A New Discovery by Sea, with a Wherry from London to Salisbury. OR,  

A Voyage to the West,  
The Worst, or the Best.  
That e'er was expressed.   
By JOHN TAYLOR.  
LONDON, Printed by Edw: Allde for the Author. 1623.   

TO THE NOBILITY, Gentry, and Commonalty, Who are inhabitants, or wellwillers, to the welfare of the City of Salisbury, and County of Wiltshire.  
Right Honourable,  
Worshipful, and loving Countrymen, I have named my Book and Voyage, The Worst, or the Best, which I ever undertook and finished, and it lies in your pleasures, to make it which you please; I am sure for toil, travail, and danger, as yet I never had a worse, or a more difficult passage, which the ensuing Discourse will truly testify; yet all those perils past I shall account as pleasures, if my infallible Reasons may move or persuade you to clear your River, and make it Navigable from the Sea to your City; I have in part touched what the profit and Commodities of it will be unto you, and I have briefly showed the Inconveniences which you have through the want of it: I have also declared, that the main intent or scope of my coming unto you with a Wherry; was to see what lets or Impediments were the hindrances unto so good and beneficial a work. All which I have (according to my simple Survey, and weak Capacity) set down, which with the merrines of my most Hazardous Sea-progresse, I humbly Dedicate to your Noble, Worshipful and worthy Acceptances, ever acknowledging myself and my Labour in your services oo be commanded in all duty.  
john Taylor.   

A Discovery by Sea, from London to Salisbury.  
AS our account in Almanacs agree,  
The year called sixteen hundred twenty three:  
That julyes' twenty eight, two hours past dinner,  
We with our Wherry, and five men within her,  
Along the crystal Thames did cut and curry,  
Betwixt the Counties, Middlesex and Surry:  
whilst thousands gazed, we passed the bridge with wonder,  
Where fools & wise men go above & under.  
We thus our Voyage bravely did begin  
Down by St. Katherine's, where the Priest fell in,  
By Wapping, where as hanged drowned Pirates dye;  
(Or else such Rats, 

Any Ra● that eats Pie, is a Py●rat.  
When past down the River there was not any Post or Horn there, bu● since it is most worthily Repaired.   I think as would eat Pye.)  
And passing further, I at first observed  
That Cuckolds-haven was but badly served,  
For there old Time, had such confusion wrought,  
That of that Ancient place remained nought.  
No monumental memorable Horn,  
Or Tree, or Post, which hath those Trophies born,  
Was left, whereby Posterity may know  
Where their forefather's Crests did grow, or show.  
Which put into a maze my musing Muse,  
Both at the world's neglect, and Times abuse,  
That that stout Pillar, to Oblivions pit  
Should fall, whereon Plus ultra might be writ,  
That such a mark of Reverend note should lie  
Forgot, and hid, in black obscurity▪  
Especially when men of every sort  
Of countries, Cities, warlike Camps or Court,  
Unto that Tree are plaintiffs or defendants,  

All estates or degrees do either love or fear this Haven.  Whose loves, or fears, are fellows, or atendants:  
Of all estates, this Haven hath some partakers  
By lot, some Cuckolds, and some Cuckold-makers.  
And can they all so much forgetful be  
Unto that Ancient, and Renowned Tree,  
That hath so many ages stood Erected,  
And by such store of Patroness been protected,  
And now Ingloriously to lie unseen  
As if it were not, or had never been?  
Is Lechery waxed scarce, is Bawdry scant,  
Is there of Whores, or Cuckolds any want?  
Are Whoremasters decayed, are all Bawds dead,  
Are Panders, Pimps, and Apple-squires, all fled?  
No surely, for the Surgeons can declare  
That Venus wars, more hot than Marses are.  
Why then, for shame this worthy Port maintain,  
Let's have our Tree, and Horns set up again:  
That Passengers may show obedience to it,  
In putting off their Hats, and homage do it.  
Let not the Cornucopiaes of our land,  
Unsightly and unseen neglected stand:  
I know it were in vain for me to call  
That you should raise some famous Hospital,  
Some Free-schole, or some Alms house for the poor  
That might increase good deeds & open heaven's door  
'Tis no taxation great, or no collection  
Which I do speak of, for This great erection,  
For if it were, men's goodnesses, I know  
Would prove exceeding barren, dull, and slow:  
A Post and Horns, will build it firm and stable,  
Which charge to bear, there's many a beggar able;  
The place is Ancient, of Respect most famous,  
The want of due regard to it doth shame us,  
For Cuckold's Haven, my request is still,  
And so I leave the Reader to his will.  
But holla Muse, no longer be offended,  
'Tis worthily Repaired, and bravely mended,  
For which great meritorious work, my pen  
Shall give the glory unto Greenwich men.  
It was their only cost, they were the Actors  
Without the help of other Benefactors,  
For which my pen, their praises here adorns,  
As they have beautified the Haven with Horns.  
From thence to Debtford we amain were driven,  
Whereas an Anchor unto me was given  
With parting pints, and quarts for our farewell  
We took our leaves, and so to Greenwich fell.  
There shaking hands, adiews, and drink store  
We took our Ship again, and left the shore.  
Then down to Erith, against the tide we went  
Next London, greatest Mayor town in Kent  
Or Christendom, and I approve it can,  
That there the Mayor was a Waterman,  
Who governs, rules, and reigns sufficiently,  
And was the Image of Authority:  
With him we had cheap Reckon & good cheer,  
And nothing but his friendship we thought dear.  
But thence we roused ourselves and cast off sleep  
Before the daylight did begin to peep.  
The tide by Gravesend swiftly did us bring  
before the mounting Lark began to sing,  
And e'er we came to Lee, with speedy pace  
The Sun 'gan rise with most suspicious face,  
Of foul foreboding weather, purple, red,  
His Radiant Tincture, East, Northeast o'erspread,  
And as our Oars thus down the River pulled,  
Oft with a Fowling-peece the Gulls we gulled,  

* His name is Arthur Bray a Waterman of Lambeth, & a good Marksman.  For why the Master Gunner of our ship,  
Let no occasion or advantage slip,  
But charged and discharged, shot, and shot again,  
And scarce in twenty times shot once in vain.  
