THE Seven deadly Sins of London: Drawn in seven several Coaches, Through the seven several Gates of the City Bringing the Plague with them.  
Opus septem Dierum.  
Tho: Dekker.  
At London Printed by E.A. for Nathaniel Butter, and are to be sold at his shop near Saint Austin's gate. 1606.   

Reader,  
IT is as ordinary a custom (for us that are Bookish) to have about with thee, after we have done with a Patron, as for Scholars (in the noble Science) to play at the wooden Rapier and Dagger at the end of a masters prize. In doing which we know not upon what Speeding points we run, for you (that are Readers) are the most desperate and foulest players in the world, you will strike when a man's back is toward you, and kill him (if you ●ould for shame) when he lies under your feet. You are able (if you have the tokens of deadly Ignorance, and Boldness at one time upon you) to breed more infection on in Paul's Churchyard, than all the bodies that were buried there in the Plague-time, if they had been left still above ground. You stand sometimes at a Stationer's stall, looking scurvily (like Mules champing upon Thistles) on the face of a new Book be it never so worthy: & go (as il favouredly) mewing away: But what get you by it? The Bookseller ever after when you pass by, pings on your backs the badge of fools to make you be laughed to scorn, or of silly Carpers to make you be pitted: Comadus Gesner never writ of the nature of such strange beasts as you are: for where as we call you Lectores, Readers, you turn yourselves into Lictores, Executioners, & torments. I would not have him that writes better than I, to Read this, nor him that cannot do so well, to Rail, or if he cannot choose but Rail, let him do it to my face: otherwise ●me being absent) it is done cowardly: for Leonem mortuum mordent etiam Catuli: Cats dare scratch Lions by the face when they lie dead, and none but Colliers will threaten a Lord Maior when they are far enough from the City. I have laid no blocks in thy way: if thou findest Straws, (Vade, vale,) cave ne titubes.   

The names of the Actors in this old Interlude of Iniquity.  

1 Politic Bankeruptisme.  
2 Lying.  
3 candlelight.  
4 Sloth.  
5 Apishness.  
6 Shaving.  
7 Cruelty.   
Seven may easily play this, but not without a Devil.   

The Induction to the Book.  
I Find it written in that Book where no untruths can be read: in that Book whose leaves shall outlast sheets of brass, and whose lines lead to eternity: yea even in that Book that was penned by the best Author of the best wisdom, allowed by a Deity, licenced by the Omnipotent, and published (in all Languages to all Nations) by the greatest, truest, and only Divine, thus I find it written, that for Sin, Angels were thrown out of heaven; for Sin, the first man that ever was made, was made an outcast: he was driven ouf of his living that was left unto him by his Creator: It was a goodlier living, than the Inheritance of Princes: he lost Paradise by it (he lost his house of pleasure:) he lost Eden by it, a Garden, where Winter could never have nipped him with cold, nor Summer have scorched him with heat. He had there all fruits growing to delight his taste, all flowers flourishing to allure his eye, all Birds singing to content his ear; he had more than he could desire: yet because he desired more than was fit for him, he lost all. For Sin, all those buildings which that great Worke-master of the world had in six days raised, were swallowed at the first by waters, and shall at last be consumed in fire. How many families hath this Leviathan devoured? how many Cities? how many Kingdoms? Let us a while leave Kingdoms, and enter into Cities. Sodom and Gomorrah were burnt to the ground with brinstone that dropped in flakes from heaven: a hot and dreadful vengeance. jerusalem hath not a stone left upon another of her first glorious foundation: a heavy and fearful downfall. jerusalem, that was Gods own dwelling house; the School where those Hebrew Lectures, which he himself read, were taught; the very Nursery where the Prince of Heaven was brought up; that jerusalem, whose Rulers were Princes, & whose Citizens were like the sons of Kings: whose Temples were paved with gold, and whose houses stood like rows of tall Cedars; that jerusalem is now a dezert; It is unhallowed, and vnt● odden: no Monument is left to show it was a City, but only the memorial of the jews hard-hartednes, in making away their Saviour: It is now a place for barbarous Turks, and poor despised Grecians; it is rather now (for the abominations committed in it) no place at all.  
Let us hoist up more Sails, and launch into other Seas, till we come in ken of our own Country. Antwerp (the eldest daughter of Brabant) hath fallen in her pride, the Cities of rich Burgundy in their greatness. Those seventeen Dutch Virgins of Belgia, (that had Kingdoms to their dowries, and were worthy to be courted by Nations) are now no more Virgins: the Soldier hath deflowered them, and robbed them of their Maiden honour: War hath still use of their noble bodies, and discovereth their nakedness like prostituted Strumpets. Famine hath dried up the fresh blood in their cheeks, whilst the Pestilence digged up their Fields, and turned them into Graves. Neither have these punishments been laid upon them only; for blood hath been also drawn of their very next neighbours. France lies yet panting under the blows which her own Children have given her. Thirty years together suffered she her bowels to be torn out by those that were bred within them: She was full of Princes, and saw them all lie mangled at her feet: She was full of people, and saw in one night a hundred thousand massacred in her streets: her Kings were eaten up by Civil wars, and her Subjects by fire and famine. O gallant Monarchy, what hard fate hadst thou, that when none were left to conquer thee, thou shouldst triumph over thyself! Thou hast wines flowing in thy veins: but thou madest thyself drunk with thine own blood. The English, the Dutch, and the Spanish, stood aloof and gave aim, whilst thou shotst arrows upright, that fell upon thine own head, and wounded thee to death. Wouldst thou (and the rest) know the reason, why your bones have been bruised with rods of Iron? It was, because you have risen in Arch-rebellion against the Supremest Sovereign: You have been Traitors to your Lord, the King of heaven and earth, and have armed yourselves to fight against the Holy Land. Can the father of the world measure out his love so unequally, that one people (like to a man's youngest child) should be more made of than all the rest, being more unruly than the rest? O London, thou art great in glory, and envied for thy greatness: thy Towers, thy Temples, and thy Pinnacles stand upon thy head like borders of fine gold, thy waters like frindges of silver hang at the hems of thy garments. Thou art the goodliest of thy neighbours, but the proudest; the wealthiest, but the most wanton. Thou hast all things in thee to make thee fairest, and all things in thee to make thee foulest: for thou art attired like a Bride, drawing all that look upon thee, to be in love with thee, but there is much harlot in thine eyes. Thou sit'st in thy Gates heated with Wines, and in thy Chambers with lust. What miseries have of late overtaken thee? yet (like a fool that laughs when he is putting on fetters) thou hast been merry in height of thy misfortunes. 
〈◊〉 Eliza●eth● death.  She (that for almost half a hundred of years) of thy Nurse became thy Mother, and laid thee in her bosom, whose head was full of cares for thee, whilst thine slept upon softer pillows than down. She that wore thee always on her breast as the richest jewel in her kingdom, who had continually her eye upon thee, and her heart with thee: whose chaste hand clothed thy Rulers in Scarlet, and thy Inhabitants in robes of peace: even she was taken from thee, when thou wert most in fear to lose her: when thou didst tremble (as at an earthquake) to think that blood should run in thy Channels, that the Canon should make away through thy Portculliss, and fire rifle thy wealthy houses, then, even then wert thou left full of tears, 
King james his Coronation.  and becamst an Orphan. But behold, thou hadst not sat many hours on the banks of sorrow, but thou hadst a loving Father that adopted thee to be his own: thy mourning turned presently to gladness, thy terrors into triumphs. Yet, lest this fullness of joy should beget in thee a wantonness, and to try how wisely thou couldst take up affliction, Sickness was sent to breath her unwholesome airs into thy nostrils, so that thou, that wert before the only Gallant and Minion of the world, hadst in a short time more diseases (than a common Harlot hath) hanging upon thee; thou suddenly becamst the by-talke of neighbours, the scorn and contempt of Nations.  
here could I make thee weep thyself away into waters, by calling back those sad and dismal hours, wherein thou consumedst almost to nothing with shrieks and lamentations, in that 
* A Book so called, written by the Author, describing the horror of the Plague in 1602, when there died 30578. of that disease.  Wonderful year, when these miserable calamities entered in at thy Gates, slaying 30000. and more as thou heldst them in thine arms, but they are fresh in thy memory, and the story of them (but half read over) would strike so coldly to thy heart, and lay such heavy sorrow upon mine (Namque animus meminisse horret, luctuque refugit) that I will not be thine and my own tormentor with the memory of them. How quickly notwithstanding didst thou forget that beating? The wrath of him that smote thee, was no sooner (in mere pity of thy stripes) appeased, but hourly (again) thou wert in the company of evil doers, even before thou couldst find leisure to ask him forgiveness.  
Ever since that time hath he winked at thy errors, and suffered thee (though now thou art grown old, and lookest very ancient) to go on still in the follies of thy youth: he hath tenfold restor'de thy lost sons and daughters, and such sweet, lively, fresh colours hath he put upon thy cheeks, that Kings have come to behold thee, 
King of England, and Christian King of Denmark.  and Princes to delight their eyes with thy beauty. None of all these favours (for all this) can draw thee from thy wickedness: Graces have powered down out of heaven upon thee, and thou art rich in all things, saving in goodness: So that now once again hath he gone about (and but gone about) to call thee to the dreadful Bar of his judgement. And no marvel: for whereas other Cities (as glorious as thyself,) and other people (as dear unto him as thine) have in his indignation been quite taken from the face of the earth, for some one peculiar Sin, what hope hast thou to grow up still in the pride of thy strength, gallantness and health, having seven deadly and detestable sins lying night by night by thy lascivious sides? O thou beawtifullest daughter of two united Monarchies! from thy womb received I my being, from thy breasts my nourishment; yet give me leave to tell thee, that thou hast seven Devils within thee, and till they be clean cast out, the Arrows of Pestilence will fall upon thee by day, and the hand of the invader strike thee by night. The Sun will shine, but not be a comfort to thee, and the Moon look pale with anger, when she gives thee light. Thy Lovers will disdain to court thee: thy Temples will no more send out Divine oracles: justice will take her flight, and dwell elsewhere; and that Desolation, which now for three years together hath hovered round about thee, will at last enter, and turn thy Gardens of pleasure, into Churchyards; thy Fields that served thee for walks, into Golgotha; and thy high built houses, into heaps of dead men's Skulls. I call him to witness, who is all Truth, I call the Citizens of heaven to witness, who are all spotless, that I slander thee not, in saying thou nourishest seven Serpents at thy breasts, that will destroy thee: let all thy Magistrates and thy officers speak for me: let Strangers that have but seen thy behaviour, be my judges: let all that are gathered under thy wings, and those that sleep in thy bosom, give their verdict upon me; yea, try me (as thy brabbling are) by all thy Petit and Grand jurors, and if I belie thee, let my Country (when I expire) deny me her common blessing, Burial, Lift up therefore thy head (thou Mother of so many people:) awaken out of thy dead and dangerous slumbers, and with a full and fearless eye behold those seven Monsters, that with extended jaws gape to swallow up thy memory: for I will into so large a field single every one of them, that thou and all the world shall see their ugliness, for by seeing them, thou mayst avoid them, and by avoiding them, be the happiest and most renowned of Cities.   


Politic Bankruptisme, Or, The first days Triumph of the first sin..  
IT is a custom in all Countries, when great personages are to be entertained, to have great preparation made for them: and because London disdains to come short of any City, either in Magnificence, State, or expenses upon such an occasion, solemn order was set down, and seven several solemn days were appointed to receive these seven Potentates: for they carry the names of Princes on the earth, and wheresoe'er they inhabit, in a short time are they Lords of great Dominions.  
The first days Triumphs were spent in meeting and conducting Politic Bankruptisme into the freedom: to receive whom, the Master, the Keepers, 
The manner how Bank●uptisme is entertained, and at what Gate.  and all the Prisoners of Ludgate in their best clothes stood most officiously ready: for at that Gate, his Deadliness challenges a kind of prerogative by the Custom of the City, and there loves he most to be let in. The thing they stood upon, was a Scaffold erected for the purpose, stuck round about with a few green boughs (like an Alehouse booth at a Fair) and covered with two or three threadbare Carpets (for prisoners have no better) to hide the unhandsomeness of the Carpenter's work: the boughs with the very strong breath that was priest out of the vulgar, withered, & like Autumnian leaves dropped to the ground, which made the Broken Gentleman to hasten his progress the more, and the rather, because Lud and his two sons stood in a very cold place, waiting for his coming. Being under the gate, there stood one armed with an extemporal speech, to give him the onset of his welcome: It was not (I would you should well know) the Clerk of a country parish, or the Schoolmaster of a corporate town, the every year has a saying to Master Maior, but it was a bird picked out of purpose (amongst the Ludgathians) that had the basest and loudest voice, and was able in a Term time, for a throat, to give any prisoner great odds for the bor at the grate: this Organ-pipe was ●unde to roar for the rest, who with a high sound & glib delivery, made an Encomiastic Paradoxical Oration in praise of a prison, proving, that captivity was the only blessing that could happen ●o man, and that a Politic Bankrupt (because he makes himself for ever by his own wit) is able to live in any common wealth, and deserves to go up the ladder of promotion, when five hundred shallowpated feollwes shall be turned off. The poor Orator having made up his mouth, Bankruptisme gave him very good words, & a handful or two of thanks, vowing he would ever live in his debt. At which, all the prisoners rending the air with shouts, the key was turned, & up (in state) was he led into king Luds house of Bondage, to survey the building, and to take possession of the lodgings; where he no sooner enured, 
Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris.  but a ●usty peal of welcomes was shot out of Cans in stead of Canons, and though the powder was exceeding wet, yet off they went thick and threefold. The day was proclaimed Holiday in all the wards; every prisoner swore if he would stay amongst them, they would take no order about their debts, because they would lie by it too; and for that purpose swarmed about him like Bees about Comfit-maker's, and were drunk, according to all the learned rules of Drunkenness, as Vpsy-Freeze, Cra●bo, Parmizant, etc. the pimples of this rank and full-humord joy rising thus in their faces, because they all knew, that though he himself was broken, the linings of his bags were whole; & though he had no conscience (but a cracked one) yet he had crowns that were ●ound. None of all these ●ookes could fasten him to them: he was (like their clocks) to strike in more places than one, & though he knew many Citizens hated him, and that if he were encountered by some of them, it might cost him dear, yet under so good a protection did he go (as he said) because he owed no ill will even to those that most sought his undoing; and therefore took his leave of the house, with promise, to be with them, or send to them once every quarter at the least. So that now, by his wise instructions, 
Misery makes men cunning.  if a Puny were there amongst them, he might learn more cases, and more quiddits in law within seven days, that he does at his Inn in fourteen months.  
The Politician being thus got into the City, carries himself to discreetly, that he steals into the hearts of many: 
His qualities.  In words, is he circumspect: in looks, grave: in attire, civil: in diet, temperate: in company affable; in his affairs serious: and so cunningly does he lay on these colours, that in the end he is welcome to, and familiar with the best. So that now, there is not any one of all the twelve Companies, in which (at one time or other) there are not those that have forsaken their own Hall, to be free of his: yea some of your best Shop-kéepers hath he entited to shut themselves up from the cares and business of the world, to live a private life; nay, there is not any great and famous Street in the City, wherein there hath not (or now doth not) dwell, some one, or other, that hold the points of his Religion. 
His disguises.  For you must understand, that the Politic Bankrupt is a Harpy that looks smoothly, a Hyena that enchants subtly, a Mermaid that sings sweetly, and a Chameleon, that can put himself into all colours. Sometimes he's a Puritan, he swears by nothing but Indeed, or rather does not swear at al●, and wrapping his crafty Serpent's body in the cloak of Religion, he does those acts that would become none but a Devil. Sometimes he's a Protestant, and deals justly with all men, till he see his time, but in the end he turns Turk. Because you shall believe me, I will give you his length by the Scale, and Anatomize his body from head to foot. Here it is.  

