Almonds for Parrots, Poem

Almonds for Parrots · Poem

AMYGDALA BRITANNICA, Almonds for Parrets.

A Diſh of STONE-FRUIT, partly ſhel'd and partly unſhel'd; WHICH (Jf crack'd, pick'd, and well digeſted) May be wholſome againſt thoſe Epidemick Diſtempers of the Brain, now predominant; and prevent ſome Malignant Diſeaſes, likely to enſue.

Compoſed, heretofore, by a well-knowne Moderne Author; and, now publiſhed according to a Copie, found written with his own Hand.

Qui bene latuit, bene vixit.

MATTH. XIII. XIII, XIV, XV.

Therefore ſpeak I to them in parables: becauſe they ſeeing, ſee not: and hearing, they hear not, neither do they underſtand.

And in them is fulfilled the Propheſie of Eſaias which ſaith, By hearing ye ſhall hear, and ſhall not underſtand: and ſeeing ye ſhall ſee, and ſhall not perceive.

For this peoples heart is waxed groſſe, and their eares are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have cloſed, left at any time they ſhould ſee with their eyes, and hear with their eares, and underſtand with their heart, and ſhould be converted, and healed.

Anno M.D.C.XLVII.

p. 1AMYGDALA BRITANNICA, Almonds for Parrets.

When Wiſemen found plain-dealing did offend,

In Hieroglyphicks they their Muſings pen'd;

And, to the meek, conveighed in a cloud,

The light, which was diſdained by the proud;

That, ſo, the ſcorner, hearing, might not heare,

Nor ſeeing, ſee, what plainly doth appeare:

For, juſt it is, that they ſhould loſe their ſight,

Who would not ſee their ſafety, when they might.

'Tis much obſerved, that this Generation

Hath taken up the Parrets inclination,

Who loves, on ſhells, to exerciſe his beake,

And, words not underſtood, delights to ſpeake:

Wee, therefore, (ſince the labour may be ſpar'd)

For private entertainment, have prepar'd

This diſh of Stone-fruits; whereof, there are ſome,

That yeeld a kernell, better then the plumb;

And, ſuch, that, if they well digeſted bee,

Will cleare their eyes, who have a mind to ſee.

Here, till affaires are wholly miſ-transpos'd,

You ſhall perceive, in Parables, diſclos'd,

Ʋpon what actions, and contingencies,

The Fortune of this Britiſh Empire lies;

And, by what ſymptomes, you may truly know,

Which way the Publike Fate will ebb, or flow.

Thus he conceives, who ſeriouſly hath weigh'd

Thoſe things; & in theſe words his thoughts arai'd.

ALL things terreſtriall have their dates,

Kings, Kingdoms, and the greateſt States;

And, warnings do appeare, to, ſome,

Of all ſuch changes, ere they come;

Whereby, were timely means aſſaid,

Plagues might be ſcaped, or allaid:

And, peradventure, to that uſe,

This, which enſueth, may conduce.

The time drawes neere, and haſteth on,

In which ſtrange works will be begun;

And, proſecutions, whereon ſhall

Depend much future bliſſe or bale.

If, to the left-hand, you decline,

Aſſur'd deſtruction they divine;

But if the right-hand courſe ye take,

This Iſland it will happy make.

A time drawes near, in which you may,

As you ſhall pleaſe, the Cheſſe-men play:

Remove, confine, check, leave, or take,

Diſpoſe; depoſe, undoe, or make,

Pawne, Rook, Knight, Biſhop, Queen, or King,

And, act your wills in every thing:

But, if that time let ſlip you ſhall,

For yeſterday, in vaine you call.

A time drawes near, in which the Sun

Will give more light, then he hath done:

Then, alſo, you ſhall ſee the Moon

Shine brighter then the Sun at noon:

And, many Stars, now ſeeming dull,

Give ſhadowes, like the Moon at full.

Yet, then, ſhall ſome, who think they ſee,

Wrapt in Egyptian darkneſſe be.

A time drawes near, when, with your blood,

You ſhall preſerve the Vipers brood,

And ſtarve your own; yet, fancy, than,

That, you have plaid the Pelican:

But, when you think, the frozen Snakes

Have chang'd their natures, for your ſakes,

They, in requitall, will contrive

Your miſchief, who did them revive.

A time will come, when, they that wake,

Shall dreame; and ſleepers undertake

The grand-Affaires: yet, few men know,

Which are the Dreamers of theſe two;

And, fewer care, by which of theſe

They guided be, ſo they have eaſe:

p. 2But, an Alarum ſhall advance

Your drowzie ſpirits, from that trance.

