The Discovery of THE KNIGHTS OF THE Post: Or the Knights of the post, or common common baylers newly Descried.  
Wherein is showed and plainly laid open, many lewd actions, and subtle devices, which are daily practised by them: to the great abuse of most honourable counsellors, learned judges, and other grave Magistrates: And also to the defrauding and utter undoing of a great number of her majesties good and loyal subjects.  
By E. S.  
AT LONDON  
Printed by G. S. and are to be sold near the Golden Lion in the old Bayly, 1597.   

THE DISCOVERY OF THE Knights of the Post.  
AS I traveiled towards Plymouth, this last voyage, upon my well approved hacney, (old Bayard of tentors) it was my goodluck a little on this side Hounslowe, (just upon the heath, where that villain was hanged in chains, that murdered the maiden in the wood) to overtake a well trust fellow mounted upon as proper an nag as my own, but not altogether so well paced: At what time I bade him good morrow, good morrow (quoth he:) God grant it prove so, but as I spe●de, so will I praise the day: why sir (said I) then well overtaken, I trust my greeting deserves no grudge. In deeds (quoth he) well overtaken but ill found. I musing at the man what he meant by these quibs, 〈◊〉 him how so? Because (said he) my purse is as empty as my belly, and yet my stomach as good as yours. I told him that matter would be soon amended, if he wanted pence, to leave a pawn for his breakfast: The man hearing me say so: answered, my counsel was better than my charity, and yet (quoth he) your charity may be better than my pawn: for I assure you, ● suppose you have more to give, than I have to gauge: and yet yesterday, I had as much money as would fill a quart pot, if my wisdom had boene so good to keep it: Certainly (said I) he that would spend so prodigally, and so much in one day, without any regard, in my opinion is worthy so fast the next day without pity: So sir, I have your judgement already (quoth he:) it is pity you should be made a justice of peace, that can examine a cause no better: If you had asked me how I had spent so much money in so short a time, and how much the sum had been, you had shown some wit: but to pronounce me prodigal at the first dash, for so trifling a cause, argues in deed a man of smnall discretion. Why qd. he, is not he to be blamed, & counted a thriftless waster, that spends the quantity of a quart of money at one day: if you had gamde it away, it had been another matter, because I know it a thing soon done, and you not so much to be blamed: for that a man cannot command the dice as he may his dog, to say, sirrah fetch me the same again? Alas qd. he, how simple of understanding are you, just as wise as Winefred my wife, that when I wished her to arm herself against her unquiet neighbours, presently clapped a corslet on her back, and so ran among them: You come in with a quart full of money, and I told you of as much money as filled a quart, which God wots was but one penny for the which I had a quart of ale at Colbrooke.  
O was it so, I cry you mercy qd. I, and because I have made you this offence, I will pay for your breakfast at stains, which now is not far off: and I pray you let me request to know how far you travel this way: Marry sir qd he, even as far as I would wish your company, finding you always thus kind: but indeed my journey is to Plymouth, if I knew how to get thither, with that we went into our Inn at the sign of the Ale-stake, where I called in for bread and cheese, & the best beer they had in the house: This is well done (qd. he) call you in for that which is good, and I will have a care it shall not be lost: and with that he claps a penny loaf in his pocket, and anon after he thrust another into his bosom: I demanding why he did so: he answered, because (saith he) I would try whether ● bread at the next town be as good as this or no: For me thinks it hath a very good relish, ● I assure you it is good for a man to be experienced in such things, and still he fed upon bread and cheese as nimbly as a squerell on a nut. I seeing him feed so heartily, said if his legs were as good as his stomach he needed not to fear his journey to Plymouth: so at length being well refreshed, I told him that according to my promise I would pay for his breakfast, but he should pay for the two penny loaves in his pocket: By the mass (quoth he) I am persuaded your purse is better lined than mine, notwithstanding if my credit be better than yours, with this my welfare hoastice, I am content to pass my word for it rather. wife you are like to pay all for me.  
The woman hearing him flout at her face, was strait inflamed as if she had been made of tuchwood, and wholly compact of a lump of gunpowder: Why thou paltry knave? (qd she) what ails my face▪ what canst th● say to my face? or what dost thou see in my face? For soul my face, I hope my face is a christian bodies face, thou scurvy jack, I te●l thoe I am not ashamed to show my face. I think so (qd he) for it is of as good scarlet vie, as ever I saw any in my days: but say, will you take my word for two pence? Take thy word? He so thee hanged first (qd she) pay me my money, or by God's body I'll have you set by the heels: and with that she took by her distasse and beat him out of doors: 〈◊〉 I seeing was glad to content her, and so we parted from th● place. I would (quoth he) every hoastice would give me such a passport as my hoastice of stains: then would I not doubt but to come to my journeys end, with virtuals enough in my paunch, and no hurt to my person.  
