he may be a patrone and a guide Vnto a people purg'd and purifi'd This by a president is manifest When famous late Elizabeth deceast Before our gratious Iames put on the crowne Gods hand did cut superfluous branches downe Not that they then that were of life bereft Were greater sinners then the number lest But that the Plague should then the kingdome cleare The good to comfort and the bad to feare That as a good king God did vs assure So he should haue a Nation purg'd and pure And now that Royall Iames intombed lyes And that our gratious Charles his roome supplies As He did for his Father formerly A sinfull nation cleanse and purifie So God for him these things to passe doth bring And mends the subiects for so good a King Vpon whose Throne may peace and plenty rest And he and his Eternally be blest AMEN Against Swearing THere is no sin that euer the Diuell invented for the abuse of God and the perdition of man but the Authors and Actors of it may frame some frivolous or impertinent excuse for examples our first parents in Paradise did disobediently offend in hope thereby to gaine further knowledge and to be like God Cain slew his brother and had some poore excuse for the fratricide and murther because he saw that Abell and his offering was in better acceptation Samson was ouercome by Dalilah but he had lewd lust or lustfull loue to entice him Dauid had not committed the two crying sins of Adultery and murther had not the beauty of Bethsheba bin his insuaring object Achitophel had not bin a Traitour to the Lord 's Anointed and a wicked counsellour to Absolom but the expectation of raising his estate was his motiue Ahab had not put Nabaoth to death vnjustly but that hee knew it the neerest way to be possessour of his Vineyard Achan's theft Gehazies lie Manasses cruelty and Idolatry Peter's denying Iudas his betraying of our Sauiour had all some colour of Excuse but a swearer is worse then all these for he hath no starring hole or by way that can make him appeare guiltlesse either before God or men Remember this all you that make swearing the glory of your speech the damnable grounds of your earthly society the accursed Garbe of your misnamed Gentleman like carriage Remember that God doth heare and see and can and will reuenge and for this inexcusable crime especially the wrath of the Almighty is showred and powred vpon vs. THou that these lines dost either heare or reade Consider with thy selfe and take good heed Reade them and let them neuer be forgot They doe concerne thy soule then sleight them not The Friends of hell beleeue there is a God And feare and tremble at his angry Rod They doe confesse his glorious Excellence And his Almighty powers Omnipotence But Man his choicest and his chiefest Creature Is so rebellious against God and Nature That he gainst Heau'n dare both blaspheme and sweare And worse then Fiends they not belieue or feare So that the Earth doth breed feed and retaine Worse Monsters then there doth in Hell remaine If men beleeu'd the word that God hath spoke They would beleue that word should nere be broke In His enacted Law is one Decree That all who take his Name in vaine shall be Accounted guilty and his fearefull wrath Will hold them worthy of eternall death Againe 't is said Let the Blasphemor dye Let him be stoned for his Blasphemy And euill tongues who dare to curse adventer Shall into Heauens blessednes not enter And Christ when on the Earth he liued heere Forbade vs that at all we should not sweare And in th' eleventh of Deuteronomy againe We are commanded not to sweare in vaine The Heathen to blaspheme their gods abhorr'd Yet Christians wilfully blaspheme the Lord. Who euer to reuile the Gods were knowne In Rome were from the Rock Tarpetus throwne Th' Egyptians Law was he should lose his head 'Mongst Seythians life and goods were forfeited These grieuous punishments did Pagans vse Against all them that did their Gods abuse King Donald's Law in Scotland's not forgot Who burne them through the lips with irons hot And when King Edmund here had Regall State All Swearers he did excommunicate And Philip King of France a Prince renown'd Ordain'd that all Blasphemers should be drown'd The Emperour Max milian did decree That all vaine Sweaters should beheaded be The Earle of Flanders Philip did ordaine Their losse of life and goods that swore in vaine Saint Lewis the King of France enacted there That for the first time any one did sweare Into Imprisonment one month was cast And stand within the Pillory at last But if the second time againe they swore One with an iron hot their tongues did bore And who the third time in that fault did flip Were likewise boared through the vnder-lip For the fourth time most grieuous paines belongs He caus'd to be cut off their lips and tongues Henry the fift of England that good King His Court to such conformity did bring That euery Duke should sorry shillings pay For euery Oath he swore without delay Each Baron twenty Knights or ' Squires offence Paid â—ennâ—â— and euery Yeoman twenty pence