A Verry Merry Wherry-Ferry-Voyage: OR York for my Money:  
Sometimes Perilous, sometimes quarrelous, Performed with a pair of Oars, by Sea from London, by JOHN TAYLOR, and JOB pennel.  
And written by I. T.  
LONDON. Imprinted by Edw: Allde. 1622.   

As much Happiness as may be wished, attend the Two hopeful, Imps of Gentility and Learning, Mr. RICHARD and GEORGE HATTON.  
YOu forward Pair, in Towardly Designs,  
To you I send these sowsde Salt-water Lines:  
Accept, Read, Laugh, and breath, and to't again,  
And still my Muse, and I, shall yours Remain.  john Taylor.  

Prologue.  
I Now intent a Voyage here to Write,  
From London unto York, help to Indite  
Great Neptune! lend thy Aid to me, who pa●  
Through thy tempestuous Waves with man● a blas●  
And then I●● true describe the Towns, & me●  
And manners, as I went and came again.   

A very Merry Wherry-Ferry-Voyage, Or, York for my Money.  
THE Year which I do call as others do,  
Full 1600. adding Twenty 
a The year of our Lord  two:  
The Month of july, that's for ever famed,  
(Because 'twas so by 
b july was named so by Caesar.  julius Caesar named,)  
Just when six days, and to each Day a Night,  
The dogged 
c The Dog-days were 6. days entered.  Dog-days had began to bite,  
On that day which doth blest Remembrance bring,  
The name of an Apostle, and our King,  
On that remarkable good day, Saint james  
I undertook my Voyage down the Thames.  
The Sign in 
d I observe signs, winds, Tides, days, hours, times, Situations & manners.  Cancer, or the Ribs and Breast,  
And Aeolus blewe sweetly West Southwest.  
Then after many farewells, Cups and Glasses,  
(Which oftentimes hath made men worse than Asses)  
About the waste or 
e Noon if you'll take it so.  Navel of the Day,  
Not being dry or Drunk, I went my way.  
Our Wherry somewhat old, or struck in age,  
That had endured near 4. years' Pilgrimage,  
And carried honest people, Whores, and Thiefs,  
Some Sergeants, Bailiffs, and some 
f Boats are like Barber's Chairs Hackneys or Whores: common to all estates.  under-shrieves,  
And now at last it was her lot to be  
Th'adventurous bonny Bark to carry me.  
But as an old Whore's Beauty being gone  
Hides Nature's wrack, with Artlike painting on:  
So I with Colours finely did repair  
My Boats defaults, and made her fresh and fair.  
Thus being furnished with good Wine and Beer,  
And Bread and Meat (to banish hungers fear)  
With Sails, with Anchor, Cables, Skulls and Oars,  
With Card and Compass, to know Seas and Shores,  
With Lantern, Candle, Tinderbox and Match,  
And with good Courage, to work, ward, and watch,  
Well man'd, well shipped, well victualled, well appointed,  
Well in good health, well timbered and well jointed:  
All wholly well, and yet not half Foxed well,  
'twixt Kent, and Essex, we to Gravesend fell.  
There I had welcome of my friendly Host,  
(A Gravesend Trencher, and a Gravesend Tost)  
Good meat and Lodging at an easy Rate,  
And rose betimes although I lay down late.  
Bright Lucifer the messenger of Day,  
His burnished twinkling splendour did display:  
Risen cheeked Aurora hid her blushing face,  
She spying Phoebus' coming gave him place.  
Whilst Zephyrus, and Auster, mixed together,  
Breathed gently, as fore-boding pleasant weather.  
Old Neptune had his Daughter Thames supplied,  
With ample measure of a flowing Tide,  
But Thames supposed it was but borrowed goods,  
And with her Ebbs, paid Neptune back his Floods.  
Then at the time of this Auspicious dawning,  
I roused my men, who Scrubbing, stretching, yawning,  
Arose, left Gravesend, Rowing down the stream,  
And near to Lee, we to an Anchor came.  
Because the Sands were bare, and Water low,  
We rested there, till it two hours did Flow:  
And then to travel went our Galley foist,  
Our Anchor quickly weighed, our sail soon hoist,  
Where thirty miles we passed, a mile from shore,  
The water two 
* These star Sands are called the Spi●s.  foot deep, or little more.  
Thus passed we on the brave East Saxon Coast,  
From 3. at morn, till 2. at noon almost,  
By Shobury, Wakering, Foulness, Tittingham,  
And then we into deeper water came.  
There is a crooked Bay runs winding far,  
To Maulden, Esterford, and Colchester,  
Which cause 'twas much about, (to ease men's pain)  
I left the Land, and put into the main.  
With speed, the crooked way to scape and pass,  
I made out strait for Frinton, and the Nasse.  
But being 3. League's then from any Land,  
And holding of our Main sheate in my hand,  
We did espy a coal-black Cloud to rise,  
Forerunner of some Tempest from the Skies;  
Scarce had we sailed a hundred times our length,  
But that the wind began to gather strength:  
Stiff Aeolus, with Neptune went to Cuffs,  
With huffs, and puffs, and angry counterbuffs,  
From boisterous Gusts, they fell to fearful flaws,  
Whilst we 'twixt wind & water, near Death's jaws  
Tossed like a Cork upon the mounting maine,  
Up with a whiff, and strait way down again,  
At which we in our minds much troubled were,  
And said God bless us all, what Weathers here?  
