Tailor's Pastoral: BEING BOTH HISTORICAL AND SATIRICAL: Or the Noble Antiquity of Shepherds, with the profitable use of Sheep: With a small touch of a scabbed Sheep, and a caveat against that infection.  
Printed at London by G. P. for Henry Gosson, and are to be sold at Edward wright's shop near Christ's Church Gate. 1624.   

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL JUDICIOUS AND TRULY GENErous, my well approved good friend Mr. THOMAS DOVE, Archdeacon of Northampton, the accomplishment of his worthy desires Temporal and Eternal.  
Right Worshipful Sir,  
Books without Patrons, are like Babes without Parents, (for except the one be pleasing and plausible to humour, the various dispositions of men, and the other left with warm portions or legacies in the tuition of faithful Executors or Guardians) both Books and Babes are happy if they die in their birth, that the first minute of their misery may be the first moment of their felicities: these considerations have humbly emboldened me to lay this poor Infant of my laborious Brain, at the door or gate of your patronage & protection, not doubting but your innated charity, good disposition, and unfeigned affectation of all Laudable endeavours, will give it both free and hospitable entertainment. The function I treat of being venerable and honourable, as of Shepherds, the profit commendable, lawful, necessary, ample, and universal, as of Sheep. The writing or method of it historical, mystical, tropical, typical, literal, and Satirical; which hath encouraged me to dedicate my poor Shepheardly invention, and their harmless flocks to your Worship's good acceptance, whose reverend function is truly Pastoral; acknowledging that my many imperfections in writing, and unworthiness in handling so worthy a subject, hath made me doubtful to use the protection of your Name; yet on the other side, considering your good inclination, and mine own humble innocence, both myself and my best endeavours I here consecrate to be employed ever in your Worship's service.  
He whose meaning, writing, and speaking, are one: JOHN TAYLOR.   

All those that will not read this plain Epistle, Lay down the Book, on God's Name, and go whistle.  
HOnest men's Sons (if I give you a wrong name, I ask your Father's pardon) although every one that eats Mutton, may truly be suspected for a sheep-biter, yet I hope my Sheep shall find no such dogged dealing amongst you. There are indeed three sorts of Creatures, two of which are so much repugnant to a Sheep, that I think there will never be an union betwixt them, which are a Wolf and a Dog: the third is a Goat, which although they may graze or pasture one with another, as Christians and Infidels are woven together in the linsey woolsey web of the world, yet I did never know any kind of familiarity between them. And be thou in nature, a Wolf, a Dog, or a Goat, that readst this, I pass not, but I rather pity thy accursed inclination, then stand in any fear of thy Butting or Biting: the honest-minded Reader shall find my Subject or Theme both laudable and Honourable: and those who hold the name of Shepherd in contempt or derision, may here find truly proved, that the whole world doth not now contain, nor ever will retain any men, who for goodness, honour, true worth, worthiness and respect, that can or dare make comparison with the Shepherds of former ages. And though Virgil, Ovid, Mantuan, and many of our learned English and Scottish Poets, have made their inventions travel up the top of the forked Mountain of Parnassus; yet I would have the Reader know, that if they, each of them had Argos eyes, to survey and observe, and as many hands as Briareus, to write, yet for all their pains, diligent search and collections, my weak capacity can find matter enough to make an honest Pamphlet out of what they have overseen, neglected, or made slight account of. Four things, I have, do, and ever will observe in my Writings; which are, not to write profane, obscene, palpable, and odious Lies, or scandalous Libels. In keeping which Decorum, I hope I shall keep myself within the limits or bounds of good men's Respect. And this Advertisement more I give the Reader, that there are many things Imprinted under the name of two Letters, I. T. for some of which I have been taxed to be the Author: I assure the world that I had never any thing imprinted of my writing, that I was either afraid or ashamed to set my name at large to it; and therefore if you see any Author's name I. T. I utterly disclaim it: for I am as I have been, both I. and T. which with addition of Letters, is yours to be commanded in any laudable endeavours,  
JOHN TAYLOR.   

Tailor's Pastoral, being both Historical and Satirical.  

APollo (father of the Sisters nine,  
I crave thy aid t'inspire this Muse of mine,  
Thou that thy golden Glory didst lay by  
(As Ovid doth relate most wittily)  
And in a Shepherd's shape, didst deign to keep  
Thy Love's beloved Sire, Admetus' sheep.  
And rural Pan, thy help I do entreat,  
That (to the life) the praise I may repeat  
Of the contented life, and mighty stocks  
Of happy Shepherds, and their harmless flocks.  
But better thoughts my Errors do control  
For an offence, most negligent and foul,  
In thus invoking, like a heathen man,  
Help, helpless, from Apollo, or from Pan:  
When as the subject, which I have in hand,  
Is almost infinite, as stars, or sand,  
Graced with Antiquity, upon Record  
In the Eternal, neverfailing Word.  
There 'tis engraven true and manifest,  
That Sheep and Shepherds, were both best and blessed.  
I therefore invocate the gracious aid  
Of Thee, whose mighty Word hath all things made,  
I Israel's great Shepherd humbly crave  
That his assured assistance I may have:  
That my unlearned Muse no verse compile,  
Which may be impious, profane or vile,  
And though through Ignorance, or negligence,  
My poor invention fall into offence,  
I do implore that boundless Grace of his,  
Not strictly to regard what is amiss:  
But unto me belongeth all the blame,  
And all the Glory be unto his Name.  
Yet as this Book is verse, so men must know,  
I must some Fictions and Allusions show,  
Some shreds, sow remnants, relics, or some scraps,  
The Muses may inspire me with perhaps,  
Which taken literally, as lies may seem,  
And so misunderstanding may misdeem.  
Of Sheep therefore, before to work I fall,  
I'll show the Shepherd's first original:  
Those that the best Records will read and mark,  
Shall find just Abel was a Patriarch, 
Abel, a Prince, a Patriarch, a figure of the true Church, a type of Christ, & a Shepherd. Abraham a Prince, a Patriarch, entitled with the Glorious title of father of the faithful, a Shepherd.   
Our father Adam's second son, a Prince,  
(As great as any man begotten since)  
Yet in his function he a Shepherd was:  
And so his mortal pilgrimage did pass.  
