The Penitent Traytor

Long time I liv’d in the Country next to Cornwall,

And there my Children were both breed and born all,

Great was my Credit, as my debts did speak,

And now I’le shew you why my neck must break.

There being a Parliament called in September,

I was for th’ Commons an Elected Member,

And though there were besides above four hundred

Yet I at last was for the fifth part numbred.

For first, I join’d with some whom Piety

Made Knaves, lest such their Fathers prov’d should be;

Their Ignorance to sin enjoyned many Voyces,

Which made bad Speeches, but Excellent Noyses.

Thus by my faction the whole House was sway’d,

All sorts of people flockt to me for Ayd;

They brought me Gold and Plate in Huggar Muggar,

Besides eight hundred pounds worth in Loaf-sugar.

What e’re the Grievance was, I did advise

They should Petitions bring in Humble wise,

Which I did frame my self, & thus did rook them,

They paid me when I gave, and when I took them.

By this I gained, and by the Money-Pole,

Which paid my debts, 10000 pounds i’th whole,

My Childrens Portions too, with much content,

I paid in State, by Acts of Parliament.

Thus though I make all Jesuits fly the Nation,

My self did practise much Equivocation,

For oft I Vow’d the Common-wealth as honey

Was sweet to me, but I, by wealth, meant money.

And lest my Plots should after be unmasked,

And how I got such Wealth, chance to be asked,

I cast about how I might gain such power,

As might from Justice safely me secure.

Then first I labour’d to divest the Crown,

Of all Prerogatives, and bring them down;

First, to both Houses, and then but one should have them,

Five Members next, and last my self would have them.

Because I knew the State would not admit

Such Change, unlesse the Church did Usher it,

I left the old Religion for advantage,

Endeavouring to set up one that did want age.

Which when all Learned Levites did withstand,

(Regarding Gods Word more then my command)

I such supprest, and made (for which I woe am)

The basest people Priests, like Jeroboam.

Then each profession sent out Teachers, moe

Then both the Universities could doe

To handle a Text the Good-wifes fingers itches,

And vows she’ll preach with her Husband for the Breeches.

By this new Godly lives but few did gain,

The rest for want of Trading they complain,

I told them ’twas a wicked Counsellors plot,

And till his head went off, their wares would not.

This Great mans guilt was Loyalty and Wisdom,

Which made me cast about to work his Doom;

The Sword of Justice was too short to do’t,

2000. Clubs must therefore jerk it out.

He being knockt down, some others for the like Crime,

Were sent to Prison, some escapt in time;

Thus Law and Equity in awe was kept here,

And Clubs were taught how to controul the Scepter.

We took from th’ Upper-house Votes five times five,

And they aym’d all the Kings Voyce Negative,

Which to effect we did an Order make,

That what he would not give, our selves would take.

Then we petition’d that the Forts and Towers,

And all the strength o’th Kingdom might be ours,

And thus to save the King from Soveraign dangers,

As if he had better Fall by Us than Strangers.

Whilst he denyes they Legally are stay’d on

By a Law call’d, Resolv’d upon the Question,

But still his Chief strength was above our Arts,

His righteous Cause, and loyal Subjects hearts.

Being Arm’d with these, by Heaven he was so blest,

That he soon honour Got, and all the rest,

Bringing all such to punishment endignant,

As were of my Contrived part, Malignant.

O Tyburn, Tyburn; O thou sad Tryangle,

A vyler weight on thee ne’er yet did dangle,

See here I am at last with Hemp to mew,

To give thee what was long before thy due.

How could I bless thee, could’st thee take away

My Life and Infamy both in one day;

But this in Ballads will survive I know,

Sung to that preaching tune, Fortune my Foe.

Then mark good Christian people, and take heed,

Use not religion for an upper weed,

Serve God sincerely, touch not his Anointed,

And then your Necks shall never be disjoynted.

God bless the King, the Queen, and all the Children,

(And pardon me all, that I ’gainst them have ill done)

May one of that brave Race still rule this Nation,

And now I pray you sing the Lamentation.