A warning to London by the fall of Antwerp  
To the tune of Row well ye Mariners.  
 

THe sturdy Oak at length▪  
When force doth fail  
though near so tall:  
Resigneth up his strength,  
By boisterous blasts unto the fall.  
The stately Stag in time doth yield:  
Himself a prey to Dogs in field.  
The Peacock proud, the swelling Swan:  
At last doth serve the use of man.  
Pride, pomp, plumes gay:  
Must have a fall who ere say nay,  
high minds, state, power:  
Shall come to end within an hour.   

¶ Let Antwerp warning be,  
thou stately London to beware:  
Jest resting in thy glee,  
thou wrapst thyself in wretched care  
Be vigilant, sleep not in sin:  
Jest that thy foe do enter in.  
Keep sure thy trench, prepare thy shot:  
Watch well, so shall no foil be got.  
Stand fast, play thy part:  
Quail not but show an english heart,  
Doubt, dread, still fear:  
For Antwerp plague approacheth near.   

¶ Leave tearing of thy God,  
let vain excess be laid aside:  
Else shalt thou feel the rod,  
prepared for to scouge thy pride.  
Forsake thy Devilish drunken trade:  
Which almost hath the entrance made.  
Erect your walls give out your charge  
Keep well your ray, run not at large.  
Faint not, fiercely fight:  
Shrink not but keep your countries right.  
Stand stout, on jesus call:  
And he no doubt will help you all.   

¶ Trust not a civil foe,  
Which under colour wisheth good:  
For ere thyself dost know,  
by craft he seeks to have thy blood.  
The Snake in grass doth groveling lie:  
Till for revenge due time he spy.  
The leering Dog doth bite more sore:  
Then he that warning gives before.  
Fine flattery, fair face:  
Much discord breeds in every place.  
Fire, shot, must be to hot:  
For those which have their God forgot.   

¶ Rejoice not if thou see,  
thy neighbour's house set on a flame:  
For like thy luck may be,  
unless thou well prevent the same.  
The scourge which late on Antwerp fell:  
Thy wrack and ruin doth foretell.  
Make not a gibing jest thereat:  
Jest stately Troy be beaten flat.  
Pray God faithfully:  
To save us from all treachery.  
Doubt not if we do so:  
We shall escape the foreign fo.   

¶ Pray we with one accord,  
that God our Queen may aye defend:  
From those which seek by sword▪  
to bring her grace's reign to end.  
Cut of (O Lord) their devilish days:  
And grant her life thy name to praise.  
guard her with grace her Champion be  
That she may gain the victory.  
Hope well, pray still:  
God is our guide we fear none ill.  
Fear not, watch pray:  
God shield this City from decay.   
AMEN.  
qd. Ralph Norris.   

❧ IMPRINTED AT LONDON  
at the long Shop adjoining unto S. Mildred's Church in the Pultrie, by john Allde.