THE Little World.  
OR, A Lively Description of all the parts and properties of man..  
For Invention Witty, for judgement Learned, and for Practise Necessary.  
By Ro. Vn. Bachelor of Divinity.  
LONDON, Printed for W. jones, and are to be sold at his Shop near Holborn Conduit at the sign of the Gun. 1612.   

A NEW ANATOMY, OR, A description of the whole Body of man, after an unwonted manner: No less pleasant to the Reader, then profitable to the Regarder.  

LAte in the night, not long ago  
as I lay in my bed,  
Musing alone of many things,  
which then came in my head:  
Were it by Revelation,  
by Vision, or by Dream:  
Or yet as lying in a trance,  
or by some other mean,  
I knew not well: but yet me thought,  
as it were suddenly,  
One caught me up into the Air,  
from whence I did descry  
A City large, of bigness such, 
the world   
as it the World had been:  
A thousand thousand Houses there, 
The people, or the bodies of men.   
a man might well have seen:  
Their fashion, stuff, and workmanship,  
in all points did excel.  
The order of these Houses too,  
I marked very well:  
These Houses they were movable,  
and often did remove  

The Soul.  To places where the Owners thought  
it fit for their behove.  
Their substance was of mixed stuff,  
which seemed very fair:  
And was derived from the Fire,  
Water, Earth, and Air.  

The four Elements.  Compacted by such cunning skill,  
as it hath heretofore  
Continued unconstant full  

In Adam's time.  Nine hundred years, and more.  
The colour of these Houses be  
both fair, smooth, and white:  
To see them trimly decked up,  
it would a man delight:  
Yet be as other Houses be,  
in beauty for a time:  
But when they once do come to years,  
their beauty do decline:  
But every House do stand alone,  
builded upright and strait:  
And each was equal in itself,  

The Arms being stretched out▪ the two legs & thighs.  in breadth, in length, in height.  
Two Pillars framed like an Arch,  
did for foundation stand,  
Whereon was builded Tower wise,  
each House by cunning hand.  
The Pillars and the Timberwork, 
The Bones.   
was framed all of Bone,  
As clear as Alabaster, and  
as hard as any Stone.  
No Silver, Gold, Iron, or Steel,  
no Copper, Tin, or Brass,  
Nor any metal, Wood or Stone,  
about these Buildings was.  
With Laces very strong and white, 
The Sinews   
their joints were tied sure:  
And even so long as House did last,  
these Laces would endure.  
A Chimney in each House there was, 
The noctrils.   
where out there did proceed  
A vapour very like to Smoke, 
The Breath.   
and sometime Smoke indeed. 
Of Tobacco.   
They all had Turrets on their tops, 
Their heads.   
and some were seen to have  
Upon their Turret's tops for show,  
a Plume of Feathers brave:  
These Turrets being round: in them  
two Windows did I see, 
The Eyes.   
Which are so like to eyes, that I,  
do think them eyes to be.  
If any Houses did decay, 
Die.   
as often times there did:  
Then presently an other House,  
was raised in his stead. 
Born.   
So that the City was supplied  
though thousands did decay: 
The World.   
And so shallbe supplied still,  
until the latter day.  

The Scriptures. Divines.  Oft have I red in Ancient Books,  
and Ancient Fathers say,  
The matter of these Houses first,  
was nothing else but Clay:  

God.  Till one did by a wondrous skill,  
and Wisdom, undertake  
By mixing of the elements,  
these Houses all to make:  

God.  Not any one (save one alone)  
in all the world can frame  
These Houses, as these Houses be,  
nor any like the same.  
These things thus seen; thus thought I then,  
If these things thus without  
These Houses, be so wonderful,  
and glorious; then no doubt,  
Those things, the which we cannot see,  
which in these Houses are,  
Must needs exceed these outward things  
and go beyond them far.  
And as I still thus musing stood,  
even than it came to pass,  
One standing by, did speak to me.  
I know not who it was;  
And bade me look: I looked then,  
and lo, I did behold  
The Houses all were open, and  
each did itself unfold,  
That I might see all things in them,  
which was a thing most rare,  
To mark how things within the same,  
in order placed were.  
And first, the Kitchen seated was, 
The place from the Grames to the Midrife.   
as nethermost of all,  
Whereby it might receive such things,  
as from above did fall:  
By Vessels, fitting for the same, 
The Bowel▪   
which long there, did not stay.  
For things that bad, and noisome were,  
this Kitchen did convey  
By Gutters, Holes, and Channels so, 
The Yard & the Fundament.   
that every thing was seen  
Within this Kitchen for to be  
both handsome, sweet, and clean.  
And yet unto the Walls thereof, 
The Sides.   
fast cleaving did I see,  
A Matter (like I know not what) 
The kidneys.   
encumbered for to be  
With filthy Gravel, Sand, and Stone, 
The Colic and Stone.   
which very often was  
A stopping to the Conduits, that  
the Water could not pass. 
The Urine.   
With that I saw an Ancient man, 
Physic.   
that at the gate did sit:  
To whom the Maker of the house, 
God.   
these Houses did commit  
To look unto, and them to mend,  
when aught was there amiss.  
who then took Hawes & stamped them 
A Remedy for the Stone.   
and then he put to this,  
White Wine to soak; and with the same,  
he afterward did fill  
A stillitory, and thereof  
a Water he did still:  
wherewith was washed this place so noyd  
with Gravel and with Sand:  
And presently the place was cleared,  
and cleansed out of hand.  
In shape most strange and wonderful,  

The Stomach.  A Pot hung boiling there:  
Yet underneath the same was seen  
no fire to appear.  