Thus we went on our way, having work sufficient to comment on this controversy, even till we came to Basingstoke, where with the suns setting we took up our lodging, and with the beginning of the evening ended our days 〈◊〉. Now (qd my merry companion) to requite your courtesy for my dinner, find you meat and drink, and I will find bread to supper. And so if I find to morrow as happy as this day hath been to me, I shallbe well pleased to hear you again to salute me with good morrow; otherwise the day shall have my favour to my fortune. And with that as merry as a man with two penny loaves in his pocket, he steps into a tippling house and asked for lodging, he was no sooner come into the house, but there was one clad like a Cavalier of Spain, that took acquaintance of him, saying: What Goodcoll my old friend, my companion and familiar acquaintance, well met, I am glad to see thee in health: ho Lapster fill us a dozen of beer, for we'll be merry i'faith: with that my companion was wondrous jocund, and gratifying him with all the reverence he could devise, with Italian and French im● bracements, sometimes about the middle, sometimes below the knees: he required his greeting in this sort: jacke Freeman, A plague on thee, who would have thought to have found th●e here▪ trust me by the faith of an honest man, I am glad of this chance: And in respect of this happy meeting, I bless my fortunate stars that it was my luck to see thee before I die: And as thou lovest me, bid this my friend welcome and let us sup together: but jacke Freeman except your purse be better than mine, our cheer will but mock our stomachs, which at this time I should take in as ill part, as my hoastice of stains did my words this morning. Tush fear not (qd. Freeman) if thou hast no money, I have enough both for me and thee, and i'faith thou shalt not lack as long as forty pounds last: why man I thanks God I have in this simple doublet (as I may say to thee ● an hundred angels and upward, and hang dogs. Goodco●l they shall be all at thy command. Godamercy my sweet jacke Freeman (qd. he:) And with that we all sat down to supper: At what time they fell into great communication th● one with the other. Freeman declared how he was newly come out of Ireland, and what hurt the rebels had done there, by setting divers towns on fire, and now (qd he) I am come from visiting my friends in Hampshire, with purpose to go directly to London. Therefore I pray th●e tell me how doth all our good friends there, and what is the best news. In troth (qd. G●odcoll) no news but what is common: The good Earl of Essex is prepared to sea, and in sooth thither am I going to: for what with my debts, and my wiucs tongue (before god) I am constrained to leave all, for who would live in bread of those creep corners, that gets their living by playing boe●péepe, who like the cookcow have never but one song, and that sounds so 〈◊〉 favouredly, saying: I arrest you: that I promise you it makes many a man's heart ache that hears it. And whither I pray you travels this honest man your friend (qd. he:) Truly (said I) my journey is toward th● sea too, though not for the like cause as my friend goes. For as for my wife, her tongue did never displease me, because she could never speak being borne dumb, and as for Sergeants, I never need to tear them, for no man would ever credit me to make me run in debt. Then hast thou (qd. Freeman) two good commodities. But hearest thou Goodcoll, I pray thee say: how do all our ancient acquaintance, th● good oath-takers, or common baylers: Alias the knights of the Post, the Lords of sobs pound, and heirs apparent to the pillory: who are as ready to bail men out of prison, being then well pleased for their pains, as Tiron is in playing the traitor without causes. Tush (qnoth Goodcoll) that fraternity of falsehood, and fellowship of fraud, both never lightly pass out of the old bias, they are all in health, though void of honesty: some are at liberty to seek a dinner where they can get it: and some to spare shoe-leather lies in prison. L. that old lad is forth coming, though not coming forth, having the privilege to walk his stations in one of th● counters in London, ● so are divers other of the same profession. But tell me I pray you (qd. Freeman) what is become of B. is he as sound mettle as he was: And how doth the harbour of new corn, old Father C to-towne, L. the Courier, and he whom men call worse than Craft, are they all living still? Living (qd. Goodcoll) trust me I, and like enough to live till shame either prefers them to the pillory, or misery end their days. B. hath sounded false larums in Westminster hall a long time, and hath been a grand ●night of antiquity: as well known for his profession, as mother Bunches ale to nipitaty. But for the store houses of corn, he hath betaken himself to his beads: for in matters of bailing, he is like an old horse, whose mark is near worn out of his mouth: but notwithstanding though he be f●eble in body, yet his mind is as good as ever it was, ● that which he cannot perform himself, he procures others to do: like that aun●iente rain beaten harlot M, Ro, that after thee had quite consumed her young yerea in lechery, and was no more set by, yet for the love she bore to the whorish art, procured and enticed younger ones to do it, and so became a notable bawd. And in like sort playeth he, for where he bayleth one himself, he procureth others to bail throe.  
But as concerning old father C: why man he is old suresby, as trusty as steel, and one that always helps at a deadlift: for after he hath smudged up himself in his borrowed apparel, with his great seal ring on his finger of pure copper and guilt, when he comes to bail a man before a judge, being demanded if he be a subsidy man or no, strait answers, and it shall please your good Lordship, I have been a subsidy man this xx. Winters and upward: And then he swears, that he was seized at v. pounds in the Queen's books the last sessment of the subsidy: and further affirms it on his credit, which is as good in r●eapside, as it is at the pudding●y house, where they will not trust him for two pence: but he hath one bad quality, which I doubt will make him at length lose his customers, and that is this. He will never be pleased when he hath bailed one, except he give him more than his promise and beside stop his mouth with a pint of old sack. Now 〈◊〉 he whom men call worse than craft and L. I think they will give over their trade of bailing, ● turn truemen, for they do not so much use it as they have done heretofore. Trust me (qd. Freeman) that would be as great a miracle, as to see Banks his curtail dance a h●rntpipe. But what say you to little with, and to him that is called more than a whole bare owe, and the man whose name hath but fine letters, first three vowels, than two consonants? But (qd Goodcol) they be in these matters like. Manering at a burial, of no reckoning, except to jest at: being rather procurers of others then doers themselves. If you make no account of them (qd Freeman) what say you then of him that bore the name of the old player with the beluct cap: of the aged Crane turned backward, K. with the tun, & F. with the ●rie face, C. the true cook old the sold away his wife for money, & afterwards received her home again: marry qd. G. as Larleton said of the Linker, that they have more craft in their budgets, then crowns in their purses: notwithstanding of no reputation: for they be but procurers of others to bail, & not baylers themselves: And above all the rest: the ●n. of the post, do ●tterly deny to go bef●●e a I. with F. for fear lest the fire in his face should set the I. chamber in a flame: and so they might get more displeasure, than all the rich rubies in his nose are worth. C. I must nades say is a good fellow: but he uleth this trade nothing so much now as he hath done: and as for K. he doth so tie himself to the two penny ale, that he can spare no time to do any thing. Then tell me, how fares L.P.C. & ●l-col. are they of no reputation now? they were wont to be jolly doers in this gear: and so are they ●ill saith Goodcole, for L. and P. do many matters continually & get much money by it, but it prospers as badly with them as the coin that joseph's braethrens took when they sold him into Egypt, for what is gotten all day they spend frankly at night in on tavern, aihouse or other, so that for ●ght that I see, they are as bare as the spanish friars that were late taken at sea, which lie now in S. maratins but whereas you speak of C. I have not seen him a long time either I think he is dead, or else gone to Reding again from whence he came, but why do you call him C. his name is Cookoo, though he keep not all ways on tune, truly that is more than ever I heard quoth Freeman, do they then alter their names when they go about to bail men? as though that you were ignorant thereof qd. G. If they should not change their names, & like Protheus turn their shapes sometimes, they would often be had by the bark for their lewd knavery. But then I pray you tell me what is become of the broker, the bird with the black foot and golden tail, and the son of R. do they continue their old courses still? What need you move such a question (qd. Goodcoll) how should they live if they should leave that sweet profitable trade: bailing and swearing▪ I tell you sir it is an occupation that fowls not their hands, though it corrupt their conscience, which some of them have used these dozen or fourt●ne years at the least. I muse (qd. F●eeman) hold these fellows scape untaken or unpunished all this while, for it is on old proverb, that the pitcher goes so long to the water, that at length it comes broken home. Tush they are as h●●eful in this matter as may be, for as I told you, they will seldom tell their right names, nor give true notice of their dwelling: And beside that they will be sure to know before hand, what judge it is that must take the bail: for if their be any judge that he knows doth suspect him, he will keep one leg back from that place, and go before some other to do the feat.  
