Time forsake Which Suffrance wither'd his sam'd Army's Flower And former Conquests gain'd by Warlike Power Who else Victorious might have Eastward gone And with his Sovereign joyn'd have London won When Stars from Fate 's Similitude decreed That both at hapless Leaguers should be stay'd But what the Counsels of that Time alledge For undertaking Hull and Glocesters Siege My Muse no Descants here presumes to make Since from Event appears their gross mistake Which gave to London's Senate wish'd-for scope From their Disasters to erect their Hope Not doubting but from them diffus'd 't would bring Increase of Fury to Oppose their King. Tho' they perceiv'd amongst the Crowds of Men The Fervor of the most abated then Wearied by War or dubious whether Right Stood on that part which them allur'd to Fight When Hugon did to Vulgar Minds apply His Tempting Zeal and strenuous Industry Hugon who in this Story room must find From Comick part and Tragick badly Joyn'd Whose Artifice could men to Fight dispose But Laugh'd at all that dy'd in Field by Blows No Levite call'd tho' oft in Pulpits known Where Don-Quixot he play'd without a Gown With Patriots of that Time in high esteem And ruling Females Amorous of them But how his Genius to this height arose My Muse by this ensuing Wonder shows 'T is told a Witch on Puritan Begot Came from New-England to aid 〈◊〉 Comely in Figure tho' seâ—… Stories 〈◊〉 That Dames of Magick did in Form exâ—… As if that Venus Pluto's Lips to spite By Course Amours attrâ—…ed his delight Demure in Speech and 〈◊〉 was her Mene And on her dies a 〈◊〉 where Vaile was seen At distance Zâ—… did her Beams admire When told that 〈◊〉 could â—ove and Cant Inspire And when the Sorc'ress would the Harlot play On him she doted that could Faithless pray Near London Suburbs was her then abode To whom by search had Hugon found the Road. Admitted to her close Apartment there Her Beauty he adjudg'd above compare And as 't is thought Charm'd by her taking sight His Nerve was risen above usual height Busy as Sybil soon he her perceives Inscribing Scripture Texts on diverse Leafs And as she mov'd her wan and words did speak Around her head a trembling flight they take And when descended on her Table find The Order which for them she first design'd Wonder above what Sybils Leafs could shew If this on Fame's account be granted true Not many words this admir'd Charmer us'd 'Till kissing him she Love and Zeal infus'd Letting him know that she 'd improve his Sense By bold Intrigues and Pulpit Impudence Since well she knew his Soul did little care Tho' retrograde to Heaven he vented Prayer Then takes a Leaf on which a Text was wrote On purpose Charm'd his Faction to promote And with a tickling whisper next infus'd The Spiritual Gibberish by him after us'd Which on his Knees 't is said he did receive To shew th'Adorement he th'Enchantress gave His Conge taken the ensuing day He broach'd in Pulpit a new Canting way Which being Inspired by the Devil's Wit Some Insides did of Men and Women fit Whence fervent Matrons soon for fight design'd Their Husbands whilst to Whore they stay'd behind Nor did the Virgins with a Blush that Time Present their Gifts to aid the Publique Crime Who with a shameless Confidence declaim'd Against all such from War would be reclaim'd This Female Vogue and Moneys lov'd Command Soon did incite the Soldiers Armed hand And London Legions to the rest adjoyn'd As Essex them for Glocesters Aid design'd Who now his hope tho' lately droop'd does raise Of Meriting by Conduct renew'd Praise Skippon he Led with Chiefs of bold Import Rounded by Guns that like a moving Fort His Army did in wide Campagnes appear And Fruitless Charg'd by Rupert when met there Too strong for Let the Earl still forward goes 'Till Glocesters Joy his bold Arrival shows The King when thus approach'd his Foes he saw By Night does from that Town his Force withdraw Fatal that Night as Elements did show By Thunder Storms and Winds that loudest blow This grand Relief offected by this Peer Return to London next imploy'd his Care. And how his Warlike Caution might contrive That he might thither without Fight arrive Lest other Actions should his Fame impair E're he receiv'd for this Applauses there When Stars decreed that for a Bloudy Day He should in Newberry's Field his Files Array Where overtaken by the Royal Power Both sides engag'd as rose the Morning hour Profufely Bloud was soon on each part shed No Verse can here enough lament the Dead 'Mongst whom Canarvan Valour 's Glory fell And Faukland by the Muses Lov'd so well Obliging Sunderland here also slain What Field like this from Noble Bloud bears Stain The Earl amongst his Dead some Brave had lost Tho' this Advantage much his side could boast That they with cheaper Mettal had supply'd Their Cause 'gainst which oppos'd the Nobless dy'd So few of their High Station then were known That would in Field the Houses Quarrel own Never more pois'd was Battel by Event Or Armies known more hours of day had spent With equal Prowess so hard 't is to know When English Valours Fight which bravest do Both sides in Warlike form appear'd next day When Essex first withdrew and march'd his way Nor did the Roy'lists hold it prudent then To tempt him in Retreat to fight again Weighing the Order in which he withdrew Themselves o'retoyl'd with March and fighting too On each part yielded that they could no more At that time Combate as they did before O Fatal Soil that must next year contain A Second Battel and more English slain Where Essex did his rallied Ensigns lead Better that he o're furthest Seas had fled Or dy'd by Shipwrack on the Cornish Shore When Treaty sav'd his there deserted Power Then with bold Legions so repriev'd display Rebellions fury here another day Yet this Last Battle Tho' uncurb'd his Sword No Future Trophy did to him afford Or Lessen the Disgust that was exprest Against his Late Misfortune in the West Whence the Imperious Houses did decree That he their wars first Guide remov'd should be And other Conduct chosen to Enhance Deeds which they Judg'd he slowly did Advance Howe're his Faction did with theirs Comply In being their Soveraign's Common Enemy But how Intrigu'd their Parties and Designs Would tedious render this brief Poems Lines Wherefore we must from Passages descend And that may give our Story closer end The SEVENTH BOOK The Argument The Houses their new Modell'd Army raise And Fairfax tho' but Knight their General made Cromwells bold rise and Counsells verse relates Direfull Events the Nation apprehends Lov 's passion and concern with War Intrigue The King by Furious Storm does Leicestâ—…r win Fairfax to Oxford does his Army Guide Which Action the Kings Northern March diverts ESSEX remov'd the Houses soon decree That Fairfax should their Captain Generall be 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Skippon