The liver.  But under it a Fountain was,  
out of the which did flow,  
A lickuor very like to red  

The Blood.  or Claret Wine in show:  
Which running into every part  

By the Veins.  of every House, did serve  
To keep the House in colour, and  
his beauty to preserve:  


The oppilation of the liver.  
The Physician.   And if the course thereof were stopped,  
at any time or tide,  
Then for the same, the keeper did  
a remedy provide.  
And as this Pot hung boiling there,  
it wonder was to see,  
The multitude of sundry things,  
within the same to be,  

The sundry sorts of meats and drinks boiling in the Stomach at once.  There flesh of Fishes, Beasts, & Fowls  
and many kinds of Grain,  
Fruits, herbs, & roots, of divers sorts  
within it did remain:  
And sundry kinds of white-meats too▪  
and Grocery great store:  
And Water, Wine, & Ale, & Beer,  
and many Liquors more:  
And every one did differ much,  
in colour, taste, and smell:  
Whose qualities and virtues, would  
great cunning ask to tell.  
I saw it; yet in seeing it,  
I took no great deliget:  
For why (more strange and wonderful  
then pleasant, was the sight)  
Fast cleaving to this fountains side, 
Fast to the liver cleaveth the Gall.   
there was a little Spring,  
Within the same there seemed to be  
a moist or liquid thing:  
In colour like a darkish green,  
and yellowish withal:  
The taste thereof most bitter was,  
as it were very Gall:  
And if this Spring at any time,  
did chance to overflow,  
It made the House in every part, 
The Body.   
all yellow for to show,  
As if it were with Saffron died: 
The yellow jaundice.   
so one did chance to be,  
And then forthwith a remedy  
the Keeper did foresee. 
The Physician   
Who Turmaricke or Cellindine, 
A remedy against the yellow jaundice.   
and Saffron than did take.  
And so●d them both in Posset-ale,  
and there withal did make  

〈…〉 drink●.  A Water for to wash the same:  
whereby he did restore,  
And made the colour for to be  
e'uen as it was before.  
All next about this Kitchen lay  

The place from the Midriff to the neck. The midriff  a large and a fair Hall,  
Divided from the Kitchen with  
a thin and slender wall:  
Whose fashion, stuff, and workmanship  
as I was thinking on,  
And did intend to take thereof,  
some better view anon:  
Me thought I heard a voice, that spoke,  
and said unto me, Look;  
And what thou seest; see that the same  
thou notest in the Book.  
I looked, and within this Hall  
were many things to see,  
That very rare and precious were,  
and glorious seemed to me.  

The Heart.  Amongst the rest, one thing I saw,  
that did the rest surmount,  
A famous (though a little thing)  
a thing of great account  
It was indeed; and like unto  
a Throne of Majesty:  
Or to a chair of estate  
it may compared be:  
In fashion like a Pineaple,  

The fashion of the Heart  in colour somewhat red,  
But in the greater end thereof  
a canopy was spread, 
The fatness thereof.   
That was of colour very white,  
which signifies in deed,  
That he that sits therein as judge, 
An application of the white & red colour of the heart.   
must execute with speed  
True justice: yea and Mercy both:  
and that he must beware,  
Maliciously not to revenge,  
nor partially to spare.  
And furthermore there did I see  
an hollowness in it,  
And in the same a Magistrate,  
appointed there to sit: 
A good Conscience.   
Who in his office all his time,  
so well himself did bear,  
That all things in good order were,  
whilst he did govern there.  
But then (me thought) it grieved me,  
to see when he was out,  
A Wretch intrudes himself therein, 
A bad Conscience.   
who plays such revel rout,  
That all the good the which before  
the other there had done,  
Was by this wicked wight defaced  
and utterly for-done.  
Sometime this Seat should tremble, 
The trembling of the heart.  which  
the Keeper helpe● thus,  
By making a Confection  
De Arramatibus: 
A remedy for the same.   
And then applying of the same  
unto the Seat did cause,  
The trembling and the shaking of  
the Seat, forthwith to pause,  

The L●●ngs or Lights.  About this royal Seat was seen,  
to hang in open sight,  
(As Vallance hang about a Bed)  
a thing in substance light:  
In colour very changeable,  
and soft it was to touch;  
Yet hard to tear, it was so taught  
it doth not differ much  
In fashion from the Vallance, and  
I think it not amiss  
To show the daily use thereof,  
the use thereof is this.  
As bellows draws in wind to them,  
and then to blow it out:  

A similitude  And so doth puff it to and fro,  
all through a hollow spout.  

The off●ict of the Lounges.  Even so do these continually,  
by moving to and fro,  
Hale in the cool and tender air,  
and then again it blow,  
And puff it out even by a long,  

The Windpipe.  and slender Pipe that stretch  
And runneth from these Places, and  

The Head.  unto the Turret's reach.  
And if it chance at any time,  
this Pipe be stopped▪ they say,  

The Heart.  That then the Seat and all the house,  
do presently decay.  
Some say (yea some of good account) 
Divines and Preachers.   
that perfect, good, and pure,  
Those Houses framed were at first,  
and so they did endure,  
Till One did by a wicked act, 
Adam.   
then cause them for to be  
Full of such imperfections,  
as now we do them see:  
For many times these Houses all  
have blemishes and blots,  
Impediments and crookedness,  
deformities and spots:  
And many imperfections more,  
which often times are done  
By violence or by mischance,  
yea often times they come,  
Through lack of care of looking to,  
then was it in my mind,  
To help these inconveniences,  
some remedy to find:  
And as I then did busy me,  
therein to take some pain,  
One suddenly did speak to me,  
and said, it was in vain  
To do those things, which fitter were, 
The Author is here forbidden to deal in Physic.   
by others to be done,  
And bade me go about the things  
that erst I had begone,  
With that then looking to the Hall  
I did behold and see  
A short and hollow Pillar placed 
The Neck.   

viz. The top of the Hall.  upon its top to be:  
Which oftentimes bedecked was  
with jewels, Pearls, and Rings▪  
With chains of gold, with precious stones  
and many other things.  
The colour of this Pillar was  
as white as any Milk:  
So was the touching of the same,  
as soft as any Silk.  

