CORYATS' CRAMBE, OR HIS COLWORT TWICE SODDEN, AND Now served in with other Macaronicke dishes, as the second course to his Crudities.  
LONDON  
Printed by William Stansby 1611.   

CERTAIN VERSES WRITTEN UPON CORYATS' CRUDITIES, WHICH SHOULD Have been Printed with the other panegyric lines, but then were upon some occasions omitted, and now communicated to the WORLD.  

Incipit Ben. jonson.  
To the London Reader, on the Odcombian writer, Polytopian Thomas the traveler.  
WHO ever he be, would write a Story at  
The height, let him learn of Mr. Tom Coryate;  
Who, because his matter in all should be meet,  
To his strength, hath measured it out with his feet.  
And that, say Philosophers, is the best model.  
Yet who could have hit on't but the wise noddell  
Of our Odcombian, that literate Elf?  
To line out no stride, but passed by himself?  
And allow you for each particular mile,  
By the ●cale of his book, a yard of his style?  
Which, unto all Ages, for his will be known,  
Since he treads in no other Man's steps but his own,  
And that you may see he most luckily meant  
To write it with the self same spirit he went,  
He says to the world, let any man mend it,  
In five months he went it, in five months he penned it.  
But who will believe this, that chanceth to look  
The Map of his journey, and sees in his book,  
France, Savoy, Italy, and Helvetia,  
The Low-countries, Germany, and Rhetia  
There named to be travelled? For this our Tom saith:  
Pies on't, you have his historical faith.  
Each leaf of his journal, and line doth unlock,  
The truth of his heart there, and tell's what a clock  
He went out at each place, and at what he came in,  
How long he did stay, at what sign he did ●nne.  
Besides he tried Ship, Cart, Wagon, and Chair  
Horse, ●oote, and all but flying in the air:  
And therefore how ever the traveling nation,  
Or builders of Story have oft imputation  
Of lying, he fears so much the reproof  
Of his foot, or his pen, his brain or his hoof,  
That he dares to inform you, but somewhat meticulous  
How scabbed, how ragged, and how pediculous  
He was in his travail, how like to be beaten,  
For grapes he had gathered, before they were eaten.  
How fain for his venery he was to cry (Tergum ò)  
And lay in straw with the horses at Bergamo,  
How well, and how often his shoes too were mended,  
That sacred to Odcombe are now there suspended,  
I mean that one pair, where with he so hobbled  
From Venice to Flushing, were not they well cobbled?  
Yes. And thanks God in his Pistol or his Book  
How many learned men he have drawn with his book  
Of Latin and Greek, to his friendship. And seven  
He there doth protest he saw of the eleven.  
Nay more in his wardrobe, if you will laugh at a  
jest, he says, Item one suit of black taffeta  
Except a doublet, and bought of the jews:  
So that not them, his scabs, lice, or the stews,  
Or any thing else that another should hide,  
Doth he once dissemble, but tells he did ride  
In a Cart twixt Montrell and Abbevile.  
And being at Flushing enforced to feel  
Some want, they say in a sort he did crave:  
I writ he only his tail there did wave;  
Which he not denies. Now being so free,  
Poor Tom have we cause to suspect just thee?  
No: as I first said, who would write a story at  
The height, let him learn of Mr. Tom Coryate.  
Explicit Ben. jonson.   

Incipit johannes à Grandi-Bosco.  

THE Orbs Almutez of this age have been  
(Beamed with the graceful light of heavens Queen)  
Ascending Stilbon in his doubled house,  
Sweet Aphrodite, and he that slew the 
a Nempe Apollo Smintheus.  Mouse.  
Ye German wits, Hence, Smith, and Noortwicks' Lord,  
Lipsy, and Hortisbon, you can afford  
(Of Rome and Athens you two paragers)  
Me testimony, and the Scaligers.  
With, what all you through negligence omitted:  
This English Ilerma hath us now befitted;  
Who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
Unto whose praise no Muse that ever said no!  
No more shall mine. A happy 
b Alluding to that of Pindar. Olymp. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 never fitting so literally as the authers' shoe (perserued like Epins●nideum. Corium,) fits it.  foot had he  
In shoe, that 
c Lunata planta in Martial, and that of Juvenal Sat. 7. Appositam more lunans subtexit alut●e: Witness that the Roman nobility, and of the best sort had their Crescents on their shoes expressing a C. the single for our Author's name.  Lunatic most sure had be  
In antic Rome, when judgement both and guerdon  
Concurred: his like, fore jove, was never heard on.  
And Somerset, hereafter Odcombe steeple  
Shall be Tom's Pyram: nay all Odcombe people  
No more in him that from the 
d 〈…〉 Baron of Odcombe, 〈…〉.  Heath was named,  
But him, that all his countrymen hath shamed  
In's worth and wit, shall now for ever vaunt them:  
Eternally thy Manes too shall haunt them,  
Till with lustration they have explain,  
The non-supply of thy wants Coryate.  
Compared by many theyare to Odysscus,  
Were not comparisons too odious:  
I could compare Thessalian Apulee,  
Thou 
e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anacreon.  Ros● loode deservest as well as he.  
I could compare? alas I find no such  
In him, in the Ithaqu●, Cesar, nor so much  
Of others praise as thou hast ta'en; both Muse  
Do sing thy name, and merry Cornamuse.  
That smothered name these Calends new broke out,  
With trumpet summons us from all about,  
As 'twere to do 
f ●●● were ●● Mart. wherein such as had been faulty in Fornacalia, did their devoires (as the multitude of brave spirits do now at this feast, to prevent weak stomachs from rejection of Crudities●●eslus.  Quirinus' sacrifice,  
Too long omitted; now thy Frontispiece  
Pictures that feast; the Muses it deferred  
For thy desert. Well ere thou be interred,   

The Beams in Court reflecting from thy plain  
(There as a mirror shalt thou be ●bsern'd)  
Shall make Castilios traveling abstain,  
Hopeless to have the palm thou hast deserved,  
Or hopeless have it. Thy example Tom,  
Will cause our sharpest 
g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Han desperate of equalling him.  heads to stay at home.   
Explicit joannes à Grandi-Bosco.   

Incipit N. T.  
Certain Anacreonticke verses praeambulatory to the most ambulatory Odcombian traveler.  
COryate, Coryate,  
Though it was my hard fate,  
Not to know thy decree pate,  
Before it was too late  
To sing thy praises:  
Yet now I'll call a Muse,  
(Which of them thou shalt choose)  
To sing thee and thy shoes,  
Which Fame up-raises.  
No Muse of the Horse hoof'd-spring,  
Because thou hadst no such thing  
As a Horse, but on foot didst bring  
Thyself and thy wit too.  
Whence thou sawest not 
h The statue of jupiter being found in Rome was set up for the image of S. Peter, the keys being put into his hand in steed of the thunderbolt: as it is there now to be seen.  jove like a Pope,  
Nor Diana's vail made a Cope,  
Nor to Loretto crope.  
Nor the goddess Cocytto  
(Yet madest gobled Crudities,  
Or cobbled rudities:  
O how well brewed it is  
For the traveling members!  
With wise Observations  
Of several nations,  
And rare indagations  
Raked out of th'embers.  
But thou wilt see e'er long  
Whether Rome's walls be strong,  
Or may be sacked by a throng  
Of warlike Britons.  
Yet sure thou needest not go  
To coasts or countries more,  
New fashions for to know,  
Unfit or fit ones.  
For thy Businesse-face who looks o'er,  
Will say, thou now trauel'st more  
With thy wit then thy feet before,  
Floreat, Floreat.   

In nobile mobile Par Calceorum Th. Coryati  

'tIs you alone O cobbled shoes,  
That caused have these much a-does.  
You have been sung by many a Poet,  
And your good Master would have more yet.  
'tis not his sailing to strange lands,  
From Dover cliffs to Cahee sands,  
That makes his journey so admired:  
By you alone all brains are fired.  
Most travelers those countries see,  
And haddocks feed as well as he.  
Many thousands ride in wagons,  
Whose foremen make them go like dragons.  
Most of your traveling members know  
What doth belong to a Gondalo.  
And some I think all ages knew,  
That scaped fairly from the Iew.  
And some for stealing grapes of yore  
Have been like threatened by a Boar.  
To Beggars 'tis no new device  
To hang up rags from whence drop louse.  
And many ostlers do (I trow N)  
With horses lie at Bergamo.   

