MacLean, Gerald, editor. The Return of the King : An Anthology of English Poems Commemorating the Restoration of Charles II / edited by Gerald MacLean
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Henry Oxenden
Charls Triumphant
after December


   Titlepage: Non est mortale quod opto. / 1647. 1 / CHARLS / TRIUMPHANT, / &c. / [rule] / This is that CHARLS, who did from CHARLS proceed; / Who shall in Greatness CHARLS the Great exceed. / [rule] / CAROLUS e CAROLO descendens, / erit CAROLO magno major. / [rule] / [design: laurel crown] / [rule] / LONDON, Printed in the year, MDCLX.

    Manuscript sources relating to the author and circumstances of this poem's publication are to be found in the British Library: BL MSS: family correspondence -- Add. Mss. 27,999 and 28,000; family papers -- Add MSS. 28,006 to 28,011; 28,010=Henry's early commonplace books and misc. verses etc: includes transcriptions of "The Doctrine of Mahomet which is of great authority amongst the Saracens," and "The Law of the Saracens which they call the Alcoran, that is a gathering together of Commandments into one booke" (ff.45-53v=) -- ms circa 1626, aged 17.

    Henry's commonplace book (Add MSS 28,012; also Add MSS 28,013) is a long scroll, made up from a large legal document cut up into three-inch strips that are stitched together into a roll -- of proverbs he collected/transcribed -- : eg: "The Turkes hold the foundation of all empire to consist in exact obedience, & that in exemplary severity"

   further letters -- Add MSS. 44,846=Thos Peynton's letter book (1640-56), 44,847=letters from Charles Nichols to Henry O; 44,848=misc letter book, containing transcript copies of various state letters. -- check Bodleian for ms papers linking Oxenden with Needham

   Other works ascribed include:

O839AThe Care of... (16??), brs, MH only

O840B Iobus Triumphans (1651), CLC, IU, Y

O841 Religionis funus, & Hypocritia/e finis (1647) O=Vet.A3e 344 [contains portrait of Henry

Oxenden], L, C, CPE; CH, CN, MH, TU, WF, Y

    The copytext is taken from the Bliss copy at O which has ms note on flyleaf: "Oxenden, Henry of Bumstead. See some account of H Oxenden in the [Brydges] Censura Literaria vol. 10. and in the 4to. edition of Woods' Ath. Oxon. Sir Egerton Brydges, Watt and the last editor of Wood were not aware of this Poem which has all the appearance of a privately printed book, there being no bookseller's name, nor place of sale &c."

    The titlepage seems to have been cropped by binder. Irregularly gathered; the first text page appears as sig A3, and is followed by sig A. This copy has been corrected in hand, most often for the better, suggesting authorial intervention: I have incorporated many of the hand corrections but included a full record in the notes.

    In A List of Knights made since His Majestie came to London, May 29. 1660, London, Printed by S. Griffin, 1660; LT 669.f.25(66) dated 1 August), the name appears of "Sir Henry Oxendine", that is of Deane, his first cousin of that name, MP for Sandwich.

    On Oxenden and the circumstances of this poem's publication, see the Introduction. Kent was a site of obvious importance and we have general good record of other Kent writers

    Henry Oxenden or Oxenden (1609-1670) was born to an old land-owning family from Kent, entered Corpus Christi on 10 November 1626 and graduated B. A. in 1627. In 1632, he married Anne, daughter of Sir Samuel Peynton, who died eight years later. In 1642, he married Katherine, daughter of James Cullen, who survived him. A staunch anti-prelate, Oxenden fought for parliament at Arundel in 1644, nearly dying from illness the next year. It was presumably in the early 1640s that he composed the verse satire, "A dismall summons, to Doctors Commons":


Thou Cage full of foule birdes & beasts,
attend thy diosmall doome,
Thy Canonists now murdered are,
with Canons of their owne.
Civillians civill villaines are,
old doting knaves are Doctors,
Notorious knaves are Notaries,
bold prating Knaves are Proctors.
. . . .
Thy Court is called Christian,
yet Antichristian is,
The Court of hell is not so full
and divelish as is this.
The Bishops they are bitesheepes,
the Deanes they now are Dunces,
Thy Preists they are the Preists of Ball,
the Devill take all by Bunches. 2

   But Oxenden's political allegiances proved weak and circumstantial: in 1647 he published a call for the return of the king. Involved in wrangling for land and wealth throughout the 1650s, Oxenden found himself so much in debt at the Restoration that he started selling off family property while searching for a church living. In 1663, the same year that the family house at Great Maydekin was finally sold (28 May), Oxenden was appointed rector of Radnage in distant Buckinghamshire, where he held office until his death in 1670.

    His early published poems are both satires on religion: Religionis funus, & Hypocriti' finis (1647) is in Latin hexameters; Iobus Triumphans (1651) contains prefatory verses by Alexander Ross and others and was reported to be much read in foreign schools (DNB). A small engraved portrait appears with Religionis funus here reproduced from the copy in Bodleian. It also appears bound in with the copy of Charls Triumphant currently in the Huntington.

    Despite its considerable length and the care which the author and several friends put into its publication, Charls Triumphant has been much ignored and even for a time, appears to have been lost. Dorothy Gardiner was unable to find a copy of this poem when, in 1936, she sent her edition of The Oxenden and Peyton Letters, 1642-1670 to the press. Thanks to Gardiner's work, however, we do know a great deal about the circumstances surrounding the writing and publishing of this poem. Gardiner was in good company since other scholars have failed to notice Oxenden's poem. As the author of the manuscript note to the copy currently in the Bodleian Library commented, "Sir Egerton Brydges, Watt and the last editor of Wood were not aware of this Poem which has all the appearance of a privately printed book, there being no bookseller's name, nor place of sale &c." Perhaps scholars had been looking for it under the Latin title which Henry himself uses in his letters to describe it.

    The turbulence of the times was unkind to Henry Oxenden, whose 1647 portrait nevertheless suggests a man younger than Henry's 38 years who is still full of hope, energy, and optimism. In many ways, the ignominity that later overcame Oxenden's Restoration poem sadly resembles this poet's ambitions for a speedy appointment to a lucrative position and indicates something of the speed with which formal and lengthy panegyrics to the restored monarch very quickly became old stuff of which noone took much notice. The rectorship of Radnage "a small living in the King's gift" (Gardiner, xli) which he finally secured in 1663 proved poor. Unfortunately there is insufficient evidence to know whether Oxenden's labours over his poetic tribute three years previously helped him to the appointment. But in the spirit of 1660, Oxenden labored over publishing his poem at considerable personal expense. Indeed, he so far expected promotion through writing poetic tributes that he payed for two long poems to be printed that year, circulating copies of both to people about the royal court. His other poem, Eikon Basilike, is a lengthy set of verses on the wedding of Sir Basil Dixwell to Dorothy Osborne, eldest daughter to Sir Thomas Peyton and niece of the famous letter writer. Oxenden wrings everything he can out of Sir Basil's name being the Greek word for "king." His notebooks tell us that 97 copies were printed, and were distributed to likely patrons in the hopes that Henry's courtly poem would help find him a job.

    By 1660, Henry had been out of work for several years and, at the king's return, was among the many educated middle-class men without obvious employment who flocked to London in hopes of finding something suitable. On 4 June, Phineas Andrews writes to Henry that he passed a copy of the wedding poem to Sir Basil, who sends his thanks, and then reports that there are no jobs in the Customs (BL Add Mss 28,004, f. 128; Gardiner, 234). Later that summer, Henry writes home to his wife from London where he has been looking for a job: "In short thousands ar come to London in expectation of great matters who wil returne worse then they came: for nothing is here to be had without money, and that at very high rates" (Gardiner, 235).

    In his poem, Oxenden claims to have been "Finished June 1660," but the poem was still being printed in December; and the author himself was receiving page proofs as late as March 1661. Presumably he had completed writing his poem during June, and then sent copies to various friends while negotiating with printers. During the summer, months Oxenden received advice of different sorts on how to revise his poem, but seems not to have ignored most of it. On the 20th of September, Thomas Williams, whose dedicatory verses appear in the prefatory material, reported that the printer David Maxwell had failed to print Oxenden's poem and that other printers were unlikely to do it because the "mournefull state of the Court, and indeed of all ye Citty . . . hath taken of their eyes and mindes from all things of this nature, And fearing your poeme (as tryumphal) will not nowe bee soe reasonable -- they demand more for the print than I shall wish you to give" (BL Add Mss 28,004, f.140; Gardiner, 239) following the death on the 15th of Prince Henry; this was not a good time to be publishing a poem about Charles in triumph.