The joints.  It framed was with many joints,  
which made it apt to move,  
Which way the owner of the same,  
thinkt fit for his behove.  


The Windpipe.  
The throat gell.   Two long and slender Conduits do  
within this Pillar go,  
By one of them the wind it hath  
his passage to and fro:  
A multitude of many things,  
do by the other pass,  
To fill the Pot which erst I saw,  

The Stomach.  whereas it boiling was.  
Out off this Pipe or Conduit too,  
we many times may hear  

The Voice.  A very sweet and sounding noise,  
so pleasant and so clear,  
As that it yieldeth to our care  
a melody so fit,  
As all the Music in the world,  
is nothing like to it.  
Tpon the upper end of all  
this hollow Pillar, stand  
A Turret, set in such a sort, 
The Head.   
and with such cunning hand,  
As to our sight it seems to grow.  
The workmanship of it,  
Doth differ much from all the things,  
which we have told of yet.  
So doth the form and fashion too,  
and substance of the same:  
For though that He that made it, 
God.  in  
some roundness did it frame▪  
Yet in the former front thereof, 
The Face.   
such rareness there is found,  
As nothing in the world can, in  
more majesty abound.  
In Beauty from all worldly things,  
it bears away the bell:  
In Comeliness for to behold,  
all things it doth excel.  
And if one well do view the same, 
The majesty of the Face described.   
such gravity it bear,  
As that it yieldeth cause of love,  
and matter eke of fear:  
For meek, and mild, and gentle things,  
fear not to it to come:  
But fierce and cruel things from it  
for fear away do room.  
I saw a Door, which open was, 
The Mouth.   
whereby I might descry  
All things which in this Turret were,  
in order as they lie.  
And first, I saw a Mill therein, 
The Teeth.   
which was devised so  
That wind nor water, horse not hand  
did cause it for to go:  
Nor any Sail did long thereto,  
but yet therein it grinds  
What so for man is meet to eat,  
or what therein it finds.  
But yet the thing it grinds withal,  
it is not made of stone  
As other Mills but (strange to see)  
it framed is of Bone.  

The place where the Brains lie.  All next above the Mill there doth  
a little Chamber lie  
Which Chamber over head is seld  
with Bone like ivory.  

The Skull. The Brain.  In it a Bed (in Pallet wise)  
doth lie upon the floor,  
Be wrapped in a Sheet of Lawn:  


The thin web which wrappeth in the Brain. The Forehead.  
Invention.   and in this Bed before,  
Or in the former part thereof,  
doth sit a gallant wight,  
Lusty and young Invention,  
for so his name it hight.  
But in the hinder part of it,  

Memory.  an Ancient man doth lie,  
Who many things doth bear in mind,  
they call him Memory.  
Betwixt these two, out of this Bed,  
I saw there did arise  

Wit.  A proper fleet and slender Youth:  
It is his common guise,  
Much company for to frequent,  
and in his table talk,  
To argue there of many things,  
to make his Clapper walk. 
The Tongue   
He often times with Learned men  
will offer to dispute, 
The property of a young and green wit.   
And if that they his arguments  
at any time confute,  
Then will he wrangle mightily,  
and then a man shall hear  
Both quips and taunts, yea railing words  
he scarcely can forbear:  
He thinketh to be furnished  
sufficiently with skill,  
Did take in hand to guide the House,  
the Clapper, and the Mill,  
For in this Mill a Clapper was, 
The tongue.   
('tis wonder for to tell)  
What thing this Clapper can perform  
if Miller use it well: 
Wit.   
But if that he be negligent  
in ordering of the same,  
The Miller then and all the House  
it bringeth out of frame.  
I saw myself when many folk  
unto this Miller came,  
Who having no regard unto  
His Clapper how it ran: 
Tongue.   
Upon a little conference,  
betwixt them there did raise  
Some wrangling words: words breeding brawls,  

The inconvenience that grow by misgoverning of the tongue.  and then did follow Frays:  
And so of Frays came bloody Wounds  
of Wounds did Slaughter spring:  
Then Grief and Shame ensued thereof:  
thus did the Clapper bring  
All out of frame, and order too,  
when unadvisedly,  
The Miller did permit the same,  
at large to run awry.  
Now that this House some light might have  
things far and near to spy,  

The Eyes.  Two little Lights glaswindow-wise,  
were on this Turret high.  

The eyelids  Two Casements did to each belong,  
to open or shut withal,  
When to the Windows any harm,  
were likely for to fall:  
And each of them a Pentice hath,  

The Eyebrows.  which over it depend,  
From dust, and rain, and other harms,  
those Windows to defend.  
All next above those Pentices,  

The Brow or Forehead.  there is an open place,  
In fashion like a Table, and  
not much unlike the space  
That's painted White upon a wall:  
wherein doth use to stand  

A 〈◊〉.  A Dial drawn with certain lines,  
there made with skilful hand:  
By which the hours and the course  
of every day we know,  
And eke the movings of the Sun,  
these daily to us show.  
Even so upon this Former front, 
Viz. The Brow.   
in open view there lies  
A sort of Long and slender lines, 
The lines on the forehead.   
Whereof some do devise  
An Art, called Physiognomy; 
A degression to the Art of Phisognomie.   
whereby they boast they can  
Soothsaie the chances good and ill,  
which happen shall to man:  
The Highest line they attribute  
unto Saturnus old, 
The line of Saturn.   
Which being plain, uncrossed, strait,  
and smooth; then are they bold  
To say, that in their latter age,  
good fortune there shallbe.  
But contrary, if that this line,  
all crossed they do see,  
All next unto the same, the line  
of jupiter doth lie;  
(Which signifies the middle age, 
The line of jupiter. )  
to him, they do apply  
The giving of good qualities,  
as Honesty, and Grace,  
And for to be Religious,  
and for to bear a place  
Of Prelate, judge, or Magistrates  
in such things shall he gain,  
Who hath this line, both fortunate,  
Vncrossed, smooth, and plain;  
But if it crooked be, or cut,  
and crossed therewithal;  
Then shall he rather lose in these,  
or little gain he shall.  

