Verses intended to the King's Majesty by George Wither, whilst he was a prisoner in Nevvgate, which being found written with his own hand, among his loose papers, since his commitment close prisoner to the Tower, are now published, as pertinent both to His Majesty, and to him. Wither, George, 1588-1667. 1662 Approx. 19 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 6 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2006-02 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A66794 Wing W3207 ESTC R12299 12931555 ocm 12931555 95685 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A66794) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 95685) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 993:34) Verses intended to the King's Majesty by George Wither, whilst he was a prisoner in Nevvgate, which being found written with his own hand, among his loose papers, since his commitment close prisoner to the Tower, are now published, as pertinent both to His Majesty, and to him. Wither, George, 1588-1667. [2], 5-13 p. [s.n.], London : 1662. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Great Britain -- History -- Puritan Revolution, 1642-1660 -- Poetry. 2005-07 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-08 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-12 Jonathan Blaney Sampled and proofread 2005-12 Jonathan Blaney Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-01 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion VERSES Intended to the King's Majesty , BY Major GEORGE WITHER , Whilst he was Prisoner in NEVVGATE : Which being found Written with his own Hand , among his loose Papers , since his Commitment close Prisoner to the TOVVER , Are now Published , as pertinent both to his MAJESTY , and to Him. LONDON , Printed in the year , 1662. VERSES intended to the KINGS MAJESTY , by Maj. Geo. Wither , when he was Prisoner in Newgate ; and found among other loose Papers , written with his own hand . SIR , though I neither of your Grace despair , Nor lack sufficient Faith , to make a Prayr In Court : yet , wanting means to prosecute , I 'le trouble you at this time , with no Suit ; But , treat of somewhat , that no more will cost , Save Labour , which I many times have lost , And , thereby , not been made a jot the worse , Either in mind , in body , or in purse . When Rebels did King Davids flight constrain , And , GOD was pleas'd to bring him home again , They , who to drive him out , had forwardst been , Made hast to joyn with those who brought him in . And , he , with GOD , in Mercy so comply'd , That , not one man for that Rebellion dy'd , In following Absalom , who had contriv'd The Treason , and well-meaning men deceiv'd . A traitrous Child's life , that Rebellion cost ; But , by our War , a Fathers life was lost : And therfore , though some bloodshed that produc'd , In humane Reason you may be excus'd , VVhom natural Affection mov'd to shed The blood of some , by whom your Father bled ; Since you more Mercy freely have bestown Than Davids , or your Foll'wers would have shown . Which much augments your Honour : For , no Jem So beautifies a Royal Diadem , As Mercy , when it is enameled VVith Justice , and with Prudence riveted . I had presum'd a personal Address Long since ; but , difficult is an * Access For such as I appear , who hazard blame , And disrespect enough , where I now am ; Because , what Conscience chargeth me withal , Is by some judged to be criminal . In that regard , this Paper must make way For gaining an admittance , as it may ; And will , I hope , presented be , by some VVho shall have entrance , where I cannot come . I am despoiled so of ev'ry thing , That nothing for a Present I can bring Except ( of Grace ) your Majesty shall please To daign acceptance to such Gifts as these ; Which ( though but mean , and in an homly dress ) VVill then illustrate your true Worthiness , As amply , as the can did Acceptation , Of what may seem of greater valuation . I cannot write strong Lines , with swelling words , VVhose Elegancy scarcely room affords For sober sense ; nor muster up their Names , Whom History , and whom Tradition fames For brav'st Atchievements , since time first begun , And then say , you have all of them outgone ; As if my foolish words , might add unto Your Honour , more than your own Deeds can do . Or , as if any Wise-man would give creed To what they in a flatring Poem reade . It is not in the pow'r of any other By Pen or Tongue to clear up , or to smother Your true Deserts ; For , in your self that lies , VVhich either them beclouds , or dignifies . No other Thoughts I entertain of You , But such as I may think , and you allow : Yet , to extol your Worth I shall not dare , Till I know truly what your Vertues are . For , though to Flatrers all Kings seem to