For (in a word) the Seas so high did grow,  
That Ships were forced to strike their topsailes low,  
Mean time (before the wind) we scudded brave,  
Much like a Duck, on top of every wave.  
But nothing violent is permanent,  
And in short space away the Tempest went.  
So farewell it; and you that Readers be  
Suppose it was no welcome Guest to me:  
My Company and I, it much perplexed,  
And let it come when I send for it next.  
But leaving jesting, Thanks to God I give,  
'twas through his mercy we did scape and live.  
And though these things with mirth I do express,  
Yet still I think on God with thankfulness.  
Thus ceased the Storm and weather 'gan to smile,  
And we Rowed near the shore of Horsey I'll.  
Then did Illustrious Titan seem to steep  
His Chariot in the Western Ocean deep:  
We saw the far spent Day, withdraw his light,  
And made for Harwich, where we lay all night.  
There did I find an Hostess with a Tongue,  
As nimble as it had on Gimmols hung:  
'twill never tyre, though it continual toiled,  
And went as you're, as if it had been Oiled:  
All's one for that, for aught which I perceive,  
It is a fault which all our Mothers have:  
And is so firmly grafted in the Sex,  
That he's an Ass that seems thereat to vex.  
Apollo's Beams began to gild the Hills,  
And West Southwest the wind the Welkin fils.  
When I left Harwich, and along we Rowed  
Against a smooth Calm flood that stiffly flowed,  
By Bawdsey Haven, and by Orford Nasse,  
And so by Aldbrough we at last did pass.  
By Lestoffe, we to Yarmouth made our way,  
Our third day's travel being Saturday,  
There did I see a Town well fortified,  
Well governed, with all Nature's wants supplied,  
The situation in a wholesome air,  
The Buildings (for the most part) sumptuous, fair,  
The people courteous, and industrious, and  
With labour makes the Sea enrich the land.  
Besides (for aught I know) this one thing more,  
The Town can scarcely yield a man a Whore:  
It is renowned for fishing far and near,  
And sure in Britain it hath not a Peer.  
But noble Nash thy fame shall live always,  
Thy witty Pamphlet, the red 
* 
It hath not a fellow in England for fishing.  
A Book called the praise of the red Herring.   Herrings praise  
Hath done great Yarmouth much renowned right,  
And put my Artless Muse to silence quite:  
On Sunday we a learned Sermon had,  
Taught to confirm the good, reform the bad;  
Acquaintance in the Town I scarce had any,  
And sought for none, in fear to find too many,  
Much kindness to me by mine Host was done,  
(A Mariner 
* And a ship Carpenter.  named William Richardson)  
Besides mine Hostess gave to me at last  
A Cheese, with which at Sea we broke our fast,  
The Gift was round, and had no end indeed,  
But yet we made an end of it with speed:  
My thanks surmounts her bounty, all men sees  
My Gratitude's in Print: But where's the Cheese?  
So on the Monday, betwixt one and twain,  
I took my leave, and put to Sea again.  
Down Yarmouth Road we Rowed with cutting speed,  
(The Wind all quiet, Arms must do the deed)  
Along by Castor, and Sea-bord'ring Towns,  
Whose Cliffs & shores abide stern Neptune's frowns,  
Sometimes a mile from land, and sometimes two,  
(As depths or sands permitted us to do)  
Till drawing toward night, we did perceive  
The wind at East, and Seas began to heave:  
The rolling Billows all in fury Roars  
And tumbled us, we scarce could use our Oars:  
Thus on a Lee shore, darkness 'gan to come,  
The Sea grew high, the winds 'gan hiss and hum:  
The foaming curled waves the shore did beat,  
(As if the Ocean would all Norfolk eat)  
To keep at Sea, was dangerous I did think,  
To go to land I stood in doubt to sink:  
Thus landing, or not landing (I supposed)  
We were in peril 
* We were in a puzzle.  round about enclosed;  
At last to Row to shore I thought it best,  
Amongst many evils, thinking that the least:  
My men all pleased to do as I command,  
Did turn the Boats head opposite to land,  
And with the highest Wave that I could spy,  
I bade them Row to shore immediately.  
When straight we all leaped overboard in haste,  
Some to the knees, and some up to the waste,  
Where suddenly twixt Owl-light and the dark,  
We plucked the Boat beyond high water mark.  
And thus half sowsde, half stewed, with Sea and sweat,  
We land at Cromer Town half dry, half wet.  
But we supposing all was safe and well  
In shunning 
* We were like Flounder alive in a frying Pan, that leaped into the fire to save themselves.  Silla, on Charybdis fell:  
For why some women, and some children there  
That saw us land, were all possessed with fear:  
And much amazed, ran crying up and down,  
That Enemies were come to take the Town.  
Some said that we were Pirates, some said thieves,  
And what the women says, the men believes.  
With that four Constables did quickly call,  
Your aid! to Arms you men of Cromer all!  
Then straightway forty men with rusty Bills,  
Some armed in Ale, all of approved skills,  
Divided into four stout Regiments,  
To guard the Town from dangerous Events;  
Brave Captain 
* These were the names of the cumbersome Cromorian Constables.  Peascod did the Vanguard lead,  
And Captain Clarke the Rearward governed,  
Whilst Captain Wiseman, and hot Captain Kimble,  
Were in the main Battalia fierce and nimble:  
One with his squadron watched me all the night,  
Lest from my lodging I should take my flight:  
A second (like a man of special note)  
Did by the Sea side all night watch my Boat,  
The other two, to make their names Renowned,  
Did Guard the Town, and bravely walk the Round.  