The line of Mars.  The next to this, lies Mars his line,  
who governs (as they say)  
The fiery and the furious folk,  
and makes them for to play  
Their prizes in the bloody wars,  
where Captains some he makes,  
And some seditious Soldiers prove,  
and some of them he takes,  
And makes them Smiths, and Armourers;  
and Alchemists of some:  
All Butchers, Bakers, Barbers too,  
By means of Mars, do come:  
The Surgeons and the Sarieants both,  
yea some must Hangmen be,  
If Mars be not asspected well  
in their nativity:  
If that this line be Long and strait,  
Vncrossed smooth and plain,  
Then those that use these faculties,  
shall have exceeding gain:  
But if it Crooked be, and cut,  
and Crossed; by and by,  
They judge the owner of the same,  
some violent death shall die.  
All next to this, another line,  

The two lines of Sol and Luna.  both Long and Slender lies,  
The which the Physiognomers  
amongst them do devise,  
In parcels two for to divide  
the right side of the same,  
They say to be the line of sol;  
and of the left they frame,  
A line to Lady Luna: but,  
to sol, they say pertain  
For to dispose of dignities, 
First of the line of Sol.   
of Lordships, and to gain  
By honourable offices;  
in Credit eke to be  
With those that are great maiestrats,  
the rather if they see  
The line of sol to be both smooth,  
and there withal to have  
No Cut, or Cross overwhart,  
for else they do perceive  
The influence that sol do give  
is by some ill aspect;  
Of some ill Sign or Planet marred,  
and brought to none effect.  
The left side line for Luna lies, 
The line of Luna.   
who doth enrich all those  
Which haunteth navigation;  
and eke she doth dispose  
Of Legates, and ambassadors,  
and with Attorneys too,  
With Benchers, and with travelers,  
she hath somewhat to do:  
If that her line be fortunate,  
she gives them good success;  
But i● it be unfortunate,  
she benefits the less.  

The Eyebrows.  Betwixt the foresaid Pentises,  
two certain Lines there lies,  
Which if the ends of both of them,  
chance upward to arise,  
And meet together in the top,  
and make an Angle there,  

The line of Mercury.  Then Mercury doth promise that,  
he need not for to fear;  
That is, the owner of that House▪  
for lucky shall he be,  
(The rather) if an unright line  
betwixt them both we see:  
If Mercury be fortunate,  
in a Nativity,  
He causeth one an Orator  
or Poet, for to be:  
And teacheth very well to speak,  
and very well to wright,  
A Secretary eke to be,  
and skilful to indite:  
And good in Mathematicals,  
and in Arithmetic:  
A wit and a capacity,  
he causeth very quick:  
But being found unfortunate  
in any birth, they say,  
That all his Influence doth work  
a clean contrary way:  
The longer all the lines do reach,  
the smother, and more plain,  
So much the more they lucky be,  
and longer life retain.  
But if no Angle Cross or Line, 
Crosses or overthwart lines be unlucky.   
(which overthwart we call)  
Upon this foresaid Front appear  
nor yet be seen at all,  
A singular most happy luck,  
or fortune than he have,  
That is the owner of the House,  
and shall have to his grave.  
Though all the Houses there, such fronts  
and places do possess,  
Yet have they not all Lines alike,  
but some have more or less:  
For some have four, three, or two,  
Yea many have but one;  
But very seldom do it chance,  
if any House have none:  
For then upon the same (they say)  
no judgement can be given,  
No more then on a Dial's square, 
A similitude   
which being smooth and even,  
Doth want his Lines to judge upon;  
without the which we shall  
Perceive no more how hours pass,  
then on a painted wall.  
And many other odd conceits  
I saw within the same,  
Which now for lack of memory,  
and time, I cannot name.  
Long stood I looking on these Lines,  
at length ●●●…e seemed to hear  
A voice, that safely said to me,  
thus whispering in mine ear.  

The Art is vain and uncertain.  Leave off to view those vanities;  
For though the Art doth show  
Great cunning for to be in it:  
and though that God (we know)  
In vain hath nothing made in man,  
Yet since that it is found  
The chiefest rules of all this Art,  
yea and his greatest ground,  
Stands but on observations,  
and on conjectures frail:  
How can we censure of the same,  
but that we needs must fail,  
Of Infant's lines, and such as be  

The lines of Infants, old-men, and labouring men.  exceeding lean, or old;  
No man can rightly judge upon,  
as Learned men have told?  
And as this voice still talked on,  
I chanced to look aside,  
Where I an Ancient man all clad  
in sundry colours spied;  
And after we each other had  
saluted, by and by  
I did entreat him that he would  
vouchsafe not to deny  
His name, for to declare to me,  
and what he did intend,  
By climbing of these places hie,  
and hither to ascend.  
Then courteously he spoke to me,  
and did this answer frame:  
I called am Pampirus; 
Pampirus omnia expertus.  and  
according to my name,  
To Countries, Realms, and Nations, and  
to places far and near,  
Their Customs, and their Orders, for  
to know, to see, and hear,  
I travel: that experience  
in all things I mought have:  
And when that I have got thereof  
as much as I would crave,  
I do impart the same unto  
Philotimus: for why, 