    The poem was still looking for a printer on 2 December when Williams wrote that Henry Birkhead will arrange printing "at 13.s the sheete to the number of 100 copies, makeing about 4 sheetes, and in no place in London under" and advises Oxenden to think of issuing the poem for the New Year (BL Add Mss 28,004, f., 161; Gardiner, 241). On the 17th, Henry Birkhead, probably the "H. B." whose dedicatory verses appear in the prefatory material, writes "One sheete of your Charles Triumphant is printed off, the next is setting" (BL Add MSS 28,004, f.173; Gardiner, 242.)

    By 17 March 1661, Birkhead is finally sending "an inclosed poem corrected as well as I could obtaine it to be done" together with "twelve title pages"; on 28 March, he undertakes to "present Sr Kenhelm Digby with a coppy superscribed ex Dono Autoris" (BL Add MSS 28,004, ff.212, 236).

    Perhaps the most fascinating letter sent to Oxenden about his poem, came from Charles Nichols dated 9 July since it not only gives us a witty account of the manuscript poem, but shows us a reader actually at work reading a Restoration poem. It's fortunate for us that Nichols is such a clever critic who knows how to offer friendly advise on another's poetry, since the opening of the letter indicates how sensitive he is about returning a poem with suggestions for revision. It also appears that Henry himself is very shy of having his verses read by others. Lest he has caused the poet offence, Nichols casts his apology in the fashionable cant of a stage wit, but includes sound advice about language, metre, and style. Nichols reports enclosing dedicatory verses for Oxenden's poem, so his may well be the anonymous verses calling Oxenden an English Virgil:

Heroicke Sr

    The tayle, rather rump, of my paper lookes like one of the tribe of the beast Momus, but its teeth are either not grown, or els dropt out, it rather kisses (though not Al a mode) then bites its generous friend. I am soe ashamed of my presumption, that if you send mee not a pardon under yor hand & seale in short time, my Phantasie, to avoid a Lingring death, will turn ffelo de se & knock it selfe on the head, as the last shift of despayre. Noe one in the world hath seene yor booke but my selfe, & I only, last night in a Nodding houre could reade it over in dreameing hast. It is a pitty you tooke not a Little more time to polish every syllable, ffor, Beleeve mee Sr, the princelienes or sovereignetie of your subiect matter, the essays alreadie nibling at yt grand baite of honor (though most mubble it as an old woeman doth a Crust) the Curiositie of our times impresse all acuratnes in his Maiesties service. Ye fancie is truely Noble & rich, (it made me laugh to see yor muse greene her Teeth at Hugh, threatening the gentle Craft a new sett of St Hughs-bones, though I bitt my lipps) yor style Copious. but Me-thinkes, Now and then a Monysillable rushes in on purpose to tell us that you was in hast, and some of yor wordes Transposd would sound much sweetlyer, wch for mee to have essayed further (wthout order) would have beene to have turned Pargmatical in grayne, & it may bee have spoyled all.

    I have made only a few offers. Ha, ha, he, who hath made mee A Correctr? Am I contagiond with the epidemical disease of the world? & know not my selfe in this paper; oh sure I grow insolent; well Sr I dictate noothing, I only humbly propose you are the Judge. Workmen must not sett a stitch a misse in the King's robe, every one's eye will bee upon it. In a little more Time, you might make yor Copie an original, if you would bestow it thereon. Our novelists will tell us yt Whilome, (wch is twice us'd) is growne rotten wth age, & that O repeated above 20 times in one booke, stands for nought but a stilt to help a verse to hop out its Number when it wants otherwise a foote; or yt Oh is an interiection of groaneing, when Henry hath hard stooles. I meete wth some fancis rich enough for a Coronation day. But there be some Phrases, about Sisters, &tc, wch if my own ffather should Antedate the resurrection, & come from the dead & whisper them into my eare I could not possibly approove of them. Your designe is obvious; I iudj you an Inocent man, you Love good men, but the smoothest way to step up into esteeme, is without treading upon others' Soulls, though not ye surest.

    To Add my Signett to all my papers wch ensure thee my Love I have signed thine And Daunced a little Jygg whilst garlands attend yor Brow. & therin shew how yor verses worke wonders beyond all that ever I heard of. The most yt I ever observed sayd of the best writeings, was that they were Celebrated by everybody. Yors exceede them, for as it is admir'd by everybody, soe hath it inspir'd Noebody

    & Noebody thus sings. 3

   In its finally printed form, Oxenden's poem shows that he didn't heed Nichols' advice about revising and cutting. The printed version contains over a thousand lines; there are nearly 30 uses of "O," and the scurrilous passage about Hugh Peters and the Sisters is still there for the curious.

    In printed form, Oxenden's poem opens with some prefatory verse addresses to the reader by Oxenden, then a series of dedicatory poems by, respectively, Jo Hobart of Kent; "H. B." is probably Henry Birkhead; Thomas Williams; The anonymous verses that follow, rather extravagantly call Oxenden an English Virgil and might be by Nichols. A final set of dedicatory verses are signed "J. W."

    Oxenden's own poem is over a thousand lines of pentamter couplets; it is made up of three books composed of 15, 18, 15 verse paragraphs of varying length. Plenty of anti-Rump satire here, together with an account of Worcester, Jane Lane and the escape, a great deal of rather pious sentimentalizing, and some explicit requests for a place at court. The second part recounts some events of Charles's arrival. The final part opens by making much of Charles touching for the Evil, then addresses the king directly in order to enumerate the horrors suffered during his absence by loyalists such as the poet. His attacks on the Rumpers are typically personal and scurrilous, making evident use of Howell's Proverbs which had recently appeared in print.

    It remains unclear whether the poem had any influence on Henry's appointment in 1663 to a rectorship in Buckinghamshire.



[1] missing from O; check with WF, CH copies

[2] BL Add Mss 28,010 f.76

[3] BL Add Mss 44,847, f.1; see also Gardiner, pp. 237-39.

TO THE
KING OF KINGS,
AND
LORD OF LORDS,
His best Vicegerent CHARLS
II. Who shall be greater than
CHARLS the GREAT:
The Author wisheth




All the Blessedness, and Glory; All the
Love, and Power; All the Majesty and
Dominion that an earthly God is capable of.


Rex si me Angligenis vatibus inferes,
Sublimi feriam sidera vertice. Hor. Car. lib.I. od.I


Great KING if you'l be pleas'd to grace
Me in your heart with a near place
The world to come shall see
My head shall reach Heav'ns lofty Sphere,
And as the stars I will shine there,
Such shall my Glory be.

[ornamental header]
THE
AUTHORS
OPINION.
         



THE Choristers of Heav'n rejoyce and sing:
Beholding now the Triumphs of our King.
And he who grieves this blessed sight to see,
Must either Devil or grand Rebel be;
Ah! curst's that soul that can be an Heraclite,
At the rejoycing of the Sons of Light.

[ornamental header]
THE
Author
TO THE
READER.

         



REader I here have set before thine eyes
A heav'nly Image in Triumphant wise,
The sacred Off-spring of thy Lord and King:
Let now thy heart a peal to heaven ring
At this so glorious a sight: for why?
In viewing him thou view'st a Deity.

[ornamental header]
THE
AUTHORS
HYMN.



O Let us now rejoyce and sing
Praises unto our Lord,
Because he hath restor'd our King
Even of his own accord.
5: How great his Kingdom 4 to us is
In doing of the same!
O let us evermore for this
Extoll his Holy Name.
And let us thanks unto him give
10: For all his Mercies try'd,
And pray that long our CHARLES may live
Who us indemnifi'd.
And in the fire did cast the rod,
His mercies bearing sway,
15: For this praise we the Lord our God,
Praise we the Lord I say.
         


BEhold a Triumph which no servants scoff
Can possibly eclipse, or e're put off.
For CHARLES his chariot shall triumphing run,
20: Coeval with the horses of the Sun,
And loyal acclamations likewise make
Royal hearts dance, but hearts of Rebels quake.

Jo. Hobart
Of Quarrington
in Mersham in Kent.
         



