A Search for Money. Or The lamentable complaint for the loss of the wandering Knight, Mounsieur l'Argent. Or Come along with me, I know thou lovest Money. Dedicated to all those that lack Money.  Frange nucis tegmen, si cupis esse nucem. 
By William Rowley.  
Imprinted at London for joseph Hunt, and are to be sold at Newgate Market, near Christ Church gate. 1609.   

To his entire and deare-esteemed friend, Master Thomas Hobbs. Health on earth Temporal, and higher happiness eternal.  
IT is but a toy (dear friend) that I present you with, but if you accept it not, I shall lay the proverb to your charge, (qui parnum contemnit, indignus est magno) he that refuseth a little kindness, is unworthy of a greater, but I question it not, nor would I have you over affect it for the title sake, for that it is a Searcher of Money: perhaps you would have been willingly one of this inquisition, but you shall not need, only overview this, and take my opinion, where he is, and that is, where I trust you shall never go to seek him. I would define to you these two prepositions, of and in, that you are in the world (though you must out of it) 'tis certain, but be not of the world, (though you bear earth about ye,) for than you are a wordling, and have affinity with Money, whose best part is but earth, whose (too much worshipped greatness) in my judgement is but as a barelegd passage through many acres of briars, for a handful of rushes on the other side, (being found, not worth half the toil) but use his company as I do, and that's as I wear my gloves sometime on, sometime of, and many times lose them quite, take this, to refuse it: the next search I make (God willing) shall be for wisdom, and then if you will go along with me, we'll place together: till then, Farewell.  
Yours, William Rowley.   

To all those that lack money.  
GEntlemen, for so much you may be that want money, and more they cannot be that have it, (be that your comfort,) Ye are indeed the only Maecenasses and Patrons of Poesy, for to your weak purses there are always joined willing hearts, and (if not deeds) at the least, good words, (Similis simili gaudet) I joy (most respected benefactors) in your fellowship, for from me ye are like to receive nothing but good words, will ye now undertake an equal travel with me (I know not yet whither) and let the destinies (if they will) reward our pains. I know the walks in Paul's are stale to ye, ye could tell extemporally I am sure how many paces 'twere between the choir and the West door, or (like a Suffolk man) answer at the second question, dead sure: there hath been (many of ye) seen measuring the Longitude and Latitude of morefield's any time this two years and upwards (all but in the hard season of the great frost) and then ye slid away the time upon the Thames, ye have been either eare-or-eye-witnesses or both to many mad voyages made of late years, both by sea and land, as the travel to Rome with the return in certain days, the wild morris to Norrige, the fellows going backward to Barwick, another hopping from York to London, and the transforming of the top of Paul's into a stable, to these and many more, ad one more, what odds with him now that will bring ye to the place where your lost and long wished friend monsieur Money is within two hours? me thinks ye smile now? but you would laugh if it were so indeed, you think it not possible now, You having searched so diligently and are yet without him, but pluck up a good heart, hire but this hackney and (vita pro vita) he will bring ye to the place for the prize of a peck of oats, 'tis no great charge, along with him but place him not too fast for fear of stumbling, if ye dislike this voyage, return to my stable again, if I horse ye not for better profit, turn from a Gentile to a jew & spit at me, there has been time and labour (a little of both) to bring him to this small groweth.  
Vale. frustra nihil.  
Your joint friend in estate. WILLIAM ROWLEY.   

A search for Money.  
COme my masters, all you that will be of this privy search to find this wandering Knight, (Mounsieur Money) lay by your arms, and take your legs and follow me. Stay, stay, stay, come not so fast: I call not all those that would find him, (there would be left then scarce so many behind as there was undrowned at the deluge) but some of those as are fittest and most at leisure to search, as some score of idle soldiers, these are men that are experienced to walk the round, for walk ye must resolve ere ye find him, he shifts his lodging so oft, or else he lies so obscure he will hardly be spoke with. Well, I doubt not but ye will be painful in the quest, only your censures which way first to begin as the likeliest to find the nearest way (being the very Nominative case first to find the construction) and then have with ●ée: let's first question his descent: faith from earth (of our o●rne kindred,) I would he were not so near to us in kindred, then sure he would be nearer in kindness, and then we must conclude (coming from earth) that thither he must return, and therefore is now on earth. There may a doubt arise from hence too, for being here canonized, na● Deified and made a God, (for therein we must needs confess our impure idolatry) it may be he has ta'en his glorious flight to heaven already. That cannot be neither, sure Peter has bard the gates against him, for he that would not sell heaven to Money on earth, 'tis most likely he will not sell heaven, now once possessed of it, think ye than he hangs (like a defected spirit) in the air, no he is too massy, or if he were, we have Danae's enough to bring him showering down: in the fire think yee● neither, I know them that have run through fire and water too, and yet have not found him: the sea is lunatic too, and mad folks keeps no money, he would sink if he were there: is he damned by the curses of the poor, and so gone to hell; if he be, we'll rake hell but we'll find him, no, the Devil builds (they say) to enlarge his kingdom, and builders commonly are without money, well, than we must return to our first proposition, that he bides in his first element, that's earth, conclude there to search for him then, set up the staff which way to begin, & convenimus omnes, 'tis fallen to the City, a hopeful way a first: enter the gates before there be any opposition: have with ye.  