Philotimus amans veritatem.  
Experience and truth ought to go together.    
As travelers together, go  
Philotimus and I:  
This is the man, his voice it was  
which lately you did hear:  
With that a plain and comely wight,  
did presently appear;  
His countenance was very grave,  
and ancient for to see:  
But yet a clear and lively grace,  
In him there seemed to be▪  
His name imports a lover of  
things honest, good, and true:  
His clothing showed no less; which was  
of colours White and Blue:  
And after salutations done,  
the other did not stay,  
But fell into his former speech,  
and thus began to say.  
Now for our coming to this place,  

Pampirus goeth forward with his speech to the Author.  you are to understand,  
It was our hap of late to hear,  
of one that took in hand  
For to describe in every part,  
the Body of a Man,  
Both inwardly and outwardly,  
from top to toe: and than,  
Compareth it unto an House,  
that hath in it great store  
Of needful things; well governed  
by one of worth: and more,  
Applieth every part which in  
the Body we do see,  
Unto some necessary thing,  
which in an House should be.  
And furthermore, report doth go,  
(If we may credit fame)  
That he that made this Simile,  
so aptly did it frame,  
That it unto a Commonwealth,  
compared well may be.  
Much more thereof beside, we hear,  
which is the cause that we  
Do hither come: and for as much  
as that it is a lore,  
That hath not yet in such a sort,  
been dealt withal before,  
By any man: wherefore we crave,  
(if you the party be,  
That deals herein) you will declare  
the same in each degree.  
And for a new experience  
I will the same forth show.  
And I too (quoth Philotimus)  
think to apply it so,  
As that some good and godly use  
may of the same be made.  
And thus, when as this ancient man  
his mind hereof had said,  
Upon this answer, than myself  
did make him this reply. 
The author's reply.   
Your reasons which you here allege,  
I can not well deny.  
Yet cause of great discouragement,  
I see before my face:  
For why, the Curious they will carp,  
and seek for to disgrace  
The thing which now you do persuade:  
thereof the setting forth,  
And say that I (for want of skill)  
have made it nothing worth.  
And some will think me arrogant,  
because I undertake  
To wright hereof, and make report,  
that for vaineglories sake,  
I do the same: whereas in deed  
the Truth is otherwise. 
The cause why the Authaer did devise this Book.   
For why, the only cause for which  
I did the same devise,  
Was for mine only private use,  
that many times thereby,  
By meditating of the ●●●e,  
myself might edify:  
And though my pains shall not to some,  
do any good at all:  
Yet su●● I am that harm thereby,  
shall not to any fall:  
Which maketh me the willinger  
with you to condescend,  
Hoping you will as you have said,  
herein your aid me lend.   


The author's application of this his former devise.  Almighty God in Paradise,  
when he created man  
Of Soul, and eke of Body both,  
he did create him than,  
With Sense he did this Soul endue,  
which was celestial,  
And eke with Reason for to rule  
the Body there withal.  

A similitude  This Body then (I say) is like,  
an House, in each degree;  
The Soul, the owner of the House  
I do account to be;  
As touching first this Body then,  
I did of late declare,  

A comparison  It like an House in every point:  
but now I will compare  

or Body.  This House unto a Common wealth  
Or as a City fair:  
Or like a Corporation,  
consisting of a Mayer,  
And many other Officers,  
there needful to be had.  
And Commons too: amongst the which  
are people good and bad:  
And therefore need of government,  
such people for to guide,  
And as each Town and Common wealth  
Or City: hath beside  
Appointed places for to keep  
their Courts of Common law;  
Yea and their Courts of Conscience too,  
to keep these men in awe  
So hath each House his magistrates, 
or Body.   
and officers to serve  
Yea Commons too: and places fit,  
for Courts, which do deserve  
Good magistrates to sit in them.  
But let us first of all  
Speak of the Chirest Seat which late  
thou sawest in the Hall. 
or Body.  
The Heart of man is the Court of good Conscience, when Grace fitteth there as chief justice. These be the ordinary attendants upon the court of a good Conscience. Viz. Good thoughts.   
The chiefest Seat in every House  
it is the heart of man  
Wherein if that the Spirit of Grace  
do sit as judge, even than  
The Court of Conscience very well  
we may it call: but see,  
These Officers upon this Court  
always attendant be.  
Good thoughts, and motions of the mind  
and next to these proceed  
Another sort of Officers.  

Good words. Good deeds. faith. love. Charity. Obedience. Care to live uprightly. Patience. Godly fear. Mercy. Hope. Thankfulness Pity.  Good words, and eke Good deeds:  
Yea Faith, and Love, and Charity,  
Obedience, and Care  
To live upright, and Patience,  
and eke a Godly Fear:  
And Mercy, that most willingly  
forgiveth every wrong:  
And Hope, that looks for happy life,  
although delays be long:  
And Thankfulness, that with goodwill,  
doth benefits requite:  
And Pity, that compassion takes  
of those in ruthful plight:  

Virtue. Meekness. innocency.  And Virtue, that doth Vice abhor,  
and Meekness, eke so mild,  
That loves to be as Innocent,  
as any little Child.  
And many such like Officers,  
upon this judge attend,  
To execute his warrants, when  
he doth abroad them send.  
And if all these do faithfully  
their offices: why shall  
We not of right, such officers,  
Good Officers them call?  
But when out of this Court (alas)  

