A SPEECH
Made to his Excellency
THE
Lord General MONCK,
AND THE
COUNCELL of STATE,
AT
DRAPERS-HALL in LONDON:
The 28th of March, 1660.
At which time they were entertained by that honourable Company.
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MOst honoured Sir, if a poore Schollar may
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(amongst the rest) his duteous offering pay,
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Accept my might unto your Merit, you
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That have given life to us, and learning to:
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How had the Churches glory laine in th' dust?
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A Sacrifice to the Phanatiques lust,
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The Virgin had been rifled, and our Lawes
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Become a Prey unto the Monstrous Jawes
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Of Wolves, and Vermin, had not you stept in
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Unto their rescue: nay the Citty bin
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A Shambles made; you have redeem'd our States,
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As though y'ad sat in councell with the Fates,
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And by your casting voyce diverted our
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Intended ruine; thus you shew'd your power,
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And love unto your Country; and so mixt,
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It carryes settlement our hopes are fixt.
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Ambition that did Gangrinate the State,
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Like a false Starr's, fall'n from its usurpt height:
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The spirit of division is now laid,
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The Genius of three Nations in one made;
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You have re-hing'd our happynesse in these
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Most reverend Patriots, Branches of our peace:
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These Luminaries, that through envious Night,
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In th' absence of our Sun, affourd us Light;
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Whose Pious Care and Courage ever wakes,
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More for our safety, then for their owne sakes;
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That prize a publick more then private good,
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And swam not to a Government through blood;
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So cleare in all their wayes, that if they might,
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They will not take away anothers right;
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That if the Proverb hold, (although but plain)
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'Tis, like, the Man may have his Mare again:
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To you, and them with reverence I Proclaime
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A hearty welcome in the Companies name,
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Th' expression of whose Joyes transported me
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Into these truths wrapt up in Poetry;
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Goe on brave Senators may your Union prove
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A Subject to the World of peace and love.
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