Page:The muses threnodie (Adamson, 1638).djvu/95
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
The sixth muse
75
VVhat will you say, if this shall come to hand,
Perths Provest Londons Major shall command.
VVhich words, when we did hear, we much admir'd,
And everie one of us often inquir'd
What these could meane? Some said, he meand such one,
That London, yea all England like had none,
Some said, he mindes his dignitie and place;
Others his gifts of Nature, and of Grace.
All which were true indeed, yet none could say,
He mean'd that Englands scepter he should swey,
Till that it came to passe some few yeeres after,
Then hearts with joy, and mouths were fild with laughter:
Happie King Iames the sixth, so may I say,
For I a man most Joviall was that day,
And had good reason, when I kist that hand,
VVhich afterwards all Britaine did command.
Monsier, said Gall, I sweare you had good reason
Most glad to be that day: for you of treason
Assoylied was, of your unhappie chief:
Pray thee good Gall, quod I, move not my grief.
Said Gall, Monsier, That point I will not touch,
They'l tine their coales that burnes you for a witch.
A witch, good Gall, quod I, I will be sworne,
VVitchcraft's the thing that I could never learne;
Yea Master Gall, I swear that I had rather
Ten thousand Chiefs been kill'd, or had my Father,
The King is Pater patriæ, a chief
Oft times is borne for all his kinnes mischief.
And more, I know was never heart, nor hand
Did prosper, which that King did ev'r vvithstand.
Perths Provest Londons Major shall command.
VVhich words, when we did hear, we much admir'd,
And everie one of us often inquir'd
What these could meane? Some said, he meand such one,
That London, yea all England like had none,
Some said, he mindes his dignitie and place;
Others his gifts of Nature, and of Grace.
All which were true indeed, yet none could say,
He mean'd that Englands scepter he should swey,
Till that it came to passe some few yeeres after,
Then hearts with joy, and mouths were fild with laughter:
Happie King Iames the sixth, so may I say,
For I a man most Joviall was that day,
And had good reason, when I kist that hand,
VVhich afterwards all Britaine did command.
Monsier, said Gall, I sweare you had good reason
Most glad to be that day: for you of treason
Assoylied was, of your unhappie chief:
Pray thee good Gall, quod I, move not my grief.
Said Gall, Monsier, That point I will not touch,
They'l tine their coales that burnes you for a witch.
A witch, good Gall, quod I, I will be sworne,
VVitchcraft's the thing that I could never learne;
Yea Master Gall, I swear that I had rather
Ten thousand Chiefs been kill'd, or had my Father,
The King is Pater patriæ, a chief
Oft times is borne for all his kinnes mischief.
And more, I know was never heart, nor hand
Did prosper, which that King did ev'r vvithstand.