An Elegy on the death of the old East India Company who died of a wound she receiv'd from a patent, value two millions. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription B21603 of text R29972 in the English Short Title Catalog. Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 29KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 9 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 B21603 Wing E399 ocm 11229748

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 eng East India Company -- Anecdotes eebo An Elegy on the death of the old East India Company : who died of a wound she receiv'd from a patent, value two millions. n/a 1699 18 4267 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A This text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. 2014-02 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2014-08 Sampled and proofread 2014-08 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2015-03 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF THE Old East-India Company . Who Died of a Wound she receiv'd from a PATENT , value Two Millions .

crowned blazon or coat of arms of the British royal family, flanked by a crowned lion and unicorn IE MAINTIENDRAY

W. R.

HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE

LONDON : Printed for the Author in the Year 1699.

The Preface .

AS the following Poem is likely to give offence to some Gentlemen who are concern'd in it , so they may make enquiry perhaps after the reasons which perswaded me to attempt it : for no person , who has an Ounce of Brains but will conclude from my Poetry , that I have subscrib'd no Thousands to the English Company , and will take it for granted that I should scarce traffick in Metre , had I wherewithal to trade in a more valuable Commodity . Therefore to make 'em something of amends for the displeasure I may have created , I shall acquaint the Reader , that as I have no Interest in the Success of the New Company , but what every Englishman , who has a love for his Country , should have , so I have no occasion to write out of Envy to the Old , whose ill management has brought 'em to such a low condition as rather to deservemy Pity . The designs of some , and the practices of others , are Arguments sufficient to prevail with the Reader to excuse me in the Satyrical Part ; and I have no bodies pardon to ask for my defaults in the Pangyrical , but those Gentlemen's whose Characters I have fail'd in . To give being to an establishment which was thought impracticable by the mighty opposition which was made against it , to raise Two Millions almost in Two Days , after along and expensive War ; to give so large an assistance to the Prince without burthening the Subject , are Actions deserving the utmost acknowledgments of the present Age , as they will engross the Wonder of those which are to come ; and I should have dwell'd longer on so agreeable a Subject , and made more particular mention of the several Patriots concern'd in it , had I not been confin'd within certain Limits , and assur'd it would be as well taken without . I could have almost wish'd I had said nothing in particular of the two Gentlemen whose Names I have made boldwith , having since heard of their Aversion to things of that nature . To do good I am given to understand is their particular qualification , without being willing to be told of it , and their Vertues are communicative enough of themselves , without theintermediate conveyance of a Muse ; but they must excuse me if I propose that to the Veneration of others , which I pay the greatest deference to , my self , and shew what the Force of such uncommon Excellencies is , when I cannot forbear the recital of 'em , tho I am forewarn'd it will be displeasing to them . The Characters I have injur'd Them in , may give the Reader an insight into the Vertues of the rest of the Honourable Directors , who are Co-Partners with 'em in the same Undertaking ; And one of the Reasons I had for making use of their Names , besides the many others , is because they were Candidates for Members of Parliament for this City ; whose Majority I believe by this time will agree with me , that they would have had fewer Grievances to be redress'd , in relation to Trade , had these attain'd to that Dignity which they ought to have courted 'em to . But tho the Old Company has got the Advantage of the New , in having the Citizens make choice of their Members , yet the New has outwitted the Old in prevailing for the greatest Majority ; And the Leaden-hall Society would give the World occasion to think more favourably of their Intellects , if instead of Caballing against 'em , they would enter into a Joint Stock with 'em , and prefer an amicable Agreement before Bills in Parliament , which so pitiful a diversion as a Tyger-Baiting , can render ineffectual . But I begin to take the business of a Politician upon me , when the Reader has reason to suspect I have employment enough on my hands to shew my self a Poet . I shall therefore let him loose to his Sentiments , and acquaint him , that tho the Conduct of the Poem may not please him , I have all the satisfaction imaginable as to the Subject which occasion'd it , and shall have no reason to find fault with the success of it , if it has but an Entertainment from their hands , whose diversion it 's design'd for .

AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF THE Old East-India Company . Who died of a Wound she receiv'd from a PATENT , value Two Millions . FAte has prevail'd , and cross'd 'em in their labours , And Leaden-Hall must lose her Leaden Neighbours . Their Gums , their Silks , their Muslins , & their Spices Cannot revoke what 's owing to their Vices : Nor the rich Tavistock with all her lading Make up their Breaches , or support their Trading , Which bends its head , and yeilding to declension Defies their Advocates sublime invention , To find out Ways to make Grim Death forbear 'em , Tho skill'd in matters Legum Romanarum : Or from his dusky Codes and Digests , tell 'em How to prevent the Mischiefs which befell ' em . The Gown was ready , and the learn'd Civilian Thought of no lesser Gains than half a Million : For sure , to teach a sooty thick-scull'd Prince , And beat into his head both Law and Sense , Should make his Sun-burn'd Majesty be Grateful , And fill his Pockets , who had fill'd his Pate full . His Pension too was fix'd , and promise made him , Whene're they had the mony , 't should be paid him ; Which made folks think ( and reason good ) he 'd ne'r Have English Coin for taking Indian Air . For I must ask , and crave the Doctor's Mercy , Tho he has made a very Witch of Circe , If I believe , and stand to my Position , That his Sagacious Worship 's no Magician : Nor could he ( tho I must his Knowledge own ) Make those to pay him mony who had none . But lo ! damn'd Fortune , worse than Nesmond's Shipping , Who often times had set 'em all a weeping , And made wise Governour , and learn'd Directors , Curse Adm'ralty for being such Neglecters , To let that bold , ungracious , Popish Marquiss , Not only gut their Ships , but take their Carkass : She , she , I say , a most perfidious Trull , Unwilling that Mahometan Mogul Should have a Lawyer for his Tutor , brought Things so about , that matters came to nought ; And the fine Robe which he was to appear in , To make his learned Speech , and get a Hearing , Was laid aside , to let this Truth be known , That tho he did not go , he would have gone . Tho most imagine the next Sale will tell ( If e're they should have Goods again to sell ) How it went off : for should they give their Votes To keep the Gown , they e'en must sell their Coats . But Muse , take heed of Scandal , and forbear ; Some of these men have slept within the Chair ; Have cough'd in Fur , and have on Custards fed , When thou , perhaps , hast made a Meal of Bread ; Their Chiefs are Aldermen , their Rulers Knighted , And their swoln bags forbid 'em to be slighted . Their Wives are modest , and their Daughters fair , Or thou at least must wisely say they are ; Their Husbands active , and their Fathers sound , If thou would'st have no Bill against thee found : For ev'n Sir Bartholomew's , nor Northey's Wit Can save a Poet from an angry Cit . Yet thou may'st sing what they have been , and dare Ev'n to disclose , and tell us what they are : How in their great Fore-fathers deeds they shine , How in their Own they falter and decline : As those gave birth to that which these destroy . And make that Trade our grief , which was their Joy . Oh! had these trod the Paths which those pursu'd , Neglecting private Ends for publick Good , Ganges had still her shining Treasures sent , And Nile renew'd what by the Thames was spent ! But Prayers are fruitless , and Petitions vain , Where Avarice , and want of Judgment Reign ; Where upright dealings yeild to base designs , And Fraud with Ignorance consents and joyns ; Britannia sees her Thames his wealth reside In Belgick Lands , and in the Texel ride , As Her industrious Sons pursue their Toil , And perfect that which Hers had learn'd to spoil . Such wrongs as these , and such abuses , made England almost unknown to England's Trade , And call'd for help , which few could give , but those Who caus'd her fall , and by her falling rose . Yet some there were ( and sure Augusta must Have some amongst her Sons both Rich and Just ) Whose wealth , whose goodness , and whose wisdom strove To make their Deeds co-equal with their Love , And put in practice what before was brought To its full time , and labour'd in their thought . With Grief they