110 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



* MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, < June 15, 1645. 



Though the sad report of the late ill success hath so oppressed 

 our souls with grief, that we are rendered more apt to expresse our 

 loyall affections in tears than words, yet the safety and presence of 

 your sacred person (as dear to us as our lives) hath so much 

 revived and restored us, that we have taken the boldness, though 

 suddenly and rudely, in a few words, to present to you the most 

 zealous affections and loyall services that a most obliged and 

 gratefull people can possibly bear to a most gracious Sovereign. 



' And as we are not so stupid as not to be sensible of God's 

 corrections, where he is pleased so sharply to punish us for our 

 sins, so we are not so unchristian-like as to despair of God's 

 finall blessing upon a most just and righteous cause, nor so unmanly 

 as to lay down our courage and confidence for one cross event, as 

 knowing that man's necessity is God's opportunity, and that 

 God's power is most glorified in man's weakness. 



' And albeit the sunne may be for a time eclipsed, even by that 

 plannett which itself enlighteneth, and for a time be obscured even 

 by those clouds which itself drew from the earth into an higher 

 region, yet the light and virtue of the sunne is not thereby made 

 lesse conspicuous : eclipses and clouds last not always. Mendacia 

 diu non fallunt : men will not always be worked into this sin 

 of rebellion. Truth at last prevails; right never dieth ; but will 

 shortly, by God's blessing (all clouds being dispelled), restore the 

 sunne of this our firmament to his former splendour and glory, and 

 therein his faithfull subjects to their former peace, plenty, and 

 happiness, which is our daily prayer, and shall be our incessant 

 endeavour to the utmost expence of our estates and blood. Nee 

 plus obire possumus, nee fas est minus. More we cannot undergoe, 

 less we may not. 



' Sir, your most humble and loyall subjects, the bayliffs, sheriffe, 

 and their mases, &c. citizens of this your citty of Lichfield, doe 

 humbly, according to their duty, surrender into your Majesty's 

 hands these ensigns of their authority, which they are resolved to 

 beare from you and under you, or not at all, and, whether they live 

 or die, to live and die your Majestie's most faithful and loyall 

 subjects/ 



" His Majesty was pleased to answer that they were eminent 

 for their loyalty, and required Richard Dyott to give them all 

 thanks in his name. 



" Then he gave his hand to the head officers to kiss, and they 



