Grace imprisoned, and virtue despised.  
C. R. in the Isle.  
O Heavens! and dares an earthly power confine  
My sovereign's Head? and are my senses mine?  
And is he wise? must heavenly wisdom dwell,  
Prefined to the Limits of a Cell?  
Why, why O God? but thou are just, and he  
Immured becomes a Sacrifice for thee.  
In vain ye Rocks with his sweet groans distil  
Some Nitrous drops, in vain my ruder quill  
Laments the sad encloistering of a King,  
So glorious in Religious suffering:  
While Cherubims with heaven-born power dispose  
His Excellent soul, to an eternal close.  
Perhaps we sin in lifting up a prayer,  
That Holy CHARLES might be restored to air,  
God is not pleased to afford th'ungrateful isle;  
One sweet reflex by his anointed smile.  
Never ere this did tyranny imblock,  
Such royal virtue in so hard a Rock.  
Is this Religion? tell me, tell me then  
What is impiety? and when  
Black sin is acted with advisement? where  
Men do undo themselves, and others swear?  
Behold invassa'ld to a dismal Tower,  
A Trinity of virtue, blood, and power.  
Subjectively that last, a lawful wreath,  
Bound to his Temples by celestial breath.  
spawn of litigious zeal! you may as soon  
Discardinate the spheres, catch stars or moon,  
Discompose Heaven itself, as Vote down  
Th' uninterrupted title of a crown  
So fortified, see how diviner powers  
Beget him friends in these unhappy hours!  
And what by force God pleased not to confer,  
CHARLES shall achieve by being Prisoner.  
Why do I beat the air? or doubt the Pitch  
Of happiness to him, who is so rich  
In liberty, no cruelty can stay  
His heart's Embassage to the milky way.  
No threats, unsettle whom angelic breath  
Hath qualified for either life or death.  
may .15. 1648  
FINIS.