A Winter's Tale, TOLD To such as have WIT to understand it, And WORTH to Reward it.  
Published by B. S. Gent. To seek a Parallel.  

1.  
THere whilom was a seemly Buxom pair,  
That wedded were with full and free consent;  
The Maiden to her Father was Coheir;  
To love each other dear was their intent.  
And so they did, as ever yet did any,  
She liked him best, he none so well as Nanny.   

2.  
But fickle Fortune which doth often cross,  
As these she did, with malice and despite,  
By Lawsuits were they put unto such loss, 
☜   
As made them leave their Native Country quite,  
And tack about to seek some other place,  
Though homely clad, to live without disgrace.   

3.  
And so they took their way to Chester Strand,  
With happy Gale, and Vessel that was stout,  
Soon did arrive upon the Irish Lond,  
Where they their business quickly brought about:  
And haply there they got a Habitation,  
For profit good, and pleasant situation.   

4.  
There lived they in long and happy bliss,  
Sweet Children many 'twixt them were begot,  
If Household jars, or aught were done amiss,  
When once debated, long it lasted not.  
Such Children, Wife, such Husband as was he,  
You could in other places hardly see.   

5.  
They planted well, and Houses builded store,  

☞  A Church obtained in a wilder place  
Than any that adventured heretofore,  
Which was descended of the English Race:  
You could not meet with folk of better quality,  
For Conversation, and for Hospitality.   

6.  
They did extend their Pity to the Poor,  
Instead of Surgeon, often dressed their wounds;  
Relieved such as begged from door to door,  
And others that were needy in their bounds:  
And such as died, not having covering meet,  
They often furnished with a winding-sheet.   

7.  
Before they came into this uncouth place,  

☞  No Inns were built to entertain a stranger,  
But such as came were forced to ride apace,  
Or stay much short to keep from further danger:  
To Travellers, that oft was ill bestead,  
They gave a courteous welcome, meat and bed.   

8.  
Thus lived this Couple both devout and zealous,  
Brought up their Children in the fear of God,  
Nor were they of each other ever jealous,  
Their Servants kept from gadding much abroad:  
Nor were they pinched, that they should need to steal;  
Thus ordered was their little Commonweal.   

9  
When he about affairs abroad did ride,  
She neither kept close house, or open door,  
The goods in Pasture wisely she did guide,  
Of Household five and twenty, or some more.  
Much joy they had, of sorrow seldom tasted,  
Each year increased, when many others wasted.   

10.  
As one time he from chiefest City came,  
Which Dublin Height so famous and renowned,  
Quoth he, dear Love me thinks they are too blame,  
Which planted have not yond same piece of ground,  
That lies so right from Dublin for a Stage, 
☜   
And yet hath no receipt for Man, or Page.   

11.  
God hath so blessed this our undertaking,  
In sending us Prosperity and health,  
That while my Limbs are good, my Spirits waking,  
I'll study how to serve the Commonwealth:  
That much good may be done there's no deny all,  
If you consent we'll put it to the trial.   

12.  
She gentle soul, who never was averse  
To aught that he inclined in word or deed,  
Sweet love she said, so well you ken your Verse  
In Field, and Town, you little counsel need.  
This is your love exceptions to prevent,  
'Tis kindly moved, as kindly I consent.   

13.  
And thus he went unto the Lord Dunsany,  
The rightful owner of the fore said place,  
A Noble Lord, by Birth as good as any;  
His gentle Lady came of English race.  
In brief to tell ere past was much debate, 
☜   
They full agreed on Covenants and the rate.   

14.  
Some Chapmen thought he did not well advise,  
To give so great a price for naked Lands;  
But such I mean as were not over-wise,  
Or such as sought to gained in their own hands:  

☞  Or such as had no right discerning sense,  
To know Commerce will build both house and fence.   

15.  
For being seated in so great a Road,  
And from the City so complete a Stage,  
When such as journey▪ wanting there abode,  
Must further ride, it booteth not to rage,  
As many more have done as well as I,  
When as we were benighted, wet and dry.   

16.  
Our  were wet, and we were dry for drink:  
Because I will not hold you in a Riddle,  
Amiss of me I hope you will not think,  
If you may there embrace your Hostess middle;  
As since you mighr, and more you might not do,  
If you mean ill, she thought no harm to you.   

