ALEXANDER BROME

POEMS
VOLUME 1
 ALEXANDER
BROME

POEMS

Roman R.Dubinski,editor

VOLUME

1
Introduction
Poems

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS

Toronto Buffalo London
 University of Toronto Press 1982
Toronto Buffalo London
Printed in Canada
ISBN 0-8020-5535-4

Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data

Brome, Alexander, 1620-1666.
Poems
Contents: v.l. Text.
ISBN 0-8020-5535-4 (set)
I. Dubinski, Roman R. (Roman Rudolph), 1936-
II. Title.
PR3326.B36A17 1982 821/..4 C82-094646-X

This book has been published with the help of grants from
the Canadian Federation for the Humanities, using funds provided by
the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada,
from the Publications Fund of the University of Toronto Press,
and from the University of Waterloo
Social Sciences and Humanities Grant Fund.

The illustration in this volume

is reproduced by permission of The Huntington Library,
San Marino, California.
 Contents

INTRODUCTION 3

SONGS AND OTHER POEMS

Prefatory Letters and Poems (P)

I To the Honourable, Sir JOHN ROBINSON 49

II To the Reader 50
III To his honoured Friend Mr. ALEXANDER BROME,
on the publishing his Poems (by R.B.) 51
IV On my Friend Mr. ALEXANDER BROME (by
Charles Cotton) 52
V On the Death of Mr. ALEXANDER BROME, who dyed the
30th. of June, 1666 (by Rich. Newcourt) 55
VI On Mr. ALEXANDER BROME'S Poems (by R. Th. Jun.) 56
VII To the Ingenious Authour Mr. Alexand. Brome
(by W. Poulet) 58
VIII To the Ingenious Author Mr. A.B. (by Rob. Napeir) 59
IX To my ingenious Friend Mr. Brome, on his various and
excellent Poems: An humble Eglog (by Iz. Walton) 60
X To my worthy Friend Mr. Alex. Brome (by C.W.) 62
XI To his dear Friend Mr. Alex. Brome, upon the publishing
his Poems (by Cha. Steynings) 63
XII To his Ingenious Friend Mr. A.B. upon his most excellent
Poems (by Valentine Oldis) 64
XIII For his much honoured Friend Mr. Alexander Brome (by R.B.) 66

Section 1

I Plain Dealing 69
II The Indifferent 70
III The Resolve 71
IV The Wary Woer 72
V The Counsel 73
VI To his Mistress 74
VII To his Mistress 75
VIII The hard Heart 76
IX Loves Anarchy 77
 X The Libertine 78
XI The Contrary 79
XII The Young Lover 80
XIII To his Mistress 82
XIV To a Widow 82
XV To his Friend that had vow'd Small-Bear 83
XVI On Claret 84
XVII A Mock Song 85
XVIII Reasons of Love 86
XIX Epithalamy 88
XX An Ode of Anacreon paraphrased. Beauties force 89
XXI Love's without Reason 90
XXII The Damoisel 91
XXIII A Dialogue 93
XXIV To his Mistres affrighted in the wars 94
XXV Upon the Cavaleers departing out of London 95
XXVI On the fall of the prices of wine 96
XXVII The Old Mans delight (By R.B.). The Addition by A.B. 97
XXVHI A Dialogue translated 99
XXIX Courtship. Out of Catullus 99
XXX The Attempt 100
XXXI To a Lady that turned her Cheek 101
XXXII Practick Love 102
XXXIII Translated out of French 103
XXXIV Translated out of French 104
XXXV To a painted Lady 105
XXXVI To a coy Lady 106
XXXVII The Recovery 107
XXXVIII Advice to Caelia 108
XXXIX The Mad Lover 109
XL The Murmurer 109
XLI A Round 110
XLII The Cavalier 111
XLIII A Wife 112
XLIV On the Queens Arrival 113
XLV A Friend 114

Section 2

I The Royalist 117

II The Commoners 118
III The Pastorall 120
IV A Mock-song 121

vi
 V The Trouper 121
VI The Good-fellow. An Addition by M.C. Esquire 122
VII The Answer (by T.J.) 124
VIII The Answer 125
IX The Levellers rant 126
X The New-Courtier 128
XI The Safety 129
XII The Companion 131
XIII Copernicus 132
XIV The Painters entertainment 133
XV The Cure of Care 135
XVI Content. Out of Anacreon 137
XVII Mirth. Out of Anacreon 138
XVIII The Indépendants resolve 138
XIX On Canary 140
XX The Leveller 141
XXI The Royalists Answer 143
XXII The safe Estate 145
XXIII The fate 147
XXIV The Polititian 148
XXV The Prisoners 150
XXVI Satisfaction 151
XXVII The Club 153
XXVHI The Prodigal 154
XXIX The Antipolititian 155
XXX The New Gentry 156
XXXI The Cheerful heart 158
XXXII Made and Set Extempore 159
XXXIII The Answer to the Curse against Ale 160
XXXIV The Reformation 162
XXXV For the Generalls entertainment 165
XXXVI On Sir G.B. his defeat 166
XXXVII Against Corrupted Sack 168
XXXVIII The Lamentation 170
XXXIX The Riddle 171
XL On the Kings returne 173
XLI A Catch 174
XLII For General Monk his entertainment at Cloath-worker s Hall 175
XLIII The Advice 176

Section 3

I The Satyr of Money 179

vu
 II Upon a Sign-Post, set up by one Mr. Pecke atSkoale in Norfolk 182
III 'A new Diurnal' 185
IV On the demolishing the Forts 191
V The Clown 194
VI On a Butchers Dog that bit a Commanders
Mare that stood to be Knight of a Shire 199
VII The New Knight Errant 202
VIII The New Mountebanck 205
IX The Saints Encouragement 207
X 'Come let us be merry' 209
XI The Scots Curanto 211
XII 'Though Oxford be yielded' 213
XIII A New Ballad 214
XIV The Holy Pedler 216
XV A Serious Ballade 218
XVI An Ode 220
XVII Palinode 222
XVIII A Ballad 223

Section 4

I To C.C. Esquire 227

II The Answer (by C. Cotton) 228
HI To his University Friend 231
IV The Answer 232
V To T.S. 235
VI The Answer 237
VII An Epistle from a Friend to the Author upbraiding
him with his writing Songs (by I.E.) 242
VIII The Answer 243
IX To a Lady desiring a copy of a Song 245
X To his Friend C.S. Esquire 246
XI To C.S. Esquire 247
XII To C.S. Esquire 248
XIII To C.S. Esquire 250
XIV To his Friend W.C. 254
XV To his Friend I.E. Upon his Tragedy 255
XVI To a Potting Priest upon a quarrel 255
XVII To his Friend Mr. W.H. upon the death of his hawke 257
XVIII To his School Master Mr. W.H. upon his Poem
call'd Conscientiae accusatricis Hypotyposis 258
XIX To his Friend T.S. 259
XX To the Meritoriously Honorable Lord Chiefe

viii
 Justice of the Kings bench 260
XXI A new years gift presented to the same 261
XXII To his Honoured Friend R. Henley Esquire 263
XXIII To his Friend J.H. Esquire 264
XXIV To a Gentleman that fell sick of the small Pox.
When he should be married 265
XXV To his Friend Mr. I.E. being at London in the Authors retirement 267
XXVI An elegy on a Lady that dyed before her intended Nuptials 269
XXVII On the great cryer at Westminster-Hall 270
XXVIII To the memory of that loyal patriot Sir I. Cordel Kt. 270
XXIX To his Mistress lodging in a room where the Sky was painted 271
XXX A new years gift 272
XXXI On the Queens going beyond Sea 273
XXXII Upon his Mare stoln by a Trooper 274
XXXIII Upon riding on a tired horse 275
XXXIV To his Friend I.E. 276
XXXV Translated out of Perseus 211
XXXVI Upon the miscarrier of Letters betwixt his Friend and him;
An Execration 277
XXXVII To his Mistris 279
XXXVIII To his Mistris married to another 280
XXXIX On the turn-coat Clergy 281
XL To his Friend Mr. I.W. on his Translation of a Romance,
call'd The innocent Impostor 282
XLI A Satyre on the Rebellion 283
XLII On a pair of Virginals 285
XLIII On a Comedie called The passionate lovers 285
XLIV To the high-Sheriff of S. 286
XLV To G.B. Esquire 286
XLVI To his reverend Friend Dr. S. on his pious and learned book 287
XLVII To Colonel Lovelace on his Poems 289
XLVIII To his Friend Thomas Stanley, Esquire, on his Odes
Set and Published by Mr. John Gamble 290
XLIX On the famous Romance, called The innocent Impostor 290
L On Dr. J. his divine Romant 291
LI On the loss of a Garrison 292
LII Upon the Kings imprisonment 293
LIII On the death of King CHARLES 294
LIV On the Kings death 296
LV A funeral Elegy on Mr. Aubrey 298
LVI Upon the death of that Reverend and learned Divine,
Mr. Josias Shute 299
LVII To the memory of Doctor Hearn, who dyed September 15. 1644 302

IX
 LVIII An Elegy on the death of his Schoolmaster. Mr. W.H. 304
LIX An Epitaph 306
LX An Epitaph upon Mrs. G. 306

Section 5

I On Rome 307
II On a quareller 307
III On a lover 308
IV On Gold 308
V To a Friend 308
VI On Alexander 308
VII On a Bankrupt 309
VIII On a Priest and a Theif 309
IX On Love and Death 309
X On Women 310
XI On a Wolfe sentenc'd 310
XII On one more learned then others 310
XIII On Galla 311
XIV On one lowsie and poor 311
XV A happy death 311
XVI On Nero 311
XVII On Love 312
XVIII Rules of drinking 312
XIX A vain Boaster 312
XX To Momus 312
XXI On Phillis tears 313
XXII On a proud fool 313
XXIII On time 313
XXIV On a blind, and lame begger 314
XXV On a Spartan Lady 314
XXVI On Philip of Macedón 314
XXVII The Answer 315
XXVIII Frugality 315
XXIX On two wives 315
XXX On a Murtherer 315
XXXI On a Fisherman 316
XXXII On a burnt ship 316
XXXIII Aliter 316
XXXIV On a Covetous Man 317
XXXV On Hermocrates 317
XXXVI On a poor and sick Man 317
XXXVII On a Hare 318

X
XXXVIII On Balaams Ass 318
XXXIX Upon Democritus and Heraclitus 318
XL Out of Catullus 319
XLI On an Astronomer that tryed by rules of Art
to find whether he were a Cuckold 319
XLII On Geneva's armes 319
XLIII To a sad Widow 320
XLIV On a bribed Judge 320
XLV To a jealous Husband 320
XLVI On proud Rome 321
XLVII Against Mourning 321
XLVIII Epigramma in Juliam 321
XLIX Translated 322
L An Essay of the Contempt of Greatnesse,
being a Dialogue of Ludan made English 322
LI A paraphrase upon the first Chap, of Ecclesiastes 335
LU A speech made to the Lord General Monck, at Clotheworkers-Hall
in London the 13. of March, 1659. at which
time he was there entertained by that worthy Company. 338
LIII LEGES CONVIVALES. Quod faelix fastumque
convivís in Apolline sit 340
LIV BEN. JOHNSONS Sociable rules for the Apollo 341
LV To his Friend C.S. Esquire 342
LVI A Dialogue between Alexander, Calisthenes, and Statyra 345
LVII Cromwell's Panegyrick, upon his riding in triumph
over the baffled City of London 348
LVIII A Record in Rhythme, Being an Essay towards the
Reformation of the Law, offer'd to the
Consideration of the Committee appointed
for that purpose. Written by some men of Law,
at a time when they had little else to do 350
LIX On a Combat between a Roman Capon, ana a French Cock 356
LX To the Kings most Sacred Majesty, on his miraculous and glorious
return 29. May, 1660 358
LXI On a Parson and a Lawyer 368

POEMS FROM MISCELLANEOUS SOURCES

Section 6

I Upon the unparalelld Playes written by those Renowned

Twinnes of Poetry BEAUMONT and FLETCHER 371
II To Mr. James Shirley, upon his English ana Latine Grammar 372

XI
 III Upon the unhappie Separation of those united Souls, The Honorable
Henry Lord Hastings, And his beloved Parallel 373
IV Upon the Author's decease, and POEMS 375
V Upon the AUTHOUR, and his Worke 376
VI To Master RICHARD BROME, upon his Comedie, called,
A Joviall Crew: or, The merry Beggars 377
VII 'Reader, lo heere thou wilt two faces finde' 378
VIII TO THE READERS 378
IX To the Stationer, on the publishing Mr. Bromes Comedies 379
X Upon the Ingenious Comedies of Mr. Richard Brome 380
XI To his ingenuous Friend Mr. IZAAK WALTON on his
Complete Angler 381
XII On the Comoedies of the late facetious POET, Mr. Richard Brome
Deceased 383
XIII To his ingenious FRIEND Mr. Henry Bold on his Poems 385

DUBIA

Alexander Broome on Mr Robt Napeir a lawyer's

kissing of my Ld John Butler's breech for a Guiny,
whom he beshit for his gains at Orchard. A° 1665. 389

The hue & Cry 392

Xll
 Acknowledgments
I am grateful to my colleagues Larry Cummings, George Hibbard and Alvin Dust for their
generous assistance and comments at various stages in the preparation of this edition. Thanks
are also due to my chairmen, Warren Ober and William Macnaughton, for their help in pro-
viding time and secretarial assistance, to Maxine Bechtel and Jean Spowart for careful typ-
ing, to Loella Eby, Philip Smith and the staff of the Arts Computing Office here at the Uni-
versity of Waterloo for an expert job in preparing the camera ready copy, and to Prudence
Tracy and Jean Wilson of the University of Toronto Press, for their advice and patience.
I wish to thank the staffs of the following libraries for their kind assistance: the British
Library, the Bodleian Library, the Cambridge University Library, the library of Trinity Col-
lege, Cambridge, the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery, the Beinnecke Library at
Yale, the Harvard Library, and the Folger Shakespeare Library.
I owe my greatest debt, however, to my wife, Margaret, to our daughter Sandra and sons,
David and John, and to my parents, Olga and Karl Semonuk. I deeply appreciate their
unfailing support and patience.
Research on the edition has been aided by the University of Waterloo, which granted me a
sabbatical leave, and by the Canada Council, which awarded me a travel grant. Publication
of the edition is made possible through subventions from the Social Sciences and Humanities
Research Council, using funds supplied by the Canada Council, from the Publications Fund
of the University of Toronto Press, and from the University of Waterloo Social Sciences and
Humanities Grant Fund.
The Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery has given permission to print photo-
graphic facsimiles of the portraits of Brome and of the title-page of the 1661 edition.
Roman Dubinski
University of Waterloo
This page intentionally left blank
 SONGS
AND OTHER
POEMS
This page intentionally left blank
 Introduction
A BRIEF LIFE OF ALEXANDER BROME1

In itemizing bequests in his will,2 Brome reveals that he was born in the parish of
Evershot and bred in West Milton, small rural hamlets in the county of Dorset,
Evershot about twelve miles northwest and West Milton about twelve miles north-
east of Dorchester. Brome's exact birth date is unknown, though we can infer the
approximate year from the inscription on David Loggan's portrait engraved for the
1664 edition of the Songs And other Poems. The inscription reads ' Aetatis suae 44,'
which would place Brome's birth date around 1620.
Virtually nothing is known about Brome's parents. The bequest in the will of five
pounds apiece to his father and mother if living at his decease suggests that both
were still alive on 29 June 1666 when the will was executed. Brome's admission
entry to Gray's Inn in 1648 identifies his father as 'John B., of Milton, Dorset,
gent.'3 In the absence of corroborating evidence, it is impossible to state conclu-
sively whether John Brome belonged to the gentry or not. Further research in the
local records of Dorset county is needed to uncover more information about
Brome's parents.
From the will, we also learn that at the time of his death Brome had three broth-
ers, John, Richard (not the dramatist),4 and Henry, and three sisters, Elizabeth, Isa-
bell, and Julian.5 Henry, who published several of Alexander's works, was a book-
seller in London from 1657 until his death in 1681.6 He was named as one of the
overseers of his brother's will. Only scanty information is available about the oth-
ers. Elizabeth was married on 17 August 1663 and John on 17 January 1666.7 Rich-
ard died in 1692.8 Nothing is known about the others.
Of Brome's early life and education, the only fact we have is that he was bred at
West Milton. Evershot, his birthplace, did not have a free grammar school until
1628, but the one at West Milton had been in existence since 1521.9 It seems likely,
then, that if Brome received a grammar school education, he went to the free gram-
mar school in West Milton. We find one scrap of evidence regarding Brome's apti-
tude for learning in Aubrey's marginal note opposite the life of Katherine Philips,
which reads: 'H. Brome assured me that his brother Alexander was in his accedence
at 4 yeares old and a quarter.'10 Though not conclusive, this allusion may indicate
that Brome had a tutor, for students were normally not admitted to grammar school
until they were eight or nine.
Some evidence to support this conjecture is found in two poems Brome wrote to
a Mr W.H., whom he identifies as his schoolmaster.11 For the period when Brome
was likely to be a student at the grammar school at West Milton, there is no surviv-
ing record of a Mr W.H. as schoolmaster. After reviewing the evidence, J.L.Brooks
plausibly suggests that Mr W.H. was either a private tutor or else taught Brome and
other students outside the free grammar school. This last suggestion receives some
support from the elegy, where Brome notes that W.H.'s pupils received instruction
in Greek and Hebrew, subjects normally not taught at the grammar school.12
In the absence of surviving evidence in the admissions registers at Cambridge
and Oxford, we cannot be certain whether or not Brome attended either of the uni-
versities. No suggestion is made in his poems or in those written to him, in his will,
or in the early biographical notices that Brome was a university man. It seems
likely, then, that his formal education was limited to grammar school and probably
instruction by a private tutor.
Evidence for the surmise that Brome was in London at some point before 1639
comes from an edict issued by the Lord Chamberlain on 10 August 1639 protecting
the rights of William Beeston's company to forty-five plays.13 One of the plays pro-
tected, The Cunning Lovers, was published in 1654 under Alexander Brome's
name, and since he is not known to have denied authorship, we may safely assume
that the play was his and that he wrote it some time before 10 August 1639.14 If
Brome came up to London with the intention of becoming a playwright, he appears
not to have remained in this profession for very long, for no record has been found
of any other plays he may have written.
Not enough evidence has been found to allow even speculation about Brome's
motives for coming to London or his plans when he got there, but we do know that
around 1640 he had made a start in the legal profession. In an epistle (4.XX) written
shortly after Sir Robert Foster's appointment to the chief justiceship of the Court of
King's Bench on 21 October 1660, Brome petitions Foster for liberty to enrol pleas
in King's Bench in his own name, a petition which was subsequently granted.15 The
petitioner supports his claim by declaring that he has been a servant to the legal pro-
fession for full twenty years, the last eight as a master. If we take the 'full twenty
years' literally, then Brome must have begun his legal career around 1640, probably
serving as a clerk or apprentice until 1652, when he claims he became a master.
In his new year's epistle, 4.XXII 'To his Honoured Friend R. Henley Esquire,'
probably written during the civil war, Brome refers to himself as a clerk of the
addressee, who was Master of the Court of King's Bench from 1629 until his
sequestration during the civil war.16 Brome's admission to Gray's Inn on 24
November 164817 may have been motivated by a desire to further his legal educa-
tion, or, as he belonged to the legal bureaucracy, he may have found membership in
one of the inns a professional convenience.18 It seems a reasonable conclusion,
then, that Brome spent all or part of the 1640s serving as a clerk in King's Bench,
and probably at the same time furthering his legal education with the aim of becom-
ing an attorney.
Though he appears to have lived in London all during the 1640s, there is no evi-
dence that Brome took an active part in the civil war or its aftermath. In a humorous
epistle (4. XIII) written to his friend Charles Steynings early in 1660, Brome hints
that he may have been among the London citizens who marched to Turnham Green
in November 1642 to discourage Charles from launching an assault on the city. That
Brome was an unwilling participant seems evident from these lines:

4
 I was with other fools sent out,
And staid three day es, but. ne ver fought
'Gainst King or Cavaliers.
But if Brome played no active role militarily, he did make a contribution to the
Royalist propaganda effort. In a way that remains unknown, two of Brome's poems
found their way to Oxford, where they were published anonymously in the spring of
1643 when the Royalist cause was in the ascendant. Both are lively burlesques sati-
rizing Parliament and its leaders, one in Hudibrastic verse and the other parodying
the form and content of the weekly newsbooks.19 Two other Brome poems appeared
anonymously as broadsides a few years later, one a burlesque on the occasion of
Cromwell's occupation of London in August 1647 and the other a purported mono-
logue of Charles lamenting his imprisonment in 1648.20 Brome composed some
twenty other political poems (mostly satires and burlesques) in the 1640s, but these
remained in manuscript and were probably discreetly circulated among his Cavalier
friends.
Besides political poems, some seventy other poems can be dated with varying
degrees of certainty in the 1640s. Of these, thirty-seven are love lyrics in the courtly
love tradition, and eighteen are drinking songs (including two translations from
Anacreon), which later earned Brome the title of the English Anacreon (see p 18).
These remained in manuscript, with forty-two collected in Ash, which has been
dated in the 1640s (see Textual Introduction p 38). The existence of this manuscript
and others proves that Brome's poems were circulating, but the extent of the circula-
tion is impossible to determine.
Some evidence as to Brome's reputation as a poet, however, is afforded by the
dedicatory poems he wrote during the 1640s. Though the Cavalier cause suffered an
eclipse after 1646, one relatively safe way to proclaim one's sympathies publicly
was to contribute dedicatory poems to books closely identified with Cavaliers and
friends of Cavaliers. The publication of the Beaumont and Fletcher folio in 1647
had symbolic significance for Cavaliers, and the inclusion of a dedicatory poem was
an honour much sought after.21 That Brome contributed a poem to the folio (6.1)
indicates that by that date he had acquired some reputation as a poet of Cavalier
sympathies. The roster of contributors reads as a who's who of the best-known
Cavalier writers of the time and includes John Denham, Edmund Waller, Richard
Lovelace, William Habington, Thomas Stanley, Jasper May ne, William Cart-
wright, Richard Corbet, Robert Herrick, John Berkenhead, and Richard Brome. In
1649, Brome contributed poems to three more Cavalier books, an elegy inLachry-
mae Musarum on the death of the young Lord Hastings (6.Ill) and dedicatory poems
to James Shirley's Latin Grammar (6.II) and to Richard Lovelace's Lucasta (this
poem, 4.XLVII, was not published until 1661). Though he always referred to him-
self and to his poetic talent in the most modest terms, the presence of Brome poems
in these books shows that he was a poet of some repute and enjoyed the acquain-
tance if not the close friendship of many in the Cavalier community from the late

5
 1640s on. 22 It seems evident, then, that in the turbulent decade of the 1640s, not
only was Brome a young man pursuing a legal career, but his composition of a sub-
stantial number of poems, a few appearing in print and more circulating in mss, had
earned him a modest reputation as a poet in Cavalier circles.
At some date between 17 October 1649 and 2 January 1652 Brome married Mar-
tha Whitaker, widow of Thomas Whitaker, a bookseller who died on 17 October
1649.23 From an entry in the Stationers' Register dated 7 March 1653 we know that
Brome and his wife had been granted an order on 2 January 1652 to transfer copy-
rights belonging to the late Thomas Whitaker to four other booksellers.24 Their mar-
riage probably took place in 1650, if their statement in a Chancery case in 1660 that
they were married almost ten years since is taken literally.25 His marriage to a
widow of means not only enhanced Brome's financial situation, but also brought
him three stepdaughters.26 A son, John, was born to the Bromes either in 1655 or
earlier.27 At least four other children followed, only three of these surviving their
father's death in 1666.28
Brome's legal career appears to have flourished in the 1650s. His comment that
he became a master in his profession about 1652 has already been noted. Chancery
records establish that Brome was involved in cases in Upper Bench (formerly
King's Bench) by 21 March 1653 and that he had become an attorney of the Upper
Bench before 30 October 1657.29 In 1657, Brome and two friends, M.B. and I.H.,
wrote a burlesque poem (5.LVIII) poking fun at the procedures used in cases before
the Court of Upper Bench. The poem, purporting to be the authors' contribution to a
committee considering the reformation of the law, shows that Brome and his friends
were experienced attorneys familiar with the procedures of Upper Bench.30
Several allusions in the exchange of verse epistles between Brome and his friends
in 1659 and early 1660 reveal that Brome was not only an attorney of the courts at
Westminster, but also an attorney of the Lord Mayor's court at Guildhall.31
Brome's apparently flourishing legal career probably explains his admission to Lin-
coln's Inn on 25 January 1659.32 No reason for his dropping his connection with
Gray's Inn has been found, but practising attorneys frequently sought admission to
one of the inns as a means of advancing their incomes or social standing or both.33
Brome retained his connection with Lincoln's Inn for the rest of his life and even
requested in his will to be buried under Lincoln's Inn Chapel if it could be done
without much expense and inconvenience, but apparently this was not possible.34
Brome's practice as an attorney must have been lucrative, for he acquired con-
siderable property in both his native Dorset and neighbouring Somerset. His will
identifies certain lands situated in the parishes of Windford Eagle and Toller Frat-
rum near Dorchester as well as other unspecified lands in Dorset and Somerset.
After the Restoration, he also obtained lands by grant from Charles II in Neroche
Forest, a few miles south of Taunton in Somerset. Brome wrote several epistles
from the country to friends in London, which suggest that in the intervals between
law terms he maintained a residence or residences in the country.35
Though Brome was probably preoccupied with domestic and professional obliga-

6
tions during the 1650s, he still found time for his literary avocation. Like most
Cavalier sympathizers, Brome avoided public notice during the Interregnum, for
there is no evidence that he attracted the attention of the authorities. And though he
continued to compose a few satires and burlesques attacking the Commonwealth,
these remained in manuscript until 1661. Brome's friend, Charles Steynings, notes
Brome's caution and discretion in his prefatory poem to the 1664 edition of Songs
And other Poems (P.XI). Complaining that the King's exile made his friends and
supporters slaves in England, Steynings adds that poets like Brome had to remain
anonymous during the Interregnum:
And so confin'd thy fancy, that thy Fame
(Till his return was) kept without a Name.
Nevertheless, all through the decade Brome was reinforcing the literary reputation
he had acquired in the 1640s. As in the late 1640s, he continued to contribute dedi-
cations to books by members of the Cavalier community. In all he contributed seven
dedications,36 including one for the collected works of William Cartwright in 1651
(6.IV), Richard Brome's A Joviall Crew in 1652 (6. VI), the second edition of Wal-
ton's The Compleat Angler in 1655 (6.XI), and John Gamble's setting of Thomas
Stanley's odes in 1656 (4.XLVIII). More importantly, Brome published his own
play, The Cunning Lovers, in 1654 and edited and published ten plays by Richard
Brome, five in 1653 (RB53) and five in 1659 (RB59). Also in the 1650s a number of
his poems composed in the 1640s found their way into several miscellanies and
song books.37
Apart from the dedicatory poems noted above, Brome composed relatively few
poems between 1650 and 1659, those few including a dozen or so political poems
and half a dozen drinking songs probably composed during the Commonwealth
period. But between 1658 and 1660, Brome wrote around fifteen verse epistles and
nine political poems, most of the latter dealing with the impending Restoration and
the Restoration itself. One of these, 5.LII, 'A speech made to the Lord General
Monck, at Clotheworkers-Hall in London the 13. of March, 1659,' shows that
Brome even made a small contribution to the process of the Restoration.
To complete this summary of Brome's literary activity, we should note that at
some undetermined date before 1661, but probably during the 1650s, he found time
to produce a number of translations and paraphrases. These include translation of
forty-eight epigrams (5.I-XLVIII), most derived from the Greek Anthology and from
Neo-Latin epigrammatists, the lengthy Cynic dialogue of Lucian (5.L), the prologue
to Perseus's satires (4.XXXV), Ben Jonson's Latin poem 'LEGES CONVIVALES'
(5.LIV), and a paraphrase in verse of the first chapter of Ecclesiastes (5.LI).
In 1660, four more Brome poems appeared in print, the speech to Monck refer-
red to above, a lengthy congratulatory poem on Charles IPs restoration (5.LX), the
burlesque on legal procedures (5.LVIII), and a new dedication to the second edition
of Edward Sparke's Thysiasthrion vel Scintilla-Altaris (4.XLVI). At the same time,
Brome was collecting and preparing his poems for publication (for details see Tex-

7
tuai Introduction). The publication of Songs And Other Poems in 1661 provided a
fitting climax to Brome's work as a poet during the previous twenty years. Brome's
poems must have found a ready market among long-suffering Cavaliers, and the
taste for anti-Rump and pro-Cavalier satire and burlesque was further whetted by
Henry Brome's publication in 1662 of the famous Rump collection of songs and sat-
ires from the previous twenty years.38 Alexander was the single most represented
poet in the collection with nineteen poems, but appears not to have had any part in
its compilation or publication (see Textual Introduction).
Brome's composition of original poems comes virtually to an end with the publi-
cation of Songs And Other Poems. He brought out an enlarged and corrected edition
in 1664 and was preparing a third edition just before his death. It was not published,
however, until 1668. But in his letter 4To the Reader' in67 (P.II), Brome gave a hint
about another literary project of some magnitude when he announced his plans to
put his little Latin to better use in the future. Although he was probably referring to
his intention to use Latin in his legal practice, he also may have been referring to a
plan to collect and edit existing translations of Horace and to complete the edition
by translating poems previously untranslated himself. These amounted to twenty-
five poems, as it turned out. This plan came to fruition with the publication in 1666
of The Poems of Horace (licensed on 10 September 1665 by Roger L'Estrange),
prefaced by Brome's letter of thanks to Sir William Backhouse for his patronage.
Subsequent editions followed posthumously in 1671 and 1680.
Other than his literary projects, Brome between 1660 and 1666 continued to
prosper in his profession as attorney. We have already noticed that he was granted a
petition to enrol his own cases in the Court of King's Bench, and a suit in Chancery
and bequests in his will reveal that he had several clerks in his employ.39 The
bequests in the will also establish clearly that Brome, by the time of his death, had
accumulated from various sources a substantial estate in both money and land. His
family was increasing during the 1660s, the parish register of St Stephens, Wai-
brook, Brome's place of residence from 1661 to 1666, recording the births of three
daughters, one of whom died shortly after her birth. Brome was sufficiently well
known in the 1660s to be mentioned three times by Pepys, who referred to him as a
poet and great song-maker.40
Brome made his will on 29 June 1666 and died the following day. The cause of
his death is unknown. Though in his will he requested burial under Lincoln's Inn
Chapel, he was in fact buried in the churchyard at St Stephens, Walbrook. His death
was noted by Pepys and by Richard Smyth,41 and elegies by Charles Cotton and
Richard Newcourt appeared in the posthumous 1668 edition of Songs And other
Poems.

BROME'S POETRY
Critical opinions expressed in poems prefaced to Alexander Brome's collected edi-
tions and in verse epistles from his friends provide a perspective on his poems which

8
 helps us assess his place in English poetry of the mid-seventeenth century. The
comments not only isolate Brome's most prominent themes and subjects, but also
point to aspects of his style that show the changing literary tastes at mid-century.
Brief consideration of the shift in literary sensibility that occurred during the second
half of the century will permit a more precise understanding of the significance of
these comments on Brome's style.
Several recent studies, recognizing that the middle decades of the century
(1640-60) were crucial to this shift in sensibility, have devoted more serious atten-
tion to important poets of this period, in particular Carew, Suckling, Lovelace, Her-
rick, Cowley, Cleveland, Denham, and Waller. Alexander Brome, who has
remained on the periphery of critical interest, should be added to this list. The
change in taste and sensibility has been defined in various ways, from the most gen-
eral analysis of the major epistemological and metaphysical developments during
the century with their consequences for the arts42 to more specific analyses of the
effect of historical forces on literary theory and practice.43 There is no need here to
review this familiar body of scholarship, which has added much to our conceptions
about seventeenth-century literature and taste. What is worth stressing, however, is
the way in which Brome's poetry, which belongs almost entirely to the years
1640-60, not only provides an index to Cavalier sensibility during these tempestu-
ous decades, but mirrors many of the literary changes occurring between the first
and second halves of the century. Without overestimating his importance in the his-
tory of English literature in the seventeenth century, we can claim that Brome's
poetry shares fully in the transition from what is generally designated the metaphy-
sical mode of the first half of the century to the neoclassical mode of the second
half.44
Edward Tayler has provided a useful summary of the way key critical terms such
as 'Nature,' 'Decorum,' and 'Wit' changed their meanings during the seventeenth
century in response to shifting literary sensibilities.45 Most pertinent for our discus-
sion here is the complex of terms including wit, fancy, and judgement. The history
of the evolution in meaning of these terms furnishes a convenient index to the
changing aesthetic sensibilities of the century. As Tayler points out, wit at the
beginning of the century was the middle term between fancy and judgement, fancy
referring to the synthetic or imaginative power of perceiving resemblances and
judgement to the analytic power of discerning differences. Wit in literary discourse
was a comprehensive designation for the poetic faculty and embraced a series of
otherwise contrasting elements: Nature and Art, Fancy and Judgement, Invention
and Disposition.46 For instance, when Thomas Carew in 'An Elégie upon the death
of the Deane of Pauls' claimed that Donne ruled 'The univers all Monarchy of
wit,'47 he was using the term 'wit' in its comprehensive sense. By mid-century wit
came more and more to be used as a synonym for fancy, in the sense of the meta-
phorical ornaments of a poem as distinct from the judgement which comprised its
strength and structure. Hobbes in his 'Answer' to Davenant's preface to Gondibert
clearly showed the devaluation in a rationalistic age of both wit and its product, the

9
fanciful ornaments written by those that observed unusual similitudes.48 In particu-
lar, Hobbes criticized a prominent characteristic of the metaphysical mode, its ten-
dency to be difficult and obscure:
To this palpable darknesse, I may also add the ambitious obscurity of expressing
more then is perfectly conceived; or perfect conception in fewer words then it
requires. Which Expressions, though they have had the honour to be called strong
lines, are indeed no better then Riddles,and not onely to the Reader, but also (after a
little time) to the Writer himself, dark and troublesome.49
George Williamson has shown that by 1650 critical opinion had definitely turned
against 'strong lines,' the stylistic trait much admired by readers in the first part of
the century. Williamson cites both Hobbes's 'Answer' and the many commendatory
poems prefaced to the complete works of William Cartwright (1651) in support of
the conclusion that 'depth or strength of wit and rugged verse [were] giving way to
clear wit and smooth numbers as the desiderata of criticism.'50
Though by no means complete, these brief remarks on the nature of the shift in
literary sensibility at mid-century will enable us to interpret critical comments on
style expressed both by Brome in his own dedicatory poems and by those who
commented on Brome's style. Brome clearly enunciates his stylistic preferences in
dedicatory poems he wrote in the 1640s and 1650s. For instance, he describes the
sermons of Josias Shute as 'neatly dress'd'51 and the wit of Richard Brome's^l Jov-
iall Crew as 'neat and harmlesse.'52 The plays of Beaumont and Fletcher are a
'Magazine of purest sence,'53 those of Richard Brome reveal a 'clean, rich Fancie,
in so pure a straine,'54 while Thomas Stanley's odes are written in 'pure
Couplets.'55 Edward Sparke's verse is 'full of rhime and reason both,' 56 the style of
Richard Brome's plays is 'so plaine' that it informs the understanding,57 and Stan-
ley's odes are quick, lovely and 'full of Sence.'58 Sparke's prose is 'so sinewy, and
yet so smooth,'59 while the words of Stanley's odes flow and sweetly chime.60
Finally, Richard Brome is praised for writing in a natural vein, avoiding bombast
and immense lines.61 The stylistic qualities Brome praises - neatness, purity,
smoothness, plainness, sweetness, avoidance of immense lines, and emphasis on
sense and reason - all reveal preference for the neoclassical style in opposition to
the characteristics of the metaphysical style. It is not surprising that Brome in epistle
4.V 'To T.S.' should refer to Denham as the 'Prince of Poets' (1 37) and to Coopers
Hill as a poem 'all admir'd, for art and wit' (1 38) and later in the preface to his The
Poems of Horace (1666) describe Denham and Waller as the 'Standard-bearers of
Wit and Judgment' (Sig. A6v). There seems little doubt that Brome's stylistic tastes
reflect the neoclassical criteria that were becoming predominant at mid-century.
Those writing dedicatory poems to Brome notice qualities of his style that are
markedly similar to the ones he praises in others. Some of the comments credit
Brome with improving and reforming the poetic art in terms that many critics and
readers used to praise the reforms of Denham and Waller and which precisely show
the transition from metaphysical criteria of style to neoclassical. First, here are R.

10
Th's remarks:
Thou labour'st for no far-fetch't Metaphors,
Nor does thy judgment stray,
After Phantastick Meteors,
Made to misguide the way. 62
C.W. also praises Brome for avoiding the characteristic features of the metaphysical
mode:
There strength of fancy, to it sweetness joynes,
Unmixt with water, nor stum'd with strong lines.63
If R.Th. and C.W. praise Brome for what he avoids, others praise more positive
aspects of his style. First, Richard Newcourt:
How much thou hadst Improv'd Poetick Art;
For that thy works (beyond Amendment) shew,
Ages to come, as well as he, will know
By them thy Lofty, yet familiar strain,
So highly learned, yet so humbly plain.64
Next, Charles Cotton notes that Brome
Writes in so pure, an unaffected strain,
As shews wits ornament, is to be plain.65
And finally, R.Th. again:
She [the Muse] most affectionately came,
Shew'd thee her purest excellence
Was not confín'd to words, but sence . . .
Her Rules exactly thou dost imitate
In every thing thou dost express. (11 23-5, 30-1)
It seems evident that Brome's earliest readers responded to those elements of his
style that reflected the transition in taste from the 'strong lines' of the metaphysical
mode to the plain, unaffected strain of the neoclassical mode, in which strength of
fancy was joined to sweetness and where matter or sense took precedence over
words and far-fetched metaphors.
Writers of prefatory poems to Brome's editions not only commented on his style,
but also isolated and took note of the most prominent themes of his poems -
namely, love, praise of wine, and politics. Poems on these themes comprise well
over half of Brome's original poems and are those on which his achievement as a
poet must be based. Like most seventeenth-century poets, Brome wrote his share of
occasional verse - funeral elegies, dedicatory poems, and familiar verse epistles -
and though these have historical and biographical interest, with few exceptions they
do not contribute much to Brome's enduring literary reputation. Taking a lead from

11
Brome's first readers, then, we may conveniently survey his poetic canon by focus-
ing separately on his love poems, his wine-drinking songs, and his political satires.

Love Poems
Brome's love poems, amounting to some thirty-seven original poems and five trans-
lations, are most profitably studied in the context of the remarkable efflorescence of
love poetry written and published by Cavaliers during the 1630s and 1640s. Though
the decade of the 1640s was a time of civil war and turbulence in England, a time
most poets thought unpropitious for the muses, the amount of love poetry published
during these years is impressive. The following list includes only some of the poets
published between 1640 and 1651, whose works contain a substantial body of love
poetry: Thomas Carew (1640, 1642, 1651), Edmund Waller (1645), Sir John Suck-
ling (1646), James Shirley (1646), Thomas Stanley (1647, 1651), Abraham Cowley
(1647), John Cleveland (1647), Robert Herrick (1648), Richard Lovelace (1649),
Robert Heath (1650), and William Cartwright (1651). Some of Brome's love lyrics
appeared in miscellanies during the 1650s, but the complete collection was not pub-
lished until 1661. However, both internal allusions and the presence of a large num-
ber of the love poems in a manuscript dated in the 1640s (Ash) provide clear evi-
dence that they were composed in the 1640s and are thus properly studied in the
context of the other love poems of these years.
It has been observed that the publication of so many volumes of poetry in the
1640s as well as other Cavalier publishing ventures such as the Beaumont and
Fletcher folio of 1647 had a veiled political purpose.66 It was one way for the Cava-
liers to reassert and proclaim the values on which their threatened culture was
based, especially so in the unhappy days after the defeat and then the execution of
the King. AJ. Smith claims that the love poetry of the Cavaliers became a search
for something to hold on to, some vestige of the order that underpropped the civil
culture of the humanist Renaissance courts.67 The publication of the poems and
plays of the court culture would serve as a reminder of the most cherished aesthetic,
social, and moral values of the Cavaliers and as a beacon of civilization in the midst
of the ignorance and darkness that seemed to have engulfed the land. Brome's
observation in a prefatory poem he wrote for Lovelace's Lucasta (4.XLVII) is typi-
cal. He considers the publication of these poems a ray of light shining through the
darkness and chaos, a chaos precipitated by the Puritan preachers who propagated
sedition and disorder. As far as Brome and his fellow Cavaliers were concerned,
their enemies were not only rebels, but also ignorant and illiterate. In contrast,
Cavaliers believed that their literature embodied the highest values of civilization
and compared their writers to Orpheus and Amphion in their power to instil these
values.
The social and political context of Cavalier love poetry is important and deserves
more detailed analysis than can be provided here, but in turning to a more narrowly
literary context, we discover that critical studies of Cavalier love poets have usually

12
treated them as appendages of the towering figures of Donne and Jonson.68 But
some recent studies, without denying the importance of the influence of Donne and
Jonson, have focused more closely on the unique achievements of the Cavaliers and
have provided illuminating new perspectives for continuing studies of Caroline
court poetry and its transitional status between the earlier metaphysical and the
emerging neoclassical mode.69 In A.J. Smith's words, Cavalier love poetry is not
negligible, and this opinion is reflected in the increasing interest both in individual
poets and in the Cavalier poets as a group.70
Brome and his fellow love poets start with the same stock of familiar themes and
motifs of the courtly love tradition, but each in his own way provides fresh and orig-
inal variations on the conventional situations. In fact, one of the remarkable charac-
teristics of Cavalier love poets is their ability to elicit every shade of expressive
potential from the common stock of conventions. Though the world of courtly love
is a deliberately limited and restricted one, the poets explore with delight and cre-
ative energy every nook and cranny of this confined and miniature world. Cher-
naik's characterization of Cavalier love poetry as a running commentary on the
moves and stances of the game of love seems an apt one,71 for even a cursory read-
ing of the poems impresses one with the poets' detailed exploitation of every con-
ceivable combination and variation of situations. The frequent occurrence of
'answers' or 'mock songs' further illustrates the poets' fondness for examining situ-
ations or motifs from opposing angles. Richmond observes that one gets a curiously
contradictory impression from reading the works of one poet, for the writer seems to
be running the whole gamut of attitudes in the course of a few love poems and con-
sistency is only seen in the desire to vindicate the freedom of the human mind from
the constraint of any single theory that will inhibit the most effective response to a
given situation.72
These general observations about Cavalier love poetry apply quite well to
Brome. Not only does he range widely over conventional situations, but like most
of his fellow love poets he has the knack of giving an original twist or a fresh turn to
a theme or motif. A brief survey will give some idea of Brome's range, while fur-
ther analysis will attempt to take stock of the chief emphases of his collection as a
whole. First, here briefly are some of the conventional motifs Brome explores: the
lover overcome by the lady's beauty pleading for her favour (l.VI 'To his Mistress,'
l.XXX The Attempt'); the lover persuading the lady to make love (1.XXXVIII
'Advice to Caelia')\ the poet advising his friend how to handle the frustrations of
love (l.V 'The Counsel'); the lover arguing that expectation of love is more satisfy-
ing than fruition (l.XI 'The Contrary'); the lover contending that Platonic love is an
illusion (l.XIX 'Epi thai amy'); the lover resolving to free himself from the tyranny of
love (l.IX 'Loves Anarchy,' l.X 'The Libertine'); the lover defending his incon-
stancy (1. VII 'To his Mistress'); the lady arguing that an aged lover is preferable to a
young one (l.XXII 'The Damoisel'); and the lady arguing in favour of making love
when very young (l.XII 'The Young Lover'). As the notes show, one can find anal-
ogies and similarities in the poems of several of Brome's fellow love poets, and

13
more detailed analysis than can be provided here would show the stylistic and tonal
variety possible in the treatment of these motifs.
Brome's similarity to his fellow poets can be readily demonstrated, but it is
important also to stress the differences in emphasis that make Brome's collection
unique and distinctive. We notice, first, that though Brome adopts the posture of the
helpless lover irresistibly drawn to the beauty of a lady like a magnet to the north
pole and reduced to humbly pleading for her grace, this posture is an infrequent one
in the collection as a whole. We rarely find expressions such as the following:
O let me not then cruel find
You which are fair, and therefore should be kind.
(l.XXX 'The Attempt')
Instead, we notice two more prominent emphases in the collection: the lover's
aggressive and impatient confrontation with the scornful or haughty mistress and his
resolute and empirical search to discover the nature of love and its causes. Poems on
these themes, making up the majority, seem the most energetic and most appealing
in the collection. Faced with the traditional scornful mistress of the courtly love tra-
dition, Brome refuses to pine away, but vigorously confronts her, argues with her,
challenges her, cajoles her, intimidates her, or repudiates her. His favourite argu-
ment, found in several lyrics, concludes that the lady's beauty is a figment of the
poet's fancy, and if she thinks it has any real power over him, then she is sadly
deluded. As he declares in I.I 'Plain Dealing,'

You are not beauteous of your self, but are made so by me.

or in 1.XXXVI 'To a coy Lady':

Though we say you're fair, you know,

We your beauty do bestow,
For our fancy makes you so.

The argument of poems using this motif is designed to disabuse the lady of her
power and in combination with considerations such as the ravages of time to make
her more receptive. If the lady's beauty is an illusion and has no power over the
lover, then she should recognize that he will be attracted to her only if she is respon-
sive and reciprocates his love. That is, the basis for love becomes psychological
rather than physical. As the speaker says in l.III 'The Resolve':
But if that thou wilt have me love
And it must be a she,
The only argument can move
Is, that she will love me.
In 1 .II 'The Indifferent,' Brome carries his argument about the relativity of beauty to

14
its ultimate conclusion. If beauty exists only in the eye of the beholder, then he will
love all women, no matter how ugly they may seem. And he comes to the same
conclusion as he did in l.III The Resolve':

There are no rules for beauty, but

Tis as our fancies make it:
Be you but kind, I'll think you fair
And all for truth shall take it.

If the lady continues to be coy, the lover can paradoxically turn her reluctance
against her by arguing that her very coyness will intensify his love, for expectation
is more satisfying than fruition:

This pretty niceness does invite me:

Scorne me, and I'll love thee for it.
(l.XI The Contrary')

If the lady continues to be scornful, then the poet advises a friend to scorn her in
return (l.V The Counsel'), or if this seems unsatisfying to seek alternate outlets for
his love, such as friends, other mistresses, drinking, or even horses (I.I 'Plain Deal-
ing'). He even argues that he will escape from the frustrations of love by either
becoming a libertine or conjuring up an imaginary mistress who will satisfy all his
desires (l.X The Libertine'). Finally, in 1.XXXII 'Practick Love,' the lover wants
off the horns of a dilemma. Put bluntly, he tells the lady either to love him or to
deny him, but not to lead him on:
Either love or say you will not,
For love or scorn's all one to me. . .
O 'tis a Tyranny still to invite,
The mind, and inrage it with faigned delight,
To raise and then baffle the appetite.
As part of his response to the scornful mistress, and assuming central thematic
prominence in several lyrics, is the poet's wide-ranging and resolute search for the
nature of love and its causes. As one reads through the lyrics, it becomes apparent
that love is a protean passion, one that is extremely difficult to pin down and to
define precisely and whose causes often seem complex and contradictory. The
lady's beauty as a cause of love is raised in some poems (l.VI To his Mistress'),
only to be energetically dismissed in others (I.I 'Plain Dealing'). Reciprocation of
love is prominently featured in several poems (l.II The Indifferent,'l.III The
Resolve'), but then contradicted by the argument that coyness is a greater provoca-
tion to love (l.XI The Contrary'). The claims for Platonic love are exploded (l.XIX
'Epithalamy') and countered by the argument that love of a woman is identical with
physical love (1.XXXII Tractick Love'). In some poems, the assertion that money is

15
a strong provocative to love (l.IV 'The Wary Woer') is advanced, and something
even baser as temporary notoriety is put forth as a cause of love in 1 .XVIII 'Reasons
of Love.' Ultimately, the poet, after canvassing a whole range of reasons of love,
repudiates them all and comes to the conclusion that 'Love's without Reason'
(l.XXI):
Reason and Wisdom are to love high treason,
Nor can he truly love,
Whose flame's not farr above,
And far beyond his wit or reason,
Then ask no reason for my fires,
For infinite are my desires.
Something there is moves me to love, and I
Do know I love, but know not how, nor why.
In attempting to identify the distinctive character of Brome's love lyrics, we find
that by far the largest number explore the poet's various and complicated psycholog-
ical responses to the haughty mistress or his search for the elusive and often contra-
dictory and surprising causes of love. As I have argued elsewhere,73 Brome is most
characteristic in his vigorous and critical scrutiny of the conventions of courtly love.
Being a heretic in love is itself a convention, but it seems to me that Brome goes
beyond this. He seems to be consciously and deliberately concerned with examining
and testing conventional and stereotyped views of the nature of love. Using what is
analogous to a Baconian process of exclusion and rejection, Brome develops
hypotheses about the nature of love that are more consonant with a growing aware-
ness of the psychological complexity of the passion. Richmond and Miner argue
quite convincingly that there was an increase in psychological awareness during the
seventeenth century, an awareness that is distinctly characteristic of Cavalier love
poetry.74 Smith offers the view that Cavalier love poets show a marked mental
vivacity, an incessant play of wit which itself bespeaks intelligence and enacts a
sceptical wariness of the prescribed professions of love. Their verse gets much of its
life from the way it undermines the accepted categories of love.75 These acute
observations seem to me an accurate description of the distinctive character of
Brome's collection of love lyrics.
To complete this brief sketch of Brome's love poems, it is in order to offer a few
comments about their style. The general remarks about Brome's style noted by his
earliest readers provide a suggestive starting point. As discussed above, the charac-
teristics of Brome's style frequently mentioned include his avoidance of strong lines
and far-fetched metaphors, and his use of a pure, unaffected, familiar, humble,
plain style, with emphasis not on words and ornaments, but on sense. These com-
ments can be verified quite readily by the reader of Brome's lyrics. One of the most
appealing aspects of his style is his ability to convey a lively dramatic idiom. The
large majority of his lyrics are dramatic monologues in mode, and nearly all open
with provocative questions, impatient imperatives, or blunt resolutions. A few

16
examples will illustrate this quality:
Prethee, why dost thou love me so? (1.XVIII 'Reasons of Love')
Nay fie, Platonicks, still adoring,
The fond Chymaeras of your brain? (l.XIX 'Epithalamy')
Tell me not of a face that's fair,
Nor lip and cheek that's red. . . (l.III 'The Resolve')
Perswade me not, I vow F le love no more,
My heart has now ta'ne quarter. . .(l.X 'The Libertine')
Nay prithee do, be coy and slight me,
I must love, though thou abhor it. . . (l.XI 'The Contrary')
Love, I must tell thee, I'l no longer be
A Victime to thy beardless Deity. . . (l.IX 'Loves Anarchy')
Brome's dramatic openings, generally sustained within the poem, create a convinc-
ing impression of an animated and lively confrontation. The brisk and colloquial
idiom is suitably described as 'familiar' and 'unaffected,' and the adjective 'plain'
denotes quite well the loose style of Brome's syntax. He avoids a contorted, ambi-
guous, and elliptical syntax (strong lines) and achieves a simple clarity through neat
and brief parallelisms and antitheses. One stanza will demonstrate the typical
accents of a Brome lyric:
Expect no courtship more from me,
Nor words, that you, and I
May in our judgments plainly see,
Make but a ranting lie:
Leave these coy humours and be plain:
Deny, or else be free,
Look not for love, w'thout love again,
I'le kiss, if you'l kiss me.
(l.XXXI 'To a Lady that turned her Cheek')
Adding to the 'plainness' of Brome's style is his conscientious avoidance not
only of far-fetched metaphors or conceits, but of any metaphors at all. Brome seems
to specialize in writing what Miner describes as the 'image-free' poem (so common
in Suckling).76 This tendency seems directly related to a consistent theme in many
of the lyrics - his distrust of artifice, affectation, and pretense. As noted above,
Brome several times shows his distrust of the poet's fancy, especially its creation of
metaphoric delusions and falsehoods about a lady's beauty and its presumed power.
The falsehoods induced by hyperbolic and outlandish metaphors become equated in
his mind with the falsehoods and affectations of women themselves. In both cases,
poetic style and women, the opposite of artifice and falsehood is plainness and

17
truth. In l.IV 'The Wary Woer' Brome declares: 'I hate your pictures and imagery,'
and in l.XXXV 'To a painted Lady,' theme and style reflect each other:
Leave these deluding tricks and showes,
Be honest and down-right;
What Nature did to view expose,
Don't you keep out of sight. . .
Nature her self, her own work does
And hates all needless arts,
And all your artificial showes
Disgrace your Nat'ral parts.
Here, very plainly and bluntly, Brome expresses his slant on the perennial Nature-
Art controversy. In both poetic style and feminine adornment, Brome prefers the
natural, the plain, the 'honest and down-right' over 'needless arts' and 'artificial
showes.' Many of Brome's fellow Cavaliers, for instance, Herrick, and earlier Jon-
son, were also keenly interested in the Nature-Art dichotomy, though they may not
have expressed so unequivocal a preference for the natural over the artificial. The
Nature-Art theme is too large for extended discussion here, but we can conclude
that both in theme and style, Brome's love lyrics show a decided preference for the
natural, the plain, the familiar, the unaffected and deliberately eschew the exces-
sively artificial, the far-fetched, and the fanciful. In a word, Brome's lyrics avoid
the extreme metaphoric and syntactical properties of the metaphysical style and
strive for an idiom that is closer to natural, lively, spoken dialogue.

Wine and the Happy Life

The most frequent thematic allusions in the prefatory poems are to Brome as the
poet of wine. R.B. (P.Ill) refers to Brome as Bacchus (Bromius was another name
for Bacchus) and is most impressed with his poems in praise of wine. Both W. Pau-
let (P. VII) and C.W. (P.X) declare that a reader may enjoy the pleasures of wine
drinking simply by reading Brome's poems. And both C.W. and Charles Cotton
(P.IV) associate Brome with the classical poet best known as celebrator of the joys
of wine drinking, Anacreon. Edward Phillips in Theatrum Poetarum declares that
Brome writes in 'so Jovial a strain, that among the Sons of Mirth & Bacchus
. . .his name cannot chuse but be immortal, and in this respect he may well be
stil'd the English Anacreon.'11
Brome's canon includes three paraphrases from the Anacreontea,7* several
poems echoing Anacreontic motifs, some twenty-five poems featuring wine as a
central theme, and several poems where wine is an integral part of the Cavalier
vision of the happy life. Paraphrases and imitations of the Anacreontea were popu-
lar with Cavalier poets in the 1640s and 1650s. In addition to about fifteen direct
paraphrases, Robert Herrick wrote numerous other poems echoing Anacreontic
themes and motifs. Abraham Cowley paraphrased eleven poems from the Ana-

18
creontea, while Brome's friend, Thomas Stanley, who probably deserves the name
English Anacreon as much as anyone, published a complete translation of theAna-
creontea in 1651.
Earl Miner has shown why poems from the Anacreontea were so popular among
the Cavaliers, especially during what he calls the Cavalier winter.79 The Anacreon-
tic celebration of the pleasures of love and wine formed an essential part of the
Cavalier vision of the happy life, and as Miner emphasizes, never were the Cavali-
ers more in need of the consolations of love and wine than they were during the
Interregnum. Though most Cavaliers were cut off from participation in the public
life of the nation, and were forced to retreat to a private life in the country, it is not
entirely accurate to interpret poetic celebration of the joys of a retired country life as
merely making a virtue out of a necessity, for the happy life in the country with
emphasis on love, friendship, wine, and poetry was a long-standing constant in the
Cavalier ethos. As Miner puts it, the world of Cavalier poetry presents a vision of an
England at peace, dedicated to ancient rights of king and subject, liberal to friends
and dependents, given to love, drink, song, angling, and hunting, certain of the
value of learning, and espoused to the Anglican via media.80 Though denied a part
in public life, Cavaliers could still find refuge in the private aspects of their view of
the happy life.
Wine has multiple associations in Brome's poems and functions in a variety of
contexts. It has close associations with love and poetry in a few poems and is cred-
ited with inspiring both passion and the imagination. In 1 .XV 'To his Friend that had
vow'd Small-Bear,' Brome declares:
No, 'tis Canary that inspires,
'Tis Sack, like Oyle, gives Flames to am'rous Fiers.
And in 2.XXXVII 'Against Corrupted Sack,' the poet remembers what pure sack
once meant to him:
SACK! once my comfort and my dear delight,
Dull mortals quickning spirit;
Thou didst once give affections, wit, and might,
Thou mad'st the Lover and the Wight,
Thou mad'st one dye, and t'other fight,
Thou mad'st the Poet, who made both, and thou
Inspird'st our brains with genial fire till now
Th'hast justly lost thy honour
'Cause th'hast lost thy power and merit.
This combination of wine with wit, love, poetry, and geniality are essential ele-
ments of the Cavalier happy life, and in his representation Brome is reaffirming the
values of his fellows. More frequently in Brome's poems, wine serves both as a
somewhat desperate escape from the pains and sorrows of the Cavalier winter and
also appears as part of a pleasanter vision of the happy retired life in the country.

19
 The former mood finds expression in songs such as 2.1 'The Royalist,' where
Brome, echoing both Anacreon and Lovelace's famous 'To Althea,' combines stoic
fortitude with an easy epicureanism, a disdain for worldly care with an active seek-
ing out of care-destroying intoxication:
Come, pass about the bowl to me,
A health to our distressed King;
Though we're in hold, let cups go free,
Birds in a cage may freely sing.
The ground does tipple healths apace,
When stormes do fall, and shall not we?
A sorrow dares not shew its face,
When we are ships and sack's the sea.
In 2.XXXI The Cheerful heart,' Brome, bolstered by a cup of sack, tries to maintain
a brave front in the face of a hostile world:
What though these ill times do go cross to our will?
And fortune still frowns upon us?
Our hearts are our own, and they shall be so still,
A pin for the plagues they lay on us.
Let us take t'other cup,
To keep our hearts up,
And let it be purest Canary,
We'l ne're shrink or care,
For the crosses we bear,
Let 'um plague us untill they be weary.
The tone becomes even more desperate in 2.V 'The Trouper':
Come, come, let us drink,
'Tis in vain to think,
Like fools on grief or sadness;
Let our money fly
And our sorrows die,
All worldly care is madness;
But sack and good cheer
Will in spite of our fear,
Inspire our souls with gladness.
Other poems could be cited to show how frequently Brome seeks intoxication as an
escape from the burdens of these ill times, and there can be little doubt that many
unhappy Cavaliers could respond eagerly to these appeals.
Intoxication, then, provided one kind of retreat for careworn Cavaliers, though
the image represented in the above poems is not always an attractive one and may
have contributed to the pejorative stereotype of the Cavalier as a swashbuckling

20
drunk. Another type of retreat, away from the city and the turmoils of public life to
a contented retired life in the country with wine and one's friends, was not only a
necessity for many, but, according to Miner, enabled them during those wintry
times to the discovery, or rather the immortalizing, of the joys of English country
life and its convivialities in the strictest sense.81 The celebration of the happy coun-
try life had a social and political significance as well, for as Maren-Sofie Rôstvig
has pointed out, the Cavalier image of the Happy Man (derived principally from
Horace and Virgil) was directly antithetical to the Puritan archetype of the zealous
hymn-singing Christian warrior.82 Cavaliers distrusted and feared the activism and
fanaticism of the Puritan, for these inevitably led to social, political, and religious
revolution and threatened to destroy everything they valued most in civilized life.
The happy man archetype appeared in various forms during the seventeenth cen-
tury, the figure of the 'Hortulan Saint' being especially prominent in the 1640's and
1650's. According to Rôstvig, the Hortulan Saint is an individual who seeks soli-
tude and retirement not only to escape from a corrupt world, but as an opportunity to
come into contact with a transcendent reality through the purification of the senses
and a mystical contemplation of nature. The poetry of Marvell and Vaughan, argues
Rôstvig, features this theme prominently and provides a vision of the religious life
definitely opposed to the fanaticism and activism of the Puritan hero.83
Rôstvig's emphasis on the mystical poetry of the Interregnum should be supple-
mented by reference to more secular versions of the Happy Man motif which were
also prominent in these years. She argues that it was not until the Restoration that
the Hortulan Saint was replaced by a secular Happy Man, the Innocent Epicurean.84
But, in the poems of Brome, this archetype was already well developed before the
Restoration.
If the Anacreontea inspired Brome's celebration of wine as an escape from cares
and sorrows, it was Horace who inspired Brome's praises of the retired country life.
The opening line of 2.XXII 'The safe Estate' echoes the first line of Horace's Second
Epode (beatus Ule qui), and the epistle 4.XXV 'To his Friend Mr. I.E. being at Lon-
don in the Authors retirement' is a free imitation of Horace's Epistle I, 10. Brome's
retirement poems condemn the folly of inordinate ambition and the danger of med-
dling in political affairs, advising instead a retreat to a peaceful private life in the
country, away from the struggle for power and wealth, where one may pursue a lei-
surely and satisfying life attending to one's estate and enjoying the companionship
of one's friends over a cup of wine. 'The safe Estate' develops these motifs to the
full:
How happy a man is he,
Whose soul is quiet and free,
And liveth content with his own!
That does not desire
To swell nor aspire,
To the coronet nor to the crown.

21
 He doth sit and despise
Those Mushromes that rise,
But disturbs not his sleep,
At the quoil that they keep,
Both in Country and Town,
In the plain he sits safe,
And doth privately laugh,
At high thoughts that are tumbling down.

He wears his own head and ears,

And he tipples in safety with's peers,
And harmelesly passeth his time,
If he meet with a crosse,
A full bowle he doth toss,
Nor his wealth, nor his wit are his crime.
Here, Brome has naturalized the classical Happy Man, converting him into a Cava-
lier gentleman who has sought reftige on his country estate and quietly enjoys the
serenity he finds there. Brome regularly advises retreat from a hostile, unstable, and
chaotic political environment to the delights of a contented life in the country. Inner
serenity, the companionship of friends, conviviality — these are constant motifs in
Brome's retirement poems — as they are constants in the Cavalier vision of the
happy life. In conclusion, the last part of Brome's epistle to his friend I.E. (4.XXV)
seems to sum up quite well the values animating the Cavalier happy life:
I can sit in my study soon, or late,
And have no Troopers quarrel with my gate;
Nor break the peace with it; whose innocence
Stands only guarded in its own defence.
No debts to sue for, and no coyn to lend,
No cause to fear my foe, nor slight my friend.
Yet there is one thing which me thinks I han't,
And I have studyed to supply that want,
Tis the Synopsis of all misery;
'Tis the tenth want (Dear Friend) the want of Thee.
How great a joy 'twould be, how great a bliss,
If we could have a Metampsycosis!
May we once more enjoy ourselves, for neither
Is truly blest, till we are blest together.

Political Satire
In the sense that they embody deeply-held Cavalier aesthetic, social, ethical, and
cultural values, Brome's love poems and his poems celebrating the pleasures of

22
wine and retirement may be considered political poems, especially in the context of
the Interregnum. He also wrote a substantial number of poems during these years
that are more overtly political and partisan - his political satires, where he (along
with many of his fellow Cavaliers) exploited the multiple resources of satire to der-
ide, scorn, and ridicule individuals and groups whose attitudes and actions were
considered irrational, uncivilized, and destructive of the order of a good society.
The subject of Cavalier political satire deserves more extended study then can be
provided here, though we may venture a few generalizations as a context for
Brome's satires. There is a high degree of uniformity in the perspective from which
the Cavalier satirists attack their enemies. As we have noted, Cavaliers had a strong
sense of class consciousness and the values that were identified with an orderly and
civilized society. Because they wrote from a clear idea of what they considered the
proper norms for society, any deviation from this norm became an easy target for
satiric treatment. Ruth Nevo points out that Cavalier satirists were motivated not by
righteous zeal for reform, but by the self-confident mockery of a conservative class
consciousness. For instance, Cleveland, she argues, attacked Puritans from the
standpoint of social and intellectual superiority.85 D.K. Cornelius concludes that
political satirists of the Interregnum assumed that their victims had violated an order
of rationality and had committed actions repugnant to the good sense of society.86
In a similar vein, P.W. Thomas explains that the political satire of John Berkenhead
assumed in the reader a clear sense of what was proper conduct.87 Finally, in anal-
ysing the frequent use of scatology by Royalist poets, Joseph Frank suggests that the
majority of the poets felt - or pretended to feel - that their opponents were beneath
them, and in a position to be literally defecated upon.88
There is general agreement, then, that virtually all Cavalier satirists were conser-
vatives with a strong attachment to the old and established hierarchical order of
society. They looked with contempt and alarm on any manifestation of radicalism
and fanaticism and had particular animosity towards the zealous Puritan inflamed
with his private and eccentric visions. Nothing received so much abuse from the
well-educated and socially conservative Cavalier as the pretensions of the ill-edu-
cated lower orders to equality with their betters. Cavaliers were extremely rankled
by men of humble social background and little education who achieved prominent
positions in the army, in the church, and in local government and who were in a
position to dictate to their betters.
This uniformity of perspective, a stance of social and intellectual superiority,
helps to explain the satiric strategy of Cavalier political satires. Though the angry
denunciation and bitter invective of earlier formal verse satire continued to be
exploited, more frequently the satirists decided that exposing illiterate and vulgar
fools to laughter and ridicule was a more suitable and more effective satiric strategy.
Consequently, Cavalier political satirists used and developed the devices of comic
deflation - low burlesque, caricature, parody, and irony - and extended the tone and
forms of satire far beyond that of the formal verse satire and the epigram. As several
critics have noted, the distinction between the sophisticated poets and popular bal-

23
ladeers and hacks was blurred; in fact, many sophisticated Cavalier poets (including
Denham, Berkenhead, and Brome) turned to popular forms such as the ballad and
the song as a means of reaching a wider audience for their attacks.89 The most con-
venient source for a study of the range and dimensions of Cavalier political satire
during the period 1640-60 remains the Rump collection, published in its final form
in 1662.90 The single poet most represented in this anthology is Alexander Brome,
with nineteen poems, fifteen of which are political satires.
Brome's satires have not received as much critical attention as those of his con-
temporaries, especially Cleveland, but, as C.V. Wedgwood notes, his songs
reflected most clearly from 1640 until after the Restoration the changing moods of
the typical Cavalier.91 All through the civil war and Interregnum Brome was writing
political satires, the earliest dated 1643 and the latest 1661. A few appeared in print
anonymously in the 1640s, but the majority circulated in manuscript, some surviv-
ing in several versions. In his prefatory poem (P.VIII), Robert Napeir credits
Brome's political poems with curing the Kingdom's wrong by hatching 'new loy-
alty with a song.' Valentine Oldis (P.XII) praises Brome's poems for reanimating
the spirits of despairing Cavaliers in their darkest days. And Charles Steynings
(P.XI) comments on Brome's discretion and prudence in evading detection while
writing poems that were 'Libellish . . . Against the changing Powers.'
These few remarks attest to the impact of Brome's political poems on his con-
temporaries, but Brome himself in his prefatory letter 'To the Reader' (P.II) and in
the epigraph on the title page provides a suggestive critical perspective on his prac-
tice in satire. In the letter, he explains:
But as to the men of a severer brow, who may be scandaliz'd at this free way of writ-
ing, I desire them to conceive those Odes which may seem wild and extravagant, not
to be Ideas of my own mind, but characters of divers humours set out in their own
persons. And what reflected on the Times, to be but expressions of what was thought
and designed by the persons represented; there being no safe way to reprove vices
then raging among us, but to lash them smilingly.
Several items are worth noting here. First, Brome points out that a prominent
method of his satires involves exposure of what he calls 'characters of divers hum-
ours' by letting them speak for themselves. This is especially true of his mock mon-
ologues, where various speakers such as the Independent, the Leveller, and the Scot
are allowed to condemn themselves in their own words. Second, by calling his
poems 'Odes' Brome reveals that his favourite medium is the song satire, where he
often uses intentional doggerel rhythms as a further dimension of satire. Last, the
overriding tone of many of the satires, though not all, is revealed in his statement
that he chose to reprove the vices then raging by lashing them smilingly. Brome fre-
quently prefers the light touch, depending on humour, irony, and parody as instru-
ments of satire. The epigraph from Horace, Satires I, 4 ('If in my words I am too
free, perchance too light, this bit of liberty you will indulgently grant me') suggests
that the spirit of Horace, the urbane, ironic mocker, informs the satires more than

24
that of the hard railing of a Juvenal; though in satires written during the 1650s,
Brome turns more and more to invective and indignation where the lash is applied
without the smile.
The style of the satires shows some of the same qualities noted above in the love
poems — that is, Brome writes in a plain, familiar, and colloquial style. He avoids
the crabbed and heavily conceited and allusive style used by Cleveland and his imi-
tators as a vehicle of satire. Even in his formal verse satires, Brome avoids harsh-
ness of rhythm and obscurity of sense, and in this has modified the conventional
traits of the earlier satirists. Instead, his couplets show the polish and clarity that we
expect and identify with the neoclassical style.
These general remarks can be substantiated by briefly considering the range and
characteristics of Brome's political satires. A cursory examination reveals that over
half are in the lyric form, using either popular song or ballad measures. Many of
these are mock monologues where the satiric victim is allowed to expose himself
and his views in his own words. Brome's colloquial style, with its comic rhymes
and jaunty rhythms, seems a deliberate exploitation of doggerel for satiric purposes.
The doggerel medium seems decorous for the victim and contributes to his ridicule.
The satiric victims are various - the Scot, the Independent, the Leveller, the fanatic,
the politique — but one of the most effective and most popular, 3.IX 'The Saints
Encouragement,' will illustrate Brome's practice of the mock monologue. The
speaker here is a Parliamentary colonel (identified as Colonel Venn in some ver-
sions) who ironically and unwittingly exposes the hypocrisy and sophistry of Par-
liamentary slogans and polemics as he tries to exhort his troops to go to battle
against King and Cavaliers.
Fight on brave Souldiers for the cause,
Fear not the Caveleers;
Their threatnings are as senselesse, as
Our Jealousies and fears.
'Tis you must perfect this great work,
And all Malignants slay,
You must bring back the King again
The clean contrary way.

'Tis for Religion that you fight,

And for the Kingdomes good,
By robbing Churches, plundring men,
And shedding guiltlesse blood.
Down with the Orthodoxal train,
All Loyal Subjects slay;
When these are gone we shall be blest
The clean contrary way.
Not only does Brome expose the hypocrisy of the speaker's slogans, but he does so

25
in a tone of understated ironic deflation that makes the attack more effective than
would more heavy-handed denunciation and invective. The same is true of 3.XI
4
The Scots Curanto,' where the jaunty doggerel rhythm seems just right as a
medium to ridicule the hypocrisy and greed of the invading Scots:
Long have we longed for the English Land,
But we're hindred still by disasters;
But now is their time, when they can't withstand,
But are their own Countreys wasters.
If we venter,
We may enter
By command,
And at last we shall grow to be Masters.

The spirit of ironic mockery, parody, and burlesque deflation runs high in
Brome's mock monologues. This same spirit is found as well in other satires where
the satirist speaks in his own voice. In one of these, 3.VIII 'The New Mountebanck,'
written in Hudibrastics, the satirist ironically exposes the sophistries of Parliamen-
tary polemics by setting profession against reality and implying that Parliament is in
fact nothing but a fraudulent mountebank:
Is any by religion bound,
Or Law, and would be looser found?
Here's a Glister which we call
His priviledge o're-topping all.
Is any money left, or plate,
Or goods? bring't in at any rate:
He'l melt three shillings into one,
And in a minute leave you none.
The burlesque spirit is even more prominent in Brome's parody of the weekly diur-
nals (3.Ill 'A new Diurnal') in which he not only mocks Parliamentary newsbooks,
but converts Parliament into a house of fools and buffoons. The doggerel rhythm
and the lampooning once again seem a perfectly suitable medium of ridicule. A few
passages will demonstrate the burlesque tone:

Two Members this day at a Conference sate,

And one gives the other a knock on the pate.
This set them a voting, and the upper house swore,
'Twas a breach of priviledge he gave him no more.
The lower the breaking their Members head voted
A breach of their priviledge; for it is to be noted,
That Treason and Priviledge in it did grow,
'Twas a breach of his Crown and dignity too.

26
 This Day a great fart in the house they did hear,
Which made all the members make buttons for fear;
And one makes nine speeches while the business was hot,
And spake through the nose that he smelt out the plot.
He takes it to task, and the Articles draws,
As a breach of their own Fundamental-lawes.

Not all Brome's satires are in the mode of low burlesque, for in many, especially
those written after the defeat of the King, the tone becomes more bitter and the spirit
of urbane mockery gives way to invective and direct denunciation. On one or two
occasions, as in 4.XLI 'A Satyre on the Rebellion,' Brome turns to the older formal
verse satire to lament the chaos resulting from the civil war and to berate those
responsible:
Behold a self against it self doth fight,
And the left hand prevails above the right.
The grumbling guts, i'th' belly of the State,
Unthankfull for the wholsom food they ate,
Belch at their head, and do begin to slight
The Cates, to which they had an appetite.

Behold a lawfull Soveraign to whose mind

Dishonesty's a stranger, now confind
To the Anarchick pow'r of those whose reason
Is flat rebellion, and their truth is Treason.
Behold the loyal Subjects pill'd and poll'd,
And from Algere to Tunis bought and sold.
Their Goods sequestred by a legal stealth,
The private robb'd t'uphold the Common-wealth,
And those the only plunderers are grown
Of others States, that had none of their own.
The bitterness of tone becomes even more noticeable in the several satires Brome
wrote during the Commonwealth period. Those who arouse Brome's ire the most
are the political opportunists, the hypocritical and greedy careerists who used relig-
ious professions and idealism as a cover for their greed and ambition. He is particu-
larly incensed by those he calls 'the new gentry,' men of humble origins and low
education who have infiltrated the church, the law courts, the army and govern-
ment, both at the national and local levels. In 3.1 'The Satyr of Money,' Brome
paints an ugly picture of how 'th'irresistible power of Gold' proves the prime mover
of the world. There is no place for principle and ideals in a world governed by the
power of money:

27
 This purchaseth Kingdoms, Kings, Scepters, and Crowns,
Wins Battles, and conquers the Conquerours bold;
Takes Bulwarks, and Castles, and Armies, and Towns,
Our prime Lawes are written in letters of Gold.
'Tis this that our Parliaments calls, and creates,
Turns Kings into Keepers, and Kingdoms to States,
And Peopledoms this into High-doms translates.
Brome's contempt for the low-born who have enriched themselves is without
restraint:
This spawn'd the dunghil crew of Committes and 'Strators,
Who lived by picking their Parliaments Gums,
This made and then prospered Rebels and Traytors,
And made Gentry of those that were the Nation's scums.

'Tis this that makes Earls, Lords, Knights, and Esquires,

Without breeding, discent, wit, learning or merit;
Makes Ropers and Ale-drapers Sheriffs of Shires,
Whose trade's not so low nor so base as their spirit:
This Justices makes, and wise ones we know,
Furr'd Aldermen likewise, and Mayors also,
Makes the old wife to trot, and makes the Mare go.
And to show how deep the animus of dyed-in-the-wool Cavaliers was towards 'the
new men,' an animus finding a focus in the small clique of Rumpers who tried to
hang on to power no matter what, we may briefly cite Brome's poem written in
celebration of the King's restoration (5.LX 'To the Kings most Sacred Majesty').
What is remarkable about this poem is its notable lack of the spirit of conciliation
found in so many of the Restoration panegyrics. Brome unleashes a lengthy tirade
against the new men in general and the Rumpers in particular which expresses
forcefully the pent-up frustrations of so many of the hard-pressed Cavaliers. A few
passages will show something of the virulence of Brome's attack:

These first contriv'd, and then promoted all

Those troubles, which upon your Realm did fall;
Inflam'd three populous Nations, that they might
Get better opportunity and light
To steal and plunder, and our goods might have,
By robbing those, whom they pretend to save. . .

Crimes that are scandalous, and yield no gain,

Revenge or pleasure, they perhaps refrain;
But where a crime was gainful to commit,

28
 Or pleas'd their lust or malice, how they bit!
These did invade the Pulpit, and the Throne,
And first made them, then all that's ours, their own.
Depos'd the Ministers and Magistrates,
And in a godly way, seiz'd their estates. . .

What Nobility
Sprung in an instant, from all trades had we!
Such t'other things, crept into t'other House,
Whose Sires heel'd stockings, and whose Dams sold sowse.
These were Protectors, but of such a crew,
As people Newgate, not good men, and true:
These were Lord Keepers, but of Cowes and Swine,
Lord Coblers, and Lord Drawers, not of Wine.
Fine Cockney-pageant Lords, and Lords Gee-hoo,
Lords Butchers, and Lords Butlers, Dray-Lords too.
And so Brome goes on, combining virulence and burlesque debasement and reveal-
ing an unforgiving and unconciliatory attitude towards those who had awakened
deep and abiding resentment in the Cavaliers, a resentment that was to be further
aggravated when many felt cheated by the Act of Pardon and Oblivion (29 August
1660). In l.XLII 'The Cavalier,' Brome versified the disappointment of the long-
suffering Cavaliers, who expected greater restitution:
We have fought, we have paid,
We've been sold and betray'd,
And tumbled from nation to nation,
But now those are thrown down
That usurped the Crown,
Our hopes were that we
All rewarded should be,
But we're paid with a Proclamation.
This brief review only touches on some important aspects of Brome's political
satires. Though Cleveland has been more frequently dubbed the Cavalier satirist par
excellence, one can argue that Brome's satires, in range, style, and objects of attack
are more representative of Cavalier satire during the Interregnum and for this
deserve to be studied more extensively. One has to agree with Wedgwood's com-
ment cited above that Brome's poems better than anyone else's reflected the chang-
ing moods of the typical Cavalier from 1640 until after the Restoration.

CONCLUSION
If there is a note of apologia in this introduction to Brome's poetry, it is deliberate,
for though I think we should avoid overestimating the significance of his work, I

29
believe it is both interesting and attractive and deserves to be better known. In many
ways, Brome seems to be a quintessential Cavalier, though it is noteworthy that he
was not close to the court and did not take an active part in the fighting. But his
poetry in its variety touches on much that is central to the Cavaliers. As a love poet,
Brome writes sophisticated and lively lyrics that stand up well to comparison with
the love poems of his better-known contemporaries. His poems celebrating wine
and retirement reveal much that is attractive and constant in the Cavalier ethos, and
at the same time show those values sustaining Cavaliers during their winter of dis-
content. And as political satirist, Brome not only exploits a wide range of satiric
techniques, but his satires focus sharply on those forces and individuals that threat-
ened and nearly did destroy a way of life and a traditional order deeply cherished by
Cavaliers. Finally, in style Brome's poetry shows quite clearly the transition taking
place from the metaphysical style of the earlier part of the century to the neoclassi-
cal style that was to displace it in the second half. In this respect, and for those men-
tioned above, Brome's poetry certainly deserves to be studied for the light it throws
on those interesting middle decades of the seventeenth century.

TEXTUAL INTRODUCTION
Bibliographical Description of the Editions
1661 SONGS / AND OTHER / POEMS. / [rule] / BY / ALEX. BROME, I GENT./
[rule] I Dixero siquidjocosius, hoc mihi juris / Cum Venia dabis —Hor. I.
Sat. 4. / [rule] / [orn. crown] / [rule] /LONDON, / Printed for Henry
Brome, at the Gun / in Ivy-Lane. / 1661.
HT] Sig. B [none: ornament]
HT] Sig. D7 [none: ornament]
HT] Sig. 15 [ornament] BALLADS, [rule]
HT] Sig. L8 [ornament] EPISTLES, [rule]
HT] Sig. S4 [ornament] EPIGRAMS. / Translated.
RT] POEMS.
8°: 7T2, A-C8, d4, D-I8, K8, 2K8, L-U8
[Note: 7T2 consists of two unsigned leaves; the first has an engraved portrait
of Brome by A. Hertock, the second is the title-page (blank verso).]
1664 SONGS / And other / POEMS / [rule] / By ALEX. BROME Gent. / [rule] /
Dixero quid si forte jocosius, hoc mihi juris / Cum Venia dabis— Hor. I.
Sat. 4. / [rule] / The second Edition Corrected and enlarged. / [rule] /
[ornament] /LONDON, / Printed for Henry Brome, at the Gun in /Ivy Lane
1664.
HT] B7 [ornament] POEMS, [rule]
HT] F2 [ornament] PART. II. [rule]
HT] K7 [ornament] BALLADS, [rule]
HT] 02v [ornament] EPISTLES, [rule]

30
 HT] U4 [ornament] EPIGRAMS / Translated. / [rule]
RT] POEMS.
8°: A-Z8, Aa8
1668 SONGS / And other / POEMS / [rule] / By ALEX. BROME Gent. / [rule] /
Dixero quid si forte jocosius, hoc mihi juris I Cum Venia dabis —Hor. I.
Sat. 4 / [rule] / The Third Edition enlarged. / [rule] / [ornament] / [rule] /
LONDON, I Printed for Henry Brome, at the Star / in Little Brittain, 1668.
HT] B6 POEMS, [rule]
HT] E6v PART. II. [rule]
HT] 18 BALLADS, [rule]
HT] N2 [ornament] EPISTLES, [rule]
HT] S8 [ornament] EPIGRAMS / Translated. / {rule]
RT] POEMS.
8°: 7T4, a8, B-Y8, Z4
(Note; 7T4 consists of four unsigned leaves: (1) TT blank, TTV Portrait by Log-
gan, (2) 7r2 Title-page, ?r2v Imprimatur, (3) 7r3-7r4v The Epistle Dedicatory.)

The Editions
1661
The 1661 edition of Songs And Other Poems, containing most of the poems Brome
had written during the previous twenty years, represents a fitting climax to his
poetic career. From comments in his prefatory letter 'To the Reader' (P.II), in Wal-
ton's prefatory poem (P.IX), in R.B.'s prefatory letter (P.Ill), and in verse epistles
written in late 1659 and early 1660, it seems that Brome, a year or so before publi-
cation, was circulating one or more manuscript collections of his poems among his
friends soliciting their comments. In the letter 'To the Reader,' Brome declares that
he acquainted only a few of his friends with his intention of publishing his poems,
and those few warned him about the embarrassment of exposing his work 'to the
censure of the new Generation of JUDGE-WITS.' Later in his letter, however, he
assures his readers that he has been told to his face that his poems were good, a
remark strongly suggesting receipt of approving comments from his friends. Wal-
ton's prefatory poem refers to the existence of a 'Collection in this book,' probably
indicating a manuscript collection rather than a printed one, for the date of Walton's
poem is 29 May 1660. R.B., in his letter, apologizes for not returning Brome's
manuscript sooner. The letter makes it clear that Brome had sent R.B. a manuscript
copy of the poems, inviting comment and criticism. R.B. now encloses some com-
ments with his letter and seems confident that Brome will seek out opinions from
'friends of more refined judgement.' He concludes his letter by urging Brome to
publish his poems. In 4.XIX 'To his Friend T.S.,' written in the late fall of 1659,
Brome asks for the return of the book he sent to his friend Tom. This probably refers
to a manuscript of poems sent to T.S. for his opinion. Sometime in 1660, Brome

31
wrote to Charles Cotton at his home at Beresford Hall (4.1 'To C.C. Esquire'),
complimenting his friend for being both his patron and his muse. Later in the epis-
tle, Brome asks Cotton to send him a copy of his poems, and in return Brome offers
to send Cotton a copy of his own. He also invites Cotton to write 'one propitious
line, / To dignifie these worthlesse toyes of mine' (11 55-6), which sounds very
much like a request for a dedicatory poem. In his 'Answer' (4.II), Cotton acknowl-
edges receipt of Brome's poems, though at first he did not recognize whose they
were, offers some laudatory comments on his style, and claims that his friend's
poems have inspired him to write. Though Cotton did not write a dedicatory poem
for the 1661 edition, he did contribute an elegy for the posthumous 1668 edition.
The evidence seems sufficient to warrant the conclusion that in the year or so
before publication Brome was circulating one or more manuscript copies of his
poems among his friends soliciting either their opinion or their favour. One of these
manuscripts may be F27, which will be discussed in some detail below. Brome
obviously was proud of his poems and derived pleasure in their writing, as he
declared in his letter 'To the Reader,' and now he wanted to share them with readers
at large and to insure immortality for his 'brat,' as he humorously called his poems.
Henry, Alexander's brother, who had set up as a bookseller in 1657,92 had ear-
lier published Alexander's edition of Five new Play es by Richard Brome in 1659
and his congratulatory poem on Charles IF s restoration in June 1660 (5.LX). It was
natural, then, that he should undertake the publication of the collected edition of his
brother's poems. No entry for this edition appears in the Stationers' Register, and
apparently it was published without licence from John Berkenhead, the licencer
appointed in October 1660. Though a cursory reader of Brome's poems, especially
the political ones, would conclude that Brome was reflecting in his writing on men's
conduct during the past twenty years, and thus was violating a clause in the 'Act of
free and general pardon indemnity and oblivion,'93 apparently neither he nor his
brother incurred any difficulties over the publication.
61 was prefaced by an engraved portrait of Alexander by A. Hertock. The title-
page contained an epigraph from Horace's Satires I, 4. The prefatory material
included, in addition to Brome's letter 'To the Reader,' a dedicatory epistle to Sir
John Robinson, Lieutenant of the Tower of London, to whom Brome acknowledged
certain obligations, and commendatory poems by W. Paulet and Robert Napeir of
the Middle Temple, by Izaak Walton and C.W. (unidentified).
That Brome compiled and carefully prepared an authorized manuscript for publi-
cation seems certain, but whether he had a direct hand in seeing the poems through
the press cannot be finally determined. The existence in the edition of two inserts
(d4 and K8) indicates that Brome brought new material to the printer well after the
beginning of the printing.94 Collation of nine copies reveals at least fifty press cor-
rections, sixteen of which were substantive.95 These corrections and the existence
of an errata list pasted on the last leaf of some copies (after binding) seem to indicate
that proofs were corrected against copy, but the retention of many typographical
errors and the omission of lines from a few poems suggest that the proofing was not

32
overly careful.
61 consists of two hundred and ten poems, grouped into five sections with serial
numbering in each (but with some errors in the numbering). The first two sections
are marked by similar ornamental headpieces but no head-titles, while the last three
have both ornaments and head-titles. The first section, Sig. B-D7, (which includes
the six poems in the d insert), comprises thirty-nine poems, mostly on the theme of
love, but with a few political poems included in the d insert. Section 2 (Sig. D7-I4)
consists of forty-two poems, many of them dated and nearly all on political themes.
The third section (Sig. I5-L7v), entitled 'Ballads,' contains seventeen poems (includ-
ing the three in the K insert), all on political themes and most in ballad form. Section
4 (Sig. L8-S3v), entitled 'Epistles,' is made up of a miscellaneous collection of sixty
poems and includes familiar verse epistles, elegies, dedicatory poems, and occa-
sional pieces. The last section (Sig. S4-U8v), entitled 'Epigrams. Translated,' con-
sists of fifty-two poems: translations of forty-eight epigrams, one epigram in Latin,
a translation of the Cynic dialogue of Lucian, a paraphrase of the first chapter of
Ecclesiastes, and a speech in verse made to General Monck.
The orderly arrangement of 61 most likely represents Brome's intentions, and
though one could do some rearranging, the edition as it now stands has a fairly care-
ful and rational organization.
Of the two hundred and ten poems in 61, five had appeared earlier as anonymous
broadsides, two were printed as dedicatory poems in other books, and twenty-five
had appeared in a variety of miscellanies and song books up to and including 1661.
Though the printing was somewhat careless, the text appears to have been set up
from a copy carefully prepared by the author, thus providing a reliable and authori-
tative text for the poems contained in it. The 61 text will therefore be used as a
copy-text for all the poems in it.96

1664
The 1664 edition of Songs And other Poems, also published by Henry Brome, was
licensed for publication by John Berkenhead on 28 April 1663 (see Sig. A2v), but
apparently did not appear until the following year. The title-page reads: 'The second
Edition Corrected and enlarged.' Bibliographical evidence shows that the copy-text
for 64, in keeping with seventeenth-century practice, was a revised and corrected
copy of 67. The compositor of 64 modernized spelling and altered some punctua-
tion, but he carelessly followed errors in 61 such as misnumbering of poems, wrong
spacing, and some obviously inaccurate punctuation.
A comparison of 64 with 61 establishes clearly that Brome corrected errors and
made some revisions to 61. However, new errors were introduced into 64 by the
compositor. The editorial problem, then, will be to determine whether instances
where 64 varies from 61 result from corrections of errors in 61, authorial revisions
of 61, or new compositorial errors in 64. Study of the two manuscripts to be consid-
ered below will, at times, aid editorial decisions.

33
 Collation of seven copies of 64 reveals that there were at least six press correc-
tions, none of them substantive.97 Retention of typographical errors in 64 and the
omission of lines from several poems indicate that the press corrections were likely
done without consulting the printer's copy.
To the prefatory material of 61 were added four poems: by R.B. (unidentified),
Charles Steynings, Valentine Oldis, and H.T. (Ralph Bathurst). To the two hundred
and ten poems of 61 were added thirteen new poems, plus one stanza by M.C. (uni-
dentified) at the end of 2.VI 'The Good-fellow.' There was some rearrangement of
poems in 64. 'A Dialogue translated' was moved from 4.XXIX in 61 to 1. XXVIII in
64, while 'LEGES CONVIVALES' and 'BEN. JOHNSONS sociable rules for the
Apollo' were transferred from 1. XXVIII and 1. XXIX in 61 to 5.LIII and 5.LIV in64.
The head-titles and number of poems in each section of 64 are as follows:
Section Head-title No. of poems
1 (Sig. B7-Fv) Poems 45
2 (Sig. F2-K6) Part II 43
3 (Sig. K7-02) Ballads 18
4 (02v-U3v) Epistles 60
5 (U4-Aa5v) Epigrams Translated 57
223

Of the thirteen poems added to those in 61, four had appeared in print earlier: one
was a dedicatory poem, one appeared with Brome's name in 1660, and two were
printed anonymously, one in 1647 and the other in 1660. The remaining nine poems
were printed for the first time in 64. The copy-text for these thirteen poems will be
64, and their position in the text will follow the revised 64 order.

1668
The 1668 edition of Songs And other Poems, once again published by Henry
Brome, was licensed for publication by John Berkenhead on 28 April 1665 (see
Sig.7r2v). Though Brome was probably involved in the plans to issue this 'Third
Edition enlarged' of his poems, he never lived to see it through the press, for he died
on 30 June 1666. Bibliographical evidence indicates that 68 was a new edition with
64 used as printer's copy. The compositor modernized the spelling and modified
other accidentals, though he followed 64 in some of its errors. Brome may have
made changes in 64, though analysis of variants between 68 and 64 provides little
evidence of authorial revision in 68. The variants are either corrections of errors in
64 or inadvertent errors introduced by the compositor of 68.
Collation of four copies of 68 reveals seventeen press corrections, only one of
which is substantive.98 That this substantive reading occurs in one of the poems
added in 68 shows in this case that the correction was made against copy, but not

34
enough evidence exists to state that the full text of all poems was compared with
printer's copy.
Three poems were added to the prefatory material: elegies by Charles Cotton and
Richard Newcourt, and a dedicatory poem by R.Th.Jun. Four new poems were
added to the text at the end of Section 5 (nos LV, LVI, LIX, LXI). The head-titles of
the five sections remained verbally the same as 64. The copy-text for these four
poems will be 68, and their position in the present text will follow 68.

The Manuscripts
Folger Shakespeare Library, MS V.a.274 (F27)
This manuscript, identified only as a 'Collection of poems and songs' in the Folger
catalogue, consists of one hundred and sixty-five folio leaves containing seventy-
seven poems, the first seventy (ff. 1-154) in one hand, the last seven in various
hands. The first leaf contains a table of contents for the first seventy poems in a
hand different from the others in the manuscript. The first seventy poems are neatly
transcribed on pages with ruled borders; each poem is headed by 'Song' and the
number, followed by the title. A rule separates each poem from the following poem,
and some catchwords are present. The last seven, added later, follow a similar for-
mat, but are not so neatly transcribed. The first seventy are clearly and legibly writ-
ten and suggest a careful and scrupulous copyist.
Of the first seventy poems, sixty-seven are certainly by Brome. One other, 'Song
31. The Advice,' has a close resemblance to 1. XXXVIII 'Advice to Cae lia' in 61
and may be an earlier version of it. 'Song 64. A Curse Against Ale made by I know
not whome' was written by Thomas Bonham." 'Song 65' is Brome's answer to this
poem. 'Song 35. The hue and Cry' does not appear in any of Brome's printed edi-
tions.
In the notes toF27 at the Folger, Claude Simpson identifies the last seven poems
and ascribes them all to the early eighteenth century.
Excluding the added group of seven, F27 seems to be a carefully transcribed col-
lection of Brome's poems, apparently copied over a short period of time and from a
good copy. On the inside front cover is the name 'Will: Acton' in a hand similar to
that of the table of contents. We can infer, then, that Will Acton was the owner of
the manuscript and that he prepared the table of contents. Only one William Acton
can be tenuously associated with Brome. This was the son and heir apparent of
James Acton of the City of London. He matriculated at Christ Church College,
Oxford, in November 1635 at the age of sixteen and was later called to the bar at
Lincoln's Inn in July 1644.10° In January 1659, Brome himself was admitted to
Lincoln's Inn. Brome had been practising law in London from early in the 1640s,
having been admitted to Gray's Inn in November 1648. Since they belonged to the
same profession, it is possible that Brome was acquainted with this William Acton
and had presented him with a collection of his poems copied by a professional scribe
or else Acton had acquired them from some other source.

35
 Though this connection between Brome and William Acton must remain circum-
stantial, one thing is clear. The manuscript derives from a source different from that
of the printed editions. A collation of F27 with 61 shows significant variants which
would preclude it from being a copy of 61. For instance, 'Song 52. The Satisfac-
tion' inF27 includes several stanzas not found in 61, six poems in the manuscript
have other titles than those given to them in 61, and Stanza 4 of 'Song 2. The Com-
moners' is printed as a separate poem, 2.IV 'A Mock-song,' in 61. There are other
significant variants in about twenty of the poems, but the similar physical arrange-
ment of the poems on the page and the collation suggest that F27 and 61 derive from
sources that are closely related.
An analysis of the order of the poems in F27 and 61 also supports a close rela-
tionship. Of the sixty-seven poems inF27 definitely by Brome, twenty-nine appear
in the first section of 67, thirty-five in the second, and three in the third. The poems
from the three sections of 61 are mixed in F27, but if we separate the poems into
these sections and examine the resulting sequences, we find that the poems inF27
follow the order of 67 very closely.
Section 1, 67 I-XXIII / d insert / XXIV-XXIX
F27 3-4 / 5 / 6 / 7, 1 / 2, 8-11 / 12-17 / 18 / 19-20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24-5 / 26 /
27 / 28-9
Section 2, 67 I-XXXIII, XXXVII, XXXVIII, XLII
F27 1, 2(4), 3, 5 / 6-10 / 37 / 38 / 11 / 12 / 13-14 /15-18 / 19-23 / 24-5/ 26-7
/ 28 / 29 / 3 0 / 4 2 / 3 1 / 32 / 33
Section 3, 67 I-II / K insert / III
F27 1 / 2 / 3
With the exception of one and two in F27, the order of the first twenty-nine poems
of Section 1 of 67 (excluding the d insert) andF27 are identical. F27 contains thirty-
five poems from Section 2 of 67, three of them (XXXVII, XXXVIII, XLII) interpo-
lated at various places, but the other thirty-two follow the order of 67 almost
exactly. The only exception is that 2.IV of 67 ('The Mock-song') is included as
Stanza 4 of 'The Commoners' (number 2) inF27. The order of the three poems from
Section 3 (excluding the K insert) is the same inF27 and 67.
The inference I draw from this comparison of the order of poems inF27 and 67 is
that the copyist forF27 either worked from another manuscript or more likely from
single sheets or groups of sheets which mixed political and love poems. If this latter
inference is accepted, then it would appear that when the manuscript copy for 67
was prepared, it generally preserved an order similar to F27, but the love poems
were separated from the political poems, and each group was printed with added
poems in separate sections.
This evidence suggests that F27 was copied from a source closely related to the
copy for 67, but preceding it in date. The date of the manuscript cannot be posi-
tively determined, but there is some evidence pointing to the late 1650s. The twen-
ty-nine love poems cannot be dated definitely, though internal allusions suggest

36
they were probably composed in the early 1640s. Many of the thirty-five political
poems were dated by Brome in 67. The dates range from 1644 to 1649. From inter-
nal evidence the latest date for a poem in this group is 1653. The poem 'The Prison-
ers. Written when O. C. attempted to be King' (2.XXV inol) refers to the expulsion
of the Rump in 1653. The three poems of the third section can be dated in the
mid-1650s. In the second section of 61, six additional political poems were added to
those appearing inF27, all dealing with events in late 1659 or early 1660, just before
the Restoration. Their absence fromF27 would seem to suggest thatF27 was in exis-
tence before these poems were composed.
All evidence points to a close relation between F27 and the copy for 61. The vari-
ants that exist in 61 post-date the text of F27 and probably represent Brome's final
revisions before printing. But, F27 is important because it can serve as an indepen-
dent check on 61 and likely provides accurate readings wherever 61 exhibits com-
positorial errors.

Bodleian Library, Ashmole MS 47 (Ash)

According to the catalogue at the Bodleian, this manuscript of one hundred and six-
ty-seven leaves is a miscellany by various authors of the seventeenth century. As far
as f. 130, the manuscript is written in a coarse hand. The rest is in the hand of Elias
Ashmole. The poems in the manuscript are numbered and on pages following f. 130
appear forty-two poems definitely by Brome: 195(f.l31v), 200-26(ff.l34-51v),
228-3l(ff.!52v-55), 233-42(ff.l56-62v). 'A Mock Song' appears twice (nos 223
and 240) with only slight variations. Stanza 4 of 'The Commoners' (201) is printed
separately in 61 as 2.IV 'The Mock-song.' 'The Advice' (227) is similar to
1.XXXVIII 'Advice to Caelia1 and may represent an earlier version. 'The Huy &
Cry' (232) does not appear in any of Brome's printed editions.
A collation of Ash with 61 indicates that the manuscript was not copied from the
edition, but is nevertheless closely related to it. It is even more closely related to
F27. An analysis of the variants between the two manuscripts and between the man-
uscripts and 61 reveals that in the great majority of Greg's Type-2 variants101 (103
out of 107) the two manuscripts agree against 61. Further evidence that Ash andF27
descend from a common ancestor is the presence in both of 'The Advice' and 'The
hue & Cry. ' They also both include 'The Mock-song' as Stanza 4 of 'The Common-
ers.' Only one poem in Ash varies significantly fromF27: 'The good Fellow' (195)
is separated from the other Brome poems in Ash by four other poems, suggesting a
different source.
Additional evidence for the close relationship between Ash andF27 comes from
an analysis of the order of the poems common to both manuscripts. Both manu-
scripts mix poems of the first two sections of 61. If the two sections are separated,
the resulting sequence in the manuscripts is as follows:
Section 1,67 I-XXI
F27 3-4 / 5 / 6 / 7, 1 / 2, 8-11 / 12-17 / The Advice / 18 / The hue & Cry /

37
 19-20 / 21
Ash 3-4 / 5, 9 / 6 / 1 / 2, 8 / 10-11 / 7, 12, 17, 14-16 / The Advice / 18 / The
Huy &Cry / 13, 19, 2 0 / 2 1 , 17
Section 2, 67 I-XX, XXXVII, XXXVIII
F27 1, 2(4), 3, 5 / 6-10 / 37 / 38 / 11 / 12 / 13-14 / 15-18 / 19-20
Ash 6 / I , 2(4), 5 / 9, 7, 8 / 37 / 38 / 1 1 / 3 / 1 2 / 13, 18, 14 /15-17i / 20, 19
This comparison shows that the order of the poems in the two manuscripts is fairly
close, but that when the different sections are separated, F27 follows the order of 61
more closely than Ash. The presence of blank half pages at the end of some poems
in Ash suggests that at least this manuscript was copied from single sheets or groups
of sheets.
Brian Morris has suggested 1640-50 as the date when Ash was compiled.102
Examination of the Brome poems in As h seems to support this date. Brome's love
poems, as noted above, were probably composed in the 1640s, and many of the
political poems in the manuscript were dated by Brome in 61. The dates range from
1644 to 1649, and none of the undated poems seems to contradict these dates.
Therefore it appears that Ash predates F27, which was probably copied in the late
1650s. The variants between F27 ana Ash suggest thatF27 was not a copy of Ash,
but that both manuscripts represent independent descents from a source which is
closely related to the copy for 61. We can conclude, then, that Ash andF27 are
independent collateral witnesses and can serve as a check on 61, but that neither
supersedes 61 in authority.

Miscellaneous Printed and Manuscript Versions

Versions of Brome's poems exist in at least fourteen miscellanies and song books
(up to 1670) and in at least twenty-five manuscripts, excluding Ash andF27 consid-
ered above (see Sigla). None of these has any claim to authority. Some are reprints
of one of the editions, while analysis of variants demonstrates that most of the oth-
ers descend from sources different from the copy for the editions. Since Brome's
poems had been composed over a twenty-year period before they were collected,
the texts preserved in the miscellanies and manuscripts are either earlier or corrupt
versions of the poems found in the editions.
The nineteen Brome poems in the Rump collection deserve some comment. This
important collection of political poems of the previous twenty years reached its final
form of two hundred and eight poems in 1662. It was published by Henry Brome
and H. Marsh.103 Catalogue entries (eg, in the Wing catalogue) have listed Alexan-
der Brome as the editor of this collection. Though Brome is the single most often
represented poet in the collection, it is unlikely that he was the editor. Since the first
edition of Songs And Other Poems had been published by Henry Brome in the pre-
vious year, one would expect the version of Brome's poems in Rump to be reprints
of 67, if Brome were the editor. But of the nineteen poems by Brome, only fourteen
are reprints of 67. Of the remaining five poems, three are reprints of Brome poems

38
found in Merry Drollery, 1661, one ('Cromwells Panegyrick') follows closely the
1647 version of this poem, which was revised and published by Brome in 64, and
one poem ('Collonel Vennes Encouragement') descends from a source different
from that of 61. That seems incompatible with the assumption that Brome was the
editor of Rump, unless he is to be considered an extremely careless editor.104
Musical settings for at least sixteen poems by Brome are extant, almost all of
which date from the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.105 The witness
of these settings, plus the versions extant in manuscripts and miscellanies, provides
some indication of Brome's contemporary popularity. At least three of the dedica-
tory epistles [by Paulet (P. VII), Walton (P.IX), and Oldis (P.XII)] refer to the way
Brome's songs had promoted loyalty to the King's cause and had sustained the spirit
of the Cavaliers. Some evidence for these claims is present in the extant miscella-
nies and manuscripts of the period.

Poems not Published in the Editions

At least ten dedicatory poems, one elegy, one poem inscribed under a portrait, and
one prose prefatory epistle were published during Brome's life time that were not
included in any of the editions (these will be included in Section 6 of this edition).
Five of these appeared as prefatory material to Brome's two editions of Richard
Brome's plays (RB53 andRB59).
Two other poems found in manuscripts cannot be definitely attributed to Brome.
One is found in a commonplace book of the seventeenth century at present in the
Osborn collection at Yale University (O52). This is a scatological poem in triplets,
entitled 'Alexander Broome on Mr Robert Napeir a lawyer's kissing of my Ld John
Butler's breech for a Guiny, whom he beshit for his gains at Orchard. A° 1665.'
The Robert Napeir referred to in the title is probably the same one who wrote a ded-
icatory epistle for 61. Brome died in 1666 before his third edition appeared in 1668,
and this probably explains why this poem (if it is by Brome), dated 1665, was not
included in it.
The second poem is only circumstantially connected to Brome. This is 'The hue
& Cry' found in both Ash andF27 (with no significant variants). This poem, a bla-
zon in the tradition of Carew's 'A Rapture,' is found in approximately the same
place in two collections of poems otherwise by Brome.
In the absence of corroborating evidence, I am reluctant to admit these two
poems to the canon, but will include them in the dubia.

The Present Edition

The present text is based on 61 for the poems contained in it and on 64 and 68 for
poems added to those editions. The copy-text for poems not in these editions will be
the first edition from whatever source.
The spelling of the copy-texts is followed, though printer's contractions like the
ampersand have been silently emended, and the long V and all ligatures have been

39
abandoned. Italics, except in the case of proper names and the like, have been
silently omitted from the text. A few other silent emendations have been made.
Obvious typographical errors such as turned letters, transposed letters, faulty ink-
ing, and improper spacing have been silently corrected. Apostrophes in words such
as ' 'tis,' ' 'cause,' and ' o'th' ' are supplied when missing, misplaced apostrophes
are corrected, and apostrophes are supplied where their absence would be mislead-
ing. Periods at end of titles have been eliminated. Stanza numbers have been sup-
plied where these are missing or corrected when in error. Errors in numbering
poems within each section are also silently corrected. Line spacing in individual
poems has been modified to provide internal consistency.
More significant punctuation than that mentioned above has been emended spar-
ingly, and in most cases changes follow the subsequent editions. All departures
from the copy-text are recorded in the apparatus.
In the textual apparatus, the first text listed is the copy-text, and other versions
are listed in the following order: (1) subsequent editions, (2) printed miscellanies in
chronological order, (3) manuscripts in the order listed in the sigla. The purpose of
the apparatus is to record all departures from the copy-text (except the silent emen-
dations discussed above). In addition, all substantive variants between the three edi-
tions andF27 ana Ash are recorded since these are substantive texts. A full record of
substantive variants from unauthoritative miscellanies and manuscripts is also pro-
vided for most poems, with obvious errors and trivial aberrations ignored. In the
case of eleven poems, only a selected listing is provided because the number of var-
iants is excessively large, and no real purpose will be served noting minor variants.
All titles found in the variant texts are recorded. In recording variants, the spelling
will be that of the first witness listed.
NOTES
1
This brief life is indebted to the pioneering work of J.L Brooks in his unpublished Harvard disserta-
tion of 1932, 'Alexander Brome: His Life and Works.' Though more information about Brome's
life may exist in local records in Dorset (where he was born), in Somerset (where he owned prop-
erty), and in records of Chancery cases he was involved in, Brooks has provided the main outline of
Brome's life. I will follow his outline, though I will attempt to flesh it out contextually.
2
A copy of this will, which was executed on 29 June 1666, the day before Brome's death, is cur-
rently housed at the Public Records Office.
3
Joseph Foster, éd., The Register of Admissions to Gray's Inn, 1521-1889 (London 1889) 284
4
In 6. XII, the prefatory poem to his edition of Five new Playes of Richard Brome (1659), Alexander
informs the reader that he is not related to Richard.
5
Brooks (pp 12-14) surveys the existing evidence and suggests the following order of birth for the
Brome family: Alexander, Henry (d. 1681), Richard (d. 1692), John (b. 1631), Isabell and Julian
(in no determined order), Elizabeth (b. 1637).
6
See Henry Plomer, A Dictionary of the Booksellers and Printers who were at work in England,
Scotland and Ireland from 1641 to 1667 (London 1907) 34 and A Dictionary of the Printers and
Booksellers who were at work in England, Scotland and Ireland from 1668 to 1725 (London 1925)

40
 51. Plomer is accurate when he says that Alexander was not related to Richard Brome the drama-
tist, but is wrong in stating that Henry Brome was not his brother. Alexander's will proves beyond a
doubt that Henry was Alexander's brother.
7
Allegations for Marriage Licenses Issued by the Vicar-General of the Archbishop of Canterbury
1660-68, Harleian Society 33 (1892) 99 and 160 respectively
8
F.W. Weaver and C.H. Mayo, eds., Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset 5 (1897) 341
9
See Brooks (p 15) for discussion of evidence relating to grammar schools in Evershot and West Mil-
ton. In his will Brome left an annuity to be used to buy books for the poor scholars in the school at
Evershot.
10
Andrew Clark, ed., Brief Lives, Chiefly of Contemporaries, set down by John Aubrey, between the
Years 1669 & 1696 (Oxford 1898) I, 126
11
The two poems are 4.XVIII 'To his School Master Mr. W.H. upon his Poem call'd Conscientiae
accusatricis Hypotyposis' dated 1644, and 4.LVIII 'An Elegy on the death of his Schoolmaster. Mr.
W.H.,' which first appeared in PC in 1658. Neither the original Latin poem referred to above nor
Brome's translation have been found.
12
Brooks, pp 16-18
13
See G.E. Bentley, The Jacobean and Caroline Stage (Oxford 1949) I, 330-1 and (Oxford 1956) III,
48-9. Though Bentley casts doubt on Brome's authorship of The Cunning Lovers, there is no evi-
dence that Brome ever denied authorship.
14
Brooks, pp 21-2
15
In 4.XXI 'A new years gift presented to the same' Brome thanks Foster for granting his petition.
16
See G.E. Aylmer, The King's Servants (New York 1961) 305-8 for a brief review of the career of
Robert Henley. See also G.E. Aylmer, The State's Servants (London 1973) 97-8 for Henley's
sequestration.
17
Foster, Register of Admissions to Gray's Inn, 1521-1887 284
18
For some background about the profession of attorneys and their connections with the legal
bureaucracy and the Inns of Court, see W.R. Prest, The Inns of Court under Elizabeth I and the
Early Stuarts 1590-1640 (Totowa, NJ 1972) 39-43 and W. Holds worth, A History of English Law
(London 1966) VI, 431-43. See also Brooks, pp 24-8.
19
The two poems are 3.VIII 'The New Mountebanck' and 3.Ill 'A new Diurnal.' P.W. Thomas, Sir
John Berkenhead (Oxford 1969) claims that 'A new Diurnal' was written in support of Mercurius
Aulicus and caricatured weekly London newsbooks, especially A Perfect Diurnall (p 255).
Thomas does not realize that Brome is the author of the poem.
20
The two poems are 5.LVII 'Cromwell's Panegyrick' dated by Thomason 22 September 1647 and
4.LII 'Upon the Kings imprisonment' dated by Thomason 29 September 1648.
21
See Thomas, pp 133-4.
22
Thomas (pp 136-45) provides an illuminating picture of Cavalier society in London during the late
1640s and 1650s. He is mainly concerned to show the circles Berkenhead moved in, but it is likely
that Brome was acquainted with many in this circle as well. Indeed, Berkenhead may have known
of Brome from the time two of Brome's poems were published at Oxford in 1643 when Berkenhead
was editor of Mercurius Aulicus.
23
For the date of Thomas Whitaker's death see The Obituary of Richard Smyth, ed. Sir Henry Ellis
(London 1849) 28. See also Plomer, Booksellers 1641-47 xviii-xix and 192.