Call you these feats (qd Freeman) for wretches to perjure themselves in this sort? truly god may well spare them for a time, but their judgement will be the greater: and surely goods gotten in this sort must needs be cursed: And no marvel if none of them do thrive. Why do you say so (qd. Goodcole) is not the broker rich● I, but he got it by brokery and not by bailing qd the other. I grant he is a broker (qd. Freeman) but he was first a bailer and a swearer, which preferred him to his brokery: for it was a small matter instead of hearing morning prayer to go fasting before a I. and forswear himself, whereby he hath gotten many a crown, which he accounteth clear gains and the stock remaining whole at the years end: so that now he hath left brokery and is become a Draper. A Draper (quoth. Freeman) what Draper, of woollin or linen▪ No (qd he) an Ale Draper, wherein he hath more skill then in the other: nevertheless there are more brokers that are bailers beside him. Why is their own trade of brokery so much decayed (quoth Freeman) that they cannot live by that, as well as they have done I (qd Goodcoll) there is so many of them, that one cannot live by another: And beside that, there is another inconvenience besa●e them: they must now neither buy any thing, nor take pawn, except first they come and register it in a place provided by the Daiestrats: so that whereas before they were wont to buy much stolen goods, whereby their greatest profit grew: now they cannot do so, because each party that brings goods to the brokers, must have their names & dwelling place set down by the Register, or else they that do otherwise, are accounted accessary to the felony, if they meddle with any frolne goods.  
This is an excellent good order qd. Freeman. But what is that son of R. you spoke of▪ I have heard much speech of him that he hath been an notable fellow for bailing. No Goodcoll and so he is still: but in speaking of him, I must say to you, as once a king of England said to his Nueene th● was desirous to know a certain matter of him: soft (qd he) thereby hangs a tale: and so likewise of R. remains another, but that I will refer till tomorrow, for what with this good supper, and my weary journey, I find myself well prepared for my bed, and therefore let us know what we have to pay, that we may rise from the table, for I assure you my legs are wart as stiff as an old pair of boots after a nights drying. Then said Freeman, Do tapster what's to pay: five willings two pence (qd he) and you are welcome: with that I began to draw my purse, and Goodcoll went to his pocket: Pay soft my masters (said Freeman) here's not a penny for any of you to pay: nor will I offer a penny (quoth Goodcoll) but these, & with that he set the two loaves which he plucked out of his pocket on the board: this is an odd jest (quoth I) to set bread on the board after the meat is eaten, much like unto her, that went not for the Physician before she saw her husband dead under the table If you like not my offer (qd Goodcoll) I will keep them till to morrow. Why ●ir qd. Freeman, it is written you should not ●are for the morrow; 'tis true qd he, and because I will not care for tomorrow, I provide these loaves tonight. Then said I to Freeman, I beseech you fir accept of my money, otherwise you will charge yourself too much: You shall not spend a farthing (quoth he) nor should not if we were toegther this month: And trust me my hearts, were it not for one thing I would walk along with you: but at Bristol I did disburse an hundred angels, to the good man of the frying-pan on the Bridge, to have it paid me at London, the fifteenth of I: next, or within seven days after the sight of his bill: But (said Goodcoll) who must pate it to you there▪ Marry Phillipp Curtoise, a man sure enough quoth Freeman.  
I would to Christ said Goodcoll, we might have had your company to Plymouth, for I may say to you as to my friend, I have not one penny in my purse, whatsoever come: quoth Freeman, thou shalt not lack for money: And with that he drew his purse and gave him ten shillings, saying: Would thee my old friend, 
vi-  take this to help thee, and if I had more store of white money, I promise thee thou shouldest have more, marry I thank God I have some charge about me, more than I mean to make any man privy to: And to say the truth, I am loath to break my gold, I have left myself five shillings yet in ●luer, and that shall serve till I come to London: And with that he called the goodman of th● house, saying: Good my host provide me a good bed, and a chamber with lock and key, for I have charge about me.  
Sir saith the host fear not, you shall lie safe I warrant you, if you had a thousand pound. Dear ye my host (quoth Freeman) I pray you use my friends well, I may say to you they are honest men, and of good credit in London, though as you see they trudge thus a foot, as myself both. I tell you they have reason for it my host, and so have I too: & hark re me, I pray you let them have what they will call for, if they will not pay you, I will. I thank you sir (quoth we) and so we departed to bed.  
In the morning they rose early, and calling at Freeman's chamber do●e, thought to take their farewell of him: What my boi●s (quoth he) are you such good cocks to be rising as soon as the sun▪ Pay soft, we must not partly so, I mean to break my fast with you, with that he started out of his bed, and wiled the tapster to cover the board, so to breakfast we went. Then said Freeman: now Goodcoll I pray you let me hear the tale of Rob: for I could do nothing but dream all night what it should be: Mary (qu●●● he) this R. being his craft's Master, where he was hicred to come before any judge to bail a man, it was his accustomed use to call himself by a wrong name: and if he dwelled in long lane perhaps he would say he dwelled in white Chapel, and so neither certify them of his true name, nor of his true dwelling place: so that if any enquiery be made of him in such place, where he affirmed himself to dwell, there is no such man to be found: and by this means he escapes many a scouring.  
But pardon me I beseech you, good master Freeman, the day wears, and I have far to go, therefore I cannot stand to tell out the rest: but at our next meeting in troth you shall know all: therefore let us pay our shot and be walking.  
A sigge (quoth Freeman) here is nothing to pay, and were our reckoning twenty pound, you should not pay one penny: but because your haste is such towards your journey, and my desire great to hear out your tale, I'll take my sword and walk a mile or two with you: And thus having discharge the house we went forth together. Well now to my tale quoth Goodcoll.  
I heard it told for a truth, that a certain Gt. now dwelling on Saint Andrew's ●ill, in the direct way toward Tyburn, being a good knight of the Post, and having learned of Ro. and such other of that hateful society, to deny their own names: upon a time when he came before a judge to bail a man: most knawishly named himself to be a certain Upholster in London: a man that for his wealth and wisdom was of good account among his neighbours.  
The creditor making inquiery of his bail, and finding him by report to be very sufficient, was well content, so the matter rested till the term: At what time the action being ca●de upon, there came neither one nor other to make answer.  