Fowl was the weather, yet thus much I'll say  
If't had been Fair, fowl was our food that day.  
Thus down alongst the spacious Coast of Kent  
By Grain, and Sheppeies' Lands down we went,  
We passed the Nowre-head, and the sandy shore  
Until we came to th'East end of the Nowre,  
At last by Ramsgates Peer, we stiffly Rowed  
The wind and tide, against us blowed and flowed,  
Till near unto the Haven where Sandwich stands,  
We were enclosed with most dangerous sands.  
There were we sowsd & slabberd, washed & dashed,  
And gravelled, that it made us 
* We were five men & two of us were afraid two were not afraid, and I was half afraid.  half abashed:  
We looked and pried, and stared round about  
From our apparent perils to get out,  
For with a Staff, as we the depth did sound,  
Four miles from land, we almost were on ground.  
At last (unlooked for) on our Larboard side  
A thing turmoiling in the Sea we spied,  
Like to a Meareman; wading as he did  
All in the Sea his neither parts were hid,  
Whose Brawney limbs, and rough neglected Beard  
And grim aspect, made half of us afeard,  
And as he unto us his course did make  
I courage took, and thus to him I spoke.  
Man, monster, fiend or fish, what e'er thou be  
That travelst here in Neptune's Monarchy,  
I charge thee by his dreadful Three-tined Mace  
Thou hurt not me or mine, in any case,  
And if thou beest produced of Mortal kind  
Show us some course, how we the way may find  
To deeper water, from these sands so shallow,  
I which thou seest our ship thus wash and wallow.  
With that (he shrugging up his shoulders strong)  
Spoke (like a Christian) in the Kentish tongue,  
Quoth he, Kind sir, I am a Fisherman  
Who many years my living thus have wan  
By wading in these sandy troublous waters  
For Shrimps, Wilks, Cockles, and such useful matters,  
And I will lead you, (with a course I'll keep)  
From out these dangerous shallowes to the deep.  
Then (by the nose) along he led our Boat  
Till (past the flatts) our Bark did bravely float,  
Our Sea-horse, that had drawn us thus at large  
I gave two groats unto, and did discharge.  
Then in an hour and a half, or little more,  
We through the Downs at Deale went safe on shore.  
There did our Hostess dress the Fowl we killed,  
With which our hungry stomaches well we filled,  
The morrow being Wednesday (break of day)  
We towards Dover took our weary way:  
The churlish winds awaked the Seas high fury,  
Which made us glad to land there, I assure ye.  
Blind Fortune did so happily contrive,  
That we (as sound as bells) did safe arrive  
At Dover, where a man did ready stand  
To give me Entertainment by the hand.  
A man of mettle, mark and note, long since  
He graced was to lodge a gracious Prince,  
And now his speeches sum, and scope and pith  
Is jack and Tom, each one his Cousin Smith,  
That if with pleasant talk you please to warm ye  
He is an Host, much better than an Army,  
A goodly man, well fed, and corpulent  
Filled like a bag-pudding with good content,  
A right good fellow, free of cap and leg,  
Of compliment, as full as any Egg:  
To speak of Him, I know it is of Folly,  
He is a mortal foe to Melancholy,  
Mirth is his life and trade, and I think very  
That he was got when all the world was merry:  
Health upon health, he doubled and redoubled,  
Till his, and mine, and all our brains were troubled,  
Unto our absent Betters there we drank;  
Whom we are bound to love, they not to thank,  
By us mine Host could no great profit reap  
Our meat and lodging, was so good and cheap,  
That to his praise thus much I'll truly tell,  
He used us kindly every way and well.  
And though my lines before are merry writ,  
Where ere I meet him I'll acknowledge it.  
To see the Castle there I did desire,  
And up the Hill I softly did aspire,  
Whereas it stands, impregnable in strength  
Large in Circumference, height, breadth, and length,  
Built on a fertile plat of ground, that they  
Have yearly growing twenty loads of Hay,  
Great Ordnance store, pasture for Kine and Horses,  
Rampires and Walls, t'withstand invasive forces,  
That be it well with truth and courage man'd,  
Munition, victualled, than it can withstand  
The powers of twenty Tamberlaines (the Great)  
Till in the end with shame they would Retreat.  
'tis governed by a grave and prudent 
The right Ho: the Lo: Zouch Lord Warden of the Cinque ports.  Lord,  
Whose justice doth to each their right afford,  
Whose worth (within the Castle, and without)  
The five Ports, and the country all about,  
The people with much love, do still recite,  
Because he makes the wronger's render Right.  
The kindness I received there was such,  
That my remembrance cannot be too much.  
I saw a Gun thrice eight foot length of Brass,  
And in a Wheel I saw a comely Ass  
(Dance like a Dog) that's turning of a Spit,  
And draw as it were from the infernal pit,  
(Whose deep Abyss is perpendicular  
One hundred fathom (or well near as far)  
So crystalline, so clear, and cool a water,  
That will in Summer make a man's teeth chatter,  
And when to see it up, I there had stood,  
I drank thereof, and found it sweet and good.  
So farewell Castle, Dover, Dover Peer,  
Farewell Host Bradshaw, thanks for my good cheer.  
My bonny Bark to Sea was bound again;  
On Thursday morn, we launchd into the main,  
By Folstone, and by Sangates' ancient Castle,  
Against the rugged waves, we tug and wrestle  
By Hyde, by Rumney, and by Rumney Marsh,  
The Tide against us, and the wind blew harsh,  
'Twixt Aeolus and Neptune was such strife,  
That I ne'er felt worse weather in my life.  
Tost and retost, retost and tossed again;  
With rumbling, tumbling, on the rolling Main,  
The boisterous breaking Billows curled locks  
Impetuously did beat against the Rocks,  
The wind much like a Horse whose wind is broke,  
Blew thick and short, that we were like to choke,  
As it outrageously the billows shaves  
The Gusts (like dust) blown from the bryny waves,  
And thus the winds and seas robustious gods  
Fell by the ears stark mad, at furious odds.  
