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 Britain's remembrancer. 
 
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Britain's Remembrancer. 
 
 (do Idcxxviii.) 
 
 BY 
 
 GEORGE WITHER. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 r> ,t * • 9 
 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE SPENSER SOCIETY. 
 
 1880. 
 
Printed by Charles E. Simms, 
 Manchester. 
 
 Ql^ 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Britain's Remembrancer Containing A Narration of the Plagve 
 lately pad ; A Declaration of the Mischiefs prefent ; And a 
 Prediction of Ivdgments to come ; (If Repentance prevent not.) 
 It is Dedicated (for the glory of God) to Posteritie ; and, to 
 Thefe Times (if they pleafe) by Geo: Wither. 
 
 Iob. 32. 8, 9, 10, 18, 21, 22. Surely, there is a fpirit in 
 man ; but the infpiration of the Almighty giveth widerflanding. 
 Great men are not alwayes wife, neither doe the aged alway 
 under/land judgement. Therefore, I fay, heare me, and I will 
 fhew alfo my opinio?i. For, I am full of matter ; and the fpirit 
 within mee compelleth me. I will not accept theperfon of man, 
 neither will I give flattering titles to man. For, I may not 
 give flattering titles, lejl my Maker take me away fuddenly. 
 
 Reade all, or cenfure not : For ; He that anfwereth a mat- 
 ter before he heare it, it isfliame and folly to him. Prov. 18. 13. 
 
 Imprinted for Great Britaine, and are to be fold by Iohn 
 Grismond in Ivie-Lane. do Idcxxviii. 
 
 {Lowndes, p. 2965 ; Hazlitt, No. 19.) 
 
cId Idcxxviii. 
 
 Britain's Remembrancer. 
 
 (Lowndes, p. 2965 ; Hazlitt, No. 19.) 
 
The meaning of the Title page. 
 
 BEhold ; and marke ; and mind, ye Britifh Nations, 
 This dreadfull vifion of my Contemplations. 
 Before the Throne of Heav'n, J faw, me thought, 
 This famous Ifland into queflion brought. 
 With better eares then thofe my Body beare, 
 I heard impartial! IVSTICE to declare 
 Gods Benefits, our Thanklefneffe, and what 
 Small heed, his Love, or Iudgements here begat. 
 I viewed eternall MERCIE, how flie fl rove 
 God's jufl deferved Vengeance to remove. 
 But.fo encreafl our Sinnes, and crfd fo loud, 
 That, at the lafl, I faw a difmall Cloud 
 Exceeding blacke, as from the Sea afcending, 
 And over all this Ifle it felfe extending: 
 Withfuch thicke foggie Vapours, that their fleames 
 Seetnd, for a while, to darken MERCIES beames. 
 
 Within this fearfull Cloud, I did behold 
 All Plagues and Punifhments, that name I could. 
 And with a trembling heart, 1 fear \t each ho ure, 
 God would that Temped on this Ifland poure. 
 
 Yet, better hopes appeared : for, loe, the Rayes 
 Of MERCY pierc'd this Cloud, 6° made fuch waies 
 Quite through thofe Exhalations, that mine eye 
 Did this Infcription, thereupon efpie ; (faid, 
 
 Britaine'5 Remembrancer: 6°, fomewhat 
 Thefe words (me thought) The Storme is, yet, delaid, 
 And if ye doe not penitence defer, 
 This CLOVD is only, a REMEMBRANCER. 
 But, if ye ftill affect impiety, 
 Expect, e're long, what this may fignifie. 
 
 This having heard andfeene, 7 thought, nor fit 
 Nor fife it were, for me to f mot her it : 
 And, therefore, both tc others eyes, and eares, 
 Have offred, here, what unto mine appeares. 
 fudge as yepleafe, ye Readers, this, or me: 
 Truth will be Truth, how e're it cenfur'd be, 
 
 Geo: Wither. 
 
BRJTms REAEAIBRAjVCf^ 
 
Britain's Remembrancer 
 
 Containing 
 
 A Narration of the Plagve lately pad 
 
 A Declaration of the M I s c H I E F s prefent 
 
 And a Prediclion of I v d g m e n t s to come 
 
 (If Repentance prevent not.) 
 
 It is Dedicated (for the glory of God) 
 
 to Posteritie; and, to Thefe 
 
 Times (if they pleafe) by 
 
 Geo: With e r. 
 
 lOB 32. 8, 9, IO, l8, 21, 22. 
 
 Surely, there is a fpirit in man-, but the infpiration of 
 the Almighty giveth under/landing. 
 
 Great men are not alwayes wife, neither doe the aged 
 a/way underfland judgement. 
 
 Therefore, I fay, heare me, and J will fiiew alfo my 
 opinion. 
 
 For, I am full of matter; and the fpirit within mee 
 compelleth me. 
 
 J will not accept the p erf on of man, neither will I give 
 flattering titles to man. 
 
 For, J may not give flattering titles, lefl my Maker 
 take me awayfuddenly. 
 
 Reade all, or cenfure not : 
 
 For ; He that anfwereth a matter before he heare it, 
 it is fliame and folly to him. Prov. 18. 13. 
 
 Imprinted for Great Britaine, and are to be 
 fold by I o H N G R I s M o N D in 
 
 Ivie-Lane. cId IOCXXVIII. 
 
TO 
 THE KINGS MOST 
 
 EXCELLENT 
 
 Maiestie. 
 
 Moft Royall SIR: 
 
 BEcaufe I doubted who might firfiperufe, 
 Thefe honeft Raptures of my fleighted Mufe ; 
 Obf erring in the quality of moft, 
 To paffe raft \ judgements (taken up) on trufl; 
 And, that according to the wits ofthofe 
 Who eenfurefrfl, the common Cenfure goes : 
 Perceiving, too, with what oblique a f peel, 
 Some glaring Comets, on my Lines refleel; 
 Awhile jpawfed, whether trufl I might 
 My plain e-pace'd Meafures to their partiall fight, 
 Who may upon them {ire you reade them) feize, 
 And comment on my Text, as they fjiall pleafe, 
 Orfleight, or feoff e ; fuch men were knowne to me; 
 A fid being loth, they firfi of all fiiould be 
 My Iudges ; here, I offer to your eye 
 The prime per uf all of this Poefie. 
 
 For, minding well what hopes I have of You ; 
 What courfe, my Fortunes urge ??ie to purfue ; 
 What blurres, good Studies by thofe Fooles have got, 
 Whofieight defert, becaufe they know it not; 
 What freedome Nature gives to ev'yfoule, 
 To fpeake jnfil things, to Kings, without controule ; 
 How farre from noble, and from wife they be, 
 Who difallow the Mufes fiiould be free; 
 
 A 2 How 
 
To the King. 
 
 How eas'dwearc, when we our minds difclofe; 
 
 What profit from our honejl boldneffe flowcs ; 
 
 What Refolutions I have made mine owne, 
 
 And what good caufe there is to make them knowne: 
 
 Alt this well weighing, with fome Reafons moe 
 
 ( Which ufefull are for none but me to know) 
 
 J did not fear e thefe Poems forth to bring, 
 
 To bide, atfirjl, the cenfure of a King. 
 
 And loe, on milke white paper tilings they fly e, 
 
 Rcade they that UJi, when you have laid them by. 
 
 But, SIR, I humbly pray you ; let not fall 
 Your Doome, till you have read, and read it all: 
 For, he that Jliall by fragments this pcrufe, 
 Will wrong himfclfe, the Matter, and the Mufe. 
 Although a tedious Worke it may appeare, 
 YouJJiall not wholly lofe your labour here. 
 For, though fome heedlejfe Courtiers cenfure may 
 That on this Booke your time were caft away, 
 I know it may your f pi r its recreate, 
 Without diflurbing your affaires of State ; 
 And, with more ufefull things acquaint your eares, 
 Then tzventy hundred thoufand tales of theirs. 
 You alfo k?iow, that well it fits a King, 
 To hcarefuch Meffages, as now I bring. 
 And, that in doing fo, to take fome pleafi/re, 
 Great Monarchs thought it jufil to be at leafure. 
 
 Long fince, I have elecled you to be 
 Mcecenas, to my Mufes, and to me, 
 And if my hopes in youJJiall be bereft me, 
 I have no other hopes in this kind left me ; 
 Nor any purpofe, whatfoever come, 
 Tofeeke another Patron, in your roome. 
 
 Nor feeke I now, that I from you may gaine, 
 What, other times I covet for my paine. 
 
 Nor 
 
To the King. 3 
 
 Nor for becaufe my heart hath any doubt, 
 That IJJiall need a Friend to beare me out 
 Againfl the fury or the fraud of thofe, 
 That openly, or fecretly, oppofe 
 Such Works ; For, He that me to this doth call, 
 Shall five me harmleffe, or I meane to fall. 
 Not that I fleight your favour, fpeake I this ; 
 [For deare and precious to my foule it is) 
 But rather, that the world may know and fee, 
 How him I trufl that hath infpired me. 
 
 (Though fo me fuppofe /may) I do not fear e, 
 As many would, if in my cafe they vjere. 
 I doe not feare the World deprive me can 
 Officii a mind, as may become a Man ; 
 ( What ever outward m if cries betide) 
 For, God will Meanes, or Fortitude provide. 
 I doe not feare (unleffe I merit blame) 
 That any one hath pom' r to worke my fliame: 
 Since they who cauflefly my Namefliall fpot, 
 Reproach themfelves ; but me difparage not. 
 And, f ure I am, though many fe eke to fpight me, 
 That ev'ry Dog which barkcth cannot bite me. 
 loft have lookt on Death, without difnuzy, 
 When many thoufands he hath fwept aiuay 
 On evVy fide ; and from him have not flirted 
 One foot, when he mofl terrible appear d. 
 I know of Want the utmofl dif contents ; 
 The cruelty <7/Clofe-imprifonments ; 
 The bitter neffe of Slanders and Difgrace, 
 In private corners, and in publike place : 
 J have fuflai lid already, whatfoever 
 Defpight can adde, to wrong a good endeavor : 
 And, am become fo hopclefje of procuring 
 True Peace, (but by a peaceable enduring) 
 
 A 3 That, 
 
To the King. 
 
 That, what rcmaines to fuffer fliall be borne : 
 
 And, to repine at Fortune, / will fcorne. 
 I doe not feare the frownes of mighty men, 
 
 Nor in Clofe-prifon to be lodg'd agen : 
 
 For, Goods, Life, Freedome, Fame, and fuch as thofe, 
 
 Are things which I may often gaine or lofe, 
 
 At others pleafnres : and, dre much to prife 
 What Man may take, or give, I much defpife. 
 
 I am not fear full, as ( 1 heare) are fome, 
 What of the Times, now prefent, will become: 
 
 For, God to prof per them emploring flill, 
 
 I fearlefly attend upon his will; 
 
 And am afur'd, by many Prefidents, 
 That like proceedings will have like events. 
 
 / doe not feare thofe Criticks of your Court, 
 That may my good intentions mif report ; 
 Or fay it mifbefeemeth me to dare 
 With fuch bold language to falute your eare : 
 
 For, as I know your Greatnefle, / have knowne 
 What freedom -es on the Mufes are befloivne ; 
 And, that their Servants fJiould not whine like thofe 
 Who are your daily Orators in profe. 
 
 J feare not any man that would abufe, 
 Or in her laivfull flights affront my Mufe, 
 Becaufe, perhaps, exceptions may be tooke 
 Agamfl fome paffage in the following Booke. 
 For, flie to none hath purpofed abufe, 
 And, therefore, needs nor flielter, nor excufe. 
 And when flie plea feth, flie hath mcanes to fray 
 Thofe Buzzards, that would interrupt her way. 
 She dares not onely, Hobby-like, make wing 
 At Dorrs and Butternyes; but alfo fpring 
 Thofe Fowles that have beeneflowne at yet by none, 
 Ev'n thofe, whom our befl Hawks turne taile upon. 
 
 Not 
 
To the King. 3 
 
 Not only at Crowes, Ravens, Dawes, and Kites, 
 Rookes, Ovvles, or Cuckowes, dareJJie make her flights, 
 At wily Magpies, or the lay that vaunts 
 In others Plumes; or, greedy Cormorants; 
 Or thofe, who being of the Kafir cll-kinde, 
 Vnworthily afpire, and fan the winde 
 For aerie Titles ; or, the Birds men rate 
 Above their value, for their idle prate. 
 At Wag tailes, bufte Titmife, or fuch like; 
 But, with her pounces, them dares alfo flrike 
 That fur ni/Ji Courtly Tables. As, our Gull, 
 A bird much found among the Worihipfull. 
 Our Dottrells, which are caught by imitation. 
 Our W oodcocks, fliadowing out thalfooliJJi Nation, 
 Who hide their heads, and thinke fecure they be, 
 When they t he mf elves their dangers doe not fee. 
 Our flrutting Peacockes, whofe harfJi voice dothJJiow, 
 That fome fliarpe flormy wi fides willJJwrtly blow. 
 Our Hernelhawes, flicing backward filth on thofe, 
 Whofe worths they dare not openly oppofe. 
 Our traiterous Mallards, which are fed and taught, 
 To bring in other wilde-fooles, to be caught. 
 Thofe Fowles, that in their over-daring pride. 
 Forget their breed, and will be Eglifide. 
 Our BritiJJi Barnacles, that are a difJi 
 That can be termed neither flefli norfijh. 
 Ev'ti thefe, or any Fowle,flie durfl furprife, 
 If they dare croffe her, when to check JJie flies. 
 
 Or, if that any onefliall doe us wrong, 
 Who for our mounting Falcons is too flrong; 
 I can unkennell fuch an eager packe 
 Of deep-mouth\l Hounds, that they afraid Jliall make 
 Our flemefl Beads of prey, and cunningfl^ Vermine, 
 Ev'nfrom the Fox-fur, to the fpotted Ermine. 
 
 A 4 In 
 
To the K I N G. 
 
 In plainer icrmes ; if any Jliall oppofe 
 My Mufe, when in a lawfull path JJie goes, 
 She will not much bejlartled ; but, goe neare 
 To tell them what they would be loth to heare. 
 She's none of thofe that f pew out railing Rimes ; 
 Againjlfome publike perfons of the Ti?nes, 
 Through fpleene or envy; then, for feare, or Jfiame, 
 Divulge them to the world without a Name ; 
 Or hide their heads. Nor can thofe threats (that fright 
 Such Libellers) compell her not to write, 
 Vnleffejlie pleafe : for,fJie doth know her Warrants, 
 And fends her Meffengers on lawfull arrants. 
 She utters Truth ; ev'n that, which wellJJie knowes 
 Becomes her, at this prefent, to difclofe. 
 That calVdJJie was, to make this Declaration, 
 Sheflands affured; and of that vocation 
 Such teflimonies hath, that I defpife 
 His Judgement who the pou?r thereof deny es. 
 For, yours I doubt ?iot, and if pleas' d you are, 
 For what mans cenfure living need I care 1 
 
 No fuch like pannick feare affrightcth her, 
 As that which doth her enemies deterre. 
 But, if flie lift, i7ifpite of all the rage, 
 {And all the bitter malice of this age) 
 She dares reprove, and vexe the proudfl of them, 
 
 Who her, and her endeavors doe C07itemne ; 
 And f el (who dre they be) her markes on thofe 
 
 Who Vertue, in her honcfl courfe oppofe. 
 
 Yea, them fliee 7/ make, whom felfe-conceit befots, 
 Diflruft, that we difcry their ■ fecreffi plots, 
 And may at pleafure, lay to open view, 
 Both what they purpofe, and what Jliall enfue 
 
 On their vaine Projects ; though when they begun them, 
 
 They placed many veiles, and maskes, upon them. 
 
 SIR, 
 
To the King. 5 
 
 Sift, no fuch Toyes as thofe doe make me fearfully 
 
 Nor of their hate or favour am I car ef till. 
 For JJieltcr therefore, this I brought not hither, 
 Nor am I hopefull, or defirous either, 
 To compaffe any private profit by it, 
 Or, to my per fon any praife, or quiet. 
 For, I can hope for nothing, till Ifeee, 
 The World, and my dcfervings better be. 
 
 And, howfoever I am, now and then, 
 As foolifJi in my hopes as other men ; 
 Yet, at this prefent, (and at evVy feafon, 
 In which my oft weake eyes of Faith and Reafon 
 Vnclofed are) me thinks, thofe things, in which 
 The 7vorld appeares mofil glorious, and mofl rich ; 
 Are no more worthy of my ferious hopes, 
 Then Railes, Pot-guns, or the Schoole-boyes Tops. 
 
 If God will give me bread but for to day, 
 (And, but my foul e vouchfafe me for a prey ) 
 Twixt him and me, there filiall be no conditions 
 For worldy honours, or for large poffefifions : 
 For, (as long fince an Hcbreju Prophet faid, 
 When fuch like times, as thefe, had much difmaid 
 His fearfull Scribe) Is this a time for me 
 To feeke preferment, or made rich to be 1 
 No, no ;for, if thefe dayes continue fuch 
 As now they be, each Groome will have as much 
 As hath his Lord ; and diffrence will be f mall 
 Betwixt the richefl and the poor fil of all. 
 
 There are enough already, who defire 
 To riches, and high places to afpire. 
 There be great numbers, who will projects bring you, 
 And Bookes, and Tales; and Songs, it may be,fiugyou, 
 For, their owne profit : but, there want of thofe, 
 That would their honors, or their livings lofe, 
 
 As Or 
 
To the K I N G . 
 
 Or hazard their preferments, to declare 
 Thofe Truths, that worthy of difclofing are. 
 
 Yet, that is all (Dread Soveraigne) I have fought, 
 In tend ring you thefe Lines that I have brought. 
 And, that by my example, others may 
 Take heart to fp cake what they are bound to fay. 
 I know, the ods is more then ten to three, 
 That for this boldneffe mofl will cenfure me 
 As mad or foolifJi : and, my befl reward 
 Will be this comfort, that I boldly dar'd 
 To fpeake the needfull Truth, atfuch a time, 
 In which the bravefl veriue feemes a crime. 
 
 I doe expeel this 7aife-afpearing age 
 Should at thefreedome of my Poeme rage, 
 And, that fo me witty Scorn evsf/wuld abufe 
 With taunting Epithites, my honefl Mufe ; 
 As if flie were produce 'd by Chymiflry, 
 Of Salt and Sulphur, without Mercury. 
 But, I am proof e againfl their flafliy fluff e; 
 A?idfor their f comings I have f come enough. 
 
 I looke our Politicians fJwuld defame 
 My Straines, by cenfuring them to be to blame, 
 Or over bufie. But, my feeming folly 
 May makefome Readers flrive to be more holy, 
 Then heretofore : yea, fome who thin he they know 
 Enough already ; fliall more prudent grow 
 By This. And I am willing to be thought 
 A foole, that they more wifedome may be taught. 
 
 Yet, I confeffe, that lately when I faw 
 This courfe, did hate, and wants tipon me draw, 
 And that, without a Second, I was faine 
 The waight of all my troubles to fuftaine; 
 I halfe refolv'd, that I would fpeake no more 
 So plaine, againfl Abufe, as heretofore; 
 
 And 
 
 10 
 
To the K i n G . 5 
 
 And {thinking I had ventured well for one) 
 Did meane to leave the World her courfe to run : 
 Nay, from good words (although it was apaine) 
 I fully was refolved to refraine. 
 
 But, when I fdence kept, my heart became 
 As hot within me, as a fiery flame, 
 Yea, like new wine, in vefjels wanting vent, 
 My thoughts did f well my brefl to be unpent • 
 And, at the lafil, I emptfd with my quill 
 A veine, which did the following Volume^// ; 
 Suppofing by the publike PreiTe to fend it, 
 To them, for whofe Remembrance / intend it. 
 
 But, they who keepe the pa //age, back did thrufl it 
 Before per uf all '; and, ( belike) diflrufl it, 
 Becaufe my name it carfd, to befuch 
 As might upon their friends too merely touch. 
 For, fome of them have f aid ; that were my writing 
 As true as that of holy lohns inditing, 
 They would not licence it -.fofearfull are 
 Thefe guilty Times the voice of Truth to heare. 
 
 When therefore, I had this my Offring brought, 
 And laid it at their doore; a while I thought 
 My felfe dif charged: butj.my Confcience fa id, 
 My worke was lofil, andflill my vow unpaid, 
 Till I had practifd ev'ry likely way, 
 To tell the Meffage which I had to fay. 
 And,fince the common way it might not pafife, 
 To bring it by your Gate, refolv'd I was. 
 
 Myfirfl determining of fuch a thing, 
 Did many fever all doubts upon ?ne bring. 
 One while f doubted, that thofefoolcs raho mock 
 At piety, would make a laughing-flock 
 Of this and me : and fay (with fome difdaine) 
 2 hat I would make my felfe a ¥xo]A\etfaine: 
 
 And 
 
To the King. 
 
 And puft withfdfe conceit, had penn'd a Story 
 For private ends, and for mine owne vaine glory. 
 Or, that with pride and arrogance deluded, 
 I had upon tin decent things intruded. 
 
 Another while 7 doubted fome would prate, 
 That thefe my Lines dijlionored the State, 
 And on the Government afperfons laid; 
 As of their warnings oft the Iewes have f aid. 
 
 Sometime I feared, all my words would make 
 But few or none the better heed to take. 
 Becaufe I reade, that many a Prophet^/A?/^, 
 What, fi nail eff eel within his life time tooke, 
 Except, in aggravating of abufes, 
 And leaving them the more without excufes. 
 
 Sometime againe, I feared left if You 
 Referring this my Poem to their view 
 Who mifconceive it may, (and trufliug them 
 In cenfuring, who cauflefly condemne 
 Men innocent) might, by that evill chance 
 Be wrong 'd ; and fuffer for their ignorance. 
 Thus Kings are often injur 'd: and, fome pcrifli 
 In their diflike, ivhom they are bound to cherl/Ji. 
 
 If aw, moreover, that my Foes, of late, 
 Had fo much wronged me in my eflate, 
 By needleffe charge, and caufleffe hindring me, 
 From thofe due profits, which my Portion be; 
 That to recover them, (and to purfue 
 My lawfull right) I have no meanes but you, 
 And your jufl favour. Which, if I fiwuld miffe, 
 (By giving to your eare diflafl in this) 
 My adversaries would preva He, J thought, 
 Ana, my dif grace, and mine would be wrought. 
 
 Thefe car nail doubts, and many other fuch, 
 Againfl my Reafon did preva He fo much, 
 
 That 
 
To the K I N G . 7 
 
 That I was half afraid to venture on 
 
 In that, which ought with courage to be done. 
 
 But, whilfl I flagged d, and began to flay, 
 
 Me thought, within me,fomewhat thus did fay. 
 
 Bafe Coward; hath God's love fo many dayes, 
 To thee appeared ; and fo many wayes 1 
 Haft thou fo often felt, what thou doft know, 
 From nothing, but the pow'r of God can flow 1 
 Hath he fo plainly told thee, with what wiles, 
 The foolifh world, her felfe, and thofe beguiles 
 That harken to her ? Hath he made thee fee 
 How little harme. her fpight can do to thee ? 
 Nay, hath he pleafed bin to bring unto thee, 
 Great profits, by thofe injuries men doe thee. 
 And, fhall the feare but of a paltry fcoffe, 
 From that which he appointeth, beat thee off? 
 Hath he fo often kept thee from difgrace, 
 And fed and cloth'd thee, meerely of his grace, 
 That thou fhouldft now diftruft he will deceive thee, 
 And, when he fends thee on his Mefjage, leave thee, 
 Without thofe neceffaries, which pertaine 
 To thofe who in his Service doe remaine ? 
 
 Hath he no meanes to bring thee fit fupplies, 
 But fuch as thine owne wifdome can devife ? 
 Hath God deftroy'd fo many of thy hopes, 
 And doll thou build them ftill on carnall props? 
 Didft thou fo many times, in fecret, vow 
 Affiance in his promifes? and, now 
 Haft thou no furer helps to truft unto, 
 Then Kings and Princes ? And, as others doe 
 (Who have not thy experience) doft thou flirink 
 As foone as any outward Stay doth finke ? 
 Wouldft thou thy God difpleafe, to keepe a friend, 
 Perhaps in vaine, for fome poore temporall end ? 
 
 Is't 
 
To the King. 
 
 Is't now a Sea/on (when the Lands tranfgrefiions 
 Have fhaken all) to fettle thy Poffeffions 1 
 When all the Towne about thee is on fire, 
 Wouldft thou go build thy ftraw clad Cottage hyer ? 
 
 Well ; take thy courfe. Yet, know, if thou forbeare 
 What now thy Confcience bids thee to declare, 
 Thy foolifh Hope fhall faile thee, ne're the leffe ; 
 Thy wrongfull fuffring fhall have no redreffe ; 
 Thou fhalt have greater wants then pinch thee yet ; 
 New forrowes, and difgraces, thou fhalt get 
 In (lead of helpe ; and, which is worft of all, 
 A guilty Confcience, too, torment thee fhall. 
 
 Then, be advifed, and proceed to do 
 That lawfull Act, thy heart enclines unto ; 
 And, be thou fure, that God will make thee ftrong 
 Againft the violence of ev'ry wrong. 
 Be flout ; and though all perfons through the Land, 
 Ev'n Prince and People both, fhould thee withftand, 
 Their oppofition nothing harme thee fhall ; 
 But, thou fhalt bide them like a brazen wall ; 
 And if thou fuffer perfections flame, 
 Thou fhalt be but refined in the fame. 
 
 Such thoughts were whippet* d in me. A nd though fome 
 May think them vaine figgeflions, flowing from 
 Diftemper'd Fancy ; / dare boldly fay, 
 They lye : And, L their motives doe obey. 
 All doubts, and fares, and flops, are broken through, 
 And loe (Dread Sov'raigne) I have brought to you 
 (Lji all humilitie) my fclfe and thefe 
 My honefl and my jufl REMEMBRANCES: 
 To pajfe,for tlwfe, to whom they appertained 
 Or, here for my difcharging to remaine. 
 God is already angry [L'me afraid) 
 Becaufe this duty I fo long delaid. 
 
 And 
 
 14 
 
To the King. y 
 
 And, (land, or fall, now I have reacht thereto, 
 
 I would not, for the world, it were to do. 
 Good SIR, rejecl it not, although it bring 
 
 Appearances of fome faniafticke thing, 
 
 At firft unfolding : for, thofe Myfteries 
 
 Which we mofl honor, and mofl highly prife, 
 
 Doe feeme to be but fool iflmejfe to fome. 
 
 And, when our fin to any height is come, 
 
 Jt brings a height of 'folly, which oft makes 
 
 That courfe to feeme uncomely, that God takes 
 
 For our reproof e, (and chiefly ) if it cary 
 
 ThefiJmu of any way not ordinary. 
 
 Which (out of doubt) is requifite, when fin 
 
 Thafs extraordinary brcaketh in. 
 Belecve not thofe, who reafons will invent, 
 
 To make this Volume feeme impertinent: 
 For, what is more of moment, then a filory 
 
 Which mentioneth to God Almighties glorie, 
 
 His Iudgements, and his Mercies? and doth JJiow 
 
 Thofe things that may prevent our overthrow 1 
 Sure, nothing is more worthy of regard : 
 And, though a foolifli tale be fooner heard, 
 
 Yet, in refpecl thereof, the glorioufl things, 
 That fland upon record of earthly Kings, 
 Appeare to me as vaine, as large difcourfes 
 Of child ifli May games, and of Hobby-horfes. 
 
 Give eare to none, I pray you, who fliall feeke 
 To move, within your Highneffe, a diflike 
 To my unufuall boldnejfe, or ??iy phrafe : 
 For, who doth lifilen to an honefil caufe 
 In thefe regardleffe times, unlejfe it be 
 So drefil, as if 'it feem 'd to fay ; Come fee 
 What's here to do. Mais wits are falne afleepe; 
 And, if I doe not fome Jlrange rumbling keepe, 
 
 (That 
 
 l 5 
 
To the K I N G . 
 
 ( That is not lookt for) they no heed will take, 
 Ofitvhat I fay, how true foe' re Ifipeake. 
 
 j know there be Occafions, Times, and Caufes, 
 Which doe require foft words, and lowly Phrafes : 
 And, then, like other men, I teach my Mufe 
 To fipeake fuch language as my neighbours ufe. 
 
 But, there are alfo Times which will require, 
 That wcfilwuld with our Numbers mingle fire: 
 And, then I vent bold words ; that You, and They 
 Who come to heare them, take occafion may 
 To aske or to examine, what's the matter, 
 My Vertefifreakes tartly, when mojl Writers flatter. 
 Tor, by that meanes, you may experienced gro-w 
 In many things which elfe youflwuld not know. 
 
 My Lines are loyall, though they bold appear e : 
 And though, at firfl, they makefome Readers feare 
 I want good manners ; yet, when they are weigh 'd, 
 It will be found that I have nothing J aid, 
 In manner, or in matter worthy blame, 
 If they alone filiall judge me for the fame, 
 Who know true Vertues language; and how free 
 From glozing iermes, her Servants ufe to be. 
 
 Though bold I feeme tofome, that Cowards are, 
 Yet, you I hope, filiall finde, I neither dare 
 Things that or necdlefife be, or defperate ; 
 Or, that I covet to be wondred at 
 Among thofiefooles, zvho love to heare it fa id, 
 That they to breake their necks were not afraid. 
 For, as a Seaman, when the Mafil he climbes, 
 Is fiafe enough, though he in danger feemes 
 Tofome beholders : So, although that Path, 
 In which I tread, afiietu of ' per ill hath 
 To thofie who fee not whatfafil hold I take, 
 My fianding will befirme, when theirs dothfiliake. 
 
 And 
 
 16 
 
To the K I N G . 9 
 
 And, if I fall, I fall not by this Act, 
 But, by their malice, who diflike the Fact. 
 
 Heed none I pray, that hathfo little JJiame, 
 To fay thefe times aj'e ?wt fo much to blame 
 As 1 have made them feeme : for, worfe they are 
 Then I have yet expreffed them, by far. 
 And, much I feare, that they who mofl defend them, 
 Will make them to be worfe, before they mend them. 
 
 Nor doubt you, Royall SIR, that from theflory 
 Of your jufl raigne, or from your future glory, 
 It ought fliall derogate, to heare it told, 
 Such evills, whilfl you raigned, were contrould. 
 For, we doe reade, that Kings who pioufil were, 
 Had wicked SubjeEls. And, be fide, you are 
 So late enthroned, that your government 
 Could little in fo fmall a time augment 
 Their being good or ill : But, you fliall gaine 
 The greater glory, if you can reflraine 
 {And keepefrom growing worfe) a time, become 
 So grofjely wicked, and fo troublefome. 
 
 If any other way my Verfe be wronged, 
 By Readers ill advis'd, or evill tongued, 
 Vouchfafe to fpare your cenfure, till you heare 
 What jufl replies to their Objections are. 
 Or, if that any to difparagc this, 
 To you, fliall of my life report amifife ; 
 Rcjecl their f caudal s {for your owne dear e fake) 
 And let them no impreffions on you make. 
 For, evill tongues fometimes will fet their flings 
 Vtijuflly, on the f acred name of Kings ; 
 Much more on mine. But, for my ozone repute, 
 So carefull am J not to make this fute, 
 But for my Mufes honor. For, in all 
 My outward aclions, I dare boldly call 
 
 Your 
 
 i7 
 
To the King. 
 
 Your fir iclefl Lawcs to cenfure me. And what 
 I am to God, it may be gueffed at, 
 But rightly knowne, to 7ione but him, and me. 
 And, though from outward f capes I Jland not free, 
 Yet, let this Meffage her due merit win : 
 For, Gods mofl holy Prophets had their fin. 
 As in a Glaffc, here may you, by refleclion, 
 Behold {without the hazard of infeclion ) 
 The horrid Peflilence in her true forme, 
 Which in your Kingdome did fo lately Jlorme ; 
 And is fofoone forgotten, that I erre, 
 Vnleffe there needeth ^REMEMBRANCER. 
 
 Hereby, fucceeding Times, in fuch like terrors, 
 May lea me to fee and to prevent fome errors. 
 Here, underfland you may ( without falfe gloze ) 
 What heretofore your people did fippofe 
 Of You : Their hopes before your Coronation, 
 And what hath bcencfince then their expcclation, 
 Here, you may partly fee, what you of them 
 May hope : what you fliould cherifli or condemne. 
 Here, view you may (before too far they flea le) 
 The ficknejfes ^f Church and Commonweale : 
 What brings upon your Perfon, and the State, 
 Such care, andfo much trouble as of late : 
 What marres your Counfels, and what undermines 
 Your mofl approved and mojl wife defignes : 
 What makes your Amies your Vertues, 6^ your Friends 
 So little helpfull to your pious ends : 
 What makes your Fleets returne without fucceffe ; 
 What breedeth doublings and unfetlcdneffe 
 In weighty matters ; and whence difcord fprings 
 Among the People, and twixt them and Kings. 
 
 A fid, if it well obferved be, perchance, 
 What fecmcs to mofl a trifling circumflance, 
 
 Shall 
 
 iS 
 
To the K I N G . 9 
 
 Shall of it fc/fe in forme, or elf e prepare 
 Tofignifie thofe things that weighliefi are : 
 For, they who can my Mufes reach difcerne 
 Shall find, that what mofil think doth but concerne 
 My pcrfon onely ; may to that conduce, 
 Which ferves to publike, and to private life. 
 
 Moreover, this Remembrancer dothfJww, 
 To what the folly of thefe times zv ill grow ; 
 And, what in future dales will fur ely fall 
 If we our courfes long continue fJiall. 
 He, laflly doth declare the certaine way, 
 By which, enjuing harmes prevent we may ; 
 Take off the skars, our pa fed fins have given, 
 And, make our prefent peace with earth and heaven. 
 
 Deare SIR; as you your honor do refpecl 
 For times to come : as you do now affecl 
 Your prefent comforts, and thofe hopes that are 
 The pledges of that Crown e, you looke to weare, 
 ( When you mufil leave that golden Crowne of thornes, 
 Which paines your head, as much as it adorues) 
 Give heed to thefe Remembrances .• Command them 
 To paffe, in fpight officii as would withfland them. 
 Doe you reforme, according to your pow'rs. 
 In ev'ry quarter of this He of yours, 
 Give way to Reformation. In the Crimes, 
 And many crying fins, of thefe lowd times, 
 Be you no partner, by conniving at 
 Their Actors ; or, difcountenancing that 
 Which may difable them to tyrannize ; 
 Who will to hide oldfinnes, new faults devife. 
 And, doe not for fome few referve that eare, 
 Which fliould the fuit of ev'ry Subject heare. 
 
 But, as you have beene, yet (and as I trufl 
 You fliall continue ) be in all things jufil; 
 
 And 
 
 '9 
 
To the King. 
 
 And as upright, as him it may befit, 
 Who doth in place ^/"God Almighty fit; 
 That you and yours, may JIM infafetyjland, 
 What plague foever fall tipon the Land. 
 
 And, let not my Petition be condemned, 
 As over bold; or my advice contemrtd. 
 Bccaufe a man defpifed gives the fame; 
 For,feldo?ne hitherto, a Meffage came 
 From God, on fuch occafions, but fome one 
 In outward fliow, fcarce worthy thinking on, 
 Was made the Meffenger. All heav'nly graces 
 Are not intaiVd on men of high ejl places: 
 Nor is all that which ev'ry Prelate fayes, 
 To be beleev'd as Gofpell, now adayes. 
 
 Godflill (as heretofore) calls vulgar men 
 To fpeake his will to Princes, now and then : 
 Yea, to delude the World, or to deride 
 Her arrogant vaine glory, and her pride, 
 God checks her oft, by thofe of whom we fee 
 She mofl of all difdaiues reprov\l to be : 
 That, fo, her loftinejjc he may debafe, 
 And to the lowly minded ' fliew his grace. 
 
 It peradventure may be thought I come 
 With nothing elfe but gleanings, gathered from 
 The common Rumors, (which Ifaine would flrow 
 Abroad againe, to publifJi what I know) 
 But, let men judge their plea fires : I am free 
 From thofe poor e ends ; and, fo fill hope to be. 
 
 In this, I mov'd not, of mine owne intent, 
 Nor am I, SIR, by any Mortall/^.- 
 More Jlrong is my Commiffion. And, what e're 
 It feemes to thofe who unacquainted are 
 With Gods Characters, and his Privie feale, 
 The Times to come fliall openly reveale 
 
 20 
 
To the K I N G . ii 
 
 What tJicfe perceive not ; and, itJJiall be feene, 
 That I have warrantably called beene. 
 
 Meane time my Confcience, knowes I have not run 
 With raflineffe into that which J have done; 
 But, rather that I maugre mine owne will, 
 Was rouzed up, and f purred onward filill, 
 In this performance ; when my Cowardice, 
 My Sloth, my Pleafure, or my Avarice, 
 Or worldly Policies, their baits did lay, 
 To tempt and draw my heart another way. 
 Yea, fo untoward was I to conforme 
 My Will, this uncouth Action to performe, 
 That, many times I quite gave off to doe 
 What J had vowed, andfet hand unto. 
 
 For, had not God by terrors, wants, diffractions, 
 And croffing all thofe temporall hopes and actions 
 Which I attempted, fince I firfl began 
 This taske : or, if he had not now and than 
 Among thofe laflies, ?nixed comfort ings, 
 And apprehenfions of diviner things 
 ThenfefJi and blood informeih (as, no doubt, 
 This Booke zv ill prove to fome who reade it out) 
 I neither fiiould have knowne what I have told, 
 Nor dared in thefe times to befo bold. 
 
 For, when the World can tempt me for a day, 
 To caff fuch Meditations quite away, 
 (And plod, as others doe, in her affaires,) 
 My Courage, and my Comforts, it impaires. 
 And, if I happen then, to over-looke 
 Some paff ages in this enfuing Booke, 
 7 ivonder at their boldneffe, jufil as much, 
 As he, whofe heart had never fuch a touch : 
 And, till by reading them, new fire I take, 
 My owne Expreffions, me doe fearfull make. 
 
 Yet, 
 
To the K I N G. 
 
 Yet, here are poor e and /lender things, to that 
 Which of thefe Times, time comming will relate : 
 For though my Fortune hath obf cured me, 
 Yet in all matters might it Jilting be 
 For me to fpeake my knowledge of thofe things 
 Which to my eare and eye, Occafion brings, 
 So many fad relations I could niake, 
 That every honefl Readers heart would ake ; 
 And think this Nation foolifli, (if not mad) 
 Or, that all Reafon quite forfooke us had. 
 Yea, had I meanes to prove to evry man, 
 What to my owne experie?ice prove 1 can ; 
 Or were it meet, in pubike to declare 
 All things zvhich knowne, and unconfidered are; 
 My Mufe would make, perhaps eihi thofe to grieve, 
 (And tremble too) who doe nor yet beleeve, 
 Nor care to know hotv deffirately difeafd 
 This Land is gr owne. flow ever they are plea fd 
 Who have di/lemper , d it ; to you I tmjl 
 JJJiall not be dijlaflfull, that I mufl 
 Dilate my mimic a little, in fuch wife, 
 That you may fee how ficke your Kingdome lies. 
 
 For, that alone which fits me to difclofe, 
 And 7ohafs already knowne to friends and foes 
 My Verfe difcouers. Yea what to conceale 
 More harmes, then profiteth your Commonweal e, 
 Is here in part commemorizd, to JIiow 
 That we confider not the things we know. 
 And, if I Jliall mifcarie for declaring 
 Thefe needfull Truths, (and, for this honefl daring) 
 A ruJJi I care not. For, Fde rather die 
 Alone, before thofe daycs of mifery 
 That fecme to be approaching ( and for faying 
 What (being heeded) might procure the flaying 
 
 Of 
 
To the K I N G . ii 
 
 Of univerfall Plagues) then live and perifli 
 Withfooles, who doe them/elves for /laughter nourijh. 
 
 I am no Statefman, neither (by pretence 
 Of having gotten large intelligence) 
 Would I infinuate for more eflceme 
 Then I ' defer ve ; or, to deferve may feerne. 
 But, being fet on fuch a middling height, 
 Where I (by God's permiffion) have the fight 
 Of many things (which they fiia 11 never fee 
 Who far above, or far below me be) 
 What I obferve, J ponder, and compare ; 
 And, what I thinke may profit, I declare. 
 
 I therefore hope, what e're the perfon feeme, 
 The matter fJiall procure it felfe efleeme : 
 And, jnake this age to know, there's majefly 
 Lnfimpleft Truth ; and fuch authority 
 As will command regard, though want itfhall 
 Thofe glorious garbs which falfJiood jets wit hall. 
 
 7 hope to fee all Vertuefliine in You ; 
 And that your good example will renue 
 Decaying Piety. L likewife hope 
 That thefe Remembrances^/WZ/w*/ no flop 
 By your appointment, nor by any poivW 
 Which taketh her authority from your. 
 For, when it fliall be feene, that you give way 
 To publifJi This : your people jufilly may, 
 (And wilt) affirme, that you are fiiill the fame 
 They hoped of you : that you alfo blame 
 As much as any, what dif ordered is ; 
 And, that you feeke to mend whafs found amijfe : 
 Yea, they that clfe will flor??ie and vexe to fee 
 My Lines, thus bold, will calme and quiet be. 
 
 However, I have faid, and, I have done ; 
 Let what God pleafeth follow therevpon. 
 
 My 
 
 2 3 
 
To the King. 
 
 My heart is fixed; and I up have taken 
 
 Thofe Refolutions, that willjiand un/haken, 
 
 (I trufl) though Earth Jhouldfinke, and all the Spheares 
 
 Come thundring downe inflames about my eares. 
 
 Which Hopes ofmine,fome will, perchance deride, 
 Andfoole t hem f elves, to fee my patience tride 
 By what they can inflicl, (unlejfe you flay 
 That rage, to which my Verte provoke them may ) 
 But, fee your Honour be not wronged by it, 
 And, let them doe their worfil; for I defie it : 
 Becaufe I know, what ire thefpight of man, 
 Againfl this Voe.me,fpeake or praclife can, 
 Jt fliall continue, when all thofe be rotten, 
 Or live with infamy, or dye forgotten, 
 Whojhall oppofe it. J moreover know, 
 That, dead, or living, I efleeni d fliall grow, 
 For what they blame. That Genius tells me this, 
 Which never yet perfwaded me amifife, 
 And, I beleeve him : Elfe let me become 
 Of all as f corn! d, as I am now offotne. 
 Yea, if they ever drive me to repent, 
 That honefl minde with which I under-went 
 This Labour ; Let the wifJies of my Foes 
 Befall me, and let cv'ry one of thofe 
 Who either hcare me nanid in future ages, 
 Or fJia 11 perceive, L faiVd in my Prefages, 
 Be bold to fay, my heart was never right, 
 But, that Lliv'd and di'de an HYPOCRLTE 
 
 Your Majeflies mod loyall Subjedt, 
 
 and mod humble Servant 
 
 Geo: Wither. 
 
 24 
 
A Premonition. 
 
 STay Reader, and take a few lines by way of pre- 
 vention: For, though in meere temporall endea- 
 vors, I obferve with Solomon, that The race is not to 
 the fwifl, nor the battle to the flrong, nor bread to the 
 wife, nor riches to men of underftanding, nor favour to 
 men of skill, but that time and chance commeth to all ; 
 yet, I know every man is to profecute likely meanes 
 of convenient things. And, though Ignorance wax- 
 eth fo arrogant, and Art fo envious, that after much 
 paines in fome good performance, wee muft other- 
 while take as much more to prevent mifconftructi- 
 ons (and thinke our felves well rewarded, if at laft 
 we may efcape without a mifchiefe) yet, fince it is 
 the common lot, I will beare it patiently, and feeke 
 to avoyd as many inconveniences as I may. 
 
 It is impoffible to prevent all : for, fome out of 
 meere malice praclife the difparagement of every 
 labour whereby the glory of God may feeme to bee 
 advanced; and if on the Worke they cannot faften 
 their Detraclions, then they will, to difable it, vilifie 
 the perfon of the Author. This was the confpiracy 
 of the Iewes againft Ieremy, {Come (faid they) let us de- 
 vife device againft him, let us fmite him with the tongue, 
 and let us not give heed to any of his words.) And this 
 way alfo in fo violent a manner have I beene perfe- 
 cted, as if my Difgrace might advance the publike 
 Honour. 
 
 Againft my MOTTO, though (as I forefpake) 
 it redounded to their owne fhame, fo raged my Ad- 
 verfaries, that not content with my perfonal troubles, 
 they fought the difparagement of that Booke, by a 
 libellous anfwer thereunto : wherein, I was ufed as 
 moil writers of Controverfces, in thefe dayes, ufe each 
 other : To wit, they objected what I never thought, 
 
 B and 
 
A Premonition. 
 
 and then made replies to their owne devices : which 
 being finifhed, was imprinted with an infeription 
 falfly charging me, with labouring to flay the pub- 
 lication thereof; and then alfo, it was very glori- 
 oufly fixed on the gate of my lodging, as if it had been 
 fome bill of Triumph. But, it proved a ridiculous 
 Pamphlet, and became more loffe and difgrace unto 
 the divulgers thereof, then I defired ; and, none 
 thought the worfe of me or that Booke for thofe In- 
 vectives, fave they onely, whofe commendations 
 would be more difhonor to me, then their difpraife. 
 
 Hereby, therefore, I feeke not fo much to pre- 
 vent the like injury to my perfon, as to remove thofe 
 occafions of prejudice, which fcandalous cenfures 
 may raife in fome other, who might elfe, perhaps, 
 receive the more profit from this REMEMBRAN- 
 CER: And what I will fay to that purpofe fliall bee 
 very briefe. 
 
 Firft (in regard my ayme in this Poeme, is chiefly 
 God's glory, and the welfare of this Church and 
 Commonwealth) I defire I may not be traduced, though 
 I have here and there inferred fome lighter expref- 
 fions, then feeme at firft view to become the gravity 
 of the Subjccl: For, (confidering the common va- 
 nity, and how tedious matters of moft confequence 
 are unto fome eares) it is neceffary, and by good 
 authority warrantable, to make ufe of all indifferent 
 meanes, to worke on humane infirmities, for our 
 hearers profit. 
 
 Secondly, I requeft that wherein I differ from 
 the vulgar Tenets, I may not rafhly be reproved; 
 but that my affirmations, may with all their due cir- 
 cumftances, be firft weighed : For, otherwhile there 
 is juft occafion to hyperbolize. And, as he that rec- 
 tifying 
 
 26 
 
A Premonition. 
 
 tifying a crooked ftaffe, bends it fomewhat on the 
 other fide : fo, in many cafes, we are conftrained to 
 urge that which appeares over much on the right 
 hand, before thofe who are too far on the left hand, 
 will beleeve they are ought awry. Thus did the Fa- 
 thers of the Church when they had to doe with fome 
 Heretikes, and have beene thereby mif-underftood, 
 and mif-cenfured by heedleffe Readers. In the fame 
 manner have my writings beene abufed ; yea, my 
 hearers have beene fo hafty, that had I not explained 
 my felfe to be of their opinion, within fome few lines 
 after, doubtleffe they would have robbed me of my 
 owne meaning. But, they who well heed what I af- 
 firme or deny, will finde (I hope) that I keepe a mid- 
 ling path betwixt extreames. 
 
 If any conceive (as I heare they doe) that I did un- 
 wifely to remaine in London during the great Mor- 
 tality, here memorized, let them perufe the third 
 Canto, and they fhall there fee, what Motives and 
 what warrant I had for fo doing. I think it will fatif- 
 fie them; for, fo well it fatisfied me, that (whatfoe- 
 ver others may imagine) I know it had beene better 
 I fhould have perifhed in that fickneffe, then to have 
 had a heart difobedient to fuch motions. 
 
 If any taxe me for inferring fo many Lines con- 
 cerning my owne thoughts and refolutions; let them 
 confider what ufe fome Readers may make by appli- 
 cation to themfelves ; by having my inward conflicts 
 for their examples; and by feeing alfo what neceffi- 
 ties there were for me to ftrengthen my felfe, both 
 againft the world, and againft my owne facilities, (in 
 my hazardous undertakings) by expoftulating with 
 my heart, what my confcience could fay, for it felfe.- 
 Let them, I fay, confider what in this kinde is confi- 
 
 B 2 derable, 
 
 27 
 
A Premonition. 
 
 derable, and then, perhaps, thofe perfonall relations 
 will not feeme impertinent. 
 
 If queftion be made, by what authority, I took on 
 me to write this Hands REMEMBRANCER: in 
 the fifth Canto, and in fome other places of this Book, 
 they fhall finde mention of my Commiffion ; And if 
 they be not thereby perfvvaded, that I have a good 
 Authority, it will be through their ignorance, and no 
 fault of mine. Thofe Mercies and Judgements of 
 God's which I memorize, are fuch as this Kingdome 
 is generally witneffe of. The Sins I reprove, are none 
 but thofe which were, and are notorioufly commit- 
 ted : I have reprehended them in fuch manner, as 
 God's holy Word, and the univerfall law of Nature 
 hath warranted in all ages. I have foretold what fhall 
 come upon fuch Tranfgreffors, according to the pre- 
 dictions of the Prophets. I have affured, upon Repen- 
 tance, thofe bleffings which God himfelfe hath pro- 
 mifed. I have confirmed all my owne Refolutions 
 by the divine Covenant, and that working of the blef- 
 fed Spirit, which I have a feeling of in my own heart : 
 And, if in thefe things I be deceived, I know not who 
 hath power to make me confident of any thing in 
 this life. 
 
 If any diilike my perfonating God (as in the firft 
 Canto) let them fearch, and they fhall finde it ufuall 
 not onely in Chriftian Poems, but alfo in the holy 
 Text. And if we introduce him according to his At- 
 tributes, and fpeaking according to what in his writ- 
 ten word he hath already fpoken, it may be juftified. 
 If my perfonating Mercy and Iuflice, or my creating 
 of other Objects reprefentative, or my Afethod, or my 
 Phrafe, or any fuch like, feeme offenfive ; my Mufe 
 hath apologized for her felfe, as much as I thinke 
 
 needfull, 
 
A Premonition. 
 
 needfull, in many places of this Booke as occafion is 
 offered, efpecially in the fecond, fifth, and eighth 
 Canto's. 
 
 Tf the Poeme feeme too large, or the particulars to 
 be over tedioufly infilled vpon ; confider, in how ma- 
 ny impertinent and trifling difcourfes and actions the 
 beft of us doe confume farre more houres then the 
 perufall of this requires minutes, and yet thinke it no 
 tedioufneffe : and let them call to minde how many 
 huge Volumes this age imprints and reades, which 
 are foolifh, if not wicked : let them remember alfo, 
 that our whole life is little enough to be employed in 
 the meditation of what is here recorded. Let them 
 be perfwadcd likewife, that I have not written this 
 for thofe who have no need thereof, or to fhow my 
 owne wit or compendioufneffe, but to warn and in- 
 ftruct the ignorant ; to whom I fhould more often 
 ipeake in vaine, if I did not otherwhile by repetitions 
 and circumlocutions, ftirre up their affections, and 
 beat into their underftandings, the knowledge and 
 feeling of thofe things which 1 deliver. Yea, let them 
 know, that I know thofe expreffions will bee both 
 pleafing and profitable to fome, which they imagine 
 to be needleffe, and fuperabundant ; and that I had 
 rather twenty nice Criticks fhould cenfure mee for a 
 word here and there fuperfluous, then that one of 
 thofe other fhould want that which might explaine 
 my meanings to their capacities, and fo make fru- 
 ftrate all my labour to thofe who have moft need of 
 it, and for whom it was chiefly intended. 
 
 If you find any thing which may feeme fpoken out 
 of due Time; blame not mee altogether; for, it is a- 
 bove two yeares fince I laboured to get this Booke 
 printed, and it hath cofl me more mony, more pains, 
 
 B 3 . and 
 
A Premonition. 
 
 and much more time to publifh it, then to compofe 
 it : For, I was faine to imprint every fheet thereof 
 with my owne hand, becaufe I could not get allow- 
 ance to doe it publikely : fo unwilling are we of Re- 
 membrancers in this kind. 
 
 If you find ought elfe that may be doubted of, or 
 for which I may feeme reprovable, or needing ad- 
 vice ; let me chriftianly and charitably receive intel- 
 ligence thereof: And if I make not a reafonable de- 
 fence, I will humbly acknowledge and give the beft 
 fatisfaclion for my errors, that I am able. So, I com- 
 mit you to the bleffing of God, and to the perufall of 
 this R E ME MB RANCER : \i you pleafe. 
 
 Geo: Wither. 
 
 3° 
 
Cant. i. 15 
 
 Brittan's Remembrancer. 
 
 Canto the firft.. 
 
 Our Author firft with GOD beginnes ; 
 Defcribes his anger for our fumes ; 
 Of all his Indgements mufter makes \ 
 Declares how Mercy undertakes 
 The pleading of this Kingdomis Caufe, 
 To bring God's wrath unto a pawfe ; 
 And (for the common Reader ) futes 
 High things, with lowly Attributes. 
 
 Then, fteps into a praifefull ftraine 
 O/Charles his new-beginning Reigne ; 
 Emptor es that well fucceed he may, 
 And, for his weale makes Mercy pray. 
 
 He Iuflice alfo, introduces, 
 Complaining on our groffe abufes, 
 Who proveth fo, our finfull Nation 
 To merit titter Defolation, 
 That all Gods Plagues had us enclofed, 
 If Mercy had not inter po fed. 
 But, after pleading of the Cafe, 
 With Iuflice, Mercy doth embrace, 
 Who (that our fumes may punifilit be) 
 To fend the Peflilence agree; 
 Their other Plagues a while fufpending, 
 To prove how that will worke amending. 
 
 ONe Storm is paft, & though fome clouds appear, 
 A peacefull ayre becalmes our Hemifpheare. 
 That frighting Angcll whofe devouring blade, 
 Among the People fuch a havock made, 
 
 B4 Is 
 
 31 
 
Brittan's Cant. I. 
 
 Is now departed, and hath tooke from hence 
 His pois'ned Arrowes of the Pejlilcnce. 
 God fmoothes his brow ; and lo, we now obtaine 
 The cheerfull brightneffe of his face againe. 
 Oli boundleffe Mercy ! what a change is this ! 
 And what a joy unto my heart it is ! 
 Run quickly Mufe, to cary thy Oblation ; 
 And, (twixt that Angett, and the Congregation) 
 Some fweet perfume to our Preferver burne, 
 Before that bloody Meffenger returne. 
 
 Let all affaires keepe off, and give thee way ; 
 For, though my faireft outward Fortunes lay 
 This houre at fpoyle, I would not be advis'd 
 To fpeake for them, till I had facrifis'd ; 
 Nor will I, to the world, one line allow, 
 Till I have made performance of my Vow. 
 
 Moil awfull Poiefr, by whom hath formed bin 
 The Globe of Heav'n and Earth, and all therein ; 
 Thou Alpha, and Omega of my Songs, 
 To whom all glory, and all fame belongs ; 
 To thee, thrice holy and Almighty King, 
 Of Judgement, and of Mercy, now I ring. 
 Thou haft unclos'd my lips, and I will raife 
 My thankfull voice in fetting out thy praife : 
 Thou haft preferv'd thy Children in the flame, 
 And we afcribe the glory to thy Name: 
 Thou faved haft thy people from their crimes ; 
 And, here, I publifh unto future Times, 
 What I have feene. Oh ! let my Poeme be 
 A fancftified Sacrifice to thee. 
 Accept this poore Oblation I prefer ; 
 Thefe drams of Incenfe, and thefe drops of Mirrh, 
 (Which fired in Afflictions Flame, perfume 
 Thy facred Altars) gratioufly affume ; 
 
 And 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 16 
 
 And give my Lines a date to Tail as long 
 As there are fpeakers of an EngHJJi tongue ; 
 That Children, yet unborne, may reade the Story 
 Which now I ling, to thy perpetuall glory. 
 
 And, harke ye People : harken you, I pray, 
 That were preferv'd with me to fee this day ; 
 And liften you that fhall be brought upon 
 This Stage of action, when our Sccene is done : 
 Come harken all ; and let no foule refraine 
 To heare ; nor let it heare my words in vaine. 
 For, from the Slaughter-houfe of Death, and from 
 The habitations of the Dead I come. 
 I am efcaped from the greedy Iawes 
 Of Hell, and from the furious Lions pawes ; 
 With forrowes I have lodged ; and I have 
 Experience in the horrors of the Grave : 
 In thofe difcomforts which, by day, affaile ; 
 And thofe black terrors which, by night, prevaile : 
 Defpaire, with her grim Furies, I have feene ; 
 Spectator of Gods luftice I have beene ; 
 And, paffing through Gods Judgements, had a fight 
 Of thofe his Mercies which are infinite : 
 And here, I tell the world what I obferved ; 
 For, to this purpofe is my foule preferved. 
 
 That fatall Yeare, in which the forward Spring 
 Became an Aiitumne to our peacefull -King; 
 When lames his Crowne and Scepter did forgoe, 
 That Charles (of whom this Kingdome hopeth fo) 
 Might mew, when he did weare his Diadem, 
 How worthily we plac'd our hopes on him. 
 Yea, when within the compaffe of one houre, 
 Two Kings both had, and had not, regall pow'r : 
 Ev'n then, by Thames faire Banks, I did refide, 
 Where her fweet waters wafheth ev'ry Tide 
 
 B 5 The 
 
 33 
 
Britt an's Cant. i. 
 
 The fpacious verge of that well peopled Toivne, 
 Which with moft princely Pallaces doth crown e 
 Her goodly Jlreame, and at her Ports and Keyes, 
 Take in the wealth of Kingdomes and of Seas. 
 
 Our foueraigne Citie, then I did efpie 
 Vpon the couch of foft fecurity ; 
 And, how with Peace and Plenty being fed, 
 She toyed like a wanton, on her bed. 
 I faw her drefl in all that rich attire, 
 Which doth inflame her Lovers with defire ; 
 And how her idle Children, ev'ry day, 
 Sate downe to eate, and drinke, and rofe to play. 
 For, fhe was growne infenfible of cares ; 
 She had almoft forgotten, fighes, and teares ; 
 And all this Hand in her cup of Pleafure, 
 With her had quaffed (fo much out of meafure) 
 Till they grew drunke together through exceffe, 
 And wilde and giddy in their drunkenneffe. 
 
 They had almoft forgotten him, from whom 
 Their eafe and their profperity did come. 
 They fpent their houres in laughter and in fong, 
 And grew regardleffe of the poore mans wrong. 
 They alwayes clothed went in foft array ; 
 They fed themfelues with dainties, day by day ; 
 And, that no outward meanes of pleafure might 
 Be wanting to accomplifh their delight, 
 Thofe iollities, wherein they did appeare, 
 Were further' d by the feafon of the yeare. 
 
 The windes then breathed on them wholfome aire 
 The Groves, their fummer clothings did repaire ; 
 The fruitfull Fields with frefh greene gownes were 
 Which Flora curioufly embroydered had : (clad, 
 
 The pleafant Gardens their choyce plaints difplaid, 
 Their Orchard with gay bloffomes were arraid ; 
 
 The 
 
 34 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 17 
 
 The winged Chorijlers did fweetly fing, 
 And with choice Muficke welcome in the Spring : 
 Their Jireets with matchleffe bravery did fhine ; 
 Their Parlcrs many beauties did enihrine : 
 Their coflly Bowres with rarities were hung, 
 And alwayes filled with a merry throng. 
 Of nought but fports & triumphs were their dreams 
 Wealth, health & honor, were their iludied theames 
 No noifome Plagues, within their Gates were found, 
 Of Grones, their dwellings did but rarely found ; 
 Nor was there any ftorme or danger feared : 
 For, in this Hemifphere fo bright appeared 
 New CHARLES-his-waine, that funlike he did chafe 
 All fogs of difcontentment from each place. 
 And, all thofe clouds of griefe, expelled farre, 
 Which rofe at fetting of our IACOB-Starre. 
 But, oh how truftleffe are thofe lying fhowes 
 Of happineffe, on which moft men repofe 
 Their greateft confidence ? And from our fight 
 How fwiftly did thefe pleafures take their flight 
 For, whether he, who from his heav'nly fphere 
 Beholdeth all our thoughts, and actions here, 
 Did with a fearcliing eye, examine more 
 Our courfes at that prefent then before : 
 Or, whether hee our carelefneffe had eyde, 
 Or our hypocrifie, or elfe our pride, 
 Or our impiety ; or whether he 
 Did in this Ilatid, or this Kingdome fee 
 Our old Idolatries come creeping in ; 
 Or, whether he fome new devifed finne 
 Defcride to fprout among us here ; yea, whether 
 It were fome one of thefe, or all together, 
 Or what it was, I know not : But it prov'd 
 A crying fame ; and fo extreamly moov'd 
 
 Gods 
 
 35 
 
Britt an's Cant. i. 
 
 God's gentleneffe, that angry he became ; 
 
 His browes were bended, and his eyes did flame. 
 
 Me thought I fawe it fo : and (though I were 
 
 Afraid within his prefence to appeare) 
 
 My Soule was rais'd above her common ftation ; 
 
 Where what enfues I view'd be Contemplation. 
 
 There is a fpacious Round which bravely reares 
 Her Arch above the top of all the Spheares, 
 Vntill her bright Circumference doth rife 
 Above the reach of Mans, or Angels eyes ; 
 Conveying through the Bodies chriftalline 
 Thofe Rayes which on our lower Globe doe fhine ; 
 And, all the great and leffer Orbcs, doe lye 
 Within the compaffe of that Canopy. 
 
 In this large Roome of State is fixt a Throne, 
 From whence the wife Creator looks upon 
 His workmanfhip ; and thence doth heare and fee, 
 All founds, all places, and all things that be. 
 Here fate the King of Gods ; and from about 
 His eye lids, fo much terror fparkled out, 
 That ev'ry circle of the Heav'ns it fhooke, 
 And all the World did tremble at his looke ; 
 The profpecl: of the Skie, that earft was cleare, 
 Did with a lowring countenance appeare : 
 The troubled Ayre, before his prefence fled ; 
 The Earth into her bofome fhrunk her head ; 
 The Deeps did roare ; the Heights did Hand amaz'd ; 
 The Moone and Stars upon each other gaz'd ; 
 The Sun did ftand unmoved in his path ; 
 The Hoaft of Heav'n was frighted at his wrath ; 
 And with a voice which made all Creatures quake, 
 To this effea, the great ETERNALL fpake. 
 
 Are we a GOD? and is there pow^r in us 
 Toflartle all our whole Creation thus ? 
 
 And 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 18 
 
 And yet, are we defpis'd, as if thcfe Pow'rs 
 Were either leffer grozane, or none of ours ? 
 Are we, that with our gent left breath can blow 
 All things to nothing, flill abufed fo? 
 Hath our long fuffring h ar dried fo our Foes, 
 That nozv our Godhead into quefiion grozves ? 
 Nay (which is worfe) have we compaffion flwwne, 
 Till we are quite neglected of our ozvnc ? 
 
 Is this the Land whom we have lov'dfo long, 
 And, in our love, elecled from among 
 The Heathen lies (and at thefirfl was hurfd 
 Into the utmofl comer of the world) 
 That we might raife the glory of her name, 
 To equall Kingdomes of the great eft fame ? 
 Is this that Hand, zvhich our love did place 
 ( Within our bofome) in the fafe embrace 
 Of great Oceanus ? and, garden like 
 Did wharfe about (within her watry Dike) 
 With mighty Rocks, and Cliffes, whofe tops were higher, 
 Then any foming Billozu dares afpirel 
 
 Is this the Kingdom e, which our hand hath made 
 The Schoole and Shop, of ev y ry Art, and Trade ? 
 The Cornucopia of all needfull plenties ? 
 The Storehoufe, and the Cloffet of our dainties ? 
 Our Iewell houfe, and Palace-royall, where 
 The fairefl of our Loves ?naintained are ? 
 
 Is this the Country which our bounty ferved 
 With ftore of bread, when many Lands were flarved ? 
 And whom we have preferved from thefpoiles 
 Of Foes abroad, and from domeflicke broyles 1 
 Are theirs the Cities, zvhich doe zveare the Flag 
 Of Peace, while Rochel, Heidleberg, and Prague 
 And all the Chriflian zvorld engaged are, 
 In fome ojfenfive, or dcfenfivc zvarre ? 
 
