depiction of Father Christmas 
Behold the majesty and grace—!  
Of loveing, cheerful, Christmas face.  
Whom many thousands, with one breath:  
Cry out, let him be put to death.  
Who indeed can never die:  
So long as man hath memory.    

THE EXAMINATION AND trial of Old Father CHRISTMAS.  
At the Assizes held at the Town of Difference, in the County of Discontent.  
Written according to Legal proceeding, By Josiah King.  
LONDON: Printed for Thomas Johnson, at the sign of the golden Key in Paul's churchyard, 1658.   

To the Worshipful John Hodge, Doctor of physic at Modbury in Devon.  
Sir:  
PArdon I beseech you my presumption, in presenting you this ensuing Allegory: I must confess, it is too trivial for your grave perusal, yet the reading perhaps may serve to the same end the writing did, which was only Recreation; Fancy is a Daughter of Salomon's good housewife; she will be spinning before it be light: Sir, I hope you will Candidly construe his intention, who is weak in his endeavours, though strong in his desires, and if he could he would not; or if he would, he could not, be otherwise than  
Your Servant in the bonds of affection. Josiah King.   

To Captain Thomas Prinne, of Wembury.  
Sir:  
IN discharge of my promise, I here tender you the service of an old man, let him not be served, like the servingman, turned away because old; I hope he will not speak any thing that may offend a chaste ear: yet I question not, but there will be evil reports raised on him, and indeed, Woe were to him, if all should speak well of him.  
I know you are ingenious, and besides  
I have been told, a lover of good tides:  
O let them flow! if they content do bring;  
But never ebb, thus prays your servant King.   

To Momus, or the critic.  
Self-conceited Sir,  
I Know thou wilt brag, thy very breath is enough to poison the Muses: how many pots of ointment hast thou spoiled, I know thou wilt be chopping upon my broken stile, but tell me, canst thou expect flowers from him, that never walked in Apollo's garden? If thou sayest, here is something stolen, I say thou liest; it is but borrowed, and that is the Method: The Author of the Isle of man, and I had it from the Assizes; now be advised by me, put thy ears in under thy cap, and shut thy black mouth, and then nobody will know thee; thus saith  
I. K.   

To the honest Reader.  
Friend:  
MY intent in writing this Allegorical trial of Christmas, was not to vent mine opinion upon the observation of the time, he that observes a day as he should, may keep Christmas every day: only herein is expressed some part of those arguments which are used in pleading for, or against the keeping of it: It will be I hope no cause of controversy, there is too much division already, for which there is as much grief of heart: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, let them prosper that love it.  
Blessed are those that all dissension hate,  
And strive to quiet a disturbed state.  
Vale.   

