GREEN'S GHOST HAUNTING CONIECATCHERS. Wherein is set down, 

The Art of Humouring.  
The Art of carrying Stones.  
Will. St. Lift.  
ja. Fost. Law.  
Ned Bro. Catch. and  
Black Robin's Kindness.   With the conceits of Doctor Pinchbacke a notable Makeshift. Ten times more pleasant than any thing yet published of this matter. Non ad imitandum, sed ad evitandum.  
LONDON, Printed for R. jackson, and I. North, and are to be sold in Fleetstreet, a little above the Conduit. 1602.   

TO ALL GENTLEMEN, Merchant's, Apprentices, Farmers, and plain countrymen, health.  
IT is most true, Gentlemen, and woeful experience daily teacheth us, that the more careful Princes are in erecting & establishing good laws, for the rooting out of vice in the common wealth, the more repugnant (the devil altogether predominant over them) do evil disposed persons, caterpillars, and the offscum of the world (and therefore to be rejected and excommunicated from the fellowship of all honest men) oppose themselves against God and good government, and in steed of an honest and civil carriage (which the Law prescribes them) betake them to a most hateful, vicious, and detestable life: Who, as they may well be compared to vipers, most venomous and spiteful beasts, that for their venom and poison are hated and shunned of all men, as most prejudicial creatures: so these base people, not once thinking of an honest course of life, trusting upon their own mother wits, daily devise new shifts and policies, to fleece the plain dealing man, and by that means grow into more hate amongst honest men, then do the hated jews at this day: and the name of Conicatchers is so odious, that now a days it is had up, and used for an opprobrious name for every one that showeth the least occasion of deceit. The books that were not long ago set forth, concerning Coney-catching and crosse-biting, and the discovery of each (if any spark of grace were) might have been so many restraints and bridles to call them from that abominable life, but they that are given over to their own hearts lust, with all their might inveigh both against them and their Author.  
I have therefore, Gentlemen, as one enforced (amore patriae) taken in hand to publish this little Pamphlet (which by a very friend came by a chance to my hands, and adding somewhat of mine own knowledge, and upon very credible information) most necessary in my mind for the good of the common wealth, both for all men to see, what gross villainies are now practised in the bright Sunshine, that thereby they may be forewarned to take heed how they converse with such cozening companions: as also a just check and control to such wicked livers, that they perceiving their goodness set abroach, may with remorse and penitency forsake their abominable course of life, and betake them to a more honest and civil behaviour. If any with the spider here seek to suck poison, let such a one take heed, that in practising his villainy he chance commence Bachelor in Whittington College, and so in good time take his degrees and proceed Doctor, and thence with a solemn procession take possession of doctor Stories cap; to which some of the worshipful company of Conicatchers have worthily heretofore attained.  
In this Treatise (loving countrymen) you shall see what shifts this crew of hellhounds have put in practice since the books of Coney-catching came forth under these names. viz. The Art of Humouring. The Art of carrying stones; W. Saint Lift. ja. lame. Ned Br. catch, and Black Robin's kindness: Wherein are manifested the nature of Humorists, such as can insinuate themselves into every man's company: & as they see him addicted, so will they verse upon him, what policies they have to purloin goods out of shops under the pretence of plainness, what shifts they have to cozen poor Alewives, by the art of carrying stones, what inconvenience may come by following flattering strumpets, I know not I what should be the cause why so innumerable harlots and Courtesans abide about London, but because that good laws are not looked unto: is there not one appointed for the apprehending of such hellmoths, that eat a man out of body & soul? And yet there be more notorious strumpets & their mates about the City and the suburbs, than ever were before the Marshal was appointed: idle mates I mean, that under the habit of a Gentleman or serving man, think themselves free from the whip, although they can give no honest account of their life. I could wish, and so it is to be wished of every honest subject, that Amasis' law were received, who ordained that every man at the years end should give an account to the Magistrate how he lived, and he that did not so, or could not make an account of an honest life to be put to death as a felon, without favour or pardon: What then should become of a number of our upstart gallants, that live only by the sweat of other men's brows, and are the decay of the sorwardest Gentlemen and best wits? Then should we have fewer coney-catching strumpets, who are the very causes of all the plagues that happen to this flourishing common wealth. They are the destruction of so many Gentlemen in England. By them many Lordships come to ruin. What dangers grow by dallying with such unchaste Libertines, and what inconvenience follows by their inordinate Pleasures, let those that have had woeful experience and master Surgeon together testify: nay, they not only endanger the body by loathsome diseases, but engrave a perpetual shame in the forehead of the party, and finally consume his soul and make him fit for the devil.  
To leave these base companions (that can by no wholesome counsel, nor advised persuasions be dissuaded from their loathsome kind of lise, nor called to any honest course of living) in the dregs of their dishonesty. Would it please the honourable and worshipful of the land to take order for the cutting off of these cozeners, and consuming cankers of this common wealth, they should not only cause a blessing to be powered on this flourishing state, but have the prayers of every good subject for their prosperous health: and welfare. And thus Gentlemen, I conclude with this farewell: God either convert or confound such base companions.  
Yours to use, S. R.   

To the Reader.  

Use and peruse not with a curious eye,  
For Truth oft's blamed, yet never telleth lie.  
I tell not I, what foreign men have done,  
But follow that which others have begun.  
No learned Clerk in Schools that use to write,  
But Envy makes their labours some to spite.  
What then shall I, that write a homely style,  
Think but to have a homely scoffing smile.  
But these and those that either mock or scorn,  
Would they might wear (fair sight) Actaeon's horn.  
But you kind friends, that love your country's wealth,  
Vouch of my labours, good fortune guide your health.  
To pleasure most, and profit all's my end,  
My greatest care to please both foe and friend.  
Read then kind friends, my travel here you have,  
I look for nought, nought but your loves I crave.    