 Are 
 
BRITT an's Cant. i. 
 
 Are their's the Cities, to tvhofe fleets were fliowne, 
 The pathleffe wayes through many feas unknowne? 
 Whofe wealthy Merchants have encreafl their trade 
 From evWy Port and Creek, that we have made ? 
 Whofe veffels have, by our protection, gone 
 Pafl both the Tropicks, and through every Zone, 
 And made their petty Villages, beco??ie 
 Acquainted with more worlds, then ancient Rome ? 
 
 Is this that people unto whom we gave, 
 More lovely Bodies, then moji Nations have ? 
 And in whofe minds (of our efpeciall grace) 
 We did the befl approved temper place? 
 Is this that People, whom we did reflore 
 To humane fliape, when as the fcarlet whore 
 Had with her charmed Cup of poifned wine, 
 Transform 'd them into Affes, Apes and fume I 
 Did we in perfecution lie are their cries 1 
 Take off, the fcales of blindneffe from their eyes ? 
 Wincke at their follies, when they mo ft offended} 
 Forbeare the punifliments that were intended '? 
 From diverfe Plagues inflicled them releafe ? 
 Make Europe flan d and wonder at their peace ? 
 Yea, fave them from the malice of their Foe, 
 When all were like to perifli at a blozu ? 
 And, grace and favour undefervedfliew, 
 When they their owne deflruclion did purfue ? 
 
 Have we, thefe threefcore yeares and upwards blefl 
 Their Kingdomes/w;// thofe troubles that infefl 
 Mofl other States ? And {when their foules had been 
 Nigh famiflit elfe) did we provide a Queen e, 
 {A Maiden Queene, with vertues mafculine) 
 To nurfe them up in holy Difcipline ? 
 Did we provide, whenflie her courfe had run, 
 A King who favor 1 d, what her hand begun ? 
 
 And 
 
 33 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 19 
 
 ^;^ now another, who doth both reftore' 
 
 Thofe hopes they loft in him, and promife more ? 
 
 Did we but here, of late, when they had lojl 
 Their Prince {that now is King) when they almojl 
 Def paired of his returne, for evermore, 
 When he remained on t/i 1 Iberian flwre ? 
 Did we aecept their vowes ? obferve their teares ? 
 Companionate their jealoufies andfeares ? 
 And fend their Darling home, when few did know 
 Whereon to build a hope itflwuld be fo ? 
 Yea, when throughout the world no other pow'r, 
 Could fuch a work have compaffed but our ? 
 
 Have we endured their forwardneffe fo long 1 
 Forgiven and forgotten fo much wrong ? 
 Sought after them, when they had us forfaken ? 
 So oft, their counterfeit Repentatice taken ? 
 So many times apparaut made unto them, 
 What mifchiefes their owne foolifli projecls doe them ? 
 Yea, did we freely fundry bleffings daigne 
 Vnaskt, which other Lands could not obiaine 
 By labors, vowes, and prayers 1 And have they thus, 
 For all ihefe benefits requitted us ? 
 ys thai their vowed thankfulneffe ? Are thefe 
 The fruits of all their zealous promifes ? 
 Is this their Piety ? ' Goe, draw together 
 Thy Forces, Vengeance : quickly march them thither 
 With all our Armies ; and confume themfo, 
 That we may never more difpleafed grow 
 At their unkindeneffe ; or be cheated by 
 Thefained iveepings of Hypocrifie. 
 
 No fooner had he fpoken, but, behold, 
 An Hoaft (which he doth alvvay keepe enrold, 
 To execute his wrath) did ftraight appeare 
 And in his awfull prefence muflred were. 
 
 So 
 
 39 
 
Brittan's Cant. I. 
 
 So many Troups, did round about him throng, 
 That, all the world with Plagues, was overhung : 
 For not a Judgement is there, which hath name, 
 But, thithe 1 " to attend his Will it came. 
 
 Sterne vifag'd WAR (whofe very look doth flrike) 
 Came driving on his Charret, Iehu like ; 
 Arm'd and befet with holberts, bills, and glaves, 
 Bowes, arrowes, pikes, pole-axes, darting ftaves, 
 Guns, balls of fire, and ev'ry thing that furthers 
 The worke of Defolation, Wounds, and Murthers, 
 His prime companions, Theft and Rapine were, 
 With all thofe Vices which moft cruell are. 
 And at their heeles purfued all thofe Bands 
 Of raging mifchiefes, that afflict the Lands 
 On which he falls. This is that roring Fiend 
 Who Lawes, and Leagues, doth into pieces rend. 
 This is that bloody Tyrant, who o're turnes 
 The goodl'eft Monuments, and fpoiles and burnes 
 The faireft Dwellings. This is he that razes 
 Renowned Cities, and the ftrongeft places. 
 This is that facreligious Theefe, who fpares 
 Nor Hofpitall nor Temple ; neither heares 
 The fuits or cries of aged or of young ; 
 Nor is regardfull of men weake or flrong. 
 The Suckling from his- Mothers breaft he fnatcheth 
 And braines it in her fight .• The Wife he catcheth 
 Ev'n from her Husbands bed ; and Virgins from 
 Their Lovers amies, his Strumpets to become. 
 A fertile Soile he makes a Wilderneffe, 
 And Wolves, and Beares, and Foxes, to poffeffe 
 Thofe places, wherein Arts did once abound ; 
 And where have dwelled Nations moft renown'd. 
 However, he's an inftrument of God's ; 
 And ufually, the laft of all thofe rods 
 
 Which 
 
 40 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 20 
 
 Which on a thankelefle Kingdome he doth lay, 
 Before he finally remove away 
 The meanes of Grace. Next him, came fneaking in 
 Leane Famine, with bare bones, and parched skinne ; 
 With deep funke eyes, with talons over-grown e ; 
 With hungry teeth that would have crackt a flone ; 
 And, clofe behind her, and at either hand, 
 Such Troups did wait, as are at her command. 
 
 The crawling Caterpillers, waftfull Flyes, 
 The skipping Locnjl (that in winter dies) 
 Floods, Frojls, & Mildeives, Blajlings, IVi tides, & Stormes, 
 Drought, rav'nous Fowles, & Vermine, Weedes, & Wormes : 
 Sloth, Evill busdandry, and fuch as thofe, 
 Which make a fcarfeneffe where moft plenty grows. 
 
 This is that hungry Houfwife, who firft found. 
 The fearching out for meat from under ground ; 
 To dig up Roots; to rellifh well the tail 
 Of (linking Gallick, and of bitter Maft. 
 She taught poore people how to fill their mawes, 
 With Bramble-berries, Hedge-picks, Hips, & Hawes. 
 Twas flie who finding on the fandy fhore 
 A heape of Oijlers (all bedaubed o're) 
 Firft fought within thofe dirty fliels for meat, 
 Elfe we had never dar'd of them to eate ; 
 Nor thought, nor hoped, that fo foule a difh 
 Could bring to table fuch a dainty fifh. 
 
 Twas flie that learn'd the Spaniards how to dreffe 
 Their Frogs ; the Frenchman how to cooke a meffe 
 Of fpumy MuJJiromes ; Germans how to make 
 A dinner or a fupper on a Snake ; 
 Jtalians on the flimy Snaile to feed ; 
 Our IriJJimen to live upon a weed 
 That growes in Marfhes. And I dare to fay. 
 That, but for her, we fcarce had heard this day 
 
 Of 
 
 / 4i 
 
Br it tan's Cant. i. 
 
 Of Cavedr, and twenty fuch like babies, 
 Which Gluttony now fets upon our Tables. 
 
 The broyling of old fhooes, was her device ; 
 And fo was eating Cartion, Rats, and Mice. 
 Thofe dainty pallats which could relifh nought 
 But what was fet farre off, and clearly bought, 
 She fo hath dieted, that they could feed 
 On mouldy fcraps ; and beg them too for need. 
 
 This Hag, hath Townes and Cities famifhed. 
 With humane flefh, fhe hungry men hath fed : 
 She forc't them hath to fuck their horfes blood : 
 To feed on Pigeons dung (in ftead of food) 
 And dearly purchafe it. Yea, fome conftrained 
 To drinke their Vrine, when they drought fuftained. 
 Nay, this is that unequall'd cruell-one, 
 Who urg'd a Mother, once, to kill her Sonne, 
 And make unnaturally that curfed wombe 
 Which gave him being, to be made his tombe. 
 Ev'n this is She, God fhield us from her cheere, 
 And grant her PlagueJJiip never fettle here. 
 
 The Pejtilence, moreover, thither brought 
 Her feared forces, and employment fought. 
 This is that Nimble Fury, who did flay 
 Her three and twenty thoufand in one day ; 
 And in th' Affirian Camp, to death did fmite, 
 Almoft two hundred thoufand in one night. 
 Betwixt an evening and a morning tide, 
 From ev'ry houfe a foule fhe did divide 
 Throughout the Land of Mgyfit; and could mark 
 Their eldeft-borne, although the night were dark. 
 In little fpace, fhe quite hath overthrowne 
 Great Cities, and difpeopled many a Towne. 
 She from each other makes acquaintance run, 
 Before that any injuries be done ; 
 
 And 
 
 42 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 21 
 
 And of the pois'ning-^r/ hath found the height, 
 For, file knowes how to poifon by conceit. 
 A Mantle wrought with purple fpots fhe wore, 
 Emboft with many a Blaine, and many a Sore. 
 She had a raving Voice, a frantick Look, 
 A noyfome Breath, and in her hand fhe fhooke 
 A venom'd fpeare, which, where it toucheth, fills 
 The veines with poifon, and diftracls, and kills. 
 
 Within her Regiment are all Difeafes, 
 And ev'ry Torment which the Body feizes ; 
 Gonts, Collicks, Lethargies, and Apoplexies, 
 Ob/Jrutlion, which the fpleene, or ftomack vexes ; 
 The Pox of ev'ry kinde, Rhenmes, aches, Stiches, 
 Quick-killing Pleurifies, and Scabs, and Ltches ; 
 The Burning-Fever, who deferveth well 
 The place of her Lieutenant- Colonell '; 
 Confumptions, Gangreeves, Cozighs, and Squinancies, 
 The FaUing-evill, Cramps, and Lunacies, 
 (With other fuch Difeafes, many moe 
 Then I am able by their names to know) 
 Befides thofe maladies the Sea procures, 
 As, floath-bred Scurvies, and mad Calentures ; 
 And all thofe other Griefes, and Sorrowes, which 
 Thofe Sickneffes doe bring on poore and rich. 
 
 But, of that Hoajl which here is mentioned, 
 The maine Battalion was both rang'd and led 
 By that flye Prince, (ev'n that malicious one) 
 Which in the ayrie Region hath his throne. 
 To further his defignes, he brought in Lyes, 
 Extortion, Bribing, Fraud, and Perjuries ; 
 With many thoufand ftratagems befide, 
 Whofe dangerous effects are often tride. 
 All ravenous Beajls, (or rather thofe of whom 
 Such Beafts are Emblemes) in his troups did come. 
 
 To 
 
 43 
 
Brittan's Cant. i. 
 
 To worke his mifchiefes (with amaze and wonder) 
 He furnifht was with Lightnings, Winds, & Thunder \ 
 Prodigious apparitions, and thofe fights 
 Wherewith mens troubled fancies he affrights; 
 And, thither did (for foule affaults) repaire 
 His two black Twins, Prefumption and Defpaire. 
 Attended by thofe manifold Temptations ; 
 Wherewith he maketh fure the reprobations 
 Of all obdurate fmners ; whom in wrath 
 Our God, defervedly rejected hath. 
 
 Thefe greedy Spoilers, hungry for a prey, 
 Stood ready, Gods commandings to obey : 
 Who having view'd their well prepared Bands, 
 (And ponting out his finger to thefe Lands J 
 Said ; Goe ye Plagues. And (had he not beene ftaid) 
 Lay wafle, that finfull Realme, he would have faid. 
 
 And yet, it feems, thefe dreadfull fhews were rather 
 The threatnings of a wife and loving Father, 
 (To bring his Children to a filiall feare) 
 Then fuch a wrath as doth in Foes appeare. 
 For, neither Chance, nor Time, nor Nciu-defcrt, 
 Was interpofed on the guilty part : 
 But, God's owne goodneffe brought the means about 
 That ftopt our Doome, before his words were out. 
 
 And thus it was. The great Almighty One 
 Hath evermore attending on his throne 
 Two royall Daughters. One of them is fhe 
 That's called Iujlice ; and her Emblemes be 
 An equall Ballance, and a flaming Blade, 
 To weigh the Good their due, and fright the Bad : 
 And, both with hand and eye fhe threatens thofe, 
 That her uprightneffe, any way oppofe. 
 
 The other for her Hierogliphick, weares 
 A Box of Balme, and in her bofome beares 
 
 A 
 
 44 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 22 
 
 A fucking Lambe, (which meek and harmles creature 
 
 Doth fomewhat intimate her gentle nature) 
 
 Betwixt her beauteous brefts, a true Companion 
 
 Erecleth her perpetuall habitation ; 
 
 And, fuch a lovely fweet afpect hath fhe, 
 
 Thats if Wrath faw her, Wrath in love would be. 
 
 We call her Clemency. She often makes 
 
 Our peace with God, and his difpleafure flakes. 
 
 This Princeffe, marking well with what intent 
 Her Lord w r ould thofe great Armies forth have fent ; 
 And finding, by that wrath fhe faw in him, 
 What Defolations would have followed them ; 
 With teares of pitie. to his throne fhe ran, 
 To kiffe and to embrace his feet began ; 
 And (whilft his halfe fpoke fentence God delaid) 
 Thefe words, the faire-well fpoken Virgin faid. 
 
 Deare, oh deare Father ! wherefore frownji thou fo ? 
 Whatfearfull tiling art thou about to doe ? 
 Hold (I befeech thee hold) thou backe the doome, 
 Which from thy lips is now about to come ; 
 And hear (Dread Sov'raign) heare thy Handmaid fpeak 
 A word or two, before thy Iuftice wreake 
 Deferved vengeance on that wretched place 
 Which hath fo fallen from thy wonted Grace. 
 
 Look Father ; looke upon me : it is L, 
 Thy befl-beloved Daughter CLEMENCIE: 
 Tis I whom thou forge ttefl. L amflie 
 Who in thy bofome lay, beloved of thee 
 Before all worlds ; and had a fov'raignty 
 (J re all thy creatures from eternity. 
 Tis L, at whofe intreaty thou wert moved 
 To fend thine onely Sonne, thy beft-beloved 
 (For Mans redemption) to ajfurne the nature, 
 The forme, and frailties, of a finfull creature. 
 
 Tis 
 
 45 
 
BRITT an's Cant. i. 
 
 Tis I that have pref tuned to become 
 A fuitor now-, toftay thy heavy doome : 
 And, why JJiould J be doubtfidl to make trial I 
 Of thy regard, or fearfull of deniall 1 
 
 In Iudgement, thou hafl promifed, oh Lord ! 
 To thinke on Me (eihi in thy written word) 
 Yea, LTeaifn and Earth have often heard thee fay, 
 Than never zvoiddft, for ever, cafl away 
 Thy Loving-Mercy; and, J know, thou viufl 
 And wilt, be found in all thy fayings, juft. 
 
 But, then, to what intents, doe Thefe appeare ? 
 Why are thy dreadfull Armies muflred here 1 
 What favour is it pofjlble tojhow, 
 Where fuch a Rablement as this,JJiallgoel 
 Why may not ~P'itie/7ie7c> her felfe as well 
 Within the bottome of the lowefl Hell 
 As where thefe revell? Doubtleffe, thefe rude Bands 
 Will fpare nor Lawes nor Temples in thofe Lands 
 To which thou fend them flialt ; but, from each place 
 Boot out (with ev'ry prefent meanes of Grace) 
 All outward helps of prefent knowing thee, 
 If equal I to their hate, their poztfr may be. 
 
 And, 7uhat if then their breathleffe fury fliall 
 Leave fome few trifles which are temporal} 1 
 For what will they referve them, but to breed 
 A race of Infidels ? a wicked feed, 
 Tor them to prey upon ? a Brood, to whom 
 The Bleffings left Damnation JJiall become. 
 
 Thou hafl upon that Hand (/ confeffe) 
 Beflowed Favours, great and numberleffe. 
 I know that they may juflly bluJJiforJJiame, 
 To heare how groffely they abufe thy Name ; 
 Yea, they noiv are, and have a long time bin, 
 Growne out of mcafure ftnfull in their fin. 
 
 Yet 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 23 
 
 Yet, if thou look upon them, thou JJialt fee 
 Some there, who bend not u?ito Baal their knee ; 
 Some left, who for thine honour fir me have flood; 
 Some, who have garments zuafJied in the blood 
 Of thy imfpotted Lamb : and fome, which beare 
 Thofe marks, that Seales of thy free pardon are. 
 
 Oh ! let not them enclosed with Sinners be, 
 Nor fwallowed up with fuck who know not thee. 
 But, for the fakes of 'thofe forbeare thou, rather, 
 The Tares, untill thy Harvefl thou flialt gather : 
 So, by thofe Follies which in them abound, 
 Thy Goodnefiey/W/ the farther be renown 'd. 
 
 Jfi therefore, thou this Kingdome fliouldfl not fpare, 
 Becaufe, repleat with fin her dwellings are, 
 What Nation is there, or what Habitation, 
 That merits not perpetuall reprobation ? 
 Where wilt thou fin de a People, under Heav'n, 
 Which hath not ev'ry way occafion ghhi 
 Of thy difpleafure I Or, what Man is there 
 That in thy fight could jufilifi''d appear e, 
 If thou flwuldjl mark him with a frowning eye? 
 And, what a pretty Nothing, then were I, 
 If no man lived, that amiffe had done, 
 For me, to exercife my pity on ? 
 Nay, z/"Tranfgreffion had but finite been, 
 How flwuld thy Mercies infinite, befeene? 
 
 Though on this Field which thou hafl plow'd 6° fown 
 With purefil Wheat) fome wicked-ones have throwne 
 Their Tares, by night ; yet, fomewhat it hath borne 
 For which it may be cald thy Field of Corne. 
 Thy Fence is yet about it ; and there filands 
 A Fort, and Wine-preffe, builded by thy hands. 
 There are thy Sacraments, thy Word divine. 
 There, is the Schoole of Chriflian Difcipline. 
 
 There 
 
 47 
 
Brit tan's Cant.i. 
 
 There, may the meanes of Grace be kept injlore 
 For thofe who will hereafter prize them more. 
 Thy poo re ajflicled Servants, thither may 
 From forraine perfecutions flye away ; 
 And flielired in a Storm e, there fafely tary, 
 As in a Fortreffe, or a Sanctuary. 
 But, whither Jhall they flye when that lyes wafi? 
 Where Jhall thy f acred Oracles be placd? 
 Or Whither with her Sonne that Woman goe, 
 Who by the Dragon is purfued fo ? 
 
 I know that if thou pleafe thou canfl provide 
 A place for her, fecurely to abide, 
 Amid the Weflerne wilderneffe {and where 
 Scarce glimmerings of thy favours yet appeare) 
 By moulding out the Heathen Salvages 
 To be a people far furpaffing thefe. 
 This, Lord, thou couldfl effefl; and make of them 
 Thy people, whom thefe mofl of all contemne. 
 And, ftnce this Nation, hi their wealthy peace, 
 Have feni out Colonies, but to encreafe 
 Their private gaine : fince they faire flioives have made 
 Of publifliing thy Gofpell, when the Trade 
 For curfed lucre (as the Times reveale) 
 Was chief efl founder of their fained zeale : 
 Since they in that, and other things, pretend 
 Religion, when lis farthefl from their end : 
 Thou didfl but right, if thou fhouldfl force their feed 
 To fettle onfome barbarous Coafl for need; 
 And, there, thy Truth, to thofe, with forrow preach, 
 Whom they neglecled, in their weale, to teach. 
 
 But, fince it were no more for thee to doe, 
 This Land tofave, and call anoeher too, 
 Then one fuck worke so compaffe ; why I pray 
 Shouldjl thou remove their Candleflick away ? 
 
 Why 
 
 4° 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 24 
 
 Why maljl not Thou, who all compafflon art, 
 
 Thy people, rather, by thy poitfr convert, 
 
 Then quite dejlroy them ? wherefore JJiouldfl thou not 
 
 Their errors forth of thy remembrance blot, 
 
 As heretofore ? And alwayes praifed be 
 
 For that abundant Love, which is in thee ? 
 
 Why fJiould their Foes and thine, with jeering fay, 
 Now, now we fee our long-expected Day ? 
 Why wilt thou give them caufe to domineere ? 
 Ev'n thofe, who love not thee, to laugh, and fleere 
 At their deflrufiion, ivho, thy Truth profefl, 
 ( If not unfainedly) infliew, at leafl. 
 Though they have ill-deferv\i, why fJiould thejliame 
 Of their offences fall iipon thy Name? 
 And, thy Blafphemers (by thy Peoples fall ) 
 Affume the boldneffe on themfelves, to call 
 Thy Gofpel into queflion ? Or, thereby, 
 Their JJiameleffe falflioods feeke to juflifie ? 
 Why fJiould the wicked, take occafion from 
 Thefe Plagues, to fay ; Where is their God become? 
 Where is their pow'r, on which they did repofe ? 
 Where is their Faith? where are the hopes of thofe 
 Their fer vices ? Oh ! for thine oivne deare fake, 
 (However they deferve) compaffion take. 
 Deare SIR, have pittie : and, as often, thou 
 Hafl granted my requeft, vouchfafe it now. 
 Yea, to thofe many thoufands, heretofore, 
 From thy abundance, adde one favour more. 
 
 By thefe, and other Motives (breathed from 
 A zealous breft) the heav'ns are overcome. 
 His love of us, doth fo our Sampfon wound, 
 That, he hath taught us, how he may be bound. 
 Yea, Holy-writ informeth us, that He, 
 By fuch like Charmiugs, will compelled be. 
 
 C And 
 
 49 
 
Br I TTAN's Cant. i. 
 
 And, now they fo prevailed, that the rage 
 
 Of our great God, they partly did afvvage. 
 
 Which ME R C K by his looke, had quickly heeded ; 
 
 And taking that advantage, thus proceeded. 
 
 Oh ! what a comfort is it, to behold 
 Thine Eye f peak Mercy, and thy Broiv unfold 
 A reconcilement! Now, jfeeme to fee 
 Thy gracious face, tofJiine againe on me. 
 I finde it is the jealoufie of hove, 
 (And no ejfecl of hatred) which doth move 
 Thy wronged Patience : and, that when thou hidefl 
 Thy prefence in an angry Cloud, or chidefi, 
 It is not alwayes in confuming wrath, 
 (To pimiJJi, as the fault deferred hath) 
 But, that thy frighting Iudgements might preva He, 
 To worke amendment, when thy Love dothfaile. 
 That people, whom fo much thou didfl a feci, 
 Mow canft thou have a purpofe to rejecl, 
 So long as in their Confines doth remaine 
 That Number, which thy Vengeance doth rejlraine '! 
 Who can beleeve that thou defraid'fl fuch cojl, 
 To purchafe what, thou meanefl fliall be lojll 
 Or, labour to erecl them, didfl beflow, 
 For nothing elfe, but them aiuay so throw ? 
 Why fJiould f thinks, thy endleffe goodnejfe, had 
 So little care, to fave what thou hafil made, 
 That Sathans Hate, fhould for their Defolation, 
 Out-worke thy Love, in working their Salvation ? 
 Or, that the boundlefneffe of Mans tranfgreffion, 
 Could over-match thine Infinite Compaffion ? 
 
 // may not be beleeved; Or, that this 
 Pretended warre, for finall ruine is. 
 Since, if in fummoning thy Iudgements, now, 
 Thou hadfl proposed their utter overthrow, 
 
 Thou 
 
 5° 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 25 
 
 Thou wouldft not have difcovered an affeclion, 
 By Jlill continuing them, in thy proteclion, 
 As yet thou dojl : Nor daily fend unto them 
 Love-tokens, (as if kindneffe, thou wouldjl doe them 
 Which they fliould never know of) nor, makejhow 
 Of having left them, when tis nothing fo. 
 
 Thus have I feene, on earth, a Lover ufe 
 His Beft-beloved, when /lie did abufe 
 His true affeclion. Though he fee me unkinde, 
 That her unkindneffe fJie may thereby finde ; 
 Yea, though hefainefome outward difrefpecls, 
 Yet, in his heart, fo truly he affecls, 
 That, whatfoever good, he can, he does her : 
 By meanes unfeene, to her lofl vertices, wooes her : 
 For her well-doing, takes a thoufand cares : 
 Of her ill-doing, hath ten thoufand feares : 
 Wakes not, but thoughts of her, in waking, keepes ; 
 Sleeps not, but dreameth of her, when hefleepes. 
 Plot ceafing to endeavour, till he fee 
 Some fparkes of lofl affeclion kindled be. 
 And, as her over-fights fi/ie doth deplore, 
 So, he his love difcovers, more and more ; 
 Vtitill the fire, that was a long time hid, 
 Breake forth, and flame as high as e 're it did. 
 
 I never knew thee, yet, to ruinate 
 A wicked Kingdome, or a fulfill State, 
 Profeffing thee ; but, thou didfil firfil withdraw 
 From thofe Offenders, thy abufed Law. 
 
 And, as in Chriflian Realmes, the temp' rail Sword 
 Cuts off no Preacher of thy bleffed Word, 
 (For any Crime committed) untill he 
 Of Holy-orders, firfl degraded be : 
 So, thou ( mofl frequently ) dofil firfil remove 
 The Seales of Grace, and Pledges of thy Love, 
 
 C 2 Befiorc 
 
 5< 
 
Brittan's Cant. i. 
 
 Before thou give up Lands into their pow'r, 
 Who them, and theirs, Jlia/l finally dez'oure : 
 For, till thy holy things, be fetched from 
 Their Coafil, fitch Defolation fliall not come. 
 
 Thofe, they retaine. And, if conclude I fliall 
 From hope of any bleffing temporal!, 
 That yet thou lovefil them (and dofil intend 
 Their Land, with future favours, to befriend) 
 That King which thou hafil now on them beflowne, 
 Some token of thy Clemency hath Jlwwne. 
 For, if man may by good exiernall fignes, 
 Conjecture whereunto his heart enclines : 
 If Thou, to whom all fecrets open be, 
 See fl that in him, which mortalls hope they fee; 
 And hafil not mockt that People, for their fiinne, 
 With filiewes of things that have not reall bin : 
 (As Lord forbid) No Kingdome hath a Prince, 
 Whofie infant yeares, gave better evidence, 
 That with an earthly Crowne he fihould inherit, 
 A plentious portion of thy f acred Spirit. 
 
 None liveth nozv, on whom the geri'rall eye 
 Did fib much gaze, and fio few f capes efpy. 
 Few private men were in their youth fo free 
 From all thofe vanities, which frequent be 
 hi thefie rude times (he having meanes to doe 
 His pleafiure, and, perhaps, ftrong temptings too) 
 Who fieemed of thofe knowledges, more fiaine 
 That might infiorme him, to obey, and raigne ? 
 How well thofe crojfings was he thought to beare, 
 Which in the times of his fiubjeclion were? 
 And, with how brave a temper to negletl, 
 To be avenged of zvrongs and difrefipeel ? 
 What Sonne, did in his Fathers life time,Jhow 
 A fliall feare and love, united fo ? 
 
 Or 
 
 52 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 26 
 
 CV, which of all thy Vice-royes didjl thou fee 
 
 Appeare more zealoufly devout then he ? 
 
 Thou knowefl which : But, if they doe not erre 
 
 Who, things by probability, iuferre, 
 
 It might be f aid, The world had not his peere 
 
 In all thofe vertues, that are mention'd here. 
 
 AndfJwuldconfejfedbe, ev'u of his foe, 
 
 They had not flattred who affirmed fo : 
 
 Since, what was of his worth, at home conceived, 
 
 All Europe for a verity received. 
 
 And loe ; now by thy Grace he fitteth on 
 The feat of Rule, and in his Fathers Tlirone ; 
 Who giveth fignes of truer love to thee ? 
 Or of more co?ifcience, of his Charge, thefi He? 
 What Monarke, in appearance, better preacheth 
 By good Examples, what thy Precepts teacheth ? 
 Or which of all his reverend Prelacy, 
 Jnflieiues of true religious conflajuie, 
 Outgoes or equals him ? Oh / iffo cleare 
 His vertues p^rove, as yet they doe appeare, 
 How glorious will they grow ? And zuhat a light 
 Will he become, when he afcends the height 
 Of his great Orbe? And, oh ! what pitty 'twere 
 His mindefJwuld ever fall below that fpheare 
 Of Grace which he hath climb'd ! or, that thy Love 
 Should zoanting be, to kecpe him ft ill above ! 
 
 How grievous ivould it be, that his beginning 
 (So hopefull, andfuch love and honour winning) 
 Should faile that expeclation, which it hath ? 
 A fid, make thee flint thy favour up, in wrath ? 
 Let not oh God ! let not the fins of others 
 Nor any fog (whicJi Vertues glorie f mothers ) 
 Afcending from his frailties, make obfeure 
 His rifing honor, which yet feemeih pure. 
 
 C3 ' V 
 
B R I T tan's Cant. i. 
 
 If ought, in him, be wanting of that worth 
 Which to the publike view is blazed forth, 
 Forgive, and perfecl him, that he may grow, 
 To be in deed, what he appeares infihow. 
 Yea, Lord (asfarre as humane frailty can 
 Permit the fame) make him, ev'nfuch a Man 
 As noiu that Kingdome needs ; and fpare that Nation 
 For him, which elfe deferveth Defolation. 
 
 If he be what he feemeth ; Thou (I know) 
 Wilt fave his Land from utter overthrow. 
 Thou, in the life- time of a pious King, 
 Wert never yet, accuflomed to bring 
 Definition : For, thou ffiewedjl him companion, 
 Who did but once, well all humiliation ; 
 Ev'n wicked Abab ; and within his Times 
 Thou would ft not punifli (no not) his ozone Crimes. 
 Oh I be as mercifully as thou hafl bin ; 
 And let this King, thy favours triumph in. 
 Let that exceeding Grace already flicw 1 d him, 
 (Ev'n that wherewith, thy Spirit hath indu'd him) 
 Be Pledges of ' fome greater Gifts, tenth which 
 Thou flialt in future times, his heart enrich. 
 His brefl inflame thou, with a facred fire ; 
 Teach him to aske, and give him his defire : 
 Grant him thy Wifdome, and thy Righteoufneffe, 
 The wrongs of all his People to redreffe. 
 Let him the Widow, and the Orphane fave, 
 Releeving all, that need offuccour have : 
 And, let his Mountaines, and each leffer Hill, 
 His hwnbler Dales, with peace, and plenty fill. 
 
 As he was honor' d in his Prefervation , 
 So, let him glory flill in thy Salvation. 
 As he perfifleth to relie on thee ; 
 So, let him fure of thy protccleon be. 
 
 Be 
 
 54 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 27 
 
 Be thou his onely joy. Be thou I pray 
 
 His Triumph on his Coronation-day. 
 
 Croivne thou his head with purified gold : 
 
 Make Jlrong his Scepter, and his Throne uphold, 
 
 To be renowned by thy Graee divine, 
 
 As long as either Sunne, or Moone fJiall fjiine. 
 
 Since thou to rule thine Ifr'el dofi appoint him, 
 Let thy moji holy Spirit, Lord, anoint him. 
 Make thou a league with him, as thou hafil done 
 With David, and adopt him for thy Sonne. 
 To thee, Thcu art my Father, let him fay, 
 My God, my Rocke of fafety, and my flay. 
 Throughout thofe Lads, where thou to raignfliall place him 
 J Filh Title, of thy Firfl-begotten, grace him. 
 And, let his Kingdomes harbor none of them, 
 Who Jha II deny him to be their Supreme. 
 So guard, andfo enclofe him with thine Arme, 
 The Man of Sinne, may never doe him harme. 
 To him, his Advcrfaries allfubjcci, 
 And, profper none that himfliall difaffecl. 
 Lead thou his Armies, when his Warre beginnes ; 
 Make thou his Peace, when he the Battle whines. 
 Let fill thy Truth, and Love, with him abide ; 
 Let in thy Name, his name be glorified. 
 Doe thou the Seas into hispow'r deliver; 
 Make thou his right hand reach beyond the River ; 
 And, plant fofrongly on the Banks oflihyne, 
 Thofe fruitfull Branches of his Fathers Vine, 
 ( Whom late thefalvage Bore (with tripled pow'rj 
 Hath rooted up, with purpofe to devour e) 
 That they may fpread their Cluflers, far and nigh ; 
 A fid fill, and top, the Germane Enipery. 
 Yea, minde thou, Lord, the fcornes and defamations, 
 Which they have borne among their neighboring nations: 
 
 C4 And 
 
 55 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant. i. 
 
 And, pleafe to comfort them, and make t/iem glad, 
 Accordi?ig to the forrowes they have had. 
 To them, fo fanttifie their great affliction, 
 That it may bring their vert lies to perfection ; 
 And, fit them for fome place, in which they fliall 
 Helpe reare againe, decaying Sions wait. 
 
 Oh ! keep for them, a favour ftill inflore; 
 Preferve them in thy League, for evermore; 
 Blefife thou that Race, which is orfliall be given: 
 As lafling make it, as the dayes of heaihi : 
 And, if thy Lawes or Iudgements, they forfake, 
 Or, if thy League, or Covenant, they brcake, 
 With Rods, let them, in mercie, be corrected ; 
 But, never fall, for aye, to be rejected. 
 
 The like for this new Monark, I emplore : 
 Jn him, encreafe thy Graces, more, and more. 
 Make him a Bleffing,for all Chriflendome : 
 Make him, a Patterne, for all Times to come : 
 Make him, in ev'ry happy courfe per fever ; 
 And, let him live, for ever and for ever. 
 
 His Royall Robe, he hath but ?iew put on ; 
 And, I my prayers have but new begun. 
 Oh let me to thy Majeflie prefer 
 Thefefew Petitions, in particular : 
 And place them where, they may both day and night, 
 Stand, evermore, unfolded in thy fight. 
 
 Firft, teach him, to confider, how and zvhy, 
 Thou hafii enthroned him on afeatfo high, 
 And, fo to think on his great charge ; and trufl, 
 As one ivho knowes he come to reckning mufl: 
 For, honors if by thee they be not blefl, 
 Make 7c if eft men as brutijh as a beafil. 
 Teach him to minde, how great the favour was, 
 When thou, of thy mcere motion, and thy Grace, 
 
 Didfl 
 
 56 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 28 
 
 Didfil from fo many millions chufe out him, 
 To weare this Kingdomes/y///Y/i>/^ Diadem : 
 And, make thy Servants, favour' d in his fight, 
 As thou haft made of him, thy Favorite. 
 
 Teach him, the fittefl meanes to take away 
 {And let none murmure at his jufil delay) 
 Thofc Groves, and thofe Hill-Altars in the Land, 
 Which fujfred arc untill his dayes to flan d: 
 And, give him wifedome, wifely to forefee, 
 That Wheat from Chaff e, may well diflinguiflit be. 
 Tor, fome will, elfe, bring Truth into fufpition, 
 Condemne good Discipline, _/tfr Superftition ; 
 And with faire fliewes, of Tiety, beguile, 
 That underhand they may encroach, the while, 
 On Gods Inheritance ; and from her teare 
 Thofe outward Ornaments his Bride doth weare 
 
 Oh I let him purge from Church and Commonweale, 
 Thofe inflammations of corrupted zeale, 
 And indigefled humors, which doefprcad 
 Diflempers through the Stomacke, paine the Head : 
 And, by prepoffrous courfes, raifc a florme 
 To rend that Body, which it would reforme. 
 
 Let him, his Reformations, firfl begin, 
 Like David, with himfelfe : and fearch within 
 The clofiet of his heart, what he can finde, 
 Which may annoy him there, in any kinde: 
 And let him thence expell it, though it were, 
 As deare unto him as his eye bals are. 
 
 His Houfhold, let him next enquire into, 
 And, well informed be, what there they doe ; 
 That, fo he may expeel thy Comming-day 
 With heart upright, and in a perfeel way. 
 Let him in no prophaneneffe take delight, 
 Nor brook a 7oicked perfon in his fi^ht, 
 
 C 5 Lei 
 
 57 
 
Br it tan's Cani.i. 
 
 Let no Blafphemer in his prefence tarry ; 
 Nor they that falflioods, to and fro, doe carry. 
 Let him acquaintance with all fuch refraine ; 
 The lowly cheri/Ji \ haughty ivindes rejiraine ; 
 Enquire for them that veriuoufly excell, 
 And take in honejl men with him to dwell. 
 No fuch Projector, who doth put in vfe 
 Great Lnjuries, to mend a fmall abufe , 
 Nor fuch, who in reforming, doe no other 
 But rob one Knave, to helpe enrich another ; 
 And prove t he mf elves, when try a II doth befall, 
 To be, perhaps, the vcriefl Knaves of all. 
 
 Let him be curfl with no bafe Officer, 
 Wlw doth before true Honor, Gold prefer ; 
 And, to enrich his Chef, a little more, 
 Would in his Reputation, make him poore : 
 Or with fome ncedleffe Treafure, to fupply him, 
 Lofe him more Love, then all his Lands can buy him. 
 Let no man of his daily bread partake, 
 Who at thy holy Boordf7iall him forfake ; 
 And, lay thou open their dijfimulation, 
 Whofliall approve of Na'mans Toleration. 
 
 Keepe from his Counfells, though the it wit excels, 
 All Hypocrites, and all Achitophels. 
 Yea, let thy Wifdome, his difcretioti bleffe, 
 From Rehoboams childifli wilfulnejfe, 
 Who left his ancient Princes good directions, 
 To follow his young Nobles raw projections. 
 Or, if he like their Couufels, and receive them, 
 Harme let them bring to none but thofe who gave them : 
 And, if to him fome dammage they procure, 
 Let prefent loffe his future peace procure. 
 
 Make him perceive that humane Policy 
 Is Hand-maid to religious Honefly ; 
 
 And 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 29 
 
 And that, the man who doth foundations lay 
 On Iuflice, (and proves conftant in his way) 
 Shall mad the Politician ; and make vaine 
 His underminings without fear e, or paine. 
 For, as a Fowler feldome doth furprife 
 That wary Bird, which can her felfe fuffife, 
 With what thy hand provideth in the fields, 
 Or, what the Forrefl, for her diet yeelds : 
 So, fleights of Policy (although, perchance, 
 They feeme, a while, to worke fome hinderance) 
 Can difadvantage none, but thofe, zvho leaving 
 The pathes 0/Vertue, and them f elves deceiving 
 With fome falfe hopes (which were before them laid) 
 Made them the meanes, whereby they were betrayd. 
 
 Make him as precious in his Peoples eyes 
 As their oivne blood. Far higher let them prife 
 His honor then their fortunes ; and let him, 
 Be ev'ry way as tender over them. 
 Yea, let the mutuall love, betwixt them bred, 
 Vnite them as the Body, and the Head. 
 For, fuch a blefifed Vnion doth procure 
 More fafety then four e Kingdomes can affure; 
 Commands mens hearts, their fortunes, and their lives, 
 Is chiefe of all his chief Prerogatives ; 
 AndfJiall more comfort, and more profit doe him, 
 Then all thofe fruitleffe claimes can bring unto him ; 
 Whereto, perchance, they urge him will, whofliall 
 Pretend his honor, when they feeke his fall. 
 
 Such men hi Princes Courts were ever found, 
 But, thou their leivd Projections wilt confound; 
 And, when their vaine devifes bring on them, 
 Confufion, who this reall Truth contemne ; 
 When fuch mens foolifiJi counfels,f!iall have brought 
 Thofe viifchiefs on them which their hads have wrought: 
 
 ( Yea, 
 
 59 
 
Brittan's Cant. i. 
 
 (Yea, when opprefl, withfeares and dif content, 
 They JJiall, too late, perhaps, their courfe repent) 
 Then, they in heart jliall forced be to fay, 
 That, what they fl eight ed was thefafefl way. 
 
 Blejfe him from thofe, who cenfure his Intents, 
 His Counfels, or his Actions by events : 
 And fawcily, his Judges dare appeare 
 On ev'ry flandWous Rumor they fliall heare. 
 Preferve him from thofe Minions (who do raife 
 Their credits by another mans difpraife) 
 That Machivillian crew, who to endeare 
 Their bafe immerits, fill the royall eare 
 With tales, and falfe reports, concerning thofe 
 Who their mifdoings legally oppofe : 
 They, who growne great xvith rapine, and made flrong, 
 With wealth extorted to the publikc wrong, 
 Still add (to cover what mifdone hath bin) 
 New wrongs; and make new partners in their fin, 
 In hope their number keep tJiemfiJiall unJJicnt : 
 And,filence and condemne the Tnnoce7it. 
 
 Make him abhor fuch Apes, and fuch Baboones, 
 As Parafites, and impude?it Buffoones : 
 Such, as would make their Princes glad with lies : 
 Such, as with filthy tales of ribaldries, 
 With fair rile fongs, with unbefeeming jefls, 
 And Jluffe which eihy civ ill eare detefls, 
 Abufe Kings Chambers. Let all thofe who buy 
 Their Offices (which is lay Simony) 
 Have alwayes his diflike ; and not recover 
 His good efieeme againe, till they give over 
 Their cvill gotten places. Let all fuch 
 Who for the feats ^/"Iudgement, do as much, 
 Appeare to him as men who are detected 
 Of hainous crimes ; and ever be fufpecled 
 
 Of 
 
 fio 
 
Cant i. Remembrancer. 30 
 
 Of fame Corruption : for, it may be thought, 
 That money mufl be made of what is bought. 
 
 Let him the caufes of Abufe difcerne ; 
 Let him the cure of ' etfry mifchiefe learne; 
 Let him of what he knoweth, praclice make ; 
 Let all his People, his example take. 
 Give them repentance for their paffed crimes ; 
 A f sift them by thy grace, in future times ; 
 And fend thy Holy-Spirit through their Lands, 
 To keep them in the way of thy Commands. 
 So, thou in their Devotions wilt be picas 'd, 
 So all thine anger will be quite appeas'd ; 
 So, King and People, praife theefliall together; 
 And, then, thou need 1 ft not fend thefe Armies thither. 
 
 Thus M ER CI E fpake ; & more fhe would have 
 (For, fhe could everlaftingly have praid) (faid 
 
 To this effea. But, JVSTICE having fpy'd 
 Gods eye to marke, how fhe feem'd fatisfi'd ; 
 (And looking fomewhat llernly, to betoken 
 That M E RC I E in her injury had fpoken) 
 Thus interrupted her. Faire Sifter, flay ; 
 And, doe not think to bcare my right away 
 With fmoothed words. Thou art an Advocate 
 Well knowne to be the mofl importunate 
 That ever pleaded : and, thou hafl a trick 
 With thefe moifl eyes, beyond all Rhetorick. 
 So that, unleffe I make it fall appeare, 
 What groffe offenders all thy Clients are, 
 A. Bill of mine ( 'how jufl foe 're the cafe) 
 Would fcldome in this great Star-chamber paffe. 
 No place, no perfons, are fo diffolute, 
 But if they whine to thee, thou makeflfute 
 On their behalf es. Thou wert Soliciter 
 For King Manaffes (that Idolater 
 
 And 
 
 61 
 
Brittan's Cant i. 
 
 And gotjl his pardon. Thou haft ProftrelTe bin 
 For leroboam {who made IV elfin J 
 That hand recuring which he did extend, 
 The Meffenger of God, to apprehend. 
 
 Thou art for any who in thee beleeves, 
 Though Traylors, Strumpets, Murtherers, or Theeves. 
 Thou praya (ft for Nineveh ; yea thou haft pray d 
 For Sodome ; and my hand had fare beene ftaid 
 When I confuted them, if there had beene, then, 
 In five great Cities, but tenne righteous men. 
 
 I never yet could get a verdicl paft 
 On any Sinner, but thou croft it haft, 
 Vpon the leaft repentance. And if ever 
 Toferve an Execution I endeavor, 
 Thou, flit I, one meanes or other doft procure, 
 To mitigate the Jlricleft forfeiture. 
 
 Thee, for delaying lodgements, I prefer 
 Ev'nfarre before the Courts at Weflminfler. 
 And, if I longer thefe thy dealings beare, 
 Thou here wilt ufe me, as they ufe me there : 
 For, lately J ' furveyed it ; and faw 
 Their Chauncery had halfe devour 'd their Law. 
 
 Sweet Lady call to mindc, there is a due 
 Pertaining equally to me and you. 
 As nothing without ME R CI Eftiould be done ; 
 So TVS TIC Eftiould not be encroacht upon. 
 I claime a Daughters part, and I defire 
 To keepe mine owne inheritance intii e. 
 I, for your fake, huge Armies, often fave, 
 When they had, elfe, beene rotting in the grave. 
 I faff er yon to wipe morefimies away 
 Then twice tenne thou f and millions in a day. 
 There's none whom I doe punifti for his crimes, 
 But J doe fear re him firft, a thoufand times 
 
 (At 
 
 62 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 31 
 
 {At your entreaty) when, if I had pleafed, 
 I might fo many times his life have feized. 
 Yea, Jfliould none have injur 'd, though I had 
 Of all the World, long fence, a Bone-fire made. 
 
 For, what effeel hath your Compaffion wrought? 
 What Of rings, to Gods Altars, now are brought 
 By my long f paring them ? Nay, have they not 
 Him, and his aufull potth; the more forgot ? 
 What did I fay ? forgot him ? if they had 
 Vs'd him and his Indulgence but fo bad, 
 Thou might fl have fpoken for them ; and I could 
 Have left thy f implications nncontrolPd, 
 But, they have aggravated their neglecl, 
 With fuch bafe villanies, fuch difrefpeel, 
 And fitch contempt of Him, of Thee, and Me e, 
 That if we beare it, we fliall f corned be. 
 
 They fo prefumptujus are, that well 7 know, 
 Were but a pelty-Iuiiice ufedfo, 
 He would not brooke it : But, fo ? ough appeare, 
 That all the fin-profeffmg Jioufcs neare, 
 Of Reformation would be much in doubt ; 
 And feare they flwuld not buy his Anger out, 
 Though they prefented him with coyne and wares ; 
 And briVd his Clarke, with whom, lis thought hefliares. 
 I will not therefore palliate their defpight ; 
 I will not be debarred of my right ; 
 7 will not make my felfe a publike fcome ; 
 Nor will 7 longer beare what I have borne. 
 
 Here with (as if the thought it were in vaine, 
 For Vengeance, unto M E RC I E to complaine) 
 She rais'd her eyes ; fhe fixed them upon 
 The Throne of heav'n, and Him that fate thereon : 
 Then bowed thrice ; and, then to her complaint, 
 She thus proceeded like an Angry Saint. 
 
 Great 
 
Brittan's Cant. i. 
 
 Great I VD G E of all the world, juji, wife, and holy ; 
 Who fin abhor reft, and correcleft folly : 
 Who drivefl all uncleanneffe from thy fight, 
 And feared art, ev'n of the mofi upright : 
 Confider well my Canfe, and let thou not 
 Thy 7 VS Tl CE in thy MER CIE be forgot, 
 As well as this my lifter, fo am I 
 Vnited unto thee effentially 
 Before all Time ; and there is caufe for me 
 To boafl thy favour, full as much asfiie. 
 For, to maintaine thy Iuftice {and approve 
 That f acred, never violated Love 
 Thou bearefl me) great Monarkies have drunk 
 Thy cup of wrath ; and into mine funk. 
 For their contempt of me, thcu hafil rejecled 
 The Nation, of all Nations, mofi affecled. 
 Once, thou the Globe of Earth didfi wholly drowne ; 
 From Heav'n thou threw! ft the finfull Angels downe : 
 And (which is more) thy Bell beloved dfd, 
 lliat my difpleafure might befatisfid. 
 
 But, let no former favour me availe, 
 If now of Reafon on ?ny fide J faile. 
 I never did a Vengeance, yet purfue 
 Before it was required by double due. 
 I never plagued any in defpight, 
 Nor in the death offinners took delight. 
 Why therefore thus is my proceeding fiaid ? 
 And thy jufi wrath fo fuddenly alaid ? 
 Hath Mercy their offences vailed fo, 
 That thou beholdefi not what faults they do ? 
 And wilt thou fiill continue thy compafsion 
 To this unthankfull and forgetfull Nation ? 
 
 What are they, but a mofi corrupted breed 1 
 A wicked, a perverfe, ingratefullfecd? 
 
 64 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 32 
 
 A people for inflrucTwn fo untoward, 
 Soflubborne in their courfes, and fo froward, {them, 
 That neither threats, nor plagues, nor love can mend 
 And therefore Defolation mufl attend them. 
 
 Me they have injured, pafl all compare ; 
 They flout me to my face ; they me out dare 
 Ezhi on my Iudgement-feats ; they truth deny, 
 Although they know, their hearers know they lye. 
 They ufe my Titles, and my Offices, 
 But as a meanes to rob, or to oppreffe 
 The poorer fort : and he that wrong fuflaines 
 Is f ure of more, if he for right complaines. 
 Search thou their flrects, their Markets, &* their Courts ; 
 Note where the greatefl multitude reforts, 
 And if thou finde a man among them, there, 
 That hath of Truth or Judgements any care, 
 Him let thine AngeWfave. But thou Jlialt fee 
 That nothing elfefrom heele to head they be, 
 But fivel lings, wounds, and fores : that they are wholly 
 Oregrowne with leprofies of noyfome folly ; 
 And that, among them, there abideth none, 
 Whofe path is right and perfecl, no not one. 
 
 Their fludies, are i?i cheating trickes, andfJiifts. 
 Their practice, is to compafs bribes, and gifts. 
 Their filver is but drofs. Their wine impure. 
 Their finefl gold, will not the touch endure. 
 The poore oppreffe the poor e. The Childe affumes 
 An Elders place. The bafefl Groome prefumes 
 Before the Noble. Women take on them 
 Mens habits, andfubjeclion doe contemne. 
 Men grow effeminate. Age dotes, Youth raves, 
 The begger' s proud. The rich man, bafely craves. 
 The neighbour of his neighbour goes in danger; 
 The brother to the brother growes a flranger. 
 
 There 
 
Britt an's Cant. i. 
 
 There is no kin, but Coufnage. Few prof effe 
 Aficclion, Amity, or Friendimeffc, 
 But to deceive. If men each other greet, 
 With flieives of wondrous friendfliip, when they meet, 
 They doe but praclife kindly to betray; 
 And jeer e, and fcoffe, when they depart away : 
 They labour, and they fludy, lyes to make : 
 To grow more wicked, ferious paiues they take : 
 Wolves are as mercifull ': Their Dogs as holy : 
 Vertue, they count a Toole: Religion, folly : 
 Their Lawes are but their nets, and ginnes, to take 
 Thofe whom they hate, and feeke their prey to make : 
 The patronage of Truth, none flandeth for : 
 The way of Piety, they doe abhor : 
 They meet unfeene, the harmleffe to deceive : 
 They hatch the Cocatrice : They floely weave 
 The Spiders web ; and, when in bed they are, 
 They lye and fludy plots of mifchiefe there. 
 
 And, why thus fares if? but, becaufe they fee 
 Thai (how unjufifoire their Courfes be) 
 They profper in their wickedneffe, and thrive, 
 Whilfl they who honor thee affliclcd live. 
 If any man reprove their damned way, 
 They perfecute, and ' flander him, and fay ; 
 Come, let us fmite him with our tongue, that he, 
 And his reproofes, may unregarded be. 
 They defp'rately refolve a wicked Courfe ; 
 And, czi'ry day proceed from bad, to worfe. 
 Themf elves they footh in evill : and profejfe 
 In publike manner, Trades of wickedneffe. 
 They impudently boaft of their TranfgreJ/ious, 
 And madly, glory in their great Opprcffio?is. 
 Yea, fome fo farre have over-gone the Devils 
 InfJiamelefnefpe, that they make bragge of evils 
 
 Which 
 
 66 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 33 
 
 Which they committed not (as if they fear 1 d 
 That elfe they had not lewd enough appear d ) 
 Whereas, they from themf elves would flrive to flie, 
 If they could fee their ozone deformity. 
 
 For, what remaineth to be termed ill 
 Which they are guiltleffe of, in acl, or zvill? 
 They, gall unto the hungry proferd have : 
 They, vineger unto the thirfty gave : 
 With brutiJJi fierce neffe they themf elves a ray : 
 Unfatisfied in their lufil are they ; 
 And neither earth nor heaven efcapes the wrongs 
 Of their injurious and blafphenwus tongues. 
 With ev'ry member, they diflwnor Thee, 
 No part of them from wickednefje is free : 
 Their Eyes, are tvandring after vanitie, 
 And leere about, advantages to fpye. 
 Their Eares are deafe to goodnejfe ; but mofil prone 
 To heare a flander told of any one : 
 And have an itching after evi'ry thing, 
 Which, newes of fenfuaiitie, may bring. 
 Their brazen Foreheads, without filiame appeare : 
 Their Teeth are fliarper then a fword or fpeare : 
 Their Lips, as keenly cut, as Razors doe ; 
 And, under them, is Adders poifon too. 
 Their Mouthes with bitter curfings, overflow : 
 Their oily Tongues, contention daily fow : 
 In Heart, they Falflwod before Truth, preferre : 
 Their Throats, are like a gaping Sepulcher : 
 Foule belch ings from their Stomacks doe arife, 
 Ev'n filthie fpeeches, and ranke blafphemies. 
 Their Hands {their right hands) lawleffe gifts receive : 
 With Bribes, their Fingers, they defiled have. 
 Their Feet, are fwift in executing ill, 
 And, run the blood of innocents to f pill. 
 
 They 
 
Brittan's Cant. i. 
 
 They are corrupt in etfry Facultie ; 
 In Vnderflanding, Will, and Memorie ; 
 Yea, their moji fpecious works of pietie 
 Are little elfe, but meere hypocrifie. 
 
 All Jlairid with Murthers, Thefts, Adulteries, 
 And other unrepented Villanies 
 Thy Houfe they enter, as if they were cleare, 
 Or, thither came, but to out-brave thee there. 
 There, they d if play their pride : there, they contemne 
 Thy Meffengers ; or, fit and cenfure them. 
 There, they diflurbe thy Children in their prayrs, 
 By tatling of impertinent affaires. 
 The many roving lookes, they throw about, 
 Doe prove them, far more wanton, than devout. 
 And, fay, they bring devotion for a fit: 
 Alas ! what pleaf ure canft thou take in it? 
 Or, what doe they but mocke thee, when they pray, 
 Vnlcffe their wickedneffe they cafil away ? 
 What profits it, to kneele fometime an houre ? 
 To fafl a day 1 to look demure, or four e ? 
 To raife the hands aloft ? the brefl to fir ike ? 
 TofJiake the head, or hang it BulrufJi like ? 
 And, all that while to have no thought of thee ; 
 But on bafe projects, mufing, there, to bet 
 
 I many fuch enormities might name, 
 Wherein this People have beene much to blame. 
 And,fJiall they filill, thy gentlenejfe contemne 1 
 Wilt thou forbeare, for this, to punifli them ? 
 Shall fuch devotion be regarded more, 
 Then if they brought the hyring of a whore ? 
 Or facrific\l a Dog? Nay, though they had 
 Of farre fet Calamus an Ofiring made, 
 Or, incenfe brought from Sheba; doe they think 
 Tiie f moke of that, fiJiall take away the filink 
 
 Of 
 
 68 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 34 
 
 Of their corruption ? JJiall this wicked Throng, 
 ( Who partners are in evWie kind 0/ wrong, 
 And Reformation hate) JIM f pa red be 
 Becanfe they can a little p?-ate of thee ? 
 Make zealous outward JJiotves ; and preach thy word, 
 Whofe pow'r they have dentfd? (if not abhorr'd.) 
 
 Let me confume them rather. For, Compafiion 
 So often hath prevailed for this Nation, 
 That, all my threat/lings are no whit regarded, 
 Thy Pittie is with difrefpecl rewarded ; 
 Thy Blowes doe nothing foften them : but, more 
 Hard hearted, rather, make them then before. 
 They neither know nor feeke thee. They fcarce daigne 
 So much as thoughts of thee to entertaine. 
 Or if they doe) yet, thou in kindneffe, hafl 
 So frequently , their errors over pajl 
 11 1th gentle flripes ; that they conjeclure, now 
 That thou art like to them, and dofl allow 
 Their wicked courfes. For, Is there (fay they) 
 In God, or fight, or knowledge of our way ? 
 Doth he behold ? or care what things we doe ? 
 Will he take vengeance ? Turn, it is not fo. 
 Such fables were devis'd in times of old, 
 And of ftrange judgements, ftories have beene told ; 
 But, who hath feene them ? or, when will appeare 
 That Day of Doome, whereof fo oft we heare ? 
 Sure never. For the world doth ftill remaine 
 The fame it was ; and thefe are feares in vaine. 
 
 Oh ! what will this increafe unto, if thus 
 Thou fuffer them to make a f come of us? 
 Where is thy fear e, if thou a Mafter be? 
 Why, (if a God)Jlwuld they not honour thee ? 
 What meanes thy long long-fuffring ? and, what way 
 To worke amendment wilt thou next ajfay ? 
 
 Thou 
 
 69 
 
Britt A n's Cant. i. 
 
 Thou haft already mov'd them to repent, 
 
 By Threats, Gifts, Precepts, and by Punifhment. 
 
 Toftop their wickedneffe, thou Flouds, and Drought, 
 
 Frofts, Fires, and Tempefts, haft upon them brought. 
 
 Diftempers, Frights, and (many times of late) 
 
 Diftrufls, and hazzards of the publike State. 
 
 With ev'ry kind ^/"Sickneffe, thou haft trfd them ; 
 
 With Peftilence, and Famine, mortiftd them ; 
 
 With Slaughters thou haft foil d them ; and betwixt 
 
 Each Plague, thou Mercy ftill haft inter mixt; 
 
 Yet, all in vaine. Oh ! rife, and fujfer me 
 
 On all at once avenged now to be. 
 
 Plucke from thy bofome, thy fure ftriking-hand, 
 
 And, let it fall fo heavy on that Land, 
 
 That, all their Follies may their merit have, 
 
 And, they be put to ftlence in the grave. 
 
 Permit them not unplagued to perfever, 
 Blafphemiug thus, thy Name and thee for ever. 
 But, let me ei?ry Plague upon them caft, 
 Which thou, for fuch as they, prepared haft. 
 Let them perceive, that they have lov'd andferved 
 Thofe gods, by whom they cannot be preferved. 
 Let me tranfport from their polluted Coaft, 
 Thofe Holy-things, whereof they vainly boaft : 
 And, let not their prophaneneffe be protetled 
 By that, which they fo much have difrefpecled. 
 
 For, why ftwuldft thou forbeare this people more 
 Then many other Nations heretofore 'I 
 Since they for their example thofe have had 
 The leffe excufable their faults are made. 
 Yea, though their wickedneffe were but the fame, 
 Yet, they are worthy of a greater blame. 
 
 What are they better then the flubborne Iewes ? 
 Wherein, doe they thy bleffings leffe abufe ? 
 
 What 
 
 70 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 35 
 
 What have their Temples, of more worth in them 
 Then, Shilo, Bethel, or Ierufalem, 
 That we flwuld fpare their many fleepled Towres, 
 Not rather making them the Neafls , and Botvres 
 Of noyfome Verraine, and fuch fatall Fowles, 
 As croking Ravens, and loud fcreeching Owles ? 
 Why fJwuldft thou not, as low this He decline, 
 As Milke and Hony-fl 'owing Palefline ? 
 What have they more deferved of thy pittie 
 Then Sion, thy fo much beloved Citty ? 
 Or, wherefore fJwuld their Seed be thought upon 
 More kindely, then the bratts of Babylon ? 
 Why flwuld their Common wealth, more prifed be, 
 Then thofe great Monarchies deflroy'd by me 
 In former ages, whofe tranfcendent Fate, 
 Each Time fucceeding, hath admired at? 
 Yea, fince the World thou didft for finning, drowne, 
 Why flwuld fuch mercy to this Land beflwivne ? 
 
 If thou a pious King to them haft given, 
 What lofeth he, if thou from thence to Heaven 
 Tranflate himflialt ? From eartlily Crownes, to weare 
 Thofe wreathes of Glory that immortall are ? 
 And from afroward People, to have place 
 With Angells, and there triumph in thy grace ? 
 If any man be fou?id obferving thee, 
 To him what difcontentment can it be 
 To vieia my hand prevaili?ig over thofe 
 Who me in my proceedings did oppofe ? 
 And fee thofe Tyrants ruined, who have long 
 Committed violence, and offred wrong 
 To him, and his ? what harme hath he I pray, 
 To pajfe through all that forrow in one day, 
 And in thy blef/ed prefence to appeare, 
 Who elfe might here have lingred many a yeare ? 
 
 Of 
 
 7i 
 
Brittan's Cant. I. 
 
 Of what can he complaine, if being borne 
 Above the reach of ev^ry future f come, 
 Within thy heav'nly Manfion, he pojfeffe 
 A perfecl, and an endlejfe happineffe ? 
 
 Why may not I VS TI C E glorifie thy Name, 
 As well as ME R C Y can extoll the fame ? 
 Why flwuld tliy former favours, being loft, 
 Oblige thee to defray a future cofl 
 On Prodigals, and Vnthrifts, who had rather 
 Live Swineherds, than returne to thee their Father ? 
 Why may not that reproach diverted be, 
 Which irreligious men will cafl on thee 
 Although thou fpare not hypocrites ; and them 
 Who are the caufers that thy Foes blafpheme 1 
 What difadvantage can their fall effecl 
 To thy pure honour ? or, to thine elect, 
 Which may not be prevented ( if thou pleafe) 
 Although thou be not mercifull to thefe ? 
 
 Sure, none at all : and, therefore, I will flay 
 My hand ?w longer; but breake off delay. 
 Thy Sword and Ballance, are with me in trufl ; 
 To punifJi Sin, I know it to be jufl; 
 They both arraigned, and condemned are ; 
 My warrants, in thy written Word appeare : 
 Their crimes, for Vengeance, loudly crying be: 
 Thy Iudgements, ready muflred are, by thee : 
 Thine eye doth fpeake unto me to be gone ; 
 And, loe; I flye to fee thy pleafure done. 
 
 As when a Mother on a hidden hearing 
 Her babe to fhrieke, (and fome difafter fearing 
 That may befall the childe) ftarts up and flyes 
 To fee the reafon of her Infants cries : 
 So quick, was IVSTICE; &, e're now, had brought 
 Her work, to fomething ; and, this Land, to nought. 
 
 But 
 
 7-' 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. $6 
 
 But, to prevent her purpofe, M E R C I E cafl 
 Her arme about that angry Virgins wafle ; 
 Look'd fadly on her ; hung about her ; kid her, 
 And (weeping in her bofome) faid, Sweet Sifter, 
 I pray thee, doe not thus impatient grow, 
 Nor prof ecute deferved Vengeance, fo. 
 Thou art mojl beaut if ull ; fnccrely jufl ; 
 Aloft perfectly upright in all thou dofil ; 
 For which thine excellency, and perfection, 
 I love thee with an excellent affection. 
 And though thou frown eft ; yet thy froivnings be 
 So lovely, that I cannot part from thee. 
 
 What though fome Worldlings offer thee dif graces, 
 Shall they (Sweet heart ) make loathed my embraces ? 
 Shall thou, and I, (who nearer are then twinnes) 
 Fall out, or be divorced by their fumes ? 
 Oh never let it faid, or mutfred be, 
 That we in any thing can difagree. 
 For whafs more lovely, or more fweet then this, 
 That we each other may embrace and kiffe ? 
 And by our mittaall workings, and agreeings, 
 Bring all Gods Creatures to their perfect beings. 
 
 Beleeve me (Deare) Heaven doth not comprehend 
 That pleafure, which this pleafure doth tranfcend : 
 Nor is our Father better pleas 'd in us, 
 Then when he fees our armes enhuined, thus. 
 ForfJiould we jarre, the world would be undone, 
 And Heaihi, and Earth, into a Chaos runne. 
 What profit can it bring, or what content, 
 To fee a Kingdome miferably rent, 
 With manifold afflictions 1 what great good 
 To us redoundeth by the death, or blood 
 Of any man ? what honour can we have ? 
 What praife, from tkofe that in the ft lent grave 
 
 D Lie 
 
 73 
 
Brittan's Qmt. I. 
 
