Bull-Feather Hall: OR, The Antiquity and Dignity of HORNS, Amply shown.  
As also a Description of the Manners, Rites, Customs, and Revenues belonging to that ingenious and numerous Society of Bull-Feathers Hall.  
Together with an exact Relation of their manner of going to Highgate with Trumpets and Horn-Musick, and their Pioners intended for the levying of the Hill.  
LONDON, Printed for the Society of Bull-Feathers Hall. 1664.   

To the Noble Patron, and the ingenious Society of BULL-FEATHER HALL..  

Sir, give me leave to speak but what is true,  
I dare aver, Horns don't belong to you.  
Yet though they do ned it's not amiss to know  
What Cuckolds are, tho' none of you are so.  
Accept these lines then, & the Author says  
That he will wear y'r Feather for his Bays    

Bull-Feather-Hall, OR The Antiquity and Dignity of Horns amply shown, etc.  
THe bare naming of Bull-Feathers-Hall, will rather amuse such as understand not what it is, than give satisfaction what is meant thereby. Therefore to avoid prolixity, I shall take in hand the subject matter, to wit, the Horn, and so in short wind up my discourse. What the Bull's Feather signifieth, there is none so ignorant but may easily conjecture, and none so wise but hath or may have it, to the obtaining of which, jealousy is the readiest way. To show how far this ingenious Society is from the least suspicion, they publicly play with those Feathers which are the emblems of other men's aching foreheads. They are wise as the Serpent, that most of all guards and looks to his head, and are withal harmless (or as it is in the Original, hornless) as Doves. Now the truth of it is, there are none Cuckolds but such as think themselves so, which proceeds from consciousness of some defect, and so the word signifieth by three letters therein contained, if you will believe the ancient and Orthodox Expositors of the Word, O cold, O old, K knave, which put together is cold-old-knave, or as others would have it derived from Cock old, according to the French coquage, as much as to say, an aged Cock. This Etymology is drawn barely from supposition, since the youngest and most lusty are not exempted out of that number; when the sign is in Capricorn or Aries there is no withstanding the fate of Cuckolding. Coy and squeamish stomaches disrelish sound, solid and wholesome flesh, when a nicety, a codlin, or so forth, they shall greedily swallow. Nor is it the buxom girl alone, but the seeming chaste Diana that transformed Acteon's head, therefore there is no restriction can deter a woman from having two bolts to her door, if she so please; and for that same reason, it is Epidemical patience only that must destroy the growth of that budding infamy. It is only the strength of imagination that doth oftentimes convert the Asse's long ears into horns; thus much concerning the rise of the name, now touching the grounds for which they are said to wear Horns: And truly 'tis no wonder so many have them, since the first lesson they learn is taken out of their Hornbook; the reason I say that they are said to wear Horns, may be drawn from the effect thereof, to wit, plenty; that man need not want that hath an handsome Woman to his Wife, that will be as willing to entertain, as he to conceal and wink at the actions of amorous visitants. Hence it was that the Ancients pictured Rivers with a man at the head thereof, with an Horn in his hand, intimating plenty flowing through it; Others will have it derived from the Indians, they having this custom, that whosoever presented and Elephant to any woman, though married, might freely lie with her, which the Husband took as a great honour, that his Wife's beauty deserved so great a present, and therefore kept the horns to be shown, as we do our Coats of Arms. Neither do I know why any should be ashamed of his Horns, since the Gods in former times were pictured with them, their Statues being made of Ivory. It's storied, that Horns grew on the head of Cippus, which were presently interpreted, that he should be Emperor.  
Moreover, Aries and Taurus, the Ram and Bull are signs in the Zodiac, whereas Vrsa Major & Minor, with other creatures, whose heads were never adorned with Antlers, are content to enjoy the honour of a constellation. Mahomet in his Alcoran declares, that the world is supported by an Ox; it is not improbable but that he meant the people who are called a Beast of many Heads, and consequently of as many Horns. An Ox in former time was held in such great estimation as to be accounted a man's fellow, and whosoever killed him was adjudged worthy of death: what this Ox was, and what moral may be drawn from hence, I shall leave it to others to imagine. Besides, of what great use horned Beasts are to mankind, none will deny, either for food, as the Bull, Ram, Goat, Stag, etc. and their flesh not alone, but the Horns of some are of most excellent use in physic: the Heart's Horns, and unicorns Horns being the greatest cordials that are. Take off your eyes from the earth, and take a view of the superficial Heaven, and there observe the Moon Horned, Aries and Taurus horned, besides Capricorn, etc. all which have their