A Strange Horse-Race, At the end of which, comes in The Catchpoles mask. AND AFTER THAT The Bankrupts Banquet: Which done, the Devil, falling sick, makes his last will and Testament, this present year. 1613.  
Aliquid latet, quod non patet.  
Written by THOMAS DEKKER.  
LONDON, Printed for joseph Hunt, and are to be sold at his Shop in Bedlam, near Moore-field Gate. 1613.   

TO THE VERY WORTHY, JUDICIOUS AND UNDERSTANDING Gentleman, THOMAS WAL●HAL Esquire.  
IF I put into your hands a homely piece of Work (neither so good as you deserve, nor so rich as I do wish it) I must entreat you to blame the vanity of our times which are so fantastical, that they covet Stuffs, rather slight, to feed the eye with show, then Substantial for enduring. Let the Fashion be French it is no matter what the Cloth be. I have therefo●●ot (with the Sturgeon) swam against the stream; But followed the Humorous Tides of this Age, and (like Democritus) have fallen a Laughing at the world, sithence it does nothing but mock itself. But seeing no creature is so wise as man, nor any so foolish, my Wits have here been at charges to feast either sort. A mixed Banquet of Sweet and Sour, Fulsome, and Wholesome, Seria cum jocis, stands furnished before them. In this Horse-Race there is no cheating, my Building (as many Rich men's great houses) is not only to keep Rats, and Spiders in it, but every Room (though all be but mean) hath some picture to delight you. The Platform being narrow, I could raise no lofty Stories; for when the Ditty is light, the Air must not be Grave; A Crow is not to build so high as an Eagle: as the Face of my Invention was drawn, such I could not chose but proportion out the Body. Yet the Picture hath lost some of the Colours I gave it.  
I know you love to Read, because you know to Censure; Read, this I pray as I writ it— (willingly,) and Censure, as I send it— (in Love) Bear with the hard-favourdnesse of the Title. The value of a Diamond is not lessened by the roughness when it is Uncut. It can be no shame to gather a Violet, growing close to the ground. Had I better you should enjoy it; such as it is if you entertain, I shall rest.  
Most affectionately devoted Yours, THOMAS DEKKER.   

Not to the Readers: but to the Understanders.  
HE that writes, had need to have the Art of a skilful Cook; for there must be those Condimenta (seasonings) in his pen, which the other carries on his tongue: A thousand palates must be pleased with a thousand sauces: and one hundred lines must content fi●e hundred dispositions. A hard task: one says, it is too harsh another, too supple: another too trivial: another too serious. The first reads, and mews: the second reads, and rails: the third reads, and racks me: the fourth reads, and rends me. He is tied to a stake like a Bear to be baited that comes into Paul's Churchyard to be read. So that bare Readers (I mean not threadbare) are not Lectores, but Lictores, they whip Books (as Dionysius▪ ●id boys) whereas to Understanders, our libri, which we bring forth, are our Liberi (the children of our brain) and at such hands are as gently entreated, as at their parents: at the others, not.  
The Titles of Books are like painted Chimneys in great Country-houses, make a show a far off, and catch travelers eyes; but coming near them, neither cast they smoke, nor hath the house the heart to make you drink. The Title of this book is like a jesters face, set (howsoever he draws it) to beget mirth: but his ends are hid to himself, and those are to get money. Within is more than without; you shall not find the kernel, unless you both crack and open the shell. Aliquid latet, quod non patet: Dig under the right tree, and it is ten to one but you take up gold: for in this (as in all other my former Nocturnis lucubrationibus) I have strove to feed the mind, as well as the body: If one leaf make you laugh, the next settles your countenance. Tart meats go easily down, being strewed with sugar: as music in Taverns makes that wine go down merrily, till it confound us, which (if the Fiddlers were not there) would hardly be tasted. So for the sake of the sauce which I have tempered for this dish, you may (perhaps) eat the meat, which otherwise you would not touch.  
The main plot of my building is a Moral labyrinth; a weak thread guides you in and out: I will show you how to enter, and how to pass through, and open all the Rooms, and all the private walks, that when you come to them, you may know where you are: and these they be— Y●● will not; I know it is more pleasure to find out the conceitfull-deceits of a Pair of Tarriers, then to have them discovered. That pleasure be yours, the Tarriers are mine. Farewell.   

The Contents of this Book.  

A Strange Horse-race.  
Chariot-races.  
Foot-races.  
The suns Race.  
The moons Race.  
Races of winds and waters.  
Races of the Elements.  
Races of Virtues and Vices.  
A mask of Catchpoles.  
Who are Catchpoles.  
The Devils falling sick.  
His Will and Legacies.  
His Recovery.  
His Dam brought to bed with two Children.  
Their Nursing.  
A Banquet of Bankrupts.  
The Comfit-maker's invective against Bankrupts.    

A strange Horse-race.  
THE first step into a Prince's Court, treads not in the bravest rooms, but they are reached to, and ent●e● by ascensions, and degrees. This state and complement begetting more observance, delectation, astonishment, and reverence: by the same 〈◊〉 ●●sser squares draw●●. For if you come into a Goldsmiths, or Lapidaries shop, and desire to buy the fairest jewels; the running Artisan tempts you first with slight ones, and then bewitcheth you with costlier, and (for the upshot) strike● your eye with admiration, by gazing at the best of all. So that 〈◊〉 man, (how wretched soever) can comparatively be miserable, because the pal●●e dame hand of Fortune can throw him to no baseness and dejection so low, but he shall fall upon s●me other as low as himself. Even likewise 〈◊〉 contrary par●● are there no objects of triumph, (a●●ashe● presentations, banquets, and such like) how glorious soever of themselves, but may have their splendour and dignity heightened by a comparative traducing of things in the same rank● and quality.  
Give me lean therefore, first to make a flourish with my pen, and clear the way, (as a Fencer doth in a May-game) for more room, until the maskers come in: so shall you know the cause of that cost, and the sumpt●●●snesse of the Banquet; to which I wish no man to be too saucy in pressing in, lest he pay more dear for his sweet 〈◊〉 (the banquet being prepared in ●●ll) than the ●●essing 〈…〉 of one Peacock, and two Pheasants cost in one of the Kings of Tunis his Kitchen, which amounted to an hundred ducats. What talk I of an hundred ducats? Nay, lest he be more peppered than those Masons, Bricklayers, and Carpenters were, that builded those Pyramids in Egypt, during their work ab●●● o●e of which Pliny brings in a ●●t of a 1800. Talents, that were laid out for Scallions, Onions, Garlic, and leeks only, besides Bread and Cheese, which he scores not down: for belike the Gypsey-Kings left that unpaid.  
But before either this mask, or Suger-feast come marching in their true and most sw●●t state, I invite you (for variety) to behold a Race, on ●●●t, and horse, with some triumphing in Chariots, after the Roman fashion: to set forth which of ours 〈◊〉 their thundering velocity, lightning-like violence, and earthquaking, ●●orrying, so lively, that (i● it were possible) the noise should make you mad, as the sight could make you merry: I will (as I held it fit, before) give you several pictures of Races, that in former Ages ran themselves out of breath● to the end that the now dead colours of the one● may set off the brave, fresh, and amazeable-starting pageantry of these our other. When the Romans were Lords over the world, and their emperors masters over them, no glory was wanting to illustrate their triumphs, after the 〈◊〉 of strong Nations, nor any cost spared in popular presentations, to bind unto them, and bewitch the hearts of their own people, after their victorious returning home. 
Blondus de Roma triumphant. Chariot Races for triumph. Tranquil. Suetonius. The manner of Roman Triumphs.  Those that did triumph▪ sat in Chariots guilded all 〈◊〉, drawn sometimes by white horses; so was Augustus: sometimes with Elephants, so was Pompey. To excel whom in that pride, Caesar had his Chariot of triumph drawn by forty Elephants: so●● have been drawn by Hearts, and so was Aurelianus. In these Chariots, with the Emperors, sat their sons, as heirs to their father's glory; and after them followed the Roman Soldiers, crowned with garlands, as partners in their emperors honours. Before the Chariot's we●● the Capti●●s, (Kings, Queens, and others) chained, the spoils taken in wars, borne al●●● to despite them, and more to dignify the Conqueror, pictures and countersets of all the Cities, Mountains, Rivers and Battles, from whence they came victors, were drawn in Ensigns to the liveliest portraiture, all supported before the Triumpher. 
Cor. Tacit. lib. 2. annal.  And in this last manner did Germanicus Caesar enter into Rome, in a triumphal Chariot, laden with five of his children, after the victories gotten against the Cherusie, Chatti, and Angrinari, with all other Nations inhabiting to the river Albis, as Corn. Tacit. sets down in the second of his Annalles.  
Now, lest these highest exaltations of Fortune should make their Emperors swell into too much insulence, and so into a scorning of their subjects; the Soldiers themselves, yea and the common Plebeians that stood upon 〈◊〉 so beh●ld these sights, would commonly (in ha●e of such honours, and in abatement of such pride that might 〈…〉 emperors) as they march in all that pomp, ca●● b●●ter aspersions upon them. As for example: When Ven●idius Ba●sus came home in a Parthian triumph, 
Qui Mulos frica●a● factus est Consul.  the Soldiers aloud cried out thus in mockery of him; Behold, 〈…〉 la●ely rubbed horses heels, is now your glorious 〈◊〉. And at another time to the people thus: O you Citizens of Rome, keep your wives at home in your shops, 
Romani seruate uxores, Maechum calvum vobis adducimus.  you are best for now we have brought you your baldpate Whoremaster, their Emperor having, at that time, more used of a periling, than a Barber.  
These beams of worldly felicity sh●● ab●●t ●he heads of their Princes: let us now see what pleasures the Roman people enjoyed.  
For them were built theatres, 
In the Roman theatres were always their Scoenici Ludi, stage-plays.  and Amphi theatres, in some of which might fit fourscore thousand people together; the theatres themselves being some of ●●one, some of wood, curiously adorned with columns, and Images of their Emperors: some guilded all over, some moving upon wheels, to avoid the heat of the Sun. All of them spacious, all sumptuous: In these they sometimes saw plays tragical or comical, 
Grecian music.  with all sorts of music, Doric, Chromaticke, soft and delicate, Lydian, Nypolydian mournful, fit for Tragedies: and to these sorts of music they had all sorts of Dancing; And Hyporchema (in time of a pestilence) a dance to Apollo in the Camp; The Pyrichian, which was a dance in Armour: In the Chamber (as we now have) dances, 
Plutarch. in Moralib.  with wanton gesticulation. All which, as well Music as Dances, they borrowed from the greeks.  