And in the sacred Text it is compiled,  
That he that's father of the faithful styled,  
Did as a Shepherd, live upon th'increase  
Of Sheep, until his days on earth did cease.  
And in those times it was apparent than  
Abel and Abram both were noble men:  
The one obtained the title righteously  
For his unfeigned serving the most HIGH,  
He first did offer Sheep, which (on Record)  
Was sacrifice accepted of the Lord.  
He was (before the infant world was ripe)  
The Church's figure, and his Saviour's type.  
A murdered Martyr, who for serving God,  
Did first of all feel persecutions rod.  
And Abraham was in account so great,  
Abimelech his friendship did entreat.  
Faith's pattern, and Obedience sample, he  
Like stars, or sand, was in posterity:  
In him the Nations of the earth were blest, 
Isaac.   
And now his bosom figures heavenly REST.  
His Sheep almost past numbering multiplied,  
And when (as he thought) Isaac should have died,  
Then by th'Almighties Mercies, Love, and Grace  
A Sheep from out a Bush supplied the place. 
Let a Shepherd.   
Lot was a Shepherd, (Abraham's brothers son)  
And such great favour from his God he won,  
That Sodom could not be consumed with fire,  
Till he and his did out of it retire,  
They felt no vengeance for their foul offence,  
Till righteous Let was quite departed thence.  
And jacob, as the holy Ghost doth tell, 
jacob.   
Who afterwards was called Israel,  
Who wrestled with his God, and (to his fame)  
Obtained a Name, and Blessing for the same,  
He (under Laban) was a Shepherd long,  
And suffered from him much ingrateful wrong,  
For Rachel and for Leah, he did bear  
The yoke of servitude full twenty year,  
He was a Patriarch, a Prince of might,  
Whose wealth in sheep, was almost infinite,  
His twice six sons (as holy writ describes,  
Who were the famous fathers, of twelve tribes)  
Were for the most part Shepherds, and such men  
Whose like the world shall never contain again.  
Young joseph, 
joseph.  ' 'mongst the rest, especially,  
A constant mirror of true Chastity:  
Who was in his affliction, of behaviour  
A mortal Type of his immortal Saviour:  
And Truth his mother Rachel doth express  
To be her father Laban's Shepherdess. 
Rachel.   
Meek Moses, 
Moses.  whom the Lord of hosts did call  
To lead his people out of Egypt's thrall,  
Whose power was such, as no man's was before,  
Nor since his time hath any man's been more,  
Yet in the sacred text it plain appears,  
That he was jethroes' Shepherd forty years.  
Heroic David, 
David.  Ishayes youngest son,  
Whose acts immortal memory hath won:  
Whose valiant vigour did in pieces tear  
A furious Lion and a ravenous Bear:  
Who (armed with faith and fortitude alone)  
Slew great Goliath, with a sling and stone,  
Whose victories the people sung most plain,  
Saul hath a thousand, He ten thousand slain.  
He from the sheepfold came to be a King,  
Whose fame for ever through the world shall ring:  
He was another Type of that blessed HE  
That was, and is, and evermore shall be.  
His virtuous Acts are writ for imitation,  
His holy Hymns and Psalms for consolation,  
For Reprehension and for Contemplation,  
And finally to show us our salvation,  
The Prophet Amos, 
Amos.  unto whom the Lord  
Revealed the sacred secrets of his Word:  
God raised him from the sheepfold, to foretell  
What plagues should fall on sinful Israel.  
True Patience pattern, Prince of his affections, 
job.   
Most mighty tamer of his imperfections,  
Whose guard was God, whose guide the holy Ghost.  
Blessed in his wealth, of which Sheep was the most.  
Just jobs lost riches doubled was again, 
Seth and Noah, were shepherds & feeders of cattles.   
Who lived beloved of God, admired of men.  
The first of happy tidings on the earth,  
Of our all only Saviour's blessed birth,  
The glorious Angels to the Shepherds told,  
As Luke th'evangelist doth well unfold. 
Luk. 2.8.   
And should my verse a little but decline  
To humane stories, and leave divine:  
There are some mighty Princes I can name,  
Whose breeding (at the first) from Shepherds came.  
Rome's founder (Romulus) was bred and fed, 
Romulus.   
Mongst Shepherds, where his youthful days he led. 
Valerius Maximus and Aurelianus were raised from being herdsmen to the Imperial dignity. Tamburlaine. Psal. 80.1.   
The Persian Monarch (Cyrus) he did pass  
His youth with Shepherds, and a Shepherd was,  
The Terror of the world, that famous man  
Who conquered Kings, and kingdoms ouer-ran  
His style was, (as some stories do repeat)  
The Scythian Shepherd, Tamburlaine the great.  
'tis such a title of preeminence,  
Of reverence, and such high magnificence,  
That David, (who so well his words did frame)  
Did call our great Creator by that name.  
Our blessed Redeemer (God's eternal Son)  
Whose only merits our salvation won.  
He did the harmless name of Shepherd take  
For our protection, and his mercy's sake. 
joh. 10.11, 12.   
Those that will read the sacred Text, and look  
With diligence, throughout that heavenly Book,  
Shall find the Ministers have Epithets,  
And named Angels, Stewards, Watchmen, Lights,  
Salt, Builders, Husbandmen, and Stars that shine,  
(Inflamed with the Light which is Divine)  
And with these names, within that Book compiled,  
They with the Style of Shepherds are instilde.  
Thus God the Sire, and Son, the Scriptures call  
Both Shepherds, mystical and literal,  
And by similitudes comparing to,  
All Kings and Churchmen bear that title do.    

A. E. I. O. V two Anagrams of the five vowels, the one serves for the glorious name of God, and the other in the Spanish tongue is a Sheep, which name the Prophet Esay doth figuratively or mystically call our Creator JEOVA, or JEHOVAH, OVEIA, is a Sheep.  
Wherein may be perceived, that there is no word, name or action, in or under Heaven, but hath one or more of the five vowels, and that no word or Name hath them all without other Letters, but JEOVA, and OVEIA. Which doth admonish us in the fear and reverence of the Almighty, because in all our thoughts, words and actions, some part of his wonderful Name is infinitely included. And withal that OVEIA or a Sheep is a most significant Emblem, or sign of our God and Saviour's innocence and patiented sufferings.  

