THE NIGHT-RAVEN.  
By S. R.  
All those whose deeeds do shun the Light,  
Are my companions in the Night.  
LONDON, Printed by G: Eld for john Deane and Thomas Baily. 1620.   

THE NIGHT RAVEN.  
ALthough the Owl, and I, a custom keep,  
To fly abroad, when other Birds do sleep,  
Changing our course from those of other feather,  
Yet do not we consort a nights together.  
I haunt not barns, for either Mouse or Rat,  
As doth the searching two-foote flying Cat,  
Nor into bushes after birds to pry,  
there's difference twixt that devil's face and I:  
For secret things, being of another kind,  
In obscure darkness, I apparent find  
Those evil actions that avoid the Sun,  
And by the light of day are never done,  
But lurk in corners, from disclosing eyes,  
Not daring open view in any wise:  
Those most familiar are made known to me,  
I take a notice who, and where they be,  
Drunkards that drink until they cannot speak,  
Villains and Thiefs, that into houses break  
Whores and Whoremongers trading for the Pox,  
And reeling Watchmen, carrying Rogues to Stox,  
With many knavish matters that be fall  
Which, turn and read, and you shall know them all,  
I neither tattle with lack-daw,  
Or Maggot-pye on thatched house straw,  
Nor with your hopping cage birds sing,  
Nor cuckoo it about the spring:  
Or like your Blackbird, Thrush, and Stare  
Whistle in cages, for good fare:  
Or cackell with your scraping Hens,  
Nor hisse with Geese, (that find you pens)  
Or like your dirty Ducks do quack,  
That in the water, water lack,  
Nor crow as doth your dunghill cock,  
Clown almanac, and Shepherd's clock,  
Or prate as greene-coate Parrot doth,  
Like an old-wife, with ne'er a tooth,  
Nor mourn like Pigeons fed with pease:  
I am consort for none of these.  
My watchful eyes awake I keep,  
When all such idle creatures sleep.  
Were I not black, as all crows be,  
I should even blush, at things I see.  

Three fearful Thiefs.  
A Gentleman, lying awake in's bed,  
Having good Christian motions in his head,  
How he had spent the day, worse than he should,  
Omitting to perform the good he would,  
Committing those things which he ought not do,  
As Satan, World, and Flesh, did urge him to.  
Under his lodging very close and near,  
A conference 'twixt certain thiefs did hear.  
Quoth one of them, my counsel pray embrace,  
Let's break in here, this is the weakest place.  
No said another, I do doubt we shall  
Find this so strong, that here's a double wall.  
Then quoth the third, break out the iron bars  
For too long lingering all our business mars:  
We must not only here this night abide,  
For we have houses to attempt beside.  
The Gentleman unto the window goes,  
And thus he spoke, unto his thieving foes;  
My friends (quoth he) forbear this quoil to keep,  
And come anon, I am not yet a sleep.  
When they heard this, away with fear they fled,  
And he securely, did return to bed.   

A Rogue in the Stocks.  
A Base rude rascal of the Roguish crew,  
For misdemeanours that by him there grew,  
Set by the heels (according to desert)  
Made himself merry with this knavish part:  
The night obscure, as dark as night could be,  
Hearing one come, Stand, who goes there? quoth he:  
The fellow (seeing neither watch nor bill)  
Replied an honest man, that means no ill:  
Sirrah (quoth he) I here protest and swear  
As I am Constable, step one foot near;  
And in the stocks thou shalt till morning sit,  
Or I myself, will for thee furnish it,  
The fellow back again his course did take,  
With all the haste that both his legs could make,  
Supposing 'twas some Constable in's rage,  
Whose fury was no less, than stocks or cage.   

