Angliae Speculum: OR ENGLAND'S LOOKING-GLASS.  
Divided into two pats, By C. W. MERCER.  Scribimus indocti, doctique poaemata passim. 
LONDON. Printed by Tho: Paine. MDCXLVI.   

ANGLIAE SPECULUM. Or ENGLAND'S LOOKING-GLASS.  
You may perceive, and in this Looking-glass  
see England's worthies, either more or less:  
And in the same, look, and you likewise shall  
see, in the face, Lord ESSEX, General.  
 depiction of a mirror 
ENGLAND    


The Author's picture usually is put,  
and not the Patrons, this they tell me, but,  
I pray, who cares to see a piece so bad  
as I? but I have seen them running mad  
To see my Lord, but here now they may stand  
and hear and see, and have him in their hand:  
Besides, another of my reasons are  
his Excellence ought to be singular.  
W. M.    


Upon the Dedication of my Book.  
I Did intent, but now I come too late,  
it was the Printers fault, who did not get  
My Glass in time, for this was all my drift,  
to give my Lord this, for a new-years gift:  
But it is never out of time to take;  
this I created for your Lordship's sake.  
And gives you here, what best I may, and can,  
My humblest service, whilst I am a man.  
W. M.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, MOST VALIANT AND THRICE worthily Renowned LORD, ROBERT Earl of ESSEX, and EWE, etc. His EXCELLENCY, My most Noble Lord and Patron.  
The continuance of all chief Honours, and true Happiness in highest measure, in this life, and the fruition of all felicity in the Life to come, Is Wished, By the most humblest, and unworthyest, of all your Excellency's Servitors, William Mercer.  

Anagr.  
I'm real, rec'iv' me.   

Verse.  
I give myself herewith, I'm real, rec'iv' me,  
if I were ten times better, ye might have me,    

 portrait of Robert Devereux Earl of Essex 
ROBERTUS ILLUSTRISSIMUS & EXCELLENTISSIMUS HAEROS COMES ESSEXIAE PROQ TUTAMINE CŌITIORM ANGLIAE NUPERRIME DUX SUPREMUS  

I once resolved that nothing should be seen,  
And so presumed to interpose, a Screen.  
Because I thought the Multitude with greed,  
Would love to look upon the Piece, not read.  
But in the end, determined for to take,  
Aside the Curtain, for the Figur's sake.  
That seeing first, this Haeroes in the face,  
They then might read, but in the second place,  
England's brave General, in its just defence,  
Yet but the Shadows of his EXCELLENCE.   W. Martial sculpsit.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, THE EARL OF ESSEX, HIS EXCELLENCY:  

Anagr. 1.  
Earl Robert Deavorex's Anagr.  
A real dexterous Orb.   

Verse.  
A real dexterous Orb, so fixed, agreeing,  
by whom we lived, we moved, and had our being.   

Earl Robert Deavorex. Anagr. 2.  
Our rare exalter robbed,   

Verse.  
Our rare exalter robbed, brave Essex, he  
Is robbed from us, so we must ruined be.   

Robert Deavorex, Anagr. 3.  
Brave Or'tor ex'eed,   

Verse.  
Brave Or'tor exceed, why? say exceed,  
Your Excellence surpass them all, indeed.   

Robert Deavorex. Anagr. 4.  
Vex art, or Robbed,   

Verse.  
Vex art, or Robbed, forloe envious men,  
Use art to rob thee, vex and rob them then.    

Sonnet Acrostic.  
Rare and renowned exalter of our Faith,  
Of all our hopes, robbed, as it were by death,  
Beloved, above expressions of my pen,  
Esteemed by Angels, as much as by men,  
Renowned for ever, for thy feits in war,  
The times to come shall us exceed as fare,  
Day after day, to sing thy praises then,  
Even as we now, distinguish thee from men:  
Unto those Trophies, which we take in hand,  
Or to those Bays, which on thy Temples stand,  
Return we will, and on these princely brows,  
Even place those Trophies, and those Bays with vows,  
Xceeding joyful, and surpassing all, to eternize our Noble General.  
W. M.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, MY most Noble Lord General his Excellency, and my most honourable Patron.  
BEhold I come, and humbly on my knee,  
present myself in thankfulness, to thee.  
Renowned Champion, chosen first in chief,  
For Parliament, and Protestants relief:  
To thee brave Essex, singular, and such,  
Who never can be magnified too much:  
To thee, who when fair England's worthies went,  
And weighed thy worth, by votes in Parliament,  
And thee compared with all those prudent men,  
Whose virtues were laid to the touchstone then,  
To thee, I say, who was so well beloved,  
The resolutions could not be removed,  
Of neither noble, nor the mean degree:  
But all did smile, and condescend to thee:  
To thee, even thee, who if I dare protest,  
Did then accept, when no m●n thought it best  
To be beginner, nor to put his hand  
To contradict his Sovereign's command,  
To thee whose courage, by consent, I say,  
Was found the fittest to command the day:  
And still to thee, who with a loyal heart,  
Did far remove all private thoughts apart:  
And whose impartial prudence, did by far  
Exceed the usual stratagems of war:  
To thee, who ventured when the Royal power,  
Appeared in person, and proclaimed the hour,  
Wherein he would, with his triumphing band,  
(As he did term them) all his foes withstand;  
Did sound his Trumpets, and caused beat the drum,  
Whose noise did seem to say O! dare ye come?  
To thee, I say, who then with courage great,  
Did Echo back those voices with delight,  
And said, O come, let us defend our faith,  
We shall prevail, astonish not at death:  
To thee, I say, so pregnant, I approach,  
And all thy actions, worthily avouch,  
To thee, I own, and really will pay,  
Even what I am, what I can do, or say,  
Thy far fetched virtues are above my wing,  
I cannot soar to such a sacred thing,  
Yet to my power, I must present as much  
As is, and hopes, thou wilt accept of such,  
I was a witness, of the weaker kind,  
To thy undaunted and magnific mind:  
And had the honour for to have command,  
By thy Commission, Signed with thy hand:  
Was one who first, was entered in the time  
When soldiers sins were reckoned for a crime,  
And ever since, continued still, for one,  
Till thou laid down thy high Commission:  
O! at the first, when no man would engage,  
Nor go to act upon that Tragic stage:  
Nor undertake to meddle with the thing  
So thought, for to reflect upon the King:  
But thou, whose faith and courage did exceed  
The subtle number, saw the present need:  
For to oppose those errors then begun,  
And did apply thee to it, did not shun  
The sentence which thy sovereign did express,  
Knowing thou meant his laws not to transgress:  
But when all others of the higher sort,  
For such a charge, confessed they all came short:  
Or if they knew that they could manage it,  
There was some secret, which they thought not fit:  
Therefore forbore, but standers by did see,  
They all determined, thou wert only he  
Who could, and must, or if thou wouldst not do it,  
All must be quiet, no man will go to it.  
Some did desire it in their hearts, but that  
Was all the thing in secret aimed at,  
They fain would rise to have commanded all,  
But durst not run the hazard of a fall:  
Here was the fault, they had some private aim:  
Therefore I cease, and say no more of them.  
But Noble Essex thou wert all in all,  
And must be chosen England's General:  
Thou hadst no thought of Sovereignty,  
Nor searched in things conceived privately:  
But undertook it for the Kingdoms good,  
And for thy Prince's privileges stood:  
No private aims importuned thee, but still  
The publicks profit was thy practice, till  
Thou hadst trod down the number most of those,  
Who did presume to be employed as foes:  
O! how thy spirit did appear abroad,  
As only thou established were by God,  
And how thy courage in the eyes of all,  
Did make the armies cry aloud, and call,  
Go on, go on, brave Essex is our guide:  
Behold, his presence makes us to confide:  
Thou didst appear, like Phoebus in his sphere,  
Thy Armies as the stars into the air,  
The boundless Ocean of thy noble veins,  
Gave influence to many thousand strains:  
Nor didst thou so diminish yet thy store,  
The more thou furnished, still thy stock was more:  
And as it proved, the spirits even of those  
Appeared much sharper than the present foes  
We now pursue; but policies in war  
May oft prevail, and give advantage far:  
Their former courage makes me more and more  
Think, that they are not what they were before:  
But now I must impart one passage yet,  
I cannot choose, but must remember it:  
Like as the Sun sends out his beams of light,  
But all of them returns to him at night:  
So likewise those who had their power of thee,  
When thou forbore, no more abroad would be:  
Who having done thy part abroad, thought sit  
For to afford thy presence, and to sit  
In that assembly of the highest strain,  
From whence thou cam'st, and where thou art again.  
To thee I come, imploring thou wilt be  
My noble Patron, for to shelter me,  
Which if thou wilt, there's none I will avouch,  
That for thy Names sake, dare presume to touch  
Those enterprises, humbly I present  
Unto my Lord, without a Compliment.  
W. M.    

To the Courteous Reader.  
THou sees I stand resolved to defend  
What ever cursed malice dare pretend:  
But cannot still be present when they vent  
And spit the venom of their discontent:  
Therefore in absence must appeal to thee,  
For to assist if any injures me.  
It is a thing so common to deride,  
And throw a book disdainfully aside,  
Or if they fortune for to see a name,  
And hate the author, that's enough for them  
They take no notice though the thing be just,  
Mislikes the bearer, therefore cannot trust,  
But more allowance I presume to take,  
They will believe me for my matters sake:  
Nor do I strive to elevate my words,  
Nor counterfeit, but what the truth affords,  
Nor have Is kill, nor knowledge for to skan,  
Nor dare I flatter such a faithful man,  
Nor have I practice for to put in verse,  
Nor wit enough his virtues to rehearse,  
As for my learning, to my shame I speak it,  
I may begin, and go to school to seek it:  
And dare protest for each year of my age,  
I never read of verses not a page:  
And Poets, whence I challenge no descent,  
Though scarce of matter, merely they invent,  
But I a stranger to that stock, which sprung  
From out Parnassus, and my muse so young,  
She never sucked the sister's sacred font,  
Nor d d repair the place where they were wont  
To walk upon, to imitate those nine:  
Such is this ill bred bastard muse of mine:  
She knows of nothing, but usurps the name,  
Presumes to rhyme, since reckoned one of them;  
Yet both of us you see are so well bred,  
That we have written more than we have read  
But famous poets furnished with those parts,  
Of Nature's gifts, and garnished with the arts  
Of learning fully, they can so indite,  
As if it all were real, that they writ:  
They can bring fictions far above the sky,  
And forge inventions, but so cannot I:  
I tell of nothing but what you have seen,  
Nor prophecy, but tell you what hath been:  
And here's my comfort, I have such a theme  
In intermeddling with this Noble Name,  
That not a man will murmur if he see  
Me do my best, although in small degree,  
Because they know I cannot well eclipse  
Those high conceptions entered in the lips  
Of all that lives, exceeding so his sex,  
And in the Name of E. S. S. E. X.  
That let me labour either more or less,  
This very name all nobleness express:  
Therefore 'tis folly for to crave thy aid  
To pay this debt, which never can be paid:  
For let me speak, and all my spirits spend,  
And ever write, and never make an end:  
Yet in that boundless Ocean of his worth  
I may well enter, cannot set it forth,  
And seeking for to satisfy my mind,  
I well may wander, but I cannot find  
The thing I seek, and therefore will forbear,  
Can go no further, I must rest me here.  
W. M.   

To the Critical Reader.  
I Know I stand condemned at the bar  
Of thy best judgement, but I know they are  
Not yet in print, who can escape the tongue  
Of thy detractions, or can shun the wrong  
Of thy invectives and the wicked spite,  
Which thou pronounceth unto such as write:  
The froward Cur who nothing can but bark,  
Thou dost resemble, and the self same mark,  
Makes me provide for to prevent the worst,  
To save myself, though thou with barking burst,  
Thou thinkest to vent thy wisdom if thou prate,  
But thou expresses ignorance in that:  
Thy Critics carping cracked brained bragging words,  
Nothing but poor despightfulnes affords:  
And I'm persuaded thou wilt be so brief,  
Thou'lt censure me, before thou readst a leaf:  
It is an easy task for to traduce,  
And in my absence for to threat abuse:  
It's also common for to carp by those,  
Who scarce have sense of smelling in their nose;  
The Actor's always readiest in his rage,  
For to be beaten from his acting stage:  
The horse who hath not eyes for to direct  
Him in the way, well rashly break his neck.  
And thou who scarcely hath a nose to smell,  
Or eyes to see, or knowledge for to tell  
What now thou readst, or on the stage can say  
That was a bad, or this a better play:  
Thou wilt presume thy verdict for to spend  
At my expressions, and dar'st vilipend  
My Muse's labours, though thou speak in vain,  
And spend the issues of thy empty brain.  
This is the best, thy idle words may wander,  
Thy tongue will never be accounted slander.  
But 'tis a thing ● not account so small,  
Nor love to seem so superficial,  
As for to pass it for thy partial word,  
But dare and will maintain it with my sword.  
Nor do I speak because I love or hate,  
Nor spend my time at any such like rate:  
But merely venture with indifferent eye,  
And from a heart full of sincerity▪  
Doth know my fault, much better it may be,  
Then thou who art so bold to censure me,  
I err in nothing that I do intent,  
But that my knowledge cannot comprehend  
The height of his deservings▪ when I strive  
For to recount his virtues▪ and contrive  
Within the compass of my Muse's skill,  
His actions, surely herein do I▪ ill:  
But this it is▪ in witness of my love,  
And I affection more than fashion move:  
Therefore forbear, and touch not on the quick,  
There are Commanders numerous, and thick,  
And thousands more of Soldiers are abroad,  
Of dispositions desperate, and odd,  
Who bears about them wears it as a badge,  
The name of Essex, O! do not enrage  
The multitude; for they were ever all  
So much ad●●ted to their General,  
And He was always as the fixed star,  
About the which all others placed are:  
For to attend, of whom they took delight,  
And followed all courageously to sight:  
To have a Leader so beloved, an Earl,  
Whose virtues were more glorious than a Pearl  
Of rich esteem, or such a noble Lord,  
To sing whose praise all Christendom accord:  
It is a fault in me, I do confess,  
To undertake it surely I transgress,  
And do deserve to be condemned but then,  
Let me entreat thee for to take the pen,  
And where into thou sees I do offend,  
Do but so much my errors to amend:  
Which if thou dost, I can no more require:  
My Patron's praise is all I do desire.  

Ad Eundem.  

I See I once more must be censured yet,  
But I am armed for to answer it:  
I know thou thinkest the entry of the piece  
Is almost bigger than the Edifice.  
To this, I say, rich jew'ls, though they be small,  
Must have strong gates, be compassed with a wall.   

William Mercer. Anagr.  
I'm real receiv ' me.   

Verse.  
I'm real, receiv ' me▪ or else, if not,  
I will not be received by such a sot.   
W. M.    


In commendation of the Author, and his work. To Himself.  

Sonnet.  
FRom that representation, which in this  
Your mirror of the worth of others, is  
Unto our view exposed, doth reflect  
The Image of yourself, in an aspect  
More semblable, then ever Lookingglass  
Did show the beauty of a Lady's face.  
Then seeing that the picture of your merit,  
Can by the pencil of no other spirit  
Be drawn so to the life, for that these lines  
Set forth your splendour, even as your name shines  
In their contexture, making you, and your  
Poaems be either th''others portraiture,  
It shall suffice me only to avow,  
That you renown the book, and the book you.   
T. F.   

The Author to his work, and in relation to the former lines.  

Sonnet.  
IHave created, made, and christened thee,  
Thou hast thy being, all thou art, of me:  
I best know what's enclosed in thy contents,  
And to beholders, what thou represents,  
Yet is the least part of the praise but due  
To me, the honour wholly doth accrue  
Unto the substance whereof thou art made,  
So purely fine, because had I not had  
Such quintessences, rarified, and fine,  
For to compose thee of, no skill was mine,  
To make thee so, in lustre, pure, and rare,  
So absolute, so curious, singular:  
Then as mine own I freely speak to thee,  
But thy perfections challenge more of me.   
W. M.    

The Prologue to this ensuing Discourse.  
THe Author first doth invocate the Nine  
To aid him with intelligence divine:  
Then enters in a Civil threefold War,  
And fights through all the forces which there are  
Presenteth divers Actors, though not all,  
Fomenters of this Story Tragical:  
Promotes the City, parleys for a peace:  
And puts the Kingdom in a better case,  
Which done, to raise this Lands endless glory,  
He shows some worthies, & breaks of the story.   