41
24
See A Transcript of the Registers of the Worshipful Company of Stationers, from 1640-1708
A.D.(London 1913)1, 412.
25
Brooks, p 43
26
In his will Brome made bequests of £10 to each of his three stepdaughters, Anne, Margery, and
Mary Whitaker.
27
The evidence for this date comes from a suit in Chancery in 1676 where John Brome was suing for
his legacy (Brooks, p 46).
28
In his will Brome left a dowry of £500 for each of his three daughters, Martha, Elizabeth, and
Flower. For records of the birth of his daughters see W.B. Bannermart and Major W.B. Banner-
man, eds., The Registers of St. Stephens, Walbrook and of St. Benet Sherehog, London (London
1919) pt I, 30, 31.
29
Brooks, p 48
30
The poem was first published anonymously in a separate edition in 1660 (RR). It was included in
64. There its full title is 'A Record in Rhythme, Being an Essay towards the Reformation of the
Law, offer'd to the Consideration of the Committee appointed for that purpose. Written by some
men of Law, at a time when they had little else to do.'
31
See, for instance, 4.VI 'The Answer' by T.S., who refers to Brome's activity as an attorney at the
Cockneys' Guildhall and at Westminster (11 1-18); 4.IV 'The Answer' by Captain S.P.D., who
hopes that Brome will have many clients at the Guildhall (11 95-8). Smyth in his obituary notice (p
72) refers to Brome as an attorney of King's Bench, while Edward Phillips in Theatrum Poetarum
(London 1675) 6 refers to Brome as 'an Atturny of the Mayors Court.'
32
Joseph Foster, éd., The Records of the Honourable Society of Lincoln s Inn. Admissions from
A.D.1420 to A.D.1799 (London 1896) I, 280
33
See Prest, p 39; Holdsworth, VI 441-2.
34
Brooks, p 88
35
In 4.XIV To his Friend W.C.,' Brome complains about the dullness of the society in the country
and comments wryly on the service in the country church. 4.XII To C.S. Esquire' was written to
Brome's close friend and frequent correspondent Charles Steynings of Holnicot, Somerset express-
ing disappointment at not finding him at home during Brome's visit to Taunton and inviting Steyn-
ings and his wife Sue to visit the Brome's. In an epistle 4.XXV To his Friend Mr. I.B.,' Brome imi-
tates Horace's Epistle I, 10 in writing about the joys and contentment of country life.
36
The others were for Edward Sparke's Scintillula Aliaris in 1652 (6.V), James Wright's translation
of the French romance Nature's Paradox: or, The Innocent Imposter in 1652 (4.XL and XLIX), and
Lodowick Carlell's play, The Passionate Lover in 1655 (though this poem, 4.XLIII, was not pub-
lished until 1661).
37
Poems by Brome appeared in the following miscellanies and song-books: W155 (2), PB (1), SW (9),
WD56 ( 1 ) , PC (2), WR (1), G (3), SAD (2).
38
For a history of the Rump collection see H.F. Brooks, 'Rump Songs,' Proceedings and Papers of
the Oxford Bibliographical Society 5, pt 4 (1939).
39
Brooks, p 81
40
The Diary of Samuel Pepys, ed. R. Latham and W. Matthews (London 1970-2) IV, 100 (10 April
1663); VI, 12 (11 January 1666); VI, 193 (3 July 1666).
41
Pepys Diary VI, 193 (3 July 1666); Obituary of Richard Smyth 72. (Smyth incorrectly dated

42
 Brome's death as 29 June 1666.)
42 See, for example, Stanley Fish's provocative study of prose style S elf-Consuming Artifacts (Berke-
ley 1972).
43
Not all important studies can be mentioned here, but a few stand out. All students of seventeenth-
century poetry are indebted to Earl Miner's trilogy The Metaphysical Mode from Donne to Cowley
(Princeton 1969), The Cavalier Mode from Jonson to Cotton (Princeton 1971), ana The Restoration
Mode from Milton to Dry den (Princeton 1974). Also valuable are Paul J. Korshin, From Concord
to Dissent: Major Themes in English Poetic Theory 1640-1700 (Menston, Yorkshire 1973) and ear-
lier studies by George Williamson, The Proper Wit of Poetry (Chicago 1961) and Seventeenth-Cen-
tury Contexts (Chicago 1969), by R.L. Sharp, From Donne to Dryden (Chapel Hill, NC 1940), and
by Geoffrey Walton, Metaphysical to Augustan (London 1955).
44
Miner denominates the metaphysical mode as 'private' in opposition to the social mode of the
Cavaliers and the public mode of the Restoration. I am using the term 'neoclassical' to include
characteristics of both the social and public modes.
45 Literary Criticism of Seventeenth-Century England (New York 1967) introduction, pp 3-32
46
Tayler, pp 24-6
47
Carew, p 74
48 Tayler, p 30
49 Tayler, p 287
50 'Strong Lines,' in Seventeenth-Century Contexts 126
51 4.LVI 'Upon the death of that Reverend and learned Divine, Mr. Josias Shute, ' 1 45
52 6.VI 'To Master RICHARD BROME, upon his Comedie, called, A Joviall Crew: or, The merry Beg-
gars,' 1 21
53 6.1 'Upon the unparalelld Playes written by those Renowned Twinnes of Poetry BEAUMONT and
FLETCHER,' 1 37
54 6.IX 'To the Stationer, on the publishing Mr. Bromes Comedies,' 1 16
55
4.XLVIII 'To his Friend Thomas Stanley, Esquire, on his Odes Set and Published by Mr. John
Gamble,' 1 6
56 6.V 'Upon the AUTHOUR, and his Worke,' 1 26
57 6.IX 'To the Stationer. . .,'11 29-30
58 4.XLVIII 'To his Friend Thomas Stanley. . .,' 17
59
6.V 'Upon the AUTHOUR. . .,' 1 25
60
4.XLVIII To his Friend Thomas Stanley. . . , ' 1 5
61
6.IX To the Stationer. . .,' 1 27
62 P.VI 'On Mr. ALEXANDER BROME'S Poems,' 11 37-40. See also Sharp, p 160.
63 P.X To my worthy Friend Mr. Alex. Brome,' 11 11-12
64
P.V 'On the Death of Mr. ALEXANDER BROME,' 11 12-16
65
4.H The Answer,' 11 19-20
66
See Thomas, pp 134ff.
67 'The Failure of Love: Love Lyrics after Donne,' in Metaphysical Poetry, ed. M. Bradbury and D.
Palmer (London 1970) 62
68
Typical are the following: George Williamson, The Donne Tradition (Harvard 1930); A, Alvarez,
The School of Donne (New York 1967); Joseph Summers, The Heirs of Donne and Jonson (New

43
 York 1970).
69
The most ambitious and most stimulating reassessment of Caroline love poetry is H.R. Richmond,
The School of Love (Princeton 1964). Other important studies are those by Earl Miner, A.J. Smith,
and Paul Korshin cited above, and Warren Chernaik, The Poetry of Limitation (Yale 1968).
70
Smith, p 41
71
Chernaik, p 60
72
Richmond, p 222
73
The Scientific Element in Alexander Brome's Love Lyrics,' ESC 2 (1976) 8-26
74
Richmond, p 97; Miner, The Cavalier Mode 226
75
Smith, p 43
76
Miner, The Cavalier Mode 231
77
Theatrum Poetarum 6
78
l.XX 'An Ode of Anacreon paraphrased. Beauties force'; 2.XVI 'Content. Out of Anacreori;
2.XVII 'Mirth. Out of Anacreon'
79
Miner, The Cavalier Mode 88-9, 108-11
80
Ibid, 84
81
Ibid. 187
82
The Happy Man (New York 1962) I, 48-9
83
Rôstvigl, 119-226
84
Ibid. 229-30
85
The Dial of Virtue (Princeton 1963) 52
86
'The Caustic Muse' (unpublished diss., Columbia 1956) 63
87
Thomas p 96
88
Hobbled Pegasus (Albuquerque 1968) 20
89
See C.V. Wedgwood, Poetry and Politics under the Stuarts (Cambridge, Eng. 1960) 72; Hyder
Rollins, éd., Cavalier and Puritan (New York 1923) 14; Frank, Hobbled Pegasus 22.
90
See H. F. Brooks, 'Rump Songs' for an analysis and indices to the Rump collection. Frank's bibli-
ography of minor poetry published during the period 1640-60 (Hobbled Pegasus) is also valuable.
91
Wedgwood, Poetry and Politics 86
92
See note 6
93
See Kenyon, pp 362 and 368.
94
Analysis of the running titles reveals that the two inserts were run off after gathering O, which was
fairly late in the printing of the book.
95
The Harvard copy was used as a base against which to collate the other eight copies: British
Library; Cambridge; Bodleian; Folger; Yale (2 copies); Huntington (2 copies). All substantive vari-
ants are recorded in the apparatus.
96
One exception, 2.VII The Answer [by T.J.],' will be discussed in the notes.
97
The Harvard copy was used as a base against which to collate the other six copies: Trinity College
(Cambridge); British Library (2 copies); Bodleian; Yale (2 copies). No substantive variants were
discovered.
98
The Harvard copy was used as a base against which to collate the other three copies: British
Library; Bodleian; Yale. All substantive variants are recorded in the apparatus.
99
lnRP14 (ff. 153-4) there is another version of this poem entitled 'The dispraise of Ale.' The name

44
 'Thomas Bonham' is recorded at the end of the poem.
100
See The Records of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn. Admissions . . . I, 229 and The
Records of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn: The Black Books, éd. W.P. Baildon and
R.F. Roxburgh (London 1897-1969) H, 363.
101
See W.W. Greg, The Calculus of Variants (Oxford 1927) 18-20.
102
See Cleveland, p lii.
103
See H.F. Brooks, 'Rump Songs.'
104
Thomas, Appendix VI, 263 suggests that John Berkenhead may have been the editor.
105
See C.L. Day and E.B. Murrie, English Song-Books 1651-1702: A Bibliography (London 1940).

45
This page intentionally left blank
 SONGS
AND OTHER
POEMS
This page intentionally left blank
 PREFATORY LETTERS AND POEMS
i
To the Honourable, Sir JOHN ROBINSON
Knight and Baronet, his Majesties Lieutenant
of the Tower of LONDON

Sir,
The many great obligations, which your nobleness hath from time to time laid
upon me, do merit a more serious acknowledgement then this rude and toyish
address can pretend to, whose design is only to beg pardon and protection, for
that I being seduced to print these youthfull vanities, have thus audaciously shel-
ter'd them under your celebrated name. I should not have done it, but that I well
know the greatnesse of your soul, and the Kindness you have for me, are a suffi-
cient screen to keep off any offence that I can commit against you; and I have
considered also that there are four great things committed to your custody; the
Souldiers, the Lyons, the Guns, and (which is more powerfull) the Mony. So that
if any should have an itch to snarle at me, they will not dare to open their mouths,
lest they should be thought to bark at you; In whose Regiment I desire to list this
Volunteer, being encouraged by this consideration that together with those great
and serious Emblems and instruments of power, with which you are entrusted, the
Apes and Catamountains and other properties of diversion, do there find Safety
and subsistence; That those priviledges may extend to this brat of mine, which is
no less ridiculous, is the ambition of,

Sir,
Your gratefull Servant
and great Honourer
ALEX. BROME.

49
 II
To the Reader
To the Collection of these papers two accidents have concur'd; a lazie disease,
and a long vacation; the one inclining me to do nothing else, and the other afford-
ing me nothing else to do.
To their publication I might alledge several reasons; namely, gratification of
Friends, importunity, prevention of spurious impressions. But these are in print
already in many grave Authors, with exact formulas to express the bashfulness of
the Author, and the badness of the work, etc.
There are another sort of reasons, not express'd but implied, as an ambition to
be in print; to have a face cut in copper, with a lawrell about my head; a motto and
verses underneath made by my self in my own commendation; and to be
accompted a wit, and call'd a Poet.
But, to say the truth, none of all these prevailed with me; for I made few of my
Friends acquainted with the design; and those few told me I should expose my self
to the censure of the new Generation of JUDGE-WITS, who, like Committee-Men
or black-witches in Poetry, are created only to do mischief; nor did I fear any
illegitimate impression hereof, conceiving that no body would be at the charge of
it. And to gratifie friends this way, were instead of quitting old obligations, to
create new.
Now as to the honour of being in print, with its priviledges, 'tis much like
being a Parliament-man; those that deserve it, need not court it, but will be so,
whether they desire it or not; those that merit it not, may come in by purchase;
such Authors, like Men that beget Daughters, must give portions to be rid of their
issue.
These reasons being laid aside, as deficient, it will be expected that I should
present you with better; but indeed I have them not about me; and for that reason,
I am bold to affirm that I am not bound in strictness to give any man any reason
for doing this. For why I made these rambles, I can give no other accompt then a
poor man does why he gets children; that is his pleasure, and this mine. And as
with him in his case, 'tis with me in mine; having brought our brats into the
World, 'tis our duty to provide for their preservation.
I dare not say these poems are good, nor do I certainly know whether they be
or not; for the wits are not yet agreed of a standard; nor shall I declare them bad,
least others out of respect to me, should be of the same opinion.
But this I assure you, that I have been told to my face, that they are good, and
was such a fond fool to believe it; else you may be confident, they had ne're been
exposed to view; for upon my credit, I have no ambition to be laught at. And
'twere a great disingenuity to offer that to my Friends, which I my self should
dislike.
All that is terrible in this case, is, that the Author may be laught at, and the

50
Stationer begger'd by the Books invendibility. It concerns him to look to the one,
I am provided against the other. For 'tis as unkind and unmanly to abuse me for
being a bad poet, as it is to raile at a Dwarf e for being little and weak: it being my
desire to be as good as any that can jeer me; and if I come short by the head, who
can help it? yet I desire to be thus far ingenuous, to let the World know, though
they may esteem or call me a Poet, by this they may see I am none, or at least so
mean a one, that 'twere better I were none.
To beg acceptance of this, upon the old promise of never writing more, were
to make the publishing this a wilfull sin, which I shan't commit. And though at
present I resolve against incumbring my thoughts with such unprofitable medita-
tions; yet I will ne're abjure them; being no more able to perform vowes never to
write again, then Widowes theirs never to marry again.
And now, being taught by custome, to beg something of the Reader, it shall be
this; that in reading and judging these poems he will consider his own frailty, and
fallibility; and read with the same temper and apprehension as if himself had
written, and I were to judge. And if he cannot find matter here to please himself
and love me; let him pitty my disastrous fate, that threw me into this sad distem-
per of rythming.
But as to the men of a severer brow, who may be scandaliz'd at this free way
of writing, I desire them to conceive those Odes which may seem wild and
extravagant, not to be Ideas of my own mind, but characters of divers humours set
out in their own persons. And what reflected on the Times, to be but expressions
of what was thought and designed by the persons represented; there being no safe
way to reprove vices then raging among us, but to lash them smilingly.
Perhaps it may be expected I should have interlarded this address with ends of
Latine; to declare my self a Scholler. But the reason why I do not, is because by
this late happy change I shall have occasion to employ that little Latine I have to a
better use, and make it more advantageous to me.
Farewell.

Ill

To his honoured Friend Mr. ALEXANDER BROME,

on the publishing his Poems

SIR,

Your ingenuous Book you were pleased to trust with me, had before this time
come to your hands, had I either sooner known of your return to London, or found

51
an handsome opportunity of conveying it thither with safety. Though your mod-
esty is pleased to invite Censure, I find it is more then your great felicity in this
way of Poetry can be liable to: Nor should I have thought those two or three slight
Animadversions here inclosed, to have been worth the mentioning, were it not
that I would have you believe I use such freedome with you, as to have done more
if I had found occasion: though I doubt not but you have or will communicate
these Papers to some other friends of more refined judgement then I can pretend
to. This I am sure, that by publishing of them you will oblige, not onely all Men,
but some of the Gods; especially your Name-sake Bacchus (called alsoBromius)
whose worth your wit hath so much advanced, that, though Excise should cease,
we should in pure conscience think we could not purchase him at too dear a rate.
Cupid himself, who hath hitherto exercised chief dominion in Poetry, now vails
Bonnet to Him; were it not, that, whilst you so handsomely magnifie the power of
Wine, your Readers are forced to fall in Love with your Muse: and, amongst
them, none more affectionately, then

SIR,
Your most obliged
humble Servant

R.B.

IV

On my Friend Mr. ALEXANDER BROME

When a Republick looses in the Field
A Captain, who, whilest living, was their shield;
Or when, cut off by Age, within their walls
Some prudent Senator, some good Patriot falls;
The widdow'd State her mourning then puts on, 5
As all her Counsels, and Defence were gone,
And weeps, and mourns, as she foresaw she must
Be subject to the first Invaders Lust,
Despising all her off-spring that remain,
That Citizen dead, and that old Souldier slain: 10
But to advance their Names, no cost is spar'd,
Medals are cast, and Obélisques are rear'd;
The Marble Quarry is torn up, the Mine
Is search't, and rob'd to make their Triumphs shine.
But the neglected Poet when he dies, 15

52
Or with obscure, or with no Obsequies
Is lay'd aside; and though by living Verse,
Strew'd on this Hero's and that Statesman's Hearse
His Pen graves Characters, by which they live
A longer life, than Brass or Marble give; 20
Yet has this generous Poet no returne,
None to weep ore his Urne, nay scarce an Urne.
O undiscerning World! the Souldier's brave
Either for what he wants, or thirsts to have,
His breast opposing against fire, and 25
Either for Riches, or a glorious name:
Reward, and honour make the Souldiers trade,
And if he either win, the man's well pay'd.
The Statesman, on the other side, takes pains,
To smooth that Warr to Peace, and works his brains, 30
Or to appease an Enemy, or make
Such Friends, as may at need make good the stake,
Nor is his reverend care, when all is done,
More for his Countrey's safety, than his own;
And that which makes his Cities freedom dear, 35
Is that himself, and his inhabit there.
Whereas the Poet by more generous wayes,
Distributes boughs of Oake, and shoots of Bayes,
According to due merit, nor does take,
Thought of Reward, but all for Vertues sake. 40
It were in vain to write on other score,
The Poet knows his lot is to be Poor:
For whatsoer's well Done, well Writ, well Said,
The Bard is ever the last man that's pay'd;
The wary World has wisely taken time, 45
Till the Greek Kalends do account for Rhythm.
Nor do I here intend the Gold that's hurl'd
Like flaming brands thorough the peaceful world,
To make whole Kingdoms into Faction split,
Should be suppos'd the recompence of wit: 50
The Poet scorns that sordid seed of Earth,
The World's alluring, but unhappy birth.
All he desires, all that he would demand,
Is only that some amicable hand,
Would but irriguate his fading bayes 55
With Due, and only with deserved Praise;
Yet even this so modest a request,
The Age denies. Alas! what interest,

53
Has vertue upon Earth, when Brome could dye,
And be lamented with no Elégie? 60
No friendly hand t'enforme the Passenger,
That gentle Brome, the Muses joy, lies here.
More had not needed to have been express'!,
Himself has made provision for the rest.
Whilst Pindar's Bayes grows green amongst the dead, 65
Whilst Hora ce, or Anacreon are read,
My Brome shall live, and Travellers that come
From distant shores, transport his Verses home.
Nor needs he other, than his own great Name,
To recommend him to immortal Fame; 70
His merits lustre of it self will doo't,
Shine to the Poles and put those sparklets out.
And yet we had our gratitude express't,
T'have given our Testimonies, at the least,
Of his great worth, and publish't our esteem, 75
That we all lov'd, and all lamented him:
But men were strook at his untimely Fate,
Which makes us pay our Fun'ral tears thus late.
And, as a tender Mother when she hears,
Her only Childe is lost, lets fall no tears, 80
But at the horrour of the first sad sound,
Falls, as if strook with Thunder in a swound,
Till by the help of unkind remedies,
To ease her soul, she opes her weeping eyes;
So wit orecome, and cast into a trance, 85
At this so unexpected a mischance,
Must through that night of grief, and horror break,
Before it could get article to speak;
And this deferr'd these honours to his Tomb,
They're little griefs that speak, deep sorrow's dumb. 90

CHARLES COTTON.

54
 V

On the Death of Mr. ALEXANDER BROME,

who dyed the 30th. of June, 1666
Pardon (dear Saint!) If (though so late) I mourn,
And drop some Tears o're thy neglected Urne;
For my sad Muse too long hath waiting been
To see some solemn, but yet pompous Scene.
Where those great wits, which thy Companions were, 5
Might like themselves Mourning for thee appear,
In Elegies worthy themselves and thee.
A noble Task for them, too great for Me.
I thought e're this t'have seen whole Volumes writ,
In such a style as might become thy wit, 10
Acquainting the dull world, not what thou wert,
How much thou hadst Improv'd Poetick Art;
For that thy works (beyond Amendment) shew,
Ages to come, as well as he, will know
By them thy Lofty, yet familiar strain, 15
So highly learned, yet so humbly plain;
But how much thou wert by the Muses lov'd,
How much thy Death their wits and passions mov'd,
That unborn Poets might in times to come,
See how belov'd, and how bewail'd was Brome. 20
But finding none of these that could to do
Those friendly Rites to thee so justly due
My Muse impatient grows by their delay,
And can't but must thus her last duty pay.
Which as she can, not would, she must express 25
Adores thy Tomb, but can't adorn thy Hearse.

RICH.NEWCOURT.

55
 VI

On Mr. ALEXANDER BROME'S Poems

1

How long had Poetry a captive been

To such as basely made
Their Jay lor-ship a Trade,
That shew'd her with a cautious secrecy,
Through mysterious vails 5
Of dark Allegory,
And most prodigious tales?
(Which for the Layety to disbelieve was sin,)
Till thou Defender of the Faith cam'st in?

2
The knots, that they so cunningly had ty'de 10
With superstitious Charms;
Like Alexander thou cam'st to divide
If not by Art, by Armes:
In vain oppos'd the Legions of the Dead,
The Roman Veterans, 15
Alas! they long had been misled,
Through politick Tradition;
Now, as their Gods, amaz'd they fled,
And left their ridling Fanes
At the true Prophets mission. 20

3
Thus freed, to thee, (as if to one
Who had unty'de her Virgin Zone;)
She most affectionately came,
Shew'd thee her purest excellence
Was not confin'd to words, but sence; 25
And that so naturally free,
As was the worlds first Infancy,
When she was thought a Deity,
Though now, she and her Art had lost a name.

4
Her Rules exactly thou dost imitate 30
In every thing thou dost express;
Whether thou piously dost celebrate

56
The Birth or Martyrdom of Kings,
Or shew'st in subtle turns of State,
The strange Vicissitude of things, 35
How is it done without affectedness?
Thou labour'st for no far-fetch't Metaphors,
Nor does thy judgment stray,
After Phantastick Meteors,
Made to misguide the way; 40
But by a certain calculation knows
Wits lowest Ebbs and highest flows.

5
Anacreon be thy Judge whose heats Divine,
Thou dost not starve but feed,
And as inspir'd with his own wine 45
Aptly giv'st fuel when is need,
Horace, Apoll's truest Son
Shall vouch his Odes as sweetly run,
As if they had been made all, atBlandusium.
Thou never make'st his shortnesses obscure 50
Nor cool'st the rigor of his Ire,
But let'st his Satyrs fly with their own flame and fire:
For which thy name shall as Mecaenas's indure.
Lucretius should have witness'd too, how he
Admir'd his Father Epicures' s Philosophy, 55
Explaind by thy new Organum of Poetry:
But Jealous Heav'n did grutch
Th'ungrateful Earth should know too much;
Least being so by thee displaid,
Men might new Gods and other worlds have made. 60

6
Alas! Why sillily do I pretend,
Thus to describe the History
That's better annaliz'd by thee,
And shall outdare Eternity; to discommend
Thy Book, now (Caesar like) thou'rt gone 65
Into a Constellation;
Like Caesar's shall be ever read,
Till Earth and Seas gives up their Dead.
Thy name, like his shall worship'd be; (although
Thou hadst no Brutus here below.) 70

57
 Absolute Prince, thou keep'st competitors in Aw,
In time of War, by Wit, in Peace, by Law.

R.Th.Jun.

VII

To the Ingenious Authour Mr. Alexand. Brome

Praise is the shade of Vertue, and ne're fell
Into contempt, till Men ceas'd to do well.
'Twas profit spoyld the world. Till then (we know it,)
The Usurer strook sayles unto the Poet.
Kings envyed them their bayes; for though the Crown 5
Had more of lustre, it had less renown.
Then be thou Brome, my Subject; Thou whose mind
Large, as the bounds of Nature, hath calcin'd
Things high and low, and drawn conceptions thence,
Which Adam scarcely knew in's innocence, 10
T'adorne thy stile, and feed poetick fire,
And make thy high-flown Raptures to fly higher:
What can be thought or said to set thee forth?
Or what Embellishment can guild thy worth?
Great Merits (like good Claret) need no sign 15
(Who ere proclaimed that the Sun did shine?)
'Tis easie to begin, and hard to end;
When but to speak thy Name, is to commend.
But leave I thee the Fountain; for the stream,
Thy book, is now my more peculiar Theame, 20
The Sceane of Wine and Women. Thy smart pen
Refines our Loves, and liquors ore agen,
And teaches us new lessons. Shall I whine
To a coy Mistress, swear, and lye, and pine,
And dye, and live again, and change more shapes, 25
Then Prole us did, or four and fourty Apes,
To win my loss of Liberty, when I,
Enthron'd by fancy in true Soveraignty,
Can out of nothing, whensoere I please,
Create a million of such Mistresses? 30
And write a Sonnet to my Aiery she,
Or steal a better Sonnet (Brome) from Thee?

58
 No, No, for know my loves best bill of Dyet
Is first free thoughts, the next is to be quiet.
Hence too I'll quit the Tavernes, for I find 35
No Wine is like the Nectar of the Mind.
Conceit is a good Cellar; Here we may
Drink without sin, and spend without Decay,
And frolike and be merry; Or else we
May read thy book, and tipple Poetry; 40
And sing the prayses of the nobler Vine,
And send a health to the great God of wine.
This, This, is pleasure, and cheap too, that's better,
For know the Muse is apt to be a debtor.
All this we learn from thee; go on, and be 45
A miracle in future History.
Thou shew'st us mirth, and nobler wayes to wo;
And Vindicatest thy profession too.
If Law and Business can produce such strains,
Wee'l owe no Wit to leasure but to Brains. 50

W. Paulet E medio Templo.

VIII

To the Ingenious Author Mr. A.B.

How! how! what miracles in print?
A Poem with the Politicks in't?
'Tis strange, but I will not rehearse
All the Probatums of thy verse.
This only: when the nose and Bum 5
Had frighted all our miseries dumb,
When force hag-rid our Land and Seas,
Had made lawes truths Antipodes;
When treason, (like the blood) was found
To circulate all England round; 10
Thou Brome to cure the Kingdoms wrong
Didst hatch new loyalty with a song.
Musick (as once Sauls eldest Devil)
Fetter'd Rebellions rampant evil;
Rime oftimes over-reaches reason; 15
A verse will counter-charme a treason.

59
 Had Cromwell learn't the grace to sing,
H'had fled to Heaven for his King.

Rob. NapeirEmedio Templo.

IX

To my ingenious Friend Mr. Brome,

on his various and excellent Poems:
An humble Eglog
Daman andDorus
Written the 29. of May, 1660
Daman
Hail happy day! Dorus, sit down:
Now let no sigh, nor let a frown
Lodge near thy heart, or on thy brow.
The King! the King's return'd! and now
Let's banish all sad thoughts, and sing 5
We have our lawes, and have our King.
Dorus
'Tis true and I woo'd sing, but oh!
These wars have sunk my heart so low
'Twill not be rais'd.
Daman
What not this day? 10
Why 'tis the twenty ninth of May:
Let Rebels spirits sink: let those
That like the Goths and Vandals rose
To ruine families, and bring
Contempt upon our Church, our King, 15
And all that's dear to us, be sad;
But be not thou, let us be glad.
Ana Dorus, to invite thee, look,
Here's a Collection in this book
Of all those chearfull songs, that we 20
Have sung so oft and merilie
As we have march'd to fight the cause

60
 Of Gods anoynted, and our lawes:
Such songs as make not the least ods
Betwixt us mortals and the Gods: 25
Such songs as Virgins need not fear
To sing, or a grave Matron hear.
Here's love drest neat, and chast, and gay
As gardens in the month of May;
Here's harmony, and wit, and art, 30
To raise thy thoughts, and chear thy heart.

Dorus
Written by whom?

Daman
A friend of mine,
And one that's worthy to be thine:
A Civil swain, that knowes his times 35
For business, and that done, makes rimes;
But not till then: my Friend's a man
Lov'd by the Muses; dear to Pan',
He blest him with a chearfull heart:
And they with this sharp wit and art, 40
Which he so tempers, as no Swain,
That's loyal, does or shou'd complain.

Dorus

I woo'd fain see him:

Daman
Go with me,
Dorus, to yonder broad beech tree, 45
There we shall meet him and Phillis,
Perrigot, and Amaryllis,
Tyterus, and his dear Clora,
Tom and Will, and their Pastora :
There we'l dance, shake hands and sing, 50
We have our Lawes,
God bless the King.

Iz. Walton.

61
 X

To my worthy Friend Mr. Alex. Brome

Wine nere to run more clear through quill was made,
Then through thine is the praise of it convey'd;
And as by Xeuxis grapes so painted were,
That even birds, to peck at them drew near;
So, who thy lively Poems see, will think 5
That as they read of the Grapes juice, they drink:
Thou doest not treat us with short Epigrams,
Like Usurers glasses, only holding drams
But in thy Songs thy wit is copious found,
As Wine in Conduits when a King is crown'd. 10
There strength of fancy, to it sweetness joynes,
Unmixt with water, nor stum'd with strong lines.
The lover who in many a frosty night,
Did Serenade his Mistress out of sight,
And to his Gittar songs most doleful howle 15
In consort with the Bellman and the Owle,
Now takes his Brimmer off, and to her flyes,
Singing thy Rhimes, and straight she is his prize.
She doth no more her Red-nos'd lover scorn,
But fairer thinks then blushes of the morn; 20
And would have Hymens torches lighted be
By th'nose, that's to linck-boy compared by thee.
He tells her no part of a woman ought
Unto Starrs, Sun, globes, roses like be thought;
But that those names which raise so high a pride, 25
Are but to Taverns fit to be applyed.
A Country Parson i'in' Rumps reign did woe
His auditory Honestly to do,
And wear brave souls, which he enforc'd by those
Thy songs only reform'd by him to prose, 30
Which he had heard at market over night:
Thus do thy fancies profit and delight.
Carry the cause then for this man in black,
That he may have from Vintners tithes of Sack;
Wherein he will not crave so much, as did 35
The Lévite who some of his Parish bid;
That sail'd to Greenland that they should not fail
Thence of their prey to bring him the tenth Whale.
But to reward him higher, let him get

62
 Tithes of thy muse, and so be out of s debt. 40
And now me thinks, while thou abroad dost shew
Thy self in print to the Worlds open view,
From all that wear brave souls no voice doth stir,
But welcome Sir, y'are kindly welcome Sir.
Yet if the envious at thee do repine, 45
They shall be but like flies drown'd in thy Wine.

C.W.

XI

To his dear friend Mr. Alex. Brome, upon

the publishing his Poems
My kind Affections will shew forth thy wit,
Although't be by a simple opposite;
For thou preventest all Ingenuous proems,
Ingrossing all the wit within thy Poems;
But yet there's something left for me to do, 5
Which would be folly if perform'd by you:
And that's to praise both thee, and them, whose glory
Shall reign with thy loyal Congratulatory
And daring Speech, made in Clothworkers-Hall,
Which overcame, and made the General, 10
Who made us all, by making all his men,
Rank as they were, to bring our Kings agen,
By being subject to our Lawful Prince,
Whose damned Exile, made us Slaves e're since:
And so confin'd thy fancy, that thy Fame 15
(Till his return was) kept without a Name.
Though thou hast been Libellish all these times,
Against the changing Powers; yet some Crimes
Thou didst conceal, which did thy prudence shew,
To keep their vices for their overthrow; 20
Reserving still some strength as a redoubt,
Fearing the Rumpish rear might face about;
And made our Kings de facto, and of right
In Charles the Second justly to unite;
Who soon inlarg'd thy Muse, which free, 25

63
 Hath bound us to our Laws for liberty:
To whom I do subscribe, (since our Commander,
In name's as good as is Great Alexander).

Cha.Steynings.

XII

To his Ingenious Friend Mr. A.B.

upon his most excellent Poems
i
In our late Chaos, when the giddy world
Was to th'Abysse of curs'd Rebellion hurl'd:
And its distemper'd Pilots did advance
Nothing but dull and sordid Ignorance;
When to be either learn'd, or witty, gave 5
Occasion to make this or t'other slave:
Then Atlas -like thou didst that world sustain,
Destin'd to thrive by thy Poetick-brain.

2
Divinity we there saw stifled, and
The Law was only practis'd under-hand: 10
The Glory of our School eclips'd; a shade,
No life, nor Beauty gave, but Horrour had
All Modes and Methods Ravish'd from our eye,
To cancel Name of King and Loyalty;
For each of which, thou mad'st a fit supply, 15
As some instruct their Boyes by Poésie.

3
Nay Millions more had driven with that stream,
Had not thy sense and light diverted them,
Those who droop'd in despair, had drop'd away,
But Thy Prophetick Numbers made them stay; 20
And did re-animate their spirits here,
Fore-telling them their Sun would once appear.

64
 4

Most of the younger Fry, that never saw

A Crown or Gospel flourish with the Law,
Had been deprav'd in soul, but that the Starre 25
(Thy Lines put forth) directed how and where
They ought to worship, so they were kept free
From the Times guilt, others Apostacie.

The puisne Law-wrights too may spare to look

On this grave Sirs reports, or t'others Book 30
For what's Authentique, but (at will) from thee,
May freight their Skuls with Law's Epitomie:
And henceforth we shall have them cease to Bawl
Cook upon Littleton, but Brome on all.

6
The Brethren of the Crowd throughout the Town, 35
Who lost their time to keep't, were out of Tune
More than their Instruments; as if their Arts
Were meerly but to play, not play their parts,
Till furnish'd with a Song or two from you;
Then they grew proud upon't, and wealthy too; 40
Nor was't ill husbandry, or cither's wrong,
To give, or get their money for a Song.

7
We find in every Science, Art, or Trade,
Ambition some Competitors has made;
But here THOU art particular, and like, 45
For Poésie, as Painting was Vandyke.
Such reputation hast thou gain'd, that when
A piece of Wit has by some other Men
Been richly cloath'd, and spoken; Hear their dooms,
Upon our lives, 'Tis Alexander Brome s. 50
But

As Pictures by their foyles seem better drest,

I can but be, Thy Blackamore at Best.

Valentine Oldis.

65
 XIII

For his much honoured Friend

Mr. Alexander Brome
Honoured Sir,
Your ingenious Letter which came to my hands long after its date, had sooner
received an Answer, if my frequent absence, and many haesitations between
Willingness and Inability to serve you, had not caused this respite. And now let
me tell you my opinion; that, though Elogies upon Authors are at no time neces-
sary, yet I think them never more superfluous, than when Verses are com-
mended with more Verses; which if they be better, disparage their Friend; if
worse Themselves. We know it is against a Rule of Art to lay Metal upon Metal,
and that Cook who besprinkles the borders of his dish with the same meat which
it contains, will be thought rather to dawb then garnish it. I am sure it will be so
here, with your curious entertainment, unto which the Reader must needs come
with such an eager Appetite, as to reproach, or at least neglect, all that stands in
his way. And I should much wonder why you would be such a Mezentius to
your self, as to bind my dead Muse to your own living one; but that I suppose,
being secure of immortality, you are proof against all contagion. Had you laid
this command upon me, when you favoured me with the perusal of your Book,
those brisk and frolick airs might have so volatiliz'd my thoughts, that it had
been as easie for me to write, as for the beasts to dance when they heard
Orpheus' s Harp. But now you bid me be warm, when you have long since with-
drawn the fire: and call me to a work unto which my pen is so much a stranger,
that it is now many years since I made a verse in English. Believe it Sir, 'tis to
me as great a Metamorphosis, as when a City was turn'd into a Bird, on a sud-
den, to lay by all that is solid and severe, and soar aloft in the airy waies of
Fancy, led only by the tinkling of Rhymes, as Bees by the noy se of a Candles-
tick: At present, I am sure, whilest business is much upon me, I am charm'd
against such transmutations. You that are a wonder your self in this kind, would
be less so, if any were like you; that can reconcile Poetry with Westminster-
Hall, where nothing of a fine spinning (not so much as Cobwebs, they say) can
have a place: that can swallow down the rank phrases of our Law, like so many
heads of Garlick, next your heart in a morning; and before night breath forth soft
and Jovial airs, surpassing the most captivated votaries of Love or Wine: these
are toss'd about like the Sibylls prophetick leaves, and at length you find them
crowning every Feast, and dancing on the lips of every Lady. But for mine own
part, if perhaps I have been found of late amongst our Academical Versifyers, it
was but as Cleaveland's Presbyterian danced, only in obdience to the
Ordinance. For you must know, that Doctors appear in verse, as old men some-
times have done in Morris, not so much for ostentation of Ability, as for

66
uncouthness of the sight, and to shew how ready they are to be laught at for his
Majesties service. And I could tell some who would censure me for levity,
should they see me play the Poet in such good company as yours, who yet call
upon me to do the same here, where I am to be dull by my place. In short Sir, if
it be necessary that such a Champion as you should not come forth into the field
without your Dwarf, I heartily wish I were able to serve you in that condition:
However, give me leave I pray you to remain in downright Prose

Sir,
Your assured Friend and most
humble Servant,
R.B.

67
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 SECTION 1

SONG I

Plain Dealing
i
Well well, 'tis true
I am now falne in Love,
And 'tis with You:
And now I plainly see,
While you're enthron'd by me above, 5
You all your arts and pow'rs improve
To Tyrant over me;
And make my flames th'incentives of your scorn,
While you rejoyce, and feast your eyes to see me thus forlorn.

2
But yet be wise, 10
And don't beleeve that I
Did think your eyes
More bright than Stars can be;
Or that your face Angels outvyes
In their Coelestial Liveries; 15
'Twas all but Poetrie.
I could have said as much by any she,
You are not beauteous of your self, but are made so by me.

3
Though we, like Fools,
Fathome the Earth and Sky, 20
And drayne the Schools
For names t'express you by:
Out-rant the lowd'st Hyperboles
To dub you Saints and Deities,
By Cupids Heraldry. 25
We know you're Flesh and Blood as well as men,
And when we will can mortalize, and make you so agen.

69
 4

Yet since my Fate

Has drawn me to this Sin
Which I did hate, 30
I'll not my labour lose
But will love on, as I begin,
To th'purpose now my hand is in,
Spite of those Arts you use.
And let you know the World is not so bare, 35
There's things enough to love, besides such Toyes as Ladies are.

I'll love good Wine,

I'll love my Book and Muse,
Nay all the Nine,
I'll Love my real Friend, 40
I'll Love my horse, and could I chuse
One that would not my Love abuse,
To her my heart should bend.
I'll love all those that laugh, and those that sing,
I'll love my Country, Prince and Laws, and those that love the King.

SONGE

The Indifferent
i
Mistake me not, I am not of that mind
To hate all woman kind;
Nor can you so my patience vex,
To make my Muse blaspheme your sex,
Nor with my Satyrs bite you; 5
Though there are some in your free-State,
Some things in you, who're Candidate,
That he who is, or loves himself, must hate;
Yet I'll not therefore slight you.
For I'm a Schismatick in Love, 10
And what makes most abhorr it,
In me does more affection move,
And I love the better for it.

70
 2
I vow, I am so fair from loving none,
That I love every one; 15
If fair I must, if brown she be,
She's lovely, and for Sympathy,
'Cause we're alike, I love her;
If tall, she's proper; and if short,
She's humble and I love her for't; 20
Small's pretty, fat is pleasant, every sort
Some graceful good discover;
If young, she's ply ant to the sport;
And if her visage carry
Gray hairs and wrinkles, yet I'll court, 25
And so turn Antiquary.

3
Be her hair red, be her lips gray or blew,
Or any other hue,
Or has she but the ruins of a nose,
Or but eye-sockets, Fie love those; 30
Though skales, not skin, does clothe her,
Though from her lungs, the sent that comes
Does rowt her teeth out of their gums;
I'll count all these for high Encomiums,
Nor will I therefore loath her. 35
There are no rules for beauty, but
'Tis as our fancies make it:
Be you but kind, I'll think you fair
And all for truth shall take it.

SONG III

The Resolve
i
Tell me not of a face that's fair,
Nor lip and cheek that's red,
Nor of the tresses of her hair,
Nor curies in order laid;
Nor of a rare seraphick voice, 5

71
 That like an Angel sings;
Though if I were to take my choice,
I would have all these things.
But if that thou wilt have me love
And it must be a she, 10
The only argument can move
Is, that she will love me.

2
The glories of your Ladies be
But Metaphors of things;
And but resemble what we see 15
Each common object brings.
Roses out-red their lips and cheeks,
Lillies their whitenesse stain:
What fool is he that shadows seeks
And may the substance gain? 20
Then if thou'It have me love a Lass
Let it be one that's kind,
Else I'm a servant to the glass
That's with Canary lin'd.

SONG IV

The Wary Woer

i
Faith, you're mistaken, I'le not love
That face that frowns on me,
Though it be handsom, 't shall not move
My center'd soul that's fair above
The magick of a paint, 5
That on a Devil writes a Saint:
I hate your pictures and imagery.
I'm no Iove-Sw0w, nor will tamely now
Lie swadled in the trenches of your brow.

2
Though you are witty what care I? 10
My danger is the more;
Nay should you boast of honesty

72
 Woman gives all those names the Lie:
In all you hardly can
Write after that fair copy, Man; 15
And dable in the steps we've gone before.
We you admire, as we do parots all,
Not speaking well, but that they speak at all.

3
That Lass mine armes desire t'enfold,
Born in the golden age, 20
Guarded with Angels, but of Gold;
She that's in such a showre enroll'd
May tempt a Jove to be
Guilty of Loves Idolatry,
And make a pleasure of an Hermitage; 25
Though their teeth are not, if their necks wear pearl
A Kichin wench is consort for an Earl.

'Tis money makes the man, you say,

'T shall make the Woman too;
When both are clad in like aray 30
December rivals youthful May:
This rules the World, and this
Perfection of both sexes is;
This Flora made a Goddess, so 'twill you:
This makes us laugh, this makes us drink and sing; 35
This makes the beggar trample o're his King.

SONG V

The Counsel
i
Why's my friend so melancholy?
Prethee why so sad, why so sad?
Beauty's vain, and Love's a folly,
Wealth and women make men mad.
To him that has a heart that's jolly 5
Nothing's grievous, Nothing's sad.
Come, cheer up my Lad.

73
 2
Does thy mistresse seem to fly thee?
Prethee don't repine, don't repine:
If at first she does deny thee 10
Of her love, deny her thine;
She shews her coynesse but to try thee,
And will triumph if thou pine.
Drown thy thoughts in wine.

3
Try again, and don't give over, 15
Ply her, she's thine own, she's thine own;
Cowardise undoes a Lover.
They are Tyrants if you moan;
If not thy self, nor love can move her,
But she'l slight thee and be gone: 20
Let her then alone.

4
If thy courtship can't invite her,
Nor to condescend, nor to bend;
Thy only wisdom is to slight her,
And her beauty discommend. 25
Such a nicenesse will requite her;
Yet if thy Love will not end,
Love thy self and friend.

SONG VI

To his Mistress
i
Lady you'l wonder when you see
With those bright twins of eyes,
These ragged lines that crawle from me,
And note the contrarietie
That both in them and in their Authour lyes. 5

74
 2
I that came hither with a breast
Coated with Male about;
Proof 'gainst your beauty, and the rest,
And had no room for Love to nest,
Where reason lodgd within, and love kept out. 10

3
My thoughts turn'd, like the needle, about,
Touch'd by Magnetick love:
And fain would find some North-pole out,
But waver'd 'twixt desire and doubt;
Till now they're fixt, and point to you above. 15

4
Lend me one ray, and do but shine
Upon my verse, and me;
Your beauty can enrich a line,
And so you'l make 'um yours, not mine;
Since ther's no Helicon like love and thee. 20

SONG VII

To his Mistress
1
Why dost thou frown, my dear, on me?
Come change that angry face.
What though I kist that Prodigie,
And did her ugly limbs embrace?
'Twas only 'cause thou wert in place. 5

2
Had I suckd poyson from her breath,
One kiss could set me free:
Thy lip's an Antidote 'gainst Death;
Nor would I ever wish to be
Cur'd of a sickness but by thee. 10

75
 3

The little birds for dirt repair

Down from the purer skie,
And shall not I kiss foul and fair?
Wilt thou give Birds more pow'r than I?
Fye, 'tis a scrupulous nicety. 15

When all the World I've rang'd about,

All beauties else to spy,
And, at the last, can find none out,
Equal to thee in beauty; I
Will make thee my sole Deity. 20

SONG VIII

The hard Heart

i
Still so hard-hearted? what may be
The sin thou hast committed?
That now the angry Deity
Has to a Rock congealed thee,
And thus thy hardnesse fitted? 5
To make one act both sin and curse,
And plague thy hardness with a worse.

2
Till thee there never was but one
Was to a Rock translated,
PoorNiobe that weeping stone: 10
She ever did, thou ne're dost moan,
Nor is thy scorn abated.
The tears I send to thee are grown
Of that same nature, and turn stone.

3
Yet I, dear Rock, must worship thee, 15
Love works this superstition,
And justifies th'Idolatry

76
 That's shown to such a stone as thee,
Where it foreruns fruition.
Thou'it so magnetick, that I can 20
No more leave thee than to be Man.

But thou, I warrant thee, do'st suppose

This new design will slay me,
And ravel out my life with woes
Till death, at last, mine eyes shall close; 25
Then in thy breast thou'It lay me,
That all may read, lo here I ly
Tomb'd in thy heart, slain by thine eye.

5
But I, I vow, will be more wise,
And love with such discretion; 30
When I read coynesse in thy eyes,
I'll roab mine with like cruelties,
And kill with prepossession.
Then I'll turn stone, and so will be
An endless monument to thee. 35

SONG IX

Loves Anarchy
i
Love, I must tell thee, I'l no longer be
A Victime to thy beardless Deity:
Nor shall this heart of mine,
Now 'tis return'd,
Be offered at thy shrine, 5
Or at thine Altar burn'd.
Love, like Religion's made an aiery name,
To awe those souls whom want of wit makes tame.

2
There's no such thing as Quiver, Shafts or Bow,
Nor does Love wound, but men imagine so. 10
Or if it does perplex

77
 And grieve the mind,
'Tis the poor masculine sex:
Women no sorrows find.
'Tis not our persons, nor our parts, can move 'um, 15
Nor is't men's worth, but wealth, makes Ladies love 'um.

Reason henceforth, not love, shall be my guide,

My fellow-creatures shan't be Deified;
Fie now a rebel be,
And so pull down 20
That Distaff-Monarchy,
And Femáis fancy'd crown.
In these unbridled times who would not strive
To free his neck from all prerogative?

SONGX

The Libertine
i
Perswade me not, I vow F le love no more,
My heart has now ta'ne quarter;
My fetters F11 no more adore,
Nor madly run, as heretofore,
To break my freedoms Charter: 5
He, that once fails, may try again;
But who so often fool'd has been,
And still attempts, commits a triple sin:
He's his own humours Martyr.
I'll use my liberty to run 10
Abroad, and still be choosing:
Who would confine himself to one
That has power of refusing?

2
The unconfined Bee, we see, has power,
To kiss and feel each 15
Nor is his pleasure limited
To th'ruines of one maidenhead,
Nor ty'd to ones embraces:

78
But having's will of one, he'l fly
Tanother, and there load his thigh. 20
Why should he have more priviledg than I?
Since both our amorous cases
Differ in this alone; his thighs,
When he abroad doth rome,
Loaden with spoyls return, but mine 25
Come weak and empty home.

The self same beauty that I've often sworn

Dwelt only in my dearest,
I see by other Ladies worn,
Whom the same Graces do adorn: 30
I like that face that's nearest.
This I salute, and walk with that;
With this I sing, with t'other chat,
I've none to Catechize me where? or what?
Nor will be ty'd t'a Querist. 35
Thus out of all, Pigmalion like,
My fancy limns a woman;
To her I freely sacrifice,
And rivald am by no man.

SONG XI

The Contrary
i
Nay prithee do, be coy and slight me,
I must love, though thou abhor it;
This pretty niceness does invite me:
S corne me, and I'll love thee for it.
That World of beauty that is in you, 5
I'll overcome like Alexander.
In amorous flames I can continue
Unsing'd, and prove a Salamander.

79
 2
Do not be won too soon I prethee,
But let me woe, whilst thou dost fly me. 10
Tis my delight to dally with thee,
I'll court thee still if thou'It deny me;
For there's no happiness but loving,
Enjoyment makes our pleasures flat.
Give me the heart that's alwayes moving, 15
And's not confind t'oneyow know what.

I've fresh supplies on all occasions,

Of thoughts, as Various as your face is,
No Directory for evasions,
Nor will I court by common-places. 20
My heart's with Antidotes provided,
Nor will I dye 'cause you frown on me;
I'm merry when I am derided,
When you laugh at me or upon me.

4
'Tis fancy that creates those pleasures 25
That have no being but conceited;
And when we come to dig those treasures,
We see our selves our selves have cheated:
But if th'art minded to destroy me,
Then love me much, and love me ever, 30
I'll love thee more, and that may slay me,
So I thy Martyr am, or never.

SONG XII

The Young Lover

i
Tush! never tell me, I'm too young
For loving, or too Green,
She stayes at least seven years too long
That's wedded at fourteen.
Age and Discretion fit 5

80
 Grave Matrons, whose desires and youths are past.
Love needs not, nor has wit.
They in whose youthful breast dwells nought but frost
Can only mourn the dayes, and joyes, they've lost.

2
Lambs bring forth Lambs, and Doves bring Doves 10
As soon as they'r begotten:
Then why should Ladies linger loves,
As if not ripe till rotten.
'Tis envious age perswades
This tedious heresy for men to woe 15
Stale Nimphs and Vestal maids,
While they in modesty must answer No.
Late Love, like late Repentance, seldom's true.

Gray hairs are fitter for the Grave

Than for the bridal bed; 20
What pleasure can a lover have
In a whither'd Maidenhead?
Dry bones and rotten limbs
Make Hymens Temple turn an Hospital:
Age all our beauty dimms. 25
Though Lands must not till one and twenty fall,
The laws to love prescribe no time at all.

4
Nature's exalted in our time;
And what our Grandames then
At four and twenty scarce could climbe, 30
We can arrive at ten.
Youth of it self doth bring us
Provocatives within, and we do scorn
Love-powders and Eringoes.
Cupid himself s a child, and 'twill be sworn, 35
Lovers like poets, are not made, but born.

81
 SONG XIII

To his Mistress
i
My Theodora, can those eyes
From whence such glories shine
Give light to every soul that pryes,
And only be obscur'd to mine,
Who willingly my heart resigne, 5
Enflam'd by you, to be your sacrifice?

2
Send out one beam t'enrich my soul,
And chase this gloomy shade,
That does in clouds about me roul,
And in my breast a hell has made; 10
Where fire still burns, still flames invade.
And yet lights pow'r and comfort both controul.

Then, out of gratitude, I'll send

Some of my flames to thee,
Thus lovingly our gifts we'll blend; 15
And both in joyes shall wealthy be:
And love, though blind, shall learn to see,
Since you an eye to him and me can lend.

SONG XIV

To a Widow
i
Nay, dry (for shame) those blubber'd eyes,
And cease to sigh that breath away,
Fates are not mov'd with tears and cryes,
Nor formal sighs as vain as they.
Joyes are not joyes, that alwaies stay, 5
And constant pleasures don't delight but cloy.

82
 2
Though he be gone, that was your dear,
Must you for ever mourne and pine?
The Sun that's buried the last Year,
Does now in newer glory shine. 10
Your Nuptial joyes and pleasures be
Not dead, but only inherited by me.

3
Hymen s an Artist, and can do
The next time better then before,
Giants great heights can reach unto, 15
But on their shoulders dwarfs reach more.
Men more refin'd do dayly grow,
The nearer to Divinity they go.

4
Then don't (my dear) thy heart confine,
To one whose being's past away, 20
And make me with desires to pine,
Whilst he must glut, that can't injoy.
Love's stifled, when it is confind,
To this or that; its object is mankind.

SONG XV

To his Friend that had vow'd Small-Bear

i
Leave off fond Hermite, leave thy vow,
And fall again to drinking
That beautie that wont sack allow,
Is hardly worth thy thinking,
Dry love or small can never hold, 5
And without Bacchus Venus soon grows cold.

2
Doest think by turning Anchorite,
Or a dull small-Bear sinner,
Thy cold embraces can invite,

83
 Or sprightless Courtship win her? 10
No, 'tis Canary that inspires,
'Tis Sack, like Oyle, gives Flames to am'rous Fiers.

3
This makes thee chant thy Mistresse name,
And to the heav'ns to raise her;
And range this universal frame 15
For Epithets to praise her.
Low liquours render brains unwitty,
And ne're provoke to love, but move to pity.

4
Then be thy self, and take thy Glasse,
Leave off this dry Devotion, 20
Thou must like Neptune court thy lass,
Wallowing in Nectars Ocean,
Let's offer at each Ladies shrine,
A full crown'd bowl, first here's a health to thine.

SONG XVI

On Claret
i
Within this bottle's to be seen,
A scarlet liquor that has been
Born of the royal vine;
We but nick name it when we call
It Gods drink, who drink none at all, 5
No higher name then Wine.

2
'Tis Ladies liquor: here one might
Feast both his eye and appetite,
With beauty and with tast,
Cherries and Roses which you seek 10
Upon your Mistress lip and cheek
Are here together plac't.

84
 3
Physitians may prescribe their whey
To purge our Reins and Brains away,
And clarify the Blood; 15
That cures one sicknesse with another,
This routs by wholesale altogether,
And drowns them in a flood.

4
This Poets makes, else how could I,
Thus ramble into Poetrie, 20
Nay and write Sonnets too;
If there's such pow'r in junior wines,
To make one venture upon lines
What could Canary do?

5
Then squeze the vessels bowels out 25
And deal it faithfully about,
Crown each hand with a brimmer;
Since we're to pass through this red sea,
Our noses shall our Pilots be
And every soul a swimmer. 30

SONG XVII

A Mock Song
i
'Tis true, I never was in love:
But now I mean to be,
For there's no art
Can shield a heart
From loves Supremacie. 5

2
Though in my nonage I have seen
A world of taking faces;
I had not age nor wit to ken
There several hidden graces.

85
 3
Those vertues which though thinly set, 10
In others are admired,
In thee are altogether met,
Which make thee so desired.

4
That though I never was in Love
Nor never meant to be, 15
Thy self and parts
Above my arts
Have drawn my heart to thee.

SONG XVIII

Reasons of Love
i
Prethee, why dost thou love me so?
Or is it but in show?
What is there that your thoughts can pick about me?
If beauty in my face you view,
'Twas ne're writ there unlesse by you, 5
I little find within, nor you without me.

2
I han't the Rhetorick of the foot,
Nor leane long leg to boot,
Nor can I court with congees, trips, and dances;
I seldom sing, or if I do, 10
You'll scarce tell where I sing or no,
I can't endure Love-stories and Romances.

3
I neither know, nor love to play
And fool my time away;
Nor talk in Dialects to please your fancy: 15
Nor carve the Capon or the Quaile
But hew it through from head to tail,
A complement to me is Negromancy.

86
 4

I boast not of a pedigree,

That Lords or Lordlings be, 20
Nor do I lace my name with Grandsires story,
Nor will I take the pains to look
For a fools-coat i'th' Heralds book,
My fame's mine own, no monumental glory.

5
I am not fashion'd of the mode, 25
Nor rant i'th' Gallants rode,
Nor in my habit do observe decorum;
Perfumes shall not my breath bely,
Nor clothes my body glorifie,
They shall derive their honour, 'cause I wore 'um. 30

6
No frizling nor scarce locks, and yet
Perhaps more hair then wit:
Nor shall Sweet-powders vanity delight you;
Though my hair's little, F le not carry
A wig for an Auxiliary. 35
If my locks can't, anothers shant invite you.

7
And which is worse, I cannot woe
With Gold as others do,
Nor bait your love with Lordships, Lands, and Towers;
Just so much money I have by, 40
As serves to spoil my poetry,
Not to expose me to the higher powers.

8
Nay you shan't make a fool of me,
Though I no Statist be,
Nor shall I be so valliant to fight for ye, 45
I han't the patience to court,
Nor did I e'er do't, but in sport;
I wont run mad for love, nor yet go marry.

87
 9
And yet I know some cause does move,
Though it be not pure love 50
'Tis for your honours sake that you affect me,
For well you know, she that's my Lass,
Is canoniz'd in every glass,
And her health's drunk, by all that do respect me.

10
Then love thou on, Tie tipple till 55
Both of us have our fill,
And so thy name shall never be forgotten;
I'll make UieeHellens fame survive,
Though she be dead and thou alive,
For though thou'it not so old, thy heart's as rotten. 60

SONG XIX

Epithalamy
i
Nay fie, Platonicks, still adoring,
The fond Chymaeras of your brain?
Still on that empty nothing poring?
And only follow what you faigne?
Live in your humour, 'tis a curse 5
So bad, 'twere pity wish a worse.
We'l banish such conceits as those,
Since he that has enjoyment, knows
More bliss then Plato could suppose.

2
Cashiered woers, whose low merit 10
Could ne're arrive at nuptial bliss,
Turn schismaticks in love, whose spirit
Would have none hit 'cause they do miss.
But those reproaches that they vent
Do only blaze their discontent; 15
Condemn'd mens words no truth can show,

88
 And Hunters when they prove too slow
Cry Hares are dry meat, let 'um go.

3
Th'inamour'd youth, whose flaming brest
Makes Goddesses and Angels all, 20
In's contemplation finds no rest,
For all his joyes are scepticall.
At his fruition flings away
His Claris and his Welladay
And gladly joynes to fill our Quire, 25
Who to such happinesse aspire
As all must envy or admire.

SONG XX

An Ode of Anacreon paraphrased

Beauties force
i
I wonder why dame Nature thus
Her various gifts dispences;
She every creature else but us
With arms, or armour fences.
The Bull with bended horns she arms, 5
With hoofs she guards the horse,
The hare can nimbly run from harms,
All know the Lyons force.

2
The Bird can danger fly on's wing,
She Fish with fins adornes, 10
The Cuckold too, that harmlesse thing,
His patience guards, and's horns.
And Men she valiant makes and wise,
To shun or baffle harmes;
But to poor Women she denies 15
Armour to give, or arms.

89
 3
Instead of all, this she does do;
Our Beauty she bestows,
Which serves for arms and armour too,
'Gainst all our pow'rful Foes. 20
And 'tis no matter, so she doth
Still beautious faces yield
Wee'l conquer sword and fire, for both
To beauty leave the field.

SONG XXI

Love s without Reason

i
'Tis not my Ladies face that makes me love her,
Though beauty there doth rest,
Enough t'inflame the breast
Of one, that never did discover
The glories of a face before; 5
But I that have seen thousands more
See nought in hers, but what in others are,
Only because I think she's fair, she's fair.

2
'Tis not her vertues, nor those vast perfections,
That crowd together in her, 10
Ingage my soul to win her,
For those are only brief Collections,
Of what's in man in folio writ;
Which by their imitative wit
Women like Apes and Children strive to do; 15
But we that have the substance slight the show.

3
'Tis not her birth, her friends, nor yet her treasure,
My freeborn soul can hold;
For chains are chains though gold;
Nor do I court her for my pleasure, 20
Nor for that old Moralitie

90
 Do I love her, 'cause she loves me;
For that's no love, but gratitude, and all
Loves that from fortunes rise, with fortunes fall.
4
If friends, or birth, created love within me, 25
Then Princes I'Id adore,
And only scorn the poor,
If vertue or good parts could win me,
Fid turne Platonick and ne're vex
My soul with difference of sex, 30
And he, that loves his Lady 'cause she's fair,
Delights his eye, so loves himself, not her.

5
Reason and Wisdom are to love high treason,
Nor can he truly love,
Whose flame's not fair above, 35
And far beyond his wit or reason,
Then ask no reason for my fires,
For infinite are my desires.
Something there is moves me to love, and I
Do know I love, but know not how, nor why. 40

SONG XXII

The Damoisel
i
Since Women are still,
By pretenders to skill,
Suppos'd to be sway'd by their will,
And not by their judgment nor reason,
Then it shall be mine, 5
To uphold the design,
In spite of the hits
Of the fellows call'd Wits
That jeere every thing that's in season.

91
 2
Though youthful I be, 10
And buxome to see,
And suppos'd to be frolick and free,
And ripe for the thing you wot on,
Fie not sacrifie'd be
To the Gingerbread he 15
Whose cloathes are in print
And his hair has butter in't
And his fancies and whimseys has got on.

3
For the Youth in their bud,
That do saile in th 20
Of their active and flaming blood,
Like furious undertakers,
Are fiery at first,
But have soon done their worst,
Then they shrink their heads in 25
And care not a pin
For the sport, nor yet the sportmakers.
4
But give me that he
That is threescore and three
And can neither hear, smell or see, 30
He will serve well enough for a cover;
He will tickle, and touch,
Though his strength be not much,
He can't do, but desire,
And that kindles his fire, 35
While he fathers the sports of a lover.

5
0 the tooth without peers!
And the silver hairs!
And the gouts, and the coughs of old years!
I would have such an one for the nones; 40
1 can Chronicles find,
In his limbs, and his mind,
While his face tells the story
Of memento mori
With an Almanack in his bones. 45

92
 SONG XXIII

A Dialogue
i
Amoret
O for the balmy curral of a lip!
Where I with kissing Chimistry may sip
Castalian quaffs of Nectar to delight me,
And every kiss may to a new invite me.
Oenophil
Give me a bowl wherein I'll tumble Bacchus, 5
To bath our souls, we'l drink 'till sack doth crack us.
Midas
But let my chests groan with the gilded oar,
Where having much is prologue unto more.
Oenophil
Who doats on beau tie, fancies but a toy.
Midas
Who Wine adores does overwhelme his joy. 10
Oenophil
And he that gapes for gaudy dirt or treasure,
Still feels desires, but no content nor pleasure.
Chorus
Then let's unite our desires, but let reason be our guide,
What in each is not found, in all swels like a tide.

2
Ámoret
A beautious face can a young fancy raise, 15
And mirtle glorifies, as well as Bayes.
Love, like the soul, informes the flesh that's stupid,
Nor can Apollo more inspire then Cupid.
Oenophil
Where full-fraught cups, with sprightly liquors flow, it
Unwraps your brain, and makes each wight a Poet. 20
Midas
Where boundless treasure raigns 'twil raise the soul,
And wit and love both conquer and controul.
Amoret
Still give me love, give me my lovely lasse.
Oenophil
I'll court no other mistresse, but the glass.

93
 Midas
But give me chink, nor love, nor wit shall plague us. 25
For Poe and Hippocrene both vail to Tagus.
Chorus
Then let's unite our desires, but let reason be our guide,
What in each is not found, in all swels like a tide.

SONG XXIV

To his Mistres affrighted in the wars

i
Come sigh no more, but kiss again,
These troubles shall never trouble me;
Your sighs are but wind, and your sorrows vain;
They'l never the sooner for us agree.
Let Canons keep roaring 5
And bullets still fly,
While I am adoring
Thee, my deity.
Hang this wealth! let money flee,
They cannot undo me, while I have thee. 10

2
I'll be thy Champion to defend
Thy person from all these dangers and harms;
No Army's so sure as a real friend,
Nor Castle defends like a lovers arms.
But if I can't daunt 'um, 15
By valour and might,
Your face shall enchant 'um,
For beauty can fight.
There's no armour can men free
From the naked pow'r of such beauties as thee. 20

3
I Venus serve, a fig for Mars,
Loves arrows may wound, but never kill me;
Me thinks there's no pleasure in bloody wars,
But I long to be wounded and taken by thee.
When our bullets are kisses, 25

94
 And our field is a bed,
And the top of our bliss is
A pure maidenhead,
Both will strive to lose the day,
And both shall be conquer'd, yet not run away. 30

SONG XXV

Upon the Cavaleers departing out of London

i
Now fare thee well London,
Thou next must be undone,
'Cause thou hast undone us before;
This cause and this tyrant,
Had never plaid this high rant 5
Were't not for thy argent and Or.

2
Now we must desert thee,
With the lines that begirt thee,
And the red-coated Saints domineer,
Who with liberty fool thee, 10
While a Monster doth rule thee,
And thou feelst what before thou didst fear.

3
Now justice and freedom
With the laws that did breed 'um,
Are sent to Jamaca for gold, 15
And those that upheld 'um,
Have power but seldom,
For justice is barter'd and sold.

4
Now the Christian Religion
Must seek a new Region, 20
And the old Saints give way to the new;
And we that are loyal
Vail to those that destroy all,
When the Christian gives place to the Jew.

95
 5
But this is our glory 25
In this wretched story,
Calamities fall on the best;
And those that destroy us
Do better employ us,
To sing till they are supprest. 30

SONG XXVI

On the fall of the prices of wine

i
Now our thanks to our powers above us,
And to him that above them doth sit,
Who to shew how intirely they love us,
Have found out the way
To repair the decay 5
Of the famished and foundered Wit,
And new drench the Poetical Tit.
Chorus
Welcome desired August to us
Thou Comfort and delight do'st give us,
Twas November did undo us, 10
But 'tis August does relieve us.

2
Give's a rowsing bear glass of Canary,
The half pint and thimble's our foe;
We will be no more tributary
To the Spaniards pride, 15
Nor make Vintners ride,
When we are not able to go,
Or dare not our faces to show.
Chorus, etc.

3
We defie now the Malter and Hopper,
Whose Pride would have made us surmise, 20
Our Helicon lay in his Copper;

96
 And He'l sell wit and art,
At three half pence a quart;
And with that he would make us so wise,
Tobe able to cheat the excise. 25
Chorus, etc.

4
Let us venture to take the Canaries,
And then wee'11 make sack of our own;
For he that those Islands carries,
Wins the Indies to boot,
And all Spain added to't; 30
The Turk and the Pope wee'l not own,
But rule the whole World alone.
Chorus, etc.

5
'Tis the means and the end of our study,
It does make our invention oreflow
While the channel of ale makes it muddy. 35
A Mayor or a Knight
By bunches may write,
If his theame be the grape, and by it
Be esteem'd a Divine and a wit.
Chorus, etc.

SONG XXVH

The Old Mans delight

By R.B.

1
Ho boy, hay boy,
Come come away boy,
And bring me my longing desire,
A Lass that is neat,
And can well do the feat, 5
When lusty young blood is on fire.

97
 2
Let her body be tall,
And her wast be small,
And her age not above eighteen,
Let her care for no bed, 10
But here let her spread
Her mantle upon the green.

3
Let her face be fare,
And her brests be bare,
And a voice let her have that can warble, 15
Let her belly be soft,
But to mount me aloft,
Let her bounding butocks be marble.

The Addition by A.B.

4
Let her have a cherry lip
Where I Nectar may sip; 20
Let her eyes be as black as a sloe;
Dangling locks I do love,
So that those hang above
Are the same with what growes below.

5
Oh such a bonny lass 25
May bring wonders to pass,
And make me grow younger and younger;
And when ere we do part,
She'l be mad at the heart
That F m able to tarry no longer. 30

98
 SONG XXVIII

A Dialogue translated
Q. What made Venus strike her Son?
A. 'Cause he lost his bow and quiver.
Q. Where is his bow and quiver gone?
A. To my Mistress without doubt.
Q.Prithee how came that about? 5
A. She did but ask, and he did give her;
For being blind, he easly ers,
And knew not his Mothers face from hers.
Chorus
Oh blame him not for what he did do;
Which of us all would not err so too? 10

SONG XXIX

Courtship
Out of Catullus
i
My Lesbia, let us live and love,
Let crabbed Age talk what it will,
The Sun when down returns above,
But we, once dead, must be so still.

2
Kiss me a thousand times, and then 5
Give me a hundred kisses more,
Now kiss a thousand times agen,
Then t'other hundred as before.

3
Come a third thousand, and to those
Another hundred kisses fix; 10
That done, to make the sweeter close,
Wee'l millions of kisses mix.

99
 4

And huddle them together so,

That we our selves shan't know how many,
And others can't their number know, 15
If we should envy'd be by any.

And then, when we have done all this,

That our pleasures may remain,
We'l continue on our bliss,
By unkissing all again. 20

6
Thus we'l love and thus we'l live,
While our posting minutes fly,
We'l have no time to vex or grieve,
But kiss and unkiss till we die.

SONG XXX

The Attempt
i
Why should I blush or be dismai'd,
To tell you I adore you?
Since Love's a pow'r, that can't be staid,
But must by all be once obey'd,
And you as well as those before you. 5
Your beauty hath enchain'd my mind,
O let me not then cruel find
You which are fair, and therefore should be kind.

2
Fair as the light, pure as the Ray,
That in the gray-ey'd morning 10
Leaps forth, and propagates a day,
Those glories which in others stray
Meet all in you for your adorning.
Since nature built that goodly frame,

100
 And Virtue has inspir'd the same, 15
Let love draw yours to meet my raging flame.

3
Joy of my soul, the only thing,
That's my delight and glory,
From you alone my love does spring,
If one love may another bring, 20
'Twill crown our happy story.
Those fires I burne withall are pure
And Noble, yet too strong t'endure;
'Twas you did wound, 'tis you that ought to cure.

SONG XXXI

To a Lady that turned her Cheek

i
And why this coyness, Lady mine?
What needs all this ado?
'Tis but a swap, my lips for thine,
A gentle touch and goe.
Nay let such kisses still be kept, 5
Let him that is deny'd
Your lip, and will your cheek accept,
Lye only by your side.

2
I hate to kiss your druggs and foiles,
'Tis flesh that I affect, 10
And you whose art your nature spoils,
I like not, but suspect.
Pray why's your mouth more shy then mine?
Am't I as sound as you're?
My lips let in as much good wine, 15
And send out words as pure.

3
Expect no courtship more from me,
Nor words, that you, and I
May in our judgments plainly see,

101
 Make but a ranting lie: 20
Leave these coy humours and be plain:
Deny, or else be free,
Look not for love, w'thout love again,
I'le kiss, if you'l kiss me.

SONG XXXII

Practick Love
i
Prithee Caelia tell me, why
Thou fool'st away thy precious howers,
Beauty fades, and youth doth fly,
There's no trust to futurity.
Time present's only in our powers. 5
She that her present joys doth defer,
Would love at the last, when none will love her,
And so proves her own Idolater.

2
Either love or say you will not,
For love or scorn's all one tome, 10
Diversion's pleasant, though it fill not;
Denialls vex us, but they kill not,
We're murder'd by credulity,
O 'tis a Tyranny still to invite,
The mind, and inrage it with faigned delight, 15
To raise and then baffle the appetite.

3
If you'Id let me be but quiet,
Not see your face, nor hear your name,
Though I can't conquer love, I'Id fly it,
For abscence, businesse, friends or dyet 20
Would quench or else divert my flame.
But you're so imperious grown, and so cruel,
'Cause you see that my heart is cumbustible you will
Not put out the fire, but still put in fuell.

102
 4
'Twas not your face, nor yet my eye, 25
That this devouring flame begot,
If either did alone, pray why
Did you not kill, and I not die
Then when we knew each other not?
'Twas their constellation was my undoing, 30
You by being beautious, and I by viewing
Paid in contribution to my own ruine.

5
Come then let's love now while we may,
And let me know what I may trust to,
Desires are murdred by delay, 35
Our youth and marrow will decay,
And Love, for want of use, will rust too.
This kissing and courting not any thing spels,
In spite of the stone the Platonist tells,
If it were not in order to something else. 40

SONG XXXIII

Translated out of French

i
Now I'm resolv'd to love no more,
But sleep by Night, and drink by day:
Your coynesse, Claris, pray give o're,
And turn your tempting eyes away.
From Ladies Fie withdraw my heart 5
And fix it only on the Quart.

2
I'll place no happiness of mine
A puling beauty still to court
And say she's glorious and divine,
The Vintner makes the better sport. 10
And when I say my Dear, my Heart,
I only mean it to the Quart.

103
 3
Love has no more prerogative,
To make me desperate courses take,
Nor me fan Hermitage shall drive, 15
Fie all my vowes to th'gobblet make
And if I wear a Capuchoone
It shall a Tankard be or none.

Added

4
'Tis Wine alone that cheers the soul,
But love and Ladies make us sad; 20
I'm merry when I court the bowl,
While he that courts the Madam's mad,
Then Ladies wonder not at me,
For you are coy, but wine is free.

SONG XXXIV

Translated out of French

i
Clymena still complains of me
And I of her complain too;
But would you know the cause, why we
This quarrel did attain to?
'Tis 'cause I am not true saies she, 5
And I say that again too.

2
I cannot choose but wonder why
This lovely toy doth blame me,
If my heart wears inconstancy;
It is but what became me. 10
Since she was fickle why not I?
I'm but as she did frame me.

104
 3
Time was I thought our flames of love,
Would burn for ever brighter;
But when she did so faithless prove, 15
I vow'd I would requite her,
I quickly did my flames remove,
And now for ever slight her.

SONG XXXV

To a painted Lady
i
Leave these deluding tricks and showes,
Be honest and down-right;
What Nature did to view expose,
Don't you keep out of sight.
The novice youth may chance admire, 5
Your dressings, paints and spells:
But we that are expert desire
Your sex for somewhat else.

2
In your adored face and hair,
What vertue could you find, 10
If Women were, like Angels fair
And every man were blind?
You need no pains or time to wast
To set your beauties forth,
With oyles, and paint and druggs, that cost 15
More then the face is worth.

3
Nature her self, her own work does
And hates all needless arts,
And all your artificial showes
Disgrace your Nat'ral parts. 20
You're flesh and blood and so are we,
Let flesh and blood alone,

105
To Love all compounds hateful be,
Give me the pure or none.

SONG XXXVI

To a coy Lady
i
I prithee leave this peevish fashion,
Don't desire to be high-priz'd,
Love's a Princely noble passion,
And doth scorne to be despis'd.
Though we say you're fair, you know, 5
We your beauty do bestow,
For our fancy makes you so.

2
Don't be proud 'cause we adore you,
We do't only for our pleasure,
And those parts in which you glory, 10
We by fancy weigh and measure.
When for Deities you go,
For Angels, or for Queens, pray know,
'Tis our fancy makes you so.

3
Don't suppose your Majesty 15
By Tyrannie's best signified,
And your Angellick natures be
Distinguish'd only by your pride.
Tyrants make Subjects rebells grow,
And pride makes Angels Dev'ls below, 20
And your pride may make you so.

106
 SONG XXXVII

The Recovery
i
How unconcerned I can now
Behold that face of thine!
The Graces and the dresses too
Which both conspir'd to make thee shine,
And made me think thou wert divine. 5
2
And yet me thinks thou'rt wondrous fair,
But I have no desires,
Those Glories in thy face that are,
Kindled not in my heart those fires,
For that remains, though this expires. 10

3
Nor was't my eyes that had such pow'r
To burn my self and you,
For then they'Id every thing devoure,
But I do several others view,
Unsing'd, and so don't think it true. 15

4
Nay both together could not do't,
Else we had dy'd e're this,
Without some higher pow'r to boot,
Which must rule both, if either miss,
All t'other to no purpose is. 20

5
It puzles my Phylosophy,
To find wherein consists
This pow'r of love, and tyranny,
Or in a Lovers eye, or brest
Be't where it will, there let it rest. 25

107
 SONG XXXVIII

Advice to Caelia
i
My lovely Caelia, while thou dost enjoy
Beauty and youth, be sure to use 'um,
And be not fickle, be not coy,
Thy self or Lovers to destroy.
Since all those Lillies and those Roses, 5
Which Lovers find, or love supposes,
To flourish in thy face,
Will tarry but a little space;
And youth and beauty are but only lent
To you by nature, with this good intent 10
You should enjoy, but not abuse 'um,
And when enjoyments may be had, not fondly to refuse 'um.

2
Let lovers flatt'ry ne're prevail with thee;
Nor their oyl'd complements deceive thee,
Their vows and protestations be 15
Too often meer Hypocrisie.
And those high praises of the witty
May all be costly, but not fit ye,
Or if it true should be
Now what thy lovers say of thee, 20
Sicknesse or age will quickly strip away
Those fading glories of thy youthful May,
And of thy graces all bereave thee,
Then those that thee ador'd before will slight thee, and so leave thee.

3
Then while thou'rt fair and young, be kind but wise, 25
Doat not, nor proudly use denying;
That tempting toy thy beauty lies
Not in thy face, but lovers eyes.
And he that doats on thee may smother
His love, i'th' beautie of another, 30
Or flying at all game
May quench, or else divert his flame.
His reason too may chance to interpose,
And love declines as fast as reason grows.

108
 There is a knack to find loves treasures; 35
Too young, too old, too nice, too free, too slow, destroy s your pleasures.

SONG XXXIX

The Mad Lover

I have been in love, and in debt, and in drink
This many and many a year;
And those three are plagues enough one would think
For one poor mortal to bear.
Twas drink made me fall into Love, 5
And Love made me run into debt,
And though I have strugled and strugled and strove,
I cannot get out of them yet.
There's nothing but money can cure me,
And rid me of all my pain. 10
'Twil pay all my debts,
And remove all my lets,
And my Mistris that cannot endure me,
Will love me, and love me again,
Then I'll fall to loving and drinking amain. 15

SONG XL

The Murmurer
i
Let's lay aside plotting and thinking,
And medling with matters of State,
Since we have the freedome of drinking,
'Tis a folly to scribble or prate.
The great ones have nothing to think on, 5
But how to make fools of the small;
We Cavaliers suffer and drink on,
And care not a louse for 'um all.

109
 2
We thought it was matter of danger
To be Rebels against our Prince; 10
But he that is not a meer stranger,
May see it is otherwise since.
Tis only the petty Delinquent
With whom the matter goes hard;
Where ever much boldness and Chink went, 15
There honour's bestow'd and reward.

3
To keep up a turbulent nature,
And fear neither God nor the King;
To be a significant Tray tor,
Is an advantageous thing. 20
But since it has ever been so,
And so it will ever be,
Let it end as it did begin, so
That it never do trouble me.

SONG XLI

A Round
Sit round, sit round, leave musing and thinking,
Hang caring and working, let's fall to our drinking;
The works of our hands
Shall purchase no lands,
But in spight of all care wee'l be frolick; 5
He that does the glass skip,
May he die of the pip,
Or be lowsie that none shall endure him;
Or be plagu'd with the stone or the cholick,
And find ne'r a Surgeon to cure him. 10

110
 SONG XLII

The Cavalier
i
We have ventur'd our estates,
And our liberties and lives,
For our Master and his mates,
And been toss'd by cruel fates,
Where the rebellious Devil drives, 5
So that not one of ten survives.
We have laid all at stake
For his Majesty's sake,
We have fought, we have paid,
We've been sold and betray'd, 10
And tumbled from nation to nation,
But now those are thrown down
That usurped the Crown,
Our hopes were that we
All rewarded should be, 15
But we're paid with a Proclamation.

2
Now the times are turn'd about,
And the Rebels race is run:
That many headed beast, the Rout,
Who did turn the Father out 20
When they saw they were undon,
Were for bringing in the Son.
That phanatical crue
Which made us all rue,
Have got so much wealth, 25
By their plunder and stealth,
That they creep into profit and power:
And so come what will,
They'll be uppermost still;
And we that are low, 30
Shall still be kept so
While those domineer and devour.

Ill
 3
Yet we will be loyal still,
And serve without reward or hire,
To be redeem'd from so much ill, 35
May stay our stomacks, though not fill;
And if our patience do not tire,
We may in time have our desire.

SONG XLIII

A Wife
i
Since thou'rt condemn'd to wed a thing,
And that same thing must be a she;
And that same she to thee must cling
For term of life of her or thee;
I'll tell thee what this thing shall bee. 5

2
I would not have her virtuous,
For such a wife I ne'er did see;
And 'tis a madness to suppose
What never was, nor e'er shall bee;
To seem so is enough to thee. 10

3
Do not desire she should be wise,
Yet let her have a waggish wit;
No circumventing subtilties,
But pretty slights to please and hit,
And make us laugh at her, or it. 15

Nor must thou have one very just,

Lest she repay thee in thy kind;
And yet she must be true to trust;
Or if to sport she has a mind,
Let her be sure to keep thee blind. 20

112
 5
One part of valour let her have;
Not to return but suffer ill,
To her own passion be no slave
But to thy laws obedient still,
And unto thine submit her will. 25

6
Be thou content she have a tongue,
That's active so it be not lowd;
And so she be straight-limb'd and young,
Though not with beauty much endow'd,
No matter, so she be but proud. 30

7
Tir'd she should be, not satisfi'd,
But alwaies tempting thee for more,
So cunningly she been't espy'd.
Let her act all parts like a whore,
So she been't one, Fid ask no more. 35

8
But above all things, let her be
Short liv'd and rich, no strong-dock'á Jone,
That dares to live till fifty-three,
Find this wife, if thou must have one;
But there's no wife so good as none. 40

SONG XLIV

On the Queens Arrival

i
From the Lusitanian Shore,
Our triumphing Ships are come
Proudly with their royal lading,
Which Britain, that now truly's great, enjoys at home,
And needs no more abroad to rome, 5
But may now give over trading.

113
For we have that Jewel whose value is more,
Then all one India's Spice, or t'other India's Ore.

2
Katharina Queen of love!
England's joy and admiration! 10
Fit to be made a Spouse to Jove,
Spains terrour, yet their emulation;
The Portuguez riches, their glory and pride,
Who now are become but a rifled nation,
Such a coelestial consort to bring 15
To the embraces of Brittains King:
The world yields not so glorious a Bride,
Nor is there a Prince that merits the bliss
Of so great beauty, but so good a King as this.

3
Now let sea and land rejoyce, 20
Tagus yields us golden sands;
All that have feet, or hands, or voyce,
In these two united lands,
Lift them up, rejoyce and sing;
Blessed Queen and happy King! 25
Chorus
Long live Charles and Katharina !
To testifie our joy,
We sung Vive le Roy,
But now wee'l sing Vive le Roy et la Regina.

SONG XLV

A Friend
i
Fain would I find out a friend that is true;
That we may live freely together:
But men are grown false, and friends are but few,
And as fickle in mind as a feather.

114
 2

That man I suspect, who much zeal does pretend, 5

And will not our frailties connive at,
His looks and his words are both fram'd to his end,
While some underhand-cheat he does drive at.

3
He that still laughs in tune, and smiles in my face,
And appears very courteous and civil; 10
If I trust him but once, I shall find him as base
And perfidious as the Devil.

4
A man of a niggardly soul I despise,
His Avarice makes him slavish;
For he that his wealth more than honour doth prize, 15
Will not only be sordid but knavish.

He that soon grows rich from a beggerly life,

Is not for my conversation;
He's as proud as a Presbyter Parson's wife,
Or a new made corporation. 20

6
But he that is generous, jolly and wise,
Good natur'd and just to any one,
Such person I love and extol to the skies;
He shall be my friend and companion.

115
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 SECTION 2

SONG I

The Royalist
Written in 1646

1
Come, pass about the bowl to me,
A health to our distressed King;
Though we're in hold, let cups go free,
Birds in a cage may freely sing.
The ground does tipple healths apace, 5
When stormes do fall, and shall not we?
A sorrow dares not shew its face,
When we are ships and sack's the sea.

2
Pox on this grief, hang wealth, let's sing,
Shall's kill our selves for fear of death? 10
We'l live by th'aire which songs doth bring,
Our sighing does but wast our breath.
Then let us not be discontent,
Nor drink a glass the lesse of Wine;
In vain they'l think their plagues are spent, 15
When once they see we don't repine.

3
We do not suffer here alone,
Though we are beggar'd, so's the King,
'Tis sin t'have wealth, when he has none,
Tush! poverty's a Royal thing! 20
When we are larded well with drink,
Our heads shall turn as round as theirs,
Our feet shall rise, our bodies sink
Clean down the wind, like Caveliers.

117
 4

Fill this unnatural quart with sack, 25

Nature all vacuums doth decline,
Our selves will be a Zodiack,
And every mouth shall be a sign.
Me thinks the Travels of the glasse,
Are circular like Plato's year, 30
Where every thing is as it was;
Let's tipple round; and so 'tis here.

SONG II

The Commoners
Written in 1645. to the Club men

1
Come your wayes
Bonny Boyes
Of the Town,
For now is your time or never,
Shall your fears 5
Or your cares
Cast you down?
Hang your wealth
And your health,
Get renown, 10
We all are undone for ever.
Now the King and the crown
Are tumbling down,
And the realm doth groan with disasters,
And the scum of the land, 15
Are the men that command,
And our slaves are become our masters.

Now our lives

Children, wives
And Estate, 20
Are a prey to the lust and plunder,
To the rage

118
 Of our age.
And the fate
Of our land 25
Is at hand,
Tis too late
To tread these Usurpers under.
First down goes the crown,
Then follows the gown, 30
Thus le veil 'd are we by the Roundhead,
While Church and State must
Feed their pride and their lust,
And the Kingdom and King confounded.

3
Shall we still 35
Suffer ill
And be dumb?
And let every Varlet undo us?
Shall we doubt
Of each Lowt, 40
That doth come,
With a voice
Like the noise
Of a Drum,
And a sword or a Buffe-coate to us? 45
Shall we lose our estates
By plunder and rates
To bedeck those proud upstarts that swagger?
Rather fight for your meat,
Which these Locusts do eat, 50
Now every man's a beggar.

119
 SONG III

The Pastorall
On the Kings death. Written in 1648

1
Where England's Damon us'd to keep,
In peace and awe, his flocks
Who fed, not fed upon, his sheep,
There Wolves and Tygres now do prey,
There Sheep are slain, and Goats do sway, 5
There raigns the subtle Fox
While the poor Lamkins weep.

2
The Laurell'd garland which before
Circled his brows about,
The spotlesse coat which once he wore, 10
The sheep-hook which he us'd to sway,
And pipe whereon he lov'd to play,
Are seiz'd on by the rout,
And must be us'd no more.

3
Poor Swain how thou lament'st to see 15
Thy flocks o're-rul'd by those
That serve thy Cattle all like thee,
Where hatefull vice usurps the Crown,
And Loyalty is trodden down;
Down skrip and sheephook goes, 20
When Foxes Shepheards be.

120
 SONG IV

A Mock-song
Hang up Mars
And his wars,
Give us drink,
We'l tiple my Lads together;
Those are slaves, 5
Fools and knaves,
That have chink,
And must pay,
For what they say,
Do, or think, 10
Good fellows accompt for neither;
Be we round, be we square,
We are happier than they're
Whose dignity works their ruine,
He that well the bowl rears, 15
Can baffle his cares,
And a fig for death, or undoing.

SONG V

The Trouper
i
Come, come, let us drink,
Tis in vain to think,
Like fools on grief or sadness;
Let our money fly
And our sorrows die, 5
All worldly care is madness;
But sack and good cheer
Will in spite of our fear,
Inspire our souls with gladness.

2
Let the greedy clowns 10
That do live, like hounds,
And know neither bound nor measure,

121
 Lament each loss,
For their wealth is their cross,
Whose delight is in their treasure, 15
But we that have none,
Will use theirs as our own,
And spend it at our pleasure.

3
Troul about the bowl,
The delight of my soul, 20
And to my hand commend it.
A fig for chink
'Twas made to buy drink,
Before that we go we'l end it;
When we've spent our store, 25
The land will yield us more,
And jovially we will spend it.

SONG VI

The Good-fellow
i
Stay, stay, shut the gate,
T'other quart, faith, it is not so late,
As you're thinking,
Those Stars which you see,
In this hemisphere be 5
But the studs in your cheeks by your drinking.
The sun's gone to tipple all night in the sea boyes,
Tomorrow he'l blush that he's paler then we boyes,
Drink wine, give him water, 'tis sack makes us the boyes.

2
Fill, fill up the glass, 10
To the next merry Lad let it passe,
Come away w'it;
Come set foot to foot,
And but give your mindes to't,
'Tis heretical six, that doth slay wit. 15
No helicon like to the juce of the Vine is,

122
ForPhaebus had never had wit, or diviness,
Had his face not bin bow-dy'd as thine, his, and mine is.

3
Drink, drink off your bowls,
We'l enrich both our heads and our soûles 20
With Canary,
A carbuncled face
Saves a tedious race,
For the Indies about us we carry.
Then hang up good faces, we'l drink till our noses, 25
Give freedom to speak what our fancy disposes;
Beneath whose protection is under the Roses.

4
This, this must go round,
Off w'your hats, till the pavement be crown'd
With yoor beavers. 30
A red-coated face
Frights a Sergeant at mace,
And the Constable trembles to shivers.
In state march our faces like those of the Quorum,
When the wenches fall down and the vulgar adore 'um, 35
And our noses, like Linkboyes, run shining before 'um.

An Addition by M.C. Esquire

5
Call, call, honest Will,
Hang a long and tedious bill,
It disgraces;
When our Rubies appear, 40
We justly may swear,
That the reckoning is true by our faces.
Let the Bar-boy go sleep, and the drawers leave roaring,
Our looks wil account without them, had we more in
When each pimple that rises will save a quart scoring. 45

123
 SONG VII

The Answer
By TJ.

1
Hold, Quaff no more,
But restore
(If ye can) what y'have lost by your Drinking,
Three Kingdoms and Crowns
With their Cities and Towns, 5
Whilest a King and his Progenie's sinking;
The Studs in your Cheeks have obscured his Star Boys,
Your Drink and Miscarriages in the late War, Boys,
Hath brought his Prerogative so to the Bar Boys.

2
Throw down the Glass, 10
He's an Ass
That extracts all his worth from Canary,
That Valour will shrink
Which is onely good in Drink,
'Twas the Cup made the Camp to miscarry; 15
You thought (in the World) there was no Power could tame ye,
You tippl'd and whor'd till the Foe overcame ye,
Cuds Nigs and Nere-stir-Sir, hath vanquish'd God Damme.

3
Fly from the Coast,
Or you are lost, 20
And the Water will run where the Drink went;
From hence ye must slink,
If you swear and have no Chink,
'Tis the Curse of a royall Delinquent;
You love to see Beer-bowls turn'd over the thumb well, 25
You like three fair Gamesters, four Dice, and a Drum wel,
But y'had as live see the Devil as Fairfax or Cromwel.

4
Drink not the Round,
You'll be drown'd
In the source of your Sack and your Sonnets, 30

124
 Try once more your Fate,
For the Kirk against the State,
And go hartar your Beavers for Bonnets;
You see how you are charm'd by your female Enchanters,
And therefore Pack hence to Virginia for Planters, 35
For an Act and two Red-Coats can rout all the Ranters.

SONG VIII

The Answer
i
Stay, stay, prate no more,
Least thy brain, like thy purse run o'th' score
Though thou strain'st it,
Those are Traytors in grain
That of sack do complain, 5
And rail by 'ts own power against it.
Those Kingdoms and Crowns which your poetry pities,
Are fain by the pride and hypocrisy of Cities,
And not by those brains that love sack and good dities.
The King and his progeny had kept 'um from sinking, 10
Had they had no worse foes, then the Lads that love drinking,
We that tipple ha'no leisure for plotting or thinking.

2
He, he is an Asse
That doth throw down himself with a glass
Of Canary; 15
He that's quiet will think
Much the better of drink,
'Cause the cups made the camp to miscarry.
You whore though we tipple, and there my friend you lie,
Your sports did determine in the month before July, 20
There's less fraud in plain dam me, then your sly by my truly,
'Tis sack makes our bloods both the purer and warmer,
We need not your priest or the feminine charmer,
For a bowl of Canary's a whole suite of armour.

125
 3
Hold, hold, not so fast, 25
Tipple on, for there is no such hast
To be going;
We drowning may fear,
But your end will be there
Where there is neither swiming nor rowing. 30
We were Gamsters alike, and our stakes were both down boyes,
But Fortune did favour you being her own boyes,
And who would not venture a cast for a crown boyes?
Since we wear the right colours he the worst of our foes is,
That goes to traduce us and fondly supposes 35
That Cromwel is an enemy to sack and red noses.

4
Then, then quaff it round,
No deceit in a brimmer is found,
Here's no swearing,
Beer and Ale makes you prate 40
Of the Kirk and the State
Wanting other discourse worth the hearing.
This strumpets your Muses, to ballad or flatter
Or raile, and your betters with froth to bespatter,
And your talk's all diurnals and Gunpowder matter: 45
But we while old sack does divinely inspire us
Are active to do what our Rulers require us,
And attempt such exploits as the world shall admire us.

SONG IX

The Levellers rant

Written in 1648

1
To the Hall, to the/wz//,
For justice we call,
On the King and his pow'rful adherents and friends,
Who still have endeavoured, but we work their ends.
'Tis we will pull down what e're is above us, 5

126
And make them to fear us, that never did love us,
We'l level the proud and make every degree,
To our Royalty bow the knee,
'Tis no lesse then treason,
'Gainst freedom and Reason 10
For our brethren to be higher then we.

2
First the thing, call'd a King,
To judgment we bring,
And the spawn of the court, that were prouder then he,
And next the two Houses united shall be, 15
It does to the Romish religion enveagle,
For the State to be twoheaded like the spread-eagle.
We'l purge the superfluous members away,
They are too many Kings to sway,
And as we all teach, 20
'Tis our Liberties breach,
For the Freeborn Saints to obey.

3
Not a Claw, in the Law,
Shall keep us in aw;
We'l have no cushon-cuffers to tell us of hell, 25
For we are all gifted to do it as well,
'Tis freedom that we do hold forth to the Nation
To enjoy our fellow-creatures as at the creation;
The Carnal mens wives are for men of the spirit,
Their wealth is our own by merit, 30
For we that have right,
By the Law called Might,
Are the Saints that must judge and inherit.

127
 SONGX

The New-Courtier
Written in 1648

1
Since it must be so,
Then so let it go,
Let the Giddy-brain'd times turn round,
Since we have no King, let the goblet be crown'd,
Our Monarchy thus we'l recover; 5
While the pottles are weeping,
We'l drench our sad souls
In big-bellyed bowles,
Our sorrows in sack shall ly steeping,
And we'l drink till our eyes do run over. 10
And prove it by reason
That it can be no Treason
To drink and to sing
A mournival of healths to our new-crown'd King.

2
Let us all stand bare, 15
In the presence we are,
Let our noses like bonfires shine,
Instead of the Conduits, let the pottles run wine,
To perfect this new Coronation,
And we that are loyal, 20
In drink, shall be peers.
While that face, that wears
Pure Claret, lookes like the blood-royal
And out-stares the Bores of the Nation,
In sign of obedience, 25
Our oathes of allegiance
Beer-glasses shall be,
And he that tipples ten 's of the Nobility.

3
But if in this raign,
The Halberted train 30
Or the Constable should rebel,
And should make their twybill'd militia to swell,

128
 And against the Kings party raise armes,
Then the Drawers like Yeomen
Of the Guard, with quart-pots, 35
Shall fuddle the sotts,
While we make 'um both cuckolds and freemen,
And on their wives beat up alarums.
Thus as each health passes,
We'l tripple the glasses, 40
And hold it no sin,
To be loyal and drink in defence of our King.

SONG XI

The Safety

Written in 1648

Since it has been lately enacted high Treason,

For a man to speak truth of the heads of the state,
Let every wise man make use of his reason,
See and hear what he can, but take heed what he prate.
For the proverbs do learn us, 5
He that stay es from the battait sleeps in a whole skin,
And our words are our own, if we can keep 'um in,
What fools are we then, that to prattle begin
Of things that do not concern us?

2
Let the three kingdoms fall to one of the prime ones, 10
My mind is a Kingdom and shall be to me,
I could make it appear, if I had but the time once,
I'm as happy with one, as he can be with three,
If I could but injoy it.
He that's mounted on high, is a mark for the hate 15
And the envy of every pragmatical pate,
While he that creeps low, lives safe in his state,
And greatness doth scorne to anoy it.

129
 3
I am never the better which side gets the battel,
The Tubs or the Crosses what is it to me? 20
They'l never increase my goods or my cattle,
But a beggar's a beggar and so he shall be,
Unless he turn Tray tor.
Let Misers take courses to heap up their treasure,
Whose lust has no limits, whose mind has no measure, 25
Let me be but quiet and take a little pleasure,
And little contents my nature.
4
My petition shall be that Canary be cheaper,
W'thout patent or custom or cursed excise;
That the Wits may have leave to drink deeper and deeper 30
And not be undone, while their heads they baptise
And in liquor do drench 'um.
If this were but granted, who would not desire,
To dub himself one ofAppollo's own quire?
We'l ring out the bells, when our noses are n o 35
And the quarts shall be the buckets to quench 'um.

5
I account him no wit, that is gifted at rayling,
And flirting at those that above him do sit,
While they do out wit him, with whipping and goaling,
Then his purse and his person both pay for his wit; 40
'Tis better to be drinking.
If sack were reform'd into Twelvepence a quart,
Fid study for money to merchandize for't,
And a friend that is true, we together will sport.
Not a word, but we'l pay them with thinking. 45

130
 SONG XII

The Companion
i
What need we take care for Platonical rules?
Or the precepts of Aristotle?
They that think to find learning in books are but fools,
True Philosophy lies in the bottle.
And a mind 5
That's confind
To the mode of the schooles,
Nere arrives at the height of a pottle.
Let the sages
Of our ages 10
Keep a talking
Of our walking,
Demurely, while we that are wiser,
Doe abhor all
That's moral 15
In Plato
And Cato
And Seneca talks like a Sizer.
Chorus
Then let full bow les on bowles be hurl'd,
That our jollity may be compléter, 20
For Man though he be but a very little world,
Must be drown'd, as well as the greater.

2
We'l drink till our cheeks are as starred as the skies,
Let the pale-coulour'd students flowt us,
And our noses, like Comets, set fire on our eyes, 25
Till we bear the whole heavens about us.
And if all
Make us fall,
Then our heels shall devise
What the stars are a doing without us. 30
Let Lilly
Go tell you
Of thunders
And wonders,
Let Astrologers all divine, 35

131
 And let Booker
Be a looker
Of our natures
In our features,
He'l find nothing but Claret in mine. 40
Chorus
Then let full bowles, etc.

SONG XIII

Copernicus
i
Let the bowl pass free
From him to thee
As it first came to me,
'Tis pity that we should confine it,
Having all either credit or coyn yet, 5
Let it e'ne take its course,
There's no stopping its force,
He that shuffles must inter-line it.

2
Lay aside your cares,
Of Shops and Wares, 10
And irrational fears,
Let each breast be as thoughtless as his'n is,
That from his bride newly ris'n is,
We'l banish each soul,
That comes here to condole, 15
Or is troubled with love or businesse.

3
The King we'l not name,
Nor a Lady t'enflame,
With desire to the game,
And into a dumpishnesse drive all, 20
Or make us run mad, and go wive all,
We'l have this whole night
Set apart for delight
And our mirth shall have no corrival.

132
 4
Then see that the Glass 25
Through its circuit do pass,
Till it come where it was,
And every nose has been within it,
Till he end it that first did begin it,
As Copernicus found, 30
That the Earth did turn round,
We will prove so does every thing in it.

SONG XIV

The Painters entertainment

i
This is the time, and this is the day
Design'd for mirth and sporting,
We'l turn October into May,
And make St. Lukes feast
As pleasant and long as the rest, 5
We'l in our own faces our colours display,
And hallow our yearly resorting.

Then let the bowles turn round round,

While in them our colours we mingle
To raise our dull souls from the ground, 10
Our arts and our pains are thus crown'd,
And happy are we
That in unity be,
'Tis a hell upon earth to be single.
Chorus
'Twas love at first that brought us hither, 15
And love shall keep us here together.

2
First to the Master of the feast,
This health is consecrated,
Thence to each sublimary guest,
Whose soul doth desire, 20
This Nectar to raise and inspire,

133
Till he with Apelles himself doth contest,
And his fancy is elevated.

Then let the bowles, etc.

Chorus
'Twas love, etc. 25

3
Lo how the air the earth and the seas,
Have all brought in their treasure,
To feast each sence with rarities,
Plump Bacchus brings wine,
And Ceres her dainties doth joyne, 30
The air with rare musick doth eccho and these
All club to create us pleasure.

Then let the bowles, etc.

Chorus
'Twas love, etc.
4
Now in our fancies we will suppose 35
The world in all its glory,
Imagine all delight that growes,
And pleasures that can
Fill up the vast soul of a man,
And glut the coy pallat, the eyes, ears and nose, 40
By the fancy presented before you.

Then let the bowles, etc.

Chorus
'Twas love, etc.

5
We'l use no pencil now but the bowl,
Let every artist know it, 45
In sack we will pourtray each soul,
Each health that is took
Will give us the livelyer look,
And who's he that dares our fancy controule,
When each Painter is turned a poet? 50

Then let the bowles, etc.

134
 Chorus
'Twas love, etc.

6
And though we cannot the day extend
Beyond its proper measure;
The night and it themselves shall blend, 55
We care not for night,
When our hearts and our heads are all light,
Nor the time, nor the company shall have an end,
Honest mirth of it self is a treasure.

Then let the bowles, etc. 60

Chorus
'Twas love, etc.

SONG XV

The Cure of Care

i
Why should we not laugh and be jolly?
Since now all the world is mad,
All lul'd in a dull melancholly;
He that wallows in store,
Is still gaping for more; 5
And that makes him as poor,
As that wretch that never any thing had.
How mad is the damn'd money-monger,
That to purchase to him and his heirs,
Growes shrivled with thirst and hunger? 10
While we that are bonny,
Buy sack for ready money,
And ne're trouble Scriv'ners nor Lawyers.

2
Those Gulls that by scraping and toyling,
Have s well 'd their Revenues so vast, 15
Get nothing by all their turmoyling,
But are marks for each tax,
While they load their own backs,

135
 With the heavier packs,
And lie down gall'd and weary at last, 20
While we that do trafick in Tipple,
Can baffle the gown and the sword,
Whose jawes are so hungry and gripple,
We ne're trouble our heads,
With indentures or deeds, 25
But our Wills are compris'd in a word.

3
Our money shall never endite us,
Nor drag us to Goldsmiths-hall,
Nor Pyrates nor storms can affright us,
We that have no estates, 30
Pay no taxes or rates,
But can sleep with open gates,
He that lies on the ground cannot fall,
We laugh at those fools whose endeavours
Do but fit 'um for prisons or 35
While we that spend all are the savers,
For if thieves do steal in,
They go out empty agin,
Nay the Plunderers lose their designes.

4
Then let's not take care for to morrow, 40
But tipple and laugh while we may,
To wash from our hearts all sorrow;
Those Cormorants which
Are troubled with an itch,
To be mighty and 45
Do but toy le for the wealth which they borrow.
The Mayor of the Town with his ruff on,
What a pox is he better then we?
He must vail to the men with the buff on;
He Custard may eat, 50
And such luberly meat,
But we drink and are merrier then he.

136
 SONG XVI

Content
Out of Anacreon
i
If wealth could keep a man alive,
Fid only study how to thrive,
That having got a mighty mass,
I might bribe the fates to let me passe.
But since we can't prolong our years, 5
Why spend we time in needless sighs and tears?
For since Destiny
Has decreed us to die,
And all must passe o're the old ferry,
Hang riches and cares, 10
Since we han't many years,
We'l have a short life and a merry.

2
Times keep their round, and destiny
Observes not where we laugh or cry,
And Fortune never does bestow, 15
A look on what we do below:
But men with equal swiftness run
To prey on others, or be prey'd upon,
Since we can take no course,
To be better or worse, 20
Let none be a melancholly thinker;
Let the Times the round go,
So the cups do so too,
Ne're blush at the name of a Drinker.

137
 SONG XVII

Mirth
Out of Anacreon
When our brains well liquor'd are,
Then we charm asleep our care,
Then we accompt Machivile a fool with his plots,
And cry there's no depth, but the bottom o'th' pots,
Then Hector compar'd with us will be 5
But a coward, and C raes us beggarly.
Then with songs our voices we raise,
And circle our Temples with bayes,
Then Honour we account but a blast of Wind,
And trample all things in our mind. 10
The valiant at arms,
That are led by fond charms
Get their honour with harms
While he that takes up
A plentiful cup, 15
To no danger is brought
But of paying his groat.
Then quickly come Lad and fill our cups full,
For since down we must all be laid,
'Tis held a good rule 20
In Bacchus free-schole
'Tis better lie drunk then dead.

SONG XVIII

The Indépendants resolve

Written in 1648

1
Come drawer and fill us about some wine,
Let's merrily tipple the day's our own,
We'l have our delights, let the country go pine,
Let the King and his Kingdom groan.
The Crown is our own and so shall continue, 5

138
 We'l Monarchy baffle quite,
We'l drink off the Kingdomes revenue,
And sacrifice all to delight.
'Tis power that brings
Us all to be Kings 10
And we'l be all crown'd by our might.

2
A fig for divinity lectures and law,
And all that to Loyalty do pretend,
While we by the sword keep the Kingdom in awe,
Our power shall never have end. 15
The Church and the State we'l turn into liquor,
And spend a whole Town in a day,
We'l melt all their bodkins the quicker
Into sack, and drink them away.
We'l keep the demeans 20
And turn Bishops and Deans,
And over the Presbyter sway.

3
The nimble St. Patrick is sunk in his boggs,
And his Country men sadly cry O hone, O hone I
St. Andrew and's Kirk-men are lost in the foggs, 25
Now we are the Saints alone.
Thus on our Supérieurs and Equalls we trample,
And Jocky our stirrup shall hold,
The Cittie's our Mule for example,
That we may in plenty be roul'd. 30
Each delicate dish,
Shall but Eccho our wish
And our drink shall be cordial gold.

139
 SONG XIX

On Canary
i
Of all the rare juces,
That Bacchus or Caeres produces,
There's none that I can, nor dare I
Compare with the princely Canary.
For this is the thing 5
That a fancy infuses,
This first got a King,
And next the nine Muses,
'Twas this made old Poets so sprightly to sing,
And fill all the world with the glory and fame on't, 10
They Helicon call'd it and the Thespian spring,
But this was the drink, though they knew not the name on't.

2
Our Sider and Perry,
May make a man mad but not merry;
It makes people windmill-pated, 15
And with crackers sophisticated,
And your hopps, yest, and malt,
When they're mingled together,
Makes our fancies to halt,
Or reel any whether. 20
It stuffs up our brains with froth and with yest,
That if one would write but a verse for a Belman,
He must study till Christmas for an eight shilling jest,
These liquors won't raise, but drown, and o're-whelme man.

3
Our drousy Matheglin 25
Was only ordain'd to enveigle in,
The Novice that knowes not to drink yet,
But is fudled before he can think it;
And your Claret and White,
Have a Gunpowder fury, 30
They're of the French spright,
But they wont long endure you.
And your holiday Muscadine, Allegant and Tent,
Have only this property and verrue that's fit in't;

140
They'l make a man sleep till a preachment be spent, 35
But we neither can warm our blood nor our wit in't.

4
The Bagrag and Rhenish
You must with ingredients replenish;
'Tis a wine to please Ladies and toyes with
But not for a man to rejoyce with. 40
But 'tis Sack makes the sport,
And who gains but that flavour,
Though an Abbesse he court,
In his highshoes he'l have her.
'Tis this that advances the drinker and drawer, 45
Though the father came to Town in his hobnails and leather,
He turns it to velvet, and brings up an Heir,
In the Town in his chain, in the field with his feather.

SONG XX

The Leveller
i
Nay prethee don't fly me,
But sit thee down by me,
I cannot endure
A man that's demure.
Go hang up your worships and Sirs, 5
Your congies and trips,
With your legs, and your lips,
Your Madams and Lords,
And such finikin words,
With the complements you bring 10
That do spell NO-THING,
You may keep for the chains and the furs,
For at the beginning was no Peasant or Prince,
And 'twas policy made the distinction since.

2
Those Titles of honours 15
Do remain in the Donours,
And not in that thing,

141
 To which they do cling,
If his soul be too narrow to wear 'um;
No delight can I see 20
In that word call'd degree,
Honest Dick sounds as well
As a name of an ell,
That with titles doth swell
And sounds like a spell, 25
To affright mortal ears that hear 'um.
He that wears a brave soul, and dares gallantly do,
May be his own herald and Godfather too.
3
Why then should we doat on,
One with a fools coat on? 30
Whose Coffers are cram'd,
But yet he'l be dam'd
Ere he'l do a good act or a wise one?
What Reason has he
To be ruler o're me? 35
That's a Lord in his chest,
But in's head and his breast
Is empty and bare,
Or but puff'd up with air,
And can neither assist nor advise one. 40
Honour's but air, and proud flesh but dust is,
'Tis we Commons make Lords, and the Clerk makes the Justice.

4
But since men must be
Of a different degree,
Because most do aspire, 45
To be greater and higher,
Then the rest of their fellows and brothers,
He that has such a spirit,
Let him gain it by's merit,
Spend his brain, wealth, or blood 50
For his Countries good,
And make himself fit
By his valour or wit,
For things 'bove the reach of all others.
For honour's a prize, and who wins it may wear it, 55
If not, 'tis a badge and a burthen to bear it.

142
 5
For my part let me
Be but quiet and free,
Fie drink sack and obey,
And let great ones sway, 60
Who spend their whole time in thinking,
F le ne 're busy my pate
With secrets of State,
The news books I'le burn all,
And with the Diurnal 65
Light Tobacco, and admit
That they're so far fit,
As they serve good company and drinking.
All the name I desire is an honest Good-fellow,
And that man has no worth that wont sometimes be mellow. 70

SONG XXI

The Royalists Answer

i
I have reason to fly thee,
And not sit down by thee;
For I hate to behold,
One so sawcy and bold,
To deride and contemn his superiors; 5
Our Madams and Lords
And such mannerly words,
With the gestures that be
Fit for every degree,
Are things that we and you 10
Both claim as our due
From all those that are our inférieurs.
For from the beginning there were Princes we know,
'Tis you Levellers hate 'urn 'cause you can't be so.

2
All titles of honours 15
Were at first in the donours;
But being granted away

143
 With the grantee stay
Where he wear a small soul or a bigger.
There's a necessitie 20
That there should be degree.
Where 'tis due we'l afford
A Sir John, and my Lord,
Though Dick, Tom and Jack,
Will serve you and your pack, 25
Honest Dick's name enough for a Digger.
He that has a strong purse can all things be or do,
He is valiant and wise and religious too.

3
We have cause to adore,
That man that has store, 30
Though a Bore or a sot,
There's something to be got,
Though he be neither honest nor witty;
Make him high, let him rule,
He'l be playing the fool, 35
And transgresse, then we'l squeze
Him for fines and for fees.
And so we shall gain,
By the wants of his brain,
'Tis the fools-cap that maintains the Citty. 40
If honour be air, 'tis in common, and as fit,
For the fool and the clown, as for the champion or the wit.

4
Then why mayn't we be
Of different degree?
And each man aspire 45
To be greater and higher
Then his wiser or honester brother,
Since Fortune and Nature
Their favours do scatter;
This hath valour, that wit, 50
T'other wealth, nor is't fit
That one should have all,
For then what would befall
Him, that's born not to one nor to t'other?
Though honour were a prize at first, now 'tis a chattle 55
And as merchantable grown as your wares or your catle.

144
 5
Yet in this we agree,
To live quiet and free,
To drink sack and submit,
And not shew our wit 60
By our prating, but silence, and thinking;
Let the politick Jewes
Read Diurnalls and Newes,
And lard their discourse,
With a Comment that's worse; 65
That which pleaseth me best
Is a song or a Jest,
And my obedience I'll shew by my drinking.
He that drinks well, does sleep well, he that sleeps well doth think well,
He that thinks well, does do well, he that does well, must drink well.

SONG XXII

The safe Estate

i
How happy a man is he,
Whose soul is quiet and free,
And liveth content with his own!
That does not desire
To swell nor aspire, 5
To the coronet nor to the crown.
He doth sit and despise
Those Mushromes that rise,
But disturbs not his sleep,
At the quoil that they keep, 10
Both in Country and Town,
In the plain he sits safe,
And doth privately laugh,
At high thoughts that are tumbling down.

2
His heart and his head are at rest, 15
And he sleeps with a sorrowlesse brest,
That aspires not to sit at the helme,

145
The desires of his mind,
To's estate are confin'd,
And he lets not his brains to o'rewhelme. 20
He's for innocent sport,
And keeps off from the court,
And if sad thoughts arise,
He does only devise
With sack to repel 'um. 25
Though the times do turn round,
He doth stil keep his ground,
Both in a Republique and Realme.

3
He wears his own head and ears,
And he tipples in safety with's peers, 30
And harmelesly passeth his time,
If he meet with a crosse,
A full bowle he doth toss,
Nor his wealth, nor his wit are his crime.
He doth privately sit 35
With his friend clubbing wit,
And disburdning their breasts
Of some innocent jests
And no higher doth clime.
He smiles at the fate 40
Of those Courtiers of state,
That fall down 'cause their thoughts are sublime.
4
But Princes and Nobles are still,
Not tenants for life, but at will,
And the giddy-brain'd rout is their Lord, 45
He that's crowned to day,
A scepter to sway,
And by all is obey'd and ador'd,
Both he and his crown
In a trice are thrown down, 50
For an Act just and good,
If mis-understood
Or an ill-relish'd word,
While he that scorns pelf,
And enjoyes his own self, 55
Is secure from the Vote or the Sword.

146
 SONG XXIII

The fate
i
Th'Astrologers,
That trade in Starrs,
Tell me I have not long to live,
Yet do I cry,
Lo here am I 5
Let fortune still
Do what she will,
I'll neither care nor grieve.

2
Fortune I know,
Is still my foe, 10
And lets me not grow fat nor thrive,
But I, I vow,
Will never bow,
Nor doat and be
As blind as she, 15
But keep my self alive.

3
This I do know,
We all must go,
Though some go sooner, others later,
But why so fast? 20
There's no such hast
Some post are gone,
We'l but jogg on,
Bait first, and then walk after.

4
The clown and's beast 25
Make hast to rest,
But lords and courtiers sit up longer;
Before we part
Fill t'other quart,
Wash t'other eye, 30
And then we'1 try
Where death or man be stronger.

147
 5
In th'enterim,
Fill to the brim,
Travelling will make us weary, 35
Since th'journie's great,
And hurts our feet,
Bacchus shall be
A horse for me,
He's strong enough to carry. 40

SONG XXIV

The Polititian
Written in 1649

1
What madnesse is't for him that's wise
To be so much self-hating?
Himself and his to sacrifice,
By medling still with things too high,
That don't concern but gratifie, 5
His letchery of prating.
What is't to us who's in the ruling power?
While they protect, we're bound t'obey,
But longer not an hower.

2
Nature made all alike at first, 10
But men that fram'd this fidle
Of government made best and worst
And high and low, like various strings,
Each man his several ditty sings,
To tune this state down diddle. 15
In this grand wheel the world we're spokes made all,
But that it may still keep its round,
Some mount while others fall.

148
 3
The blinded Ruler that by night,
Sits with his host of Bill-men 20
With their chalk'd weapons, that affright
The wondring clown that haps to view
His worship and his Gowned crew,
As if they sate to Kill men;
Speak him but fair; he'l let you freely go. 25
And those that on the high rope dance,
Will do the same trick too.

