hell's BROKE LOSE.   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON Printed by W. W. and are to be sold by G. Lostus in Popes-head Ally near the Exchange. 1605.   

An Advertisement to the wise and discreet  
REader; he that in description of a wicked man, doth personate him, is to speak as that wicked man, no● beseeming a good man; or else he cannot aptly deliver him in his kind, so odious as he is: In respect whereof, let not any speech herein be misconstrued, which is only set down as spoken by the rebellious Heretics, the more truly to explain them as notorious as they were. Vale.   

TO THE READER.  
IN this un-weeded Garden of the World, hath sprung up through all ages of the same, most innumerable even of all sorted kinds, that have been opposite to Virtue, and pursuers of Vice; Such as have with great travel and labour taken pains to go to Hell, and run the broad way path with hinds feet, in all posting speed that the Devil could employ them. Amongst the rest of this fearful race runners (of their variable qualities) here is a description of the most notorious Rebels and Heretics of Europe, certain German anabaptists, such as would have all things common, and all men at free-will and liberty to do what they list, without control of any Authority: every man's Will Law▪ and every one's Dream Doctrine.  
Before the coming of our Saviour Christ; Theudas, and judas Galilaeus, two seditious fellows of factious spirit, seduced the jews: The first of them saying, that he was a Prophet sent from God for man's g●od; and that by his own powerful word, he could divide the waters of jordan in as admirable sort, as joshua the servant of the Lord had done. The other, did earnestly promise to enlarge the jews from the servitude and yoke of the Romans: both of them by these means, drawing after them great multitudes of people; and both of them coming unto deserved destruction: For Fatus the Governor of jury overtook Theudas, and sent his head as a monument to jerusalem: and judas likewise perished, and all his following confederates were dispersed.  
After our Saviour Christ, in the time of his blessed Apostles, Elimas the Sorcerer mightily withstood the proceeding of Paul & Barnabas, sowing the seed of Heresy in the mind of Sergius Paulus Deputy: but the judgement of God overtook him, and he was strucken with blindness. Not long after him, in the reign of Adrian the Emperor, arose an other called Bencocha●, that professed himself to be the Messias, & to have descended from Heaven in the likeness of a Star, for the safety & redemption of the people: by which fallacy, he drew after him a world of seditious people; but at last, he and many of his credulous rout were slain, and was called by the jews (in contempt) Bencozha (that is) the Son of a lie.  
Manes, of whom the Manichees took their name and first original, forged in his foolish brain a fiction of two Gods, and two beginners; and rejecting the old Testament, and the true God, which is revealed in the same; published a fift Gospel of his own forgery, reporting himself to be the Holy Ghost: When he had thus with divulging his devilish Heresies and Blasphemies infected the world, being pursued by God's just judgement, he was for other wicked practises taken, and his skin pulled over his ears alive.  
Montanus that notorious blasphemous wretch, of whom the Montanists took their offspring, denied Christ our Saviour to be GOD, saying: He was but Man only, like other men, without any participation of Divine essence: He called himself the Comforter, and Holy spirit, which was promised to come into the world; and his two Wives Priscilla and Maximilla, he named his Prophetesses, and their writings Prophecies: yet all their cunning could not prevent nor foretell a wretched and desperate end which befell him; for after he had of long time deluded the world, in imitation of judas, he hanged himself.  
Infinite are the examples that may be collected out of the registers of foregoed ages, touching the lamentable evils, slaughters, blood, and death, that have ensued from the damnable heretical Instruments of the Diuel●; and how the people (affecting Novelties, and Innovations) have concurred from time to time, with the pl●tters endeavours, Histories are full of their memories. Most Rebellions 〈◊〉 pretend Religion for themselves: No Villain but dare turn a good outside to the eye, though the inside be as bad, as heart can imagine.  
These infamous Rebels and Heretics in Germany, pretended Religion; they would be reformer● of the Church, and State: new Doctrine of their own franticks conceits: no Childred should be baptized: all things should be common, & no Magistrate to govern, but every man at his own liberty to do● what he list; take whatsoever he stood in need of, without pa●: plurality of Wives: no recovery of wrongful detained Goods, and such like villainous roguish stuff, that never a The●fe in the world would refuse to subscribe unto it.  
This was no sooner taught by john Leyden, alias Yoncker Hans a Dutch Tailor, Tom Mynter a parish Clarke, Knipp●●●ulling a Smyth, and Crafteing a joiner; but it was embraced by thousands of the Boors, and vulgar illiterate Clowns, who in great companies daily resorted unto them fo●●th o● all Towns and Villages: A most rude rascal company that regarded neither Gods fear, nor man's favour, even HELLE BROKE LOSE.  
In their outrageous madness, they attempted much villainy, omitting to put nothing in practise that stood with their humours liking; as good Commons Wealths men, as jacke Straw, Watt Tyler, Tom miller, john Ball, etc. in the reign of Richard the 2. and as sound Divines for Doctrine, as Hackets Disciples, that preached in Cheapside in a Pease-cart: Yet they found of their own fraternity to manage the devils affairs; and mustering themselves together, all composed of the scumbe and waste worser-sort could be raken up, they proceeded so far, that they took the Town of Munster, and there for a time, domineered as if they had been Electors apiece to the Emperor; until being beleagerd by the Duke of Saxon, they were taught to taste how Extremity did savour, finding the bitterness of their rash and graceless attempts, to punish them most seveerely in the end: For when Cats, Dogs, Rats and Mice, grew scarce and dainty, (No common dish, but choice diet for john Leyden, and the Lords of his counsel Knipperdulling the Smyth, Crafteing the joiner, and Tom Mynter the Clerk;) They were constrained to fry old greasy Buss leather jerkins, and Parchments, Coovers of Books, Boots in Steaks, and Stew-pottes of old Shoes, till in the end being famished as leave as dried Stockfish, they were subdued: and Leyden (who had termed himself King of Munster) with his Nobles, made of Smyth, joiner, and Parish Clarke, were according to the just reward of all Rebels, put to death, with great torture: and being dead, their bodies were hanged in Iron Cages upon the top of the high Steeple in Munster, called S. Lambert's Steeple, for an example to all of Rebel race: Their Confederates in great multitudes having perished with the Sword and famine, may together with all traitors witness to the world throughout all ensuing ages, how GOD with vengeance rewards all such State-disturbers, and factious Rebels.   

