A BAWD. A virtuous Bawd, a modest Bawd: As She Deserves, reproove, or else applaud. Written by JOHN TAYLOR. Printed at London for Henry Gosson. 1635. To the neither Noble or Ignoble, Lord or Lady, kind or cruel, learned or ignorant, courteous or currish, Christian or Barbarian, Man or Woman, rich or poor: but to all and every one in general and particular. MOnsieur, and Madam Hydra, to your many Heads and variety of Censures I have made bold to dedicate a poor, harmless, modest, honest, and innocent Bawd; I know great persons of worth and Honour, are daily so visited with penurious shreds of Scholarship, fragments of Hexameters and Pentameters, scraps of Poetry, the scum and dregs of wit, and the froth and lees of wisdom: One salutes my Lord's Lordship at Breakfast with a Funeral Elegy, lamentably written, and is most miserably rewarded for his kindness. Another hunts out his Worship's ungentlemanly Knighthood, (having most intolerably be laboured his name with an Acroflicke or Anagram) which out of his vacuity of worthiness he rewards with not a penny. A third hath belied such a Lady or Gentlewoman's Beauty and qualities, in most abominable fashion, setting her forth for fair and virtuous; for the which he is rewarded according to the subject he wrote of, and his own demerits, with as much as comes to nothing. For these and some other respects, I thought it not fit to desire the patronage of any one person in particular, it being a subject that is common to all, for all, or any. At men are dispersed universally through the World, so a Bawd, being an universal creature, whose function is publicly scattered, I thought it not pertinent or accommodating, that she should be privately protected by any. Therefore as she hath been and is for all, so I dedicate her to all, knowing that all are better able to reward the Poet, than one alone. And this is further to advertise the Reader, that where I do speak of Spiritual Bawds, Bawdry, Adultery, or Fornication, that I have avoided profanity, obscenity, scurrility, and all manner of incivility or indecency; not meddling with Religion at all, but with a pitiful derision, and merry reprehension, explaining the abuses, foppish and sottish corruptions, that like so many Cankers or Caterpillars have and do daily eat, consume and putrify both the Purity and Piety of that Religion which boalts itself to be most Primitive and Catholic. For the other part of this Book, or Bawd, she is altogether civil or temporal, being not troubled so much as with one good Ecclesiastical word, but merely Paradoxical; setting forth the rare and singular virtues of a Bawd; wherein if any of my Readers can pick any pleasure, it is on apparent sign they have some wit, and if reap any profit, let them either thank me in words, or else reward me with silence. Yours so far, and no further than you are mine, JOHN TAILOR. A BAWD. MY Verse is honest, seemly, neat and clean, Yet is my Theme polluted and obscene: I'll touch foul pitch, yet will not be defiled, My Muse shall wade through dirt, & not be soiled. The Sun on noisome dunghills shines as well, As on fair flowers that do fragrant smell: The Air by which we live, doth every where Breathe still alike upon the poor and Peer. The Sea bears many an old despised * Witness my paper Boat. Boat, Yet on the Sea the best Ships do but float, And Earth allows to all her scattered brood, Food, Clothes and Lodging to the bad and good. Yet Sun, Air, Sea, nor Earth receive disgrace By any bounty which they give the base. Even so my Muse, (free from all foul intents) Doth take example from the Elements, In laying better studies by a while, And in clean fashion write a beastly style: Yet will I not my sense or meaning mar; With terms obscure, or phrases fetched from far Nor will I any way equivocate, With words sophistical, or intricate, Vtopian-Fustianisme, poor heathen Greek, To put my Readers wits to grope and seek. Small eloquence men must expect from me, My Scholarship will name things as they be. I think it good, plain English, without fraud, To call a spied a spade, a Bawd a Bawd. Two little Pamphlets I have wrote before, Which I was bold to call a Thief, and Whore, Yet was my Whore so chaste, that she had not, From end to end, one foul offensive spot; Nor did my Thief from any man purloin, Or lived by filching either goods or coin. And now by chance it came into my mind, That with the Bawd my Pen was much behind: My Whore was honest, and my Thief was true, And in this sort I'll give the Bawd her due. Strange fruit from my poor barren labour springs, I modestly must immodest things: 'Tis somewhat hard, but yet it is no riddle, All Bawdry doth not breed below the middle. So many several sorts of Bawds do grow, That where there's not a Bawd, 'tis hard to know. The first with spiritual Bawds, whose honour high Springs from the whoredom of Idolatry, Cast but your eyes upon the Man of Rome, That styles himself the Head of Christendom, Christ's universal Vicar, and Vicegerent, In whom fools think the Truth is so inherent, That he can souls to Heaven or Hell prefer, And being full of Errors, cannot err: And though his witchcraft thousands hath enticed, He will be called Lieutenant unto Christ. How hath that false Conventicle of Trent, Made laws, wch God, or good men never meant, Commanding worshipping of stones and stocks, Of Relics, dead men's bones, and senseless blocks, From which adulterate painted Adoration, Men (worse than stocks or blocks) must seek salvation? The Souls of men are His that dearly bought them, And he the only way to Heaven hath taught them. And who so forceth them to false adoring, Is the main Bawd unto this spiritual Whoring. Besides, it is apparent, and most clear, That he's the greatest Bawd the Earth doth bear: For he that tolerates the Stews erection, Allows them Privileges and Protection, Shares in the profit of their sordid sweat, Reaps yearly Pensions and Revenues great, Permits the Pole-Shorne fry of Friars and Monks, For Annual stipends to enjoy their Punks. When * Hen. Smith in his Treat. of Herodot. cap. 38 pag 303. Paul the third the Romish Mitre wore, He had contributory Trulls such store, To five and forty thousand they amount, As then Rome's Register gave true account. Besides, it was approved, the gain was clear * Cornelius Agrippa in his vanity of Sciences. Full twenty thousand ducats every year. Moreover, once a Bishop (boasting said, He had Ten Thousand Priests that paid (Some more, some less (by way of Rent or fines; Each * Idem. a Lucrece was first married to her own brother the son of Pope Aleaxander the sixth, she being daughter to the said pope, and daughter in law to him by the marriage with his son. And being concubine to the said Pope, he caused her after his son her husband's death, to be married to three princes one after another: First to Duke john Sforza. Secondly, to Lewis son to Alphonfus King of Arragon. Thirdly, to Alphonsus D. Est Duke of Ferara. b Her name was Constantia, she was married to a Duke named Sforza, but the Pope her father poisoned her, because he could not lawfully enjoy her. Also for the like be poisoned his sister. one of them for keeping Concubines. And he that keeps none, pays as much as he As for his use doth keep one, two or three. all's one, the Priests must pay t'augmentaugment the treasure Keep or not keep, Whore or not Whore at pleasure. Now judge, good Reader, have I said amiss, Was