17.  
For in that place he builded Host'ries twain,  
And put therein two very honest couple,  
Where Guests of all sorts came with might and main,  
For unto such they were exceeding supple;  

☞  And all things came so fitly to their hands,  
As shortly did improve both House and Lands.   

18.  
Lord's Rent did treble what it was before,  
New Tenants lived in fare more gentile fashion:  
The undertaker totted up his score;  
And here begun this pretty new Plantation:  
Then thus advanced, the Bargain was not dear  

☞  From sixty to three hundred pounds a year.   

19  
If you desire to know the reason why  
The Lands of Ireland are so quickly gainful,  
It is to such as have discerning eye,  
And to their proper use to fit are painful.  
Thus did this loving couple prosper well,  
Till God's wrath kindled fierce, by Rebels, fell. 
☜    

20.  
But not on them alone, their hap was better  
Than many thousands under that dire cross,  
For which to God above they are still debtor,  
Their lives were saved, though goods were put to loss.  
They were i'th', North about their household care,  
And were surprised ere they were ware.   

21.  
For there it was they made their first Plantation,  
With mutual comfort, and all good success.  
And there it was this heavy visitation  
O'erwhelmed that Country people more and less.  
Let any judge what cause they had to fear,  
Eleven months full (in dread) they Prisoners were. 
☜    

22.  
And after that they freedom had to pass,  
Which was great comfort to afflicted mind;  
Yet sad and heavy were the terms a lass,  
Their eldest son was forced to stay behind. 
☜   
Quoth they, to you our Country is well known,  
Thus fare we yield, for favours you have shown.   

23.  
But yet your skill in this our Irish war,  
Much augmented by your long residing,  
If you be sent we shall be very fare  
To think that here we shall have safe abiding;  
Therefore him we keep, that we may be more sure  
T'exchange for ours, or be ourselves secure. 
☜    

24.  
I would our State were pleased so to think,  
That such as left their Lands and Goods behind,  
Will not so easily be induced to wink,  
As such as know but little of their mind:  

☞  For who so fit as those have double band,  
T' advise and fight with double heart and hand.   

25.  
Thus on they march with sad and mournful cheer,  
To leave their eldest son in doleful plight;  
For Lands and Goods they never took such fear  
As that to him they would do lit le right.  
A youth so sweet of nature, and so kind,  
One death it was to leave such son behind.   

26.  
Then came they to an English Garrison,  
Droghdagh that seated was upon the Main,  
The Father sad beyond all comparison,  
To Dublin went, soon to return again,  
With hope to bring relief, sad hearts to cheer  

☞  Of Wife and Children, almost dead with fear.   

27.  
Thus came he to that old and famous City,  
Where he had left two daughters for their breeding,  
One whereof, O pity, greatest pity,  
Was dead, which set his heartstrings fresh a bleeding:  
And sure the fear she had of us below,  

☞  Did cause her death, which added to our woe.   

28.  
A gracious child, withal a proper Lass,  
No doubt she weareth now a Crown of glory;  
And since our God, which all things bring to pass  
Was pleased, then ought we to be sorry?  
No happy Maid that is before us gone,  
When others live with cause of further moan.   

29.  
He found their eldest Daughter plunged in sorrow,  
For Sister's death, and their imprisonment;  
And had he not come early the next morrow,  
Which gave some comfort to her languishment,  
She might perchance have found same way to Bliss,  
But now she lives to see more things amiss.   

30.  
And long may live to give our Maker glory.  
A meeker soul lives not upon this earth:  
But now I must return unto my story;  
Our lives were dated long before our birth.  
Then let us live, so as we need not care  
For Hell, or Death, that will not Princes spare.   

31.  
And now he went unto the Counsel Table,  
To let them know what he beneath observed,  
And did relate the truth as he was able,  
For otherwise he had not well deserved.  
The Board did seem to pity much his case,  
And moved that noble Lord to give him place.   

32.  
Who bravely then commanded there in Chief,  

Lord Marquis of Ormond.  And worthy was as any I have known,  
(For I do love to tell my mind in brief)  
Be what he will in field or yet in Town:  
And he brave Lord himself was nothing slack  
To give him Horse and Arms, to  his back.   