 Lye raked up in mines dead and rotte?i 1 
 
 Or in the Land where all things are forgotten ? 
 
 Seeke not thy Glory by their Overthrow, 
 That are pur fned by too flrofig a Foe, 
 Arid over-matc/i d already ; thinke upon 
 The pow'rfull hate of that malicious One. 
 Remember they were framed of the dufl; 
 And that to Clay againe returne they mufl. 
 When they are dead they paffe atvay for ever, 
 Ev'n as that vapour which returtieth never. 
 Oh ; make them not the Butt of thy difpleafure, 
 Nor Give them of Gods wrath the fulleji mcafure. 
 J grant this Realme is fulfill ; But, what hath 
 That Realme, or people equalling thy wrath ? 
 T'is honourable, when we floope below 
 Our f elves ; that love or favour we may flww ; 
 Or to cor reel, with purpofe to amend: 
 But if with fuch we Foe-like fJwuld contend, 
 Lt would appcare, as iffome Empery 
 Did arme it felfe, to combat with a Fly. 
 When we correction, or forgivenejje daigne, 
 We may corretl them, or forgive againe : 
 But in de/lroying quite, our f elves we wound, 
 And to our Infiniteneffe, fet a bound ; 
 For LVSTLCE neither MER C Y can have place, 
 Lufubjecls, which we totally deface. 
 
 We mufl not feeke for purity divine 
 Ln dufl and aflies ; till wefirfl refine 
 From earthly droffe the gold that we defire, 
 By ufing of the Bellowes and the Fire. 
 For till we purge it, what (alas) is good, 
 Or what can holy be in FlefiJi and Blood ? 
 Who lookes that Figs on Thijlles Jliould be borne, 
 Or that fweet Grapes fliould grow upon a Thome ? 
 
 It 
 
 74 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 37 
 
 // cannot be. As therefore heretofore 
 God promifed, (that he would never more 
 Contend with man) let us refolve the fame ; 
 And by fome other meanes, their wildeneffe tame. 
 
 Keepe, yet a while, this Army where it is ; 
 And let us try to mend what is amijfe, 
 (As erfl we did) by fending Jointly thither, 
 Our Favours, and Correclions, both together : 
 And if they profit not, there is a Day 
 In which thine Indignation fliall have way. 
 
 As when a Father, who, in heat of wrath 
 To give a fon correction purpos'd hath, 
 Enraged is, untill his lovely wife 
 Doth interpofe her felfe with friendly ftrife ; 
 But (pleafed in the fweetneffe of her fpeech, 
 Who to forgive the Child doth him befeech) 
 Doth lay afide his whole difpleafure, then, 
 And turne his anger into fmiles agen ; 
 So, / VSTICE was by MERC Y wrought upon : 
 And fhe that would with fo much hafte be gone, 
 Forgot her fpeed ; Her louing Sifter ey'd 
 With calmer lookes ; and thus to her reply'd. 
 
 Thou, and thy charmings have prevail 'd upon me, 
 And to abate mine anger thou haft woune me. 
 I therefore will not cafil my plagues on all, 
 But on worfl Livers, onely, let them fall. 
 Nay, nay, quoth ME R C IE, thou mufl favour ffww 
 To mofil of them, or thou wilt overthrow 
 The lawes of Deftiny ; and croft will be 
 What God did from eternity decree. 
 For, fome of thefe have not fulfilled yet 
 Their fcnnes, nor made their number up complete. 
 Some, that are wandring in the wayes of folly, 
 Shall be regenerated, and made holy. 
 
 D 2 Some 
 
 75 
 
Brit tan's Cani.i. 
 
 Of them fame have morality, that may 
 Be helpfull to Gods children, in their way ; 
 Some, mufl be left, as were the Cana'nites, 
 To exercife the faithful! Ifr'elites ; 
 Yea fome, have in their loynes a generation 
 Vnborne, which mufl make up the bleffed Nation. 
 And till that feed hid forth, ihofe trees mufl fland, 
 Although they grow but to annoy the Land. 
 
 jtfeemes (quoth / VS TI C E) I mufl then abide, 
 (However they offend) unfatisfi'd. 
 Vnfatisfid (faid ME R CIE) Is it that, 
 Sweet Sifler which your zeale hath aimed at ? 
 Then, looke you there. And with that word, her eye 
 She plac'd on him, who fits in Majefly, 
 At Gods right hand. Behold that Lambe (quoth (lie) 
 By him thou fully fatisfl d flialt be. 
 He poore was made, that he their debt might pay ; 
 He bafc beca?nc, to take their fliame away ; 
 He entred bond, their freedome to procure; 
 He dangers lr/d, their fafeties to affure ; 
 He f corned was, their honor to advance ; 
 Hefeem'd a foole, to helpe their ignorance ; 
 He fin was made, their errors to conceale ; 
 He wounded was, that he their wounds might heale ; 
 He thirfled, that their thirfl might have an end ; 
 He wept, that foy their forrow might attend; 
 He lojl his blood, that they their blood might five ; 
 He dfd, that they eternal} life might have. 
 Nor canfl thou any for their fins condemne, 
 (Since he hath over-paid the price for them) 
 If by partic lar faith they fliall apply 
 That pardon, which he granteth generally. 
 And lefl to that whole Kingdom e thou deny it, 
 For want of application, I apply it. 
 
 Why 
 
 76 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 38 
 
 Why then (faid / VS TICE) I may quite difmiffe 
 This boafl of Plagues which here affemblcd is. 
 Not fo, replyed M E R C IE : For no curfe 
 Is greater, nor is any mifchiefe worfe 
 Then want of due correction : And if J 
 Should yeeld to that, it were not Clemency, 
 But cruell dealing ; and my love no other 
 Then is the kindneffe of that cockring mother, 
 Who f pares the rod (out of her pure affeclion) 
 And fends unto the Gallowesy'w' correction ; 
 As ifjlie thought her children apt for learning, 
 Jf they could take a hanging for a warning. 
 
 I fecme to crojfe thy workings, and thou mine, 
 To ihofe that neither know my wayes, nor thine : 
 But, as the motions in a Clocke doe tend 
 And move together to one purposed end, 
 Although their wheeles contrary courfes goe, 
 And force the even ballance to and fro. 
 Eifnfo, although it may tofome appear e, 
 That our proceedings much repugnant are ; 
 Yet in our difagreeings, we agree, 
 And helpfull to our chiefe defigne they be. 
 
 We therefore, from Gods Army willfelecl 
 One R.egiment, this people to correcl. 
 Not his that is the Generall : for, he 
 Rcfifleth us if he prevailing be. 
 Nor Famine; For, ( unleffc permit wejhall 
 That flie devoure, tint ill weflarve up all) 
 She mofl unequally confumes the poor e, 
 And makes the rich to be enriched more. 
 Nor will we fend the Sword ; for, that makes way 
 For ev'ry plague to follow; yea, doth lay 
 All open to confufion ; and befloives 
 Thepow'r of God oft times upon his foes. 
 
 D 3 But 
 
 77 
 
Brittan's Cant. i. 
 
 But, we to puni/Ji them, will fend from hence, 
 The dreadfull, and impartial PESTILENCE. 
 For, flie doth neither Rich, nor Poore prefer re ; 
 ThefoolifJi, and the wife, are one to her : 
 Nor eloquence, nor beauty, nor complexion, 
 Prevailed with her ; Nor Hatred, ?wr AJfeclion. 
 She feizeth All alike ; flie vifiteth 
 The Palace, as the Cottage ; and with death, 
 Or elfe with fickneffe, fir ikes at each degree, 
 Vnleffe our Superfedeas, granted be. 
 
 By meanes of her, in any State, or City, 
 Thou maifl avenge, and I mayfliow my pitty 
 With little noife ; and both at once, fulfill 
 Our wifJies, and accomplifJi all our will. 
 For, where a noyfome weed is feene to fprout, 
 Shefliall, at thy appointment, weed it out. 
 Or if a plant, or bud, orfioiu'r we fee, 
 Thafs ripe for Heav'n, and may impaired be 
 By ftanding longer ; we the fame will gather ; 
 To make a precious Pofie for our Father. 
 And, as thou hafil thy purpofe, by their fall. 
 Or f mart, whomflie or wound, or flaughter fliall ': 
 Right fo have J ': For, if they wicked are 
 Whom flie removes ; the better /Jiall they fare, 
 Whofe Converfations truly honefil be ; 
 And from oppreffton live the longer free. 
 If righteous men this Judgements prey become, 
 It is appointed to fecure them from 
 Some greater Plague, which mufil (perhaps) befent 
 To fcomge this Kingdome, ere it will repent; 
 Or (peradventure) that my hand may take them 
 From Earth, the Citizens of Heaven to make them : 
 And fome, who never elfe on God had thought, 
 Shall, (by her whip) unto his love be brought. 
 
 This 
 
 78 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 39 
 
 This pleafed well, and IVSTICE did agree 
 With ME R C Y, that it fhould allowed be : 
 And, for the fwift fulfilling of their minde, 
 The PES TILE NCE, by warrant, was affign'd 
 Great Brittan to invade ; and limited 
 Where to begin the Plague ; how far to fpread ; 
 How many fhe fhould wound ; how many flay ; 
 How many grieve ; how many fright away ; 
 How long abide ; and when her terme was done, 
 On what conditions (then) fhe muft be gone. 
 Moreover left her ftroke fhould not amend us, 
 Gods Hoaft of Plagues had warrant to attend us ; 
 That if the Peftilcnce could not prevaile, 
 Another might our wicked Land affaile ; 
 And then another, till we did repent, 
 Or were confumed in our chaftifement. 
 
 The Prince of Darknes, (though he could not gaine 
 Permiffion, fully to unloofe his Chaine) 
 His ufuall pow'r obtain'd to worke defpite 
 On fome offenders, and to ufe the Height 
 Of Lying-wonders : or by ftrong temptation 
 To feize upon the Sonnes of Reprobation : 
 Yea many times to buffet (for correction) 
 Ev'n thofe that have the feales of Gods eleclion. 
 
 Dearth was commanded, that (to make us feare 
 A Scarceneffe) fhe fhould fcatter here, and there, 
 A Floud, or Tempefl; and at fometime bring 
 A droughty Summer, or ^.frofly Spring, 
 Or Mel-dezves, to remember us, from whom 
 The bleffings of a plenteous yeare doe come. 
 
 Warre, (who had quite forgotten us almoft) 
 Injoyned was to fit upon our Coaft; 
 To faile about our Shore, to view our Forts, 
 To vifit all our Havens, and our Ports : 
 
 D 4 And 
 
 79 
 
Britt an's Cant. i. 
 
 And with her dreadfull founds, to rouze and keepe 
 This Kingdome, from fecurities dead fleepe. 
 But was commanded, not to feize a hoofe 
 Of what was our till God hath made a proofe 
 How mollifi'd our ftony hearts will be ; 
 What fruits of true repentance he mall fee ; 
 What change will be effected in this Land, 
 By his correcting us with his owne hand ; 
 And what oblations of true thankes and love, 
 We render will upon this Plague remove. 
 
 Wherein, if we doe faile his expectation, 
 We fhall be made a miferable Nation. 
 The Sea that now doth clofe us, like a wall, 
 Shall be a Sea of terror ; and it fhall 
 Let in our foes upon us, or which flouds 
 O're-flow our borders, and devoure our goods. 
 Our wealthy Traffiques, and that forraine Trade, 
 (Whereby fo proud, and wanton we are made) 
 Cut off fhall be, and faile in ev'ry Coaft. 
 Our num'rous Fleets (whereof fo much we boaft, 
 (And, in whofe pow'r and multitude, I feare 
 Our truft, and hopes too much repofed are) 
 By Stormes, and Piracies, that fhall purfue them, 
 Or want of meanes, and trading to renue them, 
 Shall wafte away unheeded ; till we fee 
 Our harmes beyond our meanes of curing be. 
 Our Houfcs fnall by ftrangers be poffeffed ; 
 Our goodly Temples, which, (as yet) are bleffed 
 With Gods true worfhip. (hall be raz'd, or burned, 
 Or into dennes of theevery be turned. 
 Throughout thofe champain fields, & forrefts, where 
 We hunted for our pleafure ; we by Feare 
 Shall hunted be : and made a prey for them 
 Whom we (perhaps) did moil of all contemne. 
 
 Our 
 
 So 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 40 
 
 Our People, (on whofe numbers we prefume) 
 Shall by degrees be leff'ned, and confume. 
 Our Nation (late renowned through the World) 
 Shall be unvalu'd, as old rubbifh, hurl'd 
 In fome by-corner, and quite round about us 
 Our Foes, our Neighbors, & our Friends thai flout us. 
 Our Peace, fhall make us but effeminate. 
 Our Riches, and our plentifull eflate, 
 Shall but enrich our enemies ; and we 
 (That of our King fo glad, and hopefull be) 
 Shall (for our finnes, perchance) be quite deprived 
 Of thofe great comforts, which we have conceived 
 For, either God may give an ill fucceffe 
 To his belt Counfells, for our frowardneffe ; 
 Or leave us fome diflruftings in our heart, 
 To make us cenfure in an evill part 
 His gracious purpofes ; or give a pow'r 
 To fome ill-willers of his peace, and our, 
 To fow the feeds of Difcord, and divide 
 Our hearts, which now fo lovingly are ty'd : 
 Or let fome Politician worke upon 
 His Goodneffe ; and fo cunningly goe on, 
 That he fhall never finde, how he, and his 
 Are injured, till all things are amiffe: 
 Which God forbid; yea, grant (O Lord) that I 
 In thefe furpofals may not prophecie ; 
 As (out of doubt IfJiall) if any fin 
 {That may procure it) we continue in. 
 
 Yea, though our Projects may a while poffeffe 
 Our hearts with flatt'ring hopes of good fucceffe ; 
 Though in affaires of Warre, and in our Fights 
 We thrive a while, as did the Benjamites ; 
 Although a league with Baalam we began ; 
 And Berodach the fonne of Baladan 
 
 D 5 Had 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant. i. 
 
 Had fent us prefents ; and though he (hall feeme 
 
 To have our health and welfare in efleeme ; 
 
 Though to his Lords the treafures we declare, 
 
 Which in Gods Temple here among us are : 
 
 Yea, though we gave thofe holy things, to buy 
 
 His love, and BabyloniJJi amity : 
 
 It mould but linger us along, till they 
 
 (Who feeke our overthrow) their mares doe lay ; 
 
 Vntill they have enlarg'd their growing pow'rs, 
 
 And by their Policy, befooled ours ; 
 
 Or, till our finnes, or our fecurities 
 
 Have made us objects for their Tyrannies, 
 
 And, there enthrall'd us, where long fince were hung 
 
 On willow trees, untuned, and unftrung, 
 
 The Harpes of Syon ; and where Men contemne 
 
 The heav'nly Sonnets of Ierufalan. 
 
 Ev'n this mail be our lot, and worfe then this 
 If we continue ftill to doe amiffe, 
 Or bring not forth the fruits of Penitence, 
 When God hath fcourg'd us by the Pejlilcnce. 
 But, if that ftirre us to repenting fhall, 
 He will not onely back again e recall 
 That raging Plague, to which he gave fuch pow'r 
 Within our peopled Cities to devoure : 
 But, he will alfo on this Reahne beftow 
 New benefits, for entertaining fo, 
 With lowlineffe, his fatherly correction ; 
 And yeelding him our filial affection. 
 
 Then, evry one beneath his Vine fhall fit 
 Without difturbance ; and with pleafure eate 
 The profit of his labors. Men fhall goe 
 In fafety through the Kingdome, to, and fro. 
 Their Land they fhall enjoy in peace; and weare 
 The warmeft fleeces, that their flockes do beare. 
 
 No 
 
 &2 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 41 
 
 No fonnes of Belial, lliall from them divert 
 Their Princes favour (in the fmallefl part) 
 Nor fhall Seditions Lovers draw from him 
 Their loyalties, by minnforming them ; 
 But God that bleffed union fhall maintaine, 
 Which ought 'twixt King and People to remaine. 
 
 He, then, will multiply the fruits encreafe ; 
 Preferve our plenty, fanctifie our peace : 
 And guide by Land and Sea, our preparations 
 Of lawfull warre, to feize upon thofe Nations 
 That are our foes, and his. Which, that He may 
 Vouchfafe unto us ; let us ev'ry day 
 Produce of thankfulneife fome new effect : 
 Let us obferve (with ev'ry due refpecl) 
 The progreffe of that Plague fent lately hither ; 
 How CLEMENCY &JVSTICE came together; 
 Relating to each other what we faw 
 To kindle love, or keepe our foules in awe ; 
 And fo record it, that (fhould we be rotten) 
 It may be flill preferved unforgotten. 
 For, that we might his honour forth declare, 
 We both created, and preferved were. 
 To fuch a purpofe, I doe thus employ 
 That fcorned Faculty, which I enjoy; 
 And (for the compaffing of my intention) 
 Have off 'red up the beft of my invention ; 
 And what that is (to thofe, who doe regard 
 Such paines) the following Cantoes have declar'd. 
 
 Behold (O Lord) my purpofes from heart n ; 
 Accept of me the gift that thou hafl given. 
 Permit not thofe, who fpite or malice me, 
 To interrupt my Mufe in praifing thee. 
 Let none of thofe, 70/10 f tide that I neglect 
 The ivay to wealth, which they loo much affecl, 
 
 Conceive 
 
 • s 3 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant. i. 
 
 Conceive, that I my Time have/pent in value, 
 Becaufe their Studies yecld them greater gaine ; 
 Let them perceive, though this endevour brings 
 Nor Riches, Honours, nor ejleeme of Kings ; 
 But rather wajls my Fortunes, and doth more 
 Increafe my charge, and troubles, then before ; 
 Let them (I fay) co?iceive, and alfo know 
 That I am highly pleas \t, itfliould be fo ; 
 And would not change the bleffing of my Fate 
 With thofe, whom they doe hold more fortunate. 
 
 And let not that, which 7 have here comprifed, 
 Become (through my umvorthineffe ) defpifed; 
 But grant it fuch a moderate refpecl, 
 That J may fee my labours take effecl 
 For their encouragements, whofliall apply 
 To fuch good ends, their gift of Poefie ; 
 And let all thofe, who fliall perufe my Story, 
 Receive fome profit, and give thee, the glory. 
 
 The fecond Canto. 
 
 Our Mufe defends her lowly Rile ; 
 And ( having flowne afide a while) 
 Tells, how the Plague firjl entred here ; 
 What meanes to flay it praclis'd were. 
 Some vulgar Tenets are difputed ; 
 Some reclified, fome refuted. 
 
 She from the Nature, and the Caufe, 
 Of that Difeafe, conclufwns drawes ; 
 Declareth hoiv it runnes and creepes, 
 And what uncertaine paths it keepes : 
 How long Jlricl orders ufefull food ; 
 
 The 
 
 84 
 
Cant 2. Remembrancer. 42 
 
 The fruit of Chrijlian neighbourhood ; 
 
 And many other things, behvixt 
 Thefe mentioned, are intermixt. 
 
 She fheweth (alfo) meanes affured 
 By which, this mifchiefe may be cured ; 
 How to apply that meanes ; how thofe 
 Who ufe itffJwuld ihemfelves co?npofe ; 
 How violent the Plague did grow ; 
 Who from it might, or might not goe ; 
 How much f was feared; how men fled ; 
 How ill, in flying, many fped ; 
 And laflly (as occafion moves) 
 She grieves, flie counfclls, and reproves. 
 
 LEt no fantaftique Reader now condemne 
 Our homely Mufe, for Hooping unto them, 
 In plaine expreffions, and in words, that fhow 
 We love not, in affedted paths, to goe. 
 For, to be underftood, is language ufed ; 
 And fpeech to other ends as much abufed. 
 Lines, therefore, over-darke, or over-trimm'd, 
 Are like a Piclure with a Vifour limm'd ; 
 Or like To/nanders of a curious fent, 
 Within a painted Box that hath no vent ; 
 Or like Peach-kernels, which, (to get them forth) 
 Require more cracking, then the fruit is worth. 
 Let no man gueffe, my Afeafures framed be, 
 That wifer men, my little wit may fee ; 
 Or that I doe not hold the matter good, 
 Which is not more admir'd then underftood : 
 For, chiefly, fuch a Sub/eel I defire, 
 And fuch a plaine Expreffion, to acquire, 
 That ev'ry one my meaning may difcerne ; 
 And they be taught, that have mod need to learne. 
 
 It 
 
 85 
 
B r I T t a n's Cant. 2. 
 
 It is the ufefull matter of my Rimes 
 
 Shall make them live. Words alter as the Times : 
 
 And fooneft their fantaftique Rhetoriques, 
 
 Who trim their Poefies with fchooleboy- tricks. 
 
 That, which this age affecls, as grave, and wife, 
 
 The following generation may defpife. 
 
 Greenes phrafe, and Lillie's language were in fafhion, 
 
 And had among the wits much commendation ; 
 
 But now, another garbe of fpeech, with us 
 
 Is pris'd ; and theirs is thought ridiculous ; 
 
 As ours (perchance) will be, whe Time (who changeth 
 
 Things changeable) the prefent phrafe eftrangeth. 
 
 Let no man therefore dreame, I will beftow 
 My precious Time in what will vary fo ; 
 Since that, which, with mod eafe I fhall produce, 
 May have (for ought I know) the longeft ufe. 
 Let no man thinke, I'le racke my memory 
 For pen-and-inkehorne-termes, to finifie 
 My blunt invention ; trimming it, as they 
 Who make rich clothes but for Saint George his day ; 
 When they may better cheape a fuite provide, 
 To fit that feaft, and many dayes befide. 
 
 Nor let unlearned Cenfurers fuppofe 
 Our Mufe a courfe unwarrantable goes, 
 In framing Objecls reprefentative, 
 Which may imprint, or in the foule revive, 
 True feelings of that wrath or love, which we 
 In God almighty, by Faiths eyes doe fee. 
 For, though his holy Spirit, when he will, 
 Can eafily the foules of mortals fill 
 With heav'nly knowledges, by wayes unfeene ; 
 Yet, he himfelfe hath fometime pleafed beene 
 By outward objecls to employ the fenfes, 
 In reaching to the foule, fome excellencies 
 
 Con- 
 
 86 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 43 
 
 Conceal'd before. Yea, many times he mites 
 His Deity in our poore attributes ; 
 And (that our weakneffe he may work upon) 
 Our ufuall fpeech, and pafiions, he puts on. 
 
 If fo ; then we, that have no other way 
 Our hidden apprehenfions to conuey 
 From Man to Man, but by the quaint creation 
 Of fome Ideaes in our contemplation ; 
 That fo the fenfes may become inclin'd 
 To give fome information to the mind : 
 Then we (I fay) whofe fluid memories 
 Would elfe let goe our ayrie fantafies, 
 May fuch a liberty with warrant ufe. 
 And I (no doubt) my felfe may well excufe, 
 If other while things bodileffe I cloath 
 With mortall bodies; and doe give them both 
 Our fpeeches, and our geftures. For, by this, 
 A dull affection often quickned is. 
 Nor thus to doe, are Poets onely moved 
 But, thefe are ftraines Prophetical!, approved. 
 
 To fay, that God is angry ; or that he 
 Will of our wickedneffe avenged be ; 
 Moves little : but, to paint his fury, fo 
 That Men the dreadfulneffe thereof may know, 
 As if they faw it : or his love to make 
 So pleading of our caufe, as if it fpake 
 (Within our hearing) with fuch earneftneffe, 
 As friends would plead for friends in their diftreffe ; 
 Doth much incite the Reader to attention, 
 And roufeth up the dulleft apprehenfion. 
 
 Me thinks, I doe, (as with mine eye) behold 
 The reall fight of all that I have told : 
 Yea, that which I my felfe defcribed here, 
 Doth touch mine heart with reverence, and feare. 
 
 I 
 
 S7 
 
Brittan's Cant. 2. 
 
 I have perpetuall Vifions of that rout 
 
 Of Plagues, and Iudgements, which doe rove about 
 
 To punifh us. And, from that dreadfull hoajl 
 
 I fee (me thinkes) how to invade our Coaft, 
 
 The Plague march'd hither, like a Regiment 
 
 That is for fervices of moment fent 
 
 From fome great Annie. And, when I can bend 
 
 My troubled fpirits truly to attend 
 
 Gods Judgements, and his Mercies, as they goe 
 
 Their daily progreffe ; I can reach unto 
 
 Much pleafmg thoughts ; and oftentimes forefee, 
 
 What his intents, and their events will be : 
 
 For, when Mans heart is filled with his Feare, 
 
 The fecrets of the Lord to him appeare. 
 
 Oh ! what rich treafures doth my foule poffeffe, 
 When I doe contemplate the blefiedneffe, 
 The Wifedome, and the Way of God mod high ? 
 How farre above my felfe rais'd up am I ? 
 How little want I, that the world can give ? 
 What heights afcend I ? what huge depths I dive? 
 How much contemne I dangers here below ? 
 How certaine of Gods favours can I grow ? 
 And with what fweetneffe is my breft infpired, 
 When (by the heat of Contemplation fired) 
 I fit lock'd up within a lonely roome, 
 Where nothing to difturbe my thoughts may come : 
 And where may enter neither fight, nor Notion 
 Of any thing, but what may ftirre Devotion ? 
 
 Sure, were it not, that I am cloth'd about 
 With fieih, that doth compell me to come out ; 
 Or, knew I not the Chriilian Mans eftate 
 Extended further, then to contemplate ; 
 Or faw not them unthankfully precife, 
 Who Gods externall bleffings quite defpife ; 
 
 Or 
 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 44 
 
 Or fear'd I not, I never fhould have union 
 
 With God, unleffe I were in fome communion 
 
 Of Saints on earth ; whom I might fharers make 
 
 Of thofe fvveet thoughts of him, which I partake ; 
 
 Or, if I doubted not, I might with Lot, 
 
 Vpon the daughters of my braine begot, 
 
 Commit fome fpirituall inceft, had I none 
 
 To fpend the feed of my full Souk upon : 
 
 Or, if I found it not unnaturall, 
 
 To leape out of the world, till God did call ; 
 
 And that fantaftique wayes of felfe-contenting 
 
 Are but the certaine paths to felfe-tormenting ; 
 
 If all thefe things I knew not : I could bide 
 
 Shut up, until my fiefh were Mummy-fi'd ; 
 
 And (though the world fhould woo me) would difdain 
 
 (For ever) to unclofe my doore againe. 
 
 For though (when I come forth) I lofe agen 
 
 My Raptures ; and have thoughts like other men ; 
 
 Becaufe my nat'rall frailties, and the fog 
 
 Of earthly Vanities, my foule doth clog : 
 
 Yea, though I can as hardly keepe thofe firings 
 
 Vnquench'd abroad, which are (in my retirings 
 
 Inflamed in me ;) as a naked Man 
 
 Retaine that heat upon a Mountaine can, 
 
 Which in a clofe warme chamber he retaineth : 
 
 Yet (for my comfort) fomevvhat ftill remaineth : 
 
 And in my recollections I poffeffe 
 
 More happineffe, then I can well expreffe. 
 
 I view contentments, which I cannot meafure ; 
 
 I have fome taftings of immortall pleafure ; 
 
 I glimmerings have of hidden myfteries ; 
 
 My foule on glorious things doth fix her eyes ; 
 
 And though fome whited walls ( who did attempt 
 
 To bring my Mufe and Me, unto contempt) 
 
 Endevor 
 
 89 
 
B R I T T a N'S Cant. 2. 
 
 Endevour dill (with fliewes of Pietie) 
 
 My beft-approved paines to vilifie : 
 
 I can with fcorne of their bafe envy, raife 
 
 My thoughts above their ignorant difpraife : 
 
 And pitty their dull fottifhneffe, who prize 
 
 Their fhadowes better, then realities. 
 
 For I have fearch'd their folly, and efpy'd 
 
 That they have drown'd their wifdome in their pride ; 
 
 Yea, by their partiall dealings, I now fee 
 
 They judge mens merits, as their titles be : 
 
 And I have gotten thofe brave things in chafe, 
 
 That fhall advantage me, by my difgrace. 
 
 When, therefore, by my felfe I am enclofed, 
 And for an heav'nly rapture, well difpofed ; 
 I doe not grudge mine enemies to fpue 
 Their flanders on my name ; or to purfue 
 My labours with reproach ; nor prey to make 
 On all my fortunes : But ah well can take. 
 I doe not then repine, although I fee 
 That Fooles ennobled, Knaves enriched be, 
 And honeft men unheeded : but I bide 
 As pleafed, as I am at Whitfoniide, 
 To fee faire Nymphs in Country Townes rejected. 
 And fluttifh Milkmaids by the Clownes elected 
 For Ladies of the May. And if I chance 
 Where any of thofe Hobby horfes prance ; 
 I can in fport, or courtefie, beftow 
 Thofe termes upon them, which I doe not owe. 
 
 For when on Contemplations wings I fiye, 
 I then o're looke the higheft Vanity. 
 I fee how bafe thofe fooleries doe mow, 
 Which are admired, while I creepe below : 
 And by the brightneffe of a two-fold light 
 (Reflecting from Gods word to cleare my fight) 
 
 Faiths 
 
 9 o 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 45 
 
 Faiths objects to her eyes, much plainer are, 
 
 Then thole which to my outward fight appeare. 
 
 My towring Soule is winged up, as if 
 
 She over-flew the top of Tenariffe, 
 
 Or fome far higher Mountaine ; where we may 
 
 All actions of this lower World furvey. 
 
 I am above the touch of malice borne ; 
 
 I am beyond the reach of ev'ry fcorne ; 
 
 And could But what mean I? this feems ajlra/n 
 
 Impertinent. Sweet Mufe, come downe againe ; 
 Soare not fo high. For in thefe lofty flights 
 The Fooles below, doe thinke our Eagles, Kites. 
 The world, to flout fuch Raptures now is prone ; 
 I will enjoy them (therefore) all alone.- 
 Of their unhallow'd cenfuring take heed, 
 And in my former purpofe, thus proceed. 
 
 When (as you heard before) the Court of Heart n 
 Commifflon to the Pejlilence had given 
 To fcourge our finnes, and figned her directions : 
 She tooke vp all her boxes of Infeclions, 
 Her Carbuncles, her Sores, her Spots, her Blaines, 
 And ev'ry other thing which appertaines 
 To her contagious practices ; and all 
 Her followers fhe did about her call ; 
 Appoint them to their places, and their times. 
 Direct them to the Perfons, and the Crimes 
 They fhould correct, and how they fhould advance 
 Her maine Defignement in each circumftance. 
 
 Then, on fhe marched ; not as doth a Foe 
 Proclaiming Warre, before he ftrikes the blow ; 
 But like an Enemy, who doth furprife 
 Vpon the firft advantage he efpies. 
 For (pafflng through the ftreets of many a Towne 
 Difguifed like a Fever) fhe, (unknowne) 
 
 Stole 
 
 ;-.i 
 
B R I T T A n's Cant. 2 
 
 Stole into London ; and did lurke about 
 
 The well fill'd Suburbs ; fpreading there (no doubt) 
 
 Infection unperceiv'd, in many a place 
 
 Before the bleare-ey'd Searchers, knew her face ; 
 
 And fince they knew her, they have bribed beene 
 
 A thoufand times, to let her paffe unfeene. 
 
 But at the length, flie was difcover'd at 
 A Frenchmans houfe without the Bi/Jiopfgate. 
 To intimate (perhaps) that fuch as be 
 Our fpirituall Watchmen, fhould the more forefee 
 That they with difcipline made ftrong the Ward, 
 Which God appointed hath for them to guard ; 
 And chiefly, at this prefent, to have care, 
 Left now, while we, and France united are 
 In bodily commerce ; they bring unto us 
 Thofe Plagues which may eternally undoe us. 
 For, fuch like Pejlilences foone begin ; 
 And (ere we be aware) will enter in, 
 Vnleffe our Bi/Jiops, both betimes, and late, 
 Be diligent and watchfull at their Gate. 
 
 As foone, as e're the Women-fpycs defcry'd, 
 This Foe about the City to refide ; 
 There was a loud All arme. The Countrimen 
 Began to wifh themfelves at home agen. 
 The Citizens were gen'rally appall' d ; 
 The Senators themfelves to Counfell call'd ; 
 And all (who might advife in fuch a cafe) 
 Affembled in their Common meeting place : 
 Where, what difcretion publikely was ufed ; 
 What was admitted of, and what refufed ; 
 What policies, and ftratagems invented ; 
 That mifchiefes, comming on, might be prevented, 
 I cannot fay : For I had never wit, 
 Nor wealth enough, to fit in Counfell, yet. 
 
 But 
 
 92 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 46 
 
 But if to judge of things it lawfull were 
 By their events ; the propofitions there 
 Were fuch as thefe. Moil thought the fureft play 
 To fave their perfons, was, to runne away ; 
 But left fome higher pow'r might then forbid it, 
 They did not publifh that, before they did it. 
 Some urged, that the Scavenger fhouid keepe 
 The ftreets more cleane, and oft the channell fweep ; 
 Some thought it fit, (and thefe no harme did thinke) 
 That ev'ry morning we fhouid eate, and drinke. 
 Some (to allay the heat) did hold it meet 
 To fprinkle water often in the ftreet. 
 Some did a little further nat'rallize, 
 And thefe unto the Ayre would facrifize 
 (In evening fires) pure Frankincenfe or Myrrhe, 
 Sweet herbes, or odorif'rous Iuniper ; 
 Or (for default of thofe) Pitch, Rofin, Tarre, 
 And fuch perfumings as leffe coftly are. 
 For if the Heart and Liver of a Fifh 
 (Burnt by young Tobit in a Chafindifh) 
 A Spirit from his chamber could expell ; 
 They hoped thefe might purge ill ayres, as well. 
 
 Some others (not contented herewithall) 
 Did into confultation alfo call 
 The Priejls of JEfcalapius, and Apollo ; 
 And held it fit their grave advice to follow : 
 Nor without caufe. For, from the wife Phyfttian 
 We beft mall know this Enemies condition. 
 And fome there were of thofe, who did advife 
 Not onely to affirm e thofe remedies 
 Which Art prefcrib'd ; but alfo therewithall 
 Obferved what was Metaphyficall. 
 Yea, fome fincerely, and religioufly 
 Vpon the foules infection had an eye, 
 
 As 
 
 9.5 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant. 2. 
 
 As well as on the bodies : and thefe went 
 
 The fureil way that fickneffe to prevent. 
 
 But there were others, who derided thefe, 
 
 And talked heath'nifhly of this difeafe. 
 
 They prated much of Humours, Inclinations, 
 
 Conjunclions, planetary Conjlcllations ; 
 
 Of nat'rall caufes, unbeleeved fictions; 
 
 Impojlures, Fables, and meere contradictions 
 
 In that Philofophy, which they profeffe : 
 
 Which fill'd mens mindes with much unfetlednefle, 
 
 Yet in their difagreeings, they agree'd 
 On that which might their common profit breed. 
 One had a rare Perfume of fpeciall note ; 
 Another had a precious A?itidote, 
 Which at Conjlant'mople had been tride 
 When there two thoufand on a day have di'de. 
 A third, preferr'd a Mixture in a bag, 
 Of whofe large vertues he did largely brag, 
 And faid, the fame they doe in Plague times, weare 
 At Borne, (and fo I think when he was there.) 
 A fourth, by Diets, fafety did affure. 
 A fifth, by Drinkes, the Peftilence would cure. 
 A fixth of Cordials, and Elixars prates ; 
 And fome of Treacles, and of Mithridatcs. 
 
 To offer up a portion of the blood 
 (To fave the reft) for fome, it feemed good. 
 For other fome to purge : for all to take 
 .Such meanes as might their purfes heavie make, 
 They to the rich prefcrib'd Prefervatives 
 On coftly termes : and, to prolong the lives 
 Of poorer men, their confciences abated 
 The value much : For, health, to them was rated 
 At fome few handfuls of that herbe or graffe, 
 Which to be gotten, for the gathering was. 
 
 This 
 
 94 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 47 
 
 This being known e, the Senators difmiffe 
 Thofe men ; and by advice it ordered is, 
 That fome Pijlruclions (ball be publifhed, 
 To further what was gravely counfelled. 
 Moreover, that their difcipline might cary 
 Some likeneffe to proceedings military, 
 A band of Halberts, muftred was, to guard 
 The people from the Plague, in ev'ry Ward. 
 And, if they found, by ferious inquihtion, 
 (Or, had but any probable fufpition) 
 Where lodg'd it was (although but for a night) 
 That Hoft, exiled was from publike fight ; 
 Clofe pris'ner him they kept both night and day, 
 As one that elfe their Citie might betray. 
 And, to compell that his unwelcome Guejl 
 Should keepe within ; his doore was crojl, and blejl ; 
 And many Watchmen, ftrengthned by command, 
 Did round about his dwelling, armed ftand. 
 
 I doe not thus exprefle, or mention this, 
 As if I thought thofe Orders were amiffe : 
 But, that I might, hereby, the better lhow 
 What miferies, attended on this Foe; 
 And, that this Malady, on us did ceaze, 
 With circumftances, worfe then the Difeafe. 
 My Mufe infpires not me fo foolifhly, 
 That I all naturall caufes doe deny. 
 I doe not thinke, but to this Pejlilence, 
 The Conjlellations, by their influence 
 Might fomewhat adde : and that corrupted ayre, 
 Might helpe our healthy being to impaire. 
 I hold that Diets, Meats, Complexions, Pafsions, 
 With fuch as thefe, and all their mitigations, 
 May helpe or hinder much in fuch difeafes 
 As we endeavor fhall ; and as God pleafes. 
 
 Nor 
 
 
B R I T T A N'S Cant. 2 
 
 Nor doe I flout the wifedome, or the paine 
 Of thofe who fought this mifchiefe to reftraine. 
 Nor blame 1 their much diligence, or care ; 
 But praife it ; and could wifh it doubled were ; 
 With fome fuch obfervations, as would make 
 Their practices, the more fucceffe to take ; 
 And that their naturall meanes had hallowed bin, 
 With fo much Faith, and penitence, for fin, 
 As might have brought more workes of Piety, 
 To fanctifie their outward Policy. 
 
 For, thofe dull Naturalifls, who think, this Foe, 
 Doth by meere nat'rall caufes, come or goe, 
 Are much deceiv'd. Yea, in their hearts, they fay, 
 There is no God, how over gloze they may : 
 And as their cogitations are unholy, 
 So is their feeming wifedome, fotiifh folly. 
 
 They are the bafe Conjunctions ; and Afpetls 
 Of Sin, that this our Climate, fo infects ; 
 And neither Conjlellations, nor the Weather ; 
 For, then we had beene pois'ned all together, 
 By this Contagion ; and had breath'd the longer 
 Or fhorter while as nature had beene ftronger, 
 Or weaker in us Nothing had beene free, 
 But birds and beafts had dy'd as well as we ; 
 And this Difeafe had feiz'd on ev'ry Creature 
 Or more or leffe, as it partakes our nature. 
 
 It was no noyfome Ayre, no Sewre, or Stinke, 
 Which brought this Death, as moft among us thinke, 
 For, then thofe places where ill fmells abound, 
 Had more infections at that time beene found, 
 Then we perceive they were ; yea, this Difeafe, 
 On ev'ry perfon delicate, would feize, 
 Without exception. And where Savours ill 
 Still bide, the Plague fhould there continue Mill : 
 
 For 
 
 9 6 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 48 
 
 Then, if they brought the fame, they fure feed it, 
 And, keepe it alwayes there, as well as breed it. 
 Which God forbid ; and teach us to difcerne 
 His providence, and what thereby to learn e. 
 
 Vaine thoughts have alfo they, who credit can 
 That, this Jnfirmity, at firft, began, 
 By meanes of populoufneffe. For, were it fo ; 
 Some Courts and Allies, many yeares agoe, 
 Had been infected : And, thefe places, where 
 Throng'd up together, greateft numbers are ; 
 From Vijltation, had not free remained, 
 When open Streets, and Borroughs have complained. 
 
 And, let them not beleeve their fallacy, 
 Becaufe great Cities, have moft frequently, 
 This fearfull Sickncffe, or, afflicted be, 
 When little Townes and Villages, are free. 
 For, as there is in great and popular places, 
 More fin, and more abundance of Gods graces : 
 So, it is juft, that thither fliould be fent 
 The greater meafure of his Chaftifement, 
 That fo, their eminence, might fliew abroad, 
 As well the Iuflice, as the Love of God ; 
 Whofe Judgements being laid on Townes obfcure, 
 Might fmall refpect, and leffe effect procure. 
 
 As ignorant as thefe, I reckon thofe, 
 Who this Difeafe, infectious doe fuppofe 
 To ev'ry one : and, them, who credit not 
 That Skkneffe, by infection may be got : 
 For, thefe opinions can have no defence ; 
 Since both will falfe be found, in common fenfe. 
 
 For, if we fay, this Plague infects not any, 
 How commeth it, we daily fee fo many 
 Confum'd beneath one roofe in little fpace ? 
 How comes it, that it creeps from place to place, 
 
 E So 
 
 97 
 
Cant. 2. BRITAINES 
 
 So orderly, as oftentimes we fee, 
 In fome clofe Lane or Street ? How may it be 
 That twenty Villages (far diftant from 
 Infected places) tainted fhould become 
 Within fome few dayes after their arriving 
 Who in contageous places had their living ? 
 None being there, before they came, infected, 
 Nor any fuch difeafe neare-hand fufpected ? 
 How comes all this, unleffe the Maiadie, 
 Hath in it felfe, as had the Leprofie, 
 A fpreading Nature, and envenom'd that 
 Which of her poifon can participate 1 
 
 Beleeve it ; as the Violet, or Rofc, 
 (With pure and pleafmg fweetneffe) where it growes 
 Perfumes the Aire, and fendeth Odours out, ; 
 Which keepe a certaine diftance there-about ; 
 And, more or leffe, affect the Paffers-by, 
 As they have more or leffe capacity 
 In fmelling them ; Or, as the calmed aire, 
 Is either, more or leffe, corrupt or faire : 
 Right fo, this Plague, ev'n naturally affects 
 A fpace of Aire about it ; and infects, 
 (At fuch or fuch a diftance) ev'ry one, 
 As he hath weakneffes, to worke upon : 
 Unleffe, that her malignitie be ftaid 
 By naturall meanes, or powre Divine alaid. 
 
 And yet, a falfe Pofition make they fhall 
 Who thence infer, the Plague infecteth all, 
 Who breathe her tainted Aire. For, how did they 
 Efcape it then, who long time, night and day 
 In places of infection were detain'd ? 
 And in the bofome of this Pejl remain'd, 
 Ev'n where they often had their eares and eyes, 
 Affronted, by the fad afpect, and cries, 
 
 Of 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 49 
 
 Of Death and Dying men ? How fcaped he 
 That in the Church, obliged was to be 
 Among infectious people ; and to fpeake 
 Till tired were his lungs ; and fpirits weake ? 
 Ev'n when the peoples, thronging, and their heat 
 Did vapour up their breathings, and their fweat 
 For him to fwallow ? What preferv'd the Clarkes, 
 The Sextons, Searchers, Keepers, and thofe Sharks, 
 The fhameleffe Bearers ? (who were nigh become, 
 A rout too bad, to picke out hangmen, from?) 
 
 How fcap't the Surgeon, that oft puts his head 
 Within the fteame of an Infectious bed, 
 And, ev'ry day doth handle, fearch, and dreffe, 
 Thofe Biles, that over-flow with rottenneffe ? 
 Or (which is more) how fcapt thofe Babes, the Pejl, 
 That were not only weake, but fuckt the breft 
 Of Mothers deadly ficke, when they did weare 
 Thofe noifome Blames, that moft infectious are ? 
 This often chanceth. Yea, this hath beene feene 
 When on the very breft, the fore hath beene. 
 Nay, I have heard (by credible relation) 
 That neare to Stratford-bow, this Vifdation, 
 A little infant was preferv'd alive, 
 Who fucked on the dying brefts of five. 
 
 How this may be I know not ; If I mail 
 Conclude with fome, this Plague hath powre on al : 
 Nor can I finde a reafon how it Hinted, 
 Or how our totall ruine was prevented. 
 For, when it was at height ; and when appear'd, 
 Moft caufes, that Infection mould be fear'd ; 
 Then, no man was confined, as before : 
 No Bill, or Croffe, was fixt on any doore ; 
 We vifited the Sicke ; we fhunned neither 
 The place nor perfon ; but met all together. 
 
 E 2 Yet 
 
 99 
 
B R I T A I N E s Cant. 2. 
 
 Yet, then, and (let us marke it) not till then, 
 This Plague, her fury did abate agen ; 
 And conftantly abate, though moft refufed 
 To keepe fuch Orders, as at firft were ufed, 
 Which manifefteth well, that (howfoe're 
 Malignant in it felfe, the Pejl appeare) 
 Gods hand reftrames it ; many a man protecting 
 Immediately : fome, mediately directing 
 To fuch, or fuch a meanes of prefervation, 
 That they might honour him in their falvation ; 
 And, as he ftriketh fome, that men might feare 
 His lujiice : So, he other fome doth fpare, 
 That they might love his Mercies ; and perceive 
 That he can at his pleafure take, and leave. 
 
 For, if God faved none ; fome Athe'Jl, would not 
 Make doubt, perhaps, to publifh that he could not ; 
 And, fcarce one man would be fo neighbourly, 
 To helpe his brother in this malady. 
 Which Charity to further (and to fhew 
 How fafely, men their Callings may purfue 
 In ev'ry danger) we have had, this yeare, 
 Of Gods great Providence, faire token, here. 
 For, 'tis obferv'd, that he hath few deftroy'd 
 Who were in this mortality employ'd 
 About thofe Offices, which have to us 
 (In common fenfe) appear'd moft dangerous. 
 
 Few Sextons, and few Surgeons have mifcari'd, 
 Who in their callings at this want have tary'd. 
 And of thofe Market-folks, who at our need 
 Brought in provifions, this weake place to feed, 
 I cannot heare of one, who did become 
 Infected ; or, who brought infection home. 
 Ev'n in that Parifli where I did abide, 
 (And where nigh halfe a thoufand weekly dy'd) 
 
 Not 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 50 
 
 Not one of all that number perifhed, 
 
 That were the common Bearers of the Dead. 
 
 But, though from midnight, till the break of day, 
 
 They did infectious Carkaffes convay 
 
 From fickly Dwellings, to thofe Pits of Death, 
 
 Which breathed out a moft contagious breath, 
 
 With life and health, their fervice, God rewarded ; 
 
 Ev'n though the moft of them nought elfe regarded, 
 
 But that bafe gaine which might their want fupply, 
 
 Or feed them in fome wicked vanity. 
 
 How then, can we, that of this favour heare, 
 From any lawful action flye through feare ? 
 Or doubt of Gods protection, when we make 
 A dangerous attempt, for confcience fake ? 
 And know, befide, that what we drive to do, 
 We are both called, and oblig'd unto ? 
 
 Moreover, fince the latter fort here named, 
 Are (for the greater part) in life defamed ; 
 Such, who their needfull Offices abufed ; 
 Such, who nor outward meanes, nor inward ufed ; 
 To keep their healths (but, grew the bolder in 
 The practices of ev'ry kind of fin) 
 Such, whom Gods Judgements ftupified more, 
 And made far harder hearted, then before. 
 Since thofe (I fay) of fuch condition were, 
 And yet preferved in their Callings, here : 
 For what good ufe I pray can we fuppofe 
 Thofe men were fo preferved ; but that thofe 
 Who truly feeke Gods glory in their flay, 
 Might have the more affurance in their way? 
 And know, that if to fuch God pleafe to give 
 This mortall life, they mail much rather live ; 
 Or elfe (which is far better) if they dye, 
 Obtaine a life, with immortality. 
 
 E -z Some 
 
B R I T A I N E s Cant, 2. 
 
 Some Wifeman-wo ud-be, now, perhaps, will prate 
 That this is Claphamnifme : And, that the State 
 (In her good policies to flop the breach 
 Of this great Plague) is wrong' d by what I teach ? 
 But, rather they injurious are to me 
 Who fo affirme ; and vaine their cavils be. 
 For, though to fhew the powre Divine the more, 
 Our Mufe declares, by what is gone before, 
 That Gods owne hand, our Citie did preferve, 
 When we fcarce Meancs, or Order, did obferve. 
 Let no man gather thence, that we maintaine, 
 All Meanes, or Civil Orders to be vaine. 
 For, of felfe-murther that man guiltie dies, 
 Who, meanes of health doth wilfully defpife. 
 Yea, doubtleffe, there belongs a curfe to them, 
 That orderly proceedings doe contemn e. 
 
 And, whereas we our Orders did tranfgreffe, 
 It was neceflitie, not wilfulneffe, 
 That urged it ; becaufe, our common woe, 
 Did farre beyond the powre of Order, goe. 
 At rifing of the Floud we made a Bay ; 
 But, at the height, it carri'd all away. 
 In humane Policie, we faw no hope. 
 But, as the Hones and Timbers which doe (lop 
 A Breach at firft ; when all is drowned o're, 
 Doe nothing elfe, but make the waters rore : 
 So, when our Sickneffe, and our Poverty, 
 Had greater wants than we could well fupply, 
 Strict Orders did but more enrage our griefe, 
 And, hinder in accomplifhing releefe. 
 Had ev'ry houfe been lockt which we fuppos'd 
 To Hand infedted, few had beene unclos'd, 
 Yea, our firft Orders had we flill obferv'd, 
 The healthie Houfholds would not halfe have ferv'd 
 
 To 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 51 
 
 To keepe the Sicke. And who mould then have heeded 
 
 Our private cares ? Or got us what we needed ? 
 
 As long as from each other we refrain'd, 
 
 We greater forrowes ev'ry day fuftain'd : 
 
 Yea, whilll for none, but for our felves we car'd, 
 
 Our brethren perifht, and the worfe we far'd. 
 
 This made us from our Policies appeale, 
 And meete in Love, each others wounds to heale. 
 This, made vs from our civill Orders flie, 
 To make more prac"life of our Charitie. 
 And hereunto, perhaps, compell'd were we, 
 By meere neceffitie, to let us fee 
 Experiments, of that unmatched good, 
 Which floweth from a Chriftian Neighbourhood : 
 And learne what publike, and what private eafe 
 It bringeth in a generall Difeafe : 
 And how it may a Common wealth fuftaine 
 When carnall JVifdome, and Selfe-love are vaine. 
 Or, we perchance from vulgar helpes were driven, 
 Left Overmuch affurance might be given 
 To outward meanes : Or, left we us'd thein fo, 
 As if Gods powre were chained thereunto. 
 Or elfe, it was permitted, to declare 
 That fruitleffe all our beft endevours are 
 Without his bleffing : That, no creatures have 
 A Vertue to preferve till he will fave : 
 That, his immediate powre muft countermand. 
 When any Plague hath got an upper hand : 
 And, that, fuch Mercy fhowne in fuch diftreffe, 
 Might binde us to the greater thankfulneffe. 
 
 But, left what here precedeth hath not fhowne 
 My purpofe fully ; be it alfo knowne, 
 That to reftraine, or fpurre the Pestilence, 
 There is both fupernat'rall Providence 
 
 E 4 And 
 
 103 
 
Britaines Cant. 2. 
 
 And Caufes natural!. The firfl of thefe 
 Can worke without the later, if it pleafe. 
 The later cannot any thing effect, 
 But, as the former fhall the fame direct. 
 And, though in ev'ry fickneffe, thus it is, 
 Yet, fuch hid properties are found in this, 
 Such oppofitions in the NaturaU Caufes, 
 Such knots, and riddles ; that it much amazes 
 The naturall man : becaufe he feldome findes 
 (As he perceives in griefes of other kindes) 
 The Caufes and Effccls agree together; 
 For, there is much uncertainty in either. 
 
 On fome, this Plague doth fteale infenfibly, 
 Their muddy nature, ftirring fecretly 
 To their deftruction. Some, it ftriketh fo, 
 As if a mortall hand had with a blow 
 Arrefted them ; and on their flefh hath feene 
 A palmes impreflion, to appearance, beene. 
 
 One man is faint, weake, fickly, full of feare, 
 And drawes his breath where ftrongfl infections are, 
 Yet fcapes with life. Another man is young, 
 Light-hearted, healthy, flout, well-temper'd flrong, 
 And lives in wholefome ayre, yet gets a fit 
 Of this Land-Calenture, and dies of it; 
 Some are tormented by it, till we fee 
 Their veines and fmewes almoft broken be, 
 The very foule diflracted, fenfe bereft, 
 And fcarce the fmalleft hope of fcaping left, 
 Yet foone recover. Otherfome, againe 
 Fall fuddenly ; or feele fo little paine 
 When they are feized, that they breathleffe lye, 
 E're any dying Symptomes, we efpy. 
 On fome, an endleffe drowfmeffe doth creepe : 
 Some others, cannot get one winke of fleepe. 
 
 This 
 
 104 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 52 
 
 This, ufeth ev'ry day prefervatives, 
 Yet dies : another taketh none, yet lives. 
 Ev'n thus vncertainly this Sickneffe playes ; 
 Spares, wounds, and killeth, many fev'rall wayes. 
 
 From this experience, let us not conclude, 
 As many doe among the multitude, 
 Who mifconceiving (to no fmall offence) 
 The doctrine of Eternall Providence, 
 (Who from the truth of fober knowledge wandring, 
 And Gods Decrees, and Jujlice alfo flandring) 
 Doe fo neceffitate the Fate of man, 
 That, whatfoever he endevour can, 
 His paines is loft ; and that foredoom'd, he mufl 
 At this or that fet moment turne to dull : 
 And that no induftry, no innocence, 
 No wilfull carelefneffe, or foule offence, 
 Nor any humane actions helpfull be 
 To life or death, but meerly Gods Decree. 
 
 Ev'n fuch there be. And, howfoever they 
 Preach Faith, or Workes, in (how, yet, they denay 
 The pow'r of both ; and fecretly maintaine, 
 (By confequence at leaft) that meanes are vaine. 
 For, they affirme that ev'ry thing men doe, 
 They are by God predeftinated to 
 Before all worlds ; So, that our pow'r, or will, 
 Affecteth ; nor effecteth good, or ill ; 
 And that we are by doome inevitable 
 In ev'ry kind of action made unable. 
 
 Which Tenet, feemeth rather to arife 
 From thofe, who write of heathnifh Dejlinies, 
 Then from a Chriftian. For, though true it be, 
 That, God Almighty, all things doth forefee, 
 And order fo, and fo difpofe of things, 
 That, to perfection his owne worke he brings, 
 
 E 5 In 
 
 JO: 
 
Britain es Cant. 2. 
 
 In fpight of Satan, and of every deed 
 That may from his malignant brood proceed : 
 Yet, they have Actions naturally their owne, 
 Which God permits. He likewife hath beftowne 
 On us that are his children, grace, and powres, 
 Good Actions to performe, which we call ours 
 By Gods free gift. Moreover, he doth pleafe 
 To promife bliffe, or threaten plagues, for thefe, 
 According to their natures ; that each one 
 May heed the better, what is to be done : 
 Be ftirred up to put good workes in ufe, 
 Or elfe be left at laft without excufe. 
 
 For, though I am affured we poffeffe, 
 By Nature, no inherent Righteoufneffe ; 
 I, naitheleffe beleeve that ev'ry one 
 (Whofe being, firft, from Adams loines begun) 
 Received fince our Univerfall fall 
 One Talent, at the leaft, to worke withall, 
 With fo much powre of working alfo, that 
 We may and fliould with God cooperate. 
 As Adam all men did of life deprive ; 
 Ev'n fo by Chrift, were all men made alive : 
 Yea, ev'n as Mofes did not let remaine 
 One hoofe in Mgypt which did appertaine 
 To Ifr'ell', So beleeve I that not one 
 Was left unranfom'd by Gods only Sonne : 
 But that all through the fea of bloud did come, 
 As well thofe other who doe wander from 
 Truths path in this lifes wilderneffe ; as they 
 Who come within the Land of Promife may. 
 
 And, though like him, who impudently, laid 
 Injuftice to his Majlers charge, and faid ; 
 He reaped where he fow'd not, though, I fay ; 
 There want not fome among us, at this day, 
 
 Who 
 
 106 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 
 
 Who like to him, doe mofl unthankfully 
 This grace of God in Iesvs Christ deny ; 
 f Affirming, that he fome injoynes unto 
 Much more, than he did give them power X.o) 
 Our Maker unto ev'ry foule that lives, 
 So much by vertue oi Chrijls Paffion gives, 
 That whofoever falleth, falls not by 
 Anothers, but his owne iniquitie ; 
 And, by his actuall crimes, makes unforgiven 
 That Debt originall which was made even 
 By his Redeemer, who, that, backe will have, 
 (If we abufe it) which at firft he gave. 
 
 Who ev'r wants powre to doe what God doth bid, 
 Loft in himfelfe, that powre as Adam did : 
 Yet, we that have it, neither had that powre, 
 Nor keepe it can, by any ftrength of our ; 
 But by his holy Spirit, who hath taught 
 That path of life wherein to walke we ought. 
 And, this is fuch a Myjlery, that fome 
 Which thinke they fee, are blinde therein become. 
 
 Our guiltie Soules and Bodies were bereft 
 Of all good Faculties, and had not left 
 So much as Will, much leffe the powre to doe 
 What foule or Bodies health conduced to. 
 Their guilt Chrifl from them tooke ; and by his might 
 Depraved Nature fo much fets to right, 
 That unto ev'ry Soule, he gives the will 
 Which Adam had, of chufing good or ill. 
 And then both Life and Death, he doth propofe 
 Before them fo, that either may be chofe. 
 
 To them, whom in his Church he doth afford 
 To live paft Child-hood, He doth by his Word 
 (And by no other meanes) this tender make. 
 With Infants, and with Heathens, he may take 
 
 emoS 
 
 107 
 
B R I T A I N E s Cant. 2. 
 
 Some other courfe. But, furely, when, or how 
 He that effects; concernes not us to know. 
 
 When God doth make this tender (which is then 
 When he doth pleafe, and no man knoweth when) 
 If any Soule by Salhans guile doth chufe, 
 What Gods good Spirit moves her to refufe, 
 She, then, to put in action doth begin 
 The haynous and unpardonable fin 
 Againft the Holy Gfwjl (which fearfull crime 
 Is made apparant to the world, in time, 
 Or more or leffe, by outward actions here, 
 As God fhall pleafe to let the fame appeare) 
 And, after this refufall. ev'ry thing, 
 Which doth encreafe of grace, to others, bring, 
 Doth make her grow more fenfeleffe of her ftate, 
 Or elfe enrage, or make her defperate. 
 And, her freewill, in Adam loft before, 
 Is loft againe, by her, for evermore. 
 
 But, if fhe chufeth as the Spirit moveth, 
 The Lord, this Soule, without repenting loveth ; 
 In her, preferving fuch affections ftill, 
 And fuch a portion of her firft Freewill, 
 That though the frailties of her flefh doe feeme 
 To choake them often, in the worldes efteeme ; 
 (And fometime in her owne) yet fhe for ever 
 Doth in her motion towards God perfever, 
 Till fhe arive in him. Nor doth fhe ceafe 
 Of pious workes, her number to encreafe : 
 But labours for affurance in election, 
 By reaching ev'ry day at more perfection. 
 
 And, far is it from God to take away 
 The guerdon of our Faith ; or to denay 
 What he did by his Covenant, ordaine, 
 To be the wages of our ChriRian paine : 
 
 Or 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 54 
 
 Or to command us what fhould profit nought ; 
 Or, to neglect the workes that we have wrought. 
 
 For, fince God heeds thofe things that are fo fmall, 
 As birds alightings, and as haires that fall ; 
 Makes ufe of ev'ry circumilance, and chaines 
 (To further thofe maine ends which he ordaines) 
 Ten thoufand little trifling things together ; 
 Not one omitting, none difplacing neither, 
 Which may be pertinent his ends to further, 
 Or to effect them, in their timely Order. 
 How could fo fond a crotchet be devifed, 
 That God our feriouft actions hath defpifed ? 
 Or, that by his Foreknow/edge, or Decree, 
 Our deeds fhould all annihilated be? 
 Or, that he fhould fo oft incite us to 
 What he had giv'n to man, no pow'r to doe? 
 
 I dare not venture upon their diffractions, 
 Who fearch the order of Etemall aclions ; 
 Nor doe I further feeke what God foreknowes, 
 Then he within his Word revealed fliowes ; 
 Nor will I ever ftrive to pry into 
 His hidden counfells, as too many doe : 
 But their unwarrantable paths efchewing, 
 And, Gods difclofed purpofes purfuing, 
 Search onely for the knowledge of thofe things 
 Which an effecting of his pleafure brings. 
 Since, if I follow them, it cannot be 
 That he would purpofe any harme to me ; 
 Or in his fecret counlell ought ordaine 
 To make his publike will to be in vaine. 
 For, though, when Abram, JfcCk thought to kill, 
 God's hidden purpofe, and revealed will 
 Did feeme to croffe each other (And when he 
 Did threaten Niniveh deflroy'd fhould be) 
 
 Yet, 
 
 1 <) 
 
B R I T A I N E S Cant. 2. 
 
 Yet, they appeare not oppofite to thofe 
 Whofe faith, fuch holy fecrets can difclofe. 
 Or were it fo ; from acts particular 
 None fhould conclufions generall inferre. 
 
 God neuer faid, as yet, that I could heare, 
 Man, fuch a day fhall perifli, howfoe're 
 By faithfull workes for fafety he endeauour. 
 But, all his promifes and threatnings, euer 
 Were made conditionall ; and haue fore-fpoken 
 Our life, or death, as they are kept, or broken. 
 
 Nor is this any barre, or contradiction 
 To Gods free Grace ; or to his firrae Eletlion, 
 Or never-ending Lone. Nor helpes it thofe 
 Who, perfeverance of the Saints, oppofe : 
 But, rather, maketh all thofe Doctrines good. 
 Yea, being rightly weigh'd and underftood, 
 Gods iujtice, and his mercy it unites, 
 Whom mens blind Cavills haue made oppofites. 
 God knew the doome, and date of Adams crime, 
 Yet, he did fore-expreffe no certain e time ; 
 But, fpeaking of it, fpake indefinitely, 
 And faid, That day thou fimicfl, thouJJialt dye. 
 And fure, of all mens deaths (who e're gaine faies) 
 It is their finne that fetteth downe the daies. 
 For, till tranfgreffion forfeited our breath, 
 There was no peremptory day of death. 
 And, in affirming, where Gods Word is mute, 
 It is prefumption, to be abfolute. 
 
 Doe this, faith God, and Hue ; Doe that and perijli. 
 Yet fome, whofe overfights too many cherifh, 
 Dare contradict it ; and affirme that wee 
 Good, bad, dead, liuing, damned, faued be 
 Eu'n from eternity, without refpects, 
 To any caufes, or to their effects. 
 
 And 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 55 
 
 And thefe imply, that (whatfoe're we doe, 
 
 Or leaue vndone) God fore-appoints us to 
 
 A certaine doome ; which we fhall flriue in vaine, 
 
 With all our ftrength, to fhunne, or to obtaine. 
 
 And wherefore then did God his Gofpell fend ? 
 Why doth his Word exhort vs to amend? 
 Why doth he bid vs, this, or that to fhunne ? 
 Why hath he charged fome things to be done ? * 
 If he no power hath giuen, or elfe by fate 
 Difableth all men to cooperate ? 
 And leaues them neither good nor ill to doe 
 But what he fore-decreed long agoe ? 
 Why threats he flripes ? why promifeth reward ? 
 If there be no compaffion, no regard, 
 Nor meed for what is done. And what I pray 
 Is all Religion, if thefe truth doe fay ? 
 I know God reprobates, and doth forefee 
 Before all worlds, who reprobates will be. 
 But, none he forceth to be fo accurft, 
 Saue thofe who haue his Grace rejected firft, 
 And vnto thofe, indeed, he powre denies 
 To worke his will, becaufe they did defpife 
 His profered Love ; And juft it is in him, 
 To make them blinde, who did the light contemne. 
 
 He doth eternally abhorre the crime ; 
 But he the perfons reprobates in time. 
 And None doth chufe, or perfonally reject 
 (What ever fome conceive) but with refpecl 
 Vnto his Covenant ; which hath implide 
 Something to be perform'd on either fide. 
 For, were it fo, that God hath fore-decreed 
 What fhould befall unto us without heed 
 To any Covenant; and bar'd Salvation, 
 By an eternall doome of Reprobation, 
 
 (In 
 
B R I T A I N E s Cant. 2. 
 
