So whether it is that the King, misled
By flattering talk to giving his consent,
And truly ignorant of their designs
Unknowingly approves such wrongs as these
Whose only end can be destruction, and
The ruin of his land; or whether he,
With malice in his heart, and ill-intent,
Commits these shameful crimes by raising up
His royal state and power far beyond
The reach of all his country's laws, so that
His whim is satisfied by the abuse
Of royal privilege and strength; if thus
Or otherwise this land of ours is brought
To total rack and ruin, and at last
The kingdom is left destitute, it is
The duty of the great and noble men
To rescue it, to purge the land of all
Corruption and all false authority.

For in this year of grace, twelve sixty-four,
The feast of Good Saint Pancras four days past,
The English army rode the heavy storm
Of mighty war, at Lewes' Castle walls.
Then reason to blind fury did give way,
And life to the bright sword. They battle joined
The fourteenth day of May, and dreadful was
The strife in Sussex County, and the See
Of Chichester's Lord Bishop. Hundreds fell,
For mighty was the sword; virtue prevailed,
And evil men took to their heels and fled.
Against these wicked men, our great good Lord
Stood firm, and with the radiant shield of truth
Endued with righteous strength the pure of heart.
Routed their foes, by strength of arms without,
And craven fear within, on them did shine,
More to increase their valour, Heaven's smile.