WIse and Inscrutable, Omniscient,  
Eternal, Gracious, and Omnipotent,  
In Love, in justice, Mercy and in Might,  
In Honour, Power and Glory infinite,  
In works, in words, in every Attribute  
Almighty, All-commanding, Absolute;  
For who so notes the Letters of the name  
JEHOVAH, shall perceive within the same,  
The Vowels of all Tongues included be:  
So hath no name that e'er was named but Herald  
And I have heard some Scholars make Relation,  
That H, is but a breathing Aspiration;  
A letter that may be left out and spared,  
Whereby is clearly to our sight declared,  
That Great JEOVA may be written true  
With only Vowels, A, E, I, O, V:  
And that there is no word or name but this,  
That hath them all Alone, but only His.  
So that the Heavens with all the mighty Host  
Of Creatures there, Earth, Sea, or any Coast,  
Or Climate, any Fish, or Fowl, or Beast,  
Or any of His works, the most and least,  
Or thoughts, or words, or writing with the pen,  
Or deeds that are accomplished by men,  
But have some of these Letters in them all,  
And God alone hath all in General.  
By which we see, according to his will,  
He is in all things, and doth all things fill,  
And all things said or done, he hath ordained,  
Some part of his great Name's therein contained;  
All future, present, and all past things seeing,  
In whom we live, and move, and have our being.   

A Almighty, All in All, and every where,  
E Eternal, in whom change cannot appear,  
I Immortal, who made all things mortal else,  
O Omnipotent, whose Power all Power excels,  
V United, Three in one, and one in three,  
JEOVA: Unto whom All Glory be.  
Besides the learned Poets of all times,  
Have chanted out the praise, in pleasant rhymes,  
The harmless lives of rural shepherd's Swains,  
And beauteous shepherdess on the plains, 
All the famous Poets and Poetesses of altongs and nations, have written upon this worthy subject.   
In Odes, in Roundelays, and Madrigals,  
In Sonnets, and in well-penned Pastorals:  
They have recorded, most delightfully,  
Their loves, their fortunes, and felicity,  
And sure, if in this low terrestrial Round  
Plain honest happiness is to be found;  
It with the Shepherds is remaining still,  
Because they have least power to do ill:  
And whilst they on their feeding flocks attend,  
They have the least occasions to offend.  
Ambition, Pomp, and hell-begotten Pride,  
And damned Adulation, they deride:  
The complemental flattery of King's Courts,  
Is never intermixed amidst their sports;  
They seldom envy at each others state,  
Their love and fear is Gods, the devil's their hate.  
In weighty business they nor mar or make,  
And cursed bribes they neither give or take.  
They are not guilty (as some great men are)  
T'undo their Mercer and Embroiderer,  
Their Tailor, Butcher, Brewer, Baker, Powlter,  
(For which there's some have well deserved a halter)  
Their Shoemaker and Silkman I forgot,  
Though breaking, or else begg'ry be their lot,  
Nor is't a shepherd's trade, by night or day  
To swear themselves in debt, and never pay.  
He's no state-plotting Machivilian,  
Or Proiect-monger Monopolitan:  
He hath no tricks or wiles to circumvent,  
Nor fears he when there comes a Parliament.  
He never wears his cap, or bends his knee  
To feed contention with a Lawyer's fee:  
He wants the art to Cog, Cheat, Swear and Lie,  
Nor fears the Gallows, or the Pillory.  
Nor cares he if great men be fools or wise,  
If honour fall, and base dishonour rise,  
Let fortunes mounted minions sink or swim,  
He never breaks his brains, all's one to him.  
He's free from fear full curses of the poor,  
And liu's and dies content, 
Great temperance in Shepherd.  with less, or more.  
He doth not waste the time, as many use,  
His good Creator's creatures to abuse,  
In drinking sick  healths to some,  
The veriest Cankerwormes of Christendom:  
My Lord Ambition, and my Lady Pride,  
Shall with his quaffing, not be magnifide:  
Nor for their sakes will he carouse and feast,  
Until (from man) he be turned worse than beast.  
Whereby he escapes vain oaths, and blasphemy,  
And surfeits, (fruits of drunken gluttony.)  
He escapes occasion unto lust's pretence,  
And so escapes the Pox, by consequence.  
Thus doth he scape the Parrator and Proctor,  
Th'Apothecary, Surgeon, and Doctor;  
Whereby he this prerogative may have,  
To hold the laying in, 
These are great privileges though few men seek or care for them.  into his grave,  
Whilst many, that his betters fare have been,  
Will very hardly hold the laying in.  
Thus Shepherds live, and thus they end their lives,  
Adorned and graced with these prerogatives:  
And when he dies, he leaves no wrangling heirs  
To law till all be spent, and nothing theirs,  
Hooke, Tar-box, Bottle, Bag, Pipe, Dog, and all  
Shall breed no jars in Westminster's great hall:  
Peace and tranquillity was all his life,  
And (dead) his goods shall be no cause of strife.  
Thus Shepherds have no places, means, or times,  
To fall into those hell-deseruing crimes,  
Which Courtiers, Lawyers, Tradesmen, men of Arms  
Commit, unto their souls and bodies harms.  
And from the Shepherds now I'll turn my style  
To sundry sorts of Sheep another while.  
The Lambs that in the jews Passoever died,  
Were figures of the Lamb that's crucified. 
Esa. 53.7. 1. joh 1.29 and Reve. 5.8.9.13.   
And Esay doth compare our heavenly food  
T'a Sheep, which dumb before the shearer stood:  
Whose death, and merits, did this title win,  
The Lamb of God, which freed the world from sin.  
LAMB Anagrams BLAME.  
LAMB Anagrams BALM.  
The Anagrams of Lamb is Blame and Balm,  
And Christ, the Lamb, upon him took our Blame,  
His precious Blood, (Gods heavy wrath did calm)  
IT was th'only Balm for Sin to cure the same:  
All power, and praise, and glory, be therefore  
Ascribed to the Lamb for evermore.  
And in the threescore nineteenth Psalm we read,  
That like a Sheep our God doth joseph lead.  
Again, of us he such account doth keep,  
That of his Pasture we are called Sheep.  
And every day we do confess (almost)  
That we have erred and strayed like Sheep that's lost.  