At last by course of law an execution was like to be served upon the surety. The honest Citizen hearing of this matter, was not a little amazed: saith he to the Creditor, Sir you greatly mistake, I am not the man you mean, for I know no such man you speak off, nor was I ever bail in this court in my life. Why is not your name thus: qd, the Attorney your trade Upholstery, and dwell you not in such a place▪ Yes indeed quoth the Citizen: well then, except there be more of this name dwelling there, you are like to answer ●s (said the Attorney. Tush said the Citizen, as well he might have put in my child's name as mine, for any knowledge I had of this matter.  
Thus was this honest man put to no small trouble before he could clear himself: while in the mean space the Glover sat smiling in his sleeve, and carried away twenty or thirthy shillings for his pains.  
Undoubtedly said I, he is a fellow of a filthy conscience: Conscience (qd Goodcoll:) I tell you their consciences are like chiverell shin●, that will stretch every way. But for all the Glover is so ●unning, if he use many of these feats, at length he will come to peep through the pillory, and carry as many ears on his head as old Harry of P. garden. But where is P. now a days, that golden feathered bird, he hath been an ancient professor of bailing, & many great adventures hath he passed, like a most hardy knight of the Post.  
I saith Freeman, but he was like to have catched a foul soil of late: for if he had been gotten, he had been clapped vy in the king's bench for his knavery: And how scaped he I pray▪ Cuen by his wits said Goodcoll, the which he hath beaten thri● bare.  
Also you know P. Alias. A old R. not the for, thought much of his nature, B. and H.▪ yes marry, what of them, do they proceed still in bailing, some do, and some do not, for as I heard, good P. Alias A. riding out of Town, broke his neck at Tyburn. And as he went to hanging, R. stood by and would not bid him once farewell, whereby●on P. broke out into this passion, saying: Ah thou ingrateful wretch, haste thou been copartner of so many of my profits, and dost thou now participate with my crosses, thou haste sung with me, and dancst with me, ●ate and drunk with me, and can●t thou not find in thy heart to hang with me. Well, if thou hadst not that good nature in thee, yet thou might'st have took the pains as to go to the Gallows with me, or bid me farewell.  
An Officer riding hard by him with a javeline in his hand, bearing him thus inveigh against his unkind friend, wished him to content himself with patience, for (quoth he) though he will not take the pains to go with thee now, yet he means perhaps to follow thee, shortly.  
It was well answered to the discontented man (qd. Freeman) for the quiet of his mind, but how fares B. C. and N. marry sometimes with bread and cheese (quoth Goodcoll, sometimes with bread and butter, and eat roast-meat when they have money: Nay I inquire not after their chier, but their good estate (saith Freeman.) In troth they live so so, and it were well, if they knew where a good commodetie of names were to be sold, and yet I think all the money in their purses could not buy it.  
But to let these base fellows pass, I can tell you of a great many others that you never knew men lately come into the trade, but I doubt we have brought you too far out of your way already: Lut, I respect it not (quoth Free.) and seeing I am come thus far, I will walk along to Andouer with you, because in truth I would hear somewhat of those men you speak of, for hang it by, it is but the coming back of fifteen or sixteen miles, & there I will bestow your d●inner on you, and so return, why then we shall be too much beholding to your courtesy (qd. Goodcoll) but seeing you have so good a mind to hear of these matters, I will proceed in my first purpose.  
There is a most brave fellow but very newly crept into this crew, and his name is N. well known, one that looks very high, and at every word casteth his eye above Paul's steeple, as if he would quarrel with the done, or had some controversy against the seven stars. In his attire, he is neat and fine, and in his speech stately, with a long piccadevant after the French cut, and of a scornful countenance, and when he comes into Westm. hall, he bends his brows, as if he would bear down the kings Bench bar with his looks. My acquaintance with the man is but small, for I was never in his company but once, and that was at the king's head in Fleetstreet, at what time being (as it was supposed) in his holly day apparel, which was after the manner of a Barchaunt, he seemed to scorn that a poor man should speak to him.  
Also at the same time as I well remember P. the golden feathered bird was with him, very brave, with a fair cloak of somewhat a grey colour on his back, the which (as it was fold me) N. had sent him for that d●y, having been as it seemed about their common profits that morning: and these two as I have heard, have joined themselves together in many actions. There is also another new come fellow, whose name is S. he dwelled sometime about London bridge, & now is gotten into Hounds-ditch to dwell, who seeming to be a very surly proud companion, & falling at strife with his trade, gave his occupation a passport, to get a new master, and betook himself to follow this honest fellowship, and both also take upon him to do many matters, making both of his ability and of the effectiug of many matters huge brags, howsoever he deals in the performance thereof. Now sir, there is another of this newcome crew, that by report is as worthy to be noted as the rest, whose name and nature may well agree.  
Dee is called W. and you know beasts of his name are great bloodsuckers, and it is to be feared, he will be as great a pursse-sucker, as the wolf is a bloodsucker, if in time 〈◊〉 be not prevented.  
And it came to pass that this W. not long since, & S. & N. being before sworn brethren, and great companions together, on a time they with some other of the same sect, after their business at the hall in the morning was ended, finding their guts chime twelve a clock in their bellies, went all together to dinner in Westminster: where they fed so hearty, and drunk so hard, that S. after dinner (while the others were busy in talking) fell asleep, which when the rest perceived, like most honest men of their profession, consulted among themselves, to steal away, and leave him to pay the shot, whereupon one of them after another crept out of the room, and came to the good man, saying, Sir we have gathered our reckoning, and left our money with our friend above, who because he was by this morning somewhat early, breaking his ordinary house, is purposed to take a nap before he goes and as soon as he wakes he will pay you: for our own parts we have earnest business that calleth us hence, or else we would be loath to leave him behind us, and therefore we pray you take care of him, that no man do offer him any wrong.  
The good man deeming their ability to be answerable to their apparel, and noting them by their countenance to be civil Citizens, with his cap in his hand very mannerly, made this reply.  