whose bolder Zeal was strictly Joyn'd To what their sighting party had design'd And as a Prime Enthuâ—â—ast won on Men Who chose their Saints from sturdy sighters then His Martial Consolation then applys Fitting that Juncture with erected Eyes Thou Peer said he Heav'ns darling whom Gods call Hath set to own his Cause before us all And does this day our pious Breasts Inspire As was that Chiefs when full of smoke and fire He saw the Bush a Flaming Tipe to him That Israels Force should Enemies consume Tho' at that sight his stoutest Nerves did shake As with us Zealots may be said to quake Till more confirm'd how 't was a Heavenly sign That God's select should Valours flame resine Let this our boldest Enemies perceive And from their daring hazards death receive As o're this pass their Files would force their way Till full by ours repuls'd this signal day Doubt not but ' â—will even Keinton-field exceed Or what at Brandâ—ord might have been Atchiev'd If sirmer Soul'd our conduct on had brought The Chearfull zeal that for us that time fought All which I Instance with a Godly Flame That your deeds now might more exalt your fame The Earl who did not much in words abound Or Canting Glosses then were frequent found With Scripture Hero's little seem'd to say Or what enough approv'd to sight their way And now both sides had surious Conflicts brought As high as Valours Zenith â—ou'd be sought If not to be yet more Supremely Brave Wish'd that their Souls unbody'd force might have Or unconsin'd unto such outward parts Whose power was less then vigour of â—â—eir hearts The Royalists like fierce Aggressors strove Th' Essexianâ— hardy prowess to remove Tho' these like firmest Rock their Station held Too roughly fix'd to be by Waves repell'd Whilst Bands of Billows 'gainst their harden'd Might Bursting retire as more supply their Fight And thus the Terrors of this day were seen With dismal Slaughters that did intervene Some loudly ask'd what Motives cou'd Confine Fielding that Instant within Reddings Line And not his vigorous Sally then apply T' divert at least the Stubborn Enemy Considering how much Bloud was cast away In expectation of his aid that day Others with grosser Murmurs did reflect Upon the Cause they â—udg'd of his neglect And thus by virulent speech his Honour stain'd Which to that hour unquestion'd had remain'd So various seem'd the Sense and Deeds of some That would the Soul and Facts of others doom And which were here too tedious to repeat With all that Dy'd or Liv'd Heroick Great As needless 't were bold Lucas's worth to tell Or how undoubted Lyle did then excell Who did in Warlike Actions so aspire As pos'd Hyperboles to advance them higher But Valiant Dornland since thy Mighty Mind Had much peculiar Glory then adjoyn'd And such as did thy Eminent Figure raise Above the Levell of Associate Praise My Muse shall here preserve thy Copy so As most Transcendent thou alone must go Who tho' a Voluntier that day didst serve That uncommanded thou might'st more deserve And with an Active Courage unconâ—in'd Unto the Bravest Actions formost joyn'd When judging that his Pâ—rties Strenuous Fight Must lessen if not reinforc'd their Might And fearing that some Messengers Mischance Or Falshood hinder'd Feilding's soon Advance In some like Ominous Pendants hung too near The Grace vouchsafed them by the Royal Ear Since he conceiv'd the Kings Will did import That Feilding by some Sally's bold effort Should passage gain for his Stout Foot and Horse To aid the King and his Relief inforce Revolving thus his fearless Steed he guides Swimming the River 'twixt these sighting sides To this adjoyn'd a Meadow's wide extent Whose Pregnant Green more Liquid growth was lent When this Stream's spreading Arms did smoothly glide T' Imbrace the Surface as a Tâ—â—ming Bride And having pass'd it starts his Valiant Race Where he beheld direct and open space That from the River to the Town did lead And that way guides his swiâ—t and hearty Steed When Fortunes aid that best Designs can wing Did Dornland then unlet or danger'd bring Within the Town 's Command but what surprize This bold Adventure gave his Enemies Or how prevented in that Dismal Hour From Intercepting him by Armed Power Must sound Conjecture no less wonder give Then what admiring Men from Fame receive Whilst like swift Bird that Wings the Airy waâ— Where Rav'nous Fowl dispers'dly watch for Prey Yet with their Greedy Gorges must attend Untill with â—lower Feather'd they contend Or with more swift surprise their Tallons bring To grasp the Bird did them before out-wing He then arriv'd and next to Feilding spoke Briefly this Sense with Meen compos'd and Look Enough my hast the King 's Concern implys As those sight yonder if so far your eyes With any Brave by you Commanded here Did from sad Opticks their Allarums share And shame 't were Redding such shou'd now confine That Blush to stand within a Leaguer'd Line Like rows of Cypâ—â—rs to no use amount Unless in you an Unite guides their Count E're Royal Bands their forc'd discomsits show Tho' unfought Feilding saw them vanquish'd so If you no timely Summons yet has found That bids you hast your Drums and Trumpets sound And to your Kings Assistance win your way By me 't is said nor apprehend this day But with Couragious odds you will enforce What 's yet undone by Royal Foot and Horse Our Foes enough their Consternation feel Who else had hinder'd my Steeds nimble heel Which passing near their Parties faces brought Me hither by no bold Pickâ—â—rers fought And if to guide or aid your resolute way You 'le any Stress of Conduct on me lay Be well assur'd that Dornland shall be thine As far as worthy Motives can enjoyn These words deliver'd with perspicuous Grace To Feilding's Soul amazement gave a space Before by speech he utter'd this reply What Sense will your Heroick worth deny That thus contemning Perills brought you here Your Valour too adorn'd with Loyall Care. Yet know that Fieldings heart none need incite Who scorns to live and to be bid to sight By Stars I vow and all Supreamest Good No chill nor disaffection in my bloud Shivers my heart or bids me turn unjust Unto the Reputation of my Trust. Believe me worthy Man I 'de rather chuse This day with other Brave my life to loose Then stand such Peevish censure which I know Some meanly Soul'd will on my Value throw Did not my Stedâ—ast honour me restrain And Treaty that adds links unto the Chain Which I admitted after well observ'd The Place too weak by me to be preserv'd Were Redding else invested this bold hour With all the Houses best confirmed Power The King should not have fought and I stand still Had no express to Feilding spoke his will. But Prudence Joyn'd to Warlike Justice stays Me from Attempting so inglorious praise O That my Prince might this soon understand Ere he to loss does