be Of like desert , they seem not so to me . I 'le serve you faithfully in what I may , And , as my King , love , honour and obey . I would conceal , not publish your defects , If I know any ; and give due respects To all your Merits ; but , I will not own One Line that praises them , till they are known : For , till I know , I give but what is due , I am a Lyar , though my words be true ; Since equally , both good and evil things , Are famed of the best of men , and Kings . A Stranger likewise , you have been long time To most of your own Subjects in this Clime , And , I was never where I did behold Your face , since you were two or three years old : VVhat Good soever therefore I aver Of you , I shall but seem a Flatterer ; Yea , you your self would think so , should I add Those Virtues , which you know you never had ; And , Praise , which is ascrib'd to any one In that mode , is a little less than none . But , little Credit also hath a Poet , To celebrate your Worth , when he shall know it , Or counterpoize , or silence Contradictions , Since most esteem his Writings to be Fictions ; And you will be more honor'd , than in them , By these blunt Lines , if they have your esteem . I therefore , so shall study to increase Your Honour , that I may not make it less ; And whatsoever I can say or do , ( Although you give a Countermand thereto ) I 'le say , and do it ; when I shall be sure Your Life , or Peace , or Honour 't will secure : And , if this be a fault , I do intend To be thus faulty , till my life shall end . I know , most Royal Sir , who 't is that saies , To please great men , deserves not meanest praise : I see how 't is approv'd , and what they gain Who can that thriving Faculty attain . Yet , I shall wave their Art , and will assay To do you honour in another way , By giving you occasion to express Your Justice , Mercy , and your Prudentness ; So that your self may make the world to see Your Virtues more , than words can say they be . To that end , much might in my case be shown ; But , rather for your sake , than for mine own Is this Address ; Yea , rather to prevent What may be your harm , than my detriment . To tell our Wants , or Grievances , to Kings , Sometime , lesse remedy , than Silence brings . I le therefore wave that too ; that no self-end May frustrate what I chiefly do intend . Some , questionless , before your Restoration Contributed for your Accommodation In true sincerity ; and some , no doubt , Thereby to work their own Salvation out ; And many a one , perhaps , like Ziba sped , VVho merited no better than he did . Some other would have done as much as they , But , neither had the means , nor knew the way ; And many , who against You then combin'd , Are now , so truly of another mind , That , you in them are safe : for , Love in such Will much abound , who were forgiven much . I , who obeyed late preceding Pow'rs Compulsively ; now , willingly to yours Profess Allegiance ; and , as true as those Will be , who of their Truth make fairest shows . For , when I saw GOD on your side appear , I was reclaim'd by Conscience , not by Fear ; Yea , I foresaw , and likewise did foretel ( To them who were in pow'r ) what since befell ; Attending passively , what I expected , By Providence divine would be effected : And my professed Loyalty to you Is not alone unquestionably true , But also , may appear to be more free From self-ends , than their Loyalty can be In whom you most confide : For , they from Bands Exempted are ; have Honours , Goods and Lands , Pensions or Offices , wherein you do Protect them ; and , they have your Favour too . But , all these wholly are to me destroy'd , And I by your Protection have enjoy'd Nought , save a dying-life , a living-grave , Or that , whereof so small esteem I have , That , if my Work were done , and GOD would say Amen , I would resign my Life this day . Yet , so far am I from repining at My Portion , or my seeming sad estate , That , in this Posture I will serve as long , As to endure it GOD shall make me strong ; Not doubting , but when all things come to proof , My Suffrings will be much to my behoof : Mean time , lest otherwise , my good intent To you , some causualty may prevent , I will , so far forth as my Chain will stretch , ( And mine now shortned arm and hand will reach ) Exhibit such Expedients , as from Time , And other Herbs , I 've suckt within your Clime ; And , wanting better Gifts , will offer you This little Cluster of those Grapes , which grew Upon my wither'd Vine : For , though they are But sowre , your Kingdom yeelds none wholsomer , If you shall seasonably press out the Juice , And then assume it without prejudice . This Time is critical ; The wayes be ruff , And many of those Chariot-wheels fly off , By which your Marches expedited seem'd , And lost Advantages