If this be so, what's then the news?  
Only the story of his shoes.  
O shoes, no shoes, but monstrous leather,  
Enchanted against wind and weather!  
Not made of any common hide,  
But of one necromantifide  
Of some Oxhide in Styx long drenched,  
Or that had some 
a A warlike engine otherwise called a Mortar, usually quenched with wet Hides.  Granada quenched.  
At least (of louse he was so full)  
Of some rebellious Irish Bull.  
Or if that their Antiquity  
Require a further pedigree;  
Perchance (they were so loving fellows)  
That they were made of Vulcan's bellows.  
Or of that leather bag I find in  
Homer, Ulysses kept the wind in.   

Sure I am they were so patched  
With Theseus ship they may be matched,  
Of which a doubt at length did grow  
Whether it were the same or no.   

Had they endured more think you,  
Had they been worn by a Perdu?  
Or if they heretofore had been  
Made for some wandering Capuchin?  
So might they have proved sandal shone,  
And lasted more by many a Moon.   

Yet was it well I needs must say,  
They lasted five months on the way.  
Though they can now no more be mended,  
Yet may their praise; else God defend it.  
Great pity 'twas they broke in sunder  
Before they had made a nine months wonder.   
Quòd se necavit Seneca si nomen tulit:  
Coryate tutè nomen à coriotenes.   

De futuris eiusdem T. C. Peregrinationibus infinitis.  
novi qui peregrè totum propè circuit orbem,  
Stultifer âque domum nave reucctus erat.  
Non Thomas sic noster: is omne quod hactenùs egit,  
Nimirùm pedibus penè peregit iter.  
At nunc longinquas solers scrutabitur oras,  
Et quae diuer so, littora, sole calent.  
Romanam nihil est urbem, Papamque videre,  
Anglos saepè videt Roma, videre cupit.  
Pendens arte tuum viset (Mahomete) sepulchrum,  
Vel Monacho instructus fraud doloque magis.  
Incensus Zelo Solymas rimabitur ipsas,  
Ex tot reliquijs si quid adbûc veliqui est.  
Et Christum quoniam agnoscit Prestera johannem  
Inuiset Thomas, & (si opus) erudict.  
Lunae cultores, Persas, & Solis adibit,  
Et Sophi ipsorum, sed magìs ipse Sophos.  
Laetemur tantis eius conatibus omnes,  
Ille typis rediens omnia, nempe, dabit.  
Mactc esto Coryate: peregrinantior (opto)  
Sit fortunatus Spiritus iste tibi.  
Non solùm Antipodes: ipsas, audentior, umbras  
Si potes infernas vise: reuise tuos.  
Si chartis demùm mandes quid agatur in Orco,  
Tu peregrinator solus in orb clues.  
Explicit N. T.   

Incipit Laurentius Whitaker.  
(The ensuing verses of these three Authors were made since my book of Crudities came forth.)  
Course Music played upon the Odcombian Oboe, to attend the second course of Coryats' Coleworts, and dittied to the most melodious Comical air, borne and brought up in the Septentrional suburbs, which the vulgar call, The Punks delight.  
vail bonnet ijgging Festivals, of British land and others, you proudest Tuscan Carnivals', and ye French Balls their brother: Dutch 
a A most ingenious sport used in the low Countries by Citizens, where in they use shooting with Crossbows at a thing made like a Geay.  Pappigcay, and 
b A kind of drunken Dutch ●aire held on Sundays and holidays in afternoons in Summer time, both note● unhappily omitted in the Author's text, which is their proper place.  Carmas gay, in season after Easter, with Frow and Punk, All reeling drunk, both Boor and Burgomaster.  

Ye Church-ales, and ye Morresses,  
With Hobby-horse advancing,  
Ye Round-games with fine Sim and Sis,  
About the Maypole dancing;  
Ye nimble joints,  
That with red points,  
And ribbons trick the Bridal,  
Look up your pumps,  
And rest your stumps,  
For you are now down cried all.   

Your Coryphee, great Coryate,  
The 
c The Corybants were certain mad Priests, and had their names of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of going upon their heads (which sometimes they used: a term not unproper to our Author, because he in going upon his feet, went truly upon his head also, for he went upon that which contained his wit, and conveyed to him the matter of his observations.  Corybant of Odcombe,  
Now crested hath his witty pate  
With no mad but a sad comb  
Of Doctorship, 
d Viz at the University of Royston, where he proceeded a Caelarean Doctor.   
And will not trip  
To Market Cross, or Alehouse,  
But hath been made  
More sage and stayed,  
By th'Oracles of a 
e Our Author being a Grecian, would needs vary from the Troyans', therefore whereas they in their travails received an Oracle from the knawing of Mice (as the knowing Author well knows the story, ●●● he would needs have an Oracle also but from the biting of smaller.  louse:   

A learned louse at Heidelberg  
That bade him fall to writing,  
Which came to him from 
Viz. in an old pair of shockings which a Prussian of Koningsberg gave him, wherein inhabited some or aculous v●rmine.  Koningsberg,  
To warn him of the biting.  
Of his vile crew.  
Which to eschew,  
And put him into clothes,  
He must to Court,  
Write and make sport,  
So now he hath done both these.   

Then wail not Odcombe for thy loss,  
Though Coryate be removed,  
His triumphs acted on thy Cross,  
Are in Pauls-yard approved.  
Nay all pastimes  
Named in my rhymes,  
Shall stoop to Odcombes standish,  
Which makes more glee  
Than any three  
Of English or outlandish.    

An Encomiasticke scrap or fragment thrown by a charitable hand into this new Bing or Almsbasket made by the Author to receive the Relics of the Crudities; which fragment is quick, for though it creeps not, yet it thus speaks to the Author.  
AS at grave Senate-feasts begun with beef & mustard,  
Ended with Pippin-pies, with Florentine and Custard,  
The courser off all is i'th' hole of the Alms basket  
By officers laid close, till suitors come and ask it;  
So in thy Pilgrim feast of luscious Crudities  
Dishes of biting beasts, and shirtlesse Nudities,  
Some panegyric scraps of Court and country speeches,  
(Which whilom thou wert wont to show out of thy breeches  
And with tough Crudities could hardly be digested)  
Be in th' Almsbasket now of new Calves-skin invested:  
Which dry meat none cancal; for there's one scrap a moist one  
The shell filled with May dew, thou didst present at Royston.  
Yet not thy feasts nor scraps are made much to be tasted,  
Nor shall their Title leaves on doors or posts be pasted,  
But as brown pasts hard baked fill room, & few do taste them,  
So having ta'en thy books, & in some odroome placed them,  
Let gentle gallants work their wills: ne'er ask thou whether  
They have ta'en pains to read or taste of both or either.  
Explicit Laurentius Whitakerus.   

Incipit Richer for books.  
Observe Reader that the worthy Gentleman which is the Author of these verses, and who graced me with singular lines upon my Crudities, even as good as any upon my book, doth for certain considerations conceal his name and his time, and in steed thereof expresseth only an Anagramme of it, even that before named.  
To the most notable Tom Coryate, the very Primrose of the Authors of this present year 1611. (the saucy Almanac-maker only excepted.)  
IF, who fly praise, praise only follow those,  
How got you so much Tom? that write in prose,  
To be set out in verse, and made so dear  
As Cooks with dainty sauce make homely cheer?  
But well, since your great work set forth of late,  
Hath made you famous unto every state:  
Of these small glean let no more be said,  
But if the like of them were never made,  
Nor never shall by any mortal brain,  
That is not weight with yours just to a grain.   

Again to the most royal Phoenix Doctor, and fluent Orator. M.T.C.  

YOu have Harangued in English, Tom, so fully,  
That men do parallel you now with Tully.  
And M.T.C. which his name signify,  
As aptly to your name they now apply.  
See see, in placing letters you do sweat,  
And letters do conspire to make you great.   

As silliest Trojan fight with Achilles,  
To your brave answer, so your foeman's bill is;  
For there was never found in paper scrolls,  
Nor yet in close or patent Parchment Rolls  
Any like yours, it may be a precedent  
To all your Clerks of Christendom and Kent.   

O happiest child of Winchester alive,  
Thence leapt out Doctor by Prerogative.   
Explicit in Anagram Richer for Books.   

Incipit Antonius Washborne.  
SInce Doctor Coryates Crudities came forth  
parboiled in his Oratory broth,  
Since these Orations in Tom Odcombes brain pan  
Decocted were, what lyric tongue refrain can  
To taste his pickled wit, and pandered art,  
Seen and allowed in City, Court, and 
a I mean in the country.  Cart?  
Till now no Orator arose like Best  
That ere declaimde at Coach-booh, boat, or feast,  
Till now no traveler allowed to lie and cog  
Did ever write a book worth casting at a dog.  
Explicit Antonius Washborne.   

