Furor-Poeticus (i.e.) Propheticus.  
A Poetick-Phrensie.  
Some, (probably) will call it so: Thus named, therefore, let it go.  
It is the result of a private-musing, occasioned by a public report in the Country, of the Parliaments restauration by General GEORGE MONK, in February 1659. and meditated soon after the said General's arrival in LONDON,  
In dorso Pagi, recubans sub tegmine Fagi: By G.W. Esq;  

This Author's well, and sober, yet,  
Although he fell into this Fit;  
But, if more Wit than Grace he had,  
Oppressions would have made him mad.   
Tempora mutantur, & nos mutamur in illis.  
Times changed be, and so are we.  
London, Printed by James Cottrel. 1660.   

To the Reader.  
Ingenuous Reader,  
THough this Poem hath somewhat a mad Title, thou shalt find me neither Mad man, nor Fanatic: For, these Muse were in soberness meditated (upon the first News of General GEORGE MONCK's arrival at LONDON, when he came last out of SCOTLAND, and the Rumours raised thereupon) and were mused to no worse purpose, than that, by rationally pre-conjecturing the most probable events, I might not be surprised by them, but settle my heart (whatsoever should succeed) in a constant waiting upon GOD, and in a contented peaceableness, by considering divine providence had the ordering of all things; and that the intentions and actions of men were no infallible grounds of hopes or fears. And I expressed my conceptions in the following words and mode, that my Extempore Notions might both remain, a fixed Object for myself (and others, if they pleased so to use them) when occasion required; and to rouse up courage when it began to droop by misapprehensions.  
Though they appear in an extravagant dress, & are only sudden raptures, not designed discourses, political, philosophical, or divine, they are wholesome fruits of the season, and, being well digested, will hint many notions pertinent to our present condition: For, in these raptures, whatsoever shall be thought of them, I have infallibly informed upon what terms, you, either with your KING, or without him, shall have a lasting peace, and settled Government, if ever you have it in this world; and (mark this)  

That, which henceforth, the common Lot, will be  
In Weal, or Woe, shall be foreshown in me:  
For, whether to the right or left it run,  
Judgement shall at GOD's House be first begun.   
I have warrantably made them assume an unusual boldness (which may make them seem to many more bold than welcome) the better to make way into their presence, who either entertain themselves and their Associates in composing and hearing those base and scurrilous Pamphlets (now innumerable) which tend to disturbance of the common peace, and are sure presages of their destruction who take pleasure in them; or else to awake them who are so busied in their own vain projects, that they have no leisure to heed any thing conducing to the public honour and safety, or to their own.  
As soon as I came last to London, I communicated them to some of my acquaintance, who conceiving them useful, undertook their publication, which I left to their discretion; but heard of no proceed therein for many weeks, nor any reason of that delay. If they found any just cause to change their resolution, they are to be excused, and so am I, if it come too late, or out of that season which might have made it more effectual. Yet, thy time, nor thy expense, will be lost, whensoever it comes to thy hands: For, that which I chief intended, will be at all times, and generally considerable, till we be utterly destroyed, or our public and private calamities redressed; yea, and then also, to some purposes.  
If thou findest any thing therein, whereupon I have often heretofore insisted, consider, that there is the same occasion, and that a Nail cannot be driven into knotty wood at one or two strokes. Take it candidly for thine own sake, though not for mine; yet for my sake it may deserve thy acceptance: for, if thou love GOD and thy Country's welfare; I am  
Thy wel-wishing, and truly loving friend G. W.   


Furor-poeticus, (i.e.) Propheticus. A Poetick-Phrensie.  

AFit, that some will call poetick-madness,  
Hath now surprised me, in sober-sadness;  
Which, how it seized me, shall be here declared,  
If any think it worthy of regard:  
Nay, heard it shall be, since it is begot,  
Whether regarded, or regarded not:  
For, good to them, is equally intended,  
Who, shall be therewith, pleased or offended,  
If, quite insensible, they are not grown  
Both of the public welfare, and their own;  
And, if well taken, this despised-bable,  
will hint some Notions not unprofitable.   

From thence, where many did of wrongs complain,  
(And, where, to right them, some few strove in vain)  
I was retired, as far as I could go,  
From hearing, what Knaves, Fools, and madmen do;  
Expecting no such influence from heaven  
As now appears, till nights and days were even:  
About which time (though why I do not know)  
I looked for something, like what's happened now;  
But, Rumour, which is fluttering every whither,  
Hath of a quicker change brought tidings hither:  
Whereon, a greater change will soon ensue,  
If probable conjectures may be true.   

The Wind is strangely turned; but, none yet knows  
For whose avail, or to whose harm it blows:  
Because, to guests who is a foe or friend,  
Or, what, men by their words or deeds intent,  
'Tis now so hard, that none can scape deceit  
Save he, who keepeth his own heart upright,  
And he (even then) may suffer naytheless,  
Who walketh in the paths of righteousness.   

I hear the news; and I have heard it too,  
With as much joyful hope as most men do  
Who know the World, and how much doubt and fear  
May rise from every thing they see and hear;  
When there is little Justice, Truth, or Order,  
The preservation of their peace to further;  
And where they are so puzz'led in the dark,  
That they rejoice in any glimmering spark.   

A Star, is now shot hither from the North;  
But, what events the same will usher forth  
I cannot tell; nor (though the Morning's bright)  
What clouds may overshadow us ere night;  
And, therefore, I must wait a while, to heed  
With what Aspects those Planets will proceed  
Which regulate our Clime, before I can  
Conclude on any thing designed by man.  
The greatest Planet, that appears in heaven  
Hath no more influence than one in seven;  
And, from malevolence, we are not free  
While Mars and Saturn in conjunction be,  
Although to comfort us, we may receive  
Fair promisings, from all the other five;  
Except that he who placed them in their Orbs  
Their Constellations qualifies and curbs;  
And, they are lying Prophets, who shall dare  
In his name, any sequel to declare,  
As absolute, and not conditional,  
Relating merely to to things temporal:  
For, that could only, but a means become,  
To make men desperate, or to presume.   

He, that, our grand Aenigmas must unriddle  
Is in the Zenith now, even in the middle  
Of that place, where our fatal Gordian-knot,  
(If my conjectures greatly fail me not)  
Must be untied, or cut; and if so fast  
And so ensnarled it be, that, at the last  
The Sword must once again the same unknit,  
Woe be to them who shall occasion it.  
O'er LONDON, now that Luminary shines,  
Which, I foretold in my last published lines,  
Should be the Mountain whence that wind would blow  
Which of our greatest weal, or greatest woe,  
Should instrumental be; and I expect  
Accordingly, ere long time, an effect.   

We oft see miracles, (I must confess)  
But, I would fain see truth and righteousness  
Ascend the Throne; that, we at length might feast  
Upon that Peace, whereof we had a taste;  
And, on those mercies which in little time  
GOD would vouchsafe, if we relied on him,  
And wilfully pursued not still that course  
Which to destroy our hopes, may him enforce;  
And which, by long neglect of good endeavour,  
Are now in hazard to be lost for ever.   

He, many Patrons and Deliv'rers gave us,  
From Foreign and Domestic foes to save us:  
Of whom, some, by their self-will and Ambition,  
Wrought both our sorrow, and their own perdition.  
Some of them, we disabled; some despised:  
We flattered some, and some we Idolised,  
Until to such a height we puft them had,  
That to our servants, slaves ourselves we made;  
Yet cease not at this hour to do the same,  
Though still, it brings more sorrow, and more shame;  
And will, to be delivered from one curse  
Thereby incurred, run headlong to a worse.  
Mark, (though you slight me) what we daily do;  
And brand me, if it shortly prove not so,  
Unless we tack and wheel about to that  
Which may prevent it, ere it be too late.   