GREEN'S GHOST haunting Conicatchers.  
THere hath been of late days published two merry and pithy Pamphlets of the art of Coney-catching: wherein the Author hath sufficiently expressed his experience, as also his love to his Country. Nevertheless with the Author's leave, I will overlook some law terms expressed in the first part of Coney-catching: whereunto, as the Author saith, is necessarily required three parties: The setter, the Verser, and the Barnacle. Indeed I have heard some retainers to this ancient trade dispute of his proceedings in this case, and by them in a full Synod of quart pots it was thoroughly examined and concluded, that there were no such names, as he hath set down, nor any cheating Art so christened as Coney-catching. Marry, in effect there is the like underhand traffic daily used and experienced among some few start up Gallants dispersed about the suburbs of London, who terms him that draws the fish to the bait, the Cannoneer, and not the Setter: the Tavern where they go, the Bush, and the fool so caught, the Bird. As for Coney-catching, they cleape it Batfowling, the wine the Strap, and the cards the Limetwigs. Now for the compassing of a woodcock to work on, and the fetching him into the wine bench of his wrack, is right beating the bush. The good ass is he will be dealt upon, stooping to the lure if he be so wise as to keep aloof, a Haggard: and he whom he makes Verser the Reiciver, and the Barnacle the Pothunter.  
But all this breaks no square, so long as we concur in eodem subiecto: yet I wish, that as he hath looked into these wicked actions opened therein, so he had also looked into other gross sins, which are séeded in the hearts of sundry persons. Extortion had been a large theme to have wrought upon: and with the Usurer's bags full of gold he might have handled another pretty Treatise: He might have brought forth Justice weighing bread, and the Baker putting his ears in the balance to make even weight. He should have personated the Thames most pitifully complaining, what monstrous havoc the Brewers make of her water, without all remorse or compassion: and how they put in willow leaves and broom buds into their wort in steed of hops. So likewise a Christian exhortation to mother Bunch would not have done amiss, that she should not mix lime with her Ale, to make it mighty, or cozen the queens liege people of their drink, by fubbing them off with these ●…ender wasted black pots and Cans, that will hold little more than a ●…ring. A profitable Treatise might have also been published for such companions to look into, as for good fellowship will not stick to lend two or three false oaths to defeat the widow and fatherless of ●…ir right, ●…ough in short space after they lose their ears for ●…ir labour. A persuasion against pride had been veri●… profitable: and an exhortation against swearing had been a thing commondable, if he had in a pleasant ●…atise showed the folly of young. you●…s and ●…ole queans; which entering into the service of sundry honest persons, continue there no longer than they can cleanly convey some sufficient carriage for their present maintenance. Then had he done well, and peradventure given such light to sundry honest householders, that they would be careful what persons they ●…ad received into their hou●…s or put in trust about ●…ir business.  
There ●…ght have also been co●…piled a d●…able and pleasant Tr●…atise of the abuse committed by such as sell bottle ale, who to make it fly up to the top of the house at the first opening do put gunpowder into the bottles while the ale is new. Then by stopping it close, make the people believe it is the strength of the ale, when being truly ●…ted it is nothing indeed but the strength of the gunpowder that worketh the effect, to the great heartburning of the parties that drink the ●…ante. I would have had him touch the contrariety of apparel, and set down reasons to dissuade men from wearing French peake●…, because they are good for nothing but to stab men, as also told the use of the terrible cut, and the Swallow tail●… slash.  
To leave dalliance and come to the matter. I will inform you what policies have been practised since the books of Coney-catching were set forth. These Batfowlers or Conicatchers having lost a collo●… of their living, by communicating their secrets with babbling companions, have now invented a new trick to fetch in the pence. They disguise themselves like Apparitors or Summoners, and come to a young Gentleman, Merchant, or old pinchcrust, as it may fall out, that hath gotten a maid, a man's daughter, or this widow or ordinary woman with child, or at least have been more near with them than they should: and them they threaten with process, citations, the whip, or the white sheet at least, until they come to composition. The timorous souls fearing to be made a byword of shame to the whole City, bribe them with all that ever they can rap and rend, to hold their peace, and save their honesty. They will urge the strictness of their oath, and the danger of the law in such cases of concealment, until they can see them come off roundly: then they will ham and han●…ke, and safe they are not every body, and so take their money, and return laughing in their sleeves, to think how they cozened them.  
Within short time after they send another of their copesmates after the same sort, and he gives them the like pluck. And 〈◊〉 two or three one after the other, shall never leave a●…licting his ghost, till they have made him as bare as a birds tail, so as he hath not one penny more to save him from hanging, if need were. A monstrons abuse of authority, and hindrance to the courts of Justice, that have-the oversight of such offences.  
Other there be that do nothing but ride up and down the country, like young merchants a wooing, and they will marry every month a new wife, & then fleece-her of all she hath, that done run away, and learn where another ●…ich widow dwelleth, and serve her after the same sort: so rounding England, till they have picked up their crumbs, and got enough to maintain them all their life after.  
But exceeding all these are the fine sleights of our Italian humourists, who being men for all companies, will by once conversing with a man so draw him to them, that he shall think nothing in the world too dear for them, nor once be able to part them, until they have spent all 〈◊〉 have on them.  
If he be lasciviously addicted they have Aretine's Tables at his finger's ends, to feed him on with new kind of filthiness: they will come in with Rouse the French painter, and show what an unlawful vainehe had in ba●…drie: not a whore nor a quean about the town but they know, and can tell her marks, and where, and with whom she hosts.  
If they see you covetously bend, they will discourse wonders of the Philosopher's stone, and make you believe they can make gold of goose-grease, only you must be at some two or three hundred pound charge, or such a small trifle, to help to set up their stills, and then you need not care where you beg your bread: for they will make you do little better, if you follow their prescriptions.  
Discourse with them of countries, they wi●… set you on fire with tra●…elling: yea what place is it they will not swear they hau●… been in, and I warrant you tell such 〈◊〉 sound tale, as if it were all Gospel they spoke. Not a corner in France but they can describe. Venice, ●…y? It is nothing, for they have intelligence of it every hour, and at every word will come in wi●… Siado Curtizano, tell you such miracles of Madam Padilia and Romana Impia, that you will be mad till you be out of England: & if he see you are caught with this bait he will make as though he will leave you, and feign business about the Court, or that such a Noble man sent for him, when you will rather consent to rob all your friends then be severed from him one hour. If you request his company to travail, he will say, In faith I cannot tell, I would sooner spend my life in your company, then in any man's in England. But at this time I am not so provided of money as I would: therefore I can make no promise: and if a man should adventure upon such a journey without money, it were miserable and base, and no man will care for us. 〈◊〉 money say you (like a liberal young master) take no care for that, for I have so much land, and I will sell it, my credit●… is worth so much, and I will use it. I have the keeping of a Cousin's chamber of mine, which is an old counsellor, and he this vacation time is gone down into the country, we will break up his study, rifle his chests, dive into the bottom of his bags, but we will have to serve our turn, rather than sail we will sell his books, pawn his bedding & hangings, and make riddance of all his household stuff to set us packing. To this he listens a little, and saith, These are some hopes yet, but if he should go with you, and you have money, and he none, you will dominéere over him at your pleasure, & then he were well set up to leave such possibilities in England, & be made a slave in another country. With that you offer to part halves with him, or put all into his custody, before he should think you meant otherwise then well with him. He takes you at your offer, and promiseth to husband it so for you, that you shall spend with the best, and yet not waste half so much as you do. Which makes you (meaning simply) to put him in trust, and give him the purse. Then all a boon voyage into the low Countries you trudge, and so travail up into Italy, but per varios casus, & tot discrimina rerum, in a town of garrison he leaves you, runs away with your money, and makes you glad to betake yourself to pro●…ant and become a Gentleman of a company. If he fear you will make after him he will change his name: and i●… there be any Gentleman or other in the country, he will borrow his name and creep into his kindred, or it shall cost him a fall, and make him pay sweetly for it in the end, if he take not the better heed. Thus will he be sure to have one Ass or other a foot to keep himself in pleasing.  
There is no Art but he will have a superficial sight into, and put down every man with talk: and when he hath uttered the most he can, make men b●…ue 〈◊〉 knows ten times more than he will put into their heads, which are secrets not to be made common to every one.  
He will persuade you he hath twenty rece●…s of love powders, that he can frame a ring with such a devise, that if a wench put it on her finger she shall not choose but follow you up and down she streets.  
If you have an enemy that you would be 〈◊〉 rid of, he wi●… teach you to poison him with your very looks: to stand on the top of Paul's with a burn●…g glass in your h●…nd, and cast the same with such a force on a man's face that walks under, that it shall ●…rike him stark dead, more violently than lightning.  
To fill a letter full of needles, which shall be laid after such a mathematical order, that when he opens it, to whom it is sent, they shall spring up and ●…ie into his body forcibly, as if they had been blown up with gunpowder, or sent from a Ca●…uers mouth like small shot.  
To conclude, he will have such probable reasons to procure belief to his lies, such a smooth tongue to deliver them, and set them forth with such a grace, that he should be a very wise man did not swallow the Gudgeon at his hands.  
In this sort have I known sundry young Gentlemen of England trained forth to their own destruction, which makes me the more willing to publish this discourse, the better to forewarn other of such Batfowling companions; as also for the rooting out of these insinuating moth-wormes that eat men out of their substance unseen, and are the decay of the forwardest Gentlemen and best wits.  
How manis have we about London, the to the disgrace of Gentlemen live gentleman like of themselves having neither money nor land, nor any lawful means to maintain them, some by play, and then they go a mumming into the country all the Christmas time with false dice, or if there be any place where Gentlemen or merchants frequent in the Citis, or any town corporate, thither will they, either disguised like to young merchants, or substantial Citizens, and draw them all dry that ever dealt with them.  
There are some that do nothing but walk up and down Paul's, or come to shops to buy wares, with budgets of writings under their arms: and these will urge talk with any man about their suits in law, and discourse unto them how these and these men's bands they have for money, that are the chiefest dealers in London, Norwich, Bristol, and such like places, and complain that they can not get one penny. Why, if such a one ●…oth owe it you (saith some man that knows him) I durst buy the debt of you, let me get it of him as I can. O saith my budgetman, I have his hand and seal to show, look here else: and with that plucks out a counterfeit band (as all other his writings are) and reads it to him. Whereupon for half in half they presently compound, and after that he hath that ten pounds paid him for his band of twenty besides the forfeiture, or so forth, he says, Faith these Lawyers drink me as dry as a sieve, and I have money to pay at such a day, and I doubt I shall not be able to compass it: here are all the leases and evidences of my land lying in such a shire, I would you would lend me forty pounds on them till the ne●…t term, or for some six months, and then either it shall be repaid with interest, or I will forfeit my whole inheritance, which is better worth than a hundred marks a year.  
The wealthy retailer, citizen, merchant, Gentleman or young novice that hath store of crowns lying by him, greedy of such a bargain, thinking perhaps by one clause or other to defeat him of all he hath, lends him the money, and takes a fair statute merchant of his lands before a judge, but when all comes to all, he hath no more land in England then seven foot in the Church yard, neither is his inheritance either in Posse or Esse, than a pair of gallows in a green field, nor do any such occupiers know him, much less owe him any money, whereby the covetous person is cheated forty or fifty pounds thick at one clap.  
Not unlike to these are they, that coming to Ordinaries about the Exchange where Merchants do table for the most part, will say they have two or three ships of coals late come from Newcastle, and wish they could light on a good chapman that would deal for them altogether. What is your price, saith one? What's your price, saith another? He holds them at the first at a very high rate, and sets a good face on it, as though he had such traffic indeed, but afterward comes down so low, that every man strives ●…o shall give him earnest first: and ere he be aware, he hath forty sh●…ings clapped into his hand, to assure the bargain to some one of them. He puts it unquietly, and b●…ds them inquire for him at such a sign and place, where he never came, signifying also his name, when in troth he is but a cozening companion, and no such man to be found. Thus goes he clear away with forty shillings in his purse for nothing, and they unlike ever to see him again.  
There is a certain kind of cozenage called horsecoursing, which is when a man goes to the carriers of Cambridge, Oxford, Bury or Norwich, or any great town of trade, and hires a horse to ride down with them, as these odd companions wi●… do: and what doth me he, but as soon as he hath him, ●…eps aside into some blind town or other, and there lies till he have eaten him out limb by limb in wine and capons, and then when he can get no more on him, he sends 〈◊〉 Carrier word where he is; who in the end is fain to pay some fifty shillings or three pounds for his ●…uals that hired him ere he can have him. ●…ochester hackney-men do know what belongs to this trade, for they have been often times ●…ced by these rank riders, who coming to a town with a cloak-bag of stones carried after them, as if they were men of some worth, hire a horse to Canterbury, and ride quite away with him.  
There be certain mates called Faunguesis, who if they can find a fit Anui●… to strike on, will learn what acquaintance he hath in the country, and then they will come to him, and say, I am to do commendations to you from a friend of yours, and he gave me this bowed six pence to drink a quart of wine with you for his sake: and if he go to the tavern, they ●…ill not only make him pay for the wine, but for all he drinks in beside.  
●…o was one in aldergate-street lately served, who drawn to the tavern after such a like order called for a pint of wine, the drawer brought it him, and a goblet with it, and set them both on the table, and went his way: ●…hie, quoth this Fawneguest, what a ●…let hath the fellow brought us here, it will not hold half 〈◊〉 draft? So ho (quoth he) no attendance given here? ●…e carry it to him myself, since no body will come: for of all things I love not to drink in these squirting cups, so down the stairs, forth of the doors he goes with the goblet under his cloak, and left his new acquaintance and small remembrance to pay three pound for a thrée-penie shot.  
Such Fawneguests were they, that meeting a prentice, who had been to receive a hundred pound for his master, suddenly in the midst of Cheapside in the day time, and open market stepped to him, as if they had been familiarly acquainted with him, and suddenly cast the hinder skirt of his cloak over his face, making as though they had 〈◊〉 with him, and seeming to ●…ust their cold hands in his neck, one of them throttled him so sore by the windpipe, that he could make no noise, but sovainly sunk to the ground mu●…ed in his cloak, while the other took from him the bag with the money which he had under his arm, which done, they ran away laughing, as if that the deed were done in ●…est.  
Soon after the market folks and people passing by to & fro perceiving the youth lie still on the ground & not stir up, stepped to him, and seeing in what state he was, rubbed and chafed him, and gave him Aqua vitae, so that soon after he came again to himself: then looking about him, & seeing the people so gathered together, he cried unto them, O, where's my money! They wondering to hear him talk of money, told him both how his companions left him, and they found him, whereby the people knowing how he was deceived, made a●…er them, but they were never heard of till this day.  
But these are Gentlemen Batfowlers in comparison of the common rabblement of Cutpurses and pickpockets, and no man that sees them but would imagine them to be Cavaliers of very good sort. Marry there be a band of more needy mates, called Terme●…s, who travel all the year from ●…aire to fair, and have great doing in Westminster hall. These are the Nips and Foists; whereof the first part of Coney-catching entreateth, and these have their cloyers and followers, which are very troublesome to them, for they can no sooner draw a bung but these come in for their tenths, which they generally term snapping, or snappage.  
Now if the Cutpurse deny snappage, his cloyer or follower forthwith boils him, that is, bewrays hi●…, or seizeth on h●…s cloak, which the Nip dares not withstand, so Richard Farrie a notable Lift of sixty years of age was served, who being dogged or followed by a Cloyer called john Gibson, who having seen him pierce 〈◊〉 hogshead in the beginning of a fair challenged him for snappage: which old Farrie denied, because gibson's wife (as he then said) was a pickpocket, and yet would part w●…th nothing. Then did Gibson swear that he should not buy one pennyworth of ware that day (which is the right cutpurse ●…ase of getting a purchase) and thereupon he shadowed him up and down, and marred his market quite, as he had before promised.  
In revenge whereof the said Richard Farrie at Wayhill fair last, hearing where Gibson had p●…osned a purse with thirteen nobles in it, sent alustie ●…ellow of his procession, a young dealer in the art of cloying or following named james roads, that was since hanged at Dorchester, who being appareled like a servingman, came to demand his mistress purse of Gibson, which he said he saw him unlawfully take away, as if indeed he had been the Gentlewoman's man that had the gléeke. Which Gibson at the first utterly denied, but afterward being further threatened with danger of his life, yielded the purchase unto roads, which was immediately shared betw●…ne him and old Farrie.  
This thing s●…ne after came to gibson's ear, who was thoroughly laughed to scorn for his labour.  
Many there be of these wicked persons, and also lew●… Officers who like shadows or cloyers, do nothing all day long but follow the Lifts up and down, pinc●…ing them for snappage: and not one of them that hath the right dexteritis in his ●…ngers, but they know, & will conceal and patronize if need requir●…. Marry, if ther●… be a 〈◊〉, that hath not made hims●…lfe known to their congregation, he shall soon be smelled out, and have no remission, unl●…●…ée purchase it by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
These Cutpurses of Sturbridge sell their lugg●…ge commonly at a town called Bot●…am, where they keep their hall at an odd house, bowzing and quaffing, and ha●… their tr●●es attendant upon them so 〈◊〉 as may be.  