forgiving Nature won Glad that his Princely Heir did then appear So Ripe in Mercy e're his Manhood year As if presaging that in Future Time When evil Men had highest rais'd their Crime His Fam'd oblivions shou'd make Subjects know How much the Father by the Son they owe. When first the Condemned Feilding Liv'd to see Himself acquitted by their Clemency After a Warlike Counsel had decreed He shou'd to Mars as Sacrificed Bleed By which 't is seen how oft th' Impeached find Their fellow-Subjects less then Monarchs kind Much did this Gracious Act the Court divide As parties there did different Measures guide Who under Princes Good Improve the Skill Of being most Artfull as they save or kill And in extremes of things such thoughts Impart As little shew the Courtiers Candid Art. Or as some late Caballs disposed were That could for interest love or hate endear Seldom permitting Just concern to come Nearer the Heart then their cold Lobby-Room Tho' Applications early visits make In hope a kinder Patron next may wake Or not Transcendent vileness so extend As more then Prince wou'd present ends befriend Which Sense that Season did with some abound And with their vailed Treason after found Held with the Subtle Houses to Conspire To whom they Royal secrets sent for hire Of which not few suspected were that time But most the false Sydesmonds impious Crime Who could such specious Measures give to things That Serpent-like his Soul deceiv'd the Kings No Pallace e're did such a Synon know As Measures yet to come will fully show Often he had unto the Foe convey'd How by his Sovereign Wars designs were lay'd And whence the wary Enemy might wave Attempts intended or advantage have All which Clandestine Arts had greater source From the Composure of the Royal Force Whose Ranks most fill'd with Gen'rous blond and flame That with profuser courage Courted Fame Then Martiall caution strictly did allow Occasion'd their disasters to ensue At Night their quarters forc'd when sometimes they Watchless or more supine disorder'd lay The Gen'rous Dornland this had duely weigh'd And how through their Miscarriage or betray'd The Loyal Mil'tants oft defeated were And from Enormous loss might Tax their care But more did Dornlands busy thoughts debate The gift and strange Prediction which so late His Sovereign on his Merit had bestow'd And like Kings Souls remote import foreshow'd And next revolving in his Anxious mind If letter'd Man could Explanation find Of thuoghts abstrusely on his sense prevail'd And must by deepest Science be unvail'd None like the famous Polyaster He Deem'd fit to Salve this seeming Mystery By Emblem might the Kings concern unfold And what of Dornland was to be foretold Polyaster who might weighty Story Fill With all that could Illustrate humane skill Having to wonder Arts and Science shown And was then Poet more Paophetick known Whose then aboad near Oxfords confines stood Adorn'd with shades and the adjoyning flood Like Mansions by the wiser Ancients chose When they 'd from Worldly cares themselves repose Or had on purpose thoughtfull leisure took T' unfold the secrets of Great Natures Book Him Dornland visits when most Mortall eyes Were clos'd by sleep and only restloss skies To Usher night their sparkling Tapers lent Till the Worlds eye survey'd the days extent Coelestiall Motions with their Sublime Powers Observ'd by him in many usefull hours Which carefull life was in his Visage seem Where in his comely Age did â—â—tâ—rvenâ— Wrinckles which shewâ—d his Soul enough oppâ—est Tho' in that Warfull Time no sword depress't The Peacefull Contemplation of his mind Who did like the great Syrâ—â—useâ—n find Esteem that spread with largest wings of Fame And with his Accurate knowledge blaz'd his Name His Life 's Strict Method did example raise The Reg'lar Ancients most approved praise With Contemplations so dispos'd that he To Heaven and Time might still least debter be Whose precious Hours his richest thought employ'd When he as life's best Steward them enjoy'd Admiring how the Prodigalls of Time Durst that debauch'd Annex unto their Crime As if the Worlds swift eye did beams bestow For slothfull Mans Excentrick use below Or Stars that ow'd the Sun vast sums of Light Did shine to aid the wicked deeds of Night With Prayer he first began that aid divine Might to his Sublime thoughts assistance joyn Nor did he close his Eyes at Night to rest Till kneeling he had own'd days founder blest Wondring that Mortalls largely cou'd receive And Heaven the Authour Thanks so sparing give Nor more his outward form of life compos'd Then sitting what his inward Gifts propos'd His Food with best prov'd Temperance did agree When healthfull Life had long Antiquity And Simple meats the bodies Strength resin'd More suitably Assistant to the Mind This wisely Antient Contemplations rais'd When Temp'rate life and Science were most prais'd Nor pains or Conduct did he then remit That more divine might raise his sublime Wit. And when his Studies Intervall requir'd By that diversion too his Soul aspir'd His Room of Contemplation duely grac'd With niches where Compendiously were plac'd Statues of such whose Learning did impart Truths Maxims Crown'd by Mathematick Art. That like the Queen of Science does convey Proofs too Divine for Men to disobey Of these he most Intentively beheld Such as to Brittains Glory most excell'd And whom of all had most admired been The Matchless Napier here was likened seen Who seem'd by Figure in his hand to bear Hs Logorithim-Tables which his fame declare Above what former demonstration wrought Or Problems by men held inspir'd were Taught Of whom another Euclide well might learn Or Ptolomy his works outdone discern Whilst this fam'd Scots Arithmetick does teach What Power of Numbers ne're before could reach And easier farr did Archimedes sind Sea-Sands oâ—tsum'd then Napiers profound â—â—ind Whose Numbers added Multiplication serve Substracted nothing from Division swerve Which Art did to Astronomy Convey High Computations his most facile way And taught Geometry to lay aside Old Sines and Tangents long a tedious Guide Wonder of Man that gave such knowledge Birth As did at once oblige both Heaven and Earth Next him Polyaster did with Reverence view The Famous Briggs whose Admir'd products shew The Science in his Orb he did extend And unto Former improv'd Talents lend The Artsull Staturist so his form exprest That his fled looks seem'd warm in Stone to rest Beholding Strictly as with lively sight The Trig'nometrick skill he brought to light Which lines did represent in Bodies Cut Before him on a neat Supporter put Besides the Reg'lar Solids and the Art His shadows on them did to hours impart Next whom renowned Outred's Figure stood No less approv'd the Carvers Art in wood Whereon a Cirdle round his Loyns was wrought Deep Analytick questions by him Taught At which as emblem'd hung that wondrous key His Mathematick Clavis did Convey These Fam'd with many other Learned were Preserv'd in Image by Polyaster's Care. His
