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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A Worthy Kings Description68
[undated: before May?]
This anonymous and undated blackletter broadside loosely follows Parker's stanza, retaining the metrics of the refrain. It bears woodcuts that were also used by Charles Tyus for The Covenant.
Evidently composed before Charles arrived, the ballad sets general conditions for, and details specific results of, his return, including the rare and potentially startling claim that, once Charles is back, "Then will his power be absolute" (line 32).
A Worthy Kings Description
1: Both Country and City give ear to this ditty,
2: Whilst that I the praises sing,
3: And fame his honour out doth Ring,
4: That best deserveth to wear the Crown;
5: For Worth there's none can put him down
6: And this is no flattering, to describe a worthy King;
7: His Subjects here their desires explain,
8: Desiring that he may enjoy his own again.
[cut]
1: BRave news there is I understand,
2: Brought by one that late did land,
3: Many that heretofore were sad,
4: Their hearts full merry are, and glad,
5: And rejoice for his sake,
6: That amends will us make,
7: And will please us all as then,
8: for he that we did lack
9: is now returning back
10: For to enjoy his own again.
11: Fair England will be well content
12: With the chief of men in government,
13: When the Churches Champion smiles upon her,
14: Earths Majesty and Natures honour;
15: His foes unto him he will draw,
16: Hee's the director of the Law.
17: And the Nations Rights he will maintain:
18: these things will appear
19: before the next new year.
20: When the King enjoys his own again.
21: When the Scepter of mercy he doth hold,
22: And true Justice doth unfold,
23: And when he doth his own imbrace,
24: There you may see the glass of grace,
25: And the terrour of Treason
26: Which is but Reason.
27: The poor mans Cause he will maintain;
28: no man can this deny,
29: hee's the life of Loyalty,69
30: When that he enjoys, &c.
31: His command if Right is without dispute,
32: Then will his power be absolute:
33: In him Wisdome is very rife,
34: And his favour will lengthen life;
35: His Subjects his charge will be,
36: And his care for their safety.
37: This pleasure will true peace maintain,
38: which we shall prove
39: his joy to be our love,
40: When the King, &c.
41: His wisedome is not to be paralel'd
42: By all that e're the Scepter held,
43: 'cause it is without all equallity,
44: We hope no man can this deny:
45: He is of great renown,
46: And best describes the Crown;
47: For why he hath most right to raign,
48: thus saith the Trump of fame
49: that he describes the same,
50: For to enjoy, &c.
51: If for the same he be appointed,
52: And he be call'd the Lords anointed;
53: Like a King he must be served,
54: And70 be tenderly preserved:
55: Then he the head must be
56: Of the publick body:
57: If that his right he doth regain,
58: he will tender of us be
59: if that we live to see
60: Him to enjoy, &c.
The Second Part,
To the same Tune.
[cut]
61: HE's a blessing over his people by place,
62: And Gods Vicegerent full of grace:
63: He is no forreign Conqueror,
64: But our Supream Governour,
65: His safety his Counceils cares,
66: And his health his Subjects prayers:
67: Whilst that on Earth he doth remain,
68: his pleasure is his Peeres,
69: that great Jehovah fears,
70: And to enjoy his own again.
71: And for to chear his Subjects sadnesse,
72: His content will be their gladnesse,
73: His presence must Reverenced be,
74: According to his high degree;
75: His person must not be scorned,
76: But his civill Court adorned,
77: When in fair England he doth raign,
78: all men shall be free,
79: and set at liberty,
80: When the King, &c.
81: What rightfull71 thing by him is said,
82: Ought not for to be disobey'd;
83: One thing cannot be denied.
84: That his wants must be supplyed,
85: Nor his place unregarded,
86: But Royally Rewarded,
87: And richly his state maintain:
88: then let our prayers be
89: these happy days to see.
90: That the King may enjoy, & c.
91: Although a God he cannot be,
92: Hee's more then an ordinary man we see,
93: Wee do hope hee's so divine,
94: That from the right hee'l not decline.
95: Nor yet will he delay
96: Gods laws to obey,
97: And all mens Rights for to maintain,
98: which suddenly will be,
99: when that men do see
100: That the King, &c.
101: I now crave pardon for this bold thing,
102: For describing of a worthy King,
103: And heartily for him will pray
104: Unto the Lord both night and day,
105: And under Heaven him commend,
106: That the Lord will him defend,
107: That he in this Land long time may Raign,
108: these blessings then will be
109: who ever lives to see
110: The King, &c.
111: Then shall London Conduits run with Wine,
112: With melodious noise of Musick fine;
113: Then Bells shall Ring, and Bonefires burn,
114: For joy of his gracious return,
115: From sorrow we
116: Hope to be free,
117: From Tyranny and slavish pain,
118: then let us all rejoyce
119: both with heart and voice,
120: When the King enjoys his own again.
FINIS.
[68] Wing: [Not listed.] bl brs. Copies: GU Euing 404.
[69] Loyalty] Lyalty copy text, perhaps intended to draw attention to the bad rhyme?
[70] And] Add
[71] rightfull] righfull
II. The Escape from Worcester