THE GHOST OF JACK STRAW. Prologue.  
I That did act on Smythfeildes bloody Stage,  
In second Richard's young and tender age:  
And there received from Walworth's fatal hand,  
The stab of Death, which life did countermand:  
Am made a Prulogue to the Tragedy,  
Of LEYDEN, a Dutch tailors villainy.  
Not that I ere consorted with that slave,  
My rascal rout in Hollenshed you have:  
But that in name, and nature we agree,  
An English Traitor I, Dutch Rebel he.  
In my Consort, I had the Priest john Ball;  
Mynter the Clerk, unto his share did fall.  
He, to have all things common did intend:  
And my Rebellion, was to such an end.  
Even in a word, we both were like appointed,  
To take the Sword away from Gods Anointed:  
And for examples to the world's last day,  
Our Traitors names shall never wear away:  
The fearful Paths that he and I have trod,  
Have been accursed in the sight of God.  
Hear in this Register, who ere doth look,  
(Which may be rightly called The bloody Book)  
Shall see how base and rude those Villains be,  
That do attempt like LEYDEN; plot like me.  
And how the devil in whose name they begun,  
Pays them Hells wages, when their work is done:  
" Treason is bloody; blood thereon attends:  
" Traitors are bloody, and have bloody ends.  
FINIS.   

THE ARGUMENT.  
FRom dark Damnation's vault, where Horrors dwell,  
Infernal Furies, forth the lake of Hell  
Arrived on earth, and with their damned evils  
Filled the whole world full of Incarnate Devils:  
For all the sins that Hell's vast gulf contains,  
In every age, and every kingdom reigns:  
Murder, and Treason, False disloyal plots,  
Sedition, Heresy, and roguish knots:  
Of traitorous Rebels; Some of highest place,  
And some of meanest sort, most rascal base:  
Of which degree, behold a cursed crew,  
Such as Hells-mouth into the World did spew:  
JOHN LEYDEN, but a Tailor by his trade,  
Of Munster town a King would needs be made:  
A Parish Clarke, a joiner, and a Smyth,  
His Nobles were, whom he took counsel with:  
To these adjoined thousands, Boors and Clowns,  
Out of the Villages, and German Towns:  
Whereof great loss of blood grievous ensewed,  
Before that Camp of Hell could be subdued.  
S. R.   

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JOHN LEYDEN.  

WHen nights black mantle over th'earth was laid,  
And Cinthia's face all curtaine-drawne with clouds:  
When visions do appear in darksome shade,  
And nights sweet rest, days care in quiet shrouds;  
About the hour of twelve in dead of night,  
A mangled Corpse appeared to my sight.   

