An Elegy upon the most Incomparable King Charls the First.

CAll for amazed thoughts, a wo…nded sen…
And bleeding Hearts at, our Intelligence.
Call for that Trump of Death the Mandrak… …
VVhich kills the Hearer…: This besits alone
O…r Story which thro…gh times vast Calendar,
Must stand without Example or Repair.
VVhat spouts of melting Clo…ds, what endl…ss Sp…ing…
Powr'd in the Oceans lap for Offering…,
Shall feed the hungry Torrent of our grief
Too mighty for expression or belief?
Though all those moistures which the brain attracts
Ran from eyes like g…shing Cataracts,
Or our sad accents could out-tongue the Cryes
VVhich did from mournful Hadad…mmon ri…e,
Since that remembrance of Iosiah slain
In our King's m…rther is reviv'd again.
O pardon me that but from Holy VVrit
Our loss allowes no Parallel to it:
Nor call it bold presumption that I dare
Cha…ls with the best of Iadah's Kings compare:
The vertues of whose life did I prefer
The Text acquits me for no Flatterer.
For he like David perfect in his Trust,
VVas never stayn'd like Him, with Blood or Lust.
One who with Solomon in Judgment try'd,
VVas quick to comprehend, VVise to decide,
(That even his Judges stood amaz'd to hear
A more tra…s…ndent Mover in their Sphear)
Though more Religious: for when doting Love
A while made Solom…n Apostate prove,
Charls nev'r endur'd the Truth which he profest,
To be unfixt by bosome interest.
Bold as Iehosapha…, yet forc'd to Fight,
And for his own, no unconcerned Right.
Should I recount His constant time of Pray'r,
Each rising Morn and Ev'ning Regular,
You'ld say his practice preach'd, They ought not Ea,
VVho by devotion first not earn'd their Meat:
Thus Hez…kiah He exceeds in Zeal,
Though not (like him) So facile to reveal
The Tr…asures of God… Ho…se, or His own Heart,
To be supplanted by some … art.
And that he might in same with Ioash share
VVhen he the ruin'd Temple did repair,
His c…st on Pauls late ragged Fabrick spent
Must (if no other) be His Monument.
From this S…rvey the Kingdom may conclude
His Merits, and her L…sses Magnitude:
Nor think he flatters or blasphemes, who tells
That Charls exceeds Iudea's Parallels,
In whom all Ver…ues we concentred see
VVhich 'mongst the best of them divided be.
O weak built Glories! which those Tempests feel
To force you from your firm…st bases reel,
VVhat from the stroaks of Chance shall you secure,
VVhen Rocks of Innocence are so unsure?
VVhen the VVorld's only mirrour slaughter'd lies,
Envies and Treasons bleeding sacrifize;
As if His stock of Goodness could become
No …, but that of Ma…ty…dom.
See now ye cursed Mountebanks of State,
VVho have Eight years for Reformations sate;
You who dire Alva's Counsels did transfer,
To Act his Scenes on England's Theater;
You who did pawn your Selves in Publick Faith
To slave the Kingdom by your Pride and VVrath;
Call the whole VVorld to witness now, how just,
How well you are responsive to your trust,
How to your King the promise you perform,
VVith Fasts, and Sermons, and long Prayers sworn,
That you intended Peace and Truth to bring
To make your Charls Europes most Glorious King.
Did you for this Li…t up your Hands on high,
To Kill the King, and pluck down Monarchy?
These are the Fruits by your wild Faction sown,
VVhich not Imputed are, but Born your own:
For though you wisely seem to wash your Hands,
The Guilt on every Vote and Order stands;
So that convinc'd, from all you did before,
Justice must lay the Murther at your Door.
Mark if the Body does not Bleed anew,
In any Circumstance approach'd by You,
From whose each motion we might plain desery
The black Oftents of this late Tragedy.