His policy.  Whether he be a Tradesman, or a Merchant, when he first sets himself up, and seeks to get the world into his hands, (yet not to go out of the City) or first talks of Countries he never saw (upon the Change) he will be sure to keep his days of payments more truly, than Lawyers keep their Terms, or than Executors keep the last laws that the dead enjoined them to, which even Infidels themselves will not violate: his hand goes to his head, to his meanest customer, (to express his humility;) he is up earlier than a Sergeant, and down later than a Constable, to proclaim his thrift. By such artificial wheels as these, he winds himself up into the height of rich men's favours, till he grow rich himself, and when he sees that they dare build upon his credit, knowing the ground to be good, he takes upon him the condition of an Ass, to any man that will load him with gold; and useth his credit like a Ship freighted with all sorts of Merchandise by venturous Pilots: for after he hath gotten into his hands so much of other men's goods or money, as will fill him to the upper deck, away he sails with it, and politicly runs himself on ground, to make the world believe he had suffered shipwreck. Then flies he out like an Irish rebel, and keeps aloof, hiding his head, when he cannot hide his shame: and though he have feathers on his back pulled from sundry birds, yet to himself is he more wretched, then the Cuckoo in winter, that dares not be seen. The troops of honest Citizens (his creditors) with whom he hath broken league and hath thus defied, muster themselves together, and proclaim open war: their bands consist of tall Yeomen, that serve on foot, commanded by certain Sarieants of their bands, who for leading of men, are known to be of more experience th●n the best Low-countries Captains. In Ambuscado do these lie day & night, to cut off this enemy to the City, if he dare but come down. But the politic Bankrupt barricadoing his Sconce with double locks, treble doors, invincible bolts, and pieces of ●imber 4. or 5. stories high, victuals himself for a month or so; and then in the dead of night, marches up higher into the country with bag and baggage: parleys than are summoned; compositions offered; a truce is sometimes taken for 3. or 4. years; or (which is more common) a dishonourable peace (seeing no other remedy) is on both sides concluded, he (like the States) being the only gainer by such civil wars, whilst the Citizen that is the lender, is the loser: Nam crimine ab uno disce omnes, look how much he snatches from one man's ●hea●e, he gleans from every one, if they be a hundred.  
The victory being thus gotten by baseness & treachery, back comes he marching with spread colours again to the City; advances in the open street as he did before; se●s the goods of his neighbour before his face without blushing: he jets up and down in silks woven out of other men's stock, feedeth deliciously upon other men's purses, rides on his ten pound Geldings, in other men's saddles, & is now a new man made out of wax, that's to say, out of those bonds, whose seals he most dishonestly hath canceled. O veluet-garded thieves! O yea-and-by-nay Cheaters! O civil, o Grave and Right Worshipful Couzeners!  
What a wretchedness is it, by such steps to climb to a counterfeited happiness? So to be made for ever, is to be utterly undone for ever: So for a man to save himself, is to venture his own damnation; like those that labouring by all means to escape shipwreck, do afterwards desperately ●rown themselves. But alas! how rotten at the bottom are buildings thus raised! How soon do such leases grow out of date! The Third House to them is never heard of. What slaves then doth money (so purchased) make of those, who by such ways think to find out perfect freedom? But they are most truly miserable in midst of their joys: for their neighbours scorn them, Strangers point at them, good men neglect them, the rich man will no more trust them, the beggar in his rage upbraided them. Yet if this were all, this all were nothing. O thou that on thy pillow (like a Spider in his ●oome) weavest mischievous nets, beating thy brains, how by casting down others, to raise up thyself!  
Thou Politic Bankrupt, poor rich man, thou ill-painted fool, when thou art to lie in thy last Inn (thy loathsome grave) how heavy a load will thy wealth be to thy weak corrupted Conscience! those heaps of Silver, in telling of which thou hast worn out thy finger's ends, will be a passing bell, ●olling in thine ●are, and calling thee to a fearful Audit. Thou canst not dispose of thy riches, but the naming of every parcel will strike to thy heart, worse than the pangs of thy departure: thy last will, at the last day, will be an Indictment to cast thee; for thou art guilty of offending those two laws (enacted in the upper House of heaven) which directly forbid thee to steal, or to covet thy neighbours goods.  
But this is not all neither: for thou liest on thy bed of death, and art not card for: thou goest out of the world, and art not lamented: thou art put into the last linen that ever thou shalt wear, (thy winding-shéete) with reproach, and art sent into thy Grave with curses: he that makes thy Funeral Sermon, dares not speak well of thee, because he is ashamed to belie the dead: and upon so hate full a file dost thou hang the records of thy life, that even when the worms have picked thee to the bare bones, those that go over thee, will set upon thee no Epitaph but this, Here lies a knave.  
Alack! this is not the worst neither: thy Wife being in the heat of her youth, in the pride of her beauty, and in all the bravery of a rich London Widow, flies from her nest (where she was thus fledged before her time) the City, to shake off the imputation of a Bankrupts Wife, and perhaps marries with some Gallant: thy bags then are emptied, to hold him up in riots: those hundreds, which thou subtly tookst up upon thy bonds, do sinfully serve him to pay Tavern bills, and what by knavery thou got'st from honest men, is as villainously spent upon Panders and Whores: thy Widow being thus brought to a low ebb, grows desperate: curses her birth, her life, her fortunes, yea perhaps curses thee, when thou art in thy everlasting sleep, her conscience persuading strongly, that she is punished from above, for thy faults: and being poor, friendless, comfortless, she finds no means to raise herself, but by Falling, and therefore grows to be a common woman. Doth not the thought of this torment thee? She lives basely by the abuse of that body, to maintain which in costly garments, thou didst wrong to thine own soul: nay more to afflict thee, thy children are ready to beg their bread in that very place, where the father hath sat at his door in purple, and at his board like Dives, surfeiting on those dishes which were earned by the sweat of other men's brows. The infortunate Merchant, whose estate is swallowed up by the merciless Seas, and the provident Tradesman, whom riotous Servants at home, or hard-hearted debtor abroad undermine and everthrow, blotting them with the name of Bankrupts, deserve to be pitied and relieved, when thou that hast cozened even thine own Brother of his Birthright, art laughed at, and not remembered, but in scorn, when thou art plagued in thy Generation.  
Be wise therefore, you Grave, and wealthy Citizens; play with these Whales of the Sea, till you escape them that are devourers of your Merchants; hunt these English Wolves to death, and rid the land of them: for these are the Rats that eat up the provision of the people: these are the Grasshoppers of Egypt, that spoil the cornfields of the Husbandman and the rich man's Uineyards: they will have poor Naboths piece of ground from him, though they eat a piece of his heart for it. These are indeed (and none but these) the foreigners that live without the freedom of your City, better than you within it; they live without the freedom of honestly, of conscience, and of christianity. Ten dicing-houses cheat not young Gentlemen of so much money in a years, as these do you in a month. The thief that dies at Tyburn for a robbery, is not half so dangerous a weed in a Commonwealth, as the Politic Bankrupt, I would there were a Derick to hang up him too.  
The Russians have an excellent custom: they beat them on the shins, that have money, and will not pay their debts; if that law were w●ll cudgeled from thence into England, Barbar-Surgeons might in a few years build up a Hall for their Company, larger than Paul's, only with the cure of Bankrupt broken-shinnes.  
I would fain see a prize set up, that the welfed Usurer, and the politic Bankrupt might rail one against another for it: o, it would heget a rhyming Comedy. The Challenge of the German against all the Masters of the Noble Science, would not bring in a quarter of the money: for there is not half so much love between the Iron and the loadstone, as there is mortal hate between those two Furies. The Usurer lives by the lechery of money, and is Bawd to his own bags, taking a fee, that they may engender. The Politic Bankrupt lives by the gelding of bags of Silver. The Usurer puts out a hundred pound to breed, and lets it run in a good pasture (that's to say, in the lands that are mortgaged for it) till it grow great with Foal, and bring forth ten pound more. But the Politic Bankrupt plays the Alchemist, and having taken a hundred pound to multiply it, he keeps a puffing and a blowing, as if he would fetch the Philosopher's stone out of it, yet melts your hundred pound so l●ng in his crucibles, till at length to either melt it clean away, or (at the least) makes him that lends it think good, if every hundred bring him home ●iue, with Principal and Interest.  
You may behold now in this Perspective piece which I have drawn before you, how deadly and dangerous an enemy to the State this Politic Bankrupusme hath been, & still is: It hath been long enough in the City, and for anything I see, makes no great haste to get out. His triumphs have been great, his entertainment rich and magnificent. He purposes to lie here as Lucifer's Legiar: let him therefore alone in his lodging (in what part of the City soever it be) tossed and turmoiled with godless slumbers, and let us take up a standing near some other Gate, to behold the Entrance of the Second Sin: but before you go, look upon the Chariot that this First is drawn in, and take special note of all his Attendants.  
The habit, the qualities and complexion of this Ambassador sent from Hell, are set down before. He rides in a Chariot drawn upon three wheels, that run fastest away, when they bear the greatest loads. The beauty of the Chariot is all inlaid work, cunningly & artificially wrought, but yet so strangely, and of so many severall-fashiond pieces, (none like another) that a sound wit would mistrust they had been stolen from sundry workmen. By this proud Counterfeit ran two Pages; on the left side Conscience, raggedly attired, ill-faced, ill-coloured, and misshapen in body. On the right side runs Beggary, who if he outlive him, goes to serve his children. Hypocrisy drives the Chariot, having a couple of fat well-coloured and lusty Coach-horses to the eye, called Covetousness and Cozenage, but full of diseases, & rotten about the heart. Behind him follow a crowd of Tradesmen, and Merchants, every one of them holding either a Shop-book, or an Obligation in his hand, their servants, wives and children strawing the way before him with curses, but he carelessly runs over the one, and outrides the other; at the tail of whom (like the pioneers of an Army) march troopewise, and without any Drum struck up, because the Leader can abide no noise, a company of old expert Sarieants, bold Yeomen, hungry Bailiffs, and other brave Martial men, who because (like the Swissers) they are well paid, are still in Action, and oftentimes have the enemy in execution; following the heels of this Citty-Conqueror, so close, not for any love they owe him, but only (as all those that follow great men do) to get money by him. We will leave them lying in Ambush, or holding their Courts of Guard, and take a muster of our next Regiment.   

The seven deadly 2. Lying. Or, The second days Triumph.  
WHen it came to the ears of the Sinful Synagogue, how the rich jew of London, (Barrabas Bankruptisme) their brother, was received into the City, and what a lus●y Reveller he was become, the rest of the same Progeny (being 6. in number) vowed to ride thither in their greatest State, and that every one should challenge to himself (if be could enter) a several day of Triumph; for so he might do by their own Customs. Another therefore of the Brood, being presently aptly accon●●red, and armed cap-à-pie, with all furniture fit for such an invader, sets forward the very next morning, and arrived at one of the Gates, before any Porter's eyes were unglewd. To knock, he thought it no policy, because such fellows are commonly most churlish, when they are most entreated, and are key-cold in their coming down to Strangers, except they be bribed: to stay there with such ● confusion of faces round about him, till light should betray him, might call his Arrival, being strange and hidden, into question; beside, he durst not send any Spy he had, to listen what news went amongst the people, and whether any preparation were made for him, or that they did expect his approach, because indeed there was not any one of the Damned Crew that followed his tail, whom he durst trust for a true word. He resolves therefore to make his entrance, not by the sword, but by some sleight, what storm or fair weather soever should happen: And for that purpose, taking asunder his Chariot, (for it stood altogether like a German clock, or an English, jack or Turne-spit, upon screws and vices) he scatters his troup upon the fields and highway, into small companies, as if they had been Irish beggars; till at last espying certain Colliers with Carts most sinfully loaden, for the City, and behind them certain light Country Horse-women riding to the Markets, he mingled his Footmen carelessly, amongst these, and by this Stratagem of Coals, bravely thorough Moore-gate, got within the walls; where marching not like a plodding Grazier with his Droves before him, but like a Citty-Captayne, with a Company (as pert as Tailors at a wedding) close at his heels, because now they knew they were out of fear) he musters together all the Hackneymen and Horse-courses in and about Colman-street.  
No sooner had these Sons and Heirs unto Horseshoes, got him into their eyes, but they wept for joy to behold him; yet in the end, putting up their tears into bottles of Hay, which they held under their arms, and wiping their slubbered cheeks with wisps of clean Straw, (provided for the nonce) they harnessed the Grand Signiors Caroche, mounted his Cavalry upon Curtals, and so sent him most pompously (like a new elected Dutch Burgomaster) into the City.  
He was looked upon strangely by all whom he met, for at the first, few or none knew him, few followed him, few bid him welcome: But after he had spent here a very little piece of time, after it was voiced that Monsieur Mendax came to dwell amongst them, and had brought with him all sorts of politic falsehood and lying, what a number of Men, Women and Children fell presently in love with him! There was of every Trade in the City, and of every profession some, that instantly were dealers with him: For you must note, that in a State so multitudinous, where so many flocks of people must be fed, it is impossible to have some Trades to stand, if they should not lie.  
How quickly after the Art of Lying was once publicly professed, were false Weights and false Measures invented! and they have since done as much hurt to the inhabitants of Cities, as the invention of Guns hath done to their walls: for though a Lie have but short legs (like a Dwarves) yet it goes far in a little time, Et crescit eundo, and at last proves a tall fellow: the reason is, that Truth had ever but one Father, but Lies are a thousand men's Bastards, and are begotten every where.  
Look up then (Thou thy countries Darling,) and behold what a devilish Inmate thou hast entertained. The Genealogy of Truth is well known, for she was borne in Heaven, and dwells in Heaven: Falsehood then and Lying must of necessity come out of that hot Country of Hell, from the line of Devils: for those two are as opposite, as day and darkness. What an ungracious Generation wilt thou mingle with thine, if thou draw not this from thee: What a number of unhappy and cursed children will be left upon thy hand? for Lying is Father to Falsehood, and Grandsire to Perjury: Fraud (with two faces) is his Daughter, a very Monster: Treason (with hairs like Snakes) is his kinsman; a very Fury! how art thou enclosed with danger? The Lie first deceives thee, and to shoot the deceit off cleanly, an oath (like an Arrow) is drawn to the head, and that hits the mark. If a Lie, after it is moulded, be not smooth enough, there is no instrument to burnish it, but an oath: Swearing gives it colour, & a bright complexion. So that Oaths are Crutches, upon which Lies (like lame soldiers) go, & need no other passport. Little oaths are able to bear up great lies: but great Lies are able to beat down great Families: For oaths are wounds that a man stabs into himself, yea, they are burning words that consume those who kindle them.  
What fools then are thy Buyers and Sellers to be abused by such hellhounds? Swearing and Forswearing put into their hands perhaps the gains of a little Silver, but like those pieces which judas received, they are their destruction. Wealth so gotten, is like a tree set in the depth of winter, it prospers not.  
But is it possible (Thou leader of so great a Kingdom) that heretofore so many bonfires of men's bodies should be made before thee in the good quarrel of Truth? and that now thou shouldst take part wish her enemy? Have so many Triple-pointed darts of Treason been shot at the heads of thy Princes, because they would not take Truth out of thy Temples, and art thou now in League with false Witches the would kill thee? Thou art no Traveler, the habit of Lying therefore will not become thee, cast it off.  
He that gives a soldier the Lie, looks to receive the stab: but what danger does he run upon, that gives a whole City the Lie? yet must I venture to give it thee. Let me tell thee then, that Thou dost Lie with Pride, and though thou art not so gaudy, yet are thou more costly in attiring thyself than the Court, because Pride is the Queen of Sins, thou hast chosen her to be thy Concubine, and hast begotten many base Sons and Daughters upon her body, as Vainglory, Curiosity, Disobedience, Opinion, Disdain, etc. Pride, by thy Lying with her, is grown impudent: She is now a common Harlot, and every one hath use of her body. The Tailor calls her his Leman, he hath often got her great with child of Phantasticallity and Fashions, who no sooner came into the world, but the fairest Wives of thy Tenants snatched them up into their arms, laid them in their laps and to their breasts, and after they had played with them their pleasure, into the country were those two children (of the Tailors) sent to be nursed up, so that they live sometimes there, but ever and anon with thee.  
Thou dost likewise Lie with Usury: how often hast thou been found in bed with her! How often hath she been openly disgraced at the Cross for a Strumpet! yet still dost thou keep her company, and art not ashamed of it, because you commit Sin together, even in those houses that have painted posts standing at the Gates. What ungodly brats and kindred hath she brought thee? for upon Usury hast thou begotten Extortion, (a strong, but an unmannerly child,) Hardness of heart, a very murderer, and Bad Conscience, who is so unruly, that he seems to be sent unto thee, to be thy everlasting pain. Then hath she Sons in law, and they are all Scriveners: those Scriveners have base sons, and they are all common Brokers; those Brokers likewise send a number into the world, & they are all Common thieves.  
All of these may easily give Arms: for they fetch their descent from hell, where are as many Gentlemen, as in any one place, in any kingdom.  
Thou dost lie with sundry others, and committest strange whoredoms, which by use and boldness grow so common, that they seem to be no whoredoms at all, Yet thine own abominations would not appear so vilely, but that thou makest thy buildings a Brothelry to others: for thou sufferest Religion to lie with Hypocrisy: Charity to lie with Ostentation: Friendship to lie with Hollow-heartednes: the Churl to lie with Simony: justice to lie with Bribery, and last of all, Conscience to lie with every one. So that now she is full of diseases: But thou knowest the medicine for all these Fevers that shake thee: be therefore to thyself thine own Physician, and by strong Pills purge away this second infection that is breeding upon thee, before it strike to the heart.  
falsehood and Lying thus have had their day, and like Almanacs of the last year, are now gone out: let us follow them a step or two farther to see how they ride, and then (if we can) leave them, for I perceive it grows late, because candlelight (who is next to enter upon the stage) is making himself ready to act his Comical Scenes. The Chariot then that Lying is drawn in, is made all of whetstones; Wantonness and evil custom are his Horses: a Fool is the Coachman that drives them: a couple of swearing Fencers sometimes lead the Horses by the reins, and sometimes flourish before them to make room. Worshipfully is this Lord of Limbo attended, for Knight's thinselues follow close at his heels; Mary they are not Post and Poyre-Knightes but one of the Post. Amongst whose train is shuffled in a company of scambling ignorant Petti-foggars, lean Knaves and hungry, for they live upon nothing but the scraps of the Law, and here and there (like a Prune in White-broth, is stuck a spruce but a meers prating unpractised Lawyer● Clerk all in black. At the tail of all (when this goodly Pageant is passed by) ollow a crowd of every trade some, amongst whom lest we be smothered, and be taken to be of the same list, let us strike down my way.  
Nam● 〈◊〉 Vulgus.   

