Iests to make you merie with the coniuring vp of Cock VVatt, (the walking spirit of Newgate) to tell tales. Vnto which is added, the miserie of a prison, and a prisoner. And a paradox in praise of serieants. Written by T.D. and George Wilkins. Dekker, Thomas, ca. 1572-1632. 1607 Approx. 119 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 32 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A20101 STC 6541 ESTC S105305 99841034 99841034 5591 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A20101) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 5591) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 831:05) Iests to make you merie with the coniuring vp of Cock VVatt, (the walking spirit of Newgate) to tell tales. Vnto which is added, the miserie of a prison, and a prisoner. And a paradox in praise of serieants. Written by T.D. and George Wilkins. Dekker, Thomas, ca. 1572-1632. Wilkins, George, fl. 1607. aut [4], 63, [1] p. By N[icholas] O[kes] for Nathaniell Butter, dwelling neere to St. Austins Gate, at the signe of the pide Bull, Imprinted at London : 1607. T.D. = Thomas Dekker. Printer's name from STC. Signatures: A-H⁴ I² . Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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London (England) -- Social life and customs -- Early works to 1800. 2002-11 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-12 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-01 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2003-01 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Iests to make you Merie : With The Coniuring vp of Cock Watt , ( the walking Spirit of Newgate ) To tell Tales . Vnto which is Added , the miserie of a Prison , and a Prisoner . And a Paradox in praise of Serieants . Written by T. D. and George Wilkins . Imprinted at London by N. O. for Nathaniell Butter , dwelling neere to St. Austins Gate , at the signe of the pide Bull. 1607. To the Reader . BOokes are a strange commoditie , the estimation of them riseth and falleth faster then the exchange of money in the Low countries , which alters more often then the english man doth the fashion of his apparell . Men that write to feede fantastike humors , are no better then Apes , that shew their trickes to others , the doing of which is painefull to themselues , and at going away are but laught at , and so nice are our Paules Churchyard-walkers in beholding these pictures , that to day they cry excellent at the drawing of that , vpon which to morrow they will cast a mewing countenance , ther 's no one Stationer stall can fit all customers with bookes to their dyet , nor can all men that write ( if all that can but speake should write ) fit some Stationers . Go to one and offer a coppy , if it be merrie , the man likes no light stuffe , if sad , it will not sell. Another meddles with nothing but what fits the time , I wold haue his shop stuft with nothing but proclamations , because he lyes i' th winde only for the change of weather . Since therefore that neither hot nor colde can please , neither straight nor crooked , can serue as a measure , to some mouthes ; what a miserable and endlesse labour does he vndertake that in a few scribled sheetes hopes to wrap vp the loues of all men . Better it were for him in my iudgement to turne his leaues into such paper-kites as boyes runne after , whilest they flye in the Ayre , then to publish his wits in Follio , and yet be counted but a foole for his labour . 〈◊〉 notwithstanding , with such a tickling Itch is this printed Ambition troubled , that some are neuer at better ease then when they are scratching vpon paper , and finde no sweetnesse but in drawing blood . Of those sharp-toothed dogs you shall finde me none , I hould no whip in my hande , but a soft fether , and there drops rather water th●n gall out of my quill , if you taste it and finde it pleasing . I am glad , if not , I cannot be much sorry , because the Cooke knew not your dyet , so that his error was his ignorance , and ignorance is a veniall sinne to be pardoned . Nam veniam pro laude pete : Laudate●● abundè Non fastiditus fi tibi ( Lector ) er● . T. D. and G. W. Iests to make you Merrie . VVhat a Iest is . A Iest is the bubling vp of wit. It is a Baum which beeing well kindled maintaines for a short time the heate of Laughter . It is a weapon wherewith a 〈◊〉 does oftentimes fight , and a wise man def●nds himselfe by . It is the 〈◊〉 of good companie . if it bee seasoned with iudgement : but if with too much tar●ness● , it is hardly disgested but turne to quarrel . A 〈◊〉 i● tried as powder is , the most sudden is the best . It is a merrie ●●●deman and hath a brother so like him , that many take them for Twins : For the one is a Iest spoken ▪ the other is a Iest done . Stay but the reading of this book● some halfe an houre , and you shall bee brought acquainted with both . The 1. Iest. A Fellow that ( to be a foole in print ) had spent the stocke of his wits vpon inke and paper ▪ and made it into a booke , offred it to sell a● diuerse Stationers 〈◊〉 , but none would buy it : At the length 〈◊〉 came to one of the company , and swore to him he should not 〈◊〉 to feare to venture money vpon it , 〈◊〉 it would be to him an euerlasting booke . Oh sayes the other then I will not meddle with it ; euerlasting bookes are ill commodities in our trade , bring me a booke that will go away , and I am for you . The 2. Iest. A Iustice of Peace found his man laying his mistresse on the lippes , at which the Iustice in a rage , and wrapping out a great oath , cald him Rascall , and asked him what he did , why sayes the fellow ( and swore as déepe as he ) I was kissing your wife . The Iustice told him if he tooke him kissing there againe , he would make him kisse in another place . Truth sir ( sayes the Seruingman ) had not you come in , I had kis● in another place indéed . The 3. Iest. A Citizen méeting by chance a kinseman of his , about the Strand , that was come to the Tearme , askt him where he had béene , who told him he had beene at Westminster : And what newes ( quoth he ) at Westminster ; Mary sayes the other Lawyers get the Diuell and all : What an Asse , replied the Citizen is the diuell ? if I were as he I would get some of them . The 4. Iest. IN the Quéenes time a couple of Merchants walking on the Change , amōgst other newes , the one told y ● other , he thought the peace betwéene England and Spaine would be broken : God help the poore Iustices then ( answered the other ) for if the peace b● broken , sure y ● Iustices of the Peace cannot be sound . The 5. Iest. A Mad countrey Parson inuiting certaine of his friends to the eating of a tyth pigge and some other good chéere , one of the guests brought along with him a Precisian , ( which se● the person neuer could abide ) and hauing carn'd once or twic● to the rest . At length he cald aloud in latin to the Precisian ( for he tooke him to be a scholler , because he went all in blacke ) Heus domine , vis tu Comedere Turdum , vis ●u comedere ●artum , vis tu comedere pistum Fartum . At which the other blessing himselfe , to thinke that a Churchman should vtter such filthy words ( as he construed them ) rose from the board and d●parted reprouing the Parson for a beastly and vnmannerly christian , whereas by Turdum he meant a blacke bird , that stood on the board , by Fartum a pudding , and by pistum fartum , a pan-pudding that 's bak'd . The 6. Iest. DOe you see ponder bawd , saies one to his cōpanion ( ●tting in a play-house together ) she should haue bin burnt once in Paris for a martir● : A martir quoth the other ? why she has suffered for the truth heere in London , for she was carted but last weeks . The 7. Iest. SIrra ( saies a Iustice to a bailie●●e , that had brought a cutpurse before him ) keepe that knaue till I call for him anon when I am more at leasure : yes quoth the bailieffe , I will keepe the knaue for your worship . The 8. Iest. A Woman seeing a tumult in the open stréete , about a man and a woman , askt one of the standers by , what the matter was : sa●es he ▪ Thou art a whore ; Thou art an arrant knaue ( saies the woman ) to call me whore , why about this ( quoth the party that was askt the question ) did those two fall out . The 9. Iest. ONe called a Captaine coward , and said he had no heart , it s no matter , quoth the Captaine , I haue legs . The 10. Iest. VVHat is the reason saies , a Gentleman to his friend , that chesse-play ( being so witty a game ) is not vsed so much now as it had wont to be : diuerse reasons , saies the others one is because Rookes stand too neere the Bishops : another is because Knights had wont to be better then pawnes , but now a good pawne is better th●● a Knight . The 11. Iest. A Taylor in this Towne maintaind a whore besides his wise , who afterwards came to the knowledge of it : where vpon , on● wondring how it should be discouered , because the Taylor was a close fellow , askt one of his neighbors , how the diuell his wife could smell out his wench : oh ; easily replyed the other , for he kept her vnder his wifes nose . The 12. Iest. An auncient Gentlewoman making her brag● , that she was descend●d from Iohn of Gaunt : One that stood by , sayd he thought she was rather descended from William the Conqueror , because her face was so old . The 13. Iest. ONe demanded of his friend what was the reason that when a man 〈◊〉 a light Wench , the ●●st word he speaks to her is , Gentlewoman will you goe to the Tauerne ? O saies the other , ● Leman is neuer good without wine . The 14. Iest. A Couple of Seruingmen , hauing drunke hard in Southwarke , came to take water about ten or eleauen of the clock at night , at S. Mary-oueries sta●res : But the M●●ne ●●ning , and a puddle of water lying before them , which th●y could not perfectly discerne ( without better ●ies ) by reason that their shadowes bid it , one of them ●●umbled and fel● in , labouring with his hands & feete as if he had bin a swimming , his fellow● stood ( so well as a man in his case could stand looking vpō him & sayd : Art thou gon ? Art thou gon● Iesus recea●● thy soule , yet if thou canst but get the Temple staires , theirs some hope thou shalt doe well enough : tush saies the other ( that was downe , ) I looke not to g●t , so I may saue my selfe , I care for no more . The 15. Iest. A Silly fellow being for some misdemeanor brought befor● the old Recorder , after some short ●xamination , was ( by him ) demāded whom he seru●d ; I serue ( quoth the fellow ) a poore kinsman of your good worship . A poore kinsman of mine thou varlet , who is that ? looke you saies he , and drew from vnder his cloake a flute . The 16. Iest. A Player riding with his fellowes ( in a yeare of Peregrination ) vp and downe the countries , resolued to be merry , th● they ●ot little money , and being to passe through a Towne , h●e gets a good way before the rest , crying ( wi●h his drawne Rapier in his hand ) which is the Constables house where is the Constable ; the dogs of the parrith at the no●se , fell to barking , the Threshers came running out with their ●●●iles the Clounes with rakes & pitch-forks , asking without what the matter was , cried still , and you be men bring me to the Co●●●able . At last , the wise Gentleman appeared in his 〈◊〉 : Are you the Constable saies the player , yes that I am for fault of a better , quoth he , why then blurt Maister Constable saies the other , and clapping spurres to his horse , gallopd away amaine , some of the companions laughing , others rayling , the Constable swearing , and the rest of the players that came behind , post through the thickest of them , and laughing the whole Towne to scorne , as if it had bin the foole in a Comedie , which made y ● hob-nailewearers stampe tenne times worse then they did before . The 17. Iest. A Company of merry Gallants , comming in a winter night late from a Tauerne , to increase that mirth in the streetes ( as they went along ) which the wine had begotten in them before , fell to taking downe of Lāthornes that their hung out . And one of them being nibling to vntie the cord at which a Sconc● hung : a seruant of the house by chance suddenly opened the doore , and tooke him at his worke , roughly asking him what he meant to doe there , nothing Sir , saies the other , but to s●uff your candle . The 18. Iest. A Young man passing to his lodging somewhat late , was by the dreadfull voyce of browne-bilmen , cald to come before the Constable ; he did so , but perceiuing him that sat there in the examiners office to be no Constable , but knew him to be a bare Deputie , and had for wages serued ( for other men ) some sixe or seauen yeares together , y ● fellow gaue him scuruy words , for which the Uice-regent of the Ward , grew so into choller y ● he swore , the great Turke should not ransome him from lying by the héeles : nay more , he would execute Iustice in his owne proper naturall person , and leade him himselfe ; he did so , and the other 〈◊〉 before , but in the middle of Cheapeside bee kneeled downe , crying out aloud : O thou euerlasting Constable , what meanest thou to doe with me ? The 19 Iest. A Seruingman bringing a Capon and white-broth to the t●ble , stumbled & let all fal to the ground , for which his Maister reuilde him , and sayd , I could haue done so much my selfe , I thinke so , quoth the fellow ; any foole may doe it , now t is done before him . The 20. Iest. VPon a time when there was a great muster made by the Citty , of souldiers , a countrie fellow séeing them march thr●ugh the stréetes , inquired of one that stood likewise by as a beholder , to what end these souldiers kept this marching ? mary to Mile-end saies the other : yea but to what end , are those Lighters and Boates , and Ships , prouiding on the Riuer ? quoth the country mā why to Theames-end , answered the other , nay but then saies he againe , to what end should they make such adoe both by Land and water ? faith replyed the other , to no End. The 21. Iest. I Thinke ( saie some to his friend ) I am the 〈◊〉 coxcom● liuing : truth , so thinke I , saies the other : why should you thinke so ( replyed the first , and grew halfe angry ) mary sayd the second , because you say so , & I hope none should know that ●●tthen your selfe . The 22. Iest. A Paire of Players growing into an emulous contention of