Our slender Ship, turmoiled 'twixt shores and Seas,  
Aloft or jowe, as storms and flaws did please:  
Sometimes upon a foaming Mountains top,  
Whose height did seem the heavens to underprop,  
When strait to such profundity she fell  
As if she dived into the deepest Hell,  
The Clouds like ripe Apostumes burst & showered,  
Their mattery watery substance, headlong poured;  
Yet though all things were mutable and fickle  
They all agreed to souse us in a pickle,  
Of waters fresh and salt, from Seas and sky,  
Wihch with our sweat joined in triplicity,  
That looking each on other, there we saw  
We neither were half stewed, nor yet half raw,  
But neither hot or cold, good flesh or fishes  
For Cannibals, we had been ex'lents dishes.  
Bright Phoebus hid his golden head with fear,  
Not daring to behold the dangers there,  
Whilst in that strait or Exigent we stand,  
We see and wish to land, yet durst not land,  
Like rolling Hills the Billows beat and roar  
Against the melancholy Beachie shore,  
That if we landed, neither strength or wit  
Could save our Boat from being sunk or split.  
To keep the Sea, stern puffing Eol's breath  
Did threaten still to blow us all to death,  
The waves amain (unbid) oft boarded us,  
Whilst we almost three hours beleaguered thus  
On every side with danger and distress  
Resolved to run on shore at Dengie Nesse.  
There stands some thirteen Cottages together,  
To shelter Fishermen from wind and weather,  
And there some people were as I suposd,  
Although the doors and windows all were closed:  
I near the land, into the Sea soon leapt  
To see what people those same houses kept,  
I knocked and called, at each, from house to house,  
But found no form of mankind, man or 
No dwelling within near three miles of those Cottages.  Mouse.  
This news all sad, and comfortless and cold  
Unto my company I straightways told,  
Assuring them the best way I did think  
Was to hale up the Boat, although she sink.  
Resolved thus, we altogether please  
To put her head to shore, her stern to Seas,  
They leaping overboard amidst the Billows  
We plucked her up (unsunke) like stout tall fellows.  
Thus being wet, from top to toe we stripped  
(except our shirts) and up and down we skip'd,  
Till wind and Sun our wants did well supply 
The towns name is Lydd, two miles from Rumney in Kent.   
And made our outsides, and our insides dry.  
Two miles from thence, a ragged town there stood,  
To which I went to buy some drink and food:  
Where kindly over reckoned, well misused,  
Was, and with much courtesy abused.  
Mine Hosts did account it for no trouble,  
For single fare to make my payment double:  
Yet did her mind and mine agree together  
That I (once gone) would never more come thither.  
The Cabins where our Boat lay safe and well,  
Belonged to men which in this town did dwell:  
And one of them (I thank him) lent us then  
The Key to ope his hospitable Den,  
A brazen Kettle, and a pewter dish,  
To serve our needs, and dress our flesh and fish,  
Then from the Butchers we bought Lamb & sheep  
Beer from the Alehouse, and a Broom to sweep  
Our Cottage, that for want of use was musty,  
And most extremely rusty-fusty-dusty.  
There, two days space, we Roast, & boil & broil  
And toil, and moil, and keep a noble coil,  
For only we kept open house alone,  
And he that wanted Beef might have a Stone.  
Our Grandam Earth (with beds) did all befriend us  
And bountifully all our lengths did lend us,  
That laughing, or else lying 
Our beds were Cables and Ropes every feather at the least 20. fathom long.  down did make  
Our backs and sides sore, and our ribs to ache.  
On Saturday the winds did seem to cease,  
And brawling Seas began to hold their peace,  
When we (like Tenants) beggarly and poor,  
Decreed to leave the Key beneath the door,  
But that our Landlord did that shift prevent  
Who came in pudding time, and took his Rent,  
And as the Sun, was from the Ocean peeping  
We launched to Sea again, and left house-keeping.  
When presently we saw the drizzling skies  
'Gan pout and lower, and Winds and Seas 'gan rise,  
Who each on other played their parts so wild  
As if they meant not to be Reconciled,  
The whilst we leap upon those liquid hills  
Where Porpoises did show their fins and Gills,  
Whilst we like various Fortune's Tennis ball  
At every stroke, were in the Hazard all.  
And thus by Rye, and 
I walked to Winchelsey, where I thank my Cousin Mr. Collins, the Mayor there, he made me kindly welcome.  Winchelsey we passed  
By Fairleigh, and those Rocky cliffs at last.  
Some two miles short of Hastings, we perceived  
The Lee shore dangerous, and the Billows heaved,  
Which made us land (to scape the Seas distress)  
Within a harbour, almost harbourless.  
(We give God thanks) amongst the Rocks we hit,  
Yet were we neither washed or sunk, or split.  
Within a Cottage nigh there dwells a Weaver  
Who entertained us, as the like was never,  
No meat, no drink, no lodging (but the floor)  
No Stool to sit, no Lock unto the door,  
No straw to make us litter in the night,  
Nor any Candlestick to hold the light,  
To which the Owner bid us welcome still  
Good entertainment, though our cheer was ill.  
The morrow when the Sun with flushed face  
In his diurnal course began to trace,  
The wind exceeding stiff and strong and tough,  
The Seas outrageous, and extremely rough,  
Our Boat laid safe upon the Beachy sand  
Whilst we to Hastings went or walked by land.  
Much (to that Town) my thankfulness is bound,  
Such undeserved kindness there I found.  
Three nights we lay there, and three days we spent  
Most freely welcomed, with much merriment.  
Kind Mr. Mayor his love above the rest;  
Me and my crew, he did both feed and feast,  
He sent us Gold, and came himself to us;  

The Mayor's name was Mr. Richard Boyse, a Gentleman whose laudable life, and honest government is much beloved and approved.  My thanks are these, because his love was thus.  
Mine Host and Hostess Clayton both I thank  
And all good fellows there, I found so frank,  
That what they had, or what could there be got  
They neither thought too heavy or too hot.  
The winds and seas continued still their course  
Inveterate seemed their rage, untamed their force,  
Yet were we loath to linger and delay:  
But once again to venture and away.  
Thus desperately resolved, 'twixt hope and doubt  
Half sunk with launching, madly we went out,  
At twelve a clorke at noon, and by Sun set  
To Miching, or New Haven, we did get.  
There almost sunk (to save our Boat at last)  
Ourselves into the shallow Seas we cast:  
And pluck d her into safety to remain  
Till Friday that we put to sea again.  