ever any Bawdry like to this? Pope ᵃ Alexander of that name the sixth, With his own child incestuously commixed. And Paul the third (affecting the said Game) With his own ᵇ daughter did commit the same: And after with his sister took such course, That he with her did do as bad or worse. john the thirteenth, and other more, 'tis plain Have with their sisters and their daughters lain, And when their stomaches have been gone & passed, To Princes they have married them at last. Here's Bawds of State, of high and mighty place, Our Turnbul street poor Bawds to these are base. But these brave doings better to disclose, A little while I'll turn my Verse to Prose. The forenamed Lucrece being dead, had this Epitaph bestowed on her, written by Pontanus: Here lies Lucrece by name, but Thais in life, The Pope's child, and spouse, & yet his ownsons' wife. Besides, I found a cursed catalogue of these venereal Caterpillars, who were suppressed with the Monasteries in England, in the time of King Henry the eight, with number of trugs, which each of them kept in those days, as those; Christopher james a Monk of the Order of Saint Bennet in Canterbury, had three whores, all married women: William Abbot of Bristol, four: Nicholas Wbyden Priest kept four in Windsor Castle: in the same place George Whitthorne five, Nicholas Spoter five, Robert Hun five, Robert Daveson six, Richard the Prior of Maidenbeadly five; In Shuldred Monastery in Chichester Diocese, George Walden the Prior seven, john Standnep seven, Nicholas Duke five; In Bath Monastery Richard Lincombe seven, three of them married: john Hill in the Cathedral Church at Chichester but thirteen; john White Prior of Bermondsey had no more but twenty: all this Rabble was found and known in England; let a man imagine then how many were not known, and what a goodly brood of Barnes were fathered upon those that never begat them: withal, if England were so stored with them, it is not to be doubted but all the rest of the Christian world did swarm with these lecherous Locusts. Moreover, much knavery (Bawdry I should say) may be covered under the veil of Auricular Confession; for the Priest having a young pretty maid or wife at shrift, will know her disposition, grope out all her secret conveyances, and craftily underfeele her policies, and for a penance for her faults past, she is enjoined to commit a sin present. The unloading of her Conscience (many times) proving the burden of her belly Forty weeks after. And in this manner the most zealous Catholic, or the most jealous Italian, may be most devoutely cornuted under the cloak of Confession and Absolution. Besides a most pernicious Bawd is he, That for poor b A flattering hireling Preacher, is a Bawd to the vices of his surly Patron, and an hypocritical conniver at the crying sins of his Audience. scraps, and a bare ten pounds' fee, Dares not his mighty Patron to offend, Or any way his vices reprehend, Nor preach against pride, oppression, usury, Dice, drink, or drabs, vain oaths or simony, Nor Venial sin or Mortal, or nothing That may his Worship in the Withers wring: But every way must fit his Text and time, To leave untouched th' Impropriators crime: Thus those whose functions Heaven doth signify, (Who should like trumpets lift their voices high) Are mute and muzzled, for a hireling price, And so are Bawds unto their Patron's vice; For he's a Bawd who doth his living win, By hiding, or by flattering people's sin. The * The Devil is the chief Bawd. Prince of darkness, King of Acheron, Great Emperor of Styx and Phlegeton, Cocytus' Monarch, high and mighty Dis, Who of Great Limbo-lake Commander is, Of Tartary, of Erebus, and all Those Kingdoms which men Barathrum do call, He is the chiefest Bawd, and still he plods To send us whoring after godless gods: And by his sway, and powerful instigation, Hath made the world stark drunk with fornication. For since the first Creation, never was The least degree of Bawdry brought to pass, But he began it, and contrived it still, He laid the plot, and did the Act fulfil. So that of all the Bawds that ever were, The Devil himself the Bell away doth bear: Yet all his whoring base Idolatry, Did seem Religious zealous sanctity. As thus He blinded and withdrew people so far from the service and knowledge of the true God, that they prayed to Pomona for the increase of their fruit, to Ceres for Corn and Graine, to Silvanus for wildfowl, to Bacchus for wine, to Neptune for fish, to Mars for the success of Wares and Captains, to Phoebus for Physic and Music, to Saturn for labourers and workmen in husbandry, to Pallas for valour, to Minerva for wisdom, to jupiter for men of state and port, to Inno for Pomp and jewels, to Vulcan for fire and lightning, to Venus for beauty and lascivious pleasure, to Luna for calmness and fair weather, to Pluto for riches, to Mercury for learning and eloquence, to Flora for flowers, to Proteus for disguises, to Pan for pipers, to Aeolus for winds and storms, to Bellona for battles and conquests, to Lucina for women with child, to Faunus for Goats and Venison, to Clotho for spinning out the thread of life, to Lachesis for winding or reeling it, and to Atropos for cutting it off: my he led them into more ridiculous sorts of spiritual adultery, as to worship with religious adoration, Cats, Dogs, Toads, Beetles, Serpents, Fools, Madmen, Privies Onions, Garlic, and many other damnable inventions, not to be numbered. Nevertheless, whosoever will but look into the lying Legend of Golden Gullery; there they shall find that the poor seduced ignorant Romanists do imitate all the idolatrous fornication of the Heathen Pagans, and Infidels; and that they put their He and She Saints, to far more base and ignominious offices, than these unbelievers of former ages did dare to put upon their (vain imaginary) gods, as they make Saint Crespine a Shoemaker, and Saint Roch the Patron of Sowter's and Cobbler's, they put Saint Wendelin to keep sheep, and they make Saint Pelage a Cowherd or Neatherd, Saint Antony hath the protection of their Swine, Saint Vitus or Vitellus, aelias, Saint Calf, an excellent patron or protector to cure those that are bitten of a Spider called Terrantulla, or Phallanx. They acknowledge Saint Gertrude for an excellent Rat-catcher, and Saint Hubert for a good Dog-keeper (some say a cunning Huntsman:) the Smiths must pray to Eloye, the Painters to Saint Luke, the Bakers must invocate Saint Honore, the Mariner's Saint Nicholas, Saint You is for the Lawyers, and Saint Anne to find things that are stolen or lost, whilst Saint Leonard is the only Saint to set prisoners at liberty, by opening the doors in the night, and make their Shackles fall off without any noise or knocking. Besides they make job a Physician to cure the Pox, when as that foul disease was not known in any part of the world many hundred years after jobs days; for in the year 1496. (Charles' the eight being then the French King) the Pox was brought from Naples into France, having but a little before been very thriftily by the Spaniards purchased from the Americans or West Indians: And therefore they do job wrong to make a Mountebank of him, in ascribing cures to him beyond his skill or knowledge: but all is one for that, he must be content with his office, as Saint Valentine is with the falling sickness, Saint Roch with scabs and scurfes, Saint Sebastian with the Plague, Saint Entrope the Dropsy, Saint