Incipit William Rich.  
William Rich of the middle Temple, in the commendation of (his learned countryman) Mr. Thomas Coryate of Odcombe, both traveler ●●●● and Orator.  
Wonderful Coryate, that bring'st two impressions  
Sooner to us, than Time two quarter-Sessions,  
That writ'st as thou hast travelled, with such speed  
As hackney horses, hounds, or hunters feed:  
That writ'st and trauell'st, as there were a strife  
Between thy hands and feet for death or life.  
Well did high Odcombe boast her pride of thee  
When thou to Evil wentest in jollity,  
And leddest an army forth with bows and guns  
To swill their Whitson-Ale, and crack their Bunnes,  
Where thou, on Cross advanced, didst spend more wit,  
Then man would think thou couldst recover yet.  
But thou hast more, though much of the same mint  
Men here may read, and wonder at, in print.  
What will they say, when with thy Crudities  
Thy twice boiled Colewort here shall sympathize,  
And the great unbegotten (God knows what)  
Which thou wilt bring us next, that, yet, is at  
The far jerusalem, all in one volume?  
They cannot choose but then erect a column,  
●●● travels Trophaees shall be hung  
●●● thy works in Ballads sung.  Explicit Guiliclmus Rich.   

A PETITION MADE TO THE PRINCE SHORTLY AFTER THE DEATH OF THE Last Archbishop of Canterbury, concerning the Printing of the Book of my TRAVELS.  
To the High and mighty Prince, HENRY Prince of Walls, Duke of Cornwall and Rothsay, Earl of Chester, Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter, etc. The humble Petition of Thomas Coryate.  
FOr as much as that great 
* The Archbishop of Canterbury.  Oecolampadius of England, even that refulgent Lamp of God's house, hath lately lost his light, the snuff thereof being fallen down into the Socket, and so consequently is extinct for a time; that Lamp which should have given lustre, and lent her light unto my poor Hodaeporicall lucubrations as the Sun doth to the Moon, by the Eclipse whereof they are now dimmed, and lurk in a kind of darkness more than Cimmerian; My thrise-humble and thrise-suppliant suit unto your Highness is this, that you would graciously vouchsafe to cherish and maintain the scintillant embers of my diminutive Lamp by infusing into them the quickening Oil of your Gracious indulgence; by virtue of which, my Candle which is now hid under a Bushel, may gather strength, and be elevated even to the conspicuous and eminent places of this Kingdom, and disperse abroad her coruscant light to the illuminating of the caliginous understandings of my traveling Countrymen.  
Your highness suppliant and humble Petitioner, Thomas Coryate the Od. combian traveler.   

CERTAIN ORATIONS PRONOUNCED BY THE AUTHOR OF THE CRUDITIES, TO THE KING QUEEN, PRINCE, LADY ELIZABETH, AND THE DUKE OF York, at the delivery of his Book to each of them.  
This Oration following was pronounced to the Prince in the Privy Chamber at S. james upon Easter Monday last, between six and seven of the Clock in the afternoon.  
MOst scintillant Phosphorus of our British 
* This was the ancient name of Sicily, so called, Quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is, having three promontories, namely Pelorus, Pachynus, and Lilybaeum. As for our British Island, I therefore call it Tri●●cria, because it hath three Promontories also ●s ●●●●● had, viz. That of ●●● in ●●●●ll. Kant●um in the East, even in that part which we commonly call Kent, and ●●● or O●●ss in the ●●●●● part of S●alland. Con●●en in ●●●●●.  Trinacria, Even as the Crystalline dew, that is exhaled up into the air out of the caverns & spongy pores of the succulent Earth, doth by his distillation descend, and disperse itself again upon the spacious superficies of his mother Earth, and so consequently fecundate the same with his bountiful irrigation: So I a poor vapour composed of drops, partly natural, partly literal, partly experimental, having had my generation within the liquid Walls of this farre-decantated Island, being drawn up by the strength of my hungry and high reaching desire of Travel, and as it were craned up with the whirling wheel of my longing appetite to survey exotic Regions, have been hoist to the altitude of the remote climates of France, Savoy, Italy, Rhetia, Helvetia, Alemannie, and the Netherlands; and being there in a manner involved for a time in the sweaty and humid clouds of industry capital, digitall, and pedestriall, did distend the bottle of my brain with the most delectable liquor of Observation, which I now vent and shower down upon the young and tender Plants sprouting out of the same earth from the which like a poor Mushroom, I first ascended. With this May dew of my Crude collections (May I may well call it, because in May I first undertook my journey) I have now filled this new-laid Eggshell, not doubting of the like effect in your Highness the radiant Sun of our English Hemisphere, that the great Phaebean. Lamp hath over a natural Egge-shel produced by a checkling Hen, and filled with the Pearly juice of the watery clouds, which is to elevate it to a far more eminent height than its own desert can mount it unto, and so by your Gracious irradiation to make it conspicuous and illustrious. Yes, (which is more) I wish that by the auspicious obumbration of your Princely wings, this senseless Shell may prove a lively Bird, whose bill with length & strength may reach and peak the very Mountains of Arabia, and there nestle, increase and engender, and so breed more Birds of the same feather that may in future time be presented as novelties unto your heroical protection. In the mean time receive into your indulgent hand (I most humbly beseech your Highness) this tender feathered 
Because the Book was bound in Crimson Velvet.  Redbreast. Let his Cage be your highness study, his perch your Princely hand, by the support whereof, he may learn to chirp and sing so loud, that the sweetness of his notes may yield a delectable resonancie Vltra Garamantas & Indos.  
DIXI.   

TO THE KING IN THE CHAMBER OF PRESENCE AT ROYSTON THE SECOND Day of April being Tuesday, about eleven of the Clock in the Morning.  
IT were no marvel if the like should happen unto me (most invincible Monarch of this thrice renowned 
* Not Quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but Quasi Al be one in regard of the happy Union of England & Scotland  Albion, and the refulgent Carbuncle of Christendom) speaking unto your most Excellent Majesty that did once to Demosthenes that thunderbolt of Athens, when he spoke to Philip King of Macedon, even to be as mute as a Seriphian Frog, or an Acanthian Grasshopper; since the very Characters imprinted in the forehead of a King are able to appall the most confident Orator that ever spoke, much more myself the meanest Orator in your majesties Kingdom, whom if I should compare to a Frog as having crawlen many leagues by water, or to a Grasshopper as having hopped many miles by land, why should I wonder if by the gracious aspect of your resplendent Excellency, words, speeches, and Orations should be drawn from me, since by the very inarticulate sound of Amphion's Harp, stocks and stones, mountains and valleys were said to dance Lavoltoes and Roundelays? But what talk I of airy speeches? Why do I mention expatiating Orations? The Persians (as the ancient Historians do make us believe) were wont to present their Kings with real gifts and anniversary oblations. I being no Persian borne, but intending ere long by the propicious indulgence of the celestial powers to be borne upon Persian ground, do offer unto your Majesty a farregrowne but a home spun present, made indeed of course Wool, but plucked from the backs of the glorious Palaces, the lofty cloud-threatning towers and decrepit mountains of France, Savoy, Italy, Rhetia, Helvetia, Alemannie, and the Netherlands; spun into a thread by the wheel of my brain, the spindle of my Pen, and the Oil of my industry in my native Cell of Odcombe in the County of Somerset, and now woven into a piece of Raw cloth in the Printers Press of the most famigerated City of London. The lists of this Cloth are the Verses at both the ends of my Book. In the beginning whereof some of the most singular and selected wits of your majesties triangular Monarchy do combat in the lists of Helicon and Parnassus; and in the end my Father's Ghost alone doth diverberate the enthusiasticke air of Pierian poesy. But I glory not so much in imitating the Persian vassals, as in following the trace of our English Merchants, who returning from foreign and remote Navigations, do bring home in their Vessels many uncouth and transmarine commodities; but herein I differ from them. For they bring home their rarities in their Ships. But I have brought home my Ship and her farrefetched lading in Myself. My Ship (My dread Sovereign) is my Book, which I brought home swimming in the liquid Ocean of my brain. She is now rigged, and trimmed, and ready to hoist Sail; your majesties favour will be unto it both like a pleasant gale of wind in the Poop to make it bear Sail, and like a wel-fenced dock and secure haven of tranquillity, where she may ride at Anchor in a Halcedonian calm, and shoot off her Ordinance against the Critical Pirates and malignant Zoiles that scour the surging Seas of this vast Universe.  
DIXI.   