 {In fuch like manner as the fantafies 
 
 Of fome (not well advifedly) devife) 
 
 What compaffe we by flriving therewithall ? 
 
 Why fpend we time, in rifing up to fall ? 
 
 Why linger we to act fo many crimes ? 
 
 To fuffer over griefe fo many times ? 
 
 And live fo many fev'rall deaths to tafte, 
 
 To be nor worfe, nor better at the laft ? 
 
 Or wherefore have we prayed, fince we know 
 
 What mud be, muft be, though we pray not fo ? 
 
 I might be thought o're bitter, if as they 
 I mould interrogate, who fharply fay ; 
 Why doe not thefe, who this opinion hold, 
 Goe hang them/elves before that they are old? 
 Or in their Gardens, T I M O N like, erecl 
 Faire Gibbets for the Schollers of their Seel? 
 What tends their life unto ? why JJiould not they 
 Rcfufe to cate and drinke ; and, wifely, fay, 
 " God, for our end, a certaine day hath fet, 
 " Which we fhall reach, although we tafte no meat. 
 Why doe they flwn a danger in the flreet, 
 Since they fliall live their time, what e're they meet ? 
 If they to any place, defer e to goe, 
 Why trouble they their feet to helpe thereto ? 
 Since they are fur e, that if decreed it were 
 They flwuld come thither, they their paines may f pare 1 
 If thus I fliould have faid, fome men would deeme me 
 To be more bitter then did well befeeme me : 
 For, I confeffe that on the quick they grated, 
 Who in this manner have expoftulated. 
 And I forbeare it. Yet, this generation 
 Hath fome who need this tart expoflulation ; 
 With whom loud noifes more prevaile by far, 
 Then doe thofe proofes, that Faiths and Reafons are. 
 
 I 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 56 
 
 I know to thefe Objections, mofl replies ; 
 I know their ftrength, and where their weakneffe lies ; 
 I know what holy Scriptures, men miflake, 
 Which proofes of their affertions feeme to make : 
 I know, how they their Arguments mif-lay, 
 From that of Efau, and the Potters clay : 
 I know what Times and Termes they mifconceive, 
 And wherewithall themfelves they doe deceive. 
 I know with what nick-names of herefie, 
 Some Readers will for this my Mufe belye ; 
 And that nor they, who call'd Arminians be, 
 Nor they who reprehend them, will with me 
 Be friends for this ; for neither thofe nor thefe 
 Am I defirous to offend or pleafe. 
 But to uphold the Truth, which is bely'd 
 Injuriously by moft of either fide. 
 I know their fpight, their vineger, their gall ; 
 I know what fpirit moft are led withall 
 Who fpread the Doclrines which I have reproved, 
 And know fuch Reafon never to be moved, 
 With favour to them that I dare to fay, 
 It is the neareft and the ftraighteft way 
 To all prophaneneffe. It the bridle gives 
 To carnall liberties, and makes the lives 
 And hearts of many men fo voyd of care : 
 From hence diftraclions ; hence defpairings are. 
 Hence mifchiefes ; hence felfe murthers doe arife ; 
 Hence is it that fuch multitudes defpife 
 Good difcipline : yea, this contemned makes 
 The life of Faith, if once it rooting takes : 
 Difableth pious practices outright, 
 And where it roots, deftroyes Religion quite. 
 
 Let no man then admit into his thought, 
 That God Almighty hath decreed ought 
 
 Which 
 
 ll 3 
 
Britaines Cant. 2, 
 
 Which on his Injlicc may infringement bring, 
 
 Or on his Mercy in the fmalleft thing : 
 
 Or that his Wifedome any thing ordaines 
 
 Without the meanes which thereunto pertaines : 
 
 Or thinke, becaufe our finne he doth permit 
 
 That therefore he neceffitateth it : 
 
 Or that he wills thofe errours he forefees, 
 
 As he the workes of righteoufneffe decrees : 
 
 Or, that our humane aclions cyphers are : 
 
 Or, that within this world there ever were 
 
 Or fhall, thofe perfons be, whom God will call 
 
 Vnto account, untill he give them fhall, 
 
 At lead, one Talent, which may feme vnto 
 
 The working of that worke he bids them doe. 
 
 Let no man dreame thefe dreames ; nor cenfure this, 
 
 Till he hath well confider'd what that is 
 
 Which I deliuer. For in this darke way 
 
 Our learnedft Clerkes doe fometimes runne aftray. 
 
 Nor let them thinke that I concurre with all, 
 
 Who in appearance hold this Tenet fhall : 
 
 Or that I differ from all men that may 
 
 In termes diffent from what I feeme to fay. 
 
 For they that in expreffion difagree 
 
 In one well-mea?iing, oft united be. 
 
 And either (if that they in loue contend) 
 
 Shall then at length, obtaine their wifhed end. 
 
 Oh ! labour this, all you that would be thought 
 GODS glory in your ftudies to haue fought ; 
 That though offences come, they may not moue 
 Difunion ; but Gods worthy ones approve. 
 And let us with a true fobriety, 
 So heed his Aclions of eternitie, 
 That we may fee in them a boundlefneffe, 
 Beyond our humane wifdome to expreffe ; 
 
 Leaue 
 
 114 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 57 
 
 Leave quarrelling about his waies unknowne, 
 
 And take more heed hereafter to our owne. 
 
 For, though God pleafeth, other while to ufe 
 
 Our vulgar Termes, fome notions to infufe 
 
 Of his eternall workings, and apply 
 
 His deeds that way, to our capacity, 
 
 Difclofing them unto us one by one, 
 
 As if at feverall times they had beene done, 
 
 (Becaufe our fhallowneffe no meanes can find 
 
 To entertaine them in their proper kinde) 
 
 And though (refpecting us who temp'ral be) 
 
 Wee fay, that God Almighty doth forefee, 
 
 Foreknoiu us, and predejlinate ; yet fure, 
 
 His Effence no fuch termes can well endure 
 
 In proper fenfe ; Becaufe with him, no doome, 
 
 Word, Thought, or Act, is paffed, or to come. 
 
 But all things prefent. Yea, all Times, and all 
 
 Thofe things which wee by feverall names doe call, 
 
 Our Births, our Lives, our Deaths, and our Saluations, 
 
 Our free-eleclions, and predejli nations, 
 
 Are all at once with God, without forefeeing ; 
 
 Eu'n all in one-eternall-prefent-being. 
 
 Which few obferving, many men have thought 
 
 That Gods eternall aclions fhould be wrought 
 
 Like ours in Time, which is, as if they fhould 
 
 Endeavour how the world they might enfold 
 
 Within a Nut-fhell. And while thus men flrive 
 
 (According to their fancies) to contrive 
 
 An order in Gods Workings, they miftake them 
 
 Blafphemoufly, and orderleffe doe make them. 
 
 Yea, to define his aclions, they neglect 
 
 That part which is their duty to effect ; 
 
 Themfelves and others lofing in a path 
 
 Which neither profit, end, nor fafety hath ; 
 
 And 
 
 US 
 
Britaines Cant. 2. 
 
 And, by difputing what from us is hidden, 
 Difturb the doing that which God hath bidden. 
 
 I have digreft enough ; and fome there are 
 Who think, perhaps, that I have gone too farre. 
 Yet, let it not be judg'd impertinent, 
 That I have fo purfu'd this Argument. 
 For, want of minding what is here rehearfed, 
 Hath often times the Pcfliknce difperfed. 
 Yea, fome who fondly faid, that ev'ry man 
 Shall live his time decreed, do what he can ; 
 And that each one at his fixt houre mail dye, 
 'Gainft which he feeks in vaine, a remedy : 
 Ev'n thefe, made much good means of health neglected 
 Much wife and wholfome counfell be rejected ; 
 And caufed, oft, in this our common wo, 
 That Death was brought and caried, to and fro. 
 
 But, left in chafing them, I run aftray ; 
 He profecute again e my purpos'd way. 
 The Pejlilence doth fhow her felfe inclin'd 
 So varioufly, flie cannot be defm'd. 
 She neither certaine forme, nor habit wears, 
 But, partly metaphyficall appears, 
 And partly naturall. She oft may cary 
 Her Progreffe on, by meanes that's ordinary , 
 But, rarely doth begin, or end her Arrant, 
 Save by an extraordinary Warrant. 
 It doth infect, and it infecteth not. 
 It is an arrow which is often (hot 
 By Gods owne hand, from his far-ftriking bow, 
 Without the help of any meanes below. 
 It is Gods Angel, which to death can finite, 
 Miraculoufly, an army in a night. 
 It is a rationall Difeafe, which can 
 Pick, with difcretion, here and there a man ; 
 
 And 
 
 116 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 58 
 
 And paffe o're thofe, who either marked are 
 For Mercy ; or, a greater Plague to beare. 
 
 We fee, it futing hath to Natures laws, 
 A nat'rall motion, and a nat'rall caufe ; 
 For, as a Fire among great Buildings throvvne, 
 Burnes Timber, melteth Mettall, cracketh Stone, 
 Defaceth Statues, makes moift places dry, 
 The Vaults below to fweat, the tyles to flye 
 And manifefts his force, in fev'rall kindes, 
 According to the objects which he findes : 
 So, hath the Peftilence a nat'rall pow'r 
 To harden, fright, endanger, or devoure, 
 (And divers other changes to procure) 
 As flie doth find a fev'rall temp'rature 
 In mind or body, fitting the rejection. 
 Or for the entertainment of Infeclion. 
 
 Thefe things confider'd. They who fliall defire 
 To fcape from this Contagion, muft acquire 
 A double Ward. For, doubtleffe, there is none 
 That can refill it with one guard alone. 
 In times of Danger, vainly we prefume 
 Vpon our Iv'ry boxes of Perfume. 
 To little purpofe, we defend our nofes, 
 With Wormwood, Rue, or with our Radelijfe Pofies 
 Of tarred Ropes. Small warrant for our lives, 
 Are all fuch bodily Prefervatives, 
 As Cordiall waters, Gums, Herbes, Plants, and Rootes, 
 Our fimple or compounded Antidotes. 
 Our Bcezar-Jlone ; our med'eines Chymicall ; 
 Or, that high prized Iewell wherewithal^ 
 For home of Vnicorne, men cheated are : 
 Or, thofe unhallowed Charmes, which many weare. 
 For, thefe are far unable to withftand 
 The vigour of his incorporeall hand, 
 
 Who 
 
 1 1 7 
 
Cant. 2. Britaines 
 
 Who flrikes for fmne, unleffe to thefe wee adde 
 A Plaifler which of better things is made. 
 Yea Nature failes, unleffe adjoyne wee doe, 
 A med'cine metaphificall thereto. 
 
 Moreover, fruitlefly devout are they, 
 And that they feeke to God they falfely fay, 
 Who wilfully neglect, or elfe contemne, 
 That outward meanes, which Nature offers them, 
 And God provides, to cure, or to prevent, 
 The mifchiefe of Difeafes peftilent. 
 For, fmce wee fram'd of foules and bodies are, 
 God pleafed is, that wee fliould have a care 
 To both of them ; and labour how to finde, 
 What appertaines to either, in his kinde. 
 
 He therefore, who defireth a defence 
 Againfl this Arrow of the Peftilence ; 
 A compleat Armour muft from God procure, 
 And ftill be arm'd, his perfon to fecure. 
 He muft put on the Helmet of Salvation, 
 And flioe his feet with holy Preparation. 
 A Belt of Truth muft for his loines be fought ; 
 His Brejl-plate muft of Righteoufneffe be wrought. 
 The Shield of Faith, his Target muft become, 
 The darts of Sathan to fecure him from. 
 Gods Word muft be the Sword upon his thigh, 
 His Praicrs, like continuall fhot muft flie ; 
 And he mould keepe for ever his abode, 
 Within the fhadow of Almighty God. 
 Or elfe the Workeman loofeth all his paine ; 
 And he that watcheth, waketh but in vaine. 
 
 He alfo muft expell out of the foule, 
 That filthineffe of fmne, which makes it foule. 
 He muft avoid the crimes he lived in ; 
 His Phyjicke mull be Rue (ev'n Rue for fmne) 
 
 Of 
 
 118 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 59 
 
 Of Herb of Grace, a Cordiall he muft make ; 
 
 The bitter Cup of true Repentance take ; 
 
 The Diet of Sobriety affume ; 
 
 His Houfe with workes of Charitie perfume ; 
 
 And watch, that from his heart in fecrecie, 
 
 Arife no favours of Hypocrifie. 
 
 He muft beleeve, God fo doth love him, that 
 
 His everlafting good, is aimed at 
 
 In all he fuffers ; and, that, God doth know, 
 
 And marke his nature, and his temper fo, 
 
 As that he will impofe nor more, nor leffe, 
 
 Than fhall be needfull for his happineffe. 
 
 For, fuch a Faith, will keepe. him ilill content. 
 
 Still lowly, under ev'ry chaftifement ; 
 
 Still thankfull, whatsoever doth befall ; 
 
 And BleJJings make, of what we Plagues doe call. 
 
 He muft, moreover with a holy Feare, 
 In all his Chriftian duties perfevere ; 
 Still watchfull, and at no time daring ought 
 Which may from God divert him in a thought : 
 (So neere as pofiibly, the powre of man, 
 So great a diligence endeavour can. ) 
 For, round about him are a thoufand Feares, 
 A thoufand Dangers, and ten thoufand Snares, 
 And, as a Traveller, who for his Bridges, 
 To paffe deepe waters, having nought but ridges 
 Of narrow Timbers, dares not caft his eye 
 From off the Plancke, nor fet his foot awrie ; 
 Becaufe beneath him, he beholds a Streame, 
 That runnes, and roares, and gapes to fwallow him : 
 So, he that muft an hourely paffage make, 
 Through fuch like Plagues, as this whereof I fpeake, 
 (And many dangers waiting on him hath, 
 To catch him, if he flip his narrow Path) 
 
 Had 
 
 119 
 
Britaines Cant. 2. 
 
 Had need be carefull that he never ftray, 
 Nor fwarve in any thing befide the way. 
 
 Let, therefore, ev'ry man defire, at lead, 
 This pow'r ; that his defirings may be bleft, 
 With fuch performances as he mail need, 
 Or, have his Will accepted for the Deed. 
 And, let him to his Calling ever ftand : 
 For, whofoe're doth leave that place unmann'd 
 Wherein God fets him ; forfeits that reward 
 (And is deprived of that An gell guard) 
 Of which his Mafe doth prophefie, who fayes, 
 We Jliall prefervcd be in all our wayes. 
 
 Far is it from my nature, to reprove 
 With proud infultings, thofe whom feare did move 
 To ftep afide : For, good and pious men 
 Give way to nat'rall frailties .now and then ; 
 And, we whom God emboldned now to flay, 
 Hereafter, from leffe frights may run away. 
 Yea, fure I am, that if it doe not flow 
 From Love, and Pity, that their fcapes we fhow, 
 God may, and will (our folly to deride) 
 Make them dare ftand, where we fhall feare to bide. 
 And therefore, hoping none amiffe will take 
 What I have writ for truth and confcience fake ; 
 f That men in times to come might looke into 
 This duty, and be heedful what they doe) 
 I will affirm e, that ev'ry one hath erred, 
 Who in his lawfull Calling, was deterred 
 So much, as in this danger to forfake it : 
 And, though a trifling matter many make it, 
 I know, the moft apparant fhowes of terror 
 Are not excufe enough for fuch an error. 
 For, that we fliould not in fuch cafes dread 
 The greateft perils : God hath promifed, 
 
 That 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 60 
 
 That if we keepe our wayes, and him obferve, 
 He will not onely from this Plague preferve ; 
 But, caufe us without harme to walke among, 
 Ev'n Adders, Dragons, Lyons old and yong : 
 By which pernicious creatures, and untamed, 
 Is ev'ry danger meant that can be named. 
 
 Thefe things we muft obferve, if we will hope 
 Gods extraordinary blow to ftop ; 
 And other circumftances muft attend 
 Thofe meanes. But, they fo nat'rally depend 
 On what precedes ; that in well doing one, 
 We cannot leave the other part undone. 
 Such were thofe holy med'cines, which prevented 
 The Plague, at Niniveh, when fhe repented; 
 Such Ift J el ufed, and it faved them ; 
 Such kept the Plague out of Ierufalem ; 
 And when the bloody Angell came, had pow'r 
 To ftop him in Arauna/i's threfhing floore. 
 Thus Hezekiah was preferv'd ; thus David 
 Was from the very fame contagion faved : 
 And if unfainedly we practife thus, 
 He doth of fafety alfo warrant us. 
 Yea (through this meanes) we fhall be fortifi'd 
 With fuch a coat of proofe, as will abide 
 That murth'ring Arrow which in darkneffe flyes, 
 From Gods owne Bow, unfeene of mortall eyes. 
 
 And when we thus have done, attempt we may 
 To ftop the Shaft, that flyes abroad by day ; 
 I meane the nat'rall Sickneffe, which doth fmite 
 By meanes, that is apparant to the fight. 
 For, as God ftriketh, oft, immediate blowes 
 By foine immediate way : right fo he fhowes 
 A nat'rall cure to thofe, whom he doth pleafe 
 To warrant from the naturall Difeafe. 
 
 F Thus 
 
B r I t t a n's Cant. 2. 
 
 Thus, he for Hczekiah\ health revealed 
 That Plaijlcr, wherewithall his griefe was healed, 
 Thus from this Plague have many beene fecured. 
 And many faved, who the ftroke endured. 
 
 Here I could fhew, what Medicines may be tooke 
 To cure or to prevent the outward ftroke ; 
 To qualifie the Aire, what might be ufed ; 
 What Diet mould be taken, what refufed ; 
 What Symptomes doe attend on this difeafe ; 
 What good, or ill, from Labour, or from Eafe 
 Too much, or over-little, may be got : 
 But, to proceed in this prefume I not. 
 For, to prefcribe externall med'cines, here 
 To ev'ry man, too hard a taske it were ; 
 Since they muft often chang'd and mixed, be, 
 As we the fickneffe changeable doe fee, 
 And as we finde the meafure of infeSlion, 
 The parties Age, his Temper, or Completion. 
 To thofe I therefore will commit this part, 
 Who are allow'd profeffors of that Art; 
 Advifing all, that none their aid refufe, 
 Nor out of feafon, their afliflance ufe. 
 
 For, if, before our peace with God be made, 
 We (feeking outward meanes) a cure have had ; 
 That meanes mail be the meanes our death to fet : 
 That cure fhall onely cure us, to beget 
 Another Plague : unleffe we have repented 
 Our folly, and the mifchiefe, fo, prevented. 
 Yea fucn, as take that courfe, doe fugar o're 
 Strong poyfons, and skin up a feflring fore ; 
 Becaufe thofe med'cines, and that watchfulneffe 
 (From which they did expe£t a good fucceffe) 
 Not being with repentance fanctifi'd, 
 Nor (in their place) with faithfulneffe apply'd, 
 
 Corrup- 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 6i 
 
 Corruptd grow ; make what was evill, worfe ; 
 And (in the Head of bleffings) bring a curfe. 
 This Reafon proves. For, fince it is from Sin 
 Whence all our griefes, and fickneffes have bin : 
 We fliall as vainly drive th' effects to flay, 
 Till we the Caufes firft remove away, 
 . As if we went about to drain e a River, 
 Before to flop the Springs we did endeavor. 
 And, as we neither fhould o're-much rely 
 On outward helpes ; nor take diforderly 
 The meanes of Health ; right fo, beware we muft 
 That we doe never ufe it with diftruft. 
 For as, in feeking fafety, moft men ufe 
 Prepofterous courfes (whence much harme enfues) 
 Or elfe (when likely med'cines they have got) 
 Prefume fo farre, on what availeth not, 
 Without Gods bleffing ; that, from him they take 
 His due, and of his Creatures, Idols make .• 
 So, fome there be fo fearfull, that their Feare 
 Corrupts their blood, where no infections were ; 
 Begets that Plague within them which they fhun ; 
 And makes it follow, when they from it run. 
 No place, or counfell can of reft affure them ; 
 No meanes their hope of fafety can procure them : 
 But ftill they are diftemper'd ; ever taking 
 New courfes, and new Med'cines alwayes making. 
 Of all they meet (if any meet they dare) 
 For fome Receipt, their firft enquiries are. 
 What e're he be that tells them, that, or this 
 Prevents the Plague ; it ftraightwayes practis'd is. 
 They fwallow downe hot Waters, Sirrups, Drinks, 
 Choake up their Chambers with Perfumes, & Stinks ; 
 With Rue, and Wormwood cram their bowels up, 
 With Phificke breake their fails, and dine, and fup : 
 
 F 2 Yet 
 
 123 
 
Brittan's Cant. 2. 
 
 Yet, flill deipaire, as if that world of fluffe 
 (Which they devoured) were not halfe enough. 
 And, this their terror, doth to me appeare, 
 A greater Plague, then that which they doe feare. 
 
 Miftake me not ; I doe not here condemne 
 The chriftian, and the filial feare of them, 
 That are (with holy dread) employ'd about 
 Such meanes, as worketh true falvation out. 
 Nor blame it, when a moderate feare doth make 
 Alarums in us, Reafon to awake. 
 For, while our Feare preferves a moderation, 
 It is a very neceffary paffion, 
 And Hands for Centinell, to bid us Arme, 
 When any Foe doth feeme to menace harme. 
 Nor doe I checke that nat'rall Feare, which from 
 The knowledge of our weakneffes doth come : 
 For, want of that is meere ftupidity ; 
 And fuch, can neither feele a Mifery, 
 Nor tafte Gods Mercies, with more profit, than 
 The brutifh Creatures wanting Reafon, can ; 
 Who, of their paines, or pleafures, nought retaine 
 Much longer, then it doth in act remaine. 
 I count not each man valiant, who dares die, 
 Or venture on a Mifchiefe defperately, 
 When, either heat of Youth, or Wine, or Paffion 
 Shall whet him on, before confideration : 
 For, thus a Beaft will doe, and hath (no doubt) 
 As much forefight in what he goes about ; 
 As thofe blinde Bayards, who couragious be 
 In perills, whofe events they doe not fee. 
 Nor will I any man a Coiuard call, 
 Although I fee him tremble, and looke pale 
 In dangerous attempts ; unleffe he flacke 
 His juft Refolves, by bafely ftepping backe. 
 
 For, 
 
 124 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 62 
 
 For, as the greater part of men we find 
 To laugh and blufh, by nature, much enclin'd : 
 So many have a nat'ral inclination, 
 To trembling, paleneffe, or fome other paffion, 
 Which, no Philofophy can take away, 
 Nor any humane wit, or flrength, allay : 
 . And if their Apprehenfion proveth better 
 Then other Mens ; their Paffions are the greater ; 
 Becaufe their fearching wits finde perills out, 
 Whereof the Dullard fnever having doubt,) 
 Hath boldly ventur'd on them, and out dar'd, 
 What being heeded, him to death hath fear'd. 
 
 Give me the Man, that with a quaking arme 
 VValkes with a ftedfaft mind through greateft harm ; 
 And though his flefh doth tremble, makes it ftand 
 To execute what Reafon doth command. 
 Give me the Soule, that knowingly defcries 
 All dangers, and all poffibilities 
 Of outward perills ; and yet doth perfever 
 In ev'ry lawfull action howfoever. 
 Give me that Heart, which in it felfe doth warre 
 With many frailties f who like Traytors are 
 In fome befieged Fort) and hath to doe 
 With outward Foes, and inward Terrors too ; 
 Yet of himfelfe, and them, a conqueft makes, 
 And ftill proceeds in what he undertakes. 
 For, this is double-valour ; and fuch men 
 (Although they are mif-cenfur'd now, and then) 
 Enjoy thofe mindes that beft compofed are ; 
 Tn lawfull quarrells are without compare ; 
 And fwhen the Coward, hoodwink'd goes to fight) 
 Dare charge their fterneft Foes with open fight. 
 
 Let no Man therefore glory, or make boaft 
 Of Courage, when they feele their Dread is loft, 
 
 F 3 Or 
 
 I2 5 
 
Brittan's Cant. 2. 
 
 Or thinke themfeles the fafer, when they finde 
 Their Feare is gone, whilft Perill ftayes behinde ; 
 Efpecially, when they befieg'd appeare, 
 With fuch like Plagues, as this, we treat of here. 
 For that endangers, rather then fecureth ; 
 Since Cujiome, or elfe Ignorance procureth 
 That brutifh fearlefneffe : And, where we fee 
 Such hardineffe, Gods judgements fruitleffe be. 
 
 There is required, yet, one Caveat more 
 To perfect that, which hath beene faid before ; 
 Ev'n this ; that we grow watchfull, left the while 
 We truft in God, we doe our felves beguile 
 With fruitleffe confidence, and on his grace 
 (Beyond his warrant) our affurance place. 
 For, many thoufands wondrous forward are 
 In Gods large promifes to claime a fhare ; 
 Who, thofe conditions never mufed on, 
 Which he doth ground his Covenant upon. 
 And as the letves (from whom they take example) 
 Bragg'd of their outward worlhip, and their Temple, 
 As if Gods League extended unto all, 
 Who could themfelves, the fonnes of lacob, call, 
 Without reflecting their partie'lar Way : 
 So, we have fome among us, that will fay, 
 They truft in God; and that, in this infcclion, 
 They full affurance have of his protection : 
 Becaufe they formally his Truth profeffe ; 
 Performe externall workes of HoUneffe ; 
 Or vifibly, with fuch, partakers are, 
 With whom the Pledges of Gods love appeare. 
 But, they that on thefe outward workes rely, 
 Without true faith, and true fmcerity ; 
 Commit thofe guilded fi nnes, whofe gloffe will weare, 
 And leave their naturall corruptions bare : 
 
 Yea 
 
 126 
 
Cant.2. Remembrancer. 63 
 
 Yea they, of their profeffions, idols make ; 
 And, will the Covenant of God millake, 
 Vntill in his conveyances, they fee 
 What duties, on their parts, required be. 
 
 God promifeth (indeed) all fuch to fave, 
 Who in his holy Church their dwelling have ; 
 And that he will vouchfafe them his defence 
 From dangers of the noyfome Pcjlilence : 
 But they muft love him, and inuoke him, then, 
 Or elfe the Bargaine is unmade agen. 
 Thus much inferres the Pfalmift, in that Ode, • 
 Which prophecies the faving Grace of God. 
 Thofe, therefore, too too much on them affume, 
 Yea, (foolifhly) of mercy they prefume, 
 Who boaft of Gods protection and yet tread 
 Thofe paths, which to a fure deftruclion lead. 
 I doe not meane, when any man mif-does 
 Through frailty, or unwillingly mif-goes : 
 But when, with liking, and without remorfe, 
 He wilfully purfues a wicked Courfe. 
 For, fuch, their confidence on God, bely, 
 Depending on their own fecurity ; 
 And cannot fee thofe dangers they are in, 
 Becaufe their Confciences have feared bin. 
 
 How many thoufands in the Grave are laid, 
 Who, in their life-times, impudently faid 
 They fhould be fafe in God ? yet never tooke 
 His counfell, nor one vanity forfooke 
 For love of him ? How many have I heard 
 Prefumptuoufly affirme, they never fear'd 
 The danger of Gods Arrowes? though they flew 
 At noone, at midnight, and fo many flew 
 In ev'ry ftreet ? yea, fhamelefly profeffe 
 Their truft in God, to caufe their fearlefneffe, 
 
 F 4 Yet 
 
 127 
 
Brit t a n's Cant. 2. 
 
 Yet, nothing for the love of him endevour ? 
 
 How boldly have I feene them to perfever 
 
 In ev'ry fin, when Gods fierce Angell flood, 
 
 Ev'n juft before them, all embru'd in blood ; 
 
 And flaught'ring roiid about the neighbors, brothers. 
 
 Their friends, their kinfme, children, fathers, mothers, 
 
 And fome of ev'ry fort ? Nay, I have heard 
 
 Of fuch, who were not any jot afear'd 
 
 To bargaine for their Luft, in times to come, 
 
 Within the compaffe of the felfe-fame roome, 
 
 Where (at that inftant) they beheld their wives 
 
 Lye newly dead ; or lab'ring for their lives. 
 
 They wafte Gods Creatures in luxurious diet ; 
 Confume their times in wantonneffe, and riot ; 
 They feafts, and merriments, in Tavernes keepe, 
 VVhilfl others in the Temples, faft, and weepe; 
 They perfecute their brethren, and the poore ; 
 Performe no good ; forbeare no fin the more ; 
 And live fo carelefly, as if they thought, 
 That, when the greateft wickedneffe they wrought, 
 It prov'd, their truft in God to be the greater ; 
 And, that lewd works, fhevv'd forth their faith the bet- 
 Or elfe that God the more obligement had, (ter ; 
 
 Becaufe he was fo good, and they fo bad 
 Ev'n fuch there are. And thefe make boaftings will, 
 Of truft in God, yet fuch continue flill. 
 
 Alas, it is but vaine to fay Lord, Lord, 
 Or to profeffe a confidence in word, 
 Where lively Faith appeares not : for, God granteth 
 Protections unto none, but whom he planteth 
 Within his Vineyard; wherein growes no tree, 
 But in fome meafure, it will fruitfull be ; 
 Or elfe, zJIor?ne fhall come, which down will fhake it, 
 With whatfoever, carnall props, we flake it. 
 
 No 
 
 128 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 64 
 
 No high-prefuming Cedars, nor fliffe Oakes, 
 Are thofe whom God exempteth from the flrokes 
 Of his tempefluous wrath : but, that which bendeth 
 To ev'ry blafl, which he in Judgement fendeth, 
 As doth a bruifed, or low-ftooping Reed, 
 Which, by the bowing, is from breaking free'd. 
 Yea thofe, who really within the fhade 
 Of his defence, have their abidings made; 
 Thofe onely, may depend on his protection, 
 Amid the ragings of this hot Infection. 
 
 And who are thefe, but fuch, as (when they fee 
 The threatned Plague) afraid, and humbled be ? 
 Such, as through hearty love, afhamed grow, 
 That they fo good a God difpleafed fo : 
 Such, as are fory for their paffed crimes, 
 And truly purpofe, in all future times 
 A better life : Such, who, for confcience fake 
 (And not through fertile feare) themfelves betake 
 To pious exercifes : fuch, who ftrive 
 To mortifie their lufts, and how to live 
 As worthy their free-calling : fuch, as they, 
 Who ev'ry houre, doe labour, watch, and pray, 
 Their duties to performe ; and dare not peepe 
 Abroad at morning, or at ev'ning fleepe, 
 Till they the facrifice of thankes have paid, 
 For favours paft ; and begg'd for future aid. 
 Such, as on Gods owne pleafure can rely, 
 And, in his Faith refolved are to dye. 
 Such, as have Charity ; and working are 
 Their fafeties with continuall joy, and feare. 
 Ev'n fuch as thefe, fecurely may repofe 
 When twenty thoufand dangers them enclofe. 
 On thefe, Gods Angells wait ; and thefe they fhall 
 From flumbling keepe, when many Millions fall. 
 
 F 5 From 
 
 1 29 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant. 2. 
 
 From ev'ry kinde of harme they fhall be free, 
 
 And fleepe, where feares, and mifchiefes thickeft be : 
 
 Yea, though that feize them, which the Plague we cal, 
 
 It fliall to them become no Plague at all ; 
 
 But rather be their furtherance, to acquire 
 
 That perfect happineffe, which they defire. 
 
 Let no man, therefore, in this Vifitation 
 Tye God unto the temp'rall prefervation ; 
 Or be difcouraged, if he fhall pleafe 
 To exercife him under this Difcafe, 
 Suppofing, he inflicleth it on none 
 (As fome fooles thinke) but Reprobates alone. 
 For he did Hezekiah thereby ftrike ; 
 He, by this Malady, or fome fuch like, 
 Affliaed holy David, his Eleded ; 
 Whofe Reprobation is of none fufpected. 
 And though juft men from temporall infection 
 Shall finde more certainty of Gods protection, 
 Then others doe : yet fure, that Pejlile?ice 
 (From which God promis'd abfolute defence) 
 Is not that fickneffe which the body flayes ; 
 But that, which death unto the foule conveyes. 
 
 Our earthly griefes, to heav'nly joyes doe reare, 
 And why fhould any Man or grudge or feare 
 A mortall wound, fo he might gaine thereby 
 A body cloth'd with immortalitie ? 
 Or why fhould we repine, in miffing that, 
 Which (to our dammage) we had aymed at ; 
 When God doth give us more then we defired ; 
 And lifts us higher, then our hopes afpired ? 
 To him due praifes, rather, let us give, 
 Whofe love to us, is better, then to live. 
 
 But, I have faid enough to this effect, 
 And, if, what I have fpoken, have refpect, 
 
 We 
 
 *3° 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 65 
 
 We (hall (T hope) hereafter well difcerne, 
 What, by this Judgement, we are bound to learne ; 
 How much to truft ; how much to hope, or feare ; 
 What outward meanes, or inward helpes there are, 
 Whereby, this heavy Plague may be prevented, 
 Or entertained, with a breft contented. 
 
 So few (as yet) have thus prepared bin, 
 That now of late it quickly rufhed in 
 In fpite of all our Hulberds, and our Watches. 
 And as a Flame (which in a Tempeft, catches 
 On fome full Barne) is blowne about the Village, 
 And fireth, here, the hopefull fruits of Tillage ; 
 A Cottage there ; on th'other fide the way 
 A well fill'd Stable, or a Ricke of Hay; 
 Another yon ; clofe by, doth menace harme 
 Ev'n to the Church ; forthwith confume a Far me ; 
 Some dwellings (now, and then) doth overgoe ; 
 Anon laves wafte a dozen in a row ; 
 And ftill increafe, goe forward, and returne, 
 Vntill the Totvne in ev'ry quarter bnrne : 
 So rag'd the PeJUlence. And, as we fee 
 Thofe workmen, who, repairing breaches be 
 In Thame, or Trent, at firft the Banks doe raife ; 
 Shut clofe the Sluces, ftrengthen up the Bafs, 
 And labour ferioufly with much good hope, 
 While they perceive but fome few gaps to flop : 
 But, when they fee the flood prevailing more, 
 (Ten breaches made, for ev'ry one before) 
 And all endeavors faile ; they worke forfake, 
 Leaving the waters their owne courfe to take : 
 So, when this Floud began : we had a thought 
 To keepe it backe ; and to that purpofe wrought : 
 But, when we faw it rife beyond our pow'r, 
 We gave it way at pleafure to devoure. 
 
 At 
 
 131 
 
Brittan's Cant. 2. 
 
 At firft, the publique Officers did fhow 
 
 Their skill in curbing this encroaching Foe, 
 
 Not fparing to be prodigall of paine, 
 
 The fpreadings of Infeclion to reftraine ; 
 
 And ev'ry private family befide, 
 
 Againft this danger did for armes provide. 
 
 Their Yards, and Halls, were fmoked with perfume, 
 
 To flop the ftinkes, which thither might prefume. 
 
 Their Chambers furnifht were with Antidotes, 
 
 With Viols, Boxes, Glaffes, Gallipots, 
 
 All filled with munition of defence 
 
 (As they fuppos'd) againft the Pejlilence. 
 
 Some did in Meats their meanes of fafety thinke ; 
 
 Some Epicures did arme themfelves with Drinke; 
 
 Some, foolifhly did build up monflrous hopes 
 
 Vpon the fmoking of Tobacco JJwps ; 
 
 (But this difeafe, without a Confcience making 
 
 Of their prefuming on Tobacco taking, 
 
 Came thither too, and frequently did cary 
 
 Good-fellowes from their fmoaking Sancluary.) 
 
 Some, one, and fome another courfe devifed ; 
 Yet, ev'ry day more places were furprifed. 
 Which, when we faw, and how it overcaft 
 All temp'rall force ; we thought upon (at laft) 
 The helpe of God : and then we did repaire 
 To crave his ayd in Fajling, and in Prayer, 
 Then fome, through fervile terror ; fome, for fafhion, 
 And fome, out of a true humiliation, 
 Emplored ayd from heav'n ; and fhow'd in teares 
 Their Hope, their true Repentance, and their Teares : 
 
 But, whether God did for a while contemne 
 Our fuit, becaufe we gave not eare to him, 
 When firft he call'd : or, whether he thought fit, 
 (That we the longer might remember it) 
 
 To 
 
 KV 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 66 
 
 To fright us fomewhat more : or whether we 
 
 Brought not fuch hearty penitence, as he 
 
 Expected from us : or appointed were 
 
 Some further tryalls of our Faith to beare : 
 
 Sure, fome fuch caufe there was ; and for that caufe, 
 
 God did not onely feeme to make a paufe 
 
 In anfw'ring our Petition ; but, to chide 
 
 More fharply, and to throw it quite afide. 
 
 For with a doubled, and redoubled ftroke 
 The Plague went on ; and, in (among us) broke 
 With fuch unequall'd fury ; and fuch rage ; 
 As Brittan never felt in any age. 
 With fome at ev'ry turning (he did meet. 
 Of ev'ry Alley, ev'ry Lane and Street 
 She got poffeffion : and we had no way, 
 Or paffage, but fhe there, in AmbuJJi, lay. 
 Through Nookes, & Corners, (lie purfu'd the Chafe, 
 There was no barring her from any place : 
 For in the publique Fields in wait fhe laid ; 
 And into private Gardens was convaid. 
 Sometime, (lie did among our Garments hide ; 
 And, fo, difperfe among us (unefpy'd) 
 Her ftrong Infections. Otherwhile (unfeene) 
 A Servant, Friend, or Child betraid hath beene, 
 To bring it home ; and men were fearfull growne 
 To tarie, or converfe, among their owne. 
 Friends fled each other ; Kin/men flood aloofe ; 
 The Sonne, to come within his Fathers roofe 
 Prefumed not ; the Mother was conftrain'd 
 To let her child depart unentertain'd. 
 The love, betwixt the husband, and the wife, 
 Was, oft neglecled, for the love of life ; 
 And many a one their promife falfifi'd, 
 Who vow'd, that nought but death (liould the divide. 
 
 Some, 
 
B R I T T A n'S Cant. 2. 
 
 Some, to frequent the Markets were afraid ; 
 
 And fome to feed on what was thence purvay'd. 
 
 For on young pigs fuch purple fpots were feene, 
 
 As markes of Death on Plague-ticke men have been ; 
 
 And it appeared that our fuburbe-Hogs 
 
 Were little better, then our Cats, and Dogs 
 
 Men knew not, whither they might fafely come, 
 Nor where to make appointments, nor with whom. 
 Nay, many fhunn'd Gods-houfe, and much did feare 
 So farre to truft him, as to meet him there. 
 In briefe, the Plague did fuch diftruction threat, 
 And Feares, and Perils were become fo great, 
 That mofl mens hearts did faile ; and they to flight 
 Betooke themfclves, with all the fpeed they might : 
 Not onely they, who private perfons were, 
 But, fuch as did the publique Titles beare. 
 
 The Maior flartled, and fome fay was gone : 
 But, when his Charge he truly thought upon, 
 It fettled him ; and he at Helme did 'bide 
 Vntill his roome was orderly fupply'd. 
 And (let me doe him right) it fince appeared, 
 That, with good Diligence his Courfe he fleered. 
 For, on his back were many burthens laid ; 
 The Country of provifions us denay'd ; 
 The greater part with fickneffe waxed froward ; 
 Much want did make the poorer fort untoward ; 
 That when I call to minde his heavy taske, 
 And little helpe ; me thinkes it praife doth aske. 
 Moft of his go\vned-£ ret/iren him forfooke, 
 And to their Country Bow'rs themfelves betooke ; 
 Where, how they pray'd, or what they fent by gift, 
 To feed the Poore ; I leave it to the fhrift 
 Of their owne confeiences ; which beft can tell, 
 What things they have performed ill, or well. 
 
 Phyfitians 
 
 1 34 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 67 
 
 Phyfitians were afraid, as well as thefe, 
 And neither Galen, nor Hippocrates 
 Could yeeld them any warrant for delay ; 
 And therefore (with the firft) they went away. 
 Some Leaches of the Soule, (who fhould have flaid) 
 Were much (nay fomewhat over-much) afraid, 
 And had forgotten fo, how to apply 
 Their heav'nly Cordials of Divinty, 
 Againft the feare of Death ; that when moft dangers 
 Befet their Flocks ; they left them unto ftrangers. 
 Nay, fome there were, who did among us teach, 
 That Men fhould flie ; & that, which they did preach, 
 They taught the people by example too. 
 Pray God. in other things they may do fo. 
 
 Few ftaid, of any calling or degree, 
 Who to their Country-friends might welcome be; 
 Or, of themfelves, were able to provide 
 A place of Harbour, where they might abide. 
 Yea fome, (to fcape uncertaine Death) did flie 
 Into the Iawes of certaine Beggory, 
 By leaving of their Callings ; and are flowne 
 So far, and high a flight out of this Towne, 
 On borrow'd-feathers ; that their Neighbours feare, 
 They never more will in their (hops appeare. 
 
 Thofe of our wanton Gentry, that could brooke 
 No Ayre, but Londons ; London quite forfooke ; 
 And all that Crew of Spend-th rifts, whom (untill 
 This Plague did fright them) nor Star-Chamber Bill, 
 Nor ftricleft Proclamation, could compell 
 Vpon their owne Inheritance to dwell ; 
 Were now, among their racked Tenants faine 
 To feeke for fhelter ; and to ayre againe 
 Thofe mufly Roomes, which their more thirfty Sires 
 Kept warme and fweet with hofpitable Fires. 
 
 God 
 
 *S5 
 
B R I T T A N's Cant. 2. 
 
 God grant, that where they come, they may do good, 
 
 Among their Tenants, by their neighbourhood. 
 
 Of fome we hopefull are, they will be fuch : 
 
 And of fome others we doe feare as much, 
 
 That by their prefence they will plague them more, 
 
 Then by their willing abfence heretofore. 
 
 In many a mile you fcarce could find a Shed, 
 Or Hovell, but it was inhabited, 
 (Sometime with double Families) and Stalls 
 And Barnes were trimmed up in ftead of Halls. 
 Thofe Burgeffes, that walk'd in Gownes, and Furs, 
 Had got them coats, and fwords, and boots, & fpurs ; 
 And, till you faw them ride, you would have fworne, 
 That, they, for horfemen, might have ferv'd the turn. 
 Thofe Dames, who (out of daintineffe, and Pride) 
 The rufticke plainneffe did (erewhile) deride, 
 (And, at a better lodging, Foh, would cry) 
 Beneath a homely roofe were glad to lye ; 
 And fawne on ev'ry Child, and ev'ry Groome, 
 That, fo they might the welcomer become. 
 
 Thofe, who in all their life-time never went 
 So far, as is the nearefl part of Kent : 
 Thofe, who did never travell, till of late, 
 Halfe way to Pancridge from the City gate : 
 Thofe, who might thinke, the Sun did rife at Bow, 
 And fet at Acton, for ought they did know : 
 And dreame, young Partridge fucke not, but are fed 
 As Lambes, and Rabbets, which of eggs are bred : 
 Ev'n fome of thefe have journeyes ventur'd on 
 Five miles by Land (as farre as Edmunton.) 
 Some hazarded themfelves from Lyon-Key 
 Almofl as far as Erith downe by Sea : 
 Some row'd againft the ftreame, and ftraggled out 
 As far as Hounflow heath, or thereabout : 
 
 Some 
 
 '3 6 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 68 
 
 Some climbed Higk-gate-kilL, and there they fee 
 The world fo large that they amazed be ; 
 Yea, fome are gone fo farre that they doe know 
 Ere this, how Wheat is made, and Malt doth grow. 
 Oh, how they trudg'd, and buftled up and downe, 
 To get themfelves a furlong out of towne. 
 And how they were becumbred, to provide, 
 That had about a mile or two to ride. 
 But when whole houfholds further off were fent, 
 You would have thought the Majler of it, meant 
 To furnifh forth fome Navy, and that he 
 Had got his neighbours venturers to be. 
 For all the neare acquaintance thereabout, 
 By lending fomewhat holpe to fet them out. 
 What hiring was there of our hackney Jades ? 
 What fcouring up of old, and ruily blades ? 
 What running to and fro was there to borrow 
 A Safeguard, or a Cloake, untill the morrow ? 
 What fhift made lack for girths ? what fhift made Gil- 
 To get her neighbors footftoole, & her pillian, {Han 
 Which are not yet return'd ? How great a pother 
 To furnifh, and unfurnifh one another 
 In this great voyage did there then appeare ? 
 And what a time was that for Bankrupts here ? 
 Thofe who had thought (by night) to fteale away, 
 Did unfufpected fhut up fhop by day ; 
 And (if good lucke it in conclufion prove) 
 Two Dangers were efcap'd at one Remove. 
 Some hired Palfreyes for a day, or twain, 
 But rode fo far, they came not backe again e. 
 Some dealed by their neighbours, as the Jewes 
 At their departure did th' /Egyptians ufe : 
 And fome, (with what was of their owne, content) 
 Tooke up their luggage, and away they went. 
 
 And 
 
 '37 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant. 2. 
 
 And had you heard how loud the Coaches rubied ; 
 Beheld how Carres, and Carts, together jumbled ; 
 Seene how the wayes with people thronged were ; 
 The Bands of Foot, the Troupes of Horfemen there ; 
 What multitudes away by Land were fent ; 
 How many thoufands forth by Water went ; 
 And how the wealth of London thence was borne ; 
 You would have wondred ; and (almoft) have fworne 
 The Citie had beene leaving her foundation, 
 And feeking out another fituation ; 
 Or, that fome Enemy with dreadfull pow'r, 
 Was comming to befiege, and to devoure. 
 
 Oh ; foolifh people though I juftly might 
 Authorize thus my Mufe to mock your flight, 
 And ftill to flout your follies : yet, compaffion 
 Shall end it in a kinde expoflulation. 
 
 Why with fuch childifh terror did you try 
 To run from him, from whom you cannot flye ? 
 Why left you fo the place of your abode, 
 Not hailing rather to goe meet your God 
 With true repentance, who for ever hath 
 A mercy for us in his greateft wrath ? 
 Why did you not your lawfull callings keepe ? 
 But ftraggle from your folds like wandring Sheepe, 
 That had no Shepheard ? And, oh, why, I pray, 
 You Shepheards, have you caufed them to ftray ? 
 Your Neighbours why forfooke you in diftreffe ? 
 Why did you leave your brethren comfortleffe ? 
 When God did call for Mourning, why fo faff 
 Did you to feeke for mirth, and pleafures, haft ? 
 And take away from other, when you fled, 
 What in their need, mould them have comforted ? 
 
 If Death be dreadfull, flay, and learne, to die ; 
 For Death affects to follow thofe that flie. 
 
 Had 
 
 138 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 69 
 
 Had you not gone, you might for ever after 
 
 Have faid, That Sorrow profits more then Laughter. 
 
 You fliould have known that Death hath limits here, 
 
 And loofed was, where he did bound appeare : 
 
 That many were preferved in the flame, 
 
 And many burnt, that came not nigh the fame. 
 
 Yea, fome of you, before from hence you went, 
 
 Had, of thefe Truths, got fome experiment. 
 
 What Folly then, or Frenzy you bewitches, 
 
 To leave your houfes, and goe dye in ditches ? 
 
 Forgoe the comfort, which your Citie yeelds, 
 
 To venture for a lodging in the fields 1 
 
 Or (which is worfe) to travell farre, and finde 
 
 Thofe prove ungentle, whom you hoped, kinde ? 
 
 A Plague fo bitter, That might Plagues be chufed 
 
 I would be Plague-ficke, rather then fo ufed. 
 
 Did you fuppofe the Pejlilence would fpare 
 None here, nor come to feaze on any there ? 
 All perifh'd not, that did behinde you flay; 
 Nor did you all efcape, who fled away. 
 For, God your passages had fo befet, 
 That Hee with many thoufands of you met. 
 
 In Kent, and (all along) on Essex fide 
 A Troupe of cruell Fevers did refide : 
 And round about, on ev'ry other Coaft, 
 Of feverall Country-^//^ lay an hoaft. 
 And, mofl of them, who had this place forfooke, 
 Were either flaine by them, or Prisoners tooke. 
 Sometime the Pejlilence her felfe had bin 
 Before them in their Lodging, at their Inne ; 
 And hath arrefted them upon the Bed, 
 Brought many ficke away, and meny dead. 
 Sometime (againe) flie after them hath gone, 
 And when (perchance) flie was not thought upon : 
 
 Among 
 
 139 
 
B R I T T a n's Cant. 2. 
 
 Among their friends, and in their merriment, 
 Hath feiz'd them, to their greater difcontent, 
 She divers apprehended on the way. 
 Who to fo many mifchiefes were a prey ; 
 That pooreft beggers found more pitty here, 
 And leffer griefe, then richer men had there. 
 
 I doe not meane concerning that neglect, 
 That barbarous, unmanly difrefpect 
 Their bodies had among the clownifh crew, 
 When from the tainted flefh the fpirits flew. 
 For, if their carcaffes they did contemne, 
 What harme, or what difeafe was that to them ? 
 What paine, or torment was it, if that they 
 (Like carrion) in the fields, unburied lay ? 
 What felt they, being dragged like a Log, 
 Or hurl'd into a Saw-pit like a Dog? 
 What diiadvantage could that Doclor have, 
 Who (learnedly) was drawne into his grave 
 By naked men 1 fince thofe things doe difgrace 
 The living rather, and doe wrong the place 
 That fuffers, or allowes that barb'roufneffe 
 To fhame the Chriftian Faith, which they profeffe. 
 
 Alas ; my heart as little can bemone 
 A mangled carcaffe, as a broken ftone. 
 It is a living body, and the paines, 
 Which I conceive a broken heart iuftaines, 
 That moveth me : their griefe, in life-time was, 
 And, whilft they liv'd, their forrowes did furpaffe 
 Thefe fained ones, as Death, and loathed Care, 
 By Life, and true Content, excelled are 
 
 Some, who forfooke faire houfes, large, and high ; 
 Could fcarcely get a Shed to keepe them dry ; 
 And fuch, who many beds, and lodgings had, 
 To lye on ftraw without the doores were glad. 
 
 Some 
 
 140 
 
Cant.2. Remembrancer. 70 
 
 Some over tyr'd with wearineffe, and heat, 
 
 Could not, for money, purchafe drink, or meat; 
 
 But cruelly of fuccour were deny'd, 
 
 Till, through their faintneffe, they grew fick and dy'd. 
 
 Some, who in London had beene waited on 
 
 With many fervants, were enclos'd alone 
 
 In folitary places ; where they might 
 
 Find leafure, to repent them of their flight. 
 
 And, when they had fupplyes at any need, 
 
 The bringers did (like thole that Lyons feed) 
 
 Ev'n throw it at them ; or elfe, fome where let it, 
 
 Where (after their departures) they might fet it, 
 
 And many a one (no helper to attend him) 
 
 Was left to live or dye, as God fhould friend him. 
 
 Some, who unwifely did their homes forfake, 
 That triall of the Coimtry they might make ; 
 Have brought their lives to miferable ends 
 Before they could arrive among their friends. 
 Some, having reach'd the places they defir'd, 
 (With no meane difficulty, weake, and tyr'd) 
 Have miffed welcome, where they fought reliefe ; 
 And, ftrucken by unkindneffe, dy'd with Griefe. 
 The fickly Wife, could no affiftance have 
 To bring her Husbands body to the grave. 
 But was compelled, with a grieved heart, 
 To a6l the Parfons, and the Sextons part. 
 And he, that wanted ftrength to beare away 
 His mate, who dead within his prefence lay ; 
 Was faine to let the ftinking body lye, 
 Till he in death fhould beare him company. 
 
 Ah me ; what tongue can tell the many woes, 
 The paffions, and the many grief es of thofe ? 
 What mortall pen is able to expreffe 
 Their great temptations in that lonelineffe ? 
 
 What 
 
 141 
 
BR IT TAN'S Cant. 2. 
 
 What heart can thinke, hoiv many a grieuous feare 
 
 To thofe diflrejjed people may appeare, 
 
 Who are with fiich afflictions over-taken ? 
 
 Of eifry Creature in the world for faken ? 
 
 Without a Comforter left all alone, 
 
 Where to t he mf elves they mufl t hem f elves be mo ne, 
 
 Without a remedy ? And where none may 
 
 Or know, or pitty, what they feele, or fay. 
 
 Me thinkes to mufe on thofe who fuffer'd thus, 
 Should bring to minde the mercy fhewed us, 
 And make our pennes and voyces to expreffe 
 The love of God, with hearty Thankfulneffe. 
 For when no forrowes of mine owne I had, 
 The very thought of thofe hath made me fad. 
 And were it not that God hath given me 
 Some tryalls of thofe Comfortings, which Hee 
 For men in their extremities provides, 
 And from the knowledges of others hides : 
 Or felt I not, how prevalent God's pow'r 
 Appeares in us, when there is none of our : 
 What liberty hee giue's when wee doe fall 
 Within the compaffe of an outward thrall : 
 And what contentments He beftowes on them, 
 Whom others doe neglect, or elfe contemne : 
 Yea, had I not beleeued him who fayes, 
 That God doth knowledge take of all our wayes ; 
 That He obferves each rubb within our path, 
 With ev'ry fecret forrow, which it hath ; 
 That he is neareft then, when we bemone 
 His abfence, and fuppofe him furthefl gone ; 
 And often in us dwels, when Thofe abroad 
 (With mod infulting) fay ; Where is their God? 
 Had this beene hidden from me : I had here 
 For ev'ry line I writ, dropt downe a teare ; 
 
 And 
 
 M 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 71 
 
 And in a floud oiforrowes drench'd mine eyes, 
 When firft I mufed on thefe miferies. 
 
 But I have knowne them, to my great content ; 
 And felt fo oft, what comforts God hath lent, 
 When of all outward helpes we are deprived ; 
 That (could the fame of all men be beleeved) 
 It would be thought, true Pleafures were pofieffed 
 Of none, but men forfaken, and diftreffed. 
 
 How ever ; though fuch mercy God beflowes, 
 And brings men comfort in their greateft woes ; 
 Let none of us prefume, (as fome have done) 
 Without our Circle, foolifhly to runne ; 
 Nor leave our proper flat ion, that we may 
 Go feeke our fortunes in an uncouth way. 
 
 Conceive me right ; I doe not here deny, 
 Or call in doubt the lawfulneffe, to flye : 
 Nor am I of their counfell, who defpife 
 All fuch as fled : nor, judge I too precife 
 Thofe, who the Per/on, or the Place avoid, 
 Which is with any noyfomneffe armoy'd. 
 For, when the caufes of remove, are juft, 
 We then may flye the Plague ; nay, then we muft ; 
 Since thofe who will not, (in fuch cafes) goe, 
 Tempt God, and faile in what they ought to doe. 
 If that a King, or Prince, fhould live within 
 A City much infected, it were fin, 
 For he (no doubt) hath fome Vice-gerent there 
 Who, in his abfence, may fupply his care : 
 Or, if that Place were certaine of decay 
 By his departure ; yet he might not ftay. 
 The Reafon is ; there many thoufands are 
 Of Townes, and Cities, that in him have fhare. 
 Who, would conceive, it were unjuftly done, 
 That he fhould venter all their wealth in One. 
 
 And 
 
 14; 
 
B R I T T A n's Cant. 2. 
 
 And make great Kingdomcs hazards to endure, 
 
 The welfare of one City to procure. 
 
 So, Counfellcrs of State, and he, whofe charge, 
 
 Extends throughout the Common wealth at large, 
 
 With ev'ry other Magijlrate befide, 
 
 (Except his pow'r to fome one place be try'd) 
 
 Muft fhun the Plague ; becaufe that fuch, as he, 
 
 Sworne fervants to the whole Wealc-publique be. 
 
 And fince the fafeft Phyficke and defence 
 
 For Children, in the times of Pefdlencc, 
 
 Is to remove them : they unwifely do, 
 
 Who, having wealth, and friends to fend them to, 
 
 Neglect the meanes, by being over nice ; 
 
 Or grudging at the charge, through avarice. 
 
 Moreover they, whofe calling feemes to lye 
 
 Within two fev'rall places, equally, 
 
 (Till fome plaine caufes hinder) may be free 
 
 To live where fafety beft appeares to be : 
 
 Vnleffe their fecret confcience doe gaine-fay ; 
 
 And who can judge of that, but God, and They ? 
 
 Yea, Men, on divers good occafions mo, 
 May from the places of Infection goe. 
 For there be times oijlay, and times of going, 
 Which, ev'ry one (that is difcreet) well knowing, 
 Doth cenfure no partic'lar Man, at all : 
 But calling unto mind, that bleffed Paul 
 Was once ev'n in a basket forth convay'd 
 From his Purfuers ; yet no iot afraid 
 (At other feafons) to continue there, 
 Where bloody perfecutions hotteft were. 
 And if my words have done my meaning right, 
 My Mufe denyes not, but zWoweXh flight: 
 Provided alwayes, that Men doe not flie 
 From Cafuall Plagues, to Plagues with Certainty : 
 
 From 
 
 144 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 72 
 
 From thofe with whom the bands of Charity, 
 
 Of Duty, FriendJJiip, or Affinity, 
 
 Or of their Calling, doth require a flay. 
 
 Provided alfo, when they part away, 
 
 That as God blell them hath, they fomewhat finde, 
 
 To comfort thofe, who muft abide behinde ; 
 
 And, that they truft not to their Flight, as tho, 
 
 That, of it felfe could fave : but, rather know, 
 
 And ufe it as the gracious meanes of him, 
 
 Who faves ; and, not as that which faved them. 
 
 Let them confider likewife, that the Sin 
 Was partly theirs, which did the Plague begin ; 
 And, in their abfence (with a Chriftian feare) 
 Make fure for thofe, who muft the burthen beare, 
 From which they fcape : yea, let them all confeffe 
 Their fmnes with penitence and humbleneffe ; 
 Avoiding ev'ry pleafure, where they live, 
 Which out of minde, their Brethrens cares may drive ; 
 Let God purfue them whither they are fled ; 
 There feize upon them to their greater dread ; 
 Or from them take away all due correction, 
 Which Plague were greater then this great Infeclion. 
 For, when his Judgements, God, in wrath, removes, 
 His Mercy, then, the greater Judgement proves. 
 
 There be, I know, fome people gone away, 
 Who minding our afflictions, night and day, 
 Have much bewayled our diftreffed cafe, 
 And fent up earned prayers for this Place : 
 For, of their Piety good fruits are feene, 
 And, by their hands, the poore refrefht have beene. 
 Thefe, from this Den of Slaughter, were (no doubt) 
 By Gods efpeciall favour called out, 
 Who, for their fakes, I hope, thofe townes will fpare, 
 To which, for flielter, they efcaped are, 
 
 G As 
 
 MS 
 
B r I T T a n's Cant. 2. 
 
 As he did Zoar. And I wifh they may 
 Obtaine their lives, and fafeties for a prey. 
 
 But, there be fome ; (and would to God, that fome 
 Were but a little one) who parted from 
 Our City walls, as if they had not gone 
 With Vengeance at their heeles ; or waited on 
 By feares and dangers ; but, fo finifi'd, 
 As if their meaning was, to fhew their pride 
 In Country Churches, for a weeke or twaine, 
 Ride out like Cockneies, and come home againe : 
 
 The forrowes of their brethren they forgot ; 
 In holy duties they delighted not : 
 In drunken meetings they their leafure fpent ; 
 In idle vifits; fooliih merriment: 
 And, to their Country-friends they caried downe 
 Thofe finnes that are too common in this Towne. 
 Which (if they practife there, as here we doe) 
 Will bring their wages, alfo, thither too. 
 
 Thefe giddy Runnawayes, are they that were 
 Beginners of that great unmanly feare, 
 Which did firft author of diforder prove. 
 Thefe, caufed that improvident Remove, 
 Which did both wrong the welfare of the Citie, 
 Diftracl: the Country, make it voyd of pitie ; 
 And, give occafion of thofe Tales which Fame 
 Hath now difperfed, to our common fhame. 
 For, if their flight had timely beene provided, 
 (VVith Confcience and Difcretion truly guided) 
 Their profit here at home had beene the greater, 
 And, friends abroad, had entertain'd them better. 
 
 And, yet I take fmall pleafure to excufe 
 Thofe Pefants, who fo grofly did abufe 
 Their Manhood and Religion, in denying 
 The dues of Charity, to people dying. 
 
 For 
 
 146 
 
Cant. 2. Remembrancer. 73 
 
 For, though their folly might their fall deferve, 
 
 Yet we our Chriftian pitie fhould preferve, 
 
 Our brother in extremities releeving ; 
 
 Not adding forrowes to encreafe his grieving, 
 
 Nor taking notice of his evill deeds, 
 
 So much, as of that comfort which he needs : 
 
 Till, he refrefhed by a friendly hand, 
 
 His errors, by our love, may underftand. 
 
 And, fure, there was a meanes to fuccour flrangers 
 In their diftreffe, and to efcape the dangers 
 Of that Infeclion, (which fo much was feared) 
 Had Vnderftandings eye beene better cleared ; 
 And, that Selfe love, and Avarice, removed, 
 Which kept good paths unfeene, and unapproved. 
 But, fince that eafie knowledge hath beene hid, 
 By wilfull blindneffe, well enough I did, 
 If, here, I (Satyrizing) fhould expreffe 
 The Countries folly, and forgetfulneffe. 
 
 And yet, I will not write, to their difgraces, 
 What of" fome Perfons, and particular Places 
 Hath rumour'd beene : left I fhould fpirt a blot 
 So blacke, as that it would not be forgot 
 In future Ages ; but, make Times-to-come, 
 Sufpecl, they had deny'd their Cliri/lendome. 
 For, fhould our Mufe (who, if fhe lift thereto, 
 Cares not who frownes, or frets, at what we doe) 
 Should fhe put on that ftraine of Bittern effe, 
 With which their cruelty we could expreffe .• 
 Should we in our defcription of their Feare, 
 Caufe all their Indifcretion to appeare : 
 Should we illuftrate here, the true Relations, 
 Of what hath paft in many Corporations : 
 What uproares in fome Tozuncs have raifed beene, 
 When Londoners, approaching them, were leene : 
 
 G 2 How 
 
 147 
 
Brittan's Cant. 2, 
 
 How mafter Maior was ftraightway flockt about ; 
 How they to Counfell went to keepe them out ; 
 How they their watches doubled, as if fome 
 Had brought them newes that Spinola would come : 
 And what ridiculous actions paft among them ; 
 Some few, perhaps, wold think that we did wrog the ; 
 And, they would fubjecTs be of fcorne, and laughter, 
 For all their evill willers, ever after. 
 
 Or, mould we tell what probable fufpition 
 Appear'd, fometime, of wifedome and difcretion, 
 In goodman Conjlable ; when, in a Handing, 
 To wind-ward from the Rode (& there commanding 
 Browne bills, and Halberts) he examined 
 Such Travellers as from the City fled : 
 And (at the very lookes of them affrighted) 
 Sent feeble women, weary and benighted, 
 (Without or meat or drink) to try the fields 
 What Charity, their better nature yeelds. 
 If this we told, it might goe hard, when we 
 Should apprehended in their Watches, be. 
 
 Or lhould we fhew, what policies did pleafe 
 The wifdome of fome ruftick Iuflices ; 
 Defcribe that wondrous witty ftratagem 
 Which for a while was praclifed by them 
 To ftarve the Plague ; how Chriftianly they fought 
 That no provifions hither might be brought ; 
 Should we produce their Orders, which of late 
 Were put in ure, and wife men laughed at : 
 Or, publifh to the world what we have heard 
 Of their demeanors, when they were afeard : 
 How they were fool'd by fome of them that fled : 
 What courfe was taken to interre their dead : 
 How, he who for that worke could hired be, 
 Was for his labour, chained to a tree 
 
 A 
 
 148 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 74 
 
 A full month after : how, they forced fome 
 From their fweet wholfome houfes forth to come ; 
 And (being fick and weake) to make their bed 
 Within a paltry new erected Shed, 
 Compos'd of clods ; which neere fome Common fide 
 Their charitable JVotftiips did provide : 
 Or, mould I on fome other matters touch 
 Which I have heard ; it would enlarge too much 
 This booke : and fome of thofe, perhaps, perplex, 
 Whom I defire to counfell, not to vex. 
 But, I from aggravations will forbeare, 
 And, thofe their overfights, at this time, fpare. 
 For, fome (although moft others did not fo) 
 Their love and Chriftian piety did fhow, 
 In counfelling, in cherifhing, in giving, 
 And, in the wifeft manner of releeving. 
 Befide ; I love the Country, as I pitie 
 The forrowes and afflictions of the Citie. 
 And (fince they both are guilty) being loth 
 To fide with either ; I the faults of both 
 Have fhewed, fo, that neither I abufe. 
 Now, they that like it may ; the reft may chufe. 
 
