MacLean, Gerald, editor. The Return of the King : An Anthology of English Poems Commemorating the Restoration
of Charles II / edited by Gerald MacLean
Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library
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Part XI. Later in the Year, August to November 1660
John Crouch A Mixt Poem
[after July]
The copytext (L=11626.c.5) includes a frontispiece portrait of Charles by A. Hertochs.
A Mixt Poem was printed twice during 1660 and again, in variant form, under the title "A Poem Upon the Happy Restauration" in John Crouch's collection of verses -- Census Poeticus (printed for the Author, by H. Brugis at the Red Lyon in New-Street, neer Fetter-Lane. 1663). 1 Although the evidence is finally inconclusive, of the two 1660 printings, the edition published by Daniell White, containing 346 lines {and an errata list}, is probably earlier than that by Thomas Bettertun, who published later poems by Crouch, containing 356 lines. 2 Bettertun's edition has been taken for copy text here. {In line with editorial policy, substantive variants affecting meaning have been reported from the White printing; I have also recorded corrections from the errata list and several corrected by hand in the C copy.}
Since the Dedication acknowledges the existence of the commemorative volumes published by Oxford and Cambridge, Crouch's poem cannot have appeared before July.
An inveterate scandal-monger, Crouch couldn't resist mixing his praise of the returning king with retrospective personal attacks on -- among others -- Cromwell, the journalist Marchamont Nedham, and the astrologer William Lilly. Much of what he says here about Cromwell and Nedham he had already said a decade earlier in issues of The Man in the Moon, his weekly newsletter that ran between April 1649 and June 1650 in which he set new standards in royalist vituperation and personal invective, effectively inventing the kind of news reporting familiar in modern tabloids. See Underdown, A Freeborn People: Politics and the Nation in Seventeenth-century England (Clarendon, 1996).
According to Lois Potter, Crouch's family lived in the Smithfield area where they were associated with popular ballad printing and "scurrilous `low' royalist propaganda" (Potter, p. 15). John Crouch appears engaged in anti-government publications from 1647-1650 both as author and publisher. Despite concerted parliamentary attempts to supress them, the group associated with these newsbooks survived, falling relatively quiet during the trial and execution of Charles I, to re-emerge in April 1649 with a new version of Mercurius Pragmaticus subtitled "For King Charls II." That month The Man in the Moon -- "the most violent of the royalist Mercuries" (Potter, p. 18) -- began appearing, in which Crouch turned from criticizing government policies to attacking people in terms of their personal -- usually sexual -- habits. Using the same alias, Crouch issued several occasional pamphlets containing pointed and scurrilous libels, 3 that doubtless helped inspire the Printing Ordinance of September 1649 which set out to silence the clandestine press. Within days of the Ordinance passing, Crouch writes:
The uncontroulable, almighty, and everlasting Commons, have out of their great Care for the good of the Commonwealth, passed an Act for Regulating Printing, and punishing all such as Write, Print, Publish, or Disperse, Scandalous and Unlicensed Books; Laying great Penalties on the Offenders. A sad story my Lord; but now I think on't, must not Walkers Occurences 4 and the Ly-urnals cease by this Act? Who the Devil has the Authority to license them: I deny the Juncto or any of their spawn to have the least Authority to License so much as a ballad to the tune of King Thomas ye cannot; and therefore I the Man in the Moon (mark what I say) can shew lawful Authority (Cum Privilegio & permissi Superiorum) to Write, Print, Publish, and Disperse in the World, all the Knaveries Committed under the Sun, whether in Juncto, Councell of State, Army, City, or Country; and to this I can (if I please) shew my Imprimatur. 5
Despite this Ordinance, The Man in the Moon itself carried on weekly publication until June 1650. 6 Like other royalist newsbooks, issues of The Man in the Moon typically begin with a prefatory set of quatrains in doggerel, but another of Crouch's innovations was to intersperse prose passages with short sets of verse in pentameter, the form adopted for his Restoration panegyric. Evidently Crouch thought that his views on current affairs and those involved in them deserved the serious consideration owed to neoclassical forms. Although the Dedication of A Mixt Poem suggests this might be his first public appearance as a poet, Crouch's name appears on a few earlier publications in pentameters. Signed "John Crowch," A Congratulation In Honour of the Annual Festival of the Lords, Knights, Esq; and Yeomandry [sic] of the County of Hertford, at Merchant Taylors Hall, on Thursday Sept. 6. 1655, is a commemorative broadsheet that claims its author is originally from Hertfordshire. It illustrates a different, though complementary, side of Crouch's literary ambition from his impulse to libel, one that he would be able to indulge following the Restoration: that of grovelling before civic notables, aristocrats, and members of the royal family. "I hope you cannot think," he writes, "that there can be / In me (dear SIRS!) the seeds of flattery," but it is hard to imagine anyone would have thought otherwise.
Crouch's other pre-Restoration verses in iambic pentamenters are both shrewd attempts to ingratiate himself with Francis Talbot, eleventh Earl of Shrewsbury; an elegy on the nobleman's first wife appeared in 1657, 7 followed the next year by an epithalamium, The Muses Joy, on his subsequent marriage to the notorious Anna Maria, daughter of Robert, Lord Brudenell. 8 The wedding poem, like his panegyric to Charles, is portentiously signed "J. C. Gent," a characteristic bit of self-promotion implying that the author is of a social rank too exalted to sign a printed poem. Here, as in his newsbooks, Crouch stuck to his principle that partisan bias and self interest should always take precedence over the truth, for "the Vertuous Lady Anne Brudnel" named on the titlepage had been engaged in a well known scandalous affair with George Villiers, second Duke of Buckingham, since 1654. {cf: poem transcribed as file: crouch.ep} Crouch dedicated his epithalamium "To the Virtuous and Right honorable Anna-Maria, Countess of Shrewsbury," writing:
... although I never had the honor to be related to those noble Families the Shrewsburies and Brudenals (now in a happy conjunction) yet when I hear the high Expressions of both from a Brother and a Sister, I cannot be unconcern'd in their debt of duty, or passive in their transportations: [sig A2] but as I am warm'd, so I must admire by reflection. This (the greater her presumption) is my Muses second Service to your Ladyship; though yet she never brought an Embassy of ill news, never put your fair eyes to the expense of one pearl. Before she solemniz'd your auspicuous Nuptials: perhaps the dress of that Poem might, the subject could not be troublesom, which was so pleasing to your Ladyship. At this time my Muse celebrates the new espousals of a Royal Widdow to her Crown, I wish I could say to her King. Now though your ladyship be entertain'd in the Porch, the Dedication of this Poem; yet the fabrick, namely the Subject, is part of her Majesties Revenue; unto whom I need no nearer Access than your Ladyship your person being as near the Queen as her shadow to her Body, or rather as her Body to her Head; joyn'd not onely bu propinquity, but by influence also. And now, Madam, I have unbosom'd my whole design, which is, that the world by me, and her Majesty by you may know, how much I am her Majesties loyal Subject, and
Your Ladyships humblest Servant,
JO. CROUCH. (sig A2v)
The wedding took place on 10 January 1659. Their son, Charles Talbot, born in July 1660, was named after the king and was the first of the royal godchildren after the Restoration. But Anna Maria continued her affair with Buckingham, leading to a duel that "cost her husband his life" (DNB) when he died of a wound in 1668. {see Pepys, Evelyn}. His brother, Gilbert Crouch, was serving as agent to the Earl of Shrewsbury in 1666 (CSPD 1666-67, p. 422). With the return of the Stuarts, Crouch sought opportunities to ingratiate himself with the new powers by addressing pentameter verses to various members of the royal family. The Muses Tears For the Loss of the Illustrious Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester 9 and The Muses Joy For the Recovery of that weeping Vine, Henretta Maria, The most Illustrious Queen-Mother, and her Royal Branches 10 both appeared during 1660, soon to be followed by a poem on Charles's coronation. 11 He was quite unashamed about grovelling in public. "And now, Madam," he ends his dedication to the Countess of Shrewsbury prefaced to The Muses Joy, "I have unbosom'd my whole design, which is, that the world by me, and her Majesty by you may know, how much I am her majesties loyal Subject, and Your Ladyships humblest Servant" (sig. A2v). Crouch's poems addressing the royal oak and Charles's marriage to Catharine of Braganza appeared in 1662. 12 These were followed in 1665 by poetic attacks on England's major trading competitors, the Dutch 13 . The next year he published poems lamenting the plague, 14 and the great fire of London. 15 Crouch also published heroic elegies on Andrew Rutherford, Earl of Tiveot (1664), 16 Henry Pierrpont, the Marquis of Dorchester (1680) 17 , and Thomas Butler, the Earl of Ossory (1680). 18
A Mixt Poem, nonetheless, was his first direct address to a member of the royal family using the heroic couplet, a fact that did not prevent him from indulging his aptitude for personal invective while directly alluding to his own loyalist past efforts in The Man in the Moon.
[1] .úúThe only copy is at C=Peterborough Q.2.23. The full title reads: A / POEM / UPON THE / Happy Restauration and Return of his / Sacred MAJESTY / CHARLES II. / AND HIS / Illustrious Brothers, the Dukes of YORK and GLOCESTER. / With Honourable Reflections upon some State-mar-/ tyrs, and the Renowned General. / Not forgetting the RUMP and its Appurtenances.
[2] .úúSee my "What is a Restoration Poem? Editing a Discourse, Not an Author," in Text 3, ed. David Greetham and W. Speed Hill (New York: AMS, 1987): 319-46 which outlines as possible rationale for preferring the White text and reproduces the titlepages.
[3] See, for instance, New Bartholomew Fayrings: Presented to several Members of the Juncto and Councell of State, by The Man in the Moon (London, Printed for the Good of the State, Anno Dom. 1649) which is a series of "fayrings" or gifts suited to Bradshaw, Fairfax, Cromwell, Ireton and their wives: eg "I give unto Thom-Asse Lord Fairfax a Rattle, that it may serve him for a Scepter . . . And to that Chaste and Honest lady his Wife, I give a Dil-doe of the largest size, that in the absence of Mr Gorge, she may for the Recreation of her Spirit, scour her dull Tannikin, and make it plyable for another impression" (p. 4); "I give unto Colonel Pride (for my Dogs sake) who saies he begate him, the Knowledge of his Father, hid to this day" (p. 5); "I give to Jeroboams Calves (I mean the Presbyterian Clergy) a Book called, The Hypocrite Unmasked" (p. 6). NB "Tannikin" in OED is given as pet-name for Anna; not otherwise noticed.
[4] Henry Walker was a pro-parliament journalist whose Perfect Occurences of Parliament appeared regularly from 1644 until October 1649, when it was replaced by Perfect Passages of every daies Intelligence. He was singled out for attack as early as 1647 by the anonymous author of A Fresh Whip for all scandalous Lyers (Wing F2199; cited Raymond, p. 14).
[5] Man in the Moon No. 23 (19-26 September 1649), p. 188.
[6] The last issue seems to have been No. 57 for 29 May to 5 June. In No. 31 for 21-28 November 1649, however, Crouch complains of having been betrayed by "Doe a knavish Bookebinder, who basely for gaine, betrayed me to Mr. Hunscot, a Beadle to the Companie of Stationers" and of having his goods seized from "neere Stepney" (p. 245).
[7] An elegie, Upon the Death of . . . Anne, Countesse of Shrewsbury (1657; STC C7295) exists only in a MH unicum. Anne Conyers was daughter of Sir John Conyers of Sockburne; Arthur Collins, The Peerage of England 3rd ed, 2 vols (London, 1714), 1: 95.
[8] An Epithalamium Upon the Auspicious Nuptials Of the Right Honorable the Earl fo Shrewsbury, And the Vertuous Lady Anne Brudnel (1658; STC C55) survives only at O=Pamph. C.109(4).
[9] "Printed for the Author; 1660." STC C7303. )=Tanner 744(25).
[10] "Printed for Tho. Batterton, Anno, 1660." STC C 7301A. Thomason dated his copy of The Muses Joy on 23 November l660 (Printed for Thomas "Batterton"; LT E. 1050(3)); it was reprinted in 1661; STC 7302.
[11] To His Sacred Majestie: Loyall Reflections, Upon his Glorious Restauration, Procession and Coronation; Not forgetting the Royall Oake ([np, nd], C unicum at shelfmark SEL.3.162.9; STC C7305).
[12] Ai draiades: A poem or fancy upon. . . the royal oke (for S. Gape, 1662; STC C7292A), Flowers strowed by the Muses . . . Catharine Queen of England (1662; STC C7288), Portuguella in portu (1662; STC C7303A).
[13] See Belgia caracterstica, or the Dutch Character (1665; STC C7291), and The Dutch imbergo which was issued twice (1665; STC C7293 and STC C7294).
[14] Potirion glixupkron. London's Bitter-Sweet-Cup of Tears For Her Late Visitation: and Joy, For The Kings Return. With a Complement (in the close) to France (for Thomas Palmer, at the Crown in Westminster-Hall. 1666). O=Pamph, D 123(7),
[15] Londinenses Lachrym'; Londons Second Tears mingled with her Ashes (for T. Palmer at the Crown in Westminster-Hall, 1666) 0=Gough London 45; Gough London 163(4).
[16] An Elegie Upon the much lamented Death of that Noble, and Valiant Commander; the Right honourable the Earl of Tiveot, Governour of Tangiers. Slain by the Moors (for Tho. Palmer, 1664; STC C7297). O=Wood 429(21)
[17] An Elegy Upon the Marquess of Dorchester, and Earl of Kingston ([1680]; STC C7296) is signed "Jo. Crouch, once his Domestick Servant." O=Wood 429.
[18]An elegie. . . Earl of Ossory (1680; STC C7297A).
[text]
[ornamental header] 19
To his most Beloved Brother Captain
Gilbert Crouch.
Good Brother, 20 IT hath ever been the Ambition of Writers to climb as high as they can to an Honourable Patronage, even to Heaven it self, if the Nobility of the subject might authorize the Presumption; Now Poets rankt (especially by the more earthly 21 part of the World) amongst the most airy of Pen-men, are priviledg'd by common Opinion to soar up with the Highest: But my present Obligations 22 instruct me to the contrary. As Loyalty was the Muse inspir'd this Poem, so Love shall appoint the Dedication. Though my weak Muse hath sometimes borrowed the expeditious Aids of the Presse, yet not till now appeared in publick: As she never knew the triumphs of Fame, so she never felt the blushes of Dishonour, was never injurious to any person but her self. But in this subject, Secrecy had been a kind of Combination, Privacy a privative Treason; so ill do clandestine joyes become an universal Jubilee, That I come behind in the rear of our Poetique 23 Forces, must be imputed to some unkind contingencies; 24 my thoughts being conceived with the first, 25 but by some misprisions met with hard labour from the midwifry 26 of the Press. Neverthelesse, it will be honour enough for me, if I may have leave 27 to wait upon (as their obsequious shadows) the heroick poems 28 of those 3. 29 Seraphims, Waller, Cowley, & Lluellin, whose sudden march Alarum'd both Universities. 30 Mine, if they come not too early, will come soon enough to blush. But in earnest I must thank the Presse for a second benefit, besides the manifestation of my Allegiance, that it furnisheth me with a kind occasion of acknowledging unto the ungrateful world even in Print, the many kindnesses I have received from so good a Brother. In fine, You, whose Heart and Sword, so long maintain'd the Royal Cause, are obliged to protect the Heraulds of it. Accept therefore Good Brother, (which compellation I prefer before all Titles) accept of this Poem (whose onely merit is its Subject) as a mark of Loyalty to my Prince, and as a Token of my Love to your self, from
Your most Affectionate Brother
John Crouch.
