Wesley Corpus

Page 27 His old vagaries he forgets, Lives honestly, and pays his debts, As bent immortal fame to win, And die a royalist, like Prynne.25 "Why send us troops who cannot need 'em? Only to rob us of our freedom, Debar us of our native right, And dearest privilege, to fight, And standing on our own defence, Again to drive the rebels hence. "Deny us arms? We cannot see The meaning of His Majesty: Does he suspect his faithful leiges, Because he knows our skill in sieges, In party-clubs, and coalitions, Address, remonstrance and petitions? Our conduct past must have convinc'd him We cannot turn our arms against him; He knows our bold train-bands for valour As fam'd and dreadful as a tailor! Nor are our aldermen such fools To meddle rashly with edg'd tools; Since not a crow that flies is shyer Of gunpowder, when soldiers fire, Which makes us first the redcoats order To shoot and try them then for murder! "Unless the king his troops withdraw, He means to rule by martial law, And for our most unfeign'd affection Dragoon us into tame subjection, In St. George's Fields. 25William Prynne (1600-1669).