A time ſhall come, ere long, in which

Meer Beggars ſhall grow ſooneſt rich;

The rich with wants be pinched more,

Then ſuch as go from door to doore;

The honourable by the baſe

Shall be deſpighted, to their face;

The truth defamed be with lies;

The foole preferr'd before the wiſe;

And he that fighteh to be free,

By conquering, inſlav'd ſhall be.

A Time ſhall come, when they that would

Diſcredit truths, which were foretold,

Of ev'ry newes will ſtand in feare,

And, credit ev'ry lie they heare;

Till they, by penance done, have paid

For ev'ry truth they have gainſaid.

Then, they who have expected Fiſh,

Shall finde a Scorpion in their diſh:

The children ſhall have ſtones for bread,

And, ſtarved be, whilſt dogs are fed:

Then alſo ſhall each work you do,

Ere it be finiſh'd, make you two;

And, render all, when much is done,

Far worſe, then when the Plague begun.

A time drawes neere, in which your peace

Shall make your quarrells more increaſe:

Then ſhall you by falſe-brethren loſe

More, then by all your open-foes:

Then one-mans hate ſhall rob of more

Then five times twenty can reſtore:

Three men ſhall act more miſchiefs here,

Then three great Kingdoms well can beare:

And then ſhall they be better priz'd,

Whoſe counſells have been long deſpis'd.

The time is drawing near, when wee

Our own Antipodes ſhall bee:

When our moſt dangerous diſeaſe

Shall be the Scribes and Phariſes:

When Seamen ſhall uſurp the whip;

Plowmen preſume to guide the ſhip;

The children frequently begin,

To teach their grandams how to ſpin:

And, then ſhall that, which was a crime,

Be deem'd the vertue of the time;

And, that, impietie be thought,

Which hath, for ſanctitie, been taught.

A time will come, in which the Flocks,

Shall ſee their Shepheard play the Fox,

And range and ramble up and downe,

Till he into a wolf be growne;

Then, they that hounds and ſleugh-dogs keep,

Shall hunt him, till he growes a Sheep;

And, then, if what he ſeemes, he be

He ſhall be ſafe; and, ſo, ſhall we.

A time will come, when ſee you ſhall

Toads fly aloft, and Eagles crawle;

Wolves walke abroad in humane ſhapes;

Men, turne to aſſes, hogs, and apes:

But, when that curſed time is come,

Well's he that is both deafe, and dumbe;

That nothing ſpeaketh, nothing heares,

And, neither hopes, deſires, nor feares.

The time will come when you ſhall ſee

A Headleſſe-body active bee,

And, many actions full of dread,

Performed by a Trunkleſſe-head;

Which Head, and Body, being brought

To knit together, as they ought,

Might prove to be, in time to come,

The joy, and awe, of Chiriſtendome.

But, e're ſuch happie daies be ſeen,

There will ſome changes intervene

Our hopes and them, to make or marre

the ſequele, as they mannag'd are;

And, therefore, that diſcerne you may

When theſe approach; and, which are they;

And, what to do, when they are knowne,

Here, they in eaſie types are ſhowne;

Or, by thoſe tokens, which fore-hint,

What you ſhould labour to prevent.

When, you ſee many things effected,

Which were nor feared nor ſuſpected;

The Mountains ſink, the Valleyes clime;

Stars riſe, and ſet, before their time;

Groſſe Meteors from the mud exhald,

To higheſt Spheres, and Planets call'd;

p. 3And, utter darkneſſe termed light;

Then, bid your happy daies, goodnight.

When, you embrewed, in their blood,

Behold three Lions of one brood;

If, then, a fourth ſhall interpoſe,

It will but more increaſe their woes;

Till but one head, poſſeſſe they ſhall,

And, but one heart, among them all.

Which, whoſoe're to paſſe can bring.

Shall be the darling of a King.

His prickles, when the Thiſtle ſhowes,

Whithin the borders of the Roſe,

If, with the Flower-de-Luce it cloſe,

Deſigning what the Orange does,

The ſtile of bleſſed it ſhall loſe;

Yea, curſed be, where e're it growes;

And, by ſuch faithleſneſſe, expoſe

If ſelfe, and others, to their Foes.

But, being, only, for a time,

(To cure the Feavers or that Clyme)

Tranſplanted South-ward; if it ſpread,

And root, no further then the bed,

Where, by the Gardner, it was ſet,

To cure us of our Ague-fit;

It, of our Garden, ſhall be free,

And, call'd the bleſſed-Thiſtle be.

When Charles his waine, begins to reel,

And, retrograde ſhall ſeem to wheel;

If, rambling forth, the Driver be.

Without his Orb, but one degree;

What hope ſoe're he hath of help,

From Lioneſſe, or Lions-whelp,

'Twill be a hundred unto one

If he return, when he is gone.