4
I'll ne're admire that fatuous fire,
That is not what it seems,
For those, that now to us seem higher, 30
Like painted bubles blown i'th' air,
By boyes seem glorious and fair,
'Tis but in boyes esteems.
Rule of its self's a toyl and none would bear it
But that 'twixt pride and avarice 35
And close revenge they'l share it.

5
Since all the world is but a stage,
And every man a player,
They're fools that lives or states engage,
Let's act and juggle as others do, 40
Keep what's our own, get others too,
Play whiffler clown or Maior.
For he that sticks to what his heart calls just,
Becomes a sacrifice and prey
To the prosperous whirlegigs lust. 45

6
Each wise man first best loves himself,
Lives close, thinks and obeyes,
Makes not his soul a slave to's pelfe,
Nor idly squanders it away,
To cram their mawes that taxes lay, 50
On what he does, or sayes,
For those grand cords that man to man do twist
Now are not honesty and love
But self and interest.

149
 SONG XXV

The Prisoners
Written when O.C. attempted to be King

1
Come a brimmer (my bullies) drink whole ones or nothing,
Now healths have been voted down,
Tis sack that can heat us, we care not for cloathing,
A gallon's as warm as a gown,
'Cause the Parliament sees, 5
Nor the former nor these,
Could engage us to drink their health,
They Vote that we shall
Drink no healths at all
Nor to King nor to Common-wealth, 10
So that now we must venture to drink 'um by stealth.

2
But we've found out a way that's beyond all their thinking,
To keep up Good-fellowship still
We'l drink their destruction that would destroy drinking,
Let 'um Vote that a health if they will. 15
Those men that did fight,
And did pray day and night
For the Parliament and its attendant,
Did make all that busle,
The King out to jusle, 20
And bring in the Independent,
But now we all clearly see what was the end on't.

3
Now their Idol's thrown down with their sooterkin also,
About which they did make such a puther,
And though their contrivance made one King to fall so 25
We have drunk our selves into another.
And now (my Lads) we
May still Caveliers be,
In spite of Committes frown,
We will drink, and wee'l sing, 30
And each health to our King
Shall be Royally drunk in the crown,

150
 Which shall be the Standard in every Town.
4
Those politick would-bees do but shew themselves asses,
That other mens calling invade, 35
We only converse with pots and with glasses,
Let the Rulers alone with their trade.
The Lyon of the Tower,
Their estates does devour,
Without shewing law for't or reason, 40
Into prison we get,
For the crime called debt,
Where our Bodies and brains we do season,
And that is ne're taken for murther or treason. 44

5
Where our ditties still be give's more drink, give's more drink boyes,
Let those that are frugal take care,
Our Coalers and we will live by our chink boyes,
While our Créditeurs live by the air.
Here we lie at our ease,
And get craft and grease, 50
Till we've merrily spent all our store,
Then as drink brought us in,
'Twill redeem us agen,
We got in because we were poor,
And swear our selves out on the very same score. 55

SONG XXVI

Satisfaction
i
I have often heard men say,
That the Philosophers of old,
Though they were good and grave and gray,
Did various opinions hold,
And with idolatry adore 5
The Gods that themselves had made before,
And we that are fools do do no more.

151
 2
Every man desires what's good;
But wherein that good consists
Is not by any understood. 10
This sets on work both pens and fists,
For this condemns what that approves,
And this man doth hate, what that man loves,
And that's the grand wheel that discord moves.

3
This would valiant be, that wise, 15
That's for th'sea, and this for land,
All do judge upon surmise,
None do rightly understand,
These may be like, but are not that,
Something there is that all drive at, 20
But only they differ about the WHAT.

4
And from all these several ends
Springs diversity of action,
For every man his studies bends,
As opinion builds his faction. 25
Each man's his own God-smith, what he
Thinks good, is good to him, and we
First make, and then adore our deity.

5
A mind that's honest, pure and just,
A sociable life and free, 30
A friend that dares not break a trust,
Yet dares die if occasion be,
A heart that dictates to the tongue,
A soul that's innocent and strong,
That can, yet will not do any wrong: 35
He that has such a soul and a mind,
That is so blest and so inclind,
What all these do seek for, he does find.

152
 SONG XXVII

The Club
i
Prithee ben't so sad and serious,
Nothing's got by grief or care,
Melancholy's too imperious,
Where it comes 'twil domineer,
If thou hast a cloudy breast,
In which thy cares would build a nest,
Then drink good sack, 'twill make thee rest,
Where sorrows come not near.

2
Be it businesse, love, or sorrow,
That possesses thus thy mind, 10
Bid them come again to morrow,
We are now to mirth inclin'd,
Fill thy cup and drown them all,
Sorrows still do for liquor call,
We'l make this Bacchus festival 15
And cast our cares behind.

3
He that has a heart that's drowsy
Shall be surely banished hence;
We'l shun him as a man that's lowsy,
He's of dangerous consequence, 20
And he that's silent like a block,
Deserves to be made a laughing stock,
Let all good fellows shun that rock,
For fear they forfeit sence.
4

Still those clocks, let time attend us, 25

We'l not be to howers confind,
We'l banish all that may offend us,
Or disturb our mirth design'd,
Let the glasse still run its round
And each good-fellow keep his ground 30
And if there be any flincher found,
We'l have his soul new coyn'd.

153
 SONG XXVIII

The Prodigal
i
Nay perswade not, I've swore
We'l have one pottle more,
Though we run on the score,
And our credits do stretch for't,
To what end does a father, 5
Pine his body, or rather,
Damne his soul for to gather
Such store, but that he has this fetch for't,
That we sons should be high boyes,
And make it all fly boyes 10
And when he does dye boyes
Instead of a Sermon we'l sing him a catch for't.

2
Then hang the Dull wit
Of that white-liverd cit,
That goodfellows does hit 15
In teeth with a rednose,
May his nose look blew
Or any dreadfuller hue,
That may speak him untrue,
And disloyal unto the headnose, 20
'Tis the scarlet that graces,
And sets out our faces,
And that nature base is,
That esteems not a Coppernose more then a leadnose.

3
All the world keeps a round, 25
First our fathers abound
In wealth and buy ground,
And then leave it behind 'um,
We're straight put in black,
Where we mourne and drink sack, 30
And do t'other knack.
While they sleep in their graves we ne're mind 'um,
Thus we scatter the store,
As they rack'd it before

154
 And as for the poor, 35
We enrich them as fast as our fathers did grind 'urn.

SONG XXIX

The Antipolititian
i
Come leave thy care and love thy friend,
Live freely, don't dispair,
Of getting money there's no end,
And keeping it breeds care.
If thou hast money at thy need 5
Good Company and good wine,
His life, whose joy es on wealth do feed,
's not half so sweet as thine.

2
I can enjoy my self and friends,
W'thout design or fear, 10
Below their envy or base ends,
That Polititians are.
I neither toyle nor care nor grieve
To gather keep or loose;
With freedom and content I live, 15
And what's my own I use.

3
While men blown on with strong desires
Of riches or renown,
Though ne're so high, would still be higher,
So tumble headlong down. 20
For Princes smiles turne oft to frowns,
And favours fade each hower,
He that to day heaps Townes on Townes,
To morrow's clap't i'th' Tower.

4
All that we get by all our store, 25
's but honour or dominion,
The one's but trouble varnishd o're

155
 And t'others but opinion.
Fate rules the roast, Times alwayes change,
'Tis fancy builds all things, 30
How madly then our minds do range,
Since all we grasp hath wings.

5
Those empty terms of rich and poor,
Comparison hath fram'd,
He hath not much that covets more, 35
Want is but will nicknam'd.
If I can safely think and live,
And freely laugh or sing,
My wealth I'll not for Craesus's give,
Nor change lives with a King. 40

SONG XXX

The New Gentry

i
Enough for shame! leave off this fooling,
Prithee cring no more
Nor admire the illgotten store
Of the upstart Mushromes of our Nation
With blind and groundlesse adoration, 5
If thy nature still wants schooling,
As thou dost grow old grow wise,
For age can easily advise,
And make thee know
'Tis only such as thou 10
That bring and keep both fools and knaves in fashion.

2
We make each other proud and knavish,
For where ever we
Great abundance chance to see,
There we fling both power and honour 15
As if wealth were the only donour,
And our natures are so slavish,
That we tamely will submit,

156
 All our reason strength and wit,
And pay and pray 20
Great men in power, that they
Will take our Liberty and trample on her.

3
What is't makes all men so much covet,
Toy ling more and more,
To increase a needless store, 25
So violently tugg and hall for't
Ventering body soul and all for't?
The rich are flatter'd and they love it,
We obey their shalls and musts,
And to gratifie their lusts, 30
We madly strive
Who first our selves shall give
And all that is ours to them, if they'l but call for't.
4
If we did take no notice of them,
Like not, nor applaud 35
Their spoyles obtaind by force and fraud
But would live content and jolly
Laughing at their painful folly,
And would neither fear nor love them,
Underneath their loads, they'Id groan, 40
Or with shame would throw them down,
And live as free
From needles se cares as we,
Slight pompe and wealth, that makes men melancholly.

5
Pray what are all these gaudy bubbles 45
That so boast and rant,
Of what they think they have, but han't?
But men that had the luck of living,
And made other's fall their thriving,
Hailstones got in stormes of troubles, 50
That for valour are as fit
For Knights, as to be Squires for wit,
Inspir'd with pride,
Did what good men defi'd,
Grown great by Protean turning and conniving. 55

157
 6
That man that would have me adore him
With my heart, he must
Be noble, pow'rful, wise and just,
And improve his parts and power
To support not to devour, 60
Nor pride nor lust, must e're rule o're him.
Th'bugbeare greatnesse without this
An idle, empty pageant is,
He that doth rise
And is not good and wise, 65
I honour not, but pity and deplore him.

SONG XXXI

The Cheerful heart

i
What though these ill times do go cross to our will?
And fortune still frowns upon us?
Our hearts are our own, and they shall be so still,
A pin for the plagues they lay on us.
Let us take t'other cup, 5
To keep our hearts up,
And let it be purest Canary,
We'l ne're shrink or care,
For the crosses we bear,
Let 'um plague us untill they be weary. 10

2
What though we are made, both beggars and slaves,
Let us stoutly endure it and drink on't.
'Tis our comfort we suffer, 'cause we will not be knaves,
Our redemption will come e're we think on't.
We must flatter and fear 15
Those that over us are,
And make 'um believe that we love 'um,
When their tyrannie's past,
We will serve them at last,
As they serv'd those that have been above 'um. 20

158
 3
The Lévites do preach, for the goose and the pig,
To drink wine but at Christmas and Easter,
The Doctour doth labour our lives to new-trig,
And makes nature to fast, but we feast her,
The Lawyer doth bawle, 25
Out his lungs and his gaule,
For the Plantiff and for the Defendant;
At books the Scholar lies
Till by Flatus he dies,
With the ugly hard word at the end on't. 30

4
But here's to the man that delights in Sol fa,
'Tis sack is his only Rosin,
A load of heigh ho's are not worth a ha, ha,
He's the man for my money that draws in.
Come a pin for this Muck, 35
And a fig for ill Luck,
Tis better be blyth and frolick,
Then to sigh out our breath,
And invite our own death
By the Gout or the stone, and the cholick. 40

SONG XXXII

Made and Set Extempore

i
When our glasses flow with Wine,
And our souls with Sack are rais'd;
When we're jeer'd we do not repine;
Nor are proud when we are prais'd:
Tis Sack alone can raise our souls, 5
A pin for Christning drinking-bowles.

2
Let the Drawer raise our fancies,
With his wit-refining drink;
Hang your stories and Romances;

159
 Those are fit for them that think: 10
Let him love that has a mind,
We to drinking are inclin'd.

3
Wit and love, are th'only things
Which fill the thoughts of Kings and us;
Imagination makes us Kings, 15
And that's rais'd by doing thus.
Drink your Sack, let wit alone,
Wit by drinking best is shown.

SONG XXXHI

The Answer to the Curse against Ale

i
O gag for shame that strumpet muse!
Let not her Spanish tongue abuse
Our wholsome and Heroic English juice.

2
'Twas not this loyal liquor shut
Our Gates against our Soveraign, but 5
Strange drinks into one tub together put.

3
When Ale was drink Canonical,
There were no thieves, nor watch, nor wall,
Men neither stole, nor lack'd, for Ale was all.

4
That Poet ought be dry or dumb, 10
And to our brown-bowles never come,
Who drinking Ale, vents only dregs and scum.

5
Nor had that Souldier drunk enough,
For Ale both valour gives and buffe,
Makes men unkickable, and cudgel-proof. 15

160
 6
'Twas the meal not mealman was the cause,
The mill fell down, for one small clause
In one meal-act, hath overthrown our lawes.

7
The worth of Ale none can proclaim,
But by th'assistance of the same, 20
From it our Land derives its noblest name.

8
With this men were inspir'd, but not
As kickshaw brains are now (God wot)
Inspir'd, that is, run mad, none knowes with what.

9
How did our stout forefathers make, 25
All Antichristian Nations quake,
When they their Nutbrown bowles and bills did take!

10
What noble sparks old Ale did kindle!
But now strange drinks do make men dwindle,
And Pigmies get, scarce fit to sway a spindle. 30

11
This liquor makes the drinkers fight
Stoutly, while others stoutly write:
This both creates the Poet and the Knight.

12
This makes the drawer in his Gown
And chain to ride and rule the Town, 35
Whose orient Nose exemplifies his frown.

13
How reverently the burly Host
With basket hiked pot and tost,
Commands the bak't meats, and then rules the rost.

161
 14
But oh the Brewer bears the bell! 40
This makes him to such highnesse swell,
As none but Ale-inspir'd can think or tell.

15
Divert that curse then, or give o're,
Don Phillip can hurt Ale no more,
Then his Armado, England heretofore. 45

SONG XXXIV

The Reformation
i
Tell not me of Lords or La we s,
Rules or Reformation,
All that's done's not worth two strawes,
To the welfare of the Nation.
Men in power do rant it still, 5
And give no reason but their will,
For all their domination.
Or if they do an act that's just,
'Tis not because they would, but must,
To Gratifie some parties lust, 10
Or meerly for a fashion.

2
Our expence of blood and purse
Has produc'd no profit.
Men are still as bad or worse,
And will be what e're comes of it. 15
We've shuffled out, and shuffled in,
The persons, but retain the sin,
To make our game the surer,
Yet spite of all our pains and skill,
The knaves all in the pack are still, 20
And ever were and ever will,
Though something now demurer.

162
 3
And it cannot but be so,
Since those toys in fashion,
Are of souls so base and low, 25
And mere Bigots of the Nation,
Whose designs are power and wealth
At which by rapines, fraud and stealth
Audaciously they vent'r ye,
They lay their consciences aside, 30
And turn with every wind and tide,
Puff'd on by Ignorance and pride,
And all to look like Gentry.
4

Crimes are not punish'd 'cause they're crimes

But 'cause they'r low and little, 35
Mean men for mean faults in these times
Make satisfaction to a title;
While those in office and in power,
Boldly the underlings devour.
Our Cobweb lawes can't hold 'um. 40
They sell for many a Thousand crown,
Things which were never yet their own,
And this is law and custom grown,
'Cause those do judg that sold 'um.

5
Brothers still with Brothers brawl, 45
And for trifles sue 'um,
For two pronouns that spoil all,
Those contentious Meum, Tuum,
The wary lawyer buyes and builds,
While the Client sells his fields, 50
To sacrifice to's fury;
And when he thinks to obtain his right,
He's baffled off, or beaten quite,
By th'Judges will or Lawyers slight,
Or ignorance of the Jury. 55

6
See the trades-man how he thrives
With perpetual trouble,
How he cheats, and how he strives

163
 His Estate t'enlarge and double,
Extort, oppresse, grind and encroach, 60
To be a Squire, and keep a coach,
And to be one o'th' Quorum.
Who may with's brother worships sit,
And judge without law, fear or wit,
Poor petty thieves that nothing get, 65
And yet are brought before 'um.

7
And his way to get all this
Is mere dissimulation,
No factious lecture does he miss,
And scapes no schism that's in fashion. 70
But with short hair and shining shoes,
He with two pens, and's note-book goes,
And winks and writes at randome;
Thence with short meal and tedious Grace,
In a loud tone and publick place, 75
Sings Wisdoms hymns, that trot and pace,
As if Goliah scand 'um.

8
But when death begins his threats,
And his Conscience struggles,
To call to mind his former cheats, 80
Then at heav'n he turns his juggles.
And out of all's ill-gotten store,
He gives a dribling to the poor,
In a Hospital or a School-house,
And the suborned Priest for's hire, 85
Quite frees him from th'infernal fire
And places him i'th' Angels quire,
Thus these Jack-puddings fool us.

9
All he gets by's pains i'th' close,
Is that he dyed worth so much, 90
Which he on's doubtful seed bestows,
That neither care nor know much,
Then fortunes favorite his heir,
Bred base, and ignorant and bare,
Is blown up like a bubble, 95

164
 Who wondring at's own suddain rise,
By pride, simplicity and vice,
Falls to three sports, drink, drab and dice,
And makes all fly like stubble.

10
And the Church the other twin, 100
Whose mad zeal enrag'd us,
Is not purifi'd a pin,
By all those broyles in which she engag'd us,
We, our wives turn'd out of doors,
And took in Concubines and whores, 105
To make an alteration.
Our Pulpiteers are proud and bold,
They their own Wills and factions hold,
And sell salvation still for Gold,
And here's our Reformation. 110

11
'Tis a madness then to make
Thriving our employment,
And lucre love, for Lucres sake,
Since we've possession, not injoyment.
Let the times run on their course, 115
For opposition makes them worse,
We ne're shall better find 'um,
Let Grandees wealth and power engrosse,
And honour too, while we sit close,
And laugh and take our plenteous dose 120
Of sack and never mind 'um.

SONG XXXV

For the Generalls entertainment

i
Farewell all cares and fears, let Gladnesse come,
Let's all strive which shall most rejoyce,
No more the Trumpet, or the Thundring Drum,
Shall interrupt our peace with noise,
But all their Offices shall be 5

165
 Inherited by sprightly melody.
Th'inchanting Lute and the melodious Lyre,
With well-tun'd souls does make
A full harmonious Quire.

2
In vain do we our selves, our selves destroy, 10
In vain do English, English beat,
Contests are cruel, we must now wear joy,
And all in love, each other greet.
Our civil discords now shall cease,
And lose themselves in a desired peace. 15
All things by war are in a Chaos hurl'd,
But love alone first made,
And still preserves the World.

3
The Trophies of the Conquerours of old,
And all the spoils with which they'r crown'd, 20
Were all but types of what we do behold,
What they did seek for, we have found.
Here peace and plenty sweetly kist,
And both with loyalty and verrue twist,
Then let our joy rise high that all may share it, 25
Let wealth and honour meet desert,
He that wins Gold may wear it.

SONG XXXVI

On Sir G.B. his defeat

i
Pray why should any man complain,
Or why disturb his brest or brain,
At this new alteration?
Since that which has been done's no more,
Then what has oft been done before, 5
And that which will be done agen,
As long's there are ambitious men,
That strive for domination.

166
 2
In this mad age there's nothing firm,
All things have periods and their terme, 10
Their Rise and Declinations,
Those gaudy Nothings we admire,
Which get above, and shine like fire,
Are empty vapours, rais'd from th'ground,
Whose mock-shine past, they quickly down 15
Must fall like Exhalations.

3
But still we Commons must be made
A gald, a lame, thin, hackney jade,
And all by turnes will ride us,
This side and that, no matter which, 20
For both do ride with spur and switch,
Till we are tyr'd, and then at last,
We stumble, and our riders cast,
'Cause they'Id not feed nor guide us.
4
The insulting Clergy quite mistook, 25
In thinking Kingdoms past by book,
Or Crowns were got by prating;
Tis not the blackcoat, but the red
Has power to make, or be the head,
Nor is it words, or oaths, or tears, 30
But Muskets or full Bandoleers
Have power of Legislating.

5
The Lawyers must lay by their book,
And study Lambert more then Cook,
The sword's the learnedst pleader, 35
Reports and judgments will not do't,
But 'tis Dragoons, and Horse and foot,
Words are but wind, but blowes come home,
A stout tongu'd Lawyer's but a Mome,
Compar'd to a stout File-leader. 40

167
 6
Luck, wit or valour, rule all things,
They pull down and they set up Kings,
All lawes are in their bosome;
That side is always right that's strong,
And that that's beaten must be wrong, 45
And he that thinks it is not so,
Unlesse he's sure to beat 'um too,
Is but a fool t'oppose 'um.

7
Let them impose taxes or rates,
'Tis but on those that have estates, 50
Not such as I and thou are,
But it concerns those worldlings, which
Are left, or made, or else grow rich,
Such as have studied all their dayes,
The saving and the thriving wayes, 55
To be the mules of power.

8
If they reform the Church or State,
We'l ne're be troubled much thereat,
Let each man take's opinion,
If we don't like the Church you know, 60
Taverns are free and there we go,
And if every one would be
As cleerly unconcern'd as we,
They'd ne're fight for Dominion.

SONG XXXVII

Against Corrupted Sack

i
SACK! once my comfort and my dear delight,
Dull mortals quickning spirit;
Thou didst once give affections, wit, and might,
Thou mad'st the Lover and the Wight,
Thou mad'st one dye, and t'other fight, 5

168
Thou mad'st the Poet, who made both, and thou
Inspird'st our brains with genial fire till now
Th'hast justly lost thy honour
'Cause th'hast lost thy power and merit.

2
Now we depose thee from th'usurped throne, 10
Since thou'rt degenerate and disloyall;
Thou hast no proper father of thine own,
But art a bastard got by th'Town
By AEquivoke generation,
Thy Bawds, the Vintners do compound thee more, 15
Then F lav el or Bess e Beer ere drugg'd a whore,
Nor canst thou now inspire nor feed,
Nor cherish, but destroy all.

3
Oh where's that sprightly Poetry and Wit,
That should endure for ever? 20
Had Homer drank thy mixture, he had writ
Lines that would make the Reader spit,
Nor beyond puns would Pindar get,
Virgil ana Horace if inspir'd by thee,
Had writ but leud and pagan poetry, 25
Dull dropsy'd lines, or else as dry
And raging as a fever.

4
Treasons committed and contriv'd by thee,
Kingdoms and Kings subverted,
Tis thou makest Rulers fools and cowards bee, 30
And such as ought to bend the Knee
Madly invade the Soveraignty,
Thou throwst us on all actions, vile and fell,
First mak'st us do, and then thou mak'st us tell,
And whom we swore to serve, 35
By thee we basely have deserted.

5
Thou plague of bodies and th'unnatural Nurse
Of Sicknesse and Physitians,
Ruine of wit, and strength, and fame, and purse,
That hast destroy'd poor mortals worse 40

169
Then the great plague, or Merosh curse.
In fifty nine th'hast spilt more English blood
Then e're in eighty eight the Spaniard could
By his Armado, or can since destroy
By's inquisitions. 45

6
Hence from my veins, from my desires be gone,
I loath thee and defie thee,
I'le now find out a purer Helicon,
Which wits may safely feast upon,
And baffle thy hobgoblin Don. 50
And live to see thee and thy mungrel race
Contemn'd and rooted out of every place,
And those thou'st fool'd and wrong'd like me,
For ever ever fly thee.

SONG XXXVIII

The Lamentation
Written in 1648

1
Mourne, London, mourne,
Bathe thy polluted soul in tears;
Returne, returne,
Thou hast more cause of grief, then th'hadst for fears,
For the whole Kingdom now begins 5
To feel thy sorrows as they saw thy sins,
And now do no
Compassion show
Unto thy misery and wo,
But slight thy sufferings as thou didst theirs. 10

2
Pride, to wring pride,
And boy ling lust, those fatal twins,
Sit side by side,
And are become plantations of sins.
Hence thy Rebellions first did 15

170
Both to the King above, and him below.
And sordid sloth
The Nurse of both,
Have rais'd thy crimes to such a growth,
That sorrow must conclude as sin begins. 20

3
Fire, raging fire,
Shall burn thy stately towers down,
Yet not expire,
Tygres and Wolves, or men more savage grown,
Thy childrens brains, and thine shall dash, 25
And in your blood their guilty talions wash,
Thy Daughters must
Allay their lust,
Mischiefs will be on mischief thrust,
Till thy Cap tumble as thou mad'st the Crown. 30

4
Cry, London cry!
Now now petition for redresse,
Where canst thou fly?
Thy emptyed chests augment thy heavinesse,
The Gentry and the Commons loath, 35
Th'adored Houses slight thee worse then both,
The King poor saint,
Would help but can't;
To heav'n alone unfold thy want,
Thence came thy plagues, thence only pity 40

SONG XXXIX

The Riddle
Written in 1644

1
No more, no more,
We are already pin'd,
And sore and poor,
In body and in mind.

171
 And yet our sufferings have been 5
Les se then our sin.
Come long-desired peace we thee implore,
And let our pains be lesse, or power more.

2
Lament, Lament,
And let thy tears run down, 10
To see the rent
Between the Robe and Crown,
Yet both do strive to make it more
Then 'twas before,
War like a serpent has its head got in, 15
And will not end so soon as't did begin.

3
One body Jars,
And with its self does fight,
War meets with warrs
And might resisteth might. 20
And both sides say they love the King,
And peace will bring.
Yet since these fatal civill broyls begun,
Strange Riddle! both have conquer'd, neither won.
4
One God, one King, 25
One true Religion still,
In every thing
One Law both should fulfil,
All these both sides does still pretend
That they defend. 30
Yet to encrease the King and Kingdoms woes,
Which side soever wins, good subjects lose.

5
The King doth swear,
That he doth fight for them;
And they declare, 35
They do the like for him:
Both say they wish and fight for peace,
Yet wars increase.

172
So between both, before our wars be gone,
Our lives and goods are lost, and we're undone. 40
6
Since 'tis our curse,
To fight we know not why;
Tis worse and worse
The longer thus we ly.
For war it self is but a Nurse 45
To make us worse.
Come blessed peace we once again implore,
And let our pains be lesse, or power more.

SONG XL

On the Kings returne

i
Long have we waited for a happy End
Of all our miseries and strife;
But still in vain; the Swordmen did intend,
To make them hold for tearm of Life,
That our distempers might be made, 5
Their everlasting lively-hood and trade.
2
They entayle their Swords and Guns,
And pay, which wounded more,
Upon their Daughters and their Sons,
Thereby to keep us ever poor. 10

3
And when the Civil wars were past
They civil Government en vade,
To make our taxes, and our slavery last,
Both to their titles, and their trade.

4
But now we are redeem'd from all, 15
By our Indulgent King;

173
 Whose coming does prevent our fall,
With loyal and with joyful hearts we'l sing.
Chorus
Welcome, welcome royal May,
Welcome long desired Spring, 20
Many springs and Mays we've seen
Have brought forth what's gay and green.
But none is like this glorious day
Which brings forth our Gracious King.

SONG XLI

A Catch
Let's leave off our labour, and now let's go play,
For this is our time to be jolly;
Our plagues and our plaguers are both fled away,
To nourish our griefs is but folly.
He that won't drink and sing, 5
Is a Traytor to's King,
And so's he that does not look twenty years younger;
We'l look blith and trim,
With rejoycing at him
That is the restorer, and will be the Prolonger, 10
Of all our felicity and health,
The joy of our hearts, and increase of our wealth,
'Tis he brings our trading, our trading brings riches,
Our riches brings honors, at which every mind itches,
And our riches bring sack, and our sack brings us joy, 15
And our joy makes us leap, and sing Vive le Roy.

174
 SONG XLII

For General Monk his entertainment at

Cloath-workers Hall
i
Ring Bells! and let bone-fiers out blaze the sun!
Let ecchoes contribute their voice!
Since now a happy settlement's begun,
Let all things tell how all good men rejoyce.
If these sad Lands by this 5
Can but obtain the blisse
Of their desired, though abused peace;
We'l never never more
Run mad as we have heretofore
To buy our ruine; but all strife shall cease. 10

2
The Cobler shall édifie us no more,
Nor shall in divinity set any stiches,
The women we will no more hear and adore
That preach with their husbands for the breeches.
The Fanatical tribe 15
That will not subscribe,
To the orders of Church and of State,
Shall be smother'd with the zeal
Of their new common-weale
And no man will mind what they prate. 20
Chorus
We'l eat, and we'l drink, we'l dance and we'l sing,
The Roundheads and Cave's no more shall be nam'd;
But all joyn together to make up the ring,
And rejoyce that the many-headed dragon is tam'd.
'Tis friendship and love, that can save us and arme us, 25
And while we all agree, their is nothing can harme us.

175
 SONG XLIII

The Advice
i
He that a happy life would lead,
In these dayes of distraction,
Let him listen to me, and I will read
A lecture without faction.
Let him want three things, 5
Whence misery springs,
All which do begin with a letter;
Let him bound his desires,
With what nature requires,
And with reason his humours fetter. 10

2
Let not his Wealth prodigious grow,
For that breeds cares and dangers,
Makes him hated above and envyed below,
And a constant slave to strangers.
He is happiest of all, 15
Whose estate is but small,
Yet enough to delight and maintain him.
He may do, he may say,
Having nothing to pay,
It will not quit costs to arraign him. 20

3
Nor must he be clogg'd with a Wife,
For household cares incumber,
And do to one place confine a mans life,
'Cause he cant remove his lumber.
They're happiest by farr, 25
Who unwedded are,
And forrage on all in common,
From all storms they can fly,
And if they should dy,
They ruine nor child nor woman. 30

176
 4
Nor let his brains o'reflow with Wit,
That capers o're's discretion;
Tis costly to keep, and 'tis hard to get
And 'tis dangerous in the possession.
They are happiest men 35
Who can scarce tell ten,
And beat not their brains about reason,
They may speak what will serve,
Themselves to preserve,
And their words are ne're taken for treason. 40

5
But of all fools there is none like the Wit,
For he takes pains to shew it,
When his pride, or his drink work him into a fit,
Then straight he must be a Poet.
Then his Jests he 45
Both at States and at Kings,
For Applause and for Bayes and Shadowes,
Thinks a verse saves as well
As a circle or a spell,
'Till he rithmes himself to the Barbadoes. 50
6
He that within these bounds can live,
May baffle all disasters,
To Fortune and Fates commands he may give,
Which worldlings make their masters.
He may sing, he may laugh, 55
He may dance, he may quaffe,
May be mad, may be sad, may be jolly,
He may sleep without care,
And wake without fear
And laugh at the whole world, and its folly. 60

177
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 SECTION 3

1
The Satyr of Money
i
It is not the Silver or gold of its self,
That makes men adore it; but 'tis for its power:
For no man does dote upon pelf, because pelf,
But all court the Lady in hopes of her Dower.
The wonders that now in our day es we behold, 5
Done by th'irresistible power of Gold,
Our Love, and our Zeal, and Allegiance do mold.

2
This purchaseth Kingdoms, Kings, Scepters, and Crowns,
Wins Battles, and conquers the Conquerours bold;
Takes Bulwarks, and Castles, and Armies, and Towns, 10
Our prime Lawes are written in letters of Gold.
'Tis this that our Parliaments calls, and creates,
Turns Kings into Keepers, and Kingdoms to States,
And Peopledoms this into High-doms translates.

3
This plots doth devise, then discovers what th'are, 15
This makes the great felons the lesser condemn:
Sets those on the bench that should stand at the bar,
Who judge such as by right ought to execute them:
Gives the boystrous Clown his unsufférable pride,
Makes Beggars, and fools, and Usurpers to ride, 20
While ruin'd proprietors run by their side.

4
Stamp either the arms of the State, or the King,
St. George or the breeches, C.R. or O.P.
The Crosse and the fiddle 'tis all the same thing.
This still is the Queen who e're the King be. 25
This lines mens Religion, builds doctrines and truth,

179
With zeal, and the spirit, the factious endew'th,
To club with St. Katherine or sweet sister Ruth.

5
This made our black Senate to sit still so long,
To make themselves rich by making us poor; 30
This made our bold Army so daring, and strong,
And that made them drive 'um like Geese out of door.
'Twas this made the Covenant-makers to make it,
And this made our Lévites to make us to take it,
And this made both makers and takers forsake it. 35

6
This spawn'd the dunghil crew of Committes and 'Strators,
Who lived by picking their Parliaments Gums,
This made and then prospered Rebels and Traytors,
And made Gentry of those that were the Nations scums.
This Herald gives armes, not for merit but store, 40
Gives Coates unto such, as did sell coates before,
If their pockets be lin'd but with Argent and Oare.

7
'Tis this makes the Lawyer give judgment and plead,
On this side, or that side, on both sides or neither,
This makes Yeomen Clerks, that can scarce write or read, 45
And spawns arbitrary orders as various as the weather:
This makes the blew-lecturer pray, preach, and prate
Without reason or truth against King, church or State,
To shew the thin lyning of his twice-cover'd pate.

8
'Tis this that makes Earls, Lords, Knights, and Esquires, 50
Without breeding, discent, wit, learning or merit;
Makes Ropers and Ale-drapers Sheriffs of Shires,
Whose trade's not so low nor so base as their spirit:
This Justices makes, and wise ones we know,
Furr'd Aldermen likewise, and Mayors also, 55
Makes the old wife to trot, and makes the Mare go.

9
This makes the blew aprons write themselves worshipful,
And for this we stand bare and before 'um do fall;
They leave their young Heirs well fleeced with wool,

180
 Whom we're to call Squires, and they're to pay all, 60
Who with beggarly souls, though their bodies are gawdy,
Court the pale Chambermaid and nickname her a Lady,
And for want of discourse they do swear and talk baudy.

10
For money mens lives may be purchas'd and sold,
'Tis money breaks laws and that mends 'urn again; 65
Men venture their quiet and safety for gold,
When they wont stir a foot their rights to maintain.
This Doctors createth of Dunces, and those,
Commanders that use to pollute their hose,
This buys the spruce gallant his verse and his prose. 70

11
This marriages makes, 'tis the center of love,
It drawes on the man and it pricks up the woman;
Birth, virtue, and parts, no affection can move,
While this makes Lords bow to the brat of a Broom-man.
Gives verrue, and beauty to the lass that you woe, 75
Makes women of all sorts and ages to do;
'Tis the soul of the world, and the worlding too.

12
This horses procures you, and hawks, hounds and hares,
'Tis this keeps your Groom, and your Groom keeps your Gelding;
It buys Citizens wives as well as their wares, 80
And makes your coy Ladies so coming and yielding;
This buys us good sack, which revives like the spring,
This gives the poetical fancies their wing,
This makes you as merry as we that do sing.

181
 II
Upon a Sign-Post, set up by one Mr. Pecke
at Skoale in Norfolk
i
Did none of you hear,
Of a wonder last year,
That through all Norfolk did ring?
Of an Inn and an Host,
With a Sign and a post 5
That might hold (God bless us) the King?

2
The building is great
And very compleat,
But can't be compard to the signe;
But within doors, I think 10
's scarce a drop of good drink,
For Bacchus drinks all the best wine.

3
But here's the design,
What's amisse in the Wine,
By wenches shall be supply'd; 15
There's three on a row
Stands out for a show,
To draw in the Gallants that ride.

4
The first of the three,
Diana should be, 20
But she cuckolded poorActaeon,
And his head she adorns,
With such visible horns,
That he's fit for his hounds for to prey on.

5
'Tis unsafe we do find 25
To trust Women kind,
Since homing's a part of their trade;
Diana is plac't

182
 As a Goddesse that's chast,
YetActaeon a Monster she made. 30

6
The next wench doth stand,
With the scales in her hand
And is ready to come at your beck;
A new trick they've found,
To sell sack by the pound, 35
But 'twere better they'd sell't by the peck.

7
The last of the three
They say prudence must be
With the serpent and horn of plenty;
But plenty and wit 40
So seldom doth hit,
That they fall not to one in twenty.

8
But above these things all,
Stands a fellow that's small,
With a Quadrant discerning the wind, 45
And says hee's a fool
That travells from Skoale,
And leaves his good liquor behind.

9
Nere the top of the sign,
Stand three on a line, 50
One is Temperance, still powring out;
And Fortitude will
Drink what Temperance fill,
And fears not the stone or the gout.

10
The next to these three 55
You'l an Usurer see,
With a prodigal child in his mouth;
Tis Time (as some say)
And well so it may
For they be devourers both. 60

183
 11
The last that you stare on
Is old father Charon
Who's wafting a wench o're the ferry,
Where Cerberus do's stand
To watch where they land, 65
And together they go to be merry.

12
Now to see such a change
Is a thing that is strange
That one who as stories do tell us,
His money has lent 70
At fifty per cent
A Colledg should build for goodfellows.

13
But under this work
Do's a mistery lurk,
That shewes us the founders design, 75
He has chalk'd out the way
For Gallants to stray,
That their lands may be his in fine.

14
That's first an Ale-bench,
Next hounds then a wench, 80
With these three to roar and to revel;
Brings the prodigals lands,
To the Usurers hands
And his body and soul to the Devil.

15
Now if you would know 85
After all this adoe,
By what name this sign should be known,
Some call't this, and some that,
And some I know not what;
But 'tis many signs in one. 90

184
 16
'Tis a sign that who built it
Had more money then wit,
And more wealth then he got or can use,
'Tis a sign that all we
Have lesse wit then he 95
That go thither to drink and may chuse.

Ill

A new Diurnal of passages more

Exactly drawn up then heretofore.
Printed and published, 'tis order'd to be
By Henry Rising the Clerk of the P.
I.June. 1643
Since many Diurnals (for which we are griev'd,)
Are come from both Houses, and are not believ'd;
The better to help them for running and flying,
We have put them in Verse, to Authorize their lying.
For it has been debated, and found to be true, 5
That lying's a Parliament Priviledge too:
And that they may the sooner our conquests reherse,
We are minded to put them in Galloping verse;
But so many Maim'd Souldiers from Reading there came,
That in spite of the Surgeons, make our verses go lame. 10
We have ever us'd Fictions, and now it is known,
Our Poverty has made us Poetical grown.
Munday
On Munday both Houses fell into debate,
And were likely to fall by the ears as they sate;
Yet would they not have the business decided, 15
That they (as the Kingdom is) might be divided.
They had an intention to Prayers to go,
But Extempore Prayers are now Common too.
To Voting they fall; and the key of the work,
Was the raising of mony for the State and the Kirke. 20
'Tis only Free-loan: yet this order they make,

185
That what Men would not lend, they should Plunder and take.
Upon this, the word Plunder came into their mind,
And they all did labour a new one to find.
They call'd it distraining: yet thought it no shame, 25
To persist in the Act, which they blush't for to name.
They Voted all Persons from Oxford that came,
Should be apprehended: and after the same,
With an Humble Petition, the King they request,
Hee'd be pleas'd to return, and be serv'd like the rest. 30
A message from Oxford conducing to peace,
Came next to their hands, that Armes might cease.
They Voted and Voted, and still they did vary,
Till at last the whole sence of the House was contrary
To reason; they knew by their Armes they might gain, 35
What neither true reason, nor Law can maintain.
Cessation was voted a dangerous plot;
Because the King would have it, both Houses would not.
But when they resolv'd it, abroad must be blown,
(To baffle the World) that the King would have none. 40
And carefully muzled the mouth of the press,
Least the truth should peep through their jugling dress.
For they knew a cessation would work them more harmes,
Then Essex could do the Cavaliers with his armes.
While they keep the Ships and the Forts in their hand, 45
They may be Tray tors by Sea, as well as by Land.
The Forts will preserve them as long as they stay,
And the Ships carry them and their plunder away.
They have therefore good reason to account war the better,
For the Law will prove to them but a killing letter. 50
Tuesday
A Post from his Excellence came blowing his Horn,
For mony to advance, and this spun out the Morn;
And strait to the City some went for relief e,
The rest made an Ordinance to carry Powder-Beefe.
Thus up go the Round-Heads, and Essex advances, 55
But only to lead his Souldiers new dances.
To Reading he goes, for at Oxford (they say)
His wife has made Bull works to keep him away.
Prince Rupert, for fear that the name be confounded,
Will saw off his horns, and make him a Round-head. 60
The newes was returned with General fame,
That Reading was taken ere ever he came.

186
Then away Rode our Captains, and Souldiers did run,
To shew themselves valiant, when the Battail was done,
Preparing to plunder, but as soon as they came, 65
They quickly perceived it was but a flam:
An Ordinance of Parliament Essex brought down,
But that would not serve him to batter the Town.
More mony was rais'd, more Men and Ammunition,
Carts loaded with Turnips, and other provision. 70
His Excellence had Chines and Rams-heads for a present,
And his Councel of War had Woodcock and Pheasant.
But Ven had five thousand Calves heads all in carts,
To nourish his Men and to chear up their hearts.
This made them so valiant that that very day, 75
They had taken the Town but for running away.
'Twas Ordered this day, that thanksgiving be made,
To the Round-heads in Sermons, for their beefe and their bread.
Wednesday
Two Members this day at a Conference sate,
And one gives the other a knock on the pate. 80
This set them a voting, and the upper house swore,
'Twas a breach of priviledge he gave him no more.
The lower the breaking their Members head voted
A breach of their priviledge; for it is to be noted,
That Treason and Priviledge in it did grow, 85
'Twas a breach of his Crown and dignity too.
Then came in the Women with a long long petition,
To settle Militia and damn the Commission.
For if fighting continue, they say they did fear,
That Men would be scarce, and Husbands be dear. 90
So plainly the Speaker the business unties,
That presently all the Members did rise.
They had hardly the leisure all things to lay ope,
But some felt in their Bellies if they had not a Pope.
Some strictly stood to them, and others did fear, 95
Each carried about them a fierce Cavalier.
This business was handled by the Close-Committee,
That privately met at a place in the City.
So closely to voting the Members did fall,
That the humble Sisters were overthrown all. 100
But they and their helpers came short at the last,
Till at length the whole work on Prince Griffith was cast.
And he with his troup did handle the matter,

187
He pleased every Woman, as soon as he came at her.
The business had like to have gone on their side, 105
Had not Pym perswaded them not to confide.
For rather then peace, to fill the Common-Wealth,
He said hee'd do ten every night himself.
Thursday
This Day a great fart in the house they did hear,
Which made all the members make buttons for fear; 110
And one makes nine speeches while the business was hot,
And spake through the nose that he smelt out the plot.
He takes it to task, and the Articles drawes,
As a breach of their own Fundamental-lawes.
Now Letters were read which did fully relate 115
A victory against New-Castle of late;
That hundreds were slain, and hundreds did run,
And all this was got ere the battel begun.
This then they resolved to make the best on;
And next they resolved upon the question, 120
That Bonfires and praises, the Pulpit and Steeple,
Must all be suborned to couzen the People.
But the policy was more mony to get,
For the conquests dear bought and far enough fet,
Such victories in Ireland, although it be known 125
They strive to make that Land as bad as our own.
No sooner the mony for this was brought hether,
But a croud of true Letters came flocking together,
How Hotham and's army and others were beaten.
This made the blew Members to startle and threaten. 130
And these by all means must be kept from the City,
And only refered to the Privy-Committee.
And they presently with an Extempore vote,
Which they have used so long, that they learned by rote,
They stil'd them malignant, and to lyes they did turn them, 135
Then Corbet in stead of the Hangman, must burn them.
And he after that an Ordinance drawes,
That none should tell truth that disparag'd the cause.
Then Pym like a Pegasus trots up and down,
And takes up an Angel to throw down a crown. 140
He stands like a Centaure and makes a long speech,
That came from his mouth, and part from his breech.
He moves for more Horse, that the Army may be
Part Mans flesh and horse flesh, as well as he;

188
And hee'l be a Colonel as well as another, 145
But durst not ride a horse, 'cause a horse rode his Mother.
Friday
Sir Hugh Cholmley for being no longer a Traytor,
Was accus'd of treason in the highest Nature;
'Cause he (as they bad him) his Souldiers did bring,
To turn from Rebellion and fight for the King. 150
They voted him out, but, nor they nor their men
Could vote him into the house agen.
Sir Davids Remonstrance next to them was read,
From the Cities round body and Isaac s the head.
'Twas approv'd; but one cause produc'd a denial, 155
That all Traytors be brought to a Legal trial.
For 'tis against reason to vote or to do
Against Traytors when they are no other but so.
Because about nothing so long they sit still,
They hold it convenient Diurnalls to fill. 160
And therefore they gave their Chronographer charge
To stuff it with Orders and Letters at large.
The King by's Prerogative, nor by the Law,
Can speak nor print nothing his people to draw.
Yet Penny les Pamphletters they do maintain, 165
Whose only Religion is Stipendary gain.
Who Cum Privilegio, against King and the State,
The treason that's taught them (like Parrats) they prate.
These Hackneyes are licenc't what ever they do,
As if they had Parliament priviledge too. 170
Thus then they consult: so zealous they are,
To settle the peace of the Kingdom by war.
But against Civil-war their hatred is such,
To prevent it they'l bring in the Scots and the Dutch.
They had rather the Land be destroyd in a minute, 175
Then abide any thing that has loyalty in it;
And yet their rebellion so neatly they trim,
They fight for the King, but they mean for King Pym.
These all to fight for, and maintain are sent
The Lawes of England: but New-England is meant. 180
And though such disorders are broke in of late,
They keep it the Anagram still of a State.
For still they are plotting more riches to bring
To make Charles a rich and glorious King.
And by this rebellion this good they will do him, 185

189
They'l forfeit all their Estates unto him.
No Clergy must medie in Spirituall affairs,
EutLayton nere heard of it, losing his ears,
For that he might be deaf to the prisoners cries,
To a spiritual Coalers place he must rise. 190
The rest have good reason for what they shall do,
For they are both Clergy and Laytie too.
Or else at the best when the question is stated,
They are but Mechanniks newly translated.
They may be Committees to practise their bawling, 195
For stealing of horse is a spirituall calling.
The reason why people our Martyrs adore,
'Cause their ears being cut off their fame sounds the more.
'Twas ordered the Goods of Malignants and Lands,
Shall be shar'd among them, and took into their hands. 200
They send spirits for more malignants to come,
That every one in the house may have some.
Then down to Guild-Hall they return with their thanks,
To the fools whom the Lottery has cheated with blancks.
Satterday
This day there came newes of the taking a Ship, 205
(To see what strange wonders are wrought in the deep)
That a troop of their horse ran into the Sea,
And pull'd out a ship alive to the key.
And after much prating and fighting they say,
The ropes serv'd for traces to draw her away. 210
Sure these were Sea-horses, or else by their lying
They'd make them as famous for swimming as flying.
The rest of the day they spent to bemoan
Their Brother the Round-head that to Tyburn was gone.
And could not but think it a barbarous thing, 215
To hang him for killing a friend to the King.
He was newly baptized, and held it was good
To be washed, yet not in water, but blood.
They ordered for his honour to cut off his ears,
And make him a Martyr: but a Zelot appears, 220
And affirm'd him a Martyr, for though 'twas his fate
To be hang'd, yet he dy'd for the good of the State.
Then all fell to plotting of matters so deep,
That the silent Speaker fell down fast asleep.
He recovers himself and rubs up his eyes, 225
Then motions his house that 'twas time to rise.

190
So home they went all, and their business referr'd
To the Close-Committee by them to be heard;
They took it upon them, but what they did do,
Take notice that none but themselves must know. 230
Postscript

Thus far we have gone in Rythme to disclose,

What never was utter'd by any in prose.
If any be wanting, 'twas but a mishap,
Because we forgot to weigh't by the map.
For over the Kingdom their orders were spread, 235
They have made the whole body as bad as the head.
And now made such work that all they can do,
Is but to read Letters and answer them too.
We thought to make Finis the end of the story,
But that we shall have more business for you. 240
For (as their proceedings do) so shall our Pen,
Run roundly from Munday to Munday agen.
And since we have begun, our Muse doth intend,
To have (like their votes) no beginning nor end.

IV

On the demolishing the Forts

i
Is this the end of all the toil,
And labour of the Town?
And did our Bulwarks rise so high,
Thus low to tumble down?

2
All things go by contraries now, 5
We fight to still the Nation,
Build Forts to pull down popery,
Pull down for Edification.

3
These Independents tenets, and
Their wayes so pleasing be, 10

191
Our City won't be bound about,
But stands for liberty.
4
The Popish doctrine shall no more
Prevail within our Nation;
For now we see that by our works, 15
There's no Justification.

5
What an Almighty army's this,
How worthy of our praising,
That with one vote can blow down that
All we so long were raising! 20
6
Yet let's not wonder at this change,
For thus 'twill be withall;
These works did lift themselvs too high,
And pride must have a fall.

7
And when both houses vote agen, 25
The Gavies to be gone,
Nor dare to come within the lines,
Of Communication:

8
They must reserve the sence or else,
Referr't to the Divines, 30
And they had need sit seven years more
Ere they can read those lines.

9
They went to make a Gotham on't,
For now they did begin
To build these mighty banks about, 35
To keep the Cuckoes in.

10
Alas what need they take such pains!
For why a Cucko here

192
Might find so many of his mates,
Hee'l sing here all the year. 40

11
Has Isaac our Lord Mayor, Lord Mayor,
With Tradesmen and with wenches,
Spent so much time, and cakes and beer,
To édifie these trenches?

12
All trades did shew their skill in this, 45
Each wife an Engineer:
The Mairess took the tool in hand,
The maids the stones did bear.

13
These Bulwarks stood for Popery,
And yet we never fear'd 'um, 50
And now they worship and fall down,
Before those calves that reard 'um.

14
But though for superstition,
The crosses have been down'd,
Who'ld think these works would Popish turn, 55
That ever have been round?

15
This spoiles our Palmistry; for when
Wee'l read the Cities fate,
We find nor lines nor crosses now,
As it hath had of late. 60

16
No wonder that the Aldermen,
Will no more mony lend,
When they that in this seven years,
Such learned works have pen'd.

17
Now to debase their lofty lines, 65
In which the wits delighted,

193
 Tis thought they'l nere turn Poets more,
Because their works are slighted.

18
These to a dolefull tune are set,
For they that in the town 70
Did every where cry Up go we,
Now they must sing down down.

19
But if that Tyburn do remain,
When t'other slighted be,
The Cits will thither flock and sing, 75
Hay, hay, then up go we.

The Clown
i
Ah surra, is't a come to this,
That all our Weeze-men do zo miss?
Esdid think zo much avore,
Have we kept vighting here zo long,
To zell our Kingdome vor a zong, 5
O that ever chwor a bore!

2
Echave a be a Cavaliero,
Like most Weeze-men that escood hear,o,
And shoor sdid wish 'um well,
But within sdid zee how the did go 10
To cheat the King and country too,
Esbid 'um all vor well.

3
Thoo whun the club men wor so thick,
Esput my zive upon a stick,
And about es went among 'um, 15
And by my troth esdid suppose

194
That they were honester then those
That now do zwear they'l hang 'um.

4
Was't not enow to make men vite,
When villains come by de and night, 20
To plunder and undoe 'um,
And Garrizons did vet all in,
And steep the country to the skin,
And we zet nothing to 'um?

5
But we had zoon a scurvy pluck, 25
The better Men the worser luck.
We had knaves and vools among us;
Zome turn'd, zome cowards run away,
And left a vew behind to try,
And bloody rogues to bang us. 30

But now 'tis a come to a scurvy matter,

Cham in the house of the Surgan strater,
That have no grace, nor pitty,
But here they peel, and pole, and squeeze;
And when cha' paid them all their fees, 35
They turn me to the mittee.

7
Like furies they zit three and three,
And all their plots to beggar we,
Like Pilate and the Jewes;
And zome do zee that both do know, 40
Of thick above, and these below,
'Tis not a turd to chose.

8
But tho Echood redeem my grown,
Es went to London to compown,
And ride through weene and weather, 45
Estaid there eight and twonty week,
And chwor at last zo much to zeek,
As when Es vur'st come thither.

195
 9
There whun's zeed voke to Church repair,
Espi'd about vor Common-Prayer, 50
But no zuch thing scould zee.
The zed the Common'st that was there,
Was vrom a tub or a wicker chair,
They cal'd \lstumpere.

10
Es hurd 'um pray, and every word, 55
As the wor sick, they cri'd O Lord.
And thoo ston still agen,
And vor my life escould not know,
Whun they begun or had ado,
But when they zed amen. 60

11
They have a new word, 'tis not preach,
Zdo think zome o'me did call it teach,
A trick of their devizing,
And there zo good a nap sdid vet,
Till 'twas adoo, that's past sun-zet, 65
As if twor but zun rising.

12
At night zo zoon's chwar into bed,
Sdid all my prayers without book read,
My creed and Pater noster,
Me think zet all their prayers to thick, 70
And they do go no more aleek,
Then an apple's like an oyster.

13
Chad nead to watch zo well as pray,
Whun chave to do with zuch as they,
Or else Es may go zeek; 75
They need not bid a monthy vast,
Vor if zoo be these times do last,
'Twool come to zeav'n a weak.

196
 14
Es waited there a huges time,
And brib'd thick men to know my crime, 80
That esmed make my pease,
At last esvown my purse was vat,
And if chwould be reform'd of that,
They wood give me a release.

15
Esgid 'um bond vor neenscore pown, 85
Bezides what chad a paid 'um down,
And thoo they made me sweare,
Whun chad a reckon'd what my cost are,
Es s wear'd chood ene zit down aloster,
Vor by my troth chawr weary. 90

16
Thoo when scome home esbote some beass
And chowr in hope we should ha' peace,
'Case here's no Cavaliers,
But now they zed's a new quandary,
'Tween Pendents and Presbytary, 95
Cham agast they'l go by the ears.

17
Esbore in hon 'twould never last,
The mittees did get wealth zo vast,
And Gentlemen undoo,
Uds wonderkins t'oold make one mad, 100
That three or four livings had,
Now can't tell whare to go.

18
Cha zeed the time when escood gee,
My dater more than zix of thee:
But now by bribes and stortions, 105
Zome at our wedden ha' bestow'd
In gloves more then avore this wood
A made three daters portions.

197
 19
One om ow'd me three hundred pown,
Es zend vor zome, he paid it down; 110
But within three dayes ater,
Ech had a ticket to restore
The same agen, and six times more,
Isn't this a couzning matter!

20
Whun chood not do't smot to black-rod, 115
A place was nere a made by God,
And there chowr vain to lye,
Till chad a gidd'n up his bon,
And paid a hundred more in hon,
And thoo smed come awy. 120

21
Nay now they have a good hon made,
What if the Scots should play the jade,
And keep awy our King?
War they not mad in all these dangers,
To go and trust the King with strangers? 125
Was ever such a thing?

22
We ha' nor scrip nor scrole to show,
Whether it be our King or no,
And if they should deny'n,
They'l make us vight vor'n once more, 130
As well's agenst'n heretovore,
How can we else come by'n?

23
We had been better paid 'um down
Their vorty hundred thousand pown,
And zo a zet 'um g wine, 135
Vor cham agast avore thee go,
The'11 hav' our grown and mony too,
Cham sore afeard of mine.

198
 24
Another trick they do devize,
The vive and twonty part and size, 140
And there at every meeting,
We pay vor wives and childrens pole
More then they'l every yeild us whole,
'Tis abomination cheating.

25
We can nor eat, nor drink, nor lye, 145
We our own wives by and by;
We pay to knaves that couzen;
My dame and I ten children made,
But now we do gee off the trade,
Vor fear should be a douzen. 150

26
Then let's to clubs agen and vight,
Or let's take it all out right;
Vor thus they mean to fare,
All thick be right, they'l strip and use,
And deal with them as bad as Jews, 155
All custen voke beware.

VI

On a Butchers Dog that bit a Commanders

Mare that stood to be Knight of a Shire
1
All you that for Parliament members do stand
For County, Burrough or Cittie,
Listen now to my song, which is doleful for and
A lamentable ditty.

2
For you must take notice that there was a Dog, 5
Nay a Mastiff dog (d'you see)

199
And if this great dog were ty'd to a great clog,
It had been full happy for we.

3
And eke there was a great Colonel stout,
That had been in many a slaughter, 10
But this Mastiff to eat him was going about,
As you shall hear hereafter.

4
You bloody Malignants why will you still plot?
'Twill bring you to hanging you know;
For if this dog had done what he did not, 15
How had he been us'd I trow!

5
But happy was it for sweet Westminster
When they went to make their choice;
That this plot was found out, for why should this cur
In Elections have any voice? 20

6
For surely this Mastiff, though he was big,
And had been lucky at fighting,
Yet he was not qualifi'd worth a fig
And therefore he fell a biting.

7
But whom do you think? A thing of great note, 25
And a worthy Commanders Mare,
O what a strange battel had there been fought,
Had they gone to fight dog, fight bear.

8
This dog was a Leveller in his heart,
Or some Tub-preaching Cur, 30
For honour or greatnesse he car'd not a fart,
And lov'd neither Lord nor Sir.

9
For when the Commander was mounted on high,
And got above many a brother,

200
It angred this dog at the guts verily, 35
To see one man above another.

10
And therefore he run at him with open mouth,
But it seems the dog was but dull,
He had as good took a bear by the tooth,
As mistook a horse for a bull. 40

11
But this plot was discover'd in very good time,
And strangely, as you may perceive,
For the people saw him committing this crime;
And made him his biting leave.

12
And so they were parted without any harm, 45
That now any body seeth,
For it seems this dog that made all this alarme,
Did but only shew his teeth.

13

So this Cavaleer cur was beaten full sore,

And had many a knock on the pate, 50
But they serv'd him aright if they had beat him more
For medling with matters of State.

14
Now heaven look down on our noble Protector,
His Commanders and Members eke,
And keep him from the teeth of every Elector, 55
That is not able to speak.

15
And hang all such dogs as their honours do hate,
Let them clear themselves if they can,
For if they be suffered to be in the State,
They'l conspire against horse and man. 60

201
 VII

The New Knight Errant

i
Of Gyants and Knights and their wonderful fights
We have stories enough in Romances,
But Tie tell you one new, that is strange and yet true,
Though t'other are nothing but fancies.

2
A Knight lately made of the Governing trade, 5
Whose name he'l not have to be known,
Has been trucking with fame, to purchase a name,
For 'tis said he had none of his own.

3
He by Fortunes design, should have been a Divine,
And a pillar no doubt of the Church; 10
Whom a Sexton (God wot) in the bellfry begot,
And his Mother did pig in the porch.
4

And next for his breeding, 'twas learned hogfeeding,

With which he so long did converse,
That his manners and feature, was so like their nature 15
You'Id scarce know his sweetness from theirs.

5
But observe the device of this Noblemans rise,
How he hurryed from trade, to trade,
From the grains he'd aspire to the yest, and then higher,
Till at length he a Drayman was made. 20

6
Then his dray-horse and he, in the streets we did see,
With his hanger, his sling and his jacket;
Long time he did watch, to meet with his match,
For he'd ever a mind to the placket.

202
 7
At length he did find out a Trull to his mind, 25
And Ursula was her name;
Oh Ursly quoth he, and oh Tom then quoth she,
And so they began their game.

8
But as soon as they met, O such babes they did get,
And blood-royal in 'um did place, 30
From a swineheard they came, a she-bear was their Dam,
They were suckled as Romulus was.

9
At last when the rout, with their head did fall out,
And the wars thereupon did fall in,
He went to the field, with a sword, but no shield, 35
Strong drink was his buckler within.

10
But when he did spy, how they dropt down and die,
And did hear the bullets to sing;
His armes he flung down, and run fairly to town,
And exchang'd his sword for his sling. 40

11
Yet he claimed his share, in such honours as were
Belonging to nobler spirits;
That ventured their lives, while this Buff on survives
To receive the reward of their merits.

12
When the wars were all done, he his fighting begun, 45
And would rjeeds shew his valour in peace,
Then his fury he flings, at poor conquer'd things,
And frets like a hog in his grease.

13
For his first feat of all, on a Wit he did fall,
A wit as some say, and some not, 50
Because he'd an art, to rime on the quart,
But never did care for the pot.

203
 14
And next on the cocks, he fell like an Ox,
And took them and their Masters together;
But the combs and the spurs, kept himself and his Sirs, 55
Who are to have both or neither.

15
The cause of his spite, was because they would fight,
And because he durst not he did take-on;
And said they were fit, for the pot, not the spit,
And would serve to be eaten with bacon. 60

16
But flesh'd with these spoyles, the next of his toy les,
Was to fall with wild-beasts by the ears,
To the Bearward he goeth, and then opened his mouth;
And said, oh! are you there with your bears?

17
Our stories are dull, of a cock and a bull, 65
But such was his valour and care;
Since he bears the bell, the tales that we tell,
Must be of a cock and a bare.

18
The crime of the bares was, they were Caveleers,
And had formerly fought for the King; 70
And pull'd by the Burrs, the roundheaded Curs,
That they made both their ears to ring.

19
Our successour of Kings, like blind fortune flings,
Upon him both honour and store;
Who has as much right, to make Tom a Knight, 75
As Tom has desert, and no more.

20
But Fortune that whore, still attended this Brewer,
And did all his atchievements reward;
And blindly did fling, on this lubberly thing,
More honour, and made him a Lord. 80

204
 21
Now he walks with his spurs, and a couple of curs
At his heels, which he calls Squires;
So when honour is thrown, on the head of a clown,
Tis by Parasites held up, and Lyars.

22
The rest of his pranks, will merit new thanks, 85
With his death, if we did but know it;
But we'l leave him and it, to a time and place fit,
And Greg. shall be funeral Poet.

vni
The New Mountebanck
Written in 1643
If any body politick,
Of plenty or ease be very sick,
There's a Physitian come to Town,
Of far fetcht fame and high renown:
Though call'd a Mountebank, 'tis meant, 5
Both words being French, a Parliament;
Who from Geneva and Amsterdam,
From Germany and Scotland came;
Now lies in London, but the place,
If men say true, is in his face. 10
His scaffold stands on Tower hill,
Where he on Strafford try'd his skill:
Off went his head, you'l think him slain,
But straight 'twas voted on again.
Diurnals are his weekly bills, 15
Which speak how many he cures or kills:
But of the Errata we'l advise,
For cure read kill, for truth read lies.
If any Traytor be diseased
With a sore neck, and would be eased; 20
There is a pill, they call a Vote,
Take it ex temp ore it shall do't.
If any conscience be too strict,

205
Here's several pills, from Lectures pickt,
Which swallowed down will stretch it full, 25
As far as 'tis from this to Hull.
Is any by religion bound,
Or Law, and would be looser found?
Here's a Glister which we call
His priviledge o're-topping all. 30
Is any money left, or plate,
Or goods? bring't in at any rate:
He'l melt three shillings into one,
And in a minute leave you none.
Here's powder to inspire the lungs, 35
Here's water that unties your tongues;
Spight of the law, 'twill set you free,
To speak treason only lispingly.
Here's Leeches, which if well apply'd,
And fed, will stick close to your side, 40
Till your superfluous blood decay,
Then they'l break and drop away.
But here's a soveraign Antidote,
Be sure our Soveraign never know't;
Apply it as the Doctour pleases, 45
'Twill cure all wounds and all diseases.
A drug none but himself e're saw,
'Tis call'd a Fundamental Law:
Here's Glasses to delude your sight,
Dark Lanthornes here, here bastard light. 50
This if you conquer trebbles the men,
If loose a hundred, seems but ten.
Here's Opium to lull asleep,
And here lie dangerous plots in steep.
Here stands the safety of the Citty, 55
There hangs the invisible Committee.
Plundring's the new Philosophers stone,
Turnes war to Gold, and Gold to none.
And here's an Ordinance that shall,
At one full shot enrich you all. 60
He's skilled in the Mathmaticks,
And in his circle can do tricks.
By raising spirits that can smell
Plots that are hatcht as deep as hell:
Which ever to themselves are known, 65
The Devil's ever kind to his own.

206
 All this he gratis doth, and saith,
He'l only take the publick faith.
Flock to him then, make no delay,
The next fair wind he must away. 70

IX

The Saints Encouragement

Written in 1643

1
Fight on brave Souldiers for the cause,
Fear not the Caveleers;
Their threatnings are as senselesse, as
Our Jealousies and fears.
'Tis you must perfect this great work, 5
And all Malignants slay,
You must bring back the King again
The clean contrary way.

2
'Tis for Religion that you fight,
And for the Kingdomes good, 10
By robbing Churches, plundring men,
And shedding guiltlesse blood.
Down with the Orthodoxal train,
All Loyal Subjects slay;
When these are gone we shall be blest 15
The clean contrary way.

3
When Charles we've bankrupt made like us,
Of Crown and power bereft him;
And all his loyal subjects slain,
And none but Rebels left him. 20
When we've beggar'd all the Land,
And sent our Truncks away,
We'l make him then a glorious Prince,
The clean contrary way.

207
 4
'Tis to preserve his Majesty, 25
That we against him fight,
Nor are we ever beaten back,
Because our cause is right,
If any make a scruple on't,
Our Declarations say 30
Who fight for us, fight for the King,
The clean contrary way.

5
AtKeynton, Branford, Plymmouth, York,
And diverse places more;
What victories we Saints obtain'd, 35
The like ne're seen before.
How often we Prince Rupert kill'd,
And bravely won the day,
The wicked Cavaleers did run
The clean contrary way. 40

6
The true Religion we maintain,
The Kingdomes peace, and plenty;
The priviledg of Parliament
Not known to one of twenty:
The antient Fundamental Laws; 45
And teach men to obey
Their Lawful Soveraign, and all these,
The clean contrary way.
7
We subjects Liberties preserve,
By prisonment and plunder, 50
And do inrich our selves and state
By keeping the wicked under.
We must preserve Mecannicks now,
To Lecturize and pray;
By them the Gospel is advanc'd, 55
The clean contrary way.

208
 8
And though the King be much misled
By that malignant crew;
He'l find us honest, and at last,
Give all of us our due. 60
For we do wisely plot, and plot
Rebellion to destroy,
He sees we stand for peace and truth,
The clean contrary way.

9
The publick faith shall save our souls, 65
And good out-works together,
And ships shall save our lives that stay,
Only for wind and weather.
But when our faith and works fall down,
And all our hopes decay, 70
Our Acts will bear us up to heaven,
The clean contrary way.

Written in 1648

1
Come let us be merry,
Drink Claret and Sherry,
And cast away care and sorrow;
He's a fool that takes thought for to morrow.
Why should we be droopers, 5
To save it for Troopers.
Let's spend our own,
And when all is gone,
That they can have none,
Then the Roundheads and Caves agree. 10

2
Then fall to your drinking,
And leave off this shrinking,
Let Square-heads and Round-heads go quarrel,
We have no other foe but the barrel,

209
 These cares and disasters, 15
Shall ne're be our Masters,
English ana Scot,
Doth both love a pot,
Though they say they do not,
Here the Roundheads and Caves agree. 20

3
A man that is armed
With liquor is charmed,
And proof e against strength and cunning,
He scorns the base humour of running.
Our brains are the quicker, 25
When season'd with liquor,
Let's drink and sing,
Here's a health to our King,
And I wish in this thing
Both the Roundheads and Caves agree. 30
4
A pox of this fighting!
I take no delighting
In killing of men and plunder,
A Gun affrights me like a thunder.
If we can Live quiet, 35
With good drink and diet,
We wont come nigh,
Where the bullets do fly,
In fearing to die,
Both the Roundheads and Caves agree. 40

5
'Twixt Square-head and Round-head
The Land is confounded,
They care not for fight or battle,
But to plunder our goods and cattle.
When e're they come to us, 45
They come to undo us,
Their chiefest hate
Is at our Estate,
And in sharing of that,
Both the Roundheads and Caves agree. 50

210
 6
In swearing, and lying,
In cowardly flying,
In whoring, in cheating, in stealing,
They agree; in all damnable dealing.
He's a fool and a widgeon, 55
That thinks they've Religion,
For Law and right,
Are o're rul'd by might,
But when they should fight,
Then the Roundheads and Caves agree. 60

7
Then while we have treasure,
Let's spare for no pleasure,
He's a fool that has wealth and wont spend it,
But keeps it for Troopers to end it.
When we've nothing to leave 'um, 65
Then we shall deceive 'um,
If all would be
Of such humours as we,
We should suddainly see
Both the Roundheads and Caves agree, 70

XI

The Scots Curanto

Written in 1645

1
Come, come away to the English wars,
A fig for our Hills and Valleys,
Twas we did begin, and will lengthen their jarrs,
We'l gain by their loss and folleys;
Let the Nations 5
By invasions,
Break through our barrs,
They can get little good by their salleys.

211
 2
Though Irish and English entred be,
The State is become our Debtor. 10
Let them have our Land, if their own may be free
And the Scot will at length be a getter.
If they crave it
Let them have it,
What care we? 15
We would fain change our Land for a better.

3
Long have we longed for the English Land,
But we're hindred still by disasters;
But now is their time, when they can't withstand,
But are their own Countreys wasters. 20
If we venter,
We may enter
By command,
And at last we shall grow to be Masters.

4
When at the first we began to rebell, 25
Though they did not before regard us,
How the name of a Scot did the English quell,
Which formerly have out-dar'd us.
For our coming
And returning, 30
They pay'd us well,
And royally did reward us.

5
The better to bring our ends about,
We must plead for a Reformation;
And tickle the minds of the giddy-brain'd rout, 35
With the hopes of an innovation.
They will love us
And approve us,
Without doubt,
If we bring in an alteration. 40

212
 6
Down with the Bishops and their train,
The Surplice and Common prayers,
Then will we not have a King remain,
But we'l be the Realmes surveyers.
So by little 45
And a little
We shall gain
All the Kingdom without gain-sayers.

7
And when at the last we have conquer'd the King,
And beaten away the Caveleers, 50
The Parliament next must the same ditty sing,
And thus we will set the Realm by the ears.
By their jarring
And their warring
We will bring, 55
Their estates to be ours, which they think to be theirs.

8
And thus when among us the Kingdom is shar'd,
And the people are all made beggars like we;
A Scot will be as good as an English Leard;
O! what an unity this will be. 60
As we gain it
We'l retain it
By the sweard
And the English shall say, bonny blew cap for me.

XII

Written in 1643

1
Though Oxford be yielded, and Reading be taken,
I'll put in for quarter at thy Maiden-head,
There while I'm insconsed, my Standard's unshaken,
Lie thou in my arms, and I in thy bed.
Let the young zelots march with their wenches, 5
Mounting their tools to édifie trenches.

213
While thou and I do make it our pleasure,
To dig in thy Mine for the purest Treasure,
Where no body else shall plunder but I.

2
And when we together in battail do joyne, 10
We scorn to wear arms but what are our own,
Strike thou at my body, and I'll thrust at thine,
By nakednesse best the truth is made known.
Cannons may roar, and bullets keep flying,
While we are in Battail, we never fear dying. 15
Isaac and's wenches are busy a digging,
But all our delight is in japping and jigging,
And no body else shall plunder but I.

3
And when at the last our bodies are weary,
We'l straight to the Taverns our strength to recruit, 20
Where, when we've refresht our hearts with Canary,
We shall be the fitter again to go to't.
We'l tipple and drink untill we do stagger,
For then is the time for Souldiers to swagger.
Thus night and day we'l thump it and knock it, 25
And when we've no mony then look to your pocket,
For no body else shall plunder but I.

XIII

A New Ballad
i
A Ballad, a Ballad, a new one and true,
And such are seldom seen;
He that wont write Ballads, and sing 'um too,
Has neither Wit nor Spleen.
For a man may be furnished with so much matter, 5
That he need not lie, or rail, or flatter,
'Twill run from his tongue as easie as water,
And as swiftly though not so clean.

214
 2
To see how the times are twirled about,
Would make a dog laugh, 'tis true; 10
But to see those turn with 'um, that had the Rump-gout,
Would make a cat to spew.
Those Knaves that have lived upon sequestration,
And sucked the blood of the best of the Nation,
Are all for the King by a new translation, 15
He that wont believe't, is a Jew.

3
The poor Caveliers, thought all was their own,
And now was their time to sway,
But friends they have few, and mony they've none,
And so they mistook their way. 20
When they seek for preferrments the Rebells do rout 'um
And having no mony, they must go without 'um,
The Courtiers do carry such stomacks about 'um,
They speak no English but pay.

4
And those verry rebells that hated the King, 25
And no such office allow;
By the help of their boldness, and one other thing,
Are brought to the King to bow.
And there both pardons, and honours they have,
With which they think, they're secure and brave, 30
But the title of Knight, on the back of a Knave,
's like a saddle upon a sow.

5
Those men are but fools as matters now stand,
That would not be Rebels and Tray tors,
To grow rich and rant o're the best of the land, 35
And tread on ihe poor Cinque Quaters.
To do what they list, and none dare complain,
To rise from a cart and drive Charles his waine,
And for this be made Lords and Knights in grain,
O 'tis sweet to ambitious natures. 40

215
 6
If the times turne about 'tis but to comply,
And make a formal submission,
And with every new power to live and die,
Then they are in a safe condition.
For none are condemned but those that are dead, 45
Nor must be secur'd, but those that are fled,
And none but the poor rogues sequestred,
The great ones buy remission.

7
The Fortieth part of their riches will
Secure t'other thirty nine; 50
And so they will keep above us still,
But hang't, we'l ne're repine.
The Devil does into their natures creep,
That they can no more from their villany keep,
Then a Wolfe broke loose, can from killing of sheep, 55
Or a Poet refrain from wine.

8
Now Heaven preserve our Merciful King,
And continue his grace and pitty,
And may his prosperity be like a spring,
And stream from him to the City! 60
May James and George those Dukes of renown,
Be the two supporters of Englands Crown!
And may all honest men injoy what's their own!
And so I conclude my ditty.

XIV

The Holy Pedler

i
From a Forraign shore
I am not come to store,
Your Shops with rare devices:
No drugs do I bring
From the Indian King, 5

216
 No Peacocks, Apes, nor Spices.
Such wares I do show
As in England do grow,
And are for the good of the Nation,
Let no body fear 10
To deal in my ware,
For Sacriledge now's in fashion.

2
I the Pedler am,
That came from Amsterdam
With a pack of new Religions, 15
I did every one fit,
According to's wit,
From the Tub to Mahomets pigeons.
Great trading I found,
For my spiritual ground, 20
Wherein every man was a medler;
I made people decline,
The learned Divine,
And then they bought Heaven of the Pedler.

3
First Surplices I took, 25
Next the Common-prayer book,
And made all those Papists that us'd 'um;
Then the Bishops and Deans,
I strip'd of their means,
And gave it to those that abus'd 'um. 30
The Clergymen next,
I withdrew from their Text,
And set up the gifted brother;
Thus Religion I made,
But a matter of trade, 35
And I car'd nor for one or t'other.

Then Tythes I fell upon,

And those I quickly won,
'Twas profane in the Clergy to take 'um.
But they serv ' d for the Lay, 40
Till I sold them away,
And so did Religious make 'um.

217
 But now come away,
To the Pedler, I pray,
I scorn to rob or cozen; 45
If Churches you lack,
Come away to my pack,
Here's thirteen to the dozen.

5
Church Militants they be,
For now we do see, 50
They have fought so long with each other;
The Rump's Churches threw down,
Those that stood for the Crown,
And sold them to one another.
Then come you factious crue, 55
Here's a bargain now for you,
With the spoiles of the Church you may réveil;
Now pull down the bells,
And then hang up your selves,
And so give his due to the Devil. 60

XV

A Serious Ballade
Written in 1645

1
I love my King and Country well,
Religion and the Lawes,
Which I'm mad at the heart that e're we did sell,
To buy the good Old Cause.
These unnatural warrs 5
And brotherly jars,
Are no delight or joy to me;
But it is my desire,
That the wars should expire,
And the King and his Realms agree. 10

218
 2
I never yet did take up armes,
And yet 1 dare to dye,
But I'll not be seduc'd by fanatical charmes,
Till I know a Reason why.
Why the King and the State, 15
Should fall to debate,
I ne're could yet a reason see,
But I find many one,
Why the wars should be done,
And the King and his Realmes agree. 20

3
I love the King and the Parliament,
But I love them both together;
And when they by division asunder are rent,
I know 'tis good for neither.
Which so e're of those, 25
Be victorious,
I'm sure for us no good 'twill be,
For our plagues will encrease,
Unies se we have peace,
And the King and his Realms agree. 30

4
The King without them can't long stand,
Nor they without the King,
'Tis they must advise, and 'tis he must command,
For their power, from his must spring.
'Tis a comfortlesse sway, 35
Where none will obey.
If the King han't's right, which way shall we?
They may Vote and make Lawes,
But no good they will cause,
Till the King and his Realms agree. 40

5
A pure Religion I would have,
Not mixt with humane wit;
And I cannot endure that each ignorant knave,
Should dare to meddle with it.
The tricks of the law, 45
I would faign withdraw,

219
 That it may be alike to each degree.
And I faign would have such,
As do medie so much,
With the King and the Church agree. 50

6
We have pray'd and pay'd that the wars might cease,
And we be freemen made,
I would fight, if my fighting would bring any peace,
But war is become a trade.
Our servants did 55
With swords by their side,
And made their Masters footmen be;
But we will be no more slaves,
To the beggars and knaves,
Now the King and the Realmes do agree. 60

XVI

An Ode
Written in 1643

1
What's this that shrouds
In these opacous clouds,
The glorious face of heav'n, and dims our light?
What must we ever lye,
Mantled in dark stupidity? 5
Still groveling in a daily night?
And shall we have no more the sun allow'd?
Why does the sun grow dim? or do the stars grow proud?

2
Why should false zeal
Thus scorch our common-weale, 10
And make us slight bright Phebus purer fires?
Why do these plannets run?
They would, but cannot be the Sun,
Yet every saucy flame aspires.

220
Though they've no reason to affect the same, 15
Since they have nought of fire, but the meer rage and name.

3
Now since our Sun
Has left this Horizon,
Can all the stars though by united pow'r,
Undark the night, 20
Or equal him in light?
And yet they blaze to make him lowre.
That star that looks more red then others are,
Is a prodigious Comet and a blazing star.

4
The World's undone, 25
When stars oppose the sun,
And make him change his constant course to rest;
His foaming Steeds,
Flying those daring deeds,
I'm' stables of the North or West, 30
Whence we may fear he'l never more return,
To light and warme us, with his rayes, but all to burn.

5
Heav'n made them all,
Yet not Anarchical,
But in degrees and orders they are set; 35
Should they all be
In a grand Committee,
In heavens painted chamber, yet
Sol would out shine them: guide me Phoebus ray,
And let those Lantherns keep their borrowed light away. 40

6
Let's not admire
This new phantastick fire;
That our vain eyes deceives and us misleads,
Those Bares we see
That would our Lyons be, 45
Want tailes, and will want heads.
The world will soon into destruction run,
When bold blind Phaetons guide the chariot of the sun.

221
 XVII

Palinode
i
No more, no more of this, I vow,
Tis time to leave this fooling now,
Which few but fools call Wit;
There was a time when I begun,
And now 'tis time I should have done, 5
And medie no more with it.
He Physicks use doth quite mistake,
That Physick takes for Physicks sake.

2
My heat of youth, and love and pride,
Did swell me with their strong spring-tyde, 10
Inspir'd my brain and blood,
And made me then converse with toyes,
Which are call'd Muses by the boyes,
And dabble in their flood.
I was perswaded in those dayes, 15
There was no crown like love and bayes.

3
But now my youth and pride are gone,
And age and cares come creeping on,
And businesse checks my love;
What need I take a needlesse toy le, 20
To spend my labour, time and oyle,
Since no design can move.
For now the cause is ta'ne away,
What reason is't th'effect should stay?

'Tis but a folly now for me, 25

To spend my time and industry,
About such uselesse wit;
For when I think I have done well,
I see men laugh, but cannot tell,
Where't be at me, or it. 30
Great madness 'tis to be a drudge,
When those that cannot write dare judge.

222
 5
Besides the danger that ensue'th,
To him that speaks, or writes the truth,
The praemium is so small, 35
To be called Poet and wear bayes,
And Factor turne of Songs and Playes,
This is no wit at all.
Wit only good to sport and sing,
's a needlesse and an endlesse thing. 40

6
Give me the Wit that can't speak sense,
Nor read it, but in's own defense,
Ne're learn'd but of his Grannum,
He that can buy, and sell, and cheat,
May quickly make a shift to get 45
His thousand pound per annum.
And purchase without much ado,
The Poems and the Poet too.

XVIII

A Ballad
i
Old England is now a brave Barbary made,
And every one has an ambition to ride her:
King Charles was a horseman that long us'd the trade,
But he rode in a snaffle, and that could not guide her.

2
Then the hungry Scot comes with spur and with switch, 5
And would teach her to run a Geneva career;
His Grooms were all Puritan, Traytor, and witch;
But she soon threw them down, with their pedlery geer.

3
The long Parliament next came all to the block,
And they this untamable Palfry would ride; 10

223
But she would not bear all that numerous flock;
At which they were fain themselves to divide.

4
Jack Presbyter first gets the Steed by the head,
While the reverend Bishops had hold of the bridle:
Jack said through the nose, they their flocks did not feed, 15
But sate still on the beast, and grew aged and idle:

5
And then comes the Rout with broomsticks inspir'd,
And pull'd down their Graces, their sleeves, and their train,
And sets up sir Jack, who the beast quickly tyr'd,
With a journey to Scotland, and thence back again. 20

6
Jack rode in a dublet, with a yoke of prick-ears,
A cursed splay-mouth, and a Covenant-spur,
Rides switching and spurring with jealousies and fears,
Till the poor famish'd beast was not able to stir.

7
Next came th'Indépendant a dev'lish designer, 25
And got himself call'd by a holier name;
Makes Jack to unhorse, for he was diviner,
And would make her travel as far1 s Amsterdam:

8
But Nol a rank rider gets first in the saddle,
And made her show tricks, and cúrvate and rebound; 30
She quickly perceiv'd that he rode widdle, waddle,
And like his Coach-horses threw his Highness to ground.

9
ThenD/cA;, being lame, rode holding by the pummel,
Not having the wit to get hold of the rein;
But the Jade did so snort at the sight of a Cromwel, 35
That poor Dick and his kindred turn'd foot-men again.

10
Next Fleetwood and Vane, with their Rascally pack,
Would every one put their feet in the stirrup;

224
But they pull'd the saddle quite off of her back,
And were all got under her before they were up. 40

11
At last the King mounts her, and then she stood still,
As his Bucephalus, proud of this Rider;
She cheerfully yields to his power and skill,
Who is careful to feed her, and skilful to guide her.

225
This page intentionally left blank
 S E C T 1 O [-M 4

To C.C. Esquii\
Inspired with love and kindled by the flame,
Which from your eye and conversation came,
Í proceed Versifier, and can't chu.se,
Since you are both my Patron and my M'use.
Whose fair example makes us know and do, 5
You make us poets, and you feed us too.
And though where ere you are is Helicon,
Since all the Muses proudly wait upon
Your parts and person too; while we sit. here
And like Baals Priests our flesh do cut and tear, 10
Yet, for our lives, can't make our baggage Muse
Lend us a lift, or one rich thought infuse,
Or be as much as midwife to a quibble,
But leave us to our selves with pangs to scribble
What, were we wise, we might well blush to view, 15
While we're invoking them, they're courting you.
Yet I conceive (and wont my notion smother)
You and your house contribute to each other.
Such hills, such dales, such plains, such rocks, such springs,
And such a confluence of all such things 20
As raise and gratifie the Muses so,
That in one Night I was created PO--
That's half a Poet, I cant reach to ET,
Because F m not a perfect Poet yet,
And I despair perfection to attain, 25
Unlesse I'm sent to school to you again.
Alas! Sir London is no place for verse,
ingenious harmlesse thoughts, polite and terse,
Our Age admits not, we are wrap'd in smoke;
And Sin, and business, which the Muses choke. 30
Those things in which true poésie takes pleasure,
We here do want; tranquillity and leasure.
Yet we have Wits, and some that for wits go,

227
Some real ones, and some that would be so,
But 'tis ill-natured wit, and such as still, 35
To th'subject or the object worketh ill.
A Wit to cheat, to ruine, to betray,
Which renders uselesse, what we do or say.
This wit will not bear verse, some things we have,
Who in their out-side do seem briske and brave, 40
And are as gaudy as old Kelles purse;
But full as Empty too. And here's our curse,
Few men discerne the difference 'twixt Wit
That's sterling, and that's not, but looks like it.
Inrich us with your presence, make us know 45
How much the Nation does to Derby owe.
But if your businesse will not be withstood,
Do what you can, since you can't what you wou'd.
Those lovely sportings of your frolick Muse,
Wherewith you blest me, send me to peruse; 50
And out of gratitude, I'll send you mine,
They'l rub your vertues, and so make them shine.
Your charity and patience will in them,
Find work t'acquit, what justice must condemn.
And if you please, send one propitious line, 55
To dignifie these worthlesse toyes of mine.
The Reader charm'd by yours, may be so bold
To read o're mine, which else he'ld not behold.
And then in Spite of envy, pride, or lying,
Must say h'has met with something worth the buying. 60

II

The Answer
By C. Cotton

When in this durty corner of the World,

Where all the rubbish of the rest is hurl'd
Both men, and manners; this abandon'd place,
Where scarce the Sun dares shew his radient face,
I met thy lines, they made me wondring stand, 5
At thy unknown, and yet the friendly hand.
Straight through the Air m'imagination flew

228
To ev'ry Region I had seen, or knew;
And kindly blest (at her returning home)
My gready ear, with the glad name of Brome. 10
Then I reproach't my self for my suspence,
And mourn'd my own want of intelligence,
That could not know thy celebrated Muse,
(Though mask't with all the art, that art can use)
At the first sight, which to the dullest eyes, 15
No names conceal'd, nor habit can disguise.
For who (ingenious friend) but only thee,
(Who art the soul of wit, and courtesie)
Writes in so pure, an unaffected strain,
As shews wits ornament, is to be plain; 20
Or would caresse a man condemn'd to lie
Buryed from all humane society,
'Mongst brutes and bandogs in aLernean fen,
Whose Natives have nor souls, nor shape of men?
How could thy Muse, that in her noble flight, 25
The boading Raven cuff t, and in his height
Of untam'd power, and unbounded place,
Durst mate the haughty Tyrant to his face,
Deigne an inglorious stoop, and from the sky
Fall down to prey on such a worme as I? 30
Her seeing (sure) my state, made her relent,
And try to charme me from my banishment;
Nor has her charitable purpose faild,
For when I first beheld her face unvail'd,
I kiss't the paper, as an act of grace 35
Sent to retrive me from this wretched place,
And doubted not to go abroad agen
To see the world, and to converse with men:
But when I tast the dainties of the Flood
(Ravish't fromNeptunes table for my food) 40
TheLucrine Lakes plump Oysters I despise,
With all the other Roman luxuries,
And, wanton grown, contemn the famous breed
Of Sheep and Oxen, which these mountains feed.
Then as a Snake, benumn'd and fit t'expire, 45
If laid before the comfortable fire
Begins to stir, and feels her vitals beat
Their healthful motion, at the quickning heat:
So my poor muse, that was half starv'd before,
On these bleak clifts; nor thought of writing more, 50

229
Warm'd by thy bounty, now can hisse and spring,
And ('tis believ'd by some) will shortly sting:
So warm she's grown, and without things like these
Minerva must, as well, as Venus freeze.
Thus from a High-lander, I straight commence 55
Poet, by vertue of thine influence,
That with one Ray, can clods, and stones inspire,
And make them pant, and breath poetick fire.
And thus I am thy creature prov'd, who name,
And fashion take from thy indulgent 60
What should I send thee then, that may befit
A greatfull heart, for such a benefit;
Or how proclaime, with a poetick grace,
What thou hast made me from the thing I was;
When all I writ, is artless, forc't, and dull, 65
And mine as empty as thy fancy full?
All our conceipts, alas! are flat, and stale,
And our inventions muddy, as our Ale.
No friends, no visiters, no company,
But such, as I still pray, I may not see 70
Such craggy, rough-hewn rogues, as do not fit,
Sharpen and set, but blunt the edge of wit;
Any of which (and fear has a quick eye)
If through a perspective I chance to spy
Though a mile off, I take th'alarrne and run, 75
As if I saw the Divel, or a Dunne.
And in the Neighbouring rocks take sanctuary,
Praying the Hills to fall, and cover me.
So that my solace lies amongst my grounds,
And my best companie's, my horse and hounds. 80
Judge then (my friend) how far I am unfit
To traffick with thee, in the trade of Wit,
How Banck-rupt I am grown of all commerce,
Who have all number lost, and air of verse.
But if I could in living song set forth, 85
Thy Muses glory, and thine own true worth,
I then would sing an Ode, that should not shame,
The writers purpose; nor the Subjects name.
Yet, what a gratefull heart, and such a one,
As (by thy vermes,) thou hast made thine own, 90
Can poorly pay, accept for what is due,
Which if it be not Rhythme, Tie swear 'tis true.

230
 Ill
To his University Friend
Dear Captain.
Want, the great Master of three greater things,
Art, Strength, and boldness, gives this letter wings
To kiss (that is salute) you and say A.B.
To his renowned Captain S.P.D.
And to request three greater things then those, 5
Things that beget good verse, and Stubborn prose.
The first is drink, which you did promise, would
Inform the brain; as well as warm the blood,
Drink that's as powerfull and strong as Hector,
And as inspiring as the old Poets Nectar, 10
That dares confront the legislative sack,
And lends more greek then your grave patriarch.
But you may see here's none, for if that I,
Had been well wet, these had not been so dry.
The next is mony; which you said should be 15
Paid, and it may be 'twas, but not to me.
Why (Friend) d'you think a man as big about
As I, can live on promises, without
Good drink or mony? how'11 good sack be had?
And who can live without sack, or with bad? 20
What e're your Accademicks talk or teach,
Mind what they do, they mind not what they preach.
In publick they may rail at Pope and Turk,
And at the layeties avarice have a Firck,
And say their aim is all to save the soul, 25
But that Soul's mony, which does all controul.
Which I do only by the want on't know,
But when it comes thou'lt see 'twill wonders do.
The third is wit, which you affirmed here,
Was in your Mines, and digg'd up every where. 30
Jests, Verses, Tales, Puns, Satyrs, Quibbles too,
And certain Bris toll words that like wit show.
But none on't comes as yet, and all I see,
Is you've the wit to keep it all from me.
'Tis troublesome and costly to have much. 35
And if you had it, you would never grutch
Your needy Friend a little; prithee do
Send me the last, and I'le get t'other two.

231
 IV

The Answer
Your Letter found us at good Clarret,
Such as you should be at, or are at.
The lines were good; but that I wonder,
As much as at a bladders thunder,
That you who are not us'd to preach, 5
That never to that art could reach,
Your letter should so well divide,
Into the first, third, second, head.
Prithee tell me, just then came ye,
Before you writ, from your C. 10
Or hadst thou heard some Independent,
First it, and thirdly it, till no end on't?
Thirdly from you is as ill sounded,
As Mass delivered by a roundhead.
Or if your old Recorder should 15
Try to speak Latine that is good.
Drink the first head, you wisely laid,
Drink alwayes gets into the head.
Drink in plain silly troth you had,
As strong as hop, or furnace made, 20
Such as our Sophisters do take,
When they old Latine jests would break.
Such as if your Clients drink,
Of law suites they would never think.
Such as with Beef, and mutton were 25
Enough to make you Knight o'th' shire.
But that it comes not you may thank
Your Thames which s well 'd above its bank.
I think the London Brewers plot
To encrease the Thames, that we should not, 30
By our sublime and noble Beer,
Shame all their puddle liquor there.
So great the flood here, that the people
Were woundrous fraid for your Pauls steeple.
Least we should hear next Almanack, 35
How London Bridge did fall or shake.
Least it Westminster hall should drown,
And then no place should there be found,
Where men their gold and silver may

232
Upon the Lawyers throw away. 40
But stay, it may be all is lost,
Broke by the ice, or stop'd by frost.
Perchance the Boatmen let it run,
Which either of us would have done.
It may be they drew out the Vessel, 45
To cheer themselves at merry Wassail.
Perchance the Barrell in the way
Did fall upon an holy day.
Upon a Revell or a wedding,
Or else, it may be, it call'd at Redding', 50
Where the bold rout did rant of late,
As if they drunk such beer as that.
But if at last it there arrive,
Drink it out while 'tis alive,
Let not old Gossips of it tast, 55
When they do praise their husbands last;
When they tell stories, and do cry
For their poor babe that last did dye.
Nor it to Country Clients give,
When thou dost fees from them receive. 60
But make a fire and send about,
For all thy Friends the merry rout.
Fetch out the bowl and drink it up,
And think on him that fill'd the cup.
Your next is money, which I promise, 65
Full fifty pounds alas the summe is,
That too shall quickly follow, if
It can be rais'd from Strong or Tiff e.
Pray pray that each moneth we may choose
New Members for the commons house. 70
Pray that our Act may last all year,
That we may sooner spend our Beer.
Pray that the Schollars may drink faster,
And larger cups then they did last year.
Pray heav'n to take away th'Excise, 75
Pray I say with weeping eyes:
Pray our malt grow good and cheap,
And then of mony expect an heap.
For Poems; Tom desires me tell ye,
He minds not now his feet, but belly. 80
He must for Pulpit now prepare,
Or make bills for Apothecar-

233
Y'aud leave off these barren toyes
Which feed not, only make a noyse.
Yet he would faign from you receive, 85
What your more happy Muse did give.
Which made Protectors love to hear,
Though themselves wounded by them were.
Songs, which are play'd on every tongue,
And make a Christmas when they're sung. 90
Thus wishing you much mirth and wit,
A,-* the Li/id Mayor doth speak and spit.
Wishing and praying till F m weary,
i iat v )u may drink the best Canary.
-t^ü IP it yoi may have Clients many, 95
* «! ! MIÍV m Guildhall wise as any,
1 <ivJ rhe iicn Londoners may fall out,
" 'id go o Law till money's all out,
,j,at s „ > Citizen hate his Neighbour,
^s h^ ife doth Pope and Tyber. 100
That lue grave Alderman love no man,
Moie thai they did the Prayer-common.
*t Quaridis long may thence be spun
Voout a Whistle or a Spoon,
That th' i rc h of law may infect all London 105
TiM you are rich, and they are undone.
f'icit yo i may keep your good Dame yet here,
Or when she dies may find a better.
Thaï two howers prayer and long Sermon,
You may not hear above each terme one. 110
And then your pew may be so easiy,
Thai you may sleep when e're it please ye.
Than when from Tavern late you come,
You misse the watch returning home,
Or if you meet th'unmanner'd rabble, 115
You may not out wit the Constable.

234
 V

To T.S.
Thy Letter Friend, had the hard fate,
To find me with a busie pate,
Which still continues and will do,
Till you meet me, or I meet you.
Then prithee come thy wayes to me, 5
Or else I vow I'll come to thee.
So well Í love thee that I doat.
And make this shamelesse Letter show't.
And it is more then I can do,
To live in love and businesse too. 10
P.B. and G. I had the luck
To see, and drink a little pluck.
Which they both said, they'Id do agen
But broke their words like honest men,
And shew'd themselves as errant lyars, 15
As th'were 'prentice to the Tryers.
But will they e're preach truth d'you think
Who are so false in point of drink?
Since that some persons got some places,
Decept and lying have been graces. 20
I'm also told P.P. was here,
But ne're came at me though so neer.
Which I don't take amiss, for I
Suppose his love's not wont to lie
On the Male Sex, but by his Vote, 25
Breeches should vail to petticoat.
The drink that came from honest Tim,
Had two ill properties, like him.
Twas long a coming, but alas!
In going swift as lightning 'twas. 30
There's none oft left, you may conclude,
By this, which is both flat and rude.
Nor drink I sack, and so this time,
Instead of wit you've only rythme.
Wit is as scarce and wanting here 35
With us, as mony with you there.
Our Prince of Poets, who once writ
What all admir'd, for art and wit,
Did lately stoop his Muse, and make her

235
To write a Ballade of a Quaker. 40
Which I have sent thee here withall,
To see how witts do rise and fall.
Just as our drink is bad or good,
So verse is writ, so understood.
But oh the mony (Tom) the money! 45
As strong as Sampson, sweet as hony,
How long! how long it is a coming!
Such reckoning, such receipts, such summing,
Belong to't, I shall choak I think,
Before 'tis melted into drink! 50
Those things you'l have me pray for, I
Can't find in our Church-liturgie.
To you therefore I make my suite,
That you will set the boyes to do't,
For I am told the Directory 55
And your new prayers made ex tempore,
Are all for mony very fit,
Because they're only made for it.
I like thee that apply'st thy parts,
To preaching and such thriving arts, 60
I prethee practise physick too,
For if one wont, yet both will do.
A handsome person with neat band,
Small Cuffs', white gloves, smooth tongue and hand,
If both a Doctour and a Priest, 65
What Ladie's able to resist?
You may talk bawdy freely then,
Before coy women and old men.
And be of no Religion too,
Yet profess all as others do. 70
While the poor Poet tugs for wit,
To make men laugh at him and it.
And nothing gets by all his pain,
But censures various and vain.
From such as say they Judges are, 75
And yet did never plead at bar.
Undo their malice that condemn,
Let them write while we laugh at them.
A poem I have sent thee heere,
That dyes if thou shouldst be severe. 80
And 'cause I've none worth sending down
I've bought one cost me half a crown.

236
And Dick Bromes playes which good must be,
Because they were approv'd by thee.
All which I hope will bring me back 85
What all so Love, and I so lack.
When my glasse beads to India come,
They'l bring me pearls and Diamonds home.
And thou wilt like the powers above,
Returne a blessing for a Dove. 90

VI

The Answer
My Friend, in troth, F me glad to hear,
That noise of Clients fills thy ear;
Be sure let them not soon agree,
Before thou art well greas'd with fee.
If thou wantest coyn, the Cockneys Guildhall 5
Or Westminster will to thee yeild all.
Prethee fleece each City Coxcombe
When they for law to th'Hall in flocks come.
Make them pawn their garments wedding,
Their Cupboards, Hangings, and their bedding. 10
That when another Parliament
Shall borrow for the good intent
Of zeal, upon the faith call'd publick,
They may be poor and mangie 706-like.
That when again the Pulpet clawes 15
Them to send plate into the cause,
Their spoons, and rings to th'Hall of Grocers,
Their very wives may cry out no Sirs.
But why dost bid me come to thee?
I have no term there, nor no fee, 20
What should a Scholler do at London
But to spend mony, and be undone?
When here with us a whole dayes expence
Will not swell up beyond one six pence.
When we can play, and laugh, and drink 25
And still the mony slowly shrink,
When we here talk o'th' State as boldly
As ever the Mercurius told lye.

237
When we of policy are still chattering,
(All which, 'tis true, we owe to Mat. Wren) 30
When we know all the Pretty sputher
Betwixt the one house and the other.
When we can over one full flagon,
Releive or plunder Coppen-hagen :
When we do know what is, what not is, 35
Related in the Hall, where Scottish
Raggs, once call'd colours, still remain,
Tell me what profit 'tis, or gain,
For me to take such useless pain,
To come and hear all there again. 40
But yet (remember now I promise
And will perform as sure as Rome is)
Near Easter terme, like arrow swift, I
Will ride up to thee, miles full fifty.
Shalt see me come on Oxford beast, 45
Which shall have one good leg at least.
Such a doughty horse upon,
Whose nose more then its legs shall run.
So thin a Creature that I've tride it,
When its Master did bestride it. 50
I plainly through his belly spy'd
The boot and leg on th'other side.
Next this, Fie get coat, boots, and spurs,
And then Sir quickly I am yours.
Fie come unless (which happen may) 55
Gall'd Buttocks stop me on the way.
Whether his ends be good or sinister,
G. now from head to foot's a Minister.
My judgment is he is turn'd Divine,
Only to have wherewith to buy wine. 60
He came home with each empty pocket,
That th'one could not the other mock at.
What ever others do, F le swear
Safely he us'd no Symonie there.
He swears since He's a Country Parson, 65
That he finds coming worldly cares on.
S ayes, he believes since he has been there,
You Lawyers do not only sin there,
But that in Knavery White-Hall-gate,
Out does all 'twixtLwd and Alígate. 70
Our Friend P. is by this at Paris,

238
Of if not there, he very near is.
God send him home whole wind and limb,
And keep his nose sound to the brim.
Some rogues say, Tim provides for one day, 75
To wit the Sabbath or the Sunday.
That at that time he alwayes is sick,
Enough to stay at home and Physick.
The Poet I confess doth stoop here
From what is writ i'th' hill ofCowper. 80
But for new bayes what need care Denham,
Who so long since did bravely win 'um.
Should such proud Spirits alwayes do good,
What they perform'd would then be too good.
Thou next would'st have me turn Divine, 85
And Doctor too, indeed 'tis fine,
Physick and preaching ill agree,
There is but one Religio Medici.
Paul and every other 'Postle,
(As the Scripture doth to us tell) 90
That had the gift of healing, did
Not cure the belly, heart or head,
By hearbs, or Potions, Purge or Treacle;
But by a plain down right miracle.
I never heard that learned Moses, 95
Whom God himself for Prophet chose his,
In Egypt was Physitian, though there
He kill'd as many men, as if he were.
How pretty I should shew i'faith,
As in his Sums Aquinas saith, 100
With hour-glass in one fist, and
With Urinall in the other hand,
To have my Pothecary say
Such a Ladie's sick to day,
And straight to have my Sexton calling, 105
And ask me when he shall toll all in.
if I must needs be both then name ye
What kind of Doctor you would have me.
Chymickl alas the costly furnace,
Will quickly my small purse unfurnish, 110
Or Galenisi ? that wont agree
With my other trade Divinity.
Nor with Preachers now the mode is,
To strive to make themselves Methodists.

239
 I wish you would a Lawyer had me, 115
That indeed had quickly made me,
Tis they bring all unto their purses,
The Countries mony, and their curses.
By poring on some mouldy Record,
And bringing fools unto an accord. 120
With Poets Men so hardly deal,
They are scarce part o'th' Commonweal.
Father Apollo, and Mother Muses
Gave all away to Pious uses.
So that their Children must fair ill, 125
That have nought left them but the bare hill.
Lastly, my Friend you are too hard,
To challenge a small Oxford Bard,
To send you verse in hungry Lent,
A fasting time and Paenitent; 130
When I should be confessing sins,
Of mine and too of other mens.
You'd force me to commit one more,
(And sure t'were not the least o'th' score)
To make bad Rythmes: which needs are dismal, 135
When Stomack's great, and Commons is small.
To tell y'a plain, but Christian truth,
Verse must be fat, that would be smooth.
An Army said the King of Sweden
(He that did know so well to lead one) 140
Is a great beast, which if you draw,
You must begin first from the maw.
So say I of the beast a Poet.
(And all our Rithming Kindred know it)
Who ere intend a Poem to make, 145
He must begin first with his stomack,
Good sooth at this dull time o'th' year,
When we must drink plain physick beer,
When all to temperance are bent here,
To expiate the sins o'th' Winter. 150
When we must leave our former merr'ment,
Because forsooth our bloods now ferment.
When we must no more Taverns survey,
But be content with juyce of scurvey.
When such thin Commons do us serve, 155
As would a very Spaniard starve:
When wee've such fish set on our board,

240
Which scarce your fish whores would afford,
Without stop'd nose to look upon,
Nor swear 'tis sweet, though 'twere her own. 160
At this lean time I say, troth, scarce I
Can write as well as P. from Jersey.
Whose Rythmes were yet so paultry that
All Men that heard them wish'd his fate.
Pray'd rather then such stuff e to hear, 165
They might with th'Author loose each ear.
Upon my conscience such a mood in,
As I am now, was learn'd John Goodwin,
When he so high of Worster fight,
In Elemosinary verse did write, 170
Such Rythmes the King might thank that day,
Which forced him to run away,
Out of their sound that would have more
Grated his ears then's loss before.
(In such a meager season now 175
By all the Poets hills I vow)
Should I be forc'd my muse to raise,
She'd sound as bad as Sternes praise.
I think I should come short of Wither,
Whose quill had ink, but not one feather. 180
Nor in this humour verse can I brew,
Better then Psalmes turn'd out of Hebrew.
Unhappy Psalmes! that so long lasted
To be at length so metaphrasted,
By good old provost Francis Rous, 185
A member of the other house.
Who with much pains and many a pang,
At last made Davids Lute cry twang.
The sacred harp so sadly by him strung,
Seems as if still it on the Willowes hung. 190
Then be content till after Easter,
By that I'll cheer my Muse, and feast her.
And then (God send it prove no lie,)
She that cannot now creep, shall flie.

241
 VK

An Epistle from a Friend to the Author

upbraiding him with his writing Songs
By I.E.
Dear friend, believ't, my love has spurr'd me on
For once to question thy discretion:
And by right reason deify'd by thee,
Ï blame thee for the wrongs to poésie
Thou hast committed; in betraying it 5
To th'censure (not the judgment) of each wit;
Wit, did Í say? Things whose dull spirits are
Apt only to applaud, what e're they hear,
Be't good or bad, so throated to their mind,
Johnson and Taylor like acceptance find, 10
Why pedler'st thus thy Muse? Why dost set ope
A shop of wit, to set the fidlers up?
Fie prodigal, canst statuated shine
By the abuse of Women, praise of wine?
Or such like toyes, whirr» e^erv hour are 15
By every pen spu'd frtrh nt every ear.
Thy comely Muse f>-«^e < p in robes, and raise
Majestick Splender to thy vr^ath of bayes.
Don't prostitute her thus, her Majesty,
(Like that of Princes) when the vulgar see 20
Too frequently, respect n«d awe are fled,
Contempt and scorn remcineth in their sied:
But I have done, and tear Tve done aniisse,
Being doubtful, lest thiiu'í c;¿ve thy Fidlers this.

242
 VIII

The Answer
Did I not know thee friend, and that this fit
Comes not to shew thy malice but thy wit,
I might this action censure, and reprove
As well thy want of judgment, as of love;
And think my Muse, were doubly now forlorne 5
Below thy envy, yet not above thy scorne.
But yet 1 wonder why thy reason thus,
Which thou çall'st right, and's magnify'd by us,
And justly too, should vote me indiscreet,
Because my Poems do with all sorts meet, 10
How can I help it? Who can circumscribe
His words or works, within the small-wise tribe?
And you the hearers kind applause do blame,
When charity bids us all do the same.
If good we must, and if the wit be such 15
That it does need, who would not lend a crutch?
We're mortal Writers, and are forc'd t'a truce,
For he that gives, may well expect abuse.
Johnson and Taylor in their kind were both
Good Wits, who likes one need not t'other loath. 20
Wit is like beauty, nature made theJoane,
As well's the Lady. We see every one
Meets with a match. Neither can I expect,
Thou more my muse then Mistress should'st affect,
And yet I like them both, if you don't too, 25
Can't you let them alone for those that do?
Now if thou'ldst know the very reason why
I write so oft, to please my self, say I.
I know no more why I write more then thee,
Then why my father got more sons then me. 30
Nor pedling call't, for those in Cheap as well,
As they at Fairs expose their wares to sell.
But I give freely mine, and though it be
To Fidlers, yet 'tis to a company;
And all those gifts are well bestowed, which 35
At once do make us merry, and them rich.
If making Sonnets were so great a sin,
Repent, 'twas you at first did draw me in.
And if the making one Song be not any,

243
I can't believe I sin in making many. 40
But oh! the theemes displease you, you repine
Because I throw down women, set up wine.
Why that offends you, I can see no reason,
Unlesse 'cause I, not you, commit the treason.
Our judgments jump in both, we both do love 45
Good Wine and Women, if I disapprove
The slights of some, the matter's understood,
I'm ne're the lesse belov'd by th'truly good.
You'ld have no phancy blown upon, but must
Have all new brpach'd or can'd to please your gust. 50
When this demand of yours is grown as old
As what you quarrel at, and as often told.
And there's old Wits that will as much condemn
Your novelty, as you can censure them.
Now for those robes in which you'l have me dress 55
My homely muse, and write with loftiness,
Talk of State matters, and affairs of Kings,
Thou know'st we've beat our heads about those things,
Till I'd my teeth neer beat out, after all
My toyl, the wormes must turn poetical. 60
He that courts others ears may use designes,
Be coy and costive; but my harmelesse lines,
If they produce a laughter are well crown'd,
Yet though they've sought none, have acceptance found.
With these I sport my self and can invite 65
My self and friends t'a short and sweet delight;
While all our tedious toils, which we call playes,
Like the great ship, lye slugging in their bayes.
And can no service do without great cost
And time, and then our time and stomach's lost, 70
But I must write no more for fear that we
Be like those brethren in divinity.
Whilst thou dost go to make my flash expire,
I raise thy flame and make it bum much higher.
Only because thou doubt'st I should bestow 75
Thy lines upon my Fidlers, thou shalt know,
That had they been upon a business fit,
And were I subject equal! to thy wit,
T'had gone, and thou shouldst sing them top, and so
Be both the poet and the fidler too. 80

244
 IX

To a Lady desiring a copy of a Song

Madame,
You are a poetress 'tis true,
Nor had we men been Poets but for you;
'Tis from your sex we've learnt our art and wit,
'Tis for your sakes that we do practice it.
Your subtler sex first ventred on the tree, 5
Where knowledg grew, and pluck'd the fruit, which we
Did only tast, and that at second hand,
Yet by that hand, and tast we're all trepan'd,
And our posterity the dome endures;
You op'd our eyes, as you know who did yours. 10
By your command this Song thus rudely pend,
To you I do commit, though not commend,
To 'shew what duty I'm arriv'd unto,
You cannot sooner bid, then I can do.
Nor can your active soul command and sway 15
With more delight, and pride, then mine obey.
I will not say this Poem's bad or good,
'Tis as 'tis lik'd, and as 'tis understood.
A Poems life, and death dependeth still
Not on the Poets wit, but Readers will. 20
Should it in sence seem rascal, low and dull,
Your eye can make it sprightly, plump and full.
And if it should be lame, I hope 'twill be,
'Cause somewhat like your self, more pleasing t'ye.
If it should trip, assist it with your hand, 25
You may lend feet, for you can make things stand.
One touch of yours can cure its ev'll, and then
'Tis made by your fair hand, not my blunt pen,
Useful for love, or slighting you'l it find,
For love before, or for disdain behind. 3.0
Be't as you please, to moré it can't aspire,
'Tis all it can deserve, or I desire.

245
 X

To his Friend C.S. Esquire

Inspir'd with plum-broth, and minc'd pies,
This letter comes in humble wise,
To know how Su. and how you do?
Or whether you do do; or no.
Whether you Christmas keep, or not? 5
For here we such a Mayor have got,
That though our tavernes open stand,
Church doors are shut, by his command.
He does as good as say (we think)
Leave off this preaching, and go drink. 10
But this I doubt's no news to you,
The Countrey's Atheist part, part Jew.
And care no more for Christ or's Mass,
Then he for them: So let 'um pass.
And could the Priests be sure of pay, 15
They'Id down with that, and t'other day.
Yet spite of all our May'r could say,
We would not fast, though could not pray.
Here's feasting still throughout the City,
And drinking much (the more's the pitty.) 20
And that's the cause why all this time,
I did not answer your last Rithme:
Nor do I now; 'Tis not my fashion
In verse to make a disputation.
What ever Su. and you have writ, 25
Shews both your kindness and your wit.
But only I desire to know
If you're a member made or no,
For here we have a great adoe,
About our choice, whom, how, and who 30
Elects, or is Elected; some
To be made members send, and come,
While others of the wiser sort,
Sit still at home, and care not for't.
Richard, 'tis thought, has no intent 35
To have an endless Parliament.
Nor must they share his goods and lands,
For what he has hee'l keep in's hands.
Much is not left to be divided,

246
 The business has so well been guided; 40
Nay he himself (I tell no lye)
Wants mony more then you or I.
No reason therefore can I see
Why you should bustle much to be
A Senatour, unless it were, 45
For honour, yet that is but air,
And not the sweet'st, or saf'st, but still
Depends on other peoples will.
But trust me (Charles) you have a vain
That does more love, and honour gain, 50
And longer keepe't then all the tricks,
Of those that study Politicks.
Protection's needless, for (they say)
You owe no debts, that you can pay,
To Nature one, which during life, 55
You cannot pay, nor that t'your Wife.
Yet I would have you come away,
That though the house don't meet, we may.
When every one gets up, and ride,
'Tis good to be o'th' rising side. 60
For as i'th' Church, so 'tis i'th' State,
Who's not Elect, is Reprobate.

XI

To C.S. Esquire
Justice.
I've waited long to find thee here,
Peep'd into th'house, but could not see thee there.
I went to th'other-house, but they're so new,
They no such name or person ever knew.
'Twas for this cause, my pen has slept so long, 5
I hop'd to see thee in that learned throng.
And did believe some borough would in pitty,
Have sent thee up to dignifie our City.
But, corporations do not well discern,
What's for their good, and they're too old to learn. 10
Had our whole Senate been such men as thou,
They'd not been routed, but sate still till now.

