You robb'd two Royal Chapels of their plate, Which Kings and Queens to God did dedicate; Then by a vote more sordid than the stealth, Melt down and coin it for the Commonwealth, That is, giv't up to the devouring jaws Of your great Idol Bel, new styl'd The Cause. And though this monster you did well devise To feed by plunder, taxes, loans, excise; (All which provisions You the people tell Scarce serve to diet Your Pantagruel). 250 We no strew'd ashes need to trace the cheat, Who plainly see what mouths the messes eat. Brave Reformation! and a through one too, Which to enrich yourselves must all undo. Pray tell us (those that can), What fruits have grown From all Your seeds in blood and treasure sown? What would you mend? when Your projected State Doth from the best in form degenerate? Or why should You (of all) attempt the cure, Whose facts nor Gospel's test nor Law's endure? 260 But like unwholesome exhalations met From Your conjunction only plagues beget, And in Your circle, as imposthumes fill Which by their venom the whole body kill; For never had You pow'r but to destroy, Nor will, but where You conquer'd to enjoy. This was Your master-prize, who did intend To make both Church and Kingdom's prey Your end. 'Gainst which the King (plac'd in the gap) did strive By His (till then unquestion'd) negative, 270 Which finding You lack'd reason to persuade, Your arguments are into weapons made; So to compel him by main force to yield, [Sidenote: _E. of Essex Army_, Aug. 1 1642.] You had a formed army in the field Before his reared standard could invite Ten men upon his Righteous Cause to fight: Yet ere those raised forces did advance, [Sidenote: _The Standard at Nottingham_, Aug. 25, 1642.] Your malice struck him dead by Ordinance, When your Commissions the whole Kingdom swept With blood and slaughter, _Not the King except_. 280 Now hard'ned in revolt, You next proceed By pacts to strengthen each rebellious deed, [Sidenote: June 27, 1643.] New oaths and vows, and Covenants advance, All contradicting your allegiance, Whose sacred knot you plainly did untie, [Sidenote: _Declaration and Resolution of Parl._, Aug. 15, 1642.]