CRAFTIE CROMWELL:

OR, OLIVER ordering our New State.

A Tragi-Comedie.

Wherein is discovered the Trayterous under­takings and proceedings of the said NOL, and his Levelling Crew.

Written by MERCURIUS MELANCHOLICUS.

Shall Cromwell not be famous made Unto the after-times, Who durst a THRONE for to invade, And Act the worst of Crimes?
Shall not his Nose DOMINICALL, In Verse be celebrated?
Shall famous HARRY MARTIN fall, And not be nominated?
Shall PRIDE the Drayman, JOICE the Taylor, And all the Holy Crew;
With HAMMOND, now K. CHARLES his Jaylor, And STAINS, that Holy Jew, Be read hereafter? (sure they shall) And if my Muse give ayd, This shall be their Memoriall, THESE ROGUES THEIR KING BETRAYD.

Printed in the Yeare, 1648.

The PROLOGUE.

AN Ordinance from our pretended State,
Sowes up the Players mouths, they must not prate
Like Parrats what they're taught upon the Stage,
Yet we may Print the Errors of the Age:
All their projections cannot hinder so,
But if we write, the Presses needs must goe,
That, that alone, heales our dejected Sense,
We can divulge our pen'd Intelligence:
Slight is our veine, not Clio's ayd we crave,
If THALIA smile, we our sole wishes have:
Smooth PLAUTUS, ARISTOPHANES his veine
We now affect, not SOPHOCLES high streine:
Yet thus we differ, they for mirth were fixt,
But we have Joy and Dolor, both commixt.
Exit.

Dramatis Personae.

  • CROMVVELL.
  • Two CITIZENS.
  • The Ghost of PIMME.
  • Colonel HAMMOND, his Majesties Jaylor.
  • HARRY MARTIN.
  • PRIDE.
  • STAINES.
  • CHORUS.
  • Two SOULDIERS.
  • A SER­VANT.
  • MUTES.

To the Inslaved Commons of ENGLAND.

DEluded Vulgar, don't you yet perceive
How you are doom [...]d to die without reprieve,
Falne from your Zenith, and in lieu of light,
Involoped with fumes of cloudie night?
No end of Taxes, and Excises, none,
How to get money, still is thought upon,
All things ingross'd, and your State Lurdanes are
So greedie, they will shortly Tax the Aire.
True Patriots supprest, and onely they
Advanc't to Offices, who have the way
To grind the Land, and cut the poore mans throat,
To Levell, and leave no man worth a groat.
Harpeis o'the Common wealth, who prey on all,
Without distinction, most Tyrannicall
Are your Trrustees, their House a sink of sin,
He's curst, touches the threshold entring in,
(Inevitably Damn'd) Treason, and Guile,
Lust, Fury, Schisme, with all mischiefes vile,
There keepe their Court, and dandled on the knees
Of your Apostate treacherous Trustees,
Who were in knavery Fresh-men, comming there,
Shall proceed Learned Graduates in one yeare.
Plato fram'd a Republick, and it cost
Tully much labour to write what is lost;
A Common-wealth wise Aristotle fram'd
His last, before their first for to be nam'd,
"But all conclude, that Government is best,
"Where one sole Monarch governs all the rest▪
Which you have by experience found most true,
And for your fickle novell wishes rue;
And truth to say, one may attempt as soone
"To cut and shape a garment for the Moone,
"Now cressent, now in the full, now i'the waine,
"As satisfie your greedy foolish braine.
At first you doated on this Parliament,
With Clubs and Staves for their protection went,
The while the Sea-men man'd their lazy Hulkes,
Who at the Privie Staires disgorg'd their Bulkes:
[Page 2]How bountifully brought you in your store
Of Coine into Guild-hall; yea, ventred more
Then was requir'd? how did you rudely cry,
T'have Reverend Laud, and Learned Strafford dye?
The Bishops must not sit, those pious▪ Rites,
Which your fore-fathers honour'd, with all spight
Kickt into nothing: but what avail'd your ire?
But brought the all-devouring Sword and Fire,
The los [...]e of all your Liberties, your King
To be unto all Lands a wondering:
No marvell Aventinus dares report,
"The Roman German Emperor kept a Court
"Where Kings are Subjects, none but Coxcombs be
"Vassailes to the French King, 'cause willingly
"They be are sueh burthens, the Hesperian Lords
"Doe governe men, whose Loyaltie affords
"Them ample aide: a very King of Devills
"Is Englands KING, by reason of the evills
"Against their Kings, done by the Subjects hands,
"Rebellions, Dispositions, Murthers, Bands.
But let the world know, Kings when once instated
Are Gods on Earth, by Heaven Consecrated;
Precious in the sight of God, and that base elfe
Whom them resists, resists even Gods himselfe:
Shimei may barke, Achitophel counsell give,
But how long after did those Traytors thrive?
And those who have made Charles a Prisoner,
Would coope up Jove himselfe did they but dare.
But you Plebeians, now have found your error,
Now those that were your Darlings are your terror.
Why sit you still, like men infatuated,
And see your Kingdome 'fore your eyes translated?
In you it lyes, to re-inthrone your King,
To right your God, your wholesome Lawes to bring
Back to their pristine use: if you would sever
Your selves from sorrow, strike then now or never▪
The Deplorer of your miseries and stupiditie, MERCURIUS MELANCHOLICUS.

