Eubulus. Or A free and loyal discourse To His Sacred Majesty, by one of His most faithfull subiects.

1 HE that from all Eternity , Was ever in himself most blest , Great , glorious , mightie , wise and just , And shall the same for ever be : He that to Time a day did lend , And set the Term when it shall end ; That shall the world in ashes bury : He that the happy Angels made To sing his praise , and laid the pride Of Divels in Dungeons in his fury . 2 He that could with a word create , This All so glorious in our sight , That out of darkness could draw light , And to the Sea her limits set : He , whose ( even meanest ) works are wonders , Whose look is lightning , words are thunders , Who Heaven doth roul , Earth's center shakes : He that of dust frail man did frame , To bear his Image , bless his Name , And pleasure in his Creatures takes . 3 He that the Seasons doth dispense , Makes fertile fields and barren wombs , That shall rouse Tyrants from their Tombs , With flames their faults to recompense : He by whom Kings are more then men , That casts down and sets up again : He that of Sheep-hooks Scepters makes : He that for Prince and Peoples sins , With judgments at his Church begins , His Children never quite forsakes . 4 He that is only wise and just , Who laughs all human wit to scorn : He that provides for the unborn , And lays proud greatness in low dust ; To punish sin and peoples pride , Whose fullness casts his fear aside ; To follow sense ( as we have done , ) When wickedness is at the height , His heavy hand full sore doth light , On those that such strange courses run . 5 Great Charls thy patience proves this true , How States with changes tossed are , And Crowns are crush'd in civil War : When Treason dare her deeds avow : When bold Rebellion breaketh out In armed bands , and madly stout , Shakes off all fear of God and Man : When people dare a right pretend To curb their King , their crimes defend , At these thy sufferings first began . 6 A heavy Tempest of Heavens wrath , Now long hath toss'd thy troubled state , First setting Kingdoms at debate , Where force doom'd innocence to death , While might made right , and loyalty Was treason in the high'st degree ; While to be honest was a crime ; While Schismaticks and Sectaries , More knaves then fools , preach'd tales and lies To gull the simple serve the time . 7 When proud sedition gave the Law , And banish'd justice left the Land ; When force had got the upperhand , And tyranny the sword did draw To kill the Just , and made a prey Of all that did not like their way ; When Temples were to stables turn'd ; When to serve God , and love the King , Did undelayed ruine bring ; When Rogues did rule and good men mourn'd . 8 Whil'st mutin'd members did conspire Against the head , and day was night ; Whil'st right was wrong , and black was white , Hell blowing up seditions fire ; Whil'st God's pure worship was defac'd , His Messengers depos'd , disgrac'd , Or martyr'd for the truth they preach'd ; While Racks and Gibbets did proclaim The danger to invoke his name , And heresie the height had reach'd . 9 Where poor seduced souls were led , In by-paths to Despair and Death , By the infected stinking breath Of Priests , who them with poison fed : When Moses Chair , was made the Stool Of wickedness ; the Church , a School Of Schism to check the Lord's anointed : When Sacraments were banish'd quite , And every Coblar claim'd a right To preach the Gospel , as appointed . 10 When private interest and pride , Cloak'd with false zeal , by furies driven , Pretended still the right of Heaven , Wrong'd in their cause , with them would side . When ( O what wickedness ! ) a few , The Levites tongues and people drew , To blame thy Sire , and bind his hands , And in a blessed Reformation , Stirr'd up the strength of either Nation , To violate His just Commands . 11 When servants ( bought ) their trust betraid , And Judas like their Master sold ; When insolence grew madly bold , And poor plain-dealing lurk'd afraid ; When wealth was sought by hook and crook ; When Rascals from the rich men took Their well got substance , with pretence , They were Delinquents , Royalists , And underhand did Charls assist , Whil'st no such zeal was their offence . 12 When Jack and Tom , now Cor'nels made , Leaving the Needle and the Aul , Had learn'd to look big in the Hall , When they were with Commissions clad To press the Peers , the people plague , Whose patience still must bear and beg ; As burthens daily did increase , Whil'st liberty was still pretended , But slavery was the thing intended , And Fines refin'd did never cease . 