When from one hand, let ſlip, you view.

Two Dogs, one Leopard to purſue;

Though ev'ry paſſage you beſet

And ride, and run untill you ſweat,

The Game will at the laſt get free,

If Patch, one of your Gray-hounds be;

Or, if you think, to take the beaſt,

By Huntſmen, who are ſuch profeſt.

When Britaines Gerion you ſhall ſee,

With Single head, on bodies three,

Put forth his face, in a diſguize,

(Undecently betwixt his thighes)

Be warie then, and take great heed,

In your affaires, how yee proceed;

Leaſt, you be laid in little eaſe,

Betwixt the French and Kings diſeaſe.

When frequently, obſerve you ſhall,

S. Peter rob'd, to pay S. Paul;

When Butterflies, Silk-wormes out-brave;

When Maggots waſte, what Ants did ſave,

And, waſps, and drones, and hornets drive

Your Bees, to ſeek a Forraign-hive;

Then, fly to providence-divine,

And, do, as that ſhall you incline.

When, you ſee breaking Stones, and glaſſes,

For zeale in true Religion paſſes:

Aſwell the Clergie, as the Lay,

Learne, how at faſt, and looſe, to play:

Hermaphrodites begot with child;

Herod, and Pilate, reconcil'd:

The Moraliſt, his light abuſe;

And, Chritſtians turning Semi-Jewes;

You may, where e're you go, or ride,

Have Ignis fatuus, for your guide.

When, in this Iſle obſerve you ſhall

The tenth part of great Babel fall,

And , Reformation, fully made

Of them, and their myſterious trade,

Who merchandize moſt holy things;

Then GOD to ſpeedy vengeance brings,

With Gog, with Magog, and the Whore,

The Beaſt, which Nations, yet, adore.

When you perceive the Common-Creed,

Renounc'd; and, whimſeyes in it ſteed;

The words, which our chiefe Rabbi taught,

Deſpis'd, or out of practice brought;

And, ſome abuſe the God-head, more

Then all the Gentiles heretofore;

They, who his nature do miſtake,

Shall then grow like the God they make;

And, think it, when they do oppreſſe,

But ſanctity, and righteouſneſſe.

When, they, that are of Babel ſhie,

Shall further into Babell flie;

p. 4When, they, who Superſtition ſhun,

To greater Superſtitions run,

And, to eſcape prophaneneſſe, ſhall

Into meer Atheiſme fall;

Then, will, at full, thoſe plagues appeare,

Which, now, are but beginning, here;

And, they, who live thoſe daies to know,

Will thinke of him, who told you ſo.

When, in this Iſle, the people ſees

A confus'd heptarchie of Pees,

Their peace, diſturbing, by diſtraction;

Their power, become a three-ſquare faction

Of equall ſides, and, each inclin'd

To what, it fancy hath deſign'd;

And, few regarding Common-good:

Then, ſhall the Moon be turn'd to blood,

Unleſſe, you can by Chymiſtrie,

The Sulphure, Salt, and Mercurie

So temper; that produce it ſhall

The true Elixar from them all.

When, loud the Britiſh waters roare,

And, flow up to the Senate doore,

If, then, the wind ſhall alſo blow,

To make their ſwellings higher grow:

Then whether you to them give way,

Or, ſeek to ſtop them, by a bay,

In vain, to curb them, ſtrive you ſhall,

Without the Balſome-box, and ſcale;

Though you diverſions make (in hope

To do it) and, caſt Mountaines up.

When, you obſerve the Civil-ſword,

Uſurp the power of the word;

And, (where declining Babel ſtood)

Men, laying Sions walls, in blood;

Then, ſome, who for the Lamb profeſſe,

The Dragons Kingdome will increaſe,

Untill, they ſhall be better taught

How, living Temples ſhould be wrought.

When, you have pull'd the great Popes down,

And, ſet up one in every Town;

When, in each houſe, a Church ſhall be,

And, in one houſe, a part of three;

VVhen, one ſhall tell you Chriſt, is here;

Another ſay, loe, he is …ere;

More comfort they ſhall then receive,

VVho love; then they, who theſe believe.

VVhen, onelyonly, number'd out, you ſee.

VVhat, weigh'd, and meaſur'd, too, ſhould bee;

When all, that you ſhall ſave, or loſe,

Dependeth on their yea's, and no's,

VVho, peradventure, may intend,

Selfe-will, ſelfe-profit, or ſelfe-end;

Then, ſelfe-deniall muſt proceed

From words, into a reall deed;

And, more regardfully you muſt

Conſider, whom you ought to truſt;

Leaſt, e're this tragedy be plai'd,

You, and your Freedomes be betrai'd.

