd her Figure Beauteous was By quick degrees her Lady she undrest And on her slender Body plac'd a Vest For mode and Colour like the youthfull wear Of such as Gayest then led Troops of war. Next compass'd round her tender wast with Steel Which tho' her pain she seem'd no pain to feel Upon her helmet a white Cross was plac'd To shew that Spotless Faith her valour grac'd And Just defyance of the bloudy Crime Of Boundless Heresies that Fatall Time. A Negro Page she for attendant took That to her Horse and Arms would carefull Look Charging her woman if inquiry made Of means by which she undiscern'd convey'd Her personall remove she was to say The wonder must remain to future day When in convenient time she should receive Notice to come and serve 〈◊〉 if alive And mounted on her Steed by eaâ—ly day Through Lanes and Streets she took the privat'st way Till beyond Oxfords outworks she had Joyn'd With Forces for stout Skirmishes design'd Where with a dauntless ear she heard the Noise Of Canon that most terribly destroys And saw how shot off heads from bodies fiew And Comely Limbs whose want the Owners slew Nor brandish'd weapons nor the array'd field Or grimmest looks which Foes embattell'd yeild Could her concern as with a gentle Brow These Horrors with contempt she then did view Whil'st boldly weilding of her Naked Sword She thought it's bright reflection did afford More beauty to her face then e're before She from her clearest Mirror could explore And like some youthfull Squire that had abroad Attain'd in Camps a gen'rous warlike Mode She courteously to Militants then speaks As room amongst their marshall ranks she takes Adding besides their courage to Incite The Causes Just concern for which they sight And how tho' young She early had Inclin'd To season with best fortitude her Minde Whilst other Tempers if but sine in face To meaner charms in stead of War 's gave place As she had thus express'd some Troops appear That to attaque her Party order'd were Which when observ'd she blam'd Cheifs of her side That now too slow she thought to charge did guide Longing to come to Strenuous handy blows And dye her Maiden Sword in Bloud of Foes Engage they sharply did and for a while Fairfax his Party something did prevail For they selected Bodies were of Men By Cromwell held most Zealous sighters then But soon Flavira wanting other guide Did rally into Form her worsted side And by renewing of the Charge again Not only did th' opposiâ—g Force restrain But them pursuing to their body threw A hand Granade which firing divers slew Some tell it near to Cromwells Horse did light As with reserves he seconded the sight But howsoe're same does her deeds report 'T is sure that he observ'd her brave effort And blam'd his Soldiers 'cause they could not slay One that so boldly fought their Rancks that day And swore by Lord of Hosts that they should try Once more to slay this daring Enemy For sure some Spirit 't is or not the least Of Devills in a lusty Popish Priest As by the Cross I plainly apprehend That does upon the Youngsters Hâ—lmet stand Such Crossing Enemies I 'de first destâ—â—â— That with their Catholick Arms our Cauâ—…oy And will be Loyal to their Sovereigns trust Tho' his Laws their Faiths safety don 't adjust Away and lose no time by longer halt Lest valour cool e're you again assault 'T is but a party howe're â—old they are And yours is more if Numbers we compare Our General would scorn it should be said That he detach'd more Troops to give you aid And if you can't leave all that party dead I 'le him reward that but the Crosiers head To me presents a Superstitious fool That after Crossing fights without a Rule Commanded thus they readily assail And hope their valours â—iercely may prevail When Oxfords Chiefs no less couragious led That both sides receiv'd loss from Numbers dead But this could not
of the Heaven s to shake The Royal Infantry of aid bereft As the Kings Cavaldry the Field had left Which Fate in mighty Battels does foreshow The valiant Foot 's ensuing overthrow Endeavour'd now by valour to repair The loss howe're of Fortune they despair As boldly they their Ensigns wav'd on high And closing of their Files did foes defy Brave Lindsey Ashly Russell led their Ranks And tho' they wounded were both Fronts and Flanks Had by their valiant Conduct long maintain'd With other Chiefs that with them Glory gain'd Stoutly they here their Enemies compell'd And had oft charg'd their flying backs beheld Till Fairfax led against 'em Horse and Foot Whose Number more then Valour caus'd their Rout. Too tedious 't were all actions here to tell Or what by wounds or death the Brave befell Nor shall my Muse by Catalogue convey The Names or Sum of Captive men that day Let volum'd stories such particulars