[4] Kingdom] Kindness ms O

[design]
ON
CHARLES Triumphant,
A
POEM
Dedicated to His Majesty
by H. Oxenden Esq;



Most gracious Soveraign,
After the Countreyes well meant dusty greets,
Turning the deserts in your road to streets;
And puff paste 5 gladness of the gaudy town,
Where some joyes were heard in some swalow'd down,
5: Besides the shouts of the converted Host,
Guarding before the Crown upon a Post:
With Catsdung throngs of Courtiers 'bout the Throne,
Crowding for places till they left you none:
View this 'schilian 6 Authors loyal strain,
10: Such Gratulations spend, and last again;
Born without pangs, Offspring of Extasie,
Since you transported was, why may not He?
Rapt with a Soveraign influence, 'bove those
Whose thanks are healths 7 profound, and shallow prose.
15: Yet if your smiles infuse not vital mirth,
'Twill prove abortive, or Saguntine birth;
Which comes your Holocaust, if now it dies,
And if it stands, your living sacrifice:
First fruits from him, whose All for Charles is bred;
20: He that presents the feet, dares stake the head.

H. B.
         




[5] puff paste] ms in O; putt past printed version

[6] 'schilian] 'schylian ms O

[7] healths] hetlths O

[ornamental header]
On the most ingenous
Author of Charles Trium-
phant.

         



THE splendid Triumphs of the Town and Court
Ambitious are to be great Charles his sport;
Arches advanced be to raise his Name
Above the Clouds, till they obscure their frame;
5: But this high Author only can advance
His fame beyond the power of force or chance;
And by the verdure of Poetick Bay
Make his whole life a Coronation day:
Others dread King may crown your head with gold,
10: This golden Verse preserves from growing old
Your eviternal praise; and in this thing
By b'ing his Subject, you are more his King.


Thomas Williams.

[ornamental header]
TO HIS
Most Honoured, because most faith-
full friend (the Author) upon his
Triumphant Poem.

         



APollo's darling, for thy due renown
'Tis just thy Royal verses wear a Crown:
My Muse is dumb, whilst thine sublimely sings
The best of Poets to the best of KINGS.
5: AUGUSTUS smiles, C ' S A R accepts a mite,
Now VIRGIL'S Genius doth English write.


Let common Poets prattle common things,
Whilst Monarchs triumph on thy Muses wings;
Sing noth'but Kings, thou can'st not higher rise:
10: It is not meet Joves bird should stoop at flyes:
Nature and Art being married in Thee,
Muses conserve their true Posterity.


Heavens me defend from being thine Enemy,
I would not be laid forth before I die:
15: Who willingly would meet his Death, his Herse,
His Funeral in thy Triumphant Verse? 8


[8] these end rather abruptly and since the verso is blank, it's tempting to imagine a second page is missing; but the catchword "To" does fit.

TO HIS
Much esteemed Friend and
ever honored Patron, Henry
Oxenden Esq; upon his most
incomparable Poem, CH. TRI.
         



Lately you wrote against our Hydra-state
As a Sharp Satyrist: and Englands fate
You did bewaile, and wisely did presage
If Charls were absent in that direfull age
5: Religion would expire; her end was nigh;
So you prepar'd for her an Elegy: 9


But now your verses in another straine
Do runne, and sing Triumphant Iob again;
Since which you once resolved to set by
10: All verse, and take your leave of Poetry,
But God would not permit your Muse to cease
In so much bless'd and Halcyon times as these;


When Brittaine doth poffess within her Spheare
Her wished long expected Iupiter
15: Our blessed Soveraign who in the space
Of twelve years finished his wandring race,
And now no longer shall a Planet be,
But a Star fixt, or Stationary.
Surely those Gods who caus'd the Star to shine
20: At Charls His birth, to shew he was divine,
The very same sent Ph'bus down t'enspire
Your mind, and kindle a poetick fire
At your books birth, where you so sweetly sing
The famous Acts of your most valiant King:
25: In strains so ravishing, as might provoke
The much amaz'd, and famous Royal Oak,
To follow you, as Orpheus once did make
The Trees to dance, and mighty Mountains shake.

         


[9] Oxenden's verses Religionis funus, & Hypocriti' finis appeared in 1647.

[ornamental header]
The same to the Authors
Momus.

         



If Mists arise, and seem to cloud thy praise,
Think it not strange, Ph'bus can't chuse but raise
Such envious vapours, therefore murmur not,
Such a black cloud is but your Beauty-spot.
5: This is your glory, for not only you,
But Sol himself wears these black patches too.


J. W.
         

Lib. I.

         


I.


Lo I! who once had Helicon giv'en 'ore,
And thought to climb Parnassus Hill no more
I who the Funerall in forty nine
Sang of Religion, & did then divine
5: Untill King CHARLS came it would never have
A total resurrection from the grave.
I who at that time earnestly did pray
That Christ might to his Kingdomes lead the way,
And also wish'd, and that with good intent,
10: A speedy end to the long Parliment.
And I the man who did in fifty one
Extol 10 Iobs' patience unto Heavens throne.
(The very Type of our Great Martyr slain
And his deare Son, rightly our Soveraign.)
15: And I who 'yerst my fancy to delight
OxendenORUM series did write,
And did decypher bless'd Elizas' blisse
Triumphant (would God I were where she is)
And I who lately in my Image Royal 11
20: Extoll'd a Noble Soul for being Loyall.
And therein Monarchy did justly own,
Of Governments the best of all thats known:
And I the very same who Nol, and's Nose,
The Rump, and all King CHARLS 12 his mortal foes
25: Admir'd alike; I, even I who have
Wonder'd who was of these the greater Knave,
Will to my paper once more set my pen,
And wellcome home the best of Kings and Men;
His Enemies disclaime, his Glory sing,
30: For 'tis my duty he's my Soveraigne King.

         

II.


And since, great CHARLS, I who thy subject am,
Have chosen thee the mirror of all fame,
I'le scorne assitance from the Muses Hill,
And pray great Iove himself to guide my quill;
35: For whilst I of a God sing, I defie
All helpe beneath that of a Diety.
Great Father Iove send from the Emperial Pole
A heav'nly spright into my loyall soul,
For now Divinities my Theame, ev'n He
40: Whom God himself hath said a God to be.

         

III.


GREATER 13 then CHARLS the great thou shalt be; I
Aver it; for the Prophet would not ly,
Who said a CHARLS, should from a CHARLS proceed
Who should in Greatness CHARLS the Great exceed
45: Great PRINCE this all men say is meant of Thee,
The Peoples speech is Gods own speech say we.
Surely Thou art already such an One
As I the like on earth acknowledge none;
Thy Splendor's such, as Traytorous is that eye
50: Which 14 spies not in Thee supream Majesty.
Pho/ebus himself's eclypsed by thy Rayes,
O object worthy of the Angels praise!
The Cherubins and Seraphins on High
Are fitter far to speak thy worth then I,
55: So that I doubt 'twill be in me too great
Presumption of so high a King to treat,
And doubt like Phaeton whilst I a pitch
Too high do soar, may fall down in 'the ditch:
How ere I must proceed, doubts get ye gon,
60: For I feel Iove himselfe me spurring on.

         

IIII.


Great CHARLS at whose bless'd birth Heaven did bring forth
A Star forshewing thy transcendent worth.
Which added lustre unto Titans light,
More rare, more wonderfull then he ats hight,
65: How can I chuse but thee admire, and love,
Being the off-spring, and encrease of Jove?
Tell me ye whole Chald'an race, what e're
Ye be, if that ye can, why then, and there
It gloriously appear'd, if not to show
70: A God on Earth was born to us below?
One that should us from Tyrants woes deliver,
Cut off th'entail of th' Beast and Oliver,
Did not the star which did in th' East appear
Full sixteen 15 hundred fifty and nine year
75: Now past, to th'world betoken some such thing,
Then being born a Saviour and a King?
Both Saviours; with rev'rence, here's the odds
CHARLS is of men, CHRIST both of men and GODs.

         

V.


CHARLS bodies, CHRIST souls, CHARLS in time, but CHRIST
80: For ever saves, and is of Kings the high'st.
He CHARLS his Saviour is, as 'tis well known,
And CHARLS him for his Saviour doth own.
Ye Epicurean wits, who do surmize
Your selves to be so mystically wise,
85: Fancying Religion to be like the Law
Meere policy to keep bad men in awe:
And think ther's no such thing as providence;
Come, and sit down by me, and learn from hence
Ev'n from the Preservation of one,
90: And he a King, that now sits on his 16 throne,
That God above who in the Heaven is
Hath an especiall care of all are his.
Witnesse thee Scotland when as Thou did'st bring
Into a Labyrinth thy sacred King.
95: And who but God did help him safe thereout?
'Twas, He was He that did it, without doubt.
Witnesse thee Wor'ster likewise; where though he
Did shew admire Magnanimity,
And all the C'sars since the world begun
100: Surpast in what was fitting to be done;
Yet being overpow'red ten to one,
And most of's men of war slain, others gone,
Also on every side with dangers clos'd 17
In humane sence to noth, but death expos'd,
105: His Horse twice underneath him deadly shot,
And the sad battle lasting over-hot;
When 18 lo! behold a Troope of Angels were
Sent by our God, to be his Lifeguard there,
And safely thence convey Him in despight
110: Of 19 Cromwels fury, or the Devils might.