●. candlelight. OR, The Nocturnal Triumph.  
O candlelight: and art thou one of the Cursed Crew? hast thou been set at the Table of Princes, & Noble men? have all su●es of people ●oone reverence unto thee and stood b●re 〈…〉 ●ey have seen thee? have thieves, Traitors, and Murderers been afraid to come in thy presence, because they knew thee just, and that thou wouldst discover them? And act thou now a harborer of all kinds of Vices? nay, dost thou play the capital Vice thyself?  
Hast thou had so many learned Lectures read before thee, & is the light of thy Understanding now clean put out, and have so many profound scholars profited by thee? hast thou done such good to Universities, been such a guide to the Lame, and seen the doing of so many good works, yet dost thou now look dimly, and with a dull eye upon all Goodness? What comfort have sick-men taken (in weary and irksome nights) but only in thee? thou hast been their Physician and Apothecary, and when the relish of nothing could please them, the very shadow of thee hath been to them a restoritive Consolation. The Nurse hath stilled her way ward Infant, showing it but to thee: What gladness hast thou put into Mariners bosoms, when thou hast met them on the Sea? What joy into the faint and benighted travailer when he has met thee on the land? How many poor Handy-craftes men by Thee have earned the best part of their living? And art thou now become a Companion for Drunkards, for teacher's, and for prodigalles? Art thou turned Reprobate? thou wilt burn for it in hell, And so odious is this thy Apostasy, and hiding thyself from the light of the truth, the at thy death & going out of the world, even they that love thee best, will tread thee under their feet: yea I that have thus played the Herald, & proclaimed thy good parts, will now play the Crier and call thee into open count, to arraign thee for thy misdemeanours.  
Let the world therefore understand, that this Tallowfacde Gentleman (called candlelight) so soon as ever the Sun was gone out of sight, and that darkness like a thief out of a hedge crept upon the earth, sweat till he dropped again, with bustling to come into the City. For having no more but one only eye) and that ster●er●● with drinking & sitting up late) he was ashamed to be seen by day, knowing he should be laughed to scorn, and hoo●ed at. He makes his entrance therefore at Aldersgate of set purpose, for though the street be fair and spacious, yet few lights in misty evenings, using there to thrust out their golden heads he thought that the aptest circle for him to be raised in, because ●here his Glittering would make greatest show. What expectation was there of his coming? setting aside the 〈◊〉, there is not more triumphing on Midsummer night. No sooner was he advanced up into the most famous Streets, but a number of shops for joy began to shut in: Mercers ●olde up their silks and Velvets: the Goldsmiths drew back their Plate, & all the City looked like a private Playhouse, when the windows are clapped down, as 〈◊〉 some Nocturnal, or dismal Tragedy were presently to be acted before all the Tradesmen. But Cavaliero candlelight came for no such solemnity: No he had other Crackers in hand to which he watched but his hour to give fire▪ Sc●rce was his entrance blown abroad, but the Bankrupt, the Fello●, and all that owed any money, and for fear of arrests, or justices warrants, had like so many Snails kept their houses over their heads all the day before, began now to creep out of their shel●, & so stalk up & down the streets as uprightly, & with as proud a gate as if they meant to knock against the stars with the crowns of their heads.  
The damask coated Citizen, that sat in his sh●p both forenoon and afternoon, and looked more sourly on his poor neighbore, th●n if he had drunk a quart of Vinegar at a draft, sneak's out of his own doors, and slips into a Tavern, where either alone, or with some other that battles their money together, they so ply themselves with penny pots, which (like smallshot) go off, pouring into their fat paunches, that at length th●y have not an eye to see withal, nor a good leg to stand upon. In which pickle if any of them happen to be justled down by a post (that in spite of them will take the wall) and so reels them into the kennel, who takes them up or leads them home? who has them to bed, and with a pillow smooths this stealing so of good liquor, but that brazen-face candlelight? Nay more, he entices their very Prentices to make their desperate sallies out, & quick retires in (contrary to the Oath of their Indentures) which are seven years a swearing, only for their Pints, and away.  
Tush, this is nothing: young shopkeepers that have but newly ventured upon the pikes of marriage, who are every hour showing their wares to their Customers, plying their business harder all day than Vulcan does his anvil, and seem better husbands than Fiddlers that scrape for a poor living both day and night, yet even these if they can but get candlelight, to sit up all night with them in any house of Reckoning (that's to say in a Tavern) they fall roundly to play the London prize, and that's at three several weapons, Drinking, Dancing, & Dicing, Their wives lying all that time in their beds sighing like widows, which is lamentable: the giddie-braind husbands wasting the portions they had with them, which lost once, they are (like Maidenheads) never recoverable. Or which is worse, this going a Batfowling a nights, being noted by some wise youngman or other, that knows how to handle such cases, the hush is beaten for them at home, whilst they catch the bird abraode, but what bird is it? the Woodcock.  
Never did any City pocket up such wrong at the hands of one, over whom she is so jealous, and so tender, that in Winter nights if he be but missing, and hide himself in the dark, I know not how many Beadles are sent up and down the streets to cry him: yet you see, there is more cause she should send out to curse him For what Uillanies are not abroad so long as candlelight is stirring? The serving-man dare then walk with his wench: the Private Punk (otherwise called one that boards in London) who like a Pigeon sits billing all day within doors, and fears to step over the threshold, does then walk the round till midnight, after she hath been swaggering amongst pottle pots and Vintners boys. Nay, the sober Perpetuana suited Puritan, that dares not (so much as by Moonlight) come near the Suburb-shadow of a house, where they set stewed Prunes before you, raps as boldly at the hatch, when he knows candlelight is within, as if he were a new chosen Constable. When all doors are locked up, when no eyes are open, when birds sit silent in bushes, and beasts lie sleeping under hedges, when no creature can be smelled to be up but they that may be smelled every night a streets length ere you come at them, even than doth this Ignis fatuus (candlelight) walk like a Fire-drake into sundry corners. If you will not believe this, shoot but your eye through the Iron grates into the Cellars of Vintners, there you shall see him hold his neck in a jin, made of a cleft hoope-sticke, to throttle him from telling tales, whilst they most abominably jumble together all the papistical drinks that are brought from beyond-sea: the poor wines are racked and made to confess any thing: the Spanish & the French meeting both in the bottom of the Cellar, conspire together in their cups, to lay the Englishman (if he euercome into their company) under the board.  
To be short, such strange mad music do they play upon their Sacke-buttes, that if candlelight being over come with the steam of new sweet Wines, when they are at work, should not tell them 'tis time to go to bed, they would make all the Hogsheads that use to come to the house, to dannce the Cannaries till they reeled again. When the Grape-mongers and he are parted, he walks up and down the streets squiring old Midwives to any house, (●e●e secretly) where any Bastard's ●re to be brought into the world. From them, (about the hour when Spirits wal●e, and Cats go a gossiping) he visits the W●tch where creeping into the Beadle's Cothouse (which hands between his legs, that are leapt round about with pieces of Rug, as if he had new struck of Sh●ckles) and seeing the Watchmen to nod at him, he 〈◊〉 himself presently, (knowing the token) under the slappy 〈…〉 and teaches them (by instinct) how too st into their heads, because he sees all their Cloaks cannot one good nap upon them and upon his warrant snort they so loud, that to those Night walkers (whose wits are up so late) it serves as a Watch-worde so keep out of the teach of their ●rowne 〈◊〉: by which means they never come to answer the matter b●●ore master Constable, and the Benc● upon which his men (t●at should watch) do sit: In that the Coun●e●s are cheated of Prisoners, to the great ●amm●ge o● these that should have their morning's draft out of the Garnish.  
O candlelight, candlelight! to how many costly Sacke-posse●s▪ and rea●s Banquets hast thou been musted by Prentices and 〈◊〉- maiden's? When the Bellman for anger to spy (such a purloiner of citizens goods) so many, hath bounced 〈◊〉 the door like a mad man, At which (as if Robin Goodfellow had been conjured up amongst them the Wench's have, fallen into the hands of the Green-sickness, and the young fellows into cold Agues, with very fear lest their master (like old jeronimo and Isabella his wife after him) starting out of his naked bed should came down (with a Weapon in his hand) and this in his mouth: What outcries pull us from our naked bed? Who calls? etc. as the Players can tell you. O candlelight, how hast thou stunk then, when they have popped thee out of their company: how hast thou taken it in snuff, when thou hast been smelled out especially the master of the house exclaiming, that by day that deed of darkness had not been. One Uennie more with thee, and then I have done.  
How many lips have been worn out with kissing at she street door, or in that entry (in a winking blind evening?) how many odd matches and uneven marriages have been made there between young Prentices and there masters daughters, whilst thou (O candlelight) hast stood watching at the stairs head, that none could come stealing down by thee, but they must be seen?  
It appears by these articles put in against thee, that thou art partly a Bawd to diverse loose sins, and partly a Coozener: for if any in the City have bad wares lying dead upon their hands, thou art better than Aqua vitae to fetch life into them, and to send them packing. Thou shalt therefore be taken out of thy proud Chariot, and be carted: yet first will we see what workmanship, and what stoffe it is made of, to the intent that if it be not dangerous for a City to keep any Relic belonging to such a crooked Saint, It may be hung up as a monument to show with what dishonour thou wert driven out of so noble a lodging, to deface whose buildings thou hast been so envious, that when thou hast been left alone by any thing that would take fire, thou hast burnt to the ground many of her goodliest houses.  
Candle lights Ceath is made all of Hor●e, shaven as thin as Changel●●yes ate. It is drawn (with ease) by two Rats: the Coachman is a Chandler who so s●ears wi●h yea●king them, that he drops tallow, and t●at f●eors them as provender: yet a●e the lashes that he gives the squeaking Vermin more deadly to them then all the Ratsbane in Buckle●sb●rie. Painfulness and Study are his two Lackeys and run by him: Darkness, Conspiracy, Opportunity, Stratagems and Fear, are his attendants: he's sued unto by Diggars in Mines, gravers, Scholars, Mariners, Nurses, Drunkards, Unthrifts and shrote Husbands: he destroys that which feeds him, & therefore Ingratitude comes behind all this, driving them before her. The next Devil that is to be commanded up, is a very lazy one, and will be long in rising: let us therefore unbind this, and fall to other Charms.   

4. Sloth: OR The fourth days Triumph.  
MAn (doubtless) was not created to be an idle fellow, for than he should be God's Vagabond: he was made for other purpose then to be ever eating as swine: ever sleeping as Dormice: ever dumb as fishes in the Sea, or ever prating to no purpose, as Birds of the air: he was not set in this Universal Orchard to stand still as a Tree and so to be cut down, but to be cut down if he should stand still. And to have him remember this, he carries certain Watches with Larums about him, that are ever striking: for all the Enginous Wheels of the Soul are continually going: though the body lie never so fast bound in Slumbers, the imagination runs too and fro, the fantasy flies round about, the vital Spirits walk up and down, yea the very pulses show activity, and their hammers are still beating, so that even in his very dreams it is whispered in his ear that he must be doing something.  
If he had not these prompters at his elbow, yet every member of his body (if it could speak would chide him) if they were put to no use, considering what noble workmanship is bestowed upon them. For man no sooner gets upon his legs, but they are made so that either he may run or go: when he is weary, they can give him ●ase by standing still, if he will not stand, the Knees le●ue like Hinges to bow up and down, and to let him kneel His arms have artificial cords and strings, which shorten or fly ●ut to their length at pleasure: They wind about the body like a silver Girdle, and being held out before, are weapons to defend it: at the end of the arms, are two beautiful Mathematical Instruments, with five several motions in each of them, and thirty other moving Engines, by which they stir both. His head likewise stands upon three Skrewes, the one is directly forward to teach him Providence, the other two are on either side one, to arm him with Circumspection: How busy are both the eyes, to keep d●nger from him every way.  
But admit he had none of these Wonderful Volumes to read over, yet he sees the clouds always working: the waters ever labouring: the earth continually bringing forth: he sees the Sun have a high co●our with taking pains for the day. The Moon pale and sickly, with sitting up for the night: the Stars mustering their armies together to guard the Moon. ●ll of them, and all that is in the world, serving as Schoolmasters, & the world itself as an Academ to bring up man in knowledge, and to put him still into action.  
How then dares this nasty, and loathsome sin of Sloth venture into a City amongst so many people? who doth he hope will give him entertainment? what lodging (thinks he) can be tame up, where he & his heavyheaded company may take their afternoons nay sound? for in every street, carts and Coaches make such a thundering as if the world ran upon wheels: at every corner, men, women, and children meet in such shoals, that posts are set up of purpose to strengthen the houses, lest with justling one another they should shoulder them down. Besides, hammers are beating in one place, Tube hooping in another, Pots clinking in a third, water-tankards running at tilt in a fourth: here are Porters sweeting under burdens, there Marchants-men bearing bags of money, Chapmen (as if they were at Leapfrog) skip out of one shop into another: Tradesmen (as if they were dancing Galliards (are iusly) at Legs and never stand still: all are as busy as country Attorneys at an Assizes: how then can Idleness think to inhabit here?  
Yet the Worshipful Sir, (that leads a Gentleman's life, and doth nothing) though he comes but slowly on (as if he trodden a French March) yet he comes and with a great train at his tail, as if the country had brought up some Felon to one of our gales, So is he connaide by nine or ten drowsy Maltmen, that lie nodding over their Sacks, and even a most sleepy and still Triumph begins his entrance at Bishopsgate.  
An army of substantial Householders (most of them living by the hardness of the hand) came in Battle array, with spread Banners, bearing the Arms of their several occupations to meet this Cowardly General and to beat him back. But he summoning a parley, hammered out such a strong Oration in praise of Ease▪ that they all struck up their Drums, flung up their Round-Cappes, (and as if it had been another William the Conqueror came marching in with him) and lodged him in the quietest street in the City, for so his Laziness requested.  
He then presently gave licenses to all the Vintners, to keep open house, and to empty their Hogsheads to all comers, who did so, dying their grates into a drunkard's blush (to make them known from the Grates of a prison) lest customers should re●le away from them, and hanging out new bushes, that if men at their going out, could not see the sign, yet they might not lose themselves in the bush. He likewise gave order that dicing-houses, and bowling alleys should be erected, whereupon a number of poor handy craftsmen, that before wrought night and day, made stocks to themselves of ten groats, & crowns a piece, and what by Betting, Lurches, Rubbers and such tricks, they never took care for a good days work afterwards. For as Lechery is patron of all your Suburb Colleges, and sets up Vaulting-houses, and Daunsing-Schooles: and as Drunkenness when it least can stand, does best hold up Alehouses, So Sloth is a founder of the alms-houses first mentioned, & is a good Benefactor to these last.  
The Players prayed for his coming, they lost nothing by it, the coming in of ten Ambassadors was never so sweet to them, as this our sin was: their houses smoked every after noon with Stinkards, who were so glued together in crowds with the Steames of strong breath, that when they came forth, their faces looked as if they had been parboiled: And this Comical Termtime they hoped for, at the least all the summer, because 'tis given out that Sloth himself will come, and sit in the twopenny galleries amongst the Gentlemen, and see their Knaveries and their pastimes.  
But alas! if these were the sorest diseases (Thou noblest City of the now-noblest Nation) that Idleness does infect thee with: thou hast Physic sufficient in thyself, to purge thy body of them. No, no, he is not slothful, that is only lazy, that only wastes his good hours, and his Silver in Luxury, & licentious ease, or that only (like a standing water) does nothing, but gather corruption: no, he is the true Slothful man that does no good. And how many would cry Guilty unto thee, if this were there Indictment? Thy Magistrates (that when they see thee most in danger) put up the sword that justice hath guided, to their loins, & fly into the country, leaving thee destitute of their Counsel, they would cry guilty, they are slothful.  
Thy Physicians, that fearing to die by that which they live, (sickness) do most unkindly leave thee when y●●rt ready to lie upon thy death bed, They are slothful, They would cry Guilty. Thy great men, and such as have been thy Rulers▪ that being taken out of poor Cradles, & nursed up by thee, have filled their Coffers with gold, and their names with honour, yet afterwards growing weary of thee, (like Mules having sucked their dams) most ingratefully have they stolen from thee, spending those blessings which were thine, upon those that no way deserve them, Are not These Slothful? They would cry guilty. There is yet one more, whom I would not hear to Cry Guilty, because (of al● others) I would not have them slothful. O you that speak the language of Angels, and should indeed be Angels amongst us, you that have offices above those of Kings, that have warrant to command Princes, & control them, if they do amiss: you that are Stewards over the King's house of heaven, and lie here as Ambassadors about the greatest State-matters in the world: what a dishonour were it to your places, if it should be known that you are Slothful? you are sworn labourers, to work in a Uineyard, which if you dress not carefully, if you cut it not artificially, if you underprop it not wisely when you see it laden, if you gather not the fruits in it, when they be ripe, but suffer them to drop down, and be eaten up by Swine. O what a dear account are you to make him that must give you your hire? you are the Beams of the Sun that must ripen the Grapes of the vine, & if you shine not clearly, he will eclipse you for ever: your tongues are the instruments y● must cut off rank & idle Sprigs, to make the bearing-braunches to spread, and unless you keep them sharp and be ever pruning with them, he will cast you by, and you shall be eaten up with rust. The Church is a garden and you must weed it: it is a Fountain, & you must keep it clear: it is her Husband's jewel, and you must polish it: it is his best beloved, and you must keep her chaste.  
Many Merchants hath this City to her Sons, of all which you are the most noble, you traffic only for men's Souls, sending them to the Land of Promise, and to the heavenly jerusalem, and receiving from thence (in Exchange) the richest Commodity in the world, your own salvation. O therefore be not you Slothful: for if being chosen Pilots, you Sleep, and so stick upon Recks, you hazard your own shipwreck more than theirs that venture with you.  
What a number of Colours are here grounded, to paint out Sloth in his ugliness, and to make him loathed, whilst he (yawning, and his Chin knocking nods into his breast) regards not the whips of the most crabbish Satyristes'. Let us therefore look upon his Horse-litter that he rides in, and so leave him.  
A couple of unshodde Asses carry it between them, it is all fluttishly evergrowne with Moss on the outside, and on the inside quilted through out with down pillows: Sleep and Plenty lead the Fore-Asse; a pursy double chinned Laena, riding by on a Sump●er-horse with provamder at his mouth, & she is the Litter-driver: she keeps two Pages, & those are an Irish Beggar on the one side, & One that says he has been a Soldier on the other side. His attendants are Sickness, Want, Ignorance, Infamy, Bondage, Paleness, Blockishness and Carelessness. The retainers that wear his cloth are Anglers, Dumb Ministers Players, Exchange-Wenches, Gamesters, Panders, Whores and Fiddlers.   

Apishness: OR The fifth days Triumph.  
SLoth was not so slow in his march, when he entered the City, but Apishness (that was to take his turn next) was as quick. Do you not know him? It cannot be read in any Chronicle, that he was ever with Henry the eight at Boulogne or at the winning of Turwin & Turnay: for (not to bell the sweet Gentleman,) he was neither in the shell then, no nor then when Paules-steeple and the Weathercock were on fire; by which marks (without looking in his mouth) you may safely swear, that he's but young, for he's a feirse, dapper fellow, more light headed then a physician: as fantastically attired as a Court jester: wanton in discourse: lascivious in behaviour: jocund in good company: nice in his trencher, and yet he feeds very hungerly on scraps of songs: be drinks in a Glass well, but vilely in a deep French-bowle: yet much about the year● when Monsieur came in, was he begotten, between a French Tailor, and an English Court-Seamster. This signor joculento (as the devil would have it) comes prancing in at Cripplegate, and he may well do it, for indeed all the parts he plays are but could speeches stolen from others, whose voices and actions he counterfestes: but so lamely, that all the Cripples in ten Spittle-houses, sh●we not more halting. The Graver Brows were bend against him, and by the awful Charms of Reverend Authority, would have sent him down from whence he came, for they knew how smooth soever his looks were, there was a devil in his bosom: But he having the stronger faction on his side, set them in a Mutiny, Saeu●que animis ignobile vulgus, the many headed Monster fought as it had been against Saint George, won the gate, and then with shouts was the Gaveston of the Time, brought in. But who brought him in? None but rich-men's sons that were left wel●, and had more money given by will, than they had wit how to bestow it: none but Prentices almost out of their years, and all the Tailors, Haberdashers, and Embroiderers that could be got for love or money, for these were priest secretly to the service, by the young and wanton dames of the City, because they would not be seen to show their love to him themselves.  
Man is God's Ape, and an Ape is Zany to a man, doing over those tricks (especially if they be knavish) which he sees done before him: so that Apishness is nothing but counterfeiting or imitation: and this flower when it first came into the City, had a pretty scent, and a delightful colour, hath been let to run so high, that it is now feeded, and where it falls there rises up a stinking weed.  
For as man is God's Ape, striving to make artificial flowers, birds, etc. like to the natural: So for the same reason are women, men's She Apes, for they will not be behind them the breadth of a tailors yard (which is nothing to speak of) in any newfangled upstart fashion. If men get up French standing collars, women will have the French standing collar too ●● Doublets with little thick skirts, (so sh●rt that none are able to sit upon them.) women's foreparts are thick skirted to: by surfeiting upon which kind of fantastical Apishness in a short time, they fall into the disease of pride: Pride is infectious, and breeds prodigality: Prodigality after it has run a little, closes up and ●ester●, and then turns to Beggary. Witty was that Painter therefore, that when he had limned one of every Nation in th●●r proper attires, and being at his wits ends how to draw an Englishman: At the last (to give him a quippy for his folly in apparel) drew him stark naked, with Shears in his hand, and cloth on his arm, because man's could cut out his fashions but himself.  
For an Englishman's suit is ●ke a traitor's body that hath been hanged, drawn, and quart, red, and is set up in several places: his Codpiece is in Denmark, the colour of his double a●d the belly in France: the wing and narrow sleeve in ●taly: the short tras●● hangs over a Dutch Butchers stall in utrich: his huge stops speaks Spanish: Polonia gives him the Boots: the block for his head altars faster than the Feltmaker can fit him, and thereupon we are called in scorn Blockheades. And thus we that mock every. Nation, for keeping one fashion, yet steal patches from every one of them, to piece out our pride, are now laughingstocks to them, because their cut so scurvily becomes us:  
This sin of Apishness▪ whether it be in apparel▪ or in diet, is not of such long life as his fellows, and for seeing none but women and fools keep him company, the one will be ashamed of him when they begin to have wrinkles, the other when they feel their purses light. The Magistrate, the wealthy commoner▪ and the ancient Citizen, disdain to come near him: we were best therefore, take note of such things as are about him, lest on a sudden he slip out of sight.  
Apishness ri●es in a Chariot made of nothing but cages, in which are all the strangest outlandish Birds that can be gotten: the Cages are slucke full of Parats feathers: the Coachman is an Italian Mownti-banck who drives a ●awne and a Lamb, for they draw this Gewgaw in Winter, when such beasts are rarest to be had: In Summer, it goes alone by the motion of wheels: two Pages in light coloured suits, embroidered full of Butterflies, with wings ●●at slutter up with the wind, run by him, the one being a dancing boy the other a T●●●bler: His attendants are Folly▪ Laughter, Inconstancy, Riot, Niceness, and Vainglory: when his Court removes he is followed by Tobacconists, Shittlecock-makers, Feather-makers, Cob-web-lawne-weavers', Perfumers, young Country Gentlemen, and Fools. In whose Ship whilst they all are sailing, let us observe what other abuses the Verdimotes Inquest do present on the land, albeit they be never reform, till a second Chaos is to be refined. In the mean time, In novafert Animus.   