treat Whilst her Compendium does enough relate That all the brave by Heavens permissive doom On the Crowns side at Naseby were o'recome Of whom some Thousands hence were Pris'ners sent And for the Houses Triumph after went Like Slavish Captives thorough London's Street When foes durst there rejoyce their Kings defeat Tho' this to Fairfax Honour may be said Howe're bad Cause for Crime to him is laid That to the Conquer'd he was ne're unkind But Gentle as became Heroick Mind If not so modest that to them his Mene Was liker onâ— subdu'd then Victor seen And had not wicked Men his Soul abus'â— By Counsells which they speciously infus'd From his Complyance no such Ills had been That did Inhance his Armys bloudy Sin. Yet here from verse to give their valour praise With the Encomiums Naseby's-field does raise As became English bloud their persons fought And marks of prowess to their fame thence brought Of whom the daring Skippon did appear Highly renown'd for his Atchievements there Who would not tho' much wounded leave the field But fought till all to give off fight did yield So bravely wicked were some in that time Whose fortitude was deprav'd by their Crime Or not so happy from their Souls to know How great a Sin was to their valour due This Field thus lost th' unhappy King no more Display'd his Standards as he 'd done before Or with joy heard Drums beat or Trumpets sound As dayly he his forces weaker found O'repower'd by Foes and routed every where Untill to aid him longer they despair When some to Forreign Countries took their flight Hoping in future time for him to fight With these Flavira did unknown retire If truth does rightly here with Verse conspire Where we shall leave her unto after day When of this Hâ—roin's worth we more shall say Thus swistly had the Royall Cause declin'd The Field first lost and Garrisons next resign'd As them th' Enemy pleased to Command Or March'd to Force 'em by an Armed hand Whilst full distress'd the best of Kings could gain No loosers Peace which Subjects now disdain As they at Westminster did Voters sit And thought all Kingly Rule below their Wit. Neglected thus he Oxford lest at last And unto Scots Besieging Newark past When Noble Bellace bravely did oppose Attempts of English and worst Scottish Foes Untill his Sov'reign out of Prudence thought 'T was â—it Scots there should not be longer fought But have the Town surrender'd to their force As for Crimes past they seem'd to own remorse And promis'd to allay the Houses heat That their King might with them the gentler treat To which effect the Scots did for a space Speciously give their deeds some Loyall face As they to th' Houses applications made And in dispute on both sides sharp things said That words did seeming difference promote Till mony came to give the casting Vote For which the Scots soon sold their Gracious King Whom Guarded back the Houses Power did bring And him to Holmby Pallace next remov'd And kept by Preshyterians they approv'd But this their sawcy Army did resent And Joyce an Independant Cornet sent With fifteen hundred horse to sieze from thence The Royal Person by high Impudence Thus to this Army was the King convey'd And march'd their Prisoner till a Plot they laid That turn'd him over to the Isle of Whight Where Cursed Haâ—mond with a Jaylors spight His King Imprison'd in the highest Sense Of Subject turn'd to Traytors impudence And thus restrain'd he liv'd above a year Under vild Guard in Carisbrook Castle there Debarr'd from all best comforts his had been Since hopeless then e're more to see his Queen Or Royall Children whom Heaven did Ensoul For highest Glory of Monarchial Rule When nothing for his solace here remain'd But what his Piety from above obtain'd The NINTH BOOK The Argument In England Wales and Scotland Subjects rise To free their King from vil'd Imprisonment The Houses force dispose these to subdue Till when on Loves account the Poet spares Verse by which Rosaline retir'd is found And Old Hermanders character describ'd Flavira's Gallantry and Fate express'd Fam'd Colchester surrender'd and the deeds Of Lyle and Lucas with their ends declar'd WHen Impious Men by Series of Bad Deeds Do one Compleat that all the rest exceeds What Satyr can the horrid fact explain Or spread it's Mediums by their broadest stain Thus Gradually appear'd the wicked Course Both of the Houses and their armed Force The Last of which compell'd 'em to obey And vote for Militants the vildest way As Joyntly they their King a pris'ner made And all possess'd of his they could Invade To subdue next his Mighty Soul they strove Whilst outward Comforts they from him remove Not suffering Friends or spirituall men to pray With him 'gainst bloudy ends a Christian way And when their Hellish