Our Saviour, (that hath bought our souls so dear)  
Hath said, his Sheep his voice will only hear:  
And thrice did Christ unto Saint Peter call,  
(In which he spoke to his Disciples all)  
If you do love me, 
joh. 21.15, 16, 17.  feed my Sheep (quoth he)  
And feed my Lambs well, if you do love me.  
Moreover, in the final judgement day,  
There is the right hand, and the left hand way,  
Whereas the sheep he to himself doth gather,  
With saying, Come, ye blessed of my Father, etc.  
And to the Goats, in his consuming ire,  
He bids, Depart into eternal fire.  
Thus our Redeemer, and his whole elect,  
The name of Sheep held ever in respect,  
And the comparison holds reference  
To profit, and to harmless innocence.  
For of all beasts that ever were, or are,  
None can (for goodness) with a Sheep compare:  
Indeed, for bone and burden I must grant,  
He's much inferior to the Elephant,  
The Dromedary, Camel, Horse, and Ass,  
For load and carriage doth a Sheep surpass:  
Strong Taurus, 
An Ox is the Eunuch son of a Bull.  Eunuch son, the labouring Ox,  
The stately Stag, the bobtaild crafty Fox,  
These, and all ravenous beasts of prey, must yield  
Unto the Sheep, the honour of the field.  
I could recount the names of many more,  
The Lion, Unicorn, the Bear and Boar:  
The Wolf, the Tiger, the Rhinoscerot,  
The Leopard, and a number more I wots:  
But all these greedy beasts, great Ovid, pen  
Doth say are metamorphosed into men,  
For beast to beast afford more conscience can,  
And much less cruelty, than man to man.  
I'll therefore let such beasts be as they be,  
For fear they kick, and snap, and snarl at me.  
Unto the Sheep again my Muse doth fly,  
For honest safety, and commodity.  
He with his flesh and fleece, doth feed and clad  
All languages and nations, good and bad:  
What can it more, but die, that we may live,  
And every year to us a livery give?  
'Tis such a bounty, and the charge so deep,  
That nothing can afford the like, but Sheep.  
For should the world want Sheep, but five whole year,  
Ten thousand millions would want  to wear:  
And werted not for the flesh of this kind beast,  
The world: might fast, when it doth often feast.  
There's nothing doth unto a Sheep pertain,  
But 'tis for man's commodity and gain:  
For men to men so much untrusty are,  
To lie, to cousin, to forswear and swear:  
That oaths, and passing words, and joining hands,  
Is like assurance written in the sands,  
To make men keep their words, and mend all this, 
Parchment made of Sheepskin   
The silly Sheepskin turned to Parchment is.  
There's many a wealthy man, whose whole estate  
Lies more in Parchment, then in coin or plate,  
Indentures, Leases, Evidences, Wills,  
Bonds, Contracts, Records, Obligations, Bills,  
With these (although the Sheepskin is but weak)  
It binds men strongly that they dare not break.  
But if a man eats Spiders now and then,  
The oil of Parchment cures him oft again.  
And what rare stuffs which in the world are framed,  
Can be in value, like to parchment named;  
The richest cloth of gold that can be found,  
A yard of it was ne'er worth fifty pound:  
And I have seen two foot of Sheepskin dressed,  
Which hath been worth ten thousand pounds at least.  
A piece of parchment well with Ink laced over,  
Helps many a gallant to a Satin cover:  
Into the Mercer it some Faith doth strike,  
It gives the Silkman Hope of no dislike: 
If the Tailor's Bill be out of measure to the Gentleman than he can make a fit measure for him with his own bond.   
The Tailor it with Charity assails,  
It thrusts him last betwixt his Bill and Veils:  
And by these means, a piece of parchment can  
Patch up, and make a Gull a Gentleman.  
The nature of it very strange I find,  
'Tis much like physic, it can lose and bind:  
'Tis one man's freedom, and another's noose,  
And like the Pope it doth both bind and lose.  
And as the Ram and Ewe do fructify,  
And every year a Lamb doth multiply:  
So doth a sheepskin Bond make money breed  
And procreate, as seed doth spring from seed.  
An hundred pound's the Ewe, 
A Bond is the Ewe, the borrower and lender are both Rams and the Interest is the Lamb.  which every year  
Doth breed a ten pound Lamb, (all charges clear.)  
Thus is a sheepskin proved the only Tie  
And stay, whereon a world of men rely,  
Which holds a crew of Earthwormes in more awe,  
Then both the Tables of the sacred Law.  
Past number, I could many functions name  
Who (as 'tis parchment) live upon the same:  
But 'tis sufficient, this small homely touch:  
Should all be writ, my Book would swell too much.  
Now of the Ram, the Ewe, the Lamb, and Wether,  
I'll touch their skins as they are turned to Leather,  
And made in Purses, Pouches, Laces, Strings,  
Gloves, Points, Booke-covers, and ten thousand things,  
And many tradesmen live and thrive thereby,  
Which if I would, I more could amplify.  
Their Guts serve Instruments which sweetly sound,  
Their Dung is best to make most fruitful ground:  
Their Hoofs burnt, will most venomed serpents kill,  
Their grated Horns are good 'gainst poison still:  
Their Milk makes Cheese, man's hunger to prevent,  
As I have seen in Sussex and in Kent:  
Their Trotters, for the healthy or the sick,  
(Dressed as they should be) are good meat to pick.  
The Cooks and Butchers with the joints do gain,  
And poor folks eat the Gather, Head, and Brain;  
And though all wise men's judgement will allow  
A Sheep to be much lesser than a Cow.  
Yet in a Leg of Mutton I can see  
More meat then in a Leg of Beef can be.  
A live Sheep hath one Neck, yet I perceive  
Sheep being dead, two Necks of Mutton have.  
Four legs each living Sheep hath, but once slain,  
(Although he lose none, yet) he hath but twain.  
Now, for the honour of the valiant Ram,  
If I were learned more triple than I am,  
Yet could I not sufficiently express  
His wondrous worth, and worthiness.  
For by Astronomers 'tis verifide  
How that the Ram in heaven is stellifide, 
Aries.   
And (of the twelve) is placed head sign of all,  
Where Sol keeps first his Equinoctial.  