Shaving: OR The sixth days Triumph.  
HOw? Shaving! Me thinks Barbers should cry to their Customers wink hard and come running out of their shops into the open streets, throwing all their suds out of their learned Latin Basins into my face for presuming to name the Mystery of Shaving in so villainous a company as these seven are. Is that Trade (say they) that for so many years hath been held up by so many heads, and has out-hearded the stoutest in England to their faces, Is that Trade, that because it is evermore Trimming the City, hath been for many years past made up into a Society, and ●a●e their Guild, and their Privileges with as much freedom as the best, must that now be counted a sin (〈◊〉 and one of the Deadly sins) of the City? No, no● be not angry with me, (O you that bandy away none but sweet washing Balls, and cast none other than Rose-waters for any man's pleasure) for there is Shaving within the walls of this Great Metropolis, which you never ●reamed of: A shaving that takes not only away the rebellious h●ltes, but brings the flesh with it too: and if that cannot suffice, the very bones must follow. If therefore you, and Five companies greater than yours, should choose a Colonel to lead you against this mighty Tamburlaine, you are too weak to make him Retire, and if you should come to a battle, you would lose the day.  
For behold what Troops forsake the Standard of the City, and fly to him: neither are they base & commonn soldiers, but even those that have borne arms a long time. Be silent therefore, and be patient: and since there is no remedy but that▪ (this combatant that is so cunning at the sharp) will come in, mark in what triumphant and proud manner, he is marshaled through Newgate: At which Bulwark (& none other) did he (in policy) desire to show himself. First, because he knew if the City should play with him as they did with Wyatt, Newgate held a number, that though they were false to all the world, would be true to him. Couragiovously therefore does he enter: All of them that had once served under his colours (and were now to suffer for the Truth, which they had abused) leaping up to the Iron lattaces, to behold their General, & making such a rattling with shaking their chains for ●oy, as if Cerberus had been come from hell to live and die amongst them. Shaving is now lodged in the heart of the City, but by whom? and at whose charges? Mary at a common purse, to which many are tributaries, & therefore no marvel if he be feasted royally. The first that paid their money towards it, are cruel and covetous Landlords, who for the building up of a Chimney, which stands them not above 30. s. and for whiting the walls of a tenement, which is scarce worth the daubing raise the rent presently (as if it were new put into the Subsidy book, assessing it at 3. li. a year more than ever it went for before: filthy wide-mouthd bandogs they are, that for a quarter's rent will pull out their ministers throat, if he were their tenant: And (though it turn to the utter undoing of a man) being rubbed with quicksilver, which they love because they have mangyconsciences, they will let to a drunken Fleming a house over his own countryman's head, thinking he's safe enough from the thunderbolts of their wives & children, and from curses, and the very vengeance of heaven, if he get by the bargain but so many Angels as will cover the crown of his head.  
The next that laid down his share, was no Sharer among the Players, but a shaver of young Gentlemen, before ever a hair dare peep out of their chins: and these are Usurers: who for a little money, and a great deal of trash: (as Fire-shovels, brown-paper, motley cloak-bags, etc. bring young Novices into a ●ooles Paradise till they have sealed the Mortgage of their lands, and then like peddlers, go they (or some Familiar spirit for them raised by the Usurer) up and down to cry Commodities) which scarce yield the third part of the sum for which they take them up.  
There are like wise other Barbers, who are so well customed, that they shave a whole City sometimes in three days, and they do it (as Banks his horse did his tricks) only by the eye, and the ear: For if they either see no Magistrate coming towards them▪ (as being called back by the Commonweal for more serious employments) or do but hear that he lies sick, upon whom the health of a City is put in hazard: they presently (like Prentices upon Shrove-tuesday) take the law into their own hands, and do what they list. And this Legion consists of Marketfolks, Bakers, Brewers, all that weigh their Consciences in Scales. And lastly, of the two degrees of Colliers, viz. those of Char-coles, and those of Newcastle. Then have you the Shaving of Fatherless children, and of widows, and that's done by Executors, The Shaving of poor Clients especially by the Attorneys clerk of your Courts, and that's done by writing their Bills of costs upon Chevril. The Shaving of prisoners by extortion, first, taken by their keepers, for a prison is builded on such rank and fertile ground, that if poor wretches sow it with handfuls of small debts when they come in if thery lie thee but a while to see the coming up of them: the charges of the house will be treble the demand of the Creditor. Then have you Brokers that shave poor men by most jewish interest: marry the devils trim them so soon as they have washed▪ others. I will not tell how Vintners shave their Guests with a little piece of Paper not above three fingers broad; for their rooms are like barbers Chairs: Men come into them willingly to be shaven. Only (which is worst) be it known ●o thee (O thou Queen of Cities) thy Inhabitants Shave their Consciences so close, that in the end they grow baloe, and bring forth no goodness.  
We have been quick (you see) in Trimming this Cutter of Queen Hith, because 'tis his property to handle others so, let us be as nimble in praising his household-stuff: The best part of which is his Chariot, richly adorned, It is drawn by four beasts: the 2. foremost are a Wolf (which will eat till he be ready to burst) and he is Coach-fellow to a she-Bea●e, who is cruel even to women great with child: behind them are a couple of Blood-houndes: the Coachman is an Informer. Two Pettifoggers that have been turned over the bar, a●e his Lackeys: his Household servants are Wit (who is his Steward) Audacity: Shifting: Inexorabilitie: and Disquietness of mind: The Meanie are (besides some person, before named) skeldering soldiers, and begging schel●ces.   

Cruelty: OR The seventh and last days Triumph.  
WHat a week of sinful reveling hath here been with these six p●oud Lords of Miscu●e? to which of your Hundred parishes (O you Citizens) have not some one of these (if not all) removed their Courts, and feasted you with them? your Percuilises are not strong enough to keep them out by day your Watchmen are too sleepy to spy their ●●ealing in by night. There is yet another to enter, as great in power as his fellows, as subtle, as full of mischief: If I should name him to you, you would laugh me to scorn, because you cannot be persuaded that such a one should ever be suffered to live within the freedom: yet if I name him not to you, you may in time, by him (as by the rest) be undone. It is Cruelty, O strange! me thinks London should start up out of her solid foundation, and in anger be ready to fall upon him, and grind him to dust that durst say, she is possessed with such a devil. Cruelty! the very sound of it shows that it is no English word: it is a Fury sent out of hell, not to inhabit within such beautiful walls, but amongst Turks and Tarta●s. The other six Monsters transform themselves into Amiable shapes, and set golden, enticing Charms to win men to their Circaean love, they have Angelical faces to allure, and bewitching tongues to enchant: But Cruelty is a hag, horrid in form, terrible in voice, formidable in threats, A tyrant in his very locks, and a murderer in all his actions.  
How then comes it to pass that here he seeks entertainment? For what City in the world, does more dry up the tears of the Widow, and gives more warmth to the fatherless than this ancient and reverend Grandam of Cities? Where hath the Orphan (that is to receive great portions) less cause to mourn the loss o● Parents? He finds four and twenty grave Senators to be his Fathers instead of one: the City itself to be his Mother: her Officers to be his Servants, who see that he want nothing: her laws to suffer none to do him wrong: and though he be never so simple in wit, or ●o ●ender in years, she looks as warily to that wealth which is left him, as to the Apple of her own eye. Where have the Leper and the Lunatic Surgery, and Physic so good cheap as here? their payment is only thanks: large Hospitals are erected (of purpose to make them lodgings) and the rent is most easy, only their prayers: yet for all this that Charity hath her Arms full of children, & that ●ender breasted Compassion is still in one street or other doing good works: off from the Hinges are one of the 7. Gates ready to be lifted, to make room for this Giant: the Whifflers of your inferior and Chief companies clear the ways before him, men of all trades with shouts & acclamations followed in throngs behind him, yea even the siluer-bearded, & sevearest looked citizens have given him welcomes in their Parlours.  
There are in land & within the buildings, that round about touch her sides, & stand within her reach, Thirteen strong houses of sorrow, where the prisoner hath his heart wasting away sometimes a whole prenticeship of years in cares. They are most of them built of Fréestone, but none are free within them: cold are their embracements: unwholesome is their chear●● dispaireful their lodgings, uncomfortable their s●ocieties, miserable their inhabitants: O what a deal of wretchedness can make shift to lie in a little room! ●f those 13 houses were built all together, how rich would Grief be, having such large enclosures? Doth cruelty challenge a fréemans' room in the City because of these places: no, the politic body of the Republic would be infected, if such houses as these were not maintained, to keep up those that are unsound. Claims he then an inheritance here, because you have whipping posts in your streeter for the Uagabond? the Stocks and the cage for the unruly beggar? or because you have Carts for the Bawd and the Harlot, and Beadles for the Lecher? neither. Or is it because so many monthly Sessions are held? so many men, women and Children called to a reckoning at the Bar of death for their lives? and so many lamentable hempen Tragedies acted at Tyburn? nor for this: justice should have wrong, to have it so reported. No (you Inhabitants of this little world of people) Cruelty is a large Tree & you all stand under it: you are cruel in compelling your children (for wealth) to go into loathed beds, 
Against forced Marriages.  for thereby you make them bondslaves: what ploughman is so foolish to yoke young hecfars & old bullocks together? yet such is your husbandry. In fitting your Coaches with horses, you are very curious to have them (so near as you can, both of a colour, both of a height, of an age, of proportion, and will you be careless in coupling your Children? he into whose bosom threescore winters have thrust their frozen fingers, if he be rich (though his breath be ranker than a Muck-hill, his body more dry than Mummi, and his mind more lame than Ignorance if self) shall have offered unto him (but it is offered as a sacrifice) the tender bosom of a Virgin, upon whose forehead was never written sixteen years: if she refuse this living death (for less than a death it cannot be unto her) She is threatened to be left an outcast, cursed for disobedience, railed at daily, and revylde howerlye: to save herself from which baseness, She desprately runs into a bondage, and goes to Church to be married, as if she went to be buried. But what glory achieve you in these conquests? you do wrong to Time, enforcing May to embrace December: you dishonour Age, in bringing it into scorn for insufficiency, into a loathing for dotage, into all men's laughter for jealousy. You make your Daughters look wrinkled with sorrows, before they be old, & your sons by riot, to be beggars in midst of their youth. Hence comes it, the murders are often contrived, & as often acted: our country is woeful in fresh examples Hence ●omes it, that the Courtiers gives you an open scoff, the clown a secret mock, the Citizen that dwells at your threshald, a ieery frump: Hence it is, that if you go by water in the calmest day, you are driven by some fatal storm into the unlucky & dangerous haven between Greenwich & London. You have another cruelty in keeping men in prison so long, till sickness & death deal mildly with them, 
Against cruel Creditors.  and (in despite of all tyranny) bail them out of all executions. When you see a poor wretch that to keep life in a loathed body hath not a house left to cover his head from the tempests, nor a bed (but the common bed which our Mother the earth allows him) for his cares to sleep upon, when you have (by keeping or locking him up, robbed him of all means to get, what seek you to have him lose but his life? The miserable prisoner is ready to famish, yet that cannot move you, the more miserable wife is ready to run mad with despair, yet that cannot melt you● the most of all miserable, his Children lie crying at your doors, yet nothing can awakenin you compassion: if his debts be heavy, the greater and more glorious is your pitt● to work his freedom, if they be light, the sharper is the Vengeance that will be heaped upon your heads for your hardness of hea●t. We are most like to God that made us, when 〈…〉 one to another, and do most look like th● Devil that would destroy us, when we are one another storm 〈◊〉 If any have so much flint growing about his bosom, that he will needs make D●ce of men's bones. I would the●e were a law to compel him to make drinking bowls of their Skulls too: and that every miserable debtor that so dies, might be buried at his Creditors door, that when he strides over him he might think he still rises up (like the Ghost in jeronimo) crying Revenge.  

Against unconsionable Masters.  Cruelty hath yet another part to play, it is acted (like the old morals at Maningtree) by Tradesmen, marry several companies in the City have it in study, and they are never perfect in it, till the end of seven years at least, at which time, they come off with it roundly. And this it is: When your servants have made themselves bondmen to enjoy your fruitful handmaides, that's to lay, to have an honest and thriving Art to live by: when they have fared hardly with you by Indenture, & like your Beasts which carry you have patiently borne all labours, and all wrongs you could lay upon them.  
When you have gathered the blossoms of their youth, and reaped the fruits of their strength, And that you can no longer (for shame) hold them in Captivity, but that by the laws of your Country and of conscience you must undo their fetters, Then, even then do you hang most weights at their heels, to make them sink down for ever: when you are bound to send them into the world to live, you send them into the world to beg: they served you seven years to pick up a poor living, and therein you are just, for you will be sure it shall be a poor living indeed they shall pick up: for what do the rich cubs? like foxes they lay their heats together in conspiracy, burying their leaden consciences under the earth, to the intent that all waters that are wholesome in taste, and have the sweetness of gain in going down, may he drawn through them only, being the great pipes of their Company, because they see 'tis the custom of the City, to have all waters that come thither, conveyed by such large vessels, and they will not break the customs of the City. When they have the fullness of wealth to the brim, that it runs over, they scarce will suffer their poor Servant to take that which runs at waste, nor to gather up the windfalls, when all the great trees, as if they grew in the garden of the Hesperides, are laden with golden apples: no, they would not have them glean the scattered ears of corn, though they themselves carry away the full sheaves: as if Trades that were ordained to be Communities, had lost their first privileges, and were now turned to Monopolies. But remember (o you Rich men) that your Servants are your adopted Children, they are naturalised into your blood, and if you hurt theirs, you are guilty of letting out your own, than which, what Cruelty can be greater?  
What Gallenist or Paracelsian in the world, by all his water-casting, and mineral extractions, would judge, that this fairest-fa●●●e daughter of Brute, (and good daughter to King Lud, who gave her her name) should have so much corruption in her body? unless (that being now two thousand and seven hundred years old) extreme age should fill her full of diseases! 
2700 and odd years since London was first builded by B●ute.  Who durst not have sworn for her, that of all loathsome sins that ever bred within her, she had never touched the sin of cruelty? It had wont to be a Spanish Sickness, and hang long (incurably) upon the body of their Inquisition; or else a French disease, running all over that Kingdom in a Massacre; but that it had infected the English, especially the people of this now once-againe New-reard-Troy, it was beyond belief. But is she clearly purged of it by those pills that have before been given her? Is she now sound? Are there no dregs of this thick and pestilential poison, eating still through her bowels? Yes: the ugliest Serpent hath not uncurld himself. She hath sharper and more black envenomed stings within her, than yet have been shot forth.  

Against want of places for Burial in extremity of sickness.  There is a Cruelty within thee (fair Troynovant) worse and more barbarous than all the rest, because it is half against thy own self, and half against thy Dead Sons and Daughters. Against thy dead children wert thou cruel in that dreadful, horrid, and Tragical year, when 30000. of them (struck with plagues from heaven) dropped down in winding-shéets at thy feet. 
1602.  Thou didst then take away all Ceremonies due unto them, and haledst them rudely to their last beds (like drunkards) without the dead man's music (his Bell.) Alack, this was nothing: but thou tumbledst them into their everlasting lodgings (ten in one heap, and twenty in another) as if all the rooms upon earth had ●in full. The gallant and the beggar lay together; the scholar and the carter in one bed: the husband saw his wife, and his deadly enemy whom he hated, within a pair of sheets. Sad & unseemly are such Funerals: So felons that are cu● down from the tree of shame and dishonour, are covered in the earth: So soldiers, after a merciless battle, receive unhandsome burial. But suppose the Pestiferous Deluge should again drown this little world of thine, and that thou must be compelled to break open those caves of horror and ghastliness, so hide more of thy dead household in them, what rotten st●nches, and contagious damps would strike up into thy nostrils? thou couldst not lift up thy head into the air, for that (with her condensed sins) would stifle thee; thou couldst not dine into the waters, for that they being teinted by the air, would poison thee. Art thou now not cruel against thyself, in not providing (before the land-waters of Affliction come down again upon thee) more and more convenient Cabins to lay those in, that are to go into such far countries, who never look to come back again? If thou shouldst deny it, the Graves when they open, will be witnesses against thee.  
Nay, 
Against want of provision for those that die in the fields.  thou hast yet Another Cruelty gnawing in thy bosom; for what hope is there that thou shouldst have pity over others, when thou art unmerciful to thyself! Look over thy walls into thy Orchards and Gardens, and thou shalt see thy servants and apprentices sent out cunningly by their Masters at noon day upon deadly errands, when they perceive that the Armed Man hath struck them, yea even when they see they have tokens delivered them from heaven to hasten thither, then send they them forth to walk upon their graves, and to gather the flowers themselves that shall stick their own Hearse. And this thy Inhabitants do, because they are loath & ashamed to have a writing over their doors, to tell that God hath been there, they had rather all their enemies in the world should put them to trouble, then that he should visit them.  
Look again over thy walls into thy Fields, and thou shalt hear poor and forsaken wretches lie groaning in ditches, and travalling to seek out Death upon thy common high ways. Having found him, he there throws down their infected carcases, towards which, all that pass by, look, but (till common shame, and common necessity compell● none st●p in to give them burial. Thou setst up pos●s to whip them when they are alive: Set up an Hospital to comfort them being sick, or purchase ground for them to dwell in when they be well, and that is, when they be dead.  

