The Loyal Subjects’ Hearty Wishes to King Charles II

From Sir W. C. Trevelyan’s Broadsides in the British Museum.

He that write these verses certainly
Did serve his royal father faithfully,
Likewise himself he served at Worcester fight,
And for his loyalty was put to flight.

But had he a haid of hair like Absolom,
And every hair as strong as was Samson,
I’d venture all for Charles the Second’s sake,
And for his Majesty my life forsake.

To the tune “When Cannons are roaring.”

First Part

True subjects, all rejoice
   After long sadness,
And now with heart and voice
   Show forth your gladness.
That to King Charles were true
   And rebels hated,
This song only to you
   Is dedicated;
For Charles our sovereign dear
   Is safe returned
True subjects’ hearts to cheer,
   That long have mourned:
Then let us give God praise
   That doth defend him,
And pray with heart and voice,
   Angels, attend him.

The dangers he hath past
   From vile usurpers
Now bring him joy at last,
   Although some lurkers
Did seek his blood to spill
   By actions evil;
But God we see is still
   Above the Devil:
Though many serpents hiss
   Him to devour,
God his defender is
   By His strong power:
Then let us give him praise
   That doth defend him,
And sing with heart and voice,
   Angels, defend him.

The joy that he doth bring,
   If true confessed,
The tongues of mortal men
   Cannot confess it;
He cures our drooping fears,
   Being long tormented,
And his true Cavaliers
   Are well contented;
For now the Protestant
   Again shall flourish;
The King our nursing father
   He will us cherish:
Then let us give God praise
   That did defend him,
And sing with heart and voice,
   Angels, attend him.

Like Moses, he is meek
   And tender-hearted;
And by all means doth seek
   To have foes converted;
But, like the Israelites,
   There are a number
That for his love to them
   ’Gainst him doth murmur:
Read Exodus,—’tis true
   The Israelites rather
Yield to the Egyptian crew
   Than Moses their father:
So many phanaticks,
   With hearts disloyal,
Their hearts and minds do fix
   ’Gainst our King royal.

Second Part

Like holy David, he
   Past many troubles,
And by his constancy
   His joys redoubles;
For now he doth bear sway
   By God appointed,
For Holy Writ doth say,
   Touch not mine Anointed.
He is God’s anointed sure,
   Who still doth guide him
In all his wayes most pure,
   Though some divide him.
Then let us give God praise
   That doth defend him,
And sing with heart and voice,
   Angels, attend him.

Many there are, we know,
   Within this nation,
Lip-love to him do show
   In ’simulation;
Of such vile hereticks
   There are a number,
Whose hearts and tongues, we know,
   Are far asunder;
Some do pray for the King
   Being constrained;
Who lately against him
   Greatly complained;
They turn both seat and seam
   To cheat poor tailors,
But the fit place for them
   Is under strong jailors.

Let the King’s foes admire
   Who do reject him;
Seeing God doth him inspire,
   And still direct him,
To heal those evil sores,
   And them to cure
By his most gracious hand
   And prayers pure.
Though simple people say
   Doctors do as much,
None but our lawful King
   Can cure with a touch;
As plainly hath been seen
   Since he returned,—
Many have cured been
   Which long have mourned.

The poorest wretch that hath
   This evil, sure
May have ease from the King
   And perfect cure;
His Grace is meek and wise,
   Loving and civil,
And to his enemies
   Doth good for evil;
For some that were his foes
   Were by him healed;
His liberal cause to bless
   Is not concealed;
He heals both poor and rich
   By God’s great power,
And his most gracious touch
   Doth them all cure.

Then blush, you infidels,
   That late did scorn him;
And you that did rebel,
   Crave pardon of him;
With speed turn a new leaf
   For your transgresses;
Hear what the preacher sayes
   In Ecclesiastes,—
The Scripture’s true, and shall
   Ever be taught;
Curse not the King at all,
   No, not in thy thought:
And holy Peter
   Two commandments doth bring,—
Is first for to fear God,
   And then honour the King.

When that we had no King
   To guide the nation,
Opinions up did spring
   By toleration;
And many heresies
   Were then advanced,
And cruel liberties
   By old Noll granted.
Even able ministers
   Were not esteemed;
Many false prophets
   Good preachers were deemed.
The Church some hated;
   A barn, house, or stable
Would serve the Quakers,
   With their wicked rabble.

And now for to conclude:
   The God of power
Preserve and guide our King
   Both day and hour;
That he may rule and reign
   Our hearts to cherish;
And on his head, good Lord,
   Let his crown flourish.
Let his true subjects sing
   With hearts most loyal,
God bless and prosper still
   Charles our King royal.
So now let’s give God praise
   That doth defend him,
And sing with heart and voice,
   Angels defend him.

London, printed for John Andrews, at the White Lion, near Pye-Court.