one anothers worth , re●ulde to put themselues to a day of hearing ( as any Players would haue done ) but stood onely vpon their good parts . Why saies the one , since thou wouldst same be taken for so rare a peece report before all these ( for they had a small audience about them you must note ) what excellent parts thou hast discharged ? Mary saies the other , I haue so naturally playd th● Puritane , that many tooke me to be one . True saies the first agen thou playdst the Puritane so naturally , that thou couldst neuer play the honest man afterwards : but I ( quoth he ) haue playd the Sophy : the Sophy , replyed the second : what a murren was he ? What was he saies the other : why he was a Turke : right , quoth his aduersarie get to play as many Turkes parts as thou canst , for ●●e bee hangd if euer thou playst a good christian . The 23. Iest. A Gentlewoman comming to one that stood at a window reading a booke , Sir ( sayd she ) I would I were your booke , ( because she lou●d the Gentlemā , ) So would I quoth he , I wish you were . But what booke would you haue me to bee ( sayd the other ) if I were to be so ? Mary , an Almanacke ( quoth the Gentleman ) because I would change euery yeare . The 24. Iest. TWo Brothers méeting together , sayd the welthier of them , to the other : And how goes the world Brother ? what , you rub out , make shift to liue Yes faith replyed the second , I thank God , and liue without shifting too . The 25. Iest. A Cittizen ●●tting with his wife at doore , cald his child to him ( that was playing before them , ) to giue him an apple , and bid him say , thanke you Father ▪ the mother likewise was busie to teach him that lesson But a Gentleman passing by , iust at the instant , ( who belike had taken vp of the wife , some of her husbands commodities ) stept to her , and whispring in her eare , asked if she were not asham'd to teach her child to lie being yong : the husband séeing a stranger so sau●ie with his wife , grew halfe angry , and askt her what customer that was , & what he spake in her eare : Nothing Sir ( sayd she ) but séeing me eate apples , hee askt if I would haue any chéese to my fruit . The 26. Iest. VVHat reason ( saies one so his friend ) has your Lord to keepe a foole ? He hath no reason at all , answered the other . The 27. Iest. THou art an arrant Begger , saies a Merchant to a Scholler : true Sir , ( answered the Scholler ) for I am an hone●● man : but you can be no Begger , for all the city knowes you Play the Merchant . The 28. Iest. A Woman finding her husband reeling in the stre●tes , till hée was vnable to stand , rayld vpon him , and sayd : art not thou ashamd to lie like a drunken beast , thus in the open streetes ? thou liest like a sober whore as thou art , quoth hee , if I were a beast , I would not lie drunke . The 29. Iest. ONe that had bin Knighted but lately , ryding through Poules churchyard , his wife , his chamber-maide , the nurse , and two young children , sitting in the Coach with him , his sonne and heire , leading the way before : the creatures in blew , trotting too and too behind : Oh saies a prentice that ●●ood in his shop , to his fellow : By Ioue me thinkes , it s a braue thing to be a Knight : A braue thing , quoth 〈◊〉 fellow : what an asse art thou : a man may haue any thing for money . The 30 Iest AN old man talking with his sonne , and comparing this Age , with that which he liued in , when he was a Boy : said , that now the world was cleane found vpside downe : Nay that 's not true father , ( replyed the other ) for i● it were so , women should goe with their heeles vpwards . The 31. Iest. A Lady that by sitting to sée a play at Court , came home late , cald for victuals , and swore she was as hungry as a dogge : It may be as a bitch Madam ( sayd her page , standing by ) else the comparison will not hol● . The 32. Iest. A Fishmonger hauing lost all his money at dice , to another gamster , sauing three or foure shillings , clapt it all downe on the boord together : What doe you set ( sayd the other ? this Dosser quoth the fishmonger ) and then I haue done . The 33. Iest. ONe that had neuer bin seene to handle weapon , being met with a great basket-hilt sword by his side was demanded , why he caried so much Iron about him . Mary sayd he , for foure causes , to kill dogs , and to kéepe off Sergeants , to huff bawdes , and to guard my whore . The 34. Iest. A Yong man , being taken by a watch in the day time , for an idle fellow , was by a Constable brought before one of the Sheriffes of London , and being examined what he was , and whom he had serued , it was found that hee had bin in diuerse seruices , but had shifted his Maisters , almost euery yeere wherupon the Sheriffe sayd , hee should goe to bridewell , and there grind chalke . I am contented to doe so , answered the fellow ▪ but doe me Iustice good Maister Sheriffe , let all your Officers h●● sent to grind chalke too , for I am sure they shift their Maisters , euery yeere aswell as I. The 35. Iest. A Barber standing very sadly at his shop doore , one of his customers came to him , and asked him why he lookt so scuruily : Oh sayd the Barber , my maide has had a sore mischance , my man has playd the knaue with her , and got her with child : Call you that a mischance quath the other ? of all chances in the dice , I warrant your maide likes that best : your man has done no more then what he is bound to by indenture , which is to follow his trade , and that 's to trimme folkes . The 36. Iest. A Country Gentleman , comming downe Westward by water to London , vpon the day when my Lord Maiors Galley ●●ist was in all her holliday attire , and séeing such triumphing on the Theames , but not knowing the cause , demanded of his Watermen , why there was such drumming , and piping , and trumpeting , and wherefore all those Barges ( like so many Water-pageants ) were caryed vp and downs so gaylie with Flags , and Streamers ? It was told him , the Lord Mayor went that day to be sworne , to Westminister . What neede your Lord Mayor ( quoth he ) goe so farre to be sworne : I haue heard ther● is as good swearing in London , as in any place in England : but goe all these ( in blacke gownes ) to be sworne there too ? No ( Sir ) sayd his Waterman , these sweare fast enough in the cittie . The 37. Iest. A Company of Gallants hauing supped in a Tauerne , and being ( as the fashion is ) extreamely ouer-reckend in their bill of Items , yet paying all , departed in as extrea me a chafe ; swearing , neuer to hold vp their hands agen , at that vnmercifull barre : One of the rest ▪ as he went along , demanded in mockerie , what was to pay : Nothing , sayd one of the pewter-potclinkers : All is payd sir ; I le take my oath vpon a booke : All is payd answered the other , for we payd you well , and you haue payd vs soundly . The 38. Iest. A Scrinener meeting an Atturnie in Fleete-streete , ( after some talke had passed betwéene them ) asked him how they should doe 〈◊〉 , so much of the 〈◊〉 was cut off : truth saies the Atturnie , for my part 〈◊〉 shuffle for one : Michaelmas tearme you know is like a great houshold loa●e , you may cut out a good many shi●es , and yet feeds vpon it well too , I care not , so I may come but to haue a cut , at the last cantle . But how ( quoth the Scrinener ) if it bee cut all cleane away : Say it bee ( replyed the Lawyer , ) it s but like a Barbers cutting off a mans haire , within a little time after it will grow againe , and he 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 againe . The 39. Iest. VVHen the Horse 〈◊〉 on the top of Poules , a Seruingman came sweating to his Maister , that was walking in the 〈◊〉 I le ▪ and told him the wonder he had séene , and what multitudes of people were in the streetes staring to behold it , the fellow most vehemently intreating his Maister , to goe and make one . Away thou fool● ( sayd hee ) what neede I goe so farre to sée a Horse on the top , when I can looke vpon so many Asses at the bottome : O yes Sir , replyed the Seruingman ▪ you may sée Asses heere euery day , but peraduenture you shall neuer see a Horse there againe though there were a thousand beasts in the citti● . The 40. Iest. A Clarke of y ● Guyide Hall , being requested by his Client ( at the end of a Triall ) to draw him out a bill of charges : Yes sayd the Clarke , I will draw it out presently , and did so , the Client running it ouer , knew to himselfe , that he was at more cost with him , then was needfull , yet sayd nothing , because hee was to vse his helpe in other matters , but payd it all : and then requested my young Lawyer , to goe drinke a cup of Muscadine with him at the Tauerne , which he did : the Client at the end of the shot , paying all too . Nay them ( quoth the Clarke ) By the Lord , I haue done you wrong , to put you to so much charges . In good troth answered the Cliēt , so I thought before , though I sayd nothing , but since you sweare it , now I dare verily belieue it . The 41. Iest. TWO Cittizens ouer-taking one another , as they came from Westminister , ( the one of them being excéeding pen●●ue , ) it was askt by the other , why he went so heauily : O quoth hee , I haue reason to goe heauily , for I had an Action tryed to day at Westminister , of 200. ● . and it is gone against me . Who was your Counsell sayd the other : Mary such a one , replyed the second . What strange qualities , ( quoth the first ) haue these men of law , the selfe same man that makes you so heauy , has made me excéeding light . The 42. Iest. A Prisoner that stood vpon his comming forth ▪ was put backs till he had payd , such fees as the Keepers demanded of him , which he thought were vnreasonable , and against both l●we and conscience , whereupon he raild at them , cald them bloud-hounds , bloud-suckers , hel-hounds , and such other vngodly names : but one standing by , counsaild him to hold his tongue , and not to spit his venome against men that are in place , for sayd hee , Keepers of Prisons are as good men as the best , where they take . The 43. Iest. A Young wanton wench that had maryed an old man , being a Forrester , whō she had so transford , that comming amongst the heard of Deere : he went for a Stag , fell suddenly sicke , for the loue of a Gallāt , that had a good while together gone a hunting with her , but vpon some dislike of his game , gaue it ouer : the kind old fellow her husband , that suspected nothing , brought her a Doctor , but the cause of her disease being loue , she proud him a D●nce ; he could neither by her water , nor by feeling her pulse , find what sicknes bred within her : whereupon the old Ranger her husband , perswaded her , to shew all how it came first vpon her , for sayd he , we must hide nothing from our Phisitian . Why then ( quoth she ) good husband shew your forhead to him , which me thinkes is all broken out : Alas sayd he , that 's onely the weaknes of thy sight . Nay husband , ( sayd the sicke louer ) if your browes grieue not you , they shall neuer hurt me . The 44. Iest. A Country H●bbin●ll , h●●ing seene she mad-folkes in Bedlam , fell so in ●oue with their trickes , that he swore he could ●nd in his heart , to liue in the Sommer-time amongst them , and demanded ( of him that caryed him thether to see them ) how he might soonest be made to runne mad , if one had such a mind● , easily sayd the other , for doe but mary with a whore , or else haue to doe with players , and thou shalt quickly runne madde . The 45. Iest. A Wench hauing a good face , a good body , and good clothes on , but of bad conditions , sitting one day in the two-penny roome of a play-house , & number of yong Gentlemen about her , against all whom she maintaind talke . One that sat ouer the stage sayd to his friend : doe you not thinke that yonder flesh will stincke anon , hauing so many flyes blowing vpon it . Oh ( quoth his friend ) I thinke it stinckes already , for I neuer saw so many crowes together , but there was some carion not far off . The 46. Iest. LOoke ( sayd one ) is it not strange ? yonder is a fellow that the last day went for a Lieftenant , and now he is a Pandor : Alas sayd one that stood next him , Souldiers you know if they cannot get it by faire meanes , they will haue it out of the flesh . The 47. Iest. A Couple of Gentlemen talking of a common Punck , one of them sayd she was a Recusant : Nay before God , quoth the other , that 's a lie , shee le take any thing . The 48. Iest. A Uniuersity man , cald one of the Constables of London , Onyon , at which the Constable , ( as if he had bin slyced into peeces ) kept a coyle , and wondered , why he should call him an Onyon , that was rather one of the best dishes , that stood vpon the table of Iustice ; Mary sayd the Scholler , I tell thée againe thou art an Onyon , because thou hast a great head , but no wit in it . The 49. Iest. TWo Tradesmen falling out , and vpbrayding one another with house-keeping , & miserable feeding of their seruants : Saies the one , I spend more mustard and vineger , in a yeare in my house , then thou dost béefe in thine . Nay quoth the other I believe thée , for I alwaies tooke thee for a very saucie knaue . The 50. Iest. A Notable scolding Queane , ralling hand to hand , with thrée men that were her neighbours , and beating them all three at it , because it was her owne weapon ; her husband standing by ● taking part with neither . At last shee began to reuile him , and told those that fl●ckt about her , how her husband thought to haue euery rascall a top on her : And reason good , quoth one that ●ood by , what 〈◊〉 Iades for , but to be made hackneis ? The 51. Iest. A Gentleman made all the friends he could , to the Captaine of the french Kings guard , that hee might bee one of them , but the Captaine told him , he was so hardly prest vpon by sun●ry Noble men for their Seruants , and fellowes , that he could not by any meanes doe him the pl●●sure : Oh sir ( quoth the gentleman ) sure you mistake ▪ you are not ( as I am told ) so prest vpon by so many Noble men , but rather with so many Nobles . The 52. Iest. A Water-bearer complaynd before a Iustice , of his wifes misusing , and ouer-maistring him : t is strange quoth the Iustice , that you two should iarre , for I am told , that you ( Sirra ) are neuer seene to goe into an Alehouse , but your wife is seene there too ; you are neuer drunke , but she is drunke too : you neuer quarrell with your neighbours , but she quarrels too ; I wonder that hauing quallities so alike , you should no better agree . So doe I and it please your Worship ( sayd the Water-bearer ) for my owne part , I could agree with her , if shee were worse , so she would be but better ; I pray therefore let me haue her bound , either to her good behauiour , or else to the peace . Seeke but out a Scriueuer ( quoth the Iustice ) that can make such a ●ond , and thou shalt haue my furtherance . The 53. Iest. A Farmer of the country going to Law , for certaine Acres , about which he would neuer haue ve●tured his money but that his Councell whetted him on , by telling him the matter was cleare on his side , and that all the Law in England could not take it from him ; came iocundly vp to the Tearme and yet after much heauing & shouing was ouerthrowne Horse and foote , so that he had scarce money le●t to carry him home , wherevpon meeting an acquaintance of his , and wondring ( as hee said ) that men of learning should so much ouershoot themselues , in that wherein they are so perfect : oh ( replied the other ) the Sun showes men their shadowes , but not their faces . The 54● Iest. AN Apothecary that had a gallant creature to his wi●e , was wondred at , that shee ( especially ) and himselfe could be so rich in apparell , and so expensiue in dyet , hauing no customers resorting to their shop for any phisicall stuffe , but onely a few Gentlemen that came to take pipes of the diuine smoake : whereupon some of his neighbors giuing vp their credit , that this geere could not last long , oh ( said one of them ) you are all deceiued in that man , it is not possible he should sinke , hee is so well held vp by the heade . The 55● Iest. A Yong bryde ( that had married a stale ou●d bachiler ) sate at the wedding dinner with a very sad and discontented looke , to thinke what a ba● market she had bin at● but an Ancient merry gentlewoman ●●tting next to her , cheerd her vp , in her eare thus , daughter quoth the neuer repent the bargaine thou ha●● this day made , for an ou●d horse will hould out a ●●long iorney , as well as a nagge of foure yeere ould : It may be so , ( quoth the bride , ) but as little skill as I haue in riding . I doubt whether he can hould out in some hye waye● that I could name . The 56● Iest. AN impudent fellow meeting a ciuill gentlewoman vpon a narrow cawsie , that she could not passe him without striuing ( in courtesie ) to giue wayrudely brake out into this question Gentlewoman are not you a whore ? She being nothing dan●ed at his blunt beha●iour , but hauing more witte about her then he had ciuilitie , answered him thus , trust me Sir I am none now , nor euer was I any but once , and that was when your father being no better then a Chimny-sweeper , lay with me all night , whilest she whom you now cal mother kept y ● dore . The 57. Iest. A Company of ●heeues , brake 〈◊〉 night into a cou●trie schoole-maisters house , but hee hearing them , neuer stired out of his bed for the matter , but cryed out aloude you mistake your marke my maisters , goe to the next house , that 's a rich Farmers , I wonder you will loose time to seeke any thing heere by night , when I my selfe can finde nothing by day . The 58. Iest. THree waiting gentlew●men sitting vp late one euening began to shriue one another , and to know what manner of Louers each other had : saies the first I loue o●e of our Seruingmen , and I ( quoth the second ) loue the Tutor , nay ( sayes the third ) then I like my choice best , for I loue my Ladyes Gentleman Usher : out vpon him , cryed one of the other , I had rather ten other men should lye with me night by night , then one gentleman vsher . The 59● Iest. TWo friends hauing drunke much Tobacco as they safe togeither in a chamber , ( one of which was in loue with one of the ●●p●ny 〈◊〉 sinnets that lay in y ● Spittle in shoredich , and they both hauing spet much vpon the ground , one of them suddenly started vp , and with the end of a wand stood rakeing vp and downe in the spettle that lay before them , the other wondring at it , askt what he meant by doing so ? mary quot● his friend , I am trying if I can finde what ●illanie thy 〈◊〉 punc● ( whom thou dotest vpon ) is committing in the Spittl●● . The 60. Iest. A Pipe of kindled Tobacco being offered to 〈◊〉 y ● was not●● to be a greedy taker of it , was by him refused , and being demanded , why he that loued it so well , should now leaue it ? he answered , for three bad properties that he found in it , for sa●●● hee , Tobacco makes any man a thee●e ( and vpon that hangs danger ) a good fellow , ( and that requires cost , ) & a niggard ( the name of which is hatefull : ) It makes him a theefe for he will steale it from his father , a good fellow , for he will giue the smoake to a begger : a niggard , for he will not part with his ●or to an Emperour . 〈…〉 The discoueries made by Cock Wat , the walking spirit of Newgate . COck Watt , as I am priua●ly knowne , & commonly cald by knaues , theeues and con●catchers but more properly named C●ck W●r● who giues warning to Court , citie and country . Haue amongst you then , for the forefront of my name Cock , know I am so titled & discouered by it , in y ● place where I keep my twinkling 〈◊〉 , as distinctly as your likely horse by his white star in y ● forehead , your wāton wench , by her black patch worne on the side of her browe your house of iniquitis , by little cakes and lesse cans , and your perfect tuddlecap by his red nose And not vnproperly n●ither , 〈◊〉 called Cock , for about that time when the last 〈◊〉 takes his farewell of the ensuing day and that earely bird , the morning● herauld giues his wakefull sum●ōs to the darke clouds ( vnder whose canopie , théeues , baud●s , and strumpets doe their hatefu●l actiuities ) to disport themselues from the desired day by whose cheerefulnes , the honest laborer reioycingly , eates his bread got by the sweate of his browes , doe I like a cand●e at his halfe going out , in that stilnesse of ho●res , making my soueraignty amongst the monstrous thée●es and murtherers , and my pa●lac● a prison● creeping vp the wall , from side to side , and roofe to roofe , appeare . So much for the character of my name Cock , now for my name , and nature of my name Watt , or Wary , thus : know y ● I am neuer seene to make my visitation and nigh●● progr●sse , to the terrifying of some , and comfort of other : that either in my Iourney see me● or the next morning heare of me : but about thr●● dayes before the sessions or 〈◊〉 when comming into the prison . I finde for seuerall offences , plenty of offenders , some lying on hard 〈◊〉 - beds , but the most 〈◊〉 on harder bordes ▪ some with course 〈◊〉 and thinne couerings , the rest in 〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉 barle● , or other couer●ure , heauy Irons , some 〈◊〉 lawyers , some for walking on the padd , some hor●est●a●●rs , ●ome mi●s , some foy●●● , some stals , some I●glers , some 〈◊〉 , some morts some li●●s , some d●coy●s , all cunning 〈◊〉 and cosoning quea●s , and of all these , wh●● they are , and their seuerall course of 〈◊〉 , in their due places . Where bone●● reader thou shalt perceiue , how easily thou 〈◊〉 be deceiued , bow the goods 〈◊〉 , be ready to accuse , nay euen to I●dite thy guiltlesse ser●ants , be suspitious of thy Children , and onely by the di●elish sleights of many , who 〈◊〉 with a fairer glosse of brauery , honest show of behauiour , or priuat 〈◊〉 : feede like drones vpon thy labours , and 〈◊〉 like vipers in the common wealth . But for my power and benefit of arriuall in your prison ; know I most comm●nly appeare on the side of a wall , and from thence cary my selfe about in as swift a motion , as water glides from a spring , from bed to bed , and b●●rde to boorde , onely at the head of euery pris●ner , I make a seuerall stay : And as it 〈◊〉 giuen mee by diuine power ▪ I draw from each particular ▪ the certaine continuance of his life to succeede , and whether at the following sessions or Assises , they shall bee c●●demned to suffer their deserued and shamefull death or not . At first I make my seate vppon the ●eade , where resting a whi●e , I suddenly start from thence vp to the roofe , and downe againe vppon the face , in as quick motion as lightning , when as if I had then receiued , by certaine Intelligence , whether the party I haue ●oothed on , shall bee executed or not , I thus to the Iudgement of any who are then waking make it euident . For vppon my returns , the prisoner I haue made tryall of , shall shortly 〈◊〉 , about his head and face , like a lampe neare 〈…〉 I make a 〈◊〉 twinkling and goe out . But it hath pleased GOD , his present Imprisonment hath beene layed vppon him , as a 〈◊〉 and mercifull correction , for his future amendment and to instruct him , that as this certaine to vnhonest pleasure , is begot a compa●●on repentance , so to vnlawf●ll actions , doth become this succ●ssion , a shamefull death on 〈◊〉 or the rest , that for that time are preserued , my light saileth not , but 〈◊〉 and descends from one to another : ( whome I finde lying , as they haue liued , like sw●e ) but decayeth not one any but such onely whome shortly the Lawe shall condemne , and the speedy execution thereof , cut off . While thus then , I continue my visitation , know that to th●●● to whome for that moment I am visible , the horror of thunder , mixt with the ●lashes of affrighting lightning , dreadfull to Beasts , terrible to Man , putting him in minde , that in such a minut , and by such m●●●ngers , the worlde shall determine and euery sinner shall bee cald to a strict account , wherein the best shall be found short of their reckoning , as I say , the remembrance of that hower , begets not a more earthquake in the bosomes of the wretched , then doth my light ( beeing no more in show , then a starre by vs ) increase in my beholder : for in what ra●cke of the seauen deadly ●inn●s so euer his conscienc● doth witnesse against him , that his prisoned life hath marcht in , seeing my light , for the same foot●●●ps , extinct vppon another , hee expects the like due rewards is desc●nd vppon him selfe . And in this terror of his , the plagues here is euery seuerall sinne , are as visible in the eyes of his soule , ●s they were then thrusted in Hell , for the corruption of his bodie . If hee haue beene as proud as a Player that feedes on the fruite of diuine poetry , ( as swine one 〈◊〉 ) that 〈◊〉 from the noble O●● of their ●●ndes , and in the least Win●er of prosperitie , will not stick to make their ●●ye , in that bo●ome which of late 〈◊〉 them , in an hower 〈…〉 like this , they shall with trembling remember ( what in the height of their vaineglory they presumptuously forgot ) that though they are in their fulst of rankor , fatted vp like a Bore in his trunck that eates vp all is brought vnto him , yet are they stil but swines flesh , that the damnedst shew , will not eate a bit one , nay the Diuels themselues thought them the fittest r●●●es , vnder which to keepe their Court in , semper excipimus , and that a minuit will come perhaps in this moment , when they shall be like Tantalus in hell , to gape after their old fodder , but get none of it or in such an howre as this , when either I or death shall visit them they shall euidently perceiue it was their pride which is the peruerter of all vertue , taught them to thinke , themselues wise , but prou'd fooles , instructed them to despise learning , scorne pouerty , mew at desert , yea and that merit , which from starke Asses , which they naturally were , made their fit momusses worthy to be laught at , yet remembers them withall in their best prosperity , they are but like the flower sparagus , that growes out of euery mans dunge , and contemned of euery man. If hee haue beene as enuious as a serpent , enemie to all mankinde , and hath giuen as many pricks , to the destruction of a mans life , & reputation , as a taylor , stitches in his clothes ; for this long tongue and tooth'd maleuole , ( that lookes as desperately on the prosperity of any , as your vsurer on a yong heire , greedy to deuoure him ) hath not the feathers of his birdboults glewed on onely with backbitings , calumnies , and slanderous reproaches which onely contummate the credyt , but he hath as many shapes besides , as Proteus , and like Signior don spaniardo , who in fight , aymeth all at the hart , or your northerne fencer , in playing his prise , who sticks your marke fairer vpon his own brest yet sends his stoccado cleanly into your bosome , so will hée vpon any occasion of reuengement shift himselfe into seuerall suites of Apparell , into a mans dish , his drinke his nosegay , his any thing he has an excellent wardrop too , change of garmēts , and not beholding either to his mercer , marchant or taylors Booke ( as I hope most of our gallants are ) for a penny . O enuy thou forerunner of murther ( as a great mans sumpter-horse who makes shew before that his Maisters comming after ) ●●sit thy 〈◊〉 , wash thine e●es that lookes flaming like the ceaselesse fire of the Glashouse , doe not vse to grate thy iawes , nor haue the continuall hartburning at other mens happinesse , but by y ● misery which these feele , by beholding of me repent thy life , and reforme thy condition , for know it seemes to them in the instāt , they are tórne by Diuels in the shapes of dogs , in that bl●●● & read kingdome , for béeing so dogged to mankinde , twixt whom and them there was a christian affinity here vpon earth . If he haue béene as letherous as a mountaine goate , and to kéepe his effeminacy in repaire , and make his desires perpetuall , hath beene at cost to maintaine his monethly bathes , somentations , electuaries , and to cherish his loy●es in high 〈◊〉 , hath had his Culle●●es of dissolued pearle , and bruis● amber , 〈◊〉 , cocksparrows , braines of larks , lambst●●● all the earths chiefest vyan●s , to r●●lenish his pleasures , and p●mper vp his rancknesse in this minut , by me his ●essenger , hee is remembred , all is vanity : And begins to reckon with him selfe , how miserable man is , whose body is preserued from the plenty and cheefest of the land , and by the delicatest store of the sea , yet thus nourisht and nusled vp , not as all other