Skin torn, Flesh wounded, ugly to behold:  
A tottered Body piece-meal pulled in sunder:  
hearken (quoth he) to that which shall be told,  
And look not thus amazed with fear and wonder:  
Though I am all be stabbed, flashed, and torn,  
I am not Caesar, him, an's ghost I scorn.   

Icke been Hans Leyden; understandest thou Dutch?  
JOHN LEYDEN King of Munster, I am he,  
That have in Germany been feared as much,  
As any Caesar in the world could be:  
From the first hour that I arms did take,  
I made the German Gallants fear and quake.   

By faculty at first, I was a Tailor,  
But all my mind was Kingly eue'ry thought:  
For even with Cerberus, Hell's dogged jailor,  
A combat hand to hand I durst have fought:  
Then with my trade, what's he that hath to do't  
Old Father Adam was a Tailor too:   

He made him Fig leave Breeches at his fall,  
And of that stuff his Wife a Kirtle wore:  
Then let both Needle, Thread, my Shears and all,  
Keep with the trade; a Noble mind I bore:  
And let this Title witness my renown,  
JOHN LEYDEN Taylour, King of Munster town.   

My counsellors were these, a valiant Smyth,  
As tall a man as ever struck a heat,  
Called Knipperdulling; wondrous full of pith:  
Crafting the joiner, one of courage great:  
Tom Mynter, a mad Rogue, our Parish Clerk,  
Whose doctrine we with diligence did mark.   

He taught on top of Molehill, Bush, and Tree,  
The traitors text in England; Parson Ball  
Affirming we ought Kings apiece to be,  
And every thing be common unto all:  
For when old Adam delude, and Eva span,  
Where was my silken velvet Gentleman?   

We Adam's Sons; He Monarch of the Earth,  
How can we choose but be of Royal blood?  
Being all descended from so high a birth?  
Why should not we share wealth, and worldly good?  
Tush Masters (quoth Tom Mynter) reason binds it,  
He that lacks Money, take it where he finds it.   

Why, is not every thing God's gift, we have?  
Do Beasts and cattle buy the Grass they eat?  
Shall that be sold, which Nature freely gave?  
Why should a Man pay Money for his Meat,  
Or buy his Drink, that parboiled Beer and Ale,  
The fishes broth, which Brewers do retail?   

Pray who is Landlord to the lions den?  
Or who pays House-rent for the Fox's hole?  
Shall Beasts enjoy more privilege than Men?  
May they feed daily upon that is stole,  
Eating and drinking freely nature's store,  
Yet pay for nought they take, nor go on score?   

Do not the Fowls share fellow like together,  
And freely take their food even where they please,  
A whole years diet costs them not a Feather?  
And likewise all the fishes in the Seas,  
Do they not frankly feed on that they get,  
And for their victu'als are in no man's debt?   

And shall Man, being Lord of all the rest,  
(Unto whose service these were all ordained)  
Of meat, nor drink, nor clothing, be possessed,  
Unless the same by Money be obtained?  
Pay House-rent, buy his food, and all his clothing,  
When other Creatures have good cheer for nothing?   

we'll none of that (quoth I, to my consorts.)  
No (quoth Tom Mynter) friends, it ought not be:  
Come Liberty, and Wealth, and Princely sports:  
Why, Kings are made of Clay; and so are we:  
we'll aim our thoughts on high, at honours mark:  
All rowly, powly; Tailor, Smyth, and Clerk.   

We are the men will make our Valours known,  
To teach this doting world new reformation:  
New Laws, and new Religion of our own,  
To bring ourselves in wondrous admiration:  
Let's turn the world clean upside down, (mad slaves)  
So to be talked of, when weare in our Graves.   

Brave Knipperdulling, set thy Forge on fire.  
It shall be done this present night (quoth he,)  
Tom Mynter, leave Amen unto the Quire.  
Quoth Tom, I scorn henceforth a Clerk to be,  
Cornellis, hang thy wooden joiners trade,  
For Noblemen apiece you shall be made.   

And fellow mates; Nobles and Gallants all,  
To Majesty you must your minds dispose:  
My Lord Hans Hogg, forsake your Butcher's stall.  
Hendrick the Butcher, cease from heeling Hose.  
Class● Chandler, let your Weick and Tallow lie,  
And Peter Cobbler, cast your old Shoes by.   

