London's Misery, THE Country's Cruelty: WITH GOD'S MERCY.  
Explained by remarkable observations of each of them, during this last Visitation.  
Written by Richard Milton.   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON, Printed by Nicholas Okes. 1625.   

To his dear and loving Uncle, Master Richard Gough, of the City of Hereford Gentleman.  
GOOD SIR,  
Having composed these few lines ensuing, by way of observation of this present Visitation, being an Eyewitness thereof; Do humbly present the same to your view: If there be aught shall give you content, I have my desire; Accept my poor Labours, I pray you, So shall I not only think it and time well spent, but shall further be encouraged to employ the same hereafter, as occasion shall be offered. So with my prayers to the Almighty for the health and prosperity of you and yours, I remain till death  
Your Loving Kinsman, Richard Milton.   

London's Misery, The countries' Cruelty, with God's Mercy.  

NO fare fetched Story brought from Foreign land,  
Or such like matters do I take in hand;  
No love sick Sonnet, or sweet roundelays,  
No Epigrams or such like pleasing toys,  
Nor do I write the deeds of Martial men,  
That have been done the place, time, where and when:  
This I refer unto some other men,  
To paint and set forth with their fluent pen:  
Whilst I with sighing do most sadly sing,  
The fearful judgements of the Heavenly King,  
That in his wrath by his most heavy hand,  
Puts to amazement this most sinful Land;  
A task too hard for me, whose slender skill,  
Is fare unfit, although Gods knows my will,  
Be very good for matter it befits,  
The industrious penning of more curious wits:  
My wit is mean, God knows, I understand  
But little, and for me to take in hand  
This worthy work, I might presume too much  
To meddle with; for answer unto such  
Shall so oppose me, this poor simple skill  
I here have shown, is meant by me no ill  
In any kind, but only for to show,  
The good affection I o● duty own  
Unto this City, (where I have my being)  
Whose great calamities I daily seeing,  
Makes me break forth, and with a grieved soul,  
Her miserable state for to condole,  
Amongst the rest, should I not be unkind?  
As not to show grief where such cause I find  
In th'ighest manner, to a place I love so,  
As none in earth more dearer, surely no;  
But in this Action willbe so fare bold,  
Not fearing what I writ shallbe controlled.   

ANd first to thee Lord, do I humbly bow,  
For pardon for our sins, whose angry brow,  
Still Frowns as if no mercy thou wilt have  
Upon this City, but will send to Grave  
All the inhabitants within a little space,  
Oh be not angry still, afford us grace  
For to repent, and stay thine angry hand,  
For who thy powerful judgements can withstand:  
Lord we have sinned and have done amiss,  
Wherefore thine anger fiercely kindled is:  
Upon this City vengeance thou hast poured,  
And we like sheep to slaughter are devoured:  
Our sins forgive, behold our watery eyes,  
Our grievous groans, our lamentable cries;  
Long have we fighed, but thou hast not heard,  
Oft have we prayed, but thou hast not spared,  
As if even with our prayers thou were't offended,  
As if thy judgements never would be ended.  
Faintness possesseth all our vital parts,  
Our courage fails us, daunted are our hearts:  
In this extremity, whether shall we fly,  
But unto thee oh God, prostrate we lie,  
Before thy Throne of grace, and with bleeding wound,  
And sobbing sighs, our miseries we sound:  
Do we not know Lord thou didst fend thy Son,  
To pay a ransom for our deeds misdone,  
Even from the Heavens, where thou sies above,  
So dear the life of sinners thou didst love:  
And when by our transgression, mankind all,  
Were subject to thy wrath, fast bound and thrall;  
And we believe, Lord help our unbelief,  
For of the same thou art our stay and chief  
Prop and upholder, we believe I say,  
For on so sure a ground safe build we may:  
What thou hast promised in thy sacred Word,  
What thou hast vowed, oh most gracious Lord,  
That thou the death of sinners not desirest,  
But rather life to them, for thou requirest,  
That of their sinful lives, they would amend,  
And so gain mercy where they did offend:  
With patience therefore we attend thy will,  
Not doubting but thy words thou wilt fulfil.   

