A brief dissection OF Germans Affliction: With War, Pestilence, and Famine; and other deducable miseries, Lachrimable to speak of; more lamentable to partake of.  
Sent as a (friendly) monitor to England, warning her to beware of, (Generally) Ingratitude, and Security; as also (Particularly) Other grievous sins, the weight whereof Germany hath a long time felt, and at this present doth (and England may fear to) feel.  
Written from approved intelligence, by M. Parker.  Luk. 13.3. 
Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  
Printed 〈◊〉 London by T. Cotes, for Francis Grove, dwelling on Snow hill▪ near the Saracens head. 1638.   

To the tender hearted Reader.  
REader should this ensuing discourse happen to be read (or heard) by the most adamantine heart in the world; (I persuade myself) it would (like Goat's blood) dissolve it. For here in this small volume is briefly disected (or anatomised) the largest subject of misery that the lantern of time ever showed to the world. It is a lamentable tragedy; so lamentable, that the like, all precedent times were ignorant of. Germany is the Stage; the Actors are merciless extortioners, bloody homicides, luxurious ravishers, sacrilegious robbers, (and spoilers) of Churches and other holy places Canibalian man-eaters, and their attendants. And because no play is held complete unless some women's parts be in it; behold here are Virgins ravished and murdered; women eating their own children: nay, one woman devouring another. The Scenes are War, Famine, and Pestilence, with other miserable calamities deduced (or derived) from thence; the spectators or audience are men who have seen their houses robbed, their wives and daughters carnally abused in their own sight, their young sucking babes dashed against the walls by the heels, or thrust upon spear points: Nay, some of them also eaten by barbarous Croats. Women likewise that have beheld their loving husbands, some miserably tortured to death; others shamefully abused, and even gelt in their (enforced) presence; others have had their noses and ears cut off to make hatbands for the deriding tormentors. Now loving Countrymen hear me, this hath long been (and yet is) the case of afflicted Germany, that it never may be our own case, let us pity hers, and leave off those sins which have drawn these plagues upon her, though we (by God's mercy) are yet spared, that still we may, and that our merciful Lord will continue his blessings, (health, peace and plenty) among us, is the daily prayer of  
Martin Parker.   

A BRIEF DISECTION OF GERMANIES' AFFLICTION.  

1.  
THis Paper (white before) hath reason just,  
In Sable weeds (these lines) itself to dress,  
For what may here be read (if we may trust  
Old Nature's doctrine) shows such heaviness,  
That senseless things may mourn, why should no● the●  
White Paper mourn, that bears black deeds of men   

2.  
Such strange (unheard of) mischiefs miseries,  
Disasters, Murder, Sacrilege and Rape,  
That he who reads, (or hairs) it with dry eyes;  
Shall pass o'er what the Writer could not scape.  
These are the Scenes of this sad Tragedy;  
These make my Paper mourn, and so do I;   

3.  
Germany, Sovereign of th' Europian part,  
●eate of the Sacred Christian Empire, hath  
●ull twenty (late passed) years, been pierced toth'heart,  
●nd still destruction keeps his beaten path,  
Nor will be stopped, O that my prayers could stay  
His journey, I'd (and so will) ever pray.   

4.  
Millions of millions in these forenamed years,  
On either part hath fallen by the sword,  
By too well proved experience this appears,  
Time in his brazen book doth all record,  
O pity 'tis that Christians thus should spill  
The blood of Christians, but alas, they will.   

5.  
We have a saying that's more true than old,  
He best knows where the shoe wrings that does wear't  
●o we who here enjoy even what we would,  
And have no war among's, nor do we feared.)  
Cannot discern aright the direful plight,  
Which th' Commons suffer under wars affright.   

6.  
Let's with their least of miseries begin,  
imagine now a man o'er night with wealth  
Great store, which toil, and care hath brought him in,  
And that his wife, and children all's in health,  
See him ere morn, behold the rape of's wife,  
And daughter first, then with his goods lose life.   

7.  
The cruel Soldiers void of all remorse,  
Take share of each man's labour at command,  
And what's denied or hid, they will by force  
Of horrid tortures purchase out of hand.  
The Commons (though in substance equilent)  
To be the Soldier's slaves must rest content.   

8.  
Rest content said I, there's two golden words,  
Which every man would happy be to find  
True at his wish; but restless war affords,  
Rest nor content to any, none in mind,  
Can be secure of what they do possess,  
Where Soldiers can, they take all more and less.   