13 When those familiar spirits , Spies , Did haunt each honest man and house , And first in free discourse brake loose T' accuse the times and then tell lies ; When friends and neighbours durst not meet Without suspicion in full street , And conversation was debarr'd ; When looks were censured , words were wrest , Thoughts judg'd , where nothing was exprest , What Inquisition was so hard ? 14 Old Fable tells a pretty Tale , The Danes about to chuse a King , When interest did great disputes bring , Most voices must at last prevail , The first thing that came in the room , Should be invested in the Crown , Be what it would ( Chance sent a Dog , ) Him they receiv'd ; and England so Cri'd up a Cur , who did o'rthrow All Rights and ruled like a Rogue . 15 But 't was the goodness of our God , That did thy Sacred Person save , When Rebels swords had digg'd thy Grave , And made thee seek thy home abroad ; Till that unlucky Viprous brood , That had imbrew'd the Lands in blood , Did fall a biting one another ; And he that did thy life preserve For better daies , doth yet reserve Blessings for thee , these wrongs to smother . 16 He that in all these Civil broils , From Rebels fury rescu'd thee , Still to preserve a Royalty , Though thy just cause had many foils ; Would thereby teach thee not to trust To th' arm of flesh , which is but dust ; And men whose hands and hearts do fail , When fear or interest , wife and friends , Preach they should have no other ends , But hold the party doth prevail . 17 That Storm ( thanks be to God ) is past , The Clouds are cleer'd , the Day doth smile , Though we have been oppress'd a while , Our prayers have prevail'd at last ; And though our sins deserved more , God's Mercy infinite in store , Hath whipp'd us with a Fathers hand ; We were a wicked generation , Deserving utter extirpation , And to be spew'd out of the Land . 18 That Hydra which thy Lands did wast , Lies choaked in his stinking gore ; Thy people whom his fury tore , Now sing to see their sorrows past ; Thy sight to them new life doth lend , Their prayers do thy steps attend ; Heavens hear their wishes all for thee , Their loyal hearts just hopes do raise Of happy Halcyonian daies , In thy bless'd Reign and Life to see . 19 The Spirit of deceit and lies , Which cunning knaves did long profess , The weaker vulgar to possess , And warranted their villanies ; Is now departed from those men , That durst God's Oracles prophane , To make him Complice of their crimes ; Though his long patience let them preach Schism , Nonsence , and Allegiance breach , Yet did his soul abhor the times . 20 While Piety pretended most The Clergies greatness to reform , Which rais'd the sad and wofull storm , That so much Christian blood hath cost , Power was the point of their ambition , Who aiming at a high condition , Involv'd the Church and State in bloud ; And that they might their ends attain , Did Heaven and holy things prophane , Yet ne'r could reach't do what they would . 21 Now those black birds of night are fled , The stinking Harpies , whose foul claws Did stain God's Altars , tore thy Laws , Lurk in dark holes of light afraid : Those black mouth'd Curs that barked late , The Mastive gards of monstrous State , The Lions look hath frighted so , They see no safety here for them , Their consciences their deeds condemn , And they to Hell will headlong go . 22 The Fogs are clear'd that choaked late The soundest Subjects wholsom breath , Whose honest bosoms drew in death From poisned air the steem of State , Whil'st all thy Courts corrupted were , And Justice Seat was made a snare T' intrap the harmless innocent , Now in thy long wish'd happy Reign Astrëa shall return again , And Honesty from banishment . 23 The judgments of our God are just , And we had merited far more , But 't was his mercy that forbore To plague our Riot , Pride , and Lust . Both Prince and People , Church and State , Had forfeit in offences great , Lull'd in a Lethargy of sin . All what we dream'd or did desire , Did but add fuell to that fire We rais'd , to fall our selves therein . 24 And since his mercy did forbear , The measure of our faults to pay ; The dawn of thine approaching day , Hath struck these Baals Priests with fear , No counterfeit Enthousiasts , Whose gifts but with their yawning lasts , Have dar'd to whean or sigh among us ; Their words drawn out with feigned grones And tears , to take the simple ones , Have no more charms nor power to wrong us . 