For when the King through Storms in Scotland bred,
To his Great Co…ncel for his shelter fled,
VVhen in that meeting every Error gain'd
Redresses sooner granted, than Complain'd:
Not all th…se …rank Conc…ssions or Amends
Did … the then too Powerfull Faction's ends:
No Acts of Grace at present would Content,
Nor Promise of …,
Till by a f…rmal …w the King had past
This Session should at Y…ur pl…sure last.
So having got the …, and that 'twas …nown
No power could diss…lve Yo… b…t Your own,
Your grac…less Junto m…e s…ch use of this,
As once was pract…s'd by Semiram…s;
VVho str…ving by a subtile S…te to prove
The largeness of her H…band Tr…st and Love,
Did from the much ab…sed King obtain
That for Three d…y…s She might sole Empress r…ign;
Before which time expir'd, the bloody VVi…e
D…priv'd her Lo…d both of his Crown and Life.
There needs no Comment when your deeds apply
The Demonstration of her Treachery.
VVhich to effect, by Absolon's foul w…le
You of the Peopl…s He…rt your Prince beguile;
Urging what Eases they might reap by it
Did you their Legistative Iudges …it.
How did you fawn upon, and Court the Ro…t,
VVho…e Clamour c…ry'd your whole Plot about?
How did you thank Seditious men that came
To bring Petitions which your selves did frame▪
And lest they wanted Hands to set them on,
You lead the way by throwing the first stone.
For in that Libel after Midnight born,
VVherewith your Faction labour'd till the Morn,
That Famous Lye, you a Re…o…stra…ce name;
VVere not Reproaches your malic…o…s aim?
VVas not the King's dishonour your intent,
By Slanders to traduce his Government?
All which your spightfull Cunning did contrive;
Men must rec…ive through your false Perspective▪
In which the smallest Spots improved were,
And every Mote a Mo…ntain did appear▪
Thus … by th' ungratef…ll Senate found
His Life ass…ulted through his Honour's VVound.
And now to make Him hopeless to resist,
You g…ide His Sword by Vote, which as you li…t
Must, Strike or Spare (for so you did enforce
His Hand against His Reason to divorce
Brave Str…fford's Life,) then wring it quite away
By yo…r us…rping each Militia:
Then seize His Magazines, of which possest
You turn the VVeapons 'gainst their M…ster's Breast
This done, th' unkennell'd crew of Lawless men
Led down by …, Penni…g…o…, and Ven,
Did with confused noise the Court invade;
Then all Dissenters in Both Houses Bay'd.
At which the King amaz'd is forc'd to flye,
The whilst your Mouth's laid on mantain the Cry.
The Royal Game dislodg'd and under Chase,
Your hot Pursute dogs Him from place to place:
Not S…ul with greater fury or disdain
Did flying David from Ieshimon's plain
Unto the barren Wilderness pursue,
Than Cours'd and Hunted is the King by you.
The Mountain Partridge or the Chased Roe
Might now for Emblemes of His Fortune go,
And since all other May-games of the Town
(Save those your selves should make) were Voted down,
The Clam'rous Pulpit Hollaes in resort,
Inviting men to your King-catching Sport.
VVhere as the Foyl grows cold you mend the Scent
By crying Privilege of Parliament,
VVhose fair Preten…ions the first sparkles are,
VVhich by your breath blown up enflame the VVar,
And Ireland (bleeding by design) the Stale
VVherewith for Men and Money you prevail.
Yet doubting that Imposture co…ld not last,
VVhen all the Kingdoms Mines of Treasure waste,
You now tear down Religion's sacred Hedge
To carry on the VVork by Sacriledge;
…eputing it Rebellions fittest Pay
…o take both God's and Caesar's dues away.
The tenor of which execrable Vote
…our over-active Zelots so promote,
…hat neither Tomb nor Temple could escape,
…r Dead nor Living, your Licentious Rape.
…tatues and Grave-stones o'r men buried
…ob'd of their Brass, the Coffi…s of their Led;
…ot the Seventh Henry's gilt and curious Skr…en,
…or those which 'mongst our Rarities were seen,
The Chests wherein the Saxon Monarchs lay,
…t m…st be basely sould or thrown away.
