A Poetic Frenzy, Title page – To the reader
Furor-Poeticus (i.e.) Propheticus.
A Poetick-Phrenſie.
Some, (probably) will call it ſo: Thus named, therefore, let it go.
It is the reſult of a private-muſing, occaſioned by a publike report in the Country, of the Parliaments reſtauration by General GEORGE MONCKE, in February 1659. and meditated ſoon after the ſaid General's arrival in LONDON,
In dorſo Pagi, recubans ſub tegmine Fagi: By G.W. Eſq;
This Author's well, and ſober, yet,
Although he fell into this Fit;
But, if more Wit than Grace he had,
Oppreſſions would have made him mad.
Tempora mutantur, & nos mutamur in illis.
Times changed be, and ſo are we.
London, Printed by James Cottrel. 1660.
To the Reader.
Ingenuous Reader,
THough this Poem hath ſomewhat a mad Title, thou ſhalt find me neither Mad man, nor Phanatick: For, theſe Muſings were in ſoberneſs meditated (upon the firſt News of General GEORGE MONCK's arrival at LONDON, when he came laſt out of SCOTLAND, and the Rumors raiſed thereupon) and were muſed to no worſe purpoſe, than that, by rationally pre-conjecturing the most probable events, I might not be ſurprized by them, but ſettle my heart (whatſoever ſhould ſucceed) in a conſtant waiting upon GOD, and in a contented peaceableneſs, by conſidering divine providence had the ordering of all things; and that the intentions and actions of men were no infallible grounds of hopes or fears. And I expreſſed my conceptions in the following words and mode, that my Extempore Notions might both remain, a fixt Object for my ſelf (and others, if they pleaſed ſo to uſe them) when occaſion required; and to rouze up courage when it began to droop by miſ-apprehenſions.
Though they appear in an extravagant dreſs, & are only ſudden raptures, not deſigned diſcourſes, political, philoſophical, or divine, they are wholſome fruits of the ſeaſon, and, being well digeſted, will hint many notions pertinent to our preſent condition: For, in theſe raptures, whatſoever ſhall be thought of them, I have infallibly informed upon what terms, you, either with your KING, or without him, ſhall have a laſting peace, and ſetled Government, if ever you have it in this world; and (mark this)
That, which henceforth, the common Lot, will be
In Weal, or Woe, ſhall be foreſhown in me:
For, whether to the right or left it run,
Judgement ſhall at GOD's Houſe be firſt begun.
I have warrantably made them aſſume an unuſual boldneſs (which may make them ſeem to many more bold than welcome) the better to make way into their preſence, who either entertain themſelves and their Aſſociates in compoſing and hearing thoſe baſe and ſcurrilous Pamphlets (now innumerable) which tend to diſturbance of the common peace, and are ſure preſages of their deſtruction who take pleaſure in them; or elſe to awake them who are ſo buſied in their own vain projects, that they have no leiſure to heed any thing conducing to the publike honour and ſafety, or to their own.
As ſoon as I came laſt to London, I communicated them to ſome of my acquaintance, who conceiving them uſeful, undertook their publication, which I left to their diſcretion; but heard of no proceed therein for many weeks, nor any reaſon of that delay. If they found any juſt cauſe to change their reſolution, they are to be excuſed, and ſo am I, if it come too late, or out of that ſeaſon which might have made it more effectual. Yet, thy time, nor thy expence, will be lost, whenſoever it comes to thy hands: For, that which I chiefly intended, will be at all times, and generally conſiderable, till we be utterly deſtroyed, or our publike and private calamities redreſſed; yea, and then alſo, to ſome purpoſes.
If thou findeſt any thing therein, whereupon I have often heretofore inſiſted, conſider, that there is the ſame occaſion, and that a Naile cannot be driven into knotty wood at one or two ſtroaks. Take it candidly for thine own ſake, though not for mine; yet for my ſake it may deſerve thy acceptance: for, if thou love GOD and thy Countries welfare; I am
Thy wel-wiſhing, and truly loving friend G. W.