writing this Intelligence, and suffered another to immitate the Piece
I at first began: for indeed the stinking and loathsom puddle of Rebellion
(being stirr'd) yeilded so noysome and unsavory a stench,
that I had no delight to Rake further in't: But since I gave it over,
(finding impudence to become more bold) and my Self and the Piece
much wronged by an impious hand that formerly writ Britanicus,
and a Hue and Cry against the King, knowing the damage redounded
to all the Loyal Readers, as well as my own Reputation: I am Resolved
once more to enter the List against these Monstrous Goliahs at
Westminster, and never give them over till I make their Swords
their own Executions; and because you shall see that I have not
in this time lost either Valour or Loyalty to Encounter them, I send
them this Defiance following:
BE it known unto all men by these presents (whether Jews, Gentiles,
Turks, or Infidels) That I Mercurius Pragmaticus the Elder;
(Christian) of the Parish of Obedience in the County Loyalty,
Gent. Send Greeting: Whereas the Common People of England have
formerly Conveened and Entrusted a most persidious, ungodly, and
heathernish Parliament with their Laws, Religion, Liberties, and Proprieties,
and they have not only destroyed all, but still persist in their
ungodly and wicked Designs to betray the Trust reposed in them;
have killed their King, Subborned their Laws, wasted and imbezelled
their Goods, and studied day and night to enslave their Country
by Taxes, Free-Quarter, &c. by which means they are become no
better then the worst of Traytors, Tyrants, Murderers, and Robbers,
and publick and implacable Enemies to the Common-wealth and
Kingdom: Therefore I Mercurius Pragmaticus in the County aforesaid,
armed with Truth and a good Conscience, (in behalf of my
Country) do send this Defiance, and am Resolved never to lay down
my Pen till I see the confusion, and extirpation of all their Villany,
&c. or else Sacrifice my life for the Cause I profess.
And so help me God.
Mund. Sept. 10. This day the Juncto set apart to tell their Money,
and see how they thrive by Rebellion, and how their Money comes
tumbling in; the Thousands and Hundreds of the Saints, and after
they have stor'd up their encrease, the rest serves to pay for Venery,
Tobacco, Ohickins, Capons, to play at Tables and lap Plum-broth
in Hell: and here was all the work of this day.
This day came welcome News to the Juncto, That the Levellers
were by the Pollicy of Captain Wagg-Staffe with the help of twelve
men subdued: this was a Wagg indeed: but sure it was his Staffe