33.  
But now the Regiments were all come over,  
That hard it was an empty place to find  
A Soldier he, his stile I will not cover,;  
That there and else where often had been trained.  
But so long had they kept him close in Mew 
☜   
Others got the start, which then but little knew.   

34.  
For that good turn his Masters did below,  

☞  Who did intent that he should be their Agent,  
They kept him that he might not strike a blow;  
Nor yet get out for to seek employment.  
But now this gentle Lord full of remorse,  
Did study how to raise him Troop of Horse.   

35.  
He in the mean time to Droghdagh was sent  
T' old Sir Henry Tychborne, That gallant Knight,  
Prisoner's to release was the full intent,  
Left still behind that would come if they might.  
This Message was full glad in this respect,  
His son amongst the rest he did expect.   

36.  
But ere he could adventure to Droghdagh,  
He stayed a night at Garrison Corduff,  
And afterward he had no cause to laugh,  
There fell out such ill-favoured piece of stuff.  
Some few Dragoones he had unto his Guard,  
That led him wrong, and thus with him it fared,   

37.  
A Thicket was the way that they should ride,  
He liked it not, it seemed a doubtful place;  
Go see quoth he if Rebels do them hid,  
To give annoyance to us as we pass.  
He sent two men to see what might appear,  
Who brought him present word the Coast was clear.   

38.  
It proved not so; for as they marched by,  
They heard a clamour, and a sudden rush,  
And to their cost they quickly did espy  

☞  Rebels heads peep like Snakes out of a bush.  
And then began the business very hot,  
They poured on him alone full thirty shot.   

39  
Himself, his Cloak, his Saddle, and his Horse,  
Upon Account had holes to that same number,  
Which suddenly was done without remorse,  
And how he scaped with life it was a wonder.  
They feared another Party of our men,  
Which made them back retire unto their Den.   

40.  
His Horse was killed, one of his men stark dead;  
Of theirs too they killed, Prisoner was the third:  
Sore wounded he went with an aching head;  
A greater escape (it was thy mercy Lord)  
Did never fall to any sinful wight:  
Back they return in sad and woeful plight.   

41.  
And then appeared he shot was with six Bullets, 
☜   
A homely place, God knows, fell to his Harbour,  
He was not fed with over many Pullet's,  
To make him trim he stood no need of Barber:  
A Surgeon was the man he wanted most,  
And him to fetch one rid away in Post.   

42.  
Next day there came a nimble Leech, James Moor,  
Was sent to him by honest Thomas Howard,  
(Who gave him money in his hand before)  
Him to requite he never will be froward.  
His wounds were bound, & searched with all good speed,  
No vein left open any more to bleed.   

43.  
Ill news goes fare, and so did these of him,  
His Wife heard he was dead, or at the point,  
She makes all haste, stayed not to make her trim.  
You need not doubt she trembled every joint:  
A Convoy fitly served the way to cross,  
Leaves Children four behind, to mourn their loss.   

44.  
Full won she looked to find him in that case;  
Take cheer, quoth he, I hope all will be we'll,  
She sobbed, and sighed, and wiped her blubbered face,  
And softly then she down by him did kneel:  
Her coming to him did such comfort brings,  
He thought himself as happy as a King.   

45.  
For her kind soul more gentle than a Willow,  
Lord how he grieved that had not welcome fit,  

☞  Hard Board's her Bed, a Saddle was her Pillow,  
Which put him quite besides his little wit.  
Dear Love, said she, no harm can me betid,  
No stone is hard, so I lie by thy side.   

46.  
The place did only yield his hurts a ,  
And that likewise upon the Board's did lie,  
There's many begging all day with a Wallat,  
That when night comes, to lodge so will be shy:  
The times were such no better could be had,  
Then they that cause such times are worse than mad.   

47.  
No want of will in People or in Soldier,  
Of what they had they gave the very best;  
Not any place wherein they might be bolder,  
His thanks he pays, God quite them for the rest.  
In few day's space there was good hope of life,  
Praised be his Name that sent him such a wife.   

48.  
In the Surgeon's absence she could play her part,  
Few women might with her compare for skill,  
T' help such as need she always had the heart,  
Now she acted lively both in deed and will.  
In one month's space to Dublin he was brought,  
Such sudden change could hardly have been thought.   

49.  
A change said I? Now cometh change on change,  
For here this blessed Creature did contract  
A Flux and Ague, which held her very strange, 
☜   
His hurts were mending, but his heart was racked,  
To think that she should come his life to save,  
And bring herself to such untimely grave.   