Genou the Gout, Saint Petronella the Ague or any Fever, Saint Apollonia the Toothache; * A Glister of Holy water I think, would better drive out the Devil. Saint Roman, they say, dispossesseth Devils out of the possessed, & Saint Maturine is the mad men's Saint to cure the Frenzy. It is to be doubted, that Physicians and Chirurgeons have small take, where all these skilful Saints are so employed, except now and then they get a Patient by chance, when the good Saint is overbusied, or not at leisure. Moreover, there is a great contention amongst them, to what Saint they shall commit the keeping of their Geese: some will have Saint Andoch, some Saint Gallicet, and some Saint Feriall: the business is very weighty, and requires mature deliberation and ripe judgement: some there are that would deprive Saint Wendoline (before named) of his keeping sheep, and bestow the place upon Saint Wolf, which is a very unsuitable name for a Shepherd. By this which hath been said, the Reader may perceive what a cunning Bawd the Devil is, to adulterate the true service of the eternal God with these whorish inventions. And so though I could amplify this point to a larger extent, in describing spiritual Bawds and Bawdry, yet now I think fitting to avoid tediousness, and to treat of this subject in other garbs and fashions. It is reported by Henry Stephens in his Apology or defence of Herodotes, the first Book, 21. Chapt. pag. 182. That a merry disposed Priest got a pretty Lass behind the high Altar upon a good Friday in the morning, where he thought all the He and She Saints were contented to keep Counsel, but it was known to the Legate of Auignion (by the intelligence of no Saint) which Legate after he had wisely considered on what day and time, and in what place the cleanly conveyance was acted, he out of his charity concluded a Priest to be mortal, and that flesh was frail, for which respects (upon promise of amendment) he was absolved and released. Moreover great * Emperor's have been Bawds. Emperors and Kings have been Bawds, as Suetonius Tranquillius writes of Tiberius Caesar, that he had Cells, and Caves, and Vaults in his house, where he had a nursery of Whores, and oftentimes would have the execrable sport committed in his presence. The Emperor Domitian followed his admirable example, and Heliogabolus went so far beyond them in the Art of Bawdry, that he made Punies of them both. And of latter years a * A King of Castille, or Spain, Bawd to his own wife. King of Castille, called Henry the unable, because he could vot have a child by his wife to inherit after him: he kindly entreated one of his Lords to take the pains to beget an Heir for him. There was a rich Burger of Antwerp, a Mercer by his trade, who was a Bawd to his own wife (though it was against his will or knowledge) but I blame him not, for I doubt he hath many more fellows as innocent and ignorant as himself, but this was the case, his wife wearing Cork-shoes, was somewhat light-heeled, and like a foul player at Irish, sometimes she would bear a man too many, and now and then make a wrong Entrance: The sum was that she loved a Doctor of Physic well, and to attain his company she knew no better or safer way, then to feign herself sick, that he under the colour of visitation might feel her pulses, and apply such cordial Remedies as might either ease or cure her. In brief, the Doctor being sent for, comes and finds the Mercer her husband walking in his shop with a neighbour of his, where after a Leash of Congees, and a brace of Baeza los manus, the Mercer told him that his Wife is a languishing sick woman, and withal entreats him to take the pains to walk up the stairs, and minister some comfort unto her. Master Doctor, who knew her disease by the Symptoms, ascends up into the Chamber to his longing Patient, staying an hour with her, applying such directions and refections, that her health was upon the sudden almost half recoveered; so taking his leave of her (with promise of often visitation) he comes down into the shop, where the guiltless Bawd her husband was, who demanding of the Doctor how all did above, truly quoth he, much better than when I came, but since I went up, your wife hath had two such strange violent fits upon her, that it would have grieved your very heart to have seen but part of one of them. I myself do know two men that lighted by chance into one of these houses of Iniquity in Antwerp, and I dare be sworn that they went to commit no carnal act, nor did commit any; but they perceiving a pretty painted piece of Punks flesh, did suspect in what house they were, the one of them taking her by the hand, did ask her some questions (wherein I think was not one word of God;) the other impatient that his fel'ow had engrossed all the familiarity and talk with the wench, begins to stamp, knock and call, at which the man of the house enters, demanding, What do ye lack? You base rascal, quoth the other, have you no more Whores in your house, must I stand like a jack an Apes here empty handed? Good sir, (quoth mine Host) be patient, and I will presently send mine own wife to wait upon you. Nor is the skill and knowledge of a substantial or absolute Bawd easily gotten or learned; no my Masters, there is more in the matter then so; Frist, she is a young pretty Girl, and passeth time away in the instructions, rudiments, and documents of a Whore, till she hath attained (with many hazards) to the years of 30 or 35. in all which space she hath not spent her time idly, but hath been a creature of much use, having for the common cause, adventured the blemish of her Reputation, the rigour of the Laws, as whip, Penance, Imprisonments, Fines, Fees to Justice's Clerks, Beadles, and such inferior Relics of Authority. Besides, her valorous combats and conflicts with Diseases, (wherein she often approves herself one of the profitablest members in a Commonwealth to Physicians and Chyrurgians:) having (I say) passed all these degrees with much peril and jeopardy of her body, * No toleration. then look higher and think but on the shipwreck of her soul, (an adventure of a greater price than she is aware of;) then towards the declining of her life, and that her beauty fades, What a deal of charge is she at with sophisticated Art, White and Red, to emplaster decayed Nature? Her humility being such, that when her own head is bald, she will wear the cast hair of any he for she sinner, that made a voyage in a string from Tyburn, to either Heaven or Hell. And lastly, when as Art can no longer hide the sorrowed or wrinkled deformities of her overworn Age; then (like a true well-willer to the old trade she hath ever followed,) Whoring having left her very unkindly before she was willing to leave it: she, (as her proper right for her long service) takes upon her the office and authority of a Bawd, and as she was brought up herself, so with motherly Care her Employment is to bring up others, wherein her pains is not small, in hiring Country wenches, that come up weekly with Carrier's, and putting them in Fashion, selling one Maidenhead three or four hundred times, and sometimes with great labour and difficulty she's forced to persuade men's wives and daughters; all which considered, a Bawd doth not get her living with so great ease as the world supposeth; nor is her adventure, pains, charge and peril to be inconsiderately slighted. And as blabbing, babbling, taletelling, and discovering