May in succeeding times forgotten be
Those bold Examples of Impiety,
VVhich were the Ages wonder and discourse,
…o… have Their greatest ills improv'd by worse.
No more be mention'd Dionysius Theft,
VVho of their Gold the Heathen Shrines bereft;
For who with Yours His Robberies confer,
Must him repute a petty Pil…erer.
Nor Iulian's Scoff, who when he view'd the State
O… A…ioch's Church, the Ornaments and Plate,
Cry'd, Meaner Vessels would serve turn, or None
Might well become the birth of Mary's Son:
Nor how that spightfull Atheist did in scorn
Pisse on God's Table▪ which so o…t had born
The Hallow'd Elements, his death present:
Nor he that …ould it with his Excrement,
Then turn'd the Cloth unto that act of shame,
VVhich without trembling Christians should not name▪
Nor Iohn of Leyd…n, who the pillag'd Q…ires
Employ'd in Munster for his own attires;
His pranks by Hazle…g exceeded be,
A wre…ch more wicked and as mad as he,
Who once in triumph led his S…mpter Mo…l
Proudly b…d…ked with the Altar's spoyl.
Nor at Bizantium's …ack how Mahom…t
In St. Sophia's Church his Horses set.
Nor how Belshazzar at his dr…nken Feasts
Carows'd in holy Vessels to his Guests:
Nor he that did the Books and Anthems …,
Which in the daily Stations used were.
These were poor Ess…yes of imperfect Crimes,
Fit for beginners in …nlearned times,
Siz'd onely for that dull Meridian
Which knew no J…suit nor Puritan,
(Before whose fa… Birth were no such things
As Doctrines to Depose and Murther Kings.)
But since Your prudent care Enacted well,
That there should be no King in Israel,
England must write such Annals of Your reign
Which all Records of elder mischiefs st…in.
Churches unbuilt by order, others burn'd;
…hilst Pauls and Li…col… are to Stables turn'd;
…d at God's Table you might Horses see
… (those more Beasts) their Riders manger'd be,
…me Kitchins and some Slaughter-houses made,
…-boards and Cloths for Dressers laid:
…me turn'd to loathsome Goals, so by you brought
…nto the Curse of Baal's House:, a Draught.
…he Commo… Prayers with the Bibles torn,
…he Co…ps in An…ck Moorish Dances worn,
…d sometimes, for the wearers greater mock,
…he Surplice is converted to a Frock.
…me bringing Dogs the Sacrament revile,
…me with Copronimus the … de…ile.
… God! canst Thou these prophanations like?
… not, why is thy Thunder slow to strike
…he cursed Authors? who dare think that Thou
…, when not punish them, their acts allow.
… which outragious Crimes, though your pr…tence
…ould fasten on the Souldiers insolence,
…e must believe, that what by them was done
…me licens'd …orth by your probation,
…, as your selves with Athaliah's Brood
… strong contention for precedence stood,
… robb'd Two Royal Cha…els of their Plate,
…hich Kings and Queens to God did dedicate;
Then by a Vote more sordid than the Stealth,
Melt down and Coyn it for the Common-wealth;
That is, give't up to the devouring jaws
Of your great Idol Bell, new styl'd The Cause▪
And though this Monster you did well devise
To seed by Plunder, Taxes, Loans, Excise;
(All which Provisions You the People tell
Sc…rce serve to diet Your Pa…tagru…l.)
We no Strew'd Ashes need to trace the Cheat,
Who pl…inly see what Mouthes the Messes eat.
Brave R…ormation! and a through one too,
Which to enrich Your selves must All undo.
Pray tell us (those that can) What fruits have grown▪
From all Your Seeds in Blood and Treasure sown?
What would you mend? when Your Projected State▪
Doth from the Best in Form degenerate?
