A Caveat oh 〈…〉 Common Curseto 〈…〉  
Uagabones, set forth by The 〈…〉 utility and profit of his nature 〈…〉 larged by the first Author 〈…〉 the tale of the second tall 〈…〉 Crank, with the true 〈…〉 or, and also his puni 〈…〉 dissembling, mos 〈…〉 hearer or reader 〈…〉 Newly Imprinted. ANNO 1573.  

 
This Cart at his tail doth draw all about,  
Such pilfering pickers, that to it is tied:  
The whip with his whisks, the blood fetcheth out,  
The Bawds for bawdry, and Hores therein ryed.    



their kind, will wind●   
A besom of byrche for babes very feet,  
A long lasting lybbet for loubbes as meet:  
A with to wind up that these will not keep,  
bind all up in one, and use it to sweep.  
   

To the right honourable and my singular good Lady Elizabeth Countess of Shrewsbury, Thomas Harman wisheth all joy and perfect felicity, here and in the world to come.  
AS of Ancient and long time there ●●●● and is now at this prefent many good godly profita●●●●wes and acts, made and set forth in this most noble and flourishing Realm, for the relief, succour, comfort and sustentation of the poor, needy, impotent and miserable creatures, being and inhabiting in all parts of the same. So is there (right honourable and mine especial good Lady) most wholesome statutes, ordinances and necessery laws, made, set forth and published, for the extreme punishment of all vagarants ●● sturdy vagabonds as passeth through and by all parts of this fam●●●yle, most idly and wickedly: and I (by good experience) w●●● standing and considering your most tender, pitiful, gentle and ●●●● nature, not only having a vigilant and merciful eye to your poor indigent & feeble parishioners: yea not only in the parish where your honour most happily doth devil, but also in others environing or nigh adjoining to the same As also abundantly pouring out daily your ardent and bountiful charity upon all such as cometh for relief unto your luckily gates.  
I thought it good, necessary, and my bounden duty to acquaint your goodness with the abominable, wicked and detestable behaviour of all these rowsey, ragged rabblement of rakehells, that under the pretence of great misery, diseases and other innumerable calamities, which they fain through great hypocrisy, do win and gain great alms in all places where they wily wander, to the utter deluding of the good givers: deceyiing and impoverishing of all such poor householders both sick and fore, as neither can or may walk abroad for relief and comfort (where in deed most mercy is to be showed,) And for that, I (most honourable Lady) being placed as a poor gentleman, have kept a house these twenty years, where unto poverty dyily hath and doth repair, not without some relief as my poor calling and ability may and doth extend: I have of late years gathered a great suspicion that all should not be well: and as the proverb sayeth: Some thing lurk and say hid that did not plainly appear. For I having more occasion (through sickness) to tarry and remain at home. than I have been accustomed, do by my there abiding, talk and confer daily with many of these wily wanderers, of both sorts, as well men and women, as boys and girls: by whom I have gathered and derstand their deep dissimulation and detestable dealing, being marvelous subtle and crafty in their kind, for not one amongst twenty will discover, either declare their scelerous secrets: yet with fair flattering words, money, and good cheer, I have attained to the tip by such as the meanest of them, hath wandered these xiii. years, & most xuj. & some xx. and upward, and not without fatihful promiss made unto them, never to discover their names or any thing they showed me: for they would all say, if the upright men should understand thereof, they should not be only grievously beaten, but put in danger of their lives, by the said upright men. There was a few years since a small brief set forth of some zealous man to his country, of whom I know not, that made a little show of their names and usage, and gave a glimpsing light not sufficient to persuade of their peevish pelting and pyncking practises, but well worthy of praise. But (good madame) with no less travel then good will, I have repaired and rigged the ship of knowledge, and have hoist up the sails of good fortune, that she may safely pass about and through all parts of this noble realm, and there make port sale of her wished wares, to the confusion of their drowsey demener, and unlawful language, pylfring, picking, wily wandering and liking lechery, of all these rabblement of rascales that ranges about all the costs of the same, so that their undesent doleful dealing and execrable exercises may appear to all as it were in a glass, that thereby the justicers and Shreeves may in their circuits be more vigilant to punish these malefactores, and the Constables, Bailiffs and householders, setting aside all fear, sloth, & pity, may be more circumspect in executing the charge given them by the aforesaid justicers. Then will no more this rascal rabblement range about the country. Then greater relief may be showed to the poverty of each parish. Then shall we keep our horses in our pastures unstolen. Then our linen clotheses shall and may lie safely on our hedges untouched. Then shall we not have our clotheses and linen hooked out at our windows, as well by day as by night Then shall we not have our houses broken up in the night, as of late one of my neighbours had and two great bucks of clotheses stolen out, and most of the same fine linen. Then shall we safely keep our pigs and poultry from pilfering Then shall we surely pass by the high ways leading to markets and fairs unharmed. Then shall our shops and booths be unpicked and spoiled. Then shall these uncomely companies be dispersed and set to labour for their living, or hastily hung for their demerits. Then shall it encourage a great number of gentlemen and others, seeing this security, to set up houses and keep hospitality in the country, to the comfort of their neighbours, relief of the poor, and to the amendment of the common wealth. Then shall not sin and wickedness so much abound among us. Then will gods wrath be much the more pacified towards us. Then shall we not taste of so many and sundry plagues as now daily reigneth over us. And then shall this famous Empire be in more wealth and better flourish, to the inestimable joy and comfort of the Queen's most excellent maiestitie, whom God of his infinite goodness, to his great glory, long and many years make most prosperously to reign over us, too the great felicity of all the Peers and nobles, and to the unspeakable joy, relief and quietness of mind of all her faithful commons and subjects. Now, me thinketh I see how these peevish, perverse and pestilent people begin to fret, fume, swear, and stare at this my book, their life being laid open and apparently painted out, that their confusion and end draweth on apace: where as in deed if it be well weighed, it is set forth for their singular profit and commodity, for the sure safeguard of their lives here in this world, that they shorten not the same before their time, and that by their true labour and good life, in the world to come they may save their souls, that Christ the second person in Trinity hath so dearly bought with his most precious bloudso that hereby I shall do them more good than they could have devised for themselves. For behold, their life being so manifest wicked, & so apparently known: the honourable will abhor them: the worshipful will reject them: the yeoman will sharply tawnte them: the husband men utterly defy them: the labouring men bluntly chide them: the women with a loud exclamation wonder at them: And all children with clapping hands cry out at them. I many times musing with myself at these mischievous myslyvers marveled when they took their original and beginning, how long they have exercised their execrable wandering about: I thought it meet to confer with a very old man that I was well acquainted with, whose wit and memory is marvelous for his years, being about the age of four score, what he knew when he was young of these lousey lewterars. And he showed me that when he was young, he waited upon a man of much worship in Kent, who died immediately after the last Duke of Buckingham was beheaded, at his burial there● was such a number of beggars, besides poor householders dwelling there abouts, that uneath they might lie or stand about the house: then was thereto prepared for them a great and a large barn, and a great fat ox sod out in Furmenty for them with bread and drink abundantly to furnish out the premises, and every person had two pence for such was the dole When night approached the poor householders repaired home to their houses, the other wayfaring bold beggars remained all night in the barn, and the same barn being searched with light in the night by this old man and then young and others, they told seven score persons of men, every of them having his woman, except it were two women that lay alone together for some especial cause. Thus having their makes to make merry withal: the burial was turned to bousing and belly cheer, mourning to mirth, fasting to feasting, prayer to pastime, and pressing of paps and lamenting to lechery. So that it may appear this uncomely company hath had a long continuance but than nothing given so much to pylferinge, pyckinge and spoiling, and as far as I can learn or understand by the examination of a number of them, their language which they term peddelers French or Canting, began but within these xxx. years or little above, and that the first inventor thereof was hanged all save the head, for that is the final end of them all, or else to dye of some filthy and horrible diseases: but much harm is done in the mean space by their continuance as some x. xii. and xuj. years before they be consumed; and the number of them doth daily renew. I hope their sin is now at the highest, and that as short and as speedy redress willbe for these, as hath been of late years for the wretched, wily wandering vagabonds calling and naming themselves Egyptians, deeply dissembling and long hiding and covering their deep deceitful practices, feeding the rude common people wholly addicted and given to novelties, toys, and new inventions, delighting them with the strangeness of the attire of their heads, and practising paulmistrye to such as would know their fortunes. And to be short, all thieves and whores (as I may well writ) as some have had true experience, a number can well witness, and a great sort hath well felt it. And now (thanks be to God) through wholesome laws and the due execution thereof, all be dispersed, banished, and the memory of them clean extinguished, that when they be once named hereafter, our Children will much marvel what kind of people they were: and so I trust shall shortly happen of these. For what thing doth chiefly 'cause these rowsey rake hells thus to continue and daily increase? surely a number of wicked persons that keep tippling houses in all shiers, where they have succour and relief, and what so ever they bring, they are sure to receive money for the same, for they sell good penny worths. The buyers have the greatest gain, yea if they have neither money nor ware, they will be trusted, their credit is much I have taken a note of a good many of them, and will sand their names and dwelling places to such justicers as dwelleth near or next unto them, that they by their good wisdoms may displace the same, and authorize such as have honesty. I will not blot my book with their names, because they be resident. But as for this fleeting fellowship, I have truly set forth the most part of them, that be doers at this present with their names that they be known by. Also I have placed in the end thereof their lewd language, calling the same peddlers French or Canting. And now shall I end my prologue, making true declaration (right honourable Lady) as they shall fall in order of their untemely tryfelinge time, lewd life, and pernicious practices, trusting that the same shall neither trouble or abash your most tender, timorous and pitiful Nature, to think the small mode should grow unto you for such alms so given. For God our merciful and most loving father, well knoweth your heart and good intent, the giver never wanteth his reward, according to the saying of Saint Augustin: as there is (neither shallbe) any sin unpunished even so shall there not be any good deed unrewarded But how comfortably speaketh Christ our Saviour unto us in his gospel (give ye and it shallbe given you again) behold further, good Madam that for a cup of cold water, Christ hath promised a good reward. Now saint Austin properly declareth why Christ speaketh of cold water, because the poorest man that is, shall not excuse himself from that charitable work, lest he would peradventure say that he hath neither wood, pot nor pan to warm any water with. See further what God speaketh in the mouth of his prophet Esaye. Break thy bread to him that is a hungered, he saith not give him a whole loaf: for peraduentute the poor man hath it not to give, then let him give a piece. This much is said because the poor that hath it should not be excused, now how much more than the rich. Thus you see good Madam, for your treasure here dispersed, where need and lack is, it shallbe heaped up abundantly for you in heaven, where neither rust or moth shall corrupt or destroy the same. Unto which triumphant place after many good happy, and fortunate years prosperously here dispended, you may for ever and ever, there most joyfully remain.  
Amen.  
FINIS.   

The Epistle to the Reader.  
ALthough; good Reader I write in plain terms, and not so plainly as truly, concerning the matter, meaning honestly to all men, and wish them as much good, as to mine own heart, yet as there hath been, so there is now, and hereafter willbe curious heads to find faults: wherefore I thought it necessary now at this second Impression, to acquaint thee with a great fault, as some taketh it, but not as I mean it, calling these Uagabondes Cursetors, in the entitling of my book, as runners or rangers about the Country, derived of this Latin word (C V R R O) neither do I writ it Cooresetores with a double oo, or Cowresetors with a w, which hath an other signification: is there no diversity between a garden, and a garden, maynteynance, and maintenance: straights, & streets: those that have understanding, know there is a great difference: who is so ignorant in these days, as knoweth not the meaning of a vagabone? and if any idle leuterar should so be called of any man, would not he think it both odious and reproachful? will he not shone the name? ye and where as he may and dare with bend brows, will revenge that name of ignominy: yet this plain name vagabone is derived as others be of Latin words, and now use makes it common to all men: but let us look back four hundred years sithence, and let us see whether this plain word vagabon, was used or no? I believe not, and why? because I read of no such name in the old estatuts of this realm, unless it be in the margin of the Book, or in the Table, which in the collection and printing was set in, but these were then the common names of these lewd leuterars, say tores, Robardesmen, Drawlatches, & valiant beggars. If I should have used such words, or the same order of writing, as this realm used in King Henry the third, or Edward the firstes time. O what a gross, barbarous fellow have we here, his writing is both homely & dark, that we had need to have an enterpreter, yet than it was very well and in short season, a great change we see, well this delycatage shall have his time on the otherside, eloquence have I none, I never was acquainted with the Muses. I never tasted of Helicon. But according to my plain order, I have set forth this work, simply and truly with such usual words and terms, as is among us well known and frequented. So that as the proverb saith (although truth be blamed, it shall never be shamed,) well good reader, I mean not to be tedious unto thee but have added five or six more tales, because some of them were done while my Book was first in the press, and as I trust I have deserved no rebuke, for my good will, even so I desire no praise for my pain, cost, and travel. But faithfully for the profit and benefit of my country, I have done it, that the whole body of the Realm, may see and understand their lewd life and pernicious practices, that all may speedily help to amend that is amiss. Amen say all with me.  
FINIS.   