For you my valiant Lords, are men of wit,  
And far too good for base and servile trades,  
Your Martial power may be compared fit,  
Unto the strength of our strong German jades:  
Who if they had but knowledge to their force,  
What whistling Car-man could command his Horse?   

Your gifts are rare, and singular to find,  
Being full of courage, resolute, and wise:  
Yet to behold these parts you have been blind.  
Oh could you see your Valour with mine eyes,  
You would exclaim that Ignorance so long,  
Hath done so worthy Men, such open wrong.   

But now my Lyon-harted Cavaliers,  
Let us march after warlike Mars his Drum,  
Your Prenticeships are out of subject years;  
Now let us show the Houses whence we come:  
For wondrous matters there are to be done,  
Crowns must be conquered, Kingdoms must be won.   

Tom Mynter, go and preach unto the Boots  
All Liberty, all Freedom, Ease, and Wealth:  
And if they will, allow them Queans and Whores:  
Bid them Drink free, and pledge Good-fellows health:  
Say Goods are common, each man to suffice,  
The Rich-man's purse, is Poor-man's lawful prize.   

Tell them, they need not stand on honest dealing,  
To borrow Money, and to pay again:  
And those that have occasion to be stealing,  
May take a Purse, if need do so constrain:  
Poor Men must have it: Gentlemen must live:  
goodfellows cannot stay till Misers give.   

There's none of us (my Masters) but may want,  
Our Purses may have empty stomachs all,  
But he shall find his diet to be scant,  
Whose credit's scored upon an Alehouse wall,  
I own a debt myself only for Beer,  
Amounts to more than I have earned this year.   

And let me come to a base Tapster's house,  
Where I but owe some twenty dozen of Beer,  
The rascal will not give me one carouse,  
But tells me strait how eu'ery thing is dear:  
'tis a hard wo●ld, the Brewer must be paid:  
Thus on my empty Purse the Villain played.   

This is his state, whose Purse is lined thin,  
And goes on trust, beholding for his shot,  
With, By your leave, he must come creeping in:  
I pray you Brother, let us have a Pot,  
How does all here? pray is mine Hosts well?  
Curse not your debtors: How dost honest Nell.   

This shaking humour, I do much detest,  
Which empty Purses do inflict on some:  
I can not be beholden, I protest,  
Money must make me welcome where I come:  
If Silver in my Pockets do not ring,  
All's out of tune with me in every thing.   

What extreme grief doth moneys want procure?  
How mad and frantic doth it make the mind?  
Again, how cheerfully can Money cure?  
When Physic comes in Gold, and Siluer's kind,  
To think on this, what's he, that would not crave it,  
And fight himself out of his skin to have it?   

Thus my brave Cavaliers, you plainly see,  
Upon what golden ground we set our foot,  
Courage Dutch bloods, I say courageous be,  
We will have Wealth, and Liberty to boot:  
Let us go forward as we have begone.  
And we'll make bloody sport before ti's done.   
JOHN LEYDEN, TOM MINTER, KNIPPERDULLING, and their consorts; the first inventors of the Dreams and Dotages of the heretical Anabaptists in Germany.  

THere never was so odious a pretence,  
Not any Act so wicked and so vile,  
But some would take upon them a defence  
To colour it; the easier to beguile  
The simple sort, which have unstaid minds,  
Whose hasty judgement Error easily blinds.   

So these lewd wretches, sprung from Villain race,  
That had all Piety in detestation:  
A Rascal sort, that were even spent of Grace,  
Would take on them Religions reformation:  
And in the forefront of their villainy,  
Tom Mynter utters new fond Herezie.   

Dear Friends (quoth he) that we may have success,  
In this our honourable enterprise:  
Which you shall see the very heau'ens will bless,  
I● from a Christian zeal it do arise,  
Let's mend the Church in matters are amiss,  
Especially in one thing; which is this,   

Christ gave commission to the twelve, saying: Go  
Into all Nations; Preach, and there Baptize.  
So that you see the very words do show,  
And from the substance of them doth arise,  
We first must be of years to understand,  
Before we take that Sacrament in hand.   

Therefore we'll have no Babes to be baptized,  
Until thy come to years of ripe discretion,  
That of the Faith they may be first advised,  
And yield the world account of their profession:  
For you may see, unless your sight be blind,  
Belief is first, and Baptism comes behind.   

And yet (my Maistars) you may daily see,  
In any Country where so ere you come,  
Such store of little Children christened be:  
'tis infinite for one to count the sum:  
But let us take another course, I pray;  
Those forward Sucklings shall hereafter stay.   