Very well Gentlemen, I doubt not my payment, and doubt you not but I will have good regard to the gentleman above: let him take his rest on God's blessing: well, God be with you, ●r qd. they: you are hearty welcome said the Wintner: now sir within some quarter of an hour after, S. awaking out of sleep, and seeing his companions to be gone, maru●iled much thereat, wherefort he calling the Drawer, presently answered with a shrill voice, anon. anon sir, when the Drawer came to him, he demanded if all his company were gone out of the house, yes marry sir, said he, a quarter of an hour ago, and more, what churls were they (quoth he) to go and leave me here, but seeing it is so, take up thy plate good Drawer, and with that he stepped out of the room, ●ay soft sir (quoth the Drawer) I hope you will pay the reckoning ere you part, have not they paid (quoth S. not one penny, sir said the Drawer, than said S. with a pale countenance, why tell me what is to pay, under ten shillings somewhat sir answered the drawer, with that S. bent his brows and fetched his stations up and down the room, with such furious gesture as if he had been playing ●amberlane on a stage: Drawer (quoth he) thou must not think to make a younger brother of me, I know my friends would not serve me thus for twenty pound, I pray thee go call thy master, the fellow runne● down and tells his master how the case stood, the goodman incontinent goes to S. who asketh him presently if he were not paid the shot: no verily. said the goodman, your friends told me at their parting that they had gathered the reckoning and given you the money to pay: and have they s●rued me so (quoth S.) well, here is your money, but I will take heed how I sleep after dinner again: A small matter sir (quoth the goodman for one friend to ●est with another. And so they departed, but this bred no little brabble betwixt S. and R. when they met. Certainly I could not blame S. to be offended (quoth Freeman) to be so unconscionably used by his companions, in a strange place, but no doubt they paid him again, that is hard to say (qd, G. for some of them deal in paying their debts. like the Planet Saturn, that finishes his course but once in 3. years, and they possible once in three lives.  
Now sir there is three or 4. more, that are newly come in, whose names I have heard, but I know not the men, the one of them is called by the name of the highest weapon that it carried too, another of them after a word of the third ●. but the fourth man's name I cannot remember, and alas, they are no persons of any great reckoning, but such as shift it out with others, who like Robin pipers spaniel, runs away when they are called, if they spy but one of the Marshales men in sight. Twenty more of such fellows could I name, if that leisure would serve me. and as I have rehearsed their names, so could I show you many of their actions, what wily and cunning pranks they play, which would make you wonder to hear it, and me weary to tell it, but now I perceive we are come to Andouer, & therefore leaving these matters, we will bethink us where we may provide for our dinners, sir I shall tell you quickly (quoth I:) the sign of the Pie is a very good house for footmen, or at the sign of the three Mariners, at an●e of those two houses we shall be very well used, where we may have any thing that we will call for, and very reasonable: At the sign of the Pie then let it be (quoth Free.) and there my masters we will be, merry, where I will spend an English Crown upon you, and although I am loath, yet than I will leave you Master Free. I thank you (quoth Good.) and if it please God I live, I will requite this kindness, and with th● we took in the house over our heads, and so calling for meat, t● dinner we went, where when we had well victualled ourselves, M. Free. would needs have a pottle of wine sent for, & to make it relish the better, the goodman of the house being a notable good companion, gave us a piece of sugar, and so sat down with us, and by that time we had drunk our wine, being well whittled with strong Ale before, of the goodwives own brewing, we began all of us to be very pleasant, & my ●oast of Andouer seeing us grow in a good humour, asked us how ●ar we would go that night, marry by the help of God to Salsberie (said I) & we are sorry that this our friend must leave us here. Nay (quoth Free.) I will hear the tale out first, for all the best is behind, in truth that cannot be (qd. G.) for the circomstance is too long to be told in a short time, & as good never a whit begun as not ended: for if it please God at Salisbury we will lie this night. That is a place I. was never in quoth From ● with that the ea● man of the house began to commend the wholesome & pleasant situation of that City: showing also that out of the head of one spring the water ran through every strate in the same city, and I will tell you what Gentlemen (qd. he) you say th● you were never there: but if you please to go thither, there you shall see the fairest Cathedral Church (for the bigness) that is in England, the first stone whereof, King john with his own hand did lay, and there i● about the same church as many chapels as there is months in the year, as many doors as there are works in the year●, and as many windows as there are days, and as many pillars as there are hours in the year, I have been in many countries quoth Freeman but of such a church did I never ●are, well it is true qd. our host, and it is but fifteen miles hence, and therefore seeing you never saw it, if I were as you, I would see it, well Goodcoll quoth Freeman, were it but to hear out thy tale, I will go to Salisbury, for if the worst come to the worst, it is but the hi●ring of a hackney to ride to london and to come time Inonghe to the receiving of my money, well my masters qd. he, there is according to my promise, a crown towards the shot, & if it come to more, you shall pay it between you for me, well sir quoth I, howsoever it goes, you come still to your cost: and so our shot being paid, we set towards Saliberie, hiding our good host farewell: now friend Goodcoll you may think that I love tales well, that go so many miles out of my way to here one, but it is no matter, my mind to me is a monerkey, therefore now seeing we are onward of our way, let us beguile the time with talk, and drive on't weariness with the residue of the discourse, now quoth Goodcol, you shall hear me discover th● wild practices of these bad people, whereby they daily abuse the grave judges of the land, her majesties high commissioners, and the justices of the peace, especially th●se for Lond. ●idls. ●. and Sur. with th● shires next adjoining, Stewards of Courts, and many other, both Honourable & worshipful: deceiving likewise many poor men, by their most wild & lewd practices: for now they (as some of them can brag of) have by th● continual practise thereof, made their trade of baileing, better by five C. pounds a year, than heretofore it hath been. Whereupon Freem. demanded how that could be: I will tell you sir qd. Goodcole: They are grown now as I say, to bail men before her M. high Commissioners for causes Ecclesiastical: But if their villainy be once found out in th● place, they will be made to curse the day of their Nativity: that ever they first began to take these lewd courses in hand. It seemeth then (qd. Free.) that they have pretty fine wits, that they can escape away so cleanly in their matters, & never be taken tardy: Albeit (qd. he) that their long practice in these things, have made them as subtle as Serpents: yet now and then they are taken in their villainy, but that is very seldom: perhaps once in seven years.  
And now sir, I will show you how that not long since, ● man that you know very well, was clapped by the heels in th● Clinke, for bail●ing (as I suppose) a Papist before the high Commissioners▪ who as soon as he had gotten his liberty, got himself away, & (as I have heard) could not be found as yet. what do they presume so audaciously to bail papists too quoth Freeman▪ yes verily: They will not stick to ●ter either Bond or bail for any man th● will give them money.  