For, 
Taurus. Gemini. Cancer. Leo. Virgo. Lybra. Scorpio. Sagitarius Capricornus. Aquarius. Pisces.  having at the Bull drunk April's showers,  
And with the Twins, May decked the earth with flowers:  
And scorched the Crab in june with burning beams,  
Made julies' Lion chafe with fiery gleams:  
In August solace to the Virgin given  
With Balance in September made Time even,  
October's Scorpion with declining course,  
And passing by December's Archers force,  
Then having past Novembers frozen Goat,  
He next to janus' Watery Sign doth float:  
He to the Lenten Sign in February,  
And so bright Phoebus ends his years vagary.  
Then, to the Ram, in March, in his career,  
He mounts, on which this Sonnets written here.   

Sonnet.  

Diurnal Titan's all-reviuing Car,  
Throughout the heavens his progress begins to take:  
And now his glistering Rays he doth unbarre,  
What absence marred, his presence now doth make:  
Now he gins Earth's mourning face to dry  
With Eol's breath, and his bright heavenly heat.  
March dust (like clouds) through air doth march & fly:  
Dead-seeming Trees and Plants new life doth get.  
Thus when the World's eye dazler takes his Inn  
At the celestial Ram, than Winter's done:  
And then dame Nature doth her livery spin  
Of flowers and fruits, which all the Earth puts on.  
Thus when Apollo doth to Aries come,  
The Earth is freed from Winter's martyrdom.  
Thus have I proved the Ram a lucky sign,  
Wherein Heaven, Earth, and Sun and Air combine,  
To have their universal comforts hurled  
Upon the face of the decaying world.  
With twelve signs each man's body's governed,  
And Aries, or the Ram, doth rule the head, 
To be called Ramhead, is a title of honour & a name proper to all men.   
Then are their judgements foolish, fond, and base,  
That take the name of Ramhead in disgrace;  
'Tis honour for the head to have the name  
Derived from the Ram that rules the same:  
And that the Ram doth rule the head, I know,  
For every Almanac the same doth show.  
He that sells wood, is called a Woodmonger;  
He that sells fish, is called a Fishmonger;  
He that doth brew, is called a Brewer; and  
He's called a Landlord that takes rend for land;  
He that bakes Bread, scorns not the name of Baker; 
The stare will have it so.   
He that makes Cuckolds, is a Cuckold-maker.  
So as the Ram doth rule the head, I see,  
By Constellation, all men Ramheads be.  
And as the twelve Celestial signs bear sway,  
And with their motions pass man's life away:  
The Ram, the head, the Bull, the neck and throat,  
Twins, shoulders, Crab doth rule the breast, I note, 
A comfort for Cuckolds, that though a man hath a Rame head, yet he hath a Lion's heart.   
But 'tis the Lion's portion, and his part,  
To be the valiant ruler of the heart.  
From whence such men may gather this relief,  
That though a Ramhead may be cause of grief,  
Yet Nature hath this remedy found out,  
They should have Lions hearts, to bear it stout,  
And to defend and keep the head from harm,  
The Anagram of Ram, I find, is Arm.  
Thus is a Ramhead armed against all fear,  
He needs no helmet, or no head-piece wear.  
To speak more, in the plural number, Rams,  
It yields signifique war like Anagrams,  
For Rams is Mars, Mars is the god of war,  
And Rams is Arms, Arms wars munitions are;  
And from the fierce encounters which they make, 
Strange mysteries in the words Ram or Rams: the Rams the first runners at tilt and first teachers of warlike battle. josephus' Bella. lib. 3. cap. 9 Ram's horns the first trumpets.   
Our Tilts and Tourneys did beginnings take:  
For as the Rams retire, and meet with rage,  
So men do in their warlike equipage.  
And long  powder, (from hell's damned den)  
Was monstrously produced, to murder men,  
The Ram, an Engine called a Ram, did teach,  
To batter down a wall, or make a breach.  
And now some places of defence, 'gainst shot,  
Have (from the Ram) the name of Rampires got.  
First warlike Trumpets that I e'er heard named,  
At jericho, were all of Rams horns framed:  
For at the Ramshorne Trumpets fearful blast,  
Their cursed walls were suddenly down cast.  
Thus is the Ram with many virtues stored,  
And was in Egypt for a god adored:  
And like a Captain he the flock doth lead,  
As fits their General, their Prince or head.  
Thus have I proved a Sheep, a beast of price,  
Clean, and reputed fit for sacrifice:  
And sleeping, waking, early, or else late,  
It still doth chew the cud and ruminate.  
Of all beasts in the world's circumference,  
For meekness, profit, and for innocence,  
I have approved a sheep most excellent,  
That with least cost, doth give man most content.  
There's such instinct of Nature in the Lamb  
By bleating, It, 'mongst thousands knows the dam; 
Agnus. Great knowledge in the Lamb.   
For which the name of Agnoscendo, knowing,  
Is given to a Lamb, it's knowledge showing.    

But to consider more seriously, the wonderful blessing that the whole world hath had, and hath by sheep at this present, I think it not amiss to use the words of an ingenious and well affected Poet of our time, Master T. M. where he truly saith,  
No Ram no Lamb, no Lamb no Sheep, no Sheep no Wool, no Wool no Woolman, no Woolman no Spinner, no Spinner no Weaver, no Weaver no Cloth, no Cloth no Clothier, no Clothier no Clothworker, Fuller, Tucker, Shearman, Draper, or scarcely a rich Dier.  
And what infinite numbers of people rich and poor have lived, and do live, having their whole dependence from the poor sheep's back, all men of judgement will acknowledge; beside, I think it not amiss to set down the names of many worthy men, who have been free of London, of such trades and mysteries whereof the sheep is the original under God. And first, to begin with the Right Worshipful Company of Drapers, with the names of such as have borne the honourable Office and Dignity of Lord Maior of London, with their pious deeds, and diverse other persons of the said Company, their names, and memorable charities, with the like remembrance of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers. And first, I begin with the first.  
Anno 1189. In the beginning of the reign of King Richard the first, Sir Henry Fitz Allen Draper, was the first Lord Maior of London, who continued in that dignity twenty four years together, till the fourteenth year of King john 1212. when he died, he was a worthy Benefactor to his Company, and gave houses to the use of the poor, in the parish of Saint Marie Bothaw in Walbrooke ward.  
Anno 1252. john Talason Draper, Maior.  