And thus my Boat, myself, and all my men,  
Were stoutly Guarded, and Regarded then:  
For they were all so full with fear possessed,  
That without mirth it cannot be expressed.  
My Invention doth Curvet, my Muse doth Caper,  
My Pen doth dance out lines upon the Paper,  
And in a word, I am as full of mirth,  
As Mighty men are at their first son's birth.  
Me thinks Moriscoes are within my brains,  
And Heyes and Antiques run through all my veins:  
Heigh, to the tune of Trenchmoore I could write  
The valiant men of Cromers sad affright:  
As Sheep do fear the Wolf, or Geese the Fox,  
So all amazed were these senseless blocks:  
That had the Town been fired, it is a doubt,  
But that the women there had pissed it out,  
And from the men Reeked such a fearful sent,  
That People three 
* People did come thither 3. or 4. miles about, to know what the matter was.  miles thence mused what it meant,  
And he the truth that narrowly had sifted,  
Had found the Constables, had need t'have shifted.  
They did examine me, I answered than  
I was john Taylor, and a Waterman,  
And that my honest fellow job and I,  
Were servants to King james his Majesty,  
How we to York, upon a Mart were bound,  
And that we landed, fearing to be drowned:  
When all this would not satisfy the Crew,  
I freely opened my Trunk, and bade them view,  
I showed them Books, of Chronicles and Kings,  
Some Prose, some verse, and idle Sonnetting,  
I showed them all my Letters to the full,  
Some to York's Archbishop, and some to Hull,  
But had the twelve Apostles sure been there  
My witnesses, I had been near the 
* I had as good to have said nothing.  near.  
And let me use all Oaths that I could use,  
They still were harder of belief than jews.  
They wanted faith, and had resolved before,  
Not to believe what e'er we said or swore.  
They said the world was full of much deceit,  
And that my Letters might be 
* Diligent Officers.  counterfeit:  
Besides, there's one thing bred the more dislike,  
Because mine Host was known a Catholic.  
These things concurring, people came in Clusters,  
And multitudes within my lodging Musters,  
That I was almost worried unto death,  
In danger to be stifled with their breath.  
And had mine Host took pence a piece of those  
Who came to gaze on me, I do suppose,  
No jack an Apes, Baboon, or Crocodile  
‛ E'er got more money in so small a 
* The dancing on the Ropes, or a Puppet play, had come short of his take, accounting time for time.  while.  
Besides, the Peasants did this one thing more,  
They called and drank four shillings on my score:  
And like unmannered Mongrels went their way,  
Not spending aught, but leaving me to 
* This was more than I could willingly afford.  pay.  
This was the household business, in mean space  
Some Rascals ran unto my Boat apace,  
And turned and tumbled her, like men of Gotham,  
Quite topsie turuy upward with her bottom,  
Vowing they would in tatters piecemeal tear,  
The cursed Pirates Boat, that bred their fear;  
And I am sure, their madness (to my harm)  
Tore a Board out, much longer than mine arm.  
And they so bruised, and split our Wherry, that  
She leaked, we cast out water with a Hat.  
Now let men judge, upon these truths revealing,  
If Turks or Moors could use more barbarous dealing,  
Or whether it be fit I should not write,  
Their envy, foolish fear, and mad despite.  
What may wise men conceive, when they shall note  
That five unarmed men, in a Wherry Boate,  
Nought to defend, or to offend with stripes  
But one old 
* And the sword was rusty with Salt-water, that it had need of a quarter's warning ere it would come out.  sword, and two Tobacco Pipes,  
And that of Constables a Murnivall,  
Men, women, children, all in general,  
And that they all should be so valiant, wise,  
To fear we would a Market Town surprise!  
In all that's writ I vow I am no liar,  
I muse the Beacons were not set on fire.  
The dreadful names of Talbot, or of Drake,  
ne'er made the foes of England more to quake  
Then I made Cromer, for their fear and dolour,  

* O brave sent.  Each man might smell out by his Neighbours color.  
At last the joyful morning did approach,  
And Sol began to mount his flaming Coach,  
Then did I think my Purgatory done,  
And rose betimes intending to be gone;  
But holla, stay, 'twas otherways, with me  
The mess of Constables were shrunk to three  
Sweet Mr. Peascods double diligence  
Had horsed himself, to bear intelligence,  
To justices of Peace within the land,  
What dangerous business there was now in hand,  
There was I forced to tarry all the while,  
Till some said he road four and twenty mile,  
In seeking men of worship, peace and quorum,  
Most wisely to declare strange news before 'em.  
And whatsoever tales he did recite,  
I'm sure he caused Sir Austin Palgrave, Knight,  
And Mr. Robert Kempe a justice there  
Come before me, to know how matters were.  
As conference 'twixt them and I did pass,  
They quickly understood me, what I was:  
And though they knew me not in prose and looks,  
They had read of me in my verse, and books,  
My businesses account I there did make,  
And I and all my Company did take,  
The lawful Oath of our Allegiance then,  
By which we were believed for honest men.  