What say you to it? are you all agreed,  
That this same doctrine shall be our chief ground?  
It shall (said Leyden) and I have decreed,  
That it be held for wholesome, good, and sound:  
And for example I have thought it best,  
To be new Christened here, before the rest.   

Let's have a Basin, and some Water strait,  
With all the present speed it may be brought:  
For I perceive this matter is of weight,  
My christening when I was a Child, is nought:  
Surely I think I am no Christian yet,  
A Book good honest Mynter quickly get.   

Well said, art ready? Shall we need Godfather▪  
Yes: take you Harman Cromme, or any other:  
I have a mind to Knipperdulling rather:  
And Tannekin may serve to be Godmother,  
Or Knipperdulling joined with Harmon Cromme:  
Let it be so: some water; quickly come.   

Thus on they go, with errors foul defiled,  
In rude profaning Holy ordinance:  
And Mynter a●keth, Who doth name the Child?  
Call him (quoth Knipperdulling) Yoncker Hans,  
His noble mind, and nature do agree,  
And therefore he a Yoncker Hans shall be.   

Now (quoth Tom Mynter) let me make a motion,  
To which I do beseech you all incline:  
Let every man that's here, with one devotion,  
Come follow me to drink some Rhenish wine;  
●u● inward love, let outward deeds reveal it,  
And to the Tavern let us go and s●ale it.   
The Rebels daily increasing in great multitudes of the rude Boors, and illiterate Clowns, propounded unto themselves divers monstrous absurdities, confirmed by their captains Yoncker, Hans, and Knipperdulling: which by them are Entitled Twelve Articles of Christian Liberty.  

WHat is it from the Cockatrice doth pass,  
But such a natured Serpent as himself?  
What sees an Ape within a Looking glass,  
But a deformed, and ill favoured else?  
What Good fruit cometh from an evil tree?  
Or how should Villains ought but Villains be?   

Like desper'at madmen, void of Reason's use,  
They run to any outrage can be thought:  
And Liberty is ma●e the Rebel's excuse,  
Which now by Dreams and Fancies so hath wrought,  
That Yoncker Hans unto his rabble rout,  
Twelve Articles of Liberty gives out.   

And first sets down: They need not stand in fear  
Of Magistrate or Ruler, for offence:  
But they themselves might causes freely hear,  
And so end matters; saving much expense  
Of Coin in Fees, which unto Lawyer's fall:  
For we'll (quoth Yoncker Hans) be Lawyers all.   

If that a wrong to any man be done,  
Let him repair to me, and my two Lords,  
we'll end the strife so soon as ti's begun:  
For half a dozen of Beer, in quiet words,  
And make them drink together, and be friends,  
Shake hands, and like good fellows make amends▪   

Next, if a man's disposed for to ride,  
And hath no Horse, nor doth intend to hire,  
He may take one upon the highway side,  
To serve, as his occasion doth require,  
always provided, when his journey's done,  
H 〈…〉 to turn him lose, and let him run.   

Also, if any Woman chance to marry,  
And that her Husband prove not to her mind,  
She shall be at her choice with him to tarry,  
Or take an other whom she knows more kind:  
We think it meet no Woman should be bound,  
To him in whom no kindness can be found.   

For if she match for Wit, and he turn Clown,  
Or any way her bargain proveth ill,  
She may stay with him till her wedding Gown  
Be worn, and then be at her own free-will,  
To take another, and exchange the Lout:  
This Law of ours, shall serve to bear her out.   

Yea, further (which should have been said before)  
That man which hath not Wife enough of one,  
Why, let him (if he please) take half a score:  
we'll be his warrant, or to build upon:  
We in our wisdoms do allow it so,  
For good ●ound reasons that we have to show.   

For say, you meet with such, as most men do,  
Of this same proud, and i●le housewife brood,  
Shrewish and toyish; foolish, queanish ●o:  
●ull of 〈◊〉 f●ults, 〈…〉 that's good:  
What should me● do wi●h such v 〈…〉ous wives?  
Turn them to gr●ss●, and so the 〈…〉ues.   

Besides, Tenants shall need to pay 〈…〉 〈…〉nt,  
The Earth's the Lords, and all that 〈◊〉 therein:  
Landlords may hang themselves with one consent;  
And if they please, next Quarter day begin:  
We will not be indebted unto any,  
But be freeholders, paying not a penny.   