247
But they'd be medling, and to voting fall,
Against the sword, and that out-votes them all;
Had they observ'd thy Councel, they'Id been safe 15
Stick to the strongest side, and think, and laugh.
What matter is't, what those in Office say,
When those that are in power, do answer nay?
A Cutlers shop affords us stronger law,
Then Cook or Little ton ere read, or saw. 20
But be content, let them do what they will,
Be thou a Justice I'm Atturney still.
A poor Attourney is a safer thing
Now, then to be Protector or a King.
Our noble Sheriffs a dying, and I fear 25
Will never feast us more in Taunton-Shire.
Pray tell your lovely Sue, I love her still,
As well's I dare, let her not take it ill,
I write not to her, I've time enough, 'tis true,
But have not wit enough to deal with Sue. 30

XII

To C.S. Esquire
Dear Charles, I'm thus far come to see thy face,
Thy pretty face, but this unhappy place
Does not afford it, and I'm told by some,
That want of Tythes, makes thee thou can'st not come.
Why (Charles) art thou turn'd Priest? and at this time 5
When Priests themselves have made their coat a crime?
And tythes, which make men Priests, do so decay,
One other Schisme will preach them quite away:
Thou'It near become it well, for I do find,
Wit in a pulpit is quite out of kind, 10
Thou canst not stand long, nor talk much, and lowd,
Nor thrash, nor couzen the admiring crowd,
And (which is worse) though th'hast a face, and hand,
A diamond ring, white glove, and clean lawn band,
Able to tempt an Abbess, yet, I find, 15
Thou canst not satisfie the Ladies mind,
What ere the matter is. But thou art wise,
And do'st best know thine own infirmities.

248
 Let me advize thee (Charles) be as thou art,
A Poet, so thou needst not care a — 20
For all the turnes of time: who ere did know,
The Muses sequestred? or who can shew,
That ever wit paid taxes, or was rated?
Homer and Virgil nere were decimated:
Ovid indeed was banished, but for that, 25
Which, women say, you nere were ex'lent at.
But (Charles) thou art unjusticed, I'm told,
By one, who though not valiant, yet is bold.
And that thou hast unfortunately met,
The blinded scourge o'th' Western Bajazet, 30
Thrown from the bench like Lucifer, and are
In a fair way to be brought to the bar.
Fth' interim hang 'twixt both, as law doth name us,
A billa-vera-man, or Ignoramus.
But I can't learn wherefore it is, nor how, 35
Though I've inquir'd of both, perhaps nor thou,
Some say 'tis for thy valour, which our time
In a wise Magistrate, accounts a crime.
If it be true thou hast ill luck in this,
To have two verrues; and both plac'd amiss, 40
To thwart each other; when thou shouldst have been
A valiant Captain, wisdome was thy sin,
And so uncaptain'd thee; and now the time,
Calls for thy wisdom, valour is thy crime,
And so unjustic'd thee; unlucky wretch! 45
Two vertues want'st, yet has too much of each!
Who ere compos'd thy mind plaid Babel-tricks,
Brought lyme and timber, when he should bring bricks.
But we live in an age so full of lies,
I dare not trust my ears, nor scarce my eyes. 50
I hope this is a lye too; but if true,
'Tis an affliction (Charles) that's justly due,
To thy desert; Our State holds it unfit,
One man should be a Justice, and a wit.
Go ask thy Lady, if it were ever known, 55
A Man should be a Justice, and do none.
Come be adviz'd by me, set out a book,
In English too, where Justices may look,
And learn their trade; let Presidents, of all
Warrants and mittimuses, great and small, 60
All Alehouse licenses, and other things,

249
Which to the Justices instruction brings,
Be there inserted; that the age to come,
(The children of such men as can get some)
May glorifie thy memory, and be 65
Thy pray ses trumpets to posterity.
As from one looking glass, thrown on the ground,
In every piece, a perfect face is found,
So from thy mines, all may plainly see,
Legions of Justices as wise as thee. 70
Now having taken all this pains to see
Thy worship, and can find nor it, nor thee,
Pray come to T.— bring thy beloved Sue,
My Mat. and I will meet with her and you.
And though my Mat's no Poet, you shall see, 75
She'l sit and laugh with or at us, that be.
I'll make thy Lady merry, and laugh untill,
She break that belly, which thou canst not fill.
Meantime pray give her one prolifick kiss,
Tell her it comes from me, and if that miss, 80
Give her another, and if both won't do,
Do that with three which can't be done by two.
If thou com'st not, I shall have cause to curse
Tythes, like the lay'ty, and it may be worse.
My sufferings are more, then theirs can be, 85
They'l keep their tythes, but tythes keep thee from me.
But if thou can'st not come, be sure to write,
Don't rob at once, my hearing and my sight.
If thou bring'st not thy body, send thy wit,
For we must laugh with thee, or else at it. 90

XHI

To C. S. Esquire
i
Since we met last, my Brother dear,
We've had such alterations here,
Such turnings in and out,
That I b'ing fat and breathless grown,
My side I meant to take was gone, 5
E're I could turn about.

250
 2
First I was for the King, and then
He could not please the Parliament men,
And so they went by th'ears;
I was with other fools sent out, 10
And staid three dayes, but never fought
'Gainst King or Cavaliers.

3
And (Brother) as I have been told,
You were for the Parliament of old;
And made a mighty dust; 15
And though perhaps you did not kill,
You prov'd your self as valiant still,
As ever they were just.
4
You were ingaged in that war,
When C.R. fought against C.R. 20
By a distinction new.
You alwayes took that side that's right,
But when Charles with himself did fight,
Pray of which side were you?

5
Should I that am a man of law, 25
Make use of such a subtile claw,
In London or in Ex''ter,
And be of both sides as you were,
People would count me then, I fear,
A Knavish Ambodexter. 30

6
But since all sides so tottering be,
It puzles wiser men then me,
Who would not have it utter'd,
What side to take they cannot tell.
And I believe they know not well, 35
Which side their bread is butter'd.

251
 7
Here's fore-side, and here's back-side too,
And two left sides, for ought I know,
I can find ne're a right.
I've been for th'midle twenty years, 40
And will be still, for their appears
Most Safety and delight.

8
But if the times think that too high,
By creeping lower, I'll comply,
And with their humour jump. 45
If love at th'belly may not enter
In an Italian way I'll venter,
To love the very Rump.

9
So here's t'you (Charles) a Rubber's to't.
Here ' s a Cast more, if that wont do't, 50
Here's half a dozen more, and
To every feather here's a glass,
Nay rather then I'll let it pass,
Here's a years healths before hand.

10
If loving it, and drinking to't, 55
And making others drink to boot,
Don't shew my good affection,
I'll sit down disaffected still,
And let them all do what they will,
Untill our next Election. 60

11
But I'm concern'd (me thinks) to find,
Our Grandees turn with every wind,
Yet keep like Corks above.
They lived and dyed but two years since,
With Oliver their pious Prince, 65
Whom they did fear and love.

252
 12
As soon as Richard did but raign,
They liv'd and dy'd with him again,
And swore to serve him ever,
But when Sir Arthur came with's men, 70
They liv'd and dy'd with him agen
As if Dick had been never.

13
And when Prince Lambert turn'd them out,
They liv'd and dy'd another bout,
And vilifi'd the Rump, 75
And now for them they live and dye,
But for the Divel by and by,
If he be turn'd up trump.

14
Yet still they order us and ours,
And will be called higher powers. 80
But I will tell you what;
Either these slaves forswear, and lye,
Or if they did so often dye,
They've more lives then a cat.

15
Let the times run, and let men turn, 85
This is too wise an age to burn,
Wee'l in our Judgment hover,
Till 'tis agreed what we must be,
In the interim take this from me.
I'me thy eternal Lover. 90

253
 XIV

To his Friend W.C.

Dear Brother Will, thy dearer John and I,
Now happy in each others company,
Send thee this greeting, and do wish that we,
By thy addition, may be made up three,
Two make no sport, they can but sit and sip, 5
Here's t'you, and thank you's no good fellowship.
Wee'r Melancolly 'cause we drink alone,
For John and I together spell but one.
Three is the perfect number, that is able
To difference a solitude from a rabie. 10
Here, if we mix with company, 'tis such
As can say nothing, though they talk too much.
Here we learn Georgicks, here the Bucolicks,
Which building's cheapest, timber, stone or bricks.
Here's Adams natural Sons, all made of Earth, 15
Earth's their Religion, their discourse, their mirth.
But on the Sunday thou'ldst admire to see,
How dirt is mingled with Divinity.
Such disputations, writing, singing, praying,
So little doing good, and so much saying; 20
It tires us weak lung'd Christians, and I think,
So much the more, 'cause ther's so little drink.
And that so bad, that we with them are faign,
To go to Church and sleep, and home again,
Twice in a Sabbath, and to break the rest, 25
With tedious repetitions, and molest,
The Servants memories with such piteous stuff,
As wisemen think once said's more then enough.
Thus do we spend our time, and meet with nothing,
But what Creates our trouble, and our loathing. 30
Come then away, leave Butchers, leave thy Lord,
Our Country here shall both, or more afford.
Jack here's a Lord, a Prince, nay more a friend,
He and his botles make the Vulgar bend.
And if thou didst believe him, or know me, 35
I am more butcher then they two can be.
If all these things won't make thee come away,
I am resolv'd to thee-ward, if thou'lt stay.

254
 Drink till I come, that I may find thee mellow,
Tis ten to one, thou'lt meet or make thy fellow. 40

XV

To his Friend I.E. Upon his Tragedy

In 1652
Thou may'st well wonder, and my self should be
Dumb, if I should be dumb in praysing thee.
Since I've occasion now to exercise,
Sublimest thoughts, yet not hyperbolize.
But since we two are Brothers, and subscribe, 5
Both Volunteirs to the Poetick Tribe,
I dare not do't, least any Dulman sayes,
We, by consent, do one another praise.
Yet dare applaud thy work, and thee in it,
So good in language, plot, and strength of wit, 10
That none but thou can equall't. Not a line,
But's thine 'cause good, and good because 'tis thine.
So that my duller sight can hardly see
Whether thou mak'st it exc'lent, or it thee.
Let those, whose anvil-heads, beat all delight, 15
Into a toil, at every line they write,
Now, vail to thee and fairly yeild the bayes,
Since all their works, compair'd with thine are playes.
So far I like thy worth, that I should be
Intic'd if possible to flatter thee. 20

XVI

To a Potting Priest upon a quarrel

In 1643
I cannot choose but wonder, Mr.-—
That we two wisemen, had so little wit,
As without quarrel, Jealousies, or fears,
Worse then the times, we two should go by th'ears.
I marvel what inspir'd this valour in you, 5

255
Though you were weak, you'd something strong within you.
'Twas not your learning, neither can I think,
That 'twas your valour, but John D— strong drink.
Love and good liquor have a strong command
T'make cowards fight longer then they can stand. 10
I need not aske your reason, for 'twas gone;
Nor had you sence enough to feel you'd none.
Was it to shew your Mistress you could fight?
Living i'th' woods, you'ld be an arrant Knight?
That Lady may have cause enough to rue, 15
That has no better Champion then you.
You might have sav'd that labour, each man reads.
You're a wild man both in your looks and deeds.
By th' wonders of your drinking men may see,
You are a Hero without Chevalry. 20
You thought a duel, would your Mistress please,
But prov'd a Thraso, not an Hercules.
I might have thought my self a worthy too,
Because I tam'd a Monster, that is you.
Your Zeal (me thought) was greatly kindled, 25
That went to make a Pulpit of my head.
Blame me not, though I strook, for I was vext,
To be so basely handled, like your text,
With subtile sophistry, that when you mist
In words, you would confute me withr you 30
But such weak sillogismes from you ran,
As I could never read in Keckerman.
That brain-aspiring drink, so much did nip us,
You mistook Aristotle, for Aristippus.
'Twas this your brains with Proclamations fills, 35
And twirles them like Don Quixots watermils.
Your head that should be King, was now pull'd down,
While that rebellious beer usurp'd your crown.
And your Mechanick heels gaz'd on the stars,
As if they went to turn Astronomers. 40
Your legs were altogether for Commanding,
And taught your foolish head more understanding.
Your body so re vers'd, did represent,
(Being forked) our bicorned Government.
Your wits were banished, and your brains were drown'd, 45
While your Calves-head lay center'd to the ground.
Thus being black without, within a beast,
I took you for a Tinker, not a Priest.

256
 In your next Sermon, let your audience hear,
How you can preach damnation to strong beer. 50
I have returned your knife, at your demand,
But if I've put a sword t'a mad mans hand,
Let me advice you, when you fight again,
Fight with a worse, or be a better man.

XVII

To his Friend Mr. W.H. upon the

death of his hawke
In 1643
What will you suffer thus your hawke to dye?
And shan't her name live in an Elegy?
It shall not be, nor shall the people think,
Wee've so few Poets, or so little drink.
And if there be no sober brain to do it, 5
I'll wet my Muse, and set my self unto it.
I have no Gods, nor Muse to call upon,
Sir Johns strong barrel is my Helicon.
From whence uncurbed streams of tears shall flow,
And verse shall run, when I my self can't go. 10
Poor bird, I pitty this thy strange disaster,
That thou should'st thus be murthred by thy master.
Was it with salt? I'm sure he was not fresh,
Or was't thy trusting to an arme of flesh?
Or 'cause 'twas darksome did his eye-sight fail, 15
Meeting a Post, he took it for a Ray le?
And yet I wonder how he mis'd his sight,
For though the night was dark, his head was light.
And though he bore thee with a mighty hand,
Thou needs must fall, when he himself can't stand. 20
'Tis but our common lot, for we do all
Sometimes, for want of understanding fall.
But thou art serv'd aright, for when th'had'st flown,
What ere thou tookst, thou tookst to be thy own.
And 'tis but Justice, that each plundring knave, 25
That such a life doth lead, such death should have.
Rejoyce you Partridge, and be glad ye Rayles,

257
 For the Hawks talions, are as short's your tayles.
If all the Kingdomes bloody foes, as she,
Would break their necks, how joy full should we be. 30
Well at her burial, thus much I will tell,
In spite of schism, her bells shall ring a knell.

XVIII

To his School Master Mr. W.H. upon his Poem

call'd Conscientiae accusatricis Hypotyposis
In 1644
Sir,
When I read your work, and thought upon,
How lively you had made description,
Of an accusing conscience, and did see,
How well each limn did with th'Archtipe agree,
I wonder'd how you could lim't out so well, 5
Since you b'experience can't its horrour tell.
Trust me, I'ld praise it, but that I suppose,
My praise would make it more inglorious,
In love to th'work and work-man I thought meet,
To make your verses stand on English feet. 10
But whe're well done or ill, I here submit,
Unto your censure, both my self and it.
I'm man, I'm young, unlearn'd, and thereupon
I know, I cannot boast perfection.
In fetter'd tasks, wherein the fancie's tide, 15
Do what one can, the lustre won't abide.
No Ideoms kiss so well, but that there is
Between some phrases some Antithesis.
What ere is good, in each unpolish'd line,
I count as yours, the faults alone are mine. 20
I wish each foot and line, as strong, and true,
As my desire to love, and honour you.

258
 XIX

To his Friend T.S.

Tom.
Since thou didst leave both me and this town,
The sword is got up, and the lawes tumbled down.
Those eager disputes between Harrington and Wren,
At length have inspired the Red-coated Men.
Whose sides, not their heads, do wear the Lex terrae, 5
With which they will rule us until we be weary.
We know not whose highest (what ere people brawle,)
Whether Wallingford-house or Westminster Hall.
You made a contest neither pulpit nor tub-like,
What's fittest, a Monarchy or a Republick. 10
But Desborough sayes, that Scholler's a fool,
That advances his pen against the warr-tool.
We have various discourses and various conjectures,
In Taverns, in Streets, in Sermons, and Lectures.
Yet no man can tell what may hap in the close, 15
Which are wiser, or honester, these men or those.
But for my part I think 'tis in vain to contest,
I sit still and say, he that's strongest is best.
The World keeps a round, that original sin,
That thrust some people out, drawes other folkes in. 20
They have done they did not know what, and now,
Some think that they do not know what they may do.
But State matters (Tom) are too weighty and high,
For such mean private persons as thou art, and I.
We will not our Governours calling invade, 25
We'le mind our own good, let them follow their trade.
Lanch forth into th'Pulpit much learning will be,
A hinderance to thy Divinity.
'Tis better to mind what will cloath ye, and feed ye,
Then those empty titles of M.A. and D.D. 30
I have one thing to beg, and I won't be deni'd,
You must once more mount Pegasus, and you must ride
Ore the County of D. whose praise must b'exprest,
In a poem to grace our next County feast.
Which will be next term, 'twas what I design'd, 35
But want wit and time to do't to my mind.
Thou hast Subject and wit, if thou hast but a will,
Thou maist make a Poem, next that Coupers-hill.

259
 Remember thy promise, to send me my book,
With a copy of thine, for which I doe look; 40
And let not a Letter come nether to me,
But fraighted with Poems, and written by thee.
And I out of gratitude shall take a care,
To make a return of our City ware.
Fie vex thee no more with this paltry rythme, 45
For fear it should make thee mis-spend thy time.
And so I have this Apology for't,
Though it been't very sweet, it shall be prety short.

XX

To the Meritoriously Honorable

Lord Chief e Justice of the Kings bench
Great Sir, and Good! beloved, and obey'd!
To whose great worth, honour's not giv'n but paid.
To whose great love, and knowledg we all owe,
All that we have of law, and what we know;
Who with strong reason, for the factious clawes 5
Of wilfull fools, redeem'd our sacred lawes.
Full twenty years have I a Servant been,
To this Profession, I live by and in.
Eight years a Master, and in all this space,
Have nothing done that mis-became my place; 10
Nor have my actions been Derogatory,
Unto my Clients profit, or the glory
Of this renowned Court, and therefore I
Now humbly beg to be at liberty.
Justice, and reason both command, that he 15
Who serv'd so long, should at the last be free.
For this I serv'd, for this our Nation fought,
And pray'd, and paid so much; nor do I doubt,
T'obtain my wish herein, could I but find,
Desert in me proportion'd to your mind. 20
The benefit o'th' Clergy I desire,
That I may be admitted of that Quire,
Who their own Pleas, in their own names enrowl,
And may perform my place without controul.

260
 My Lord, you've power and will to do't, and, though 25
I am not worthy, if you think me so,
Your Lordships test can constitute me that,
Which my abilities can near reach at.
My comfort is, 'tis what you don't deny,
To some that read and write as bad as I. 30
And there's a kindness which belongs to such,
As having little worth, beg where ther's much.
Caesar that valiant General was ador'd
More for his liberal hand, then for his Sword.
And your great Archetipe his Highness does 35
Derive more honour from the mouths of those,
Whom he hath gratifi'd, then by the death
Of those his conquering sword depriv'd of breath.
Freedome's a Princely thing to give, 'tis that
Which all our lawes do stand for, and aim at. 40
And 'twill be some addition to your fame,
When I with tongue, and pen enlarg'd, proclaim,
'Mong all your Noble acts, you made a room,
In your great heart, for A.B.

XXI

A new years gift presented to the same

My Lord,
Did I not find it by experience true,
Beggars are many, but Thanksgivers few,
I had not dar'd t'envade your eye, with this
Mean gratulation whose ambition is,
But to be pardon'd, and the faults to smother, 5
With this which were committed by the other;
Yet since 'tis gratitude, it may please you,
If not as good, yet as 'tis strange and new.
Great Atlas of our lawes and us, whose will
Is alwayes active, back'd by unmatch'd skill; 10
To rule the Nation, and instruct it too,
And make all persons live, as well as know.
Though being among the undiscerning throng,
You sufferd once, you acted all along.
Your sufferings did but like the Martyrs 15

261
Advance your Person, and exalt your name.
Disclos'd your vertues, from their sullen Ore,
Make your gold shine, which was pure gold before.
Your Noble soul tells us from whence you came,
You've both theBrittish Nature and the name; 20
By your example, you instruct us what
Our Grandsires were, and what they aimed at.
Ere the Fantastick French, or selvish Dutch,
Were grafted on our stocks, our souls were such
As yours is now; Now we by you may see, 25
What once we were, what now we ought to be.
Great Men, great favours, to great men repay,
With great rewards, but I can only say,
Your Lordship, your great kindnesses hath thrown,
On one, that can return, or merit none. 30
But you must pay, and thank your self for me,
With your own goodness; That vast treasury,
That found your love so generous and immense,
To cast on me, can find you Recompence.
A gift of worth my fortune can't bring forth, 35
Proportion'd to your kindness, or your worth.
Let me send what I can, it will not be
Enough for you, though't be too much for me.
What more to do or say, I cannot tell,
Much I can't do, nor can say much, and well; 40
But what I cannot do, I will desire,
And what I can't express, I shall admire.
May this new year be prosperous! may each hour,
Bring you new blessings, in a plenteous shour!
May Heaven still smile upon you, and still bless 45
All that you do, and all that you possess!
May you live long and flourish too, that I
When I need succour may know where to fly,
And find supplies! May all your actions be,
As beneficial t'all, as this to me, 50
That when you dye (great pitty 'tis you should)
Th'whole land may mourn, not as you're great, but good.
And though I have not ransack'd Sea, and Shore,
To make you richer, then you were before,
I hope this grateful, though but rude address, 55
May please you more, though it hath cost me less.

262
 XXII

To his Honoured Friend R. Henley Esquire

Sir,
Though I woed you not in verse, or prose,
To make my name, and me more glorious,
By being your Clark, the work is done, I find,
Not that I'm worthy on't, but you are kind.
Therefore these lines address themselves to you, 5
Not given freely t'you, but paid as due;
And that they may your kind acceptance win,
They've sack (their common badge) with them and in.
And I presume, without much scruple, you
May drink old sack, although the year be new. 10
But though I am not rich enough to send
Gifts fit for you t'accept; nor do intend
T'enrich Peru: nor think it fit to give,
Our betters that, by which our selves should live,
This will, I hope, your candid nature move, 15
'Cause I give freely what I dearly love;
And I believe 'tis true, what I've been told;
You love good sack, as well as your partner gold.
I know not whether you'l like this or no,
But if it be not good, my will is so. 20
May it prove excellent! and may all those,
That drink it freely, be ingenious,
That is be found or made so! to yours and you,
May this year prove as prosperous as new.
May we live quiet, and lay by our swords. 25
And have no more lawless and boistrous Lords!
May the law stand! may Justice rule the roast,
One sober Judge rules better then an hoast.
And be assur'd this truth you'l ever find;
I'le be as dutifull as you are kind. 30
Nor shall you in your Rolls find out a Man,
Will serve you more then I, though many can.

263
 XXIII

To his Friend J.H. Esquire

i
If thou canst fashion no excuse,
To stay at home, as 'tis thy use,
When I do send for Thee,
Let neither sickness, way, nor rain,
With fond delusions thee detain, 5
But come thy way to me.

2
Hang such a sickness that has power,
To seize on thee at such an hour,
When thou shouldst take thy pleasure.
Go give thy Doctor half a Fee, 10
That it may never trouble thee,
Untill thou art at leisure.

3
We have a Cup of Sider here,
That scornes that Common strumpet, Beer,
And such dull drinks as they're. 15
Their potions made of Hops and Mault,
Can only make our fancies hault,
This makes them quick as ayre.
4
Ceres with Bacchus dares compare,
And swears her fruits the liquor are, 20
That Poets so implore.
A sip of Sack may work a verse,
But he that drinks a bowle of Hers,
Shall thunder out a score.

5
To morrow morning come away, 25
Friday wee'le vote a happy day,
In spite of Erra Pater.
And bring with you a spark or twain,
Such as will drink, and drink again,
To treat about the matter. 30

264
 XXIV

To a Gentleman that fell sick of the

small Pox. When he should be married
Sir,
When you view these cheker'd lines and see,
How (bate the colour) like your face they be,
You'll think this sheet to be your looking glass,
And all these spots, the Eccoes of your face.
Wherein Disease and Love their field have pight, 5
To try which is more lovely Red, or White.
Like our late Souldiers, who more rage did show,
Unto the place that fed them, then their foe.
Sickness, loves Rivall, envying the place,
Where Cupid chose to pitch his tents, your face, 10
Went to write foul, but Cupid made it prove,
Spite of his spite, the alphabet of love.
So as they strove, love serv'd him in his trim,
For as that set on you, this set on him
And love that conquers all things, soon made known, 15
To him a burning, greater then his own.
Accurst disease! durst thou come, crawling hither
To separate, whom Heaven had joyn'd together?
Had'st thou no time to vent thy rage, but this,
When swelling hopes did dawn towards their bliss? 20
I'th' interregnum 'twixt desires and joyes.
The cursed Vigil of blest holy dayes !
What pitty 'tis that face where love has been,
So oft, so proud to play so sweetly in,
By thy dire hand should be ore-turned thus, 25
As to be made a Campus Martius,
Wherein the angry York and Lancaster,
New-vampe and do retrive their musty stir?
As if the Red rose and the white would be,
Where ere they met, still at Antipathy; 30
A face that was as clear as day, as bright,
Should bud with stars like an enamell'd night;
Your sickness meant to turn Astronomer,
Your face the Heaven, and every spot a Star.
Or else would write an Almanack, and raise, 35
By those red Letters, nought but holy-dayes.

265
 Were it your Butlers face, a Man would think,
They had but been new boylings of the drink;
Or had his nose been such, one would have swore,
'Twere red with anger, 'cause he'd drink no more. 40
Or had your keeper such, hee'ld sell it all
For harts-horn to make hafts of knives withall.
Or if your Cooks were such, how it would fit,
To grate your ginger, or nutmegs with it?
But why on your face? what was his design? 45
Was it to break the Hymeneal twine,
That was half twisted? Tush! hee's much mistook,
Your love was past the criss-cross of a look;
And your affections are of riper age,
Then now to gaze on beauties title page. 50
Or barely dwell upon the face, those toyes
Are Oceand in the hopes of future joyes.
Then blush no more, but let your Mistress know,
They're but Love-letters written on your brow,
Etch'd by th'engravers hand, there she may see, 55
That beautie's subject to mortality.
How frail a thing it is, how vain t'adore it,
What fools are they that love or marry for it;
And that this sickness which hath curb'd you, is
But the sad prologue to your future bliss. 60
An Ember-week or Lent, which alwayes falls,
As fasting-eves before your festivals.
'Twill make you prize your joy the more when't comes,
Usher'd along by tedious Martyrdomes.
How acceptable is a plenteous boul, 65
When 'tis carowsed by a thirsty soul!
So have I seen the winter strip the trees,
To fit them for their vernal Liveries!
And cloth th'old Earth in gray, nip every thing,
Before it rowles it self into the spring. 70
So has black night begot a gray-ey'd day,
So Sol does rout conspiring clouds with Ray;
As through this sickness does your joyes come on,
And gulf e your hopes in firm fruition.
When your red-rose clubs with your Ladies white, 75
And as the Ancient flowers did unite,
Your happiness will swell, and you will prove
The Gemini of joy, as now of Love.
These things I guess not by your face, I find

266
 Your front is not the Index of your mind. 80
Yet by your Physnomy, thus much is ment,
You are not spotles though you're innocent.
Sir if these verses go a halting pace,
They stumble in the values of your face.

XXV

To his Friend Mr. LB. being at London

in the Authors retirement
Though we are now analys'd, and can't find,
How to have mutual presence, but in mind;
I'm bold to send you this, that you may know,
Though you're above, yet I do live below.
Though I've no bags, that are with child with gold, 5
And though my fireless chymnies catch the cold
For want of great revenues, yet I find
I've what's as good as all, a sated mind.
I neither mony want, nor have I store,
I have enough to live, and ask no more. 10
No tiptoed turret, whose aspiring brow,
Looks down and scornes the humble roofes below;
My cottage lyes beneath the thunders harmes,
Laughs at the whispers of the winds, or stormes.
My rooms are not inlined with Tapistry; 15
But ragged walls where a few books may ly.
I slight the silks, whose ruffling whispers pride,
And all the worlds Tautologies beside.
My limbs inhabite but a Country dress,
Not to adorn, but cover nakedness. 20
My famili's not such, whose gentry springs,
Like old Mecaenasses, from Grandsire Kings.
I've many kinred, yet my friends are few,
Those few not rich, and yet more rich then true.
I've but a drachme of learning, and less wit; 25
Yet that's enough to fright my wealth from it.
As if those two seldom or never meet,
But like two Generals that with bullets greet.
I study to live plenteously, though scant;

267
How not to have, yet not to care, nor want. 30
Wee've here no gawdy féminines to show,
As you have in that great Seraglio',
He that weds here, lyes cloyster'd in a maid,
A Sepulcher where never man was laid.
Ours are with Load-stone touch'd, and never will, 35
But right against their proper pole, ly still.
Yours like Hell-gates do alwayes open lye,
Like hackney Jades they stand at livery.
Like treasuries where each one throwes his mite;
Gulphs of contraries, at once dark and light. 40
Where who so enters, is like gold refind;
Passing through fire, where Moloch sits enshrind,
And offers up a whole burnt sacrifize,
To pacifie those fiery Dieties.
I have no farr-fetch'd dear-bought délicates, 45
Whose vertues prized only by their rates.
No fanci'd Kick-shawes that would serve t'invite,
To a fourth course the glutted appetite.
Hunger's my Cook, my labour brings me meat,
Which best digests, when it is sawc'd with sweat. 50
They that have plurisies of these about them,
Yet do but live, and so do I without them.
I can sit in my s.tudy soon, or late,
And have no Troopers quarrel with my gate;
Nor break the peace with it; whose innocence 55
Stands only guarded in its own defence.
No debts to sue for, and no coyn to lend,
No cause to fear my foe, nor slight my friend.
Yet there is one thing which me thinks I han't,
And I have studyed to supply that want, 60
'Tis the Synopsis of all misery;
'Tis the tenth want (Dear Friend) the want of Thee.
How great a joy 'twould be, how great a bliss,
If we could have a Metampsycosis!
May we once more enjoy ourselves, for neither 65
Is truly blest, till we are blest together.

268
 XXVI

An elegy on a Lady that dyed before her

intended Nuptials
Among the train of mourners, whose swolne eyes
Wallow in tears at these sad obsequies,
Admit me as a cypher here to come,
Who though am nothing, yet can raise a summe,
And truly I can mourne as well as they, 5
Who're clad in sable weeds, though mine is gray.
Excuse me Sir, passion will swell that's pent,
Thank not my tears, I cannot but lament
To see a Lady ready for your bed
To death's imbraces yeild her may den head. 10
And that Angellick Corps that should have been
A Cabinet to lodge your Jewels in,
Should now b'imbalm'd with dust, and made a prey
To the happy wormes, who may call that day
On which her lims unto their lot did fall, 15
Your sad Solemnities, their Festival;
Should I not mourn, I could not pay the due,
Of tears to her or sympathy to you.
For death did slay you both when she did dye,
So who writes one's must write both's Elegy. 20
She was too good for you, she was too high,
A wife for Angels to get Angels by.
In whom there was as much Divinity,
And excellence, as could in woman be.
Whom you and all did love, and did suppose, 25
To be an Angel in a mortalls cloaths;
But Heaven to undeceive you let you know,
By her mortality she was not so.

269
 XXVII

On the great cryer at Westminster-Hall

When the great Cryer in that greater room,
Calls Faunt-le-roy, and Alex-and-er Brome,
The people wonder (as those heretofore,
When the dumb spake) to hear a Cryer roar.
The kitling crue of Cryers that do stand, 5
With Eunuches voyces, squeaking on each hand,
Do signifie no more, compar'd to him,
Then Member Allen did to patriot Pirn.
Those make us laugh, while we do him adore,
Theirs are but pistol, his mouth's Canon bore. 10
Now those fame-thirsty spirits that endevour,
To have their names enlarged, and last for ever,
Must be Atturneys of this Court, and so
His voyce shall like fames lowdest trumpet blow
Their names about the World, and make them last, 15
While we can lend an ear, or he a blast.

XXVIII

To the memory of that loyal patriot Sir

I. Cordel Kt.
Thus fell the grace and glory of our time,
Who durst be good when goodness was a crime.
A Magistrate that justly wore his gown,
While England had a King, or King a Crown;
But stoutly flung it off, when once he saw 5
Might knock down right, and lust did justle law.
His soul scorn'd a Democracy, and wou'd
No longer stay, then while the Kingdome stood;
And when that fled, his follow'd it, to be,
Joyn'd to his King i'th' Hieromonarchy. 10

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 XXIX

To his Mistress lodging in a room where

the Sky was painted
In 1642
When (my Diviner soul) I did of late,
In thy fair chamber, for thy presence wait,
Looking aloft, (Thou know'st my look is high,
Else I'd nere dare to court Thee) I did spy
Sun, Moon and Stars, by th'painters art appear 5
At once all Culm'nant in one hemisphear;
My small Astrology made me suppose,
Those Symptômes made the room prodigious.
Old time (I thought) was crampt and night and day
Both monosyllabled, to make me stay; 10
Hee'd broke his steps of dayes and hours that he
Might rowle himself into eternity.
The Sun, as tyred, with the course he ran,
Center'd himself in the Meridian:
And 'cause 'twas there, I could not think it night, 15
Nor durst I call it day, 'cause 't gave no light.
I found the cause, and ceased to admire;
Thy eyes had stolne his light, my heart his fire.
And that's the cause why Sun and Moon look'd dim,
Thy brighter face out luster'd her, and him. 20
But (which increas'd my wonder) I could see,
No Meteor portend this prodigy;
Comets all winck'd at this, nor could I spy
One blazing starr, but my portendve eye.
But as I muse'd, what Omen this should be, 25
They all stood still, as much amaz'd at me.
The wandring Planets had forgot to vary,
Gazing on me, because all stationary.
Envying thy beauty, they're together gon,
To make a perfect constellation. 30
And their conjunctions t'imitate our lips,
Was but a loving kiss, not an Eclipse;
Sol drawes a Regiment of stars, to be
Tapers to light thee into bed to me.
Yet could not shine, untill they were inspir'd 35
By the same flames, by which my heart was fir'd.

271
Come then lye down, do thou withdraw thy light,
They'l be to please us a perpetual night.
Sol shall be Cupid, blind, and thou his mother,
And as wee've marr'd one Sun, we'1 get another. 40

XXX

A new years gift

The season now requires a Man should send
Some worthy present to his worthier Friend.
And I (though poor in purse) do wear a heart,
That is ambitious to perform a part
In celebration of this new born day, 5
And having nothing to present, I'll pray
This year may be to me, as well as you,
So much more blest then t'other, as more new.
And in it so much happiness abound,
To turn us all to good, yet not turn round. 10
And may the Sun, that now begins t'appear
Fth' Horizon to usher in the year,
Melt all those fatuous Vapors, whose false light
Purblinds the World, and leads them from the right;
And may ourS<?/ like that rise once again, 15
Mounted triumphant in a prosperous raign.
May all those Phaetons that spite o'th' crown,
Would guide his chariot, tumble head-long down:
So shall the Land with happiness be crown'd,
When men turn right, and only years turn round. 20

272
 XXXI

On the Queens going beyond Sea

When on the watry World, our glorious Queen
'Gan to be toss'd, as on the land sh'had been,
The joy full waters did begin t'aspire,
And would transelement themselves to fire.
And ever since it has been hard to swear 5
Whether the Earth, or water highest were.
The late scorn'd Sea will now it self prefer,
Bearing the best that earth could boast of, Her;
When first she lanch'd, th'ambitious waves no more
Would kiss the lips of their oft washed shoar, 10
But with united motion all did rise
To bear the ship; that her, to kiss the skies.
The ship, like Noahs ark, did float about,
And kept the waters that would enter, out.
For were the world redrown'd, what good has been 15
In it, in her Epitomiz'd is seen.
The sturdy billowes, if they did arise,
Were check'd by th'power of her majestick eyes.
When ever any to rebell appears,
For grief it did dissolve it self to tears; 20
The moving compass had forgot to stir,
In stead o'th' Northpole pointed still at her;
At which the Pilot wondering, he spies
Two North-poles culminant at once, her eyes.
No marvail then, the compass pointed thither, 25
For her magnetick soul drawes all things with her.
The Ocean scorn'd Neptunes tridentine sway,
And would no more a King but Queen obey.
Nay Neptune thought she had a Venus been,
Sprung from the frothy Sea to be his Queen. 30
And whispering Zephyrus if he did stir,
'Twas not to blow, but to suck breath from her,
The Mariners, when ere she breathed, thought
That precious Amber 'bout the ship did float.
Widdow Arabia did begin to grieve, 35
To see her Phaenix on the waters live.
The Semi-lunar Dolphin having seen
Her face, would straight salute her as the Queen.
The amorous Syrens did altogether throng,

273
 Hoping t'entice her to them by a song. 40
Her brow (as though command were written there)
Did more sway them, then all their voy ces her.
The little fishes met and did rejoyce,
Dancing to th'musick of the Syrens voyce.
All in their several postures strove t'exprès s 45
How much her presence would their mansions bless.
All praying her to stay, but all in vain,
At length (though loth) they landed her again.
The shoar's a Paradise, where she was driven,
And (but her Charles lack' d her) ' t had been Heaven. 50

XXXII

Upon his Mare stoln by a Trooper

In 1644
Why let her go, I'll vex my self no more,
Lest my heart break, as did my stable door.
'Twas but a Mare; if she be gone, she's gone;
'Tis not a Mare that I do stand upon.
Now by this Cross I am so temperate grown, 5
I'll bridle nature, since my mare is gone.
I have a little learning, and less wit,
That wealth is sure, no theif can pilfer it.
All worldly goods are frail, and variable,
Yea very Jades are now become unstable. 10
Riches they say have wings, my mare had so,
For though she had legs, yet she could hardly go.
But thieves and fate have such a strong command,
To make those go, which have no feet to stand.
She was well skil'd in writing Elegies, 15
And every mile writes, Here my Rider lyes.
Now since I've nere a beast to ride upon,
Wou'd I might never go, my verse shall run.
I'll mount on Pegasus, for hee's so poor,
From thief or true-man, one may ride secure. 20
I would not rack invention for a curse,
To plague the Thief, for fear I make him worse.
I would not have him hang'd, for that would be,
Sufficient for the-law, but not for me.

274
 In charity I wish him no more pain, 25
But to restore me home my Mare again.
And 'cause I would not have good customes alter,
I wish who has the Mare, may have the halter.

XXXIII

Upon riding on a tired horse

'Twas hot, and our Olympick Charioter
Limbeck'd the body of the Traveller,
Which to prevent, I like the Sun did go;
He was on horse-back, I on horse-back too.
Thus my all conquering name-sake us'd to ride 5
His stallion as I did mine bestride:
So on we go to view the desolation
Of that half plague to our distressed Nation.
But my horse was so superstitious grown,
He would fall down, and worship every stone. 10
Nay he in reverence to each holy place,
Was often seen to fall upon his face.
And had I been inclin'd to Popishness,
I needed have no other cross but this.
Within a mile or two without command, 15
Do what I could, this Jade would make a stand.
I prais'd him, thinking glory were a spur
To prick him on, all would not make him stir.
All worldly things do post away we know,
But yet my horse would neither run nor go. 20
What everlasting Creature should this be,
That all things are less permanent then he!
So long I kick'd, the people did suppose,
The arm-less man had beat a drum with's toes.
But though a march or an alar'm I beat, 25
The senceless horse took all for a retreat.
The peoples jeers mov'd me to no remorse,
No more then all my kicks did move my horse.
Had Phaetons horses been as mine is, They
Needed no reynes, they'Id never run away. 30
I wish'd for old Copernicus to prove
That while we both stood still, the Earth would move.

275
Oh for an Earthquake, that the hills might meet,
To bring us home, though we mov'd not our feet.
All would not do, I was constrain'd to be, 35
The bringer up of a foot company.
But now in what a wofull case were I,
If like our Troopers I were put to fly.
I wish all cowards (if that be too much)
Half of our horsemen, which I'll swear are such, 40
In the next fight when they begin to flee,
They may be plagu'd with a tyr'd horse like me.

XXXIV

To his Friend I.E.

Thou thinkst that I to thee am fully known;
Yet thou'lt not think how powerfull I am grown.
I can work miracles, and when I do
Think on thy worth, think thee a wonder too.
Thy constant love and lines in verse and prose, 5
Makes me think thee and them miraculous.
My self am from my self, both here and there I
Suppose my self grown an Ubiquitary.
We are a miracle, and 'tis with us
As with John Baptist and his Lazarus. 10
I thou, and thou art I, and 'tis a wonder,
That we both live, and yet both live asunder.
Come then, let's meet agen; for untill we
Unite, the times can't be at unity.
But if this distance must still interpose 15
Between my eye and thee, yet let us close
In mind, and though our necks by-forked grown,
Spread-Eagle like, yet let our Breasts be one.

276
 XXXV

Translated out of Perseus

I don't remember I did dip,
In the Caballine spring my lip;
Nor on two-top'd Pernassus sleep,
That thence I should a Poet creep.
The pale Pyrene and Helicon, 5
I for those men will let alone,
T'whose browes the rambling Ivy s cling;
Yet I a clown, my verses bring
To th'Muses altars. Who did show
The Parrat Xdipe, who the crow 10
Of old with hollow voyce to prate?
Or pies our words to imitate?
Arts Master, Need, which wit bestowes;
This Artist makes us come to those
Words which our Nature us denies, 15
Make crowes turn Poets, and the Pies
Turn Poetresses that can sing
Sweet verses from the P egasean spring.

XXXVI

Upon the miscarrier of Letters betwixt

his Friend and him;
An Execration
And why to me? dull scanner of the ground,
Was there no other pack-horse to be found,
To bear the weight of such a grand abuse,
But only I? Fie wake my sleeping Muse,
And send her post to th'black abyss of Hell 5
To fetch me curses, curses dyre and fell.
Fl mount on Pegasus, and make him go,
From Friend to Friend, as swift as thou art slow.
Perfidious Traytor! could thine impious hands
Dare to miscarry, what true love commands? 10
Had it been newes, or pamphlets, or the rude

277
Inventions of the cock-brain'd multitude,
New modells of Religion, or the false
Ly-legends which we here call Diurnals;
Had there been treason against the King or State, 15
They deserv'd thine, and thou hadst scap'd my hate.
But these were embassies of souls that be
So pure, they dare dispute with purity.
That will not club with treason, nor betroth
Their souls to schisme, but are estrang'd from both. 20
Had they been complements or th'adulterate froth
Of inckhorn wits, t'had nere incens'd my wroth.
For 'tis but reason such vain toyes as they are,
Should be dissolv'd to their first matter, Air.
Had they been meerly issues of the brain, 25
And had been lost, that might to work again.
But when the heart's engag'd, what pitty 'tis
A child of that should ever fare amiss?
Hadst thou but known how sweet those accents were,
How full of love thou would'st have took more care. 30
Why did'st thou go to stop that blessed Trine
That was to be 'twixt their aspects and mine?
Do'st thou not know what good, what blest effects
The Land will have from such bénigne aspects?
Alas when Mercury doth meet with Jove, 35
Lilly can tell thee their portents are love.
I'm loth to study for some new found curse,
For fear I should be heard, and thou be worse.
First for thy horses would their teeth may be
Greas'd at each Inné, which none may help but me. 40
May all their old diseases never fail,
Their feet have scabs doubled for every nail,
That thou may'st like Tom. Long for ever go,
And ne're come where thou art assign'd unto,
And so may'st ne're be trusted with a pack, 45
Unless of plagues, and may those break thy back.
May'st thou ne're carry loyal letters more,
But Pocky songs betwixt a Pimp and's whore.
But when th'hast sweat and travel'd all the day,
May'st thou have neither meat, drink, bed nor pay. 50
May all the way be strew'd with Dowries his men,
And thou escaping one, may'st meet with ten.
And may they take thy horses and thy store,
And bang thy sides because thou hast no more.

278
 May all these plagues unite that they may be 55
As great a plague to thee, as thou to me.

XXXVII

To his Mistris
Your pardon Lady; by my troth I err,
I thought each face a painted Sepulcher,
That wore but beauty on't; I did suppose,
That outward beauty had been ominous.
And that t'had been so opposite to wit, 5
As it nere wisdome met, nor vertue it.
Your face confutes me, and I do begin
To know my errour, and repent my sin.
For on those Rosie cheeks I plainly see
And read my former thoughts deformity. 10
I could believe Hyperbolies, and think
That praise too low that flowes from pen and ink;
That you're all Angel; when I look on you,
I'm forc'd to think the Rampant'st fictions true.
Nay I dare swear (though once I did abhor it) 15
That Men love Women, and have reason for it.
The Lapidaries now shall learn to set
Their Diamonds in gold, and not in Jet.
The Proverb's crost, for now a man may find
A beauteous face th'Index of such a mind. 20
How I could praise you, and your worth display,
But that my ravish'd pen is forc'd to stay;
And when I think t'express your purer fashion,
My expressions turn to stupid Admiration.
Natures perfection! She by forming thee 25
Proves she has now infallibility.
You're an Enchiridion, whom Heav'n did print,
To copy by, with no errata in't.
You're my Urania, nay within you be
The Muses met in their Tertrinity. 30
Else how could I turn Poet, and retain,
My banish'd Muse into my thoughts again!
See what your wit, see what your beauty can;
T'make a Poet's more then t'make a Man;

279
 I've wit b'infusion, nay I've beauty too, 35
I think I'm comely if you think me so.
Add to your vertues love, and you may be
A wife for Jove, pray let that Jove be me.

XXXVIII

To his Mistris married to another

Married? and I not dead? it cannot be,
Is nothing certain but uncertainty?
Can truth it self prove false? I should as soon
Have thought the Sun vary'd into a Moon,
And that the Poles that nere knew how to vary, 5
Turn'd Planets now, and grow unstationary.
But Sol has chang'd his course, and we all know
Those we call Poles are planetary too.
You whom I thought a Goddess, now I see,
Are but a woman, by inconstancy. 10
See what the covetous love of wealth can do,
It makes fair Ladies false and foolish too.
I could be sorry now, or vext, or worse;
But wrath or sorrow will enlarge my curse.
That anger's foolish and that sorrow's vain, 15
That's us'd for that which can't be had again.
But what's this thing call'd marriage? must you be
Cloyster'd by that from all society?
Must only he enjoy you as a bride?
And by his feast, famish th'whole World beside? 20
You only did proclaim, when you did wed,
That both together meant to go to bed.
What need all this ado? can't we (my hony)
Do the same thing without the Ceremony,
Or proclamation? where two hearts agree, 25
Marriage is but a superfluity.
Nature did ne're intend (without all doubt)
T'hang such a Jewel only in his snowt.
Nor were you made only for one Mans food,
Nor for the private, but the common good. 30
You have my heart, and do but lend me thine,
I'l give the Priest the lye, and say th'art mine.

280
 XXXIX

On the turn-coat Clergy

That Clergy-men are changeable, and teach
That now 'gainst which they will to morrow preach,
Is an undoubted truth; but that in this
Their variation they do ought amiss,
I stedfastly deny; The World we see 5
Preserves it self by mutability;
And by an imitation each thing in it
Preserves it self by changing every minute;
The Heavenly orbes do move, and change, and ther's
The much admired musick of the sphears. 10
The Sun, the Moon, the Stars do alwayes vary,
The times turn round still, nothing stationary.
Why then should we blame Clergymen, that do
Because they're Heav'nly, like the Heavens go?
Nay th'Earth it self, on which we tread (they say) 15
Turnes round and's moving still; then why not they?
Our bodies still are changing from our birth,
Till they return to their first matter, Earth.
We draw in air, and food, that air and food
Incorporates and turns our flesh and blood. 20
Then we breath out our selves in sweat, and vent
Our flesh and blood by use, and excrement,
With such continuall change, that none can say,
He's the same man that he was Yesterday.
Besides, all Creatures cannot choose but be 25
By much the worse for their stability.
For standing pools corrupt, while running springs
Yeild sweet refreshment to all other things.
The highest Church-things oftenest change, we know,
The weather-cock that stands o'th' top does so. 30
The bells when rung in changes best do please,
The Nightingall, that ministrel of the trees,
Varies her note, while the dull Cucko sings
Only one note, no auditory brings.
Why then should we admire our Lévites change, 35
Since 'tis their nat'ral motion? 'Tis not strange
To see a fish to swim, or Eagle fly;
Nor is their Protean mutability
More worth our wonder, but 'tis so in fashion,

281
 It merits our applause, and imitation. 40
But I conclude, least while I speak of change,
I shall too far upon one subject range.
And so become unchangeable, and by
My practice give my doctrine here the lye.

XL

To his Friend Mr. I.W. on his

Translation of a Romance, call'd
The innocent Impostor
From forrain soyl, He at the first did spring,
Whom conquest crown'd, and custom kept our King.
And from the same, this fancy, whom this pen
Has of an Alien made a Denizen.
Dispute who dares: The issue of the brain 5
Admits a transplantation, like the train
That buds with Stars; and in this do hit,
The two/0c Totums, Monarchy and wit.
The industrious Merchant glutted with the things
That are produced by our mother springs, 10
Ransacks the Ocean, trafficking for more
And rarer beauties from the forraign shore;
And makes our happiness not only be
In necessaries, but variety.
So thou with equal diligence hast gone 15
To fetch the merchandize of Helicon.
Not but that wit and fancy here will be,
A native and staple commodity.
Or that composing stories and Romances,
Were only entayl'd to wits that live beyond Seas. 20
But as in dearth, we oft supply our store,
From those that we perhaps reliev'd before,
So now when rare Inventions and immense,
Are parch'd and shrunk up into hardly sence,
For want of due rewards, that shou'd distill, 25
From these new Tympanies, and we call hills,
Yo're fain to forage for what ere must be,

282
Beyond Diurnals or a Mercury.
Yet ben't discouraged; for here's no excise,
Nor custom paid on these commodities. 30
And he that trades in wit by Sea or Land,
Needs not a convoy, fears no Rocks nor Sand.
This traffick is secure against the thump
Of Spains armado or the Belgick Trump,
And the proceed on't, though in this mad Nation, 35
Is free from plunder, and from sequestration.
I do commend thy choice too, for of all
The sciences, this is most cordial,
Presenting notions to the curious mind,
Of what below we never see nor find. 40
Herein do differ History, and this;
This shews what ought to be, that shews what is;
Ungratefull we, if that we should receive
This precious Jewel, and should nothing give
To Thee or to its Author; Therefore I 45
Offer these lines to both your memory,
To testifie my thanks, though not my skill;
What's so well done, must not be praysed ill.
But I nick-name my duty, when I say
I give, or offer, when I only pay. 50

XLI

A Satyre on the Rebellion

Urge me no more to sing, I am not able
To raise a note, songs are abominable.
Yea Davids psalmes do now begin to be
Turn'd out of Church, by hymnes extempore.
No accents are so pleasant now as those 5
That are Caesura'd through the Pastors nose.
I'll only weep our misery and ruth,
I am no Poet, for I speak the truth.
Behold a self against it self doth fight,
And the left hand prevails above the 10
The grumbling guts, i'th' belly of the State,
Unthankfull for the wholsom food they ate,
Belch at their head, and do begin to slight

283
The Cates, to which they had an appetite.
They long for kick-shawes, and new fangled dishes, 15
Not which all love, but which each fancy wishes.
Behold a glorious Phoebus tumbling down,
While the rebellious bares usurpe the Crown.
Behold a Teem of Phaetons aspire
To guide the Sun, and set the World on fire. 20
All goes to wrack, and it must needs be so,
When those would run, that know not how to go.
Behold a lawfull Soveraign to whose mind
Dishonesty's a stranger, now confind
To the Anarchick pow'r of those whose reason 25
Is flat rebellion, and their truth is Treason.
Behold the loyal Subjects pill'd and poll'd,
And from Algere to Tunis bought and sold.
Their Goods sequestred by a legal stealth,
The private robb'd t'uphold the Common-wealth, 30
And those the only plunderers are grown
Of others States, that had none of their own.
Robbers no more by night in secret go,
They have a Licence now for what they do.
If any to the rulers do complain, 35
They know no other godliness but gain.
Nor give us any plaister for the sore
Of paying much, but only paying more.
What ere we do or speak, how ere we live,
All is acquitted if we will but Give; 40
They sit in Bulwarks, and do make the lawes
But fair pretences to a fowler cause,
And horse-leech-like cry give, what ere they say,
Or sing, the burden of their song is Pay.
How wretched is that State! how full of wo, 45
When those that should preserve, do overthrow!
When they rule us, and ore them mony raignes,
Who still cry Give, and alwayes gape for gains!
But on those Judges lyes a heavy curse,
That measure crimes by the delinquents purse. 50
The time will come when they do cease to live,
Some will cry Take, as fast as they cry'd Give.

284
 XLII

On a pair of Virginals
Death, that ties up the tongues of Man and Beast,
And to each thing gives a Quietus est,
Gives me a tongue; and I that could not be
Blest with a voice, now boast variety.
The tale ofAmphion which could make each tree 5
Dance to his musick, is fulfill'd in me.
For lo the liveless Jacks lavaltoes take
At that sweet musick which themselves do make.
The various-sounding strings in consort come,
To make my narrow-bulke Elizium; 10
Just Emblem of the State; for in this wise,
He just now falls, that but just now did rise.
O would the Subjects in this Realme agree,
And meet like strings to make one harmony.

XLIII

On a Comedie called The passionate lovers

Though I nere saw this Play, nor ere did know
The Author well, nor love with passion so,
To be a name for Terence Comaedie, Heauton-
But do suppose who ere the lover be, timorumenos
That's really such as the Poet writ, 5
He'Id have less love, if he had had more wit.
Yet as th'old Topers, when their drinking's gone,
Do love to sit, and see the work go on,
And as old men when their performance fails,
Can clap their wings with telling smutty tales: 10
So though we've lost the life of playes the stage,
If we can be Remembrancers to th'age,
And now and then let glow a spark in print
To tell the World ther's fire still lodg'd i'th' flint,
We may agen b'enlightned once and warm'd, 15
Men can't be civil till they be inform'd.
Walk wisely on: Time's changeable, and what
Was once thrown down, is now again reacht at.

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 And we may see pleasure and honour crown
The Stage, when inconsistent Tub's kick'd down. 20

XLIV

Tothehigh-SheriffofS.
Sir,
You have giv'n us Poets entertainment,
Good chear and wine; we give you Poets payment,
Good words and rythme; but you out-do us here,
You match our Rythme; but we can't match your chear.
And here's the reason, which our Muses grieves, 5
Sheriffs are made Poets, but nere Poets Sheriffs.

XLV

To G.B. Esquire
I promis'd to come to you Sir, 'tis true,
And I intended what I promis'd you.
But Heaven (that all things orders) thought not fit
We two should meet, and therefore hinder'd it.
Not that our meeting had offensive been 5
To God or Man, for we had sail'd between
The dangerous rocks of company, which wits
And no wits dash against, when in their fits,
They scoff e at sacred matters and blaspheme,
Or make Statesmen or businesses their theame. 10
But such a World of Heavenly drink came down,
The floods did rise and all the Country drown;
Men that had souls unswimable like mine
Float as drown'd flies do in a glass of wine.
Horses and boots were useless, and you know, 15
I have no hanging look; and being so
Fat, have the art of sinking, I was ne're
Bred 'mong the fish, nor ere at Westminster,
Saw any drown'd, though you and I both know,
Some have been us'd as badly there, and though 20

286
 I use the feather 'tis the tother end,
Not that which me from drowning can defend.
This work's for Say lours, not a land Attourney,
For 'tis become a voyage, not a journey.
And he that goes to Ex'ter now from hence, 25
From that exploit may very well commence
A navigator, which t'attempt I fear,
And thought it safer to stay drinking here,
And send you this from him that's far more willing
To write ten verses then to pay one shilling. 30

XL VI

To his reverend Friend Dr. S. on his

pious and learned book
The times are chang'd, and the misguided rout
Now tug to pull in what they tumbled out,
And with like eagerness. The factious crue,
Who ruin'd all, are now expos'd to view:
Their vizor's off, and now we plainly see 5
Both what they are, and what they aim'd to be,
And what they meant to do to us and ours,
If either ours or we were in their pow'rs.
That vip'rous brood of Levi who gnaw'd through
Their mothers bowels, and their Fathers too, 10
To break a passage to their lewd designes
Have found th'effects of all their under mines,
And see themselves out-acted in their show,
By sucking Sprouts that out of them did grow.
They're now out-wink'd, out-fasted and out-tung'd, 15
Their Pupils reap those fields, which they had dung'd:
Who split the Church into so many Schismes,
The zeal of these eats t'others Patriarchismes.
And Vermin-like they do that corps devour,
Whose putrefaction gave them life and pow'r. 20
Now they repent (though late) and turn to you,
Of the Old Church that's constant, pure and true.
Thanks to such lights as you are, who have stay'd
In that firm truth, from which they fondly stray'd,

287
Endur'd reproach, and want, all violent shocks 25
Which rowl'd like Billows, while you stood like Rocks,
Unmov'd by all their fury, kept your ground,
Fix'd as the poles, whiles they kept twirling round.
Submitted to all rage, and lost your all,
Yet ne're comply'd with, or bow'd knee to Baal. 30
You preach'd for love of preaching, with desire
Tinstruct, and to reform, while pay and hire,
Which made them preach, were ta'ne away from you,
You still strove on, and led the people through
That Wilderness of errour, into which 35
Those Ignes fatui, tempted by the itch
Of Pride and change had led them, when the Times
Envying your worth, voted your sermons crimes,
And made it treason to relieve or hear you,
And constituted to affront and jeer you, 40
Those Patentees of graces and good livings
Grown rich with fees, and fat with full thanksgivings,
Who rowl'd a stone upon your mouths for fear
Truth would find out a resurrection there:
Then from the press you piously did shew 45
What, why, and how, we should believe and know;
And pray and practice; made it out to us
Why our Church-Institutes were these and thus;
And how we ought t'observe them, so that we
May find them that, which of themselves they be; 50
Commands and comforts: This Sir we do find
Perform'd by this rare issue of your mind.
Your pious and your profitable lines,
Which can't be prays'd by such a pen as mine's,
But must b'admir'd and lov'd, and you must be 55
For ever thank'd and honour'd too by me,
And all that know or read you; since you do
Supply the pious and the learned too,
So well, that both must say, to you they ow
What good they practice, and what good they know. 60

288
 XL VII

To Colonel Lovelace on his Poems

So through the Chaos crept the first born ray,
That was not yet grown up to be a day,
And form'd the World; as do your powerfull rythmes
Through the thick darkness of these verseless times,
These antigenious dayes, this boystrous age, 5
Where there dwells nought of Poetry but rage:
Just so crept learning forth the rav'nous fire
Of the Schismatick Goths, and Vandals ire:
As do in these more barbarous dayes our times,
When what was meant for ruine, but refines. 10
Why mayn't we hope for Restauration, when
As ancient Poets Townes, the new raise men,
The tales of Orpheus and Amphion be
Both solid truths with this Mythology?
For though you make not stones and trees to move, 15
Yet men more senceless you provoke to love.
I can't but think, spite of the filth that's hurl'd
Over this small Ench'ridion of the World,
A day will break, when we again may see
Wits like themselves, club in an harmony. 20
Though Pulpiteers can't do it, yet 'tis fit
Poets have more success, because more wit.
Their Prose unhing'd the State; why mayn't your verse
Polish those souls, that were fil'd rough by theirs?
Go on, and prosper; though I want your skill, 25
In weighty matters 'tis enough to will.
And now the Reader looks I should help rear
Your glories Trophy, else what make I here?
'Tis not to praise you; for one may as well
Go tell Committees that there is an hell, 30
Or tell the World there is a Sun, as praise
Your amorous fancy, which it self can't raise
'Bove Envies reach or flatteries; Ladies love
To kiss those accents; who dares disapprove
What they stile good? our lines, our lives, and all, 35
By their opinions either rise or fall:
Therefore the cause why these are fixed here,
Is livery-like to shew some great man's near;

289
 Let them stand bare, and usher, not commend;
They are not for Encomiums, but t'attend. 40

XLVIII

To his Friend Thomas Stanley, Esquire, on his Odes

Set and Published by Mr. John Gamble
Stanley the Darling of Apollo, thou
That mak'st at once both Verse and Musick too;
So sweet a Master of so sweet a Muse,
Whom not to name with honour, were t'abuse.
How thy words flow! How sweetly do they Chyme, 5
When thy pure Couplets do imbrace in Rhyme!
How quick, how lovely, and how full of Sence
Thy Fancy is, and all that springs from thence!
Which Gamble has enliv'ned by his Art,
And breath'd an Active Soul through every part: 10
And so deduc'd thy Mind to us, that we
May feast our Ears and Souls with rarity.
How much to Thee, how much to Him we owe,
We can conceive, but cannot make you know;
Nor have we thanks proportion'd to your worth, 15
Thou that didst make, and He that set them forth,
In such a lively Dress too, We admire
What we cann't praise, what we cann't do, Desire;
And therefore turn our praises into prayers,
That Thou'It make more such Odes, He more such Ayres. 20

XLIX

On the famous Romance, called The innocent Impostor

'Twill be expected now that I should raise
Some Monument unto the Authors pray se,
The Works, or the Translators; else I fear,
The Reader'11 wonder, what I do make here.
'Tis grown Apocryphal, and by the Wits 5
Quite voted down; Who hold it not befits

290
A true-born Fancy, to be Smithfield-wise
Put off with Toll and Vouchers; this defies
Such Crutches; for 'tis of so clear a Nature
'Twill pass without the Chaplins Imprimatur, 10
Or our Certificates. Besides I carry
Such a dislike to all things Customary,
I'll cheat all expectation, and will be
Thankfull to them, but chiefly unto thee.
In these Self-ended times we only do 15
Or thank or praise those we're beholding to;
So call our Justice Charity, and say
We do bestow, when we do only pay.
For though the work be rare, yet should it be
Still in its dress, what had it been to me? 20
And though translated by this worthy pen,
If not exposed to the view of Men,
I had ne're seen't perhaps. But since all three
Have clubb'd in this production, I must be
Gratefull to all, and to give all your right, 25
Must prayse, and love and thank Bellay, Dod, Wright.

On Dr. J. his divine Romant

How rare! how truly noble's this designe
To make us fall in love with things divine!
And raise our passions with such pious flames,
To court those truths, which lay disguis'd in names
Perplex'd and crabbed, and did heretofore 5
Lie undiscoverd in their sullen Ore;
And seem'd unamiable to the sense,
'Cause unattainable but by th'expence
Of undelightsome labour and much time.
This new invention expiates the crime, 10
Which did too much adheare to youthful love;
Directs the soul to doat on things above,
And consecrates th'affections to extend
Their violent motion to their proper end.
The ravish'd Pulpit which of late was made 15
A place, not of instruction but of trade,

291
 Where Higlers in Divinity did sell
Salvation to us, and made heaven and hell
At their disposal, and the way to bliss
More hard and crabbed then it ought or is; 20
And did advance the people or condemn
To this or that, just as we humor'd them:
Made some those heavenly dishes to detest
And loath, 'cause they so nastily were drest.
But this ingenuous Authour makes that food 25
Delightsome to the taste as well as good;
And with such flowers the paths to virtue strews,
That the dull soul to heav'n delighted goes.
What love, what praise, what great reward is fit
To his great worth, who with Caelestial wit 30
Informes and sanctifies our minds, and brings
Our souls above these low terrestriall things!
A crown of Stars must deck his learned brow,
The lawrel garland's too unworthy now.

LI

On the loss of a Garrison

Another City lost! Alas poor King!
Still future griefs from former griefs do spring.
The World's a seat of change; Kingdoms and Kings
Though glorious, are but sublunary things.
Crosses and blessings kiss; ther's none that be 5
So happy, but they meet with misery.
He that ere while sate centred to his Throne,
And all did homage unto him alone;
Who did the Scepter of his power display
From pole to pole, while all this rule obey, 10
From stair to stair now tumbles, tumbles down,
And scarce one pillar doth support his Crown.
Town after Town are lost, Field after Field,
This turnes, and that perfidiously doth yield:
He's banded on the trayterous tongues of those 15
That Janus like, look to him and his foes.
In vain are Bulwarks, and the strongest hold,
If the beseigers bullets are of gold.

292
My soul be not dejected; would'st thpu be
From present trouble, or from danger free? 20
Trust not in rampires, nor the strength of walls,
The town that stands to day, to morrow falls.
Trust not in Souldiers, though they seem so stout;
Where sin's within, vain is defence without.
Trust not in wealth, for in this lawless time 25
Where prey is penalty, there wealth is crime.
Trust not in strength or courage; we all see
The weak'st oftimes do gain the victory.
Trust not in honour, honour's but a blast
Quickly begun, and but a while doth last. 30
They that to day to thee Hosanna cry,
To morrow change their note for Crucifie.
Trust not in friends, for friends will soon deceive thee,
They are in nothing sure, but sure to leave thee.
Trust not in wits; who run from place to place 35
Changing Religion as chance does her face;
In spite of cunning, and their strength of brain,
They're often catch'd, and all their plots are vain.
Trust not in Councels, Potentates, or Kings,
All are but frail and transitory things. 40
Since neither Souldiers, Castles, wealth, or wit
Can keep off harm from thee, or thee from it:
Since neither strength nor honour, friends nor Lords,
Nor Princes, peace or happiness affords,
Trust thou in God, ply him with prayers still, 45
Be sure of help; for he both can, and will.

LII

Upon the Kings imprisonment

Imprison me you Traytors? must I be
Your fetter'd slave, while you're at liberty
T'usurp my Scepter, and to make my power
Gnaw its own bowels, and it self devour?
You glorious villains! Treasons that have been 5
Done in all ages, are done ore agen;
Expert proficients, that have far out-done
Your Tutors Presidents, and have out-run

293
 The practice of all times, whose acts will be
Thought Legendary by Posterity. 10
Was't not enough you made me bear the wrong
Of a rebellious sword, and viprous tongue,
To lose my State, my Children, Crown and Wife;
But must you take my liberty and life?
Subjects can find no fortress but their graves, 15
When servants sway, and Soveraigns are slaves.
'Cause Fl not sign, nor give consent unto
Those lawless actions that you've done and do,
Nor yet betray my Subjects, and so be
As treacherous to them, as you to me; 20
Is this the way to mould me to your wills,
To expiate former crimes, by greater ills?
Mistaken fools to think my soul can be
Grasp'd or infring'd by such low things as ye!
Alas though I'm immur'd, my mind is free, 25
I'l make your very gaol my liberty.
Plot, do your worst, I safely shall deride
In my Crown'd soul, your base inferiour pride,
And stand unmov'd, though all your plagues you bring,
I'll dye a Martyr, or I'll live a King. 30

LIII

On the death of King CHARLES

How! dead! nay murdred! not a Comet seen!
Nor one strange prodigy to intervene!
I'm satisfy'd; heav'n had no sight so rare,
Nor so prodigious as his murtherers are,
Who at this instant had not drawn the air, 5
Had they not been preserv'd b'his funeral pray'r.
And yet who looks aright, may plainly spy
The Kingdom's to it self a prodigy;
The scattered stars have joyned themselves in one,
And have thrown Phoebus headlong from his throne. 10
They'Id be the sun themselves, and shine, and so
By their joynt blaze inflame the world below,
Which b'imitation does t'a Chaos fall,
And shake it self fan Earthquake general.

294
And 'tis the height of miracle that we 15
Live in these wonders, yet no wonders see.
Thus, those that do enjoy a constant day,
Do scarce take notice of that wondrous ray.
Nature groand out her last when he did fall,
Whose influence gave quickning to us all. 20
His soul was anthem'd out in prayers, and those
Angelike Halelujahs sung in prose
David the second; we no difference knew
Between th'old Davids spirit and the new.
In him grave wisdom so with grace combines, 25
As Solomon were still in Davids loynes.
And had he lived in King Davids time,
H'had equal!'d him in all things but his crime.
Now since you'r gone, great Prince, this care we'l have,
Your books shall never find a death or grave; 30
By whose diviner flame, the world must be
Purged from its dross, and chang'd to purity,
Which neither time nor treason can destroy,
Nor ign'rant Error that's more fell then they.
A peice like some rare picture, at remove, 35
Shews one side Eagle, and the other Dove.
Sometimes the Reason in it soars so high,
It shews affliction quells not majesty,
Yet still Crown, dignity and self deny'd,
It helps to bear up courage though not pride; 40
Trodden humility in robes of state,
Meekly despising all the frownes of fate.
Your Grandsire King that shew'd what good did flow
From the tall Cedar to the shrub below,
By violent flame to ashes though calcin'd, 45
His soul int'you we transmigrated find;
Whose leafs shall like the Cybels be ador'd,
When time shall open each prophetick word:
And shall like scripture be the rule of good
To those that shall survive the flaming 50
Whose syllables are Libraries, and can
Make a smal volume turn a Vatican.
So th'hunted Bezar when he's sure to dye,
Bequeaths his cordials to his enemy.
Rest Royal dust, and thank the stormes that drove 55
Against their will you to your haven above.
They have but freed you from those waves that curld

295
Their bloody power to drown this boistrous world.
They've but chang'd Throne for throne, and crown for crown;
You took a glorious, laid a thorny down. 60
You sit among your Peers with Saints and Kings,
View how we plot for sublunary things,
And labour for our ruine; you did fall
Just like our Saviour, for the sins of all;
And for your own; for in this impious time 65
Virtue's a vice, and piety's a crime.
The sume of all whose faults being understood,
Is this, We were too bad, and you too good.

LIV

On the Kings death

What means this sadness? why does every eye
Wallow in tears? what makes the lowring sky
Look clouded thus with sighs? is it because
The great Defender of the faith and lawes
Is sacrifized to the barbarous rage, 5
Of those prodigious Monsters of our age?
A prey to the insatiate will of those
That are the Kings and Kingdomes cursed foes?
'Tis true ther's cause enough each eye should be
A Torrent, and each man aNiobe. 10
To see a wise, just, valiant, temperate man
Should leave the World, who either will or can
Abstain from grief? To see a Father dye,
And his half-self, and Orphans weeping by:
To see a Master dye, and leave a State 15
Unsetled, and Usurpers gape to ha't.
To see a King dissolve to's mother dust,
And leave his headless Kingdome to the lust
And the ambitious wills of such a rout,
Which work its end, to bring their own about, 20
'Tis cause of sorrow; but to see thee slain,
Nay murdred too, makes us grieve ore again.
But to be kill'd by Servants, or by Friends,
This will raise such a grief as never ends.
And yet we find he that was all these things, 25

296
And more, the best of Christians and of Kings,
Suffer'd all this and more, whose sufferings stood
So much more great then these, as he more good.
Yet 'tis a vain thing to lament our loss;
Continued mourning adds but cross to cross. 30
What's pass'd can't be recall'd; our sadness may
Drive us to him, but can't bring him away;
Nor can a Kingdomes cries re-state the crown
Upon his head, which their sins tumbled down.
Rest then my soul, and be contented in 35
Thy share of sufferings, as well as sin.
I see no cause of wonder in all this,
But still expect such fruits of wickedness.
Kings are but Earth refin'd; and he that wears
A crown, but loads himself, with griefs and fears. 40
The World it self to its first nothing tends;
And things that had beginings, must have ends.
Those glorious lamps of Heav'n, that give us light,
Must at the last dissolve to darkness quite.
If the Caelestial Architectures go 45
To dissolution, so must earthy too.
If ruine seize on the vast frame of nature,
The little World must imitate the greater.
I'l put no trust in wealth, for I do see
Fate can take me from it, or it from me. 50
Trust not in honour, 'tis but peoples cry,
Who'll soon throw down what ere they mounted high.
Nor trust in friends; he that's now hedg'd about,
In time of need can hardly find one out.
Nor yet in strength or power; for sin will be 55
The desolation of my strength and me.
Nor yet in crownes and Kingdomes; who has all,
's expos'd to a heavy though a royal fall.
Nor yet in wisdom, pollicy, or wit;
It cannot keep me harmeless, or I it. 60
He that had all man could attain unto,
He that did all that wit or power could do,
Or grace or vertue prompt, could not avoid
That sad and heavy load our sins have laid
Upon his innocent and sacred Head, but must 65
Submit his person to bold Rebells lust,
And their insatiate rage, who did condemn
And kill him, while he pray'd and dy'd for them.

297
 Our only trust is in the King of Kings,
To wait with patience the event of things; 70
He that permits the Fathers tumbling down,
Can raise, and will, the Son up to the crown.
He that permits those traytors impious hands
To murther his anoynted, and his Lands
To be usurp'd, can when he sees it 75
Destroy those Monsters which he did permit;
And by their headlong and unpitied fall,
Make the Realms Nuptial of their funerall.
Mean time that sainted Martyr from his throne,
Sees how these laugh, and his good subjects groan; 80
And hugs his blessed change, whereby he is
Rob'd int'a crown, and murther'd into bliss.

LV

A funeral Elegy on Mr. Aubrey

Gon are those Halcyon day es, when men did dare
Do good, for love undrawn by gain or fear;
Gon are our Heroes whose vast souls did hate
Vice, though't were cloath'd in sanctity or state;
Gon is ourAwbrey who did then take's time 5
To dye, when worthy men thought life a crime.
One whose pure soul with nobleness was filTd,
And scorn'd to live when peace and truth were kill'd.
One, who was worthy by descent and birth,
Yet would not live a burthen on the earth, 10
Nor draw his honour from his grandsires name,
Unless his progeny might do the same.
No guilded Mammon, yet had enough to spend,
To feed the poor, and entertain his friend.
No gaping Miser whose desire was more 15
T'enrich himself, by making's neighbour poor,
Then to lay out himself, his wealth and health,
To buy his Countries good and Common-wealth.
Religion was his great delight and joy,
Not as 'tis now to plunder and destroy; 20
He lean'd on those two pillars faith and reason,
Not false Hypocrisy, nor headlong treason.

298
 His piety was with him bred and grown;
He'Id build ten Churches, e're he'Id pull down one.
Constant to's principles; and though the times 25
Made his worth sin, and his pure vertues crimes,
He stood unmov'd spite of all troubles hurl'd,
And durst support but not turn with the World.
Call'd to the Magistracy, he appear'd
One that desir'd more to be lov'd then fear'd; 30
Justice and Mercy in him mingled so,
That this flew not too high, nor that too low:
His mind could not be carved worse or better,
By mean mens flattery, nor by great mens letter:
Nor sway'd by Bribes, though profer'd in the dark, 35
He scorn'd to be half Justice and half Clerk;
But all his distributions ev'nly ran,
Both to the Pesant and the Gentleman.
He did what nature had design'd him to
In his due time, while he had strength to do. 40
And when decay and age did once draw nigh,
He'd nothing left to do but only dye.
And when he felt his strength and youth decline,
His bodies losse strengthen'd his souls design:
And as the one did by degrees decay, 45
T'other ran swifter up the milky way.
Freed from those sicknesses that are the pages
Attending Natures sad decay and ages,
His spotless soul did from his body fly,
And hover in the heav'nly Galaxy, 50
Whence he looks down, and lets the living see,
What he was once, and what we ought to be.

LVI

Upon the death of that Reverend and

learned Divine, Mr. Josias Shute
Tush, tush! he is not dead; I lately spide
One smile at's first-born Sons birth; and a bride
Into her heart did entertain delight
At the approach of her wish'd wedding night.

299
All which delights (if he were dead) would turn 5
To griefe; yea mirth it self be forc'd to mourn.
Inspired Poets would forget to laugh,
And write at once his and Mirths Epitaph.
Sighs would engross our breath, there would appear
Anthems of joy, lymbeck'd into a tear: 10
Each face would be his death-bed; in each eye
'Twere easie then to read his Elegy;
Each soul would be close mourner, each tongue tell
Stories prick'd out to th'tune o'th' passing bell;
The World redrown'd in tears, each heart would be 15
A marble stone, each stone aNiobe.
But he alas is gone, nor do we know
To pay for loss of him deserving wo;
Like Bankrupts in our grief, because we may
Not half e we owe him, give, we'1 nothing pay. 20
For should our tears like the Ocean issue forth,
They could not swell adaequate to his worth:
So far his worth's above our knowledge that
We only know we've lost, we know not what.
The mourning Heaven, beholding such a dearth 25
Of tears, showrs rain to liquify the earth,
That we may see from its adulterate womb,
If it be possible, a second come.
Till then 'tis our unhappiness, we can't
Know what good dwelt in him, but by the want. 30
He was no whirlegig Lect'rer of the times,
That from a heel-block to a pulpit climes,
And there such stuff among their Audients break,
They seem to have mouth, and words, yet cannot speak.
Nor such as into pasquill pulpits come 35
With thundering nonsence, but to beat the drum
To civil wars, whose texts and doctrines run
As if they were o'th' separation;
And by their spiritual law have marri'd been
Without a ring, because they were no kin. 40
Knowledg and zeal in him so sweetly met,
His pulpit seem'd a second Olivet,
Where from his lips he would deliver things
As though some Séraphin had clap'd his wings.
His painfull sermons were so neatly dress'd, 45
As if an Anthem were in prose express'd;
Divinity and Art were so united,

300
As if in him both were Hermaphrodited.
Oh what an ex'lient Surgeon has he been
To set a conscience (out of joynt by sin) 50
He at one blow could wound and heal; we all
Wondred to see a purge a cordial.
His Manna-breathing sermons often have
Given all our good thoughts life, our bad a grave.
Satan, and Sin, were never more put to't 55
Then when they met with their still-conquering Shute.
His life was the use of s doctrine; so 'twas known
That Shute, and Saint, were convertible grown:
He did live Sermons; the prophane were vext
To see his actions comments on his text. 60
So imitable his verrues did appear
As if each place to him a pulpit were.
He was himself a Synod, ours had been
Void (had he liv'd) or but an idle dinn.
His presence so divine, that Heaven might be 65
(If it were possible) more Heavenly.
And now we well perceive with what intent
Death made his soul become non-resident.
'Twas to make him (such honours to him given)
Regis Professor to the King of Heaven. 70
By whom hee's prelated above the skies,
And the whole World's his See t'Episcopize;
So that (me thinks) one star more doth appear
In our Horizon since his being there;
Death's grown tyrannical by imitation 75
'Cause he was learned by a sequestration
He took his living; but for's benefice
Hee is rewarded with eternal bliss.
Let's all prepare to follow him, for hee's
But gone to Glorys school, to take degrees. 80

301
 LVII

To the memory of Doctor Hearn, who

dyed September 15. 1644
Sad Spectacle of grief! how frail is Man!
Whose self's a buble, and his life a span!
Whose breath's like a careering shade, whose sun
Begins to set, when it begins to run.
Lo this Mans sun sets i'th' Meridian, 5
And this mans sun, speaks him the son of Man.
Among the rest that come to sacrifice
To's memory the torrents of their eyes,
I though a stranger, and though none of those
That weep in rythme, though I oft mourn in prose, 10
Sigh out some grief, and my big-belly'd eyes
Long for delivery at his obsequies.
For he that writes but truth of him, will be,
Though without art, slander'd with poésie.
And they that praise him right in prose or verse, 15
Will by the most be thought Idolaters.
Men are s'incredulous; and yet ther's none
Can write his worth in verse, but in his own.
He needs no other monument of fame,
But his own actions, to blaze out his name. 20
He was a glory to the Doctors gown,
Help to his Friends, his Country and his Town.
The Atlas of our health, who oft did groan
For others sickness, ere he felt his own.
Hippocrates, and Galen, in his brain 25
Met as in Gemini; it did contain
A library of skill, a panoply,
A Magazine of ingenuity.
With every Art his brain so well was mated,
As if his fancy had been calculated 30
For that Meridian; he none would follow
But was in skill the Brittanish Apollo.
His Patients grow impatient, and the fears
Of death, lymbeck'd their bodies into tears.
The widdow'd Muses do lament his death; 35
Those that wrote mirth, do now retract their breath,
And breath their souls in sighs; each strives to be

302
No more Thalia, but Melpomene.
He stood a Champion in defence of health,
And was a terror to deaths Common-wealth. 40
His Esculapian art revok'd their breath,
And often gave a non-suit unto death.
Now we've a rout, death kill'd our General,
Our griefs break forth, grow Epidemical.
Now we must lay down arms, and Captives turn 45
To death; man has no rampire but an urne.
In him death gets an University;
Happy the bodies that so nere him lye,
To hear his worth and wit, 'tis now no fear
To dye, because we meet aHearne there. 50
Earth-quakes, and Commets usher great mens fall,
At his we have an Earth-quake General;
Th'ambitious values do begin t'aspire,
And would confront the Mountains, nay be higher;
Inferior orbes aspire, and do disdain 55
Our Sol', each Bear would ride in Charles his wain.
Our Moon's eclips'd, and th'Occidental Sun
Fights with old Aries for his Horizon.
Each petty star gets horses, and would be
All Sols, and joyn to make a prodigy. 60
All things are out of course, which could not be,
But that we should some eminent death foresee.
Yet let's not think him dead who nere shall dye,
Till time be gulf'd in vast eternity.
'Tis but his shadow that is past away; 65
While he's eclips'd in earth, another day
His better part shall peirce the skies, and shine
In glory 'bove the Heavens ChryStaline.
He is but freed from troubles that are hurl'd
Upon this smal Enchiridion of the World. 70
We could not understand him, hee's gone higher
To read a Lecture to an Angels Quire.
He is advanced up a higher story,
To take's degrees i'th' upper form of glory.
He is our Prodrome, gone before us whether 75
We all must go, though all go not together:
Dust will dissolve to dust, to earth; earth are all men;
And must all dye, none knows how, where, nor when.

303
 LVIII

An Elegy on the death of his Schoolmaster.

Mr. W.H.
Must he dye thus? has an eternal sleep
Seiz'd on each muse that it can't sing nor weep?
Had he no friends? no merits? or no purse
To purchase mourning? or had he that curse
Which has the scraping worldling still frequented, 5
To live unlov'd and perish unlamented?
No; none of these; but in this Atlas fall
Learning for present found its funeral.
Nor was't for want of grief, but scope and vent;
Not sullennesse, but deep astonishment; 10
Small griefs are soon wept out; but great ones come
With bulk, and strike the straight lamenters dumb.
This was the schoolmaster that did derive
From parts and piety's prerogative,
The glory of that good, but painful art; 15
Who had high learning yet an humble heart.
The Drake of Grammer learning, whose great pain
Circled that globe, and made that voyage plain.
Time was, when th'artless paedagogue did stand
With his vimineous scepter in his hand, 20
Raging like Bajazet o're the tugging fry,
Who though unhors'd were not of th'infantry;
Applying, like a glister, hie haec hoc,
Till the poor Lad's beat to a whipping block;
And schoold so long to know a Verb and Nown, 25
Till each had Propria maribus of his own:
As if not fit to learn As in praesenti,
But legally, when they were one and twenty.
Those few that went to th'Univers'tys then,
Went with deliberation, and were men. 30
Nor were our Academies in those dayes
Fill'd with chuck-farthing Batchelours and boyes,
But schollers with more beard and age went hence,
Then our new lapwing-Lect'rers skip from thence.
By his industrous labour now we see 35
Boyes coated borne to th' Uni vers itie,
Who suck'd in Latine, and did scorn to seek

304
Their scourge and top in English but in Greek.
Hebrew the general puzler of old heads,
Which the gray dunce with pricks and comments reads, 40
And dubs himself a schoollar by it, grew
As natural t'him as if he'd been a Jew.
But above all he timely did inspire
His Scholars breasts with an aetherial fire.
And sanctify'd their early learning so, 45
That they in grace, as they in wit did grow:
Yet neither's grace nor learning could defend him
From that mortality that did attend him;
Nor can there now be any difference known,
Between his learned bones and those with none. 50
For that grand Lev'1er death hurles to one place
Rich, poor, wise, foolish, noble and the base.
This only is our comfort and defence,
He was not immaturely ravish'd hence.
But to our benefit, and to his own 55
Undying fame and honour, let alone
Till he had finish'd what he was to do,
Then naturally split himself in two.
And that's one cause he had so few moyst eyes,
He made men learned, and that made them wise, 60
And overrule their passions, since they see
Tears would but shew their own infirmitie.
And 'tis but loving madness to deplore
The fate of him, that shall be seen no more.
But only I cropt in my tender years, 65
Without a tongue, or wit, but sighs and tears;
And yet I come to offer what is mine,
An immolation to his honour'd shrine;
And retribute what he confer'd on me,
Either to's person or his memory. 70
Rest pious soul and let that happy grave
That is intrusted with thy Relicks have
This just inscription, that it holds the dust
Of one that was Wise, Learned, Pious, Just.

305
 LIX

An Epitaph
If beauty, birth, or friends, or vertue cou'd
Preserve from putrefaction flesh and blood,
This Lady had still liv'd; who had all those,
And all that Nature, Art or Grace bestowes.
But death regards not bad or good; 5
All that's mortal is his food.
Only here our comfort lyes,
Though death does all sorts confound,
Her better part surmounts the skies,
While her body sleeps i'th' ground. 10
Her soul returnes to God, from whom it came,
And her great virtues do embalme her name.

LX

An Epitaph upon Mrs. G.

Who ever knows or hears whose sacred bones
Rest here within these monumental stones,
How dear a mother and how sweet a wife,
If he has bowels, cannot for his life
But on her ashes must some tears distill, 5
For if men will not weep, this marble will.

306
 SECTION 5

i
On Rome
Trav'ller, thou lookst for old Rome in the new,
And yet in Rome, thou nought of Rome canst view.
Behold the frame of walls, dis-joynted stone,
And the vast Theater, that's overthrown;
Lo here's Romes carkass still; thou may'st behold 5
How the new Rome is threatned by the old.
Learn hence the power of fate, fix'd things decay,
But that that's alwayes toss'd and mov'd, does stay.

II

On a quareller
A humerous fellow in a Tavern late,
Being drunk and valiant, gets a broken pate;
The Surgeon with his instruments, and skill,
Searches his scull deeper, and deeper still,
To feel his brains, and tries if those were sound, 5
And as he keeps ado about the wound,
The fellow cryes, Good Surgeon spare the pains;
When I began this brawle, I had no brains.

307
 Ill
Onfa lover
What various griefs within my breast do grow?
I burn, yet from my flames my tears do flow.
I'm Nile, ana Etna both together grown,
For the same grief does both enflame and drown.
O let my tears, make my strong flames expire, 5
Or let my tears be drunk up by my fire.

IV

On Gold
In vain was Danae clos'd in brazen Tower,
No brazen fort keeps out a golden showre.

To a Friend
Thou sent'st me wine, I'd too much wine before;
Send thirst if thou would'st send to please me more.

VI

On Alexander
Great Alexander thought the World too smal,
Which he with's warlike hand subdu'd and beat.
But did not he himself most little call?
He in a little World could not be great.

308
 VII

On a Bankrupt
A bankrupt heard a Theif enter by stealth
His house by night, and search about for's wealth.
In vain (quoth he) thou lookst for goods by night,
For I my self can see none when 'tis light.

VIII

On a Priest and a Theif

A priest did with a theif together come,
To th'place, where he was to receive his doom.
Said; Be not sad, do but believe, and thou
Shalt be a guest, to feast with Angels now.
He sigh'd, and said; if you'll true comfort shew, 5
Go then and take my place, I'l stay below.
No, quoth the Priest, this day I keep a fast,
And cannot eat untill this day be past.

IX

On Love and Death

Love once and death chang'd weapons, and death took
Loves fiery dart, while Cupid got deaths hook.
Love at the body, death at th'mind lets fly,
This makes old men to love, and young men dye.

309
 X

On Women
Women are pleasant evills, and they have
Two proper seasons, when in bed or grave.

XI

On a Wolfe sentenced
The Country people once a wolfe did take,
That of their sheep and lambs did havock make;
Some voted that he should be crucifi'd,
Others would have him in the fire be fry'd;
Some to be hew'd in peices with a sword, 5
And to be thrown to dogs to be devour'd.
Among the rest, one whom unlucky fate
Had doom'd to th'troubles of a married State,
(The common lot of men) oh? Friends (sayes he)
Lay by your forkes, and ropes, that knotty be; 10
The sword, the fire, the guns, the cross, the whips,
Are but slight tortures, I have one out-strips
All those, if you would punish him to th'life,
Fit for his crimes, then let him wed a wife.

XII

On one more learned then others

Thou makest thy self more learned then thy betters,
And brag'st thou knowst Greek, Hebrew, Latin letters.
Thou hast them in thy forehead, and thy hand,
As if th'hadst all the tongues at thy command;
For the executioner has made thee more 5
Letter'd by far then thou wert ere before.

310
 XIII

On Galla
Blame not fair Galla that she'Id married be,
(Though she be fair) to one that could not see.
For in that thing in which she took delight,
And which he lov'd, there is no need of sight.

XIV

On one lowsie and poor

A lowsie fellow once was ask'd, how he
Having so many cattel, poor could be?
He answered hence proceeds my poverty,
Though Fid sell all for nought, yet none would buy.

XV

A happy death
Learn to live well, if thou'ldst dye happily;
And that thou may'st live happy, learn to dye.

XVI

On Nero
When bloody Nero his own mother slew,
He did not hurt her face, or eyes, 'tis true;
But ripd her bowels up; 'twas justly done,
They'd guilt enough in breeding such a Son.

311
 XVII

On Love
Love is a Merchandize, and Venus drove
The first Monopoly; Rich only Love.
What cannot fortune hire alas for gold?
When Gods themselves for this are bought and sold?

XVIII

Rules of drinking
If the Philosopher sayes true, the first
Draught is refreshment unto them that thirst;
The second mirth and wit doth still afford;
But perfect drunkeness issues from the third.
If to these rigid rules you'l me confine, 5
Hence glasses; Fl in flagons drink my wine.

XIX

A vain Boaster
Thou need'st not boast, 'cause thou afore does go,
If that be honour, my dog does so too.

XX

To Momus
Thou call'st me begger, Momus, and dost tell
I must not triumph so, nor so much swell,
Because I have but little; and yet that
Is not my own, but other Mens Estate.
Why shouldst thou thus upbraid me with my want? 5
Must I be blam'd because my fortune's scant?

312
I'm honest still; thou liv'st by theft alone;
Between us two the difference is none;
For both of us on others bread do dine,
Only thou stealst thy meat, I beg for mine. 10

XXI

On Phillis tears
When Phillis comes t'her husbands grave, she brings
No garlands, nor with Odorif'rous things
Sprinkles the ground: only her tears doth shed
Upon the grave, wherein her joy was laid.
The flowers do straight spring up, as if she had power 5
To ripen with her eyes, and moysten with her showre.

XXII

On a proud fool
Thou call'st me ignorant; 'tis true; but how
If I know more then Socrates did know?
He knew one thing, that he did nothing know;
I know two things, that I know nought, nor thou.

xxm
On time
Our joyfull years do pass too soon away,
A minutes grief seems an eternal day.

313
 XXIV

On a blind, and lame begger

How happily fate hath together joyn'd,
Two feeble men, one lame, and t'other blind!
The blind Man bears the lame, the lame supplies,
By his direction, t'others want of eyes.
See what the iron power of need can do, 5
It makes the blind to see, the lame to go.

XXV

On a Spartan Lady
A Spartan Lady bravely slew her son,
Because she saw him from the battail run;
Thou canst not be (quoth she) a Spartan known,
Unless thy valiant mind declare thee one.

XXVI

On Philip of Macedón
Jove, shut the gates of heav'n, for Philip sayes,
He'l enter it; since earth and sea obeys
His powerfull scepter, there is left no room
On earth for him, he must to heaven come.

314
 XXVII

The Answer
I will not though I may, shut heaven gates,
Nor do I care for Philip, or his threats.
If Earth and Sea his scepter do obey,
The way to Heaven's too narrow, hell's his way.

XXVIII

Frugality
Use thy Estate, as if thou'ldst dye to day,
Yet spare thy Estate as if thou'ldst live for ay.
He's truly wise who where he spend or spare,
Observes the mean, and do's extreams forbear.

XXIX

On two wives
I blame him not, who having one wife had,
Another seeks; the last was good or bad;
If good, he hopes there are of such good store;
If bad, he hopes he shall have such no more.

XXX

On a Murtherer
A flying Murtherer lay beneath a wall
That was all ruinous, and like to fall.
An Angel to him did in's sleep appear,
Bad him be gone, and lodge some other where.
No sooner gone, but down the wall straight fell, 5
Then he thanks God, that he escap'd so well.

315
 The Angel said, Dost think I like thy deed,
Because from this destruction I thee freed?
Sins of this nature never scape my curse,
Thou'it saved from this death, to meet a worse. 10

XXXI

On a Fisherman
A fisher, while he angled in a brook,
A dead mans skull by chance hung on his hook;
The pious man in pitty did it take,
To bury it, a grave with's hand did make;
And as he digg'd, found gold. Thus to good men, 5
Good turnes with good turnes are repay'd agen.

XXXII

On a burnt ship
Unhappy ship, that must by flames expire,
And having scap'd by waters, fall by fire!
The Stepdame Sea hath safely landed Thee;
Thy mother Earth's more treacherous then she.

XXXIII

Aliter
I that ere while of waters was afraid,
For lack of waters, am by fire destroy'd.
You waves, whom late I curst, I now implore,
Then I'd too much, and now I long for more.

316
 XXXIV

On a Covetous Man
Thou that art counted rich, I count thee poor;
Use only showes our wealth; we have no more
Then what we use; what we keep for our heirs,
We cannot say 'tis our goods, for 'tis theirs.

XXXV

On Hermocrates
Hermocrates made's will, when sickness came,
And made himself Exec'tor of the same.
Then he began to count, how much 'twould cost
To th'Doctor and himself, for the health he'd lost;
But when he saw to how much it did come, 5
He'Id rather dye then give so great a summe.
So to keep's wealth, and to save charges, dyes;
His heirs do mourn in sack, and braveries.

XXXVI

On a poor and sick Man

When age and sickness did upon me seize,
Of age none could, of want none would me ease.
With palsy'd limbs, I to my grave did go,
And there did end my want and sickness too.
The lawes of fate preposterously were plac'd, 5
I found my grave at first, my death at last.

317
 XXXVII

On a Hare
A hare unsafe by land lep'd into th'main,
Flying land-dogs, was by a sea-dog slain.
Poor worm! fly es she to Earth, to sea, to sky,
Each hath a dog, and she by dogs must dye.

XXXVIII

On Balaams Ass
The Prophet Balaam wondred heretofore
An Ass could speak, and now ther's none speak more.

XXXIX

Upon Democritus and Heraclitus

Weep Heraclitus ; it fits the age wherein
Nothing but filth, nothing but sorrow's seen.
And laugh Democritus, laugh while thou list,
Nothing but folly, nought but vain, thou seest.
This alwayes weeps, that still remains in gladness, 5
Yet both endure one labour, both one sadness.
Now need requires (since all the World is mad)
A thousand laughing, and a thousand sad.
'Tis time the World turn'd (madness is so sore)
1'Anticera, the grass to Hellebore. 10

318
 XL

Out of Catullus
My Mistress saith she'll marry none but me,
Though Jove himself should force her unto it:
But Womens words unto their lovers be
So firm, they may in wind or waves be writ.

XLI

On an Astronomer that tryed by rules of

Art to find whether he were a Cuckold
Star-gazing fool? thou from the signs wouldst see
And Planets face what thy wives dealings be.
She does her works below, where Sun nere pries,
And though she's light, she mounts not to the skies,
'Cause she's kept down by men; if in the sphear 5
Thou Venus see, thou thinkst thy wife is there.
And if the Bull or Aries thou dost see,
Thou thinkst they are reflections of thee.
Fool keep at home: when thou abroad dost go,
In imitation her legs do so too. 10
And when thou gazest in the skies to know
Her works, she does even what she please below.

XLII

On Geneva's armes
Geneva bears the Eagle and the Key;
The Empire's this, and that the Papacy.
If th'Emperour's Eagle, and the Pope agen
Resume his Key, where is thy Empire then?

319
 XLIII

To a sad Widow
While widdow'd wife, for thy drown'd husband thou
Dost with perpetual tears thy cheeks bedew,
Eterniz'd in three graves his happy shade,
In water twice, and once in Earth is laid.

XLIV

On a bribed Judge
Two parties had a difference, and the cause
Did come to be decided by the lawes.
The bribing Plaintiff did the Judge present
With a new coach; T'other with same intent,
Gives him two horses; each with like design, 5
To make the Judge to his own side incline.
The cause being try'd, the Plantiff's overthrown,
O coach (quoth he) thou art the wrong way gone;
The Judge replide, It cannot but be so;
For where his horses draw, your coach must go. 10

XLV

To a jealous Husband
In vain thou shutt'st thy doors by day, in vain
Windowes by night, thy wifes lust to refrain,
For if a Woman only chast will be
In watch and ward, she has no chastity.

320
 XL VI

On proud Rome
Shut up ye Gods the gates of Heaven above,
And do thou keep thy heavenly Castle Jove.
Now sea and Land are subject unto Rome ;
Only to Heaven they've yet a path to come.

XLVII

Against Mourning
Men justly prayse the Thracians who do mourn
When children from their mothers womb are born;
But dead, they think they every way are blest,
Because the fates have laid them to their rest.
For they well know, all men are born to ill, 5
But being dead, they've peace and quiet still.

XLVIII

Epigramma in Juliam
Me nive candenti petiit modo Julia, rebar
Igne car ere nivem, nix tamen ignis erat.
Quid nive frigidius? nostrum tamen urere pectus
Nix potuit manibus, Julia, missa tuis.
Quis locus insidiis dabitur mihi tutus amoris, 5
Frigore concreta si latet ignis aqua!
Julia sola potes nostras extinguere flammas,
Non nive, non glade, sed potes igné pari.

321
 XLIX

Translated
Julia once stroke me with a ball of snow;
I thought snow was not fire, yet that was so.
Then snow what's colder? yet't had pow'r t'inflame
My breast, when from my Julias hand it came.
What place have lovers free from treacheries, 5
When fire within congealed water lies?
Julia alone can make my flames expire,
Yet not with ice, or snow, but equal fire.

An Essay of the Contempt of Greatnesse,

being a Dialogue of Lucían made English
Ludan
With a long beard and broad, with hair untrim'd,
Coatlesse, and shoe-less, almost naked lim'd;
A wandring life you lead, as beasts do doe,
No certain place are you confin'd unto.
On the bare ground, and in the open air 5
You rest your bones; the mantle which you wear,
Your only garment both for night and day,
Though rough and course, had worn it self away;
But by the dirt that does thereon abide,
Its gaping cranies daily are supply'd, 10
The earth and air both, you about you bear;
As earth 'tis dirty, and as thin as air;
Grave Sir, what may you be pray?
Cynicus Young man, why
Seems this so strange t'you? here you see live I 15
Content with what I can with ease obtain,
And without injury or danger gain;
What costs no grief, nor trouble, I can feed
And cloath my self withall, I nothing need,
But unconcern'd can pass by and deride 20
All, but what serves to nourish, warme, and hide.

322
Pray tell me, do you think that vitiousness
Lies in superfluous luxury?
L. Surely yes.
C. And don't you judge frugality in men 25
To be a vertue too?
L. I do.
C. Why, then
When you see me more thriftily to live
Then other men, and them their minds to give 30
To cost and dainties, can it justice be
To wink at those, and only censure me?
L. Alas Sir, 'tis not Thriftily you live,
But nigardly and basely. God does give
With liberal hand his gifts, and with the same 35
We ought to take them, and we're much to blame
If we neglect them; for we shall make void
Those blessings, which he sends to be enjoyed.
You pine your self, make your enjoyment scant
By wilful affectation still to want, 40
And live in poverty.
C. Therefore I pray,
Since we are gone so forward in the way;
Let's well consider, what by wanton's ment,
Or penury, and what's sufficient. 45
L. Please you, let it be so.
C. Is that which can
Supply the just necessity of man,
Esteem'd sufficient? or d'you judge or know
A thing to be desired beyond that? 50
L. No.
C. May it be then call'd indigence or want,
Or poverty when men sufficient han't?
L. It may no doubt.
C. Then I've sufficient, for I am without 55
No thing that should supply necessity.
More I nor crave nor want.
L. How can that be?
C. You'll quickly know, if you do well perpend
And observe rightly, what's the proper end 60
Those things were made for, which you say we need.
Is not a house a shelter?
L. Yes indeed.
C. And are not garments coverings?

323
L. True, they be. 65
C. Both these defend and cover us, that we,
Whom these do shelter and do cover so,
By their defence and warmth should better grow.
L. No question.
C. Do my feet now seem to you 70
The worse, because not cover'd from your view?
L. I know not truly.
C. If you do not know,
Learn what's the office of the feet.
L. To go. 75
C. And do my feet go worse then others do?
L. Perhaps they don't.
C. Nay they do not, I know;
And since their office they performe as well
Naked as clad, why should the clad excel? 80
And for my body, why's not that as good
As other mens? if it were not, it wou'd
Be more diseas'd, infirm and weak then theirs.
But no infirmity in mine appears;
And therefore since that health and strength do show 85
A bodies excellence, why's not mine so?
Does this appear diseased?
L. Not to me.
C. Therefore my feet or body cannot be
In want of other covering; for ne're doubt it, 90
If they did want, they'Id be the worse without it;
For want's a real evil to mankind;
What e're we need, we languish till we find.
I thrive in body, and look fresh you see,
And sound and strong; my meat does nourish me. 95
That fare that's counted course and vile by you,
Makes me both strong and healthful.
L. Very true.
C. Else how could aged I who've liv'd so long,
Remain so nimble, active and so strong? 100
Did I on dainties feed, and gayly go,
To pamper appetite as others do,
Dwingle and pine I should, like them whose food
Though twice more costly, is not half so good.
L. Perhaps you might. 105
C. What reason then is there,
Why you should pass a censure so severe

324
Upon my way of living and esteem it
Wretched and miserable?
L. I so deem it, 110
Because great nature (whom we all adore)
And the great Gods this spatious world did store,
With such variety of gifts, and those so good,
So excellent both for our ease and food,
In such abundance too, that they supply 115
Our coy delight as well's necessity,
And made all common as the world is, that
All might of all alike participate:
These blessings then we may, nay ought t'enjoy,
And not to be so overnice and coy 120
To slight them all, or all but very few,
As they're neglected by the beasts and you.
Water you drink as beasts do, and you eate
What you next find, as dogs do drink and meat;
And lodging's all alike; to rest or feast, 125
You have no better pattern then the beast.
The ground's your common bed, and for your cloaths
They'r such as every beggar justly loaths.
You do content your self with things thus vile,
Thus poor, and thus contemptible; the while 130
Our bounteous God spreads his unwearied hand,
And with variety gluts sea and land;
Puts his fat cattle on our flowry plains,
And fructifies the teeming earth with rains;
Who makes returns in fruits such various store, 135
Nature her self doth seem embroyderd o're.
The tugging Bee brings her mellifluous juice,
Extracted from all flowers for mans use;
Oyle like a deluge overwhelms the ground,
And Amber floating on the sea is found; 140
Peoples the seas with fishes, and each field,
Groans as o're burdend with the corn they yield;
With various rare productions of such things
As our delight, and with't our wonder brings.
But above all the amorous fruitful Vine 145
Hugs the tall trees, and the heart-cheering Wine,
Blushes and swells in the plump grapes which be
Drunk with their own rare juyce; and why should we
B'endow'd with these abilities which we find
Do fill the body, and adorn the mind? 150

325
Why have we strength, and art, and wit, to frame
Such stately fabricks, but t'enjoy the same?
And why does Art such various things produce,
But for our ornament, delight and use?
If you do well in slighting these things thus, 155
God did not well in sending them to us.
Should you by any other be debar'd
Th'enjoyment of these things, how ill and hard
Would it appear t'you? it would vex your mind,
As much as if you're fetterd and confind. 160
Why then does your own self your self restrain,
And limit from them thus?
C. I should disdain
Indeed to be confín'd by other men,
And kept from these enjoyments so; but then 165
Hear me a little, let me ask you this;
Suppose a man that rich and bounteous is,
Should make a sumptuous feast, and should invite
Guests of all sorts, and please their appetite
With cheer of all sorts too; for strong men strong 170
Dishes; and for the weaker palats mix among
Some milder délicates, and fill his feast
To the degree and palate of each guest;
If 'mong the guests there should be one that wou'd
Snatch and devoure all that on th'table stood, 175
Reaching from end to end, though lusty and strong,
Yet eats those meats that to the weak belong;
Out-sits all others and out feeds 'um too,
Would you think this man temperate?
L. Surely no. 180
Nor temperate, nor good.
C. But then suppose
Another person should neglect all those
Delicious junkets, and that costly fare,
And those inticing délicates that are 185
Superfluously invented to invite
To new attempts the sated appetite,
And placeth in one plain and wholesome dish,
All that he needs, and all that others wish,
And feeds but sparingly thereon, don't you 190
Think this a temperate man?
L. Indeed I do
And on just reason.

326
C. Do you apprehend
By what I say, what 'tis I do intend? 195
Or shall I tell you?
L. Pray explain your mind.
C. God's this feast-Master, who of every kind
With store of various blessings has supply'd
Our various wants, and vast desires; beside 200
For healthy men and strong he doth provide,
Such diet as their health and strength can bide;
The sick and weak he doth with food supply
Apt for their sicknesse and infirmity:
Not that we all should upon all things feed; 205
But all have all things that they truly need:
Yet so enrag'd our vast desires still be,
And so insatiate is our mind, that we
Reach at and gripe what e're we meet withall;
And alwaies think what e're we have too small 210
T'appease our appetite that still aspires,
And new enjoyments breed but new desires.
The land and seas both contribute their store
To our fond wills, yet still we long for more.
What nature scatters with her lib'ral hand 215
O're the wide earth, we ransack for; no land,
No sea so dangerous, nor so far remote,
But we invade to fill the craving throat,
And oft neglect what's wholesome, and what's good,
Because 'tis easy, or 'tis common food; 220
Preferring things bought dearly, and fetcht far,
Before all such as in their nature are
Useful and good, as if their vertue were
Not to be good, but difficult and dear:
And therefore choosing rather to endure 225
A restless, then a quiet life and pure.
Consider all those things, which you provide
To gratifie your humor, lust or pride:
Your stately buildings, costly furniture,
Imbroyderd garments, made to tempt the viewer; 230
Your gold and silver jewels and your rings,
And such unneedful and unuseful things,
For which you vainly ransack every nation,
Not for necessity, but ostentation;
With how much toyle, and how much danger they 235
Must be procur'd and purchas'd for you, nay

327
With how much blood and slaughter of poor men,
Whom your vain luxury does make so, when
They for their livelyhood must plow the seas,
And traverse forreign land meerly to please 240
Your pamperd appetites, and find their grave
Fth' bosome of an unrelenting wave;
Or if they scape the seas, they meet by land
Men crueller then waves, or rocks, or sand:
And when they are through dangers, costs and pains, 245
Purchas'd and brought, disturb our hearts and brains,
And cause dissentions, treacheries and blowes,
Murthers and thefts, frauds, rapines, make friends foes,
Make brothers brawle with brothers, and inspires
Sons with unnatural rage against their Sires; 250
Husbands destroy their Spowses, and the wives
Break off all bonds and snatch their husbands lives.
So did it make Euriphile of old
Basely betray her husband for his Gold.
Yet when all's done, these costly garments can 255
Warme or defend or dignifie a man,
No more then those which only serve for use.
Nor do your statly fabricks more conduce
Unto our shelter and protection then
Those humble Cottages, which old wise men 260
Built for necessity, to guard and warm's
Against the rage of rapine or of stormes.
Those spacious dishes, and vast goblets too
Wherein you riot, not for need, but shew,
Though beaten silver, or of massy gold, 265
Can't make the liquor better, which they hold,
Nor make the food more wholsome, nor more sweet,
Nor make you see the poyson you may meet
Subtly convey'd into them: Nor d'your heads
Or bodies rest more on your downy beds, 270
Nor sleep more soundly 'cause your bedsteads be
(What ere you dream) of gold or Ivory.
Nay we do often find, those men enjoy
More quiet and contented sleep, who lay
Their wearied bodies on the humble ground, 275
And with Heaven only canopy de around,
Then those can find, who roll their limbs in beds
Of down, or spread with Persian Coverleds;
Nor is their health, or strength the more, who eat

328
The most delicious, and most costly meat, 280
Then theirs whose diet is but mean and small,
To nourish and refresh themselves withall.
We see the pamper'd bodies often wax
Tender, infirm, unfit for manly Acts.
Consumptive, full of pains and maladies, 285
Unknown by persons temperate and wise.
For luxury and sloath, how ere it pleases,
Serves but to feed Physitians and diseases.
Yet what a bustle do men make, what dust
To gratifie their palate, pride, and lust! 290
Nay which is more then this, so vile, so vain
Mens hearts are grown, and so corrupt their brain,
That they pervert the use of things, and bend
The Creatures use against the Creatures end.
L. Pray sir who do so? 295
C. You wh'abuse poor Men,
Although your fellow Creatures, and have been
Made of the self same matter, and inspir'd
With the same soul, and form, and have acquir'd
The same perfections too, and by their birth, 300
Have as good interest in what's here on Earth,
As the Great'st He; only by policy,
By fraud, or force kept in a low degree,
By those that property devis'd, and fram'd
Bounds for those things which nature free proclaim'd: 305
So brought degrees into the World, and so
Masters and Servants made, and high and low,
To gratifie Mens lazyness and pride.
Some must be serv'd, ador'd, and deifi'd,
Mounted in State and triumph, born along 310
On others shoulders, through th'adoring throng,
And the poor slaves are harness'd for that toyl,
And used like beasts; do asses work the while,
And those in highest honour with you stand,
Who most poor slaves can tread on and command. 315
But you blame me because I do despise,
And won't partake of such slight vanities,
But live content with what I do enjoy,
Not grasping superfluities that cloy,
And indispose the mind, and with them bring 320
Cares and vexations, which to them do cling;
Nor are they only difficult to gain,

329
But also in the enjoyment very vain.
You don't consider how few things, how small
A wise contented man may live withall, 325
With plentty and with comfort; all those things
We truly need are few and mean; this brings
Your scorn on me, to think or say at least
'Cause I live so, I live but like a beast.
But by that rule the Gods themselves would be, 330
('Cause they want nothing) veryer beasts then we.
Consider rightly and you'l clearly find,
Which is the best way to dispose your mind.
Or to want much, or little, 'tis the fate
Of the inferior, and the infirmer State, 335
To want more then the nobler and the strong;
Thus to weak infants do more wants belong
Then to th'adult; and thus sick persons do
Want more then healthfull; and the women too
Want more then men; and men want more then Gods, 340
For they want nothing. Therefore those, by ods,
Approach most neerly to the sacred choir,
Who want the least, and who the least desire.
Can you suppose great Hercules, that he
Whom noble acts proclaim'd a Deity, 345
Was in a wretched miserable case,
Because without a garment he did trace
Th'une ven Earth, and wandred up and down
Without a purple robe, or costly gown;
His body almost naked, only drest 350
In a rough skin tañe from a slaughter'd beast;
Desiring none of all those trifles that
We vainly prize, and at so dear a rate?
Surely he could not miserable be
Who others did protect from misery; 355
Nor was he poor; his power did extend
To sea and Land; where ever he did bend
His force, he won the victory, and ne're
Met with his conquerour, nor with his Peer.
D'you think he wanted garments or such things, 360
Who conquer'd and commanded Lords and Kings?
'Tis not to be imagin'd; no he was
Content and sober in his mind; and as
He valour shew'd, he shew'd his temp'ranee too,
And ne're indulg'd himself (as now men do) 365

330
With vain delights. Or what say you to me
Of Theseus his disciple? was not he
King of the A thenians, and most valiant too
Of all his stout contemporaries, who
By his renowned actions, justly won 370
The reputation of great Neptunes Son?
Yet was his body naked, his feet bare,
Nor did he shave his beard, or cut his hair.
His limbs were hard and hairie, and in that
He our bold Ancestors did imitate, 375
Who held a smooth and softly skin to be
An argument of Mens effeminacy;
And as their actions spoke them men, even so
Their plain and simple fashions shew'd them too;
They thought a beard mans natural ornament, 380
And Lyons too; and that the Mane was sent
For the same end to Horses; and there is
In both by nature plac'd a Comelynes,
A grace and ornament; these I propose
Unto my self to imitate, not those 385
Ridiculous men of this deluded age,
Whose undiscerning fancies do engage
Their fond desires to doat on Lushious fare
And gorgeous vain attire, and only there
Place their imaginary Happiness. 390
For my part I desire not, I profess,
My hough should differ from a horse, but be
Like Houghs as Chirons were, all's one to me.
I am the nobler much and happier
That no more garments then the Lyons wear; 395
And that my palat does no more require
Or choyser délicates then Dogs desire;
No better Lodging then the Earth I crave,
And for my dwelling house the world I have;
And for my diet I provide such meat 400
As without cost or trouble I may eat.
That Gold and silver bravely I despise,
From the desire whereof all ills arise,
That do befall Mankind; seditious jars,
Slaughters and treacheries, Rebellion, Wars, 405
Things that ne're touch my heart, who little have
Yet nothing want, nor more then little crave;
Thus stands the case with me; and now you know

331
Both my profession, and my practice too;
All which is different from Common strains, 410
And from the opinion of Vulgar brains,
From whom no wonder we in habit do
Differ, since we in Principles do too.
But I admire at you, who attribute
T' all sorts of Men their habit and their suit; 415
To th'Harper his peculiar garb, and so
To the Tragedian his; and yet you do
No habit of distinction yet devise
Or set apart for vertuous Men or wise,
But vainly think it fit that they should go 420
Apparel'd as the fools and Vulgar do,
A thing both ill and inconvenient too:
And certainly if any habit is
Proper for th'good and wise, 'tis such as this
I wear, which the luxurious Gallants hate, 425
And more then Vice scorn and abominate.
My garment's course, and rough, and made of hair;
My hair's unshav'n, and both my feet are bare;
Yours are like Pathicks, spruce and finicall,
Effeminate Courtiers that cannot at all 430
Be from the rout distinguished or known,
Nor by your habits difference nor your own.
Your garments soft like theirs, and gay like theirs,
You wear as many as the gallant wears:
As various too in colour and in shapes, 435
As Protean as Jove in all's escapes.
So gay your coats, and cloaks, so neat your shoes,
To trick and kemb your hair such art you use,
And so much time and cost thereon bestow,
To curie and powder't for the smel and show, 440
To tempt, and cheat each other, you that wou'd,
Have people think your happy, wise and good,
Outdo the Vulgar in these vanities,
Those Vulgar which so proudly you despise:
Yet you must grant that they don't come behind, 445
In parts of body, nor in gifts of mind,
The gay'st of you, but are as strong to toy le,
As stout to fight as you, whom lust can foyle,
And wanton pleasures conquer and subdue
As soon as those are least esteemd by you. 450
You in your meat, drink, sleep, and your array,

332
Are as luxurious and vain as they;
You scorn forsooth to walk a foot, but will
By Beasts or by poor men be carry'd still,
Whil'st I without relenting can abide 455
Both heats and colds, and what ere can betide
Us mortals, and with equal mind I bear
All things that God sends down, what ere they are,
For which content you count me miserable,
Whereas you thriving worldlings are not able 460
So to compose your souls to be content
With your condition, but do still relent,
Vex, and repine in every State; all that
Is present you dislike, still aiming at
Things absent with great longing; when you lye 465
Cold in the winter you for Summer cry;
And when the Summers heat you do obtain,
You Summer loath, and winter court again.
Too hot still or too cold, like bodies ill,
You are repining and complaining still. 470
The same effects diseases in them do
Produce, Your Customes do beget in you:
'Twixt both this only difference we find,
They're in their bodies sick, you in your mind.
Yet not content that your own selves are so 475
Misled, you'd tempt and draw in others too
To these absurdities and ills, with which
You have perplext your lives, led by the itch
Of blind desire and custome, not the lawes
Of Reason and of Judgment; your lust drawes 480
And hurries you which way it will; you go
By violent motion, where you will or no.
Like to light bodies swimming on a stream,
Your lusts drive you, as does the torrent them;
Just as a Rider on an untam'd horse, 485
Is carry'd, not by's will, but th' horses force,
Can nor go where he please, nor get on's feet,
Whom if one should in his fierce hurry meet,
And ask him where he rides, if truth he sayes,
His answer must be Where my horse doth please. 490
To the same question you must answer too,
Where your affections hurry you, you go.
Pleasure sometimes, sometimes ambition drives,
And sometimes avarice does rule your lives;

333
Contrary passions work contrary wayes; 495
Fear this way, anger that way, all your dayes
You're tost like empty ships from this to that,
Desiring still, but ne're agreeing what.
You are on many horses mounted, true,
All wild and all untamable by you; 500
You climb the craggy rocks, you cross the Seas,
Stick at no hard or dang'rous passages;
No Country so remote, no toy le so great,
No danger so apparent, cold or heat,
Or pain or hunger frights, or hinders you; 505
If your affections bid you go, you do:
While my contemned life keeps me at home
Safer, and quieter, then you that rome.
I can converse with whom I please, and do
What I (that is my reason) prompts me to; 510
The ignorant though rich, I can contemn,
And with a free-born mind slight theirs, and them.
Th'intemp'rate, and effeminate from me fly,
Fearing my habit, and my gravity;
The wise, the modest, and the vertuous be 515
The sole companions and delight of me;
While I contemn the wanton Men and vain,
Whose glory's in their wealth, attire and train;
And bravely can their wealth and them deride,
And make my scorn, that which they make their pride. 520
View but the Statues of the Gods and see
If they're not simple-habited like me.
In the Barbarians Temples, or the Greeks
Who ere the Gods attire and fashion seeks,
Shall find their habit, and their beards, and hair, 525
Just as my hair, and beard, and habit are.
They are not painted, comb'd, nor trim'd like you,
No upper coat made to mislead our view:
But one loose simple vest like mine they do
Weare both to cover and adorn them too. 530
Therefore henceforth do you slight me no more,
Nor yet upbraid me, as you've done before
For my plain habit, since the Gods prefer
It before all the rest, and for their wear
Make choice of this attire, and wisely do 535
Lead us by precept, and example too:

334
 Which when thou'st ponder'd well, thou'lt find it then,
Better to be like Gods, then like vain Men.

LI

A paraphrase upon the first Chap, of Ecclesiastes

Thus said the Roy all preacher, who did spring
From holy David Israels blessed King;
All things are vain, most vain, nay vanity,
Yea vanity of vanities they be.
See how the industrious mortalls toil and care! 5
Look how they travel, how turmoyrd they are!
When their work's ended, and their race is run,
What profit gain they underneath the Sun?
This Generation that appears to day,
To morrow vanisheth and fleets away: 10
In whose unstable mansion there comes
The next, to fill their Predecessours rooms:
And these but come and go; but this vast frame
Th'Earth still remains, though not the very same:
The glorious Heavenly Charioter new drest, 15
Riseth in burnish'd glory in the East,
And circles this vast Globe with constant race,
Till it returnes to its first rising place.
Th'unconstant wind that now doth southward blow,
Anon to th'North from whence it came, will go: 20
It whirleth still about, yet in its change
It still returnes from whence it first did range.
The posting river, though about it wanders
Curling it self in intricate Meanders,
Yet with a greedy, and a head-strong motion 25
It runs to its original the Ocean.
Whose vast unsatiate womb it cannot fill;
For as it's taking, so 'tis giving still;
And by alternate gratitude supplies
The thirsty Earth, and makes new streams arise, 30
Which by an ever active imitation
Return from whence they had origination.
Thus in this toilsome fabrick every thing
Is full of labour, and doth trouble bring

335
To the still craving Mortal, whose false breast 35
Vainly supposes this a place of rest;
And while he toy les his labours to possess,
Endures more troubles then he can express.
The restless Eye is never satisfi'd
With viewing objects; nor doth th'ear abide 40
Content with hearing; But the senses all
Grow by fruition more hydropical;
And every fresh enjoyment straight expires,
And's buried in the flames of new desires.
The thing which hath been in the dayes of yore, 45
Shall be again, and what's now done no more
Then what hereafter shall agen be done;
And ther's no new thing underneath the Sun;
There's no Invention; that which we stile wit,
Is but remembrance; and the fruits of it, 50
Are but old things reviv'd. In this round World,
All things are by a revolution hurl'd.
And though to us they variously appear,
There are no things but what already were.
What thing is there within this world that we 55
Can justly say is new, and cry Come see?
We can't remember things that have been done
I'th' Nonage of the World, when time begun:
And there will come a time, when those that shall
Succeed us, shan't remember us at all; 60
When things that have been or that shall be done,
Shall be entomb'd in vast oblivion.
I that your Preacher am, was he that sway'd
A Royal Scepter, and have been obey'd
By ^'Israelites, and m Jerusalem 65
Did wear great Judah' s Princely Diadem,
And us'd my wealth, my power, and strength of mind,
To seek and search for wisdom, and to find
Thereby the causes and effects of all
Things done upon this subsolary ball; 70
The works of our great Architect survey'd,
The firm foundation which his hand had laid;
The various superstructures small and great,
Mens labours how they strive to Counterfeit,
And in their several postures how they strive 75
To feed, and fence, and keep themselves alive;
How they do love and hate, are foes and friends,

336
Upon mistaken grounds, and false self-ends;
How they doe do, and undoe, how they pant
And tug to kill imaginary want; 80
What they both do and suffer, how and why,
Their self-created troubles I did spy:
And in my To wring o ver-search I see
Both what Men are, and what they ought to be.
A sore and tedious travell to the mind, 85
Which our great God in wisdom has design'd
For us poor Sons of mortals, and thought fit
That we therein should exercise our wit.
All that hath been, and all that hath been done,
All Creatures actions underneath the Sun, 90
My searching soul hath seen by contemplation,
And lo all's vanity, and the souls vexation.
All men, all things are crooked and perverse,
Full of defects are it, and they, and theirs,
All so imperfect that they're not at all; 95
And (which we may the great'st vexation call)
This crookedness cannot be rectifi'd,
Nor those defects (though numberless) supply'd.
When I arriv'd the very top of all,
That the mistakenMamonists miscall, 100
And think their chiefest blessings, wealth and wit,
With all th'additaments that cleave to it:
Then did I to my heart Communicate
And said; Lo I've attained a vast estate,
And do in wisdome far transcend all them 105
That reigned before me in Jerusalem;
And to compleat the wisdome of my mind,
To my large knowledge have experience joyn'd:
I did apply my active mind to know
Wisdom and folly, nay and madness too: 110
And from th'experience of all, I find
All this is but vexation of the mind:
For in much wisdom lyes much grief; and those
That increase knowledge, but increase their woes.