GOD, still, in his long suffering doth persever,  
And, us, from our distractions to deliver  
Renews his mercy still, when we (almost)  
Our hopes of reparation have quite lost.  
Yea, though he finds us willing to return  
To our late Bondage; to distrust and scorn  
The Doom pronounced for this Common weal  
When we did in the field to him appeal:  
Although he sees us prone in every trial  
To make of our just Cause a base denial;  
To bid to his assist ances defiance;  
With his, and our known foes to have compliance;  
From our professions to apostatise,  
And to requite him with hypocrisies  
For all his favours; he is still to us  
The same he was, though we continue thus;  
And, though he from our sins himself withdraws,  
Still owneth both our Principles and Cause.   

He hath now raised, beyond our expectation,  
A likely means of timely reparation,  
And, by his providence, a man begot  
To perfect it, if we corrupt him not,  
Nor he decline from what he hath professed  
In order to the public Interest;  
Which I suspect not, if he be so strong  
As to resist the batteries of the Tongue,  
And use those Antidotes that may prevent  
The poisoning that's infused by Compliment.   

At this time, to be GOD's Probationer  
In his great Work, as others lately were,  
He taketh his turn; and peradventure, may  
Attain a Power as absolute as they;  
That, what by them was wilfully neglected,  
(And by a less Power cannot be effected)  
May now be done. LORD! make him wise and strong,  
To do what to his duty doth belong;  
And mindful, that, his chiefest Obligations  
Are, to be true to Thee, and to these Nations.   

St George for England, we were wont to say;  
And, to that Name, assigned a solemn day  
We knew not why: But, if what's now begun  
Shall with sincerity be carried on,  
It did, perhaps, by way of Allegory,  
Presage what will produce an Actual Story;  
That shall in future times, deserve much better  
men's credit morally, than in the Letter  
That Fable did: For, we may hope (unless  
Good probabilities have ill success)  
A Champion of this Name shall free us from  
That Dragon which infests all Christendom,  
And, set a Bar to their malignant-pow'r,  
Who threaten this Republic to devour.   

If so it happen, it will more endear  
This Name of George, than Dick, or Oliver;  
Yea, more than all their Names, who lately lost  
That honour, which they purchased at our cost,  
And left us in those hazards, from whence, none  
Now can deliver us, but, GOD alone  
By his own Arm, or else by an advance  
Of one designed for our deliverance,  
And qualified by his especial grace,  
To be a Guardian Angel for this place.   

Instead of that imaginary Saint,  
Which on our Inns, and Tavern-signs we paint,  
And, whom our Grandees, in blue Ribbons wore,  
As badge of their chief honour heretofore;  
(And in his room, of whom about next Spring,  
Another Party seemed in hope to sing  
John for the King) GOD, hath perhaps, prepared  
That Hero for our Tutelary Gnard;  
Whom Fame reports arrived with an intent  
To reinvest the baffled Parliament  
With her lost Power: which, if it so ensue,  
Will make some bid their old St George adieu:  
His Legend, will be very little prized,  
Except, as now, it is Mythologised:  
And, this GEORGE will henceforward, by this Nation  
Be thought more worthy of Canonization  
Than either He, or any one of those  
On whose new Saintships, we did trust repose,  
Till many did our confidence contemn,  
And few, at last, trust either us, or them.   

This GEORGE for England, probably intends  
The public weal without sinister ends,  
And is One meaning that which he professes;  
One, whom nor gifts, nor flattering Addresses  
Shall tempt from an heroic Resolution,  
Or, draw to an ignoble prosecution;  
One, whom the Strumpet, who bewitcheth Kings,  
Nor those enchanting Songs the Siren sings,  
Shall so seduce, as they seduced were,  
Who, by the Dragon's tail were from their Sphere  
Unhorsed of late: But, one who shall proceed,  
Till from his Fangs these Nations he hath freed,  
Despising those Allurements, whereby they  
Who would divert him, hope to stop his way:  
For, if his heart be right, he will suspect  
Those Baits laid to corrupt his Intellect,  
Or blind his eyes; that, from what's well begun  
Into their Pitfalls he may stumble on.  
He will consider, that, they who profess  
Much love (and fawn with most obsequiousness)  
Are either some of those, or such as they  
Who did the same to them the other day,  
Whom now most barbarously they revile;  
And may abuse him worse within a while.  
And, he will see, that he must be more wary  
Than they were, who, not long since, did miscarry,  
By playing like a Moth about the flame,  
Till thereby quite consumed they became.   

I hope, that as I have expressed him here,  
He is resolved: If not, I wish he were;  
That I might live to see, before I die,  
One man, whose Deeds made not his words a lie.   

A Monk professed, an Instrument became  
Of Reformation: Why not one by Name?  
If love of honesty with him prevail,  
The hopes of honest men he will not fail:  
If love of honour, or of safety move him,  
Those Interests, will for our Cause improve him.  
It is a much more honourable thing,  
To save a People, than to make a King,  
And safer too; if he that makes him one  
Shall be his Liegeman whom he doth enthrone:  
For, Kings are of their Makers so afraid,  
That, seldom are such benefits repaid  
With less than ruin; specially, if he  
A man beloved of the People be:  
But, much more hazardous will be his Case,  
If he be likewise of the Royal Race.   

This General, hath been a Royalist,  
Engaged against the public Interest,  
And, therefore, some suspicious are become  
He may, at last, his first Cause reassume:  
But, that's improbable: For hitherto  
He nothing seemeth to neglect, or do,  
Save what he should; If there be neither aught  
Done or omitted, more than yet, is brought  
Unto my ears; and his professions are  
Sufficient to abate the People's fear;  
Yet, with that modesty consist, whose want  
Made others, lately so exorbitant,  
That, many did suspect their gaudy sign  
Was hung forth but to vent unwholesome wine.   

He may appear to those who cannot see,  
Whereto he shall necessitated be  
To deviate sometimes; yet, naitheless  
No whit infringe essential righteousness;  
As when he is compelled to raise a Blind  
To frustrate what is by his Foes designed,  
And hoped for, by letting them enjoy  
Those hopes a while, which may themselves destroy;  
Or, that he may discoveries make, thereby,  
Whom to suspect, and on whom to rely.   

That, he was once a Captain for the King,  
Doth him with me, in no suspicion bring,  
If he retain but so much gen'rousness  
As honourable Swordmen do profess:  
For, there are many persons whom I know,  
True to him then, and faithful to us now:  
And touching him, this is considerable,  
That he made no revolt dishonourable  
To his Profession: nor his aid withdrew  
From him, to whom he thought his service due;  
Or left him till that Obligation ended  
By his decease, on whose life it depended:  
No, nor did afterward desert his Cause,  
Till having leisure to peruse the Laws  
And Customs of this Nation, he perceived,  
Crowns were not always by descent received;  
Nor justly could be worn by any here,  
Till by the People they elected were  
Upon conditions; whereto they were both  
By Law obliged, and engaged by Oath:  
Which having weighed; and that by GOD's permission  
The Power was in another man's possession  
Without dispute; mere conscienciousness  
(Not Levity) induced him to profess  
And Act, as he hath done. This, I take leave  
Till he shall contradict it, to conceive;  
And, of my hopes concerning him, expect  
To see ere long, a suitable effect;  
Whereof, if I unhappily shall miss,  
My damage will be ten times less than his;  
Since really, he thereby forfeits more  
His honour, than he did in show before:  
And, if at this time, to his moral trust,  
And his Engagements he shall prove unjust,  
(Which may be possible) no further, then,  
Thenceforward, in the words or deeds of men  
Will I confide, beyond what I know true;  
Whether of honesty, they make a show,  
Or of Religion: But conclude that we  
On whomsoe'er we trust, may cheated be;  
And think, (as I did heretofore suppose)  
None but false friends, and reconciled foes  
Should overthrow our Cause. My hopes of him  
Are better yet: (Oh GOD! continue them.)  
No cause to me appeareth of suspect,  
Save such as I may reasonably reject.   

