THE ELDERS DREAME. WITH THE ARMIES Message or Declaration to both Houses of Parliament.
Printed in the Yeare. 1647.
The Elders Dreame.
WHen
Phoebus had withdrawn his Glittering light,
And all the world was muffled up in night:
A reverend Elder lying in his bed,
Legions of idle fansies stormed his head;
Making assault upon his giddy braine,
Which he strove to repell, but all in vaine;
His conscience pleading guiltinesse within,
Weakened each faculty till they got in:
Then to his apprehensiou did appeare
Sad apparitions ushered with dispaire,
Cruell apparitions with proud usurpation,
The Kingdomes Fate, and Churches desolation:
Foule errour like a Gangrine doth spread,
Infecting all almost from foot to head,
Makes way for Atheisme, and infidelity,
Warranted by proud changes mutability.
Distrust and doubt come bringing up the reare,
Whose lookes much frighted this poore Presbytere.
Rebellion as the sinne of witchcraft is,
Who like an ugly hag accost him this.
Proud Presbyter, I on thy brest must ride;
Whereat this affrighted Elder vainly try'd,
Helpe house of Commons, helpe oh house of Peeres,
To free me from rebellious guilty feares.
With that the King stept in, and did demand
His Crowne and Seepter that should sway the Land,
Saying they were discourteous, to bereave him
Of those just Titles which the heavens gave him.
The Queene and royall Issue came together,
She clairnes a Husband, they demand a Father:
She askes a reparation of her honour▪
Whilst he affrighted, strangely gaz'd upon her.
The Bishops and the Clergy did appeare,
Who threaten'd this dressed Presbytere
With an account which one day must be given,
If not to
Charles, yet to the King of heaven.
Nor was this menacing Message only sent
To him alone, but to the Parliament,
Whose actions patronise much horrid sin,
With that Lord
Straffords ghost come frowning in,
Requiring justice to revenge his blood,
The which the Lords and Commons must make good:
If eye must eye, and tooth must tooth supply
Why should not they want heads as well as I:
Such guiltlesse blood must once avenged be
On them or theirs, who shed it wilfully,
But ere he ended had his tragick tale,
Skips in a gentle soule with vissage pale;
'Twas
Canterburie's Ghost, who once did seed
A gracelesse flock, which made his heart to bleed;
A late made martyr by the Parliament,
Whose cryes for revenge to the heav'ns were sent,
Pleading for justice, yet e're he had done,
Steps in old
Hotham and his murthered sonne.
Sir
Alexander Cary likewise came,
Who much did his discourteous Judges blame,
Who would not adde a few dayes to his life,
At the request of such a vertuous wife.
Who beg'd him, till
Lucina brought to light
Her timely birth whereat she tooke a fright,
Seeing her poore request by them deni'd,
To meet her love in spight of pitty died.
Tomkins and
Chassiner, who long before
Receiv'd their doome, came in, and many more:
Bucher and
Yeomans, though at
Brist
[...]ll they
Were executed, doe expect a day
Of retribution,
England cannot hide
Her blood, till it with blood be pacifi'd
A thousand wandring soules did likewise come,
Which could not passe to the Elizium,
Because inforced by the Parliament
To take a most abhorrid Covenant.
He heard most heavy dismall sighes and grones,
Breathed out before a crue of walking bones
which wanted flesh
[...], for they have starved bin,
Their eyes were hollow, cheeks look'd pale and thin.
These have bin clothed in Skarlet, and have fed
At bounties table which are famished,
Not having food or rayment to supply
Their wants 'mongst whom the young Lo.
Dochrey
Bewailes his fate sith from poore
Ireland they
For safety fled to find this uncouth way
To meet their destiny, whose bleeding veines
Shall spot the Cities Armes with progins staines,
That so to after Ages may be knowne
What truthlesse
Peter Sonzous zeale hath showne.
God did the Irish cruelty prevent.
To heap their blood upon the Parliament.
How doe the Widowes and the fatherlesse,
Wait at the Commons doore without redresse,
Who lost their friends and fortunes for their sake,
Which now on them but little pitty take.
What one good act have they this six yeares done,
If any, let them shew is, so
[...]e saies none.
But e're this sleeping Elder could awake,
He saw the Independent Army shake;
A pow'rfull rod, which vext his spirits more
Then all their superstitions seem'd before.
He feares they are appointed for a scourge,
Which will the Elders of their Jewes eares purge.
He saw the City taken by their pow're,
And every horse taile a conquerour▪
Adorn'd with bays, for which poore
London lost
Their Charter, but may find it to their cost.
The Night-mare left him, he with joy up started,
Resolved with himselfe to be converted.
FINIS.
The Armies Message or Declaration to both Houses of Parliament.
TO you who
Phaiton-like aspire,
To guide the Sunne, till earth you fire;
The Army sendeth greeting plaine,
You must surrender
Charles his waine.
You call us servants, but shall see
We shortly will your masters bee:
Nor shall you longer voting sit,
Tenour wise Generall thinkes fit.
What base aspersions have you throwne
On us which have the businesse done:
Was it not we who conqur'd all,
Which now you Independents call.
And 'tis not long since this opinion
Wa
[...] voted downe by your chiefe minion
Prou'd Presbyter that saucy jack,
Who weares his orders at his back.
You learned Senate for their glory
Compos'd a reverend Directory:
They sate six yeares e're they could be
Resolv'd which way to worship three.
Let all be satisfied in mind
As they in conscience are inclin'd;
Who is constraind, and hath not bin
Resolv'd, but doubts remaines in sin.
It was not
Waller Massie, Poyntz,
Who put an end to these sad times,
Nor yet your holy brother Sco
[...],
That could have wonne what we have got.
Yet they were pai'd, whilst we may stand
Like your poore suppliants, to demand
Those just arreares, the which are due
From such ill pay-masters as you.
You say we keepe the King to show
Him like a Popet, but shall know
We
[...]le fix him shortly on his Seat,
Where he your purpose will defeat.
Was it not we who did maintaine
Your honours, who like Kings doe raigne,
And should we not protect you yet,
You could not long in safety sit.
Your base Excise-men, and Committee,
Which hath undone both Towne and City
Have made such holes in your gay coats,
The which perhaps may cut your th
[...]oa
[...]s.
Then send us Money, or be sure
Your greatnesse shall not long endure;
Who now like candles-shine we doubt
Will blaze, and stinke, and so goe out.
But if you meane to live at ease,
Then run away and crosse the Seas,
VVhere some of your consorts are gone,
Be wise, and doe as they have done.
And doe not stay to give account
Of those vile actions, which will mount
To such a reckoning, and may rise
Your heads like
Hamons to the skies▪
FINIS.