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
Attack'd his Person to one of which deaths wounds He swistly gives and kills the Second so That boldly sought and some think hurt him too The Third Man seeing this away did fly And dis-inhearten'd his strong side thereby Which by degrees as Lucas Troops prest on Did Courage slack and from their Fury run Bold and upright then all more Big and Tall Vanbralder rid and with stern voice did call His Militants to kally or he Swore By lot the Tenth man else should dye or more Expressing what a shame it was to them On Forreign Soyl to fly or desert him And tho' by words he could but few persuade Yet with those few to charge resolv'd he stay'd When Lucas in pursuit near him arriv'd And by his Plumes and Scars the Man descry'd To be the person he that day had sought And would on Loves account have chiefly fought He bids with ready voice the Walloon know That he might singly fight with Lucas now Who would not by success or Numbers stay Him yet from gaining a victorious day If by Encount'ring hand to hand he 'd try Which of them two in Field should boldest dye Glad was Vanbralder to receive this word And charg'd him home with Pistoll-shot and Sword. The first of which had almost Lucas stun'd Tho' not enforcing any Bloudy wound As 'gainst his Head-piece did the Bullet light And left thereon a sign of this fierce sight But Lucas soon recovering near him got Hoping to kill this mighty man with shot Unto whose face his Pistol he advanc'd Which would not sire however so it chanc'd And now their Combat was to end by Sword And one would judge that Method did afford No small advantage to this huge Walloon Who had so vast a Weapon of his own Or near as great as that appears to Eyes That in th'Tower for Conqueror William's lies As here this mighty Sword Vanbralder weilds Whose Edge he thought would cut through hardest shields A furious blow he at Brave Lucas makes Who by his steeds quick motion it escapes And by a Nimble manage turn'd again He Cuts his Foes hand off and bridle Rein Whose furious Horse thus sreed from rule by Biâ— Disdains his riders Weight should on him sit And boundeth oft unto a wondrous height As this or that way moves his ruleless might Till down a Precipice he takes his way And does by fall his Mighty Master slay Thus Providence did death Vanbralder give Whose Soul in Body was too bad to live The King's Troops many besides Walloon foes Kill'd here of English we may well suppose But to what Number Fighters fell that day Our Muse does no Particulars convey Tho' near a thousand Horse on each side fought If from her Computation deeds be sought What strange disâ—…ay by fears and doubts was then Th' Aâ—â—â—iction of the Beauteous Rosaline Who Guarded by Vanbralders Power might see The Bloudy Toyles of that days Victory And more concern'd in Soul perhaps beheld Her belov'd Lucas engag'd in that Field With Stout Wallooâ—s or huge Vanbralders might As they two did in Terrible Combat fight Who having fully now dispers'd his Foes To free her Person next he boldly goes Whom â—ierce Vanbralder had plac'd under guard Which now its bold Attendance soon discharg'd After beheld the fortune of this day And to prevent their danger fled away When he to her arriv'd and saw a space The gastly paleness of her lips and Face And how her Cheeks were sometimes drawn awry Like Mortall whom Convulsive sits do ply And as the fixed Stars appear in Skies Moveless beheld the Glory of her Eyes And thus within her womans arms she lay Who diligent was by every carefull way Her Lady in Lifes conflict to Assist And by her help her grievous pains resist As sometimes she her Beautious Temples strok'd Or had by Prayers and Tears heaven's ayd Invok'd In hast had Lucas from his steed remov'd Yet fear'd to see the face of her he Lov'd As he beheld her Cheeks Impair'd of red And features like remains of Beauty dead When from his Souls deep anguish thus he said If Speech by me to Rosaline here Made Can passage find and wellcome from her ear 'T is beg'd that she 'd think Lucas now does fear And that his Soul that never yet could weep Or suffer from his breast a sigh to creep When his bloud by most desperate wounds was shed Or seen in fields his bravest friends lye dead Does both as he her danger does behold And if his Lips from hers could remove cold He 'd willingly by it Loves power explore If that might her Life 's pristine warmth restore At Least he 'd take it as his Last farewell If her Soul must on earth no longer dwell But whilest he thus did his Lov 's passion vent Her woman on her Ladies Cure intent Had from a Violl Cordiall-drops convey'd Which Polyasters skill 't is thought had made And 'twixt her Lips dispos'd so much of them As did her Life from Danger soon redeem Tho' to that weakness brought she scarce could speak As by the hand he kindly her did take Whilest all she utter'd was but to express Why she remov'd and love of him Confess Which soon he granted who before perceiv'd The Cause that had her Gentle Temper griev'd And how for love of him and kindest fear She had withdrawn to her disaster here Yet would not further passages relate That to her Mind disquiet might create And chiefly did conceal how with brave Lyle He had conspir'd to Ryvall Martiall Toyl But to oblige heroickly her Sense From his Souls Greatness did these words dispense Sorry is Lucas that he now must â—ay That he can't Love appoint a Nuptiall day Since vow'd I am that Hymen ne're shall light Taper for me till Rebells cease to sight Nor Houses sit that by obtruded vote Dare Arms in Field against their King promote But when with smoothest Brow peace yields her smiles And rightfull war requires no more my Toyls I 'le then fair Rosalines embrace desire And meet her wishes with a Lovers fire Till when to Heaven's protection I 'le her leave And place she Judges best may her receive Or where she least may of fierce Battells hear Or what in them my Martiall perills are And whenso'ere I full perceive their end The wellcome News to Rosaline I 'le send In whose behalf her woman does declare Her Lady as yet weak and speech would spare That well the Method he propos'd conspir'd With what by present thought she most desir'd Assuring him that when they fix'd on place He should have notice in Convenient space Being thus resolv'd and by Brave Lucas seen That in few Minuts perfectly Serene The Beauteous form appear'd of Rosaline And strength restor'd by wonderous Medicine He gently lifts her to her Saddles seat And with his kindest farewell kiss'd her feet And that she might the more securely ride Appoints to ayd her way a knowing guide But to what place her person