VVhen, cloth'd like lambs, the wolves appear,

VVhen, Foxes preach, and Goſlings hear,

VVhen, Hawkes to guard the Doves are choſe,

VVhen, wounds muſt cured be with blowes,

And, when your frogs and mice renew

Their fooliſh warre; Then, will enſue

VVhat hath by wiſemen been fore-told,

In tales and parables, of old;

Unleſſe, your keepers eye affrights

The Romiſh Eagles, and the Kites.

When, you perceive the Harper play

His Harpſtrings, and his Harp away;

The Miter, hazzarding the Crowne;

The ſword, inſtructing of the Gowne;

The members, that in darkneſſe be,

Informing, how the Eyes ſhould ſee;

And, hands, and feet, aſpiring to

That, which the Head, and Heart ſhould do;

Then, you, a while, their lots muſt ſhare,

Who, in their guts, their braines do beare.

When, you ſhall ſee Death richly clad,

With what, the living ſhould have had;

And, then, behold a Church beſpread

With rags, and reliques of the dead,

Expoſing that to open ſcorn,

Which was in publike triumph born:

If, then, with ſeriouſneſſe you heed

The ſimple doer, and the deed,

It ſhall occaſion ſhame to ſome,

Who thought, much honour'd, to become:

p. 5And, let a juſt occaſion in

To rake up, what might hid have bin.

When Blocks, and Stones, offence ſhall take,]

And riots in your Cities make;

Beware: for, if heed be not took,

A ſparke ſhall caſually be ſtrook,

From ſome rough flint, which will devour

Your wealth, your glory, and your power;

That future times may not deſpiſe

The wrath, and ſpleen, of Ants and Flies.

When you ſee Gallants take their vies,

As if they would ore-skip the skies,

Or, give the Sun, and Moon, a Law,

Yet, then, ſcarce over-leap a ſtraw;

Or, when conceptions-mountainous

Shall bring forth nothing, but a mouſe,

(After great throes, 'twixt hopes, and feares,

Suſtained, by you, many yeares)

Then, your declining state deplore,

And, take a dos of Hellebore.

When, here, you ſhall re-act the ſin

Of Pharoah, and of Benjamin;

Keep Jezabels, and Ahabs Faſt;

In Jehu's mold Reformers caſt;

Give honour unto Golden Calves,

And Idols, ſetting up themselves;

You ſhall but bring, to quench your flame,

That oyle, which will increaſe the ſame:

And, GOD, your Offrings will deſpiſe;

Till Juſtice be your ſacrifice.

When Out-lawes ſhall themſelves propoſe

For your Law-givers to be choſe;

Felons, grow makers of your Lawes;

Effects, producers of their Cauſe;

Th' accuſed, his own Judge become;

The thief, pronounce the true-mans doome;

Your greateſt foes, turn ſeeming-friends;

And, greateſt wrongs get leaſt amends:

Then, to no earthly hopes aſpire;

But, unto GOD, alone, retire.

When, moſt the Charmers-voice ſhall heare,

And, like deafe Adders, ſtop their eare;

When, they who ſit in Judgment, be

Inexorable, more then He

Who did both GOD, and Man, deſpiſe;

(And, ſleight ev'n Importunities,

Continu'd without intermiſſion)

Then, feare, O Britain! thy condition.

When, moſt that heare, and pray, and faſt,

No ſweetneſſe, in thoſe duties taſt;

But, formally, in them go on,

Depending upon what is done;

And, others, ſo beleeving grow,

As, that, they no good works will do:

Or, when ſmall difference ſhall appeare

'Twixt perſons, times, or places, here;

And, thoſe Ideas, men embrace,

Which have nor body, forme, nor face;

And, run vagaries without bound,

As if, no medium's could be found,

'Twixt two extreames: Ev'n then, ſhall they

Who love the light, enjoy the day;

And, then, ſhall look'd for be, or ſome,

A Kingdome, that will never come.

When, in your City-paramount,

This Realm is called to Account,

(And, they, who do receive and pay,

Forſake the old Exchequer way)

If thoſe may then their triall ſhun,

By whom, the greateſt wrongs are done,

Your hypocrites will ſoon appeare

So many, and ſo powerfull, here,

That, GOD himſelf th' Accompts will take,

Which they unwilling are to make.

When folly, avarice, and pride,

Upon the publike-Aſſe ſhall ride,

And, labour to ſubject the State

Unto that baſe Triumvirate;

Such juſtice, piety, and knowledge,

Will, then, proceed from Gotham-Colledge,

That, blinde-men, plainly ſhall perceive,

What, they, who ſee, will not believe.