'tIs not unknown to many a Foreign Nation,  
The beauty of London, and the situation,  
The strength, the wealth and multitude of men  
It did contain, at such good time as when,  
God was at peace with us, the Famous Sparks  
Of sweet invention, and the learned Clerks,  
Worthy Divines and Physicians store,  
Attournes, Counsellors and penmen more  
I think then need is, there the reverend judges  
Gave many a sentence, at which ill men grudges,  
For there the Courts of justice have been kept,  
Where many a Client hath full sorely wept.  
The cause is known to God, what shall I say,  
That to this City in some sort I may  
Express good will, there 'twas the liberal Arts  
Did chiefly flourish, men of excellent parts  
Did there abide, as being the very Spring,  
That to their Studies sweet refresh did bring.  
There lived our King, also his noble Peers,  
To whom the Lord grant life and many years,  
Of happiness on earth, fame and renown,  
And in the end an everlasting Crown  
Of glory, there his Subjects at command,  
In multitude were like unto the sand,  
That on the Sea shore, Sea men use to see,  
When waves are past, and waters calmed be:  
The several sorts of Tradesmen and of Arts,  
The several merchandise from Foreign parts,  
The multitude of rich and wealthy men,  
I am not able to express with pen;  
And though for four years past, it so fell out  
That many Tradesmen here, were in great doubt  
They should have been undone, (for trading failed,  
And so long time their hearts were cold and quailed)  
Yet the late marriage of our Royal King,  
We thought a settling to this Realm would bring,  
In such a wise, that now our fear was past,  
And well was he that did hold out till last,  
That all men so with doings should abound,  
That workmen for our work would ne'er be found,  
Oh God, how of our hopes we are deceived,  
And of our long expected joys bereft,  
How thou our foolish wisdom sets at nought,  
And even ourselves unto destruction brought,  
Vain is the help of man, also are vain  
The imagination of a mortal brain;  
Oh London, London, thou didst feel the Rod,  
But never rightly looked up to thy God  
That struck thee with it, when thou feltst the smart,  
Even at the first, then with a grieved heart,  
Thou of thy grievous sins shouldst have repent,  
And so God's angry judgements have prevented:  
This was neglected, and O most unkind,  
God's former benefits imprint in mind  
Thou didsts not do, for assuredly,  
Before thy wickedness to him did cry  
For heavy vengeance, he was wondrous kind  
To thee, and thou didst many favours find  
From him, we are apt to forget God wots,  
Or if we do remember, we bear not  
The thankful minds we should, and therefore we  
Even for our sins most justly plagued be:  
Should we persuade ourselves Almighty jove,  
This Famous City did mor dearly love,  
Than others, that his power could not withstand,  
But in the former ages felt his hand:  
Or shall we think that shortened is his Arm,  
Or that he will not suffer so much harm  
To come upon us as he did to those  
That sinned aswell as we, O, no repose,  
Nor harbour in your hearts so vain a thought,  
For even as they were to destruction brought:  
Even so shall we if we do still offend,  
And do not of our sinful lives amend,  
For as the Lord is by his mercy known,  
To be a gracious God, and he hath shown  
That in his mercy he doth fare surpass,  
Which plainly doth appear, but yet whereas  
Almighty God in mercy doth abound,  
Take this for certain and a constant ground,  
As on his mercies we may boldly trust,  
So in his judgements is he always just.  
Ay me! I need not long to treat of this,  
How many demonstrations daily is,  
How many several bells do sadly ring  
The doleful tune of this most certain thing,  
In this our present sad disastrous plight,  
Whilst many souls have bid the world good-night.  
My flesh do tremble, I amazed stand,  
To see the force of God's Almighty hand,  
My hand do quake, and eke my joints do shiver,  
To see what deadly Arrows from his Quiver,  
Are now sent forth to this forsaken City,  
Whose very miseries my soul doth pity.   

GO on my muse now, and right sadly tell,  
The doleful sound that every Parish bell,  
Within this poor afflicted City make,  
That we may from our sinful lives awake:  
Our daily sorrows, and continual fears,  
Our loss of dear friends, and our daily tears:  
That we for them do shed, the sundry moans,  
Deep hearted sigh, and the gricuous groans,  
That many a husband for his tender wife,  
Sends forth for her that is bereaved of life:  
How many a wife mourns for her Turtle mate,  
That now lies gasping, struck by cruel fate  
Of conquering Death, and when thou haft so done,  
Tell how the father grieves for his lost son:  
The woeful screeches many a mother mild,  
Bitterly sends forth for her dying child,  
How many a son weeps for his loving father,  
(Whose love so dear was that he would more rather  
Have died himself, even such was his good will,  
But we cannot our own desires fulfil)  
How many a daughter grieves for her dear mother,  
And many a sister for her loving brother,  
And many a brother for his loving sister,  
That knew not what he lost before he missed her:  
Here weeps the servant for his loving Master,  
And grieves that Death is grown so great a waster,  
There sighs the Master for his loving man,  
For that he is not able, neither can  
Save his poor servant's life, with weeping eyes  
The careful maiden for her Mistress cries:  
The mistress likewise for her maid doth moan,  
Because so good a servant's dead and gone.  
Neighbour for neighbour, one friend for another,  
Their loves were such, their griefs they cannot smother,  
The Preacher for his flock, and they for him,  
We wail and weep until our eyes are dim,  
And then, O Lord, a sad thing for to see,  
Yet daily such sad spectacles there be,  
They that before, so sadly moumed have,  
By other Friends are shortly brought to grave  
With much ado, for Friends are very few,  
In this their last farewell, their loves to show.   

Such is the force of Death's fell conquering hand,  
That none in this world can his power withstand,  
'tis not the power of a mighty King,  
Can serve to free him from Death's deadly sting,  
Much less the title of a Lord or Knight,  
Can keep their persons from this palefaced wight,  
'tis not the wisdom of a learned man,  
No, there is neither Art nor wisdom can,  
Be forcible enough with Art or wile,  
Either to stay death's stroke or him beguile:  
Mark it I pray you, how he makes men reel,  
His Bow is iron sure, and his Arrows steel:  
How many through his might do daily dye,  
How many likewise do there sprawling lie,  
How many also dead in fields are found,  
And suddenly in streets dosall to ground,  
Even as they pass, and then before were well,  
And felt but little pain until they fell.   

STay gentle death, for I assure you can,  
The parties held an upright honest man,  
You are about to deal, I tell you more,  
Of wealth he hath a great abundant store,  
And liberally he giveth to the poor  
Of that he hath, the like given at his door,  
There's very few that doth, nay, hardly any,  
Although there do in wealth surpass him many.   

I, That is well done, I commend you better,  
And for your kindness will remain your debtor,  
That miserable, griping, rusty Chuff,  
That always wanted, never had enough,  
And never cared how many men were killed,  
So he might have his Coffers stuffed and filled,  
Ah wr tched Carl, I trust that there is none  
True hearted wight will weep when thou art gone,  
They in thy life time wept, and were not heard,  
Now at thy death they rightly may be spared.   

KNow you what you have done,  slain a woman,  
That for her virtuous carriage, I think no man  
Will find the like again, now good Sir tell,  
To take the good away, do you do well:  
Doth there not many an idle Gossip stay?  
Who long before we'd feign have had away,  
Leave of for shame, away now get you gone  
Go take the worst sort, leave the best alone.   