All B●nds and Bills, shall be of no effect:  
And he that will not pay his Debt, may choose:  
This Hand, and Seal, no man shall need respect:  
Day of the month; and toys that scriveners use:  
Sheepskins, a●d Wax, shall now no more prevail,  
To bring a man into the doleful jail.   

All Prisons shall be presently pulled down,  
For we will have good Fellows walk at large:  
A pair of Stocks shall not appear in Town:  
This in our names, we very straightly charge:  
What reason is it when the hands have stole,  
To put the Legs into a wooden hole?   

No man shall need obey any Arrest,  
Let th'action be what 'twill, trespass or debt:  
All Surety-ship, shall be an idle jest:  
No Creditor thereby shall vantage get:  
All Beasts and cattle, Oxen, Sheep, and Kine,  
Shall be his that will have them: yours, and mine.   

All Forests, Parks, and Chases, shall be free  
For each man that delighteth in the game:  
Orchards and Gardens likewise common be:  
A●l Fruits and Herbs, let him that will come claim:  
And every thing that any man shall need,  
According to his will, let him proceed.   

Who will not draw his weapon in this cause,  
And fight it out, as long as he can stand?  
Which of you all will disallow these Laws,  
And will deny our Articles his hand?  
Then all cried out, This Doctrine we'll defend,  
And lives a piece about it we will spend.   

Our Will's our Law; our sword the same shall pen,  
What we decree, let's see who dare resist?  
We care not for the Laws of other men,  
But will without control do what we list:  
We are grown strong; and we are very wise,  
My honest Gentlemen, let this suffice.   

With courage now let us ourselves address,  
Attempting on the sudden Munster Town:  
Let every one be in a readiness,  
Kind Fortune smiles: regard not who doth frown:  
At every Church we'll hang a Tavern sign,  
And wash our Horse's feet in Rennish-wine.   
The Rebels in a furious resolution, enter the Town of Munster: wherewith insolent proud audacious Spirits, they inflict most injurious wrongs upon the inhabitants, taking greatest glory in acting villainy.  

WIth desperate Resolution, madbrain heat,  
Munster they enter like to savage Bears:  
The Citizens no favour could entreat,  
For all their goods are common, Leyden swears  
Catch that catch may; he bids his soldiers share,  
Divide the spoil, and take no further care.   

Freely supply your wants, who ever lacks:  
Cheerly my hearts; eat▪ drink, and domineer,  
Rifle the rich and wealthy merchants packs:  
Make all things cheap that heretofore were dear:  
And where you find an Usurer, be bold  
To cut his throat, and take away his gold.   

Adorn yourselves in princely brave attire,  
Put down with State the Emperors of Room:  
And give the foolish world cause to admire,  
And say, we pass, each base and common Groom:  
Though some of you (my Lords) came from the Blow,  
we'll make them stoop, that have disdained to bow.   

Have you not heard that Scythian Tamburlaine  
Was erst a Shepherd ere he played the King?  
First over cattle he began his reign,  
Then Countries in subjection he did bring:  
And Fortune's favours so maintained his side,  
Kings were his Coach-horse, when he pleased to ride.   

Do you not see our valorous success,  
How easily we have attained this Town?  
What think you then 〈◊〉 time we shall possess,  
When Greatness comes to back us with renown?  
Why sure I think our shares will so increase,  
That we shall let ou● Kingdoms by the lease.   

Fill bowls of Wine, and let us drink a health:  
Carouse in Glasses that are five foot deep:  
You worthy members of the Commonwealth,  
Munster is ours, and Munster we will keep:  
Boone-fier the streets; set Bells a work to ring  
For joy a Tailor is become a King.   

Bring forth all Prisoners presently to me,  
And let the Magistrates supply their place;  
Prisons for true-men now shall only be:  
Brave thieves, with many favours we will grace,  
Such men as they, with courage do proceed,  
And of their service we shall stand in need.   

For thieves (you know) of fear make no account,  
They'll hazard hanging, for a little gain:  
And though unto the Gallows top they mount,  
Both Halter and the Hangman they disdain,  
How many die at Tyburn in a year?  
Would make us gallant Soldiers, were they here.   

I'll tell ye Masters, I have known men die,  
That have outbraved the Hangman to his face:  
Such as would give an Emperor the lie,  
And valiant take a Purse in any place,  
Bid a man stand upon the hige-way side,  
When he hath had exceeding haste to ride.   

As full of courage as their skins could hold,  
Spending as frankly as they freely got:  
Scouring the rust from Silver and from Gold,  
That Miser's hoardward up and used not:  
As honest men as we, in all their dealing,  
And yet are hanged for nothing but for stealing.   

