The Dark Lantern, Poem 2
The Perpetuall PARLIAMENT. BEING The Reſult of a Contemplative Viſion, revealing a probable meanes of making this Parliament to be both perpetuall, and acceptable to theſe Nations, if they ſo pleaſe.
A Paradox, though this appear to ſome, Conſider it, leſt els, a miſchief come.
IS that deſign'd? then it is time to vary
My Thems, leſt, on a ſuddain, all miſcarry.
Riddles adien, let clouds away be blown,
And my Dark Lantern, quite aſide be thrown;
That e're it be too late, I down may charm
The Spirits conjur'd up, to do us harm:
For in my contemplations I have had
A Viſion, which hath ſome diſcov'rie; made,
And in a plain ſong I intend to ſing,
How we may concord, out of diſcords bring,
Order out of confuſions, and reſtore
That Peace, whoſe late infringements we deplore;
Where, to begin the work; how to proceed,
That which is yet but words, may be a deed,
And to declare our means of ſettlement,
to be an everlaſting Parliament.
It may appear, (and will be thought perchance)
At leaſt much raſhneſſe, if not arrogance,
That I adventure to employ my pen
Upon a ſubject, which more able men
Have hitherto declin'd, and which of late,
Hath ground adminiſtred of much debate,
(And much diſpute) to Counſells of renown,
Without a full reſolve, as yet made known:
But theſe are blaſts, whereof ſmall heed I take
For chaffe and feathers only, they can ſhake;
And he that all things hath at his diſpoſe,
Is pleaſed ſome expedients to diſcloſe
To poor and ſimple perſons, now and then,
Which he conceals from wiſe, and noble men:
He, ſometimes calls men from within the grates,
To Counſell grave, and mighty Potentates;
And they in meekneſſe have embrac'd the ſame
Without a jealouſie of any ſhame
Which might thereby reflect diſparagements
Upon their wiſdome, from thoſe inſtruments.
Nor is there any cauſe, why ſuch as are
Made inſtrumentall, thoſe things to declare
Which may be ſerviceable, ſhould therefore
Eſteem their wiſdome, or themſelves the more;
Since they have nothing, but what they receive,
And are but earthen pipes, to help derive
To others, what into themſelves they take,
Not ſo much for their own, as others ſake.
And if aſſume ought to my ſelf I would,
I nothing know, that arrogate I could
By what ſhall be propoſed, more then they,
Who have not to this end a word to ſay,
If they deſire to ſerve you; when they ſhall
Meet ſuch occaſions, as I met withall.
For, as when two great Armies, long ingag'd,
Having each others fury ſo inrag'd,
That over all the fields there are beſpread,
Diſorders rais'd out of deſpair and dread;
Such renovations on the hills and vallies,
Of charges and retreats; of routs and rallies,
So loud a noyſe of drums, and guns, and eries;
Such clouds of ſmoke and duſt to blind their eyes;
Such ſtops by them that ſlain and wounded ly,
Such througs and tumults among thoſe that fly,
And, ſuch confuſions, that the Chief Commanders
Know not what courſe to take; if then, by-ſtanders,
Upon a neighb'ring hill, ſhall thence diſcern
Where ſome advantage lies, which may concern
Their friends ingag'd; and from among them one
Shall (ventring down) inform them what is done;
Where their foes weakneſs lies; and how they may
Rally their broken troops, and win the day,
What great thing hath he done, whereof to boaſt?
Or what diſhonor hath that Army loſt,
By his officiouſneſſe? or what's his gains
But knocks perhaps, or woundings for his pains;
From thoſe, it may be, of his Party too,
Who know not what he thither came to do.
This is my caſe; who for ſuch ſervices,
(And ſuch adventures heretofore as theſe)
Have gain'd ſo little, that none needs envy
The profit which I have receiv'd thereby;
Or, thoſe advantages I might expect,
If that which I propoſe ſhould take affect;
Conſidering, how many ſtill there be,
To make my beſt deeds miſchievous to me.
But, whatſoever ſhall thereon ſucceed
With what is now intended, I'le proceed,
As my peculiar work; and to be done
By no man, if I let the ſame alone.
For, (as it by my Journall Books appears)
Somwhat above the term of forty years
I have been on the hills of contemplation,
A voluntary Watchman for this Nation.
I, oft, when none to ſecond me I knew.
In times of greateſt danger ſtood perdue.
I oft was pris'ner took, and did inlarge
My ſelf, at all times, at my proper charge.
I, more then once, to ſcape my Foes made ſhift,
With nothing, but my life, and raiment left;
And have perſwaded been (ev'n ever ſince
J reacht the years of ripe intelligence)
That (next unto his ſervice) GOD, in chief,
Gave me my being, faculties and life,
To ſerve my Country, and to have an eye
On thoſe who hindred her proſperity;
And, to imploy my ſtudies and my wit,
Jn ſearching out what might advantage it,
Though no man ſhould regard it; yea, though ſtill
J injuries receiv'd for my good will:
And this hath oft produc'd ſuch fruits as theſe,
Judge me, or uſe me for it as they pleaſe;
J ſhall, at laſt, be paid for all J do:
And, ſo ſhall they, who dare oppoſe it too.
Having thus prefac'd, to anticipate
Miſcenſures, J, my Viſions thus relate.
When with ſad thoughts J many nights and dayes,
Had over-look'd my one, and others wayes,
Conſidering ſeriouſly, both what they were
And in what poſture, our affairs now are;
I ſaw ſo much confuſion, and diſorder,
The Chaos daily, ſo much widing further
By new confuſions, and ſo few, that ſee
Or credit, in what hazards we now be,
That in theſe overwhelmings I almoſt
Was ſwallowed up, in danger to be loſt:
And doubtleſſe in thoſe whirlpools loſt had bin,
But that the clew, by which I ventur'd in,
Did bring me forth, and ſet me on a Station
Where I might view them, without perturbation;
With ſafety too, and with ſo true a light
That, thereby plainly, I diſcover might
From whence this Chaos ſprings; and by what courſe
We might (if poſſible) drink up the ſource,
Or make ſome ſuch diverſion, as would win
An entrance, where good order might begin.
As I ſtood muſing, how this could be done,
A voice within me ſaid; this works for none
But him to do, who firſt did out of nought
Bring ſomething; and from ſomething, all things brought.
Then ſaid my heart, LORD, though this work, to thee
Belongs alone, yet inſtruments there be,
By which thou workeſt all things here below;
Some inſtrumentall means, now therefore ſhow,
Whereby this may be done; and, then alone
Shal't reap that honor which infues thereon.
Inſteed of vocall anſwer hereunto,
A firm perſwaſion, that it ſhould be ſo
Poſſeſt my ſoul; and that he whoſoever
Would faithfully and ſeriouſly endeavour
A reſtauration, either ſhould acquire
The full accompliſhment of his deſire;
Or ſo much toward it, as might at leaſt
Secure him in his noble intereſt.
