A web-based edition of early seventeenth-century political poetry from manuscript sources. It brings into the public domain over 350 poems, many of which have never before been published.
D21 Heere lyes great Salisbury though little of Stature
Notes. Croft (“Reputation” 49-50) discusses and contextualizes the charges of financial oppression and mismanagement that are a central feature of this libel.
Heere lyes great Salisbury though little of Stature1
A Monster2 of mischeif Ambitious of Nature:
A States man that did Impoverish the Crowne
Sould Mylles & lands & Forrests cut downe.3
His care for the commons his country none feeles
5With trickes & with traps & with privye Seales4
King countrye & commons doe mourne & lamente
For he is gone to hell to raise the devills Rente.
Source. NCRO MS IL 4304
D21
1 great Salisbury though little of Stature: several poems play on the contrast between Cecil’s political greatness and his small physical stature. See, for instance, line 2 of “Passer by know heere is interrd”, the opening line of “Heere lyes Salisbury that little great comaunder”, and line 5 of Samuel Daniel’s “If greatnes, wisedome, pollicie of state”. <back>
2 Monster: refers to Cecil’s crooked back. <back>
3 Sould...cut downe: this line charges Cecil, somewhat unfairly, with selling off and spoiling the royal lands. <back>
4 privye Seales: a controversial form of prerogrative finance that raised revenue by forced loans. Croft (“Reputation” 49-50, n.22) notes that the “collection of privy seals was at the forefront of attention early in 1612”. <back>
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