How a Cheesemonger had his bag cut out of his Apo●●● hanging before him.  
AT this ●a●e it was, thought long 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 monger had h●● pocket cut out of his apo●●●, 〈◊〉 all the whole College of Cutpurses had assayed, which none but one could bring to pass, and he indeed was a doctor in his art: for going to the Chéesemongers' both to buy a cheese, he gave him money for one of the greatest, and desired him to cut it in pieces, and put it behind him in the cape of his cloak. He did so, and the 〈◊〉 he was thrusting it in, he cut his rocket with twelve pounds out of his apron before him: for which dred●… he liveth reno●…ed in the Cutpurse chronicles, 〈◊〉 for his sake they yearly make a feast, and drink to the soul of his deceased carcase.  
There be divers sorts of Nips and Foists both of the city ●…d country: these cannot one abide the other, but are at deadly hatred, and will boil and discover one another, by reason one is hindrance to the other. And these the former books have omitted. There are also sundry other Laws, not heretofore spoken of, namely james Fosters Law, or james Fosters Li●…: which grew thus.   

How a cozening Life stole a cloak out of a Scrivenersshop.  
THis fellow came into a scriveners shop to have a letter wr●…ten to his wives mother, signifying that his wife was run ●…waie with another knave, and had 〈◊〉 away all that he had, and that he had rather be hanged then be troubled any longer with such a whore. But it must ●…be written in haste, for his own father doth carry it, and he goes away strait. All the while he is telling his tale, he cast a l●…ing ●…ye about the shop, to see if there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a cloak upon a by-settle, or 〈◊〉 other 〈◊〉 that he might transport unseen under his own cloak. By chance 〈◊〉 espied one, so he lea●… against the wall where it lay, and with his hands behind him, he gathered it up cleanly by little and little: ●…en suddenly starting up, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my father that would carry it, and I will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he with all speed, having the cloak under his arm, crying, Ho father, father, leaving the Scrivener yet writing his letter, who missed not his cloak till a great while after, that he saw him not return again.  
There is a cunninger kind of List, when a Batfowler walking in an evening in the streets, will feign he hath let fall a ring or a jewel, and come to a shop well furnished with wares, and desire the prentice of the house to lend his candle to look it: he suspecteth no guile, lends it him: and the Batfowler goes poring up and down by the doors, as if he had lost something in deed, by and by he lets the candle fall to and it goes out. Now I pray you good young man, saith he, do so much as light me this candle again: so goes the fellow in to light the candle, while he steals what he will out of the shop, and gets him going while the light cometh.  
There is a Lift called Will. St. Lift, whose manner is to go up and down to Fairs in a blue coat, sometimes in his doublet and hose, and sometimes in a cloak, which commonly he puts off when he comes thither: this fellow waiteth diligently when any rich yeoman, Gentleman, or gentlewoman goes into an Inn to lay up his cloak, capcase, safeguard, Portmanteau or any other luggage, so following them, marks to whom they are delivered: then comes he within half an hour after puffing and blowing for the cloak, capcase, portmanteau, sword, or such like, and in his masters name demandeth it, giving the wife, maid, tapster, ostler, or some of the house two pence or a groat for laying it up. Which having received, he is soon gone, and never returneth. This fellow will sometime stand bareheaded, and offer to hold a Gentleman's stirrup, and very diligently attend upon him when he alighteth at any great Inn, and seemeth so serviceable, as if he were an ostler or chamberlain belonging to the house: yea and sometimes follow him out of doors as his man, and attend upon him to the Fair very orderly: within half an hour after, when he sees his new master is so bu●…e in the Fair, that he cannot hastily return to his lodging before him, he will come back to the Inn running, and tell them his Master hath sent him to them for his clokebag or Portmanteau in all haste: for he is upon payment of money, and must needs have it. They thinking him verllie to be the Gentleman's man, because at his coming he was so necessary about him, they deliver unto him whatsoever the Gentleman left with them, who notwithstanding when the true owner cometh, they are ●…aine to answer it out of their own purses.   

A sly trick of Cozenage lately done in Cheapside.  
BEsides this, there is a kind of Lift called Chopchain, as when a Gentleman like a batfowler hath hired a chain for a day or two upon his credit, or hath some of his friends bound for the restoring of it again, goes to S. Martin's, and buys for a little money another copper chain, as like it as ma●…e be: then comes he to the Goldsmith, and upon the right chain offers to borrow twenty pounds: the Goldsmi●… toucheth it to see if it be counterfeit or no: ●…en finding it good, he tendereth him his money: which the 〈◊〉 he is doing, and that both money and chain lies yet upon the 〈◊〉, what doth me 〈◊〉, but ●…mbles and plays with the links carelessly, as if he minded another matter, so by a fine trick of Legerde main gathers it up into his hand & chaps the copper chain in place, leaving him that pawn for his twenty pounds.   