The Conclusion.  Is it not now high time to so●nd a Retreat, after so terrible a battle fought between the seven Electors of the Low Internal Countries, and one little City? What armies come marching along with them? What bloody ●●●lors do they spread? What artillery do they mount to batter the walls? How valiant are their seven Generals? How expert? How full of fortune to conquer? Yet nothing sooner overthrows them, than to bid them battle fi●st, and to give them defiance.  
Who can deny● now, but that Sin (like the seven-headed Nilus) hath overflowed thy banks and thy buildings (o thou glory of Great Britain) and made thee fertile (for many years together) in all kinds of Vices? Volga, that hath fifty streams falling one into another, never ran with ●o swift and unreststable a current as these Black-waters do, to bring upon thee an Inundation. If thou (as thou hast done) knéelest to worship this Beast with Seven Crowned Heads, and the Whore that sits upon it, the fall of thee (that hast out-stood so many Cities) will be greater than that of Babylon. She is now gotten within thy walls; she rides up and down thy streets, making thee drunk out of her cup, and marking thee in the forehead with pestilence for her own. She causes Viols of wrath to be powered upon thee, and goes in triumph away, when she sees thee falling. If thou wilt be safe therefore and recover health rise up in Arms against her, and drive her (and the Monster that bears her) out at thy Gates. Thou seest how proudly and impetuously six of these Centaurs (that are half man, half beast, and half devil) come thundering alongst thy Habitations, and what rabble's they bring at their heels; take now but note of the last, and mark how the seventh rides: for if thou findest but the least worthy quality in any one of them to make thee love him, I will write a Retractation of what is inucyd against them before, and polish such an Apology in their defence, that thou shal● be enamoured of them all.  
The body and face of this Tyrannous Commander, that leads thus the Rearward, are already drawn: his Chariot is tramed all of ragged Flint so artificially bestowed, that as it runs, they strike one another, and beat out fire that is able to consume Cities: the wheels are many, and swift: the Spokes of the wheels, are the Shinbones of wretches that have been eaten by misery out of prison. A couple of unruly, fierce, and untamed Tigers (cal● Murder and Rashness) drew the Char●ot: Ignorance holds the reins of the one, and Obduration of the other: Self-will is the Coachman. In the upper end of the Coach, sits Cruelty alone, upon a bench made of dead men's skulls. All the way that he rides, he sucks the hearts of widows and fatherless children. He keeps neither footmen nor Pages, for none will stay long with him. He hath only one attendant that ever follows him, called Repentance, but the Beast that draws him, runs away with his good Lord and Master so fast before, that Repentance being lame (and therefore slow) 'tis always very late ere he comes to him. It is to be feared, that Cruelty is of great authority where he is known, for few or none dare stand against him: Law only now and then beards him, and stays him, in contempt of those that so terribly gallop before him: but out of the laws hands, if he can but snatch a sheathed sword (as oftentimes he does) presently he whip● it out, smiting and wounding with it every one that gives him the least cross word. He comes into the City, commonly at All-gate, being drawn that way by the smell of blood about the Bars, (for by his good will he drinks no other liquor:) but when he finds it to be the blood of Beasts (amongst the Butchers) and not of men, he flies like lightning along the Causey in a madness, threatening to overrun all whom he meets: but spying the Brokers of Hownsditch shuffling themselves so long together (like a false pair of Cards) till the Knaves be uppermost, only to do homage to him, he stops, kissing all their cheeks, calling them all his dearest Sons; and bestowing a damnable deal of his blessing upon them, they cry, Room for Cruelty, and are the only men that bring him into the City: To follow whom up and down so far as they mean to go with him, 
— Dii me terrent, & jupiter hostis.   
FINIS.  
Tho. Dekker.    

Wars.  
THe purple whip of vengeance, (the Plague having beaten many thousands of men, women, & children to death, and still marking the people of this City, (every week) by hundreds for the grave, 
The miseres that a Plague brings to Men.  is the only cause, that all her Inhabitant walk up & down like mourners at some great solemn funeral, the City herself being the Chief mourners. The poison of this Linger infection, strikes so deep into all men's hearts, that their cheeks (like cowardly Soldiers) have lost their colours? their eyes, (as if they were in debt, and durst not look abroad,) do scarce peep out of their heads; and their tongues (like physicians ill paid) give but cold comfort. By the power of their Pestilent Charms, all mercy meetings are cut off. All frolic assemblies dissolved, and in their circles are raised up, the Black, Sullen and Dogged spirits of Sadness, of Melancholy, and so (consequently) of Mischief. Mirth is departed, and lies dead & buried in men's bosoms, Laughter dares not look a man in the face; jests are (like Music to the Deaf, not regarded: Pleasure itself finds now no pleasure, but in Seghing, and Bewailing the Miseries of the Time. For (alack) what string is there (now) to be played upon whose tench can make us merry? Playhouses, 
Playhouses stand empty.  stand (like Taverns, that have cast out their Masters) the doors locked up, the Flags (like their Bushes) taken down, or rather like Houses lately infected, from whence the affrited dwellers are fled, in hope to live better in the Country. The Players themselves did never work till now, there Comodies are all turned to Tragedies, there Tragedies to Nocturnals, and the best of them all are weary of playing in those Nocturnal Tragedies. 
Poets walk in melancholy.  Think you to delight yourselves by keeping company with our Poets? Proh Dolour! their Muses are more Sullen than old Monkeys, now that money is not stirring, they never Plead cheerfully, but in their Term times, when the Twopenny Clients, and Peny Stinkards swarm together to here the Stagirites: 
Ne● daunt proceres ●eque histriones.  Playing vocations are Diseases now as common and as hurtful to them, as the Fowl Evil to a Northern Man, or the Pox to a French man. O Pitiful Poetry, what a lamentable prenticeship hast thou served, and (which is the greatest spite) canst not yet be made Free! no, no, there is no good doings in these days but amongst Lawyers, amongst Vintners, in Bawdy houses and at Pimlico. There is all the Music, (that is of any reckoning) there all the meetings, there all the mirth, and there all the money. To walk every day into the fields is wearisome; to drink up the day and night in a Tavern, loathsome: to be ever riding upon that Beast with two Heads, Lechery) most damnable, 
Ignawm corrumpunt otia corpus.  and yet to be ever idle, is as detestable.  
What merry Gale shall we then wish for? unless it be to Ferry over the Hellespont, and to cross from Sestus to Abydos, that is to say, from London to the Bear Garden? The company of the Bears hold together still; 
The Bears are hardly put down.  they play their Tragi-Comaedies as lively as ever they did: The pied Bul here keeps a tossing and a roaring, when the Red Bull dares not stir. Into this I'll of Dogs did I therefore transport myself, after I had made trial of all other pastimes.  
No sooner was I entered but the very noise of the place put me in mind of Hell: 
Paris garden an Image of hell.  the bear (dragged to the stake) showed like a black rugged soul, that was Damned, and newly committed to the infernal Charle, the Dogs like so many Devils, inflicting torments upon it. But when I called to mind, that all their tugging together was but to make sport to the beholders, I held a better and not so damnable an opinion of their beastly doings: for the Bears, or the Bulls fight with the dogs, was a lively representation (me thought) of poor men going to law with the rich and mighty. The dogs (in whom I figured the poor creatures) and fitly may I do so, because when they stand at the door of Dives, they have nothing (if they have them but bare bones thrown unto them, 
Poor men contending with rich men, are as dog● fight with Bears.  might now & then pinch the great ones, & perhaps vex them a little by drawing a few drops of blood from them: but in the end, they commonly were crushed, & either were carried away with ribs broken, or their skins torn & hanging about their ears, or else (how great so ever their hearts were at the first encounter) they (stood at the last) whining and barking at their strong Adversaries, when they durst. not, or could not bite them. At length a blind Bear was tied to the stake, and in stead of baiting him with dogs, a company of creatures that had the shapes of men, & faces of christians (being either Colliers, Carters, or watermen) took the office of Beadles upon them, and whipped monsieur Hunks, till the blood ran down his old shoulders: It was some sport to see Innocence triumph over Tyranny, 
Innocence punished.  by beholding those unnecessary tormentors go away with scratchd hands, or torn legs from a poor Beast, armed only by nature to defend himself against Violence: yet me thought this whipping of the blind Bear, moved as much pity in my breast towards him, as the leading of poor starved wretches to the whipping posts in London (when they had more need to be relieved with food) ought to move the hearts of Citizens, though it be the fashion now to laugh at the punishment.  
The last Chorus that came in, was an old Ape dressed up in a coat of changeable colours (on horseback) and he road his circuit with a couple of curs muzzled, 
No slave like the soothing up of fools in their vices.  that like two footmen ran on each side of his old Ape's face, ever and anon leaping up towards him and making a villainous noise with their chaps, as if they had had some great suits to his Apishnes, and that he by the haste he made had no leisure to hear such base and bashful Petitioners.  
The honey that I sucked out of this weed, was this: That by seeing these, I called to mind the infortunate condition of Soldiers▪ and old servitors, who when the storms of troubles are blown over, being curbed of means▪ and so burying that courage and worth that is in their bosoms, are compelled (by the vileness of the tune) to follow the heels of Asles with gay trappings, not daring so much as once to open their lips in reprehension of those apish beastly and ridiculous vices, upon whose monstrous backs they are carried up and down the world, and they are flattered only for their greatness, whilst those of merit live in a slavish subjection under them.  
No pleasure thus, nor any place being able to give perfect contentment to the mind: I left swimming in those common sensual streams, 
Nulla est sincera mainstay.  wherein the world hath been so often in danger of being drowned, and waded only in those clear brooks, whose waters had their currents from the springs of learning. I spent my hours in reading of Histories, and for the laying out of a little time, received larger interest than the greatest usurers do for their money. By looking on those perspective glasses. I beheld kingdoms and people a far off, 
Excellence of Histories.  came acquainted with their manners, their policies, their government, their risings, and their downefalles: was present at their battles, and (without danger to myself) unless it were in gréeuing to see States so overthrown by the mutability of Fortune, I saw those Empires utterly brought to subversion, which had been terrors and triumphers over all the nations upon earth. The back of Time which was next to mine eye, (because he was gone from me) was written full of Tragical wonders: but the hinder part of his reverend head was bare and made bald by men's abusing it, O Histories! you sovereign balms to the bodies of the dead, that preserve them more fresh than if they were alive, keep the fames of Princes from perishing, when marble monuments cannot not save their bones from being rotten, you faithful entelligensers, between Kingdoms and Kingdoms, your truest councillors to Kings, even in their greatest dangers! Hast thou an ambition to be equal to Princes! read such books as are the Chronicles of Ages, gone before thee: there mayest thou find lines drawre (if virtue be thy guide) to make thee parallel with the greatest Monarch: 
Et quae mox imitêre legas. Discitur hinc nullos mer●tis obsifiere casus.  wouldst thou be above him▪ there is the scale of him ascending Huntest thou after glory? mark in those paths how others have run, and follow thou in the same course. Art thou sick in mind? (and so to be diseased, is to be sick even to the death) there shalt thou find physic to cure thee. Art thou sad? where is sweeter music then in reading? 
Discitur hinc quantum pau● Pertas sobre● possit.  Art thou poor? open those closerts, and invaluable treasures are powered into thy hands.  
Whilst I dwelled upon the contemplation of this happiness, the dreams of Infants were not more harmless than my thoughts were, nor the slumbers of a conscience that hath no sting to keep it waking more delicate than the music which I found in reading; but the sweetest flower hath his withering, and every pleasure his ending. This full Sea had a quick fall, and the day that was warm and bright in the morning, had frosts and gloomy darkness to spoil the beauty of it ere it grew to be noon: for on a sudden all the air was filled with noise, as if heaven had been angry, 
A Commotion.  and chid the earth for her Villainies, people rush headlong together, like torrents running into the sea, full of fury in show, but losing the effect of doing violence▪ because they know not how to do it, their rage and madness burning in them like fire in wet straw, it made a great stinking smoke, but had no flame. Wildness and affrightment were ill favouredly drawn in every face, as if they had all come from acting some fresh murder, and that at every step they were pursued, Arm was cried, and swords were drawn, but either they had no hearts to strike, or no hands, for (like so many S. Georges on horseback) they threatened, but gave not a blow, every one fearing to smite first, lest the rest should make that an occasion to kill him for beginning the quarrel. But at the last drums were heard to thunder, and trumpets to sound alarms, murmur ran up & down every street, and confusion did beat at the gates of every City, men met together, and ran in herds like Deer frighted, or rather like Bears chased, or else seeking for prey. But what wild beasts (think you) were these that thus kept such a roaring? 
O quantum cogit egestus  it was a people savage and desperate, a nation patchd up (like a beggars cloak of the worst pieces) that could be gathered out of all nations and put into one. They were more scattered than the jews, and more hated; more beggarly than the Irish, and more uncivil; more hardy than the Swissers, and more brutish: given to drink, more than the Dutch, to pride more than the French, to irreligion more than the Italian. They were like the Dunkirk's, a mingle mangle of countries, 
What vices are companions (for the most part) with poverty.  a confusion of languages, yet all understanding one another. Such as the people were, such was the Princess whom they followed, she had all their conditions, & they all hers, seeming to be made for no other purpose then to govern them, because none else could be bad enough to be their governor. They obeyed her not for love, nor fear, but made her only great amongst them, because it was their will to have it so, she (amongst a number of vices, that reigned in her) having only this virtue of a Prince, not to see her people take wrong.  

The quarrel between money and poverty.  Into arms therefore as well for her own chastity▪ as defence of her subjects doth she determine to put herself presently. A faithful & serious inquisition made I to understand the cause of this sudden and universal uproar, and by true intelligence (from persons of either side) found that the quarrel was old, the enmity mortal, the enemies puissant and fierce, 
Divitis hoc viti●●● e●t auri.  many leagues had been made, and all were broken, no conditious of peace would now be looked upon, open war must be the the sword to strick open wrong.  
The fires (kindled by Guizian Leagues) set not France in hotter combustions than these are likely to prove, if the flames in time be not wisely quenched. 
Civil wars of France.  The showers of blood which once reigned down upon the heads of the two kingly families in England, never drowned more people, 
Division of the two Houses.  not that brave Roman tragedy acted in our time, at the battle of Neuport, not the siege of bommel, where heads flew from shoulders faster than bullets from the Cannon. No, nor all those late acts of war and death, commenced by Hispaniolized Netherlanders, able to make up a Chronicle to hold all the world reading: 
Low country wars.  did ever give rumour cause to speak so much as the battles of these two mighty enemies (so mortally falling out) will force her to proclaim abroad, unless they grow to a reconcilement, to which, by the conjecture of all strangers, that have travailed into both their dominions, and know the hot and ambitious spirits of the quarrelers, they cannot easily be drawn: for no one pair of scales being able to hold two Kings at one time: and this law being engraven on the very inside of every King's crown (because it is the wedding ring of his Empire to which he is the Bridegroom) that, 
Nulla fides socijs Regni▪ omnisque potestas,  
Impatiens Consortis erit.   
At the stern of a kingdom, two Pilots must not sit, nor principality endure a partner, and again, that 
Non capit Regnum duos,   
A Kingdom is heaven, and loves not two suns shining in it. How is it possible, or how agreeable to the politic grounds of state, that two such potentates should be united in firm friendship, sithence their quarrel is derived from an equal claim of sovereignty.  
Over Cities is there ambition to be Superiors, 
The chief Cities of Christendom.  yet not together but alone. and not only over London (the great Metropolis of England) but also over Paris in the kingdom of France; over Civil, and Madril in Spain; over Rome in Italy: Francfurt and Colin in high Germany: Antwerp in Brabant, Elsinor in Denmark, Prage in Bohemia; Craconia in Poland: Belgrade in Hungary, and so over all the other Capital Cities, 
The Princes that raise these wars.  that bewtifies the greatest Kingdoms of Europe. For Signority in these do they contend.  
Have you not a longing desire, to know the names of the generals that are to command these expected armies; and from what countries they come? what forces march with them? 
Poverty & her Army.  and what warlike Stratagems they stand upon?  
I have a little before roughly drawn the picture of one of them; the Princess herself being barbarous, needy, of great power by reason of her people, but far unable to keep them in pay, or in order, they themselves (how valiant soever they be) being likewise all together, untrained and indisciplinable, yet full of courage, and desire to set upon the Enemy.  