Yet, since he's but a man; and lest I seem  
To under-prize, or over-value him;  
Yea, since the heart's unknown; and I now am  
Of him informed, but by a common fame,  
At such a distance too, as cannot give me  
Assurance that Report will not deceive me,  
I'll keep him on the Balance, till I hear  
How he proceedeth and shall persevere:  
For Lucifer did fall; yea, and he fell  
Whom some thought lately, more than parallel  
To Moses, Josuah, and many more,  
Renowned for their virtues heretofore:  
And, since he possibly, by Adulations,  
May be exposed to the like temptations;  
I will not, though he bravely hath begun,  
A Garland make him, till the field is won.   

But, if I live to hear he shall persever  
In prosecuting of his best endeavour  
To that effect for which GOD seems to raise him,  
Whate'er event shall follow, I will praise him  
In such a Mode, as cannot justly be  
By others blamed, or shame to him or me;  
Which none can do, though his deserts were greater,  
Who doth not praise a man to make him better.  
Faithful performances have been so rare,  
That this Republic barbarous would appear,  
If, what he merits be not duly weighed  
And well rewarded, when her debts are paid.  
Yet, lest he may be (if deferred till then)  
As ill repaid as other faithful men,  
Let them reward him now, (and whilst they may;)  
For, here will be new changes every day.   

But, though he do his duty; nor his Power  
Or Virtue will avail us, till of our  
Known duties, our regard be somewhat more  
Than it appears to have been heretofore.  
No good success, though he continue true,  
If we be false, can possibly ensue.  
No Nation can from servitude be saved,  
Which, when it may be free, will be enslaved.  
They easily, and justly are betrayed,  
Where Traiters are for treason better paid  
Than faithful men, who freely did oppose,  
With life and livelihood, their Country's Foes.  
Who can be safe, where it is hardly known  
Either what Laws, or Cause, or Power to own,  
Or to disown? Where, merited or not,  
Knaves, Fools, and Wise men have the self-fame Lot?  
And honest men, deserving best, (and first)  
A worse than they, who have deserved worst?  
Yea, where some suffer, till they cannot fear  
Worse mischiefs, than they feel already there,  
Although he should deceive their expectations,  
Who, now, preserves the peace of these three Nations,  
Expose us to the fury of the Dragon,  
And with his horse, draw hither Charles his Wagon.   

Some, are of this, in hope, and some afraid;  
But chief they who have been largely paid  
For little work; and some for doing none,  
Or, that, which had been better left undone.  
Some, who were paid with little, for great cost,  
Which then may be in hazard to be lost:  
Some likewise, whom their Conscience hath accused  
For having wilfully their power abused.  
But, be it as GOD pleaseth it shall be,  
It no whit startles, or affrighteth me:  
For, though this George should act that which will further  
His ends, who is the Sovereign of the Order  
Of George on horseback, guiltless I have been  
Of what may make me dread his coming in;  
Because, I acted nothing with intent  
To Innovate the former Government,  
Or to uphold this Power save that, whereto  
Conscience and Duty did oblige me to.   

For, when the late Intestine war begun,  
I did not by a self-inducement run  
To make a Breach; but, (called by that Power  
Which was by Law entrusted, both with our  
And his Prerogatives who then did reign)  
Came armed, aswell his Interest to maintain,  
As to preserve our own: Which may appear  
By that Impress my Cornet then did bear.  
Pro Rege, Lege, Grege, was the WORD  
Which manifested why I drew my Sword;  
And if the Power I ought to have obeyed  
Misled me, let the fault on that be laid.  
What is't to me, since I am innocent,  
If they proceeded further than I went?  
The Powers that rule, my lawful warrant be,  
And ought not to be questioned by me.  
If they had ill intents, in what was done,  
What blame have I deserved, who had none?  
Or, who can blame them justly, if perforce  
The Consequents have happened to be worse  
Than their Design? as I believe (and shall  
Believe) it was, in some, though not in all.   

If for the sins of Nations and of Kings  
GOD casts out Governors, and Judgements brings  
Upon a People; What man can resist  
His hand, or mend the matter, till he list?  
Who doth not stand obliged to maintain  
The Power that GOD sets up, whilst it must reign,  
Although it shall oppress him, and were sent  
To be, for his defaults, a punishment?  
And, who so little reason understands,  
That when without advancing of his hands  
He, by another's act, (through GOD's permission,  
May of his long-lost Freedom gain fruition)  
Will not accept it, when it may be had,  
Although they who were fools, will be so mad  
To venture their own lives, those to betray  
That would not be as very slaves as they?   

When GOD enthralls a Nation, 'tis a crime  
To break their chains and cords before his time;  
And when he setteth open the prison door,  
They do offend as much, or rather more,  
By adding to ungrateful disrespects  
Of GOD's free grace, unnatural neglects:  
If therefore, when our sins we had confessed,  
GOD, them removes from us who then oppressed;  
And when we slip into our former course,  
Brings back again those Tyrants, or else worse,  
Why should I murmur to behold him just?  
Or, (if I do repent, and in him trust)  
Fear, I shall him inexorable find,  
Whom I offend not, but against my mind?  
When frailty, and the torrents of the times,  
Have hurried me into the vulgar crimes?   

This I have well considered: And, though they  
Who, wilfully have gone out of the way,  
And, with corrupt minds, do again begin  
To tread the paths which they have erred in;  
(Not yet repenting) find, that evil-tidings  
(Because they have not settled their abidings  
Beneath the shade of GOD- Almighty's wings)  
Are, in these times of trouble, dreadful things;  
He arms my heart against them; and the more  
They shake the Earth, and make the Waters roar,  
The more I slight them. Yea, although, beside  
Those dangers, which have others terrified,  
My ruin threatening, there, at present stand  
Steep mountains, and a Desert on each hand;  
Deep seas before me, and an host behind  
Which doth appear malignantly inclined;  
Yet, all these cannot from my hopes remove me,  
Because, I see GOD in a cloud above me.   

My chief well-being, totally consists  
With that wind, which blows when, and where it lists,  
And, 'twill not mar my prime contentment, whether  
We shall have Parliaments, Kings, both, or neither;  
Whether or no, the old Lords, or the new;  
All the secluded Members, none, or few,  
Shall to this Parliament admitted be,  
Or to the next, and all men than be free  
To choose, or to be chose: Whether this Sect,  
Or that; the supreme Power will best respect.  
So Justice henceforth over us may reign,  
And Truth may her due freedom still retain,  
I shall be pleased, and my endeavour bend  
To suffer, what I know not how to mend.  
Whatever GOD permits, his will be done:  
For, he is not a careless looker on,  
But, active in disposing to his ends,  
What, man, to his vain purposes intends:  
And, our designs will frustrate be for ever,  
Unless, with him concurrence we endeavour.   

The people's voice is GOD's, the Proverb says;  
And is so, many times, but, not always.  
Their Voice is, that the best means to prevent  
Our threatened ruin, is a Parliament  
(Next under GOD) that must be truly free.  
This, I believe, but, gained how shall that be,  
Or when procured? If, none we free must call,  
But, when there is a freedom left to all  
To choose, or to be chose; Some other way  
We must be saved before we see that day,  
Else we shall be destroyed. Must we give Thiefs  
(Who live but by their pardons and Reprieves)  
Power, to dispose as they shall please to do  
Of our Estates, and think it reason too?  
To sober men appears it to be just,  
With murderers to put our Lives in trust?  
To any wise men, will it prudence seem,  
With blood and vast sums, in the hands of those,  
From whom we won them, (being still our Foes?)  
Consent to take what freedom they will give us,  
Who are the men who did, and would enslave us?  
And, cauterised consciences permit  
In judgement, on our consciences to sit?   

Free Parliaments, can we call such as those?  
Or, think the Members of it freely chose,  
When they who much less worthy men do seem  
In others eyes, than in their own esteem,  
(And they, who have more wealth and power, than grace,  
Wit, or sincerity with shameless face,  
By bribes, threats, fawn, or corrupted friends,  
Procure their own Elections for self ends?  
And when th' Electors likewise cheated are  
Of their free choice, by weakness, hopes, or fear?  
Call you that free, which was at first begot  
In bondage? Which, at full enjoyeth not  
A freedom yet? and, was to come and go,  
When others pleased were to have it so?  
Can that be free, or freemen make of us,  
Which is begot and constituted thus?  
To which a Coney-burrough, or a village,  
Not able with rents, labour, trade, and tillage,  
The Charges of one Burgess to maintain,  
Is as well privileged, to send in twain  
Unto a Parliament, as any Shire  
Which doth two hundred times their burdens bear?  
And may corrupted be to make a choice  
Which will destroy three Nations, with one voice?   