creatures or for man y ● nobler person , but for wormes the very dregs and ●●●all of the earth ▪ and as he hath liued licentiously like a g●ate , so his skin bathed , rubd , sterket nay perhaps painted for that purpose , shall then like a goate be tand not to make spruce spanish leather , fit for wanton Ladies shooes , but to make gloues for friends , ( like Salamanders skins ) able to resist the heate of the low country : for though they are farre from the Sunne , they alwaies liue in the fire , and the best ●ffice their hides can be put to ● is to make pumps for Proserpin , gra●●d Pluto King of Lecyfrs Concubine . And as of these● so insues to all the rest , such as by drunkennesse , haue made their bodies like dry fats , and their fac●● like a shriefes post of seuerall colours or swearers , whose oaths fly out at their mouths , like smoake out of a chimney , that de●●les all the way it passes , or lyers , and such commōly are theeues : for lying and stealing , or as inseperable companions , in sinfull society , as a théef● and a receiuer , and indeede all sinners of what condition so euer , are at the sight of me , struck with a suddaine and violent remorce , reckon vp their liues , and make themselues Iudges of themselues in these offences , wherein their conscince giues ●estimonie against them , that they are guilty , and in 〈◊〉 present horror , they s●eme in minde to ta●e the vpright Iustice and punishment which they know , long before this they haue deserued . Well , hauing brought these that behold me into this ague , you walking spirit will 〈◊〉 them in their 〈◊〉 , and returne to the rest , whom wée left 〈◊〉 ●●ely by the way , I could wish that I had that su●●erance in the Citie , that I progresse once a moneth , about the Goale , I then durst vndertake , you should soone heare of more charity , and fewer cuckolds , find-lesse houses ▪ & more hospitality , not so many promises , but more payment , not so many Foles rich , and so many wise Beggers , nothing should be amisse , all should b●● amended , or your Cock Wach would walke the sinfull round like a Sentin●ll , and the sinners should swet ●ort . But to them whom I left sléeping , not like the rest of good men , wherein they find comfortable recreation after their carefull labours , but like the sléeps of ●illayns : For somnia bonoru● meliora quam malorum . So I finde these not in sound sléepes , but distressed flūbers , troubled dreams , visited with stairings , grones and passions , and afflicted in minde , as they are persecuted in bodie , one that went drunke to bed ouer night , hee réeles in his sléepe , and sweares to begin at the last halfe pot , where he left in the morning , others that haue béene ●* soysts , all or the most part of their time , and thriued well in the profession , and now lately drawne into some other action , as they call it , as to breake a house , or to lift a cup from a Uinteuers red barre , to be 〈◊〉 for it at the black barre in the old bayly , he curses his education , complaines of the destynies , malignes his starres , and concludes thus , what a villon was I , to leaue my old trade , meaning picking of pockets , to vsurpe and ●eale into an othermans mysterie , namely house-breaking , or what other waies ; I heretofore haue liued well by mine owne , and that which I was brought vp in , drawne forty or fifty pound for mee and my punck , in one tearme , out of a rum coues ●ung , ( so called in their canting vse of spéech ) ( and as much as to say in ours , a rich chuffes purse ) and now after in my many escapes , common bale , the helpe to many a venterous thée●e , a plague of all Ill lucks , I must ride Crowee as much as to say , beha●ged for a trifle , & in the bitternesse of his passion , breakes out thus , may all they take another mans trade vpon them , neuer spéede better . Here you must vnderstand euery man kéepes his own trade , among théeues as orderly , as they of the twelue companies , as he that is a vintner , is a vintener and no more , so he that is a pick-pocket , is a pickpocket and no more : and so of the rest , yet in the end , closes vp his elegie , beeing sung 〈◊〉 his dreame , with this resolution , well I haue seene the worst , t is but halfe a● howres hanging , t will saue mee halfe a yé●res drinking , twoo turnes , the knot vnder the eare , and a wry mouth will doe it ▪ let me sweete hart , ( speaking by his mort ) haue a white sh●●te tyed about mee , and my black wrought Cap on my head , my nosegay in my hand , t is but the way , which many a good fellow has gone before , and welcome death , when she perhaps , then present with him , as if their soules did ●●mpathise in one , answeres dialogue wise to him , making vp her protestations with ●thes enowe , no doubt of it , his will see will s●● performed , nay for his sake , she will neuer loue none of his 〈◊〉 more neuer come vp newgate staires , nay for euer will be a stranger to the I le of man , in remembrance of him . Well , suppose the Sessions past , our dreamer awake , and caried in a cart to haue a corner of Docter Stories cap , whē she once s●ing him gone , makes no doubt but he has borne a noose w t him , will hold him fast enough from comming back , & straight she forgets her promises , neuer to haue more friends , nay ten to one , neuer takes care to see him buried , y ● hath brought himselfe to the gallows for her , but rather studies , where and how , she may get money to bee drunke with a new loue , and in fresh fild cups , make vp a new combination between thē , thus like water men , that shift their fares , from one landing place to waite for another , so doe these morts euery sessions shift their sutors , they dispatch o●e at Newgate stares , & a Noble to a groate , they take vp another betwixt that and Tiburne . Yet shall it not be Impertinent , that I Cock Watt , your new discouerer , make euident , what vse these kinde of people draw from these she creatures , both abroad and in prison , first know , that your thée●es trauelling mort , is partly a setter of rob beries , partly a théefe her 〈◊〉 , but alwaies a receiuer of whats● euer is ●●lne and brought vnto her : for which fellonies , if him whom she cals her hus●and , chance to be apprehended , she tross in his businesse , labours his aduersarie to be good to him , & suffer him to be bayld ●ut , you shall want no teares , no knéelings , no intercessions , no perswasions , that it is the first fact that euer the poore man her bedfellow fell into , and will you s●ke his bloud , that he was neuer in prison before , and will you bee his ●●doing , when if you but search the record at Newgate , you sh●ll 〈◊〉 him to haue payd his garnish twentie times at least , but if it proue that at her Importunity you are mooued , and in pitty of her , spare her mates life . Take this from me , it shall happen to you , as to an honest Iuror of this City not long since , who séeing a comely proper yong man stand i●dighted for a purse , and by his verdit giuen against him , ●as to be hanged , in pity of his present youth , and hope of better grace to come , béeing at that time foreman of the Iury , so laboured with his a●●●tants , that for that fact hee was acquitted , who in recompēce presently vpon his discharge , paying his fées , came to the place where this Iuror was , and pickt his pocket , then i● poore Cock may not preuaile wt●ou t● spare none of them , learne this of Horras . Quo semel est Imbuta re●ens seruabit odorem Testa d●●● A 〈◊〉 vessell will neuer bee made swéete , and our english prouerbe is as true as old , saue a theefe from the gallowes , & hee le hang you if hee can , and though these parties themselues will in person no more steale from you , yet imboul●●cd by your pitty they will be instruments , to intice others to worke you hurt , otherwise if shee findes you not moued at her Crocadiles teares , but according as iustice in y ● case has prouided will prosecute against him , then fals she to rayling against you , abuses your 〈◊〉 ●annes your children curs●s your procéedings , and if she haue a childe her selfe , brings it and sayes at your doore shee will leaue it , for you or the parish to bring vp , if by your meanes her hus●●nd perisheth , thinking thus to ouercome you with impudence , if shee could not doe by perswasion , they that haue had any trading know this to be true , then poore Cock leau● & euery man to his ow●e discretion , and will now tell how these shee b●asts behaue themselues abroade . In the day time two of them neuer lesse , often more , w●lke vp and downe streets together with their handbaskets in their hands , so neate and decent in atire , that suspition it selfe cannot cease on them for other , then people of honest conuersatiō when vigilantly as thy passe along , they cast their eyes about , to obserue where , they can finde a shop furnished , but with one to giue attendance on customers , be it ma●●●●●r , mistresse , or man , so but one they respect not , which taken note of , into that shop of what trade soeuer they wil enter , for these wil play small game before they will sit out , mary their chiefs venture is eyther with Mercers , Gouldsmiths , Linnen drayers , ha●●da●hers and such like ( now a simple man would thinke these should bee credible people that thus loue to deale with the best● ) at first they demand for this , or that sort of wares , as rings , taffety , cambricks ▪ hats , gloues , garters , or what soeuer the shoppe keepes 〈◊〉 of , much they desire to see but are contented with none , yet still requesteth you to turne about and reach h●r this thing or th●● thing , all which trouble is to no more purpose , but that 〈◊〉 your face is away from them , they may ●●ke aduantage to 〈◊〉 somwhat away from you , which at that instanc● she that is ●ext you failes not 〈◊〉 ●ffect , and closely conuayes it to her that stands of fit purpose a prety way off , thus hauing the pray they fish for , she modestly dis●ikes your wares , sayes she is sory shee has troubled you , she will now make bold to see further , and if she cannot speed her selfe better , she will returne to you againe , a●d whilest she is vsing this complement , sh●e withall opens her basket , shakes and begins to gather vp her cloth●● , and you seeing no occasion of mistrust , the one , laying all meanes to free suspition opens to you , and the other standing aloofe and not comming neere your wares , kindly bids them welcome & so part , you to the making vp of your wares againe ( and ten to one for that instant misse nothing ) and they to make away that purchase , and by the like to prouide for more . Thus is many an honest Cityzen robd , ten , nay perhaps , twentie times , vy the vildnes of this condition , and of long time mistrust nothing , but comming to cast vp his shop , findes his goods gone , and no acount to be made of them , he suspects his wife , distrusts his children , accuses his seruants , when these make pray of your endeuours , and consume your substance in as vild or vilder manner then they get it . Another instruction learne , to auoyd these dangers by , at the coming in of two in this fashion , into your shop , though by your vigilance both in laying out & making vp of your wares , you are certaine there is nothing lost , yet of her that stands aloofe haue this foresight , that nothing lye within her reach , for while shee perceiues your eye to be diligent on her you are seruing , her eye is not idle to obserue what lyes at randome abroad , for thothey haue beene hole ●olts of Hollād , peeces of Taffety , or Sattane probatum est , that many an honest man hauing had a care of y ● o●e , haue beene by the other whom they mistrusted not in the meane time deceiued , for sometimes , they will not come in as of one aquaintance , but when she perceiues you busied with the other , and cals hard for such wares which she knowes you , haue , whē you as loth to loose a customer , intreat her but to slay a litle & you will attēd her straight , she ●aies she will y ● other whō you are seuing there prolonges the time , and shee walking about about till shee has plaid her prise , in fit opportunity takes h●● leaue and saies shee will come againe when you are 〈◊〉 more leysure , and so at one time giues you the list and the slip , straight retires home to her Copesmates , who neuer go● abroade vnles sometimes to be drunke but liue like ●wl●s , wh● in the day are wondred at and seldome seene but by night , when your goods are deuided , and you the honour for your neglect iested at . But if , as it is seldome they misse of their purpose , yet come they not home , without meanes to set some other pr●ie●● a foote , as by noting your dores sellors , windowes , casements , whether your seruants lye in your shop , and how they finde all things easily for entrance , or defensiue● against a burglary , y ● next night , when , with two or thrée men and a boy , the purposed act , as shall be after reuealed in what manner is vndertooke . These that thus steale , for there be of them , both men and women , are among them selues called running lifts , of which , there are that steale in another maner , and thus it is . If they perceiu● a Nobleman or gentlemans dore opē , they will straight without asking presse in , and so far vp , euen to the fairest lodgings where if by chance they are met by any , and resisted with this question , who would you speake withall , they haue either of these two answeres , for their reply , Pray you is not this such a Ge●tlemans house , who dwelleth within a ●●re or two of , or is not such a gentleman within , whose lodging they know it is , & they themselues haue watcht his going out , but if as it often happeneth , they bee intercepted by none , what plate , apparell any thing of worth happens in their way ▪ it is 〈◊〉 to their net : for in things that are trifles , these will not venter , as I will now tell you of a trick that happened to a gentleman of worth , nere Holborne , by one of this profession , and the shee théefe yet liuing , the more is the pitie . This gentlewomans maide being vp earely in y ● morning it was her chaunce to come out at the street doore , to go into y ● sellor to fetch coles or some other necessaries , she had presently to vse , w t this , she lift perceiuing , slept in & in an instant vp toward the chambers ( hauing prouided at for the purpose , on her feet , a paire of cloth 〈◊〉 with pump soles , so far was she climde ●til shee was at the chamber doore where the gentleman & his wife lay , as she suspected a sleep , for it was in the morning early , the maid● by this time was come out of the sellor , & going forwarde with her busines in the Citchen misdoubted nothing : while she list●●ng at the chamber doore if she could heare all quiet , in the end went in , but it was the gentlemans chaunce at this time to be awake , and perceiuing betweene two curtens the glance of a woman to passe by , closed his eyes of purpose & lay breathing as if he had slept soundly to note the euent , when shee thinking all safe opened a presse doore that stood in the roome , & in which was the whole encrease of the gentlemans plate , and began to ●ather it out as charily , and with as much regard for bruising as it had bin her owne , first she filled this pocket , then y ● , t●entother , took vp this vpper cote then a second , then a third , euen to her very smoke , which the gentlman perceiuing he thought like Bankes his horse , or the Baboones , or captaine Pold w●th his motion , shee would haue showne him some strange & monstrous ●ight for his siluer & guilt before she had left him , at last hauing fild some eight or ten deep pockets , too many for an honest body to beare , made the gentlman thinke she had made them a purpose to carry his plate in , downe went all her co●es as the seuerall couers of them , and hauing now left no more in the c●bbord ● but one faire bason and ewer out came that too , & being as charitably minded towards that as the rest , because it should not lie abroade and take cold , she g●ue it houseroome in her apron , which he that ought it percie●ing , said smilingly to himselfe , I see now that theeues haue no conscience , well she began to trusse vp her selfe , hoping for a boone voyage , & like a theefe as she came vp , to steale out of the chamber , mary better ballast by three or foure hundred pound then at her comming to that rode , when the gentleman stepping out of his bed● caught her by the arme , and cried halfe share in faith , for in this commody I haue playd a part and deserued it well , thankes bee to the Diuill , shee had scarce so much yet as to blush at it , but in bréefe , he cald for his neighbors , vpon whose comming , his goods béeing sound about her , she was caried before a Iustice , and from thence to prison , but whether of the gentlemans mercy , or what composition , I know not , ( but money can do much ) in three or foure daies , she outrun the kéepers , and was quit of her trouble , which makes poore Cock Watt to complaine , that such ●●ld théeues should haue better luck then honester men , and for that I know , let them haue neuer somuch mercie shewed them , they are still like dogs , Redire ad vomitum , what though one Broker , who had his beginning from an inch of this profession , is now become an honest man , because he is rich , and a fréeholder , he yet must be no president for the rest , for might I haue beene her Iudge , shee should haue had her due , and ●anst Derriks ●ance in a hempen halter . I my selfe haue liued in the same state , when I was a creature on earth , wherein they remaine , and I know , their custome so vilde , and life so abhorred , that I had rather chuse with those , whom Circes transformed , to liue in the nature of bruit beasts , then to reassume my antient habite , and liue like them . Another sort of these shee morts , or monsters . I must Anatomise vnto you , who though their nature of stealing be alike , their maner of attēpting is different , yet their purpose one , & they are led Glimerers . Your Glimerer , shée s vp in the morning betweene 5 or 6 of the clock , drest in her night attire her bodies and cotes scarce laced togither , her apron defusedly put on , & with a black brād in her hād , of the colour of her owne soule , which she caries vnder her apron , as if to kindle that , were her purposd busines , about stréete she goes , taking the like opportunity with the former , to goe into any house where she finds the doore open nay presumes further : If it be in the darkest winter mornings , to knock for admittance , if she but perceiue a light● when the mayd or man seruant , but most commonly y ● mayd , comming to know her arrand , she desires to haue leaue to kindle her stick , which vsuall curtes●e bé●ing granted , in she goes into the kitchen● and while her stick lies in the fire , as if she were a seruant : newly come to some Gentleman or Citizen thereabouts ( whome shee 〈◊〉 perfect to nominate ) she begins with that goships chat , which is familiar and in vse amongst ●atling houswiues , which is to discouer the humor , and manners of their maisters & mistresses , their forme of gouernment in their house , how they agrée , or disagrée , one with another , & in what order they must rub their roomes , wash , dresse meate , reckoning vp all the forme of her huswiferie , to kéepe her mistres 〈◊〉 quiet , ( when as she seldome meets it otherwise ) finding the other as ready to enquire and listen after nouelties , as she to offer , she begins to commend her cleanlines , and de●ence in keeping that house in so good order , praises the pillors of the building , the necessary contriuing of it , and offers her selfe to walke further into the next parlor , to haue more caus● to speake more in her commendation , when this mistru●●les soule , proud to heare her selfe praisde , & suspectlesse that she com●● for any other end but to kindle her sticke , keeps waitfull eye ouer her , but giues way to her presumption , which leaue giuen she has dispatcht that she came for in a twinckling , and neuer comes back empty handed , takes vp her sticke , giues some kinde farewell at parting , as I hope we shall meet at the Backehouse , or Market & be merry , or if you receiue on Palme sunday next , I would be glad to haue your company , & so with her new purchase departs , the maide she followes her busines , and not long after , riseth her maister and mistres , when shortly whatsoeuer the vulture had before made gripe of , is mist , the maide accused for it , and the maister and mistres angring against her , they saw themselues their goods but late last night when they went to bed , and of her they must know what is become of them , y ● accused wretch she weepes , protests she knowes not , & vowes to her knowledge , nay she is certaine there came none in but such a gentlewomans maide , rehearsing her name , whose seruant she had named her selfe to be to kindle a brande , then whiles the maister ●rets and is suspitious that his maide is a thee●e , the seruant is a ielous y ● the maister or mistres haue béene théeues to themselues , & conuaide away their goods , with intent to defraud her of her wages , in y ● end the gentlewomans house before named is enquired alter , and the seruant examined , and not found to haue beene in the others house , as the accused● had inferd , the suspition growes more strong : for the maister knowes his goods to be lost , findes his seruant whom he suspects to faile in her answere , & doubting no such ●raudulent practise , as these drones haue inuented , imprisons his maide , ●ay somtimes as in case of a fellon , proceeds in ordinary tryall against her , that were not our graue bench of Senators , Preleous , & Patrons of this comon wealth , carefull to distinguish betwixt partie and partie , the Lambe might oftentimes perish for the wolues rauenings . So this I hope then shall be sufficient for maisters to giue admonishment to their seruants to be warie ouer them that come to kindle sparkes . By your leaue yet , and let your new discoueror wade a little further , and giue warning to Merchants wiues and women of the best sort , to learne how to preuent this fresh practise inuented to deceiue them . There is a new company arising , though not yet halfe so many in maner , as y ● fellowship of the Porters , & thus call themselues Reachers , they walke togeither Male and Female , and keepe house together like man and wife , they will haue you a house to dwell at about Endfield , Brainford , or any place within 6. 7. or 8. miles of London , but withall kéepe a priuat lodging for them selues to retire vnto , at one Brokers house or another in the suburbes , vpō the market daies these two come to towne ▪ she attired like a comely country woman , in cleanly white linn● with a muster on her face , and in russet clothes outward signes of the countries honest simplicity , & in her mawnd or basket which she beares on her arme , lapt in a pure white cloth , some fine tidy pig , fat goose , yong kid , orh aunch of venison , indéed any prouision but of the daintiest , which eyther she can buy for her money , or more probably her mate may steale from any , in this neat maner lapt vp , the ware it selfe of the delicatest , able to entice any eye to haue a desire to buy of her , comes she to make her markets , when lingring in the towne , at on place of receist or other , as they want no shelter t●●l toward y ● breaking vp of the market , which is much about y ● houre when exchange time is held for the m●ting of our merchants , when thus cōiecturing , as very profitable it is , that at that time our worthiest citizens are from home , they goe into Milk-street , Bread-street , Lime-street , S. mary Axe , or the most priuiest places where they kept their residence to make their ●enture , when she knocks at the doore , and demands of the seruant that comes whether her worshipfull good mistresse bee within , and whether it will be her pleasure , to buy of her , her goose , pig , kid , or whatsoeuer , when shewing it to the seruant , ( and she can do no other but commend it , ) she prayes her to expresse the purely of it to her mistres , that she may bargaine for it : For in truth sister , quoth she , we poore country folkes , dare not proffer any thing so dainty as this to the open view of the market , lest any one of spight , informe either the King , or my Lord Mayors officers thereof , and so our goods shall be taken from vs , we hauing not halfe the vallue returnd vs for recompence . With this reasonable and honest seeming preuention , the maide knowing her mistres to be of the minde of all our Citizens gallant wiues , loth to let any dainties , or good thing go by from their owne tasts , which they either haue desire vnto , or may haue for money , though they pay neuer so deere & their husbands prooue bankerupts for it , wils her to come stand within the doore , which she indeede requests , left any Catch-pole or busy knaue should se her , and so her commodity be forfeited , being as it is held vnlawfull , the sale to be offered not at the market , well the maide goes vp to informe her mistres , ( and withal takes the dainties along with her . whom she finds in her chamber , perhaps scarce redy , for t is growne a fashion amongst them to eate their breakfasts in their beds and not to be ready till halfe an houre after noone , about which time , their husbands are to returne from the Bursse and they make it their dinner time , now while the mayde is aboue , flattering her mistres ( as flattery is a part of their worke , for why they haue their wages , with the delicasie of the offer and the cleanlines of the country woman , which brought it to be sold , the Fox beneath 〈…〉 what pray she can espy , to carry home to her den , whē 〈◊〉 hole piles of broad clothes , Cearses , or such like commodities , too burthensome for any one to suspect a lone woman could defra●d you of she straight beckens ouer her companion , who stands ready at an inch , & being a quicke good sturdey knaue , with a hand shifts a way one of them . This is no surmise , there is merchants in this towne , by the losse of commodities 20 ● thicke can witnesse it well , by this time the gentlewoman has lik● that which was brought her , cals for , and commends the country womans cleanlinesse , bargaines with her at her owne rate , and requests shee may see her chap-woman on the like occasion , by this also has my porter , though without the badge of the porters Hall , brought his burthē to the Brokers house ▪ where béeing once put in : t is an abisse too bottomlesse for any search to reach out againe . O your cloth is good ware , it may be cut out into seuerall garments , by this also my marchants come home , where soone taking note of his losse , it makes his wiues markets eate not half so sauery as they would haue done , yet in the end ●ends for a cup of sack , and comforts himselfe with this , that I in his behalfe , would admonish theword , Foelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum . And this much for my order of lists , which I hope shall be a caueat sufficient for courtiers , to haue a care of their chambers , gentlemen their lodgings , citzens their sho●s , chapmen to haue an eye at their faire , and by diligence , defend that hereafter which by these meanes heretofore hath béene their hinderance . Now to our Foysts , alias , pickpocket , alias cutpurse , he has as many alias as a good gentleman of Wales ▪ and indéede is as good a benefactor to the alehouse hee consists of an army of three strong ▪ namely , foystes and snaps , his common wealth to liue in , or ground to encamp in , is the antient great grand father Powles , & all other little churches his children , besides Parish garden , or rather ( places of more benefit ) publick , & by your leaue priuat play houses Westminster hall is his good soyle , the dark entry going to the Six clarcks office , in chancary lau● his in the tearme time his deere and speciall good friend , London bridge his bountifull benefactor , all markets are his pur●eiors , and carefully prouide for him all faires his diligent factors , that bring him in his prouision in abundance , all pockets his exchequor , that are neuer shut against him , progr●sses his true paymaisters , though they pay seldome-in y ● Court or cock-pit , though the King himselfe be there , he dare incounter , he pri●e●●●ges no person , nor no place exempt with him , only the Exchange excepted , for saies he , where merchants méete , is no méeting for vs , If they once take vs , we are sure tog● to the old turn , for they are men deale all with great store of money , & very little mercy , the times when