And what will not they do: if they may be well requi●ed for their pains? But say they, there we shall never be put to our oaths which is a good help unto us. And thus have they all the shifts & devices that may be devised to help themselves: But now they are grown more circumspect in their dealings, than they were wont to be. In what sort qd. ●re They have now taken this order amongst them, that they will be sure to come before one I. but once in a term, because they will not be noted in th● magistrates eyes, so that the grave Magistrates are not any way able to prevent it, by reason of the multitudes of people th● come before them: so that when any Kn●ef th● post comes before any Ma. again, he hath as clean forgot his countenance, as the man he never saw before: if it be so, quoth Freeman, that they come before a I. but once in a term, their get must needs be small, and I marvel how they can live of it, whereunto Goodcoll answered, that as they live bad enough, so ●●ey live poor enough, fortune feeding them, as Moss did his mare, through a hurdle, which made him take her so soon napping. And through want of meat many times they walk out their dinner in Duke Humphrey his Ally, or else fetch a sleep under a pillar in Paul's, only to beguile hunger. And although they make many other shifts to get money by, yet none of them dies rich men. And now I will show you how by a new devise which they have gotten, they get many a crown. I pray you let me hear that (qd. Freeman) for novelties breeds most delight. It is so, qd. Goodcole as you know, that Newgate being a prison for all kind of felons, and other malefactors, it is commonly replenished with more store, than any other prison in England, by reason of the populacy and great number of lewd persons, that lurk about the city of London: which these good knights looking into, and smelling out what great profit might be gotten by them, sought means to come acquainted with certain cutpursses and other pilfering companions, such indeed, as can not forbear once in a quarter at the least, to wear a pair of shackles in Newgate: and see their good fortune, it was their chance to be in company upon a time, where one of cutpurse hall made great moan for a friend of his that was clapped up upon suspicion, a proper youth qd. he and of good parentage, & falling in bad company, was apprehended with the rest as a partner of their practices: and yet I may say to you, the youth is well known to divers worthy Captains, for a proper fellow, and an excellent Drummer, and such an one as hath served her Majesty both in France and Flanders, yet to see his hard destiny, he is now become after all his credit gotten in the field, to suffer shame in his own Country: and I promise you I fear he will hardly escape death. Alas poor fellow, qd. the knight of the post, hath he no friends in the City that will do somewhat for him, and bail him forth till the Sessions come: he hath many friends qd the other, but he is ashamed to make the matter known to them, fearing it should come to his parent's ears: which he would not for an hundred pounds, What qd. the K. hath he any thing to help himself withal? In troth qd. the other, he hath small store of money, but he hath good things to make money of. Why what would he give qd. they, to such as would procure his liberty and set him out of danger, marry qd. the other he would give four Angels withal his heart, in troth qd. they for six Angels, we will for your sake find means to fetch him forth: and put in good sufficient men to be sureties for his appearance at the next assizes, but we will have our money ready to be paid: but will not receive one penny before we have done it, you speak like honest men qd. the other: I will thus much presume, though without my friends knowledge, that you shall have six Angels or three pounds in white money, so soon as it is done: therefore I would wish you go about it strait: and because I know, you cannot troth about without expenses, there is for a pottle of wine, and with that he throweth them down a shilling: desiring them to tell him where he should meet them at evening or in the morning: the place being appointed, & themselves with all circumstances prepared, dressing themselves very handsomely, to a I. they go, if he chance not to be within, than they trudge to another, and do not rest till they speak with one or other. And thus with a very grave look, and dutiful obedience they begin to speak in this sort. We are come to entreat your good Worship for a poor young man that is in prison, one that is come of very honest parents though he be far from them, who by mere chance, lighting in company of some lewd persons, was with them committed to Newgate, where the poor young man, having been tenderly brought up. through the weakness of his own nature, and the noisome smell of the place where he now is, findeth himself very ill, & we assure your Worship, that we fear if he remain their any longer, that it will be his death, wherefore we most humbly entreat pour Worship, that he may be bailed forth, you shall have sufficient Citizens and good Subsedie men to be bound for his appearance at the next sisses, to answer what soener can be laid against him. The good justice noting their speech, and therewithal their persons, makes this answer, if his fact be n● worse than you speak of, and you seem honest men that would not report an untruth, I am contented to take bail, so you bring me good suffieient sureties: & if it shall please your good Worship (quoth they) we will be the men ourselves, I assure your sir, we are subsidy men both of us, and our dwelling is in such a place, & with that they protest that they were sessed at five pounds in queens books, the last subsidy, whereupon the justice bids his Clerk to take their bonds: And by the means of the notable Cutpurse coming out of runagate, the money is strait paid, and then to the Tavarne they go as pleasant as Popingays, where they drink and carouse merrily, giving them much thanks for this their great courtesy and ever after, when they or any other of their society, do chance to meet with these old shavers, they care not what they spend upon them, spreading their fame among all their familiars, whereby it is come to pass, that they are as well known among these companions, as those tittle boys are with the baths. who will cast themselves down a great heigh, naked into the water and fetch a penny in the bottom. So that now there is great familiarity grown betwixt them, that if any Cutpusse▪ be clapped up, for using his knife and his horn, they strait send word to these their assured friends, who whether t●ey have money or no, will procure their delivery being contented that the next bung the Cutpurse nips, shall serve for his recompense. For these honest men do consider that their staying in prison is no profit to them, but by their liberty, they are assured that they will get money Enough both 〈◊〉 defray charges and to recompense them for their pains. why then quoth Freeman it seems by your speeches, th● the knights of the post and the cutpursses' with all such other lewd companions are confederated together for I perceive the cutpurse is so kind, that if he have it, the knights shall not want it? no I assure you (qd. G.) for both those Scas are grown into one league of friendship, having sworn as need requireth, one good fellow to help another, and in his adversity, no more to forsake him, then in his prosperity: do all the knights of the post use this practice (qd. Free.?) G. answered, no not all, but some of them, especially those of the middling or latest sort, what is there such diversity of them, yea too many (said G.) who go about as fishwives carry Oysters, new and stolen: But I pray you tell me (qd. F.) what shift do they make, when these persons for whom they are bound do not appear, at the next Sessions or Gail delivery? You shall understand (qd. G. that the K. do know and are ver●lie persuaded, as a thing wherein they are well experienced, that there is no doubt of that matter, for those fellows falling to their old trade again (because they are so ground in filching, cannot otherwise betake themselves to any virtuous labour it is unpossible, but they will be aprehended, for one wild fact or other, before the Sessions, so that he will be ●oerth coming sure enough, whereby their bonds are saved. And it is to be noted that so long as they stand bound for any of them, they will not bail them out again, but suffer the law either to set them at liberty, or sand them to the gallows, for they are as careful in this case, as th● hangman is, to tie the halter fast, so that there can come no danger to them in the world. Then I perceive (qd. F.) th● if a man, or a woman, commit never so heinous offence, except in cases of treason, murder, & such like, he may be bailed out of prison at any time if he have acquaintance with any of these fellows, and have store of money to help himself withal, yea verily (said Good.) & they do not only bail men out of Newgate, but out of the Marshalsea, the White Lion, the Gatehouse at Westminster, Finsherie, Wentworth prison, and out of the counter in Southwark for debt. Some they do (said G.) but not many, for in these Courts they dare not adventure in cases of debt, so boldly as in the higher courts, because the courses of law there, comes a great deal sooner for trials, then in the rest. whereby an execution comes upon their backs, before they look for it. Then I perceive (quoth F.) for all their haste they are overtaken sometimes. Why you must think, it is unpossible (said G. they doing so many matters continually) but that they should be taken and clapped by the heels for some of them. Now I pray you G. tell me where do all these knights of the post dwell and inhabit, are they all Londoners? no not the tenth man (qd. G.) for some of them dwell at Redding, some at Ware, some at Colebroke, some at stains, some at S. Alban's, some at Hartford, some further of, and some nearer hand: Then (said F.) it is great marvel that they are not refused when they come before the Magistrate. seeing their dwellings are so far of, why I told you (quoth G,) that they never give true notice either of their names or dwelling place, and that they will know before hand, before what judge they must go, and also what danger there is in the cause, before such time, as they will enter into the matter, being as fearful to be taken tardy, as the whelp is to lap hot porridge.  