Herewith well ſatisfi'd, aſide I threw
My own affairs, and privately withdrew
Into my ſelf, in ſeaſon to begin
That undertaking which I now am in;
And whereto you, by theſe long lanes are led,
To ſignifie that I've conſidered
The Propoſitions, which to light I bring,
With good precautions, and examining.
One afternoon, as on my couch I lay,
About the ev'ning twilight of the day,
My contemplation introduced there,
A mask, that might beſeem a theater;
And many grave ſpectators: for thereby
Was repreſented our late tragedy
From that time, when the Prologue did begin,
Ev'n to the very act, we now are in;
With each materiall circumſtance, which might,
Be uſefully preſented to my ſight,
Pertaining to this Nation, and to thoſe
Who are, or have been, thereto friends or foes.
It likewiſe drew a map before mine eyes,
Of all our paſt, and preſent miſeries,
With thoſe diſtractions, and thoſe contradictions.
VVhichWhich do prolong or multiply afflictions:
As alſo of each actor and his actions
Confuſedly wrapt up with their tranſactions,
As they to me, and other men appear,
When we do look upon them in our fear;
Or as they paſſed by us day by day,
Whil'ſt we among the ſame confuſions lay.
This mummery withdrew: and then me thought,
It back again, each part and actor brought,
Diſtinctly repreſented, ſo that I
Might perfectly diſcern with reaſons eye,
What in themſelves they were; and that we had
Of many things a wrong conjecture made.
That ſome, which to our practiſe were commended,
Have to our ſhame, and our deſtruction tended:
That others, which we judged might deſtroy
Our intereſt; produc'd what we enjoy.
That wicked projects, other while brought forth
As good effects, as thoſe of reall worth,
(Though not without a woe, to them, by whom
Offences, and prevarications come)
That ſome, which good appear'd, were nothing ſo,
That, others, making but an evill ſhow,
Were (if conſider'd ſimply) very good,
Or, better then they ſeem'd, if underſtood
According to the time, and preſent ſtate
Of theſe affairs, whereto they did relate.
A Curtain then was drawn aſide, that ſhew'd
A Table, whereon portraited I view'd
A Directory, teaching me the uſe
Of all that I had ſeen, with their produce:
Which could my memory, have brought away,
Had done this work (which I intend to day)
Much better, then this picking out again,
What their impreſſion left upon my brain.
A thouſand ſev'rall things (ſome, neither fit
For my expreſſion, nor in ſeaſon, yet
To be divulg'd) were brought as in proceſſion
Before me, in an orderly progreſſion.
Sometimes confuſedly, there paſſed by
Strange Apparitions, which away did fly,
E're I could well diſern them; or my thought
Take notice, to what purpoſe they were brought.
Sometimes bright ſhinings from a light I had,
Which cheer'd my heart, and made my ſpirit glad.
Another while, a darkneſſe me ſurrounded,
Which, all my notions, for a time, confounded,
And ſadned ſo my ſpirit by privations,
That I well neer loſt all thoſe obſervations
Which I had made ſometimes appear'd to me
Such things, as in our Antimasks we ſee
Ridiculous, and worthy laughing at;
Sometimes things terrible, and after that
Appearances, which promiſed to ſome,
Much comfort, peace, and happineſſe to come;
And ſo the Viſion vaniſh'd, and the day
By that time to the night had given way.
But by what repreſented thus hath been,
By well conſidering what I have ſeen;
(By ſpelling out, what every character
Held forth, and what things evidenced were
By readring all together) found hath bin
Where that great work muſt firſt of all begin,
Which may make up our breaches, when thereto
Our ſelves we ſettle, as we ought to do.
In brief, I ſaw, that in the ſettlement
And conſtitution of this Parliament
Upon a juſt foundation laid with ſpeed,
A courſe of reſtauration might ſucceed;
And draw on by degrees, a means to bring
Into right order, ev'ry other thing
Conducing to our Weal; and if we take
That way whereof propoſall I ſhall make,
I dare adventure, if it do not thrive,
To loſe my head, or be inter'd alive.
I have attain'd aſſurance (and without
So much as any ſhadow of a doubt
That by this Parliaments miſconſtitution
We are uncapable of that fruition
Which we expect; that for the moſt part thence
Proceed the cauſes of our indigence
And myſeries; and that 'tis naytheleſſe
The chief, or ſole means left of our redreſſe.
Ev'n this in being now, this which men ſeek
To bring into contempt, and to diſlike.
This, which they (juſtly too, in ſome reſpect)
Have laboured to make of no effect,
And to annihilate, as if thereby
(And thereby only) they ſhould perfectly
Injoy their full deſires, and be ſecur'd
From all the troubles hitherto indur'd.
Ev'n by this Parliament, God will effect
That future ſettlement which we expect,
If we too long delay not the purſuit
Of an impartiall rativall recruit.
For though the body of it being made
Of many members, hath among them had
(And hath yet) overmany ſo corrupted
That they have not alone much interrupted:
The activeneſſe of thoſe that have been ſound,
But are oft likely alſo to confound
The whole at once, by ſeeking how to pleaſe
Their luſts, or friends, or how themſelves to eaſe:
Yet by their faithfulneſs, who have been true
Unto their truſt, and active to purſue
The publike intereſt, redeem'd we are
From that captivity in which we were;
And many things enjoy of him eſteem
(Though by ſome wants, enjoyments leſſe do ſeem)
Whereof we had e're this been quite diſpoil'd,
If they in their endeavours had been foir'd.
It therefore were an Act of Tyranny,
(Of high injuſtice, and of cruelty)
To wrap up theſe, with thoſe that have miſdone,
Becauſe ſome fail, to have reſpect to none;
But caſt off all at once, and from us thruſt
With men unrighteous, thoſe that have been juſt.
For if we weigh things well, it is their praiſe,
That they have marched through uneven wayes,
(Oft, ill accommodated) and have long
Oppoſed without wearineſſe, a ſtrong
And cunning enemy; that they have bin
Aſſail'd by ſome without, and ſtob'd within
By boſome foes; that they were lamed too,
In their own limbs, yet forward ſtill did go
With perſeverance: and that alſo they
Stand for us in the gap, ev'n to this day;
It is their glory, rather then their blot,
Though their good purpoſe they accompliſh not.
It is from theſe that we denominate
This Parliament; in them is lodg'd the fate
Of this Republike; yea, what e're it ſeem,
This, as I ſaid, is that which muſt redeem
Our late loſt honor; and if e're this ſhall
Diſſolved be, down all our Structures fall,
Not to be rais'd, without the coſt of more
Then hath been ſpent upon it heretofore.
For what ſhould keep it up? can wiſe men think,
They ſhall uphold it, that it may not ſink,
Whom theſe depute? who while they do ſubſiſt,
Preſerve, with much care, their own intereſt?