operations and influences on us mortals. It is the Moon that makes us become Lunatic, or Horn mad, and therefore Tom-a-bedlams wear Horns about them, as acknowledging her power: but such of Bull-feathers Hall wear them to give the world to understand how free they are from suspecting their Wife's intregrity, making a public laughter at that which so much troubles others. This ingenious Society doth, as Plempius a famous Physician did, writ of the sight learnedly and elaborately though he himself was blind, or as D. Harvey composed an excellent Treatise of generation whereas he himself had no Children. But something more of the dignity of the Bull's Feather. Jupiter when he fell in love with Europa converts himself into a Bull, not scorning to wear what he gave to others, although he ventured his taking up for a sacrifice. Mars on such another amorous account turns himself into a Ram.  
It will not be amiss since we have treated of the dignity of Horns to speak something of their antiquity. Rabbi Joseph affirmeth, that cain's mark was a Horn in his forehead; Cupid they say for certain tips his bow with horn: and therefore the Ancients report, that in the Chapel of jealousy, the music of the Choir was Rams Horns and Cornets; the horned Moon, or Diana, had her usual sacrifices of Bulls heads; there are none but have heard of the battering Rams of old, and how the walls of Jericho fell by the sound of Rams Horns: The Spaniard of old made an Office which they held in great honour called Gent. of the Horn, and happy was that Citizen that could be admitted into so high a place. Heralds make Horns a good bearing in Arms, and the Germans fancy above any thing to have them for their Crests; among us it is an ancient custom to have Horns in Halls or Parlours to hang Hats or Cloaks on, and some at this present take great delight to drink out of a Horn, and truly I am apt to believe that Corona which signifieth a Crown, is derived from Cornu a Horn; hence the Italians call the Duke of Venice Crown Corno, and is not much unlike an Horn, Seleucus and Lysimachus gave strict charge that their Statues should have Horns, in memory of the Bulls they held by the Horns flying from the Altars.  
To conclude, in the nonage of the world, there hath been some born with Horns really growing on their heads. Who then but Horn-madmen will be displeased at the sight of a Horn? the way to make it no eyesore, is to be familiar with it; accustom yourselves to it as we do, and you may look upon a Bull's Feather, and yet your eyes not water. The men of old pictured Madam Luna with her shoes turning up like an Horn, from whence we draw this moral, that all jealous suspectful and distrusting thoughts that cause the growth of the Bull's Feather, are to be trodden under our feet, choosing rather to wear seemingly what we have not, than to carry what we imaginarily have obscurely in our pockets. We take a course to stab jealousy to the heart, that it may not excruciate us with disquieting thoughts; we know that the curbing females of their desires doth but coach them to run headlong into precipices, and if we fear to be deceived, we teach them but to deceive; and to be sure, where jealousy is Jailor the wife will not fail to break prison. Jupiter ingeniously confesseth, that it was Juno's suspicion that was the cause of his transformation into a Bull, bellowing out his lustful desires; It is very certain, according to the opinion of most Physicians, that imagination produceth real diseases, and by conceiving a thing it seals an impression or idea of the thing imagined, and therefore fancies of being cornuted never trouble our heads, we have a supersedeas against them, and have erected to ourselves an Assurance Office for our wife's chastities: Provided, they should get a fall, we must consider they are, not Angels, but flesh and blood, and live among Englishmen, in Latin called Angli, as if one should say, good Anglers in other men's ponds, therefore do not lace them too straight, lest you make them go awry; the tyranny of constraint will never get the monarchy of hearts. Lastly, if it be your fortune that your Horn must be exalted among the rest of your Brethren, be content, since 'twas the decree of Fate; it is not absurd to inhabit where another hath dwelled. Antoninus that brave Emperor honoured that person for loving too too amorously his Empress Faustina. King Agis was so far from being troubled at Alcibiades that cornuced him, that though it was publicly known, thought himself inconcerned with his Wife's infamy. You see the Heathen wear patiently their Horns, and in that even outvie a Spanish Christian; should it happen to any of us to have Antlers carved to us, we should look upon them no more, than as the merry thoughts of Pullet's; and I should think him unwise that would throw away the dainty bit merely for the resemblance of the bone: if you will not allow of this doctrine, neither permitting Jove your Rival, nor admit of Pythagoras with his golden Ship as Partner in your sheet, I wish you shipped in the ship of fools, bound for Cuckold's Haven, but by the way dashed against the Rocks of suspicion and discontent.   