Tranquillus Suctonius.  Then had they both in Circo, & Theatris, (their Race and theatres) fights both on foot and horseback; sometimes Man to Man, now and then Men and Beasts encountering together, three hundred Gladiators, or Sword-players, 
Sword-players.  fight at one time at sharp, with equal number. In which pastimes Gordianus the Emperor, to feed the people to the full, consumed twelve days, every days presentation▪ varying from each other; As sword-playing, 〈…〉 kinds, casting of Darts and Spears, 
Sword-playing, Hunting, and the fight of beast in the Roman amphitheatres.  Chariot-chaces, Hunt, and such like; In one day to a hundred Fencers, thrusting out a hundred and fifty of the fiercest Lybian beasts; in another a thousand, which they were to kill with their swords, or to hazard their own lives: for he maintained a large and thick wood, strongly defensible, in which ran two hundred wild Hearts, thirty unbacked fierce horses of Britain, a thousand sheep, ten Roebucks, which he caused to be guilded all over; thirty wild Asses, a hundred and fifty wild Boars, two hundred Ibices, and two hundred wild Helvetian Goats: upon all which he cried havoc to the people, to have them torn in pieces in one solemn festival meeting.  

Ludi Circenses, cuius ludi Originem. Virgil. lib. 5. describit  The like did Philippus Arabs the Emperor, at two several times; the first at the celebration of the Circumcision Games (so called of Circus, the place where they were performed) At which time he turned out two and thirty Elephants, twenty Tigers, an hundred Hyenae●, one rhinoceros, threescore tame Lions, and ten curle-mained Lions, ten Panthers, thirty Leopards, and ten fierce Horses to be cut in pieces.  
The second time was at the celebration of those games, which were held but once in a hundred years; and thereupon were called Ludi Seculares, (of Seculum, an age of a man, which was then counted an hundred years) their Solemnisation being in honour of Apollo, and Diana. Against which day a Crier went up and down the City of Rome, 
Venite ad Ludos quos nemo mortalem vidit, neque visurus est.  with this note: Whosoever will see games, which no man alive hath ever seen, nor any man living shall ever see more, now let them come. At which time, the Rites due to that Celebration being performed, and the people of Rome in infinite numbers assembled together, he caused to be hunted (besides the beasts before named, to as great or a greater number) ten horned Elkes more, by no other persons, then by two thousand Fencers, armed only with their Swords in their hands, the beasts running loose, madding and roaring up and down.  
Thus have you s●ene the Roman Emperors in their Chariots of Triumph, 
Vide Plin. Lib. 18.  after which the people further rewarded them with Statues, or Images made to the life, some in massy gold, some in silver, some in brass, and some in marble, upon which were insculped and richly cut out, all their Battles, Conquests, and Triumphs: and besides these Statues, 

Aureis post-modum successerunt, Laureae: erantque & virtutis & honoris eiusdem praemia. Gellius.  
Garlands given to the Romans.  
The first sort of Runners were called Stadiodromi.   they had also at first Crowns of Gold sent them, and those were after changed to Garlands of Laurel, the honour of both being all one. The common people received after their combats, fights, victories, etc. (to incite them likewise to hunt after ●ame, & military renown) wreaths & Coronets to adorn their temples. The horsemen and Charioteers being by this time wearied, give way for the infantry to come up, and try how nimbly they bestir their heels. In which Races on foot, not only the Romans, but also the greeks, Troyans', Athenians, Macedonians, and many other Nations excelled for their incredible swiftness: I think the wild Irish are be●t at it in these latter times. This kind of exercise had three changes in it: For some, upon whose heads the wagers were laid, stood breast-wise in a direct line, at a mark, and ran only to a goal proposed and left there: 
The second sort were called Diaulodromi.  others being at the goals end before their fellows, won no glory by it, unless they could again recover the mark from which they first set forth.  

The third sort were called Dolichodrmi.  The third Race was to run and return to and fro, from the mark to the goal, without intermission by the space of eight changes, and never under six: and he that could hold out his wind so long, to be first at the bounds where he began his race, carried away both garland and prizes.  

Races in heaven.  My Muse could here leave running at Base thus upon earth, and stretching her wings forth to a more noble expansion, soar aloft up into the Celestial Habitations, and from thence bring news, what race the Sun runs in his zodiacal Circle, 
The Sun's Race.  where he sets out every morning, and where he rests every night: at what houses he stays (being 12 in number) and how long he tarries, in what part of the world he shortens his Careeres, and in what part he enlargeth it: his fires burning at all times alike, 
Sol fons lucu.  but not alike in all places: by whose heat all Countries do propagate and bring forth blessings to their inhabitants; but no Country can boast she possesseth all, because what one wants, another should supply, and so every land to be beholden one to another: then to show, that albeit he runs not in a perfect Orbicular Circle, but that sometimes he runs side-wise with an oblique carriage of his body, yet his course is constant: his horses, (Pirois, Eous, Aethon, and Phlegon) as they are four in number, making four great Stops, or Careeres in Heaven, which beget four Changes, or four Renovations of time upon earth, 


1 Spring.  
2 Summer  
3 Autumn.  
4 Winter.    that is to say: the Vernal, Aestmall, Autumnal and Brumal, they keeping ever their day (like just Debtors) only a few minute's difference. But so much reverence do I owe to the Divine study of the transcendently-learned Astronomer, that I lay down here this Buckler, knowing him most worthy to take it up.  

The 〈◊〉 Race.  From tracing therefore any further the wheels of this Illuminous Chariot, wherein the God of the day rides, our Protean Muse altering the shape of her course, a little lower could stand and discover how the Queen of the night (●he Moon) is, (with a swifter whirling then the Sun her brother) whirled up and down in a coach of silver, & there show likewise, 
The Sun the cause of the moons variable shapes.  why sometimes ●he sits Horned, sometimes Halfe-faced, sometimes Full and perfectly Round: then, where that Light is locked up that is taken from our sight; and by what means, and how so quickly it is again restored.  
Then could I without help of her light, slip in a moment into the Seas, and sail only by that Star, whose influence now guides my pen. There could I describe what warlike Races the Winds held with the Waters: 
The Race of the winds & the Waters.  their Wrestling, Running, Retiring, and Chase this way and that way, like two great Princes striving for Superiority, and confounding, by their contention, not themselves, but those under them, 
Quicquid delirant Reges, plectuntur Achivi.   
But because you shall not be weary by being weatherbeaten in Tempests: suppose the Winds have spent their Malice (like richmen, undone by going to Law in defending unjust Actions) But the Seas swell still up by a Natural pride which the Moon (their Mistress) puts into them, 
The Sea flows when the motion of the Moon is downwards and nearer to it.  because their Nature being quarrelous, they rage's (like Roaring Boys upon the Land) that they can fasten no opposite to go together ●i'th ears withal, the next they meet they instle, and that's the Earth: there they purpose to begin another Race; for their Wanes run (like Madmen out of Bedlam) beyond their bounds up into the Land, doing what they can to swallow it, and that shows (methinks) like an unthrifty riotous Heir, washing away (in Taverns) the possessions of his father, and his own Patrimony, whilst the careful old man seeks to keep all within compass; as the walls of the Earth strive to hold the unruly Waters within their own dominions, and to bar them entrance into her own, for all their bustling, and for all their billows, we are now leaped safe on shore.  
Whilst thus I stand upon the soft and unremovable habitation of our great Grandmother (the Earth) Another Race, 
The Race of the Elements in Man's body.  is presented to mine eye, for I could here describe, how the four Elements, (like so many wheels in a Clock) are proportioned to more diverse ways, and with strange turnings, yet all to meet in one delicate tune within Man's body, And then, 


1 Earth.  
2 Water.  
3 Air.  
4 Fire.    if any one of those four Protectors, be predominant above the other, and so set the rest together by the ears, how then the blood hath his Race, and runs into diseases, and the shortening of that Race is to stumble at Deaths Dore. Again, if I should rifle this treasure-house of living Creatures, and look into the depth of it, I could bring you to those hidden Races of Minerals, 
The Race of Minerals.  and Metals, which the Sun neversees, yet can they not live without him: there should you behold a Mine of Lead, 
The ambition of Lead.  labouring to turn itself into Tin, and so to rise to preferment; but like a poor Man, that works day and night to grow rich, he strives with impossibilities, and is at the years end no better then at the biginning. 
The ambition of Tin.  There should you behold a Mine of Tin, (sister to Silver) using all the Art she can, to be transformed into her sister's shape, and to carry a beauty as fair as here's; but like a Rich Man, that having enough, and being well to live, yet practiseth unlawful courses to increase his state, 
Ambition of Silver.  as his, so her doings do seldom prosper: There likewise should you behold a Mine of Silver, ambitiously aspiring to be as glorious Gold: but she works like an Alchemist, watches long, and loses her labour; yea, though she were able to pass through those twelve gates.  

