A POEM ON THE HAPPY RESTORATION AND RETURN OF HIS SACRED MAJEST
"Jam redit et virgo, redeunt Satúrnia regna." VIRG.
The last great age foretold by facred rhimes
Renews it's finifh'd courfe: Saturnian times
Roll round again,
Now with a general peace the world was bleft,
While our's, a world divided from the rest,
A dreadful quiet felt, and worfer far
Than arms, a fullen interval of war :
An horrid ftillness first invades the ear,
And in that filence we the tempest fear.
Th' ambitious Swede, like reftlefs billows toft,
[fkies, On this hand gaining what on that he loft,
Trey abroad the winged thunder the labouring To his new guidelete kingdom peace bequeath
And heaven, that seem'd regardless of our fate,
For France and Spain did miracles create,
Such mortal quarrels to compofe in peace
As nature bred, and intereft did increase.
We figh'd to hear the fair Iberian bride
Muft grow a lily to the lily's fide,
While our cross ftars deny'd us Charles's bed,
Whom our first flames and virgin love did wed.
For his long abfence church and state did groan;
Madness the pulpit, faction seiz'd the throne:
Experienc'd age in deep defpair was loft,
To fee the rebel thrive, the loyal croft:
Youth that with joys had unacquainted been,
Envy'd grey
hairs that once good days had feen :
We thought our fires, not with their own content,
Had ere we came to age our portion spent.
Nor could our nobles hope their bold attempt
Who ruin'd crowns would coronets exempt:
For when by their defigning leaders taught
To ftrike at power which for themselves they
fought,
The vulgar, gull'd into rebellion, arm'd;
Their blood to action by the prize was warm'd.
The facred purple then and scarlet gown,
Like fanguine dye, to elephants was shewn.
Thus when the bold Typhoeus fcal'd the sky,
And, viewing monarchs' fecret arts of sway,
A royal factor for his kingdoms lay,
Thus banish'd David spent abroad his time,
When to be God's anointed was his crime;
And when reftor'd, made his proud neighbours rue
Those choice remarks he from his travels drew.
Nor is he only by afflictions shown
To conquer other realms, but rule his own:
Recovering hardly what he loft before,
His right endears it much; his purchase more.
Inur'd to fuffer ere he came to reign,
No rafh procedure will his actions stain :
To business ripen'd by digeftive thought,
His future rule is into method brought :
As they, who first proportion understand,
With easy practice reach a master's hand.
Well might the ancient poets then confer
On night the honour'd name of Counseller,
Since, ftruck with rays of profperous fortune blind,
We light alone in dark afflictions find.
In fuch adversities to scepters train'd,
The name of Great his famous grandfire gain'd:
Who yet a king alone in name and right,
With hunger, cold, and angry Jove did fight;
Shock'd by a covenanting league's vaft powers,
As holy and as catholic as our's:
And forc'd great Jove from his own heaven to fly,'Till fortune's fruitless fpite had made it known, (What king, what crown, from treason's reach is
If Jove and heaven can violated be?)
The effer gods, that fhar'd his profperous ftate,
All fuffer'd in the exil'd Thunderer's fate.
The rabble now fuch freedom did enjoy,
As winds at fea, that use it to destroy:
Blind as the Cyclop, and as wild as he,
They own'd a lawless favage liberty,
Like that our painted ancestors fo priz'd,
Ere empire's arts their breasts had civiliz'd.
How great were then our Charles's woes, who thus
Was forc'd to fuffer for himself and us!
He, tos'd by fate, and hurry'd up and down,
Heir to his father's forrows, with his crown,
Could tafte no fweets of youth's desired age;
But found his life too true a pilgrimage.
Unconquer'd yet in that forlorn eftate,
His manly courage overcame his fate.
His wound's he took, like Romans, on his breaft,
Which by his virtue were with laurels drest.
As fouls reach heaven while yet in bodies pent,
So did he live above his banishment.