Example to you of a friend I'll make,  
And I beseech you all, to note the thing:  
Who being to be married, went and spoke  
Unto a Goldsmith for a wedding Ring,  
And coming for it when he should be wed,  
The doors were shut, and c'ry one a-bed:   

He had no reason stand and knock all day,  
But broke the windows open, in a jest,  
Taking all Rings he found, with him away,  
To choose his own the better, from the rest:  
Meaning to put the Goldsmith but in fear,  
In making him suppose some Thief were there.   

Well, this poor fellow he was apprehended,  
Brought to the Bar, and as a Felon tried,  
And yet you see he ●estingly offended,  
Having good reason for it on h●s side:  
But all his protestations were in vain,  
For he was hanged in earnest for his pain.   

Another honest fellow as he went,  
Did draw a Halter after him along,  
Thinking no hurt, nor having an intent  
To off●r any kind of creature wrong:  
One comes behind him was the Hangman's friend,  
And tied a Horse unto the Halters end.   

The owner met him leading of his beast,  
And charged him with felony (poor man)  
Although in this same matter he knew least,  
There is no remedy, say what he can  
To prison, hang him for an arrant thief.  
How say my masters is not this a grief?   

But we'll take order for such matters now,  
For thieves and Gentlemen shall be all one,  
To take a purse, or horse, we will allow,  
And let him boldly do it that hath none:  
Take any thing that any man shall lack,  
To fill the belly and to clothe the back.   

If any find himself here with aggrieved,  
Let him be whipped and banished forth the town,  
With rich men's goods we mean to have relieved  
The very poorest mean and basest clown,  
we'll have it so my Lords, it shall be thus,  
Let's see who dare but stand on terms with us.   

Tom Mynter, prithee search the town with speed,  
Choose out the fairest of the female kind,  
Some lusty wenches of the German breed,  
For to the flesh I feel myself inclined:  
Some half a dozen wives for me provide,  
And stock me with some Concubines beside.   

Go to the Goldsmiths in my princely name,  
Will and command them presently forthwith  
They send such chains and jewels as I claim  
By Knipperdullings mouth, my Lord the Smith,  
Without demanding any thing therefore,  
I neither mean to pay, nor go on score.   

Let others to the Mercer's shops repair,  
And tell them we do silk and velvet lack,  
Our seam-rent Soldiers are exceeding bare,  
Scant any tatters hanging on their back.  
Rich Taffeta and Velvet of three pile,  
Must serve our use to swagger in a while.   

Command the Merchants to supply our Court  
With all abundance of the choy●est Wine:  
Unto the Butchers likewise make resort,  
Bid them provide us Oxen, Sheep, and Swine:  
Charge Brewers to present us with their trade,  
And that their Beer be somewhat stronger made.   

The Baker in his office to appear,  
His Mealy-worship we do greatly want:  
And store of Cooks let us have likewise here,  
To dress our dishes, that they be not scant:  
All things in plenty, and abundant store,  
Be merry, eat, and drink, and call for more.   

This for a Resolution we set down,  
And do ordain that it continue still:  
All is our own that is within the Town,  
And we are men that have the world at will:  
Fill Bowls of Wine, carouse a high-dutch round,  
For Cares lie conquered, and our joys are crowned,   
Munster being besieged by the Duke of Saxony, the Rebels endure great misery, and extremity by famishment; but constrained in the end to yield: their principal Captains Leyden, Knipperdulling, and Mynter, are tortured and put to death, for example to all of Rebellious damned disposition, ending as desperate, as their lives were devilish.  

Ambition's wheel, which Traitors do aspire,  
Hath brought the Rebels to their altitude:  
And now declining, downward they retire,  
By just Revenge a downfall to conclude,  
From top o● Treason, thus they turn about:  
For now behold, their cursed date run out.   

The Martial Duke laid siege unto them now,  
Preventing them of needful wants supply,  
With dungers' sharpest sword, to make them bow▪  
No expectation but resolve to die,  
Their length of life was measured by their store,  
Which could not be enlarged acrum the more.   

Yet most extreme hard cruel shift they made,  
Holding the town besieged above a year,  
In which sharp time their paunches were betrayed  
Of all their former feasts and belly cheer,  
For each man's stomach deemed his throat was cut,  
There was such emptiness in ery gut.   

When wholesome food was all consumed and gone,  
After a hard allowance they had passed,  
Horses and Dogs they licked their lips upon,  
Then Rats and Mice grew dainty meat at last,  
Old shoes they boiled, which made good broth beside,  
Buffe-lether jerkins cut in Steaks they fried.   