Let us be careful in our inquisition, omit no (half suspected) place, therefore let us inquire at the Tailor's shop (for that stood next the gate) if the beloved Mounsieur Money had not there taken up his lodging, the bravery of the time makes a suspect, therefore inquire of him. The motion was no sooner made to two or three cross-legged journey men, but they swore by the bread they then eat (and they seemed to relish their oaths with a good stomach too) that there he was not, there he should have been indeed, and many bills of authority they had sent forth to fetch him, but come he would not, nor could they tell where he lay. Well on we go, the next inquiry we made at a painted lattice, having (as we supposed) some hope there to find him, but alas, nihil ad propositum as we found the sequel, we beldiv (and officers like) entered the house, where we spied a more lamentable spectacle than Amintas mourning for his Phillis: An old woman (being the sick minded hostess) dejected and thrown into such a perplexity, as you would have thought her own traitorous ●●●hes would have blown her up, her hand (like a despairing lover) boulstering her cheek, yet with a saint intergatory, she asked us what we lacked? we told her Money, she something gathering her womanish spirits about her, told us hastily, that she had paid her Brewer a month ago, and that we did her wrong to demand it. But upon our further and well considered reply, she was satisfied, that we came about no such matter, only to know if such a traveler lay in her house, then with a sorrowful shaking of her head, her grief was redoubled, oh no, oh no, oh no, thrice as if she would have conjured him thither presently, and began to plant her face for a most passionate reply. You see this room here I have others well and thriftily furnished with household-stuff, but in this is contained my whole substance, which ere we go any further you shall hear described. The battlements which had been whit● and innocent, were now sullied with uncapable characters of (as I may so term it) Candle-graphie, all the sides both walls and posts showed like a firmament without a sun, all full of pale and sickly prodigies, which she with a heart as cold as Aeneas recounting the tale of Troy, in this manner unfolded to us: these longer sort (quoth the) which stood like white streamers, are the least harmful portraiting (as it were) but even penniworths of mishaps, these other demi-lunes or half Moons, and with that she vented another volley of sighs which are thrice double the mischief of the rest, but these round ones (quoth she) like full Moons, (and indeed, not altogether uneffectual) for than 'twas full sea, and the water stretched a little beyond her bounds, from forth the hollow caves of her eyes issued fountains, which walking down the furrowed paths of her face, and venteroustie meaning (as it were) to pass the gulf of her mouth in quietness, bound her tongue for a certain space to peace, which afterward being released, she went forward to tell us a strange Metamorphosis, and one indeed that Ovid had quite forgotten, how that all her Ale was transformed into those fatal meteors, which was indeed Chalk, 'twas strange, but not so strange as true, Money says she was either fled or a sleep, for he was not stirring: she added with all the report of her better fortunes, how she had a swifter and more profitable mutation of her Ale in former time, how that first her Ale was Ale, and then it was Langtoe, and then it was Ale again: we were presently (at the hearing of this) importunate, to have the moral of this mystery, what this Langtoe was? faith saith she, the English phrase is a little too broad, and comparisons are odious, else I would tell you by the way of comparison, but (a little corrupting the word) she would tell us by a simile, for even as the Salt-sea-water being taken out of the Sea, and purged in the clouds and air, yet at length returns to sea again, and becomes perfect Sea-water again: so Ale though kept a while in the clouds of the body, yet may again perfectly and providently return to the fat, and so re-return to the body, as ye may observe in the course of things, how grass turns to hay, and the seeds of have make grass again. At this we were all rewmatique, and spit at the apprehension of it, concluded and fold her plainly, that we could not pity her, for we did imagine she had poisoned her guests, and they in due revenge had choked her, fed quid hoc ad nos: what's this to our purpose? this is the general folly of the time, when we are once got into an Alehouse, we never find the way out again: but on, on, what if we inquired at the Shoemakers over the way? we did, but in vain, the master himself was not within, and all the rest lay sick of Mercury's boon, (cruel Mercury to deal so with good fellows,) yet they were labouring their hides, and singing like careless travelers coram latrone: as we were but ask the question steps me from over the way (overlistning us) a news-searcher, viz a Barber, he hoping to attains some discourse for his next patient left his banner of basins swinging in the air; and closely eave-drops our conference, the saucy treble-tongued knave would insert somewhat of his knowledge, (triple tongued I call him, and thus I prove't, he has a reasonable Mother tongue▪ h●s Barber-surgeons tongue, and a tongue between two of his fingers, and from thence proceeds his wit, and 'tis a snapping wit too,) well sir, he (before he was asked the question) told us, that the wandering knight sure was not far off, for on Saterday-night he was feign to watch till morning, to trim some of his followers, and its morning they went away from him betimes: he swore he never closed his eyes till he came to Church, and then he slept all Sermon time, but certainly he is not far afore, and at yonder Lauerne (showing us the bush) I do imagine he has ta'en a chamber, we went somewhat hopeful now, having so fair a likelihood: Thither we came, where at the entry we scare a confused noise (like a black Sanctus, or a house haunted with spirits, such hollowing, shouting, dancing and clinking of pots, that sure now we supposed we had found, for all this reveling could not be without Mounsieur Money had been on of ●he crew, we had the salute (of welcome gentlemen) presently, wilt please ye see a chamber, it was our pleasure (as we answered the apron-man) to see, or be very near the room where all that noise was, we were admitted and usherd presently into a neighbour Chamber, where by the ●●nt observance both of our eyes and ears, we might be acquainted who they were, whom when we had well over-viewed, we might truly perceive there was no such man there as Mounsieur Money, ● that you may the better believe us, ●oele describe the assembly: there was (to begin with the worthiest) two or three of our own faculty & familiar acquaintance, swaggering soldiers: A pair● (amongst many) of threadbare Poets, men that want money more than wit, four or five flag-falne Players, poor harmless merry knaves, that were now neither Lords nor Ladies, but honestly wore their own clothes (if they were pale for), amongst these were two or three gunmakers, & they looked like an Almanac dated in eighty eight, and toward the lower end of the table, which indeed we could well distinguish by neither bread nor salt, for there was neither, except two or three small biscuits, which (I dare say) near a soldier there durst venture to break,) but by the condition of the men wes guessed it so, (who were indeed a noise of musicians) those that I have seen at the table's side (for manners sake) scraping manibus pedibusque, yet now admitted a place at table, and good reason too at this time, (as you shall understand) the reckoning was called for and within a while brought in, a mist then (with two pipes of Tobacco) was cast before our eyes, but we perceived how it went, fire shillings dropped from the consort at lower end, which God wots, they had that morning scrapped out at an Ambassadors window, little else was visible, only some of them whispered the drawer in the care (but hung near a Jewel in it) he shook his head and went away, three parts discontent yet faintly pronounced, ye are welcome Gentlemen: upon this the company departed.  
