A PLEASANT DIALOGUE Between the KING, the Miller, the shepherd, and the woodman, at Whitehall.  

I Will not sing of Cromwel's Clogs,  
Nor shall the fight of Mice, or Frogs,  
Be subject of my Muse,  
No Rescue of a Lady fine  
Shall trouble any Muse of mine,  
I'll no such thing rehearse.   

But my inspired Muse shall sing,  
Of things belonging to our K●NG,  
How heavens once pleased was,  
Him to deliver from his foe,  
Which sought his death and overthrow,  
And brought strange things to pass.   

When from that fatal Worster field,  
He driven was, and forced to yield,  
And save himself by flight,  
How he by faithful Brothers five,  
Preserved was and kept alive,  
Is that of which I write.   

And of the prattle that did pass,  
Since He to Us restored was,  
And to His Right and Crown:  
Between some rustics and His Grace,  
How he was forced from place to place,  
And posted up and down.   

Of their fidelity and care,  
And how they did no labour spare,  
All dangers to prevent,  
Which might His Majesty annoy,  
Or with disturbances destroy,  
And rob him of content.   

So soon as ever the report,  
Was the King's friends were come to Court,  
To th' presence of the King,  
Without delay access they had,  
And Him to see they were right glad,  
He was a welcome thing.   

To th' Miller than the King did say,  
How hast thou done this many a day,  
And all thy brothers too,  
And Joan thy Wife, how doth she fare?  
With Dick Creswel whose loving care,  
Did furnish me with shoes.   Mil. 

He answered, I thank your Grace,  
They all are well, and in this place,  
Attend your Royal Will,  
Whose loyal he●rts are all on fire,  
Till you they see whom they desire,  
'tis you their wishes fill.   

Go call them in the King then said,  
He how long since we were dismayed,  
And dangers past-shall tell,  
What in Our travels did befall,  
When all Our pleasures seemed like Call,  
'twill please Us wondrous well.   Sheph. 

God bless your Royal Majesty,  
Whom I long time have wished to see,  
And this your glorious throng:  
Y'are better seated now by far,  
In better case than when you were,  
At Whitlady's by Tong.   

Where I your Scout was forced to play,  
And watchful be both Night and day,  
Your person to secure:  
I hope I did a faithful part  
Perform, with loyalty of heart,  
And did my duty sure.   Woodm. 

When a safe entrance I obtained,  
And o'er my head the house had gained,  
Where then your Highness lay,  
Squire Gifford gave me straight command,  
That with all speed and out of hand,  
I fetch my best array.   

My Jump and Breeches were both green,  
Of Cloth which my own Wife did spin,  
My doublet of Dogskin,  
You looked as if your Royal Grace,  
Thus clad in my poor homely case,  
A forester had been.   Mil. 

The Hat dread Sir, you had of me,  
It did well fi● Your majesty,  
It turned up at brim,  
The Shirt Ned Martin did you lend,  
And for a Band George was your friend,  
They made you wondrous trim.   

The Coat you wore before was buff,  
Your Doublet of white linen Stuffe,  
Your Hose of Cloth that's grey,  
These we did hide within the ground,  
Lest if they were by any found,  
They might our trust betray.   King. 

But tell me now without more strife  
When Wilmot had done with his Knife,  
Who was't reduced my Hair?  
Which of you was it did me Barb  
And put me in so neat a garb,  
By Art beyond compare?   Sheph 

I with my Shears your Hair did nip  
Wherewith my flock I use to clip,  
And played the barber's part:  
Whereby my aim was then to show,  
How much unto your Grace I owe,  
Of duty, not of Art.   Woodm. 

When I a Bill had given your Grace,  
A weapon fit●ing for that place,  
We to the Woods did go:  
Where George and Humphrey played the Scouts,  
To search out all the dangerous doubts,  
Of an appearing foe.   King. 

And when the day was well nigh spent  
Stout Dick unto thy house we went,  
With honest Francis Yates.   Mill. 

There unto you then was disposed,  
A phrase of Bacon and eggs composed,  
Good Cheer (in such a State.)   

By wills Wood-ladder you climbed the oak,  
Where to avoid cursed fortune's stroke,  
Your Person you did hide:  
When Nature did her kindness show,  
Whereby the Leaves so thick did grow,  
You could not be espied.   

When you were hungry in the oak,  
Careless had stored up in his poke,  
A lump of Cheese and Bread,  
Which he from Pendrils Wife away,  
For his Provant had got that day,  
On which you stoutly fed.   Woodm. 

Sir as I wandered up and down  
For News, and traversed many a Town,  
A sad report I found,  
That he, who where you were could tell,  
And you into their hands would sell,  
Should have a Thousand pound.   

When I to You this News had told,  
And all the business did unfold,  
It raised a jealousy:  
Thinking that such poor Clowns as we,  
By such great sums might purchased be,  
To base disloyalty.   

Which much sad discontent did bring,  
And pierced as deep as any sting,  
Into my loyal breast:  
It did my quiet so dismay,  
That for a while, nor night nor day,  
My heart could take its rest.   Sheph. 

When you for travel fitted were,  
To Mrs. Lane I course did steer,  
As if I air had been:  
Some Walnut leaves I brought away,  
Which did deface and take away,  
The whiteness of your Skin.   

And as I now do well remember,  
About th'eleventh day of September,  
Met Lane and's sister too:  
Where you were mounted up behind,  
the Mirror of her Sex and kind,  
Your Journey for to go.   

And so the King the Brothers five,  
(Who all things did so well contrive,  
Discourse now being ended:)  
Till other Order he could take,  
Or real satisfaction make,  
To Ormond's Earl commended.    

Imprinted at LONDON, for William Smith, 1660.