THE Triumphant Weaver: OR, The ART of WEAVING Discussed and Handled.  
Plainly showing the various Opinions of divers Writers, concerning the first Original and Contriver of this ART, now so Excellent and Useful in all Habitable parts of the World; Divided into Three PARTS.  
The First contains, The ANTIQUITY of this said Art and Mystery.  
The Second contains, The great Use and unavoidable Necessity of the same.  
And the Third Treats of, The great and admired Excellency of this never-enough Esteemed Art of WEAVING.  
Written all in Verse for the Divertisement of all, either young or old, who are naturally inclined to the serious study or practice of the said Art, or practically concerned to the same for a livelihood: hoping that it will not please those only, but also such gentile Souls as delight in curiosity.  
Let all thy actions be just and upright,  
Then Heaven and Earth will both in be delight;  
And Truth with Trust thou mayst together Wove,  
Who otherwise shall do, themselves deceive.   Two men standing at weaving looms. 
Printed for J. Deacon, at the Rainbow in Holbourn, near St. Andrews Church, 1682.   

TO THE READER.  
Courteous Reader,  
SHould this Work pass without the rash censure of some never-satisfied Judger, it would appear miraculous; but the Wise Man saith, it is not proper for that Man to discommend, that cannot amend; I am partly sensible, that I shall meet with some who will scoff at my endeavours; but notwithstanding, it is possible, the more ingenious may accept of my good meaning; I do freely protest, that I do not undertake this task with any design to beget myself any good opinion amongst men; but as being a Weaver, and knowing by experience the excellency and worth of this matchless Trade, would as willingly free it from that brand of infamy which ignorants throw upon it, as I would acquit myself (were it in my power) from the calumnity of those sordid persons, who think no men equal to themselves in virtue and merit. Apelles that Grecian-Painter, drew the Picture of Venus the more rare and excellent, having assembled the Beauties of his Country together; so I having inspection into several Arts and mysteries (by some accounted famous) finding them far short of this my intended subject, cannot reckon them fit to be equally ranked with that which more Trades depend on, than any one Trade whatever in the whole Universe; which I shall make appear to you in the following Treatise: also recounting to you, those many eminent and worthy persons, who in former Ages, frequently practised the same. He that seeks applause, may miss of his aim, but he that labours how to be obliging according to his Ability, may in the conclusion, meet with a Vale Domine, whilst I Subscribe myself yours,  
R. C.   

THat Naamah Sister was to Tubal Cain,  
First used this Art, the Scripture doth make plain;  
Next one Araechne, born in Lydia,  
Did Weaving use, some ancient Writers say:  
Then Pamphila, Daughter of Platis, she  
Practised the same, old Writers do agree;  
Some say that Attalus did first perceive,  
And first find out the ready way to Wove.  
The Babylonians and Egyptians too,  
Are said to be the first that this Art knew:  
Without all doubt, Women whose brains were bend  
To study, might this Art at first invent;  
And since their times some ripe ingenious Men  
To what they did, augmented more again:  
So that at last 'tis finished and complete,  
True, without fault; perfect, without deceit.  
Had not this Art by numbers so increased,  
It had been then the best of Arts; at least  
More flourishing by much, than what it is,  
Pardon me Sirs, if I do judge amiss,  
Many have erred by too too fond believing,  
But doubtless this hath spoiled the Trade of Weaving;  
That in itself hath more Varieties  
Than all the Arts the World did  devise;  
So to conclude, I think no Art can be  
More full of praise, for Ingenuity.   

The First CANTO.  
The Writer briefly doth relate  
Man's making, Bliss, fall, wretched state:  
What his first Clothing was, and then  
Who Weaving first devised, and When;  
So far as he can learn relates:  
Which done, the Praises Celebrates  
Of Worthy Women, who thereby  
And otherwise deservedly  
Have purchased fame; which being done  
This Canto to an end doth Run.  
WHen God the World did make and every Creature  
That therein is, of every Form and Nature;  
Man, the perfection, Crown, Epitome  
Of all he did Create, reserved he  
As his last and best work; that so he might  
As in a lesser Frame present our sight  
With whatsoever he before had wrought;  
And this into so small a Form he brought,  
That Man in him the whole doth Comprehend,  
Which were it not that I much time should spend  
Beside my purpose, I partly could show  
Nay Man in's first estate was more than so;  
For he not only Microcosmos was,  
But God in him did his own Image place;  
Which our Divines say was his innocence,  
(Till he by sinning razed it out from thence;)  
And well might be, for God no sin doth know,  
Nor Man did, till he fell, as Scriptures show:  
And had our Grandsire Adam ne'er known sin  
The Art of Weaving need not to have been:  
For he before he did Commit offence,  
As I have said, was Clothed with innocence;  
But when through Satan's wiles, he folly wrought,  
Sin brought forth shame, and shame a Covering sought  
And (wanting fit,) they Fig leaves did take,  
Of which by shames constraint they Aprons make.  
Thus as the Proverb says, Man's quickly run  
Out of God's blessing into the warm Sun:  
For he that even now all knowledge knew,  
And to whom all perfection did accrue,  
In whom all Sapience and all Science rested,  
Is now through disobedience so devested  
Of all his former knowledge, that he had  
Not understanding left him how to clad  
His naked body: O most hapless fate!  
O alteration great! O wretched state!  
O great unhappy loss! How could it be  
When he thought what he late was, and now see  
A change so strange, and that so suddenly,  
But that he should forthwith despair and die?  
Doubtless th' event had so been; had not he  
Who his ne'er fails at need, most graciously  
Upheld him by his Mercy, and likewise  
Promised God should descend, that Man might rise:  
Nay more, when he in pity did behold  
Man's naked body subject to the cold  
Of Winter's blasts, and heat of Summer's Sun,  
Also how ignorant he was become:  
God made them Coats of Skins, in which array  
They thought themselves (poor wretches) very gay.  
See here how he that late was Lord of all  
That had a being on this Earthy Ball,  
Is of a sudden now become so poor  
That he must thrust his servant out of door,  
And force his goods his great need to supply,  
Or he himself must cold and naked lie;  
The best Man's servant must be stripped offs skin,  
That Man the Master might be wrapped therein.  
This their first Clothing was: but time that brings  
All things about, and from whose being springs  
Every invention, in time brought to pass  
The Art of Weaving: but when that time was  
It much uncertain is: report doth go  
Minerva did Invent it; but all know  
Who are but meanly read in History,  
That this report of her no truth can be:  
For Authors of best Credit do relate  
Minerva's life was of no elder date  
Then in or somewhat after Moses days:  
And let me tell you what this Moses says  
Concerning Weaving, for 'tis only he  
That must herein our chiefest witness be:  
He being the first Historian that ere writ,  
And whose writing none can except 'gainst it:  
For he gives us to understand that when  
The Tabernacle was erected, than  
The Curtains of fine twined Linen were,  
And Blew, Purple, and Scarlet Silk was there;  
All which must needs be Weavers work, or how  
It could Embroidered be I do not know;  
Also blue Ribbon to tie the Curtains were  
Appointed, as the Text makes it appear.  
And to Minerva this could not belong,  
For she was then not born or very young  
Nay, if you backward look you'll Weaving see,  
Above three hundred years elder to be:  
For Abraham's Servant to Rebekah gave  
Raiments, which Raiments I would gladly crave  
Of any Man that can inform me whether  
It were not rather Weavers work, than leather?  
And that Esau's goodly Raiment Certainly  
Was Cloth; or Silk, (not Leather,) none deny:  
But here's as sure a proof, as can be had,  
Against which no exceptions can be made,  
That before this, when Lot was prisoner led,  
And presently by Abraham rescued,  
He told the King He would not one thread take  
Of all the spoil: And what can any make  
This thread to be, but Silk, Cloth, or apparel  
That had been plundered in the former quarrel?  