the faults and frailties of others, is a most common and evil practice amongst too many: so on the other side, the virtues of a Bawd are much illustrated and confirmed by contrary effects: For she is the main store-house of secrecy, the Maggazin of taciturnity, the closet of connivance, the inumbudget of silence, the cloakebagge of council, and the Capcase, sardle, pack, * A necessary male for a man to truss up his trinkets is. male, (or female) of friendly toleration. She is full of intolerable charity, for her whole trade and course of life is to hide and cover the faults of the greatest offenders, in which regard she is one of the principal secretaries to the great Goddess Venus, and one of her industrious vigilant most horrible privy counsel, not being ignorant of the liberal Arts and Sciences, and exceedingly qualified in the seven deadly sins. And (for her further behoof) she hath and insight and can fashion herself to the humours of all Nations, degrees, conditions, mysteries and occupations. First, for her knowledges in the Arts and Sciences, she hath the grounds of a A Bawd a Grammarian. Grammar, whereby she can speak and write Amorously, feignedly, merrily, lamentably, craftily, purposely, Bawdily: these words all ending in Lie (do make her true dealing questionable) yet her aim is to live profitably, though her fate is to dye miserably. Her skill in b An Astronomer. Astronomy cannot be small, for she hath been an often stargazer lying on her back, practised in elevations, retrogradations, Conjunctions, and planetary revolutions; but indeed she is more addicted to accept the Moon for her Mistress, than the Sun for her Master, which makes her expert in nightworkes, ever changing from quarter to quarter, not long abiding in any place: sometimes shining in Ladylike resplendent brightness with admiration, and suddenly again eclipsed with the pitchy and tenebrous clouds of contempt and deserved defamation. Sometimes at the Full at Pickt-hatch, and sometimes in the Wane at Bridewell, A Bawd is a c A Logician. Logician, which is perceived by her subtle and circumventing speeches, doubtful and ambiguous Apothegms, double significations, intricate, witty, and cunning equivocations, (like a skilful Fencer that casts his eye upon a man's foot, and hits him a knock on the pate) so she, by going the further about, comes the nearer home, and by casting out the Lure, makes the Tassel-gentle come to her fist. For Rhetoric, she must have the Theoric and Practice, that though the subject of her Discourse or writing be foul and deformed, yet must she (like a d Mounthink, Rarearcher, or Landloper. Medicine-monger, Quack-salver, that covers his bitter pills in Sugar) with the Embroidery of her Ecquence, flourish over her immodest pretences, under the enchanting and various colours of pleasure, profit, estimation, love, reputation, and many more the like. But of all the e Arithmetic. Arts, I think she be most unperfect in Arithmetic; for though she hath been brought up to know Divisions & Multiplications, yet she hath traded but by Retail, altogether in Fractions and broken Numbers, so that her accounts were seldom or never to number her days, not caring for the Past or the Future, her mind (like a Dial) always fixed upon the Present given much to over and under-reckoning, for at forty years old she would be but twenty one, & at threescore she will be no less than fourscore: so that the mark being out of her mouth, we must take the Apocryphal account of her age from her own Arithmetic without any further warrant. Cornelius Agrippa approves a Bawd for an excellent a Geometry. Geometrician for devising engines to climb into windows, as ladders of Ropes, or such like, to scale the castle of comfort in the night, or the making of Picklocks or false keys, wherein the Bawds care and providence is great, in greasing & oiling locks, bolts and hinges, to avoid noise, she knows her Angles, Triangles, quadrangles, squares, rounds, circles, semicircles and centres, her altitudes, longitudes, latitudes and dimensions; yet for all this skill of hers, she hath much ado to live squarely, according to Geometrical rules, or to live within any reasonable Compass. As for b Music. Music, it is to be conjectured by her long practice in Pricksong, that there is not any note above Ela, or below Gamut, but she knows the Diapason: (a Bawd is old dog at a Hornpipe. her chiefest Instrument is a Sackbut, her female minikins do bring in her Means, and her Trebles, the Tenor of all is that herself is the Base.) Besides, there are many pretty provocatory Dances, as the Kissing dance, the Cushion dance, the Shaking of the sheets, and such like, which are important instrumental causes, whereby the skilful hath both clients and custom. c Poetry. Poetry many times (though she understand it not) doth her as good service; for the most of our great Bawds are diligently waited on by scurrilous oily sonneting, practical, Poetical, panegyrical Panders, acquaint trencher Epigrammatists, hungry and needy Anagrammongers, their conceits being either commending or provoking Bawdry: as one being requested by a Gentleman to invent him a poesy for a Ring which he meant to give his Love, the conceit was: Have you any Logs to cleave? a Painting. Painting and graving are now and then profitable servants to Bawds, as the naked Pictures of Venus, and Diana and her darlings; Aretine, and diverse other in that kind can testify; but commonly all she- Bawds, are or have been painters themselves or painters of themselves, by which bold practice they are bold, adventurous, impudent, and audacious, fearing no colours. As for b Physic and Chirurgery. Physické and Chirurgery, she hath been so much practised upon, that by long continuance, she's a most excellent Empiric, so that a man need not doubt but an ancient professed Bawd can play the Mountebank. Moreover, many old Bawds are skilled in c Palmistry and Fortune-telling. Palmistry or Chiromancy, by looking into the hand of a man or woman, or Physiognomy, and Metoposcopi, in viewing of the face or forehead, by which she professeth to tell the parties how many husbands or wives they shall have, how long they shall live, when they are near a good or bad turn; but above all, her skill is much credited to help young women breed and fructify, so that if she be as barren as a Stockfish, yet the matronly medicines and instructions of this wise cunning woman, will in a little time make her increase with a vengeance, and multiply with a mischief. Besides her skill in these forenamed Arts and sciences, she hath an insight and practice into all Mysteries and manual trades; she can imitate a deceitful d Mercer Mercer in setting out her ware, fair to the eye, and false in the die, with an outside of glorious gloss, and an inside of rotten decayed dross, more for pride or pleasure, then for providence or profit. Like a bold a Grocer. Grocer, she cares not a Fig for any man, she knows flesh is frail, yet she hath many Reasons to live by, she runs her race long, and she is able to Pepper as many as have any dealing with her; tooth Likorish, tongue Liquorish, etc. She knows a bribe to a Catchpole is a sufficient as an Almond for a Parrot, to free her from the heat of the Mace. Master Clove at the sign of the Sugarloaf, is a sweet youth, whose Candied Visitation will keep her estate Currant till age and diseases wear her quite out of date. b A