337
 LU

A speech made to the Lord General

Monck, at Clotheworkers-Hall in
London the 13. of March, 1659. at
which time he was there entertained
by that worthy Company
Nay then let me come too with my Address,
Why mayn't a Rustick promise, or profess
His good affection t'you? Why not declare
His Wants? how many, and how great they are?
And how you may supply them? Since you may 5
See our hearts mourn, although our clothes be gray.
Great Hero of three Nations! Whose blood springs
From pious and from pow'rfull Grandsire Kings,
With whose blood-royal you've enrich'd your veyns,
And by continu'd Policy and Pains 10
Have equal!'d all their Glory; so that now
Three Kingless Scepters to your feet do bow,
And court protection, and ally anee too;
And what great men still reach'd at, stoops to you.
But you're too truly Noble to aspire 15
By Fraud or Force to Greatness, or t'acquire
Scepters and Crownes by robbery, or base
And wilfull breach of Trusts, and Oaths, nor place
Your happiness in ravished Dominion,
Whose Glory's only founded in opinion, 20
Attended still with danger, fear, and doubt,
And fears within, worse then all those without.
You must still watch and fear, and think, and must
Lose all content, to gratifie one lust,
Should you invade the Throne, or aim at Pelf, 25
Throw down three Nations to set up your self;
'Kings are but royal slaves, and Prisoners too,
'They alwayes toyl, and alwayes guarded go.
You are for making Princes, and can find
No work proportion'd to your Pow'r, and mind, 30
But Atlas-like to bear the World, and be

338
The great Restorer of the Liberty
Of three long captiv'd Kingdomes, who were thrown
By others strong delusions, and their own
Misguided zeal, to do and suffer what 35
Their very Souls now grieve and tremble at,
Debauch'd by those they thought would teach and rule 'um,
Who now they find did ruine and befool 'um.
Our meanings still were honest, for alas!
We never dream't of what's since come to pass; 40
'Twas never our intent to violate
The setled Orders of the Church or State,
To throw down Rulers from their lawfull Seat,
Merely to make ambitious small things great,
Or to subvert the Lawes; but we thought then 45
The Laws were good if manag'd by good men;
And so we do think still, and find it true,
Old lawes did more good, and less harm then new;
And 'twas the plague of Countries and of Cities,
When that great belly'd house did spawn Committees. 50
We fought not for Religion, for 'tis known,
Poor Men have little, and some great Ones none;
Those few that love it truly, do well know,
None can take't from us, where we will or no.
Nor did we fight for laws, nor had we need; 55
For if we had but gold enough to feed
Our taking Lawyers, we had Lawes enough,
Without addressing to the sword or Buff.
Nor yet for Liberties; for those are things
Have cost us more in Keepers, than in Kings. 60
Nor yet for Peace; for if we had done so,
The Souldiers would have beat us long ago;
Yet we did fight, and now we see for what,
To shuffle mens Estates; those owners that
Before these wars, could call Estates their own, 65
Are beaten out by others that had none.
Both Law and Gospel overthrown together,
By those who ne're believ'd in, or lov'd either.
Our truth, our trade, our peace, our wealth, our freedom,
And our full Parliaments, that did get, and breed 'um, 70
Are all devour'd, and by a Monster fell,
Whom none, but you, could satisfie, or quell.
You're great, you're good, you're valiant, and you're wise;
You have Briar eus hands, ana Argus eyes;

339
 You are our English Champion, you're the true 75
St. George for England, and for Scotland too.
And though his storie's question'd much by some,
Whe'r true, or false, this Age and those to come,
Shall for the future find it so far true,
That all was but a Prophecy of you; 80
And all his great and high Atchievements be
Explain'd by you in this Mythology.
Herein you've far out done him; he did fight
But with one single Dragon: but b'your might
A Legion have been tam'd, and made to serve 85
The People, whom they meant t'undo and starve.
In this you may do higher, and make fame
Immortalize your celebrated name,
This ages glory, wonder of all after,
If you would free the Son, as he the Daughter. 90

LIII

LEGES CONVIVALES
Quod faelix faustumque convivís
in Apolline sit
Nemo asymbolus, nisi umbra hue venito,
Idiota, insulsus, tristis, turpis abesto.
Eruditi, Urbani, Hilares, modesti adsciscuntor,
Nee lectae faeminae repudiantor.
In apparatu, quod convivís corruget nares nil esto, 5
Epulae delectu potius, quam sumptu parantor;
Obsonator, et coquus convivarum gulae periti sunto;
De discubitu non contenditor
Ministri a dapibus oculati, et muti,
A poculis auriti, et céleres sunto. 10
Vina pur is fontibus ministrantor, aut vapule t hospes,
Moderatis poculis provocare sodalesfas esto,
Atfabulis magis quam vino velitatio flat,
Convivae nee muti, nee loquaces sunto.
Deseriis, aut sacris, poti, et Saturi ne diserunto; 15
Fidicen nisi accersitus non venito.

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 Admisse risu, tripudiis, choréis, cantu, salibus,
Omni gratiarum festivitate sacra celebrantor;
Joci sine felle sunto,
Insípida poemata nulla recitanîor; 20
Versus scribere nullus cogitar;
Argumentations totius strepitus abesto;
Amatoriis querelis, ac suspiriis liber angulus esto,
Lapitharum more, Scyphis pugnare, vitrea collidere,
Fenestras excutere supellectilem dilacerare nefas esto 25
Qui foras dicta vel facta eliminet, eliminator,
Neminem reum poculafaciunto.

Focus perennis esto.

LIV

BEN. JOHNSONS Sociable rules for the Apollo

Let none but Guests or Clubbers hither come,
Let Dunces, Fools, sad, sordid men keep home,
Let learned, civil, merry men b'invited,
And modest too; Nor the choise Ladies slighted.
Let nothing in the treate offend the Guests, 5
More for delight then cost prepare the feasts.
The Cook and Purvey'r must our pallats know,
And none contend who shall sit high or low.
Our waiters must quick-sighted be and dumb,
And let the drawers quickly hear and come. 10
Let not our wine be mixt, but brisk and neat,
Or else the drinkers may the Vintners beat.
And let our only emulation be,
Not drinking much, but talking wittily.
Let it be voted lawful to stir up 15
Each other with a moderate chirping cup,
Let none of us be mute, or talk too much,
On serious things or sacred let's not touch
With sated heads and bellies. Neither may
Fidlers unask'd obtrude themselves to play. 20
With laughing, leaping, dancing, jests and songs,
And what ere else to gratful mirth belongs,
Let's celebrate our feasts; And let us see

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That all our jests without reflection be.
Insipid Poems let no man rehearse 25
Nor any be compelí'd to write a verse.
All noise of vain disputes must be forborne,
And let no lover in a corner mourne.
To fight and brawl (like Hectors) let none dare,
Glasses or windowes break, or hangings tare. 30
Who ere shall publish what's here done or said,
From our Society must be banished.
Let none by drinking do or suffer harme,
And while we stay, let us be alwayes warm.

LV

To his Friend C.S. Esquire

Now I'm return'd, my thanks shall be so too,
First to your self, next to your half-self Su.
To Tom. that treated us so friendly, and
So like one that a Treat do's understand;
Next to his lovely Lady, who appear'd, 5
So like an Angel, and our Spirits chear'd;
I think she could my dying flames renew,
And create such as never were in you.
If she can pardon what we did amiss,
Her mercy signal as her beauty is; 10
First your impertinent frequent Rhythming, which
Infected both our Chaplains with an Itch;
Who seeing Rhythmes so freely come from you,
Did confidently venture at it too.
But t'immitate's a servile thing; and all 15
Copies fall short of their Original.
There is a certain knack in what men do,
Which gives the relish, this they reach'd not to.
Verse by severe brows is conceiv'd a crime,
But never man yet durst excuse bald Rhythme. 20
It will require much time, and pains, and skill,
To finde whe'r Rhythme has done more good or ill;
Those that are for it, say that verses be
Pleasant to read, and helps to memory;
And while men hunt for Rythme, they'r put in mind 25

342
Of things, which in dull prose they could not finde.
On t'other side, the Author who abuses,
In witty Rhythmes poor Poets and their muses,
Imputes it to you Poets as a crime,
That every other Verse is made for Rhythme: 30
And thinks if one half of all verses are
But tolerable sense, 'tis very fair:
So half of all the Paper, Pen and Ink,
Which Poets spoil, is to make Words cry Chink.
Go to her therefore straight and make your peace, 35
And henceforth let that sort of fooling cease;
Pray her forgive your folly, and with it,
That greater you made other men committ.
Tell her, 'tis your complexion sin, which you
Can no more leave, then she can to subdue 40
Or her eyes murth'ring cease, but yet you may
Divert the force of it some other way,
And by some lasting Poem make her fame,
As high and spreading, as she made my flame.
Hard drinking there, and late I can't conceive 45
A sin, 'cause 'tis my own which I can't leave;
Yet if her pardon shee'ld extend so farr,
Then for her face and eyes I'll pardon her.
So wee'll be friends, and this agree upon,
For future I'll drink on, let her look on. 50
To the whole Church remember me, to all
Whom we did feast, and did not feast withall.
For those that did not, had a minde to treat
Us likewise, but we drank too much to eat.
First to his Lordship, tell him I desire, 55
My self as high as he is, and him higher:
Not for wealth, rule, and honour (though those be
Things, which might tempt some holyer men than we,)
But for the Priviledges sake, for then
Men durst not ask us high and holy men, 60
To drink a quart unto them, and I should so
Scape all those ills I'm now obnoxious to.
Now as I am, if any friend meets me,
Hoop! my friend A.B. (sayes he,)
Nay faith now we are mett thus, wee'll not part, 65
Till we've enjoy'd our selves and crack'd one Quart:
I like a young Whore, do at first deny,
And begg his pardon, but so scurvily,

343
I do but tempt him to tempt me again,
He swears I shall, and all denyal's vain 70
And 'cause the Gentleman should swear agen,
I yield and go, then that one quart growes ten.
Thank the ingenious Chanter for his Treat,
And for himself who was both wine and meat;
His fate I pitty though, whose youth was spent 75
In an obscure retreat, and languishment,
When he was strong in body, and his minde
Fit to receive what then he could not finde,
Now in a glut, wealth and preferments come:
But age and sickness makes them troublesome. 80
Next your gentile Archdeacon thank from me,
For his obliging generositie.
And his school musick, which perhaps to those,
That understand it may seem precious:
But I good drinking Anthems more admire 85
Then all their unintelligible Quire;
Words plainly sung by one or two good Fellows,
Please me more than G. Sol Re Ut an' th'Bellows.
The next in order to be handled are,
Our learned Chaplains, that religious Pair. 90
Though Tom be no deep Schollar, nor rank Wit,
Yet he's an admirable Hypocrit.
Frank has some wit and learning without doubt:
But does so negligently blunder't out
As if he said, I preach Divinity, 95
And if you will not minde it, what care I?
They two might make one good Divine; for one
Has head and heart, and t'other face and Tone.
And if one can convert the men o'th' Town,
The tother will soon put the Women down. 100
Now Charles farewel, let's both bid so to Rythme,
'T has taken up much of our precious time,
In hunting after syllables and words,
A trade which now nor wealth nor fame affords.
We might have better spent our time, if we 105
Had like the world employed it thrivingly.
If we much wealth and greatness had affected,
And stead of versifying had projected,
You might have been a Knight, and I a Squire,
Titles which now the World does much admire. 110
And o'r our betters rant and domineer,

344
 If we could but have got so much a year:
When mens high Houses peep'd through tufts of Trees,
What veneration is ascribed to these?
They call us Sirrah while we call them Sirs; 115
Parson and Poet at their heels like Currs;
Come, strike up Parson, Poet gee's a verse,
Then one must preach, and t'other must reherse;
While we with all our scribling are content,
With A.B. Yeoman, and with C.S. Gent. 120
You think they'r fools, and they think we are so,
But both perhaps are fools for ought we know,
Now since all men are fools, who would be none,
Let him think what he will, I think he's one.

LVI

A Dialogue between Alexander,

Calisthenes, and Statyra
Alex. By Heav'n! I vow,
I ever did believe till now,
All sublunary pow'rs did to my Scepter bow,
And Majesty did triumph only in my brow,
But since I have this Captive view'd, 5
A new dominion does intrude,
And I conclude,
We Conquerours may by the Conquer'd be subdu'd.
Cal. What means this transportation? Sir is all
The Gods and I have done for you too small 10
To satisfy your appetite withall?
Alex. Oh! Love! I must resigne
This inconsiderable rule of mine,
To that unbounded sway of thine!
Cal. Command this cowardly passion to leave you, 15
For it will but deceive you.
Why should you dye a Martyr in amorous fire?
'Tis too much below man
To doat on a Woman,
And dye, 20
Like a flye,

345
 In the flames of desire.
Alex. Tis not great courage or good parts,
(Though you, Calisthenes, of both have store)
Can shield our breasts against Love's Darts, 25
The more our courage is and witt, our Love's so much the more.
The Warner must lay down his Armes,
The Monarch must vail his Crown,
Both being subject to Loves Armes,
Must to Loves pow'r bow down. 30
Cal. Love is but a Wildfire got into the brain,
That Prince that has power and yet will refrain,
Is happy, and happy, and happy again.
Alex. Fair Conqueress of the World and me!
My Laurel I resigne, 35
And am become a prisoner now to thee,
Being captivated by those eyes,
The gaudy wealth oí Persia I despise,
Ambitious only now to bee,
Thy Captive as thou hast bin mine. 40
S tat. Victorious Monarch! whose great name,
Tires out the restless tongue of fame,
Your unexampled actions to proclaim!
Who when you do but come and view,
All other Princes can subdue; 45
And make them yield their Empires up to you!
O let it ne'r be truly said;
Great Alexander did upbraid,
And triumph ore a wretched Captive maid!
That were a cruelty below 50
Your great and generous soul to show
And more then our frail Sex can undergo.
Alex. Can love be cruel?
S tat. What is Love?
Cal. 'Tis something men fancy to come from above, 55
Which over-rules their Reason.
'Tis of the same nature with Fayries and Elves,
A Deity Mortals have fain'd to themselves:
And though Poets bring him from Heav'n, we know
His generation is from below 60
The Girdle
Alex. Oh! forbear, forbear!
I can no longer endure to hear
This blasphemy and treason!

346
Cal. If it be so, 'tis as you make it, 65
What's done or said, is good or bad
As the beholders or the hearers take it.
Alex. Come, my Statyra, never minde
What old and surly Souldiers say,
Love must be deaf as well as blinde, 70
To all that stops him in his way,
You'r happy if you are but kinde
And lay aside the customary Nay,
Next to denyal nothing can torment more then delay.
Stat. I have not art enough to know 75
What I should do;
If I deny,
I dye.
Being now wholly in your power,
Tis an imprudence to deny, 80
When I nor can defend my self, nor fly.
And if my heart I cast
Upon your love, that's but a blast,
And your high flame's extinguish'd in an hour.
Alex. No (my Statyra) nere suspect, 85
I'll ever slight, where once I did affect,
The Sun, your Persian God, may cease to move,
But Alexander can ne'r cease to love.
Stat. Spoke like your self, but oh! my merit
Is farr below so great a Spirit. 90
Alex. I have you in my pow'r 'tis true,
And can command you whom I woe,
But oh! the Conquest of a heart
Transcends all Souldiers pow'r and Art.
Tis for that, for that I sue. 95
Your face and body's nothing without you.
Shee kneels, Alex, takes her up and Exeunt.

347
 LVII

CromweirsPanegyrick, upon his riding in triumph

over the baffled City of London
Shall Presbyterian bells ring Cromwel's praise,
While we stand still and do no Trophies raise
Unto his lasting name? Then may we be
Hung up like bells for our malignity:
Well may his Nose, that is dominical, 5
Take pepper in't, to see no Pen at all
Stir to applaud his merits, who hath lent
Such valour, to erect a monument
Of lasting praise; whose name shall never dye,
While England has a Church, or Monarchy. 10
He whom the laurell'd Army home did bring
Riding Triumphant o'r his conquer'd King,
He is the Generals Cypher now; and when
He's joyn'd to him, he makes that one a Ten.
The Kingdomes Saint; England no more shall stir 15
To cry St. George, but now St. Oliver:
He's the Realms Ensign; and who goes to wring
His Nose, is forc'd to cry, God save the King.
He that can rout an Army with his name,
And take a City, ere he views the same: 20
His Souldiers may want bread, but ne'r shall fear
(While he's their General,) the want of Beer;
No Wonder they wore Bayes, his Brewing-fat
(Helicon-like) makes Poets Lauréat:
When Brains in those Castalian liquors swim, 25
We sing no Heathenish Pean, but an Hymn;
And that by th'Spirit too, for who can chuse
But sing Hosanna to this King of Jews?
Tremble you Scottish zealots, you that han't
Freed any Conscience from your Covenant: 30
That for those bald Appellatives of Cause,
Religion, and the Fundamental Laws,
Have pull'd the old Episcopacy down;
And as the Miter, so you'll serve the Crown:
You that have made the Cap to th'Bonnet vail, 35
And made the Head a servant to the Tail.
And you curst spawn of Publicans, that sit

348
In every County, as a plague to it;
That with your Yeomen Sequestrating Knaves,
Have made whole Counties beggarly, and slaves. 40
You Synod that have sate so long to know
Whether we must believe in God, or no;
You that have torn the Church, and sate t'impake
The Ten Commandements, the Creed, the Prayer;
And made your honours pull down heavens glory, 45
While you set up that Calf, your Directory:
We shall no wicked Jews-ear'd Elders want,
This Army's made of Churches Militant:
These are new Tribes of Levi ; for they be
Clergy, yet of no University. 50
Pull down your Crests; for every bird shall gather,
From your usurping backs a stolen feather:
Your Great Lay-Levite Prynne whose Margent tires
The patient Reader, while he blots whole quires,
Nay reams with Treason; and with Nonsence too, 55
To justifie what e'r you say or do:
Whose circumcised ears are hardly grown
Ripe for another Persecution:
He must to Scotland for another pair;
For he will lose these, if he tarry here. 60
Burges that Reverend Presby-dean of Pauls,
Must (with his Poundage) leave his Cure of Souls,
And into Scotland trot, that he may pick
Out of the Kirk, a nick-nam'd Bishoprick.
And Will the Conquerour in a Scottish dance, 65
Must lead his running Army into France.
And that still-gaping Tophet Goldsmiths-Hall,
With all its Furies, shall to ruine fall.
We'll be no more gull'd by that Popish story,
But shall reach heav'n without that Purgatory: 70
What honour does he merit, what renown
By whom all these oppressions are pull'd down:
And such a Government is like to be
In Church and State, as eye did never see:
Magicians think he'll set up Common-Prayer; 75
Looking in's face, they find the Rubrick there:
His Name shall never dye, by fire nor floud,
But in Church-window s stand, where pictures stood:
And if his soul loathing that house of clay,
Shall to another Kingdome march away, 80

349
 Under some Barns-floor his bones shall lye,
Who Churches did, and Monuments defie:
Where the rude Thrasher, with much knocking on,
Shall wake him at the Resurrection.
And on his Grave, since there must be no Stone, 85
Shall stand this Epitaph; That he has none.

LVIII

A Record in Rhythme, Being an Essay towards the

Reformation of the Law, offer'd to the
Consideration of the Committee appointed
for that purpose. Written by some men of Law,
at a time when they had little else to do
By A.B.

London, ss.
Be it remembred now that formerly,
To wit, last Term o'th' holy Trinity,
Before the Keepers of the liberty
Of England, by the full authority
Of the long Parliament at Westminster, 5
Pris cilla Morecrave widow came, by her
Atturney M.B. and prefers,
I'th' Court of Upper Bench, a bill of hers,
Against one Roger Pricklove, who doth lye
A prisoner in the Marshalls Custody 10
Et caetera, and 'tis upon a plea
Of trespass on the Case, Pledges there be
To prosecute the suite, to wit, John Doe
And Richard Roe. And the said bill also
Doth follow in these very words, to wit 15
In legal manner, London, Scilicet.
Declaration
By M.B.

350
 Pris cilla Morecrave Widow, doth complain
Of Roger Pricklove, who doth now remain,
Prisoner to th'Marshal of the Marshalsie,
Of the said Keepers of the Liberty 20
Of England, by authority and power
Of Parliament, i'th' Bench superiour,
Before the same Keepers themselves that be,
For that (to wit) whereas the aforesaid she
Priscilla Morecrave, is a person just, 25
Honest, and faithful, one that never durst
Give the least cause for to be thought unchast,
But hath liv'd ever modest, and was grac't,
With godly education, and demurely
Behav'd her self; and all her life most purely, 30
Hath with the zealous and precise consorted;
And free from all uncleanness was reported,
Who never was amongst the well affected,
Stain'd with a Crime, or in the least suspected;
But with the pious people of this Nation, 35
Hath had good fame, credit, and reputation;
By which good reputation, she hath gain'd
Not only love, and favour, but obtain'd
A plentiful estate, by which most freely
She manag'd her Affairs; And that Ralph Seely, 40
One of the Assembly late at Westminster,
A godly-Gospel-preaching-Minister,
Was earnest suiter in the way of Marriage,
To have her for his yoke-fellow; his carriage,
And his most Saint-like loving humble speeches, 45
Had her consent to all that he beseeches.
And she agreed to give him all content,
To wed him by the Act of Parliament:
Three times the Contract publish't, then their trust is
That all shall be compleated by the Justice: 50
But this said Roger all aforesaid knowing,
Maliciously intending her undoing,
To blast her reputation, and dishonour
Her unstain'd Chastity; to cast upon Her
Infamous obloquy, to dis-repute Her; 55
And to deprive her of her foresaid Suiter;
By breaking of the marriage was intended;
To leave her to the world lost, and unfriended;
In month September, day of the same Eleven,

351
One thousand six hundred fifty and seven, 60
Of our Lords year, as by our computation,
Our Common-wealth reckons from th'incarnation,
At London in the parish of St. Mary
Bow, in the ward of Cheap, he then contrary
To truth most falsly and maliciously 65
In hearing of right worthy Company,
And honourable persons, Noble Lords,
Did speak these false, and most reproachful words,
To and of her the Plaintiff; that's to say,
You are a Pockie Whore, and at this day 70
You have three Bastards living, which do dwell,
Two in Pick-hatch, and one in Clarkenwell:
By reason of which false malicious speaking
Of the said Roger, to her great heart-breaking;
The godly Gospel-Minister, her Suiter, 75
Forbears his former suit, and for the future,
Did make profession he would never take her
To be his Consort, but did quite forsake her;
And all her friends with whom he had repute,
Do now esteem her for a Prostitute; 80
Whereby she is the worse, and damnifi'd,
One thousand and five hundred pounds, beside;
And thereupon she doth her suit produce,
In th'Upper Bench, because of this abuse.
Imparlance
By A.B.
And now until this day, that is to say, 85
On Munday three weeks after Michaels day
In this same Term, which very day until
Roger had leave t'emparl unto that Bill,
And then to answer it; before the same
Keepers, as well the said Priscilla came, 90
I'th' Court of Upper Bench, at Westminster
By that Attourney nam'd before, for her,
As the aforesaid Roger, who doth come
By his Attourney A.B.
And doth defend the force and injurie, 95
When, where, et cetera. And said that she,
The said Priscilla, ought not maintain, nor
Have thereupon her Suit against him, for
Protesting, not acknowledging that she

352
Is half so honest as she'Id seem to be; 100
Nor is her body, or her life so clear,
Nor so unspotted, as she would appear;
Nor is she of so chaste a reputation,
As is pretended by her Declaration:
Protesting also that the said Ralph Seely 105
(Though oft together did both he and she lye)
Ne'r meant to Marry her, but all his power
Of love was quench'd in less then half an hour.
Besides he'Id quite undo her; if he had,
His learning was so small, his life so bad. 110
For Plea he saith that at the time, wherein
She does suppose these slandrous words t'have bin
Spoke by th'aforesaid/toger, she the said
Priscilla was nor Widow, Wife, nor Maid;
And though she pass'd for an unbroken Virgin, 115
She catch'd th'aforesaid Presbyter in her gyn;
And with his wall-ey'd Saintship plaid the sinner,
Who b'ing inspir'd by a Thanksgiving dinner,
Did carnally her body know, to wit
The crime of Fornication did commit; 120
In the same Ward, and Parish, to his Honour,
He at one clap got three great Boyes upon her.
All which for privacy were put to feeding
At Bridewell and Pick-hatch, to learn good breeding:
And she in recompence clap'd him so sore, 125
WithAnglice French-POX, it made him rore;
And put his Genitals in such a pickle,
That all his Parish women did article,
And out him of his Benefices twain,
And into Scotland made him trot again: 130
Wherefore (as lawful 'twas) on this occasion,
He spake the words laid in the Declaration.
And this he Justifies, and judgement crave,
If she this suit ought to maintain or have.

Replication
By I.H.

And she the said Priscilla doth maintain her 135

Said Action, against all that's said to stain her;
And saith this Court nor will nor can forejudge her,
For ought that's pleaded by the foresaid/tog^r;
But though by his said Plea, she's forc'd to tarry

353
Her suit against him, yet she ought to carry; 140
Protesting therefore she's not such a liver,
Nor of such Fame, as the said Plea doth give her
Out for to be, but that she hath not vary'd
One jot in life from what she hath declared:
And on the said Ralphs part protesting farther, 145
That of the Kirk he was a Godly Father;
And of as pure and chaste a conversation,
As any Presbyter within the Nation:
And free from any lustful act committing,
With her, or any other deed unfitting: 150
For Replication saith, she was not knowing
Of the said Ralph but three years last foregoing:
During which time, and till the said words spoke were
By the said Roger (that almost have broke her)
She liv'd a Matrons life, chaste, grave, and thrifty, 155
And came unto the Age of three and fifty;
And the said Ralph all the said time, by reason
Of his much preaching in and out of season;
And of his fasting long, and longer praying,
And from his peoples not their duties paying, 160
In the same Ward and Parish, grew so weakly,
That of his life he did despair weekly:
Which weakness had so very much out-worn him,
That in his bed he was not able turn him;
Till that a learned Doctor of the Colledge 165
Who of his sickness had full perfect knowledge,
For gaining of his health did much exhort him,
To wed an honest Matron to Comfort him:
Which the said Ralph well liking, and well knowing
The honour to the saidPriscilla owing, 170
And thinking that délayes might greatly worse him,
With Zeal, did Court her for a wife to nurse him:
And she in pity to his weak Condition,
Did condescend to be his she Physician,
And for their joynt desires better carrying, 175
A day by both appointed was for marrying:
But on the sudden off the same was broken
By the said Roger's words aforesaid spoken;
By means whereof, he the said Ralph, endure
Could not the said Pris cilla for a Cure, 180
But of relief his expectations failing,
And his long sickness more and more prevailing;

354
In Month October, day thereof that first is,
In the Lords year that formerly exprest is;
At the said Ward, the said Ralph much in trouble, 185
Did dye, to's loss, possess'd of living double:
And left the said Priscilla to bemoan her,
For that no other man would after own her;
And that she truly doth reply and don't lye,
She prays may be inquired by the Country. 190
Rejoynder
By A.B.
And the aforesaid Roger saith the Plea
By her the said Priscilla formerly
Put in and pleaded by her Replication,
In the aforesaid manner, form, and fashion,
And the whole matter that's contained there, 195
Are not sufficient in the law, for her
The said Priscilla, to maintain her aforesaid
Suit against him, and there need be no more said:
Nor by the laws of England is it fit,
That he should make answer unto it; 200
This to averr he's ready. Whereupon
For want of better Replication
In this behalf, he doth a judgment pray,
And that she from having her action may
Be barr'd, for this against him; And for 205
The causes why he doth in Law demurr
Upon that Replication, he the said
Roger according to the Statute made,
And in such case provided, doth declare
And shew to th'Court of Upper Bench that's here, 210
These causes following, to wit, that this
Said Replication insufficient is,
Negative, pregnant, and uncertain, rude,
Double, wants form, and does not conclude
Rightly, according to the legal way. 215
Joyning in Demurrer
By A.B.
And she the said Priscilla here doth say,
That the said Plea which by reply has been
Pleaded by her, and what's contain'd therein,
In point of Law, good, and sufficient be,

355
 Her suit against him to maintain; And she 220
That Plea and matter, pleaded as above,
Is ready here both to maintain and prove,
As this Court shall consider, and think fit,
And 'cause he does not answer it, nor yet
Deny the Replication any way, 225
The said Priscilla (as before) doth pray
Judgement, and dammages to be judg'd to her,
For all this injury which he did do her:
But 'cause this Court here not advised is
Of giving judgment of the premises, 230
A day's giv'n to both parties to appear
I'th' Upper Bench, before the Keepers here
At Westminster, till Munday after eight
Dayes of St. Hillary, for the receipt,
And hearing of their Judgment upon it, 235
For that the Court is not advis'd as yet.

LIX

On a Combat between a Roman Capon,

and a French Cock
i
Spectators, make a Ring, that you may see
The fatal Battle which is like to be
Fought by two powr'ful Combatants: One's nam'd
Gallus, for Courage generally fam'd;
Yet not so valiant as he'Id have men think, 5
But has (what makes men Valiant) store of Chinck.

2
T'other is Capo call'd who doth supply
His want of Courage by his Policy:
By plotting and contriving he subsists,
And does with Brains what t'other would with Fists; 10
Works under-hand, and goes to undermine:
Both in their several wayes in Battle joyn.

356
 3
Gallus doth strut, and clap his wings and crow,
While Capo laughs at that vain noise and show;
What the great Quarrel is, must not be known, 15
But is reserv'd till one be overthrown:
Both make great preparations for a Fight,
And he that Conquers, all believe has Right.

4
Capo has been well cram'd, and liv'd in State,
And was become a mighty Potentate; 20
Two Keys to open and to shut he bears,
And on his head a Triple Crown he wears;
And had a mind to Rule the World, as though
All men were govern'd by meer pomp and show.

5
Gallus repines at this; Must I (sayes he) 25
Wear but one Crown, while he droops under three?
His Keys may make a noise, and keep a stir
'Mong easie souls, but he has ne'r a Spur:
I'le spoil his Pageantry, and make him know,
That since he cannot Fight, he shall not Crow. 30

6
But now Germanus comes to interpose,
Thinking the Quarrel would prove dangerous;
And while those two do to Contention fall,
Their strife might prove the ruine of them all;
Both being so powerful, 'tis hardly known 35
Which side may prove most safe for him to own.

7
Mean time the Mahumetan Cook stands by,
With sharpned Cymiter, and watchful eye;
Let them fight on (sayes he) so both will be,
By their intestine War a feast for me: 40
This is my time to feed and thrive, when they
Contend so fiercely which shall be my prey.

357
 8
This makes good Gelly, t'other's tender meat;
When both drop in one dish, who would not eat?
Their Quarrel is for Humour and Opinion, 45
But my design is Riches and Dominion;
While both to be Victorious do aspire,
I use their sparks to set the world on fire.

The CONCLUSION

When Peace and Plenty make men proud, and they

Aspire to Rule, whose part is to Obey: 50
When each man has a Hérésie of's own,
And most pretend Religion, but use none:
When Laws are boldly broke, and Love that binds
Men more then Laws, is fled from peoples minds:
Then must destruction on that Nation come, 55
And Mahumet gives Laws to Christendome.

LX

To the Kings most Sacred Majesty, on his miraculous

and glorious return 29. May, 1660
Now our Spring-royal's come, this cursed ground,
Which for twelve years with Tyrants did abound,
Bears Kings again, a memorable Spring!
May first brought forth, May now brings home our King;
Auspicious Twenty ninth! this day of Mirth 5
Now gives Redemption, which before gave Birth.
Hark, how th'admiring people cry, and shout,
See how they flock and leap for joy; the Rout,
Whose Zeal and Ignorance, for many years,
Devis'd those Goblins Jealousies and Fears, 10
And fighting blindfold in those puzling Mists,
Rais'd by the conjuring of their Exorcists,
Wounded, and chas'd, and kill'd each other while
Their Setters-on did share the prey, and smile.
Now the delusion's o'r, do plainly see 15

358
What once they were, what now they ought to be.
Th'abused Trumpet that was only taught
To inspire Rebellion, now corrects its fault;
Tun'd by your Fame; and with more chearful voy ce,
Contributes sounds, and helps us to Rejoyce: 20
The Guns which roar'd for your best subjects bloud,
Disown their cause now better understood;
The Bells that for sedition long chim'd in,
As if themselves too, Rebaptiz'd had been,
Convert their notes ecchoing with louder peal, 25
The harmony of Church and Common-weal:
While in contiguous Bon-fires all the Nation
Paint their late fears, and sport with Conflagration;
'Bout which rejoycing Neighbours friendly meet,
And with fresh wood the kind devourer greet. 30
Mean while, th'old Subjects, who so long have slept
In Caves, and been miraculously kept
From Rage and Famine; while the only thing
That fed and cloath'd them, was the hope of King,
Do all New-plume themselves to entertain 35
Your long'd-for Majesty, and welcome Train.
And (as in Job's time 'twas) those Spurious things,
Who look like Subjects, but did ne'r love Kings,
Appear among your Subjects in array
That's undiscernable, unless more gay. 40
All with loud hallows pierce the smiling skies,
While brandish'd Swords please and amaze our eyes.
Why then should only I stand still? and bear
No part of triumph in this Theatre?
Though I'm not wise enough to speak t'a King 45
What's worth his ear, nor rich enough to bring
Gifts worthy his acceptance; though I do
Not ride in Buff and Feathers, in the show;
(Which Pomp I did industriously eschew,
That Cost being more to me, than th'shew to you) 50
Nor do I love a Souldiers garb to own,
When my own Conscience tells me I am none.
Yet I'll do duty too, for I've a mind
Will not be idle, but will something find
To bid my SOVERAIGN Welcome to his own 55
Long-widow'd Realm, his Scepter, Crown and Throne;
And though too mean and empty it appear,
If he afford a well-pleas'd Eye and Ear,

359
His pow'r can't by my Weakness be withstood;
Bee't what it will, he'll find, or make it good. 60
Hail long-desired Soveraign! you that are
Now our sole joy and hope, as once our fear!
The Princely Son of a most pious Sire
Whose Precepts and Example did inspire
Your tender years with virtues, that become 65
A King that's fit to rule all Christendome:
Which your great Soul hath so improved since,
Europe can't shew such an accomplish'd Prince:
Whose whole life's so exemplary, that you
Convine'd those foes, which we could not subdue; 70
And those that did t'your Court t'abuse you come,
Converted Proselytes returned home:
Such strong and sympathetick virtues lye
In your great name, it cures when you're not nigh,
Like Weapon-salve; If fame can reach up to 75
This height of Cures, what will your person do?
Your Subjects high'st Ambition, and their Cure,
Bold Rebels terrour, you that did endure
What e'r the Wit or Malice of your foes
Could lay on you or yours, yet stoutly chose 80
To suffer on, rather than to requite
Their injuries, and grew Victorious by't;
And by your patient suffering did subdue
The Traytors fury, and the Traytors too.
The great King-makers favourite, a Prince 85
Born to a Crown, and kept for't ever since.
From Open force, from all the Close designs
Of all your Foes, and all our Catilines,
From all th'insatiate malice of that bold
Bloud-thirsty Tyrant, from his sword, and gold, 90
Which hurt you more; and from your own false Friends,
Whom he still kept in pay to serve his ends,
Yet you're deliver'd out of all these things,
By your Protector, who's the King of Kings.
No more that proud Usurper shall proclame 95
Those partial Conquests which but brand his name,
To all posterity, no more remember,
His thrice auspicious third day of September;
Since he fought not for victories, but paid;
Nor were you conquer'd by him, but betray'd: 100
And now your May, by love, has gotten more,

360
Than his Septembers did, by bloud, before.
Thanks to that Glory of the West, that Star,
By whose conductive influence you are
Brought to enjoy your own, whose em'nent worth 105
These Islands are too small to Eccho forth:
Whose courage baffled fear, whose purer soul
No bribes could e'r seduce, no threats controul,
But strangely cross'd the proverb, and brought forth
The best of Goods from th'once-pernicious North, 110
To whose Integrity, your Kingdomes owe
Their restauration, and what thence does flow,
Your blest arrival; with such prudence still
He manag'd these affairs, such truth, such skill,
Such valour too, he led these Nations through 115
Red Seas of Bloud, and yet ne'r wet their shoe.
Blest be the Heavenly pow'rs, that hither sent
That Noble Hero, as the instrument,
To scourge away those Furies, and to bring
To's longing subjects our long absent King. 120
Welcome from forein Kingdoms, where you've been,
Driv'n by hard-hearted Fate, and where you've seen,
Strange men and manners; yet too truly known,
No Land less Hospitable than your own;
From those that would not, those that durst not do 125
Right to themselves, by being kind to you;
From profess'd foes, and from pretended friends,
Whose feigned love promotes their cover'd Ends.
'Kings treating Kings, springs not from love, but state,
'Their love's to policy subordinate. 130
From banishment, from dangers, and from want,
From all those mischiefs that depend upon't,
You're truly welcome, welcome to your throne,
Your Crowns and Scepters, and what ere's your own,
Nay to what's ours too, for we find it true, 135
Our wealth is gotten and preserv'd by you.
Welcome t'your Subjects hearts, which long did burn
With strong desires to see your bless'd Return.
Welcome t'your friends, welcome t'your wisest foes,
Whose bought Experience tells them now, that those 140
Riches they've got by plunder, fraud, and force,
Do not increase, but make their fortunes worse,
Like Robbers spoyls, just as they come, they go,
And leave the wretches poor and wicked too.

361
They see their error, and that only you 145
Can give them pardon, and protection too.
Since you're come out o'th' fire, twelve years refin'd,
With hardned body, and Experienc'd mind.
Only that crew of Caitiffs, who have been,
So long, so deeply plung'd in so great sin, 150
That they despair of pardon, and believe,
You can't have so much mercy to forgive,
As they had villany t'of fend, and so
They to get out, the further in do go.
These never were, and never will be true 155
(What e'r they say or swear) to God or you.
The scum and scorn of every sort of men;
That for abilities, could scarce tell ten;
And of estates proportion'd to their parts;
Of mean enjoyments, and of worse deserts, 160
Whom want made bold, and impudence supply'd
Those gifts, which art and nature had deny'd;
And in their practice perfect Atheists too,
(For half-wit, and half-learning makes men so).
These first contriv'd, and then promoted all 165
Those troubles, which upon your Realm did fall;
Inflam'd three populous Nations, that they might
Get better opportunity and light
To steal and plunder, and our goods might have,
By robbing those, whom they pretend to save, 170
Our new commotions new employments made,
And what was our affliction grew their trade:
And when they saw the plots, th'had laid, did take,
Then they turn'd Gamesters, and put in their stake,
Ventured their All; their Credit which was small, 175
And next their Conscience which was none at all,
Put on all forms, and all Religions own,
And all alike, for they were all of none:
A thousand of them han't one Christian soul,
No Oathes oblige them, and no Laws controul 180
Their strong desires but poenal ones; and those
Make them not innocent, but cautelous.
Crimes that are scandalous, and yield no gain,
Revenge or pleasure, they perhaps refrain;
But where a crime was gainful to commit, 185
Or pleas'd their lust or malice, how they bit!
These did invade the Pulpit, and the Throne,

362
And first made them, then all that's ours, their own.
Depos'd the Ministers and Magistrates,
And in a godly way, seiz'd their estates; 190
Then did the Gentry follow, and the Rich,
Those neutral sinners, by omission, which
Had good estates, for it was not a sin
To plunder, but t'have ought worth plundring.
And by religious forms, and shews and paints, 195
They're call'd the godly party, and the Saints.
By crafty artless Oratory, they
Vent'ring to make Orations, preach, and pray,
Drew in too many silly souls, that were
Caught with vain shews, drawn on by hope and fear, 200
Poor undiscerning, all believing Elves,
Fit but to be the ruine of themselves;
Born to be couzen'd, trod on, and abus'd;
Lov'd to be fool'd, and easily seduc'd:
These beasts they make with courage fight and dye, 205
Like Andábales, not knowing how, nor why,
Till they destroy'd King, Kingdome, Church, and Laws,
And sacrificed all to Molochs Cause:
While those possess the fruit of all the toils
Of these blind slaves, and flourish with their spoils, 210
Plum'd with gay feathers stoln, (likeAesops Crow)
They seem gay birds, but it was only show.
Now publique lands and private too, they share
Among themselves, whose mawes did never spare
Ought they could grasp; to get the Royal lands, 215
They in Bloud Royal bath'd their rav'nous hands.
With which they shortly pamper'd grew, and rich,
Then was their bloud infected with the itch
Of Pomp, and Power, and now they must be Squires,
And Knights and Lords, to please their wives desires, 220
And Madam them. A broken tradesman now,
Piec'd with Church-Lands, makes all the vulgar bow
Unto his honour, and their Bonnets vail
To's worship, that sold Petticoats, or Ale.
In pomp, attire, and every thing they did 225
Look like true Gentry, but the Soul, and Head,
By which they were discern'd, for they were rude,
With harsh and ill-bred natures still endu'd;
Proud, and penurious. What Nobility
Sprung in an instant, from all trades had we! 230

363
Such t'other things, crept into t'other House,
Whose Sires heel'd stockings, and whose Dams sold sowse.
These were Protectors, but of such a crew,
As people Newgate, not good men, and true:
These were Lord Keepers, but of Cowes and Swine, 235
Lord Coblers, and Lord Drawers, not of Wine.
Fine Cockney-pageant Lords, and Lords Gee-hoo,
Lords Butchers, and Lords Butlers, Dray-Lords too.
And to transact with these was hatch'd a brood,
Of Justices and Squires, nor great, nor good, 240
Rays'd out of plunder, and of sequestration,
Like Frogs of Nilus, from an inundation;
A foundred Warrier, when the wars did cease,
As nat'rally turn'd Justice of the Peace,
And did with boldness th'off ice undertake, 245
As a blinde Coach-horse does a Stallion make.
These fill'd all Countreys, and in every Town
Dwelt one or more to tread your Subjects down.
And to compleat this Stratagem of theirs,
They use Auxiliary Lecturers; 250
Illiterate Dolts, pickt out of every Trade,
Of the same metal, as Jeroboams, made,
That ne'r took Orders, nor did any keep,
But boldly into others Pulpits creep,
And vent their Heresies, and there inspire 255
The vulgar with Sedition, who desire
Still to be cheated, and do love to be
Mis-led by th'ears, with couzning Sophistrie,
These sold Divinity, as Witches do
In Lapland, Winds, to drive where e'r you go. 260
The Sword no action did, so dire and fell,
But that some Pulpiteers pronounc'd it, Well.
With these ingredients were the Countreys all
Poyson'd, and fool'd, and aw'd, while they did call
Themselves the Cities, or the Counties, and 265
Do in their names, what they ne'r understand
Or hear of. These did that old Dry-bone call
Up to the Throne, (if he were call'd at all)
And vow'd to live and dye with him; and then
Address'd to Dick, and vow'd the same agen. 270
And so to Rump; but these vowes were no more
Then what they vow'd to Essex long before,
And so perform'd; they dy'd alike with all,

364
Yet liv'd on unconcerned in their fall:
So as these Corks might swim at top, they ne'r 275
Car'd what the liquor was, that them did bear.
These taught the easie people, prone to sin,
And ready to imbibe ill customes in,
To betray trusts, to break an Oath, and Word,
Things that th'old English Protestants abhorr'd. 280
And lest these Kingdoms should hereafter be
Took for inchanted Islands (where men see
Nothing but Devils haunt, as if God and
All virtuous people had forsook the land,
And left it to these Monsters) these took care, 285
To make us match and mix our bloud with their
Polluted issue; and so do, as when
Gods sons did take the daughters once of men.
To fright men into this, they did begin
To decimate them, for Orig'nal Sin. 290
Children that were unborn, in those mad times,
And unconcern'd in what they Voted crimes,
If guilty of Estates, were forc'd to pay
The tenth to those, who took nine parts away.
The Law was made a standing pool, and grew 295
Corrupt, for want of current; thence a crew
Of monstrous Animals out daily crawl'd,
Who little knew, but impudently ball'd;
And made the Law the Eccho of the Sword,
With such lewd Cattel were the Benches stor'd, 300
That made the Gown ridiculous; Now and then
The Malefactors were the wiser men,
Most times the honester; these did dispence,
And rack the Laws, 'gainst equity and sence,
Which way the Buff would have them turn; by which 305
They long continued powerful and Rich.
Now they'l all wheel about, and be for you,
For (like Camaelions) they still change their hue,
And look like that that's next them; they will vow,
Their hearts were alwaies for you, and are now. 310
'Tis no new Wit, 'tis in a Play we know,
Who would not wish you King, now you are so?
Yet you can pardon all, for you have more
Mercy and love, than they have crimes, in store.
And you can love, or pity them, which none 315
But you could do; you can their persons own,

365
And with unconquer'd patience look on them,
Because your Nature knows not to condemn.
You'll let them live, and by your grace convince
Their treach'rous hearts, that they have wrong'd a Prince, 320
Whom God and Angels love and keep; whose mind
Solely to love and mercy is inclin'd;
Whom none but such as they would hurt, or grieve,
And none but such as you could e'r forgive
Such men and crimes. Those feathers ne'rtheless 325
Pluck'd from your Subjects backs, their own to dress,
Should be repluck'd, or else they should restore,
They'll still be left Crows, as they were before.
But if you trust them,
And now you are returned to your Realm, 330
May you sit long, and stedfastly at th'Helm,
And rule these head-strong people: may you be
The true Protector of our Libertie.
Your wisdome only answers th'expectation
Of this long injur'd, now reviving Nation. 335
May true Religion flourish and increase,
And we love virtue, as the ground of peace;
May all pretences, outward forms, and shewes
Whereby we have been gull'd, give way for those
True acts of pure religion, and may we 340
Not only seem religious, but be.
Of taking Oathes, may you and we be shy,
But being ta'ne think no necessity
Or power can make us break them! may we ne'r
Make wilful breach of promises! nor e'r 345
Basely betray our trusts! but strive to be
Men both of honour, and of honestie!
And may those only that are just, and true,
Be alwaies honour'd, and imploy'd by you.
Next let our sacred Laws in which do stand 350
The wealth, the peace, and safety of our Land,
Be kept inviolable, and never made
Nets to the small, while the great Flies evade!
May those that are intrusted with them be
Men of sound knowledge, and integrity, 355
And sober courage; such as dare, and will,
And can do Justice! We have felt what ill
Comes by such Clarks and Judges as have been,
For favour, faction, or design put in,

366
Without respect to Merit, who have made 360
The Law to Tyrants various lusts a Bawd,
Perverted Justice, and our Rights have sold,
And Rulers have been over-rul'd by Gold:
Then are the people happy, and Kings too,
When, they that are in power, are good, and doe. 365
On these two Bases let our peace be built
So firm and lasting, that no bloud be spilt,
No Countrey wasted, and no treasure spent
While you and yours do reign; no future rent
Disturb your happiness; but may we strive 370
Each in his sphere, to make this Nation thrive,
Grow plentiful, and pow'rful, and become
The Joy or Terror of all Christendome.
And those, who lately thought themselves above us,
May, spite of fate, or tremble at, or love us, 375
May no incroaching spirit break the hedge
Between Prerogative, and Priviledge.
And may your sacred Majesty enjoy
Delights of Mind, and Body, that ne'r cloy!
Not only be obey'd, but lov'd at home, 380
Prais'd and admir'd by all that near you come!
And may your Royal Fame be spread as far
As valiant, and as virtuous people are!
And when your Majesty shall be inclin'd,
To bless your Realms with heirs, oh may you find 385
A Spouse that may for Beauty, Virtue, Wit,
And royal birth, be for your person fit!
May you abound in hopeful heirs, that may
Govern the Nations, and your Scepters sway,
Till time shall be no more, and pledges be 390
Both of your love, and our felicity.
May you live long and happily, and find
No pains of body, and no griefs of mind:
While we with loyal hearts Rejoyce, and Sing
God bless your Kingdoms, and 395

God save our KING.

367
 LXI

On a Parson and a Lawyer

i
The Parson much spent, and had kept a months Lent
In hopes of the feast comming on:
But in stead of new wedding, the Lawyer by's treading
Had left him a butter'd Bun.

2
But the woman was kinde, and yielded to's mind, 5
She neither did struggle nor cry no,
She did not despair, for or Parson or Lawyer
Would get a Babe jure Divino.

3
Now the Law as we finde to the Gospel is joyn'd,
There must be a good propagation, 10
For the Boy that comes forth will be Doctor of both
And that's for the good of the Nation.

4
Now the Tyths and the Fees will grow by degrees,
To belong to the self same Person;
And he that both gets, by his learning and wits, 15
May fuddle while he has his Arse on.

5
And thus to conclude Their lives that are rude,
I should pray for the Queen and the King,
With the family Royal, and all that are Loyall,
But I'll drink to all that can sing. 20

368
 POEMS FROM
MISCELLANEOUS
SOURCES
This page intentionally left blank
 SECTION 6

i
Upon the unparalelld Play es written
by those Renowned Twinnes of Poetry
BEAUMONT and FLETCHER
What's here? another Library of prayse,
Met in a Troupe t'advance contemned Playes,
And bring exploded Witt againe in fashion?
I can't but wonder at this Reformation.
My skipping soule surfets with so much good, 5
To see my hopes into fruition budd.
A happy Chimistry! blest viper, joy!
That through thy mothers bowels gnawst thy way!
Witts flock in sholes, and clubb to re-erect
In spight of Ignorance the Architect 10
Of Occidentall Poesye; and turne
Godds, to recall witts ashes from their urne.
Like huge Colioss es they've together mett
Their shoulders, to support a world of Witt.
The tale of Atlas (though of truth it misse) 15
We plainely read Mythologiz'd in this;
Orpheus and Amphion whose undying stories
Made Athens famous, are but Allegories.
'Tis Poetry has pow'r to civilize
Men, worse then stones, more blockish then the Trees. 20
I cannot chuse but thinke (now things so fall)
That witt is past its Climactericall;
And though the Muses have beene dead and gone
I know they'll finde a Resurrection.
'Tis vaine to prayse; they're to themselves a glory, 25
And silence is our sweetest Oratory.
For he that names but FLETCHER must needs be
Found guilty of a loud hyperbole.
His fancy so transcendently aspires,

371
 He showes himselfe a witt, who but admires. 30
Here are no volumes stuft with cheverele sence,
The very Anagrams of Eloquence,
Nor long-long-winded sentences that be,
Being rightly spelld, but Witts Sténographie.
Nor words, as voyd of Reason, as of Rithme, 35
Only caesura'd to spin out the time.
But heer's a Magazine of purest sence
Cloath'd in the newest Garbe of Eloquence.
Scaenes that are quick and sprightly, in whose veines
Bubbles the quintessence of sweet-high straines. 40
Lines like their Authours, and each word of it
Does say 'twas writ b'a Gemini of Witt.
How happie is our age! how blest our men!
When such rare soûles live themselves o're agen.
We erre, that thinke a Poet dyes; for this 45
Shewes that 'tis but a Metempsychosis.
BEAUMONT and FLETCHER here at last we see
Above the reach of dull mortalitie,
Or pow'r of fate: and thus the proverbe hitts
(That's so much crost) These men live by their witts. 50

II

To Mr. James Shirley, upon his English

and Latine Grammar
Sir, I have read your Grammar, and do see
Your learning now hath kist your Poésie.
I finde a double charm in Syntax, when
You do by this teach Youth, by t'other men.
Not that I slight grave Lillies Lyturgy, 5
Nor love your Work, for change or novelty,
But for the worth I see in't, 'tis your glory
That now the Schools have found a Directory.
But this will spoyl our Hebrew Lectures quite,
Of rigid Masters, which still backward write. 10
When tears and blood come forth to let in names,
As if the Grammar were all Anagrams.
While the vimineous Bajazets stand by,

372
 Teaching harsh Latine by Phlebotomy.
But you have plan'd the way, and strew'd it so, 15
Children may run in this, as soon as go.
We shall have swadling Scholars, Infants may
Now shake their Grammar with their Coats away.
Go on brave Petrarch, thy sweet Rules advance,
Leave the world no excuse for ignorance. 20
What elder days to Lilly rendred, we,
And future times shall attribute to thee;
And to thy memory, fame shall this enroul,
Who ere the Church, thou dost reform the School.

Ill

Upon the unhappie Separation of those

united Souls, The Honorable
Henry Lord Hastings,
And his beloved Parallel
What make I here,? how ill this place befits
A Shrub, to sprout i'th' Lebanon of Wits?
'Mong such Caesarean Muses, whose pure strains
Out-soar the Clouds of Sublunary brains.
I'ld quit the place, but that I know I may 5
Lament as much, though not so well as they.
Thus Princely Eagles, when together th'are
Met at a Carcase, yeeld the Fly a share.
The Tongs and Jews-trump too, when they do come
In Consort, serve to fill a Vacuum, 10
And to compleaf the sound, though artless Tone:
So he that can't sing Elegies, can groan.
Sad accident! how pityable's Man!
Billow'd about this restless Ocean;
Born to be wretched; who no sooner doth 15
Begin to live or love, but dies to both:
The Tennis-ball bandy'd 'tween Love and Fate,
Whom both do court, yet both do emulate.
Whom (like young Doctors) Women use to kill,

373
To try Experiments, and nurse their skill: 20
The Females Trophic. Or if Love can't do't,
To sink him, Fate contributeth her foot,
To crush i'th' Bud. Thus the great Hastings di'd;
The Young-mens Glory, and the Scholars Pride;
En vie's just Zenith— 25

But why should I lament his death? since he

Loseth not by't: but 'tis his LOVE and We;
She, we're undone; for both have lost that All,
That She could Love, or We could Vertue call:
One who by's Learning did demonstrate, that 30
There is a Plebs in Brain, as well as State;
And by his Studies labour'd to derive
Nobility from Worth, its Primitive:
Whom he that would mourn, as he ought to do,
Must be the Poet, and the Subject too. 35
Now others Obsequies are my Thanksgiving;
Nor mourn I for the dead, but for the living.
Poor Hemistick! that but began to be
Inoculated, when she lost the Tree.
She that had flam'd her soul with Hymens fires, 40
Who with full Sayls, blown on with strong desires,
In reach of Hav'n, in sight of Safety,sinks;
Up to the lips in Nectar, yet not drinks.
She that had past the Gulf of Love and Wo,
(Which none but we, that taste and feel, can know) 45
Now must love o'er again, and come to be
New disciplin'd in Cupids A, B, C.
How vast a world has she to range about?
How long a search, ere she can finde one out,
Second to him? An equal we despair, 50
Like Pallas born o'th' brain of Jupiter.
Riddle of Nature, of unfathom'd parts,
Whose Brain was the Synopsis of all Arts:
Whose Soul, whose Heart, whose Person justly can
Stile Lover, Scholar, and a Gentleman: 55
Whom loaden Nature did designe to die
Un wedded, being a Généalogie
Unto himself, and therefore thought it shame
To live in any Issue but his Fame.
This Sun in's Zenith, totters now, and falls; 60
And Death's the Vigil to Loves Festivals.

374
 Thus purest Lovers, when their Joy is near,
Are by't struck dead, as Cowards are by Fear.
Yet though he could not know what Joys wait on
The Bridal-Bed, but by privation; 65
Now woes the Angels, and intends to be
Wedded to them in their Virginity.
Yet are the Muses cross'd: for had this hit,
We'd joyn'd Yorks Wealth, to ^Lancaster of Wit.

IV

Upon the Author's decease, and POEMS

'Tis treason to thy dust, to praise thy name,
(Immortall CARTWRIGHT) whose unwieldy fame
No single hand can graspe; since he that wou'd
Speak thee aright, and shew how great, how good,
Should be himself as much as thou or more, 5
He that would well describe, had need stand o'r.
Wert thou not dead, I hardly should suppose
The Wits could be so disingenuous
Each individually to erect
On his own strength, a single Architect 10
To thy Undying Name, since 'tis a task
Would take a Synthesis of Wits, and ask
An universall Genius, all glory
That's less than that, is but derogatory.
I'll only bless our Fates, that do derive 15
Thy Soul to us in that which does survive:
And thereby made us Competent to sit
Tenants in Tayl to Poetry and Wit.
Thus when at last th'unmatedPhaenix dyes,
Out of his Ashes does a second rise, 20
The toylsome silk-worm thus, when labour's done
Dissolves her self into an only Son:
The difference is, those produce single things,
But from thine Issue a whole Myriad springs,
To populate the world; and make us be 25
Wits by a Lineall Genealogy.
So 'tis decreed, spite of Fatality
Poets, like Kings, shall never, nor can dye.

375
 V

Upon the AUTHOUR, and his Worke

When the rude Vulgar in their headlong rages,
Pull'd down those sacred things, which former ages
Did hold inviolable; they began
To levell Times, and Places, and next Man:
Laid wast those Dayes, which our Grand sober Sires 5
Hallowed, to warme their zeale by heavenly fires.
Dispark'd the Churches, and to Barnes did give
Pow'r to contest for the Prerogative.
When th'Churches dayes they with successe decri'd,
Next bark'd at those which Heaven had sanctifi'd, 10
'Twas time to write when dayes to Saints assigned
Were all degraded; and the Lords new-coyned.
Our Authour (like the wiser few) stood still,
Observes, admires, and lets them take their fill.
And now in milder temper he begins 15
T'assert those truths, which their blind rage call'd sins,
'Twere madnesse in a whirl-wind to resist
With any arguments, but club, and fist.
Thus God, when all things were i'th' Chaos hurl'd,
Did first make Light, and then he form'd the world. 20
The Author so, with imitating Art
Informes the judgement first, then moves the Heart.
Not like the Pseudo-lévites of this season
That Preach all Use, without Ground, Proof, or Reason.
His Prose so sinewy, and yet so smooth, 25
His Verse so full of rhime and reason both.
His Prayers so heavenly, and his All so good,
Makes him at once admir'd, yet understood.
The Poets Character he hits aright,
And does at once both profit, and delight. 30
The ancient Method he doth well repair
In this Désigne, a Sermon, Psalm, and Prayer.
May this Work thrive, that after Times, and we
May keep one Festivall to's Memory,
And Bonfires make, from whose undying 35
Shall rise bright Sparkes, t'immortalize his Name.

376
 VI

To Master RICHARD BROME, upon

his Comedie, called, A Joviall Crew: or,
The merry Beggars
Somthing I'd say, but not to praise thee (Friend)
For thou thy self, dost best thy self commend.
And he that with an Eulogie doth come,
May to's own Wit raise an Encomium,
But not to thine. Yet I'll before thee go, 5
Though Whiffler-like to usher in the Shew.
And like a quarter Clock, foretell the time
Is come about for greater Bells to chime.
I must not praise thy Poetry, nor Wit,
Though both are very good; yet that's not it. 10
The Reader in his progresse will finde more
Wit in a line, than I praise in a score.
I shall be read with prejudice, for each line
I write of thee, or any thing that's thine,
Be't Name, or Muse, will all be read of me, 15
As if I claw'd my self, by praising thee.
But though I may not praise; I hope, I may
Be bold to love thee. And the World shall say
I've reason for't. I love thee for thy Name;
I love thee for thy Merit, and thy Fame: 20
I love thee for thy neat and harmlesse wit,
Thy Mirth that does so cleane and closely hit.
Thy luck to please so well: who could go faster?
At first to be the Envy of thy Master.
I love thee for thy self; for who can choose 25
But like the Fountain of so brisk a Muse?
I love this Comedie, and every line,
Because 'tis good, as well's because 'tis thine.
Thou tell'st the World, the life that Beggars lead,
'Tis seasonable, 'twill become our Trade. 30
'T must be our study too; for in this time
Who'll not be innocent, since Wealth's a Crime?
Thou'rt th'Ages Doctor now; for since all go
To make us poor, thou mak'st us merry too.
Go on, and thrive; may all thy sportings be 35

377
 Delightfull unto all, as th'are to me.
May this so please, t'encourage thee; that more
May be made publick, which thou keep'st in store.
That though we've lost their Dresse; we may be glad
To see and think on th'happinesse we had. 40
And thou thereby may'st make our Name to shine;
'Twas Royall once; but now 'twill be Divine.

VII

Reader, lo heere thou wilt two faces finde,

One of the body, t'other of the Minde;
This by the Graver so, that with much strife
Wee thinke Brome dead, hee's drawne so to the life
That by's owne pen's done so ingeinously 5
That who reads it, must thinke hee nere shall dy.

VIII

TO THE READERS
BELOVED,
BEING to write to a multitude of you, (for I know you will be many) I forbear
Epithets, because the same will not fit all; and I hate to make difference among
Freinds. I have often considered with my self e, whether I were best to Dedicate
this Booke or no; and I have thought on the maine ends of Dedications, which I
finde generally to be Flattery or Want. To the one my nature was ever averse:
And (were my Debts all payd to me and by me) I should not be much concerned
in the other. As for the two ordinary pretences, namely, Gratitude, or Patron-
age, like Religion and Liberty, they are made but the Vizors to somewhat else.
For is it not a high peice of Gratitude, when an Author has received favours
from his Mecaenas, to requite him with a Booke; and to take, or expect, two or
three Peices from him for it, when another man shall buy the same Book of the
thriving Stationers, for half e a Crowne? And for Patronage or Protection, I
would faine know, if an Author writes like a Cockscombe, whether any Patron
can protect him from being laught at. And he that writes well, makes every one
his Patron without a Dedication.
But in Epistles of this nature, something is usually begg'd; and I would do so
too, but, I vow, am puzled, what. 'Tis not acceptance, for then you'le expect I

378
should give it; 'tis not Money, for then I should loose my labour; 'tis not praise,
for the Author bid me tell you, that, now he is dead, he is ofFalstaffs minde,
and cares not for Honour; 'tis not pardon, for that supposes a fault, which (I
beleeve) you cannot finde. But, if you'le know what it is, it is, that you would
expect nothing else of Preface, or Apologie, from

Yours,
as his owne,
A. BROME.

IX

To the Stationer, on the publishing

Mr. Bromes Comedies
Since Poems of this nature, honest Freind,
Do, of themselves, nor praise nor discomend
An Author or his Work; but He, and It,
Must by the Readers Palate rise or set;
What need we write Encomiums, or expose 5
Our judging Rhymes, to be laught at in Prose?
We're like Godfathers (as they're us'd of late)
Not to Engage for Children, but give Plate.
And truely scarce there is a Poet known,
That praises others wit, but clawes his own. 10
But 'tis the Gustóme, and who won't submit,
Must be esteem'd a Schismatick in wit:
And therefore in obedience to the power,
I'le tell the World, I've read these Poems o're,
And in them finde so naturall a vaine 15
Of clean, rich Fancie, in so pure a straine:
That I may safely say, who does not love it,
Can't for his life write any thing above it.
This witty Pen, this mirthfull Comick style,
Makes us at once both serious, and smile. 20
Wraps serious truths in fab'lous mysteries,
And thereby makes us merry, and yet wise.
No Gods, or Goddesses his rimes supply'd,
One he ador'd, and all the rest defy'd.
No stradling Tetrasyllables are brought 25

379
 To fill up room, and little spell, or nought.
No Bumbast Raptures, and no lines immense,
That's call'd (by th'curtesie of England) sence.
But all's so plaine, that one may see, he made it
T'inform the understanding, not invade it. 30
And the designes so probable, that though
They be not true, 'tis like they may be so.
Thus Travellour-like, I do inform our Nation,
Being return'd, what is my Observation.
But if, as Coriat did, I do relate 35
Buildings, and Gallowses, not Acts of State;
Pardon my want of skill, and Fie be Debtor
To him, that on perusall notes things better.

Upon the Ingenious Comedies of Mr. Richard Brome

See the strange twirle of Times! when such poore things
Out-live the Dates of Parliaments, or Kings!
This Revolution makes exploded Wit
Now see the fall of those that ruin'd it.
And the Condemned Stage hath now obtain'd 5
To see her Executioners Arraign'd.
There's nothing permanent; those high great men,
That rose from Dust, to Dust may fall agen.
And Fate so orders things, that the same houre
Sees the same man both in Contempt, and Power. 10
For th'Multitude, in whom the power doth lye,
Do in one breath cry Haile, and Crucify.
Time was, when Learning, Poésie, and Wit,
Were counted Sacred things, and hard to get.
Time was, when Playes were justly valu'd, when 15
Poets could laugh away the Crimes of men.
And by Instructive Recreations teach
More in one houre, then some in ten do preach.
But Times are chang'd; and 'tis worth our note,
Bishops, and Players both suffer'd in one Vote. 20
And reason good, for they had cause to feare 'em,
One did suppresse their Schismes, and t'other jeere 'em.
Bishops were guiltiest, for they swell'd with Riches,

380
 T'other had nought, but Verses, Songs, and Speeches.
And by their ruine, the State did no more, 25
But robb the Spittle, and unrag the poore.
And the Stern Poet, challenging as due
His ancient right, with freedome to speake true;
Div'd into secrets, and 'cause hee'd not be brib'd
To silence, nor comply anee, was proscrib'd. 30
While those in Cloakes, and double Caps, so long,
So long did thrash in their inspired throng;
Till at the last, instead of Curbing Sin,
By corrupt lives, and jars, they brought it in.
But now new Stars shine forth, and do pretend, 35
Wit shall be cherisht, and Poets finde a Friend.
This makes these sleeping Poems now creep forth,
As innocent of wrong, as full of worth.
Where Vice, and Vanity, are laught to scorn,
And unstain'd Vertue to the Skies is born. 40
May this Work prove successefull, and we finde
Those men, that now are Pow'rfull, to be kinde!
And give encouragement to Wit, and Worth,
That things of Weight may come with boldnesse forth!
For, to the being of a happy State, 45
Pleasure, and Profit must Incorporate.
And if we in our Bellies place our sence,
'Twixt Beasts, and us, pray what's the difference?
Poets are the Custodes of our Fame,
Were't not for Homer, where's/4c/z///£s Name? 50
Let Souldiers then protect, while Poets praise;
Since that, which Crownes the Browes of Both, is Baies.

XI

To his ingenuous Friend Mr. IZAAK

WALTON on his Complete Angler
Since 'tis become a common fate, that we
Must in this world or Fish or Fishers be;
And all neutralitie herin's deny'd,
'Tis not my fault that I am not supply'd
With those three grand essentials of your Art, 5

381
Luck, Skill and Patience: For I have a heart
That's as inclinable as others be,
Whose fortune imps their Ingenuitie.
But then what make I here, to write of that,
I'm unskill'd in, and talk I know not what? 10
And that in Verse too? 'Tis an itch w'ave got,
We must be scribling, whether learn'd or not.
Nay, here's some reason for't; the forme (we see)
Clubbing with matter, makes a thing to be.
And Trains of livery'd Servitors (we know) 15
Makes not a Prince; but signifies hee's so.
Cyphers to Figures joyn'd, make summes; and wee
Make something (Friend) when we are joyn'd to thee.
Yet I shall hardly praise, or like thy skill;
For w'are all prone enough to catch and kill; 20
Thou need'st not make an Art on't: they that are
Once listed in the new Saints Calender,
Do't as they pray and preach by inspiration;
No heathen rules, or old premeditation,
Nor Antichristian acts; who reads our Story, 25
Will finde, we do't without thy Directory.
But when I think with what a pleasing Art
Thou dost thy Rules both practise and impart,
I am delighted too, as well as taught;
And fishes leap for joy when they are caught: 30
I could unman my self, and wish to be
A fish, so that I might be took by thee.
Blest then are thy Companions, who, with thee
Participate of such felicitie!
Such undisturb'd, such dangerlesse delight, 35
That does at once both satiate and invite.
Whence more safe joy, more true contentment springs
Then from the Courts of those gay Pageants, Kings
Or great King-riders, who still hurri'd are
With those grand Tyrants, Businesse and Care; 40
And fling upon base acts, and filthy vice,
Spurr'd on b'Ambition and by Avarice.
Whilest by some gliding River thou sit'st down,
Thy mind's thy Kingdom, and content's thy Crown,
Conversing with the silent fish, and when 45
Thou'it killing them, thou think'st of once dead men:
And from Oblivion and the grave setst free
Names, whom thou roabst with Immortalitie.

382
 For he that reads thy WOTTON and thy DONNE,
Can't but believe a Resurrection; 50
And spite of Envie, this Encomium give,
By Thee Fish die; By Thee dead Friends revive.

XII

On the Comoedies of the late facetious POET,

Mr. Richard Brome Deceased
This to thy memory I'm bound to do,
(Ingenius Brome) though not related to
Thy parts or person; kindled by that flame,
Which glows in thy example and fair name;
I must pronounce these issues of thy brain, 5
Of all th'Indulgers of the Comick strain
Deserve applause; and they that do not see
A worth in both, know neither them nor thee.
Yet I am no Wit-rampant, none of them
That think they've pow'r to quit, or to condemn 10
What ere is writ, and boldly say there's none
True sterling Wit, but what looks like their own.
And judge no person comely, if his head
Be black or brown, their standard-heads being red.
These would be Quorum-Wits, and by their own 15
Commission, do invade Apollo's throne,
Where Chair-men-like they rant, condemn, deride
The Novice Wit, that must by them be tri'd.
With Questions intricate, yet catching though,
Such as themselves can't answer, namely, who 20
First made them Wits? How they the grace obtain'd
Of Poetry? By whom they were ordain'd?
And at what Club? and by whose lines they've bin
Converted Poets, from that odious sin
Of Prose and thriving? whether Poetry 25
Be b'acquistion or extraduce?
Such Questions and Commands not worth a straw,
'Cause done without Authority or Law.
Sic voló's all the pow'r, by which they sit,
And th'only Rule by which they judge of Wit. 30

383
For there's no other Standard but Opinion;
Which varies still, 'cause fancy has dominion.
So Martin Parker's laurell'd by some men,
With as much boldness as the wise do Ben.
Nor can we help it, since among the wits 35
There is a Vulgus, whose ambition gets
To be o'th' Classis, and presumes to be
At first sight, Judges of all Poetry.
'Gainst whom there is no armour, but to know,
What they call good, or bad, they think is so. 40
Thus that fam'd Lombard story which was writ
To put the Reader to th'expense of wit
And skill to judge of, and to understand,
Can't censure scape, nor can applause command,
But tamely must its self, and fate submit 45
To the coy Readers prejudice, or wit.
Who doth with equal eagerness contend,
Some to cry down, and others to commend.
So easie 'tis to judg, so hard to do,
There's so much frailty, yet such prying too: 50
That who their Poetry to view expose
Must be prepar'd to be abus'd in Prose.
Onely our Author garrison'd in's grave,
Fears no mans censure, nor applause does crave:
Leaves these Remains; if they're approv'd of, so. 55
If not so too. But he would have us know,
He's now above our reach; for his Estate
He has secur'd against the common Fate
Of leaving to young heirs, whose high desires
Are to spend all, and be accounted Squires. 60
He was his own Executor, and made
Ev'n with the world; and that small All he had—
He without Law or Scribe put out of doubt;
Poor he came into th'world, and poor went out.
His soul and body higher powers claim, 65
There's nothing left to play with, but his name;
Which you may freely toss; he all endures.
But as you use his name, so'11 others yours.

384
 xni
To his ingenious FRIEND
Mr. Henry Bold on his Poems
My praise is insignificant, for I
Am not grown old enough in poetry;
Nor is my name yet up enough t'engage
Th'opinion of this superstitious age.
But if I say, I like what you have writ, 5
Some other, that believes himself a Wit,
May differ from me in Opinion. So
To find the truth, we must to poling go.
Now in this envy'ous and ill-natur'd time,
Verse is a scandal, and to print a crime. 10
In this half-witted and ungrateful Town
The most (that is the worst) will cry thee down
For those three hainous crimes, Truth, Wit, and Verse;
And swear it is thy Vice to meddle with theirs.
So I'll suspend Encomiums, and transmit 15
Those to thy book, which praises thee and it:
For Poets to praise Poets is as bad,
As if one mad-man said another's mad.
And (to say truth) men did the Muse suborn,
To claw a friend, or else to serve a turn; 20
Good Verse and bad were prais'd with equal wit
Just as the praiser on the humour hit.
Encomiums like several Sermons grew,
All car'd how well to speak, but none how true.
The Knave and Dunce with both of us did speed 25
As th'Poets humor'd, or the Lévite fee'd.
This made wise Readers all our votes despise,
And their contempt made future writers wise.
To praise friends wits is out of fashion grown,
We only now break jests to shew our own. 30

385
This page intentionally left blank
DUBIA
This page intentionally left blank
Alexander Broome on Mr Robt Napeir a lawyer's
kissing of my Ld John Butler's breech for a Guiny,
whom he beshit for his gains at Orchard. A° 1665.
i
The farme of Parnasses is beggerd they say
by some renters of wit, run lately away
So he is a good husband that dung there doth lay

2
To purchase wch title (you must understand
wt few now will touch) I have taken in hand 5
Yet Turd was sole heyre, while Rump kept ye land.

3
As harmles a pleader, let no man take pett
As ever caught Client like fish in a nett
Thought now Chamber practice, most money would get.

4
This brat of Vespasian (insatiate Leech 10
Cause better at making a mouth yn a speech
Would suck [légère pore?] out of a Lords breech

5
And though at ye first the lawyer was nice
Yet hee'l do it for a price, cause dowble ye price
wth wch a poore client doth purchase advice. 15

6
Vous avez bare breech, Mr lawyer draw neare
Yr Client is charg'd with such flattering geere
That Corpus cum causa you'l find I feare.

7
It would anger thy ghost Ignoramus to see
What an odium Tayle speciall hath brought upon thee 20
When Dulman creeps into ones Arse for a fee.

389
 8
They say that the Arts on each other depend
And so far was quack Mr Pease his friend
To see him payd off before the sate end

9
For when the nose drew so neare my Lords Bum 25
That meum & tuum to tryall were come
He feed him so deepe, he could scarce tell ye sum

10
And happily though his bargaine he curse
My Lord did his yellow boyes freely disburse
As if in his arse he had carryed his purse. 30

11
Come purchasers come, yr money bestow
For he yt hath had much practice, must know
Whither tenure in tayle be fee simple or no

12
That kissing doth go by favor, tis cleare
And he to ye truth of ye Proverb may sweare 35
For now my Lords pendts did hang in each eare

13
Nor was his wigg shott soe, but spatter'd all ore
That Ployden nevr saw Case so alterd before
But when one doth fay le, a pleader hath store.

14
That shitt [in luck?] is good, Attorney's beleive yee 40
And take this advice wch will not deceive yee
One step to be a Counseler, is to be privy.

15
O Aretine, Aretine thou art a foole
Such postures were nere yet taught in thy schoole
For here a mans mouth is made a Closestoole 45

390
 16
You pleaders set forwrd & backwd in Courts
And some I prceive take fees of all sorts
But Cooke would be sorry to heare such Reports.

17
When nose unto nose so neare is ally'd
I leave it to ye criticks the case to decide 50
How two can ioyne issue though not of a side

18
A [supr sedear?] doth chargeable prove
But this lawyer his client most dearly did love
And did for him below, wt most do above.

19
You Gownemen of Westmr greedily eye us 55
And laugh in yr sleeves, while you sell us & buy us
Wee'l [ferke?] you (I sayth) at a Nisi prius.

20
And dowbtles ye laity would freely revéale
Ye Client yt wth him so nobly did deale
But he to prevent him his mouth up did scale 60

21
If any be sick of this griping disease
That nothing but money can put him in ease
I wish him good practice in such comon Pleas.

22
Wt must poore Clients think is his doome
Sure envy for taking another mans roome 65
To cleanse a fowle brother, no fancy like Broome

391
 The hue & Cry
i
Oyez, if any man can tell
Of a lost Deitie that fell
Whose heavenly head, in stead of haires
Is rob'd with rayes, as Aprill weares
Wth Alablaster front, whose face 5
Baffles the Sun in's brightest grace
Who not with eyes as Mortalls see
But stairs are stucke wheare eyes should bee.

2
Each syde her face 2 roses stay
The rest's the heavenly milky way 10
Corolls & Rubyes doe enclose
Her Pearly teeth that stand in rowes
Such azure streakes crawle o're ye plaines
As mortall Creatures doe call veines
Her Aromaticke breath excells 15
Th'Arabian Gumms & spicy smells.

3
A vale betweene 2 hills of Snowe
Leads to th'Elisium belowe
With Ivory thyghs, & moystned palme
Yeilds orient dropps of Soveraigne balme 20
Shee distills Pearles in stead of teares
Her voyce is th'musicke of ye Spheares
And if she does but sing, A wooer
Thinks Angells might sing ballads to her.

4
Shee's cloth'd wth Ermins, not with skin 25
And's all divine without and in
Her soule's unspotted, and shee's free
From vice and from infirmitie
Upon whose Brow dwells life & death
And Men Sucke blessings from hir breath 30
Yet mortalls kills, if shee but say dye
This wondrous thinge's yclipt a Ladie

392
 5
If by these markes you can discry
A woman from a Prodegie
And find this thing by your endeavour 35
Pray keepe her till I come, yt's never
But if you doubt, & doe desire
Whether she know herselfe, enquire
And for your paines you shall have woe
Soe gaine as much as woers doe. 40

393
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ALEXANDER BROME
POEMS
VOLUME 2
 S O N G S
And or her

P O E M S
By A L E X . B a o M E Gent.

Dixero ^d ft forte jatcjitts y >koc mihi juris

Cum Veuia d*bt$~- Hor. i. Sat. 4.

* The fecond Edition Corrected and enlarged.

London
Printed for Henry ome, at th&C^ft in
Ivy Lanc 1664.
 ALEXANDER
BROME

POEMS

Roman R. Dubinski, editor

VOLUME

2
Textual Notes and Commentary
Index of First Lines

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS

Toronto Buffalo London
 University of Toronto Press 1982
Toronto Buffalo London
Printed in Canada
ISBN 0-8020-5535-4

Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data

Brome, Alexander, 1620-1666.
Poems
Contents: v.l. Text.
ISBN 0-8020-5535-4 (set)
I. Dubinski, Roman R. (Roman Rudolph), 1936-
II. Title.
PR3326.B36A17 1982 821/..4 C82-094646-X

This book has been published with the help of grants from
the Canadian Federation for the Humanities, using funds provided by
the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada,
from the Publications Fund of the University of Toronto Press,
and from the University of Waterloo
Social Sciences and Humanities Grant Fund.

The illustration in this volume

is reproduced by permission of The Huntington Library,
San Marino, California.
 Contents
INTRODUCTION 3

SIGLA vii

REFERENCES AND ABBREVIATIONS x

TEXTUAL NOTES AND COMMENTARY 3

INDEX OF FIRST LINES 139

This page intentionally left blank
 List of Sigla
THE PRINTED EDITIONS

61 Songs And Other Poems 1661

64 Songs And other Poems The second Edition Corrected and enlarged. 1664
68 Songs And other Poems The Third Edition enlarged. 1668

PRINTED EDITIONS OF SINGLE POEMS

AC A Congratulatory Poem, on The Miraculous, and Glorious Return of that unpar-

allel'dKing Charts the II. May 29. 1660 (B.L. copy dated 4 June 1660; Bodleian
copy dated June 1660)
CP Cromwells Panegy rick Printed in the year 1647 (Thomason's date - 22 Septem-
ber 1647)
CV A Copie of Verses, said to be Composed by his Majestic, upon his first Imprison-
ment in the Isle of Wight 1648 (Thomason's date - 29 September 1648)
EJ Englands Joy For the coming in of our Gratious Sovereign King Charles the II
1660 (Thomason's date - 14 May 1660)
ND43 A new Diurnall of Passages more exactly drawne up then heretofore Printed at
Oxford for H.H. 1643
RR A Record in Rithme 1660
S A Speech Made To The Lord General Monck, At Clotheworkers Hall in London
The 13. of March, 1659 (Thomason's date - 13 March 1659, ie, 1660)
SM43 The State Mountebanke Oxford, Printed for Wil. Web, 1643 (On the same sheet is
a poem entitled 'A strange Sight to be seen at Westminster. ' Thomason's date -
17 May 1643)

OTHER PRINTED VERSIONS OF BROME POEMS

(INCLUDED IN THE COLLECTED EDITIONS)

AD Gamble, John Ayres and Dialogues 1656

ES60 Sparke, Edward Thysiasthrion vel Scintilla-Altar is 1660
ES63 Thysiasthrion vel Scintilla-Altaris 1663
JW Wright, James, trans. Nature's Paradox: or, The Innocent Impostor 1652

OTHER PRINTED VERSIONS OF BROME POEMS

(NOT INCLUDED IN THE COLLECTED EDITIONS)

BF Beaumont, Francis and John Fletcher Comedies and Tragedies 1647

ES52 Sparke, Edward Scintillula Altaris 1652
HB Bold, Henry Poems 1664.
IW Walton, Izaak The Compleat Angler 1655
JS Shirley, James Via ad Latinam Linguam Complanata 1649
LM Lachrymae Musarum: The Tears of the Muses 1649
RB52 Brome, Richard A Joviall Crew: or, The merry Beggars 1652
RB53 Brome, Richard Five New Playes 1653
RB59 Brome, Richard Five new Playes 1659
WC Cartwright, William Comedies, Tragi-Comedies, With other Poems 1651

PRINTED MISCELLANIES AND SONG-BOOKS CONTAINING BROME POEMS

(UP TO 1670)

G Gamble, John Ayres and Dialogues 1659

MD61 W.N., C.B., R.S., J.G. Merry Drollery 1661
MD70 W.N., C.B., R.S., J.G. Merry Drollery, Complete 1670
PB Wright, Abraham Parnassus Biceps.or Severall Choice Pieces of Poetry 1656
PC Poems Consisting of Epistles and Epigrams, etc. 1658
R Rump, or An Exact Collection of the Choycest Poems and Songs Relating to the
Late Times 1662
SAD Select Ayres and Dialogues 1659
SW C.J., B.J., L.M., W.T., and others Sportive Wit: The Muses Merriment 1656
TJ Jordan, Thomas Claraphil and Clarinda in a Forrest of Fancies 1650?
WD56 Smith, John, Sir J. Mennis, and others Wit and Drollery, Jovial Poems 1656
WD61 Smith, John, Sir J. Mennis, and others Wit and Drollery, Joviall Poems 1661
WI55 Cotgrave, John Wits Interpreter, The English Parnassus 1655
WI62 Cotgrave, John Wits Interpreter, The English Parnassus 1662
WR Mennis, Sir J. Wit Restored In severall Select Poems Not formerly publish't
1658

MANUSCRIPTS CONTAINING BROME POEMS

All I British Library, Add. MS 11608

A22 I 22582
A29 I 29386
A293 I 29396
A30 I 30273
A33 I 33237
Ash I Bodleian Library, AshmoleMS 47
EM I Bodleian Library, English Misc. MS e.13
F16 I Folger Shakespeare Library, MS V.a. 169
F27 I V.a.274
F30 I V.a.308
F39 I V.a.399
F40 / V.a.409
HIS I British Library, HarleianMS 1370
H21 I 2127
H38 I 3889
H39 / 3991
HM I Henry E. Huntington Library MS HM16522

viii
MS I Bodleian Library, Music School MS c.120
0 I James M. Osborn Collection, Yale University, MS b 104
052 / b 52/2
054 I b 54
RB3 I Bodleian Library, RawlinsonMS B35
RP2 I Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Poetical MS 26
RP6 I 62
RP65 / 65
RP9 I 90
RP14 I 147
RP22 I 222

SPECIAL SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS

(u.) uncorrected state
(c.) corrected state
ed. the present editor
1 all printed and manuscript witnesses except those individually specified by their
sigla
sv selected variants

ix
 References and Abbreviations
Acts and Ord. Firth, C.H. and R.S. Rait, eds. Acts and Ordinances of the
Interregnum, 1642-1660 2 vols. London 1911
Brooks Brooks, J.L. 'Alexander Brome: His Life and Works' Har-
vard diss. 1932
Burton Burton, Robert The Anatomy of Melancholy 3 vols, ed.
Holbrook Jackson. London 1968
Butler Butler, Samuel Hudibras ed. John Wilders. Oxford 1967
Carew The Poems of Thomas Carew ed. Rhodes Dunlap. Oxford
1949
Cartwright The Plays and Poems of William Cartwright ed. G.B.
Evans. Madison 1951
Cavalier and Puritan Rollins, Hyder, ed. Cavalier and Puritan New York 1923
Clarendon Edward, Earl of Clarendon The History of the Rebellion
and Civil Wars in England, 6 vols, ed. W.D. Macray.
Oxford 1969
Cleveland The Poems of John Cleveland ed. Brian Morris and Eleanor
Withington. Oxford 1967
Cotton Poems of Charles Cotton ed. John Buxton. London 1958
Cowley Cowley, Abraham Poems ed. A.R. Waller. Cambridge
1905
Cowley, 'A Satyre. The Cowley, Abraham Essays, Plays and Sundry Verses ed.
Puritan and The Papist' A.R. Waller. Cambridge 1906
Cowley, The Civil War Cowley, Abraham The Civil War ed. Allan Pritchard.
Toronto 1973.
DNB Dictionary of National Biography
Davies Davies, Godfrey The Restoration of Charles II San Marino
1955
Day and Murrie Day, C.L. and E.B. Murrie English Song-Books
1651-1702: A Bibliography London 1940
Donne The Elegies and the Songs and Sonnets of John Donne ed.
Helen Gardner. Oxford 1965
Eikon Basilike Eikon Basilike ed. Philip A. Knachel. Ithaca 1966
Firth Firth, C.H. The Last Years of the Protectorate, 1656-1658
2 vols. New York 1964
Gardiner, Civil War Gardiner, S.R. History of the Great Civil War,
1642-1649 4 vols. New York 1965
Gardiner, Commonwealth Gardiner, S.R. History of the Commonwealth and Protec-
torate, 1649-1656 4 vols. New York 1965
Gardiner, Documents Gardiner, S.R., ed. The Constitutional Documents of the
Puritan Revolution Oxford 1968
Gardiner, History Gardiner, S.R. History of England from the Accession of
James I to the Outbreak of the Civil War, 1603-1642 10
vols. London 1884
Hardacre Hardacre, Paul The Royalists during the Puritan Revolu-
tion The Hague 1956
Herrick The Complete Poetry of Robert Her rick ed. J. Max Patrick.
New York 1968
Hobbes Hobbes, Thomas Behemoth New York, nd
Holdsworth Holdsworth, W. A History of English Law 16 vols. Lon-
don 1966
Jonson The Complete Poetry of Ben Jonson ed. William B. Hunter,
Jr. New York 1968
Kenyon Kenyon, J.P. The Stuart Constitution, 1603-1688 Cam-
bridge 1969
King The Poems of Henry King ed. Margaret Crum. Oxford 1965
Lovelace The Poems of Richard Lovelace, ^ed. C.H. Wilkinson.
Oxford 1930
Mackay Mackay, Charles, ed. Cavalier Songs and Ballads of Eng-
land from 1642-1684 London 1863
Marvell The Poems and Letters of Andrew Marvell 2 vols, ed. H.M.
Margoliouth. Oxford 1927
Masson Masson, David The Life of John Milton 1 vols. London
1851-94
Mercurius Aulicus The English Revolution III: Newsbooks 1: Oxford Royalist 4
vols. London 1971
OED Oxford English Dictionary
Pearl Pearl, Valerie London and the Outbreak of the Puritan
Revolution Oxford 1961
Randolph The Poems of Thomas Randolph ed. G. Thorn-Drury. Lon-
don 1929
Rump Rump: Or An Exact Collection of the Choycest Poems and
Songs Relating to the Late Times, and Continued by the
most Eminent Witts, from AQ 1639 to 1661 London 1662
(reprinted 1874)
Stanley The Poems and Translations of Thomas Stanley ed. G.M.
Crump. Oxford 1962
Suckling The Works of Sir John Suckling: The Non-Dramatic Works
ed. Thomas Clayton. Oxford 1971
Thomas Thomas, P.W. Sir John Berkenhead Oxford 1969
Tilley Tilley, Morris A Dictionary of the Proverbs in England
Ann Arbor 1966
Wardroper Wardroper, John, ed. Love and Drollery London 1969
Wedgwood, The King's War Wedgwood, C. V. The King's War, 1641-47 London 1958
Wilkins Wilkins, W.W., ed. Political Ballads of the Seventeenth
and Eighteenth Centuries 2 vols. London 1860
Wright Wright, Thomas, ed. Political Ballads Published in Eng-
land during the Commonwealth London 1841
Underdown, Pride s Purge Underdown, David Pride s Purge Oxford 1971

XI
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 TEXTUAL NOTES
AND COMMENTARY
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 BROME'S PORTRAITS

There are four different portraits of Brome, one engraved by A. Hertocks and the other
three by David Loggan. See Catalogue of Original and Early Editions of some of the Poeti-
cal and Prose Works of English Writers from Wither to Prior (Grolier Club 1905) I, 93-4.
The Hertocks engraving represents the head and bust slightly to the right within an oval
wreath. On a ribbon at the top is inscribed 'vera effiyes A: Brome. 1661.' On a tablet below
the bust are the words 'Carmina Desunt' and at the right of the wreath 'A: Hertochs fecit.'
This portrait is found in most copies of 67 that I have examined [Huntington (2 copies), Yale,
B.L., Cambridge], though some copies of 61 have one of the Loggan portraits (Harvard,
Folger, Bodleian, additional insert in Huntington 106635).
The Loggan portraits are in three states: (1) The head and bust are slightly to the right
within an oval wreath. On a ribbon below the wreath is inscribed 'Vera Effigies A: Brome
1664.' On the tablet below the bust are the words 'Carmina Desunt' and 'Loggan fee.' The
lines outside the wreath run in parallels. This state is found in the following: 61 (Folger); 64
[Harvard, Huntington, Folger, B.L. (2 copies), Bodleian, Yale (2 copies)]; 68 (Harvard,
B.L., Yale); Brome's Horace. (2) This state is similar to the one above, but with the follow-
ing differences: the lines outside the wreath are cross-hatched, the background lines within
the wreath are slanted instead of parallel, and the face has been retouched, with nearly all the
original lines worn away. This state is found in the following: 61 (Bodleian); 64 (two inserts
in Huntington); 68 (Huntington 113162). (3) The face and bust for this state have been reen-
graved and on the shelf on which the wreath rests is engraved ' Aetatis suae. 44.' This state is
found in the following: 61 (inserts in Huntington 106635 and Harvard); 64 (insert in Hunting-
ton 113315); 68 (Huntington 113371).

TITLE-PAGE

Epigraph: Horace, Satires I, 4,11 104-5: If in my words I am too free, perchance too light,
this bit of liberty you will indulgently grant me [H.R. Fairclough, trans., Horace: Satires,
Epistles and Ars Poetica (Harvard 1966) 57]

PREFATORY LETTERS AND POEMS

I TO THE HONOURABLE, SIR JOHN ROBINSON

61, 64, 68
Title: JOHN 64, 68: J. 61 1 to keep off 64, 68: against 61
before 1 Sir,] omit 64, 68 that 164, 68: 161
1 your nobleness hath 64, 68: you have 67 13-14 with which you are entrusted, 64, 68: omit
2 upon 64, 68: on 67 67
5 celebrated 64, 68: omit 61 16 which is 64, 68: omit 61
6 greatnesse of your soul, and the 64, 68: omit 61 19 and great Honourer 64, 68: omit 61
are 64, 68: is 67 20 ALEX. 64, 68: A. 67

Sir John Robinson was sheriff of London, 1657-8, MP for London in the Convention Parlia-
ment, Lord Mayor from the Cloth workers' Company, 1662-3, and Lieutenant of the Tower
from 25 June 1660 until his death in 1680. As alderman, he was one of the commissioners
from the City to the King at Breda. See Brooks, pp 70, 86; P.H. Ditchfield, The Story of the

3
 Notes to pages 49-54
City Companies (London 1926) 260-1; Davies, p 324; Patrick Morrah, 7660. The Year of
Restoration (London 1960) 121.
14 Catamountains: leopards or panthers OED

II TO THE READER

61, 64, 68
13 those] these 64, 68 42 as it is to raile at a Dwarfe for being little and
21 may 64, 68: will 61 weak: 64, 68: when as I could not help it; 61
35 confident 64, 68: assured 61 48 the publishing this 64, 68: it 61
38 should 64, 68: omit 61 50 being 64, 68: men being 61
40 Books 64, 68: book 61 51 theirs 64, 68: omit 61
look 64, 68: looks 61 55 judge.] judge? 61
41 as 64, 68: omit 61 65 Scholler. 64, 68: Scholler well read. 61
14-15 Committee-Men: members of the hated Sequestration Committees, here used meta-
phorically for 'JUDGE-WITS'
27-9 For why I made these rambles, etc.: Compare 4.VIII 'The Answer,' 11 29-30.
64-5 ends ofLatine: Brome probably means 'fragments' or 'odds and ends' (OED, s.v. end,
I.5.b).
66-7 I shall have occasion to employ that little Latine I have, etc.: This probably refers to
Brome's intention to turn his knowledge of Latin to a better use in his law practice. See
Brooks, p 19.

Ill TO HIS HONOURED FRIEND MR. ALEXANDER BROME, ON THE

PUBLISHING HIS POEMS

64,68
Brooks, p 121, andDNB (s.v. Alexander Brome) suggest that R.B. is Richard Brathwaite.
\2Bromius: Bacchus was sometimes referred to as Bromius, the thunderer.
13 though Excise should cease: The excise tax was imposed by Parliament on 22 July 1643
(Acts and Ord., I, 202-14). See note to l.XXVI 'On the fall of the prices of wine,' 1 25.

IV ON MY FRIEND MR. ALEXANDER BROME

68
38 Bayes,] Bayes. 68 58 Alas] Alass 68
Charles Cotton and Brome had exchanged verse epistles in 1660 (see 4.1 and 4.II). Cotton
also addressed another poem to Brome, 'To Mr. Alexander Brome: Epode,' Cotton, p 227.
46 Till the Greek Kalends do account for Rhythm: a humorous way of saying 'never,' since
the Greeks used no calends in their reckoning OED, s.v. calends, 3.b
55 irriguate: obsolete form of 'irrigate,' used figuratively to mean refresh with moisture OED,
s.v. irrigate, 3
90 They're little griefs that speak, etc.: proverbial. See Tilley, S664.

4
 Notes to pages 55-9
V ON THE DEATH OF MR. ALEXANDER BROME, WHO DYED THE 30TH. OF JUNE, 1666
68

Richard Newcourt was probably the compiler of the 1658 map of London (DNB; Brooks, p
92).

VI ON MR. ALEXANDER BROME'S POEMS

68
54 too] to 68 63 thee,] thee. 68
55 Philosophy,] Philosophy. 68 71 keep'st] keept'sttfS
R. Th. Jun. is Richard Thynne, who was admitted to Lincoln's Inn on 17 May 1634 (Brooks,
p93).
10-14 The knots, that they so cunningly had ty'de, etc.: reference to the Gordian knot defined
by OED as: 'An intricate knot tied by Gordius, king of Gordium in Phrygia. The oracle
declared that whoever should loosen it should rule Asia, and Alexander the Great overcame
the difficulty by cutting through the knot with his sword.' Cutting the Gordian knot has
become proverbial. See Tilley, G375.
The witty association between Alexander the Great and Alexander Brome is obvious.
18-20 Now, as their Gods, amaz'd they fled, etc.: reference to the widely held tradition that
all oracles ceased after Christ's birth. See, for instance, Milton, 'Paradise Regained,' I,
454-64 in John Milton: Complete Poems and Major Prose, ed. M.Y. Hughes (New York
1957) 493. See also C. A. Patrides, 'The Cessation of the Oracles: The History of a Legend,'
MLR, 60 (1965) 500-7.
The import of the whole stanza seems to be that Brome is the prophet and redeemer of
'captive Poetry,' that is, his reforms in style have freed poetry from bondage to outworn tra-
ditions.
49Blandusium: The reference is probably to the fountain Horace celebrates in Odes, III, 13.
The opening line of the Ode in Brome's collected translation of The Poems of Horace (1666)
102, reads as follows: 'Blandusian Spring, tralucenter than glass.'
Modern editors identify Bandusia as a spring on the slope of a hill near Horace's Sabine
farm. See Q. Horatius Flaccus, Odes. Book Three, ed. H. E. Gould and J. L. Whitely (Lon-
don 1953) 108.
63 annaliz'd: obsolete and rare verb meaning 'to record in annals, to chronicle' OED

VII TO THE INGENIOUS AUTHOUR MR. ALEXAND. BROME

61, 64, 68
17 and 64, 68: but 67 47 shew'st<54, 68: shewest<57

William Paulet was admitted to the Middle Temple on 16 December 1652. See H.A.C.
Sturgess, Register of Admissions to the Honourable Society of The Middle Temple (London
1949) I, 152.
8 calcin'd: purified or refined by consuming the grossest part OED, l.c
26 Proteus: See note to 2.XXX 'The New Gentry,' 1 55.

5
 Notes to pages 59-63
VIII TO THE INGENIOUS AUTHOR MR. A.B.

61, 64, 68
14 Rebellions] Rebellious 64, 68 18 H' 64, 68: He 61

Robert Napeir was admitted to the Middle Temple on the same day as William Paulet, 16
December 1652. See Sturgess, I, 156.
4Probatums: means or remedies that have been tried and found efficacious; approved rem-
edies OED
5 nose and Bum: common slang terms for Oliver Cromwell and the Rump Parliament

IX TO MY INGENIOUS FRIEND MR. BROME, ON HIS VARIOUS AND

EXCELLENT POEMS: AN HUMBLE EGLOG

61, 64, 68
8 sunk 64, 68: shrunk 61 36 business 64, 68: businesses 61
21 so oft and meriliefr/, 68: with mirth and merry- 44-5 Go with me, /Dorus, to yonder broad beech
gle: 61 tree64, 68: Go with me./ Dorus./ To yonder
35 knowes] know 68 broad beech tree 61
A musical setting by Playford is preserved in The Musical Companion, In Two Books, 1673,
and in Cantus, Songs and Fancies, 1682. See no 1223 in the first line index of Day and Mur-
rie. Brome contributed a dedicatory poem to the second edition of Walton's The Compleat
Angler, published in 1655. See 6.XI.

X TO MY WORTHY FRIEND MR. ALEX BROME

61, 64, 68
5 who 64, 68: wh, 61 28 Honestly 64, 68: Honesty 61
6 the Grapes] Grapes the 64, 68 33 in] is 64, 68
22 to] a 64, 68 37 sail'd64, 68: said 61
C.W. has not been identified.
3-4 And as byXeuxis grapes so painted were, etc.: Xeuxis or Zeuxis was a Greek painter of
the late fifth century BC. His realistic painting gave rise to such stories as C.W. refers to
here. Compare Cowley, 'Ode. Of Wit,' 1 17.
12 stum'd: OED cites this word used by C.W. in its figurative sense. It means, literally, to
renew (wine) by mixing with stum or must and raising a new fermentation.
22 that's to linck-boy compared by thee: C.W. is referring to 2.VI The Good-fellow,' 1 36.
35-8 Wherein he will not crave so much, as did / The Levite, etc.: C.W. invents a fictional
Levite (or Puritan minister) whose zeal for tithes was so great that when some of his parish-
ioners went on a voyage to Greenland, he bid them bring back every tenth whale as a tithe.

XI TO HIS DEAR FRIEND MR. ALEX. BROME, UPON THE PUBLISHING HIS POEMS

64, 68

Charles Steynings (1620-1700) of Holnicot, Selworthy, in Somerset was admitted to Lin-

coln's Inn on 18 November 1646. See The Records of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's
Inn. Admissions... I, 254. For more on Steynings, see S.W. Bates Harbin, Members of Par-

6
 Notes to pages 63-7
liamentfor the County of Somerset (Taunton 1939) 163-4; F.W. Weaver and C.H. Mayo,
eds, Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries 3 (1893) 330; John Collinson, The History and
Antiquities of the County of Somerset (Bath 1791) I, xxxii.
Brome wrote several verse epistles to Steynings. See 4.X, 4.XI, 4.XII, 4.XIII, 5.LV.
8-14 Shall reign with thy loyal Congratulatory, etc.: reference to 5.LII 'A speech made to the
Lord General Monck'

XII TO HIS INGENIOUS FRIEND MR. A.B. UPON HIS MOST EXCELLENT POEMS

64, 68
52 foyles ed.: soyles64, 68

For Valentine Oldis (1620-85), see Dm

29 puisne: junior, noviceOED, B.I
34 Cook upon Littleton: reference to Sir Edward Coke's The First Part of the Institutes of the
Laws of England; or, A Commentary upon Littleton (London 1628). See 4.XI 'To C.S.
Esquire,' 1 20.

XHI FOR HIS MUCH HONOURED FRIEND MR. ALEXANDER BROME

64, 68
Signature: R.B. 68: H.T. 64

The British Library copy of 64 (BM.G. 18537) was apparently Brome's gift to R.B. On the
inside cover is inscribed 'R.B. Ex dono Authoris.' In this copy, the initials H.T. are identi-
fied as Ralph Bathurst. This identification accounts for the discrepancy between the H.T.
signature in 64 and the revised R.B. in 68. For Bathurst seeDNB.
\2Mezentius\ a mythical Etruscan king, who caused living men to be bound face to face with
corpses and left to die of starvation. See Virgil, Aeneid VIE, 485-8.
20-1 'tis to / me as great a Metamorphosis, as when a City was turn'd into a Bird: For the
story of the transformation of Ardea (Turnus's regal city) into a heron, see Ovid, Metamor-
phoses XIV, 576-84.
34Cleaveland's Presbyterian danced: allusion to 'The Mixt Assembly,' Cleveland, pp 26-8,
esp. 1 67.

7
 Notes to pages 69-70

SECTION 1

I PLAIN DEALING

61, 64, 68, WI55, PB, SAD, All, H39, Ash, RB3, RP65, F27 (sv)
Title: omit W155, All, RB3, RP65: To his imperious Sin] thing PB: curse RP65
MistressePfi: The Humorous Lover SAD: Song 30 WhichI]IoncetfP65
H39 did] so #39: do Ash
1 Tyrant] tyranize PB, RP65 32 will] He WI55, H39
8 incentives] center WI55: objects PB: object#39: love] have #39: go RB3
incentive RB3 on] andPB: one #39
9 rejoyce] delight RP65 as] Since WI55 #39
feast] glad #53 begin] begun WI55, #39, RB3, RP65
thus] quite PB, SAD, All 33 To th' 64, 68:1 #39: AndRP65: To the I
12 Did think] e'r thought RP65 35 let] havePfi: make/?P65
14 that your] omit WI55: that youPB know] see WI55
face] omit PB is not] was nere#39
Angels] the Angels face W155: of Angels 7/39 36 love] court RP65
outvyes] far out-vy PB as] andRB3
18 not beauteous] no beauty PB Ladies] women WI55, RB3
are] art W155: as you areRB3 37 I'll] I WI55, SAD, All, #39, /?B3
so] omit RB3 38 I'll] I WI55, SAD, All, #39, RB3
19 we] menRP65 and] my #39, RB3, RP65
20 and] omit SAD: the #39, RB3, RP65 40 I'll] I WI55, SAD, All, #39, Ash, RB3, F27
Sky] skies WI55, All, H39, RB3, RP65: omit real] loyall RP65
SAD 41 I'll] I H755, SAD, All, #39, Asfc, #fl3, F27
23 Out-rant] Out-rend PB: To outrantfl£3 and] nay #39, tffl3, RP65
the] all PB 43 heart] lovePfl, S/4D, All, #39, /?&?, /?P<55
lowd'st] loud WI55, PB, H39, RB3, RP65 bend] tend #39
24 you] the 64, 68, Ash: yeWI55: ourPB: your All 44 I'll 64, 68, RB3, RP65: I W155, #39: I will I
Saints and] fancies PB all 64, 68, WI55, #39, RP65: omit I
25 By] tisH39,RB3 those] omit #39
26 We] I WI55: Women RB3 45 He never pine my selfe away for any female
know] omit RB3 thing. PB: And scorn to pine away my self /
21 And] Who WI55 For any Female thing. SAD
will] please WI55, PB, SAD, All, H39, RB3, I'll] I WI55, All, #39, RB3
RP65 Laws] King W155
29 drawn] brought RB3 the] my WI55: their RP65
this] that WI55, SAD, All, H39, RB3: the PB

Variant line arrangements are as follows:

11 2-3 of each stanza: one line5AD, All, RB3, RP65
last line of each stanza: two lines WI55, SAD, All, RB3, RP65
1 5, 1 41: two lines W155
1 45: two lines F27

The version in WI62 is a reprint of WI55. A musical setting by J. Hilton is preserved in SAD
andAll. See no 3613 in the first line index of Day and Murrie. Mathew Stevenson's answer
to the poem appeared in Occasions Off-Spring, or Poems upon Severall Occasions, 1645. It
is reproduced below. The internal allusions in the poem suggest a date during the civil war.

