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.
Nv12 Poor silly wight that carkes in the night
Notes. Some stanzas in this poem inspired by the prospect of a Spanish dowry correspond with some of those in “Our eagle is yett flowne, to a place unknowne”; however, the differences between the two poems are sufficient to include them as discrete texts. Given the similarities, however, it is possible that this poem may also have been set to the tune of “Whoop! Do me no harm good man”.
Poor silly wight1 that carkes2 in the night
and lookes like a man that were starving
For the drosse of this world which by fortune is hurld
more on fooles then on men well deserving.
Sett sorrow apart and cheere upp thy hart
5or hast thee or hygh thee to shore
There shalt thou espie Spanish gold comming nigh
then thou shalt not want any more.
Our Eagle is flowne3 to a place yet unknowne
to seeke out the Phœnix of Spayne4
10Feathred foule many moe, will after him goe
to attend and be of his train.5
And some doe report they will bringe to the Court
such a masse and abundance of treasure
That the men of the land did they thrise double stand
15are not able the same for to measure.
The Grandies of Spayne will loade Charles waine6
with the richest of riches that be
And God knows what pearle will be given to this girle7
from the Ladyes of every degree
20And others doe say that the Dutchmen8 must pay
a greate somm to make matters even
Soe we shall have gold more then London will holde
were the walls built as high as the heaven.
But I doe say and still shall I pray
25god save us from the Spanish infection
The Divell, the Pope, the Masse, and the Rope,9
Together with Preistly correction
And graunt that shee prove as true as her love
as shee is of royall desert
30And I thinke of her gold, to say I may be bold
we shall need little helpe of a Cart.
Source. Bodleian MS Rawl. D. 1048, fol. 50v
Other known sources. Folger MS V.a.339, fol. 255v; Rosenbach MS 1083/16, p. 248
Nv12
3 Our Eagle is flowne: Prince Charles (“Our eagle”) left for Spain in February 1623. <back>
4 Phœnix of Spayne: the Spanish Infanta Maria. <back>
5 Feathred foule...train: other courtiers followed Charles to Madrid in the weeks after the Prince’s departure. <back>
7 this girle: the Spanish Infanta Maria. <back>
8 Dutchmen: the Dutch, who were at war with Spain, had a great interest in seeing the Spanish Match fail, or in at least countering its diplomatic effects. <back>
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