An Apology for Women.  
there's an abuse which comes unto my mind,  
Unjust imposed upon women kind,  
When men have done things that distasteful be,  
And that their words from actions disagree,  
In saying one thing, doing of another,  
A speech is used their guiltiness to smother,  
Sure he's a man would have performed the same,  
But the night Raven is in all the blame.  
Casting the cause by slander on the wife,  
When she (good soul) is of such virtuous life,  
That from his word she no way would persuade,  
Although rash promise had him looser made.  
Therefore kind hearted men 〈…〉  
Term them no more night 〈…〉  
True hearted Turtles, constant 〈…〉  
Milder than men, and of less hurtful minde  
More pitiful, and more compassionate,  
Less envious and less 〈…〉  
And of themselves so rare 〈…〉  
Not proving bad, till bad 〈…〉   

A night Swaggerer.  
TEll me the Watch is set! why thou'rt an ass!  
What Constable dare say I shall not pass?  
Who ever bids me stand, i'll make him lie,  
And cut his watchmen out like steakers to fry.  
I am a gentleman in three degrees,  
And for three worlds my titles i'll not lose:  
A gentleman by true descent of blood,  
My ancient stock, was long before the flood.  
Then for my scholarship a gentleman,  
Both read and 〈…〉 cast a count I can.  
Then third degree of gentleman I claim  
Is my profession of a Soldier's name,  
Look but your Chronicle for eighty eight,  
〈…〉 you have me strait.  
And doest that I will stand in fear,  
〈…〉, ask who goes there?  
〈…〉 and will bear sway,  
〈…〉 not so by day,  
〈…〉 it best,  
〈…〉 I fear arrest.   

Fashions, out at the elbows.  
Tailor, I take thy want of manners ill,  
Dost come to supper to me, with thy bill?  
Hast thou no time, but come at candle light?  
Or dost thou fear I mean to vanish quite?  
My choler tells thee, thou'rt a botching slave,  
Thy journy-man, a very pricklowse knave.  
My Sattin-sute is most malignant made;  
Go burn thy bill, and so resolve thou'rt paid:  
And cutter-out think y'are a happy man  
To scape my fury thus, sirrah I can,  
Arrest you for the spoiling of my stuff,  
And yet that action shall not be enough,  
I have at least several nine or ten  
To teach a knave, how he wrongs gentlemen:  
As making it according to French-nation,  
When I should have it of the Spanish-fashion.  
Then bringing it in june home, past your day,  
When I should had it seen at court it May.  
Then for two lice (I will be sworn I found)  
Upon my Pickadilly, creeping round,  
But since thou'rt poor, I some compassion taking  
Will punish thee, with, nothing for the making.   

The Roaring-boy, and his Punk.  
PVnck I lack money, how hast thrived to day?  
To morrow I have laid a plot will pay,  
And strap thou shalt have interest to boot,  
Count me a villain if I fail to do't.  
Apox upon thee, roaring rogue (quoth she)  
When we should get I wonder where you be:  
Hear was a city-young-man, by this token,  
Search you the purse, a pretty youth well spoken,  
And says on thursday he'll be here again,  
With him let me alone, I have his vain:  
But I lacked you to swagger with a gull,  
A gallant that had crowns his pockets full,  
A shame light on thee, hadst thou then come in  
And cursed, and swore thou hadst my husband been,  
The fearful slave, would willingly compound,  
Rather than in a bawdy house be found,  
Be here on monday-night in any case,  
I shall have an Italian then in chase,  
Besides a Dutchman comes to try a Punk  
Swagger it bravely then, be sound drunk.   

The Gull, and the Domineering Constable.  
Sirrah, what are you? where's your dwelling place?  
Sirs bring the Lantern, let me see his face.  
Dost know him Beadle? Surely sir not I.  
Ant please your worship I do lodge hereby,  
I have been forth at supper with a friend.  
Tell me of supper, tut a puddings end  
You kiss the Counter sirrah that is flat,  
I'll teach you know my place deserves a hat.  
An't please your worship, I confess it doth  
But pardon me, my head's not well in sooth.  
You think all hours of the night to march  
Because y'are in your yellow close-stool starch.  
Hast not Tobacco, and a tinder box?  
The knave may fire the town, have him to stocks,  
Please your good worship not a Pipe I have.  
Dost think I sit here to keep sheep thou knave?  
No sir, with reverend magistrates I match  
Your worship, and the gentlemen, your watch,  
Well sirrah since your duty doth appear,  
I am content, this time you shall go clear.  
Depart in peace, and play no knavish pranks,  
I give your worships all, most humble thanks.   

