The City-Dames PETITION, IN The behalf of the long afflicted, but well-affected CAVALIERS.  
PRESENTED To the Supreme Powers of this Kingdom.   printer's device: a central fleur-de-lis flanked by a Tudor rose and a Scottish thistle 
Printed in the Year, 1647. 7ber 28   

The City Dames Petition, in the behalf of the long afflicted, but well-affected CAVALIERS.  
Right Honourable,  
WE whose names are under-written, do in the behalf of all the well-affected women in and about the Cities of London, West-minster; and other adjacent parts, in hopes of a sudden redress, make known unto your Lordships and the honourable the House of Commons, the unsupportable grievances which have long befallen us, by oocasion of this unhappy, unnatural, and intestine war, and have been continued to us of late by means of several orders issuing from both Houses, for the extirpation of the Nobles and Gentry of this Kingdom, who suffer for their loyalty to their King, and go under that noble attribute of Cavalier, which the shorthaird brethren mistake for a name of infamy, being as well over-seen in matters temporal as spiritual, and in both grossly. But lest we may seem prolix, or like the people of Myndus, make our gate bigger than our City, let us fall bacl to the Cavaliers, and make show of those secrets which (to our griefs) have been long concealed.  
It is not unknown to your Lordships, and the rest of this Kingdom, that since his Majesty was compelled to leave White hall, by reason of unruly multitudes, trading of all sorts have been mightily impeaded, unless a little in the Suburbs, where your French Commodities are so frequently vendible, whereas before the City supplied men with all commodities. And in justice we ought to have our desires answered in some measure, for who paid the Scots (those beggarly Saints) after they were invited to begin this war, but the City? Who continued this war but the City? Or who are like to be undone by this war but the City? We are sure our husbands have little reason to hold their heads so high since the Cavaliers left the Town, to our great griefs, our shops which heretofore were fragrant as the springs first flowers, occasioned by gallants frequent visits, are now like houses haunted with spirits, unfrequented, happy those days when they were stuck with variety, Nobles, Knights, Esquires, Gentlemen, than every Citizen's wife of any quality, was occupied in her several vocation than might our husbands freely take the air, or go to their country-houses, whilst we had those at our command to act their parts in the City, which was a great contentment (good soule●) to them. But now the case is altered, let us have ever so good commodities not a chapman is left to cheapen, which will occasion a horrible inconvenience in time; we shall not have a son but of the City breed, borne with a what do you lack? in his mouth, or the issue of some fowl mouthed fellow, who will be crying down the Whore of Babylon, who are confident is a bawd by this time, for we have heard her ra●●ed against by a Wicker chaird▪ brother, ever since the time of our minorities. Besides my Lords, what an inconvenience it will be, when our poor husbands have been hard at it all day, must be forced (though may be disabled in the service) to work at night: in this we appeal to your Lordships, or else we must be forced to be at the trouble to send our Emissaries abroad to look out some friends, who no sooner entered— into our acquaintance, and endeared to us, but presently issues an Ordinance of Parliament, which suited to the terrible sounds of Drum and Trumpet, forceth us to make a field business of it, or else to defer our joys till three tedious months are wasted.  
My Lords, we desire your Lordships, as you have been borne by women, or borne of women, that your Lordships would advise of some convenient times to do it yourselves, or otherwise (in case you have miscarried, lying so long with the Commonwealth) not to hinder well-affected people.  
It is not unknown to your Lordships, that the Gentry of this Kingdom, I mean the Cavaliers, have always stood stiff to the City upon all occasions, and would still, were they not disabled by Parliamentary proceed truly you have by your rough handling, I hope your Lordships will not be offended, taken the edge of their abilities much off, and by that means have left many good women in a pitiful plight.  
Consider we beseech your Lordships, it is not one, but many that suffer by this unjust dealing, view but the now unfrequented streets, where whilom Coaches ploughed up the pavements, stuffed with gallants whose breaths were sweet as Amber, instead whereof you shall see a mouse-haired fellow, with a long thing God bless us by his side, as rusty as himself, with his erected ears, just like our husbands, are not these goodly chapmen to deal in wholesale Commodities?  
To trouble your Lordships no further, what do or will people think when they see that we are fit in our husband's shops for no other use but (just as buckets are hung up finely painted in Churches) to extinguish the fire of some poor neighbouring building, when we might serve (were a right use made of us) to extinguish the high rising flames of a Kingdom.  
We beseech your Lordships to consider the premises, and according to your mercy (not your justice) give a period to our grievances, and we shall (as in duty bound) pray for your Lordship's length, etc.  


Mrs. I. straddling,  
Obediah Placket,  
Ma. Lecher,  
Sa. Lovesick,  
P. Horn,  
R. Wantall,  
Pr. Tooly.  
Mrs. E. Overdooe,  
Han. Snatchall,  
D. Swivewell,  
K. Stretch,  
A. Troublesome,  
Jo. Scanted,  
Reb. Dooling, etc.    
Here's the treasure of the City,  
Beauty's plenty, blithe and witty.   
FINIS.