THE BISHOPS POTION, OR, Dialogue between the Bishop of ●ANTERBURY, and his physician, wherein ●e desireth the Doctor to have a care of his body, and to preserve him from being let blood in the neck, when the sign is in Taurus.  
Printed in the year, 1641.   

Canterbury's POTION.  
WElcome good M. Doctor.  Doct. 
I understand by one of your Gentlemen, your Grace was pleased to send for me.  Can. 
Not without cause, good M. Doctor, for I find myself diseased in all parts, insomuch that without some speedy remedy, I cannot long continue, I have a great desire to take physic, in case the time of the year be seasonable.  Doct. 
Yes, the time of the year may be seasonable, but we must have a care of the constitution of your lordship's body, the nature of the disease, and the quality of the medicine. our Cordials, Potions, Electuaries, syrups, plasters, Unguents; glisters, Vomits, baths, Suppositories, and the like, must be duly regarded, with a due care what Planet is predominant.  Can. 
I approve your learned skill good M. Doctor, in having respect to the Constellations, for I am of opinion (which the Brethren forsooth call superstition) if I be let blood in the neck, when the sign is in Taurus, I shall certainly bleed to death.  Doct. 
That may very well be, unless your chirurgeon have a more saving skill then my Lord Deputies had, but I pray my Lord, let me see your grace's water, for by it I shall easily perceive the state of your Body.  Cant. 
Reach that urinal there, look you Master Doctor, this water I made last night, after my first sleep, what do you think by it?  Doct. 
My Lord, your water is a most thick, dense, solid heavy, almost ragged, putrid, stinking, and rotten urine, your grace hath kept a very bad diet, there are certain raw crudities, that lie heavy and indigested upon your stomach, which will without remedy, and that speedily, ascend so high, until it stifle, and suffocate your Grace.  Cant. 
I pray good M. Doctor use your learned skill, in removing them, I must confeffe I owe a Death, which I would be loath to pay, before it be due, wherefore if it be within your power to prolong my life, spare no cost for the effecting it.  Doct. 
My Lord, it is within the power of my art, to prolong your life, in case it be not cut off untimely, I have here prepared a Vomit for your Grace, which I doubt not, but will have a speedy operation, down with it my Lord, fear not, 'twill bring something up by and by, and see, it begins to work already.  Cant. 
Hold my head good M. Doctor, Ough, Ough.  Doct. 
Well done, up with it my Lord, what's here a great piece of Parchment, with a yellow seal to it, the writing is obscure, I cannot read it, but what's this that comes next, a rout of Tobacco, I protest 'tis pure Spanish, how comes this to pass, had your Grace any hand in the Tobacco Patent?  Cant. 
Yes, it hath sticked on my stomach these four years at least, and I could never digest it before, hold the basin.  Doct. 
What's this, a book, Whosoever hath been at Church may exercise lawful recreations on the Sunday, what's the meaning of this?  Cant. 
'tis the book for Pastimes on the Sunday, which I caused to be made, but hold, here comes something, what is it?  Doct. 
'tis another book, the Title it, Sunday no Sabbath, did you cause this to be made also.  Cant. 
No, Doctor Pocklington made it, but I licenced it.  Doct. 
What, he that looks so like a Nicromancer, he that was for his pains preferred besides his benefices? But what's this, a Paper. 'tis if I be not mistaken, a Star-Chamber order made against Mr. Prinne, Mr. Burton, and Dr. Bastwick, had you any hand in that?  Cant. 
I had, I had, all England knoweth it: but oh here comes something that makes my very back ache, oh that it were up once, now it is up I thank Heaven, What is it?  Doct. 
'tis a great Bundle of papers, of presentations, and suspensions, these were the instruments my Lord, wherewith you created the tongue tied Doctors and gave them great Benefices in the country, to preach some twice a year at the least, and in their place to hire some journeyman Curate, who will only read a Sermon in the forenoon, and in the afternoon be drunk with his parishionera for company; and with or hers you silenced the long wound Ministers.  Cant. 
I must confesfe it is true, but here is something that pains me extremely, oh that it were up, this troubles me more than all the rest, see what it is good Doctor, for it is up.  Doct. 
Why my Lord, the book of Canons, charged with the horrible Monster.  Cant. 
Now I am pretty well at ease, but I pray Master Doctor what was this made of:  Doct. 
Why my Lord, 3 ounces of Tobacco, 3 scruples of pillory powder, 1 scruple of his brains that looked over London-Bridge, and three handfuls of the herbs gathered by the Apprentices, wrapped up in a high Commission Roll, and boiled in a pottle of holywater, to the third part, and strained through a pair of lawn sleeves.  Cant. 
Nay if this be your physic, I'll take no more of it: oh, there comes something else, I protest the mitre, alas I had almost broke my Longs.  Doct. 
Nay if the mitre be come, the devil is not far off, farewell good my Lord.  
FINIS.