25 Rise then , fair Sun , from that dark Cloud , Which did eclipse thy growing light , And shine in vertues glory bright , Great Charls , our hope of whom we 're proud , Let Justice led by Clemency , Thy Cabin Counsellers still be , To cherish vertue , punish vice ; So shall thy greatness gain the name Of Just , and spread thy noble fame , As far as Suns do set and rise . 26 Now Palms thy Palaces shall deck , And Olives bind thy sacred brows ; The furthest Clims that Titan knows , To thee shall Suppliants direct , And beg thy Subjects they may be , Their faith ingage , take Laws from thee , And in their Fanes thy statues raise : While Britain bless'd in thine abode , Shall laugh at all the World abroad , To see at home new golden daies . 27 To thee God's Priests shall prostrate come , Who late in silent sighs did mourn , T'injoy their prayers glad return ; Since Heavens have haply brought thee home , The altars of true hearts now smoke With thanks and praise , while they invoke His holy name to bless thy Reign ; And now their wishes crave no more , But that the God whom all adore , May long thy lawfull power maintain . 28 Now peace and plenty in our land , Shall make the furrows flow with gold , The hills and dales our flocks shall fold ; Our cloaths in heaps laid on the strand , Shall fraught whole Fleets to forraign shores , Where all the World our woll adores , And for them change their richest ware ; Our Ships the Oceans back shal plough Till Neptune groan , to make him know Thou art the only Soveraign there . 29 The Worlds fast and vast continent , Divided in strange Colonies , In Empires , States and Monarchies , With jars and factions torn and rent , Shall fear thy force and mighty power , Not knowing whom thou 'l first devour , If once thine anger kindled be ; And to prevent their ruine sure , Shall strive who may be first secure , By begging of thine amity . 30 When neighbour Kings fall at debate , In Battels rang'd their cause to plead ; Before the fields see any dead , Thy wisedom shall their rage abate , And reconcile their rancune so , That both shall to thy verdict ow Their Crowns , and what they do possess ; The Heathen hearing but thy name , Shall on their Altars grave the same , And worship thee whom Heavens bless . 31 Now shall thy World-divided Isle Boast of more fair and happy daies , Then those where Titan's hotter rays Of Spices smel , on Pearls do smile : Thy gracious influence , shall give Religion vigour to revive , And raise up honour from the dust : By thee our Rights shall be maintain'd , Our Goods restor'd which force detain'd , And Power shall be no more unjust . 32 Religion rent in rags , and torn By Schisms , fanatick fools and knaves , Who sought to keep the people slaves , And made God's service Gospels scorn ; Now begging thy protection comes , When Bels do ring in stead of Drums ; And Prayers incense needs no matches , Nor pikes , to push her forward zeal , For she to Heaven did still appeal , In midst of all her gards and watches . 33 The poor oppressed Innocent , Who for their Loyalty did smart , And must with lands and livings part To save their lives in banishment ; Whose goods were seased as they fled , Their wives and children beggars made ; Themselves for hunger starv'd abroad , Now by thy Justice hope to be , Restor'd to lands and liberty , And praying for thee , praise our God . 34 Heavens now have chang'd the times ; and men That change with times , have chang'd their notes ; Those that spew'd gall from pois'ned throats , Now sing thy praises loud again . Can greater glory gild a Prince ? Or greater shame his foes convince ; Then when those mouths that curs'd him late , Now pray for his prosperity , And give themselves , themselves the ly ? No Conquest ever was so great . 35 Great Charls , who from the glorious Race Of Gathel draws thy long descent , Which hundred and ten Kings hath lent To Fergus Throne thy stem to grace ; Fear thou that God by whom Kings reign , Thy Subjects shall fear thee again ; And he that did the Heavens frame , Though he hath curb'd thine Ancestours , And us , for their great sins and ours , On thine shall fix the Diadem . 36 And as Heavens favour hath more free Shin'd on thy Throne then other States , Which forraign force , homebred debates , Have chang'd from what they wont to be ; Since Scepters have transferred been To strangers , as all lands have seen , And Royal Races rooted out ; Adore that power by whom Kings reign , Fear him , his worship pure maintain ; So shall thy life be blest , ne'r doubt . 