How a man was cozened in the evening by buying a guilt spoon.  
Whilst I was writing this, I was given to understand of another like exploit nothing 〈◊〉 to any of the former. A fellow like a clown that knew all points in his tables, and had been master of his trade many years together, walking through Silver street in London suddenly in the dark spurned a fair gilt spoon (as it seemed) being wrapped up in a paper, which before he purposely let fall: the people thinking some other had lost it, and that it had been his good luck above the rest to find it, 'gan to flock about him for to look on it, and admired his fortune in meeting with it, he counterfeiting the simple fool as well as he could: Now a Gods will what shall I do with such a Gugaw? would some other body had found it for me, for I know not what it is good for. Why, said one of the standers by, wilt thou take money for it? ay, quoth he, I would I had a crown for it. And I will come somewhat near you, saith the other, for thou shalt have all the money in my purse, which is four shillings, so forth he drew his purse, and gave him the money. And very well content with the bargaive, he put it up, and said I marry, this money will do me more good than twenty spoons, and let them keep such toys that list, for I had rather have one groat in my purse then a cart load of such trumpery. So away he went laughing in hi●… sleeve, to think how he had cozened him that thought to overreach him: & he that was so cozened, as it were triumphing at his bargain, could never look enough on the spoon, but went presently and carried it to the Goldsmith, to know what it was worth. Birlady sir when he came thither, the spoon was found to be but brass fair gilded over, and worth but seven pence at the: most, if he should sell it, which was a heavy cooling card to his heart, and made him swear, that for that spoons sake he would never be in his plate again while he lived.  
Thus every day they have new inventions for their villainies, and as often as fashions alter, so often do they alter their stratagems, studying as much how to compass a poor man's purse, as the Prince of Parma did to win a town. Neither is this ●…neselling the gainfullest of their arts, although in one day they made away a dozen so. I but it is a trick by the way for a supper or a breakefas●… fast, which no man at the first can descry. Ouerpassing this catalogue of Lists and Cutpurses, Gentlemen, I will acquaint you with a strange new devised art of stone-carying, wherein is contained the right use of the chalk and the post, as also a necessary cave ate for victuallers and nickpots, how to beware of such insinuating companions.   

The Art of carrying stones.  
FIrst and foremost you must note, that leaving an Alewife in the lurch, is termed making her carry stones, ●…ich stones be those great O's in chalk that stand behind the door: the weight of every one of which is so great that as many ●…hillings as there be, so many times she cries O, as groaning under the weight thereof. Now sir, of these O's twenty shillings make a lust load, and ten pound a bargeful. But here lies the cunning, how to compass an honest A●…e that will undertake such a burden: first this is a general precept amongst them, that he must be some odd drunken companion that they deal upon, and his wife a good wench, that so she may be fallen in wi●…, and wipe off her guests scores, if so he have no money to discharge it: a thing that many women of that kind will willingly do to have sport and save their honesty. Yet if this cannot conveniently be brought to pass, or that in, respect of her age she is not worth the taking up, then will they be sure their goodman host must be a certain kind of bawd, or a receiver of cutpurses, pickpockets, or such like, whereby it so falls out, that if he and they square about crowns, they may stop his mouth with threatening to betray him to the Beadle of Bridewell, or telling Hind of ●…ewgate what hospitality he keeps. Nay further, they will observe if he a●… any time rail against ante severe justice that hath the punishment of such notorious persons, and if he do (as in some drunken humour or other he will overshoot himself in that kind) then will they conceal it, never disccoer it, but do●…néere over them, thro●… the pots against the wall, for he and his house is forfeit unto them. Again, it may so happen that hospes meus may be an old servingman, who hath belonged in his days to some famous recusant that hath long since broke up house, and now being turned out of service, he hath no trade to live on, but must marry a whore, and keep victualling ●…ither in Westminster, or in the suburbs of London. Then co●… a hoop, they are better than ever they were. For if he be of the right stamp he will be exclaiming against the state, or those that héepe his master, or he will enter into commendations of the old Religion: and this is the only thing they desire, th●…y never wish a finer fellow to feed on. A God's name let him set forth his beef and brews, and trudge every day to the market to buy Capons & rabbits: for if they run never so much in his debt, if they tell him of a pursuivant, he will never threaten them with a sergeant. A number more of these observations do appertain to stone carrying, as namely at their first coming to th●…ir lodging they be as free as an Emperor, and draw all the acquaintance that they can procure to spend their money there before another place, so that the host and hostess may conceive great matter of hope of having their house customed by their lying in it, and eat no meat but have either the good man or the good wife still with him at dinner or supper, which will pluck the stones on his shoulders the faster, if so he suffer his guests to run on the score. And this in any case they set down for a general rule, that they lie not above two months in one place, for longer the alescore is not able to hold out, and the poor man overpressed so excessively, in a malcontent humour will rather grow desperate, and not care for any danger they can bring him to, then suffer more than flesh and blood can endure, or not rather have his will on them for using him so badly.  
How say you my masters, you think there is no deceit in a pot of ale, and that there are no cozeners but Conicatchers, but that's not so, for London is a lickpenis, and every man hath not a mint in his pocket ●…at lines in it, some must practise witcraft, that ha●…e not the gift in keeping a lanes end with a sword and a buckler, or at the least are so crazed with the Italian bone-ache, that they ar●… afraid to be crushed in pieces, if they should earn their living in a crowd. But to be brief, I will tell you a n●…rie story how this name of Stone-carying first came up, and thus it followeth.   

How a Carrier of Norwich was made to carry stones.  
A Gentlewoman that made a show as if she had been of good credit, came to the carrier of Norwich, and told him she was to remove household, and went to dwell in the country, wherefore she craved his friendship in safe transporting of her things to Norwich: & so it is (quoth she) that most of my substance consists in linen, money, jewels, and plate, which I put altogether in a great chest, which she brought thither: As for other trash I'll never trouble myself wish removing. I pray you have a great care to it that it be safely laid in the midst of your cart, wher●… thieves may not easily come at it, 〈◊〉 that it be kept from rain or wet in any case, promising to content him for the carriage with more than ordinary 〈◊〉. After it was seen to come to three hundred weight, be laid it up immediately in his cart, nor would she depart till she saw it safe packed. About an hour after she came to the carrier again, telling him that she was afraid she should be constrained to have recourse to her chest, by reason she had a few trifles to buy ere she departed, ●…d that she wanted som●…●…ue or six pound. The Carrier loa●… to unload for so small a matter, bid her take no care for money, for what she needed she should have of him, till she came down into the co●…ntrey. So fire pounds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with him she goes with her man as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be. But coming to 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…er no more: Home went the Carrier, and laid up the chest very safe in his storehouse, daily looking when the Gentlewoman would come for it. After a month was past, and hearing no words of her, fearing he was co●…en, he sent for the Constable and sundry other of his neighbours, and before them broke up the chest, finding nothing in it but small soft freestone lapped in straw, mixed wi●… Flints and such like stuff, being very special things to give the Carrier his loading. Alas, kind man, this was but heavy tidings for him: for besides the money that he had laid out of his purse, he lost the carriage of other luggage, which would have returned him greater profit. Yet could not this nor ten times as much undo him, but setting light of it, in a merry humour he reported to some of his friends the circumstance of all his carriage of stones. And ever since the jest hath been taken up by odd companions and Ale-knights.  
I would be loath by this my published Discoueri●… to corrupt the simple, or teach them knavery by my book, that else would have been honest, if they had never seen them: for that were all one as if a Chirurgeon that teacheth men what the plague is, that they might eschew it, should bring his patient that hath a plague sore, into the market place, and there launce it, whereby all men that look on, in steed of learning to avoid it, should be most dangerously infected with it. But my meaning in this is, but to chase the game which others have roused; and execute them outright whi●… Coney-catching only hath branded: and although I do not spend many leaués in inveighing against the vices which I reckon up, or time and paper in urging their o●…ousnesse so far as I might: yet you must not think, but I hate them as ●…dly as any, and to make manifest my hatred to them, have underlooke this Treatise. But imagine the Reader to be of this wisdom and discretion, that hearing some laid open, he can discern it to be sin, and can so detest it, though he be not cloyed with a common place of exhortation. And sooth to say, I think every man to be of my mind, that when they see a fellow leap from the subject he is handling, to dissuade them by stale arguments from the thing they already detest, they should skip it over, and never read it, ga●…cope him at the next turning point to his text.  
To dismiss this parenth●…sis and return to circa quod. I care not since this occasion of Stone-carying hath brought me from talking of the cozenage of men to the trea●…erous sub●…ie of women if I rehearse you a tale or two ●…ore of Cr●…ngs lately ●…one by such detestable strumpets.   

A Tale of a whore that crosbit a Gentleman of the Innesof Court.  
A Certain quean belonging to a close Nunnery about Clarkenwell, lighting in the company of a young Puny of the Inns of Court, trained him home with her to her hospital: and there covenanting for so much to give ●…im his ●…seroome all night. To bed they went together like man and wife. At midnight a crew of her copelmates kept a knocking and bustling at the door. She starting suddenly out of her sleep, arose and went to the window to look out: wherewith she crying out to him, said, that a Justice was at the door with a company of bills, and came to search for a seminary Priest, and that there was no remedy but she must open unto them: wherefore either he must rise and lock himself in a study that was hard by, or they should be both carried to Bridewell. The poor silly youth in a trance, as one new start out of sleep, and that knew not where he was, suffered her to lead him whither she would, who hastily thrust him into th●… study, and there locked him, and went to let them in. Then entered Sim Swashbuckler, Captain Gogswounds, and Laurence Longsword-man, with their appurtenances, made inquiry as if they had been Officers indeed, for a young Seminary Priest that should be lodged there that She simpered it, and made courtesy, & spoke reverently unto them, as if she had never seen them before, and that they had been such as they seemed, and told them she know of none such, and that none lay there but herself. 〈◊〉 that through signs that she made, they spied where his clothes were fallen down between the chest and the wall: Then they began to rail upon her, and call her a thous●…nde whores, saying they would make her an example, I mary would they, and use her like an Infidel for her iying, nor would they stand searching any longer, but she should be constrained to bring him forth: And that they might be sure he should not start, they would carry away his clothes with them. As for the closet, because it was a Gentleman's out of the town, they would not rashly break it open, but they would set watch and ward about the house till the morning, by which time they would resolve further what to do. So out of doors go they with his clothes, doublet, ●…ose, hat, rapier, dagger, shoes, stockings, and twenty marks that he had in his sleeve, which he was to pay upon a band the next day for his father, to a merchant in Canning str●…te, and le●… Nicholas Novice starving and quaking in that doghole. The morning grew on, and yet she young 〈◊〉, though he was almost frozen to death, stood still and durst not stir, till at length the good wise of the house came and let him out, and bade him shift for himself, for the house was so 〈◊〉, that it was not possible for him to escape, 〈◊〉 that she was utterly undone through his coming thither. Aster many words it grew to this upshot; that he must g●…ue her a ring worth thirty shillings, which he then had on his ●…nger, only to help him out at a back door, and in so doing she would lend him a blanket to cast about him. Which being performed, like an Irish beggar he departed on the backside of the fields to his chamber, vowing never to pay so dear for one night's lodging during his life.   