LOrd if 'twere so, what would become of me,  
That know myself to be as bad may be,  
For there's not only one, but thousands more,  
That I go fare behind that went before,  
Many a brave Scholar; many a worthy Teacher,  
Many a good liver, many a zealous Preacher,  
That lived as lights, and were to thee right dear,  
So carefully they walked in thy fear,  
But I alas, have much abused thy will,  
Had not a care, thy hests for to fulfil,  
Have sinned extremely, and assuredly,  
Had long before this time, deserved to dye;  
But yet, O Lord, I see 'tis not thy will,  
Thou sparest my life, wilt have me tarry still.  
And now I pray thee, whilst I have my being,  
Sith that thou hast vouchsafed to me the seeing,  
(Wretch that I am) of this thy mighty power,  
Grant that hereafter, daily and each hour,  
For that same small time, and the little space  
Of life that thou shalt grant me by thy grace,  
I may redeem time, which I lewdly spent,  
Bewail my sins, and hearty repent.   

When hoary hiems now had changed his hue,  
And for that year had bid the world a due,  
When trees 'gan sprout, the grass and every thing  
Looked green and fair, lambs skipped, the bird; did sing  
And with their warbling notes in woods did Ring  
Their maker's praise, according to their kind,  
April the month was called, for so I find,  
(For fore that time there died not any store,  
That either had the tokens or plague sore)  
Then did the Lord begin to lay his hand,  
And plainly showed he'd give us understand,  
That he was angry with us, at the first  
Small quaintity there died, Death did not thirst  
As now it doth, a dozen or a score:  
We thought it much, soon after forty more,  
Or such like number to the ground were sent,  
But hardly any miss of those that went,  
Time slides away, our glass doth daily run,  
And God will finish what he had begun,  
For shortly after in the Bills are spied,  
About a hundred of the sickness died:  
And yet at that time, I remember well,  
There's very few of us could rightly tell,  
Whether the sickness were the plague or no,  
So willingly we would have had it so:  
The Searchers now brought into question be,  
For that poor aged folks they could not see  
God's handiwork, 'twas thought that they did wrong  
To many people, thus did we prolong  
Our miseries, advice was taken then  
Of Physic Doctors, all held worthy men,  
And such as for their skill did much surpass  
The meaner sort; they told us, that whereas  
Those that from us, this sickness did divide,  
Had caught a spotted fever, and so died.   

THus the Almighty, though he hath and can,  
Produce strange wonders by the Art of man,  
Nevertheless, when he thinks good, he will  
Confound the wisdom, and the learned skill  
Of mortal Creatures, and us plainly show,  
He can send judgements, that they shall not know  
How to prevent, with all their art or skill,  
If we rebel, and not his will fulfil.   

THE Former Searchers now are in hard case,  
They are reproved, some forced to lose their place;  
And now with cheerful hearts, we do agree,  
The former doubt, but a mistake might be;  
Yet still alas, the sickness doth increase,  
And therefore of our fears we do not cease:  
Those that they now appoint, are bound with oath,  
Upon their consciences to tell the troth,  
That neither for reward, or filthy sear,  
Or else for any favour that they bear  
Unto the persons that are so infected,  
Should stop their judgements, now to be expected.   

THeir charge received, away now do they high,  
And to their business do they look more nigh,  
Days quickly go, the nights likewise full fast,  
And very suddenly a week is past;  
And now we looked to be resolved well,  
And who but searchers could us betrer tell:  
The questions asked, and then they told their mind,  
That certainly the places which they find  
So visited, so fare as they could see,  
No other sickness than the plague should be.  
The reason now of this aforesaid doubt  
(As I have heard) by experience is found out,  
That as the plague, beginneth with the year,  
So do the marks thereof, at first appear  
Much like the spotted Fever, as time goes on,  
And year upon his back, puts age upon,  
The marks do alter to another hue,  
Leaving the red, and then is turned to blue.   