More backward yet, when Noah did plant the Vine,  
And became drunk by drinking of the Wine,  
And so (not being himself,) uncovered lay  
When his two modest Sons did make no stay  
To take a Garment, and going backward do  
Cover his nakedness; and who can show  
That this Garment was Leather? Rather I  
Suppose it Cloth, and Weaving Antiquity  
A Thousand years more ancient than Noah's Flood,  
As probably it may be understood.  
I'll one degree therefore more run retrograde  
To inquire of what old Jabal's Tents were made?  
If any say of boughs; doubtless those they  
Had used before this time many a day;  
If others say of Leather, that I suppose  
(If Weaving were not) they wanted to make .  
But why might not those Tents of Cloth be wrought,  
And Weaving ere that time into use brought?  
For the World's glass I guess had then run out  
At least five hundred years, or thereabout:  
And might not the Weaver be as well then  
As the Smith, the Mason, and Musician;  
And doubtless many other Trades, whose use  
That profit brings not which ours doth produce?  
And if (as saith Josephus) Astronomy  
Invented was by Seth, unto which he  
Can not atain, but first he skilled must be  
In Arithmetic, and in Geometry:  
So others might as their Genius inclined  
Employ their Studies other Arts to find;  
And none could be more fit, nor was more needed  
Then Weaving, if they their own welfare heeded.  
But I must leave it doubtful, because none  
Can certainly affirm when it begun.  
Now I'll return again, and as I go  
As far as my reading doth reach will show,  
Who, and what they were that are said to be  
The first Inventors of our Mystery.  
Here I must take my Rise, and to you show  
What Lanquet or Cooper would have us know  
Out of their Chronicle, for they do say  
Weaving invented was by Naamah,  
Sister to Tubal-cain, and so might be,  
For she noting her brethren's industry,  
That each of them a several Art devised,  
Might she not (also) thereby be surprised  
With emulation of their far spread fame?  
And perhaps hoping so to have her Name  
Enrolled among theirs, bend all her powers  
To bring to pass this worthy Art of ours?  
And that Her Brother Jabals' Tents might be  
Of Cloth she wrought, none knows the contrary  
But this may be a truth: for if we look  
Judiciously into the Sacred Book  
Among the Daughters born to Men before  
The universal flood the World run over,  
You shall not read of any one but she  
And Lamech's Wives, that named are expressly;  
And for some special reason, (doubtless) she  
Was mentioned above others, although we  
Know not the cause, nor I think ever hath  
Reavealed been, more than what that Text saith.  
But leaving her, as very probably  
To be th' Inventor of our Mystery:  
I do intent here also to declare  
What others besides her recorded are  
To be the first Devisers of it, that  
What thereof written is, I may relate.  
Poliodorus in his History  
De Inventione Rerum doth specify  
Three worthy Women, and of these three one  
Minerva is; and he says she alone  
Devised first to make Wool into Cloth,  
Which very likely is to be a troth:  
For I remember that I formerly  
Have read of Bacchus, who most Valiantly  
Did lead an Army into India, where  
He won much fame, as Histories declare:  
And that Minerva as Courageously  
Being his Sister bore him Company;  
And many Countries and great Cities he  
Conquered, being always Crowned with Victory,  
Until he siege did to one City lay  
From before which he soon was driven away  
By Lightning and Thunder, that did proceed  
From off those Walls, as we do plainly read:  
And what can any Man judge this to be  
But Thundering Cannon shot? For certainly  
It then in use among them was, though we  
But late (yet much to soon) are come to be  
Acquainted with it, not being yet three hundred years,  
But they as many thousands, as appears;  
For so long 'tis since Bacchus and Minerva did  
Conquer East-India, as of them we read.  
So Printing hath in China and those parts  
Been no Man knows how long: and other Arts  
As Weaving, and such as did them concern,  
And there Minerva might her knowledge learn;  
Although 'tis very likely that they there  
(The Country being hot) all Silk did wear:  
But she to Greece returning, where the Sun  
Being not so vehement, first begun  
To exercise her Silk in Wool; and so  
It may be true, what Poliodore doth show:  
And this is a good reason to produce  
To us that Silk-weaving was first in use;  
And those Garments of which we in Scripture read,  
'tis very like did all from Silk proceed.  
But let me mention Bacchus once again,  
Who returning Victor back to Greece, did then  
From India bring Vines with him home, and so  
They Wine in Europe here first came to know:  
And for this great and good Commodity,  
They with a Godhead did him dignify,  
Whose memory continueth to these times,  
We idly styling Bacchus' God of Wines;  
Who hath more followers than the greatest Sect  
Of all these many that us so infect.  
Minerva no less Honour (by our Trade,  
And other Arts she taught) gained being made  
The Goddess of Arts and Arms: so I  
She being our Matron would show her deity:  
And this their Weaving and their Vines I guess,  
They had from Noah, who did those parts possess  
After the flood, who there the Vine did plant,  
And being Drunk therewith did Covering want:  
And I suppose that Garment which was brought,  
Some kind of work was, by a Weaver wrought;  
And Weaving be (as I did lately say)  
Invented by, or before Naamah.  
But I have long digressed; now I'll proceed  
To show more what from Poliodore I read.  
Linen Cloth sayeth he, th' invention was  
Of one Arachne, being a Liddian Lass,  
But what she was, or when lived, he doth not Name,  
But Ovid says she of mean Parents came.  
He further writes, that one Pamphila who  
The Daughter was of Platis, did first show,  
The way of Weaving Silk, whose dwelling Place  
As he relates, in th' I'll of Coos was:  
But in what Age she lived he doth not show:  
Neither do I in my small reading know:  
But that must be long since, otherwise she  
Can not th' Inventor of Silk-weaving be:  
Further he goeth on, and doth relate  
That Cloth of Gold and rich Robes of estate  
Th' Invention was of Attulus: Nay he  
In one place says the Babylonians be  
Th' Inventors of our Art; and in another  
Th' Egyptians: but how this can hang together  
Let others Censure, for some ingeniously  
Think, he hath herein dealt as faithfully  
As when our Eighth King Henry did employ  
Him, to compile one entire History,  
Containing the Occurrences of our Nation,  
Since People in it first had Habitation,  
Unto those times, that the deeds of our Isle,  
He into one sole Vollumne might compile:  
And to that purpose our Chiefest Histories,  
Ancient Reccords, Books of Antiquities,  
Were to his Lodging, or his Study sent,  
(As I have said,) only for that intent;  
But he either envying our Isle's fame should surpass,  
The Italians praise, where he a Native was,  
Or, for he was not able that to do,  
Which by the King he was appointed to,  
Or, through his negligence, they all were fired;  
Without a rescue and suddenly expired.  
Which work hath since by learned Cambden been  
Effected, as to his lasting praise is seen:  
For his Brittania doth Proclaim his worth,  
And England's Fame and Monuments set forth.  
But for the other if the Abridgement be  
Translated from his large Book faithfully,  
He hath dealt as careless with our Mystery;  
For three things do complete a History:  
That's Persons, Time, and Place; two of which he  
Hath oft ommitted here, but chief Time,  
Which next to Persons is, herein the prime:  
For if we knew the time when they did live,  
We might a more exact conjecture give  
Of their devising of it: but how ere,  
We read Women th' Inventors of it were;  
And be it true, 'tis no disparagement,  
That worthy Women did it first Invent.  
For they in other things have famous been,  
As may in History be plainly seen.  
To instance in a few, Semiramis  
Who lived in Abraham's time, renowned is,  
Whose manly courage, and stout heart was such,  
That Babel's Empire, she enlarged much:  
And India her high praise can testify,  
Had she not fall'n to sensuality.  
