A vvinters tale, told to such as have wit to understand it, and worth to reward it. / Published by B.S., gent., to seek a parallell.

A Winters Tale , TOLD To such as have WIT to understand it , And WORTH to Reward it . Published by B. S. Gent. To seek a Parallell . 1. THere whilom was a seemly Buxom paire , That wedded were with full and free consent ; The Maiden to her Father was Co-heire ; To love each other deare was their intent . And so they did , as ever yet did any , Shee lik'd him best , he none so well as Nanny . 2. But fickle Fortune which doth often crosse , As these she did , with malice and despite , By Law-suits were they put unto such losse , ☜ As made them leave their Native Countrey quite , And tack about to seek some other place , Though homely clad , to live without disgrace . 3. And so they took their way to Chester Strond , With happy Gale , and Vessell that was stout , Soone did arrive upon the Irish Lond , Where they their businesse quickly brought about : And haply there they got a Habitation , For profit good , and pleasant situation . 4. There lived they in long and happy blisse , Sweet Children many 'twixt them were begot , If Houshold jarres , or ought were done amisse , When once debated , long it lasted not . Such Children , Wife , such Husband as was he , You could in other places hardly see . 5. They planted well , and Houses builded store , ☞ A Church obtained in a wilder place Then any that adventur'd heretofore , Which was descended of the English Race : You could not meet with folke of better quality , For Conversation , and for Hospitality . 6. They did extend their Pitty to the Poore , Instead of Surgeon , often drest their wounds ; Relieved such as begg'd from doore to doore , And others that were needy in their bounds : And such as dy'd , not having cov'ring meet , They often furnish'd with a winding-sheet . 7. Before they came into this uncouth place , ☞ No Innes were built to entertaine a stranger , But such as came were forc'd to ride apace , Or stay much short to keep from further danger : To Travellers , that oft was ill bestead , They gave a courteous welcome , meat and bed . 8. Thus liv'd this Couple both devout and zealous , Brought up their Children in the feare of God , Nor were they of each other ever jealous , Their Servants kept from gadding much abroad : Nor were they pinch'd , that they should need to steale ; Thus order'd was their little Common-weale . 9. When he about affaires abroad did ride , She neither kept close house , or open doore , The goods in Pasture wisely shee did guide , Of Houshold five and twenty , or some more . Much joy they had , of sorrow seldome tasted , Each yeare encreas'd , when many others wasted . 10. As one time he from chiefest City came , Which Dublin Hight so famous and renown'd , Quoth he , deare Love me thinks they are too blame , Which planted have not yon same peece of ground , That lies so right from Dublin for a Stage , ☜ And yet hath no receipt for Man , or Page . 11. God hath so blessed this our undertaking , In sending us Prosperity and health , That while my Limbes are good , my Spirits waking , I le study how to serve the Common-wealth : That much good may be done there 's no deny all , If you consent wee 'll put it to the tryall . 12. Shee gentle soule , who never was averse To ought that he inclin'd in word or deed , Sweet love she said , so well you ken your Verse In Field , and Town , you little consell need . This is your love exceptions to prevent , 'T is kindly mov'd , as kindly I consent . 13. And thus he went unto the Lord Dunsany , The rightfull owner of the fore said place , A Noble Lord , by Birth as good as any ; His gentle Lady came of English race . In briefe to tell ere past was much debate , ☜ They full agreed on Covenants and the rate . 14. Some Chapmen thought he did not well advise , To give so great a price for naked Lands ; But such I meane as were not over-wise , Or such as sought to gain't in their owne hands : ☞ Or such as had no right discerning sence , To know Commerce will build both house and fence . 15. For being seated in so great a Road , And from the City so compleat a Stage , When such as journey ▪ wanting there abode , Must further ride , it booteth not to rage , As many moe have done as well as I , When as we were benighted , wet and dry . 16. Our Cloathes were wet , and we were dry for drinke : Because I will not hold you in a Riddle , Amisse of me I hope you will not thinke , If you may there embrace your Hostesse middle ; As since you mighr , and more you might not doe , If you meane ill , she thought no harme to you . 