50.  
Now was she sometimes better, sometimes worse;  
Their Children as y'hare heard were left behind,  
Them to recover they did make a Purse,  
To give some ease unto their troubled mind.  
Their second Daughter, with two pretty Boys,  
Came with such news as drenched their new-come joyer   

51.  
For when these three appeared each after other,  
He missed a fourth; Lord how his heart did dread,  
Wet eyes he saw in sister and in brother:  
Nay then, quoth he, our little Girl is dead: 
☜   
O happy she, than said her Mother dear,  
For her we need no longer stand in fear.   

52.  
What though she was our Darling young and tender,  
As sweet a Child as ever woman bare,  
To send this wicked world her wit was slender,  
Our gracious God of her hath taken care:  
This aught we not to reckon is a loss,  
For surely this a Blessing is, and not a Cross.   

53.  
This I discern, although I faint and languish,  
Through glimpse of God Almighty's giving,  
Such as remains shall have both woe and anguish,  
The dead are better fare then are the living.  
God bless you all that hearken to my song, 
☜   
Ere you be queat it will be very long   

54.  
For such a cursed Rabble upstart Crew,  
The Serpent hath infused with deadly hate,  
They never will leave off to work your Rue.  

☞  Till they have quite undone both Church and State.  
They listened to her lore, sat by and cried;  
She sighed, and turned about, and shortly died.   

55.  
Now break heart, if thou art not made of Flint,  
I hear thee crack, and eyes with Rivers swell,  
No wounds, or loss of goods gave such a dint,  
Or earthly thing that ever him befell.  
What further hope doth now for him remain,  
The World to him a Chaos is again.   

56.  
Yet Children pledges dear of mother's love,  
He needs must join with her in Prophecy;  
He sees such direful threaten from above,  
Through Satan's craft and man's iniquity,  

☞  That till our injured King be once restored,  
Each gentle wight must suffer, Knight, and Lord.   

57  
Thus did poor Father, and poor Children four,  
Bewail, lament, and mourn each others loss;  
Their elder Brother, as you heard before,  
Was doleful prisoner still, O heavy Cross:  
Now all the world began to run on Rucks,  
Deep sorrow brought deep Fever and a Flux.   

58.  
Besides, a wound that was not rightly cured,  

☞  Broke out again, and wrought him much teen:  
O Lord, he hath not yet enough endured,  
Thy wonders great must more of him be seen:  
Sad children cry, to see him in this taking,  
Folk think him dead, his Coffin is a making.   

59  
And now behold the great Almighty's power,  
Comes gushing from the foresaid hollow wound 
☜   
Impostumated stuff a Quart, or more,  
As he lay senseless grovelling on the ground:  
Then shortly after he was pretty able,  
About his Son to wait at Counsel Table.   

60.  
And that brought on his eldest Sons release,  
With earnest suit he shortly did obtain,  
A way to work the weary young man's peace,  
By sending in exchange of Prisoners twain:  
And even then a noble 
* Sir Will. Cole.  friend below,  
Had late redeemed him from his thrall and woe.   

61.  
Thus once more were his Children in his sight,  
Eleven once, now five the number left:  
And thanks be given to that good God of might,  
Which brought such ease to heart full deeply cleft.  
But then they had such want of livelihood, 
☜   
His Sons to England went to seek their food.   

62.  
For now it was the time of a Cessation,  
Long sought by th'Irish, and at length accorded,  
Which brought to some a very short Collation,  
Amongst the rest it nought to them afforded.  
His Lieutenant he sent with Children three,  
His Daughters two remained, 
* Irish phrase,  poor Cramacrees.   

63.  
For he was then designed to carry o'er  
Some men to England, as it was projected,  
Which made him send his people so before,  
In hope that there they might have been protected.  
But once more as they passed upon the Seas, 
☜   
They Prisoners were again at little ease.   

64.  
And he himself now ready was for far.  
With Men and Arms to follow on the chase;  
But Ships within our Harbour brought new care,  
And blocked us up for running further race.  

☞  Thus wheeled about, for Children making moan,  
At length he Licence had to go alone.   