spite this deed had done They Fear'd his Contemplations most alone Lest his Majestique Thoughts and heavenly wit Should in his words to Tax their Crimes be writ On which account they Pen and Ink deny Tho' to the Sacred hand of Majesty Whilst thus their Evill deeds their King afflict Heaven would by outward wonders them Convict As by his holy Touch the Lame and Blind Their Cures from him Miracalously finde Tho' like the world's Redeemer he was then Rejected by the Crowds of faithless Men. Whilest some admir'd that in his Zodiocks line The Sun could uneclips'd at that time Shine When Royall Beams far more divinely great Obstructed were by Interposing Fate Tho' virtually no Closure could withstand The Kingly Influence which he did expand Throughout his Nations howe're Captive he Was made by guilt of arm'd Impiety When many their Kings suff'rings did deplore And some who'ad been his Enemies before Renounc'd the Houses Cause and next contriv'd That by Fresh power their Prince should be releiv'd Howe're 'gainst prevalent Foes the Outward Face Of war was Intermitted then a space Tho' Loyall hearts disdain'd Pacisick hours As their King liv'd restrain'd by
Town maintain'd Till from both Sexes Fairfax it obtain'd Glad that his Trophees might that Glory share Since women brave as Men oppos'd him there Soon many Valiant did from hence Retreat That they to make War might in Essex meet Where Goring Capell had with Lucas joyn'd And Levies which to aid them were design'd Tho' much the loss at Maidstone did impair Th' Assistance they expected in this War. When many dreading of the Houses Force Declin'd to bring them promis'd Foot and Horse That some held sit to take into Debate Whether not Wisest then to seperate And more recruits not Venture to obtain After their first attempts in Kent prov'd vain But Gallant Lucas in whose Soul was found Courage that did in Wars Extreams abound With some disdain such Counsells then did hear That seem'd tho' Wise accompany'd with fear And with a Steady Considence thus said Let Rebells be of their vild Cause affraid And Prompt their wicked Senate to Confess That Civill War was Voted wickedness E're Loyall Man to oppose them should cease Or to give up his Sword oblig'd by Peace Unless he would a Tame Speâ—tator live On Slavish Terms which such Dictators give Or Pitiously his Kings restraint bewail And Nation ruin'd and yet not arm'd assail The Foes of Both Let rather Stories say That Lucas 'gainst his Life advis'd this day Who is resolv'd if but one Valiant File Of Militants shall company his Toyl The Royal Cause shall not deserted be What e're his Stars unhappily decree When Goring Capell and brave Lyle did hear This Martiall Speech with all their Armed there Like Men whom Mars to wonder had inslam'd Their full resolve to do brave deeds proclaim'd And next their Valiant Chiefs to quicken hearts Declar'd their hope of aid from Northern parts As Hambleton his March did thither guide And promis'd had to aid the Royal side In Essex many discontented were And 'gainst the Voting Houses welcom'd War After Imprison'd by their force the King To whom for Peace they 'd duly nothing bring Incited thus a hasty March they made And Colchester well Strengthen'd with their aid Resolv'd their Enemies there to withstand And Conquer when besieg'd by Armed hand Whose Garrison Numbers could not soon prepare Materialls for their bold subsistance there No Granaries they wanting Time could sill Or Magazins of shot that Foes should kill Nor leisure had they Regular line to form â—hilst nobler Fortify'd to repulse Storm â—n Courage they for their defence rely Eowe're assaulted by the Enemy When Fairfax soon his Army thither guides Contriving their distress all ways besides And in his first Attempt perceiv'd the Town To bravely Man'd by onset to be won Where Goring Capell Lyle and Lucas were And famous Chiefs who to increase siles there Like Common Militants for Glory's sake Did ranks of Foot and Horse more Gallant make Which Fairfax sinding by Wars saser mode He timely straightens them with want of food That Famine might force them to yield at last Since no Hearts long can fight whose Mouths do Fast. Thus leaving him before this Leagur'd Town My Muse a prospect takes of what was done By Cromwells Conduct as he March'd through Wales Where 'gainst the Valiant Welsh he soon prevails And Gallant Owen Powell Laughorn Poyer With others fam'd made Captive by his Power Which being done and full subdu'd that Clime His furious Soul does next delay no time That he with Scottish Hambleton might meet And him in Field by armed force defeat At Preston soon these opposite Armies fought Where this Scotch Duke receiv'd a Totall rout Nor could brave Langdail with his Loyall Powers Joyn'd with