ANGLIAE PECULUM. OR ENGLAND'S LOOKING-GLASS.  
O Come and aid me, teach me to indite,  
Inspire my Muse, instruct me for to write,  
Come all you sisters of the sacred nine,  
Infuse in me, your virtues most divine;  
Bow down the branches of Parnassus' bow's,  
And give me thereby strength to tell my vows  
Afford me favour (that I may go on)  
To taste the waters of sweet Haelicon.  
I undertake to tell of civil wars,  
Of such disasters, and distracted jars,  
I tell a story Traguses Comical:  
And sing the praises of my General.  
I do presume a little, now and then  
To tell the acts of England's worthy men  
Although in weakness, willing am to show,  
How much affection, England I do owe,  
What great regard my inclination bears  
Unto its noble and renowned Peers:  
With what respect I labour to present  
My duty to the House of Parliament:  
And these Committees, set for to attend  
All grievances: I also recommend  
(Without deceit, of my impartial pen)  
The endless virtues of some martial men.  
I show the sufferings of a glorious City,  
Their vast expenses, and their endless pity:  
I tell the travels of those deep divines,  
Too high a task, for my unlearned lines:  
I do invent a second way, and set  
A Glass before thee, wherein I do let  
Thee see such things, though by ●econd fight,  
As cannot well be represented right,  
I do report the praises of the day,  
When Mars set meetings, and I truly say,  
I undertake to tell thee with my pen:  
The actions of ten hundred thousand men.  
Nor is this all, my running pen denotes  
The famous Lords, commissioners for the Scots  
With their assistants, moral, and divine:  
A glance of each, within this glass of mine,  
My travels do extend themselves, as fare  
From hence, as to the fixed North pole star,  
A triple travel do I also take,  
And in that Irish Island Journey make,  
This is a labour for a larger wit,  
Excuse me therefore, if I fail in it.  
It was the year six hundred thirty nine,  
When first we saw these evils to incline:  
This angry storm arose first in the North,  
And thence its force in violence sent forth,  
Till it infected England's banks about,  
From East, to West, the South, and North throughout,  
That Irish Island which I treat upon  
Was likewise bend in this combustion,  
A threefold cord in such a cursed cause,  
So strongly linked to overthrow the laws,  
Subjects of one united Diadem,  
As if their Sovereign had invited them,  
All were combined, and in this base design,  
As is apparent in this glass of mine.  
Two mighty great incendiaries meet  
In this rebellion, each another greet,  
A skilful, cunning, cursed Machiavil.  
Joined with the wisdom of Achitophel:  
The one a Depute, merely set aside,  
To ruin all, by Diabolick pride.  
The other was, chief Metropolitan,  
Within whose breast this business began▪  
These were the men who undertook the thing,  
Pretending all in honour of the King:  
Did lay aside the loyal bond of peace:  
And privileges of the present place;  
Forgot the glory of the great Creator,  
This Prelate who shouldst proved a Mediator,  
Joined with this judas, in his Master's case  
For to betrayed him, in his very face,  
But yet behold, these Machiavilians were  
For all the wicked ways they could prepare,  
Found out, and forced for to embrace the end  
They did for others treacherously intent,  
They sought to curb the honour of that God,  
Who did prevent them by his angry rod:  
Strove to destroy Religion, in pretence  
That all was for Religion's defence:  
This is the work I undertake to write,  
O! give me knowledge, and a perfect sight▪  
Of such assistance, as I shall desire,  
In flame my Muse with that Celestial fire,  
Which shall afford me, what I stand in need,  
And what shall serve them, who desire to read,  
According to the nature of the thing:  
O! add some strength unto my feeble wing.  
That I may fly, before my feathers tyre,  
To tell the truth, where only I aspire:  
And for to speak in order, let me enter:  
First, at those worthies, who did give adventure,  
In legal manner, with a mighty hand,  
Those Potentates, and plots for to withstand:  
See how the God of order did them bless,  
Who sought by order, and prevented this:  
They called a counsel of the highest kind,  
There to assisted, by their Sovereign's mind,  
And by consent of the imperial power,  
Committed these Confederates to the Tower,  
But they had done the worst that they could do,  
According to the bad intents of two:  
Had turned the just intentions of the State,  
To be conceived, cause of their Sovereign's hate:  
Had set the Nations all three, by the ears,  
Swelled up their hearts with jealousies, and fears,  
Till in the end, they were arraigned, derided,  
Accused, condemned, and both of them beheaded  
Yet did that seed, which they had sown about,  
Spring in such plenty, and did take such root:  
That like those trees, whence are the branches lopped,  
Or as those weeds, the oftener they are cropped,  
Increase the more, so did those rebels rise,  
Like moats into the Sun, before our eyes,  
But here's their craft, their Sovereign they incense,  
He must suspect his Parliament, go hence,  
They do persuade him, if he will deny,  
The royal presence of his Majesty:  
Their was no Law to authorise their actions,  
But that they would dissolve in sudden factions,  
This was the doctrine that they taught the King  
Although there was no warrant for such thing,  
For notwithstanding statutes do ordain  
Kings to confirm, yet are they not in vain:  
Although their Sovereign contrair to that trust  
The Laws allow him, eat them through his lust  
But as the members without a head must fall,  
The King and Subjects, are reciprocal.  
Yet Kingdoms can be ruled, by a thing  
Called Civil Laws, albeed there be no King;  
But will you tell me? can a King do so,  
Without a Law? or rule aright, or no)  
No, no, a Law without a King can be,  
But Kings without a Law, you cannot see,  
It is much safer to enjoy a Law  
Without a Sovereign, if he will withdraw,  
Then if a Land be subject to that cruel  
Command of Kings, where is no Law to rule:  
But as the body's joined with the mind,  
And as the tree is coupled to the rind▪  
So should the Sovereign, and the Subject too,  
Agree in one, do what each other do.  
But this was that, which they tell him, he must  
Or do, or else he nothing hath to trust:  
Upon such bad instructions, he retires,  
Forsakes the Counsels, and the just desires  
Of his ingenuous Court of Parliament:  
Which did provoke, a fearful detriment  
Unto his Highness, and that dignity  
Which doth belong unto his Majesty▪  
For his great Counsel, by his high command,  
Kept constant meetings, with a mighty hand,  
And by his Law, did issue out their orders  
In every corner of the Kingdoms borders:  
Requiring thereby, subjects to submit,  
And render due obedience unto it:  
And to give strength unto their just intents,  
They raised Armies by commandments:  
For to regain their gracious royal prince,  
To vindicate their honours, and convince  
Those errors, which were in their King inspired  
And this was that they constantly desired:  
But yet one passage must I not forget,  
Into its highest nature to relate.  
They do incense, to make the breach the more,  
Their Sovereign, for to approach the door  
Of Parliament, and there would take the embers,  
Destroy the body, cutting off the members:  
Accompanied with proud pernicious foes,  
Called Cavaliers, from whence their name arose:  
This was their plot: more hateful to be held,  
Then was that powder treason paralleled:  
For that was by our enemies abroad,  
But this by those confessed the self same God:  
That was by powder, to dispatch with speed,  
All in an instant: hereby might they bleed  
Above an Ocean, issuing every day  
Forth from their sides, who I dare truly say,  
Sought by all means for to maintain the sense  
Of ancient statutes, and their King's defence:  
O! highest, horrid, massacre of hell,  
It makes me tremble, when I strive to tell:  
But am revived, O! how my spirits fill  
With joy and gladness, when I saw this ill  
So wisely shunned: O! but a secret hand  
Of power divine, did do't I understand,  
But hereupon our Sovereign thought it right  
Himself for to sequestrate from the sight  
And presence of this highest Parliament;  
Inspired with fury of fierce discontent:  
Then as the child, who sees an angry Father,  
Or like such loyal loving subjects rather,  
Or like the chaste embraces of a spouse,  
Who prays, persuades, solicits, and she woes,  
A wilful husband, when he will divorce,  
Or her abandon, or which may be worse,  
Accuse her of a breach, and urge upon her  
Those insolences of a base dishonour:  
She still pursues, importunes, pleads, and speaks,  
And on her knees, submissively she seeks  
To reconcile her thoughts to his again:  
But all her time and tears are spent in vain:  
These freeborn subjects, like to those, I say,  
They seek their Sovereign, and they humbly pray:  
They do petition, and they call on high  
Upon the maker of his Majesty:  
Into whose hands the hearts of Princes be,  
He would be pleased to move him, let him see  
Their zealous hearts, with what affection  
They would submit unto his sacred throne,  
If he would please but condescend to stay,  
And ratify those actions, which say they,  
Shall be determined, after to the laws  
In former times, in every point, and clause:  
The privileges of your Majesty  
Shall be established in a high degree:  
We will contrive as lines of law shall lead,  
Your Highness shall corroborate, as head.  
But all is nothing, lo, he stops his ear;  
Retires himself, and leaves them sitting there:  
Conveens huge Armies, on a fair pretence,  
That all was for his personal defence.  
Then in the wisdom of that Council great,  
Which was established in its proper right,  
Whence he removed, they sent an army out  
For to defend the faith, its foes to rout:  
Their banners were bedecked with holy phrases,  
And in their marches sung their master's praises:  
And to prevent more imminent mischief,  
They went and waited for the next relief:  
Had not commission, if conceived aright,  
But to defend, not to enforce a fight:  
Else had they often, if not so restrained,  
Reduced these sad divisions which remained.  
They were commanded by that famous Lord,  
Who by the least neglect, did not debord.  
The first, or great encounter which was seen,  
Was by Edge hill, so named, or Kenton green:  
IT may be some meetings fortuned for to fall  
Between two parties, which I do not call  
To mind; but here the only place was set,  
Where these two Royal armies fiercely met:  
It was the year six hundred forty two,  
The twenty three October, when they do  
Draw up their forces, on the Sabbath day:  
I was a witness, therefore dare I say;  
I will not seem so partial with my quill,  
For feud, nor favour, nor for no man's ill,  
But will declare such as I then did see,  
Or as my charge sometimes permitted me:  
The royal presence once prepared, approached,  
Vnmounted from his horse, or else uncoached:  
Gave orders to his chief Commanders then,  
To show themselves courageous, valiant men,  
This did I hear by true report, and I  
May well avouch, they, herein do notly:  
Then with the sound of trumpets, and the noise  
Of Drums, and Canons, and a mighty voice  
Of Soldiers threaten, thirsting after blood,  
Did cover all the fields, as a cloud;  
Came on, gave fire, pursued, and they set  
Themselves at work; and were as fiercely met:  
For though we had not orders to pursue:  
Yet must they not triumph, I tell you true;  
Their banners were with wickedness adorned,  
Our holy ensigns sinfully they scorned:  
Yet once engaged sincerely I protest,  
They fought with courage, while the battle last,  
But was constrained for to give us ground,  
As by their absence in the morning found:  
Fled from their pieces, left their dead behind them,  
And at such distance as we could not find:  
The royal Standard, this day did we gain,  
Lord Lindsey General in the field was slain:  
Took divers Ensigns, placed them to fly  
As Emblems, Trophies, of our victory:  
With certain thousands of the vulgar sort,  
Which were destroyed, yet they, for to be short,  
Conceived a shadow of a second strength:  
As broken reeds, which failed them: in the length  
Approached in presence of fair London's walls,  
Expect relief; but listen what befalls▪  
For on another Sabbath day they sought  
Advantage, but it treacherously was wrought:  
Because they had a conference between  
Their chiefest men, and ours, and we did mean  
Upon the passing of each faithful word,  
That none should dare for to unsheathe a sword:  
Yet notwithstanding that they had engaged  
Upon a treaty, and their honour pledged;  
On this pretence they did approach, and are  
In arms at hand; bad stratagem in War:  
To slain their honour, or to violate:  
The trust imposed, should be immaculate.  
But what advantage gained they by this act?  
Their mighty Army very nigh was sacked:  
For had they not in secret of the night,  
As formerly, returned while they might:  
Their many thousands, both of Horse and Foot;  
And in the which they trusted, were so stout,  
Were very like to be confounded then,  
Such was the minds of our heroic men:  
For they confided, first, to find supply  
From out the City, else had they not come nigh.  
But all their plots were disappointed, so  
That they were glad with greediness to go:  
For London longed their Sovereign to enjoy,  
But shunned to let them enter to destroy  
Themselves, and shops, their houses, and their ware:  
No, they resolved they should not enter there.  
Thus must they march: to make the matter worse,  
They press the people; and they plunder horse:  
They do pretend they sack the Subjects good,  
As innocents', they eat to shed their blood.  
The Papists have pre-eminence at Court,  
And Jesuits have Jesus, to be short:  
They pray unto those Idols, but pretend  
The Protestant profession they defend:  
Their God is blind, so are they also too;  
He cannot help, nor know they what to do:  
This God of theirs deceives them, yet will they  
Create a new Creator every day;  
Such means as those they use to move the people,  
And rings Religion out of every steeple:  
They make a process in impious actions,  
And strive to bring the Common wealth in factions:  
The scope of all their carriage abroad;  
Hath proved but high derision to God:  
For whatsoever from the source was sent  
Of good Religion, with a strong intent:  
They trod it under footsteps, and did fly  
The happiness of true divinity:  
Thus did they spend the power they did contract  
To ruin Gospel, bring the best to wrack:  
For let me ask, as one who hath an eye  
And pen, free of impartiality:  
What did they do in all their great proceed?  
Or what perceive you in your by past readings?  
'Tis true they sought, and manfully did stand;  
But it was most because of good command:  
And so they ranged in most unruly kind,  
With stretched out arms, and irteligious mind:  
Till at each meeting, by the sword, or power;  
We took them captives, or we did devour▪  
The chiefest of their Champions, uncontrolled;  
Which made their armies by their presence bold  
Yet notwithstanding that they are so stout▪  
The Chivalry are ruind, and the foot  
Are forced to fly, or in the end must yield,  
But for the most part was an equal field:  
I attribute, next, to th'Almighties hand  
As I have said, all to their wise Command;  
For had they not, that high renowned Scot,  
Surnamed Ruthen, Earl, a man of note,  
Their General; and of that Nation many  
As brave Commanders, in the world as any,  
Besides, their high determinations cease,  
When they perceive their richest spoils decrease:  
Their hands did fail them, and their hearts relented▪  
It was too late, or else they had repent.  
They knew the cause wherein they had been bend,  
Was contrary to the Laws commandment:  
And that they had no warrant from the Word  
Of God, nor did it privilege afford,  
Unto their persons for to interpose  
Between their Sovereign, and the seed of those  
Who were elected, in a legal band  
As one united body, for to stand.  
And now you see, when power is in our hand  
By full Commission, absolute command,  
How they are vanquished, Towns regained, so  
But if you ask me how, I do not know.  
Thus from this place of powerful residence  
To that, where Phoebus leaves his influence;  
Both Towns, and Country, once, which did submit,  
Were gained into obedience of it:  
Of it, I say, which should our actions guide,  
And from the which, our thoughts should never slide.  
Likewise their strength, extended to the North,  
Throughout the Kingdom, reached over forth;  
But by the way, opposed were by might  
With multitudes, and millions in their sight;  
That all were as, the stubble to the fire,  
Or as the dust which from the wind retire.  
Some were confounded, others forced to fly,  
Their bodies wounded all were glad to cry,  
And beg for pardon, safe it were those Priests  
And Jesuits, who counted all but jests  
Till they were routed, totally, and then  
They saw their Gods, were given prays to men.  
This did express the providence, and wit  
Of prudent Essex, who appointed it,  
By virtue of, His Warrant from his hand,  
Which gave all others, absolute Command  
As high, immediate, only General:  
Nor do I seek to derogate at all,  
From those, whose actions were approved to be  
Heroic, noble, virtuous, yet let me  
Without offence, give every one their own,  
Nor give my General, but what well is known  
To be, and is, and ever shall be due,  
His proper power, I will a vouch it true,  
Yet this is not the scope of my intent,  
My pen importunes, and my Muse is bend  
To take her flight fair Albion throughout,  
From East to West, its borders round about;  
Nor rests she there, but lo my Muse she must  
Travers the waters, and in secret thrust  
Herself, amongst such as count nothing just;  
But what's invented by their wicked lust.  
And what by them is acted, and resolved,  
Though they themselves, are thereby much involved  
In woeful sin; yet they forsake with shame  
The noble title, of a I royal Name.  
They do deny the power, and virtue too  
Of Covenants, and this they likeways do  
Deny the truth, nor will they entertain  
A Triple Crown, but labours to ordain  
By private factions, what they think is fit,  
According to their diabolick wit:  
And this they call a Covenant, because  
They covenant, to contradict the Laws:  
Lay's truth aside, forsakes the God of peace,  
Abandons virtue, wickedness embreace.  
They cut the throats of such as are not Rebels,  
And will not bow to their pernicious babbles.  
Thus have they run, and ranged, five falls almost,  
Triumphed over poor Protestants, and crossed,  
Yea, and tormented, Innocents', and such  
As had not knowledge to discern, nor which  
Was good, or bad, was right or wrong, nor what  
Was to be chosen, or be aimed at.  
All were alike in their polluted hearts,  
They pierced the sides of Infants with their darts:  
Began, go on, and entertains a war;  
And those are they, 'gainst whom this Nation are  
So well engaged, and daily doth send over  
Supplies of all things, them for to recover;  
What vast expenses, in a boundless measure,  
Enough to have exhausted Chrysus treasure.  
Millions of men, and multitudes in store,  
The more is spent, they still employ the more:  
And all is furnished, by this famous place,  
The Metrapole of England, and the grace,  
Yea, and the glory, of the world's delight,  
For sumptuous buildings, wonders to the sight.  
To what shall I endeavour to compare  
The excellencies of this place so rare?  
Whose beauty shines, whose glory is so great,  
That I should rob it, of its proper right,  
If I should lay it in the Scales to try  
If any be of such equality;  
But what my Muse, are these the news thou brings?  
Canst tell us nothing, but such doleful things?  
As Kingdoms ruins, nothing but of war,  
And what is worse, if any worse are:  
O, yes, the waters are abated much,  
The evils are not now so bad; but such  
As thou mayst see, the deep deluge is dry,  
The Ark is opened, and I can espy  
A peaceful Dove, transporting in her bill  
An Olive branch, directed by the will  
Of that divine, high wisdom of that God,  
To tell them this, who in the Ark abode,  
The floods are fled into their former bounds;  
We can perceive the waters from the grounds:  
The Sun doth shine, dispersed are the clouds,  
The storms are calmed, abated are the floods.  
The Ark of England, doth in safety stand,  
The Creatures enjoy a peaceful Land.  
Now are we fully satisfied, and more  
Than ever we could be at all before,  
That this destruction was by divine Hand  
To wash away the wicked from the Land.  
For was not God derided to his face?  
His Laws neglected, misregarded grace:  
Pride was become superlative, and I  
May well avouch, that base hypocrisy  
Was placed within the very breasts of all  
Both rich, and poor; the greater sort, and small  
Were all infected: and the height of sin,  
When God forbore a while, increased therein.  
That should I reckon, irreligion, lies,  
The sin of Murder, and adulterous eyes,  
Contempt, deceit, and all the sins of hell  
Reigned in this Nation, in the which we dwell.  
But now all tokens of a peaceful time,  
That we are cleansed from the guilt, or crime  
Of those offences, wherewith we were cloyed;  
And for the which, we well nigh were destroyed.  
Approach, and do present themselves at hand,  
And do proclaim, a quiet peaceful Land:  
Our bloody battles have brought better things,  
The Subjects thoughts, united to the Kings.  
Our former evils, avarice, and greed,  
And all those sins which heretofore you read,  
Are now so blotted, and abated too,  
That what they did before, they no more do;  
So are the thoughts now of our Sovereign turned,  
For which the Land, and all that's therein mourned;  
That what the Subject sought, and much entreated,  
And by uncessaut Messengers invited;  
Yet were denied, now is it freely sent  
To be embraced by the Parliament.  
The King and Subject now are almost one,  
The way to make the most Magnific Throne  
That ever was, or in this Land hath been,  
Or heretofore by any hath been seen.  
O happy time, may I be bold to tell,  
Within the which this great dissension fell;  
Which is so like to gain so great a good,  
Though we have bought it dearly, by our blood.  
Religion's aimed at, in a truer kind,  
If we can get them all but of a mind;  
Our errors are removed, all intent  
Their former frailties fully to amend;  
So that the evils of our bypast age  
Shall gain us far more faithful privilege:  
And make us further, to forsake the sin  
Which heretofore we so were wallowed in:  
Shall make us know, whence all of us did come,  
Where we shall bend our actions and to whom,  
Shall reunite, as formerly you read.  
The Members, so, divided from the Head  
Shall move our Sovereign for to smile again,  
And with his Subjects joyfully remain:  
Shall still be thought immediately the cause  
Next unto God, that we possess our Laws.  
It shall speak peace assuredly, and shall  
Cure these diseases Epidemical;  
Shall make these Nations, happy, more and more,  
And thrice so fruitful, as they were before.  
Shall make them quite forget the evils gone,  
When they shall see their Sovereign in his throne.  
O what a change then shall our souls perceive,  
What greater pleasure, could we wish or crave?  
But all our former tears for to be wiped  
Away, and we, who were extremely stripped,  
Shall be made glad: and all our bypast grief  
Be turned from terror, to a full relief!  
Then shall we sing the praises of the day,  
Wherein we heard the Proclamation say,  
So many thousands sacrificed were,  
And shall acknowledge, we be happier  
By far, than ever we did think to be.  
This is my hope, what say you now to me?  
Or to my Muse? is this not all you would?  
Or what by me, was promised to be told?  
Then let me yet, insist a little still,  
And pen the praises, with my tiring quill  
Of that most famous, glorious City, and  
Set forth its fame; so making great the Land  
Wherein it lies, fair London which hath lent  
Its treasure to afford us this content;  
They speak of Sparta, for its famous worth,  
And writ huge volumes for to set it forth:  
The pens of Poets and their pains are spent  
To praise its glory most magnificent:  
Not only for the grandor of its Gates,  
Nor for those virtues, which the world relates,  
Nor for its pomp, nor for its pleasant walls,  
Nor for its Worthies, which within it dwells,  
Nor for those riches, which it doth contain,  
Nor yet these Nobles, it doth entertain,  
Nor for those Statues, therein which do stand,  
Nor yet the Archyes, builded with the hand  
Of Curious art, nor for its streets so fine,  
Nor for such things as they account divine:  
Nor for the pleasures of its breadth, nor length,  
Nor for the numbers, which affords it strength;  
Nor for its fame, nor for its fair renown,  
Nor all the things, that can extol a Town:  
But for a Cause, that cannot be expressed,  
And that is this, it far exceeds the rest.  
Yet all is nothing, if I shall compare  
This Sovereign City in its virtues rare;  
It far excels my telling, or my tongue,  
My enterprises may provoke its wrong.  
The pens of Poets, have been all employed,  
And all the Muses, have their skill convoid  
To praise its pomp, its pleasures to express,  
And sing the praises of its worthiness.  
Its riches, and its Nobles doth exceed  
Not only Sparta, but all parts I read:  
Its statues are established in state,  
With brave triumphant Archies on each gate:  
Its streets in straightness, standeth as a line,  
Paved so for pleasure, it doth purely shine.  
It is so spacious, yet of precious stones,  
That every place, appeareth sumptuous thrones,  
It is the Seat of all Divinity,  
And in its Learning none can come it nigh.  
A place so pray'st, and spoken of, a fare,  
In just compare, no places equal are.  
Are not the eyes of all the earth abroad  
Fixed on its glory, as it were a god?  
Do not all Nations labour to reside  
Within this City? which can fully feed  
Far more in number, with its rairest dainty,  
Then it can harbour, so great is its plenty:  
A place wherein, all Nations are concerned,  
So populous, and yet so well governed.  
Besides all these, in mornings of the Spring,  
When Echoes answer, Choristers that sing;  
And from the steeples, when they strain the Bells,  
Whose melody sweet Music parallels:  
When all the airy branches of the trees  
Are whistling for the multitudes of Bees:  
And at whose walls, the Ocean once a day,  
Or twice, or thrice, returns without delay,  
To do it honour, and to wash its walls;  
Which having done, as surfeited it falls  
Abake, for to embrace its former banks,  
And then returns, unto its bypast pranks.  
That fairest River of Renowned Fame,  
Or Crystal Conduct, named by the Thame,  
Almost surroundeth, this, so sacred City,  
That to compare with Sparta were a pity.  
And then we speak of Sparta, by report,  
So that such contemplations, must come short  
Of such a thing as herein I intent,  
Although I can the full not comprehend.  
Yet in compare, I must express so much  
The Lacedaemon's never dwelled in such;  
Not only for all other things, but than  
It far exceeds all Cities for the men:  
Nor is this all yet, one thing I must tell,  
In which fair London, doth the world excel,  
And which indeed, makes all things to appear  
The more delightful, unto all that's here.  
And of itself the only joy to men,  
Superlative for pleasure now and then:  
Those fair Ideas, of the female kind,  
Such matchless beauties no where ever shined;  
The dainty visage fair Venetian Dames,  
Are far inferior darkened at our flames  
Of admired features; those heart-piercing eyes,  
In full resemblance of the Deities.  
But I'll forbear, I know their Sex are such  
They may wax prouder, if extolled too much:  
O fair magnific glorious City thou  
Art so exalted and extolled too  
That my so shallow superficial brain  
Cannot express (with such a fluent strain,  
As is required the excellencies and  
The manner, method, form, how thou dost stand,  
Upon the East part, where fair Phoebus rise  
There stands a Tower, with Crowns up to the skies  
So strong, so stately, each way walled about,  
Such wealth within it, Lions are without;  
The famous Themes, which it doth stand upon  
So arched over with a Crystal Throne,  
That look afar, and it appeareth there,  
The Houses hang, between the earth and air:  
And at the west, or other end of it,  
Two palaces, where mighty Princes sit,  
Thereby the Stately monuments of Kings,  
(Bedecked with robes, with Trophies, and such things,  
As shall remain for glory of the place  
Until the time, that time shall have no race,)  
doth stand, and with it, is adjoined so nigh  
As if it were itself, a Sanctuary,  
A place appointed for a solemn seat  
Where Orthodox divinity doth meet,  
Between which two, the Tower and Royal Seat,  
Such famous Churches stand in every street,  
That if I err not almost doth appear,  
A several Church, for each day in the year:  
There is the place established for a throne  
For England's Sovereign's for to sit upon,  
There are the Seats of Justice for the Land,  
And there the Sceptre sways in Justice hand,  
There sits the Counsel of that Court so high,  
Which represents, a Royal Majesty;  
That every thing; considered, as you see  
It no more City, but a World may be,  
But stay my muse, where minds thou for to run?  
Hast ' not forgot thyself, since thou begun?  
Thou may'st run out in hyperbolic speeches,  
But 'tis much higher than thy knowledge reaches,  
Forbear with fairness, labour not too far  
Be not too forward running in the war,  
Thou mayest lose thy labour and abuse  
The good intentions of thy virtuous Muse:  
Thou must not seem too curious, nor too nice,  
Let it suffice, that thou hast broke the Ice;  
It is the mark of any wise Commander  
In such a field, not too fare to wander,  
The times are dangerous, and thou walkest alone  
And hast to do with more men then with one▪  
The number's many, which thou hast to please  
And thou art object of as many eyes:  
Thou hast run over in few certain hours  
The Compass of three Kingdoms, and their powers,  
Hast been in all the Armies of the land  
With nothing but a pen into thy hand,  
Hast travelled rashly, and hast met with many,  
I think it strange thou didst not strive with any,  
But yet retire, remember I have told thee  
A hundred thousand thousands may behold thee,  
And of them all, perchance some may commend it,  
And it may happen some men be offended.  
But send it forth unto the world to view  
Crave good men mercy, bid the bad adve.   