Money and her Army.  Whose Army though it consist not of such multitudes, (number being oftentimes the confusions of battles) yet is the Empress, under whose colours they fight, full of riches (which are the sinews of War) of great command, feared and loved, yea adored as a Deity, of a Majestical presence of incomparable beauty. 
Auri sacra ●ames quid non mortalia cog●s Pectora.  Such a one, that even the very sight of her is a Charm strong enough to make men venture their lives in the quarrel of her right.  
King's are to her beholden, for she often sends them suplies, and therefore pay they homage unto her. Her Captains are pollitik & fight rather upon advantages, then upon equality, her soldiers brave & resolute, hardly drawn to venture into dangres, but when they are in, a thousand Stratagems use they to save themselves: what they get they keep, which is one of the noblest points belonging to a soldier, for it is more hard to use a victory well after it is gotten, than it is to get it. The name of this latter Princess, is the renowned Empress Argurion (Money) The name of the former, is that warlike Virago famed over all the earth, for her hardiness, called Poverty. Now to the intent that the whole world (as an indifferent judge may arbitrate the wrongs done by between these two states, & by that means find out which of them both come into the field with unjust arms: you shall understand the Poverty being sundry ways deeply indebted to the kingdom of Money, as having been from time to time relieved by her▪ and not being well able to maintain herself in her own dominions, but that Money hath sent her in provision, it had been neither policy, neither could it stand with her honour, that Poverty should first break the league, 
Poor men fall not first out with the rich, but the rich with them.  neither indeed hath she, but hath ever had a de●ire to be in amity rather with the excellent Princess, then with any other Monarch whatsoever. But the golden mines of the west & east Indies, (over which the other Empress is sole Sovereign, swelling up her bosom with pride, covetousness, and ambition, as they do her coffers with treasure, 
Rich men hate poor men.  made her to disdain the miserable poor Queen, 
The poor may beg.  & in that height of scorn, to hate the holding of any confederacy with her, that she on the sudden, (most treacherously and most tyrannously) laboured by all possible courses, not only to drive the subjects of Poverty from having commerce in any of her rich & so populous Cities, 
O nosiri infamy 〈◊〉.  but also wrought (by the cruelty of her own ministers, and those about her) to root the name, not only of that infortunate and dejected Princess, from the earth, but even to banish all her people to wander into deserts, & to perish, she cared not how or where.  
Hereupon strict proclamation went thundering, up and down her dominions, charging her wealthy subjects, not to negotiate any longer with these beggars, that flock daily to her kingdom, strong guards were planted at every gate, to bar their entrance into Cities, whipping-postes and other terrible engines, were advanced in every street to send them home bleeding new, if they were taken wandering (like sheep broken out of lean pastures into fat) out of their own liberties, 
Onites Diomedi● Equi Eusidis ●ra.  Constables were chosen of purpose that had Marble in their hearts, thorns in their tongues, and flintstones like pearls) in their eyes, 
Clementes.  and none cou●d be admitted into the office of a Beadle, unless he brought a certificate from Paris Garden, that he had been a Bearward, and could play the Bandog bravely in baiting poor Christians at a stake, better than curs (there) bait the Bull, or than Butcher's Mastiffs, when they worry one another.  
These peals of small shot, thus terribly going off, the poor Hungarians (with their penniless Princess) did not only not show a fowl pair of heels, 
Sors ubi pe●●i●● ri●um sub pedibus timor est.  to fly to save themselves (as it was to be feared they would have done, like cowardly peasants) but rather they grew desperate, and sticking closely, (like Prentices upon Shrovetwuesday one to another, they vowed (come death), come devils) to stand against whole bands of brown rusty bille-men, though for their labours they were sure to be knocked down like Oxen for the slaughter; 
Qui nil potest sperare desperet nihil.  but a number of ●ack-strawes being amongst them, and opening whole Cades of council in a cause so dangerous, they were all turned to dry powder, took fire of resolution, and so went off with this thundering noise, that they would die like men, though they were but poor knaves, and counted the stinkards and scum of the world: and yet as rash as they were they would not run headlong upon the mouth of the Canon▪ No, but like snails pulling in the horns of their fury, they hid their heads for a time, either (like spies to watch for advantages, or to try if this rotten wheel of Fortune would turn, and that the broken world could mend, but all the waters of chastity and goodness being poisoned, 
Money hard to be spoken with.  of which they both thirsted, & hoped to drink: and all the ways to come to the presence of Money, at whose feet they would have fallen, and complained of their wrongs, being likewise cut off, & none of their threadbare company, upon pain of death, daring to stand within ten miles of her Court gates, for fear they should either lift them off the hinges and steal them quite away, (being all of beaten gold) or else cunningly in the night time, should file off handfuls (like pin-dust, thereby to enrich themselves, she being their vowed enemy. It was therefore by a general voice concluded, that they would all put themselves into arms, and for that purpose went in swarms to the Court of Poverty, (their good Lady and mistress) and never gave over bawling in their ears, till she had sworn by her crown, though she had scarce two shillings in her purse, that open war should presently be proclaimed against that arrogant haughty, 
Open war.  ambitious Tyrant Money. Hereupon poverty summoned her council for war, together they came, and being set, she at large laid open what wrongs and dishonours her enemy had done to her & her subjects, 
Poverties speech to her council.  withal declaring how willing her poor people were to venture their lives in her quarrel, and that their very fingers itched to be doing with the rich chuffs, and Usurers, and others that were servants, or rather slaves to Money, adding moreover, that a number of her enemy's subjects too well known by the name of Bankrupts (being a great and ancient family in her greatest City) have of late gotten other men's goods into their hands, 
The villainy of Bankrupts.  spending them basely and villainously in prisons, colouring this their politic theft, by giving out, that they are subjects to Poverty, albeit they were never suffered to harbour in her dominions. To clear herself of these, and such like imputations and dishonourable scandals, as also to let Money know, that she hath more right to those towns & Cities to which she pretendeth sole claim then Money hath herself, 
Dum civitas erit, pauperes er unt.  and that like a Prince, though her coffers be not so full, nor he● forces so able, she purposeth to defend her own title, & not to lose one foot of that which was left to hereby her Ancestors, all of them coming out of old & ancient houses, 
poverty brings any man on his knees.  it is therefore her resolution, to send defiance to her insolent enemy, and to that end (for their aid and Advice, hath she those called them before her.  
Her councillors applauded the courage of their Princess, and (being first brought on their knees) g●ue her reasons to go forward in so just a war. All of them for the most part being glad, that the Golden age should now come amongst them, and proudly rejoicing that they should bid battle to so rich an enemy as Money and her 〈◊〉 to have about with whom, they have for a long time had both a desire, and waited for advantage to pick a quarrel.  
Those that were at this time of Poverties counsel, were then well beaten to the world▪ all of them great 〈◊〉, such as had seen many countries: As hardy as they were wise, i● shall not be amiss in this place, to draw the lively pictures of them, because if any of their own countrymen happen to behold them their report may confirm the truth of all that is h●re related. Their names are these: 


 Councillors to Poverty.  
Discontent.  
Hunger.  
Sloth.  
Industry.  
Despair.  
Carelessness.  
Repining.  
Beggary.  
Misery.    

Discontent described.  DIscontent had a grave countenance, somewhat inclining to melancholy, temperate of speech, and sparing in diet, not caring either for pleasures, or greedy of honours: but (as a man that is weary of the world for the impieties in it) wishing rather to die then to live. One thing was noted in him more than in any other Courtier, that in all his life time, 
A●●●ic●●●ga●dereget.  he had never been a tevellor, nor ever courted Lady, he seemed indifferent whether the wars went forward or not: yet inwardly more grieved at the wrongs of his Prince, then at any injuries that could be done to himself.  

Despair.  Despair and Carelessness were brothers, & in great favour with Povety (their Princess) she never was well but when one of them was in her company, yet the wiser sort thought that they did much mischief to the State. Despair was not bel●ued by reason of his cruelty: for if he got any man into his hands, he hung him up presently.  
Hunger was one of the best commanders for war, 
Hunger.  that was in all the Land: a man of almost an invincible stomach, he had everthrowne many armies, & sped most fortunately at the besieging of a Town or City, where continually he useth to behave himself so valiantly that no stone w●ll (of what height or strength whatsoever) is able to hold him out: yet is he not accounted so ●ound a common wealth's man as some of the rest, for that it is imagined, he loves the enemy better than his own country, & if occasion were offered, would rather fly to Money then serve Poverty (his Sovereign.) A great transporter of corn he hath been from time to time: for which cause the people hate him in their hearts, and dye now and then openly cry out against him with such clamours, that he hath been glad to stop their mouths. The only good that he doth, and indeed the only cause for which the kingdom loves him, is that when he leads men on in any hot piece of service, they get such stomachs by seeing ho●● bravely he lays about him, that they never come off still they be satisfied, 〈◊〉 being as good to them as meat and ●rinke.  
Sloth, 
Sloth.  by reason that he is troubled with the gout, buries himself little with State matters, he hath lain bedrid for many years, and grieves that any stir should be made in the common wealth he was never either ●ilter or traveller, his body being weak and subject to diseases, which made him unapt for both.  
Repining w●s the only man, 
Repining.  that whetted on both his Prince and her subjects to go forward in these wars: for he could by no means abide either Money or her followers, it fretted him more to see any of them prosper, then if himself had fallen into the lowest misfortune. He dealt altogether in Monopolies: for which the people gave him many bitter curses, and those (I think) keep his body so lean.  
Industry, 
Industry.  was a goodly parsonage, a faithful friend to his Prince, and a father to his country, a great Lawyer, & a deep scholar, stout in war, and provident in peace. Poverty (whom he served) did often say, that two such councillors (as Industry) were able upon their shoulders only to support any State in the world. In dear years, when the Land had been ready to starve, hath he relieved it, and turned dearth into plenty: his head is ever full of cares, not for himself so much as for the people, whom he loves and tenders as dearly as if they were his kindred: yet stand they not so well affected to him, because he compelles them to take pains, when 'tis their natural inclination (like Drones) to live basely, and to feed upon the bread that the sweat of other men's brows do earn. A good State's man he is, and a lover of peace, seeking rather to draw Money to be still in league with Poverty, then to have them thus at defiance one against another.  

Beggary. Misery.  Beggary, and Misery, are so well known to us, I shall not need to draw their faces.  
These councillors, after many arguments, weighed out to prove the necessity either of war or peace▪ at the last concluded upon the former. The drum was therefore struck up, to ●ry what voluntaries would offer themselves: but few voluntaries (or none at all) came in. 
A press for soldier● to serve Poverty.  Then went forth a very straight command, to press not only all masterless men, but all others of what condition or profession soever, that lived under the subjection of Poverty.  

Low country soldiers come from thence to fight under Poverty here.  The captains Lieutenants, Corporals, sergeant, and the companies that were casheard and cast, upon concluding of the late league in the low Countries, hearing of these new wars, threw up their old weatherbeaten hats with torn feathers in them, fetched capers above ground, danced, swear, drunk tobacco, and Dutch beer, and after they had fallen on their knees cursing for half an hour together, all truces, leagues, confederacies, & combinations of peace, they bitterly cried out upon the proud and tyrannous government of Money: some of them damning themselves to the pit of hell, if ever they could but finger her, they would see an utter confusion and end of her: because for her sake, and upon her golden promises they had ventured their lives, spent their blood, lost legs and arms, had been pinched with cold parched with heat▪ fed upon cabbage, upon roots, & upon Christmas day (in stead of minched pies) had no better cheer then provant (mouldy Holland chéfe, and course brown bread) not a rag to their backs, yes, rags more than they cared for: but not three sti●ers among five of them. They therefore vowed to serve Poverty, to live and die with her, and with all their forces to set upon Money, who had made them slaves to the world, not rewarding them to their merit: and thereupon striking up their drum, and spreading their tottered colours which hung full of honour, because it was full of holes, and was indeed no bigger, nay scarce so big, as the flag of a Playhouse, away they came (troopewise) with bag and baggage marching, and were received (as old soldiers should be) at the hands of Poverty, she sweeting by her birth, and the fame of her Ancestors (who were well known far and near) that she would never forsake their company, but stick to them even to the death.  
The business thus successfully thriving at the first, gave encouragement to all to have it set forward, 
Hals of every company furnish men on both sides.  so that precepts were forthwith directed to the Hals of every Company, who albeit they had furnished the Queen of silver and gold (Money) with certain voluntary hands of sound approved soldiers: Yet (because they themselves, that were old grown oaks, cared not how many paltry low bushes that nestled under their shadows were cut down) they priest ten times more of every trade, to fight under the banner of Poverty, than those were that went to serve her enemy. Yet was it a long time ere the Handicrafts men could be mustered together: 
Carelessness  for Carelessness (one of the former councillors) whose ambition consisted in popular greatness, and had stolen the hearts of the common people, gave them a privy inkling of the press before it ca●●●orth, and wished them to shut for themselves, by being dispersed, ●or a time abroad, whose counsel they following, threw by their tools, neglected their trades fled from their shops, and spent both their gettings and their goods in common bowling-allies, dicing houses and alehouses. But proclamation being made, That upon pain of death they should all (by such an hour) be ready to come into the field, and fight for Poverty (their sovereign Lady and mistress.) It is incredible to be spoken, what infinite multitudes of all occupations, (some young, some old, were in a short time assembled together.  
Scholars hearing of this, fled from the Universities, and made such haste to be in pay with Poverty (whom they had known a long time) that some of them had scarce put shoes to their feet: 
Learning held ●n contempt.  The Queen bestowed very good words upon them, because Scholars had always been favoured by her progenitors, and (upon her bare command) they took such place under her in the Army, as was suitable to their professions.  
Young Gentlemen, that neither durst walk up and down the City, for fear of Ravens and Rites, that hovered to catch them in their talons, and could get no entertainment in the court of Money, because they were younger brothers, and condemned by the verduict of Silkemen and Mercers to be most Desperate fellows: yet were they all welcome to Poverty.  
These younger Brothers were appointed to stand Insans perdus (or the Forlorn hope) because though they had little to lose but their lives: 
Younger brothers.  yet they should wi●ne honour, nay perhaps knighthood, which in these days are better than lands: is fat widdewes can be but drawn to nibble at that worshipful ba●te. And for that purpose did a goodly troop of knights put themselves (as knights errant) into Arms, in defence of the innocent wronged Lady, (Poverty) which Chevaliers, though they durst not (as some ill-tongd people gave out) show their heads in the City: yet were they appointed Masters of the field, and had the charge of the most resolute troops that were to scale the City (If the enemy should cowardly happen to fly thither) and to ransack all the Mercers and goldsmiths shops, not so much to set free the silks, velvets, plate and jewels imprisoned most cruelly in them, as to undo the old Citizens, & then to marry their young wives, and so to raise them up to honour in their most knightly posterity.  
A regiment of old servingmen were sworn the guard to Poverties person, 
Old Servingmen the guard to Poverty.  of whom there was great hope, that they would both stand stiffly to her in any danger, and if the main battles did ever join, would be the only Canonéeres to break their ranks, because they had such excellent skill in charging and discharging of the great Bombard.  
There came in some seven thousand Bankrupts, 
Banckrowtes come to Pourty but as spies.  offering their service to the distressed and wronged Princess, who gave them thanks for their love: yet was she fearful to trust them, because a number in her own army exclaimed upon them, as the rankest villains in a common wealth, and that they had undone them, their wives and children: But the dangers wherein they now all stood, requiring rather hands to punish the wrongs done by an enemy, then to rip up old wounds of their own. Those seven thousand had the ordering of all fireworks, Mines, and countermines, as being the only rare fellows for damnable and speedy blowing up of men in any assault.  
The vanguard being filled up thus with their troops before named, 
Masters undone by servants, serve in the Rareward.  a stout company of honest Householders, (whose servants like Actaeon's dogs, had with whoring, dicing▪ and drinking eaten up their Masters) came bravely up in the Rear: their wings consisted of schoolmasters, husbandmen, fencers, Knights of the Post, and such like, who had all vowed by the cross of their swords, and by the honour of a soldier to die at Poverties feet.  
It was in the middle of a Term, when the fire of these civil broils first began to kindle: but Law having with many hard words on both sides taken up a number of brabbling matters, and for her health's sake being rid into the country, whereby a great crew of her followers, that were not able with bag and baggage to march after her in that progress) were ready to give up their cloaks, (the summer was so hot for them) and because all their practice was but to set people together by the ears, 
Poor Attorneys.  a number of them therefore upon their bare knees, begged that they might serve Poverty in her wars, whereupon certain broken-héeld, gowtie-legd, durty-hamd pettifoggers, with some lack-latine prowling penurious country Attorneys, were promoted to be Clerks of Bands, 
Pander's ever poor.  Panders, Pimps, and Apple-squires came thick and threefold, and had the leading of the pioneers, because they had deepest skill in digging of Trenches.  
The victuallers to the Camp, were a company of double-chind polt-footed, 
Bawds seldom rich.  stincking-breathd Bawds, who with pewter bottles of Aqua vitae at their girdles, rings with deaths heads on their fore fingers, and old stitchd hats, out of fashion on their heads, came along with the bag & baggage, and were ready if any poor soldier fainted, to put life into him again by a sip from their bottles, and to lift up his spirits.  
The whole Army being thus levied, Poverty was found to be one hundred thousand strong in the field, whom martialling in the best order of war, they marched forward with full resolution, either to take Money and her subjects prisoners, or else never to come out of the field, so long as they & poverty (their mistress and powerful commander) could be able to hold life and soul together.   

The Preparation, strength, and stratagems of the second Army.  
NO treason was ever so secretly contrived, so cunningly carried, nor so resolutely attempted: but either in the very growing up it hath been discovered, or the head of it cut off, where it was at point to come to the full ripeness. The works of Princes are great, and require many hands to finish them, and a number of engines cannot be set, going so closely, that no ear shall hear them: jove may talk in his big voice of thunder as soon and not be understood, as a kingdom may call up her own subjects with the iron tongue of war, and not awaken those people that are her neighbours. The eyes of a true State do never sleep, Princes are quickest of hearing, the blows that foreign enemies give, are broken for the most part: because the weapon is always seen and put by, otherwise they would cut deep, and draw blood, where (by such prevention) they scarce give bruises.  
This merciless tyrant therefore (Poverty) could not kindle such fires of uproars, and civil mischiefs, but that the flames (like burning beacons) armed her enemies with safety, even as they put them into fear. Her ragged troops were more apt to betray themselves and their proceedings, then politic to betray the foe into any danger. With swift wings therefore did the news of this invasion fly abroad into all countries, and at last alighted before that glorious and most adored Empress (Money) whom nearest it concerned, because all the arrows of their envy and intended malice were shot at her bosom.  
The drum of war beat in her ear, not in the dead of night, when her glories and beauties were darkened and eclipsed, but when she was seated in the throne of all her pleasures (which a whole world was rifled and travailed over to maintain in height and fullness) when her palate surfeited on the variety of dishes and delicacy of feeding, 
The life of a sensual man.  when her body shone brighter than the sun itself, who (in his lusty heat begot her) struck an amazement into those that beh●ld her, by the splendour of those majestical robes which she wore: when music went into her ear in ten thousand several shapes, when her walks were perfumed, her sports varied every hour, when her cheeks were dimpled with laughters at her jesters her Parasites, her Panders, and all the rest of those servile soothing Apes, that in pied colours wait upon and show tricks to sat the appetite of that Lord of flesh and blood, the black Prince of the world, her husband. Then, even then, in the full sea of all these jollities, pomps, and whorish ceremonies, the only bewitchers of mankind, came sailing in, the news of a sudden insurrection, and an unexpected invasion, by that common, fatal, and barbarous spoiler of so many kingdoms, infamous amongst all nations by that beggarly name of Poverty.  
These news (upon the first arrival) did no more move the great Indian Empress (Money) than the bleating of a sheep terrifies the king of forests (the Lyon.) Money was rich, strong in friends, held league with Princes, had whole countries at her beck, nations were her slaves, no people but did love her. On the contrary side, Poverty (her enemy) had small revenues, fewer friends, a world of followers, but none of any reckoning, except a few Philosophers, Alchemists, etc. She held many towns, and was obeyed in most kingdoms, but how? as thieves are obeyed by true men, for fear, and because they cannot otherwise choose, her own strength therefore being so good, and her enemies fuller of spite then of power, she only laughed at the thunder of her threats, and resolved that her pleasure should spread larger sails.  
But her council being provident, careful, and jealous of their own estates, wisely considering the dangers that a weak enemy (being desperate, 
Riches make men cowards.  and having little to lose) may put the best fortified kingdom to, & the most valiant nation did in the end, with one consent fall on their knees, most humbly entreating their Sovereign Mistress to give over her revel, masks, and other Court-pleasures for a time, and that aswell for the safety of her own royal person (to take heed of them: for many plots were now, and had oftentimes been laid) as also for themselves, whose lives and liberties wholly depended on her, either to levy present forces, which should meet this beggarly Monarch in the field, and so utterly to drive her out of the kingdom, or else to give the rich men of her Empire leave to make strict and severe laws to take away the lives of that wretched & scattered people that follow Poverty in these commotions, wheresoever or whensoever they take them meddling in any of her wealthy dominions.  
These words broke forth with such lightning, that Money stampd for very anger, that so base an enemy should put her subjects into fear. Their vigilance awaked her, and like a good Prince that would lose her life rather than her subjects should perish, she began (with the Eagle) to shake her royal wings, and to be roused out of her late golden slumbers, & securities, that lay upon her like enchantments.  
To their requests she yielded, and thereupon to fortify her kingdom against all the shot of Villainy & Vengeance, she summoned those of her council together, 
Councillors to Money.  whom she know to be most faithful and most serviceable in a business of this nature, state & importance. Her councillors names were these.  

Councillors to Money.  
Covetousness.  
Parsimony.  
Deceit.  
Providence.  
Monopoly.  
Violence.  
Usury.   