But is it possible (quoth F.) that these men, that are so ready to forswear themselves, will be trusty in their dealings to them that put them in trust: nay (quoth G.) I may tell you, some of them use these shifts, when they have little other buisenes to go from prison to prison, and promise poor men to work wonders for them, but they will not stur their foot without some money in hand, and when they have once fingered it, they neither do the parties good, nor peradventure never come to him again, whereby he loses three things at one time, his good hope, his money, and his name. This was no sooner spoken, but a foot-post of Plymouth overtook th●, clad in a flannel waistcoat, and a linen pair of breeches, with a Spaniards hat on his head, that sat upon his pate like the bottom of a pipkin. God speed my masters qd. he: how far travel you tonight: even to Salisbury said they. Trust me said the foot-post, I guest as much by your soft going, and there likewise will I take up my lodging. Came you from London qd. they: Yes marry said the Post, I broke my fast there yesterday morning What is the best news there? Very good news said the Post: Carriage is become so cheap, that a man may ride for nothing. That indeed is good news quoth Goodcoll for wearied men, is it not? Yes marry said Freeman, for such as dwell there, but it profiteth us nothing. It may in good time quoth the Post: Why? what dost thou mean by that saith Goodcoll? That may be answered soon at supper, answered the other, if you like to lodge at my hosts house: where is that quoth they? In Salisbury at the sign of the Griffin saith he: where you shall be well used for your money.: & it is the first Inn that we shall come to in the City. Goodcoll answered: We desire but good usage for our money and good lodging. Then mean not I to sup with you quoth the post: No: why so said they? because you request but good usage for our money and good lodging: but I must have meat for my stomach. There you were even with me indeed saith Freeman: the post replied: not so: for I am lower than you by the head: than you reckon not the height of your horns quoth Goodcoll. The post seeing himself matched: turned his speech to other purpose and so they post on their way to Salisbury: and to the sign of the Griffin they go: where the foot-post as one best acquainted: entered in first and called the good man of the house: wishing they might have somewhat to supper. Look what they called for they had: and the goodman sat down with them for company and bade them all hearty welcome: so with many pleasant speeches they passed their supper time. At length qd. the goodman: What news (Gentlemen) at London.  
Certainly said Freeman for our own parts we know none: but I remember this lightfooted lad told us by the way that he would show us some: and referred the whole story till the time of our supper: which now being ended he may proceed to the matter when he pleaseth.  
I have nothing to say but this quoth the post: that in London beef is indifferent good cheap but mutton is dear: for the market is forestald greatly by the two takers of London who fetch all the fairest muttons out of common pastures and pens them up to other purposes: by the mass thou art a knave qd. the goodman: O my hest saith the other, there is such a lamentation made in Venus' court, as the like hath not been heard of long time: pretty wenches go so fast to Bridewell as it passeth: some in their taffeta gowns: some in their waistcooats all overwrought with black work. And poor souls they weep not so sore, but the beadles of Bridewell laugh as fast: for now their gains cometh in out of all cry. Tush qd. Goodcoll they have gone a great while on the score and now possible they are called to a reckoning: and great reason they should make payment: Nay by the mass they are paid qd. the post: Y would not be so paid for an hundred pound But you told. us of another matter said Freeman as we came over the Plain: and ●s as plain a matter as the Plain of Salisbury said the post. Then said his host: What was it? Marry qd. he one there was of so kind a nature, that he would suffer any good fellow to lie with his wife that lacked a wife: In requital whereof my Lord Mayor of L. lent him a Cart to ride in for nothing: and because the Cuckolded was rich: no horns would serve his turn but golden horns: and bearing himself some what brag of my Lord's preferment: the proud fool got on his holiday cap upon a working day: whereby every boy perceived his asses ears: and in this sort he road up and down the City till the people drove him away by ●inging of dirt at him.  
And as he went one way I came another with purpose to bring you certain news of this matter, for such golden horns as he wore, did I never see in my life. And now my host, tell us what we have to pay, than said Freeman to G. do you lay down money for me, and I will give it you again, I love not to show my gold in an In, for Tapsters and Ostlers (they say) are not always the honestest men. But come my host (saith Fr.) I was never in this City before, and I would desire you, to take the pains to go with these my friends, & myself, to view the streets, & to see the minster, for I have heard great commendation of it, sir (quoth the goodman) I am content to walk with you, and to show you the minster, or to do you any other favour, that I may: so when Free, and his two friends, with their host, had taken their pleasure in walking up and down the City, he would needs to requite his hosts courtesy, give him a quart of wine at the grayhound, which being as willingly accepted, as it was kindly offered, into the Tavarne they went, where they made their quart a pottle: Now the foot-post understanding where they were, thought he would go to catch a cup of wine among them, and coming merely in, even as the● were paying the shot, asked if they lacked company, no but we lack wine (quoth F.) the worse luck for me, said the post, I would I had been more forward in coming hither, or you less hasty in drinking the wine, wilt thou not give us a pint, saith his host, yes marry will I, answered the other, and with that he calls the Drawer, saying: bring us hither a pint: what shall it be sir, fair water (qd. the post) with that they all laughed, saying: he would be at cost well answered Freeman I will give this merry fellow a quart of wine of wine, for his good company today, I thank you, sir saith the foot post, and with that sat down among them, where what with one merry jest or another, wine was called for in lustily, At what time in the midst of their Cups, M. Freeman swore he would go to Plymouth with them foot by foot ', so when. the reckoning came to be paid, he requested by Goodcoll again, according to his accustomed order, to lay down money for him: by the mass qd. Goodcoll, what with our supper and this shot, I have but one gr●at left of my ten shillings, for it is no reason my host should pay any thing at all, or this my friend either, and as for the foot-post, you promised him to give him a quart of wine: That is very true quoth Freeman, pay all Goodcoll at this time, and in faith for that odd groat which remains, we will have a fresh pint of sack. Now when that was drunk, they went all to their lodging.  