The cause why Grace fail us, is our own corruption.  this righteous judge is gone,  
(For many times he doth depart,  
and leave this Court alone,  
Because the Seat wherein this judge  
doth use to sit, is seen  
Oft times to be corrupted, 
By original sin.  and  
defiled, and uncleene,)  
Another strait usurps the roomth, 
When Grace doth fail the Devil prevail.   
and sitting in the place,  
Works all the means he can devise,  
the Court for to deface:  
Much like unto the Parrable,  
which we in Matthew reed, 
A Parable.   
Of one that sowed in his ground  
both good and perfect Seed:  
But while men slept, his Enemy  
upon this Land did sow  
Great store of tars among the Wheat,  
and then away did go.  
So Satan, with his hellish crew,  
this place doth enter in,  
And sitting there as Magistrate,  
his Court he doth begin:  
About him than flocks all his train, 
these be companions to the court of a bad Conscience: viz. Pride. Disdain. Loftiness. Scorn. Contempt. Ambition. Vainglory. Envy. Malice. Spite.   
(like to a swarm of Bees)  
Of Bailiffs, and of Officers:  
the names of whom be these.  
Pride, and Disdain, and Loftiness:  
and Scorn, and eke Contempt:  
Ambition, with Vainglory: which  
great matters do attempt.  
Then Envy, yea and Malice too,  
and Spite, that peevish else,  
Who fretteth that another should  
be better than himself.  

Covetousness.  Then Covetousness is called for,  
who like a Miser old,  
Comes limping in, and in his hand  
a mighty bag of Gold.  

Robbery.  And Robbery, that use to stand  
hard by the highways side.  

Theft.  And sneaking Theft, that in the dark  
doth seek himself to hide.  
And those that know how for to hoard  

Hoarding of money.  and hide their money well,  
Thinking that they the same, with them  
shall carry into Hell.  

Usury.  And Usury, that greedie-gutt,  
that eateth up the poor:  

Simony.  And Simony, that Clergy mate,  
and many others more.  

Wrath.  And Wrath, with his alliances:  

Murder.  and Murder, which doth kill  
Both friend and foe maliciously,  
and with pretended ill,  

Banning. Cursing.  And Banning, yea and Cursing both,  
whose customs are to crave  
More Plagues to light on other folks,  
than they themselves would have.  

Fury.  Then Fury, in his frantic mood,  
came squaring into Court,  
And brought with him in company  

Disorder.  Disorder, and a sort  

Swearing.  Of Swearing mates: that strait the Court  
was brought in such a rage,  

Beelzebub.  That scarce could Beelzebub himself  
his Officers asswadge:  
Yet Cruelty, for all this coil, 
Cruelty   
could scant be pacified,  
Until that with inflamed eyes  
his Lust he had espied:  
For Lust doth to this Court belong, 
Lust.   
her use is to allure  
Lasciviousness; she Wantonness: 
lasciviousness.   
and Wantonness procure 
Wantonness.   
Concupiscence to come with her 
Concupiscence   
into the Court; and there  
Fowl Ribaldry, 
Ribaldry.  her filthy talk  
no whit at all doth spare.  
Then enters in Idolatry: 
Idolatry.   
who is so far begun  
With blinded love of Images,  
that many times a Stone,  
A Stock, a piece of Lead, of Brass,  
of Silver, or of Gold,  
He worships as his God, and doth  
it for his Saviour hold.  
here Witchcraft came; 
Witchcraft. Sorcery. Conjuration. Gluttony. Drunkenness Adultery. Fornication. Incest. B●●gerie. Heresy. Err●u●. Hypocrisy.  a withered wretch  
who always bears a mind  
To spoil another, though itself  
thereby no profit find.  
And Sorcery with Charms do use,  
and poisoned Drinks likewise.  
And Conjuration, causing Spirits  
in Circles for to rise.  
And Gluttony, that only joys  
in ease, and belly-cheer.  
And Drunkenness, that reeling goes,  
with belly blown with Beer.  
Adultery, which marriage bed  
of Honesty doth spoil:  
And Fornication, that doth chaste  
Virginity defile:  
And Incest, which with kindred near  
to lie, no sin it think:  
And Buggery, that beastly sin,  
for which did Sodom sink▪  
And Heresy, that doth uphold,  
and stoutly doth maintain  
False errors in Religion,  
and eke opinions vain.  
At last comes in Hypocrisy,  
who outwardly doth show  
A face of feigned holiness,  
though deeds be nothing so.  
And many other Officers  
did to this Court belong,  
Which for to tell them all by name,  
it would be very long:  
Anon unto the Court again,  
the righteous judge did come;  
But when he saw such wicked wights,  
possessed in the room,  
He did command his Officers,  

A Battle betwixt the flesh and the spirit.  in no wise for to spare,  
But thrust them out with violence,  
the other side prepare  
With force for to resist, and then  
a Battle they did try 
When Grace draws nigh, the Devil must fly.   
But yet at length the wicked ones  
constrained were to fly  
Much like unto the Battle which  
Saint john hath to us told  
Which in his Revelations  
he saith he did behold  
How Michael and his Angels did 
A similitude.   
a Mighty Battle fight  
With Satan and his hellish imps  
and put them all to flight  
Lo thus (quoth I) then very well  
we may behold and see  
A Court of Conscience in each House 
Or Body.   
is needful for to be  
Aswell as in a Common Wealth;  
or in a City large,  
If for to rule and govern well,  
we mind to take the charge.  
And now the Court of Common Law, 
The Court of common law.   
I mean for to declare  
Both what it is, and where it's kept,  
and who the judges are:  
what officers on it attend,  
and for to show likewise,  
Who are disturbers of this Court;  
for many times arise  
Both quarrels, and Contentions there,  
by some of evil fame  
For Virtue crossed is by Vice,  
contrary to the same  
Within the Turret of each House,  
there doth a Chamber lie,  
Which Chamber, round about is scold  
as white as ivory.  
With in the same the Court is kept,  
and in this Court doth sit  