A Rufflar.  
THe Rufflar, because he is first in degree of this odious order: and is so called in a statut made for the punishment of vagabonds: In the xxvij. year of king Henry the eight late of most famous memory: He shallbe first placed as the worthiest of this unraly rabblement. And he is so called when he goeth first abroad, either he hath served in the wars, or else be hath been a serving man and weary of well doing, shaking of all pain, doth choose him this idle life, and wretchedly wanders about the most shires of this realm. And with stout audacity he demandeth where he thinketh he may be bold, and circumspect enough, as he seethe cause to ask charity, ruefully and lamentably, that it would make a fiynty heart to relent, and pit his miserable estate, how he hath been maimed and bruised in the wars, & peradventure some will show you some outward wound, which he got at some drunken fray, either halting of some pre●y wound ●estred with a filthy fiery flankard. For be well assured that the hardiest soldiers be either slain or maimed, either if they escape all hassardes, and return home again, if they be without relief of their friends, they will surely desperately rob and steal, or either shortly be hanged or miserably dye in prison, for they be so much ashamed and disdain to beg or ask charity, that rather they will as desperately fight for to live and maintain themselves as manfully, and valiantly they ventured themselves in the Prince's quarrel. Now, these Rufflars the outcasts of serving men when begging or craving fails, than they pick and pilfer from other inferior beggars that they meet by the way, as Rogues, Pal-yards, Mortes, and Doors: yea if they meet with a woman alone riding to the market, either old man or boy, that he well knoweth will not resist, such they filch and spoil. These Rufflars after a year or two at the farthest become upright men, unless the● be prevented by twined hemp.  
I had of late years an old man to my tenant, who customably a great time, went twice in the week to London, either with fruit or with pescodes, when time served therefore. And as he was coming homeward on black heath, at the end thereof next to shooters hill, he overtook two Rufflars, the one mannerly waiting on the other, as one had been the master, and the other the man or servant carrying his master cloak: This old man was very glad that he might have their company over the bill, because that day he had made a good market, for he had seven shillings in his purse, and an old angel, which this poor man had thought had not been in his purse, for he willed his wife over night to take out the same Angel, and lay it up until his coming home again. And he verily thought that his wife had so done, which in deed forgot to do it. Thus after salutations, had this master rufflar entered into communication with this simple old man, who riding softly beside them commoned of many matters. Thus feeding this old man with pleasant talk, until they were on the top of the hill where these rufflars might well behold the coast about them clear, quickly steps unto this poor man, and taketh hold of his horse bridle, and leadeth him in to the wode, and demandeth of him what and how much money he had in his purse. Now by my troth quoth this old man, you are a merry gentleman, I know you mean not to take away any thing from me, but rather to give me some if I should ask it of you. By and by this servant thief casteth the clock that he carried on his arms about this poor man's face, that he should not mark or view them, with sharp words to deliver quickly that he had and to confess truly what was in his purse. This poor man then all abashed yielded and confessed he had but just seven shillings in his purse and the truth is be knew of no more. This old angel was fallen out of a little purse into the bottom of a great purse. Now this seven shillings in whit money they quickly found, thinking in deed that there had been no more, yet farther groping and searching, found this old angel. And with great admiration this gentle man these began to bless him, saying: good Lord what a world is this, how may (quoth he) a man believe or trust in the same, see you not (quoth he) this old knave told me that he had but seven shillings, and here is more by an angel, what an old knaeu and a false knave have we here (quoth this rufflar) our lord have mercy on us, will this world never be better, and therewith went their way, and less the old man in the wood doing him no more harm. But sorrowful sighing this old man returning home declared his misadventure, with all the words and circumstances above showed, whereat for the time was great laughing, and this poor man for his losses among his loving neighbours well considered in the end.  

¶ A upright man, Cap. 2.  
A Upright man the second in sect of this unseemly sort must be next placed of these rainging rabblement of rascales, some be serving men, artificers, and labouring men, traded up in husbandry: These not minding to get their living with the sweat of their face, but casting of all pain, will wander after their wicked manner, through the most shires of this realm.  
As Somerset shire, Will shire. Bark shire, Oxford shire, Harforde shire, Myddilsex, Esse●, Suffolk, Norfolk, Suffex, Surrye, and Kent, as the chief and best shires of relief. Yea not without punishment by stocks, whyppinges, and imprisonment, in most of these places above said: yet notwithstanding they have so good liking in their lewd lecherous loyteringe, that full quickly all their punishments be forgotten. And repentance is never thought upon, until they climb three trees with a ladder. These unrewly rascales in their roylinge, disperse themselves into several companies, as occasion serveth, sometime more and sometime less. As if they repair to a poor husbandman's house, he will go alone or one with him, and stoutly demand his charity, either showing how he hath served in the wars and their maimed, either that he seeketh service and saith he would be glad to take pain for his living, although he meaneth nothing less: If he be offered any meat or drink, he utterly refuseth scornfully, and will naught but money, and if he espy young pigs or poultry, he well noteth the place, & then the next night or shortly after, he will be sure to have some of them, which they bring to their stawlinge kens, which is their tippling houses, as well known to them according to the old proverb (as the beggar knows his dish.) For you must understand every tippling ale house will neither receive them or their wares but some certain houses, in every shire, especially for that purpose, where they shallbe better welcome to them, than honester men For by such have they most gain, and shallbe conveyed either into some fit out of the way, or other secret corner not common to any other, and thither repair at accustomed times their barlotes which they term mortes and Doors, not with emty hands, for they be as skilful in picking, riffling & filching, as the upright men, and nothing inferior to them in all kind of wickedness, as in other places hereafter they shallbe touched. At these foresaid pelting penish places and unmannerly meetings, O how the pots walk about, their talking tongues talk at large: They howl and house one to another, and for the time bousing belly cheer. And after their ruysting recreation if there be not room enough in the house, they have clean straw in some barn or back house near adjoining, where they couch comely together, as it were dog and byche, and he that is hardiest may have his choice, unless for a litlte good manner, some will take their own that they have made promise unto, until they be out of sight, and according to the old adage (out of mind) Yet these upright men stand so much upon their reputation, as they will in no case have their women walk with them, but separate themselves for a time, a month or more. And meet at fairs or great markets where they meet to pilfer and steal, from staules, shops, or booths. At these fairs the upright men, use commonly to lie, & lingar in high ways by lanes, some pretty way or distance from the place, by which ways they be assured that company passeth still to and fro, and there they will demand with cap in hand and comely courtesy, the devotion & charity of the people. They have been much lately whipped at fayrs. If they ask at a stout yemans or farmer's house his charity, they will go strong as three or four in a company: where for fear more than good will they often have relief, they seldom or never pass by a juststes house, but have by ways, unless he devil alone, and but weakly manned, thither will they also go strong after a sly subtle sort, as with their arms bound up with kercher or list, having wrapped about the same filthy clotheses, either their legs in such manner be wrapped halting down right, not unprovided of good codgils, which they carry to sustain them, and as they fain to keep dogs from them, when they come to such good gentlemen's houses, if any searthe be made or they suspected for pilfering clotheses of hedges, or breaking of houses which they commonly do, when the owners be either at the market, church, or other ways occupied about their business, either rob some silly man or woman by the high way, as many times they do. Then they high them into woods, great thickets, and other ruff corners where they lie lurking three or four days together, and have meat and drink brought them by their mortes and Doors: and while they thus lie bidden in conert, in the night they be not idle neither as the common saying is (well occupied) for then as the wily fore, creeping out of his den, seeketh his pray for pultery, so do these for ●nnen and any thing else worth money, that lieth about or near a house. As sometime a whole buck of clotheses carried away at time. When they have a greater booty, than they may carry away quickly to their stawlinge kennes as is above said, they will hide the same for a three days in some thick, covert and in the night time carry the same like good water Spannels to their foresaid houses, to whom they will discover where or in what places they had the same where the marks shallbe picked out clean, & conveyed craftily far of to cell if the man or woman of the house want money themselves: and if these upright men have neither money nor wares, at these houses they shallbe trusted for their victuals and it amount to twenty or thirty shillings: yea if it fortune any of these upright men to be taken, either suspected or charged with felony or petty brybrye done at such a time or such a place, he will say he was in his hosts house. And if the man or wife of that house be examined by an officer, they boldly vouch that they lodged him such a time, whereby the truth cannot appear. And if they chance to be retained into service, through their lamentable words, with any wealthy man they will tarry but a small time, either robbing his master, or some of his fellows. And some of them useth this policy, that although they travail into all these shires above said, yet will they have good credit, especially in one shire, where at divers good farmer's houses they be well known, where they work a month in place or more and will for that time behave themselves very honestly & painfully. And may at any time for their good usage have work of them, and to these at a dead lift or last refuge, they may safely repair unto, & be welcome, when in other places for a knack of knavery that they have played they dare not tarry. These upright men will seldom or never want, for what is gotten by any Morte or Dore, if it please him he doth command the same: and if he meet any beggar, whether he be sturdy or impotent, he will demand of him whether ever he was stalled to the rogue or no. If he say he was, he will know of whom, & his name that stalled him. And if he be not learnedly able to show him the whole circumstance thereof, he will spoil him of his money, either of his best garment if it be worth any money, and have him to the bousing ken: which is, to some tippling house next adjoining and layeth there to gauge the best thing that he hath for twenty pence or two shillings: this man obeyeth for fear of beating. Then doth this upright man call for a gage of bows, which is a quart pot of drink and powers the same upon his peld pate, adding these words I G. P, do stall thee W. T. to the Rogue, and that from henceforth it shallbe lawful for thee to Cant, that is to ask or beg for thy living in all places. Here you see that the upright man is of great authority for all sorts of beggars are obedient to his hests, and surmounte●● all tother in pylfring and stealing. ¶ I lately had standing in my well house which standeth on the backside of my house a great cauldron of copper being then full of water, having in the same half a dozen of pewter dishes well marked and stamped with the con●zance of my arms: which being well noted when they were taken out were set a side, the water powered out, and my cauldron taken a way, being of such bigness that one man unless he were of great strength was not able far to carry the same. Notwithstanding the same was one night within this two years, conveyed more than half a mile from my house, into a comen or heath, and there bestowed in a great firbushe. I then immediately the next day sent one of my men to London and there gave warning in Southwark. Kent street, & Barmy say street, to all the Tynckars there dwelling, that if any such cauldron came thither to be sold, the bringar thereof should be stayed, and promised twenty shillings for a reward. I gave also intelligence to the watermen that kept the ●erres that no such vessel should be either conveyed to London, or into Essex, promising the like reward, to have understanding thereof. This my doing was well understand in many places about, and that the fear of espying so troubled th● conscience of the stealer, that my cauldron lay untouched in y● thick firbushe more than half a year: after which by a great chance was found by hunters for conne●s: for one chanced to run into the same bush where my cauldron was, and being perceived, one thrust his staff into the same bush & it my cauldron a great blow, the sound whereof did 'cause the man to think and hope that there was some great treasure hidden, whereby be thought to be the better while he lived. And in further searching he found my cauldron, so had I the same again vnloked for.   