In the morning the foot-post was soonest up: who calling to the rest of his company: asked if they were almost ready to walk: but Free●an had drunk so hard over night that he had no list to rise so timely in the morning: & as for Goodcol his money was all gone and spent: therefore he would not go before his good friend Freeman: for my own part I would feign have gone along with the foot-post: but that Goodcoll did earnestly entreat me to the contrary: whereupon I stayed: & at length Freeman rising he called strait for something to breakfast which was soon prepared (for he was still the Gentleman) so having something refreshed ourselves we rose from the board: pay Goodcoll qd. Freeman lay out for me: I●can lay out no more quoth Goodcoll but all: then Freeman willed me to lay down for them both, which I did: and so taking our leave of our host, we set forward on our journey toward Shaftesbury.  
Whereupon travailing by the way, we fell into our old accustomed talk: and amongst many other things ': Goodcoll there told us that the Kn. of the post were marvelous good companions when they had store of money: and how commonly they would be sure always to have money before hand of him that should use them though they did nothing.  
Then said ●reeman to Goodcoll I had forgot to ask you one question yesterday: & Indeed the foot-post did break off our talk, or else I had done it.  
I pray you tell me, where are any of these Kn. of the post at any time to be found; if th● a man should happen to have need of them▪ Truly, I assure you (quoth Goodcole) if it be in the term time, you may have them most commonly in Fleetstreet, about S. In, or else about Ch. lane: or else in some of the pudding-pie houses at Westminster, or else at the three legs there, and at one of these places (I say) you shall be sure never to miss of some of them themselves, or else of some of their partetakers that are the procurers of them. But if it be out of term time: you shall have them commonly, once or twice a day, walking in D. Humfrey's Alley in Paul's, or at the Lion on the backside of S Nichollas Shambles, or at the Rose in Pannier alley, or at th● Dolphin in the end of Carter lane: and sometimes at the Woolsack in the same lane: and there lie crushing of th● twopenny Alepot half a day together: but if you do miss (as doubtless you cannot) to find any of them in▪ some of those places: yet there is a Bell (but in what place it may hang I know not) that if it be toulled, or at leastwise Rung out, it will with the sound thereof, cause an hundred of them to meet together, within three hours, to serve any man's turn that hath need. And I dare warrant you th● Mephistopheles never haunted D. Faustus more, than these fellows do those places: where they consume their time, & spend away all their thrift. But what do they take ordinarily qd. Fr. for baileing of a man? All after as th● matter is (qd. Goodc.) sometimes more, and sometimes less, as they can make their bargain.  
But as I have heard (quoth Fr.) that there are another sort of Kn. of the post, that will bear false witness in any man's behalf that will hire them, such as came to swear against Christ, whose Glory is their shame: And albeit some of them do make a show of Christianity: yet are they void of all fear of God, and of no religion at all: but let us said ●. leave of speaking any further of them at this time: and at my coming back from Sea I will make a great number of them be manifestly known to the world. With that I that all this while lent earnest care to their talk, cast forth my verdict thus: it seemeth (qd I) M Goodco. that you & M. Fr. have been much conversant with these fellows because you know their names so well, & can open all these matters so perfectly: I was conversant with them so long said Good. that it grudged my conscience sore to see their dealings: and grieved my heart to be any longer in their company: so did it mine said Fr. and with that, there was other footmen that overtook us, which caused us to break of our talk, but Goodcole vowed deeply, th● if ever it were his good fortune to come from the sea again: not only to double what he hath spoken, but also to be a scourge for ever to all such deceitful persons: and so keeping company with the rest th● over took us, we drove out our time till we came to Shaftsburie, where M. Fréeman caused me to lay out money again for them both, saying he would change two or three pieces of gold at Exeter & pay me all again: but when we came there, & that I had laid out all my money at his request: not one penny or piece of gold, had he in the world: but was feign to sell his cloak for very need: whereupon I was a little moved, to see myself thus ser●d in a strange place, & asked him if he were not ashamed to come so far to hear a tale, & to spend all his money too: and Goodc. on th● other side, was as blank as myself: in troth M. Fr. qd he, you had need now to go & receive your money at London, if there be any for you, is your great store of gold come to this reckoning? no marvel but you should have your chamber dose locked for fear of robbing. My masters qd. he, I have deceived you as you suppose, but none is deceived so much as myself: and if with patience you will hear me, I will show you: At the same time th● I landed at Brist. there was one with me, that came out of Ireland also: a man th● seemed to be of good credit, who had an Irish boy to wait upon him, & having been as he said long out of England, bend his journey to visit his friends in Lancashire: we coming over both in one ship, made accout also to lie in one lodging: & he having as well as myself good store of money, bought himself a new suit of Apparel at Brist, the which in my eye seeming fair & good, I would needs strait way buy me the like, which when I had done, I to have the residue of my gold sure, fe●ring either to be robed, or deceived thereof, ripped that lining of my doublet in divers places, & therein basted my gold most secretly, now that gentleman & I, lying together that night, the next morning he rose before me, and as it seemed, he put on my doublet & left me his: which I think on my conscience he did it simply & unknown to himself, be cause he made himself ready in my sight, and at his departure away, he brought me up into my chamber a pint of metheglin, and drinking to me he bade me farewell: now I supposing all this while that I had my own doublet on, made indeed no other reckoning: had therein great store of gold, but when that this morning I searched & found it not so, you may think that I was not a liltle grieved: therefore my masters here is the one half of that I had for my cloak, to bring you to Plymouth, & with the rest, I will travel into Lancashire to my gentleman, for my own doublet, and therefore till I see you again, adieu, and think hereafter no worse of me than you have found, and so we parted: he towards Lancashire, and we towards Plymouth. Thus much (gentle reader) have you heard of the cunning shifts & wicked devices of those lewd and e●●●l-minded persons: Wishing all honest men to be ware of them: and at Goodcoles' return from Sea, you shall be sure to see a second part hereof, and if any of them do spurn hereat: let him be well assured that the next will touch him to that quick, and in the mean space I do with this to be published to that view of that world, and so farewell.  
FINIS.