         

VI.


'Twas God did put it in his mind to change
His royall Robes for those that were more strange
For such an High, and Mighty Prince to weare
As He was, and to cut off all his hair,
115: Whereby he could passe better undescri'd,
And so himself, might in himself best hide:
Thus He to Foes a dark cloud did appear,
But to his truly friends a light most clear.
I say it was his God who did cause this
120: (By his own Genius) Metamorphosis.

         

VII.


Who was't great KING that made Ioves own dear Tree
To lure thee to't, and therin safe to be?
O sacred Tree? which didst at once enshrine
Three Kingdomes well fare, and a Power divine!
125: Surely when He was in Thee, thou didst hold
Such worth as Mortall man cannot unfold;
Nay which of all the Angels can declare
The heav'nly thoughts contain'd then in thy Sphere?
The Oracle at Delphos never spake
130: Such truth, as He, when there He silence brake,
Witnesse 20 be Thou great Arbiter, above,
Who did'st Him hear, and his Supporter prove.

         

VIII.


'Twas thou who sa'vdst our King, and mad'st a Lane
For his escape when CHARLS was in the wane,
135: A lovely Lane, whose close M'anders were
So darke as none but friends could find him there?
Sweete Madam Lane how much I have admired
The holy wiles wherewith thou was't enspired?
Whenas the Happiness of Kingdomes three
140: Soly, 21 and wholly trusted was with thee;
Never! 22 ah never since Eve first did sin
Did any woman threds so finely spinne,
Which though in hast, and danger they were drawn
No fault could yet be found in all the Lane.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~         

IX.


145: It was the Providence of GOD on high
(Whose name be prays'd to all Eternity)
Which did contrive wayes (O how strange, and rare,
How deep! how high, how vast his councels are!)
In order to our Kings escape, and made
150: The Sunne to be preserved by the shade,
Poor subjects now the Instruments to save
A mighty King from foes, from Death and Grave.
Who sayes that Miracles are ceased, since
His safeties one, and must our thoughts convince?
155: Not only many men, but women too
The huge, and mighty load did undergo
Of locking up a Secret in their breast,
Such as by no means ought to be confest,
Women I say lockt up safe in their breast
160: A secret by no meanes to be confest!
A secret which temptations of Gold,
Or threats of punishments could not unfold,
A secret which most would have groaned under
And of't to be deliver'd burst asunder.
165: But GOD did hinder these from letting fall
Such words as might their royal Guest enthrall;
And did preserve him since in Spain and France.
And the Low Countries to his own advance.
Oh may, great Prince, the Lord whose mighty arm
170: Upheld thee then, still keep thee from all harm.

         

X.


'Tis Thee, Great Charls, I speak of, thee for whom
I have so long pray'd, let thy Kingdomes come:
All which thy Kingdomes now are come to Thee,
(Thanks be to God) and thou to them all three.
175: Th'art come to them, and sure the Angels, they,
Even Gods own Host Thee guarded by the way.
And doubtless he's an Atheist who not sings
Beholding Thee brought home on Angels wings.
No Sadduce but would confess the same,
180: Had he our Charls seen then, when thus he came:
No Sceptick ought to doubt of this, and I
Think, to gain-say it, comes near Blasphemy.
O how those Angels at their Office joyed,
In which the Lord of Hosts had them employed!
185: And to behold those who had sinners been,
Even Rebels late now turned from their sin;
There is not doubt, those Messengers of Light
Who do rejoyce when men turn to the right,
But that they did triumph when our King came,
190: For unsquar'd hearts he then put into frame:
So that at's landing I may boldly say
Both men, and Angels kept a holy day.

         

XI.


Hail CHARLS! who came so well attended, hail
To whom GOD Neptune did his Trident vaile,
195: And his dear Amphitrite gladly bring
All her faire Nymphs to view so great a King:
No wonder then that calme the waters were
Sith Neptunes Master CHARLS himself was there.
Besides the sea-GOD had the winds commanded
200: Not to be boistrous till his guest was landed;
And had a minde to see's own daughters dance
Before the true, and lawfull Heir of France;
The same who rules great Brittanie, and with all
Ireland, those Seas the narrow Seas we call,
205: Whose moveing Castles make the Ocean tremble,
And some of its great Borderers dissemble.
Wtinesse thee Holand, and the rest; but I
Now leave you striking saile to's Majesty.

         

XII.


Haile CHARLS once more of whom the Sea-Gods care
210: So great was, that He in his armes you bare,
And in whose presence so much mirth did passe
As after times will doubt how great it was.
Some say the waters smil'd for joy, cause they
Your comp'ny had, 'this merry month of May,
215: And some affirm the fish your health did quaffe,
Whilst the sea Goddesses did sing, and laugh;
Some Fish did halfe above the waters rise,
Off'ring themselves to you a sacrifice;
Others as sure to leap 23 for joy were seen,
220: As if that they had there transported been,
And certain 'tis, some wondered to see
The very ship that held your Majesty,
And well may this be true, sith I do know
Some men as well as Fishes that did so.
225: O famous ship which did'st three Kingdomes hold!
This Argo's glory who can well unfold?
O ship whose precious lading sure was such
As that all India was not worth so much:
O ship deserving highly to be graced
230: And 'mongst the Stars in Heav'n to be placed;
Sith it hath brought of Mortals all, the flower
Unto the Brittish shore, in a good hower,
Which some Fish following would not give over
Until they saw you save arriv'd at Dover.

XIII.


235: Now might Pythagoras have hea'rd if e're
The pleasant Musick of each heav'nly Sphere,
And I my self, had I above them been,
Ioves Choristers for joy triumphing seen;
Yea some have thought that the damn'd Spir'ts below
240: Had intermission of their torments now,
And Heraclitus though he n'ere before
Was seen to laugh, might have laugh'd on this score,
But certain 'tis some persons I did view
Who 24 were so glad, as they themselves not knew.

         

XIV.


245: Some in their thoughts so rapt now up on high
As with their heads they touch'd the lofty sky
Some knew not whether on the Earth they went,
Or their feet trod upon the Firmament.
Other some could not possibly refraine
250: Aloud by words their gladness to explaine.
Some hollowed as if that they had ment
The aire to cleave, and clouds asunder rent
By their exceeding noise, which was so great
As it did reach up to Olympus seat;
255: Nor is't a wonder this was done by men
Sith conduits French, and Spanish utter'd then.

         

XV.


But O how Neptune foam'd for anger, when
He saw that you would part, and how He then
Roared for grief, when you were neare the shore,
260: Fearing He might not see you any more;
And when he saw that you would from him go,
He bad the rising billowes answer No,
And so they did, which many an one did hear
Who to your landing place were very near,
265: And for a need the truth thereof can sweare,
For they did see the same when they were there.

         


[10] Extol] extol O

[11] The poem on the wedding of Basil and Dorothy.

[12] CHARLS] CHALS O, CH; ms corrected in both

[13] GREATER] GREATFR O

[14] Which] which O

[15] .úúsixteen] fifteen O, CH ms corrected in both

[16] his] is O

[17] clos'd] clos'ed O ms correction in O

[18] When] when O, CH

[19] Of] of O, CH

[20] Witnesse] witnesse O

[21] Soly] the "o" is ms correction in O that makes print illegible

[22] Never] Nver O corrected in ms

[23] leap] leape O corrected in ms inO

[24] Who] who O

Lib. 2.


I.


And did the King at Dover land? then O
You Dubrians thank him for doing so,
Thanke Him for ever for the great renown
His Majesty did bring unto your Town;
5: Now may't be said whil'st Sol his course shall runne
Here landed CHARLS our King, St. CHARLS his son.
Fame will ride Post proclaming the world over
That CHARLS the Martyrs son did land at Dover.
What land so barbarous 25 as will not hear
10: In short time now of famous Dover Peere?
And what brave Soul who is at's own command
Will not come see the place where CHARLS 26 did land?
O sacred Place! (and be't in th' Annals put)
That had the honour first to kisse his foot:
15: All ye that see it reverently 27 bow,
And with devout affection Kisse it now;
Fond Pilgroms who St. Thomas foot-steps kisse,
Behold King Charles's holyer then his!
(I meane the foot-steps of St. Tom a Becket
20: Who in the World did once make heavy racket,)
CHARL'S footsteps are divine, and who shall trace
His steps, he doth to heaven bend his race
Much surely are we bounden to our King,
Who leads the way which doth to Heav'n bring.