William Mercer. Anagr.  
I arm merci well.   

Verse.  
I arm merci well, arm's and merci too,  
I here express, and leavs the rest to you.   
FINIS.    


Angliae Speculum: OR ENGLAND'S LOOKING-GLASS.  
The second Part, Consisting of several Speeches, Anagrams, Epigrams, Acrostics, and Sonnets. etc.  
By C. W. MERCER.  Scribimus indocti, doctique poaemata passim. 
LONDON. Printed by Tho: Paine. MDCXLVI.   

To the Right Honourable LORDS Assembled in PARLIAMENT.  
SHall dust and ashes dare to utter words  
In presence of such high & mighty Lords?  
Who are so set, and circled by the throne  
Which their dread sovereign use to sit upon:  
Dare I lift up my eyes upon that place?  
Or shall I have the honour to embrace  
Time for to talk? or will they tell me, I  
Must stand aside, they are a Majesty;  
Made up of many: no, no, not so, they  
Are not so proud, their presence every day  
They do afford; therefore let me not fail  
To enterprise, my purpose will prevail:  
Why should I think of such things as forbearing?  
The tale is ill that is not worth the hearing.  
Those noble Lords are Peers into the Land  
Brooks not such pride: I pray you understand,  
They are the chief, most eminent, allowed,  
For England's virtues; will you have them proud?  
No, I persuade you, will you walk about,  
And view the world, even every way throughout:  
Scarce shall you find such Worthies as they are,  
Or such as can compare with them, by far▪  
And in pursuance what you hear me speak,  
Come but and listen, you shall see me seek.  
And crave their patience, and make bold to ask,  
And in their presence will present my task.  
Most noble Lords, whose constanci's admired▪  
Whose Virtue's ways, and travels are untyrd;  
By whose consent, the Sceptre beareth sway,  
And in your great assembly every day.  
What constant minds, are seen about your throne;  
What noble Spirits do appear thereon,  
What joyful smiles, shine in the subjects ey,  
To see amongst you, such a Sympathy;  
No emulation, nor confounding pride,  
Your high attempts, nor actions doth divide,  
Your enterprises are so prudent still,  
You nothing but, the ancient laws fulfil,  
You still concur, and with the Commons stand  
Their Honours thereby, bear an equal hand,  
What high applaus shall be pronounced of you,  
When after ages, shall repeat your due?  
Declaring how you stayed with the State  
When there was striving daily in debate:  
Some going hence and others doubting what  
Was best to do, yet you not questioned that;  
Did not my brave and Noble ESSEX ever  
'Gainst all Temptations constantly persever?  
What shall be said for all your certain ways?  
Your Noble brow's, shall bear a crown of boys:  
Thus if I fail in what my muse affords,  
I humbly leave it to the House of Lords.  
W. M.   

To the Honourable House of Commons.  
Where am I now? O! let me wisely weigh  
Since I presume thus, to approach so high;  
As to appear in presence of that place  
Which is so stored with stateliness, and grace,  
The body which doth represent a King,  
Admits no title but a Sacred thing,  
Each member there, may well be said to be  
A perfect part of our chief Sanctuary:  
The true extract of Wisdom, and the best  
Which by consent, are sifted from the rest,  
Whose easlesse labours, with impartial eyes,  
Prevents the dangers, daily which arise,  
Expires their Spirits, almost to regain  
What cursed caitiffs, labours for in vain,  
Are early up, can scarcely go to bed,  
Five falls and springs, such troubles have they had,  
Must hear the cries, of every one that are  
Almost confounded with this cruel war.  
The great man comes, petitions in his grief;  
And then the poor petitions for relief:  
The Widow cries, my husband's slain, and I  
Am destitute for want of food may die.  
Then comes the Orphan, Loudly cries alas  
I most of all am in a fearful case:  
As also numbers of the hurt, and lame,  
All have recourse, calls for relief at them:  
The great and mean, the destitute and poor,  
All call for pity at their pious door.  
Yet they have patience, and do much prevent  
The pressing sorrows of the discontent:  
Like to the tender parents, who provide  
For such, as on them faithfully confide:  
Themselves are robbed of all that was their own,  
Yet must maintain such as are overthrown.  
Must strive to still the outcries of all those  
Who have been ruind by their raging foes:  
But wherewith do they what they have to do?  
I ask it of thee, and must tell thee too:  
Their prudence, and unwearied pains appear,  
They do provide it, though it be not here:  
Their ardent prayers prevaileth most of all:  
God grants their suits, they so divinely call;  
See how they do such certain days allot  
For such occasions as requireth note:  
Each month a solemn public Fast they keep,  
Presents their prayers in private, and they weep:  
What they forbear, that is collected truly,  
And to the poor is dedicated duly:  
They put restraint long since to sinful plays,  
And have prevented idle holidays:  
They have collections constant for the needy:  
To act such things, their goodness makes them greedy:  
'Tis not the heat of Summer's scorching Sun,  
Makes them desert the business begun:  
Nor yet the sharpness of the winter's day,  
Prevents their travels, nor provokes delay:  
But they go on still, with undaunted fear;  
Observes no times, nor seasons of the year.  
This is the course continually they keep,  
More constant than they either eat, or sleep:  
Yet all is counted nothing, since they can  
Not please the persons of each private man;  
This is the thanks they conquish for their care,  
They boldly ask them, wherefore sit they there▪  
But O! the charge wherein they are engaged,  
Calls for our reverence not to be enraged;  
But these are they, those Worthies whom I would  
If I had knowledge, faithfully unfold;  
But since my skill cannot extend so high,  
I must desist, and pardon of them cry:  
The●● actions are true witness of their ways,  
What ever malice, or Malignants says.  
And in the Evening of their wearied day  
Their greatest foes, shall be enforced to say,  
They have done well; and in the end of all  
For their rewards, receive a welcome shall▪  
So that at last, they shall be called to rise,  
And keep their Meeting fare above the skies.  
W. M.   