this Peer's prevail by bloud those hours When adverse Fortune had inclin'd to bring Ruine on all that by War serv'd their King. And more admir'd because this battells day The odds of Number on the Kings side lay As hapless had some Risings been before In Surrcy made against the Houses Power Which Holland did and Loyall Nobles Head And with bloud lost were swiftly vanquished So ominously did Stars that time conspire As best Men were deprest and bad rais'd higher Thus Fatall War had Royalists undone A Second Time and every Strong hold won But Colchester where unto highest Glory The deeds of Heroes fix their Fame on Story Full forty days had thâ—y been distress'd there By all the Miseries of Cruell War Their numbers much impair'd by bloudy Fights And wasted by long hardships days and Nights When Fairfax and his Mirmidons thought sit That straits should force that City to submit As Monster famine whose hungry Hectic kills And seems to eat tho' her Gorge never fills When her devourings Jaws and Bowells wast And them compell to Pining deaths at last Did by degrees her Ghastly Visage Spread In Colchester where scarce was Meat or Bread And could not long or healthfully sustain Valours that nobly did that place maintain To Forrage Fields they often foes assayl'd And sustain'd lives as that way they prevail'd When their bold Swords did food the Aged give And Mothers on whose breasts did Insants live Some Virgins wept in Fear what would betide The Men to whom their Souls had been ally'd Whilst other Females more Heroique hold To aid their Lovers durst sierce weapons hold And like Virago's with locks loosly spread On Naked breasts and tuck'd up Vests did speed Their ready Courage to defend the Post That then requir'd such fierce assistance most Thus bravely had they Loyalty endear'd And neither Enemies Swords nor famine fear'd Resolv'd whilst they life's sinews could sustain Tho' by course food no Force the Town should gain Flavira now return'd from Forreign soyls Where she experienc'd more her Martiall Toyls And hearing of this City's sad estate With what thence might unto her Lyle relate By quickest means had gather'd Loyall force Compos'd of Reliques of brove Langdall's Horse Which joyn'd with others that dispersed were As Holland rose in Surrey to make War About an hundred Cavaliers in Sum As from Fame's Lists they to us Number'd come Who deeming that she was some youthfull Chief Imploy'd to give the Royal Cause relief Gladly did to her sprightly Conduct yield As she to lead 'em had appear'd in Field Discreetly cautious as that time requir'd When for Brave Deeds men secretly Conspir'd Whilst want of Circumspection ost did bring Ruine to such as Rose to serve their King. Her Truâ—â— Blaâ—â—-a-Moor Page to Lysle she sent Letting him know by Letter her intent Was with that Party t'wards the Town she led To aid him there or leave her person dead And where the posted Enemy she 'd charge And by her Prowess match to him enlarge Resolv'd that she by days next Early break Would this attempt with her best Conduct make Obliging him whate're might her befall That he 'd her Name and Sex conceal to all This Message highly did Fam'd Lysle surprize Her danger weigh'd and â—ed extremities The Town endur'd which could not many hours In all respects withstand
as his Cause Bassl'd their Sense and shew'd to them his Laws But this must not confute their horrid Crime However Monstrous left to future Time When soon their Haughty Minos did reply That they could O'rerule pleas of Majesty By power which they held much a finer thing Then yielding due submission to their King Yet could not better reason for it give Then that it might with Vagabond Commons Live As these course representatives in fact allow'd Who had no other title to their Crowd Whilst their Sollicitor Sputtering Cook did plead That Justice was by them too long delay'd And of his Lordship much did it intreat To make their farce-Tribunal seem more great As thus Currs did the Royal Lyon bait And by their forked Tongues design'd his fate Far more Inglorious then the pointed steel That Caesar did from Romes pack'd Senate feel None there was found that durst by Loyal Speech This horrid Courts high wickedness Impeach Untill a Lady did with Grandeur say Words that her Husband should have own'd that day By which she did unto their guilt imply Their bold Contempt of Royal Dignity So far the Woman did the Man out-do Whose power could not correct their fury now Above Treasons height this Court soon Sentence pass'd Deeming time long whilst their Kings Life did last That at his end Regalios of the Throne By Sacrilege before that time unknown Might with Church-Rapines to them Incom's yield As if the spoils of Heaven they 'd won by Field The Rebell Soldier