Craftie CROMWELL: A Tragi-Comedie.

Actus Primus.

Enter two CITIZENS▪
1 Citizen.

ARe you for the Exchange?

2 Cit.

Yes: I have appointed a Vonetian Mer­chant to meet him there.

1 Cit.

What Newes is stirring?

2 Cit.

None, but what Fame speakes i'the nose by the Lyur­nall, and the rest o'the Gazets.

1 Cit.

And what speake they?

2 Cit.

Why, that you and I, and all must be undone by our Machavilians, they will not yet accept their Soveraignes prof­fer, nor hearken unto any name of Peace, 'lesse that he take his Crowne from off his head and place it at their feet; and this they tearme the Subjects Libertie, and priviledge of Par­liament.

1 Cit.

The name of Libertie hath ever been the watch-word us'd before Rebellion▪ the idle eccho of uncertaintie, that in all Ages ever hath abus'd the credulous multitude; but I in troth sometimes am overcome even with pittie, when I cogitate the dire events will follow these base Actions, how giddily our States-men hurrie on without feare or wit, proposing this and this they will have done, though thereby they infringe all Co­venants▪ and violate all Law; the King hath proffered that, which six yeares since they durst not hope to have, and though some of their Partie boasting, say, 'twas feare constrain'd him to it; first let them know the Maxime is most true, That good from Kings must not be drawn by force; yet this his gracious proffer, freely came from an heart truely sorry for those Ill, that lately sell, and doe even now lye heavie on his oppressed people.

2 Cit.
[Page 4]

But this the Sophies dare not to believe, 'tis mischiefe makes them fat; like Theseus, they are in a Laberynth, but de­stitute of Ariadnes Clew: they know the ills they have already done cannot be purg'd with sacrifice; no, though they of­fered Heccatombs of Beeves, and therefore they resolve to ex­piate their lesser Crimes with greater, one poyson must ex­pell another; thus while they practise Paracelsian-like, and stanch our bleeding wounds with Gun-powder,

The Body Politick with weaknesse reeles,
And proud Dissention trips up Concords heeles.
1 Cit.

And will this Citie evermore be fool'd, untill her Ba­tlements doe Kisle the earth?

2 Cit.
Our Maior and Councell conster so the Lawes,
They still agree to that's the strongest Cause;
Like Snailes they hide their heads these hideous storms,
And dare not once for to thrust forth then Hornes.

Should this be told unto the after-times, how would it dim the glory of this City?