Terrible news, for Taber and Pipe.  
AN odd companion, walking up and down,  
To pipe a living out from town to town:  
Being at a Wedding busy at his play,  
Forgetting danger of his tedious way,  
Belated was, yet be it ill or good,  
He did resolve to wander through a wood.  
And as he went with knapsack full of scraps,  
And Taber at his back, by fortune haps  
That he fare off by Moonlight chanced to see,  
A cruel Bear, which forced him take a tree,  
The beast, with sudden speed came fiercely to't  
And fell to scrape and scratch about the root.  
Poor Taborer so scared was with the Bear,  
He sweat and trembled, in a stinking fear.  
At length he thought upon his wedding scraps  
And threw them to the Bear, to fill his chaps.  
Who for the time from mining did refrain;  
But eating all, fell hard to work again.  
Oh now (quoth he) I have no hope at all,  
The tree gins to shake, and I must fall,  
Adieu my friends this Bear will me devour,  
Yet as a farewell at my dying hour,  
Even in despite of Paris-garden foes  
I'll have a fit, as hard as this world goes,  
And so betakes him, to his Pipe and Tabor,  
And doth them doth, so sound and brave belabour,  
The Bear amazed from his scratching runs  
As if at's breech had been a peal of guns,  
Which when the Taborer with joy did see,  
Well Bear (he said) if this your humour be,  
Would I had known to use the charming feat,  
You should have danced, before you had my meat  
So down he comes, and without longer staying,  
Thorough the wood goes homeward, all night playing;  
Then sends for all his friends, that they may hear  
The story of the Piper and the Bear,  
Vowing his Tabor was more dear to him,  
Then was Arion's harp, when he did swim  
Upon the Dolphin's back, most safe a shore,  
And that same Instrument for evermore  
As monument, unto Tompipers race,  
Should show his valour, and the Bear's disgrace.   

To all slothful Servants.  
I Often in the night (as I do fly)  
See burning houses flaming to the sky,  
At which most dreadful accidents that fall,  
A sudden terror terrifieth all,  
People amazed crying fire, fire,  
And in perplexed manner help require  
Some in their beds consumed to ashes quite,  
And some for ever frantic with the fright,  
Some wealthy men at setting of the Sun,  
And ere the rising, beggars clean undone.  
And when that people seriously inquire,  
How all this great misfortune comes by fire;  
The common answer is, (and 'tis too true)  
Most slothful servants, it is long of you,  
You that no care do in your callings take,  
Nor christian conscience of your ways do make,  
To look unto your fire and your light;  
Of which in duty you have oversight,  
But slight the danger that to other grows  
Because yourselves have nothing for to lose;  
Assure you this, a careless quean or knave,  
Even such as they have been, shall servants have.   

A wicked Wife.  
IN darksome shade of melancholy night,  
There did appear to one, a walking spirit,  
Which put him in a fearful fit to see,  
At length unto Hobgoblin thus said he,  
If thou belong to God, and bear good mind,  
Thou wilt not use me cruel and unkind,  
Because no hurtful things to him belong,  
That will do us (poor humane creatures) wrong,  
But if thou dost pertain unto the Devil,  
Yet for his sake forbear to do me evil,  
For I have married late, a lump of sin  
Which is his sister, therefore pray for kin  
That is between the devil and my wife,  
Affright me not with fear of limb, or life.  
Hast thou (quoth he) nay then if it be so,  
I will not urge thee unto further woe:  
A wicked wife, cross upon cross gins,  
She's plague enough, to plague thee for thy sins.   

A wounded Drunkard.  
A Drunkard, (whom the cup did tardy catch)  
Came very late a reeling through the watch,  
Who called him with the common who goes there?  
But he in staggers would not seem hear,  
The Constable, (with drowsy Billmen manned)  
Said sirrah, in the King's name look you stand.  
What rebel knave (quoth he) will't not obey?  
So looking by their Lantern, down he lay  
And to the watchmen, holding up his hand,  
Said now I charge you all to help me stand,  
Or else in sober sadness, (you fox getters,)  
I'll make you anuswere it before your betters,  
Mark what I say, for now I charge you all,  
To make me stand, and look I do not fall.  
With that they got him on his legs and stayed him,  
Saying here's the Constable, you disobeyed him,  
And were it not for shame, (base drunken clown)  
We would (as we may lawful) knock thee down.  
With that he fell unto the ground again  
And cried out murder, murder, I am slain,  
My scull is cleft, they have put out mine eyes,  
And cut off both my legs, Hosts, Dick dies.   