8
 Notes to pages 69-70
10-18 But yet be wise, etc.: Brome uses the motif of the poet's fancy and desire creating the
lady's beauty in several other poems: l.II 'The Indifferent,' 11 36-7; l.XI The Contrary,' 11
25-8; l.XXI 'Love's without Reason,' 11 6-8; l.XXXVI 'To a coy Lady,' 11 5-14; l.XXXVIII
'Advice to Caelia,' 11 27-8. For analogues see: Carew, 'To A.L. Perswasions to Love,' p 4,
111-4; 'Ingratefull beauty threatned,' p 17 (Dunlap, p 221, cites a similar theme in Propertius,
Il.xi. 1-4); Stanley, 'The Deposition,' p 31, 11 1-6; King, 'The Defence,' p 145, 11 7-10;
Suckling, 'Sonnet II,' p 48, 11 9-16; Cotton, 'La Illustrissima,' p 174, 11 30-2.
37-45 I'll love good Wine, etc.: Brome uses the motif of sublimating love and finding other
ways to satisfy desire in 1. XXXII 'Practick Love,' 1119-21. See also Suckling, 'The careless
Lover,' p 57, esp. stanzas 4 and 6.
The Answer to Well-well tis true, etc.

1
Well, well tis true, That I have lov'd a fool and it is you:
But since I plainly see
Whilst I in pitty lend a smile,
You make me conscious all the while
Of your Idolatry. 5
I'le henceforth squib your Wildfire flames and scorne
The adoration of an Ass
So foolishly forlorne.

2
Come, come be wise and dally not with Ladies charmfull eyes,
The Magazine from whence 10
Love armes himself, the Stars I say
Are bright and pow'rfull too, but they
Have no such influence.
We set us down in Titans glittering shine,
Reciprocating beame, for beam 15
Where Stars their heads decline.

3
Whilst yee like fools to deifie us pump and dreine your Schools
For an Hyperboly:
Presuming that yee highly please
Our Sex to stile us Goddesses, 20
Alas we know yee lye
We are but flesh and blood though our bright eyes
Surprising your infatuate sense
Yee deem us Deities.

9
 Notes to pages 70-1
4
But since that Fate has drawn me to the trouble of thy prate 25
Il'e not my labour loose
For Il'e make use of thine own plot
To let thee know I love thee not.
Well, or ill take it, choose,
And therfore He go get me a new bar, 30
To rid my Chamber of such Apes
Such Toyes as Sutors are.

5
Go love your wine, and all your Muses, nine and nine times nine
So you will not love me
For me I love my Dog, my Cat 35
Nay I would love I care not what
So it may not be thee
Love you your laughing and your quaffing Crew
I love my Country and my King
But hate such fools as you. 40

II THE INDIFFERENT

61, 64, 68, G, Ash, F27

Title: A Schismatick in Love G 19 short,] short; 61
2 woman] Women G, Ash, F27 20 for't;] for't, 61
3 vex,] vex; 61 21 Small's] Small G
4 Muse] PenG 23 to] forF27
5 Nor] Or G 24 if] though G
6 Though] YetG, Ash, F27 31 does] dothG: do Ash
free-State,] free-State. 61 33 their] her 68, G, Ash
1 you] those G 34 these I : this 61: those G
who're] who are G 37 our] omit G
8 is] Loves G fancies] Fancy G, ¥27
loves] is G make] makes G
11 most abhorr] men adore G 38 think] say G
13 And] omit G you] you're G
16 fair] Fair, or NeatG

A musical setting by John Gamble is preserved inG. See no 2206 in the first line index of Day
and Murrie.
Brome combines the theme of the indifferent lover and the praise of the ugly mistress. The
title looks back to Donne's The Indifferent,' p 41, but closer analogues are: Herrick, 'No
loathsomeness in Love,' p 19; 'Love lightly pleased,' p 276; 'Love dislikes nothing,' p 333
(Patrick also cites Thomas Beedome, 'The Choyce,' in Poems Divine and Humane 1641);
Stanley, 'Loves Heretick,' p 32 (Crump cites Ovid and Marino as sources for Stanley's
poem, p 384); Cowley, 'The Request' I, 65, stanzas 2-3; 'The Inconstant' I, 133; Suckling,
'The deformed Mistress,' p 33; 'Inconstancie in Woman,' p 96. See also Burton III, 58 for an

10
 Notes to pages 70-3
analysis of the vagaries of a lover's tastes.
6 free-State: a Republic
36-7 There are no rules for beauty, etc.: See note to I.I 'Plain Dealing,' 11 10-18.
38-9 Be you but kind, etc.: Brome often uses the motif of reciprocal love. See l.III 'The
Resolve,' 119-13, 21-2; l.XXI 'Love's without Reason,' 11 21-4. For other analogues see note
to l.III 'The Resolve.'

Ill THE RESOLVE

61, 64, 68, Ash, F27

9 that] omit 64, 68 13 your] ourF27
12 that] if Ash, F27

Analogues for the theme of reciprocal love are: Donne, 'Loves Deitie,' p 47,1113-14; Carew,
'Disdaine returned,' p 18, 11 1-12; Herrick, 'To Electra. Love looks for Love,' p 332; Stan-
ley, 'Song,' p 50; 'Song, By M.W.M.,' p 54; Cowley, 'Resolved to be beloved,' I, 96, 11
1-4. In his edition of Cartwright, p 725, Evans cites several poems using the 'ask' or 'tell'
formula. See also Cotton, 'La Illustrissima,' p 173. See note to l.II 'The Indifferent,' 11 38-9
for other Brome poems using the theme of reciprocal love.
13-18 The glories of your Ladies be, etc.: Repudiation of hyperbolic praise of the mistress is
common. See Shakespeare, Sonnet 130; Carew, 'The Comparison,' p 98.

IV THE WARY WOER

61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27

3 't shall] shall F27 18 they] you Ash
move] move, 61 25 a] all Ash
4 center'd I: centered 61 26 teeth] Eyes Ash, F27
17 all,] all 61 necks] necke F27
8 love-Smew: Sinon was the Greek who induced the Trojans to bring the wooden horse into
Troy. See Virgil, Aeneid II, 57ff. Brome uses the name in a figurative sense for one who will
not be betrayed or deceived by the lady's painted beauty.
9 swadled: wrapped round with bandages OED, 2
14-16 In all you hardly can, etc.: J.B. Bamborough, in The Little World of Man (London
1952) 64, cites Renaissance views on the nature of women as 'imperfect men.'
21 Angels: pun on angels, gold coins
22-4 She that's in such a showre enroll'd, etc.: reference to Danae who was visited by Zeus in
the form of a shower of gold and became the mother of Perseus. See 5.IV 'On Gold.'
28-36 'Tis money makes the man, you say, etc.: On the power of money to affect love see
Burton, III, 100-2.
34 Flora: goddess of flowers

11
 Notes to pages 73-7
V THE COUNSEL

61, 64, 68, Ash, F27

6 Nothing's sad] nothing sad Ash, ¥27 19 If not I: If nor 61, Ash
1 Come,] Come 61 22 can't] canF27
14 thy] these Ash, ¥27

This poem seems an imitation of Suckling's popular song, 'Why so pale and wan fond
Lover/ p 64 (Clayton notes other imitations, translations, and answers, pp 260-2). Compare
also Carew, 'Griefe ingrost,' p 44; Cotton, 'The Advice,' p 206; Horace, Odes I, 33.

VI TO HIS MISTRESS

61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27

3 These I : The 61 12 Touch'd I : Touched 61

11-15 My thoughts turn'd, like the needle, about, etc.: For the conceit of the needle pointing
to the North pole see Carew, To her in absence,' p 23, 11 5-8; Cowley, 'Resolved to be
beloved,' I, 96, stanza 3. See also l.VIII The hard Heart,' 120; 4.XXXI 'On the Queens going
beyond Sea,' 1 26.
16-18 Lend me one ray, and do but shine, etc.: For a similar image see l.XIII To his Mis-
tress,' 11 7-8 and l.XXX The Attempt,' 11 9-11.
20Helicon: a mountain in Boeotia sacred to the Muses, used figuratively for poetic inspira-
tion. See l.XXVI 'On the fall of the prices of wine,' 121; 2.XIX 'On Canary,' 111; 2.XXXVII
'Against Corrupted Sack,' 1 48.

VII TO HIS MISTRESS

61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27

5 wert] wast Ash 20 thee] the ¥27
16 rang'd I: ranged 61
The lover sophistically defending his inconstancy is the central motif in the following:
Donne, 'Confined Love,' p 34 (where the speaker is a woman); Carew, To his jealous Mis-
tris,' p 110; Lovelace, The Scrutinie,' p 26, 'A Paradox,' p 19; Cowley, The Waiting-
Maid,' I, 138; Cotton, The Retreat,' p 158; Stanley, 'Chang'd, yet Constant,' p 7 (Crump, p
378, cites d'Urfe as a source for Stanley's poem and Sherburne as an analogue).

VIII THE HARD HEART

61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27
1 And] A Ash 26 Then in thy breast thou'lt lay me, 64, 68: omit
11 dost] dost, 61 61: Then in thy Heart thou'lt lay me Ash, ¥27
12 scorn] heart Ash, ¥27 28 thine] thy Ash
13 grown] gone Ash, ¥27 31 thy] thine Ash, ¥27
14 turn] turnd ¥27 32 cruelties] niceties Ash, ¥27
17 th'] the 64, 68 34 so] we Ash

Poems on the hard-hearted mistress are commonplace, but one with thematic and verbal
resemblances to this poem (esp. stanza 4) is Stanley, 'The Tombe,' p 21.
WNiobe: daughter of Tantalus who was changed into a stone while weeping for her children.

12
 Notes to pages 77-9
See Ovid, Metamorphoses VI, 146-312. See also 4.LIV 'On the Kings death,' 110 and 4.LVI
'Upon the death of that Reverend and learned Divine, Mr. Josias Shute, ' 1 1 6 .
20 Thou'rt so magnetick: See note to l.VI 'To his Mistress,' 11 11-15.
33 And kill with prepossession: By being possessed with cruelty beforehand, Brome will
anticipate the lady's cruelty and will kill her first with his own.

IX LOVES ANARCHY
61, 64, 68, SW, SAD, Ash, ¥27
Title: A Song SW: A Resolution not to Love SAD that SAD
6 Or] norSW 16 makes] makeF27
thine] thy SAD Ladies] women SW, SAD
burn'd] burn 5W 17 henceforth, not love] not Love henceforth 5W
9 Shafts] Shaft SW, SAD 18 My] OurSW, SAD
or] norAsh 19 a] omit 64, 68
10 men] weSW, SAD 21 That] The W
13 sex] sect SAD Monarchy] Hierarchy SW, SAD
14 sorrows] sorrow SW, SAD 22 And] orSW
15 persons] parts SW, SAD 23 would] willS^Z)
nor our parts] or persons that SW: or person
Variant line arrangements are as follows:
11 3-4 and 5-6 of each stanza: one line SW, SAD
A musical setting by John Play ford is preserved in SAD. See no 2096 in the first line index of
Day and Murrie.
Rebellion against the tyranny of love is the general theme of Donne's 'Loves Deitie,' p
47, but Brome's poem has a closer resemblance to Stanley, 'Love Deposed,' p 37.
7-8 Love, like Religion's made an aiery name, etc.: Brome seems to be alluding to the flurry
of religious controversy just before and during the civil war. This would suggest a date in the
early 1640s.
21 Distaff-Monarchy: female authority or dominion OED, 3.b
23-4 In these unbridled times, etc.: The question of the extent of the King's prerogative pow-
ers was a main issue in dispute between the King and Parliament when the Long Parliament
met in 1640. This allusion also suggests a date in the early 1640s.

X THE LIBERTINE
61, 64, 68, SW, Ash, ¥27
1 who] omit 68 19 will] his will ¥27
14 has] his SW 22 our] are SW, Ash
16 is his pleasured, 68: is his pleasures 61: are his 25 Loaden] Laden SW, Ash
pleasures I: return, but] return. But 61
17 th' 64, 68: the Z 35 t'a] to aF27
18 ty'd I: tyedtf; 39 rivald] rivallSW
Poems on the theme of unconfined love are common in the period. The first two stanzas of
Stanley's 'Loves Heretick,' p 32 present an action similar to the opening of Brome's poem.
10-13 I'll use my liberty to run, etc.: For a similar idea see Herrick, 'The Poet loves a Mis-
tresse, but not to marry,' p 216.

13
 Notes to pages 78-81
14-26 The unconfined Bee, we see, etc.: The bee conceit is popular in the period. See Suck-
ling, 'Womans Constancy,' p 62, 11 16-25; Cowley, 'The Inconstant,' p 134, stanza 6.
35 Querist: questioner, interrogator OED
36-7 Thus out of all, Pigmalion like, etc.: For other uses of the Pygmalion image see Cowley,
'The Gazers' I, 142, stanza 2; Cotton, 'The Picture,' p 144,11 13-18, 'The Visit,' p 183,11
21-4.

XI THE CONTRARY
61, 64, 68, G, Ash, F27
Title: Coyness in LoveG: The Contrarietie F27 20 court] woe G
3 This] thy G 22 'cause] whenG
does] doth G 24 When] NowG: Whe'reAy/z, F27
4 I'll] I shall G you] omit G
7 can] will G or upon] I think 'tis on G
8 and prove a] like any G 25 that creates those] only makes your G
10 whilst] while G, Ash, F27 26 That have no] Nor have they G
12 still] omit Ash, F27 29 But] Then G
thou'lt] thou wilt Ash, F27 30 Then] omit G
13-16 omitG 31 and that may] so thou may'stG
13 but] like ,4s/*, F27 32 So I] And I'm G
14 makes] make Ash, F27 am] then G
A musical setting by John Gamble is preserved inG. See no 2296 in the first line index of Day
and Murrie.
Poems arguing against fruition form a minor genre in the period. A central argument is
that withholding of satisfaction intensifies the lover's pleasure. See Suckling, 'Upon A.M.,'
p 27, 'Against Fruition [I],' p 37, 'Against Fruition [II],' p 38 (Clayton also cites in an
appendix answers to 'Against Fruition [II]' by Edmund Waller and Henry Bold, pp 181-5);
Cowley, 'The vain Love' I, 81, 'Against Fruition' I, 98; Cartwright, 'A Song of Dalliance,' p
468, 11 25-8; Stanley, 'The Answer,' p 55.
8 Salamander: a lizard-like animal supposed to live in, or be able to endure fire. Compare
Cowley's use of the image in 'The Gazers' I, 143, stanza 3, and Cleveland's in 'The Antipla-
tonick,' p 54, 11 5-8.
25-8 'Tis fancy that creates those pleasures, etc.: See note to LI 'Plain Dealing,' 11 10-18.

XII THE YOUNG LOVER

61, 64, 68, Ash, RP22, F27
Title: The Forward Lover RP22 22 a 64, 68, RP22: omit I
4 fourteen] Eighteen RP22 Maidenhead] Maidenheads Ash, F27
5-9 omitRP22 23-7 omitRP22
1 has] his Ash 24 Make] Makes ¥27
8 breast] breasts Ash, ¥27 28 Nature's exalted] Nature writes short hand
9 and] the Ash, F27 Ash, ¥27
12 linger I : finger 61 our I : one 61
14-18 omitRP22 32-6 omit RP22
15 This] Tis Ash 35 'twill be] 't shalbeAsh, ¥27
20 bed] beads Ash, F27

14
 Notes to pages 80-3
A musical setting by Franck is preserved mRemedium Melancholiae, 1690. See no 3489 in
the first line index of Day and Murrie.
3-4 She stayes at least seven years too long, etc.: Compare Suckling, 'Lutea Allison: Si sola
es, nulla es,' p 26,1115-16; Wardroper, 'Be not proud,' p 19. Burton cites instances of sex-
ually active young girls III, 54-5.
12 linger: put off, delay OED, 1
24 Hymens Temple: marriage bed
28 Nature's exalted in our time: To defend her argument, the speaker sides with those who
opposed the view that Nature was decaying. See Victor Harris, All Coherence Gone (Chi-
cago 1948) for a discussion of the controversy.
33 Provocatives: anything that excites appetite or lust, especially an aphrodisiac OED, B.2
34 Love-powders and Eringoes: aphrodisiacs OED

XHI TO HIS MISTRESS

61, 64, 68,SWAsh, ¥27

Title: Theodora SW 12 both] dothSW
2 whence such] which those SW 15 gifts] wits SW
glories] glory F27 17 And] Then SW
1 Send out] Let but 5^: Lend but Ash, F27 18 an eye] can eyesSW
beam] ray SW, Ash, ¥27 him] me SW
t' ] omit SW me] Cupid SW
9 does] doth SW can] omit SW
10 has] hath SW
7-8 Send out one beam, etc.: See note to l.VI 'To his Mistress,' 11 16-18.

XIV TO A WIDOW
61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27
4 as] more Ash, ¥27 We on their shoulders reach at more Ash, ¥27
as they] then they Ash, ¥27 18 The nearer] Th' more neareAsh, ¥27
6 cloy] slay Ash, ¥27 Divinity] your Divinity Ash, ¥27
8 Must you for I : You must not 61 19 heart] selfe Ash, ¥27
10 now] new 68 21 And make me with] Make me not in Ash, ¥27
11 Vertue's immortal, his parts be Ash, ¥27 22 Whilst] Why Ash
12 me.] me, 61 23-4 Vertue's diffusive, what you see / In your
15-16 What Gyants can arrive unto / last love, you'le dubled find in me. Ash, ¥27
15-16 Giants great heights can reach unto, etc.: Burton I, 25, quotes from Didacus Stella: 'A
dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant may see farther than a giant himself.' See also note
to Butler, Hudibras, First Part, Canto II, 1 71, p 343 and F.E. Guyer, 'The Dwarf on the
Giant's Shoulders,' MLN 45 (1930) 398-402.

15
 Notes to pages 83-8
XV TO HIS FRIEND THAT HAD VOW'D SMALL-BEAR

61, 64, 68, Ash, F27

1 Anchorite,] Anchorite; 61 14 heav'ns64, 68: heavens I
8 sinner,] sinner. 61
A musical setting by Church is preserved in Wit and Mirth: Or, Pills to Purge Melancholy,
1699, and in Songs Compleat, 1719. See no 1945 in the first line index of Day and Murrie.
Title Small-Bear: weak beer OED

XVI ON CLARET

61, 64, 68, Ash, F27

6 Wine.] Wine 61 14 our] yourF27
10 seek] seek. 61 24 could] would ¥27
13 may] my Ash 28 this] your Ash
13 whey: wine whey, a medicinal drink OED, l.b
14 Reins: kidneys OED
16-18 That cures one sicknesse with another, etc.: Brome alludes to allopathy, the curing of a
diseased action by the inducing of another of a different kind, yet not necessarily diseased,
and homeopathy, the curing of likes by likes.

XVII A MOCK SONG

61, 64, 68, Ash(l), Ash(2), F27

13 Which] AndAsh(l), Ash(2), F27 be,] be 61
15 meant] meweAsh(l)

3-5 For there's no art, etc.: Compare l.XXX 'The Attempt,' 11 3-5.
10-12 Those vertues which, etc.: Compare l.XXX The Attempt,' 11 12-13.

XVHI REASONS OF LOVE

61, 64, 68, Ash, F27

Title: Reason of Love Ash, F27 45 ye] you Ash, F27
4 beauty] merit Ash, F27 47 sport;] sport 67
7 foot,] foot: 61 48 Nor shall Love make me sick or frantick for
9 with] the Ash you Ash, F27
12 Love-stories] Loves storyesF27 51 your I : you 61
27 decorum;] decorum, 61 52 she that's] she's thatF27
34 hair's little] heads rowtedAsh, F27 60 heart's as] hart isF27
39 love] love, 61 rotten.] rotten 61
41 poetry,] poetry 67

9 congees: ceremonious dismissals or leave-takings OED. See also 2.XX The Leveller,' 16.
18 Negromancy: necromancy, enchantment or conjuration OED
31 frizling: curled OED
44 Statist: politician, statesman OED

16
 Notes to pages 88-91
XIX EPITHALAMY
61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27
4 what] thatF27 17 too I : to 61
8 enjoyment, knows] enjoyment knows, 61 20 all,] all 67
13 do] did Ash, F27 22 scepticall.] sceptic all, 61
15 discontent;] discontent 61 23 At] All Ash
16 truth] truths 68 25 Quire,] Quire. 61
Poems presenting an 'anti-platonic' argument form a minor genre in the period. See Robert
Ayton, 'Upon Platonic Love' (printed in Suckling, p 99); Stanley, 'Speaking and Kissing,' p
29; Cowley, 'Answer to the Platonicks' I, 80; Cartwright, 'No Platonique Love,' p 494
(Evans, p 724, reviews the cult of Platonic love in the 1630s and cites examples of poems pro
and con); Cleveland, The Antiplatonick,' p 54. See also l.XXXII 'Practick Love,' 11 38-40.
2 Chymaeras: unreal creatures of the imagination OED
18 Hares are dry meat', proverbial. See Tilley, H151.

XX AN ODE OF ANACREON PARAPHRASED. BEAUTIES FORCE

61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27.
Title: Beauties force Ash: Beauties force, out of 18 Our Beauty] Beauty t'usAsh, F27
AnacreonF27 20 Foes.] Foes 61
5 arms,] arms; 61 21 And] But Ash, F27
6 horse,] horse 67 so] if Ash, F27
A musical setting by Franck is preserved inRemedium Melancholiae, 1690. See no 1617 in
the first line index of Day and Murrie.
Based on The Anacreontea 24 [in Elegy and Iambus, trans. J.M. Edmonds (London
1931) 53]. See other versions by Stanley, 'Beauty II,' p 75 and Cowley, 'Beauty' I, 51.

XXI LOVE'S WITHOUT REASON

67, 64, 68, SW, Ash, F27
Title: A Song SW: Love without Reason Ash, F27 from] with Ash
1 makes] make F27 fortunes rise] Fortune rise SW
3 the] a Ash fortunes fall] Fortune fall SW
4 one] those SW 25 friends, or birth] either birth or friends SW
5 a] that SW 26 YldSW, F27: I'le I (see note)
6 thousands] many SW 29 Fid] I'll 64, 68
1 hers] herSW 30 sex,] sex 67
10 That] Which SW 33 Reason and Wisdom] Wit and Discretion 5W
11 soul] heart SW 34 can] doth SW
14 imitative] imitating SW, F27: intimating Ash 35 flame's not farr] flames are notSW
21 Moralitie] mortality SW 36 or] andSW
22 me;] me? 67 38 For] They're SW
23 no] not Ash, F27: omit SW are] likeSW
love, but] but onely SW 39 moves] makes SW
24 Loves] Loves, 67 40 nor] or.W
A musical setting by Blow is preserved in Choice Ayres and Songs, 1679. See no 3390 in the
first line index of Day and Murrie.

17
 Notes to pages 90-4
The title recalls an attitude to love that was proverbial. See Tilley, L517.
Search for the causes of love is the theme of Donne, 'Negative Love,' p 56, and Carew,
'The Complement,' p 99 (Dunlap cites analogues in Herbert of Cherbury, Marino, and Pro-
pertius, p 262).
8 Only because I think she's fair, she's fair: See note to 11 10-18 of I.I 'Plain Dealing.'
17-19 'Tis not her birth, her friends, nor yet her treasure, etc.: Brome repudiates money as a
cause of his love, an argument put forward in l.IV The Wary Woer.'
21-4 Nor for that old Moralitie, etc.: Brome rejects reciprocal love as a cause of his love, an
argument central to l.III 'The Resolve' and other poems. See note to l.III 'The Resolve.'
26 Then Princes Fid adore: The sense of the passage calls for the subjunctive Tld' (preserved
inSW andF27) rather than the indicative Tie' of 61. In 129, the subjunctive Tld' appears in a
parallel construction. The compositor of 61 may have misread Tld' for Tie.' The composi-
tor of 64 made the grammar of 11 26 and 29 consistent by emending the Tld' of 1 29 to Til.'

XXII THEDAMOISEL

61, 64, 68, F27

Title: Truth in Woman F27 17 has] omit ¥27
4 nor] orF27 22 undertakers,] undertakers; 61
13 on,] on 61 30 or] norF27
15 the] thatF27 40 an I : a 61

Compare Wardroper, 'Disdain me not,' p 32 where the speaker is an old lover. See also
Robert Fletcher, 'An old Man Courting a young Girle,' in The Poems and Translations of
Robert Fletcher, ed. D.H. Woodward (Gainesville, FL 1970) 171 and note on pp 268-9.
15 Gingerbread he: a kind of cake made into shapes of men and animals, used figuratively as
the type of something showy and insubstantial OED, 2

XXIII A DIALOGUE

61, 64, 68, F27

name of speaker (above 1 \}Amoret 64, 68:Amoris name of speaker (above 1 15) Amoret] Amoretto
61: Amoretto ¥27 ¥27
2 sip] sip. 61 16 mirtle] mirth F27
name of speaker (above 1 5) Oenophil] Oenophi- 17 flesh] senceF27
lus ¥27 20 your] the F27
5 tumble] humble F27 22 conquer] conquers F27
6 us.] us 67 24 court 68, ¥27\ count 61, 64 (see note)
12 Still I : Sill 61 27-8 Then lett's unite - F27
13 guide,] guide 61 21 guide,] guide 67
14 found,] found 67 28 found,] found 67

Oenophil'. lover of wine

1 curral: obsolete form of 'coral' OED
3 Castalian: Castalia, a spring on Mount Parnassus, sacred to the Muses. See 5.LVII
'Cromwell's Panegyrick,' 1 25.
24 I'll court no other mistresse, but the glass: 68 andF27 preserve the correct reading 'court.'
67, 64 read 'count.'
25 chink: See note to l.XL 'The Murmurer,' 1 15.

18
 Notes to pages 94-7
26 Poe: the river Po in Italy
Hippocrene: a fountain on Mt Helicon sacred to the Muses.
Tagus: a river in Portugal. Tagus may be associated with Midas because its riverbed was
described as 'golden sands.' See Ovid, Metamorphoses II, 251; 1 .XLIV 'On the Queens Arri-
val,' 1 21. In myth, Midas is associated with the river Pactoclus in which he washed his
hands, thus transferring his golden touch to the river, which forever after had gold-bearing
sands. For the story of Midas see Ovid, Metamorphoses XI, 85-144.

XXIV TO HIS MISTRES AFFRIGHTED IN THE WARS

61, 64, 68
6 fly,] fly; 61 (c.): flying; 61 (u.) 28 maidenhead,] maidenhead. 61
24 thee.] thee? 67 30 conquer'd, yet 64, 68: conquer'd and yet 67

The situation in the poem suggests a date during the civil war. Brome wrote a more bawdy
poem on a similar situation, 3.XII 'Though Oxford be yielded, and Reading be taken.'

XXV UPON THE CAVALEERS DEPARTING OUT OF LONDON

61, 64, 68

From 1645 on, Parliament enforced with varying degrees of strictness a policy of keeping
Catholics and delinquents away from London. During 1649 the law was not enforced, but on
26 February 1650 an act was passed confining delinquents to an area within five miles of their
houses. See Hardacre, pp 78-9.
This poem was probably written around 1650. C.V. Wedgwood, Poetry and Politics
under the Stuarts (Cambridge 1960) 112 suggests 1649 as a date.
R is a reprint of 61.
1-6 Now fare thee well London, etc.: Compare the reproof of London in 2.XXXVIII 'The
Lamentation.'
8 With the lines that begirt thee: The ordinance of April 1646 compelled all Catholics and
delinquents to depart from London and the lines of communication (Acts and Ord. I, 841-2).
See 3.IV 'On the demolishing the Forts,' 11 25-8.
11 Monster: Rump Parliament
24 When the Christian gives place to the Jew: Royalists regularly referred to Puritans as
'Jews.' See also note to 2.XXI 'The Royalists Answer,' 1 62.

XXVI ON THE FALL OF THE PRICES OF WINE

61, 64, 68
11 August does67 (c.)] August (three times) does 29 Indies 61 (c.)] Judges 67 (u.)
61 (u.) after 32 Chorus] Choruss 61
19 defie] define 68 34 oreflow] overflow 68
On 9 June 1657 an act was passed limiting and settling the prices of wines for a period of one
year beginning on 15 August (Acts and Ord. II, 1057-8).
1-2 Now our thanks to our powers above us, etc.: reference to Parliament and to Cromwell
8-9 Welcome desired August to us, etc.: The limitation on the price of wines was to begin on
15 August 1657.

19
 Notes to pages 96-100
10 'Twas November did undo us: This may be a reference to the ordinance of 7 November
1643 requiring all vintners to collect and remit the excise tax (Acts and Ord. I, 339).
21 Our Helicon: See note to 1.VI 'To his Mistress,' 120.
25 To be able to cheat the excise: The excise tax was imposed by Parliament on 22 July 1643
(Acts and Ord. I, 202-14). See also 2.XIThe Safety,' 129; 3.V The Clown,' 1140; 4.IV 'The
Answer,' 1 75.

XXVII THE OLD MAN'S DELIGHT

61,64,68, SW
Title: A Song SW 12 Her] Our W
Stanzas 1 and 2 joined 68 14 bare,] bare. 61
1 Ho boy, hay boy] Oh ho boyes, soh ho boyes Stanzas 3 and 4 transposed SW
SW 1 Bui] omit S W
2 Come come] come SW 18 be] be of SW
boy] boyes SW after 18 The Addition by A.B.] omit SW
4 neat,] neat 61 22 Dangling] Tangling SW
5 well] omit SW 23 that those] those that SW
6 lusty young blood] lusty, young, blood, 61 24 Are] EeSW
on 61 (c.)] one 67 (u.) with what growes] of what's growing SW
1 be] be but SW Stanzas 4 and 5 joined SW
9 eighteen] fifteen SW 28 ere we do part] I dapart SW
10 care] feareW 30 I'm 64, 68: I am 61, SW
11 here let her] let us here SW tarry] stand to'tSW
Variant line arrangements are as follows:
11 4-5 of each stanza: one line 67
The author of the poem, R.B., has not been identified. A musical setting by Church is pre-
served in Wit and Mirth: Or, Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1700 and in Songs Compleat, Plea-
sant and Divertive, 1719. See no 1380 in the first line index of Day and Munie.

XXVIII A DIALOGUE TRANSLATED

61, 64,68
Tide: A Dialogue 61
Source not identified.

XXIX COURTSHIP. OUT OF CATULLUS

61, 64, 68, MS, F27

Title: Courtship 61, F27: Out of Catallus 64,68: times agen] add to them MS
omit MS .8 Then] And then MS
2 crabbed] grave MS t'other] a MS
talk] say MS after 8 Chorus MS
3 when I : thought, F27 9 Come] Then Ató
returns] ascends MS 10 kisses] we will MS
4 once] when MS 11 That done] and MS
5 Kiss me] repeated twice MS 12 Wee'l] ow/f MS
a thousand] thousand thousand MS mix] we will mix MS
7 Now kiss a] another MS 13-16 Then least any should descry/Weelehud-

20
 Notes to pages 99-103
die them together / S oe the most invidious eye we'!] we will MS
/ Their just number nere shall know MS 22 While] Whilst MS
17 And then, when we have] Then when we have our] the MS
¥27\ After that wee'veMS 23 have] leave MS
20 all] kissinge all MS 24 kiss and unkiss] repeated three tiroes MS
after 20 Chorus MS till we die] repeated twice MS
21 we'l] we willMS
This is Brome's version of Catullus V (Vivamus mea Lesbia). For .other poems inspired by
Catullus V see Hemck, To Anthea,' p 36; Jonson, 'To Lesbia,' p 86; 'To the same,' p 92;
Marvel!, To his .Coy Mistress,'p 26.

XXX THE ATTEMPT

61,64,68, F27
1 tell you] tell ye F27 16 raging] omit ¥27
1 find] find. 61 24 'tis you that I : 'twas you that 61
3-5 Since Love's a pow'r, etc.: Compare 1.XVII 'A Mock Song,' 11 3-5
9-11 Fair as the light, etc.: See note to l.VI To his Mistress,'11 16-18.
12-13 Those glories which in others stray, etc.: Compare l.XVn 'A Mock Song,' 11 10-12.

XXXI TO A LADY THAT TURNED HER CHEEK

61,64, 68.F27
1 lip] lipps F27 14 Am't] An'tF27
13 shy] good F27 20 ranting 61 (c.)] canting 61 (u.)
9-12 I hate to kiss your drüggs and foiles, etc.: Compare LXXXV To a painted Lady,' 1
13-16.

XXXII PRACTICKLOVE

61,64,68,F27
Title: The Enjoyment ¥27 30 their] our F27
18Not]Nor<5S 34 to64, 68: too61, F27
21 divert] suspend F27 39 stone] story s F27
24 put in] .throw in F27
Several poems use the motif of a lover urging his mistress either to yield or to reject him. See
Carew, *Mediocritie in lové rejected,' p 12 (Dunlap cites analogues by Jonson, Godolphin,
Webbe, Lovelace, Petrarch, and Tasso, p 220); Stanley, 'Delay,' p 18 (Crump cites ana-
logues by Hammond and Guarini, p 381); Cowley, The Same' I, 97; Cotton, 'Ode To
Chloris,' p 160.
1-8 Prithee Caelia tell me, why, etc.: Compare l.XXXVIII 'Advice to Caelia.'
19-21 Though I can't conquer love, Fid fly it, etc.: See note to I.I 'Plain Dealing,' 1137-45.
25-32 Twas not your face, etc.: Compare 1.XXXVII The Recovery,' 11 6-15,
38-40 This kissing and courting not any thing spels, etc.: See note to l.XIX 'Epithalamy.'

21
 Notes to pages 103-7
XXXm TRANSLATED OUT OF FRENCH
61,64,68,F27
11 Heart,] Heart. 61 22 courts] Court F27
16 vowes I : vowe 61
In discussing early seventeenth-century French vers de société, and its influence on the
Cavalier poets, A.H. Upham alludes to Brome's two translations from the French (this poem
and 1.XXXIV), but does not identify Brome's source [The French Influence in English Liter-
ature (New York 1965) 410]. An extensive search through French lyric poetry of the, six-
teenth and seventeenth centuries has failed to turn up Brome's source.
17 Capuchoone: variant form for the obsolete * capuchon,' a hood, or a kind of head dress
OED

XXXIV TRANSLATED OUT OF FRENCH

61, 64, 68, F27
2 too I: to 61 6 too I: to 61
4 to?] to. 61
See note to l.XXXHI Translated out of French.'

XXXV TO A PAINTED LADY

61, 64, 68
4 Don't you 61 (c.)] Do not 61 (u.) 13 pains or time 64, 68: time or pains 61
12 blind?] blind. 61 15 paint] paints, 68
\
For a similar theme see Randolph, 'To a Painted Mistresse,' p 137; Herrick, 'Clothes do but
cheat and cousen us,' p 208. Burton anatomizes clothes and cosmetics as chief allurements to
love, ni, 93ff.
13-16 You need no pains or time to wast, etc.: Compare l.XXXI 'To a Lady that turned her
Cheek,' 119-12.

XXXVI TO A COY LADY

61,64,68
5 you're] you are 68
For poems using similar motifs see note to I.I 'Plain Dealing,' 11 10-18.

XXXVÏÏ THE RECOVERY

61,64,68
3 too 64, 68: to 61 wert 64, 68: art 61
4 conspir'd64, 68: conspired 18 Without64, 68: Whithout<57
5 made 64, 68: make 61
For a poem on a similar theme see Suckling, 'Sonnet I,' p 47.
6-15 And yet me thinks thou'rt wondrous fair, etc.: Compare 1.XXXII 'Practick Love,' 11
25-32.

22
 Notes to pages 108-9
XXXVIH ADVICE TO CAELIA
61, 64, 68
1 enjoy] enjoy. 61 22 May,] May. 61
8 space;] space. 61 35 treasures;] treasures 61
14 oyl'd64, 68: old 61

Ash (ff. 152) andF27 (ff. 56-8) preserve an earlier version of the poem. It is reproduced
below with variants noted.
A poem with similar ideas but a different conclusion is Carew, 'Good Counsel to a young
Maid,' p 13. See also Stanley, 'Counsell,' p 248 for advice similar to that in stanza 2. Com-
pare stanza 1 of 1.XXXII 'Practick Love.'
27-8 That tempting toy thy beauty lies, etc.: See note to I.I 'Plain Dealing,' 11 10-18.
The Advice

1
Prithee my pretty one, while thou hast beauty use it
Doe not thy lovers with coynesse destroy
Beauty was lent the but not to abuse it
Those Roses & Lillies in yr cheekes will away
All the gloryes of a face 5
Tarry but a little space
When youth hath run his race
They'll post away
Then wn love's profferd the doe not refuse it

2
Lett not ye flatteryes of Lovers soe deceave the 10
Nor thinke their prayses will allwayes prove true
Wn age growes on the those features will leave ye
And then those fayre pictures will not be like yo
When you come to antiquitie
The world will plainly see 15
That name of Deitie
Was not you due
Then age will of all thy pfections bereave thee

3
Then while thourt fayre, be kind, leave of denying
Winter will stripp all thy blossomes away 20
Beauty like a shadow will ever be flyinge
The fayrer ye flowers ye sooner decay.
When your youthfull dayes are gone
You will bee lett alone

23
 Notes to pages 108-10
Twilbee too late to moane 25
Your scornfull Nay.
Ifhortall love alone keepes you from dyinge.

F27, Ash
13 those] theisAsh 17 you] ym Ash
14 to] t' Ash 19 fayre] kind Ash
16 That] The Ash 25 moane] mourne Ash

XXXIX THE MAD LOVER

64, 68, H13
Title: omit H13 8 I] Yet IH13
1 love, and in debt,] debtt in love#73 9 There's nothing but money] tis money that
2 and] A #73 only H13
3 are] omit HI3 10 rid] ease #73
enough] were enough H13 11 Twil] itt will H13
4 one poor] any H13 my] of my H13
5 drink] love #73 13 cannot] could not H13
Love] drinke#73 14 Will] would H13
6 Love] drinke#73 15 Then] and then #73
7 though] although HI3

A poem using similar motifs is Suckling, 'Love and Debt alike troublesom,' p 88.
15 amain: with all one's might OED

XL THEMURMURER
64, 68

The sentiments of the poem suggest a date after 1649. For other poems reflecting similar sen-
timents see note to 2.1 'The Royalist.'
15 Chink: a humorous colloquial term for money in the form of ready cash OED, 4. See also
l.XXIII 'A Dialogue,' 1 25; 2.IV 'A Mock-song,' 1 7; 2.V 'The Trouper,' 1 22; 2.XXV 'The
Prisoners,' 1 47; 5.LIX 'On a Combat between a Roman Capon, and a French Cock,' 1 6.

XLI AROUND
64,68
For poems with similar sentiments see note to 2.1 'The Royalist.'
7 pip: a disease of poultry, but applied humorously to various diseases in humans OED, 1 .b

24
 Notes to pages 111-15
XLII THE CAVALIER
64, 68
10 betray'd,] betray'd. 64 38 our] your 68
Reference to a Proclamation in 1 16 dates this poem some time after 29 August 1660 when
Charles II assented to 'An Act for free and general pardon, indemnity and oblivion.' See
Kenyon, pp 365-71. The poem reflects the disappointment of many faithful Cavaliers who
expected greater restitution for their suffering and losses during the previous eighteen years.
See also 3.XIII 'A New Ballad.'

XLIII A WIFE
64, 68
4 or 68: and 64 (see note)

4 For term of life of her or thee: The 68 reading 'or' makes more sense than 64 'and.' The
poet, in giving advice to a friend choosing a wife, argues in the first stanza that the choice
should be a careful one because the friend will have to live with his choice either for the life-
time of the wife or his own.
37 strong-dock'd: lusty, stout OED, s.v. docked

XLIV ON THE QUEENS ARRIVAL

64, 68

Katherina of Portugal arrived in England early in May 1662, with her marriage to Charles II
taking place on 21 May (Masson, VI, 229).
1 From the Lusitanian Shore: Lusitania was an ancient name for Portugal, after its legendary
founder, Lusus.
21 Tagus: a river in Portugal. See note to l.XXIII 'A Dialogue,' 1 26.

XLV A FRIEND

64, 68

In this satiric character, Brome contrasts the greedy, hypocritical, low-born Puritan with a
true friend. For this stereotype of the Puritan see William Holden, Anti-Puritan Satire
1572-1642 (New Haven 1954) and Benjamin Boyce, The Polemic Character 1640-1661
(Lincoln 1955). See also note to 2.XXX 'The New Gentry.'
21-4 But he that is generous, jolly and wise, etc.: See note to 2.XXVI 'Satisfaction,' 1129-38.

25
 Notes to pages 117-19

SECTION 2

I THE ROYALIST
61, 64, 68, Ash, F27
6 we?] we, 61 26 doth] doeF27
1 its] itF27 30 year,] year; 61
8 sack's] sackeF27 31 was;] was, 61
11 doth 64, 68: do I
The speaker in this poem reflects the sad circumstances of the defeated Royalists in 1646.
Brome often emphasizes wine-drinking as an escape from the cares and woes of defeat. See
l.XL 'The Murmurer'; l.XLI 'A Round'; 2.IV 'A Mock-song'; 2.XI 'The Safety'; 2.XII 'The
Companion'; 2.XIH 'Copernicus'; 2.XV 'The Cure of Care'; 2.XVII 'Mirth. Out of Ana-
creon'- 2.XXII 'The safe Estate'; 2.XXVII 'The Club'; 2.XXXI 'The Cheerful heart'; 2.XXXII
'Made and Set Extempore.'
3-4 Though we're in hold, let cups go free, etc.: Brome echoes Lovelace, 'To Althea,' p 78.
5-6 The ground does tipple healths apace, etc.: Compare The Anacreontea, 21 (m Elegy and
Iambus 49) and the versions of Cowley I, 51 and Stanley XIX, p 83.
30Plato's year: The period (variously reckoned from 26,000 to 36,000 years) after which all
the heavenly bodies were supposed to return to their original positions. According to some,
all events would recur in the same order as beforefOED, s.v. Platonic, A.3.b). See Marvell,
'The First Anniversary Of the Government under O.C.' I, 103,1 17; Herrick, 'His Winding-
sheet,' p 245, 1 47.

II THE COMMONERS
61, 64, 68, Ash, F27
Title: Written in 1645] omit Ash, F27 30 gown,] gown 61
to the Club men 64, 68: omit I 31 the Roundhead] St Round-head Ash, F27
2 Boyes] Boyes,<57 37 dumb] drunk Ash
6 your] OUT Ash 48 upstarts] Bobbies Ash, F27
9 health,] health 61 swagger?] swagger, 61
19 wives] and Wives Ash 49 your] OUT Ash
21 the] their Ash
In the summer and fall of 1645, farmers and yeomen had banded together in the counties of
Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, and elsewhere to protect themselves from the plundering of the
armies of both King and Parliament. They were called 'club men' because the rank and file
used clubs as weapons. See Gardiner, Civil War II, 264-5, 305; Wedgwood, pp 429-30, 464,
466-7, 472-3; Clarendon DC, 50. See also 3.V 'The Clown,' 1 13.
The speaker in this poem is a conservative Royalist trying to enlist club men to resist the
Parliamentary armies.
The version in R is a reprint of 61.
31 Thus levell'd are we by the Roundhead: The speaker associates Parliament with the radical
Leveller movement. See notes to 2.IX 'The Levellers rant' and 2.XX 'The Leveller.'

26
 Notes to pages 120-2
IE THEPASTORALL
61, 64, 68, Ash, F27
Title: On the Kings death. Written in 1648] omit o're-rul'd] mVdAsh: are rul'dF27
Ash, F27 11 Cattle] Subjects Ash
1 us'd] useF27 19 And] Where Ash
8 Laurell'd] LawrellF27 Loyalty] Honesty Ash, F27
13 seiz'd I: seized 61 20 skrip and sheephook] King and Kingdome
15 Swain] Charles Ash Ash
16 flocks] people Ash 21 Foxes Shepheards] Tyrants Rulers Ash
Brome wrote two other elegies on Charles's death: 4.LIII 'On the death of King CHARLES'
and 4.LIV 'On the Kings death.'
In explaining his reason for wishing to retain the militia Charles stated: 'I would but
defend myself so far as to be able to defend my good subjects from those men's violence and
fraud who, conscious to their own evil merits and designs, will needs persuade the world that
none but wolves are fit to be trusted with the custody of the shepherd and his flock' (Eikon
Basilike 48).
20 skrip: a small bag, wallet, or satchel, especially one carried by a pilgrim, a shepherd or a
beggar OED, s.v. scrip

IV A MOCK-SONG
61, 64, 68, Ash, F27
1 Hang up] Pox on Ash 9 For] omit Ash
2 wars,] wars 67 11 neither;] neither, 61
4 together;] together 61 14 dignity] Civillity/ls/z: dignity esF2 7
In Ash (f. 135) andF27 (ff. 5-6) this poem is Stanza 4 of 'The Commoners.' See note to 2.1
'The Royalist' for poems expressing similar sentiments.
7 chink: See note to l.XL 'The Murmurer,' 1 15.
11 Good fellows: See note to 2.VI 'The Good-fellow.'

V THE TROUPER
61, 64, 68, A29, Ash, F27
Title: The Carelesse Ash, F27: omit A29 Stanza 2: omit A29
3 grief] griefs A29 12 And Ash, F27: That I. (see note)
or] and Ash measure,] measure 67
5 die] fly ,429 19 Troul] Hand ,429
7 sack] wine ,429 24 that] omit A29
9 souls] hearts 429 go] go hence A29
gladness] mirth boys A29 end] spend A29
after 9 the time we live to wine let us give since all it;] it, 61
must turn to Earth boys A29 25-7 omit A29
The version preserved in A30 is a copy of A29. A musical setting by Henry Purcell is pre-
served in 429, A30, and in The Second Book of the Pleasant Musical Companion, 1701. See
no 670 in the first line index of Day and Murrie. Compare the motifs of this poem with The
Anacreontea, 18A, 45, 48 (in Elegy and Iambus 47, 77, 81) and Stanley's versions, XXI,

27
 Notes to pages 121-3
XXV, XXVI, pp 84, 85.
The speaker is a hard-drinking soldier living by plunder, a frequent stereotype for soldiers
on both sides.

12 And know neither bound nor measure: Ash andF27 preserve the correct reading 'And.'
The compositor of 67 was probably influenced by the 'That' of the previous line. His error
was followed in 64, 68.
19 Troul about the bowl: to cause to pass from one to another hand round among the company
present OED, s.v. troll, III.6
22 chink: See note to l.XL 'The Murmurer,' 1 15.

VI THE GOOD-FELLOW

61, 64, 68, TJ, SW, MD61, H38, H39, A22, A293, RP2, RP14, Ash, F16, ¥27 (sv)
Title: A Ramble by Mr. A.B. TJ: A Song SW: The 24 Indies I : Indias 61, H39
Joviall Loyallist MD61: omit H38, A22, A293, 25-7 lines 16-18 TJ, MD61, H38, H39, Ash
RP2, F16: Cavalier Rant #39: The Ranter RP14 27 is 61, 64, 68, ¥27: we are/422: it Ash: now Z
Stanza 1 arranged as prose A293 Roses 61, 64, 68, A22, ¥27: Rose is Z
I Stay, stay 61, 64, 68, Ash, F16, F27\ Stay Z Stanza 4 omit A293
gate I: gates 61, ¥27 28 This, this 61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27: Lett/422, RP2:
4 which] thztSW, A22, RP14, F27 Come RP14: this Z
you] we TJ, H38 must] it/422: thisRP2: drink RP 14
5 this 61, 64, 68, A293, ¥27: ourF76: the I go] &RP14
6 your] our TJ, MD61, H38 A293, Ash 29 Off w' TJ: Off 61, 64, 68, A22, RP2, ¥27: D'off
cheeks by] cheeke by H39: noses A22 SW, H39, RP14: Off with MD61, H38, Ash, ¥16
your] goodly, MD61, H38, A293: with422: our (see note)
Ash hats] hates 68: caps SW, H39
1 sun's Z : sun is 61, 64, 68 (see note) till the Z : till that the 61, 64, 68 (see note)
8 Tomorrow he'l] In the morne he will 7/39 crown'd] crown'd, 61
9 Drink] Give us SW 30 beavers.] beavers 61
wine,] wine 61 31 red-coated] carbuncled ¥16
Stanza 2 omit A293 32 at] and his TJ, SW, MD61, H38, RP2: and's/422,
10 Fill, fill 61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27: Drink RP2, ¥16: RP14, ¥16, ¥27
Come fill RP14: Fill I 33 trembles] quake ¥16
glass,] glass 61 shivers] receive us ¥16
11 passe,] passe 61 34 march our faces] we march forward ¥16
13 set] post A22 those 61, 64, 68, SW, A22, ¥27: some Z
14 mindes] minde TJ, H38, H39, Ash, ¥27 35 wenches67, 64, 68, ¥27: whores they/422, RP2:
15 six] Sixes SW, Ash: sexe^22: liquors ¥16 whores and ¥16: whores do Z
doth] omitSW, ¥16: will A22 fall] omit ¥16
16-18 lines 25-7 TJ, MD61, H38, H39, Ash down] omit SW, ¥16
16 the Vine] wine TJ: the wine SW: good wine the vulgar] the Vulgars TJ, H39: worship RP2
MD61 adore] before RP2
18 not] omit A22 'urn,] 'um67: them/422, RP2, RP14: usF76
bow-dy'd] budded SW, A22: studded ¥16 36 'urn.] 'urn61: them/422, RP2: usF76
thine] thy Ash An Addition by M.C. Esquire 64, 68, SW, A22,
his 61, 64, 68, ¥27: face Ash: is Z RP2, RP14, ¥16: omit Z
Stanza 3 omit A293, ¥16 Title: omit SW, A22, RP2, RP14, ¥16
20 We'167, 64, 68, SW, Ash, ¥27: 'Twill Z 37 Call, call 64, 68: Call Z
heads] headMD67: hearts H39: body A22 38 Hang] with ¥16

28
 Notes to pages 122-4
39 It disgraces] To our graces F16 true 64, 68: right I
40 When] Those SW 43-5 omit F16
our] theRP2, F16: omit SW, A22 44 wil 64, 68: can I
appear] that appear SW without them, had we more in] had we thrice
41 We justly may] You safely may SW, RP14: as much more in 422: without any scoaring
You may justly A22, RP2, F16 RP2
42 That] omit SW, ¥16 45 Without them had we noRP2

Variant line arrangements are as follows:

11 1-2 of each stanza: one \ineH39
11 1-3 of each stanza: two lines RP14, F16
11 4-5 of each stanza: one \ineMD61, H39, RP2, Ash, F16
1 6 of each stanza: two lines SW
The version inMD70 is a reprint ofMD6L A musical setting is preserved in Wit and Mirth:
Or, Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707 and in Songs Compleat, 1719. See no 3063 in the first
line index of Day and Murrie.
Clarendon uses the phrase 'the good fellows' to refer to the hard-drinking wits under
Henry Wilmot's command (VIII, 94). In common usage, the 'good fellow' refers to a jovial
roisterer. See 2.IV 'A Mock-song,' 1 11; 2.XX 'The Leveller,' 1 69; 2.XXVII 'The Club,' 1 23;
2.XXVIII 'The Prodigal,' 1 15; 3.II 'Upon a Sign-Post,' 1 72.
7 The sun's gone to tipple all night in the sea boyes: Metrically, 'sun's' of all other versions
is better than 'sun is' of the editions.
15 heretical six: six-shilling beerO£D, s.v. six, B.4.a
18 bow-dy'd: dyed scarlet OED
22 carbuncled: spotted, pimpled, red. OED, 2 quotes this reference from Brome.
21 under the Roses: privately, in secret, Sub Rosa OED, s.v. rose, 7. Compare the use of this
phrase in 'Prattle your Pleasure,' Wright, p 49.
29 Off w'your hats, till the pavement be crown'd: The reading 'Off your hats' of 61 is cor-
rupt. TJ preserves a better reading 'Off w'your hats.' Other texts have 'Off with' and 'D'off.'
The reading 'till that the' of the editions is awkward. The 'that' seems to have been inserted
to provide an extra syllable needed because of the omission of one in the first half of the line.
30 beavers: hats made of beaver's fur OED, 3
32 Sergeant at mace: an inferior executive officer, carrying a mace as a badge of office OED,
s.v. sergeant, 8.b
34 those of the Quorum: Justices of the Peace OED
36 Linkboyes: boys employed to carry a link (torch) to light passengers along the streets OED
M.C. Esquire: unidentified

VII THE ANSWER (BY TJ.)

77, 61, 64, 68, MD61, H38, H39, A22, RP2, RP14, Ash, F27 (sv)
Copy-text: 77
Title: The Mock Song by TJ. 61, 64, 68, F27: 1 Hold] Hold, hold 61, 64, 68, Ash, F27
Answer H39: omitA22, RP2: The anti-Ranter 3 (If ye can) TJ, H39: If you can I
RP14-. The Mock Song to Stay, shut the Gate, y'have 77, H39: you have#35: youRP2, RP14:
etc. (by T.J.)Ash you've I
(by T J.) ed.: omit TJ 6 Whilest 77, H38, H39, RP2: While I

29
 Notes to pages 124-5
a 77, A22: the I must slink] must you shrinke ,422: must
7 your] his Ash, ¥27 shrinke Ash
8 Drink and] drinking and/?P2, RP14: drinking 23 swear and] omit 61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27
61, 64, 68, Ash, F27 24 Curse] course<57, 64, 68, RP14, Ash, F27: Cures
9 Hath] Have 61, 64, 68, Ash, F27 A22
brought] brouht 77: calld A22 a] the 61, 64, 68, RP14, Ash, ¥27
Prerogative] Majesty A22 royall] \oya\\H39
so to TJ, H38, A22: thus toMD61, RP2, RP14: Delinquent;] Delinquent, 77
unto H39: now to I 25 Beer-bowls] bottles ,422
Bar Boys] Bar-Boys 77 26 three] licke,422
10 Throw] Throw, throw 61, 64, 68, Ash, F27 27 y'had] you'd 61, 64, 68, MD61, Ash, F27: ye
12 extracts] abstracts H39 had H38: yould RP14: have ,422
worth] \vittsH39: witt/422, RP2 Fairfax or I : F. or 77: Oliver MD61
14 Which is] Thats67, 64, 68, Ash, F27: which Cromwel I : C. TJ
was .422 28 Drink] Drink, drink 61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27
16 thought] though H38: rantid/422 30 source] force A22
(in the World)] under heavens H39: and raved 32 Kirk] King 61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27
A22: in this world RP14 33 Bonnets;] Bonnets, TJ
there was] there's 61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27\ and 34 You]IMD67
A22:omitH39, RP14 you are] they're 61, 64, 68, Ash, F27: you'r
no Power] thought none A22 MD61, RP14: y'are#39: the/422
17 Y o u Z : Ye77, MD67 charm'd] kingdome is ,422: foo\dRP2
18 Cuds] Gods 61, 64, 68, Ash, F27: that Gods your female] the Kingdomes 61, 64, 68, H39,
H39: CudRP14 Ash, ¥27: swayed ,422: the female RP2
hath] has 61, 64, 68, Ash: quiteH39: haveF27 Enchanters] by inchanters,422: chanters/?/^
vanquish'd] rowted#P74 35 And therefore give place to the peoples Sup-
Stanza 3: omit RP2 planters H.39, RP14: And yow give place for the
19 Fly] Fly, fly 61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27 peoples supplanters,422: And you see how you
20 you are] y'areAfDd/, H39: you're I are schoold by the peoples supplanters RP2
22 ye] omit A22: you Z 36 can TJ, H38, RP2: will Z
Variant line arrangements are as follows:
11 1-2 of each stanza: one \ineRP14
11 1-3 of each stanza: rearranged A22
11 2-3 of each stanza: one line RP2
11 4-5 of each stanza: one line RP2
The answer to 2.VI 'The Good-fellow' was written by Thomas Jordan and appeared in Clar-
aphil and Clarinda in a Forest of Fancies, 1650? I have found no evidence to indicate that
the version of the poem in 67 has Jordan's authority. Therefore, I have chosen the version in
TJ as copy-text. A version in H38 is copied from TJ.
Reference to the 'late War' (1 8) dates this poem shortly after 1646, but before 1650 when
it first appeared in print.

18 Cuds Nigs: an oath. See note to 1 53 of 'A Dialogue between Two Zealots,' Cleveland, p
85.
32 For the Kirk against the State: This may refer to the alliance between the Scots and the
Royalists during the Second Civil War in 1648.

30
 Notes to pages 125-7
VIII THE ANSWER

61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27

2 Least] Let 68 23 the] your Ash, F27
o'th' Ash, F27: 'th67, 64, 68 (see note) feminine Z : femine 61
6 it] us Ash 27 going;] going 61
12 ha'no] have no Ash 30 rowing.] rowing? 61
or] and Ash 33 boyes?] boyes 61
15 Canary;] Canary 61 36 Cromwel] omit F27
16 He]Hee'sF27 noses.] noses 61
18 camp] Camps Ash 42 hearing.] hearing 61
miscarry.] miscarry 61 43 strumpets] trumpets Ash
19 You] The Ash 45 Gunpowder] omit F27
21 plain] omit Ash 46 does] doeF27
22 warmer,] warmer 61 47 require I (Errata 61): acquire 61
2 Least thy brain, like thy purse run o'th' score: The reading "th' of the editions is incorrect.
Ash andF27 preserve the correct reading 'o'th',' giving the sense 'run on the score,' ie, run
into debt. Compare Cleveland, 'The Rebell Scot,' p 31,1 87; 'To P. Rupert,' p 35,176. See
also 2.XXV 'The Prisoners,' 1 55; 2.XXVHI 'The Prodigal,' 13.
4 Traytors in grain: dyed scarlet or crimson, used figuratively to denote fools, knaves, or
rogues OED, s.v. grain, III.lO.c
36 That Cromwel is an enemy to sack and red noses: See note to 5.LVII 'Cromwell's Pane-
gyrick,' 1 5 for Cromwell's red nose.

IX THE LEVELLERS RANT

61, 64, 68, A293, Ash, F27, F40

Title: Levellers songe/4293: The Levellers Ash, to] shalU293, F40
F27: no title F40 the] a/4293, F40
4 have endeavoured] doe endeavoure F40 spread-eagle.] spread-eagle 61
but we work] to worke F40 18 the] omit A293
ends] own ends F40 19 omitA293
5 pull] bringe A293, F40 They are] th'are F40
8 our] omit F40 to sway] for to sway F40
the knee] downe there knee F40 20 And] forF40
11 For] When A293: that F40 all] omit F40
to be] bee A293: areF40 21 'Tis] itsF40
12 First the] Next aF40 22 For] thatF40
13 we] wee'le/4293, F40 Saints to] states shall F40
14 the spawn] our frendsF40 27 freedom that we do hold forth to] liberty we
were] be F40 all fought for in F40
prouder] wiser Ash that] omit A293
he] weeF40 the] this A293, F40
15 next] then ,4293, F40 Nation Z : Nations 61
16 It] Which F40 28 creation;] creation 61
does] doth 4293: doeF40 29 mens] mansF27
the] ouldA293, F40 spirit,] spirit<57
Romish] Roomesy4293: Romans F40 30 our own] ours F40
17 For] When A293, F40 31 that] omit F40
State] states F40 32 By] To Ay/*

31
 Notes to pages 126-7
Might,] Might 61 that must judge] shall enjoye F40
33 Are] thatF40
Variant line arrangements are as follows:
11 1-2: one line A293
11 14, 16, 17, 25, 26, 28: two lines eachX295

The version in R is a reprint of 61. A musical setting is preserved in F40.

Though the speaker in this poem is represented as a Leveller, the sentiments are more in
accord with the Remonstrance of the Army discussed by the Council of Officers in early
November 1648. In mid-November, a conference was held between Independent officers of
the Army and representatives of the Levellers (including John Lilburne), during which the
officers agreed to add some paragraphs from the Levellers' Agreement of the People to the
Remonstrance. The Levellers opposed the Army's desire to dissolve Parliament and to exe-
cute the King because they feared establishment of a military dictatorship. Thus, they pressed
for a constitutional settlement first. The resulting Remonstrance was presented to a shocked
Commons on 20 November 1648. The chief demands of the Remonstrance were (1) to bring
the King to justice, (2) to order the surrender of the Duke of York and Prince of Wales to Par-
liament, (3) to sequester the estates and revenues of the Crown, (4) to bring the chief sup-
porters of the King to justice, and (5) to pay off the Army's arrears. The proposals for a new
constitution show the influence of the Levellers. These were (1) that the existing Parliament
be dissolved, (2) that subsequent Parliaments be guaranteed on the basis of redistribution and
a reformed franchise, (3) that the King's adherents be temporarily disenfranchised, (4) that
Parliament be supreme in the state, and (5) that if monarchy should be retained, it should be
elective, and the monarch should have no veto or negative vote. See Gardiner, Civil War IV,
233-53; Masson HI, 616-20; Underdown, Pride's Purge 117-33. When the Commons con-
tinued to postpone consideration of the Remonstrance, the Army marched into London, and
after a debate with their allies among the MP's decided to purge Parliament of refractory
members (Gardiner, Civil War IV, 254-75; Underdown, Pride's Purge 133-42).
Underdown (Pride's Purge 109) records a report of comments made by a group of Level-
lers demonstrating at the door of the Commons two days after the presentation of the Level-
lers' Humble Petition (13 September 1648) to the effect 'that they knew no use of a King or
Lords any longer; and that such distinctions were the devices of men, God having made all
alike.'
For a Royalist satirist there was little to choose between Levellers and Army radicals, for
both were determined to overthrow existing constitutional arrangements and to set up a
republic.
9-11 'Tis no lesse then treason, etc.: Leveller polemics regularly appealed to God's law
embodied in the law of nature and the individual's right reason in support of their claim for
the natural equality of all men and to justify their attacks on the entrenched hierarchical social
order. In The Levellers in the English Revolution, ed. G.E. Aylmer (London 1975), see
Overton, 'An Arrow against all Tyrants': 'For by naturall birth, all men are equally and alike
borne to like propriety, liberty and freedome...' (p 69); Lilburne, 'Postscript to Londons
Liberty': '[God] originally gave no Lordship, nor Soveraignty, to any of Adams Posterity,
by Will, and Prerogative, to rule over his Brethren-Men' (p 71). See also Joseph Frank, The
Levellers (Harvard 1955) 93; 2.n 'The Commoners,' 1 31; 2.XX 'The Leveller,' 11 13-14.
16 enveagle: variant spelling of inveigle, meaning to entice, allure, seduce OED, 2
25 cushon-cuffers: preachers who indulge in violent actions OED, s.v. cushion, 11. The

32
 Notes to pages 127-9
speaker is probably referring to ranting preachers.
31-3 For we that have right, etc.: See 2.XVIII 'The Independants resolve, 11 9-11; 3.X 'Come
let us be merry,' 11 57-8.

X THE NEW-COURTIER

61, 64, 68, WD61, ¥27

Title: A health to King Charles when loyalty was a 30 Halberted] habberdly WD61
crime WD61 31 Or] And WD61
4 King,] King 61 should] chance to WD61
goblet] goblets WD61 32 make their twybill'd militia to] with his twibel
5 recover;] recover 61 maliciously WD61
6-7 one line 61, 64, 68 36 sotts] Scots WD61
9 Our] And our WD61 37 'urn both] them WD61
13 drink] laugh WD61 38 beat] be 64
14 mournival] mournifull WD61 up] an WD61
18 Conduits] Conduit WD61 alarums] alarum WD61
20 And] For WD61 39 Thus] And WD61
21 drink, shall be peers] Sack will appear WD61 each] the WD61
22 While] And WD61: Whiles 68 40 the] our WD61
wears] doth wear WD61 glasses,] glasses. 61
24 the Bores] all the bores WD61 42 drink] to drink WD61
28 ten 's of] tends to WD61
Reference to the 'new-crown'd King' (1 14) dates this poem early in 1649. Charles II was
proclaimed King at Edinburgh 5 February 1649.

6 pottles: pots or vessels containing half a gallon OED, 1 .b. See also 118; 2.XII 'The Com-
panion,' 1 8; 2.XXVIE 'The Prodigal,' 1 2.
14 mournival of healths: a set of four OED, 2
24 Bores of the Nation: the figure of boars on a coat of arms
30 Halberted train: soldiers armed with halberts, weapons combining a spear and battle-ax
OED, s.v. halbert, 2
32 twybill'd militia: constables armed with double-bladed battle-axes OED, s.v. twybill, 3

XI THE SAFETY

61, 64, 68, MD61, RB3, Ash, F27, F39 (sv)

Title: Good Advice against Treason MD61: omit ¥27
RB3: Mr. Lows Song F39 ones,] ones 61
1648] 164665 13 I'm] He'sM£>67,
2 truth of] truth against MD61 with] mMD61, F39
state,] state 61 he] theyM£>67, RB3, Ash, ¥27
3 reason,] reason 61 can be] areMD67, RB3
4 See and hear] To think MD61 with] inMD61,F39
can] will MD61 three,] three. 61
5 proverbs] Proverb MD61, RB3, Ash, ¥27, ¥39 14 I] heM>67
do] doth MD61, RB3, ¥39: does Ash could] might MD61, RB3
Stanza 2: Stanza 3 MD61 it.] it, 61
10 Let the three kingdoms fall] But what if the 15 on high] aloft MD61
Kingdom returns MD61 hate] Fate MD61
one] three RB3, Ash, 17 creeps] isMD61

33
 Notes to pages 129-31
lives] isMD61, RB3, Ash, F39 30 leave] freedom MD61
safe] close RB3 31 while their heads they] whilst our Noses we
state] estate MD61, RB3 MD61
18 greatness] the great onesMD67 32 And in liquor do] But we'll liquor them, and
doth I : do 61, MD61 MD61
it] himMD67, ¥27 'urn.] 'urn, 61: them, MD61
Stanza 3: Stanza 2MD61: omit F39 34 quire] acquire MD61
19 I am never the better which side] Tis no matter 35 We'l ring out the bells] And then we will
to me who e'rM£>67 drink MD61
21 cattle] chattell##3 36 quench I: drench 61, MD61
23 Traytor.] Traytor, 61 'urn] urn 61: themMD67
24 heap] hoard MD61, RB3 Stanza 5: Stanza 4MD61
25 lust] bounds MD61: lusts RB3 37 that is] thats Ash
has] haveMD67, RB3 40 both] mustMD67, RB3, Ash, F27
mind] minds MD61, RB3 41 Tis] But it isMD61: Wee hadF39
has] have MD61, RB3, ¥27 to] omit F39
measure,] measure 61 drinking.] drinking, 61
27 And 64, 68, RB3: A I 42 sack] RedF39
Stanza 4: Stanza 5 MD61: omit ¥39 44 With a friend that is willing, in mirth we
29 W'thout] Without MD61, RB3, Ash, ¥27 would sport. MD61: Then my true friend and I
patent or] either MD61 togeather would sport. F39
custom or] omit RB3 45 them] itMD61, RB3, F39

The version in/? is a reprint of 67. The version mMD70 is a reprint ofMD61. Other poems
counselling prudence and retirement are 2.XXII The safe Estate'; 2.XXIX The Antipoliti-
tian'; 2.XLIII The Advice.'
1 Since it has been lately enacted high Treason: On 26 February 1649, the Council of State
resolved to issue warrants for the apprehension of any such persons as should either speak or
act anything against the safety of the Commonwealth (Masson IV, 42-3). The Treason Act
itself became law on 14 May 1649 (Gardiner, Commonwealth I, 55; Documents 388-91).
16 pragmatical: officious, meddlesome OED, 4
20 Tubs: a term of abuse for low-born laymen who preached from a tub. See 3.V 'The
Clown,' 1 53; 3.IX The Saints Encouragement,' 11 53-4; 3.XIV The Holy Pedler,' 1 18;
4.XLIII 'On a Comedie called The passionate lovers,' 1 20.
Crosses: Catholics.
29 cursed excise: The excise tax was a popular scapegoat for high prices in 1649-50. See
Underdown, Pride's Purge 282. See also note to l.XXVI 'On the fall of the prices of wine,' 1
25.
38 flirting: sneering or scoffing at, flouting OED, 4
41 Tis better to be drinking: See note to 2.1 The Royalist' for other poems counselling drink
as an escape.

XII THE COMPANION

61, 64, 68, SW, Ash, ¥27

1 Platonical} Platonick SW 19 hurl'd,] hurl'd<57
7 schooles,] schooles. 61 20 completer] compleatSW
8 pottle.] pottle 61 22 the] aSW, Ash, ¥27
15 moral] mortallAsh greater] great SW

34
 Notes to pages 131-5
23 are] be SW 32 you] ye SW
skies,] skies 67 39 features,] features 61
24 students] student F27 40 mine] Wine SW, Ash
26 whole heavens] Horizon SW, Ash, F27
A musical setting is preserved in Wit and Mirth'. Or, Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1700 and in
Songs Compleat, 1719. See no 3655 in the first line index of Day and Murrie. See note to 2.1
The Royalist' for other poems on drinking.
1-2 What need we take care for Platonical rules? etc.: Compare The Anacreontea, 52A (in
Elegy and Iambus 85) and Stanley's version, XXVI, p 91.
8 pottle: See note to 2.X 'The New-Courtier,' 1 6.
18 Sizer: undergraduate student OED, s.v. sizar
23-6 We'l drink till our cheeks are as starred as the skies, etc.: Compare 2.VI 'The Good-fel-
low,' 11 4-9.
31 Lilly: William Lilly (1602-81), the popular astrologer and almanac writer. See 4.XXXVI
'Upon the miscarrier of Letters,' 1 36.
36 Booker: John Booker (1603-67), an astrologerDNB

xm COPERNICUS
61, 64, 68, Ash, F27, F30
Title: omit F30 16 businesse] with bus'nesse F30
6 its I : it 61 Stanza 3: omit F30
1 force,] force 61 23 apart ed.: a part I
8 shuffles] shuffles HF30 26 pass,] pass; 61
13 bride I (Errata 61): bed 61, Ash 31 did] doesF30
15 to] to a 68
Reference to the King (117) suggests that this poem was written before 1649, but most likely
after 1646. For poems with similar sentiments see note to 2.1 'The Royalist.'
8 He that shuffles must inter-line it: He that seeks to evade drinking must nevertheless get in
line to take his turn at the bowl.
30-2 As Copernicus found, etc.: Compare 4.XXXIII 'Upon riding on a tired horse,' 131.

XIV THE PAINTERS ENTERTAINMENT

67, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27

1 hallow] hollow 68 glory,] glory 61
13 be,] be 61 37 delight] delights Ash
14 a] anF27 40 pallat,] pallat67
19 sublimary] Sublunary Ash, F27 43 love,] love 61
21 raise] praise 68 45 it,] it 61
23 elevated.] elevated, 61 50 each Painter is turned a poet] Painters are all
24 the bowles,] omit 61 turn'd Poets Ash, F27
25 love,] love 61 52 love,] love 61
26 the seas] Seas Ash 60 Then let the bowles, 64, 68, F27: Then, 61:
29 brings] brings us Ash Then let Ash
33 bowles,] bowles 61 61 love,] love 61
36 world] word 64

35
 Notes to pages 133-6
4 St. Lukes feast: St Luke has been regarded as the patron saint of painters and the fine arts.
His feast day is 18 October.
19 sublimary: elevated, exalted. OED cites this reference.
22Apelles: a distinguished Greek painter in the time of Alexander the Great; sometimes used
connotatively for a master artist OED

XV THE CURE OF CARE

61, 64, 68, WI, WD56, MD61, H39, Ash, F27 (sv)
Title: Another WD56: The merry Goodfellow 29 Nor] Not WD56: NoMD61, H39, Ash
MD61: The good fellow H39 storms] Thiefe WI: wracks WD56, MD61, H39
Stanzas: each stanza divided after line 7 WI, WD56, 30 We] He WI
MD61, H39 have] has WI
1 jolly] merry Ash, F27 31 Pay] Feares WI: Feare WD56, MD61, H39
2 is] grows WI taxes] plunder WI, WD56, MD61, H39
mad,] mad? 61 or] nor WI, WD56, MD61, H39, F27
3 melancholly;] melancholly' 61 32 But] He WI: We WD56, MD61, H39
4 in] in'sAsh, F27 33 lies] lyeF27
8 mad] damn'd WI 35 or 61, 64, 68: and I
damn'd] dam'nd 61: omit WI 37 steal] break WI, WD56, MD61, H39
money-monger] whoremonger Ash 39 Nay the Plunderers] They may plunder and WI
13 Scriv'ners 64, 68: Scriviners 61, WI55, Ash, 40 take care for] think on WD56, MD61, H39
¥27: the scriveners I 41 laugh] quaffe WI
14 Gulls] guts WD56, MD61, H39 42 wash] drive WI
scraping] raging WI 45 mighty] weighty WI
15 their I : the 61, 64, 68 (see note) 48 we] meH39
vast] fast WI, MD61, H39 49 on;] on 61
22 baffle] baffle, 61 52 But we drink and are] But tis sack makes us
gown] Crown WI WI: Yet our Sack makes us WD56, MD61, H39
26 compris'd] compos 'dW7, WD56, MD61, H39
Versions inR andMD70 are reprints ofMD61, while the version in WD61 is a reprint of WD56.
H39 seems to be a copy ofMD70.
The allusion to 'Goldsmiths-hall' in 1 28 dates this poem after 1644 and not later than
1652. By 1645, the Committee for Compounding, which sat at Goldsmith's Hall, was deal-
ing with an increasing number of Royalists who confessed their delinquency, paid a compo-
sition fine, and received their pardon. The work of this Committee came to an end with the
Act of Pardon (24 February 1652). For the history and operation of this committee see
M.A.E. Green, ed., Calendar of the Proceedings of the Committee for Compounding, etc.
1643-1660 (London 1889-92), 5 vols. See note to 2.1 'The Royalist' for poems expressing
similar sentiments.
15 Have swell'd their Revenues so vast: The reading 'the' of the editions is incorrect. All
other texts read 'their.' The compositor of 61 may have misread the short form 'yr' for 'ye.'
Ash preserves the short form 'yr.'
23 gripple: niggardly, usurious OED
40-2 Then let's not take care for to morrow, etc.: Compare The Anacreontea, 8 (inElegy and
Iambus 27) and versions by Cowley I, 55 and Stanley XV, p 81.
43 Cormorants: insatiably greedy or rapacious persons OED, 2
51 luberly meat: food that makes one lazy and stupid OED, s.v. lubberly, 1

36
 Notes to pages 137-9
XVI CONTENT. OUT OF ANACREON
61, 64, 68, GAsh, ¥27
Title: The Vanity of Wealth G: Content Ash, ¥27 merry.] merry, 61
Anacreon] Anacrean 61 13 destiny] destiny, 61
6 sighs and] griefs andG: omit Ash, ¥27 17 swiftness] labour G, Ash, ¥27
tears?] tears. 61: feares Ash 18 Either to enrich themselves or be undon G: To
9 o're] overG undoe others or to be undone Ash
old] omit G 22 the round] their round G
ferry,] ferry 61 23 too,] too 61
12 We'l] Let's G 24 Ne're] Never G
Based on The Anacreontea, 36 (in Elegy and Iambus 67). Compare Stanley's version XXIII,
pp 84-5. A musical setting by John Gamble is preserved inG. See no 1712 in the first line
index of Day and Murrie.

XVII MIRTH. OUT OF ANACREON

61, 64, 68, Ash, ¥27
Title: Mirth Ash: Mirth. Anacreon ¥27 12 led] fed Ash
1 voices I : voice 61 18 full] uppF27
8 And] omit Ash 19 laid] leddF27
9 account] count Ash

Based on The Anacreontea, 45, 48 (in Elegy and Iambus 77, 81). Compare Stanley's ver-
sions, XV, p 81 and XXVI, p 85. See note to 2.1 'The Royalist' for poems expressing similar
sentiments.
6 Craesus: The wealth of Croesus, King of Lydia, has become proverbial. See Tilley, C832.
See also 2.XXIX 'The Antipolititian,' 1 39.

XVIII THE INDEPENDANTS RESOLVE

61, 64, 68, MD61(1) MD61(2), Ash, ¥27
Title: The Rebel Red-coat MD6/( 1) \ The Red-coats Loyalty] Royalty MD61(1)
Triumph MD61(2): The Souldiers Resolve Ash, 14 While we] We wil\MD61(l), MD61(2)
¥27 the sword] our Swords MD61(1)
1 and] comeMD61(l) Kingdom] kingdoms MD61(1), MD61 (2)
some] moreMD61(l) 15 Our] And ourMD61(l), MD61(2)
2 Let's] Let usMD61(l) power] Powers MD61(2)
day's] day isMD61(l), MD61(2) 18 their] theMD61(2)
3 delights] delight ¥27 19 drink] so drink MD61( 1)
4 his] theMD61(l), MD61(2), Ash, ¥27 20 keep] spend MD61(1)
5 The Crown] For the day MD61(1) 21 And turn] o'th' MD61(1): of theMZM7f2)
6 We'l] Whilst MD61 (1) 23 The] NowMD67f2j
Monarchy baffle] Monarchy we baffle his boggs] a boggMD61(l), MD61(2)
MD61(1): baffle Monarchy MD61(2) 24 men] men, 61
1 drink off] spend all MD61(1) 25 and's] and hisMD61(2)
11 be all] all beMD61(2) the] aMD61(l), MD61(2): their Ash, ¥27
12 lectures] Lecture MD61( 1) foggs] fogMD61(l), MD61(2)
13 to] trueMD67(2) 26 Now] AndMD61(l): And nowMD67(2)

37
 Notes to pages 138-41
27 Superiours and Equalls] Equals and Super- 30 That] While MD61(1): Whilst MD61(2)
ioursMD61(2) may] thusMD61(l): wil\MD61(2)
28 And] Whilst MD61(1) be] areMD61(l)
our] the MD61(1) 32 Eccho] answer MD61 (1)
Variant line arrangements are as follows:
11 9-10 of each stanza: one line MD61(1), MD61(2)
Two versions inMD70 are reprints of those inMD61. The version in/? is a reprint of 61.
This poem caricatures the gloating radical Independents in both Parliament and the Army
who purged the House of Commons on 6 December 1648, broke off negotiations with the
King, and prepared to bring him to trial for treason. For the narrative and analysis of events in
December 1648, see Gardiner, Civil War IV, 254-92; Underdown, Pride's Purge 143-72. See
also note to 2.IX 'The Levellers rant.'
9-11 'Tis power that brings etc.: See note to 2.IX 'The Levellers rant,' 11 31-3.
20 demeans: demesnes; estates possessed OED, 2
24 O hone, O hone: alas, alas OED, s.v. ohone

XIX ON CANARY
61, 64, 68, SW, MD70, H39, Ash, F27
Title: On Good Canary MD70: In the Praise of 32 you] yee#39
Canary H39 33 Muscadine] Muskadel SW
2 Caeres] Phaebus SW, Ash 34 in't;] in't. 61
3 nor] orSW 35 They'l] TheyF27
7 This] The SW spent,] spent 61
8 And] The SW 36 nor] orMD70,H39
10 the glory] glory MD70, H39 in't.] in't67
14 May] omit MD70, H39 37 Bagrag] BraggotSW
15 people] the people MD70, H39 39 Tis] It'sM£>70, H39
16 crackers] Crotchets SW, Ash 41 'tis] it'sMD70,H39
19 Makes] Make 5^, ¥27 42 that] the SW, MD70, H39
our] yourM£>70, H39 44 her.] her 67
20 reel] reekeMD70, H39 45 Tis] It's MD70, H39
whether] whither 64, 68 46 the] his MD70, H39
21 brains] braine/OP came] come SW, MD70, H39, Ash
23 shilling] shillings SW his] omit MD70, H39, F27
24 and] orSW, Ash leather,] leather 67
28 it;] it? 61 48 feather.] feather67

4 Canary: a light sweet wine from the Canary Islands OED

11 Helicon: See note to l.VI To his Mistress,' 1 20.
Thespian spring: associated with Thespis, the reputed founder of Greek drama
13 Perry: a beverage resembling cider, made from the juice of pears expressed and fermented
OED
15 windmill-pated: afflicted with fanciful notions OED, 4
16 crackers: crazy ideas, probably used in the sense of crack-brained
25 Matheglin: a spiced or medicated variety of mead, originally peculiar to Wales OED
29 Claret and White: a name originally given to wines of yellowish or light red colour as dis-
tinguished alike from 'red wine' and 'white wine' OED

38
 Notes to pages 140-3
33 Muscadine: muscatel, a strong sweet wine made from the muscat or similar grape OED
Allegant: alicant or alligant, wine from Alicante in Spain OED
Tent: a Spanish wine of a deep red colour and of low alcoholic content OED
37 Bagrag and Rhenish: variant form of Bacharach (back-rack, back-rag), a town on the
Rhine giving its name to a wine formerly much esteemed OED
44 highshoes: reference to the type of shoes worn by a rustic or countryman in the seven-
teenth century OED
46 hobnails and leather: reference to the typical shoes and garb of a countryman OED

XX THE LEVELLER
61, 64, 68, SW, MD61, H39, RB3, Ash, F27 (sv)
Title: A Song 5^: Grinning Honour MD61: The 23 ell] L. SW, MD61, H39, RB3
Levellers Song #39: omit RB3 25 sounds] thunder SW, H39
2 sit] setRB3,F27 27 dares] does Ash
4 man] Lad SW gallantly] honestly SW, MD61, H39, RB3
demure.] demure 67 28 May be his own herald] Is a Herauld to him-
5 Go hang up] A pox on SW, MD61, H39: A pox self 5^, H39: He's a Herald to himselfMD67: Is
taketfR? a helralding to him selfe RB3
9 finikin] finicallSW, MD61, H39, RB3 32 dam'd] dam'd. 67
11 do] doth SW, H39, RB3: concerneth MD61 37 in's] his SW, MD67: aRB3
spell] omit MD61 his] her 5^
12 chains] Change SW: GownMD67 38 Is] Are both W: Are asMZ)67, H39, RB3
furs,] furs 67 50 brain] wealth SW: brains RB3: life 7/39
13 For at the beginning, etc.-MD67 wealth] brains SW
no] neither SW, RB3 or] andSW, H39, RB3, Ash: and'sMD67
or] nor SW, H39, RB3, Ash, F27 56 not,] not 67
14 omitMD61 badge] BagMD67
'twas policy] who the devil SW, H39, RB3, 57 me] me be Ash, F27
Ash, F27 58 Be] omit Ash, F27
16 Do remain] were at first MD67 61 Who Z : And 67, SW: That #39
Donours,] Donours. 67 time] nights 7/39, RB3, Ash, F27
17 thing] King SW 62 busy] trouble MD67, H39, RB3
18 cling,] cling. 67 68 drinking.] drinking 67
19 to wear] that wearesSJP, MD67, H39 70 Let's drink good Canary untill we grow mel-
'um;] 'um, 67: themMD67, H39 low MD67
21 word 67, 64, 68: thing I worth] mirth H39
Variant line arrangements are as follows:
11 1-2 and 3-4 of each stanza: one lineMD67, H39
11 1-2 of Stanza 2 and following stanzas: one lineRB3
11 6-7, 8-9, and 10-11 of each stanza: one line #39, RB3
The version inMD70 is a reprint ofMD61, and the version in/? is a reprint of 61. A parody of
this song appears in Henry Bold, Poems (1664) 116-19 entitled 'Mock Song.' 'Powells
Answer' appears in//39 (ff. 6-6b). Both are reprinted below.
For the doctrines and program of the Levellers see The Levellers in the English Revolu-
tion, ed. G.E. Aylmer (London 1975); The Leveller Tracts, ed. William Haller and Godfrey
Davies (New York 1944); Joseph Frank, The Levellers (Harvard 1955).
6 congies: See note to l.XVIII 'Reasons of Love,' 1 9.

39
 Notes to pages 141-3
13 For at the beginning was no Peasant or Prince: See note to 2.IX 'The Levellers rant,' 11
9-11.
23 ell: short form for Lord (L.)
69 Good-fellow: See note to 2.VI 'The Good-fellow.'
Mock SONG To I pry'thee don't Fly me, Etc.

1
Pox on thee! get from me,
This does not become thee,
I cannot abide,
One un-frenchefi'd,
A Curse on your Gaffers and Johns \ 5
Your mopps, and your mowes!
With your half legg'd shell'd Shoes,
Your Gammers and Dames
With such rustical Names!
And a full mouthed Oath 10
As a Cifre, to both,
You may keep for the Clownes, and their Sons;
For aspiring (at first) to have been all as one
The Devil's foot was Cleft for a destinction.

2
Abatements1 Degrading, 15
Are for men of Trading,
Who since have forgon
By Birth, what's their own
And their souls are disposed thereafter;
What pleasures in that 20
To be call'd God knows what,
Sir, Richard's of Fame,
Above any Nick-name,
That sounds halt or lame
And is like a May-game 25
To provoke all the hearers, to laughter,
He that bears a base mind, or Mechaniquely lives
Reverts, his own Armes, or a Batoun he gives,

3
I love those Contrivements,
Of noble Atcheivements, 30
Where Argent, and Or
Prefer men before

40
 Notes to pages 141-3
The Vulgar, for Wisdom and breeding;
For why should a Fool,
The Wiser, or'e Rule 35
Who's Lord of the Soyle
But untill'd, the while,
As to Manners or Arts,
Though a Gyant in Parts
And is better worth hanging, then feeding 40
Clounisme is dross, and course flesh, but rust is,
'Tis common (though unclean) to be both Clark and Justice.

4
For why should we be,
Of the new Paritye,
'Cause there are a few 45
Of the Levelling Crew,
Who would have us all equal & brothers
Such turbulent Spirits,
May they have their Demerits
Loose health, wealth & blood 50
With their Countries good
And be condemn'd fit,
To pay, for their Witt,
And hang out oth' reach of all others:
Pesantry's base, and who's born to't must wear it, 55
But Honour is the Merit of the Persons, that bear it.

5
Were I a Prince, for my part,
Let others, go try for't,
Fde soberly Rule,
And smal ones befool, 60
Who squander their times, out in Drinking,
Fie not Intoxicate,
With Canaries, my Pate;
The Scout, Fie assure ye,
And every Mercury, 65
With each book of News,
I will so far use,
To Furnish Discourse after Thinking:
All the Name I desire, is a Person of honour
And he is but a Fool, that relies not upon her. 70

41
 Notes to pages 141-3
Powell's Answer

Bold foole leave thy prate I'le keep up my state

not a foote will I stirre to an earth-borne Sir
that to Genesis flie's for his birth
wth his Eve and his Adam to oppose Lords and Madam
wth his crieing Sirs Ah! wee are all the same clay 5
if one bricke be place'd higher th other's warmer and nigher
thus still he doth plead for his earth
So this base one would mount whilst he cries downe his betters
Like ye foole whose defence is there's Conjuring in letters.

2
Honour defended though it faile may be mended 10
by yor branch that succeeds if yor old stock bleed's
'tis but Cement to make it the stronger
the great ones must carrie it if disorder doe not marre it
whilst yor vulgar fall back to yor what doe you lacke
and yor Rabble that prattle will bid us no Battle 15
though they make our troubles ye longer
He that lost the day has & yet bravely dare die
is a Conquerour still and give's fortune ye lye

3
Why should we then dote on one wth a foole's coate on
whose titles and Armes are but new-bought farmes 20
wth Debentures for his supporters
Why the Devill should they beare dominion or Sway
who can Scarce make their marke wth out help of a Clerke
and if sence they once utter they Starrier and Stutter
their words are their mouth-wracks and tortures 25
Honour thus gain'd like a Bastard in a Parish
Contribution must keep it and Assessment it Cherish

4
What Despising wee see of noble Degree
yet themselves will dare to nibble at a share
sure their Damms inspir'd this brave mind 30
for they will admitt of a Sparke for a fitt
that their progenie might like their mother's be right
and their sonnes that make head might be gott halfe bred
but give me a true Cocke of ye kind

42
 Notes to pages 141-5
Honour's a prize at which all men doe throw 35
't may bee gain'd but nere kept by a Chance-medlay blow

5
Drinke Sacke then and spare not Tie pledge thee I care not
if thy heart nere like mine & my purse nere like thine
'tis the honest good-fellow that looses
'tis your politique lifts thats putts us to our Shifts 40
'tis your cunning State that hasten's our fate
'tis your plotting and thinkeing that spoile's harmelesse drinkeing
good Company all our abuse is
Wee drinke and wee laugh till our heart-strings doe cracke
But a pox take your plotts they're like lime in our Sacke. 45

XXI THE ROYALISTS ANSWER

61, 64, 68, MD61, H39, F27 (sv)

Title: Of Levelling MD61: Answer H39: The or] and 64, 68
Answeare ¥27 50 that] not H39
5 superiors;] superiors, 61: Superiour H39 51 T'other] To hisMD67: to their H39
9 every] ourMD61, H39, F27 54 Him, that's] He that isMD61
14 'Tis64, 68, MD61: 'Twas I born not 64, 68, MD61: born nor I
you] yourMD61 to t'other] the other MD61
you] they MD61 56 merchantable] mere huntable MD61
18 grantee 64, 68: grantees 61: personsMD61, H39: grown] nov/MD61, H39, ¥27
person F27 wares or your] ware, lands, or MD67: lands,
19 wear] weares7/39, F27: woreMD67 wares or 7/39: wares, lands orF27
22-3 and 24-5 reversed MD61, H39, F27 61 thinking;] thinking, 61
25 you and] for 7/39 62 politick] Presbyter MD61, F27: praesbiterians
26 Honest] Since H39 and #39
31 Bore] boorMD61 64 lard] Lords H39
32 got,] got; 61 65 Comment] Covenant MD61, H39
39 wants] vanities MD61: want H39 worse;] worse, 61
41 air] but airMD67, H39, F27 69 And the name I desire is an honest good fel-
42 or the] orMD61: that hasH39 low, MD61
43 Then why] But since H39 think] drinke H39
mayn't we] may not weMD67: we must be #39 70 And that man hath no worth that won't some-
44 Of] ofaMD61, H39, F27 times be mellow. MD61
47 wiser] wise 68
Variant line arrangements are as follows:
11 1-2 and 3-4 of each stanza: one lineMD67, H39
11 6-7, 8-9, and 10-11 of each stanza: one line #39

The version in/? is a reprint of 61, and the version inMD70 is a reprint ofMD6L
26 Digger: Opponents of the Levellers associated them with the small radical communist
group, the Diggers.
62 politick Jewes: Presbyterians (preserved inMD67, ¥27, H39). See 1 .XXV 'Upon the Cava-
leers departing out of London,' 1 24.

43
 Notes to pages 145-9
XXII THE SAFE ESTATE
61, 64, 68, ¥27
5 nor] or ¥27 42 thoughts] minds ¥27
6 nor] orF27 43 But] While ¥27
crown.] crown 61 45 is] are ¥27
1 doth] that doth 68 48 obey'd and] omit ¥27
despise ¥27: devise. I (see note) ador'd,] ador'd. 61
18 mind,] mind. 61 49-55 In a trice are Kickd downe / Both he and
19 To's] To's his 64, 68 his Crowne, / And not only soe / But his must
29 ears] his eares ¥27 goe too / For one ill act or other / Who enjoyes
39 no] noe F27: not I (see note) his owne selfe / And scrapes not for pelfe. ¥27
41 Courtiers 64, 68: Courters67 56 or] of 68

Reference to a 'Republique' in 1 28 dates this poem between 1649 and 1653. As a security
measure, the Commonwealth government passed an act on 26 February 1650 ordering all
delinquents to leave London. They were forbidden to come within twenty miles of the city
after that date, and their movements were restricted to a radius of five miles from the parish in
which they resided (Gardiner, Commonwealth I, 247). Brome's speaker, then, represents the
Royalist gentry who were forced to retire to the country. For other poems on the theme of
retirement see note to 2.XI 'The Safety.' For poems using wine-drinking as an escape see note
to 2.1 'The Royalist.'
1 How happy a man is he: Brome is echoing the opening line of Horace'sEpode II, 'Beatus
We.'
1 He doth sit and despise: The reading 'devise' of the editions is incorrect. F27 preserves the
correct reading 'despise.'
8 Mushromes: upstarts OED, s.v. mushroom, 2. See 2.XXX 'The New Gentry,' 1 4.
10 quoil: coil, tumult, turmoil OED, s.v. coil
39 And no higher doth clime: The reading 'not' of the editions is incorrect. F27 preserves the
correct reading 'no.'

XXIII THE FATE

61, 64, 68, ¥27

Title: no title 61, 64, 68 18 go,] go 67
1 Th']TheF27 27 longer;] longer, 61
4 do] will F27 32 man] weeF27
cry,] cry; 61 36 great] greater ¥27
1 she] he 68 39 me,] me 61

The title has been adopted from F27.

XXIV THEPOLITITIAN

61, 64, 68, ¥27

Title: The Polititian F27 21 chalk'dl: chalked 61
7 who's 64, 68: who'se67, F27 24 men;] men. 61
8 t'] to 64, 68 25 let you freely 64, 68: frely let you 61, ¥27
11 fidle] fidle, 61 28 one line 68: two lines I
19 blinded] blinder 68 33 esteems] esteemeF27

44
 Notes to pages 148-51
34 its] itF27 44 sacrifice and prey] prey and sacrifizeF27
none 64, 68: who 61, ¥27 48 his soul] himselfeF27
38 player,] player. 61 pelfe,] pelfe. 61
40 do,] do 61 49 idly I : idle 61
41 too] to 61

The speaker in this poem expresses the politic sentiments of many in 1649 who had to
accommodate themselves to the new government. The Hobbesian note is evident in 11 7-9
Apologists in 1649 like Anthony Ascham anticipated Hobbes's argument that since the end of
government is to preserve the safety of the people, individuals are bound to give obedience to
any government which provides this safety, even if it has attained power by conquest. See
Ascham, A Discourse: Wherein is Examined, What is Particularly Lawfull during the Con-
fusions and Revolutions of Governments (London 1648) and J.M. Wallace, Destiny His
Choice: The Loyalism of Andrew Marvell (Cambridge 1968).
21 chalk'd weapons: The bill-men may have put chalk on their bills to make them more visi-
ble at night or to make them easier to grip.
28-36 I'll ne're admire that fatuous fire, etc.: the ignis fatuus, used allusively as that which
deceives OED. For a similar image and idea see 2.XXXVI 'On Sir G.B. his defeat,' 11 9-16.
See also 4.XXX 'A new years gift,' 1 13.
37 Since all the world is but a stage: proverbial. See Tilley, W882.
42 whiffler: swaggerer, braggadocio OED, b. See also 6.VI To Master RICHARD BROME,
upon his Comedie,' 1 6.
45 whirlegigs: fickle, inconstant persons OED, s.v. whirligig, 3.b

XXV THE PRISONERS

61, 64, 68, F27

Title: The Prisoners F27 40 Before they knowe what is the matter F27
2 have been voted] are a votingeF27 41-2 one line F27
4 gown,] gown 61 Our Crime is but debt, and our doome is to gett
11 So that now] But yetF27 F27
must venture to drink 'um] may doe itF27 43 Unto Hopkins to learne his psa'terF27
stealth.] stealth 61 season,] season 61
22 clearly see what was] see what'sF27 44 Or to Sterne-hold that's over the water F27
23 thrown] pulldF27 45 ditties] ditty F27
also,] also 61 still be] shalbee F27
26 drunk] dranke F27 47 live by our] spend all the F27
31 King] King. 61 51 all] omit ¥27, 68
32 the] hisF27 54 got] gettF27
33 shall be the Standard] the Standard shalbee 55 And] Then F27
F27 swear] sweare out F27
every] eachF27 out on the very same] on thatF27
38-9 one line ¥27 score.] score 61
39 estates] flesh F27
On 20 April 1653 Cromwell forcibly dissolved the remnant of the Long Parliament (Gardi-
ner, Commonwealth II, 261-5). The dissolution sparked speculation about the possibility of
Cromwell's assuming the Kingship (Gardiner, Commonwealth II, 278-9). In fact, Cromwell
himself had advanced this idea to Whitelocke in November 1652 (Gardiner, Commonwealth
II, 230).

45
 Notes to pages 150-2
Several poems and ballads were composed on the occasion of the dissolution of the Rump,
a few assuming that Cromwell would take on the title of King. See 'Upon Olivers dissolving
the Parliament,' Rump I, 305; 'Upon Cromwell's pulling out the Long Parliament. 1653,'
Rump I, 320; 'The House out of Doors. April 20. 1653,' Rump I, 366; 'The Parliament
Routed,' Wright, p 126; 'The House out of Doors,' Wilkins I, 100; 'A Christmas Song,'
WilkinsI, 117.
2 Now healths have been voted down: The Royalist misdemeanour most frequently reported
in 1651 was drinking healths to Charles II (Hardacre, p 74).
16-22 Those men that did fight, etc.: reference to the supporters of the Independents in Par-
liament
23 Now their Idol's thrown down: The remnant of the Long Parliament was dissolved by
Cromwell on 20 April 1653.
sooterkin: OED defines 'sooterkin' as an imaginary kind of afterbirth formerly attributed to
Dutch women. Brome is probably using the term in a figurative sense, but it is not clear
exacly what he is referring to. He may be referring either to a person or to acts of the Rump
that would be considered as unnatural offspring.
34 Those politick would-bees do but shew themselves asses: Brome frequently scoffs at
political opportunists who gained power and wealth after the execution of the King. See note
to 2.XXX 'The New Gentry.'
47 chink: See note to l.XL 'The Murmurer,' 1 15.
55 on the very same score: See note to 2.VIII 'The Answer,' 1 2.

XXVI SATISFACTION

61, 64, 68, ¥27

3 gray,] gray 67: gay 68 28 and then 64, 68: then 61, F27
11 fists F27: fist I (see note) 29 just,] just 61
14 wheel I : rule 61 34 strong,] strong. 61
Stanza 3 omit ¥27 (3 additional stanzas included in 35 can, yet] can yet, 61
¥27 after Stanza 2 (see note) wrong:] wrong. 61
23 action ¥27: actions I (see note) 36 and a] and ¥27
25 faction.] faction 61
¥27 (ff. 109-10) preserves three additional stanzas after Stanza 2. Stanza 3 of the editions
seems to be a condensed version of these stanzas and suggests thatF27 was an earlier version.
The three stanzas are reprinted below.
11 fists: The reading 'fists' of ¥27 preserves the rhyme with 'consists' of 1 9.
23 action: The reading 'action' of ¥27 preserves the rhyme with 'faction' of 1 25.
29-38 A mind that's honest, pure and just: Compare James Shirley's character of a virtuous
man, 'Et Longum, Formosa, Vale,' in The Dramatic Works and Poems of James Shirley, ed.
the Rev. A. Dyce (New York 1966) 452. See also l.XLV 'A Friend,' 11 21-4.
The following Stanzas in ¥27 are not in 61.

3
Those that lov'd to goe to sea
Placd it in prosperous navigation
They that on land desired to bee

46
 Notes to pages 152-3
Lov'd ample power & domination
But when both supposall's scand
This thing by sea & that by land
Neither does it rightly understand

4
One his Countryes love desires
Another conquest of his foes
A third to glory and fame aspires
The next for stately buildings goes
One to bee powerfull, t'other wise
This witt & eloquence doth prize
But all doe but judge upon surmise.

5
This Nobility, that wealth
A third doats on a pleasant storye
One likes long life with joy & health
Some children, some in beauty glory
All these are like, but are not that
Something there is that all drive att
But only differe about the whatt.

XXVII THE CLUB

61, 64, 68, A33, F27

Title: omit A33 13-16 What do you mean oh fie nay what do you
2 Nothing's I : Nothing 61 do you're the strangest man that e'er I knew
care] Cares A33 A33
4 'twil domineer] still domineers A33 Stanza 3 omit A33
5-8 Since time so kind to us does prove so kind to 17 heart I : hearts 61
us does prove do not my dear refuse my love 19 lowsy] lowly F27
A33 24 sence.] sence, 61
6 nest,] nest 61 25 clocks,] clocks 61
1 thee 68: the I 29 still] omit 68, A33
9 Be it] But if A33 31 flincher] flinchers A?.?
businesse,] businesse 61 32 We'l have] repeated twice A33
10 thy] my 68 after 32 I must I must I can't forbear I can't for-
11 them] 'em A33 bear lye still lye still my dearA?3
morrow,] morrow 61
A33 preserves Henry Purcell's musical setting. Purcell's setting is also found in The Second
Book of the Pleasant Musical Companion. 1701. See no 2759 in the first line index of Day
and Murrie. For other poems on a similar theme see note to 2.1 'The Royalist.'
23 good fellows: See note to 2.VI 'The Good-fellow.' See also 1 30 below.
31 flincher: one who passes the bottle, or abstains from drinking OED, 2

47
 Notes to pages 154-8
XXVIII THE PRODIGAL
61, 64, 68, F27
Title: The Citty heireF27 'um,] 'urn 67
12 for't] boysF27 31 do t'other] noe JollityeF27
21-4 omit ¥27 36 fathers Z : father 61
28 And then leave it] Which they leave us F27 'um I : them 61
For other attacks on profligate heirs see 2.XXXIV 'The Reformation,' 11 93-9.
2 pottle: See note to 2.X 'The New-Courtier,' 1 6.
3 on the score: See note to 2.VIII 'The Answer,' 1 2.
8 fetch: a contrivance or trick OED, l.b
14 white-liverd: feeble-spirited, cowardly OED
15 goodfellows: See note to 2.VI The Good-fellow.'
20 headnose: probably a reference to Cromwell, whose nose was a frequent butt of satirists.
See 5.LVH 'Cromwell's Panegyrick,' 1 5.

XXIX THE ANTIPOLITITIAN

61, 64, 68, ¥27
1 care] Cares F27 19 higher,] higher 61
2 freely,] freely 61 35 more,] more. 61
8 's not I : 's no 61 38 or] andF27
15 content Z : consent 61 39 Craesus's I : Craesus 61
For poems reflecting similar motifs see note to 2.XI 'The Safety.'
39 My wealth I'll not for Craesus's give: See note to 2.XVII 'Mirth. Out ofAnacreon,' 1 6.

XXX THE NEW GENTRY

61, 64, 68, ¥27
Title: The cure of pride F27 29 snails] shall F27
6 wants] wantF27 35 applaud] applaud, 61
schooling,] schooling. 61 44 melancholly.] melancholly 61
9 thee] theF27 49 fall their] fall by their F27
10 thou] thou. 61 50 troubles,] troubles. 61
11 fashion.] fashion 61 51 fit] fit, 61
14 see,] see 61 52 wit,] wit 61
16 were I: where 61 53 Inspir'd I: Inspired 61
17 slavish,] slavish. 61 54 defi'd I : defied 61
20 pray] pray, 61 55 turning] turnings F27
27 Ventering] Venturing64: Ventured 56 him] him, 61
body] body and 64, 68 61 him.] him 61
28 it,] it 61
The poem attacks those giving respect to men of the lower orders who achieved wealth and
status through their support of the new government in the 1650s. Brome frequently attacked
these political opportunists. See 2.XXV The Prisoners,' 1 34; 2.XXXIII The Answer to the
Curse against Ale,' 1134-5; 2.XXXIV 'The Reformation'; 3.1 The Satyr of Money'; 3.XIII 'A
New Ballad'; 4.XLI 'A Satyre on the Rebellion,' 1 36; 5.LII 'A speech made to the Lord Gen-
eral Monck,' 1 44; 5.LX To the Kings most Sacred Majesty,' 11 149-312.

48
 Notes to pages 156-9
4 Mushromes: upstarts. See 2.XXII The safe Estate,' 1 8.
26 hall: obsolete form of haul OED
55 Protean turning: For the story of the many transformations of Proteus, Poseidon's seal-
herd, see the Odyssey IV, 363-570. See also 5.L 'An Essay of the Contempt of Greatnesse,' 1
435; P.VII 'To the Ingenious Authour Mr. Alexand. Brome,' 1 26.
XXXI THE CHEERFUL HEART
61, 64, 68, WD61, MD61, F27 (sv)
Title: The Resolute Royallist WD61: Contentment 19 will] must WD61: can MD61
MD61: The Sufferer ¥27 serve] carve WD61
1 go] run WD61, MD61 them] umF27
will] wills WD61 20 serv'd] carv'd WD61: have serv'dMD67
2 us?] us, 61 those] them WD61
4 A] Then a WD61 that] omit MD61
pin] fig WD61, MD61 above] before WD61
they lay] that light WD61 28 At] At's F27
5 take] drink WD61 books] school WD61: his Book MD61: booke
6 keep] chearMDtf/ F27
1 purest] the purest WD61: pureF27 29 Till] while MD61
8 shrink] fear WD61 by] like WD61: with MD61
or] omit WD61: nor MD61, ¥27 Flatus] Flaccus WD61: Plato MD61
care] omit WD61 dies] die MD61
9 For] omit WD61: atMD61, F27 30 the ugly] an ugly WD61, MD61: that ugly ¥27
11-14 omit WD61 on't.] on't 61
12 on'tMD67: on Z (see note) 36 fig] pinMD61
13 knaves,] knaves 61 for I: of 61, WD61
18 tyrannic's] timing WD61\ tyranny isMD61 39 And invite] Or to mould WD61

Variant line arrangements are as follows:

11 1, 3, 21, 23, 32, 33: two lines WD61
last 5 11 of each stanza: separate stanzas WD61
11 5-6 and 8-9 of each stanza: one line MD61

The sentiments of this poem suggest a date shortly after the execution of the King. See note to
l.XL 'The Murmurer' and 2.1 'The Royalist.' Versions in/? andMD70 are reprints ofMD6L
12 drink on't: The reading 'drink on' of the editions andF27 is incorrect. The reading 'drink
on't' is needed to parallel 'endure it' and to rhyme with 'think on't.' MD61 preserves the cor-
rect reading.
21 Levites: Brome regularly referred to Puritan clergymen as Levites, the priestly tribe of
Israel. See 3.1 'The Satyr of Money,' 1 34; 4.XXXIX 'On the turn-coat Clergy,' 1 35; 4.XLVI
'To his reverend Friend Dr. S.,' 1 9; 6.V 'Upon the AUTHOUR, and his Worke,' 1 23; 6.XIII
'To his ingenious FRIEND Mr. Henry Bold,' 1 26.
22 To drink wine but at Christmas and Easter: On 8 June 1647, Parliament passed an ordi-
nance abolishing celebration of Christmas and Easter as festival days (Acts and Ord. I, 954).
See note to 4.X 'To his Friend C.S. Esquire,' 11 7-8.
23 new-trig: Brome seems to have coined a new verb meaning to put into sound physical
condition. The earliest use of trig meaning in good physical condition is 1704. See0£D, s.v.
trig, 4.
32 Rosin: Brome refers to sack as a medicine. Rosin or resin was an ingredient used in drugs
(OED, s.v. resin, 2).

49
 Notes to pages 159-62
XXXII MADE AND SET EXTEMPORE
64, 68

For poems using similar motifs see note to 2.1 'The Royalist.'
XXXIII THE ANSWER TO THE CURSE AGAINST ALE
61, 64, 68, F27
Title: The AnsweareF27 21 its I: it 61
2 abuse] abuse, 61 27 take! 61 (c.)] take. 61 (u.)
6 drinks 64, 68: drink 61, ¥27 28 kindle! 61 (c.)] kindle, 61 (u.)
7 Canonical,] Canonical 61 39 rost.] rost;67
12 dregs I : drugs 61

The poem to which Brome wrote this answer is preserved in two mss. lnF27 (ff. 133-4) it is
entitled 'A Curse against Ale,' with the following note by the title: 'made by I know not
whome.' InRP14 (ff. 153-4) it is entitled 'The dispraise of Ale' with the author's name,
Thomas Bonham, recorded at the end. The two versions of the poem are reprinted below.
4-5 'Twas not this loyal liquor shut, etc.: Sir John Hotham refused to open the gates of Hull to
admit the King in April 1642 (Gardiner, History X, 192-3).
27 Nutbrown bowles and bills: reference to bowls of nutbrown ale(OEZ), s.v. nutbrown, l.c)
and halberds used by foot-soldiers and constables OED, s.v. brown bill
34-5 This makes the drawer in his Gown, etc.: allusion to the low-born tradesmen who gained
postions of power during the Interregnum. Brome frequently attacks these nouveaux riches.
See note to 2.XXX 'The New Gentry.'
40 But oh the Brewer bears the bell: allusion to Cromwell, who was frequently scoffed at as a
brewer. See note to 1 22 of 5.LVII 'Cromwell's Panegyrick.' This reference suggests a date
during the Protectorate.
44 Don Phillip: Philip II of Spain
A Curse against Ale. made by I know not whome.

1
Thou Driggs of Lethe, oh thou Dull,
Inhospitable Juice of Hull,
Not to be drunke, but in ye divells skull.

2
1 On thy account th' watch doth sleepe
3 Then rogues, & Cut purses, in at window peepe 5
2 Wn they our nightly peace should keepe.

3
A Poet once did lick thy Juice
But oh how his benummed Muse
In mire, & non=sense did our State abuse

50
 Notes to pages 160-2
4
A Souldier one that would have pick't 10
Strife with ye divell, thy dull broth lick't
Next night this renown'd Turdovant was kick't.

5
Last night t'was ye Meal=man Will
Who lap't soe largely of thy swill,
Anon he lett a fart, blew downe his mill. 15

6
More of thy vertues I could tell
But to thinke of thee is halfe hell
Then take thy Curse, with Candle, booke & bell.

7
May hee that drinks thee write a small
Unsinnewed lyne, Pedanticall, 20
Sence=lesse, & gawle=lesse Aenigmaticall.

8
May hee that Brewes thee likewise weare
A Carbuncle from eare, to eare,
That thatch & lynnen may stand of & feare

9
May he that drawes thee weare a Nose 25
Redder than the Lord Mayors clothes,
Then Sattin, cherry, or ye velvet Rose

10
May some old Hagg witch gett a stryde
Thy Bung as if shee ment to ryde
And Bung to Bung out=fart thy yeasty tyde. 30

The dispraise of Ale

Thou drigs of Lethe! oh thou dull

Inhospitable iuyce of Hull
Not to be drunk but in ye Devills skull.
Depriver of those solid ioyes
That Sack creates; Author of noyse 5
Among ye roring punks & Daring boyes.
On thy account ye watch doe sleepe

51
 Notes to pages 160-2
When our nightly peace shold keepe
Then theives & cut-throats in at windows creepe.
The joy-brook pate doth owe to thee 10
his bloody line & pedigree
Now murther & anon ye Gallow-tree.
A poett once did drinke thy iuyce
But oh how his benurfied muse
Did mire in non-sense & base state abuse? 15
A soldier (one yt would have pickt
Strife with the Devill) thy dull broth lickt
That night this renown'd Turdivant was kickt.
T'other night twas ye mealeman Will
Did lap so largely of thy swill 20
Next morne he lett a fart blew downe his mill.
That Lover was in pretty case
yt trim'd thee with a ginger-race
And after bolt'd it in his Mris face.
More of thy vertues I could tell 25
But to think of thee half is hell
Here take thy doome by candle book & bell.
May bards yt soake thee write a small
Unsubstanc'd line, paedanticall
Unsinew'd, senselesse, aenigmaticall 30
Saltless & gall-les (bee't thy curse)
Humberles, empty, ragged, worse
Then ye poore poets doublet belly purse.
May he yt brews thee weare a nose
Redder yn my Ld Major's cloaths 35
The Satten cherry, or ye velvet rose.
May he yt draws yee likewise weare
A Carbuncle from eare to eare
That thatch & linnen may stand of & feare.
May some old hagwitch gitt astride 40
Thy bung as if she meant to ride
And bung to bung outlaunch thy yeasty hide.
May others be but sick as I
That drink thee next. Then down I dye
Poore ale, a funerall trap for wasp & fly. 45

Tho: Bonha

52
 Notes to pages 162-7
XXXIV THE REFORMATION

61, 64, 68, F27

1 not me] me notF27 72 pens 61 (c.)] pence 61 (u.)
12 purse] purse. 61 80 cheats,] cheats 61
17 The] omit ¥27 84 a] anF27
23 but I : but but 61 a School-house] School-house ¥27
25 AreF27: And I (see note) 85 marginal note: bribd presbit'rF27
28 rapines] rapine F27 97 pride,] pride 61
41 crown] pound F27 98 to three I : to's 61
52 to] t' ¥27 dice,] dice 61
right,] right 61 103 broyles] brawles F27
56 the] thee 68 111 make] make, 61
70 that's] that isF27 120 dose] dose, 61
This poem attacks the Commonwealth government, and especially the political opportunists
who have come into power. The speaker is disenchanted and bitter about the new order in
government and church. See note to 2.XXX The New Gentry.' The version in/? is a reprint of
61.

25 Are: The reading 'And' of the editions is incorrect. The compositor of 61 may have been
influenced by the 'And' at the beginning of 1 26. ¥27 preserves the correct reading 'Are.'
41-2 They sell for many a Thousand crown, etc.: In 1651 and 1652, the Rump Parliament
passed ordinances for the sale of the estates of more than seven hundred delinquents. See
Acts and Ord. II, 520-45, 591-8, 623-52; Hardacre, pp 96-8. See also 4.XL 'To his Friend
Mr. I. W. on his Translation,' 1 36; 6. VI 'To Master RICHARD BROME, upon his Comedie,' 1
32.
88 Jack-puddings: buffoons, clowns OED
93-9 Then fortunes favorite his heir, etc.: Compare 2.XXVIII 'The Prodigal.'
118 Grandees: reference to the chief Army officers. See also 4.XIII 'To C.S. Esquire,' 1 62.