1 Calcination.  

Rip●●y● Cannon of 〈◊〉.  2 Dissolution.  
3 Separation.  
4 Conjunction.  
5 Putrefaction.  
6 Congelation.  
7 Cibation.  
8 Sublimation.  
9 Firmentation.  
10 Exaltation.  
11 Multiplication.  
12 Projection.   
And so come to wear in a King, the very Philosophers Stone, yet the trial of her beauty would be when her painting came to the Touch▪ Last of all, 
Gold hath no ambition.  you should there likewise behold (the eldest child of the Sun) A Mine of Gold, who being King of Metals, never aspires to be higher, because it knows, there is none above him.  
Touching Minerals of baser quality let us not cast our eye upon them, having enriched our Lading with the best; hoist now up Sails, therefore from hence and away; for these Races (if I should measure the shortest of them to his end) would weary me too much, and appear, irksomely, too long, like that journey of Philippides, who ran one thousand, two hundred and forty furlongs (which makes 155 miles) (from Athens in Greece to Lacedaemon) in two days, if Polyhistor lies not.  
I could here be content after this weary voyage, round about the vast compass of the world (dispatched, as you see, by my Sea-chariots, within a little time,) now to fire up Herculean Pillars, and write upon them Non ultra. But our Muse is ambitious, 
A fres● Race.  and (to her) Non sufficit Orbis, she must on again. For she hath one Race yet to Run, which (for Antiquity) is as Reverend, (for Persons) as Renowned, (for the Contention) as Glorious, and (for the Victory) as Memorable, as any that ever yet have been in the World.  
It is (because you shall weary your eyes with staring no longer) A Race or Challenge betwixt the virtues that dwell in the little world (Man) and the vices to whom he gives free entertainment; 
Virtue & Vice run.  they are all ready to present their Troops, and to do their Devoir: But before they enter the lists, (some on horseback, some on foot, some in Chariots) I will play the Herald to marshal them in order, according to their quality and worth, and send them forth, marching in brave equipage before you.  

Virtue is seldom mounted. Her picture.  The Virtues are not Mounted, and have Few Followers, they have no Plumes, and so, no Pride; their Attire is decent, sober, girt to them, and civil: their Faces grave, austere in very sweetness, sweet in austerity; fairest when they are nearest; lovely a far off, and all open; used to no mask, their pace demure, maiestically-humble, constant and comely.  

Vice is ever mounted.  The Vices are Gallant Fellows, they are Mounted, and have no small Fools to their Followers: they have Plumes, like Ostriches, and Perfumes like Musk-cats, (so strong) they are soon smelled out: for Attire, they carry Lordships on their backs, a Knights living in their Breeches, & a Shop-kéepers wealth in a Hatband, Garters, and Shoestrings; Their Faces light, 
Her picture.  antic, impudent, disdainful, amorously bewitching, shadowed now & then, but not possible always to be covered: As a Fool's face can never be hid.  
The Virtues will go sometimes from you (when anon you see them) but the Vices will still come with their Faces towards you, for if you look narrowly upon their backs, if they show but them to you first, you will strait turn tail to them too, & no more care a pin for their company, unless you be mad; I will give you an example of some of them, that carry their heads highest: thus,  

The back part of Riot.  The Hole i'th' Counter, is the Back of Riot; if a Prodigal lay there in Hunger and Cold, but five such moneth● no worse than the last great Frost was, in a dear year, and in a Plague-time when no body would come at him; and this he should suffer before he bound himself for ever to his Mercer, being sure, else, to suffer it afterwards, I do not think but my Gallant would love a warm Freze jerkin better than a saite of cut Satin, and choose rather (like a Horse) to draw beer, then to wear rich trappings like an Ass, for which his bones pay so derrely, So  

The back part of drunkenness.  Headache is the Back of Drunkenness: if the Headache would knock our Coxcombs sound, so soon as we cry out Drawer in a Tavern, we should never quarrel with the Watch, nor break do 〈◊〉 Bandy-house windows of midnight.  
But best sins, like the worst faces, are most and ever painted, and that's the reason they so bewitch us, for it is a good eye can see their deformity: Hark,  
The Trumpets sown●, 
The Race begins.  they are ready for the Lists: behold, they enter; you perhaps (that are but Standers-by) may mistake them, and therefore I will describe them, as they either begin the Race or end it.  
The first that r●ns, is Blasphemous Insolence, a Turk, (for you must understand, that of all Nations, some are at this Race) he will be first, 
The character of a proud Turk.  because he will be first; his looks are full of Dare, his voice thunders out Braves; he lays down Threats instead of Wagers, he scorns to Wage any thing upon an even Lay, for if terror or tyranny can win it, he will have All; By his side comes his Surgeon (called Infidelity) the horse he rides on is swift Vengeance, his two Pages are Fire and Sword.  
A Christian Lady runs against him, her name Innocent Humility, if she get to the 〈…〉, she is promised a pair of wings, besides the pr●●e her looks are modest, her words few, to herself (as she sets forth) she prays, she has only one Maid waits upon her, called Sufferance; they both run on foot: See, see, the Turk flies like a winged Dragon, the Christian flies too, like a D●ue, yet with no●●er speed; ●h●e has now gotten the better way 〈◊〉, and is gone beyond him, and see! Rage and Hast to disgrace her, in her speed, 
The Turks own vengeance prepared for others, confounds himself.  have cast him from his Horse; his own Horse kicks and tramples on the Master. The Christian Lady runs in pity to save him: but he cursing Her, and calling only upon his own Surgeon (Infidelity) she (for want of skill) poisons his wound in steed of curing it; he's dead: his Surgeon rips his body, to search what was perished within him (upon so ●light a fully as she terms it) and (see!) his heart is turned into a Flint, 
Hungary overrun by the Turks.  Black, and Hardened as Marble; & lying ●rown● in the blood of a thousand poor Hungarians, yet all that could not ●often it. The Wager they ran for was a Garland of Palm-trees held up by a Lady at the Goals end (whose name is Eternity) and by her given to the Christian Conqueror, with the Wings, beside, which were promised her, if she fainted not in her Race. When the wheels of Desire are once set a going, the more weights you hang upon them, the faster turn they about, for lo● all the Opponents in this Race-running have done what they came for in a moment, whilst you were busy about the first Challenger and Defendant, so great was their Fernor: but I have the Roll here of the persons and their names, and albe●t you have lost the sight of them in Action, you shall not lose the sport of it in my Relation.  

Prodigality's Race.  The second that ran, and made the bravest show, was a young Gallant, his name, Prodigality, loved of many Ladies for his good gifts, and followed by many rich Citizens sons, who were preferred unto him by their father's Money, he sat in a Chariot, 
The Character of a Prodigal.  open on every side, four Horses drew him, (Rashness, Luxury Folly, and Hanger-on) his Coachman being drunk, A Whore whipped him forward, and made all Fly; at the back of the Chariot, two leapt up, & were drawn after him, viz: Beggary and a Fool, whose gesture of making mouths and antics faces was excellent sport to the spectators, he ran a swift and thundering pace, after him and close by him rid many Merchants, Mercers, and Silkemen, who had laid great Wagers on his head, but he gave them all the slip▪ and was before hand with them still.  

Thrifts Race.  The Defendant whom he challenged, was a politic Belgic, his name, Hans-thrift (a Dutchman) vigilant in his course, subtle in laying his wager, provident in not venturing too much, honest to pay his losses, industrious to get more (twenty sundry ways) if he should happen to be cheated of all; his Horse was not so swift as sure, his Attire not curious, but rich & neat, they set out both together, but before Prodigality came half way of his journey, Thrift got the start of him, outwent, out-wearied, out-spent him, other lost all, this won what the other lost.  
Prodigality upon this disgrace hid his head, 
Discontent the mother of Treason.  〈◊〉 encountering when, he went away, with a c●ue of Malcontents, they schooled him, and they spoiled him: for in a ho●e blood he presently grew desperate, and swore to undertake (for raising of his fortunes) the plots of Treason, 
A malo in peius.  to blow up kingdoms, to murder ●ings, and to poison Princes: But the Hangman 〈◊〉ing their whispering, set up a pair of gallows in his way at which he can ●●lt▪ but, fell down, broke his neck, and never since could keep any good quarter.  
The third that same sneaking in was a 〈…〉 faced shotten-herring-bellied rascal, 
The Character of a Niggard.  his nose ●r●pt as soon as he entered into the Race, whose ●●lth, because it would scour, and so same so●e, he wrapped up in as filthy a handkerchief: his apparel was cut out of 6 or 7 religious, and as they turned, that turned: He stole one only 〈◊〉 of fire from Prodigality, which he to●● betwixt his hands to 〈◊〉 them: he had in his pocket (to victual him for this voyage) two dried cobs of a red herring reserved by a ●●●●menger at the ●iege of Famagosta, & then afterward laid on a 〈◊〉, and the 〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉 that had 〈…〉 at the 〈◊〉 Indies. This Thing was a Usurer, called Niggardliness, he had no page, but two Brokers (out of their love to him, 
Hospitality pictured.  hoping to get by it) came along with him upon their own charge.  
Against this wretch (in brave 〈◊〉) 〈◊〉 ●orth 〈◊〉 did Lord (that is now no 〈◊〉 for has 〈◊〉 place in the Country, & all the 〈◊〉 in it smoke● 〈…〉 his money as he spends the water that passeth to his house, it comes thither in great pipes, but it is all consumed in his kichin, his name Hospitality. It is a grave & reverend countenance; he wears his bea●● 〈◊〉 of purpose, that the hairs being white, & kill in his eye, he may 〈…〉 any thing unworthy their honour: his app〈◊〉 for war●●●●, not bravery: if he think ill at any time, he presently thinks well: for just upon his breast he wears his Reprehension. As a jewel comprehends much treasure in a little room; and as that nutshell held● all Homer's Iliads smally written in a piece of velum. So, though the tree of his virtues grow high, and is laden with goodly fruit, yet the top-bough of all, and the fairest Apple of all he counteth his Hospitality: His bread was never too stale, his drink was never sour, no day in the year was to them that are hungry, A ●asting day, yet he observes them all: He gives moderately every hour, but in reverence of one season in the year, all that come may freely take.  