¶ A Hoker or Anglear. Cap. 3.  
THese hokers or Anglers be perilous and most wicked knaves, and be derived or proceed forth from the upright men, they commonly go in freeze yerkynes and galley slops, pointeth beneath the knee: these when they practise their pilfering, it is all by night, for as they walk a day times from house to house to demand charity, they vigilantly mark where, or in what place they may attain to there pray, casting their eyes up to every window, well noting what they see there, whether apparel or linen, hanging near unto the said windows, and that will they be sure to have the next night following, for they customably carry with them a staff of v. or vi. foot long, in which, within one inch of the top thereof is a little hole ●ored through: in which hole they put an iron hook, and with the same they will pluck unto them quickly any thing that they may reach therewith, which hook in the day time they covertly carry about them, and is never seen or taken out till they come to the place where they work their feat, such have I seen at my house & have often talked with them and have handled their staves not then understanding to what use or intent they served, although I had and perceived by their talk and behaviour great likelihood of evil suspicion in them, they will either lean upon their staff to hide the hole thereof, when they talk with you, or hold their hand upon the hole, and what stuff either woollen or linen, they thus hook out, they never carry the same forthwith to their stauling kens, but hides the same a three days in some secret corner, & after conveis the same to their houses abovesaid where their host or hosts giveth them money for the same but half the value that it is worth, or else their Doxes shall a far of cell the same at the like houses. I was credibly informed that a hoker came to a farmer's house in the dead of the night, and putting aback a draw window of a low chamber, the bed standing hard by the said window, in which lay three persons, a man and two big boys: this hoker with his staff plucked of their garments which lay upon them to keep them warm, with the coverlet and sheet, and left them lying a sleep naked saving their shirts, and had away all clean & never could understand where it became. I verily suppose that when they were well waked with cold, they surely thought that Robin good fellow, (according to the old saying) had been with them that night.   

¶ A Roge. Cap. 4.  
A Rogue is neither so stout or hardy as the upright man: Many of them will go faintly and look piteousely when they see either meet any person, having a kercher as white as my shoes tied about their head, with a short staff in their hand, halting although they need not, requiring alms of such as they meet or to what house they shall come. But you may easily perceive by their colour that they carry both health & hypocrisy about them, whereby they get gain, when others want that cannot fayne and dissemble. Others there be that walk sturdily about the country, & feigneth to seek a brother or kinsman of his, dwelling within some part of the shire either that he hath a letter to deliver to some honest householder dwelling out of an other shire, and will show you the same fair, sealed, with the superscription to the party he speaketh of, because you shall not think him to run idly about the country, either have they this shift, they will ●ary a certificate or passport about them from some justicer of the peace, with his hand and seal unto the same, how he hath been whipped and punished for a vagabond according to the laws of this realm and that he must return to● T. where he was borne or last dwelled, by a certain day limited in the same, which shallbe a good long day, And all this feigned, because without fear they would wickedly wander, and will renew the same where or when it pleaseth them: for they have of their affinity that can writ and read. These also will pick and steal as the upright men, and hath their women and meetings at places appointed, and nothing to them inferior in all kind of knavery There be of these Rogues Curtales, wearing short cloaks, that will change their apparel as occasion serveth, and their end is either hanging, which they call Trming in their language, or dye miserably of the pocks  
¶ There was not long sithence two Rogues that always did associate themselves together & would never separate themselves unless it were for some especial causes, for they were sworn brothers, & were both of one age and much like of favour: these two traveling into east kent, resorted unto an ale house, being wearied with traveling, saluting with short courtesy (when they came into the house) such as they saw fitting there: in which company was the parson of the parish, and calling for a pot of the best ale, sat down at the table's end: the liquor liked them so well that they had pot upon pot, & sometime for a little good manner would drink and offer the cup to such as they best fancied and to be short they sat out all the company, for each man departed home about their business: when they had well refreshed themselves, than these rowsy rogues requested the good man of the house with his wife to sit down and drink with them: of whom they inquired what priest the same was and where he dwelled, than they feigning that they had an uncle a priest, & that he should devil in these parts which by all presumptions it should be he, and that they came of purpose to speak with him, but because they had not seen him sithence they were sire years old, they durst not be bold to take acquaintance of him until they were farther instructed of the truth, and began to inquire of his name, & how long he had dwelled there, and how far his house was of from the place they wer● in, the good wife of the house, thinking them honest men without dilceit, because they so far inquired of their kinsman, was ●ut of a good zealous natural intent, showed them cheerfully that he was an honest man and well beloved in the parish and of good wealth, and had been there resident xv. years at the lest, but saith she, are you both brothers? yea surely said they, we have been both in one belly and were twins: mercy God quoth this foolish woman, it may well be, for ye be not much unlike, & went unto her hall window calling these young men unto her, & looking out pointed. with her finger and showed them the house standing alone, no house near the same by almost a quarter of a mile, that said she is your uncles house: nay saith one of them he is not only my uncle, but also my Godfather, it may well be quoth she, nature will bind him to be the better unto you: well quoth they, we be weary & mean not to trouble our uncle to night, but to morrow god willing, we will see him and do our duty. But I pray you doth our uncle occupy husbandry, what company hath he in his house? alas saith she, but one old woman & a boy he hath no occupying at all: tush q this good wife you be mad men, go to him this night for he hath better lodging for you then I have, and yet I speak foolishly against mine own profit, for by your taring here I should gain the more by you Now by my troth q one of them, we thank you good hosts for your wholesome council, and we mean to do as you will us, we will pause a while and by that time it willbe almost night, and I pray you give us a reckoning (so mannerly paying for that they took) had their host & hosts farewell with taking leave of the cup: marched merely out of the doors towards this parson's house, viewed the same well round about and passed by two bowshotes of into a young wood where they lay consulting what they should do until midnight, quoth one of them (of sharper wit and subtler than the other) to his fellow, thou seest that this house is stone walled about, and that we cannot well break in, in any part thereof: thou seest also that the windows be thick of mullions, that there is no kreeping in between, wherefore we must of necessity use some policy when strength will not serve. I have a horse lock here about me, saith he, and this I hope shall serve our turn: so when it was about xii of the clock they came to the house & lurked near unto his chamber window: the dog of the house barked a good, that with the noise, this priest waketh out of his sleep, & began to cough and hem: than one of these rogue's steps forth necrer the window & maketh a rueful & pitiful noise, requiring for Christ sake some relief that was both hungry & thirsty and was like to lie without the doors all night and starve for cold, unless he were relee●ed by him with some small piece of money. Where dwellest thou, quoth this parson? alas sir saith this roge. I have small dwelling, and have come out of my way: & I should now saith he, go to any town now at this time of night, they would set me in the stocks and punish me: well quoth this pitiful parson, away from my house, either lie in some of my outhouses until the morning and hold here is a couple of pence for thee. A God reward you, quoth this rogue, & in heaven may you found it. The parson openeth his widow & thrusteth out his arm to give his alms to this rogue thate came whi●ing to receive it, and quickly taketh hold of his hand and calleth his fellow to him, which was ready at hand with the horse lock & clappeth the same about the wrist of his arm that the mullions standing so close together for strength, that for his life he could not pluck in his arm again, and made him believe, unless he would at the lest give them i●● pound, they would smi●e of his arm from the body, so that this poor parson in fear to loose his hand, called up his old woman that lay in the fit over him, and willed her to take out all the money he had, which was iiij. marks, which he said was all the money in his house, for he had lent vi. pound to one of his neighbours not iiij. days before. Well q they, master parson if you have no more, upon this condition we will take of the lock that you will drink xii. pence for our sakes to morrow at the ale house where he found you & thank the good wife for the good cheer she made us: be promised faithfully that he would so do: so they took of the lock and went their way so far ere it was day, that the parson could never have any understanding more of them: now this parson sorrowfully slumbering that night between fear and hope, though it was but folly to make two sorrows of one, he used contentation for his remedy, not forgetting in the morning to perform his promise but went betimes to his neighbour that kept tippling, and asked angrily where the same two men were that drank with her yester day: which two men quoth good wife? the strangers that came in, when I was at your house with my neighbours yesterday: what your nephews q she. My nephews q this parson, I trow thou art mad. Nay by god q this good wife, as sober as you, for they told me faithfully that you were their uncle, but in faith are you not so in deed, for by my troth they are strangers to me, I never saw them before. O out upon them q the parson, they be false thieves, & this night they compelled me to give them all this money in my house. Benedicite q this good wife, & have they so in deed? as I shall answer before god, one of them told me beside that you were godfather to him and that he trusted to have your blessing before he departed, what did he, quoth this parson, a halter bless him for me, me thinketh by the mass by your countenance you looked so wildly when you came in quoth this good wife, that something was amis● I use not to jest quoth this parson when I speak so earnestly, why all your sorrows go with it quoth his good wife, & sit down here and I will fill a fresh pot of ale to make you merry again, ye saith this parson fill in & give me some meat, for they made me swear and promise' them faithfully that I should drink xii. pence with you this day? what did they quoth she, now by the marry mass they be merry knaves, I warrant you they mean to buy no land with your money: but how could they come unto you in the night, your doors being shut fast? your house is very strong, than this parson showed her all the whole circumstance how he gave them his a●mes, out at the window, they made such lamentable cry, that it pitied him at the heart, for he saw but one when he put out his hand at the window, he ruled by me quoth this good wife, wherein quoth this parson● by by troth never speak more of it when they shall understand of it in the parish they will but laugh you to scorn, why then quoth this parson● the devil go with it, and their an end.   

¶ A Wild Roge. Cap. 5.  
A Wild Rogue is he that is borne a Rogue, he is more subtle and more given by nature to all kind of knavery than the other, as beastly begotten in barn or bushes, and from his infancy traded up in treachery: yea and before ripeness of years doth permit, wallowing in lewd lechery, but that is counted amongst them no sin. For this is their custom, that when they meet in barn at night, every one getteth a mate to lie withal, and there chance to be twenty in a company, as their is sometime more, and sometime less: for to one man that goeth abroad, there are at the lest two women, which never make it strange when they be called, although she never knew him before. Then when the day doth appear, he rouses him up and shakes his ears, and away wandering where he may get aught to the hurt of others. Yet before he skippeth out of his couch and departeth from his darling (if he like her well) he will appoint her where to meet shortly after, with a warning to work warily for some chetes, that their meeting might be the merrier.  
Not long sithence, a wild rogue chanced to meet a poor neighbour of mine who for honesty & good nature surmounteth many. This poor man riding homeward from London, where he had made his market: this rogue demanded a penny for God's sake to keep him a tru● man. This simple man beholding him well, and saw he was of tal● parsonage with a good quarter staff in his hand, it much pitied him as he said to see him want, for he was well able to serve his prince in the wars. Thus being moved with pity, looked in his purse too found out a penny, and in looking for the same, he plucked out viii. shillings in whit money, and raked therein to found a single penny, and at the last finding one, doth offer the same to this wild rogue but he seeing so much money in this simple man's hand, being stricken to the heart with a covetous desire, hide him forthwith to deliver all that he had, or else he would with his staff beaten out his brains: for it was not a penny would now quench his thirst seeing so much as he did: thus swallowing his spittle greedily down, spoiled this poor man of all the money that he had, and leapt over the hedge into a thick wood, and went his way as merely as this good simple man came home sorrowfully. I once rebucking a wild Rogue, because he went idly about: he showed me that he was a beggar by inheritance, his Grandfather was a beggar, his father was one, and he must needs be one by good reason.   

A Prigger of Prauncers. Cap. 6.  
A Prigger of Prauncers be horse stealers, for to prigge signifieth in their language to steal, & a Prancer is a horse, so being put together, the matter was plain. These go commonly in jerkins of leather or of whit freeze, & carry little wands in their hands, and will walk through grounds and pastures, to search and see horses meet for their purpose, and if they chance to be met & asked by the ownners of the ground what they make there, they fain straight that they have lost their way and desire to be instructed the best way to such a place. These will also repair to gentlemen's houses & ask their charity's and will offer their service. And if you ask them what they can do, they will say that they can keep two or three Geldings and wait upon a Gentleman. These have also their women that walking from them in other places, mark where and what they see abroad, and showeth these Priggars thereof, when they meet, which is within a week or two, and look where they steal any thing, they convey the same at the lest three score miles of or more.  
¶ There was a Gentleman, a very friend of mine, riding from London homeward into Kent, having with in three miles of his house business, alighted of his horse, and his man also, in a pretty village, where divers houses were, and looked about him where he might have a convenient person to walk his horse, because he would speak with a Farmer that dwelled on the back side of the said village little above a quarter of a mile from the place where he lighted and had his man to weight upon him● as it was meet for his calling, espying a Priggar there standing, thinking the same to dwell there, charging this pretty prigging person to walk his horse well, and that they might not stand still for taking of cold, and at his return (which he said should not be long) he would give him a penny to drink, and so went about his business. This pelting Priggar, proud of his pray, walketh his horse up and down, till he saw the Gentleman out of sight, and ●eapes him into the saddle, and away he goeth a main. This Gentleman returning, and finding not his horses, sent his man to the one end of the village, & he went himself unto the other end● and inquired as he went for his horses that were walked● and began somewhat to suspect, because neither he nor his man could see nor found him. Then this gentleman diligently inquired of three or four town dwellers there, whether any such person, declaring his stature, age, apparel, with so many linaments of his body as he could call to remembrance. And una voce all said that no such man dwelled in their street, neither in the parish that they knew of, but somy did well remember that such a one ●●ey saw there lyrking and huggering two hours before the Gentleman came thither and a stranger to them. I had thought quoth this Gentleman, he had here dwelled● and marched home mannerly in his boats far from the place he dwelled not. I suppose at his coming home he sent such ways as he suspected or thought meet to search for this Prigger, but hitherto he never heard any tidings again of his palfreys. I had the best gelding stolen out of my pasture that I had amongst others, while this book was fi●● a printing.   