17. For in that place he builded Host'ries twaine , And put therein two very honest couple , Where Guests of all sorts came with might and maine , For unto such they were exceeding supple ; ☞ And all things came so fitly to their hands , As shortly did improve both House and Lands . 18. Lords Rent did trebble what it was before , New Tenants liv'd in farre more gentile fashion : The undertaker totted up his score ; And here begun this pretty new Plantation : Then thus advanc'd , the Bargaine was not derre ☞ From sixty to three hundred pounds a yeare . 19. If you desire to know the reason why The Lands of Ireland are so quickly gainfull , It is to such as have discerning eye , And to their proper use to fit are painfull . Thus did this loving couple prosper well , Till Gods wrath kindled fierce , by Rebels , fell . ☜ 20. But not on them alone , their hap was better Then many thousands under that dire crosse , For which to God above they are still debtor , Their lives were sav'd , though goods were put to losse . They were i' th , North about their houshold care , And were surprized ere they were aware . 21. For there it was they made their first Plantation , With mutuall comfort , and all good successe . And there it was this heavy visitation O're-whelm'd that Countrey people more and lesse . Let any judge what cause they had to feare , Eleven moneths full ( in dread ) they Prisoners were . ☜ 22. And after that they freedome had to passe , Which was great comfort to afflicted minde ; Yet sad and heavy were the termes a lasse , Their eldest sonne was forc'd to stay behind . ☜ Quoth they , to you our Countrey is well knowne , Thus farre we yeeld , for favours you have showne . 23. But yet your skill in this our Irish warre , Much augmented by your long residing , If you be sent we shall be very farre To thinke that here we shall have safe abiding ; Therefore him we keep , that we may be more sure T' exchange for ours , or be our selves secure . ☜ 24. I would our State were pleased so to thinke , That such as left their Lands and Goods behinde , Will not so easily be induc'd to winke , As such as know but little of their minde : ☞ For who so fit as those have double band , T' advise and fight with double heart and hand . 25. Thus on they march with sad and mournful cheare , To leave their eldest sonne in dolefull plight ; For Lands and Goods they never took such feare As that to him they would doe lit le right . A youth so sweet of nature , and so kinde , One death it was to leave such sonne behinde . 26. Then came they to an English Garrison , Droghdagh that seated was upon the Maine , The Father sad beyond all comparison , To Dublin went , soone to returne againe , With hope to bring reliefe , sad hearts to cheare ☞ Of Wife and Children , almost dead with feare . 27. Thus came he to that old and famous City , Where he had left two daughters for their breeding , One whereof , O pitty , greatest pitty , Was dead , which set his heart-strings fresh a bleeding : And sure the feare she had of us below , ☞ Did cause her death , which added to our woe . 28. A gracious childe , withall a proper Lasse , No doubt she weareth now a Crowne of glory ; And since our God , which all things bring to passe Was pleased , then ought we to be sorry ? No happy Maid that is before us gone , When others live with cause of further moane . 29. He found their eldest Daughter plung'd in sorrow , For Sisters death , and their imprisonment ; And had he not come early the next morrow , Which gave some comfort to her languishment , She might perchance have found same way to Blisse , But now she lives to see more things amisse . 30. And long may live to give our Maker glory . A meeker soule lives not upon this earth : But now I must returne unto my story ; Our lives were dated long before our birth . Then let us live , so as we need not care For Hell , or Death , that will not Princes spare . 31. And now he went unto the Counsell Table , To let them know what he beneath observed , And did relate the truth as he was able , For otherwise he had not well deserved . The Board did seeme to pitty much his case , And mov'd that noble Lord to give him place . 32. Who bravely then commanded there in Chiefe , Lord Marquis of Ormond . And worthy was as any I have knowne , ( For I doe love to tell my minde in briefe ) Be what he will in field or yet in Towne : And he brave Lord himselfe was nothing slack To give him Horse and Armes , to cloath his back . 