37 Let now thy care and study be , The Church to purge of Sects and Schism , The Court of Vice and Atheism ; And Justice Seats of Bribery ; Let vagabonds and idle men , Betake them to their Trades again , And by their honest labours live ; Who will not work , ought not to eat , Drones must not feed on others sweat , The Law must them their measure give . 38 Kings are from God for blessings given , Not only people to command , But to be fathers to the Land , By love to make all things go even ; And when their Children do transgress In misdemeanours , more or less , With wisedom weighing the offence , To measure out the punishment , Or pardon , when they do repent , Their power such favour may dispense . 39 Kings are called Gods on earth , and why ? Not that their bodies more then men Of heavenly substance point out them : No , they are mortal , born to die . 't is that great Justice that doths hine In him , whom God by choice divine , Hath marked out above the rest To sway the Scepter , draw the sword , God's image fair , the Soveraign Lord , Whom Might and Majesty invest . 40 't is not a Crown that makes a King , That but decores his sacred head , A mark of Soveraignty and dread , 't is love that doth obedience bring ; The Scepter doth but shew his power , His Justice doth confirm it more , And keeps his Subjects in just aw ; By which his people plainly see That God hath set him up , to be His Lievtenant , the speaking Law . 41 The fear that doth from love proceed , When Mercy doth with Justice reign , And Kings their Subjects rights maintain , A reverence in their hearts doth breed ; And is a guard more strong by far , Then armed Bands of Men of War , Which are but marks of Majesty ; For love alone secureth States , And Kings may sleep with open gates , Whose Subjects hearts their Watch-men be . 42 As God hath set the King on high , And put the Helm into his hand To steer the State , and stedfast stand In storms where unseen dangers ly , That he may keep a constant course , Wisedom as needfull is as force , And knowledge given him from above , If he do alwaies meditate That study of the Sea of State , His voyage prosperous shall prove . 43 As knowledge doth a King become , And maketh him most like his Maker ; Yet to make him of Heaven pertaker , 't is zeal that must accomplish him . True piety a Prince commends , A fiery squadron him defends , That makes his God his help and hope , No fierce nor fraud his conscience fears , His countenance a calm still bears , Whose ears to great and small are ope . 44 As lights on high , looks upward draw , So Princes lives are patterns made , To those that sit in lower shade , Who take example for a law : No Precept hath such power o'r men , To follow Vertue 's path , as when They see their King that rout doth hold ; The Country imitates the Court In fashions , faults , in life and sport , And great mens scapes makes meaner bold . 45 But that which most takes Subjects hearts , Whose service doth expect reward , Is when the King hath a regard To loyalty and just deserts ; When by his bounty he excites , The courage of aspiring sp'rites To serve his person and the State ; His hand must not be shut , yet free From lavish prodigality , Which doth vast Treasures dissipate . 46 Nor is that all , for men of merit , His favour must advance them higher , Valour new honours doth require , And wisedom place t' imploy the spirit ; When these two Pillars do support The Royal Throne , then 't is a Fort , A Cittadel of sure defence ; No forraign force , nor home-bred jars , Can shake it in the storm of Wars ; Such Bulwa●ks beat all harm from thence . 47 When vertue guards the Regal Throne , And Justice holds the Ballance even , When each one hath true measure given ; And persons are not look'd upon , Where favour doth not free the great , Nor power oppress the low estate , When poor and rich are heard alike ; When the stern Judge that reads the Laws , Sees not the party but the cause , And freely doth by sentence strike . 