In duty, and in all humility  
I do acknowledge the kind courtesy  
Of those two Gentlemen: for they did see,  
How much the people were deceived in me.  
They gave me Coin, and Wine and Sugar too,  
And did as much as lay in them to do  
To find them that my Boat had torn and rend,  
And so to give them worthy punishment.  
Besides Sir 
* He would have had us to have stayed 3. or four days with him.  Austin Palgrave, bade me this,  
To go but four miles, where his Dwelling is,  
And I and all my Company should there  
Find friendly Welcome, mixed with other Cheer.  
I gave them thanks, and so I'll give them still,  
And did accept their Cheer in their goodwill.  
Then 3. a Clock at afternoon and past,  
I was Discharged from Cromer at the last.  
But for men shall not think that Enviously  
Against this Town I let my Lines to fly:  
And that I do not lie, or scoff, or fable,  
For them I will write something Charitable.  
It is an Ancient Market Town that stands  
Upon a lofty Cliff of mouldering Sands:  
The Sea against the Cliffs doth daily beat,  
And every tide into the Land doth eat,  
The Town is Poor, unable by Expense,  
Against the raging Sea to make defence:  
And every day it eateth further in,  
Still wasting, washing down the sand doth win.  
That if some Course be not ta'en speedily,  
The town's in danger in the Sea to lie.  
A goodly Church stands on these brittle Grounds,  
Not many fairer in Great Britain's Bounds:  
And if the Sea should swallow't, as some fear,  
'tis not Ten thousand pounds the like could Rear,  
No Christian can behold it but with grief,  
And with my heart I wish them quick relief.  
So farewell Cromer, I have spoke for thee,  
Though thou didst much unkindly deal with me,  
And honest Mariners, I thank you there  
Laboriously you in your arms did bear  
My Boat for me three furlongs at the least,  
When as the tide of Ebb was so decreased,  
You waded, and you launched her quite a float,  
And on your backs you bore us to our Boate.  
Th'unkindness that I had before, it come  
Because the Constables were troublesome:  
Longed to be busy, would be men of action,  
Whose labours was their travels satisfaction,  
Who all were borne when wit was out of Town,  
And therefore got but little of their own:  
So farewell Peascod, Wiseman, Kimble, 
* They longed for employment, and rather than be idle, would be ill occupied.  Clarke,  
Four sons of Ignorance (or much more dark)  
You made me lose a day of brave calm weather,  
So once again farewell, fare ill together.  
Then longest the Norfolk Coast we Rowde outright  
To Blakeney, when we saw the coming night,  
The burning eye of day began to wink,  
And into Thetis lap his Beams to shrink:  
And as he went stained the departed sky,  
With red, blue, purple, and vermilion dye.  
Till all our Hemispere laments his lack.  
And mourning night puts on a Robe of black,  
Bespangled diversely with Golden sparks,  
Some movable, some Seaman's fixed marks.  
The milky way that blessed Astrea went,  
When as she left this earthly Continent,  
Showed like a Crystal causeway to the Thrones  
Of jove and Saturn, Paved with precious Stones.  
Old Occeanus, Neptune, 
a The God of Rivers, Springs, Brooks, Fords, & Fountains.  Innachus,  
And two and thirty huffecapt Aeolus,  
Had all ta'en truce and were in League combined,  
No billows foaming, or no breath of Wind;  
The solid Earth, the Air, the Ocean deep  
Seemed as the whole world had been fast asleep.  
In such a pleasant Even as this came I  
To Blackney, with my Ship and Company:  
Whereas I found my Entertainment good  
For welcome, drinking, lodging, and for food.  
The morrow when Latona's Sun 'gan rise,  
And with his Light illumines mortal eyes:  
When Cocks did Crow, and Lambs did bleat & blea,  
I mounted from my Couch, and put to Sea.  
Like Glass the Ocean's face was smooth and calm,  
The gentle Air breathed like Arabian Balm:  
Gusts, storms and flaws, lay sleeping in their Cells  
Whilst with much labour we Rowed o'er the Welles.  
This was our greatest 
b We Rowed above 100 miles that day.  Day of work indeed,  
And it behooved us much, to make much speed,  
For why before that Day did quite expire  
We passed the dangerous Wash, to Lincolnshire.  
And there in 3. hours' space and little more  
We Rowed to Boston, from the Norfolk shore:  
Which by Report of people that dwell there,  
Is six and twenty mile or very near.  
The way unknown, and we no pilot had,  
Flats, Sands and shoals; and Tides all raging mad,  
Which Sands our passage many times denied,  
And put us sometimes 
c Sands lying crookedly in our way, making us go 3. or four miles about at low water.  3. or four miles wide,  
Besides the Flood Runs there, with such great force,  
That I imagine it outruns a Horse:  
And with a head some 4. foot high, that Rores,  
It on the sudden swells and beats the Shores.  
It tumbled us a Ground upon the Sands,  
And all that we could do with wit, or hands,  
Could not resist it, but we were in doubt  
It would have beaten our Boats bottom out.  
It hath less mercy than Bear, Wolf, or Tiger,  
And in those Countries it is called the 
* It is so called in Mr D●aytons second part of Polyalbion, in his treatise of Humber.  Hyger.  
We much were unacquainted with those fashions,  
And much it troubled us with sundry passions:  
We thought the shore we never should Recover,  
And looked still when our Boat would tumble over.  