So likewise Tomaris, a Sythian Queen,  
By her brave valour, no less fame did win,  
Who in the Field, durst th' Persian Monarch meet,  
Warlike Cyrus, though his Armies were great,  
Him she over came, and in a Tub of blood,  
Did cast his Head, saying: if it be good  
There drink thy fill, in blood thou didst delight,  
And much blood spilt: now blood shall thee requite:  
So th' Amasonian Queen, Penthasitia,  
Stout Achilles could not her dismay;  
Though he ('tis said,) was seven Cubits high,  
His height nor strength, could not her terrify;  
Neither did on his manly power stand,  
But durst encounter with him, hand for hand;  
Although, he Hector, and brave Troilus slew,  
Yet she had hopes that she might him subdue;  
And though she failed, What Man could more adventure  
Then in the Lists, with such a Champion enter?  
So in Philosophy, Hippacia, was  
Learned so well, she many did surpass;  
For to her lasting praise 'tis write that she,  
In th' open Schools, oft read Philosophy.  
So Sappho was an excellent Poet known  
As by those that have writ of her is shown:  
So an English Woman at Rome frequently,  
In man's apparel read Divinity;  
Whose Learning, and whose Zeal was thought so great  
That she thereby attained the Papal seat;  
And by the name of John the Eight, ('tis true)  
Was Pope of Rome until she fell in two.  
So Mercia, a Noble Lady who  
A King of Britain's Wife was, long ago;  
Here devisd Laws, which long after her name,  
Were Mercian Laws called to her greater fame:  
To omit others, Queen Elizabeth,  
Even from her Crowning to her latest breath,  
No Man could her excel, in each degree;  
As 'tis known, to her famous memory.  
So our Silk-weaving here in London was  
Wrought first by Women (may report take place;)  
Who did not only work it, but also  
Kept Shops themselves, and sold it, many know:  
And to the World the same to signify,  
They Linen Cloth about their Shops posts tie:  
Which in their memory is used still  
By many that such sorts of Ware do sell.  
And to maintain this Weaving Credit I  
Did take this task in hand, and that thereby,  
I might take off reproach that lies on it  
Was the Chief cause these lines by me were writ;  
Whose true worth to uphold, and blaze his praise,  
I will endeavour to my last of days.  
Thus a few worthy Women I have shown  
But many, many more are likewise known.  
Many several ways as excellent  
As Men, and full as able to invent  
Rare works, would they their studies bend thereto;  
As I for instance in a few here show.  
Then Weavers think it no disgrace to you,  
That Women found your Trade out. Be it true.  
Thus to my skill, who our Art did devise,  
I truly to you do Anatomize.  
Now something in its praise I mean to show,  
That the true worth of Weaving all may know,  
And also stop their mouths who vilify  
Our useful Science undeservedly.   

The Second Canto.  
He divers Noble Persons here  
Names that in Weaving frequent were.  
Then he declares its usefulness;  
And also sundry Trades express  
That do depend upon it: and  
What Multitudes of People stand  
Engaged to it. Then, its praise  
He amplifieth many ways:  
And further, to that purpose he  
Shows the liberal Arts to be  
Therein included; and likewise  
Doth them with Weaving Sympathise.  
And divers other matters couched  
Are in this Canto; not here touched.  
WEaving Invented, as before is writ,  
Though much uncertain who devised it;  
Yet doth experience show, 'tis of such use  
That a more needful Trade none could produce:  
And in its infancy was found so rare,  
That personages of worth, known frequent were,  
To Spin and Wove: as Hercules for one  
Whose like, (if true) no time hath ever known;  
His Twelve great Labours makes the World admire  
That he such difficulties could acquire;  
Yet he laid by his Club, and Lion's skin,  
And for a Lady's love sat down to Spin.  
So likewise, Sardanapalus, although he,  
Did sway th' Assyrian first great Monarchy,  
Took much more pleasure with Women to Spin,  
And use the Weaving Trade, than he took in  
Such great Magnificence. Attulus likewise,  
Though King of Asia minor, did devise,  
First to Wove Gold and Silver with Silk, and  
So gained as much fame, as by his command.  
So famous Queens and Ladies frequent were  
To Spin and Wove, as Writers do declare:  
As Omphate and you'll, who Hercules loved dear,  
Though famous for their beauty, did not forbear  
To use our Trade. And Queen Penelope  
Ulysses chaste and constant Wife, yet she  
Was more delighted with the Weaving Trade,  
Then in those many Wooers that she had.  
And so chaste Lucrece, wife to Collatine,  
A worthy Roman Prince, did not decline  
The Weaving Trade, for she late in the night,  
Was with her maids found therein to delight;  
And though it after proved her overthrow,  
Yet she renowned is, for being so.  
So great Augustus Caesar's Queen, though he  
Were the head of the World's fourth Monarchy,  
And she his Empress, the greatest Woman in  
Europe, Asia, and Africa, yet was seen  
Oft to be frequent about Weaving, and  
Not on her husband's Stately titles stand.  
So Charlemagne, renowned King of France;  
Who the Pope, and his own worth did advance  
To be the Western Emperor; yet did  
His Daughter Wove, neither were they forbidden  
By him for all his State, to use the same;  
Nor did they in so doing impair their fame.  
And doubtless many worthy Persons moe  
That my small reading, never came to know.  
And it is out of question many of these  
If 'twere not all of them, though Histories  
Do not reveal the same, did rather choose  
Both Gold and Silk, than courser stuff to use  
In their thus exercising Weaving; as  
We instance may in Attulus, who was  
More noble numbered, and as was his state,  
Most rich, more rich materials aimed at.  
And so we may imagine of the rest,  
But every one as to their mind seemed best.  
But my aim is, Silk-weaving to prefer;  
And none can say concerning these, I err.  
Howe'er, they are a Glory to our Trade,  
And graced it much, although it now be made  
Contemptible by some; Antiquity  
Were proud to use so rare a Mystery.  
Nor was our worthy Famous Science then,  
Better approved of, or esteemed with men,  
Than it deserved: and all may confess  
That to this day it doth deserve no less.  
For ere it was invented, all Men know  
The Beggar Clothed like the King must go;  
For neither had wherewith Raiment to make,  
Than what they from the backs of Beasts did take.  
And is't not far more decent to behold  
A Royal King arrayed in Cloth of Gold,  
Of Tissue, or of Silk guarded with Lace,  
Or rare Invention, as becomes his place,  
Then see him Covered with a rough Bull hid,  
Or Ravening Bears, or prancing Steeds, that died  
Full of diseases? or a delicious Queen,  
Clad in hard Leather, whose tenderness is seen  
To shrink at the least wind, although she's Clad  
In best and warmest Clothing may be had?  
Or when they sit at meat, to see their board,  
To lie uncovered, or at best afford  
No better furniture than what is got  
From skins of Beasts? methinks it beseems them not.  
Or when they go to rest, to see Men bring  
A heap of hides, to be their Covering?  
Or see a babe new born, to be wrapped in  
No softer swathing, then a hard rough skin,  
Deserveth pity? yet they had no more  
Till Weaving furnished them with better store.  
Yet now, for them, and others, as their degree  
Requires, a fit supply of Cloth have we.  
How many Trades, may likewise Bless the day,  
When Weaving was devised? and yearly may  
In memory of it, as we did Kings Coronations,  
Keep one day Festival to all Generations?  
And Weavers much respect, without whose aid  
Their only maintenance were quite decayed?  
A Philosopher did write, that if the Sun  
A moment should forbear his course to run,  
The World would ruined be: so, were our Trade  
A while left off, what ruins would be made  
Among a world of Trades? As I shall show  
Before my work I further do pursue;  
And 'twill be requisite, for by the same  
They'll find their disrespect deserveth blame.  