1253. Richard Hardell Draper, six year's Mayor.  
1330. Sir john Pultney Draper, two year's Mayor.  
1332. john Preston Draper, Maior.  
1333. Sir john Pultney, Maior.  
1336. 
Many of these men did good and charitable deeds, but they did them secretly in their life's time.  Sir john Pultney the fourth time Lord Maior, he built a Chapel in Paul's, where he lies buried: he also built Saint Laurence Pultney Church, and the Church of little Alhalowes, and the Church called the Friars in Coventrie: he gave to the poor of Saint Giles in the fields, to the poor prisoners in the Fleet and Newgate, ten shillings to each yearly for ever, besides many other deeds of charity which he did.  
Anno 1363. Stephen Candish Draper Maior.  
1367. james Andrew Draper Maior.  
1381. john Northampton Draper two year's Mayor.  
1391. john Hind Draper Maior.  
Anno 1402. john Walcot Draper Maior.  
1404. john Hind the second time Maior, he newly built the Church of Saint Swithin near London stone.  
1413. Sir William Cromer Draper Maior.  
1415. Sir Nicholas Wotton Draper Maior.  
1423. William Cromer Draper Maior.  
1427. john Gedney Draper Maior.  
1430. Nicholas Wotton Draper Maior.  
1433. john Brockle Draper Maior.  
1441. Robert Clopton Draper Maior.  
1445. Sir Simon Eyre Draper Mayor, he built Leaden Hall for a Garnerie for the City, and gave five thousand Marks to charitable uses.  
1447. Sir john Gedney Draper Maior.  
1453. Sir john Norman Draper Maior.  
1458. Sir Thomas Scot Draper Maior.  
1462. Sir Thomas Cook Draper Maior.  
1464. Sir Ralph joslin Draper Maior.  
1474. Sir Robert Drop Draper, Maior; he lieth buried in Saint Michael's Church in Cornhill London: he gave towards poor maid's marriages of that parish twenty pound, and to the poor of that ward ten pound, and three hundred shirts and smocks, and a hundred gowns of Broadcloth.  
1476. Sir Ralph joslin Draper, the second time Maior.  
1479. Sir Bartholomew james Draper Maior.  
1481. Sir William Harriot Draper Maior.  
1484. Sir William Stocker Draper Maior.  
1489. Sir William White Draper Maior.  
1503. Sir William Capell Draper Maior.  
1507. Laurence Aylmer Draper Maior.  
1509. Sir William Capell the second time Maior.  
1511. Sir Roger Achley Draper Maior.  
1514. Sir George Monox Draper Mayor, he repaired the ruinated Church at Walthamstow in Essex, and erected a Free School there, and thirteen Almshouses for aged people, also he built a long Timber Cawsway over the Marshes from Walthamstow to Lock Bridge.  
1520. Sir john Bruges Draper Maior.  
1521. Sir john Milbourne Draper Mayor, he built 14. Almshouses for 14. aged poor people, near the Lord Lumleys house in the crossed or crooched Friars, allowing to each, two shillings four pence monthly for ever.  
1524. Sir William Bailie Draper Maior.  
1528. Sir john Rudston Draper Maior.  
1533. Sir Christopher Askew Draper Maior, he paid largely to the building of eight Almshouses in Beechlane London, for eight poor Widows of his company.  
1540 Sir William Roch Draper Maior.  
1560. Sir William Chester Draper Maior.  
1565. Sir Richard Champion Draper Maior, a good Benefactor to the poor of Saint Dunstan's in the East, and to the poor in Saint Edmunds in Lombard street he gave fifty four shillings yearly in bread for ever, besides other gifts.  
1578. Sir Richard Pipe Draper Maior.  
1580. Sir john Branch Draper Maior.  
1584. Sir Thomas Pullison Draper Maior.  
1588. Sir Martin Calthrop Draper Maior.  
1614 Sir Thomas Hayes Draper Maior.  
1615. Sir john jowls Draper Maior.  
1621. Sir Edward Barkham Draper Maior.  
1623. Martin Lumley Draper Maior.   

These good deeds following were done by others of the said Company, who were not Lord Mayor.  
IOhn Holmes Draper, gave his house to the poor in Saint Sepulchers parish for ever, the yearly rent of it being thirty two pound.  
john Russell Draper, gave eighty pound to Schools, and to other pious uses.  
john Quarles Draper, gave six pound a year for ever to be given to the poor in bread.  
William Dummer Draper, gave to the poor thirteen pound eighteen shillings four pence, yearly for ever.  
Owen Clun Draper, gave to the poor five and twenty pound yearly for ever.  
William Parker Draper, towards the maintenance of Preachers at Saint Antlin six pounds yearly for ever.  
john Skeet Draper, gave to the Hospitals at London three hundred pound, and to four poor scholars at Oxford five pound a piece, and the like to four poor scholars at Cambridge.  
Henry Butler Draper, gave to Saint Thomas Hospital ten pound, to Christ Church, Saint Bartholomewes', & Bridewell, five pounds to each.  
Peter Hall Draper, gave to Christ's Hospital ten pound, to Saint Bartholomewes' and Saint Thomas Hospital three pound to each.  
Thomas Church Draper, gave to Christ's Hospital and to Bridewell, to each ten pound, and to the Hospitals of Saint Thomas & Saint Bartholomew, to either five pound.  
Humphrey Fox Draper, gave to Christ's Church Hospital fifty pound.  
Edmund Hill Draper, gave to the poor of Saint Andrew Under shaft fifty two pound, anno 1609.  
William Gilborne Draper, gave four marks the year for ever to the poor of Saint Katherine Christ Church near Aldegate, & twenty pound he gave to build a Gallery in the same Church.  
john Quarles Draper, gave to the poor of Saint Peter in the poor in Bredstreet ward, fifty pound to be bestowed yearly in bread for ever.  
Sir Richard Goddard Draper, and Alderman, gave to the Hospital of Bridewell two hundred pound.  
Master Benedict Barnham Draper, gave for the relief of poor prisoners, in the several prisons of London, 50. l.  
Sir james Deane, Draper and Alderman, gave to the several Hospitals in London, a hundred and thirty pound, and to sundry prisons seventy pound.  
Lady Bainham, sometimes an Alderman's wife of the Draper's Company, gave to the poor of the said Company ten pound yearly for ever.  