That fun, which we beheld with cozen'd eyes
Within the water, mov'd along the skies,
How eafy 'tis, when destiny proves kind,
With full-spread fails to run before the wind!
Bat those that 'gainst fliff gales laveering go,
Must be at once refolv'd and fkilful too.
He would not, like foft Otho, hope prevent,
But flay'd and fuffer'd fortune to repent.
The virtues Galba in a stranger fought,
And Pilo to adopted empire brought.
How thall I then my doubtful thoughts exprefs,
That must his fufferings both regret and blefs?
Fer when his early valour Heaven had croit;
And all at Worc'iter but the honour loft;
Forc'd into exile from his rightful throne,
He made all countries where he came his own;
Her blows not shook but riveted his throne.
Some lazy ages, loft in fleep and ease,
No action leave to busy chronicles:
Such, whofe fupine felicity but makes
In ftory chasms, in epocha mistakes;
O'er whom time gently shakes his wings of down,
"Till with his filent fickle they are mown.
Such is not Charles's too too active age,
Which, govern'd by the wild diftemper'd rage
Of fome black ftar infecting all the fkies,
Made him at his own cost like Adam wise.
Tremble ye nations, which fecure before,
Laugh'd at those arms that 'gainst ourselves we
bore
Rouz'd by the lafh of his own ftubborn tail,
Our lion now will foreign foes affail.
With alga who the facred altar ftrews?
To all the fea gods Charles an offering owes:
A bull to thee, Portunus, fhall be flain,
A lamb to you, ye tempefts of the main :
For thofe loud ftorms that did against him roar,
Have caft his fhipwreck'd veffel on the shore.
Yet as wife artifts mix their colours fo,
That by degrees they from each other go;
Black fteals unheeded from the neighbouring white,
Without offending the well-cozen'd fight:
So on us ftole our bleffed change; while we
Th' effect did feel, but fcarce the manner fee.
Frofts that constrain the ground, and birth deny
To flowers that in its womb expecting lie,
Do feldon their ufurping power withdraw,
But raging floods pursue their hasty thaw.
Our thaw was mild, the cold not chas'd away,
But loft in kindly heat of lengthen'd day.
Heaven would no bargain for its bleflings drive,
But what we could not pay for, freely give.
The Prince of peace would like himself confer
A gift unhop'd, without the price of war:
Yet, as he knew his bleffing's worth, took care,
That we fhould know it by repeated prayer;
Which storm'd the fkics, and ravish'd Charles from
As heaven itself is took by violence.
Booth's forward valeur only ferv'd to fhow,
He durft that duty pay we all did owe:
Th' attempt was fair; but heaven's prefixed hour
Not come fo, like the watchful traveller
That by the moon's miftaken light did rife,
Lay down again, and clos'd his weary eyes.
'Twas Mouk, whom Providence defign'd to loofe
Thofe real bonds falfe freedom did impose.
The bleffed faints, that watch'd this turning fcene,
Did from their flars with joyful wonder lean,
To fee fmall clues draw vafteft weights along,
Not in their bulk but in their order ftrong.
Thus pencils can by one flight touch restore
Smiles to that changed face that wept before.
With each fuch fond chimeras we pursue,
As fancy frames for fancy to fubdue :
But when ourselves to action we betake,
It fhuns the mint like gold that chemists make.
How hard was then his talk! at once to be
What in the body naturally we fee?
Man's architect distinctly did ordain
The charge of mufcles, nerves, and of the brain,
Through viewleis conduits fpirits to difpenfe;
The fprings of motion from the feat of fenfe.
'Twas not the hafty product of a day,
But the well-ripen'd fruit of wife delay.
He, like a patient angler, ere he strook,
Would let him play a while upon the hook.
Our healthful food the stomach labours thus,
At first embracing what it ftraight doth crush.