We thought we had stayed too long, for we might swear he that we sought for was not there, we sent one back to the Barber to tell him he was an ass to guess so like a fool, and on we travail, we had not measured three cinque paces, but we met with one that came a far greater pace towards us, and had now reached us, a gallant (as we term them) who (as we afterwards understood) had narrowly escaped the hands of a shoulderclapper, we spurred our question to him, who pantingly, yet out of breath, swore as God judge him he had not seen him this fortnight, but seek him and find him be must, or it would go worse with him, we requested his company, he told us that may we went he durst not return, nor did he think he lay that way, for the last time he parted and shook hands with him was in the suburbs, and if thither we would walk with him, he would bring us to the house where he left him, we loathe to lose any hope agreed, and went with him, he brought us to a house where at the very entrance I did distrust we were yet mistaken, there was but three rooms, one crowning still the top of the other, and little bigger than so many of Diogenes his tubs, where two could scarcely be at ouce, but one must be on the top of the other, other countries (for they are common in all countries) call these mansions. Bordelloes, or Biothells, but in our familiar phrase it is commonly called a house of iniquity, or sometime a subaudi domus, our conductor was but setting his foot over the threshold but he was repulsed by head and shoulders by an old Laplander and her mate, with a face like a lean tripe unwashed, but behind her stood trembling, two or three of Venus her Nymphs very prompt and serviceable which the Beldames stood guarding like the fire-spitting Fulles that guarded the Colchos fleece, bellowing, roaring and railing against our leader, that he had carried her b●st retainer, nay her very maintainer from her house (monsieur Money) and unless he w●nt and brought him along with him, he should have no entrance there, and so doing, he should be as welcome as ever he was, he swore as before he had done that there he left him, and saw him not since, she vied and revied oaths to the contrary that it was not so.  
This matter could not be decided, till one of our company, (having before been somewhat familiar with one of the Nymphs) had privately inquired if he were there or no, she had swore to him that he had not been th●re since the Learme, and then that Gentleman had left him there, marry it was more than her old patroness knew of, she kept him obscurely a while, but not long, and from thence he went to the Doctors, where she thought he yet was, we considering the circumstance thought it not unlikely, and went to pursue him this way, this was a good sent, and we were loath to lose it, well towards the mountebank Doctor we go, and at length there we arrive, where we find him, turning over his Stolen books, and poring in his prospective, sometimes gravelled in the gravel, sometime sweeting, and chase to find whether ●were a burning fever or no: him at his convenient leisure we gréeted, who very reverent and courteously resaluted us, thinking by our meager looks we had been some patients, but alas our disease was such as he had no physic to cure, we propounded our former inquisition to know if such a gentleman lay not in his house, he presently tied his reverence to an oath that there he was not: he had deserved (he said) to have his company, but could not obtain it, and for his unkindness he wished the your or some other villainous disease would catch him, and then he should be sure of his company for a month or so (if no longer) till he were recovered again, well (after the ceremony of departing) we had our answer and away we went: we had no sooner descended the stairs but at the door, we examined a pair of Porters, (m●n of great carriage) yet having no such burdens lying on their neck, they both answered (una voce) that they were now come out of the City and had been there to seek him, but could not find him, nor did they think that he was there, but rather that he was rid into the country this hard year to buy wheat, and meant to turn Farmer: this reply did on the sudden astonish us which way to turn, but being now in the City we concluded (sit fas aut nefas) to end our inquiry there ere we passed it, and at the instant (as we were again entering) we spied a street on the left hand (the very hand that ●ell stands on,) all adorned like a most famous infamous wardrobe, for there were executed and hung, (some by the neck, some by the heels) many innocent garments, whose ●●st owners themselves were hung (most of them) on the other side of the City, and now the garments (for their masters crime) suffered the second place of pain, and were there tortured to be purged in the air of some infections that yet either ru● or crept upon them, we did imagine that our lost monsieur had been there at the receipt thereof, but sure he would not lodge nor abide amongst such a tribe of jewish brokers, yet having opportunity to ask, for than met us one that had newly ransomed a long executed suit, and had of purpose chose it to see if it could conduct him the same way the former owner was gone. (For indeed he meant to wear it to the proof.) of him we asked who might be the patron and furnisher of this large wardrobe, he answered us that the furnisher of that place was as mad a hangman as any was about the town, nay there was none like him, his name was Don Carnifexius Crackonecko Dericko, a rare fellow (for there was none such) and it was doubtful whether he were a magician or no, for he used to ride in the air of Pacolets wooden horse, marry he was a clown in one thing, he never rid with bridle, but a basehalter always, and that was but ●● show he could rain his mare without a bit, and a mare it was by approbation, for thee cast many colts, and that was with his unmerciful backing of her so near her téeming time, nay (says he) he is a very Alexander for none but himself dares mount his Bucephalus, but is in danger of death ere he comes to the ground, nay his own servant (by credible report) that had well broke and often managed her, for offering to get up the wrong way, was thrown and broke his neck.  
This merry description made us lose a little time, yet now we were sated with this (having other business in hand) therefore we (somewhat unmannerly) took his tale out of his mouth, and desired him (for hasts sake) to tell us if such a lost gentleman as we sought might not be found in that lane, (nodum in scirpo querimus) he durst swear and did swear without any further premeditation that there he could not possibly be, for all that pendant treasury that we saw, were but baits allure him thither, yet all and more not sufficient to bring him, therefore return if ye be wise, you fall into the ditch else, and enter the City again, for if there he be not, he is a very extravagant and has no abiding, this counsel we once again accepted and again we enter the gates, where we found much serviceable industry to entice the Gentleman to this house and that house and indeed to every house, but (that we could perceive) he entered into no house, the scriveners had drawn and hanged out very fair Bonds and Indentures to lap him in, but we were very doubtful he would not be bound prentice (at these years) to them or any one, the milliners threw out perfumes to catch him by the nose, and so (like a bear) to lead him to the stake, sweet gloves to fit his hand of what size soever, but they could not come to take him by the hands, the Drapers wondered that having kept so many men before times, (and being so well able to keep them too) that he bought no new liveries, therefore they could not imagine, but that he had been at dice and lost his revenues, so ●r●ke and was feign to live retired with himself and his page a while, which was in our opinions a likely conjecture, being himself so great a parsonage, well this obscure place must we find or else we return (sine fructibus laborum) and openly he cannot be, unless he stop his eats and will not, but he must needs hear proclamations for himself, as costermongers cry out for him offering him good wholesome windebreaking pippins, russetting, apple-iohns', and divers sorts, all which tempt him not, but could they bring along Cue with the inierdicted apple of damnation, it would sooner be received at his adored hands, in like manner cry out your Fishwives, Dister-wives-dringes, Lemen, but none can penetrate his obdurate ears, so general is the cry, and indeed lamentation to find out this concealed Mounsieur as if Troy were now in her present destruction, yet must not we (with the Greeks') lay a strain there and ●● no further, but (usque ad inferos) till we find him.  