¶ A Pallyard. Cap. 7.  
THese Palliards be called also Clapperdogens, these go wit patched cloaks, & have their Morts with them which they call wives: and if he go to one house to ask his alms, his wife shall go to an other, for what they get, as bread, cheese, malt, and wol●, they s●l the same for ready money, for so they get more, and if they went together, although they be thus divided in the day, yet they meet ●ompe at night: if they chance to come to some gentilmans house standing alone, and be demanded whether they be man and wife, and if he perceive that any doubteth thereof, he showeth them a Testimonial with the ministers name and others of the same parish, naming a parish in some shire far distant from the place where he sheweth● the same. This writing he carrieth to salve that sore: There be many Irish men that go about with counterfeit licences, and if they perceive you will straightly examine them, they will immediately say they can speak no English.  
¶ Farther understand for truth, that the worst and wickedest of all this beastly generation are scarce comparable to these prating pallyards. All for the most part of these will either lay to their legs an herb called Sperewort, either Arsenic, which is called Ratesbane. The nature of this Spereworte will raise a great blister in a night upon the soundest part of his body, and if the same be taken away, it will dry up again and no harm. But this Arsenic will so poison the same leg or sore, that it will ever after be incurable, this do they for gain and to be pitied. The most of these that walk about be walchmen.   

A Frater. Cap. 8.  
SOme of these Fraters will carry black bores at their girdle, wherein they have a brief of the queens majesties letters patents given to such poor spittle house for the relief of the poor there, which brief is a copy of the letters patents, & utterly feigned, if it be in paper or in parchment without the great seal: also if the same brief be in print, it is also of authority For the printers will sae & well understand before it come in press, that the same is lawful. Also I am credibly informed that the chief Proctors of many of these houses, that seldom travel abroad themselves, but have their factors to gather for them, which look very slenderly to the impotent & miserable creatures committed to their charge● & die for want of cherishing whereas they & their wives are well crammed & cloted & will have of the best And the founders of every such house, or the chief of the parish where they be, would better see unto these proctor's, that they might do their duty, they should be well spoken of here, and in the world to come abundantly therefore rewarded. I had of late an honest man and of good wealth, repaired to my house to common with me about certain affairs. I invited the same to dinner, and dinner being done, I demanded of him some news of these parties were he dwelled. Thanks be to God sir (saith he) all is well & good now. Now (quoth I) this same now declareth that some things of late hath not been well. Yes sir (q he) the matter is not great, I had thought I should have been well beaten within this seventh night: how so (quoth I) marry sir said he, I am Constable for fault of a better, and was commanded by the justicer to watch. The watch being set, I took an honest man one of my neighbours with me and went up to the end of the town as far as the spittle house: at which house I heard a great noise, and drawing near stood close under the wall, and this was at one of the clocks after midnight's where he hard swearing, prating, and wagers laying, and the pot apace walking, and xl. pence gauged upon a match of wrestling, pitching of the bar, and casting of the sledge: and out they go in a fustian sum into the back side, where was a great Axiltry, and there fell to pitching of the bar, being three to three: the Moon did shine bright, the Constable with his neighbour might see and behold all that was done. And how the wife of the house was roasting of a Pig, while her gests were in their match. At the last they could not agree upon a caste and fell at words, and from words to blows. The Constable with his fellow runs unto them to part them, and in the parting lyckes a dry blow or two. Then the noise increased, the Constable would have had them too the stocks. The wife of the house runs out with her good man to entreat the Constable for her grstes, and leaves the Pig at the fire alone. In cometh two or three of the next neighbours being waked with this noise, and into the house they come and find none therein but the pig well roasted, and carrieth the same away with them, spit and all, with such bread and drink also as stood upon the table. When the goodman and the good wife of the house had entreated and pacified the Constable, she wing unto him that they were Proctors and Factors, all of spittle houses, and that they tarried there but to break their fast, and would ride away immediately after, for they had far to go, and therefore ment to ride so early. And coming into their house again, finding the pig with bread and drink all gone, made a great exclamation, for they knew not who had the same.  
The Constable returning and hearing the lamentable words of the good wife how she had lost both meat and drink, and saw it was so indeed, he laughed in his sleeve, and commanded her to dress no more at unlawful hours for any gests: for he thought if better bestowed upon those smell feasts his poor neighbours, then upon such sturdy Lubbares. The next morning betimes, the the spit and pots were set at the Spittle house door for the owner? Thus were these factors beguiled of their breakfast, and one of them had well beaten an other: and by my troth (quoth this Constable) I was glad when I was well rid of them. Why quoth I, could they cast the bar and sledge well? I will tell you sir (quoth he) you know there hath been many games this summer, I think verily, that if some of these lubbers had been there, and practised amongst others. I believe they would have carried aways the best games: for they were so strong and sturdy that I was not able to stand in their hands. Well (quoth I) at these games you speak of, both legs and arms be tried: yea (quoth this officer, they be wicked men. I have seen some of them sithence with clouts bound about their legs, and ha●●●●ng with their staff in their hands. Wherefore some of them (by God) be all nought.   

¶ A Abraham man. Cap. 9  
THese Abraham men be those that fayn themselves to have been mad, and have been kept either in Bethelem, or in some other prison a good time, and not one amongst twenty that ever came in prison for any such cause: yet will they say how pityously and most extremely they have been beaten and dealt with all. Some of these be merry and very pleasant, they will dance and sing, some others be as cold and reasonable to talk withal. These beg money, either when they come at the armours houses, they will demand Baken, either cheese, or wool or any thing that is worth money, and if they espy small company within, they will with fierce countenance demand somewhat. Where for fear the maids will give them largely to be rid of them.  
¶ If they may conveniently come by any cheat, they will pick and steal as the upright man or Rogue, poultry or linen. And all women that wander, be at their commandment. Of all that ever I saw of this kind, one naming himself Stradlinge, is the craftiest and most dissemblingest knave. He is able with his tongue and usage, to deceive and abuse the wisest man that is. And surely for the proportion of his body, with every member thereunto appartaining, it cannot be amended But as the proverb is (God hath done his part.) This straddling saith he was the Lord Sturtons' man, and when he was executed for very pensiveness of mind he fell out of his wit, and so continued a year after and more, and that with the very grief and fear, he was taken with a marvelous palsy, that both head and hands will shake when he talketh with any and that apace or fast, whereby he is much pitied, and getteth greatly. And if I had not demanded of others both men and women, that commonly walketh as he doth, and known by them his deep dissimulation, I never had understand the same. And thus I end with these kind of vagabonds.   

¶ A fresh water Mariner or Whip●acke. Cap. 10.  
THese fresh water Mariners, their ships were drowned in the plain of Salisbury. These kind of Caterpillars, counterfeit great losses on the sea, these be some Western men, and most be Irish men. These will run about the country with a counterfeit licence, feigning either shipwreck, or spoiled by Pirates, near the coast of Cornwall or Devonshire and set a land at some haven town there, having a large and formal writing, as is above said, with the names and seals of such men of worship at the lest four or five as dwelleth near or next to the place where they fayne their landing. And near to those shyeres will they not beg until they come into Wylshyre, Hamshyre, Barkeshyre, O●fordshyre, Harford shire, Middelsex, and to London, and down by the river to seek for their ship and goods that they never had, then pass they through Surrey, Sussex, by the sea coasts, & so into kent, demanding alms to bring them home to their country.  
Sometime they counterfeit the seal of the Admiralty, I have divers times taken away from them their licences of both sorts, with such money as they have gathered, and have confiscated the same to the poverty nigh adjoining to me. And they will not be long without an other, for at any good Town they will renew the same. Once with much threatening and fair promises, I required to know of one company who made their licence. And they swore that they bought the same at Portsmouth of a Mariner there, and it cost them two shillings, with such warrants to be so good and effectual, that if any of the best men of law or learned about London should peruse the same, they were able to find no fault therewith, but would assuredly allow the same.  


A upright man  
Nicolas Blunt.  
The counterfeit Cranke.  
Nicolas Genings.    
These two pictures lively set out,  
One body and soul, God sand him more grace:  
This monstrous dissembler, a Cranke all about.  
Uncomely coveting of each to embrace,  
Money or wares, as he made his race.  
And sometime a Mariner, and a serving man:  
Or else an artificer, as he would fayne then.  
Such shifts he used, being well tried,  
Abandoning labour till he was espied:  
Conding punishment for his dissimulation,  
He surely received with much exclamation.   

A counterfeit Cranke. Cap. 11.  
THese that do counterfeit the Cranke be young knaves and young harlots, that deeply dissemble the falling sickness. For the Crank in their language is the falling evil, I have seen some of these with fair writings testimonials, with the names and ●eales of s●me men of worship in Shropshyre, and in other Shires far of, that I have well known and have taken the same from them. Many of these do go without writings, and will go half naked, and look most piteously. And if any clotheses be given them they immediately cell the same, for wear it they will not, because they would be the more pitied, and we are filthy clotheses on their heads, and never go without a piece of white soap about them, which if they see cause or present gain, they will privily convey the same into their mouth, & so work the same there, that they will foam as it were a Boor, and marvelously for a time torment themselves, and thus deceive they the common people, and gain much. These have commonly their harlots as the other.  
¶ Upon Alhallonday in the morning last Anno Domini 1566. or my book was half printed, I mean the first impression, there came early in the morning a counterfeit Cranke under my lodging at the white Friars within the cloister, in a little yard or court whereabouts lay two or three great Ladies, being without the liberties of London, whereby he hoped for the greater gain: this Cranke there lamentably lamenting, and pitifully crying to be relieved, declared to divers there his painful and miserable disease. I being risen and not half ready, hard his doleful words and rueful mournings, hear i● him name the fallen sickness, thought assuredly to myself, that he was a deep dissembler: so coming out at a sudden, and beholding his ugly and irksome attire, his loathsome and horrible countenance, it made me in a marvelous perplexity what to think of him, whether it were feigned or truth for after this manner went he: he was naked from the waste upward, saving he had an old jerkin of leather, patched and that was loose about him, that all his body lay out bore a filthy soul cloth he ware on his head, being cut for the purpose, having a narrow place to put out his face, with a baver made to truss up his beard, and a string that tied the same down close about his neck, with an old felt hat which he still carried in his hand, to receive the charity and devotion of the people, for that would he hold out from him, having his face from the eyes downward, all smerd with fresh blood, as though he had new fallen, and been tormented with his painful pangs, his jerkin being all berayed with dirt and mire, and his heart and hosen also, as though he had wallowed in the mire: surely the sight was monstrous and terrible. I called him unto me and demanded of him what he ailed. A good master, quoth he, I have the grievous and painful disease called the falling sickness: why, quoth I, how cometh thy jerkin, hose and hat so berayed with dirt and mire, and thy skin also? A good master I fell down on the backside here in a fowl lane hard by the water side, and there I lay almost all night, and have bled all most all the blood out in my body. It reigned that morning very fast: and while I was thus talking with him, a honest poor woman that dwelled thereby, brought him a fair linen cloth, and bid him wipe his face therewith, and there being a tobbe standing full of rain water, offered to give him some in a dish, that he might make himself clean, he refuseth the same: why dost thou so quoth I? A sir saith he, if I should wash myself, I should fall to bleeding a fresh again, and then I should not stop myself: these words made me the more to suspect him.  
Then I asked of him where he was born, what his name was, how long he had this disease, and what time he had been here about London, and in● what place ● sir (saith he) I was borne at Leycestar, my name is Nicholas Genings, and I have had this falling sickness viii years, and I can get no remedy for the same, for I have it by kind, my father had it and my friends before me, and I have been these two years here about London, and a year and a half in Bethelem: why wast thou out of thy wits, quoth I? yea sir that I was.  
What is the keeper's name of the house? his name is (quoth he) john Smith● then quoth I, he must understand of thy disease, if thou haddest the same for the time thou wa●t there, he knoweth it well, ye not only he, but all the house beside, quoth this Cranke, for I came thence but within this fortnight. I had stand so long reasoning the matter with him, that I was a cold and went into my chamber and made me ready, and commanded my servant to repair to bethlem and bring me true word from the keeper there, whether any such man hath been with him as a prisoner, having the disease aforesaid, and gave him a no●e of his name & the keepers also: my servant returning to my lodging, did assure me that neither was there ever any such man there, neither yet any keeper of any such name, but he that was the keeper sent me his name in writing, affirming that he letteth no man departed from him, unless he be fet aways by his friends, and that none that came from him begged about the City: then I sent for the Printer of this book, and showed him of this dissembling Crank, and how I had sent to Bethelem to understand the tr●th, and what answer I received again, requiring him that I might have some servant of his to watch him faithfully that day, that I might understand trustily to what place he would repair at night unto, and thither I promised to go myself, to see their order, and that I would have him to associate me thither: he gladly granted to my request, and sent two boys that both diligently & vigilantly, accomplished the charge given them, & found the same Cranke about the Temple, where about the most part of the day he begged, unless it were abou● xii. of the clock, he went on the backside of Clementes Ine without Temple bar, there is a lane that goeth into the Fields, there he renewed his face again with fresh blood, which he carried about him in a bladder, and daubed on fresh dirt upon his, jerkin, hat and hosen.  
And so came back again unto the Temple, and sometime to the Water side, and begged of all that passed by: the boys beheld how some gave groats, some sire pence, some gave more: for he looked so ougley and yrksomly, that every one pitied his miserable case that beheld him: to be short, there he passed all the day till night approched● and when it began to be some what dark, he went to the water side and took a Skoll●er, and was set over the water into Saint George's fields, contrary to my expectation: for I had thought he would have gone into Holborn, or to saint Gylles in the field: but these boys with (Argues and Lynxes ties) set sure watch upon him, and the one took a Boat and followed him, and the other went back to tell his master.   

