No sow-gelder did blow his horn
To geld a cat, but cried Reform.
The oyster-women lock'd their fish up,
And trudged away to cry No Bishop:540
The mouse-trap men laid save-alls by,
And 'gainst Ev'l Counsellors did cry.
Botchers left old clothes in the lurch,
And fell to turn and patch the church
Some cried the Covenant, instead 545
Of pudding-pies and ginger-bread:
And some for brooms, old boots, and shoes,
Bawl'd out to purge the Commons' House:
Instead of kitchen-stuff, some cry
A Gospel-preaching ministry:550
And some for old suits, coats, or cloak,
No Surplices, nor Service-book.
A strange harmonious inclination[1]
Of all degrees to Reformation:
And is this all? is this the end555
To which these carr'ings-on did tend?
Hath public faith, like a young heir,
For this tak'n up all sorts of ware,
And run int' every tradesman's book,
Till both turn'd bankrupts, and are broke?560
Did saints for this bring in their plate,[2]
And crowd, as if they came too late?
For when they thought the Cause had need on't,
Happy was he that could be rid on't.
Did they coin piss-pots, bowls, and flagons,565
Int' officers of horse and dragoons;
And into pikes and musketeers
Stamp beakers, cups, and porringers?
- ↑ The Scots, in their large Declaration (163), begin their petition against the Common Prayer-book thus:—We, men, women, children, and servants, having considered, &c.
- ↑ Zealous persons, on both sides, lent their plate, to raise money for recruiting the army. Even poor women brought a spoon, a thimble, or a bodkin. The king, or some one for the parliament, gave notes of hand to repay with interest. Several colleges at Oxford have notes to this day, for their plate delivered to the king: and many other notes of the same nature are st1ll in existence. Purchases were also made by both parties, on the "public faith," and large interest promised, but nothing ever paid.