31
[19] in O
[20] .úúGood Brother] L; Good Brother, Good Brother O
[21] earthly] L; earthy O
[22] Obligations] L; obligations O
[23] Poetique] L; Poetick O
[24] must be imputed to some unkind contingencies] L; will I hope be imputed partly to my modesty O
[25] my thoughts being conceived with the first,] L; my Muse which never had been before in the open Sun-Shine, was too weak sighted to break the way: partly to unkind contingencies, her thoughts being conceived with the first; O
[26] midwifry] L; midwife O
[27] have leave] L; Live O
[28] heroick poems] L; Heroick piens O
[29] 3.] L; three O
[30] Poems by these three were, indeed, among the first to appear; Thomason dated his copies, respectively, 9 June, 31 May, and 24 May. He dated the Oxford volume 7 July and the Cambridge volume 10 July.
[31] .úúThe letter to Gilbert Crouch is omitted from Census Poeticus.
[ornamental header in O]
Upon the happy Return of his Sacred Ma-
jesty CHARLES the Second, &c.
HAil, Second Charls, who (Our bless'd Phoenix) came
From the spic'd Ashes of a Martyr's name,
Welcome (Great Soul!) sent to revive the Dead;
Heavens Plant! nurs'd up to graft a Monarch's Head.
5: Stop here, and bleed my Muse -- O Cursed Ax!
Made victim'd Majesty, pay three Kingdomes Tax.
Mount, mount, my Soul, Mount to another sphere,
Leave my dead Trunk a Mourning Statue here.
Death's service is too slight, 'twill 32 not suffice;
Our Altars ask a living Sacrifice:
If piles of slaughter'd souls could have appeas'd
Incensed Heaven, we long since had been eas'd.
Charls, and three Kingdomes Life at once return,
And chill the Ashes of that Royal Urn;
15: The Sun at the Meridian height appears,
Drinks up the Tribute of his Fathers Tears.
Bow, Bow, my Muse, after so long a dearth
Of Loyalty, adore, and kisse the Earth,
Long cold, but since the Loyal Spring begun
Warm'd with Reflections from the Brittish Sun.
Then rise and snatch, O snatch those orient Rayes!
Twine them 33 about thy Brows instead of Bayes:
Those Beams which Majesty for lustre weares; 34
I must turn Indian Priest, and Worship here. 35
25: I'm rapt above the Moon, but must not stick
So Low, and Sun-burnt, and not Lunatick.
Sweat, sweat, Star-Gazers till your Hearts grow pale,
You that for Lucre set the Heavens to sale.
Hang thy self Lilly in thy Northern Chain,
Thy darling Swede must dye, and Charls must Reign: 36
Thou, whose pr'dictions animated strife,
Go now (sad wretch) speak truths to save thy life.
The Bells 37 'i th' Strand was crackt, it now appears,
When they 38 rung No King for a hundred years. 39 40
35: Fly Needham, thou ingenious Devil, fly,
Gall'd with the late Kings hellish Hue and Cry; 41
Before the Rope, 42 for thy last comfort, look
On Interest will not lie, 43 that Dooms-day book;
Where thou, with a malicious Ravens pen,
Describing our Black Prince (the best of men)
Mads't a false parallel 'twixt the 44 Soul and Face,
Better skill'd in complexions, than 45 in grace. 46
Whose two Diurnals weekly did disperse 47
Venome and Rancour through the Universe;
45: Which stufft with Mischiefs, Flatterries, and Lies, chk
Poyson'd all, but the Antidoted wise.
Who, when thy treasons wanted their pretence,
Kindly bestowdst them upon Providence:
Serv'dst every Interest, though with partiall odds,
Didst worship two Protectors, thy two Gods. 48
Go black-mouth'd Cereberus, 49 bark aloud and cry, 50
'Tis Conscience will not, (Interest may lie)
Tremble proud France, which barbarously sent
Our King the second time to banishment;
55: Be wise in time, and pawn thy Flower de luce,
To purchase, not a full peace, but a truce;
For our Queen's sake, perhaps we may be led
To give your Crown back for your Card'nals head: chk L
That Machivilian Cap, who to advance
His private int'rest more then that of France,
Hir'd our Grand Rebell, who for his full pay,
He sent for Gold to Hispaniola.
The grateful States-man could no lesse dispense
Than the whole Indies, for a Recompence;
65: Cromwell's ambition would accept no lesse,
Than an Exchequer might be bottomlesse.
I cannot blame that Tyrant of Renown,
Who wanted Love, and Gold, to make his Crown.
Bring the Turks Crescent to its lowest Wain,
Onely be good and kind to civil Spain;
Prompted by Heaven t'espouse the Stuarts Right,
Spain save thy Portugall and Indies by't.
France shall no more raise with a jealous shrugg
The Spanish Faction for the English Bugg;
75: Nor shall our apish folly more advance
The Vanities, and Antick Modes of France;
We'l leave thee to thy fears, and cold despair,
Not to be heightned by thy purest Air.
Though we are Protestants, we shall not stick
To own the Spaniard, The King Catholick:
But call thy Red-cap Devil, or worse man,
And scarce believe his King a Christian.
Quake at your late Auxiliaries advance;
Remember England has a King of France.
85: But where is Crumwell, once so gay and brave,
Thief of three Kingdoms, now not worth a Grave?
Where's that prodigious Camell, 51 whose strong back
Carried three Nations Treasure for it's Pack:
That Crocodile, 52 that Murtherer of Souls,
The Whale that shov'd men out o'th' World by shoals.
Whose rage spar'd no degree, no sex, whose 53 pride,
Would nothing that oppos'd it, abide.
Ask poor Tredah 54 the number of her slain,
Whose streets had only silence to complain:
95: Where piles, on piles of dead, wide breaches fill'd,
Which cool blood butcher'd, and wild fury kill'd.
One person (he a 55 Priest) 56 the storm did passe,
To tell how kind the Sacrificer was.
Read Worsters story, and you'l read the sence
Of Crumwels malice, and Heavens providence,
To what a low Ebb had he brought our state,
When one 57 weak Woman stood 'twixt Charls & fate.
O may she never lose her Glorious name,
Unlesse it be t'advance her House and Fame.
105: But they seem few, which horrid war distroy'd,
The Sword of Justice too, must be his Bawd;
A Court's dress'd up in Scarlet, that the place
May shew the colour of his Heart and Face. 58
Three Kingdomes Head, upon the Block must lye,
To give proud Bradshaw's Robes a second dye.
May courteous time his name and memory rot,
May the unmatcht example be forgot:
If the day must be own'd; O let it come,
To consecrate the good Kings Martyrdome.
115: Vultures kill Doves, the blood of Innocence spilt,
A Kings pure blood, by th'impure hands of guilt:
As if that black Crime by design had meant
To give th'out-vy'd world a new President. 59
Hambleton, Holland, Capel (three Peers fall)
To make one Breakfast for this Caniball.
Capel, who dying shew'd to crown his merit,
A Roman Courge, and a Christian Spirit. chk
But when gret Derby fell, Crumwell began
T'uncrown the King first in the Isle of Man.
125: Derby, that Regal Lord, whose Loyal Head
Deserv'd a Coronet of Gold, not Lead.
Shrewsbury must cape, by a Divine reprieve, chk
So mortall 'twas to love the King and live.
All are not mark'd for Sacrifices, some
Heaven rates above a Civil Martyrdome.
But the Fiends Altar is not fatted yet,
Till two 60 Priests sacred blood besprinkle it,
Penruddock, 61 Slingsby, many more must go,
To enlarge the book of Martyr's Folio.
135: For all this Cromwel breathes securely, hath
His beds of Roses, and his milky path,
Treads air, and Pinacles; thus Cedar-tall,
He knows no Earth, on which to stand, or fall. 62
Now Parliaments are summon'd, but in vain,
Wise Cato's all, come in, go out again.
O strange Vicissitude 63 of Earthly things!
Crowns, Scepters, Thrones, more mortall than their Kings,
Oft dye before 'um, as if to be High,
Were to be chang'd, we rise, we fall, we dye.
145: Yet Height is no impulsive cause of ill,
We might sit high, and safe, could we sit still:
But we must move Excentrick, cannot see
We tread the Globe of mutability.
Honour is that great Boon the Gods bestow,
Their Image stampt on mortals here below:
And makes them shine like Gods on Earth, till they
Poorly their Honours to their ends betray.
Now Vice Vertues white Herauldry must stain,
Honour contemn'd, is mixt with earth 64 again
155: Thus is our Ruine measur'd by our Rise,
And Greatnesse brings the greater Precipice.
Now are the old Peers into corners thrust,
Their titles mingled with the Nations dust;
What were those Starres, when this black night begun,
Borrowing their beams from that late Man i'th' Moon?
Now noble Stars, but Sunlesse had not light
To view themselves, much less t'adorn their Night:
The Heraulds office all imploy'd, to bring
Crumwels Descent down from some Brittish King.
165: But fate prevents his pride, the Prince oth' Aire
With one good Whirlwind cures our long despair;
He that had rais'd such Earth-quakes in his Life,
Could not depart without the Elements strife,
Trees twisted up by'th roots, and tossed high,
Sent by the winds to brush th'infected Sky. 65
Thus, thus, the proud Leviathan was hurld
With Curses, and black tempests out oth' world.
And now his grateful Vassalls when he's dead,
Put a rich Crown upon his uselesse head,
175: And so ingeniously their Mock-Prince deride,
Emblematizing why the poor man dy'd:
Who with one one impious gripe three Kingdomes got, chk
Alas, all King, except his Name and Hat.
Great Cromwell's gone, now Rome may live in hope,
Let's sing Te Deum for the rescued Pope.
But Richard, spurr'd on by ambitious friends,
In peace the Protectorian Throne ascends,
With spread arms graspt the Chair, but could not reach,
He was too small (god wot) to fill the breach. chk
185: They that so near the blessings of a Crown
Had brought the Old Sire, pulls the Filly down
Poor Squire, I pitty thy unkind advance,
Left heir to Mercy, thy Inheritance,
This Mercy too had far more easie been,
Had'st not possest thy Fathers Seat and Sin,
The seat of Scorners (our Protector call'd)
And from that Seat by thy own Vassals hal'd.
But who knows what this civil Gentleman meant?
Some say he sufferd for this good Intent;
195: Though he the Scepter sway'd, & some months stood,
He kept his hands white, dipt them not in blood:
Pull'd down the Scarlet Court; good Heavens for this
May he gain pardon, and the Kings hand kiss.
Now the restor'd Rump, Jehu-like drives on,
Scornes all Protectors, either God, or man;
Neither confirm their Creatures, nor quite fail,
Hold the Fanaticks in an even scale.
Project on Project, Tax on Tax they raise,
Never had England such improving dayes:
205: For now our pious Governours, well advis'd,
Turn'd Jews, and our Obedience circumcis'd.
Baptists and Quakers our sole Princes sway,
Scarce one Religious man left to obey.
The Orthodox to Conventicles take,
While bold Fanaticks the 66 Church Visible make;
Who neither Anthems sing, nor Chapters read,
All inspir'd as the worm crawles in their Head.
Now, now the Steeples in sad tremblings were,
Some with old Age and Ruine, most with fear.
215: Doutbtlesse good luck preserv'd the merry Bells,
To ring in good time the Fanaticks Knells.
But see how naturall tis for one to raign,
Lambert for Lambert; Booth for King again:
No sooner blaz'd a Comet from the East,
When with faint beams, The Sun declin'd i'th' West;
Without dispute the Almighty One then meant
To do his work by a single Instrument. 67
Lambert, proud of a Vict'ry without Fight,
Rears his hopes to a Protectorian height:
225: The Army gather into mutinous Heards,
March up, and pluck their Masters by the Beards.
The Rump turns backwards on a fatall broach,68
Rise and do reverence to the Swords approach;
But Lambert, spight of Countrey, Rump and City,
Winds up three Nations into One Committee,
Ycleped Safety; but event ere long,
Declar'd the Bastard Child was Christn'd wrong.
The Common-wealth is to be Minted new,
But what the stamp should be no Conjurer knew
235: O Architects than Babell's more unskill'd!
Strange Platonists, without Idea's build
Mean time new Workmen from the Scottish Land,
Prepares themselves, with sharp tools in their hand: chk
Out of 69 the frozen pole starts a good Swain,
Rigs up, and wheels Charles long dismounted Wain;
The Lambertonians shrink, refuse to Move,
Encourag'd by apostate friends Above;
Who for a little Coyn, and lesse applause,
Leave their Lieutenant, and the Good old Cause.
245: Now the Rump rules the Roast again i'th' East,
Serv'd up to Usher in a second Feast;
Up marches George undaunted, though he find
Armies before him, Armies left behind;
Through all the awakened Counties as he went,
The loud Aire Ecchoes, A Free Parliament.
The people from all parts like Snow-balls rowl,
Love and praise Monck as if they knew his Soul.
No person of a King one word durst start,
He still sleeps safe in every Loyal Heart.
255: Monk climbes to London, where he found (fame saith)
His Masters half perswaded of his Faith.
They vote their Gold to th'Touch-stone, and (O Fates!)
Send him commands to unhinge the City Gates.
But the Sagacious Generall smells their Ends,
(To make him odious) hastens to his Friends.
Triumphant London her proud Joyes expresses
In Acclamations, Shouts, and frank Caresses:
The Rump now fly-blown, quit their seats, but thence
Shall not be forc'd by Sword or Violence:
265: But as the Hammer makes Naile strike out Naile,
So the Secluded Head thrusts out the Taile.
Now, not till now the wise Mysterious Monk
Whispers with Charls from his oraculous Trunk;
The Generall had (with Reverence I infer)
Onely the King his Privy Counceller.
O Secrecy, the Midwife of Designes!