A Dommerar. Cap. 12.  
THese Dommerars are lewd and most subtle people, the most part of these are Walch men, and will never speak, unless they have extreme punishment but will gape, and with a marucious force will hold down their tongues doubled, groninge for your charity, and holding up their hands full piteously, so that with their deep dissimulation they get very much. There are of these many, & but one that I understand of hath lost his tongue in deed: having on a time occasion to ride to Dartford to speak with a priest there, who maketh all kind of conserves very well, and useth stilling of waters. And repairing to his house, I found a Dommerar at his door, and the priest himself perusing his licence, under the seals and hands of certain worshipful men, had thought the same to be good and effectual. I taking the same writing and reading it over and no●ing the seals, found one of the seals like unto a seal that I had about me: which seal I bought besides Charing cross, that I was out of doubt it was none of those gentlemen's seals that had subscribed. And having understanding before of their pe●ish practices, made me to conceive that all was forged & naught. I made the more hast home for well I witted that he would and must of force pass through the parish where I dwelled, for there was no other way for him. And coming homeward, I found them in the town according to my expectation, where they where stayed, for there was a Palliard associate with the Dommerar and partaker of his gains, which Pallyards I saw not at Darford. The stairs of them was a gentleman called Chain, & a servant of my Lord Keepers, called Wostestow, which was the chief causer of the staying of them, being a Surgien & cunning in his science, had seen the like practices, and as he said had caused one to speak afore that was doom. It was my chance to come at the beginning of the matter. Sir (q this Surgien) I am bold here to utter some part of my cunning, I trust (quoth he) you shall see a miracle wrought anon: for I once (quoth he) made a domme man to speak. Quoth I you are well met, and somewhat you have prevented me● for I had thought to have done no less or they had passed this town, for I well know their writing is feigned, and they deep dissemblers. The Surgien made him gape, & we could see but half a tongue. I required the Surgien to put his finger in his mouth, & to pull out his tongue, and so he did, notwithstanding he held strongly a pretty while: at the length he plucked out the same, to the great admiration of many that stood by: yet when we saw his tongue, he would neither speak nor yet could hear. Quoth I to the Surgien, knit t●o of his fingers together and thrust a stick between them, and rub the same up and down a little while, and for my life he speaketh by and by. Sir quoth this Surgien, I pray let me practise an other way, I was well contented to see the same. He had him into a house, and tied a halter about the wrists of his hands and ●oysed him up over a beam, and their did let him hung a good while at length for very pain he required for god's sake to let him down. So he that was both deaf and dume could in short time both hear and speak. Then I took that money I could found in his purse, and distributed the same to the poor people dwelling there, which was xv. pence halfpenny, being all that we could find. That done, and this merry miracle madly made. I sent them with my servant to the nect justicer, where they preached on the pyllery for want of a pulpit, and were well whipped, and none did bewail them.   

A Drunken Tinckar. Cap. 13.  
THese drunken Tinckars called also prygges, be beastly people, & these young knaves be the worst: these never go without their doors and if their woman have any thing about them, as apparel or linen that is worth the selling, they lay the same to gage or cell it out right (for been house) and their bousing ken. And full soon will they be weary of them, and have a new When they happen one work at any good house, their Doors linger alooft, and tarry for them in some corner, and if he tarrieth long from her, than the knoweth he hath work, and walketh near, and sitteth down by him. For besides money he looketh for meat and drink for doing his dame pleasure. For if she have three or four holes in a pan, he will make as many more for speedy gain. And if he see any old kettle, chaffer or pe●ter dish abroad in the yard where he worketh, he quickly snappeth the same up, and into the booget it goeth round. Thus they live with deceit.  
¶ I was credibly informed by such as could well tell● that one of these tippling Tinkers with his dog rob by the high way iii●. Pallyards and two Rogues six persons together. and took from them above four pound in ready money, & hid him after in a thick wood a day or two and so escaped untaken. Thus with picking and stealing, mingled with a little work for a colour, they pass their time   

¶ A Swadder or peddler. Cap. 14.  
THese Swadders and peddlers be not all evil, but of an indifferent behaviour. These stand in great awe of the upright men, for they have often both wares and money of them. But for as much as they seek gain unlawfully against the laws and statutes of this noble realm, they are well worthy to be registered among the number of vagabonds: and undoubtedly I have had some of them brought before me when I was in commission of the peace as malefactors for bribering and stealing. And now of late it is a great practice of the upright man, when he had gotten a bo●ye to bestow the same upon a packeful of wares, and so goeth a time for his pleasure, because he would live without suspicion.   

A jarke man, and a Patrico. Cap. 15.  
FOR as much as these two names a jarkeman and a Patrico be in the old briefs of vagabonds, and set forth as two kinds of evil doers, you shall understand that a jarkeman hath his name of a jarke, which is a seal in their Language, as one should make writings and set seals for licences and passports. And for truth there is none that goeth about the country of them that can either write so good and fair a hand, either indite so learnedly as I have seen & handled a number of them: but have the same made in good towns where they come, as what can not be had for money, as the proverb saith, Omnia venalia Romae, and many hath confessed the same to me Now also there is a Patrico● and not a Patriarcha, which in their language is a priest that should make marriages till death did departed but they have none such I am well assured. for I put you out of doubt that not one amongst a hundredth of them are married, for they take lechery for no sin, but natural fellowship and good liking love, so that I will not blot my book with these two that be not.   

A demander for glymmar. Cap. 16.  
THese demanders for glymmar be for the most part women, for glymmar in their language is fire: these go with feigned licences and counterfeited writings, having the hands and seals of such Gentlemen as dwelleth near to the place where they fain themselves to have been burnt, and their goods consumed with fire. They will most lamentably demand your charity and will quickly shed salt tearest they be so tender hearted. They will never beg in that shire where their losses (as they say) was. Some of these go with states at their backs, which is a sheet to lie in a nights. The upright men be very familiar with these kind of women, and one of them helps another.  
A demander of glymmar came to a good town in Kente, to ask the charity of the people, having a feigned licence about her that declared her misfortune by fire done in Somershet shire, walking with a wallet on her shoulders wherein she put the devotion of such as had no money to give her, that is to say, malt, wool, baken, bread and cheese: and always as the same was full, so was it ready money to her when the emptied the same, where so ever she traveled. This harlot was (as they term it) snout fair, and had an upright man or two always attending on her watch (which is on her person) and yet so circumspect, that they would never be seen in her company in any good Town, unless it were in small villages, where tippling houses where, either traveling together by the high ways, but the truth is by report) she would weekly be worth vi. or seven shillings with her begging and bichery. This glimmering Morte repairing to an Ine in the said town where dwelled a widow of fifty year old, of good wealth, but she had an unthrifty son, whom she used as a chamberlain to attend gests when they repaired to her house, this amorous man beholding with ardant eyes: this glimmering glauncer, was presently piteousely pierced to the heart, and lewdly longed to be clothen under her livery, and bestowing a few fond words with her, understood strait that she would be easily persuaded to liking lechery, and as a man mazed, mused how to attain to his purpose, for be had no money. Yet considering with himself that wares would be welcome where money wanteth, he went with a wanion to his mother's chamber and there seeking about for odd ends, at length found a little wishell of silver that his mother did use customably to wear on, and had forgot the same for haste that morning, and offeres the same closely to this mannerly marian, that if she would meet him on the backside of the town, and courteously kiss him without constraint, she should be mistress thereof and it were much better: well saith she you are a wanton, and beholding the wishell, was farther in love therewith, then ravished with his person, and agreed to meet him presently and to accomplish his fond fancy: to be short and not tedious, a quarter of a mile from the town he merely took measure of her under a bawdy bush (so she gave him that she had not, and he received that he could not) and taking leave of each other with a courteous kiss, she pleasantly passed forth on her journey, and this untoward lecherous chamberlain repaired homeward. But or these two tortylles took their leave, the good wife had miss her whishle, & sent one of her maidens into her chamber for the same, and being long sought for, none could be found, her mistress hearing that, diligent search was made for the same, and that it was taken a way, began to suspect her unblessed babe, and demanded of her maidens whether none of them saw her son in her chamber that morning, and one of them answered that she saw him not there but coming from thence, then had she enough, for well she witted that he had the same, and sent for him, but he could not be found: then she caused her hostler, in whom she had better affiance in for his truth, and yet not one amongst twenty of them but have well left their honesty (as I hear a great sort say) to come unto her, which attended to know her pleasure, go seek out saith she my untoward son, and bid him come speak with me. I saw him go out saith he, half an hour sithence on the backside, I had thought you had sent him of your arrant. I sent him not quoth she, go look him out.  
This hollow hostler took his staff in his neck, and trudged out apace that way he saw him before go, and had some understanding by one of the maidens that his mistress had her wishell stolen & suspected her son, and he had not gone far but that he espied him coming homeward alone, and meeting him, asked where he had been? where have I been q he, and began to smile, now by the mass thou hast been at some bawdy banquet: thou haste even told troth q this chamberlain: surely q this hostler, thou hadst the same woman that begged at our house to day, for the harms she had by fire, where is she q he? she is almost a mile by this time q this chamberlain, where is my mistress whishel quoth this hostler, for I am well assured that thou hadst it, & I fear me thou hast given it to that harlot. Why, is it miss quoth this chamberlain? yea q this hostler, and showed him all the whole circumstance what was both said and thought on him for the thing. Well I will tell thee quoth this chamberlain, I will be plain with thee. I had in deed & have given the same to this woman, and I pray thee make the best of it, and help now to excuse the matter, and yet surely and thou wouldst take so much pain for me as to overtake her, for she goeth but softly and is not yet far of and take the same from her, & I am ever thine assured friend. Why then go with me quoth this hostler, nay in faith quoth this Chamberlain what is frear then gift, and I had preaty pastime for the same: hadst thou so quoth this hostler? now by the mass and I will have some to, or I will lie in the dust or I come a gain. Passing with haste to overtake this paramour within a mile from the place where he departed he overtook her having an uprightman in her company a strong and a sturdy vagabond, somewhat amazed was this hostler to see one familiarly in her company, for he had well hoped to have had some delicate dalliance as his fellow had, but seeing the matter so fall out, and being of good courage, and thinking to himself that one true man was better than two false knaves, & being on the high way thought upon help if need had been, by such as had passed to and fro: demanded fiercely the whishel that she had even now of his fellow: why husband quoth she, can you suffer this wretch to slander your wife? avaunt varlet quoth this upright man and letes drive withal his force at this hostler, and after half a dozen blows he strikes his staff out of his hand, and as this hostler stepped back to have taken up his staff again: this glimmering Morte flings a great stone at him and strake him on the head, that down he falls with the blood about his ears, and while he lay thus amazed, the upright man snatches away his purse, where in he had money of his mistresses, as well as of his own, and there let him lie and went away with speed, that they were never heard of more. When this dry beaten hostler was come to himself he faintly wandereth home, and creepeth into his couch and rests his idle head: his mistress heard that he was come in, and laid him down on his bed, repaired strait unto him, and asked him what be ailed, and what the cause was of his so sodden lying on his bed? what is the cause q this hostele, your whyshell, your wishell, speaking the same piteously three or four times: why sole quoth his mistress, take no care for that for I do not greatly way it, it was worth but three shillings four pence. I would it had been burnt for sour years agone. I pray thee why so quoth his mistress? I think thou art mad. Nay not yet quoth this ostler, but I have been madly handled: why, what is the matter q his mistress, and was more desirous to know the case: and you will forgive my fellow & me. I will show you, or else I will never do it: she made him presently faithful promise that she would, then saith he sand for your son home again, which is ashamed to look you in the face. I agreed thereto saith she, well than quoth this hostler, your son hath given the same mort that begged here, for the burning of her house, a whishell, and you have given her five shillings in money, and I have given her ten shillings of mine own: why so quoth she, than he sadly showed her of his mishap, with all the circumstance that you have heard before, and how his purse was taken away, and xv. shillings in the same, whereof v. shillings was her money, and x shillings his own money. Is this true quoth his mistress? I by my troth quoth this hostler and nothing grieves me so much, neither my beating, neither the loss of my money, as doth my evil & wretched luck. Why, what is the matter quoth his mistress? your son saith this ostler had some cheer and pastime for that whishell, for he lay with her, and I have been well beaten and have had my purse taken from me, and you know your son is merry and pleasant and can keep no great council, and then shall I be mocked & laoghed to scorn in all places, when they shall hear how I have been served. Now out upon you knaves both, quoth his mistress, and laughs out the matter, for she well saw it would not otherwise prevail.   

