To a Fair Lady weeping for her Husband Committed to Prison by the Parliament

Post through the Aire, my fancy went,

With wings disguis’d, and there stood by

When he was brought to th’ Parliament,

And streight to th’ Bar, to th’ Bar, they cry,

The smiling Captain asked, Why?

With that they soon drew up his Charge,

Which Lady you shall hear at large.

Imprimis, he was married late,

With a Gold Ring, unto a Dame,

Would make the best of us a Mate;

Witty, Pretty, Young, and Quaint,

And fairer then our selves can Paint:

Her lips do set mens teeth on edge,

Sure ’tis a Breach of Priviledge.

And her Malignant beauty, can

Provoke our Members up to rise,

Nay make our General prove a man;

And the Star-Chamber of her Eyes,

Robs Subjects of their Liberties:

And then her voice keeps Eares in awe,

Even like the High-Commission Law.

Nay more, the fair Delinquent hath

A pair of Organs in her throat,

Which when she doth inspire with breath,

She can command in every noat,

More then both our Houses Vote

Her very Hair, put in Array,

Can fetter our Militia.

Her Cheeks still Natures Pattent have,

Not yet call’d in, for only she

In them ingrossed all that’s brave,

And other Ladies Hucksters be,

Her Beauty’s the Monopolie;

When theirs is spent, to her they come,

And chaffer with her face for some.

She keeps an Alter on her brow,

Her Eyes two Tapers on each side,

There Superstitious Lovers bow;

Her Name is Mary too beside,

Who owns a Faith that’s sanctifi’d;

Let’s clap up him till further leisure,

And send for her to wait our pleasure.

Then go fair Lady, follow him,

Fear no Trumpet, fear no Drum,

Fair Women may prevail with Pym,

And one sweet smile when there you come,

Will quickly strike the Speaker dumb:

If not, then let one tear be spent,

And ’twill dissolve the Parliament.