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
Face Her vest of Azure-Colour like the morn When Brightest Estearn Streaks her sphere adorn Her amber-locks unto her Bosome long In shining Curls to admiration hung And dallying with the air did seem to play Like finest Gossamours in Summers day And as they mov'd was seen the Ivory white That in her neck 's soft form display'd to sight Whose presence did by miracle Restore Sight to Hermanders eyes tho' blind before â—…drous Intervalls to him was given â—…'s account by the sole Act of Heaven â—…ld towards her his eyes did move Kind as when they time past assured Love. Tho' something more did her soft Beams Imply Then Languishments of Love in Beauteous eye And sometimes bIush'd and sometimes smil'd a space Whose Blush her smiles whose smiles her blush did grace More Gay then such on virgin Cheeks are shed On the first night within th'espouss'd bed To kiss her Rosy Lips he did assay As bashfully she seem'd to yield him way But when he thought t' arrive unto that bliss He could not feel the Lip he thought to kiss Which she excus'd and said no sense could finde The Method by which she to him was kinde A Secret that hereafter he 'd perceive When Heaven his Soul Eternity should give To Rosaline who had devoutly kneel'd Since miracle she Judg'd this sight reveal'd She kindly spoke and bid her understand That she would Commune with her hand in hand And thus a while this vision with her walk'd And of refined Souls divinely talk'd Assuring her that Love could only be In Heaven possess'd by full felicity Which she found there because her youth Inclin'd T' affect Hermander with no earthly mind And promis'd had If she that Grace could Merit To visit him as thus beheld in Spirit A Miracle he had perceiv'd before When Heaven to see her did his sight restore And from above had leave now to appear As by Hermander was desir'd by prayer That she might unto her Sublimly tell Whose Grace and Beauties mortalls much excell How she hop'd soon to meet her form above Where no Fate could be Enemy to Love. But Rosaline who'ad of Prognosticks heard By holy Spirits said t o'ave been declar'd Doubting lest words by this bright vision spoke Were Ominous to her Loves mortall hope Whose tender Soul not willing to allay The wishes which she plac'd on future day When she might Lucas see from dangers free'd And to her Bosom peaceably decreed Desirous was some such presage to hear When soon this Beauteous form disâ—ers'd to Air. And as it did now wond'rously depart Voices were heard that sung by Heavenly art As such Stupendious accents then did sound That in no Humane Speech were ever found Which done Hermander Leads her back again And this sight past did after Blind remain When Rosaline had these strange deeds admir'd And of his wond'rous Love enough Inquir'd He kindly told That since she Leave did to her virtue give In his Society and home to Live The entertainment that he deem'd most great He had Implor'd as his divinest Treat Which in his Loves bright vision she perceiv'd And Heavenly Comfort had from thence receiv'd An object that till then no other eye But his restor'd by wonder could espy Which Intervall so fill'd him with delight As he to see her only Car'd for sight Thus his discourse had of this Subject end At other times he his converse did Blend With pleasant stories of his younger years And things most facile to divert her Cares Relating how his youth in war had been Where bold he fought yet no wound receiv'd then And wish'd that her renouned Lover might Be so preserv'd when next engag'd in Fight But wishly told her that tho' humane Minde To wellcome best events was most Inclin'd Yet when no adverse-fate the Soul could ply God-like appear'd it's then Security And next his prudence suitably advis'd Her Guardianess near unto him ally'd Whom he oblig'd should Martiall tidings Come To her by means unthought of to his home No sad Intelligence or actions to declare That might provoke her Ladies Grief or fear Since after he had Fasting Spent a day That with more Zeal he for his King might pray By Dream he bloudy Battles saw at night And persons slain in cold Bloud after fight Some shot to death some Murder'd to disport Of Impious Men and their Mock-Justice Court Where to his horrour he in Vision saw His King Condemn'd against Imperial Law. After which dream he little had desir'd To hear of War or how bad men conspir'd Wherefore he did with caution her advise Lest Rosaline were griev'd with Novelties That she 'd no Cruel sights to her relate Or what to him she Lov'd might bode ill fate To which his prudent Kinswoman reply'd How she her Circumspection had apply'd That no bad Tidings might such passage sind As should afflict her Ladies tender Mind Tho'in due time by promise she must tell Great Lucas where his Rosaline did dwell Howe're remote her person might reside From hearing Novells that might worse betide Thus they express'd Whilst as by dream Hermander was soretold His Nation Wars Irruptions did behold As Hambleton had Scottish powers prepar'd And 'gainst the Houses forces had declar'd Hostility that the Imprison'd King He might by Arms to Royal freedom bring Brave Langdals Levies met him in the North By Risings Seconded which first brake forth In powerfull Kent where Goring Capell then With Lyle and Lucas and renowned Men Were Num'rous form'd the Houses to reâ—…st And by bold deeds the Royal Cause aâ—…ist These Voluntary Files of Kentish force Led by reputed Chiefs of Foot and Horse Besides the Insurrections then begun In Wales to aid what in the North was done Occasion gave the Houses to provide That to sight these their Army should divide Who Fairfax to make War in Kent Injoyn'd Whilst Cromwell to march Northward was design'd But first to reduce Wales they him Imploy'd E're by his Conduct Scots must be destroy'd At Maidstone Kentish valour did exceed Wonders which Martial Men in stories read When long there Fairfax Army did Assail Before his powers by Fighting could prevail And if a foot of Ground they seem'd to win With greater fury 't was forc'd back again The Women here their Heroine Leader sought And under her like Amazons then fought Not Penthesilia to assist Troy's King So siercely did her Warlike Females bring As these at Maidstone for their Sovereign's Aid To repell Foes by Valour had assay'd Whose dauntless seed in Girls and Striplings young To second them 'gainst daring force did throng Who with sharp Stones instead of shot some kill'd And streets where late they suck'd with Foes bloud sill'd What eye could not have wept t o'ave seen this sight Where Children did for bleeding Mothers Fight And the fair Virgin and young Beauteous wife Dy'd to ayd Fathers or the Husbands Strise As here from Evening unto Midnight past Gainst Enemies did bloudy Combats last Thus bravely they had long this