A Bawdy Basket. Cap. 17.  
THese bawdy Basketes be also women, and go with baskets and Capcases on their arms, where in they have Laces, pings, needles, white inkel, and round silk girdles of all colours. These will buy conveskines, and strale linen clotheses of on hedges. And for their trifles they will procure of maiden servants, when their mistress or dame is out of the ware, either some good piece of beef, baken or cheese, that shallbe worth xii. pennies for two. pence of their toys. And as they walk by the way, they often gain some money with their instrument, by such as they suddenly meet withal. The upright men have good acquaintance with these, and will help and relieve them when they want. Thus they trade their lives in lewd loathsome lechery. Amongst them all is but one honest woman, and she is of good years: her name is jone Messenger I have had good proof of her, as I have learned by the true report of divers.  
There came to my gate the last summer Anno Domini 1566. a very miserable man and much deformed as burnt in the face, blere eyed, and lame of one of his legs that he went with a crouch. I asked him where he was borne & where he dwelled last, and showed him that thither he must repair and be relieved, and not to range about the country, & seeing some cause of charity, I caused him to have meat and drink, and when he had drunk, I demanded of him whether he was never spoiled of the upright man or rogue, yes that I have q he, but yet these seven years, for so long have I gone abroad I had not so much taken from me nor so evil handled as I was within these iiij. days why, how ●so q I? in good faith sir quoth he, I chanced to meet with one of these bawdy baskets which had an upright man in her company: and as I would have passed quietly by her, man saith she unto her mate, do you not see this ill-favoured windshaken knave? yes q the upright man, what say you to him, this knave oweth me ij. shillings for wares he had of me half a year a go, I think it well said this upright man: sirrah said he, pay your deaths, said this poor man I own her none, neither did I ever bargain with her for any thing, and as I am advised I never saw her before in all my life, mercy god quoth she what a lying knave is this, and he will not pay you husband beaten him surely, and the upright man gave me three or four blows on my back and shoolders and would have beaten me worse and I had not given him all the money in my purse, and in good faith for very fear I was fayn to give him xiv. pens which was all the money that I had: why said this bawdy basket hast thou no more, than thou owest ten pence still, and be well assured that I will be paid the next time I meet with thee. And so they let me pass by them. I pray god save and bless me & all others in my case from such wicked persons quoth this poor man, why whether went they, than quoth I, into east Kent, for I met with them on this side of Rochester. I have divers times been attempted but I never lost much before. I thank God there came still company by, afore this unhappy time. Well quoth I, thank God of all, and repair home into thy native country.   

A Autem Morte. Cap. 18.  
THese Autem Mortes be married women, as there be but a few: For Autem in their language is a Church, so she is a wife married at the Church, and they be as chaste as a Cow: I have that goeth to Bull every moon, with what Bull she careth not. These walk most rhymes from their husband's company a month and more together, being associate with another as honest as herself. These will pilfer clotheses of hedges some of them go with children of ten or xii. years of age● if time and place serve for their purpose they will sand them into some house at the window to steal and rob, which they ●all in their language, Milling of the ken, & will go with wallets on their shoulders and slates at their backs, there is one of these Autem Mortes, she is now a widow of fifty years old, her name is Alice Milson, she goeth about with a couple of great boys, the youngest of them is fast upon xx. years of age, and these two do lie with her every night, and ●he lieth in the mids, she saith that they be her children that be●cled be the babes borne of such abominable belly.   

¶ A Walking Morte. Cap. 19  
THese walking Mortes be not married, these for their unhappy years doth go as a Autem Morte, and will say their husbands died either at Newhaven Ireland, or in some service of the Prince. These make laces upon staves & purses that they carry in their hands and white vallance for beds. Many of these hath had, and have children: when these get aught, either with begging bichery or bribery as money or apparel, they are quickly shaken out of all by the upright men, that they are in a marvelous fear to carry any thing about them that is of any value. Wherefore, this policy they use, they leave their money now with one and then with another trusty householder, either with the good man or good wife, some time in one shire, and then in another as they travel: this have I known the iiij. or v. shillings, yea x. shillings left in a place, and the same will they come for again within one quarter of a year or some time not in half a year, and all this is to little purpose, for all their punish policy: for when they buy them linen or garments, it is taken away from them and worse given them, or none at all.  
The last Summer Anno Domini 1566. being in familiar talks with a walking Mort, that came to my gate. I learned by her what I could, & I thought I had gathered as much for my purpose as I desired, I began to rebuke her for her lewd life and beastly behaviour, declaring to her what punishment was prepared & heaped up for her in the world to come for hit filthy living and wretched conversation. God help q she how should I live, none will take me into service, but I labour in harvest time honestly. I think bat a while with honesty q I. Shall I tell you q she, the best of us may be amended, but yet I thank God, I did one good deed within this xii. months, wherein q I. Saith she I would not have it spoken of again: if it be meet and necessary, q I, it shall lie under my feet: what mean you by that quoth she. I mean q I, to hide the same and never to discover it to any. Well q she and began to laugh as much as she could & swore by the mass that if I disclosed the same to any she would never tell me any thing. The last summer q she I was great with child and I traveled into east kent by the sea coast, for I lusted marvelously after oyster and m●skels and gathered many, & in the place where I found them, I opened them and eat them still, at the last in seeking more, I reached after one and stepped into a hole and fell in, into the waist & their did stick, and I had been drowned if the tide had come, and espying a man a good way of, I cried as much as I could for help. I was alone, he heard me and repaired as fast to me as he might, and finding me their fast sticking, I required for God's sake his help, and whether it was with striving and forcing myself or for joy I had of his coming to me, I had a great colour in my face and looked read and well coloured. And to be plain with you, he liked me so well (as he said) that I should there lie still, and I would not grant him that she might lie with me. And by my troth I witted not what to answer, I was in such a perplexity, for I knew the man well, he had a very honest woman to his wife and was of some wealth and on the other side, if I were not help out, I should there have perished, and I granted him that I would obey to his will, then be plucked me out. And because there was no convenient place near hand, I required him that I might go wash myself and make me somewhat cleanly, and I would come to his house and lodge all night in his barn, whether he might repair to me and accomplish his desire, but let it not be quoth she before nine of the clock at night, for then there willbe small stirring. And I may repair to the town q she to warm & dry myself, for this was about two of the clock in the after none, do so quoth he, for I must be busy to look out my cattle here by before I can come home. So I went away from him and glad was I, and why so quoth I, because quoth she his wife my good dame is my very friend, and I am much beholding to her And she had done me so much good or this, that I were loath now to harm her any way. Why so quoth I? what and it had been any other man and not your good dames husband. The matter had been the less quoth she. Tell me I pray thee quoth I, who was the father of the child, she studied a while and said that it had a father, but what was he quoth I? Now by my troth I know not quoth she, you bring me out of my matter, so you do, well say on quoth I, than I departed straight to the town and came to my dames house. And showed her of my misfortune, also of her husband's usage in all points and that I showed her the same for good will and bid her take better heed to her husband and to herself, so she gave me great thanks and made me good cheer, and bid me in any case that I should be ready at the barn at that time and hour we had appointed for I know well quoth this good wife my husband will not break with thee. And one thing I warn thee that thou give me a watch word a loud when he goeth about to have his pleasure of thee, and that shallbe fie for shame fie, and I will be hard by you, with help. But I charge thee keep this secret until all be finished, and hold saith this good wife here is one of my petticoats I give thee. I thank you good dame quoth I, and I warrant you I will be true and trusty unto you. So my dame left me sitting by a good fire with meat and drink, and with the oysters I brought with me, I had great cheer, she went straight and repaired unto her gossipes dwelling thereby, and as I did after understand, she made her moan to them, what a naughty lewd lecherous husband thee had, and how that she could not have his company for har●ottes, and that she was in fear to take some filthy disease of him, he was so common a man, having little respect whom he h●dde to do with all, and quoth she now here is one at my house a poor woman that goeth about the country that he would have had to do with all, wherefore good neighbours and loving gossips as you love me and as you would have help at my hand another time, devise some remedy to make my husband a good man, that I may live in some surety without disease, and that he may save his soul that God so dearly bought. After she had told her tale they cast their perstnge eyes all upon her, but one stout dame amongst the rest had these words: As your patient bearing of troubles, your honest behaviour among us your neighbours, your tender and pitiful heart to the poor of the parish, doth move us to lament your case, so the unsatiable carnaliti of your faithless husband doth instigate and stir us to devise and invent some speedy redress for your case and the amendment of his life. Wherefore this is my counselled and you will be advertised him I say to you all, unless it be this good wife, who is chiefly touched in this matter I have the next cause, for he was in hand with me not long ago, and company had not been present which was by a marvelous chance, he had (I think) forced me. For often he had been tempting with me, and yet have I sharply said him nay, therefore let us assemble secretly into the place where he hath appointed to meet this gyllot that is at your house and lyrke privily in some corner till he begin to go about his business. And then me thought I hard you say even now, that you had a watch word, at which word we will all step forth being five of us besides you, for you shallbe none because it is your husband, but get you to bed at your accustomed hour, and we will carry each of us a good birchen rod in our laps, and we will all be muffled for knowing, and see that you go home and acquaint that walking mort with the matter forwe must have her help to hold, for always four must hold and two lay on. Alas saith this good wife, be is to strong for you all, I would be loath for my sake you should receive harm at his hand: fear you not q these stout women, let her not give the watch word until his hosen be about his legs, and I trow we all willbe with him to bring before he shall have leasuce to pluck them up again: they with one voice agreed to that matter that the way she had devised was the best: so this good wife repaired home: but before she departed from her gossips she showed them at what hour they should privily come in on the backside & there to tarry their good hour, so by the time she came in, it was almost night and found the walking morte still sitting by the fire & declared to her all this new devise above said, which promised faithfully to fulfil to her small power as much as they had devised, within a quarter of an hour after, in cometh the good man who said that he was about his cartel, why what have we here wife sitting by the fire, & if she have eat and drunk sand her into the barn to her lodging for this night, for she troubleth the house: even as you will husband, saith his wife, you know she cometh once in two years into these quarters. Away saith this good wife in your lodging: yes good dame saith she as fast as I can, thus by looking one on the other each knew others mind, and so departed to her comely couch, the good man of the house shrodge him for joy, thinking to himself I will make some pastime with you an one. And calling to his wife for his supper set him down and was very pleasant & drank to his wife & fell to his mammerings and mounched a pace, nothing understanding of the banquet that was a preparing for him after supper, & according to the proverb (that sweet meat will have sour sauce,) ● thus when he was well refreshed, his spirits being revived entered into familiar talk with his wife, of many matters how well he had spent that day to both their profits, saying some of his cattle were like to have been drowned in the diches, driving others of his neighbours cattle out that were in his pasturs, & mending his fences that were broken down. Thus profitably he had consumed the day, nothing talking of his helping out of the walking mort out of the mire, neither of his request nor yet of her promise. Thus feeding her with friendly fantasies consumed two hours and more. Then feigning how hes would see in what case his horse were in and how they were dressed, repaired covertly into the barn whereas his friendly foes lyrked privily unless it were this mannerly Morte, that comely couched on a bottle of straw. What are you come q she, by the mass I would not for a hundredth pound that my dame should know that you were here either any else of your house. Not I warrant thee saith this good man, they be all safe and fast enough at their work, and I will be at mine anon And lay down by her and strait would have had to do with her, nay fie saith she, I like not this order, if ye lie with me you shall surely untxusse you & put down your hosen for that way is most easiest and best, sayest thou so quoth he, now my troth agreed: and when he had untrussed himself and put down, he began to assault the unsatiable sort, why quoth she that was without shame, saving for her promise, and are you not ashamed? never a whit saith he, lie down quickly, now fie for shame, fie saith she aloud (which was the watch word) At the which word these five furious sturdy muffled gossips flings out and takes sure hold of this betrayed person, soon plucking his hosen down lower, and binding the same fast about his feet, then binding his hands and knitting a hand char●her about his eyes, that he should not see, and when they had made him sure and fast, than they laid him on until they were windless: be good saith this Morte unto my master for the passion of God, & laid on as fast as the rest, and still ceased not to cry upon them too be merciful unto him, and yet laid on a pace, and when they had well beaten him that the blood burst plentifully out in most places they let him lie still bound, with this exhortation, that he should from that time forth know his wife from other men's, and that this punishment was but a flebyting in respect of that which should follow, if he amended not his manners. Thus leaving him blustering, blowing and foaming for pain and melancholy, that he neither might or could be revenged of them: they vanished away and had this morte with them, a●d safely conveyed her out of the town: soon after cometh into the barn one of the good man's boys to set some hay for his horse. And finding his master lying fast bound and grievously beaten with rods, was suddenly abashed and would have run out again to have called for help, but his master hid him come unto him and unbind him, and make no words quoth he of this. I willbe revenged well enough, yet notwithstanding after better advise, the matter being unhonest, he thought it meeter to let the same pass, and not as the proverb saith (to awake the sleeping dog.) And by my troth quoth this walking morte, I come now from that place and w is never there sithence this part was played, which is somewhat more than a year. And I hear a very good report of him now, that he loveth his layfe well and useth himself very honestly: and was not this a good act, now how say you? It was prettily handled quoth I, and is here all? yea quoth she, here is the end.   