Lancelot Thomson Draper, gave to the parish of Saint Peter in Cornhill, twenty pound for five Sermons, and a hundred pound to the poor of the Draper's Company, and five pound yearly to be bestowed by them in fire and bread on the poor of that parish.  
Richard Shore Draper, gave fifteen pound to build a Church porch at Saint Mildred's in the Powltrie.  
john Calthrop Draper, built the Brick wall betwixt the Hospitals of Christ's Church and Saint Bartholomew.  
john Chertsey Draper, gave to the Hospitals twenty pound, and to other charitable uses a hundred pound.  
Master Henry Woolaston Draper, gave to Saint Thomas Hospital forty pound, with other charitable benevolences.  
These memorable and pious works, (with many more than my weak capacity can collect and reckon) have been done by the Drapers or Clothsellers, which doth approve the sheep to be a thriving, happy, and a most profitable beast. Now to speak somewhat of the Right Worshipful Company of Clothworkers.  
Anno Domini 1559. Sir William Hewet Clothworker, Lord Maior.  
1570. Sir Rowland Heyward Clothworker, Lord Maior.  
1574. Sir james Hawes Clothworker Lord Maior.  
1583. Sir Edward Osborne Clothworker Lord Maior.  
1594. Sir john Spencer Clothworker Lord Maior. 
K. james (our most gracious Sovereign was made a free brother of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers, Sir john Wats being then Lord Maior, who feasted his Majesty, Sir William Stone Knight being then Master of the Company, as which time the King gave a gift of a. brace of Bucks to the said Company yearly for ever, to be spent at their feast in their Hall.   
1596. Sir Thomas Skinner Clothworker L. Mayor, gave to the Hospitals in London and the Suburbs 120. l.  
1599 Sir Nicholas Mosley Clothworker L. Maior.  
1606. Sir john Wat's Clothworker Lord Mayor, gave to Christ Church Hospital ten pound, and to the Hospital of Saint Thomas in Southwark twenty pound.  
Richard Farringdon Clothworker and Alderman, gave to the several Hospitals in London and the Suburbs 66. pound, 13. shillings four pence.  
Sir William Stone Clothworker, gave to the several prisons in London 50. pound.  
Lady Barbara Stone, wife to the forenamed Sir William Stone, gave to the Hospital of Christ's Church one hundred pounds.  
Lady Spencer, wife to Sir john Spencer Clothworker, gave to the several Hospitals seventy pound.  
William Lamb Esquire, free of the company of Clothworkers, & one of the Gentlemen of the Chapel to king Henry the eight, built a free Grammar School at Sutton Valence in Kent, (where he was borne) allowing yearly for ever to the Master of the said Scchoole twenty pound, and to the Usher ten pound: also he built 6. Almshouses there, with gardens & orchyards, and 10. l. yearly to each of them for ever. Besides, he gave to the free school at Maidstone in Kent 10. pound yearly for ever, which he appointed to be bestowed only upon poor children, who were destitute of friends and succourless. Also he bestowed three hundred pound for the use of decayed Clothiers in the County of Suffolk, and in the towns of Bridgenorth and Ludlow. Moreover, he built two Conduits in London, one at Holborn Bridge, and the other on the Hill towards Newgate, both of which cost 1500. pounds; at which time he gave 120. new Pails to so many poor women, to bear water withal: Moreover, he gave thirty pound a year to his Company for ever, and 4. pounds yearly to a Minister for four Sermons, and thirty pound yearly for ever to be bestowed on twelve poor men, and twelve poor women; each of them to have a Frieze Gown, one Lockrom shirt or smock, one pair of winter shoes; which Gift is yearly distributed on the first of October; he also gave to the Poor of Saint Giles Parish without Cripplegate, fifteen pound: To the Poor of the Company of Stationers, he gave six pounds, thirteen shillings, four pence yearly for ever, to be bestowed every Fry day in the Parish of S. Faiths, on twelve poor people, twelve pence in bread, and twelve pence in money. He gave to Christ's Hospital six pounds yearly for ever and 100 pounds in ready money present; He gave to S. Thomas Hospital 4. pounds yearly for ever: and to poor Maid's marriages he gave 20. pounds: besides Newgate, Ludgate, the two Comptors, in London, the Marshalsea, the Kings-Bench, and the White Lion, had all most loving tastes of his Charitable liberality: and in conclusion, he gave 108. Gowns to poor aged people at his Funeral.  

This was a Lamb, whose like was never any:  
Whose love and pity said and clothed so many:  
And 'tis no doubt, but these good deeds of his,  
Did help to lift his Soul to endless Bliss.   
Master john Berriman of Bishops Taunton in the County of Devon-shire, Clothier, and free Draper of London, gave to the Hospital of Christ-Church, 100 pounds: to S. Bartholomewes', 5. pounds: to S. Thomas Hospital, 6. pounds, to Bridewell 40. Shillings: and to the Hospital of Bethlem, 50. pounds.  
Peter blundel, Clothier, gave to Christ-Church Hospital, 500 pounds: to Saint Bartholomewes' Hospital, 250. pounds: to Saint Thomas Hospital 250. pounds: to Bridewell, 8. pounds yearly forever: to the Reparation of the Church at Tiverton (where he was borne) 50. pounds: towards the mending of Highways, 100 pounds: to the twelve Companies in London, to every of them 150. pound: to poor Maid's marriages in Tiverton, 400. pound: to the poor at Exester, he gave 900. pound: to build a Grammar-school at Tiverton, 2400. pounds: and after laid out by his Executors, 1000 pound: to the Schoolmaster 50. pounds yearly for ever: to the Usher 13. pound 6. shillings 8. pence yearly: to the Clerk 40. shillings yearly: to place four poor boys yearly Aprentises, 20. pounds per annum: to keep three Scholars at Oxford, and three at Cambridge, 2000 l.  
Robert Chilcot, Servant to the aforesaid M. blundel, gave to Christ's Hospital 100 pound towards a meaner School, to have Children taught, to be apt for his Master's Grammar-school: he gave 400. pound to maintain it: he gave 90. pound, allowing the Schoolmaster yearly 20. pound, the Clerk 3. pound, and toward Reparations, 40. shillings per annum: to fifteen poor men he gave 16. pounds, 10. shillings a year for ever: to fifteen poor labouring men 15. pound: to fifteen poor people weekly, six pence each, for ever: to mend the Church at Tiverton, 19 pound, 10. shillings: to mend Highways, 10. pounds: and to other charitable uses, more than is mentioned.  
