The two inseparable▪ brothers.  
OR A true and strange description of a Gentleman (an Italian by birth) about seventeen years of age, who hath an imperfect (yet living) Brother growing out of his side, having a head, two arms, and one leg, all perfectly to be seen. They were both baptised together; the imperfect is called john Baptist, and the other Lazarus. Admire the Creator in his Creatures.  
To the tune of the wand'ring jews Chronicle.  

 

TO England lately news is come,  
Which many parts of Christendom  
have by experience found  
To be the strangest and most rare,  
That same did to the world declare,  
since man first walked o'th' ground.   

I many Prodigies have seen,  
Creatures that have preposterous been,  
to nature in their birth,  
But such a thing as this my ●●eame,  
Makes all the rest seem but a dream,  
the like was ne'er on earth.   

A Gentleman well qualifide,  
〈◊〉 bear his brother at his side,  
〈…〉 ably knit,  
〈…〉 e you may see,  
〈…〉 living be,  
〈…〉 t it.   

This youngman doth completely walk▪  
He can both read, write, sing, or talk,  
without pain or detraction,  
And when he speaks the other head,  
Doth move the lips both Ruby red,  
not speaking but in action.   

This head and face is rightly framed,  
With every part that can be named,  
ears, eyes, lips, nose, and chin.  
His upperlip hath some beard on't,  
Which he who bears him yet doth want,  
this may much wonder win.   

Oue arm's's about his brother cast,  
That doth embrace his body fast,  
the other hangeth by,  
These arms have 〈◊〉 fingers all,  
Yet as a child's they are but small,  
pinch any part he'll cry.   

Only one leg with foot and toes  
Is to be seen, and some suppose,  
the other is contained  
●●thin his brother's body, yet  
〈…〉 hath him so to it,  
   

The second part,  
To the same tune.  
 

YEt nothing doth the lesser eat,  
He's only nourished with the meat  
wherewith the other feed,  
By which it seems though outward parts  
They have for two, yet not two hearts,  
this admiration breeds.   

For sickness and infirmities,  
I mean Quotidian maladies,  
which man by nature hath,  
Sometimes one's sick, the other well  
This is a story strange to tell,  
but he himself thus saith.   

Th' imperfect once the small pox had▪  
Which made the perfect brother sad,  
but he had never any,  
And if you nip it by the arm,  
Or do it any little harm,  
(this hath been tried by many,)   

It like an infant (with voice weak)  
Will cry out though it cannot speak,  
as sensible of pain,  
Which yet the other feeleth not,  
But if the one be cold or hot,  
that s common to both twain.   

Some seventeen years of age they be,  
A perfect proper youth is he  
to which the less doth cleave,  
They were baptised being young,  
Few than did think they'd live so long,  
as few would now believe.   

but that to ratify this truth▪  
A 〈…〉 in the Strand this wondrous youth  
is pre●ent to be seen,  
And be with his strange burden, hath  
Been shown (with marvel) as he saith  
to our good King and Queen.   

john Baptist is th' imperfect named,  
Who through the christian world is famed,  
his Brother which him bears  
Was called Lazarus at the Font,  
And if we well consider an t  
a mystery in 't appears.   

From Italy their native place,  
They have some certain late years space,  
gone one still with another,  
Indeed they cannot other wi●e do,  
He that see's one must needs see two,  
the brother bears the brother.   

Through Germany, through Spain & France.  
(Devoid of danger or mischance)  
and other Christian Lands  
They travelled have, nay rather one  
For both, so many miles hath gone,  
to show th' work of God's hands.   

And now in England they have been  
About a month although unseen,  
till now obtaining leave,  
In seeing this or such strange things,  
Let us admire the King of Kings,  
and of his power conceive.   

That just opinion which is do,  
To him who is all good all true,  
whose works we can't find out,  
Let admiration then suffice,  
Sith there's no man that is so wise,  
but of s own wit may doubt.  
And so do I    
Martin 〈…〉  
FINIS.   

Printed at London for Thoma● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the ●igne ●f the H 〈…〉 in Smithfield