must be redeem'd , Lest when you think that they are come to hand , Your main Expectances be at a stand , Or , put so far back , that you may survive Your hopes , and your own happiness outlive . I wish it otherwise ; and know it may Be as I wish , if you the means assay , Not giving ear to those , who will withstand Your Good , & that which GOD hath now in hand . I have discharg'd my Conscience ; and so shall , VVhatever for so doing doth befall , In hope that will not wholly be dispis'd , Which now shall be in faithfulness advis'd . To those men do not over-much adhere , Who think all Wisdom lies within their sphear ; For , Honours , Riches , and self-Interest Have made wise-men as brutish as a Beast . Heed otherwhile , what Common Fame doth say , Aswel as what your Courtiers whisper may ; Lest you be ignorant of many things , Whose cognizance is pertinent to Kings . Make no man your chief Confident , but he That 's both discreet , and honest known to be ; Lest he deceives your trust , and in the close Destroyes your old Friends , or begets new Foes . Let Justice be your Scepter , let your Crown Be Mercy ; and , if you would keep your own , Give that to others , which to them belongs , And free the Poor and Fatherless from wrongs : Especially , your main Endeavours bend To make and keep your Sov'reign Lord your friend . And if you would be setled on your Throne , Take care that His usurped be by none . Enjoy your Conscience , whatsoere it be ; So other men may have their Conscience free ; And , hang me for a Traitor , if thereby You then enjoy not more Security , Than what your Strength by Sea and Land now gives , And all that humane Policy contrives . Let Truth and Error fight it out together , Whilst Civil Peace disturbed is by neither ; Which may be so provided for , that none Shall justly be displeas'd with what is done ; Nor you hereafter be ( for evermore ) Disturbed , as you have been heretofore . If You neglect this , and I disobey , T will be with much grief , and no other way , But only passively , and whatsoever I suffer , will your Welfare still endeavour . To be of this mind , thousands are believ'd , VVho are not into favour yet receiv'd : And whilst they are excluded ( though in peace They live ) suspitions daily will encrease ; And from their Malice , who nor GOD , nor King , Much care for , some ill consequence may spring , By which You may have trouble , and they blame , VVho shall be no way guilty of the same . Your taking timely Opportunities Now offred ( and , of what before You lies ) May render You a blessed Instrument , In making passage to that Government VVhich Tyrants fear ; more glorious make Your Throne Than ever any King yet sate upon : And make Your Name a terror to all those VVho to that Kingdom shall continue Foes . Herein I 've spoke according to my creed , Wishing my just hopes may thereon succeed ; And that upon Your heart it may work more , Than what I 've spoke to others heretofore . But GOD's time is at hand ; within his pow'r Are all mens ways ; yea , both your hearts & our ; And I will patiently submit unto VVhat either He or You shall please to do , Not asking ( whatsoere I seem to want ) Ought more , than you spontaneously shall grant : For , what I may expect , if you denie , So far as need shall be , GOD will supply . These words , when I was young , my Motto were , ( Thus English'd ) I nor have , nor want , nor care : So are they now I 'm old ; yea , somewhat more Essentially than ever heretofore ; And thereof I will not abate one Letter , Till GOD and You dirrect me to a better . The Liberty I covet to enjoy , Is that which no man living can destroy . The Wealth I aim at , is nor less , nor more , But to be well contented , Rich or poor : And , if I had a mind my Wits to strain , That I to earthly Honours might attain , I should to no such common heights aspire , As now are objects of most mens desire ; Or , to a stile of so mean consequence , As is an Earl , a Marquess , Duke or Prince ; Or , to be call'd your Cousin : For , no less VVould satisfie my large Ambitiousness , But so much worth , at least , as did commend His Loyalty , whom David call'd his Friend , And wit enough to make a parallel Of ev'ry Traytor , with Achithophel : Or , show to you , the diffrence 'twixt the Faiths Of all your Ziba's , and Mephibosheths . For , then you should in very short time see , That no man more deserves esteem'd to be Your Majesties loyal Subject Than , Geo. Wither . Newgate , Mar. 22. 1662. FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A66794-e70 * ( Non cuivis homini conting it adire Corinthum . ) Princibus placuisse Viris , non ultima laus est . Hor. Epistol . 17. Coram Rege suo , de paupertate placentes , Plus , poscente ferènt . Hor : ibidem . [ Nec habeo , nec careo , nec curo . ]