But He that made all with his word of might,  
Brought us to Boston, where we lodged all night.  
The morrow morning, when the Sun 'gan Peep.  
I waked and rubbed mine eyes, and shaked off sleep,  
And understanding that the River went,  
From Boston, up to Lancolne, and to Trent,  
To Humber, Owse, and York, and (taking pain)  
We need not come in sight of Sea again.  
I liked the motion, and made haste away  
To Lincoln, which was 50. mile, that day.  
Which City in the 3. King Edward's Reign,  
Was th'only Staple, for this Kingdom's gain  
For Leather, Led, and Wool, and then was seen  
Five times ten Churches there, but now fifteen,  
A brave Cathedral Church there now doth stand,  
That scarcely hath a fellow in this Land:  
'tis for a Godly use, a goodly Frame,  
And bears the blessed Virgin mary's name.  
The Town is Ancient, and by Course of Fate,  
Through Wars, and Time, defaced and Ruinated,  
But Monarchies, and Empires, Kingdoms, Crowns,  
Have rose or fell, as Fortune smiles or frowns:  
And Towns, and Cities, have their portions had  
Of time-tost Variations, good and bad.  
There is a Proverb, part of which is this,  
They say that Lincoln was, and London is.  
From thence we passed a Ditch of Weeds and Mud,  
Which they do (falsely) there call 
* It is a passage cut through the land 8. miles from Lincoln into Trent, but through either the people's poverty or negligence it is grown up with weeds, and mud, so that in the Summer it is in many places almost dry.  Forcedike Flood:  
For I'll be sworn, no flood I could find there,  
But dirt and filth which scarce my Boat would bear,  
'tis 8. miles long, and there our pains was such,  
As all our travel did not seem so much,  
My men did wade, and draw the Boat like Horses,  
And scarce could tug her on with all our forces:  
Moiled, toiled, mired, tired, still labouring, ever doing,  
Yet were we 9 long hours that 8. miles going.  
At last when as the Day was well nigh spent,  
We got from Forcedikes floodles flood to Trent.  
e'en as the Windows of the Day did shut,  
Down Trents swift stream to Gainsborough we put,  
There did we rest until the morning Star,  
The joyful doors of Dawning did unbarre:  
To Humber's churlish streams, our Course we framed,  
So named, for Drowning of a King so named.  
And there the swift Ebb tide ran in such sort,  
The Wind at East, the Waves broke thick and short,  
That in some doubts, it me began to strike,  
For in my life, I ne'er had seen the like.  
My way was up to York, but my intent  
Was contrary, for from the fall of Trent  
I fifteen mile went downwards East Northeast,  
When as my way was upward West Southwest.  
And as against the Wind we madly venture,  
The Waves like Pirate's board our Boat and enter,  
But though they came in fury, and amain  
Like thiefs we cast them overboard again.  
This Conflict lasted two hours to the full,  
Until we got to Kingston upon Hull:  
For to that Town I had a Proved friend,  
That Letters did and Commendations send  
By me unto the worthy Magistrate,  
The Mayor, and some of's Brethren, in that State.  
Besides I had some Letters, of like Charge  
From my good Friend, the Master of the Barge  
Unto some friends of his, that they would there  
Give me 
* I went 15. mile out of Trent, down Humber, on purpose to see Hull, when my way was quite contrary.  Hull Cheese, and welcome and good Cheer.  
Sunday at Mr. Mayor much Cheer and Wine  
Where as the Hall did in the Parlour Dine,  
At night with one that had been Shrieve I Supped  
Well entertained I was, and half well Cuped:  
On Monday noon, I was invited than  
To a grave justicer, an Alderman,  
And there such Cheer as Earth and Waters yield,  
Showed like a Harvest in a plenteous Field.  
Another I must thank for his Goodwill,  
For he Pressed 
* Hull Cheese, is much like a loaf out of a Brewer's Basket, it is Composed of two simples, Malt and Water in one Compound, and is Cousin german to the mightiest Ale in England.  on to bid me welcome still.  
There is a Captain of good Life and Fame  
And, God 
* The meaning of those marks are only known to the Townsmen there.  with us, I oft have called his Name:  
He welcomed me, as I had been his fellow  
Lent me his silken Colours, Black and Yellow,  
Which to our Mast made fast, we with a Drum  
Did keep, till we to York in Triumph come.  
Thanks to my loving Host and Hostess Pease  
There at mine Inn, each Night I took mine ease:  
And there I got a Cantle of Hull Cheese  
One Evening late, I thank thee 
* An ingenious man named Machabeus.  Macabees.  
Kind Roger Parker, many thanks to thee,  
Thou show'dst much undeserved love to me,  
Laid my Boat safe, spent time, Coin and endeavour,  
And mad'st my money counted Copper ever.  
But as at Feasts, the first Course being past,  
Men do reserve their Dainties till the last,  
So my most thanks I ever whilst I live  
Will to the Mayor, and his brethren give,  
But most of all, to shut up all together  
I give him thanks that did Commend 
* Mr. I.I.  me thither,  
Their Loves (like Humber) overflowed the banks,  
And though I Ebb in worth, I'll flow in Thanks.  
Thus leaving off the Men, now of the Town  
Some things which I observed I'll here set down:  
And partly to declare its praise and worth,  
It is the only Bulwark of the North.  