Upon the neck of this meditation we fell upon a yet more hopeful accident, we approached a post-garded dose beset round with many petitionary attendants that waited the turning of the key that yet stood the wrong way, and was indeed the mansion or rather kennel of a most dogged usurer, (so much we guessed) and so it fell out, for those attendants, (with whom we joined our obedient service) in the Interrim, while the locks were set at liberty told us we had happened right if we sought such a Gentleman, for sure there he was by great presumptions, or else he had no being, marry, whether he would be speak withal or no, that they could not tell, for (quoth one) the master of the house is a man that loves that Mounsieur (you inquire for) more than any man I know.  
Nay, to say the truth, better than his child, his own life, nay (I should not lie to say) better than his soul (if he have any) and great reason therefore he should lie where he is so well beloved, marry there is great doubt of his concealing, for he cannot abide him out of his sight, unless perhaps some of his great friends (and great they must be howsoever friends) chance to request his company for a time to take view and possession of a purchase or to the erecting of some new edifice, and then are they on the other part bound in worse bonds and manacles than the Turks Gallislaves to bring him in at such a day, or they fall into the devouring merciless ●awes of prison where no man but Mounsieur Money can redeem them, and he then will not come at them.  
This description of him scarce finished, but we were even ready to have eye-proofe of what we had heard, we might now hear the tongueless stairs tell us (by force of an oppressive footing) that there was somebody descending, which was better virtue by a rewmatique disposition of the descender, for (with small Interims) now and then we might hear on hawking, and vomiting the best part of his corruption, that was his steam, for there was no part of him less harming, (yet that noisome enough), anon his gouty footmanship had reached the door, where after the quest of, who was there; and our most humble answer, the locks & bolts were set at liberty, & so much of the door was opened as we see the compass of a bakers purgatory, or pillory, for even so showed his head forth the doors, but as ill a head in form (and worse in condition), then ever held a spout of lead in his mouth at the corner of a Church, an old motheaten cap buttoned under his chin: his visage (or vizard) like the artificial jew of Maltaes nose, the worms fearing his body would have gone along with his soul, came to take and indeed had taken possession, where they péept out still at certain loop holes to see who came near their habitation: upon which nose, two casements were built, through which his eyes had a little ken of us, the fore part of his doublet was greasy Satin, still to put him in mind of his patron Satan, the back part eight penny canvas, a thing (worse than comparison) that loves not half himself, his heart made of the palms of four feltmakers hands, his soul not so big as an Atom, & tha●s lung-growne to his conscience, which conscience is the true form of a hedgehog that guards herself round with sharp prickles, that who so touches is in danger to bleed for it, his industry is to maintain his scalp in a warm cap, his stinking feet in socks, his nose in sack, his guts in capons, and his brains in mischief: to this lump of iniquity, this living carrion, this housekept for, that's only preserved to stink (and the headache, which he was not good for) we (to show our humility) bend i'th' hams, and gave him the worshipful salute, he received it, and grumblingly proceeded to know what we would with him? we with a little smooth preface, as being afraid at first to fright him with our Embassage, told him we were men that had undertaken a voyage, which if we returned with the performance would treble a wealthy estate for us all, and on the contrary if we failed in the enterprise, we were undone, to give the bankrupts phrase, (and the most common forms of a ●apsters head) broke, or like the old Gunne-powder-house blown up. All this appeared to him (as it was indeed) circumstance, therefore he desired to go a nearer way to it, and show the very subject of the matter: faith we told him that we sought a wandering concealed traveler, and that we had received certain notice that he had taken by his lodging at his house, this was pitch thrown upon burning toe, and oil upon that to quench it withal, that face that was wildfire before, was now hell-fire, raging and boiling as if the poor harmless worms should then have suffered torment; some flew out with fear, others were murdered even in their Cabins, that the blood ran about his guilty ●ose, with the very sudden screwing of his face, yet after collar had procured a foaming vent, he ranted out these sentences, Money, vengeance and Hell so soon as Money, he will not bide with me, he answers not my love with his company, he has promised me increase, but he returns not himself, I have parchment indeed, which is rotten shéepeskinnes, I have Ink which is gall to me, I have paper, which is rags and trash, I have ware, but no honey no money, no money, no honey, I let him forth a galleyslave to bankrupts, and now he's sold to the Turk or the Devil, I would I were with him wher-ever: I could hang myself to learn wit. Had not he wit think ye that governed forty mad folks? and he hanged himself, why should not I and you come to keep my torment in action, to inquire for him? I have bills, and bonds, and scrolls, and ware, but no honey, no honey, no money, no money, with that in a great rage he clapped to the doors, charged the locks to keep the doors, and went by the stairs (I hope) to hang himself.  
This was cold comfort still, we were now no nearer then when we first set forward, all that we knew by what was past, was that we knew many places where he was not: many places we seek, but that place was (as report says) the enchanted ●land: when we suppose we are near, it is still further off, that now we feared it would be Terra incognita:  
Tante moles erant Romanam condere gentem.  
Yet at length it was built, and why should we doubt then but at length to accomplish our undertaken task, if the Libyan club-man had received (by his envious stepmother) this, as his first labour (and the age in joint correspondency with this,) he had never lived to number such a Jury of his wonders, well then let fame prick us on, that if we pursue and bring to good pass this labour, it shall live upon our tombs (so that we bury no treasure with us, and therefore be digged up again) while the brass and stones can agree together.  