II.


25: CHARLS did at Dover land; a happy day
For us it was the twenty 28 sixt of May,
Th' one thousandth year six hundred and three-score
Of CHRIST 29 our SAVIOUR, when he came o're;
A day and year not e're to be forgot,
30: He is a Rebel sanctifies it not:
The Sun did then put on his brightest Rayes,
And with brave Monck attend him on his wayes,
Now with all Christendome might Kent alone
Have surely stood in competition:
35: Sole Kent all Christendome then need not fear
When our most High, and Mighty CHARLS is there,
What nam'd I CHARLS? that very name there, doth spell
Deliverance, if we observe it well:
For 'tis a most assured truth, that none
40: Could have deliver'd us but Hee alone,
None could have ty'd the hearts of men but Hee
In Millions of knots of amity.
Hen'ry the Roses, James two Kingdomes joyn'd,
But CHARLS was He three Kingdomes that entwin'd
45: And O how mightily all things rejoic'd
As soon as our Kings landing safe was noys'd!
As if they had esteemed it high Treason
To have done otherwise in such a season:
The Bells 'ore-joy'd were heard this Psalm to sing
50: Over, and over oft, God save the King:
The Churches they stood still; and it is well
They did so, Lambert once had rung their knell,
The Orthodoxe Divines did joy (and pray)
Their joyes were Orthodoxe, as well as they:
55: They gave God thankes their Sov'raign was return'd
(And well they might, their livings were adjourn'd
untill his comming:) and the Guns great sound
Drown'd all, and made braines to their King turn round:
Such as before not much enclined were
60: To do so, yet they did it, He being there.

         

III.


Nature was now beheld in her best dress
To welcome home so longed-for a Guest,
I saw the trees clad in a greene attire,
And some for joy ev'n up to heav'n aspire:
65: I saw the Earth with flowers here selfe adorne,
(Never more fine before since I was borne,)
And in her lap the Lilly, and the Rose,
Israels brav'st King came short of those,
(In all his Royalty he nere alas!
70: As they were then (I know't) so cloathed was.)
I saw the very Beasts tow'rd Him make hast
Fearing, it seemes, which of them should come last.
This is most certain I can boldly say,
Some Horses which to Dover came that day,
75: Together with their Riders can explain
This Truth of mine, should I be thought to feign.
And why may this unlikely seem to be,
Sith some the very stones themselves did see
Move CHARLS-ward on the beach; this is most true
80: Many an honest man had them in view.
But that which seemth yet to some more strange
Is, that some Rebels then were seen the change
To ring, (for joy of's landing) yet 'tis so,
God mov'd their hearts to what their wills said no.

         

IV.


85: But what I now shall witnesse will appear
Less disputable, sith it is so clear.
I saw bright Ph'bus with a chearful eye
Humbly salute his sacred Majesty,
His earnestness was such to kiss his hand,
90: As Monk his own self could not him withstand,
True 'tis the great Commander did desire,
To keep him off, but he grew hot as fire
By the repulse; he would not be said no;
For why? he knew't his duty to do so:
95: And therefore he this took so much amiss,
As when Monk bow'd his Soveraigns hand to kiss;
He in revenge of th' offered disgrace
With red hot beames did fly into his face,
But when as Ph'bus saw 'twas Monk did stand
100: Between them, he was friends and kiss'd his hand
Even as he did his sacred Majesties:
More needs not here, few words are best to th' wise.

         

V.


But then how joyfull the good Generall was
To see his Soveraign in so good a Case,
105: Cheerefull, and well arriv'd; without control
It cannot be express'd by any Soul,
Surely his heart did in his body daunce
To a great hight, even in the sight of France.
The sight of France which truly I do know
110: Unto my King obedience to owe,
Make, make them pay't, O mighty Man of war,
The name of Moncks enough all France to scare,
Thou that has here three Nations conquer'd soon,
Surely may'st a le mode quick conquer one;
115: And do thou banish those base Knaves from thence
Who banish'd CHARLES, what e're was their pretence.
Encrease of honor shall thy Temples Crown,
And Albemarle be ever in renown.

VI.


Befool'd and Mazerin'd France repent, repent,
120: Who twice did'st send our Prince to banishment,
Our Ph'nix Prince extracted from the summe
Of the bless'ed ashes of true Martyrdome;
By my consent thy Antick modes wee'l banish,
And drink no other wine but what is Spanish.
125: Nor will we though some Prote'stants now stick
To love the faithfull Spanish Catholick,
For their great Charity did reach from Spaine
Past Faith and Hope, ev'en unto Charls his waine;
Heav'n notice takes thereof, and hath set down
130: So good a worke, and ecchos its renowne.

         

VII.


Would GOD I had the whole world in a string
That I might now present it to my King,
Yet had I so I really believe
Like Alexander, I should sadly grieve
135: Because there were no more worlds, whereof I
Might make a present to his Majesty.
Ah! how it sadds me that it should be true
Some yet should thinke much to pay him his due,
When all they have too little for him is.
140: For they being Traytors all they have is his,
'Tis his by right, what ever they possesse,
And all true Cavalleers beleive no lesse.

         

VIII.


Brave Cavalleers, the expectations which,
At your Kings landing did your hearts enrich:
145: And the great hopes and joyes you did surround,
I'l leave it unto Fame her self to sound;
Who commonly although she do report
Actions at large, in this she must come short.
For let her speak the utmost that she can,
150: She can't speak out 30 the thoughts of many a man,
Who thither came; nor more than she can mine,
Whose heart to him 'bove Ela doth incline.
Heav'n knows my heart, He knows I wish t'endear Him,
So much to me, as he might place me near Him;
155: Then should I think my self with God to be,
For where King CHARLS is, sure enough is He.

         

IX.


From Dover my dear Prince of high renown
Was pleas'd to bend his march to Barham Down,
Attended by a noble train of those,
160: Whose chief delight themselves was to expose
To any danger, or do any thing,
Werein they might shew duty to their King,
Some of them were of that same golden number
Who many nights did neither sleep, nor slumber,
165: For very grief ofs Majesty's hard case,
To think how he from's Kingdomes banish'd was,
And they together with him, and the reason
Forsooth must be cause he committed Treason;
A King act Treason? Ye why not? just so
170: Heav'n may turne Traytor to the Earth below,
Divinity it selfe accused be
For strange Rebellion 'gainst Humanity,
This this a lass was the pretented cause,
But sure it is that the intended was
175: Unto this cursed end, that they themselves
Who banish'd him (Hobgoblings, Furies, Elves,)
Might play their frantick tricks, and daunce the rounds
Whilst He was sure enough without their bounds:
And that they might his Treasure, and his Lands
180: His Forts and castles keep in their own hands.
Lord God of Heav'n, was ever the like known,
As what hath been in this age of our own?
Let all the Histories are penn'd be view'd,
If one can match our case, I will be Hugh'd,
185: And with old Oliver, and Bradshaw dwell,
And I do think I had as good b'in Hell.

         

X.


But stay in following these wee'r gon so far!
Out of the way, as lets see where we are,
(The Lord have mercy on us) Hell well nigh,
190: Where Oliver and Bradshaw I espie,
And Hugh likewise, O how my heart doth burne
Into the way I stray'd from, to returne.
My meaning is toward Barham Down, where I
With mine own eyes beheld his Majesty,
195: In tranced I did see this blessed sight.
When Paul-like I was ravish't with delight,
At his right hand the Duke of York did ride,
And Gloster Duke close by his brothers side,
(Brave Souls! whose fame surmounted hath the Stars
200: As they have Merc'ry, and the God of wars.)
At's left great Monck with reverence did attend him,
And ready was, and willing to defend Him
If any need had been, but there was none,
Charls had been safe, had he been here alone.

         

XI.


205: But O how many Noble soules were there,
To see their long'd for Sun, shine in his sphere,
And the bright morning Star which did fore run
The faire, and glorious rising of that Sun
Leading wise men unto their King, good Lord
210: Thou knowest, who there thy presence did'st afford!
This, This was at sweet Barham Down, the Downe
Which after times shall er'e have in renown:
It will not need be now for me to say
That here 'twas C'sar did his Host array,
215: Tush, this is nothing to the glory which
Our King bestowed, 31 whose sight did it enrich,
For why? hereof great Barham Down since boasts
When CHARLS was there, were many Lords of Hosts.