Wife leaches will not vam receipts obtrude,
While growing pains proncunce the humours crude:
Deaf to complaints they wait upon the ill,
Till fome fafe crisis authorize their skill
Nor could his acts too clie a vizard wear,
To 'fcape their eyes whom guilt had taught to fear,
And guard with caution that polluted nest,
Whence Legion twice before was difpoffeft:
Once facred house; which when they cater'd in,
They thought the place could fanctify a fin;
Like thofe that vainly hop'd kind heaven would
wink,
While to excefs on martyrs' tombs they drink.
And as devouter Turks first warn their fouls
To part, before they tatte forbidden bowls:
So thefe, when their black crimes they went about,
First timely charm'd their ufelefs confcience out.
Religion's name against itself was made;
The fhadow ferv'd the fubftance to invade;
Like zealous miflions, they did care pretend
Of fouls in thew, but made the gold their end.
Th' incenfed powers beheld with fcorn from high
And heaven fo far diftant from the iky, (ground,
Which durft, with horfes hoofs that beat the
And martial brafs, bely the thunder's found.
Suffer'd to live, they are like Helots fet,
A virtuous fhame within us to beget.
For by example moft we finn'd before,
And glass-like clearness mix'd with frailty bore.
But fince reform'd by what we did amifs,
We by our fufferings learn to prize our bliss:
Like early lovers, whofe unpractis'd hearts
Were long the may-game of malicious arts,
When once they find their jealoufies were vain,
With double heat renew their fires again.
'Twas this produc'd the joy that hurry'd o'er
Such fwarnis of English to the neighbouring thor
To fetch that prize, by which Batavia made
So rich amends for our impoverish'd trade.
Oh had you seen from Schevelin's barren shore,
(Crowded with troops, and barren now no more
Afflicted Holland to his farewell bring
True, forrow, Holland to regret a king!
While waiting him his royal fleet did ride,
And willing winds to their lower'd fails deny'd.
The wavering freamers, flags, and standards out
The merry feamen's rude but chearful fhout;
And laft the cannons voice that fhook the fkies,
And, as it fares in fudden ecftafies,
At once bereft us both of ears and eyes.
The Nafeby, now no longer England's fhame,
But better to be loft in Charles's name,
(Like fome unequal bride in nobler sheets)
Receives her lord: the joyful London meets
The princely York, himself alone a freight;
The Swift-fure groans beneath great Glofter
weight:
Secure as when the halcyon breeds, with these,
He that was born to drown might cross the leas
Heaven could not own a Providence, and take
The wealth three nations ventur'd at a stake.
The fame indulgence Charles's voyage blefs'd,
Which in his right had miracles confefs'd.
The winds that never moderation knew,
Afraid to blow too much, too faintly blew;
Or, out of breath with joy, could not enlarge
Their ftraighten'd lungs, or confcious of thei
The British Amphytrite, fmooth and clear, [charge
In richer azure never did appear;
Proud her returning prince to entertain
With the fubmitted fafces of the main.
AND welcome now, great monarch, to your own Behold th' approaching clifts of Albion: It is no longer motion cheats your view, As you meet it, the land approacheth you. The land returns, and, in the white it wears, The marks of penitence and forrow bears. But you, whofe goodness your defcent doth fhew Your heavenly parentage and earthly too; By that fame mildness, which your father's crow Before did ravifh, fhall fecure your own. Not tied to rules of policy, you find Revenge lefs fweet than a forgiving mind.
'Twas hence at length jufi vengeance thonght it fit Thus, when th' Almighty would to Mofes give
To speed their ruin by their impions wit.
Thus Sforza, curs'd with a too fertile brain,
Loft by his wiles the power his wit did gain.
Henceforth their fougue muft fpend at leffer rate,
Than in its flanics to wrap a nation's fate,
A fight of all he could behold and live;
A voice before his entry did proclaim
Lorg-fuffering, goodnefs, mercy, in his name.
Your power to juftice doth fubmit your cause,
Your goodness only is above the laws;
Whofe rigid letter, while pro
Is fofter made. So winds that tempefts brew, When through Arabian groves they take their flight,
Made wanton with rich odours, lose their spite.
