TRUTH

Go you disturbers of a quiet soul, Sad, greedy, gaping, hungry Canibals, That joy to practice others Misery's: Gentles, prepare your tear bedecked eyes, To see two shows of lamentation, Besprinkled every where with guiltless blood, Of harmless youth, and pretty innocents, Our Stage does wear habiliments of woe, Truth rues to tell the truth of these laments: The one was done in famous London late, Within that street whose side the river Thames Does strive to wash from all impurity: But yet that silver stream can never wash, The sad remembrance of that cursed deed, Performed by cruel Merry on joust Beech, And his true boy poor Thomas Winchester, The most here present, know this to be true: Would truth were false, so this were but a tale, The other further off, but yet too near, To those that felt and did the cruelty: Near Padua this wicked deed was done, By a false Uncle, on his brother's son, Left to his careful education, By dying Parents, with as strict a charge, As ever yet death-breathing brother gave: Look for no mirth, unless you take delight, In mangled bodies, and in gaping wounds, Bloodily made by mercy wanting hands, Truth will not feign, but yet does grieve to show, This deed of ruth and miserable woe. I live in mean and discontented state, But wherefore should I think of discontent: I am beloved, I have a pretty house, A loving sister, and a careful man, That do not think their days work well at end, Except it bring me in some benefit: And well frequented is my little house, With many guests and honest passengers, Which may in time advance my humble state, To greater wealth and reputation. And here comes friends to drink some bear or ale, Fit I his shop. They are my neighbours, they shall have the best, Ne. Come neighbour Beech lets have our morning's draught And wele go drink it at young Merries house: They say he hath the best in all this town, Beside they say he is and honest man, And keeps good rule and order in his house. The more the pity, would the heart of man, Were not so open wide to entertain, The harmful baits, of self devouring sin, But from the first unto the latter times, It hath and will be so eternally, Now it remains to have your good advice, Unto a motion of some consequence, There is a Bark thats newly rigged for sea, Unmanned, vnfurnishd with munition: She must encounter with a greater foe, Then great Alcydes slew in Lerna Lake, Would you be pleased to man this willing bark, With good conceits of her intention, To store her with the thundering furniture, Of smoothest smiles, and pleasing plaudiats, She shall be able to endure the shock, Of snarling Zoylus, and his cursed crew, That seeks to sink her in reproaches waves, And may perchance obtain a victory, Gainst curious carps, and fawning Parasites: But if you suffer her for want of aid, To be orewhelmd by her insulting foes, O then she sinks, that meant to pass the flood, With stronger force to do her country good: It rests thus, whither she live or die, She is your Beadsman everlastingly. See here the end of lucre and desire Of riches, got by unlawful means, What monstrous evils this hath brought to pass, Your scarce dry eyes give testimonial, The father, son; the sister, brother brings, To open scandal, and contemptuous death. But here come they that wrought these deeds of ruth, As if they meant to plot new wickedness: Whither so fast, you damned miscreants? Ye vain deluders of the credulous, That seek to train men to destruction. Hence Stigmatics, you shall not harbour hear, To practice execrable butcheries: My self will bring your close designs to light, And overthrow your vild conspiracies, No heart shall entertain a murthrous thought, Within the sea embracing continent, Where fair Eliza Prince of piety, Does wear the peace adorned Diadem.