But, if a Parliament thus chosen, be  
By Custom lawful, and reputed free;  
We must be as we are, till resolution  
Be taken up, to mend that Constitution.  
For though this Age to GOD alloweth not  
His choice, out of our chosen ones, by lot,  
(As when Mathias, after man's election,  
Was chose, when choosers had less imperfection:)  
And though this Lottery was thrown aside,  
Because it bounded Avarice and Pride;  
And pleased not them whose aim was to retain,  
Or to acquire pre-eminence and gain;  
Yea, though it hath, without good reason why,  
Been waved by Clergy and by Laity;  
By Lot, not only the first vacant place  
To an Apostleship supplied was,  
But, also, Saul thereby Election had  
Before he by the people King was made:  
Moreover, achan's crime when close concealed  
From humane knowledge, was by Lot revealed.  
Then, that Expedient, why should we explode,  
And, in things doubtful, eat the Test of GOD?  
His providence will order all we do,  
Whether, thereby we pleased are or no;  
And his concurrence in our choice by Lot  
Is just and needful, though we like it not.   

For, of his Kingdom, we have oft confessed,  
These Isles are part: Our noblest Interest  
Depends upon his Title and protection;  
They are now much endangered by defection  
From him, and by selftrust: That wicked one,  
Who hath in other Lands usurped his Throne,  
(And here in former Ages) doth intent  
To re-inslave us; he hath to that end  
Made up his Breaches; is (with false pretence  
Of doing right to wronged innocence)  
Now aiming to invade us, with a Power,  
In probability, too strong for our;  
And, to resist, we have not many more  
Of chosen-ones, than made up heretofore,  
That little number, whereby (though so few)  
A mighty Army, Gideon overthrew,  
Through GOD's assistance, who compelled their foes  
To make him way, by their self-overthrows,  
Because, he credit gave to his direction,  
Who sent him helpers by divine election;  
And shall we, in so visible a danger,  
Make him, that's most concerned, to us a stranger?   

All, this premised, why should we refuse  
To let GOD choose among us when we choose?  
Or, thereupon distrustful grow, that we  
Shall in so doing, prosper worse than he?  
GOD, by despised helpers, oft enables:  
By Instruments that most esteem but babbles;  
By Lamps concealed in weak earthen pots,  
And things much more to be despised than Lots.  
But, what expedient likelier can be found  
To fix that which is always running round?  
Or, make a choice with which men pleased may be,  
Who, in so many matters disagree,  
Than (having chose as well as they can do)  
To let GOD add perfection thereunto?  
Since, when he lists, he can; and ever will  
Make all we act, effect his pleasure, still?   

This makes me, having acted what may seem  
Enjoined by reason, leave the rest to him.  
This makes me patiently to wait and heed  
men's counteractings, with what will succeed;  
And, wait the more content, because I see,  
That, sometimes things contemned useful be  
In that which he at this time hath in hand,  
If his intents, I rightly understand.   

For my part, I will there no chooser be  
Of any, where GOD may not choose with me;  
And, I their free choice also would refuse  
If (singly) Shire or Burrow me should choose  
Without a Lot. But little need I fear  
My being put to such a trial here;  
For, one unfitting to be called unto  
That trust, most think me; and if not, I do:  
For, whose end can I serve, that am well known  
This Principle, and such as this to own?  
Or, who can hope I will to them be just,  
Who trust to none but him, whom they distrust?  
Let them who of themselves have high esteem  
Pursue that course which best to them shall seem,  
Set up what Power, and make what Laws they please,  
I shall have comfort, though but little ease;  
And if instead of right, I still have wrong,  
My time of suffering, will not now be long.   

To whatsoever Power, GOD, me subjects,  
I will obey it with all due respects  
Till he removes it; (as I still have done,  
Even then, when I was censured to have gone  
Beside my Rule.) When Anarchy takes place  
By reason, to preserve the common peace,  
I'll use all good and likely means I may;  
Sing, whilst it lasteth; when it faileth, pray;  
That, though from me my Foes the outworks win,  
I may secure the Fortresses within,  
And, in the mean space, neither be perplexed,  
Or scared, to think, who will enslave me next:  
For, he that trusts to an internal aid,  
Of no external Power need be afraid.  
The troubles of this life will soon be passed;  
The bliss that follows, will for ever last:  
And, I have seen the Authors of our troubles  
So oft blown up, and puffed away like Bubbles,  
That much I am ashamed to think how poor  
My courage was to fear them heretofore.   

I know what Changes are now menaced,  
Yet, I'll attend them without servile dread.  
Let all those do the like, who have took part  
In this Republics Cause with single heart;  
For, though, if he who doth our Peace prolong,  
Should follow those, who heretofore went wrong,  
To make them prosperous in their undertake,  
Who may be marked out by their oursed speakings,  
(Their malice, slanders, and scurrilities,  
Their great delight and confidence in Lies.)  
They must endure the sharpest blast that blew  
Within this Climate, since the world they knew;  
GOD, will vouchsafe them his assisting grace  
To bear it stoutly when it comes to pass,  
And, put a signal difference, between  
Those that have honest, and unfaithful been.   

A storm, is brewing, whereunto, perchance,  
The late North wind, hath given an advance;  
For, I perceive, (although from Camps or Courts  
There be where now I am, but few reports)  
Some Actings have produced an effect  
Much differing from what I did expect,  
And working on the common people's passions  
According to their various inclinations;  
So that he must be wiser than Apollo,  
Who shall inform us, what events will follow.  
Some rail, some rave, some scoff, and some do jeer,  
Some ring, some sing, some hope, and some do fear,  
Some of them do insult, some others whine;  
But, all these whirlwinds shake no corn of mine:  
To my old Principles, I still am true,  
And will be, whatsoever Change ensue:  
Because, I am assured the Cause we had  
Was very good, though we ourselves are bad;  
And, that, if after all our pains and cost  
We lose it, by our wickedness 'tis lost.  
And, for my part, my portion hath been such,  
That, if I lose all, I cannot lose much;  
Nor by my Foes be much worse dealt withal  
Than I have been by those whom Friends we call.  
The World can me of nothing disinvest,  
Save that, which heretofore my cares increased;  
And, though she somewhat more oppress me may,  
She shall not take my happiness away,  
Nor mar my hopes with all her scorns and brags,  
Although, she wears, and tears, my flesh to rags.  
I can be but abused, and ground between  
Two Millstones, as I hitherto have been.  
The favours of the World, to men upright,  
Makes them the more obnoxious to despite.  
If she, to place of Power and Trust commends  
Well-minded men, 'tis but for her own ends:  
For, when her purposes to pass are brought  
By them, who, her preferments never sought,  
(And, others for her service sitter seem)  
The first she slights, with barbarous disesteem,  
And them exposeth to disgraceful scorns,  
Because, no longer they can serve her turns.  
Therefore, though worse I speed than heretofore,  
My peace thereby shall be disturbed no more,  
Than if I heard a drivelling fool did swear,  
His Babble, and Bell'd-cap, I should not wear.   

As well mine, I confess, as others crimes,  
Have multiplied the troubles of these times;  
And, therefore, I must undergo my share,  
In what our National demerits are.  
But, they can never force me to despair,  
Because, I have a Mediators prayer;  
And, such a gracious GOD to trust unto,  
As neither looks for more than men can do,  
Nor doth severely mark what's done amiss  
Through frailty, and without maliciousness.  
And, though, a real unsuccesseful zeal  
To do my duty to this Commonweal  
Hath lost me some friends, and foes made me many,  
I, am not a malicious foe to any;  
Nor were my sufferings, since these wars begun,  
For any knavery, but, for having none:  
And, therefore, I shall thrive, when honest men  
May have a thriving time; but, not till then:  
And such a time (though by what's pre-declared,  
It may a very long time be deferred)  
May, very possibly, soon come to pass,  
If he, that shall have power, hath also grace  
To use it prudently, when he receives it  
To that intent, for which GOD chief gives it;  
And shall vouchsafe a more indulgent ear  
To them, whose words, by deeds confirmed were,  
Than to the Compliments of seeming friends,  
Who fawn upon him for sinister ends.   

