[Illustration: PREDICTED FATE OF JOHN TAYLOR THE WATER POET, 1644.]
The pamphleteer goes on to give the Water-Poet what he doubtless considered a thorough drubbing, and at the end he leaves him 'to the Gallows, the proper cure for such Rebels.' The words 'London' and 'Oxford' on the woodcut have reference to another voyage which the Water-Poet performed in a sculler's boat between those places.
[Illustration: MERCURIUS AULICUS IN THE PILLORY, 1645.]
_Mercurius Aulicus_ was the organ of the Court party, and was published at Oxford. A curious satire upon this Court paper was printed in 1645, entitled, _Newes from Smith the Oxford Jaylor_. It consists of a dialogue between the author and the 'Oxford Jaylor,' and sets forth that 'Mercurius Aulicus' was sentenced, by a jury of women,' to stand in the pillory three market-days in Oxford, for his lies, libels, and deceitful glozings;' to have a written paper over his head announcing his shame; to beg forgiveness of 'Mercurius Brittanicus;' to be prevented from writing any more libels for one year. 'That before two months' expiration he be cut of the simples, and his braines be taken out, washt in white wine, and put in againe.' 'That for every morning during the said time he have one mess of stewd broth made of the interlinings of fower Court Parazites, and the braines of 26 Oxford Widgins boyld in the water of forgetfulnesse.' 'That he may never hereafter have so much as one graine of wit left him in his empty Hogshead (his brains being taken out and washed as before is ordered) to scandalize those whom if he had any grace he is bound to honour.' There is a woodcut of _Mercurius Aulicus_ in the pillory, which is supposed to represent Sir John Birkenhead, who acquired the title of the Loyal Poet, and suffered several imprisonments. This cut was used on several other occasions.
The troubles of the times are constantly indicated in the pamphlets of the period. In one the State is represented as a two-headed serpent, with these lines underneath the engraving:
'This double-headed serpent is a wonder, It draws two ways and tears the womb in sunder; The wofull emblem of a troubled State Where civill warres doe threat to ruinate.'