Can any of us, reaſonably believe
The power which to their Subſtitutes theſe give,
When they themſelves are outed, ſhall be able
To keep up ſtrongly, that which is unſtable,
Untill a Phoenix, yet unhatch'd ariſe
Out of their aſhes, with renew'd ſupplies?
When, having far leſſe power, and leſſe eſteem,
(As being an extraction out of them
Who are prejudicated) they ſhall contend
With thoſe immergencies, that may aſcend?
But, grant it poſſible, what way ſhall we
Contrive, whereby this power diſſolv'd may be
Without a force, that may indanger more
Our ſafety, then it hath done heretofore?
(Since by a Law, it was perpetuated
Which is not raſhly to be abrogated;
And which without inforcement, can by none
Repealed be, ſave by it ſelf alone?)
It were not rationall we ſhould petition
That they now ſitting (weighing their condition)
Diſſolve it ſhould, till they can be aſſured,
How they may for the future be ſecured,
For giving their intruſted power away,
To thoſe they know not; or, to ſuch as may,
Ruine both them, and thoſe too, for whoſe ſake,
They ſerv'd, that reaſonleſſe reſolve to make;
Yea, ſhould they leave to ſuch uncertainties,
(And, to ſuch hazards, as might thence ariſe)
This Commonwealth, it were an Act unjuſt,
And, an unanſwerable breach of truſt.
This Parliament, though (by and for our ſin)
Her vigorous actings have delayed bin,
Through thoſe obſtructions, which it long hath had,
And, is by many foul bespatterings made
Unacceptable; though, that it ſhould raign
O're them, the ſons of Belial, do diſdain:
Although, ſome alſo (without cauſe) have thought
That, to defame it, I my ſelf, have ſought
(Becauſe thereto miſunderſtandingly,
They ſuch invectives, and reproofs apply,
As were intended only againſt thoſe,
Who ſeeming to be friends, were ſecret foes.)
Yet ſince it firſt begun (ev'n all along)
I have perceiv'd what works thereto belong,
And ever had a care how to prevent
Their ſcandall, by a plain diſtinguiſhment
Of Doves from Crowes, and of mens private factions,
From publike, and authorized tranſactions.
For as that man, who can nor hear, nor ſee,
And half whoſe limbs, corrupt and rotten be,
May poſſibly be all the means reſerv'd,
By which a noble houſe may be preſerv'd
From extirpation; ſo, how bad ſoe're
This Parliament may be, (or may appear)
I am aſſur'd, by many a circumſtance,
It is that means by which GOD will advance
This Commonwealth, unto that ſettlement,
Which may accurſed Anarchy prevent,
If thoſe conditions be not long neglected,
Whereby our happineſs may be effected.
As heretofore, when Sarah was bereav'd
Of that which gave her hope to have conceiv'd,
She, naytheleſſe, obtain'd a lovely ſon,
In whom a num'rous Off-ſpring was begun:
And whence did ſpring that light, and that ſalvation,
Which is the happineſs of ev'ry Nation;
Ev'n ſo, when we had wanted many a year,
The likely Symptoms of enjoying here,
Another Parliament; yea when a ſtop
Was raiſed and proclaim'd, againſt the hope
Of ſuch a mercy, when nought did appear
But that whereby diſpairs increaſed were:
VVhen Tympanies had ſwoln our Sarahs womb,
And made it rather ſeem to be the Tomb
Of dead things only, then to quicken ought,
VVhichWhich for our comfort could from thence be brought;
Lo, then, (and not before) it did conceive
A ſon of Conſolation, to revive
Our drooping hearts; and which, if faithleſneſſe
Deprive us not of what we may poſſeſſe,
Will free us from all tyrants, and reſtore
Thoſe rights which they uſurped heretofore:
And not reſtore our liberties alone,
But propagate the bleſſing here begun,
Throughout the world, untill all other Nations
Are freed from their Oppreſſors uſurpations.
Before the ſons of Jacob entrance found
Into their promis'd Land, they had a round,
Or Progreſs to fulfill, and many years
They in the Deſarts were Probationers,
By ſev'rall hardſhips, thereby to improve
The ſeeds of faith, new ſown at their remove
From Aegypt; and by ſigns and wonders ſhown)
To make unto themſelves their frailty known.
But they at each reſtraining of their luſt,
Brake forth into repinings and diſtruſt;
Yea into flat rebellions, into rearing
Of Idols (when his Law GOD was preparing)
Into a wicked cauſleſſe murmuring
Againſt the means of their delivering
From Aegypts triall; and into wiſhes vain
That they might thither back return again.
For which of many hundred thouſands none
Enjoy'd the promis'd rest, but two alone.
And we are juſt like them; yea, we have done
Since God, to bring us from our thrall begun,
The very ſame things in the wilderneſſe
Of our Probation; and our carkaſſes
Shall there be left, unleſs we do betimes
Make an attunement, for our paſſed crimes;
And with unfainedneſs that courſe purſue
Which leads unto the reſt, that is in view.
So ſhall our Leaders, likewiſe, who comply
With ſuch tranſgreſſers, and unſanctifie
Their power: ſo ſhall, moreover, thoſe
Who with our Dathans, and Abirams cloſe
In their conſpiracies, and quite from all
Their likely hopes, and preſent glory fall.
For on conditions, (as King John had
His Throne) the peoples heads, they have been made,
And if they ſhall from thoſe conditions ſwerve,
They muſt expect the portion they deſerve.
Let them endeavour, therefore, how they may
Remove that fear and jealouſie away
Which doth poſſeſſe the people, and withdraws
Their good affections, with apparent cauſe:
Let thoſe, (ev'n thoſe, who have among the reſt,
Been leaſt to blame, and have deſerved beſt)
Conſider, that by ſuch as careleſſe are
Of thoſe great burthens, which they ſeem to bear,
The weight increaſeth, and, that they ſo faſt
Decreaſe, on whom their weightineſs is caſt,
As will e're long o're whelm them, if with ſpeed,
They do not to ſome remedy proceed.
Let them take notice, that the people rage
At their delayes, as likely to ingage
In ſome diſorderly reſolve, unleſs
They ſee that follow'd with more ſeriouſneſs
Which they deſire; either a Parl'ament
New made, or ſomewhat that's equivalent:
For thereby, they conceive, (and that thereby
Alone) their ſufferings may have remedy.
And ſomewhat to that end (although not ſo
As moſt would have it) may be ſit to do.
Yea, if I have not miſadviſed bin,
Our cure muſt with the Parliament begin.
Aſſiſt ye therefore, to promote the ſame,
Leſt ye partake with ſinners in their ſhame.
There is a courſe, whereby without diſgrace,
Or danger, you may bring that work to paſs,
And free your ſelves from that great coſt and pain,
Which without thanks, or profit you ſuſtain;
Afflicting others too, by thoſe confuſions
Which are increaſt by your irreſolutions.