Like Mistress like Maid.  
Susan, would meet with Richard and with Ned,  
Assoon as ere her mistress was a bed,  
For a Sack-posset they agreed to eat,  
And she beside would have a bit of meat,  
And so be merry, that they would in sadness.  
But even about the time of mirth and gladness,  
When both the youngmen were bestowed within,  
One that had long her mistress lover been,  
Knocks at the door, whereat herself came down  
(As lose of body as she was of gown)  
And in the dark put Lecher in the room,  
Where both the youths attend till Susan come,  
Who in mean time to light a candle went,  
So did her mistress for the same intent,  
And meeting with her maid, oh strange (quoth she)  
What cause have you at this time here to be?  
Mistress (quoth she) unto you i'll be true,  
There's two as honest youths as ere I knew,  
Came late to see me, (pray you be content)  
Wench this may be (said she) and no hurt meant,  
For there's an honest man, to make them three,  
That came in kindness for to viset me,  
Good Susan be as secret as you can,  
Your master is foolish jealous man,  
Though thou and I, do mean no hurt or ill,  
Yet men take women in the worst sense still,  
And fear of horns, more grief in hearts hath bred  
Then wearing horns doth hurt a cuckold's head.   

A Shifters Rifling.  
MOst loving friends on Thursday next at night  
One master Needy, kindly doth invite  
Some four or three score gallants (at the least)  
To rifle for his Nag, a passing beast,  
That he indeed did borrow of a friend,  
But being come unto his journey's end,  
And finding it is no good husband's way,  
To be at horse expense for oats and hay,  
Which idle stands and pampers in the stable,  
Besides himself unwilling, purse unable,  
To be at further charges with the jade,  
Will rifle him, his friend can be but paid  
As they shall afterwards agree of price,  
When he his horseplay hath performed at dice.  
Each a jacobus, come in any wise,  
His whole estate, upon the bu'snesse lies,  
His money wants and patience now perforce  
Depends upon the credit of this horse,  
Fail not his rifling therefore but come to't  
Or you o'erthrow a gallant horse and foot.   

Quarrel upon debate.  
TWo chanced to fall at some dissension late,  
And waxing weary of their fond debate  
Wherein (like fools) law-money might be spent,  
Agreed to put it to arbiterment,  
Each of an honest friend did make his choice,  
And bound themselves to their awarding voice,  
The arbitrators met to end the jar,  
And argued matters in a heat so far,  
That knave, and knave between them both was dealt,  
And so from words, the force of fists they felt,  
Their noses bled, their eyes were black and blue,  
As fierce a buffet fray, as ere you knew.  
At length those twain they met for to make friends,  
Came in, to hear their matter how it ends,  
And what award they did intent to make.  
Quoth th'arbitrators; Masters for your sake,  
We met together, your debates to smother,  
And very sound we have beat each other,  
Now as yourselves mean to be dealt withal,  
Take up our matter, ere we end your brawl,  
We two that came your quarrels to discuss,  
Do now want two to cese debate for us.   

He hath little to care for, that hath little to lose.  
VIllains by night into a kitchen broke,  
Supposing brass, and pewter thence to take.  
The goodwife heard them, and her husband calls,  
Telling him thiefs were breaking through the walls  
And therefore to prevent them willed him rise,  
Quoth he (kind wife) I am not so unwise.  
To put myself in danger causeless so,  
The night is dark as any pitch you know,  
And if they there can find out goods by night,  
When thou and I, see nothing by day light,  
I'll say they conjure or do use some charm,  
For there is nought to lose can do us harm  
Wife let us both laugh at them in our sleeves,  
That with our empty kitchen we gull thiefs.   