All other Towns for strength to it may strike,  
And all the Northern parts hath not the like,  
The people from the Sea much Wealth have won,  
Each man doth live as he were Neptune's Son.  
Th'Antiquity thereof a man may Reed  
In Reverend Cambdens' works, and painful Speed:  
How in King Edward's Reign first of that Name  
Then called Wike. Then did they Kingston frame,  
And then the Townsmen cut a 
* The River of Hull is 20. miles in length, cut with men's labour to the infinite Commodity of the Country.  River there,  
An excellent Haven, a Defence or Peer:  
Built with excessive Charge, to save it from  
Fierce Humber's Raging, that each Tide doth come.  
From time to time, more Greatness still it gained,  
Till lately when the Eight King Henry Reigned,  
He made it greater, by his oft Resort,  
And many times kept there his Royal Court,  
He Walled it well, built Battlements, and Gates,  
And (more with Honour to augment their States)  
He built two Blockhouses, and Castle strong  
To Guard the Town from all invasive wrong.  
He gave them much Munition, Swords, Shafts, Bows,  
And Brazen Ordnance, as the world well knows,  
Which Guns he gave them for the Town's defence,  
But were in 88 all borrowed thence,  
With promise they again should be sent back,  
But the performance ever hath been slack.  
Now in this Iron age, their Guns I see,  
Are mettle like the Age, and Iron be:  
And glad they would be if they could obtain,  
To change that mettle, for their own again.  
Four well built Gates, with bolts, and locks & bars  
For ornament or strength, in Peace or Wars:  
Besides to keep their Foes the further out,  
They can Drown all the Land 3. miles about.  
'tis plentifully served with Flesh and Fish,  
As cheap, as reasonable men can wish.  
And thus by God's grace, and man's industry,  
Dame Nature, or men's Art doth it supply.  
Some 10. years since Fresh water there was scant,  
But with much Cost they have supplied that want:  
By a most excellent Waterwork that's made,  
And to the Town in Pipes it is conveyed,  
Wrought with most Artificial engines, and  
Performed by thouArt of the Industrious hand  
Of Mr. 
* He built another fair Water, at York, of Freestone, which doth the City exceeding service.  William Maltby, Gentleman,  
So that each man of Note there always can  
But turn a Cock within his House, and still  
They have Freshwater always at their will,  
This have they all unto their great Content,  
For which they each do pay a yearly Rent.  
There is a Proverb, and a Prayer withal,  
That we may not to three strange places fall:  
From Hull, from Hallifax, from Hell, 'tis thus,  
From all these three 
* A Proverb  Good Lord deliver us.  
This Praying proverb's meaning too set down,  
Men do not wish deliverance from the Town:  
The Towns named Kingston, Hulls the furious River  
And from Hulls dangers, I say, Lord deliver.  
At Hallifax, the Law so sharp doth deal,  
That who so more than 13. Pence doth steal,  
They have a jynn, that wondrous quick and well,  
Sends Thiefs all Headless unto Heaven or Hell.  
From Hell each man says, Lord deliver me,  
Because from Hell can no Redemption be:  
Men may escape from Hull and Hallifax,  
But sure in Hell there is a heavier tax,  
Let each one for themselves in this agree  
And pray, From Hell good Lord deliver me.  
The Proverb and the Prayer expounded plain,  
Now to the Orders of the Town again:  
I think it merits praise for Government,  
More than all Towns in Britain's Continent,  
As first their Charity doth much appear,  
They for the Poor have so 
* Mark, for all is true.  provided there,  
That if a man should walk from Morn till Night,  
He shall not see one Beggar; nor a Mite  
Or any thing shall be demanded ever,  
But every one there doth their best endeavour  
To make the Idle work, and to Relieve  
Those that are Old and past, or Sickness grieve.  
All Poor men's Children have a House most fit  
Whereas they Sow, and Spin, and Card, and Knit,  
Where all of them have something still to do,  
As their Capacities will reach unto,  
So that no Idle person, Old or Young  
Within the Town doth harbour or belong.  
It yearly Costs Five hundred pounds beside,  
To fence the Town, from Hull and Humber's tides,  
For Stakes, for Bavins, Timber, Stones and Piles,  
All which are brought by Water many miles,  
For Workmen's labour, and a world of things  
Which on the Town excessive Charges brings.  
All which with peril, industry and sweat,  
They from the bowels of the Ocean get.  
They have a Bridewell, and an excellent skill  
To make some people work against their will:  
And there they have their Lodging and their meat,  
Clean Whips, and every thing exceeding neat,  
And thus with fair or foul means always, they  
Give idle persons little time to Play.  
Besides for every Sea or Marine cause  
They have a House of Trinity, whose Laws  
And Orders do Confirm, or else Reform  
That which is Right, or that which wrongs deform.  
It is a Comely built well ordered place,  
But that which most of all the House doth grace,  
Are Rooms for Widows who are Old and poor,  
And have been Wives to Mariners before.  
They are for houseroom, food or lodging, or  
For firing, Christianly provided for,  
And as some dye, some do their places win,  
As one goes out, another doth come in.  
Should I in all things give the Town it's due,  
Some fools would say I flattered, writ untrue:  
Or that I partial in my writings were,  
Because they made me welcome, and good cheer:  
But for all those that have such thoughts of me,  
I rather wish that them I hanged may see,  
Then that they justly could report, that I  
Did Rhyme for victuals, hunger to supply.  