Betray'st not, but bring'st forth thy Golden Mines,
Wrought, and sublim'd by Industry and Art:
Charls owes much to Monks Head, more to his Heart.
275: Had either Fear or Joy this silence broke,
Perhaps the Thing it self had never spoke chk
England had long ador'd a George in paint,
That was the Picture, but this George the Saint:
God acts with the same Methods he begun,
We had the shadow first, and then the Sun.
Secluded Members Act, Vote their consent
For the just freedom of a Parliament.
They rise, when forthwith from their burdned Hives,
Ripe Bees swarm out, all prodigall of their Lives:
285: The bells to their new Hive these clusters Ring,
Where with one humming Vote they call their King.
Great Charls's call'd home, not manacl'd, nor chain'd,
But to the height of his just power maintain'd:
Monk was not so much Presbyter to bring
A Royall Captive home, instead of King,
That he himself might his return deplore,
As made more Exile than 70 he was before.
Charls is proclaim'd with all Imperial Dues,
Whilst every hollowing Street sends Heaven the news.
295: Such Flames into the aire proud Bonfires sent,
Threatned to change the Cognate Element.
Event, by truth, false Prophets does 72 beguile,
London was (and yet stands) one burning pile:
No sooty Pyramids of smoak aspire,
Th' whole City is one 73 Elementall fire:
Shouts damp all sounds, the Air opprest with throngs,
The next great Pest must be Decay of Lungs.
The active 74 fire-works sing'd 75 the Moons bright horns, chk
The Man had much ado to save his Thorns; 76
305: Light speaks the Sun, Expression Souls; O then!
What Joy 77 , what Bonfires in the Hearts 78 of Men.
Clip, clip your Wings, my Joyes, 79 soar not too high, chk
Least you unfit me for humility;
May the just Adoration of a Crown
Humble my joyes, and weigh, my Raptures down.
Great Charles, brought upon Angels wings appears,
The long despair, of pray'rs, of sighs, of tears,
Welcome three Kingdomes Love, methinks all three
Now in my hearts triangle panting be.
315: Welcome three Brothers, and three Kingdomes Joyes,
One Mighty Monarch, and two Great Vice-Royes,
Welcome blest Prince, sent in a needfull 80 hower, chk
Whom Heav'n restor'd to shew its slighted power;
O may your Reign bring back the Age of Gold
May Love's soft hand your Sword and Scepter hold:
Some say the Heavens, some say the Earth do move,
But sure both Globes turn on the poles of Love.
O that the whole worlds pride sat on my knee,
It all should bend to your Dread Majesty:
325: Since lowest things durst brave your Empire, now,
All heights and Pyramids under Heav'n shall bow.
All hearts are pleas'd, except such hearts as prove
Gall-drencht, not born to be belov'd or love;
The City now long squeez'd and wire-drawn, made
The Citadel, and Mart of Europe-trade: chk
The Ship-wrackt Merchants in full Change resort,
Conceive both Indies brought home with the Court.
For ever, London, shut thy Heart and Hands
Against all factious and rebellious Bands:
335: 'Twas time to King it, when thy purse and fame
Lore'd 81 to th'Imperious Bank of Amsterdam,
The Countrey has reapt a liberall crop of all
Their hopes, fancy their Garners in Whitehall.
The Loyall Rusticks scarce a Psalm will sing,
Unlesse each Stanza chaunt the name of King.
The chastest Virgins unespous'd, unwo'd,
Feel Thoes of joy, and think themselves bestow'd:
Law and Religion (sick twins) gasping lay,
Now that protects this, while for both she pray.
345: The Muses (O Heavens) in their sackcloth slain!
Are by three Graces brought to life again.
Burdens are balms; tax now, Sir, for your good,
Not our Estates, but Lives; not Coyns 82 but Blood:
Blest Halcyon dayes! if any thing annoyes
Your Kingdomes now, 'tis that you kill with Joyes,
Your Return had made three Realms one 83 Sacrifice,
Had not their guilt allay'd their Extasies.
Monarch of Hearts, the summe of Heavens Expence,
Heir by Succession, King by Providence;
355: Heaven Crown your Wisdom, which has quencht our Warrs,
Not by subduing Rebels but the Starrs.
FINIS.
[32] 'twill] L; will O
[33] them] L; then O
[34]weares] ed; weare L, O
[35] A crude literalism, since Charles arrived from the east.
[36] In Monarchy or No Monarchy in England (1651) and in subsquent writings, William Lilly had continually favoured king Charles Gustavus of Sweden as the lion of the north, the "Charles son of Charles," who Grebner's prphecy has promised would arise and conquer catholic Spain (see Howell file). In 1659, the Swedish king sent Lilly a golden chain after the astrologer had published complimentary nativities in his almanacs for 1657 and 1658; DNB.
[37] Bells] L; Bell O
[38] they] L; it O
[39]Mr. Lilly at the five Bells in the Strand, before several persons, proved by his Astrologie that there should be no King in England for an hundred years.
[40] the five Bells] L; the Bell O
[41] In 1645, nine months before Charles I escaped from Oxford, Marchamont Nedham included a spoof Hue and Cry after the king in Mercurius Britanicus No. 92 (28 July-4 August) for which he and Thomas Audley, the original editor of Britanicus, were punished by parliament. "This satire was remembered for decades. Whenever anyone attacked Nedham for a specific incident, it was usually this to which they referred. It was easily Britanicus' most notorious act, and was recalled with more bitterness than the subsequent offence for which Nedham was debarred from writing," Joad Raymond, "The Daily Muse," p. 214.n33. See also John Cleveland's "Britanicus his leap three-story high, and his Escape from London" in Poems (1687), p. 247.
[42] Before the Rope] L; Ransack thy brest O.
"Those that contend to write against their King, / Should in their Lines learn first the Art to swing," wrote Crouch in October 1649, The Man in the Moon #26, pp. 217-18; cited Raymond, The Invention of the Newspaper (1996), p. 74. Among numerous calls for Nedham to be hanged, see Roger L'Estrange, A Rope for Pol; or, A Hue and Cry after Marchemont Nedham. The late Scurrulous News-writer. Being a Collection of his Blasphemies and Revilings against the King's Majesty, his Person, his Cause, and his Friends; published in his weekly Politicus (7 Sept. 1660; LT E.1043[10]); and note to lines 49-51 below.
[43] .úúInterest will not lie -- this celebrated controversy began with John Fell's -- later Bishop of Oxford -- The Interest of England stated; or, A Faithful and just Account of the Aims of the parties now pretending [LT E.763.(4)] which appeared in July 1659 and advocated a return to monarchy. Nedham replied in his Interest will not Lie; Or, A View of England's True interest. In refutation of a pamphlet entitutled The Interest of England Stated which appeared on August 17 [LT E.763(5)] and proved that a restoration of monarchy was contrary to the interests of eveyone except the Catholics. It was followed by John Rogers's Diapoliteia. A Christian Concertation with Mr. Prin, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Harrington for the True Cause of the Commonwealth. Or, an Answer to Mr. Prin's Perditory Anatomy of the Republic, to Mr. Baxter's Purgatory Pills for the Army, etc. on 20 September [LT E.995.(25)] and William Prynne's A Brief, Necessary Vindication of the Old and New Secluded Members from the false calumnies of John Rogers in his Un-Christian Concertation with Mr. Prynne, and of M. Nedham in his Interest will not Lie which appeared in November [LT E.772.(2)].
[44] the] L; his O
[45] than] L; then O
[46] lines 39-42: Rather than Interest will not Lie, these line probably refer to Nedham's Hue and Cry, where he had insolently referred to Charles I's stammer, claiming the king had "a guilty Conscience, bloody Hands, a heart full of broken Vowes and protestations: If these marks be not sufficient, there is another in the mouth; for bid him speak and you will soon know him" Merc Brit No. 92 (28 July-4 Aug 1645), cited Raymond Making the News p. 348.
[47] "two Diurnals" presumably refers to the Publick Intelligencer and Mercurius Politicus which appeared on Monday and Thursday respectively between 1655 and 1659. Or it may refer to Mercurius Britanicus, which Nedham wrote from 1643 until 1645, and Mercurius Politicus (1650-1659), thereby ignoring his work on the Royalist newsletter Mercurius Pragmaticus (1647-1649), though line 49 implicitly concedes Nedham's Royalist journalism.
[48] While conceding that Nedham wrote on behalf of the Royalist cause in his Mercurius Pragmaticus from 1647-1649, Crouch nevertheless suggests that he was more sincere in his support of the protectorate. Compare Woods' account of Nedham in Athenae Oxoniensis, plagiarized from L'Estrange.
[49] Cereberus] L; Cerebus O
[50] Compare: "Thus with the times he turn'd, next turn I hope / Will up the Ladder be, and down the Rope," The Downfall of Mercurius Britannicus. Pragmaticus. Politicus. That three Headed Cerberus ("Printed in the year that the Saints are disappointed, 1660" (LT 669.f.24(56), O Wood 622(21); STC D2087)); Wood dated his copy April.
[51] See Vox Populi, Suprema Rex Caroli, line 19.
[52] Crocodile] L; Canniball O
[53] .úúwhose] L; where O
[54] .úú"Tredah," i.e. Tredagh or Drogheda, the scene of one of Cromwell's most brutal massacres of 3-11 September 1649. Clarendon comments: "though the govenor and some of the chief officers retired in disorder into a fort where they hoped to have made conditions, a panic fear so possessed the soldiers that they threw down their arms upon a general offer of quarter: so that the enemy entered the work without resistence, and put every man governor, officer, and solider, to the sword; and the whole army being entered the town, they executed all manner of cruelty, and put every man that related to the garrison, and all the citizens who were Irish, man, woman, and child, to the sword" Rebellion, xii.116.
Crouch himself covered the seige in the pages of The Man in the Moon as it was taking place, though his reports were usually several weeks behind events. Shortly before the massacre, Crouch had confidently written: "Droheda is questionless in a good and firm Condition, and Prince Rupert there with 6000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, to entertain Cromwel if he should dare to be so foolhardy, as to attempt any Landing there, which is a thing impossible" (No. 18 [15 Aug to 23 Aug, 1649], p. 153). By the second half of September, Crouch was still holding out hope -- "Tredah still untaken; and like to be for ought I can understand..." and "Cromwel for certain hath made three several Attempts to storm Tredagh, and is beaten off with shame and loss. Marquess Ormond lying between Dublin and he, that he cannot stir" (No. 23 [19-26 Sept, 1649]), pp. 193, 194. By the second week of October, while admitting that Cromwell's forces had taken the town, he insists the victory was pyrrhic: "they tell us of the loss of about a hundred at the taking the Town, but not what they lost in their two fruitless Assaults before . . . their loss at the utmost were not above some three thousand, besides what are dead since of their wounds, that in all conscience they need not bragge, for they paid deer enough for that town" (No. 25 [10-17 Oct, 1649]), p. 207. A week later, Crouch had more news: "After these bloudy Monsters had Sacrificed in Tredagh, Men Womem and Children to their cursed Rage, yet could not take the White Tower, nor the Windmill-Mount, whereupon (my letter saith) That their Commanders (a thing odious so much as to e mentioned) got four of the Commanders Wives, and their sucking Infants, and placed them before them where they thought their Cannon should play mot, and finding they would not refrain shooting, Ravished them in the sight of their Husbands, and dlew their tender Infants; a Fact odious to God and man . . . Their barbarous Cruelty in that abhorid Act not to be parralell'd by any of the former Massacrees of the Irish, sparing neither Women nor Children but putting them all to the Sword: 3000 indeed they killed; but 2000 were Women and Children, and divers aged Persons that were not able to support themselves, muchless unable to Resist them." (No. 26 [17-24 October 1649]) p. 213.
Did Gilbert Crouch fight there in the garrison of the Duke of Ormond?
[55] Dr. Bernard.
[56] .úúPresumably Nicholas Bernard who wrote the Life of Dr. James Ussher (1656) and engaged in controversy with Peter Heylin from 1656-69.
[57] Mris. Jane Lane.
[58] Compare line 41. Jokes about the size and red colour of Cromwell's nose were a staple of royalist satires.
[59] Lines 119-130 om O; instead:
Now Parliaments are summon'd, but in vain
Wise Cato's all, come in go out again.
Three Lords in one day, gently layd aside,
Offer'd as Victim's to Nol's bloody pride:
[60] D. Hewet, Love] L; om O
[61] Penruddock,] L; Love, Hewet, O
[62] lines 130-140 om O; see line 130 note above.
[63] O strange Vicissitude] L; But O Vicissitude O
[64] earth] L; Earth O
[65] The storms presaging Cromwell's death were a staple theme; see Marvell et al.
[66] .úúthe] L; thee O
[67] lines 219-222: Echoes of Marvell's First Anniversary here and elsewhere?
[68] .úúbroach] L; breach O corrected in errata.
[69] of] L; from O
[70] than] L; then O
[71] .úúdoes] L; do O corrected in errata.
[72] Th' whole City is one] L; The whole City on O
[73] throngs] L; thrungs O
[74] .úúactive] L; darling O corrected in errata to darting.
[75] .úúsing'd] ed; sinsg'd O !!!check
[76] Check the opening editorial to the first issue of The Man in the Moon, where Crouch makes much of the man wearing thorns: cf MND.
[77] .úúJoy] L, O; Joys CN corrected in ms.
[78] .úúHearts] L; Heart O; corrected in errata.
[79] .úúJoyes] L; Joy O; corrected in ms.Joyes CN copy???
[80] needfull] L; happy O
[81] Lore'd] L; Lord O
[82] Coyns] L Coyn O
[83] one] L; a O
"Philobasileus" Three Royal Poems.
4 Aug
Titlepage: THREE / Royal POEMS / UPON THE / Return of Charles the II. / KING / OF / ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, / France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith. / [rule] / The Most Illustrious / Prince James Duke of York. / [rule] / The Illustrious / Henry Duke of Glocester. / [rue] / [design: garter arms] / [rule] / LONDON: / Printed by Edward Cole, Printer and Book-seller, at the Sign of the / Printing-press in Cornhil, neer the Royal Exchange. 1660. / [ruled box]
Thomason dated his copy 4 August, 1660.
[ornamental border]
UPON THE
HAPPY RETURN
OF HIS
SACRED MAJESTY
Charles the Second
KING
OF
England, Scotland, France, &
IRELAND.
BUt can it be! then blessed be that day,
Which makes a Canan of this Golgotha.
But still I doubt a twelve years night can't be
A Prologue to this wisht for Jubilee.
5: Can Brittain be made happy which hath bin
Twelve yeers a Den for Monsters to lurk in?
Whose Cursed crimes amazing terrour brings,
Who write their Perjuries in the blood of Kings?
That Fatal Forty eighth ordain'd to see
10: More then an Age before of Tragedy
Shall speak them Blood-hounds, by whose hand then fel
Religions Patriot, the Law's Cittadel.