young rich heir newly come to his lands or portion, is a Bawds Broadcloth, whom she measures out in parts, I will not tell you with what yard, but I think no London measure, till in the end, only a poor Remnant remains; her meaner Merchandise are Tradesmen, and poor Servingmen; these serve for course Kerseys, Bays, Cottons, and Pennistones, to line her inside with Sack, Hot waters, and Aqua vitae. Though she live after the flesh, all is c Fishmongers and Fishermen. Fish that comes to the Net with her; she is a cunning Angler, and gets her living by hook or by crook, she hath baits for all kind of Frye: A great Lord is her Groneland Whale, a Country Gentleman is her Codshead, a rich Citizen's son is her Soused Gurnet, or her Gudgeon, A Puritan is her Whiting-mopp, her Lobster is a Scarlet Townsman, and a severe justice of Peace is her Crab; her meanest Customers are Sprats and Pilchards, whilst the Punk is her Salt Eel, and the Pander her Shark & Swordfish; And though she deal most in Scorpio, yet she holds correspondency with Pisces, for they are both Signs that attend upon Venus: Friday is her day, and a day of doom to more Fish than all the days in the week beside. And Fish by nature is provocatory, as appears by the chaste lives of fasting fish-eating Friars and Nuns, whose notorious (qusia) meritorious continency is touched partly afore. She differs from the d Goldsmith. Goldsmith in the Touch, the Test, and the Weight, yet she puts the best side of her ware outward; she casts and hammers her wenches into all fashions; she hath them burnished, polished, punshed and turned, and if any of them by a fall, or too much heat be bruised, cracked, or broken, she can solder them together again, and make them marketable. There is scarce any Art, Mystery, Trade or Manual Occupation, but a Bawd hath a reference or allusion to it, or it to her. Therefore to run division through them all, would be long labour to little purpose: In which respects having spoken of a few, I'll skip over the rest to avoid tediousness; and to free myself from the imputation of partiality, I will at last allude her to a Waterman; for of all Degrees, Languages, Tongues, Nations, Ages, Sexes, Functions, and Fraternities are welcome and well entertained to the one and the other (provided that they bring money in their purses.) And as the Waterman rows one way, and looks another, so a Bawds words and meaning do very seldom go together. Our five Senses are the Cinque Ports of Bawdry, each one in his office being the Heart's Bawd: The Hearing conveys Tunes, Tales, Rymes, Riddles, Songs, Sonnets, and Madrigals. The Sigh● wanders, searcheth, seeks, finds and brings hom● (into the very bedchamber of the heart) amoro●● actions: provocatory gestures, effeminate glances, alluring looks, pictures of prostitution, and venereal vanities. The Taste plays the Bawd with both Art and Nature, and searcheth through the Earth, Seas and Skies for variety of temptation poor and innocent Lambstones, Potatoes, Eringoes Crabs, Scallops. Lobsters, Wilkes, Cockles, Oysters, Anchovies and Caviar, Cock-sparrows, Coxcombe-pyes, and all manner of feathered fowl from the Eagle to the Wren, do wait upon the Taste, and the Taste attends the appetite. The Snul is the scenting Bawd, that huffs and snuffs up and down, and hath the game always in the wind, that is a right smell-smock sense, who is wonderfully pleased to be led by the nose, can hunt dry foot, and smell out venery nimbler than a pinchgut Usurer will nose out a feast. Touching or Feeling is a very merry Bawd and though a man or woman can neither Hear, See, Taste or Smell, yet Feeling may remain: It is the last sense that keeps us company, and were it not for feeling, all the rest of the senses were but senceslesse. And thus much more in excuse of a Bawd, though she live by one of the Seven Deadly Sins which is Lechery; No man can deny Pride too be ●●other of the said Septarchy, yet the Mercer, the Silkman, the Embroiderer, the Drawer, the Cutter, the Tailor & the Feather-maker, the new fashion-monger, the Devil and all thrive by Pride, and might shut up shop, if Pride were not. Gluttony and Drunkenness is another of the brood, yet were it not for superfluous, voluptuous gurmandizing, and extraordinary swinish swilling and drinking; the Wine-Merchant, the Vintner, the Maltman, the Brewer, the Tapster, Poulterer, the sellers of Eringoes and Potatoes, and the Cook would have but very cold take. Covetousness is another whelp of the same kind, yet were it not for ravenous oppression, devouring Extortion, biting Usury, Bribery, Detoir, and Cozenage, Dives would not, or could not far deliciously and be clad in Purple, nor the hackney Coach be in such common request. Envy is a high point of State, and he is no perfect Politician that repines not at the happiness of all men (but himself:) commonly it gives due attendance in Princes Courts, and feeds upon the detraction of Noble actions; It eats into honour as a Canker doth into the best and choicest fruit, yet doth it live, thrive, wear good clothes, is esteemed a talon of high wisdom and valour. Wrath is a bloodhound of the aforesaid kennel, yet Armourers, Cutlers, Fencers, Chyrgians, and Bone-setters would be idle, and unimployment and means, if Wraeth did not overcome Patience, and Madness dispossess Discretion and Reason. Sloth is the last of the list, (and well may it come last, because it is the laziest) yet is it a Gentleman like quality, and a Ladylike disposition to be idle and live upon the sweat of others; Manual trade or handicrafts are counted base and mercenary, a good industry is contemptible; laudable endeavour Mechanical, and to take pains and labour, is drudgery and mere slavery. Thus by Pride a man may come to be one of the Masters of his Parish; by Gluttony and Drunkenness, he may hap to mount to a place of reputation and worship; by Covetousness he may get a damnable deal of wealth, and be accounted a good man; by Envy, he may be esteemed conceited, politic, grave and wise: by Wrath he may gain the titles of valiant and resolute; and by Sloth and Idleness he may be perfectly known for a Ge●●man: * All vices are in high account and great respect, but only Bawds occupation: yet many men have an itching desire in private, to that which he will condemn in public. And is it not a wonder, that these six deadly sins, should be so uncharitable to the seventh, as to rob it of all earthly reputation, where if a man do consider them rightly, there is never a barrel better Herring; nor doth the Bawd live in a worse estate or condition, than the Proudest Gluttonous Drunkard, or the most Covetous, Envious wretch: The Wrathful bloody villain, or the idle slothful drone, are clogged with vices as vile and abominable as a Bawd, yet for all this, the purblind partial world doth hug, embrace, cherish and reverence all these enormities, only a Bawd, a silly painful, serviceable Bawd, is held odious and contemptible. Commonly most of the she- Bawds have a peculiar privilege more than other women: for generally they are not starveling creatures, but well larded and embossed with fat, so that a Bawd hath her mouth three stories of Chins high, and is a well-fed Emblem of plenty; and though she be but of small estimation, yet is she always taken for a great woman amongst her neighbours. * The patience of a Bawd. On former Shrove-Tuesdayes, when the unruly Rabble did falsely take