TO The Right Honourable the LORDS COMMISSIONERS of SCOTLAND.  
MY LORDS,  
AS you are persons of a High descent,  
So do your persons highly represent,  
The body of a Kingdom's whole estate,  
Whose former freedoms, need I not relate;  
You know the case, therefore I will forbear,  
Yet let me humbly tell you since ye're here,  
Scotland hath keep its Crown unconquished ever,  
Foes oft invaded, but they had it never;  
Nor did they love it for its riches then,  
But for the active spirits of the men:  
By whose assistance, all the world so wide,  
So much triumphs; and in their faith confide.  
How great a Glory is it to that place?  
They had the honour in so short a space,  
Even by their power, to enter and withstand  
The sorrows threatened in their Neighbour's Land;  
By their assistance set the Borders free,  
And what they did, the world a witness be?  
This is the Land, these are the men, for who,  
You all were chosen, and came here to do:  
Be not too slow▪ nor seem not in a fleep,  
Lose not the thing, which you so long did keep;  
Cast not your burden, on this noble Band,  
But know yourselves best what you have in hand▪  
They have affairs so weighty, that they must  
Begin at home, according to their Trust;  
Think on yourselves, and that, for which you came,  
It is enough, all is allowed by them:  
Nor only must the Public be relieved,  
But every private Member that is grieved,  
It doth belong a little to your charge,  
Such to assist; or if you do enlarge  
Your warrant there, it cannot do amiss:  
You may commit a greater sin than this,  
And I conceive it cannot give offence  
To further things that suffer in suspense,  
Such as were sharers in the selfsame thing  
For w●ich you say, you did your Army bring,  
And Natives too, it cannot be unfit,  
For to befriend them, they deserved it,  
In Suits so just, what is't you may not do?  
They covenanted for to answer you▪  
And then your actions cannot but must thrive  
Such grave Divines, assist you to contrive,  
Who constantly invoke with holy words,  
For blessings from above, and so affords  
Assistance always, from the heavenly Throne,  
And still obtains the same before they're gone.  
Then in a threefold manner may you take,  
Concurrence also, and a Link may make,  
Of suchlike strength, as it will ever last  
For to prevail, and take it from the rest,  
I mean of those juditions Gentlemen,  
Whose Aid you have, and I am certain then,  
You nothing can desire, not yet demand  
But you will surely have it at their hand▪  
Excuse my boldness, that I speak so much,  
But I presume because I know you such  
You will but smile, to see a soldier's Pen  
Employed to write, unto such mighty men;  
But to be plain, I am so poor in purse  
And void of learning; which the greater curse?  
That I consider, neither what I say,  
Nor what I writ, nor have I time to stay:  
Yet Noble Lords, the errors that I make  
I pray you pardon, for the Country's sake.  
W. M.   

TO THE HONOURABLE COMMITTEES.  
COmmittee-men, so called, no question then;  
It were most needful you were honest men:  
For by the name Committee, you may find,  
All is committed to your honest mind.  
Abuse not then what comes into your trust,  
Committee-men should constantly be just;  
Know you are Members of that Noble place,  
Which pleads its power proceeds of Law, and Grace.  
You all are sworn to be just, and then,  
If ye be so, ye're right Committee-men▪  
I do believe ye all are just, but ye,  
Must not believe me, not unless ye be  
Both just, and honest, and you must examine  
Yourselves in secret, what concerns the samen;  
Slain not that State from whence you do proceed,  
Eat long debate, in things concerning need.  
You men of honour, think upon your fame  
Be not defiled, it is a fearful shame:  
And you who are men of a meaner kind  
Be not persuaded to a partial mind;  
Nor let not love, nor hatred, nor the lust  
Of earthly things, move thee to be unjust;  
Nor wax too proud, because thou sees thou can,  
Sat in the Chair as chief Committee-man:  
But now I fear, that thou wilt shake thy head,  
And think me saucy, for the thing ye read,  
Yet I have had experience now and then  
Of some of those you call Committee-men,  
And if you chide or challenge me, in spite,  
I will account you, one of whom I writ;  
Besides, conceive the nature of the time,  
And you will give me leave to speak in rhyme:  
Or if you quarrel, and will call me to it  
And question me, how I durst dare to do it?  
I tell you this, the wars have made me bold,  
And I am lately, very scarce of gold;  
That to be plain, I have no more to say,  
But cure this evil,  
I shall humbly pray.  
W. M.   

TO The Right Honourable the Earl of Northumberland: Earl ALGERNOUNE PERCY.  

Anagr.  
Areall Princel'e Governer.   

Verse.  
A real Princely Governor, so be;  
Thy royal Name denotes so much to me.   

Epig.  
TO thee brave Piercy, in thy prime of years,  
Who art made choice of 'mongst the chiefest Peers,  
To be great Guardian for the good of them,  
The royal Offsprings. of a Diadem.  
Those hopeful branches of that highborn Stock,  
Those Infant-Anchors, England's fenced Rock,  
The rarest fruit, which heretofore have sprung,  
Apparent heirs to Kingdoms, though they're young:  
How grea● 〈◊〉 trust then, is reposed in thee,  
To have su●● Treasures in thy custody?  
But sure, experience of thy bypast worth,  
Hath thee promoted, and haste pointed forth  
Thee only fit; for such brave, high designs,  
The education of such Princely Vines.  
Long may they live, and rise to honours high,  
Even till each one become a Majesty.  
And thou, great Earl, whose Grandor shines in state,  
Live still in spite of destiny, and fate.  
I know not whether of thy parts to praise;  
Thyself, place, fame, thou equal art in these.   
W. M.   

To the Right Honourable the Earl of PEMBROKE: Earl PHILIP HERBERT.  

Anagr.  
Peer help all liberty.   

Verse.  
Peer help all liberty; Brave Lord, we see  
Thy actions, and thy Anagram agree.   

REnowned Lord, brave Earl, fair England's pride,  
I style thee so, since England doth conside,  
And ever did, in thy fidelity,  
Both in their triumphs and tranquillity.  
First, while this Nation did securely rest,  
As thou wast Noble thou wert worthiest:  
For still the Court, thy carriage did commend  
Didst not co-act for thy luxurious end:  
And now when Mars did muster all at arms,  
Thou still art constant upon equal terms.  
True to the State, courageous in faith,  
Most absolute in mind unto the death.  
A rare example in a case so high,  
Friend both to subject and His Majesty.  
The Tombs of Traitors, where their Hersesare,  
Shall all bear witness, how wise Pembroke, fare  
Surpassed their practice; and his Trophies shall  
Survive in honour, when theirs, perish all,  
Patron of truth, pattern in Piety,  
Two matchless Emblems, of Nobility,  
Pembroke for Prudence, Piety, and worth▪  
These Epithets shall only set thee forth.   
W. M.   

To the Right Honourable Earl, Lord WILLIAM CECIL of SALISBURY.  

Anag.  
I Will really accord.   

Verse.  
Agree in truth, I will really accord,  
To nothing else, Will I consent afford.   

Epig.  
SO high a Task, to undertake or choose,  
For my so empty brdin, or shallow Muse,  
Doth argue Weakness, for it is a thing,  
My knowledge cannot; to perfection bring.  
Yet in submission, from a loyal heart,  
I undertake sincerely to impart,  
Those high extended excellencies, rare,  
Which with the best; most worthy may compare:  
A highborn, Baron, ancient Lord, and Earl,  
Of matchless splendour, bright as any Pearl,  
True Conqueror of Honour, Valour, fame,  
Of virtue, favour, and magnific name!  
So Constant, in, the cause for which we fight,  
And spend our blood, maintaining England's right.  
Adds thy assisting Land, unto tho●e Lords,  
Whose matchless wisdom, all true worth affords.  
Of thee therefore, whose Virtues are so high,  
I take my leave; in all humility.   
W. M.   

To the Right Honourable the Earl of Warwick, Lord high-admiral of England. Earl ROBERT RICH.  

Anag.  
Thrice real, or .   

Verse.  
Warwick's Heroic, Thrice real, or better,  
Brave Admiral, all England is thy debtor.   

Epigr.  
THis new: prepared piece, though it be dumb,  
Yet represents, as it is Speculum,  
The chiefest Actors, in this Great debate,  
Between the Sovereign, and this Mighty State.  
I am not tied, nor must I, stand content,  
Howbeed it be without my Element.  
But since your honour had the sole command  
By Sea, and guarded us upon the Land;  
Where, when your greatness did on Neptune ride,  
And notwithstanding of his swelling pride,  
Triumphed there; mongst his frothy floods,  
Whose threaten seemed to swallow up the Clouds.  
Yet there you ruled, and forced foreign powers,  
For to forbear, these Islands here of ours.  
Wherefore while I, those Worthies do proclaim,  
I must make bold, to magnify your fame;  
Whose admired warfares, and Heroic deeds,  
Shall be recorded unto all that reads:  
That your affection to your Native Land,  
May be perceived, though by the Seas command:  
Brave Warwick's▪ Valour shall be stated still,  
Till Neptune no more shall be seen to fiil,  
Deign yet the greatness of your dignity,  
Accept this sign, of my humility.   
W. M.   

TO The Right Honourable Bazill Fielding, Earl Denbeigh.  

Anagr.  
Flied i'll, begin zeal.   

Verse.  
I flied from ill, in zeal I did begin,  
In all my acts, continued still therein.   

Epigr.  
BRave Lord thy Banners in this War were born,  
And were by Mars both massacred, and torn,  
Thyself bore Arms, when errors thought to rage,  
And acted thy part, upon that Tragic Stage:  
Where dead men's skulls, lay strewed on the ground,  
A sunder from their bodies being found.  
There thou triumphed, against their tyranny,  
And raised up Trophies of thy Victory.  
Proved active, faithful, valorous and just,  
And no less constant, in continual trust.  
Exposed thy person, and didst spend thy state,  
Incurred the danger of thy Sovereign's hate;  
Art one in number of the House of Lords,  
So all these reasons, matter me affords,  
To fall upon this subject, and to pen,  
Thy praise; and place thee with those Noble men.   
W. M.   

To the Right Honourable, Earl Henerie Rich.  

Anagr.  
Here hence it ' realj▪   

Verse.  
Here hence ire really. Thy Eagle-soring Wings▪  
Surmounts all envy, Ire, or such like things.   

Epig.  
WHat high Renown can be returned by me,  
Most Noble Lord, as attributes to thee?  
Extents of honours, in their rarest kind,  
On Holland's head have been increased I find:  
Bounty beyond expressions of my Pen,  
Thy beauty too, exceeds the Sex of men;  
The miracle of Fame, Dame Natures glore,  
The life of virtue, grace's house of store:  
Thy Courtly presence, and thy Princely grace,  
Adds to the splendour of thy Royal Race.  
Nor Spain, nor France, the Netherlands, nor all,  
The Nations, named; on this unmeasured Ball,  
Can justly brag of such a one in worth,  
For valour, virtue, and what issues forth.  
The rarest tongue of Eloquence, and skill,  
Which doth exceed, brave Cicero his quill.  
The minds of Monarches, and the Courts of Kings,  
Are only fit, for such unequalled things.  
The eyes of England, gloried heretofore,  
In thee brave Holland, pray thee keep thy store,  
And stand aside, lest any stain thy state,  
By private Envy, undeserved hate.  
And when thou findest occasion, then come on,  
Thy person fits, for to approach a Throne.   
W. M.   

To the Right honourable the E. of Manchester, Earl Edward Montigue.  

Anagr.  
Do not gr'eve me, I ruled al.   

Verse.  
Do not grieve me, I ruled all; at arms,  
Where I commanded, kept you all from harms.   

Epigr.  
THat privilege which Poets do presume,  
To practise by, I shall not need assume;  
These are but fictions, for to figure forth  
Such counterfeits, as have no real worth.  
If I had Tullyes' Eloquence of tongues,  
And all the Nature to the Nine belongs▪  
Or rare Apelles' knowledge in his Art,  
And should employ them all, for to impart,  
Those Noble virtues, valorous and wise,  
Heroic actions, which do sympathise,  
And correspond with these brave Worthies here,  
They could not yet so exquisite appear,  
For to demonstrate, nor draw to the life,  
Thy high deservings, but engender strife;  
And there should stay; and not determine truly,  
The rich esteem of thy demerits duly.  
The Chronicles of England's true record,  
Shall eternize thy Noble name, brave Lord.  
Time shall expire, but that extent shall not  
Extenuate, nor thy remembrance rot;  
Succeeding ages, while the air gives breath,  
Shall speak, how thou exposed thyself to death,  
In doing service for this famous Land,  
Wherein thou art a Prince, Peer, Earl, and  
Which yet is more than each of these, or all;  
Next to brave Essex, second General.   
W. M.   

To the Right Honourable Henerie Grace, Earl of STANFORD.  

Anagr.  
Agree herein, realy.   

Verse.  
Forsake all Shichems, take consent of me,  
Maintain the truth, herein, really agree.   

Epigr.  
MOst courteous, and right stately Stanford, thou,  
To whom I'm bend to pay that real Vow,  
Which for thy worth, I solemnly have sworn,  
And in my breast, so long a time have born:  
Because thy constant countenance, hath still  
Been opposite, to Actors in this ill.  
Hast proved pious, pregnant, painful, and  
With resolution, for the Faith didst stand.  
Sent forth the substance of thyself, thy Son,  
And freeborn heir; what further could be done?  
To fight in Battles for thy Native Land,  
And for the Subjects freedom, for to stand.  
Thus then thyself, still by uncessant pains,  
Until this time untyred, and true remains,  
To serve the State; and as I said, even so  
Thy Noble Son, as resolute didst go;  
And made a twofold tye, to truth and fame,  
In lines of Gold to write thy worthy Name.  
And yet another reason moves me too,  
In humble thanks to do this that I do.  
Thou art a lover of that Native Land,  
From whence I came; and who for England stand.  
All these, and I, shall still be bound to say,  
Live still in honour, stately Stanford, Grace.   
W. M.   

TO The Right Honourable John Maitland, Earl of Laudersdale: Earl John Maitland.  

Anagr.  
I aimed at real honer.   

Verse.  
I aimed at real honour; that, I will afford:  
To less than that, I never will accord.   

Epigr.  
ONe constant Star, still in the North did stand,  
A Directory both by Sea, and Land:  
But now two lights, more glorious than that one,  
Are seen appear, forth from that Horizone.  
Thou shinest for one, brave Laudersdale, a Star,  
Whose splendour bright surpass all others far:  
But being darkened by the Clouds at home,  
Thou changed thy Seat, and to the South didst come.  
To let thy Light, shine constant, clear, and pure,  
Though wand'ring Stars, shall vanish, not endure.   
W. M.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JOHN ELPHINGSTOWNE. Lord Balmerinoch.  

Anagr.  
I own honest helping.   

Verse.  
I own honest helping, and I did engage,  
For honest help, the Covenant in plague.   

Epig.  
THat other light for which I lent my word,  
Thou art; our wise Balmerinoch, brave Lord,  
Who changed thy own true proper place in Sphere,  
And set thyself to shine in England's air:  
Shine still, but so, that sending beams abroad,  
Thy light reflect upon thy old abode.  
Seek England's good, next thy Creator's glory  
In all thy actions, and thy Oratory.  
But having shined, and showed thy true intent,  
Return, and shine in thy own Firmament.   
W. M.   

TO The Right Honourable William Fiennes, Viscowt SAY and SEAL.  

Anagr.  
Live man, flee sin.  
Use in, live in fam▪.  
Wise man in life.   

Verse.  
Live man, flee sin '; Use in, live in fame,  
Wise man in life; These are thy very Name.   