The Description of the Manners, Rites, Customs, and Revenues belonging to that ingenious and numerous Society of Bull-Feathers Hall.  
THis Club of Bull-Feathers-Hall is composed of selected Citizens, both ingenious and such whom Fortune smileth on, besides Gentlemen of no mean rank and quality. They meet every Tuesday and Thursday in the evening at seven a clock, in Chequer-Yard in White-Chappel: Their intent of meeting is only to solace themselves in harmless mirth and merriment, and to propagate good society; when met at the time appointed, the Patron in his Crimson Satin Gown, with his Cap furred and guarded with a small pair of Antlers, seats himself in his Chair under a Canopy adorned with a large pair of Feathers: then is the Crier of the Court commanded to proclaim, that every Brother of the Society then present cover his head with Court Caps, and so pay in his Club to the Stewards, which sit on the right and left hand of the Patron; the Table before them is covered with a green Carpet, and before the Patron a large Velvet Cushion, on which lies the horned Sceptre and Sword. The Brethren in very neat fur'd Caps, every one diversely adorned with Feathers (as the custom of the Court is to call them) seat themselves promiscuously, or as he finds his inclination leads him to delight in one Brother's society more than another. They drink out of horn, which they call plate, and in the Room (which is very large, suitable to the Society,) are placed round several sorts of Horns, which they call Utensils belonging to the Court, Their Orders or Laws enacted are very many, and are strictly observed, there are not any of them but what are absolutely necessary, or necessarily convenient; for, cursing, swearing, and blaspheming is forbidden, nay, abhorred and severely punished with a mulct. If one Brother abuse another, either by word or action, he is fined; neither do they tolerate carping at, or upbraiding other men's miseries, or meddling with State affairs, and more especially Holy Writ, with many more very requisite. Now if any Brother shall be complained on to the Patron for breach of any Order contained in a long Roll, the Brother offending, is by the Controller brought to the Bar; then is a Jury of three Brethren empanneled by the Clerk, and sworn by him on a blank book covered with Horn: the witnesses being sworn likewise, they give in their evidence, upon which the Prisoner hath full liberty to tender his defence. By way of digression, it is extremely pleasant, nay profitable to the understanding, to hear how ingeniously sophistical some will answer the charge drawn up against them, and to observe with what moderation and gravity the Patron weighs each particle, opening and stating the case to the Jury, who after that withdraw, and according as they find the fact so is the Prisoner fined, which fine is immediately paid unto the Steward, and laid up in public stock; all which is done with sobriety and without contradiction. There are several Officers belonging to the Court, which are elective or chosen once a quarter, and so should the Patron; but he that now is hath so prudently, gravely and discreetly managed that honourable place, the society in general hath conferred upon him, that they are not inclinable to a new election.  
The names of the Officers of Bull-Feathers Hall are these, 