 The third Canto. 
 
 The Houfe of MOVRNING, which moftfeare, 
 
 ( And flye fo much) is praifcd here. 
 
 Itftiowes that outward Ioyes and Care, 
 
 Nor meerly good, nor evill, are ; 
 
 But things indifferent ; which the wife 
 
 Nor over-praife, nor underprize. 
 
 7'he ftrife within our Authors brefl 
 About his (lay, is next expreft. 
 Then doth it orderly recite 
 
 G 3 What 
 
 M9 
 
Brittan's Cant 3. 
 
 What Reafon argu'dfor his flight : 
 
 What Faith alleaged, to reprove 
 The Motives urging his remove : 
 
 What hxmtsfor him.JJie did prepare, 
 
 To bide thejliock of Death, and Feare : 
 
 What proof e JJie to his Confcience made, 
 That, he a lawfull Calling had, 
 In ntidfl of this great Plague to tary, 
 By Warrant-extraordinary : 
 
 What, thereupon he did conclude : 
 
 What Ioy, and Confidence enfiid : 
 How much this Favour he doth prife, 
 Above Earths glorioufl Vanities : 
 How he his Time defircs to ffeud: 
 Andfo, this CANTO hath an end. 
 
 HOw childifli is the World ! and what a path 
 Her Throng of braine-fick Lovers trodden hath ! 
 Like brutifh herds they troupe along together, 
 Both led, and leading on, they know not whither. 
 Much hoping, where no ground of Hope appeares, 
 Much fearing, where indeed, there are no feares. 
 In thofe things pleafed, which true Mirth deftroy : 
 For that thing grieved which procureth Ioy : 
 Moil fhunning, what might bring moft gain unto the; 
 And feeking moft, for what would moft undoo them. 
 
 How few are fo cleare fighted, as to fee 
 What pleafures mingled with afflictions be ? 
 Or what contentments doe concealed lye, 
 Behinde the feeming dangers which they flye ? 
 How few have, by experience, underftood 
 That God hath fent their troubles for their good ? 
 How few confider, to what fearfull ends, 
 " The faire fmooth way, of eafefull Pleafure tends ? 
 
 And 
 
 15° 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 75 
 
 And, therefore, oh ! how few adventure dare 
 Where Mournings, rather then where Laughters are ? 
 
 Though God himfelfe prefer the houfe of Griefe, 
 Before vaine Mirth ; and Pleafures of this life 
 Hath termed Thonies, that choke the heav'nly feed : 
 Yet few of us hath taken fo much heed 
 Of what the facred Volume doth record, 
 (And, flefh and blood) diftrufteth fo the word 
 Of his firme Truth) that blindly we purfue 
 Our owne vaine counfels, and his Tracl efchew. 
 
 Tis therefore doubtfull, it would vaine appeare, 
 If I fhould labour to difcover here, 
 How many fecret pleafures I have feene 
 While in the Cels of Mourning I have beene. 
 And, what contentments God bellowed hath, 
 When I have walkt the folitary path 
 Of Difrefpecl ; faffaulted by thofe feares, 
 "Which oft affront us in this Vale of tear es.) 
 Or what prevailing hopes I have poffeffed, 
 When T, beyond all hope, have feem'd oppreffed. 
 For, vulgar men, doe fuch exprefhons hold 
 To be but idle Paradoxes, told 
 
 By thofe, who grown diftemper'd, through fome grief 
 Vent melancholy paffions, paft beleefe. 
 And as our Vpland Pefants, from the fhores 
 Beholding how the Sea fwels, fomes, and rores, 
 Iudge foolifhly, that ev'ry Seaman raves, 
 Who talkes of mirth and fafety on the waves : 
 So, they will fondly paffe their doome on me, 
 Who ftrangers to the Seas of Sorrow be. 
 
 But, though the world allow not what I fay, 
 Yet, that the Love of God, proclaime I may; 
 That, I may juftify him in his Word', 
 That for mine owne availe I may record 
 
 G 4 What 
 
 J5i 
 
Brittan's Cant. i. 
 
 What I have feene : and that experience might 
 
 Encreafe my hopes, and hope put feare to flight, 
 
 In future fuffrings : here I teftifie, 
 
 (And Heav'n is witneffe, I affirme no lye) 
 
 My foule did never feele more ravifhment, 
 
 Nor ever tafted of more true content, 
 
 Then when my heart, nigh broke with fecret paine, 
 
 Hath borne as much as e're it could fuftaine ; 
 
 And ftrugled with my paffions, till it had 
 
 Attained to be excellently fad. 
 
 Yea, when I teares have powred out, where none 
 
 Was witneffe of my griefe but God alone, 
 
 He hath infufed pleafures into me, 
 
 Which feldome can in publike tailed be. 
 
 Such Griefe is Comforts Mother. And I mow 
 
 Oft times with mirth, what I in teares did fow. 
 
 Before my eyes were dryed ; I have had 
 
 More caufe of finging then of being fad. 
 
 The Lampe in darkeft places gives moft. light ; 
 
 And trueft Ioyes arife from Sorrowes night. 
 
 My Cares are Blef/ed Thijllcs, unto me, 
 
 Which wholefome are, although they bitter be : 
 
 And though their leaves with pricks be overgrowne, 
 
 (Which paine me) yet their flowres are full of down, 
 
 Whereon my head lyes eafie when I fleepe : 
 
 And I am never faddeft when I weepe. 
 
 Yet, long it was before I could attaine 
 This Myjlery : Nor doth it appertaine 
 To all. For, ev'n as Sarah had not leave 
 Within her body Ifack to conceive, 
 (Which laughter fignifies) untill in her 
 Thofe cuftomes failed which in women are : 
 So, in our foules, true Ioyes are not conceived, 
 Till we by fome afflictions are bereaved 
 
 Of 
 
 1^2 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. j6 
 
 Of carnall appetites, and ceafe from fuch 
 Vaine pleafures as affect us overmuch. 
 
 To little purpofe doe they looke for thefe 
 Conceptions, who are evermore at eafe. 
 Such comforts are of thofe but rarely found, 
 VVhofe wheele of Fortune never runneth round. 
 No foule can apprehend what maketh glad 
 The grieved heart, but his that griefe hath had, 
 And various interchanges : nor can he 
 Who knowes the joyes that in fuch forrowes be 
 As thefe I meane, a true contentment take 
 In any merriment, this world can make : 
 (No not in all her pleafures) if among 
 Her fweets, there fliould be fharpneffe wanting long. 
 For (being fearfull that his bodies reft 
 The foules true peace might fecretly moleft) 
 His mirth would make him dull : his being jolly 
 (As worldlings are) would make him melancholy : 
 And (if no other caufe be thought upon) 
 Would grieve, becaufe the fenfe of griefe were gone. 
 
 Whilft I have gallopt on in that Career ; 
 Which youth, in freedome, fo affecteth here ; 
 And had the moft delightfull blandifhment, 
 My youth could yeed me for my hearts content : 
 When I in handfome robes have beene araid, 
 (My Tailor, and my Mercer being paid) 
 When daily I on change of dainties fed ; 
 Lodg'd, night by night, upon an eafie bed, 
 In lordly Chambers ; and had therewithall 
 Attendants forwarder then I to call, 
 Who brought me all things needfull : when at hand ; 
 Hounds, Hawkes, and Horfes were at my command : 
 When chufe I did my walks, on hills, in vallies, 
 In Groves, neere Springs, or in fweet garden allies : 
 
 G 5 Repo- 
 
Brittan's Cant. i. 
 
 Repofing either in a naturall fhade, 
 Or in neat Arbors, which by Art were made : 
 When I might have requir'd without deniall, 
 The Lute, the Organ, or deepe-founding Viole, 
 To cheere my fpirits ; with what elfe befide 
 Was pleafant : when my friends did this provide 
 Without my coft or labour : Nay, when all 
 Thofe pleafures I have fhared, which befall 
 In praifes, or kinde welcommings, among 
 My deareft friends ; my foule retain'd nor long 
 Nor perfect reft, in thofe imperfect things : 
 But, often droupt amid their promifings, 
 Grew dull, and fickly : and, contrariwife 
 Hath pleafed beene in want, and miferies. 
 
 For, when long time, ev'n all alone they laid me, 
 Where ev'ry outward comfort was denayd me : 
 To many cares and wants unknowne obtruded ; 
 From fellowship of all mankinde excluded ; 
 Expos'd to flandrous cenfures, and difgrace ; 
 Subjected to contempts, and ufage bafe; 
 With Tortures threatned, and what thofe attends ; 
 By Greatmen frown'd on ; blamed of my Friends ; 
 Infulted on by Foes ; and almoft brought 
 To that for which their malice chiefly fought : 
 Ev'n then, my fpirits mounted to their height, 
 And my Contentment flew her higheft flight. 
 
 In thofe difeafmgs, I'more joy received, 
 Then can from all things mortall be conceived. 
 In that contemn'd eftate, fo much was cleared 
 My Reafons eye ; and God fo bright appeared 
 To my dim-fighed Faith ; that, lo, he turned 
 My Griefes to Triumphs. Yea, me thought, I fcorned 
 To labour for afiiftance from abroad, 
 Or beg for any favour, but from God. 
 
 I 
 
 *54 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 77 
 
 I fear'd not that which others thought I feared ; 
 Nor felt I paine, in that which fharpe appeared : 
 But, had fuch inward quiet in my breft, 
 Till outward eafe made way to my unreft ; 
 That, all my Troubles feemed but a Toy. 
 Yea, my Affliction fo encreaft my ioy, 
 That more I doubted loffe of my content, 
 By lofing of my clofe imprifonment, 
 Then ever I can feare the bodies thrall, 
 Or any mifchiefe which attend it fhall. 
 
 For, as if fome Antipathy arofe 
 Betwixt the pleafures of the world, and thofe 
 Enjoyed then ; I found true ioyes begin 
 To iffue out, as they were entring in. 
 Till others brought me hopes of my Releafe, 
 I fcarcely held it worth my hopefulneffe. 
 I had no frighting dreames, no waking care : 
 I tooke no thought for meat, nor what to weare ; 
 I fleighted frownes, and I defpis'd the threat 
 Of fuch as threatned, were they meane or great. 
 I laught at dreadfull Rumours, and difdained 
 Of any fuffrings to have then complained. 
 I valued not a jot the vulgar doome, 
 Nor what men prated might of me become. 
 I minded no fuch trifles, wherewith you, 
 And I, and others, are oft bufied now .• 
 But, being, as it were exiled, then, 
 From living in the world, with other men, 
 Twixt God, and mine owne Confcience, to and fro, 
 My thoughts, in a quotidian walke, did go. 
 With Contemplations, I was then infpired, 
 Befeeming one that wholly was retyred. 
 I thought, like him, that was to live alone ; 
 I did like him, that had to doe with none. 
 
 And 
 
 :>s 
 
B r i t t a n's Cant. 3. 
 
 And, of all outward actions left the care 
 Vnto the world, and thofe who lived there. 
 
 Nor hath God onely pleafed beene to (how 
 What comforts from a private griefe may flow, 
 But, that a new experience might be taught me, 
 He to the houfe of Publike-forrow brought me 
 In this late Peftilence. And, there I faw 
 Such inward joy commixt with outward awe; 
 Things bitter with fuch fweetneffes allaid ; 
 Such, pleafures, into forrowes cup convaid ; 
 Such hrme-ajj/rrance, in the greateft dangers ; 
 Such frie/idlines, when others friends were ftrangers; 
 Such freedome in reftraint ; fuch eafe in paine ; 
 Such life in death, and ev'ry feare fo vaine, 
 (Which outwardly affrights) that Pleafures Court 
 Would halfe be robbed of her large refort, 
 (And fland leffe vifited J if men could fee 
 What profits in the Cels of Sorrow be. 
 
 For, he that knew what wifedome there is had, 
 Would fay that mirth were foolifh, laughter mad : 
 That eafe perpetuall bringeth endleffe paine: 
 That carnall/<?y arives at hope in vaine: 
 That, from all outward, perils to be free, 
 May prove moft perillous : that, health may be 
 That Q\e&o\Y eft. ficknefje : that, our pleafures are 
 But pit-falls : our fecurity a fnare ; 
 And, that fometimes thofe things to which we run, 
 May bane us more, then thofe we feeke to fhun. 
 
 I found it fo. And, in my blamed flay, 
 (Whilfl others from the Plague made hafle away) 
 I gained fome renewings of that reft, 
 Whereof I had beene formerly poffeft. 
 It forced folly, further to depart : 
 It brought Gods mercies nearer to my heart : 
 
 Brave 
 
 156 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 78 
 
 Brave combats in my foule did then begin, 
 Which I tooke courage from, and pleafure in. 
 New trialh of my Frailty did befall ; 
 And, of Gods love, I had new proofes withall. 
 In all my discontentments, fuch contents, 
 And of Gods workings, fuch experiments 
 Vouchfafed were , that crowned fhould I live, 
 With all thofe glorious wreathes that Kings can give, 
 And had by them obtain'd each happineffe, 
 Which worldlings in their greatneffe doe poffeffe ; 
 1 would not fell the comfort of my flay 
 For that, and all which thofe imagine may. 
 
 Nor doe I over-prife the fame, altho, 
 The ignorance of fome will think I doe : 
 For, it hath left within me, ever hnce, 
 Of Gods firme love, fo ftrong a confidence, 
 That, whatfoever accidents betide, 
 I hope to ftand the better fortifi'd 
 Whilft here I live : and that no time to come 
 Can fend me to a place, fo perilfome, 
 That I fhall feare it ; or, to undergoe 
 The dreadfuH'ft perills man can fall into ; 
 If that my calling doe oblige me to it, 
 Or God, in Iuftice, make me undergoe it. 
 In other cafes, I expect no more, 
 But, rather, leffe imboldning then before. 
 
 For, he that any dangerous taske affumes, 
 Without good warrant, foolifhly prefumes ; 
 Tempts God ; and juftly periiheth, unleffe 
 The veile of Mercy hide his wilfulneffe. 
 Yea, they who over defp'rately have dar'd 
 Bold things at firft ; at laft have bafely fear'd, 
 Repenting their foole-hardineffe, in vaine, 
 When hope was loft, of turning back againe. 
 
 For, 
 
 '57 
 
Brit tan's Cant. 3. 
 
 For, though from dangers, griefes, and miferies, 
 Far greater comforts oftentimes arife, 
 Then from profperity (if we attend 
 Gods pleafure, and accept what he doth fend) 
 Yet, of themfelves, nor pa ines, nor pleafures can 
 Felicitate ; nor is the wit of man 
 So perfect, that precifely he doth know 
 His owne jufl temper, or his nature fo, 
 As to appoint himfelfe, what will be needing 
 Of weak, or woe, (nought wanting, or exceeding) 
 And therefore, as fome man hath by affecting 
 Eafe, wealth, or temp'rall fame, (without refpecting 
 Gods pleafure) often perifhed by that 
 Which his unbounded will hath reached at ; 
 So, they who fhall that eafe or wealth contemne 
 (Which God by lawfull meanes doth offer them) 
 And they, who fhall unthankfully refufe, 
 Of any outward bleffing, meanes to ufe, 
 (Through difcontent, felfe truft, or wilfull pride) 
 When they might honeftly thofe meanes provide ; 
 Ev'n both of thefe are guilty of offence, 
 Againft the wife eternall Providence : 
 And are in danger to be left of God, 
 In thofe mifleading paths which they have trod. 
 Thefe things I mufed ; and in heart revolved 
 A thoufand more, before I was refolved 
 To keepe in London, where men draw no breath 
 But that which menaced the bodies death. 
 And, feeing, many have condemn'd the fact 
 As an unwarrantable, foolifh, act : 
 Since, it may teach them to forbeare to give 
 Their Verdicl, till they Evidence receive : 
 Since, thus to mention it, a meanes may be, 
 To build againe the like Refolves in me 
 
 When 
 
Cant.^. Remembrancer. 79 
 
 When future perill fo requireth it ; 
 
 And when, perhaps, this minde, I may forget : 
 
 Yea, fince the manner of it, may, perchance, 
 
 Deliver others from fome ignorance, 
 
 And help their Chriftian Refolutions out, 
 
 When they are thrall'd with carnall feare, or doubt : 
 
 Ev'n for thefe caufes, (and to glorifie 
 
 The pow'r of God in this my victory) 
 
 I will relate what Reafons made me flay : 
 
 What hopes they were, which drove my feares away : 
 
 And, with what circumftances, I obtained 
 
 That knowledg, which my fhakiiig Faith maintained. 
 
 When I perceiv'd the PESTILENCE to rage 
 In ev'ry ftreet, nor fparing fex nor age ; 
 How from their City hive, like Bees in May, 
 The fearfull Citizens did fwarme away : 
 How fail our Gentry hailed to be gone ; 
 How often I was urg'd and call'd upon, 
 To beare them company : what fafeties were 
 By abfence promifl ; what great terrors here 
 My death did menace : how, by timely flight 
 I might behold my Country with delight : 
 How nothing could be gotten by my flay, 
 But want, and new afflictions ev'ry day : 
 With fuch like difad vantages, which brought, 
 A hundred other mufmgs to my thought. 
 They made it feeme, a while, well worth reproving, 
 To ftay, a minute, longer from removing. 
 
 But, then my Confcience alfo did begin 
 To draw fuch pow'rfull Motives, from within ; 
 And, to propofe before my underftanding 
 Such Reafons, my departure countermanding, 
 As made me flagger, and new doubts to make, 
 What courfe it befl behoved me to take. 
 
 At 
 
 r 59 
 
Brittan's Cant 3. 
 
 At firft, I thought by counfell from the Wife, 
 
 To build up my Refiolves, and to advife 
 
 By their opinions what I fhould purfue ; 
 
 But, of the graveft I perceiv'd fo few 
 
 Who could advife themfelves ; that I grew more 
 
 Divided by their counfels, then before. 
 
 I faw fuch foolifhneffe, and fuch diftraclions, 
 
 Appeare among them in their words and actions ; 
 
 That I perceiv'd they had enough to doe, 
 
 Their owne particulars to looke unto. 
 
 Then, guided by example would I be ; 
 But, that I quickly found no Rule for me ; 
 For, they who in opinion do confent, 
 Oft differ, in the active Prefident. 
 And fome, who have a tongue the truth to fay, 
 Have wafted grace to walke the fafeft way. 
 
 Befide, mens actions, which indifferent are, 
 May foolifh, wife, or bad, or good appeare, 
 As their unknown e occanons are who doe them ; 
 And, fmall refpect is to be had unto them, 
 By way of Prefident, till we can finde 
 Their outward motives, and their fecret minde. 
 
 This heeding; and ftill waxing more molefted, 
 With diff'ring thoughts, and reafons undifgefted, 
 I knew no better way, then to repaire 
 For counfell unto God, by humble Prafir ; 
 Befeeching his direction, how to take 
 That courfe, which for his glory molt fhould make. 
 And he (I think) was pleafed to fuggeft, 
 That if I askt my Confidence what was beft, 
 His Word and Spirit would informe her fo, 
 That fhe fhould (hew me what was beft to do. 
 
 Then, from the noife of other mens perfwafions, 
 (From fielfe-conceit, and from thofe vaine occafions, 
 
 Which 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 80 
 
 Which bring difturbances) I did retire, 
 Gods pleafure, of my Confcience, to enquire. 
 Who, finding in my breft a ftrong contention 
 Twixt Faith and Reafon ; and, how their diffention 
 Was firft to be compofed (that I might 
 The fooner underftand the truth aright) 
 She call'd a Court within me ; fummon'd thither 
 Thofe Pow'rs, and all thofe Faculties together, 
 Which Tenants are in chiefe unto the Souk : 
 Their faulty inclinations did controule : 
 And, that fhe might not without profit chide, 
 Some ill advifed courfes rectifi'd. 
 
 Then will'd fhe FAITH and REASON "to debate 
 Their Caufe at large : and, that which they, of late, 
 Had urg'd confufedly within my breft, 
 She will'd them, into Method, to digeft : 
 That fo, my Iudgement might the better fee, 
 To whether part I fhould enclined be 
 They both obey'd. And, RE A SON (who fuppos'd 
 Delay bred danger^ haftily compos'd 
 Thofe many ftrong perfwafions, wherewithall 
 She did my perfon from the City call ; 
 Before my Confcience, them in order laid, 
 And (as halfe angry) thus me thought fhe faid. 
 
 What meanejl thou, thus fondly, out offeafon, 
 To fliew thy boldnejfc in contempt of Reafon ? 
 Why art thou alwayes thefe mad courfes taking 1 
 Thy lines, and Aclions, Paradoxes making ? 
 Why thus purftfft thou what to mine tends, 
 To glad thy foes, aud dif content thy friends ? 
 By making wilde adventures, to the blame 
 Of thy blinde Faith, and my perpctuall fliame ? 
 Is't not enough, that by thy little caring 
 To humor Foolcs, and by thy over daring 
 
 To 
 
 161 
 
Brittan's Cant. i. 
 
 To beard proud Vices, thou haft lately croft 
 Thy way to riches, and preferment loft? 
 Zs't not enough, that when thou doft become 
 The fcorne of Fooles, thou wert delivered from 
 A masked Hate, etfn in that day, and place, 
 Which Malice had afftgrfdfor thy difgrace ? 
 Andfawft theftiame of that unjuft Intentio)i 
 Alight on him who plotted that Invention ? 
 lit not enough, that thou efcaped haft 
 Through many wants and perils undifgradd, 
 When thy advenfrous Mufe drew doiune upon thee 
 Thofe Troubles which were like to have undone thee ? 
 Suffice not thefe, unleffe thou now affay 
 A needleffe acl ? and foole thy life away 
 By tempting Heav'n, in wilfull flaying there, 
 Where, in thy face grim death doth alway flare? 
 
 Looke what thou doft, and well obferve thine errors, 
 For, thou art round about, enclosed with terrors. 
 And if thou be not flupid thou maift fee 
 That there is caufe thou ftwuldft affrighted be. 
 Doft thou not fmell the vapours of the Grave ? 
 Doft thou not heare thy plague-ficke neighbours rave ? 
 Doft thou not taft infeclion in the Aire ? 
 Doft thou not view fad objecls of defpaire ? 
 Doft thou not feele thy vitall pow J rs aff ailed? 
 Doft thou not fin de thy fpirits often quailed? 
 Or with thy judgement haft thou loft thy fenfe, 
 That thou doft make no greater fpeed from hence ? 
 
 Mar he there, how f aft with Corpfes they do throng! 
 See yonder, how the Shadowes, pajfe along. 
 Behold, juft now, a man before thee dies : 
 Behinde thy back, another breathleffe lies. 
 That Bell, now ringing, foundeth out the Knell 
 Of him, whom thou didft leave, laft ev'ning, well. 
 
 Lo, 
 
 162 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 8i 
 
 Lo, he that for his life, lyes gafping, there, 
 Is one of thofe zvho thy companions were 
 This very morning. And, fee, fee, the Man 
 Thafs talking to thee, lookcth pale, and wan, 
 Isfick to death ; and, if thou doe not run 
 For helpe, will die before his tale be done. 
 
 Yet, art thou not afraid ? I prethee, tell 
 Why mightfl thou not have beetle that man as well? 
 Though he this minute hath prevented thee, 
 Why maifl not thou, the next that followes be ? 
 Why fliouldfl not thou as quickly drop away, 
 Since, fleOi and blood thou art, as frail as they ? 
 What can thy fpeedy diffolution hinder, 
 Since thy complexion is as apt as tinder 
 To take that Flame ? And, if it feize thee mufl, 
 What art thou better, then a heap of dufll 
 
 There is no Conflitution, Sex, Degree, 
 Or Age of man, from this contagion free. 
 Nor canfl thou get an Antidote to fit 
 For all Infection, though, perhaps, thy wit 
 Could learne thy temper fo, as not to 7vrong 
 Thy health, by things too weak, or over flrong. 
 
 For, men oft change the temper they JJwuld hold, 
 Are fo?7ieti?)ie hot ; fometime againe are cold \ 
 One while arefprightly, otherivhile are dull ; 
 Are now too empty, and anon too full : 
 That, tis a doubtfull, and a curious all, 
 To adde a juft proportion, and fubflracl 
 (In ufing outward meanes of prefervation) 
 According to the bodies variation. 
 And, many, therein failing, lofe their lives, 
 By wrong, or mifapplfd Prefervatives. 
 
 Thouflialt have, therefore, but uncertaine hopes 
 From Druggifts, or Apothecary flwps. 
 
 To 
 
 .6: 
 
B R I T T A n's Cant. 
 
 To warrantize thy health, if thou on thofc 
 
 In flaying here, thy confidence repofe. 
 
 And fare, thou neither harborfl fuch a thought, 
 
 That, thou of any better fluff e art wrought 
 
 Then other men : nor truflefl unto Charm es, 
 
 To keepe off this Difeafe from doing h amies : 
 
 Tor, thofe unhallowed Med'cines, and impure, 
 
 Breed greater Plagues, then thofe they feeme to cure. 
 
 Nor art thou, of that Brotherhood, which fees 
 The Booke of Gods particular Decrees; 
 And Gypfie like (by hcathnifli Palmiftry, 
 Or by the lines of Phifiognomy) 
 Conjectures dareth not alone to give, 
 Who of this Plague fliall dye, or who fliall live : 
 But alfo wickedly, prefumes to tell 
 Which man fliall goe to heaihi, and which to hell : 
 Of thefe /know thou art hot. For, as yet 
 I hope thou ha fl not fo forgone thy wit : 
 To credit their Minding prophanations, 
 Which are but fantofmes of illuminations 
 Begot in thefe late Ages (by mifchance) 
 Betwixt much pride, and zealous ignorance. 
 
 Thou dofl not think thy merits greater are 
 Then other mens, that God thy lifefliouldfpare. 
 Nor canfl thou hope thy fafeiy to poffeffe, 
 For that thy follies or thy finnes are leffe. 
 Since if thou hadfl but one time beene mi fled, 
 Thy life for that one time were forfeited. 
 And, this Difeafe, with outward marks, dothflrike 
 The Righteous, and the Wicked, both alike. 
 
 TJien,fince thou art a Sinner, and art fure, 
 That flnne didfirfl this Peftilence procure : 
 Since thou maifl alfo juflly fay with grief e, 
 That, thou of all tranfgreffors art the chief e : 
 
 Since 
 
 164 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 82 
 
 Since thy offences fome of tJwfe have bin, 
 Which helpe to bring this great Infe<5lion in : 
 Nay ; fince it may be ( if thou fearch thy heart) 
 That thou a principall among than art, 
 Who from the Ship mufl lonas-lihe be throzvne, 
 Before this Temped will be over blozvne : 
 Why doth it not thy guilty foule d if may, 
 And make thee haflen more toflye away ? 
 
 It may be thou dofl vainly hope for Fame, 
 By doing this. Oh ! what availes the fame, 
 When thou art raked up quite void offenfe, 
 Among the flaughters of the Peflilence ? 
 What will it profit when thou fleeffl in clay, 
 Some, few fliould praife, and fome lament thy flay ? 
 Some heed it not ? Some make a mocke thereat 1 
 Some decme thee foolifli, others defperate ? 
 Some, fudge thy tarying might for trifles be ? 
 Some, for thy befil intention flander thee ? 
 Or with bafe trafli thy breathleffe Mufe be lye ? 
 Or, mifreport thy dying, if thou dye ? 
 For, if thou chance to perifli in this Place, 
 Thcfe wayes, and other meanes to thy difgrace, 
 Thy Foes %v ill find e ; and in thy fall contented, 
 Accomplifli what, thy life might have prevented. 
 
 But fay to f cape alive thy Lott it be ; 
 A troupe of other perils wait on thee. 
 Thou knowfil not what extremities may fall, 
 Nor how thy heart may flruggle therewithall. 
 Such Poverty upon this Towne may feize, 
 E're God ajfwage the rage of this Difeafe, 
 That meanes may fa He thee; and before fupply 
 Thy friends can fend thee, thou maifl famiflit lye : 
 For they who now affeel thee, and with whom 
 Thouflialt, perhaps, to live refolv'd become, 
 
 Eifn 
 
 165 
 
Brittan's Cant. i. 
 
 Ev'n they may peri JJi in this Fell, and leave thee 
 Tojlrangers whofe affeclions will deceive thee : 
 Jn time of health, but Jlcnderly befriend thee : 
 Tnfickneffe, to a lonely-Roome commend thee: 
 Makefpoile of what is thine, and fenflejfe be 
 Of helping, and of all regard of thee. 
 
 And then it will, perchance, afflict thy mind 
 Thai thou unto thy f elf e wert fo unkinde, 
 As to neglecl that wholefome Country Ay re, 
 Whereto thy friends invited thy repaire. 
 Thou maijl remember, when it is too late, 
 Thofe plea fur es, and that happy healthy flate 
 Thou mightfl have had: And with hoiv much refpeil 
 Thou flwuldft have liv'd with thofe that thee affccl; 
 A comfort to thy Parents, who with fare, 
 Doe for row for thy nccdleffe lingring here : 
 For, them thou leavefl, and fome friends befide, 
 (To live, 'twixt hope and feare unfit isfid 
 By this thy doing) whom thou dofl abufe, 
 If that which may dif comfort them thou chufe. 
 
 And, when they fliall thy wilfulneffe condemne, 
 With what good Reafons wilt thou anfwer them ? 
 Thy Dwelling is not here ; nor is thy flay 
 Compelled by Affaires that urge it may. 
 Thou hafl nor publike neither private charge ; 
 But, maifl in any place, goe walke at large. 
 The world conceiveth not the leafl fufpition, 
 That thou art cither Surgeon, or Phy Titian, 
 ( Whofe Art mayfland this place in any fleed;) 
 Or that thy friends will thy attendance need. 
 For thou canfl neither Broths nor Caudles make, 
 Nor drenches good enough for horfe to take. 
 Thou hafl no Calling, that may warrantize 
 'This boldnejfe : neither can thy wit devife 
 
 How 
 
 l66 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 83 
 
 How thou wilt anfwer God, for daring thus 
 An aclfo needleffe, and fo perillous. 
 
 Confider ivell, that there are paines in death ; 
 Confider, that when thou hajl lojl thy breath, 
 Thy Flefh, the deare companion of thy Soule, 
 Shall be rejecled as uncleane, and foule, 
 And, lodge within a Grave, contemiCd and vile, 
 Which might have liv'd eflee?ned, yet a while. 
 
 Confider, that thou haft not an eflate 
 Of being, which is bafe or defp crate ; 
 But fuch, as few on earth poffeffe a better, 
 Though each one, that hath ought, enjoyes a greater. 
 
 Confider, that thou dofl endanger now 
 The bleffing of long life. Confider, how 
 Thou mightfl have lived to a larger meafure 
 Of riches, of prefer moit, or of plea fur e \ 
 And profited thy Country, wlicreunto 
 Thy Death, or fickneffe, will no fervice do. 
 
 Nay, if thou now mif carry, where will be 
 Thofe hone/l hopes which late poffefifed thee ? 
 To thofe thy Studies who an endfliall adde, 
 Which but a while agoe, beginning had ? 
 And, being left unfiniflit, make the paine 
 And hour es, upon them fpent, to be in vainet 
 
 With fomewhat thou endued art, whereby 
 Thou maifl thy blefifed Maker glorifie ; 
 77iy felfe advantage, and a joy become 
 To fuch as well of eel thee; and gainfil whom 
 (If thus thy felfe thou feparate) thoujlialt 
 Commit a mofil inexpiable fault. 
 Oh ! therefore, I befeech thee, wary be, 
 To thinke what fervice God requires of thee : 
 Think, what thou ow^fl thy felfe ; and call to mind, 
 That fo me wel-willers thou maifl leave behinde, 
 
 Whofe 
 
 167 
 
Brittan's Cant. 3. 
 
 Whofe hopes thouflwuld'Jl not wilfully bereave, 
 ( Whofe loves thou f/iould'fl not unrequited leave) 
 By hazarding thy Life, which is a debt 
 To their deferviugs. For, thou know'fl not, yet, 
 How that may grieve thy foule, or fill thy head 
 With troubled fancies, on thy dying-bed. 
 
 / cannot make dif cover y, by all 
 My faculties, and poitfrs rationally 
 What ivorke thou maifl imagine J/iould be done 
 That's worthy of the hazard thou dofl run. 
 Nor can, as yet, my underflanding reach 
 (Wliat hope foever Faith may pleafe to preach) 
 To thofe Felicities ; which after death 
 Her fupemalurall Doclrines promifeth. 
 Norfinde I fuch ajfurances, as may 
 Prefervc thee unaffrighted in thy flay. 
 For when ivithin my Naturall Scale J place 
 Thofe Arguments, and Promifes of Grace, 
 Which Faith alledgeth; they fo ayrie prove, 
 That they my Ballance very little move. 
 Yea, fuch tranfcendent things declareth fhe, 
 As they me thinks fliould fo diflemper thee, 
 That doubts and terrors rather JJwuld poffeffe 
 Thy Soule, then hopes of reall hafpineffe ; 
 Since what in Death, or after Death fliall come, 
 Are things, that Nature is eflrangedfrom. 
 Fly therefore, this great per ill. Seeke a place 
 Where thou maifl plead more fafely of thy Cafe : 
 And, fence thy God, with Reafon, thee doth bleffe, 
 Now, mofl thou need' ft it, be not reafonleffe. 
 
 All this (and what the carnall wit of man 
 Objecl, in fuch an undertaking can) 
 Did R E A SO Nuxgz, to make my flay appeare 
 An act improvident, and full of feare : 
 
 And 
 
 1 68 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 84 
 
 And what her feeming rightfull caufe advances, 
 Was utt'red with fuch dreadfull circumftances, 
 That (lie did halfe perfwade me to confeffe, 
 My Refohttion would be foolifhneffe. 
 
 But, when my REASON had no more to fpealce, 
 My FAITH began : & though her flrength was weak, 
 (Becaufe my frailties had enfeebled her) 
 Yet, then I felt her with more vigour ftir, 
 Then in leffe perills. For, fhe blew afide 
 Thofe fogs wherewith my heart was terrifi'd : 
 Made cleare my Judgement : and (as having waigh'd 
 The fpeech foregoing) thus, me thought, fhe faid. 
 
 How wife is R E A S O N in an Ethnicke Schoole, 
 And, in divine proceedings, what a fooled 
 How many likely things Jlie mufler can, 
 To Jlartle and amaze a naturall man, 
 Which, when J am advis'd wit hall, are found 
 But pan nick fares, and terrors without ground ! 
 And yet, how often doth blinde Ignorance, 
 Above my reach her fiiallownejfe advance ? 
 Or elfe of madnefje, wickedly condemne 
 My wifdome, and my fafefl paths contemne 1 
 Yet be not thou (my Soule) deceived by 
 The foolifJineffe of humane Sophiftry. 
 But,fince by the Afflictions, thou haft got 
 Experience, which the world attaineth not ; 
 Give heed to me, and I will make thee know 
 Thofe things which carnall Reafon cannot fliow. 
 Yea make thee by my pow'r more certaine be 
 Of that which mortals can nor heare nor fee, 
 Then of the plaineft objects that appeare 
 Vnto thefenfe of corp'rall eye or eare : 
 And though my pro?nife, or my counfell feeme 
 To vulgar Judgements, but of meane eflee??ie, 
 
 H I'le 
 
 169 
 
B R I T T a n's Cant. 3. 
 
 Ik fo etiable thee thofe feares to bide, 
 Wherewith the worldly wife are terrifid; 
 And, teach thee fuch contentedneffe to gaine, 
 Though in Deaths gloomy JJiades thou dojl remaine : 
 That, thou (without all doublings) Jlialt perceive, 
 Thou flwtddfl not this afflicled Citie leave, 
 And Flefh and Blood, with wonder, JJiall confeffe 
 That Faith hath pow'r to teach men fear iefneffe, 
 Jn perils ; which do make their hearts to ake, 
 Who fcojfe at her, and part with Reafon take. 
 
 It cannot be denyed that this Place 
 Yeelds dread enough, to make the boldefl face 
 To ptit a paleneffe on, unlejfe the minde 
 Be over much to fenflefneffe enclinde : 
 Becaufe, we naf rally abhor to fee 
 Such loathed objecls of mortality. 
 'Tis alfo true, that there is no defence 
 To guard the body from this Peflilence, 
 Within the compajfe of mans pow^r or wit : 
 Nor can thy merit fo prevaile with it, 
 But that (for ought thou knoweft) thou maiflfill 
 The growing number ^Deaths weekly-Bill. 
 
 And what of that ? whilfl I befriend theefliall, 
 Can fuch a common danger thee apall ? 
 Shall that, which hcatJinifli men, and women beare, 
 ( Yea tender infants) without fliewes offeare, 
 A mate thy fpirit ? fliall the drawing nigh 
 Of that, from which thou haft no meanes to fly e, 
 (And which thou walkefl toivard, ev'ry day, 
 ( With feeming ftoutneffe) fright thee now away} 
 Is Death fo bufie growne in London flreets, 
 That he with no man in the Country meets ? 
 Beleevefl thou, the number he hathflaine 
 Hath added any thing unto the paine ? 
 
 Or 
 
 1 70 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 85 
 
 Or, haft thou lately apprehended more 
 Deaths fearfull gaftliueffe, then heretofore, 
 That in this time of tryall thou ftwuldft 'finde 
 Thy Soule to flavifli Cowardice end hide ? 
 Death is that Path, which ev'ry man muft tread ; 
 And, w 'hen thoujlialt defcend among the dead, 
 Thou goft but thither where thy fathers be, 
 And whither, all that live ftiall follow thee. 
 Death is that Haven, where thy Barke fliall caft 
 Her hopefull Anchor, and lye moored f aft, 
 Exempted from thofe furious windes and feas, 
 Which in thy heav'nly voyage, thee difeafe. 
 Death is the Iaile-deliv'ry of the Soule : 
 Thy joy full yeare tf/Iubilee : thy Goale : 
 The Day that ends thy forrowes, a?id thy fins ; 
 And that, wherein, beft happineffe begins. 
 A lawfull all, then wherefore ftwuldft thou feare 
 To profecute ; although thy death it were ? 
 
 Full oft, have J enabled thee to bide 
 The brunt of ' dreadful I ftormes, unterrifide ; 
 And, when thy daftard Reafon (not efpying 
 That heav'nly Game, at which thy Faith was flying) 
 Diftieartned grew ; 7 did thy body free 
 From ev'ry perill which enclofed thee : 
 So working, that thofe things thy praife became, 
 Which Malice had projecled for thyftiame ; 
 And, common Reafon, whofuppos'd thee mad, 
 Did blufti to fee how little witftie had. 
 
 Yet, ?iow againe, how fooliftily ftie tryes 
 To caft new fogs before thy Iudgements eyes ? 
 What childi/Ii Bug-Beares hathftie muftred here, 
 To fear thy fenfes with a caufeleffe feare ? 
 Of thofe loatli'd Objects wherefore dothftie tell, 
 Which vex the fight, the hearing, and the fmell ? 
 
 H 2 Since 
 
B R itt A N's Cant. 3. 
 
 Since, when the utmojl of it fifiall be faid, 
 All is but Death ; which can bntflrike thee dead. 
 And when that's done, thou/lialt (by me revived) 
 Enjoy a better life then thou hafl lived. 
 
 If thofe hobgoblin terrors of the grave, 
 ( Wherewith meere natrall men affrighted have 
 Their troubled fioules ) delerrc thee from that path, 
 Whereto the will of God injoincd hath ; 
 To thee (oh ! Soule) how dreadfull would it be 
 If WA RRE, with all her fear es enclofed thee ? 
 Nay, if fuck common terrors thee amaze, 
 How wouldfl thou quake, if in a generall blaze, 
 The world filwuld flame about thee ? (as it may, 
 Perhaps, before thou fee another day) 
 Sure, if thefe Scar-crowes do deter re theefio, 
 Thou fear ce wilt welcome (as thou ought/1 to do) 
 That Moment when it comes ; nor fo ?-ejoyce, 
 As they, who long to heare the Bridegroomes voice. 
 
 Here therefore flay, and praciifie to inure 
 Thy foul e to try alls ; that thou maiji endure 
 All changes, which in after times may come : 
 And wait with gladne/fie, for the Day of Doome. 
 Seeke here, by holy dread, to purge away 
 Thofe Crimes which heape up terrors for that day. 
 Endure the fcorching of this gentle fire, 
 To purifie thy heart from vaine defiire. 
 Learne here, the death of righteous men to dye ; 
 That thou maifl live with fiuch eternally. 
 Here, excrcife thy Faith, and watch, and pray, 
 That when thy body fliall be tnixt with clay 
 The frightfull Trumpet, whofe amazing found 
 Shall filar tie Hell, andfihake earths maffie Round. 
 May make thee leape with gladncjfie from thy grave, 
 And no fad horrors in thv Confidence have. 
 
 What 
 
 172 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 86 
 
 What canjl thou hope to pur chafe here below, 
 That thou flwuldjl life unwillingly forgoe ? 
 Since, there is nothing which thou canfil pojfeffe, 
 Whofe fweetneffe is not marred with bitter nejfe: 
 Nor any thing fo fafe, but that it may, 
 To thee, become a mifchiefe, many a way ? 
 
 If honourable thou mightfl live to grow, 
 That honour may effecl thy overthrow. 
 And (as it makes of others) make of thee 
 A thing as blockifli, as bruit creatures be. 
 If Rich ; thofe Riches may thy life betray ; 
 Choake up thy vertues, and then flye away. 
 If Pleafure folloiv thee ; that pleafing vaine 
 May bring thy foule to everlafling paine ; 
 Yea, that which mofl thou longejl to enjoy, 
 May all the pleafures of thy life dejlroy. 
 
 Seeke therefore true contentment where it lies, 
 And fear e not e-Jry Babies fantafies. 
 ffLife thou love ; Death is that entring in 
 Where life which is cternall doth begin. 
 There, what thou mofl dcfirefl is enjoy V/ ; 
 And, Death it felfe, by dying is dcfirofd. 
 
 Though length of life, a bleffmg be confefl, 
 Yet, length of dayes in forrow is not befl. 
 Although the Saylor, fea-roome doth require, 
 To reach the harbour is his chiefe defire : 
 And, though 'tis well our debts may be delay'd, 
 Yet, we are befl at eafe when they are paid. 
 
 //"Titles, thou afpire unto : Death brings 
 The Faithfull, to become immortal! Kings : 
 Whofe glorie paffeth earthly pomp, as far 
 As Phcebus doth outfliine the Morning-flar. 
 Defirefl thou a pleafant hcalthfull dwelling ? 
 By Death thou gahvfil a Country fo excelling; 
 
 Hz That 
 
 173 
 
Brittan's Cant. 3. 
 
 That, plenty of alt ufefull things is there, 
 
 And all thofe objecls that delightfull are. 
 
 A golden pavement thouJJialt walke upon ; 
 
 And lodge in Buildings walVd with precious Jlone. 
 
 If in rich Garments to be cloatli'd thou feeke, 
 
 The Perfian Monarks never had the like : 
 
 For, Puritie it felfe thy RobeJJiall be ; 
 
 And like the Stars, thy Crowne filial I filiine on thee. 
 
 Haft thou enjoyed thofe companiotis here, 
 Whofe love and fellowjliip delightfull are ? 
 Thou filialt, when thou from fight of thofe. art gone, 
 Of that high Order be inftalled one, 
 VVhich never didfalfe Brother entertaine ; 
 Whereof, ev'n God himfelfe is Soveraigne : 
 And in whofe company thou filialt pofi'effe 
 All perfecl, deare, and lafting friendlineffe. 
 Yea, there ev'n thofe whom thou on earth haft loved 
 In life time (with fuch love as is approved) 
 Thou filialt enjoy againe : and not alone 
 Their fir iendfiliip ; but the love of ev'ry one 
 Of thofe bleft men and women, who both were, 
 And are, and fiiall be, till our Judge appeare. 
 
 Hath any mortall beauty pleas d thee fio, 
 That, from her prefience thou art loath to goe ? 
 Thou filialt vi flea d of thofe poore imperfeclious, 
 Whereon thou fetleft here unfiure afieclions, 
 The Fountaine of all Beauties, come to fee 
 ( Within his lovely bofome lodged be) 
 And knozv (when thou on him haftfixt thine eyes) 
 That, all earths Beauties are deformities. 
 
 To thefie, and happineffei, greater far 
 Then by the heart of man conceived are, 
 Death maketh paffage. And, how grim foe" re 
 He may to thofe that ftand aloof e appeare ; 
 
 Yet 
 
 174 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 87 
 
 Yet, if thou bide unmoved in thy place, 
 Till he within his amies doe thee embrace ; 
 Thou Jlia It perceive that who fo timely dieth, 
 Enjoyes contentments which this life denyeth. 
 
 Thy fear e of painfulneffe in death is value; 
 In Death is eafe; in Life, alone, is paine. 
 Man makes it dreadfull by his owne inventions, 
 By caufeleffe doubts, and groundleffe apprehenfions. 
 But, when it comes, it brings of paine, no more 
 Then Sleepe, to him that refllejfe was before. 
 
 Thy Soules departure, from the Flefh, doth maze, 
 And thee ajflicleth more then there is catife : 
 For, of this fling, thy Saviour, Death defpoiled : 
 And,feares, and dangers from the Grave exiled. 
 Thou lofefl not thy Body when it dyes ; 
 Nor doth it perifli, though it putrifies. 
 For, when the time appointed, it hath laine, 
 ItfJiall be raifed from the dufl againe, 
 And, in the flead of this corrupted one, 
 Thy Soule, a glorious body Jliall put on. 
 
 But hadfl thou not a Faith which might procure thee 
 Such comforts, andfuch life in death affure thee : 
 Or, though thoufliouldfl, by dying, be poffefl 
 Of nothing elfe, but of a fenfelefj e refl: 
 Me thinkes thy car nail KeaSon f/iould, for that, 
 Perfwade thee rather to be defperate, 
 And flay, and feeke for Death, e're languiJJi in 
 Perpetuall for r owes, fuch as thine have bin. 
 F01, if to God-ward, joy thou feelefl not, 
 What comfort to the world-ward hafl thou got, 
 Which may defirous make thee to delay, 
 Or linger out thy life another day ? 
 
 ' Tis true that God hath given thee afliare 
 In all thofe Pleafures, that good pleafures are ; 
 
 H '4 And 
 
 l 15 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant. I. 
 
 And (to the Givers glory be it fpoken) 
 He hath beflow'd on thee as many a token 
 Of his abundant love, as he beflowes 
 On any, with fo few external flwwes. 
 For ev'n of outward things he doth impart 
 As much as fits the place in which thou art; 
 With full as many pleafures as may feme, 
 Thy Patience, in thy fuff rings, to preferve: 
 And, when for Reft, and Plenties, thou art fitter, 
 I know, he will not make thy cup fo bitter. 
 
 But if thou live for outward pleafures meerly ; 
 By living thou dofl buy them over dearly. 
 For ( if thy peace in God werefet afule) 
 So many wayes thou haft beene crucifid, 
 That fome would think thy Fortune (if they had it) 
 Aloft bitter ; though moflfweet thy hopes have made it. 
 Here, but a Pilgrimage thou dofl pofj'effe, 
 In wandring, and perpetuall refllefneffc. 
 Like Travellers, in funftiine and in raine, 
 Both dry and wet, and dry and wet againe. 
 With reft, each Morning, well refreflit and merry ; 
 And, ev'ry Ev'ning, full of grief e, and weary. 
 To Vanity, in bondage thou dofl lie, 
 Still beaten with new flormes of ' Mifery ; 
 And, in a path to which thou art a fir anger, 
 Ajfaulted with variety of Danger. 
 
 His Face, fo met 'i 'me, is hid, whence comforts flow, 
 And, men and devills, feck thy overthrow. 
 Sin multiplies tipo?i thee, ev'ry day : 
 Thy vitall pow'rs, will more and more decay : 
 Wealth, honor, friends, and what thou befl dofl love, 
 Doth leave, deceive thee, or thy torment prove ; 
 Alans very Body burthens him ; and brings 
 Vnto itfelfe a thoufand torturings. 
 
 Thy 
 
 176 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 88 
 
 Thy Heart, with many Thinkings is perplext : 
 Yea, by thine owne Affections thou art vext : 
 And (though by overcomming them at lajl, 
 Thy foule hath comfort when the fight is pafl,) 
 Thou hajl perpetual conflicts which require 
 Continuall watchfulncjfe : for, no Defire 
 Or nafrall Paffion, ever did molejl 
 The heart of man, that flrives not in thy brejl. 
 
 Jn eifry Pleafure, fometuhat lurks to fear thee, 
 In ev'ry Profit, fomewhat to enfnare thee : 
 Whole armies of 'Afflictions fwarme about thee, 
 Some fight within thee; fome affaile without thee : 
 And, that which thou conceive]} fliall releeve thee, 
 Bccommeth oft another meanes to grieve thee. 
 Yea, thine owne thoughts, thy fpeeches, and thine actions, 
 Occafion defcontentments, and diflraction : 
 And all the portion which thou dofil inherit, 
 Yeelds nought, but perturbations of the fpirit. 
 
 In Childhood all thy plea fu res were but toyes ; 
 In heat of Youth, as fruitleffe were thy joy es : 
 Thy riper yeares, do nought but ripen care : 
 And, imperfections, thy perfections are : 
 If Old thou grow, thy grief es will aged be, 
 And, Sickneffe, till thou dye, will live in thee. 
 Thy Life's a Warfare, which mufl quite be done, 
 EWe dangers vanifJi, or the Field be won. 
 It is a Voyage full of wearineffe, 
 Till thou thy wiJJied harbor dofl poffeffe : 
 And, thou of no external I loy canfil boafil, 
 That may not e're thy dying day be loft. 
 
 But, truth to fay, what thing dofl thou poffeffe, 
 Which others thinke to be a happineffe ? 
 The 7i>orld allowes thee little that is hers, 
 And thee to very f mall efteeme prefers. 
 
 H 5 Among 
 
 ill 
 
Br it TAN'S Cant. i. 
 
 Among her Minions : but, in a? ry place 
 Endeavours to affront thee with difgrace ; 
 Deprives thee of thy labours, and beflowes 
 On Para/ites, on Fooles, and on thy Foes, 
 Thy due : and with a fpightfull envioufneffe, 
 Thy befl approved Studies doth fupprefe. 
 
 Behold, a frothy Mafque, an idle Song, 
 The witleffe jefling of a fcurrilous tongue, 
 The capring Dancer, and thefoining Fencer, 
 The bold Buffoone, theflye Intelligencer ; 
 Thofe foolifli raving fellozves, whofe delights 
 Are wholly fixed on their Curs and Kites ; 
 The Termly Pamphleters, whofe Dedications 
 Doe footh and claw the times abominations : 
 Ev'ti fuch like things as thefe can purchafe grace, 
 And quickly compajfe Penfion, Gift, or Place ; 
 When, thy more honefl Labours are abufed, 
 Contemned, fleighted, or at befl refufed. 
 
 If fuch a one as thefe forenam 'd, reforl 
 Tofet abroach his qualities in Court, 
 He findes refpecl, and as an ufefull man, 
 His Faculty, fome place afford him, can. 
 He foone hath entertainment. Or if not, 
 Yet, fomething may for his availe be got. 
 A bafe Invention, that fear ce merit may 
 The reputation of a Puppet-play, 
 Some fpangled Courtier, or fome foolifli Lord, 
 Admires, a feels, and of his owne accord 
 Prefers it to the Prince, or to the King, 
 As an ingenious, or much ufefull thing. 
 And (ten to one) if then the Author can 
 But humour well his Lordfhip, or his 7nan 
 (That rules his Honors wifdome) it may gaine him 
 Some fuch like Lord as that to entertaine him, 
 
 For 
 
 178 
 
Cant.$. Remembrancer. 89 
 
 For his companion ; yea, the privy purfe 
 May open to him : and, he fareth worfe 
 Then many a Foole hath done, vnlejfe eWe long, 
 He purchafeth to be enroWd among 
 The bejl Defervers ; and arife to be 
 Superior to a better man then he. 
 
 Twix't thefe and thee what diftances appeare ? 
 And, hvixt your Fortunes, what a /pace is there I 
 When thou hadjl fini/Jied a Worke divine, 
 (As much for others profit, as for thi7ie) 
 Thou fcarcely found fl a man, to make thee way 
 Thy Prefent, at thy Soveraignes_/rt?/ to lay, 
 And when thou didfl : No fooner laid he by 
 What tendred 7c>as, but fome injurious eye 
 Did quickly take thereof a partiall view, 
 And with detracling Cenfures thee purfue. 
 
 Yea, thofe meere Ignorants, ivhofe courtly wit 
 Can judge of nothing, but how cloathes doe fit ; 
 How Congees flw aid be ailed; how their Boy 
 Obferve them flwuld \ or fome fuch weighty toy : 
 Thofe Shreds of Complement, patcht up for things 
 To fill vafl Roomes in palaces livings, 
 (As Antiques doe in Hangings) ?nore for jliow ; 
 Then any profit, which from them canfloiv. 
 Even thofe (fcarce worth our laughing at) have pall 
 Their doomes on that which thou prefented hafii ; 
 As if they underjlood it : and, as thofe, 
 By chance did cenfure, fo the Cenfure goes. 
 
 yf thefe, or any fuch like Mountebanks, 
 By flavifli fawning, or by picking thanks ; 
 By homeliefl fervices, (or worfe) by cheating ; 
 Extorting from the poor e, or by defeating 
 Men honejtty difpojed, (or, by any 
 Of thofe ill meanes, whereof this age hath many) 
 
 Can 
 
 no 
 
B R I T t a n's Cant. 3. 
 
 Can, out of beggery, their fortunes reare, 
 To hundreds, or to thoufands by the yeare : 
 They thinke themf elves abas' d, if any grutch 
 Or murmur, as if they had got too much. 
 
 But, though thou from thy childhood wert emcloyd 
 In painfull fludies, and hadfi not enjofd 
 So much extcrnall profit, as would pay 
 The charges of thy Troubles, for a day : 
 (Nay, rather, hindrance hadfil, and punif/iment, 
 For that, which gave mofil honefil men content) 
 Yet (marke their dealing) when but hope there was 
 Of gaine to thee (which never came to pajfc) 
 And though that gaine were leffe then Traders can 
 Alloiv fometimes unto a Iourney-man : 
 Yea though it were to no mans prejudice ; 
 (But many profiting) and did arife 
 By thine owne labours : that J mall yearly J ''urn me 
 Expecled (for, nought, yet, but loffe doth come ) 
 Was grumbled at; as if it had beene 7twre 
 Then any ever gained heretofore ; 
 And would the Common-weale have prejudifed, 
 Had none, thereof, to fruflrate thee, devifed. 
 
 Some, therefore (whofe malic ioufneffe is yet 
 Vnanfiuer'd for ) themf elves againfl thee fet ; 
 And, by the da mm age of their owne efilate, 
 Have labour 'd, thee and thine to ruinate. 
 Some others, as injurioujly, as they, 
 Laid caufeleffe Nets, to fnarle thee in thy way : 
 And have procured, for thy bcfl intents, 
 Reproof's, Contempts, and Clofe Imprifonments ; 
 (As rigorous as ever were infiicled, 
 Of thofe that for High Treafon flood conviclcd) 
 Yea, that which might an honefl wealth have won thee, 
 Was that, 7chereby they fought to have undone thee. 
 
 Foule 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 90 
 
 Foule Scandals, thy befl aclions have attended. 
 
 And as (if on thine Jnfamy depended 
 
 The Kingdomes glory) Phamphlets/tf//£ and bafe 
 
 Yea, publike Mafques, and Playes, to thy dif grace, 
 
 Were fet abroach ; till jujlly they became, 
 
 To thofe that made, and favour d them, aJJiame. 
 
 Jn Rimes, and Libels, they have done thee wrongs ; 
 Thou hajl beene menthvid in their drunke7i Songs, 
 Who nothing worfe unto thy charge could lay, 
 But, that, thou didfl not feem fo bad as they. 
 Mccre Strangers, who are quite unknown of thee, 
 (Although they fee not what thy manners be) 
 Take pleafure to traduce thee, and to draw 
 Thofe things in queflion, which they never f aw. 
 Nay, at their publike meetings, few forbear e 
 To f peak that fcandall, -which they thinke, or heare. 
 
 Eihi fnce this Plague began, and whiljl thy hand 
 Recording ivas that Iuclgement on this Land ; 
 Thou art infor/u'd, that, Weflwardfrom this place 
 ( Somefcores of miles) a gcnerall ruinous was 
 Both of thy biding here, and of thy death. 
 Aiul, they 7v ho fa id, thou had/? expired thy breath, 
 ( Suppofnig, as it feemes) it could not be 
 That God from this Difeafe would Jlielter thee) 
 Reported alfo, that, of Grace fo if aken, 
 And, by the fin of drunkeneffe d retaken, 
 Thou brokyi thy neck. It may be thofe men thought, 
 Thet when the Plague thy life to end had brought, 
 They JJiould have added fomewhat, to haveflaine 
 The life ^/"good Report, which might remaine. 
 
 Nor was that ayme quite void. For, (though of all 
 Groffe fins, theflaine of that, leafl blur theejliall) 
 Some flraight belcev'd zvhat malice did furmife ; 
 Condemn 'd thy Vertues, for Hypocrifies. 
 
 Made 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant. 3. 
 
 Made guilty all thy Lines of null ends ; 
 Vs'd thee, as lob was ufed by his friends ; 
 Did on thy Life unchrijlian Cenfures paffe ; 
 Affirmed, thy Death hadfhowed what it was ; 
 And, many a one that heard it,fliall not know 
 Vntill his dying day, it was not fo. 
 But, then they fliall perceive, that mofl of that 
 Is falfe, which men of others life to prate. 
 
 But, wonder it is none, that thou among 
 Some Strangers, in thy Fame hafl fuffred wrong. 
 For, lo, thy Neighbours (though they privy be 
 To nofuch acl as may difparage thee, 
 But unto many rather, which inf/iow, 
 Appeared from a Chrijlian minde to flow) 
 Ev'n they, in private whiff rings, many times 
 Have taxed thee as guilty of thofe crimes 
 Thou never perpetratedfl ; but dofl more 
 Abhor them, then do Mizers to be poore. 
 And from thofe blots the more thy life is free, 
 The more is theirs defilde, by flaundring thee. 
 
 In wicked Places (where yet never came 
 Thy foot) fome acled follies in thy name : 
 That others prefent, knowing not thy face, 
 Might fpread abroad of thee, to thy dif grace, 
 What others did. And, fich a mifchiefe, none 
 But perfecl Malice, could have thought upon. 
 
 Thy very Prayers, and thy Charities 
 Have mocked bcene, and judged hypocrifes. 
 When thou wert befl employed, thou tvertfure 
 The bafeft imputations to endure. 
 When thy intentions have beene moflfncere, 
 Mens mifcotiflruclions alwayes harfliefl 7vere ; 
 And, when thy pioufl aclion thou hadfl wrought, 
 Then, they the greatefl in if chief e on thee brought. 
 
 They 
 
 \\>2 
 
Cant. $. Remembrancer. 91 
 
 27ie befl, and mofl approved of thofe Laies, 
 
 By thee compofed for thy Makers praife ; 
 
 Have lately greatly multiplied thy Foes, 
 
 And, not procured alone the fpight of thofe 
 
 Whom brutifJi Ignorance befets among 
 
 The mifconceiving and illiterate throng : 
 
 But, they who on the feats of hiAgemtnt fate, 
 
 Thee, and thofe Labours have inveighed at. 
 
 The Learned, who fliould wifer men have beene, 
 
 Did cenfure that which they had never feene. 
 
 Ei? 11 they, who make fa ire fliewes of f anility, 
 
 ( God grant, it be not with hypocrijie) 
 
 With fpightfulneffe, that fear ce can matched be, 
 
 Have Jliamefiilly traduced that, and thee. 
 
 Nay, of the Clergy, fome (and of the chief e) 
 
 Have with unfeemely fury, pafl beleefe, 
 
 So undervalued, and fo vilifi d 
 
 Thofe Labours (which the iryall will abide, 
 
 When their proud fpleene is wafled) that, unleffe 
 
 God had, in mercy, carVd their furioufneffe 
 
 (A?id by his might abated, hi fome meafure, 
 
 That pow'r of acling their imperious pleafure) 
 
 Their place, and that opinion they had gained, 
 
 Of knowledge, and fincerity unfained, 
 
 Had long ere this, no doubt, made fo contemn 1 d 
 
 Thofe Lines, and thee ; that thou hadfl beene condemned 
 
 Without a triall. And fo true a feeling 
 
 Hadfl gained ere now, of bafe and partiall dealing, 
 
 That, Difcontent might then have urg'd thy {lay, 
 
 Ln hope this Plague, would that, have tooke away. 
 
 But, thou by others, hafl received the flings 
 Of Malice, otherwayes, in other things. 
 Thofe men, whofe over-groffe and open crimes, 
 Are juflly taxed in thine honefl Rimes, 
 
 Have 
 
 18 
 
Brittan's Cant. i. 
 
 Have by the general! notice of thy name, 
 Sought how to bring thee to a gcneralljliame, 
 By raifing caufeleffe rumors to be blowne 
 Through ev'ry quarter where thy lines are kuowne. 
 For, therms no place without an enuious care, 
 And flandrous tongues be ready eiJry where, 
 To cajl, with zvillingncjfe, difgrace o?i thofe, 
 Of whom, fome good report, beforehand, goes. 
 And fence thou canfl not anfiver ev'ry man, 
 As he that's knowne in fome few TownJJiips, can ; 
 The falfejl Rumors Men divulge of thee, 
 Doefoone become a common Fame to be. 
 
 Moreover (that leffe caufe there may appeare, 
 Why thou flwuldfl life defire, or dying feare) 
 The mofl affected thing this world containes, 
 Hath tortur'd thee with mofl heart-breaking paines. 
 For, they whom thou haft loved : they to whom 
 Thou didfl obliged many wayes become : 
 Yea they who knew thy faithfulneffe ; ev'n they 
 Have made their outward kindneffes the way 
 To make thee mofl ingracefull feeme to be, 
 Yea, they have heaped ?nore difgrace on thee, 
 More grief es, and dif advantages, then all 
 Thy Foes together, bring upon theefliall. 
 And long purfued have, to thy vexation 
 Their courfes with harfli trickes of aggravation ; 
 Yet JIM pretending Love : which makes the curfe, 
 Of this Affliclion twenty times the worfe. 
 I will not fay that thou afflicted art 
 In this (by them) without thy otvne defert: 
 For who perceives in all how lie offends ? 
 Or thinks, that God correction caufeleffe fends ? 
 Nor will I fay this injury proceeds, 
 From any Malice. For, perhaps, it breeds 
 
 From 
 
 184 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 92 
 
 From their diflempefd love. And God tofliew 
 Some needfull fecret (which thou bejl maiji know 
 By this experiment) a while doth pleafe, 
 To make thy late Contenments thy Difeafe 
 
 Thy fir/l Acquaintance, who did many a year e 
 Enjoy thy fellowJJiip (and glad appeare 
 To fee me thy friends) have vuearied out their love, 
 By length of time ; and fir angers ?iow doe prove. 
 Thou alfo feefl, thy new acquaintance be 
 IVorne out as f aft as gotten. For, to thee 
 Mofl come, for nothing but to fatisfie 
 Their idle fruitlejfe curiofitie : 
 And, having feene, and found thee but a man, 
 Their friendfliip ended, jufl as it began. 
 
