’Tis monstrous strange, and yet it is true,
In this reformation we should have such luck;
That crosses were always disdain’d by you,
Who before pull’d them down, should now set them up.

On this side they have circumscribed “God with us,”
And in this stamp and coin they confide;
Common-Wealth on the other, by which we may guess
That God and the States were not both of a side.

On this side they have cross and harp,
And only a cross on the other set forth;
By which we may learn, it falls to our part
Two crosses to have for one fit of mirth!

THE ANARCHIE, OR THE BLEST REFORMATION SINCE 1640.

Being a new song, wherein the people expresse their thankes and pray for the reformers.

To be said or sung of all the well-affected of the kingdome of England, and dominion of Wales, before the breaking up of this unhappy Parliament.

[From the King’s Pamphlets, British Museum. It is printed but incorrectly in the “Rump Songs,” ed. 1665, under the title of “The Rebellion.”]

To a rare new Tune.
(Oct. 24, 1648.)

Now that, thankes to the powers below!
We have e’ne done out our doe,
The mitre is downe, and so is the crowne,
And with them the coronet too;
Come clownes, and come boyes, come hober-de-hoyes,
Come females of each degree;
Stretch your throats, bring in your votes,
And make good the anarchy.
And “thus it shall goe,” sayes Alice;
“Nay, thus it shall goe,” sayes Amy;
“Nay, thus it shall goe,” sayes Taffie, “I trow;”
“Nay, thus it shall goe,” sayes Jamy.

Ah! but the truth, good people all,
The truth is such a thing;
For it wou’d undoe both Church and State too,
And cut the throat of our King.
Yet not the spirit, nor the new light,
Can make this point so cleare,
But thou must bring out, thou deified rout,
What thing this truth is, and where.
Speak Abraham, speak Kester, speak Judith, speak Hester,
Speak tag and rag, short coat and long;
Truth’s the spell made us rebell,
And murther and plunder, ding-dong.
“Sure I have the truth,” sayes Numph;
“Nay, I ha’ the truth,” sayes Clemme;
“Nay, I ha’ the truth,” sayes Reverend Ruth;
“Nay, I ha’ the truth,” sayes Nem.