An English Cannibal.  
A Roreing boy, (of the late damned making)  
Sat moneyless, alone, Tobacco taking,  
For he had thrived so well by candlelight,  
He lost ten pound by eight a clock at night,  
So cursing dice and Fortune for this wrong  
A saucy Fiddler offers him a song,  
Ha', song quoth he? Sirrah wilt sell thy Boy?  
I have an use for such a kind of toy.  
Why sir (said he) what will you put him too?  
Eat him (quoth he) that I intent to do.  
Sad melancholy makes my senses weary,  
And that same boy shall make me inward merry,  
The Fiddler down the stairs with all haste hies,  
Quick boy be gone (says he) one of us dies,  
The devil's's in him sure, and he may fall,  
To eat us up alive, fiddles and all,  
Some greedy planet certainly doth strikehim,  
He hath a hungry look, I do not like-him,  
Yet for his diet we are most unmeet,  
Because through fear, there's neither of us sweet.   

A Fool probatum.  
A Grave Physician, in the night at's book,  
(That did dame Natures secrets overlook,)  
Found (amongst other things) this one worth hearing  
That a long beard was but a foolish wearing,  
With that he took the candle and the glass,  
And went to see what size his own beard was,  
Which as he viewed, and did stroking handle,  
He set the same on fire, by the candle  
Burning it suddenly unto his chin,  
Which had before down to his middle been,  
Now do I find (quoth he) 'tis a true note  
That he which is long bearded (like a Goat)  
Is but a fool, myself can this protest,  
So set it down in's book Probatum est.   

jesting turned to good earnest.  
GEntlemen kindly in a Tavern met,  
And as they all to supper down were set,  
Came in a jester, (unto some there known,)  
Who at the table boldly maketh one,  
Where like an impudent audacious ass  
He turns his foolish idle scoffs to pass,  
Not caring whom, nor how he did abuse:  
But one amongst the rest, whom he did choose  
To play upon, and in a vain to run  
Did quiet put up all, till supper done,  
Then rising, came and took him by the hand,  
And said familiar sir, I understand  
The ripeness of your wit to break a jest  
It seems your brain is busily possessed  
To utter all your humour doth allow,  
And therefore for your boldness with me now,  
Although I cannot break a jest, I say,  
Yet I can break your pate, take that I pray.  
Go to the Barber's shop, and there reveale-it,  
And jest a plaster out of him to heale-it.   

The Horn Plague.  
INto a jealous passion one did fall,  
And kept his bed, not being sick at all.  
A friend of his did come to see him, and  
The cause of his not being well demand.  
Tell me (quoth he) where do you feel your pain?  
In head or heart, where doth your grief remain?  
What member is it that is ill affected,  
That Physic may the better be directed?  
Truly (said he) of head I not complain,  
Nor doth my heart partake of any pain.  
Nor lights nor lungs, nor kidneys do torment,  
But an ill Liver is my discontent:  
And none can help it better than my wife,  
If she would seek to mend her queanish life;  
'tis this bad - Liver doth the horn plague breed,  
Which day & night my jealous thoughts doth feed.   

The Tragedy of Smug the Smith.  
A Smith for felony was apprehended,  
And being condemned for having so offended,  
The townsmen, with a general consent  
Unto the judge, with a petition went,  
Affirming that no smith did near them dwell,  
And for his Art they could not spare him well,  
For he was good at edge-tool, lock and key,  
And for a Farrier, most rare man (quoth they.)  
The discreet judge, unto the clowns replied,  
How shall the Law be justly satisfied?  
A thief that steals must dye therefore, that's flat.  
Oh sir said they, we have a trick for that:  
Two Weavers dwelling in our town there are,  
And one of them we very well can spare,  
Let him be hanged we very humbly crave,  
Nay hang them both so we the Smith may have,  
The judge he smiled at their simple jest,  
And said the Smith would serve the hangman best.   

Of two evils choose the least.  
A Scrivener (about nine a clock at night)  
Sat close in's shop, and earnestly did write,  
The villainy abroad suspecting not,  
While two observing him, thus laid a plot,  
Quoth one to tother, snatch thou off his hat:  
The which he did, and ran away with that:  
The Scrivener in haste his shop forsakes,  
And for to overtake him undertakes,  
So while he follows him that runs away  
The other rascal watching for his prey,  
Enters the shop as bold as bold might be,  
And takes his cloak and so away goes he.  
Scrivener comes back, bare headed as he went,  
Missing his cloak was far worse discontent,  
Quoth he what case am I brought in to night,  
Of hat and cloak being uncased quite?  
I will not cry Hamlet Revenge my grieves,  
But I will call Hangman Revenge on thiefs.   