         

XII.


Rejoice ye men of Barham for the honour
220: Your King, and Nobles then bestow'd upon Her,
For here the Royall meeting was, 'twas here
Where a God did in humane shape appeare,
And reconcile himself to man'y of those
Who had of late been his degenerate foes:
225: Five thousand and six hundred years and more
By seaven it is (I surely know) before
The world was made, since which there hath not been
Any Sight here so glorious to be seen;
Great King I thank thee, cause Thou did'st appear,
230: And honour that same place which I live near.

XIII.


Wellcome great Prince, whose presence now we see
Makes us once more good Christians to be,
Alas! before unto us thou did'st come,
'Tis said we were no part of Christendome;
235: Thou hast R'eligion raysed, Gods faire daughter,
Of which most talk'd of, though but few sought after:
We fore thy coming could not find her out
Shee was so fouly mangled by the rout,
And in a monstrous hurry (O sad story;)
240: Was made away with by the Directory
In a Scotch mist, and buried in the City
Of factious London, ah the mores the pitty!

         

XIV.


Welcome great Prince, and all thy Sujects Royall
Who are come with Thee, and continu'd loyall;
245: Our sin the cause was that ye banish'd were,
For we, alas! mov'd too much out of square,
And now good Prince wee'l mend our lives by
You b'ing a sacred Pattern shall be mine,
Such had been great King David, and his son Thine,
250: Had both their vertues in one current run
Unmixt with vice; and such had Adam been
Had He held out a stranger unto sin.

XV.


Thrice welcome great Prince to thy Kingdomes three,
Whose whole Well-being rests so much in thee;
255: Thou are beloved both of God and man,
To this both heav'n and earth bear witness can;
And sith that thy great GOD, who is the King
Of Kings and Lords, who ruleth every thing,
Loves thee so well, and makes all hearts to love thee,
260: And hath plac'd none except himself above thee.
Surely we honour ought thy sacred name,
And to the throne of Jove extoll thy Fame
Make thee our Center, and draw every line
Of love unto it, 'cause thou art divine. 32

         

XVI.


265: You are divine, and in you is the sum
Of all that's good in Kings through Christendom,
The several vertues which do make them be
Accounted royal, all abound in Thee
Unmixed with their vices: Your heart wears
270: The Spanish wisdome, but its pride forbears,
The French activity you own and love,
But of their fickleness do not approve.
The like may said be of the rest, but I
Cannot delineate the Cosmography
275: Of your endowments, which such are, that all
May you le Grand Charls, & le boon Charls call.
Round Hypocrites themselves this truth confess
In heart, what ere their lying tongues express.

         

XVII.


You are divine, and all your words are true
280: As Oracles, your actions Lawes renew;
Your Prudence, and your valor both excel,
And Temperance and Justice in you dwell;
Your other vertues, too, so many are
That they the stars surpass in number far:
285: And true 'tis I the Stars do finite know
To be; but, Sir, your vertues are not so.
May King and Angels on you wait, all who
Highly admire your words and actions too.

         

XVIII.


You are divine above all earthly things,
290: Descended from more then a hundred Kings,
Hence in your veins, the quintessence doth flow
Of the best blood of all the gods below.
You are divine much after Gods own heart,
To whom he hath vouchsafed to impart
295: So many special graces, as if He
Had you intended a Monopoly.
You are divine, intuitively such
As from Gods Angel doth not differ much,
Whereby you in your self a Council are,
300: Such as excells all earthly Councils far.
You are divine, and on you all may see
(Who are not blind) such beams of Majesty
Darted from Heaven, as do plainly make
You of Gods image royal to partake.
305: You are divine, and only him are under
Who made of noth', and fills the world with wonder.
Princely's your port! Imperial is your face!
Sacred your eyes, and heav'nly is your Grace!
You are divine by Father and by Mother,
310: A pair, such as the world cann't shew another:
He the worlds mirror is, and so is she,
The like are you unto Eternity.
Pardon great Prince this my attempt to speak
Of your perfections since my skills so weak
315: That it of them (alas!) comes shorter far
Then th' earth is distant from a fixed star.
And O dear Mary, mother of my King,
And God, pray speak my pardon for this thing.
(Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord with thee
320: Be with, thou amongst women blessed be;
And blessed be the fruit of thy chast womb,
The King of Triumphs, Heir of Martyrdome,
Thus royal souls do pray with one accord
Through Jesus CHRIST our only saving Lord.) 33

         


[25] barbarous] barbarons O

[26] CHARLS] CHARLs O

[27] reverently] revetently O

[28] twenty] twenthy O

[29] CHRIST] CHRST O

[30] out] ont O

[31] bestowed] ms bestow'd in O

[32] divine.] divine O and CH

[33] no closing parenthesis in O or CH

LIB. 3.


I.


Now call I Heav'n above, and Earth below
To witness whether I say truth or no;
Before our Kings return many 34 soar neck
Was vex't with tumors, which no Art could check,
5: Which he hath cured, even with a touch,
Nol or the Rump could not do half so much.
The cures they did, they did them with a string,
With Sword and Pistol, or with some such thing.
They kill'd, not cur'd; they saved never an One,
10: CHARLS cureth many, but he killeth none:
His very presence only hath abated,
O're three whole Nations swellings so dilated,
As some thought them incurable, and I
Know that the cure for man was much too high.
15: All yea that scruple to believe, untill
Your sight convince your Reason 'gainst your will,
Go see your King do things all sence above,
And tell me then if that your hearts don't move
Kingward, and whether you not think that He
20: Participates much of Divinity.
For my part I believe he doth, and why?
Behold! he acteth things for man too high!
I never yet could any reason see
For these his cures, most wonderfull to me,
25: The more I do admire them, I the more
Admire, and still admiring nere give o're.

         

II.


Great King, before You came, we had threeskore
Vice-Royes to king it over us, nay more,
God knows how many, yea our servants all
30: Our rebell Masters were both great and small.
Did not we do what they would have us then,
The Table's turn'd, we must turn Servingmen,
And wait their worships pleasures: O rare chang!
When all things did thus arsie versie range:
35: And little better with us, 'twould have been,
Had the wolf chanc'd to rule in the Lambs skin.

         

III.


Now to the end that aftertimes may know
As we do (to our cost) and shun the woe,
To have a Church and State (alack!) without
40: A Head and Guide, I here have set ours out
In part, as it was lately; ah how then
Transcendent were the sins of our Church-men!
Even so as that Hyperboles most high
Too weak are to express their summity!
45: Ye Myter'd Angels, and ye Priests divine
Did not unto their drying sins encline.
'Twas ye Geneva Bulls were much to blame,
Yea wild, and some doubt, ye are scarce yet tame,
So as ye will to woolfs and foxes be
50: Joyn'd rather, then unto the Hierarchy,
And first make choice of any Jack to raign
Then your own King, if he sit not your vein:
And O how strongly are ye bent to be
Each one of you that in Epitomy
55: You can't at large; and make your fingers small
More heavy than the loins of Bishops all!
This is so true as none may doubt of this
Hypotyposial Periphrasis.
Your crimes are such as have ascended to
60: That place to which scarce Anti-Kings will go
And they who th'Heavenly Hierarchy can't ever
Endure; amongst the Angels dwell may never,
As some do think: who do in Heaven prove
Order to be, as well as joy and love.
65: Sure there is order there and Monarchy,
Or else no place 'twere for a Diety.
And is this so? O then let Earth resign
Its model, to Heav'ns pattern most divine.
And my dear Prince sith you intend to raign
70: In wished for Peace, order in Church maintain.
Now by your leave, I will proceed, and say
Lately in what confusion we lay.

         

IV.