his skirmishes are hottest , is y ● time when they run attilt , is the day the Lord Mayor takes his oath , a new play , or whē some great cause is hard at the Star Chamber , now for the person himselfe that dus pick the pocket , and his ministers about him that giue furtherance to the action . Know at a new play , he is alwaies about the playhouse do●e , watches out of which side you draw your purse , & then gessing whether the lyning be worth the ventring , for that serues his turne , if hee see you buying of ware at any stall or shop , hee obserues when you pay for t , on which side you put your purse , and that serues him likewise , If in a throng he thus comes to knowledge whether your pocket be worth the sacking or no , If you be a man that once appeare likely to him , hee gathers iust behind , or on the side of you , and there clapping his hand easily on the place where the bottome of your pockets are , poyses them with all , and by the waight getteth how well they are ballast , if he bée a Countryman that comes from far to the tearme , or one that dwels not farre from London , or seruingman , such either to bestow money , if he walke without a cloake , as for the most part they will , two of them méete him at a corner ▪ and only with streaking of their hands on his hose , gesse whether this bayle be worth the nibling at , nay perhaps at the first encounter , gaue it the draught , but this happens not alwaies the generall . Then thus . When they haue once agréed , which is the Coue they will ●asten on , if it be in a throng or gasing after any obiect to delight you , the stall he gets before you , and there he rings himselfe too & fro , while the foyst dooing as much behind , they both disquiet you , & the one picke your pocket . If they follow you in the stréet , and once know where the bung and the bit is , as much as to say , your purse and the money , out goes your stall before likewise , when comming at a corner , by which you must passe , being direct before you , stoopes of the sudden , as if to take vp somwhat , when the other as néere behinde you , as if hee were to passe by in hast , Ius●es you vppon to ther , and withall drawes your purse : Thus rather then fayle , will he follow you , and offer vpon you twice or thrice , if he misse at the first of his purpos● al this while , now you shall sée like a scout , he come after a loofe , watching , If any stranger were suspitious of you in the iusle , or the man himselfe , which if he finds and you before haue sped then comes he apace after you , and ere the man in that space , has time to miss● his purse , and come after you , he glides by the foyst , with these words , kinchen the coue toures , which is as much as , Fellow the man smokes or suspects you , when the foyst slips the purse either to him or the stall , & feares not to be searcht , nay vpon the challenge will so out-face the party : and stand vpon his credyt , beeing sure there is nothing to be found about him , and the rest gone : that the honest man is rather ready to aske him mercy then accuse him : and now I will tell you a prety tale of a foyst , whose unpudent euent happened at Charing Crosse , not long since . Their liued a foyst in this Towne , whose gettings by the trade was so good , that he kept his punck , though he called her his wife : in none worse ware , then Taffeties and Ueluet of the best , and himselfe more like a rich knight , then a kua●ish Cutpurse : and indéed the comlinesse of his feature and faire behauiour , was so answerable to the brauery of his apparels , that it procurde him accesse into the worthiest places , nay oftentimes made him estéemed as a companion with the best , this fellow seing a good lusty Seruingman , & one hopefull to haue some purchase in his pocket would serue his turne , if he could get it , stept to him , and as he wisht gaue him a little Iustle : and withall , twicht 3 ● out of his pocket , the seruingman , who but new before had ●ought a peny worth of pares , and ●pon this thrust , ●lapping his r●and to his side and ●ist his purse , stept after the loy● , and rouded him , what do you here gentleman ? ( for by his apparell he apear●d no lesse ) though I put vp your iustle , I wold bee loath ●o haue you put vp my purse , there is thrée pound in it , come let me hat it againe and no more words out , the pickpurse vpon this challenge began to reuile the honest fellow , calling him rogue , ●laue , knaue , and I know not what , to charge a Gentleman , of my fashion with thy purse , as they were at these words , being spoke against a great faire House , where some great personage dwelt , comes me a Coatch whirring on the suddaine , and there made a stand , to discharge his burthen at that lodging , when as the Lady dismounted , the foyst béeing exceeding gallant , tooke occasion by the hand , stept to her , caught her by the arme , and lead her in , leauing the f●llow in a muse , whether he were awake , and might assertaine himselfe , he had lost his money or no. The foyst by this time had brought in the Lady , where after some curtes●e discharged , stept to her , kist her and departed , leauing the gentlewoman in as strange wonder who it should bée had done her that present seruice , and blaming her memory y ● she should forget in what place was begun their acquaintance . ( when indéede her eies and his did neuer parle together before ) yet gessing by his habite , he could be a man worthy of no lesse then that kindnesse , a kisse which she had receiued , she past it ouer . By this time the foyst was come back to the seruingman , & roūdly began to tell him , that now he had brought in his honourable Aunt , he should know he had done him wrong , to charge him with his purse , he would fight with him , y●●ellow séeing him selfe thus outfaste out of himselfe , and holding it his best to proceede no further , replyed , It he had done him wrong , ● r he was sory for t , but howsoeuer hee was sure thrée pound he had when 〈◊〉 ius●ed him , and hee was as sure t was hee ius●ed him , and withall answered the foyst , I am as sure thou presumptuously didst challenge me for it , and I am sure I will fight with thee . The fellow halfe angred for the losse of his money , entertaind this offer : and into Tuttle fields they went where they had not changed past halfe a dussen thrusts , but the foyst had hurt him in the arme , and so they gaue ouer , but ere they parted , the foist puts his hand into his pocket , told out twenty shillings of his money , and speaking to the fellow , sayd that hee should see hee would proue himselfe a Gentleman , since he had but him , there was so much for him , & so sent him to the Chirurgio●s , the seruingman praysing his resolution and minde of a Gentleman , they so parted , the seruingman with thanks , and the foyst with this Impudent bost . If this were not a trick to shift a foole . A more knaue learne mee , and I le go to schoole . But now to the manner of the foysting of a pocket , the sharing of the money , and how honest men may auoide them . First know your pocket is drawne vp , that he may the easier come by your purse with two fingers , onely the fore-finger and the middle , and with that forke , he cetches hold not of the lining , nor on the side next your skin , but the other : for if hee should faste● on that ne●t your thigh , he were in danger you would feele him sooner then on the other . When hauing drawne your pocket vp , till he can reach your purse , it is then gon with the least twitch nay by this meanes of drawing , If your money be loose , they will turne you the case cleane out , and the bit , into their hands , now for the sharing of this bit , as they call it , your Stall is equall part with your foyst , if the foyst his none , which is shift some aside , ere they come to sharing , but your snap has his wages at their discretion . For the manner to auoide them , though their cunning bee great , it is very easie , which is , if euer you take any , to hang them , and let not this composition preuaile with you , for that meane of compounding with the aduersarie , hath béene like an vsher to ●enstole in this mysterie of cutting of purses , embol●ned many schollers , and increast their number , and also to bee gog●uernd by these instructions , If béeing in a Crowd you perceiue a busy knaue , or cunnin● whore , ( for wee haue shee foysts as well as hée ) labouring and thrusting about you , how gallant so euer they bée in apparrell ) and the male haue alwaies one side of his cloke cast ouer his shoulder , for that 's the perfect badge to know a pick-pocket in a throng by , séeme either not at all to regarde him , till you take him in the trap , or else looke once or twise eagerly vpon him , then l●●ke away , and then léere at him , kéeping your hands downe on the ●ide of your pockets , when presently he will perceiue himselfe to be smoked , or at least , in his guilty conscience suspect himselfe , and so shew from you , from whence you may take note of him for one o● the trade , and for that time are rid of a knaues company . If going through the stréete , or standing at some Corner , your purse be attempted with a iustell , vpon the touch , haue this in remembrance straight to search , if you misse nothing , when , if you finde your purse wanting , spare not to apprehend him that iu●led you , and him that stood next before you , when though they will appeare to you to haue no acquaintance , you shall finde them a kinne in conuersation , when they come to Newgate . Now if he haue mist his hold , and the snap that stood C●ntinell or comes after , perceiues you vppon the shoue together , to your pocket to féele for your money , then hastens he after you with his old lesson , kinchen the coue towres you , which is so ●ufficient a warning he will not angle with you after . Among the profession of theeuing , this kinde is held the ba●est , as your lawyer , whole course is so sufficiently knowne I shall neede to speake of , is held the worthiest , yet among them selues they reckon if the best , bosting thus of it , wee are not troubles in our venter , with luggage , as your millure quasi Breakehouse , and others are , which is dangerous to put away : But wee as soone as wee haue done our worke , we haue our money . Thus hoping that this instruction will in Citie and country , fayers , and méetings , to kéepe honest mens money in their purses , and pickpockets , poore Cock VVatt will onely discouer a word or two of the mill , quasi breakhouse , and so go to bed , you Mill or breakhouse , to whome your broker is your onely vpholder , and merchant to transport his commodities , whereas all other théeues worke in the day , hee onely sleepes in the day and toyles in the night , there is of these as of Foysts and Lifts , both men and weomen , whose Instruments are either little Iron hookes , which are called picklocks , and they that vse thē termed Iunglers or a strong Iron barre made sharpe at one end , and they which trade with that , are called Mils , withall a boy to créepe in at a crushard or small hole , which they make or finde . The time that they go forth , is about one or two a Clock in the morning , at which houre commonly the watches are discharged . They lightly set forth foure in number , of which the Boy is one , when if they haue in the day taken note of any casement , without a speere going vp in the middle , if there be either signe-post , or pent-house about , thither doe they vpp●n their hands and shoulders lift vp the Boy , who beeing brought vp for the purpose , presently créepes in , then two of them beneath go to stand Centinell at each end of the stréete , and the third waites to receiue whatsoeuer the Boy shall throw out . If they breake a sellor or a shop window , they doe the like , but it alwaies followes not , that these burglaries haue a Boy : for somtimes they are all men , but then are they associated with an excelling iugler , a fellow that will pick you open a lock , as soone as a man will blow his nose , he has the power of Gun-pouder , he will blow them open , but not with halfe so much noyse . This fellow opens the dore , if not bolted on the inside , & makes easie entrance , who where euer they finde to the fullest burthen , they take away , the distribution whereof , this is some parte to the punck , and the rest to the Broker . Now if this robbery shall extend to forty , fifty , or a hundred pound , If none of it be money , but apparrell or commodities she is so Imbusied away in the suddaine , so altered , so transported from one to another , that if the looser take not his theeues , within two or thrée daies , he shall find his goods bought & sold , metamorphosd into so manie seuerall shapes , and sold for so litle at the first , this little but their liues will bee his recompence , A plague of these Brokers , priuat buyers , priuie receiuers , saies Cock Watt , they haue giuen me c●use in time past to curse them my selfe , & my hart will not let me be sory for them . They make me theirs in England , then your owers , and Schullers dus land men vpon the Thames , Your Iuglers exercise besides , this is picking open the locks as partakers and chesse them , but those that kéepe Innes , & haue their riches in one ro●me haue a cut of them ▪ for your other sort of mils I haue set downe the Characterie o●t , aduise all men whose shops & houses are not together , to let a seruant lie there : for they stand dangerous , such as haue low windowes , as though a story high without a spare , in the midst to all them , & if there be a paint-house vnder any window , to leaue nothing they respect there ouer-night , least they say they had it in the morning . And thus wishing the happinesse of honest men , and the end of théeues . Cock Watt bid● you . God ●ight . The miserie of a Prison , and a Prisoner . THis Ghost ( that haunts no places but houses of Calamitie ) béeing weary of beholding so much villany though not weary in discouering it was about to go to rest , & to walk no more aboue earth , but to retire to this discomfortable and gloomy shades ( vnder-ground whither all such troubled spirits ( after the second Cock crowing ) hasting to be assembled . But glyding by a darke and dolefull lo●ging ( for it was about midnight ) it suddenly stopt at the sound of a voice which sorrow ( who seldome