upon them the name of London Prentices, than two or three thousand of those boothaling pillaging Rascals, would march madly to the habitations of the most famous Bawds, where they would robustiously venture, breaking open Doors, battering down Walls, tearing down tiles, pulling down windows, rending Trunks, Chests, Cupboards, Tables, and Bedsteads in pieces; ripping and emboweling Bolsters and Featherbeds, ravishing her maids or stale virgins, spoiling all they stole not, and stealing what they liked, beating the grave Bawd, and all her female vermin, most unmanly and unmannerly. In all which uncivil civil hostility, the singular patience of the Bawd, is worthy admiration; not giving any of these landsharkes an ill word, or showing any sign of anger or desire of revenge, but entreating the most rough-hewd Rogues in the company, with the styles of honest worthy Gentlemen with I pray you, I humbly desire you, I heartily- beseech you, to assuage your fury, appease your wrath mollify your anger, suppress your ire, mitigate your rage. These and like Phrases a modest ancient Bawd would discreetly utter to her greatest enemies, rendering good words for bad deeds, when they were doing or had done to her all the mischiefs before named, nor ever after would she offer to take any legal course, as to cause them to be brought before a justice, whereby the Law might in some sort give her satisfaction. In which sufferance the great patience of a Bawd is remarkable. We do esteem a Fountain, Well, or Spring to be the more clear from poison, if a Toad, Newt, or a snake, be in either of them, for we imagine that those venomous creatures do suck or extract all the contagion of that Crystalline Element into themselves. a The necessity of a Bawd. In the like nature, a Bawd is the snuffers of the Commonwealth, and the most wholesome or necessary Wheelbarrow or Tumbril, for the close conveyance of man's luxurious nastiness, and sordid beastiality. Ravens, Kites, Crows, and many other birds of prey, are tolerated to live unhurt, not for any good that is in themselves, but because they do good offices in devouring and carrying away our Garbage and noisome excrements, which they live by; and if they were not our voluntary Scavengers, we should be much annoyed with contagious savours of these corrupted offals. These are the right patterns of an industrious Bawd, for she picks her living out of the laystall on dunghill of our vices; if she thrive and grow fat, it is with the Merdurinous draff of our imperfections, (for she is seldom beholding to an honest man for so much as a meal's meat) she robs not the virtuous of any part of their virtue, she lives only by the vicious, and in this sort she is an executioner of sinners, and in the end gives the most wicked cause to repent, leaving them such aching remembrance in their joints, that their very bones rattle in their skins. In other trades, when Apprentices come out of their years, they are allowed to set up for themselves, and to have other Apprentices under them. He that hath been a Grammar Scholar, when he cometh to ripeness of learning and judgement, will think himself able and sufficient to be a Schoolmaster, and to have Scholars under him: and why should not b The equity of a Bawd. Whores have a Mistress of their own dealing-trade, that they may have Apprentices under their nurture and discipline, who may by their obedience in their minority, be advanced to command others in the same mystery or occupation? And therefore the law (in this point) favouring their vocation, why should any Consorious Cato plead the Law for banishing of any Bawds? Why should any Ecclesiastical Laws in Foreign Countries, debar Bawds and their disciples from the Sacrament; as if they were not i●● Charity, when as they are known to be so catholicly charitable, that they extend their c The charity of a Bawd. love to all without exception, and are ready enough to forgive all the world, knowing themselves to be such great offenders, that they much need forgiveness? Well fare d The Philosophy of a Bawd. the Commonwealth plotted to Plato, who would have no woman appropriate to any man (it seems he was a great enemy against enclosures, who would have all thus lie common) his reason was very Philosophical, the like whereof is not to be found either in Don Quixot, or Sir Thomas Moores Utopia, namely, that when no child had any proper father, every man would love every child as his own, and so the whole City should be happy in a Combination of an universal love equally extended to all. If so wise a man as Plato, was not ashamed to make himself the universal Bawd of a whole Commonwealth, why should any of our unlearned neighbours that have read far fewer Books than he, be ashamed to be accounted procuring Panders in one house, in the skirts of a City, for the Platonical Conjunction of their neighbours within a street or two adjoining. * The civility of a Bawd. In Italy and most civil Countries, it is counted a most uncivil curiosity to ask any man (though after long acquaintance) of what religion he is, or whence he cometh, or whither he goeth, or whether he be a married man, or intent to marry. Who then more civil or fairly mannered then the Bawds: or they never put any of their customers to the rack to confess, nor do they torture their guests with the saucy inquiry of whence come you? How long will you tarry in Town? Have you a wife at home Or are you a loose Bachelor? are you a Gentleman? a Merchant, or Tradesman? are you a Catholic, or reform? the Bawd I say, is so civil, that she never will ask any of these questions; one thing only she studieth and practiseth, which is diligently to demand* whether a man have any money in his purse, which is no impertinent question: for the Law doth authorise a Landlor to demand his Rent upon the ground where it is due, although sometimes he lets his tenant enjoy his house or land a quarter, of half a year before he receive any rent: A waterman sweats and lands his fare before he looks for money. The Host suffers his guest to eat his meat, before anon, anon, with the white Apron comes in with thus much to pay, and ye are welcome; no man at any game takes up his win before the Game be won; an Usurer takes no forfeit before the day of payment be part; but the Bawd in her demand is more wise and provident, than all these trades and functions, for she like a Butcher takes present pay for her flesh, she will be sure to have her wages before she afford you her pennyworth, you shall not drink at her muddy Well before you pay for it. She knows that Hope and Desire of that which is to come, is a better paymaster, than grudging remembrance of fruition of that which is past. Herein she hath good examples to follow of no mean vocatious, the learned Physician and Chirurgeon would be loath to expect their reward till the cure be performed; the honestest Lawyer would plead but coldly if he might receive no Fees till his client's cause were judged. A Fencer will fight but faintly if he should take no money before his prize were played & the Players on their Public stage would act very poorly if their audience did not pay at their first coming in. The greedy haling and pulling of other men's goods, or insatiate appetite to feed, ingurgitate, guzzle and swill, are apparent marks or tokens of Intemperance; who then more Temperate than a Bawd? for * The temperance of a Bawd. she is so full of modesty