A King, a Saint, a Charles, which England, When
But heares of, 1 bleeds, because she dy'd not then.
15: That wonder of Mortalls, he was martyr'd in
That Palace where his morning Star had been
Beheld in Honours Zenith. Those that were
Ev'n Treasons Midwives could not hide their Fear:
But trembled when those Slaves pronounc'd that Vote
20: (Which I can't name without an Antidote)
Yee Brood of Cain y'ave brought into dispence
A Supream Power and a Providence 2
That yee escap'd a Thunderbolt, whose Crimes
Were never equall'd in Precedent Times.
25: That Romain Cromwell, in thy fall did see
His wish fullfil'd, three Kingdomes ruin'd in thee. 3
With what contempt did Loyall Soules then burn
To see each Asse this Royal Lyon spurn!
But when thou lost, (in teares themselves they drown,)
30: Thy sacred Head once center to a Crown.
And can I live now Charles is murthred! speake
Poore Heart, prevent more griefe and quickly breake.
Embrin'd in tears Ile sit me downe and view
How Loyall Hearts are tortur'd by this Crew
35: Of Monsters. That curs'd Brood that flings
Barb'd Darts at th'Head, may wel Massacre limbs.
Those that far'd best were martyr'd, others sent
With life to more tormenting Banishment.
Bleeding three Kingdomes lay; and t'were a Sin
40: To think old Boreas could have blowne us in
So great a blessing, had not Monck came thence
To shew base Rebels, vertue had a fence.
Hee's the great Charles second Star; the one
Proclaimd his Birth; and this his welcome home.
45: Our Loyal Heroe forthwith doth assure
Three bleeding Kingdomes of its Soveraign Cure.
In bringing which y'ave done an Act whose Fame
Adds active Feathers to your Soaring Name.
Which future Ages (if that Honours fire
50: Lose not its Light) shall worthily admire.
And is Charles come! maugre Fanatick rage
This Irons turn'd into a golden Age.
Now cant your Io's. Now Providence hath set
Blest Charles in th'front of Honours Alphabet.
55: Each 4 breath infects the Air, which doth not say
This rising Sun hath made a perfect Day.
Each 5 now can see his sacred Star again,
In fortunes House Lord of th'Ascendant Raign.
What Brittain now in each Loyal soul can tell
60: Since Charles is come, whose absence made it Hell,
And that we view after that cursed Doome
This Phenix springing from his Fathers tombe.
With winged Cries wee'l thank diviner Powers.
Theirs is the Triumph, and the wonder ours.
65: 'gyptian Dogs may barke, though Charles come in,
But they'd leave Heaven no God, nor Earth 6 no King,
But such blest Lots whose purer soules did hate
Our Sodoms Crimes, which in despite of fate
Acknowledgd C'sar still their King, confesse,
70: Tis Heaven th'Authour of this Happiness.
Great Sir your peereless Vertues this truth brings
Yo'are sent a blessing from the King of Kings.
Your mercies such that none it doth affright,
Nor scorch with Anger, but with Judgment light.
75: Envy it self unwillingly doth say,
Yo'are fit to rule, were wee fit to obey.
Long may you happy live, and then your Lands
Can't but bee blessed, whilst their comfort stands
On such a Basis, whose Vertue speakes him one,
80: That adds a Lustre to the brightest Throne.
[1] of,] off copytext
[2] Providence] ProVidence copytext
[3] thee.] thee copytext
[4] Each] Eeach copytext
[5] Each] Eeach copytext
[6] Earth] Eearth copytext
To the Most Illustrious
Prince James Duke of York.
WElcome great Brittaines pride & staine: thy Name
Speaks it most happy, yea augment its shame.
Twas blest when't 7 gave thee birth: but sham'd when't sent
This Ages wonder to a Banishment.
5: In twice four years thou hast effected that
Which Philips Son might justly wonder at.
When C'sar shooke Rome with his armed Hosts,
And dy'd in blood the Carthaginian Coasts.
When noble Pompey scorn'd an equal: And
10: C'sar as much to stoope to his command:
Had fame then said James lines, you'd blest that state,
And with a word shut Ianus Iron Gate.
Pompey and C'sar those Cadmean Men
To you had brought the Romish Diadem.
15: I smile to hear how neighb'ring Kingdomes stand,
Dreading to fall a conquest to noe hand
Unless you strike, whose conquering Arme they know
Perfidious friends ranke with its basest foe.
Could Crownes or Kingdomes the great Iames entice,
20: Spain then had kept him at whatever Price.
But you're a Brittain, witnesse your renown,
And he that conquers, scornes to begg a Crowne,
The noble Pompey did thus early climbe
And him a Victor thrice in Syllas time
25: The Romans view. Great Iames has gaind his praise,
Yet scornes his Triumphs, and's Pyratick bayes.
Our Brittish Heroe posting through each part
Of Europe conquerd every step an heart.
And though all this nought can but prologues bee,
30: To what perfidious France doth dread to see.
Whose timrous Hearts their feares could never smoother
But that they know hee's the great Charles Brother.
And soe made up of Mercy, which great Gem
Shines brightest in his sacred Diadem.
35: Your mercy Sir's apparent Spaine doth know
In that the Indies still you doe bestow
In not demanding them. Long may you live
And in your safetie, safetie to us give
Shall bee my Praiers; and further that you'l daigne
40: To accept the Products of a Loyall Braine.
[7] when't] whent copytext
[ornamental header]
TO THE
ILLUSTRIOUS
Henry Duke of Glocester.
NOw Thousands offer to your worth; my might
Accept Great Sir. Ile be no Heraclite.
Now Charles is come, and on each sacred Hand
Valour and Vertue do united stand.
5: And whilst three Kingdoms welcome home three gems,
Whose Royall splendour dulls the Diadems
Of forraigne Kings. O let your Highness daigne
T'accept my Lamb, whilst Hecatombs are slaine.
Although three Sisters to my days had spun
10: Scarce twice three yeares when that one Brittish Sun
Set Titan like in's Rayes: yet ere ten yeares
I saw our loss, and with as loyall teares
As ever mortal wept, my blubbred Eyes
Were dim'd. Now since this sacred Sun doth rise
15: Expanding rayes of comfort, and pardon mee
Who but rejoyce in this our Jubilee.
Your Vertues once did mad Dogs chaine, whose rage
Inflam'd by Hell, exempted from the stage
(That fatal stage, where horrid Murthers wore
20: The Name of Justice, though stain'd with the Gore
Of Kings and Saints) the sacred Henry, who
Those fawning slaves then courted to his woe.
You were convey'd into Exilement, and
Whether your Vertues thorough each strange Land
25: Purchas'd more Love, or Fear I dare not say.
But this add, when Brittaine saw that Day,
That dismall day it lost its Prince, there went
Whole Hecatombs of hearts to banishment
T'attend its Duke, nor have you brought from whence
30: You latest came, more then you carry'd hence.
To welcome you each Critticks eye might see
Of Persa's wealth here an Epitome.
And what is more those thousands (o rare thing!)
Which bled for th'absence, joy to view their King.
35: Long let these worthys live, let Nestor's days
Become your Age, to others t'were a praise
T'enjoy his wisdome. But th'great Henry in
His Childhood greater Oracles then him
Let drop from's Lips, as Cordialls for that Dove
40: Which relish nought but what came from above.
Philobasileus
FINIS.
Rachel Jevon Exultationis Carmen.
16 August
Titlepage: Exultationis Carmen / TO THE / KINGS / MOST EXCELLENT / MAJESTY / UPON HIS MOST / Desired Return. / [rule] / By Rachel Jevon, Presented with her own Hand, Aug. 16th. / [rule] / CAROLUS En rediit, redeunt Saturnia regna. / [rule] / [design: royal arms] / [rule] / London, Printed by John Macock, 1660. / [within ruled box]
Rachel Jevon was one of a very few women to have composed a formal verse celebration of Charles's return. Although it was still extraordinary for women to know Latin, she produced both a Latin version -- Carmen éPIAMBEYTIKON (J 729) 1 -- and the English translation given here. Hobby reports that "two years later, on or around the anniversary of the restoration, she made a personal (unpublished) petition to the king for `a place of one of the meanest servants about the queen.' It would be interesting to know whether she was successful in what seems a planned strategy of publicising her learning, royalism and humility, and won herself a job" (p. 19).
[1] .úúCARMEN éPIAMBEYTIKON / REGI' MAJESTATI / Caroli II. / PRINCIPUM / ET / CHRISTIANORUM OPTIMI / IN / EXOPTATISSIMAM / EJUS / RESTAURATIONEM, / [rule] / A RACHELE JEVONE compositum & propria manu / Humillime Exhibitum, Aug. 16. / [rule] / C'SAR JAM REDIIT REIERUENT AUREA SECLA. / [rule] / [design: royal arms] / [rule] / LONDINI, Typis Joannis Macock, 1660. [ruled box] Copies at O Gough Loudon 2(7); LT E.1080(10).
[rule]
TO THE
MOST PIOUS and MOST SERENE
OF
KINGS,
The Unworthiest of His
MAJESTIES
HAND-MAIDS
With all Humility Offers this
Congratulatory Poem.
DRead Soveraign CHARLES! O King of Most Renown!
Your Countries Father; and Your Kingdoms Crown;
More Splendid made by dark Afflictions Night;
Live ever Monarch in Co/elestial Light:
5: Before Your Sacred Feet these Lines I lay,
Humbly imploring, That, with Gracious Ray,
You'l daign these first unworthy Fruits to view,
Of my dead Muse, which from her Urn You drew.
Though for my Sexes sake I should deny,
10: Yet EXULTATION makes the Verse, not I;
And shouting cryes, Live Ever CHARLES, and Be
Most Dear unto Thy People, They to Thee.
WElcome Milde C'sar, born of Heav'nly Race,
A Branch most Worthy of Your Stock and Place,
15: The Splendour of Your Ancestors, whose Star
Long since out-shin'd the golden Pho/ebus far;
The living Image of our Martyr'd King,
For us His People freely suffering;
Sprung from the Role and Flower-de-luce most fair,
20: The Spacious World ne're boasted such an Heir.
Ye Pious Pens, pluckt from a Seraphs Wing,
Of His high Fame, teach future Times to sing.
Ye lofty Muses of Parnassus Hill,
Auspicious be to my unlearned Quill,
25: Vouchsafing leave the Travels to recite
Of this Great Prince, long Banish'd from His Right;
Which Valiant He, did stoutly undertake
For His Religion, and His Countries sake.
After the murther of our CHARLEMAIN,
30: (Whose lasting Honour ne're shall know a Wane,
But to the Skies Tryumphantly ascend,
As His bright Soul did to Elizium tend,)
The Scots our CHARLES th'undoubted Heir recall,
And with His Grandsires Glory Him Install;
35: But after this (O cruel Fates!) betray'd
He was to th'English, who with rage assay'd
Him to accost, throughout this Brittish Isle;
Could ever Rebels act a part so vile?
Hence, hence sad sorrows, and all past annoys,
40: Let nought approach You but tryumphant Joys;
And let us now remember with delight
Your strange escape from Worc'sters bloody fight,
Through Thundring Troops of armed foes, whose strife
Was to bereave You of Your sacred life.
45: Where many thousand Brittains spilt their blood,
Weltring in gore, for King and Countries good:
How oft have I Your cruel fates bewail'd?
How oft to Heaven have our Devotions sail'd,
Through tides of briny tears, and blown with gales
50: Of mournful sighes, which daily fil'd the Sails?
That Heaven it's sacred Off-spring would defend,
And to their sorrows put a joyful end.
Propitious were the Heavens to our just Prayer:
You on their Wings the blessed Angels bare
55: Through thousand dangers, which by Land You past,
Till suddenly into the Sea being cast,
The Deities of Pontus flowing Stream,
Did unto You than men far milder seem.
Great 'olus himself hasts You to meet,
60: Prostrates the winds before Your Sacred Feet;
Then with his power commands the fiercer Gales,
Into their Den, lest they disturb Your Sails:
Neptune straight calms the raging of the Sea,
Before Your Stem the pleasant Dolphins play;
65: The surly Waves appeas'd, most gladly bore,
The happy Vessel to the happier Shore.
Then wandring through inhospitable Lands,
Still seeking rest, the world amazed stands
To see Him banished from every part
70: Of its great Orb, Yet from His Faith not start;
Nor to regain His Fathers Rights would He,
From th'ancient Worship of His Fathers flee,
For every Kingdom He subdu'd by Charms,
Of Love and Piety, more strong then Armes.
75: France with her hair dishevel'd, torn and sad,
With bloody Robes of civil War beclad,
With joy receives this Deity of peace,
Who having caus'd those civil Wars to cease,
The barbarous Vine the Royal Oak refus'd
80: To please the Tyrants, natures bands she loos'd;
But He unmov'd in faith their Lillies fled,
And to th'unstable Willows wandered.
Who most ungratefully did Him reject,
That them the rebel brambles might protect.
85: The Royal Oak by storms of leaves bereav'd,
The generous Olive to its soil receiv'd;
Streight follows peace, its Deity being come,
Aside they lay their Arms, Sword, Pike and Drum;
The other Trees all shivering as a Reed,
90: To make a League with th'Royal Oak agreed;
At length Druina ravished with love,
Humbly recalls Him to His native Grove,
In peace to tryumph, and to Reign a Lord
O're hearts subdu'd by Love, not by the Sword.
95: His Native Country faint and languishing,
Humbly implores the presence of her King:
Loe how the late revolted Sea obeys,
How gladly it the Billows prostrate lays
Before Your Royal Navy, proud to bring
100: Three widdow'd Kingdoms their espoused King!
How do the winds contend, the spreading Sails
Of Your blest Ships, to fill with prosperous Gales;
The Fates are kind; Conduct You to the Shoar,
To welcome You the Thundring Canons roar;
105: Your ravisht Subjects over-joy'd do stand,
To see the stranger, (PEACE) with You to land,
With You to earth Astr'a fair is come,
And Golden times in Iron ages room:
Much Honour hath both Church and State adorn'd,
110: Since You, our Faiths Defender, are return'd;
For of the Church the Honour and Renown,
Are unto Kings the strongest Towre and Crown:
Behold how Thames doth smooth her silver Waves!
How gladly she, Your gilded Bark receives;
Mark how the courteous Stream her Arms doth spread,
Proud to receive You to her watry Bed.
The old Metropolis by Tyrants torn,
Your presence doth with beauteous youth adorn.
On You how doe the ravish't people gaze?
How do the thronging Troops all in a maze
Shout loud for joy, their King to entertain,
How do their Streets with Triumphs ring again.