To the City and Suburbs.  
THere's not a night I fly throughout the year,  
Be it obscurely dark, or Moon light clear,  
But I behold abuses things unmeet,  
By such as do untimely haunt the street.  
I hear a knocking at your City gates,  
By your good-fellows, with their drunken pates:  
I note the places of polluted sin  
Where your kind wenches and their bawds put in.  
I know the houses where base cheaters use,  
And note what Gulls (to work upon) they choose,  
I take a notice what your youth are doing,  
When you are fast a sleep, how they are wooing  
And steal together by some secret call,  
Like Pyramus and Thisbe through the wall,  
I see your prentices what pranks they play,  
And thing you never dream on can bewray,  
But i'll give warning first, for reformation,  
Which if it fail then of another fashion  
I'll tell a tail, some will be loath to hear,  
Therefore let these amend and i'll forbear.   

The conjuring of a Spirit.  
A Servingman, his fellow did persuade,  
To play the spirit and make a clown afraid,  
Thou know'st (quoth he) Tom of his manhood boasts  
That he like butterflies esteems all Ghosts,  
Thou shalt at night under a stayre-case stand  
Bound in a sheet, the dog's chain in thy hand,  
And as that way toward bed he doth prepare  
Thou like a Ghost, most bravely shalt him scare.  
Content (quoth he) withal my heart agreed,  
I am the man that will perform the deed.  
Fitted at night, under the stairs he got,  
The other he reveals the bugbear plot,  
Saying Tom take thou a cudgel, and rib roast him.  
Let me alone (quoth Tom) I will be ghost him.  
So coming to the place, the spirit groans,  
Tom with his cudgel, well bebasts his bones.  
Hold, hold, (quoth he) for God's love, (I protest)  
I am no devil, but a spirit in jest,  
Untie the sheet, behold me by the light,  
I'll kill the rogue, that made me play the spirit.   

The Gallant, and his brother Beggar.  
A Stately gallant in his fashions braving,  
A beggar followed, and alms went craving  
Good gentleman (quoth he) some succour grant,  
To a poor man in misery and want.  
Sirrah (said he) there is four farthings take them,  
Oh (quoth the beggar) all men now forsake them,  
Kind gentleman, afford to your poor brother,  
Some silver piece will pass from one t'another.  
Brother (said he) how came that nearness in?  
I pray which way are we become of kin?  
Sir (quoth the beggar) brothers we may call  
Cause Adam was the father of us all,  
Sure brother beggar, it is true (quoth he)  
And this is all the hurt I wish to thee  
All Adam's sons alive under the Sun,  
Would give their brother but as I have done,  
Yet than I fear the Proverb would prove right  
A beggar set on horseback ne'er would light.   

A mad voyage for old Moons.  
A Merchant lost by shipwreck all he had,  
And thereupon he fell distracted mad,  
But in the humours of his frantic fits,  
He plotted matters did amaze good wits,  
As to have ploughs to go with canvas sails,  
And meat well boiled, and sod in wooden pails,  
With many matters he did strange, project,  
Whereof a number came to some effect,  
But a rare voyage came at last in's head,  
Should stand the commonwealth in wondrous stead  
Only one trade he would undo thereby,  
(The Chandler's he did hate exceedingly)  
And therefore (quoth he) to his friends, you know  
That every month there doth a new Moon grow,  
And then the old gives place to that, you see,  
I'll make a voyage, where the old ones be,  
(You cannot be in th'Indies half so soon,)  
Then will I sell to every man a Moon,  
And that shall give him all his life time light  
And thus i'll beggar all the Chandler's quite.   