WE study now, and often cast about,  
And call to mind, what heretofore fell out,  
Upon the Death of any Soverainge Prince,  
Or in Successors reign hath happened since,  
There's many of us do remember yet  
It was so late, we can it not forget,  
When first King james, came here this Crown to sway,  
How many by the plague were caught away;  
And now the most of us persuaded be,  
That such a scknesse we again shall see:  
But being come unto the month of june,  
It sings to us a sad and mournful tune:  
For now we think, the sickness will not cease,  
Because we find it weekly doth increase,  
Orders are now prescribed, and best invention  
That we can use or find out for prevention,  
The doors of sick are shut, and Dogs be killed,  
'tis better they should go, than we be filled  
With noisome smells, a reason some doth tell,  
That brings the sickness with us here to dwell,  
It to avoid, houses and streets we wash,  
And many a pail of water down we pash  
Before our doors, the place of those infected,  
We warily avoid, though we respected  
The visited before their sickness came,  
Yet now to see them would redound much blame  
Unto us, all the neighbours they would scare us,  
And hearing it, few of them would come near us,  
For so to do can we tell what may chance  
To us, or ours, so fare for to advance,  
Or venture out ourselves, them to come near,  
Pray blame us not, we justly may forbear:  
Thus did we fear at first, but time grows on,  
That which before we could not build upon,  
Trinity Term was for that time put off,  
Causes of suit in Law were driven off  
Till longer time, they that came many a mile  
With grief return, stay here but little while,  
That hoped to have seen some happy end  
O● their long Suits, now vainly do they spend  
Both time and money, London they forsake,  
And many a long and weary step they make,  
Before they come unto their wished desire,  
To see the smoke that issues from the fire  
Of their own Chymneys, and to prevent  
Danger of infection, the Parliament,  
That ever commonly with us did sit,  
Do now forbear, and think it fare more fit,  
That kept it should be in some other place:  
The City Oxford 'twas that had the grace  
Of that assembly: there they time did spend  
No doubtful careful, for to make an end  
Of that they had in hand, statutes are acted,  
And in a book together are compacted  
For public good; there let them rest a while,  
Whilst we go forwards in our homely stile,  
To tell you truly what did come to pass  
To month next following which called july was:  
Each week with longing we desire to see  
Wither the bills increased or lessened be,  
But where the figures set for hundreds were,  
Now thousands three and more there do appear,  
By hundreds three, four score five in number,  
Due time it is for us to leave of slumber:  
And generally with one voice and accord,  
We gi'en to weigh the judgements of the Lord,  
And seek to him, our helper and our guide,  
That we of mercy may not be denied  
In this affliction, call to mind our sin  
With humble prayers and fasting we begin,  
That so we may appease Gods angry hand,  
(The only way his judgements to withstand)  
Wherein assuredly we did do well,  
We knew the gracious goodness which befell  
To Ninive, and other Cities no,  
Which else had been destroyed, haded not been so  
They had repent, this right godly thing,  
First was commended by our noble King,  
Thereby he showed, that he a Father was  
Unto this City, and what came to pass  
He took to heart, alas what better love,  
Or friend for friendship can we further prove,  
Then at such times, as we afflicted be,  
That they are moved our miseries to see,  
And do their best endeavours, to be brief,  
Use all the art they can for our relief.  
In this renowned King, great commendation  
We must ascribe, welfare and preservation  
Of us and ours was daily in thy mind,  
As by thy provident care we did it find:  
Should we unthankful be, it were most vild,  
And we hereafter justly might be styled  
Ungrateful subjects, likewise know 'twas he,  
Gave special order that a book should be  
Read in our Fasts of Prayers, and Psalms selected  
Fit for the times, so greatly he respected  
The safety of our souls; another Book  
By him was fet forth, wherein if you look,  
Medicines for body's health did there insert,  
With wary visements, how we should divert  
Or keep ourselves from causes of Infection,  
What else to do he gave to us direction.   

But well-away, before the month is gone,  
How many thousands, left us here alone,  
And gave us leave to fast, and eke to pray,  
For neither wealth nor Counsel could them stay;  
Both rich and poor, away now do they hie,  
Both old and young, they care not where they lie,  
In barns, or haycocks, fields, or under tree,  
Nor how they far, so London they not see.   

LOndon that heretofore had such Renown,  
Is not respected as a common Town,  
Her glories darkened and her strength decayed,  
And those that trusted in her are afraid  
For to come near her, London that heretofore  
Which for the bigness sure was people more  
Than any City in the world again,  
Doth say when God is angry 'tis but vain  
To trust in multitude, but I call to mind,  
When it did abound with men, then most unkind,  
Full many of us grudge to have it so,  
Thinking the cause thereof procured us woe,  
So many of a trade, (thus did we grieve)  
That one man by another could not live;  
Sure God was angry with us, now you see  
The City of large multitudes are free,  
Where is the doings that should now abound?  
Sure nothing else but wailing is there found,  
For want of those that in the same did dwell,  
And when woe will be done we cannot tell.   

But shall I leave our fellow brethren so,  
And not vouchsafe a little for to go,  
To bring them out of town, at leastwise know,  
The favour jolly Country men did show  
To strangers and to kin, but fitst alas  
You know 'tis fitting they should have a pass,  
Wither he be a wiseman or an Ass,  
Unless he mean to lie upon the grass:  
The which unto the Country men they show;  
Contents whereof doth let all people know,  
That where Almighty God (more is the pity)  
With sickness now had visited the City,  
Yet notwithstanding (blest be his high hand,)  
Their dwelling house, amongst the rest doth stand  
Free from infection: nay, some thought it meet,  
To set down in their writing, all the street  
Wherein they dwelled (praised be God) was clear,  
And therefore as for that, you need not fear  
To give them entertainment; this safe kept,  
Made many that at first full sweetly slept  
In wholesome beds, and likewise to far well,  
But afterwards it otherwise befell:  
London they thought all over was infected,  
And therefore they no passes now respected.   

Wand'ring in Fields, some here, some there do lie,  
And by the way there's many of them die,  
A grievous spectacle for to behold,  
And causing tears may for to hear it told,  
To see that Christians should be so estranged,  
And from their mark Christianity so ranged,  
That from another they no love can have,  
So fare as to vouchsafe them to their grave,  
But leave them merciless, even where they die,  
And so expose them to the ravenous eye  
Of Foules and other vermin, very unfit,  
And surely shows small love, or little wit  
In these our Countrymen; but I alas,  
Am gone too fare with you, how shall I pass  
From whence I came, you know I am expected;  
And let not London be by me neglected.   