saw , and studied to reclaim A Traffick which had almost lost its Name , As it had thro its Rulers fingers run , Sunk from Seven Hundred down to Forty One . But how could Art , or healing Med'cines give Assistance to those Men who would not live ? Their blood was tainted , and th' infectious part Had seiz'd their Vitals , and had storm'd their heart ; Yet deaf to Counsels , and in Fancy strong , They fed themselves with hopes of living long , Refus'd their proffers to dislodge the Guest Which had enthron'd it self within their breast , And hugg'd their pangs , unknowing of the Cheat , Till Life had quitted its Imperial Seat . Thus the Consumptive Patient , tho he pines , And in all Eyes but in his own declines , Buoys up himself with Life , and will not hear , That Death approaches , and his End is near . In vain the learn'd Physician tells his state , And warns him of the certainty of Fate : He boasts of Strength , and flatters his Disease , Which pulls unseen , and bends him by degrees , Till Death comes on him , petulant and weak , And snaps that thread he thought she could not break . But as the Deluge whose avengeful Rage Nor Mountains stopp'd , nor Valleys could asswage , Tho it advanc'd its Head o're Hills and Woods , Which Man had climb'd for shelter from its floods , Yet Man destroy'd , whose sinful Race had err'd , Heav'n bad the Waves withdraw , and EARTH was spar'd , To be re-peopled , and with Natives fill'd , Who what they sinn'd upon , manur'd and till'd . So tho the Traders were deceas'd , the Trade By which they fell , was not so much decay'd , But skillful hands might raise her , and might give Such help as midst her Ruins she might live . This was the State in which the Wretch was left , Of all things but the signs of Life bereft . Stripp'd and divested on the Ground she laid , Lost to her hopes , and to the Name of Trade ; When Heav'n , who Succour to th' afflicted sends , And gives 'em various helps , for various Ends , Rais'd her Deliv'rers , and Assistants gave , Who should advance what they were sent to save : The Rich Man's Treasure , and the wise Man's Sense United , and appear'd in Her Defence : And what the City by her Sons had mov'd , The Senate and consenting Court approv'd . Bold were their Thoughts , and daring to surprize , Who first adventur'd in her Cause to rise , Who tempted Fate , and ev'ry hazard run , To perfect what we could not think begun . Dangers they shew'd themselves , and threatning ills Withstood their Labours , and oppos'd their skills ; But what were ills or dangers to disswade Minds resolute for Means to give her Aid ? They heard the pains the mournful wretch endur'd , And wept , and came , and saw , and she was cur'd . And now the Dame establish'd in her health , Enjoy's her former Greatness , and her Wealth : Strong are her Nerves , and wholsome is her Blood , Which swells , and bears around the purple flood , As strength returns to its deserted Post , And fills that Seat again which it had lost . Courted by Plenty see her Navies ride , Whilst Royal Fleets submit to be their Guide , And Nereus gives attendance through the Main , His Song foretelling their return and gain ! How pros'prous Gales shall drive 'em through the deep , And Neptune save whom he was charg'd to keep . How they shall India's harbours safely reach And her astonish'd Sons shall croud the breach , So see 'em land the Patriot on the Shore , Sent to give Peace , and Friendship to restore , Which Minds injurious to the Publick broke , Disdaining conscience , and its Sacred Yoak . How the fam'd Prince whose pow'rfull Scepter sways Where e'er the Eastern Sun extends its Rays , Shall rise with joy and Run to his Embrace , Reading his Master's Honours in his Face , As He with fresh Endearments Treats his guest , And makes the grant precede his just request , Preventing what he 'll ask ; by what he 'll give , His Task too great , if only to receive . Indians and English both alike shall share The Monarchs Favour , and employ his care , And Brittain's wise Embassador obtain Not only leave to Trade but almost reign . Commerce shall spread it self along the Coast , And Norris shall regain what Child had lost . These are the Truths the Tunefull God reveals , And this the Man for whom he