A Doxe. Cap. 20.  
THese Doors be broken & spoiled of their maidenhead by the upright men, and then they have their name of doors and not af●re. And afterward she is common and indifferent for any that will use her, as homo● is a common name to all men. Such as be fair and somewhat handsome, keep company with the walking Mortes, and are ready always for the upright men, and are chief maintained by them, for others shallbe spoiled for their sakes, the other interior sort will resort to noble men's places, and gentlemen's houses standing at the gate, either lurking on the backside about back houses, either in hedge rows or some other thicket, expecting their pray, which is for the uncomely company of some courteous gest of whom they be refreshed with meat and some money, where exchange is made ware for ware: this bread and meat they use to carry in their great hosen, so that these beastly bribing breeches, serve many times for bandy purposes. I chanced not long sitbens familiarly to common with a Door that came to my gate, and surely a pleasant harlot, and not so pleasant as witty, and not so witty as void of all grace and goodness I found by her talk that she had passed her time lewdly eighteen years in walking about. I thought this a necessary instrument to attain some knowledge by, and before I would grope her mind, I made her both to eat and drink well, that done I made her faithful promise to give her some money if she would open and discover to me such questions as I would demand of her and never to bewray her, neither to disclose her name. And you should saith she I were undone: fear not that quoth I. but I pray thee quoth I, say nothing but truth. I will not saith she, than firsts tell me quoth I, how many upright men and rogues dost thou know or hast thou known and been ●dnuersant with, and what their names be? she paused a while and said, why do you ask me, or wherefore? For nothing else as I said, but that I would know them when they come to my gate. Now by my troth (quoth she) then are yes never the nearer, for all mine acquaintance for the most part are dead, Dead quoth I? how died they for want of cherishing or of painful diseases? Then she sighed and said they were hanged. What all quoth I, and so many walk abroad as I daily see? By my troth quoth she I know not passed six or seven by their names, and named the same to me. When were they hanged quoth I? Some seven years agone, some three years, and some with in this fortnight, and declared the place where they wear executed, which I knew well to be true, by report of others. Why (quoth I) did not this sorrowful and fearful sight much grieve thee, and for thy time long and evil spent. I was sorry quoth she, by the mass, for some of them were good loving men, for I lack not when they had it, and they wanted not when I had it, and divers of them I never did forsake, until the Gallows departed us. O merciful God quoth I, and began to bless me. Why bless ye quoth she? Alas good gentleman, every one must have a living. Other matters I talked of, but this now may suffice to show the reader as it were in a glass the bold beastly life of these Doxes. For such as hath gone any time abroad, will never forsake their trade, to dye therefore. I have had good proof thereof. There is one notorious barlot o● this affinity called Bess Bottomely, she hath but one hand, and she hath murdered two children at the lest.   

A Dell. Cap. 21.  
A Dell is a young wench, able for generation, and not yet known or broken by the upright man. These go abroad young, either by the death of their parents, and no body to look unto them or else by some sharp mistress that they serve do run away out of service, either she is naturally borne one, and then she is a wild Dell: these are broken very young, when they have been lain withal by the upright man, than they be Doors, and no Dell. These wild Dells being traded up with their monstrous mothers, musts of necessity be as evil or worse than their parents, for neither we gather grapes from green briars, neither figs from I h●stels. But such buds, such blossems, such evil seed sown, well worse being grown.   

A Kynching Morte. Cap. 22.  
A Kynching Mort is a little Girl, the Mortes their mothers carries them at their backs in their slates, which is their sheets, and brings them up savagely, till they grow to be ripe, and soon ripe, soon rotten.   

A Kynchen Co. Cap. 23.  
A Kinchen Co, is a young boy traded up to such peevish purposes, as you have hard of other young imps before, that when be groweth unto years, he is better to hung then to draw forth.   

Their usage in the night. Cap. 24.  
NOw, I think it not unnecessary to make the Reader understand how and in what manner they lodge a nights in barns or back-houses, and of their usage there, for as much as I have acquainted them with their order and practices a day times. The arch and chief walkers that hath walked a long time, whose experience is great, because of their continuing practice, I mean all Mortes & Doxes, for their handsomeness & diligence, for making of their couches. The men never trouble themselves with that thing, but takes the same to be the duty of the wife. And she shuffels up a quantity of straw or hay, into some pretty corner of the barn where she may conveniently lie, and well shaketh the same, making the head some what buy, and drives the same upon the sides and set like a bed: then she layeth her wallet or other little pack of rags, or scrip under her head in the straw, to bear up the same, and layeth her petticoat or cloak upon and over the straw, so made like a bed and that serveth for the blanket: then she layeth her slate which is her sheet upon that, and she have no sheet, as few of them go without, than she spreadeth some large clouts or rags over the same, and maketh her ready and layeth her drousely down. Many will pluck of their smocks and lay the same upon them in steed of their upper sheet, and all her other pelt and trash upon her also, and many lieth in their smocks. And if the rest of her clotheses in cold weather be not sufficient to keep her warm, than the taketh straw or hay to perform the matter. The other sort that have no slates, but tumble down and couch a hogshead in their clotheses, these be still lou●y and shall never be without vermin, unless they put of their clotheses, and lie as is above said. If the upright man come in where they lie, he hath his choice, and creepeth in close by his Door, the rogue hath his leavings. If the Mortes or Doors lie or be lodged in some Farmer's barn, and the door be either locked or made fast to them, then will not the upright man press to come in, unless it be in barns and out houses standing alone, or some distance from houses, which ●e commonly known to them: as saint Quintens, three Cranes in the ●intrey. Saint Tybbes, & Knapsbery. These four be within one mile compass near unto London. Then have you four more in Middlesex, draw the pudding out of the fire, in Harrow on the hill parish, the Cross keys in Crayford parish, saint Indian's in thistle worth parish, the house of pity in North hall parish. These are their chief houses near about London, where commonly they resort unto for lodging, and may repair thither freely at all times. Sometime shall come in some rogue, some picking knave, a nimble Prygge, he walketh in softly a nights, when they be at their rest & plucketh of as many garments as be aught worth, that he may come by, and worth money, and may easily carry the same, and runneth away with the same with great selerity, and maketh port sale at some convenient place of theirs, that some be soon ready in the morning, for want of their Casters and Togemans. Where in stead of blessing is cursing, in place of praying, pestilent prating with odious oaths and terrible threatenings. The upright men have given all these nycke names, to the places above said. Yet have we two notable places in Kent, not far from London, the one is bettwene Detforde and Rothered called the kings barn, standing alone, that they haunt commonly: the other is Ketbroke standing by black heath ●alse a mile from any house, there will they boldly draw the latch of the door and go in, when the good man with his family be at supper and sit down without leave and eat and drink with them, and either lie in the hall by the fire at night or in the barn if there be no room in the house for them. If the door be either bolted or locked, if it be not opened unto them when they will, they will break the same open to his farther cost. And in this barn sometime do lie xl. vp●ight men with their Doors together at one time. And this must the poor Farmer suffer, or else they threaten him too burn him, and all that he hath.   

The names of the upright men, Rogues, and Pallyards.  
HEre followeth the unruly rabblement of rascals, and the most notorious and wickedest walkers that are living now at this present with their true names as they be called and known by. And although I set and place here but three orders, yet good Reader understand, that all the others above named are derived and come out from the Upright men and Rogues. Concerning the number of Mortes and Doxes, it is superfluous to writ of them. I could well have, done it, but the number of them is great, and would ask a large volume.  

Upright men.  
Antony Heymer.  
Antony jackson.  
Burfet.  
Bryan Medcalfe.  
Core the Cuckold.  
Christover Cook.  
Dowsabell skilful in fence.  
David Coke.  
Dick Glover.  
Dick Abrist●we.  
David Edward's.  
David Holland.  
David jones.  
Edmund Dun a singing man.  
Edward skiner, alias Ned Skinner.  
Edward Browne.  
Follentine Hills.  
Ferdinando Angel:  
Griffyn.  
France's Dawghton.  
Great john Bray.  
George marynar.  
George Hutchinson.  
Harry Hills, alias  
Harry Godepar.  
Harry Agglyntyne.  
Harry Smith, he dryue●eth when he speaketh  
Harry jonson.  
james Barnard.  
john Myllar.  
john Walchman.  
john jones.  
john Tedar.  
john Bray.  
john Cutter.  
john Bell.  
john Stephens.  
john Graye.  
john white.  
john rue  
john Morres.  
john a Ferdinando.  
john Newman.  
john Win alias Williams.  
john a Pycones.  
john Thomas  
john Arthur.  
john Palmer alias Tod.  
john Geffrey.  
john Goddard.  
john Grace the great.  
john Grace the little.  
john Williams the Longer.  
john Harwod a maker of wells, he will take half his bargain in hand, & when he hath wrought two. or three days, he runneth away with his earnest.  
john Peter.  
john Porter.  
john Appowes.  
john Arter.  
john Bates.  
john Comes.  
john Chiles, alias great Chyles.  
john Levet he maketh taps and fausets.  
john Lovedall a master of fence.  
john Lovedale  
john Mekes.  
john Appowell.  
john Chapel.  
john Gryffen.  
john Mason.  
john Humphrey with the lame hand.  
john straddling with the shaking head.  
john Frank  
john Baker.  
john Bascafelde.  
Lennard just.  
Long green.  
Laurence lad.  
Laurence Martial.  
Nicolas wilson.  
Ned Barington.  
Ned wetherdon.  
Ned Holmes.  
Philip Green.  
Robart Gravener.  
Robart Gerse.  
Robart King.  
Robart Egerton.  
Robart Bell. brother to john Bell.  
Robart Maple.  
Robart Langton.  
Robin Bell.  
Robin Top.  
Robart Browswerd he weareth his hear long.  
Robart Curtes.  
Richard Briminish.  
Richard justice.  
Richard Barton.  
Richard Constance.  
Richard Thomas.  
Richard Cadman.  
Richard scate good.  
Richard Aprice  
Richard Walker.  
Richard Coper.  
Steven Nevet.  
Thomas Bulloke.  
Thomas Cutter.  
Thomas Garet.  
Thomas Newton.  
Thomas Web.  
Thomas Graye his toes begun.  
Tom Bobell.  
Thomas Wast.  
Thomas Dawson alias Thomas jacklin.  
Thomas Basset.  
Thomased Merchant  
Thomas Web.  
Thomas Awefeld.  
Thomas Gibbins.  
Thomas Lacon.  
Thomas Bate.  
Thomas Allen.  
well arrayed Richard.  
William chamborn  
William panel.  
William morgan.  
William Belson.  
William Ebes.  
William Garret.  
William Robinson  
William Umberuil  
William David's.  
Will Pen.  
William jones.  
Will powel.  
William Clarke.  
Water Wirall.  
William Browne.  
William Grace.  
William Pickering.   