The Boyes and Pages all were whipt most fine That durst abuse the Majesty diuine Thus Pagan Princes with sharp lawes withstood Profauing of their Gods of stone or wood And Christian Kings and Rulers formerly Haue most seuerely punisht blasphemy And shall a Heathen or an Infidell That knowes no joyes of Heauen or paines of Hell More reuerence to his deuillish Idols show Then we doe to the true God whom we know If we remembred well but what we were And what we are we would not dare to sweare Poore trunks of earth fill'd with vncertain breath By nature heires to euerlasting death Most miserable wretches most ingrate 'Gainst God that did elect vs and create Redeem'd conseru'd preseru'd and sactifi'd And giues vs hope we shall be glorifi'd H' hath giuen vs being life sense reason wit Wealth and all things his Prouidence thinkes fit And for requitall we quite voide of grace Curse sweare and doe blaspheme him to his face Oh the supernall patience of our God That beares with Man a sin polluted clod When halfe such treasons 'gainst an earthly King Would many a Traytor to confusion bring Suppose a man should take a Whelp breed him And stroake him make much of him feed him How will that curre loue him beyond all other Neuer for saking him to serue another But if he should most disobediently Into his Masters face or throat to fly Sure euery man that liues vpon the ground Would say a hanging's fit for such a hound And worser then so many dogges are they That 'gainst their God with oathes doe barke and bray And if repentance doe not mercy win They 'll hang in Hell like Hell-hounds for that sin Of all black crimes froÌ„
THE FEAREFVLL SVMMER OR LONDONS CALAMITY the countries courtesy and both their misery By IOHN TAYLOR OXFORD Printed by Iohn Lichfield and William Turner Printers to the famous Vniversity Anno Dom. 1625. TO THE TRVLY GENEROVS AND NOBLE Knight Sir IOHN MILLISSENT one of the Gentlemen Pensioners to the Kings most Excellent Majesty TO whom should I these sorrowes recōmend But vnto you the Citties noble freind I know you are much grieued with their Griefe And would adventure life for their reliefe To you therefore these lines I dedicate Wherein their sorrowes partly I relate I humbly craue acceptance at your hand And rest Your seruant euer to command IOHN TAYLOR To the Printer MY conceite is that these are very lamētable verses will greiue many the reading they so expresse death to life make mortality immortal I wish that as many as can make vse of such pittifull lines had copies the rest may want them Here and there a verse may occasion a teare then the Author is a true water-Poet indeed but else where there wants not an hand-kercheife to dry that teare So is the whole worke a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and deserues an approbation at least from Io. TAYLOR OR COLL. THE PRAEFACE IN this lamentable Time of generall Calamity our hainous sinnes prouoking Gods just Indignation this heauy visitation and mortality I being atendant vpon the Queenes Ma rie at Hampton Court and from thence within 2 miles of Oxford with her Barge with much greife and remorse did see and heare the miserable cold entertainment of many Londoners which for their preseruation fled and retired themselues from the Cittie into the Country Whence I noted the peoples Charitie and great amendment for they had giuen ouer one of the 7 deadly sinnes which was Coueteusnesse and in many places were so farre out of loue with a Citizens money that they abhor'd and hated either to touch or receaue it entertaining them with bitter wormewood welcome which Hearbe was in more request amongst many of them then any of the heauenly Graces or Cardinall Vertues yet the hearbe of Grace was in much estimation although the name of it was a document that they had occasion to Rue the time I farther perceiued that they were so farre from beleiuing or crediting any man that they would or durst not trust their owne noses but were doubtfull that that sence would conspire with the Plague to murther them wherefore like cunning Mariners or mole-catchers they would craftily in their streetes and highwaies fetch the winde of any man although they were ouer shoes and bootes and sometimes tumbled into a ditch for their labours This was the time when a man with a nightcap at noone would haue frighted a whole Parish out of their wits when to call for Aquauitae though it had beene but to make a drench for a sicke horse was enough to haue his house shut up When Lord haue mercy vpon vs made many of them tremble more then God Refuse Renounce Confound or Damne When a man trauailing in the habit of a Cityzen was a meere bulbegger when for a man to say that he came from Hell would yeeld him better welcome without money then a man would giue to his owne father and mother that came from London In this time of mans great miserie and small mercy I tooke my pen in hand and wrote this ensueing discourse I haue as neere as I could suited it sadly according to the nature of the subject And truly because