How a Curbar was dressed with an unsavoury perfume, and how a notable whore was crosbitten in her own practice.  
A Notable whore of late days compact with a hooker, ●…om coney-catching English calls Curbar, bargained with a country Gentleman or Tearmer aforesaid, to tell her tales in her ear all night: & according to appointment he did so. The Gentleman having ●…pt, and ready to go to bed, she willed him to lay his clothes in the window, for (quoth she) we are so troubled with rats in this place (which was in Petticoat lane) that we cannot lay any thing out of our hands, but they will in one night be gnawn to pieces, and made worth nothing: but her intent was this, that the Curbar with his crome might the more Conveniently reach them; not that she cared so much for his apparel, as for his purse, which she knew was we●… stored wi●… crowns, and lay in the sleeve of his doublet: whereupon he was ruled by her, and so entered the lists. Within two hours after, he being sore troubled with a lask, rose up and made a double use of his chamberpot, which going to throw it out at the window, he removed the clothes from before it, and set it in the place till he had opened the casement. At that instant the spring of the window leapt open of the one accord. Whereat being amazed, he ●…ept back with a trice, leaving the chamberpot standing still: ●…en fearing the devil had been át hand, by and by he spied 〈◊〉 fair iron instrument like a nut came marching in at the window very solemnly, which in steed of the doublet and the hose that he ferreted for, arrested that homely service in the member vessel, and plucked goodman Jordan with all his contents down pat upon the Corbars' head and shoul●…ders. Never was gentle Angler so dressed: for his face, his neck and apparel were all besmeared with the soft Sir-reverence, so that I warrant you he stunk worse than a Jakes-farmer. The Gentleman hearing one cry out, and seeing his mess altogether thus strongly taken away, began to gather courage to him, and looked out to see what it was: where, to his no small contentment he might behold the Curbar lying along almost brained, almost drowned, and well near poisoned with the tragical event of the pisspot: whereat he laughed merrily, and suspecting his Leman to have a share in that conspiracy, and that for ten pounds it was her motion to have him l●…e his clothes in the window, to the end he might have lost them and his money, she being a sleep in the bed all this while, he quietly removed his own apparel, took her gown and petticoat and laid them in the steed. Forthwith the Curbar revived, in came the hook again very mannerly, and clapped hold on those parcels, which together went down with a witness. All which consorting to his wish, he went round to bed, and in the morning stole away early, neither paying da●…e Lechery for her hire, nor leaving her one rag to put on.  
Here was wily beguily rightly acted, & an aged Rampalion put beside her schoole-trickes. But simply, these Crosbiters are necessary instruments now and then to ta●…e such wanton youths, as will not let a maid or a wife pass a long the streets but they will be meddling with her: what they do they learn of the tumbler, who lies squat in the brakes till the Conie be come forth out of her burrow, and gone a gossiping over the way to her next neighbours, & then he goes between her and home, and as she returneth with two or thr●…, fleshly minded Rabbits or Simplers with them, with whom it may be she hath made a bargain to go a bucking, then out●…ies the tumbler like the crossbiter & seizeth on them all for his pray. I marvel that the book of Coney-catching had not him up in his table, since by his first example he corrupted the Christian people. But you will say, he is animal irrationale, and therefore to be borne withal, because he doth but his kind. Kind me no kind, there is more knavery in Cavalier Canis than you are aware of, as you shall perceive by his discourse following.   

A notable Scholarlike discourse upon the nature of Dogs.  
NOw Gentlemen, will you give me leave to dally a little for your further recreation, & I will prove unto you that a dog is a dangerous man, and not to be dealt withal: yea he is such a kind of creature that he may well be master and governor over all ordinary beasts: for first and foremost, there is no man of experience that will deny but dogs do excel in outward sense, for they will smell better than we, and thereby hunt the game when they see it not. Besides, they get the fight of it better than we, and are wonderful quick of hearing. But let us come to speech, which is either inward or outward. Now that they have outward speech I make no question, although we cannot understand them, for they bark as good old Saron as may be; yea they have it in more dainty manner than we, for they have one kind of voice in the chase, and another when they are beaten, and another when they fight. That they have the inward speech of mind, which is chiefly conversant in those things which agree with our nature, or are most against it, in knowing those things which stand us most in steed, & attaining those virtues which belong to our proper life, and are m●…st conversant in our affections, thus I prove; first and foremost he chooseth those things that are commodious unto him, and shuneth the contrary: He knoweth what is good for his diet, and seeketh about for it. At the sight of a whip he ranneth away like a thief from a hue and cry. Neither is he an idle fellow that lives like a trencher Fly upon the sweat of other men's brows, but hath naturally a trade to get his living by, as namely the art of hunting and Coney-catching, which these late books go about to discredit. Yea, there be of them as of men of all occupations, some carriers, and they will fetch; some watermen, and they will dive and swim when you bid them; some butchers, and they will kill sheep; some cooks, and they turn the spit. Neither are they void of virtue, for if that be Justice that gives every one his deserts, out of doubt dog●… are not desttrute of it: for they fawn upon their familiar friends and acquaintance; they defend those from danger that have deserved well of them, and revenge them of strangers, and such as either have, or go about to do them injury. Then if they have Justice, they have all the virtues, since this is an Axioma in Philosophy, that one virtue cannot be separated from another.  
Further, we see they are full of magnanimity, in encountering their enemies. They are wise, as Homer witnesseth, who entreating of the return of Vlysles to his own house, affirmeth that all his household had forgotten him but his dog Argus, and him neither could Pallas by her s●…btill art deceive in the alteration of his body, nor his twenty years absence in his beggars weeds delude any whit, but he still retained his form in his fantasy, which as it appeared was better than any man's of that time.  
According to Chrysippus, they are not ignorant of that excellent faculty of Logic, for he saith that a dog by canvasing and study doth obtain the knowledge to distinguish between three several things, as for example, where three 〈◊〉 meet, and of these three hath stayed at two of them, by which he perceiveth the game hath not gone, presently without more ado he runneth violently on the third wa●…e: which doth argue (saith Chrysippus) as if he should reason thus. Either he went this way, or that way, or yonder way: but neither that way, nor yonder way, therefore this way. Again, when they are sick, they know what disease they have, and devise how they may ease themselves of their grief; if one strike them into the flesh with a stake, this policy they use to get it out. They trail one of their feet upon 〈◊〉 ground, and gnaweth the flesh where the wound is round about with their teeth, until they have drawn it clean out. If they chance to have any ulcer, because ulcers kept foute are hardly cured, they lick the sore with their tongues, and keep it clean. And wonderful well do they observe the precept of Hypocrates that the onel●…e medicine for the fo●…e is to rest, for if they have any hurt in their feet, they bear them up, and as much as lies in them, take care they be not stirred: when unprofitable humours trouble them, they eat an herb, whereby they vomit up all ●…hat is offensive unto them, and so recovers their health again. How think you my masters, are these unreasonable creatures, that have all this natural reason in them? No, though they are beasts, yet are they not as other are, inhuman: for they have more humanity than any other beasts whatsoever. But of them I have said enough, & therefore I will proceed to my former argument: wherein for your better delight, I will acquaint you with a true story ●…atelte performeo in Paul's Church by a couple of Cutpurses. The matter was of such truth, as I could for need set down the Gentleman's name, and also the names of all the actors therein, but I crave pardon, because the Gentleman was of good place and credit, and for more assurance myself was present: the whole matter fell out as followeth.   