We had now shifted our ground, and were come to the Rialto, where we hear round about us the confusion of another Babeli, (for languages I mean not for presumption) at this place often arrives the news from many lands, amongst the which might be (as we hoped) some tidings of our lost traveler: faith, we by help of action and interpretation had quickly made our inquisition known amongst them all, but strait like honest men all agreeing in one tale, they returned this reply, that they had received no news from any country of such a traveler: moreover added that all their meeting and discourse was but to seek and bring home the man we missed, to further which, they had sent ships out to sea, that if they scap't the pirates, rocks, flats, and other sea dangers, would no doubt in time happily arrive in our coast: they confirmed it by another reason which indeed sounded more credibly than the former, marry it was told in private, and therefore I am loath to be found a bla● of my tongue, they laid some, I a great deal of blame on their wives, but (for quietness sake) I would not have them know so much, they told us, that they themselves had often brought many of Mounsieur Money's followers home to their houses with great hope (in the end) to attain the company of his complete self, but their wives (came he never so privately) would find him out, and then (disdaining any such inmates to lodge in their houses) sent him out of doors, and whether they went to conjurers to perform it or no, they knew not, but strait he was transformed into chains, jewels, bracelets, tires, ruffs of the fashion, which still were no longer lived than a wonder, nine days, than it was stolen, and they must have a new, and (for firm approbation of what we say) look but on our wives, and you will say we have told the truth, and we (to please them, and seem gracious in their eyes) must follow the fashion too, I know not by what clause in law it is removed, but the burden that lay upon their bumms is now placed on our shoulders, we have verdingales to bear up our bands, as they had to support their lose breeches.  
This we deliver to ye in private, and you may use herein a friendly concealment, we promised what we have not now performed, so did we as long as we could, and that's as much as any man or woman can do, this was our answer, and we were bound to believe it. Well, than we change our walk, and from the change we go, where we had no sooner regréeted-the streets, but we might behold a comely troup of white headed Senators (such as sometime adorned Rome's Capitol, when the swayed the world in a single monarchy) such as were habited to custom and comeliness, not to fancy and imitation, by whose grave advise this city did support her name, which else would quickly have turned into a wilderness, like flowers growing in the unbarbed field, for want of due polishing turn wild and lose their sweetness, these gardeners or guardians of this their little viceroyship, were now approached us, whom (with a half amazed humility) we saluted, and remembering the proverb (spare to speak, & spare to speed) went forward to this mild inquisition.  
Reverend, honourable, and worthy Gentlemen, we are poor petitioners to your patience, both for audience and answer, of one singular demand, (verbum molle frangit iram,) though they might have punished our presumption, yet they give us leave to proceed, to whom relating our aforesaid task, some part of the pains we had already taken, we as brief (as we could) let them understand our cause, and remained still attendant on their answer, which we staid not long for, but one voice answered for all in this manner.  
Truly Gentlemen, ye have undertaken a great task if ye have tied yourselves to the performance of it, for here amongst us, ye have certainly missed him, (a hard case, and a mad world indeed) when all complain for money) and surely ye prosecute your course far contrary to the purpose: for think ye to catch ●fishe with an unbaited hook, or take a Whale with a pursenet, then may yeereturne with a hare hook, and an empty purse: no ye must bait your angle if ye will come home laden. I must needs confess we have had, & have yet some acquaintance with that gentleman ye seek for, but he will not bide with us, I tell ye, he is a wily fellow, not won with good words, for than would scholars have more nap on their gowns: nor with valour, for than you would happily be more happy in his acquaintance, nor with feature, for then so many proper men should not want him: nor with knocks, for than would Fencers be more fluent, but some aequivalent goodness which is an equal balance to himself or he will not stir else, it seems you know not his company, that are no better acquainted with his qualities, I tell ye besides this he is an obstinate wilful fellow, for since this idolatrous adoration given to him here by men he has kept the sceptre in his own hand, and commands every man: which rebellious man now seeing (or rather indeed to obedient to him) inclines to all his bests, yields no subscription nor will he be commaunted by any other power, he is beside a careless and ruinous defacer of all virtuous and necessary antiquities, so himself lie sleeping in iron bard chests what cares he what runs to desolation? if men undertake (as indeed we of late have done) but some good and necessary piece of work, as the re-edyfying of a decayed gate, built new places for the profitable sweetness of the citiy, ●ee flies away (as ye have perhaps sometimes noted) with more dexterity, than a needy debptor hath fled the hands of any of these our Officers, therefore truly, let this confine your answer that amongst us he is not to be found, only there are a few followers of his the better to direct and g●id ye in your determined travail: with that we gratefully accepted some few of his attendants, and they rid on we still prosecuted our now half hopeless journey: from thence with few paces we had reached a fair and sumptuous street, a place that if a man had only lived to please his sight he would continually have made that his horizon, or if every conjuror had but such a prospective glass of his own, they would never deal so much with the Devil as they doe● here lay plate both gold and silver, Jewels rich & orient lay in heaps, here only wanted that god (by man created) money, here we made a diligent inquiry, but strait were we turned with non est inventus, all those (as they truly answered us) alluring temptations were but to entreat the company of the adored Gentlemā●hether which if we could procure with full and perfect progress we might command all we saw, we should be able to furnish with plate Mark Antony's feast thrice trebled, marry otherwise.  si nihil attuleris ibis Homer, foras. 
