THE English Rogue Containing a brief Discovery of the most Eminent Cheats, Robberies, and other Extravagancies, by him Committed, etc. To which is added a CANTING Dictionary Words now in use with Beggars and Gypsies. Two mounted highwaymen, one firing a pistol at the other and that one brandishing a sword at him Read, but take heed that you such actions eat For Honesty is best when all is done. Licenced according to Order. printed for J. Blare, at the Looking-Glass, on London-Bridge, 1688. THE English Rogue, etc. An Introduction to the following Discourse. OUr Witty Extravagant (of whom this following Tract is to give Relation of, and whose Matchless Contrivance, tending to all manner of Vice, Gusman, Lazarillo de Tormes, and all others Remarkable for such like Villainies, are compelled, as being outdone, to strike Sail) was Born of English Parents, whose care was great in the bringing up of this their hopeful Son; but the Planet Mercury was so predominant at the hour of his Nativity, as presaged him not to be cut out for Plow-Jobbing (such as his Ancestors were) but for more Politic Designs; who now having attained the Eighth Year of his Age, we'll give him leave to relate all his Knight, Errand Attempts from his own Mouth. CHAP. I. Showing how he served his Father's Turkeys, his Cheating a Woman of a Basket of Cherries, his being placed in a Boarding-School, and his mischievous Transactions there. My first Martial Attempt was this; My Father keeping several Turkeys, one above the rest generally Assaulted my Bread and Butter, for Revenge, I contrived this Stratagem; I tempted him with Bread and Butter in my Hand, to the Orchard Gate, holding it so as for the Turkey just to put his Head through, holding the Bait for him to catch at, which no sooner done, but clapping the Gate, surprised my mortal Foe, and with my Cat-stick soon beat his Brains out; which done, I deplumed his Tail, sticking the Feathers in my Cap, as a glory to my Triumphant Conquest: At another time (coming through a Market) observing a Woman with a Basket of Cherries; I asked her what she would have for as many as I could take up in both my Hands? she answered Two Pence; so I gave it her, and took up Bassket Cherries and all, and walked away: the Woman amazed, followed me, making a great Our cry; at last, a Gentleman examining the Matter, I told him the Contract, who admiring my Policy, gave the Cause (it being left to his decision by consent) on my side, but withal, paid the Woman the whole worth of her Cherries. Thus being encouraged, I tenter-hooked my Inventions to please my Appetite, continuing my daily Waggeries, as Robbing of Orchards, pulling the first and seconds of 40 or 50 Geese at a time, milking the Goats or Cows into my Hat, and so drink the Milk, and then at Night haunting the Hen-roosts, where if the Hens cackled too much, I made their Eggs satisfy for their Heads. If at any time Geese came in my way, our came my short. Stick with a string and Bullet at the end of it, which twirling about their Necks soon brought my Prey. For the speedy conveyance away of all these things, I had a trusty-Trout, an Alehouse Keeper hard by, who giving me now and then for that which was worth a Crown, and feasting me withal, made it a very good Recompense to me: But this Trade was too hot to hold, for the daily Complaints made by the Neighbourhood, so incensed my Parents, that (to prevent my future Misdemeanours) I was straightway placed in a Boarding-School, under the Tuition of a stern and rigid Master; neither could this deter my Natural Inclinations, for (having new matter to work on) I soon became a Book-Worm, having so many ways to Metamorphize a Book, that the Owner thereof should not know it again; if New I would gash their Skins, if much used tear out all the Remarks, painting their old Faces, and so make Sale of 'em, having my Factors for these as well as the beforementioned Merchandizes. At last, what with Complaints from the Scholars, the daily Admonitions of my Mother, and the hourly Bastinadoes from my Master, I resolved to quit this my not-to-be-endur'd-living, and to seek my Fortune as the Fates should direct. CHAP. II. He runs away from his Parents, Enrolls himself in a Gang of Gypsies, and gives you the choicest of their Canting Words, with the meaning of them in plain English. 