1 Cit.

Alas great Charles, how is thy Swords edge dull'd by those that did pretend to surbush it? O horrid change, able to strike him deafe that heares it nam'd? Sufficient to cleave the marble Tombs of mightie Edward and great Henry, and make their Ashes stir with lively heat, and starting forth from their cold Monuments, dog our Rebellious Grandees up and down, frighting them to obedience.

2 Cit.

Too true it is the Tyrant Dionisius caus'd to be drawn the Image of a King▪ when Damocles was placed in his throne, over whose head a threatning Sword was hanged, fastned up onely by an horses haire, to shew the winding-paths that For­tune treads, how she can make even Kings to know her power.

1 Cit.

But yet the Heavens strong armes do compasse Kings; an host of Angels guards the Royall Throne; witnesse our Roy­all Charles, who now bereav'd of strength and outward power, like to a Castle that's impregnable, whose basis touch the Center of the Earth, repells the surious shock and fierce assault of his malevolent treacherous Parliament, who puft up with their fortunate successe, disdaine for to comply.

2 Cit.

The happie Issue of Conspiracie makes Treason sacred, [Page 5] and Rebellion holy, they cheare themselves with thought of their great Victories, but they remember not how deare they cost, how many widowes lost their loved husbands, and chil­dren their kind parents, the chance of War they say hath made them Kings, and they resolve to sway.

1 Cit.

They would (no doubt) had they their wish, but there's a clog hangs heavie on their heeles, the supreme Coun­cell of King Oliver doth emulate their greatnesse; there is a pack of Ravens, which if they be debarred of their prey, most sure will pick their eyes out.

2 Cit.

To stop their clamours, and to buy their favours, they Vote them what they aske, for you must thinke, 'twere simple policie, the heard of Wolves should jarre, Lyons so near; and there­fore they have sent unto the Citie with all speed for to levy their Arreares.

1 Cit.

O foolish Cuckolds, that will suffer thus their noses to be bored▪ Fond men, they long have seene the Devill in Crystall, been cheated with faire words, how treasons takes its turnes▪ The Citie first stirr'd up the men at Westminster to rayse a Trayterous Warre, they backt the Citie with a name of Power, and now those men whom their Rebellion rays'd, hang like to Meteors over their curst heads, threatning new Warre and vengeance, just guerdon of their cursed Treachery.

2 Cit.
He that resisteth his dread Soveraigne Lord,
Doth damne his soule by Gods owne very Word,
A Christian Subject should with honour due,
Obey his Soveraigne though he were a Jew:
And be assur'd when Subjects doe Rebell,
Gods wrath is kindled threatning fire of Hell.
1 Cit.

'Tis almost Change-time▪ let's away.

Exeunt.
Enter CHORUS.
Those that in Bloud a pleasure have,
Descend still bleeding to their Grave;
Men know not what themselves wil bee,
When as more then themselves they see:
Lust reigning Murther followes fast,
As Leaves before the Winters blast:
Desire of Rule, 'twas that which made
Our Trustees false, our lives betray'd.
Thus the World goes its common course,
From good to bad, from bad to worse,
From worse to that is worst of all,
And then into its former fall
With Victorie, Revenge should cease,
But it with us doth more encrease.
[Page 6]How can they justly Honour claime,
Slighting those should advance the same?
How can Gods worship be advanc't,
Where Error still is countenanc't?
Vice mixed with Nobilitie,
Truth shrowded with Hypocrisie,
Learning thrust out, Ignorance in
Th [...]y soothed, in their slavish sinne;
N [...]ing vile Error, with as Factious Fooles:
These are our mightie Men, or mightie Fooles.
Exit.

Actus Secundus.

Enter the Ghost of Pym.