This though it a little dismayed our present business, yet it spur● us on with a more servant desire to seek, knowing what infinits followed having once attained his respected worthiness with us, we were now come to the place where the records of all ages were kept since the creation there we turned once many leaves but few to our purpose: never was such a search made, many taught by quint●ssece● & a●cumisticall ●r ra●s to make a new substance of this essence, but they were most made beggars that undertook it: this walk we had soon walked through, now we were entered the temple, to find him there we had not such an unhallowed thought, for there the pillars were hung with poor men's petitions, some walking there, that if they prai● as well as fasted did very well and sincerely, nap the very Temple itself (in bare humility) stood without his cap and so had stood many years, many good folks had spoke for him because he could not speak for himself, and somewhat had been gathered in his behalf but not half enough to supply his necessity, here could be little hope to find him that so much wanted him, we soon turned our backs on this place, and had assoon espied many Haberdashers that had feits of many fashions but none that would fit this foresaid bareheaded tall man, marry for Mounsieur Money if he came himself (for so they answered us at the inquiry after him) he should have choice of any felts of what fashion or block it might be his pleasure to wear, little comfort we felt by all this, but yet we must not found retreat, forward we go still, many hopeful places we pass, yet after our delivered message, we were never the near, many honourable gates we left vn●●tred, and the houses unsearched because we wanted some of the Mounsieurs kindred to open the admittance, yet we might hear of their Complaint of defect, and therefore could conclude of his non residence there; at length we pass by that gracious and seuera●ngly Inhabited palace, where by the dues of reason this adored Idol should be a servile messenger, and no doubt 〈◊〉, for there might we behold the Princely messengers from many several countries guerdoned and presented with hears of treasure. But this runagate (whom folly and ignorance adore, as they do stocks and stones) could here have no place of authority nor abiding, but as a mercenary bondslave; whether go we now? Faith now have with you to Westminster: and what to do there? shall we take a chamber & rest ourselves a while? no, nor b●●●ry neither, we'll to the hall first that's certain: well away then, and take this for a note by the way too, if ye b●●e the tongues walk 〈◊〉, the Mounsieur is there if not als a sleep, we have now with moderate paces attained the entrance, let's not be unmannerly knock first, or call him by his name, perhaps, be with answer if he be there. ●o Mounsiver Money, me thinks I here him answer li●e a sententious tap●●er I cannot be here and there too here was a busy house the while, such canvasing of cases, that our case could not yet be heard, here were two brothers at buffets with ang●ll● in their 〈◊〉 about the thatch that blew off of his house into the others garden and so spoiled a Harlichoke: here two neighbours together by the pu●ses the good man Nebuloes goose had leid an egg in goodman corridon's barn and he pleaded possession and the trespass of the goose that had committed burglary to come in the wrong way: this had been long in suit, and yet was no date to the end, only it was thought the goose should die fort and be shar'● between them: then one knave was in suit for calling another by his own name, so busy they were about these and many other such cases, that we could get ne'er an Attorney to deal for us, so that at length we concluded to be our own Heralds, & proclaim our business ourselves, so choosing the strongest voice amongst us, began our outcry, If any man (women there were none) child, town or country, of what degree, quality, discretion, either wise or ignorant, or howsoever in this place could tell tidings of a wandering Knight, clothed in armours of proof, of two especial coats, either in total Argent or total Aurun, his horse trapped sometimes in leather, sometimes in velvet & sometime embroidery, let him bring certain notice where he lives either at liberty or in prison and he shall have for his pains a thousand duckegs, and this caused a general silence over all the house, there's never an one either Attorney or Client that could tell what to say, till we came to a more familiar examination: And first we began with the Clients, they swore (as I think without perjury they might) that he was gone from them, they came riding up with him at the beginning of the Term, and that he did take the pains to accompany us to the Hall, and here he was, but he is now gone, and he slipped away from us we know not how it may be he is yet amongst the crowd: if he think you inquire for him, to his endamagement perhaps he will shroud himself from this discovery (and ye cannot blame him neither to seek his safety) if you could warily observe, I think you should find him hid hereabouts: this sufficeth for the poor clients answer we now address ourselves to others where our message was stopped up in the midway, with Non est nobis argentum, we have sent out executions for his body, but he is not yet come in, some fragments (we must confess) we have of his: marry for the substantial angelical, and most dearly beloved Mounsieur himself, they had no acquaintance with him, nor he residence with them: This (Contra voluntatem) must serve for an answer, necessity (being but a pettifogger) has no law law had no ears; we had ne bells what shall we now do? Desistere victor? No, not yet we'll yet try further, In adversis rebus, melius sperare supersis. Whither now: there's yet a part of over-sea City to search? Shall we a board, and thither ere we see the country● many different opinions were held amongst ourselves about this, some said there was a beastly buffeting about him already; fight dog fight bear, the uncharitable whipping of the blind, the old ape riding post, lacke●d by the muzzled dog & the bulls borne-mad to have his company but it could not be, some said there were others that offered to suffer the german strappado for his sake, and to dance in the air upon a hempen cloud, nay wonders (bot● masculine & feminine) yet his presence will not be obtain'e, some others said it might be possible he was there, for there were many hardhanded men that labours fore for him, and they perhaps might attain his worthiness, that was presently confuted by another, with this objection, that there we●●●co many caps used for feltmakers to 〈◊〉, that was monmouth caps, Wantig● caps, Round caps, Mother-red-caps, and Fu●ling caps, and none could (but bad Churchwardens) bear the bell away all this (by the help of some more comforted spirits) could not dissmay us, but to seaward we go, praying for a fair wind weather, and happy success, but here was the fright, before we came to the water we were no sooner come within the ken of flood, but we were onlet with such a company of Charon's, howling, hallowing, & calling for passengers, as if all y● 〈◊〉 in bell had been imprisoned, and begging at the grate, fi●nes and f●rks that (God be thanked) could for the soul but not torment it, yet indeed their most power was over the bo●y, for here an audacious mouthing-randing-impud●nt-scullery-wastecoat-and-bodied Rascal, would have hall'd a penny from us for his scullersh p●an other pair of water-pan●ars would pu● 〈◊〉 fee for his (w●) Dares; & we should ride like ger●●● (or rather almost empt● hosh●●ads) a 〈◊〉 for it, but such hailing, howling and pulling there was that we durst not vent●r the flood, the wharf being so dangerous, and further questioning the condition of the Sea-monsters, twas●old v● they did b●● howlingly sing: for Mounsieur money that we sought for for us the treacherous Leuia●bans had not cared to have ouerwhelm'e us, had they once boarded us, well, it was, that it was so, now hay for the country we had past.  