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
opposing powers Yet much admir'd her Loyalty and Love That would thus signally their worth approve Tho' with a Lovers great and tender Mind He wish'd no Perills to her Glory joyn'd But judging that she would not now recede From Acting what this juncture she decreed As honour and Assections brave Effort Did to her Soul with Fames best pride resort Soon he determin'd when she should Invade Their Common Enemies that he 'd her valour aid Imploring Staâ—s her peâ—son to desend And make her Victrâ—ss tho' his Life they end By help of Nighâ— his Answer to her came Her Page in passing having Swam a stream And now as soon as Mornings Blushing light Streak'd the Horison's Cheek to Furious Fight The dauntless Virgin led her Party on And from the daring Foes had passage won As Lyle to aid her boldly then assail'd And thus both Lovers equally prevail'd When to their Camp their sierce opposers fled And of their Numbers left some persons dead Impow'r'd by Victory these Lovers met What Martial Glory e're appear'd so great Their greeting such as in some glorious Field One Armed Chies would to another yield When to endear their Valours prosp'rous toyl The heart rejoyceth as the Eye doth smile Tho' Love 't is sure did in their looks convey Some intermixtures of his kindest Ray. But how to serve her who such deeds had done For his Affection and her Souls renown Not less his thought Imploy'd then caus'd his grief As hopeless he judg'd Colchesters relief Where sood was wanted to support the brave Whose Valours did that place to wonder save Doubting lest fair Flavira there might â—nd Distress which above all would grieve his mind Howe're his Soul did signs of Comsort place Upon his looks for joy to see her Face Whose kindness with such Grandeur could appear As she might least his straits or perill sear And now as they retir'd towards the Town Discoursing of some deeds in War were done The Enemy did force in Ambush lay To Cut off them as they withdrew that way Furious the Conssict was as Love did Guide And Noblest Valour Engaged on their side When sometimes Lyle did sighting interpose 'Twixt her and peals of shot and Swords of Foes Whilst she his wond'rous Courage to requite Her Person him defends by dang'rous Fight Fame tells that she by Combat then in Field Had a Fifth-Monarch brawny Champion kill'd And how an Antinomian's Head she lopt That for a space upon Earths surface hopt Which seen the Amazed Enemy retir'd And at more distance his lowd Musquets fir'd These Acts she did and doubtless more had done Had not a shot too dismally was strong Her Armour pierc'd and body by its force That dying she was falling from her Horse Till Lyle full griev'd had staid her on her Steed At which her Soul reviv'd with so much speed As her Arm closely did his neck embrace And seem'd to kiss him with her dying face Astonishmenâ— and sorrow fill'd his breast More then by words and Tears could be exprest In which sad posture back with her he mov'd Her snow-white arm yet circ'ling him she lov'd But as he stood oblig'd by her request Resolv'd that uuto none should be Confest Her Name and Sex and next as Time gave leave With Decency convey'd her to her Grave Whate're account the future Age may gain Of this fam'd Heroine bury'd thus or slain So Fatally had Love a period here When soon the worst extremities of War The Town endur'd as want of foods support Enfeebl'd Nerves of Heroes and th'Effort Of bravest Militants who now Lament That they can't longer keep Curst Famines Lent And that the hungry Housewife Nature should So meanly Humane Composition Mold As unfed Bowells might the Soul distress Altho' Immortal when for food they press Thus had Complain'd the Valiant late and strong Impair'd by Fights and Hunger suffer'd long And saw their stoutest Soldiers Famish'd dye Or kill'd near starv'd when fought the Enemy The Steed that had couragiously before His Gallant Rider in fierce charges bore Now fall'n in Crest and shrunk in Body stood Imploring of his wanting Master food Who then instead of yielding him relief Whose strength by routing Foes had fav'd his Life Ingratefull made by Famines rigid Force Murders to feed himself his belov'd Horse Yet even this food too soon their Persons spend That sust'ring did thus Colâ—â—â—ster defend When Carcasses of Steeds that tainted lay In Fields where shot did them and Riders slay By Force they seize their Valour to sustain Till this vild Meat no longer they could gain Thus Famine still encroaching them Compell'd On Warlike Terms unto their 〈◊〉 to yield Which Fairfax did Indefinite Mercy câ—ll Tho' by their coment not then meant to all As that false Court of War condemn'd to dye Brave Lyle and Lucas to their Insamy The wicked Ireton whose subtle Tongue And Pen had Mischiefs dispers'd all along Demurest seem'd with his White-Liver'd Face When his Soul Bloudy â—nds design'd apace And 'gainst these renown'd Chiefs had Impious spite Because their Conducts worsted his by Fight Whose wiles had now his easy Gen'ral won To kill these Heroes in Cold Bloud with Gun. Thus Cromwell whilst he Manag'd other War In Ireton had his Cruel Deputy here Who with his bold Associate Misâ—reants lay'd The Tragick Scene which Colchesler display'd And unto Englands lasting shame could kill Their fellow-Natives by their Merc'less will. Whilst Goring Capell for succeeding fate Must on the Houses dismall sentence wait These Noble persons Great in Soul and Birth Strove to o'recome when Men the shame of Earth Their King Imprison'd and by wicked Guilt The Bloud of Subjects barbarously spilt Whilst they from perfect Magnitude of mind Were more then Stars to aid their Monarch kind And should disloyal Arms still prosp'rous prove Resolv'd the Conquer'd Cause they 'd dying 〈◊〉 Or if enforc'd at Lawless Bars to stand They'd defy Rebells without Armed Hand Deeming if there vilde power their death design 'T would Honour add unto their Noble Line Brave Lucas first must by their direfull rage Be brought to dye on their appointed Stage By Starrs design'd his Theatre of Fame Where his last act most Elevates his Name Serene and Resolute appear'd his Brow As when in Fields he fac'd the Armed Foe Or from disastrous War endur'd distress That could no Greatness of his mind suppress Who thus beholding the Commanded Files Ordain'd to kill him by his Enemies And how amongst spectators some there were That for him wept whilst he did shed no Tear. With an Erected Countenance thus said Death's ghastly prospect no surprize has made In Lucas who would not by Mercy Live If Begg'd to take it which the guilty give Nor can their Guns or all their pointed Steel Give me more wounds then gladly I would feel If killing me they would their Crimes relent And to their Injur'd King on Knees repent Then bids 'em boldly shoot against his Breast Whilst in his Looks such courage