Untill a better, therefore ſhall appear,
Be pleaſed that expediment to hear,
And, if of thoſe preventions, or that good,
It promiſeth, you find a likelyhood,
Take heed, that no ſelf-intereſt, divert
That Approbation, whereunto your heart
Inclineth you; for God will find it out,
And croſs the counter-work you go about.
In England, and in Wales, there is a Shire,
For ev'ry week that's numbred in the year.
By twelve, according to the moneths divide
The Counties, with their perſons qualifi'd
For Knights and Burgeſſes, proportioning
As neer as may be, to an equalling
The number of the whole, ſo, or ſo many
Unto each monethmonth, without omitting any.
Aſcertain then, the monethmonth and day, wherein
Each twelfth part an election ſhall begin;
(The middle of the week, appearing beſt
As being furtheſt from the day of reſt)
On each firſt Wedneſday, of each monethmonth, let thoſe
By whom their Deputies are to be choſe,
Reſpectively convene in ev'ry Shire,
Upon that monethmonth, and Wedneſday ev'ry year,
Which is to them aſſign'd; and having choſen,
(At moneths end) let each twelfth part, of the dozen,
Send up their choſen men, to repreſent
Their Shires and Boroughs in the Parliament:
And on that very day, in which they come,
Let all their Predeceſſors give them room.
Thus one monethmonth ſome; and monethmonth by monethmonth for ever,
Let each twelfth part, ſtill orderly perſever
To take a turn, till ev'ry ſhare hath had
A monethmonth in ev'ry year; and having made
Their choice, let them ſtill enter and withdraw
Succeſſively, by a perpetuall Law,
No man a place of truſt, ſupplying there,
At one election, longer then one year.
Thus, as the Thames, doth ſtill continue one,
And is the ſelf-ſame river, though there run
A new ſupply of waters ev'ry day
Along the channell, ſo continue may
This Parliament, by annuall ſupply,
To be the ſelf-ſame everlaſtingly,
With very little charge or moleſtation
To thoſe who chuſe, or repreſent the Nation.
Thus may this Parliament, be both together
Succeſſive, and perpetuall; yet neither
Enjoying ſuch a perpetuity
As can occaſion future tyranny,
Or preſent grievances; not that ſucceſſion,
Which may bring danger by an intermiſſion:
But make that conſtitution, which will add
All power, which may from both of them be had,
Either to compaſs, what good men affect;
Or to prevent the miſchiefs they ſuſpect,
What I intend may plainly be conceiv'd;
And to that end, ſome things may be contriv'd
Much better, if your wiſdome ſhall refine
The rudeneſs of my profered deſign;
And by authority, ſome rules provide
Whereby th' elected may be qualifi'd;
And their Electors too; for 'twere unjuſt,
In things of this concernment, thoſe to truſt
Who have diſturb'd our Peace, untill a time
For their Probation be allotted them:
And till they likewiſe, by ſome good deſert,
Make manifeſt a reconciled heart,
Ateſted, and approved by thoſe Judges,
Who ſhall ſuſpend their former priviledges.
And ſince, ev'n they who are the beſt affected
To Publike welfare, often have elected
Such as deceive their hopes; ſince ther's no eye
But GODS, that ſees the hearts hypocriſic:
Since it appeareth in the beſt Record,
(Ev'n in the volumes of the ſacred Word)
That lots were needfull in the choice of thoſe,
On whom they did a Supreme Truſt impoſe:
Yea, ſince, ev'n when the pureſt Congregation,
In all the world, had with deliberation,
(And from among the moſt approved men,
Which to their knowledge liv'd among them then)
Elected two; a lot was alſo caſt,
That GODS Election might on theirs be plac'd,
To ſend forth him, who was to be employ'd
In executing of the place then void:
Since alſo GODS Election, joyn'd with our,
May peradventure on the Elected pour
New gifts; ſince we by doubtleſſe warranty
May with that antient Preſident comply:
Since it will probably give good content
To prudent men, and may oft times prevent
The choice of thoſe, whom for ſiniſter ends,
A numerous corrupted Party ſends:
Why may not? nay, why ſhould not two be choſe
For ev'ry place that's void, and one of thoſe
Be ſent by lot? that GOD may have a voice,
And joyn with men in making up their choice?
Since they, who muſt this Nation repreſent
Are GODS Vicegerents in the Government,
As well as our Truſtees? who would not more
Conſide in ſuch a choice, then heretofore
They did in others? or, then they will do
In them, who ſhall not now be choſen ſo?
Why was it not? why ſhould it not be thus,
If this the Kingdome be of GOD WITH US?
But that ſelf-ſeekers find, were this admitted,
They by reputed fools, ſhould be out-witted?
And get no Jnlet, others to devoure
Hereafter, by an evill gotten power?
Yea, wherefore hath the lot been from among
All our Elections kept away ſo long,
But that Ʋſurpers, and Intruders know
It would their Kingdomes wholly overthrow;
Make them afraid, that CHRIST would raign indeed
Among us, (as they ſometimes hear and read)
And that they ſhould hereafter never come
To revel (as they have done) in his room:
Nor will they, doubtleſs, if this take effect,
Except it be our failings to correct;
When GOD ſhall by permiſſion for our ſin,
Reject the lot, and let a Knave come in.
If therefore ſome Previſion might be made,
That we ſhould lots to our Elections add,
A great ſecurity would thence redound,
And much contentment therein might be found.
Moreover, as an out-work pertinent
Remiſſeneſs in Electers to prevent,
(Upon whoſe due performance much depends,
Which to the publike woe, or welfare tends)
It were not labour loſt, if whenſoe're
To execute that duty we appear,
Some ſhort ſpeech might be made, or cautions read,
Whereby it ſhould be offred to our heed,
How much it will concern us, to take care
What choice we make, and what the danger; are
Which may enſue; leſt for ſiniſter ends,
(For fear of great men, or to pleaſe our friends)
We may diſplace our trust, and caſt away
Our ſelves, and all, for ever, in one day.
To which intent, our Orator ſhould ſhow
What trust it is, which we that day beſtow:
What benefits may gen'rally ariſe
By chuſing men couragious, honest, wiſe,
And fearing GOD; what perills will enſue
(Which by forepaſt examples he may ſhew)
If cowards, fools, ungodly men, and vitious,
Or to the preſent Government pernitious
Elected be; he likewiſe may declare
How qualifi'd ſuch perſons ſhould appear,
And warn them, that they never do unhallow
Their choice, with any ſuch as theſe that follow.
Men over-talkative, and loving much
To hear themſelves ſpeak; for not many ſuch
Can keep or give good counſell; and they'l prate
Much precious time away, in vain debate.
Your common Gameſters: for, they are unjuſt
Unto themſelves, and them we ſhould not truſt
With other mens eſtates, who have been known
To loſe, or hazard, deſperately their own.
Men to their pleaſure overmuch addicted,
For Publike works, will be by theſe neglected.