FRom the black Lake that runs round Erebus I come, permitted by the King of Flames, to visit those that my Co-partners were, when I was cloath'd in flesh: I, whose projections grim and dangerous, brought a free people into slaverie, incensing them against their gracious Prince, and topsie-turvy turn'd all LAW and RIGHT; while England England wounded, Civill broiles eate up the Natives, ravenous Mulci­ber devasted Houses and large Granaries; Tumults, Sedition, Schismes, Blasphemies, like a Gangraena, over-spread the face of beautious Britaine: I, that for the same am doom'd for evermore to frie in flames, with an admired swift velocitie, proper to spirits, and aeriall formes, now tread on English ground: pale [...]ynthia mounted in her silver Waine, now takes her progresse by the milkie way, and now Aldeboran is mounted high, a­bove the shinie Cassiopeia's Chaire, all things are husht & still, the world's a sleepe: thou perfect Image of grim Death, whose drinke is Laethe, all-oppressing Sleepe hang on his eyes, whose factious soule is charm'd with soporiferous draughts of idle ease;

While I surview his person, borne to be
His Countries Bane, the Fate of Monarchie:

See here the embleme of Democracie, the very abstract of Sedition; be bold my Cromwell, and inexorable.

Drawes a Curtaine, discovers Cromwell sleeping beneath a Canopie.
For such a Will Hell doth afford to thee,
Thou shalt not feare to fetter Majestie.
Exit Ghost.
Cromw.

What ayrie Fancies doth the sleepie God distill

He wakes.

into my teeming Braine? Me thought I saw the gates of Hell unbarr'd, the Iron doores unhindg'd▪ from whence swifter then Lightning issu'd out the spirit of my Patron Pym—Stay gentle Shade, and if Hels King give leave, let me imbrace thee in my longing armes—Deluding Fan­cie, how doest thou perswade, that I should thus discourse with my owne shade—Here's none, I did but dreame; me thinks, like Aeson, I am now renew'd, my spirits are more vigorous, and of a bolder temper then of late: Is not my Body now a walking Armour, my Ribbes are Barres of Brasse, my Hands of Iron? So please yee, yee all­powerfull Destinies, that my Heart faile not, nor my Sinewes [Page 7] shrink till I have brought to passe what I intend, til I have made my selfe Lord Paramount, and quite eradicated all those Lawes which many Ages past have beene ador'd, till I have quite dissolved all Monarchy, and topsi-turvey▪ turn'd all Regall Pow­er: let my fierce Souldiers, like the Nubians,

Goe headlong on, impatient of all stay,
Through blood and horror for to make their way.

[...] [...]ee [...] I doubt to bring my ends to passe, since now I have new cast the timerous State, made up my Faction all the Kingdome o're, Imprison'd Charles my King, exil'd his Friends; what let's me then that I ascend a throne—O Yes, there's thousands doe make me their curse, and I am now become a publique hate, the people staggering, stand as in amaze.

But to undoe their doubts I will provide,
As Alexander Gordius, Knots unti'd.
Exit.
Enter CHORUS.
The world's a popular Disease, and all
Are mortall find it Epidemicall,
It's still distempering poore anxious men.
Firing their braines till they to dust agen;
One raves, as troubled with a boyling heart,
He craves the favour of the blind gods Dart,
Another lets his Oaths about to flye,
Which deafes mens eares like Joves Artillery;
He's drencht in care, the tother frisks and sings,
This man loves studie, tother Revellings;
He hugs his Gold, another spends it all,
One niggardly, tother a prodigall:
Tis sure a symptome of approaching Ill,
When dis-acquainted sense knowes not the will;
What lesse (then fools) are they that prog & plot,
To gain their utmost wish? but being got,
They lavish out the chiefest of their care,
And in the end dye mad, or in despaire.

Actus Tertius.

Enter Chirlandus, and Symancha, two Jesuites.
Chirl.

THe newes Symancha, how did thy project thrive? Syman. As well as our Lord God the Pope can wish; I am elected for a constant Preacher to I▪ his Regiment.

Chirl.

