TIMES ALTERATION OR A Dialogue between my Lord FINCH and Secretary Windebancke; at their meeting in France, the eight of Ian. 1641. Brought up to Billingsgate the next Spring tied following.  
 depiction of Lord Finch with wings  
That I have wronged the Land, I now repent,  
But who the devil thought o'th' Parliament?  
 depiction of Windebancke with quill  
Beware you false traitors, that are left behind  
't is best for you to sail by Windebanck's wind.  Windebancke. 
WEll met my Lord, it seems that you have taken flight over the great Pond, pray what news in England?  Finch. 
Faith I durst not stay to hear what news, for I fear if I had tarried a little longer, my wings would have been clipped, and then I am sure, I had never came hither.  Windeb. 
I commend your policy, for you being sure to fly, were sure to escape, but I pray good my Lord, what do they say of me in England?  Finch. 
News more than I can relate, think you and I have been the best benefactors to the ragged Regiment of Poets, that ever came since Noah's flood?  Windeb. 
Why good my Lord?  Finch. 
Why I believe there hath been more Impressions of several kinds of lamentable Ballads and Pamphlets, (made upon us two) than ever was of the Practice of Piety, or crumbs of Comfort.  Windeb. 
But I pray some more serious news good my Lord.  Finch. 
I will tell you so much as I durst stay to hear, and some other which I have had by proxy since my flight hither.  Windeb. 
I should be glad to hear it, proceed good my Lord.  Finch. 
They say that your great Grape-sucker, Alderman Medium and his great adversary the politic solicitor, are fast friends, they may be found at their lodging at any time of the day.  Windeb. 
Truly you give the Alderman Medium a very fit name, for I believe he hath sucked more sweetness from Grapes, than any man in the kingdom besides.  Finch. 
Ay, I think no less, but it seems he hath sucked so much that he hath taken a surfeit.  Windeb. 
Good my Lord proceed, if you have any more news concerning the Alderman.  Finch. 
There is another costive Alderman, which hath swallowed a barrel of white soap, & it is thought it will give him such a purge that the physic in all the apothecary's shops in London, will hardly give any man the like.  Windeb. 
Truly my Lord, your news pleaseth me well: yet one thing I had almost forgot, I pray what's become of your kinsman Ren.  Finch. 
Faith he had taken flight too before this, had his wings been but as long as mine, but I believe he is cadged before this, how sweetly he will sing I know not.  Windeb. 
I hear some news my Lord, concerning yourself, which I know your Lordship can resolve me.  Finch. 
I prithee what's that?  Windeb. 
The news goeth in these parts, that in England they picture your Honour with wings.  Finch. 
'tis true, good reason, for they have done me as good service as ever my dry palms did me.  Windeb. 
I? Thinks your honour so?  Finch. 
I am sure I know so, for had not my wings been long, I am very certain I had been shorter by a head ere this.  Windeb. 
But what other news have you my Lord? What becomes of the man i'th' great ruff?  Finch. 
Why faith I know not, but if I were his Judge, I would have the sets filled with Gunpowder, and fire set to it, and if that blow not off his head, he should be hanged.  Windeb. 
My Lord, your judgement's very hot. But I pray what more news? I hear they will have no Bishops in England.  Finch. 
I hear so too, and I believe it, for they have already began with your great Metropolitan, he is fast (I faith) in a stronger house than ever was built by a Clothier of Red●ing.  Windeb. 
I am very sorry he had so much grace and so little wit, for he might have trusted to his footmanship, and showed himself as wise as we, but what is become of the great Lord Deputy?  Finch. 
Faith, the report goes that he is gone to God without a head.  Windeb. 
He should rather have taken his head with him, & gone without his heart. For I believe that was the most faulty, but my Lord, I pray resolve what's become of your project concerning the ship-money, will the Subjects pay it willingly?  Finch. 
Pox on't, prithee speak not of that, I hear it is quashed.  Windeb. 
I hear so too by some, that your Lordship was pleased to lie at stake for all.  Finch. 
There let them lie, I believe the Parliament will pay them their wages.  Windeb. 
I believe they had rather do your honour service here Gratis, then tarry to receive their pay there.  Finch. 
Now I pray good Master Secretary, now I have wearied myself with telling you news, let me hear some from you.  Windeb. 
About two days ago, I met with Corpus juris civilis, or the bulk of the civil laws, Doctor Rhone who told me that the Canons had murdered the canonists themselves.  Finch. 
You mean the book of Canons that was lately made, but I pray what is become of the oaths of ex officio? and &c.  Windeb. 
Faith they have been sworn so often, that they are sworn out of fashion with your civil Lawyers.  Finch. 
I pray tell me what is like to become of the Civillans, I hear they begin to droop?  Windeb. 
Faith the duck's wings will be plucked, and lamb begins to be out of season; I am afraid they'll starve the Rats and Mice, in the Doctors-Commons now, for I believe they will live more sparingly then they have done formerly.  Finch. 
Master Secretary, I have more news to tell you, which I had almost forgot.  Windeb. 
What is that good my Lord?  Finch. 
Why not long ago I met with witty Sir John, & some other of the rhyming crew, and he made a great complaint to me of an hour long, all in pitiful meeter.  Windeb. 
What was the substance of his complaints I pray?  Finch. 
That he had been a great while a studying a new play, and the plot being none of the best, he was forced to run off the Stage, and durst not stay to see the first Act.  Windeb. 
Why I heard that he is gone with a troop of horse into Portugal, to aid the King there against the great Don of Spain.  Finch. 
It may be there was some such report, but it is like there were false dice in hand, for I am sure there hath been but little fair play.  Windeb. 
Indeed it is very probable, or else he hath much mistaken his way.  Finch. 
Well Master Secretary, I can stay no longer with you at this time, for I am now going to the Post to receive letters from England, at our next meeting I will inform you all other news my letters affords, in the mean time I commit you to your good fortunes and bid you farewell.  Windeb. 
May your lordship's flight be swift and prosperous.  
FINIS.  
1641.