that she lives only upon what people do give her: Men do voluntarily bring her revenues to her, she kindly takes no more than she can get, nor receives any thing but what is brought her, and as the Tailor steals not at all, because men do freely (and unconstrained) deliver their goods to him; even so, the Bawd cannot be taxed with depriving any man of more than he idly parts withal. Wise men have said, that virtue hath no great praise where there is no allurement or temptation to vice, and therefore have accounted it but small mastery for a judge to be uncorrupt where there are no bribes stirring, for a poor Clown to be humble that hath neither money nor clothes to be proud of; for a Drunkard to be sober where is no drink but fair water; for a notorious thief to refrain from filching, where there is not any thing to steal; or for one to live chaste in a Monastery or Nunnery: But here is the eminency of abstinence, and the true praise of virtue, for a man to fast at a delicious feast; to be dear from bribes or gentle rewards, where oppressions, extortions, strifes and contentions do continually grow and multiply: To be sober and thirsty where wines and strong drinks are plenty in variety; to be true and trusty amongst inestimable jewels, uncountable Treasure, or untold Gold. These are superarogating virtues, which though many boast of, yet few attain to: now the Bawd lives in the store-house of libidinous confraternity, in the shop of Venery, in the Garden of lascivious pleasure, in the Ever-growing and Flourishing field of vanity; amongst those that practise the excess of Luxury, none so near within ken of wantonness and dalliance; she admits into her house men flourishing in years, hot in their desires, and willing in performance, yet (for aught I know) * The chastity of a Bawd. a Bawd was never accused for committing fornication in her own person, (which is a rare mark of abstinence) for who can produce out of any record, that a Bawd was ever carted for playing the Whore? And this is her comfort when she is carted, that she rides when all her followers go on foot, that every Dunghill pays her homage, and every Tavern lookingglass pours bountiful reflection upon her, the streets and windows are full of spectators of her pomp. Shouts, acclamations and ringing on well tuned Banbury kettledrums, and barbarous Basins, proclaim and sound forth her triumphant progress, whilst she rides embroidered all over like a Lady of the soil, conducted in state out of the Eastern suburbs, to set up her trade fresh and new in the West. As concerning Religion or matters of * The conscience and religion of a Bawd. Conscience, she is a creature that will never run mad with beating her brains in any point of such high quality. For whereas it is a speech or proverb, to say, that an extortioner, usurer, or corrupted Magistrate hath a Large Conscience, so on the other part, it is a saying, that such a man or woman hath no Conscience: now between these extremes of large and none, the Bawd doth observe the mediocrity or mean: for to say that she hath a large catholic or universal Conscience, to entertain all comers, or all that would come to her, is false, for her conscience is bounded, caged, and imprisoned, & limited in any man purse or pocket, of what estate, condition or Religion soever. On the contrary, to say that she hath no Conscience at all, it were to do her an open injury, for she doth extend her entertainment, to as many as please to please her, and her charity doth always stretch as far as any man's money will reach: And to speak the truth, she hath great reason on her side; for if a man let his Horse to hire, or Ass to marker, he will look to be paid for the travel or pains of his Beast; and shall a Bawd let her Soul to the Devil for nothing? A Knight of the Post will not hazard damnation (and his ears to the Pillory to boot) but (if he be wise) he will be well paid for his labour. Will any great man oppress and undo a whole Country, and (with the loss of the Kingdom of Heaven) purchase an accursed portion of Earth, but that he will have terrestrial Angels minister to him here, making no account of the celestial hereafter? And shall the Conscience of a Bawd be Pinfolded so straight, that her Soul shall be of loss esteem than a Hackney man makes of his Horse or Ass? or a swearing and forswearing Rogue doth of his ears? no, no my Masters, she is wiser than so, she thinks it is a long journey to Hell, and therefore she doth thristily provide to save charges, that other men shall pay for her passage or Coach-hire: she will not travel so far upon her own cost she is so well beloved, that every one of her customers (will or must) give her something toward the reckoning, she hath more policy in her than to be damned for nothing; and she scorns to usurp a place in Hell without just title or desert. As for her Religion, it is of the same piece as her Conscience is, there went but a pair of shears between; with the Papist she will be Ceremonious for the * Of men's money. Cross, with the Puritan, she will be precise, casting her eyes up, when her thoughts are down, and accept the * Cross and Pyle. Pyle; she hath so brought up her scholars, that the name of God is too often in their mouths, for they will swear either with or without occasion; and as concerning matters of truth, she hath brought them up so, that they will lie with any man. Most of them are of the sect of the Family of Love, they differ only in this, the Familists do hold opinion, that only when the husband sleeps, that the wife may take as much liberty as a Cat, to play, etc. but the Bawd doth allow a larger toleration, and admits either man or woman to have access, and use their exercise both sleeping and waking. She is indeed addicted to any Religion, or all, or none, no further than her ease and profit doth incite her, for she knows that charity is a good huswife, and will begin her own work at home first: In which respect a Bawd holds a high point of Doctrine, to love herself better than she doth all the world beside: and in this she differs much from a Roman Catholic, that she builds not upon her Works, or hath any hope to be saved by her merits. And should persecution come, she will be no Martyr, she will neither hang for one religion, or burn for another, she knows that she came a raw creature into the world, and her resolution is, that neither religion or conscience shall send her roasted out of it. And thus I would have the Reader to consider; that the pains that I have taken in this description of a Bawd, is more than I would willingly do for the honestest woman that dwells between Smithfield-barres and Clerkenwell, and I know that there is not any of the trade so ingrateful, but that if myself or any friend of mine have occasion to use them, they will do their best for me, and go as near as they can to take our money. Neither have I discoursed of any upstart new fangled babble or toy, but of an ancient solid, real, and lasting thing, for when all trades are trade-fallen and broken, a Bawd may set up with little worth, or a thing of naught, and many times her luck is so fortunate, that she will * A Bawd is an excellent Chimmist. extract out of sin and wickedness, good money, good clothes, good meat, and almost good any thing, but good conscience: but that is but a poor beggarly virtue, which her contrary nature cannot agree withal, for she knows by old