The Merchant that o'er all the World doth Trade,  
By whom our Nation is so famous made,  
Weavers work is the chief Commodity  
That he transporteth hence, and therefore he  
May much respect him, for if he were gone,  
That gainful Trade of his, would be o'erthrown:  
This is his lading as he's outward bound.  
And is not Linen-cloth, brought hither, found  
Likewise to be a great Commodity,  
Gainful, and needful, unto each degree?  
So were Silk-stuffs, but we being skilful grown,  
To make them here, that Trade's well-nigh overthrown.  
And Flax and Tow that's brought in, were not we  
To make it Cloth, of little use would be:  
So Cotton-Wool, without the Weaver were  
As needless, as most plainly doth appear:  
Nay Silk, that great and rich Commodity,  
Without our help, would like these, useless be,  
And almost fit for nothing: but being we  
Employ it to profit, by our industry;  
Whither would not the Merchant venture, for  
To gain so gainful a Commodity, or  
What dangers not adventure to run through,  
What unknown Seas, with his Ships keel to plough;  
What perilous Climates pass, and what strange Lands,  
Where he no word of their speech understands;  
Where people's manners from his different are,  
Where other Customs (than among us) appear;  
Where other Stars shine, than with us give light,  
Where other Gods, other Religions, quite  
Contrary to ours be; other beginnings too,  
Of time, and Men, than we acknowledge do  
Take place; and more strange Rites they use?  
Yet he to run these hazards doth not refuse,  
To bring in a far-fetched Commodity,  
Which without Weaving, of no use would be;  
But with our help, what numbers hereby do  
Gain great Estates, as doth experience show!  
The Merchant (as is said) hereby doth rise  
Unto great wealth, and as great dignities.  
The Mercer, not to him inferior is,  
But he the Weaver may respect for this;  
And both the Drapers may the Weaver love,  
For by him, in so high a Sphere they move.  
The Silkman, that unto us silk doth sell,  
Beholding to the Weaver is as well  
As any of these, which he knows well enough,  
Oh that he would not wrong us with bad stuff!  
Th'other Silkman also, who doth buy  
Ware of the Weaver, may ingeniously  
Confess, that by our Trade his wealth doth rise,  
Then, wherefore should he us so much despise?  
Rather in Conscience, they might poor men give  
A better price, that they might better live.  
The Haberdasher too, with these may share,  
Who might want wealth, if he wanted our ware;  
And the Upholster lack his strong Bed-tike,  
Rug, and Curtains, with other things such like.  
Nor let the Printer o'er the Weaver vapour,  
For without Cloth, what would he do for paper?  
The Stationer too would get but slender fees,  
If men did write on bark, or leaves of Trees  
As they have done: for if weaving were gone,  
Can skins be spared to write or Print upon?  
And many Handicrafts, as well as these,  
But for the Weaver, were brought on their knees,  
As the Cloathworker, who us disrespects,  
For in his Motto, he, our Trade neglects;  
Naming a Ram, a Lamb, a Sheep, and Wool,  
From all which he'd but little profit cull,  
For what would Ram, Lamb, Sheep and wool all gain'im,  
Without the Weaver? his Trade doth sustain'im.  
So the Cloath-drawer would want holes to stop,  
If in the Weaver were not his whole hope.  
So the Cloath-presser, and the Calendar,  
Without the Weaver, quite dissolved were;  
And might (if possible) a new Trade learn,  
If any be, that ours doth not concern:  
The Dyer likewise of Silk, of Stuff, or Cloth,  
To want the Weaver, would be very loath,  
For on him they rely; but the last two  
I do not know, nor with them have to do:  
But for the first, if I might speak my mind,  
I'd say, he were not always honestly inclined;  
For if Silk were uprightly died, it would  
When it doth come to using, better hold.  
Nor could the Throster so many employ  
Without the help of Weaving mystery:  
For his gummed ware would then lie on his hand,  
And all his Mills and Wheels might idle stand.  
So he that Gold and Silver Wyer draws,  
And those that spin it upon Silk, have cause  
To love the Weaver, for if he were not,  
There would but small gain by their Trades be got.  
You'd think the Tailor I did not respect,  
If I here in my lines should him neglect:  
He being so gentile, and one of fashion,  
Who to our Trade hath very great relation;  
We wove, and pick, and die, and dress, and trim,  
Our Cloth, Stuff, Ribond, Lace, and all for him;  
He's put in trust therewith; without his help,  
It were but like a formless young Bear-whelp,  
That hath no shape, until the kind dam do  
By painful labour, lick it thereinto;  
So is our Weaving, until he by Art,  
With it shapes Garments, fit for every part  
Of us, wherein I hope he hath the trick,  
As she her whelp, so he'll his fingers lick;  
And as the greedy Bear too well is known  
To be so cruel, that it will spare none  
Her paw lights on, so will not he likewise  
All that he can with safety, make his prize?  
What though he flaunt it out, and like a Knight  
Wear brave Apparel? all's not Gold that's bright;  
He may respect the Weaver for it, and  
Not on his sturdy Stilts so stately stand;  
For he must fetch a number of hard stitches,  
To flourish so with making Leather-Breeches.  
Where would the Week-Merchant get Cloth to sell  
To poor folks, to be weekly paid so well,  
But by the Weaver? six in Centum we  
May take for Use per Annum; but doth not he  
Tie tie unto the six, and sixty make it,  
Which if you like not (Sir) you may forsake it.  
I likewise might some other Trades set down,  
That do the Weaver need, as 'tis well known;  
As the Whitster, Bandseller, Painter, and  
Th'embroiderer, though these two last do stand  
Upon their points, and in their boasting say,  
Their Trades do surpass Weaving every way:  
But put the case they do, which is not true,  
As presently I'll make't appear to you;  
Yet weaving is their Basis; were it gone,  
What groundwork then had they to work upon?  
But in their Trades there's nothing they can do,  
But we the like can present to your view.  
Dost thou desire the shape of any Beast?  
That in our work, by us can be expressed:  
Or any Fowl, or any Fish to see?  
These also, easily can produced be.  
Or any Tree, or Herb, or Flower? likewise,  
We can present them all before your eyes:  
Do you desire a Tulip in your Hat?  
The Weavers skill can furnish you with that.  
Or would you wear a Rose or July-flower?  
To make you any lies in Weaving pour;  
Or whatsoever you would have brought to sight,  
For 'tis the Cornucopia of delight.  
And can more be produced by theirs, than I  
Have writ, or might, if need, more amplify?  
Mistake me not, for I ascribe unto  
Our God all power, for he doth all things do;  
Ours are but shadows, that resemblance bear  
Of substances, that he hath made appear.  
But if compared with these Trades, ours be,  
We do surpass them in a high degree;  
For where theirs for the most part are for show,  
Ours is for service likewise, all do know;  
And like to Amalthea's Horn, hath store  
Of all variety, no Trade hath more:  
And useful is to all: nay further yet,  
What several multitudes of people get  
Their livelihood by Weaving, or some Trade  
Depending thereupon; that were it decayed,  
I am persuaded half the world would be,  
Wanting employment, brought to misery.  
So that all may, like as th' Astronomer,  
Before each Star doth Jupiter prefer  
For magnitude; they also (in our praise,  
Above each Trade) the Weaver Crown with Bays:  
Or, as the Tyrians their God Hercules,  
(For fear they any time should him displease,  
And he depart) did with a Golden thread,  
To a pillar bind him, that so, at their need  
They might implore his aid; so may each one,  
With Cords of Love, our Trade; for were it gone,  
All the world its help would quickly want.  
Over the Weaver then, let no Trade vaunt.  