Such as apparently are Avaritious,
Or of Promotion greedily ambitions:
For if their ends thereby acquire they may,
Theſe may be hir'd, their Country to betray.
Such as indulge their lust, and famed are
Ju their uncleanneſſes to perſevere;
For they will leave their Charge, to pleaſe their whore,
And ſhame their fellows, if they do no more.
Of irreligious perſons make no choice,
For theſe will very ſeldome give their Ʋoice,
But in the Negative, to any motion.
That may be for advancement of Devotion.
Chuſe none who are defam'd in any kind,
As being vitious; for theſe means will find
To hinder all enactings, which reſtrain
Ill manners; or to ſober life pertain.
Elect not children: for it is unfit
That in our Supreme Counſell they ſhould ſit,
To Vote in Grand Affairs, whom Law reſtrains
From managing, what to themſelves pertains.
Chuſe none, who are obſerved to withhold,
Their long due debts, when they diſcharge them could;
Or outlaw'd perſons; for, unfit are they
To make our Lawes, who will not Lawes obey.
Chuſe none, who ſhall ſolicite, or propoſe
That they for your Law makers may be choſe;
(And their Electors, by the old abuſe,
Of feaſting, wine, and banquetings ſeduce:)
For they, who ſhall uncall'd, themſelves advance
To that great work, have much more arrogance
Then worth; and it is alſo ten to one,
They for themſelves, have ſomething to be done.
And laſtly, take good heed, that none get in
By your Elections, who have active bin
Againſt this State, till you, of them have had
Good proof, whereby ſecure you may be made:
For he that hath into ſubjection brought,
A Thief, who on the way, to rob him ſought,
And ſtraight way truſts him, with his ſword and horſe,
Takes not a very ſafe, or prudent courſe.
This being done, (as in preceding ages)
Let thoſe who are Elected have their wages
Well paid, and rendered proportionable
To what the times require, to make them able
To ſerve their Country in the Parliament
Without their private coſt or detriment:
For both our Lawes, and equity requires,
That Labourers ſhould be allow'd their hires:
Yea, 'tis a kind of bribery, in thoſe
Who offer, without wages to be choſe;
And Boroughs, which unable ſeem to beare
That charge, not worth the repreſenting are.
Beſide, their choice, is (for the moſt part) made
By ſome Malignant Stewards; or, or'e aw'd
By miſaffected Landlords, to the wrong
Of what to them, with others doth belong:
And their objections are but cavillings,
Who ſhall alledge, that theſe eſt abliſhings
Infringe their Antient Right: for, be it known,
The Commonwealth no priviledge can own
Deſtructive to it ſelf: much rather, we,
Who now, by Conqueſt, teinveſted be
With what was loſt, are bound to ſettle it,
Not as our foes wiſh, but as may befit
The preſent, and the future preſervation
Of ſafety, peace, and freedome to this Nation.
Moreover, as upon the Houſe of Peers,
It was the cuſtome, in preceding years,
That there the Sages of the Law, attended;
To whoſe debate ſuch points were recommended,
As to the Law related; ſo, let ſome
Selected be, and ſummoned to come
To whom each matter queſtioned relates,
To be advis'd withall, in their debates,
As needfull it ſhall ſeem; whether the cauſe
In controverſie ſhall concern the Laws,
War, Merchandize, or whatſoever may
Require their beſt experience on the day
Thereto aſſign'd: that ev'ry work begun
May by it proper inſtrument be done.
Which will prevent much doing, and undoing,
And make now comers, in ſhort time, as knowing,
As they that have ſate long, and finiſh more
In three weeks, then in three moneths heretofore.
Theſe outworks, will much ſtrengthen, and ſecure
The works within: yet that they may endure
All ſieges, underminings, and ſcaladoes,
Battries, aſſaults, and ſtormings, with Granadoes,
By ſoes without, and treacheries within,
To build a Cittadell, let us begin
Upon ſome Fundamentalls; and provide
They may for ever, unrepeal'd abide.
Let it inviolably be decreed,
That Cities, Shires, and Boroughs do proceed
Once ev'ry year, upon the time aſſign'd,
(On penalty of being deeply fin'd)
To make Elections; that we never may
For time to come, be headleſs for one day.
Let it be overlaſting baniſhment
To him, who ſhall to change this Government
From being a Republike, motion make:
And to act further if he undertake,
Let it be death, with totall confiſcation
Of his eſtate, without commiſeration;
Unleſs the great Diſpoſer of all things,
(Who, as he liſts, ſets up and pulls down Kings)
Shall thereto by a conquering power compell;
And, not to do it then, were to rebell.
Whoever with the publike Treaſury
Shall ſtand intruſted; and doth knowingly
Defraud the Commonwealth; or ſhall purloine,
(Whether it be in goods, or ready Coyne)
The worth of twenty ounces in pure plate,
Let it be loſs of life, and of eſtate.
Whoever this Republike ſhall betray
Maliciouſly, or for advance or pay,
Reſigne his Truſt; or cowardly give up
What he had means to keep, or likely hope;
Let it (when prov'd) be death without reprieving,
Or any hope of temporall forgiving.
Whoever ſhall from any foraigne State,
Or Prince, take penſion; or negotiate
With them, or with their Agents, when they are
With us in Treaties, or in open war,
In State affairs, unleſs the State gives leave;
Let him, without a pardon, death receive.
Above a monethmonth together ſuffer none
To ſit hereafter in the Speakers throne,
On ſome great penalty: Becauſe thereby
Both publike wrongs, and private injuries
May be occaſioned. Impoſe the like
On him that ſhall abſent himſelf one week
From Parliament, without a good cauſe ſhown;
Or, that without leave ſhall depart the Town.
Let ſome appearance every day be made,
That this great Body never want a Head
That's viſible; and to prevent what may,
Unthought upon, befall us in a day.
Yea, on the Sabboth, for an houre or two,
Convene; for, 'tis a Sabboth-work you do:
And Venice, hath by long experiment
Found, that this Caution may be pertinent;
Nor will it over-burthenſome appear,
When they are to continue but one year.
Let none in Parliament have toleration
To mention ought to their diſreputation,
Who abſent are; except they undertake
Of what they ſhall aver good proof to make,
On pain of an expulſion; or, permit
An Intimation, likely to beget
A miſconjecture, to the injury
Of him, that is not preſent to reply:
But let th' Accuſers and their Accuſations
Be known, that thoſe may have due vindications
Who are traduc'd; For, no man ſhould enjoy
A priviledge, his neighbour to deſtroy.
Moreover, leſt the Parliament become
(By multiplying Suits) more burthenſome
Then all thoſe other Courts, of whoſe oppreſſions
We have complain'd, (and render our conditions
Leſs curable) let it admit no Cauſe
But ſuch as hath no remedy by Lawes
In force; or, for a non-fruition
Of Iuſtice, by their partiall execution.
