So evident be made, that their despight Would rather on their heads than his alight, 'They waved that, and being at a stand, In thinking what they best might take in hand, At length, come let us smite him with the tongue," To deep revenge, and, let us daily strow Wither appropriates above 120 lines to speak of himself, and seems to have intended it as a justification, or explanation, of his meaning. He says, "I, as heartily as any one, According to my faculties have done; And showne these times, and those perhaps, to come, That Poesie may have an usefull roome In great affaires, and poets fill their place, Though I no pardon find, assur'd I am This work would not have done the author shame, In better times: nay, if an Irish-bard Had sung thus much to them, they would have heard His numbers with respect; and manie things Bestow'd, beside a harp with silver strings. But, I shall think my game hath well been plaid, If I with mischief shall not be repaid For my good will; nor left when I have done To bear the burthen of despights, alone. My next, oh! noble friends! and last request 1 That halfe of me (who had a share in that, My naturall-affection makes me feare This motion needfull: therefore, have a care Yea, if you shall forget what I prefer, Provide abundance of good things for mine. Thus hopes, and thus believes, prose To this is added rather more than a page in as "The Printer to the Reader," signature "Benevol. Typographus." It appears to be intended as a further declaration of the author's political creed. "He protesteth he is neither for, or against, the Presbyterians, Independents, Scots, English, King, Parliament, Members, or People, more or less, then according as he (in his judgment and conscience) thinks it may conduce to the wrong or right way from or toward the truth of God, and the peace of the kingdom; with a charitable respect, so farre as is possible, to the remedy of our general distempers, without the wrong, or disquiet of any person, who wilfully draweth it not upon himself." J. H. ART. CXLVI.-Amygdala Britannica, Almonds for Parrets. A Dish of Stone-fruit, partly shel'd and partly unshel'd; which (if crack'd, pick'd, and well digested) may be wholsome against those Epidemick Distempers of the Brain, now predominant; and prevent some malignant diseases likely to ensue. Composed heretofore by a well-knowne moderne author; and now published, according to a Copie found written with his own Hand. bene vixit. Matth. xiii. 13, 14, verses quoted.] Annno CI I Double Col. pp. 10. Qui bene latuit, 15. [The three CXLVII. 4to. A prophetical rhapsody, by George Wither, in 890 lines, of which he gives the following account. "When Wisemen found plain dealing did offend, Hath taken up the Parret's inclination; This dish of Stone-fruits; whereof there are some, Those things; and in these words his thoughts array'd." Ater this introduction the poem proceeds. "All things terrestial have their dates, A time draws near in which you may, Dispose, Depose, undo, or make, Pawn Rook, Knight, Bishop, Queen, or King, A time draws near, in which the sun And many stars, now seeming dull, A time draws near, when with your blood, Your mischief, who did them revive. that discern you may When these approach; and which are they; When you see many things effected, When you shall see Death richly clad |