TO THE QUEEN IN THE PRIVY GARDEN AT GREENWICH, THE FIFTH Day of April being Friday, about five of the Clock in the afternoon.  
MOst resplendent Gem and radiant Aurora of Great Britain's spacious Hemisphere, think not this appearance of mine to be other then natural, though contrary to the course and order of nature, myself who am nothing but a foggy vapour and an obscure relic of darkness; do presume to approach so near unto your Majestical Presence, when as all cloudy fogs and obtenebrating Mists are by the glorious appearance of Rose-fingerd Aurora abandoned and put to flight. Now as amongst dark clouds and misty conglomerations divers strange shapes are represented, sometimes of Mountains, sometimes of men fight in the air, sometimes of Ships, sometimes of great beasts, as Mules, Camels, and such like: So in myself and this which I now offer unto your most Excellent Majesty most of these shapes, nay even all of them and many more are most lively and perspicuously presented unto your Gracious eyes. If your Royal fingers will but deign to unclose this poor itinerary, there shall they discover the Snowy tops of the Alpine mountains, the eminent skie-menacing Turrets of many renowned Cities and magnificent Monasteries, myself combating with the Venetian jews with my tongue, the Wormacian Boor with me with his Halberd, yea (which is more) the shape of a Camel your Majesty may perceive in my poor self, who (as Camels use in the Countries that breed them) am come home out of foreign Regions, laden with outlandish novelties and farrefetched commodities; which not packed up in cords and Canvas, but bound up in Paper and Velvet, I most humbly present unto your majesties Royal hands; the glittering resplendency of whose favour will add such grace and lustre unto my silly Merchandise bought with the nimble industry of my legs, brain, and fingers, that as my legs were indefatigably current through those kingdoms wherehence my Ware is fetched; so my Ware itself being the lawful begotten issue of my legs, may be irrefragably current through those Kingdoms whereof your Majesty is justly styled Queen; through that also where your Majesty first drew your vital breath, and all others where the name of Coryate the traveler and Odcombe his natalitiall Parish shall be known to posterity.  
DIXI.   

TO THE LADY ELIZABETH HER GRACE IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD HARRINGTON at Kew, the seventh day of April being Sunday, about Noon.  
MOST Peerless and Gracious Princess, the true attractive Adamant of this famous Island, in who sename, sex, and heroical disposition me thinks I see our great Queen ELIZABETH revived and resuscitated unto life from the very bowels of her grave: Give me leave I most humbly beseech your Grace as a poor traveler out of the roundness of my heart as the circumference, and the soundness of the same as the centre and meditullium thereof, to present to your Grace's lily-white hands the Raw Travels of my Head and Toes, faithfully written by my industrious Fingers as they were truly trodden by these laborious Feet of mine which with all nimbleness yield true obedience to their commanding head. Let not my Title of Crudities (most Princely Lady) any thing dismay your Grace, as if it were like pot like potled, like lips like lettuce. For the inventory of my Books fraught being a miscellany of things of divers kinds both in prose and verse, will (I hope) give your Grace a full contentment, though the Title thereof doth not seem to promise so much. Vouchsafe than I beseech your Grace to receive this levidense, rough, scabrous, and unplaned work into your Grace's smooth hands, where I hope it will receive a secure protection against all the malignant bitings of virulent tongues. And so with all lowliness and submission of duty, I most humbly kiss your Grace's FOOT.  
DIXI.   

TO THE DUKE OF YORK HIS GRACE AT SAINT JAMES THE DAY BEFORESAID about five of the Clock in the afternoon.  
MOst glittering Chrysolite of our English Diadem, in whose little yet most lovely, Gracious, and elegant body do bud most pregnant hopes like fair blossoms of great fortunes and greater virtues: Within whose velume great Livies praises of Rome's ancient Worthies are involved and enfolded. Lo, I here present unto your Grace the fruits of my furious Travels; which I therefore entitle with such an epithet, because I performed my journey with great celerity, compassed & achieved my designs with a kind of fortune not much unlike that of Caesar, Veni, Vidi, Vici. I came to Venice, and quickly took a survey of the whole model of the City together with the most remarkable matters thereof; and shortly after my arrival in ENGLAND I overcame my adversaries of the Town of Evil in my native Country of Somerset, who thought to have sunk me in a bargain of Pilchards as the wise men of Gotham once went about to drown an Eel. Vouchsafe with grace and favourable aspect, and with the blandishments of your benign nature to ripen these my CRUDITIES, that being distilled through the Limbeck of your debonair Grace, they may prove comfortable, medicinable, or any other good thing else that tendeth to enable all those generose Spirits that attend upon your Gracious person; myself in one only strain of ambition, and no more, differing from them all, even in this present suit that I make unto your Grace, namely that you would be pleased to dignify and style me with the Title of your Grace's traveler in Ordinary.  
DIXI.   

AN OTHER ORATION MADE TO THE SAME THE TWENTIETH OF MAY LAST Past at Saint james, concerning the Election and Instalment of him into the thrise-Noble and illustrious order of the Knights of the Garter.  
AS those representative beasts of Wood and Stone carved by the curious hand of Daedalous statuaries, and laid under the magnificent concamerations of Churches and Palaces, do seem grievously pressed and crushed under that massy fabric which is imposed upon them; or as that laborious Porter, whose brawny shoulders like a hard paved Cawsie give gentle passage to all ponderous Trunks and Cloke-bagges, doth groan under the press of his cumbersome carriage, and is forced to send forth in sweat the liquid superfluities of his porous carcase. So the poor carcase of my crazed brain having lately disburdened itself of the plumbeous weight of my elaborate Crudities, doth now as it were groan under this heavy and close-bound load laid upon it by your Grace; bound not with cords or Ropes, but with a Garter, that Royal Garter which so decently and gracefully environeth the Left Leg of your Right Gracious Person. This Garter having held the sinews of my brains fast tied, your Grace's command hath been the lancing instrument to make the blood thereof, which is my invention, to spirit and spin out in these muddy streams; and this preponderating burden hath squeezed out of me poor Coryate, as out of the Porters Corium, these sweaty distillations of my fatigated brains; which distillations I have measured out into three Bottles or Gallipots, and for order's sake (because I am to speak of an Order) have thus ranked and collocated. In the first shall be put the Etymology of the most famigerated and far decantated word of Garter; In the second, the memorable foundation of this magnificent Order; In the third, the resplendent dignity of the illustrious Knights and companions of it. For the Etymology, I may fetch it out of the French or out of the Greek. In the French (as those that are intelligent in the language have informed me) it may seem to be fetched from the word Garroter, which is, to fetter or manacle, emblematically implying that it fettereth, chaineth, and linketh together all the associates of it in love amongst themselves, and in loyalty to their Prince. In my second Etymology borrowed from the Greek idiom, I may call it Garter, quasi Carter, of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying the head, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to preserve; because that as an ordinary garter bound about the head of any plebeian when he would give his members repose, mitigateth the ache of the head, and maketh him sleep in case and quiet; So this Regal Garter making as it were a circle in the persons of the circumstant noble Subjects that be of this sublimious society, doth even inring, colligate, and bind close the head of his most Excellent Majesty, and the temples of his head, which are the Splendidious Prince his Highness and your Gracious self, to give you all — Tranquillam & placidam per membra quietem. And thus have I evacuated the first Bottle of my distillation. In my second infusion I promised the first institution and primary foundation of this nobilitated Society, and that was at the famous City of Bordeaux in France by that most renowned King EDWARD the third, who having first trampled upon the French Flower de Luce's with the English Lions, hath made ever since the one to ramp and stamp, the other to be nourished and flourished in the same field or Co●te of Arms. The year was 1348. So that it may for venerable antiquity hold his rank above all the Orders of Christendom, above that of the Annunciada of Savoy, of the Golden Fleece of Burgundy, of the Alcantares or Calatravaes of Spain, or of that of Saint Michael, or of the Holy Ghost in France: And for that of Saint Michael the reason is most evident and eminent, because French Saint Michael doth but on foot like a Pedant trample upon his Dragon. But English Saint George doth on Horseback like a Cavalier pessundate a Dragon no less direful than the other. And this is the liquor of my second Bottle. For my last infusion, it shall not need any curious sublimation or extraction, to make the presume odoriferous. The whole European Territory is abundantly possessed with the renown and Splendour of this Princely Order. What Prince is so illustrious, what Potentate so potent, what Monarch so high-crested, that doth not esteem his Celsitude conspicuously signified, his Majesty Royally dignified, and his Sublimity gloriously magnified by being condignly qualified with the resplendent honour of the English Garter? To be silent of the rest of the Heroical Nobility of this our Island that either have been anciently possessed, or be now recently invested into it (betwixt whose persons and their Order there is a reciprocal contribution of honour and dignity, they nobilitating their Order, and their Order them) if nothing else were added to make it transcendently Noble, it had enough of this that your Graces Princely Leg is inringed in the Garter, your Honoured shoulders environed with the Collar, and your Noble breast condecorated with the rich Image of worthy Saint George on Horseback. Unto which most magnificent society though my poor self can not give a night's lodging to a thought so ambitious as to aspire to; my traveling Legs being kept to their vocation with Garters of an other kind, and my bitten and beaten shoulders being destinated to Collars of a different matter; yet have I this day showed my dew affection to do service to that Noble society, and principally to your thrise-noble Grace, as a beggarly Alchemist, a fragrant Apothecary, or an honest Yeoman of the Bottles; all which Bottles having now emptied, I will here stop both them and mine own speech, and conclude with that Loyal, ancient, elegant, and to this purpose pertinent apprecation, Saint George for England, Saint Denis for France, Sing honey soit qui mal y pense.  
DIXI.   