Chaucer in the Franklin's tale.  And this is (as the Book doth remember)  
The cold frosty season of December:  
Phoebus waxed old, and hewed like Lato●●  
That afore in his hot Declination  
Shone as the burned gold, with streams bright,  
But now in Capri●●●●● adown he light,  
Where is he shor●● full pale, I d●●● well sayn,  
The bitter frosts with the sleet and ●a●e  
Destroyed hath the green in every yard,  
janus firteth by the fire with double ●erd,  
And drinketh of his Bugle-hor●● the wine,  
〈…〉 the Brawn of the 〈…〉  
The h●rse he sat upon was grey and aged, like his master, 
They that uphold hospitality are in these days weak, because few.  but weak by reason of years; yet his heart good, and knew the way to many holy places, whither he had 〈◊〉 carried 〈…〉 he should ●ncounter 〈…〉 an opposite as he saw stand braving; ●ee breathed a kind of quick fire in and out at his snoring nostrils in sign he had quickened his old courage, and that he wished to stand on ●● ground till this ●●●●ke were ended. Forward therefore both 〈◊〉, 
Niggardliness & Hospitali●● 〈◊〉.  Hospitality had thou 〈…〉 and praises 〈◊〉 Niggardliness every man laughed, every man disdained him; none clapped him on the back, but his two trunch-men (the Brokers) the other road like a prince with all eyes thrown upon him in admiration: but this poor 〈◊〉 ran as if a scarecrow had flown: it was not a running, but a kind of false scur●y Am●le, or rather Hobbling, which put him into such a heat (he never in all his life sweeting before) that he melted all his tallow, which at the most was not able to make a pi●●ing Candle; and so the snuff of his life went out ●●inking. Before he died, he gave his keys to the Brokers, and made them his heirs, with charge to bury him there in the highway, only to save charges, and to strip off his clothes, which he made them swear they should sell: Et hic finis priami, and with that word he lay as dead as a dog. His heirs performed his will, and going home me●●●, to share his wealth, which they knew to be infinite, they 〈◊〉 nothing in the house but two penny Halter: (for all his money he had buried under the earth in a field) the sight of this struck cold to their hearts: and so (seeing their own Father▪ as it were, had cozened them) the Broke● went ●●th away like a couple of Hounds from the dogge-house in a 〈◊〉 together, and lie buried at the grate which receives the common Sewer in the midst of Hounds-ditch. Hospitality had the honour of the day, and went away: crowned with poor men's Benedictions.  
The next Contenders that followed those 〈◊〉 an English Knight and a Spanish▪ 
The Spaniard temperate in diet, the English a glutton.  the Don was a temperate and very little feeder, and no drinker, as all Spaniards are: the Knight had been dubbed only for his valour in that service: to it they went both, h●●●ed alike, manned 〈…〉 alike, the Spaniard not so gaudy, but more rich. Sir D●gonet had scarce set spurs to his Bucephalus, but with health● which he took out of every commander's fist, drinking to his ●oone voyage, ●e fell sick, & his horse both of the Scaggers, of which he never recovered: 
A drunkards followers.  he had (besides his Page) some Voluntaries that attended him, that is to say, the drowsy and decayed Memory, the one filled his glasses, the other his Tobacco-pipes. Shortness of Life held his bridle, and helped him still off. The Diego was a dapper fellow, of a free mind and a fair, bounteous of his purse, but sparing in his Cups, as scorning to make his belly a wine-cellar, therefore the more nimble; and having nothing in him but fire, (as the other nothing but the contrary Element) he flew before the wind like a gallant Pinnace under sail, 
Plures occidit ●rapula, quam glad●us.  and held out his Race to the end, leaving the Englishman dead-drunk, in less than a quarter of the way.  

Other Races.  Then came in two by two, other Troops, whose onsets, and overthrows, honours, and disgraces, dare, and daunting, merit an ample Chronicle, rather than an Abstract; of all which the Braggadochio-vices still got the worst: the Virtues departing in Triumph, but not with any insulting. And thus the glory of this Race ended.  
Now, as after the clear stream hath glided away in his own current, the bottom is muddy and troubled. And as I have often s●ene, after the finishing of some worthy Tragedy, or Catastrophe in the open theatres, that the Scene after the Epilogue hath been more black (about a nasty bawdy jig) than the most horrid Scene in the Play was: The Stinkards speaking all things, yet noman understanding any thing; a mutiny being amongst them, yet none in danger: no tumult, and yet no quietness: no mischief begotten, and yet mischief borne: the swiftness of such a torrent, the more it overwhelmeth, breeding the more pleasure.  
So after those Worthies and Conquerors had left the field, another Race was ready to begin, at which, though the persons in it were nothing equal to the former, yet the shouts and noise at these was as great, if not greater. They marched in no order, and that made them seem comely; Handsomeness in them had been a disgrace, the worse they showed, the better they were liked: They could do nothing ill, because they could do nothing well, and were therefore commended, because there was in them nothing commendable: Such praise as they brought, they carried away; and this it was.  
The first troup that came thronging in, 
Belly-gods.  were a company of brave staring fellows, that looked like Flemings, for they were as fat as butter, and as plump in the face as Trumpeters are when their cheeks swell like bladders. No horses could be hired for them: for (as Gallants do Citizens) they were sure to break their backs: they were all Footmen therefore, and ran very heavily (like men going to hanging) because if they should fall, their bellies making them leap heavy, they were sure to break their necekes. These termed themselves Epicures, 
Of Epicurus, from whom sprang that Sect.  and all that heard them believed it: for their Guts was their God, their Heads, Hogsheads of wine, their Bodies, Cages for wildfowl, and their Souls nothing else but the steam and breath of roasted Capons served up piping bot. These ran into a thousand men's Debts, but ran so far one from another, (for fear of breaking Ribs if they had justled) that they would be sure never to run in any certain danger.  
The last Race they ran (for you must know they had many) was from a cry of Sergeants: yet in the end the Law overtook them, and after a long, sweaty, and troublesome Race, overthrew and laid them in the dust; they died in prison, and were buried in silence.  
After them came in a pert Lawyer, 
A Lawyer and his conscience run.  puffing and blowing (one that for putting a wrench into the laws mouth, to force her to speak any thing, was pitched over the bar) and he can really: but with whom think you? against this own Conscience: but in the Race (sweat and swear, do what he could) she gave him the slip, tired him extremely, and was still out of his reach the length of Gracious street, at the least; yet the Lawyer was a goodly man, strong, and full of action, and his Conscience nohing in the world to speak of.  

A Vicar.  The next was one that should have been a scholar, and was indeed, and he ran horrible fast after four Benefices all at one time, they held him nobly to it a long space; but with much ado he got beyond them, and won what he ran for: Marry he caught such an incurable cold (by reason of his pursinesse) that hes lost his voice presently, and grew by degrees, so hoarse, that he never spoke after to any great purpose, all his lights we●e so stopped.  

A Taylor runs with Pride.  At last comes skipping in a terse, spruce, neatified Capricious Tailor, new leapt from his Shopboard, and the Devil could not persuade him, but he would run with Pride, and with none else. Pride was for him, and took hold of him presently, Horses were offered to them both: No (said the Tailor) I will not be set on Horfe-backe, I will not ride, nor be ridden: Pride scorned any courtesy more than he. To it they go then; Pride got still before him, and he followed her at an inch like a madman, tooth and nail. In the end he had her at his back: Pride then (for anger that any should outstrip her) made such extreme haste, that she caught a fall. The Tailor (having many gallant parts of a Gentleman about him) looking aside, and seeing his Incounterer down, came bravely to her, offering to take her up, which she disdaining, allowed him a yard before her, which he was content to take, and to it they go again: Pride followed him close, and coming home up to him, spied her advantage (being near the Races end) and leaping forward, hit him full at the heart, and so overthrew him. Enraged at which, he drew out a Spanish weapon, and would have run it through her; she put him by, and cut his comb, which so cut his heart (to see a woman his confusion) that he was never his own man afterward. But he said he wrought his own woe himself, and confessed it was his own seeking to meddle with her; and therefore such bread as he broke, was but broken to him again, yet swore (if a man might believe him) that though he sunk into hell for it, he would, at one time or other, sauce her.  
This quarrel made peace; for the unravelling of this bottom, was the last thread that ended all. You now see what voyage this ship of fools (in which these last were embarked) hath made. here cast they Anchor, and leap on Shore.   