9  
Yet don't mistake me, I'm not general  
In censuring of Soldiers; for I know,  
Some whose due praise for valour is not small,  
Who in the martial course will mercy show.  
But Germany hath had (and still retains)  
An army whom the devil (their captain) trains.   

10.  
These are the Crabats (crabbed curs indeed)  
Vulgarly called Croats (barbarous slaves)  
These like to Cannibals on babes will feed,  
No quarter they'll allow to him that craves.  
I quake to set the deeds down (with my pen)  
Done by these fiends of hell it he shape of men.   

11.  
Of other Nations (that have such hard hearts)  
Great numbers be, yet all are Croats named  
Because in barbarism they take their parts,  
By such as these, true honour is defamed,  
He who from Mars is borne Legitimate  
In loving honour, tyranny doth hate.   

12.  
These savage (not true) Soldiers neither care  
For God, nor man, nor devil, where the gain  
The conquest, neither age nor sex they spare,  
To kneel, or beg, with tears to 's in vain.  
The lives, of women, men, and infants sweet,  
They weigh no more than worms under their feet.   

13.  
No Pagan, Turk, Tartarian, nor jew,  
'Mongst all their Tyrannies 'gainst Christians used,  
Such Stratagems of villainy ere knew,  
Both Male and Female they have so abused.  
'Tis terrible, and odious to unfold  
What hath (by them) been done to young and old.   

14.  
Some have with match (or cord) so hard been tied,  
That from ears, eyes, and nose, the blood did spring  
From many of them (as 'tis testified)  
Their eyes have started out (O horrid sin)  
Some flayed off skins alive, as Butchers will,  
Do to those Sheep, or Oxen which they kill,   

15.  
Others with chisels had their faces plained,  
From th'fingers ends the blood from some did start,  
To eat their excrements some were constrained,  
Thus every one did strive to act his part,  
In cruelty, all others to excel,  
Thereby to gain a place of note in hell.   

16.  
But one thing more is to be wondered at  
Then all the rest (O note this hellish art,  
A Reverend Cannon tortured with a cat,  
Fixed to his naked belly ne'er to start,  
Till man and cat (through horrid pain and hunger)  
Yielded to death, when they could live no longer.   

17.  
Some had their privy parts, with powder filled,  
And blown up into th' air, have died so,  
Others by a more strange device were killed  
Hanged up on high, a fire was made below,  
Of stuff combustible, no flame but smoke,  
And with this policy they many choke.   

18.  
Now Reader if thou'st read or heard what's told,  
Of Dioclesian, Nero, Phaleris,  
Dost think they to these monsters might not hold  
The candle for invention; Surely yes,  
These outstrip them all, and that can be named  
Although the world for Tyrants them proclaimed.   

19  
For rape with Sacrilegious murder, and  
Robbing and spoiling Churches and the like,  
We from no ancient times can understand  
Such actions perpetrated that may strike  
Men unto terror, and amazement both,  
To read of that which I to write am loath.   

20.  
Priests praying at the altars 'tis truth,  
Nuns ravished and with sore tortures killed,  
●itch Burghers daughters in their blooming youth  
Have so been served, nay when their blood was spilled  
And life departed, those (who nought regard)  
Have carnally abused them afterward.   

21.  
One villain having ravished a Maid,  
Cut her alive in quarters with his sword,  
While on his knees her aged Father prayed,  
To save her life, but got no other word  
To comfort him, but this, if thou wilt save her.  
Pray to the Saints, and try if they can save her.   

22.  
●ome Maids and Wives (as sad experience tells,  
●o save themselves from sordid villainy  
Have headlong leapt into Lakes, and Wells,  
●mbracing death to save their honesty,  
Though verity condems such desperate facts  
Woe be to them who cause such dismal acts:   

23.  
Women with child, nay women in childbed,  
These miscreants, insatiately have used  
Their husbands, and their friends 've tortured,  
Praying with tears to have their wives excused.  
O hateful to be spoke, as bad to hear,  
What I could write manhood bids me forbear.   

24.  
So much of that, too much if'ft pleased our Lord,  
Is't wonder if more plagues from this do spring,  
These mischiefs all were brought in by the sword,  
Now what succeeds all this, a worse thing.  
Grim meager famine, through decay of tillage,  
Doth fiercely rage, in City, Town, and village.   