FAsts are continued, Wednesday is the day,  
And many of us I dare boldly say,  
Did carefully observe them, many moe,  
(I do persuade me) did not keep them so  
As fit they should, 'tis goodly for to see,  
How yet our Churcher filled with people be,  
And with attention do the Preacher hear,  
Although so many durst not venture there,  
For fear of further harm, I never heard  
Such zealous Preaching that was still conferred  
Unto the hearers; brave renowned men  
That so encouraged us, I would my pen  
Had all the art that might be to give praise,  
Unto your worthy actions; many ways  
You did declare yourselves like Champions stout,  
And were the only men that held us out  
From fainting, Physicians they were fled,  
Only a few amongst the rest, some dead,  
And grief to speak, but true it is (God wots,)  
Of your own Coat too many tarried not:  
To those that stayed then, you gain double praise,  
For taking pains when Haltion were our days,  
And stick not now your lives for us to spend,  
Even your own bloods, so that you might but end  
Twixt God and us the strife, this was your care,  
Thus Moses humbly sought the Lord to spare  
Hard hearted jews, full often was he heard,  
And I persuade myself God hath not bard  
Sweet mercy's gate so fast, but one time he  
Or other with our prayers will pleased be:  
Go on therefore, surely of God y'blest,  
And let not the Almighty yet take rest,  
Until that by his mercies we do find  
God's wrath appea●de, and he of other mind.  
And next on earth than you shall have the praise,  
Men, wives and children, shall with pleasing lays,  
Have cause to sing your Victories about,  
And say you were their Champions fell and stout,  
That jacob like did wrestle with the Lord,  
And held him fast until he did afford  
To hold his hand, and this great sickness stay,  
This may be said of you another day.   

ALthough the Sun shined bright, the Heaven's fair,  
Yet still we thought corrupted was the air,  
Great cause it was of sickness, so we thought,  
And so by learned writers were we taught:  
It to avoid, the best advice we take,  
To clear the Air, great Bonesiers we make  
Before our doors, as likewise pans of fire  
Ymixt with pitch, so greatly we desire  
Cause of Infections cease, than thought it meet,  
That every one at home, or else in street  
(As they did pass) should to a Nosegay smell  
Held in their hands, which would do very well:  
Some made of Hemp & Pitch, others thought fit  
To use some other Scents, which I omit.  
And Frankincense in houses do we burn,  
And use all other means we can to turn  
That into sweet we thought corrupted was,  
Let's leave off this and tell what came to pass.   

ANd now imagine july we have passed,  
August the Month is, wherein we so fast  
Do leave this world, to seek another rest,  
Where in one week there died at the least  
Five thousand souls, two hundreth and five,  
They'd make a fair show to be seen alive:  
So many thousands in the Country gone,  
And we so few in number left alone,  
And yet so many in one week should dye,  
So many courses, that I think near eye  
Did ere behold daily and hourly pass  
Within this City, infinite grief alas,  
Must needs possess those that are left alive,  
And for our safeguard, how do we now strive,  
These lines ensuing will directly tell,  
Please you peruse them and to mark them well.   

THe eighteenth of the month that was the week,  
Now not so much for humane helps we seek,  
But ready for Death's stroke we do prepare,  
And for to gain heaven's Crown is all our care:  
Daily we see our Friends and neighbours dye,  
And who can say is next, over he or I:  
The shunning now of sick is not respected,  
For who doth know whose house is not infected,  
They are not now penned up, doors are open,  
No coy there is with any to be spoken,  
But one with other do consort together,  
And as for danger few of us care whether,  
The party we are with be sick or no,  
Only we ask him whether it be so;  
And where the pain proceeds, rising or spot,  
And to their beds we go, for we are not  
So timorous; but do approach them near,  
And with our best advice we do them cheer;  
And being dead now we such kindness have,  
None will refuse to bring them to the grave,  
But after Beeres we throng without disdain,  
And in our judgement hold it very vain,  
If we should not our last performance lend  
To such a neighbour or to such a Friend,  
Discourteous, unfit and eke faint-hearted,  
Thus did we meet and thus we kindly parted.   

Well may I say to many a Country lout  
Of this our Kingdom, where's the valour stout  
Possessed your fearful hearts? what is the matter  
That so for fear your very teeth do chatter  
Within your heads, why do your bones so shiver?  
As if you neither had nor heart nor liver:  
To see a London man, oh y'are undone,  
Venture not near, but as fare from him run,  
As Furlongs two contain at least, oh fly,  
His very breath will smell, as fare as eye  
Can ere behold him: are you not a shamed,  
And in all good men's judgements to be blamed:  
I am not ignorant of your churlish dealing,  
The wound that open is, will need long healing  
Of your unkindness showed to our poor City:  
Hard hearted men, you should have had more pity.  
You think us Cowards, you the worthies are,  
And who but you, for sturdy men of war:  
How is it now, do you not plainly see,  
London doth yield as stout as any he,  
Life's on your clotted grounds, as do appear,  
We stand not in such dread, nor do we fear  
The loss of our poor lives, for in a word,  
Although we in a manner see the sword,  
Of the Almighty's justice ever waving  
Over our heads, killing many craving,  
Yet from the venger do we never shrink,  
No we persuaded be and surely think,  
That he is every where and that he can,  
(And if please him) send to the Country man,  
As great a sickness as he hath to us,  
Thus I persuade myself and even thus  
Should you persuaded be and understand,  
That the best means for to avoid God hand,  
Is not to fly, but to approach him near  
With hearty sorrow, take heed how we we bear  
Ourselves hereafter that we not offend,  
Else worse judgements God to us can send  
Where ere we be, with you I have now done:  
Lord with what longing do the people run,  
To know what number this next week have died,  
And now (blest be his name) we have espied  
A happy ceasing of his anger past,  
For in this week they died not so fast:  
Four thousand, eight hundred, one and forty fell,  
Though a great number, it rejoiced us well  
To see a ceasing, and with thankful mind,  
We gave God's thankes for that he was so kind;  
And by the way now this is to be noted,  
And will be marked by those that are devoted,  
When we were now even hurled into despair  
And scarce cared whether day was foul or fair,  
Such a perplexity were we driven in,  
That how the world went we weighed not a pin,  
When we were almost wear now with crying,  
And almost past all hope for aught relying  
At the Almighty's hands, lo even then,  
He 'gan to show unto us (sinful men)  
Some tokens, that his anger will not long  
Continue, if so be we sing the song  
Of true repentance. I remember well  
The Prohibition of our fast days fell  
This very week, the ceasing was before,  
We cannot then directly say therefore,  
That they were cause so many were infected,  
I hope there's few that are so ill affected  
As so to think; did we not meet together,  
And as I said before, we cared not whether  
Daily and hourly 'bout our worldly ends,  
Some one for one thing, others see their Friends  
Lie visited: sick with well we mingle,  
Those that are well from sick we cannot single,  
Yet many of us were both well and sound,  
And I amongst the rest this favour found;  
(Blest be his holy name) no more of this,  
Now in my mind a homebred story is,  
Of one I knew, a Countryman of mine,  
(Hardly deserving here to have a line)  
Who did refrain the Church (so wise was he)  
So did his son lest they infect might be:  
What I insert I heard it to be true,  
And I think God their judgement gave them due,  
Neither in Church or Church yard did they dye,  
But in the open Fields there did they lie.   