Yet further to its praise, I make it appear,  
The Liberal Arts in it included are;  
Or, as my skill doth serve, I will unfold,  
How it with them, doth nigh resemblance hold:  
That Weaving worth I may augment thereby,  
And its deserved praise more amplify.  
First for Arithmetic, (the numbering Art)  
We imitate (almost) in every part.  
We add, subtract, divide, and multiply,  
Our Warp and Woof, as we occasions see;  
And every suit we suit, Progression is  
From one to millions, goes on our degrees.  
The Rule of Three, of any Rule the best,  
By our Stuff, our Loom, and Workman is expressed;  
By these three known, and well employed in time,  
We do produce a golden sum of Coin;  
The Rule of Loss and Gain, we often use;  
Sometime to Barter we do not refuse;  
Proportion is the form our work doth bear;  
Reduction is the order we keep there;  
And other Rules we use, some more, some less,  
As need requires, and I need not express.  
Fractions, too often, in our work are used,  
Most when the Dyer hath our Stuff abused.  
To Extract a Root by us, you think 'tis much,  
But you shall understand it is not such;  
For there no figure is that we espy,  
Though wrote most intricate, and cunningly,  
But we can draw it forth, and in our frame  
With much facility explain the same:  
And as Arithmetic doth daily grow  
More perfect than the former times did know;  
As Logarithmes, or John Nepiers bones,  
And great Algebra, that not many owns;  
And several other Instruments in use,  
As time, by time, doth to the world produce:  
So is our Trade more ample many ways,  
Than unto men was known in former days.  
Geometry is next, to which we do  
In divers kinds agree, as I shall show:  
The beginning of our work compared may be  
To a point, the original of Geometry,  
Our threads to lines, our work on either side,  
To parallels which equally divide  
Themselves at distance, and so forward run,  
Ad infinitum, or till our work be done.  
Our Leeses, Perpendiculars, you see,  
Plattens, Triangles, or Semicircles be;  
Our Roul a Centre is, each turn we commence  
Of work thereon, is a Circumference.  
And as by this Arts Instruments we may  
The length, breadth, height, of any thing survey,  
(Except that All in all) and by its skill,  
The true dimensions give; so 'tis known well,  
That of all forms under the imperial Heaven,  
The perfect Figure may in our work begiv'n.  
And as the word Geometry imports  
A measuring of the Earth, and that all sorts  
Of Nations need the same; so is our Trade  
To all the world by us, most useful made.  
Next for Astronomy; our Trade alludes  
To that, in every one of these similitudes:  
Cloath-weaving, to the Sun compared may be,  
Keeping one constant course continually;  
Silk-Stuffs, unto the Moon, never the same,  
But always change the Figure or the Name.  
Plain Ribond represents the fixed Stars,  
Regular in its course, no change, no jars;  
All other silk works, (may be compared) whatever,  
Unto the wand'ring Planets, who do never  
Keep any rule, but sometimes move direct,  
Then Retrograde, oft changing their Aspect:  
So those Silk-weavers that employed be  
In such like works, we very seldom see  
At any constant stay, but always changing  
To this, to that, like Planets ever ranging,  
From good, to better, or from bad to worse,  
Sometimes to empty, sometimes fill the Purse.  
And as those Heavenly Lamps, in their Aspects,  
By sundry forms, produce sundry effects;  
From a Conjunction that's benevolent,  
Astrologers affirm much good is sent;  
So Malevolent Aspects they likewise say,  
Much evil doth unto Mankind convey:  
So when the times fall cross, and opposite,  
Bad Trading doth upon the Weaver light;  
But when Conjunctions that bring peace are sent,  
That to our Calling proves benevolent.  
But all this doth not always fall out true,  
No more than what they predict shall ensue;  
For sometimes we in trouble most enjoy,  
So when they threat most, we have least annoy.  
This for Astronomy enough shall be,  
To show how Weaving doth with it agree.  
Now Grammar shows itself, without whose aid,  
Who rightly can unfold what's writ or said?  
Thou on four feet as four sure props dost stand,  
By whom to aid each Art, thou art a hand:  
Orthography, and Etymology;  
Syntaxis also, and last Prosody:  
Thus are they named: the first doth teach to spell  
Each word aright, and then you'd write it well:  
The second shows from whence they are derived,  
So of the true sense, you'll not be deprived:  
The third to place them truly, gives you light;  
The last how to pronounce them all aright.  
In imitation whereof, we likewise,  
To spell, or frame our Figure first devise;  
And as our words, composed of letters are,  
Even so by threads, our figures do appear;  
Which if not rightly placed, is as much shame,  
As to write false Orthography is blame:  
But when we thus far have proceeded true,  
We then produce our Figure to the view;  
And that resembles Etymology,  
As words, so works, from whence derived they be.  
As from infinite grounds, words sense doth grow,  
So from infinite forms our Figures flow:  
To spell true, and know the words derivation,  
Is here declared; so we in imitation,  
Have formed our work, and drawn our Figures trace.  
Our next is like Syntaxis, how to place,  
As that each word, so we each Cord aright;  
They to place true, we, that ours so may light,  
Do pass each Cord with care, as Scholars, when  
They'd speak true Latin, or write with their pen,  
Lest Priscian's head therein by them be broken.  
Or our work false, both which, were a dunces token:  
And as by Prosodia, they each accent weigh,  
So we with care, each Cord and Thread survey;  
They that their Verse may sweetly sound, and we  
That our work may in every part agree.  
And as he knows, who is in Grammar skilled,  
Many subsequent Rules the Art doth yield;  
As needful explanations of each ground,  
And trials to declare their knowledge sound;  
Through which young Students with much labour wander  
As in a Maze, or intricate Meander,  
Ere he attain to a proficiency,  
Or perfect skill, in this Art's Mystery;  
Which some (though very studious) hardly do  
With all their painful Study reach unto:  
So in Silk-weaving we have sorts of work,  
Wherein there doth great difficulty lurk;  
That few attain to its profundity,  
Though they be of a quick capacity:  
But these days (more than ever) do present  
Quotidian proofs of its accomplishment.  
See here, how Grammar, and the Weaving Trade,  
To agree in most particulars is made.  
Next I'll place Logic, wherein I will show  
How we do correspond with it also:  
Ten general Heads, named Predicaments,  
The Rules of this Art unto us presents;  
Which ten be these: Substance the first must be,  
Quantity second, the third Quality,  
The fourth Relation, Action the fifth, than  
Passion the sixth, Where the seventh, the eighth When,  
The ninth is Situation or the place,  
The tenth is Habit, or the outward face:  
These are the ten which I'll Anatomize,  
By showing how we with them do sympathise.  
Thus for the first, our Ware's a Substance wrought,  
In Quantity 'tis large, or narrow brought;  
In Quality 'tis useful, and hath Relation  
To all mankind; Active's the workman's fashion;  
Passive the Loom is, it being in use,  
Where, that's the place that we think fit to choose;  
When, that's the time the workman works in it;  
Situation the manner how it is made fit;  
Habit is the form that it doth bear.  
And thus I briefly have made it appear,  
That our Trade these includes; the next must be,  
How it doth with a Syllogism agree.  
Those say that do well know the arguing Arts,  
A Syllogism consisteth of three parts;  
The Major, Minor, and Conclusion are  
These three, which thus to you I will declare.  
The Proposition, or the Major, must  
The Master be; what he propounds in trust  
Unto the Minor, or the Servant, he  
Doth then assume, and by his industry,  
Brings it unto a right end or Conclusion;  
Admitting of no Fallacies intrusion;  
Of which I'll speak a word, it being a thing  
That ever with it doth some falsehood bring;  
And it is my desire, that we have none,  
That either do, or have in that path gone:  
And adulterate Ware, that's fair to the eye,  
Praised for good, which is a fallacy.  