25.  
Learned Josephus in's judaicke wars  
Treating of proud jerusalem her siege;  
Writes that by famine more than by the scars  
O'th' Roman swords, the draught of death did pledge  
That story hath from me extracted tears  
And so may this from any he that hears.   

26.  
If any difference be (in my conceit)  
It rests in this which after shall ensue,  
Weighing each circumstance this is more great,  
And might dissolve the heart of any jew  
A woman there I read her child did eat,  
Two women here did of their babes make meat.   

27.  
One was a Widow i'th' Palatinate  
Who had a daughter some nine years of age  
A Lamentable story to relate,  
Hunger so furiously 'mongst them did rage,  
They at contention fell one with another,  
Which should be killed, the daughter or the mother.   

28.  
To render their sad talk would be prolix,  
But thus (in brief) the girl (with famine pinned)  
Her ghastly eyes did on her mother fix.  
Mother said she, I would you'd be i'th' mind  
To kill me, that my misery might cease.  
Or let me kill you, you of pain t'release.   

29.  
The woman looking wishly on the child,  
Says what wouldst do with me if I were dead,  
Quoth she I'd eat you, she with hunger wild  
Upon a sudden caught the girl byth' head  
Pulled off her hairlace; no long time she wrangles,  
But with the same her daughter dear she strangles.   

30.  
Wanting a knife, (O note what shift she made)  
Famine in her maternal love exiled)  
She cut the flesh in gobets with a spade,  
Then dressing th'head and some part of the child.  
She filled her belly, and what did abound,  
Her neighbours bought (for pork) four sti●ers the pound.   

31.  
Now what became of her when th'child was missed,  
How she imprisoned was arraigned, and freed,  
There's no necessity to manifist,  
And to myself I have proposed speed,  
Therefore I'll end this tragical discourse,  
And tell another tale as bad or worse.   

32.  
At Hornebash a woman had a child  
Of which she had lain inn not long before,  
Hunger that wild things tames, makes tame things wild,  
Oppressed this woman and her babe so sore,  
That she food lacking, milk it needs must want,  
And both for nutriment did feebly pant.   

33.  
The woman seeing in what deep distress  
Her tender Infant was through want of food,  
And famine did her body so oppress,  
That what to do she in amazement stood,  
Motherly pity for the babe did plead,  
Necessity cries out it must be dead.   

34.  
Necessity prevails, she takes a knife,  
(My heart doth tremble while I writ of it)  
Wherewith she rest the Innocent of life,  
And of the flesh made many a savoury bit.  
O famine there's no plague compares with thee,  
Thou art (by odds) the worst of all the three.   

35.  
This being known, she was toth' Magistrates  
Brought and examined about her deed,  
To whom (in decent order) she relates  
The motive; 'twas she wanting food to feed,  
Herself and it, to rid it out of pain,  
She murdered it, her own life to sustain.   

36.  
Quoth she 'twas my own fruit, and in that plight  
Ready to perish both myself and it,  
I thought to use it, I had the most right,  
Yet Law (for all this) would not her acquit,  
She was condemned to dye (for examples sake)  
Lest others to do the like should undertake.   

37.  
This woeful story, which succeeds in place,  
Is full as Lamentable as wonderful,  
Three Maids that equal friendship did embrace  
Together dwelled, this famine did so pull,  
That maugre former love, which had been shown  
They sought each others lives to save their own.   

38.  
This to effect, two of them did conspire,  
To kill (and eat) the third, (O piteous case)  
And quickly they accomplished their desire,  
Fierce hunger swiftly followed the chase,  
Between these two, the third in bed they killed,  
And with her flesh their empty bellies filled.   

39  
When this was done and passed, note the event,  
Hearts once obdured and hands enured to ill,  
Once fleshed in mischief; soon the minds assent,  
Is won to any thing be't what it will.  
So happened it with these two, the third was slain,  
Want wrought conspiracy between those twain.   

40.  
One strangled the other in her bed,  
(Thus mischief multiplied, no love, no fear)  
And as they served the first (cut off her head)  
This she alone performed to her compeer,  
And having eatened, she proceeded further,  
Her heart was hard, she made no bones of murder.   

41.  
She goes one day unto a village near,  
A friend to visit (as she did pretend)  
Whose husband was from home; she loved her dear,  
And bad her welcome, (like a loving friend)  
But in the night (lying with her in bed)  
This murderous maid cut off the woman's head.   

