The Cavalier Songs and Ballads of England from 1642 to 1684 · Chapter 67An Echo to the Cavalier’s Complaint
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I marvel, Dick, that having been So long abroad, and having seen The world as thou hast done, Thou should’st acquaint mee with a tale As old as Nestor, and as stale As that of Priest and Nunne. [100]
Are we to learn what is a Court? A pageant made for fortune’s sport, Where merits scarce appear; For bashfull merit only dwells In camps, in villages, and cells; Alas! it dwells not there.
Desert is nice in its addresse, And merit ofttimes doth oppresse Beyond what guilt would do; But they are sure of their demands That come to Court with golden hands, And brazen faces, too.
The King, they say, doth still professe To give his party some redresse, And cherish honestie; But his good wishes prove in vain, Whose service with his servants’ gain Not alwayes doth agree.
All princes (be they ne’er so wise) Are fain to see with others’ eyes, But seldom hear at all; And courtiers find their interest In time to feather well their nest, Providing for their fall.
Our comfort doth on time depend, Things when they are at worst will mend; And let us but reflect On our condition th’ other day, When none but tyrants bore the sway, What did we then expect?
Meanwhile a calm retreat is best, But discontent (if not supprest) Will breed disloyaltie; This is the constant note I sing, I have been faithful to the King, And so shall ever be.
London, printed for Robert Crofts, at the Crown, in Chancery Lane, 1661.