33. But now the Regiments were all come over , That hard it was an empty place to finde A Souldier he , his stile I will not cover , ; That there and else where often had been train'd . But so long had they kept him close in Mew ☜ Others got the start , which then but little knew . 34. For that good turne his Masters did below , ☞ Who did intend that he should be their Agent , They kept him that he might not strike a blow ; Nor yet get out for to seek imployment . But now this gentle Lord full of remorse , Did study how to raise him Troop of Horse . 35. He in the meane time to Droghdagh was sent T' old Sir Henry Tychborne , That gallant Knight , Prisoners to release was the full intent , Left still behinde that would come if they might . This Message was full glad in this respect , His sonne amongst the rest he did expect . 36. But ere he could adventure to Droghdagh , He staid a night at Garrison Corduff , And afterward he had no cause to laugh , There fell out such ill-favour'd peece of stuffe . Some few Dragoones he had unto his Guard , That led him wrong , and thus with him it far'd , 37. A Thicket was the way that they should ride , He lik'd it not , it seem'd a doubtfull place ; Goe see quoth he if Rebells doe them hide , To give annoyance to us as we passe . He sent two men to see what might appeare , Who brought him present word the Coast was cleare . 38. It prov'd not so ; for as they marched by , They heard a clamour , and a suddaine rush , And to their cost they quickly did espy ☞ Rebells heads peep like Snakes out of a bush . And then began the businesse very hot , They pour'd on him alone full thirty shot . 39. Himselfe , his Cloak , his Saddle , and his Horse , Upon Account had holes to that same number , Which suddainly was done without remorse , And how hee scap'd with life it was a wonder . They fear'd another Party of our men , Which made them back retire unto their Den. 40. His Horse was kill'd , one of his men starke dead ; Of theirs two they kill'd , Pris'ner was the third : Sore wounded he went with an aking head ; A greater scape ( it was thy mercy Lord ) Did never fall to any sinfull wight : Back they returne in sad and woefull plight . 41. And then appear'd he shot was with six Bullets , ☜ A homely place , God knowes , fell to his Harbour , He was not fed with over many Pullets , To make him trim he stood no need of Barber : A Surgeon was the man he wanted most , And him to fetch one rid away in Post . 42. Next day there came a nimble Leech , James Moore , Was sent to him by honest Thomas Howard , ( Who gave him money in his hand before ) Him to requite he never will be froward . His wounds were bound , & search'd with all good speed , No veine left open any more to bleed . 43. Ill newes goes farre , and soo did these of him , His Wife heard he was dead , or at the point , She makes all haste , staid not to make her trim . You need not doubt she trembled every joint : A Convoy fitly serv'd the way to crosse , Leaves Children foure behinde , to mourne their losse . 44. Full wan she look'd to finde him in that case ; Take cheere , quoth he , I hope all will be wee le , She sobb'd , and sigh'd , and wip'd her blubred face , And softly then she downe by him did kneele : Her comming to him did such comfort brings , He thought himselfe as happy as a King . 45. For her kinde soule more gentle then a Willow , Lord how he griev'd that had not welcome fit , ☞ Hard Boards her Bed , a Saddle was her Pillow , Which put him quite besides his little wit . Deare Love , said she , no harme can me betide , No stone is hard , so I lye by thy side . 46. The place did onely yeeld his hurts a Pallat , And that likewise upon the Boards did lye , There 's many begging all day with a Wallat , That when night comes , to lodge so will be shye : The times were such no better could be had , Then they that cause such times are worse then mad . 47. No want of will in People or in Souldier , Of what they had they gave the very best ; Not any place wherein they might be bolder , His thanks he paies , God quite them for the rest . In few dayes space there was good hope of life , Prais'd be his Name that sent him such a wife . 48. In the Surgeons absence she could play her part , Few women might with her compare for skill , T' helpe such as need she alwayes had the heart , Now she acted lively both in deed and will . In one moneths space to Dublin he was brought , Such suddaine change could hardly have been thought . 