And I have so much favour gain'd, to morrow I re­ceive an Institution to be establisht in a wealthy Living which lately was Sequestred.

Sym.

Why▪ then our journy hath been prosperous, and thanks is due from our most holy Concalve; what shall we pitch upon?

Chirl.

Not to divulge our selves, 'tis dangerous, but this I propose as most emergent; we will assay, even with our utmost power, to fan the fire of those grand differences which doe prognosticate a cruell Warre betweene those Hereticks on ei­ther side, the Independents and the Presbyterians, and so what SPAINE, nor ROME, nor HELL could bring to passe, we shall I hope effect.

Syman.

We need not seeke to destroy them, although Pla­tine, Sylvester, Prierius, Bellarmine, Bozius, and Pezantius, do warrant the black Deed, the Treachery and damned deluded minds of his owne Subjects will ere long dispatch him; and in the mean time to unrivet them, Fire, Murder, and Sedition we will rayse, the better to bring low the Hereticks.

Chirl.

To us this doth belong, to this we swore by the sacred Holocaust, and 'tis the dutie of all Catholiques, be they nere so pedantick, by Fire and Sword, Poyson and Gunpowder, and all such other Plots and Stratagems, to take out of the way all Hereticks, and so to elevate the Papall throne.

Syman.

Now Christs Vice-gerent shall have Peter-pence once more payd out of England, the English Kings shall be con­strained to stoope, and prostrate to kisse his blessed feet, to whom all things are possible, but to erre.

Chirl.

Sing out ye sacred Quire of Choristers, and chaunt loud Anthems in a jocula-veine, for we have woon the Goale; but thinkest thou 'twere not good my best Symancha, if wee inquired at that BLACK ORACLE, the mouth of Pluto, what [Page 9] will be the event of their Distractions, and these our underta­kings?

Syman.

It will be safe to doe so.

Chirl.

Helpe spread the Circle; now stand firme with me in this circumference, let silence charme thy tongue, strength fortifie thy heart, while I rayse Lucifer with my incantations, and make all Hell to tremble at my words:

They enter the Circle.
Heare me, O thou Stygian God,
Who forfeitedst thy first abode,
Thou who allurd'st the inferiour Starres
With Great JEHOVE to manage Warres;
While the sweet hormonious Spheares
Were Drums and Trumpets in your eares,
Yet, as the murmuring winds conspire,
With thunder, and with flashing fire
The world to feare, and make us thinke
Our cup is full even to the brinke,
Thunder.
And when amid these angry tones,
Innumerable weightie stones
Of haile fall downe, whose fragour make
The MACHIN of the world to shake,
So wert thou precipict'd from Heaven,
When Michael had thy sentence given,
With thy curst Followers, who like flyes,
Hae [...] omni­um Doctorum opinio est quod Aeriste qui caelum & terram medi­us dividens, inane vocatur plenus sit, contrariis, Fortitudini­bus S. Hier. in cap [...]. Epist. Ephesi.
Could we see with spirituall eyes,
As Atomes doe hop up and downe,
Hang o're each Village and each Towne,
Come, O come, without delay,
Before more powerfull charmes I say.
Thunder.
Surgit Behemoh.
Behemoh;

What would Chirlandus?

Chirl.

I charge thee, by the Regent of the night, the tri­form'd Hecate, to tell me what will be the period of all those mightie things in Agitation which now the State of England labour with? Will the most dreadfull storme that threatens them, showre downe amaine, or else be blowne away?

Behem.
[Page 10]

Those secrets that are writ by Joves owne hand I cannot be permitted to scan o're, yet by my conversation in that Clime, my slie intrusion into Families, this I dare to pro­nounce:

When the time comes that you shall see
A headlesse Body Active be,
And many horrid Deeds perform'd
By a Trunk, without an Head adorn'd;
If that same Body and the Head
By Friendly Hands be soldered,
Then happy Dayes may chance ensue,
Or else for aye bid Peace adue.
Chirl.