Thus I, as well as my skill could devise,  
The Art of Reasoning here, anatomize,  
And ours Consort therewith, that all may see,  
How full our Trade is of variety.  
Now Rhetoric claims its place among these seven,  
Unto which, what Enconiums may be given  
To express its worth, and yield to it due praise,  
Whose glorious lustre, bright resplendent rays,  
Through every learned Author shines as clear  
As at noon-tide Apollo in his Sphere,  
When he through burning Cancer guides his Car,  
And to our sight his Beams most glorious are:  
Thy Tropes are flowers, as some Writers say,  
And well may be so named, because they  
So numerous are, and like variety  
With those, that do Dame Tellus beautify:  
These flowers choice picked and placed delight the mind,  
Ours doth the Body garnish, which to mankind  
Is much more needful; thine's an ornament  
To Learning in particular, but th'extent  
Of ours, doth reach to all; thine to the Schools  
A handmaid is, ours serveth wise and fools:  
Thine needful is, but ours is much more so,  
Yet who would not thee, rather than us forego?  
But pardon me dear Rhetoric this stile,  
And I'll endeavour now, to reconcile  
Thee and our Trade together, showing how we  
In most particulars do both agree.  
there's not a Flower in thine Art, which I  
Have not orelooked, and weighed seriously;  
(Although I have here, through my want of skill,  
Made use of few or none, with my dull quill:)  
But if as one should in a Garden walk,  
He doth not pluck a flower from every stalk;  
But picks one here, one there, as doth his eye  
Direct him to, to please his fantasy:  
So I, to show how the Silk-weaving Trade,  
To consort with the Art of Rhetoric's made,  
Choose here and there one thence, as my  
Mind serves; and to avoid prolixity,  
First for Synecdoche, or quick conceit,  
On every workman that doth always wait,  
For whatsoever Figure he espies,  
By quick conceit, he'll it anatomize;  
Or by Apostrophe turn it about,  
Producing thence another fashion out;  
As Gnome the director thinks it fit;  
Or Synonymia who hath store of wit.  
Or otherwise, he will by Metaphor,  
Change it into another form, that's more  
Agreeing to his purpose; or by Allegory  
Enlarge it, to set forth its greater glory;  
Or by Brachiloga, he will contract it,  
And into so small form thereby compact it;  
Though Paradoxon, or Enigma there,  
A Wonder or a Riddle seem t'appear.  
Such hidden mysteries, no scruple shall  
To an ingenious workman be at all;  
Nay with Dilemma, though his Figure be  
But on one side, on both he'll presently  
Make it alike. Let none in any wise,  
Imagine I herein Hyperbolise.  
Then Envy may, and Ignorance forbear  
To spend their Irony, their flout or jeer;  
And with humble Metanoea, repent that  
Their ignorance provoked their tongue to prate  
Beyond their knowledge; for no Eclipse here,  
Or fault committed is, as may appear.  
Sweet Rhetoric, I might go on, and more  
Flowers pluck from thine inexhausted store;  
An● like a Gordian-knot, wove curiously,  
Them, to augment Silk-weavings praise, here tie:  
But Paranymia, or the Proverb says,  
Enough is as good as feasting; therefore to raise  
More similitudes, I thought it not fit,  
Or, to my skill, I'd have endeavoured it.  
All hail sweet Music, thou bringst up these reres,  
Delightful sounds, like Harmony of the Spheres.  
How shall I frame a fit propinquity,  
Whereby with thee to gain affinity?  
Thy Gamuth is the first step to thy Science,  
To which our pricking patterns have alliance.  
No one in thee, can a proficient prove,  
That therein is not skilled; nor can we move  
One degree forward, toward perfection,  
If this be not our ground to build upon.  
Nor a Musician can his melody  
Make pleasing to himself, or standers by,  
Unless a Concord in his strings be found;  
Nor can our workmen any work make sound,  
Whose tools and tackling remain out of frame,  
But when by skill, both rectify the same:  
Then thou and we, a Diapason strike;  
Thy Musick's sweet, our Wares our Chapmen like;  
And all thy Figures we do imitate,  
Thy Large, Long, Brief, Semi-Brief, Sharp, and Flat;  
All which I could demonstrate here, if so  
My Time would time permit me it to do;  
But I'll forbear, and briefly show how we  
Do correspond with them in Melody.  
Thy pleasing sounds proceed from Instruments;  
Ours an Harmonious voice, whose rare accents  
Have often forced sweet Philomela forbear  
Her sugared notes, our sweeter tunes to hear;  
Nay great Apollo, the Musician's God,  
What time he here on earth made his abode,  
Was so delighted, with the curious strains  
Of well-tuned ditties, penned by pregnant brains,  
That had he not engaged been to keep  
The numerous flocks of King Admetus' Sheep,  
Then, when rude Pan, with his Pipes rustic play,  
Durst to contend with his Harps lofty Lay;  
The Weavers Songs, with ravishing Melody,  
Did so delight the God of Harmony,  
That with them he would here have sympathised,  
And such rare Songs to their sweet notes devised;  
That like to Orpheus, their enchanting Ditties  
Should tame wild Beasts, & build up Towns & Cities.  
For this he did acknowledge, to their praise,  
They did for Song, from all Trades bear the Bays.  
Thus 'twixt Apollo, and Minerva, I  
Though in rude sort, have wrought affinity;  
But wanting her Invention, and his Wit,  
My weak skill hath not fashioned it so fit,  
As better Artists might, that better know,  
For my Pen here, my Ignorance doth show.  
Here I have showed you how our Mystery,  
With the Seven Liberal Arts, doth nigh agree.  
And now I'll show, that ours more useful is  
Than all of them; but pardon me in this:  
For let none think, 'tis in the least my thought,  
That those rare Arts should in contempt be brought,  
Of which the World hath so much use, and I  
As dearly love, as my own liberty,  
Or what is dearer to me; but to show  
Our Trades true worth, and likewise let such know  
Their ignorance, who do it so despise,  
Though of its usefulness, before their eyes,  
Nay on themselves, they every day partake,  
Without regard thereof: but as the Snake,  
Did (being nigh frozen dead) the man entreat  
To put him in a place where he some heat  
Might reassume, to save his nigh lost life,  
Which being attained, he doth repay with strife,  
And foul ingratitude his love: even so,  
Those Peacocks now in their great bravery know  
No want of Clothing, (Nor of the supply  
Silk-weaving yields, the same to beautify;  
If not all Silk,) therefore us they scorn:  
But should they go a while, as they were born,  
Naked, or Clothed in Leather, than they would  
Respect our Trade, and wish it ever should  
Flourish in fame, and reputation till  
Time the last minute of its course fulfil.  
But to my purpose: first for the numbering Art,  
What man is there that would not gladly part  
With it, and promise ne'er to use it more,  
Rather than be debarred of that rich store,  
And Comfort, that our Trade doth yield? and so  
Geometry, who would not it forego,  
Before he'd lose the part he doth possess  
In our rich Trades most happy usefulness?  
Astronomy too, as useless is, compared  
To our Arts worth, as any thereof debarred  
Would soon acknowledge; and Music not at all  
May with us into Competition fall:  
For he other three, there need no more be said,  
But us our Mother-Tongue would bring to bed:  
And I suppose, it a much lesser harm were  
To want them all, than  to keep us warm there.  
I do not mean, the plain part of each Art,  
Which I to Leather-Garments may consort,  
But the abstruse part of each one might be  
Much better spared than our rich Mystery:  
But to have both is best; for neither we  
Can want without great loss; and blest be he,  
By whose Assistance we do both possess,  
And daily partake of their usefulness.  