We have passed the city as good council passes the cares of a negligent auditor, in at the one side & out at the other and done no good within, hay for the country another while.  quod non in Gallia forsitan in India. 
Many days we travelled, and many miles we measured are we re●ish any place (having the city 〈◊〉 in our eyes of apprehension) where we might inquire for our departed friend and not be laughed at for our labours, we were many times in a wood and indeed seldom out, yet it may be this unr dealt like a Lapwing with us, and cried 〈◊〉 of the ne●●; though the city might promise 〈◊〉 thou, 〈◊〉 in the country might ●●maine his being, we therefore without further question slept to a Farmers, 〈◊〉 where we intended to use the authority of our inquisition, his 〈◊〉 first salufe● us with a f●ii ●outh, which likewise served for alarm bell to tell them within that one or more was entered the gates, upon which summons, the goodman of the house came to the door a jolly chuff●, a good formal russetcoate, and a reasonable strature for a ury ●man, be were about to encounter him at first sight with our business, but were pre●ented by his former salutes, for in a plain country greeting he invited us to drink and eat with him such ca●es as the house afforded, good stomachs are soon invited, we had scarce the maids manners to say nay and take it, but to take before we say nay: in we were brought, where we had cases to please five several nations, we had the Duch-mans' 〈◊〉, Butter and Bacon, we might have made toasts to our butter and varied it to another place as proper, we had Roots for the Frenchman a Pippin Pie for your Irishman, and a piece of cheese for the Cambro-●rittans●al these differences each one made a shift to draw to one head, once 〈◊〉 had small beer which pleaseth no nation: this matter being reasonable well canualed we fell to another discorse, the goodman was or would be if he might (it was his own phrase) so bold as to inquire whence we came and whither we would, we answered him we could resolve him whence we came, but whether we would we knew not, for that we had undertaken a thing worse than the conquest of the Indies, at which he showed us his gums and was very pleasantly importunate to know what it was: ● saith as we had made no boves of his meat we did not of out message, told him such an one we had long sought and him we must seek till we ●nd (usque ad necem) with all we requested to know if he had not alighted at his house, for it was a general report in the city that this hard year he had taken his leave of them and came into the country to buy come: be premeditated no reply, but told us briefly there he was not nor could it stand with reason why he should: no, no, says he, he never visits us in the country unless it be in some contagious pestilent time, when he is so injected that we dare not receive him, and then he comes down, marry he lies without heers for his labo● nay he that will not see us in prosperity let him keep away in misery, alack alack, he now sco●nes our flock-beds, if we but meet with him at the market we can scarce 〈◊〉 his company home, our great Landlords besp●ke him with lofty ren●s with fin●s; and Pretoes and I know not what: dear years quoth ye? 'tis not we that thrive by dear years, they are dear to be, our grain is in the usurers garner 〈◊〉 it be grow●e, if we can keep but the plough at the Dre●taile, ●sp●re one to fa● against Christmas, our care is taken, mar●y for the gentleman you seek for he is so seldom in sight with us, that he is almost out of mind, a Scylla: in Charibdin, this gear wē● to work, (as Rope makers so) backward, what reply could we make but a faint farewell what could now ●ur meditation be, but amazement ● shall 〈◊〉 yet proceed where theirs, no hope of 〈◊〉 take the har●y soldiers Motcto Dum●spiro spero, 〈◊〉 breath, though almost out of breath therefore let's forward: on we give, but still no Midwife could be found to deliver us of our tra●raite, many days labour we cut of, but still (like Hidracs' beads) more came in the places, as weloy and invencible as the other, we passed up a ●ann is boor and he confessed haet had broke the statute by antedating his bibes and taking the lean leather from the fat before the time, and all for the love of Mounsire Money, yet he could not win his company: many tradesmen swore they had (like knights of the Post) for swore themselves all for his sake and yet went without him: the Lapster hath frothed half way, but whither the Devil had let it out a nights or no, be know not, but he could not thrive by it, indeed generally honest men, Millers and all estates did complain and lament the absence of this their dear friend, in that observance of all which, time and travel had now brought us in ke●ne of a very pleasantly situated town, fair and sumptuously builded, partly (though not equally) divided with a sweet currant stream, which both brought sweetness with itself and bore away the annoyance of the town, with no more prejudice to itself then as a drop of poison thrown in the Dcean, whose undiscovered greatness kills the operation, where meeting one that could resolve us, we questioned the name and quality of it: who wondered we knew it not, being one of the two sisters (being no more in the land but two) from whom as from two everflowing fountains, wisdom and doctrine continually old abound, we had little to examine further of either wisdom or learning, but money we inquire for, and of him we desired to know if that we thought he might not be there resident: fraith no by many presumptions there he could not be, he guest him (though be were a great traveler) yet he was but a small student, for otherwise he would not keep company so much with fools, nor any ascending degree there he could not take, for that he had attained more worship and adoration already, than they could allow any title for, & for the inhabitants which were all painful labourers after the quest of wisdom and understanding, and harboured not so much as a thought too bring him into their company, their commons was to short for him, their habits too civil, and their arguments to● quarrelsome, alas, sir Money has no fellowship with them, they are rather (be it no disparagement for them, to have themselves so termed) Liberalities beadsmen, and the sons of Wisdom: these fair foundations were rayed in former ages, when this close sojourning Knight you seek for rid a horseback in open view, without a coach or a bizard before his face, 'twas Money that builded all these (Gentlemen) marry he was forced to it by the great, great grand-fathere to these that now keep him back, then was England's whole year but a Saint George's day, than had a Noble man a hundred or two continually about him, but this question Gentlemen will driure me too far in contemplation, therefore I'll take lean of troubling ye any further, I with ye were in a better way, for sure ye are now out of the way quite.  
