And has by most of us been held
Wise justice, and to some reveal'd:1090
For words and promises, that yoke
The conqueror, are quickly broke;
Like Samson's cuffs, tho' by his own
Directions and advice put on.
For if we should fight for the Cause1095
By rules of military laws,
And only do what they call just,
The Cause would quickly fall to dust.
This we among ourselves may speak;
But to the wicked or the weak1100
We must be cautious to declare
Perfection-truths, such as these are.[1]
This said, the high outrageous mettle
Of Knight began to cool and settle.
He lik'd the Squire's advice, and soon1105
Resolv'd to see the bus'ness done;
And therefore charg'd him first to bind
Crowdero's hands on rump behind,
And to its former place, and use,
The wooden member to reduce;1110
But force it take an oath before,
Ne'er to bear arms against him more.[2]
Ralpho dispatch'd with speedy haste,
And having ty'd Crowdero fast.
He gave Sir Knight the end of cord,1115
To lead the captive of his sword
In triumph, while the steeds he caught,
And them to further service brought.
The Squire, in state, rode on before,
And on his nut-brown whinyard bore1120
The trophy-fiddle and the case,
Leaning on shoulder[3] like a mace.
- ↑ Truths revealed only to the perfect, or the initiated in the higher mysteries; and here signifying esoteric doctrines in morals, such as were avowed by many of the Parliamentary leaders and advisers.
- ↑ The poet in making the wooden leg take an oath not to serve again against his captor, ridicules those who obliged their prisoners to take such oaths. The prisoners taken at Brentford were so sworn by the Royalists, but Dr Downing and Mr Marshall absolved them from this oath, and they immediately served again in the parliament army.
- ↑ Var.P'lac'd on his shoulder.