GReat CHARLS, Terrestrial God, Off-spring of Heaven,
You we adore, to us poor mortals given,
125: That You (Our Life) may quicken us again,
Who by our Royal MARTYRS death were slain;
For we on earth as Corps inanimate lay,
Till you (Our Breath) repaired our decay:
Loe how old Tellus courts Your Sacred Feet,
130: Array'd with flowery Carpets peace to greet;
As Pho/ebus when with glorious Lamp he views,
Earth after Winter, tender grass renews;
So through the world Your radiant Vertues Shine,
Enlightning all to bring forth Fruits Divine:
135: Or as the drops distil'd by April showrs,
Produce from dryest earth imprisoned flowers;
So Your sad Fates sprinkled with holy eyes,
Plung'd in Your Kingly tears, have reacht the skies,
And from the appeased Deity brought down;
140: T'adorn Your Sacred Temples many a Crown.
The first of glory which shall ever last,
In Heaven of Heavens, when all the rest are past;
The Second shines with Virtues richly wrought
Upon Your Soul, with Graces wholy fraught.
145: The Third resplendent with your peoples Loves,
Their Hearts by joy being knit like Turtle-Doves.
The Fourth's compleat by Your high Charity,
Which hath subdu'd and pardon'd th'enemy.
The Fifth shall shine with Gold and Jewels bright,
150: Upon Your Head, O Monarch! our Delight;
Where the Almighty grant it floursh may,
Until in Heaven You shine with Glorious Ray.
Who doth not stand amazed thus to see
The spotless Turtle Dove Espous'd to be
155: Unto a Bride whose Robes with blood are foul;
Loe Lovely CHARLES with Dove-like Galless Soul,
(Coming to th'Ark of His blood delug'd Land,
With peaceful Olive in His Sacred Hand)
Espoused is to Albion dy'd in gore,
160: And to her Princely Beauty doth restore;
Then Celebrate the Espousals of our King,
With us let far and near all Nations Sing;
Let all the World shout loud perpetually,
LET CHARLES LIVE LOV'D UNTO ETERNITY.
165: Rejoyce ye Forrests, your choice pleasures yeild,
The Royal Hunter Crowns the verdant field:
And Leap for joy ye Beasts of every Plain,
Behold Your King (the Lion) comes to Reign.
Let shady Woods and Groves together dance
170: To see the Royal Oak to them advance,
Whilst Nymphs resound, O thrice, thrice happy they!
Who have the Honour, their faint Limbs to lay
Under the shadow of th'Illustrious Oak
Expanded, to depell 2 from Saints the Stroak
175: Of Tyrants tempests, and a Pillar (squar'd
By Crosses) for the Church of God prepar'd;
Where we may live to sing aloud His Praise,
With heart and voice, and Organs sweetest Lays,
Who hath our DAVIDS Prayer not withstood,
180: But made his Off-spring, CHARLES the Great, and Good;
And banishing all sorrow from His Seed,
Highly Enthron'd Him in His Fathers stead;
That He may shine a Splendid Star to damp
Throughout the world at noon bright Pho/ebus Lamp,
185: And trample down those Tyrants with His Might,
Who dare contemn His Universal Right;
At length Your rip'ned Years being Crown'd with Glory,
Justice and Peace, unparallel'd by story:
Co/elestial CHARLES Triumphantly Ascend
190: T'enjoy the Heavens in Bliss without all End.
GLORY TO GOD ALONE,
THRICE BLESSED THREE IN ONE.
FINIS.
[2] to drive away, dispell; OED
England's Joy in a Lawful Triumph
[after 13 September]
Blackletter broadside.
The original woodcut represents six members of the royal family with their dates of birth; on the right, Charles, his brothers James and Henry, together with, on the left, Mary, Elizabeth and Anne. 1 Henry is represented touching a skull on a table, suggesting that the illustration was designed after his death on 13 September. The text of the ballad, however, is written throughout in anticipation of the return and would seem to indicate that Henry is still very much alive (line 79). Ebsworth thought it dated from the end of May from the title.
The appeal of this ballad is very much directed to the self-interest of the middling sort of people who are assured that they will benefit in many different materials ways from the reestablishment of the nobility and church hierarchy. Since this broadside was evidently issued after prince Henry's death, it is interesting to note that such generalized expressions of optimistic joy were still being produced.
[1] Ebsworth thinks this is Anne Clarges, Monck's wife.
Englands Joy in a Lawful Triumph.
Bold Phanaticks now make room
As it was voted in the House on May-day last 1660.
CHARLS the Second's coming home.
To the Tune of, Packingtons Pound.
[cut]
HOld up thy head England, and now shew thy face
That eighteen years hath held it down with disgrace
Thy comforts are coming, then cheer up thy looks
Thy hopes, like thy gates, are quite off the hooks
Thy blessings draw near
Thy joy doth appear
With much expedition thy King will be here
May all the rich pleasures that ever were reckon'd
Attend on the Person of King Charls the second.
10: The Bride and the Bridegroom did never so greet
As the King and his People together will meet,
Though some are against it, 'tis very well known
That those that bee for it are twenty for one,
Who with them will bring
Allegiance and sing
with voices of Loyalty, God save the King,
May all, &c.
There's none are against it, but what are partakers
With Jesuits, Jews, Anabaptists and Quakers,
20: But hee (like a Lion that's rouz'd from his den)
Will pull down the pride of Fifth-Monarchy Men,
The Preaching-house-banters
With all their Inchanters
The proud Independents, the Brownists and Ranters
25: With all the vile Sectaries that can bee reckon'd
Wee hope will be routed by King Charls the second.
The benefits which will acrew to this Land
Are more than wee suddenly can understand
There's no man of merit, in Arts or in Trade
30: But if hee indeavour may quickly bee made,
Our Trade will increase
And so will our peace
And this will give many poor prisoners release
May all the rich pleasures that ever were reckon'd
35: Attend on the Person of King Charls the second.
Then aged Pauls, steeple still hold up thy head
For under thy roof shall Gods Service bee read
And there shall be set up the Communion Table
Then they shall bee hang'd up that made it a stable
And have no reprieves
For good men it grieves
That Gods house of prayer should be a den of theeves
May all, &c.
The Law and the Gospel shall freely bee taught
45: Which lately unto the Barebone hath been brought
Our Doctrine and Worship shall flourish again
In spight of the pride of Schismatical men
Good Learning and wee
Shall alwaies agree
50: The two Universities cherished shall be
Then may all the blessings that ever were reckon'd
Bee attributed unto King Charles the second.
Our mirth and good company shall not bee checkt
55: By such as do nickname themselves the Elect
But wee will bee merry, and spend an odd teaster
At Christmas, at Whitsentide, Shrovetide and Easter
Wee'l play our old pranks
Rejoyce and give thanks
60: And those that oppose wee will cripple their shanks
May all the rich pleasures that ever were reckon'd
Attend on the Person of King Charls the second.
Our Exchange shall bee filled with Merchants from far
'Tis better to deal in good Traffick than war
65: With all Neighbour Nations wee'l shake hands in peace
By that means our treasure and trade will increase
With France and with Spain
Wee'l make leagues again
Wee thank them for succouring our Soveraign
70: May all, &c.
Our shipping in safety shall sale on the Seas
To Italy, Naples or what Port they please
Then riches from every Country they'l bring
To profit the people, and pleasure the King
Such good wee shall reap
And treasure up-heap
Good White-wine and Clarret, and Sack will be cheap
Then wee will drink healths till they cannot be reckon'd
To Gloster, to York, and to King Charls the second.
80: Our Pot, Pipe and Organ shall then be divided
And into the holy Cathedrals bee guided
Our Quiristers small, and our tall singing men
Shall joyfully chant to the Organ again
The Surplice so torn
Shall newly be worn
And all the fair Rites that the Church do adorn
Twice twenty times more than can rightly bee reckon'd
To the honour of God, and for King Charls the second.
The banished Nobility then shall return
90: Who long time in disconsolation did mourn
And when they'r well settled like right Noble men
Good house-keeping will bee in fashion again
The poor that will wait
Without at the gate
95: Shall have their benevolence at a good rate
May all, &c.
Our Taxes will grow less and less, I suppose
For wee have been very much troubled with those
Excise-men (I hope too) in time will go down
100: 'Tis they are the torment of Country and Town,
The Magistrates then
Shall bee honest men
The Parson shall challenge his tythe-pig again
May all, &c.
105: Wee shall bee the joyfullest Nation on earth
When once the King comes home to compleat our mirth
Wee shall bee the envy of Nations unknown
When King Charls the second is fixt in his Throne,
The Triumphs that then
Shall bee among men
Will prove a good Subject for every good pen
May all, &c.
Now God send him with expedition I pray
For every good subject doth long for the day
115: The bells shall ring out, and the Conduits run wine,
The bonfires shall blaze till our faces do shine
And as the sparks fly
Like Stars in the sky,
Lord succour, preserve him, and guide him, wee'l cry
120: May all the rich blessings that ever were reckon'd
Attend on the presence of King Charls the second.
FINIS.
London, Printed for F.G. on Snow-hill. Entred
according to Order.
[2] sixpence.
Samuel Pordage
A Panegyrick
in Poems, sigs [B4v-B5v]
after 13 September
Title: POEMS / UPON / SEVERAL / OCCASIONS. / [rule] / By S. P. Gent. / [rule] / [design] / [rule] / LONDON, Printed by W. G. for Henry Marsh / at the Princes Arms in Chancery-lane, / and Peter Dring at the Sun in the / Poultrey neer the Counter, / 1660.
The epistle at the opening of Troades is dated "Bradfieldi' Cal. Novembris;" the Poems must also have appeared after 13 September since it includes an elegy to Henry.
POEMS opens with "A Panegyrick to his Excellency General Monck March 28. 1660." beginning "Now almost twenty years have roul'd about / Since first the flames of our late Wars broke out..." (sigs B2-[B2v]), followed by "The Genius Speech" to Monck (sigs [B2v]-B4), and then the poem to Charles (sigs [B4v]-[B5v], which is followed by "Some Tears Drop't o're the Herse of the Incomparable Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester" (sigs. [B6]-[B7]).
A
PANEGYRICK
ON HIS
MAJESTIES Entrance
Into LONDON.
THE Heaven's great Star since He saluted Earth
With his diurnal Light, ne'r yet gave Birth
To such a joyfull Day, as that wherein
Charles to his native England came ag'in.
His loyall Subjects Hearts grown big with joy
The best expressions of their Love imploy,
To give a cherefull welcome to their King,
From whose arivall all our blessings Spring,
Whilst Foes, and Traytors to his royall Sire,
Grown mad through Envie, in their rage expire.
Now Pho/ebus ushers in the happy day,
Which for posterity recorded may
In golden letters ever stand; and bee
A festival for regain'd libertie;
And gilding all the Heavens with his Rayes,
Dispenses smiles, Serenity displayes.
Revived Subjects throng to see their prize,
Joy sparkles in their faces, and their eyes:
Their tongues, and hands wih powerfull Eccohs sound
And joyfull shouts against the heavens rebound.
The Aire is fill'd on every side with noyse;
The voyce of Warr, and death now speaks their joyes.
The Bells have tongues, which sound our Joys aloud,
And say that Charles is come: the Drums are proud
To speak his march. The silver Trumpets say
Charles o're three Kingdoms doth tryumph to day:
Which conquest got by vertues has more charms
To hold a lasting peace, than that by Armes.
London in all its gallantry doth shine,
Conduits convert their water into wine.
Adorn'd the female beauties of the Land
To see their Soveraign in Ballconies stand,
The bravest Heroes of the Brittish Isle
Usher our C'sar through the streets the while;
Whose sacred face with beams of Majesty
Surrounded, far out-vies the bravery
Of his adornments: and the lustrous fire
Of's eyes dismays those who deny'd his sire
And him to reign; now they their folly see
Converted by one look of Majesty.
Ten thousand Hearts and knees doe humbly bow,
As he goes by; each heart a solemne vow
Prepares, of praise, and of obedience too,
For long and happy dayes to Heav'en they sue.
Long live great Charles, and may his sacred Name,
Swell to that worth, not to be spoke by Fame,
May Nestors years his Happy reign attend!
May heav'ns his brest with Solomons choyce befriend!
The people cry. Loud shouts conclude the day,
Pho/ebus to th'other world hasts to display
The joyfull news: Night now would take her turn
But flaming fires in every Corner burne,
Which Night to Day change: Pho/ebus place supply,
And make a Day without the Heav'n's great eye.
'Tis true whilst Charles possesses his own right,
That loyall Brittains can expect no night.
Our regall Sun, since Charles the first was slain,
Ecclips'd has been, but now shines bright again.
By Heav'n enthron'd thus, in his peoples hearts,
He shall withstand all Machivilian Arts:
Laurells of peace about his brows shall spread,
And three great Crowns surround his royall Head.
Ita Precatur S. P.
"Upon His Majesties happy Return,"
in
Aretina;
[undated: after 13 September]
Titlepage: ARETINA; / Or, The Serious / ROMANCE.1 [rule] / Written originally in English. 2 / [rule] / Part First. / [rule] / [design] / [rule] / EDINBURGH, / Printed for Robert Broun, at the / sign of the Sun, on the North-/ side of the Street, 1660. / [ornamental box].
Date: These verses are followed by an elegy on Henry, Duke of Gloucester, "Great Gloucester's Cipresse-hearse, wreathed by a Loyal hand" (pp. 13-14), so after 13 September.
[1] ROMANCE. ROMANCE O; WF
[2] originally ... English.] origially ... English London edition
A POEM, by the same Au-
thor, upon His Majesties
happy Return.
STay, Fame, why do'st thou to the Future post,
To Learn some new adventures? tym's not lost
In viewing our Great CHARLES his safe return,
Resembling ashes new sprung from their Urn;
Or do'st thou post to trumpet these rare news,
To Godless Pagans, or to Christless Jews?
Thereby them to convince, that ther's a God
Among'st the Christians, who will explod
Out of his noble registers of life and fame,
Ignoble traitours, and their hatfull name.
Mans oldest Charter is that Text divine,
All that thy feet can trample shall be thine;
Since then his feet hath trampled Europe round,
It's only Limit shall his Kingdom bound,
Though France and Spain be compted the two Poles,
Whereon our European orbe still roles,
Yet thou the Axis of that orbe shall be,
To wheel these Poles as it best pleaseth thee.
Heaven him exiled not, but sent him abroad,
To shew the matchlesse art of our great God
In framing matchless spirits, and to each
Of these strange Nations, Patience to preach.
Malice, with fruitless strokes shall wearied now
Yeild up her sword, and to they Scepter bow.
Thou fortunes wheel, by vertues hand shall hold
And stop the course of that proud changling bold.
