The Covenant.
OR,
No King but the Old Kings Son,
OR,
A brief Rehearsall of what heretofore was done.
All sorts of People of it take a view,
You surely will confess that I say true;
Let none mislike the same that cannot mend it,
Neither rashly censure him that pend it.
To the Tune of, True Blew will never Staine.
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LOng time have I been a Souldier,
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and have followed the Traine,
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Which doth make me now the bolder,
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the Covenant for to maintaine.
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When first unto the Wars we went,
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and Essex did us entertain,
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It was then to a good intent,
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though since we turnd our coats again.
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In every church the covenanting
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our undertakings did explain,
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Our indeavours were not wanting,
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the true Cause for to maintain.
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By the Parliament it was expressed
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Kingly Rights for to maintain,
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And if his Heirs they were distressed,
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they kindly would them entertain.
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Since many persons have repented
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for their kinred that were slain,
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Since the King this Land absented,
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and did not return again.
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Plate into half-crowns was melted
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to pay the Souldiers for their pain,
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We then did march till we were swelted,
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no toile at all we did refrain.
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Which makes me now call to minde
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of remembrance this one thing,
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Which in the Covenant I finde,
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To defend the Person of the KING.
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But some will say I am a wigeon
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because the truth I do maintain,
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It was onely for Religion,
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and Opinions that were vain.
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Religion it is confessed
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Did waxe then into the Waine,
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As in the Covenant is expressed,
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for which many men were slain.
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We Souldiers that then were listed
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the Good Old Cause for to maintain,
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With good hopes we alwaies feasted
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to bring home the King again.
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The Second Part, To the same Tune.
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HOwever that some have boasted,
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the hazard of it we have run,
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And through extremities have posted
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For no King but the old Kings Son.
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If any man claim Charles Right
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for whatere his Father hath done,
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Death on him hath wrought his spight;
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No King but the old Kings Son.
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If he was of the Roman faction,
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no favour here he should have won,
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But now we are all in great distraction,
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No King but the old Kings Son.
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And moreover understand,
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illuminations did us draw
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To fight for our freedome, and
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to keep our enemies in awe.
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A Proclamation then was made,
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which no person can deny,
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And the world they did perswade
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it was for thSubjects liberty.
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And afterwards to make amends,
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when three Nations were undone,
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They were for their private ends,
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the Souldiers lost, that all had wonne.
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Then many thousands were disbanded,
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which before had won the day;
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Great Persons then dealt underhanded,
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and deceivd us of our Pay:
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Which makes us now live discontented,
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and repent what we have done;
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By poverty we were tormented,
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For no King but the old Kings Son.
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If a single Person we must honer,
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these Lands in union for to bring,
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And must fight under his Bonner,
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let us have our lawfull King.
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Great Jove unite our hearts together,
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our Priviledges to maintaine,
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And send us good and pleasant weather,
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that our Rightfull Prince may raigne.
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