Shall Rome gaine footing here once more? And shall we be successefull, yea, or no?

Behe.
If when the two parts vanquisht be,
The Third keepe fixt to Hierarchie,
No hope of that, but if they faile
The Papall power may prevaile.
Descendit.

There's all I dare relate.

Syman.

What mystick sense his words include?

Chirl.

Wee'l sift the sense in private.

Strange mysteries i'th' Booke of Fate doth lye,
Not legible to every common eye.
Exeunt.
Enter CHORUS.
Loe from our curst Dissentions, and our Warres,
How Rome gets strength, the whore of Babilon
Doth clap her hands, and laughs to see our Jarres,
Hoping ere long she us shall tread upon:
Heavens bowle of Vengeance we have quafft it up,
And shall we also caste her deadly Cup?
That Reformation cannot (sure) be good,
That craves the Sword to hew its passage out:
By Schisme, Sedition, Treachery, and Blood,
Antichrist thrives▪ even all the world about;
When men compell their fellowes good to act,
The manner of it discommends the Fact.
'Tis sure, that never Rome such footing had
Since Mary fell, as she hath gotten now,
That damned
Jesuites.
Sect all o're the Kingdome gad,
Who falsely unto Jesus make their vow:
Whose taske it is for to augment Dissontion,
And for to fan the fire of our Contention.
If it be for Gods glory, to pull down
All decent Rites, and Orders, if't may be
A King should become great, high in Renowne,
By being Captiv'd, Plung'd in Miserie:
If that tho people by all losse may throve,
Then let us for to thanke our States-men strive.
Exit.

Actus Quartus▪

Enter Col. Hammond, His Majosties Jaylor, with a bunch of Keyes at his girdle; a Servant.
Ham.

Is the Guard plac'd about the Privie Chamber, and are the Castle Gates barr'd sure?

Serv.

They are, Sir.

Ham.

On what a ticklish point I stand; and like a man walkes a ridg'd Battlement: If he digresse to the right hand or the left, hazards the bruising of his fleshly tenement, and forseiture of Soule; so I, betwixt the fealtie I owe unto my rightfull King, and the commands of an all-powerfull State, am doubly purged; the one desires me shew a Subjects Duty, the other doth command a Traytors hate; If I obey the one, then I accrew my Soveraigns displeasure; If satisfie the other, then lye I lyable to Imprisonment, or if they please, to Death. O Feare how potent art thou! The man possest with thee, cares not to sell his Countrey and his King, to Act the worst of Crimes that Hell ere hatcht, so he secure himselfe.

I am resolv'd, though LOYALTIE dissent,
To Act even as't shall please the Parliament.
Exit.
[Page 12]Enter two Souldiers drunke.
1 Sould.

Ile not pay a farthing, let the Cit-ty Cuck-olds pay it and they will—

2 Sould.

Nor I by Oliver; wee'l find a time—ere long to search their Mo-ney Ba-gs: shall men—of Clo-u [...]s have Gold, and men of War-re want it?

1 Sould.

You are under Col. Bax-ter, the Thimble-maker.

2 Sould.

Mar-ry am I.

1 Sould.

I serve under the Command—of Co-lonel Oker, Okey I meane.

2 Sould

A pox upon't, wud I were amongst the Bacon-boyes agen, with them my Oathes could profit me; but here, if I but utter once an angry word, I'm snapt,—here's not a farthing on the pub-like Faith—eight pence a day—will hardly find me Drinke.

1 Sould.

Hearke—Ile sing thee a Song.

2 Sould.

Out with't.

1 Sol.

A SONG.

1
WHat Rogues were we,
So deluded to be,
to come hither to our sorrow;
I would White-Hall
To the ground might fall,
that we might be gone to morrow.
2
If here we doe call,
And not pay for all,
we are sure to be soundly beaten;
As sure as our Coats,
They'l pluck out our throats,
if we pay not for what we have eaten.
3
I wish we were gone
From hence every one,
for sure we shall be all undone;
Should the Armie come all,
What would them be fall?
they care not for Souldiers in London.
2 Sould.