'tWas in the Month of July I took my intended Progress: the first Dinner I had was upon Blackberries; Night approaching, I began to wish for the fleshpots, together with a soft Featherbed to refresh my weary Limbs on; but these wishes were in vain; no food but Blackberries, and such like, no Lodging but what a Barn presented; when entering therein, I beheld a great many strange Creatures, and talking in a Language I understood not: we were all equally surprised, at last they told me, that they were Gypsies, and if I would be of their Gang and take part of their Fortunes, they would be glad of my Company; to which I consented, and the next day being stripped out of my Holy-day-Habit, into Tatters and Rogs, I became one of the Fraternity, having my Face so bedaubed with Green walnuts, that I looked as much like a Gipsy as the best of 'em: And that I might be perfect in their Canting Words, I had a Scroll given me of the most material things necessary to be known by those of this Profession; which take as follows. AUtem mort. A Married Woman. Boose. Drink. Bousing Ken. An Alt-house. Board. A Shilling. Bounge. A Purse. Bufe. A Dog. Bleating Cheat. A Sheep. Betty. An Instrument to break a Door. Budge. One that steals Cloaks. Buckle and File. Pick Pocket & his Mate. Cove. A Man. Cuffin choir. A justice of Peace. Cramp Rings. Bolts or Shackles. Chatte's. The Gallows. Crackmans'. Hedges. Couch a Hogshead. Go to sleep. Cackling-cheat. A Chicken. Cassan. Cheese. Crash. To Kill. Cloy To Steal. Cly the Jerk. To be whipped. Clapper-dudgeon. A Beggar born. Cully. A soft-pated Fellow. Duds. Goods. Doxy. A Wench. Dueswins. Two pence. Fambles. Hands. Famble-Cheats. Rings or Gloves. Flag. A Groat. Fogus. Tobacco. Glimmer. Fire. Gilt. A Picklock. Harmanbeck. A Constable. Harmans'. The Stocks. Heave a Booth. To Rob an House. Half-board. . Hearts-ease. A twenty Shilling piece Ken. An House. Knapper of Knappers. A Sheep-stealer. Kate. A Pick-lock. Lower. Money. Libben. A House to lie in. Maunder. To beg. Margery Prater. An Hen. Make. An Halfpenny. Mint. Gold. Prancer. An Horse. Prigger of Prancers. Horse stealers. Rome-Padders. High-way-padders. Togeman. A Cloak. Thus have I given you a taste of the Canting-Tongue, and having continued with 'em a small time, I abandoned their Company to seek out other Adventures. CHAP. III. He leaves the Gypsies and begs by himself, a Merchant likes him and takes him Apprentice, he gets the Maid of the House with Child, and then goes for Ireland. Thus quitting my Canting-Crew, I resolved to set up for myself; when coming to London, and getting Acquaintance with a sturdy Beggar we strait went to a Boozing-Ken and bubbed rumly, concluding an Everlasting Friendship: he having instructed me in the Maunding-Trade, next morning we took our Stands in morefield's, some distance from each other; where I soon began, With a God bless you Master, and let Heaven Reward what you have here done on Earth; with these and such like Speeches did we get store of Money from Charitable Persons: when one day as I was begging, a Merchant coming by and observing me to be a stubbed Fellow, offered me a Service if I would live with him; to which I soon agreed, came to his House, was stripped from my stags, good put on, and soon after was bound Apprentice to him, with whom I might have lived in a happy Condition, but that my too forward Lechery was the unhappy cause of my Misfortune; for scarce had I served four Months of my Time, but that I had so far insinuated into the Maid's favour, as to become now and then her Bedfellow; but this our Nocturnal Dalliances was of small continuance: for she coming to me one day when I was alone, after many Heart-fetcht Sighs, told me, That she was with Child; I thought I should have died with this surprising News; however, to set the best side outwards, I bid her be of good cheer, and that I would take such care as she should not be disgraced, telling her I had Wealthy Parents living in the Country (far enough you may imagine) where I would in a short time send her, there to lye-Inn, and that I would quit my Service soon after, come down into the Country and marry her, not questioning but to live well together, advising her to lace herself very strait, and keep down her growing Belly with two or three Busks: the poor Soul not imagining the Denom which lay under these fair speeches, in keeping her in suspense, until I had an opportunity to rub off, which soon after happened; my Master and Mistress being absent, it fortuned that I took for Wares that day about Threescore Pound Sterling; overjoyed with this Success, I packed up Bag and Baggage, resolving for Ireland, far enough out of my Master's reach: All things favouring my Design, in three Weeks I arrived there, when changing my Name as well as Habit, the next Chapter makes mention of my Extravagant Transactions. CHAP. IU. In Ireland he was Cheated of all his Money, the ways he had to get more, he comes into England again, and turns Highwayman. THE next day after my Arrival in Ireland, I sent for a Barber to Shave my Hair off, buying a Periwig contrary to the colour of my own Hair, in order