How a Country Gentleman walking in Paul's had his purse cut by a new kind of conveyance, and in the end by the like wily beguily got it again.  
ACountrie Gentleman of some credit walking in Paul's, as termers are wont that wait on their lawyers, was seen by a couple of light ●…ngred companions, that had got some gentlemanship upon them by priu●…e biting in the dark, to have some store of crowns in his purse coached in a fair trunk slop, like a bolting hutch. Alas, they were mortal, and could not choose but be tempted with so glorious an object. For what may not gold do with him that hath neither money nor credit? Wherefore in very zeal of a bad spirit, they conspired how to make a breach in his pocket, and possess themselves of their prey. In the end it was concluded (as necessity is never with out stratagems) that the one should go behind him, while the other gave she struck that should divide life and soul. As they determined, so they brought it to pass, for the good old fellow walking very soberly in one of the side Iles, deu●…sing where to dine to save the odd three pence, suddenly one of them stepped behind him and clapped his hands before his eyes, saying: Who am I? Who am I? while the other gave the purse the gentle ●…erke, and beguiled his purse of the gilt: which done, he went sneaking away like a dog that had wearied a sheep. The good minded Gentleman that was thus muffled, thinking that it had been one of his acquaintance, that played bo péepe wish him after that sort, cried to him, Now for the passion of God, who are you? who are you? Tell me I prate you who are you? For I shall never reckon while I live. O, quoth the Cavallero Cutpurse, you shall know by and by, and therewith plueking away his hands, looked him full in the face & laughed, but by and by starting aside, as if he had committed an error, God forgive me (quoth he) what have I done, I cry you heartily mercy, I have mistaken you for my acquaintance, one that is so like you, as one pease is like another: and therefore I pray you pardon me. No harm done, no harm done, quoth the Gentleman, and so they departed. Signior who was to divide his bootle where his companion attended him, and my neighbour Mumpsimus to tyrannize on bulls pudding-pies for his sire pence: short tale to make, his hungry body being refreshed, and every one satisfied, there entered in a dumb show, the reckoning with a clean tren●…er in his hand very orderly, as who should say, Lay your hand on the book. On him attended a well fed Lapster in a shining suit of well liquored fustian, whereon was engraven the triumphs of many full platter, with his apron on his shoulder, and his knife under his girdle. At which sight every man began to draw, 〈◊〉 my honest penifather thought to drop testers with the rest: but woe alas, his breeches were like the bottomless●… pit o●… hell, for ther●… was not one cross to be found. Then began he to fume and chafe, and run up and dow●… like a mad man, saying, Well a bay that ever I was borne! Who am I? who am I? Where at she rest of the Gentlemen wondering, hc up and told them the whole stor●…e of his misfortune, as is afore recited. And said, now I know who it was that said, Who am I? who am I? for in troth hè was a cutpurse. But here did he not cease or spend much time in singing a De profundis over his empty pocket, where was nought else save Lent and desolation, but jumbled his brains together like stones in a bladder, and tossed over his thoughts as a Tailor doth his shreds when he hath lost his needle, to find out some means to fetch home his strayed purse, and to be even with those undermining pioneers. In the end his pillow and present poverty put this policy into his head. The next day early in the morning he went into Paul's in the same apparel, and walking just in the same place where he lost the main chance the day before, having bought him a fair new purse with white strings and great tassels, and 〈◊〉 the same with brass●… counters, and thrust it into the stop of his hose, as he was wont, letting the strings thereof hang out for a train. Well, so it ●…ell out, that he had scarce fetched three turns, but a poor woman that had the shaking ague in her head came to ask his charity: he glad of any occasion to boa●… his counterfeit wealth, to entrap the eyes of those hungry espials, ga●… her a penny, and there with drew forth a number, of counters, making show as if they had been French crowns: which was presently perceived by Timothy touch and take, that had been in the action the day before, who sitting 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉, leaning like one twixt sleeping and wa●…ng, fell into a great longing, how he might have that purse also to bear the other compan●…. Still the old Snudge went plodding in one path, and ever looked under his ouerhange●… moss●…e eye-broines, to see who came near him, or once over to fustle him. He had bes●…de at either end of the I'll on of his men to watch, for fear any more, who am I? should come behind him. At last out step●… my nimble 〈◊〉, and running hastily by him like some prentice, that had been sent of an errand, he sliced it smoothly away, so as the gentleman never perceived it. But one of his men who had his senses both of seeing and feeling better than his master, marked when he gave him the gentle gléeke, and whither he went when he had obtained his booty: whereupon dogging him to a Cook's shop in Thames sireet; to which place also the Gentleman followed 〈◊〉 off. He there laid hands on him, and challenged him for a Cutpurse, saying, he had seen him do such a thing in Paul's, and told him also from whom he took it. He swore and stated, and stood at utter defiance with him. And the better to outface the matter, his partner, who being then lodged in the same house, came down and fell in terms of doing the Gentleman wrong, and that he should answer him, 〈◊〉 any man else. And (quoth he) if thou wert well served thou shouldest be stabbed for offering to discredit him thus at his lodging. Mean while that these matters were thus disputing, and the poor servingman's death with many oathe●… vowed, in came his master, who spying, who am I? to stand upon his pantofles so prondly, strait took him aside, 〈◊〉 told him a tale in his ear, that did him small good at the heart, and said flatly he was the man, and no other whom he sought for, and either he would have restitution for his purse at his hands, or they would try a conclusion at Lyborne. At 〈◊〉 speech their courage was somewhat abated: and in the end it so fell out, to a●…oid further trouble they restored him both the purses with qu●…etnes, and made him a sufficient recompense for the trespass. Thus at that time they escaped, and all parties were pleased●… but shortly after they were taken for such an other fact, for which they were both condemned and executed at Lyborne.  
Now Gentlemen, have you not heard a pretty prank of wily beguily, where the cunning Cutpurse was 〈◊〉 in his own practice? sure I think never was poor●… 〈◊〉 so nipped before. Wherefore I wish all those that are of that faculty to be careful of the right Nip, who if he be never so cunning in his art, yet at one time or other be ma●…e hap to meet with Bul, and his sturdy jade, on whom if he chance to ride with his neck snarled in an hempen halter, he is like to receive so sharp a nip, that it will for ever more mar his drinking place.   

A notable exploit performed by a Lift.  
THere was not long since one of our former profession, having intelligence of a Citizen that invited three or four of his friends to dinner, came a little before dinner time, and marked when the guests were all come: when they were all come, as he ●…hought, knowing the goodman of the house safe (for he was not yet come from the exchange) steps up the stairs boldly, and comes into the room where the guests were: when he comes in he salutes them, and asks if his cozen were not yet come from the Ex●…hange. They told him no. No (saith he) me thinks he is very long, it is past twelve of the clock. Then after a turn or two, In faith Gentlemen (quoth my new come guest) it were good to do something whereat we may be●… merry against my cozen comes home, and to that intent I will take this Salt and hide it, that when he misseth it, we shall see what he will say to my cozen his wife: so he took the Salt, and put it in his pocket, and walked a turn or two more about the room, within a while when that other guests were bus●…e in talk, he steps down the ●…taires feigning to make water; but when he was down be turned down Théenes' 〈◊〉, and never returned again. The Citizen when he came home bid his friends welcome, ●…nd anon he mi●… the Salt that should be set on the table, called his wife to know if there were never a Salt in the house: His wife bustle about dinner, took her husband up, as women at such times will do, when they are a little troubled (for a little thing troubles them God wot) and asked him if he had no eyes in his head. No, nor you wife (quoth he) if you say there be any now: So there past many shrewd and hot words between them. At length the guests unwilling they should disagree on so small a tri●…e, they up and told how one came in and asked for his cozen, and took away the Salt, meaning to make a little mirth at dinner. But when they saw he returned no more, they contented themselves with patience, and went to dinner, as men at such times use to do, with heavy hearts and cold stomachs.  
THere are a certain band of 〈◊〉 Prentices about the town, that will abuse any upon the smallest occasion that is, and such men (whom they never came to the credit in all their lives to make clean their shoes) these dare never meet a man in the face to avouch their roguery, but forsooth they must have the help of some other their complices. Of this base sort you shall commonly find them at Playhouses on holy days, and there they will be playing their parts, or at some ●…out, as ●…he pulling down of Bawdy houses, or at some good exploit or other, so that if you need help, or you think yourself not able to make your part good with any that you 〈◊〉 a grudge to, no more but repair to one of these, and for a can of Ale they will do as much as another for a crown: & these make no more conscsence to beat or lame one, whom they never before saw nor knew, then ●…he knights of the posts when they are feed out of Paul's to swear ●…lsly.  
There are another sort of Prentices, that when they see a Gentlewoman or a countryman minded to buy any thing, they will fawn upon them with their cap in ●…and, with what lack you Gentlewoman? what lack you Countryman? See what you lack. The Gentlewoman 〈◊〉 divers commodities, flndeth nothing that perhaps likes her: then going away, they come off with their over worn frumps. Will you buy nothing Gentlewoman? It's no marvel you should see such choice of good ware. Then they begin to discommend her person to their next neighbo●…, as god as themselves, and at next 〈◊〉, Send a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gra●…er h●…r. These ms●… 〈◊〉 ●…ke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that ●…hen 〈◊〉 comes into the house will ●…awne upon him, but before he goes 〈◊〉, if he take not ●…eed, will catch him by the ●…nnes. But if they meet with a countryman, he is the 〈◊〉 man in the world to deal upon. They 〈◊〉 ask him ●…ust 〈◊〉 so much as the wa●… is worth. The plain simple man offers within a 〈◊〉 little of his price, as they use in the country: which 〈◊〉 Apprentice takes, and swears it was not his for that money, and so makes the poor man a right Conte. I think few in the Exchange will account this for a 〈◊〉 trick. But if the countryman leaves them and goes his wa●…e without buying any thing, either for that ●…ee likes not the ware, or that it is of too high a price: then will they come off with, Do you hear Countryman, will you give me 〈◊〉 much, and leave your blue c●…te for a pawn for the rest? or they will bid him sell his sword and buy a pair of shoes for such like sco●…ing girds, that the poor man sometimes could find at his heart to give all the money in his 〈◊〉, that he had the●…n 〈◊〉 fields, that he might re●…enge himself on them for abusing him: a very great abuse to their ma●…ters and chapmen.  
To ●…is society mate be coupled also another fraternity, viz. Water-rat●…, Watermen I mean, that will be read●…e 〈◊〉 very diligent for any man, until they can get them to their b●…ates, but when they come to●…and to pay their fare, if you pai●… them not to their own contentinents, you shall be sure of some gird or other, yea and perhaps if they know they have an 〈◊〉 to deal with, stop his hat or his cloak, till he have paid them what they list; but these are most commonly servants and apprentices: for the order is, that for every twelve pence they earn their ma●…ster allows them two pence, so then the more they get, whether by hook or crook, ●…he more think they their gain comes in. But this sort now and then meet with their mates, who in steed of a penny more in silver, send them to the Chirurgeons with two penny worth of sorrow.  
But what need I to spend time in deciphering these common companions? These few I have particularly named, but think you there are no more of this kind? But I let pass Carmen and Dreymen, as verse knaves as the rest, because these are better known than I can set them forth: I mean not at this time, nor in this Treatise to set forth the guiles and deceits accustomed in all trades and mysteries from the chiefest trade to the basest, but will content myself for this time, with that that hath been already dilated, intending in some other Treatise, at one time or other to relate in brief what hath been at large too long put in practice.  
In the mean time courteous Citizens, let me exhort you to become good examples to your family: for as the master is, so commonly is the servant, as witness the old verses in the Shepherd's Calendar in September.  Sike as the Shepherd's, sick been her sheep. 
And be sure, if thy servant see thee given to spending, and unchaste living, there look thy servant, when thou thinkest he is about thy business, not only spends his time vainly, but that money, which by thy care in staying at home thou mightest have saved. Such jolly shavers, that are deep brashers of others, men's hides, have I known (more is the pity) to sit by all night, some at Cards and Dice, some quaffing and swillng at the Tavern, and other among their tru●●es, spending in one night some twenty shillings, and thirty shillings often: some again that can maintain to themselves a wench all the year, and then they must filch and purloin whole pieces of stuff for their gowns and petticoats, besides great store of money: But these are such that can with a wet finger, and by reason of abundance of ware purloin their masters goods, & not easily be espied. But be sure at one time or other such villains wilcome forth: for the pot goes so oft to the water, that at last it comes home cracked. And take this for a principle and general rule, that whosoever he be that gives himself to this damnable sin of l●…st, let him be assored, as sure as he had it already, that a great punishment hangeth over his head. Therefore it behooves the master to be wise in governing his servants, that they may be as marks for their servants to shoot at, to see how their servants be addi●…ed and given, and not to be stern and severe towards them, but rather keep them in, that they wander not abroad more than necessity forceth, remembering that rule that Ovid giveth,  Parce puer stimulis & fortiùs utere loris. 
Spare ●…he whip, rain them hard: for such as are grown to years will hardly endure blows, wherefore ●…he raining them from their desires is the next way in my mind to bring them to good.  
But ●…ere is the grief that those that should give light are dark; those that should be guides have need to be lead; those that should instruct to 〈◊〉, are inducers to vanity, according to those verses in Ma●…e,  

