Classic Poem

Upon Olivers dissolving the Parliament in 1653

1.

W I ll you hear a strange thing scarce heard of before,
A ballad of News without any lyes,
The Parliament men are turn'd out of doors,
And so are the Council of State likewise.

2.

Brave Oliver came to the House like a Spright,
His fiery looks strook the Speaker dumb;
You must be gone hence, quoth he, by this light,
Do you mean to sit here till Dooms-day come?

3.

With that the Speaker lookt pale for fear,
As though he had been with the night-mare rid,
Insomuch that some did think that were there,
That he had even done as the Alderman did.

4.

But Oliver though he be Doctor of Law,
Yet he seem'd to play the Physician there;
His Physick so wrought on the Speakers maw,
That he gave him a stool instead of a Chair.

5.

Harry Martyn wondred to see such a thing,
Done by a Saint of such high degree;
'Twas an act he did not expect from a King,
Much lesse from such a dry bone as he.

6.

But Oliver laid his hand on his sword,
And upbraided him with his Adultery;
To which Harry answer'd never a word,
Saving, humbly thanking his Majesty.

7.

Allen the Coppersmith was in great fear,
He did as much harm since the Wars began;
A broken Citizen many a year,
And now he is a broken Parliament-man.

8.

Bradshaw that President proud as the Pope,
That loves upon Kings and Princes to trample;
Now the house is dissolv'd I cannot but hope,
To see such a President made an example.

9.

And were I one of the Council of War,
I'le tell you what my Vote should be,
Upon his own Turret at Westminster ,
To be hang'd up for all comers to see.

10.

My Masters I wonder you could not agree,
You that have been long Brethren in evil;
A dissolution you might think there would be,
When the Devil's divided against the Devil.

11.

Then room for the Speaker without his Mace,
And room for the rest of the Rabble-rout;
My Masters methinks 'tis a pitifull case,
Like the snuff of a Candle thus to go out.

12.

Now some like this change, and some like it not,
Some think it was not done in due season;
Some think it was but a Jesuits plot,
To blow up the House like a Gun-powder-treason.

13.

Some think that Oliver and Charles are agreed,
And sure it were good policy if it were so;
Lest the Hollander, French , the Dane , and the Swede ,
Should bring him in whether he would or no.

14.

And now I would gladly conclude my Song,
With a Prayer as Ballads are used to do,
But yet I'le forbear, for I think er't be long,
We shall have a King and a Parliament too.