ANd one thing more I thought good to observe,  
Whether it observation do deserve,  
Or no I pray you judge, this did I find,  
When we unto each other were most kind,  
And feared not the visited to see,  
Yet even at that time I noted we  
Did find a ceasing, which did plainly show,  
That we unto the Almighty much did owe  
For his great love, beyond imagination,  
And fare beyond all humane expectation:  
For fore that time most were of judgement still,  
The reason why so many there were ill,  
Was cause they took not heed, nor much respected,  
To keep themselves from those that were infected;  
The last great sickness it did fall out so,  
(As I have heard) well let us forwards go,  
Not that I think the sickness not infect,  
For many than my judgement will reject,  
For to the contrary it doth appear,  
Therefore i'd wish no mortal wight come near  
Infected persons to presume too much,  
Unless occasions so great be such,  
As either them to help or help themselves,  
Else should I count them for presuming Elves.   

Weary with toil and with sad cares oppressed,  
Let now my muse from this sad strain take reft,  
Nevertheless but for a little while,  
And give me leave but only for to smile  
At worldling's folly, how with care they strive  
To keep their earthly Carcases alive,  
Whilst others pining do desire to dye,  
Respectless of their lives, such misery  
They do sustain, y wrapt in cruel love,  
Or else some higher crosses from above,  
For recreation I think best befits,  
In time of sadness to revive our wits  
With honest mirth, a story for to tell,  
The best I have mark then how it befell:  
In Gloster shire, (a parcel of this Land)  
There Cheltenham my native Town doth stand,  
Many a brave lad hath there been bred and bore,  
As well in these our times as long before,  
Who hand to hand in battle would men thrill,  
Ere they from them would suffer any ill:  
Howbeit now the sickness (as I hear)  
Have brought these hardy men into great fear:  
Yet to their kindred still their love is such,  
To give them kind relief they will not grudge,  
Provided always that they may be penned,  
In some remoted place whereas the scent  
May not annoy the dwellers of the Town,  
Else one against another well might frown:  
Some two miles off the same there stands a hill,  
That if you saw it, surely say you will  
It is a great one, likewise very high,  
Not fare upon, nor yet not very nigh  
A wood doth stand, Puckham is called by name,  
And there abouts is of great note and fame  
In nutting time, then famous let it be  
A little more, for that we now do see,  
It proves a shelter to our London men,  
Who there did lurk as Foxes in their den,  
But if they chanced abroad once for to steer,  
More dreadful far than wolves they did appear  
To friend or foe: if once they do them spy,  
Their sight more fell than Basilis koes eye,  
There lodged that hard Squire Sir Henry hight,  
A valiant, doughty and courageous spirit,  
There lay that Lady bright, his partner dear,  
That were most bravely brought on horseback there:  
With diverse others men of much worth,  
That were resolved none of them to come forth,  
But round about the wood to rove and range,  
Until the Moon had past her full and change:  
This was the order then, but out alas,  
Whilst we on hills are, there's a London Ass  
Or Carrier comes to Town within bow shot,  
When as the sickness reigned exceeding hot,  
His pack he doth untie, and London ware  
Lies open to be catched with Cheltnam air:  
High time it is for safety to provide,  
More harm than ere ware may them betide,  
The matter known some wise men of the Town,  
Bold affrappeth this fool hardy Clown,  
With bitter threats, and with a dire aspect,  
This great presumptuous act they do detect,  
And to him spoke thus or to this effect:  
Thou London vagrant, bold presumptuous man,  
All words to good for thee that name we can,  
Is this a place for thee for to untie?  
At such a time as this, now verily,  
If straight thou dost not truss, and quickly run  
From this same coast, we'll shoot thee with a Gun.  
At which hard words forthwith it did appear,  
How much it deerned him by the trembling fear  
Of all his joints, for greatly he did quake,  
And seemed as if his very heart did ache,  
Sighing, quoth he, good sits be not offended,  
what's done amiss hereafter shall be mended.   

COurage brave London, heart unto thee take,  
For every week the sickness now doth slake,  
What shall we always faint, be drooping men  
And think that ne'er good time will come again,  
Indeed 'tis true, many our Friends are gone,  
And dear ones too, we cannot choose but moan  
For them a while, God's hand we cannot stay  
When he doth please to strike, well wish we may,  
Time is for all, a time there is to die,  
And as they are so must be you and I,  
A debt we own, that is to God a Death,  
Short is our life and soon gone is our breath:  
Here is no resting place, Pilgrims we are  
Within this world, unto a Country fare  
We have to trace, it is to Heaven's high,  
To which we cannot come before we die:  
They are in rest no doubt, we still in care,  
Sorrow we taste, but they do better far.   