To fortify that hope, a little more,  
I have, (beside what is expressed before)  
Consider'd this, that, understanding men,  
Although they make some uses, now and then,  
Of Parasites, to them, no trust will give,  
Till they may be induced to believe  
That, Crows, which flock about a new-yeaned Lamb,  
(To pick his eyes out) to protect him came;  
That, they have oft observed, it is their guise,  
To worship all new Stars, when first they rise;  
Hosanna unto him, this day to cry,  
Whom they will next day seek to crucify;  
Set up a Man of clouts, to be their King,  
Yea, honour as a Godhead any thing,  
Whereby their present Lust may be enjoyed,  
Though thereby, they at last may be destroyed;  
And, when by their own faults they are distressed,  
Curse their best friends, and those whom they have blessed.   

But, this man's fortitude, I hope is such,  
That, their Bolts will not thereon batter much;  
For, GOD confers the Power on him bestown,  
Even for this People's sake, not for his own;  
And, if their trust in him, he should betray  
By whom he is, that which he is this day,  
His loss will be as great (perhaps much more)  
As their, who have, betrayed it heretofore.   

Whether to this, or to that Interest,  
He will decline, 'tis coming to the Test:  
For, he now standeth on that fo●…ed Y,  
Wherein, a right way, and a wrong doth lie;  
And, he shall hear a voice behind him, say,  
GEORGE, that's the left, and this the right hand way:  
This, leads to honour here, and future bliss;  
That way, the next way to destruction is:  
That way, the greatest number doth pursue;  
Yet, this the safest, although trod by few.   

Now, whether this, or that way he incline,  
The danger will be rather his, than mine.  
Whatever shall succeed, which more or less  
Obstructs th' enjoyment of our outward-peace,  
Me, 'twill not make much merrier, or much sadder,  
Than rattling of three blue beans in a bladder;  
So, GOD gives patience till the storm be past,  
And Truth and righteousness prevail at last.   

What, MONCK perhaps will do, or leave undone,  
May mar some Trifles, I have doted on;  
But, that, whereon my best hopes fixed be  
Doth lie secured betwixt GOD, and me.  
That, which conduceth to my noblest ends,  
No more on his, than his on mine depends;  
And, GOD, I know, will constantly proceed  
In prosecuting what he hath decreed  
Concerning this Republic, whatsoever  
He, we, or any other shall endeavour:  
And, when their falsehood, malice, and dospight,  
Insultings, and vain hopes, are at the height,  
(Who, now, against this Commonwealth conspire  
To bring on such a Change as they desire)  
They shall but to and fro, like drunkards reel,  
Do, and undo, and run round in a wheel,  
Till they have made that, not to be endured,  
Whereby, they dream distempers may be cured;  
And, GOD shall fo●l their wisdom in that hour;  
So break their snares, and weaken so, their power,  
That, what they did suppose would have overthrown  
His purposes, will quite destroy their own.   

This I believe, who ofttimes have foreseen  
Contingent things, that have unlikely been:  
And, though for this, I may be flouted more  
Than for the like expressions heretofore,  
And more in hazard; I am not afeard  
To let them any where, be seen or heard,  
Nor will be discontent with him who shall  
Conceive of me, as Festus did of Paul;  
For, I expect not, that Grapes can be born  
Upon a Thistle, or Figs on a Thorn.  
And though the Scorners ask to what intent  
I have composed this Ribble-rabblement,  
(As they will call it) I, will tell them why,  
In meekness, that they may as well as I  
Be thereby profited; and (if their pride,  
Obstruct it not) lay prejudice aside.   

At first relation of the foresaid News,  
I stepped aside, to counsel with my Muse,  
That, as I often do, I might thereby  
My heart against assailings fortify:  
For, (my infirmities, I'll not dissemble)  
My flesh as prone is to look pale and tremble  
As other men's, if I neglect the cures  
That must be took for such distemperatures  
As are begot, by sudden informations  
Of accidents beyond our expectations.  
To which end, if I did not oft retire  
To seek by muse, what, GOD, will inspire,  
And thus preserve them in my slighted Rhymes,  
I could not bear the burdens which these times  
Impose on me, or mine, and upon those  
Who first made head against our common foes  
By their encouragement, who had the power,  
Which might have saved those whom they did de …  
And have as well brought scorn and outward sha' …  
On those who acted with them, without blame,  
As on themselves; and, when GOD did restore  
Their Power twice lost, still acted, as before.   

In that, and such like Cases, not in vain,  
I thus distil out from the heart and brain,  
The spirits of those many mus'd-on matters  
Which there I find, to make some cordial waters.  
For, though they, who confide in men and horse,  
Deride them, as mere whimsies of no force;  
They make me merry, when my heart was sad,  
They keep me sober, when men think me mad;  
And, by my muse also, now and then,  
The like effects are wrought on other men;  
For, they assist us to consider so,  
Those things, which men may; those, which GOD will do;  
What, we ourselves must act; what, leave undone;  
What, may in reason, follow thereupon;  
What madness 'twere to overcharge with sorrow  
The present day, with dreading more to morrow;  
Or, mar our sleep, by being discontented  
At what may not be, or not be prevented,  
That, I take up what likely hopes I may  
My present fears or doubtings to allay;  
And fix my confidence on him, by whom,  
I am assured help at last will come:  
And he still sends in, (when I know not where  
To find supply for things that needful are)  
So much, as may support me to persever  
In what I am obliged to endeavour.   

I, am as sensible, as most men are,  
Of all those Dangers, which do now appear;  
And, till with GOD, I had conversed a while,  
GEORGE MONK with all his Forces in this Isle,  
And all that He and Montague can do  
At Sea and Land, with help of LONDON too,  
Can put me in no hope they should prevent  
The perils which appeared imminent:  
But, now, though all their Forces they should bend  
Against that Cause, which we hope they befriend,  
And, all the strength both Spain & France can bring,  
Were joined to impose on us a King  
Without Conditions, I should not repent  
My Principles, or fear the consequent.  
Because, if by his coming, he shall heal  
Our wounds, and breaches, we are safe and well;  
And if he come in vengeance, we shall taste  
A bitter Cup, and, he the dregs, at last.   

For, having as Appendants to that Power  
Sins unrepented, and as great as our,  
Which daily will increase, when they come in,  
SIN, shall do execution upon sin:  
Profaneness, joining hands with superstition,  
And, Sanctity dissembled, with Ambition;  
They shall so plague each other, that, if ten  
Of honest and truehearted English men  
Be left in every thousand, and, together  
Knit in true Charity fast to each other,  
They shall be a RESERVE, to make this Nation  
More prosperous in another Generation,  
I, would have said, before this year be gone,  
If, I, had now seen Justice better done;  
Or, any probability perceived,  
That, what I should declare, would be believed.  
But, peradventure, 'tis a day too late,  
This day, on any terms to promise that,  
Which yet, expected is, by some of them,  
Who, have the means neglected, and the time.  
For, Charles those great advantages hath won  
By what hath been omitted, and miss-done,  
(Which, I long since foresaw) that, though his Power  
MONCK shall employ for us; nor his, nor our,  
Nor both united; nor a Parliament,  
Established with full and free consent,  
Of all the People; (if by penitence,  
GOD, reconciled be unto that Prince)  
Can at this present, make the scale so even,  
(Unless our peace be likewise made in heaven)  
But, that there will be ten for one, at least,  
To weigh him out his claimed Interest,  
And, force us those conditions to receive,  
Which he himself shall pleased be to give.   