For, by removing of ſuch grievances,
And to provide againſt immergencies
Which may occurr (both in affairs abroad,
And here at home) they will have ſtill their load.
If not: the being of a Parliament
Thus conſtituted, doubtleſs, will prevent
So many miſchiefs, that it will return
Large recompences for all charges born.
Let it expulſion be from thence, for ever,
With ſome great mulct, for any whoſoever,
That, as a Member of the Parliament,
Shall ſit two years together; yea, though ſent.
And, let no Lawyers practiſe for a Fee,
Or plead, whil'ſt of the Parliament they be:
Or any, who there ſiteth as a Peer,
Be Iudge of any ſupreme Court that yeer;
Or, during that imployment, execute
A Place, permitting not a Substitute;
That, in Appeals, none may infringe the Lawes,
By being Iudge and Partie in one Cauſe.
And, that to all men, juſtice may be done,
Among your Fundamentalls make this one;
That whatſoever ſhall be taken from
One, few, or many (through all times to come)
In publike wants, and dangers, be repaid
By equall Taxes, generally laid:
And, that they ſhall not make, or abrogate
A Law, diminiſhing one mans eſtate
More then anothers, without recompence,
On whatſoe're occaſion or pretence.
Yea, let all mens eſtates reduced be
To leſſe then forty ſhillings, yearly Fee,
Rather then friend or foe, ſhould juſtly ſay,
The publike faith were broken, any way.
Which would inrich us, and innoble more
Then, if our hills of chalk, were ſilver o're;
Our ſand pure gold; our pebles, pearls of price,
Our fields as fruitfull as old Paradiſe;
And, ev'ry ſon, which forth each mother brings,
As Prince, or Lord, and all their Fathers Kings.
Then to prevent, the drawing thoſe together,
Who, for by-ends, would fortifie each other;
Let him that place in Parl'ament ſupplies,
Who ſhall by letter, word, or otherwiſe,
Either contrive, ſolicite, or propoſe
Another, during that time, to be choſe,
Be from his Truſt, exiled with diſgrace,
Never to be admitted, to that place.
And, that all Fundamentalls ratifi'd
In Parl'ament, for ever may abide
Inviolated; let no man be ſent
A City, Town, or Shire, to repreſent,
Till by Indenture, under hand and ſeal,
He ſtand ingaged to the Common-weal,
And his Electors, that by no endeavour,
He ſhall repeal, or any way for ever
Weaken theſe Fundamentalls; but aſſay,
At all times, to inlarge them what he may:
For, Parl'aments (as heretofore our Kings)
Are but Truſtees; and therefore in ſuch things,
As to the publike damage may redound,
As well as they, ſhold Act within ſome bound.
By theſe proviſions, (with ſome other ſuch
Made Fundamentalls, we might very much
Advantage this Republike; and as far
As humane induſtries enabled are,
(To promiſe ſafety and eſtabliſhment)
Secure from change the preſent Government,
Till men may dry-ſhod walk upon the ſand,
From Deal, and Dover, Cliffs to Callis ſtrand;
Or, Penmin Maure, be ſet on Snow-down hills,
And, Time unto their ſprings, turns back the rills.
This, would be like the river, wherewithall
The Tyrant Queller, cleans'd th' Augean ſtall,
(As Poets faign) and waſh away that ſoil,
And bloud, and filth, which doth our beauty ſpoil.
By theſe means, we might both in one, contrive
A true ſucceſſive Repreſentative,
Compleated in a ſafe eſtabliſhment,
For ever, of the ſelf-ſame Parl'ament,
Producing all their juſt deſires together,
Who ſeek the one, or who deſire the other;
And with prevention of all harms, that may
Be fear'd, by th' one or other way.
By theſe means, we ſhall never be without
A Supreme power, or live in any doubt
Of harmfull change, if wiſely we purſue
This courſe; and to our ſelves continue true.
By theſe means, there will ſtill be an appearance
Sufficient, to keep up a perſeverance,
In all great undertakings, with due order,
And with ſuch quick diſpatch, the ſuits to further
Of men oppreſt; that, they may hope to ſee
Thoſe plaints determin'd, which yet endleſs be;
And never will have end, till wit or force,
Reduce us unto this, or ſome ſuch courſe.
By this expedient, they that are in place
At preſent, may reſign without diſgrace
The Truſt they have, to take a while their eaſe,
(Or follow their affairs, as they ſhall pleaſe)
And after one year, back perhaps return
To reaſſume the burthens they have born.
Hereby a likely means will be contriv'd
Of that ſecurity, which is deriv'd
From many Counſellors: and, diſtribution
Of burthens, will make eaſie execution;
More quick, yea, and more cheap diſpatches too,
For thoſe, who ſhall have ought with them to do.
By theſe means, if, a worthleſſe Member come
Among our Worthies, to ſupply a room,
His heart may changed be; whereas, now, they
Who came in honeſt, are oft drawn away
From their firſt Principles, with them to cloſe,
Who, mean to gain, what e're the Publike loſe:
Or, at the worſt, he muſt from thence be gone
Before much miſchief, can by him be done.
And, ſuch as do confederate and plot
That, for themſelves, advantage may be got,
(Though to their Countryes loſs, and neighbors wrong)
Shall want the time and means, which doth belong
To ſuch contrivements, as are frequent now,
When, moſt, each others minds, and intereſts know:
For, by new Parties, monethly, coming in,
They'l break, as faſt as they to knit begin;
And, Gins, which heretofore effects have took
By kindred and alliance, will be broke.
By theſe means, they, who do command, to day,
Shall learn again to morrow, to obey.
Many, ſhall be encourag'd to enable
Themſelves, in publike, to be ſerviceable;
And, in few years, ſome thouſands more then now,
The common intereſt, will learn to know;
And, how they may advance it, when they come
From that grand School, to live again, at home;
And, think themſelves, obliged, ev'ry where,
To further it, as well as ſitting there.
By this means, ev'ry man, within his Orb
Shall be reſtrain'd; and none have power to curb
Supreme authority; or, to aſpire
By his ambition to a Station higher
Then ſhall be ſafe to all, and judged fit
For this free State, with prudence to admit:
Nor ſhall the da…ingſt tyrant in the land
Preſume to move a tongu…, or lift a hand
Againſt that power; o… plot, vent, or concceal
Ought which may damnifie this Common-weal.
Yea, by this means, we calmly ſhall reduce
The Parl'ament, unto it genuine uſe,
Without advent'ring what may intervene
By Intervalls; and, what hath feared been
(Not without cauſe) by hazarding to call
A new one; or, by an additionall
Supply to this; as now affairs relate
To home deſigns, and our next neighbring State:
But, if we fail in any circumſtance,
Here mentioned, we never ſhall advance
The Publike intereſt to that effect,
Which by this Parliament we might expect;
Nor ſcape that tyranny, which is deſign'd
By thoſe, who are contrarily inclin'd:
For, they that would be tyrants (knowing thoſe
Who did the Regall tyranny oppoſe
Still zealous, for the peoples liberty)
Will to effect their purpoſes comply
With any party; and, then, by diſplacing,
By diſenabling, or els by diſgracing
The well-affected, at laſt, compaſſe that
Which is by them, in ſecret almed at,
(Unleſſe prevented) and involve us more
In ſervile ſlaveries, then heretofore.