House of Members that did own Complyance by their Treaty with the Throne When a Caball of Traytors left behind Of their vilde Senate horridly combin'd How a Prodigious Court they might devise That should the Murder of their King disguise By such pretexts as sub'tly they 'd Infuse And that way People the deed done Amuse That fam'd Appartment where to serve the State In happy times oft Lords and Commons Met And to their Loyall Glory did Confer On means to make Kings great in Peace and War Gave now reception to a Crew of Men Whose figures Liken'd Feinds in Pluto's den When in their dismall shapes they Councells Joyn And vent with Forked Tongues their black design Whilst from Earth's deepest Caverns winds arise That Sigh as they 'd Alarum Earth and Skys By telling how Hells Boldest Imps Imploy Wit more then usuall Wicked to Destroy The Bloody Cromwell in whose Direfull Face His Nations Fatall Comet seem'd to Blaze Had Impious Men Inroll'd that by his skill Were guided to advance his Monstrous will. Ireton his Gastly Son in Law Accurst Prepar'd their Regicidall plotform first When Harison a Butchers Son by Birth Cruell by Nature like these Sons of Earth And in Cold Bloud as fame his figure draws Instead of Beasts slew men to Glut his Cause Thought he possess'd deservedly a Chair Amongst such Regicidall Patriots there With whom had close Caball'd the Plodding Vane Who had more Subtile Theorems in his Brain Then Schoolmen teach when Ubi's they desine Or Entities which no Space can Consine From some such resin'd Sistems perhaps He Resolv'd that Rules of State Immense should be And if the Soveraign Power were laid aside Design'd no order Longer should abide Then the Ideas of his Brain should please That with no Government could be at ease Who thought the Pop'lace but his Lump of Clay Which he 'd Proâ—ietheus like still â—old his way And was for Pious phrase and Mene admir'd No less then if the Man had been inspir'd Whilst Scot and Martin who did not pretend By Inspiration Men or State to mend Did from their Vicious Taint and Lawless Soul Avow that Change was Luxury of rule And thought new Government was like fresh Choice Of Women they 'd Lasciviously rejoyce And as this Lustfull Tenent they explor'd In fancy they with the Republick whor'd Thus these debauch'dly had their Wit employ'd That the best King and rule should be destroy'd By such pernicious Maxims they 'd convey And Martin us'd at this Courts Meeting day Letting 'em know that in lowd Vulgars Name They must their Sovereign e're destroy'd defame And if the Charge by which King Charles shall dye Be call'd the Peoples who dare say we Lye. Well Answer'd Harrison thou hast dâ—vis'd For which thou Merits to be rebaptiz'd Amongst the Godly unto whom I Preach And to asperse the Man did such words teach Nor can ought blacken more his Rule and Fame Then to sall Charg'd in the Lowd Peoples name Thus they conspir'd as each here took their seat Where Regicides with plaudits them did Greet And fully Number'd by their Mutual Vote Did Brâ—dsham their grim President promote Whose petty fogging Genius soon embrac'd That wicked Grandeur howe're Law debas'd Which tells that if worst Cause be gainfull found 'T will want no aid from Malefactor Gown'd Hugon in Black Coat like Hells Pestor there As Feinds 't is said sometimes that Livery were Dissembling of a Gospell Mene and face Pray'd for their sakes without all sense of Grace And had 't was thought by help of Witches spell Who was his Punck tho' Succubus to Hell Convey'd with Scripture such Prestigious sense As more Inflam'd their bloudy Impudence This vast stupendious wickedness thus lay'd Whose Horrors did all Loyall hearts Invade And like worst prodigies that Men amuse More then unusual terrors did Infuse When some by grief were Metamorphis'd so As they Gray-hair'd before their time did show More stunn'd with sorrow then in that sad day When London in vast heaps of Cindars lay And Crowds by Millions did with dread retire To Fields where Bedless they deplor'd the fire Hopeless that from her ashes e're should rise A Fairer Phoenix to delight their Eyes In Zeal to Westminster a many went At Sacred Tombs of Sovereigns to Lament Doubting that Foes presumptuously would be With Royal Reliques there at Enmity Or worse then Goths or Vandalls soon destroy Repose which dust of Monarchs did enjoy Tho' to their wonder each Essigy'd Face Of Kings should weep to pitty this King's case And the Fam'd Virgin Queen with Blushes shed Tears in her sigure on her Marble Bed. One Man that Night who from devoutest Zeal Found means a while his Person to conceal Address'd to Holy Edwards sacred Shrine For Saint-like aid unto the Royal Line When he conceiv'd a Voice thus to him said Heavens high permissive will must be obey'd Nor think Great Charles less Glorious shall dye Then Martyr'd for his steady Piety Whose Faith tho' not call'd by Catholique Namâ— Shall have a Universall Christian Fame And from the Merit of his Sacrifice Agrandiz'd shall the English Scepter rise And in a Second Charles and James dilate Above what e're in Brittish King was great These accents utter'd or else fancy'd so As Thought sometimes may suture things foreshow This devout person from the shrine retir'd And as Heavens words th' Imagin'd speech admir'd Thus holy Men sought Comforts from above Whilst Impious hearts were eager to remove The Life of Majesty and next that deed Settle a Deform'd Rule without a head Cromwell whose Cous'ning face could Laugh or Câ—y As Grave or Comick was his Villany With feign'd Humility did them desire Not in the least to judge he would aspire But serve their Common ends like one that fought To raise their State whilst he no greatness sought Who to no Anâ—alls did pretend or Line That could him more then private Life assign Wishing his Wife and Children might partake No Blessing if sincere he did not speak Thus he allur'd 'em whilst his Inward Soul Smil'd to think how he 'd their Ambition sool And now their Bloudy Court presum'd to sit Where Bradshaw Mouth'd what he and they thought sit Like Judge to Pluto was he seated there And Men that Feind-like his Pack'd-Jury were Furious his looks his Gown high Crimson Red Who sate for Bloud and suitably was clad If Poets past had like this heard of Court Their Indignation had rais'd their transport Beyond what they of Stygian Monsters tell Whose loathsom rout Tribunalls sills in Hell And had instead of those to us describ'd The Representment by â—mps here Contriv'd Since never of Hells deeds or Earths 'tis read That Goblins there or here so Judg'd their Head. Yet worse then such this wicked Court durst do Gainst the best Prince till then the World did know Th' Excellent King being brought unto this place Where none of them deserv'd to see his face With reason as Majestique