For, our great Wars, confusions, and dissenting,  
Will frustrate so, endeavours of preventing  
Our fears, and settling true peace, in that way,  
Whereby, we for a settlement assay;  
That he, by whom, lost hopes revived became,  
May accidentally, without just blame,  
Through breach of trust, make way to bring him in,  
Who, hitherto hath most opposed been.  
For, that, which cures, where one distemper lies,  
Kills, where are complicated maladies;  
Or, else, at least, produceth an effect  
Much differing, from what we did expect.   

If still both Parties be the same they were,  
They rather shall increase confusions here  
Than qualify them: and, for aught that, yet,  
To me appeareth likely to beget  
A better hope: nought, Reason offers us,  
But this; GOD, grant it prove no worse than thus.   

If, he be qualified, as now some say  
He is; and as (for aught I know) he may,  
That will be then effected, which few thought  
Can have here whilst they lived to pass been brought.  
And, if to GOD, he reconciled be,  
Why, not to men? Or, wherefore not to me,  
Who, never was for self-respects to him  
An Adversary, or, a friend to them  
Who were his Enemies, for being so,  
But, as he was, or seemed to be, a Foe  
To GOD and Justice? If, he be not such,  
Why should I doubt his favour? Or, fear much  
His wrath? For, doubtless, if he be upright,  
He, then, in honest men will take delight;  
Yea, peradventure, may have need of one  
To do such services as I have done,  
Without regarding greatly what men shall  
Be pleased, or displeased there withal;  
And, if he be a Tyrant, I know why  
He, will have greater cause to fear, than I   

If, her, who with her Cup of fornications  
Hath long made drunk the Kings of many Nations,  
He hath not pledged in secret; nor, so long  
Drunk her enchantments, that they are too strong  
To be expelled, there may be perfect cures  
For all mere natural distemp'ratures,  
Whereby, he from Impostures may departed,  
To own what GOD hath written in his heart.  
And, then, it will be evidently seen  
Which way, he might a glorious King have been,  
Who, now is none; and what the Parliament,  
Which promised to make him such, then meant;  
For, he that governs men, must righteous be,  
And, there is no such glorious King as he.   

When King and People are confined by Laws,  
Neither the Princes, nor the People's Cause  
Can be infringed; and questionless, if he  
Inclined to such a condescension be;  
This would, when both sides thereunto submit,  
Good will to men, and peace on earth, beget;  
And, both GOD's Justice, and his Mercy too  
It would illustrate, if it might be so.  
For, GOD's Long-suff'ring doth abide for ever;  
And, Judgements, very seldom times, or never,  
Are passed by such an absolute Decree,  
As, by Repentance not reversed to be;  
Nor doth he look, that, man's Repentance should  
Proportion with his Deviations hold,  
Since his Free Grace, a standing help supplies,  
To make amends for those deficiencies.  
Manasses, guilty of sins most abhorred,  
Was cast out of his Kingdom, and restored;  
Yea, and this Parliament, whose Crimes are more  
Ten times, than his, were twice shut out of door;  
Yet, now in grace again (God grant they may  
Take heed of falling the third time away,)  
For, GOD, will then perhaps, the second time,  
(As he did of the rest) make proof of him.   

What he will do, is known to him alone,  
Because, he only knows, what will be done  
By them, to whom Conditions are declared  
With threaten, and a promised reward,  
As they shall be neglected, or fulfilled;  
Or, men are either well, or evill-willed:  
For, they, the Devil's, not GOD's, Prophets are,  
Who, absolutely, either peace, or war,  
(Or shame, or honour, poverty, or wealth,  
Or life, or death, or sicknesses, or health)  
Shall promise unto them, who have transgressed  
Without conditions , or expressed;  
And they are Fools abused by ill suggestions,  
Who tempt men, by demanding of such questions.   

Yet, GOD, sometimes indulgently complies  
With us, even in our curiosities;  
And, other while, unsought for, giveth hints,  
To prove us by conditional events.  
Among some other things, made signs to me,  
When, here a settled Government should be,  
My Britain's Genius hath long since recorded  
A signal previous one, which is thus worded:   Brit. Genius, Pag. 100 
A King, shall willingly himself un-king,  
And, thereby, grow far greater than before, etc.  

This, in the meaning, might have twice, ere this  
Fulfilled have been; and once, in Terminis,  
If Pride, self-will, and frowardness of mind,  
Had not, by false lights, made true Reason blind.  
And, if that he, whom it will most concern,  
Shall now, GOD's visitation-time discern,  
(Not letting opportunities departed,  
By suffering vain hopes to obdure his heart)  
When GOD shall on his soul begin to strike,  
A call to penitence, Manasseth-like,  
But, meekly comes, and lays revenge aside,  
All self-will, animosities, and pride;  
It shall have such effects the selfsame hour,  
On these three Nations, by a secret power,  
As, will so change them too, that, ere the Sun  
Is at his next height, and through Cancer run,  
It will amaze the World; their Foes confound;  
Make some believe, all things are wheeling round;  
Or, think, that Revolution drawing near  
Which must conclude the great Platonick-year;  
And, good, to many Realms, 'twill predivine  
Betwixt the Tropics on both sides the Line.   

This, doubless, will by no man be withstood  
Who seeks his own weal in the common good,  
And, doth not either strive to have possession  
Of other men's concernments, by oppression,  
Or, is displeased with every Government,  
Save that, which his own wisdom shall invent.  
If this, may be vouchsafed, or, any thing  
Which might appear to have a modelling  
By GOD's, and Nature's Laws; I am so far,  
From Jonah's frowardness, when, GOD, did spare  
Great Niniveh, that, though it quite dissented,  
From all that I have aimed at, or hinted,  
(Here, or elsewhere) I, therein should rejoice,  
And praise Almighty GOD, with heart and voice,  
That, though he both did threaten to destroy,  
He lets both parties, at the last enjoy  
More grace than they deserve; and turns to them,  
In mercy, though they turn not, yet, to him:  
For, my endeavours wholly were bestown,  
To have GOD's mind fulfilled, not mine own;  
And, whether he in mercy or in wrath  
To give us Kings again, determined hath;  
If he, shall bring one hither, I'll receive him  
With such obedience as I ought to give him;  
And, praise GOD for his Justice, though his hand  
Shall smite me first of any in this Land.   

But, I shall not believe he hath Commission  
To reign here, by GOD's grace, or his permission,  
Until he gets admittance by th' Assents  
Of these three Nations in their Parliaments;  
Or, by re-conquest: Nor, will I desist  
From still adhering to that Interest  
Which we possess, and, on Appeals from heaven,  
Was by GOD's Doom, unto this People given:  
But, I'll assert it, while life shall endure,  
Or, till for sin, GOD, takes the forfeiture  
Of what he gave; and absolutely shall  
Translate it; or, on terms conditional:  
Or, till I see our differences decided,  
And, how the Power now claimed shall be divided.  
Mean while, I neither to be saved from  
His wrath, or, to find grace in time to come,  
Will have with him compliance; lest I wrong  
That Power to which my services belong:  
Nor, will I, whilst this lasts, one deed assay  
Which tendeth to removing it away.  
Nay, notwithstanding it should me oppress,  
And, ill requite me for my faithfulness,  
I would not tell in secret, how it should  
Supplanted be, although, perhaps, I could:  
Except, in telling Charles, his Resignation,  
Will be the best means of that supplantation:  
For, though the Cause, I fought for, were unjust,  
I am a Traitor if I break my trust.  
Yea, though thereof, I be well satisfied,  
If I shall turn unto the other side  
Before that trust, I, totally resign,  
With all that Power, which by that trust was mine,  
Or, make myself a starting hole, whereby  
I may be false, with shows of Loyalty.   

The Royal Power, I loyally obeyed;  
And, though it did oppress, was so afraid  
Of innovating; that a Reformation  
Thereof I wished, not an extirpation.  
But, when by other men, through GOD's permis,  
It was removed; to that, did yield submission,  
Which then succeeded; and so would have done,  
Had twenty been admitted one by one,  
In whom I saw the sovereign power reside,  
And, with most visibility abide:  
For, every private person it behoves,  
Till that whole Orb, wherein he's fixed, moves,  
To keep his place, not medd'ling any way  
To overthrow the Power he should obey.   