AN ANSWER TO THE MOST SCANDALOUS, CONTUMELIOUS AND hybristical Bill of JOSEPH STAR of Evil in the County of Somerset Linen Draper, wholly conflated and compacted of palpable Lies, deceitful prestigiations, injurious calumniations, eluding cuasions, and most fraudulent tergiversations.  

THE CONTENTS.  
My Answer of a certain Bill exhibited into the Chancery against me shortly after my arrival in England from beyond the Seas, by joseph Star of the Town of EVIL in the County of Somerset Linen Draper, whereby he hoped either to have nullified or qualified the Debt of a hundred marks due unto me from him according to his Band upon my return from Venice. This Answer being commanded by Authority to Print, I have thought good to insert it in this place, though my Plaintiff hath not as yet given me his consent to publish the same, which Answer followeth.   

MAy it Please your Lordship to be advertised that my antagonist, my crafty and versute adversary joseph Star hath composed such a Bill as no Christian whatsoever (except he hath a very cauteriate conscience, or hath been brought up amongst the inhuman Garamants, the barbarous Geteses, the incivill Goths or Tartars) would do the like. For it is nothing else but a cinnus, a rabble, a rhapsody, a miscellany of diabolical falsehoods. Diabolical I may well call them, because they proceed from the suggesting instigations of that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that arch liar the devil. Therefore to the end I may with the more perspicuity & plainness overthrow, pessundate, and annihilate all these feigned objections, I hold it expedient to answer each particular Sigillatim, as they follow in order, and that with as much Laconical brevity as may be, avoiding that Battalogia that he hath used in his tedious Bill.  
Observe Reader that because I could not take occasion to be so conceited in answering the first part of his Bill, the matter containing only a relation of the first original bargain betwixt my adversary and myself; I have therefore excluded the former parts of my Answer, and do here express only the later part thereof, as being a little better handled (according to the opinion of some critic) than any part of the rest was, even this.  
Well may I apply to STAR Cicero's speech against Marcus Antonius, Miror eum quorum facta imitetur, illorum exitus non perhorrescere. I marvel that Star is not afraid lest he should make such an end, that is, die such a death as they do whose example in lying he imitateth. He coaceruateth and conglomerateth a mere farrago of lies. Also he traduceth me about the smallness and commonness of my Voyage, as having been out of England but five months. Can he justly call this a smaland common Voyage to pass almost two thousand miles by land? to expose one's body to such a world of imminent dangers both by Sea and Land as I did? to pass those stupendious mountains of the snowy Alps? to dispatch my journey with such a compendious celerity? to perform it with such a dispendious disadvantage to my estate? & after the consummation of my travels to be thus opposed by a Vilipendious Linen Draper? to walk above the clouds over hills that are at least seven miles high? For indeed so high is the mountain Senys I passed over, which disterminateth Savoy and Piedmont: the danger whereof is such, that if in some places the traveler should but trip aside in certain narrow ways that are scarce a yard broad, he is precipitated into a very Stygian Barathrum or Tartarean lake six times deeper than Paul's tower is high. Continually to stand in fear of the Alpine cutthroates called the Bandits? Being entered into Italy, to pass through that carnificina, that excruciating and excarnificating torture of the Spanish Inquisition, which is more cruel than Phalaris his brazen Bull, or the exquisitest tortures that the Sicilian tyrants were wont to inflict upon offenders? These dangers and many more I was exposed unto, and like to be circumcised in Venice amongst the jews for maintaining the cause of my Saviour and Redeemer against their refractory obstinacy, as that Honourable and completly accomplished Knight Sir Henry Wotton our King's Leaguer Ambassador in Venice, that was an eye witness of the conflict betwixt them and me, can testify. At last being as desirous to see my native country as Ulysses after his ten years travels was to see his Ithaca, which is so dear unto me that I prefer the very smoke of England before the fire of Italy, I walked alone asoote with one only pair of shoes through many fierce and warlike nations betwixt Venice & Flushing in Zealand, having my throat like to be cutneere the City of Worms in Germany, and my body to be turned into worms meat only for pulling a poor cluster of Grapes in a Vineyard. These perils being considered I hope your Lordship will say I have as hardly gotten my money as poor laborious Brickmakers eight pence a day for making Brick. Wherefore most humbly beseeching your good Lordship upon the prostrate knees of my heart to have a Christian commiseration of my estate that have undergone such a multitude of difficulties and calamities for the getting of this little wages (little I may well call it in respect of my great travel) and to exclude mine adversary out foe your Court of Chancery, that by the ordinary course of the Common-law I may recover my money, which I hope no man in the Christian world (except he be partial) but will say I have well deserved.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dominationis tu●e humillimus supplicissimusque Orator Thomas Coryatus Peregrinans. Your Lordship's most humble Orator Thomas Coryate the traveler.    

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ORATIONS ENSVING, WHEREIN IS DECLAred the occasion of the first making of the said Orations.  
IT happened in the year 1606. that the Church stock of my natalitiall Parish of Odcombe being exhausted & spent saving sixteen shillings, some of my friends of the Parish, amongst the rest the Church wardens solicited me to set abroach my wits, and invent some conceited and plausible matter, to the end to draw some great company of good fellows together for the benefit of our Church of Odcombe, seeing they knew that I was well acquainted in the country. Hereupon I resolved to muster up out of the Parish one hundred choice and ablemen, as were fit to bear arms in the field, and by a time limited, even the Whitsonday following about six of the clock in the morning appointed them to meet me at Odcombe Crosse. Which they did according to my appointment, being furnished with convenient munition for a kind of warfare. For some of them had muskets, others Calivers, some Partisans, some Halberds, with diversity of other weapons. Likewise we had good Martial Music and military officers. I myself being their Captain, was mounted upon a goodly milk-white steed, unto whom that verse of Virgil which he made upon Queen Dido's horse, might be well applied. Stat Sonipes, ac frae na ferox Spumantia mandit. And having put my whole century into a convenient order, marched forward with them towards the town of Evil three miles distant from Odcombe, being met by the way by the Oppidanes of Evil, that consisted of two cohorts, one Masculine & another Feminine, which encountered us like a company of Amazons, & aftert here had been some two or three volleys of shot discharged on both sides with a pretty kind of velitation or light skirmish, we descended a hill called Henford, and entered the town. In the market place whereof near to the Cross, we had one skirmish more, but umbraticall and imaginary. Then I ascended an eminent and conspicious place about the Cross, where was erected a kind of Canopy, under the which I advanded myself alone, and after the warlike Music was ended, having two or three times brandished my naked-sword, I spoke this Oration following to the Euillians, and at the least two thousand people more, that then flocked together to the town of Evil from many parishes of the country round about.  

