THE anarchy, Or the blessed Reformation since 1640.  
Being a new Song, wherein the people express their thanks and pray for the Reformers.  
To be said or sung of all the well affected of the kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, before they eat any Plumbroth at Christmas.  
To a Rare New Tune.  

NOW that thanks to the Powers below,  
We have e'en done out our doe,  
The mitre is down,  
And so is the crown  
And with them the Coronet too;  
Come clowns and come boys,  
Come hober de hoys,  
Come Females of each degree,  
Stretch your throats, bring in your Votes,  
And make good the Anarchy.   

And thus it shall go says Alice,  
Nay thus it shall go says Amie;  
Nay thus it shall go says Taffie I trow,  
Nay thus it shall go says Jamy.   

Ah but the Truth good people all,  
The Truth is such a thing,  
For it would undo, both Church and State too,  
And cut the throat of our King,  
Yet not the Spirit, nor the new light,  
Can make this point so clear,  
But thou must bring out, thou Deified rout  
What thing this truth is and where.  
Speak Abraham, speak Kester, speak Judith, speak Hester;  
Speak tag and rag, short coat and long,  
Truth's the spell made us rebel,   

And murder and plunder ding dung.  
Sure I have the truth says Numph,  
Nay I ha' the truth says Clemme;  
Nay I ha' the truth says reverend Ruth,  
Nay I ha' the truth says Nem.   

Well let the Truth be where it will,  
We're sure all else is ours,  
Yet these divisions in our Religions,  
May chance abate our powers;  
Then let's agree on some one way,  
It skills not much how true,  
Take Pryn and his Clubs, or Say and his Tubs,  
Or any Sect old or new;  
The Devils i'th' Pack, if choice you can lack,  
We're fourscore Religions strong,  
Take your choice, the major voice  
Shall carry it right or wrong:   

Then we'll be of this says Megg,  
Nay we'll be of that says Tibb,  
Nay we'll be of all says pitiful Paul,  
Nay we'll be of none says Gibb.   

Neighbours and Friends pray one word more,  
There's something yet behind,  
And wise though you be, you do not well see  
In which door sits the wind;  
As for Religion to speak right  
And in the Houses sense,  
The matter's all one to have any or none,  
If 'twere not for the pretence;  
But herein doth lurk the key of the work,  
Even to dispose of the crown,  
Dexterously and as may be  
For your behoof in our own.   

Then let's ha' King CHARLES says George,  
Nay let's have his son says Hugh,  
Nay then let's ha' none says jabbering Jone,  
Nay let's be all Kings says Prue.   

Oh we shall have (if we go on  
In Plunder, Excise, and blood)  
But few folk and poor to domineer o'er,  
And that will not be so good:  
Then let's resolve on some new way,  
Some new and happy course,  
The countries grown sad, the City horn mad,  
And both Houses are worse.  
The Synod hath writ, the general hath—  
And both to like purpose too,  
Religion, laws, the Truth, the Cause  
Are talked of, but nothing we do.   

Come come shall's ha' peace says Nell,  
No no but we won't says Madge,  
But I say we will says fiery faced Phill,  
We will and we won't says Hodge.   

Thus from the rout who can expect  
Aught but division;  
Since Unity doth with monarchy,  
Begin and end in One;  
If then when all is thought their own,  
And lies at their behest,  
These popular pates reap nought but debates  
From that many Round-headed beast.  
Come Royalists then, do you play the men,  
And Cavaliers give the word,  
Now let's see at what you would be,  
And whether you can accord;   

A health to King CHARLES says Tom,  
Up with it says Ralph like a Man,  
God bless him says Doll, and raise him says Moll,  
And send him his own says Nan.   

Now for those prudent Things that fit  
Without end, and to none,  
And their Committees that towns and Cities  
Fill with confusion;  
For the bold troops of Sectaries,  
The Scots and their partakers;  
Our new British States, Col Burges and his Mates,  
The Covenant and its Makers,  
For all these we'll pray, and in such a way,  
As if it might granted be,  
Jack and Gill, Mat and Will,  
And all the World would agree.   

A pox take them all says Bess,  
And a plague too says Margery,  
The devil says Dick, and his Dam too says Nick,  
Amen and Amen say I.   
It is desired that the Knights and Burgesses would take especial care to send down full numbers hereof, to their respective Counties and boroughs, for which they have served apprenticeship, that all the people may rejoice as one man for their freedom.  
Jan: 11th 1647  
FINIS.