The Patron.  
Two Stewards.  
The Sword-bearer.  
The Mace-bearer  
Adopting Mace-bearer.  
Master of the Ceremonies.  
Mr. Controller. Cryer, or Porter.    
As yet the Revenues of Bull-Feathers Hall is but small, and what doth appertain unto it lieth dispersed. As Horn-fair, the toll of all the gravel carried up Highgate-Hill; They have some propriety in Horusey and Cow-lave, a considerable quantity of Plate the Horners own them: Beyond the Seas Crook-horn, Leghorn, and Oxman town in Ireland pay them constant tribute, nay the Great Turk acknowledgeth himself indebted to them for his Demy-lunes. And truly would every Brother that is so, or merits adoption into the Fraternity, leave but a small legacy to this Society, their Horn of plenty would exceed all others.  

The manner of their going from Busby's folly to Highgate.  
On Monday being the second of May, some part of the Fraternity met at Busby's folly in Islington, where after they had set things in order by a due consideration and consultation among themselves, they thus marched out— ordine quisque suo. First a set of Trumpets, than the Controller or Captain of the Pioners with thirty or forty following him with Pick-axes and Spades to levelly the Hill, and Baskets withal to carry gravel: what quantity of gravel pits were ordered to be digged by that Tun of flesh (alias) the Viceroy of Cornucopia, is yet uncertain. After them another set of Trumpeters, and also four that did wind the Horn, after them followed the Standard (alias) an exceeding large pair of Horns fixed on a pole which three men carried, with pennants on each tip, the Master of the Ceremonies attending it, with other Officers. Then followed the Flag with the Arms of the Society, with horned beasts heads drawn thereon, with this Motto,  

To have, and not to use the same,  
Is not their glory but their shame.   
After these came the Mace-bearer, than the Herald at Arms, with the Arms of the Society, The Coat I cannot rightly blazon, but I remember the supporters were on the one side a Woman with a whip in her hand, besides that of her tongue, with a menacing look, and underneath half the Motto, Sic volo, sic jubeo; on the other side a man in woeful plight, and underneath him Patientia patimur. Then the Sword-bearer, and after him the Patron, on whose right and left hand went the two Stewards in Plush Jackets with large red Scarves, the Patron in a Crimson Satin Gown; after these followed the rest of the Brethren by two; each in a various fur'd and horned Cap, and were brought up by no mean Officer with a large pair of Horns. The Crier or Porter being then Marshal went by their sides.  
In this Equipage they marched, and in very good order, attended by multitudes of peoples, some admiring, as well they might, as being a strange sight and unusual, others spending their judgements, and passing their verdicts according to what their fancies represented. 'Twere impossible to relate those witty taunts and replications that passed interchangeably, therefore I shall pass over all, and only give you an account of transactions at Highgate; approaching near the Gate, the Viceroy of the gravel pits came out to meet them with his Mace and Cap; and after several congratulations reciprocally passed between them, made a speech to the Patron at large in a full Horn of plenty. After they had gone through the Gate, they came back, and so round the pond, and then came up to the Gate again, where one made a speech, to this purpose.  

HARK!  
Methinks I hear censorious Mimics say,  
This is a May-game for some Holiday.  
Each day's a Festival, to them that may  
With freedom sport themselves on every day:  
Such are our persons, and our fancies, we  
Both from confinement, and from Horns are free,  
Who then controls our pastime, or it scorn?  
The greatest Gallants love to wind an Horn,  
Besides 'tis customary to some Nations,  
To take delight in imitating fashions.  
But should most wear, what is for Cuckolds made,  
Surely 'twould spoil the Feather-makers trade:  
Our Feathers then don't shame us, since the best  
Fancy themselves they have a fairer crest;  
Whence observation plainly lets us know,  
Imagination makes a Cuckold so.   
The speech being ended, they went to dinner, which was sumptuously and readily brought up at the sounding of Trumpets, and winding of Horns. All things were ordered with such foresight and prudence, as it gave a general satisfaction to all. After dinner several were adopted in manner and form following, the Officers of the society in the several and respective places advanced about the room twice, or thrice, singing the song of the Bulls-Feather in these words.  