layes her eies together ) sat vp heauily playing vpon so late , & filling the vast roome with nothing but lamentations . Cock Watch darted a sudden glaunce in at a cranny to obserue what it was , and beeing delighted with the obiect , stept back behind certaine curtaines of Cobweb lawne , which spiders had hung there most richly , and there hid himselfe , appearing ( not by the thousand part of the least fraction ) halfe so big as the glymering of a Sextons candle , standing ouer a Country Church yard in a black and silent night , when the twinckling of it is scarce discernd the distance of some mile or two off . The thing that complained , was a man : that for age , would haue séemed Reuerend , but that Care ( who sat at the be●s head turning his haires into whitenesse with too ill handling of it , made his countenance appeare miserable , and discontentedly was hée throwne vpon a poore and vnhansome pallat : In his face were the Ruines of youth , In his garments , of Time : In both , the Triumphs of pouer●y , His Armes were seuentimes folded together , like a withered garland of willow , worne carelesly by a forsaken Louer : Sometimes did he vnwinde them , but then did his handes cla●pe each other so harde , that betwéene them they embraced many witnesses , for now his eyes stood ( like floating Islands compassed rownde with waters : his chéekes like Bankes to Riuers , eaten hollow by cruell torrents . Had Aduers●ty ( with whom hee fought long ) not giuen him any one of these scarres to be knowne by , it might easily be iudged hee was a Wretch , for he was a Prisoner . And albeit the rest of that wretched and forlorne houshold , where hee lay , knowing what happinesse they were to loose in the world , by want of their liberty , gladly suffered themselues , ( like these whose limmes are to be cut of by Chirurgions , ) to be cast into drepe and Lethaean slumbers , and so to take away all sense of their paine , yet hee hauing his heart ( like Corat whilest it is vnder water ) continually , soft by the teares , that inwardly dropt vpon it , was more tender ouer his affliction , and because he had sometimes beene a Scholer , though hee could reade comfort to himselfe out of his owne Librarye , ( which was his memorie ) yet woundes are gri●uous when they receiue them , euen to those that can cure them , discord seemes most harsh to the Musition , and calamity most Irkesome to the gentle Nature , such was his , it should seeme , and therfore such was his Condolement . Oh most miserable spectacle of Creatures that I am , the wide and vniuersall World was made ( as a goodly Orchard ) for thee to walke in , yet art thou denied to treate vpon three times so much grounde as must one day couer thee . Thou we●t borne free but art likly to dye a Slaue , yee and to dye in the worser state of Slauery , and whereas that but in a Prison● Better had it beene for thee to haue beene the Sonne of a common Begger , for it then thou hadst beene smitten by the Lawe , the houres of thy punishment would quickly haue runne out : But these are like Shelues of Sande growing in Riuers neuer to be taken away , so long hast thou worne the fetters of miserable thraldome , that thou canst scarce remember that there is such a thing as libert●e . Thy dayes haue gone ouer thee like the dreames of a foole , thy nights like the watchings of a mad man , numberlesse are thy haires , numberlesse therefore must needes be thy sorrowes : for at euery haires end doth hang a sorrow . Oh sacred libertie ! with how little deuotion doe m●n come into thy temples , when they cannot bestowe vpon thee too much honour ? Thy embracements are more delicate then those of a yong bride with her Louer , and to be deuorced from thee is halfe to be damned ? For what else is a Prison but the very next doore to hell : It is a mans graue , wherein he walkes aliue : It is a Sea wherein he is alwaies shipwrackt , it is a lodging built out of the world , it is a wildernes where all that wander vp and downe grow wilde , and all that come into it are deuoured , it is an vnsa●●able gulfe , a feadomelesse wherlepit , an euerlasting scaffold on which men go dayly to execution , it is the caue where horror dwels , it is a bed of terror , no , no , it stands not next doore to hell , but it is hell it selfe : for soules lye languishing and cannot dye . The keepers of i● are churlish , and so are Diuills , the officers of it tormentors , and what are torments ? goeth not a man therefore toward hell when hee is leade to a Prison ? for alacke what are the comforts hee meetes , there his wife and children grieue him , when hee beholdes them , his kinsefolkes grow blinde and cannot see him , his friendes are stricken deafe and cannot heare his mones , they vpon whose company hee spent his coyne and credit , will not come neere the sight of that cold Harbor where he lies , whliest others that fed him with wholesome councell do now laugh at his folly for refusing that good dye● . What musicke hath he to cheer● vp his Spirites in this sadnes none but this , he heares wretches ( equally miserable ●reaking their heart-strings , euery night with grones , ●uery da● with sighes , euery houre with cares : the meate heates doth ●ake him pine , his drinke is vnto him as a poyson , if he haue money he shall there soone consume it , if he want it , be must be sure to consume himselfe , How cruell therefore is death in striking the rich man amongst his heapes of gold , in drowning the voluptuons man in his drye cups of wine , in damning the Letcher in the fires of his l●st but how much more cruell is he to the poore Prisoner only in sparing him . When kne●s ring out ( abroade ) for ioy that soules haue made a voyage to heaue● , what sorrow is amongst them that were by at the leaue taking , what shrikes are heard from the wiues , because they are become widdowes ? what sobbings frō the children , because they are become Orphanes , what complaints from seruants , because they are left comfortlesse , what 〈…〉 flow from friends , because Societie is broken : yet euen then when the warning peeces of men so newly departed from the shores of life , go● off , the languishing Prisoner lying on his melancholy bed , abruptly shakes off al other cogitations , and as one wrapt with ioy for his friends good fortune , suddenly cryes out to himselfe , Oh happy man art thou , that by the hands of death art thus set at libertie ; but most vnfortunate am I that coue●ing him day and night , I can no wayes get into his fauour . A Prison shure is so dreadfull a place that death feares 〈…〉 it , the grates are so strong and so narrow , & the lockes so full of wardes and so many , the roomes so wide , and so vnwholsome , the beds so pestered with guests , and yet so old , the dyet so costly and yet so sparing , the family so great and yet so vnruly , that death would thinke it more then double death to himselfe to abide in so strange a lodging , or else men that are compelled to lye there are such forlorne and miserable wretches , that death scornes to be seene in their company , Yes , yes , it is so . Dulce noui miseris ●ed mors optata re●ug it , These Latin bullets , were shot so heauily out of the olde mans mouth , ( like the songs of fidlers when they bée ouer-watcht ) That sleepe hearing him so wrongd by his brother ( Death ) and taking pittie on his greefes , layd charmes vppon the lids of his eies , and bound them fast vp in slumbers . At which our nymble Ignis Fatuus , that all this while stood Centinell in a darke Corner , vanisht out of that place and like a péece of fire-worke running on a line , was , ( in the turning of an 〈◊〉 , ) at another , ( whether if you please ) let vs follow him . A Paradox in praise of Sergiants , and of a Prison . OUr Newgate-Bird ( whose notes you haue heard before ) spreading his Dragon-like wings , ( which with a horred & a fainting sound , brake open the Ayre before him ) rested himselfe in his flight , on he tops of many other pollutes houses , and looking downe ( sometimes through chimneys , and sometimes in at dormer windows that stood gaping wide open to swallow vp the ayre , ) he beheld a thousand Synnes , that in the shapes of Bats , Skréech-owles , and such other ominous mid night-walkers , wasted the bawdy night in shameles and godlesse Reuilings , but in the day-time , like snailes they lye couer'd , hiding in causes their vgly and deformed heads . Of all which hee taking notes , with purpose to sing their liues openly to the world , when he is perfect in their tunes , hee spent all the next day in a theeuish thicket , not far from the Citie , to practise the straynes by himselfe , but the Sun going to bed , being his houre to rise , forth flutters he amaine , close by the edge of darknesse houering vnder the E●ues of the suburbs , till hee heard watchmen cald to their browne bils , & till Vintners were rea●y to adiourne their Sessions , and to araigne no more at their fearefull Barres till the next morning : Iust at that time ( being much about the houre when spirits begin their round ) did he enter the citie , and passing by a Tauerne doore , he might behold a tumultuous crew , ( like drunken waues ) reeling from one side to the other ; the whirlewinde that raiz'd this tempest , beeing nothing else then the clapping of one on the shoulders that was watcht for when he came out of his cup , you would haue thought the Allarum had beene giuen , and that the Citie had béene in an vprore , for you might heare the clashing of swords , the hacking of bils , and such a confuses noise , as if all the Diuels in hell had fallen together by y e eares . Some cald for more lights , others to put out , some cryed clubs , others to strike him downe , those then had the greater part swore , all shewed as if they had bin mad , yet on they went , holding a kinde of orderly procéeding in this disorder . Cock-Watch followed them aloofe by the noyse , till he came to one of the Counpter gates , which presently flew open mor● suddenly , then if they had béene blowne vp with powder , and as suddenly were ●ard vp againe : At which the thunder-bolt brake , that kept before such a rumbling , rash Phaeton , that set a●● on fire , was throwne headlong into a lodging , the fury of the multitude was quencht , and euery one went to his pillow . Onely the good Daemon , whose nature it was to sit out she very last Sceine , of such Tragi-comedies , followed the cheife Actor ( that played This ) euen vp into his bed-chamber , where he was fast enough lockt all night , to rehearse his parts by himselfe . The waking Cock had softly clymbd vp to such another Roost , as he sat vpon the night before , for the Inne was all one , but the Guests were not alike . This was not an old Souldier , that had bene beaten to the wars of Calamity , ( as the former was ) & béeing wounded in thē● lay now sick and groaning on his bed for cures : But this was a first man in the schoole of the World ; A gallant that had spent much , and learnt little , one whose outside onely shewd he was a Gentleman , ( for within the sumptuous tombe of him , was nothing but Carcas ) It was one vnto whome Vsurers , and Citizens would offer vs Golden and silken robes ( as once the Heathen did to the Images of their Gods ) because they knew he was borne to Actes , and now to make him wise , and to take héede what pasture he breakes into next , haue they put him ( like a Iade into a pownd ) into a prison . Where , ( because this was the first time that hee euer came to the Ten-penny Ordinarie ) he went cu●s●ng vp and downe to thinke himselfe so base to leaue that by Paules-wharfe , to come in to this : he bid the crosses of the plaine in all Merters bookes , wisht he had neuer beene brought vp like a gentleman , to this writing and reading , damnd Scriueners & bond-makers to the déepest pit of hell . Stampt , stared , tore his haire , called for faggots and wine . misusde the kéepers , and cryed to euery one of them , doe you heare goodman Rogue , yet swore to make them drunke , but they making many lyes in mockery to his good worship , counsaild him to take his naps , and so were ready to turne the key vpon him , and their tailes both at one time , but he stroaking vp a handfull of his ha●re in diuerse parts of his heace , as if he had some great matter there to fetch out , & thumping the table with his f●st : as if he had beene coniuring vp a diuill , cald for pen and inke , and vowde that might not to lye in the streetes of captiuitie . The instruments of Learning being set before him , and the roome cleared after fiue or six paire of oathes were spet forth ( like wild-fire ) to thinke how hee was taken like a woodcocke ( beeing in the company of the onely gallants ) and how he was drayde along , and how scuruily he was vsde in words : hée sharply began to rayle against Sergiants , because they knew not their Gamoth , neither had any mus●ck in them , & yet durst presume to teach him , ( that was a Gentleman ) one of the chiefest notes in musick viz. Counter tenor , he swore he would haue the statute of Garbling sued vpon them for offering Mace to men that was able to poysen them , as for Marshals men , the blacke booke did neuer so tickle them as he would . The next heard whose heades like mad Aiax he uowed to cut off , were Bailifes , he calde them poore Snakes that lye in euery corner at the townes endes , to sting passengers to death , if they slumble but vpon them , and comparde them to hornets & great humming flies , that are bred out of cowshards , yet held them the basest Go●lins that walked vp and downe the Suburbs , because they were Buttery-bugs , that lay scouting only in bawdy and beggerly 〈◊〉 - houses . The Linstock that gaue fire to these Canon threats of our yong Colonell of cockneyes , against thrée such mighty commanders , was kindled partly out of his feare , and partly out of an intelligence that both citie and country were layd for him , and that pur●ies and liberties had mousetraps set to catch him ; but looking , well vpon the smoaky wals , and the singed roofe of his lodging and remembring that he was but in one of the Counters , he resolued to put on the cloake of mercie , and to spare the two last for a time , but to drawe out the sworde and dagger of his iustice , and to stab home the first for arresting him , and cooping him