With black affliction Heaven thus enambled hath
For furder Lustre, his pure Golden faith:
And as with crosses Heaven did once him wound,
So now with crosses heaven hath him crown'd.
All shall our Thristle, the blessed Thristle call,
And in fames Eden our Rose flourish shall,
And of our Lillies we may Justly say,
That Solomon ne're flourished as they;
Let them our Harpe play, and our 3 Lyons daunce,
For joy that Heaven should thus our King advance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[3] our] oure O???
Henry Beeston
A Poem To His Most Excellent Majesty;
and
Henry Bold
To His Sacred Majesty
24 September
Titlepage: A / POEM / To His most Excellent Majesty / Charles the Second. / Ego Beneficio tuo (C'sar) quos ante Audie-/ bam hodiŠ vidi Deos: Nec feliciorem ul-/ lum vit' me' aut Optavi, aut sensi Diem. /Paterc', &c. / [rule] / By H. Beeston Winton'. / Together with another / By Hen. Bold olim Winton'. / [rule] / [design] / [rule] / LONDON: / Printed by Edward Husbands, and Thomas Newcomb, Printers to the / Commons House of Parliament, 1660. / [double-ruled box]
Bold's poem was reprinted in his Poems Lyrique, Macaronique (Henry Brome, 1664), pp. 205-206.
Thomason dated his copy on Monday, 24 September, 1660 so Beeston and Bold had the terrible luck of seeing their poems appear shortly after the death of prince Henry, hardly an auspicious time for publishing a celebration.
Henry Beeston was the first son of William Beeston of Posbrook and Elizabeth, daughter of Arthur Bromfield. He was a master at Winchester school and Warden of New College, Oxford. His younger brother, Sir William Beeston, was active in the government of Jamaica following the Restoration.
Henry Bold (1627-1683) was the fourth son of Capt Wiliam Bold of Newstead, Hants., and descended from the ancient Lancashire family of Bold Hall. Educated at Winchester school, he was elected to a fellowship at New College, Oxford in 1645 from which he was ejected in 1648. He then worked in the Examiner's Office in Chancery, died on 23 October 1683, and is buried in West Twyford, near Acton. He published several poetic volumes, including Wit a Sporting in a Pleasant Grove of New Fancies (1657), a good deal of which is plagiarized from Herrick and 50 pages from Thomas Beedome's Poems of 1641. In addition to his verses here, he published Latin verses for the Oxford University volume's on the death of the Duke of Gloucester -- Epicedia Academiae Oxoniensis, in Obitum Celsissimi Principis Henrici Ducis Glocestrensis (Oxford, 1660) -- and the arrival of Catharine of Braganza -- Domiduca Oxoniensis: Sive Musae Academicae Gratulatio Ob Auspicatissimum Serenismae Principis Catharinae Lusitanae (Oxford, 1662) -- in addition to two separate works on the Coronation, St Georges Day and On the Thunder, an Elegy On the Death of Her Highness Mary Princess Dowager of Aurange, Daughter to Charles the First, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, &c (London, Printed for Edward Husbands, and are to be sold at the Sign of the Golden Dragon in Fleet-street, 1660), [L=c.20.f.2(44) NB this copy is not listed in Wing, which only mentions the LT copy at 669.f.26(55)], Satyr on the Adulterate Coyn, Inscribed the Common-Wealth, &c (London, Printed, and are to be sold in Littl-britain. 1661) [L=c.20.f.2(46)]. His Poems Lyrique, Macaronique appeared in 1664. (see DNB): check Lowndes 1834, Corser 1860-80, Hazlitt 1867, Dibdin 1836, Woods
[ornamental header: rose, thistle, fleur-de-lyes, harp]
SIR,
THe Business on Our Language is too great:
Our Mother Tongue stutters beneath the weight
Of Soveraignty: To speak You, she must ligue 1
With all the Neighbor Nations, and beg
5: Their Dialects which Your Majesty can frame
Slaves to Your Use, as them unto Your Fame:
So that Your Praise is Yours; You must allow
Matter, and Form: Theme, and Expression too.
ON which side shall we trace Your Stock? beyond
10: The Loyns of Egbert, or of Pharamond:
Low sunk in Adam's Entrails it is found,
And thence shoots throw the World, to You, all crown'd.
Vain Boldness of the Age, (Age of Deceits)
Knew this, and therefore coyn'd Pr'-Adamites!
15: This Blood (then) issuing from that distant source,
Exalted, Maturated in its course,
In Veins of sundry Monarchs Rectifi'd,
(Made All Elixir) through Your Heart does glide.
(Not Wine All, nor All Milk, but) mingled so,
20: That Courage thence, and Innocence do flow,
To animate th'exactest Fabrick, Heaven
Has, since its Mould, to wondring mankinde given.
And seeing Beauties chiefest part does lie
In Shapes and Lines (not fading Colours) I
25: (Too low to praise, too true to flatter) dare
Aver this truth, That You are CHARLES the Fair.
Such Grace in Your Heroick Meen we spie,
Where, all the strokes are sharp, and masterly.
Be You then CHARLES the Fair, and Great, and Good,
30: Your Sire bought CHARLES the Martyr with His Blood.
-- -Stay forward Nymph of Helicon!
And with thine un-dy'd Buskins, go not on!
Thou'lt weep thine Eyes out, into sorrows hurl'd,
And I shall lead thee blinde about the World.
35: (Thus) Rich Your Blood is, and Your Make is Free,
Compleatest Product of the Noblest Tree,
Shrining a Soul (to favor our weak sight)
Pure, Active, Subtile, as a Beam of Light.
And here we're lost, 'less some Intelligence
40: Be setled 'twixt Divinity and Sence.
My Quil's no Jacobs Staff, or if it were,
It could not take Your Height, nor reach Your Sphere.
Your Minde's a Constellation fixt above
The Orbes, where Kepler, and where Tycho rove.
45: Your Intellectual, and Your Moral Parts
(Vast Comprehensions of Arms and Arts)
Are for Your Peoples Veneration fit:
Fit for Your Wonder, not so for their Wit.
Courage inhabits there so quick and clear,
50: It warm'd an Army (once) from Van to Rear;
(Cold as the North that form'd it, bleak and thin,
Cover'd and lin'd with nought, but fear and sin)
And made it stand -- The brave Gustavus so
Oppos'd his naked Fins to th'armed foe,
55: And shew'd the World, His gallant Brest alone
Was Currace, Gauntlet, Gorget, Morion.
But had You Conquer'd, You had been subdu'd,
Lost Your peculiar part of Fortitude,
Your Patience; which You may singly own,
60: Since none (but You) suffer'd into a Throne.
This was Your way; old Heroes cannot share,
E'en let them pass for Barreters 2 in War.
The Wisdom and Experience of Your Soul
Is such, as no Disaster could controul.
65: The Flitting French, and the Unable Dane,
The Trade-led Dutch, Remote Iberian,
Nor Honest German did Your Cause restore;
You knew their strength, and knew Your own was more.
Firm as a Tabled Diamond and square,
70: 'Gainst coldness, force, or treachery You are.
Of Dubious Friends You scan'd the various Clues,
What meant Your Courtships, Treaties, Enterviews?
Of open Enemies You skill'd th'Intents,
The Causes, Counsels, Progresses, Events:
75: No Prince so intimately vers'd has been
In the Resorts of Business, and of Men.
You are Your Self a Senate, Diet, One,
A single Council, Parliament alone.
In You, so justly constituted, we
80: Safely enchace our Jewel Liberty,
Handed before to many a Roytelet, 3
Sometimes in Steel, sometimes in Lead 'twas set.
The dusky Intricks of Your Enemies
May be suppos'd: All Cunnings, Not one wise.
85: Each of our Rulers had more Worms in's Head,
Then a Male Deer before he's Cabossed.
So all their Projects brake, not any held,
One by another out-Achitophel'd.
The several Fore-parts through the Hedge make way,
90: Behinde the Hated Tayl is forc'd to stay,
Till Hedge and Tayl the Bonfire overtakes;
(The Fore-parts will be seen on Poles and Stakes.)
They think the Vessel of the Nation will
Sayl tight, if cun'd by Confidence, not skill:
95: Boldness is Gospel, Law, and Policy,
Joynture, Debt, Interest, and Legacy.
The Frontless Swine with Impudence so tan'd,
Were (in the Face) high Car'bin-proof at hand.
I purpose not to violate this Page
100: With the unhallowed Monsters of this Age,
Whose due Description should I dare to write,
My Paper would appear a Sanbenite. 4
The Guards of Heaven, Your subjects care and love,
Such Objects from Your Royal Eyes remove!
105: Not from Your Word -- -- --
-- -- -- As th'Ocean does move
About Your Land, so let Your Peace above:
And by Your Mighty Pardon let us guess,
How Good th'Almighty is -- for him You bless.
110: A readier step to Him, may through You shine,
Then any in the Scale of Bellarmine.
These Beasts a Grateful Sacrifice can't be,
They come to th'Altar so unwillingly.
Let the Grand Seignior in peeces rive;
115: Let the Defender of the Faith forgive.
Reward them with the Christians Amends,
Make those that pierc't Your Bowels through, Your Friends.
So when the Greedy Operator sounds
The Wealthy Entrails of unsearched Grounds,
120: The powerful Mine will change into it's self
(In time) the very Tools that digg'd the Pelf.
Your Fathers Lovers, and Your own so cross'd,
Committee-scourg'd, Rump-rid, and Safety-toss'd,
Tempted, or scar'd by Force, or by Consent,
125: Part one, part t'other, scarce are Innocent.
The Nation's Criminal! Almost each one
Lep'rous by Nature or Contagion:
Yet now are cleansed by the tears they shed,
(Tears due to CHARLES his Crown recovered.)
130: Shed Tears, which like Oyl-Bennet, did increase
The Flames of that Triumphant Night of peace:
Night! that turn'd out the Day! The Welkin shone,
Lighted with thousand fires besides it's own:
And where's the Roman, or the Greek Parade,
135: Can march with Glorious Tuesdays Cavalcade?
-- -Day of Your Birth and State! from every Eye
Strictures of unsuborned Joy did flie.
Poets (but Malefactors until now)
Resume their wit and spirit under You;
140: Soaring about Your Throne with freer Wing,
Working themselves in Your Palace, will sing
Such Prophecies, shall make wise Annalists
Attent to heed, and Register Your Gests;
Which, will the Orbe in servitude engage
145: Rapt and Enamour'd of its Vassalage.
Bold with Allegiance, and with Duty rude,
With these brisk happy thoughts, we may conclude,
Sit still and taste the Blessings of Your Reign:
United so as not to start again.
150: Our Hearts directed unto You our North,
Shall never vary from our Faith. Henceforth
The Volatil spirits of this Region
Shall here be fixt beyond Reduction.
So the keen winde (as Muscovites relate)
155: Quick with Refining Force does operate
And make a Gem, which can't Apostatize
From solid Chrystal, into Brittle Ice.
H. BEESTON.
[1] presumably lay with; not OED
[2] variant of "barrator,-er" which OED gives as 4. "one who fights; esp. a hired bully" or 5. "a quarrelsome person; men given to brawling and riot; a rowdy" citing Fuller, Worthies II. 199 (1662) for this spelling: "Wild Barretters who delight in brawls and blows."
[3] petty or minor king (OED)
[4] OED: sanbenito; Under the Spanish Inquisition, a penitential garment of yellow cloth, resembling a scapular in shape, ornamented with a red St. Andrew's cross before and behind, worn by a confessed and penitent heretic; also, a similar garment of a black color ornamented with flames, devils ad other devices (sometimes called a SAMARRA) worn by an impenitent confessed heretic at an auto-da-f. Citing: 1624 Gag for Pope 12 In the inquisition to be clothed with the Sambenito, a punishment as vituperious a the carting of Bawedes in England. 1672 Marvell Reh. Transp. 1.276 Sambenitas, painted with all the flames and devils in hell. 1678 Butler Hud. III. ii. 1574 By laying Trains . . . to blow us up in th'open Streets; Disguis'd in Rums, like Sambenites.
[ornamental header:
rose, thistle, fleur-de-lyes, harp]
To His Sacred Majesty
Charles the Second,
at His happy RETURN.
SO comes the Sun after a half-years night,
To the be-numb'd, and frozen Muscovite,
As we (Great Britain's Influence!) welcome You
Who are our Light, our Life, and Glory too.
5: Your Presence is so Soveraign, counter Fate,
It makes, alone, our Island Fortunate:
Whilst we (like Eastern Priests) the night being done,
Fall down, and Worship You, our Rising Sun.
But! -- -
10: As Devotes (of old) did use to stay
Below the Font, nor durst approach to lay
Their Duties on the Sacred Shrine, so I
(Not qualifi'd for the solemnity
Of Offering at Your Altar) stand at door,
15: And wish as much as they, who give you more.
May You live long and happy, to improve
In Strangers, Envy; in Your Subjects, Love!
And marry'd may Your Computation run
Even, as Time; for every year a Son!
20: Until Your Royal Off-spring grow to be
The Hope, and Pride of all Posterity!
May every Joy, and every choice Content,
Be trebled on You! and what e'er was meant
My Soveraign's care and trouble, may it prove
25: Quiet, and Calm, as are th'Effects of Love!
Last, having liv'd a Patern of such worth,
As never any Age did yet bring forth,
Ascend to Heaven; where th'Eternal Throne
Crowns You with Grace, shall Grace You with a Crown.
HEN. BOLD olim Winton.
FINIS.
Thomas Forde
"Upon His Sacred Majesty";
in
Virtus Rediviva
October
Titlepage: Virtus Rediviva / A Panegyrick / On our late / King CHARLES the I. &c / of ever blessed Memory. / ATTENDED, / With severall other Pieces from the / same PEN. / Viz.[bracketing I-IV] / I. A Theatre of Wits: Being a Col-/ lection of APOTHEGMS. / II. Fo/enestr... in Pectore: or a Century of / Familiar LETTERS. / III. Loves Labyrinth: a Tragi-comedy. / IV. Fragmenta Poetica: Or Poeticall / Diversions. / Concluding, with / A PANEGYRICK on His / Sacred Majesties most happy / Return. / [rule] / by T. F. / [rule] / Varietas delectat. / [rule] / Printed by R. & W. Leybourn, for William Gran-/ tham, at the Sign of the Black Bear in St. Pauls / Church-yard neer the little North door; / and Thomas Basset, in St. Dunstans Church-/ yard / in Fleet-street. 1660. / [ruled box]
A series of secondary titlepages then appear: the first of which is usually present in all copies of the 1661 "edition": VIRTUS REDIVIVA: / OR, A / PANEGYRICK / On the late / K. Charls the I. / Second Monarch / OF / GREAT BRITAIN / [rule] / By THO. FORDE. / [rule] / Honoris, Amoris, Doloris ergo. / Propositum est mihi Principem Laudare non Principis facta, nam / laudabilia multa etiam mali faciunt. Plin. Panegyric. in Trajan. [rule] / [design: rose, thistle, fleur-de-lys, harp] / LONDON, Printed by R. and W. Leybourn, for William / Grantham at the Black Bear in St. Pauls / Church-yard, neer the little / North Door. 1660.