that the bare and naked trueth was so cleare and ample that I needed not to stuffe it out with friuolous fables or fantasticall fictions with my soule I thankfully acknowledge Gods great mercy extended towards me one of the most wretched and wicked in that so many thousands of better life and conuersation haue falne on my right hand and on my left and round about me yet hath his gratious protection beene my guard for the which in my gratitude to my God and to auoid the sinne of idlenes I haue written what those that can may reade THE FEAREFVLL SVMMER OR LONDONS CALAMITY THe Patience and long suffering of our God Keepes close his Quiuer and restraines his Rod And though our crying Crimes to Heau'n doe cry For vengeance on accurst Mortality Yea though we merit mischiefes manifold Blest Mercy doth the hand of Iustice hold But when that Eye that sees all things most cleare Expects our fruits of Faith from yeare to yeare Allowes vs painfull Pastors who bestow Great care and toyle to make vs fruitfull grow And daylie doth in those weake Vessels send The dewe of Heauen in hope we will amend Yet at the last he doth perceiue and see That we vnfruitfull and most barren be Which makes his dreadfull Indignation frowne And as accursed fig-trees cut vs downe Thus Mercy mock'd plucks Iustice on our heads And grieuous Plagues our Kingdome ouer spreads Then let vs to our God make quick returning With true contrition fasting and with mourning The Word is God and God hath spoke the Word If we repent he will put vp his sword Hee 's greiu'd in punishing Hee 's slow to Ire And HE a sinners death doth not desire If our Compunction our Amendment show Our purple sinnes Hee 'l make as white as snow If we lament our God is mercifull Our scarlet crimes hee 'l make as white as wooll Faire London that did late abound in blisse And wast our Kingdomes great Metropolis ` T is thou that art dejected low in state Disconsolate and almost desolate The hand of Heau'n that only did protect thee Thou hast prouok'd most justly to correct thee And for thy pride of Heart and deedes vnjust He layes thy Pompe and Glory in the dust Thou that wast late the Queene of Citties nam'd Throughout the world admir'd renown'd and fam'd Thou that hadst all things at command and will To whom all England was a Handmaide still For rayment fewell fish fowle beasts for food For fruits for all our Kingdome counted good Both neere and farre remote all did agree To bring their best of blessings vnto thee Thus in conceite thou seem'dst to rule the Fates Whilst peace and plenty flourish'd in thy Gates Could I relieue thy miseries as well As part I can thy woes and sorrowes tell Then should my Cares be eas'd with thy Reliefe And all my study how to end thy griefe Thou that wer't late rich both in friends and wealth Magnificent in state strong in thy health As chiefest Mistris of our country priz'd Now chiefly in the country are despis'd The name of London now both farre and neare Strikes all the Townes and Villages with feare And to be thought a Londoner is worse Then one that breakes a house or takes a Purse He that will filch and steale now is the Time No Iustice dares examine him his crime Let him but say that he from London came So full of Feare and Terrour is that name The Constable his charge
will soone forsake And no man dares his mittimus to make Thus Citizens plagu'd for the Citty sins Poore entertainment in the Country winnes Some feare the Citty and flye thence amaine And those are of the Countrey fear'd againe Who'gainst thē barre their windowes their doores More thē they wold 'gainst Turks or Iewes or Moores I thinke if very Spaniards had come there Their welcome had beene better and their cheare Whilst Hay-cock lodging with hard slender fare Welcome like dogs vnto a Church they are Feare makes them with the Anabaptists joyne For if an Hostesse doe receiue their coyne She in a dish of water or a paile Will new baptize it least it something aile Thus many a Citizen well stor'd with Gold Is glad to lye vpon his mother molde His bed the map of his mortality His curtaines clouds and Heau'n his Canopie The russet plow-swaine and the Leathren Hinde Through feare is growne vnmannerly vnkinde And in his house to harbour hee 'll prefer An Infidell before a Londoner Milke-maides and Farmers wiues are growne so nice They thinke 2 Cittizen 2 Cockatrice And country Dances are wax'd so coy and briske They shun him as they 'll shun a Basiliske For euery one the sight of him would fly All feareing he would kill them with his eye Ah woefull London I thy greife bewaile And if my sighs and prayers may but prevaile I humbly beg of God that hee 'le be pleas'd In Iesus Christ his wrath may be appeas'd With holding his dread Iudgements from aboue And once more graspe thee in his armes of loue In Mercy all our wickednes remit For who can give thee thankes within the pit Strange was the change in lesse then 3 monthes space In joye in woe in grace and in disgrace A healthfull Aprill a diseased Iune And dangerous Iulie