vp , ( like poultry ware , ) and they were the Sergeants . Against them would he write Inuectiues Satyres , Lybals , Rimes , yea causeth such Iambicks as Archilocus made against Lycambes , or such stuffe as Hipponap , the painter of Ephasus : this very inke should be Squ●azed out of the guts of toades : His pens should be cut out of Indian Canes after the heads of them were poysoned , and his paper made of the filthy lin●en rags that had beene wrapt about the infected and vlcerous bodyes of beggers , that had dyed in a ditch of the pestil●nce . But behold , Nocte pluit tota , redeunt spectacula mané . It thundered and lightened all night , yet was it a faire day the very next morning for furious Tamberlaine , who as you heard , was cutting out 3 sorts of banners for his 3 sworne enem●es , he had ●●arce taken a nap ouer his i●ck pot that stood iust vnder his nose , whilest he leaned on his elbow writing out crabbed faces as he studied for bitter words to begin his execrations . But into his chamber came these ; who the night before , as he thought made him to suffer persecution : they gaue him the kinde good morrow , told him where his cloake and rapier were , protested they were sorry for him or any gentleman whose vnrulines inforces them to vse them hardly , and that for his arrest they could not preuent it , nor refuse it , because the Creditors were at their elbowes , yet would they ride or runne , and do any office of friendship to worke his deliuery , and to shew how much they deserued to comfort him , they askt him what he would drinke next his heart , but he that not an houre before had nothing but daggers in his mouth , leaps about their neeks , cals them mad Greekes , tru● Troians , commands a gallon of sacke & suger to vs burnt for the Sergiants , and musc●dell , and ●gges to bruise for the yeamen , empties his pockets of Tobacco to both , drinkes a health to them all , & sweares he will ouer into the Low Countries , and for loue or money get a Captains place , ( though he neuer be a Souldier ) only to make them Sergiants of his company : And whereas before their comming into his roome , he had a foolish humor to pistoll them with paper-bullets shot out of pen & i●ke-hornes , he proteseth ( with his eyes lifted vp to heauen , higher then his heade ) that now he will waite Palinodes Recantations , and Retractions , yea he will presently eats his owne words , though he were sure like Earle Goodwines dri●ke they should choake him , and therefore because he felt the diuine sury créeping into his braine , he requested them ●o play off the sacke and begon , for he would instantly powre out a parodox to their praises , which should do them more honour when they were deade , then twentie Epitaphes , they thankt him for his paines , and in requitall promist to deale with his Philistines . ( his creditors ) that are now come vpon him , to see if they could take them off , and so departed , their backes being turnde , thus he beginnes . What a ranke Pagon am I to wish distruction to this Temple of peace . What In●idels are all you ( for by this 〈◊〉 all that lay on the maisters side were swarming about him , ) what In●idels are all you , that cannot be brought into a beleefe , that there is no place of safety but a Prison ? Looke vpon your lodgings , Looke vpon your walkes , Looke vpon your B●llwarkes , Looke vpon any thing that is worth the looking vpon , and you may safely sweare no Lord liues such a life as a Prisoner , for note by what staires he climbes vp to his state . At his first entrance is hee led through the stréetes in pompe , and the more coyle he kéepes , ( I speake it by experience , my braue garnish dri●kers , vpon rest●rnights worke ) the more gallantly comes he in triumph , for then Clubbes are cryed , hath hee his g●arde of Ha●berders , then doe an hundred of Uoluntaries follow at his heeles , when before he could scarce keepe one man , beeing entred , the gates are strongly shut , and there stands his Porters and double Porters , all whom he keepes in Fée : his Cookes are ready to prouide his Diet , if his purse haue a stomach ; his Clarkes likewise are attendant in their offices , and all these do liue by him , when he goes to bed , so carefull are they ouer his life , and his foorth comming againe , that he cannot lye downe but he is watcht . How worthy therefore are they to lye by the heeles , that dare not come neere a Prison , and are ashamed to enter it , because t is giuen out that none shall lye there but Swaggerers and Banckerupts , that it is a place of ill husbandrie , a receptable for theeues , a drinking house for Beggers , and that though a man commit all the uillanies that are set downe in the Chronicles , yet there he shall be sure to ly● safe . But Oh you that thus goe about to slander such Ancient house , ( which you cannot doe , how much do you ouershoot your selues ? Is not a Prison the only best schoole , ( foundded by our fore-fathers ) wherein is learnt Experience ? Experience bréeds Wisedome , VVisedome is mother to Honour , Honour to Riches , Riches to Hearts●ease , so then on the tree of Thraldome , you see you may gather the fruits of cont●utation . I speake this to the comfort of all Captaines , and L●i●tenants , whome a little swelling of Warre , makes proude , and the lazinesse of a peace , makes arrant beggers , and where can they appoint a better Rander-vous , than in a Prison ? I speake it for the good of all yong Quats , who ( béeing sent vp by the honest farmers ( their Fathers ) to bee turned into Gentlemen by finding the Law , study onely how to Moote , that is , how to cast all their feathers , and to what nest can they fly , to lye warme in , and to hide their nakednesse , but into this goodly bird-cages ? O you that are the Poets of these sinfull times , ( ouer whome the Players haue now got the vpper hand , by making fooles of the poore country people , in driuing them like flocks of Géese to ●●t cackling in an old barne : and to swallow downe those playes , for new , which here euery punck and her squire ( like the Interpreter and his poppet ) can rand out by heart , they are so stale , and therefore so stincking ▪ I know the Lady Pecunia and you come very hardly together , & therefore trouble not you vpon this ancient Theater , you present , your Tragicall Sceines , for here you shall be sure to be clapt , Nay your mercenary soldiers , or you that are the Switzers to players ( I meane the hired men ) by all the prognostications that I haue sêene this yeare , you make but a hard and a hungry liuing of it , by strowting vp and downe after the Waggon ; Lea●e therefore O leaue the company of such as lick the fat from your heards ( if you haue any ) and come hether , for here I know you will bée Sharers . Lastly O you Citizens , & you whose craft lies in your hands , It may go warmer to your harts than Sack , or Aqua vitae , whē you shall know that ( by kéeping in your shops , Plaugy vacations and lame Termes , that haue their lymbs cut off . ) you your selues are scarce able to stand , yet that ( Here ) you may imploy your stocks ; for in a prison men of all Trades , of all professions , may set vp , by the Customes of the Citie . But admit these Castles of no comfort ( as the ignorant vulger termes them ) had no such appropriations , Charters , nor priuiledges belonging to them , and that they had not such Ordinance in them , nor were so well mand , as they are : yet the very martiall discipline , by which they are held vp , is sufficient ●alone● to ●iue them superlatiue commendations . For what place of Gouernment ( in any Cōmon-wealth ) doth more resemble a Campe than a Prison ? The Keepers of it , and the vnder-Keepers , and the Colonels and Captains , and they cōmand all : then haue Sergiants , and they double the Fyles : them haue you Clarcks of Bonds , and they be Attorneys : then haue you Serieants , and they double the Fyles : then haue you Clarks of the Bonds , and they be Attorneys , Clarcks , who fly out and in , and discouer to the besieged prisoner how the enemies hart ( his creditor ) lyes misconcde in hardnesse , or with what powre of Councellors , witnesse , petty or grand iury men , hee comes marching downe to giue him battaile , then haue you Pioners , and they be the ●ame messengers ( of the house ) who with Paper instruments ( cald tickets ) hobble from place to place , to vndermine friends abroad , to try what they will doe , and these may properly as I saide before , be called Pioners , for these help to dig out the Prisoner . Nay a Prison does yet come nearer to a Campe , by many degrées , & can shew farre more noble markes of it than the former : for Prisoners lye as hard as Soldiers , drinck as hard as soldiers , sweare as hard as souldiers , goe as tattered as soldiers , are as louzy as soldiers , as discontent as soldiers , go cursing vp and downe as brauely as soldiers , and to conclude , are as little regarded as soldiers . How much then are we beholden to them that kéepe vs here in pay ? nay what thancks are they worthy of , that put vs vnto so strong a garrison , and who be those but Serieants ? Serieants are the cunning pilots that in all stormes bring men safely to these hauens of peace and contemplation : the compasse they saile by , is the Law , which is toucht by the Loadstone of Reason ; the poynts of that compasse , are the customs of the Cittye , vppon which whosoeuer kéepes not directly , he runs himselfe on the sands , and so sincks , or vpon rocks , and so splits . Serieants are those nymble-footed Cenii , that walke at mens elbowes ( on either side , one ) to kéepe them vpright . They are neither Russians nor Turkes ( though some count them ) that beat ill debterson the shinnes , or on the soles of their féete ( like e●ecutioners ) to make them confesse the debt , But ( knowing how coldly an ill word from their mouth goes to a mans hart , ( when any by chance fall into their company , they presently play the phisitions , and counsell him to step into a Zauerne , & to drinck wine to comfort his poore hart , or if wine doe no good , then to send for his friends aboute him , to try if the sight of them can make him any better , and this is an act pitious and charitable . So that to a man that is meatefyed in flesh , and whose state ( in this world ) is desperate , a Sergiant may serue instead of a Deaths head , to put him in minde of his last day , and what hee is to come to . They are called in Latine ( and so set downe vppon Records seruientes ad Clauum : and most properly haue they that title bestowed vpon them : for Clauus hath many fields quartred out in Herauldry , and all are the Ensignes of a Sergiants armes , some times Clauus signifies a Nayle , and fitly may they challenge a dignity by that word , for they are Naylers of mē to their words , promises , Contracts , Bills , Bonds , & Reckonings , they ioyne them to the Grounds of the Law and Iustice , from whence ( like vnseasoned boards that warpe and fly out ) they would ( but for them ) start and reuolt● Sometimes Clauus is taken for a Key , and thereby likewise haue they an Atcheiuement of honor : for what are Sergiants but strong Keyes ( that can hardly bee broken ) to open mens harts and make them looke into their estates and by looking to know themselues , which the Philosopher saith is the onely wisedome in the world , and the hardest to learne , Clauus is also a club , the double propertie of which is in euery officer , for his duety is ( & so is his oath ) to beate downe wrong and to guard the Right ; he must as soone strike the rich , as the poore , and be as ready to take the poore mans part , as the rich , he is like death to spare no man. All which attributes , necessarily depend vpon his function , and because no one word could simply in it selfe expresse them all , they were made vp into one lūp or masse together , and of them all ( beeing so compounded ) is made the Serieants Mace , which is nothing else but the Badge of his place , and figure of his authority . What should I say more of Sergiants , though I cannot speake too much of them ? they are the painfullest members of the common wealth : they are the lawes Factors , the Citisens men of Warre , that bring in bad Dettors , who like pir●tes haue seizd vpon others goods , as lawful prize : they are the Scriueners good Lords and maisters , they are Relieuers of prisons , good Benefactors , to Vintners Hall : they are kéepers of yong Gentlemen , from whorehouse , and driuers of poore Handy-crafts men , from bowling allies , In one word they are the only bringers-home of y ● prodigall Child , to feede vpon veale after he hath liued vpon Acorns . The officers that by reason of the burnt Sack went forth with hye cullors before , are now in smoaking clowdes of Sweate returned back againe , as if it had béene iust their Qu. to enter at the fag end of their commendations : the newes that they brought ( vno ore ) and which they vttred with a hye and full mouth together , was , that he must presently goe along with them and meete all his creditors ( in a more dangerous place than the field ) in a Tauerne ; for ioy of which , he bestowed his vltimum in wine vpon his fellow-commoners , who were all busie in prouiding pen ynck and paper , to register ( In aeternam rei memoriam ) his learned Encomium of them , their colledge , and their officers , whilst hee descended in more state of attendants , then he came vp in , for the most part of his money ( which flew out as easily as smoake out of a Tobacco pipe ) was cut out ( like loynes of mutton at the Innes ) in fées , and a generall volley of Farewels from all the grates béeing shot off at his departure , the key was turnd , and he Vno graditur comitatus Achate . hath no more but one onely Serieant wayting vpon him , ( to auoide wonder ) whilst the rest of the Infantery , that tooke him prisoner , came marching softly behinde , to share in his ransome Cock-Watch had no great desire to follow , but stealing out , ( as he came in ) like an Owle from an Iuy to● , he made hast to his old Rendez because Sessions was at hand , where what is done the Cryer will proclaime it . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A20101-e2220 〈…〉 〈…〉 . of li●●● of 〈◊〉 Of F●ys●s . 〈…〉 Notes for div A20101-e3660 〈…〉 His Cōplaint The description of a Prison . 〈…〉