Continuous signatures through the volume lead to the section titlepage which reads:
Fragmenta Poetica: / OR, / Poetical Diversions. / WITH / A PANEGYRICK / UPON HIS /SACRED MAJESTIE'S / Most happy Return, on the / 29. May, 1660. / [rule] / By THO. FORDE, Philothal. / [rule] / LONDON, / Printed by R. and W. Leybourn, for William / Grantham, and are to be sold at the Signe / of the Black Bear in St. Pauls / Church-yard. 1660.
The Folger Library copy at WF 138401 contains frontispiece portrait of C1; "Printed by R. and W. Leybourn, for William Grantham at the Black Bear in St. Pauls Church-yard, neer the little North Door." Fragmenta Poetica is missing from this copy, which collates: tp-A4, pp. 1-27 (sigs A-C3), + C3-[D2]; unpaginated pages give: Oweni Epigr. in Regicidas (C3v), An Elegie on Charls the First, &c. (C4-[D1]), An Anniversary on Charls the First, &c. 1657 ([D1-D1v]), Second Anniversary on Charls the First, 1658 [signed T. F.] ([D2-D2v]). A manuscript version of the first twenty lines at O=Eng poet e.4(167) is dated "1672."
Thomas Forde is not to be confused with the Devonian puritan divine of the same name, but there is no entry for our Forde in Woods or the DNB entry: Who was Thomas Forde???
other works include:
Lusus Fortunae: The Play of Fortune. Printed for R. L. 1649. LT E.1348(1) full title in RESTLIST; 7/96 -- a small 8to with pious meditations.
BUT The Time's anatomiz'd in severall Characters. By T. F[ord, servant to Mr. Sam. Man.] London: Printed for W. L. 1647. The insertion is adopted from the ms interlineation in the LT copy; Hazlitt, Handbook p. 208. -- this is the other Thomas Ford, the Devonian puritan divine.
Hazlitt and the NCBEL suggest that the brs Panegyrick signed "T. F." (cf file: FLAT) is by Ford, not Flatman: who said it was by Flatman?? Wing lists this as Flatman.
The various reprintings of Forde's works during 1660, suggest that he was at some pains to make a name for himself as a writer.
Forde dwells on the sufferings of the English during Charles's exile while blaming the parliamentary leaders. He praises Charles for being forgiving rather than vengeful.
[ornamental header]
Upon His Sacred Majesties
most happy Return, on the
29th. of May 1660.
AWake dull Muse, the Sun appeares,
Open thine eyes, and dry thy teares:
The Clouds disperse, and Sable night
Resignes to Charles his conquering light
5: Batts, Owles, and Night-birds flie away,
Chac'd by the beames of this bright day.
A day design'd by Destinie,
Famous to all Posteritie.
First for the birth of Charles, and now
10: 'Tis His Three Kingdoms Birth-day too,
Wee mov'd before, but knew not how,
We could not say we liv'd, till now.
Like Flies in Winter, so lay we,
In a dull, senceless Lethargie.
15: Toucht by his healing beames, we live,
His Presence 1 a new life doth give.
Each loyall heart strook by his Rayes,
Is fill'd with gratitude and praise.
Those Phaoetons who had got the Raine, 2
20: And needs would guide great Charles his Waine;
Have found their Folly in their Fate;
And Pho/ebus now assumes his State.
The Trees who chose a woodden King,
To be their shade and covering:
25: Whilst they injuriously decline
The fruitful Olive and the Vine
Consuming fire from the Bramble came;
They read their Folly by the Flame.
True Emblems of our giddy age,
30: Not rul'd by Reason, but by Rage:
The tayle would quarrel with the Head,
And no longer would be Led:
Th'inferiour Members soon give way,
And the Tayle must bear the sway,
35: Blind as it was, (to our 3 misery)
With many a Sting, but never an Eye.
Then were we drag'd through mire & stones,
Which bruisd our flesh, and brake our bones,
Our feet and Legs foundred and lame,
40: We saw our Folly in our Shame.
We praid, but no releif could find,
The Tayle was Deaf, as well as Blind:
Drums, Trumpets, Pulpits with their sound,
All our intreaties did confound;
45: Till pittying Heaven heard our cry,
And God vouchsafes, what men deny.
After a twelve years suffering,
Just Heaven Proclaims Great Charles our King:
Free (like Ulisses) from the harms
50: Of Forreign Syrens tempting charmes.
And now our Joyfull Land doth ring,
With I" P'an's to our King:
All England seemd One bonfire, Night
Seem'd to contend with Day for light.
55: For Bells our Kingdome hath been fam'd,
And the Ringing-Island nam'd:
More truly now, when every Bell
Aloud the joyful news doth tell.
That Charles is landed once again,
60: With Peace, and Plenty, in his Train.
No more shall brother brother kill,
Nor sonnes the blood of fathers spill:
No more shall Mars & Madness rage,
Peace shall bring back the Golden-age.
65: No more shall Loyalty be Treason,
Errour truth, and non-sence reason;
Nor will we sell our Liberty,
For a too-dear bought Slavery.
No more shall Sacriledge invade
70: The Church, nor Faction make a trade
Of Holy things; nor Gospel be
Lost in a law-less liberty.
No more hope we to see the time
When to be innocent's a crime.
75: No more, no more shall armed might
Though Wrong'd, o'recome the weaker Right.
Now shall all jarring discords be
Drown'd in the pleasing Harmony
Of peacefull lawes, whose stiller voice
80: Shall charme the Drum & Trumpets noise,
The Church shall be Triumphant, more
Than it was Militant before.
The withered Lawrell, and the Bayes
Revive to crown our happy dayes
85: These, and all other blessings we
Great and Good Charles, Expect from thee:
Whose Vertues were enough alone,
To give Thee Title to the Crown.
You Conquered without Arms, Your Words
90: Win hearts, better than others Swords.
Pardons are Your revenges, we
Joy in Your Boundless Victory.
What others use to do with blowes,
You by Forgiving kill your foes:
95: Your mercy doth your Sword reprieve,
And for their faults, You most do grieve.
Your Martyr'd Fathers charity
(His last and greatest Legacy)
You most do prize. Could we but tread
100: That pace of virtue which you lead,
How quickly should we all agree,
To live in Love and Loyalty!
Whilst others their rich Presents bring,
All I can give's GOD SAVE THE KING.
FINIS
[1] Presence] Ptesence
[2] Compare Fairebrother's description of Parliament as Phaeton.
[3] was, (to our] was,,('to ur ä
[Denham, John],
The Prologue to his Majesty;
23 November
Title: THE / PROLOGUE / TO HIS / MAJESTY / At the first PLAY presented at the Cock-pit in / WHITEHALL, / Being part of that Noble Entertainment which Their MAIESTIES received Novemb. 19. / from his Grace the Duke of ALBERMARLE. / [text] / [rule] / LONDON, Printed for G. Bedell and T. Collins, at the Middle-Temple Gate in Fleet-street. 1660.
Sir John Denham (1615-69) was appointed Surveyor-General of the King's Works at the Restoration, in which office he succeeded Sir Christopher Wren. Greenwich Palace and Burlington House are sometimes attributed to his influence. In 1665, he married his second wife, Margaret Brooke who shortly afterwards became mistress of the Duke of York. Her early death in 1667, aged only 20, started rumours that the Duchess of York had arranged for her to be poisoned. (Pepys companion)
On the reopening of the theatres: At the Theatre Royal, Vere St, Thomas Killigrew's King's Company performed from 8 November until May 1663.
Of the performance on Monday 19 November at the Cockpit in Whitehall (not to be confused with the Cockpit or Pit Court Theatre), Pepys reports on the following day: "this morning I found my Lord in bed late, he having been with the King, Queene, and Princesse at the Cockpitt all night, where Generall Monke treated them; and after supper, a play -- where the king did put a great affront upon Singleton's Musique, he bidding them stop and bade the French Musique play -- which my Lord says doth much out-do all ours."
THE
PROLOGUE
TO HIS
MAJESTY
At the first PLAY presented at the Cock-pit in
WHITEHALL,
Being part of that Noble Entertainment which Their MAIESTIES received Novemb. 19.
from his Grace the Duke of ALBERMARLE.
GReatest of Monarchs, welcome to this place
Which Majesty so oft was wont to grace
Before our Exile, to Divert the Court,
And Ballance weighty Cares with harmless sport,
5: This truth we can to our advantage say,
They that would have no KING, would have no Play:
The Laurel and the Crown together went,
Had the same Foes, and the same Banishment:
The Ghosts of your 1 great Ancestors they fear'd,
10: Who by the art of conjuring Poets rear'd,
Our HARRIES & our EDWARDS long since dead
Still on the Stage a march of Glory tread:
Those Monuments of Fame (they thought) would stain
And teach the People to despise their Reign:
15: Nor durst they look into the Muses Well,
Least the cleer Spring their ugliness should tell;
Affrighted with the Shadow of their Rage,
They broke the Mirror of the times, the Stage;
The Stage against them still maintain'd the War,
20: When they debauch'd the Pulpit and the Bar.
Though to be Hypocrites, be our Praise alone,
'Tis our peculiar boast that we were none.
What er'e they taught, we practis'd what was true,
And something we had learn'd of honor too,
25: When by Your Danger, and our Duty prest,
We acted in the Field, and not in Jest;
Then for the Cause our Tyring-house they sack't,
And silenc't us that they alone might act;
And (to our shame) most dext'rously they do it,
30: Out-act the players, and out-ly the Poet;
But all the other Arts appear'd so scarce,
Ours were the Moral Lectures, theirs the Farse:
This spacious Land their Theater became,
And they Grave Counsellors, and Lords in Name;
35: Which these Mechanicks Personate so ill
That ev'n the Oppressed with contempt they fill,
But when the Lyons dreadful skin they took,
They roar'd so loud that the whole Forrest shook;
The noise kept all the Neighborhood in awe,
40: Who thought 'twas the true Lyon by his Pawe.
If feigned Vertue could such Wonders do,
What may we not expect from this that's true!
But this Great Theme must serve another Age,
To fill our Story, and Adorne our Stage.
LONDON, Printed for G. Bedell and T. Collins, at the
Middle-Temple Gate in Fleet-street. 1660.
[1] your] ed following ms correction O, LT; their] O, LT;
Thomas Pecke
To The Most High and Mighty Monarch
[undated: late November]
Blackletter broadside.
Titlepage: TO / The Most High and Mighty MONARCH, / Charles the II. / By the Grace of GOD, / King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, / Defender of the Faith: / THOMAS PECKE of the Inner Temple, Esq; / Wisheth an Affluence of both Temporal and / Eternal FELICITY; / And most humbly Devoteth this / Heroick Poem, / In Honour of His Majesties Establishment / in the Throne of His Ancestours. / [rule] / LONDON: / Printed by James Cottrel. MDCLX.
Born in 1637 in Norfolk, Thomas Pecke entered Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge on 3 October 1655, but left without taking a degree. He entered the Inner Temple on 22 June 1657 and was called to the bar 12 February 1664. He published an elegy to Cleveland in 1658, 1 and the next year published Parnassi Puerperium, 2 containing English verse translations of epigrams by John Owen (whom Woods called "the most noted Epigrammatist in the age he lived" AE 1:400), Martial and Sir Thomas More, together with "A Century of Heroick Epigrams." A portrait appears attached to some copies. (DNB)
Pecke refers to: "The Nations Patron, hath pleas'd to confer / The honour of a Privy Counsellour, / On History: That Bosome-friend of time; / And Calculation, fit for every Clime" (lines 212-215) -- is this Raleigh?
Dating: the reference to the performance of masques and plays (line 180) suggests that the poem was composed during November at the earliest. James Cottrel also published Clement Ellis.
[1] [Wing P1039a, BL unicum]
[2] Wing P1040, at LT, C, Lincolns Inn and US; unlisted O copy at Vet.A3.f.424.
[ornamenal border]
Ad celsis Majestatem Regis Britanni',
EPIGRAMMA.
CArole Pell'us Juvenis tibi porrigat Herbam:
Ne jactet Trabeas Roma superba feras.
Auxit Thyrsigeri rixosa Triph'a Tyranni
'mathius: Mersa est sic sua Fama cado.
5: C'sar (Terrarum Dominus) fere vicit inermes;
Nudos Majores; Terra Britanna tuos.
Carolus Angligenas validos patiendo subegit:
Angligenas rabidos; Ille ferendo fugat.
[ornamental border]
An
Heroick Poem.
AM I intranc'd; or is it Plato's year;
For all things in their pristine shapes appear?
Time turns his Annals to that very Page,
Wherein is Chronicled the Golden Age.
5: Divine Astr'a, who was long since sent
By deprav'd Nature, into Banishment;
(Seeing her Elder Sister Mercy kneel
To Supreme Jove, that He the Wounds 3 would heal, chk
Which England owes to an Intestine Broil;
10: Where, seduc'd Zeal, gave Loyalty the Foil:)
Leapt from the Clouds, and did the blest News bring,
That, True Contrition should obtain a KING.
The stranger Justice, sent Post from the Skie;
Penia, and her Renegado's flie.
15: Detested Poverty avoids those Lands,
Where Justice, over Interest commands.
But as harsh Notes, make their Associates sweet;
Our Thoughts may by a sad Reflection meet
With those fierce Tempests, which did fall upon
20: The Cedars of our British Libanon.
A greater Wonder scarce saluteth Ears,
Then that of Men to diet with the Bears,
In unfrequented Groinland; till the Sun,
Did from the Goat, unto the Creafish run.
25: Come hither, Stoick, and thou shalt confess
It Torture, for to trace a Wilderness
Of twenty years Confusion; when the Laws
Were form'd in Cutlers Shops: and the GOOD CAUSE
Wanted a Catechresis to make out
30: Her Epithite: Though conversant about
The good Estates of Heroes: whom no frown,
Could force, or King, or Conscience to disown.
The Pope was curs'd for arrogating; We
To Peters gave Infallibility.
35: Who was the first Evangelist promulg'd
No Tribute due to C'sar. And indulg'd
Was Bradshaw, that remorseless Parricide;
Who Pilate in Bloud-guiltiness out-vi'd:
Fear nursed his Crime; but our Jew did cry,
40: Not out of Dread, but Malice, Crucifie.