For, doubtleſs, moſt of thoſe who did befriend
The tyranny of Kings, will to that end
Adhere to theſe, in hope by doing thus,
To be reveng'd at laſt, on them and us.
Theſe are no ſuch Propoſalls, as may hatch
A Cocatrice; or, be abus'd to catch
A private intereſt. No impoſtures are
Beneath a fair pretence obſcured here:
Nor doth their Author act the Mountebank
To any end: For, he expects not thank
For ought by him deſign'd; nor, cares for more
But to diſcharge the debt upon his ſcore;
And (if occaſion be) to find a gap,
Through which, without a miſchief, he may ſcape.
Which, if he do, he will confeſs, 'tis more
Then ever he could boaſt of heretofore;
Or, any other, who thus interrupted
The wilfull practiſe of a power corrupted,
Unleſs that GOD, whom nothing can withſtand,
Secur'd him, by an over-ruling hand;
Or, by a miracle did change their heart,
As when he did great Nineveh convert.
This is the ſum of that, which I remember
Kept me awake, ſome nights of this November,
When my affairs, which then at hazard lay,
Had tir'd in vain my body all the day;
For, my neceſſities requir'd the one,
My conſcience cry'd, the t'other muſt be done;
And, if, now ought the worſe thereby I fare,
My lot, as I am able, I will bear.
Much more was repreſented to my view,
Which I am unprepar'd (as yet) to ſhew,
And you to hear: but, if I had a pen
As acceptable, as ſome other men,
(And undiſturb'd) it might produce perchance,
That, which the Publike weal, might much advance:
Or, had I but a volubility
Of tongue, to help my fluid memory;
Or, durſt declare my thoughts, e're them I ſee
Array'd in words, that, weigh'd they firſt might be:
Yea, could I ſpeak, as many now can do,
More in one hour, then they e're thought in two,
(Or, then I can be underſtood in three)
Much more eſteem'd would my Propoſalls be.
Here I had fixt, but, that there comes to mind
A ſupplement, remaining yet behind,
Of ſomwhat repreſented, as relating
Unto this Parliaments accommodating,
With due conveniences; and with ſupply
Of things pertaining to the Majesty,
Of Supreme Senates: For, though, doubtleſs, they
Are beſt adorned, who themſelves array
With holineſs; though, they have moſt renown
When righteouſneſs and mercy, is their Crown:
And, though the dignity of Governments,
Conſiſteth not in outward ornaments,
Or, neat accommodations; yet, the wiſe,
Having regard to mans infirmities,
Did in all ages, by their joynt conſents,
Add to eſſentiall things, ſuch accidents
As might to thoſe men, make their worth appear,
Who could not ſee, what in themſelves, they were:
And, that they who diſcern'd it, might not find
Diſcouragements, in that which is injoyn'd,
To which end, we preſcribe unto the ſick,
A gilded pill, and trim with Rethorick,
Our Arguments, thereby to palliate
What, we to others would inſinuate.
And, to this end, were tipifi'd to me,
Some things, which will, perhaps, hereafter be,
Mark them, if they be worth your heed: if not,
Let them be paſſed over, as forgot.
Methought, I ſaw WHITEHALL new model'd out;
With Tow'rs adorn'd, with ſtrong walls fenc'd about;
With buildings, having much variety
Contriv'd into a neat conformity
Of fair aſpect, and duly beautifi'd
With Gardens, walks, and with what els, beſide,
Did render it magnificently fit
For their abode, who did inhabit it.
Beſide the Fabricks, deſtined unto
Meer publike uſe, and common works to do;
As, in the Firmaments wide Orb, there are
Twelve manſions; ſo, twelve ſtructures, ſaw I there,
In each of which (as in the Zodiake,
The twelve celeſtial ſigns, their Stations take)
The Senators, who monethmonth by monethmonth, vvere choſe,
Had their diſtinct abodes; each one of thoſe
In lodgings, by himſelf; yet, altogether
In one pile, vvho, in one monethmonth vvere ſent thither:
That, for conveniency they might be neer
On all occaſions; and, that ev'ry Shire,
Might thereby find the eaſier addreſſes,
And, quick diſpatches in their buſineſſes.
A conſtant Table, of one meal a day,
Was there prepared for a frugall pay,
That none might be compelled to ſtray forth
To places unbeſeeming men of vvorth:
And, all things pertinent to preſervation
Of health, vvith ev'ry fit accommodation,
Was there contrived, ſo, as that they might
Purſue the Publike ſervice, vvith delight.
No famliy, was licens'd there, to hoſt;
No, not a wife (except a week, at moſt,
In gueſt-wiſe) leſt the publike ſervices
Might be diſturb'd by houſhold buſineſſes:
Or, leaſt the drudgeries, or naſtineſſe,
Occaſion'd by a numerous acceſſe
Of children, ſervants, and their viſiters,
Might ſpread diſeaſes, in infectious years:
And leſt among them, ſome, through want of grace,
Might bring an evell name upon that place.
Nothing uncomely, or diſorder'd there
Could I behold; no noyſes did I hear,
Or ſuch loud clamors, as have oft been heard,
Among the rude Jncommers, and the guard;
But, ſuch an lawfull ſilence, as if there
The Turks Grand Signior, always preſent were
By Mutes attended. To offend the eye,
Or ſmell, no dung, or ſinks, did open lye.
I ſaw not thee, a deſpicable ſhed;
No Coach hous'd there, or any Coach horſe fed:
No little children in the garden ſprawling,
Or, in the Galleries, or Chambers yawling:
No Bakers Boy went tooting of his horn:
No Milk pails there, from place to place were born,
As in thoſe Courts, and Allies which we ſee
Peſter'd with Inmates, and poor lodgers be:
Nor was there born through any paſſage there,
(Save ſuch, as out of common concourſe were)
Unſcemly burthens, or, ought els permitted
But what the honor of the place befitted.
A Guard was needleſſe then for their defence,
(Since, juſtice, mercy, and true innocence,
Are guard enough, and keep more ſafe, by far,
Then if an armed Phalanx doubled were)
They had true peace within; and through the land
No man againſt them, durſt to lift a hand;
But, ev'ry one was ready to attend them,
And with their lives, as their life, to defend them.