Mistaking in the dark.  
CHaucer, amongst his merry jests doth write,  
Of one that went a wooing in the night,  
It being extreme dark, as dark might be,  
Unto the widow's window cometh he,  
And there entreats her favour for a kiss,  
And she affords him, such a one as 'tis,  
Opening the casement, to her clownish friend  
She turns out to his lips her lower end,  
Which passed away for currant in the dark,  
A better man might so mistake the mark,  
And like to him have go away with thankes.  
Well this was one of Chaucer's widows pranks.  
But we have diverse night men now a days,  
That in the dark become such wilful strays,  
When they should go unto their wife's chaste bed,  
Do get unto the maids, in mistress stead.  
And so the ancient proverb doth allow,  
That joanes' as good, as is my lady now,  
But he whose honest wife cannot suffice him  
I wish the Surgeon's tools might circumcise him.   

The Constable cannot do it.  
A Warrant to a Constable was sent,  
Of special charge, disorder to prevent,  
(Which was suspected from men ill inclined,)  
All those he after ten a clock did find,  
He should disarm of weapons they did bear,  
Not suffering any one a dagger wear.  
A humorous odd fellow heard the same,  
And to the constable he serious came,  
Sir (quoth he) hearing you have oversight  
For to disarm all weaponed men by night,  
I do entreat you, for your office sake,  
A rapier and a dagger you would take  
From one that's armed, and a man I fear  
A Broker, that my weapons now doth bear,  
If Load-stone-like by you they could be drawn,  
From, (Day's broke,) that hath them now in pawn,  
My credit (sir) would be sharp set again,  
Which now lies desperate rusting in Long-lane.   

Mistress Newfangle.  
HOw am I plagued with a scurvy maid?  
In all I do command her, disobeyed,  
To no good quality she doth incline  
But she's my husband's servant none of mine,  
It is his will to have her in the house,  
But if I find his Flea, or body Louse,  
Between my sheets, (as I do shrewd suspect,)  
I'll have their itch killed in Bridewell direct.  
Set her to starch a band, (I vow 'tis true)  
She ever spoils the same with too much blue.  
Last night she served me, a most roguish trick,  
Fell fast a sleep, and burned my poking stick,  
Nay heard you of a verier quean than this,  
She laid my Fan where rats and mice did piss.  
And calling hasty for my Mask and Fan,  
She was at her Tobacco with our man,  
And brought it to me smelling so of smoke,  
That almost for to sound it did provoke.  
If that it had not fortuned so well,  
That I had on my perfumed gloves to smell:  
Pray speak, had you this vexer and abuser,  
And were thus plagued as I, how would you use her?   

The valiant Butcher.  
Four thiefs, that all the day had been to take,  
At night between themselves would even make  
Within a wood under a hedge on ground  
They spread a cloak, and sat about it round,  
And there their monies equally divide  
Into four parts, laying to each man's side  
His share according to th'amounting sum,  
Thus as they sat, a Butcher chanced to come  
A long the hedge, who sound of voice did hear,  
And prying softly through, saw money there,  
Boldly resolved to share it from them all:  
Breaks through with his staff and loud did call,  
Hear masters here, the villains are we look,  
Come through quick, with that the thiefs forsook  
Money and cloak, and take themselves to run,  
That they the danger of their necks might shun,  
Constrained by guilt and put to flight by fear.  
As if a hundred armed men were there,  
The Butcher took the money and the clock,  
And to himself in joyful manner spoke,  
here's the best match, that I have made of long  
As speech is used, I'll pocket up this wrong   

The Conclusion.  
ALL you usurpers of the nights dark hours,  
(As though those times, were for abuses yours)  
Drunk in the Taverns, making Alehouse scores,  
And in Tobacco shops, smoking like-Moores,  
You that with Fox and Wolf, by night do pray,  
For that must feed your thievish throats next day,  
You that are inmates to the devil's Inns, 
Bawdy houses.   
Filled with corruption of the rotten sins,  
You in a word, that are most vile, most base,  
And live like men that have renounced grace,  
When you do act the devil's revels thus  
(Moore black of souls, than blackest Crow of us)  
If you but saw what ugly fiends of Hell,  
Embrace you, for your pleasing them so well,  
And how about you numberless they swarm,  
And with the Seven deadly sins do charm  
Your sinful lusts, to draw you down to Hell,  
You would reform your ways, with doing well,  
Arming yourselves against the devil stronger,  
And so be children of the night no longer.   
FINIS.