Let not Alexis, and Menalcas 4 tell,
Black-Moondaies Eclipse 5 scorns a Parallel:
The fourth part of a Digit then was Light;
But on Black-Tuesday, was Black-Tuesday Night 6
45: Our Sun put on a Mask; no friendly Star
(But that which shin'd Ten Springs before the War,
In the Day-time;) gave leave to look for Hope:
Intrat Tyrannus; Freedom was the scope
The Vulgar levell'd at, and a Free State:
50: Permit them but the Name, the Thing they'l bate.
The man-headed Rabble was the Moon,
Eclips'd our Sun; and made a glorious Noon,
Cover its white skin with a Midnight vail:
For the old Serpent, was the Dragons Tail;
55: And a pretended Parliament, the Head:
Hic sita est: Great Britain here lies dead.
So Rancour, in a Regal Trag'dy:
Summ'd up the Total of Mans misery.
And thorny Satyrs, can no further tax
60: Than this: Their King felt the Rebellious Ax.
For when the fatall Arrow strikes the Hart,
In vain do Rascal Deer, complain of smart.
It was lost labour for poor Cavaliers
To exclaim, Billows, wash'd ore head and ears;
65: Suppose they escap'd drowning, 'twas enough:
If not praise-worthy, to insulting Buff.
For if the Laws do Anarchy resist,
An half-blind Cobler may act what he list.
But newly-wean'd Experience, verifies,
70: When 'sops Fox free-quarter'd the old Flies,
That he was prudent. Doubtless some have found,
Ship-money, and an hundred thousand pound
Per mensem for to differ. Who were nice
To give Necessity; serv'd Avarice.
75: Stupendious Rome, split not upon the Rocks
Of a Free State; till Sol the 'quinox
Four hundred Ninety times had kiss'd: But Fate
Lop'd off in Three years the Decemvirate.
And the State remain'd spurious; until she
80: Chose Julius C'sar PATER PATRI' 7
Who brought her Scepter beyond the extent
Of Latium; and the Gauls large continent.
Augustus by adoption was his Heir;
Who rather seem'd to build, than to repair
85: The Worlds chief City. Thus doth MONARCHIE,
Empires enlarge, and Cities beautifie.
What if the Monster Nero would destroy
Mount Palatine, 8 to Act the flames of Troy?
And to make sure he should begin the List
90: Of Tyrants; turn'd wretched Anatomist?
Yet still the Rule is valid. Romans now
To an Usurpers Sword their Necks did bow.
Co/elestial Justice, aptly punish'd thus
The Treason, to their Prince Britannicus;
95: The Legal Heir. Suffer proud Rome to burn:
A murder'd KING, deserves A sumptuous Urn.
A Bargain then, Phanatick Sophister!
You shall quote NERO: I'll vouch OLIVER.
How Rampant were the English Lyons, when
100: Third Edward, and his Son seem'd more than Men?
Arithmetick the Number can't comprize
Of French Gallants, who had their Elegies,
Pen'd by the Grey Goose Wing: when streined Yewe
Made charging Horses, and their Riders rue.
105: By scarsity, Fifth Henry did enhance
The Gentries value, in lamenting France.
And our fore-Fathers, under the command
Of Co/eur' de Lyon, snatch'd the Holy Land
From the provoking Turk. A Virgin Queen
110: Was too Athletick, for the Spanish spleen,
To hurt with Melancholy fumes. Her Drake,
Was Draco Volans; and did undertake
To conquer the Invincible Half Moon:
Whose Face put on a Scarlet Hue, as soon
115: As the Fire-Ship approach'd; which made some swear
That Purgatories place was found: for there
Was Flames; Howlings; and to augment the Pain,
They thought t'Enslave; but wore themselvs the Chain.
Thus the Realm flourish'd under Regal Power:
120: Yet Edward did contrive the fatal Hour,
Of his weak Father. And Henry, when Prince,
Was branded with such Crimes, as might evince
Defect of Morals. And her Sister Scot,
Cast on Elisa, an Eternal Blot.
125: But not one Blemish could a Mortal finde,
In our Late KING; That Darling of Mankinde:
A sober Ethnick is compell'd to think,
Curtius deserving, when he clos'd the chink,
Threatning his Countries Ruine: Though to save
130: The Multitude, He found an hasty Grave.
How much are truly Pious bound to prize
His Memory, who for Religion, dies?
Who chooseth rather to become a Prey;
Then free-born Subjects Liberty betray?
135: CHARLES shall be Sainted: who hath overcome
Envies Armado, by a Martyrdom.
But as inspired Socrates had Health,
When an Infection reap'd the Commonwealth
Of Athens; 'cause his stomach was so clean,
140: It did not know what crudities might mean:
So select souls, in Europes greatest Isle,
Would not admit Rebellion to defile
Or Words, or Actions; being not opprest
In mind with Prejudice, or Interest.
145: Some despicable Youngsters did combine,
With the notorious Villain Catiline,
To kill their common Mother: But the chief
Of Orators, perswaded quick Relief.
The Optimates, and such Magistrates,
150: As could vaunt Images, shew fair Estates.
Guarded the Publick: And themselves thereby,
From loss of Fortune; gain of Infamy.
In the Engagements of late time, though some
Good eyes, were cheated with the Medium
155: Of candied Remonstrance; (whilst men be,
'Tis possible they trip on Frailty)
Yet no legitimate Nobility,
Or who had Badges of Gentility,
Border'd with Vertue, Mantled with Pretence,
160: Cordial, and upright; ever could dispence
With dutiful Allegiance: Or did rend
The Ermin Robes, for a base private end.
Whom Errour misled, are turn'd Proselytes;
And a desire that's National, invites
165: Secular Hereticks, for to comply;
Not to draw stakes; but in sincerity.
Is it not time to quit an head-strong Rage,
When our Convulsions have attain'd full Age?
And have not we Years of Discretion? See
170: Discrepant Factions, in a Third agree;
In CHARLES the GREAT, or Second of that Name:
And the Third MONARCH, married TWEED to THAME.
Natures Musitians in the Air, employ
Their slender Throats, as ecchoes to Mans Joy.
175: Flora, in the Kings Colours takes delight:
And wears a Tulip, PURPLE; GREEN; and WHITE.
The Halcyon never used to appease
Tempestuous Seas, till setting Pleiades
Usher'd the Winter; Now she brings fair daies;
180: And Neptune Tethys treats, with Masques and Playes.
The scaly Regiments all Muster there,
Except the Meermaid; hindred by a fear
Of meeting Princely Dolphins; who would carp,
At their supporting of the Cross and Harp:
185: And justly might with rigidness reprove,
Prompted by Honour, and Arions Love;
Whose Instrument was strook with Jollity;
When Englands Face resembled Niobe.
Doth the profound Philosopher desire,
190: To see the pure, and unconsuming Fire,
Which neighbours on the Moon; let him mount high
His eyes, when Londons bone-fires roost the Skie,
And what is voyc'd invisible he'll see;
And quarrell at the Aires Triplicity
195: Of Regions; since the Fire is next to Earth:
Thoughts of this kind have scarcely atchieved Birth,
But the Moncks powder thunders; lightens; now,
The Middle doth disseise the Fire; and Low.
Thus in amazement, arguing from hence,
200: An unbelieving Sceptick doth commence.
FIRE, AIR, EARTH, WATER, in a Chorus sing
And Io P'an: Or, GOD SAVE THE KING.
Ships are our Forts. Our Pilot's not to learn
(And that without a Trope) to hold the Stern.
205: Three Languages made any heretofore,
A Prodigy: Our Gracious Lord speaks more.
But in a strict sense, Words no more comprise
Of worth, than Parrets prating signifies;
Or File of Cyphers, which are nothing all;
210: Unless a Figure make Numerical.
The Nations Patron, hath pleas'd to confer
The honour of a Privy Counsellour,
On History: That Bosome-friend of time;
And Calculation, fit for every Clime.
215: This shews, King Codrus gave his life to buy
Athens, a controverted Victory.
If C'sars justly mannag'd Axe, and Rodds;
C'sars liv'd Happy: were at death made Gods.
Because the bloud of Innocents was spilt;
220: Domitian was broke on the Wheel of Guilt.
In sport LYSANDERS Thirty Bloud-hounds kill:
No Laws are cruel; if compar'd to WILL.
What Factions root up Kingdoms, she relates:
What Lapses, depose mighty Potentates.
225: A Ruler without History is blind.
Self-love, will be industrious not to find
A Parasites deceptions; or do Right,
Unless a Bribe bespeaks a FAVORITE.
I purposely omit the Title Just:
230: Not to judge that, is bottomless distrust.
All Ethicks is an Inmate to the Man,
Whom study dubs compleat Historian.
His Active valour was at WORCESTER shown:
His Passive to the Universe is known.
235: But as an Eagle, credits common Fowl;
And brittle Bodies, have an high-born Soul;
So may we in Renowned CHARLES behold
A radiant Jewel, in recited Gold.
RELIGION adorns VERTUE: Kingdoms Three,
240: Require in Graces 'quipollency.
When Subjects fail'd; His Faith rely'd upon
The Holy, Holy, TETRAGRAMMATON.
The Verdict of twelve gloomy years, attest
Hope the Consort, of his couragious Breast.
245: And who enquires after his CHARITY,
Cannot deride CORVINUS MEMORY.
Did he FORGIVE? As if it were a Task,
Too scratching for an Enemy to ask;
MERCY was profer'd; which did circumvent
250: An unsophisticated PARLIAMENT,
By a devout Prolepsis. For which Fame
An Obelisk shall build to his Great Name.
Add to these, CONSTANCY; a splendid Gemme,
That darts its Lustre through the Diadem.
255: The Romish Church, (though she held out her Armes)
Could not entice Him, by the potent Charmes
Of profuse Promises; and did invade
His Resolves, with the Loyola Brigade.
A Ship at Anchor, the Seas Wrath out braves:
260: Slighting the fury of rebounding Waves.
Or as a Faithful Garrison, counts trash
Smooth Agitations of th' Assailants Cash.
What if the Blockers up, (when GOLD shall fail)
Showres down Bravadoes in revengeful Hail?
265: His two-edg'd Machination proves in vain:
Here a Good Cause, undaunted Hands maintain.
So our FAITHS Standard-Bearer, stood his Ground:
When GIFTS, when SOPHISTRY, begirt him round.
A Black stone streak'd with White, (which Authors call
270: Agathos) frees from all Terrestrial
Dangers, and Discontents; and it exempts
From Loss, and Detriment in all Attempts.
The Black stone is Affliction; the white Veines,
Are Souls, she scours from Unrepented staines.
275: This is the Shield repulsing Mortal Sins,
And gross Imprudence; who so wears her, wins
ALL PALMS. The Earth, as knowing how to use:
And Heaven it self; by watching lest he lose.
This strickt Lyc'um, CHARLES did educate:
280: Who is in Tribulation GRADUATE.
And Scholars know, twelve years Non-Regency
Will make a DOCTOR of DIVINITY:
Kind Providence hath bless'd us with a King:
Whose Aristotle, was his Suffering.
285: Fancy a wealthy Mariners return
From Sun-burnt India, whose watry Urn,
Rumour had long since form'd; view how his Wife
Starts at the surprize of a dubious Life:
And hardly reconciling HOPE, and FEARS; 9
290: She wafts him to her LIPS, in joyous TEARES. 10
Great Sir! your espous'd Kingdom, fear'd the Crown
Should fall into Distractions Gulf, and drown;
When Pikes, and Bandaliers, were the sole Helm:
And many thousand Centaurs, steer'd the Realm.
295: But when you came within few Leagues of PORT;
Her Prayers went your Harbingers to Court.
And in proportion to that solemn rate:
The Heliconian Nymphs, Congratulate.
Nor shall stout MONCK, seek his Arrears of Praise;
300: Let Gratitude, cut down a Grove of Bayes,
To Crown his Head: who without Angry word,
Did braver Exploits than ACHILLES SWORD.
Grass covers not the top of Royal Mines:
Nor should Words Fly-blow exquisite designs.
305: Counsel (like Essence) expects stopping well:
Or bid Adieu to the perfuming smell.
Moyst APRIL shall attend on florid MAY.
Whose EIGHT, thy Worth enstall'd St Georges day.
And since from Alli'd SCOTLAND you came forth,
310: The PROVERB'S outlaw'd: Good comes from the North.
Lift up thy Head, old Worcester! and confess
Horrour the Epilogue of Wickedness.
Though thou wert blasted with a jealous eye:
A Plaudit now attends thy LOYALTY.
315: For dutiful endeavours, unto this
May be subjoyn'd the fam'd Metropolis.
Whose DAGGER to the BACK-SWORD rendring place;
Great want of TRADING gave REPENTANCE space.
It was full time to beg a REGAL TOUCH:
320: When this Kings-Evill did afflict so much.
Have ye not seen an Infant, Fat and Fair;
Whilest to his Mothers Milk he might repair:
Commit him to a STEPDAMES cruel care,
His Cheeks grow hollow; and his Jaw-bones bare.
325: In a good Mood, she may allow him Meat:
But Tears shall moysten what the poor Child eat.
To hide her shame, she will afford fine Cloaths:
Lest Prints of Stripes, and Pinches shew, she Loaths.
Hunger, and Thirst, nay Blows, can't satiate:
330: Unless his Father be induc'd to Hate.
CHARLES with maternal Care, kept LONDON plump:
But O the Claws, of the Novercal RUMP.
Know thy felicity; be fix'd at length:
RELAPSES conquer half consumed Strength.
335: That ever thou Apostatiz'd, is Strange:
Since the word Royal, comes before Exchange.
'Tis Perseverance onely can advance:
The Crown, the Crown's, thy Cap of Maintenance.
Rouse Understanding! Manacle my Sence;
340: Demonstrate how a swift Intelligence,
Acteth his distinct Orb: with what Tube shall
I gaze upon an Immaterial?
But let not Curiositie, be bold
To disturb Spirits; since it may behold
345: Sublimer Objects: And will then prefer
For wise Intelligences, WESTMINSTER.
In that most grave Assembly, every Man
Is to his Sphere, An Angel Guardian:
Our Balsam dropt not from the Major Part;
350: Three hundred Members, had a single Heart.
The Commons vote; Assent flies from the Lords:
Time was not spent in nicities of Words.
Sixty the Golden Number, hence shall be:
Your Speaker, Fame; your Rolls, Eternitie.
355: THE KING ENJOYS HIS OWN; sing Civil State!
And let the Clergie say; MAGNIFICAT.
FINIS.
[3] Wounds OW; check cap
[4] clearly so, but is it typo for Menaleas?
[5] 1652. Mar. 29.
[6] 1648. Jan. 30
[7] PATRI'] PATRI' all copies, both states
[8] Palatine,] Palatine:, copytext, both states
[9] FEARS] L, OW FEARES O
[10] TEARES] O TEAES L, OW