65.  
Alone, I mean, without or Men or Arms,  
With Daughters two, he went to seek the rest,  
Praying our God them shield from further harms,  
For he it is by whom we must be blest.  
Now after all these sad and heavy Tales,  
Their Vessel shortly brought them to South-Wales.   

66.  
Two of his Boys he found upon that Coast,  
A friendly 
* Capt. Weston and his wife.  Couple took the third away:  
He was the youngest whom they tendered most,  
Not having of their own wherewith to play:  
A Lad for feature might attend a Prince,  

☞  Where he is, God knows, we never saw him since.   

67.  
Here was he brought before the Admiral,  
For that a Soldier he was deemed to be,  
And then presented to th' major-general,  
A very worthy gallant man was he;  
And had withal as generous a wife,  

☞  As I have ever known in all my life.   

68  
This gentle Lady, and with her 
* Mistress Cannon.  another,  
Took both his Daughters with such kind respect,  
None could do more, except it were a mother;  
Such goodness do these Country folk affect:  
If others blanche, we speak what we have found,  
We never set our feet on kinder ground.   

69.  
But now into the Army he must go,  
For so he will that there commands the Seas;  
Whatsoever he thinks, 'tis bootless to say no,  
He is in hands that may do what they please.  
And now again his heart strange passion feels,  
Yet go he must, or else may go by th' heels.   

70.  
Yet sure these two 
* Major Gen. Laughorne. Captain Swanley.  were very worthy men,  
The one by Land, the other on the Sea,  
They soon contrived employment for him then,  
He used there that time no other plea.  
But when he had well looked into the Cause,  
He thought it hard that subjects should give Laws. 
☜    

71.  
Things were too high for him to understand,  
He could not see good reason for these broils,  
That thus infested this unhappy land,  
And hooked us into such unwelcome toils.  
Yet while he stayed, he did refuse no duty,  
But had no skill to plunder, or get booty. 
☜    

72.  
To pay the Soldier Money there was none;  
Alack poor Countreyfolke what have you done?  
He thought it better fare for to be gone,  
Then thus upon your score so deep to run.  
For truth to tell in brief, by fraud or force,  
So ●●…k you neither Sheep, nor Cow, or Horse, 
☜    

73.  
Thus Service done, he once more Licence had,  
With him and his again to cross the Seas;  
The way by land at that time was but bad,  
And they that ventured found but little ease:  
By long and irksome Sea about they came  
To London, where they found untoward game.   

74.  
Such way was cast for them to seek Arreare,  
The like I think was never yet invented,  
It put them to such trouble and such fear,  
Some fret and fume, some sigh, and all lamented.  
At length it comes from Cloak to Welch-man's Button,  
But finds them neither Pottage, Beef, or Mutton. 
☜    

75.  
Then back to Ireland he employment sought,  
As was most proper where he lost his Lands,  
Where Wife and Children died, one sister caught,  
And cruel murdered by the Rebel's hands,  

☞  Another stripped of all he  and goods,  
As she passed through the Irish Rogges and Woods.   

76.  
Some people jealous, doth not us confide,  
They think we are not fit to serve their turn,  
Th' our Integrity hath been often t yed,  
When Towns and Houses 'bout our ears did burn,  

☞  Or whether it be to confound the Monarchy,  
And raise in stead thereof confused Anarchy.   

77.  
Piece of a Soldier he is from his youth,  
In Low-Countries, Denmark, and in Ireland;  
Then who can him detract not sparing truth:  
None will I'm sure but some hellish Firebrand,  
That goes about to wrack both Church and State,  
Confounded will they be that truth do hate.   

☞ 78.  
Yet promise upon promise he hath had,  
As if some good to him they did intent,  
But with delay enough to make one mad,  
Nor can he yet procure successful end.  

☞  Commission on Commission he obtained,  
Yet on such terms, as nought by them he gained.   

79.  
His Son hath in this Army served truly,  
In Wales and Ireland from his tender age;  
His Pay from him detained is unduely,  
Since he for Ireland likewise did engage.  
Though they have waited till they pawned their Coat,  

☞  he's forced to go (poor youth) with ne'er a Groat.   

80.  
Part of their own yet give, if you have heart,  
Himself and Children left, alive too keep,  
And do it soon, for now it is your part  
To make them smile that long have cause to weep.  
Thus have you heard a story of more woe,  
Then that of juliet and Romeo.   
FINIS.