raptures feels . Whose single worth might Challenge all our lays And ever give employment to our Praise , Should Numbers follow , or should verse pursue The deeds which he has done and yet shall do . But if he claims our wonder and esteem , What should they have who made his worth our Theme ? Who sent him forth to be the Muse's care , And to provoke her praise , and urge her Pray'r ? Shepherd , to Thee her earliest vows belong , To Thee her tender'st wishes and her song , Thy Wealth provided , and thy Counsels gave Being to what his bus'ness is to save . Just were thy Thoughts and noble thy designs , Unfeign'd thy goodness as unfeign'd these lines , Thy Mind unerring , and thy judgment strong , Flowing thy Fortunes as thy flowing Tongue , Moving thy voice , and powerfull was thy pray'r , Deserving what it gain'd , a Senate's care , Whose upright votes secur'd the Nations ease , And learn'd from Thee to give , and yet to please , Ten years , for Peace , the conqu'ring Prince had fought , And grasp'd at last the Laurels which he sought ; Ten years , the Nation's wealth and blood were spilt , Attoning for her own and other's Guilt , Though now her antient greatness she revives , And gains immortal Honours for their Lives . The Prince had done what courage could inspire , What mightiest hands could act , or hearts desire , What Subjects could deserve , or Monarch shew , Whose Realms were faithfull as himself was true : The People they with Gifts incessant strove , Unwearied in their bounty as their Love , Millions on Millions chearfully were paid , To purchase and ensure their promis'd aid , As their Obedience with His wants comply'd And Duty gave what Poverty deny'd . Yet more was wanting to our Peace restor'd , The Fruits of what we gave , and of His Sword , To fix His labours , and our gifts compleat , And make that Work as lasting , as 't was great . What Method should they chuse , or Measures take ? One they must help , or t'other must forsake ; Here , Gratitude prevail'd for dangers past , There , Love perswaded not to give too fast ; As they divided in Opinion stood , And weigh'd their Sov'raign's honour with their Country's good . When Thou stepst forth for Brittains ease prepar'd , And speaking , wast receiv'd as soon as heard , While listning Senates dwell'd upon Thy voice , And bless'd thy Tongue , and made thy wish their choise , Which taught 'em wise instructions to receive , And giving to enrich , and not to greive . Yet though thy deeds superior to the praise Which verse can give , or Admiration raise , Might challenge Fame , and ev'ry Muse invite To sing of what should ev'ry Muse delight , Heat hoot has Merits which have right to claim Honours as lasting as shall be thy Name ; Which stand enroll'd in vertue's list , and climb Eternity , and dare the Teeth of Time . And if a Mind above the common arts To seek our praises , or to gain our hearts , If actions undisguis'd , and human thoughts Almost without the stain of human faults , If Godlike knowledg for the Wise may plead , Or Modesty to Fame 's accesses lead , Ages shall cease to be , and Time shall wear No marks of what we 've been , and what we are ; Remembrance shall no more her leav's unfold , And point us out the Great , the Good , and Bold , When Truth like his immoveable and strong , Shall urge no Muse and shall enforce no song , Which down to times unborn his worth shall bear , And make them practice , what the present share . Oh! Had these two their due regards obtain'd , And vertue compass'd what she should have gain'd ! Then had Augusta's choise her Justice shewn , And spoke their goodness , and reveal'd her Own . Her Sons had flourish'd , and her Daughter's cause Had found relief , as they had found her Laws , Useful to Both , accepted by the State , As her wise Members spoke as well as sate . But why alas ! Do I untimely greive , And wish her bless'd , who blessings won't receive ? Vain are my hopes , though Provident my thoughts , Augusta still will have Augusta's faults ; Faction will reign , and Loyalty subdue , As false opinions side against the True , As Sects and Heats to Meekness we prefer And they are best esteem'd who most can err . Forgive , Dread Muse , that I thy Rules transgress , And almost curse a City