But now a word or two, to show the cause  
That such contempt upon Silk-weaving draws:  
Then I herein have now no more to say;  
But wish our Trade in good fame flourish may.  
The end of the second Canto.   

The third CANTO.  
Here its worth repeating, he  
Shows what the chiefest causes be  
Of its disparagement, and doth show  
From what weak grounds the same doth flow;  
To redress which, useth declamations,  
With invective dehortations;  
Then he extolleth such by whom  
It Credit gaineth; and doth come  
To show what worth not long ago  
It had in London, and also  
Doth now retain by means of some,  
Who are Silk-weavers: and so from  
One circumstance to another he  
Proceeds, till his task ended be.  
IF Weaving be of such Antiquity,  
So useful, nay, of such necessity,  
That all the world in general doth it need,  
And also standeth other Trades instead:  
And that Personages great and eminent,  
Did with delight and pleasure it frequent;  
What is the cause 'tis now despised so,  
Or by what means into such contempt grow?  
Being of most Trades, the Primum mobile,  
Or the first mover, Pole, or Axletree;  
By which they are, and principally move,  
As the inferior Orbs, by that above;  
Or as Learned Record terms his Arithmetic  
The ground of Arts, so we, (justly) the like  
May style our Trade the ground of Trades: or it  
May (truly) be compared very fit  
To the foundation of a house, for who  
Is he, that doth not by experience know,  
That without it, the Building soon would fall?  
So likewise many Trades, yea, almost all,  
Were brought to ruin, having no remedy,  
But by the help of our rare Mystery.  
Four Causes here, I'll principally name,  
That chief are the reasons of the same.  
The first, some shopkeepers, that buy our Ware,  
Who, when bad Trading is, so cruel are,  
So gripping, and unconscionable, that  
When poor men come to sell, will bid a rate  
Of so small profit, knowing they perforce  
Must any money take, or do things worse;  
Thus by the low rate they in hard times give  
Poor Weavers, they constrained are to live  
Meanly, and sometimes ready to want Bread,  
While the other are both richly clothed and fed,  
And in their Shops, (like Lords) most stately are,  
With the profit they get by the Weavers Beware;  
And the poor Weaver, by his cruelty,  
Forced to spin out his Life in poverty;  
Which brings a scandal on our Trade, while he  
That is the cause, doth flourish gallantly.  
Of some this is the Custom; but there be  
Others among them, deal more Christianly,  
By giving unto those, of whom they buy,  
A price that will maintain them decently:  
Let a blessing be upon such men, nay they  
Will blessings find, now or another day;  
But th'other their seared hearts are grown so hard,  
That they nor Curse nor Blessing do regard,  
For Griping gain, the god is they adore:  
But by this means poor Weavers are kept poor;  
For they having no way to raise a stock,  
And th'other no Conscience, hold them in this lock.  
But there's other Silk-Weavers, who live brave,  
And make those men pay well for what they have:  
I wish the rest like these, could hold them to it,  
And no way like good husbandry will do it.  
Three other sorts of men, I likewise here,  
Will, though unwillingly, to you declare;  
Who, if my judgement do me not deceive,  
Our Trade of much fame and repute bereave:  
Of which three, one is the hard-hearted man,  
Who hath no mercy, neither pity can  
Enter his breast, nor knows he Christianity,  
Nor is i'th'least acquainted with Humanity;  
But poor Children abuse, and do not beat  
Only their backs, but bellies, by want of meat;  
Which makes them heartless that service to do,  
Which they by him are daily set unto:  
Neither can he, without the same subsist,  
If it be not by their hard labour increased,  
Which they not able at all times to do,  
His furious hot displeasure run into,  
And some his storming rigour to prevent,  
Too oft aside step, to scape punishment;  
And many too many Dames, rather than they  
Will seek a means his chollar to allay,  
The more will aggravate his fury, though  
It sometime proves to be their overthrow;  
Rather if Boys want wit, have thou a care,  
That want of patience fall not to thy share;  
Allure him by good Counsel, and fair words,  
Both which are known, to be more powerful cords,  
And sooner will him draw t'amendment, than  
The strictest course of the most cruel men:  
But if that fair means will not win him to  
That which is fitting, known for him to do;  
Then use the rod, or wand, but careful be  
Mercy to mix with thy severity:  
If thou too strict art, and he run away,  
Wither to seek him wilt thou take thy way?  
And he then wanting, his wants to supply,  
At best must beg, and in the streets oft lie.  
Whereby our Trade hath been much scandalised,  
For want of both being better advised:  
Was not a Master and a Dame lately  
In danger of life, for their great cruelty?  
Let them a warning be to others, that they  
By such do work not their own decay;  
But pity 'tis the Trade in general  
Should censured be by one's unhappy fall.  
The other two, as shall to you be shown,  
Are known the Drunkard and the idle drone;  
The Drunkard doth such unfit carriage show,  
That we do now into a byword grow;  
For if a man do any Drunkard meet,  
As daily there's too many in the street,  
There goes a drunken Weaver he doth cry;  
Thus our Trades brought to infamy thereby.  
But though the Trade thereby doth bear much blame,  
Himself is also scourged for the same;  
Witness his poverty, and poor array,  
Witness his health and strength both which decay;  
Witness his disrespect with honest men,  
Witness his antic, frantic carriage, when  
Drink hath him overcome, that he thereby  
Is jeered and scorned by the raskality;  
And is unfit for labour made, whereby  
He draws on him and his great poverty.  
Philip the King of Macedonia, when  
He against the Persians marched with an host of men,  
Hearing they were inclined t'intemperancy,  
He did forbear the war, saying, shortly  
They would o'erthrow themselves: so, even so  
The Drunkard seeketh his own overthrow,  
And the overthrow of his whole family;  
And also on our Trade draws infamy.  
You young men Weavers, that do yet stand free  
From being acquainted with Ebriety  
If you a master have, or if there are  
Journeymen thus inclined, let it be far,  
Ever far from you, to follow their example,  
To take delight therein, no rather trample  
Under your feet the thought of that which doth  
Both spoil the wit and memory of youth,  
Wrongs their invention also, and doth make  
Them much uncapable to undertake  
What might them profit, and preferment bring,  
For drunkenness behind it leaves a sting  
That doth the reputation wound of all,  
Both old and young that in love with it fall;  
And if a young man's Credit be once stained,  
Much labour it will ask, ere 'tis regained.  
Drink hath these three effects, as one doth say,  
And we find it to prove true, day by day.  
Pleasure, Drunkenness, and Sorrow be  
Beyond exception taken for the three.  
The first is (Pleasure, that is) when 'tis taken  
Moderately, but when that paths forsaken,  
And we do swallow it down in excess,  
That bringeth forth the second, (Drunkenness)  
And if the Drunkard do live till the morrow,  
He'll find the third effect, (which will be Sorrow)  
Unless he be past hope, and wholly incline  
Himself thereto, making himself a Swine:  
Another says it is a Monster that  
Hath many heads, and who startles not at  
So strange an Object? which heads are, saith he,  
Foul Talk, and Actions that much fouler be;  
With Railing, Swearing, Cursing, Quarrelling, and  
Wrath, Murder, which will then be all at hand.  
Oh such a Monster shun, whose poison foul  
Will overthrow both thy Body and Soul.  
And no less hateful is base Idleness,  
As every man That's virtuous, will confess;  
For it, like Drunkenness, doth draw on need,  
And many evils more from it proceed:  
The idle man's unskilled in any Art;  
The Idle Man in Virtue hath no part;  
The idle man th'industrious displeases;  
The idle man heaps on himself Diseases;  
The idle man is unto no man friend;  
No not to himself, who time doth idly spend:  
For dilgence attains to that, which he  
Shall never do, for lack of industry.  