Let that MONK, whom I see but through a cloud,  
(And may two faces hid beneath one hood,)  
Consider this; and take heed, lest he may  
By fair appearances be led astray,  
And make his Power to overbalance that  
Which must be weighed out, by their free debate  
To whom it appertains: for, they alone,  
Must, now, until their own set time is gone,  
Determine that which in suspense doth stand;  
And, if the Power then slip into his hand,  
(As possibly it will) he then may do  
What GOD and his own conscience prompts him to.  
Mean while, it will behoove him to be wary;  
For, if an equal hand he shall not carry,  
As their Affairs now stand, 'twill treason be,  
Even in the most superlative degree;  
And, shall be, doubtless, in the final swinge  
Rewarded with superlative revenge,  
Whether the Power, from whom his Power he had  
Were perfect, or, some way imperfect made,  
Either by their own faults, or other men's;  
For, his defects have no excuse from thence:  
Because, a servants trust, must be maintained,  
How e'er their Mastership's, his Masters gained.   

Let him consider well, that, he is bound  
To them in that state, wherein them he found  
When they entrusted him; till their own Acts,  
Or, providence, invalid those Contracts;  
Or, totally annihilates the Band  
By which they mutually obliged stand;  
And, that, if they, through what he shall miss-do,  
Be either forced, misled, or frighted to  
Those condescensions, which may quite destroy  
That Power, by which he did his Power enjoy,  
His Faith is broke; unless, he do his best,  
To re-impow'r them; or, make good, at least,  
That End, for which GOD and the people gave  
To them, and him, the Power which now they have.  
And, this, (if there befall an oversight)  
Must be endeavoured with all his might;  
For, every promise, vow, and undertaking,  
Repugning this, is made null in the making;  
And, all the blood which is in this Cause shed,  
Will down be showered, in vengeance on his head,  
Who shall to wrong the Common right endeavour,  
And in that prosecution still persever.   

This is the Judgement, which this day, my Muse,  
Dictate (as I think, by divine infusing)  
To some good purposes, if we repent  
That Course, which yet obstructeth GOD's intent.  
And, when that mad distemper is allayed  
Which frustrates all that can be writ or said.  
These Principles, by musing, I assay  
To keep up, in myself; and, as I may,  
To build in others, thereby, to increase  
Their faithfulness, and settle common-peace.  
These Principles, so long as that Power lasts  
Which is in being, though it daily wastes,  
Is much contemned; (and without likelihood  
Of aught effecting for the public good)  
Compels me conscientiously to wave  
All self-respects; and all those which I have  
To them, whose welfare is to me more dear  
Than mine own life, and all things mortal are,  
Rather, than I those duties would neglect,  
Which, I think, may the common-peace effect,  
(Though duties nor exacted, nor regarded,  
But, oft, with in juries, and spites rewarded.)  
Yea, still, though most my purposes deride,  
And, make me scorned of Fools on either side;  
I, take up all occasions to re-mind them  
Of needful Cautions which they cast behind them,  
As now I do, and heretofore have done:  
Sometimes, foretelling, what would fall thereon,  
And, then, remembering them as I saw need,  
How, that which was foretold them, did succeed;  
That, them (if possible) reduce I may  
Before it be too late, into that way,  
Wherein they may be safe; for, they have been  
Long out, and likely, never to come in,  
Till GOD, by what he seems about to do,  
(Or, some such way) shall force them thereunto.   

For, 'tis not that course which hath practised been,  
Our putting this man out, and that man in;  
Our punishing, of some for miss-conceiving  
Their duties; nor, our giving, or forgiving,  
According as our ends, it may effect,  
Or, as we favour, or, else disrespect;  
Nor our Prudentials, though they did excel  
The plots and counsels of Achitophel,  
That will procure our safety; or, succeed  
Much better, at this present, than his did.   

No sure Conclusions, can be grounded on  
That, which this General hath lately done,  
Although, to make his passage hither smooth,  
He Lambert foiled, as Lambert foiled Booth;  
For, men, and humane actions, whatsoever  
They promise, or portend, so trustless are,  
That, none can yet know, whether of the Three  
Shall to himself, or us, most prosperous be;  
Though, for the present, there is in the One  
Hope of much good, and in the other none.   

'Tis not discovering of each others shame,  
(And of those dunghills, out of which they came)  
By suffering scurrilous base Pamphleteers  
To fill the streets, with slanders, lies, and jeers,  
Till there is hardly left us time and room  
Of useful Truths, informed to become.  
Nor preaching Swordmen, nor the fight Priests,  
Are they, who must support our Interests.  
Nor they, who make our public plagues the more  
By shutting private mercies out of door:  
For doubtless they, who, find not time, to hear  
A man oppressed, once in twice four year,  
Though urged with frequent importunities,  
Will make GOD's ears as deaf unto their cries.  
'Tis not our Fellowship with pious friends,  
Made instrumental for mere carnal ends:  
'Tis not our eagerness to miss-apply  
The grace of GOD, and cloud it with a Lie,  
Which will endear, and make us acceptable  
To him, who to deliver us is able.  
Nor is't our formal Offerings, or our zeal  
To GOD, and safety of this Commonweal  
Pretended, by our weeding from his Corn  
Those, whom he doth command to be forborn  
Till harvest-time, (lest, as we daily do,  
Among the Tares, we pluck up good wheat, too)  
That, will be our protection from the smart  
And sting of Conscience, when GOD tries the heart;  
Nor from those ou'ward plagues, which many run  
To meet, in hope, by that course, them to shun.   

'Tis neither our, nor the designs of those  
Who, to this Commonwealth are open foes,  
That help, or harm us: For, none can contrive  
Worse mischiefs, than both Parties do derive  
From their own projects; (as it would appear  
If, they of their successes heedful were.)  
Nor will it be our having of a King  
Or no King good or bad, that peace will bring  
To either side, till they shall better heed  
How misadvisedly they do proceed.  
Nor is't a packed, pieced, or, new Parliament,  
Elected by a general assent,  
That will repair us, though it might be had:  
But, some things, whereof small account is made,  
As we shall shortly find, when we have tried  
What, by exper'ence will be verified.   

Some will desire to know them: would they could  
As hearty desire it, as they should,  
And mend what is amiss, when they do know it,  
As easily as I can truly show it.   

It is, that Mercy, and that righteousness,  
Which, hypocritically we profess,  
When we do shut our doors, our eyes, and ears,  
Against the sad Petitions, cries, and tears  
Of men oppressed, and cast away that Bread  
To dogs and swine, that Children should have fed.  
'Tis self-denial, and not that alone  
Which ought by all men to be undergone,  
But also that in chief, which by a Vote  
Was once pretended, and e'er since forgot.  
It is a conscientious reparation  
Of this Republics Faith, whose violation  
Makes all unprosp'rous which we take in hand;  
And, which hath brought a Curse upon this Land  
That will not be removed, till we have paid  
Those Vows, which have been shamelessly delayed.  
'Tis want of meekness upon either side,  
And Charity, which (making men divide,  
And subdivide) doth day by day, increase  
Those Discords, which destroy the common peace;  
For, nor men's wrath, nor their Fanatic zeal,  
Completes GOD's will, or cures the Commonweal,  
Or edifies his Church: But, Righteousness,  
And Truth professed, with sincere soberness.  
'Tis these things, that must cure our Grand disease,  
And, if we perish, 'tis through want of these.   