Yet, for magnificency, and to further
The preſervation of reſpect and order,
In times of concourſe; and that no addreſs
Be made, but with all due reſpectiveneſs,
They had an able Band of men ſelected
Out from among thoſe perſons well-affected,
Whoſe faith and valour had been well approved
In publike ſervices; who, had unmoved
Stood firm in trialls, and whoſe converſation
Had gained them an honeſt reputation;
And theſe, arm'd, govern'd, decently array'd
In liveries alike, and duly paid,
Appear'd to give attendance altogether
When Princes, or Ambaſſadors came thither:
And, in their turns, at other times, to do,
That ſervice, which they were injoyn'd unto.
Rhen, foraſmuch, as outward habits draw
Reſpect unto mens perſons, there, I ſaw
That cuſtome, which all Senators did hold
In ſtrict obſervance, through moſt times of old,
The Knights and Burgeſſes who repreſent
The Nation, entred not the parliament
In common habits only; but, each one
A robe. or upper garment, did put on
Peculiar to that Semate, differing neither
In faſhion, ſtuffe, or colour from each other.
To ſignifie (as I conceive) thereby
Their brother-hood, and their equality;
And that, they being thereby differenced
From vulgar perſons, might be honored
According to their place, and known among,
And by the people, as they paſt along
Into the Senate; or, as to and fro,
from place to place, on their affairs they go.
Moreover, when that they had laid aſide
Their Senate robes, about their necks I ſpi'd
A golden Wreath, which thereat pendent had
A Tablet, whereon was enamelled,
The Britiſh Iſles, within the Ocean plac't;
And with a Verge of curled waves embrac't:
Which was beſtown upon them for a badge
of honor, and likewiſe to priviledge
Their perſons, whereſoe're they were unknown;
That due reſpect might ev'ry where be ſhown,
And no affronts receiv'd. Theſe badges were
From man to man, (and ſtill from year to year)
Reſign'd to their Succeſſors, to be born
By thoſe whom their Electors ſhould return.
Much more I ſaw, which ſhould I here relate,
Would yet appear, things worthy laughing at;
(As theſe declar'd, already do to ſome)
But, when the daies of their admittance come,
(Which I believe draw neer) it will be found
That theſe Previſions had ſome likely ground;
And that the heart, from whence all this did flow
Meant well to you, though theſe things prove not ſo.
Hear me with patience, but a few words more,
And, to their freedome, I'le your ears reſtore.
As country folks, to keep out Witches, do
within the threſhold, nail a horſes ſhoe,
So did I, at the fore-door of this piece,
Inſert a charm, to keep out prejudice:
And, now, if ſome way els, it in be brought,
That, at the Back-door, I may thruſt it out,
I'le fix a Si quis, (or it may be mo)
Upon the Poſtern Gate, before I go.
If any think the poſture we are in
Will ſtill as proſperous be, as it hath been,
Or, that GOD will this Nation ſtill deliver
By miracles, although we ſhall perſever,
In high proſumptions, and ſupreme neglect
Of that compliance, which he doth expect;
They greatly are deceiv'd: For, know, the end
Of moſt things, on contingence doth depend.
We of this Nation, having walk'd upon
The Pythagorean Y or, Ypſilon
Are come unto the foot thereof, this day,
Where lies before our face a double way,
The one of them directeth us unto
Proſperity; the other to our woe:
On this hand, Bliſs, on that hand, Curſes lie;
Proceed this way, and live; go that, and die.
Ev'n Davids temp'rall Kingdom, (though there had
Large promiſes, concerning it, been made)
Was on his heirs intail'd, for their fruition,
Not abſolutely, but upon condition;
Which, being broken; all th' externall power
And glory of it vaniſht; ſo ſhall our.
Moreover, if that any ſhall believe
Our hazards are far leſs then I conceive;
Let them not truſt to ſuch a dream as that,
Leſt they diſcover, when it is too late,
The dangers threatning us: For, I have been
Inform'd aright, what perills we are in.
And, whereas, of thoſe things which paſſed by
From time to time, I ſought to ſatisfie
My private knowledge only, (that I might
Aſſured be I had obſerv'd aright)
If I had thereby gathe'rd proofs, to ſhow
To other men, the truth of what I know,
I ſhould of ſuch things demonſtration give,
As few ſuſpect, and fewer would believe;
And you would ſee, that we are in a courſe
Like his, who in a dark night rode his horſe
O're Chepstow bridge, upon a ſingle board,
When lowd to him, the dreadfull waters roar'd,
(Beneath the broken arch) and ſeem'd to ſay,
Oh fool! take heed, ther's danger in the way.
And ſome, perhaps, if they aſſured were
What hazzards they have paſt, would die through fear,
As it is ſaid he did, when he had ſight,
Next morn, of what he ſcaped over-night.
We think perhaps, we all this while have been
Upon as plain firm ground as Richmond-green,
Or in a Courſe, wherein as ſafe we run
As on the race at Bauſted-downs at noon;
When we are rather dancing o're the tops
Of tottering pinacles, on rotten roper,
Where, but that we by providence are kept,
We down had fell, at every Stride we ſtept.
Yet, for the moſt part, every loſſe and ſtreight
Which we are in, makes us but lay more weight
Upon the weak; and each Deliverance
Doth but increaſe our pride and arrogance.
As if we were reſolved, without heed
of judgments, or of mercies, to proceed,
Untill confuſion ſhould compell us to
What we might orderly, and timely do.
Laſtly, if any ſhall be pleas'd to ſay,
Or dream (as peradventure many may)
That, with affairs I intermeddle here
Which pertinent to my Superiors are,
And not to me: To all theſe be it known,
The buſineſſe which I treat of is mine own.
I claim, in this Republike, with the beſt,
A ſhare, proportion'd to my interest;
And freedome, boldly to expreſſe my mind
As often as I juſt occaſion find.
the common liberty, and common peace
Are truly mine, and no mans, more, or leſs:
I fought for't, and I pay for't, thrice my ſhare,
According to the part, which many beare.
My Countries wrong is mine; her grief my ſorrow,
And therefore they that wound her thruſt me thorow.
They, who her wealth or honor fool away,
Fool me, when in that kind the fools they play:
And, therefore they, who thereto Traytors be,
Are therein alſo Traytors unto me;
And no man can without apparent wrong
Reſtraint impoſe upon my pen, or tongue,
In pleading of her cauſe; nor will I fear
To act my own work in my proper ſphere.
For, though I have not power to make a Law,
Or raiſe an Armie which can keep in awe
Her private enemies, and open foes;
Yet, I have charms equivalent to thoſe,
In ſome reſpects; which operate unſeen
Thoſe ends, whereto they have intended been;
And will have due effects, in their deſpight
Who ſeek to trample on the common Right.
In this aſſurance, here I'le add a cloſe,
To this, and leave th'event to GOD'S diſpoſe;
Who, if we ſhall neglect (a few weeks more)
Good counſell, as we have done heretofore,
Will break down that, which might preſerv'd have bin,
And, on another Baſe his work begin.
Nov. 30.
FINIS.
End of the text · George Wither, The Dark Lantern (1653)