Then, they who now delight in lies,

(Which their own malice did deviſe)

And, thoſe predictions do deride,

Which they ſee daily verifi'd;

Shall view with ſhame, and feel with feare,

Thoſe truths, of which they would not heare;

p. 6And, they who, their deſpights have borne,

Shall laugh their pride, and hate, to ſcorne.

When, you hear thouſands make their mones,

And prayers, unto Blocks and Stones;

Poore Suiters, proſecuting Cauſes

In circles, labyrinths, and mazes,

Till ſcarce a neighbour, friend, or brother,

Believes, or loveth one the other;

Or, till they have nor houſe, nor bread,

Who, for the Kingdomes-cauſe, have bled;

Then, you fulfilled ſhall behold

So much, that, more needs not be told.

When, you ſhall heare your Pipers play

Till none will either dance, or pay;

Or, till among you doth begin

A ſecond bloodie matachin;

Then, will clean hands, and honeſt hearts,

Beſteed you more, then Iriſh darts;

Secure you better from your foes,

Then guards of guns, of bils or bowes;

And, then, will they, whom Pride doth ſcorne,

More happie be, then Princes-borne.

When, you moſt ſleight what Tel-troth ſaith;

When, you have prov'd the Punick-faith;

When, you ſee thoſe, who have miſdone,

In ſpight of Councell, ſtill, go on,

To proſecute their wild deſignes;

Then take you heed of thoſe Divines,

Who, to effect their carnall end,

For GOD and CHRIST, will much pretend:

And, that, you no way do abuſe

The Flat-caps, or the Clouted-ſhooes.

When, they who greateſt Traytors are,

With Patriots, reward ſhall ſhare,

And, be with large allowance fed,

VVhilſt, your beſt ſervants, ſcarce have bread:

VVhen doing juſtice, ſhall be thought

Ill manners; and, they men untaught,

VVho are ſo daring, to afford

A poor man, right againſt a Lord;

Then, ſhall men purchaſe land, and fee,

For little price; which deere will be,

To ev'ry purchaſer, unleſſe

By piety, and righteouſneſſe,

The ſale be ſanctifi'd; and you

Give both to GOD, and men, their due.

VVhen your Reformers, ſhall begin

To out-doe thoſe men in their ſin,

VVhom to reforme they did pretend;

And, like ſowre ale in ſummer, mend:

When, they the Rule ſhall miſapply;

And give by deeds, their words the lie;

Till, that, be mentioned with ſcorne,

VVhichWhich is your praiſe, and ſaving-horne,

Then, Jehu's temper will undoe you,

Unleſſe you can invite unto you

Eliah's ſpirit duplifi'd

On ſome Eliſha, to provide

A ſpeedy cure, for that diſeaſe,

VVhichWhich on your Vitall-parts will ſeize.

When, men and women bluſhleſſe grow

In filthineſſe; and act it ſo,

As if, a Stallion to be knowne,

A Princely quality were growne;

Or, when your Ladies do appeare

(As if old heath'niſh Rome were here)

By Coachfulls, with a brazen face,

To ſee men run a naked-race:

And, when ſin to a rankneſſe ſprings,

Beyond the reach of libellings;

And, libellings ſo common bee,

That none ſhall from their dirt be free,

Though ne're ſo innocent (but thoſe

Whom no man hates, envies, or knowes)

Then, look for that which will enſue

Such impudence; if God be true.

When, men ſhall gen'rally confeſſe

Their folly, and their wickedneſſe;

Yet, act, as if there neither were

Among them, conſcience, wit, or feare:

When, they ſhall talke as if they had

Some braines; yet, do, as they were mad;

And, nor by reaſon, nor by noiſe,

By humane, or by heav'nly-voice,

By beeing praiſed, or reprov'd,

By judgements, or by mercies mov'd:

Then, look for ſo much ſword, and fire,

As ſuch a temper doth require.

p. 7When, in this Iſle, you ſhall behold,

What's term'd, the Devills ring of gold,

To be in uſe; and, then, ſhall ſee,

Both, pawn'd, and, forfeited, to be,

The richeſt-Jewell of the State;

Take order, therefore, ere too late,

To ſave your credits: For, you know,

That, London is not Mexico.

Or, if it were, we plainly view,

By Genoa, what may enſue.

When, your Betrayers ſhall divide,

And, ſeem of a contrary ſide,

That they the better may contrive

Their own Deſignments; or, perceive,

What is endeavour'd, to prevent

Thoſe miſchiefs, whereto they are bent.

Then, look about you; or, be ſure,

Your ſafety you ſhall not ſecure:

But, when you heare it often ſaid,

By whom, you ſhould have been betraid,

In what, they, falſe, with you have plaid;

And, how they gave your ſpoilers aid,

With ſuch like falſhoods; and then, ſee,

Such common Fames, neglected be:

Th' accuſed countenanc'd; and, thoſe

Traduc'd, and, puniſhed, as foes,

Who, out of conſcience, and, of zeale,

To ſave this drooping Common-weale,

Their knowledge, and, their feare declare;

Then, of a ſudden blow, beware.