FRiends and confederates, if ye marvel for what cause we Odcombians only of all your other neighbours whatsoever ye have bordering about your town, do no less valiantly then voluntarly present ourselves in this military manner, according to the form of martial discipline before the face of your whole town, and your fraternities: I will allege two causes why ye ought to pardon our boldness in this behalf. First, because I that am chosen to be their General Captain, have ever from mine infancy borne that love to your town, that I thought good at this present to make an apparent demonstration thereof by some extraordinary action; being also the principal animator of my whole band of soldiers to join their hands, their hearts and their purses with me for the accomplishment of this my resolved project. Secondly, because although we are come unto you with martial instruments, yet not with a martial resolution to invade the precincts of your incorporation by force of arms, to brandish our glittering and refulgent swords after a terrible and warlike sort against you, to bereave you of your ancient privileges and immunities, to ransack your houses and your goods, to subvert your whole estates, to lad ourselves with the rich spoils of conquered enemies, to put some as obstinate and stiffnecked rebels to the furious and irrelenting di●t of our swords, to embrace others with the are ... es of mercy that shall humbly submit themselves into our hands, and after to carry them away into most lamentable captivity. These matters (dear Consederates) we never as much as harboured in our thoughts; much less intended to put any such hostility in execution. But verily we are come unto you for a contrary purpose, namely, to offer ourselves even of our own accords unto you in a league of friendship, yea such a league, the like whereof made betwixt us Odcombians and you Euillians, neither antiquity hath recorded, nor the time wherein we live hath seen, nor succeeding ages could have hoped for, had not we Odcombians at this present out of the sincere affection we bear you, sued unto you for this confederacy. Moreover we are come unto you for another cause, which is very honest and religious: for we determine to spend our money with you for the benefit of your Church, hoping yea most earnestly craving to receive the like courtesy again at your hands for our Church of Odcombe. But before I use any further speeches unto you concerning the confirming of this foresaid league of friendship, I resolve, by way of prevention, or preoccupation, to communicate my slender opinion into you concerning the lawful use of that, for the which we are now assembled, I mean Church ales; lest any captious and carping wits should deem that we have intruded ourselves into your liberties, as a very disorderly and confused crew, rather to give some cause of offence, then to benefit your Church. Therefore to the end I may illustrate this present matter by relating examples of solemnities used in ancient ages, unto some whereof our Church-ales may (in my opinion) be very fitly compared, I will exemplify some few. The ancients celebrated solemn meetings at certain times of the year for their pastimes and recreations, as the Romans had their several 
a These feasts are treated of at large by sundry ancient Roman writers as Livy, Varro, Macrebius, Gellius, etc.  feasts, whereof some were called Bacchanalia or Dionysia, some Saturnalia, some Agonalia, some Lupercalia, & some others Amberualias, with innumerable more that were ordained for sundry purposes. Likewise the Athenians had their 
b ●ocrales thereof wrote an Oration.  Panathenea, & their Thesmophoria. The Thebans their 
c Xenop. histo. Graca. i.b.5.  Aphrodisia, and their trieterical Orgia celebrated every third year upon Cithaeron a mountain of Boeotia. The Corinthians their 
d Xmop. in orat. de A●esilao.  Hyacinthia. The Lacedæmonians their 
e Xenop histo G● act. lib. 5. Plut. in Lyeur.  Phiditia, invented by their famous lawgiver Lycurgus, and so called from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth parsimony, because those feasts exhibited a very true spectacle of sobriety, and frugality. Finally the ancient Christians which lived about the beginning of the Primitive Church had their feasts of charity, which they called in Greek 
f Epist. tude. Apustult. Tertull. in Apolog●tico.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because they were the very means to confirm mutual amity, and Christian charity betwixt friends and friends. I humbly crave pardon for mine error (if at the least l err) in saying that these Church ales which we use now in England are very like to those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the ancient Christians, if they are rightly and religiously used, as they ought to be without any outrageous enoimities. Truly I think they are: my reason is, because these are feasts of charity, as those were, and they were instituted by our ancient progenitors for many hundred years ago for these two causes of especially First for the breeding of love betwixt neighbours, & secondly for the raising of a stock for the supporting and maintenance of our Church, & the Church affairs: so that I do most confidently believe that the good & religious use of Church-ales may be well retained, if the abuses thereof be utterly banished, and exterminated out of a Christian Commonwealth, as drunkenness, gluttony, swearing, lasciviousness, with many more, which indeed I must needs confess seem to be the inseparable accidents, and individual adjuncts of Church-ales. But ought the use of Church-ales, which were first destinated for a religious intent, to be absolutely extirpated, because now and then some few abuses creep into civil and sober societies, by the means of some dissolute, rustical, and ill-nurtured peasants? Surely no. Neither ought they which do so greatly dislike the lawful use of Church-ales soberly managed for the benefit of a stocke-spent Church, incur less reprehension, than that furious king of Thrace 
g Hom. Ilia. 6.  Lycurgus, who because many of his subjects were often times drunk with the wine that came from plentiful vineyards of his kingdom, in his angry passion, caused all the vines of Thrace to be rooted vp● an action verily most indiscreet and inconsiderate. For it behoved him rather to have rooted away the abuse, I mean the drunkenness of his subjects, then to abolish both the use and the abuse clean together. Therefore let us, at this our present meeting, (fellow soldiers) imitate the feasts of those ancient and religious Christians, not those of the profane and irreligious Gentiles, wherein were exhibited many lascivious spectacles, that as certain angling hooks yielded alluring baits to draw the spectators to divers vanities, and most incivill outrage: but we Christians ought at our solemnities to express a very pattern of modesty, and temperance, yet so intermingled and seasoned Atticis leporibus, that is, with the savoury salt of pleasant conceits, well beseeming both the time, the place, and the persons, that they may neither savour of a rude scurrility on the one side, nor of a too Cynical austerity on the other side, but keep the golden mean, which virtue betwixt both extremes we call in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latin urbanitas, and in our mother English tongue, civility. Now for as much as this sociable & neighbourly meeting, which doth tend to the advancement of our Church's wealth, cannot be performed without some expenses of money, give me leave I pray you to make some short digression from my main matter, to the end to animate you to spend your money for so laudable a purpose. Be not I beseech you slaves to your money, which is but a base excrement digged out of the very bowels of the earth. Worship not so dumb an image, as a little piece of stamped gold, or silver. For truly I may very fitly term those even worshippers of their money, out of whose purses a man shall with greater difficulty draw a little piece of coin, although it be for the benefit of their country, the credit of themselves, the good of their souls, and the wealth of their Church, than Hercules club out of his hands. Therefore set a broach your pelse at so opportune a time as this is; howbeit I exhort you not to prodigality, which is an extreme vice, but to frugal and moderate expenses for the advantage of your Church. Remember that golden sentence of the sweetest Philosopher that ever drew vital breath, 
h 〈…〉 the place of a Captain: to that I derive the word Ducall not from Dux, which signifieth a Duke, that is, a supreme or sovereign Lord of a Signiory or free State, as the Duke of Florence, the Duke of Saxony & c. f For the name of Duke I did not challenge it myself, in my soviall merriments, although a worshipful friend of mine graced me with the religious title of the great Duke of Charity● but more properly from Dux which signifieth a Captain in war which word. cometh from Duke, that signifieth to lead an army or a band of soulcicis.  Plato, that We are not borne for ourselves only, but that our country doth challenge one part of our birth, our parents another, and our friends the third.  
Tax me not, Confederates, of arrogancy, though I do according as the nature of my place and office doth require. For even as it behoveth every provident and prudent Captain to direct & instruct his soldiers in those things that are to be done, and to forbid them those things that are not to be done: so I by virtue of my * Ducal authority, which is a dignity that I have received at this time, not by way of usurpation, but by imposition, (for by the general consent and suffrages of you all it was imposed upon me) by vertuel say of my ducal authority I command you some things, and prohibit you some other things. The things that I command you are these. First a mutual oblivion of all injuries whatsoever, even from the beginning of the world till this present day, (if at the least any have been offered betwixt us Odcombians and you Euillians) according to the imitation of that memorable 
i Valer. Max. li. 4. verum memorabilium Tul. in I. Philippica. Xenop. histor. Graca. 3. lib. 7. lust. lib.5. Diodorus Siculus lib. 14. historica Bibliotheca.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Athenians, that is, an oblivion of wrongs, which was established by their valiant Captain Thrasibulus, after the bloody government of the thirty tyrants (who had most grievously dilaniated the whole State with very horrible massacres) was abrogated and defaced out of the Commonwealth of Athens. Secondly, friendly, loving, and harmless society, joined with civil and discreet merriments fit for this flourishing time of the year. Thirdly, a cheerful spending of your money without any base whinching or murmuring, for the emolument of your Church. The things that I prohibit you are these. Drunkenness, swearing, brawling, picking of quarrels, lascivious & obscene communication. For (according to Menander's speech) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, evil words corrupt manners. Finally, I forbid you to commit any enormous outrage, whereby we should scandalise our credit, and make ourselves infamous in our country. For these foresaid matters beseem rather the wanton feasts of the goddess 
k Aug. de Civit. Dei.  Flora, or god Bacchus the patron of drunkards, which were celebrated amongst the barbarous Paynims, than the sober solemnities of godly and religious Christians.  
But whereas at the beginning of my Oration I called you Confederates, (which word signifieth those that are united and combined together in a league of friendship) not because ye are so already, but for that I hope ye will be so: I hold it expedient to unfold unto you the ceremonies which were heretofore observed in ancient ●● at the making of leagues, and to declare the custom which I would have you now use touching this present league between us. It was the custom of the ancient Romans (as 
i Deca●  Livy their most peerless and incomparable Historiographer doth ' record) that a certain Herald of arms should at the King's commandment take an herb in his hand, and strike an Hog with a flint stone, pronouncing these words. Sic â love feriatur is, qui sanctum hoc fregerit foedus, ut ego hunc porcum ferio: that is, I pray that lupiter may so strike him that shall violate this holy league, as I now strike this present Hog. But Polybius the Arcadian historian affirmeth in his third book of Histories, where he treateth of a league that was concluded betwixt the Romans and the Carthaginians, that there was another rite. For he saith thus. As soon as the conditions of the league were agreed on betwixt the parties, a certain herald of arms took a stone in his hand, and uttered these words: If I make this league without any guile or deceit, I pray the gods to give me most happy success in my affairs. But if I do, or as much as think otherwise then according to the covenants of the league, I wish that all the rest being saved, I only may perish, even as this stone shall by and by fall out of my hands: and there withal he presently flung away the stone. As for the 
m Polydorios Virgilius lib. 3. ca 15.de rerum inventoribus.  Arabians, whensoever they contracted confederacy with any foreign nation, one standing in the midst betwixt both the Ambassadors, struck with a certain sharp stone the palms of the hands of them that were to make the league, even about their greater fingers, & incontinently taking a piece of flocks out of the garments of both the Ambassadors, anointed seven stones that were put in the midst of them, with the blood that issued out of their hands; and all the while they were occupied about this ceremony, they invocated Dionysius and Urania. This being done, he that was the mediator of making the league betwixt the friends, engaged his credit, as surety for the stranger: which league they also thought good to observe that contracted friendship and familiarity together. These and such like sundry forms of making leagues there were heretofore amongst the ancient Pagans, according to their several and distinct nations. But we setting aside these superstitious rites, as being for many ages passed grown stale and out of date, will unite ourselves in the league of love, especially for this time, only by the joining of our bands together, a token very sufficient to ratify an everlasting and inviolable union betwixt us. 
Erosmu in Adagio Ch●●ad. I.  Let us not imitate the Foedifrage (that is the league-breaking) Carthaginians, who for their most execrable infidelity have been branded by many classical historiographers with the infamous mark of eternal dishonour, and infamy; Insomuch that Punica fides, that is, the faith of the Carthaginians, is proverbially used for all imaginable treachery, and disloyalty. But rather le● us in our thoughts, in our words, and in our deeds, firmly and sincerely establish this present league not only we that are here present during our lives, but also posterity for many succeeding generations after us, to whom let us now comlecrate the memory hereof. But what mean I to expatiate so far beyond the bounds of the time I limited myself? well than I will recall myself, and now at length draw together the sails of this my rude & inelegant Oration. For I perceive that I do even cloy your ears with such an heap of confused words. Wherefore summarily to shut up all in a word, I most heartily desire you all to take in good part this my naked and slender Oration, considering that I am no professed Orator, nor an affected Rhetorician, to whom it belongs to paint out his speeches with filled phrases, curious circumquaques, and rhetorical insinuations; but I am rather a man of arms, and a soldier. Therefore ye ought to expect the less at my hands. Nevertheless if in this my speech I have delivered any documents that are worthy the observation, put them I pray you in execution with all alacrity.  
DIXI.   