The four cardinal virtues whereby we should govern all our common afaffays described.  Four judges, all of worthy fame,  
and for the place most fiitt,  
The Chief of them is justice called,  
who doth uprightly hear  
Both rich and poor, not led awry  
with malice, love, or fear  
The second Prudence hath to name,  
whose wisdom doth foresee,  
To sound the depth of every cause  
lest aught mistaken be.  
Then Temperance, whose mildness doth  
both moderate each thing  
And driveth Discord out of Court,  
and doth Good order bring.  
The last is Fortitude, whose force  
and Courage doth defend,  
The justness of the Innocent,  
and makes the stubborn bend:  
The officers which to this Court.  
attending I did see,  
Their names be these; or such as these,  
I wish them all to be.  
Plain-dealing stands in Court and shows  
the title of the Cause:  
And craveth nothing but the right  
according to the Laws,  
Then Expedion, doth desire  
with speed an end to have,  
Of all his long and tedious suit,  
Expenses for to save,  
And Pity pleads for Poverty,  
in For●a pauperis, 
The right use of all those that are to be employed in any court.   
And looketh for no stipend nor  
for any fee for this.  
Then Charity for concord calls,  
persuading to agree  
And wills them for to leave their suits  
and friends again to be.  
Content then tells his Client thus,  
I hunt not after gains,  
Give what you will, amodicum  
shall please me for my pains.  
But yet amongst these officers,  
do many times resort  
Unto this Court another Crew  
of naughty packs a sort,  
Who by their shifts and policies  
do compass so the same▪  
That oft they do disturb the Court,  
and bring it out of frame. 
The Sundry abuse●s of many that are employed in Courts described.   
For Fraud seeks with his subtle shifts  
plain-dealing to disgrace,  
And trifles much on many points  
that riseth in the Case,  
delay comes dallying in with drifts  
demanding further day  
All though his Client hath before  
informed him what to say,  

Discord.  Then Discord moves Contentions,  
and bids them go to law:  
Why put you up of wrong (saith he)  
the value of a straw  

Affection.  Afection thus unto his friend  
in secret sort doth tell,  
Let me alone what ere it be,  
your matter shall go well  

Fear.  Your adversary (than saith Fear)  
he is a man of might  
Have patience, I sorry am  
I may not do you right  

Ambo dexter.  And Dexter, deals deceitfully  
of Ambo., taking fees  
And cares not, (so that he might gain,)  
though both of them do lose,  

Bribery.  And Bribery, bestirs him there,  
as busy as a Bee,  
And thinks by giving gifts, to blind  
the eyes of Equity  
By Colour of his office, though  

Extortion.  Extortion doth the wrong,  
Yet saith, he takes no more than to  
his office doth belong  
And many more such busy mates  
do in this Court abide  
Under the Cloak of honesty,  
seeking themselves to hide.  

The heart.  Whom though the judges many times  
do banish out of Court,  
And punish them as they deserve,  
yet still they will resort:  
For as they have been in this Court  
time out of mind of man,  
So still in Court they will be, do  
the judges what they can. 
Title of prescription.   
Lo thus you see of keeping Court,  
in every House the need.  
Now of the Commons for to speak  
somewhat, I will proceed:  
As Commons for the greater part,  
consist of men of Trade,  
Artificers, and labourers,  
and such as use have made  
Both apt and fit for that which should,  
Society maintain. 
A similitude   
Without the which, a Commonwealth,  
cannot itself sustain.  
Even so in every Body, or  
in every House, we see  
Such parts and members of the same,  
as may compared be  
To Commons in a Cmmon-wealth: 
The Commons, or commonalty, and how it is applied.   
and like in each degree  
For in the Body of a man,  
(as I before have said)  
Some part or member of the same,  
can exercise the Trade  
Of Brewers, and of Bakers too:  
yea and some have the skill  
To Barber, and to Butcher to,  

〈◊〉  and Foules likewise to kill:  
So hath it some that exercise,  
the Sienna of Defence,  
And handles can the weapon which,  
oft times do b●●…de offence.  
It hath likewise the Soldier, which  
in Wars can toss the Pike  
And handle well the Musket, and  
knows how with Sword to strike.  
And drumm●●… and Trumpet for to sound,  

The proper and sundry uses of the hand.  and eke the Horse to guide,  
If that they hap at any time,  
upon an Horse to ride.  
The Carpenters and Coops art:  
the cobblers craft▪ some can  
The joiners trade, and some likewise  
can juggle now and than:  
For even as in a Commonwealth,  
a City, or a Town,  
Full many idle people be,  

So every idle man abuseth some parts of his body to idle ●●…isti●●…es.  which wander up and down:  
So every House hath idle mates,  
which useth for to play  
At Chess, at Bows, at Dice, at Cards,  
at Tennis, day by day.  
And some there be, which have likewise  

The use of the arms & shoulders, or the legs.  in them, a Comely grace,  
Within their Arms in kindly sort,  
his friends for to embrace.  
And every House hath Porters too,  
which carry too and fro  
Great Packs & burdens, when they are  
commanded to do so.  
It hath Intelligencers, which  
seek out to see and hear  
What news abroad, both good and bad, 
The use of the eye and the ear.   
and then the same they bear  
Unto the owner of the House,  
and him thereof doth warn,  
That he the better may prevent  
the things that might him harm.  
It hath likewise his Clergy men,  
that now and then can preach,  
And doctrine either good or bad,  
can utter forth and teach.  
And Orators, that can a smooth  
and learned tale forth tell.  
And Lawyers too, that for itself, 
The use of the tongue & the voice.   
can plead his causes well.  
And Chapmen that cen buy and sell,  
and good account can make,  
Of any thing that for the House  
they do receive and take.  
And them likewise that can confer  
with either friend or foe,  
And as occasion offered is,  
can frame an answer so.  
And labourers that dig and delve, 
The use of the hand and the foot jointly.   
with mattock and with Spade,  
And those that both with hand and foot,  
do use the weavers trade.  
And many other Scienses,  
and Arts, of sundry kind  
Are practised there: but half of them  
I cannot call to mind.   