 Nay, they who all thy courfe of life have feene, 
 And (in appearance) have perf waded beene, 
 So well of thy upright neffe, as if nought 
 Could move in them, of thee, one evill thought : 
 Thofe, by a little abfence, or the found 
 Offoine untrue Relation (wanting ground) 
 Doe all their good opinion fometime change ; 
 Sufpecl thy manners, and themf elves eflrange, 
 So unexpecledly, and without caufe, 
 That what to judge of them it makes thee paufe, 
 For they that vertuous are, but in tJieflww, 
 Doe foone ftfpecl, that all men elfe, arefo. 
 
 Thefe things are very bitter unto fuch 
 Whofe hearts arefenfible to ev'ry touch 
 Of kindneffe, and unkindneffe ; and they make 
 Life tedious, where thev deepe impreffioti take. 
 But, many other grief es thy Soule doe grinde ; 
 And thou by them, art pained in a kinde 
 So diff ring from the common fenfe of others, 
 (Although thy patience much difiempcr f mot hers) 
 
 That 
 
 i8 = 
 
Brittan's Cant. 3. 
 
 That Reafon might me thinkes contented be, 
 Thou fliouldfl purfue thy Death to fet thee free. 
 
 I fpeake not this, as if thou didfl repine 
 At thefe, or any other lots of thine : 
 Nor to difcourage thee, becaufe the World 
 So little of her Grace on thee hath hurPd. 
 For, I would have thee fcorne her love ; and know 
 That whether JJie will favour thee or no, 
 I will, in thy due feafon, make thee rife 
 To honor, by that way which men defpife : 
 Fv'n to thofe honors, which are greater then 
 The greatefl that conferred are, by men. 
 And, this I mention, in reproach of them 
 Whofe Pride, thy humble Mufings, doth contemne : 
 And to remember thee, how vaine it were, 
 To feeke for life, where fuch harfli dealings are. 
 
 And, as 7 would not have thee wifli to live 
 For love of any thing, this world can give: 
 So, am J loath her troubles fliould have poiv V 
 To make thee feeke tofhorten life an houre. 
 But rather in contempt of all herfpight, 
 To lengthen it, untill pale Envie quite 
 Confutne her f elf e ; and thou at lafl be f cut 
 From hence, viclorious, croivncd with content. 
 
 7 therefore, here, perfwade thee not to flay, 
 That vainly thou mightfl foole thy life away : 
 Or, that fome poore applaufes may be got; 
 Or, for fuch trifling ends as profit not; 
 And, jvhercof, Reafon her diflike infers : 
 For, my opinion jumps in that, with hers. 
 
 I doe not counfell thee to cafl afide 
 That care, which teacheth wifely to provide 
 For wholfome Antidotes : Or to obferve 
 Such courfes, as are likely to preferve 
 
 Thy 
 
 186 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 93 
 
 Thy body found : nor is it my intent, 
 Thou fnoiddjl employ, by way of complement, 
 Thy time in vifiting infecled friends ; 
 When to their comfortings it little tends. 
 Nor am I pleas' d in him that fo prefumes, 
 Or fuch a franticke foolifJinefife ajfumes, 
 As defperaiely to thrufl himfelfe among 
 The noifome breathings of afickly throng, 
 When fuch a danger nothing may availe : 
 And, where the meanes of life will furely faile. 
 Nor would I now betray thee to thy fin ; 
 Or zvorke thy loffes, that thy foes may win ; 
 Or make thee tempt thy God ; or grieve thy friends ; 
 Or bar re thy Labors of thy wifihed ends : 
 Nor canflthou thinke thy Reafon well hathfaid, 
 To caflfuch flumbling-blockes, asJJie hath laid : 
 For, jufil and comely things, I doe advife ; 
 And,feeke not Mifchiefes, but their Remedies. 
 
 A carnall Wifedome fayes file feeth not 
 What knowledge and affurance may be got 
 Of thofe eternall things, that objecls are 
 Of Chriftian hope. But, wherefore flwuldfl thou feare 
 What Flefh and Blood blafphemoujly hath faid ? 
 Since, into thee already are convaid 
 Both Notions, and the reall fenfe of that 
 Which they, who would not fee, doeflumble at? 
 
 Meere humane Reafon cannot reach to know 
 Of many thoufand Creatures here below, 
 The fecret natures : Doe not wonder than, 
 That few celefliall things perceive flie can : 
 But call to minde, that to be flefiJily wife, 
 \s to befoolifli in Truths Myfteries. 
 Give God the praife, who hath on thee beflowne 
 A better apprehenfion then thine owne. 
 
 Remem- 
 
 187 
 
Brittan's Cant.$- 
 
 Remember ftill, to cheriJJi this beleefe ; 
 Let Prayer daily fet thy Faith releefe : 
 And be affm-d that I advife thee bejl, 
 What e're thy carnall ReafonylW/ fuggcfl. 
 
 If thou fuppofe that thou hajl ought begun, 
 Which may thy Country profit, being done, 
 Or honor God : proceed thou in his name, 
 With cheerfulneffe, andfinijli up the fame. 
 For God will either give thee life to doe it, 
 (If caufe there be) or call another to it 
 Of better gifts. And, if thou grudge at this, 
 Thou feekcfil thine owne honor, more then his : 
 And, though a pious purpofe thou pretend, 
 Thy holy JJiewes havefome unholy end. 
 
 Say, thou among the multitude mufil fall ; 
 Say, they that hate thee, thereof 'triumph fiJiall ; 
 Or others (out of levity) contemne 
 Thy courfe ; or thee unjuflly JJwuld condemne, 
 As Reafon pleads ? what prejudice to thee 
 Would this be more, then fuch mens praifes be ? 
 What harme is this to thee when thou art gone ? 
 And hafil no fenfe of any wrong thafs done ? 
 What nee dfil thou care, if all the world fuppofe 
 To hell thou finhefl; if thy fpirit^^ 
 The way to heaven ? And in that narrotv path 
 A bleffed being, unperceived hath ? 
 
 Purfue brave Actions, as a Chri/lian ought, 
 And, care not thou whatfliall of them be thought ; 
 (Except to rouze up other men it be, 
 By making them perceive what rouzed thee) 
 When thou dofil walke uprightly, walke thou on, 
 And f come to looke a fide, who looks thereon : 
 For, he's a Foole (if not an hypocrite) 
 That in well-doing feeleth no delight, 
 
 Vntill 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 94 
 
 Vntill fome ivitneffe of his deeds he know, 
 
 Or feele fome praifes his proud failes to blow. 
 
 Nay, he that cannot in a vertuous deed, 
 
 ( Wherein^ his Confcience, warrants to proceed) 
 
 Perfifl without returning, though hejlwidd, 
 
 Of all the world together, be controuVd ; 
 
 Or, if he thought it not a favour too 
 
 That God would call him fuch a ivorke to doe ; 
 
 (Yea though that for his paines, hefliould become 
 
 Abhor 'd of all men, till the Day of Doome) 
 
 Ev'nfuch a Man is far re beloiv that height, 
 
 To which by perfecl Vertue climbe he might; 
 
 And lofe he doth, by feares that are in vai?ie, 
 
 The bravefl honor that his Faith can gaine. 
 
 Thy Reafon fayes, that thou a finner art ; 
 And, thereupon doth urge thee to depart. 
 But wherefore Jlwuld the guilt of fin affright 
 From flaying, rather then from taking flight 1 
 For, if thou jlialt remove away from hence, 
 Thy guilt retaining, by impenitence, 
 God hath not fo his Plagues confiried hither, 
 But that they may purfue thee any whither. 
 And whereas here, the danger, and the fear e, 
 Fncompaffing this place, might fo deter re, 
 So mollifie, and awe thy heart within thee ; 
 So move, and to amend thy life, fo win thee, 
 That Godfliall clenfe thy foule of ev^ry flame ; 
 And reconcile thee to himfelfe againe : 
 Perhaps, the wicked vaine fecurity, 
 That will attend thee wliither thou flialt ffye, 
 May make the meafure of thy fumes compleater, 
 Thy comforts fewer ; thy afflictions greater; 
 When leafl thou fear efl, mofl of all difeafe thee ; 
 And keepe off this, that fome worfe thing may feize thee. 
 
 And 
 
 109 
 
Brittan's Cant. i. 
 
 And, though thy Reafon urge thee to beeleve, 
 Thy friends may -wronged be, or too much grieve, 
 By this adventure : I, thy Faith, affure thee, 
 That if my Motives may to flay procure thee, 
 ( For -fitch good purpofes as I propofe) 
 Thy God /halt pay thy friends what ere they lofe; 
 Make fome ( by fearing what thy dangers are) 
 Of their owne wayes to take the greater care : 
 Keepe others (by preferring of them fad) 
 More watchfdl, that might elfe leffe heed have had : 
 And,flirre tip thee for them, and tliem for thee, 
 So zealous in contiuuall vowes to be, 
 As will (perchance) worfe perils drive away, 
 Then thofe, which are fo feared, in thy flay. 
 
 Oh I God, how many foules, by fleeing hence 
 Scape this, and catch a deadlier Peftilence ! 
 How many hearts whom Feare doth fomewhat fir ike 
 With forrowcs, which begins Repentance-//'/^, 
 (And might by flaying here, accomplifli that, 
 Which ev'ry true Beleever aimetli at) 
 Will fall from thofe beginnings, by their flight, 
 And lofe the feeling of Gods Judgements, quite ? 
 How many ! by wrong feeking to prevent, 
 Their heavenly Fathers loving chaflifement, 
 Incorrigible in their lives will grow ? 
 And bring themf elves to utter overthrow ? 
 And oh ! what ?nultitudes, by flaying here, 
 Shall change their dread,'////*? a fi Hall feare ? 
 Their feare to love, and love, and laud thee too, 
 For fending that, which they abhorred fo ! 
 
 Like them, who in the Deeps employed be, 
 Here, thou the wondrous works of GodJJialtfee. 
 That thou maift tell the world what he hath done; 
 Andfiug the praife of that Almighty-One 
 
 To 
 
 1 9c 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 95 
 
 To this, and future ages. And, for ivhat 
 
 Did he thy Soule and Body firfl create ? 
 
 For what redeeme thee ? For what end infufe 
 
 That Faculty, which thou dofl call thy Mufe ? 
 
 For what, but for his honor, to declare 
 
 Thofe Iudgements and his Mercies which will here 
 
 Bejlwwne unto thee? and tofing the Story 
 
 Of what thine eye beholdeth to his glory ? 
 
 For, if not here, then where ? Or if not now, 
 
 Then, at ivhat other time expeclefl thou 
 
 So f aire an oprortunity, tojliow 
 
 With how much readineffe thou couldfl beflow 
 
 Thy life, and all thy faculties, on him 
 
 (And, for his fer vice) who beftowed them ? 
 
 What nobler Subjecl can the world afford 
 
 For thee, or for the Mufes to record, 
 
 Then will thofe Iudgements, and thofe Mercies be, 
 
 Which God will in this place difclofe to thee 'I 
 
 If 'Reafon feeke fome purpofe in thy flay, 
 Me thinks, this purpofe pleafe thy Reafon may : 
 For, though thofe men who love their owne vaine praife, 
 Have little care of their Creators waies, 
 And finde fmall pleafingnejfe in thofe Relations, 
 Which are composed offuch like Obfervations ; 
 Yet, all the glorioufl acls of greatefl Kings, 
 Are triviall, worthleffc, bafe, a?idfoolifJi things, 
 Refpecling thefe. And, though fome nicer wits 
 Scarce think that fuch a Subjecl well befits 
 Their artfull Mufes. Yet, twixt this and that 
 Whereon they love to plod and meditate, 
 There's much more difference, then betivene their Laies 
 And thofe which they doe mofl of all difpraife: 
 And they who live (the time) I hope jliall fee, 
 Thefe Poems, much, more prized then they be: 
 
 Yea, 
 
 191 
 
B r I t t a n's Cant 3. 
 
 Yea, though it may appeare to common Reafon, 
 
 An acl impertinent, and out offeafon, 
 
 For fuch an end as this to make thy flay : 
 
 Let not her car nail Sophifmes thee difmay. 
 
 Forfince thou feejl a value Hiftorian dares 
 
 His per f on to adventure in the war res, 
 
 Thai he (for fame, or hire) may write a flory 
 
 Of what is done to his Commanders glory ; 
 
 This aclion, wherefore JJiouldfl thou ftartle from, 
 
 As if thy Iudgement it would mif-become? 
 
 Jfjufl it be, our fafe ties to contemne, 
 
 In fuch a cafe (if that be good in him) 
 
 How much morejufl, is thy adventure, then 
 
 Whofingft thepraife of God, and not of men 1 
 
 How much morefafely walkefl thou, then they ? 
 
 How much more glory, and how much more pay, 
 
 Can thy great Captaine give thee ? And how f mall 
 
 Should be thy feare ? Jf thou flwuldfl f care at all. 
 
 Nor to thy God, or to thy f elf e alone, 
 Will acceptable fervices be done 
 By flaying here : but peradventure fome 
 That living are, and fome, in time to come, 
 May reap advantage by it, and confeffe, 
 That thou wert borne for them ; and didfl poffeffe 
 And ufe thy life, not for thyfelfe alone, 
 But that to others profit might be done. 
 
 The gen' rail notice which men take of thee, 
 Will make thy aclions more obferved be 
 Then thofe of twenty others, who doe fee me 
 Jn their f mall circuits, men of great efleeme : 
 And, when hereafter it is knowne abroad, 
 To what good purpofes thou mad' 1 ft abode 
 In this afflicled City : on what ground, 
 Thy blamed refolution thou doft found: 
 
 How 
 
 192 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 96 
 
 How fenfible thou wert of ev'ry feare, 
 And of each per ill thou advent redf I here : 
 How many friends thou hadfl to fly e unto : 
 How much elfewhere thou mightfl have found to do ; 
 What Cenfures thou fliouldfl hazzard, in thy flay : 
 What pleafures wooed thee to come away : 
 How, thy continuing here was not by chance 
 By difcoulent, or humorous ignorance : 
 How, no compulfion, no perfzvading Friend, 
 No office, hope of gaine, or fuch like end 
 Necejfitated thee. Yea, when by fuch, 
 Who are to feare enflaved overmuch 
 All this is heeded well; And when menfliall 
 Confuter it, comparing there withall, 
 What caufes moved thee ; what meditation 
 Confirmed thy flay ; what kind of converfation 
 Thou daily praclifedfl; and what good ufe 
 They may from thy experiments /m///^; 
 // will perchance occafion fome to leame 
 2'hofe things, which yet they doe not well difcerne : 
 Help, in good Refolutions, fome to arme : 
 Some weake ones in temptations much confirme : 
 To fome become a meanes to make them fee 
 That men defpifed, may enabled be, 
 By Faith, to keepe their place undaunted there, 
 Where me?i of better feeming gifts doe feare. 
 And peradventure thou maifl compaffe that 
 Which likelier men in vaine have aymed at. 
 
 For, though it may be f aid this place hath flore 
 By Calling and by Gifts, adapted more 
 For fuch a taske; and that there may be fome, 
 That have no warrant for departing from 
 Thefe noy fome fir eets, who well enough may take 
 This paines ; and thereof thee excufed make. 
 
 I Yet 
 
 bb 1 93 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant. I. 
 
 Yet, filial 1 not that cxcufe thee. For, all they 
 Have Callings, which employ them wholly may. 
 Yea, they whofe wits are abler, think not on 
 That worke, perchance, as necdfull to be done. 
 Or if they doe, perhaps, they may expire 
 Before they have performed it ; or tire. 
 And though they fliould make perfit their defignes : 
 Yet their obfcurity, may barre their Lines 
 From taking that effecl, which if thou write, 
 Thy being far more knowne, accomplifli might. 
 For, Fame prevailes with many (now adaies) 
 And, //uncouth'd, unkift (as Chaucer fiaies.) 
 Or grant that many had the fame attempted, 
 (And men of note) yet wert thou not exempted. 
 For, befl it is, when fuch like things as thefe 
 Confirmed are by many witneffes. 
 
 Befide ; if thofe affurances which thou 
 Shalt publifh (and thy Faith _///#// well allow) 
 Affirmed were by none but fuch as they 
 Who might not from this place depai't away 
 Without much lofje, or blame : meere natural! men 
 Might have contemned all thofe counfels, then, 
 And all thofe jufl reproofs, that may, by thee, 
 Or any other 7?ian objecled be, 
 Againfl their flavifli Feares : and may reply, 
 That no manftaid, but he that could not fly e : 
 Or that none durfil become a voluntary, 
 In fuch a Fire, for confidence fake, to tarie : 
 And, that no mortal! man had pottfr obtained 
 To bide fuch brunts, till outwardly confilrain'd. 
 Whereas thy fir ee abiding here, will move 
 Much better thoughts : thy conflancy approve ; 
 Procure the more beleefe to thy Relations ; 
 The more effecluall make thy good perfwafions : 
 
 And 
 
 194 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 97 
 
 And flop their mouthes, who might fome other way 
 Thy paines have wrong 'd, had ought procured thy flay. 
 
 Oh ! far, far be it, that Lufl, Avarice, 
 The flrong diflempers of fome hatefull Vice, 
 Aflupid Melancholy, or the tumors 
 Of fome wilde Paffion, or fantaflicke Humors, 
 Should fixe more flout '/ie/Je in the heart of man, 
 Then temperate, and pious knowledge can. 
 Far be it, that old women, for their pay, 
 Or Sextons _/y/' as little hire, as they, 
 We in the walks of Death Jhould walking fee 
 Without allfeare ; yet, they deterred be, 
 Who boafil of knowledge ; and have fuug, and f aid, 
 That though in Deaths black fhadowes they were laid, 
 They woidd without difmay continue there ; 
 Becaufe Gods Rod, and Staffe, their keepers are. 
 Oh ! let not this be fo : And be it far 
 From proving true ; that they who fludious are 
 Of Wifdome, and of Piety, fliouldflirinke, 
 Where he, whofe head peece is but amid with drinke, 
 Sits fearleffe : Or, that Vfe, or Cuftome_/W/ 
 Embolden more, then Chriftian Faith, and all 
 The Morall Vertues : Or, that thou jlwiddfl yceld 
 To carnall Reafon, andforgoe the Field. 
 
 Moe Arguments / could, as yet, exprefie, 
 To prove thy flaying hath much ufcfulneffe: 
 As that it were unkindneffe to for fake 
 Thofe perfons here, who comfort in thee take. 
 For, fome prof effe already, that they bide, 
 By thy example, greatly fort ifi'd, 
 (In their compelled flay ) by feeing thee 
 So willingly, their griefes companion be. 
 Yea, many a one, obfervmg thee to flay, 
 Confeffeth, he dothfliame toflye aivay. 
 
 1 2 Thereby, 
 
 'Lo 
 
BRITTAN's Cant. I. 
 
 Thereby, thofe Refolutions they have got 
 Which very lately they embraced not ; 
 And might, perhaps, if now thou Jliouldjl depart, 
 Become afraid, becaufe thou fearfull art. 
 
 Me thinks, it is unmanlineffe toflie 
 From thofe, in woe, whom in profperity 
 Thou lovedfl: yea, lis bafeneffe, not tofJiare 
 In ev'ry forrow which thy friends doe beare, 
 As well as iti their pleafures, if they be 
 Such friends, asfome of thine doe fee me to thee. 
 
 Here, thou hafl long continued. On the bread 
 Of Dainties, in this City thou hafl fed. 
 Here, thou hafl laught and fung ; and here thou hajl 
 Thy youthful! yeares, in many follies pafl ; 
 Abus'd thy Chriftian-liberty, and trod 
 That Maze, which brings forgetful neffe of God. 
 Here, thy example, fome corrupted hath ; 
 Here, thou hafl moved thy Creators wrath : 
 Here, thou hafl finned ; and thy finnes they were, 
 Which holpe to bring this Plague now raging here. 
 
 Here, therefore, doe thou faft : here, doe thou mourne, 
 And, into fighcs, and teares, thy laughter turne. 
 Here, yeeld thyfelfe to pr if on, till thou fee 
 At this Affize, how God will deale by thee : 
 Ev'n here, the time redeeme thou : here, reflore 
 By good examples, thofe whom heretofoi e 
 Thou hafl offended : here, thy f elf e apply 
 Gods jufil incenfed wrath to pacific 
 Here,joyne in true Repentance, to remove 
 That Storme which now defcendeth from above. 
 And then, or live or dye, this Place, to thee 
 A place of Refuge, and of ioy filiall be. 
 Nor Sin, nor Death, nor Hell, nor any thing 
 Shall dif contentment, fcare, or perill bring 
 
 Which 
 
 96 
 
Cant. i. Remembrancer. 98 
 
 Which to thy Soule or Body,JJiall become 
 
 A difadvantage, but helpe five thee from 
 
 Deflruclion : loyes, as yet, unfelt, procure : 
 
 In all temptations, make thy minde fecure : 
 
 D if cover plainly how thy Reafon failed ; 
 
 And, make thee bleffe the time, thy Faith prevailed. 
 
 But, thou dofl want a Calling ( R E A S O N cries) 
 Thy flaying in this place to ivarrantize. 
 And, that uniill thereof thou dofl obtaine 
 The full affurance, all my fpeech is value. 
 Jndeed, the glorioufl worke we can begin, 
 Vnleffe God call us to it, is a fin, 
 And therefore, evry man fliould feeke to knoiv 
 What, God, and what value Fancy cats him to. 
 For, Pride, and over-weening Arrogance, 
 The Devill, or a zealous Ignorance, 
 Suggefls falfe warrants ; and allureth men 
 To dangerous adventures, now and then : 
 Yea, maketh fome, from Gods commands to fall, 
 And take employments at the Devils call. 
 
 To judge thy Calling, then, learne this of me, 
 That, fome Vocations ordinary be, 
 Some extraordinary. If thou take 
 An ordinary Calling, thou mufl make 
 The common entrance, which that potter doth give 
 Within whofe Iurifdiclion thou dofl live : 
 Elfe (whatfoever caufe thou dofl pretend) 
 Jt is Intrusion .• and thou fJialt offend. 
 
 If thou conceivefl thou fome Calling haft 
 Jn Extraordinary ; fee it pafl 
 By Gods allotvance, from Gods holy Writ, 
 Before fuch time as thou accept of it. 
 And, then, beware that nothing force thee back, 
 Or, make thee in thine Office to beflacke. 
 
 S3 In 
 
 197 
 
Brittan's Cant i. 
 
 In briefe; a Calling extraordinary, 
 Tojuflifie it felfe, thefe Markes muft carie ; 
 And, if it faile of them, but in the leaf I, 
 Thy Confcience is deluded in the reft. 
 
 Gods glory will be aymed at, in chiefe : 
 It will be grounded on a true beleefe : 
 It doth not Gods revealed will oppofe : 
 No ftep that erres from Charity it goes : 
 It feeketh not, what cannot be enjoy'd : 
 It makes no ordinary calling void : 
 Some caufe not frequent muft invite thereto : 
 And (to accomplijh what thou haft to doe) 
 Some Gift, that's proper for it, muft be given, 
 And then, thou haft thy Calling feal'd from heaven. 
 
 Approve thy felfe by thefe, and thou ftialt fee, 
 That, God, no doubt, hath truly called thee, 
 To this adventure. For, thy heart intends 
 His praife in this, above all other ends. 
 Thou doft beleeve, that (whether live or dye) 
 Thy flay ftiall fo mew hat adde, to glorifie 
 Thy bleffed Maker ; and that fomething ftiall 
 To thine, and others profits, here, befall. 
 Thy Iudgement, to thy Confcience nought difclofeih, 
 Wherein it Gods revealed Will oppqfeth : 
 It well agrees with Charity, and tryes 
 To compaffe no impoffibilities. 
 Nor hinders it, nor calls it thee from ought 
 Which is more necefary to be wrought. 
 A Caufe not ordinary now requires 
 Thy prefence here ; and, God himf elf e infp ires 
 Thy Br eft with Refolutions that agree 
 Tofuch an aclion. Gifts, which none but he 
 Can give, he gives thee ; fuch, as are by Nature, 
 Not found in any fubcceleftiall Creature, 
 
 But 
 
 198 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 99 
 
 But, meerly of his Grace : and, fuch, as none 
 Can counterfeit, by all that may be done. 
 
 And, whence are all thefe Mufings here exprefl ? 
 Whence come thefe combalings within thy brefl 
 Twixt Me and Reafon ? who is it that makes 
 Thy heart fo fcarleffe, now fuch horror fliakes 
 The foul es of others ? what embolden can 
 The frightfull fpirit of a naturall man, 
 In fuch apparant dangers to abide ? 
 And yet, his Reafon nothing from him hide, 
 That feemeth to be dreadfull ; neither leave him 
 Such Aymes, or fuch like Paffions to deceive him, 
 As harden others ? Who, hit he, that giveth 
 Each perfit Gift ; thefe Gifts to thee deriveth ? 
 And fare he nought beflowes, but therewithall 
 He fends occafions that employ itfJiall. 
 
 Few Officers fiall zvant a doubtful neffe 
 That they their places doubtfully poffeffe, 
 Jf this be doubtfull; whether God {or no) 
 Hath called thee to what J bid thee doe. 
 For, outward Callings, mofl men doe, or may 
 Intrude upon, by fome finifler way : 
 By Symony, by Bribery, by Spoiles, 
 By open Violence, or fecret Wiles. 
 And therefore (though the Seales of Kings they gaine 
 To flrengthen what unduly they obtaine) 
 Some doubting of their Callings may be had 
 To God ward, though fitch doubts be rarely made. 
 
 But, for thy Calling thou Commiffioii hafl 
 So firme ; and it fo many Seales hath pafi, 
 That nothing fJiould induce thee to fufpetl 
 Thy Warrant, or diftrufl a good effecl. 
 
 God, from thy Cradle, feemes to have ordairid thee 
 To fuch a purpofe : for, he yearly train V thee 
 
 I 4 Through 
 
 199 
 
Br it tan's Cant.$. 
 
 Through fev'rall cares, and perils, fo inure 
 Thy heart, to what he meant thou JJwuldJl endure : 
 Fife why fJwuldJl thou (whofe aclions honejl were 
 To Man ward, though to God ward foule they are) 
 Be more for that afflicted, which doth fee 'ine 
 ( To fome) a worke deferving good efleeme, 
 Then are a multitude in thefe our times, 
 Convicled of the mofl notorious crimes ? 
 
 Why, at thy very birth, did he infufe 
 Thy Soule with naturall helpes to forme thy Mufe, 
 Which is a Faculty not lent to many, 
 Nor by meere Art attained to, of any 1 
 To thee, why gave he Knowledge, fuch a way 
 As others lofe it by ? And why I pray 
 Did he be/low upon thee fo much Fame 
 For thofefew childijh lines that thou didfl frame 
 In thy minority 1 Why did he then 
 ( Then fcarce a man) enroule thy Name with men ? 
 And make thee to be praised and prized before 
 Thofe men whofe Yeares, and Sciences are more ? 
 What was there in thy Poems ? what in thee, 
 Thatfeem'd not worthy of contempt to be, 
 Much ?nore then of applaufe ? And what hafl thou 
 From f come to fare thee, but Gods mercy now ? 
 
 Bcleeve it, he divulgeth not thy Name 
 For thine ozone honor : But to make the fame 
 A meanes of fpreading his. From perills pafl 
 He fav'd not thee, for any worth thou hafl, 
 But, to declare his Mercies. At this feafon, 
 He moves this plea betwixt thy Faith and Reafon, 
 Not to be paffed over, as in value ; 
 But, in thy Brefl true courage to maintaine. 
 Thy Mufe he gave thee, Jiot to exercife 
 Her potur in bafe and fruitleffe vanities, 
 
 Or 
 
Caiit.i. Remembrancer. ioo 
 
 Or to be fdenc'd : but, to magnifie 
 The wo7idrous workings of his Majefty. 
 
 And, as the feales of Kings authorize thofe 
 To whom they doe their Offices difpofe, 
 So, thefe are Signes which force enough doe cary 
 To fcale this calling extraordinary : 
 And, they who fleight the fame will infome meafure 
 Incur the King of heavens high difpleafure. 
 
 More might be fa id (hereof to make a proof e) 
 But, more to fay, were more then is enough. 
 Of this, no further, therefore, fie difpide \ 
 But, bid thee flay, thy Place to execute. 
 
 When FAITH had made this pleading in my bred 
 My REASON 'was perfwaded to protefl 
 Her full affent, to what (he firft gainfaid, 
 Which, that it might be conftantly obey'd, 
 My Confcience, in her Court, did (bone decree ; 
 And, all my thoughts were then at peace in me. 
 
 From that time forward, neither Friend, nor Foe, 
 Could ftartle me in what I meant to doe. 
 No vaine defires within me did controule 
 My purpofe : no diftrufts did fright my foule : 
 Nor feemed it, fo dangerous, to flay, 
 As (knowing what I knew) to flye away. 
 
 For, though thefe Arguments, and fuch as thefe, 
 Can never fit in all mens Confciences, 
 The juft Meridian (feeing, variations 
 In manifold refpects, make alterations) 
 Yet, mine they futed with ; and may, and (hall 
 Be fome way ufefull, to my Readers all. 
 I wifht it fo : For, I was then infpired 
 With love to all ; and all mens weale defired. 
 Me thought, I pitied thofe, who fhould not fee 
 What God within this place did (how to me : 
 
 I 5 And 
 
 CC 201 
 
Brittan's Cant. 3. 
 
 And fhould have grieved to have beene conftrained, 
 
 Within the City, not to have remained. 
 
 For by my felfe, when I to cenfure brought 
 
 My prefent Lott ; it pleas'd me : and, me thought, 
 
 That, God vouchfafed to employ me fo, 
 
 And furnifh me for what I was to doe, 
 
 With fuch a healthfull body, and a minde 
 
 To act his will fo readily enclin'd ; 
 
 It feem'd more comfort, and more honour far, 
 
 Then if a Monarkes Favorite I were, 
 
 Or might for temporall refpecls become 
 
 The nobleft perfon of all CJiriJlendome. 
 
 And, if I mail not (till this minde embrace, 
 
 A dog halfe hanged is in better cafe. 
 
 For, when that favour I doe value leffe, 
 
 I fliall grow fenfeleffe of all happineffe. 
 
 Oh ! God, how great a blefling, then, didft thou 
 Confer upon me ? And what Grace allow ! 
 Oh ! what am I, and what my parentage? 
 That Thou of all the Children of this Age 
 Didft chufe out me, fo highly to prefer, 
 As of thy Acls, to be a Rcgijler ? 
 And give me Fortitude and Refolution, 
 To ftay, and view thy judgements execution ? 
 That, I fhould live to fee thy Angell here, 
 Ev'n in his greateft dreadfulneffe appeare ? 
 That, when a thoufand fell before my face, 
 And at my right hand (in as little fpace) 
 Ten thoufand more, I fhould be ftill protected 
 From that contagious blaft, which them infected ! 
 That, when of Arrowes thou didft fhoot a flight 
 So thick by day, and fuch a ftorme by night 
 Of pois'ned fhafts ; I, then, fhould walke among 
 The iharpeft of them ; and yet paffe along 
 
 Vnharm'd ? 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. ioi 
 
 Vnharm'd ? And that I fliould behold the path 
 Which thou dofl pace in thy hot burning wrath, 
 (Yet not confume to Alhes) what a wonder 
 To me it feemes, when thereupon I ponder ! 
 
 How great a grace it was, whofe tongue can fay, 
 That I who am but breathing duft and clay, 
 Should waking (and in all my fenfes, well) 
 Walke downe the Grave almoft as low as hell, 
 Yet come againe unfcarred ? and have leave 
 To live and tell what there I did perceive ! 
 Yea come (as from the dead) againe to fhow 
 The faithleffe world what terrors are below ! 
 (And juftifie, that though a man me fent 
 Ev'n from the Grave to move men to repent, 
 No Faith would in thofe hearers be begot, 
 Who Mofes and the Prophets credit not.) 
 
 How great a Mercy was it, that when I 
 Was thought in dangers, and in griefes to lye, 
 That, for my Shephcard I had thee my God ? 
 And in the path of beft contentments trod ? 
 That I, on fweeteft Pleafures banqueted, 
 When other men did eate Afflictions bread ? 
 That, I had perfecft joyes ev'n in my teares? 
 Affured fafety in my greateft feares ? 
 A thoufand comforts, whereof, they who lived 
 In better-feeming ftates, were quite deprived ? 
 And much content, which they will never know, 
 Who keep thofe paths in which the Vulgar go. 
 
 What matchleffe benefits were thefe ! & whence 
 Canft thou, that gav'ft them, have thy recompence, 
 But from thy felfe ? Or who but thou alone 
 Can give me heart enough to thinke upon 
 Thefe Graces as I ought ? Oh ! therefore, daigne 
 To make my breft fufficient to containe 
 
 That 
 
 203 
 
Brit tan's Cant. 
 
 That meafure of due thankfulneffe, which may 
 Accepted be, for what I cannot pay. 
 And, fuffer not my frailties, or my fin 
 To hide againe, what thou doft now begin 
 To make me fee ; but grant to me thy grace, 
 For ever, to behold thy cheerfull face. 
 
 Nor Oik, nor Come, nor Wine can glad me fo : 
 Nor fhall their brutifh lovers ever know 
 What joyes within my breft begotten be, 
 When thy pleas'd countenance doth fhine on me. 
 Let thofe who of great Kings affedtions boaft, 
 (And for their favours are engaged moft) 
 Thofe who poffeffe (their ftarveling foules to pleafe) 
 Sweet Gardens, Groves, and curious Palaces, 
 Rich Iewels, large Revenues, princely Stiles, 
 The flatteries of Lords, and female fmiles, 
 The pleafures of the Chamber, and the Fields, 
 All thofe which dainty fare, or Mufique yeelds, 
 The City or the Court ; and all that ftuffe 
 Of which their hearts can never have enough : 
 Let thefe, and thofe who their defires approve, 
 With fuch entiling Objecls fall in love : 
 Let them purfue their fancies, till they finde 
 What forrowes and difgraces come behinde : 
 And let them furfet on them, till they fee 
 By tride experience, what their fruit will be. 
 I never fhall envy their happineffe ; 
 Nor covet their high fortunes to poffeffe, 
 If thou preferve me ftill in thy protection, 
 And cheere my fpirit by thine eyes reflection. 
 For then I fhall not feare the fcornes of fuch : 
 My cares, or wants fhall never grieve me much : 
 I mail not need to crouch and fue to them, 
 Who thee, and me. and vertue fhall contemne. 
 
 204 
 
Cant. 3. Remembrancer. 102 
 
 I fhall nor fhrinke nor flartle, when I heare 
 
 Thofe evill tidings, which men daily feare. 
 
 Nor leave my {landing, though that in the roome 
 
 Of this great Peflilence, a Warre fhould come. 
 
 Or (which were worfe) another Fiery triall, 
 
 To force us, of thy Truth to make deniall. 
 
 And, in thefe fearfull times, no temporall bliffe 
 
 Would feeme a greater priviledge then this, 
 
 To thofe, who now with trembling foules, expect 
 
 What our proceedings will at laft effect. 
 
 Yea, they, perhaps, who now are ftupifi'd, 
 
 Will praife my lot, whe they their chance have try'd. 
 
 But (though ev'n all men living fhould defpife 
 The comfort of it) I the fame will prife. 
 I praife thee for it, LORD, and here emplore 
 That I may praife thee for it, evermore : 
 That thefe expreffions of thy love to me, 
 May helpfull alfo to thy praifes be 
 In other men : And (if it may be fo) 
 In other times, and other places too : 
 And, that the fhewing how I did compofe 
 The ivaj're which twixt my Faith and Reafon rule, 
 May teach fome others how they fhould debate 
 Such doubts within themfelves ; and arbitrate 
 (Within their Court of Confcieuce) what is fit 
 To be concluded, and fo practife it. 
 For, why fo largely, I have this expreft, 
 That, was not, of my purpofes, the leaft. 
 
 I beg moreover, that I may purfue 
 To utter that which I have yet to fhew. 
 And, that nor Sloth, nor Want, nor any Let, 
 May to thefe Poemes their laft period fet, 
 Till I have made my Readers to conceive, 
 That this was undertaken by thy leave : 
 
 And 
 
 = 05 
 
B R I T T A N'S Cant. 4. 
 
 And, that my Cenfurers may come to fay, 
 There was an ufefull purpofe in my flay : 
 Or, fhew me what they did ; or, what I might 
 Have done to better ufes in my flight. 
 
 I laftly, crave (which is, I truft, begun) 
 That, I the way of thy Commands may run, 
 The remnant of my Talent, and my dayes, 
 Employing in good actions, to thy praife : 
 That, I, for ever, may thofe paths refufe 
 Which may unhallovv, or pervert my Mufe : 
 And that, when this is done, I may not fall 
 Through Pride or Sloth ; as if this act were all : 
 But, humbly ftrive fuch other workes to doe, 
 As thou requir'ft, and I was borne unto. 
 Yea furnifh me with ev'ry thing by which 
 I beft may ferve thee, and I fhall be rich. 
 
 This beg I, Lord; and nothing elfe I crave, 
 For, more then that, were leffe then nought to have : 
 I beg of thee, nor Fame, nor mortall praife, 
 Nor carnall pleafures, nor yet length of dayes, 
 Nor honors, nor vaine wealth, but, juft what may 
 The Charges of my Pilgrimage defray. 
 
 Oh grant me this ; and heare me when I call : 
 For, if thou Hand not by me, I fhall fall. 
 
 The fourth Canto. 
 
 On?' Mufe, in this fourth Canto, writes 
 
 Of melancholy thoughts, and fights : 
 
 What changes were in every place ; 
 
 What Ruines in a little fpace : 
 
 How Trades, and how provifions faiVd ' ; 
 
 How Sorroiv thriiut; how Death prevail 1 d ; 
 
 And, how in triumph he did ride, 
 
 With 
 
 206 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 103 
 
 With all his horrors, by his fide. 
 
 To L OND O N, thcn,JJie doth declare 
 How fating her affliclions were 
 To former fumes : what good and bad 
 Effecls, this Plague produced had : 
 What friendly Champions, and what Foes 
 For us did fight, or us oppofe : 
 And, how the great eft Plague of all 
 On fioore Artificers, did fall. 
 
 Then, from the Fields, new grief eflie takes, 
 And, ufefull Meditations makes : 
 Relates, how flowly Vengeance came, 
 How, God forewarned us of the fame : 
 What other Plagues to this were joy ned : 
 And, here and there are interlined 
 Vpbraidings, warnings, exhortations, 
 And, pertinent expoflulations. 
 
 'Hen Confidence had allowed my Commijfion 
 For flaying, & declar'd on what condition ; 
 I did not onely feele my heart confent 
 To entertaine it, with a full content, 
 But alfo, found my felfe prepared fo 
 To execute the worke I had to do, 
 That without paine (me thought) I was employ'd, 
 And all my Pajfions to good ufe enjoy'd. 
 
 For, though God freed my foule from flavifh v /m/r, 
 Yet, fo much awe he ftill preferved there, 
 As kept within my heart fome naturall fenfe 
 Of his difpleafure, and of penitence. 
 He gave me loyes, yet left fome Griefie withall, 
 Left I into fecurity might fall ; 
 Or, lofe the fellow-feeling of that paine, 
 Whereof, I heard my neighbours to complaine. 
 
 He 
 
 207 
 
Brit tan's Cant. 4. 
 
 He lent me health : yet, ev'ry day fome twitches 
 Of pangs unufuall ; many qualmes, and flitches 
 Of fhort continuance, my poore heart affailed, 
 That I might heed the more what others ayled. 
 He kept me hopefull : and yet, now and then, 
 His rods (wherewith, in love, he fcourgeth men) 
 Did make me fmart ; left elfe I might affume 
 The liberty of Wantons, and prefume. 
 My ordinary mealies was made their prey, 
 Who feeke my fpoile, and lately tooke away. 
 Yet, me with plenties, daily he did feed, 
 And I did nothing want, which I could need. 
 Which God vouchfafed to affure to me, 
 That when unufuall workes required be ; 
 He will (e're we fhall want what's neceffary) 
 Supply us by a meanes, not ordinary. 
 
 By many other fignes, unmention'd here, 
 Gods love, and providence, did fo appeare, 
 And fo me thought ingage me, to remove 
 What ever to his work a let might prove ; 
 That (fo farre forth as my fraile nature could 
 Admit, and things convenient fuffer would) 
 My owne Affaires afide, a while I threw, 
 And bent my felfe, with heedfulneffe, to view 
 What, worth my notice, in this Plague I faw, 
 Or, what good ufes I from thence might draw. 
 
 But, farre I needed not to pace about, 
 Nor long enquire to finde fuch Objecls out. 
 For, ev'ry place with forrowes then abounded, 
 And ev'ry way the cryes of Mourning founded. 
 Yea, day by day, fucceffively till night, 
 And from the evening till the morning light, 
 Were Scoenes of Griefe, with ftrange variety, 
 Knit up, in one continuing Iragedy. 
 
 No 
 
 208 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 104 
 
 No fooner wak'd I, but twice twenty knels, 
 And many fadly-founding/^/^-^/y, 
 Did greet mine eare, and by their heavy towles, 
 To me gave notice that fome early foules 
 Departed whilft T flept : That other fome 
 Were drawing onward to their longeft home ; 
 And, feemingly, prefag'd, that many a one 
 Should bid the world good-night, e're it were noone. 
 
 One while the mournfull Tenor, in her tones 
 Did yeeld a found as if in deepe fet grones, 
 She did bewaile the forrow which attends 
 The feparation of thofe loving friends, 
 The Soule and Body. Other while, agen, 
 Me thought, it call'd on me, and other men 
 To pray, that God would view them with compaffiS, 
 And give them comfortable feparation. 
 (For, we fhould with a fellow-feeling, share 
 In ev'ry forrow, which our brethren beare) 
 Sometime my Fancy tuned fo the Bell, 
 As if her Towlings did the ftory tell 
 Of my mortality, and call me from 
 This life, by oft, and loudly founding, Come. 
 
 So long the folitary nights did laft 
 That I had leafure my accounts to caft ; 
 And think upon, and over-think thofe things, 
 Which darkneffe, lonelineffe, and forrow brings 
 To their confideration, who doe know, 
 From whence they came, and whither they muft go. 
 
 My Chamber entertain'd me all alone, 
 And in the roomes adjoyning lodged none. 
 Yet, through the darkfome filent night did flye 
 Sometime an uncouth noife ; fometime a cry, 
 And fometime mournfull callings piere'd my roome, 
 Which came, I neither knew from whence, nor whom. 
 
 And 
 
 dd 209 
 
Brittan's Cant. 4. 
 
 And, oft betwixt awaking and aileepe, 
 Their voices who did talke, or pray, or weepe, 
 Vnto my liftning eares a paffage found, 
 And troubled me, by their uncertaine found. 
 For, though the founds themfelves no terror were, 
 Nor came from anything that I could feare ; 
 Yet, they bred Mufings ; and thofe mufmgs bred 
 Conjefturings, in my halfe fleeping head : 
 By their Conjectures into minde were brought 
 Some reall things, before quite out of thought ; 
 They, divers Fancies to my foule did fhew, 
 Which me Hill further, and ftill further drew 
 To follow them ; till they did thoughts procure 
 Which humane frailty cannot long endure : 
 Ev'n fuch, as when I fully was awake, 
 Did make my heart to tremble, and to ake. 
 And, when fuch frailties have difheartned men, 
 Oh ! God, how bufie is the Devill then ? 
 
 I know in part his malice, and the wayes 
 And times, and thofe occafions which he layes 
 To worke upon our weakneffe ; and there is 
 Scarce any which doth fhew him like to this. 
 I partly alfo know by what degrees 
 He worketh it ; how he doth gaine or leefe 
 Flis labours ; and fome fenfe I have procur'd, 
 What pangs are by the foule that while endur'd. 
 
 For, though my God, in mercy, hath indu'd 
 My Soule with Knowledge, and with Fortitude 
 In fuch a meafure, that I doe not feare 
 (Diftradtedly) thofe tortures which appeare 
 In folitary darkneffe : yet, fome part 
 Of this, and of all frailties in my heart 
 Continues he ; that fo I might confeffe 
 His mercies with continuall thank fulneffe, 
 
 And 
 
 210 
 
Cant. dr. Remembrancer. 105 
 
 And, fomewhat (evermore) about me beare, 
 Which unto me my frailties may declare. 
 Yea (though without diftemper, now it be) 
 So much of thofe grim feares are fhewed me, 
 Which terrifi'd my childhood, and which make 
 The hearts of aged men, fometimes to quake ; 
 That I am fenfible of their eftate ; 
 And can their cafe the more compaffionate, 
 Who on their beds of death doe pained lye, 
 Exil'd from comfort, and from company, 
 When dreadfull Fancies doe their foules afright, 
 Begotten by the melancholy night. 
 
 Glad was I, when I faw the Sun appeare, 
 (And with his Rayes to bleffe our Hemifphere) 
 That from the tumbled bed I might arife, 
 And with more lightfomneffe refrefh mine eyes : 
 Or with fome good companions, read, or pray, 
 To paffe, the better, my fad thoughts away : 
 For, though fuch thoughts oft ufefull are, and good \ 
 Yet, knowing well, I was but flefh and blood, 
 I alfo knew mans naturall condition 
 Muft have in joyes, and griefes, an intermiffion, 
 Left too much joy mould fill the heart with folly, 
 Or, too much griefe breed dangerous melancholy. 
 
 But, when the Morning came, it little fhewed, 
 Save light, to fee difcomfortings renewed : 
 For, if I ftaid within, I heard relations 
 Of nought but dying pangs, and lamentations. 
 If in the Streets I did my footing fet, 
 With many fad difafters there I met. 
 And, objects of mortality and feare, 
 I faw in great abundance ev'ry where. 
 
 Here, one man ftagger'd by, with vifage pale : 
 There, lean'd another, grunting on a flail. 
 
Brit t a n's Cant. 4. 
 
 A third, halfe dead, lay gafping for his grave ; 
 A fourth did out at window call, and rave ; 
 Yonn came the Bearers, fweating from the Pit, 
 To fetch more bodies to repleniih it. 
 A little further off, one fits, and fhowes 
 The/pots, which he Deaths tokens doth fuppofe, 
 (E're fuch they be) and, makes them fo indeed ; 
 Which had been fignes of health, by taking heed. 
 For, thofe ronnd-purple-fpots, which moft have thought 
 Deaths fatall tokens (where they forth are brought,) 
 May prove Life tokens, if that ought be done, 
 To helpe the worke, which Nature hath begun. 
 Whereas, that feare, which their opinion brings 
 Who threaten Death ; the want of cordiall things 
 (To helpe remove that poifon from the heart, 
 Which Nature hath expelled thence in part) 
 And then, the Sickmans liberty of having 
 Cold drinks, and what his appetite is craving, 
 Brings backe againe thofe humours peftilent, 
 Which by the vitall pow'rs had forth beene fent. 
 So by recharging him that was before 
 Nigh fpent, the fainting Combatant gives o're : 
 And he that cheerfully did raife his head, 
 Is often, in a moment, ftrucken dead. 
 Feare alfo helps it forward. Yea, the terror 
 Occafion'd, by their fond and common error, 
 Who tell the fleke, that markt for Death they be, 
 (When thofe blew fpots upon their flefh they fee) 
 Ev'n that hath murthred thoufands, who might here 
 Have lived, elfe, among us, many a yeare. 
 
 For, if the Surgeons, or the Searchers, know 
 Thofe markes, which for the markes of death do goe, 
 From common-fpots, ox purples, (which we muft 
 Confeffe, or elfe all kinde of fpots diflruft) 
 
 Then 
 
 12 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 106 
 
 Then, fuch as we Death-tokens call were feene 
 On fome, that have long fince recover'd beene. 
 
 Before I learned this, I fixt mine eyes 
 On many a private mans calamities, 
 And faw the Streets (wherein a while agoe 
 We fcarce could paffe, the people fill'd them fo) 
 Appeare nigh defolate ; yea, quite forlorn e 
 And for their wonted vifitants to mourne. 
 
 Much peopled Weflminfler, where late, I faw, 
 So many rev'rend fudges of the Law, 
 With Clients, and with Suitors hemmed round : 
 Where Courts and Palaces did fo abound 
 With buf'neffes : and, where, together met 
 Our Thrones of Iuflice, and our Mercy-feat ; 
 That place, was then frequented, as you fee 
 Some Villages on Holy-dayes will be 
 When halfe the Townefhip, and the hamlets nigh 
 Are met to revell, at fome Parifh, by. 
 Perhaps, the wronging of the Orphans caufe, 
 Denying, or perverting of the Lawes 
 There practifed, did fet this Plague abreeding, 
 And fent the Terme from Wejbninjier to Reading. 
 Her goodly Church and Chappell, did appeare 
 Like fome poore Minfkr which hath twice a yeare 
 Foure vifitants : And, her great Hall, wherein 
 So great a Randevow had lately bin, 
 Did look like thofe old Structures, where long fince 
 Men fay, King Arthur kept his refidence. 
 The Parliament had left her, to goe fee 
 If they could learne at Oxford to agree ; 
 Or if that ayre were better for the health 
 And fafety of our Englifh Common-wealth. 
 But there, fome did fo counfell, and fo vrge 
 The Body politike to take a purge, 
 
 To 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant. 4. 
 
 To purine the parts that feemed foule : 
 Some others did that motion fo controule, 
 And plead fo much for Cordialls, and for that 
 Which ftrengthen might the finnewes of the State, 
 That all the time, the labour, and the coil, 
 Which had bellowed beene, was wholly loft. 
 And, here, the empty Houfe of Parliament 
 Did looke as if it had beene difcontent, 
 Or griev'd (me thought) that Oxford fhould not be 
 More profperous, yet ; nor could I any fee 
 Refort to comfort her : But, there did I 
 Behold two Tray tors heads, which perching high, 
 Did fhevv their teeth, as if they had been grinning 
 At thofe Afflictions which are now beginning, 
 Yea, their wide eye-holes, ftar'd, me thought, as tho 
 They lookt to fee that Houfe now overthrow 
 Itfelfe, which they with Powder up had blowne, 
 Had God, their fnares, and them, not overthrowne. 
 
 White Hall, where not three months before, I fpi'd 
 Great Britaine in the height of all her pride, 
 And, France with her contending, which could moft 
 Outbrave old Rome and Ferfia, in their coft 
 On Robes and Feafls : Ev'n that lay folitary, 
 As doth a quite-forfaken Monajlery 
 In fome lone Forreft ; and we could not paffe 
 To many places, but through weeds and graffe. 
 Perhaps, the fmnes, of late, committed there, 
 Occafions of fuch defolation were. 
 Pray God, there be not others, in the State, 
 That will make all, at laft, be defolate. 
 
 The Strand, that goodly thorow-fare betweene 
 The Court and City (and where I have feene 
 Well nigh a million palling in one day) 
 Is now, ahnoft, an unfrequented way: 
 
 And 
 
 2 1 i 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 107 
 
 And peradventure, for thofe impudencies, 
 Thofe riots, and thofe other foule offences, 
 Which in that place were frequent, when it had 
 So great refort ; it is now juftly made 
 To fland unvifited. God grant it may 
 Repent ; left longer, and another way 
 It fland unpeopled, or fome others ufe 
 Thofe bleflings, which the owners now abufe. 
 
 The City-houfes of our Englifh Peeres, 
 Now fmoakt as feldome, as in other yeares 
 Their Country-palaces : and, they perchance 
 Much better know then doth my ignorance, 
 Why fo it came to paffe. But, wifn I mall 
 That they their wayes to minde would better call ; 
 Left both their Country, and their City-piles, 
 Be fmoaking feene, and burning, many miles. 
 
 The /fines of Court I entred ; and I faw 
 Each Roome fo defolate, as if the Law 
 Had out-law'd all her Students ; or that there 
 Some fear'd arreftings, where no Sergeants were. 
 Moft dreame that this great fright was thither fent 
 Not purpofely, but came by accident ; 
 And fo, but little ufe is taken from 
 Gods Judgements, to amend the times to come. 
 Yet, I dare fay, it was a warning given 
 Ev'n by appointment : and decreed in heaven : 
 To fignifie, that if our Lawyers will 
 In their abufive wayes continue full, 
 The caufe of their profeffion quite forgetting, 
 And to their practices no limits fetting, 
 Till they (as heretofore the Clergy were) 
 Are moe in number then the Land can beare. 
 Their goodly Palaces fliall fpew them forth, 
 As excrements that have nor ufe nor worth ; 
 
 And 
 
B R I T T A N's Cant. 4. 
 
 And, be difpofed of, as now they fee, 
 The Priories, and Monaftcries be. 
 
 It griev'd me to behold this wofull change, 
 And places fo well knowne, appeare fo ftrange. 
 But, oh poore LONDON ! when I lookt on thee, 
 Remembring therewithall, thy jollity 
 Erewhile ; and how foone after I did meet 
 With griefe and fad complaints in ev'ry ftreet. 
 When I did minde how throng'd thy Gates have bin 
 And then perceiv'd fo few paft out or in. 
 When I confider'd that abundant ftore 
 Of wealth, which thou difcover'dft heretofore : 
 And, looking on thy many empty JIalls, 
 Beheld thy fliops fet up their wooden-wals : 
 Me thought, thou fhouldft not be that London, which 
 Appear'd of late fo populous, and rich ; 
 But, fome large Rurrough ; either falling from 
 Her height ; or, not unto her greatneffe come. 
 
 If to thy Port I walkt ; it mov'd remorfe, 
 To fee how greatly, Trade and Intercourfe 
 Decayed there ; and what depopulations, 
 Were made in thy late peopled habitations. 
 
 Thy Royal! Change, which was the Randevow 
 Wherein all Nations met, the whole world through, 
 Within whofe princely walls we heard the found 
 Of ev'ry Language fpoke on Earths vaft Round; 
 And where we could have known what had bin done 
 In ev'ry forraine Coajl below the Sun : 
 That Place, the City-Merchant, and the Stranger 
 Avoyded as a place of certaine danger : 
 And feared (as it feemes) they might have had 
 Some bargain ther, that would have fpoild their trade 
 
 Thy large Cathedrall, whofe decaying frame 
 Thou leaveft unrepaired to thy fhame, 
 
 Had 
 
 216 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 108 
 
 Had fcarce a Walker in her middle He ; 
 And, ev'ry Marble of that ancient /*//«?, 
 Did often drop, and feeme to ihed forth teares, 
 For thy late ruine though thou fleighteft hers. 
 
 The time hath been, that once a day, from thence, 
 We could have had a large intelligence 
 Of moft occurrences, that publique were. 
 Yea, many times we had relations there, 
 Of things, whofe foolifh actors never thought 
 Their deeds to open {canning fhould be brought. 
 There, heard we oft made publique by report, 
 What Secrefies were whifper'd in the Court. 
 The Clofet-CounfelSy and the Chamber work, 
 Which many thinke in privacy doth lurke. 
 There heard we what thofe Lords, and Ladies were, 
 Who met difguifed, they know when, and where. 
 There heard we what they did, and what they faid ; 
 And many foolifh plots were there bewraid : 
 There, heard we reafons, why fuch men were made 
 Great Lords and Knights, who no deferving had, 
 In common view : and how great Princes eyes 
 Are dazled and abus'd with fallacies. 
 There heard we for what Gifts, moft Doclors rife, 
 And gaine the Churches higheft dignities. 
 The trueft caufes alfo there were knowne, 
 Why men advanced are, or pulled downe. 
 Why Officers are changed, or difplaced ; 
 Why fome confined are, and fome difgraced ; 
 And what among the wife, thofe men doe feeme, 
 That are great State/men, in their owne efleeme. 
 There we have heard, what Princes have intended, 
 When they to doe fome other thing pretended. 
 What Policies, and Projecls, men purfue, 
 With publique aymes, and with a pious fhew. 
 
 K Why 
 
 217 
 
B R I T t a n's Cant. 4. 
 
 Why from the Counfell one is turned out ; 
 What makes another counterfeit the gout, 
 And many other myfteries befide, 
 Which hardly can the mentioning abide. 
 
 But thofe Athenian Merchantmen were gone, 
 Who made exchange of Newes ; and few or none 
 To heare or make reports remained there. 
 Yea they who fcarce a day (as if they were 
 Of Pauls the walking Statues) (laid from thence 
 Since LONDON felt the lafl great Pejlilence, 
 Ev'n they were gone ; and thofe void lies did look 
 As if fome properties had them forfooke. 
 
 Our Theaters, our Tavernes, Tennis-courts, 
 And Gaming-houfes whither great reforts 
 Were wont to come ; then, feldome were frequented : 
 Not that fuch vanities we much repented ; 
 But, left thofe places, which had follies taught us, 
 Might fome reward, unlooked for, have brought us. 
 Where we with Peftilences of the foule 
 Each other had polluted and made foule, 
 Our bodies were infecled ; and our breaths, 
 Which had endanger' d our eternall deaths, 
 (In former times) by uttring herefies, 
 By fcandals, and by bafeft flatteries, 
 Or wanton fpeeches ; purifide the Ayre, 
 The blood ev'n at the fountaine did impaire, 
 To coole our lufl : And they that were the bliffes 
 Of fome mens lives, did poifon them with kiffes. 
 
 The Markets which a while before did yeeld 
 What ayre, feas, rivers, garden, wood, or field, 
 To furnifh them afforded ; now had nought, 
 But what fome few in fecret thither brought. 
 For (as aforefaid) it was ordred fo, 
 That none fhould with provifions, come or goe. 
 
 So 
 
 218 
 
Canl.Ar Remembrancer. 109 
 
 So, like a Towne beleaguer'd thou didfl fare, 
 
 In fome refpecls : And, but that God had care 
 
 By making others feele neceffities 
 
 Which forced them to minifter fupplies ; 
 
 Thou hadft beene famifht, or beene faine to bring 
 
 Provifions in by way of forraging : 
 
 And then their foolifhneffe, had brought upon 
 
 Thofe men, two mifchiefes, who did feare but one. 
 
 Hereafter therefore, praclife well to ufe 
 Thofe plenties thou didfl heretofore abufe ; 
 Left God, againe bereave thee of thy ftore, 
 And never fo enlarge his bounty more. 
 For, to correct thy Surfets, and Exceffe, 
 Thy fleighting of the poore, thy thanklefneffe, 
 And fuch like fmnes ; God worthily reftrained 
 Thofe plenties which thy pride and luft maintained. 
 
 Thy dwellings, from whofe windowes I have feen 
 A thoufand Ladies, that might Queenes have beene 
 For bravery, and beauty: And, fome far 
 More faire then they that fam'd in Legends are. 
 Thofe flood unpeopled, as thofe houfes doe 
 Which Sprig/its, and Fairies doe refort unto. 
 None to their clofed wickets made repaire ; 
 Their empty gafements gaped wide for ayre ; 
 And where once foot clothes and Caroches were 
 Attending ; now flood Coffins, and a Biere. 
 Yea Coffins oftener paft by ev'ry doore, 
 Then Coaches, and Caroches, heretofore. 
 
 To fee a country Lady, or a Knight 
 Among us then, had beene as rare a fight 
 As was that Elephant which came from Spaine, 
 Or fome great Monfter fpewd out of the Maine. 
 If by mifchance the people in the flreet, 
 A Courtier, or a Gentleman did meet, 
 
 K 2 They 
 
 2 19 
 
B R I T T A N'S Cant. 4. 
 
 They with as much amazement him did view, 
 As if they had beheld the wandring lew. 
 And, many, feeing me to keepe this place, 
 Did looke as if they much bewaild my cafe, 
 And halfe belee'vd that I was doomed hither, 
 That (fince clofe-prifon, halfe a yeare together, 
 Nor private wrongs, nor publique dif-refpect, 
 Could breake my heart, nor much the fame deject) 
 This Plague might kill me, which is come to whip 
 Thofe faults which heretofore my pen did ftrip. 
 
 But here I walkt in fafety to behold 
 What changes, for inftruction, fee I could. 
 And, as I wandred on, my eye did meet, 
 Thofe halfe-built Pageants which, athwart the flreet, 
 Did thofe triumphant Arches counterfeit, 
 Which heretofore in ancient Rome were fet, 
 When their victorious Generalls had thither 
 The fpoile of mighty kingdomes brought together. 
 The loyall Citizens (although they loft 
 The glory of their well-intended coft) 
 Erected thofe great Structures to renowne 
 The new receiving of the Sov'raigne Crowne 
 By hopefull CHARLES (zohofe roy all exaltation, 
 Make thou oh I God, propitious to this Nation.) 
 
 But when thofe works, imperfect, I beheld, 
 They did new caufes of fad mufings yeeld, 
 Portending ruine. And, did feeme, me thought, 
 In honor of Deaths trophees to be wrought ; 
 Much rather, then from purpofes to fpring 
 Which aymed at the honor of a King. 
 For, their unpolifht forme, did make them fit 
 For direfull Showes : yea, DEA TH on them did fit. 
 His Captives palled under ev'ry Arch ; 
 Among them, as in Triumph he did march ; 
 
 Through 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 110 
 
 Through ev'ry Street, upon mens backs were borne 
 His Conquefts. His black Liveries were worne, 
 In ev'ry Houfe almofl. His fpoyles were brought 
 To ev'ry Temple. Many Vaults were fraught 
 With his new prizes. And his followers grew 
 To fuch a multitude, that halfe our Eugh, 
 And all our Cypreffe trees, could hardly lend him 
 A branch for ev'ry one who did attend him. 
 
 My fancy did prefent to me that houre 
 A glimpfe of DEA TH ev'n in his greatefl power. 
 Me thought I faw him, in a Charret ride, 
 With all his grim companions by his fide. 
 Such as Oblivion, and Corruption be. 
 Not halfe a ftep before him, rode thefe three, 
 (On monfters backt) Paine, Horror, and Defpaire ; 
 Whofe fury, had not Faith, and Hope, and Prafr, 
 Prevented, through Gods mercy none had ever 
 Efcap'd Deftruction by their bed endeavour. 
 For, next to Death, came Judgement : after whom, 
 Hell with devouring Iawes, did gaping come, 
 To fwallow all : But, fhe at One did map, 
 Who now, for many, hath made way to fcape. 
 Deaths Cart, with many chain es, & ropes, & firings, 
 And, by a multitude of feverall things, 
 As Pleafures, Paffions, Cares, and fuch as they, 
 Was drawn e along upon a beaten way, 
 New gravell'd with old bones : and Sin did feeme 
 To be the formoft Beajl of all the Teeme : 
 And, Sickneffe to be that which haled next 
 The Charret wheele ; for none I faw betwixt, 
 Time led the way ; and, Iujlice did appeare, 
 To fit before and play the Charioteer. 
 For fince our Sin to pull on Death begun, 
 The whip of Iujlice makes the Charret run. 
 
 K 3 There 
 
Brit t a n's Cant. 4. 
 
 There was of Trumpets, and of Drums the found ; 
 But in loud cries, and roarings it was drown'd. 
 Sad Elegies, and fongs of Lamentation 
 Were howled out ; but, moved no compaflion. 
 Skulls, Coffins, Spades, and Mattocks placed were 
 About the Charret. Crawling IVormes were there 
 And whatfoever elfe might fignifie 
 Deaths nature, and weak mans mortalitie. 
 
 Before the Charret, fuch a multitude 
 Of ev'ry Nation in the world I view'd, 
 That neither could my eye fo farre perceive, 
 As they were thronging ; nor my heart conceive 
 Their countleffe number. For, all thofe that were 
 Since Abel dy'd, he drove before him there. 
 And, of thofe thoufands, dying long agoe, 
 Some here and there, among them, I did know, 
 Whofe Vertues them in death diftinguiihed 
 (In fpight of Death) from others of the dead. 
 I faw them ftand, me thought, as you fhall fee 
 High fpreading Oakes, which in fel'd Copfes be, 
 O're top the fhrubs ; and, where fcarce two are found 
 Of growth, within ten thoufand rod of ground. 
 
 Of thofe who dy'd within the Age before 
 This yeare, I fcarce diftinguiihed a fcore 
 From Beads, and Fowles, & Fifhes. For, Death makes 
 So little difference twixt the flefh he takes, 
 That, into duft alike he turnes it all. 
 And, if no vertue make diftinclion fhall, 
 Thofe men who did of much in lifetime boaft, 
 Shall dying, in the common heap be loft. 
 