When, they, who, but the other day,

As low, as in the channell, lay;

And; had nor preſence, wealth, not wit,

(And, ſcarce the meaneſt of them, yet)

Your moſt pragmatick-men become,

And, places of chiefe truſt aſſume:

Your Maſtives, then, ſhall Spaniels grow;

Your Hens, and Capons, learn to crow,

Diſarme, and ſilence, all your Cocks;

And, men, weare petticoats, and ſmocks.

When you, who, at the firſt, begun

With honeſty (and, thereby, won

Advantages) ſhall act, or plot

Ill means, to keep what you have got;

As, if the GOD, you ſeem'd to ſerve,

Could not, as well, to you preſerue,

By reall virtue, what was gain'd,

As, give it, by a virtue fain'd:

Then, you ſhall thrive, as did that King,

Who was or'ecome, by conquering;

Becauſe he ſerv'd falſe gods, whoſe lands

The true GOD gave into his hands:

And, you ſhall then, the difference know,

'Twixt being juſt, and ſeeming ſo.

When, Juſtice cuts of Hydra's heads,

And, ſees ariſing, in their ſteads,

More, and more monſtrous ones, then they

Whom Reformation par'd away:

When Tyranny beginns to varie

The form and ſhape, of Arbitrarie

And willfull-rule; when, ſhe inſlaves

By mean, and deſpicable knaves;

When, they who 'ſcape the Lions-pawes,

The teeth of Wolves, and Harpies-clawes;

Shall look for ſafety, and for eaſe,

And, then, be eat by Lice and Fleas;

Or, be in pieces, rent and torne

By vermine, once, below their ſcorne;

Then; then, ſhall you begin to ſee

Your masked Foes; and who they bee

That ſought your weal: and, then, in vain

Shall wiſh for, what you now diſdaine.

Then, ſome, ſhall much perſwade you to

What, none but ſuch as they would do,

Who whet their knives, and cut their throats,

To cure a chollick, in their guts:

For, then ſhall they, who ſeek your harm,

Seek how to cut off your right-arm,

That, of your chiefeſt guard bereft

There may be no hand but the left

To ſave your heads: And, then, perchance,

You will perceive your ignorance.

For, then, new troubles will begin,

Whereby, they who have blamed bin,

Shall ſuffer much: But, they ſhall beare

Moſt burthens, who moſt guilty were;

And, many, then, who now deſpiſe

Theſe Lines, will think them Prophecies.

Then, ſhall they ſeek, and crouch, and bow,

Who are moſt proud, and ſurely, now;

Petition long, without regard;

Make prayers, which will not be heard;

p. 8And, find as little mercy, then,

As they have ſhowne to other men.

They, from the ſword ſhall thither 'flie,

Where they for want of bread ſhall die;

Or, hoping Famine to avoyd,

Be, by the Peſtilence, deſtroy'd;

Or, (that they may one ſorrow ſhun)

Into a hundred miſchieves run,

And, find no reſt, till they repent

Their pride, or, meet due puniſhment.

Then, ſhall the principles that lurk

Within mens hearts begin to work,

Upon their humours; and, purge out

Much poyſon, now diſpers'd about

Through eve'ry Member: yet, at firſt,

That, ſhall ſeem beſt, which would be worſt,

And, few men be ſo wiſe to know,

What they were beſt reſolve to do.

For, you ſhall in a Medium ſtand,

'Twixt Aegyt, and the Holy-Land,

As in ſuſpenſe, whether to make

A progreſſe thither, or turn backe

To your old ſervitude, or worſe:

And, that will ſeem the ſafeſt courſe,

Unleſſe the Maſters of your School

Shall take the counſell of a Fool;

And be directed and advis'd

To act the thing they have deſpis'd.

Which if they do; your foes ſhall be

Your friends; and both be ſafe and free

From what is fear'd; and, live together

A mutuall ſtrength to one another;

Whoſe factions, if they long endure,

Will prove a plague, without a cure.

But, mark (oh City!) mark this well;

(Thou, who doſt all this Realm excell,

In ſin, and virtue) That, when thou

Shalt ſee thy Truſtees partiall grow

In doing Juſtice; with reſpect

Of perſons; and, with high neglect

Of truth and judgement: Then, unleſſe

The mercy and the righteouſneſſe

Which thou pretendeſt, ſhall encreaſe

To fortifie thee in that peace

Thou yet enjoy'ſt; and, teach thine eyes.