We now stuck fast, and knew no way out, and thought better to scramble out the way we came, then throw ourselves into some irrevocable place, we thus resolved, turned back, and in a rage bade the Devil go with him, for we would seek no further, the Devil was no sooner in our mouths, but he helped us to another project in our minds, we now (sans fear) would go the nearest way and know where he was quickly. And concluded certainly that his residence was not on earth. What then? shall we give over the quest? no, to hell first: agreed, agreed, every man choose his sworn brother (every Theseus his Pirithous) & let's along: but who knows the way? and whither there be such a local kingdom or no? oh yes, there's one could tell that had read Policronicon how many mile it was to it downwards, that was three thousand, 〈◊〉 hundredth, five and forty mile and almost a half, this séeined a tedious descent, without a good pairs of stairs, and we durst not undertake it, it was better considered to cut of a great deal of the journey, and to go headlong, long and be there quickly, and that way was assoon so●●d, v●z. we should return back to the Suburban Bordello (before mentioned) and there to hire hackneys would hurry us to Hell and damnation suddenly, what shall we not do for so great a friend as Mounsieur Money? come, take horse and away.  
The conclusion was put to most voices, which upon better consideration w●s given on the contrary, for says one (what it seemed was well read in the qualities of them) it were a far ea●er (though very painful and not so speedy) journey by land, for this way ye ride through merciless fire and water, 'tis Hell all the way to Hell, and if ye will give the hearing i'll give ye a part of their character, yet I am loath to foul the sweet air I draw, and extinguish with so polluted a rehearsal: they are fair outsides of si●●e, but like deceitful bogs our-hid with snow which melted off (vah, vah, per Stigia vehor) I am now in Hell in apprehension, yet if the Satirist would take this out of my tongue to give trophy too, he must confess it were pity that beauty and brasse-browed impudence so unhappily met, there are lisping tongues to entice, songs to provoke, tears extemporal Hienna-like to beguile, oaths to summon an earthquake, and move the marble Geometry of Heaven, and suddenly to bring down the pendant prodigies that over-hang the Zenith of iniquity, and to those oaths their quantity in lies, (oaths and lies being indeed inseparable companions) these raw-rosted-fire-prooved golden apples of damnation are the very common beaten paths to Hell (I must confess) (name meretrix est janua mortis) but the way is so foul and dangerous, ye were better go further about: In the neck of controversy which way to take, whither the devil had a further ha●d or n● (I know not) and meant to take some more pity on be a little to ease our journey, but we had begotten the happiest and healthfulest way could be devised to speak with his Diabolical blackness. We would go to a conjuror, or as some say a wise man, but I think to conclude him a conturer and no wiseman, were the best moderation, for I hold them mere Antipathies. This was allowed a perfect and brief way, (for we were now almost tired) the Devil had sure overheard us (what skill he has in music I know not) but he has a good care) for presently was sent to us a man (as after we proved) for the purpose, a lean Meager fellow, looked as if he had been lately frighted with his own patron a poor black Serge suit (scarce worth the naming) that if it had been artificially flamed & burnished ye would have thought it had been one of Lucifer's cast su●es, why should a man serve the Devil & get nothing by it? but sure it is, God can keep them poor that the Devil makes rich.  
But what's hid from the Devil himself? when one of his poor rascals can come and prevent us and tell us what we sought: we wondered at it, but desired him, since he so well knew our intents, to further our purpose with his best art, he (for a little fee) quickly condescended, and promised (if we would) to bring the Devil face to face, to answer our demand in whatsoever, whether he himself were the Tailor to this lost traveler, or if he knew any of his confederates on earth that did detain him, to the one we agreed, that either himself should talk with him, or we would if he were not too terrible, either was sufficient, and that following night we should summon him to a parley: The interim while then, he bestowed in preparing his incantations, exorcisms, characters, ● what dues & properties belonged else to his Cimmerian Art.  
But to the purpose, the night was come, we were come to the place, where we were s●t a lose off with a valiant charge to fear nothing, our hardy leader himself that feared not the Devil, fell roundly to his business with his circle round about him, where with some ceremonies, and a triple inu●ration of great Beelcephon, the ground (not so hardy as the conjuror) begun to tremble, that we all shook for fear, anon (as if a whole legion of them had been then taking Tobacco, and even of such a sophisticated sent) issued forth such a cloud of smoke that we could scarce discern our artist, after that a noise so confused as if Hell had been a fire and the bells of Barathrum had been rung backwards, after this storm it began anon to be a little more calm, and then we might perceive a fellow (for sure he had more fellows) appear to us in the shape of a miller in apparel, but as swartly as a Chimny-sweeper, to him our valiant orator propounded the question, whither such a wandering knight as Mounsieur Money was not traveled into Hell or no? he answered no.  
The devil (like a brave Maunder) was rid a begging himself, and wanted Money, (whither the devil had been a soldier or no I know not) but our hardy spoakesman was so bold as to give him the lie, and bade him tell him the truth or he would force him, for he knew that he was in Hell, because he was not to be found on earth, he answered then a little nearer the matter, and told him, that his master had put him to sojourn in certain usurers and extortioners houses, (very friends of his masters) and that the day of his return was not yet come, but ere long he would be there again: this seemed somewhat likely, but our artsman better knowing his qualities then we did, was not yet sufficed, but the second time gave him the lie, and laid another coniuro te or two upon his shoulders, to tell him the truth, or he would bind him to his good behaviour for a thousand years, than out came all, he then confessed that he was in Hell, for the most part, many spirits had him under lock and key, and he was like never to be set at liberty again, and the reason was the devil had so many children fathered on him that he never begat and so many of his own, that he had no other dowry to bestow on them, the earth was daily more and more taken from him, as India, Virginia, and many continents, that he thought be should have no 〈◊〉 them to inherit if Doomsday came not quick●●, therefore money by any means he would not part with, many usurers and others of his loving friends 〈◊〉 against him for it, but he was resolved never to give him liberty, this sufficed for an answer, the devil w●n●●ome again and the conjuror came to us where he received his reward of us, according to our abilities, we b●d the devil keep his Saint for we would seek him no more.  
The next voyage we vowed to make for wisdom, and when we should have more wit (then to seek for Money,) whom if we missed on earth we knew where to seek her without a conjuror, it grew now break of day, and we broke up our search, Dixi.  
Take it as it is.  
Tam male nill cusum quod nuilum prosit ad usum.  
FINIS.