48 Sire , now that God hath given you power To vindicate those injuries , That Traitors , Rebels , Sectaries Heap'd up , your people to devour : Let your great mercy pardon all Who prostrate at your feet do fall , Or punish with deserved rods ; Some have been blinded , some were knaves , Those Heaven unto your Justice leaves ; But clemency makes Kings like Gods ▪ 49 To pardon is a Prince's glory , When crimes are capable of grace ; If wickedness do right outface , Then Laws must strike , though he be sorry . Our Saviour's mild example pray'd , It might not to their charge be laid , Whose ignorance doom'd him to die ; Those that 'gainst thee have forfeit most , Are in their own souls judgement lost , And from thy mercy's reach will fly . 50 Though in that Royal Race and Role , Of thy most glorious Ancestours , Whose meekness moderate their powers , And Clemency Fame doth extol ; The number doth exceed compare Of any Kings that ever were : Yet none doth match thy blessed Sire , His grace and mercy was so great , That as his soul all sin did hate , No sinner's death he did desire . 51 Thy life , great Charls , in thine exile , Hath taught thee by experience , Thy Royal favours to dispense ; On whom to frown , and where to smile , To judge of merit , service prise , Know men , and see with cleerer eys , Then those that take all things on trust , From others hearing and report , Whose lies are oft rewarded for 't , And make the King do things unjust . 52 From that foul poison that doth work On Princes , more then private men , And of all greatness is the bane , Though in fair shew it slily lurk , The Heavens preserve thy sacred ears , From sycophants and flatterers , Who seek to rise by others fall ; In choice of Favourites be wise , ( If you 'l have any ) vulgar eys By them will scan your actions all . 53 Since he who was your only trust , Hath heard your prayers , and the vows Of those whose honesty Heaven knows , Whose wishes still for you were just ; Since naked hearts have call'd you home , And Armies not as Ushers come To strew your way with slaughtered bones : Sire , thank that God that lov'd you so , That he a smoother way did shew , In shouts of joy to turn our grones . 54 That shame and fear have influence On men and times , none will deny , Since these are Touch-stones that do try The weak and worthy conscience : Even in the height of our disorders , When faith seem'd banish'd from our borders , And but small hopes appear'd for thee , Great Charls , thy matchless constancy , Did find a fast integrity In some that long'd thy face to see . 55 Our prayers , hopes and all our wishes , Heaven knows , did still reflect on thee , As the most precious Legacy He left ( his people ) whome time blesses : Go on , great King , God shall thee guide , His Providence that did provide For thee , in deep of our despair , Shall lead thee in that glorious way Of Kings that his just power obey , And all thy ruin'd Rights-repair . 56 Thrice happy is that Land , that sees Her Scepter sway'd by such a Prince , Whose life doth wickedness convince , Whose person with his place agrees ; Such have our wishes found in thee , Great Charls , by Heavens preserv'd , to be Our blessing , glory and defender , May we prove thankfull people then To God , and pay to thee again Th' obedience we are bound to render . 57 Heavens grant thee holy David's zeal , His valour and prosperity , In Wars success and victory , Their Oracles to thee reveal , The wisedom of his glorious son , And make thee Britains Salomon ; With honour crown thy sacred head ; Bless all thy great and good designs , And make thy Coffers flowing Mines , That all the Earth thy power may dread . 58 May Sea and Land thy Laws obey , When in thine own or Allies quarrel , Thy Standards do the fields apparel , And Armies make for Justice way : Protect thy friends from force and wrong , Restore what 's ravish'd by the strong , And render every one his own ; Let not thy kinsmen be oppress'd , But see their injuries redress'd , And pull usurping greatness down . 59 In God's pure worship keep us free From Innovations ( Faith's defender ) Mens consciences are weak and tender , Beleef will not constrained be : Let Church-men keep within their spheres , And meddle with no State affairs ; But preach as their profession binds them , Repentance , zeal , obedience To God and King , who can dispense His favours to them as he finds them . 7 So shall all happiness attend Thy gracious and long-wished reign ; Heavens blessings , like a fruitfull rain , Upon thy person shall descend ; Plenty and peace shall fill thy Lands , Thy Subjects love thy just commands , While thou defend'st the Church and State ; And all the neighbour World shall learn , Their different duties to discern , To Charls the Good and Charls the Great . VIVAT REX .