Thus hath it pleased God, that these men (whose trades and liuings were derived from the poor Sheep's back) have not only grown to great wealth, and places of Honour, but have been also great Instruments of the Almighty's mercy, in relieving the needy and impotent members of Christ: and should I reckon up the particulars of profits that arise from this Beast, to Graziers, Butchers Skinners, Glover's, Felmongers', Leathersellers, Feltmongers, Tailors, & an infinite number of other Trades and Functions, who could not live, or else live very hardly without this Commodity. I say, should I write of these things in particular, my work would never be done in general.  
Wool hath been formerly in such esteem in England, that in a Parliament holden the 36. of Edward the third, the King had his Subjects paid him in wool; and before that, in the 11. year of his Reign, is was forbidden to be transported out of this Kingdom; and then did Strangers come over hither, from diverse parts beyond the Seas, who were Fuller's, Weavers, and Clothworkers, whom the King entertained, and bore all their charges out of his Exchequer: at which time, the Staples, or places of merchandise for Wools, were kept at diverse places of this Land at once; as at Newcastle, York, Lincoln, Canterbury, Norwich, Westminster, Chichester, Winchester, Exester, Bristol, and Carmarthen: by which may be perceived what a great commodity wool was in those days. But in the 6. year of King Edward the fourth, the King sent certain Ships out of Cotsall in Gloucester shire, into Spain, the increase of which so enriched the Spaniards with our wool, that ever since, it hath been in the less request in England: never thelesse, as it is, it is the means of life and maintenance for many hundred thousands.   


ANd now from solid Prose I will abstain  
To pleasant Poetry, and mirth again. 
Here followeth a touch of paltry Scabbed infectious kind of Sheep, which I think fit to place by themselves in the lag end of my Book, as fare as I can from the clean, sound, & profitable Sheep before mentioned, for fear the bad should infect the good.   
The Fable of the Golden Fleece began,  
'Cause Sheep did yield such store of Gold to Man:  
For he that hath great store of woolly fleeces,  
May (when he please) have store of golden pieces.  
Thus many a poor man dying, hath left a Son,  
That hath transsormed the Fleece to Gold, like jason:  
And here's a mystery profound and deep,  
There's sundry sorts of Mutton, are no Sheep:  
Laced Mutton, which let out themselves to hire,  
Like Hackneys, who'll be fired, before they tyre.  
The man or men which for such Mutton hungers,  
Are (by their Corporation) Mutton-mongers:  
Which is a brotherhood so large and great,  
That if they had a Hall, I would entreat  
To be their Clerk, or keeper of accounts,  
To show them unto what their charge amounts;  
My brains in numbering then wound grow so quick,  
I should be master of Arithmetic:  
All States, Degrees, and Trades, both bad and good,  
Afford some members of this Brotherhood:  
Great therefore needs must be their multitude,  
When every man may to the Trade intrude:  
It it no free doom, yet these men are free,  
Not saviours, but most liberal spenders be:  
For this is one thing that doth them bewitch,  
That by their trading they wax seldom rich:  
The value of this Mutton to set forth,  
The flesh doth cost more than the broth is worth:  
They all are Ewes, yet are exceeding Ramish,  
And will be dainty fed, whose ' ever famish.  
Nor are they marked for any man, or no man,  
As mine, or thine, but every man's in common,  
Fine heads, and necks, and breasts, they yield some storee,  
But scarcely one good liver in nine score:  
The livers being bad, 'tis understood,  
The veins are filled with putrified blood,  
Which makes them subject to the scab, and then  
They prove most dang rous diet unto men.  
And then the proverb proves no lie or mock,  
One scabbed sheepes enough to spoil a flock.  
But yet for all this, there is many a Gull,  
Love's Mutton well, and dips his bread i'the wool.  
And were a man put to his choice to keep,  
'Tis said, a Shrew is better than a Sheep.  
But if a man be yoked with such an Ewe,  
She may be both a scabbed Sheep and Shrew.  
And he that is so matched, his life may well  
Compared be unto an earthly hell.  
But to my Theme which I wrote of before,  
I at this Mutton must have one cut more.  
These kind of Sheep have all the world o'er grown,  
And seldom do wear fleeces of their own:  
For they from sundry men their pelts can pull,  
Whereby they keep themselves as warm as wool.  
Besides, in colours, and in shape, they   
Quite from all profitable sheep contrary:  
White, Black, Green, Tawny, Purple, Red, and Blue,  
Beyond the Rainbow for their change of hue:  
Camelion like in alteration,  
But, that bare Air they cannot live upon.  
The Moon's mutations, not more manifold,  
Silk, Velvet, Tissue, Cloth, and cloth of God:  
These are the Sheep that Golden fleeces wear, 
They are as soft as Silkworms.   
Who robe themselves with others wool or hair:  
And it may be, 'twas such a Beast and Fleece,  
Which jason brought from Cholcos, into Greece.  
Were it no more but so, I dare be bold  
To think this Land doth many jasons' hold:  
Who never durst to pass a dangerous wave,  
Yet may (with ease) such Golden fleeces have.  
Too much of one thing's good for nought (they say)  
I'll therefore take this needless dish away:  
For should I too much, of Laced Mutton write,  
I may o'er come my Readers stomach quite.  
Once more unto the good Sheep I'll retire,  
And so my Book shall to its end expire:  
Although it be not found in Ancient writers,  
I find all Muttone-aters are sheepbiters.  
And in some places I have heard and seen,  
That currish sheepbiters have hanged been,  
If any kind of Tike should snarl or whine,  
Or bite, or woorry this poor Sheep of mine,  
Why let them bark and bite, and spend their breath,  
I'll never wish them a sheepbiters death.  
My Sheep will have them know, her Innocence  
Shall live, in spite of their malevolence:  
I wish them keep themselves and me from pain,  
And bite such Sheep as cannot bite again.  
For if they snap at mine, I have a pen,  
That (like a trusty Dog) shall bite again.  
And in Conclusion, this I humbly crave,  
That every one the honesty may have,  
That when our frail mortality is past,  
We may be the good Shepherd's sheep at last.   
FINIS.