When you with Essex _swore to live and die_. These were your calves in Bethel and in Dan, Which Jeroboam's treason stablish can, Who by strange pacts and altars did seduce The people to their laws' and King's abuse; 290 All which but serve like Shibboleth to try Those who pronounc'd not your conspiracy; That when your other trains defective are, Forc'd oaths might bring refusers to the snare. And lest those men your counsels did pervert, Might when your fraud was seen the Cause desert, A fierce decree is through the Kingdom sent, Which made it death for any to repent. What strange dilemmas doth Rebellion make? 'Tis mortal to deny, or to partake: 300 Some hang who would not aid your traitorous act, [Sidenote: _History of English and Scottish Presbytery_, p. 320.] Others engag'd are hang'd if they retract. So witches who their contracts have unsworn, By their own Devils are in pieces torn. Thus still the raging tempest higher grows, Which in extremes the King's resolvings throws. The face of Ruin everywhere appears, And acts of outrage multiply our fears; Whilst blind Ambition by successes fed Hath You beyond the bound of subjects led, 310 Who tasting once the sweet of regal sway, Resolving now no longer to obey. For Presbyterian pride contests as high As doth the Popedom for supremacy. Needs must you with unskilful Phaeton Aspire to guide the chariot of the Sun, Though your ill-govern'd height with lightning be Thrown headlong from his burning axle-tree. [Sidenote: _The 19 Propos._] You will no more petition or debate, But your desire in Propositions state, 330 Which by such rules and ties the King confine, They in effect are summons to resign. Therefore your war is manag'd with such sleight, 'Twas seen you more prevail'd by purse than might; And those you could not purchase to your will, You brib'd with sums of money to sit still. The King by this time hopeless here of peace, Or to procure His wasted People's ease, Which He in frequent messages had tried, By you as oft as shamelessly denied; 330 Wearied by faithless friends and restless foes, To certain hazard doth His life expose: [Sidenote: April 27, 1646. May 5, 1646.]