Englands Sad Posture, Part 73 – Poem
The Neuter Temporizing.
But ere my Penſell let this picture goe,
There is a Neuter muſt not ſcape me ſo,
Though I confeſſe, I did till now, not mind him,
Nor is it eaſie, as he is, to finde him:
To finde him; no, fond fugitive indeed,
He knowes not where to finde himſelfe at need:
So vaine, and ſo inconſtant, that each winde,
Tranſports the man into another minde;
Indeed he moves not by his ſoule, but ſenſe,
And ſo both acteth, and reſolves from thence,
From which it comes, that in theſe times of feare;
He is not led by reaſon, but the eare.
The eare indeed, for that he makes his guide;
But ſee thereby to what the aſſe is tied:
Now when a chriſtian ſhould be like a rock,
And reſt unmov'd, he's right a weather-cock,
And cannot in his reſolutions tarry,
But dayly changeth, as reports doe vary.
To day he heares he muſt be for the King,
The winde to morrow, other news doth bring.
For Eſſex proſpers, which doth ſo divide
This Neuters thoughts, he doubts on either ſide.
From whence this Neuter doth reſolve, in fine,
That he will unto neither ſide incline;
But will become a looker on, untill,
He ſees indeed, which ſide ſhall have their will.
And this he reckons, is the ſafeſt way,
For then thinks he, who ever gets the day,
… ſhall finde favour, doubtleſſe, in their eyes,
As one that hath been moderate, and wiſe.
As for Religion now, tis ſo contrould,
And ſo in doubt, he knowes not what to hold;
That to be zealous, in theſe times, therin,
He counts meer folly, if not veniall ſin.
Whiles from the world, his Athieſme to hide,
He in appearance, ſeems on either ſide;
With Cavaieers, is ſtrongly for the King;
VVith others, can proteſt another thing.
Yea enter into Covenant, perchance
To aide that ſide, he meanes not to advance.
From whence it comes, that in this time of need
His purſe, is with his purpoſe, ſo agreed,
That of one croſſe, this Neuter will not purge it▪
But as conſtraint, or very ſhame ſhall urge it.
And what he parts with, goes ſo neere his heart,
As if each penny, were thereof a part;
VVhichWhich is apparant, when he comes to pay it,
His ſighes, and ſordid language doth bewray it.
Thus this cloſe Neuter, Athieſt I ſuppoſe,
Appeares, but would not what he is, diſcloſe;
But only, that way to avoide ſuſpition,
Doth ſeeme to ſit himſelfe to each condition.
But Lukewarme Neuters, thou that countſt it foll…
To be Religious, or to ſeem too holy;
Or Godleſſe Athieſt, thou who canſt not looſe,
That prize Religion, having thine to chooſe.
Canſt thou remaine now ſuch a ſenſeleſſe ſtone?
Or ſouleleſſe creature, a meere looker on?
Now, whiles the Kingdome, in ſuch flames doth fri…
Has't not one drop of water to ſupplie?
Now when our Soveraigne, doth in bondage live,
VVilt not one penny, for his freedome give.
Now whiles Religion, lying at the ſtake,
Begging aſſiſtance, doth ſo deeply ſhake.
Haſt neither hand to helpe, nor tongue to crave,
Nor heart to pittie, what thou canſt not ſave?
Sure thou art ſordid, more then ſenſleſſe farr,
And worſe by much, then moſt Malignants are;
They can pretend Religion for excuſe,
Thou canſt ſay nothing, for thy foule abuſe;
But void of all Religion, all may ſee,
Thou elſe to one ſide, woulſt adhering bee.
And wheras through thy irreligious wit,
Thou hopſt, hereafter much applanſe to git;
Or finde much favour, at the leaſt, tis plaine
That theſe thy hopes, ſhall prove at laſt but vaine,
For ſith thou wilt, to neither ſide incline,
Tis juſt, that both ſhould ſpew thee out in fine.
I Have a ſecond part
Lyes glowing at my heart,
Which quickly would increaſe
To flames, might we have peace.
But ſuch a peace, it then muſt be
Wherein we farther bliſſe may ſee;
Or elſe thoſe ſparkes muſt doubtleſſe die,
Which rakd up in theſe aſhes lie.
FINIS.
End of the text · Edward Calver, Englands Sad Posture (1644)