Epig.  
MEcoenas is made famous for his Wit,  
Yet thine is not inferior unto it,  
Mars by no name but Mars, can be made known,  
And Say (thy name) doth Say and Seal thine own.  
Poets spend time, and speak in praise of Plato,  
And show the rare excellencies of Cato:  
I, reading find, Remembrances of some  
So high extolled; grave Senators of Rome.  
But though it did, so brag, and boast, I dar'  
Avouch, that London, may out-brag it far.  
For neither Plato, for his wisest parts,  
Nor Mars for valour, Cato for his Arts,  
Nor yet Maecenas, for his worthy praise,  
They need not make so much report of these.  
Nor yet needs Rome, extol, and tell so much,  
As if the world, nor we, could show them such.  
Against them all, I do protest, appeal,  
To thee brave Fiennes, Lord Viscount Say and Seal.   
W. M.   

To the Right Honourable William Grace, Lord GREY.  

Anagr.  
Aymer, I will agr'e.   

Verse.  
What good I gather in your minds to be,  
First, I will speak, then, Aymer, I will agr'e.   

Epigr.  
THose worthy Heroes, thrice Renowned Earls,  
Whose lustre shines, more bright than Orient Pearls,  
Or as those Stars, which glister in the sphere,  
When dusky darkness, mantles o'er the air;  
When they brave Lord, in presence of that place  
Approach, with prudence, stateliness, and grace,  
They do make choice to charge thee, for thy worth,  
To contribute those secret thoughts, sent forth;  
From their so wise impartial breasts, they aim,  
And thou a wise Maecenas sits with them,  
And finding all their actions faithful be,  
Thou hearest them speak, then says, I will agree.  
To thee brave Lord, the Loadstone of the State.  
Whose worth appears, in intricate debate,  
Attractive, and, by understanding too,  
Thou first collects, then wisely dost thou do.  
Dispensing all in such a pious way,  
Pure in thy colour, constant, real Grace.  
The acts of England shall be clad with thee▪  
And thy rich fame, thereby renowned be.  
But worthy Lord, let me partake of this,  
Thy Noble word (though in Parenthesis)  
And then return, into thy state again,  
In endless honour, and I say Amen.   
W. M.   

TO The Right Honourable LORD JOHN ROBERTS: Lord ROBERTS of Truro.  

Anagr.  
Try on bold Hero's.   

Verse.  
Try on bold Hero's, do thou, nothing remove at,  
In all attempts, Fortuna audaces juvat.   

Epig.  
HEroick Roberts, and renowned Lord,  
With Martial actions, in abundance stored,  
Whose valour hath triumphantly trodden down,  
Brave England's foes, with thy undaunted frown.  
Those feats of War which from thy force, did fly,  
And seconded, so by thy piercing eye,  
Did crush thy foes, and make them trembling stand,  
By Manhood, and thy Method, in command.  
Great Mars Field-marshal, when his Armies met,  
Sole sentence-giver, when his Consuls set:  
Thy worth, thy virtue, and unequalled fame,  
Are Epithets, but only of thy Name;  
Thy passive actions, pious, peremptory  
Are real Emblems of thy endless glory.  
What then although, I often was a witness  
Of thy exploits, yet must my Muse's unfitness  
Forbear, and cease; nor can she solemnize,  
Thy high deservings in their just degrees.  
Or why should I, with this my fleeting quill,  
Seek for to sound thy praise? I do but ill.  
Thy worth is written with those drops of Blood,  
Which seals thy Honour for thy Country's good.   
W. M.   

TO the right Honourable Thomas Bruce, Lord BRUCE.  

Anag.  
Come, be as true '.   

Verse.  
Come, be as true, unto your State as I.  
Who shall assist with all fidelity,   

Epigr.  
I Stand obliged, by a strong relation,  
To pay thee tribute; one is from the Nation,  
Whereof thou art, an ancient Earl true born,  
And I a Native of the same am sworn.  
The second cause, by which I find me bound,  
Is this; thy actions have been always found  
So faithful here; in what thou dost afford  
For England's good wherein thou art a Lord,  
And hast remained certain, bypast years,  
In Parliament; in number of the Peers.  
The last is this, which makes a threefold tie,  
I stand engaged, by affinity;  
These three may challenge, since they all are true,  
A dutiful remembrance of thy due.  
And were it not I partial should be held,  
I would express thee searcely Paralleled.  
But I forbear, because thy fame doth fly,  
Beyond the reach of my arrested eye:  
Continue still in favour, wealth, and fame,  
And honours, increase on thy Noble name.  
And if cursed envy, doth affirm I flatter,  
Yet can my lines, not make thee worse, nor better.   
W. M.   

TO The Honourable William Lenthall Esq. Speaker of the Honourable House of COMMONS.  

Anagr.  
I hat ' all'vill mwn.   

Verse.  
I have all evil men, the chair have I,  
To sit and plead speak and impartially.   

Epig.  
THou wast found fittest after long debate,  
To be chief Speaker in the Chair of State,  
A place so high, so weighty, honourable,  
Thou hadst not had it, hadst thou not been able.  
Nor when thou hadst it, had thou not been just,  
Thou hadst not had it; so long in thy trust.  
But thou hast proved so painful, pregnant, wise,  
Appeared so upright in brave England's eyes,  
That so long as the greatest Council sit,  
By all consents thou mayst inherit it.  
The mouth of those who sits about that throne,  
Speaks all their minds, and yet thou art but one.  
To thee each grievance must be given out,  
Then prudently thou speaks it round about.  
And then those worthies what they find is best,  
Returned to thee, by thee to be expressed.  
Which thou by Order, causest to dispense,  
In method, manner, to divulge the sense  
Of their design, so that thou still remains,  
Full of conceptions, and uncessant pains.  
The place belongs most properly to thee,  
I wish thou wouldst speak once a word for me.  
They faith that Poets still continue poor,  
And this makes me so often at the door.  
But if thou pleasest, when the House is set,  
Think on my service, and declare my debt:  
I know I may just courtesy receive,  
Amongst such Masters, having much to crave:  
I hope you will not let me praise your pay,  
And yet myself come craving every day.  
You all are gods, your actions ever pure,  
And I presume, because your Creature.  
Yet I appeal unto that place so high,  
Which is established in fidelity.  
Where thou dost sit, whose virtues I adore,  
I kiss thy hand, and so I say no more.   
W. M.   

TO THE HONOURABLE JAMES FIENNES.  

Anagr.  
1. My fansi'seen.  
2. I see sins aim.   

Verse.  
My fancy seen, I see sinenesse aim;  
These are the just Characters of thy Name.   

Epig.  
I Shall be thought to have some slight intent,  
Or that I speak by way of compliment;  
Nor can I shun, but they will censure me,  
Upon the sight of what I say to thee.  
But I appeal, unto the minds of those,  
If thou hast any, who art termed thy foes;  
They will bear witness, that I have a Theme,  
In venturing to write upon thy Name:  
Which neither Poet, Prophet, nor Divine,  
Can change the Nature, it is truly fien,  
And what is Fien? But only the extract,  
Of all things good, which wholly is compact,  
In one entire, and formal shape of thing,  
Which, if they ask me where it is? Must bring  
Thyself in presence, proving it is thine  
Or thou art it; that brave and Noble Fien:  
Which yet I find, is but a branch that springs,  
From such re-fiens; as are renowned things.  
Thus of such ancient Worthies art thou sprung,  
But wilt exceed them all, thou art but young.   
W. M.   

To the Right Worshipful Sir JOHN MERRICK, Knight.  

Anagr.  
1. I kno' merci's hire.  
2. I, one, me'ker, rich.   

Verse.  
To virtue, knowledge, honour, I aspire,  
But most to mercy, I know Mercies hire▪   

Epigr.  
What? Richer, and yet meeker? This is much,  
One may be meeker, but both, seldom such,  
This argueth goodness; addeth to thy worth,  
To have such Emblems made to set thee forth▪  
Riches is much, but meekness is far more,  
That one is earthly, tother's heavenly store,  
But now a third thing, in thy name doth sit;  
It says, I, one, but what a one is it?  
Add then these two, unite this I, and one,  
And you shall see, it is nothing but John.  
Join then the sum, and you shall see a Theme,  
Too high for me to write on such a Name.  
But one thing yet, lest partial I appear;  
If any ask me why thy Name is here?  
I must return this answer, let them know,  
I have two reasons, which I truly own  
Unto thy virtues, and which ties me to it,  
And these are sure, the causes why I do it;  
The one is this, thou hadst a special hand,  
In all this Warfare, and a high command,  
And were't beloved by his Excellence,  
A cause to me, of no small consequence.  
These two together, with the love I bear,  
To thee; makes me, stay and consider here:  
That since I have not better things to grant,  
Accept of these Sir, and you shall not want.   
W. M.   

TO THE Right Worshipful Sir Henry Mervyn, Knight; my Father in Law.  

Anagr.  
Here in my urn.   

Verse.  
Here in my urn, when death hath paid its debt,  
Above this box, or Cabin shall be set,  
Th' abstract of knowledge, Learning's highest parts,  
Chief piece of Nature, notable in Arts.  
All these combined, which way you please to turn,  
Lies here entombed, or rests, Here in my Urn.   

Epig.  
AMongst those worthies, I were much to blame,  
If I should not remember thee, with them,  
Whose pregnant parts, appeared so abroad,  
Thy skill transcended like a demi God:  
Thou couldst, within thy closet, compass all,  
And bring to light the secrets of the Ball,  
And truly still, contrive within a span,  
What may be travailed in the age of man.  
Couldst dip within the Ocean's deep, and yet,  
Keep distance, at the selfsame time with it,  
Prevent the perils therein; which lay hid,  
Give notice likewise to the blind, who did,  
Not dare to dive, but did forbear to be,  
So bold to venture if they wanted thêe▪  
Thy skill could reach unto the Starry sky,  
And know the secrets therein, by and by,  
Those private periods on the Compass stands,  
Did all lie open instant in thy hands.  
Nothing lay secret, but by thee was seen,  
That is, or shall be, or hath ever been,  
Thou wast a feather of the Sovereign Wing,  
To fly, and serve thy sometime Master, King.  
Thou also hadst the sole command by Sea,  
And every one did homage unto thee:  
Scarce one, but one, so favoured in the Court,  
Nor yet hadst been, had not the time cut short,  
Of famous James, thy Royal Master, than,  
Whou could distinguish well twixt man and man:  
Thou art of those, and it is known most true,  
Accounted Noble, by thy birth as due;  
Nor are thy high deservings lessened yet,  
(But thou forbeareth to be seen in it.)  
Stands as the Centre where men do resort,  
To learn thy knowledge, wherein they come short.  
Thou loves to look, and with indifferent eye,  
Behold the changes of the time pass by,  
Else hadst thou doubtless had the sole command.  
On either side, within this troubled Land.  
For few or none, if I should find it fit,  
For to declare, exceeds thy worth, thy wit.  
For which respects, I may include thy Name,  
As adding so much to the worth of them,  
Whom I do choose most chief, for my charge,  
To play upon their Noble Names at large;  
And if my duty challenged not a tye,  
Upon my thoughts, I would say more, but I,  
Will cease; because thy worth is so well known,  
Writ what I will, I give thee but thine own.   
W. M.   

TO THE RJGHT WORSHJPFULL Sir WILLIAM BELFOURE Knight.  

Anagr.  
1. Lofam ' I will be ever.  
2. I will be ru'l of fame.   

Verse.  
Lo fame I will be ever, I will be rule of fame.  
This is no fiction, but thy very Name.   

Epig.  
WHen England did impartially employ,  
The Nations spirits, for them for to fight.  
They did desire the honour to enjoy,  
Thee, in the fields, for their foe's despite;  
And with consent, thee to a place did call,  
Which was indeed, their second General.  
Lo how their high intentions unto thee,  
And thy performance did so well agree.  
Thou proved so faithful in their Royal Tower,  
They almost did idolatrize Belfoure.  
But they peceiv'd thy spirit was too high,  
To be so private, in extremity.  
And thus resolved, to satisfy the eyes,  
Of those who longed to see some enterprise  
Performed by thee; but with a sad goodnight,  
When thou departed, from thy former right,  
There, were they sorry, that thou shouldst go hence,  
Yet must submit to such a fair pretence,  
And then their care, into a terror turned,  
The multitude made much ado and mourned,  
Suspected, and expressed themselves dismayed,  
In jealous doubts, the Tower might be betrayed.  
Yet they must part, thy presence must be gone,  
Thou must be mounted, thou wert called on;  
Thy bypast virtues to thy valour-yeilds,  
A Saint in private, Lion in the Fields,  
It was enough, to hear thy Noble name,  
Thy constant courage, did thy worth proclaim;  
And with such action, as thou didst perform,  
Proved dexterous in many dangerous storm,  
I did behold thee, when thou hadst to do,  
In public fights, and private counsels too.  
I saw thy practice and thy prudence fit,  
Renowned for courage, and cried up for wit,  
The fierce encounters which did crush thy foes,  
Triumphing on them by undaunted blows,  
Did move an Echo, made the Mountains shake,  
And forced thy foes to call abake, abake,  
Belfours abroad, O do not venture then,  
To reencounter, lest ye lose your men:  
This was thy practice in the place of War,  
Thus did thou then, but now behold you are,  
Enjoyed in peace, thy presence is at hand,  
At home, and hence, thus hast thou had command:  
And in each place, where ever thou hadst trust,  
None will accuse thee, thou proved wondrous just,  
Thou proved a pattern in each place of Note,  
An honour to the Nation of the Scote;  
From whence thou cam'st, and didst thy being take,  
But I will cease, it is in vain to make  
More Lines, unless I had more Letters too,  
That I may know more promptly what to do.  
And so resolve to say no more, but rest,  
My thoughts are such, they cannot be expressed.   
W. M.   

TO THE RJGHT WORSHJPFULL Sir PHILIP STEPLETON, Knight.  

Anagr.  
1. O thy pleasant lips.  
2. Help on, pity still.   

Verse.  
O thy pleasant lips, fare from speaking ill,  
Make good thy Anagram; Help on, pity still.   

Epig.  
I should be much ashamed, to see thee look,  
And not perceive thy Name within my Book,  
Who having had such favours at thy hand,  
May well afford, a room for thee to stand;  
Amongst those Worthies where you daily sit,  
Thy many virtues well deserveth it.  
The Romans who were ruled by a seat,  
Of worthy senate's, had none more complete,  
Then thou who hast a double burden taken,  
With heart and hand, hast not the Cause forsaken,  
Thy valour, and discretion did agree,  
In open fight, I oft perceived thee,  
A sometime second, to that Noble Lord,  
To whose decrees thou truly didst accord,  
Abroad a pattern often didst appear,  
And for thy wisdom art renowned here,  
Thus hast thou had a hand in every thing,  
To reunite the State, unto the King.  
Thy double virtues, doth deserve renown,  
And Laurel Boughs, to loyal Stepletone.   
W. M.   

TO THE RJGHT WORSHJPFULL Sir JOHN CLATWORTHYE, Knight.  

Anag.  
Now thy holj care.   

Verse.  
Now thy holy care, and ayd's required,  
Thy knowledge and thy virtues are admired.   

Epigr.  
What? But a few prove loyal to the State?  
When all the Irish Rebels, made debate,  
And of those few it is my only aim,  
To speak of thee, because I know not them.  
I find thy virtues makes thee much renowned,  
Thy ways are upright, and thy wits profound▪  
Thou art a Member of that House so high,  
Which is a Touchstone to fidelity.  
Of ancient stock, which addeth to thy fame:  
A Noble Nature, and a Worthy Name:  
Who sometimes hath showed friendship unto me,  
Shall then my Book, not bear the Name of thee?  
Yes whilst it lasts, thy Name shall live therein,  
And when it's lost, thy praises shall begin.   
W. M.   

TO The Worshipful his most Respected, WILLIAM JEPSONE.  

Anagr.  
I am one espj evil.   

Verse.  
I am one (in all things) espy evil.  
I seek the good, but eat, despise the Devil.   

AN ACCROSTICK SONNET.  
Wise Maro penned, Maecenas worthy praise,  
Instately stile, in high, and lofty phrase:  
Likewise my lines can give no less to thee,  
Less of themselves, though they of nature be;  
In civil things, so prudent and so just,  
And, one espying evil, shunning lust.  
Mirror of virtue, active in the truth,  
Jngenuous, gentle, scorning idle sloth;  
Evil espying, and one pursuing good;  
Prudently pious, one of Noble blood:  
Sincere, so wise, and virtuous in thy mind,  
One who to me, hath proved truly kind:  
Nothing shall therefore make me to forbear,  
but want of Letters to extol thee here.   
W. M.   

TO The Worshipful Sir Charles Erskin, Knight.  