THIS ORATION FOLlowing I pronounced at Odcombe to the Euillians when they came home to us.  
Dear Associates, we entertain you with a whole volley of most hearty thanks, partly for the bountiful and magnificent entertainment ye lately afforded us at your town, and partly for that ye have satisfied our expectation by revifiting us according to your faithful promise, for the relief of our Church. Truly we ingenuously confess that ye Euillians have justly merited our everlasting love, in that ye being oppidanes (that is, townsmen) 
* At the pronouncing of this word, a volley of shot was discharged by twenty Mus● eters.  borne, brought up, and dwelling in a rich, populous, and fertile town, dotated with ancient charters and privileges, yea living in so fat a soil, that it doth even flow with milk and honey, do vouchsafe us your poor confederates the Odcombians of this favour, as to visit us with such a troup of the most selected persons of your town; us I say the Odcombians, being a rural and mountainous people, dwelling upon a billy and sterile country, and wanting many comfortable helps of life, which both Nature and Art have most abundantly powered out upon you. Nevertheless because it shall not be thought that I de● rogate too much from ourselves by attributing so much unto you, pardon me I pray you though I speak somewhat in commendations of this little parish Odcombe being my native soil, the smoke whereof (according as another Author saith of a man's native country) is more dear unto me, than the fire of a foreign place: and the rather I am induced to digress somchin; into the praise hereof, because ye shall have the less occasion to repent for the league ye have contracted with us, as being no perfidious and disloyal slaves, but such as will, while our breath doth last, show ourselves most faithful and sincere friends to those whom we have once entertained in our friendship. 
a Lucian in his Treatise entitled Encomi● patriae, whose words are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is, that smoke of a man's own country it brightet then the fire of an other country.  Therefore to derive my beginning even from that which is the necessariest thing that man hath in this life, without the which it is impossible for him to breath as much as one minute of an hour, I mean the air, nature the best perfectresse of things hath privileged this rien soil of Odcombe with so great a prerogative of a most wholesome and pleasant air, that in that part of happiness we hold ourselves nothing inferior to any town or parish whatsoever in the whole Shirewe dwell in, nay we attribute so much to the excellent subtlety of our piercing Odcombian air, as the Poet 
b In Epistola ad Mec●  Horace did to the air of Baiae a famous maritime town of Campaniain in Italy, whereof he saith thus, Nullus in orb locus Baiis praelucet amoenis. That is, no place whatsoever within the whole circumference of the earth doth surpass pleasant Baiae for the incomparable temperature of the air. Neither do we Odcombians stick to affirm that our air is as sweet as that of the royal City Madril in Spain, Brixinia in the Earldom of Tyrol, Seravallum in Italy, Ormus in Persia, Alexandria in Egypt, and finally Croton in Magna Grecia: all which Cities are most highly extolled both by the ancient and modern Geographers for the passing amoenitie of their air. The second thing which doth even nobilitate our little parish (being also such a special accident for the sustentation of man's life, that it is impossible for man, especially in this part of Europe, to live well without it) is our wool, which is so famous for the singular fineness thereof, that wedare boldly avouch, that no place whatsoever in England yieldeth better saving only 
c Cambden in Herefordthite  Lemster in Herefordshire. Neither surely is this a thing of the least importance to ennoble our Parish. For even as 
d Stephanus de urbibus. Pompo. Mela. lib. ●. Strabo vulgo Melazo.  Miletus which was in times past the very Queen of the Cities of jonia in Greece, and the mother of almost ●ou●escore Colonies, grew no less famous for the singularity of her wool, which was distracted into divers regions & quarters of the world, then for her pleasant situation, and the stateliness of her sumptuous buildings: So Odcombe (not that I make any just comparison betwixt the glorious city of Miletus and our little parish, being but as it were an handful in respect thereof) ought to be much the better regarded, by reason of so worthy an help that it ministereth to cover man's nakedness. The third is the conspicuous eminency of our Church, being erected upon so lofty a place, that it overprieth and overtoppeth the whole country round about it; even as that notable Egyptian watch tower called 
e Plinius lib. 2.cap.85.  Pharos near to Alexandria, which was built by Ptolomaeus Philadelphus upon so eminent an hill, that it overlooked the whole circumjacent country. And truly this our Church deserveth commendation in consideration both of the nobility of the founder, being one Moritonius an Earl of Normandy, that came into this land (as I have heard) with William the Conqueror; and also of the antiquity. For it is at the least five hundred years ago since the first foundation thereof was laid. The fourth is the variety of our sweet and wholesome springs, distributed by the provident artifice of nature into sundry convenient places of our parish, as well for the delight as the utility of our inhabitants, and endued with that orient and Crystalline clearness, together with the singular effects most inseparably thereunto adjoined, that we may presume to compare them with whatsoever fountains are reputed the excellentest in our whole country. The fifth and last is that which shall (I hope) encourage you to persevere most constantly in your league, namely, our unity & perfect love amongst ourselves; for we all from the very highest to the lowest are most firmly knit together in an indissoluble knot of friendship. It fareth not with us as it dothoftentimes with citizens and townsmen. For they are eftsoons so enraged and inflamed with the burning 7 eale of ambition, that they foster many turbulent factions, and oppose themselves in such virulent and hostile manner against each other, that now and then there fall out most grievous broils and mutinies betwixt them, whereby the strength of their societies is the sooner weakened and dissolved: but we Odcombians conjoin ourselves together in one, even as the members in man's body without any emulation, or repining at each others prosperous estate, and dispose our affections as a well-tuned harmony, that they never suffer any iatring discord. So that by this sympathy of our neighbourly love we wax the stronger, and become even inexpugnable to our enemies, if at the least we have any. Herein we follow the wise counsel of that sage Scythian 
f Plutar●bus:  Scylurus, who being on his death bed called to him all his sons, which were in number fourscore, to all whom severally one after another be delivered a sheaf of arrows bound up together, commanding them to break those arrows as they were so bound; they tried, but were not able to do it. Whereupon he took the sheaf again into his own hands, and having loosed the bond, he easily broke all those shafts being sundered one from another, which he could not do, when they were bound together. By which token he intimated to them that they should be strong and invincible, as long as they persevered in the bond of unity, but should quickly come to utter ruin and destruction, if by their private dissensions they were divided asunder. Therefore, loving Confederates, imitate us Odcombians in this our unity, so that not only ye yourselves may cherish and embrace mutual love amongst yourselves, but also that ye and we jointly together may express such sincerity of friendship, by reason of this late league confirmed betwixt us, that we may be as it were one fraternity, one neighbourhood.  
Now if any shall reprehend me of partiality, for attributing so much to my native country, which seemeth indeed in outward show but a very obscure and ignoble place: I heartily crave pardon for my presumption in this behalf, being by so much the more pardonable, by how much the less I did ever illustrate my country with any condign praises heretofore in all my life till this present time. Desiring my countrymen also the Odcombians to take this my present speech as a sufficient satisfaction and recompense in lieu of my long silence of Odcombe, for whose good and safety, I hope I shall be as ready to expose my body to any perils, (if opportunity shall so require) yea, (which is more) to power out my dearest vital blood, as ever was noble 
g ●u●lirus lib. 2.sectio.5.  Codrus for his Country of Athens, 
h Livius Deca.  Marcus Curtius for Rome, or the famous Lady Androclea for Thebes.. 
i Pausanias' lib. 9 Boeticorum.   
As concerning the entertainment which ye expect at our hands, pardon us we pray you, though we requite you not with a correspondent proportion both in manner and matter like unto yours. For we want those means to express our bounty towards you, as ye oppidanes are plentifully furnished with all. But this we will assure you, that the defect of your entertainment shall be most abundantly supplied with the integrity of our hearty love and affection. Truly we have neither Bulls, nor Bears, nor Apes that are wont sometimes to be beaten upon skittish jades, nor any such things to show you, for the sight whereof together with the most peevish pastimes that they yield to their spectators, many men are often times drawn to undertake long and chargeable journeys: but in steed thereof we show you our men, that like valiant Martialists present them; selves unto you with their warlike munition, some with partisans, some with those remorseless and merciless instruments which were for almost seven score years ago invented by a certain 
k Polydor. Virgil. etc.  German as a pernicious bane of many millions of worthy men, I mean Muskets and Calivers; and some other with swords, with all which weapons we Odcombians can (if need requireth) maintain right, and repulse wrong: but these instruments which were made for the effusion of blood, we like peaceable men lay aside at the entertaining of you, and with our Laurel branches in our hands, which are the true ensigns of peace, most effectionately ambrace you as our dear friends.  
But seeing I perceive that the time doth impose silence upon me, I will break off further circumstances, which do breed a tedious wearisomeness to the ears of the hearers: and finally conclude my speech with this request, namely to entreat you all, and that most instantly, that ye would as lovingly accept of this rural entertainment, which our parish shall now yield you, as of luxurious and Epicurious delicacy, which Cities and towns do oftentimes afford their guests; seeing kind entertainment ought not so much to be measured by the curiosity of delicious cates, as by the unfeigned welcome and entire benevolence of the inviting friends.  
DIXI.   
FINIS.   