XXXV FOR THE GENERALLS ENTERTAINMENT

61, 64, 68
24 with] omit 64, 68

Brome wrote two other poems on the occasion of a feast for General Monck at Cloth workers'
Hall on 13 March 1660: 2.XLII 'For General Monk his entertainment at C loath-workers Hall'
and 5.LII 'A speech made to the Lord General Monck.' This song may have been sung at the
feast.

XXXVI ON SIR G.B. HIS DEFEAT

61, 64, 68, MD61

Title: The ContentedMD61 14 th' grounds, 68: dust61: groundMD61
5 oftMD67: omit I (see note) 15 Whose] Their MD61
1 long's] long asMD61 they] their MD61
10 periods] period MD61 down I : must 61

53
 Notes to pages 166-70
16 Must fall I : Fall down 67 42 they] thy 68
20 and] orMP61 43 lawes are] Law is MD61
24 not feed I: nor feed 61 bosome] bosoms MD61
26 In thinking] Thinking that MD61 46 And I: An 67
30 words, or oaths, or] oaths, nor words nor 48 Is] He'sMD67
MD61 t'oppose] to oppose A/D67
31 or] and MIX 1 49 or] andMD67
33 book] books MD61 50 those] themMD67
34 Lambert] Monck MD61 51 I and thou] thou and \MD61
Cook} Cookes MD61 53 Are left] At least MD61
35 sword's] Sword isMD61 or made] are made MD61
learnedst] Learned MD61 57 they] they'l A/7367
38 blowes] Swords MD61 59 take's] takes 67: take hisMD67
39 Lawyer's] Lawyer isMD61 61 we] we'll MD61
41 Luck,] Suc\\MD61 62 would] will MD67
or] and MD61 64 They'd] They'lMZ)67
rule] rootMD67 Dominion] domination MD67

After the restoration of the Rump in May 1659, the coalition of old Cavaliers and Presbyteri-
ans hoped to take advantage of divisions among the Army, the Rump, and supporters of the
Protectorate. Preparations were begun for an insurrection on 1 August in various parts of the
country to be seconded by the landing of Charles II with a small force at a suitable port. The
vigilance of the Council of State and internal dissensions among the conspirators doomed the
planned insurrection. Only the uprising of Sir George Booth in Cheshire, Lancashire, and
North Wales had a brief success. However, on 16 August 1659 an army under John Lambert
defeated Booth at Northwich near Chester. Booth himself was captured a few days later, but
was never brought to trial and escaped all punishment. For accounts of Booth's Rising see
Davies, pp 123-43 and D. Underdown, Royalist Conspiracy 1649-60 (Yale 1960) 254-85.
For Booth see DM?. The version inMD70 is a reprint ofMD6L
3 At this new alteration: This probably refers to the restoration of the Rump on 6 May 1659.
5 Then what has oft been done before: The editions inadvertently omit 'oft.' MD61 preserves
the metrically better reading.
9-16 In this mad age, etc.: Compare 2.XXIV The Polititian,' 11 28-36.
25 The insulting Clergy: Puritan ministers
31 Bandoleers: a belt worn over the shoulder by soldiers with twelve little cases attached to
hold charges for the musket OED, 2
34 Lambert: John Lambert was commander-in-chief of the army that put down Booth's
insurrection.
Cook: Sir Edward Coke, the great champion of the Common Law
39 Mome: a blockhead, dolt, fool OED

XXXVII AGAINST CORRUPTED SACK

67, 64, 68
16 drugg'd64, 68: drudg'd67 34 mak'st us tell 64, 68: makest us tell 67
18 cherish,] cherish; 67 37 Nurse] Nurse. 67
25 poetry,] poetry. 67 38 Physitians,] Physitians 67
33 fell,] fell 67 41 Merosh} Morosh 68

54
 Notes to pages 168-72
46 gone,] gone 61
Reference to 'fifty nine' in 1 42 dates this poem in 1659. This poem has verbal and thematic
resemblance with Herrick's 'His farewell to Sack,' pp 62-4.
14 AEquivoke generation: equivocal generation; the (supposed) production of plants or ani-
mals without parents OED, s.v. equivocal, 3
16 ¥ lav el or Besse Beer: unidentified
41 Merosh curse: The inhabitants of Meroz were cursed because they did not come to fight
the Lord's battles against Sisera (Judges 5:23). Using as his text 'Curse ye Meroz,' Stephen
Marshall preached one of the most famous sermons of the age to the House of Commons on
23 February 1641. See Clarendon II, 320.
48 a purer Helicon: See note to l.VI 'To his Mistress,' 1 20.

XXXVIII THE LAMENTATION

61, 64, 68, Ash, F27

Title: The Lamentation for the Organ 61 (u.) or] and Ash
Written in 1648] omit Ash, F27 29 mischief] mischiefes F27
4 of grief] for grief Ash, F27 31 Cry,] Cry 61
hadst] 'adstAsh 36 thee I : the 61
11 Pride,] Pride 61 39 want,] want 61
21 Fire,] Fire 61 40 flow'th.] flow'th67
24 Tygres67 (c.)] Theirs 61 (u.)

The version in/? is a reprint of 61. The speaker in this poem adopts the pose of the prophet
Jeremiah lamenting for the pitiful plight of London, the modern-day version of Jerusalem.
Like Jeremiah, the speaker chastises the city for her iniquity and sinfulness and declares that
these have brought on the wrath of God. For Royalists the sin of the City of London was its
vigorous opposition to the King and its crucial support of Parliament, both with money and
manpower. The specific occasion for the City's grief alluded to in this poem appears to be the
purge of the Common Council by the remnant of the purged Parliament which, on 18
December 1648, issued an ordinance directing that those who had abetted the King's cause or
the Scottish invasion should be forbidden to hold any place of trust in the City, and should be
denied a vote in the election of officers (Gardiner, Commonwealth I, 37-8). Brome seems to
be alluding to this purge when he says, 'Th'adored Houses slight thee worse then both' (1 36).
Royalist poets and balladeers often chastised the City during the 1640's. See 'To the City
of London,' Rump I, 30; 'To the City,' Rump I, 114. See also l.XXV 'Upon the Cavaleers
departing out of London,' 11 1-6.

XXXIX THE RIDDLE

61, 64, 68, Ash, F27
Title: Written in 1644] omit Ash, F27 19 War meets] Warrs meeteAsh, F27
1 thee] the Ash, F27 23 these fatal] th'uncivilUs/z, F27
10 thy] your Ash, F27 28 fulfil] fill Ash, ¥27
tears] tears, 61 30 omit ¥27
16 not] omit Ash 32 wins,] wins 61
as't] as Ash, ¥27 good] poore Ash, ¥27

55
 Notes to pages 171-5
40 Our Goods, our Lives, our selves shalbe 41 curse,] curse. 61
undonAsh, F27 48 or] OUT Ash
The speaker of this poem reflects the views of many in 1644 who were enervated by the war
and disgruntled with both sides for prolonging the conflict. In the spring of 1644 there was a
widely diffused craving for peace in the nation (Gardiner, Civil War I, 327-8). Several poems
reflected this craving: 'When the King comes Home in Peace again,' Mackay, p 5; 'The New
Litany,' Mackay, p 20; Mr. Fullers Complaint,' Rump I, 131.
InEikon Basilike (p 47) Charles expressed astonishment when he noted: 'But this is the
strange method these men will needs take to resolve their riddle of making me a glorious king
by taking away my kingly power.'
21 And both sides say they love the King: The declarations of both King and Parliament pro-
fessed respect for the rights of the King, but differed as to the meaning of those rights. See the
preamble to The Solemn League and Covenant in Gardiner, Documents 261. See also note to
3.IX 'The Saints Encouragement,' 11 25-6.

XL ON THE KINGS RETURNE

61, 64, 68
3 vain;] vain 61 8 more,] more; 61
4 Life,] Life. 61 12 envade,] envade;67
Brome wrote a long congratulatory poem on Charles's restoration, 5.LX 'To the Kings most
Sacred Majesty.'

XLI A CATCH
61, 64, 68
6 King,] King. 61 1 younger;] younger 61
Compare 2.XL 'On the Kings returne.'

XLII FOR GENERAL MONK HIS ENTERTAINMENT AT CLOATH-WORKERS HALL

61, 64, 68
9 we have 64, 68: we've 61 26 us.] us 61
A longer and significantly different version of this poem appeared in a broadside in 1660
entitled 'Englands Joy For the coming in of our Gratious Soveraign King Charles the II.'
Thomason's date is 14 May 1660. The poem is reprinted below.
Brome wrote another speech in verse for delivery at a feast in Monck's honour at Cloth-
workers' Hall on 13 March 1660. See 5.LII 'A speech made to the Lord General Monck.'
It is unclear whether both poems were read at the feast. This one seems to allude to the
celebrations of the City after Monck's announcement to the Common Council on 11 February
1660 that he had ordered the Rump to issue writs for a free and full parliament (Davies, pp
282-3). See also 2.XXXV 'For the Generalls entertainment.'
1-4 Ring Bells! and let bone-fiers out blaze the sun: In his diary entry for 11 February 1660,
Pepys notes the bell-ringing and bonfires celebrating news that Monck had ordered the Rump
to issue writs for a full and free parliament (Pepys Diary I, 52).

56
 Notes to page 175
11-14 The Cobler shall edifie us no more, etc.: reference to lay preachers of the lower
classes, both men and women, who used to preach from a tub
15 The Fanatical tribe: die-hard Republicans
Englands Joy For the coming in of our Gratious Soveraign
King Charles the II

1
Ring bells, and let bonefires out-blaze the Sun,
Let Ecchoes contribute their voice,
For now a happy settlement's begun,
To shew how we do all rejoyce:
If we by this 5
Can have the bliss
To re-injoy a Unity,
Wee'11 do no more
As heretofore,
But will in mutual love increase; 10
If we can once agen have peace
How joyful shall we be?

2
The King shall his Prerogatives enjoy,
The State their Privilege shall have,
He will not Theirs, nor will they His anoy, 15
But both each others strive to save:
The people shall
Turn loyal all
And strive t'obey his Majesty,
And truth and Peace 20
Shall both increase,
They'l be obedient to the Laws
And hate that Subtle name of Cause.
Then joyful shall we be.

3
The Parliament will rise no more in armes 25
To fight against their lawfull King,
Nor he deluded by their factious charms
That all the Realm to treason bring:
They'l learn to vote
No more by tote 30
Nor pass their Bills ex tempore,
But study peace

57
 Notes to page 175
And trades increase,
Since now we finde it is not good
To write the Kingdomes Peace in blood, 35
But joy full shall we be.

4
The Coblers shall not edifie their Tubbs
Nor in Divinity set stitches,
Wee'l not b'instructed by Mechanick scrubs,
Women shan't preach with men for breeches, 40
That prickear'd Tribe
That won't subscribe
Unto our Churches Hierarchic
Must England leave,
And to Geneve, 45
New England, or to Amsterdam,
With all whom Church and State can't tame;
Then joy full, &c.

5
Wee'l toyle no more to maintain Patentees
That feed upon poor peoples trade, 50
Star Chamber shan't vex guiltless men for fees,
Nor Law to Vice for bribes be Bawd:
The Bishops each
Will learn to preach,
Rich Clergy will not silent be, 55
And Judges all
Impartial,
When Lawes alike to all degrees,
No sleeping Judges gape for fees.
How joyful, &c. 60

6
Wee'l fight no more for Jealousies, and Fears,
Nor spend our blood, we know not why;
The Roundheads shall shake hands with Cavaliers,
And both for King and Countrey die;
The Sword shall not 65
Maintain a Plot
For fear of plots which ne're shall be,
Nor will we still
Each other Kill

58
 Notes to page 175
To fight for those that are as far 70
From peace as they will be from war.
But joy full, &c.

7
The broken Citts no more shall lick their Chops,
Nor wealth recruit with Country's store,
But lay down armes, and keep within their Shops, 75
And cry what lack youl as before;
They'll turn agen,
Blew aprond men,
And leave their titles of degree,
Nor will they prate 80
'Gainst Church, and State,
But change their Feathers, Flags and Drums,
For Items and the total Sums.
How joy full, &c.

8
We will not Garrisons of Lubbers feed, 85
To plunder, drink, and gather pay,
While they lye lazing, and are both agreed
To fetch our goods and us away;
And though they Swear,
We will not care, 90
Nor to such Skowndrells servile be;
We will not stand,
With cap in hand,
Beseeching them to let alone
The goods which justly are our own. 95
But joy full, &c.

9
Fanatick Troupers must go home agen,
And humbly walk afoot to plow,
Nor domineer thus over honest men,
But work to get their livings now; 100
Or if their mind
Be not inclin'd
To leave their former Knavery,
A halter shall
Dispatch them all, 105
And then the Gallows shall be made

59
 Notes to pages 175-7
The high'st preferment of their trade.
A joy full sight to see.

10
Let Roundheads shake their circumcized ears,
We'll ride about as well as they, 110
Nor will we stand in fear of Cavaliers
That sleep all night, and drink all day;
When we can find
Both sides enclin'd
To change their War for Unity; 115
O 'twill be brave,
If we can have
The Freedom granted by our Charter,
And scape from plunder, pay, and quarter;
How joy full shall we be? 120

XLIII THE AD VICE

61, 64, 68, WR, MD61, ¥27 (sv)

Title: A Song WR: How to live Happy MD61 40 ne're] notMD61, 68
2 dayes] times WR, MD61 43 When] omit MD61
6 springs,] springs 67 or] and WR, MD61
7 letter] latter 68 work] brings WR: bring MD61
10 humours] humor WR, MD61, ¥27 44 must be] turns MD61
15 He is] They're WR: They are MD61 46 States] State ¥27
16 estate is] estats are WR, MD61 47 For Applause] Or at plays MD61
but] omit WR and for] of WR: or at MD61
17 Yet] Though but WR, MD61 and] or at MD61
to delight and] omit WR, MD61 Shadowes,] Shadowes. 61
18 He] They WR, MD61 49 a spell] spell WR: CellMD67
he may say 64, 68: they may say I 50 rithmes Z (Errata 61): drives 61, ¥27
21 must he be] would I have him WR, MD61 51 these] his WR
Wife,] Wife. 61 bounds] lines MD61
22 cares incumber] care and cumber WR can live] will keep WR
23 And] Nor WR, MD61 53 Fates] fate WR, MD61, ¥27
do] omit WR, MD61,F27 54 Which] WhoMD61
confine] to confine MD61: doe confine ¥2 7 make] call WR, MD61
a mans] his MD61 55 sing] dance WR
25 They're] They are WR, MD61, ¥27 laugh] quaff MD61
26 unwedded I : unweddy'd<57: unmarried MD61 56 dance] sing WR: drinkMD61
28 From] ForF27 quaffe] laugh MD61
30 ruine] undo WR 58 sleep] walk WR, ¥27
32 capers] favours WR care] fear WR, ¥27
o're's] onWR: o'r MD61 59 wake] sleep WR, ¥27: speak MD61
33 keep] get WR fear] care WR, ¥27
'tis] omit WR, MD61 60 laugh] a fig WR
get] keep WR whole] omit WR, MD61

60
 Notes to pages 176-7
Variant line arrangements are as follows:
11 5-6 and 8-9 of each stanza: one line WR, MD61
The version inMD70 is a reprint ofMD61. The attitudes of the speaker in this poem are similar
to those of the speaker in 2.XI 'The Safety.' The poem probably was written between 1649
and 1653.
49 a circle or a spell: See note to 1 62 of 3.VIII "The New Mountebanck.'
50Barbadoes: Prisoners of war and other persons dangerous to the state were often shipped
out to the Barbadoes. In May 1655 several Royalist conspirators were ordered transported to
the Barbadoes, though the order apparently was not carried out (Gardiner, Commonwealth III,
308-9).

61
 Notes to pages 179-81

SECTION 3

I THE SATYR OF MONEY

61, 64, 68, MD61, ¥27 (sv)

Title: The Power of Money MD61: A Satyre of Yeomen] young menMD67
Money F27 46 spawns] spawneF27
1 mold] hold MD61 47 makes I : make 61
10 Armies] Cities MD61 48 truth] senceMD67
Stanza 3: Stanza 5 MD61 50 this] money MD61
19 unsufferable] insufferable F2 7 that] omit MD61
21 proprietors MD61, ¥27: properties I (see note) Esquires,] Esquires: 61
Stanza 4: Stanza 6 MD61 51 write themselves] right MD61
22 King,] King 61 61 are] be MD61: omit ¥27
23 breeches,] breeches 67 63 discourse] good wit MD61
26 lines] lies 68 Stanza 10: omit MD61
Stanza 5: Stanza 3 MD61 66 their quiet and] lifes, lyms, quiet F27
29 Senate] Synod MD61 68 Dunces] Dunce 68
32 that] om/r MD67 74 Lords bow] a Lord stoop MD61
drive 'urn] turn themMD67 15 Gives] This gives MD61, ¥27
34 Levites] Priests for MD61 11 of the I: of 67
Stanza 6: Stanza 4 MD67 78 horses procures you, and] procures us whores
36 the] thatF27 MD67: procures you whores F27
37 lived] live MD61 hawks, hounds] horses, hawkesF27
their] the crockadileMD67: their CrocadileF27 79 Gelding] Geldings 64, 68
38 made] first madeMD67, ¥27 80 It buys] This built MD67
42 lin'd but] but lin'd wellM£>67: but lyn'dF27 81 Ladies] LadyMD67, F27
43 this] money MD61: this thatF27 yielding;] yielding 67
the Lawyer] Lawyers MD61, ¥27 83 the] yourMD67
45 makes] make F27 their wing] do bring MD67

The reference to O.P. in 1 23 dates this poem after 16 December 1653 when Cromwell began
signing his letters and public documents 'Oliver P.' (Masson IV, 452). Versions in/? and
MD70 are reprints of MD61.
Brome frequently attacked the political opportunists of the Interregnum. See note to
2.XXX 'The New Gentry.'
13 Turns Kings into Keepers, etc.: The Commonwealth government referred to itself as 'the
Keepers of the liberty of England.' See 'An Act Declaring What Offences Shall be Adjudged
Treason,' in Gardiner, Documents 388-91.
21 proprietors: The reading 'properties' in the editions is incorrect. The other texts preserve
the correct reading 'proprietors.' This may be an allusion to the victims of the Rump Parlia-
ment's decision in 1651 and 1652 to confiscate and sell the estates of over seven hundred
delinquents. Seeders and Ord. II, 520-45, 591-8, 623-52.
29-30 This made our black Senate, etc.: All through its life, the Rump Parliament postponed
the adoption of an act for its own dissolution. See Gardiner, Commonwealth I, 59, 243; II,
70-4, 173-4. There was enough evidence to substantiate charges that some of the Rump
members were corrupt and self-seeking and had used their power to enrich themselves. See

62
 Notes to pages 180-4
Underdown, Pride's Purge 262.
31-2 This made our bold Army, etc.: Cromwell forcibly expelled the Rump Parliament on 20
April 1653 (Gardiner, Commonwealth II, 259-65).
33 Covenant-makers: The Solemn League and Covenant (25 September 1643) was the pact
between the Scots and Parliament. After 1649, Presbyterian parliamentarians and the Scots
were willing to support Charles II's cause if he agreed to the terms of the Covenant, especially
the establishment of Presbyterianism in England.
34 Levites: See note to 2.XXXI The Cheerful heart,' 1 21.
36 This spawn'd the dunghil crew of Committes and 'Strators: In order to administer the
nation's business, Parliament established several Committees in London, with counterparts in
the counties. Some of the members of these local committees included men from lower orders
than normally administered local affairs. The rise to prominence of these new men was a
source of much aggravation to the social conservatives in the nation, and Brome regularly
pilloried them in his satires. This accounts for the social slurs so prominent in this and suc-
ceeding stanzas. The 'strators' refers to 'sequestrators.' See note to 3.Ill 'A new Diurnal,' 11
199-200.
47 blew-lecturer: Presbyterian minister
52 Ale-drapers: alehouse keepers OED
57 blew aprons: apprentices OED, s.v. blue, II.5.c
worshipful: Mayors, aldermen, sheriffs and other civic dignitaries of London were addressed
as 'worshipful' OED, 3.a.
69 Commanders that use to pollute their hose: Thomas Atkins, Alderman of London from
1638 to 1661, was subjected to much ribald abuse by balladeers in 1642 for apparently pass-
ing wind in public. See 'Upon Alderman Atkins bewraying his Slops on the great Training
day,' Rump I, 136; 'The Answer to the Petition, etc.,' Rump I, 21; 'Upon the Parliament
Fart,' Rump I, 61; 'The Cryes of Westminster,' Wilkins I, 44. See Pearl, pp 311-12 for a
sketch of Atkins's career.

II UPON A SIGN-POST, SET UP BY ONE MR. PECKE AT SKOALE IN NORFOLK

61, 64, 68, ¥27

Title: set up] omit ¥27 42 to] onF27
by one Mr. Pecke] omit 64, 68, ¥27 46 says I : say 61
3 ring?] ring; 61 48 leaves I : leave 61
4 an Host] Host ¥27 50 Stand] stands ¥27
6 us] omit ¥27 54 or] norF27
King?] King. 61 Stanza 11: Stanza 12F27
10 But] omit ¥27 64 do's stand] stands ¥27
11 's scarce<54, 68: 's carse67, ¥27 65 they land] shee lands F27
12 drinks all] without drinkesF27 Stanza 12: Stanza 11F27
13 design,] design 61 67 Now] ButF27
16 on] in ¥27 68 that is] that's mostF27
17 Stands] Stand ¥27 69 us,] us; 61
26 Women] Woman ¥27 72 goodfellows.] goodfellows 67
27 trade;] trade 61 73 under this work] here in doth lurke F27
30 Yet] Yets 64 74 The key of the worke ¥27
Actaeon] hir husband ¥27 75 That] AndF27
34 they've] they haveF27 76 the] aF27

63
 Notes to pages 182-7
78 lands] 'states F27 88 call't] call itF27
85 Now]ButF27 91 that] omit F27
87 name] name, 61 96 go] come 64, 68
The famous Inn of Scole, named the White Hart, was celebrated as possessing the finest sign
in the country. The Inn was built in 1655 by John Peck, a merchant of Norwich. He is pur-
ported to have spent £1000 on the sign alone. The sign was a massive and elaborate structure
bridging the road, a type known as 'the gallows sign.' A great number of images and figures
were carved on the sign, many of which Brome isolates in his poem. For background and
description of the inn and the sign, see James J. Hissey, The Road and the Inn (London 1917)
254-7.
Scole is a small village about twenty miles southwest of Norwich.
A musical setting is preserved in Wit and Mirth: Or, Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1700 and
in Songs Compleat, 1719. See no 847 in the first line index of Day and Murrie.
2 Of a wonder last year: This would date the poem in 1656 because the sign was built in
1655.
21 Actaeon: Actaeon was turned into a stag by Diana and killed by his own hounds. See
Ovid, Metamorphoses III, 138-252.
31-2 The next wench doth stand, etc.: The scales are usually associated with Astraea, god-
dess of justice.
37-9 The last of the three, etc.: The horn of plenty is associated with the nymph or she-goat
Amalthea, who nursed Jove. She possessed a miraculous horn, in which she found anything
she wished for.
62 Charon: the boatman who ferried the souls of the dead to the underworld
64 Cerberus: the three-headed dog of the underworld
72 goodfellows: See note to 2.VI 'The Good-fellow.'

Ill A NEW DIURNAL

61,64,68, ND43
Title: Printed and published, 'tis order'd to be / By 35 knew] know 68
Henry Elsing the Clerk of the P.] Ordered to 36 true] free ND43
be printed and published. ND43 44 could] can ND43
published,] published; 61 49 account] count ND43
Clerk 61 (c.)] Clark 67 (u.) after 50 Tuesday I: Tuseday 61
1. June. 1643] omit ND43 55 up go] go up 64, 68
1 griev'd,) griev'd, 61 advances] advance ND43
10 go] runND43 56 new dances] a dance ND43
11 Fictions] factions ND43 58 keep] drive ND43
22 not lend] give ND43 62 came] come ND43
they] the 64 66 it] that it ND43
take.] take, 61 68 Town] the towneMMJ
23 mind Z : minds 61 69 More] omit ND43
24 they all 64, 68: all of them I 73 Ven] Gray ND43
25 call'd] baptiz'dMMJ 83 their Members] of Martins ND43
after 1 26 And among other Acts the Law to 84 breach] high breach ND43
distraine / Was made by King Pirn, the first their] omit ND43
yeare of his reigne. ND43 85 Treason I: reason 61

64
 Notes to pages 185-91
88 damn] omit ND43 167 Who 64, 68: Yet I
95 strictly] stifly ND43 176 loyalty] civility ND43
108 ten I : them 61 179 all] armies ND43
110 all the] the five MX? 183 more 64, 68: such I
111 And one] Sir lohn Wray ND43 184 glorious] a glorious ND43
114 their own] Pirns ND43 188 losing] having lost MX?
116 against] ' gainst ND43 196 horse] horses 64, 68
122 suborned] usurped ND43 is a 64, 68: is I
couzen] flatter ND43 197 adore I : ador'd 61
124 conquests] conquest ND43 201 send 64, 68: have 61: have sent ND43
129 and's] and MX? after 1 201 Kimbolton and 5<ry, and the rest of the
army] Fairefax ND43 Scrowles, / That have melancholy looks but
130 Members] Pimmists ND43 sanguine soules, / Do now by pretences to
132 Privy-Committee] Close Committee ND43 rebellion draw, / To maintaine the Law, but
134 that they] that they have MX? they meane the Club-law. MX?
139 Pym] P. 64, 68 203 with 64, 68: omit I
140 a] the MX? 221 him] he was MX?
143 moves] moved ND43 though 64, 68: although I
146 rode 64, 68: rid Z 226 his] the MX?
Mother.] Mother, 61 233 but 64, 68: by I
151 they] he MX? 234 weigh't] write ND43
152 him] him backeMX? 235 were] are MX?
153 Davids] Davies ND43 236 bad] big ND43
155 cause] clause ND43 237 all they can 64, 68: they all 61: all that they
157 to do] doe MX? ND43

An earlier version of this poem(ND43) was printed at Oxford in 1643. P. W. Thomas includes
it in his list of pamphlets written in support ofMercurius Aulicus and states that it parodied
various weekly London newsbooks, especially^ PerfectDiurnall (p 255). Joseph Frank [in
Hobbled Pegasus (Albuquerque 1968) 12] claims that 'of the slightly more than seven thou-
sand individual issues of several hundred weekly newspapers published in England between
November 1641 and June 1660, only two separate numbers were written in verse' (No 358
Mercurius Politicus, May 1648 and no 367 The Parliaments Scrich-Owle, June 1648). His
research has overlooked Brome's 'A new Diurnal.'
The version in R is a reprint of 61.
Title By Henry Rising the Clerk of the P.: Frank points out that two or three publishers
employed the device of affixing the name of the Clerk of the House of Commons, Henry Els-
ing, to suggest the authenticity of the contents [Beginnings of the English Newspaper (Har-
vard 1961) 29].
1-2 Since many Diurnals (for which we are griev'd,) etc.: The opening line of the first num-
ber of Mercurius Aulicus, 1 January 1643, p 17, explicitly establishes that one of its chief
functions was to correct the falsehoods reported in pro-Parliamentary newsheets. 'The world
hath long enough beene abused with falshoods: And there's a weekly cheat put out to nourish
the abuse amongst the people, and make them pay for their seducement.'
9 But so many Maim'd Souldiers from Reading there came: Essex captured the garrison of
Reading on 26 April 1643. The plan to move against Oxford was stalled by lack of pay for his
troops (Gardiner, Civil War I, 128-30). During May, Essex's army was wasting away with
sickness and desertion in the valley of the Thames (Gardiner, Civil War I, 144). See also
Clarendon VII, 27 for reports of the wounded arriving in London.

65
 Notes to pages 185-6
14 to fall by the ears: proverbial. See Tilley, E23. See also 4.XIH 'To C.S. Esquire,' 19; 4.XVI
'To a Potting Priest upon a quarrel,' 1 4.
15-16 Yet would they not have the business decided, etc.: In the spring of 1643 Parliament
was sharply divided between the Peace and War Parties, with a small group in the middle led
by Pym. See J.H. Hexter, The Reign ofKingPym (Harvard 1941) 8. The Royalist newsheets
and satirists regularly exploited these divisions.
18 But Extempore Prayers are now Common too: Among Parliament's supporters were those
radicals opposed to all set forms such as the Book of Common Prayer. See note to 3.V 'The
Clown,' 1 54; 4.V 'To T.S.,' 1 56; 4.XLI 'A Satyre on the Rebellion,' 1 4.
20 Was the raising of mony for the State and the Kirke: In May 1643 the Commons applied
themselves seriously to the preparation of an ordinance for levying an excise. At the same
time they were discussing proposals to send a committee to seek help from the Scots (Gardi-
ner, Civil War I, 132-4). Earlier, on 27 March 1643, the Houses passed the Sequestration
Ordinance sequestrating the estates of all who gave assistance to the King (Gardiner, Civil
War I, 100-1).
21 Free-loan: When hostilities began in the fall of 1642, the Houses demanded voluntary
loans in London for the support of Essex's army. They continued to ask for voluntary loans
all during the fall of 1642, shrinking from instituting regular taxation. However, these loans
were not enthusiastically made, and those who refused were declared malignant and disaf-
fected persons (Gardiner, Civil War I, 28, 35). The Committee for the Advance of Money
was established on 26 November 1642. It was empowered to appoint officials for the assess-
ment and collection of advances of money from all citizens regardless of party. An ordinance
of 7 May 1643 extended the assessment to the counties. The rates provided were one-fifth of
the yearly revenue from the estate and one-twentieth of goods and personalty. Only those
paying the assessment within ten days were to be granted public faith bills bearing eight per
cent interest (Acts and Ord. I, 6-9, 152). In addition to forced loans, the Houses passed an
ordinance on 24 February 1643 imposing a weekly payment upon every county in England
(Gardiner, Civil War I, 96). The King saw these measures as a clear demonstration of the
arbitrariness of Parliament and a threat to the liberties and property of his subjects (Clarendon
VI, 196-206). See also 3.V 'The Clown,' 1 140; 3.VIII 'The New Mountebanck,' 1 31; 4.VI
'The Answer,' 11 11-14.
25 distraining: seizure of property. Under the terms of the ordinance establishing the Com-
mittee for the Advance of Money, the goods of those refusing to pay the assessment could be
seized and sold (Acts and Ord. I, 40-1).
27-8 They Voted all Persons from Oxford that came, etc.: Mercurius Aulicus, 11 April 1642,
p 209, reported that the Commons issued an order for imprisoning every one who should
come from Oxford. See also Clarendon VII, 22.
29-30 With an Humble Petition, the King they request, etc.: In the first article of the Proposi-
tions presented to the King at the Treaty of Oxford (1 February 1643), Parliament requested
him to return to his Parliament (Gardiner, Documents 263).
31 A message from Oxford conducing to peace: On 3 February 1643, Charles answered the
Propostions of the Lords and Commons (1 February 1643), offering a cessation of arms in
article 6 (Clarendon VI, 234). On 6 March 1643, Charles answered Parliament's response to
his articles of cessation (28 February 1643). The War Party in the Commons was strength-
ened in its resolve by Charles's uncompromising terms (Gardiner, Civil War I, 96). See the
report in Mercurius Aulicus, 16 February 1643, pp 107-9, of the debates in the Houses on the
King's proposal for a cessation.

66
 Notes to pages 186-8
45 While they keep the Ships and the Forts in their hand: In his counter proposal (3 February
1643) to Parliament's peace propositions, the King demanded that his opponents restore to
him his revenue, his forts, and his ships. The demand was reiterated on 6 March 1643 (Gar-
diner, Civil War I, 89, 96; Clarendon VI, 234).
51 A Post from his Excellence: Essex began his siege of Reading on 15 April 1643, but after
capturing the town on 26 April, he sent a messenger to the Houses saying he could not move
without pay for his army. On 17 May 1643, the Commons despatched £15,000 to Reading
which they had borrowed from the City (Gardiner, Civil War I, 131, 134).
54 Powder-Beefe: powdered or salted beef OED, s.v. powder, 5.b
58 His wife has made Bull works to keep him away: A scurrilous jest at Essex's expense, who
was twice divorced as impotent. See Masson II, 153-4; Cleveland, 'To P. Rupert,' 145, p 34;
'The Answer to the Petition, etc.,' Rump I, 20; 'The Sence of the House,' Rump I, 101; 'The
Cavaliers Prayer,' Rump I, 112; The Earl of Essex his Speech...,' Rump I, 120.
66 flam: a sham story OED, 3
70 Carts loaded with Turnips, and other provision: See Clarendon VII, 26 for reports of pro-
visions sent to Essex.
71 Chines: a joint consisting of the whole or part of the backbone of an animal, with the
adjoining flesh OED, 3
Rams-heads: chickpeas OED
73 Ven: John Venn (MP for London) was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 3rd or Yellow Regiment
of the City Trained Bands (Masson II, 447). See also note to title of 3.IX 'The Saints Encour-
agement.'
80 And one gives the other a knock on the pate: l\\ND43, the 'other' is identified as Henry
Marten. Marten, a leading member of the War Party in the Commons, tore open a letter writ-
ten by the Earl of Northumberland to his wife while he was still negotiating at Oxford. Mar-
ten was seeking indications of treachery. On 18 April 1643, Northumberland confronted
Marten with his ungentlemanly conduct, and on receiving Marten's reply that he was 'no whit
sorry' struck him on the head with a cane. After some altercation between the Houses, the
matter was dropped (Gardiner, Civil War I, 131-2; Clarendon VII, 47; Mercurius Aulicus, 20
April 1642, pp 226-7).
87-8 Then came in the Women with a long long petition, etc.: C.V. Wedgwood (The King's
War 154) refers to complaints of women in December 1642 who wanted their husbands back.
The 'Militia' refers to the Militia Ordinance passed by the Houses on 5 March 1642 and the
'Commission' to the Commissions of Array declared by the King on 12 June 1642. [See
Patricia Higgins, The Reactions of Women, with Special Reference to Women Petitioners,'
in Politics, Religion and the English Civil War, ed. Brian Manning (London 1973) 179-222].
94 But some felt in their Bellies if they had not a Pope: proverbial. See Tilley, P479.
97 Close-Committee: On 4 July 1642, Parliament appointed a joint committee of Lords and
Commons 'to take into consideration whatsoever may concern the safety of the kingdom'
(Gardiner, History X, 209). This Committee met at Haberdashers Hall and became known as
the Close Committee.
102 Prince Griffith: This ribald sneer is probably directed at a Captain Griffith who was
accused of an attempt to ravish Lady Sedley, but was freed by a Vote of the Commons, of
which he was a member (Mercurius Aulicus, 24 March 1643, pp 173-4). See other references
to Prince Griffith in Mercurius Aulicus, 5 August 1643, p 446 and 2 September 1643, p 22.
108 He said hee'd do ten every night himself: Mercurius Aulicus, 19 August 1643, p 476,
reported that some members of the Commons accused Pym of cheating and sensuality. See

67
 Notes to pages 188-9
also Thomas, p 75. Pym's alleged lechery was a frequent barb in the Rump poems. See 'An
Ans wer to a Love-Elegy..., 'Rump, I, 50-3; 'The Senceof the House...,'/?«ra/? I, 104; 'To a
Fair Lady...,' Rump I, 131.
110 make buttons for fear: Buttons means the dung of sheep, etc. The word is used in the
obsolete phrase meaning 'to be in great terror' (OED).
111 And one makes nine speeches while the business was hot:ND43 identifies this speaker as
Sir John Wray, MP for Lincolnshire [D. Brunton and D.H. Pennington, Members of the Long
Parliament (Archon Books 1968) 245]. By assigning to Wray a keen sense for smelling out a
plot, Brome may have been remembering an episode in May 1641 when, during a debate in
the Commons the floor of the gallery cracked under the weight of two very stout members.
Sir John Wray, with the thought of a second Guy Fawkes on his mind, called out that he smelt
gunpowder (Gardiner, History IX, 359). For references to Wray see Wilkins, p 45; Cowley,
'A Satyre. The Puritan and the Papist,' 1 181; 'The Sence of the House...,' Rump I, 107.
116 A victory against New-Castle of late: This may refer to the younger Fairfax's temporary
capture of the town of Wakefield on 21 May 1643. Gardiner says the blow was well aimed,
but it could not affect Newcastle's preponderance in Yorkshire (Gardiner, Civil War I, 140;
Mercurius Aulicus, 28 May 1643, pp 307-8).
125 Such victories in Ireland: In the spring of 1643 the English were barely holding their own
against the Irish Confederates (Gardiner, Civil War I, 122).
129 How Hotham and's army and others were beaten: Sir John Hotham was appointed Gov-
ernor of Hull by Parliament in January 1642 (Gardiner, History X, 153). In April 1643, Sir
John and his son were making overtures to Newcastle to betray Hull to the King. On 18 June
1643 the younger Hotham was arrested at Nottingham, but escaped to Lincoln. On 29 June
1643 the two Hothams were captured in time to foil their attempted betrayal of Hull (Gardi-
ner, Civil War I, 159-61). See also 3.VIII 'The New Mountebanck,' 1 26.
136 Corbet: Miles Corbet was an MP for Great Yarmouth (DNB). In 1643 he had acquired a
reputation as greedy Committeeman (Wedgwood, The King's War 203). See also 'The Sence
of the House...,' Rump I, 107.
146 a horse rode his Mother: This scurrilous jest at Pym's expense appeared often in the
Rump poems. See 'A Song. To the Tune of The Queens oldSouldier' I, 13; 'The Parliaments
Pedigree' I, 24; 'An Answer to a Love-Elegy...' I, 50, 51.
147 Sir Hugh Cholmley: Cholmley was the Governor of Scarborough. He was disappointed
by the failure of the Treaty of Oxford, and after a conference with the Queen at York, he
turned Scarborough Castle over to the King on 31 March 1643 (Gardiner, Civil War I, 105-6;
Clarendon VI, 268). See also Mercurius Aulicus, 9 April 1643, p 206, for a report on the vote
in the Commons impeaching Cholmley.
153 Sir Davids Remonstrance: On 30 March 1643 a group of citizens presented a petition to
Common Council, together with a Remonstrance directed to Parliament. These were the
work of Sir David Watkins, Richard Shute, and Randall Mainwaring. The Remonstrance
claimed that supreme power lay in the people and in Parliament to whom power was dele-
gated (Pearl, pp 260-1; Mercurius Aulicus, 2 April 1643, p 194).
154 Isaac's the head: Sir Isaac Pennington, MP for London and Lord Mayor in 1642 and
1643. See note to 3.XII 'Though Oxford be yielded,' 1 16.
161 Chronographer: chronicler OED
167 Cum Privilegio: found on the title pages of authorized books [M. Ashley, The English
Civil War (London 1974) 40]. See also 'Pyms Anarchy,' Rump I, 68.
174 they'l bring in the Scots and the Dutch: On 1 May 1643 Pym moved that committees be

68
 Notes to pages 189-94
sent to Holland and to Scotland (Gardiner, Civil War I, 132). See also Clarendon VI, 204,
where Charles noted Parliament's overtures to Holland and Scotland in late 1642.
180 but New-England is meant: Royalists regularly tarred Parliament by associating it with
the disreputable radical sectaries.
184 To make Charles a rich and glorious King: See note to 1 23 of 3.IX 'The Saints Encour-
agement.'
188Layton: Alexander Leighton had been severely punished (including loss of his ears) for
his strong anti-episcopal attacks in the 1630s. He along with Prynne, Burton, Bastwick and
Lilburne was released soon after the Long Parliament met and given compensation. See
Mercurius Aulicus, 22 February 1643, pp 120-1, for a report of Leighton's behaviour at
Lambeth House, which was converted into a prison with Leighton as head jailor.
199-200 'Twas ordered the Goods of Malignants and Lands, etc.: This refers to the Seques-
tration Ordinance passed on 27 March 1643. The entire estates, both real and personal, of
suspected delinquents were to be seized and secured, pending investigation. If the suspect
was proved a delinquent, he was deprived of the use and enjoyment of his estate, the mov-
ables and personal goods were to be sold by the candle, while all the revenues, debts, and
other proceeds from the estate were to be collected by the local sequestrators and turned into
the treasury at Guildhall (Acts and Ord. I, 106-17). Mercurius Aulicus, 13 April 1643, p
211, reported that the Commons distributed 'the rents and lands of the Kings good subjects,
amongst themselves and such as adhere unto them.'
Brome frequently alludes to sequestration. See 3.1 'The Satyr of Money,' 1 36; 3.V 'The
Clown,' 11 32, 36; 3.VIII The New Mountebanck,' 1 54; 3.XIII 'A New Ballad,' 11 13-16;
4.XLI 'A Satyre on the Rebellion,' 1 29; 5.LII 'A speech made to the Lord GeneralMonck,' 11
49-50; 5.LVII 'Cromwell's Panegyrick,' 1 37.
210 traces: the pair of ropes, chains, or (now usually leather straps) by which the collar of a
draught animal is connected with the splinter-bar or swingletree OED

IV ON THE DEMOLISHING THE FORTS

61, 64, 68
1 Build 64, 68 (Errata 61): Who build 61 42 with 64, 68: his 61
10 be,] be. 61 44 trenches?] trenches! 61
16 There's 64, 68: There is 61 64 pen'd.] pen'd, 61
22 withall;] withall. 61 70 town] town. 61
38 here] here. 61 15 Cits] City 64, 68

There are two possible dates for the dismantling of the fortifications of the City of London:
(1) February 1647 when the Commons agreed to the demolition of existing fortifications
(Gardiner, Civil War III, 218); (2) April 1648 when the City ordered the removal of the posts
and chains which had been placed in the streets at the beginning of the war to hinder charges
of cavalry. This order was necessary to prevent revival of riots in the City in favour of the
King (Gardiner, Civil War IV, 97-9). A few weeks later, on the eve of the Second Civil War,
the City petitioned Parliament to restore the chains (Gardiner, Civil War IV, 115). In a note to
a ballad entitled 'A la Mode,' Wright (p 69) alludes to Brome's poem and suggests that it was
composed after the City had submitted to the army in 1647 (ie, August 1647).
The version in R is a reprint of 61.
7-8 Build Forts to pull down popery, etc.: The irony here is that the forts were originally built
to resist the King and his popish supporters, and now are pulled down at the insistence of

69
 Notes to pages 191-9
either Parliament or Army.
9-12 These Independents tenets, etc.: One of the chief policies of the radical Independents in
both Parliament and Army was liberty of conscience.
13-16 The Popish doctrine, etc.: a play on the Catholic doctrine of justification by works and
the Protestant one of justification by faith alone
19 That with one vote can blow down that: probably a reference to the Army's insistence in
April 1648 that the chains and posts be removed
25-8 And when both houses vote agen, etc.: An ordinance of April 1646 compelled all Cath-
olics and delinquents to depart from London and the lines of communication (Acts and Ord.
I, 841-2; Hardacre, p 78). See also l.XXV 'Upon the Cavaleers,' 1 8.
30 the Divines: The Westminster Assembly of Divines had been sitting since 1 July 1643. If
we are to take the reference to sitting for seven years literally, this dates the poem in 1650,
which seems inconsistent with the reference to the Parliament sitting for seven years in 1 63.
33 Gotham: name of a village, proverbial for the folly of its inhabitants. See 'A la Mode,'
Wright, p 69 and note.
41 Has Isaac our Lord Mayor: Isaac Pennington was Lord Mayor in 1642-3 and supervised
the building of the fortifications in the fall of 1642 and spring of 1643. See note to 1 16 of
3.XII 'Though Oxford be yielded.'
54 The crosses have been down'd: On 2 May 1643 Cheapside Cross was demolished by order
of Parliament (Gardiner, Civil War I, 132). Charing Cross was pulled down in 1647. See
'The Downfal of Charing-Cross,' Mackay, p 56. See also 'The Downfall of Cheapside-
Crosse,' Rump I, 138; 'A Vindication of Cheapside-Crosse,' Rump I, 140.
63 in this seven years: Since the Long Parliament convened in November 1640, this reference
suggests a date in late 1647 or early 1648.

V THE CLOWN

61, 64, 68
1 this,] this? 61 71 aleek67: a leek 64, 68
4 long,] long. 61 85 neenscore64, 68: neevescore67
8 hear, o64,68: heaor67 89 ene64, 68: and 61
14 stick,] stick. 61 104 thee] the 64, 68
18 'um.] 'um67 111 ater] after 68
22 in,] in. 61 129 'n6S: an 67, 64 (see note)
27 vools64, 68: fools 67 130 more,] more. 67
37 zit three 64, 68: zit by three 61 132 by'n?] by'n. 67
41 these] those 64, 68 133 We 64, 68: They 67
46 week 64, 68: weeks 61 135 zo a zet64, 68: zo zet67
51 ston] stond6S 136 thee] the 64, 68
64 vet,] vet; 67 140 size,] size. 67
68 read,] read. 67 149 off 64, 68: of 61

References to the quarrel between Independents and Presbyterians (1 95) and to the King in
the custody of the Scots (11 121-2) dates this poem in late 1646 or early 1647. Wright dates it
in the beginning of the year 1647 ( p i ) .
Two other poems written in the West Country dialect during 1644-5 are: (1) 'The western
Husbandmans lamentation,' dated 10 March 1644 by Thomason (Frank, Hobbled Pegasus,
no 182); (2) 'The Lamentable Complaint Of The North-West Countrey-Man' (Frank, no 198,
dated November 1645).

70
 Notes to pages 194-201
13 club men: See note to 2.II The Commoners.'
32 Surgan strater: Wright suggests a sequestrator (p 3).
36 mittee: County Committee for Sequestration. See note to 3.Ill 'A new Diurnal,' 11
199-200.
44 compown: The Committee for Compounding sat at Goldsmith's Hall in London. See note
to 2.XV 'The Cure of Care.'
53 a tub: a tub-preacher. See note to 2.XI The Safety,' 1 20.
54 stumper e\ See note to 3.Ill 'A new Diurnal,' 118.
72 Then an apple's like an oyster: proverbial. Tilley, A291, cites this example from Brome.
76 monthy vast: In response to requests from Puritan ministers, the Houses agreed to the
institution of a monthly fast, and Charles issued a proclamation to this effect on 8 January
1642. See William Haller, Liberty and Reformation in the Puritan Revolution (New York
1955) 66-7. Ordinances were passed by Parliament for the better observation of these fast
days on 24 August 1642 and 19 December 1644 (Acts and Ord. I, 22-4, 580).
95 Pendents and Presbytary: After the King fled to the Scots in May 1646, the division in
Parliament between Independents and Presbyterians became an open one. See note to 3.XI
The Scots Curanto,' 1 51.
115 black-rod: short for Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod; the chief Gentleman Usher of the
Lord Chamberlain's department of the royal household OED
122 What if the Scots should play the jade: Charles was in the custody of the Scots from May
1646 to February 1647 when they turned him over to the English (Gardiner, Civil War III,
188).
129 And if they should deny'n: The reading 'deny'n' of 68 corrects the error 'deny an' of 61,
64. This version is consistent with the rhyme word 'by'n' in 1 132.
134 Their vorty hundred thousand pown: In return for handing the King over to Parliament,
the Scots were to be paid £400,000 to cover the arrears of their army (Gardiner, Civil War III,
138). See also 3.XI The Scots Curanto,' 131.
140 The vive and twonty part and size: All delinquents were assessed by the Committee for
the Advance of Money to pay one-fifth of their yearly revenue and one-twentieth of the value
of their goods and commonalty. See note to 1 21 of 3.Ill 'A new Diurnal.' The excise tax was
imposed by Parliament on 22 July 1643. See note to l.XXVI 'On the fall of the prices of
wine,' 1 25.

VI ON A BUTCHERS DOG THAT BIT A COMMANDERS

MARE THAT STOOD TO BE KNIGHT OF A SHIRE

61, 64, 68, F27

Title: A Ballad on a Butchers dogg... F27 39 as] beene as F27
6 d'you I : 'you61 40 mistook] mistake/^/
7 if]omitF27 43 the] allF27
12 hear] her 68 49 So] ButF27
20 any I: a 61 55 him] 'umF27
33 when] loeF27 57 as] thatF27
35 It] which F27 59 they] thisF27

Reference to 'our noble Protector' (1 53) dates this poem after 1653. Parliamentary elections
under the Protectorate were held in the summer of 1654, summer of 1656, and late fall 1657.
13 You bloody Malignants why will you still plot: reference to disaffected Royalists during

71
 Notes to pages 200-5
the Commonwealth and Protectorate who periodically planned insurrections against the gov-
ernment

VII THE NEW KNIGHT ERRANT

61, 64, 68
1 and their] &, their 61 56 are] are now 68
6 known,] known: 61 59 spit] pit 64
25 find] find, 61 60 bacon.] bacon, 61
28 their] then their 68 64 bears?] bears. 61
43 survives I : survies67 72 both their 64, 68: their 61
54 And took 64, 68: Took 61 83 clown,] clown; 67

The object of this lampoon is Thomas Pride. The version inR is a reprint of 61, but has the
title 'On Col. Pride.' See£W# for the career of Pride. He was best known for his part in
Pride's Purge on 6 December 1648, when he forcibly prevented Presbyterian members from
taking their seats in the Commons. See Thomas, p 199 for Berkenhead's satire on Pride.
5 A Knight lately made of the Governing trade: Pride was elected an MP for Cromwell's sec-
ond Parliament which convened on 17 September 1656. He was also High Sheriff of Surrey
in 1655-6, was knighted by Cromwell on 17 January 1656, and was appointed on 25 March
1656 as one of the commissioners for securing the peace of London. In 1657, he was
appointed to the Other House. SeeDWB.
7 trucking: bartering OED
12 pig: farrow OED
19-20 From the grains he'd aspire to the yest, etc: One authority states that Pride was a dray-
man in his early life; another that he was an honest brewer in London (DNB).
22 hanger: a loop or strap on a sword-belt from which the sword was hung OED, 4.b
26 And Ursula was her name: Pride actually married Elizabeth, natural daughter of Thomas
Monck, brother of General Monck (DNB).
35 He went to the field: During the civil war Pride was a major in Essex's infantry and a lieu-
tenant-colonel in the New Model. In 1648 he was a colonel under Cromwell in the Welsh
campaign and at Preston (DNB).
53 And next on the cocks: After his appointment to the commission for securing the peace of
London, Pride rigorously suppressed cock-fighting (DNB).
63 To the Rearward he goeth: When he was High Sheriff of Surrey Pride ordered the killing
of the bears which were kept for bear baiting. See note to 1 889 of the First Part, Canto I of
Hudibras, p 341; DA®; Gardiner, Commonwealth II, 284-5; IV, 32.
73 Our successour of Kings: Cromwell
75 to make Tom a Knight: Pride was knighted by Cromwell on 17 January 1656.
80 made him a Lord: Pride was appointed to the Other House in 1657. This allusion dates this
poem at least in late 1657 or early 1658.
88 Greg.: unidentified

72
 Notes to pages 205-7
VIII THE NEW MOUNTEBANCK

61, 64, 68, SM43, RP6

Title: The State MountebankeSM4?: A Mounte- 35 the] yourSM43
banke RP6 36 your] the/?P6
Written in 1643 64, 68: omit Z 37 'twill] v/il\RP6
2 or] orofSM43,RP6 you] thee/tf^
ease] peace SM43 38 To speak] Speaks RP6
very] omit SM43, RP6 treason] reason SM43
sick] sicks RP6 lispingly] Lisps butRP6
3 There's] Here's 7tf>6 39 Here's] Here7?P6
4 fetcht] strochtSM43 which] are/?P6
5 meant,] meant 61 40 will stick close] stick closely SM43
42 Then] And then RP6
and] orRP6 they'l] they will/?P6
9 lies] \ivsRP6 44 our] yourSM^, RP6
place,] place 61 45 the] yourSM43,RP6
10 is in his] he lyes in'sRP6 49 your] the 5M43
12 Where SM43, RP6: When I (see note) 50 Lanthornes here,] Lanthornes, SM43
13 Off] Off, 61 51 trebbles] doubles twice RP6
you'l] you'deftPtf the] omit SM43: our RP6
him slain] it strange RP6 52 a] anSM43,RP6
16 speak] shewSA/43: speaks RP6 53 to] forto/?P6
or] andSM43 54 lie] lyes RP6
17 we'l I : he'167: hee'de/?/>6 51 Plundring's] Plundring's, 61
21 There] HereSM43, RP6 the] thatRP6
they call] he cals SM43 58 war] wares SM43, RP6
22 it shall] 'twill SM43 60 enrich] undoe/?P6
23 too] so/?P6 you] us SM43
24 pills] bits 5M4? 62 in 64, 68: with Z
26 'tis] isRP6 circle] circles SM43
this] hence SM43, RP6 can do] does/?P6
21 Is] AreRP6 tricks Z : fine tricks 61
28 found?] found; 67 65 ever] only SM43: ne'er butRP6
29 Here's] Here is SM43 are] were/?P6
we] they/tftf 66 to his] to'sSM43: unto his/?P6
30 His] ARP6 68 faith.] faith, 61
33 into] 3 toRP6 69 then,] then 67
34 you] themRP6
Thomason dated his copy ofSM43 17 May 1643. On the same broadside is a poem entitled 'A
strange Sight to be seen at Westminster,' another burlesque on Parliament written in Hudi-
brastic verse. It is reprinted in Rump I, 85.
Mercurius Aulicus (21 August 1643, p 482) refers to Parliament as 'Emperickes which
have undertooke the cure of this State.' See also Cowley, The Civil War I, 112 for a reference
to Parliament as 'Emprickes.'
Ballads and poems burlesquing Parliament's slogans and sophistries were common in
1642 and 1643. See for instance the following in Rump: 'A Song. To the Tune of The Queens
old Souldier' I, 13; 'To the Five Principal Members of the Honourable House of Commons' I,
22; The Players Petition to the Parliament' I, 32; 'A Madrigall on Justice, alluding to the
PARLIAMENT' I, 35; 'A Mad World My Masters' I, 47; 'The Five Members Thanks to the

73
 Notes to pages 205-6
Parliament' I, 58; 'Pyms Anarchy' I, 68. See also Cowley, 'A Satyre. The Puritan and the
Papist.'
7-8 Who from Geneva, etc.: The speaker associates Parliament with Presbyterians and the
more radical sectaries and separatists. In his declarations and messages the King contended
that Parliament was overawed by a multitude of Anabaptists, Brownists, and other persons
(Clarendon VI, 161). See 3.XIV The Holy Pedler,' 1 14; 3.XVIII 'A Ballad,' 1 28; 4.LVI
'Upon the death of that reverend and learned Divine, Mr. Josias Shute,' 1 38.
12 Where: The reading 'When' of the editions is incorrect. SM43 andRP6 preserve the correct
reading.
Strafford: The Earl of Strafford was executed on Tower Hill on 12 May 1641 (Gardiner,
History IX, 369-70).
15 Diurnals are his weekly bills: Both Parliament and the King used weekly newsheets (or
diurnals) for propaganda purposes. See Joseph Frank, The Beginnings of the English News-
paper (Harvard 1961) and Thomas. See also 3.Ill 'A new Diurnal.'
21-2 There is a pill, etc.: Compare Rump I, 48 for a Vote ex tempore.
23-4 If any conscience, etc.: Clarendon cited the texts of several sermons that eased the con-
sciences of those planning to fight against God's anointed (VI, 40-1).
26 Hull: Sir John Hotham, appointed Governor of Hull by Parliament in January 1642, ref-
used admission to the King on 23 April 1642 (Gardiner, History X, 153, 192). In the spring of
1643, Sir John and his son attempted to betray Hull to the King, but the attempt failed (Gar-
diner, Civil War I, 159-61). See also 3.HI 'A new Diurnal,' 1 129.
29 Glister: an enemaOED, s.v. clyster. See 4.LVIII 'An Elegy on the death of his Schoolmas-
ter,' 1 23.
30 His priviledge: In its declarations and propositions, Parliament claimed that it was fighting
to maintain its privileges. See 'The Propositions presented to the King at the Treaty of
Oxford' in Gardiner, Documents 262. Royalist poets in 1642 and 1643 mocked this and other
Parliamentary slogans. See 'A Madrigall on Justice, alluding to the PARLIAMENT,' Rump I,
35. See also Butler, Hudibras, First Part, Canto 1,11 755-64 for a list of slogans; 3.IX 'The
Saints Encouragement,' 1 43.
31 Is any money left: On 26 November 1642 Parliament established the Committee for the
Advance of Money whose purpose was to collect forced loans (Acts and Ord. I, 6-9). See
note to 3.Ill 'A new Diurnal,' 1 21.
48 Fundamental Law: Parliament regularly appealed to the vague but authoritative
'fundamental law' in its declarations and accused the King's wicked councillors of violating
this law. See 'The Grand Remonstrance,' in Gardiner, Documents 260. See also J.W.
Gough, Fundamental Law in English Constitutional History (Oxford 1961) 67-80. The
'fundamental law' was another of the Parliamentary slogans mocked by Royalist poets in
1642 and 1643. See 3.IX 'The Saints Encouragement,' 1 45.
51-2 This if you conquer, etc.: Both sides exaggerated the losses and casualties of the other
while minimizing their own. See note to 1 276 of Cowley's The Civil War 135.
54 And here lie dangerous plots in steep: Parliament was able to strengthen its moral position
by exaggerating reports of actual or imagined Royalist plots in London. For the effect of the
disclosure of Waller's plot see Gardiner, Civil War I, 146-9 zndMercurius Aulicus, 3 June
1643, p 316.
59 Ordinance: Parliament passed the Sequestration Ordinance on 27 March 1643. See note to
3.III 'A new Diurnal,' 11 199-200.

74
 Notes to pages 206-9
62 And in his circle: Magicians and necromancers used circles as charms in the performance
of their acts. For reference to a magician's circles see Butler, Hudibras, First Part, Canto II,
1143 and Second Part, Canto I, 112; 2.XLIII 'The Advice,' 1 49.
68 publick faith: Forced loans were secured by the public faith with an interest rate of eight
per cent (Acts and Ord. I, 152). The public faith was frequently satirized by Royalist poets
and balladeers. See 'The Publique Faith,' Rump I, 97; 'The Publique Faith,' in The Poems
and Translations of Robert Fletcher, ed. D.H. Woodward (Gainesville, FL 1970) 131. See
also 3.IX 'The Saints Encouragement,' 1 65.

IX THE SAINTS ENCOURAGEMENT

61, 64, 68, R, HM, H21, RP2, RP6, EM (sv)

Title: Collonel Vennes Encouragement to his Plymmouth] redding 7/27
Souldiers. A SONG/?: omitHM, H21, RP2, RP6, 34 diverse] many 7/27
EM 35 we Saints] have wee 7/27: we since RP2
4 Jealousies and] iealous RP2 obtain'd] obtain/?: attainedRP2
1 bring I: being 61 36 The like ne're] was heard of 7/27
back] omit H21 seen] nev'r7/27: heard RP2
again] to towne//M, RP2, EM: again to the 37 Rupert I : Robert 61, 7/27
Towne7/27: omit RP6 kill'd] slaine7/27
9 you] wee 7/2 7, RP2, EM 39 The wicked] And made the 7/27
11 By robbing] Though wee rob H21 did] to 7/27
plundring] plunder H21 Stanza 6: Stanza 5 RP2
men] them/?: townes/?P2 Stanzas 6-9: omit 7/27
13 train] men 7/2 7 42 peace] power HM, RP2, RP6
14 All Loyal Subjects] And all delinquents 7?/>2 45 Laws;] Laws, 61
15 these are gone] this is Doone7/27, RP2 46 And] That£M: doe/?P2
we] youRP2 obey] obey; 61
Stanza 3: Stanza 5 H21 49 We]The/?7>2
17 we've bankrupt made like us,] we've bankrupt Liberties] liberty RP2, RP6
made, like us67: we have made Banckrupt/?: a preserve] is maintained/?/^
bancrout wee have madeH21: is banckrupt like 50 By] By, 61
usRP2: we' have bankrupt made like usRP6: is 54 Lecturize] Lectery RP2: Lectures RP6
made bankrupt by us EM and] and by them RP6
19 loyal] loving RP2 55 By them] omit RP6
21 When] And RP2 is] may RP6
we've 61, 64, 68: we have I advanc'd] advanced bee/?/>£: maintaind RP2
22 sent] shipt//27 61 For] ButRP6
23 Prince] King RP2 wisely plot] wisely pleadRP2: wisely plodd
Stanza 4: Stanza 3 H21 EM
25 preserve] defende7/27 62 destroy] allay/?
27 Nor] You #27 63 He sees we stand] We labour still RP2
are we ever] ever are we/?: see we neverH21: peace] Truth RP2
ever were we RP2 truth] peace RP2
beaten back] gott the worse H21 66 good out-works] our good works/?, RP2, RP6
29 scruple] question H21 68 Only] omit RP2
on't] at/? wind and I: wind 61
Stanza 5: Stanza 4 #27: Stanza 6RP2 69 fall down] are done 7?P2
33 Keynton] Branford//27 71 will] shall RP2, EM
Branford] Brainsford/?: Plimmouth H21 bear] carry RP2

75
 Notes to pages 207-8
Variant line arrangements are as follows: each two lines: one line//27, RP2
The version inRP6 (ff. 67v-68) preserves five additional stanzas, probably not by Brome.
They are reprinted below.
The version inR is entitled 'Collonel Venues Encouragement to his Souldiers. A SONG.'
John Venn, MP for London in the Long Parliament, was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 3rd or
Yellow Regiment of the City Trained Bands (Masson II, 447; Pearl, pp 187-9). See also 3.Ill
'A new Diurnal,' 1 73.
The mock monologue form was popular with Royalist satirists in 1642 and 1643. See the
following in Rump: 'The Parliaments Hymnes' I, 64; 'Upon bringing in the Plate' I, 87; 'Sir
John Hotham's Alarm' I, 96; 'The Sence of the House' I, 101; The Earl of Essex his Speech
to the Parliament after Keinton Battle' I, 119.
Mercurius Aulicus (27 September 1643, p 79) used a similar method in mocking the arti-
cles of The Solemn League and Covenant.
4 Jealousies and fears: Clarendon said that 'fears and jealousies' were the new words which
served to justify all indispositions and to excuse all disorders (IV, 167). The phrase was fre-
quently satirized in theRump poems. See 'The Parliaments Pedigree' I, 24; 'The Passage of a
Coach travelling to Dover' I, 57; 'A Monster to be seen at Westminster' I, 85. See also Butler,
Hudibras, First Part, Canto I, 3; 3.XVIII 'A Ballad', 1 23; 4.XVI 'To a Potting Priest upon a
quarrel,' 1 3; 5.LX To the Kings most Sacred Majesty,' 1 10.
6 Malignants: Parliament's soldiers were led to believe that the King was little better than
imprisoned by 'evil counsellors, malignants, delinquents, and cavaliers' (Clarendon VI, 31).
8 The clean contrary way: Butler echoes this refrain in Hudibras, First Part, Canto I, 544,
and Cowley quotes it in 'A Satyre. The Puritan and the Papist,' 1 146.
11 By robbing Churches: Mercurius Aulicus reported on the frequent incidence of
iconoclasm and plundering of churches in 1643 (12 March 1643, p 154; 18 April 1643, p
223). The Rump poems frequently castigated the radical Puritans for their iconoclasm. See 'A
Song. To the tune of Blue Cappefor me' I, 8; 'A Song. To the Tune of Cuckolds all a-row' I,
14.
13 Orthodoxal train: Episcopal hierarchy
23 a glorious Prince: In its petitions and remonstrances Parliament declared that its intention
was to make Charles a great and glorious King. The hypocrisy of this statement was noted by
Charles in his Answer to The Declaration or Remonstrance of the Lords and Commons of the
19th of May 1642 (Clarendon V, 255). Royalist poets and other writers perceived the irony in
the phrase. See Cowley, The Civil War I, 358; 'A Satyre. The Puritan and the Papist,' 1 41.
See also Hobbes,Behemoth 95; Eikon Basilike, 47; 'I Thank You Twice,' Wilkins I, 56; 3.III
'A new Diurnal,' 1 184.
25-6 Tis to preserve his Majesty, etc.: Parliament's declarations stated that it was fighting to
preserve the King. See The Militia Ordinance,' The Votes of the Houses for Raising an
Army,' and The Solemn League and Covenant,' in Gardiner, Documents, pp 245, 261, 269.
See also Cowley, The Civil War I, 245-50; Butler, Hudibras, First Part, Canto II, 513-14;
2.XXXIX The Riddle,' 1 21; 4.XIII To C.S. Esquire,' 11 19-20.
33 AtKeynton, Branford, Plymmouth, York: Keynton refers to the Battle of Edgehill, called
also the fight of Keinton, from the village in South Warwickshire near which the battle was
fought on 23 October 1642. The battle was indecisive, but both sides claimed victory (Gardi-
ner, Civil War I, 41-51). Brentford, about seven miles from London, was occupied by the
King on 12 November 1642 (Gardiner, Civil War I, 57). In early 1643, Plymouth was held by

76
 Notes to pages 208-9
Parliament while York was in Royalist hands.
43 The priviledg of Parliament: See note to 1 30 of 3.VIII 'The New Mountebanck.'
45 The antient Fundamental Laws: See note to 1 48 of 3.VIII 'The New Mountebanck.'
49 We subjects Liberties preserve: In his declaration against Parliament's ordinance estab-
lishing the Committee for the Advance of Money (8 December 1642), Charles pointed out
that Parliament's assertion that it was fighting to protect liberty and property was hypocritical
because it now assumed arbitrary power to force loans, to tax the citizens, and to imprison
them if they resisted (Clarendon VI, 196-206).
53-4 We must preserve Mecannicks now: Both Royalists and conservative Parliamentarians
strongly disapproved of the radical sectaries who allowed uneducated laymen to preach to
their congregations. The low-born fanatic was regularly pilloried by Royalist satirists in 1641
and 1642. See 'The Character of a Roundhead,' Rump I, 42-3; 'A Curtain Lecture,' Rump I,
44-7; 'A Song. To the Tune of Cuckolds all a-row,' Rump I, 14-16; 'The ZEALOUS
PURITAN,' Rump I, 2; 'The Round-heads Race,' Rump I, 66; The Puritan,' Wilkins I, 71;
'The Tub-Preacher,' Mackay, p 18. Mercurius Aulicus attacked women and tradesmen in the
pulpit early in 1643 (21 February 1643, p 119). See also note to 2.XI 'The Safety,' 1 20.
65 The publick faith: See note to 1 68 of 3.VIII 'The New Mountebanck.'
66 out-works: an outer defence or outpost OED
The Saints Encouragement (stanzas in RP6 but not in 61)
Why are wee suppliants for yr weale
Wch is yr houses sense
Of Ireland in great distresse
For or benevolence
But yt as we have done before 5
For their releife & pay
Wee'le order take to send it ore
The cleane &c

What gratis you contribute is

Like a worke of Pietie 10
Wch of reward can never misse
From the greate Dietie
And if you look for farther ayde
And tarry till ye day
By publick Fayth you shall be payd 15
The Cleane &c

The Rebells lands shall be yor fee

Wn subject to or power
If Rebells lands must forfeit bee
Mock not wn you have ours 20
But if of both you chance to misse
And forwd bee to flye
Our L P C shall make it good
The cleane &c

77
 Notes to pages 209-13
Did not or Wisedome well advise 25
So into an honest course
To choose such able men as those
Whilst yrs so many worse
(As Finder, Thomson & ye like)
Whose worth none can denye 30
Theise tickets ae as good as gold
The Cleane &c

Think not this is a subtle fetch

To serve you to more cost
Wee must have all that can bee had 35
Else all or labors lost
Yor twentieth pt, yor monethly rents
And contribucions aye
Shall bee considered all alike
The Cleane contrary way 40

X COME LET US BE MERRY

61, 64, 68
1 merry,] merry 61 27 sing,] sing 61
4 thoughts, 68: care 61 45 e're] e'ne (Errata 61)
12 off 68: of 61, 64 46 omit 64, 68
13 go quarrel, 64, 68: quarrel 61 54 in 64, 68: and 61
18 Doth] Do 68 68 we,] we 61

Reference to 'our King' (1 28) dates this poem before the execution of Charles. The speaker
represents the views of those who wished for an accommodation with the King to forestall
rule of the Army.
55 widgeon: a fool, simpleton OED, 2
57-8 For Law and right, etc.: See note to 2.IX 'The Levellers rant,' 11 31-3.

XI THE SCOTS CURANTO

61, 64, 68
15 care] are 68 60 an 64, 68: a 61
52 Realm 64, 68: State 61

The version in R is a reprint of 61.

On 25 September 1643, Parliament took the Solemn League and Covenant, sealing its
alliance with the Scots (Gardiner, Documents 267-71). Royalists exploited Englishmen's
suspicions of the Scots' motives for involving themselves in English affairs and encouraged
the long-standing prejudice against the Scots. Most still considered the Scots as foreigners,
and the decision to bring in foreigners was bound to be unpopular.
Mercurius Aulicus had a field day impugning the greed and rapacity of the northern
invaders and gave prominence to their mercenary motives. Parliament's laxness in paying the
Scots army forced them to live off the northern counties, thus fueling Royalist charges that
the Scots were mere plunderers. See 3 October 1643, p 109; 15 December 1643, p 290; 7

78
 Notes to pages 211-14
January 1644, p 320; 12 October 1644, p 295. See also Thomas, pp 73-4.
Compare Brome's poem with Cleveland's famous attacks on the Scots: 'The Rebell Scot,'
p 29; 'The Scots Apostasie,' p 67. See also 'The Scots Arrears,' Rump I, 221; 'The Scotch
War,' Rump I, 228; 'The Committe Mans Complaint and the Scots Honest Usage,' Wright, p
60.
Title Curanto: a coranto; a newsbook OED
3 Twas we did begin: reference to the two Bishops' Wars (1638-40) in which Scotland
defied Charles's attempt to impose episcopacy on the Scots. Scottish resistance to the King
encouraged the King's opponents in England.
31 They pay'd us well: By the Treaty of Ripon (October 1641) the Scots were to receive £850
per day for the maintenance of their army in the northern counties (Gardiner, History IX,
214). See 3.V 'The Clown,' 1 134.
34 We must plead for a Reformation: By the terms of the Solemn League and Covenant, Par-
liament agreed to the abolition of episcopacy (see 1141-2) and the 'reformation of religion in
the kingdoms of England and Ireland' (Gardiner, Documents 268).
48 gain-sayers: those who gainsay, or speak against or oppose OED
51 The Parliament next must the same ditty sing: Tension between Parliament and its Scots
allies intensified in 1645 because the Scots feared the Independents' influence in both the
New Model Army and Parliament, while both Independents and Erastians opposed Scot
demands for coercive Presbyterianism in England. See 3.V 'The Clown', 1 95.

XII THOUGH OXFORD BE YIELDED

61, 64, 68
Title: 164364, 68: 164567 26 pocket,] pocket 67
3 unshaken,] unshaken 67

The analogy between love-making and war was a common motif in love poems of the period.
See Donne, 'Loves Warre,' p 13; Suckling, 'Loves Siege,' p 65. See also l.XXIV 'To his
Mistres affrighted in the wars.'
1 Though Oxford be yielded; etc.: The King occupied Oxford on 29 October 1642 and
arrived at Reading on 4 November 1642 (Gardiner, Civil War I, 54).
5 Let the young zelots, etc.: The City Trained Bands marched to Turnham Green on 12
November 1642 to arrest the King's advance on London (Gardiner, Civil War I, 57-8). See
also4.xni 'To C.S. Esquire,' 11 10-12.
\6Isaac and 's wenches: Isaac Pennington, MP for London in the Long Parliament, was Lord
Mayor in 1643. He was also Colonel of the 2nd or White Regiment of the London Trained
Bands (Masson II, 446; Pearl, pp 176-84). The episode may refer to the defence preparations
of London citizens against the impending attack of Charles (Gardiner, Civil War I, 52; Pearl,
p 183) or to work on the fortifications in the spring of 1643 (Wedgwood, The Kings War
2\%',MercuriusAulicus, 9 March 1643, p 150; 10 May 1643, pp 266-7). For other references
to Pennington see 3.Ill 'A new Diurnal,' 1 154; 3.IV 'On the demolishing the Forts,' 1 41.

79
 Notes to pages 214-16
XIII A NEW BALLAD
61, 64, 68
5 matter,] matter. 61 33 Those] These 68
11 gout,] gout. 61 48 buy 64, 68: buyes 61
23 'um,] 'um. 61 49 riches] riches, 61
24 speak 64, 68: spake 61 61 George 64,68: Henry 61

This ballad seems to reflect the disappointment of loyal Cavaliers after passage of 'An Act for
free and general pardon, indemnity and oblivion' on 29 August 1660 (Kenyon, pp 365-71).
For similar sentiments see l.XLII 'The Cavalier.'
13-16 Those Knaves that have lived upon sequestration, etc.: See note to 3.Ill 'A new Diur-
nal,' 11 199-200.
17-24 The poor Caveliers, thought all was their own, etc.: Compare l.XLII 'The Cavalier.'
29 And there both pardons, and honours they have: 'An Act for free and general pardon,
indemnity and oblivion' was passed on 29 August 1660 (Kenyon, pp 365-71).
36 Cinque Quaters: men of fifty OED, s.v. cinquanter
38 To rise from a cart and drive Charles his waine: Brome regularly attacked men of humble
origins who rose to power during the Interregnum. See note to 2.XXX 'The New Gentry.'
61 May James and George those Dukes of renown: In 61, the line reads 'James and Henry,'
the younger brothers of Charles II: James, Duke of York, and Henry, Duke of Gloucester. In
64 'Henry' was revised to 'George,' a reference to George Monck, who was created Duke of
Albemarle on 7 July 1660 [M. Ashley, General Monck (London 1977) 211]. Henry, Duke of
Gloucester died on 13 September 1660.

XIV THE HOLY PEDLER

61, 64, 68
3 Shops] Ships 68 42 'um.] 'um67
4-5 one line 64, 68 52 Rump's Churches 64, 68: Rump's-Churches67
30 gave] give 68 59 then] omit 68

The version in/? is a reprint of 61. Reference to the 'Rump's Churches' (1 52) suggests a date
during the Commonwealth.
14 Amsterdam: Amsterdam was noted as a refuge of radical sects and congregations fleeing
persecution elsewhere. See 3.VIII 'The New Mountebanck,' 1 7.
18 From the Tub to Mahomets pigeons: The pedler will supply accoutrements to serve all
religious fanatics. Humble persons of both sexes preached by standing on a tub. The tub
preacher was a regular butt of Royalist satirists. See 'A Curtain Lecture,' Rump I, 45; 'A
SONG. On the SchismatickROTUNDOS,'/?«m/> I, 223; 'The Tub-Preacher,' Mackay, p 18.
See also note to 2.XI 'The Safety,' 1 20.
Mohammed had a pigeon which used to peck corn out of his ear in order to make his fol-
lowers believe that he received communication from the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove
(OED, s.v. Mahomet, 5). Butler alludes to the same story inHudibras, First Part, Canto I,
230. See note on p 328. See also 'The New Letany,' Wright, p 137; Thomas Nashe, 'The
Terrors of the Night,' inThe Works of Thomas Nashe, ed. R.B. McKerrow (Oxford 1938)1,
351 and note in IV, 200-1.
25-7 First Surplices I took, etc.: Puritans of all persuasion were strongly opposed to vestiges

80
 Notes to pages 217-21
of Catholicism in the established church. Clerical dress and the set liturgy were especial
objects of Puritan attack. See articles 6, 13-15 of the Root and Branch Petition (Kenyon, pp
172-4).
28-30 Then the Bishops and Deans, etc.: On 9 October 1646 the name and title of bishop and
archbishop were abolished, and their lands were put in the hands of trustees for the use of the
state (Acts and Ord. I, 879-83). Deans and Chapters were abolished on 30 April 1649 as the
first step in the appropriation of their estates (Gardiner, Commonwealth I, 49).
37 Then Tythes I fell upon: The more radical Puritan separatists and the Levellers were
strongly opposed to tithes, the first for religious and the second for economic reasons. The
question of tithes was a vexing one for all Interregnum governments. For instance, one of the
reasons for the dissolution of the Barebones Parliament in December 1653 was the determi-
nation of the more radical members to abolish tithes (Gardiner, Commonwealth II, 323-7).
See 4.XII 'To C.S. Esquire,' 11 7-8.
49 Church Militants: a pun on the tendency of radical sectaries to disagree among themselves.
See 5.LVII 'Cromwell's Panegyrick,' 1 48.

XV A SERIOUS BALLADE

61, 64, 68
6 brotherly] unbrotherly 68 33 command,] command 67

The speaker in this poem reflects the views of the peace parties on both sides who in 1645
supported moderate reforms and hoped for peace between the King and his Parliament to
forestall the spread of religious, political, and social radicalism.
4 the good Old Cause: a favourite slogan of supporters of Parliament, connoting especially
the cause of liberty and opposition to tyranny

XVI ANODE
61, 64, 68
16 they have] they've 68 38 chamber,] chamber 61
24 star.] star, 61 yet] yet, 61
30 West,] West. 61 39 guide 64, 68: give 61
Several poems in Rump use macrocosmic imagery to reflect the breakdown of order in the
state in 1642 and 1643: 'On the Queens Departure' I, 67; 'The Argument' I, 41; 'On two Par-
liaments dissolved' I, 147. See also 4.LIII 'On the death of King CHARLES,' 11 9-14; 4.LVII
'To the memory of Doctor Hearn,' 11 51-62.
2 opacous: opaque OED
17-18 Now since our Sun, etc.: After his unsuccessful attempt to impeach the five members
of the Commons, Charles left London for the North on 10 January 1642 (Gardiner, History X,
150). In the fall of 1642, Charles made his headquarters at Oxford.
301'th' stables of the North or West: The King had armies in the North under Newcastle and
in the West under Hopton. Plans were for these armies to advance on London (Gardiner, Civil
War I, 135).
48 When bold blind Phaetons, etc.: InEikon Basilike (p 55) Charles stated that Parliament's
'forwardness to ascend the throne of supremacy portends more of Phaeton than of Phoebus.'
Phaeton, the son of Apollo, was killed when he drove his father's chariot. See Ovid, Meta-

81
 Notes to pages 221-5
morphoses I, 750-11, 280. See also 4.XXX 'A new years gift,' 11 17-18; 4.XXXIH 'Upon riding
on a tired horse,' 1 29; 4.XLI 'A Satyre on the Rebellion,' 11 17-20.

XVII PALINODE
61, 64, 68
5 have done 64, 68: have have done 67 45 get] get. 61
38 is] it 64

33-4 Besides the danger, etc.: This may refer to the Commonwealth's act restricting the free-
dom of the press (20 September 1649). Fines and imprisonment were imposed on anyone
publishing a book, treatise, pamphlet, or newsbooks without a licence. Authors and book-
sellers were also subject to fines and imprisonment (Gardiner, Commonwealth I, 174-5).

XVIII A BALLAD

64, 68
39 pull'd6S: pull' 64

Reference to the return of the King in 1 41 dates this poem in 1660.

4 But he rode in a snaffle: to rule easily, to guide with a light hand#£D, s.v. snaffle, l.c
5 Then the hungry Scot comes: reference to the two Bishops' Wars (1638-40), sparked by
Charles's attempt to impose Episcopacy on the Scots
9 The long Parliament next, etc.: The Long Parliament met on 3 November 1640.
13-16 Jack Presbyter first gets the Steed by the head: reference to the Presbyterian and anti-
Episcopal sentiments of many members of Parliament in 1641
17-18 And then comes the Rout, etc.: Citizen mobs in late 1641 and early 1642 put pressure
on Parliament to exclude Bishops from the House of Lords. The Bishops Exclusion Bill was
accepted by Charles on 13 February 1642 (Gardiner, History X, 165).
20 journey to Scotland: In the summer of 1643 Parliament was negotiating an alliance with
the Scots. The terms of the alliance were set down in The Solemn League and Covenant (25
September 1643).
23 jealousies and fears: See note to 1 4 of 3.IX 'The Saints Encouragement.'
25 Next came th'Independant, etc.: reference to the radical Independents who set up the
Commonwealth government.
28 Amsterdam: See note to 3.VIII 'The New Mountebanck,' 1 7.
29 ButNol a rank rider, etc.: Cromwell became Protector in December 1653. Nol was one of
the Royalists' favourite nicknames for Cromwell.
31 widdle, waddle: with a waddling or unsteady movement OED
32 And like his Coach-horses, etc.: On 29 September 1654 Cromwell narrowly escaped seri-
ous injury when he fell from the box of a coach (Gardiner, Commonwealth III, 199; 'A Jolt on
Michaelmas Day,' Wilkins I, 121).
33 ThenD/cfc, being lame: Richard Cromwell's Protectorate lasted from 3 September 1658 to
25 May 1659. See Davies, pp 3-85.
37 Next Fleetwood and Vane, etc.: Charles Fleetwood succeeded Cromwell as Commander-
in-Chief of the Army. Sir Henry Vane was one of the leading Republicans in the Rump. After
the fall of Richard, the Army restored the remnant of the Rump (25 May 1649-13 October
1659), then reassumed power (13 October 1659-26 December 1659), and once again restored

82
 Notes to pages 224-5
the Rump (26 December 1659-21 February 1660). General Monck forced the Rump to read-
mit the secluded members and then to dissolve itself (16 March 1660). With the summoning
of the Convention Parliament to meet on 25 April, the way to the Restoration was paved. See
Davies, pp 86-337.
42 Bucephalus', the name of Alexander the Great's celebrated charger. See 4.XXXIII 'Upon
riding on a tired horse,' 1 6.

83
 Notes to pages 227-30

SECTION 4

I TO C C. ESQUIRE

61, 64, 68
Title: Esquire 64, 68: Esq; 61 so,] so 61
1 the 64, 68: that 61 24 Poet] Poet, 61
1 ere 64, 68: are 61 yet,] yet 61
Helicon,] Helicon. 61 26 again] to gain64, 68
10 tear,] tear. 61 40 brave,] brave. 61
11 make our 61 (c.)] make one 61 (u.) 41 old Kelles 64,68: the Chancellours 61: the
19 springs,] springs. 61 Keepers (Errata 61)
21 Muses] Muses, 61

Charles Cotton (1630-87) lived most of his life at his country estate, Beresford Hall, in Staf-
fordshire. See John Buxton, ed., Poems of Charles Cotton (London 1958), Introduction.
From comments in this epistle, it appears that Brome was a guest of Cotton's, probably
sometime in 1660 because in 11 55-6 he invites Cotton to offer some comment about a manu-
script of poems Brome is sending him. Brome was preparing his poems for publication in
1660, and this may be an invitation to Cotton to contribute a dedicatory poem.
Brome had several friends in common with Cotton, Izaak Walton and Thomas Stanley in
particular, and probably came to know him through his association with the Cavalier literary
community in London during the 1650s.
10 Baals Priests: Baal was the chief male deity of the Phoenicians and Canaanites (OED).
11 baggage: good-for-nothing OED, B.3
18 your house: Beresford Hall, Staffordshire
41 old Kelles: unidentified. In61 the reading is 'the Chancellours' with the errata reading 'the
Keepers.' Sir Edward Hyde was Lord Chancellor and Lord Keeper in 1660. See Edward
Foss, The Judges of England (New York 1966) VII, 5-6, 14.
46 Derby. Beresford Hall was situated on the border of Staffordshire and Derbyshire.

II THE ANSWER

61, 64, 68
Title: By C. Cotton ed.: C. Cotton (at end of 36 retrive67 (c.)] retire61 (u.)
poem) 61 50 more,] more. 61
22 society,] society. 61 56 thine 64, 68: thy 61
28 mate 61 (c.)] meet 61 (u.) 67 stale,] stale. 61

This epistle was not printed in Cotton's Poems of 1689. Cotton wrote an elegy on Brome
prefaced to 68, P.IV 'On my Friend Mr. ALEXANDER BROME.'
23 bandogs: chained dogs; mastiffs or bloodhounds OED
Lernean fen: home of the Hydra, which was overcome by Hercules
26 cuff t: buffeted with wings OED, 2
28 mate: equal, rival; be a match for OED
41 TheLwcrme Lakes plump Oysters: oysters procured from Lake Lucrine near Baiae, highly
esteemed by the Romans as a delicacy. See Horace, Epodes II, 49.

84
 Notes to pages 230-4
74 perspective: telescope OED, 2
76 Dunne: a debt collector OED, s.v. dun

III TO HIS UNIVERSITY FRIEND

61, 64, 68
15 be] be, 61 36 grutch] grutch, 61

The addressee of this epistle is unidentified. In his answer (4.IV), Brome's friend refers to the
Thames overflowing its banks (1 28). Pepys alluded to the Thames flooding on 20 March
1660 (Pepys Diary 92-3). This epistle was probably written, then, shortly before this date.
12 And lends more greek then your grave patriarch: A merry greek was a slang term for a
roisterer. Brome is punning on 'greek' here, using it as a slang term for drunkenness (OED,
s.v. Greek, 5).
24 Firck: a sudden blow, or stroke OED, s.v. firk
32 And certain Bristoll words that like wit show: Bristol stones (or diamonds) are transparent
rock-crystals found in the Clifton limestone near Bristol, resembling a diamond in brilliance,
but essentially valueless and used for cheap jewellery. 'Bristoll words,' then, seem like wit,
but are actually false. The allusion to mining in 11 29-30 fits in with the context. See A.M.
Hayamson, A Dictionary of English Phrases (Detroit 1970), s.v. Bristol Stone.

IV THE ANSWER

61, 64, 68
2 you 64, 68: omit 61 67 too 67 (c.)] to 67 (u.)
14 by 67 (c.)] from 67 (u.) 91 wishing 64, 68: shissiing67
36 or 67 (c.)] and67 (u.) 95 And that 64, 68: That 67
59 to] the 64, 68
Brome's friend wrote this epistle shortly after the Thames flood, noted by Pepys on 20 March
1660. See note to 4.Ill 'To his University Friend.'
10 C.: Church
11 some Independent: a Puritan minister
15 Recorder: The Recorder of London, the chief legal adviser of the City, was a Justice of the
Peace for Middlesex and Southwark and the chief official at the sessions of Oyer and Ter-
miner and Gaol Delivery for London and Middlesex. See Pearl, pp 30, 66. In the spring of
1660, the Recorder was William Wilde (Davies, p 324).
21 Sophisters: students in their second or third year at university OED
28 Your Thames which swell'd above its bank: See note above.
68 Strong or Tiffe: unidentified
70 New Members for the commons house: Parliament dissolved itself on 16 March 1660,
with a new Parliament to meet on 25 April 1660.
75 th'Excise: The excise tax was imposed by Parliament on 22 July 1643. See note to l.XXVI
'On the fall of the prices of wine,' 1 25.
79 Tom: See 4.V 'To T.S.' and 4.VI The Answer.'

85
 Notes to pages 235-8
V TOT.S.
61, 64, 68
30 lightning 64, 68: lighting 61 70 others 64, 68: other 67
35 as] omit 64, 68 71 poor 67 (c.)] omit 61 (u.)
37 writ] writ. 67 73 pain 64, 68: pains 67
38 wit,] wit 67 77 condemn,] condemn 67
44 understood.] understood, 67 80 shouldst] should 68
64 smooth^, 68: smoth67 81 I've] I have64, 68

Brome wrote this epistle from London in reply to one from his friend Tom S. (unidentified)
sometime during Lent of 1659. In his 'Answer' (4.VI), Tom S. promises to visit Brome in
London during the Easter law term (1141-4), and refers to 'hungry Lent' (1 129). Tom S. had
probably recently become a minister at Oxford, for Brome commends him for applying his
parts 'to preaching and such thriving arts' (11 59-60).
11 P.B. and G.: Neither has been identified, though in 4.VI 'The Answer' Tom S. reveals that
G. has recently become a minister (1 58).
16 Tryers: On 20 March 1654, a Commission of Triers was constituted to approve of all
nominations to vacant benefices (Gardiner, Commonwealth III, 21-2; Acts and Ord. II,
855-8).
21 P.P.: unidentified. See note to 1 30 of 4.VI 'The Answer.'
27 Tim: unidentified. See note to 1 30 of 4.VI 'The Answer.'
37-40 Our Prince of Poets, who once writ, etc.: John Denham, author of the much admired
Coopers Hill, wrote a ballad entitled 'A Relation of a Quaker' early in 1659. Brome must
have seen a manuscript copy, for Thomason's copy of the broadside is dated 20 May 1659.
See Brooks, 'Rump Songs,' p 294, note 9; Frank, Hobbled Pegasus, no 680; Brendan O
Hehir, Harmony from Discords (Berkeley 1968) 136-7. Seealso4.XIX 'To his Friend T.S.',
1 38.
55 the Directory: The Westminster Directory of Worship, a replacement for the Book of
Common Prayer, was approved by Parliament on 4 January 1645 (Gardiner, Civil War II,
108). See 5.LVII 'Cromwell's Panegyrick,' 1 46.
56 your new prayers made ex tempore: Puritans disliked a set liturgy. See notes to 3.Ill 'A
new Diurnal,' 1 18 and 4.XLI 'A Satyre on the Rebellion,' 1 4.
S3DickBromes playes: Alexander is enclosing a copy of his edition of Richard Brome'sF/ve
new Playes published in 1659. Thomason dated his copy January 1659.
84 Because they were approv'd by thee: C.E. Andrews uses this line as evidence that T.S. is
Thomas Stanley, contending that the prefatory poem inRB59 addressed to Alexander and
signed T.S. is by Stanley [Richard Brome: A Study of his Life and Works (Archon Books
1972) 25-6]. G.R. Crump challenges this attribution (Stanley, p 408). It is unlikely that the
T.S. of this epistle is Stanley, because Stanley was not a minister at Oxford.

VI THE ANSWER
67, 64, 68
13 publick,] publick67 36 Scottish] Scottish. 61
14 mangie64, 68: needy 67 42 is] is. 67
17 Grocers,] Grocers 61 45 on] an68
25 and laugh 64, 68: can laugh 67 49 Creature 64, 68: Creauture 67

86
 Notes to pages 237-41
60 wherewith] therewith 64, 68 113 is 64, 68: is't 61
71 Friend P. 64, 68: Friend 61 132 of 64, 68: off 61
74 brim.] brim 61 139 said] (said 61: saith6S
81 Denham, 61 (u.): D. 67 (c.), 64, 68 (see note) 150 Winter.] Winter 61
83 proud 64, 68: great 67 170 write,] write. 61
95 Moses,] Moses. 61 172 away,] away. 67
98 many] many, 67 174 loss 64, 68: lost 67
men,] men 67 184 metaphrasted,] metaphrasted. 67
99 i' faith] F faith 64, 68: I faith 67 194 cannot] can't 64, 68
102 hand,] hand. 67

This is Tom S's answer to Brome's letter (4.V).

5-6 If thou wantest coyn, the Cockneys Guildhall, etc.: Brome was an attorney of both the
Lord Mayor's Court at Guildhall and the Court of King's Bench (Upper Bench during the
Interregnum) at Westminster.
11-14 That when another Parliament, etc.: Tom S. refers to Parliament's establishment of the
Committee for the Advance of Money on 26 November 1642 to collect forced loans which
were to be secured by public faith bills. The Committee sat at the Guildhall. See note to 1 21
of 3.Ill 'A new Diurnal.'
15-18 That when again the Pulpet clawes, etc.: In the summer and fall of 1642, London
preachers sympathetic to Parliament encouraged citizens to make voluntary contributions,
which were delivered to the Guildhall rather than to Grocers' Hall (Pearl, pp 231-2, 253).
28 As ever \heMercurius told lye: probably a reference to the official government newsbook,
Mercurius Politicus, edited by Marchamont Nedham. Its last number was published on 12
April 1660. See Frank, The Beginnings of the English Newspaper 263.
30Ato. Wren: Matthew Wren (1629-72) was the eldest son of Matthew Wren, Bishop of Ely
(DNB). Wood says that Wren was admitted to read at the Bodleian on 6 November 1651,
while his brother, Thomas, was admitted on 9 August 1655. See Andrew Clark, ed., The Life
and Times of Anthony Wood ... (Oxford 1891) I, 205. Wood also describes meetings in 1656
between Royalists living in Oxford and students and scholars at a coffee house run by an
apothecary named Arthur Tillyard. Wood names several members of All Souls College -
Peter Pett, Thomas Millington, Timothy Baldwin, Christopher Wren, George Castle, Wil-
liam Bull — who were regular attenders, as well as John Lamphire, a physician, and Matthew
and Thomas Wren (Wood I, 201). This coffee house, says Wood, continued till the Restora-
tion and after.
It is possible that Tom S. belonged to the group meeting at Tillyard's coffee house. In his
letter to T.S. (4.V), Brome refers to P.P., G., and Tim, and though not definite, it is possible
that these men were Peter Pett, Timothy Baldwin, and George Castle mentioned in Wood's
account above.
Tom S. declares that politics was a favourite topic in the spring of 1659, mainly because
of Matthew Wren's presence. In 1657, Wren had published Considerations on Mr. Harring-
ton's ... Oceana and early in 1659 Monarchy Asserted ... in Vindication of the Considera-
tions. Harrington replied to this book inPoliticaster, published in August 1659. See Z. Fink,
The Classical Republicans (Northwestern University Press 1962) 85-9. See also 4.XIX 'To
his Friend T.S.,' 1 3.
31-2 When we know all the Pretty sputher, etc.: One of the most contentious issues debated
in the Commons during Richard's Parliament was recognition and composition of the so-
called 'Other House' (Davies, pp 59-62).

87
 Notes to pages 238-42
34 Coppen-hagen: In August 1658, Sweden attacked Denmark and laid siege to Copenhagen.
A Dutch fleet relieved the siege. In November 1658, the English sent a fleet to the Baltic to
help the Swedes, but it had to return because of bad weather. England and France signed a
treaty early in 1659 to mediate a peace between Sweden and Denmark (Davies, pp 194-7).
58 G.: unidentified. See note to 1 30 above and to 4.V 'To T.S.,' 111.
69 White-Hall-gate: the palace of Whitehall, headquarters of Richard Cromwell and his court
and Council
7Q Lud andAllgate: Ludgate and Aldgate, the western and eastern gates of the old City
71 Our Friend P.: unidentified. See note to 1 30 above and to 4.V 'To T.S.,' 1 21.
75 Tim: unidentifed. See note to 1 30 above and to 4.V 'To T.S.,' 1 27.
88 There is but oneReligio Medici: reference to the popular book by Sir Thomas Browne,
first published in 1642 and republished many times during the century
100 As in his Sums Aquinas saith: St Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica
102 Urinall: phial used to receive urine for a medical examination OED
109 Chymick: a Paracelsian or chemiatric physician OED, s.v. chemic, 2
111 Galenist: a physician following the principles and practice of Galen OED
114 Methodists: reference either to a precisian Puritan preacher or to a physician of the
'methodic' school, ie, one who was an orthodox medical practitioner OED
139 King of Sweden: Charles X
154 juyce of scurvey: scurvy-ale, a medicated ale intended as an antidote to scurvy OED, 3
158 fish whores: slang for a woman who sells fish OED, s.v. fish wife, II.7
162 P.: unidentified
168 John Goodwin: John Goodwin, the famous Puritan minister, published two hymns in
1651 in praise of Cromwell's victory at Worcester on 3 September. They were entitled 'Two
Hymns, or Spirituall Songs; sung in Mr. Goodwins Congregation.' See Frank, Hobbled
Pegasus, no 499.
MSSterries praise: Peter Sterry (1613-72) was a member of the Westminster Assembly, and
later Cromwell's chaplain and one of his favourite preachers. Tom S. is referring to Sterry's
fulsome praise of both Oliver and Richard. SeeDNfl.
179 Wither: George Wither (1588-1667), the voluminous poet and pamphleteer, who was a
staunch supporter of Interregnum governments
184 metaphrasted: to render a composition from one literary form into another OED
185Francis Rous: Francis Rous (1579-1659), a Puritan layman who established a reputation
as a theologian. During the 1640s he was an MP with Presbyterian sympathies, but went over
to the Independents in 1649. He served as speaker for the Barebones Parliament, was a
member of Cromwell's Council of-State and was appointed to the 'Other House.' Earlier in
1644 he was appointed provost of Eton College. Tom S. refers to Rous's metrical versions of
the psalms published in 1643, a version approved by the Westminster Assembly and author-
ized by Parliament for general use (DNB).

VII AN EPISTLE FROM A FRIEND TO THE AUTHOR UPBRAIDING HIM

WITH HIS WRITING SONGS

61, 64, 68
Title: By I.E. ed.\ I.E. (at end of poem) 61 21 Too 64, 68: To 61
1 believ't,] believ't67 24 Fidlers 64, 68: Fidle's<57
 Notes to pages 242-7
I.E. has not been identified. On very little evidence, Brooks suggests I.E. is Joseph Beau-
mont (pp 62, 113-14). See also 4.XXXIV 'To his Friend I.E.'
10 Taylor: John Taylor (15787-1653), the popular water poet
13 statuated: No such word is recorded in the OED. It seems to mean 'honoured by a statue.'

VIII THE ANSWER

61, 64, 68
3 reprove] approve 68 45 in both 64, 68: in doth 61
8 us,] us. 61 53 there's 64, 68: their's67
16 crutch?] crutch 61 61 designes,] designes. 61
25 you] thou64, 68 62 lines,] lines. 61
too,] too 61 76 Thy 64, 68: Your 61
34 to a 64, 68,: for a 61 78 thy] my 64, 68
36 them 64, 68: then 61 wit,] wit. 61

21-2 nature made the Joane, etc.: proverbial. See Tilley, J57.
29-30 I know no more why I write more then thee, etc.: Compare P.II 'To the Reader,' 11
27-9.
31 Cheap: the market at Cheapside OED
50 broach'd: pierced (as a cask) so as to draw the liquor OED, 4
can'd: ale turning sour or becoming 'mothery' OED

IX TO A LADY DESIRING A COPY OF A SONG

61, 64, 68
Title: a copy] the copy 64, 68 23 be,] be 61
10 who] who, 61 25 trip,] trip 67

The lady has not been identified.

8 trepan'd: ensnared, beguiled OED

X TO HIS FRIEND C.S. ESQUIRE

61, 64, 68
23 do] did 64, 68 30 who] who. 61
now ed.: know Z (see note) 44 be] be. 61
25 have writ,] havewrit. 61 59 one] one, 61
Brome wrote this epistle to Charles Steynings from London at Christmas 1658. For Steynings
see P.XI 'To his dear friend Mr. Alex. Brome, upon the publishing his Poems.'
1 plum-broth: a traditional Christmas dish made of beef, prunes, raisins, currants, white
bread, spices, sugar, and other ingredients OED
35w.: Steynings' wife was Susanna, daughter of Sir Nicholas Martin. See S.W. Bates Har-
bin, p 163.
6 For here we such a Mayor have got: Sir John Ireton was Lord Mayor of London 1658-9.
See Richard R. Sharpe, London and the Kingdom. A History (London 1894) II, 355.
7-8 That though our tavernes open stand, etc.: On 8 June 1647 Parliament passed an ordi-
nance forbidding celebration of Christmas as a festival. Churches were closed and services

89
 Notes to pages 246-8
were forbidden (Acts and Ord. I, 954). See also Hardacre, p 110 and note to 2.XXXI 'The
Cheerful heart,' 1 22.
23 Nor do I now; Tis not my fashion: I have emended 61 'know' to 'now' to make sense of
the line. In the previous line Brome explains why he did not answer Steynings' last rhyme. In
this line he asserts that he does not answer it 'now' because it is not his fashion to make a dis-
putation in verse.
29-34 For here we have a great adoe, etc.: Richard Cromwell's Council had decided on 3
December 1658 to hold a general election for a Parliament to meet on 27 January 1659 (Dav-
ies, p 45). Apparently Steynings was seeking a seat, but was unsuccessful. See S.W. Bates
Harbin, p 164.

XI TO C.S. ESQUIRE

61, 64, 68
2 thee64, 68: the 67 18 answer 64, 68: an answer 67
3 they're 64, 68: thy're67 26 Taunton-Shire.] Taunton-Shire, 61
10 they 're 64, 68: their 67

Brome wrote this epistle to Charles Steynings shortly after the dissolution of Cromwell's
second Parliament on 4 February 1658. Brome had expected to find Steynings as a member of
the House of Commons for some borough in his native Somerset. Steynings had not been
elected. See S.W. Bates Harbin, p 164. According to Harbin, either Steynings or his father,
also Charles, had been elected a member for Cromwell's first Parliament which met on 3
September 1654 (p 163). The election was questioned on the grounds of malignancy. See
Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, 1654, ed. M.A.E. Green (London 1880) 281-3,
and Hardacre, p 124.
3 other-house: The Humble Petition and Advice (25 May 1657) empowered the Lord Pro-
tector to call a Parliament consisting of two houses. In article 5 the second house was referred
to as the 'other House' (Gardiner, Documents 449, 452).
12-14 They'd not been routed, etc.: When the House of Commons persisted in challenging
the new constitutional arrangements, especially the other House, Cromwell dissolved Parlia-
ment on 4 February 1658 (Firth II, 15-41).
20 Then Cook or Littleton ere read, or saw: Sir Edward Coke and Sir Thomas Littleton, two
of the greatest authorities on the English law. For Littleton see Holdsworth II, 482-5 and for
Coke see Holdsworth V, 425ff. See also P.XII 'To his Ingenious Friend Mr. A.B. upon his
most excellent Poems,' 1 34.
22 Be thou a Justice I'm Atturney still: According to Harbin, Steynings was a member of
Cromwell's commission of the peace from 1654. Brome was an attorney of both the Court of
Upper Bench and the Lord Mayor's Court at this time.
25 Our noble Sheriff's a dying: This may be a reference to the same sheriff referred to in
4.XLIV 'To the high-Sheriff of S.' William Hillyard was appointed Sheriff of Somerset in
1656. See E.H. Bates Hardin, ed., 'Quarter Sessions Records For the County of Somerset:
Volume III. Commonwealth 1646-1660,' p xxiv in Somerset Record Society, vol. XXVIII
(Taunton, 1912).
26 Taunton-Shire: Brome owned land near Taunton. See his will at the Public Records
Office.
27 your lovely Sue: Steynings' wife

90
 Notes to pages 248-51
XII TO C.S. ESQUIRE
61, 64, 68
2 place] place. 61 44 crime,] crime. 61
4 makes] make 64, 68 49 an] omit 68
come.] come 61 51 true,] true 61
16 mind,] mind. 61 52 that's 64, 68: that is 61
30 Bajazet,]Bajazet. 61 58 where 64, 68: were 61
32 the 64, 68: th' 61 78 fill.] fill, 61
40 amiss 64, 68: a miss 61
Brome wrote this epistle to his friend Charles Steynings during a visit to Taunton, Somerset.
The date of the epistle is probably shortly after the Restoration, for according to S.W. Bates
Harbin, Steynings was removed as Justice of the Peace at the Restoration (p 164). Harbin
claims that the Steynings removed was Charles the father, but this epistle proves that it was
Charles the son.
7-8 And tythes, which make men Priests, do so decay, etc.: The more radical Puritans and the
Levellers repeatedly called for the abolition of tithes and the establishment of pure voluntar-
yism in the church. All Interregnum governments resisted this drastic measure. See note to 1
37 of 3.XIV The Holy Pedler.'
24 decimated: After the uprising of 1655, Royalists were forced to pay a decimation tax for
the upkeep of the Major-Generals. See note to 1 290 of 5.LX 'To the Kings most Sacred
Majesty.'
27 But (Charles) thou art unjusticed: See note above.
SQBajazet: The Emperor of the Turks in Marlowe's Tamburlaine. See also 4.LVIII 'An Elegy
on the death of his Schoolmaster,' 121; 6.II 'To Mr. James Shirley, upon his English and
Latine Grammar,' 1 13; Cowley, 'Ode of Wit' I, 16, stanza 7.
34 A billa-vera-man, or Ignoramus: In legal terminology, a billa vera is a true bill, the
endorsement by a grand jury on a bill of indictment when they found it sufficiently sustained
by evidence. A 'billa-v era-man,' then, is one found guilty of an offence. 'Ignoramus' means
literally 'we ignore it.' This word was written on a bill of indictment when the grand jury
found that the evidence against the accused was groundless. Thus an 'ignoramus' is one who
is found innocent of an of fence. SeeH.C. Rlzck, Black's Law Dictionary (St Paul,MI 1951).
47 Babel-tricks: thrown into a state of confusion or disarray OED, s.v. Babel, 4
60 mittimuses', the first word of a writ in Latin - 'we send' - used in warrants by a Justice of
the Peace to a keeper of a prison ordering him to keep the named person in custody until
delivered in due course of law OED
73 T.: Taunton, Somerset, near which Brome owned some lands
Sue: Steynings' wife
74 My Ato.: Brome's wife, Martha

XIII TO C.S. ESQUIRE

61, 64, 68
3 out,] out. 61 10 fools] fools, 61
5 side] side, 67 26 Make 64, 68: Made 61
9 th' 64, 68: the 61 21 Ex'ter,] Ex'ter. 61
ears;] ears 67 28 were,] were 67

91
 Notes to pages 250-5
47 way 64, 68: may 61 68 again,] again. 67
49 to't] too't67 75 vilifi'd64, 68: vilified 67
57 affection,] affection. 67 78 be] omit 68
58 sit 64, 68: set 67

Brome wrote this epistle to Charles Steynings shortly after the restoration of the Rump on 26
December 1659.
2 We've had such alterations here: reference to the Army's expulsion of the Rump on 13
October 1659 and its restoration on 26 December 1659 (Davies, pp 144-91).
9 And so they went by th' ears: See note to 3.Ill 'A new Diurnal,' 1 14.
10-12 I was with other fools sent out, etc.: Brome, with other citizens of London, may have
been forced to march to Turnham Green on 12 November 1642 to forestall Charles's threat-
ened assault on the City (Gardiner, Civil War I, 57-8). See also 3.XII 'Though Oxford be
yielded,' 1 5.
19-20 You were ingaged in that war, etc.: Brome recalls Parliamentary professions during the
civil war that it was fighting to preserve the King. See note to 11 25-6 of 3.IX 'The Saints
Encouragement.'
48 To love the very Rump: reference to the restored Rump
49 a Rubber's to't: an additional turn or spell at something. OED, s.v. rubber, 4.b cites this
reference from Brome.
60 Untill our next Election: Early in 1660, many hoped for a free election and a new parlia-
ment as a prelude to a restoration (Davies, pp 256ff.).
62 Grandees: the chief Army officers. See 2.XXXIV 'The Reformation,' 1 118.
67 Richard: Richard Cromwell was forced to abdicate in May 1659 (Davies, pp 70-85).
70 But when Sir Arthur came with's men: Sir Arthur Haselrig, one of the leading members of
the restored Rump. Brome is referring here to the first restoration of the Rump on 25 May
1659 (Davies, pp 86-143).
73 And when Prince Lambert turn'd them out: Colonel John Lambert was the moving spirit in
the expulsion of the Rump on 13 October 1659 (Davies, pp 144-61).

XIV TO HIS FRIEND W.C.

67, 64, 68
5 sit 64, 68: sip 67 36 they 64, 68: thy 67
16 mirth.] mirth, 67 be.] be, 67
17 Sunday^, 68: Sunday67 39 thee64, 68: the67
31 Lord,] Lord 67

Will C. has not been identified. Brome wrote this epistle from the country (either Somerset or
Dorset) to his friend Will C. in London. He wrote other epistles from the country. See 4.XII
'To C.S. Esquire.' Brome seems to have visited the country regularly, probably in between
law terms.
1 Dear Brother Will, thy dearer John and I: John may be Brome's younger brother.
17-30 But on the Sunday thou 'Idst admire to see: This is Brome's wry description of a Puri-
tan service in a country church.

92
 Notes to pages 255-8
XV TO HIS FRIEND I.E. UPON HIS TRAGEDY

61, 64, 68
Title: In 1652 64, 68: omit 61 13 sight] sight, 61
5 subscribe,] subscribe. 61 16 write,] write. 61
10 wit,] wit. 61 18 works 64, 68: work 61

Neither I.E. nor his tragedy have been identified.

XVI TO A POTTING PRIEST UPON A QUARREL

61, 64, 68
2 we] the 68 22 not an 64, 68: not a 61
5 inspir'd<54, 68: inspired, 61 28 like your 64, 68: your like 61
8 'twas 64, 68: was 61 text,] text; 61
9 liquor] liquor, 61 33 nip] dip 64, 68
10 fight] fight, 61 35-6 omit 64, 68
13 fight?] fight. 61 38 rebellious 64, 68: rebellions 61
19 th'64, 68: the 61
The drunken clergyman involved in this scuffle with Brome has not been identified.
3 Jealousies, or fears: See note to 1 4 of 3.IX 'The Saints Encouragement.'
4 go by th' ears: See note to 3.Ill 'A new Diurnal,' 1 14.
22 Thraso: a braggart soldier in Terence's Eunuchus
32 Keckerman: Bartholomaus Keckerman, a logician, author of Systema Logicae, 1606. See
Brooks, p 131. Two of Keckerman's books were included in Thomas Whitaker's copyright,
which passed to Brome when he married Whitaker's widow.
34Aristippus: a Greek philosopher noted for his luxurious living, hence a cant name for
canary wine<9£D. The point of the remark is that Brome's opponent replaced logic (Aristotle)
with wine (Aristippus).
44 bicorned Government: OED quotes this reference from Brome, defining bicorned as hav-
ing two horns or horn-like processes. The two horns of the government would, of course,
refer to the King and Parliament.

XVII TO HIS FRIEND MR. W.H. UPON THE DEATH OF HIS HAWKE

61, 64, 68
Title: In 1643 64, 68: omit 61 26 doth 64, 68: do 61
16 Rayle?] Rayle. 61 21 Rayles,] Rayles. 61
Mr. W.H. is unidentified.
8 Sir Johns strong barrel: reference to Sir John Falstaff in Shakespeare's Henry IV, PtI with
his love of sack
27 Rayles: birds of the family Rallidae OED
29 If all the Kingdomes bloody foes: Parliament

93
 Notes to pages 258-60
XVIII TO HIS SCHOOL MASTER MR. W.H. UPON HIS POEM CALL'D
CONSCIENTIAE ACCUSATRICIS HYPOTYPOSIS

61, 64, 68
Title: In 164464, 68: omit 61 4 agree,] agree. 61
1 upon,] upon. 61 21 true,] true; 61
2 description,] description. 61

Neither Mr. W.H. nor the poem referred to in the title have been identified. Brome appar-
ently translated the poem, but the translation has not been found.

XIX TO HIS FRIEND T.S.

61, 64, 68
3 Wren,] Wren. 61 32 ride] ride. 61
5 terrae,] terrae. 61 36 my] thy 68
28 hinderance] hindrance^ 46 thee64, 68: the61
29 feed] feed, 61 mis-spend 64, 68: mis-pend<l/
ye,] ye 61

In 4.VI 'The Answer,' Tom S. had promised he would visit Brome during the Easter term of
1659. Brome wrote this epistle to his friend after his visit and shortly after the Army had
expelled the restored Rump on 13 October 1659.
1-2 Since thou didst leave, etc.: For the events leading up to the Army's expulsion of the
Rump on 13 October 1659 see Davies, pp 144-61.
3 Those eager disputes between Harrington and Wren: In August 1659, James Harrington,
the republican theorist, published Politicaster in reply to Matthew Wren's defence of monar-
chy, Monarchy Asserted ...In Vindication of the Considerations, published early in 1659.
See note to 4.VI 'The Answer,' 1 30.
8 Whether Wallingford-house or Westminster Hall: The Council of Army Officers (the
Grandees) met regularly at Wallingford House, residence of the General, William Fleetwood,
from the fall of 1658. See Masson V, 418.
11 Desborough: Major-General John Desborough, one of the chiefs of the Wallingford-
House party
13-14 We have various discourses and various conjectures, etc.: This may be a reference to
the outburst of political controversy in the fall of 1659, especially the lively meetings of the
so-called Rota Club at the Turk's Head tavern, where James Harrington and his followers set
up a debating club to discuss various constitutional proposals. See Masson V, 484-6, 505-12.
33-4 Ore the County of D. whose praise must b'exprest, etc.: Brome invites Tom S. to con-
tribute a poem for the celebration of a county feast in Dorset. In 4.XLIV 'To the high-Sheriff
of S.,' Brome indicates that he had participated in county feasts in Somerset.
38 Coupers-hill: Denham's famous poem. See other references in 4.V 'To T.S.,' 11 37-40.

XX TO THE MERITORIOUSLY HONORABLE LORD CfflEFE JUSTICE

OF THE KINGS BENCH

61, 64, 68
Title: An epistle to ... 61 4 and what] and that 64, 68

94
 Notes to pages 260-3
5 clawes] clawes, 61 28 at] at; 61
12 glory] glory. 61 35 does] does, 61
16 serv'd] serv'd, 61 37 death] death, 61
22 Quire,] Quire. 61 42 proclaim,] proclaim. 61
23 own names 64, 68: names 61

This epistle is addressed to Sir Robert Foster (1589-1663), who was appointed Chief Justice
of the Court of King's Bench on 21 October 1660. See Edward Foss, The Judges of England
(New York 1966) VII, 97-9.
Brome petitions Foster for the right to enroll pleas in the Court of King's Bench in his own
name. See Holdsworth IV, 432-4, for the relation between attorneys and the courts.
7-8 Full twenty years have I a Servant been, etc.: If we take this literally, Brome must have
begun his career in the legal profession around 1640.
9 Eight years a Master: This would date Brome's advancement from a clerk to a master in
1652.