Anagr.  
1. Search, kill Siners.  
Shin's liker Caesar▪   

Epigr.  
What praise may my impartial pen express,  
And yet thy worth not to the full confess?  
Nor need I urge, to make my matter fine,  
False flourishings, nor can I reach the line  
Of thy profound approved prudence, neither;  
Who searches first, then kills the sinners; rather  
Than thou wilt not, shine liker Caesar, and  
Though thou be young, gain honour to that Land,  
From whence thou cam'st, and for thy worth who chused thee,  
To send thee here; and for thy faith have used thee:  
In state affairs, search and kill sinners; then  
Shine liker Caesar, more than other men.   
W. M.   

To the Worshipful ALEXANDER POPHAM, Esquire.  

Anagr.  
Read here an ' xample.   

Verse.  
Of all unconquered worth, Read, here, a 'xample,  
Thy Name, and fame, sufficiently is ample.   

Epigr.  
TO thee, I come, brave Conqueror of fame,  
Of valour, virtue, and Heroic Name,  
And on this Stage, or new impressed stamp,  
Or in this Glass, where England's Worthies Camp,  
About brave Essex, and where each do shine,  
I represent that Noble worth of thine:  
By Birth in number with the best, and yet,  
Thou rests not there, but addeth unto it,  
By acts of honour in the highest kind,  
The parallels of Alexander's mind:  
What passive patience hath importuned thee?  
Thy Edifices ruins witness be:  
What vast estate, by tyranny destroyed?  
Which thy innumered Ancestors enjoyed?  
Yea what expenses, hast thou pleast to spend?  
Thy faith and freedom, truly to defend.  
Nor didst thou, yet, here limit thy delight,  
But all thy curious buildings didst thou quit,  
With great estate; (the Grandor of that glory)  
Seemed, but to thee, like Aesop in his story.  
And Mounted, marched in most Magnific manner,  
When Mars threw out, his sacrificing Banner;  
Bedecked with Emblems of pale death, and darts,  
To dull the senses of submissive hearts.  
Yet all was nothing, when they were combined,  
Nor could they conquer Alexander's mind.   
W. M.   

For the Worshipful, DENZAL HOLLIS Esquire.  

Anagr.  
Holds in Zeal.   

Epigr.  
REader, be reverend all the time thou stands  
And hath our famous Holles in thy hands,  
Who, though the sin Apostasy prevail  
Yet changes not, but he still Holds in Zeal.  
Religion's increase, he hath ever aimed,  
I mean the true Religion, which is named  
The Protestant, and purely doth apply,  
Himself thereto, with an impartial Eye;  
Shun's faithless Factions, Errors, and Pretences,  
Still Holds in Zeal, and powerfully convinces  
Connivings, sides not, with Schismatic bands,  
But for the time's opposed Truth, he stands.  
Wise, holy Holles, Heavens let thee not fail,  
Pattron of Piety, thou who Holds in Zeal,  
Long may'st thou live, renowned for thy worth,  
Whose Actions well become thy honoured birth.  
And thou who run the hazard of thy blood  
For thy Religion, and thy country's good;  
Nor stood upon, the loss of thy Estate,  
Nor greater dangers, nor the highest hate  
Thou couldst incur, but constantly didst stand,  
To all these things, signed with thy heart and hand.   
W: M,   

For the Worshipful, JOHN GOODWIN, Esquire,  

Anagr. Ho! I win Good▪   

HO! I win Good, Dost win it where thou sits?  
No, That's enough to win men from their wits:  
The whole Petitions of this plundered Land  
Must be presented to thy piou hand:  
The bloody, thirsty, starving Soldier, grieves,  
Haunts your Committee, every day believes  
To have relief: and by Petitions,  
Calls in your ears, have pity Sir upon's,  
The handsome, and hard-favored widows, woo,  
They much importune, puts you to it too,  
Officers wives, and Waggoners conveen,  
At your Committee, and are always seen,  
Soliciting, yea threatening you for food,  
Is this the way then, that ye Win your Good?  
No, 'tis by granting favour unto them,  
Who stand in need, that way ye win your Name.  
And were it not, your goodness did appear  
In all your pains, you had not had the Chair.  
Brave Noble Sir, then since ye are so free,  
Lose not the Good ye Win, prove good to me.   
W. M.   

For the Worshipful MICHAEL NOBLE ESQUIRE.  

Anagr.  
Lo men be Clay,  
Call him Noble.   

Verse.  
In Heaven Archangel, in Earth, we call him Noble.  
Lo Men be Clay, a Two fold praise, one trouble.   

Epigr.  
THy real goodness, and thy noble Name,  
Requires me to remember thee with them,  
Whose high deservings, and renowned praise  
(In such Encomiums as thou seest I raise)  
Are here enrolled, as Emblems to remain  
And signs of Honour, Trophies in a Train,  
To Eternize your Virtues, Names, and Fames,  
So long as London stands upon the Thames.   
W. M.   

To the truly Honourable Colonel, Colonel Audelay Mervin, my brother in Law.  

Anagr.  
Adieu all my ru'ne.   

Verse.  
Adieu all my ru'ne, resolutely I dare,  
Withstand, contemn, all frowning Fortunes far▪   

Sonot.  
WHat shall I say, for to extol thy Praise?  
Which formerly is not expressed of these  
To whom I writ? So that without offence  
I think I may, extract the Quintessence  
Of most those Virtues, which are here allowed,  
And yet may my Hiperboles make good;  
It cannot lessen their Esteem, for they  
Are truly valued, therefore must I say,  
Though thou art young, yet are thy parts so rare,  
there's no disparage, freely to compare  
Thy Pregnancy, and thy approved Fame  
May well be coupled, and annexed to them:  
Thy high Descent, heroic actions too  
Makes me take freedom, for the thing I do▪   
W. M.   

To the Right Worshipful, Sir Richard Strode, Knight.  

Anagr.  
Rid Christ's order.   

Verse.  
Stop those who strive to stray from justice border,  
Hereby thou shalt gal● Fame, and Rid Christ's order▪   

Epigr.  
STay yet my Muse, for as the case doth stand,  
Thou art too rash, and tak'st too much in hand,  
Dost thou intent of active Strode to write?  
Though thou indeed wilt prove most imperfect▪  
To pen his praise, when Plato might come short,  
If he were living, and would labour for't.  
His noble birth is equal with the best.  
His other Virtues cannot be expressed;  
Hath he not lost, and left his state behind;  
And hath endeavoured, with a faithful mind,  
To make this Kingdom, stand engaged, and grant  
My skill is scarce; though I no matter want  
To write upon, in penning of his praise,  
And me approve, to crown his head with Bays.  
Who was so forward, for to serve the State  
He did not stand, as others to debate,  
What place was best, according to his Birth,  
Or fit for gain, or equal to his worth,  
But put himself, for Devons good to be,  
Upon employment, night, nor day was free▪  
Nor did he cease, thus with his Sword to stand  
But with his Pen, hath pleaded for this Land;  
Nor rests he there, but sets himself at odds,  
Against all Persons, who by practice plods  
As he perceives; by selfconceited skill,  
To do the Kingdoms Privileges ill,  
Then in a word, let Strode be still renowned,  
In whom those virtues so much do abound.    

To the Right Honourable, Thomas adam's, Lord Major.  

Anagr.  
Or I add more alm's as Th'am,   

Verse.  
Our Londoners Thames, adds much Alms to them:  
Yet I do more, Or I add more al'ms as Th'am.   

Epigr.  
MOst admired, virtuous, Governor supreme,  
Whose well-deserving actions▪ gained the Name,  
As only fit, to sway the Sword, and bear  
The Badge of Honour, so renowned here.  
In time of War, a token of such state  
It were too high for me, for to relate.  
Amongst such Members, of admired worth,  
By all consents, to choose thee only forth.  
And for the trust, they truly put in thee,  
They all accounted it absurdity  
To strive, or study as they use, or woo it,  
But called thee there, a▪ ber● thou hadst been to it,  
And solemnised, thy new elected Name,  
With no less new Inventions on the Theme.  
What high Attendance to thy Trains allowed?  
Enough to move a Monarch to be proud?  
Yet such is that unmatched mind of thine,  
Thou Values not these outwards, but dost shine  
By those reflects, which from thy Virtue's flies,  
And so yields comfort to Spectators eyes▪  
That course which Custom for a Right doth claim,  
Shall cease, and no more change its Major's Name.  
Because it only changed with intent,  
To choose a new one for amendment.  
Long mayst thou live, Lord Major and remain  
Renowned in London, till the Floods refrain  
To flow, or fall and till the Thames return,  
And change its Nature in a Fire to burn.   
W. M.   

The Right Honourable, Lord Major, and Court of Aldermen.  

HEre Adam on his Paradizial Throne  
Is Circled with his Offspring thereupon;  
Or view Him sitting on a Seat so high,  
And representing of a Majesty,  
With Four and twenty Elders in a Train  
Attending on him, while he doth remain  
Upon the Plane; yea one more yet you see,  
But at his right hand, the Recorder be.  
And everyone; because I can not bring  
Themselves; these letters, signify the thing.   
 

Behold out first Man Adam, Lord Major Chief,  
Surrounded with his Offspring, here in brief:  
Recorder, Knights, Grave Aldermen, and yet  
I Place them all in order▪ as they sit.   

1 Renowned Recorder, pregnant Glinn, in Law,  
2 Knight Rainton likewise, for his worth I saw,  
3 Brave Pennington, so prudent, wise, and just,  
4 Knight Williston, so upright in his trust;  
5 Applauded Atkins, famous for his Faith▪  
6 Knight Cordwell also, honoured to the death.  
7 Solatious Soums, Knight, be thou also crowned,  
8 Grave, pious, Geer, Knight, likewise and renowned▪  
9 Good Gerret, Knight, in Virtues with the best,  
10 And worthy Warner ought to be expressed;  
11 Renowned, Reverend, Reinoldson, so wise,  
12 And gracious Gerrer, so in each man's eyes.  
13 Commended Clerk thy knowledge doth excel,  
14 Beloved Langham, thy worth I cannot tell;  
15 Admired Andrew's modest, free of Pride,  
16 Let faithful Ponks, in memory abide▪  
17 But Bunce thy bounty cannot be forgot,  
18 And Gibs, much goodness falleth to thy lot;  
19 See cheerful Chambers, Cabinet of worth,  
20 Firm Foot in friendship, London paints thee forth:  
21 Kind Kindrick courteous, constant, active, and  
22 Courageous Cullom, fit for high Command;  
23 Esteem brave edmond's, eternize his Name,  
24 Acknowledge E'er, admired for his Fame;  
25 Behold brave Bide, bedecked with virtues high▪  
26 Thrice worthy Witham, keeps a sympathy,   

And makes a Court of Aldermen, and Knights,  
Whose glory shines, even like as many Lights,  
And all in one do contribute their skill  
To keep this famous City free from ill.  
Thus have I played impartially on their Names,  
Being lied to Terms, and Titles, two extremes,  
But briefly thus, I boldly do afford,  
And put their Names for ever on Record.    

To the Right Worshipful Sir John Northcute Knight.  

Anagr,  
He cherished honour,   

Verse.  
He cherished honour, when he was at war,  
And still goes on in this same strain as fare.   

Epigr.  
THy wisdom, valour, and fidelity,  
Thy knowledge actions▪ and thy constancy,  
First mov▪ d the Kingdom call for thee, as fit,  
In its High Court, and Council for to sit,  
From thence a two fold testimony too  
Thou didst afford▪ courageously didst do,  
In open fields, and there didst fight, and stand,  
With constant mind, and an heroic hand:  
Thy loyal self, sequestrate for a time,  
For no offence, nor for a sinful crime,  
Yet there▪ with patience, than thou didst submit,  
Nor didst thou therefore shrink aside at it:  
But didst continue to the State, so true,  
That I come short to solemnize thy due.   
W. M.   

To the Right worshipful, Sir Samuel Roll.  

Anagr.  
Rise me real soul.   

Verse.  
Rise my real soul, henceforth take no rest,  
Till thou enjoy the joy, is not expressed.   

Epigr.  
THy name, thy nature, and thy practice too,  
Are all prepared, what they resolve to do.  
Thy name says Rise my real soul, no rest,  
Till thou enjoy, the joy is not expressed.   

Thy nature likewise really is bend,  
And to as early rising gives consent:  
And then thy real practice every day  
Of early rising, makes it good, I say.   

The age of time, nor yet the times of year,  
Nor loss of gain, nor wearied travels here,  
Makes thee omit: but thou prevents the day  
By early rising, and makes haste to pray.   

In public place, and sacred sermons haunts,  
Where schisms are not, amongst protestants,  
In number art one of that noble band,  
Who for the Nations privileges stand.   

And in its service sent thy noble Son,  
And freeborn heir, what more than could be done?  
Thus to the State thy good extends, and I  
Am likewise bound unto thy courtesy.   

Wherefore in reason I could do no less,  
Then represent thy virtues in my Glass.   
W. M.   

To the worshipful Anthony nichols, Esquire.  

Anagr. T'schine holi alone.   

THough thy name says, T'schine holi alone,  
And where thou'rt set, thou dost not shine but one  
Yet lo thy virtues, like the Eastern star,  
Shines with those worthies where thou placed are.   

Their splendour adds unto that light of thine,  
And they get increase by thy glorious shine,  
Be holy also, though not so alone,,  
And strive thou to be singular for one.   

And as thy name comes nigh to say so much,  
Still enterprise to make thy actions such:  
Shine holy still, be upright in thy place,  
Defer not justice in a needful case.   

For holy, just, the humble, meek, and true,  
And such as are not, shall receive their due.   
W. M.   

To the much honoured, Major General Edward massy.  

Anagr.  
Made wars' aid.   

Verse.  
Thy valour, virtue, have thee famous made,  
Deservedly thou art made wars' aid.   

Sonnet.  
MAy not my Muse one sonnet sing, to raise  
The famous name of Massies worthy praise?  
May not my glass, a glimpse give of his glory,  
Although deficient of so fine a Story?   

Yes, they may both be busied in the same,  
And yet scarce add one tittle to his fame:  
'Tis not the dulness of my Moses wit,  
Nor yet a glass, that can discover it.   

Yet since he ha●h been active on this stage,  
Where most those worthies honours did engage,  
My Muse's music, shall make melody,  
And sing his praise, so shall my glass let see,   

Though not himself, yet something of that kind,  
Words cannot well express so high a mind.   
W. M.   

To the worshipful Godfraie Bossezile, Esquire.  

Anagr.  
If zeal is God's Robe.  
God's zeal is before.   

Verse.  
If zeal is God's Robe, o Covet that store,  
Be covered therewith, God's zeal is before.   

Epigram.  
IF Virtue, Valour, Honour, and the rest  
Thy attributes which cannot be expressed,  
Such as is Wisdom, Gravity, and Wit,  
Discretion, knowledge, in abundance fit,  
Besides that sacred Excellence of Faith  
Which thou hast vowed and sealed unto the death.  
Joined with that favour, and that free good will  
Which thou affords to others in their ill,  
Makes me acknowledge that it is my part  
Amongst those worthies, fitly to insert  
Thyself; and yet the rather since thou 'rt one  
Who in this warfare hast so freely gone,  
And much expozed thy person for the State,  
To tyranny and irreligious hate;  
Those things I say, shall keep alive thy name,  
When after ages shall thy praise proclaim:  
And Titan shall not undertake to rise,  
Nor run his race throughout the spangled skies:  
Before the Trumpet of thy Fame forbear  
To sound abroad thy high deservings here,   
W. M.   

To the Worshipful, Mr. Hue kennedy.  

Anagr.  
He, even kind.   

Verse.  
Endowd With divers virtues of the mind,  
Such as is conscience, knowledge, he even kind.   

Epigr.  
SInce in the wisdom of a twofold state,  
(When matters stand at such a high debate)  
In their election they did look on thee,  
Most proper for employment kennedy:  
It was the good opinion of thy friends,  
Who would intrust thee in such public ends,  
By which thou art in number one of those,  
Whose prudence shall suppress the Nations foes.  
Go on therefore, join in that just design,  
Give God the glory, and the honours thine.   
W. M.   

To his worthy friend, Mr. john Cheesly, Secretary to the Commissioners for Scotland.  

Anagr.  
Hence is holy.   

Verse.  
What he records, it is so far from folly,  
He pens With prudence, and he hence is holy.   

Epigr:  
REnowned Cheesly, unto thee I speak,  
And for thy worth, unfeigned praise I seek  
What perfect practice is performed by thee,  
It cannot fully be expressed by me:  
But they appoint thee promptest, I aver,  
For fittest penman, wisest Secretair.  
join then th●t judgement which thou dost engage  
The honour of thy Nation l●es in pledge,  
Add thy assistance, intimate thy will,  
Require performance prorogate no ill,  
And then no doubt thou wilt be, I believe,  
Fit for employment, more superlative.   
W. M.   