Then 'mongst our old acquaintance (storms & flaws)  
At every stroke near deaths devouring jaws:  
The weary day we passed through many fears,  
And land at last quite sunk o'er head and ears.  
All dropping dry, like five poor Rats half drowned  
From succour far, we hauled the Boat on ground:  
Cast out our water, whilst we bravely dropped,  
And up and down to dry ourselves we hoped.  
Thus we our weary Pilgrimage did wear,  
Expecting for the weather calm and clear:  
But storms, flaws, winds, seas, took no minutes rest,  
Continual fiercely blowing, West Southwest.  
A Town called Goreing, stood near two miles wide  
To which we went, and had our wants supplied:  
There we relieved ourselves (with good compassion)  
With meat and lodging of the homely fashion.  
To bed we went in hope of rest and ease,  
But all beleaguered with an host of Fleas:  
Who in their fury nipped and skip'd so hotly,  
That all our skins were almost turned to motley.  
The bloody fight endured at least six hours,  
When we (oppressed with their increasing powers)  
Were glad to yield the honour of the day  
Unto our foes, and rise and run away.  
The night before, a Constable there came,  
Who asked my Trade, my dwelling, and my name:  
My business, and a troop of questions more,  
And wherefore we did land upon that shore?  
To whom I framed my answers true, and fit  
(According to his plenteous want of wit)  
But were my words all true, or if I lied,  
With neither I could get him satisfied.  
He asked if we were Pirates? we said no,  
(As if we had, we would have told him so.)  
He said that Lords sometimes would enterprise  
T'escape, and leave the Kingdom in disguise:  
But I assured him on my honest word,  
That I was no disguised Knight or Lord,  
He told me then that I must go six miles  
T'a justice there, Sir john, or else Sir Giles:  
I told him I was loath to go so far,  
And he told me, he would my journey bar.  
Thus what with Fleas, and with the several prat  
Of th'Officer, and his Ass-ociates,  
We arose to go, but Fortune bade us stay:  
The Constable had stolen our Oars away.  
And borne them thence a quarter of a mile,  
Quite through a Lane, beyond a gate and style,  
And hid them there, to hinder my depart,  
For which I wished him hanged with all my heart.  
A Ploughman (for us) found our Oars again,  
Within a field well filled with Barley Graine:  
Then madly gladly out to Sea we thrust,  
'Gainst winds and storms, & many a churlish Gust:  
By Kingston Chapel, and by Rushington,  
By little Hampton, and by Midleton,  
To Bognors fearful Rocks, which hidden lie  
Two miles into the Sea, some wet, some dry,  
There we supposed our danger most of all,  
If we on those remorseless Rocks should fall,  
But by th'Almighties mercy, and his might,  
We Rowed to Selsey, where we stayed all night.  
There, our necessity could have no Law,  
For want of beds we made good use of Straw,  
Till Sol, that old continual Traveller  
From Thetis lap, 'gan mount his flaming Car.  
The weather kept its course, and blowed, and raged,  
Without appearance it would e'er be swag'd,  
Whilst we did pass those hills, & dales, & Downs,  
That had devoured great Ships, & swallowed Towns.  
Thus after six or five hours' toil at least,  
We passed along by Wittering, West and East,  
Upon the Lee shore still the wind full South,  
We came near chichester's fair Havens mouth.  
And being then half sunk, and all through wet,  
More feared then hurt, we did the Haven get.  
Thus in that harbour we our course did frame  
To Portsmouth, where on Monday morn we came.  
Then to the Royal Fleet we Rowed aboard,  
Where much good welcome they did us afford.  
To the Lord General, first my thanks shall be,  
His bounty did appear in gold to me,  
And every one aboard the Prince I found,  
In stead of want, to make their loves abound,  
Captain Penrudduck there amongst the rest,  
His love and bounty was to us expressed,  
Which to requite, my thankfulness I'll show,  
And that I'll ever pay, and ever owe.  
On Tuesday morning we with main and might,  
From Portsmouth crossed unto the I'll of Wight:  
By Cow's stout Castle, we to Yarmouth hasted,  
And still the winds and Seas fierce fury lasted.  
On Wedn'sday we to Hursts strong Castle crossed,  
Most dangerously sowsd, turmoiled and tossed:  
Good harbour there we found, and nothing dear,  
I thank kind M. Fig, 
* Matthew Fig, a right good fellow.  the Porter there,  
He showed us there a Castle of defence  
Most useful, of a round circumference:  
Of such command, that none can pass those Seas  
Vnsunk, or spoiled, except the Castle please.  
On Thursday we, our Boat rowed, pulled and haled  
Unto a place which is Key Haven called.  
The wind still blowing, and the Sea so high,  
As if the losty waves would kiss the sky,  
That many times I wished with all my heart,  
Myself, my Boat, and Crewe, all in a Cart;  
Or any where to keep us safe and dry,  
The weather raged so outrageously.  
For sure I think the memory of man  
(Since winds and Seas to blow or flow began)  
Cannot remember so stormy weather  
In such continuance, held so long together  
For ten long weeks ere that, 'tis manifest,  
The wind had blown at South or west Southwest,  
And raised the Seas: to show each others power,  
That all this space (calm weather) not one hour,  
That whether we did go by Sun or Moon,  
At any time, at midnight, or at noon:  
If we did launch, or if to land we set,  
We still were sure to be half sunk, and wet.  
Thus toiling of our weary time away,  
That Thursday was our last long looked for day:  
For having past, with peril, and much pain,  
And ploughed, & furrowed, o'er the dangeroas main,  
O'er depths, and flats, and many a ragged Rock,  
We came to Christ-Church haven at five a clock.  
Thus God, in mercy, his just judgement sparing  
('Gainst our presumption, over bold, and daring)  
Who made us see his wonders in the deep,  
And that his power alone aloft did keep,  
Our weatherbeaten Boat above the waves,  
Each moment gaping to be all our Graves.  
We sinking scaped, than not to us, to Him  
Be all the Glory, for he caused us swim.  
And for his mercy was so much extended  
On me (whose tempt, had so far offended)  
Let me be made the scorn and scoff of men,  
If ever I attempt the like again.  
My love, my duty, and my thankfulness,  
To Sir George Hastings I must here express:  
His deeds to me, I must requite in words,  
No other payment, poor men's state affords.  