IT chanced not long ago as I was walking,  
An Echo did bring me where two were talking;  
'Twas a man said to his wife, die had I rather,  
Than to be Cornuted, and wear the Bull's Feather.   

Then presently she replied, Sweet, art thou jealous?  
Thou canst not play Vulcan before I play Venus:  
Thy Fancies are foolish such follies to gather;  
There is many an honest man wears the Bull's Feather.   

Though it be invisible, let no man it scorn,  
Being its a new Feather made of an old Horn:  
He that disdains it in mind or heart either,  
May be the more subject to wear the Bull's Feather.   

He that lives discontented, or in despair,  
And feareth false measure, because his Wife's fair,  
His thoughts are inconstant, much like winter weather;  
Though one or two want it, He shall have a Feather.   

Bull's Feathers are common as Ergo i'th' Schools,  
And only contemned by those that are Fools:  
Why should a Bull's Feather cause any unrest,  
Since Neighbor's fare always is counted the best.   

Those Women who are fairest, are likest to give it;  
And Husbands that have them are apt to believe it:  
Some men though their Wives they seem for to tedder,  
Would play the kind Neighbours & give the Bull's Feather.   

Why should we repine, that our Wives are so kind,  
Since we that are Husbands are of the same mind;  
Shall we give them Feathers and think to go free,  
Believe it, believe it, that hardly will be.   

For he that disdains my Bull's Feather to day,  
May light of a Lass that will play him foul play;  
There's ne'er a proud Gallant, that treads on Cow's leather,  
But may be Cornuted, and wear the Bull's Feather.   

The shortest, the tallest, the foulest, the fairest,  
The fattest, the leanest, the commonest the rarest;  
When they and their Ducks are all merry together,  
Will be using tricks to advance the Bull's Feather.   

A King and a Cobbler, a Lord and a Loon,  
A Prince and a Pedlar, a Courtier and Clown:  
Put all their degrees and conditions together,  
Are liable always to wear the Bull's Feather.   

Though Beer of that Brewing I never did drink,  
Yet be not displeased, if I speak what I think;  
Scarce ten in an hundred, believe it, believe it,  
But either they will have it, or else they will give it.   

Then let me advise all those that do pine,  
For fear that false jealousy shorten their Line:  
That Disease will torment them worse than any Fever,  
Then let all be contented, and wear the Bull's Feather.   
The Gentleman that is to be adopted, is arrested by the Sword-bearer in the Patron's name, to be of that society. The Master of the Ceremonies immediately placeth him in the Adopting Chair, where being sat, the Controller cries three times, Ceremonies, at which all the Brethren are bure. Then doth the Master of the Ceremonies, take off his hat, and in stead thereof placeth on his head a cap, and on a blanck-book Horned all over, gives him this Oath following:  

The Oath that is given a Brother at his adoption.  
In the Patron's name of the Bulls-Feather,  
And the society met together:  
I thee adopt, and on this book dost swear  
Truth to the smock, and what's to it most near;  
And when thy natural strength thou findest decay,  
And on Veneral Viols canst not play,  
With fiddle stick and finger I command,  
You frig and digitize with cap in hand,  
And then a leg in querpo shalt thou make;  
This shalt thou do for Madam Venus' sake:  
Lastly observe, thou shalt esteem none other  
Equal to this our Club, so welcome Brother.   
After this there is another name given him, and so presented by the Sword-bearer and Controller to the Patron, who with much gravity receives him. At which all the Brethren make acclamations of joy: His name is entered, and the Orders given him to read. To conclude, this ingenious society every quarter keep a feast, choosing then new Officers. They are not so profuse in expense, nor extravagant in their mirth as to render them incapable or forgetful of doing works of charity, for on every such feasting day they give 12 dozen of penny bread to the poor.   
FINIS.