The doing man hath pleaty still in store,  
But idle negligence is always poor;  
Labour gains Love, Credit and Reputation;  
Negligence contempt and detestation.  
Be thou a Master, Servant, or whoe'er  
These lines of mine doth either read or hear,  
Regard not who did write them, rather learn,  
Between the good and evil to discern:  
Fly drunkenness and sloth, both which all know  
(That do know any thing) lead unto woe;  
Strive to be temperate and industrious, so  
You shall not only your wants overthrow,  
But bring yourselves in credit; and our Trade,  
Which by such misdemeanours hath been made  
Contemptible, shall reputation gain,  
And hellbred envies Calumny restrain:  
But I hope men of judgement are more wise,  
Than to give ear unto such Calumnies:  
For, as we say, One swallow doth not make  
A Summer, so, I hope no man will take  
Advantage from a few despised men,  
The Trade in general to disparage, when  
There is not any Handycraft I know  
In London, out of which there daily grow  
Men of more wealth, or known abilities;  
Or few or none to higher places rise  
Than Weavers have and do: should I omit  
To speak of some time past, which is not yet  
Five hundred years, for than it is well known,  
As truth by true relation hath it shown,  
The Weavers did in London bear great sway,  
Wherein they continued many a day:  
For those that have read ancient Records know,  
No Company in London can outgo  
The Weavers by Antiquity; for we  
The first Society in London be,  
That is confirmed by Charter, it being known  
About five hundred years of age, and none,  
Not any Company so ancient is,  
Nor any Charter granted before this;  
Which though it be no broader, nor in length  
Exceeds a hand, it is known of that strength,  
Being but about ten lines, that there's not many  
Charters in this City, if there be any  
Puts down our Charter for validity,  
As many learned Clerks can testify.  
And I once heard Recorder Littleton  
Confess no less, when it he looked upon,  
Who was much taken when he did it see,  
And reverence showed it for antiquity:  
And being 'tis truth, that we are known to be  
The first incorporated Company,  
That then in London was, Weavers might well  
As they then stood, all other Trades excel;  
And Candle-wick-Street, which is yet so named  
For Weavers Looms there standing, is still famed.  
I further might have boasted, telling you how  
Our Master swayed here, as the Lord Mayor now,  
And after 'twas a Mayoralty, they did ride  
In Purple-Gowns oft by the Mayor's side,  
But that I was not certain it was true,  
And nothing on bare hearsay would I show;  
But fame hath ever told us it was so,  
And from no cause no such report could flow.  
I wish this City Peace, Plenty, Health; may honour  
Be daily more and more conferred upon her;  
Let her Societies flourish, let there be  
Union within her Walls perpetually;  
Let every several Corporation know  
Its place and dignity, though ours below  
Some others at this present doth appear,  
This I have writ, to show what once we were;  
Not to detract from others, for some be  
Honourable by their Titles, so are we  
Expressed in our Charter, which hath been  
Confirmed by Parliament, as may be seen:  
But the Proverb says, and all allow the same,  
Tell me not what I was, but what I am.  
What we have been my lines in part declare,  
Nor need I shame to write what now we are;  
For here is living at this present day,  
A worthy Alderman late Lord Mayor, and may  
I write without offence, although he be  
Free of an Honourable Company,  
I hope he will not blame me, nor deny  
That he hath used Silk-weaving formerly;  
And also more, his honour to augment,  
Hath been a Member of our Parliament.  
But of our own Members, of late had we  
Two worthy Gentlemen, both seen to be  
Aldermen of this City; also I  
Have known them Masters of our Company,  
Being Silk-weavers, and likewise we have  
Common Council-men, who with other grave  
And ancient Citizens, are known to be  
Governors of Bridewell; besides have we  
Some chosen to be of the Corporation,  
Where poor men's children have good Education.  
Also in Naval conduct now have we  
Many brave Weavers, who Commanders be,  
Who for this Kingdom have good service done,  
And honour, fame, and Wealth gained; also run  
Through many difficulties, and been made  
Governors of strong holds, who by their Trade  
Are all Silk-weavers: thus by what's writ you see  
I'th' City and the Navy both have we  
Weavers of note and worth, and many more,  
Which would too long for me be to run over;  
Who naturally are otherwise inclined,  
And unto several studies bend their mind.  
Many proficients in Divinity,  
And many studious in Philosophy:  
Some very curious the Natures to know  
Of natural things; one of which hath to show  
As many sorts of most strange rarities,  
As I think ever one man saw with eyes:  
Others in Physic, and Astrology,  
Very well seen are, one especially,  
Who I cannot pass over, nor omit  
To write Enconiums of him that are fit.  
I formerly have read of an old Oak,  
Among the Poets, that in old time spoke,  
And gave forth doubtful Answers, and also  
Of Delphos Oracle, that long ago  
Answered demands, with words of double sense;  
But here is plain and true intelligence:  
Many to resolve doubts oft to him come,  
Returning with great satisfaction home,  
For his knowledge in Physic, and herein  
Hath with successful proof approved been;  
And from Blackfriars both Town and country can  
Testify, he is a well deserving man.  
It would be here too much, too long, to me,  
Several men to name particularly,  
For their known worth; only I will show,  
That we have also many Silk-weavers who,  
In their respective dwellings, live as brave,  
And as good fame and reputation have,  
As any Trade about them, none dispraised,  
And are as frequent in their Parishes raised,  
All Offices to bear, as others be;  
And not a few, but many such have we;  
And may their number still increase, that so,  
Weaving to be respected more might grow:  
But as the purest Lawn may stained be,  
And the sweet Rose hath pricking thorns we see,  
Or as among good Wheat some Darnel grows;  
So we among these Gentlemen have those,  
Who nor their own, nor the Trade's fame regard,  
But shame, disgrace and poverty is their reward:  
Which I do name with grief; but for the rest,  
Be they with Heaven and Earthly blessings blest;  
For by their means, the Credit of our Trade  
Upheld is much, which but for such were made  
Contemptible with some, although its worth  
No pen is able fully to set forth;  
Much less hath mine here, who the unfittest am  
Of (many) any to declare the same.  
But I have long desired to do what here  
You see is done; if well or mean, howe'er,  
I hope my friends with good acceptance will,  
Value my meaning, wave my want of skill:  
For my intent was Silk-weaving to raise  
One step out of disgrace, where many days  
It hath lain struggling, as wanting a hand,  
To lift it on its former legs to stand;  
This on its knees may set it, an abler pen  
May if well ordered place it upright again:  
Which being done, its glory than shall last,  
Until the last Trump soundeth its last blast;  
For what ever doth perish, Weaving will  
Continue until Time his Time fulfil;  
And Snowball like, the further it doth pass,  
Gather fair fame to blot out foul disgrace.  
Nil ultra now I'll set unto my pen,  
And crave for favour of those Gentlemen,  
Those well deserving Weavers, who time hath made  
To be the praise and glory of our Trade;  
Hoping that they will no exceptions take  
For what's here done, being partly for their sake,  
And partly to admonish those that run  
Out of the way, I did what here is done;  
And also to take off that scandalous blot,  
Which the Trade if considered deserves not:  
And if I gain their loving favour, I  
Have the chief end that I desire hereby.  
Let Momus then jeer on, and flout his fill,  
Let the defaming Critic censure still,  
Let traducing Zoilus my lines reprehend;  
Let them all their whole stock of malice spend,  
And from their tongues their envious poison spit,  
My harmless lines will gain more fame by it:  
For Innocence the more it is depressed,  
Will like the Palm, gain a more flourishing Crest.  
And so relying on my friends good will,  
I remain their obliged servant still;  
And shall be ever willing them to serve,  
If so my weakness may their loves deserve.  
FINIS.