A preparation to the mask ensuing, and the cause thereof.  
FAME, 
A news spread.  who hath as many tongues as there are mouths in the world, hearing of the honourable defeature given by those worthy Champions to to their ignoble (but insulting) enemies, could not choose (because she is a woman, but pratile of it, in all places, and to all persons; insomuch that the Courts of Kings rang of it Cities made bonfires for it, the Country had almost broke all their bells about it: at every Cross it was proclaimed, at every Market, one word went about the price of victuals, and slew about that: Barbers had never such utterance of a news, Booksellers sold more sheets than Linen-drapers; Carriers could load their horses with no Packs but of This: No Ship went to Sea, but some part of the freight was this victory: It was written of at home, dispersed in letters abroad, and sung to a new Tune every where. Omitting these hither parts of Christendom, she (Fame I mean) taking her Trumpet (because she is Time's Herald) flew with it over the Mediterranean-sea into Asia, first into Turkey, so to Caldaea, Persia, Hyrcania, Assiria, Armenia, and then getting up higher over the Caspian sea, away she posted to the Tartars, and Cathayans, then to the Chynois, and other East Indians, so back again over the Arabian Sea, into Arabia Foelix: then crossing over Numidia, her next cut was into Barbary in Africa, from thence down to Nova Guinea; and from thence crossing the Line into the Ethyopian sea, away swoops she by Brasill, and so beats her Wings in the West Indies, whose heat being ready to melt her, (as the East Indies did before) over the Line again she scuds to Nova Hispania, & so to the Northward of America: then homeward through Florida, taking Virginea, Nova Francia, Norembega, and all those Septentrional Countries in her passage, and so crossing the Deucalidonian sea, having beaten herself almost to death in proclaiming and trumpeting loudly the News, she pantingly arrives where she set forth, pruning and péecing up her flagging and broken Wings.  
The winds caching her breath in all kingdoms, through which she went, were as great with it as herself, & ready to burst until they were delivered. Never was such puffing & blowing, such blustering & roaring, since they threw down Babel: 
The natural cause of an earthquake.  so that with their struggling who should cry out first, they were all brought a bed of it at one time: for all of them breaking by force into the bowels of the earth, and by that irrruption tearing her very foundation with an universal earthquake, the massy frame was cleft & riven asunder, and so the terror of the report was by the wherrying winds shot (as if with a thunderbolt from heaven) and never tarried, or met any rub, till it burst open the Gates of infernal Erebus.  
The Grand-Sophy of the Satanical Synagogue, 
The Devil put in fear when Goodmen prosper.  at the very sound of it belchd out a groan, the rebound of which (like one bandogs whining in Paris Garden, setting all the Kennels a barking) left all the Stygian helhounds in a most clamorous howling. The dismal consort having (with a worse noise than the grating and crashing of Iron when it is a ●yling) ended these Black Sants, & shook their ghastly heads four or five times together, & with chains rattling at their heels, (as if so many black Dogs of Newgate had been mad in a Tavern there) ran bellowing All, about their Father of Mischief, to know what Qualm came over his stomach. He (darting an eye upon them, able to confound a thousand Conjurers in their own Circles, (though with a wet finger they could fetch up a little Devil) and with an Vlulation, (his chin almost bursting his breastbone with a Nod) from which, fumed out a breath (blacker than sea-coal smoke out of a Brewhouse chimney) which if their withered chaps had been there, yawning to suck it down was of power to have turned ten thousand old Beldames in Lapland into the rankest Witches) He thus grumbled: Hel's undone, 
Hell's Army defeated.  Why, yelped all the rest? An Armada (quoth he) cannot save us, our Legions (in the world next above us) are overthrown by that Stigmatical Virago Virtue: All those Battalions that warred under the colours of our Red & fiery Dragon are debaushed: Suffer this brack into our Acheronticke Territories; & hotter Assassinations will every day pell-mell maul us. Al about him cried they would never endure it.  
Whilst this indisgested mischief lay broiling on their stomachs, room was made for an Intelligencer newly arrived upon these strands of Horror. It was one of those nimble Vmbratici Daemons, 
Paracelsus de gnomis.  as invisible as the Air, & (like Air) never out of our company, one of those Gnomis, whose part Theophrastus Paracelsus takes so terribly, proving that whether we swmme, or are on land, or in the woods, or in houses, we are still haunted with a spirit or two at least, neither hurtful nor doing good, and such a One was This: Belial Belzebub of Barathrum, had lately employed this Pursuivant of his about serious business; 
Furies are H●ls Beadels, are three in number: Allecto, Tisiphone, and Maegera: to the number of those three Passions which carry us headlong, viz. Anger, Covetousness, and Luxury. Lactantius de verae cultu. Blasphemy the dia else spittle.  in which having done nothing, and dreading but sorry payment for his labour, he knew not how better to escape the Furies, then by forging some egregious lies, by the same anvil, that all hell was now striking (that's to say, touching the late victory of the Virtues) and so to be thought he had spent all his time in that intelligence.  
He therefore being tossed, (the throng was so great) upon their glowing flesh-hooks, from one to one, till he came before the grand Cacodaemon, (his Master) who sat in a chair all on fire, down fell my little spirit flat at his cloven feet: and then, the Captain of Damnation, (having first spit out four or five Blasphemies, which one of his Gentlemen Ushers still trod out) he gnashed his teeth, and asked if the news were current: it was replied, yes.  
Nay (cries this Goblin) to unclasp a book of my further travels, let me be hung in chains of ice (as you are in fire, if I lie) and be bound to eat flakes in the Frozen Zone for a thousand years, if the Globe of the Terrestrial world be not new Moulded, the Ball of it hath none of the Old Stuffing: not an inch of knavery can now be had for love or money, if you would give a Million of Gold you cannot have a Courtier in debt, if you would bestow a thousand pounds worth of Tobacco on a Soldier but to swear a Garrison-oth, he would die ere he drunk it; besides all richmen are liberal, Poor men not contentious, Beggars not drunk, Lawyers not covetous, rich heirs not rietous, Citizens not envious, clowns most religious.  
No more, 〈…〉 Tarrarian Termagant▪ The ●●ther stopped in his 〈◊〉, and it was time, for this sa● Cannon, 
Schellum in Dutch, a Thief: Wasserhand a Fawning Cur, Names fitting for the Devil.  〈◊〉 Schellum Wafferhand through both his broad sides. The fair of this Mile-stone had almost burst his heart, he 〈◊〉 nothing but flashes of fire, spit nothing but flakes of 〈◊〉, weeped nothing but scoopes-full of scalding-water, for now he saw the Dilaceration of his own Luciferan Kingdom. And the exaltation of his enemies; out of his presence he commanded all, They break their Necks for haste; he haul for Music, Ten thousand souls were presently set a yelling, he took no pleasure in't, He felft himself damnably heart-burnt, pangs worse than the tortures of everlasting death fell upon him, and no hope of his Recovery, which made an inerpressible howling in hell.  
No Amendment being in him, he calls for Physicians: not one would come near him, they knew his payment too well, for Apothecaries they were little enough, and cared not for his custom. He then ●ard out, for a cunning 〈◊〉 to make his Will, 
The Notary dwells in Helstreete in Paris.  one was at his Elbow presently, 〈◊〉 he hugged in his arms, and cried out. Welcome my Son; thou 〈…〉 ever bind me unto thee. Sr Satrapal Satan, then 〈…〉 him he's 〈…〉 and miserable estate, 〈…〉 desperate, 〈…〉 being utterly given over, he 〈◊〉 for him to 〈◊〉 his Last Will and Testament, and 〈◊〉 or Scrivano, begins, and galops as fast but then, as Monsieur Diabole 〈…〉 his chaps, The Will 〈◊〉 this.   

The devils last Will and TESTAMENT.  


The Devil is Behemah, an Elephant for strength to overcome and Dornschweyn, a Porcupine for quills, he shoots daily at our souls.  
A vaivode is a chief Ruler: an Attribute given to great Men in those parts of Moravia and Transalpine Hungary.   BEHEMAH Dornschweyn, Prince of all that lies between the East and the West, the North and the South; Mighty both on the Sea, and on the Land, chief Uayvode of Usury, Simony, Bribery, Perjury, Forgery, Tyranny, Blasphemy, Calumny, etc. (My Uassails and Deputies, with all their Petty Officers under them) Patron of all that study the black and Necromantic Arts; Father of all the Roaring Boys; The Founder and Upholder of Paintings, Dawbing, Plaistering, Pargetting, Purfling, Cerusing, Cementing, Wrinkle-fillings, and Botching up of old, decayed, and weatherbeaten Faces; being confounded, and tormented in every limb: but having my Memory and Wits fresh and lively, do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following:  

The Legacies.  Inprimis, I will bequeath the World (whereof I am Prince) with all the Pleasures, Enticements, and Sorcerous Vanities thereof, to be equally distributed amongst my Sons and Daughters; 
To his children.  and because (of my own knowledge) I find very many of them, to be damnable and wicked, I lay upon all such a father's heavy curse; not caring though they ha●g in hell, because they have run a villainous, impious, preposterous, and devilish Race.  
Item. 
A Legacy to Ladies.  To all those Ladies, Gentlewoman, and citizens wives, (being set down by their Names in my Black book) to whose houses & company I have been welcome at midnight, my Will is the they all, shall mou●ne.  
Item. 
A Legacy to Usurers.  I further will and bequeath to my loving and dearest friends, the Usurers of this City, all such monies as are now, or shall hereafter be taken above the rate of 10. i'th' hundred.  
Item. 
A Legacy to Gallants, that follow him.  My Will is, that every Gentleman who serves me, shall be kept in his Chain, yea; the worst that hath followed me, let him go in a black s●●te of Durance.  
Item. 
A Legacy to Punks of the City.  Whereas, I have many Base Daughters lurking about the Suburbs, I give to them Carbuncles a piece, the biggest that 〈◊〉 be gotten. And to those Matrons (that for my sake have been ever dear to those my said Daughters) I give to each of them a bottle of the same Aquavitae, 
A Legacy to Bawds.  whereof I myself drink.  
Item. 
A Legacy to Bankrupts.  I give my invisible cloaks to all Bankrupts, because they made them, but to one Poet only (called Poet Comedy) I give my best invisible Cloak, because it only fits his shoulders better than mine 〈◊〉, but chiefly for that he will trim it up well, and line it with Come not near me, or stand off; And because he is a ●lip of mine own grafting, I likewise bequeath to him my best Slippers, to walk and play with his keepers noses.  
Item. 
A Legacy to Officers tha● love him.  I give to all Officers that love me, a brace of my own Angels to hang about their necks, as a remembrance of me.  

