The Cavalier Songs and Ballads of England from 1642 to 1684 · Chapter 70The Noble Progress, Or, a True Relation of the Lord General Monk’s Political Proceedings
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The Noble Progresse, or a True Relation of the Lord General Monk’s Political Proceedings with the Rump, the calling in the secluded Members, their transcendant vote for his sacred Majesty, with his reception at Dover, and royal conduct through the City of London to his famous Palace at Whitehall. One of the broadsides in the British Museum, found in the lining of an old trunk by Sir W. C. Trevelyan.
Tune—“When first the Scottish wars began.”
Good people, hearken to my call, I’le tell you all what did befall And hapned of late; Our noble valiant General Monk Came to the Rump, who lately stunk With their council of state. Admiring what this man would doe, His secret mind there’s none could know, They div’d into him as much as they could,— George would not be won with their silver nor gold: The sectarian saints at this lookt blew, With all the rest of the factious crew, They vapour’d awhile, and were in good hope, But now they have nothing left but the rope.
Another invention then they sought, Which long they wrought for to be brought To claspe him with they; Quoth Vane and Scot, I’le tell you what, Wee’l have a plot and he shall not, Wee’l carry the sway: Let’s vote him a thousand pound a yeare, And Hampton Court for him and his Heire. Indeed, quoth George, ye’re Free Parliament men To cut a thong out of another man’s skin. The sectarian, etc.
They sent him then with all his hosts To break our posts and raise our ghosts, Which was their intent; To cut our gates and chain all downe Unto the ground—this trick they found To make him be shent: This plot the Rump did so accord To cast an odium on my lord, But in the task he was hard put untoo’t, ’Twas enough to infect both his horse and his foot, The sectarian, etc.
But when my lord perceived that night What was their spight, he brought to light Their knaveries all; This Parliament of forty-eight, Which long did wait, came to him straight, To give them a fall, And some phanatical people knew That George would give them their fatall due; Indeed he did requite them agen, For he pul’d the Monster out of his den. The sectarian, etc.
To the House our worthy Parliament With good intent they boldly went To vote home the King, And many hundred people more Stood at the doore, and waited for Good tidings to bring; Yet some in the House had their hands much in blood, And in great opposition like traytors they stood; But yet I believe it is very well known That those that were for him were twenty to one. But the sectarian, etc.
They call’d the League and Covenant in To read again to every man; But what comes next? All sequestrations null be void, The people said none should be paid, For this was the text. For, as I heard all the people say, They voted King Charles the first of May; Bonfires burning, bells did ring, And our streets did echo with God bless ye King. At this the sectarian, etc.
Our general then to Dover goes, In spite of foes or deadly blowes, Saying Vive le Roy; And all the glories of the land, At his command they there did stand In triumph and joy. Good Lord, what a sumptuous sight ’twas to see Our good Lord General fall on his knee To welcome home his Majestie, And own his sacred sovereignty. But the sectarian, etc.
When all the worthy noble train Came back again with Charlemain, Our sovereign great: The Lord Mayor in his scarlet gown, His chain so long, went through the town In pompe and state. The livery-men each line the way Upon this great triumphant day; Five rich maces carried before, And my Lord himselfe the sword he bore. Then Vive le Roy the gentry did sing, For General Monk rode next to the King; With acclamations, shouts, and cryes, I thought they would have rent the skyes.
The conduits, ravished with joy, As I may say, did run all day Great plenty of wine; And every gentleman of note In’s velvet coat that could be got In glory did shine. There were all the peeres and barrons bold, Richly clad in silver and gold, Marched through the street so brave, No greater pompe a king could have. At this, the sacristan, etc.
And thus conducted all along Throughout the throng, still he did come Unto White Hall; Attended by those noble-men, Bold heroes’ kin that brought him in With the geneall; Who was the man that brought him home And placed him on his royal throne;— ’Twas General Monk did doe the thing, So God preserve our gracious King, Now the sacristan, etc.