Or why should You (of All) attempt the Cure,
Whose Facts not Gospel's Test nor Laws endure?
But like unwholsome Exhalations met
From Your Conjunction onely Plagues beget,
And in Your Circle, as Imposthumes …ill
Which by their venome the whole Body kill;
For never had You Pow'r but to Destroy,
Nor Will, but where You Conquer'd to Enjoy▪
This was your Master-prize, who did intend
To make both Church and Kingdom's prey Your End▪
'Gainst which the King (plac'd in the Gap) did strive
By His (till then unquestion'd) Negative,
Which finding You lack'd Reason to perswade,
Your Arguments are into Weapons made;
So to compell him by main force to yield,
You had a Formed Army in the Field
Before his Reared Standard could invite
Ten men upon his Righteous Cause to …igh…:
Yet ere those raised Forces did advance,
Your malice struck him dead by Ordinance,
When your Commissions the whole Kingdom swept
With Blood and Slaughter, Not the King Except.
Now hardned in Revolt, You next proceed
By Pacts to strenghten each Rebellious Deed,
New Oaths, and Vows, and Covenants advance,
All contradicting your Allegiance,
Whose Sacred knot you plainly did unty,
When you with Essex swore to Live and Dye.
These were your Calves in Bethel and in Dan,
Which Ieroboam's Treason stablish can,
Who by strange Pacts and Altars did seduce
The People to their Laws and King's abuse;
All which but serve like Shibboleth to try
Those who pronounc'd not your conspiracy;
That when your other Trains defective are,
Forc'd Oaths might bring Refusers to the Snare.
And lest those men your Co…nsels did pervert,
Might when your Fraud was seen the Cause desert,
A fierce Decree is through the Kingdom sent,
Which made it Death for any to Repent.
What strange Dilemmaes doth Rebellion make?
'Tis mortal to D…ny, … to Partake:
S…me … who would not aid your Traiterous Act.
… are Hang'd if they Retract.
… who their Contracts have unsworn.
… Devils are in pieces torn.
… still the rageing Tempest higher gro… ▪
… the Kings Resolvings throw…
… every where appears,
… multiply our fears▪
Whilst blind Ambition by successes fed
… You beyond the bound of Subjects led,
Who tasting once the sweet of Regal Sway▪
Resolving now no longer to obey▪
For Presbiterian pride contests as high
As doth the Popedom for Supremacy.
Needs must you with unskilfull Phaeto…
Aspire to guid the Chariot of the Sun,
Though your ill-govern'd height with lightning be
Thrown headlong from his burning Ax…-tree.
You will no more Petition or Debate,
But your desire in P…opositions state,
VVhich by such Rules and Ties the King confine,
They in effect are Summons to Resign.
Therefore your VVar is manag'd with such sleight,
'Twas seen you more prevail'd by Purse than Might;
And those you could not purchase to your will,
You Brib'd with Sums of Money to sit still.
The King by this time hopeless here of Peace,
Or to procure His wasted Peoples ease,
VVhich He in frequent Messages had try'd,
By you as oft as Shamelesly deny'd;
VVearied by faithless Friends and restless Foes,
To certain hazard doth His Life Expose:
VVhen through your Quarters in a mean disguise
He to His Country-men for succour flies,
VVho met a brave occasion then to save
Their Native King from His untimely Grave:
Had he from them such fair Reception gain'd,
VVherewith ev'n Achish David entertain'd.
But Faith to Him or Hospitable Laws
In your Con…ederate Union were no Clause,
VVhich back to you their Rendred Master sends
To tell how He was us'd among his Friends.
Far be it from my thoughts by this black Line
To measure all within that VVarlike Clime;
The still admir'd Montross some Numbers lead
In his brave steps of Loyalty to tread.
I only Tax a furious Party there,
VVho with our Native Pests Enleagued were.
Then 'twas you follow'd Him with Hue and Cry,
Made Midnight Searches in Each Liberty,
Voting it Death to all without Reprieve,
VVho should their Master Harbour or Relieve.