Not an old pair of Boötes did walk the street,  
Their bellies could not spare their legs the leather,  
But stewed they were, and hunger made them sweet,  
For with that sauce they shared alike together.  
Covers of Books were in like manner dressed,  
And happy he was such a dishes guest.   

The Chandler's crawling tallow vtt'red well,  
It served Hans Leyden and his Lords own table,  
There was no fault found with the taste nor smell,  
Their only grief was this, they were not able  
To maintain that good cheer, which grew so scant,  
O● filthy kitchen stuff they found great want.   

When they had eaten up the Chandler's trade,  
As likewise all the aware Shoemakers had,  
The scriveners shops for parchment they invade,  
And seize upon it even hunger mad,  
canceling with their teeth both bond and bill,  
Look after debts and pay them he that will.   

In these extremes (quoth Leyden to the rest)  
What shall we do in this accursed case?  
Advise me now Tom Mynter what were best,  
What's to be done in this same hungry place?  
Speak Knipperdulling let's have thy advice,  
There's no provision left of Rats and Mice.   

Why, fire the Town, as late I did my Forge,  
(Quoth Knipperdulling) I do thi●ke it meet,  
Lest Saxon imitate English Saint George,  
And trample us like Dragons under feet:  
Like Troy, let flame and smoke ascend the skies▪  
We burn like Phoenix, that in fire dies.   

Or let us on a sudden issue out,  
And rush upon those rascals keep us in:  
Most desperate in that we go about,  
As not respecting if we lose or win:  
Be as it will, we have but lives to spend,  
A puff of breath, and therewithal an end.   

In this estate despairing of their lives,  
john Leyden plots in his fantastic head,  
To send out of the Town one of his Wives  
Unto the Duke, to tell him she is fled  
From those accursed Rebels, to his grace,  
To signify the cities weakest place.   

Thou must (quoth he) play judith's part for all,  
And free us from this same Assyrian host:  
Bring Holofernes head unto the wall,  
That thus against Bethulia doth boast:  
I had a Vision did appear to me,  
Which signified thou shouldst our judith be.   

And by thy means deliverance procure,  
Saving out l●ues, to thy immortal praise:  
Then holy woman put this work in ure,  
Thou see●● we die, if we endure delays:  
Thou hast rare beauty, on with rich attire,  
And good success incline to thy desire.   

This silly Woman easily deluded,  
Prepares herself unto the enterprise:  
Departs the Town as Leyden had concluded,  
Unto the Duke, attired in disguise,  
As if she had by secret made escape,  
Taking on her an Hypocrites true shape.   

Delivers all the cunning she was taught,  
To gain her credit, and to free suspect.  
The Duke misdoubts her practise to be nought,  
And by examination finds direct  
The plot, and all the drift why she was sent,  
And thus to work with this false judith went.   

A Scaffold was erected in the fight  
Of all the Rebels, that they might perceive  
Their Gentlewoman played not judith right:  
Because her h●ad behind her she did leave:  
" For Treason never is so well contrived,  
" But still the plotter is the shortest lived.   

Then did the Duke assault them very strong,  
Who being weak, unable to resist,  
Tired out with Famine they endured long,  
And did subdue them even as he h●●:  
Such lean Anatomies they seemed all,  
Like those dry bones in the Surgeons hall.   

And here ends LEYDEN'S kingdom and his reign,  
His counterfeited title's out of date,  
He is john Leyden Taylor now again:  
And those that were his Noblemen of late,  
Are even restored to their first degree,  
Smyth, Clarke, and joiner, arrant Knaves all three.   

To their deserved deaths they are appointed,  
For all their villainies, and extreme wrongs:  
Drawn through the City streets, and then disjointed,  
Their flesh torn from the bones with fiery tongues:  
And as then lives did to all mischief tend,  
So did the desperate unrepentant end.   

Being dead▪ there were three Iron Cages made  
For strength and substance to endure and last,  
And into them their bodies were conveyed,  
And on the cities highest Steeple placed,  
Leyden 〈…〉ing highest, ●●o express his pride,  
Mynter, and Knipperdulling, on each side.   

The like reward, be like offenders due.  
Let Traitors ends be violent, and evil:  
And as these past, so all that shall ensue,  
Let them receive their wages from the Devil:  
He sets a work, and stirs them to aspire,  
And is to pay them vengeance for their hire.   
FINIS.