Poem by Martin Parker

When the King Enjoys His Own Again

Let rogues and cheats prognosticate
Concerning king’s or kingdom’s fate
I think myself to be as wise
As he that gazeth on the skies
		My sight goes beyond
		The depth of a pond
Or rivers in the greatest rain
		Whereby I can tell
		That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again
		Yes, this I can tell
		That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again.

There’s neither Swallow, Dove, or Dade
Can soar more high or deeper wade
Nor show a reason from the stars
What causeth peace or civil wars
		The man in the moon
		May wear out his shoon
By running after Charles his wain
		But all’s to no end,
		For the times will not mend
Till the King enjoys his own again
		Yes, this I can tell
		That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again

Full forty years this royal crown
Hath been his father’s and his own
And is there anyone but he
That in the same should sharer be?
		For better may
		The scepter sway
Than he that hath such right to reign?
		Then let’s hope for a peace,
		For the wars will not cease
Till the king enjoys his own again
		Yes, this I can tell
		That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again.

Though for a time we see Whitehall
With cobwebs hanging on the wall
Instead of gold and silver brave
Which formerly was wont to have
		With rich perfume
		In every room,
Delightful to that princely train
		Yet the old again shall be
		When the time you see
That the King enjoys his own again
		Yes, this I can tell
		That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again.

Then fears avaunt, upon the hill
My hope shall cast her anchor still
Until I see some peaceful dove
Bring home the branch I dearly love
		Then will I wait
		Till the waters abate
Which now disturb my troubled brain
		Then for ever rejoice,
		When I’ve heard the voice
That the King enjoys his own again
		Yes, this I can tell
		That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again.

1. Sailors for My Money
2. A True Tale of Robin Hood
3. John and Joan, or, A Mad Couple Well Met
4. Time’s Alteration

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