Of a blind cobbler that’s gone astray
Out of the Parliament’s High-way,
Good people, pity the blind!
[verse 17.]
And now he has gone to the Lord knows whether,
He and this winter go together,
If he be caught he will lose his leather,
Good people, pity the blind!
(Rump, Coll. 1662 edit., ii. 151-4.)
Verse 14. Dr. John Hewit with Sir Harry Slingsby had been executed for conspiracy against Cromwell, 8th June, 1658. The Earl of Strafford’s death was May 12th, 1641; and that of Laud, January 10th, 1644.