With fruitless words, I pay him for his cost,  
With thanks to Mr. Templeman mine Host.  
So leaving Christ-Church, and the Haven there,  
With such good friends as made us welcome cheer:  
Some serious matter now I must compile,  
And thus from verse to prose I change my style.  
GOD, who of his infinite wisdom made Man, of his unmeasurable mercy redeemed him, of his boundless bounty, immense power, and eternal eye of watchful providence relieves, guards, and conserves him; It is necessary, that every man seriously consider & ponder these things, and in token of obedience and thankfulness say with David: What shall I render, and the man having thus searched considerately, the causer of his being, then let him again meditate for 
* Men should consider why God hath given them a being in this life.  what cause he hath a being: indeed it may be objected that almost every thing hath a being, as stones have being, trees, herbs, and plants, have being and life: Beasts, fowls, and fishes, have being, life, and sense: but to man is given a Being, life, sense, and reason, and after a mortal an immortal ever being; this consideration will make a man know that he hath little part of himself, which he may justly call his own: his body is Gods, he made it; his soul is his, who bought it; his goods are but lent him, by him that will one day call him to a reckoning, for the well or ill disposing of them: so that man having nothing but what he hath received, and received nothing but what is to be employed in the service of God, and consequently his Prince and Country, it is plainly to be perceived, that every man hath, 
No man is owner of himself.  the least share or portion of himself to boast of.  
I have written this Preamble, not only to inform such as know not these things already; but also to such whose knowledge is, as it were fallen into a dead sleep, who do live as though there were no other being then here, and that their life and being was ordained only of themselves, neither God, Prince, or Country, having no share or portion of them or of what they call theirs. But oh you Inhabitans of Salisbury, I hope there are no such crawling cankerworms, or Commonwealth Caterpillars amongst you. Nay, I am assured of the contrary, that there are many who (with religious piety open hands and relenting hearts) do acknowledge that your goods are but lent in trust unto you, and do patiently bear the over-burthensome relieving of many hundreds of poor wretches, which (were it not for your charity) would perish in your streets.  
This being entered into my consideration, that your City is so much overcharged with poor, 
Here is an honest course set down for the enriching of your rich, and the relieving of your poor.  as having in three Parishes near 3000. besides decayed men a great many, and that those few which are of the wealthier sort, are continually overpressed with sustaining the wants of the needy, the City being as it were at the last gasp, the poor being like Pharaohs lean Kine, even ready to eat up the fat ones: I have made bold to write this Treatise ensuing, both to entreat a constant perseverence in those who have begun to do good works, and an encouragement or animating of all others, who as yet seem slow in these good proceedings. And if any thing here written by me, be either impertinent, extravagant, rude, harsh, or over bold, I humbly entreat you to impute it rather to my want of judgement, learning, and capacity, then to any presumption, or want of love and duty to the City and cause, which is hereafter handled.  
It is sufficiently known that my intent and purpose at this time, was not to make any profit to myself upon any adventure (as it is deemed by many) by my passage from London to Salisbury with a Wherry, 
His name is Gregory Bastable, and his ordinary place where he plies, or attends his labour, is at the Temple, and there also plies Thomas Estman another Wiltshire man, which went with me.  but I was entreated by a Waterman, which was borne in Salisbury, that I would bear him company for the discovery of the sands, flats, depths, shoals, Mills, and Wears, which are impediments and lets, whereby the River is not Navigable from Christ-Church, or the Sea to Salisbury. Which after many dangerous gusts, and tempestuous storms at Sea, (which I have recited in verse before) it pleased God that at the last we entered the River, which in my opinion is as good a River, and with some charge may be made as passable as the River of Thames is upwards from Brentford to Windsor, or beyond it; the shallow places in it are not many, The Mills need not be removed, and as for the Wears, no doubt but they may with conscience be compounded for. By which means of Navigation, the whole City and Country would be relieved, loiterers turned into labourers, penury into plenty, to the glory of God, the dignity and reputation of your City, and the perpetual worthy memory of all benefactors, and well-willers unto so noble a work.  
If you will but examine your own knowledges, you shall find that in the whole dominion of England, there is not any one Town or City which hath a Navigable River at it, that is poor, nor scarce any that are rich which want a River with the benefits of Boats: The Town of Kingston upon Hull in Yorkshire, the River there was cut out of Humber, by men's labours 20. miles up into the Country, and what the wealth and estate of that Town is, (by the only benefit of that River) it is not unknown to thousands: but you men of Sarum may see what a commodity Navigation is, nearer hand; there is your neighbour Southampton on the one side, and your dear friend Poole on the other, are a pair of handsome looking-Glasses for you, where you may see your want in their abundance, and your negligence in their industry.  
God hath placed your being in a fertile soil, in a fruitful valley, environed round with Corn, and as it were continually besieged with plenty: whilst you within (having so many poor amongst you) are rather lookers upon happiness than enjoyers: moreover (by God's appointment) Nature hath saved you the labour of cutting a River, for I think you have one there as old as your City ready made to your hands, if you will be but industrious to amend those impediments in it, I dare undertake to be one of the 3. or 4. men which shall bring or carry 16. or 20. Tons of goods betwixt the Sea and your City▪ Now, with extreme toil of men; Horses & Carts, your wood is brought to you 18. or 20. miles, whereby the poor which cannot reach the high prices of your fuel, are enforced to steal or starve in the Winter, so that all your near adjoining woods are continually spoilt by them: which faults by the benefit of the River would be reform, for the new Forest standeth so near to the water, that it is but cut the wood and put it into a Boat, which shall bring as much to your City as 20. Carts, and fourscore Horses: beside, by this River you might draw to you a trade of Sea-coal, which would enrich you, and help the plain and inland Towns and Villages where no wood grows. And for the Exportation of your Corn from Port to Port, within our own Country, as it is well known what abundance of your Barley is continually made into Malt amongst you: which if you had carriage for it, might be brewed into Beer, wherewith you might serve diverse places with your Beer, which is now served with your Malt: besides carriages of Bricks, Tiles, Stones, Charcoals, and other necessaries, which is now carried at dear rates by Horse or Carts, which now you send in Carts, or on Horses backs, to Southampton, to Bristol, and to many other places: so that the dearness of the Carriages eats up all your commodities and profit, which discommodity may be avoided, if your River be cleansed: and what man can tell what good in time may redound to your City from the Sea, by foreign goods, which may be brought into Christ-Church Haven by Shipping? nor can it be truly imagined, what new and useful profitable businesses may arise in time by this means.  