Ev'n in pure pity of both Nations Fame,
I wish that Act in Story had no Name.
VVhen all your mutual Stipulations are
Converted at Newcastle to a Fair,
VVhere (like His Lord) the King the Mart is made,
Bought with Your Money, and by Them Betraid;
For both are Guilty, They that did Contract,
And You that did the fatal Bargain Act.
VVhich who by equal Reason shall peruse,
Must yet conclude, They had the best Excuse:
For doubtless They (Good men) had never Sold,
But that you tempted Them with English Gold;
And 'tis no wonder if with such a Sum
Our Brethrens frailty might be overcome.
VVhat though hereafter it may prove their Lot
To be compared with Iscariot?
Yet will the VVorld perceive which was most wise,
And who the Nobler Traitor by the Price;
For though 'tis true Both did Themselves undo,
They made the better Bargain of the Two,
VVhich all may reckon who can difference
Two hundred thousand Pounds from Thirty Pence.
However something is in Justice due,
VVhich may be spoken in defence of You;
For in your Masters Purchase you gave more,
Than all your Iewish Kindred paid before.
And had you wisely us'd what then you bought,
Your Act might be a Loyal Ransome thought,
To free from Bonds your Captive Soveraign,
Restoring Him to his lost Crown again.
But You had other Plots, your busie hate
Ply'd all advantage on His fallen State,
And shew'd Yo… did not come to bring Him Bayl,
But to remove Him to a stricter Gaol,
To Holmby first, whence taken from His Bed,
He by an Army was in Triumph led;
Till on pretence of safety Cromwel's wile
Had juggl'd Him into the Fatal Isle,
VVhere Hammond for his Jaylor is decreed,
And Murderous Rols as Lieger-Hangman fee'd,
VVho in one fatal Knot Two Counsels tye,
He must by Poison or by Pistol Dye.
Here now deny'd all Comforts due to Life,
His Friends, His Children, and His Peerless VVife;
From Carisbrook He oft but vainly sends,
And though first Wrong'd, seeks to make you Amends;
For this He …, and by his r…stless Pen
Import…nes Yo…r deaf E…rs to Treat agen,
VV…ilst th… … Faction scorning to go less,
Return th…s… … Votes of Non Ad…ress,
VVhich … were by th' Armies thundring
To … ag…inst the King.
Y…t wh…n … r…mov'd, and the clear Light
Drawn f…m … Reasons, gave You sight
O… … own …, had not Their Intents
Re…ard…d b…en by s…m… cr…ss Accidents;
VVhich … a while with f…rtunate …
Ch…c…'d … div…r…d Their swoln Ins…l…nce:
When the whole Kingdom f…r a Treaty cry'…,
…
Tha… … Votes, and God once m…r…
Your … Kingdome did restore?
Rem…mb…r how … Treat…r… …,
Not to … P…ac…, but to pro…ong D…b…te;
How Yo… that precious time at first d…l…y'd,
And what ill …se of Your advantage made,
As if from Yo…r … H…nds God had decreed
Nothin… … War and Mischi…f should succ…ed
F…r wh…n by …sy Gra…s the Kings Assent
Did your Desir… in greater things prevent,
Wh…n … yield …ster than You intreat,
And m…r… th…n Mod…sty dares well repeat;
Yet not content with this, witho…t all sense
Or of His Hono… or His Conscien…e,
Still you prest on, till you too late descry'd,
'Twas now less safe to stay than be deny'd.
For like a Flood broke loose the Armed Rout,
Then Shut Him clos…r up, And Shut You out,
Who by just Veng…ance are since Worried
By those Hand-wol…es Yo… for His Ruine bred.
Thus like Two smoaking Fireb…ands, You and They
Have in this Smother choak'd the Kingdom's Day:
And a… you rais'd Them first, m…st shave the Guilt,
With all the Blood in those Distraction… spilt.