These, are the sins, (as often heretofore  
I have affirmed, and say it now once more)  
Which have destroyed, and totally laid waste  
Great Monarchies, and States in Ages past.  
Yet, to these Crimes, this Age hath added many,  
Beside hypocrisy, the worst of any.  
Yea, they have crowned them with impenitencies  
For sins committed under fair pretences;  
With perseverance in them, whilst GOD's hand  
Is stretched forth in anger o'er this Land.  
And, it is Penitence for these Transgressions,  
As also, for our manifold omissions,  
That must prevent the plagues now coming on.  
GOD, grant, it may be timely, thought upon;  
And, this, therewith, in season minded too;  
That, we in conscience, are obliged to do  
As much as possibly we shall be able  
To seek preventing of that miserable  
And sad condition, whereto they are brought,  
Who, for the common Interest, have fought  
By their injoynments, (who then managed  
The Power, which their obedience watranted)  
And, thereto, not alone contributed  
Their Livelihoods. but, in their service shed  
Their precious blood, with hazard of their lives,  
And ruin to their children, and their wives;  
Whom, if we slightly leave indemnified,  
Will raise the loudest CRY that ever cried;  
Make all men say, (who have their Cause well scanned)  
That honest men by knaves have been trepanned;  
Fulfil, what, in my OPOBALSAMUM,  
I, fifteen years now past, foretold should come;  
And in some other Premonitions too,  
(Though heeded not) nigh forty years ago.  
Yea, and, bring Vengeance, even on those who shall  
Suppose, it them concerneth not at all;  
For, most, one way or other, guilty be,  
And from the punishment, few shall be free.   

What pinch was that? Oh gracious GOD! where art?  
Stay by me: For, a sudden twinge at heart,  
So gripeth it, with an injected fear,  
As if some dreadful thing, were drawing near.  
Waves, after waves, begin (methinks) to roll,  
And, are come up, almost, even to my soul.  
Yet, why my soul, art thou cast down in me?  
What is it, that can thus disquiet thee?  
Still, trust in GOD; thyself to him resign:  
For, thou art his, and he is truly thine.  
Although the Waters roar, the waves mount high,  
And we are far from shore, yet, GOD is nigh;  
Although the ship sinks, he can, if he please,  
Make us, with safety, walk upon the Seas;  
And, if we down into the Deeps must go,  
There, we shall find him, and enjoy him too.  
Take courage then, my heart, firm credit give,  
To what he promiseth, and thou shalt live.   

This pang is wholly passed, and all my fear  
Is now, for them, who, senseless do appear  
Of their own hazards; who are without dread  
Of that destruction which hangs o'er their head;  
And, who have help and peace expected from  
Those hills, from whence, their welfare cannot come;  
As, they would soon find, if they heedful were  
What winds breathe from them, and what fruits they bear.   

How long! how long! shall GOD unto this place  
Make disrespected offers of his Grace?  
How often, since great failings first begun,  
Hath he provoked almost every one,   

Apart, or jointly? Ceasing not to prove  
By Judgements and by mercies interwove,  
How difficultly, either Grace or Nature  
Can work upon a self-corrupted Creature?   

By all things which may any way relate  
To soul or body, credit or estate  
We have been called upon, one way or other;  
By sweet, and sharp things, and both mixed togeth  
By what to our chief joy, and sorrow tends;  
By servants, neighbours, kindred, and by friends;  
By sicknesses, and health; by scorns, and jeers;  
By shame, and honour, and by hopes, and sears:  
By other men's examples, GOD, forewarns;  
Sometimes, by our own sufferings, wisdom learns;  
One while by wise men, and true Prophet's reaches,  
Sometimes, by Wizards, fools, and children preach  
Then, last of all, when no effect these take,  
By things (as now) like Bal'ams' Ass, doth speak:  
And, that, which all this, probably presages,  
Is (without swift repentance) Bal'ams wages;  
Which will be surely paid, when they who may  
Prevent it yet, shall give their power away:  
Unless that Mercy, which not ending hath,  
Shall once again, put off the day of wrath;  
(Nownear approaching) when, in few, or none,  
There shall be any hope it maybe done.   

So, for a while, my mad fit now is over.  
Would other mad men might as soon recover:  
And, be as sober in their intervals,  
As I have hope to be, whate'er befalls.   

Thus, once again, although that heretofore,  
In this mode, I resolved to write no more,  
(As, justly, otherwhile, the Parliament  
Revokes their Orders, when impertinent  
To Common safety) I, have boldness took,  
For like respects, my purpose to revoke.  
And, though, as our Cause now at hazard lies,  
Most men will judge me far more bold than wise,  
To own these Muse. I so dreadless am,  
That, to attest them, I subscribe this Name   
At Hambledon, Feb. 19 1659. George Wither.   

An Advertisement.  
IT is the great mercy of GOD that the Author of this Furor-poeticus, (all things considered) fell not into Furorem Bethlemeticum, long since: (for beside three Addresses in Manuscript, presented to the two Protectors, and many hundreds of other Poems, Papers, and Petitions printed and written, published, and privately preferred, during almost 18 years' solicitation for public and private justice and mercy) it will be partly demonstrated what experience he the said Author had of these Latter times, to all those who shall have patience to peruse those few Poems, preparatories, and Epistolary discourses, only, which have been divulged within the compass of the last year, (or, not long before) and which may be had with the Printer hereof, or, at Mrs Stamps, who selleth Books in Westminster-hall, & at other Booksellers, being these in particular.  

1. A Narrative of the series of his Grievances, with a preparatory to his Petitions, and the said Narrative, intended to each Individual Member of Parliament.  
2. The Sinners Confession, or the product of a private humiliation.  
3. The Poem entitled Salt upon Salt.  
4. Epistolium-Vagum-prosa-metricum, or an Epistle at Random in Prose and Metre.  
5. A Cordial Confection, to strengthen their hearts, whose courage gins to fail by the Armies late dissolving of the Parliament, etc.    

To the last mentioned Epistolary Discourse, written to Mr R. Hamon, Merchant, I will here add this Postscript, upon the occasion therein expressed.  
A Postscript to Mr R. Hamon, Merchant.  
SIR,  

THat Letter, which to you I lately sent,  
On second Rupture of this Parliament,  
I am informed, by some, this censure had,  
That, doubtless, when I wrote it, I was mad:  
(As I, perhaps, might have been long ago,  
Had, I their wit, whom troubles maketh so.)  
They know not what it aims at, I hear say;  
But, were they not more mad than I, they may:  
For, from the whole Contents, they may collect  
What, of their hopes, will be the sad effect;  
And, draw forth also from it, this Conclusion,  
That, they, and I, and all are in confusion;  
That, neither Army, Parliament, or King,  
Nor any other sub-celestial thing,  
Can have a selfsufficiency to cure  
Our present Ruptures, and distemperature,  
As we are now distempered; till a Power  
Therewith concur, transcending their, and our:  
Till Righteousness with Mercy is enthroned;  
Till selfness, and self-ends are more disowned:  
Till every single person shall apart  
Reform his Will, his Actions, Words, and Heart;  
Or, so endeavours it, that one by one,  
We, may do that, which yet by none is done,  
Until to Numbers, Unites do increase,  
And make at last, those Numbers numberless.   

Such Ends, as these, I aimed at; and perchance,  
If they, had more Wit, and less Ignorance,  
Who censured me, their prudence had discerned  
My purpose, or more soberness had learned.  
Or, peradventure, they had understood,  
That, should I then have written in a mood  
More absolute, of things concerning those  
Who were of differing Judgements, friends, and, foes,  
It might have added fuel, to increase  
Those flamings, which did then infringe our peace;  
And wholly have made void that honest end  
Which, I did in simplicity intent.  
For, had I magisterially expressed  
What I disliked, or owned, or judged best  
To be resolved on; I should have appeared  
A Party, and by neither side been heard  
Without suspect, that I would have acquired,  
Not what was best, but, what I most desired.   

Much, therefore, positively to declare  
I purposed not; but, somewhat to prepare  
All Parties, without frowardness of heart  
To weigh those things, which jointly, or apart,  
Would most concern them; and, then, make that use,  
Which an Atonement soon might produce.   

I, somewhat further, might Apologise;  
But, this, on my behalf, may well suffice,  
Who, more for others sakes, than for mine own,  
These words and Lines, have thus together thrown.    
FINIS.