who from Thirst of Gold And Lawless power thought conscience richly sold Conducted by the Scum of Humane-kind That on State Ruine had their rise design'd By sound of Trumpet and by beat of Drum Prepar'd for Triumph when the hour should come In which by a New-Modell'd Jewish way The King their Nations Saviour they would slay And like Unchristned Files when Martyrs fell His Bloud by parcells for their Lucre sell. To fast and pray their Leaders durst pretend When to no rules of Heaven their Souls did bend And could their prayers so horridly Intrigue As they still more Improv'd with Hell their League And since by Upstart force they much had won And Men of place and dignity undone They defy'd Scutch'ons because never said That Coats of Arms had Rebells famous made Or such in Birth did with Plebcians snare And ought by right to be disarmed there Yet this truth could not their course Pride abate Who raised were in spite of Fame by Fate Their Rampant Wives and Daughters that before Had never comely Tire or Garment wore Now pamper'd with best Meat and pleasing Wine Chose their Gallants and Lady-like kiss'd fine As thus deprav'd of Mankind did aspire And by their Monarch's death sought to rise higher The Gen'rous English who in Field before Had bravely fought to aid Majestique power Now being conâ—in'd to homes and full opprest By Methods which the Juncto's Votes exprest Wish'd that their sep'rate Numbers could unite And tho' disarm'd with Armed Rebells fight When many hearts that had before endear'd The Senates Cause Abhorrers now appear'd As of that Body was a Faction made Of Men that endless Scenes of Mischief laid And had appointed by their heinous power To the Worlds wonder their Kings dying hour One worthy person who sometime had been A bold Complyer with the Houses Sin At Midnight time did to the place arrive Where a Caball was sitting to Contrive The Circumstance and manner of this deed That to the Nations shame was to succeed Half Naked was he upright stood his hair And like distracted Man his Eyes did stare Who to them these words spake Dumb for some days I 've been and at this time My Speech restor'd by Heaven to speak your Crime Too long alas as my wounds may declare I was assistant to your Cause in War. And now my Soul Englighten'd is to know What guilt was Mine and how much worse you do As you to Supreme wickedness Ascend And guide the blow meant for your Soveraigns end In hope to plume your Junctos Callow State Which before fledg'd shall with you dissipate As your own Arm'd will â—leight your sway and birth And move you from your Seats with scornfull Mirth Does Cromwell your Ulisses want deceit Or Soul that swells with hope of being great Tho' low your heads presumptuously he lays And for his Brow Usurp Imperial Bays But when his Bloudy Rule shall have an end You shall with one another next Contend Till Anarâ—hy the Leveller of State Does give your confus'd force a finall date As unto Royal Power without won field Your Armed Bands and Nations hearts shall yield Destin'd by Heaven as its restoring day The Throne shall have an Admir'd splendid way When Regicidall Patriots soon shall find That 'gainst their hearts an Arm of Steel's design'd This and much more to me by Vision 's shown Which I this dreadfull Night to you must own And if Fates terrors may your hearts unsear Or slack the Iron Crimes yet harden'd there Know with affright and sorrow I beheld Your quarter'd Limbs on Towers and Steeples pil'd And like your Treasons height erected high Heads that on Bodies here I now espy And Cromwell think tho' Death-bed end you 'l have And with vast pomp born to an Usurp'd grave Where for base Glory amongst Royal duâ—t Your Carcasse shall be impudently thrust That Sacred Vault it shall not desile long Before thy Bones with Tyburn-Rebells throng And as thy head did Monstrously aspire Its Skeleton shall be advanced higher Then any loathed Skull whose brain with you Plotted both King and Nation to undo Till yours and their vil'd reliques to dust fall As the Suns angry Eye will burn 'em all Enough I 'ave said and if by heavens decree I 'm Dumb again and still so doom'd to be The Sacred Power that prompted this address If penitenco it does on you impress Will grant for your sakes whensoe're I 'm dead That on my Grave that Epitaph be read The Cruel Grandees when they heard this speech That did their King-killing design Impeach On which they plac'd their Avaricioâ—s aim And thirst of Rule which did their hearts inflame They bit their Lips and with a haughty frown Denounâ—'d that he his Life should soon lay down Till when to their Loath'd Prison him they send And hasten with more rage their Monarchs end Soon to the World did Fames loud Tongue relate The Kings distress and his sad Nations fate When Forreign hearts no less then English strove For this Great Prince to blaze their grief and Love. As passionately their Souls did apprehend That just dominion every where would end Since Englands rule in him on Earth the best Could not upon its Royal Fabrick rest Thus as the World had one great Mourner been And fear'd the dire effects of Englands Sin As Kings and Subjects did at once lament The Horrid Nature of that President Like which none burden'd e're the Tongue of Fame Or for