42.  
And binding the dead body on a board,  
Brought it toth' place where she did dwell.  
Fierce famine would not so much time afford,  
To let her cut it out (like joints to sell)  
She took both hands and head, which washing clean  
When they were boiled to eat them she did mean.   

43.  
The good man coming home his wife did miss,  
And for her 'mongst his neighbours did demand,  
Who could give no intelligence but this,  
That such a Maid was with her: out of hand  
To her he trudges, asks if she did know  
What was become of's wife? she answered no.   

44.  
But such things can't be hid, murder will out,  
A guilty look betrays a guilty heart,  
He goes into the house and all about  
He pryeth (narrowly) in every part,  
And in this Inquisition 'twas his lot  
To spy one of the hands stick out o'th' pot.   

45.  
Then being (no marvel) in impetuous rage,  
He threatens her, who soon the fact confessed,  
Saying, it was harsh hunger to assuage,  
Made her do that and more, than told the rest,  
And strait to Stiltzy (by three Musketeers)  
She was conveyed before th'imperial Peers.   

46.  
While she before the judgement seat did stand  
To be arraigned, according to the Law,  
The Sodden hand she held within her hand,  
And that all other might be kept in awe.  
Her head was cut off with a sword of steel,  
Her body was fast bound unto a wheel.   

47.  
There for a spectacle still to remain  
That all may shun murder (that crying crime)  
Although necessity did her constrain,  
She tasting the affliction of the time,  
Yet having dipped her hands in blood so often,  
'twas fit that death her flinty heart should soften.   

48.  
A woman in the village of Steinhause,  
A girl of twelve years, and a boy of five,  
Did kill and eat for which inhuman cause,  
(Being found) the Law did her of life deprive,  
And at her execution she told plain,  
That she last year killed other children twain.   

49.  
I'th' Parish of Swegbruggen there a brother,  
And sister did survive their Parents' dead,  
The sister dies, he eats her and of's mother,  
Devours the thighs, Oh horrible to read,  
A woeful spectacle to them who see't,  
Where starved people fall down dead i'th' street.   

50.  
And of the dead, the living make their meat,  
Out of their bellies, they the entrails pull  
Hearts, Livers, Lungs, o'th' dead the living eat  
(A story true woeful, and wonderful)  
Snails, Frogs, and Carrion, dead six weeks before  
To this distress, what can be added more.   

51.  
A woman in the streets that was found dead,  
Between her teeth a humane rib did hold,  
And hard by her lay roasted a man's head  
A wondrous tragic tale 'tis to be told;  
Children cry in the streets and dare not go  
Home, fearing kill, hunger rageth so.   

52.  
●ome eating mad dogs have themselves run mad,  
And raging died in Lamentable plight,  
A ministers wife that six sweet children had  
●aw them all starved to death in her own sight,  
So many wanting food to taste, have tasted  
Of death, that all th' Palatinates devasted.   

53.  
The Countries turned into a wilderness  
For in three hundred Parishes (O strange)  
Not one is left alive such deep distress  
That Country feels; an admirable change;  
'twas once the Eden of all Christendom,  
Yet now to utter ruin it is come.   

54.  
●n the whole Dukedom of Swegbruggen are  
A live two hundred ninety two, no more  
●n all that spacious Province death did spare  
But these (to mourn for them that went before)  
A wondrous story 'tis alas (to true)  
Of million left two hundred ninety two.   

55.  
So furiously this monster (Famine) raves,  
(That 'tis no marvel if they eat it fresh)  
That people digged dead bodies out of graves,  
And to sustain their lives have eat the flesh,  
This is a misery, mysteryed may be said,  
When by the dead the living must be fed.   

56.  
At Worms, and diverse other places, want  
Doth tyranniz so o'er the common sort,  
That in high ways and streets they lie and pant,  
What shifts they make 'tis wondrous to report.  
In Saxony and also on the Rhine,  
This Plague of Plagues doth many people pine.   

57  
Horse flesh is common, that I count good meat,  
(Taking the place and season as it haps)  
But here they (vermin) Rats, and Mice do eat,  
For which with diligence, they set their traps:  
Nay dogs and cats, are at the market sold,  
And glad is he that first of it lays hold.   

58.  
A Bushel of corn (with difficulty brought)  
Eighteen Rix dollars, there will easily yield  
And glad are they by whom the same is bought,  
'tis food (not money) that is hunger's shield,  
It is in English coin, four pounds, twelve pence  
To save their Lives they will not spare expense.   

