Oh! our freedome was chain'd to the Egyptian yoak, as it hath been felt and endured by many, Still making religion their author and cloak, twelve parliament men shall be sold for a peny. Both citie and countrey are almost undone by these caterpillars, which swarm'd in the nation; Their imps and their goblins did up and downe run, Excise-men I meane, all knaves of a fashion: For all the great treasure that dayly came in, the souldier wants pay,'tis well knowne by a many; To cheat and to cozen they held it no sinne, twelve parliament men shall be sold for a peny. The land and the livings which these men have had, 'twould make one admire what use they've made of it, With plate and with jewels they have bin well clad, the souldier far'd hard whilst they got the profit: Our gold and our silver to Holland they sent, but being found out, this is knowne by a many, That no one would owne it for feare of a shent, twelve parliament men are sold for a peny. 'Tis judg'd by most people, that they were the cause of England and Holland their warring together,* and set forth by Commandement of his Majesties Justices of Assize in the North Parts. By Thomas Potts, Esquier." "The famous History of the Lancashire Witches," continued to be popular as a chap-book up to the beginning of the nineteenth century. * An allusion to the Dutch war of 1651 and 1652. Both friends and dear lovers to break civill lawes, and in cruell manner to kill one another: What car'd they how many did lose their dear lives, so they by the bargain did get peoples money, Sitting secure like bees in their hives? but twelve parliament men are now sold for a peny. THE SECOND PART. To the same Tune. THEY voted unvoted, as fancy did guide, to passe away time, but increasing their treasure, (When Jack is on cock-horse hee'l galloping ride, but falling at last, hee'l repent it at leisure). The widow, the fatherlesse, gentry and poore, the trades-man and citizen, with a great many, Have suffered full dearly to heap up their store; but twelve parliament-men shall be sold for a peny. These burdens and grievances England hath felt, so long and so heavy, our hearts are e'en broken, Our plate, gold and silver, to themselves they've dealt, (All this is too true, in good time be it spoken). For a man to rise high and at last to fall low, it is a discredit: this lot fals to many, But 'tis no great matter these men to serve so, twelve parliament-men now are sold for a peny. K The generall perceiving their lustfull desire, to covet more treasure, being puft with ambition, By their acts and their orders to set all on fire, pretending religion to rout superstition; He bravely commanded the souldiers to goe in the Parliament-house, in defiance of any; To which they consented, and now you doe know that twelve parliament-men may be sold for a peny, The souldiers undaunted laid hold on the mace, and out of the chaire they removed the speaker; The great-ones was then in a pittifull case, and Tavee cryd out, All her cold must forsake her.† Thus they were routed, pluckt out by the eares, the house was soone empty and rid of a many Usurpers, that sate there this thirteen long yeares; twelve parliament-men may be sold for a peny. To the Tower of London away they were sent, as they have sent others by them captivated; O what will become of this old parliament and all their compeeres, that were royally stated? What they have deserved I wish they may have, and 'tis the desire I know of a many; For us to have freedome, O that will be brave! but twelve parliament-men may be sold for a peny. * Oliver Cromwell. †The Welsh were frequently the subject of satirical allu. sions during the civil-wars and the Commonwealth. Let's pray for the generall and all his brave traine, he may be an instrument for England's blessing, Appointed in heaven to free us againe, for this is the way of our burdens redressing: For England to be in glory once more, it would satisfy, I know, a great many; But ending I say, as I said before, twelve parliament-men now are sold for a peny. S. S. A TOTAL ROUT, OR A BRIEF DISCOVERY OF A PACK OF KNAVES AND DRABS, INTITULED PIMPS, PANDERS, HECTORS, TRAPANS, NAPPERS, MOBS, AND SPANNERS: THE DESCRIPTION OF THEIR QUALITIES IS HERE SET DOWN IN BRIEF. [Sept. 26, 1653.] THE following ballad, printed from the eleventh volume of the folio broadsides, is given as a singularly striking picture of the times. Precision and outward sanctity in the Puritanical party, that is in the great body of the people, was made an object of derision by the other party; and in their contempt for the "saints," the "sinners" pushed into the farthest bounds of the opposite extreme, and indulged in swearing and licentiousness of the most fearful kind. The swearing of the cavalier troopers, and their terrible oaths, were proverbial for many years afterwards. You princely hectors of the town, Who like the Devil strut up and down, Come leave your God-dammees, and herken to me, O! 'tis pitty that fuel for hell you should be: Your spirits heroick, will quickly be quell'd For hee's not a gentleman that wears a sword, No justice of peace nor constables bill For hee's not a gentleman that wears a sword, But hark, my poor ranter, I'le tell thee a tale, Then prethee, poor Hector, go pawn 'way thy sword, For why! the ale-brokers have vowed and protested, |