Those faitors little regarden their charge,  
While they letting their sheep run at large,  
Passen their time that should be sparely spent,  
In lustiness and wanton merriment.  
Thilk same be Shepherd's for the devils steed,  
That playen, etc.   
Again, ●…hat conscience they use in bargaining and selling, witness ●…he whole world, according to Diggon in Septemb.  

They setten to sale their shops of shame,  
And maken a market of their good name.  
The shepherd's there robben one another,  
And lain baits to beguiled her brother.   
And again,  

Or they been false or full of covetise,  
And casten to compass many wrong emprise.   
In fine, to conclude with that which we have so long stood upon, namely with uncleanness, how hard it is for men to be reclaimed from it: and as it is pernicious to all generally, so particularly to young men that have newly set up for themselves, and have as it were newly entered into the world, soon may they cast away themselves, except they look the better about them: but most odious for such that have wi●…es, with whom they may solace themselves. Pity it is that such cannot be noted above the rest, it shows an inordinate lust. And now it comes in my mind, I will impart with a trick served upon a married man, and a tradesman by a good wench, as they call them, reported and heard from her own mouth not long since. The parties names I will conceal, because some of them are of some credit, although somewhat blemished by this scar: and it was on this manner.   

How a Citizen was served by a Courtesan.  
THere was one Mounsieur Libidinoso 〈◊〉 at she sign of Incontinency, having cast up his accounts for the week passed (for it was Saturday night) after supper resolved with himself to walk, which way he cared not, but as his 〈◊〉 fell, so would he wend: by chance it fell Westward, and Westward he went, until he came to Whitestiers. When 〈◊〉 came thither he be thought himself, and held it a deed of charity to see some of his old acquaintance, whom he had not visited a long time before: But they according to the ancient custom were removed, for they use not to stay long 〈◊〉 a place. He hearing that, made no more 〈◊〉 but fell aboard with one that came next to hand, 〈◊〉 good as the best, one that had been tried, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a one as would not shrink at a shower: little entreaty serves, and 〈◊〉 they go. When after their ●…eastly sport and pleasure Mounsieur Libid. heat of lust was somewhat assuaged, 〈◊〉 ready to go, feeling his pocket for a venereal remuneration finds nothing but a Leicester, or at least so little, that it was not sufficient to please dame Pleasure for her hire. He protested and vowed he had no more about him now: for (said he) when I came forth I neur thought what money I had about me. My Lady would not believe Mons. Libid. a great while, but searched and féeled for more coin, but at that time she was frustrate of her expectation: she seeing no remed●…e, set as good a countenance on the matter as she could, and told him she would be contented for that time, hoping he would be more beneficial to her hereafter. They were both contented: where no sooner he is gone down the stairs, but she whips off her gown, and puts on a white waistcoat with a trice, and so dogs M. Libidinos. home to his house, and taking a perfect view of his house and sign, returns back again. On Monday morning she came to his house very orde●…ly in her gown with her hand-basket in her hand, where she found Mons. Libid. and his wife in the shop: when she came in she called for this sort and that sort of lace, until she had calle●… for as much ware as came to twenty shillings: when she was ready to go, she whispered my Gentleman in the ear●…, and asked him, If he be remembered how slightly such a time he rewarded her kindness, but now I am satisfied for this time. M. Libid. was in a wonderful straight, and gave her not a word for an answer, fearing his wife should know an●…e thing. His wife noting her whispering in her husbands eat, and seeing no money paid, asked her husband when she was gone, who she was. 〈◊〉 very smoothly told her, she was a very honest cutters wife, and that he knew her a long time to be a good paymaster. This answer contented his wife: but full well I know he was not contented in his mind all the day after.  
See here how a man may be unawares overtaken by these 〈◊〉 Pitchbarrels. Then let this example teach th●…e to forego their allurements, lest thou in time be defiled with the like blot, or overplunged in a deeper bog: Remember,  Foelix quem faciunt aliena pericula ca●…tum. 
For these night birds not unlike the Sirens, ●…he more you frequent them, the more you shall be entangled, according to these verses, Diggon in Sept.  

For they been like foul wagmoires overgrast,  
That if thy galosh once sticketh fast,  
The more to wind it out thou dost swink,  
Thou mought ay deeper and deeper sink,  
Yet better leave of with little loss,  
Then by much wrestling to lose the gross.   
These may be motives to all to avoid such infectiou●… plague-sores: but how hardit is to get up a tired 〈◊〉 when he is down, especially in the dirt every man knows, and men will have their swinge do all what they can, according to Thenot in February.  

Must not the world wend in his common course,  
From good to bad; and ●…rom bad to worse;  
From worse unto that is worstof all,  
And then return to his former fall.   
But for my part I am resolved and wish all men of the like mind sticking my sta●…e by Pierce in May.  

Sheppard, I list no accordance make  
With shepherd that does the right way sorsake,  
And of the twain if choice were to me  
Had liefer my foe then my friend to be,     

