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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J. W.
"A Second Charles" 119
[undated: February ?]
The title has been torn away from the only copy of this broadside that I have been able to find, so I have adopted the catch phrase from the chorus.
The "J. W." who signed this ballad remains obscure. The publisher, John Andrews, issued numerous early works celebrating the Restoration, including another broadside also signed "J. W.," The King and Kingdomes Joyful Day of Triumph, as well as a second issue of Alexander Brome's ENGLAND'S JOY For the Coming in of our Gracious Soveraign, A Glimpse of Joy, and "J. P."'s The Loyal Subjects hearty Wishes, which was found among the "trunk" ballads. Although written to a different stanzaic pattern, The King and Kingdomes Joyful Day of Triumph picks up the story of Charles's return exactly where "A Second Charles" leaves off, suggesting they may have been commissioned by Andrews from the same balladeer.
Ebsworth has proposed that the "J. W." who wrote this later ballad may have been John Wade, who sometimes published his work with Andrews, and who often signed with his initials (RB, 9:33-34). The British Library catalogue has accepted that Wade was the "J. W." who authored a ballad to Monck, Englands Heroick Champion, which was also published by Andrews.120 Further, Ebsworth also attributes The Royall Oak, printed by Charles Tyus, and signed "J. W." to Wade, but with no special evidence in either case.121 In the absence of further precise evidence, while there is no reason to suppose that the "J. W." in each case may not be the same, whether it is Wade or not seems inconclusive.
In this work, the king is implored, "Do but return and save us now," and promised that were he to do so, "we will Crown thy lovely Brow." These, and the closing lines of the ballad, are the only internal evidence for dating this ballad, and suggest that "A Second Charles" may have appeared early in the year, before or shortly after Monk entered London. Certainly the general terms of desire described here suggest a moment before it was known whether Monk would support a return to monarchy.
[119] Wing: [not Wing]. Bl brs. Copies: EN Crawford Ballad 990, removed from MR.
[120] Englands Heroick Champion. Or the ever renowned Generall George Monck, through whose Valor and prudence Englands antient Liberties are restored, and a Full and Free parliament now to be called, to the great joy of the Nation, Printed for John Andrews; L Rox.III.246.
[121] See "J. W.", The Royall Oak, included in "The Escape From Worcester" section of this anthology.
"A Second Charles"
OUr Age strange things hath brought to light,
And time hath chased away the night;
Now doth our Sun his beames display
And shows to us a lightsome day.
England cheer up, do not repine,
A second Charles his Sun shall shine.
Black and dark was our morning Star,
As darksome night or far blacker,
A woful change did so increase
10: Within our little universe:
England cheer up, do not repine
A second Charles his Sun shall shine.
But now our bright morning doth arise
And golden hopes doth paint our skies,
15: Which in our hearts doth comfort breed
Because in heaven it is decreed
All sorrows let us now refrain
A second Charls once more shall Reign.
And let us now our selves commit,
20: To him that doth in Heaven sit:
Our case that he to mind will call
After our sad and great downfall,
That we this comfort may obtain
That a second Charles once more may Raign.
25: He will us govern you shall see,
In Love, and Peace, and Unity:
And from all harms will us defend
'Gainst all that with us do contend.
Each others love then we shall gain
When that a second Charles doth Reign.
He shall our King and Shepherd be,
And lead us to felicity:
To us he will example give
Even all the dayes that he doth live.
And peacefully he will us guide
Unto those streames that sweetly glide.
And he will us so with love inure,
And cause us for to be secure
From all our forreign enemies,
40: And all Assaults and Batteries.
He will our Rightful Cause maintain,
When that in England he doth Reign.
Light out of darkness is now display'd,
Which was before in darknes laid;
45: True Oracles shall never fail.
Nor miracles to make men quail:
Charles shall his Fathers right attain
Over these Nations for to Reign.
And shall be seated upon his Throne,
50: Where many years there hath been none
Which is upheld with pillers four,
Justice, and Truth, Mercy, and Power.
Earthly perfection we then shall gain,
When that a second Charles doth Reign.
The second part, to the same Tune.
[cut]
55: THen shall we hear sweet harmony,
Without him there's no melody:
He is sweeter to fair Englands minde,
Then any meat that she can finde.
She doth desire him to attaine
And have a second Charles again.
He's our Physician, he can ease
Our mindes, and cure our disease,
And heal our drooping heavy hearts;
And also cure our outward smarts.
And Englands peace he will maintain
When that a second Charles doth Reign.
Although our foes at us let fly,
And us assault with battery,
He will discomfort them we know,
70: By earthly powers here below:
Of forreign Nations we love shall gain
When that a second Charles doth Reign.
Charles is Englands resplendant Sun,
For want of whom we are undone:
75: d have been by tyranny
And seduced long by subtlilty:
Now all our longings are in vain,
Except a second Charles do Reign.
Charles show to us thy Rosie face,
80: With gentle offers of thy grace;
With reverence which we all admire
Thy graces which we all desire;
Let all men palms and laurels bring,
For to Crown Charles our gracious King.
85: Our sorrows then thou shalt subdue,
And all our former joyes renew;
Now lift us up with all thy strength,
Let us enjoy sweet peace at length.
Our hearts doth in thy brest remain,
And we desire that Charles may Reign.
The Tyrant's dead that sought to spill
The innocent and him to kill;
Do but return and save us now,
And we will Crown thy lovely Brow
With praise and prayers once again,
When that in England thou doest Reign.
Great Charles for thee we all will pray,
And for George Monck, both night and day,
And for his Army great and small
100: God bless and eke preserve them all:
And for the Parliament again,
That Charles the second he may Reign.
FINIS.
J. W.
London, Printed for John Andrews,
at the White Lion near Pye-Corner.