And as thofe lees, that troubled it, refine
The agitated foul of generous wine:
So tears of joy, for your returning, spilt;
Work out, and expiate our former guilt.
Methinks I fee thofe crouds on Dover's ftrand,
Who, in their hafte to welcome you to land,
Chok'd up the beach with their still-growing store,
And made a wilder torrent on the shore
While, fpurr'd with eager thoughts of paft delight,
Thofe, who had feen you, court a fecond fight;
Preventing ftill your steps, and making hafte
To meet you often wherefoe'er you past.
How fhall 1 fpeak of that triumphant day,
When you renew'd th' expiring pomp of May!
(A month that owns an interest in your name:
You and the flowers are its peculiar claim.)
That ftar, that at your birth fhone out fo bright,
It ftain'd the duller fun's meridian light,
Did once again its potent fires renew,
Guiding our eyes to find and worship you.
And now Time's whiter feries is begun,
Which in foft centuries fhall fmoothly run:
Thofe clouds, that overcaft your morn, shall fly,
Difpell'd to fartheft corners of the sky.
Our nation with united intereft bleft,
Not now content to poize, fhall fway the reft.
Abroad your empire fhall no limits know,
But, like the fea, in boundless circles flow.
Your much-lov'd fleet fhall, with a wide command,
Besiege the petty monarchs of the land:
And as old Time his offspring fwallow'd down,
Our ocean in its depths all feas fhall drown.
Their wealthy trade from pirates' rapine free,
Our merchants fhall no more adventurers be:
Nor in the fartheft Eaft thofe dangers fear,
Which humble Holland must diffemble here.
Spain to your gift alone her Indies owes;
For what the powerful takes not he bestows;
And France, that did an exile's presence fear,
May justly apprehend you ftill too near.
At home the hateful names of parties cease,
And factious fouls are wearied into peace.
The difcontented now are only they,
Whofe crimes before did your just cause betray:
Of thofe your edicts fome reclaim from fin,
But most your life and bleft example win.
Oh happy prince, whom heaven hath taught the
By paying vows to have more vows to pay!
Oh happy age! Oh times like thofe alone,
By fate referv'd for great Auguftus' throne!
When the joint growth of arms and arts foreshew
The world a monarch, and that monarch you.
Yet, as he knew his bleffing's worth, took care,
That we fhould know it by repeated prayer;
Which ftorm'd the fkies, and ravish'd Charles from
As heaven ittelf is rook by violence. [thence,
Booth's forward valour only ferv'd to fhow,
He durft that duty pay we all did owe:
Th' attempt was fair; but heaven's prefixed hour
Not come fo, like the watchful traveller
That by the moon's mistaken light did rise,
Lay down again, and clos'd his weary eyes.
'Twas Mork, whom Providence defign'd to loofe
Thofe real bonds falfe freedom did impofe.
The bleffed faints, that watch'd this turning scene,
Did from their ftars with joyful wonder lean,
To fce fmall clues draw vafteft weights along,
Not in their bulk but in their order ftrong.
Thus pencils can by one flight touch restore
Smiles to that changed face that wept before.
With each fuch fond chimeras we pursue,
As fancy frames for fancy to fubdue:
But when ourselves to action we betake,
It fhuns the mint like gold that chemists make.
How hard was then his talk! at once to be
What in the body naturally we see?
Man's architect diftinétly did ordain
The charge of mufcles, nerves, and of the brain,
Through viewlefs conduits fpirits to dispense;
The springs of motion from the feat of fenfe.
"Twas not the hafty product of a day,
But the well-ripen'd fruit of wife delay.
He, like a patient angler, ere he strook,
Would let him play a while upon the hook.
Our healthful food the stomach labours thus,
At first embracing what it ftraight doth crush.