LIke as in bloody field a battle fought,  
By raging enemies that always sought  
To work unto each other harm and skath,  
And nought but death could suage their baneful wrath,  
Where many thousands in one battle dye,  
And many grovelling on the earth do lie,  
After a long and weary battle tried,  
So many wounded eke so many died,  
Upon retire they do their losses count,  
And find they do in number much surmount,  
Of this poor City such now was the case,  
When time had made so many run the race  
Of this their mortal lives, the rest behind  
To know the perfect number were inclined  
Of those that died the several Bills they view,  
And cast them up to be informed true:  
The better to express, cease Verse a while,  
And let us forwards in another stile.   
GEntle Reader, I am not ignorant what great mortality hath been reported, and verily believed to be in London, in almost all places of this Kingdom, by reason of this sickness; and that they conceived a fare greater number died, then indeed there did: or at leastwise not considering, or once imagining, such a multitude of people, men, women and children should be in one place, or City, thought verily there were hardly any or very few of us left a live.  
Indeed the streets were empty in respect of the large multitudes that formerly before this great sickness passed too and fro in it; but there was no grass growing in any streets of note for want of trading as they conceived; for I persuade me as many people past too and fro in the streets of the said City in the highest of the sickness upon their occasions, as did at any time in the streets of any other City or great Town of this Kingdom where the sickness was not, (setting Fairs and appointed assemblies aside) wherefore we were not all dead. Indeed if God Almighty had goneon in wrath, as of long time you see he did continue, we should have all been ere long consumed. But he is a God of mercy, and is graciously pleased to leave some behind; yea very many for a witness both of his justice and Mercy.  
And as in my former similitude, after a battle fought aswell the several armies as the several adverse Countries, will hearken after and take notice of the loss received, although they may be much moved for the same: So I persuade myself both City and Country in this Kingdom that have had no certainty of the number that have died in this present visitation, although they wish well to the City, (it being the harbour of many of their kindred and friends, and in a manner the beauty, wealth and strength of this nation:) will desire notwithstanding to be truly informed; and therefore as aiming altogether, to make my poor subject profitable or pleasing, or at least wise not burdensome to all to whose hands it shall happen to come, I have taken this pains to set down the number, both in gross and as they died weekly, so may you perceive the increase and decrease.  

There died in London and the Liberties thereof.   Totall. Plague. FRom the 23 of December to the 30 of the same 211 0 From the 30 of December to the 6 of january 220 1 From the 6 of january to the 13. of the same 196 1 From the 13 of january to the 20 of the same 240 0 From the 20 to the 27 226 0 From the 27 to the 3 of February 174 3 From the 3 to the 10 204 5 From the 10 to the 17 211 3 From the 17 to the 24 252 1 From the 24 to the 3 of March 207 0 From the 3 to the 10 210 0 From the 10 to the 17 261 4 From the 17 to the 24 226 8 From the 24 to the 31 243 11 From the 31 to the 7 of April 239 10 From the 7 to the 14 256 24 From the 14 to the 21 230 25 From the 21 to the 28 305 26 From the 23 to the 5 of May 292 30 From the 5 to the 12 332 45 From the 12 to the 19 379 71 From the 19 to the 26 401 78 From the 26 to the 2 of june 395 69 From the 2 to the 9 434 97 From the 9 to the 16 510 165 From the 16 to the 23 640 239 From the 23 to the 30 942 390 From the 30 to the 7 of july 1222 593 From the 7 to the 14 1741 1004 From the 14 to the 21 2850 1819 From the 21 to the 28 3583 2471 From the 28 to the 4 of August 4517 3659 From the 4 of August to the 11 4855 4115 From the 11 to the 18 5205 4463 From the 18 to the 25 4841 4218 From the 25 to the 1 of September 3897 3344 From the 1 of September to the 8 3157 2550 From the 8 to the 15 2148 1672 From the 15 to the 22 1994 1555 From the 22 to the 29 1256 85● From the 29 to the 6 of October 838 538 From the 6 of October to the 13 ●15 511 From the 13 to the 20 651 331 From the 20 to the 27 375 134 From the 27 to the 3 of November 357 89 From the 3 of November to the 10 319 92 From the 10 to the 17 274 48 From the 17 to the 24 231 27 From the 24 to the 1 of December 190 15 From the 1 of December to the 8 181 15 From the 8 to the 15 of the same 168 6 Totall from the 33 of December 1624. to the 15 of December 1625. 53914. Whereof of the plague. 35417.  
The Totall of the last great sickness happening in the beginning of the Reign of our late Sovereign Lord King james deceased, viz. From the 23. of December 1602. to the 22. of December 1603. there died of all diseases in London and the Liberties 38244. whereof of the plague 30578. Wherein the greatest number that died in one week was in London and the Liberties, in all 3385. Whereof the plague, 3035.  
IN Former times this Kingdom and City have been likewise visited, as soon after the Conquest of King William Duke of Normandy there happened a fearful plague: As likewise in the Reign of King Edward the third; and in the year 1562. in which year there died of the Pestilence, 20136. also in Anno 1592. in which year there died in all 25886. whereof the plague in and about London, 1503.  
Other parts of the world have likewise felt God's hand, as you may read in Scripture of jerusalem, etc. Further it is recorded of the City called the grand Cair in Turkey, once every seven years there happeneth a vehement Contation, to the loss of most part of the people there. In Rome there have died 2000 a day, and 100000. in a year: In Constantinople 5000. a day, and 700000. within six months: In the City of Paris in France 100000. in a year, viz. in Anno 1348.  
In Milan, Milan and Venice 100000. in each City within two years: In Bohemia 300000. in the like space: and so likewise in other Cities and Kingdoms, and at several times hath God shown his power.  