49. A change said I ? Now commeth change on change , For here this blessed Creature did contract A Flux and Ague , which held her very strange , ☜ His hurts were mending , but his heart was rack't , To thinke that she should come his life to save , And bring her selfe to such untimely grave . 50. Now was she sometimes better , sometimes worse ; Their Children as y'hare heard were left behinde , Them to recover they did make a Purse , To give some ease unto their troubled minde . Their second Daughter , with two pretty Boyes , Came with such news as drencht their new-come joyer 51. For when these three appear'd each after other , He mist a fourth ; Lord how his heart did dread , Wet eyes he saw in sister and in brother : Nay then , quoth he , our little Girle is dead : ☜ O happy she , then said her Mother deare , For her we need no longer stand in feare . 52. What though she was our Darling young and tender , As sweet a Childe as ever woman bare , To send this wicked world her wit was slender , Our gracious God of her hath taken care : This ought we not to reckon is a losse , For surely this a Blessing is , and not a Crosse . 53. This I discerne , although I faint and languish , Through glimpse of God Almighties giving , Such as remains shall have both woe and anguish , The dead are better farre then are the living . God blesse you all that harken to my song , ☜ Ere you be queat it will be very long 54. For such a cursed Rabble upstart Crew , The Serpent hath infus'd with deadly hate , They never will leave off to worke your Rue . ☞ Till they have quite undone both Church and State . They listned to her lore , sate by and cry'd ; Shee sigh'd , and turn'd about , and shortly dy'd . 55. Now break heart , if thou art not made of Flint , I heare thee crack , and eyes with Rivers swell , No wounds , or losse of goods gave such a dint , Or earthly thing that ever him befell . What further hope doth now for him remaine , The World to him a Chaos is againe . 56. Yet Children pledges deare of mothers love , He needs must joyne with her in Prophesie ; He sees such direfull threatnings from above , Through Satans craft and mans iniquity , ☞ That till our injur'd King be once restor'd , Each gentle wight must suffer , Knight , and Lord . 57. Thus did poore Father , and poore Children foure , Bewaile , lament , and mourne each others losse ; Their elder Brother , as you heard before , Was dolefull pris'ner still , O heavy Crosse : Now all the world began to run on Rucks , Deep sorrow brought deep Fever and a Flux . 58. Besides , a wound that was not rightly cur'd , ☞ Broke out agen , and wrought him mickle teene : O Lord , he hath not yet enough endur'd , Thy wonders great must more of him be seen : Sad children cry , to see him in this taking , Folk think him dead , his Coffin is a making . 59. And now behold the great Almighties power , Comes gushing from the foresaid hollow wound ☜ Impostumated stuffe a Quart , or more , As he lay sencelesse groveling on the ground : Then shortly after he was pretty able , About his Sonne to wait at Counsell Table . 60. And that brought on his eldest Sonnes release , With earnest suit he shortly did obtaine , A way to worke the weary young mans peace , By sending in exchange of Pris'ners twaine : And even then a noble * * Sir Will . Cole . friend below , Had late redeem'd him from his thrall and woe . 61. Thus once more were his Children in his sight , Eleven once , now five the number left : And thanks be giv'n to that good God of might , Which brought such ease to heart full deeply cleft . But then they had such want of livelyhood , ☜ His Sonnes to England went to seek their food . 62. For now it was the time of a Cessation , Long sought by th' Irish , and at length accorded , Which brought to some a very short Collation , Amongst the rest it nought to them afforded . His Lieutenant he sent with Children three , His Daughters two remain'd , * * Irish phrase , poore Cramacrees . 63. For he was then design'd to carry o're Some men to England , as it was projected , Which made him send his people so before , In hope that there they might have been protected . But once more as they past upon the Seas , ☜ They Pris'ners were againe at little ease . 64. And he himselfe now ready was for fare . With Men and Armes to follow on the chase ; But Ships within our Harbour brought new care , And blockt us up for running further race . ☞ Thus wheel'd about , for Children making mone , At length he License had to goe alone . 