which I 'd bless , That I got loose from Paths appointed stray , And own no Method , and no Laws obey , As I from Duty , and my Subject led , Reprove the living , who should blame the dead . Oh! bring me back by thy resistless Force , And stop my Progress , and divert my Course , As I pursuing Measures Thou hast taught , Make what I like my Theme , not what I ought . And lo ! I to the Task thou Gav'st return , And sing those dead whose Death I cannot mourn : Tho Great 's their loss , yet little are our Fears , And They must take my Verse without my Tears . Yonder , behold , the sad Companions lie , And — with his Inch of Candle by , To light 'em thro the Mansions of the Dead , As dark as is their Ruler's Visage red , Whose well-fed Carcass , and whose bloated Jaws , Shew him not starv'd , altho he starv'd their Cause . Close by his side , beyond Description , lies An Old Grey Fox as sinful as precise ; Proud in his Heart , yet popular , and low , The City's Friend , because the Courtier's Foe . Two Monarchs had th' audacious Wretch oppos'd , And feign'd Religion , and with Faction clos'd , Prepar'd , and ready , with Sedition's Herd , To cast his Jealous Murmurs at a Third ; Could Envy fasten , or could Malice feign A Blemish in a Mind which knew no Stain . Tho the Good Prince for Europe's Freedom born , Redress'd what in pretence he seem'd to mourn ; Shelter'd from Justice his devoted Head , And brought him to a Land from which he fled . Else he in banishment had spent his time , And liv'd a Sinner in a Sinful Clime . The rest are spread promiscuous on the Ground , And the clapp'd Cit is levell'd with the Sound : All are alike without distinction laid , And take possession of one common Bed . Yet Means were offer'd , tho those Means were late , To stop the Progress of approaching Fate ; And some would keep the Company from sinking Ev'n at the charge and vast Expence of — thinking . A Merchant came to hold her Drooping Head , And told her he had learn'd to write and read , And could distinguish compound words from simple , Else might he never more encourage Pimple . Madam , said He , in this forlorn condition , What think's your Ladyship of Co-alition ? T is a hard word , 't is true , and without question Exceeding difficult for your digestion : But its Effects are good , and Vertues sure ; T will give you health , when nothing else can cure . The sick Society return'd and cry'd , The Med'cine's good ; I 'll have it strait apply'd . And things had soon put on another face , If He had been sincere as He was base . Her COOPER came when call'd to stop her Leak , And vow'd he 'd Dye next Sessions but he 'd speak ; Yes marry would He , 't was a burning shame Such Fops and Fools should tamper with his Dame . My Son ( said she ) continue thy Repute ; And if thou 'dst keep the Name thou 'st got , be Mute ; Least thou be found to lessen in desert , And speaking , should'st be known for what thou art . Her Parson came , and in a fright besaught her That she would please to Dye the Church's Daughter . And since his Reverence had grounds to fear Her Conscience was not over-nice or clear , He begg'd the liberty that he might say her A side or two of wholesome Common-Prayer . And out he pull'd his Book , and fell a reading Without her leave for any such Proceeding . Vile Priest ( said she ) impertinently rude , Why am I thus amidst my pains pursu'd ? Thy Prayers are useless , and thy Counsels vain ; And nothing comes from thee but what 's prophane . Whilst deaf to Friendship , and Alliance blind , No Vows can move thee , and no ties can bind . As swoln with ease , and in Opinion great , Thou shew'st the Priest in nothing but his hate . Go to thy Brother , further his Repose And cease to widen that which thou should'st close : Then shall kind Heav'n prevail'd with to restore What thou hast lost , give ear , and not before . More she had spoke , but falter'd as she try'd , And turn'd , and struggled with her Pangs , and dy'd . So Wizards when their time contracted's spent , And their Commission 's void which Hell had lent ; With ghastly looks amidst Convulsions fall , Tho on their Gods for longer life they call . Fate does its work , nor are the Charmers heard , But Dye unpity'd , who were Living fear'd . FINIS .