adjoâ—n'd Think not faiâ— Son that 't is to man desin'â— The Certain Methods Providence does guide Whos 's Oâ—… flows noâ— Ebbs like other Tide When things Emerge they oft abscond the why They were produc'd from Reesons broadest Eye How far obscurer then must Mortal's doom Things â—…re abstruce with future Causes come If Man the Universe cou'd search around And weigh all Causes and effects there found Tho' in that Compass dues appear to sight One Total Wonde◠〈◊〉 in â—…th and height Cou'd he assure how Stars or things â—elow Come to 〈◊〉 as we â—ehold'em now Or how Heaven did the worlds first Virgin hour Give womb of Time a future Issues power Whence prying Man as doubtfull might Convey The Worlds first Life as â—ix its dying day Who from this mighty round can't understand More boundless being but at Second-hand Since nothing so remote perfection shows As thence Maâ— his Creators essence knows Whilst all the Miracles which the World do fill Pose us to search the unknown Founders skill Thus even the Lowest Tide of Earthly things Often directs us to supremer Springs Like Rills through easy Channels seem to Creep Have Causes that Conceal'd on Mountains keep How then shall Man the Gordian-knot unty That 's knit by much sublimer destiny Or that way Kingdoms revolutions find By far obscurâ—â— Providence design'd Yet what this Inquisition wou'd require Tho' I could wish declin'd thy strict desire My Vig'lant studies shall as far Impart As I can pierce with my Acutest Art And know that I have oft revolv'd with Care The direfull progress of this wicked War With such Catastrophe's I could convey To Future Time my Hieroglyphick way On which 'till now no eye I did admit To guess that dumb Prophetick sigur'd wit. Behold these Scrolls which are in number Three Units whence springs odd Cubick Mystery The First I offer English deeds contains With Sieges Sallies Battells fought on Plains And next in Course this Faithless Irish shows Steep'd deep in Bloud as here it figur'd flows The Third Disloyal Scotland represents With their Fallacious Coâ—'nanted Intents In all of which thou feest how many fall As Honours Catalogue best sums them all Of these observe selectly such set â—orth Who most their Nations honour'd in their worth Of which some Worthies may to thee be known As here in likeness dead or living shown If my Art's Prospect duly shall relate Their Story yet reserv'd to future date And in this Study'd Copy things foresee To no Original yet can liken'd be With Actions that most signally declare The high Intrigues and Fury of this War. No Strife so dear shall other Nations cost In Noblest Bloud and Valiant Gentry lost Which in these Fields by Fate 's regardless powers Fall but to wither with less precious flowers More to Impress their Love and Valour 's due See in what Series here deplor'd do shew The sev'ral Fights and Skirmishes when they Caus'd in their loss their Lovers Mournfull day As seemingly those espous'd forms appear To drown their Souls and Looks as they weep here Next these a mournfull Spectacle is seen Of pity'd Virgins whose soft flame had been Plighted to Warlike Lives and Glories â—â—ed With Joys expected from the Marriage-Bed As Mortals less their Blessings prize possest Then such by Wishes valu'd are or guest And from their liken'd Lustres here do tell That their Forms could with Grief unfaded dwell As Lillies when in Rains they Tears do show Caus'd by rough Storms where their smooth â—â—â—tures grow Their Native Beauty doth impairless Stay Or their last Glory in their dying day Thus Man with Grief these evills must explore That would with full Compassion them deplore Which in this Martial Landskip here present So sadly near and distant Detriment With Turb'lent change and Mischiefs that ensue As unto sight these dreadfull Visions shew And whence the meanly born as bad conspiâ—e To raise by vile degrees their Orb still higher Whilst Heaven when pleas'd to joyn Aâ—llictions worst From Low and Impious fonds their misâ—hiefs burst Next well inspect this face as 't here appears Mark well his Subtle gestures looks and Tâ—ars And how his Sanguine Nose does him betray As Bloody Beaks denote the Birds of prey Observe him rising too from low Commands By boldest Stepps till there ho