Which (to tell you the truth) hath ever been Squeazy, and disorderly,
since first he took his espoused in bed with his man Sandford: which
(because he was a Cavaltier) is enough to doom so many as shall come before
him of that party, to the Gallowes, though but guilty of such another
Chance-Medley.
And 'tis high time they were gone, now, that the reduced Souldiers, in and
about York, play such notable Prancks, against their Committee-mer; whence
by letter it is certified, that they Rush'd in upon them like a Torrent, and
seized upon such Persons as they knew had mony in their Hands, which they
took up in part of their Arreares : imprisoning Barwie, Farrer, Marwood,
Rymer, and some others in the Dean'ry, for at least three hours together,
threatning them with fear of Torture to Confess with more: until by the
Prayers of one just man (found in the City, (and that was Colonel Carter)
who was sent from the Major to break the waves of their indignation) the
deluge asswaged, and he returns with an Olive branch in his Beake, to sing
To Deum with the Major, for so mercisull a Deliverance.
Nor are they better used in those parts of Cheshire, where Venables his Regiment
(refusing to go for Ireland)quarte. For by letters thence it is certified
that the Excisemen have likewise had all their monyes taken from them;
one his hand cut off, and some others wounded; the rest being driven into
Caves and Corners, to avoid their fury, not daring to appear but in owlelight;
so that (say the letters) unlesse a speedy course be taken to supprize these
and the like outrages, the Parliament wil have so much to do in England, they'l
find no leisure to relieve Ireland.
But C. Thelwel's troop had no such fortune, who lying at Drayton in Shropshire,
and carrying themselves desperatly and rudely towards the Inhabitants,
were (Tuesday June the 12) very fairly surprised every man of them by
the Country people, commanded by one cleave, (sometimes a Member,
and Colonel for the Parliament;) who took their Horses and Armes
from them, stript them naked, and so turn'd them together into the Church
where they kept them with bread and water for three days, dividing the
spoyl amongst them, whilst the Valiant Captain Posteth to complain at Westminster.
Where indeed he told them a lamentable Story, and press'd hard for
Justice against that unrighteous Colonel, who (as he told them) had the
holdnesse publickly to declare, that the reason why he fell upon them was, because
they had adhered to that Party which had murthered the King, with much
more against the Parliament and Army, which (it seems)the Captain could
not stay to take notes of.
By this little they perceive there is a large veine of Malignancy running
through the whole Kingdome; which unlesse it be struck and empti[unr]d, or
stroak a, and suppled with the oyle of Indulgency, may goe near to infect
the whole Body, which they know Heads in the Kings party, and Tayles