To the Honourable, and Right worshipful, Sir Archibald johnstoun, Lord Warestone.  

Anagr.  
Sober, and just, holi Shrin.   

Verse.  
Thy name says Sober, just and holi Shrine:  
So that by Nature thou must be divine▪   

TO be so honoured and esteemed so high,  
And so promoted, in a Kingdoms Ay,  
And yet be sober in so great a trust,  
Declares thee truly Noble, surely just.  
But then to be so holy and divine,  
Of all these virtues for to be the shrine,  
Is somewhat far above my rural pen,  
To paraphrase upon such pious men.  
Thy prudent practice in affairs of State  
Are things beyond my knowledge to relate.  
Thy Art in learning is so eminent,  
And reaches so above my Element,  
That if I strive to walk into that air,  
I stand in danger, lest I perish there.   
W. M.   

To the Right worshipful Sir Oliver Fleming.  

Anagr.  
Use firm religion.   

Verse.  
Use firm religion, this imports thy name,  
Let then thy practice always be the same.   

Sonnet.  
THy Name, thy Nature, and thy practice too  
juvites thee to use firm religion, do  
Even as the number of these letters lead  
What these Characters spell, let practise road:  
But why should I take on me to advise  
Thy Noble self, whose constant enterprise  
Is to persuade the people to go on  
In zeal, and to Use firm Religion.  
Nor yet is this the scope of thy design,  
Nor full intent, but morals with divine,  
Thou contributes, so by a twofold Care,  
Thou gainest the name of Act ve, upright, rare,  
Therefore I cease to paint thy praises forth:  
Thyself, and actions, show thy real worth.   
W. M.   

To the Right Honourable IchCambell, Earl Lowdon, Lord high Chancellor of Scotland.  

Anagr.  
Call him real'e noble.   

Verse.  
Call him real'e nohle, sound his fame,  
Since you do read his actions in his name.   

Epigram.  
A Hand divine. or some heroic quill,  
Employed with all Parnassus muses skill▪  
Must contribute their knowledge to contrive,  
The excellence, the eminence, and strive,  
Yea strain themselves for to extol thy fame,  
Thy noble nature, and renowned name.  
Thy worth, thy virtue, and admired wit,  
Made all thy Nations wisdom, think thee fit,  
For to be chosen Chancellor Supreme,  
And to support a Monarch's diadem.  
Thy birth that burden best became, but then,  
Thy education did exceed all men:  
As far as Phoebus in his highest sphere,  
Excels the smallest meteors in the air.  
Most famous Lord, beloved Lowdon Earl,  
More beautiful than is the brightest pearl:  
Whose price surpass those estimations high,  
Within the compass or Capacity  
Of my conceptions, surely I may aim  
To intimate, but cannot come to them.  
All Europa's eyes have long time gazed to see  
Those enterprises entertained by thee:  
And duly did determine for to stand,  
To those intentions thou didst take in hand.  
When faith fell foul, and noman must appear,  
In none of these three kingdoms, thou cam'st here▪  
And with a constant courage, and a mind  
Most certain, zealous, in undaunted kind,  
Thou didst declare, with hazard of thy blood,  
Thy resolutions for Religions good.  
And when confined by Sovereign high consent,  
Nor did thy thoughts nor alter, nor relent:  
But in a pious and a prudent form:  
Past through the power of that tempestuous storm:  
Stood steadfast, faithful, as that fixed Star,  
Which stands, whereby all others ruled are.  
A learned l●ght, a Peer unparaleld:  
Whose high expressions in the tongues excelled,  
And still excels, the eloquence or skill  
Of Cato, Plato, or Apollo's quill:  
When time shall cease, when Phoebus shall not shine,  
And human nature shall become divine,  
When day in darkness shall dissolve, and when  
A thousand years shall be the age of man:  
Yea when the Spring to winter time shall turn:  
And when the Ocean in a fire shall burn.  
Then shall they cease to sing thy praise, and then  
Thy name shall be quite canceled by men.  
But not till then (and that will never be)  
Shall after ages cease to honour thee.   
W. M.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, Lord Major of the City of LONDON. WITH The Honourable Aldermen, and the rest of the common-councel-men.  
REnowned worthies; when I weigh your fame,  
Your greatness, lustre, and your virtuous Name,  
Your wisdom, knowledge, providence, and arts,  
Your grace, your goodness, and diviner parts,  
The Zeal, the love, the charities, and what  
Belongs, as proper attributes to that▪  
Your power, your plenty, with your worth, and wit,  
Your faith and forward arguments of it;  
The highest honour of your enterprise,  
Which from the secret of your hearts arise,  
Your noble Natures, not enough admired,  
Your real actions, active, and untyred,  
Your constant Carriage, and uncessant care,  
The vast expenses, daily you prepare;  
Your pains and practice, in a pleasant kind,  
Proceeding from your piety of mind:  
Makes up a model of admired worth,  
To beautify, and set your glory forth,  
Before whose feast, in presence of whose table,  
And in whose eyes, so high and honorabel,  
My mean designs, or infants of my Muse,  
Scarce date approach; yet doubting to refuse,  
They do draw nigh; submissively to tender▪  
Those true intentions, which I freely render,  
In these few lines, Characters here, insert,  
As real Emblems, of a zealous heart,  
And do acknowledge I am bound to praise,  
Those who may claim, such Epithets as these,  
Grave Judges then, admit me as I am,  
Though one unworthy; yet with what I came  
Contemn the treasure, not a whit for me,  
Although I bring it, yet behold, and see,  
What I present, and at your vacant hours,  
Look on his lines, whose life is wholly yours.  
I have contrived in a mean degree,  
Though not the whole, yet an Epitome,  
Of England's troubles, and a true relation,  
Of all the sufferings, of this famous Nation,  
The cause was Gods, the glory is your own,  
You have maintained the truth, and made it known,  
I need not bid you perseveer, you are,  
I do perceive you, what you always were,  
I only throw my mite into your store,  
To show affection not to make it more,  
And do advise you, humbly to eschew,  
The bad divisions, of a factious crew,  
Go on with courage, as you have done ay,  
It is the evening, that doth crown the day:  
Your Fame is flown ' with its wings so far,  
You do not know what things reported are,  
The eyes of Europe, opened are to view,  
If you continue and prove constant true,  
Great be the Grander, wherein you may shine,  
And heaps of honour from a hand Divine,  
Be daily added in your heads, and then,  
You will appear the rarest of all men,  
This is the sum: I have for to present,  
Your servant can afford no compliment,  
Accept of these, and if you think it fit,  
As you are pleased let me hear of it,  
Your good acceptance may encourage much,  
I hope your Greatness will vouchsafe me such,  
So shall my book bear witness at your table,  
I am your Servant, Devoted as I am able.  
W. M.   

To the Renowned, Learned, and Worthy, DIVINES; 

Mr. ALEXANDER HENDERSON.  
Mr. SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.  
Mr. ROBERT BAYLY.  
Mr. GEORGE GILESPIE.   Commissioners for the CHURCH of SCOTLAND.  
Author. Echo.  
I Can not be resolved of my doubt,  
Nor could I find Divinity well out:  
But asked the Echo, and it answered I  
Do know four Fathers of Dininity.  
I called again, if it knew where they were?  
And it replied, I'll tell thee where they are.  
I asked the place, or if it knew their names,  
And then it said, I know them by their aims.  
What do they aim at? Then I asked aloud,  
It answered me, To pay what they allowed.  
What do they pay? Preach Peace to all that sins?  
Then did it answer, Pardon all that's in's.  
I asked if it could name them one by one,  
And thent it answered, Learned Hindersons.  
I called a second, and it Echoed I  
Must Echo out rare B. A. I. L. Y.  
And then the third, I asked it to afford,  
The Echo then did echo Rutherford.  
For one more yet, I prayed it to espy,  
The Airy Echo whispered Gil es pie.  
These are the four profound Renowned Divines.  
The Echo ended, praising their Ingin's.  
W. M.   

For Apology to these Persons of Honour.  
BLame not my Muse nor my impartial eye,  
If I mistake your place of Heraldry;  
I am not haunted with the same, nor yet,  
Have I advised with yourselves in it:  
I seek not to engender discontent,  
Nor meddle with your place in Parliament;  
But see how Mars did muster you in War,  
As I conceive, so you inserted are:  
Or if I place a Member here amiss,  
Misconstrue not my meaning here in this.  
You all are Members of one body, be  
Not disunited, 'twere bad policy.  
You did attend upon his Excellence  
At Arms, I pray then take it in that sense.  
And if your charge did challenge you the Van;  
If I mistake it, yet be you the man.  
But you remember often in the Rear,  
The best be ranked, think it not a jeer,  
Nor that I jest; it was more honour then  
To strive for place, so do Heroic men;  
Or if I borrow for a friend, a place,  
I hope you will excuse me in this case.  
Yea, take this New'ars gift gladly, and confess,  
Ye joy to shine so in your General's Glass.  
And since your honours I do seek with thirst,  
Let him that's first be last, and last be first.  
W. M.   

To the Right Worshipful and Renowned Physician; Doctor Alexander Ramsey.  

Anagr.  
Examen all rare aid.   

Verse.  
Examine all rare aid, yet you shall still,  
reverence the excellency of Ramsay's skill.   

Epigr.  
HYpocrates, and Galen got the praise,  
The rarest of Physicians in their days,  
But Ramsay, had those times produced thee,  
Thou hadst been Reckoned rarest of the three,  
They were Renowned for Knowledge, but thy Name,  
Shall be more famous, far, then both of them,  
They practised most on subjects; by report,  
Thy Sovereign skill, was singular, at Court,  
I knew no fit preferment for thy worth,  
To place thee in; but I have picked thee forth,  
For best Physicians; to attend on them,  
Whose noble Presence, may promote thy Name,  
Preserve them then, in honour strength and health,  
From pains displeasure, and in heaps of wealth;  
Which if you do, you shall partake of that,  
Their happy being; and yourself knows what▪  
But singular Ramsay, by thy admired skill,  
Say, canst thou cure this Epidemic ill,  
Of jealousies and fears, or this sad grief,  
The want of gold, of all diseases chief;  
Which if thou dost, as is no doubt thou may,  
(If men will but, submit unto thy way)  
Then we shall be made rich, and thou renowned,  
Thou shalt have patience still: none will be sound,    

TO MY BROTHER, Captain John Mercer.  

Anagr.  
Hence, no more it.   

Verse.  
Hence, no more ire; this comes well nigh your name.  
Let Anagram and actions; be the same.   

Sonnet.  
THose courtesies which common are to others,  
May very well be used between two Brothers,  
You see I have presumed with my pen,  
To write my mind to many worthy men.  
I shall not therefore think it much amiss,  
To visit you with these few lines, in this.   

Nor think's unproper, though you have the age,  
For to receive, this Sonnet for a pledge  
Of my respects; and be advised by me,  
To let your outwards, and your mind agree.   

Nature, in each thing, hath performed, and Art,  
In you; and Parents also, played their part;  
Make good these gifts, kerb passion, lose no time,  
And though you think me, guilty of the crime;  
Which I condemn, yet strive you to be better,  
And for so doing, I shall be your debtor.   
W. M.   

TO THE FAMOUS POET Capt. George Withers.  

Anagr.  
I go gether Verso.   

Verse.  
Thy name itself says; I go gether verse.  
So that thy store-house never can be scarce.  
The Stock Whence thou, thy lines, and loaves, do gether,  
Shall fresh continue, and revive, though Wither.   

Epigr.  
ALL ye who brag of brave Saint George come hither,  
And England, henceforth, boast of thy George Whither,  
Lay off your emblems, do no Trophies raise,  
Unless for Withers solemnize no days,  
Rare Withers, thou whose verses were foretold,  
As Prophecies; and secrets to unfold,  
Whose young, and yet, undaunted spirit prized,  
Thy rare inventions, (well nigh sacrificed)  
Before thy freedom; and whose fluent pen,  
Makes thee more famous than those mighty men,  
Whose mines of gold, and greatest store of such,  
Can not be reckoned, near thy worth by much,  
To thee, my Muse, though unacquainted must,  
Into thy wing of fame; a feather thrust,  
To mount thee higher, and to make thee fly,  
Above thy own expressions, mortals eye:  
The best of wits, the rarest of the Nine,  
Whose high inventions, in thy verse divine,  
Makes me admire thee far much more, than others,  
Renowned Poet; ra●e and worthy Withers.   
W. M.   

The Penmans' Apology to the Common Reader.  
IF any take me for to be a stranger  
That penned this piece, I hope there is no danger,  
Or if a Native here his seed hath sown,  
No doubt, you will excuse him as your own:  
And if a Poet you presume I am,  
The Muses will excuse me whence I came,  
In any thing if I have pleased thee,  
Then I am sure thou wilt not censure me:  
But 'tis a thing impossible, that I  
Can please all parties, or the standers by:  
IT may be thou hates some one of whom I writ,  
And therefore thou must rail at me in spite:  
Or else thou'rt angry that I did not touch  
Thy praises likewise, speak of thee as much:  
My freeborn Muse, or mother of my rhyme,  
Cannot be tied to humour every time:  
Yet I am certain that I speak to thee▪  
If not myself, my Satire is not free:  
But if thou wrongs me with an angry look;  
I love not thee, more than thou loves my book.  
My mind's my grand Committee, must not seek  
Another Chairman, I am charged to speak.  
W. M.   

A Satire.  
GO swift winged Satire, fly abroad, and spare no earthly thing,  
Thou art not to obey a law, nor subject to a King,  
Pluck out a feather from thy quill, and fear nothing but write,  
And see thou neither▪ spare thy friend, nor foe, nor men of might.  
Fly in the air, where thou mayst see, through clearness▪ of the Sun,  
And cease not till thou censures all, when once thou art begun:  
Tell every kind of creature who bears the shape of man,  
That thou must prove impartial, and with thy feathers fan:  
Till thou wilt take the quintesscence of every thing that's quick,  
And with a feather from thy wing will't freely choose and pick:  
Tell first the highest of us all, whose footstool is a throne,  
That Kings themselves may catch a fall, if they be left alone:  
And tell our Sovereign, spare him not, but ask him, what is he  
If he his Subjects once forsake? he cannot answer thee.  
Tell tyrannizers in their teeth that they triumph too far.  
And tell the proud & mighty men, they know not what they are,  
Tell subjects, that they must remember they are subjects still,  
And tell the self conce●●●d tool, thou cat'st not for his ill  
Tell Divines that the most of them are devilish and that they  
Have but a show of Godliness and do not as they say  
Tell ludges that they are unjust nor do they judge a●ight  
And tell them that their avarice is always in thy sight  
Tell Protestant's profession is almost dead and gone:  
And tell thou knows not where to go to find Religion.  
Tell that the City's full of schisms, sects, and heresies,  
And that the heinous sins of Sodom lurks, and in it lies:  
Ma●k as thou marchest in the streets, take notice, they will cry,  
What do you lack? what want you Sir? what is it you will buy?  
This is the Scriptures call you know▪ but in another sense,  
For thou must pay for every thing thou getst, ere thou goes hence▪  
The Scripture bids thee buy for nothing, here's all things good and evil,  
Thou mayst for thy money have, and thou mayst buy the Devil;  
Go tell the bloody thirsty soldier, running inarreer,  
And Lawyers craving whole accounts, when they come to appear,  
And plead for their oppressions, at that impartial bar,  
Arguing pro, and con, and what equivocations are:  
There shall the trumpet sound, and tell them▪ they were paid, and wood;  
But Item then, and memorandum, if it be allowed:  
When all accounts shall be cast up, & reckon be made even▪  
By the high Committee of accounts, for the whole Kingdom of heaven:  
O! then how gladly would they wish the most part of their pay  
Should be abated▪ and the rest put to the longest day.  
Tell when thou comes in open place, amongst the multitude,  
They are become pernicious, impertinent, and rude:  
Tell Gentlemen that they are just like unto Apes, and that  
The Courtiers are play the knaves, and say they know not what.  
Tell tradesmen they mistake themselves, and for their former pride,  
Some have shut up their shops at home, and gone abroad to ride  
Tell such of them as are become Commanders for the cause,  
They will repent them ere 'tis long, they learned soldiers laws:  
Tell such as practise plundering, their pastime will not last:  
And tell the idle loiterer, it were good that he were pressed.  
Tell to the City, that their sins, and insolences odd,  
Have been the cause that many souls are sacrificed abroad,  
Tell to the Preacher in the Pulpit, seeming so precise,  
He may deceive the people's sight, but not his master's eyes:  
And tell the hearers of the word, some comes but for the fashion:  
Tell all of them, ere it be long, must answer their transgression.  
Tell husbands they are bad become, their families profane,  
And tell the females in their faces, they are wondrous vain.  
Tell every one their part, I pray thee, spare not high, nor low,  
And tell them▪ that thou came of purpose for to tell them so  
And having flown both far and nigh▪ return, and do not fear▪  
But tell the errors of the time unto them that are here;  
Tell in the House of Parliament, but not as persons there,  
Tell them that private men may fail▪ and that is wondrous fair  
Tell England's Looking-glass, it fails, for all its golden case  
And that it shows not really, but counterfeits the face:  
Tell also him that made it too, what ever he pretends,  
That Poets often flatter men, and have their private ends.  
Thus telling all the truth abroad, return, and do not stay;  
For having spoke thy mind so much, thou knows not but they may  
Be so incensed against thyself, before thou art ware,  
They may make bold to question thee, how thou durst fly so far:  
For though the truth be best to hear, thou knows we always would,  
That oftentimes you should forbear, the truth must not be told  
But thou hast done good service sure unto the States, in this,  
Thou hast discharged thy conscience too, so that thou canst not miss  
To be maintained, and much made of; or else thy pains are lost:  
Thou nothing haste, but only this, thy labour for thy cost.   