brings all out of tune That citty whose rare obiects pleas'd the eyes With much content and more varieties She that was late delightfull to the eares With melodye Harmonious like the Spheares She that had all things that might please her tast That was by Skies or Earth or Seas embrac'd All odoures and perfumes to please the sent And all she felt did giue her touch content Her Cinque porte sences richly fed and cloy'd With blessings bountifull which she enjoy'd Now 3 monthes change hath fill'd it full with feare As if no Solace euer had beene there What doe the eyes see there but greiued sights Of sicke oppressed and distressed wights Houses shut vp some dying and some dead Some all amazed flying and some fled Streetes thinly man'd with wretches euery day Which haue no power to flee or meanes to stay Dead Coarses carried and recarried still Whil'st fifty Corpses scarce one graue doth fill With LORD HAVE MERCIE VPON VS on the dore Which though the words be good doth greiue men sore And o're the dore-postes fix'd a crosse of red Be tokening that there Death some bloud hath shed Some with Gods marks or tokens doe espie Those Marks or Tokens shew them they must die Some with their Carbuncles and sores new burst Are fed with hope they haue escap'd the worst Thus passeth all the weeke till Thursdaies Bill Shewes vs what thousands Death that weeke did kill That fatall Bill doth like a razor cut The dead the liuing in a maze doth put And he that hath a Christian heart I know Is greiu'd and wounded with the deadly blowe These are the obiects of the Eye now heare And marke the mournefull musick of the Eare. There doe the brazen Iron toung'd loud bells Deaths clamorous rauisick Ring continuall knells Some lofty in their notes some sadly towling Whil'st fatall doggs make a most dismall howling Some frantick raueing some with anguish crying Some singing praying groneing and some dying The healthfull grieuing and the sickly groaning All in a mournefull diapason moaning Here Parents for their Childrens losse Lament There Childrens greife for parents life that spent Here Sister mournes for sister Kin for Kin As one greife ends another doth begin There one lies languishing with slender fare Small comfort lesse attendance and least care With none but Death and he to tugge together Vntill his corps and soule part each from either In one house one or two or three doth fall And in another Death plaies sweep-stake all Thus vniuersall sorrowfull complaining Is all the musicke now in London raigning Thus is her comfort sad Calamity And all her Melody is Maladie These are the obiects of the eyes and eares Most wofull sights and sounds of greiues and feares The curious tast that whilome did delight With cost and care to please the Apetite What she was wont to hate she doth adore And what 's high priz'd she held despis'd before The drugs the drenches and vnto othsome drinks Feare giues a sweetnes to all seuerall stinks And for supposed Antidotes each Palate Of most contagious weedes will make a Sallate And any of the simplest Mountebankes May cheat them as they will of Coine and thankes With scraped powder of a shoeing horne Which they 'le beleeue is of an Vnicorne Angelicoes distastfull roote is gnaw'd And hearbe of Grace most Ruefully is chaw'd Garlick offendeth neither tast nor smell Feare and opinion makes it rellish well Whilst Beazar stone and mighty Methridate To all degrees are great in estimate And Triacles power is wounderously exprest And Dragon Water in most high request These 'gainst the Plague are good preseruatiues But the best cordiall is t' amend our liues Sinn 's the maine cause and we must first begin To cease our greifes by ceasing of our sinne I doe beleeue that God hath giuen in store Good medicines to cure or ease each sore But first remoue the cause of the disease And then no doubt but the effect will cease Our sinnes the Cause remoue our sinnes from hence And God will soone remoue the Pestilence Then euery med'cine to our consolation Shall haue his power his force his operation And till that time Experiments are not But Paper walls against a Canon shott On many a post I see Quack saluers Bills Like Fencers Challenges to shew their skills As if they were such masters of defence That they dare combate with the Pestilence Meete with the plague in any deadly fray And bragge to beare the victorie away But if their patients patiently beleeue them They 'le cure thē without faile of what they giue thē What though ten thousand by their drenches perish They made them purposely themselues to cherish Their Art is a meere Artlesse kind of lying To pick their lyueing out of others dying This sharp inuectiue no way seemes to touch The learn'd Phisitian whom I honour much The Paracelsians and Galennists The Philosophicall graue Herbalists These I admire and reuerence for in those God doth dame Natures secrets fast inclose Which they distribute as occasions serue Health to reserue and health decai'd conserue 'T is 'gainst such Rat-catchers I bend my pen Which doe