Before you came, alas! both Church and State
Were in condition most disconsolate,
75: Our learn'd and best Divines they were put out,
And Weather-cocks put in, which turn'd about
Nol-wards or Rump-wards, they not car'd which,
So that the wind which blew did them enrich:
The Lord forgive them, how was't in their mind
80: Instantly to embrace each rising wind!
They preach'd what they themselves did not believe,
And like old Hugh each one laught in his sleeve
At their deluded Auditors to see
What fools they were, and would so cheated be.
85: And this to the end they might more slily do,
Extreamly long they pray'd, and preached too,
So as they wearied God himself thereby,
Who hated their prolix hypocrisie:
Treason and Nonsence were the usual flowers
90: Wherewith they grac'd their sermons of two hours
Too long, alas! no loyal Subject could
Hear them with patience, so blaspheme they would
God and their King; one would have thought the devil
Had spoken in them, or some spirit evil.
95: The Sacraments that are the bonds of Peace
They would not give, lest unity should encrease,
Whereby men might agree in one, and bring
Him home, whom they had long preach'd down, their King.
The Churches stones somtimes to weep were seen,
100: Whil'st in their presence these things preach'd had been,
And I am sure so fretted was old Paul,
In the mean while, as he was like to fall;
And God himself being angry, his wrath burn'd,
And hath them now out of their Pulpits turn'd,
105: And O how justly! for as sure as Gun
Would them uphold, this commonly was done.

         

V.


Before you came our Nations were a Jail,
A headless Monster, with a Nose and Tail,
A hellish Bedlam without any light,
110: Oceana like, a sensless Babel right;
A second Chaos more difform by far
Than was the first, for now did meet and jar
The seeds of all Antipathies together,
And in a most unnatural War persever.
115: The wrangling Elements did struggle all
Like scolds a Billinsgate in a'fierce 35 brawl,
And we like Moles, did in the darknes live,
No Sun, or Stars to us the light did give:
And whilst we thus were mufled up with woe,
120: O dismall case! few knew that they were so
(That sickness is most probable to kill
That doth not let the Patient know He's ill;)
Alas! this sickness did the heart oppresse,
Yet in most danger still we fear'd the lesee:
125: Whilst our State-mountebanks gave hopes and said,
All's well no doubt, you need not be affray'd,
In the meane while, lo! they such Physick gave
As might prolonge the Cure, but would not save;
And then they did administer most strong
130: And violent purges, which wrought over long;
And when they saw these did not do that good
They did expect, they fell to letting blood
Ev'n the Basilick veine, and let it run
Until Death had their Patients seized on,
135: O times! O madness this was our sad case
Whilst the proud heeles usurped the heads place.

V. [sic


Sir 'fore you came, our Lawes (O horrid!) stood
Like Draco's ah! all turned into blood,
And our choice Rights were not disputed, but
140: Like to the Gourdian knot asunder cut,
Or else blown up with Gunpowder; and which
Is more; such cruelty did then bewitch
Our new fleg'd Tyrants, that they burdens lay'd
Too heavy on us, yet storm'd when we pray'd
145: For our deliverance; ready to give o're,
If we cry'd out, then they would load us more;
And when our backs, and sinewes all were strayed,
They would but jeer us and give out we feign'd.

         

VI.


Nor were these all the mischiefs we endured,
150: And with which we a long time were enured
During your absence, Sir alas! no soul
Can set them out they were so sad and foule.
Worse then the Plagues of 'gypt they sent out
Strange Caterpillars, their own rabble rout,
155: Their Myrmidons, and Furies came to fear us;
Their Teazers, and their Bloodhounds came to tear us.
The Centaures, Nemesis, and Atropos,
Came rushing in with 'acus, and Abros,
Minos and Rhadamanthus thos dire brothers 36
160: Brought with them Proserpin and many others;
Sphynx, and the Satyrs with Medusa came,
The Minotaures and Gorgons did the same:
Ev'n Cerberus himselfe was now let loose,
With the huge monstrous Gyantbold Typheus,
165: And the damn'd bratts of Acheron and Nox.
Together with them brought Pandora's boxe,
And 'tna's 37 daughter, men in shew divine
With hellish Charmes turn'd into monstrous swine:
'ello, Cel'no and Ocypete
170: Com in to help fill up the Tragedy
And that which added most unto our doom
Was that old Nic himselfe did also come!
This was our Case, and ten times worse, Great King,
Before you came; but now there's no such thing.

         

VII.


175: But what must we be called all this while?
Forsooth a Commonwealth; a goodly stile!
But certainly it was a common woe,
The Lord of heaven knew it to be so:
Where Traytors even such as were of old
180: A Metempsuchosis did now unfold;
For Cain, and Iudas with proud Catiline
Returned were in vizards most divine,
Cruel Procrustes with Tiberius Nero,
Busiris, Phalaris, and Biberius Mero:
185: Besides th' Athenian tender hearted crew
Did Rumpishly our miseries renew.
Ah! such strange Monsters as now in our Isle
Reign'd; ne're wer seen in Africk, Inde, or Nile,
Where to the making up our English Saints
190: The Infidel, Turkes, 38 Iews, and Sycophants,
The subtle Foxe, the Panther, and Hiena,
The Hydra, Crocodile, and Amphisbena,
The Mermaydes, Tygres, and the Scorpion
Did all most divelishly concur in one.
195: Religion these did look on as a bable,
And GODS own sacred word as a mere fable:
How many thousand souls were heretofore,
And ere the world doth end how many more
(Yet still before their grand cheats, they would fast,
200: And pray and preach unto the very last.)
Will be betrayed by the great abuse
Of that word which is of most Soveraign use;
And though Religion have been made a bawd
To Pride, Ambition, Avarice, and Frawd,
205: A stirrop to get up to Kingly power,
A lather to ascend rich Cr'sus Tower,
And though that under neath its mask some have
Been naught, and vile, and often play'd the Knave.
Yet 'tis impossible for any one
210: To clime to Heaven without Religion.
Laverniones now regarded were,
But few did to Apollo honour bear,
For by Bellona Themis banished was,
Astr'a, and Minerva in like case;
215: Mnemosyne of small account was deem'd,
And all the nine as little were esteem'd,
Witnesse thee Clio, and Melpomene,
Euterpe, Thalia, Calliope,
And thou Terpsichore, and Erato,
220: Polymnia, and bright Vrania too;
Oxford and Cambridge also witnesse may
This for a need no more belov'd then they;
And our Metropolis can likewise show
This truth, from whence much of our wos did flow,
225: Where some with rampant Liberty grew mad,
And Parl'aments without their Head as bad,
Where Crosse, and Harpe in the Rumps breaches joyn'd
With God without them, you might ever find:
Where our Protectors 39 Rebels did protect,
230: But loyall Subjects kill, or else reject,
Where Councils (such of safety men did call)
Made it their common course us to enthrall:
Keepers of Liberty did helpe t'enslave
Three Nations, and brought them to their grave;
235: If this a Commonwealth were, surely Hell
A Common wealth may styled be as well.

         

IX.


Ah in thy 40 absence we did God forsake
And had got near unto Avernus lake,
'Tis thou hast brought us back again, who feare
240: Shoul'd thou not stay, we should be as we were;
And that full soone, and altogether by
The eares; sure such would be our destiny!
Like damn'd Enceladus the Rump once more
Would vent its flames out as it did before;
245: And what is it John Lambert would no do
To drive his ends, though he to Hell might go?
Coblings and Elves, and Furies then would dance
And lead the female Quakers in a Trance,
And the new Lights would rise th' old to Eclipse,
250: And she Fanaticks roundly will-E-wipse.
Nay which is more then this! tis thought by some
(And so thinke I) Pluto again would come
And act his old scene o're, and a worse too,
If Hugh, and Hee could possibly it do,
255: Together with their black Crew, for tis said
They have a mind to 't, and the plot is laid.

         

X.