XXI A NEW YEARS GIFT PRESENTED TO THE SAME

61, 64, 68
1 true,] true; 61 28 say,] say. 61
2 few,] few. 61 29 hath] have 64, 68
3 this] this, 61 33 your 64, 68: you 61
9 will] will, 61 45 bless] bless, 61
17 Ore 64, 68: Orbe67 52 you're 64, 68: your 67
24 such] such. 61 53 ransack'd] ransac'k67: ransackt64, 68

Brome wrote this epistle to Lord Chief Justice Foster on 1 January 1661, thanking him for
granting his petition to enroll pleas in his own name in the Court of King's Bench. See 4.XX
'To the Meritoriously Honorable Lord Chiefe Justice of the Kings bench.'
14 You sufferd once: Foster was dismissed from his post as judge of the Court of Common
Pleas on 24 November 1645 (Foss VII, 98).

XXII TO HIS HONOURED FRIEND R. HENLEY ESQUIRE

61, 64, 68
Title: To his Friend R.H. Esquire 67 12 intend] intend. 67
2 glorious,] glorious. 67 14 live,] live. 67
4 kind.] kind, 67 22 ingenious] ingenuous 64, 68 (see note)
10 sack, although] sack. Although 67 23 to] unto 64, 68
11 send] send, 67

Robert Henley was one of the six clerks in Chancery (1618-32), chief clerk or master of the
Court of King's Bench under Charles I, and an alderman of the City of London. He was bur-
ied in Temple church on 29 February 1656. See Joseph Foster, Alumni Oxonienses (London
1892) II, 693; G.E. Aylmer, The Kings Servants (New York 1961) 305-8 and The State's
Servants (London 1973) 97-8.
This poem was enclosed with Brome's new year's gift for Henley, probably during the
civil war.
3 By being your Clark: Brooks suggests that Brome was a clerk to Robert Henley in the

95
 Notes to pages 263-7
Court of King's Bench during the 1640s (pp 27-8). Henley was sequestered from his position
during the civil war (The State's Servants 97-8).
22 ingenious: 'Ingenious' was used for 'ingenuous' by confusion in the seventeenth century
(OED).
25-6 May we live quiet, and lay by our swords, etc.: This suggests a date during the civil war.

XXin TO HIS FRIEND J.H. ESQUIRE

61, 64, 68
Title: Esquired, 68: omit61 14 Beer,] Beer61
3 Thee,] Thee. 61
J.H. may be John Hartlett, who conducted cases in Chancery as Brome's attorney (Brooks, p
81). In 5.LVIII 'A Record in Rhythme,' the Replication beginning on 1 135 is attributed to
I.H., who may be Hartlett.
27Erra Pater, an almanac. See note to 1120 of Butler, Hudibras, First Part, Canto I, p 325.

XXIV TO A GENTLEMAN THAT FELL SICK OF THE SMALL POX.

WHEN HE SHOULD BE MARRIED
61, 64, 68
2 be,] be. 61 of] for 68
9 envying] envy in 64, 68 48 look] book 68
17 disease!] disease, 61 75 red-rose] red-rose, 61
durst] dost, 64, 68 82 innocent.] innocent 61
40 he'd drink] he drank 64, 68 83 a 64, 68: as 61
42 hafts 64, 68: halfts67
The gentleman addressed in this poem has not been identified.
2 bate: lessen in intensity OED, 5
13 in his trim: in his own condition OED, 4
26 Campus Martins', field of Mars; an exercise or meeting ground in Rome.
31-6 A face that was as clear as day, as bright, etc.: See note to 1 53 of Dryden's elegy on
Hastings for reference to similar poetic treatment of small pox [Edward Hooker and H.T.
Swedenberg, Jr, ed., The Works of John Dryden (Berkeley 1956) I, 178].
36 By those red Letters, nought but holy-dayes: See note to 5.LVII 'Cromwell's Panegyrick,'
15.
61 An Ember-week or Lent: periods of fasting and prayer OED
78 The Gemini of joy: Compare 4.LVII 'To the memory of Doctor Hearn,' 126; 6.1 'Upon the
unparalelld Playes,' 1 42.

XXV TO HIS FRIEND MR. I.E. BEING AT LONDON IN THE

AUTHORS RETIREMENT
61, 64, 68, RP9
Title: To a Friend being in Prosperity; and himself bold] thought RP9
retir'd from the World RP9 6 cold] cold. 61
1 analys'd,] analy'sd;67: thus seperated/?P9 9 mony] mony, 61
3 I'm] IRP9 14 whispers I: whipers67

96
 Notes to pages 267-70
or] andRP9 40 once dark 64, 68: once both dark 67
31_44 omitRP9 42 sits 64, 68: sets 67
39 one 64, 68: omit 61 63-4 omit 64, 68, RP9

The theme of this poem is similar to that in Horace, Epistles I, 10.

Title Mr. I.E.: unidentified
22 Like old Mecaenasses, from Grandsire Kings: Maecenas, the famous Roman patron of
letters, prided himself on his Etruscan descent from the princely Cilnii of Arretium (Encyclo-
paedia Britannica XIV, 617).
32 Seraglio: a harem OED
42 Moloch: the Canaanite idol, to whom children were sacrificed as burnt-offerings (Lev.
18:21)
51 plurisies: superabundance, excess OED, s.v. pleurisy, 2
64 Metampsycosis: transmigration of souls. Compare a similar image in 6.1 'Upon the unpar-
alelld Playes,' 146. See also note to 11 68-72 of Dryden's 'Upon the Death of the Lord Hast-
ings,' in The Works of John Dryden, ed. E.N. Hooker and H.T. Swedenberg, Jr (Berkeley
1956) I, 179-80.

XXVI AN ELEGY ON A LADY THAT DYED BEFORE HER INTENDED NUPTIALS

67, 64, 68, PC
Title: To his freind on the death of his Mistres, 15 lims] loinesPC
immediately before the intended marriage PC 16 Your sad] Though your PC
2 at PC: of Z (see note) 17-20 lines 7-10 PC
these] those PC 17 mourn] weep PC
3 here] in PC could] should PC
4 am] I'm PC the] my PC
6 is 64, 68: as 67: are PC 19 did slay] hath slain PC
7-16 lines 11 -20 PC 21 you] man PC
7 swell] swetPC 22 wife] mate PC
10 death's I : death 67 23-4 omit 64, 68
13 imbalm'd Z : inbalm'd67 25 did love] ador'dPC
14 the happy] glut'nous PC 26 an Angel] a Goddess PC
who may] which will PC 27 you let] thee, let PC

Neither the lady mourned in this elegy nor the friend referred to in 1 7 have been identified.
The situation is similar to the one in Brome's elegy on Lord Hastings (6.Ill), only here the
lady died just before her intended marriage.
2 at: The reading 'at' of PC preserves the correct reading. The editions read 'of.'
3-4 Admit me as a cypher here to come, etc.: Compare 6.XI 'To his ingenuous Friend Mr.
IZAAK WALTON on his Complete Angler,' 11 17-18.

XXVII ON THE GREAT CRYER AT WESTMINSTER-HALL

67, 64, 68
2 Brome, ] Brome. 61

Brome was both a clerk and attorney of the Court of King's Bench (Upper Bench during the
Interregnum).

97
 Notes to pages 270-2
1 Cryer: an officer in a court of justice who makes public announcements and acts as preser-
ver of order OED, s.v. crier, 2
8 Member Allen: Two Aliens were members of the Long Parliament: Francis Allen, MP for
Cockermouth, and Matthew Allen MP for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. See D. Brunton
and D.H. Pennington, Members of the Long Parliament (Archon Books 1968).
Pirn: John Pym

XXVIII TO THE MEMORY OF THAT LOYAL PATRIOT SIR I. CORDEL KT.

61, 64, 68
3 gown,] gown 61 1 wou'd] wou'd, 61

John Cordell was Sheriff of London in 1634-5 and Alderman from 1635 to 1647. He died
early in 1649. See Pearl, pp 297-8.
1-2 Thus fell the grace and glory of our time, etc.: Compare 4.LV 'A funeral Elegy on Mr.
Aubrey,' 11 1-2.
7-8 His soul scorn'd a Democracy, and wou'd, etc.: Compare 4.LV 'A funeral Elegy on Mr.
Aubrey,' 117-8.

XXIX TO HIS MISTRESS LODGING IN A ROOM WHERE THE SKY WAS PAINTED

61, 64, 68
Title: In 164264, 68: omit 61 21 vary,] vary; 61
4 spy] spy. 61 35 inspir'd] inspir'd, 61
9 time] time. 61

6 Culm'nant: a heavenly body that has reached its greatest altitude OED. Compare 4.XXXI
'On the Queens going beyond Sea,' 1 24.
18 Thy eyes had stolne his light: Compare Carew, 'SONG. A beautifull Mistris,' p 7; Love-
lace, 'Lucasta Weeping,' p 45; 'Lucasta's World,' p 89.

XXX A NEW YEARS GIFT

61, 64, 68
11 appear] appear, 61
The friend to whom this epistle was sent is unidentified.
13 fatuous Vapors: ignis fatuus or will-o-the-wisp, used figuratively for the restored Rump.
See note to 2.XXIV 'The Polititian,' 11 28-36.
15 our So/: Charles H
17-18 May all those Phaetons that spite o'th' crown, etc.: Phaeton, the son of Apollo, was
killed when he drove his father's chariot. See note to 3.XVI 'An Ode,' 1 48.
Here, Brome is referring to the Rump parliament which was restored for the second time
on 26 December 1659 (Davies, p 189). This would date the poem 1 January 1660.

98
 Notes to pages 273-6
XXXI ON THE QUEENS GOING BEYOND SEA
61, 64, 68
8 of,] of; 61 31 Zephyrus 64, 68: Zeophyrus 61
Her;] Her, 61 36 her] a 64, 68
23 wondering] wondring<58 50 't] it 64, 68
spies] espies 68
After his unsuccessful attempt to impeach his five most prominent opponents in the Com-
mons (4 January 1642), Charles left London on 10 January 1642, fearing that the Commons
intended to impeach the Queen, Henrietta Maria. On 23 February 1642 the Queen embarked
from Dover for Holland, accompanied by her eldest daughter Mary and carrying with her the
Crown jewels. She planned to deliver her daughter in person to her youthful bridegroom, the
Prince of Orange, and to seek help for her husband (Gardiner, History X, 107-83). See 'On
the Queens Departure,' Rump I, 67 for another poem on this occasion.
A Dutch medal was struck to commemorate Henrietta Maria's voyage to Holland. It
shows a ship on rough seas steering close to a rock, with the legend mediis immota procellis
('unmoved amidst storms'). See M. Ashley, The English Civil War (London 1974) 63.
2 as on the land sh' had been: This probably refers to the threats of the Commons to impeach
the Queen.
24 Two North-poles culminant at once: Compare 4.XXIX 'To his Mistress lodging in a room,'
16.
26 For her magnetick soul: Compare l.VI 'To his Mistress,' 1 12.

XXXII UPON HIS MARE STOLN BY A TROOPER

61, 64, 68
Title: In 1644 64, 68: omit 61 9-10 omit 64, 68
2 as did 64, 68: like to 61 18 never 64, 68: nere67
4 stand upon: to reply upon, depend onOED, s.v. stand, 78.c
21 for a curse: For another poem using an anathema see 4.XXXVI 'Upon the miscarrier of
Letters,' 11 37ff.

XXXIII UPON RIDING ON A TIRED HORSE

61, 64, 68
1 Charioter] Charioter, 61 38 Troopers 64, 68: horsemen 67
5-6 omit 64, 68 41 begin] began 68
30 they'ld64, 68: they'167
Reference to 'our Troopers' (1 38) suggests a date during the civil war.

2 Limbeck'd: distilled. See also 4.LVI 'Upon the death of that Reverend and learned Divine,
Mr. Josias Shute,' 1 10; 4.LVII 'To the memory of Doctor Hearn,' 1 34.
5 all conquering name-sake: Alexander the Great
6 His stallion: Bucephalus. See 3.XVIII 'A Ballad,' 1 42.
29 Phaetons horses: son of Apollo (sun-god), who was killed when he drove his father's
chariot. See note to 3.XVI 'An Ode,' 1 48.
31 I wish'd for old Copernicus to prove: Compare 2.XIII 'Copernicus,' 11 31-2.

99
 Notes to pages 276-8
XXXIV TO HIS FRIEND I.E.
61, 64, 68
1 am 64, 68: omit 61 15 interpose] interpose, 61
8 Ubiquitary 64, 68, (Errata 61): Ubitiquary 61
See note to 4.VII 'An Epistle from a Friend.'
8 Ubiquitary: one who is everywhere at once OED

XXXV TRANSLATED OUT OF PERSEUS

61, 64, 68

Translation of the Prologue to Persius'sSaftres. See Juvenal and Persius, trans. G.G. Ram-
say (London 1961) 310-11.
2 Caballine spring: the fountain Hippocrene on the top of Mt Helicon, fabled to have been
produced by a stroke of the foot of Pegasus, the winged horse of the Muses
3 two-top'dPernassus: Mount Parnassus, home of the Muses, with its twin summits, Titho-
rea and Lycorea
5 The palePyrene: a fountain at Corinth regarded as a source of inspiration
10 xcups: Greek for 'good morrow.'

XXXVI UPON THE MISCARRIER OF LETTERS BETWIXT HIS FRIEND AND HIM;
AN EXECRATION

61, 64, 68
13 false] false, 61 47 more,] more? 61
19 betroth] betroth, 61 49 hast] omit 64, 68
20 Their 64, 68: There 61 50 bed] bread 64, 68
31 Trine 64, 68: Tine 61
Allusion to the King in 1 15 suggests a date before 1649.
1 And why to me? dull scanner of the ground: Brome echoes the first line of Jonson's 'An
Execration upon Vulcan,' 'And why to me this, thou lame Lord of fire,' p 186. Brome fol-
lows the rhetorical pattern of Jonson's poem closely.
31 Trine: a favourable aspect of two heavenly bodies OED, 2
36 Lilly: William Lilly (1602-81), the astrologer, who published an annual almanac begin-
ning in 1644 until his death in 1681 DNB. See 2.XII 'The Companion,' 1 31.
43 Tom. Long: perhaps Thomas Long (1621-1707), a divine and a staunch upholder of the
King and the Episcopacy who was a voluminous controversial writer DNB
51 Downes: John Downes, colonel in the Parliamentary army and later one of the regicides
DNB

100
 Notes to pages 279-83
XXXVII TO HIS MISTRIS

61, 64, 68
12 too] to 61 such] omit 64, 68
17 Lapidaries 64, 68: Lapidadies 61 23 fashion,] fashion; 61
20 th'] i'th<54, 68 25 thee] thee?67
20 A beauteous face th'Index of such a mind: proverbial. See Tilley, Fl.
27 Enchiridion: a handbook or manual; a concise treatise serving as a guide or reference OED.
Compare 4.XLVII 'To Colonel Lovelace on his Poems,' 118; 4.LVII 'To the memory of Doc-
tor Hearn,' 1 70.
29 Urania', the ninth muse, muse of astronomy

XXXVIII TO HIS MISTRIS MARRIED TO ANOTHER

61, 64, 68, O

6 Turn'd] turn O 23 need] needs O
1 has] hath O 24 without the I : without 61
8 Poles] Poles, 61 21 without] with O
too.] too 61 28 T'hang Z : To hang 61
10 by Z : by y'r<57 only] omit O
19 bride Z : ride 61 30 Nor Z : Not 61
20 th' 68: the Z 32 th'art] thou'rt O
3 Can truth it self prove false: Compare a similar idea in Donne,' Womans Constancy,' p 43,
11 11-13.
29-30 Nor were you made only for one Mans food, etc.: Compare Donne, 'Communitie,' p
33; 'Confined Love,' p 34.

XXXIX ON THE TURN-COAT CLERGY

61, 64, 68
1 And 64, 68: An 61 32 The] That 68

A possible occasion for this poem may be the Presbyterian ministers' change of heart towards
Charles in January 1649, a few weeks before his execution. See Masson IV, 69-70 and M.
Hughes, ed., Complete Prose Works of John Milton (Yale 1962) III, 52ff.
Compare Donne, 'Change,' p 19 for a similar theme, but applied to inconstancy in
women.

35 our Levites: See note to 2.XXXI 'The Cheerful heart,' 1 21.

XL TO HIS FRIEND MR. I.W. ON HIS TRANSLATION OF A ROMANCE, CALL'D

THE INNOCENT IMPOSTER

61, 64, 68
Title: a Romance 64, 68: the Romance 61 21 for] omit 68
Impostor 61 (c.)] imposture 61 (u.) 41 do] to 68
22 before,] before. 61
This dedicatory poem did not appear in Major James Wright's translation in 1652 of Nature's
Paradox; or, The Innocent Impostor (JW) by Jean Pierre Camus, Bishop of Belley and Arras.

101
 Notes to pages 282-5
The original title of the romance, which was published in 1625, was Iphigene See A.H.
Upham, The French Influence in English Literature from the Accession of Elizabeth to the
Restoration (London 1908) 378, 390 and Brooks, p 131. A second poem, 4.XLIX 'On the
famous Romance, called The innocent Impostor,' was addressed to the publisher, Edward
Dod, and did appear in JW.
1-2 From forrain soyl, He at the first did spring, etc.: reference to William the Conqueror,
who came from Normandy
34 the Belgick Trump: Van Tromp, the Dutch Admiral
36 Is free from plunder, and from sequestration: Brome may be referring to the Rump's con-
fiscation of the estates of over seven hundred Royalists in 1651 and 1652. See Acts and Ord.
II, 520-45, 591-8, 632-52 and Hardacre, p 97. See also note to 2.XXXIV 'The Reformation,'
11 41-2.

XLI A SATYRE ON THE REBELLION

61, 64, 68
4 Turn'd] Tun'd64 24 confmd] confmd. 61
11 i'th' 64, 68: the 61 27 poll'd,] poll'd. 61
18 bares] Bears 64, 68: bards 61
Reference to the King's confinement (11 24-6) suggests a date between 1646 and 1649.
4 hymnes extempore: Puritans strongly opposed all set forms of prayer, especially the Book
of Common Prayer. Cowley mocked Parliament for opposing set forms of prayer, but
encouraging standard forms of petitions (The Civil War I, 133-8). Puritan antipathy to set
prayers was regularly satirized by Royalist poets. See 'A Song.' To the Tune of Blue Cappe
for me,' Rump I, 8; 'The Character of a Roundhead,' Rump I, 43; 'A Curtain Lecture,' Rump
I, 44-5; 'The New Litany,' Mackay, p 20. See also Mercurius Aulicus, 14 January 1644, p
335; 3.III 'A new Diurnal,' 1 18.
Early in 1644 the use of the liturgy was discontinued in the two Houses in favour of
extempore prayer (Masson III, 28).
17-20 Behold a glorious Phoebus, etc.: Compare 3.XVI 'An Ode,' especially 11 39-48.
27 pill'd and poll'd: pillaged and robbed OED, s.v. pill, m.9
29 Their Goods sequestred, etc.: See note to 3.III 'A new Diurnal,' 11 199-200.
36 They know no other godliness but gain: Royalists regularly accused their opponents of
concealing their economic motives behind the veneer of religious professions. See Under-
down, Pride's Purge 50-3 for an analysis of the careerists and placemen among the MPs in the
years 1646-9 and pp 245-50 for an analysis of the financial motivations of the MPs. See note
to 2.XXX 'The New Gentry.'
43 horse-leech-like: rapacious, insatiable OED, 3

XLII ON A PAIR OF VIRGINALS

61, 64, 68
1 lo] to 68 Jacks] Jack 68
2 Quietus est: He is quit
5 The tale ofAmphion: legendary musician, son of Zeus and Antiope, who built a wall for

102
 Notes to pages 285-7
Thebes by charming the stones into place by the magic of his lyre playing. Brome seems to be
confusing Amphion with another legendary musician, Orpheus, who enchanted animals,
trees, and stones with his music. Brome also alludes to Amphion in 6.1 'Upon the unparalelld
Playes,' 1 17; 4.XLVII 'To Colonel Lovelace on his Poems,' 1 13. See also Waller 'Upon His
Majesties repairing of Pauls,' 1 11 [inPoems 1645 (Scolar Press 1971) 4]; Cowley, 'Ode. Of
Wit,' I, 16, stanza 4; Marvell, 'The First Anniversary Of the Government under O.C.' I,
104-5, 11 49-66.
7 lavaltoes: a lively dance for two persons OED
13-14 O would the Subjects in this Realme agree, etc.: This desire for harmony in the realm
suggests a date before 1649.

XLIII ON A COMEDIE CALLED THE PASSIONATE LOVERS

61, 64, 68
Title: lovers] Lover 68 8 on,] on. 61
1 this Play 64, 68: those Playes 61 10 smutty 64, 68: smutt'd 61
3-4 Heautontimorumenos(margiri)64,68:omit61 12 th' 64, 68: the 61
3 name] dame 64 20 kick'd] kick 68
6 He'ld64, 68: Would 61

This poem was not included in the 1655 edition of this play by Lodowick Carlell. For Carlell
and this play see G.E. Bentley, The Jacobean and Caroline Stage (Oxford 1956) ffl, 111-13
and 122-3. The marginal note at 1 3 refers to Terence's comedy, Heautontimorumenos (The
Self-Tormenter).
20 Tub's: reference to radical tub-preachers. See note to 2.XI The Safety,' 1 20.

XLIV TO THE HIGH-SHERIFF OF S.

61, 64, 68

Brome had acquired land near Taunton in Somerset, spent some time there (see 4.XII 'To
C.S. Esquire'), and corresponded frequently with his friend Charles Steynings of Holnicot,
Somerset. In 4.XI 'To C.S. Esquire,' he refers to the impending death of the noble sheriff
and regrets that he 'will never feast us more in Taunton-Shire' (1125-6). The sheriff alluded
to in this epistle may be the same one to whom this poem is addressed. See note to 1 25 for
the suggestion that this sheriff may have been William Hillyard.

XLV TO G.B. ESQUIRE

61, 64, 68
3 fit] fit, 61 21 use 64, 68: uses 61
1 which] with 68 22 defend.] defend 67
13 unswimable64, 68, (Errata 61 ): unpoisable67 29 that's 64, 68: that 61
17 Fat 64, 68: Flat 61 willing 64, 68: willing's67
18 ere64, 68: were61 30 one shilling^, 68: five shillings67
G.B. has not been identified. Brome wrote this epistle apologizing for not keeping his
promise to visit G.B. in Exeter because of the bad weather and floods (11 11-12). This may
date this epistle around 20 March 1660 when Pepys noted heavy rains and flooding of the

103
 Notes to pages 286-9
Thames (Pepys Diary 92-3).
17 Fat, have the art of sinking: Compare Shakespeare The Merry Wives of Windsor where
Falstaff says: 'And you may know by my size that I have a kind of alacrity in sinking' (III. v.
11-12).

XLVI TO HIS REVEREND FRIEND DR. S. ON HIS PIOUS AND LEARNED BOOK

61, 64, 68, ES60

Title: Dr. S.] Mr. Sparke, ES60 39-42 omit ES60
book] Reflections ES60 43 Who] And ES60
7-20 omitES60 44 would] should ES60
16 Pupils 64, 68: Pulpits 61 52 this] the ES60
18 zeal 64, 68: zeals 61 54-6 omit ES60
t'others] others, 64, 68 after 1 53 Present a treasure beyond Golden
23 who] you 64, 68 Mines, / Which though one Age can't Prize
28 whiles] while 68 enough, you'l be / Renowned unto good
34 strove] march'd ES60 Posterity; ES60
through] through. 61 58 too,] too. 61
37 when the I : and when th' 61

This dedicatory poem appeared in the second edition of Edward Sparke's Thysiasthrion vel
Scintilla-Altar is being A Pious Reflection on Primative Devotion: in The Feasts and Fasts of
The Church of England. London 1660 (ES60). The first edition (ES52) appeared in 1652 and a
third (ES63) in 1663. Brome had written another dedicatory poem for ES52, which he did not
reprint in his editions. See 6. V 'Upon the AUTHOUR, and his Worke.' The version of 4.XLVI
in ES63 is a reprint ofES60.
For Edward Sparke seeZW5.
1-8 The times are chang'd, and the misguided rout, etc.: Compare 5.LX 'To the Kings most
Sacred Majesty,' 11 7-16. The tone and sentiments of this poem are similar to 5.LX.
9 That vip'rous brood ofLevi: See note to 2.XXXI 'The Cheerful heart,' 1 21.
16 Their Pupils: radical sectaries
30 Baal: chief deity of the Phoenician and Canaanitish nations OED
36 Ignes fatui: will-of-the-wisps, deluders. See note to 2.XXIV 'The Politician,' 11 28-36.

XLVII TO COLONEL LOVELACE ON HIS POEMS

61, 64, 68
5 antigenious] anti-genius68: antingenious61, 64 21 rear 64, 68: near 61
12 raise 64, 68: rais'd67 35 all,] all; 61
13 tales ed.: tale 61,64,68 (see note) 36 omit 61

This poem was not printed in either of Lovelace's editions of 1649 and 1659. See Lovelace,
pp Ixxxvi-lxxxvii.
1-3 So through the Chaos crept the first born ray, etc.: Compare 6.V 'Upon the AUTHOUR,
and his Worke,' 11 19-22.
13 The tales of Orpheus andAmphion be: The reading 'tale' of the editions is incorrect. In
the next line Brome refers to the 'tales' as 'both.' Consequently, I have emended to 'tales.'
For other allusions to Orpheus and Amphion see note to 4.XLII 'On a pair of Virginals,' 1 5.

104
 Notes to pages 289-93
18 Over this small Ench'ridion of the World: See note to 4.XXXVII 'To his Mistris,' 1 27.
23 Their Prose unhing'd the State: Royalists blamed Puritan preachers for intensifying oppo-
sition to Charles and thus contributing to the civil war. See note to 4.LVI 'Upon the death of
that Reverend and learned Divine, Mr. Josias Shute,' 1 35.

XLVIII TO HIS FRIEND THOMAS STANLEY, ESQUIRE,

ON HIS ODES SET AND PUBLISHED BY MR. JOHN GAMBLE

64, 68, AD
1 thou] you AD 11 thy] your AD
2 mak'st] make/iD 13 Thee] you AD
5 thy] your^D 16 Thou] You AD
8 Thy] Your AD didst] did AD
10 breath'd6<S, AD: breath' 64 20 Thou'lt] You'UZ)

This dedicatory poem appeared in John Gamble's Ayres and Dialogues. London 1656 (AD).
AD was reissued in 1657. For background to^D see Stanley, pp lii-liv.
11 deduc'd: conveyed OED

XLIX ON THE FAMOUS ROMANCE, CALLED THE INNOCENT IMPOSTER

61, 64, 68, JW

Title: To his Friend the STATIONER, on the pub- 19 rare,] rare; 61
lishing the Famous Romance, CALLED THE 21 this] his 68
INNOCENT IMPOSTOR JW

See note to 4.XL 'To his Friend Mr. I. W. on his Translation of a Romance, call'd The inno-
cent Impostor.'
7 Smithfield-wise: one who drives a sharp or roguish bargain OED, 2
26Bellay, Dod, Wright: the author, publisher, and translator of the romance

L ON DR. J. HIS DIVINE ROMANT

61, 64, 68
Title: Romant] Romance^ 7 seem'd64, 68: seemed61
6 undiscoverd] undiscovered 64, 68 34 garland's] Garland's 64, 68: garlands's<57

Neither Dr. J. nor his romance have been identified.

17 Higlers: those who higgle or chaffer in bargaining OED

LI ON THE LOSS OF A GARRISON

61, 64, 68
Title: Garrison] Garrison meditation 61 36 face;] face 61
13 after Town] after Town, 61 38 catch'd<54, 68: catch 67
are lost 64, 68, (Errata 61): omit 61 39 Councels, 64, 68: Councel; 61
15 tongues 64,68: thought 61 Kings,] Kings 61
35 wits 64, 68: wit 61
After the Battle of Naseby (14 June 1645), the New Model Army undertook a systematic

105
 Notes to pages 292-4
reduction of the remaining towns and fortified garrisons holding out for the King. By the
middle of 1646 this process was essentailly completed (Gardiner, Civil War III, 254-378; IV,
1-125). It seems that this poem alludes to events during the latter part of 1645 or early 1646.
21 rampires: ramparts OED. See 4.LVII 'To the memory of Doctor Hearn,' 1 46.
21-46 Trust not in rampires, nor the strength of walls, etc.: Brome has a similar catalogue of
unreliable and deceptive objects of trust in 4.LIV 'On the Kings death,' 11 49-70. There the
following are found wanting as objects of trust: wealth, honour, friends, strength, crowns and
kingdoms, wisdom, policy, and wit. In both poems trust in God is man's only comfort.
Compare Psalm 118: 8-9.

LII UPON THE KINGS IMPRISONMENT

61, 64, 68, CV

Title: A Copie of Verses, said to be Composed by 15-16 lines 31-2 CV
His MAJESTIE, upon His first Imprisonment in 15 find] have CV
the Isle of Wight CV fortress] safety CV
1 you]yeCy 16 servants] Slaves CV
2 while] whilst CV sway] doe sway CV
6 done] liv'dCF 17 nor] orCY
7 Expert] Nimble CV 18 that you've] you have CV
that] you CV and] or CV
9 whose acts will be] We see again CV 20 as] as are 68
after 1 9 six additional lines CV (see note) 21-2 omit CV
12 viprous] worser CV 23 to] d'ee CV
13 lose] takeCF 24 infring'd] infring'd, 61
State] Crowne CV after 1 24 eight additional lines CV (see note)
my] State CV 25 immur'd] injur'd CV
Crown] Friends CV mind is] mind's so CV
14 must] will CV 26 your] my CV
take] have CV my] your CV
Thomason dated his copy of CV 29 September 1648. The title of CV claims that this poem was
composed by the King upon the occasion of his first imprisonment in the Isle of Wight. In
November 1647, in response to rumours that there was to be an attempt on his life, Charles
fled from Hampton Court and on 14 November 1647 put himself into the custody of Colonel
Hammond on the Isle of Wight (Gardiner, Civil War IV, 13-20; Clarendon X, 127-32). After
the King's rejection of the Four Bills and his agreeing to the Engagement with the Scots, he
planned to escape from Carisbrooke, but his plan was foiled (28 December 1647), and he was
made a virtual prisoner by order of Parliament and the Army (Gardiner, Civil War IV, 48-50;
Clarendon X, 144). Charles remained on the Isle of Wight until he was brought to London in
December 1648 to stand trial for his life.
For another poem on Charles's imprisonment on the Isle of Wight see 'Grace imprisoned,
and Vertue despised,' in Joseph Frank, Hobbled Pegasus, no 359.
after 9 six additional lines CV
A second Cesar by a Senate slaine:
A State disturb'd by th' Gracchi; and the times
Spawning with Sylla's and the Catalines.
The Villanies, and Treasons, which of old,

106
 Notes to pages 294-6
Time has for Incredulity inroll'd,
Are but mock-shews to yours, whose Acts will be
17 'Cause I'l not sign, nor give consent unto: probably a reference to the Four Bills presented
to King Charles on 24 December 1647. The first gave Parliament direct authority over the
militia for twenty years, and indirect control thereafter. The second asked the King to justify
the proceedings of Parliament during the war and to declare void all proceedings against it.
The third asked the King to annul all honours and peerages granted since 20 May 1642. The
fourth gave Parliament the right to adjourn itself to any place it thought fit (Gardiner, Docu-
ments 335-47).
after 24 eight additional lines CV
And does the Coronet forget his owne
True Interest, to joyne to spurne the Crowne?
Can they not see, when th' Oake's cut down, that all
The Clambring Ivie downe with it must fall?
Subjects can have no safety but their graves,[1 15 61}
When Slaves doe sway, and Soveraignes are slaves.[1 1667]
True hearts, I pitty, still, whose Sufferings,
And Remedies are twisted with the Kings.

LIII ON THE DEATH OF KING CHARLES

61, 64, 68
3 heav'n] heav n67: heaven 64, 68 44 below,] below. 61
13 imitation] imagination 68 56 their 64, 68: its 61
17-18 omit 64, 68 60 down.] down 67
19 fall,] fall 67 62 plot 64, 68: shoot 67: strive (Errata 61)
20 quickning64, 68: quicking67 68 too good 64, 68: to good 67
27 he 64, 68: we 67
Brome wrote two other elegies on the King's death, 2.Ill 'The Pastorall' and 4.LIV 'On the
Kings death.' This elegy borrows heavily from Eikon Basilike, portraying Charles as the suf-
fering martyr.
6 b'his funeral pray'r: In his 'Meditations upon Death,' Charles several times prays for his
enemies and asks God to forgive them and have mercy on them (Eikon Basilike 176, 179).
9-14 The scattered stars, etc.: For similar imagery see 3.XVI 'An Ode.'
21-4 His soul was anthem'd out in prayers, etc.: This probably refers to the 'Penitential
Meditations and Vows in the King's Solitude at Holmby.' Charles says: 'I come far short of
David's piety; yet since I may equal David's afflictions, give me also the comforts and the
sure mercies of David' (Eikon Basilike 149). David was Charles's favourite Old Testament
parallel for himself. See pp 45, 75, 93, 94, 120, 130, 132, 133, 149, 159.
30 Your books: Eikon Basilike
43 Your Grandsire King: Charles's paternal grandfather, Henry, Lord Darnley, was mur-
dered in 1567. See G. Elton, England under the Tudors (London 1963) 292.
53Bezar: the wild goat of Persia, best known source of the calculus, which was held to be an
antidote OED
60 You took a glorious, etc.: The engraving of Charles prefaced to Eikon Basilike shows him
praying, while holding a crown of thorns in his hand and gazing at a crown of glory in
heaven. His earthly crown is at his feet, and a stormy sea rages in the background.

107
 Notes to pages 296-9
64 like our Saviour: InEikon Basilike, Charles frequently compares his suffering at the hands
of his own people to that of Christ. See pp 157, 174, 176, 181.

LIV ON THE KINGS DEATH

61, 64, 68
8 foes?] foes! 61 55 yet 64, 68: all 61
21 thee 64, 68: these 61 58 's 64, 68: Is 61
43 give 64, 68: gives 61 82 int'a64, 68: into a 61
48 World] Word 68 into bliss 68: into a bliss 61, 64 (see note)

Other elegies on Charles's death are 2.in 'The Pastorall' and 4.LIII 'On the death of King
CHARLES.'
WNiobe: See note to l.VIH 'The hard Heart,' 1 10.
23 But to be kill'd by Servants, or by Friends: InEikon Basilike, Charles notes with sadness
that 'God is pleased to try both our [he and his wife's] patience by the most self-punishing
sin, the ingratitude of those who, having eaten of our bread and being enriched with our
bounty, have scornfully lift up themselves against us; and those of our own household are
become our enemies' (p 31).
41-8 The World it self to its first nothing tends, etc.: The wording and sentiments of these
lines are reminiscent of Donne, 'The First Anniversarie,' in The Complete Poetry of John
Donne, ed. John Shawcross (Garden City 1967) 277-8, esp. 11 205-10. Compare also 4.LIH
'On the death of King CHARLES,' 11 7-20.
49-701'l put no trust in wealth, for I do see, etc.: Compare a similar catalogue listing decep-
tive and unreliable objects of trust in 4.LI 'On the loss of a Garrison,' 11 21-46.
68 while he pray'd and dy'd for them: possible reference to Eikon Basilike
82 Rob'd int'a crown, and murther'd into bliss: The68 reading 'into bliss' corrects the metri-
cally inaccurate 'into a bliss' of 61, 64.

LV A FUNERAL ELEGY ON MR. AUBREY

61, 64, 68
Title: on Mr. Aubrey omit 64, 68 32 nor 64, 68: not 61
21 He 64, 68: His 61 34 great mens 64, 68: great men 61
31 in 64, 68: on 61

Richard Aubrey, father of John Aubrey, died on 21 October 1652. SeeZW5 under John
Aubrey. For a reference to Brome's elegy see Anthony Powell, John Aubrey and His Friends
(London 1963) 72.
1-2 Gon are those Halcyon dayes, when men did dare, etc.: Compare 4.XXVIII 'To the mem-
ory of that loyal patriot Sir I. Cordel Kt.,' 11 1-2.
7-8 One whose pure soul with nobleness was fill'd, etc.: Compare 4.XXVIII 'To the memory
of that loyal patriot Sir I. Cordel Kt.,' 11 7-8.
11 Nor draw his honour from his grandsires name: Richard Aubrey's grandfather was
William Aubrey, a man of some importance during Elizabeth's reign. See/)M?; Aubrey's
Brief Lives, ed. O.L. Dick (London 1949) xxii; Powell, pp 22-3.

108
 Notes to pages 299-302
LVI UPON THE DEATH OF THAT REVEREND AND LEARNED DIVINE,
MR. JOSIAS SHUTE

61, 64, 68
4 wedding] wedded 64, 68 41 sweetly 64, 68: swettly<57
17 alas] alass<57 49 ex'llent64, 68: excellent 61
36 nonsence] non sence67: non-sense 64, 68 73 thinks] think 64, 68
Josias Shute (1588-1643) was presented to the Rectory of St Mary Woolnoth, Lombard
Street, on 29 November 1611. He served his parish for the rest of his life and was noted as an
eloquent and learned preacher. He was appointed to serve in the Westminster Assembly of
Divines, established by Parliament to discuss the settlement of the church, but died on 13
June 1643 before the Assembly met on 1 July 1643. It is unlikely that he would have taken his
seat, for very few clergymen of episcopalian sympathy appointed to the Assembly actually
served. SeeDWB; Mas son II, 525-6.
10 lymbeck'd into a tear: See note to 4.XXXIII 'Upon riding on a tired horse,' 1 2.
l6Niobe: See note to l.VIII 'The hard Heart,' 1 10.
31-2 He was no whirlegig Lect'rer of the times, etc.: reference to a low-born and uneducated
artisan (here a shoemaker) who preached in public, often from a tub. See note to 3.IX 'The
Saints Encouragment,' 11 54-5.
35 Nor such as into pasquill pulpits come: This refers to the Puritan preachers who were most
zealous in preaching up the cause of Parliament. Both Clarendon and Hobbes were vehement
in their criticism of these preachers for fanning the fires of sedition and aggravating the divi-
sion between King and Parliament (Clarendon VI, 39; Hobbes, Behemoth 28-34). See also
4.XLVII 'To Colonel Lovelace on his Poems,' 1 23. A pasquill is a lampoon posted up in a
public place; a 'pasquill pulpit,' then, is the use of the pulpit for purposes of lampoon and
invective. OED, 3 quotes this reference from Brome.
38 o'th' separation: Brome suggests that the seditious preachers propagated the notion of the
separation of church and state, thus raising the specter of uncontrolled licence and anarchy.
The Presbyterian preachers were not separatists, but Royalists regularly associated them with
the more radical and disreputable sectaries, the Anabaptists, Brownists, and others. See note
to 3.VIH 'The New Mountebanck,' 11 7-8.
42 Olivet: Mount of Olives, where Christ preached the Sermon on the Mount
48 As if in him both were Hermaphrodited: Compare Donne, 'To Mr. Tilman after he had
taken orders,' in John Donne: The Divine Poems, ed. Helen Gardner (Oxford 1966) 33.
63 He was himself a Synod: Shute was appointed to the Westminster Assembly, but died
before its first meeting on 1 July 1643.
70 Regis Professor: King's professor appointed by Henry VIII OED
80 But gone to Glorys school, to take degrees: Compare 4.LVII 'To the memory of Doctor
Hearn,' 1 74.

LVII TO THE MEMORY OF DOCTOR HEARN, WHO DYED SEPTEMBER 15. 1644

61, 64, 68
6 the] omit 68 26 contain] contain. 61
son 64, 68: sun 67 33 fears 64, 68: fear 61
17 s'] omit 64, 68 34 bodies] body 64, 68

109
 Notes to pages 302-5
41 Esculapian 64, 68: Esculapius 61 69-70 omit 64, 68
43 kill'd] kills 64, 68 73 advanced 64, 68: advanc'd67
46 urne.] urne, 61 15 whether] whither 64, 68
59 star 64, 68: slave 61 77 are 64, 68: we're 61
62 eminent64, 68: specially

This may be Thomas Hearne, a native of Lincolnshire, who was made a Fellow of the Col-
lege of Physicians on 20 October 1606. See William Munk, The Roll of the Royal College of
Physicians of London (London 1878) I, 123.
26 Met as in Gemini: See note to 4.XXIV 'To a Gentleman that fell sick of the small Pox,' 1
78.
34 lymbeck'd their bodies into tears: See note to 4.XXXIII 'Upon riding on a tired horse,' 1 2.
38 Thalia', muse who presides over comedy and idyllic poetry
Melpomene', muse who presides over tragedy
41 His Esculapian art: Aesculapius was the patron of medicine.
42 non-suit: the stopping of a suit by a judge, when, in his opinion, the plaintiff fails to make
out a legal cause of action or to bring sufficient evidence OED
46 rampire: rampart. See 4.LI 'On the loss of a Garrison,' 1 21.
51-62 Earth-quakes, and Commets usher great mens fall, etc.: Compare similar imagery
describing the civil war in 3.XVI 'An Ode.'
58 old Aries: the ram, one of the zodiacal constellations, which the sun enters on 21 March
70 Enchiridion of the World: See note to 4.XXXVII 'To his Mistris,' 1 27.
74 To take's degrees i'th' upper form of glory: Compare 4.LVI 'Upon the death of that
Reverend and learned Divine, Mr. Josias Shute,' 1 80.
75 Prodrome: a precursor OED

LVIII AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF HIS SCHOOLMASTER. MR. W.H.

61, 64, 68, PC

Title: his] a PC 34 Lect'rers6S, PC: Lectres<57: Lectures 64 (see
Mr. W.H.]omitPC note)
5 worldling I : wordling 61 44 Scholars] Childrens PC
10 deep] strong deep PC 47 neither's 64, 68: nor his 61, PC
11 soon] but soon PC 51 hurles to 64, 68: hudles t' 61, PC
but great] great PC 55 own] own, 61
25 schoold] hold PC 72 thy] the 68
26 of his] of sPC 73 inscription I : in scription67

Mr. W.H. has not been identified. See Brooks, pp 16-18.

20 vimineous: made of pliable twigs or wickerwork OED. See 6.II 'To Mr. James Shirley,' 1
13.
21 Raging likeBajazet o're the tugging fry: Bajazeth was Emperor of the Turks in Marlowe's
Tamburlaine. See note to 4.XII 'To C.S. Esquire,' 1 30.
23 glister: enema. See 3.VIII The New Mountebanck,' 1 29.
hie haec hoc: in Latin, the three genders of the demonstrative pronoun
26 Propria maribus: In Lily's Grammar the rules governing the genders of nouns begin:
Propria, quae maribus tribuuntur, Mascula dicas.' Charles Hoole translated the phrase as
follows: 'Proper Names which are given to Males, or Hees, are Masculine.' See The Latine

110
 Notes to pages 304-6
Grammar (London 1651) 26. See also note 7 to the second part of Religio Medici in The
Prose of Sir Thomas Browne, ed. Norman Endicott (Garden City 1967) 552.
27,4s inpraesenti: In Lily's Grammar the rules governing preterperfect tenses and supines of
verbs begin: 'As in praesentiperfectum for mat in avi.' Hoole translated as follows: 'As in the
Present tense, make's the Preterperfect tens in avi1 (p 128).
32 chuck-farthing: petty, of paltry value OED, l.c
34 Then our new lapwing-Lect'rers skip from thence: 61 reads 'Lectres' which is emended in
64 to 'Lectures.' 68 and PC preserve the correct reading 'Lect'rers.' Brome is referring to
Puritan lecturers.

LIX AN EPITAPH

61, 64, 68
3 who] and 64, 68

The lady mourned in this epitaph has not been identified.

LX AN EPITAPH UPON MRS. G.

61, 64, 68
Title: upon 64, 68: on 61

Mrs. G. has not been identified.

Ill
 Notes to pages 307-8

SECTION 5

I ON ROME

61, 64, 68
1 Traveler 64, 68: Travellour 67

Translation of Janus Vitalius, 'DeRoma,' A. Wright, Delitiae Delitiarum (Oxford 1637) 104

II ONAQUARELLER
61, 64, 68

Translation of Actius Sannazarius, 'De Aufidio,' A. Wright, p 110

III ON A LOVER
61, 64, 68

Translation of Actius Sannazarius, 'Ad Vesbiam,' A. Wright, p 110

IV ON GOLD
61, 64, 68

Translation in part of Actius Sannazarius, 'De Danae & Jove/ A. Wright, p i l l . Compare
Cartwright, 'Love-Teares,' p 478; W.R. Paton, trans., The Greek Anthology (Harvard 1916)
I, V, 33, 34, 217. See also l.IV The Wary Woer,' 11 22-

V TO A FRIEND

61, 64, 68

Translation of Angelus Politianus, 'In Pamphilum,' A.Wright, p 124. Compare James

Wright, trans., Sales Epigrammatum (London 1663) 80; Timothe Kendall, Flowers ofEpi-
grammes (London 1577) 38v.

VI ON ALEXANDER

61, 64, 68

Translation of Nath. Chitraeus, 'In Alexandrum Magnum,' A. Wright, p 128. Compare John
Owen, 'In Alexandrum,' Epigrammatum libri ires (London 1618) II, 78 and translations by
Thomas Pecke, Parnassi Puerperium (London 1659) 51-2 and Thomas Harvey, trans., The
Latine Epigrams of John Owen (London 1677) 30.

112
 Notes to pages 309-11
VII ON A BANKRUPT
61, 64, 68

Translation of Georgius Sabinus, 'Decoctoris jocus,' A. Wright, p 133. Compare Kendall, p

56.

VIII ON A PRIEST AND A THEIF

61, 64, 68
4 Shalt] Shall't67

Translation of Georgius Sabinus, 'De sacerdote furem consolante,' A. Wright, p 134. Com-
pare John Owen, 'De Bardella, latrone Mantuano,' Epigrammatum libri tres (1612) I, 123
and translation by Harvey, p 14. See also 'A Parson and a Thief,' in Recreation for Ingenious
Headpeeces (London 1654) no 573.

IX ON LOVE AND DEATH

61, 64, 68

Translation of Joachimus Bellaius, 'De morte & amore,' A. Wright, p 36

X ON WOMEN
61, 64, 68

Translation of Joannes Auratus, 'Mulieris Natura,' A. Wright, p 35. Compare James Wright,
p 54; Greek Anthology IV, XI, 381 and translations by Kendall, p 64 and Cartwright, p 471.

XI ON A WOLFE SENTENC'D

61, 64, 68
Title: a] the 64, 68 11 cross,] cross. 61
1 Among] Amongst 68 13 th' 64, 68: the 61

Translation of Jacobus Boissardus, 'De Lupo a Rusticis capto,' A. Wright, p 38

XII ON ONE MORE LEARNED THEN OTHERS

61, 64, 68
2 Greek,} Greek 61

Translation of Nicholaus Borbonius, 'In Probum,' A. Wright, p 41

XIII ONGALLA
61, 64, 68

Translation of Paulus Thomas, 'De Galla; ad Faustinum,' A. Wright p 47

113
 Notes to pages 311-13
XIV ON ONE LOWSIE AND POOR

61, 64, 68

Translation of Leodeg. a Quercu, 'Lepidum pediculosi responsum,' A. Wright, p 51

XV A HAPPY DEATH

61, 64, 68, RP9

Translation of Caelius Calcagninus, 'Instructio ad mortem,' A. Wright, p 66. Compare

James Wright, p 66 and Kendall, p 55.

XVI ON NERO

61, 64, 68

Translation of Caelius Calcagninus, 'Neronis impietas in Matrem,' A. Wright, p 66

XVH ON LOVE
61, 64, 68

Translation of Balthasar Bonifacius, 'Venalis amor,' A. Wright, p 92

XVIII RULES OF DRINKING

61, 64, 68
1 Philosopher^, 68: Philosophers61

Translation of Balthasar Bonifacius, 'In Asclepiadem philosophum,' A. Wright, p 95

XIX A VAIN BOASTER

61, 64, 68
2 too] to 61
No source found

XX TOMOMUS

61, 64, 68

Translation of Balthasar Bonifacius, 'Ad Momum,' A. Wright, pp 95-6

XXI ON PHILLIS TEARS

61, 64, 68
2 Odorif rous 64, 68: Odoriferous 61 5 power] pow'r6S
4 laid 64, 68: led 61
Translation of Balthasar Bonifacius, 'Ad Phyllida,' A. Wright, p 97

114
 Notes to pages 313-15
XXII ON A PROUD FOOL
61, 64, 68
2 know?] know! 61
Translation in part of Balthasar Bonifacius, 'In Socratem,' A. Wright, p 95. Compare John
Owen, 'In Cottulam,' Epigrammatum libri tres (1612) I, 45; 'Socrates,' Epigrammatum libri
ires (1612) III, 191; 'Sapientia Socratica,' Epigrammatum libri tres (1618) n, 39.

XXIII ON TIME
61, 64, 68, RP9

Translation of Greek Anthology IV, X, 28

XXIV ON A BLIND, AND LAME BEGGER

61, 64, 68

Translation of Greek Anthology III, IX, 11, 12, 13, 13B. Compare The Latin Epigrams of
Thomas More, trans, and ed. Leicester Bradner and C.A. Lynch (Chicago 1953) nos 9-15, pp
25-6 and pp 147-8; Pecke, p 139.

XXV ON A SPARTAN LADY

61, 64, 68

Translation of Greek Anthology I, VH, 531; II, VII, 230, 433; III, IX, 61, 397, 447. Compare
More, no 10, pp 10 and 132.

XXVI ON PHILIP OF MACEDON

61, 64, 68

Translation of Greek Anthology III, IX, 518

XXVII THE ANSWER

61, 64, 68

No source found

XXVIII FRUGALITY
61, 64, 68
3 spend 64, 68: spends 61 4 the 64, 68: a 61
Translation of Greek Anthology IV, X, 26. Compare Kendall, p 69v; More, no 6, pp 8 and
130-1.

115
 Notes to pages 315-17
XXIX ON TWO WIVES
61, 64, 68
3 hopes] hopes, 61
Translation of Greek Anthology III, IX, 133; IV, X, 116. Compare More, no 67, p 163; Ken-
dall, pp 14v and 76v.

XXX ONAMURTHERER
61, 64, 68

Translation of Greek Anthology III, IX, 378. Compare Martial, Epigrams, trans. W.C.A.
Kerr (Harvard 1968) I, 82.

XXXI ON A FISHERMAN
61, 64, 68
1 fisher] Eisherman65 2 on 64, 68: in 61
a] omit 68
Translation of Greek Anthology III, IX, 52. Compare Kendall, pp 61-61v.

XXXII ON A BURNT SHIP

61, 64, 68

Translation of Greek Anthology III, IX, 34, 106, 398. Compare More, no 18, pp 27 and 149;
Pecke, p 139.

XXXIII ALITER
61, 64, 68
Translation of Greek Anthology III, IX, 36

XXXIV ON A COVETOUS MAN

61, 64, 68
Translation of Greek Anthology IV, XI, 166. Compare Kendall, p 66.

XXXV ON HERMOCRATES
61, 64, 68
2 Exec'tor64, 68: Executioner 61 6 a] omit 68
Translation of Greek Anthology IV, XI, 171. Compare Kendall, p 66.

116
 Notes to pages 317-19
XXXVI ON A POOR AND SICK MAN
61, 64, 68, RP9

Translation of Greek Anthology II, VII, 336

XXXVII ON A HARE
61, 64, 68
1 ±'64, 68: the 61

Translation of Greek Anthology III, IX, 17, 18, 371. Compare Ausonius, trans. Hugh G.
Evelyn White (Harvard 1921) II, 177; Kendall, pp 51-51v; Lovelace, p 209.

XXXVIII ON BALAAMS ASS

61, 64, 68, RP9
1 Balaam] Baalam 61 2 none speak] none speaks RP9

Translation of John Owen, 'In Asinum Balantum,' Epigrammutum libri tres (1618) I, 210

XXXIX UPON DEMOCRITUS AND HERACLITUS

61, 64, 68
6 both one] both on 64, 68
Translation of Greek Anthology HI, IX, 148. Compare John Owen, Epigrammatum libri tres
(1612) II, 46 and III, 146; Pecke, p 45; Harvey, pp 27, 62, 199.
10 Antic'era: The herb hellebore grew in abundance at Anticyra, a town on the Gulf of
Corinth in Greece. It was a favourite remedy recommended as a cure for madness. See Bur-
ton II, 230-2.

XL OUT OF CATULLUS
61, 64, 68

Translation of Catullus, Epigram LXX in The Poems of Catullus, ed. & trans. Peter Whigham
(Berkeley 1969) 317. Compare Lovelace's translation, 'Female Inconstancy,' p 217.

XLI ON AN ASTRONOMER THAT TRYED BY RULES OF ART TO FIND

WHETHER HE WERE A CUCKOLD
61, 64, 68
10 too] to 61

Translation of More, nos 43-7, 49, pp 33-5, 156-7. Compare Kendall, pp 76-76v.

117
 Notes to pages 319-22
XLII ON GENEVA'S ARMES
61, 64, 68

Translation of John Owen, 'Insignia Geneuensium,' Epigrammatum libri tres (1612) I, 41.
Compare Pecke, p 10; Harvey, p 5.

XLIII TO A SAD WIDOW

61, 64, 68

No source found

XLIV ON A BRIBED JUDGE

61, 64, 68

Translation of Sebastianus Schefferus, 'ludicis corrupti bella responsio,' A. Wright, p 136

XLV TO A JEALOUS HUSBAND

61, 64, 68
Translation of Joannes Posthius, 'In Gelasinum,' A. Wright, p 136

XL VI ON PROUD ROME
61, 64, 68
4 a64, 68: no61

Translation of Greek Anthology III, IX, 526

XLVII AGAINST MOURNING

61, 64, 68
5 they well 64, 68: well they 61
Translation of Greek Anthology III, IX, 111

XL VIII EPIGRAMMA IN JULIAM

61, 64, 68
3 frigidius 64, 68:frigidus 61

See H. Hudson, The Epigram in the English Renaissance (Princeton 1947) 23-4 and note on p
98.

XLIX TRANSLATED
61, 64, 68
4 came.] came? 61
See note above.

118
 Notes to pages 322-34
L AN ESSAY OF THE CONTEMPT OF GREATNESSE,
BEING A DIALOGUE OF LUCIAN MADE ENGLISH

61, 64, 68
1 Lucian} Lucian, 61 311 adoring 64, 68: adorning 67
3 doe,] doe 61 312 slaves] slaves, 67
4 place] place, 61 315 command.] command? 67
14 Cynicus] Cynicus, 61 323 enjoyment 64, 68: enjoynmet67
22 think] think, 61 vain 64, 68: fain 67
23 superfluous 64, 68: superfluouous 61 342 choir 64: choice 67: chair 68
36 to blame] too blame 61 357 where ever 64, 68: wherever 67
46 so.] so; 61 378 as] this 64
59 perpend] pertend 64: pretend 68 392 a horse 64, 68: horses 67
76 do?] do. 61 407 nor] not 64, 68
111 we64, 68: you61 464 aiming 64, 68: aming67
137 mellifluous 64, 68: melliflous 67 468 winter] winter, 67
141 each 64, 68: our 61 480 lust] lusts 68
142 Groans 64, 68: Groan 61 486 force,] force; 67
161 your self] omit 64, 68 487 nor go] not go 68
176 end,] end; 61 502 dang'rous64, 68: dangerous 67
238 make 64, 68: makes 61 505 pain] pains 68
256 Warme or] Nor warm 68 516 delight64, 68: delights 67
267 sweet,] sweet 67 521 Statues 64, 68: Statutes 67
290 lust!] lust? 67 525 beards] heads 68
301 interests, 68: inter'est67

Other English translations of this dialogue are: Sir Thomas Elyot, A Dialogue betwene
Lucian and Diogenes of the life horde and sharpe, and of the lyfe tendre and delicate (nd);
Jasper Mayne, 'The Cynicke,' in Part of Lucian made English from the Original in the Year
1638 (Oxford 1663) 293-301. In places, there is some verbal resemblance between Mayne's
prose translation and Brome's. Brome may have had access to a manuscript copy of Mayne's
translation, or more likely he translated directly from the Greek or Latin, probably from the
Latin. Sir Thomas More's translation of The Cynic' into Latin in 1506 was reprinted many
times in the sixteenth century. See Craig R. Thompson, ed., The Complete Works of St
Thomas More (Yale 1974) in, Iv-lxvii. Brome's translation follows More's Latin quite
closely in places. For background on Lucian in the seventeenth century, see Harden Craig,
'Dryden's Lucian,' Classical Philology 16 (1921) 141-63.
1 Lucian: More changes the name of the Cynic's questioner from 'Lycinus' in the Greek
texts to 'Lucianus.' See Thompson, p 141. Brome seems to be following More here. Mayne's
questioner is 'Lycinus.'
59 perpend: ponder OED
103 Dwingle: possibly a misspelling of dwindle, meaning to waste away OED
253 Euriphile: Eriphyle, the wife of Amphiarus, was bribed by Polynices to persuade her
husband to join the expedition against Thebes, an expedition he knew was doomed to failure.
371 The reputation of great Neptunes son: Some accounts of Theseus, the great Greek hero,
and later King of Athens, said that Neptune was his father.
392 hough: variant spelling of hock, the joint in the hinder leg of a quadruped between the
true knee and the fetlock, the angle of which points backward OED
393 Chirons: the wise and gentle creature among the centaurs, creatures mostly equine, but

119
 Notes to pages 331-40
with head, arms, and breast of a human. Chiron is represented in art with human front legs.
429 Pathicks: men or boys upon whom sodomy is practised; catamites OED, s.v. pathic
436 As Protean as Jove in all's escapes: See note to 2.XXX 'The New Gentry,' 1 55.
438 kemb: comb OED

LI A PARAPHRASE UPON THE FIRST CHAP. OF ECCLESIASTES

61, 64, 68RP9
29-32 omit RP9 99 I arriv'd I : I'd arrive 61
39 satisfi'd64, 68: satisfied 61, RP9 101 blessings,] blessings; 61
48 And] ForRP9 102 th'] the 68, RP9
52 a] omit RP9 106 before me I: before 61
91 seen] been 68, RP9 114 but I : do 61
Compare other paraphrases of Ecclesiastes by George Sandys,/! Paraphrase upon the Divine
Poems (London 1638); Francis Quarles, Solomons Recantation, Entituled Ecclesiastes, Par-
aphrased (London 1645). Like Brome's, these two paraphrases are in decasyllabic couplets.
Sandys' paraphrase of the first chapter is forty lines long, while Quarles' is sixty-six.

LII A SPEECH MADE TO THE LORD GENERAL MONCK,

AT CLOTHEWORKERS-HALL IN LONDON THE 13. OF MARCH, 1659.
AT WHICH TIME HE WAS THERE ENTERTAINED BY THAT WORTHY COMPANY
61, 64, 68, S
22 then] than S 84 b' 64, 68:by61,S
57 taking] talking 64, 68 86 meant 5: mean I (see note)
After Monck informed the Common Council on 11 February 1660 that he had ordered the
Rump to issue writs for a free and full parliament, he became the most popular man in Lon-
don. The grateful City feasted the general on many occasions during the next few weeks at
halls of the various companies. See Masson V, 548; Morrah, pp 82, 85. Brome's invitation to
deliver this speech at a feast in Cloth workers' Hall may have been the result of his association
and friendship with the then alderman and later MP for London, John Robinson, a member of
the Clothworkers' Company. See note to Brome's letter dedicating 61 to John Robinson.
In his prefatory poem to 64 (P.XI), Charles Steynings refers to this speech (1 8). See also
note to 2.XXXV 'For the Generalls entertainment.'
Other poems written for feasts in honour of Monck are reprinted in J.P. Collier, ed.,
Illustrations of Early English Popular Literature (New York 1966) II, section 6.
7-8 Great Hero of three Nations! Whose blood springs, etc.: Through a female line, Monck
could trace descent from an illegitimate son of Edward IV, Arthur Plantagenet, who was cre-
ated Viscount Lisle in 1523. See Maurice Ashley, General Monck (London 1977) 3.
15-18 But you're too truly Noble to aspire, etc.: In March 1660, rumours persisted that
Monck might aspire to the monarchy himself (Davies, pp 309-10). The French ambassador
raised the possibility of Monck's seizing the throne (Morrah, p 83), and desperate Republic-
ans like Haselrig even offered Monck the crown (Masson V, 556).
44 Merely to make ambitious small things great: Brome consistently attacked leaders of the
Interregnum governments as ambitious men of humble origins who plotted to attain power.
See note to 2.XXX 'The New Gentry.'
49-50 And 'twas the plague of Countries and of Cities, etc.: County Committees established

120
 Notes to pages 339-44
to carry out policies and to administer local affairs were among the most hated bodies of the
Interregnum, especially because they included many men of humble origins and excluded the
natural local rulers. See note to 3.1 'The Satyr of Money,' 1 36.
60 Keepers: The Commonwealth government referred to itself as the 'Keepers of the liberty
of England.' See note to 1 13 of 3.1 'The Satyr of Money.'
64 To shuffle mens Estates: Cavaliers suffered severely from the punitive measures directed
against delinquents - forced loans, sequestration, compounding, and finally outright confis-
cation of property. See Hardacre.
71 a Monster fell: the Rump Parliament
74 Briareus hands: hundred-handed giant of Greek mythology
Argus eyes: mythological character having a hundred eyes
76 St. George for England: It was inevitable that Monck would be compared to St George
and the Rump to the dragon. Several poems used this motif: Robert Wild, 'Iter Boreale,' in
Poems on Affairs of State (Yale 1963)1,4-19;' The Glory of the WEST,' Rump II, 112; 'Saint
George for England,' Rump II, 126; 'The Second Part of Saint George for England,' Rump
II, 159; 'England's Triumph...,' Rump II, 165; 'SirEglamor and the Dragon,' Rump I, 372;
'The Noble Progress,' Mackay, p 223; 'The Noble English Worthies,' Wright, p 163.
85 A Legion: the Rump Parliament
86 The People, whom they meant t'undo and starve: S preserves the correct reading 'meant
t'undo.' The compositor of 61 probably dropped the 't' inadvertently.

LIII LEGES CONVIVALES

61, 64, 68
3 Eruditi, ] Eruditi 61 14 muti 64, 68: multi 61
1 coquus\ coqui 68 27 faciunto] Jaciunto 64, 68

See note to 5.LIV 'BEN. JOHNSONS Sociable rules for the Apollo.'

LIV BEN. JOHNSONS SOCIABLE RULES FOR THE APOLLO

61, 64, 68
Title: the] omit 68 26 Nor] Not 68
10 quickly 64, 68, (Errata 61): omit 61 28 no] the 64, 68
17 none of us be mute 64, 68: not our Company be
61
This is Brome's translation of Jonson's 'LEGES CONVIVALES' which was first printed in
Oratio Panegyrica in obitum Reverendi et Clarissimi Viri, Domini M. Jo. Jacobi Frey
(1636). For notes and background information about the 'LEGES CONVIVALES,' see C.H.
Herford, and P. and E. Simpson, Ben Jonson (Oxford 1925-52) VIII, 653-7; XI, 294-300.

LV TO HIS FRIEND C.S. ESQUIRE

68
Title: Esquire] Esq. 68 58 we,] we. 68
41 murth'ring cease, 68 (c.)] murthering, 68 (u.) 86 Quire;] Quire 68

Brome wrote this epistle to Charles Steynings after a visit to his friend in Somerset. Since this
epistle was first published in 68, it was probably composed at some date between 1664 and

121
 Notes to pages 342-9
Brome's death on 30 June 1666.
2Su.\ Steynings' wife
3 Tom.: This is probably Tom S., with whom Brome exchanged verse epistles in 1659. See
4.V 'To T.S.'; 4.VI 'The Answer'; 4.XIX 'To his Friend T.S.'
12 both our Chaplains: Tom S. and Frank, referred to in 11 90ff
55 his Lordship: unidentified
73 the ingenious Chanter: unidentified
81 gentile Archdeacon: unidentified
93 Frank: unidentified

LVI A DIALOGUE BETWEEN ALEXANDER, CALISTHENES, AND STATYRA

68
16 For] for 68 70 as blinde ed.: blinde 68 (see note)
57 with ed.: which 68 (see note) 85 Statyra] Satyra 68
68 Statyra} Satyra 68

Hints for this dialogue may have come from the lengthy French romance of La Calprenede,
Cassandre, which was translated by Sir Charles Cotterell in 1661 under the title, Cassandra:
The Fam'd Romance. Brome may have borrowed hints from the exchange of letters between
Alexander and Statira, daughter of Darius (pp 96-7) or from Alexander's wooing of her later
(pp 132-3). Callisthenes, nephew of Aristotle, and official chronicler of Alexander's Asian
conquests, does not appear in the French romance and seems to be Brome's invention.
Several Restoration plays were inspired by La Calprenede's romance, including John
Banks, The Rival Kings, or the Loves of Oroondates and Statira (1677) and Nathaniel Lee,
The Rival Queens, or the Death of Alexander the Great (1677).
10 The Gods and I have done for you too small: Callisthenes' account of Alexander's wars
was more panegyric than historical, with Alexander presented as the glorious equal of the
gods. See R.L. Fox, Alexander the Great (London 1974) 95.
57 Tis of the same nature with Fayries and Elves: The error 'which' in 68 has been corrected
to 'with.'
70 Love must be deaf as well as blinde: The omission of 'as' before 'blinde' in 68 has been
corrected.

LVII CROMWELL'S PANEGYRICK, UPON HIS RIDING IN TRIUMPH

OVER THE BAFFLED CITY OF LONDON

64, 68, CP, R

Title: Cromwells Panegyrick CP, R 28 this CP, R: his 64, 68 (see note)
London] L. 64, 68 36 made CP, R: make 64, 68 (see note)
4 up] omit CP, R 44 Prayer] L. Prayer 68
bells] the bells CP, R 48 made] built CP, R
for] in CP 52 backs] back/?
malignity] dependencie CP, R 53 Prynne CP: P. 64, 68: omit R (see note)
9 Of I : of 64 Margent] great Margent R
24 makes] make CP, R 64 the] that CP, R
26 an] a CP, R a] 68, CP,R: and 64

122
 Notes to pages 348-50
after 64four additional lines CP R (see note) 72 oppressions] Oppression/?
after 66fourteen additional lines CP, R (see note) 75 think] hold CP, R
68 its] his CP, R
From the time of its abduction of the King (4 June 1647), the Army intensified its pressure on
Parliament to reach a satisfactory settlement with the King, at the same time pursuing its own
negotiations with him. The Army also continued to press Parliament to satisfy its demands for
arrears before disbandment, in the process denouncing eleven leading Presbyterian members
who were in the forefront of the oppositon to the Army. While the Army was pressing Parlia-
ment on one side, the City had organized petitions and demonstrations to persuade Parliament
to oppose the Army's demands and to settle with the King on terms distasteful to the Army
and the more radical Independents. When the citizen mobs used force to intimidate Parlia-
ment, a large number of the Independent members withdrew and sought refuge with the
Army. These events forced the Army to advance on London. On 6 August 1647 the Army
entered the City and restored the members to their seats. On the following day the Army
marched through the streets with Cromwell at the head of the cavalry. For an account of the
events in the summer of 1647 see Gardiner, Civil War III, 250-352; Masson III, 547-56;
Underdown, Pride's Purge 76-83; Valerie Pearl, 'London's Counter-Revolution,' in The
Interregnum, ed. G.E. Aylmer (London 1972) 29-56.
Thomason dated CP 22 September 1647. The events of the summer of 1647 inspired a
large number of poems and ballads. Some dealing with the Army's advance on and occupa-
tion of London are: 'Lex Talionis or London Revived,' Cavalier and Puritan 184; 'The
Members Justification,' Wilkins I, 40; 'The Cities Loyaltie to the King,' Wright, p 42;
'Prattle your Pleasure,' Wright, p 49; 'A La Mode,' Wright, p 64; 'The Cities Thanks to
Southwarke,' Wright, p 70; 'The Braggadocia Souldier and the Civill Citizen,' Wright, p 84.
1 Shall Presbyterian bells, etc.: This is an ironic touch, for the Presbyterians would be the
last ones to ring out the praises of Cromwell.
5 dominical: The dominical letter used to denote the Sundays in a given year was printed in
red. Thus, the reference is to Cromwell's red nose. OED quotes from Cleveland's Character
of a London Diurnall for a similar reference: 'For all Cromwells Nose weares the Dominicall
Letter.' See also 2.VIII 'The Answer,' 1 36; 2.XXVIII 'The Prodigal,' 1 20; 4.XXIV 'To a Gen
tleman that fell sick of the small Pox,' 1 36.
11 the laurell'd Army: Every soldier who marched into London had placed a laurel leaf in his
hat as a sign of conquest (Gardiner, Civil War III, 345).
13 Generals Cypher: Though Fairfax was General, most people took it for granted that
Cromwell was the driving force behind the Army. Men of nearly all political stripe believed
that Cromwell was a cunning manipulator using artifice to gain power for himself. See Clar-
endon's famous analysis of Cromwell's craftiness X, 170-1. See also Gardiner, Civil War III,
282-4 for a review of the evidence that Cromwell was a hypocrite.
22 the want of Beer: Among the terms of derision used to smear Cromwell, 'the Brewer' was
a favourite. See 'The Protecting Brewer', Rump I, 331; 'The BREWER,' Rump I, 336; 'A
Hymne to Cromwell,' Cavalier and Puritan 289. See Antonia Fraser, Cromwell: The Lord
Protector (New York 1973) 14 for a review of the tradition that Cromwell's father ran a
brew-house, and that Cromwell himself carried on this activity after his father's death. See
also 2.XXXIH 'The Answer to the Curse against Ale,' 1 40.
25 Castalian: See 1.XXIII 'A Dialogue,' 1 3.
28 But sing Hosanna to this King of Jews: CP, R preserve the correct reading 'this.' The

123
 Notes to pages 348-9
compositor of 64 probably dropped the 't' inadvertently.
29 Scottish zealots: All during 1647 the Scots continued to hope that Charles would agree to
take the Solemn League and Covenant, thus abandoning Episcopacy and embracing Pres-
byterianism. If he did so, they were prepared to raise an army to restore him to the throne.
36 And made the Head a servant to the Tail: CP, R preserve the correct reading 'made.' 64
'makes' is the wrong tense.
37 curst spawn of Publicans: The County Committees for Sequestration were among the most
hated institutions of the period. For a discussion of their operation see Harold B. Newman,
Sequestration of Royalist Estates during the Civil War (diss, Harvard 1949); Hardacre. See
also 3.III 'A new Diurnal,' 11 199-200.
41 You Synod: The Westminster Assembly of Divines had been sitting since 1 July 1643 and
by 1647 had nearly completed its work of remodelling the liturgy, creed, catechism, and
government of the English church.
46 Directory: The Westminster Directory of Worship, a replacement for the Book of Com-
mon Prayer, was approved by Parliament on 4 January 1645 (Gardiner, Civil War II, 108).
See4.V 'ToT.S.,' 155.
48 This Army's made of Churches Militant: Though in a minority, many officers and soldiers
in the Army were radical sectaries who strongly opposed the establishment of coercive Pres-
byterianism and demanded toleration and liberty of conscience. Their opponents deplored
many features of the fanatics, especially lay preaching by the uneducated and extreme mille-
narianism. See Leo F. Solt, Saints in Arms (Stanford 1959). See also 3.XIV 'The Holy
Pedler,' 1 49.
51-2 every bird shall gather, etc.: allusion to Aesop's fable of the upstart crow. See note to 1
211 of 5.LX 'To the Kings most Sacred Majesty.'
53 Your Great Lay-Levite Prynne: During the 1630s, William Prynne (1600-69) was severely
persecuted for his staunch anti-episcopal writings. During the civil war he became one of the
most indefatigable and voluminous defenders of Parliament and of an intolerant Erastian form
of church government. Prynne supported an Erastian Presbyterianism and was especially
vituperative against any jure divino claims for church government. He also attacked the
Independents and sectaries for their fanaticism and separatism. In the summer of 1647,
Prynne wrote several pamphlets in support of the eleven Presbyterian leaders who had been
denounced by the Army. See£W5; Gardiner, Civil War II, 66-9; William Lamont, Marginal
Prynne (London 1963).
57 Whose circumcised ears: Part of Prynne's punishment for his anti-episcopal pamphlets in
the 1630s was the loss of his ears, originally in 1634 and the stumps of them in 1637.
61 Burges: Dr Cornelius Burges (15897-1655), vice-president of the Assembly of Divines,
was a leading Puritan clergyman in London. On 12 March 1644, he was appointed lecturer at
St Paul's, with a pension of £400 a year, and the dean's house as a residence. SeelWB. See
also a reference to Burges in Cleveland, 'The Mixt Assembly,' 1 34, and note p 114.
after 64 four lines included in CP, R but omitted in 61
And Calamy must now resigne his place, (omit R)
Because Scalpellum has cut through the Case; (omit R)
The ProteanHollis, that will never burne, (Hollis] Hypocrites/?
never] ne're/?)
Must here or' at Tiburne take another turne. (or' at] or else at/?
another] aR)
65 Will the Conquerour: Sir William Waller (1597-1668), former general of one of Parlia-

124
 Notes to pages 349-56
ment's armies, was given the nickname 'conquerour' because of some of his early victories
(Gardiner, Civil War I, 104-5). In 1647, he was one of the eleven leading Presbyterian MPs
who were denounced by the Army. The others were Holies, Stapleton, Lewis, Clotworthy,
Maynard, Massey, Glynn, Long, Harley, and Nichols. Waller in particular was accused of
encouraging the Scots to invade England. On 16 August 1647, Waller and four of his col-
leagues were given passports to leave for France. See DM?; Gardiner, Civil War III, 349. A
ballad mocking the eleven members is 'The Members Justification,' Wright, p 45.
after 66 fourteen lines in CP, R but omitted in 61
Or he and Stapleton among those Crews (and Stapleton] and's Junctofl)
In Holland build a Synagogue of Jewes,
And spread Rebellion; Great Alexander
Fears not a Pillory, like this Commander.
And Bedlam lohn, that at his Clerks so raves,
Using them not like servants, but like slaves.
He that so freely rail'd against his Prince,
Cal'd him dissembling subtile Knave, and since
Has still'd the whole Army Bankrupts; said, that none
Of their Estates were equal to his own:
He that was by a strong ambition led
To set himself upon the Cities head:
But when he has restor'd his both-side fees,
Hee'll be as poor, or they as rich as hee's.
67 Goldsmiths-Hall: See note to 2.XV 'The Cure of Care.'
76 Rubrick: another reference to Cromwell's red nose. A rubrick is a direction for the conduct
of divine service inserted on liturgical books and properly written or printed in red (OED).

LVIII A RECORD IN RHYTHME

64, 68, RR
29 demurely] demurely, 64 110 small,] small 64
44 carriage,] carriage; 64 122 one] onRR
50 shall] should 68 139 tarry] tarry, 64
69 of 68, RR: off 64 197 aforesaid] foresaid/?/?
96 said] saith/W? 201 to averr he's] he to averr isRR
107 power] power, 64 225 the] that/?/?
Though the suit in this poem is almost certainly a fictional one, the date of the alleged slander
is put at 11 September 1657 (11 59-60). The suit was brought before Upper Bench in Trinity
Term (June 1658), the depositions were put before the court during Michaelmas Term (Octo-
ber 1658), and final resolution of the case was set for Hilary Term (January-February 1659).
If the dates used in the poem are taken as reflecting the time of composition, then it seems
likely that the poem was composed either in 1657 or 1658. The poem was first published
anonymously in 1660 (RR) and did not appear in Brome's collected edition until64. In 1727,
the poem was reprinted with the title 'The Record on a Famous Action upon the Case,' and
included a preface addressed to students of the law commending the poem as an example of a
desirable reform in pleadings at law proposed during the Commonwealth period. The writer
of the preface says that the author of the poem was thought to have been Samuel Butler.
No evidence has been found to determine whether this poem was actually submitted to a

125
 Notes to pages 350-3
committee for the reform of the law. During the 1640s and 1650s there were many proposals
for reforms, and Interregnum governments did establish committees to make recommenda-
tions. Many lawyers and attorneys offered suggestions for improving procedures. See Donald
Veall, The Popular Movement for Law Reform, 1640-1660 (Oxford 1970), esp. 184-93.
The main reform that seems to be implied by this poem is that in cases before Upper
Bench (formerly King's Bench) depositions should be in writing in English and the proce-
dures of the Court of Chancery should be used, where the case proceeded not by writ as in the
common law courts but by bill. By this procedure the plaintiff put in a petition called his bill
in which he elaborated all the particulars and details at issue. The defendant then answered in
writing, and the parties exchanged further documents called replication and rejoinder. For
procedures in both common law courts and Chancery, see G.R. Elton, The Tudor Constitu-
tion (Cambridge 1962) 147-53; Veall, pp 30-4.
It appears that various parts of the poem were composed by friends of Brome. M.B. who
wrote the 'Declaration' is unidentified, but I.H., who wrote the 'Replication,' may be John
Harriett, an attorney. See 4.XXIII 'To his Friend J.H. Esquire.'
Though ostensibly a serious proposal for reform of procedures in Upper Bench, the poem
seems more of a burlesque directed against the lechery and hypocrisy of the zealous and pre-
cise Puritans.
2 last Term o'th' holy Trinity: Trinity Term began six or seven days after Trinity Sunday (the
Sunday after Whitsunday) and ended the Wednesday two weeks later.
3-4 Before the Keepers of the liberty / Of England: The Commonwealth governments refer-
red to themselves as 'the Keepers of the liberty of England.' See note to 1 13 of 3.1 'The Satyr
of Money.'
11-14 and 'tis upon a plea, etc.: The Court of King's Bench used a writ of trespass to initiate
cases that were to come under its jurisdiction. According to Holdsworth: 'This process was
based on the fact or fiction that the defendant was in custody of the Marshall of the Marshal-
sea of the king — the functionary who kept the prison of the court' (I, 219). To get evidence of
the defendant's being in custody, the plaintiff filed a bill of Middlesex stating that the defen-
dant was guilty of trespass and gave pledges for the prosecution, which pledges were the fic-
titious John Doe and Richard Roe. The trespass proceedings were fictions invented to give
the court jurisdiction (I, 220).
16 Scilicet: let it be known
41 One of the Assembly late at Westminster: The Westminster Assembly of Divines sat from
July 1643 to February 1649.
48 To wed him by the Act of Parliament: The Barebones parliament had passed a Marriage
Act on 24 August 1653 requiring all English marriages to be solemnized in future by justices
of the peace only after due publication of banns in church or in the market-place on market
days (Masson IV, 5\\\Acts and Ord. II, 715-18).
72 Pick-hatch...Clarkenwell: district of London, noted for brothels OED
81 damnifi'd: injured, wronged OED
86 Michaels day: Michaelmas, 29 September
87 In this same Term: Michaelmas Term ran from 9 October (if not a Sunday) to 28 Novem-
ber.
88 t'emparl: to have licence to settle a litigation amicably OED
124 Bridewell: a house of correction for prisoners OED
126 Anglice French-POX: syphilis

126
 Notes to pages 355-60
201 to averr: to prove or justify a plea OED
234 St. Hillary: Hilary Term ran from 23 January (if not a Sunday) to 12 February.

LIX ON A COMBAT BETWEEN A ROMAN CAPON, AND A FRENCH COCK

68

This seems to be a thinly veiled allegory of the strained relations between Louis XIV (Callus)
and Pope Alexander VII (Capo) in the years between 1661 and 1664. Louis XIV used an epi-
sode in Rome in 1662 in which the French ambassador was subject to violence to threaten war
against the Papal states. The Emperor Leopold I (Germanus) was sympathetic to the Pope,
but because of his preoccupation with the impending invasion of the Turks, he could not offer
help. The Pope, also worried by the threat of the Turks, and unwilling to embroil Europe in a
war, decided to capitulate to Louis and was forced to sign a humiliating peace settlement in
February 1664. For an account of the relations between Louis XIV and Alexander VII in these
years see Ludwig, Freiherr Von Pastor, The History of the Popes, trans. Dom Ernest Graf
(London 1957) XXXI, 78-123.
Pepys followed these events closely, as well as the Turkish wars in Hungary and their
threat against Austria. Sec Pepys Diary IV, 24, 63, 315-16, 358, 372, 439; V, 40, 42, 236-7.
6 Chinck: See note to l.XL 'The Murmurer,' 1 15.

LX TO THE KINGS MOST SACRED MAJESTY, ON HIS MIRACULOUS

AND GLORIOUS RETURN 29. MAY, 1660
64, 68, AC
Title: A Congratulatory Poem, On The Miracu- 24-5 Now, with their gracefull discords, all pro-
lous, and Glorious Return of that unparallel'd claim / Your safe return, and celebrate your
King Chads the II. May 29. 1660. AC Name. AC
1 cursed ground] ravish'd Land AC 26 omit AC
2 (That for twelve years did bring forth Tyrants, 27 While in] And the AC
and AC all] made AC
after 2 two additional lines AC (see note) 28 To apprehend a final Conflagration; AC
6 which] that AC after 28 two additional lines AC (see note)
12 their] OUT AC 29 meet] came AC
13 Wounded, and chas'd, and kill'd] They Beat, 30 the kind devourer greet] fed the devouring
and Wound, and Kill AC Flame AC
15 Now they're unhood-wink'd, they do plainly 34 hope] name AC
see/lC 36 welcome] splendid AC
17 Th'] T' 64 42 our] your 68
17-18 The warlike Trumpet, whose unhallow'd 48 in the] which might AC
breath / Inspir'd Rebellion, throws aside the after 48 two additional lines AC (see note)
wreath AC 49 (Which] That AC
after IS four additional lines AC (see note) 76 will] would AC
19 and with more chearful] with loud and loyal 81 requite] Retort AC
AC 82 by't] foft AC
21-2 omit AC 92 ends,] ends 64
23 Th'enlarged Bells, that, in these latter dayes, Who sacrific'd to his Ambitious ends ,4 C
AC after 92 four additional lines AC (see note)
after 23 five additional lines AC (see note) 95 shall proclame] now shall boast AC

127
 Notes to pages 358-67
96-7 His partial Conquests, which more Money 197 By crafty] Yet, by their AC
cost / And Blood than they were worth, no 199 too many AC: two 64: too 68
more remember, AC 208 Molochs] that word, The AC
after 98 two additional lines AC (see note) 233 These were] There's Lord^C
104 conductive] conducted 68 253 did] e're,4C
105 em'nent] eminent AC 258 with] by AC
106 too 68, AC: to 64 276 Car'd] Care AC
118 as the] to be th',4C was] is AC
119 To 'enthrone your Royal Person, and to bring 280 Protestants] Protestant AC
AC 283 haunt, as if God] did inhabit AC
122 Driv'n] Driven AC 290 Orig'nal] Original^
124 No Land less] Those far more/4C 300 With such lewd] And with such AC
128 cover'd] sordid AC 301 ridiculous;] ridiculous, 64
139 t'your wisest] to your wisest AC 303 Most] Oft AC
144 wretches] Robbers AC 307 they'l] they'ld<5S
145-6 They see their error now, and do begin / after 312 two additional lines AC (see note)
(Could they but hope, youl'd pardon their 329 But if you trust them, you'll as surely be^C
Huge sin) AC after 329 Betray'd and ruin'd, as you now are free.
after 146 two additional lines AC (see note) AC
153 so] sin,^C 340 acts AC: act 64, 68 (see note)
154 And therefore to get out, get further in. AC religion AC: religious 64, 68 (see note)
156 Unto your loyal Subjects, or to you', AC 352 Be I : be 64
176 at 68, AC: omit 64 (see note) 370 may we] we may AC
187 These ed.: This I (see note) 371 this] our^C
188 first] omit AC 382 may] made 68
then] both, and^C 384 your] you're 64
193 it was not a] 'twas a lesser AC 388 heirs] babes AC
194 but] than^C 391 your] our AC
after 196 four additional lines AC (see note)
An earlier version (AC) was published in 1660. The date inked in on the B.L. copy is 4 June,
while the Bodleian copy is dated June 1660. A second poem on Charles's restoration is 2.XL
'On the Kings returne.'
after 2 two additional lines AC
Traytors, in such aboundance, that the King,
And Subjects were forgot, both name and thing)
4-6 May first brought forth, etc.: Charles II was born on 29 May 1630. His arrival in London
thus coincided with his thirtieth birthday.
7-16 Hark, how th'admiring people cry, and shout, etc.: Compare 4.XLVI 'To his reverend
Friend Dr.S.,' 11 1-8.
10 Jealousies and Fears: See note to 3.IX The Saints Encouragement,' 1 4.
after 18 four additional lines AC
Of ill-got Laurel, scandaliz'd to be
Made instrumental to such Victorie
As shames and beats the Conqueror, and layes
A Crown o'th' conquer'd, baffling th'others Bayes;
after 23 five additional lines AC
Have been all silenc'd, and forbid to raise
Their Voice, but cross or backward from the steeple,
To proclaim Fire, or to amaze the people,

128
 Notes to pages 359-63
Or, if they chim'd, 'twas out of tune, and so
Did other grating tuneless Sounds forego:
after 28 two additional lines AC
And made the ground, at midnight to appear
Like Heaven at noon, and in the heat o'th' year,
31 th'old Subjects: the Cavaliers
after 48 two additional lines AC
Vain Ostentation, or a needless Pride,
Which some applaud, while others do deride.
64-6 Whose Precepts and Example did inspire, etc.: This may refer to Charles's parting
advice to his son in Eikon Basilike, 'To the Prince of Wales,' pp 158-71.
75 Weapon-salve: an ointment superstitiously believed to heal a wound by sympathetic
agency when applied to the weapon by which the wound was made OED
88 Catilines: Catiline, the Roman conspirator (BC 63), became a type for all conspirators. For
allusions to Catiline see 'The Players Petition to the Parliament,' Rump I, 33; Cowley, The
Civil War II, 559.
90 Bloud-thirsty Tyrant: Cromwell
after 92 four additional lines AC
Your crown and people, and were kept in pay,
Your Cause, and Sacred Person to betray,
In which he ev'ry year expended more
Than your Revenues have been heretofore;
98 His thrice auspicious third day of September: Cromwell considered 3 September his for-
tunate day because of his victories at Dunbar (1650) and Worcester (1651) on that date.
after 98 two additional lines AC
Which he design'd to be redeem'd from black,
And in Red letters writ ith' Almanack.
103 Glory of the West: General George Monck, born in Devonshire, was instrumental in
affecting the Restoration. See 'The Glory of the WEST,' Rump II, 112. For Monck's role in
the Restoration see Davies, pp 256-306.
after 146 two additional lines AC
To think you th'only means, and th'only man,
That will restore our liberties, and can
149-312 that crew of Caitiffs, etc.: In the long harangue that follows, Brome excoriates the
republicans and radical Independents (prominent in the restored Rump) for causing all the
nation's ills. He accuses them of being greedy hypocrites and crass opportunists who hood-
winked the common people. He also reveals the contempt of all social conservatives for men
of humble origins who rose to wealth and prominence during the Interregnum, and according
to Royalists especially by exacting severe financial penalties from the delinquents in the form
of sequestration, compounding, and confiscations. Brome had earlier attacked the Rump and
its supporters. See note to 2.XXX 'The New Gentry.'
176 And next their Conscience which was none at all:64 inadvertently omits 'at.'AC, 68 pre-
serve the correct reading.
182 cautelous: deceitful, crafty OED
187 These did invade the Pulpit, and the Throne: The reading 'This' of the three texts is
grammatically incorrect. I have emended to 'These.'
196 godly party, and the Saints: favourite slogans of the radical Independents and their more

129
 Notes to pages 363-8
extreme followers
after 196 four additional lines AC
And as those men, that live ill lives, desire
To die good deaths, so these vile men aspire
To be reputed honest, and did stile
Themselves so, but they were meer Cheats the while.
199 Drew in too many silly souls, that were: 64 'two' is incorrect. 68 corrects to 'too'. Both
editions omit 'many,' which is preserved in AC.
2Q6Andabates: a Roman gladiator who fought on horseback in a helmet without eye-holes.
The name was used to refer to one who is hoodwinked or blindfolded (OED).
211Aesops Crow: This fable, alluded to by Horace in Epistle I, 3, was a popular one during
the Renaissance. In the original fable, a jackdaw dressed itself out in the plumes of various
birds, hoping to win a contest as the most beautiful bird. When Zeus was about to grant the
victory to the jackdaw, the other birds reclaimed their stolen feathers, and the jackdaw was
revealed for what it was. See Babrius and Phaedrus (Harvard 1965) 89. Robert Greene's
reference to Shakespeare as an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers, is one of the more
famous allusions to this fable. See also 5.LVII 'Cromwell's Panegyrick,' 11 51-2.
221-38 A broken tradesman now, etc.: Compare 3.1 'The Satyr of Money,' 11 36-42, 50-63
for a social sneer at the nouveaux riches of the Interregnum.
231 Such t'other things crept into t'other House: In order to provide a check on the House of
Commons, the Humble Petition and Advice included provision for a second House consisting
of seventy members nominated by the Protector (Gardiner, Documents 449). Some men of
humble background were chosen to sit in the Other House because of their service in the
Army. A few nominees refused to sit because of the presence of members like Colonel Hew-
son, a former shoemaker, and Colonel Pride, a former drayman. See Firth II, 12-13. See also
3.VII 'The New Knight Errant,' 1 5.
232 sowse: pickled pig's feet and ears OED
240 Justices and Squires: County Committees included many new men of humbler origin.
250 Auxiliary Lecturers: Congregations often chose a lecturer to preach to them outside the
regular church service. Brome charges that many radical sectaries had usurped the places of
the established clergy.
252 Jeroboams: Jeroboam, a might man of valour (1 Kings 11:28), who made Israel to sin
267 old Dry-bone: nickname for Cromwell. See 'The House out of Doors,' Wilkins, p 102.
288 Gods sons did take the daughters once of men: See Genesis 6:4.
290 To decimate them: In order to pay for the upkeep of the Major-Generals and to penalize
Royalists for the insurrection of 1655, Cromwell instituted a Decimation Tax on 21 Septem-
ber 1655. A tax of ten per cent of rental income was levied on all delinquents (Gardiner,
Commonwealth HI, 321-3). See also 4.XII 'To C.S. Esquire,' 1 24.
after 312 two additional lines AC
But if to be of both sides be a Crime,
What is't to turn of all sides with the time?
325-8 Those feathers, etc.: See note onAesops Crow, 1 211.
340 True acts of pure religion, and may we: 64, 68 read incorrectly 'act of pure religious.' AC
preserves the correct reading 'acts of pure religion.'

LXI ON A PARSON AND A LAWYER

68

130
 SECTION 6

I UPON THE UNPARALELLD PLAYES WRITTEN BY THOSE RENOWNED

TWINNES OF POETRY BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER

BF
20 Trees.] Trees BF 45 this] this,fiF

This poem appeared in the folio edition of Comedies and Tragedies. Written by Francis
Beaumont and John Fletcher. London 1647 (BF). See Thomas, pp 133-4 for the circumstan-
ces surrounding the publication of BF and Lawrence B. Wallis, Fletcher, Beaumont and
Company (New York 1968) 13-25 for an analysis of commendatory poems written forflF.
3 exploded Witt: Compare 6.X 'Upon the Ingenious Comedies of Mr. RichardBrome, '13.
10 the Architect: Compare 6.IV 'Upon the Author's decease, and POEMS,' 1 10.
17 Orpheus and Amphion: See note to 4.XLII 'On a pair of Virginals,' 1 5.
22 Climactericall: a critical period, point or epoch in any career or course OED
31cheverele sence:of the nature of cheverel-leather; stretching, flexible, pliable, yielding,
elastic OED, 2.b
42 Gemini of Witt: See note to 4.XXIV 'To a Gentleman that fell sick of the small Pox,' 1 78.
46 Metempsychosis: See note to 4.XXV 'To his Friend Mr. I.B.,' 1 64.

II TO MR. JAMES SHIRLEY, UPON HIS ENGLISH AND LATINE GRAMMAR

JS
This dedicatory poem appeared in James Shirley, Via adLatinam Linguam Complanata. The
Way made plain to the Latine Tongue. London 1649 (JS). This book was an elementary
grammar taking the student through the rudiments by means of short verses in English and
Latin. See G.E. Bentley, The Jacobean and Caroline Stage (Oxford 1956) V, 1070.
2 your Poesie: Shirley's POEMS &c. were published in 1646.
SLillies Lyturgy: William Lyly (c!468-1523), first headmaster of St Paul's school and co-
author of the most influential of Latin grammars
13 vimineous Bajazets: Bajazeth was Emperor of the Turks in Marlowe's Tamburlaine. See
note to 4.XII 'To C.S. Esquire,' 1 30. For vimineous see 4.LVIII 'An Elegy on the death of his
Schoolmaster,' 1 20.

Ill UPON THE UNHAPPIE SEPARATION OF THOSE UNITED SOULS,

THE HONORABLE HENRY LORD HASTINGS, AND HIS BELOVED PARALLEL

LM

This poem appeared in Lachrymae Musarum; The Tears of the Muses; Exprest in Elegies;
Written By divers persons of Nobility and Worth, upon the death of the most hopefull, Henry
Lord Hastings. Collected and set forth by R.B. London 1649 (LM).
Son of the 6th Earl of Huntington, Hastings died at the age of nineteen on 24 June 1649,
the eve of his marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of the physician Sir Theodore Turquet de
Mayerne. See notes to Dryden's elegy on Hastings in The Works of John Dryden, ed. E.N.

131
 Notes to pages 373-7
Hooker and H.T. Swedenberg, Jr (Berkeley 1956) I, 171-81.
2 Lebanon of Wits: Brome compares himself to a shrub and the more famous poets who
wrote elegies for Hastings to the cedars of Lebanon. Among these were Herrick, Denham,
Marvell, Dry den, and Cotton.
38 Poor Hemistick: half a line of verse; refers to Hastings' intended bride, Elizabeth
69 We'd joyn'd Yorks Wealth, to \tiLancaster of Wit: Huntington's father was descended
from George, Duke of Clarence, brother to Edward IV.

IV UPON THE AUTHOR'S DECEASE, AND POEMS

WC
This dedicatory poem appeared in Comedies, Tragi-Comedies, With other Poems, By Mr.
William Cartwright. 1651 (WC). For the circumstances surrounding the publication of WC,
see Thomas, pp 175-6 and Cartwright, pp 62-3.
10 a single Architect: Compare 6.1 'Upon the unparalelld Playes,' 1 10.
18 Tenants in Tayl: a legal term meaning the limitation or destination of a freehold estate or
fee to a person and the heirs of his body, or some particular class of such heirs, on the failure
of whom it is to revert to the donor or his heir or assign OED, s.v. tail2, III.3

V UPON THE AUTHOUR, AND HIS WORKE

£552
10 sanctifi'd,] sanctifi'd. £552 17 whirl-wind] whirl-wind, £552

This dedicatory poem appeared in Edward Sparke, Scintillula Altaris. London 1652 (ES52).
See note to 4.XLVI 'To his Reverend Friend Dr. S on his pious and learned book.'
1-12 When the rude Vulgar in their headlong rages, etc.: Brome writes from the perspective
of the Anglican Cavaliers who were appalled by the iconoclasm of Puritans and by their radi-
cal changes in the government and liturgy of the church.
19-20 Thus God, when all things were i'th' Chaos hurl'd, etc.: Compare 4.XLVII 'To Colonel
Lovelace on his Poems,' 11 1-3.
23 Pseudo-levites: Puritan preachers. See note to 2.XXXI 'The Cheerful heart,' 1 21.

VI TO MASTER RICHARD BROME, UPON HIS COMEDIE, CALLED,

A JOVIALL CREW; OR, THE MERRY BEGGARS

RB52

This dedicatory poem appeared in Richard Brome, A Joviall Crew. London 1652 . See
Ann Haaker, ed. A Joviall Crew (Lincoln 1968) and G.E. Bentley, The Jacobean and Caro-
line Stage (Oxford 1956) III, 70-3.
6 Whiffler-like: one of a body of attendants armed with a javelin, battle-axe, sword or staff,
and wearing a chain, employed to keep the way clear for a procession or at some public spec-
tacle OED. Compare 2.XXIV 'The Polititian,' 1 42.
15-16 Be't Name, or Muse, will all be read of me, etc.: Compare 6.IX 'To the Stationer, on
the publishing Mr. Bromes Comedies,' 11 9-10.

132
 Notes to pages 377-80
16 claw'd: flattered OED, s.v. claw, 5
24 At first to be the Envy of thy Master: Haaker explains: 'Jonson's apparent pique occa-
sioned by the success of Brome's Lovesick Maid at Blackfriars just a few weeks after the
failure of Jonson's The New Inn in 1629 at the same theater is expressed in his 'Ode to Him-
self (p 12).
32 Who'll not be innocent, since Wealth's a Crime: Brome may be alluding to the Rump's
confiscation of the estates of over seven hundred Royalists in 1651 and 1652. See note to
2.XXXIV The Reformation,' 11 41-2.
37-8 May this so please, t'encourage thee; that more, etc.: Alexander encourages Richard to
publish more of his plays. However, Richard died in 1652, and consequently Alexander
himself edited and published ten of Richard's plays, five in 1653 (RB53) and five in 1659
(RB59).
42 'Twas Roy all once: Haaker explains: 'A.W. Ward suggests that Alexander Brome is
associating 'Brome' with 'Plantagenet' (DNB), \z.,planta genesta, the broom flower worn in
the helmet of the first of the Plantagenet kings, Henry IF (p 13).

VII READER, LO HEERE THOU WILT TWO FACES FINDE

RB53
These lines were inscribed under the engraving of Richard Brome for Alexander's edition of
Five New Playes. London 1653 (RB53).

VIII TO THE READERS

RB53
This letter was prefaced toRB53.
19-20 he is ofFalstaffs minde, / and cares not for Honour: reference to Falstaff s speech on
honour, Henry IV, Part I, V. i

IX TO THE STATIONER, ON THE PUBLISHING MR. BROMES COMEDIES

RB53
RB53 was published by Humphrey Moseley, Richard Marriot, and Thomas Dring.

9-10 And truely scarce there is a Poet known, etc.: Compare 6.VI 'To Master RICHARD
BROME, upon his Comedie,' 11 15-16.
35 Coriat: Thomas Coryate (15777-1617), the traveller, whose Coryate's Crudities were
prefaced by mock encomia. See Douglas Bush, English Literature in the Earlier Seventeenth
Century (Oxford 1962) 183-4.

X UPON THE INGENIOUS COMEDIES OF MR. RICHARD BROME

RB53
22 jeere] jeere. RB53
This dedicatory poem appeared in RB53.
3 exploded Wit: Compare 6.1 'Upon the unparalelld Playes,' 1 3.

133
 Notes to pages 380-5
4 Now see the fall of those that ruin'd it: The Rump Parliament was forcibly dissolved by
Cromwell on 20 April 1653. See note to 2.XXV 'The Prisoners.' Thomason dated his copy of
RB53 20 May 1653.
5-6 And the Condemned Stage hath now obtain'd, etc.: The theatres were closed in Septem-
ber 1642 (Acts and Ord. I, 26).
10 the same man: Cromwell
20 Bishop, and Players both suffer'd in one Vote: On 9 October 1646 an ordinance was
passed for the abolition of Archbishops and Bishops and for the confiscation of their lands
(Acts and Ord. I, 879-83). On 22 October 1647 an ordinance was passed suppressing stage
plays and interludes and committing players to prison (Acts and Ord. I, 1027).

XI TO HIS INGENUOUS FRIEND MR. IZAAK WALTON ON HIS COMPLETE ANGLER

IW
This dedicatory poem appeared in the second edition of The Compleat Angler. 1655 (IW).
17-18 Cyphers to Figures joyn'd, make summes; and wee, etc.: Compare 4.XXVI 'An elegy
on a Lady,' 11 3-4.
49 For he that reads thy WOTTON and thy DONNE: Walton published his life of Donne in
1640 and his life of Wotton in 1651.

XII ON THE COMOEDIES OF THE LATE FACETIOUS POET,

MR. RICHARD BROME DECEASED
RB59

This dedicatory poem appeared in Alexander's 1659 edition of Five new Playes by Richard
Brome (RB59).
26 extraduce: derived as from a parent stock OED
29Sic void's: from Juvenal, Satires VI, 223 (sic volo sic jubeo — thus I will thus I command)
33 Martin Parker's: Parker (c 1600-52) was a prolific balladeer during the 1640s.
37 To be o'th' Classis: an inferior judicatory in certain Presbyterian churches consisting of
the elders or pastors of the parishes of a district OED
41 Lombard story: unidentified

XIII TO HIS INGENIOUS FRIEND MR. HENRY BOLD ON HIS POEMS

HE
14 theirs.] theirs, HB 18 mad.] mad, #5
This dedicatory poem appeared in Henry Bold's Poems published in 1664 (HB).
26 Levite: Puritan preacher. See note to 2.XXXI 'The Cheerful heart,' 1 21.

134
 Notes to pages 389-92
DUBIA

ALEXANDER BROOME ON MR ROBT NAPEIR A LAWYER'S

KISSING OF MY LD JOHN BUTLER'S BREECH FOR A GUINY,
WHOME HE BESHIT FOR HIS GAINS AT ORCHARD. A° 1665.
052

For Robert Napeir see note to his prefatory poem to 67. Lord John Butler was the seventh son
of the Duke of Ormonde. In 1676 he was created Baron of Aghrim, Viscount Clonmore, and
Earl of Gowran. For references to Butler see The Rochester-Savile Papers, ed. John Harold
Wilson (Columbus 1941) 48, 89 and Pepys, Diary VII, 385; VIII, 44-5.

THE HUE AND CRY

F27, Ash

Compare Carew, 'A Rapture,' p 49; James Shirley, 'Love's Hue and Cry,' in The Dramatic
Works and Poems of James Shirley, ed. the Rev. A. Dyce (New York 1966) VI, 410.

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 INDEX OF
FIRST LINES
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An asterisk marks poems by another author or those included in the Dubia.
A Ballad, a Ballad, a new one and true 214
A bankrupt heard a Theif enter by stealth 309
A fisher, while he angled in a brook 316
A flying Murtherer lay beneath a wall 315
A hare unsafe by land lep'd into th'main 318
A humerous fellow in a Tavern late 307
A lowsie fellow once was ask'd, how he 311
A priest did with a theif together come 309
A Spartan Lady bravely slew her son 314
Ah surra, is't a come to this 194
All you that for Parliament members do stand 199
Among the train of mourners, whose swolne eyes 269
And why this coyness, Lady mine 101
And why to me? dull scanner of the ground 277
Another City lost! Alas poor King 292
Be it remembred now that formerly 350
Blame not fair Galla that she'Id married be 311
By Heav'n! I vow 345
*Call, call, honest Will (An Addition by M.C.) 123
Clymena still complains of me 104
Come a brimmer (my bullies) drink whole ones or nothing 150
Come, come away to the English wars 211
Come, come, let us drink 121
Come drawer and fill us about some wine 138
Come leave thy care and love thy friend 155
Come let us be merry 209
Come, pass about the bowl to me 117
Come sigh no more, but kiss again 94
Come your wayes 118
Dear Brother Will, thy dearer John and I 254
Dear Charles, I'm thus far come to see thy face 248
*Dear Friend, believ't, my love has spurr'd me on (by I.E.) 242
Death, that ties up the tongues of Man and Beast 285
Did I not find it by experience true 261
Did I not know thee friend, and that this fit 243
Did none of you hear 182
Enough for shame! leave off this fooling 156
Fain would I find out a friend that is true 114
Faith, you're mistaken, Fie not love 72

139
 Farewell all cares and fears, let Gladnesse come 165
Fight on brave Souldiers for the cause 207
From a Forraign shore 216
From forrain soyl, He at the first did spring 282
From the Lusitanian Shore 113
Geneva bears the Eagle and the Key 319
Gon are those Halcyon dayes, when men did dare 298
Great Alexander thought the World too smal 308
Great Sir, and Good! beloved, and obey'd 260
*Hail happy day! Dorus, sit down (by Iz. Walton) 60
Hang up Mars 121
He that a happy life would lead 176
Hermocrates made's will, when sickness came 317
*Ho boy, hay boy (by R.B.) 97
*Hold, Quaff no more (by T. J.) 124
How! dead! nay murdred! not a Comet seen 294
How happily fate hath together joyn'd 314
How happy a man is he 145
*How! how! what miracles in print (by Rob. Napeir) 59
*How long had Poetry a captive been (by R.Th.Jun.) 56
How rare! how truly noble's this designe 291
How unconcerned I can now 107
I blame him not, who having one wife had 315
I cannot choose but wonder, Mr. -— 255
I don't remember I did dip 277
I have been in love, and in debt, and in drink 109
I have often heard men say 151
I have reason to fly thee 143
I love my King and Countrey well 218
I prithee leave this peevish fashion 106
I promis'd to come to you Sir, 'tis true 286
I that ere while of waters was afraid 316
I will not though I may, shut heaven gates 315
I wonder why dame Nature thus 89
If any body politick 205
If beauty, birth, or friends, or vertue cou'd 306
If the Philosopher sayes true, the first 312
If thou canst fashion no excuse 264
If wealth could keep a man alive 137
Imprison me you Traytors? must I be 293
*In our late Chaos, when the giddy world (by Valentine Oldis) 64
In vain thou shutt'st thy doors by day, in vain 320
In vain wasDanae clos'd in brazen Tower 308
Inspired with love and kindled by the 227
Inspir'd with plum-broth, and minc'd pies 246

140
 Is this the end of all the toil 191
It is not the Silver or gold of its self 179
I've waited long to find thee here 247
Jove, shut the gates of heav'n, for Philip sayes 314
Julia once stroke me with a ball of snow 322
Lady you'l wonder when you see 74
Learn to live well, if thou'ldst dye happily 311
Leave off fond Hermite, leave thy vow 83
Leave these deluding tricks and showes 105
Let her have a cherry lip (The Addition by A.B.) 98
Let none but Guests or Clubbers hither come 341
Let the bowl pass free 132
Let's lay aside plotting and thinking 109
Let's leave off our labour, and now let's go play 174
Long have we waited for a happy End 173
Love, I must tell thee, I'l no longer be 77
Love is a Merchandize, and Venus drove 312
Love once and death chang'd weapons, and death took 309
Married? and I not dead? it cannot be 280
*Me nive candenti petiit modo Julia, rebar 321
Men justly praise the Thracians who do mourn 321
Mistake me not, I am not of that mind 70
Mourne, London, mourne 170
Must he dye thus? has an eternal sleep 304
*My Friend, in troth, I'me glad to hear (by T.S.) 237
*My kind Affections will shew forth thy wit (by Cha. Steynings) 63
My Lesbia, let us live and love 99
My lovely Caelia, while thou dost enjoy 108
My Mistress saith she'll marry none but me 319
My praise is insignificant, for I 385
My Theodora, can those eyes 82
Nay, dry (for shame) those blubber'd eyes 82
Nay fie, Platonicks, still adoring 88
Nay perswade not, I've swore 154
Nay prethee don't fly me 141
Nay prithee do, be coy and slight me 79
Nay then let me come too with my Address 338
*Nemo asymbolus, nisi umbra hue venito (by Ben Jonson) 340
No more, no more 171
No more, no more of this, I vow 222
Now fare thee well London 95
Now I'm resolv'd to love no more 103
Now I'm return'd, my thanks shall be so too 342
Now our Spring-royal's come, this cursed ground 358
Now our thanks to our powers above us 96

141
 O for the balmy curral of a lip 93
O gag for shame that strumpet muse 160
Of all the rare juces 140
Of Gyants and Knights and their wonderful fights 202
Old England is now a brave Barbary made 223
Our joyfull years do pass too soon away 313
*Oyez, if any man can tell (Dubia) 392
* Pardon (dear Saint!) If (though so late) I mourn (by Rich. Newcourt) 55
Perswade me not, I vow Fie love no more 78
*Praise is the shade of Vertue, and ne're fell (by W. Paulet) 58
Pray why should any man complain 166
Prethee, why dost thou love me so 86
Prithee ben't so sad and serious 153
Prithee Caelia tell me, why 102
Reader, lo heere thou wilt two faces finde 378
Ring Bells! and let bone-fiers out-blaze the sun 175
SACK! once my comfort and my dear delight 168
Sad Spectacle of grief! how frail is Man 302
See the strange twirle of Times! when such poore things 380
Shall Presbyterian Bells ring Cromwel's praise 348
Shut up ye Gods the gates of Heaven above 321
Since it has been lately enacted high Treason 129
Since it must be so 128
Since many Diurnals (for which we are griev'd) 185
Since Poems of this nature, honest Freind 379
Since thou didst leave both me and this town 259
Since thou'it condemn'd to wed a thing 112
Since 'tis become a common fate, that we 381
Since we met last, my Brother dear 250
Since Women are still 91
Sir, I have read your Grammar, and do see 372
Sit round, sit round, leave musing and thinking 110
So through the Chaos crept the first born ray 289
Somthing Fd say, but not to praise thee (Friend) 377
Spectators, make a Ring, that you may see 356
Stanley the Darling of Apollo, thou 290
Star-gazing fool? thou from the signs wouldst see 319
Stay, stay, prate no more 125
Stay, stay, shut the gate 122
Still so hard hearted? what may be 76
Tell me not of a face that's fair 71
Tell not me of Lords or Lawes 162
That Clergy-men are changeable, and teach 281
Th' Astrologers 147
The Country people once a wolfe did take 310

142
*The farme of Parnasses is beggerd they say (Dubia) 389
The Parson much spent, and had kept a months Lent 368
The Prophet Balaam wondred heretofore 318
The season now requires a Man should send 272
The times are chang'd, and the misguided rout 287
This is the time, and this is the day 133
This to thy memory I'm bound to do 383
Thou call'st me begger, Momus, and dost tell 312
Thou call'st me ignorant; 'tis true; but how 313
Thou makest thy self more learned then thy betters 310
Thou may'st well wonder, and my self should be 255
Thou need'st not boast, 'cause thou afore does go 312
Thou sent'st me wine, I'd too much wine before 308
Thou that art counted rich, I count thee poor 317
Thou thinkst that I to thee am fully known 276
Though I nere saw this Play, nor ere did know 285
Though I woed you not in verse, or prose 263
Though Oxford be yielded, and Reading be taken 213
Though we are now analys'd, and can't find 267
Thus fell the grace and glory of our time 270
Thus said the Roy all Preacher, who did spring 335
Thy Letter Friend, had the hard fate 235
'Tis not my Ladies face that makes me love her 90
'Tis treason to thy dust, to praise thy name 375
'Tis true, I never was in love 85
To the Hall, tothe/ia// 126
Trav'ller thou look st for old Rome in the new 307
Tush! never tell me, I'm too young 80
Tush, tush! he is not dead; I lately spide 299
'Twas hot, and our Olympick Charioter 275
'Twill be expected now that I should raise 290
Two parties had a difference, and the cause 320
Unhappy ship, that must by flames expire 316
Urge me no more to sing, I am not able 283
Use thy Estate, as if thou'ldst dye to day 315
Want, the great Master of three greater things 231
We have ventur'd our estates 111
Weep Heraclitus\ii fits the age wherein 318
Well well, 'tis true 69
What made Venus strike her Son 99
What madnesse is't for him that's wise 148
What make I here? how ill this place befits 373
What means this sadness? why does every eye 296
What need we take care for Platonical rules 131
What though these ill times do go cross to our will 158
What various griefs within my breast do grow 308

143
 What will you suffer thus your hawke to dye 257
What's here? another Library of prayse 371
What's this that shrouds 220
*When a Republick looses in the Field (by Charles Cotton) 52
When age and sickness did upon me seize 317
When bloody Nero his own mother slew 311
When I read your work, and thought upon 258
*When in this durty corner of the World (by C. Cotton) 228
When (my Diviner soul) I did of late 271
When on the watry World, our glorious Queen 273
When our brains well liquor'd are 138
When our glasses flow with Wine 159
When Phillis comes t' her husbands grave, she brings 313
When the great Cryer in that greater room 270
When the rude Vulgar in their headlong rages 376
When you view these cheker'd lines and see 265
Where England's Damon us'd to keep 120
While widdow'd wife, for thy drown'd husband thou 320
Who ever knows or hears whose sacred bones 306
Why dost thou frown,'my dear, on me 75
Why let her go, I'll vex my self no more 274
Why should I blush or be dismai'd 100
Why should we not laugh and be jolly 135
Why's my friend so melancholy 73
*Wine nere to run more clear through quill was made (by C.W.) 62
With a long beard and broad, with hair untrim'd 322
Within this bottle's to be seen 84
Women are pleasant evills, and they have 310
You are a poetress 'tis true 245
You have giv'n us Poets entertainment 286
*Your Letter found us at good Clarret (by Univ. Friend) 232
Your pardon Lady: by my troth I err 279

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