AS one a sleep of many pleasing toys  
Oft times doth dream, and thinks that he enjoys,  
That which indeed he doth not, when he wakes,  
Into his former dumps himself betakes;  
So after we such bitter storms had tasted,  
For want of Trade whilst that the sickness lasted,  
Lulled with vain hope, when as we still did see  
The sickness cease, that here a Term should be  
Without all question kept: thus thought we then,  
And for a while we were right joyful men,  
Our shops begin to open we prepare,  
And set them out with sundry sorts of ware,  
Although before this time windows stood bare,  
Open or shut we did not greatly care.  
When news doth come that sets us into passion,  
The King proclaimeth by his Proclamation,  
That there no Term of Michael should be kept,  
But where the Proclamation did direct.  
Which was to Reading, good for Bark shire men,  
You may conjecture what a plunge we then  
Were put unto; how shall our Rent be paid,  
And other needments which we want defrayed:  
Now many a poor soul in the streets we see,  
For want to beg and crave, which would not be,  
But that the times so hard are, others shamed,  
(Although their need is great) yet to be named  
A cra●ing beggar, much they would endure  
Ere they could brook to put the same in ure;  
And therefore fare more harder was their case,  
Then those that begged and cared not to be base:  
'tis such a time that many a sigh is fet  
By those we goodmen call, yet run in debt,  
And further also I think like to run,  
Good Lord amend it else we are undone:  
Albeit 'tis a comfort that we find  
That King and great men were so well inclined,  
Their charitable deeds for to express,  
In these our great afflictions to redress  
The wants of poor men which did so abound  
Within this City that no place was found  
Without a multitude, and to prevent,  
Means was collected, orders there were sent  
By Proclamation, how it should be used,  
That so their worthy deeds be not abused:  
This was commended to the weighty care  
Of London's Governor the worthy Mayor;  
Who in the same did show himself upright,  
Got great applause in all the people's sight,  
This worthy Act did many others move,  
To show their Charity and Christian love,  
Yea those that had not much themselves would give  
Of that they had, poor people to relieve  
In these sad times, abroad and at the door,  
Thus were we moved, so fared it with the poor:  
Examples surely are of wondrous force,  
In such sad times as these to strike remorse  
Into men's hearts, but more when as we see  
Before our eyes the woeful misery  
Of those that want, no doubt most that were here  
And saw these things more liberal fare they were  
Then erst before, and to tell plain my mind,  
What others writ myself did daily find  
Them very free, for wheresoever I was  
At home or broad, giving there always was  
By one or other, unto those that cried,  
Who hardly of an Alms deed were denied  
Of them they asked; foretimes it was not so,  
But many should be asked that would say no,  
Before that we would see one's wants relieved,  
So hard our hearts were to poor souls y'grieued;  
And now to you that in the Country be,  
Hear not the cries of poor, nor yet do see  
Their miserable wants, how they have fared,  
And how we to our powers have not spared  
Our means for to relieve them, if we slack,  
Let not our slackness you hard hearted make  
When you shalberequired, I may say,  
We have done well, whilst you have been away:  
Still need there is, and like is so to be,  
'Twill be a pleasing thing for us to see  
You home again in peace, if much you make  
Of poor afflicted ones for Christ his sake.  
LAstly to all Residers of this Land,  
That at this time have felt the Almighty's hand,  
Or seen the heavy judgements that have been,  
Sith that the cause thereof is only sin,  
For which we have euduted many a smart,  
And oft times gone to bed with aching heart;  
Like dreaded children let us now be wise,  
And have a care that we do not despise,  
Or set at light the anger of our God,  
Lest he in fury with a greater rod  
In vengeance come upon us, warning take  
By this most grievous chastment, now awake  
And look about us, let us call to mind  
What mighty Cities we in writings find,  
That heretofore for glory bore the bell,  
And through the world did far and near excel,  
The Famous Ninive, jerusalem,  
Troy, Carthage, Room and many more with them,  
Which for their sins were wholly overthrown,  
Their standing places hardly to be known,  
And in this sad disaster let us not  
Forget the woeful state, which now God wots  
Renowned judea and the Eastern Lands,  
That now lie groaning under Turkish bands:  
The famous Grecia, many Countries more,  
Who all one God and Saviour did adore  
That we do now, but going fare astray,  
Have wrought unto themselves such sad annoy,  
That grief it is to tell: Oh that my pen,  
Or all the art I have could now move men,  
To leave their evil courses, and to turn  
Unto their maker, inwardly to mourn  
For what hath been the cause of this sad woe,  
And gain the love of him that now our foe.  
Appears to be: how have we wandered wide,  
In vain excess of riot, sinful pride,  
Where was the love that with us should be found,  
And with God's servants should to all abound,  
Was it not turned to hatred and despite,  
Or such a love as strayed fare from the right,  
Most filthy fraud, we loved for to deceive,  
And if we could our neighbours to bereave  
Of that they had, be't but a good name,  
(If we had none) we envied at the same,  
Our swearing and blaspheming, hateful lies,  
Have pe'rst the very Heavens and there cries  
For flaming vengeance, and our great oppression  
Have there been likewise, and have made confession  
Before we'd do't ourselves, our beastly lust  
And many other sins did stick as rust  
Upon our sinful souls, oh now like men  
Let's rouse these dangerous Adders from their den,  
These have been they that have our sorrows sought,  
And these were they that to destruction brought  
The other woeful Countries: these are they  
That if we not forsake them will destroy  
Our woeful Land likewise, now let us weep  
And drench our eyes in floods of sorrows deep,  
That we so great a God have not regarded,  
Conclude that we most justly are rewarded  
For our misdeeds, and let us from them cease,  
This is the way to make a final peace  
'Twixt God and us; so let all good men pray  
Amen, Amen with me, God grant we may.   
FINIS.