Wife leaches will not vam receipts obtrude,
While growing pains pronounce the humours crude:
Deaf to complaints they wait upon the ill,
Till fome fafe crisis authorize their skill
Nor could his acts too clofe a vizard wear,
To 'fcape their eyes whom guilt had taught to fear,
And guard with caution that polluted neft,
Whence Legion twice before was difpoffeft:
Once facred house; which when they cater'd in,
They thought the place could fanctify a fin;
Like thofe that vainly hop'd kind heaven would
wink,
While to excefs on martyrs' tombs they drink.
And as devouter Turks firft warn their fouls
To part, before they tafte forbidden bowls:
So thefe, when their black crimes they went about,
First timely charm'd their uselefs confcience out.
Religion's name against itfelf was made;
The fhadow ferv'd the fubftance to invade;
Like zealous miflions, they did care pretend
Of fouls in fhew, but made the gold their end.
Th' incenfed powers beheld with scorn from high
And heaven fo far diftant from the fky, [ground,
Which durft, with horfes hoofs that beat the
And martial brafs, bely the thunder's found.
'Fwas hence at length juft vengeance thought it fit
To fpeed their ruin by their impions wit.
Thus Sforza, curs'd with a too fertile brain,
Loft by his wiles the power his wit did gain.
Henceforth their fougue muft fpend at leffer rate,
Then in its flanies to wrap a nation's fate,
Suffer'd to live, they are like Helots fet,
A virtuous fhame within us to beget.
For by example most we finn'd before,
And glass-like clearness mix'd with frailty bore.
But fince reform'd by what we did amifs,
We by our fufferings learn to prize our blifs:
Like early lovers, whofe unpractis'd hearts
Were long the may-game of malicious arts,
When once they find their jealoufies were vain,
With double heat renew their fires again.
'Twas this produc'd the joy that hurry'd o'er
Such fwarns of English to the neighbouring thor
To fetch that prize, by which Batavia made
So rich amends for our impoverish'd trade.
Oh had you feen from Schevelin's barren fhore,
(Crowded with troops, and barren now no mor
Afflicted Holland to his farewell bring
True, forrow, Holland to regret a king!
While waiting him his royal fleet did ride,
And willing winds to their lower'd fails deny'd
The wavering freamers, flags, and standards ou
The merry feamen's rude but chearful fhout;
And laft the cannons voice that fhook the skies,
And, as it fares in fudden ecftafies,
At once bereft us both of ears and eyes.
The Nafeby, now no longer England's fhame,
But better to be loft in Charles's name,
(Like fome unequal bride in nobler sheets)
Receives her lord: the joyful London meets
The princely York, himself alone a freight ;
The Swift-fure groans beneath great Gloft
weight:
Secure as when the halcyon breeds, with these,
He that was born to drown might cross the fe
Heaven could not own a Providence, and take
The wealth three nations ventur'd at a stake.
The fame indulgence Charles's voyage bless'd,
Which in his right had miracles confefs'd.
The winds that never moderation knew,
Afraid to blow too much, too faintly blew ;
Or, out of breath with joy, could not enlarge
Their ftraighten'd lungs, or confcious of t
The British Amphytrite, fmooth and clear, [cha
In richer azure never did appear;
Proud her returning prince to entertain
With the fubmitted fafces of the main.
AND welcome now, great monarch, to your o Behold th' approaching clifts of Albion : It is no longer motion cheats your view, As you meet it, the land approacheth you. The land returns, and, in the white it wears, The marks of penitence and forrow bears. But you, whofe goodness your defcent doth fh Your heavenly parentage and earthly too; By that fame mildnefs, which your father's er Before did ravish, shall secure your own. Not tied to rules of policy, you find Revenge lefs fweet than a forgiving mind. Thus, when th' Almighty would to Mofes gi A fight of all he could behold and live; A voice before his entry did proclaim Long-fuffering, goodnefs, mercy, in his name Your power to juftice doth submit your cauf Your goodness only is above the laws;
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