A Legacy to Brokers.  Item, my Will is, that all the Brokers in Long-lane be sent to me with all speed possible, because I have much of them laid to pawn to me, which will, I know, never be redeemed, and what I give to them shall be in hugger-mugger; and for their brethren (the rest of their jewish Tribe in the Synagogue of Houns-ditch) let them be assured they shall not be forgotten, because I hear they pray for me hourly, I pity these poor despised souls, because if they should miss me, I know what would become of them.  

A Legacy for repairing the way to Tyburn.  Item. I give toward the mending of the Highways, between Newgate and Tyburn, all the gravel that lies in the Kidneys, reins and Bladders, of Churls, Usures, Bawds, Harlots, and Whoremasters, and rather than those Gravel-pits, should grow scanty, I will that they be supplied continually.  

A Legacy to jailers.  Item. I give to all jailors and Keepers of prisons, to every one of them, the soul of a Bear (to be ravenous) the body of a Wolf (to be cr●●ll:) the speech of a Dog (to be churlish;) the Talons of a ●ulture (to be gripping,) and my countenance to bear them out in their office, that they may look like devils upon poor prisoners:  

A Legacy to Roaring Boys.  Item. My Will is, that if any Roaring Boy (springing from my Race) happen to be Stabbed, swaggering, or swearing three-piled oaths in a Tavern, or to be killed in the quarrel of his Whore▪ let him be fetched hither (in my own Name) because here he shall be both ●ookt too▪ and provided for.  

A Legacy to the devils Overseers.  Lastly, I make and ordain (by this my last Will and Testament) a common Barretour to be my Executor; and two Knights, who are my sworn servants and are of the Post; (their Names and service being nailed upon Pillars in Westminster Palace) I make them, (albeit they are purblind) my Overseers, and for their pains therein, I will bequeath to each of them a great round Pearl, to be worn in their eyes, because I may be still in their sight, when I am gone from them.  
And to testify that this is my last and only Will which shall stand, I subscribe my Name unto it, thereby Renouncing, Retracting, Revocating, Disannulling, & quite canceling, all former Wills whatsoever by me at any time or times made; In witness whereof all the States Infernal; Avernal, Acheronticke, Stygian, Phlegetonticke, and Peryphlegitonticke, have likewise subscribed, in the year of our Ranging in the World, 5574.  
Mounsieur Noverint (being a man, whose conditions were too well known) had nothing said to him at this time, 
Although there be, Vestigia nulla retrorsa out of Hell, yet you must know he had a conveyance for that purpose, to have ingress and egress.  because the Devil was very bad, and had no stomach to talk of old Reckonings (for Universe was in his debt) but had his payment, and was glad he got away.  
Now, as it often happens to rich Curmudgeons, that after they have settled their estates on their deathbeds, (as they verily fear) and that their wives gape day and night to be widows, that from their husband's 〈◊〉 they may leap into a Coach and be Ladies, 
Rich men's false alarms.  their sons and heirs cursing as fast (as the mothers pray) until they great Capon-bell ring out, the daughters weeping (when they know their portions) only because they are not marriageable, or if marriageable, because ere they mourn in black, they have not Suitors to make them merry & the kindred as greedy (for their parts) to see the winding sheet laid out, that they may fetch their 〈◊〉 Legacies, & then (oh terrible then!) the old Fox revives, falls to his sleep, calls for his victuals, feels himself mend, remembers his bags, cries out for his keys, seals up his, money▪ no talk of a Will, no hope of a Widow, no sharing of his wealth; Even the self-same Pill took this Diego Daemonum, and recovered upon it.  
For all his children, acquaintance, and servants, standing round about him, howling and ●rying for him, behold! this howling of theirs made him almost o●t of his wits, that madness quickened his spirits, his spirits made him rouse up himself, with that rousing he began to look into what danger he was fallen, and by looking into it, to devise plots again to raise it.  
Hereupon, a Synod was called of all the subtilest and plaugiest prates in Hell, (of which there are good store) Magog Mammon, there discovers his disease, the cause of it, and the peril; his fear is that his Kingdom would now be sorely shaken, and his sorrows, because all they should be sure to smart for it more than he himself, he therefore craves their infernal counsel.  
They sit, they confer, they consult, and from that consultation (after many villainous projects tosd on their horns like dung upon Pitchforks, and smelling worse) this Advice was hatched, and had feathers stuck on the back, the rest were plucked naked; And this it it was, That Minotaur Polyphem (the Sire of all those Whelps barking thus in the Kennels of Hell) should forthwith put fire into his old Bones, and fall to threshing of their Dam, to get more Hellhounds, (brave young little Devils) whom he may (like Tumblers) hoist from one Fiends shoulder up to another, and so pop them into the world: And they again going to Bull, with other black Goblins, may engender, what monsters they please to set all the world and all the people in it out of tune, and the worse Music they make, the more sport it is for him.  
This Act was Filled upon Record: most voices carried it away; the Council flowed currant, the Court is adjourned, and the great Beglherby of Limbo falls ho●ly to his business. Now you must understand that the Devil bring able to get children faster than any man else, had no sooner touched his old ●aplendian Guenevora, but she as speedily quickened; and no sooner quickened, but was delivered, and lay in, and had at this Litter or Burden, two twins.  
Dabh▪ 
Dabh, the Hyaena that digs dead men out of graves to devour them Aldip Alambat, is a ravenous or furious Wolf▪ Ingratitude, & Hypocrisy borne. Hypocrisyes cloak maker.  Aldip Alambat, their father gave them their names, the one was called Hypocrisy, the other Ingratitude. Hypocrisy was put to nurse to an Anabaptist of Amsterdam, but Ingratitude was brought up at home. In a short time they battened, and were plunipe as fat Chop-bacons they were, and toward to practise any tricks that were showed them.  
So that being ripe for masters, Hypocrisy was presently bounded a Puritan Taylor, by his Nurle, and did nothing but make Cloaks of Religion for to wear, of a thousand colours. He ran away from the Tailor, and then dwelled with a Uizard maker, and there he was the first who invented the wearing of two faces under a hood. After this he traveled into Italy, and there learned to embrace with one arm, and stab with another to smile in your face 〈…〉 a poniard in your bosom: to protest, and 〈◊〉 lie to swear love, yet hate mortality.  
From Italy he came into the Low-countries, where he would not talk, unless he drank with him▪ and-cast you Mine Leevin Brother, with a full grass, only to ouer● reach you in your cups of your bargain.  
Out of Germany he is again come over into England, his lodging is not certain: For (like a whore) he lies every where. He sometimes is at Court, and is there exceeding full of complement, 
The picture of an hypocrite.  he goes sometimes like a threadbare Scholar, with looks humble, as a Lambs, and as innocent, but his heart prouder than a Turks to a Christians.  
He hath a winning and bewitching presence, a sweet breath, a musical voice, and a warm soft hand. But it is dangerous to keep company with him, 
Fistula dulce canit, etc.  because he can alter himself into sundry shapes. In the City he is a Dog, and will fawn upon you: In the fields he is a lions Whelp, and will play with you: In the Sea he is a Mermaid, and will sing to you. But that fawning is but to reach at your throat: that playing is to get you into his paws, and that singing is nothing else but to sink and confound you for ever.  
This picture of Perdition (Hypocrisy) was not drawn so smoothly, so cunningly, and so enticingly, but his brother (Ingratitude) though there went but a pair of shears between them, 
Ingratitude pictured.  was as ugly in shape, and as black in soul: he was a Fiend in proportion, and a Fury in condition. It is a monster with many hands, but no eyes: It catcheth at any thing, but cannot see the party from whom it receives. This is that follow made all the Devils at first, and still supplies their number continually.  

Lethargiaest mentis alienatio & ●erum prope omnium oblivio.  This is that Lethargy that makes us forget our Maker, and never to thank him for whatsoever he bestows on us: for no estate is content with his state. If we are poor, we curse: If rich, we grumble it comes in no faster; If hard-favoured, we envy the beautiful; If fair, it is our tree of damnation, and for money every slave climbs it.  