Gen'ral stands Then Mark his Fawning and his Lips of Zeal That more divinely he Mens Souls might Steal Or Crowds seduce who seldom can adjust How unsafe 't is bad deeds and Prayer to Trust. Then view him here assaulting his Kings ear With Crocodile drops distill'd to shape a Tear. Next see how he does shift his Janus's Face And slights supinely offer'd Sovereign Grace Then forward move thy eye to shadows there Which in the Artfull Pencills stroaks appear And tho' thou dost no Visage of them see Suppose 'em great as English bloud can be Their Coats of Arms above their heads display'd Like Guilded fame on refin'd Honour lay'd Besides a Crown that seems to hang in Air As if the Head were wanted it shou'd wear Observe the Figures do this Curtain hold Which vails these highly Em'nent yet untold As if the Destinies that cann't relent Conceal'd the Horridness of their Intent Do they not represent the Furies when Their dreadfull aspects Joyn with Impious Men Or in their Snaky Tresses wou'd Invite Some one to Act Hell's boldest Proselite See how they court this Bloudy Cheif to rise Yet more detested unto Humane eyes And how his armed hand is stretch'd to Seize The Crown thou seest in hope of Ayd from these Stay thy Inquiry here for 't is a Text My Soul s strict Comment has too far perplex'd Heroick Dornland in whose steady Breast No apprehensions had so deep Impress'd As these by Learned Polyaster shown If Times dark Footsteps were to man Foreknown Or in such Hieroglyphick Shapes expand When Deaths black Trumps most sill her winning hand Besides the Figures of Peculiar Friends Fully describ'd with their Severest ends Some stript in Fields and in that gastly plight Their wounds discern'd through which their Souls took â—light Who Like the Naturall Fall of Humane kinde Whose Endless Issue must to Clay be Joyn'd Embracing Earths smooth Surface Seem'd to Lye The Eve that Last must Joyn Mortallity More 〈◊〉 his Inward Soul these sights Lament Then outward Grief cou'd Saddest represent Mov'd from the Tragick Postures by him seen And objects did as dismall Intervene Tho' in dark prospects they to him were shown As Light that dimly breaks through Clouds is known With many Gallant persons high esteem'd And some of living freinds he dearest deem'd Nor did he well discern where sields seem'd spread Thickest with bodys of the Valiant Dead Whither the Pencills shaddow might not place With others there observ'd his dying Face Yet all these apprehensions did Convey No such â—emoâ—se of Death or dying day As what these figur'd visions might portend Which by this Artists skill had vayl'd the end That through this Wars Success and Cruel
strife His Soveraigns Cause might ruine with his Life And caus'd the Loyall Dornland to Consult What from Polyaster's Knowledge would Result Whom thus he mov'd Tell me thou Fam'd of Men How far this Pencill from your Thoughts and Pen Took the Stupendious Methods I behold And but your Science onely can unfold Or Taught more haply from your sense to know Designs our Soveraign Fortunate may show With Bravest Nobles of this Martiall Isle And Generous Bloud expos'd to Furious Toyl Or that prevented which my doubtfull Thought May sear to your deep prospect's sadly brought To which the Great Polyaster thus reply'd Think not fair Son the Thread is soon unty'd That Subtle Destinies conspire to Twist And what more high Guides Causes which they list Of such how Stars incline Art may declare Tho' they like Nightly guides to Science are Consin'd from Beaming the Sublimest Light Os â—rovidence Then worlds of Suns more Bright The first high Author only can display Tho' pleas'd sometimes to use the darker Ray Of Heavenly Bodies whence sound Art may find Effects dispos'd but no disposers mind So far may Humane Calculations reach Tho' no Coelestiall Text they higher Teach My Study'd skill perhaps might so ascend In seeing deeds o're Kings and Men impend Tho' 't is a Round no even influence shows And like the World to Scituation owes Much vari'd Seasons and distemper'd Times The hot Meridians sorce or colder Climes That bolder Men too pronely may admire Why the Creators Conduct did conspire To form a World proves so unequall Great Or Temper'd like some headstrong acts of Fate Let this thy Further Strict enquiry Stay And where Art 's helpless think 't is best to pray The Noble Dornland having heard how wise This Learned Man did things profound disguise Allow'd his Modesty no more to ask By giving Science a severer Task Hoping that Powers above might over-Rule Thoughts that were too Incumbent on his Soul. Whilst thus from Polyaster he retires And far beyond expression him admires The SIXTH BOOK The Argument Essex by Dream his Fathers Ghost beholde By which is told his Future Deeds and End