65. Alone , I meane , without or Men or Armes , With Daughters two , he went to seek the rest , Praying our God them shield from further harmes , For he it is by whom we must be blest . Now after all these sad and heavy Tales , Their Vessell shortly brought them to South-Wales . 66. Two of his Boyes he found upon that Coast , A friendly * * Capt. Weston and his wife . Couple took the third away : He was the youngest whom they tendred most , Not having of their owne wherewith to play : A Lad for feature might attend a Prince , ☞ Where he is , God knowes , wee never saw him since . 67. Here was he brought before the Admirall , For that a Souldier he was deem'd to be , And then presented to th' Major-Generall , A very worthy gallant man was he ; And had withall as generous a wife , ☞ As I have ever knowne in all my life . 68. This gentle Lady , and with her * * Mistris Cannon . another , Took both his Daughters with such kinde respect , None could doe more , except it were a mother ; Such goodnesse doe these Countrey folke affect : If others blanch , we speak what we have found , We never set our feet on kinder ground . 69. But now into the Army he must goe , For so he will that there commands the Seas ; Whatsoe're he thinks , 't is bootlesse to say no , He is in hands that may doe what they please . And now againe his heart strange passion feeles , Yet goe he must , or else may goe by th' heeles . 70. Yet sure these two * * Major Gen. Laughorne . Captaine Swanley . were very worthy men , The one by Land , the other on the Sea , They soon contriv'd employment for him then , He used there that time no other plea. But when he had well look'd into the Cause , He thought it hard that subjects should give Lawes . ☜ 71. Things were too high for him to understand , He could not see good reason for these broyles , That thus infested this unhappy land , And hook't us into such unwelcome toyles . Yet while he stayed , he did refuse no duty , But had no skill to plunder , or get booty . ☜ 72. To pay the Souldier Money there was none ; Alack poore Countrey-folke what have you done ? He thought it better farre for to be gone , Then thus upon your score so deep to run . For truth to tell in briefe , by fraud or force , So ●●…k you neither Sheep , nor Cow , or Horse , ☜ 73. Thus Service done , he once more License had , With him and his againe to crosse the Seas ; The way by land at that time was but bad , And they that ventur'd found but little ease : By long and irksome Sea about they came To London , where they found untoward game . 74. Such way was cast for them to seek Arreare , The like I thinke was never yet invented , It put them to such trouble and such feare , Some fret and fume , some sigh , and all lamented . At length it comes from Cloak to Welch-mans Button , But findes them neither Pottage , Beefe , or Mutton . ☜ 75. Then back to Ireland he imployment sought , As was most proper where he lost his Lands , Where Wife and Children dyed , one sister caught , And cruell murdered by the Rebells hands , ☞ Another stript of all he cloathes and goods , As she past through the Irish Rogges and Woods . 76. Some people jealous , doth not us confide , They thinke we are not fit to serve their turne , Th' our Integrity hath been often t y'd , When Townes and Houses 'bout our eares did burne , ☞ Or whether it be to confound the Monarchy , And raise in stead thereof confus'd Anarchy . 77. Peece of a Souldier he is from his youth , In Low-Countries , Denmarke , and in Ireland ; Then who can him detract not sparing truth : None will I 'me sure but some hellish Fire-brand , That goes about to wrack both Church and State , Confounded will they be that truth doe hate . ☞ 78. Yet promise upon promise he hath had , As if some good to him they did intend , But with delay enough to make one mad , Nor can he yet procure successefull end . ☞ Commission on Commission he obtain'd , Yet on such termes , as nought by them he gain'd . 79. His Sonne hath in this Army served truely , In Wales and Ireland from his tender age ; His Pay from him detained is unduely , Since he for Ireland likewise did engage . Though they have waited till they pawn'd their Coat , ☞ Hee 's forc'd to goe ( poore youth ) with ne're a Groat . 80. Part of their owne yet give , if you have heart , Himselfe and Children left , alive too keep , And doe it soon , for now it is your part To make them smile that long have cause to weep . Thus have you heard a story of more woe , Then that of Iuliet and Romeo . FINIS .