Or that my Muse, or working brains should beat,  
To flatter, fawn, or lie, for drink or meat:  
Let Trencher-Poets scrape, for such base veils,  
I'll take an Oar in hand when writing fails;  
And 'twixt the Boat and Pen, I make no doubt,  
But I shall shift to pick a living out,  
Without base flattery, or false Coined words  
To mowldy Madams, or unworthy Lords;  
Or whatsoever degree, or Towns, or Nations  
I ever did, and still will scorn such fashions.  
Hearesay, 
* I write not by hearsay.  sometimes upon a lie may light,  
But what I see and know, I dare to write.  
Mine eyes did view before my Pen set down,  
These things that I have written of this Town.  
A new built Customhouse, a fair Town Hall,  
For solemn meetings, or a Festival:  
A Mayor, twelve Aldermen, one Sheriff, Recorder,  
A Town-clerk, altogether in one order,  
And uniformity do govern so,  
They need not flatter friend, or fear a foe.  
A Sword, a Cap of maintenance, a Mace  
Great, and well Gild, to do the Town more grace:  
Are borne before the Mayor, and Aldermen,  
And on Festivities, or high days than  
Those Magistrates their Scarlet Gowns do wear,  
And have six Sergeants to attend each year.  
Now let men say what Town in England is,  
That truly can compare itself with this:  
For situation, strength, and government,  
For charity, for plenty, for content,  
For state? and one thing more I there was told,  
Not one Recusant, all the Town doth hold,  
Nor (as they say) there's not a Puritan,  
Or any nosewise fool Precisian,  
But great and small, with one consent and will,  
Obey his Majesty's Injunctions still.  
They say that once therein two sisters dwelled,  
Which inwardly the prick of Conscience felt,  
They came to London, (having wherewithal)  
To buy two Bybles, all Canonical,  
Th' Apocryphas did put them in some doubt,  
And therefore both their Books were bound without,  
Except those two I ne'er did hear of any  
At Hull, though many places have too many.  
But as one scabbed sheep a flock may mar,  
So there's one man, whose nose did stand a jar:  
Talked very scurvily, and looked askew,  
Because I in a worthy Townesmans' Pew,  
Was placed at Church, when (God knows) I ne'er thought,  
To sit there, I was by the Owner brought.  
This Squire of low degree, displeased than,  
Said, I at most was but a Waterman.  
And that they such great kindness setting forth,  
Made more a'th' flesh, then ere the broth was worth:  
Which I confess, but yet I answer make,  
'Twas more than I with manners could forsake:  
He sure is some high minded Pharisie,  
Or else infected with their Heresy,  
And must be set down in their Catalogues,  
They loved the highest seats in Synagogues.  
And so (perhaps) doth he, for aught I know  
He may be mounted when I sit below:  
But let him not a Waterman despise,  
For from the water he himself did rise,  
And winds and water both on him hath smiled  
Else, the great Merchant he had ne'er been styled:  
His Character I finely will contrive,  
He's scornful proud, and tattling talkative:  
A great Engrosser of strange speech and news,  
And one that would sit in the highest Pues,  
But bate an Ace, he'll, hardly win the game,  
And if I list, I could rake 
* But I was ever better with forks to scatter, then with Rakes to gather, therefore I would not have the Townsmen to mistake chalk for Cheese, or Robert for Richard.  out his name.  
Thanks Mr. Maior, for my Bacon Gammon,  
Thanks Roger Parker for my small fresh Salmon,  
'Twas excellent good, and more the truth to tell ye,  
Boiled with a fine Plumpudding in the belly.  
The sixth of August, well accompanied  
With best of Townsmen to the waters side,  
There did I take my leave, and to my Ship  
I with my Drum and Colours quickly skip.  
The one did dub a dub and rumble, brave  
The Ensign in the air did play and wave:  
I launched, supposing all things had been done,  
Bounce, from the Block-house, quoth a roaring Gun,  
And waving Hats on both sides, with content  
I cried Adieu, adieu, and thence we went.  
Up Humber's flood that then amain did swell,  
Winds calm, and water quiet as a Well:  
We Rowde to Owse, with all our force and might,  
To Cawood where we well were lodged all night.  
The morrow, when as Phoebus 'gan to smile,  
I forwards set to York, eight little mile:  
But two miles short of York I landed than,  
To see that reverend 
* At Bishopsthorpe, where the Right reverend Father in God, Toby Matthew Archbishop of York his Grace, did make me welcome.  Metropolitan,  
That watchful Shepherd, that with Care doth keep,  
Th'infernal Wolf, from Heaven's supernal Sheep:  
That painful Preacher, that most free Almes-giver,  
That though he live long, is too short a liver:  
That man whose age the poor do all lament,  
All knowing, when his Pilgrimage is spent,  
When Earth to Earth returns, as Nature's debtor,  
They fear the Proverb, Seldom comes the better.  
His Doctrine and example, speak his due,  
And what all people says, must needs be true.  
In duty I most humbly thank his Grace,  
He at his Table made me have a place,  
And meat and drink, and gold he gave me there,  
Whilst all my Crew it'h Hall were filled with cheer:  
So having dined, from thence we quickly passed  
Through Owse strong Bridge, to York fair City last,  
Our drowning scaped, more danger was ensuing,  
'Twas Size time there, and hanging was a brewing:  
But had our faults been ne'er so Capital,  
We at the Vintner's bar durst answer all.  