59  
Our meaner sort in England are so nice,  
(Unless by chance there be some dearth of corn)  
I have observed it more than once or twice  
How in the markets, they Rye meal will scorn,  
And other things, which I must overslip,  
For fear some Scold should take me on the hip.   

60.  
But take heed England, lest when thou'rt full fed  
Thou do forget thy God (I doubt thou dost)  
While thou hast foul and fish with fill of bread,  
Think on poor Germany who once could boast  
Of plenty more than all the Christian world,  
Yet see into what misery she's hurled.   

61.  
'tis now her case why may not thine be next,  
Thy sins are equal if not more than hers,  
And sith our Lord, at every sinner's vexed,  
What is the reason that he thee prefers,  
And her dejects, be humble lest thou feel  
What she hath felt, think on Sapora's wheel.   

62.  
Heaven gently hath scourged thee not long since,  
With a small Plague to make thee fear a biger,  
But Germany hath had such pestilence,  
That it appears the viols of his riger  
Are poured on her, O miserable state,  
Woe is me if thee I don't compassionate.   

63  
In Switzerland the City Bassile there,  
In Anno sixteen hundred thirty three,  
Buried full twenty thousand in that year,  
Of the swift pestilence which none can flee;  
And in the next year following, that in Trent,  
Full thirty thousand the same journey went.   

64.  
And diverse parts in Belgia are distressed,  
With this contagion whose expansion wide,  
Claims Sovereignty (though an unwelcome guest)  
He'll lodge with wives even by their husband's side,  
Where ere he comes, he either all doth take,  
Or else division among friends he'll make.   

65.  
This foul infection did so overspread,  
All Germany that scarce a place was free,  
Potentates from their usual places fled,  
Yet safe in any part they could not be.  
Nimegen, Gelder's, Emericke and the Hague,  
Antwerp, and Brussels, all have had this Plague.   

66.  
In Bavier so many people fell,  
The living could not bury all the dead,  
But Rats, and Mice, (a misery 'tis to tell)  
Familiarly upon the bodies fed.  
A lamentable spectacle to see,  
Chief for they who tender hearted be.   

67.  
And unto such I dedicate my labours.  
(As in th'Epistle they may read who please)  
Who with compassion think upon their Neighbours,  
And in their minds do seek God's wrath t'appease,  
For Charity, and Verity, doth call  
Upon us, that we should do good to all.   

68  
●f we do not lament with them that mourn  
And weep with them that sorrow, is't not just,  
That if't (as God forbidden) should be our turn  
To have our glory buried in the dust,)  
That others should not pity our estate,  
How can we love God, and our brother hate.   
FINIS.   

The Epilogue or Postscript to the Reader.  
THus (tender hearted Reader have I set  
Before thine eyes (what thou shouldst ne'er forget)  
The misery which neighbour Nations feel,  
Through war, famine, and pestilence, the wheel  
Of Fortune's still in motion, though we sit  
In peace, and plenty, yet i'th' midst of it,  
'tis fit we should on josephs' troubles think,  
Lest of the cup of wrath, we also drink,  
Let's all consider 'tis th' Almighty's hand,  
That striketh others, and doth spare our land,  
And that his love, (not our deserts) are cause,  
Why from our Nation he the stroke withdraws,  
We are as wicked (if not more) than they  
On whom he doth his rod of anger lay,  
And therefore though as yet we live in mirth,  
(Enjoying all the blessings upon earth,  
A Gracious King, under whose Government  
We live, in peace, and for our more content  
Are fortified with Royal Offspring which  
Our land with future blessings may enrich,)  
Yet if this peace and plenty which we have,  
Do make us proud, forgetting him who gave  
Us all these comforts, which our neighbours want,  
We well may fear, lest he his love transplant,  
Into another people, that will yield  
A larger crop of thankes; O let the field  
Of each one's heart, receive the seed of grace,  
And with true gratitude prevent his face,  
Let's hate our loved sins, our vain excess  
Of (Luciferian) pride, sloth, drunkenness,  
Extortion, avarice, and luxury,  
Let's feed and cloth Christ in necessity,  
I mean in's little ones, what's done to them,  
His own words ratify, as done to him,  
This is his will, to do't let's all endever,  
And he (no doubt) will give us peace for ever.  
Amen.  
FINIS.