Rogues.  
Arch Dowglas a scot.  
Black Dick.  
Dick Durram.  
David Dew never a counterfeit Crank.  
Edward Ellys.  
Edward Anseley.  
George Belberby.  
Godman.  
Gerard Gybynes, a counterfeit crank.  
Harry walls with the little mouth.  
Humphrey ward.  
Harry Mason.  
john Warren  
john Don with one leg.  
john Elson.  
john raynoles Irish man.  
john Harris  
james Monkaster a counterfeit Crank.  
john Dew.  
john crew with one arm.  
john Brown a great stammerar.  
Little Dick.  
Little robin.  
Lambart rose.  
Nicholas Adames.  
Nicholas Crispin.  
Nicholas Blunt, alias Nicholas Genins, a counterfeit Crank.  
Nicholas Lynche.  
Richard Brewton.  
Richard Horwod, well near lxxx. year old he will bite a vi. penny nail asunder with his ●e●h & a bawdy drunkard.  
Richard Crane he carrieth a Kynchen Co at his back.  
Richard jones.  
Raffe Ketley.  
Robert Harrison.  
Symond King.  
Thomas Paske.  
Thomas Beer Irish man.  
Thomas Smith with the scald skin.  
Thomas Shawneam  
William Carew.  
William wastfield.  
Wylson.  
William Gynkes with a white beard, a lusty & strong man, he runneth about the country to feck work with a big boy his son, carrying his tolls as a dauber or playsterer, but little work serveth him.   

Pallyardes.  
Bashford.  
Dick Sehan Irish.  
David powel.  
David jones a counterfeit Cranke.  
Edward Heyward hath his Mort following him, which feigneth the Cranke.  
Edward Lewes, a Dummerar.  
Hugh jones.  
john Persk a counterfeit crank.  
john David's.  
john Harison.  
john Carew.  
james Lane, with one eye Irish.  
jehu Fisher.  
john Dew.  
john Gilford Irish.  
with a counterfeit licence  
Laurence with the great leg.  
Nicholas Newton carrieth a feigned licence.  
Nicholas Decase.  
Prestone.  
Robart Lacley.  
Robart Canloke.  
Richard Hilton carrieth two. kinchen mortes about him.  
Richard Thomas.  
Soothe guard.  
Swanders.  
Thomas Edward's.  
Thomas David's.  
William Thomas.  
William Coper with the harelyp.  
Will Pettet beareth a kichen mort at his back. wylliam Bowmer.   
There is above an hundredth of Irish men and women that wander about to beg for their living, that hath come over within these two years. They say they have been burned and spoiled by the Earl of Desmond and report well of the Earl of Urmond.  
¶ All these above written for the most part walk about Essex, Middlesex, Sussex, Surrey & Kent. Then let the Reader judge what numbers walks in other Shires. I fear me to great a number, if they be well understand.  

Here followeth their pelting speech.  
HEre I set before thee good Reader, the lewd louser language of these leutering Luskes, and laysy Lorels, wherewith they buy and cell the common people as they pass through the country: which language they term Peddelers French, an unknown tongue only, but to these bold beastly bawdy beggars, and vain vagabonds, being half mingled with English, when it is familiarly talked, and first placing things by their proper names, as an Introduction to this peevish speech. Nab a tongue. prat hosen. a head. Crashing chetes a buttock. stampers Nabchet teeth. stamps shoes. a hat or cap. Hearing chetes. legs. a mofling chete glaziers ●ares. a caster a napkin. eyes. fambles a cloak. a belly chete a smelling chete. hands. a ●ogman an aprens. a nose. a fambling chete a coat. dudes 'gan a ring on thy hand. a commission clotheses. a mouth. quaromes a shirt. a lag of dudes a prattling chete. a body. drawers a buck of clotheses. a slate or slates pek a house. woman. a sheet or sheets. meat. a stauling ken the quire cuffyn lybbege poppelars a house that will receive stolen wares. the justicer of peace a bed. porridge.  the harman beck boung ruff pek a bousing ken the Constable. a purse. baken. a ale house. the harman's lower a grunting chete or a patricos kinchen a lypken the stocks. money.  a house to lie in. quyerkyn mint  alybbeg a prison house. gold. a pig a bed. choir crampringes a board a cakling chete glymmar  a shilling. a coke or capon. fire. bolts or fetters. half a board a margeri prater Rome bouse tryning six pence. a hen. wine. hanging. flag a roger or tib of the butery lag chattels a groat.  water. the gallows. a win a goose. a skypper the ●ygh pad a penny. a quaking chete or a read shank a barn. the high way. a make  strommell the ruffmen a halfpenny. a drake or a duck. straw. the woods or bushes bows grannam a gentry cofes k● a smelling chete drink. corn. a noble or gentleble man's house. a garden or orchard crasting chetes been a lowhing chete a gyger apples, pears, or any other fruit. good. a Cow. a door.  benship a bleating chete bufe to fylche very good. a calf or sheep. a dog. to rob. quire a prancer the lightmen to nyp a boung. naught. a horse. the day. to cut a purse. a gage autem the darkemans To scour the crampringes a quart pot. a Church. the night.  a skew Solomon Rome vile to wear bolts or fetters. a cup. a altar or mass. London.  yannam patrico dews a vile to have a b● ugh bread. a priest. the country. to rob or rifle a boweth. cassan nosegent room mort  cheese. a Nun. the Queen. to cly the gerke param a gib a gentry cofe to be whipped. milk. a writing. a noble or gentleman to cut benle lap a jarke a gentry mort to speak gentle. butter milk or whey. a seal. a Noble or gentle to cut been  a ken   whydds. to see. to rob a house. a woman eatnally. to speak or give good words. to ●ouse, to prigge stow you,  to drink. to ride. hold your peace. to ●●tte choir whyddes. to mand to dup the gyger, ●ynge a waste to give evil words to ask or require. to open the door. go you hence. or evil language. to stall. to couch a hog's head to the ruffian  to make or ordain  to the Devil. to cut. to cante to lie down and sleep the ruffian cly thee. to say. to speak. to nygle  to tower. to mill a ken to have to dowith the devil take thee.    

¶ The upright Cofe eateth to the Rogue, The upright man speaketh to the roge.  Upright man. 
Bene Lightmen to thy quarromes in what lipken hast thou lipped in this darkemans, whether in a lybbege or in the strummell.  
Good morrow to thy body, in what house hast thou line in all night, whether in a bed or in the straw?  Roge. 

I couched a hogshead in a Skypper this darkemans.  
I laid me down to sleep in a barn this night.   Upright man. 

I tower the strummel trine upon the nabchet & Togman  
I see the straw hang upon thy cap and coat.   Roge. 
I say by the Solomon I will lage it of with a gage of been bouse then cut to my nose watch.  
I swear by the mass I will wash it off with a quart of good drink, then say to me what thou wilt.  Upright man. 

Why hast thou any lower in thy bonge to bouse.  
Why, hast thou any money in thy purse to drink?   Roge. 

But a flag, a win and a make.  
But a groat, a penny and a half penny.   Upright man. 

Why, where is the ken that hath the been bouse.  
where is the house that hath the good drink.   Roge. 

A bene morte here by at the sign of the prancer.  
A good wife here by at the sign of the horse.   Upright man. 
I cut it is choir bows, I bowled a flag the last darkmans.  
I say it is small and naughty drink, I drank a groat there the last night.  Roge. 

But bows there aboard, and thou shalt have benship.  
But drink there a shilling, and thou shalt have very good.  
Tower ye, yonder is the ken, dup the gyger and mand that is beneship.  
See you, yonder is the house, open the door, and ask for the best.   Upright man. 

This bows is as good as Rome bows.  
This drink is as good as wine.  
Now I tower that been bows makes nase nabes.  
Now I see that good drink makes a drunken head.  
Maund of this morte what been peck is in hearken.  
● Ask of this wife what good meat she hath in her house.   Roge. 
She hath a cackling chete, a grunting chete ruff peck, cassan, and poppelars of yarum.  
She hath a hen, a pig, baken, cheese, and milk porridge.  Upright man. 

That is benship to our watch.  
That is very good for us.  
Now we have well bold, let us strike some chete.  
Now we have well drunk, let us steal some thing.  
Yonder dwelleth a quire cuffen, it were beneship to mill him.  
Yonder dwelleth a hoggish and churlish man, it were very well done to rob him.   Roge. 

Now b'ing we a waist to the high pad the ruffmen is by  
Nay let us go hence to the high way, the wood is at hand.   Upright man. 
So may we happen on the harman's and clye the jarke or to the quierken and scour quiare cramprings and so to trining on the chates.  
So we may chance to sit in the stocks, either be whipped either had to prison house, and their be shackled with bolts and setters, and then to hang on the gallows.  Roge. 

Gerry 'gan the Ruffian clye thee.  
A turd in thy mouth, the devil take thee.   The upright man. 
What stowe you been cofe and cut benar whyddes and b'ing we to Rome vile to nyp a bounge, so shall we have lower for the bousing ken, and when we b'ing back to the deusevyle, we will fylche some duds of the Ruffmen or mill the ken for a lage of duds.  
What hold your peace good fellow and speak better words, and go we to London to cut a purse, then shall we have money for the ale house, and when we come back again into the country, we will steal some lynuen clotheses of some hedge, or rob some house for a buck of clotheses.  
¶ By this little ye may holy and fully understand their untoward talk and pelting speech mingled without measure, and as they have begun of la●e to devise some new terms for certain things: so will they in time altar this and devise as evil or worse. This language now being known and spread abroad, yet one thing more I will add unto, not meaning to English the same, because I learned that of a shameless Doxe, but for the phrase of specehe I set it forth only.  
There was a proud patrico and a nosegent, he took his jockam in his famble, and a wapping he went, he dockt the Dell he prygge to prance, he byngd a waist into the darkemans, he fylche the Cofe without any filch man.  

 
A Stocks to stay sure and safely detain,  
Lazy lew● Leuterers that laws do offend:  
Impudent persons, thus punished with pain,  
Hardle for all this, do scane to amend.  
  

Fetters or shackles serve to make fast,  
Male malefactors, that on mischief do muse  
Until the learned laws do quite or do cast  
Such subtle searchers as all evil do use.  
  

A whip is a whysker that will wrist out blood,  
Of back and of body, beaten right well:  
Of all the other it doth the most good.  
Experienee teacheth, and they can well tell.   

Odolefull day, now death draweth near,  
His bitter sting doth pierce me to the heart:  
I take my leave of all that be here,  
Now piteously playing this tragical part.  
Neither stripes nor teachings in time could convert,  
Wherefore and ensample let me to you be,  
And all that be present, now pray you for me.  
  

 
¶ Thus I conclude my bold Beggar's book.  
That all estates most plainly may see,  
As in a Glass well polished to look,  
Their double demeanour in each degree.  
Their Lives, their language, their names as they be,  
That with this warning their minds may be warmed  
To amend their misdeeds and so live unharmed.   
FINIS.   

Imprinted at London by Henry Middleton dwelling in Fletestreat at the sign of the Falcon: and are to be sold at his shop in S. Dunston's Churchyard. An. 1573.