Torped●aem pistem, siquis attgeril, torpent m●mbra.  This is that Torpedo, which if we touch, a Numbness strikes all our joints, and we have no feeling one of another. This is he which maketh one forget God and his country, the King and his kindred, only to please the great Devil his father. He that this day hath been comforted with thy ●●e, fed with thy bread, relieved with thy purse, and kept from being lousy by thy linen, to morrow will be ready to set the same house on fi●● that hid him from cold, for thy bread to give thee stories; for the money thou lentest him, to sell thee (like a judas,) and for thy linen, which wrapped him warm, glad to see thee in danger to go naked▪ Thus hast thou this Gorgon in his lively colours: 
A Gorgon is a beast ever looking downward, it eateth serpents, is scaly as a dragon, toothed as a swine: it hath wings to fly, the breath is venomous, the eyes fiery, and strike beholders dead. All which properties belong to the Devil. Aesop. Fab. 5.  because therefore that the odiousness of this beast, Ingratitude, should still be in our eye, God hath Hierogliphically figured it in many of his creatures.  
The Viper is an Emblem of it, whose young-ones gnaw out the belly in which they are bred. So is the Mule, whose paunch being full with sucking, she kicks her dam. So is the ivy, which kills that by which it climbs: and so is fire, which destroys his nourisher.  
The tongue of Ingratitude is the sting of that frozen Snake, which wounds the bosom that gave it heat and life.  
The hands of Ingratitude are those tub full of holes, which the daughters of Da●au● fill up with ●●ter in hell, and as fas● as it is 〈◊〉 in, it all rans out again.  
An ingrateful man therefore is not like Nero, 
Cantharidum succos, dante parent bibas. Ovid. in Ibim.  that gathered flowers out of Ennius his heap of dung, but like the Cantharideses that sucke● poison out of the sweetest flower.  
Not without great wisdom did that old Serpent, (the Anchropophagiz de satire) cloth his Hellish brood of his in human shapes: 
The Man-eating-monster. Anthropophagis were Scythians (now Tartars) so called for eating men, & drinking blood in their skulls. Polyhistor.  for you see how beneficial their service may ●ee to him, and how malevolent they are likely to be to man: for these are those Ichneumons that creep in at our mouths, and are not satisfied only first with devouring what's within us, and then to eat quite through our bodies▪ but the food which they lust after, is to raven upon the soul.  
My purpose was (when the grand Helea had gotten these two Furies with nine lives, only to have drawn the Curta●●es of her Childbed, in which she lay in, and to have she●●e no more but the wellfavoured faces of her 〈◊〉 of Monkeys; But you see, from her withered T●●tes I have brought them to their cradles, from the coadle 〈◊〉 thee to Nurse; & from thence followed them till they were able to do service in the world. How they have sped, you hear, and how they are likely to prosper, you may judge.  
But you must think that there father, after he had begun to dig▪ and seeing his labours thr●●ie, would not so give over: 

Canidia a witch of whom Hor. writes.  
Lamia a lecherous, spirit, that never takes rest. a spectre.  
A Race of unhapy children.   For the old Countess Canidia, (his wife) being a teeming Lamia, after she was delivered of the two first Lemures, (Hypocrisy and Ingratitude) did within short time after, bring forth others, as Schism, Atheism, Paganism, Idiotism, Apostasy, Impeniten●cy, Diffidence, Presumption, and a whole generation of such others: of whom the father needs not be jealous that the Sorceress their mother played false with him, every one of them 〈…〉 him in visage, and carrying in their bosoms his villainous conditions: For as he himself goes prowling up and down for his Prey, so do these take after him, and play their parts so well, that all Hell routs with ●●ughing, and rings with giving them plaudits.  
For these Furies have in the Church bred Contentions, in Court's Irreligion, in the Ctity Profanation; in the Country ignorance of all goodness; and in the World, a knowledge of the most flagitious Impieties.  
At the birth of every one these Monsters, were particular Triumphs, but above all the rest, one had the glory to be graced with a mask, and it was at an upsitting, when the Gossips and many great States were there present.  
It was a Moral mask, 
The mask.  a Mystical mask, and a Conceited, set out at the cost of certain Catchpoles, who were witty in the Invention, liberal in the Expense, quick in the Performance, and neat in the putting off.  
The maskers themselves were brave fellows, 
The Masquer●  barefaced, not needing, nor caring for any Uizards, (their own visages being good enough, because bad enough) they were not ashamed of their doings. Every one of them came in with some property in his right hand, 
Their Masking apparel.  appliable to the name of a Catch-poll, and to the nature of the Catchpoles mask: For one had a fisherman's Net, another an Angling rod, another a tree like a Limebush, another a Welsh-hooke, another a Mousetrap▪ another a handful of briars, and such like: and every one of these had ●●aite, and a Soul nibbling at every bait. In their left hands they held whips, upon their heads they wore Antic crowns of Feathers plucked from ravens wings, Kites and Cormorants, (being all Birds of Rapine and Catching:) And on their bodies loo●e jackets of Wolves skins, with Bases to them of Uultures, whose heads hang dangling down as low as their kn●es; which made an excellent show. Their legs were buttoned up in Gamashes, made of bears paw●, the naile● sticking out at full length.  
They who supplied the places of Torchbearers▪ 
The Torchbearers.  carried no Torches, (as in other Masqueries they do) but (their arms being stripped up naked to their elbows) they gripped (in either hand) a bundle of living Snakes, and Adder's, which writhing about their wrists, spit wild fire and poison together, and so made excellent sport to the assembly.  
They had a Drum, 
Their Drum.  after which they marched (〈◊〉 & two) & that was made of an old cauldron, the head of it being covered with the skins of two flayed Spanish Inquisitors, and a hole (for vent) beaten out at the very bottom: the Drum-stickes were the shinbones of two Dutch-Free-booters: So that it sounded like a Swissers Kettledrum.  

The maskers Dance.  The Music struck up, and they danced; in their dancing it was an admirable sight to behold, how the Souls that lay nibbling at the baits, did bob up and down: and still as they did bite, the whips lashed them for their liquorishnesse. The swallowing of the baits was (to those Souls) a pleasure, and their skipping to and fro, when they were whipped, made all Hell fall into a laughing. One of those baits was Promotion, the second was Gold, the third Beauty, the fourth Revenge, the fifth a pipe of Tobacco: and such rotten stuff were all the rest.  
The Dance was an infernal Irish-hay, full of mad and wild changes, which (with the maskers) vanished away as it came in, (like unto agryppa's shadows.)  
Now because (in naming this the Catchpoles mask) some squint-eyed Ass, (thinking he can see quite through a load of Millstones) will go about to persuade the credulous world, that I mean those Sergeants and Officers who sit at Counter●●ates. No, there is no such train laid, no such powder, no such liustocke in my pen to give fire: they are Boni & legays homines, good fellows, and honest men: (that name of Catch-poll is spitefully stuck upon them by a byname: for to these Catchpoles, that are now under my fingers, doth it properly, naturally, and really belong, and to n●●● other.  
If those two set of Counters compel a man to cast up his Reckoning, what he owes, and how much he is out, yet they catch no man, except the Law put them on, and it is their office. No, no, Paulo Maiora Canamus. Those Catchpoles whom we deal with, are of a larger stamp, of a richer metal, and of a coin more currant. I will therefore first tell you what a Catch-poll is, and then you may easily pick out what those gallants are whom we call so.  
A Catch-poll is one that doth both catch and poll: 
What a Catch-poll is.  who is not content only to have the sheep, but must shear it too; and not shear it, but to draw blood too. So then by this Etymology of the word, 
Their Species.  any one that sinisterly wrists and serves Monopolies into his hands, to all his Coffers, (though his own conscience whispers in his ear, that he beggars the Commonwealth) and his Prince never the better for it: but the poor Subjects much the worse: He is a Grand Catch-poll.  
Any one that takes Bribes, and holds the Scales of justice with an un-even hand, laying the rich man's cause (be it never so bad) in the heavy scale, and the poor man's (be it never so good) in the light one, he is a Catch-poll.  
A Pastor, that having a Flock to feed, suffers them to break into strange fields, lets them stray he cares not how; be dragged away by the Wolf, he regards not whither: seeth them sick and diseased, and will not cure them; he is a Catch-poll.  
So is a Lawyer, that fleas his C●●ent, and doth nothing else for him.  
So is an 〈◊〉 man, if he rob the poor Widow, or friendlesse-forsaken Orphan.  
So is a Soldier, that makes blood, rapes, lust and violence his proper ends; and not God's quarrel, his Princes right, or the honour of his Country.  
So is a Citizen, that cousin's other men of their goods, and ●els bad ware in a blind shop, to honest Customers, of which they never are able to make the one half: yet if they break their day, he will let them rot in prison rather than release them.  
And lastly, that Apprentice, who robs his master, and spends his substance upon Harlots; he is a Catch-poll as egregious as the best.  
Out of these Ranks were those Hot-shots (the maskers) drawn, whom I leave to double their Files by themselves, because I see the Rearward coming up, and I must likewise teach them their Postures.   