THE NOTABLE, SLY, and deceitful pranks of Doctor Pinchbacke.  
ANotable fellow of this trade well stricken in yeares●… one that was free of the Nitmongers, traveled with his boy into Yorkshire. And having no money in his purse, nor other means to rel●…eue himself but plain shifting, grew into bitter despair of his estate, by reason he had worn all cosonages thread ba●…e, and made the uttermost of his wit that was possible. Wherefore complaining himself to his trusty page, that had been patner with him bo●… in weal and woe, and whom he had brought up in his occupation, and taught to ●…e as subtle as himself: ut Master (quoth he) take no care, for when all is gone and nothing left, well fare the Dagger with the ●…udgeon haft. I am young and 〈◊〉 crotchets in my head: I warrant you, while I have my five senses we will not beg. Go you and take up your l●…dging in the ●…airest Inn in the town, and call in lustily, sparing for no cost, and let me alone to pay for ●…ll. With 〈◊〉 resolution they went into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, where 〈◊〉 a verse 〈◊〉 Lavern, ready to outface them, according to the boys abusse, they put into it, & called for a room, and none might content them but the best chamber in the house. Then ●…acke of the clock house summoned the Chamberlain before him, and took an inventory what extraordinary pro●…tsion of victuals they had for dinner, telling them his master was no common man, nor would he be pleased with ani●… gross kind of fare. The Tapster, who hoping of gain, seemed very serviceable, and told him he should want nothing. And although they had at that time sundry strangers, by reason the chief 〈◊〉 of the shire sat there the same day about a Commission, yet promised to give what attendance he might. ●…hus did the Crackrope triumph, and walking in the yard while dinner was preparing, hammered in his head, & cast an eye, about the house to see if any occasion were offered for him to work upon. At last going up a pair of stairs, he spied in a fair great Chamber where the Commissioners sat, a side settle, whereon good store of plate stood. Yea, thought he? and it shall go hard but I'll make up my market. So into the ●…hamber closely he stepped, not being perce●…uedly by any man, covertly conveyed away under his cloak one of the greatest gilt goblets, and went immediately on the backside of the house, where spying an old well, he flung the same, and went his way up to his master, to whom ●…ee discovered what he had done, entreating him the better to furnish out the Pageant, to change his name, and call himself Doctor Pinchbacke.  
This done, he went down into the kitchen to see if dinner were ready: where the goodman of the house began to question with him what his Master was, and who they called him. Sir, quoth he, Doctor Pinchbacke. What, is he a Doctor of Physic quoth the host? Yea marry, quietness the boy, and a special good one. With that answer he cease●… questioning any further, but sent up meat to his dinner, and went up himself to did him welcome.  
Dinner being done and the other g●…ests ready to rise, the Goblet suddenly was miss, and great inquiry made for it, but at no hand it would be found: all the servants were examined, the house was thoroughly searched, none of the Gentlemen had it. This news found Doctor swore he saw it not, the boy den●…d it also, yet still the goodman and the good wife kept a great stir for it, and were ready to weep for very anger that they should keep such knaves about them as had no more care, but 〈◊〉 let a cup of nine pounds be stolen, and no man knew which way. Then the host made great offers to have it again, which the boy hearing, said, if they could entreat his Master to take the pains, he could cast a figure, and fetch it again with heave and ho. But not a word (quoth he) that I told you so.  
The good man hearing that, ran up in all haste, and besought Master Doctor for the passion of God to stand his friend, or else he was undone. So it is, quoth he, that I understand of your great learning and knowledge, and that by a special gift in Astronomy that God hath given, you can tell of marvelous ma●…ers, and help again to things that are lost. I pra●…e you as ever you came of a woman show me a little feat about my cup: and though I have but small 〈◊〉 of money, yet will I bestow●… forty shillings on you for your labour. Master Doctor at the first made strange of the matter, and seemed very loath to deal in it, by reason of the danger of the law: yet for that he seemed to be an honest man, and it 〈◊〉 him that any such thing should happen whilst he was in his house, he would strain a little with his cunning to relieve him in the best sort, not so much for his money as for his friendship, and swore he would not do it for any other for a hundred pounds, therefore he desired him to leave him to himself, and to take or●…er that no man came to trouble him for some two hours space, and he should see what he would do for him.  
Two hours he stayed alone by himself toasting him by a good fire till he sweat again, then painting his face with a deadish colour, which he carried always about with him for such a purpose, and then calling up the host, told him that he had laboured sore for him, and almost endangered himself in undertaking the action, yet by good fortune he had finished his business, and found where the cup was. Have you not a well (quoth he) on the back side of your house that stands thus, and thus, for mine own part I was never there (that I can tell of) to see. Yes that I have, said the Host. Well (said Master Doctor) in the bottom of that well is your cup: wherefore go search presently, and you shall find my words true. The goodman with all expedition did as he willed him, and drew the well dr●…e: at last he spied his Goblet where it lay. It was no need to bid him take it up, for in his own person he went down in the bucket: and full lightly to Master Doctor Pinchpackes chamber be trudged, and carried him forty shillings, offering him besides a mone●…hs board in requite all of his great courtesy. This counterfeit forsooth would seem to refuse nothing, but there lay and fed upon the stock, whilst my goodman host did nothing but till the country with his praise.  
Not many days passed but a Gentleman of good credit drawn thi●…her by the ordinary report, came to vi●…t him, who desirous to make trial of his cunning, he craved to know of him (his wife then being big with child) whether it was a man child or a woman child she went withal? He answered he could say little thereto except he saw her naked.  
The Gentleman although he thought it was no usual thing for a man to see a woman naked, yet Physicians have more privilege than others, and they as well as Midwives are admitted to any secrets. Wherefore he persuaded his wife to disclose herself to him, and to dispense with a little inconvenience, so they may be resolved of so rare a secret. But this was Doctor Pinchbackes' drift, he thought to have shifted the Gentleman off by this extraordinary imposition, thinking he would rather have surceased his suit, than any way have suffered him to see his wife naked. In conclusion a chamber was prepared warm and close, in which she showed herself, & twice walked up and down the chamber naked in the presence of M. Doctor and her husband, who demanded M. Doctor's answer to his former question, which was as followeth: Quoth he, from meward it is a boy, and to me ward it is a girl: other answer they could get none of him. Wherefore the Gentleman was greatly offended against him, call him Ass, Dolt, Patch, Coxcomb, Knave, and all the base names he could devise. But away went master Doctor as skilful in those cases as a blind man when he throweth his staff: and durst not answer the Gentleman one word. And the Gentleman greatly repent him that he had been so foolish to show his wife in that sort before so sottish a companion.  
About four days after the Gentlewoman fell in labour, and was delivered of a boy and a girl: whereat the Gentleman remembering the blunt answer of the Doctor, and finding it to be true, was greatly astonished, supposing indeed he had mightily wronged the Doctor: to whom he went immediately craving pardon for his former folly, showing himself very sorrowful for his fault, and offered him in recompense of amends all the favour he might possibly do him, granting to him his house at commandment, and his board for so long time as he would continue with him. Whereupon in sign of love and amity he went and sojourned at the Gentleman's house: Whereupon the Doctor's credit still more and more began to increase, so that all the country round about told no small tales of the great running of Doctor Pinchbacke, to whom they resorted early ano late.  
It fortuned soon after shear was a Fair near to the Gentleman's house, where the people diversly talked of the Doctor's skill and cunni●…, and that he could do any thing, or tell any thing that was done in any place. Nay (quoth a plain Countryman) I will venture twenty Nobles that he shall not do it. I will myself go personally to him, and hold something in my hand, and if he tell me what it is I will lose my money. I take you, said one or two, and the wager being laid, away they went towards the Gentleman's house: and passing through a meadow, the man took up a Grasshopper out of the grass, and put it into his hand, so close that no man might perceive it. Then forward they went, and met with Master Doctor, and they desired him to satis●…e them of that secret which was upon his credit●…, to tell them what one of the company held in his hand. Whereunto the Doctor was loath to answer, considering he had no such skill as people bruited abroad: never the less he cast in his mind, how he might excuse the matter by some pretty sleight, if he should guess amiss, and therefore concluded in this ●…st, he called to mind that his own name was Grasshopper, and if (quoth he) I take him by the hand, I may say he hath a grasshopper in his hand, and yet I may ●…ustly defend it for a truth. Whereupon the Doctor taking him by she hand, said he had a Grasshopper in his hand: which being opened was found true. Whereat the Countrymen wondered, and went their ways. Some said he was but a cozening knave: others reported what wonders he could perfor●…: Some said he could g●…e round about the world in a moment, and that h●… walked every night in the air with spirits: some said he had a familiar: thus the people gave their cen●…ure; some liking, and others mi●…king him. And in a word, so many men, so many minds, but the greater part of the country admired his deep knowledge, ●…nd published his ex●…ellent learning, so that he became ●…amous amongst the people, and the Gentleman not a little proud of so worthy a guest: in so much that having one only daughter, whom he loved most ●…ntierlie, and as parents most desire their children should match the themselves with such, by whom they hope preferment should come, on a day broke his mind to the Doctor in his daughter's behalf, assuring him he should not only find her a loving and 〈◊〉 wife, but would give him four hundred pounds, and make him assurauce of all his land, which was worth (say●… he) better then two hundred marks a year after 〈◊〉 decease, if so it would please his worship to accept hi●… kind offer, which he assured him proceeded of 〈◊〉 love. The Doctor a while coylié refused the Ge●… tlemans offer, but being earnestly entreated of the Gentleman, he answered him to this effect.  
Sir, for your great friendship hitherto and unexpected kindness, at this time I cannot but confess●… myself much indebted to you: and because you are so importunate with me to marry your daughter (although I protest it is not for my profit) I do willingly take her to my wife: for I have (saith he) refuse●… many fair and personable Gentlewomen in mine own country with large dowrtes: but to make you part of amends for your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, I here am content to yield to your request. The Gentleman humbly thanked him, and prolonged not th●… time I warrant you, but with great expedition ha●…ed the marriage day: where with great feasting and joy with his friends they passed that day with much pleasure and music.  
The Doctor about a moucth after desired the Gentleman for his wives portion, which the Gentleman willingly paid him. When two or three days were passed he told the Gentleman he would go into 〈◊〉 own country to see his friends, and withal prepare and make ready his house (which was let forth to farm) for himself to inhibit, and that he would come again when all things were ready and fetch his wife. The Gentleman was very unwilling to leave the Dctors' company; but seeing the Doctor so importunate, at last yielded, and so lent the Doctor and his boy two of his best geldings: who as soon as they were on horseback, never minding to return again, took their journey into Devonshire, and there so long as his four hundred pounds lasted made merry with their companions, till at last having spent all, began to renew his old trade, and after being taken in company with some suspected persons was apprehended, and by the law (as I heard) was condemned to be hanged for a murderer.  
Thus although pexaduenture he was not guilty of the murder, yet it was a ●…ust punishment for his villainy before practised.  
The Gentleman after a quarter of a year was past, began to look for the Doctors coming home again, but in vain; so he passed a twelve month, expecting his son in laws return: at last as hap was one of the Gentleman's acquaintance having been at his house, and seeing the Doctor there, brought word home to the Gentleman that he saw the Doctor for certain executed at Exeter in 〈◊〉, for a murder. In what a melancholy humour the Gentleman was in, and what grie●…e and sorrow the young Gentlewoman took to heart at these heause tidings, I refer it to the Reader, and none but ●…hose that have tasted of those griefs do sufficiently know.  
FINIS.