For though with … Foxes backward turn'd,
(When he Philistia's fruitfull Harv…st burn'd)
The f…ce of yo…r Opinion, stands averse,
All yor Co…cl…sions b…t one Fire disperse;
And …very Line which carries your Designs,
In th… s…m… Centre of Conf…sion joyns.
Tho…gh then the I…d…pendants end the Work,
'Tis known they took the…r Platform from the Kirk;
Though Pil…te Br…dsh…w with his pack of Jews,
God'… High Vice-g…r…nt at the Bar accuse;
They but r…viv'd the Evid…nce and Charge,
Yo…r poys' no…s D…cl…rat…ons laid at large;
Though they Condemn'd or made his Life their Spoil,
Yo… were the S…tters forc'd him to the Toil:
For you whose fatal hand the Warrant writ,
The Prisoner did for Execution fit;
And if their Ax invade the Regal Throat,
Remember you first Murther'd Him by Vote.
Thus they receive your Tennis at the bound,
Take off that Head which you had first Un-crown'd;
Which shews the Texture of our M…schiefs Clew,
If Ravell'd to the Top, begins in You,
Who have for ever st…in'd the brave Intents
And Credit of our English P…li…ments:
And in this One caus'd grea…r …lls, and more,
Than all of theirs did Good that went b…fore.
Yet have You kept your word against Your will,
Your King is Great indeed and Glorious still,
And You have made Him so. We must impute
That Lustre which His Sufferings contribute
To your preposterous Wisdoms, who have done
All your good Deeds by Contradiction:
For as to work His Peace you rais'd this Strif…,
And often Shot at Him to Save His Life;
As you took from Him to Encrease His wealth,
And kept Him Pris'ner to secure His Health;
So in revenge of your dissembled Spight,
In this last Wrong you did Him greatest Right,
And (cross to all You meant) by Plucking down
Li…ted Him up to His Eternal Crown.
With this Encircled in that radiant Sphear,
Where thy black Murtherers must ne'r appear;
Thou from th'enthroned Martyrs Blood-stain'd Line,
Dost in thy Virtues bright Example shine.
And when thy Darted Beam from the moist Sky
Nightly salutes thy grieving Peoples Eye,
Thou like some Warning Light rais'd by our fears,
Shalt both provoke and still supply our Tears,
Till the Great Prop…et wak'd from his long Sleep,
Again bids Sion for Iosiah weep:
That all Successions by a firm Decree
May teach their Children to Lament for Thee.
Beyond these Mournfull Rites there is no Art
Or Cost can Thee preserve. Thy better Part
Lives in despight of Death, and will endu…e
Kept safe in thy Unpattern'd Portraicture:
Which though in Paper drawn by thine own Hand,
Shall longer than Corinthian-Marble stand,
Or Iron Sculptures: There thy matchless Pen
Speaks Thee the Best of Kings as Best of Men:
Be this Thy Epitaph; for This alone
Deserves to carry Thy Inscription.
And 'tis but modest Truth: (so may I thrive
As not to pl…ase the Best of thine Alive,
Or flatter my Dead Master, here would I
Pay my last Duty in a Glorious Lye)
In that Admired Piece the World may read
Thy Virtues and Misfortunes Storied;
Which bear such curious Mixture, Men must doubt
Whether Thou Wiser wert or more Devout.
There live Blest Relick of a Saint-like mind,
With Honours endless, as Thy Peace, Enshrin'd;
Whilst we, divided by that Bloo…y Cloud,
Whose purple Mists Thy Murther'd Body shroud,
Here stay behind at gaze: Apt for Thy sake
Unr…ly murm…rs now 'gainst Heav'n to make,
Which binds us to Live well, yet gives no Fence
To Guard her dearest Sons from Violence.
But He whose Trump proclaims, Revenge is mine,
Bids us our Sorrow by our Hope confine,
And reconcile our Reason to our Faith,
Which in thy Ruine such Conclusions hath;
It dares Conclude, God does not keep His Word
If Zimri dye in Peace that slew his Lord.