The Author speaketh to Phil●●●●●…▪  Lo thus you hear what I have said,  
if you will take the pain  
The meaning of these things, to make  
more manifest and plain:  
That they which hear or read the same,  
the better may apply,  
And make some further use thereof,  
themselves to edify.  
I pray you do: he then to me  
did answer thus; I will  
endeavour for to do herein  
according to my skill.   


Philotimus speaketh to the Author.  Though many do affirm (quoth he)  
(which thing is true and just,)  
Mans Body for to be a Sack,  
or Budget full of Dust:  
All painted over cunningly  

A pescription of our corruptible bodies.  with cull ours white and red,  
And with a kind of slender Hair,  
bethatched over head:  
And that the same is made of Clay,  
of Earth, and Ashes dry:  
And nothing but Corruption is,  
while it in Grave doth lie:  
And like unto the withered Grass,  
and like the ra●ing flower:  
And to an earthen vessel, that's  
in danger every hour:  
For to be chrusht in pieces: and  
a Dungeon some it call,  
A Prisonhouse unto the Soul,  
that keeps the same in thrall:  
And many such like other names  
the Scriptures do declare.  
All which is true, if with the Soul,  
we do the same compare.  
For why, the Soul God's Image is, 
What the Soul is.   
a thing Divine: but yet,  
As touching this our Body sure,  
God hath bestowed on it  
Such admirable workemanshipp,  
as when he did it frame,  
His wisdom, power, and glory then,  
was showed in the same:  
So that we are therefore to laud,  
and praise his holy name.  
Likewise each Body of the Just,  
the Scriptures term to be  
The Temple of the Holy Ghost,  
and that we shall it see:  
At latter day, for to arise  
in glory for to sit  
With Christ, who by his precious blood,  
long since redeemed it.  
Beside, the ordering of the same,  
and government of 〈◊〉  
Even from the state of Commonwealths,  
do differ not a whit.  
And whit because all Commonwealths  
do of our Bodies come,  
And when our Bodies cease to be,  
than Commonwealths are done.  
And as a Realm, a Commonwealth,  
a City, or a Town,  
Cannot continue long, but is  
in state of falling down,  
If that the Common-people, which  
within them do remain,  
Do not together join as one,  
their state for to maintain.  
And as an House must needs decay,  
and all that long there to,  
If those that dwell therein neglect  
the things that they should do.  
Even so it with our Bodies stands:  
for if it so befall  
The Eye, the Ear, the Hand, the Foot,  
the parts and members all,  
join nor together all as one,  
the Body to sustain,  
we see by daily proof, the Body  
cannot long remain.  
And even as in a Commonwealth,  
a City, or a Town,  
There aught to be good Magistrates,  
to keep the wicked down.  
And as in every House there ought  
a Governor to be  
Amongst the people in the same,  
good order for to see:  
Even so in every Body; in  
the which a Soul do dwell,  
Most needful 'tis some one to have, 
A good Conscience.   
the which may govern well:  
Or eke the Realm; the Commonwealth; 
The general inconvenience of evil government.   
the City; or the Town:  
Yea and the Soul, and Body too,  
(though things of great renown)  
Cannot endure: but needs must fall.  
to ruin and decay,  
The proof thereof by ruling ill,  
too often see we may.  
As Corporations, Cities, Towns,  
and Villages a sort,  
The better for to govern them,  
have oftentimes their Court:  
As well Ecclesiastical,  
as of the Common Laws.  
So every man within his House,  
(and in himself) have cause,  
To see that both these Courts be kept:  
the first of them to keep,  
For Causes hidden in the heart, 
See more hereof in fol. 27. & 28.   
and in the Conscience deep.  
The other Court must holden be,  
for matters that depend  
Twixt man and man, right for to do,  
and wrong for to amend.  
Each several Court, hath several Rules  
belonging thereunto,  
For to instruct their suitors all,  
what every one should do.  

The Gospel. The Commandments  The Gospel, and the Mortal law,  
who so observeth, this  
I am persuaded that he shall  
but seldom do amiss.  
And for the keeping of these Courts,  

The application of the keeping of these Courts.  we thus must understand,  
That every good and faithful man,  
must daily take in hand  
For to examine well himself,  
his thoughts, his words, and works,  
And Look if any wickedness,  
in any of them lurks:  
And if he chance some faults to spy,  
as doubtless but he shall,  
That then unto the Lord-chiefe-Iudge,  
he faithfully do call  
For pardon for his former faults:  
and do as is before  
Directed him: and then I think,  
he need to do no more.  
Thus briefly have I showed my mind:  
and now, because the day)  
Comes on apace, and that (quoth they)  
we needs must hence a way:  
We leave you till another time,  
when we may talk our fill.  
I rather wish you would (quoth I)  
abide and tarry still.  
But when our leave, each one of us  
did of each other take,  
The sorrow I conceived thereof,  
did cause me for to wake:  
And when I saw myself in bed,  
I rose up presently,  
And went and took my pen in hand,  
and Wrote down by and by  
(So near as I could call to mind)  
what I before had seen:  
And all the talk, and conference,  
which passed us between.  
If any shall hereafter seem  
for to mislike of this,  
I crave they would vouchsafe to mend  
what here they find amiss.  
And here I end; wishing these things,  
may be as well applied,  
And to no worse end, then in  
this book is specified.   
FINIS.  

Letchrie is like a fiery furnace, whose mouth is Gluttony.  
Letchrie is like a fiery furnace, whose flame is Pride.  
Letchrie is like a fiery furnace, whose sparks are evil words.  
Letchrie is like a fiery furnace, whose smoke is Shame,  
Letchrie is like a fiery furnace whose Ashes is Poverty.  
Letchrie is like a fiery furnace whose end is Destruction.