Our Forefathers and Ancestors did in their life's time in former ages do many worthy and memorable works, but for all their industry and cost, they did not (or could not) do all; but as there was much done to our hands, so there was much left for us to do, and very fitting it was that it should be so, for it is against common sense and reason our Fathers should toil in good works like drudges, and we spend our times loitering like Drones: no, what they did was for our imitation. And withal, that we should be leaders of our posterities by our examples into laudable endeavours, as our progenitors hath before showed us: we are their sons and offspring, we have their shapes and figures, we bear their names, we possess their goods, we inherit their lands; we have materials of stones, Timber, Iron, and such necessaries which they had, (if not in greater abundance) and having all these, let us withal have their willing and liberal hearts, and there is no question to be made, but that our River of Auon will quickly be cleansed to the honest enriching of the rich, and the charitable relieving of the poor.  
I am assured that there are many good men in the City & Country of Wiltshire, and others of worth and good respect in this Kingdom, who would willingly & bountifully assist this good work: but (like Gossips near a Style) they stand straining courtesy who shall go first: or the Mice in the Fable, not one will adventure to hang the Bell about the Cat's neck, So that if one good man would begin, it would be (like a health drank to some beloved Prince at a great feast) pledged most heartily, and by God's grace effected most happily.  
You have already begun a charitable work amongst you, I mean your common Town Brewhouse, the profit of which you intend shall be wholly employed for the supply of the poor and Impotents which live in your City; from which sort of people (being such a multitude) the Brewers there have found their best custom; for no doubt but the meanest beggar amongst you, is (in some sort) more valiant than the richest man: because the one dares to spend all he hath at the Alehouse, so dares not the other; for the poor man drinks stiffly to drive care away, and hath nothing to lose, and the rich man drinks moderately, because he must bear a brain to look to what he hath. And of all Trades in the world a Brewer is the Loadstone, which draws the customs of all functions unto it. It is the mark or upshot of every man's aim, and the bottomless whirlpool that swallows up the profits of rich and poor. The Brewer's Art (like a wild kestrel or unmanned Hawk) flies at all games; or like a Butler's box at Christmas, it is sure to win whosoever loses: In a word, it rules and reigns (in some sort) as Augustus Caesar did, for it taxeth the whole earth. Your Inns and Alehouses are Brooks and Rivers, and their Clients are small Rills and Springs, who all (very dutifully) do pay their tributes to the boundless Ocean of the Brewhouse. For all the world knows, that if men and women did drink no more than sufficed Nature, or if it were but a little extraordinary now and then upon occasion, or by chance as you may term it; if drinking were used in any reason, or any reason used in drinking, I pray ye what would become of the Brewer then? 
Some make a profit of quarrelling, some pick their livings out of contentions & debate, some thrive and grow fat by gluttony: many are bravely maintained by Bribery, theft, cheating, roguery, & villainy: but put all these together, and join to them all sorts of people else and they all in general are drinkers, and consequently the Brewer's Clients and Customers.  Surely we do live in an age wherein the seven deadly sins are every man's Trade and living. Pride is the maintainer of thousands, which would else perish; as Mercers, Tailors, Embroyders, Silk-men, Cutters, Drawers, Sempsters, Laundresses, of which functions there are millions which would starve but for Madam Pride with her changeable fashions. Lechery, what a continual crop of profit it yields, appears by the gallant thriving, and gaudy outsides of many he and she, private and public sinners, both in City and Suburbs. Covetousness is Embroidered with Extortion, and warmly lined & furred with oppression. And though it be a devil, yet is it most Idolatrously adored, honoured, and worshipped, by those simple Sheepeheaded fools, whom it hath undone and beggared. I could speak of other vices, how profitable they are to a Commonwealth; but my invention is thirsty, and must have one carouse more at the Brewhouse, who (as I take it) hath a greater share than any, in the gains, which spring from the world's abuses: for Pride is maintained by the humble, yet one kind of Pride doth live & profit by another: Lechery is supported by the cursed swarm of Bawds, Panders, Pimps, Applesquires, Whores, and Knaves, and so every sin lives and thrives by the members, Agents, Ministers, and Clients, which do belong unto them: but Drunkenness plays at all, all trades, all qualities, all functions and callings can be drunk extemporie, not at any great Feast, or but at every ordinary dinner or supper almost, when men are well satisfied with sufficiency, that then the mystery of quaffing begins, with healths to many an unworthy person (who perhaps would not give the price of the Reckoning to save all them from hanging (which make themselves sick with drinking such unthankful healths) I myself have oftentimes dined or supped at a great man's Board, and when I have risen, the servants of the house hath enforced me into the Seller or Buttery, where (in the way of kindness) they will make a man's belly like a Sowsetub, and enforce me to drink as if they had a commission under the devil's great seal to murder men with drinking, with such a deal of complemental oratory, As, off with your Cup, wind up your bottom, up with your taplash, and many more eloquent phrases, which Tully or Demosthenes never heard of; that in conclusion I am persuaded three days fasting would have been more healthful to me, than two hours feeding and swilling in that manner.  
If any man hang, drown, stab, or by any violent means make away his life, the goods and lands of any such person, is forfeit to the use of the King: and I see no reason but those which kill themselves with drinking, should be in the same estate and be buried in the highways, with a stake drove through them: And if I had but a grant of this suit, I would not doubt but that in seven years (if my charity would but agree with my wealth) I might erect Almshouses, 
Let these Lines be considered if I lie or not.  Free-schooles, mend highways, and make Bridges; for I dare swear, that a number (almost numberless) have confessed upon their deathbeds, that at such and such a time, in such and such a place, they drank so much which made them surfeit, 
Let these Lines be considered if I lie or not.  of which surfeit they languished and died. The main benefit of these superfluous and man-slaughtering expenses comes to the Brewer, so that if a Brewer be in any office, I hold him to be a very ingrateful man if he punish a Drunkard, for every stiff pot-valiant drunkard is a Post, beam, or Pillar which holds up the Brewhouse: for as the bark is to the tree, so is a good drinker to a Brewer.  