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
therefore bless When but permitted for a scourge to Crimes That were their Nations in those horrid times Now Heavens Omnipotent Pencil did in Skies Delineate marvells to observing eyes By Figures that to wonder did declare The just and unjust Cause of this vilde War If on Fames word my Muse here aptly may Such Prodigies to future age convey Three Mighty Shapes above did then appear Vaster in Form then Constellations there Whose Characters perspicuously were read By large Inscriptions plac'd o're every Head The First of these did Piety renown Beauteous her Face and wore a Diamond Crown White was her Robe yet brighter far then Rays Of Phaebus when he finest them conveys To Sov'reignty which next to her did stand She gave a Scepter from her holy hand His Vesture such as on a Solemn day Our Kingly Power and Majesty display Tho' all the purâ—led Stars that it adorn'd For earthly Clory dark on sudden turn'd Yet still his figure Royally look'd great Like to King Charles when most distress'd by Fate To wonder next State Order was beheld Or such as under Sceptred Rule excell'd Where Myter'd Dignity by Sovereign Grace Before all Civill has an honour'd place And where in sev'rall Magnitudes appear Degrees of Nobless in the Royal Sphere The short Rob'd next who from the studied Law Judiciall Reverence to their Science draw On Seats of Judgments gravely seem'd to sit And aid the Publick by their learned wit. Close unto these were seen the ruling Gown And order of th' Incorporated Town Where Royal Charters God-like do Create The body Politiques Eternal State. Nor did best Science or Mans usefull Art Want in this Vision their becoming part Or how from Kingly Rule their values rise By honour given to Humane Industries Oppos'd to Piety fierce discord stood Her Monstrous figure cloath'd in Robes o◠〈◊〉 And seem'd to feed on Serpents as they hung Upon her Sanguine Person all along Her hands did round th' Horizon Libells Throw Worst seeds of ill when e're in States they grow Furious her Eyes and had a Throat so wide As some thought Churches down it then did slide To Aid her proud Rebellion claim'd a part Demure in looks and Speech but base in heart Various as Popular Sense her Person drest And thus she lyes to Vulgar ears Exprest Sister to fame Fame did her now allow And gave this Gyantess a Trumpet too A Crown she wore and on it stood upright A Sword whose point seem'd to touch Skies to fight Near to her side wild Anarchy did stand The confus'd guide of worst disposed Man Heads from her head and body seem'd to grow Whilst her vast hands 'mongst Crouds did firebrands throw No humane measure could her compass take For she was of the Devills Legion-make These Visions if to Allegory joyn'd All without help of Verse their sense must find Wherefore a while we 'le leave 'em in the Air And this fierce Battels deeds in brief declare For challenge both sides fir'd their loudest Gun E're here that early morning fight begun When soon their bodies siercely did engage That bloud might quench their hearts inflamed rage Brave Rupert first the Foes Right wing does meet And gave their daring Troups a quick defeat Pursu'd and kill'd beyond their Armies Rear Which Victor like he boldly Summons there But no return from them he could receive Other then what their Cannon-mouths did give Fully resolv'd in spite of this bad cast That Fortune's Nick would win for them at last This valiant Prince who in Wars dâ—â—ing Toyls Had to his Perill oft led foremost Files Was destin'd more by onset to attain Then his succeeding Conduct could retain Which sad disaster had been his before At Edge-Hill Fight but worse at Marston-Moor And now had by attack dispers'd the Force Of Zealous Ireton's Phanatick Horse And him his Captive did a while retain Till from his fierce pursuit return'd again He met with foes that forc'd him to resign The taken Ireton and the field decline But e're verse does such accidents display That gave a period to this Fatal day My Muse reserves for Lyles especial Grace And fair Flavira's deeds a signal place Whilst other valours to contract our story Are left unto more large Records of Glory This Gallant Virgin from Loves power had chose A Warlike Room where Ranks did nearest close To a Batallion then Brave Lyles's Command And sought to aid him with an armed hand Whilst as she saw the perills of that Field His dangers there she most concern'd beheld And when in doubt lest he might want her aid Her Soul that else could not was then afraid So bravely did her mind Loves fear Imploy Till she to assist him did Foes destroy And as she now â—…d his 〈◊〉 ess perceiv'd In Tears she fought and kill'd till him reliev'd Whose valiant person having fallen to Ground Enforc'd by weight of Blows and bleeding wound She leaping off her Steed did him embrace And being not known perhaps then kiss'd his face Helping him soon unto his horse to rise And guided next his way from Enemies Heroick Lyle whom grief did â—ndispose Far more then toyls of War and hurts from soes As then he weigh'd disasters of his King And consequence which that days loss might bring A Soldiers thanks to her he gave in brief Conceiving her to have been some youthfull Chief That him reliev'd and thus they Gallop'd on Till he lost her among the â—lying throng When furious Cromwell had dispers'd this Wing As he with bloudy Swords approach'd the King And stout Commanders had and Soldiers kill'd That Furrows there with Sanguine streams were fill'd When the Magnanimous Sovereign this beheld And saw his powers by Subjects force compell'd As Irrecoverable did appear the day Yet he as Chief and Soldier did assay His Men to â—ally and with chearfull look Encourag'd them to stand the utmost shock But how could Majesty or duty win Persons to sight when fear enforc'd their Sin. Who now instead of stop so rudely run As the King 's forc'd to fly amongst their throng So Boystrous waves an approv'd Ship convey Against the Pilots will to remote Sea. The Royal General thus compell'd to flight By those tho' led by him that would not fight With such becoming Grandeur bore that fate As suited Majesties afflicted State Or Prince that of best Fortune ne're was Proud And would not by adverse in Soul be bow'd The wondrous fâ—gures that Spectators stood In Sky as here display'd a Scene of bloud And Order show'd and Grandeur of his state Now Trembled to behold this Battels fate And aâ—tâ—r him like Storms in Clouds did fly Untill obscur'd to sight below the Sky But Piety Heavens Influence on his heart That in extremes was his conspicuous part Above as here describ'd attends his flight By his Soul seen tho' not by other sight Whilst Discord Rebellion Anarchy that then Was hov'ring o're the Houses sighting Men Did with their Iron-hands such Clappings make As seem'd the Fabrick