experience that it hath undone many, and that they are accounted none of the wisest, that make any account or reckoning of it. I am sorry that I have not dedicated this Book to some great Patron or Patroness: but the world is so hard to please, that I think it an easier matter to displease all, than every way fully to please one; for I did lately write a small Pamphlet in the praise of clean Linen, which I did dedicated to a neat, spruce, prime, principal and superexellent Laundress, and she in stead of protecting my labours, or sheltering my good and painful study, doth not only express her liberality in giving me nothing, but also she depraves and deprives me of that small talent and portion of wit and Poetry which nature hath given or lent me; most untruly affirming and reporting, that that Pamphlet was the invention of a grave and learned friend of mine, (whose employments are so urgent and eminent, and whose capacity is so mature and approved) that not one line, word, syllable, or letter is in that poor toy, but it is so far unlike a wiseman, that they all, and every one, do most truly and obediently call, john Taylor, Father. But belike she hath learned some frugal qualities, of some who are more honoured and worshipped, then honourable or worshipful, who take it for a point of thrifty wisdom to discomend where they do not mean to reward. It is a kind of policy, under which many better labours than mine have suffered persecution and Martyrdom; and belike my unkind Patroness is ambitious to follow the example of her betters. But I would have her to know, that if she had but gratefully accepted my Book of Clean Linen, that then I would have cudgeled and canvasde my Muse, I would have roused my spirits, belaboured my Invention, beaten my brains, thumped, bombasted, strapadoed, lambski'nd, and clapperclawed my Wits, to have mounted her praise one and thirty yards (London measure) beyond the Moon. But ingratitude is the poison of industry, & detraction is the destruction of good endeavours, for the which sins of hers, I will allot her no other punishment but this, that she shall remain as she was and is, the true wife to an honest Cobbler, A cleanly, trusty, chaste, loving and wellbeloved Laundress; whom (when the fates and destinies shall deprive Chancery-Lane of) than many polluted and slovenly Linen soylers shall lament in soul bands, black cuffs, and mourning shirts. a The industry and vigilancy of a Bawd. As Sloth and idleness are vices discommended in all Laws and Commonwealths, being enormites' of that high nature and vile condition that they have ruined whole Kingdoms, Cities, families, and many particular persons; so on the contrary, diligence, industry and careful vigilancy, are qualities that do not only erect States and Commonwealths, but they do also conserve and preserve whomsoever shall put them in use and practice: who then is more vigilant or industrious than a diligent Bawd, she is none of the seven Sleepers, nay she carefully watcheth whilst others sleep, she takes pains for the pleasure of many, she is the true Emblem or Image of security, her eyes like careful & trusty scouts or spies do foresee & prevent the danger of Mr Busiman the Constable with his ragged, rusty regiment. Moreover, she is not like a ship bound for Groneland, which must sail but in summer, or a pot of ale with a roast, which is only in winter: no let the wind blow where it will, her care is such, that it brings her prize & purchase all seasons, her b Or Punks. pinks are fraughted, her Pinnaces are maned, her friggors are rigged (from the beakhead to the Poop) and if any of her vessels be boarded by Pirates, and shot betwixt wind & water, they are so furnished with engines, that they'll send them packing with a pox, or else blow them quite up with a Devil's name: there is not a point in the compass but the skilful c A Bawd a skilful Navigaton. Bawd observes, if the wind be North or North-east, she expects profits out of the Low-countries, from Germany, Denmark, Norway, and sometimes a prize from Scotland; if at South or S. west, than her hopes are from France; but Spain & Italy do seldom or never fail her; And let it blow high or low, the Englishman is near on all occasions. She hath not been much accused for receiving uncustomed goods, for to speak the truth, she will harbour no ventured commodity in her warehouse; & if the Informer or Constable do light upon one of her concealed dryfats, Punchions, fardils or (naughty) packs, and having seized it by his office, & honestly laid it up safe in the storehouse of Bridewell, yet the Bawd will so compound in the business, that for a small toy, and a little sufferance, she'll redeem the Commodity & have her ware again in her own hands. d The plain dealing of a Bawd A Bawd is no deceiver of her customers, for what she promiseth she will perform, as for example, If she take a fee to help a man to a Whore she will not cheat him and bring him an honest woman; a bargains a bargain, and she will not sail you in a tittle: she plainly and openly shows herself what she is, she doth not dissemble or hide her function from her clients, under the veil of hypocrisy, and for her creatures that live under her, e A Bawd hath common sense and reason to take her part or share in her profession. she hath taught them their Art whereby they may live another day, when she is dead and rotten, and as they have their maintenance by her instruction, & under her protection, so it is fit that in requital of her pains, she should pick a revenue out of their comings in; she hath good precedents out of famous Authors for it: an old brave fellow took great pains in teaching of his Cuthorse, and the beast was so thankful for it, that he got his master's provender, and his own both, many years after. If a man teach an Ape to do tricks, the honest Ape will maintain him for it; I have seen a Hare get her master and dames living, with playing on a Tabor. The very Baboons are grave examples in this kind, Tumblers boys, (and sometimes their wives) do teach us this duty; and the ignorant Puppets do allow their maker and masters, meat, drink, and cloth. For mine own part, If I teach my man to row, I will have for my pains the greatest part of the profit. If I dig or plow and cast my Seed into the ground, I will expect the benefit of the Crop: If I plant or grass, I should think I had but hard measure, if I should not feed upon the fruit of my labour: By this consequence it is reason that a Bawd should reap where she hath sown, and eat, and live upon such fruit as she hath planted. To close up all, the Summe of all is this, I'll end my Book as Ovid ended his. So long as on the Poles the spangled firmament shall whirl, So long as Procreation shall beget a Boy or Girl, So long as winter shall be cold, or Summer shall be hot, So long as poverty and spite shall be true Virtue's lot, When Phoebus in the West shall rise and in the East shall set, When children on (their mothers) their own fathers shall beget; Then shall this Book, or Bawd lie dead, and never till that day, Shall Book or Bawd, or Bawd or Book, be scarce, if men will pay. Till Sun and Moon shall cease to shine, and all the World lie waste; So long his book, or else a Bawd, I'm sure, so long shall last. FINIS. A Common Whore With all these graces graced, she's very honest, beautiful and chaste. Written By JOHN TAYLOR Printed at London for Henry Gosson. 1635.