Covetousness  Covetousness was an old wretched lean faced fellow, that seldom sléeped: for his eyes (though they were great, and sunk at least two inches into his head) never stood still, but rolled up and down, expressing a very envious longing greediness to enjoy every thing that they looked upon. He never pared his nails, and being often asked the reason why, he always answered, that he saved them for his heir, for being cut off, after he himself was dead, they might be put to sundry good thrifty purposes, as to make horns (being thinly scraped) for a scriveners lantern to write by a nights, or to neck arrows, etc. He kept not so much as a Barber, but shaved his own head and beard himself, and when it came to weigh a pound, he sold it to a Frenchman to stuff tennis balls. Money (his Sovereign) cared not so much for him, 
Covetous men are slaves to that which is a slave to them.  as he did for her, she could make him do any vile office how base soever; but because he was saucy, and would often check her for taking her pleasures, seeking to restrain her of her liberties, she hated him, and was never more merry than when one brought her news once that Covetousness lay a dying. Yet was he well beloved of the best Citizens, and never road through the city but he was stayed, and feasted by many Aldermen, and wealthy Commoners, few Courtiers loved him heartily, but only made use of him, because he was great, and could do much with Money (their empress.)  

Providence.  Providence was but of mean birth, the ladder by which he climbed to such high fortunes, as to be a councillor to Money, being made by himself, much given to study, yet no great scholar, as desiring rather to be free of the City, then to serve a long threadbare Prenticeship in the Universities. He is rarely seen in Minerals, and distillations, and will draw Aurum potabile, or fetch quicksilver out of horse-dung, he will grow rich, and be in time the head warden of a company, though he were left by his friends but three shillings three pence stock to set up, such another he was as Whittington, a very cat shall raise him if he be set upon't, He is the best that writes Almanacs in these times, and where the rest write whole Calendars of lies for bar● forty shillings a year, (servingmen wages) he foreseeing what will happen, buys up all the commodities of one or two Countries at one bargain, when he knows they will be dear, and so makes up his own mouth, and for it, gets much favour at the hands of Covetousness his elder brother.  
Parsimony is kinsman to those two that go before, 
Parsimony.  he is not up yet: for he useth to lie a bed till afternoon, only to save dinners, when he rises (which will be presently) the motion shall be shown and interpreted to you.  
Monopoly is a very good man where he takes, 
Monopoly.  that is to say, 9 manner of ways.  
Deceit looks a little a squint, 
Deceit hath many great friends in the City.  yet is of deeper reach than any of the rest: for he doth oftentimes fetch over Covetousness himself. He is great in Lawyers books, and tradesmen not only love him, but their youngest wives, think themselves highly happy, if at a running at Tilt, at a mask or a play at Court, or so (as he often doth) he will but vouchsafe to place them (and the sports done) he commonly sends them home lighted. He hath more followers than the 12. Peers of France, he studies Machiavelli, and hath a french face.  
Violence hath borne many great offices, 
Violence. Might overcomes right.  and Money hath done much for him. He purchaseth lands daily: but looseth: men's hearts, some of the richer sort follow him & love him: yet he cannot go through the streets, but the common people curse him, he reads Law as men read Hebrew (backward) and never makes one Law, but he breaks two. Of all men, he cannot abide a justice of Peace, yet oftentimes is he seen at the Sessions: many of his Ancestors have been Traitors, and by that means were still cut off before they were old men, 
Nullum violentum perpetuum.  the Nobility hate him, he is a mere martial man.  
Usury was the first that ever taught Money to commit 
Usury.  incest with Gold and Silver, her nearest kinsmen Brokers are now their Bawds, 
A Broker is an V●●●ers Bawd.  and keep the doors till the lechery of ten in the hundred be sated: he hath made many a man, but how? to be damned, he is a great housekeeper, for thousands in the City live upon him▪ and would hang themselves but for his saving them. There is no more conscience in him then in Tavern faggots, yet young gentlemen pray for him daily that he may be fetched quick to hell. He is an insatiable feeder: for a Scrivener and he will eat up four men at a breakfast, and pick them to the bare bones. He loves not a Preacher, because he frights him out of his wits: for he never hears any of them talk to him but he thinks himself damned. He hath no skill in Arithmetic, but only in the rule of Interest. He is the devils Tole-taker, and when he dies, lies buried with his ancestors in the widest vault of hell.  
These were the councillors whom Money assembled together, to consult upon hers and their own safeties, from the base assaults of their wild and desperate enemy: who being solemnly set in their due places and the Queen of Riches herself being advanced up into her imperial chair, Parsimony (who by this time was gotten up and ready) took upon him to be speaker for all the rest.  

Parsimony.  This Parsimony is a nasty bachelor of fourscore, one that never went trussed (to prevent hanging) to which end he will not be at charges of a pair of garters (though they were but woollen lists) for fear of temptation, his breeches once were velvet, when his great grandfather wore them, and thrée-piled, but the pox of any pile can be seen there now, unless between the cliffs of his buttocks, to save a penny, he will damn half his soul, he wears clothes long, and will sooner alter his religion ten times, than his doublet once, his hat is like his head, of the old block, he buys no gloves but of a groat a pair, and having worn them two days he quarrels with the poor Glover that they are too wide, or too ill stitched, & by base scolding and lorldly words gets his money again, and the wearing of so much leather for nothing. He will be known by a pair of white pumps some 16. or 20. years, only by repairing their decayed complexion with a piece of chalk. This whining Parsimony (that for a supper of 16. pence will budge & slip his neck out of the collar from his own father) and that vows never to marry, because he will not spend so much as may keep a child, stood up so well as he could stand with his crinkling hams, and knowing that it was high time for him to be stir his stumps, thus shot his bolt after much stammering, coughing and hemming, silence being first cried, which accordingly was given him.  

The Oration which Parsimony made before his Empress.  
O Sacred Money! 
Praises of Money.  Queen of Kingdoms, Mistress over the mines of Gold and Silver, Regent of the whole world: Goddess of Courtiers, Patroness of Scholars, Protectress of Soldiers, Fortress of Citizens, & the only comfort to sailors. Me seemeth good and fit, (brightest-facde Lady) sithence that bold and saucy beggar, with her penurious sunne-burnt troops, armed only with short troncheons under their armpits, and most commonly walking in threadbare Plymouth cloaks, have made their impudent and contagious insurrection, that you (at whose feet lie Crowns to tread upon) being Queen Mother of the west and east Indies, do presently give over your needless expenses and open houshkeeping in the Country, where your swarming enemies lie in ambushes to attach you upon the least issuing forth, and betake yourself to the close safety of the City, where your seam-rent and white bitten foes dare not (within gun-shot approach, to be further sure of which, and lest any spies should be sent to look into the strength and wealth of that your principal and most secure fortress, we have ordained that through every ward (for your happy safety, and their utter terrifying) there be erected one sound, sufficient, and well painted whipping post, the very sight of which will not only scar them, worse than the scouting face of a Sergeant being seen peeping through a red lettuce, frights a young gallant, but also in time drive the whole band of Tatterdemalions from post to pillar. Dixi.  
No sooner was Dixi sounded, but the main points of this Parsimonions oration, came back again like an echo from all the rest of the voices there present. All their breath blew one way, all their counsels were directed and went only by this compass. Money weighing (in the upright scales of her judgement) their wise and thirsty opinions, found them not half a grain too light, and therefore very royally yielded to whatsoever they consulted upon, whereupon sudden order was given, and all speedy preparation made for the entertainment and receiving of Money into the City, whose presence all the citizens day and night thirsted to behold.  
To set down all the devices, the intended merriments, the shows, the ceremonies, the diligence of workmen for standings and scaffoldings, the inexplicable joy of Poets, who did nothing but pen encomious gratulatory to bid her welcome, 
〈…〉 mana 〈…〉. parent.  drinking healths in rich malago to the honour of her, and their mistresses, (the nine Muses) and on the other side, to point to the life, the several glad faces, gestures and action of the players, who had pined for her absence a long and tedious vacation: or to 't 〈◊〉 what dressing up of houses there were, by all the neat dames and Ladies within the freedom, what starching of ruffs, what poking, wha● stiffning of falls, what painting of cheeks & lips, as if they had been the two leaved gates of a new choose Alderman, are able (if they were set down at large) to add a third volume to our English Chronicles. Time at length turned up his Glass, and the Holiday (so gapingly looked for (was come.  
Divisum imperium cum jove, 
Money entertained into the City.  Nummus habet, had jove been hidden to dinner to the guilded hall on Simon and judes day, he could not have had more welcomes given him then Money had. 
And by whom Mercers.  Oh! with what jocund hearts did the Citizens receive her? The Mercers swore by their maidenhead, that all their politic penthouses should be clothed in cloth of silver, 
Silkemen.  & so they were. The silkemen guarded their very posts with gold lace, and thereupon ever since, the fashion of larding suits with so much lace is come up: But above all, 
Goldsmiths.  the Company of the Goldsmiths received her with the greatest honour, and she again to pay their loves home, did as much or more honour them: for they spread all their stalls with green cotton, and so adorned their shops, that they looked like a spring garden, in which grew flowers of gold, set in such order, & comely equipage, it would have ravished any poor man's eye to behold them. Here (in the very midst of the row) she alighted from her Chariot, stayed a pretty space, & enriched both the shopkéepers and their wives with her presence, cheapening of 2. or 3. of them some of their fairest jewels, the beauty of their faces being of far richer value than the costliest jewels there, and more worth (being rightly estimated) then the best stone in the whole row, and by this her staying at their stalls, heaped on their heads this grace beside. All her chosen Courtiers came hereby acquainted with their delicate wives, and ever after their husbands had of them perpetual custom. At last mounting again into her Chariot she road on: being as richly attended as herself was glorious, Desert and Learning ran by her side as her footmen, Bounty guided the horses that drew her, 
He is wise enough that hath wealth enough.  Lust, Epicurism, Pride, and Folly, were 4. Querries of the Stable, and had much ado to lead a goodly-coloured fat beast called Sensuality, that (for more state) went empty by, Money never riding on the back of that spotted Panther, but only for speed and to ride away.  
Beauty, Honesty, Youth and Pleasure, came in a Caroche behind her, 
Any thing to be had for money.  as her waiting women.  
Old Age (her Treasurer) road bareheaded before her: Thrift carried the privy purse: Riot (a smooth-faced Ganymede) slept in her lap, whose cheek she would so often ki●●e, that he grew proud and careless of her favours. 
Old men most greedy of money when money & they are upon pa●ting for ever.  What a world it was to see men (whose back bones were almost grown compass, because their eyes should still be fixed upon their graves) running more greedily after her, then after Physicians, to take off those diseases that hang most spitefully upon Age.  
Some ran out of the Church to see her, with greater devotion following her all the way that she went, 
Some for money will sell religion.  than the former deity they worshipped.  
Young men did only cast a glance at her, and stayed not long in her ●●ght, other women pleased them better, if they we●e young Courtiers, 
Riches are young men's Harlot's.  they had their Mistresses, if Merchant's men, their masters maids, that go fine by weight and measure, imitating in dark corners, their masters profession: if Servingmen, the waiting wenches do commonly fit them a pennyworth, in this state Magnificence and royalty this Empress arrives in the very heart of the City, a strong guard being planted about her, Trenches, Bulwarks and Fortifications (invincible as walls of Iron) being cast, raised up, and manned against the assaults of her tottered enemies, who broke like so many wild Irish, and are left without the City▪ only to rub their backs against the walls. Presently (for more defence) were all the gates shut, 
How careful rich men are of their wealth.  the Porcullises let down, double locks put to making, thick bars to hammering, and all the subtleties which the wit of man could possibly find out, were put in practice to keep Money safe within the City. To second which provident courses proclamations went presently forth to banish all those that were like to be of Poverties company, for fear they should revolt in time of most need, whereupon many thousands, with bag and baggage, were compelled to leave the city, and cling only to the Suburbs. In whose rooms Money entertains rich strangers of all nations, 
Strangers.  having those (that should be) these she puts into office, and trains them up for Soldiers, to be nearest about her, because she sees they come well provided and armed out of foreign countries: and therefore dares trust their diligence against those her halfe-shirted enemies, the rather because they cannot abide to see a beggar amongst them, especially if he be of their own nation.  
The fires of this dissension growing hotter and hotter on both sides, 
Poverty lays siege to the City.  were more likely to flame more fiercely then to be quenched by the approach of Poverty and her ragged regiments, who by her scouts understanding that the golden Idol (which so many fools kneel to) was carried and kept close within the walls of the City, being as the Pollodium was to Troy, thither she marches with all speed, but perceiving all places of entrance barred up, she pitcheth her tents round about the Suburbs, planteth her artillery against the walls, leveleth her great ordnance upon the very wickets of the City gates, and by the sound of trumpet, did often summon Money to appear in her likeness, and not to hide her proud & cowardly head. 
Rich men are deaf, and cannot hear poor men's cries.  Parleys were nine or ten times called on the foreigners part that dwelled without, but no answer returned from those that slept within the Freedoms.  
Which scornful disdain being taken in snuff by the poor snakes (who already began to shiver with cold) Poverty, (their Ringleader) quickened the chillness of their frozen spirits, by the heat of a brave resolution newly kindled in her own blood: for calling Scattergood her own Herald, that still rides before her, 
Scatter good ●ent to money.  when any tempest of war is towards, him she chargeth upon his life and allegiance, to go to the walls, and boldly to throw in her name, a proud defiance in the very face of Money, telling her, that for the safety of lives (which lie in the balance of war) she desires that two only may arbitrate the quarrel in a Monarchy, 
They that have nothing en●y 〈◊〉 that are wealthy.  and that therefore Poverty challengeth Money to leave the City if she dare, and hand to hand to grapple with her. Scattergood (because he was known to be an Herald) was admitted to have a sight of Money, and upon first presenting himself, very stoutly delivered his Lady's defiance.  
Money was no●ed to change colour, and to look exceeding pale, all the while the challenge was breathing forth, either for very anger, or extreme fear, but those that knew her qualities swore it was with anger, 
Money gives men courage.  and the conclusion justified their oath, for on a sudden shaking her golden tresses with a majestical bravery, she defied that base defiance in regard the sender was of slavish and beggarly condition. Herself being high-born, of blood royal, of Noble descent, the other a penurious fugitive, a mere canting Mort, traitor to all kingdoms, corrupter to all learning, & mother of none but such as are burdensome to every Commonwealth. They both standing therefore upon so unequal bases, Money may by the law of Arms, refuse the combat, and in plain terms did so, disdaining to defile her glorious hands upon so wretched and infamous an enemy, but with a full oath swore and vowed to weary Poverty and all her lank-bellied army, by driving them quite from the gates of the City, or else to hold her and them play within so long, till she and her suncke-eyed company, famish and die under the walls. And for that purpose, albeit she herself swim in pleasures and in plenty, and though the earth opens her womb liberally, pouring forth her blessing to all thankful creatures, yet will she (only to undo them and punish their carcases with penury and famine, send her precepts into every shire, to all rich Farmers, Landlords, and Graziers, 
How scarcity of victuals gro●●● in the Land.  that they (by exprrsse commandment from her and her Lords, upon their allegiance and love they owe to Money, and as they are her slaves, vassals and subjects, cause hard times to be made, only to pinch the poor Hungarians, and to disable their sallow facd Empress from once approaching the walls. These words she uttered with indignation, and high colour in her cheeks, and having eased the greatness of her wrath, commanded the messenger away: yet ere he went (to show that a true Prince when he wrestleth hardest with his own passions, should be careful still of his renown, fame and honours, she bestowed a golden chain on Scattergood, which Poverty took from him, as scorning to see any favours (given by her enemy) worn by any of her subjects, especially her household servants.  
Scarce was the Herald turned out at the City gates, but the glorious mother of Plenty, checking her own great spirit, for giving her enemy so much cause to triumph over her as to proclaim her a coward, was half mad with rage at her own folly, and in that heat of blood, charged her drums to strike up, her colours to be spread, her armies to be put in array, and the gates of the City to be set wide open for (in a bravado) she vowed to issue forth, and bid battle to the beggarly Tartarians that beleagerd her. But her council (wiser than so) kept her in perforce, doubling the guards about her, and enchanting her ear with all the bewitched tunes of music to cast her into a slumber till these storms in her were at quiet, which if they had not done, but had pitched the field, as she once determined, it is▪ by many probabilities) thought, that Poverty had had a great hand over her, and would have put her to the worst. They therefore locked her up, as it were by Iron force, compelling her against her frée-borne nature and condition, to be directed by them, and to lie close for a time, till noble advantage should call her into action: and making present use of her own former speeches, a common council was called: where by the general head it was ordered that hard-heartedness should have the keys of the City in keeping, his office and charge being, not to suffer Money to go out of the gates, though she herself in proper person commanded it, and was further ordained that precepts should presently be drawn, into all Shires, Countries and Cities. The tenor of which precepts followeth.   

By the Queen of Gold and Silver.  
TO all and Singular our Shires, Countries, Cities, Corporations, Towns, Villages Hamblets, etc. by what name or title soever, to whom these presents shall come, and to all you our obedient Subjects, Slaves and Vassals, commonly styled by the names of Money-mongers, viz. rich Farmers, young Landlords, Engrossers, Graziers, Forestallers, Hucksters Haggler's, &c. with all the residue of our industrious, hearty & loving people, in all or any of these our shires or places formerly recited, either now resident, or at any time or times hereafter to be resident, greeting.  

Covetousness of ●●ch Farmers makes the country poor, and the people to pine.  These are to will and require you upon especial and express commandment delivered in our own person, and as you will answer the contrary at your utmost perils. First that you (the said rich Farmers) by your best power, means, sleights, policies, by-ways, and thrifty endeavours, cast all the nets you can, to get all manner of grain that grows within your reach, and being so gotten to advance, raise, and heighten the prices of them, work upon the least inch of advantage, make use of all seasons, hot, cold, wet, dry, foul or fair, in one rainy week your wheat may swell from four shillings the bushel, 
How corn riseth in prize, & maketh dear the markets.  to six shillings, seven shillings, nay eight shillings. Sweep whole markets before you, as you pass through one town, if you find the corn (like men's consciences, and women's honesties) low-prized, & sell the same in other towns when the price is enhanced. Let the times be dear, though the grounds be fruitful, and the Markets kept empty though your barns (like Cormorants bellies) break their butten-holes, and rather than any of Poverties soldiers, who now range up and down the kingdom, besieging our Cities, & threatening the confusion, spoil and dishonour both of you and us, should have bread to relieve them. I charge you all upon your allegiance, to hoard up your corn till it be musty, and then bring it forth to infect these needy Barbarians, that the rot, scurvy, or some other infectious pestilent disease, may ●un through the most part of their enfeebled army: Ori● I, who may command, may persuade you, let mice and rats rather be feasted by you, and fare well in your garners, than the least and weakest amongst Poverties starved infantry, should get but one mouthful, let them leap at crusts, it shall be sport enough for us and our wealthy subjects about us, to laugh at them whilst they nibble at the bait, and yet be choked with the hook.  
Next, 
Cruelty of Landlords in ●acking of 〈◊〉 is the undoing of many householders.  we will and command, that you the young Landlords, who have cause to go dancing to Church after your old rotten father's funerals, with all might & main stretch your rents, till the heart strings of those that dwell in them be ready to crack in sunder. Rack your poor neighbours, call in old leases, and turn out old tenants, those which your forefathers have suffered quietly to enjoy their livings, and thereby to raise fat commodities to themselves, and beggar families: Change you their copy, cancel their old evidences, race out all works of charity, undo them in a minute, that have stood the storms of many an Age, make the most of your riches, and the least of such poor snakes. When you let your land, carry many e●es in your head, look into every acre, into every bush, every ditch, every turf, weigh every blade of grass to the full, that those who take it, may save nothing by it, no not so much as shall keep a blackbird, or a sparrow, turn forty pence an acre, into forty shillings, and laugh at the simplicity of your forefathers, make bitter jests upon your dead Gaffers, now you are made gentlemen of the first head, though it be by their digging in muck-hils, & in your Queans company pity the capacity of the kerzy stockingd Whoresons, for not having so much wit to raise profit as you their sons have, nor had ever the means to spend it so fast.  