To ſee, wherein thy ſafety lyes:

Thou, wilt but treaſure up thy ſtore,

To make thee miſerably poore;

Grow, by a new-Militia ſtrong,

To ruine thine owne ſtrength, e're long;

Draw, day by day, occaſions hither,

Of diſcords, and of plagues together;

Till all the plagues, through Britain ſpread,

In thee, be gather'd to a head;

And, break upon thee, in concluſion,

To thy diſhonour, and confuſion.

E're long the welfare, of this Land,

Upon a tickliſh point will ſtand;

And, at that time, if you perceive

The Body repreſentative,

Act by two Factions; and, admit

Their Grandees, to invaſſall it

To their deſigns; and captivate

Their equalls: you, ſhall after that

Find little comfort, till you ſee

Extracted a third Party bee

From out of thoſe, to ſearch into

Their actions, and with courage do

As they finde cauſe: But, then, you ſhall

Perceive a turne will joy you all.

And to draw neerer to the But,

At which, all theſe our ſhafts are ſhot,

When, thoſe two Diamonds of this Land,

Which are the baſis, whereon ſtand

The publike-welfare, poliſh ſhall

Each other; and, quite rub off all

The rotten pieces, rags, and flawes,

Which diſeſteem upon them drawes;

And, perfect make, in ev'ry thing,

Our ancient threefold Gimell-ring,

That's lately broke; Then, you ſhall ſee

A change, that worth your praiſe will be:

And, he that gives you ſtones to crack,

(Which cauſe, perhaps, your hearts to ake)

Will, when that bleſſed ſeaſon comes,

Give you a diſh of ſugar-plumbs.

But, know, that while this Emperie

Neglects her Triple-Trinitie;

To wit, three Realms, beneath one Throne;

Within each Realm, three States in one.

And, GODHEAD one, in Perſons three,

You ſhall not without troubles be:

p. 9Or, poſſibly attaine to that

Which your well-willer aimeth at,

Till, you ſhall, purely, God adore;

And to the common uſe, reſtore

At leaſt th' Eſſentials of that power

Which makes your Earthly-ſaving-Tower.

Which much the ſtronger, might be made

And fairer too, if you could add

To ſtrengthen and adorn the ſame,

Some parts of the Venetian Frame.

And, know; that, when a Declaration,

As publike, as a Proclamation,

Shall offer to conſideration,

The many failings of this Nation;

If, then, you ſeek not preſervation,

By prayer, and humiliation,

And, by a ſerious Recantation;

GOD, threatens ſudden deſolation.

Now, much good do't you; And, yet, ſtay:

Before I ſend you quite away,

Take theſe blanch'd Almonds without ſhels,

(Whereto are added nothing els

But, ſome few kernells in ther ſtones)

For, though they ſeem but bitter ones,

Yet, if you taſte them, we believe

They'l prove a good preſervative.

Firſt, chaw on this; that, you in vain,

Seek, here a bleſſed peace to gain,

Till juſtice, and till mercy, more

Advanced be, then heretofore;

And, till you ſhall have more regard

To puniſhment, and to reward.

Next, know, as vainely yoy preſume

Informed, rightly, to become

In things of faith, whilſt you depart

From what is written in the heart;

And, act contrary to the natures,

And Lawes, of reaſonable creatures:

For, how ſhall they who cannot learn

Things morall, things divine diſcern?

Next, be inform'd; ev'n you, who had

The righteouſt cauſe; that, you have made.

Defaults enough, to let all ſee

The beſt had need forgiven bee:

And, let that make your hearts inclin'd.

To pardon all, in whom you find.

That penitence which doth intend

Crimes paſt, ſincerely to amend:

Yea, if ye mean, in peace, to live,

Let all ſtrive, who ſhall moſt forgive;

That by ſo doing, all may move

Each other, to a mutuall-love;

Which grace, they onelyonly are deni'd,

Who could be true to neither ſide.

And, laſtly, let no more deſpights

Unto your Fundamentall-rights,

And, Conſtitutions, now, be done:

For, if the Ground-works, be overthrowne,

What, can the wiſe, or juſt man do?

What to ſuſtaine it, add thereto?

Or, what will councell be, but wind,

To them, whoſe ruine is deſign'd?

Some, little hope is left: And, yet,

Leſt no effect, our words beget,

That, then, the times to come, may know

A Meſſenger was ſent to ſhow

What would befall this age, before

It came to paſſe. This one pearl more,

Is caſt before you, (without fear

Of ſuch, as would in pieces tear)

Obſerve it well, O Generation,

Regardleſſe of thy viſitation.