THE BANKRUPTS' BANQUET.  
WHAT is a mask without a Banquet? And what is a Banquet if it he not served up in State?  
To heighten therefore the Solemnity of this Child-beds upsitting, as also to curry favour, with the Black King of Neagers', (their Lord and Master) Another crew, of as bo●ne Companions as the former, as fat in the purse and as lavish in spending, but more-carefull of being blazoned in the world, for what they did, and therefore all of them hiding their heads, laid their moneys together, and presented a Strange, Rare, Envious, and most Sumptuous Banquet, to Donzell Diavolo. Inuitng not only himself, but also his new-delivered Spouse (Queen of the Grim Tartars, the Trogto●●●●res, who eat Serpents, the food of Devils, the Cimmerians, the Sodomites, and the Gomorrhaeans) and with her, the great Diabolical Conventicle there assembled together.  
To stop all these mouths with Sugar-plumes, you must needs think, would ask a huge charge; but they who undertake the cost, respected not the expense, for they had not only coin of their own enough, but they had shragd others too of theirs, and being hunted from corner to corner in the world, hither (into the Island of the Bermudes haunted as all men know with Hogs and Hobgobling) came they for shelter, 
Bermudes called the Island of Devils, by reason of the grunting of Swine, heard from thence to the Sea.  for here they know they are sure, from hence none dare fetch them; they are called Bankrupts.  
And because the Catchpoles proportioned out a Device responsible to their Name and Quality; these Bankrupts, (treading in the same steps of Ambition) Martiald up a Banquet, relishing likewise of their name, carriage and condition. So that, although they had hooked into their hands, all sorts of Wares, Goods, Commodities, and Merchandise, out of the true Owners singers, and had laid them far enough from their r●ath; yet would they serve this Banquet to the Table, neither in Plate, in Crystal, in Chyna dishes, glass or any other furniture, but in a Stuff, dearer to them (and more dear to others) than any of the Metals recited, For they to get wealth into their Fists, not make fear. nor conscience to seal to any Parchements, in Sealed Dishes, therefore was their Banquet brought in. And thus the Bankrupts themselves (to add more State to the Ceremony) come marching with their Suckets, etc. in order.  

The Bankrupts banquet.  First, the upper end of the Table was such 〈◊〉 with the heaviest, costliest, and cunningest Bonds that could be got, 
Bonds, a binding meat.  for love, wit, or money; and they were heaped up with Cinnamon Comfits. (Cinnamon being an extreme binder;) and of this Banqueting Dish was such store, that it ran clean through the Board.  

Bills, binder's too.  Next, came in Bills Obligatory, (a thousand in a cluster) and they were filled with Conserves of sloes, and other stiptic sweet meats.  
After these in most judicial manner, and with great pomp and charge, 
Statutes dangerous meats.  were Statutes served up: and they were laden with candied Eringoes▪ of purpose to put spirit into him that should eat of this dish, and to keep him up, because, if he sink or grow sick with chewing down or swallowing of Statute, he●es g●ne and little hope of recovery.  
Just in the tail of those, 
Defeasance comfortable to the stomach.  were brought to the Table a goodly company of Defeazances, and they held delicate Flakes of White and Red jellies, being both Restorative, and very losing to the stomach, and good against those Binding and Restringent dishes, which came in first, at the upper end of the Table this dish should have been served up, but it had a mischance.  
After all this, 
Latitats no sweetness in them.  a C●pias with a Latitat, went from one to one, but none touched those dishes, yet they were heaped full to the brim with Sugar-pellets, and cakes of ginger-bread piled round about them; 
Hot in the mouth and biting.  But the Pellets when they were shot did scarce hit, and the ginger so bit their tongues, and set their mouths in a heat, that none at the Table touched them, but shifted them one from another.  
At the last, Attachments appeared in their likeness, 
Attachments a heady-drinke.  and they were filled into bottles of Hippocras, and other strong Wines, able to lay hold of a 〈◊〉, as suddenly as he lays hold of them, and to make him (if he drink hard of them) to be carried away, and his good-night Landlord.  
Next those dishes, were brought in, a number of outlawries, 
outlawries are terrible Purges.  thwacked with Purging-Comfits, for they are able to make a man fly over nine hedges.  
And below them stood judgements, 
judgements lie heavy in the stomach.  full of newbakt Diet-bread, and therefore hard for the stomack● to digest.  

Executions a very sour meat and unwholesome.  But close by them were placed Executions, which cloyed every one's stomach there; for they were Tarts of of several Fruits, stuck with Muske-comfits of purpose, to sweeten the mouth, if any should happen to lay his lips to sour a dish.  

Ne exeat Regnum good to stay a running.  The last Banqueting- 〈◊〉 (save one) were Ne exeat Regnum, and those were heaped to the top with Annis-seed-comfits, being exceeding good to procure Long-winds, if a man have a mind, or be forced to Run his Country.  

Protections wholesome & comfortable.  The last of all were Protections, some larger than other; and when these came in, a shout was given, for all the Bankrupts slung up their caps, and bid their Guests profaces, for now they saw their Cheer. In those Protections lay Marchpanes, which showed like Bucklers, the long Orange-comfits standing up like Pikes, & in the midst of every Marchpane a goodly sweet Castle, all the bottoms being thickely strewed with Careaways. And this was the Bankrupts Sybariticall Banquer.  
The quaint casting of the dishes so bravely, all in wax was wondered at, the working, tempering, moulding, and fashioning of the Sweetmeats were commended, the conceit of Furnishing the Table extolled, the cost well liked off, and the Bestowers, not reward with common thanks, for the Grand-Signior of the triple worse called the Bankrupts his White Sons, and swore a Damnable Oath, that he himself would have an Eye over them.  
And so, after he and his Bash●●●, had 〈◊〉 their guts, they rose, every Officer being charged to look to his place, that no more such 〈…〉 hills, that support his Kingdom, and with such lessons, they fly several ways, swift, and as horrid as whirlwinds. A musse being made amongst the poorer sort in Hell, of the sweete-meate-scraps, left after the Ban-quet.  
The Feasters being dispersed, the masters of the Feast, (the Bankrupts) held in a knot together: it was told them, there was beating at the gates to speak with them. All went to see: and who was it but the Comfit-maker, that trusted them with his stuff, and brought a bill of threescore and odd pounds, requesting to have his money. His Paymaisters told him this was no world to part from money, but to get as much as every man could into his own hands: other men did so, and so would they, their elders read them that lesson, and they must take it out. If he would take two shillings in the pound, they would pay him down upon the na●le: If not, they were resolved to try the utmost, and therefore bid him go shake his ears.  
The poor rotten-toothed Comfit-maker, et these out-of-tune notes, was ready to run out of his wits: He rapt at the gates, swore, cursed, and railed; Are you m●● (cried he out) or devils? Now shall I pay my Sugarmarchant: Now my Grocer●▪ Now my Bakers? Now my workmen▪ Now my Orange-women, if you pay me thus with slips? Into halters slip you all; you have robbed me, undone me, beggared me, and left nothing in my ship but one box of 〈◊〉 Almonds, and I would they were burning red-hot in your bellies too.  
The more sour his language was, the more sweet it was to them: for they did but laugh to hear him curse, and went their ways: He seeing no remedy, swore he would rattle all hell about their ears if they boded him off thus: And so between scolding and whining, he thus took his penniworths of them in words, though not in silver. 
Men that are forced to break are to be pitied.   
If (fai● he) you were poor, 〈◊〉 had it not, I would never ask you a penny, if you 〈◊〉 forced to break by any 〈◊〉 shipwreck at sea, or by the villainy of Debitos on the land, or by the frowns of the world, or the falseness of servants, I should pawn my shirt from my back to relieve you; but you burst upon knavery, cheating and roguery.  

An invective against voluntary and cofening bankrupts.  You that thus undermine your own estates, (with other men's) yourselves, are like trees standing in your next neighbour's ground, which you climb in the dark, & gathering the fruit (like thieves) run away with it by Moonshine. But if your states were weak for want of ability to pay, then are you those tree that (in your own ground) are beaten with storms, whose apples are shaken down spitefully on the earth, and are devoured by such Hoggish debtor before the true Owners can come to take them up and if so, you are to be pitied and relieved. You tell me you will break: 
Their good name lost.  do so, break your necks. But before you do so, make this account, that you are as bad as half hanged; for you have an ill, and a most abominable name: try else.  

Who is a Bankrupt.  A Bankrupt, that is to say, a Bankrupt: A Citizen that deals in money, or had money in Bank, or in stock, He is out (when he Breaks:) But me thinks he is rather In. I see no reason we should say, he breaks, there is more reason to cry out, He makes all whole, or he makes up his mouth, 
The life of a Bankrupt.  (as you have done with my plums) or he gets the devil and all. For what do you, but lie grunting in your flies, like Hogs, and sat your ribs with fruits of other men's labours. In my opinion you should fear the bread you eat should choke you, because it is stolen; the drink you swallow should strange you, because you quaff the blood of honest householders: and that the wine you carouse should damn you, because (with it) you mix the tears of mothers, & the cries of children.  
If a Rogue cut a purse, he is hanged: if pilfer, he is burnt in the hand: You are worse than Rogues; for you cut many purses: 
The 〈◊〉 of a Bankrupt.  Nay, you cut many men's throats, you steal from the husband, his wealth: from the wise her dowry: from children their portions. So that over your heads hang the curses of Families: how then can you hope to prosper? For to play the Bankrupt, is to bid men to a Citty-rifling, where every one puts in his money, and none wins but one, and that is the Bankrupt.  
If all the water in the Thames were ink, 
The villainy of Bankrupts can not be expressed.  and all the feathers upon Swans backs were pens, and all the smoky sails of western barges, were white paper, & all the Scriveners, all the Clerks, all the Shoole-maisters, & all the Scholars in the kingdom were set a writing, and all the years of the world yet to come, were to be employed only in that business: that ink would be spent, those pens grubbed close to the stumps, that paper scribbled all over, those writers wearied, and that time worn out, before the shifts, legerdemains, conveyances, reaches, fetches, ambushes, trains, and close under-minings of a Bankrupt could to the life be set down. This was the last winter-plum the sad Comfit-maker threw at their heads; and so left them, and so I leave them.  

My Muse that art so merry,  
When wilt thou say thouart weary?  
Never (I know it) never,  
This flight thou couldst keep ever:  
Thy shapes which so do vary,  
Beyond thy bounds thee carry.  
Now plume thy ruffled wings,  
he's hoarse who always sings.   

Contigimus portum, quò mihicursus erat.   
FINIS.