Now enter Hugh, the bellowes of our evil,
An instrument most fitting for the Devil,
Thou Tumbler, Lurcher, and Virtumnian spawne,
260: Thou Traytrous Mountback, fit to be drawn
Hanged, and quarter'd, and thy limbs on high
Set up, Rebellious souls to terrifie.
Amphibious Villain! I no words can find
Which can set out thy salfe, and double minde
265: Art Thou not Hugh that Hocus Pocus which
Rack'd Hell, and skim'd Don Dis thy self t'enrich
That linsy woolsy sacred Dragoneer,
Who in sheeps clothing foremost did'st appear
Against thy king, and first gave fire? (most High,
270: So doing did he not at thee let fly
His damned shot? yes surely that he did;
For thine Annointed in thy self was hid.)
Though cruel wolfe that washt thy impious pawes
In Soveraigne blood in spight of holy Lawes,
275: Or of the Lord himself? who did command
That thou shouldst honor, but him not withstand:
Art Thou not He! who wouldst no Colledge have?
Cause thence thou wert expelled like a knave,
And the Towers Records greatly did'st desire
280: To see translated into flames of fire:
Withall advise that some would Pauls confound
(Even rev'rend Pauls) and raze it to the ground:
And then pave Thamesstrete with its (sacred) stones,
Which, since their wicked motion, have their groans
285: Sent up to Heav'n, and brought down on thy head
Gods Vengeance, which will shortly strik thee dead.
O hellish Monster who hast been most vile,
Murdering one Father, th' other in exile
Laboring with all thy Power to send, ev'n thine
290: Own Countries Father, gracious, and 41 divine;
And likewise hast been so extreamly base,
As to throw dirt in thine own Mothers face,
And oft to stumble at a straw, wert seen,
But high, and mighty blocks leap over cleane, 42
295: To straine much at a gnat, (O tender soul)
Yet easily devoure a Camel 43 whole: 44
Church Ceremonies thou could'st not indure,
And yet thou mad'st it nothing to inure
Thy self to an offence dark and uncleane
300: As Witchcraft; damn'd Rebellion I meane,
Rebellion, that fowle, and 45 filthy sin
Which thy black soul deepely was bathed in.)
Thou cry'dst 'gainst Bishops, why was all thy moan,
They Anti-christian were cause Thou wast none:
305: The Hierarchy must alltogether down
In policy thence to supplant the Crown;
For there's no greater Truth in any thing,
Then this tryed rule, no Bishop, and no King.
Art thou not Hee? who under the pretence
310: Of Piety, helpt banish it, from hence:
And like a Player in the Pulpit shew'd
Thy canting tricks, ah, how most vile. and lewd!
Thundring out Providence a Prologue to
Some horrid act thou wert about to do.
315: And wonderfully swallow down thy throate
Engagments, Oathes, and Cov'nants, & what not?
With as much ease as Iuglers do their Knives,
Or thou embracedst Zealous loveing wives,
Of some strange lightning which the blade doth melt
320: Within the Sheath, whilest that no scorching felt.
Art thou not Hee? that did'st lead out o'th way
The fervent Sisters, both by night, and day,
Ev'n when they came to hear thee pray, and preach
Thou did'st designe them then, to over reach:
325: Oh! how lascivious was thy intent
Let Sinners judge of the long Parliament:
I hope they n'ere may hear you any more,
Nor the stout butcher beat you out o'th dore.
Art thou not Hee? who with thy cunning pate
330: Emptyedst the weaker vessells of their Plate,
And when thou mad'st most shew to seek the Lord
Thou then most playd'st the Devill under bord.
Thimbles, and Bodkins, 46 Jewells, and the like,
Made them their Husbands with the scabbard strik;
335: Thou haveing drawn the sword: O mighty man
Of war what flesh could once withstand Thee then,
In those thy Rampant dayes, when women rose
Betimes, resolved to be led by th' Nose
By a seducing Sophister, whose end
340: To lust, gain, and Rebellion did tend.
In these thy summum bonum thou did'st place
Grand Hypocrite, even when thy Text was Grace:
Bible, as well as Alcoran might burn 47
Alike for Thee, when thou had'st serv'd thy turn,
345: Thou Boanerges, Fire brand, Chaplain fell
Most fit for Nol, and for the Devil in Hell.

         
         

XI.


But stay how now, Nol, and the Devil here
I find conjoyn'd, as they at Wor'ster were,
And know not well how I shall part them, so
350: For ought I see they must together go:
O may they never more return, least they
Should joine with new lights, and renew the fray,
And like so many Iacks 48 with lanthornes blaze,
And madmen make and fools lead Lamberts maze,
355: Whereby a Monk may needfull be once more
To fright away the Spirits as before,
And mystically set them such a spell,
As Heav'n alone could his good meaning tell,
Georg the Great Arbiter of three whole Nations,
360: O're threw the Dragon to our admirations,
And many a woodcock took in his dark net,
Which he to th' purpose for Iohn Lambert set
'Mongst many there; but O behold th'event
Both strange, and true, Jack in a box was pent.

         

XII.


365: What oracle that e'r was heard of vented
Such dextrous language as George complemented?
'Tis well that He himself knew what it ment
Before the Posts, and chains did give it vent,
How strang a Card to the Rebellious Rump,
370: And its well wishers did He turn up Trump,
Who in a Northern mist white powder shot,
Which scatter'd all his foes, yet sounded not.
George on his horse, scarce seen, nor understood,
Did conjure out of evil what is good,
375: Good for the King, and Kingdoms, and for All
Who date their rising from grand Rebells fall.

         

XIII.


The Dragon being conquer'd, and his Tayle
Pickled in souse: whilst Fooles did it bewayle,
George, and his Boyes, O rare! the Rump did rost
380: By such a fire, as was unseen by most,
And unfelt too, till they the sauce did make
And the true Members did their Places take,
Who did assess what reck'ning should be pay'd
By those who had so many soules betray'd.

         

XIIII.


385: And now Iohn Lambert tell me what that trick
Avayled thee, thou served'st honest Dick?
In Him perswading timely to resigne
His usurp'd place, that so it might be thine.
And Dick where art thou now, (old Noll his son)
390: Who Whilome had'st so many Healths begun
Unto thy Fathers Landlord? (if thou be
Esteemed, or not, it shall not trouble me:) 49
I never was thy favorite, nor his
Nor the Rumps lover, (hang him up that is.)
395: And whats become of all that perjured fry
That vow'd to God with thee to live, and die?
They may one part keep of their vow, but when
They'l keep it all, we shall see wonders then.
Surely they with the New lights vanish'd be,
400: For I not any one of them can see;
I hope they ne're will come again to cause
Fooles wander from their God, and from their Laws,
Nor Monk occasion when they go astray,
To bring them back into the Kings high way,

         

XV.


405: Now thankes to thee good Monk, to whom God gave
A large Commission, Nations to save,
And Liberty to weare wise Gyges ring
To the advantage of thy Self, and King,
With strength to vanquish that Chim'ra which
410: Had join'd 50 with Mars three Nations to bewitch;
Thou like God Janus truly hast divin'd,
Looking not only 'fore thee, but behind;
And beyond Argus such watch still did'st keep
As that no Mercury could make thee sleep.
415: 'Twas thou who stoutly (maugre all thy Foes)
With burning Tongs held'st Cromwel by the Nose,
And when as Atlas shoulders did incline,
Thou then all Britane did'st uphold with thine.
Monk! thou great Monk!! whose worth a lone out spells
420: And weighs down all the Monks in Roomes proud Cells.
Prounc'd I Monk? Why? then the man I a nam'd
Who by a word both Land, and Sea new fram'd.
Made the round world looke square, & 51 out of might
Extracted Day, out of Chaos Light:
425: I challeng all the Heathen Gods to one
To do the like as mighty Monk hath done.
The Name alone of Monk did conquer more
Then all the Guns in sev'rall years before,
No Canon sounded like the Name of Monk,
430: At whose report Lambert his hornes in shrunk,
And the scar'd Rumpers fowly did bewray
Their seats, and so most sweetly run away.
And now I hope we may good times regaine,
For now (the LORD be prays'd) my CHARLS doth raigne:
435: Well may he long do so, to his content,
And live our KING, our Lawes, and PARLAMENT.

         


ANd now great JOVE my thanks accept I pray,
For bringing me thus forward on my way.
Unto my KING, in sounding his renowne
440: Whose Triumphs blest Eternity will Crowne,
Momus himself must needs, be strucken dumb
Now CHARLS, (next under GODS,) his Kingdomes come.
His Kingdomes come, and happy will be they
Who fear their GOD, and do their KING obey.
Amen.


Finished
Iune 1660.



[34] many] mnay O

[35] a'fierce] a'fierie O; ms correction in O

[36] Minos and Rhadamanthus thos dire brothers] Minos and those dire brothers, Rhadamanthus O, CH; corrected in ms O, CH

[37] 'tna's] 'ta's O

[38] Turkes] Tnrkes O

[39] Protectors] Prorectors O

[40] thy] my O; ms correction O

[41] and] aud O, CH

[42] Proverbial: "To stuble at a straw and leap over a block" (Tilley S922), to worry about small matters while accepting enormous injustices. To be found in Howell's Proverbs; so too the next proverb in lines 295-96, suggesting that Oxenden may have been using it.

[43] Camel] Gamel O

[44] Proverbial: "To strain at a gnat and swallow a camel" (Tilley G150) from Christ's accusation of the pharisees (Matt. xxiii 24): to punish small offenses while letting great crimes go unpunished.

[45] and] aud O, CH

[46] Bodkins,] Bodkinss O

[47] might burn] mightb urn O

[48] Iacks] Iack O, CH; ms corrected in both

[49] no close parenthesis O or CH

[50] join'd] joined O, CH; corrected in ms in both

[51] &] added in ms O