When, you have had hard work to do,

And, added five, to forty two;

You ſhall perceive a good Play ſpoil'd,

And, by unworthy Actors, foil'd;

The Scoenes tranſpos'd, the Acts confus'd;

The Poet ſhamefully abus'd:

The firſt intention of the Plot,

By thoſe confuſions, quite forgot:

Yea, them, to Tragick-Acts deſign'd,

Who enter'd with a Comick-mind;

And, then, what now our eye fore-ſees,

(Like him, who ſaw men walk, like trees)

Shall be diſcover'd, by that light,

Which, never doth deceive the ſight.

Then, they who mark it, ſhall perceive

Your Politicians, will contrive

Their own indempnity, whilſt they

Pretend for yours; that, ſo, they may

Secure themſelves, from anſwering that,

Whereby, they have abus'd the State:

p. 10And, then (unleſſe you can prevent

The fraudfulneſſe of that intent)

They, who did moſt their wealth increaſe,

By cheating you, will buy their peace;

And, ſell your Freedomes, unto thoſe,

With whom, they do deſigne to cloſe.

Then, will ſuch Juggling-tricks be plaid,

That, publike-debts will nere be paid,

As long, as either foole, or knave,

Shall have the power to give, or crave;

Or, they enjoy a Truſtees place,

Who have put on a Janus-face.

Then, moſt men, plainely ſhall behold,

What, few believed, though fore-told.

The nobleſt parts, worſt plaid ſhall be,

Till, men their errors come to fee;

Good-action, ſhall be much miſtook;

Ill-meanings, will be fairely ſpoke;

Some, for ill-doing, ſhall have meeds;

Some, ſhall have blame for lawfull deeds.

Some, perſonating double parts,

With double tongues, and double hearts,

Shall, from one ſide, to to'ther run,

Till they are ſcorn'd of ev'ry one.

Fools, Clownes, and very dunghill things,

Shall act the parts, of Lords, and Kings,

Till, few know what to do or ſay;

How to command, or to obey.

Your Fountain ſhall be turn'd to puddle;

Yea, all reduc'd to ſuch a huddle;

That, your Ill-willers will be glad;

Your much abus'd Spectators mad;

And, in their furiouſneſſe go near

The Players rags, from them to tear;

Or, pul the Stage, and Play-houſe down;

Unleſſe a med'cine, yet, unknown,

Be ſoon appli'd: Or, on the Stage,

(To ſtop the peoples riſing rage)

Some quick-deviſe, and pleaſing-ſtraine,

Be brought, to charm them down againe.

With which Cataſtrophe, we pray,

The Tragedie, conclude you may,

And, ſee the Scoenes, and Acts, to come,

Leſſe bloody, and leſſe troubleſome;

For, if Conjectures faile him not,

Who hath conſider'd well the plot,

(And, whoſe fore-warnings, none believes,

Till 'tis too late), he plaine perceives

A Storm will in the South be bred

Whilſt you a Northern-Tempeſt dread,

And conjur'd hither, by ſome Friends,

Who, ſeem to have much better ends

Then they purſue: And, then, unleſſe

JUDAH, and ISR'EL ſhall confeſſe

Their ſinnes, and, reconcile, betimes;

Manaſſes pray, repent his crimes

Unfainedly (as David did,

When, from Jeruſalem he fled)

And, with full reſolution, do

What, prudence would adviſe him to:

The Babylonians will conſpire

With Amaiek; your neighbour Tyre

Shall (as a ſlie ſpectator) ſtand,

To take advantage under-hand:

And, by thoſe means (when peace ſeems near)

The troubles, which did firſt appear

In thirty nine, prolong'd will be,

Till fifty two, and fifty three.

And, what new courſes will be took,

When thoſe yeares wheel about, Go look:

For, here, already, we fore-ſhow

More, then you can deſerve to know;

Till, you more lovingly ſhall deale

With ſuch, as labour, for your weal;

And, their eſtates, and time, have ſpent,

Your likely ruine to prevent.

Ere, GOD, his wrath on Balaam wreaks,

Firſt, by his Aſſe to him he ſpeaks;

Then, ſhewes him, in an Angells hand,

A ſword, his courſes to withſtand;

But, ſeeing, ſtill, he forward went,

Quite through his heart, a ſword he ſent;

And, GOD, will thus, if thus they do,

Still deale with Kings, and Subjects, too:

That, where his grace deſpis'd is grown,

He, by his judgments, may be known.

Fiat Voluntas Dei.

GoD eXpeCreth oVr repentanCe, gIVing eXpreſſe VVarnIngs InVItIng there VntoUnto; haVe earLie reſpeCt therefore, VntoUnto sVCh VVarnIngs, and repent not ſleIghtLIe yoVr offensIVe VanItIes.

End of the text · George Wither, Almonds for Parrots (1647)