that if I met any one that was of my Acquaintance, or fatal Messenger from my Master, they might not know me: the truth on'nt is, in this Disguise I knew not myself; for when my Landlady where I lodged, called me by the new Name I gave myself, I either stared upon her, or looked another way, (thinking she had spoke to some body else) at last, fearing this would betray me, I pretended myself Deaf, which Apology took away all suspicion. In this manner I lived a Month, frequenting Taverns, Alehouses and Brothel-Houses, when in one of those places I met with a person who bubbled me at Hazard (a certain Play with Dice) not leaving me one Penny, but withal he was so kind (curse of his favour) as to discharge the whole shot. Now I leave any one to judge the deplorableness of my Condition, who had neither moneys, Friends, nor Credit, and in a place utterly unacquainted with their Language. But (tho' Fortune frowned at this Juncture,) yet in a turn I was on the top of her Wheel again, for now being reduced to stretch my Wits, I thus put them in Practice. Wealthy and Aged Widows, or Thrifty Maids, who had laid up what they had gotten in Service, as a Bait to procure an Husband, such did I daily hunt out and visit 'em by turns: I was not sparing of Amorous Expressions, by which means I deluded several, some I was forced to give Earnest to for their Goods, before they would trust me with what they had: This course I followed till I was taken notice of for a grand Deceiver. Having now gotten a round Sum of Money by me, I resolved to return into England, this place being now too hot for me: so crossing St. George's Channel, in 24 hours I landed at Chester; the next day proving Market-day, I bought an excellent Gelding, with Sword, Pistols, and other Furniture. In this Equipage mounted, I took leave of the place, intending to be a Knight of the Road; I had not road far, before three mounted road by me (I found them afterwards to be the Vanguard) having as many more in the Rear. At the bottom of an Hill they before faced about, bidding me Stand, in the interim those behind came up, so I saw 'twas in vain to resist, but told them, I wondered they would rob one of their profession; when they searching me, and finding good store of Money, they asked me where I had it? I answered, 'Twas not an hour since I met with a Booty, this being it, and that, if they pleased, I would willingly Enrol myself in their Fraternity; They seeing me well Armed, and of a portly Stature, consented, and away we road to the next Inn, to make merry at my new Admittance. CHAP. V He and his Companions commit two Robberies, he dislikes their Company, and Robs by himself. COming into a private Room, they pulled off their False-Beards, Vizards, Hoods, Patches, Wens, Muffles and Periwigs with other Disguises, so that they appeared as other Men, which done, Come, says the Master-Thief, I perceive you are a fresh Man and therefore want some Instructions as well as Disguises, which he imparted to me in a plentiful manner, and after that I was adopted a sworn Brother: Fraught with these Devices, and well liquored with Sack, we all resolved to attempt some Enterprise that Evening: so about six a Clock we planted ourselves in a convenient place, and I only was sent out for a Discoverer: not rightly understanding my Trade, I rambled too far, however I met with a single person whom I bid Stand, which he would have done, and surrendered his Purse, only he was on a Stone horse, I on a Mare; the word was no sooner spoke, but his Stone horse wheeled off and came in the rear of me (for there was something it seems under my Mare's Tail very powerful, which I then thought not of; I led him round several times, till the poor Gentleman (fearing he had provoked me by these delays, which his Horse was the cause of) cried out, Worthy Sir, take what I have and spare my Life; at that very instant his Horse reared his two fore Feet upon me and my Mare, insomuch that I thought he said, I'll take both Life and Money too presently; fear had then rendered me so incapable of performing the Office of a Thief, that putting spurs to my Mare, I fled for safety, notwithstanding the Stone-horse was still close at my Heels; thus disorderly flying, one of my Pistols went off, which I thought my backfriend had discharged at me, which made me roar out for Quarter; he on the other side cried out, As you are a Man show yourself merciful, saying, Good Sir stop, I thinking he called after me, hold him, stop him; do what I could, his Horse leayt upon us: at which time (by what means I know not we all came Headlong to the ground; I expected now nothing but Death, but recovering, and finding my Adversary upon the run, I could have hanged myself to think I