 But, of thofe Captives which my fantafie 
 Prefented to my apprehenfions eye 
 To grace this Monarkes Triumph ; moft I heeded 
 Thofe troups, which next before the Carr proceeded, 
 
 Ev'n 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. hi 
 
 Ev'n thofe which in the circuit of this yeare, 
 The prey of Death within our Hand were : 
 It was an Army-royall, which became 
 A King, and loe, King JAMES did lead the fame. 
 The Duke of Richmond, and his onely brother 
 The Duke of Lenox, feconded each other. 
 Next them in this attendance follow'd on 
 That noble Scot, the Marquis Hammilton, 
 Southampton, Suffolke, Oxford, Nottingham, 
 And Holder neffe, their Earledomes leaving, came 
 To wait upon this Triumph. There I faw 
 Some rev'rend BiJJiops, and fome men of Law, 
 As Winckejkr, and Hubbard, and I know not 
 Who elfe ; for to their memories T owe not 
 So much as here to name them : nor doe I 
 Vpon me take to mention punctually 
 Their order of departing, nor to fweare 
 That all of thefe fell juft within the yeare. 
 For of the time if fomewhat I doe miffe, 
 The matter fure not much materiall is. 
 
 Some Barons and fome Vifcounts, faw I too, 
 Zouch, Bacon, Chichejler, and others moe, 
 Whofe Titles I forget. There follow'd then 
 Some Officers of note ; fome Aldermen ; 
 Great ftore of Knights, and Burgeffes, with whom 
 A couple marcht, that had the Sheriffedome 
 Of London that fad yeare : the one of which 
 In Piety and Vertue dy'd fo rich, 
 (If his furviving fame may be beleeved) 
 That for his loffe the City much hath grieved. 
 To be an honor to him, here, therefore 
 I fixe the name of Crifp, which name he bore : 
 And I am hopefull it fhall none offend, 
 The Mufes doe this right unto their friend. 
 
 K 4 Some 
 
 223 
 
B r I T T A n's Cant. 4. 
 
 Some others alfo of great (late and place, 
 To me nor knowne by office, name, nor face, 
 Made up the concourfe. But, the common Rabble 
 To number or diftinguifh, none was able. 
 For, rich and poore, men, women, old and yong, 
 So faft and fo confufedly did throng ; 
 By ftrokes of Death, fo markt, fo gaftly wounded, 
 So thruft together, and fo much confounded 
 Among that glut of people, which from hence 
 Were lent among them, by the Pejlilence, 
 That poffible it was not, to defcry 
 Or who or what they were who paffed by. 
 Yet, now and then, me thought, I had the view 
 Of fome who much refembled thofe I knew. 
 And, faine I would the favour have procured 
 To keepe their Names from being quite obfcured 
 Among the multitude. But, they were gone 
 Before the meanes could well be thought upon. 
 And paffe they mull for aye, unknowne of me : 
 For, this was but a waking Dreame, I fee. 
 Thefe Fancies, Melancholy often bred : 
 Yea, many fuch like Pageants in my head 
 My working apprehenfion did beget, 
 According to thofe objects which I met. 
 Some, full of comfort, able to relieve 
 The heart whom dreadfull thoughts did over-grieve. 
 Some full of horror ; fuch as they have had 
 (If I miftake not) that grow defp'rate mad. 
 Some, like to their illufions, who in ftead 
 Of being humbled in this place of dread, 
 Are puffed up by their deliverance : 
 And being full of dangerous arrogance, 
 Abufe their foules, with vaine imaginations, 
 Ill-grounded hopes, fuggefted revelations, 
 
 And 
 
 -4 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 112 
 
 And fuch like toyes, which in their hearts arife 
 From their owne Pride, and Sathans fallacies. 
 
 Some, fuch as thofe I had ; and other fome, 
 Which cannot be by words expreffed from 
 My troubled heart. And, if I had not got 
 Gods hand, to help untie their Gordian-knot ; 
 His prefence, my bold reas'nings to controule ; 
 To curb my paffion ; to informe my foule ; 
 My faith to ftrengthen ; doubtings to abate ; 
 And fo to comfort, and to arbitrate, 
 That I might fee I was of him beloved, 
 (Though me with many fecret feares he proved) 
 Sure, in my felfe fome Hell I had invented, 
 Wher endlefs thoughts, & doubts, had me tormented. 
 
 But, God thofe depths hath fhow'd me, that I might 
 See what we cary in ourfelves to fright 
 Our felves withall. And what a hell of feare 
 Is in our very foules, till he be there. 
 Ev'n when I had the brightneffe of the day, 
 To chafe my meloncholy thoughts away, 
 I was to mufings troublefome difpofed, 
 As well as when the darkneffe me enclofed ; 
 That, by experiments, which reall are, 
 Thofe horrors which to others oft appeare 
 (And are not demonftrable) might in part 
 Be felt in me, to mollifie my heart ; 
 To ftir up hearty thankfulneffe; and make 
 My foule, in him the greater pleafure take. (me, 
 
 For fro thofe profpects, & thofe thoughts that grieve 
 I, thofe extractions make that much releeve me. 
 And when my inward combatings are paft, 
 It giveth to my joyes the fweeter taft. 
 
 But leaving this, I will againe returne 
 To that for which the people fooneft mourne. 
 
 K 5 I 
 
 // 225 
 
Brit tan's Cant. 4. 
 
 I lookt along the Streets of chiefeft trade ; 
 And, there, perpetuall Holiday they made. 
 They that one day in fev'n could not forbeare 
 From trading ; had not one in halfe a yeare. 
 And, all which fome had from their childhood got, 
 The charges of their flight defrayed not. 
 To make the greedy Cormorant regard 
 The Sabbath more, and of ill gaines affear'd. 
 
 Falfe wares, falfe oathes, falfe meafures, and falfe 
 Falfe promifes, and falfified lights, (weights, 
 
 Were punifht with falfe hopes, falfe joyes, falfe fears, 
 Falfe fervants, and falfe friends, to them and theirs. 
 They who of late their neighbours did contemne, 
 Had not a neighbour left to comfort them, 
 When neighbourhood was needfull. Such as were 
 Selfe-lovers, by themfelves remained here ; 
 And wanted thofe contentments, which arife, 
 From Chriftian Love, and mutuall Amities. " 
 Mod Trades were tradefaln, & few Merchats thriv'd, 
 Save thofe men, who by Death and Sickneffe, liv'd. 
 The Sextons, Searchers, they that Corpfes carie, 
 The ffcrb-wife, Driiggiji, and Apothecarie, 
 Phyfitiaiis, Surgeons, Nurfes, Coffin-makers, 
 Bold Moimtebanckes, and fhameleffe undertakers, 
 To cure the Pcjl in all ; thefe, rich become : 
 And what we pray to be delivered from 
 Was their advantage. Yea, the worft of thefe 
 Grew flout, and fat, and proud by this difeafe. 
 
 Some, vented refufe wares, at three times more, 
 Than what is belt, was prized at before. 
 Some fet upon their labours fuch high rates, 
 As paffed Reafon : fo, they whofe eftates 
 Did faile of reaching to a price fo high, 
 Were faine to perifh without remedy. 
 
 Some 
 
 226 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 113 
 
 Some, wolvifhly, did prey upon the quick, 
 Some, theevifhly, purloyned from the lick. 
 Some robb'd the dead of fheets, fome, of a grave, 
 That there another gueft may lodging have : 
 Yea, Cuftome had fo hardned moft of them, 
 That they Gods lodgements wholly did contemne. 
 They, fo hard-hearted, and fo ftupid grew, 
 So dreadlefly their courfe they did purfue, 
 Yea fo they flouted, and fuch jefts did make 
 At that, for which each Chriftian heart did alee. 
 That greater were the Plague their mind to have, 
 Then of the Pejlihnce to lye and rave. 
 
 Now mufe I not at what Thncidides 
 Reporteth of fuch wicked men as thefe, 
 When Athens was depopulated nigh 
 By fuch a. Peftilence. Nor wonder I, 
 That when the Plague did this time sixty yeare 
 Oppreffe the Towne of Lyons, that fome there 
 Were faid to ravifh women, ev'n when death 
 Was drawing from them their laft gafpe of breath. 
 And when infectious Blaines on them they faw, 
 Which might have kept their luftfull flefh in awe. 
 For man once hardned in impenitence, 
 Is left unto a reprobated fenfe. 
 
 Till God fhall fandtifie it, weale, nor woe, 
 Can make us feare him as we ought to doe. 
 His love made wanton Ifr'el fpurne at him ; 
 His plagues made Phafoh, his fharpft rod contemn : 
 And as the Sun from dunghils, and from finks, 
 Produceth nothing but ranck weeds, and ftinks; 
 Yet makes a Garden of well-tilled ground, 
 With wholefome fruits, and fragrant flowres abound : 
 Or, as in bruifing, one thing fenteth well, 
 Another yeelds a loathfome, ftifling fmell ; 
 
 So 
 
 227 
 
B R I T T A N's Cant. 4. 
 
 So, Plagues and Bleffings, their effects declare, 
 According as their fev'rall objects are. 
 
 Indeed, my young experience never faw, 
 So much fecurity, and fo much awe 
 Dwell both together in one place, as here 
 In this mortality, there did appeare. 
 I am perfwaded, time and place was never 
 In which afflicted men did more endevor 
 By teares, vowes, prayers and true penitence, 
 To pacifie Gods wrath for their offence. 
 Nor ever was it feene, I think, before, 
 That men in wickedneffe prefumed more. 
 
 Here you fhould meet a man with bleared eyes, 
 Bewailing our encreafing miferies ; 
 Another there, quite reeling drunk, or fpewing, 
 And by renewed fins, our woes renewing. 
 There fate z.peece of fliamelefnefje, whofe flaring 
 Attires and looks, did fhow a monftrous daring : 
 For, in the poftures of true impudence, 
 She feem'd as if fhe woo'd the Pcjlilence. 
 Yonn talkt a couple, matter worth your hearing : 
 Hard by, were others, telling lyes, or fwearing. 
 Some ftreets had Churches full of people, weeping : 
 Some others, Tavernes had, rude-revel keeping : 
 Within fome houfes Pfalmes and Hymiies wer fung : 
 With raylings, and loud fcouldings, others rung. 
 More Charity, did never, yet, appeare : 
 Nor more malicioufneffe, then we had here. 
 True piety was eminently knowne ; 
 Hypocrifie as evidently fliowne. 
 More avarice, more gapers for the wealth 
 Of fuch as dy'd ; no former times of health 
 Afforded us ; nor men of larger heart, 
 Things needfull for their brethren, to impart, 
 
 Their 
 
 228 
 
Cant. 4- Remembrancer. 114 
 
 Their matters goods, fome fervants lewdly fpent, 
 In nightly feaftings, foolifh merriment, 
 And lewd uncleanneffe. Other fome againe, 
 Did fuch an honed carefulneffe retaine, 
 That their endeavors had a good fucceffe, 
 And, Man and Mafter met with joyfulneffe. 
 
 Yea, Good and Evill, penitence and fin 
 Did here fo drive each other out and in ; 
 That in obferving it, I faw, me thought, 
 In fight of Heav'n, a dreadfull Combat fought, 
 Concerning this whole Hand, which yet lyes, 
 To be Gods purchafe, or the Devils prife. 
 
 Vice wounded Vertue ; Vertue oft compeld 
 The flrongeft Vices to forfake the field. 
 Diftruft rais'd up a florme, to drive away 
 Sure-helpe, our fhip, which at Hopes anchor lay ; 
 And brought fupplies with ev'ry winde and tyde, 
 Whereby this Land was fed and fortifi'd. 
 The Fort of Faith, was plaid on by Defpaire ; 
 But then the gun-fhot of Continuall-Pray'r 
 (Well aym'd at Heav'n) Devotion fo did ply, 
 That, he difmounts the Foes Artillery. 
 The Spirit and the FleJJi together ftrive, 
 And, oft each other into perill drive. 
 Prefumption, huge high Scaling ladders, reared, 
 And then the taking of our Fort was feared. 
 But awfull Reverence did him oppofe, 
 And with Humilities deepe Trench enclofe 
 The Platforme of that Fortreffe, from whofe Towres 
 We fight with Principalities, and Poitfrs. 
 
 SuggeJHon lay pnr due by Contemplation, 
 And fought to difad vantage Meditation. 
 The Regiment of Prudence was affailed, 
 By head-ftrong Ignorance, who much prevailed. 
 
 Where 
 
 229 
 
Brittan's Cant. 4. 
 
 Where Tempera?ice was quarter'd, there I faw 
 Exceffe and Riot, both together draw 
 Their troups againfl her : and, I fome efpy'd 
 To yeeld, and overcome on either fide. 
 
 The place that valiant Fortitude made good, 
 Faint-heartedneffe (though out of fight he (lood) 
 Did cowardly oppofe, and courfes take, 
 Which otherwhile his Conflancy did (hake. 
 For Carnall-policy her Engineer, 
 Had clofely funcke a Mine, which had gone neere 
 To blow all up. But Providence divine 
 Did foone prevent it by a Counter-mine. 
 Yet Morall-Iujlice (though a Court of Guard 
 Was plac'd, and oft releeved in her Ward) 
 Had much adoe to make a (Irong defence 
 Againft her Foes. For, Fraud, and Violence, 
 Refpecl of perfons, Feare, Hate, Perjury, 
 Faire-fpeaking, and corrupting Bribery, 
 Did wound her much ; though the did often take 
 Avengement ; and of fome, examples make. 
 
 Some Vices, there, I faw themfelves difguife 
 Like Verities, that their Foes they might furprife \ 
 As doe the Dunkirks, when aboord to lay 
 Our fhips, an Engiijk flag they do difplay. 
 Pride went for Comelineffe : profufe Exceffe, 
 For Hofpitality : bafe Drunkenneffe 
 Was call'd Good fellowfhip : blunt RafJineffe came 
 Attyr'd like Valour : Sloth had got the name 
 Of Quictnefe : accurfed Avarice, 
 Was term'd Good husbandry. Meere Cowardice 
 Appear'd like prudent Warineffe, and might 
 Have paffed for a very valiant wight. 
 Yea, ev'ry Vice, to gaine his purpofe, had 
 Some maskes or vertue-like difguifes made, 
 
 And 
 
 2 3° 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 115 
 
 And, many times, fuch hellifh plots were laid, 
 That divers morall Vertues were gainfaid, 
 Defam'd, purfu'd, and wounded by their owne ; 
 Whofe glory had not elfe beene overthrowne. 
 
 lujl-dcaling had beene tooke for Cruelty : 
 Pure-love for Lujl : upright Integrity 
 For cunning FalJJwod : yea, divineft Graces 
 Have beene at variance brought in divers Cafes, 
 (By wicked Stratagems) that vaine Inventions, 
 Might fruftrate pious workes, and good intentions. 
 
 To further ftrife, great Quarrels broached are, 
 Twixt Faith and Workes. There is another jar 
 Begun erewhile, betwixt no worfe a paire, 
 Then Preaching, and her bleffed Sifter Prafr. 
 God grant they may agree ; for, I ?iire knew 
 A quiet Church but where they kept one Pew. 
 
 Faith and Repentance alfo are, of late, 
 About their Birth-right fallen at debate. 
 But by the Church-bookes it appeares to me 
 Their Births and their Conceptions mention'd be 
 Without fuch nice regard to their precedings, 
 As fome have urged in their needleffe pleadings, 
 And, fo it pleas'd the Father, Sonne and Spirit : 
 Becaufe that Law by which they fliall inherit 
 The promift meed ; doth never queflion move, 
 How foone or late, but how fmcere they prove. 
 
 Moreover, in this Battell I efpy'd 
 Some Ambodexters, fight on either fide. 
 The Moralijl, who all Religion wants ; 
 Church- Pap i/ls \ Time-obferving Protcjlants. 
 All Double-dealers ; Hypocrites, and fuch 
 Bafe Neutrals, who have fcandalized much, 
 And much endanger'd thofe who doe contend 
 This He, from Defolation, to defend. 
 
 Befide 
 
Brittan's Cant. At. 
 
 Befide thefe former Combatants, which fought 
 
 Againft or for us ; I perceiv'd, me thovght, 
 
 Both good and evill Angels fighting too, 
 
 The one, to help ; the other, harme to doe. 
 
 And though this battell yet appeareth not 
 
 To common view, fo cruell nor fo hot 
 
 As I conceive it : yet it will appeare 
 
 To all in time, with comfort, or with feare. 
 
 For, ftill, and ev'ry day, thofe enemies 
 
 Stand arm'd and watching opportunities 
 
 To feize us ; and will feize us if thefe times 
 
 Shall make complete the meafure of our Crimes ; 
 
 Or our continuing Follies drive away 
 
 Our Angell Guard, which doth our fall delay. 
 
 Oh flay them Lord! and make that fide thejlronger, 
 
 For whom this Land Jliall yet be f pared longer. 
 
 And let us, my deare Countrimen, with fpeed, 
 Of that which fo concerneth us, take heed. 
 Obferve, thou famouft City of this Land, 
 How heavily on thee God layes his hand. 
 The very rumour of this Plague did make 
 The farthefl dwellers of this Jle to fliake : 
 And fuch a fent of Death they feem'd to cary, 
 Who in or neare about thy Climate tary, 
 That, from the Mount to Barivick they were hated, 
 Or fhunn'd, as perfons excommunicated. 
 And three weekes ayring on old Sarum plaine, 
 Would fcarce a lodging for a brother gaine. 
 Yea, mark, mark London, and confeffe with me, 
 That God hath juftly, thus afflicted thee, 
 And that in ev'ry point this Plague hath bin 
 According to the nature of thy fin. 
 In thy profperity, fuch was thy pride, 
 That thou the Countries plainneffe didft deride. 
 
 Thy 
 
 232 
 
Cunt. 4. Remembrancer. 116 
 
 Thy wanton Children would oft ftraggle out, 
 
 At honefl husbandmen to jeere and flout. 
 
 Their homely garments, did offend thine eyes : 
 
 They did their rurall Dialecfts defpife : 
 
 Their games and merriments (which for them, be 
 
 As commendable, as are thine for thee) 
 
 Thou laughedft at ; their geftures, and their fafhions, 
 
 Their very diet, and their habitations 
 
 Were fported at : yea, thofe ingratefull Things, 
 
 Did fcoffe them for their hearty Welcomings ; 
 
 And taught ev'n thofe that had been country born 
 
 The wholefome places of their birth to fcorne. 
 
 Andy^, now fee, thofe thankleffe ones are faine 
 To feeke their fathers thatched Roofes againe ; 
 And, aske thofe good old women blefling, whom 
 They did not fee, fince they did rich become ; 
 And never would have feene, perhaps, unleiTe 
 This Plague had whipped their ingratefulneffe. 
 Yea, thine owne Naturall Children have beene glad, 
 To fcrape acquaintance where no friends they had, 
 To praife a homely, and a fmoky Shed; 
 A darke low Parlour, an uneafie Bed; 
 An ill drefl diet ; yea, perchance, commend 
 A churlifh Landlord, for an honeft Friend ; 
 Yet be contented both to pray and pay, 
 That they may leave obtaine with him to flay. 
 
 And peradventure, fome of thcfe who plaid 
 The fcoffers heretofore, were fully paid. 
 Then, Citizens, were fharkt, and prey'd upon, 
 In recompence of wrongs before time done 
 To filly Countrimen ; and were defeated 
 Of that, whereof, fome Rufticks, they had cheated. 
 
 Moreover, for the Countries imitations 
 Of thy fantaftick, vaine, and fruitlefle fafhions, 
 
 (Of 
 
 US 
 
B R I T T a n's Cant. 4. 
 
 (Of thy apparell, and of thy exceffe 
 
 In Feafts, in Games, in Luft, in idleneffe ; 
 
 With fuch abominations) fome of thofe 
 
 Who came from thee, (hall doubtlefly difpofe 
 
 To ev'ry Shire a Via// of that wrath, 
 
 Which thy tranfgrefiion long deferved hath : 
 
 That, thou and they, who finners were together, 
 
 May Rods be made to punifh one another ; 
 
 And give each other bitterneffe to fup, 
 
 As you have joyntly quaft of P/eafures Cup. 
 
 As to and fro I walked, that I might 
 On ev'ry ruthfull Objecl fix my fight, 
 Vpon thofe Go/gathd's I caft mine eye, 
 Where all the common people buried lye. 
 Lie buried did I fay ? I mould have faid, 
 Where Carkaffes to bury Graves were laid. 
 
 Lord ! what a fight was there ? & what ftrong fmells 
 Afcended from among Death's loathfome Cells ? 
 You fcarce could make a little Infants bed 
 In all thofe P/ots, but you fhould pare a head, 
 An arme, a moulder, or a leg away, 
 Of one or other who there buried lay. 
 One grave did often many fcores enclofe 
 Of men and women : and, it may be thofe 
 That could not in two Parifhes agree, 
 Now in one little roome at quiet be. 
 
 Yonn lay a heape of skulls ; another there ; 
 Here, halfe unburied did a Corpfe appeare. 
 Clofe by, you might have feene a brace of feet 
 That had kickt off the rotten winding-fheet. 
 A little further faw we other fome, 
 Thruft out their armes for want of elbow-roome. 
 A locke of womans hayre ; a dead mans face 
 Vncover'd ; and a gaftly fight it was. 
 
 Oh! 
 
 234 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 117 
 
 Oh ! here, here view'd I what the glories be 
 Of pamper'd flefh : here plainly did I fee 
 How grim thofe Beauties will e're long appeare, 
 Which we fo dote on, and fo covet, here. 
 Here was enough to coole the hotteft flame 
 Of lawleffe lull. Here, was enough to tame 
 The madft ambition. And, all they that goe 
 Vnbetter'd from fuch objects ; worfe doe grow. 
 
 From hence (for here was no abiding long) 
 Our Allies and our Lanes, I walkt among, 
 Where thofe Artificers their dwellings had, 
 By whom our idle Traders rich are made. 
 The Plague rav'd there indeed. For, who were they 
 Whom that Contagion fafteft fwept away 
 But thofe whofe daily lab'ring hands did feed 
 Their honefl Families ? and greatly fteed 
 This place by their mechanick induflries ? 
 Thefe are the fwarmes of Bees, whofe painfull thighes 
 Bring Wax unto this Hive ; and from whofe bones 
 The Honey drops, that feedeth many Drones. 
 Thefe are the Bulwarks of this fenfeleffe Towne, 
 And when this Wall of Bones is overthrowne, 
 Our (lately Dwellings, now both faire and tall, 
 Will quickly, of themfelves, to mine fall. 
 
 Of thefe, and of their houfholds, daily dy'd 
 Twice more then did of all forts elfe befide ; 
 And hungry Poverty (without reliefes) 
 Did much inrage and multipliply their griefes. 
 The Rich could flye ; or, if they ftaid, they had 
 Such meanes that their difeafe the leffe was made. 
 Yea, thofe poor aged folkes that make a (how 
 Of greated need, did boldly come and goe, 
 To aske mens Almes ; or what their Parifh granted : 
 And nothing at this time thofe people wanted, 
 
 But 
 
 230 
 
B r I t t a n's Cant. 4. 
 
 But thankfulneffe ; leffe malice to each other ; 
 And grace to live more quietly together. 
 Their bodies, dry'd with age, were feldome ftruck 
 By this Difeafe. Their neighbours notice took 
 Of all their wants. Among them, were not many 
 That had full families. Or if that any 
 Of thefe had children fick ; fome good fupplies 
 Were fent them from the generall Charities. 
 
 Moreover, common Beggers are a nation 
 Not alwayes keeping in one habitation. 
 They can remove as time occafion brings : 
 They have their progreffes as well as King ; 
 And moft of thefe, when hence the rich did goe, 
 Remov'd themfelves into the Country too. 
 The reft about our ftreets did ask their bread, 
 And never in their lives, were fuller fed. 
 
 But, thofe good people mentioned before, 
 Who, till their worke did faile them, fed the poore 
 As well as others ; and maintained had 
 Great families, by fome laborious trade : 
 Ev'n thofe did fuffer moft. For, neither having 
 Provifion left them, nor the face of craving ; 
 Nor meanes of labour : Firft, to pawne they fent 
 Their braffe and pewter : then, their bedding went. 
 Their garments next, or ftuffe of beft efteeme .• 
 At length, ev'n that which mould the reft redeeme, 
 Their working Inftruments. When that was gone, 
 Their Leafe was pawned, if it might be done. 
 And peradventure, at the laft of all, 
 Thefe things w r ere fold outright for funis but fmall ; 
 Or elfe quite forfeited. For, here were they 
 Who made of thefe poore foules, a gainfull prey. 
 And as one Plague had on the life a pow'r, 
 So did thefe other Plagues, their goods devoure. 
 
 When 
 
 ►36 
 
Cant. 4. R 1; m e m b R a n C E r . 118 
 
 When all was gone, afflicted they became 
 
 With fecret griefes, with poverty and fhame. 
 
 And, wanting cheerfull minds, and due refection, 
 
 Were seized on, the fooner by Infeclion : 
 
 For, hearts halfe broke, and houfholds famifht neare, 
 
 Are quickly fpent, when vifited they are. 
 
 The carefull Majler, though it would have faved 
 A fervants life, to get him what he craved, 
 No kinde of Med'cine able was to give him ; 
 Nay fcarce with bread and water to relieve him : 
 The tender-hearted Mother, hath for meat 
 Oft heard her deareft child, in vaine, intreat; 
 And had or foure or five on point of dying 
 At once, for drink to eafe their torment, crying. 
 
 The loving husband fitting by her fide, 
 To fave whofe life he gladly would have dy'd, 
 Vnable was out of his whole eftate, 
 To purchafe her a dram of Mithridate ; 
 One meffe of Cordiall broth, or fuch like thing, 
 Although it might prevent her perifhing. 
 
 Sometime, at fuch a need, abroad they came, 
 To aske for helpe ; but, then, the feare of fhame, 
 Of fcorne, or of deniall, them with-held 
 To put in practice, what their want compell'd. 
 
 Vpon an Evening (when the waining light 
 Was that which could be call'd nor day nor night) 
 I met with one of thefe, who on me caft 
 A ruthfull eye : and as he by me pa ft, 
 Me thought, I heard him, foftly, fomewhat fay, 
 As if that he for fome reliefe did pray : 
 Whereat (he feeming in good clothes to be) 
 I ftaid, and askt him, if he fpake to me. 
 He bafhfully replyed ; that, indeed 
 He was aiham'd to fpeake aloud, what Need 
 
 Did 
 
 237 
 
Br IT TAN'S Cant. 4. 
 
 Did make him foftly mutter. Somewhat more 
 
 He would have fpoken, but his tongue forbore 
 
 To tell the reft ; becaufe his eyes did fee 
 
 Their teares had (almoft) drawn e forth tears fro me, 
 
 And that my hand was ready to beftow 
 
 That helpe which my poore fortunes could allow : 
 
 Nor his, nor all mens tongues, could more relate, 
 Then I my felfe conceiv'd of his eftate. 
 Me thought, I faw, as if I had beene there, 
 What wants in his, and fuch mens houfes were ; 
 How empty, and how naked it became ; 
 How nafty, Poverty had made the fame : 
 Me thought, I faw, how ficke his wife might lye ; 
 Me thought I heard his halfe llarv'd children cry ; 
 Me thought I felt, with what a broken heart 
 He lookt upon them, e're he could depart 
 To try, if (by Gods favour) he could meet 
 With any meanes of comfort in the ftreet. 
 And, Lord my God, thou know'ft, that, when alone 
 The griefes of fuch as thefe, I mufed on ; 
 My pitie I with watry eyes have fhowne, 
 And more bewail' d their forrowes, then my owne. 
 
 But, fince thofe Daves are vaine that fruitleffe be ; 
 And fince the fhare that is allotted me, 
 Of this worlds heritage, will not fuffice 
 To bring reliefe to thefe mens miferies ; 
 Oh ! let my teares (ye rich men) make your ground 
 With fruits of Charity the more abound. 
 Let me intreat you, that, when God fhall bring 
 Vpon this place, another Vijiting, 
 You would remember, fome reliefe to fend 
 To thofe, who on their labours doe depend, 
 And have not got their impudence of face, 
 Who idlely beg their bread from place to place. 
 
 God, 
 
 238 
 
Cant. a,. Remembrancer. 119 
 
 God. you the Stewards of his goods doth make, 
 
 And how you ufe them, he account will take. 
 
 It will not be enough, that you have paid 
 
 The publique taxes on your houfes laid ; 
 
 Or that, you, now and then, doe fend a fumme 
 
 To be difpofed, to you know not whom : 
 
 But, you your felves, muft, by your felves alone, 
 
 Thofe neighbours, or acquaintance think upon, 
 
 Who likelieft are in fuch a time of need, 
 
 To want of that, wherein you doe exceed : 
 
 And, if you know of none, enquire them out; 
 
 Or leave fome honeft neighbour thereabout, 
 
 To be your Al//iner (when the Towne you leave) 
 
 That, you, and they, a Blejffuig may receive. 
 
 For, if that ev'ry wealthy man would find 
 
 But one, or two, to cheriih in this kind ; 
 
 Gods wrath would much the better be appeafed, 
 
 And we fhould of our plagues be fooner eafed. 
 
 As I requeft the Richer men to take 
 This pious courfe : A fuit, I likewife take 
 That our inferiour Tradefmen, would not fo 
 Abufe their times of profit, as they doe. 
 For, moft of thofe doe live at rates as high, 
 As all their gaines (at utmoft) will fupply. 
 Yea, many times they mount above the tops 
 Of prefent fortunes, and enfuing hopes : 
 That, if a fickneffe, or unlook'd-for Croffe, 
 Or want of trade, or any ilender loffe, 
 But for a Yeare, a Quarter, or a Terme, 
 Befalls them : it foone maketh fo infirme 
 Their over-ftrain'd Eftates ; that Almes are needed, 
 Ere any failings are by others heeded. 
 
 Of thefe, and other things I notions gained, 
 Whilll in our fickly Citie I remained; 
 
 And 
 
 239 
 
B R I T T A N's Cant. 4. 
 
 And much I contemplated what I faw, 
 
 Some profitable ufes thence to draw. 
 
 But, feeling that my thoughts nigh tyred were, 
 
 With over-mufing on thofe objects there : 
 
 I thought to walke abroad into the field, 
 
 To take thofe comforts, which frefh ayre doth yeeld ; 
 
 And, to revive my heart, which heavy grew, 
 
 With what the ftreets did offer to my view ; 
 
 But little eafe I found ; for, there mine eyes 
 
 Difcover'd Sorrow in a new difguife : 
 
 And in fo many fhapes himfelfe he fhewed, 
 
 That, flill my paflion was afrefh renewed. 
 
 Here, dead upon the Roade, a man did lye, 
 
 That was (an houre before) as well, as I ; 
 
 There, fate another, who did thither come 
 
 In health, but had not ftrength to beare him home. 
 
 Yonn, fpraul'd a third, fo ficke, he did not know 
 
 From whence he came, nor whither he fhould goe. 
 
 A little further off, a fourth did creepe 
 
 Into a ditch, and there his Obit keepe. 
 
 About the Fields ran one, who being fled 
 
 (In fpite of his attendance) from his bed, 
 
 Lookt like a Lunatique from Bedlem broken ; 
 
 And, though of health he had no hopefull token ; 
 
 Yet, that he ailed ought, he would not yeeld, 
 
 Till Death had ftruck him dead upon the field. 
 
 This way, a Stranger by his Heft expelled, 
 
 That way, a Servant (fhut from where he dwelled) 
 
 Came weakly ftagg'ring forth, and (crufh'd beneath 
 
 Difeafes, and unkindneffe) fought for Death ; 
 
 Which foone was found ; and glad was he, they fay, 
 
 Who for his Death-bed^ gain'd a Cock of Hay. 
 
 At this croffe path, were Bearers fetching home 
 
 A Neighbour, who in health did thither come : 
 
 Clofe 
 
Cant. 4- Remembrancer. 120 
 
 Clofe by, were others digging up the ground, 
 
 To hide a ftranger whom they dead had found. 
 
 Before me, went with Corpfes, many a one ; 
 
 Behinde, as many mo did follow on, 
 
 With running-fores, one begg'd at yonder gate : 
 
 At next Lanes end, another Lazar fate. 
 
 Some halted, as if wounded in the wars ; 
 
 Some held their necks awry ; fome fhew'd their fears ; 
 
 Some, met I weeping, for the loffe of friends ; 
 
 Some others, for their fwift approching ends ; 
 
 And ev'ry thing with forrow was affec~led, 
 
 On whatfoe're it was mine eye reflected. 
 
 The Profpecl, which was wont to greet mine eye 
 With fhowes of pleafure in variety, 
 (And lookt, as if it cheerfully did fmile, 
 Vpon the bordring Villages, erewhile.) 
 Had no fuch pleafingneffe as heretofore, 
 For ev'ry place, a mask of forrow wore. 
 The walks are unfrequented, and the path 
 Late trodden bare, a graffie Carpet hath. 
 I could not fee (of all thofe Gallants) one 
 That vifited Hide-par he, and Mary -borne. 
 None wandred through the paftures, up and downe, 
 But, as about fome petty Country towne : 
 Nor could I view in many Summers dayes, 
 One man of note to ride upon our wayes. 
 
 Lord, what a difference didfl thou put betweene 
 That Summer, and the rejl that I have feene ! 
 How didjl thou change our Fields ! and what a face 
 Of Sadneffe, didfl thou fet upon each place ! 
 Yet oh ! how few remember it, or feele 
 The touches of it, on their' hearts offleele ! 
 And when our baniflit tmirh thou didfl renew, 
 Who did ret 1/ me to thee the praifes due 1 
 
 L What 
 
 It h 24] 
 
Brit tan's Cant. a,. 
 
 What others apprehended, they know bed ; 
 But if it could be fully here expreft 
 What of that alteration I conceiv'd, 
 When of their pleafures, God our fields bereav'd ; 
 It would much more be minded .• For they had 
 Nought in them, but what moved to be fad. 
 Not many weekes, before, it was not fo. 
 But, pleafures, had their paffage to and fro. 
 Which way foever from our Gates I went, 
 I lately did behold with much content, 
 The fields beftrow'd with people all about : 
 Some paceing homeward, and fome paffing out. 
 Some, by the bancks of Thame their pleafure taking ; 
 Some, Sulli-bibs among the Milk-maids, making ; 
 With mufique, fome upon the waters, rowing ; 
 Some, to the next adjoyning Hamlets going; 
 And Hog/done, IJlington, and Tothnam-Court, 
 For Cakes and Creame, had then no fmall refort. 
 Some, fate and woo'd their Lovers in the fhadowes ; 
 Some, ftraggled to and fro athwart the meadowes ; 
 Some, in difcourfe, their houres, away did paffe ; 
 Some, playd the toyifh wantons on the graffe ; 
 Some, of Religion ; fome of bus'neffe talked ; 
 Some coached were, fome horfed ; and fome walked. 
 Here Citizens ; there Students, many a one ; 
 Here two together; and, yonn one alone. 
 Of Nymphs and Ladies, I have often ey'd 
 A thoufand walking at one Evening tide; 
 As many Gentlemen : and yong and old 
 Of meaner fort, as many, ten times told. 
 
 And, when I did from fome high Towre furvey 
 The Rodes, and Paths, which round below me lay, 
 Obferving how each paffage thronged was 
 With men and Cattell, which both wayes did paffe ; 
 
 How 
 
 242 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 121 
 
 How many petty paths, both far and neare, 
 With rowes of people ftill fupplied were ; 
 What infinite provifion ftill came in, 
 And what abundance hath exported bin ; 
 Me thought this populous City and the trade 
 Which we from ev'ry Coaft about her had, 
 Was well refembled by an Ant-hill, which 
 (In fome old Forreft) is made large, and rich 
 By thofe laborious creatures, who have thither 
 Brought all their wealth, and Colonies together. 
 For, as their peopled Borrough hath refort 
 From ev'ry quarter, by a feverall Port, 
 And from each Gate thereof a great Rode hath 
 That branches into many a little Path ; 
 And, as thofe Negroes doe not onely fill 
 Each great and leffer tract unto their hill, 
 But, alfo, fpread themfelves out of thofe wayes, 
 Among the graffe, the leaves, and bufhy fprayes : 
 Ev'n fo, the people here, did come and goe 
 Through our large Rodes ; difperfe themfelves into 
 A thoufand paffages ; and, often ftray 
 O're neighbouring Paftures, in a pathleffe way, 
 
 This, formerly I faw ; and, on that Station, 
 Where this I markt ; I had this Contemplation. 
 
 How happy ivere this People, did they hnow 
 What reft, our God upon them did befloiv ! 
 On us, what JJiowres of bleffings hath he rained, 
 Which he from other Cities hath retrained? 
 And, from how many mij chiefs hath he freed us, 
 Which fall on thofe that in good workes exceed us ? 
 Here lurke no ravenous Beafls to make a prey 
 On thofe fat Cattell which thefe Fields d re-lay. 
 IVithiu our Groves no cruell Out-lawes hide, 
 That in the blood of paffengers are dfd. 
 
 L 2 ' Our 
 
 243 
 
Brittan's Cant. 4. 
 
 Our Lambs, unwarrfd, lye abroad, benighted ; 
 
 By day, our Virgins walke the Fields unfrighted. 
 
 No neighbouring country doth oar food foreftall ; 
 
 No Convoyes need to come and goe withall ; 
 
 No forraine Prince can fuddenly appall us, 
 
 For Seas doe mote us, and huge Rocks doe wall us. 
 
 No rotten Fennes doe make our ay re unfound ; 
 
 No Foe, doth with a trench enclofe us round. 
 
 We neither tumults have by night or day, 
 
 Nor rude unruly Garifons in pay. 
 
 No Taxes, yet, our Land doth over-load ; 
 
 Our Children are not prcjl for warres abroad, 
 
 From Spanifli Inquifitions we are free ; 
 
 (God grant that we, for ever, fo may be) 
 
 We are compeld to no Idolatries ; 
 
 Our people doe not in rebellions rife : 
 
 No faclious fpirits much diflurbe the State ; 
 
 No Plagues, our dwellings, yet, depopidate. 
 
 No Rots or Murraines have our Cattell kild : 
 
 Our Barnes and Storc-houfcs, wit Ji fruits are fild : 
 
 On eifry threjliold, flore of children play ; 
 
 Our breeding Cattell fill both ftrect and way. 
 
 And, were we thankcfull unto him that gave them, 
 
 There arc no blefifings, but we here might have them. 
 
 See, how like Bees upon a Summer-Eve, 
 ( When their young Nymphes have over-fiWd the hive) 
 They fwarme about the City, fporiing fo, 
 As if a winter gale would never bloiv. 
 How little doe they dreame, how many times. 
 While they deferved mine for their Crimes, 
 God naiihelejfe, hath fliewed mercies on them, 
 Andjlopt thofe Plagues that comming were upon them ! 
 How feldome is it thought, the pow'r of him, 
 Whofe love they much forget (if not contemnc) 
 
 Might 
 
 244 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 122 
 
 Might he ape upon them all thofe fearfull things, 
 Which he upon our neighbouring Nations brings. 
 For, in a moment, he could fummon hither 
 His Iudgements, and inflid them, all together. 
 Fv'u all. But, one of thofe which he hath brought 
 On other Cities, would enough be thought. 
 
 If in difpleafure he fliould call from thence 
 Where notv it raves, the fiaughtring Peftilence, 
 Or clfe the Famine ; what a change were that, 
 To them that are fo healthy, and fo fat ? 
 Hoiv defolate, in leffe then halfe a yeare, 
 Might all our lodgings and our flreets appeare ? 
 How unfrequented would that randevow 
 Be made, in which, we throng, and juflle now ? 
 Hozv lonely would thefe ivalkes and fields be found, 
 Wherein I fee the people fo abound! 
 
 Or, fliould he whifillc for his armed Bands, 
 ( Which now are wafting other Chriflian Lands) 
 To put in action on our Commick Stage 
 The 7'ragedies of War, and brut ifili rage: 
 What lamentations then here would be made, 
 And calling unto minde, what peace we had} 
 Should we in ev'ry houfe, at boord and bed 
 Have Souldiers, and rude Captaines billeted, 
 That would command, and fwagger as if they 
 Had all the TownefJiip {where they lodge) in pay, 
 To wait upon their pleafures ; and fliould fee 
 Our owne defenders, our devourcrs be. 
 Should we behold thefe fields (now full of fport) 
 Cut out with Trenches ; there, a warlike Fort ; 
 Another here ; A Sconce not farre from that) 
 A netv rais'd Mount, or fome fire-fpitting Cat, 
 From which the Foes our aclions might furvey, 
 And make their Bullets on our houfes play. 
 
 L 3 Should 
 
 -45 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant. 4. 
 
 Should we behold our Dwellings beaten dotvne ; 
 Our Temples batter } d; Turrets over thrown e ; 
 Our feats of pleafure burning from afar re ; 
 Heare, from without, the thundring Voice of War ; 
 Within, thefliriekes of children, or the cry 
 Of women, flrucke with fares, orfamijht nigh. 
 Should we behold, what painfully we got, 
 Poffefl by thofe that feeke to cut our throat; 
 Our children flaine before us, on the ground; 
 Our f elves pier ft through with fo me deep mortall wound; 
 And fee (eihi there) where we have wantomiiz'd, 
 Our beauteous wives, by fome flerne Troupe fur prized, 
 And ravijht in our view. Or (which is worfe) 
 When we have feene all this, be forest perforce 
 To live ; and live their flaves that filial' poff elf e 
 Our wives, and all our outward happinejfe ; 
 And, then, want alfo, that pure Word of Grace 
 To comfort us, which yet adornes this place. 
 
 Should fuch a Defliny (as God defend) 
 This people, and this place, thought I, attend. 
 (For, this may be ; and ev'ry day we heare 
 That other Nations doe this burthen beare) 
 Should we who now for pleafure walke the field, 
 Be faine to fear ch what weeds the paflures yeeld 
 To feed us ; and peake hunger iy about, 
 Some Roots, or Hawes, or Berries tofinde out, 
 To kecpe froviflarving ; and not gaine a food 
 So meanc, without the hazard of our blood : 
 Should fome contagious fickneffe, no if me make 
 This place, wherein, fuch pleafure now we take : 
 Should in thefe places, whither we repaire 
 Our bodies to refref/i with wholefome ayre, 
 Thofe blaflings or Serenes upon us fall, 
 Which other places are annofd wiihall. 
 
 Should 
 
 > 4 6 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 12; 
 
 Should from the wife the husband he divorced, 
 Or from the parent fJiould the child be fore 'd, 
 While here they walkl, and periJJi by the fword : 
 Or,fiJiould here be a famine of the Word, 
 On ivhich would follow, to our grief e andfliatne, 
 A thoufand other Plagues which I could name. 
 Should thofe things be ; then what our bleffings are 
 ft would by fitch a curfe too foone appear e. 
 
 Then, fieele %ve f/iould, what comforts might arife 
 From thofe great mercies, which toe now defpife, 
 Or think not on. Yea, fo we might enjoy 
 But part of that which now tve mifemploy, 
 We thinke it would, a greater happinefifie, 
 Then, yet wefinde in all we now poffejfe. 
 We thenjhould know how much we have beene blefl 
 In our long time of plenty health, and reft: 
 How facet it is that we may to and fro 
 Without refilraint, or feare, or danger goe ; 
 How much we owe to him that hath fo long 
 Our Granards filled, and our Gates made filrong ; 
 Permitting us to wa Ike for our delight 
 About our fields, whilfil others march to fight ; 
 And fuffring us to feafl, whilfil others fafil, 
 Or, of the bread of fowre Affliction tafil. 
 
 As heretofore the peopled Fields I walked, 
 To this effect, my thoughts within me talked ; 
 And though all prefent Objecls gave content, 
 My heart did fuch Ideaes reprefent 
 Of Judgements likely to be caft upon 
 So great a City, and a linfull one ; 
 That much I feared, I fhould live to fee, 
 Some fuch afflictions, as here mention'd be. 
 And loe, (though yet, I hope, not in his wrath) 
 God, part of that I fear'd, inflicted hath ; 
 
 L 4 J 
 
 24; 
 
Brittan's Cant. 4. 
 
 A warning War he hath begun to wage 
 
 Againft the crying fmnes of this our age, 
 
 And of this place : And in a gentle wife 
 
 Pour'd out a tafle of thofe Calamities 
 
 Which other feele at large : that, we fhould mourne 
 
 For our tranfgreffions, and to him returne. 
 
 Vouchfafe, oh I God, that foone returne we may, 
 
 Left thou in anger, fiveepe us all away. 
 
 If we obferved, well, what God hath done, 
 And in what manner, he with us begun ; 
 How he forewarn'd us, of thofe Plagues, which he 
 Vouchfafed David mould a chufer be : 
 (And how, ev'n he himfelfe, in mercy chufed, 
 To keepe us from what David had refufed) 
 We fhould perceive, that our mofL loving God 
 At firft did threaten, with a Fathers rod. 
 
 A little while before this Peftile7ice, 
 Of his juft wrath we had intelligence 
 By divers tokens, which we did contemne, 
 Or, at the bed, but little heeded them. 
 The Spring before this Plague, one jerke we had 
 By WAR, which made no little number fad, 
 By calling many from their eafe ; by taking 
 Some husbands from their wives, & childlefs making 
 Some Parents : which permitted was to fhow us 
 In part, what fharpe corrections God did owe us. 
 And make us minde, that this unhallow'd place 
 Is thus long fpared meerely of his grace. 
 Elfe, to awake us with fome touch of that 
 Which he hath brought on many a forraine State. 
 
 For, that he might but touch us, he did call 
 No Armies hither, to afflict us all. 
 But, as a Generall in time of war, 
 When all his Troupes of fomewhat guilty are ; 
 
 On 
 
 248 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 124 
 
 On them the fortune of the lot doth try, 
 That fome as warnings to the reft may dye : 
 Ev'n fo, the God of Armies, in like cafe, 
 Pickt, here and there a man, from ev'ry place, 
 To meet the fword .• that, ev'ry place might learne, 
 His Mercies, and his Iujlice to difcerne, 
 And, leave off finne; which, if we breake not from, 
 His Plagues, and terrors all, will fhortly come. 
 
 If any fhall object, we loft in thefe 
 But fome corrupted blood, which did difeafe 
 The common Body : Let them underftand, 
 That it portends hot Fevers in the Land, 
 When fuch Phlebotomy is needfull thought : 
 And, that, good blood, as well as what is nought, 
 Is loll at ev'ry op'ning of a veine. 
 The foot was prickt, and we did feele no paine ; 
 The next blood-letting may be in the Arme, 
 Where lyes our ftrength. God fhend us fro the harm 
 Of fuch like Surgery ; unleffe we fee 
 The Signe be better then it feemes to be. 
 
 God fcar'd us, lately, alfo, by a Dearth, 
 And for the peoples faults did curfe the Earth. 
 The Winter laft before the Pejl began, 
 Throughout fome Northerne Shires a Famine ranne, 
 That ftarved fome ; and other fome were faine, 
 Their hungry appetites to entertain e 
 With fwine, and fheep, and horfes, which have dy'd 
 By chance : For, better could they not provide, 
 Some others on boild nettles gladly fed, 
 Or elfe had oft gone fupperleffe to bed. 
 And this was much, confidering the foile 
 And ordinary plenties of this lie. 
 Nay, fince the Sickneffe, we fmall hopes poffeffed, 
 Of that, wherewith, this Kingdom, God hath bleffed. 
 
 L 5 For, 
 
 u 2. 1 9 
 
B R I T T A N'S Caul. 4. 
 
 For, when Earths wombe did big with plenty grow, 
 
 When her large bofome, and full brefts, did fhow 
 
 Such fignes of faire encreafe, that hope of more 
 
 Was never in our life-times heretofore : 
 
 A later froft, our early bloffomes cropt ; 
 
 The heav'ns, upon our labours, leanneffe dropt ; 
 
 And fuch perpetuall ihowres, and flouds we had, 
 
 That of a Famine, we were fearfull made, 
 
 And fcarce had any hope (in common reafon) 
 
 Of harveft either in, or out of feafon. 
 
 Yet he with-held that Plague. The Sky grew cleare ; 
 
 A kindly wheather drove away our feare, 
 
 The Floods did fmck ; the Mildewes were expell'd ; 
 
 The bending eares of corne, their heads up held ; 
 
 And Harveft came, which fild our Granards more, 
 
 Then in the fruitfuli'ft, of fev'n yeares before. 
 
 And, doubtleffe, had we gone to meet our God, 
 With true repentance, when this fearfull Rod 
 Was raifed firft ; it had away beene flung, 
 And not continued in this Realme fo long. 
 For, as a Father, when his deareft child 
 Growes difobedient, rude, and over-wilde, 
 Firft warnes ; then threatens ; then, the rod doth fhow ; 
 Then frownes ; and then doth feare him with a blow. 
 Then doubles, and redoubles it, untill 
 He makes him grow more plyant to his will, 
 And leave thofe wanton tricks which in conclufion 
 May prove the parents griefe, and childes confufion. 
 Ev'n as this Father ; fo, our God hath wrought. 
 Vs, by his Word of Grace, he firft befought : 
 Then, of his Wrath, and Tuftice fpake unto us : 
 Next, hanging over us, he plagues did fhow us. 
 Yea, divers months before this Vengeance came, 
 The fpotted Fever did forewarne the fame. 
 
 VVas 
 
 '■5° 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 125 
 
 Was made her Harbenger ; and in one week 
 Sent hundreds, in the Grave, their bed to feek. 
 Which nought prevailing, he did thereupon 
 (As being loath to ftrike) firft ftrike but one. 
 Then, two or three : then Raid a while ; and than 
 To fmite another number he began, 
 And then a greater. Neither did God mow 
 This mercy, onely, in the publike blow ; 
 But daign'd it, alfo, in that chaftifement, 
 Which he to ev'ry man in private fent. 
 To haflen his repentance ; firft, he fmote 
 Some one of thofe he knew, in place remote, 
 Within a weeke, another better knowne ; 
 Next week a friend ; the next a dearer-one ; 
 A little after that, perhaps, another ; 
 And then a kinfman, or an onely brother. 
 Which no amendment working, God did come 
 (To make him heedfull) fomewhat nearer home : 
 Knockt at his neighbours houfe, and tooke out all 
 Or moil who lodg'd on tother fide the wall : 
 Then called at his doore, and feized on 
 A fervant firft ; foone afterward, a fonne ; 
 Next night was hazarded a daughters life ; 
 And e're that morning came, he loft his wife : 
 At laft fell ficke himfelfe, and then repented, 
 Or dy'd, or liveth to be worfe tormented. 
 
 Thus, as it were by fteps, God came upon us, 
 That either Love or Terror might have won us, 
 To feeke our peace. But, yet, fo few were warned, 
 (And this long fuffring, fo few foules difcerned) 
 That fome the nature of this Plague beli'd ; 
 The number of the dead, fome ftrove to hide. 
 On groundles hopes, Gods Iudgmets, fome deferred, 
 Some fcoffed others, when they were deterred, 
 
 Some 
 
B R I T T a n's Cant. 4. 
 
 Some rais'd a profit from it. Yea, fo few 
 Conceived what was likely to enfue ; 
 That when we fhould like Niniveh have fared, 
 For fports, and caufeleffe Triumphs we prepared. 
 Of pleafure, in exceffive wife, we tailed. 
 Wefeajted, when we rather fhould hnvefajied. 
 And when in fack-cloth we fhould loud have cry'd, 
 Ev'n then we ruffled in our greateft pride. 
 
 Which God perceiving, and that we were growne 
 Regardleffe of his fmiles, and of his frowne ; 
 He did command his Mercy, to let goe 
 That hand which did reftraine his Iujlice fo. 
 Then, catching up a Viall of his wrath, 
 (Which he in ftore for fuch offenders hath) 
 He did on this our Citie, poure it downe. 
 And, as ftrong poifon fhed upon the crowne, 
 Defcendeth to the members, from the head ; 
 And, foone, doth over all the body fpread : 
 Ev'n fo, this noyfome plague of Pejlilence, 
 On our head City falling, did from thence, 
 Difperfe and foake throughout this Empery, 
 In fpight of all our carnall policie. 
 
 Our want of penitency to allay 
 Gods wrath, and flop his anger in the way, 
 Enflamed and exafperated fo 
 This Fiend, that he did thoufands over-throw 
 In fome few minuts : and, the greedy Grave 
 Devour'd as if it none alive would fave. 
 Death lurkt at ev'ry angle of the ftreet, 
 And did arreft whom ever he did meet. 
 There fcarcely was that houfe or lodging found, 
 In which he did not either flay or wound. 
 In evr'y roome his murthers acted he, 
 Our Clofets nay our Temples were not free 
 
 From 
 
 252 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 126 
 
 From his attemptings ; no not while men pray'd, 
 
 Could his unbridled fury be delay'd. 
 
 In fundry Families there was not one 
 
 Whom his rude hand did take compaffion on : 
 
 Nay many times he did not fpare the laft,. 
 
 Vntill the buriall of the firft was pafl. 
 
 For, e're the Bearers back againe could come, 
 
 The reft were ready for their graves at home. 
 
 Nor bad nor good, nor rich nor poore did fcape him : 
 
 Nor foole nor wifeman, an excufe could fhape him : 
 
 He fhunned not the yong man in the fadle, 
 
 Nor him that lay and cryed in the cradle. 
 
 So dreadfull was his looke, fo fterne and grim, 
 
 That many dy'd through very feare of him. 
 
 For, to mens fancies he did oft appeare 
 
 In fhapes which fo exceedind gaftly were, 
 
 That flefh and blood, unable was, to brooke, 
 
 The horror of his all affrighting look. 
 
 Ev'n in that houfe, whofe roofe did cover me, 
 Of this, a fad experiment had we : 
 For, there, a plague-ficke man (at lead) concerned 
 That Death a fhape affuming, he perceiued 
 Defornvd and vgly ; whereat loud he cryes, 
 Oh ! hide me, hide me, from his dreadfull eyes. 
 Looke, oh ! looke there he comes : now by the bed 
 He flan ds ; now at the feet; now at the head. 
 Oil ! draw, draw, draiv the Curtaine, Sirs I pray, 
 That his grim looke no more behold I may. 
 To this effect, and fuch like words he fpake, 
 But that their hearers hearts they more did make. 
 Then, refled he a while, and by and by 
 Vp ftarting, with a lamentable cry, 
 Ran to a Couch, whereon his wife (who waking 
 Two nights before had beene) fome refl was taking ; 
 
 There 
 
 25; 
 
B R I T T A N'S Cant. 4. 
 
 There, kneeling downe, & both his hands up rearing, 
 
 As if his eye had feene pale Death appearing 
 
 To ftrike his wife; Good Sir, faid he, forbeare 
 
 To kill or harme that poore yong woman there : 
 
 For God's fake do not Jlrike her ; for you fee 
 
 She's great with child. Lo, you have wounded me 
 
 Jn twenty places ; and I doe not care 
 
 How me you mif chief e fo that her you fpare. 
 
 Ev'n this, and more then I to minde can call, 
 
 He acted with a looke fo tragicall, 
 
 That, all by ftanders, might have thought, his eyes 
 
 Saw reall objects and no fantafies. 
 
 To others, Death, no doubt, himfelfe convaid 
 In other formes, and other Pageants plaid. 
 Whilft in herarmes the mother thought fhe kept 
 Her Infant fafe ; Death ftole him when fhe flept. 
 Sometime he tooke the mothers life away, 
 And left the little babe, to lye and play 
 With her cold paps, and childifh game to make 
 About thofe eyes, that never more fhall wake. 
 
 Sometimes whe friends where talking he did force 
 The one to leave unfinifht his difcourfe. (ted, 
 
 Sometimes, their morning meetings he hath thwar- 
 Who thought not they for ever had been parted, 
 The night before. And many a lovely Bride, 
 He hath defloured by the Bridegroomcs fide. 
 At ev'ry hand, lay one or other dying : 
 On ev'ry part, were men and women crying, 
 One for a husband ; for a friend another; 
 One for a filler, wife, or onely brother : 
 Some children for their parents mone were making ; 
 Some, for the loffe of fervants care were taking ; 
 Some parents for a childe ; and fome again e 
 For loffe of all their children did complaine. 
 
 The 
 
 254 
 

 Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 127 
 
 The mother dared not to clofe her eyes, 
 
 Through feare that while (lie fleepes, her baby dyes. 
 
 Wives trufled not their husbands out of doore, 
 
 Left they might back againe returne no more. 
 
 And in their abfence if they did but heare 
 
 One knock or call in haft, they quak'd through feare, 
 
 That fome unlucky meffenger had brought 
 
 The newes of thofe mifchances they forethought. 
 
 And if (with care and griefe o're-tyr'd) they flept, 
 
 They dream'd of Ghofils, & Graves, & fhriekt, & wept. 
 
 He that o're night went healthy to his bed, 
 Lookt, ere the morning, to be ficke, or dead. 
 He that rofe lufty, at the rifing Sunne, 
 Grew faint, and breathleffe, e're the day was done. 
 And, he that for his friend, this day did forrow, 
 Lay clofe befide him in a grave the morrow. 
 Some men amidft their pleafures were difeafed : 
 Some, in the very acT of fin were feized : 
 Some, hence were taken laughing, and fome fmging : 
 Some, as they others to their graves were bringing, 
 Yea, fo impartiall was this kind of Death, 
 And fo extreamly venomous his breath, 
 That they who did not in this place expire, 
 Where faved, like the Children in the fire. 
 
 It may be that to fome it will appear e, 
 My Mufe hath onely poetized here ; 
 And that I fairfd expreffions doe rehearfe, 
 As mojl of thofe that ufe to write in verfe : 
 But, in this Pocme J pur fee the filory 
 Of ' real I Truth, without a?i Allegory : 
 And many yet furviving witnejfe may. 
 That I comefliort of what I more might fay. 
 But, what I can I utter ; and I touch 
 This mournfull firing, fo often, and fo much, 
 
 As 
 
 2 55 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant. a,. 
 
 As in t/iis Book I doe; that I might JJww 
 
 To them that of thefe griefes forget/all grow, 
 
 What forroives and what dangers they have had ; 
 
 That all of us more thankefull may be made : 
 
 And if to any thefe things doe appcare 
 
 Or tedious, or impertinent ; J feare 
 
 That mofl of them are they, who take no pleafure, 
 
 For good and ufefull things to be at leifure. 
 
 And more delight in Poems worded out, 
 
 Then ihofe that are Gods works employ 'd about. 
 
 Me thinkes, I cannot fpeake enough of that 
 Which I have feene ; nor full enough relate 
 What I declare ; but flill it feemes to me 
 I leave out fomewhat that fhould utt'red be. 
 For, though in moft, the fence thereof be gone, 
 It was God's Judgement, and a fearfull one. 
 
 And, L O ND N, what availed then thy pride, 
 Thy pleafures and thy wealth fo multiply'd ? 
 Or, then, oh ! what advantage didft thou get 
 By thofe vaine things, whereon thy heart is fet ? 
 How many fev'rall Plagues did God prevent, 
 Before this Iudgement was upon thee fent ? 
 How many loving favours had he done thee, 
 Before fo roughly he did feize upon thee ? 
 And, that thou mightft his purpofes difcover, 
 How long together, did he fend thee over 
 The weekly newes, of thofe great Defolations, 
 Which he inflicts on many other Nations? 
 How often did he fend, e're this befell, 
 His Prophets, of his Judgements to foretell? 
 How many thoufand Preachers hath he fent, 
 With teares, to pray, and woo thee to repent ; 
 To tell thee, that thy pride, and thy exceffe, 
 Thy lufts, thy furfets, and thy drunkenneffe, 
 
 Thine 
 
 256 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 128 
 
 Thine idleneffe, thy great impieties, 
 
 Thy much prophaneneffe, thy hypocrifies, 
 
 And other vanities, would bring at lafl 
 
 Thofe plagues whereof thou now fome feeling haft ? 
 
 How did thy Pajlors to repent conjure thee ? 
 How ftrongly did Gods Minifters affure thee 
 That all thy love, thy labour, and thy coil 
 Beftow'd on carnall pleafures, would be loft? 
 That, thou hereafter fhouldft become afhamed 
 Of that whereof thy comforts thou hadft framed ; 
 And that thofe evills would at length befall 
 From which no mortall hand reprieve thee fhall. 
 
 Thou canft not but acknowledge thefe things were 
 Ev'n ev'ry moment, rounded in thy eare ; 
 And that thy Sonnes of Thunder did prefage 
 What, for thy finnes, mould be thine heritage. 
 Yet, thou to heare their meffage didft refufe. 
 And, as the ftubborne unbeleeving lewes, 
 Defpifed all thofe Prophets, who forefhew'd 
 The times of their approaching fervitude, 
 Yea. punifht them, as troublers of the Land, 
 And fuch as weakned much the peoples hand : 
 So, thou accountedfl of thy Teachers, then, 
 But as a crew of bufie-headed men, 
 Who cauflefly, thy quietneffe difturbing, 
 Had for their faucineffe, deferved curbing. 
 But with amazement, now thou doft behold, 
 That they have no uncertainties foretold. 
 For, God in this one fingle Plague, comprifed 
 Thofe other Judgements, all, epitomized ; 
 Which for thy ruine he at large will fend, 
 If this be not enough to work his end. 
 Obferve this Pejlilence, and thou fhalt fee, 
 That as there may be fome onejln in thee 
 
 With 
 
 kit 257 
 
B R I t t a n's Cant. 4. 
 
 With other great Tranfgrejfions interlaced, 
 
 So, divers Plagues in this great Plague were placed. 
 
 It fhew'd thee (in fome fafhion) their diflreffes, 
 Whom WAR, in a befieged Fort oppreffes : 
 For, lo, thou wert deprived of all Trade, 
 As if thy Foes blockt up thy River had. 
 And, though no armed Hoft thy wall furrounded, 
 Yet (which was worfe) thou by thy friends wert boun- 
 For, whatfoever perfon paffed from (ded : 
 
 Thy Ports, upon an enemy did come. 
 And none more cruell to thy children proved, 
 Then fome of thine, who from thy Plagues removed. 
 
 Confufion, and Diforder, threatned thee, 
 (On which attendeth all the Plagues that be) 
 For, moll of thy grave Senate, who did beare 
 Thy names of ofhce, far departed were, 
 To other places ; leaving thee, nigh fpent 
 And languifhing for want of Government. 
 Yea, they that were thy Truft, and thy Delight, 
 In times of health, did then forfake thee quite ; 
 To teach us, that thofe men, and vanities, 
 Which have our hearts, in our profperities, 
 Will in affliction be the firft who leave us ; 
 And, when we mofl expect, then moil deceive us. 
 
 Oh ! whither then ; oh ! whither were they gone, 
 Who, thy admired Beauty doted on ? 
 Where did thy Lovers in thofe dayes appeare, 
 Who did fo court thee, and fo often fweare 
 Affection to thee ? whither were they fled, 
 Whom thou haft oft with fweeteft junkets fed? 
 And they, whom thou fo many yeares, at eafe, 
 Didfl lodge within thy faired Palaces ? 
 
 Where London, were thy skarlet Fathers hous'd, 
 Who in thy glory, were to thee efpous'd ? 
 
 What 
 
 258 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 129 
 
 What were become of all thy children, which 
 Were nurfed at thy breft, made great, and rich 
 By thy good-hufunfry ? and whom we fee 
 In thy profperity fo hugg'd of thee ? 
 
 Where were thy rev'rend Pajiors, who had pay 
 To feed thy Flocks, and for thy finne to pray ? 
 . (I muft confeffe) the meaneft, and fome few 
 Of better fort, were in affection true, 
 And gave thee comfort. But, oh ! where were thofe, 
 Thofe greater ones, on whom thy hand beftowes 
 The largeft portions ? Thofe, who have profefl 
 A zealous care of thee, above the reft ? 
 Thofe, who (as I conceive) had undertaken 
 A charge that fhould not then have beene forfaken ? 
 Thofe many filken-Doclors, who did here 
 In mining fatten Caffocks late appeare? 
 They who (till now, a thing fcarce heard of ever) 
 Do flaunt it in their Velvet, Plufh, and Beaver. 
 And they, whom thou didfl honor far above 
 Thofe meane ones, who, then, fhewed thee moft love ? 
 
 Where were they ? &, where were thy Lawyers too 
 That heretofore, did make fo much adoe 
 Within thy Courts of Iujlice ? Prethee, where 
 Were thofe Phyfitians, who fo forward were 
 To give thee phyfick, when thou neededft leffe, 
 And wert but ficke, of eafe, and wantonneffe ? 
 Where did their foot cloths wait ? where couldft thou 
 For their affiftance ? what became of all (call 
 
 Their Diets, and Receipts ? and why did they 
 In that neceffity depart away? 
 