Chalgrave Field and subtile Hampdâ—n slain Lansdowne fierce Day and Valiant Grenfields fall Waller on Roundway-Hill enforc'd to run Hugon by Spell from Sorc'ress Faction aids Glocester reliev'd and Newberry's Bloudy Fight THE Sun past ending Aprils various Hours Where Stars in Taurus Influence growing Powers Had to May's Gemini advanâ—'d his height When Eyes far North behold no Cloudy Night As Phâ—â—bus Beams dissolve Seas frozen there And never set for some Months of his Year 'Till when they rarely see the early Sun Or how his shining hours on Dyals run But to their homes their Winter Graves compell'd 'Till Night's long Cold by days increase expell'd An aidfull Providence that helps to Tame Men that in Frozen Climes breed fiercest Flame Which in our Brittish Region did appear As Winter check'd War's speed this Fatal Year In which betime the King had Redding lost And could not that prevent with bloudy Cost From whence the haughty Houses thought to raise Further Atchievements to their Armies Praise Though in their Conduct and their Counsels were Divided Factions moving in each Sphere Whilst some from sad effects of Mischiefs past Seem'd less propense to forward others hast Which Sense the Earl tho' Redding then possest Found to lie heavy on his troubled Breast Who by Success could not so swell his Mind As moderate thoughts no room in him did find Besides his Soul was more Apal'd to see The Hand of Heaven his open Enemy As in his Camp Contagious Plague had kill'd Numbers that late his Hardy Legions fill'd Nor could their Loudest Priests by Prayer obtain That Heaven should cease th' Infection these had slain Which much their grieved Gen'ralls Heart opprest His Army Lessen'd thus and hopes deprest Of being Improv'd by Soldierly Repute And Pop'lar Fame which his Soul would promote These Thoughts which on his Mind had fix'd their weight By sleeps soft aid he hoped to abate Which Night invites as Natures Time of Cure When Souls less easy waking sense endure And their Essential Attributes enlarge As Sleep the bodies Clog does most discharge Whilst from the boundless working of the Mind Souls seem in bodies to Live unconsin'd Now had the Earl Repos'd some hours of Night As Stars ascending reach'd their Midnight Height And Gloomy Meteors had Condens'd the Air Whence Forms some Judge do Thicker outsides wear Or mode when Sprites their thin extensions Hide And in contracted shapes their beings guide Or Ghosts assume as Frightfull Stories tell Bodies resembling such in Graves do dwell Which Fantoms much this Chief asslicted then Dreaming on Battels past and dying Men Some War deploring with their Latest breath Others the quarrel Blam'd at point of Death Or charg'd their Loss upon his Pop'lar Guilt That first Allur'd the Bloud was after spilt Besides which Vision to his greatest dread He dreamt of Graves at Keinton-field of Dead Which like to Mighty Tombs of Old remain When Hills of Earth did Cover heaps of Slain And in Idea next his Soul had sight Of Brandsords day and Reddings siercer sight Doubting lest Angry Ghosts should near him wait To scare his Soul who caus'd their bodies Fate At which his Inward Horrors did Arise Seen by his Mind without her bodies Eyes Then sleeping Starts next fears his sleep to break Lest his Souls dream should fright him worse awake As thus he lay perplex'd with various thought Fancies All-forming Power had Figur'd brought His Fathers Person much in looks and Meen And Martiall habit like what his had been His Beaver piâ—rc'd with shot as 't was that time When he in London form'd his daring Crime And in his haughty rage and passion Strove To force his Queens Imperiall Power and Love. Which Guilt as if acknowledg'd e're he spoke Seem'd on his brow imprest and paler look And next he utter'd to his Son this Sense Take from me dead my surest Penitence Since Fame Stands well confirm'd that Spirits walk And Organ'd of this World and t'other talk And know I come to bid thee soon decline Th' Ambitious Steps that were too Lofty Mine When Phaeton like I did attempt to rise Yet in the offer fell the scorn of eyes Much bloud thou 'st spilt and I had done the same Had not the Power of Justice quench'd my Flame Else had Crouds faithfull prov'd no Armed hand Could have Rule boldier chang'd within this land As much perhaps thy Pop'lar Soul wou'd do When Giddy Vulgaâ—â— shall resist thee too More Battles thou wilt sight and then resign Thy Power to Factions that Supplanted Thine Who after Aided by some Stepdams Art Shall by quick Poyson kill thy Stubborn heart At which he stop'd and Tears profusely shed To whom his Son in Trance thus thought he said O Hapless Father in your Ghost to come And next your Fate declare how Stars me doom That from your pure Existence I should