should be accounted a Man, and yet wan● the Courage answerable: however, I soon overtook him, made myself Master of his Wealth, and so sent him packing. Whilst I was framing a Lie to tell my Comrades how Daliantly I behaved myself in this Encounter, they were all on a sudden at my Elbow, applauding my Courage for running away at the sound of Good Sir be merciful, and several other jeers; I should never have stopped their mouths, had I not showed 'em what I took from him, which was very considerable. About twilight w● met with another prize, but different from the beforementioned; for we four meeting with five Men, and bidding them Stand, they stoutly resisted, which put us hard to't 〈◊〉 one of our Company being Wounded, yet we overcame 'em, driving them into a Wood I at that time learning to search with such care, that not a penny or anything valuable could be kept from me; with these Booties we repaired to our Inn, where our Host calls lustily for Sack, which the Drawer doubles in the Bar; the Ostler must be one of the Company too, who expects a snack, which we dare not deny, lest he betray us: their with what we are obliged to give the Servants, and offered up our Sacrifices to the Landlady for some small favours received, we find in conclusion, we rob for them and not for ourselves; which I perceiving, and having now some Experience, I resolved to set up for myself. CHAP. VI He gets a Farmer's Daughter with Child, and Robs her Father of all his Gold, etc. SCouring the Road, I met with a Young Maid with a Milk-Pail on her Head, observing her to be more than ordinary handsome, I fell into some Discourse with her: As she was opening a Gate to Milk her Cows, I followed, dismounting, tied my Horse to a Hedge, begging her Excuse for my rudeness; I at last sat down by her, and after many powerful persuasions, tending to Love affairs, she suffered me to crop her Dirgin-Fruit: We than grew something more familiar, but the burden of the Song was, I had undone her, which I leave to any reasonable person to judge; we concluded she should go home, and at night I was to come to her Father's House, pretending I was a stranger on that Road, and had lost my way, desiring a Lodging for that Night: all things performed accordingly, her Father gave the Entertainment for that Night, which was spent in sweet Embraces with his Daughter, contrary to the good Old Man's expectation. When the morning appeared, I was put to my Shifts how to contrive a longer stay, at length, with the Daughter's Advice, I was to pretend Indisposition of Body, and not able to Travel, which I did, and was desired by the old Folks to stay as long as I pleased: but fie on ill Luck, the next night discovered the Intrigue. The Daughter and I staying up till the rest were in Bed, and being too imprudently hasty in the Kitchen, stumbled against two Barrels, piled one upon another, so that they fell; the Old Man not being asleep, imagining Thiefs had broke in, so that before we could get disengaged, he took us napping, by the light of some ●●all Fire left in the Chimney: I desired him to be silent, and not spread his Daughter's disgrace, for in a few days I would Marry her: I stayed afterwards about some three days to colour the matter, but 'twas chief to know where her Father's treasure lay, which I so cunningly sifted from the Daughter, that I soon had it in my possession, and so marched off incognito. CHAP. VII. He lights of a Female Robber in Man's Habit, he goes to her House, and agrees to Rob with her. THus abruptly taking my leave, of the Farmer and his kind Daughter, I rid a long time, meeting with nothing worthy of observation; being weary, I struck into an Inn, where refreshing myself, and the Evening approaching, I mounted, and so put on; when passing by a small Coppice, in a bottom between two hills, a Gentleman (as I supposed) started out upon me, saying, Stand, and deliver; With that I drew a Pistol and fired at him, he doing the same by me, and so till we had discharged two at each other; which last Shots happening o● our Horse's heads, they became so unruly, that we were forced to alight and draw our Swords, when my adversary making a direct thrust, I put it by, closed with him, and, upon the hug, threw him with much facility: I wondered much at it (which I need not have done, since his nature (as afterward I understood) was so prone to it;) Sir, said I, this will teach you hereafter to beware on whom you set; With that, unbuttoning his Doublet to find if there was any Gold quilted therein, I wondered to see so large a pair of Breasts, and much whiter than any Man's: at length going to search his Breeches, and proffering to remove his Shirt from between his legs, he suddenly cried out (striving to