To the Reader.  
AT the conclusion and upshot of this Book, let me a little advertise thee (gentle Reader) of a Book lately Printed in huggermugger, entitled The Odcombian banquet. And I am the rather induced to make mention of it, because it doth not a little concern my credit to clear myself of two very scandalous imputation laid upon me by that virulent and rancorous peasant, some base lurking pedantical tenebricous Lucifuga that set forth the book. Whereof the first is the Motto in the first leaf of the book. A sinus portans mysteria. The other in the end of the book, even in his Noverint universi, viz. That one that intended to epitomize it, affirmed he could not melt out of the whole lump of my Volume so much matter worthy the reading as would fill four pages. For the first I will tell thee the original wherehence it sprang. It happened that after I had presented my Book at Royston to the King, and returned back to London for Books to present to Noblemen of the Court, I did determine for conceit sake, and to minister occasion of merriment to the King, to get me an Ass to carry my Books, with this Latin inscription in fair Capital Roman Letters upon that which should have contained them, Asinus portans mysteria; being indeed taken out of Alciats Emblems, and spoken of an Ass that carried the Image of the goddess Isis. But here the diwlger of the foresaid Odcombian Banquet most sinisterly and malignantly applied it (as all the Readers do interpret it) to myself, and thereby very perversely wrested it from that allusion which I intended. As for the second imputation contained in his Noverint universi, it far exceeded the first in spite full bitterness. For whereas he writeth that he could not melt out of the whole lump of my Book so much matter worthy the reading as would fill four pages, I will boldly affirm for the better justification of my Observations, and by way of opposition against the malicious censure of that hypercritical Momus, that of the six hundred fifty and four pages (for indeed so many are in the book) he shall find at the least five hundred worthy the reading, especially in my descriptions of these Cities, Paris, Lions, Milan, Padua, Venice, Verona, Brixia, Bergomo, Zurich, both the ` Badens, Basil, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Spira, Worms, Mentz, Frankford, Colen, etc. This also I will further say for the confirmation of the sufficiency of my historical notes, (seeing they are so severely chastised by the censorious rod of this malevolent traducer, that biteth my work with his Theonine teeth) and yet without any vain glorious ostentation: that let him or any other whatsoever in our whole Kingdom of Great Britain, show both larger Annotations for quantity, and better for quality (absic dicto invidia) gathered in five months Travels by any English man since the incarnation of Christ, I will be rather contented to consecrate all the Books that remain now in my hands either to god Vulcan or goddess Thetis, then to present one more to any Gentleman that favours wit and learning. Therefore let this Coryatomastix Zoilus bark at me as long as he list, swell with envy as big as the AEsopical Toad, and shoot all his darts of malignity against me; I oppose this double thield stronger than the seven fold Target of Ajax in Ovid, for my security and defence against him, first that it hath pleased the best of the Kingdom even from the Kings own person with all those sacred members of the Royal family, and many Noble personages of the best note of our land, as well as the Lords of the Privy Counsel, as other generous spirits of great eminency, not only to afford gracious entertainment to my book, but also with their courteous approbation and candid censure to think well of my labours. Secondly, that my vnparalled friend, that voluble linguist & sound Scholar M. Laurence Whitaker, who (I think) doth as far excel in learning my antagonist the Author of the Noverinti universi, as a rose doth a nettle in sweetness, or a Pearl a Pebble-stone in price, hath vouchsafed to confirm the authority of my book (having yielded me that favourable and patient attention to hear me read over the whole before it came to the Press) with his no less learning then elegant Elegy that precedeth my own Observations. But to conclude this matter of my malicious enemy, against the violent stroke of whose base wrongs my innocency and integrity will like a brazen wall defend me, I wish the same of them that an ancient Poet did of the bitter Poet Archi lochus; 
Vtque repertori nocuit pugnacis jambi,  
Sic sit in exitium lingua proterua tuum.   
FINIS.