To the Right Honourable, the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament: and the Right Honourable Lord Major of London, The Right worshipful Aldermen, and the rest of the Common Council.  

The humble petition of Captain William Mercer,  
Who's forced to leave of prose, and turn a Verser.   

Shows,  
THough here I never did my suits prefer,  
Yet I have been an old Petitioner;  
And after long times wearied fights abroad,  
Am sore tormented; with this angry rod  
Of Courting, Crouching, Craving, and my eyes,  
Cast down so low, that I Idolatrize▪  
Must haunt Committees, follow on the Clerk,  
Must pray, solicit, and make such a work,  
As I have been in several Nations six,  
But all my troubles came not nigh to vex▪  
Your supplicant, in manner like to those,  
As I had been one of your greatest foes,  
I have been true in standing for the State  
And of my friends have therefore had much hate.  
I never plundered money, horse nor arms,  
Nor did the Country any kind of harms;  
But took free quarter, when I had not pay,  
And that was often but one meal a day:  
Would never let them kill a handsome Hen,  
To feed me, if I could not pay it then,  
Have borrowed from my boy, who could disburse  
Money, when I had nothing in my purse:  
Preserved the People from the plundering band  
Of Soldiers, and still for their good did stand.  
Yea, and with patience suffered for the cause,  
According to our Covenant, and Laws,  
Not doubting, though I much run in areer,  
But I should surely have it some time here.  
And if I were to write my final will,  
Upon my death, I never did more ill.  
But now your true petitioner indeed  
Is so confounded, as you here may read,  
That I am almost wearied of my life,  
Tired and tormented with this cruel strife  
The cries of children and an angry woman,  
Two heavy Anchors, when their tied unto men,  
They cry for money, bread, and beer, and beef,  
But they may eat their fingers for relief,  
Then call they Father; What have we to burn?  
Poor children thinks that I can do their turn.  
How doth yourselves content these Infant cares?  
Or do you bid them go and say their Prayers?  
Perchance ye do, an't may be so do I,  
But then they enter in a lachry my,  
And tells me this, what have we now to eat?  
The grace is said, but we can get no meat,  
My creditors have called so oft unto me  
That now they swear they shortly will undo me.  
They say my charge hath turned me in a cheat,  
And such like things have happened me of late  
When I'm abroad, I stand and stare to skan,  
Lest I on sudden meet a Marshals man:  
This is most grievous, and a great disgrace,  
A Soldier dare not look men in the face:  
And I'm already run so in the score  
To tell the truth, they will not trust me more.  
And now the Printer, and the Stationer,  
Threatens to prison your Petitioner.  
For I who could before these Wars did enter,  
Attain more trust upon one lines debenter,  
Then now I can for either word or writ,  
They do not care for both, here is the spite:  
And if I tell them much to me is 
* 900. l.  owed,  
Then say they; Item, if it be aloud.  
Nor can I walk along the street, and look  
Upon a Butcher, nor come nigh a Cook  
But they step in, between me and their stall,  
And there they stand, till I be in the Hall,  
Still as I pass, I hear them whispering, So,  
And sends a boy to dog me where I go;  
They are afraid lest hungry men prove rash  
And seize upon their unprepared fl●sh.  
This is my case, but this doth me recherish,  
So many worthies will not let me perish,  
Nor lay my lines aside, (it is not that)  
Unless contented, which is aimed at.  
Nigh four years now I have been in this war,  
Yet I am poorer than I was, by far,  
And all this time, a Captain too, to Horse,  
But my estate still waxed worse and worse.  
How could I choose, you see what was my pay,  
And what I took, you likewise hear me say:  
In two years' time I had not pay almost  
For once a day to buy a buttered toast.  
I lost my being in that Irish land,  
Where by commission I had first Command.  
My Father's heir was therein put to Sword,  
His wife was also cruelly devoured,  
His goods destroyed, his Children sent abroad  
To beg; and I was scourged with this rod.  
Yet not the less, if prose nor verse prevails,  
There's no more hope, I must lie by the heels:  
Nor dare I speak, or if, this is my lot,  
They shake their heads, and say, you are a Scot,  
Deriding me, as if I were forlorn;  
Or to be called a Scots man were a scorn,  
The case is altered, for when I came here  
The Scots were counted Loving brethren dear:  
Nor's that the love the Scripture doth commend,  
Whom Christ did love, he loved unto the end.  
But good my Lords, and noble Gentlemen  
Be pleased to hear, and have but patience then,  
Yea, pardon me, who is so forced to press  
Upon your patience, I can do no less:  
Nor let the spleen of any one or two  
If there be such; stop what you mind to do,  
The best amongst you, have some private foe,  
And so may I, for any thing I know.  
virtue's always envied, there's none so witty  
To shun the slanderous tongues, the more's the pity.  
But let them speak and prove, which if they do,  
I'll burn my books, and will be banished too.  
The Parliament for freedom needs not sit,  
If one will do all that's required in it:  
And if that Justice may not claim its place  
Where malice sits, that were a fearful case.  
I'll take my oath, (all times I were abroad)  
And prove it too, though ye may think it odd:  
I never went into a Tavern twice  
Nor in an Alehouse was I ever thrice  
To call for drink: nor drunken in my time,  
There's no man can accuse me of that crime:  
Nor do I know, (pray think it not a tale)  
The prizes of the Wines, nor beer, nor ale:  
So, never drinking for to make me rash,  
I'm sure I seldom faulted being fresh.  
I scorned to plunder, called it base to rob,  
Resolved rather to be just like job,  
Both poor and upright, but I see what falls  
In favours of such cursed Animals  
As plagued the people, Fortune smiles on them,  
They rise to honours, and they have no blame.  
But this may be, that saying to fulfil  
Which is, The wicked flourish in their ill,  
I have more comfort of my honest mind,  
Though for a time I opposition find,  
Then they who gain their riches so with sorrow,  
And may be proud to day, but poor to morrow.  
My heart shall hold my resolution still,  
Endure with patience, if I do no ill,  
I have performed that part to me belongs,  
And God shall be a witness of my wrongs,  
If I must perish, but I do appeal  
Unto your honours, hops for to prevail  
In this my suit so honest, just and true,  
But do submit me, wholly unto you,  
Whose greatness will grant pardon to my sin,  
For being so presumptuous herein,  
How can I choose? For after three year's war  
I find them striving fully to debarr  
Me of my pay, which truly I deserve,  
The only way me to constrain to strave,  
Or beg my bread, as others daily do:  
But more than this I'll tell thee something too:  
At six month's end, when I my ' counts desired,  
To go to Cornhill than I was required,  
To that Committee, which of Lawyers be,  
Be what they will, they were too hard for me:  
For though my debts I did present most true,  
Yet they writ Item, if the same be due:  
Which when I saw, I vexed, and waxed wroth,  
And then they told me, they were on their oath:  
For what? said I; they answered, to do right,  
Or as it should seem good in their own sight:  
Well, this they did, but when we came to read,  
We found it needful they would come to plead  
At that Committee; where they did return us  
Who when we came with our accounts, did scorn us:  
This grieved my soul, to run so up and down  
From him, to him, and thorough so long a Town  
As this, and yet when all is come to all  
I cannot get a penny, though I call  
My very eyes out of my doleful head,  
all's no to them, for they will make no speed.  
They send me there to hear the money Chink  
In Lumberstreet, no question some men think  
That that will tempt me, than they will pretend  
If I should rob men, I'm for my own end.  
Then think not strange although my verse be bad▪  
For such like things, have made me almost mad.  
I borrowed oft to pay my men abroad,  
And not to pay me that, were very odd:  
My poor half 
* 400. l.  part, out of the public purse,  
Or less than that, would free me from this curse,  
I do not crave you in so high a measure  
So small a sum would not exhaust your treasure.  
What comes of all Collections and excise?  
Malignant's money? Flies it in the skies?  
Pray if ye will not pay me, make me then  
But one full fortnight a Committee-man,  
I'll pay myself; nor will I charge the State,  
But only take the money I can get:  
If I would ask a Groat, you would not grant  
It think, although ye saw me strave for want▪  
Ten thousand pounds to call for or a penny  
Is all alike, ye cannot part with any.  
To give me nothing were a bad revenge,  
And for my pains to let me starve were strange:  
It makes me think the thing is true they say,  
Ye are resolved never for to pay:  
But that were strange, would make me wonder too,  
Since for the truth ye make so much ado:  
but therein act as you shall think it best,  
Give me my pay; I strive not for the rest:  
There's not a man will do so much as speak  
Or look, without allowance every week:  
Yet I did fight, Fast, watch, had much to do  
To save my life, and must have nothing too.  
Malignants sees me in so poor a plight,  
They laugh, and tellsme I am served right:  
Nor hate they me because that it is I,  
But I will tell the reason by and by,  
They do abhor all of that Northern Nation  
Who joins not with them in their Congregation:  
For though they did make promise thereunto,  
It was when they had greater things to do:  
Like people in a straight, but now they're free,  
The turns nigh done, they care no more for me.  
'Tis not our part upon their souls to press,  
And for my part I freely must confess:  
If they will pay me I will speak and plead  
Against my Country men to go with speed.  
And let them preach, and use their minds to pray,  
Or do even what they please to do or say,  
Or where or how, yea be they wives or men,  
And so I think they would be pleased then:  
For can I force them, where they will not do?  
Time is not yet for Iew and Gentile too.  
I hold me bound of Conscience for to move them,  
But I must neither challenge nor reprove them.  
Preach in their streets or in their private Hall,  
(If not in Church) by my consent they shall.  
Nor say I'm wanton, though I writ in verse,  
I had not done so, had I not been scarce  
Of money, Lodging, credit, and the rest:  
Nor could I well consider what was best  
To do; for I had spent so long a time  
I prose, that I was forced to write in rhyme,  
Resolving what in me did lie, to do,  
And if I perish, lay the fault on you.  
I was made come, and go, and come again,  
But all I did was labour spent in vain:  
From one to t'other, to that Committee man,  
And then as wise as when I first began.  
Some said I'll do't, then said I am but one,  
And then they said ye must petition:  
They bid me fast and pray, if I be sick,  
When I have well nigh fasted all the week,  
And if I tell them that my spirit's spent,  
They bid me then, be patiented, and content,  
The Colonels have laid their  in pawned,  
And many Majors have not strength to stand,  
The Captains and Commanders all in chief  
Are quite confounded, even with very grief,  
And many good men fast a month from meat,  
And when they have it, than they cannot eat;  
Now tell them this, and zealous like they pause,  
And says, that we must suffer for the cause:  
Those Characters Jobs messengers may spell,  
For I alone, am only left to tell:  
Is this the dealing with a friend or brother?  
Or mutual manner of maintaining other?  
Yet if I must go, furnished as I came,  
I cannot be made worse than I am,  
Nor is this half the burden that I bear,  
No flesh, and blood would suffer nor endure  
Those great neglects, wherewith I am suppressed,  
So that I am ashamed to confess't;  
But if it were not for the reverence,  
(A matter of so mighty consequence,)  
Which I do bear this hopeful Parliament,  
And that I likewise look for some content,  
I would cry out, though I therefore should die,  
And let the World even know my destiny.  
Thus craving leave to speak, please you to read,  
This is the Subjects freedom which I plead,  
As for the issue, I prescribe not what,  
The honour of the house will think on that.  
But I believe your greatness will consider  
To make my State, as first when I come hither,  
So wrestling with you, till I have my will  
Then will I think it time for to be still:  
You know that jacob, by his faith abode,  
Nor would he leave off wrestling with his God  
Till he obtained; so you still with your King  
Have wrestled likewise, till ye have the thing.  
Even so the woman in the Gospel got  
What she desired, yea she departed not  
Till she obtained; and Jacob on demand  
Obtained the blessing, at good isaack's hand.  
What shall I say? Is not one Isaac then  
Amongst so many full five hundred men?  
Or if there be: in vain bear not the name,  
Let me receive the blessing then from them.  
For I'm afraid lest Esau like I sell  
My whole debenter for a dish of Kell,  
Therefore I do determine still to call,  
Till I have some part, I desire not all.  
I hate to beg, but being so o'erthrown  
I humbly hope ye'l help me to mine own.  
I have petitioned, and I do not doubt  
before the question is resolved about.  
Amongst those worthies whom I do implore,  
But they will take a course to cure my sore:  
For if I had but third part of my pay  
To free my charges, I would go my way.   

I have no more to say,  
but I shall ever pray.   

William Mercer.  

Anagr. I am very ill cu'r me.   

jam very ill cu'r me of my Pain,  
Or else my wars and verses are in vain.   

I am veri ill cu'r me, if I die  
Of this disease ye'l spoil my Poetry.   

I am veri ill cu'r me, but if not,  
I never will write more while I'm a Scot   

I am veri ill cu'r me, if so long,  
My muse may choose to sing another song.     

One word more to Momus.  
Ba●e wide mouthed Momus rage and rail thy fill  
Spew out thy venom words can do no ill,  
But to thyself, thy being is thereby,  
For having spent thy spirits, thou must die.  
The crawling snail the passenger to scorn,  
Cannot forbear, extols his feeble horn,  
But trod upon, he quickly doth withdraw,  
Because he knows his weapons have no awe;  
Pluck in thy horn, spew out thy venom then,  
Thou Miscreant, vile creature of men.  
This is the worst I wish to such a snail,  
Thy slanderous tongue were st●●king in thy—   

To the scornful Passenger.  

SLight not my lines, nor lay my labours by,  
Laugh not to scorn, because the Author's I:  
I know thou'st come, and with disdainful look,  
Wilt, passing by, say, what's this Mercer's book?   

But Mercer's book, if thou couldst take the time,  
Or stay from Taverns, to peruse his rhyme:  
Will pay thee home, presuming to appear,  
Or lay thy hands upon these Persons here.   

Without thou stand bareheaded, and a fare,  
Such one as thou shouldst not come wherethey are.  
Forbear therefore, in silence, stand aside,  
Or take not notice, Mercer makes a pride▪   

If he approach, and sples such in the place,  
To look amiss: he spits into their face.   
W. M.   

Ad Eundem.  

MY Crystal glass, clear, spotless, clean, and pure,  
Can no infectious filled by breath endure,  
To blow upon't so also would my Muse  
Be even as rash, if she knew how to choose:  
But she is mine, and cares not for the frown  
Of any churlish, base, backbiting clown,  
As for my glass, in innocence it stands,  
If stained by thee, between a knaves two hands.   

William Mercer, Anagr.  
I am merrili cru'l,   

Verse.  
I am merrili cru'l to Momus,  
For I wish all such fellows were from us.   
From my Lodging in King-street Westminster, at the three Pigeons. jan. 6. 1645.   

Upon the title of the Book.  
THere are some books which bears the very Name  
That mine does own, yet they are not the same,  
Thou never heldst a glass before thine eyes,  
Wherein thou saw all these Nobilities,  
And worthies, wherefore thou must needs confess,  
'Tis fitly named England's Looking-glass.  
Or if this glass should have been called by me,  
The glass of these three Kingdoms 'twere no lie.  
Then with a threefold reverence see thou stand  
And looking in it, hold thy hat in hand.  
W. M.