Upon wearing the Kings Colours

Alas, what take ye pepper in the Nose

To see King Charles his Colours worne in Pose?

’Twas but an Ornament to grace the Hat,

And must we have an Ordinance for that?

O serious worthies! how can you dispence

With so much time to draw a Grievance thence?

But you do very well to make it known,

When others Liberties surmounts your own;

You can and will suppresse it, well, you may

Do even what you please, we must obey;

I hope you’ll take in hand the Taylors Trade,

And teach us how our Apparell must be made,

That women in a Vote shall plainly see

How wider their Smocks and Petticoats shall be;

If this continue, faith turn Barbars too,

And cut our hair of the same length you do;

And let it be no less a Crime then Treason,

To wear, do, or speak any thing that’s reason:

As for the King, you’ll say he’s King, ’tis true,

But he can rule himself, and order you:

What, can he so? he’s mightily too blame,

And fain into displeasure for the same;

He will not grant that you’re his Friends ’tis true,

Should you rule two Kingdoms as a third does you.

Lest from a Ribbin then, should spring a Faction,

’Twas wisely done to stop its growth i’th’ Action;

Yet in despight of you, that this controule,

I’le wear my Soveraigns Colours in my Soul.