[834] [V. 27. the spotlesse soule and inocent.]
[835] [V. 28. Calls this an.]
[836] [V. 31. sores.]
[837] [V. 32. enjoyes. The second and third stanzas are transposed in the MS.]
XI.
THE DOWNFALL OF CHARING-CROSS.
Charing-Cross, as it stood before the civil wars, was one of those beautiful Gothic obelisks erected to conjugal affection by Edward I., who built such a one wherever the herse of his beloved Eleanor rested in its way from Lincolnshire to Westminster. But neither its ornamental situation, the beauty of its structure, nor the noble design of its erection (which did honour to humanity), could preserve it from the merciless zeal of the times: For, in 1647, it was demolished by order of the House of Commons, as popish and superstitious. This occasioned the following not unhumorous sarcasm, which has been often printed among the popular sonnets of those times.
The plot referred to in ver. 17, was that entered into by Mr. Waller the poet, and others, with a view to reduce the city and tower to the service of the king; for which two of them, Nath. Tomkins and Rich. Chaloner, suffered death July 5, 1643. Vid. Ath. Ox. ii. 24.
Whitlocke says, "May 3, 1643, Cheapside cross and other crosses were voted down," &c.—But this Vote was not put in execution with regard to Charing Cross till four years after, as appears from Lilly's Observations on the Life, &c. of K. Charles, viz. "Charing-Cross, we know, was pulled down, 1647, in June, July, and August. Part of the Stones were converted to pave before Whitehall. I have seen Knife-hafts made of some of the stones, which, being well-polished, looked like marble." Ed, 1715, p. 18, 12mo.