lay his hand there) I pray Sir be civil: imagining that some choice treasure lay there obscured, I pulled up his Shirt (alias Smock) and found myself not much mistaken: this sight surprised me, but after a little pause, I unbound her, and taking her up in my arms, Pardon me, most Courageous Amazon, says I, for thus rudely using you, 'twas nothing but ignorance in me; and since I find so much courage in a Woman, for your sake I shall ever retain a good esteem for the worst of Females. She told me the place was not proper for Compliments, but if I would follow her she would retaliate my kindness: I soon agreed, and being led through many obscure passages, we came to a Wood, in the midst whereof stood a house; at our approach, the Servants were all in a hurry who should first obey Mrs. Viragoes commands, but wondered to see St. Gorge, and his trusty Esquire on foot, for our Hor●●● were killed; where after Supper, Bottles and Pipes supplying the place of the Dishes, she laid herself open to me, having before made myself acquainted with her greatest secret. CHAP. VIII. He commits some Robberies, is taken and put into Newgate, is Transported, but makes his Escape. THere were in this place three Sisters, whereof my Virago was one, they having arrived to a ripe age, were all Married to Shopkeepers, whose insiped Noddles not brooking those Heroic Spirits, was the occasion of many fall out, at last these three Sisters, having provided Furniture accordingly, and putting on men's , unanimously agreed to Entitle themselves Squires of the Pad, Robbing with what advantage they could, & so take their fate: this course had they followed for above three years, when my late adventure brought me to their House, and I being mightily pleased with their Company, I agreed to stay and Rob with them for some time: After a great many Contrivances, this we agreed on, one of the Sisters was to be in Man's Apparel, the other two in women's, and so to Ride double as Men & their Wives to prevent suspicion: so having got Pillions, Safeguards and short Swords for the Famales, we set forwards: Upon the Rove about five that Evening, overtook us four Gentlemen, coming close up to us, our two subtle Gypsies showed great fear of being Robbed, speaking withal so loud, that one of the Gentlemen hearing, rid up to us, bidding her not be afraid, for they were Londoners, riding out for their pleasure; & that they would venture their Lives in our defence: and Ride before to stand between us & danger: I was glad to hear they'd lead the way, for now our work was half done: my Brother, as I called him, coming up close to me, I gave him directions that at the foot of such a Dill, he should out with his short Truncheon, and make sure work with one, at which instant I would be sure to do the same by another; we watched our opportunity so exactly, that we soon accomplished our design, for accordingly at the foot of the Hill with our Truncheons discharged upon two of their heads, they came tumbling to the ground, (the other two being a pretty way before knowing nothing of it) Our Women, dismounting as swift as Lightning, soon made them incapable of rising again, whilst we, setting Spurs to our Horses, soon overtook the other two who was before, who much admired to see our Swords and Pistols in hands ready for Execution, however we soon put them out of their doubt, for compelling them to deliver, we dismounted them, and cutting their Girts and Bridles, we conveyed them to a secret place, putting the Horses into a field, the Men we Gagged, bound their hands, and so drove 'em into a Wood, our Females having served the two other in the same manner; Having a booty answerable to our desire, we mounted, and returned to our old Quarters: With them I continued a considerable time, living in all manner of Debauchery, so that being satiated with excess I resolved to leave them, which I soon did, by pretending a little private business abroad, & so Road clear away: But I soon repent it, for attempting to Rob a Gentleman, there came immediately five or six more to his rescue, so that do what I could, I was taken, clapped up in Newgate, at my Trial the Evedence being clear, I was only ordered for Transportation: In our passage we suffered Shipwreck, but as the Proverb goes, He that's born to be Hanged shall ne'er be Drowned, so I escaped tho' many others perished; When getting ashore I was soon out of reach of my Guardian, and now am I put to my Shifts once again, which shall be related in a Second Part, according as this finds acceptance in the World: Vale. Thus being Banished from my Native Land, The Second part shall let you understand, The grand Intrigues I used beyond the Main, Till I returned to England back again. FINIS.