How 〈◊〉 & chee●e grow dear.  Thirdly our high pleasure is, that all you Engrosers of what name soever, buy up the prime and pride of all commodities, that done, keep them in your hands, to cause a dearth, and in the time of dearness, mark them with what price you list. First and principally, I charge you, as you love me, and for my only sake, who have ever been good Lady to you all, that in times of plenty you transport your corn, butter, cheese and all needful commoditiess into other countries, of purpose to famish and impoverish these hated whining wretches, that lie upon the hands of your Own. Hire warehouses, Vaults under ground, and cellars in the City, and in them imprison all necessary provision for the belly, till the long nails of famine break open the doors, but suffer not you those treasured victuals, to have their free liberties till you may make what prey you please of the buyers and cheapeners. At which time I will prepare a certain people that shall give you your own ask, and buy up all you bring by the great, who shall afterwards sell it dearer than it was bought, by three parts, of purpose to choke this starveling scallion-eaters, whose breath is stinking in my nostrils, and able to infect a quarter of the world. The people whom thus I promise to have in a readiness▪ are well known what they are, some call them Huksters or Haggler's, 
Hagglers.  but they are to me as honest Purveyors and Takers, and these politic smooth faced Harpies, shall out of a dearth raise a second dearness.  
These and such like omitting my precepts, to Bakers, 
Bakers.  whose upright dealing is not now to be weighed, no, nor stood upon, are the effects of my pleasure, which on your allegiance to me your Empress, I strictly command you to observe and put in practice.  
No sooner was this precept drawn, but it went post into the country, 
Every man pin▪ 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉.  no sooner was it read there▪ but the world was new moulded, yet some say it never looked with a more ill-favoured face. The Farmers clapped their hands, 〈◊〉 went up and down shrugging their shoulders, Landlords set all the Scriveners in the country to work to draw leases, conveyances, defeisances, and I know not what, in three market days, dearth was made Clerk of the maket, the rich Curmudgeons made as though they were sorry, but the poor Husbandman looked heavily, his wife wrong her hands his children pined, his hinds grumbled, his lean overwrought jades bit on the bridle. They, who were in favour with Money, and were on her si●e sp●d well enough but Poverties people were driven to the wall, or rather down into the kennel: for corn skipped from four to ten shillings a bushel, from ten to twelve shillings, stones of boose began to be precious, and for their price had been w●●re in rings but that the stone cutter spoiled them in the grinding. Mutton grew to be doere, two crowns a buttock of pee●●, and half a crown a wholesome breast of mutton, every thing (to say truth) ris, except desert and honesty, & they could and nothing to rise by.  
Poverty was somewhat grieved, (but little dismayed) at these tyrannous, Godless and base proceedings of her enemy, because she herself and most of her army, have been old Sernitors to the wars, and been familiarly acquainted with Emptiness and Necessity, casting therefore all her troops into several rings, she went from one to one, and in the midst of each, counseled them all not to be disheartened, but with her to endure what miseries soever, sithente she would venture foremost and farthest in any danger that could come upon them. She told them by way of encouragement, that where as Money (their daring enemy) brags that she is the daughter to the Sun, 
Poverty comforteth her followers.  and Queen of both the Indies. It is not so: for she is but of base birth bred, and begotten only of the earth, whom she cannot deny to be her mother: and albeit it cannot be gainsaid, but that by her gripping of riches into her hands, she is owner of many fair buildings, parks, forests, etc. Yet doth she oftentimes so far forget her high birth, (whereof she vainly boasteth and those beauties of which a company of old Misers, Churls, & penny-fathers are with dotage enamoured, that now and then (like a base common harlot) she will lie with a Cobbler, a Car-man, a Collier, nay with the Devils own son and heir, a very damned broker, with these will she lie whole years together, they shall handle her, embrace her, abuse her and use her body after any villainous manner to satisfy their insatiable lust, whereas on the contrary part, quoth she, I that am your leader, famous over all the world, by my name and style of Poverty, under whose enfignes, full of rents, as tokens of service and honour, you are all now come to fight, am well known to be a Princess, neither so dangerous nor so base as Money shows herself to be. Money makes all service done to her a very bondage in them that do it: those whom she fanours most, are her only slaves; but Poverty gives all her subjects liberty to range whither they list, to speak what they list, 
Paupertatemque ferendo, ●ffe●ere le●em nec iniqua mente ferendo.  and to do what they list, her easist impositions are burdens, but the burdens which I throw upon any, grow light by being bor●e. Who hath been the Foundress of Hospitals but I? who hath brought up Charity but I? am not I the mother of Almes-doedes, and the only nurse of Devotion? do not I inspire Poets with those sacred raptures that bind men, how dull and brutish soever, to listen to their powerful charms, 
Et laris et sundi paupertas mapulet a●dax ut versus face. 'em.  and so to become regular? do not I sharpen their invention, and put life into their verse? And whereas Money vaunts and bears her head high, by reason of her glorious and gallant troops that attend her, you all know, and the whole world can witness with you, that Kings, Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, aldermans, with infinite others that were her dearest and wantonest minions, have utterly forsaken her and her lascivious pleasures, only to live with Poverty (your Queen) though now she be a little dejected in the eye of the world, though not in her own worth.  
Thus she spoke, and her speeches kindled such fi●es of resolution in the hearts of her soldiers, that the alarum was struck up, Ordnance planted for Battery, sealing Ladders made ready, and all the instruments of terror and death put in tune, which were set to be played upon at the assault of a City. They that kept their dens like Foxes in their holes, slept not, hearing such thundering: but armed themselves with as brave resolution to defend, as the other had to invade.  
It was excellent music (considering how many discords there were) to hear how every particular regiment in Poverties Camp, 
No trade loves one another.  threatened to plague the Goldfinches of the City, and to pluck their feathers, if ever they made a breach. Tailors swore to tickle the Mercers, & measure out their Satins & velvets without a yard before their faces, when the proudest of them all should not dare to say Bornwell to a Tailors Goose. Shoemakers, had a spite to none but the rich Curriers, and swore with their very awl, to slay off their skins (and the Tanners) over their ears, like old dead rabbits. Every soldier pricked down one Goldsmith's name or another, or else the sign in stead of the name, as the Goat, the Unicorn, the Bull, the Hart. etc. swearing damnable oaths to piss in nothing but silver, in méers scorn, because he had oftentimes walked by a stall, when his teeth hath watered at the golden bits lying there: yet could not so much as lick his lips after them. There was one little dwarfish Cobbler with a bald pate, and a nose indented like a scotch saddle, who took bread and salt, and prayed God it might be his last, if he ran not over all the fine dames that withstood him, in black revenge that he never had their custom in his shop, because it could never be found out or seen, that any of them did ever tread her shoe awry. And thus as they without shot their terrible threatenings into the air, 
The City besieged.  so did those within, laugh to think how they should domineer over the shake-rags, if the wars might but cease.  
All this while were trenches cast up of a great height by the Poldavies to save them from shot of the walls, whilst Poverties pioneers had digged at least a quarter of a mile under the earth, and the mine with gun powder to blow up one quarter of the City: But this being quickly descried, was as speedily prevented by a countermine, so that all that labour took not such fire as was expected: yet went the Artillery off on both sides, wild fire flew from one to another, like squibs when Doctor Faustus goes to the devil, arrows flew faster than they did at a cat in a basket, when Prince Arthur, or the Duke of Shoreditch struck up the drum in the field, many bullets were spent, but no breach into Monies quarters could be made: they that fought under her colours were very wary, 
Tutum carpit inanis Iter  politic strong, and valiant, yet would they not venture forth but on great advantages, because they had something to lose, but Poverties wild Bandits, were desperate, careless of danger, greedy of spoil, and durst have torn the devil out of his skin to have had their wills of Money, but Night (like a surly constable) commanding them to depart in peace, and to put up their tools. This assault (which was the first) gave over, every Captain retiring to his place, 
Prodigal heirs meet soon with Poverty.  the Desperueines (on Poverties side) coming off at this time with the most loss.  
Few attempts were after made to any purpose: only certain young prodigal Heirs, who (as voluntaries) maintained themselves in service under Money, were appointed to be light-horsemen for discovery of the enemy's forces (as she lay encamped) who now and then in a few light skirmishes had the honour to issue forth, and to set upon the Assailants that beleaguered the City: but Poverty still drove them either in to their own shame, or else had them in execution (even in despite of the City forces) and put them ever to the worst.  
The Gold-beaters (who knew themselves on a sure ground within the walls) lingered of purpose, and would never bring it to a battle, only to weary the adversary, whom they meant to undo by delay, because she could not hold out long for want of victuals. They within cared not though ten thousand devils amongst them, so Money (their mistress) whom they worshipped as a God, would not leave their company, and the rascal Dear that (without the walls) were every hour hunted out of breath, vowed to eat up one another, before they would raise the Siege, and be hanged up like Dogs (at the C●ttie gates) for they were now accounted no better than dogs, but they would have their pennyworths out of Money for a number of wrongs which by her means they had endured, when she hath seen them and their children ready to starve, yet scorned to relieve their necessities. Thus both their stomachs being great, and aswell the defendants as the assailents resolutely confirmed to sta●d upon their guard, and to stay the utmost of any misery that could wait upon a lingering war▪ behold the rich-plumde ostriches, who had most feathers on their backs, 
Dead terms & times that are cold in doings pinch the rich as well as ●he poor.  and least cause to murmur, began to mutiny amongst themselves, the imprisoning of Money (their sole sovereign) so close within stony battlements, did not show well: they were loyal subjects to her & would free both her & themselves, unless she might use her sports and princely pleasures as she had wont Mercers had their shops musty, and their silks mouldy for want of customers, Goldsmiths had their plate hid in cellors, where it lay most richly, but looked more pitifully and with worse colour, than prisoners lying in the hole. Haberdashers had more hats than they could find heads to wear them, if they had been such arrant blocks themselves to have given their wares away, trades had no doings, all the men were out of heart by being kept in, and all the women ready to be spoiled for want of walking to th●ir Gardens: Every one spent & spent, but who tasted the sweetness? In stead of selling their wares, they plied nothing now but getting of children, and scouring of pieces. In stead of what do you lack? was heard Arm, Arm, Arme. This gear was to be looked into, and therefore they desired their gracious Empress (Money) not to lie lasing thus in a chamber, but either that she would be more stirring, that they (her Subjects might have better stir too, and (opening the City gates) to fight it out bravely, or else they vowed there were at least ten thousand (whose names stood now in her Muster book) that shortly if this world lasted, would shut up their doors, show her a fair pair of heels, and from her fly into the hands of Poverty their enemy.  
Upon the neck of this, came likewise a supplication from certain troops of Vintners without the Bars, innkeepers, common Uictuallers and such like, who played the jacks on both sides, and were indeed Neuters, a linsey-woolsey people, that took no part, but stood indifferent between Money, and Poverty, the tenor of which petition presents itself thus to the world.   

The pitiful Petition of Vintners, Victuallers, innkeepers, &c. without the Bars: To the great Empress of old men's hearts, and young men's pleasures, yclept Money.  
Humbly sueth to you● currant Excellency, 
A supplication from the inhabitants of the Suburbs.  your vncustomed drooping Suppliants, the Vintners, and Innkeepers, and others of the Ale-draperie, that are bard out of the City: Whereas through the extreme deadness of time and term, we all run backward in our condition, having great rents to pay, and greater scores, which will never be paid, guests now being glad if they can make us take chalk for cheese, our wines lying dead upon our hands, and complaining for want of good doings: we ourselves making many signs to passengers, but few coming at us, and hanging up new bushes, yet having only beggars handsel, trimming our rooms for no better men than Barbers and Tailors, a rapier scarce being seen in a velvet scabert within 40. yards of our precincts. 
— Quis talia fando,  
Myrmidonum, Dolopumi●e, aut duri miles Vlissi Temperet a lach●imis!  O Neither the Mermaid, no● the Dolphin, not he at mile-end green, can when he list be in good temper when he lacks his mistress (that is to say Money.)  
May it therefore please thee (O thou pay-mistresse to all the fiddlers that should haunt our houses, if thou wouldst put them in tune) to send (at least) some of thy Harpers to sound their nine-penie music in our ears, but we rather humbly beg it, that thou wouldst enrich us with thy Angellike-presence, be no longer percullized up in the City, visit the subburbes, against thy coming all her cawseys shall be paved & made even, how broken soever her conscience be left and unmended. Our houses stand empty, as if the plague were in them, only for want of thee, our Drawers cannot be drawn to any goodness, nor our Ostlers to deal honestly with horse or man, only by reason of thee: Issue therefore forth amongst good fellows, that will sooner fight for thee, than those snudges & miserable cormorants that now feed upon thee.  
This lamentable supplication (together with the fear of a mutiny amongst her soldiers) so wrought with the Empress, that (clean against the persuasion of her council) she determined to leave the City, and to march into the field: hereupon her Army Royal was set in order, to the intent she might take a full view of all her Colonels, Generals, Captains and men of war. She went from squadron to squadron, not so much delighting her own eyes with beholding so many thousands ready to fight in her defence, as they were greedy to enjoy her presence, which with brave encouragement lifted up the deadest spirit, all swore to follow her, none to leave her, or if any did, a curse was laid upon him to die a beggar.  
The first regiment consisted of Courtiers, some of them being Lords (who came very well provided) some Knights, 
Money takes a view of all her army. Lords, Knights, Lawyers.  (but most of the valiant knights that were true soldiers indeed, served in the other army (Councillors at Law gave directions where to encamp, what ground was best to defend themselves and annoy the foe, by what tricks and stratagems to cirumvent her, how to lead the Troops on, how to come off, and by plain demonstration showed how easy it was to put Poverty to her shifts, and to have her & her troops in execution, if Money would be pleased to say the word, and for that purpose they made orations to set the armies together by the ears, which accordingly took effect, 
Aturnies.  Attorneys were very busy, and served as Clerks to the Bands, running up and down from one rank to another expressing a kind of puzzled and dizzy distraction in all their businesses.  
But that which made the best show of all, 
Brokers come well armed.  was a lane of Brokers, who handled their Pieces passing well, & were old dog at a mark, they had skill in any weapon, Musket, Caliver, Petronel, Harguibusse, a Crock, Pole-axe, Holbert, Browne-hill, Pike, Dimilance, sword, Bow and arrows, nothing came amiss to them, and which was most strange they fought by the Book, at a breach none so forward as they, they had been at the ransacking of many a house, and would undertake to undo all the troops that were led by Poverty. These Brokers were armed with thrumd caps, (but they should have had Morions) and those they wore to keep their wits from taking cold: for they had all devilish heads, and were suited in spark of velvet jackets with out sleeves, tuft taffatie breeches, close to them like Irish Stroozes, Satin doublets with sagging bellies, as if ●agpuddins had bombasted them, and huge dutch Alderman's sleeves, armed strongly with back pieces of canvas, dudgeon daggers instead of Pistols hanging by their sides, fine p●●d silk stockens on their legs, tied up smoothly with caddis garters, all which had been taken as spoils from the other Army.  
The invader understanding that the quarrel would be decided in a pitched field, and that cracked crowns would be both given and taken on either side, grew exceeding joyful: and therefore calling for Sharker (one of her boldest & wittiest Heralds) him she sent to Money, to know where the Rendezvous should be made for both armies to meet in, and what piece of ground should be best famous to posterities by their battle. Money took advice upon this, most of her old beaten Captains, laboured earnestly to have it at Bagshot, but all the gallants cried baw waw at him that named Bagshot, so that for a quarter of an hour, none could be heard to speak, there was such a Baw wawing. The Herald Sharker, in name of his Mistress, who sent him, requested it might be at beggars bush. But every soldier swore that was a lousy place, and so for a day or two, it rested uncertain and undetermined.  
In which Interim, a murmuring went up and down that not only Poverty had maintained this terrible Siege against the City, 
Famine and the plague come along with Poverty to besiege the City.  but that Dearth also, Famine and the Plague, were lately joined with the same Army, besides many strange and incurable diseases were crept into the camp, that followed Money: for Riot her minion, was almost spent, and lay in a consumption. A hundred in a company were drowned in one night in French bowls: five times as many more were tormented with a terrible gnawing about their consciences. All the Usurers in the Army had hung themselves in chains, within less than three hours, and all the Brokers, being their Bastards, went crying up and down, The Devil, the Devil, and thereupon because they should not disquiet the rest of the Soldiers, they were fetched away. These and such other unexpected mischiefs, 
Nulla salus b●ll● pacem to poscimus omnes.  put Money into many fears, doubts and distractions, so that she inwardly wished that these unlucky wars had either never been begun, or else that they were well ended▪ by the conclusion, if it might be, of some honourable peace.  
And as these storms of misery fell upon Money and her troops, so was the army of Poverty plagued as much, or more on the other side: nothing could be heard amongst the Soldiers but cries, complaints, cursings, blasphemies, Oaths, and ten thousand other black and damned spirits, which ever hawnted them and their General herself. Want pinched them in the day, and wildness and rage kept them waking and raving all the night. Their souls were desperate, their bodies consumed, they were weary of their lives, yet compelled to live for further miseries, and nothing did comfort them but a foolish hope they had to be revenged upon Money. So that so many plagues, so many diseases, so many troubles and inconveniencies following both the armies (by means of the tedious Siege) a perpetual truce, 
A Truce.  league and confederacy was confirmed by Money and Poverty, and the councillors on either part: that in every Kingdom, every Shire, and every City, the one should have as much to do as the other: that Poverties subjects should be ever in a readiness (as the Swissers are for pay) to fight for Money, if she craved their aid, & that Money again should help them whensoever they did need: and that sithence they were two Nations so mighty and so mingled together, and so dispersed into all parts of the world, that it was impossible to sever them. A 〈…〉 presently enacted, that Fortune should no longer be blind, but that all the Doctors and Surgeons should by waters, and other 〈◊〉 help her to eyes, that she might see those upon whom she bestows her blessings, because fools are served at her dole with riches, which they know not how to use, & wise men are sent away like beggars from a miser's gate with empty wallets.  

The Siege is raised.  The Armies hereupon broke up, the Siege raised, the City gates set wide open. Shop keeper's fel●●● their old, What do you lack: The rich men feast one another (as they were w●nt) and the poor were kept poor 〈◊〉 in policy, because they should do no more hurt.   
FINIS.