But you men of Salisbury, wisely perceiving how much Evil to your City, hath come by the abuse of Good drink, you would now work by contraries, to draw Good for your poor out of these forepast and present Evils. To draw evil out of good is devilish, but to work or extract goodness out of what is evil is godly, and worthy to be pursued. The abuse of good drink, and excessive drinking hath made many beggars amongst you, to the enriching of a few Brewers, and now you would turn the world off from the Barrels, as I would off from the Coach-wheels, that the benefit of your new built Town Brewhouse might relieve many of those poor amongst you, who have formerly been impoverished by the enriching of your Towne-Brewers. It is no doubt but they will oppose this good work of yours, as the Image-makers in Ephesus did Paul, when 〈◊〉 preached against their Idolatrous worshipping Diana; 
Tobyah. Arabians. Amonites.  but be not you discouraged, for Nehemiah (in time) did build the Temple, although Sanballat and many others did oppose him, for as your intents are Pious, so no doubt but God will make your events prosperous.  
Now to turn from Beer and Ale to fair water, (your River I mean) which if it be cleansed, then with the profit of your townebrewhouse, and the commodity of the River, I think there will be scarce a beggar or a loiterer to be found amongst you: I have written enough before concerning the benefit of it, and to encourage such as seem slow towards so good a work, which had it been in the Low-Countries, the Industrious Dutch would not so long have neglected so beneficial a blessing, witness their abundance of Navigable Rivers, and ditches, which with the only labour of men they have cut, and in most places, where never God or Nature made any River; and lately there is a River made navigable to St. Yeades in Huntington-shire, wherein stood seven Mills as impediments in the way. And now the City of Canterbury are clearing their River that Boats may pass to and fro betwixt them and Sandwich haven: the like is also in hand at Leedes in Yorkshire; Now, if neither former or present examples can move you, if your own wants cannot enforce you, if assured profit cannot persuade you, but that you will still be neglective and stupid, then am I sorry that I have written so much, to so little purpose, but my hopes are otherways; 〈◊〉 blind, lame, and covetous excuses be laid aside, than those who are willing will be more willing, and those who are slack or backward, will in some reasonable manner draw forward: And there is the mouth of an uncharitable objection which I must needs stop, which is an old one, and only spoken by old men, for (say they) we are aged and stricken in years, and if we should lay out our moneys, or be at charges for the River, by the course of Nature we shall not live to enjoy any profit to requite our costs; this excuse is worse than Heathenish, and therefore it ill becomes a Christian, for as I wrote before, man was not created, or had either the goods of mind, body, or Fortune bestowed on him by his Maker, but that he should have the least part of them himself, his God, Prince and Country, claiming (as their due) almost all which every man hath. The oldest man will purchase land, which is subject to barrenness, and many inconveniences, he will buy and build houses, which are in danger of fire, and diverse other casualties, he will adventure upon Wares or goods at high prizes, which to his loss may fall to low rates: he will bargain for cattle and Sheep, who are incident to many diseases, as the Rot, the Murrain, and diverse the like, and all this will he do in hope to raise his state, and leave his heirs rich; at his death perhaps (when he can keep his goods no longer, when in spite of his heart he must leave all) he will give a few Gowns, and a little money to Pious uses, a Groce or two of penny loaves, and there's an end of him, so that there remains no more memory of him.  
But this good work of your River is not subject to barrenness or sterility, but contrarily it will be a continual harvest of plenty, it is not in danger of being consumed, or wasted, but it is assured of a perpetual increase. The names and memories of contributors towards it, shall be conserved in venerable and laudable remembrance, to the eternising of their fames, the honour of their posterities, and the good example of succeeding times to imitate. Therefore you men of Salisbury I entreat you in this case to be good to yourselves. Or else you may say hereafter, If we had been Industrious we had been happy: If we had not been covetous, we had been Rich.  
Now, to return to my travels and entertainments: as I passed up the River at the least 2000 Swans like so many Pilots swum in the deepest places before me, and showed me the way: When I came to the Town of Ringwood (14 miles short of Salisbury). I there met with his Majesty's Trumpeters, and there my fellows Mr. Thomas Vnderhill, and Mr. Richard Stock, Mr. Thomas Ramsey, Mr. Randall Lloyd, with others, which I name not, did walk on the bank and gave me two most excellent flourishes with their Trumpets, for the which I thank them in print, and by word of mouth. At last I came to a Town called Forthing Bridge, where (not many days before) a grievous mischance happened, for two men being swimming or washing in the River, a Butcher passing over the bridge (with a Mastiff Dog with him) did cast a stone into the water and say a Duck, at which the Dog leapt into the River and seized upon one of the men and killed him, and the Butcher leaping in after thinking to save the man, was also slain by his own Dog, the third man also hardly escaping, but was likewise bitten by him.  
From thence I passed further, to a place called Hale, where we were welcomed by the Right Worshipful Sir Thomas Penrudduck Knight, whom we carried there in our Boat, and who I am assured will be a forward and a liberal Benefactor towards clearing of the River.  
So passing on our course by the Villages of Burgate, Breamer, Chartford, Downton, and Stonelye, we came at last to Langfoord, where we were well entertained by the Right Honourable the Lord Edward Gorge, (Lord baron of Dundalke, and Captain of his Majesty's strong and defensible Castle of Hurst, in Hantshire) to whom in love and duty we proffered the gift of our tattered windshaken and weatherbeaten Boat, which (after our being at Salisbury, being but two miles from thence) his Lordship accepted. And though he knew she was almost unserviceable, yet his noble bounty was such, that he rewarded us with the price of a new Boate. I had some conference with his Honour concerning the impediments and cleansing of the River, and I know he is most forwardly and worthily affected towards it, and no doubt if it be pursued, that then he will do that which shall become a Gentleman of his Honourable calling and Rank.  
