Numb. 5.
Mercurius Elencticus.
Communicating the unparralell'd Proceedings of the Rebells
at West-minster, and the Head-quarters, discovering
their Designes, reproving their Crimes, and advising the
Kingdome.
From Monday May 21. till Monday 28. 1649.
Ridentem dicere serum
Quid vitat ?
And are the Levellers quite gone,
Destroy'd, or thrown in Chaines?
Alas! What will become of John,
Now Bloody-Cromwell Reignes?
How just is Heav'n! that vaporing Knave
(Champion for Liberty!)
Should yet himselfe not so much have,
As Chuse to Live or Dye!
But though stout-Thomason bee Slaine,
And's Party put to Flight:
The Tribe have Headed once againe,
I'th' fatall Isle of Wight.
In which same Place, if Providence,
Their Cruelty repay'd,
'Tis where their Soveraign's Innocence
So basely they Betray'd.
I See then 'tis possible a Man may speake or write Treason against the
State, & yet out-live the Levellers: But whether it fare so well with John
Lilburne is very dubious, fithence now it is taken for granted that hee and
Thomason were the Authors and Promoters of all the present Distempers
and Mutinies in the Army; for so it appeares by the Examinations of severall
Prisoners, insomuch that righteous Oliver vow'd (in the presence of
all the Officers) at Burford, and bound it with a Solemne Thump on the
Table, either Lilburne or himselfe should perish for it: The notice whereof