 Where lurckt thofe Poetafters, who were wont 
 To pen thy Mummeries, and vainly hunt 
 For bafe reward, by foothing up the Crimes 
 Of our Grand Epicures, in lofty Rimes ; 
 
 And 
 
 *59 
 
B r I t t a n's Cant. 4, 
 
 And doe before each others Poems raife 
 The fruitleffe Trophees of a truthleffe praife ? 
 Dar'd none of all thofe matchleffe wits to tary 
 This brunt ? That his experienc'd Mufe might cary 
 This Newes to after times ; and move compaffion, 
 By his all moving ftraines of Lamentation ? 
 What, none but me ? me onely leave they to it, 
 To whom they fhame to yeeld the Name of Poet? 
 Well ; if they ever had a minde to weare 
 The Lawreat Wreath, they might have got it here : 
 For though that my performance may be bad, 
 A braver Subject, Mufes never had. 
 
 Where were thy troups of Rorers ? where were they 
 Who in thy Chambers did the wantons play? 
 Provoking God Almighty, downe to caft 
 Thofe plagues from which they fled away fo faft ? 
 Yea, whither were thofe Nothings, all retir'd, 
 Of whom thou wert, of late, fo much defir'd? 
 Alas ! was there not any of all thefe 
 Who ftaid to comfort thee, in this Difeafe ? 
 Did all depart away ? And, being gone, 
 Leave thee to beare thy forrowes all alone ? 
 Left they upon thy Tally all that fin, 
 Which had by them and thee, committed bin ? 
 
 Yes, yes, they left thee : ev'n all thefe : and they 
 So left thee, London, when they went away, 
 That thy afflictions they did aggravate, 
 And make more bitter thy deplored Fate. 
 
 A Dearth mixt alfo in this Pejl was found, 
 For they who did in riches molt abound, 
 (And fhould have holpen to relieue the poore) 
 Departing hence, diminifhed thy ftore. 
 To other Borroughes they themfelves betooke : 
 Their fick diftreffed brethren, they forfooke, 
 
 And 
 
 260 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 130 
 
 And, left on thofe that would be hofpitable, 
 A burthen which to beare they were unable. 
 Thofe few, of worth, who did in thee remaine, 
 Had multitudes of beggers to fuftaine ; 
 And, from the Country (as before I faid) 
 The fending of fupply was long delaid. 
 
 There was a Famine alfo, which exceeded 
 This other ; though the fame by few was heeded. 
 We had not fo much fcarcity of bread, 
 As of that food wherewith our foules are fed. 
 For, of our Pajlors (in the greateft dangers) 
 Some left us to the charity of Strangers. 
 And, many foules, whom they were bound to cherifh 
 Depriv'd of timely fuftenance, did perifh. 
 
 Who could have thought, this Vineyard, heretofore 
 So fruitfull ; and wherein the falvage Bore 
 Of Turky rooted not : and whofe thick fence 
 Hath long time kept the Bulls of BaJJian thence ; 
 Should then (ev'n in the Vintage time) be found 
 So bare of what, fo lately did abound ? 
 And, then (a thing worth note) when ev'ry Field 
 And mean eft Villages did plenties yeeld ? 
 
 Indeed, not long before, we furfeted, 
 And plaid the wantons with our heav'nly bread. 
 Our appetite was cloy'd ; and we grew dainty, 
 And either loath'd, or murmur'd at our plenty. 
 Yea, many of us, when at will we had it, 
 By private Cookeries, unwholefome made it. 
 For which, and for our bafe unthankfulneffe, 
 Our portion and allowance waxed leffe : 
 And, we who (like fond children) would not eat, 
 Vnleffe, this man, or that man carv'd our meat, 
 Then (like poore folkes that of meere almes doe live,) 
 Were glad to take of any that would give. 
 
 The 
 
 261 
 
B R I T T A N'S Cant. 4. 
 
 The Laborers were few ; the Harvejl large : 
 And of the beft of thofe that had the charge 
 To fpread Gods Table; fome grew faint and tired 
 By their perpetuall travaile : fome expired 
 Their painfull foules, and freely facrifiz'd 
 Themfelves for us, that we might be fufnz'd. 
 
 Among which happy number I doe bleffe 
 The memory of learned Makerneffe, 
 And zealous Eton, whofe large Congregations, 
 Bemoan'd their loffe with hearty lamentations. 
 And worthily : for, they did labour here 
 With cheerfulneffe ; and in their Callings were 
 So truly diligent whilft vigour lafted, 
 That they their life blood, yea their fpirits wafted ; 
 And ev'n unflackt the very nerves and powres 
 Of their owne foules, to helpe enable ours. 
 
 To bury, nigh a hundred in a day, 
 To church, to marry, Jhidy, preach and pray ; 
 To wake betimes ; at night late watch to keepe ; 
 To be diflurb'd at midnight from their Jleepe ; 
 To vifit him that on his death-bed lyes ; 
 Oft to communicate; more oft baptize; 
 And daily (and all day) to be in action, 
 As were thofe two, to give due fatisfaclion 
 To their great Flocks ; more Laborers there needed ; 
 And their confumed ftrengths, it much exceeded. 
 
 But, they are now at rejl: their worke is done, 
 Their Fight is fmifhed : their Goale is won : 
 And, though no Trophee I to them can raife, 
 Save, this poore wither'd Wreath of mortall praife ; 
 Their Majler (to reward their faithfulneffe) 
 For them referved Crownes of Happineffe ; 
 Becaufe, unto his houjlwld, they the Bread 
 Of Life, in feafon, have diftributed. 
 
 Nor 
 
 26. 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 131 
 
 Nor was the Food of life diminifht more 
 
 By fuch mens want alone, then heretofore. 
 
 But, to our difcontent, we alfo had 
 
 Our due allowances the fhorter made 
 
 Ev'n by command. For, fome (I know not why) 
 
 Had falfely mif-inform'd Authority, 
 
 That our promifcuous meetings, at the Fajl, 
 
 Increaft the Plague : which was beleev'd in haft. 
 
 And being urg'd, perhaps, with fuch faire fhewes 
 
 Of Reafon, as Cotijeclure could infufe ; 
 
 (The matter being aggravated too, 
 
 With fuch untruths, as travell to and fro) 
 
 The publike preaching on the Fajling day, 
 
 Was, in an evill feafon, tooke away. 
 
 For, when the flefh was fed, and foule deprived 
 Of two Repafts, which weekly we received, 
 Prophaneneffe, and hard-heartedneffe began 
 To get new rooting in the mind of man. 
 We miffed thofe good helpes, and thofe examples 
 Which had been preached to us in our Temples. 
 The poore did want full quickly, to their griefe, 
 Thofe Almes the Fajl brought out for their reliefe. 
 And, when with Prayers, Preaching did not goe, 
 Our cold Devotions, did far colder grow. 
 
 What inftrument of mifchiefe might he be 
 Who caufed that ? and, what a Foole was he ! 
 If We nf day-Sermons holpe infect ; I pray 
 What kept us fafer on the Sabbath day ? 
 Since moft faff then till noone without refection? 
 Or what at Funerai/s, did flop infection ? 
 
 Good God ! in thy affaires, how vaine (to me) 
 Doth carnall Policy appeare to be ? 
 How apt is flefh and blood to run a courfe, 
 Which makes the foules condition, worfe and worfe ? 
 
 To 
 
 '63 
 
B R I T T A n's Cant. 4. 
 
 To venture on eternall death how toward ! 
 And in a temporall danger what a coward ! 
 
 Sure, had not fuch a project, had a fcope 
 Beyond the reaching of the Devils hope, 
 And been too damnable for any one 
 To be his Procurator thereupon ; 
 Some would have made the motion that we might 
 Have liv'd excluded from our Churches quite : 
 And, that till God his hand fhould pleafe to ftay, 
 None mould in publike, either preach, or pray. 
 
 'Twas well the weekly number of the dead, 
 By Gods meere mercy, was diminifhed, 
 Before the prohibition of the Fajl : 
 The Fiend had elfe, for evermore, difgrac't 
 That Difcipline ; and carnall Policy 
 Had fo infulted o're Divinity, 
 That, in fucceeding Ages, men unholy, 
 Would thence have proved, fuch Devotion, Folly. 
 But, God prevented it, that we fhould take 
 Good notice of it ; and good ufes make : 
 And I have mention'd it, that here I may 
 God's Wifedome and Man's foolifhneffe difplay. 
 
 Oh ! let us to our Fajls againe returne ; 
 Let us, for our omiffions truly mourne ; 
 And not capitulate with God, as tho 
 He, firft his Rod out of his hand fhould throw, 
 Eere we would come unto him : for, if thus 
 A fon of ours mould beare himfelfe to us, 
 It would our ire exafperate the more ; 
 And make the fault feem greater then before. 
 
 Why fhould we in an action that is juft 
 The mercy of our gracious God diftrufl ? 
 Or, unto any place be loath to go, 
 Where God is to be heard, or fpoken to, 
 
 Though 
 
 264 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 132 
 
 Through feare of that which may be caught at home 
 
 And in a thoufand places where we come ? 
 
 Our iinnes and plagues were publike : fo mould wee 
 
 In Prayers, and Teares, and Almes, and Fa/lings be. 
 
 For, that flrong Devill which hath tortur'd thus 
 
 Our generall body, is not call from us 
 
 By fingle Exorcifmes ; neither fhall 
 
 Our privacies advantage us at all, 
 
 Except in what conduces to the health 
 
 Of private men, or of their private wealth. 
 
 If we in clofe retirements (by our feare) 
 At markets, or where worfe Affemblies are, 
 Infected grow : the Devill, by and by 
 With us perfwadeth, either to belye 
 The Church, our conftant Fa/ling, or fome one 
 Good worke, or pious action we have done. 
 (As vifiting the fick, in time of need, 
 Or any other fuch like Chriftian deed) 
 For, he thofe practices doth greatly fpight, 
 And, to difparage them hath much delight : 
 Becaufe he fees, that fuch as are inclinde 
 To pious meanes, will foone by triall finde, 
 Good hopes to thrive beyond their expectations ; 
 Their knowledge, foole his cunning machinations ; 
 Their faiths grow ftrong ; temptations weak appeare ; 
 Their joy moft perfect, where mod forrowes are ; 
 And know, that when the Lord of Hoafls is armed, 
 With all his Judgements, that, he leaft is harmed, 
 Who, bold through Love, felfe-trujl quite from him 
 And, runs with cofidence to meet his blows. (throws 
 
 Let no man then be fearfull to repaire 
 Vnto the houfe of Preaching, or of Pray'r ; 
 Or, any whither elfe, thofe works to doe, 
 Which he by Confcience is obliged to : 
 
 M No, 
 
 // 265 
 
Brittan's Can/. 4. 
 
 No, though the Devill in the paffage lay, 
 Or ftrow'd mod fearfull dangers in the way. 
 For, if in fuch a cafe, our death we take, 
 Our death, fhall for our beft advantage make. 
 
 Yet, let none thinke I this opinion cary, 
 That ev'ry Church, will be a Sancluary, 
 To all that come. For, fure, if any dare 
 Without Devotion, in Gods houfe appeare, 
 To them, that place, more perill threatens, then, 
 A chamber thronged with infected men. 
 
 Some fainted in the Church, as others did 
 Within their houfes (where themfelves they hid) 
 Yet not fo often. For, though fome did pleafe 
 To blame the Church for fpreading this difeafe, 
 No places were more harmleffe. None did we 
 Behold more healthy, or to fcape more free 
 From this Infeclion, then thofe perfons, whom 
 We faw moft often, to Gods worfhip come. 
 Nor were there any houfes more infected 
 Then theirs, who moft the houfe of God neglected. 
 I fpeake not this by rumor : For, ev'n thither 
 Reforted I, where thronged were together 
 The greatefl multitudes : And day by day 
 I fate, where all the croud I could furvey. 
 Yet, I nor man, nor childe, nor woman faw, 
 To finke, looke pale, or from their place withdraw. 
 And, doubtleffe, if fuch faintings there had beene, 
 As many prated of; I fome had feene. 
 Which, fmce I did not fee, I wifh againe, 
 None would at fuch a time, Gods houfe refraine, 
 Except in Congregations not their owne, 
 And where infection feared is, or knowne : 
 Or in their owne Affembly, where diforder 
 Committed wilfully, the Peft may further. 
 
 Or 
 
 260 
 
Cant. a,. Remembrancer. 133 
 
 Or, when their bodie's weakenes, or the Aire 
 Their fafeties may fome other waies impaire. 
 Excepting to (in times of Vifitation, 
 When they are markt with markes of Separation, 
 As Rifing, Blaines, or Sores. Or, newly from 
 The company of fuch like perfons, come. 
 Or, whenfoever they or doe, or may 
 Suppofe themfelves Infectious any way. 
 
 Thefe (as the Lepers did, by Mofes Law) 
 From publike Congregations mould withdraw, 
 For, fure, if any fuch themfelves intrude 
 To mixe among a healthy Multitude, 
 (Though prayers or devotions they pretend, 
 Or whatfoever other pious endj 
 Their foolifh practife is vnwarrantable ; 
 Yea, their condition fo uncharitable, 
 That I abhorre it : and beleeve that for 
 So doing, God their prayers doth abhorre : 
 
 And, here, (although it may impertinent 
 By fome be thought) I cannot chitfe but vent, 
 How I diflike our fo much liked faJJiion 
 Of burial/, where the publike Congregation 
 Are bound to meet: And then, efpecially, 
 When of infeclious grief es great numbers dye. 
 I know both Cuftome, and Opinion, have 
 So rooted this, that I my breath may fave 
 In reprehending it. Yet, when I mufl 
 Be taken hence, and turne againe to dufl, 
 Let nought but Earth and Heav'n my carcajfe cover, 
 And neither Church nor Chappell roofe me over ; 
 Nor any other Buildings, faving thofe 
 That onely ferve, fuch reliques to enclofe. 
 
 For, though I doe ingenuoufly confeffe, 
 WeJJiould toflww our Chriflian hopefulneffe 
 
 M2 Of 
 
 267 
 
B R I T T A n's Cant. 4. 
 
 Of rifing from the dead, lodge decently 
 Their filefili, who in Chrifts Faith prof effe to dye : 
 And, that Churchyards, or plots diflinguiflit from 
 The vulgar tife, doe beft of all become 
 That purpofe. Yet, I know the common guife 
 Of burning in the Church, did firfl arife 
 From ancient Superilition ; and to gaine 
 Some outward profit, to the prieflly traine. 
 For, many fimple men were made conceive 
 That if (when they were dead) they might have leave 
 To refil within thofe plots of hallowed ground. 
 Which either Church or Chappell did furround ; 
 No wicked Spirit flwuld permittance have, 
 To trouble or abufe them, in the grave : 
 Whereas (which yet old fooles beleeve they doe) 
 They might clfe rife, and walke at midnight too 
 About their fir -eels, and houfes, or croffe wayes ; 
 Till fame Maffe-monger them at quiet layes : 
 And then it was fuppos'd, how much the nigher 
 They lay unto their Altar, or their Choire, 
 By fo much more thefafer they flwuld reft; 
 Which brought no petty f urn mes to Dagons chefl. 
 Thence was it, that our Churches, firfl of all, 
 Were glazed with Scutchions like a Heralds hall; 
 And that this age in them depainted fees 
 So many vaine and lying Pedigrees. 
 Thence comes it that we now adayes behold 
 Some Chancels filled up with rotten, old, 
 And foolifli monuments. From hence we fee 
 So many puppet Images to be 
 On evry wall within our Oratories : 
 So many Epitaphs, and lying flories, 
 Of men dcceafl : and, thence the guife was gotten, 
 To let fo many Banners dropping rotten 
 
 Deforme 
 
 >68 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 134 
 
 Deforme our pillars ; and withdraw our eyes 
 From pious objects to thofe vanities. 
 
 If any man defirous be to lye 
 Within a Monument, when he JJiall dye : 
 Let ev'ry noble Family erect 
 Within their Cities fome /aire Architect, 
 Within the compafje of whofe roofed wall 
 There may be founded fome good Hofpitall 
 Or buildings for the lawful! recreation 
 Of youth, and for the honor of the Nation. 
 And of that Name or kin, when any dyes, 
 There lay their bones ; or to their memories 
 Erect there Tables. And, let them that had 
 Such mi?ids, and fortunes, to the Structure adde. 
 Yea thither (if they plcafe) let them tranfiate 
 Their anccflors. Bid, I have f poke too late, 
 Thofe times are pafl in which our noble ones 
 Were able to erect fuch piles offlones 
 As might be eminent. Our kingly race 
 Had by the feve?ith Henry, fuch a place 
 Erected for them, fo magnificent, 
 That to this Land it is an ornament. 
 Let them that cannot reach the coft of thefe, 
 Raife Cawfies, Bridges, and make Docks, and Keyes 
 For publike ufe : which with as little cofil 
 As now upon their pedling Tombe, is loft, 
 Should make them live far re longer in their fames; 
 For, 7ve would thofe entitle by their Names. 
 
 All they that love their Country, now they know 
 Which way they may their money befil befilow, 
 ( To memorize their Friends, with profiting 
 The publike ) will confider of this thing 
 And build them Tombes where we may praife the work ; 
 Not in a Church obfcure, unfeene to lurke, 
 
 M 3 Where 
 
 269 
 
B R I t T A N's Cant. 4. 
 
 Where few fliall view them ; and where mojl whoJJiall 
 Behold them, take no heed of them at all. 
 
 If fome good Patriots would begin the faJJiion, 
 It might allure, perhaps, to imitation. 
 And if it were not greedinejfe of gaine 
 Among Church-Officers, which did maintaine 
 Such Cuflomes ; weJJiouldfomewhatmoreforbeare 
 To lay fo many flinking bodies there 
 Where God we feeke (andhimfliouldfeeke tofinde, 
 With purity of body, and of minde) 
 Indeed our finne, alone pollutes ; and yet 
 An outward decency is alfo fit. 
 
 Was't well, that in the Church (where throngs and heat 
 Did make us in the croud to pant and fiveat) 
 Erin in the midfil of our Devotions too, 
 Men /Jwuld, as oft it pleafed them to doe, 
 Thrufil in (where ive could hardly fland in eafe) 
 With foure or five flrong fuelling Carkafijes ? 
 JVas'tfit,fo many Graves, at fitch a feafon 
 Should gape and breath upon us ? was it reafon, 
 That heaps of rubbifJi, Coffin-boards, and filones, 
 late bury'd bodies, and halfe rotten bones, 
 Gods Temple fliould pollute ? and make it far 
 More loathfome, then mofil Charnell houfes are ? 
 WasH fitting that to gaine their griping fees, 
 They Jlwuld endanger multitudes to leefe 
 Their lives, or healths ? or, that they fliould fulfill 
 A foolifJi motion in a dead mans will, 
 By wronging of the living? God forbid 
 JtJJiould be reafon ; and yet, thus they did. 
 
 Thus did they ? yea, far worfe : for Jlwuld I tell 
 At what high rates, fome Churchmen, here did fell 
 Their burying grounds : What fees they did exatl : 
 Hoiv Readers, Clarkes, and Sextons did compacl, 
 
 To 
 
 70 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 135 
 
 To racke the dead : to what a goodly fumme 
 Their large Church-duties (infome cafes) come : 
 What muft be paid for Bearers, though men have 
 Their friends to helpe convey them to the grave : 
 What for the Bells, though not a bell be rung: 
 What, for their mourning-clothes, though none be hung 
 Vpon them but their owne: what pay did paffe 
 For Fun" rail Sermons, where no Sermon was : 
 And, what was oft extorted (without fliame) 
 To give him leafe to preach, who freely came : 
 If here {I fay) Iflwuld dij cover what 
 J might, of thofe things mentioned, relate, 
 Thofe men who die, that charges they may five, 
 Would feare they might be begger'd in the Grave : 
 For, more to take that lodging hath becne fpent, 
 Then would have bought a pretty tenement. 
 
 Thus, as one matter drew another on, 
 My Mufe hath diuers things difcourft upon 
 To many fundry purpofes : but, what 
 I chiefly in this Canto aimed at 
 Was, to preferue in mind an awfull fenfe 
 Of what we fuffred in this Pejlilence : 
 What we deferved, and how varioufly, 
 Gods Iuflice, this one Corfive did apply, 
 To eate out all Corruptions, which be fpotted 
 Our foules, and had ere this our bodies rotted. 
 
 I might as well have memorized here, 
 How diverfly God's Mercies did appeare, 
 Amid his Judgements : how he comforted, 
 When outward comfort failed : how he fed, 
 When oile and meale were wafted : how he gaue 
 Their lives to them, whofe feet were in the graue. 
 What Patience, what high Fortitude he granted, 
 And, how he ftill fupplyed what we wanted. 
 
 M 4 I 
 
B R I T T A N'S Cant 4. 
 
 I might commemorate, a world of Grace 
 Beflow'd in this affliction, on this place, 
 Both common, and in private. Many a vow 
 (Of theirs, who will, I feare, forget it now) 
 Was daily heard. Ten thoufand fuits were daigned ; 
 Reprieves, for foules condemned were obtained. 
 Friends prayd for friends ; the parents for the lives 
 Of their deare children. Husbands for their wives ; 
 Wives for their husbands beg'd with teares & paflio, 
 And, God with pitie heard their lamentation. 
 
 In friends, in fervants, in the temporall wealth, 
 In life, in death, in fickneffes, and health, 
 God manifefted Mercy. Some did finde 
 A Friend, to whom till then, none had beene kind. 
 Some, had their fervants better'd, for them, there, 
 By Gods correction. Some, left wealthy were 
 By dying kindred, who the day before 
 Were like to beg their bread from doore to doore. 
 Some, by their timely deaths were taken from 
 Such prefent paines, or from fuch woes to come, 
 That they are happy. Vnto fome, from heav'n, 
 The bleffmg of a longer life was giv'n, 
 That they might call to minde their youthfull times, 
 Repent omiffions, and committed crimes ; 
 Amend their courfes, and be warifome 
 That they difpleas'd not God, in times to come. 
 
 Againe, fome others by their fickneffes, 
 And by the feares they had in this JDifeafe, 
 Grew awfull of Gods Iudgements ; and within 
 Their harts, good motions were, wher none had bin ; 
 Ev'n in their hearts who fear'd nor God nor Devill, 
 Nor guilt of fin, nor punifhment for evill. 
 And, fome had health continu'd, that they might 
 Gods praife extoll, and in his love delight. 
 
 Should 
 
Cant. 4. Remembrancer. 136 
 
 Should I declare, in what unufuall wife 
 God op'ned here their foules dimfighted eyes, 
 Who blinded were before ; how nigh had reacht 
 To higheft Myfleries : what things they preacht 
 Ev'n to their neighbours, and their family, 
 Before their foules did from their bodies flye ; 
 Or, mould I tell but what young Children here 
 Did fpeake, to take from elder folke their feare 
 Of Sickneffes and Death ; what they expreft 
 Of heav'nly bliffe, and of this worlds unreft ; 
 What faith they had ; what flrange illuminations ; 
 What ftrong affurances of their falvations ; 
 And with what proper termes, and boldneffe they 
 Beyond their yeares, fuch things did open lay, 
 It would amaze our Naturallijls, and raife 
 A goodly Trophee to our Makers praife. 
 But, this for me were too too large a task, 
 And many yeares and volumes it would aske, 
 Should I in thefe particulars record 
 The never ending mercies of the Lord. 
 For he that would his meaneft act recite, 
 Attempts to meafure what is infinite. 
 
 That ftory therefore, in particular 
 To meddle with I purpofe to defer 
 Till in the Kingdome of eternity 
 My foule in honor of his Majefty 
 Shall Halelujah fing ; and over-looke 
 With hallow'd eyes, that great eternall Booke, 
 Which in a moment to my view fhall bring 
 Each paffed, prefent, and each future thing, 
 And there my foule fhall read, and fee revealed 
 What is not by the LAMBE, as yet, unfealed. 
 
 Meane while He cry Hofannah, and for all 
 His love to me, and mercies generall, 
 
 M 5 His 
 
 -73 
 
Brittan's Cant. 5. 
 
 His three times holy, and thrice bleffed Name 
 I praife, and vow for aye to praife the fame. 
 
 The fifth Canto. 
 
 The Author jujlifies againe 
 His Method, and his loixfy Straine. 
 Next, having formerly made knowne 
 The Common Feares, he tels his owne. 
 Shewes with what thoughts he was difeafed, 
 When firjl the Plague his lodging feized ' : 
 Of what God's Iuftice him accufed; 
 Vpon what Doubts, or Hopes, he mufed; 
 On what, and how, he did refolve ; 
 And who from Death, did him abfolve. 
 The Plagues encreafe, he then exprcffeth : 
 The Mercies of the LORD confeffeth : 
 Emplorcs that he himfelfe may never 
 Forget them, but, be thankefull ever : 
 Then, mounting Contemplations wings, 
 Afcends to high and ufefull things. 
 From thence his Mufe is called downe, 
 To make Great Britaines errors knowne : 
 Wherein, he doth confeffe a failing) 
 And (his infirmities bewailing) 
 Is fitted and refolv'd anew, 
 His purposed Meffage to purfue : 
 And, having firft anticipated, 
 His Arrant is, in part, related. 
 
 PErhaps, the nicer Criticizes of thefe times, 
 When they fhall fleightly view my lowly Rimes, 
 (Not to an end, thefe Poems fully reading, 
 Nor their Occafion, not my Aymes, well heeding) 
 
 May 
 
 274 
 
Cant. 5. Remembrancer. 137 
 
 May taxe my Mufe that me at random fiyes ; 
 For want of Method, makes Tautologies ; 
 And commeth off, and on, in fuch a fafhion, 
 That, oft flie failes their curious expectation. 
 
 It is enough to me, that I doe know 
 What they commend, and what they difallow. 
 And let it be enough to them, that I 
 Am pleas'd to make fuch faults for them to fpy. 
 For I intend the Afet/iod which I ufe ; 
 And, if they doe not like it, they may chufe. 
 They who in their Compofures, keep the fafhion 
 Of older times, and write by imitation ; 
 Whofe quaint Inventions muft be trimd and trickt, 
 With curious drefiings, from old Authors pickt ; 
 And whofe maine workes, are little elfe, but either 
 Old fcattred Peeces, finely glew'd together, 
 Or, fome concealed Structures of the Braine, 
 Found out (where long obfcured they have laine) 
 And new attir'd .• Thefe muft (and well they may) 
 Their Poefies in formall garbes aray, 
 Their naturall defects by Art to hide ; 
 And, make their old new-flraines the Teft abide. 
 
 Thefe, doe not much amiffe, if they affume 
 Some Eftridge feathers, or the Peacockes plume 
 To flrut withall : nor had I greatly heeded 
 That courfe of theirs, if they had not proceeded 
 To cenfure mine. My Mufe no whit envies 
 That they from all their heathnifh Poefies 
 Have skumm'd the Creame; & to themfelves (for that) 
 The ftile of Prince of Poets arrogate. 
 For, Plautus, Horace, Perfeus, Juvenal, 
 Yea Greece and Pomes beft Mufes, we may call 
 Their Tributaries ; fince from them came in 
 Thofe Treafures which their princely Titles win. 
 
 Some 
 
 75 
 
Br it tan's Cant. 5. 
 
 Sometime, as well as they I play the Bee : 
 But, like the Silkeworme, it bell pleafeth me 
 To fpin out mine owne Bowells, and prepare them 
 For thofe, who thinke it not a fhame to weare them. 
 My Matter, with my Method, is mine owne ; 
 And I doe plucke my Floza'rs as they are blowne. 
 
 A Maiden when fhe walkes abroad to gather 
 Some herbs to ftrow the dwellings of her Father, 
 (Or fragrant flow'rs to deck her wedding Bowre, 
 Or make a nofegay for her Paramour ) 
 She comes into the Garden, and firft feizeth 
 The Flow'rs which firft fhe fees, or what fhe pleafeth ; 
 Then runs to thofe whom ufe or memory, 
 Prefenteth to her thought, or to her eye : 
 As toward them fhe hafteth, fhe doth finde 
 Some others, which were wholly out of minde, 
 Ev'n till that very moment : while fire makes 
 Her prife of thofe, fhe notice likewife takes 
 Of Herbs unknovvne before, that lurking lay 
 Among the pleafant Plants within her way : 
 She crops off thefe, of thofe fhe taketh none, 
 Makes ufe of fome, and lets as good alone ; 
 Here plucks the Cowjlips, Rofes of the prime, 
 There Lavander, fweet Marjoram, and Thyme, 
 Yonn July flowers, or the Damask Rofe, 
 Or fweet-breath'd Violet, that hidden growes : 
 Then fome againe forenam'd (if need fire thinks) 
 Then Daifies, and then Marigolds, and Pincks : 
 Then Herbs anew, then Flow'rs afrefh doth pull, 
 Of ev'ry fort, untill her lap is full. 
 And otherwhile, before that worke be done, 
 To kill a Caterpiller fhe doth run, 
 Or catch a Butterfly ; which varies from 
 That purpofe whereabout (lie firft did come. 
 
 So, 
 
 276 
 
Cant. 5. Remembrancer. 138 
 
 So, from the Mufcs Gardens, when I meane 
 Thofe flow'rs of ufefull Poefie to gleane, 
 Which being well united may content 
 My Chriftian Friends ; or with a pleafing fent 
 Perfume Gods houfe, or beautifie, or cheere 
 My foule, which elfe would rude, and fad appeare : 
 When this I meane ; I paint out ev'ry Thought, 
 As to my heart I feele it to be brought : 
 I treat of things, as caufe conduces them, 
 And as occafions, unto me, doe fhow them. 
 Sometimes, I from the matter feeme to goe, 
 For purpofes, which none but I may know. 
 Sometime, an ufefull Floitfr I may forget; 
 Anon, into my Nofegay, I doe fet 
 Some other twice ; becaufe, perchance, the place 
 Affords it better ufe, or better grace. 
 As one conceit I feriouily purfue, 
 That, brings perhaps another to my view, 
 And that another ; and that, many a one, 
 Which if in Methods Allies I had gone, 
 Had, peradventure, elfe remain'd unfeene ; 
 And, in my Garland might have miffed beene. 
 
 E're I my pen affume, I feele the motions 
 Of doing fomewhat, and have gen'rall notions 
 Of what I purpofe : But, Mogul doth know 
 As well as I, what path my Mufe will goe. 
 What, in particular, I fhall expreffe, 
 I know not (as I hope for happineffe) 
 And though my matter, when I firft begin, 
 Will hardly fill one page ; yet being in, 
 Methinks, if neither faintneffe, friends, nor night, 
 Difturbed me, for ever I could write. 
 Vpon an inftant I oft feele my breft 
 With infinite variety poffefl ; 
 
 And 
 
 ^77 
 
Br it tan's Canl.$. 
 
 And fuch a troup of things together throngs, 
 Within my braine ; that, had I twenty tongues 
 I mould (whihl I affaid to utter it) 
 Twice more, then I could mention, quite forget. 
 
 A hundred Mufngs, which I meane to fay, 
 Before I can expreffe them, flip away ; 
 Which to recall, although I much endever, 
 Oft paffe out of my memory, for ever ; 
 And cary forth (ev'n to the worlds farre end) 
 Some other thoughts, which did on them depend. 
 
 Whilft I my pen am dipping downe in hike, 
 That's loft which next to tell you I did thinke ; 
 And, fomewhat inftantly doth follow on, 
 Which till that prefent, I ne're thought upon. 
 
 This, forceth me thofe Methods to forgoe, 
 Which others in their Poems fancy fo. 
 This makes me birth to my Conceptions give, 
 As faft as they their Beings doe receive. 
 Left whilft I for the common Midwife tary, 
 The flitting iffue of my braine mifcary. 
 And, howfoe're they pleafe to cenfure me, 
 Who but Stepfathers to their Poemes be ; 
 This, is that way of uttrance, that each Mufe 
 Makes practice of, whom Nature doth infufe : 
 And, warrant from their NaturaU-ftraincs doth fet, 
 Whom Artificiall Poets counterfeit. 
 
 Thefe are true Raptures ; theirs are imitations, 
 Or, rather, of old Raptures, new Tranjlations. 
 This Method long agoe, old Mofes ufed, 
 When God his Hymne of praife, to him infufed. 
 Thus, Solomon his Song of Songs, compofed : 
 And, when thy finger, Ifr'el, was difpofed 
 To praife the Lord, or fpeake unto his God, 
 Or vent his paffions in a mournfull Ode, 
 
 In 
 
 278 
 
Cant. 5. Remembrancer. 139 
 
 In this contemned wife, from him did flow, 
 Thofe heav'nly Raptures which we honor fo. 
 
 As God's good Spirit cary'd him along, 
 So vary'd he, the matter of each Song. 
 Now prayes ; ftraight prai/et/i ; inftantly lamcnteth ; 
 Then halfe defpaires; is by and by contented \ 
 The per/on of the changeth ; oft repeateth 
 One fentence ; and one fuit oft iterateth. 
 Which manner of exprefiion, feemes to fome 
 So methodleffe, and fo to wander from 
 A certainty, in what he did intend, 
 That they his well-knit Raptures difcommend, 
 As broken and dif-jointed ; when, indeed, 
 From ignorance (or from their little heed 
 To fuch expreffions, and fuch myfteries) 
 Their caufeleffe difefleeme, did firft arife. 
 Yea, Ignorance, not knowing what they meant, 
 When fuch an uncouth path the Mufes went ; 
 Was wont (long hnce) to call our foule-rapt_/?rfl/>z<?.r, 
 Poetick Furies ; And that Name remaines. 
 
 Yet, this old tract I follow ; this I ufe ; 
 And, this no true-borne Poet can refufe. 
 My fcope, I ever keepe, in all my Layes ; 
 Which is, to p/eafe, and profit, to Gods praife : 
 But, in one path, or in one pace to ride, 
 It is not fit a Poet mould be ty'd. 
 Sometime he muft be grave ; left elfe, the wife 
 The matter, or the manner, may defpife. 
 Sometime he muft endevor to be plaine, 
 Left all that he delivers be in vaine : 
 Another while, he Parables muft ufe, 
 And Riddles, left fome fhould the truth abufe, 
 And they that are the Nymrods of the times 
 Grow mad, in ftead of leaving off their crimes. 
 
 Some- 
 
 279 
 
Brittan's Cant.S- 
 
 Sometimes he muft be pleafing, led he may- 
 Drive all his froward Readers quite away. 
 Sometimes he mud have bitter-Jlraines, to keepe 
 The fallen Reader from a drowhe fleepe ; 
 And whip thofe wantons, from an evill courfe, 
 That, without warning, would be daily worfe. 
 Sometimes againe, he muft be fomewhat merry, 
 Left Fooles, of good inftruclion, fhould be weary. 
 Yea, he to all men all things fhould become, 
 That he, of many, might advantage fome. 
 
 This, makes me change the Per/on, and the Style, 
 And vary from the matter, other while. 
 This, makes me mixe final things, and great together ; 
 Here, I am grave ; there, play I with a feather. 
 One page, doth make fome Reader halfe beleeve, 
 That I am angry : In the next, I give 
 The Childe an Aple. In one leafe, I chide ; 
 I fomewhat in another doe provide, 
 To helpe excufe thofe frailties I reproved .• 
 And thofe excufes, are in place removed, 
 From fuch reproofes ; left following on too nigh, 
 The Check, might without heed, be pafied by. 
 
 This courfe becomes the Mufes. This cloth fave 
 Our Lines from juft reproofe, when Tyrants rave 
 At our free Numbers : and when Fooles condemne 
 Our Straines, becaufe they underfland not them. 
 Such Poefie is right : and, therefore, they 
 Who ftudy matter, and what words to fay, 
 Doe falfly arrogate to be infpired ; 
 Since, when they boafl their foules are this way fired, 
 It is but Wine, or Paffion makes them rave : 
 And thence the Mtifes their difgraces have. 
 Mofl times, when I compofe, I watch, and faft. 
 I cannot find my Spirits, when I tafte 
 
 Of 
 
Cant. 5. Remembrancer. 140 
 
 Of meats and drinks ; nor can I write a line, 
 
 Sometime, mould I but take one draught of wine. 
 
 Men fay, it makes a Poet, and doth warme 
 
 His braine, and him with ftrong invention arme. 
 
 No marvell then, that moil doe reckon me 
 
 For none, who of this Age the Poets be ; 
 
 And, that fo envioufly at me they flrike, 
 
 For they and I are not infpir'd alike. 
 
 In fuch like workes as thefe, if I fhould fill 
 
 My head, my Mufe would have an empty quill ; 
 
 And, that which to expreffe fhe then prefumes, 
 
 Would fmother'd be, with vapourings and fumes. 
 
 But, when thofe write; thefelves they firil make mery 
 With Claret, with Canary, or with Sherry. 
 And thefe are fure the Deities which make 
 A fenfuall eare, of them, beft liking take. 
 
 When fuch as they reprove a finfull State, 
 Or would thofe great enormities relate, 
 Wherein their times offend ; they may be brought 
 To queflion for it ; and it may be thought 
 Their fpleene, revenge, or envy, did incite 
 Their braines to hammer, what their pens did write, 
 Becaufe they did premeditate, and ftraine 
 Their faculties, their projects to attaine. 
 But, when a man one Subjecl purpofmg, 
 Sits downe to write it, and another thing 
 (Vnthought upon before) quite thrufteth out 
 The matter which at firft he went about : 
 When he remembers, that nor fpight, nor fpleene, 
 Nor envy hath his primus motor beene : 
 When he perceives, nor dangers, nor difgrace 
 Can fright him, when fuch Raptures are in place : 
 When he doth find, that with much eafe & pleafure 
 He utters what exceeds the common meafure 
 
 Of 
 
 n n 
 
Brittan's Cants. 
 
 Of his owne Gifts : And that (although his Rimes 
 Are none of \hokftrong lines that catch the times) 
 They from the Vertnous, good refpect can draw, 
 And keepe the proudeft vitious-men in awe : 
 What mould he thinke, but that the pow'r of God 
 Infpireth him, to (how his will abroad ? 
 What need he feare, but, moft undantedly, 
 Make ufe of his infpired Facultie ? 
 No arrogance it were, if he, or I, 
 Should fay that God our pens had fpoken by, 
 To thofe we live among ; fince, we might fay, 
 He fpeakes by all his creatures, ev'ry day : 
 Yea, fince in elder times it came to paffe, 
 That he declar'd his pleafure by an Ajfe. 
 
 What fhould we do but fpeak, when we are willed ? 
 Whan can we doe but fpeake when we are filled ? 
 While wicked men we doe remaine among, 
 With David, we a while may curb the tongue ; 
 But, burne it will within us, till we fpeake, 
 And forth, at laft, fome thundring voice will breake. 
 
 And what fhould then our hearers doe, but learne 
 Their errors, by our Poems, to difcerne ? 
 Why fhould they raile at us, who neither feare 
 Their fury, nor for all their threatnings care ? 
 Why doe they, childifhly, our Lines condemne, 
 That ftrike but at their follies, not at them ? 
 Why, fo unjuftly ftill, are we purfued, 
 Who fhew them how their falls may be efchewed ? 
 And why doe they by feeking of our fhame, 
 Encreafe our glories, and themfelves defame ? 
 Whence comes all this, but from that fottifhneffe 
 Which doth moft people of this age poffeffe ? 
 
 But, let thefe queftions paffe ; left by degrees, 
 They draw us on, untill our marke we leefe. 
 
 Thus 
 
 282 
 
Cant. 5. Remembrancer. 141 
 
 Thus far my Mitfe hath wilfully digreft, 
 And of her purpofe, now fhe vents the reft. 
 
 When divers weeks together I had wafted 
 In viewing thofe afflictions others tailed ; 
 When day by day, I long had walkt abroad, ! 
 Beholding how the fcourging hand of God, 
 Afflicted other men, and how, each morning 
 My going out, and how my back returning, 
 Was evr'y night in fafety ; I began 
 Gods care and my unworthineffe to fcan. 
 And, 'twas, me thought, a favour, which required 
 To be both much acknowledg'd, and admired; 
 That (when fo many houfes, ev'ry day, 
 Were vifited) the place wherein I lay 
 Stood free fo long ; confidering we were many, 
 And, then, reforted to, as much as any. 
 But, there was fomewhat needfull to be knowne, 
 Which no mans griefe could teach me, but mine own. 
 And, that I might thereof informed be, 
 God fent at laft his Iudgements home to me. 
 Yea, peradventure, in my foule he faw 
 Some failings of my former filiall awe ; 
 Some thanklefneffe ; fome inward pride of heart ; 
 Or over-weening of mine owne defert, 
 Arifing from the mercifull protection 
 Which he vouchfafed me from this Infeclion ; 
 And therefore fent as my Remembrancer, 
 His dreadfull, and his bloody Meffenger 
 To take his lodging, where my lodgings were ; 
 And put his rage in execution there. 
 For, in upon us, that Contagion broke, 
 Five foules out of our Gate, it quickly tooke, 
 And left another wounded ; that I might 
 Conceive my danger, and Gods love, aright. 
 
 It 
 
 283 
 
BRITTAN'S Cant.*). 
 
 It fell about the time in which their fum 
 Who weekly died, to the full was come : 
 Then, when infection to fuch height was growne, 
 That many dropped on a fudden downe 
 In ev'ry ftreet : yea, when fome fooles did tell 
 The lying Fables of the Falling-Bell 
 At Wejlminjler ; and how that then did fiye 
 No Bird through Londons ayre which did not dye. 
 Ev'n then it was. And, though fome few did pleafe, 
 By fuch like tales, and ftrange Hyperboles, 
 To overftraine the ftories of our forrow : 
 They did much needlefly their fictions borrow 
 To fet it forth. Nay, their falfe rumors made 
 Our woes appeare leffe great, then thofe we had. 
 
 Till now, I made the fmart of others knowne : 
 The Griefes I next will tell you, are mine owne. 
 At firft, I flood as one who from a Towre 
 Beholding how the fword doth fuch devoure 
 (Who in the ftreets beneath him fighting be) 
 Accounts himfelfe from danger to be free. 
 But, at the laft, I fared, as it fares 
 With fuch, whofe Foes have made, at unawares, 
 A breach upon their Buhvarke; and I flood 
 No meane affaults, to make my Handing flood. 
 For, both within me, and without me, too, 
 I had enough, and full enough to doe. 
 
 No fooner to my Chamber was I gone, 
 But, I was follow'd flraight, and fet upon 
 By flrong Affailants, who did much intrude, 
 And much difeafe me, by their multitude. 
 My Reafon, who to Faith did lately ftoop, 
 Revolted, and brought on a mighty troup 
 Of trayt'rous Arguments, whereby fhe thought, 
 On this my difadvantage, to have wrought. 
 
 Tempta- 
 
 284 
 
Cant. 5. Remembrancer. 142 
 
 Temptations, i\ye-Sugge/?ions, Feare and Doubt, 
 
 Did undermine, and clofe me, round about. 
 
 My Confcience did begin to be afraid 
 
 My Faith had beene a falfe one ; who betraid 
 
 My Soule to Death : and (whether then it were 
 
 The pow'r of ftrong Infcclion, or elfe Feare, 
 
 Occafion'd by thofe combatings within, 
 
 Or both together) I did then begin 
 
 To finde my body weakned more and more, 
 
 And felt thofe pangs till then unfelt before. 
 
 Ev'n many dayes together, fo it fared : 
 And fure if Superjlition could have feared 
 My better fetled heart, there hapned that, 
 Which I had fear'd, and fomewhat ftartled at : 
 And (though I never outwardly complained 
 To any one, of that which I fuftained) 
 That week, in which our houfe was vifited, 
 And made complete the number of their dead ; 
 I had a fleepleffe night ; in which with heat 
 Oppreft, I purged out (in flead of fweat) 
 Round-ruddy-fpots (and, that, no little flore) 
 Which on my breft, and fhoulders, long I wore. 
 
 Perhaps, it was the Peflilence, which then 
 So marked me ; and I, as other men, 
 By her had beene devour'd, had I not 
 Through Gods great mercy, my free pardon got. 
 Which, how, and on what termes, the fame I gain'd, 
 He now declare. For, though they feeme but fain'd, 
 Or melancholy thoughts, which here I tell ; 
 Yet, fure, to fmother them, I did not well. 
 For, fome, perhaps, will thinke (as well as I) 
 That none fhould fleightly paffe fuch mufings by : 
 And fome (who at firft viewing will furmife, 
 That in thefe things I meerly poetife) 
 
 Will 
 
 2S5 
 
Brittan's Cant.$. 
 
 Will find, perchance, in times that fhall enfue, 
 Experimental! proofes that all is true ; 
 Should Darkneffe, where her vifage, Danger, fhowes, 
 (At fuch a difadvantage) them enclofe. 
 
 When all alone I lay, and apprehended, 
 How many mifchiefes my poore foule attended ; 
 I plainly fir\v (though not with carnall eyes) 
 God's dreadfull Angell, ready to furprife 
 My trembling foule ; and ev'ry hideous feare, 
 VVhich can to any naturall man appeare, 
 (In fuch a cafe, to aggravate his terror) 
 Approacht, with ev'ry circumftance of horror. 
 I faw the Mufter of each paffed evill, 
 And all my youthfull follies, by the Devill 
 Brought in againfl me, marfhall'd, and prepared, 
 To fight the battell which I long had feared, 
 And fuch a multitude of them furrounded 
 My Confcience, that I was almofl confounded. 
 
 A thoufand finnes appear'd which were forgot, 
 And which I till that moment minded not, 
 Since firft committed ; and more ugly far 
 They feem'd, then when they perpetrated were. 
 Yea many things whereof I bragg'd, and thought 
 That I, in doing them, fome good had wrought, 
 Declar'd themfelves againfl me; and I found 
 That they did give my foule the deepefl wound. 
 When thefe had quite enclofed me, I faw 
 The Tables, and the Volumes of the Law, 
 To me laid open : and I was, me thought, 
 Before the prefence of Gods Iuflice brought, 
 Who from her eye did frownes upon me dart, 
 And feemed, thus to fpeake unto my heart. 
 
 (Oh ! Readers marke it well ; for to this Doome, 
 
 Or to a worfe then this, you all muit come. 
 
 Sup- 
 
 286 
 
Caul. $. Remembrancer. 143 
 
 Suppofe thou not, vaine man, thou dofil pofifefife 
 
 This life till now, for thine owne right eoufnejfe, 
 
 Or that thou meritefl more grace to have 
 
 Then they who now are fent to fill the Grave : 
 
 Lo, here, thy Foe hath brought of thy offences 
 
 An Ar??iy, and fo many evidences 
 
 Of thy Corruption ; that plead what thou wilt 
 
 Of merit in thy felve, they prove a guilt 
 
 So hainous, that thy foule thou canfil not free : 
 
 Yet other Jinfull thoughts of thine I fee. 
 
 I fearch thy heart, and J difcover there 
 Deceits, which cannot to thy f elf e appeare. 
 J k?ww thy many fecret imperfcclions, 
 I know thy pafiftons, and thy vaine affcclions ; 
 And, that performances thou haft not made 
 According to tJiofe favours thou hafl had. 
 Vaine glory, profit, orfome carnall end, 
 Thy befl endeavor alwayes did attend; 
 And, as diflru fling, God would thee beguile, 
 An arme offleJJi thou feekejl otherwJiile : 
 Not as the fecond, but the chief efil Caufe : 
 Which from the glory of thy God withdrawes. 
 
 Mine eye doth fee what arrogance and pride 
 Thou dofil among thy fairefl vertices hide ; 
 And, what impieties, thou flwuldfil have done, 
 Had I not filopt the courfe thou though tfil to run. 
 Oft times, when others Vices, thou hafl fJwwne, 
 Thou hafl forgotten to repent thine oivne. 
 And, many times, thy tart reproof es have beene 
 The fruits, not of thy Vertue, but of Spleene. 
 Thy wanton Lufils (but that I did 1-eflraine 
 Their fury, ivhen thou wouldfl haveflackt the Reine) 
 Had borne thee headlong to thofe deeds offJiame, 
 With which thy evill willers blur thy Name. 
 
 Shouldfl 
 
 287 
 
Brittan's Cant.$. 
 
 Shoiddjl thou have done the befl that thou wert able, 
 
 Thy fervices had beene unprofitable : 
 
 But, thou fcarce halfe thy Talent hafl employ 1 d ; 
 
 And, that f mall good thou didjl, is nigh deflroyd, 
 
 By giving fome occafion, needlefly, 
 
 Of queft toning thy true ftncerity. 
 
 God oft hath hid thy frailties, and thy ftnne, 
 Which being knowne, would thy difgrace have bin. 
 Theflww of Wit and Vertue, thou hafl had, 
 He, to the world more eminent hath made, 
 Then theirs, who wifer, and much better are, 
 Though outward helpes, and fortunes, wanting were. 
 And, though thy knowledge, and thy former Layes, 
 Among your formall Wizzards got no praife, 
 Yet, what they counted foolifJineffe, became 
 A greater honor to thy fleighted Name, 
 Then they obtained : And, that Grace ( I fee) 
 Begot more pride, then ihankefulneffe in thee : 
 And, I was fame, to let fome fcandals fiye, 
 To teach unto thee, more humilty. 
 
 In all thy wants, thou fill hafl beene relieved ; 
 From heav'n thou comfort hadfl, whe thou wert grieved. 
 When Princes threatued, thou wert fearlejfe made; 
 In all thy dangers, thou a Guard hafl had, ; 
 In clofejl prifon, thou befl freedome gainedfl; 
 Jn great contempts, thou mofl eflceme obtainedfl; 
 When, mofl thy foes did labour to undoe thee, 
 They brought mofi honor, and mofl profit to thee. 
 Yea, fill when thy deflruclion was expecled, 
 That, God, thy peace beyond thy hope, effecled. 
 And, in the filead of praifing him for this, 
 Thou robdfl him of much honour that was his. 
 Thou wert content, to heare the vulgar fay, 
 Thy Spirit, and thine Innocence made way 
 
 To 
 
Cant. 5. Remembrancer. 144 
 
 To thy efcape. Whereas thy Confcience knew, 
 Thou wert a Coward, till God did endue 
 Thy heart with Fortitude, and freely gave thee 
 That innocency which from harme did fave thee. 
 
 When God thy Name divulg 'd for fome good end 
 ( Which his wife Providence did foreintend ) 
 Thou took'fl the glory of it for thine owne, 
 And,juflly, therefore, thy fo bei?ig knowne, 
 Hath beene a meanes tvhereby thy Foes have fent 
 Their fcandal farther, then they elfe had went. 
 
 Asfoone as God from trouble did releafe thee, 
 (Or, but with hopes of outward things poffejfe thee) 
 Some fruitleffe thoughts did quite thy heart eflrange, 
 And after fuch vaine Projects make thee range, 
 That he was oft compeld to put thee from 
 Ihofe bleffingi, which ev'n to thy lips were come ; 
 Left, being then unfeasnably received, 
 Thou mightfl of better things have beene bereaved. 
 Few mcnfo nigh great Hopes attained ever, 
 With fuch J mall fortunes, and without endeavor, 
 As thou hafl done ; and fewer have beene croft 
 That way (which thou hafl beene) in what was lofl; 
 That fee and knoza thou mightfl, fuch lojfe and game, 
 He fent ; and, that he neither fent in vaine 
 Yea, that thofe evils which thou hadfl in thought, 
 Should f cape the being into aclion brought, 
 III tongues wereflured to prevent the fad, 
 By blazing what was nei'er yet in ail : 
 But, might have beene, perhaps, had not that armed 
 Thy heart ; whereby thy foes would thee have harmed. 
 
 Thou to refre/Ji thy foule, hafl pleafures had, 
 And thou by their abufe, hafl feebler made 
 Her ufefull Faculties. Thou hafl enjoyed 
 Youth, ftrength, and health ; and, them hafl mif-employed. 
 
 N Thy 
 
 289 
 
Brittan's Cant. 5, 
 
 Thy God hath made thee gracious in their eyes, 
 Whofe good efleeme, thy foul e doth highly prife ; 
 And (of ill purpofc though He not condemne 
 Thy love, or meaning, to thyfclfe or them) 
 Thou haft full often flole their hearts away, 
 Ethi from themf elves ; and made thine owne a prey 
 To many paffions ; which did fometimes bring 
 Vpon your f elves, a mutuall torturing : 
 Becaufe you did not in your loves propofe 
 Thofe ends, for which, Affection, God. befloives. 
 But, fpent your houres (that '-fliould have beene employed 
 To learne and teach how youfJiould have enjoy 'd 
 Gods love) that flame, to kindle, in each other ; 
 Wherein, you might have periflied together. 
 
 Thou aggravated haft thy pardoned crimes, 
 Afid, iterated them, a thoufand times. 
 Ev'n yet, thou dofl renew them ev'ry day ; 
 And when for Mercy thou dofl come to pray, 
 Thou meriteft confufion, through that folly, 
 Which makes thy prayers to become unholy. 
 
 Nay, at this time, and in this very place, 
 Where God in Iudgementyfo//^ before thy face, 
 Thou oftforgetfl the danger thou art in ; 
 Forgetfl Gods 7nercy, and dofl hourely fin. 
 Thou dofl neglecl thy time, and t?'ifie out 
 Thofe dayes, that fliould have bce?ie employed about 
 Thefervice of thy Maker. Thou dofl give 
 Thy f elf c that liberty, as if to live 
 Or dye, were at thy choice; and that at pleafure, 
 Thou mightfl purfue his worke ; and at thy leaficre. 
 Thy Talent thou mif-fpendfl \ and here, as though 
 To looke upon Gods Judgements were enough 
 Tor thee to doe ; thou dofl with negligence 
 Perfor7ne thy vowes ; which adde to thy offence. 
 
 And, 
 
 290 
 
Cant. 5. Remembrancer. 145 
 
 And loe,for thefe thy faults, and many moe; 
 Whereof thy Conscience thee doth guilty know, 
 My fpotted-Hound hath feized thee : from whom, 
 That thou with life flwuldfl licence have to come, 
 What canfl thou fay ? I could not make reply ; 
 For, Feare, and Guilt, and that dread Majefly 
 Which I had apprehended, tooke away 
 My fpeach ; and not a word had I to fay. 
 
 But Mercy who came arrae in arme along 
 With Iuflice, and about her alwayes hung ; 
 Did looke, me thought, upon me, with an eye 
 So truly pitifull, that inilantly 
 My heart was cheer'd, and {Mercy prompting her) 
 Such words, or thoughts as thefe fhe did prefer. 
 
 Tis true mofl awfull Iuflice, that my fin 
 Hath greater then thy accufations bin. 
 The mofl refined aclions of my foule, 
 Are in thy prefence, horrible and foule. 
 And if thou take account of what is done, 
 I cannot of ten thoufand anfwer one. 
 As foone as I am clenfed from my fume, 
 To foile my felfe anew I doe begin. 
 I to my vomit, like a Dog, retire, 
 And like a Sow, to walloiu in the mire : 
 I have within my foule, diftempers, paffions ; 
 And hourely am befieg'd withflrong temptations. 
 My Flefh is weake, except it be to fin ; 
 My Spirit faints, when I the goalefiJiould winne. 
 My Will Affecleth mofl, what is mofl vaine ; 
 My Memory doth evill befit retaine. 
 That little good I would, I cannot doe ; 
 Thofie eirills I detefil, I fall into. 
 The vapours ivhichfrom earthly things arifie, 
 Too often veile heaihis glories from mine eyes. 
 
 N 2 And 
 
 291 
 
Brittan's Caut.$. 
 
 And I, who can fometimes by contemplation, 
 
 Advance my Joule above the common Jlation, 
 
 (The world contemning) doe Jometimes agen, 
 
 Lye groveling on the ground with other men : 
 
 My Faith doth faile ; my mounting wings are dipt ; 
 
 Of all my braveries I quite amjlript; 
 
 My hopes are hid; my fins doe me defile ; 
 
 And in my owne ejleeme, my Joule is vile. 
 
 I will acknowledge all my aberrations, 
 
 According to their utmojl aggravations ; 
 
 And here confejfie, that I dejerve therefore 
 
 The loffe of Mercies love for evermore ; 
 
 Which were a greater plague, then to abide 
 
 All torments here, and all hell plagues befide. 
 
 But, I repent my finne: loe, I abhor e it, 
 And, with my heart, am truly fory for it. 
 I fear e thine anger, (but, to fear e the love 
 Of Mercy could be lojl, would in me prove 
 A greater horror) and nojlavifli dread, 
 But loving feare, this grief in me hath bred. 
 It paines my Joule, that I who have conceived 
 Such pleajures in thy favours, and received 
 Such tokens of thy love, from day to day, 
 Should pajfie a moment of my time away 
 In any vanity ; or live to be 
 One minutes fpace without a thought of thee. 
 But, more I grieve, that IfJiould ?nore tranfgreffe 
 Then many doe, ivhom thou hajl favour V/ leffe. 
 
 Although I am a fmner, yet I voiv, 
 I doe not in my foul e my finnes allow; 
 But, I detejl them, and oft pray, and Jl rive, 
 That, I according to thy Law may live. 
 (At leajt I thinke I doe) and hopefull am, 
 My love to thee is true, though much to blame. 
 
 In 
 
 292 
 
Cant. 5. Remembrancer. 146 
 
 7n me there howrely rife (againfl my will) 
 Thofe lufils which JfiJwuld mortifie and kill : 
 And as I am enabled, I doe finite 
 As well the fat, as leane Amalekite. 
 
 But, if I have a fin that is become 
 My Agag ; or as deare as Abfolom, 
 I wifiii a Samuel, or a Ioab may 
 Deflroy it eVe my foule itfJiall betray. 
 For, if my heart hath not it felfe deceived, 
 It would, with willingneffe, be quite bereaved 
 Of what it mofl affecls (yea, facrifice 
 That which is dearer then my hands, or eyes) 
 F're cherifh, wittingly, within my brefil, 
 A thought, which thy uprightnefje doth detefl. 
 
 Thou knowefl, that J take no plcafures in 
 That acl which 1 doe fear e to be a fin : 
 Much lejfe if I doe know itfo: and, this 
 Doth bitter make it, when I doe ainijfe : 
 Though in my wayes my walkings, now and then, 
 Appeare irregular to other men ; 
 (And other while may filioivs of evill make) 
 Becaufe from thence offences others take, 
 Yet, thought I not, it leffe offended thee 
 To ufe it, then unus\i to let it be, 
 I would not tread once more infuch a path, 
 Tofave my life, and all the joy it hath. 
 But, flwuld it cofil my life I canjiot tell 
 If (in fome aclions) I doe ill or well, 
 For, many times, when I doe feeke tofliun 
 A plafili, ifito a whirlepoole I doe run. 
 The Wolfe Iflye, and loe, a lyon frights me ; 
 IfiJiun the lyon, and a Viper bites me. 
 A fcandall followes, if I take my courfe ; 
 If I divert it, there eufues a worfe. 
 
 Ns I 
 
 293 
 
Br it TAN'S Cant. 5. 
 
 Jf I perfijl in that which I intend, 
 
 It giveth fome occafion to offend : 
 
 If Iforgoe it; my owne knowledge fayes 
 
 J fin, and fcandall give fome other way es. 
 
 I fi?id not in my aclions, or affeclions 
 
 That thing that is ?iotfull of imperfections, 
 
 J cafinot doe a good or pious acl 
 
 But there is fomewhat evill in the f acl, 
 
 Or in the maimer ; and it either tends 
 
 To this mans dammage, or that man offends. 
 
 Whatever I refolve upon, I finde 
 
 ft doth not fully fatisfie my minde. 
 
 I am fo firaitned, that I know not whence 
 
 To finde the meanes offJiunning an offence ; 
 
 And, if dear Mercy, thou ajfijl me not, 
 
 My fair eft acl will prove my foulefl blot. 
 
 The World, our Friends, our Paflions, or our Feare, 
 Hath fo intangled us, at unaware, 
 With manifold engagements ; andfo di-awes 
 A tid windes us, by degrees, into that Maze 
 Of endleffe Wandrings ; that it leads us to 
 That fin, fometimes, which we abhor to doe : 
 And, otherwhile foflrangely giddifies 
 The Reafon, and the foules befl Faculties ; 
 That fas I faid before) we doe not know 
 What in ourfelves to like, or difallow. 
 Yea, wefuch turnings and croffe wayes doe finde, 
 That oft, our Guides (as well as we) are blinde. 
 
 The Spirit and the Flefh have their delight, 
 In things, fo diverfe, andfo oppoftte: 
 And,fuch a Law of Sinne doth flill abide 
 Within our Members ; that, wefwarve afide 
 Doe what we can : and, while we helpe the one, 
 To whatfeemes needfull, t/i other is undone. 
 
 If 
 
 294 
 
Cant. 5. Remembrancer. 147 
 
 If by the Spirits motion, I proceed 
 
 To compaffe what I thin he my Soule may need, 
 
 My Body wants the while ; and I am faine 
 
 To leave my courfe ; that her I may fuftaine : 
 
 Left my engagements, or neceffities, 
 
 Might my well meant endeavor fcandalize. 
 
 If I but feed my Body, that it may 
 
 Affifl my Spirit in fome lawful I way ; 
 
 It flraight growes wanton: If I f aft, it makes 
 
 My fpirit faint in whatJJie undertakes : 
 
 And, if I keepe a meane ; meane fruits are they, 
 
 (And little worth) which then produce I may. 
 
 Jf in a Chriftian love fome hours Jfpe?id 
 To be a comfort to fome female friend, 
 Who needs my counfell : I doe caufe, the while, 
 Ajiother with hot jealouftes, to boyle : 
 Nor know I hoto my felfe excufe J may 
 Vnlefe (mothers weakneffe I difplay. 
 Which if I doe not, or fome lye invent, 
 They cenfure me unkinde, or impudent. 
 
 I can nor doe, nor fpeake, nor thinke that thing, 
 But, ftill, fome inconvenience it will bring ; 
 Or, fome occafion of an evill, be 
 To me, or others ; or to them, and ?ne. 
 And from the body of this Death, by whom 
 But, by my Saviour, can I freed become ? 
 
 Oh ! therefore, fweet Redeemer, fuccor lend me, 
 And, from thefe bogs, and fnares of fin, defend me ; 
 Deare God, affifl in thefe perplexities, 
 Which from our fraile condition doe arife. 
 Set flraight, J pray thee, Lord, the crookedneffe 
 Of erring Nature ; and thefe faults redreffe. 
 So out of frame, is eti'ry thing, in me, 
 That, I can hope for cure, from none, but thee. 
 
 JV4 To 
 
 295 
 
Br it tan's Cant.*). 
 
 To thee I therefore kneele ; to thee I pray ; 
 To thee my foitle complaineth ; ev'ry day : 
 Doe thou but fay, Be whole ; or be thou cleane ; 
 And, I fliall foone be pure, arid found, agen. 
 
 The Will thou gavfl me, to affecl thy Will, 
 Though it continue not fo perfecl flill, 
 As when thou firfl beflotddfl the fame ; accept it, 
 Eifnfuch as my polluted Veffell kept in. 
 For, though it wounded be, through many fights 
 Contimid with my camall appetites : 
 Yet, if my hearts defire to me be knowne, 
 Thy Pleafure I preferre before mine otvne. 
 If J could chufe, I would not guilty be 
 Of any acl difpleafing unto thee. 
 In all my life, I woitld not fpeake a 7cord, 
 But, that which to thy liking might accord. 
 I would not thinke a thought, but what might JIiow, 
 That from thy Spirit, all my mufings flow. 
 J would nor hate, nor Love, nor hope, nor feare, 
 But, as unto thy praife it ufefull were. 
 I would not have a joy within my heart, 
 Of which thou fJwuldtl not be the greater part. 
 Nor would I live or dye, or happy be 
 In life or death ; but (Lord) to honour thee. 
 
 Oh ! let this Will (which is the precious feed 
 Of thine owne Love) be taken for the deed. 
 Afftfl thou me againfl the potent evill 
 Of my great Foes, the World, the Flefh, the Devill. 
 Renew my fainting poza'rs, my heart revive; 
 RefrefJi my fpirits, and my foule relieve. 
 Lord draw me, by the cords of thy affeclion, 
 And IJliallfall in love with thy perfeclion. 
 Vnloofe my chaines, and I fliall then be free ; 
 Convert me, and converted I fliall be. 
 
 Yea, 
 
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