So on the same Friday at night we came to Salisbury where we brought our Boat through Fisherton Bridge, on the West side of the City, taking our lodging at the sign of the King's head there, with mine Host Richard Estman, whose brother Thomas, was one of the Watermen which came in the Boat thither from London; on the morrow I with my company footed it two miles to Wilton, where at the Right Honourable the Earl of Pembroke's, my Lord Chamberlains house, I was most freely (and beyond my worth and merit) kindly welcomed, by the Right Worshipful Sir Thomas Morgan Knight, with whom I dined, and by whose command I was showed all or the most part of the admirable contrived Rooms, in that excellent, and well built house, which Rooms were all richly adorned with Costly and sumptuous hangings; his Majesty some few days before having dined there with most magnificent Entertainment, as did express the love of so noble a Housekeeper for so Royal a Guest: upon the sight of which house with the Furniture, I wrote these following verses.  

If Wholesome Air, Earth, woods, & pleasant springs  
Are Elements, whereby a house is graced:  
If strong and stately built, contentment brings,  
Such is the house at Wilton, and so placed.  
There Nature, Art, Art-Nature hath embraced;  
Without, within, below, aloft complete:  
Delight and state, are there so interlaced  
With rich content, which makes all good, and great  
The Hangings there, with Histories replete  
Divine, profane, and Moral pleasures giving  
With work so lively, exquisite, and neat,  
As if man's Art, made mortal creatures living.  
In brief, there all things are composed so well,  
Beyond my pen to write, or tongue to tell.   
Then was I showed a most fair and large Armoury, with all manner of provision and Furnitue, for Pike, Shot, Bills, Halberds, javelins, with other Weapons and munition, which for goodness, number, and well-keeping, is not second to any Noblemen in England: Afterwards I went to the Stables, and saw my Lords great Horses, whom I saw such and so good, that what my untutored Pen cannot sufficiently commend, I am forced with silence to ouerpasse. But amongst the rest, the pains and industry of an ancient Gentleman Mr. Adrian Gilbert, must not be forgotten, for there hath he (much to my Lords cost and his own pains) used such a deal of intricate Setting, Grafting, Planting, inocculating, Railing, hedging, plashing, turning, winding, and returning circular, Trianguler, Quadranguler, Orbiculer, Ouall, and every way curiously and chargeably conceited: There hath he made Walks, hedges, and Arbours, of all manner of most delicate fruit Trees, planting and placing them in such admirable Artlike fashions, resembling both divine and moral remembrances, as three Arbours standing in a Triangle, having each a recourse to a greater Arbour in the midst, resembleth three in one, and one in three: and he hath there planted certain Walks and Arbours all with 
Not a Tree stands there, but it bears one good or rare fruit or other.  Fruit trees, so pleasing and ravishing to the sense, that he calls it Paradise, in which he plays the part of a true Adamist, continually toiling and tilling. Moreover, he hath made his Walks most rarely round and spacious, one Walk without another, (as the rinds of an Onion are greatest without, and less towards the Centre) and withal, the hedges betwixt each Walk are so thickly set, that one cannot see thorough from the one walk, who walks in the other: that in conclusion, the work seems endless, 

A round work is endless, having no end.  
I touch not the matchless adjoining wood and walks of Rowlington here, whose praises consists in itself, my pen being insufficient.   and I think that in England it is not to be followed, or will in haste be followed. And in love which I bear to the memory of so industrious and ingenious a Gentleman, I have written these following Annagrams.  
Adryan Gilbert, Annagrams 

Art readily began  
A breeding trial.    

Art readily began a breeding trial  
When she inspired this worthy Gentleman  
For Nature's eye, of him took full espial,  
And taught him Art, Art readily began,  
That though Dame Nature, was his Tuteresse, he,  
Outworks her, as his works apparent be.   

For Nature brings but earth, and seeds and plants,  
Which Art, like Tailors, cuts and puts in fashion:  
As Nature rudely doth supply our wants,  
Art is deformed Nature's reformation.  
So Adryan Gilbert, mendeth Nature's features  
By Art, that what she makes, doth seem his creatures.   
THus with my humble thanks to Sir Thomas Morgan, and my kind remembrance to all the rest of my Lords Servants there, My legs and my labouring lines return again to Salisbury, and from the next day (being Sunday) to Langford to my Lord Gorge his house, with whom I dined, & left my humble thanks for the reckoning. In brief, my fruitless and worthy lip-labour, mixed with a deal of Airy, and non-substantiall matter I gave his Lordship, and the like requital I bestowed on the right Worshipful M. Thomas Squibb, Mayor of Sarum, with M. Banes, M. john Iuy, M. Windouer, with all the rest; and more than thanks, and a grateful remembrance of their Honourable, Worshipful, and friendly favours, I know they expect not, and less than such a common duty as Gratitude I must not, or cannot pay. To shut up all in few words, I know his Majesty's pious inclination is so ample, that he will be graciously pleased with any of your laudable endeavours for your welfare and commodity, if you take good and speedy advice, than no doubt but the effects will be according to your honest intendments.  
So farewell Salisbury till we meet again, which I hope will be one day: in the mean space I pray thee take this poor Pamphlet as a loving pledge of my return. Me thinks I see already, Men, Horses, Carts, Mattocks, Shovels, Spades, Wheelbarrows, Handbarrowes, and Baskets at work for the clearing of your River: But if my thoughts do deceive me, and my expectation fail, I shall ever hereafter give small credit to their intelligence. So once more Salisbury I wish thee thankfully well to far.  
On Thursday the 21. of August, I took Winchester in my way homewards; where I saw an ancient City, like a body without ● soul: and I know not the reason of it, but for aught which I perceived, there were almost as many Parishes as people. I lodged at the sign of the Cock, being recommended to the Host of the house, by a token from Salisbury, but mine Host died the night before I came, and I being weary, had more mind to go to bed then to follow him so long a journey, to do my message, or deliver any commendations: but the whole City seemed almost as dead as mine Host, and it may be they were all at Harvest work: but I am sure I walked from the one end of it to the other, and saw not 30. people of all sorts: So that I think if a man should go to Winchester for a Goose, he might lose his labour for a Trader cannot live there, by venting such commodities.  
On Friday I galloped a foot pace one and twenty miles, from Winchester to Farneham; where I and one of my company hired a couple of Hampshiere jenets with seven legs, and three eyes betwixt them, upon whom we hobbled seventeen miles, to Stanes, whence on Saturday the 23. of August we footed it to Brentfoord, and Boated it to LonDON.