'Tis time we were at our Quarters; let's away.

Exeunt.
Enter CHORUS.
Shall we never finde our error,
but still stumble, till we fall
Into that Pit of endlesse Terror,
for our Crimes so capitall?
[Page 13]Shall we still behold our God
Despis'd, his Priests without abode,
Our King for ever under-trod?
Shall our Lawes be ever wanting,
and our owne swords cut our throats?
Shall our hearts be alwayes panting,
and nothing heard but drearie notes?
Shall a sort of Knaves still Rule us,
And a sort of Dolts still foole us?
Shall our faintnesse ever coole us?
England, will thy eyes nere bee
with thy wrongs illuminated?
London, wilt thou never see,
but for ever be amated?
Let England rowze, and London rise,
Ere't be too late, if they be wise,
T'regaine their pristine Dignities.
Exit.

Actus Quintus.

Enter Oliver, Harry Martin, Joice, Pride, Staines, cum multis aliis, sit round at a Table, as in counsell.
Oliv.

ILe have no more Proposalls sent to the King and so let them at Westminster be told; they're purely Iretons Issue, begotten by the Court-influence on his braines; as, Sol & Homo generat Hominem.

Mart.

No; we will at one blow breake the yoke of Kings, and make our selves sole Lords: as for the Scots, wee'l kick them home againe, with their Presbyterie; they are not Engins fit for us to use.

Joice.

I doe rejoyce to heare your good resolves.

Pride.

And I am proud to be partaker with you.

Stories.

Nor shall I count it any staine to honour, to set my helping hand.

Oliv.

What Law is there, that can obstruct our hop [...]s now, we have conquered our Conqueror? And if none have [...]ue and legall [...]g [...] to the outward ben [...]ts of this life (sage Saints) then none ought to enjoy their Sweets, BUT WEE. If any [Page 14] dare to repine or emulate at our greatnesse, is not our Armie numerous & strong, and able to stop their monthes with earth?

Mart.

'Tis true, great Sir, there's nothing visible that can retard our hopes; but Policie perswades, to have a care of what may be hereafter: for this end, let us send to them at West­minster, to frame an Ordinance to this effect because the peo­ple groane under their burthens, and sigh for sorrow, when they think, that yet more Troubles are to come, a choise Com­mittee now selected are, for to redresse their wrongs, and heare their grievances.

Pride.

Nor is this all need to be done: the people prophesie we levell all, and that the House of Peeres with us are uselesse; now should the Lords, incensed with their wrongs, conjure a­mongst their Tenants, the Devils would not easily be layd.

Oliv.

To noose those Lords yet further, since yet wee have not made our best of them, let there a Declaration be drawne up, in which wee'l say, that with our utmost might wee will support the Peerage of the Kingdome.

Mart.

Fond fooles, doe they imagine, they can conserve their Honours, when CHARLES hath lost his Greatnesse? or, that when as our ends are serv'd upon them, wee will not shake'em off with scorne and spight.

Oliv.

It is decreed, and they shall find it so: what now re­maines, but that wee doe proceed to make our selves FREE STATES? Which to accomplish, let no time be lost, in voting downe the KING, in sifting of his Manuscripts and Papers, that so wee may have matter for his Life:

And then, though Heaven and Earth say no such thing,
Yet spight of PATES, and MEN, I will be KING.
Exeunt.
Enter CHORUS.
Atlas, doe thou our falling World sustaine,
for wee are sinking now into Abisse;
Let the Eumenides come on amaine,
the high Cythaerus top, is Cromwels blisse:
But thou Maegera bring him downe againe,
and quench his Pride in the salt Meotis▪
Or else let some brave soule for vertue stand,
And send his soule into Enio's hand.
Exit.
THE END.

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