Then to the good Lord Maior I went, and told  
What labour, and what dangers manifold,  
My fellow and myself had passed at Seas,  
And if it might his noble Lordship please,  
The Boat that did from London thither swim  
With us, in duty we would give to him.  
His Lordship pausing, with a reverend hum,  
My friend (quoth he) to morrow morning come,  
In the mean space I'll of the matter think,  
And so he bade me to go near and drink.  
I drank a Cup of Claret, and some Beer,  
And sure (for aught I know) he 
a There is some odds between keeping & spending.  KEEPS good cheer.  
I gave his Lordship in red guilded leather,  
A well bound Book, of all my Works together,  
Which he did take 
b here I make a full point, for I received not a point in exchange. .  
There in the City were some men of note,  
That gladly would give money for our Boat:  
But all this while good manners bade us stay,  
To have my good Lord Mayor yea, or nay.  
But after long demurring of the matter 
c I thought it my duty (being we had come a dangerous voyage) to offer our Boat to the chief Magistrate. For why should not my Boat be as good a monument as Tom Coriat's everlasting over-trampling land-conquering Shoes, thought I? ,  
He well was pleased to see her on the water,  
And then my men Rowde half an hour or more,  
Whilst he stood viewing her upon the shore.  
They bore his Lordship's Children in her there,  
And many others, as she well could bear.  
At which his Honour was exceeding merry,  
Saying it was a pretty nimble Wherry:  
But when my men had taken all this pains,  
Into their eyes they might have put their gains.  
Unto his Shop he did 
d And forgot to say, I thank you good fellows.  perambulate,  
And there amongst his Bars of Iron sat.  
I asked him if he would our Boat forgo,  
Or have her, and his Lordship answered, No.  
I took him at his word, and said God buy,  
And gladly with my Boat away went I.  
I sold the Boat, as I supposed most meet,  
To honest Mr. 
* A substantial worthy Citizen, who hath been Sheriff of York, and now keeps the George in Cunney street.  Keys, in Coney street:  
He entertained me well, for which I thank him,  
And gratefully, amongst my friends I'll rank him.  
My kind remembrance here I put in paper,  
To worthy Mr. Hemsworth there, a Draper,  
Amongst the rest he's one that I must thank,  
With his good wife, and honest brother Franke.  
Now for the City, 'Tis of state and Port,  
Where Emperors & Kings have kept their Court, 989. year, the foundation  
Was laid, before our Saviour's incarnation,  
By 
* Ebrank was the 5. K. of Britain, after Brute.  Ebrank who a Temple there did rear,  
(And placed a 
* An Archflammin which was as an Idolatrous high Priest to Diana.  Flammin to Diana there,  
But when King Lucius here the Sceptre swayde  
The Idols level with the ground were laid,  
Then Eleutherius, Rome's high Bishop placed,  
An Archbishop at York, with Titles graced.  
Then after Christ, 627.  
Was Edwin 
* Edwin and his whole family were baptised there on Easter day the 12. of April 627.  baptised by the grace of heaven,  
He plucked the Minster down, that then was wood,  
And made it stone, a deed both great and good.  
The City oft hath known the chance of wars,  
Of cruel foreign, and of homebred jars.  
And those that further please thereof to read,  
May turn the volumes of great Hollinshead.  

Yourkshire the greatest Shire in England, and 308. miles about. Speed.  'Tis large, 'tis pleasant and magnificent,  
The North's most fertile famous ornament:  
'Tis rich and populous, and hath indeed  
No want of any thing to serve their need.  
Abundance doth that noble City make  
Much abler to bestow, then need to take.  
So farewell York, the tenth of August then  
Away came I for London with my men.  
To dinner I to Pomfret quickly road,  
Where good hot Venison stayed for my abode,  
I thank the worshipful George Shillito,  
He filled my men and me, and let us go.  
There did I well view over twice or thrice,  
A strong, a fair, and ancient Edifice: 
* Pomfre● Castle.   
Re-edified, where it was ruined most  
At th'high and hopeful Prince 
* Prince Charles.  of Wales his cost.  
I saw the room where Exton 
* Sir Peirce of Exton Knight.  and his rout  
Of Traitors, Royal Richard's brains beat out: 
* King Richard the second murdered there.   
And if that King did strive so many blows,  
As hacks and hues upon one pillar shows,  
There are one hundred slashes, he withstood,  
Before the villains shed his Kingly blood.  
From Pomfret then, unto my noble friend,  
Sir Robert Swift at Doncaster we wend,  
An ancient Knight, of a most generous spirit,  
Who made me welcome far beyond my merit.  
From thence by Newarke, I to Stamford past,  
And so in time to London at the last.  
W●●●ere friends and neighbours, all with loving hearts,  
Did welcome me with pottles, pints, and quarts.  
Which made my Muse more glib, and blithe to tell  
This story of my voyage. So farewell.   

An Epilogue.  
Thus have I brought to end a work of pain,  
I wish it may requite me with some gain:  
For well I wot the dangers where I veneered,  
No full baged man would ever durst have entered:  
But having further shores for to discover  
Hereafter, now my Pen doth here give over.  
FINIS.