The trial of Christmas.  
THe day appointed for the Assizes being come; the Judge and the sheriff with the Justices of the Peace, came to the place where they were to sit: and first I think it would not be amiss to tell you the Names of them; the Judge was called Judge Hate-bate, the sherriffs' name was Sir Leonard Love-peace; the Justices are called as followeth; the first is Justice Hate-bribe, the second is Justice Wise, the third Justice upright, the fourth Justice Do-good, the fifth Justice Fearnone; these with the Judge and sheriff, being settled on the Bench, the Judge read his Commission; after which, the chief of the Prisoners, being one Old Christmas, was commanded to be brought to the Bar; then was a Jury for Life and Death to be impanneld, who are for the commonwealth, and are to give in their Verdict according to their Evidence, and as they were to be called, there stepped up one Sir Hica Busy▪ and delivered a list to the Sheriff, informing him, that the Country desired those men whose names were set down, might be the Jury to pass upon old Christmas at the Bar; which the sheriff for quietness sake, delivered to the Clerk of the Arraignment, to have them called, a company of brave Gentlemen, you shall hear them named by and by.  
The Clerk having received the Paper, bid the crier call, as followeth.  Cler. Cryer, call Mr. Starve-mouse. Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Starve-mouse.  Cryer, 
call Mr. All-pride.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. All-pride.  Cryer, 
call Mr. Keep-all.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Keep-all.  Cryer, 
call Mr. Love-none.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Love-none.  Cryer, 
call Mr. Eat-alone.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Eat-alone.  Cryer, 
call Mr. Give-little.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Give-little.  Cryer, 
call Mr. Hoard-corn.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Hoard-corn.  Cryer, 
call Mr. Grutchmeat.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Grutchmeat.  Cryer, 
call Mr. Knit-gut.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Knit-gut.  Cryer, 
call Mr. Serve-time.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Serve-time.  Cryer, 
call Mr. Hate-good.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Hate-good.  Cryer, 
call Mr. Cold-kitc●in.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Cold-kitchin.  
Then saith the Clerk to the crier, count them, Starve-mouse one, All-pride two, Keep-all three, Love-none four, Eat-alone five, Give-little six, hoard-corn seven, grutchmeat eight, Knit-gut nine, Serve-time ten, Hate-good eleven, Cold-kitchin twelve.  
Then saith the crier, all you bountiful Gentlemen of the Jury answer to your names, and stand together, and hear your Charge.  
With that there was such a lamentable groan heard, enough to turn ice into ashes, which caused the Judge, and the rest of the Bench, to demand what the matter was; it was replied, that the grave old Gentleman Christmas, did sound at the naming of the Jury; then it was Commanded that they should give him air, and comfort him up, so that he might plead for himself: and here I cannot pass by in silence the love that was expressed by the Country people, some shrieking and crying for the old man; others striving to hold him up, others hugging him, till they had almost broke the back of him, others running for Cordials and strong waters, insomuch that at last they had called back his wandering spirits, which were ready to take their last farewell.  
Then said the Judge, old man, what's the matter?  Christm. 
Ah good my Lord! I have been grossly abused, and had been trodden under foot, had not these good Country people helped me.  Judg. 
But me thought I heard some say, it was at the naming of the Jury; If thou hast ought justly to except against them, I will hear thee.  Christm. 
I heartily thank your Honour, and this favour which your Lordship hath granted me, hath encouraged me to crave another, and that is, That you be pleased to grant me the benefit of a council, in regard of mine Age, and defect of memory and expression. Besides, the Jury are all strangers to me, as well as enemies: and therefore I desire my council may be one of this County, that so he may describe the Gentlemen of the Jury.  Judg. 
Well Christmas, in regard that thou wert a merry old man when I was but a Boy, and did often at thy coming make me sport, I have granted thy request, choose thy councillor.  Christm. 
I humbly thank your goodness my Lord.  
Then the old man whispered to a Friend, to deliver a Fee to councillor Crab, and desire him to decipher the Jury, and as occasion did offer itself, to Plead his Cause.  
The Fee being delivered, and accepted, the councillor after this manner spoke to the Bench.  Council. 
My Lord, may it please your Honour, this Jury which is now impanneld, and to pass their Verdict upon old Christmas, is illegally chosen, there is not one of them a freeman, and all mortal enemies to this old Gentleman.  
And first of all here is Mr. Starve-mouse, I wonder how he dare show his face in Court, the very Cats cannot abide him.  
Secondly, Here is Mr. All-pride, I must confess he hath an estate.  
But at his house-keeping you may admire,  
Where silken gowns do quench the kitchen fire;  
And of his Cup, there's none that ever ●●ste,  
And break their necks may, sooner than their fast.  
And when at any time a feast he'll keep,  
He in Bravado will kill half a sheep.  
Here's another my Lord called Eat-alone, a Malefactor my Lord, and aught to be condemned by Magna Charta; where it is to be found, that one of the Lord chief Justices own Clerks being accused, was forced to free himself, and get it recorded, that he eat not his morsel alone.  
To be short my Lord,  
To eat his breakfast he a corner sought,  
And in his pocket hath his dinner brought.  
There's another of them called Give-little, he may well be called give nothing, yet the Fool will sometimes brag of his Charity; if he kills but an egg, and give the offal to the needy: he is, my Lord, a great benefactor to the poor, but will bestow nothing upon the beggars; and as for Master Cold-kitchin, here is his man Sam Servant, is ready to give Oath, that he hath almost sterved him to death.  
And for Mr. hoard-corn, the people in general all curse him, it is he that makes the Epha small, and the shekel great; good my Lord, let Justice be done upon him, unless he will save Gregory the labour, and follow the steps of his father, who the last cheap year hanged himself.  
There's another of them called Mr. grutchmeat, he may be termed grudge clothes too, for his clothes were never young in my memory, they may be set down in the almanac with the dear year, and the great frost: he is one that never gave alms in his life, the house of his own body he will not keep Tenantable, but it had been irrecoverably decayed; had it not been for the reparations of other men's Tables, where he hoards up meat enough for a month; in a word, my Lord, he is a base fellow, and so I leave him.  
There's another of them called Mr. Serve-time, he dwells at the sign of the weathercock; he hath a glove for every hand, he holds it most safe to do as most do, right or wrong, he'll be on the harder side.  
And when a hunting goes, I have been told,  
He with the Hare will run, and Hound will bold.  
So my Lord not sit for a Juror, because he makes conscience of nothing.  Judg. 
Were there ever such a brood of Vipers as these, Mr. sheriff, how came this to pass?  Sheriff. 
Surely my Lord it was Sir Hica Busy that gave me the List, and told me, it was the country's desire that these men should be the Jury; and I was induced to believe it, in regard I know him to be a popular man.  
With this the Jury began to murmur, and told the Judge that the councillor had abused them to please his Client, as most of his fraternity will do; and therefore would appeal, or stand to justification.  Council. 
My Lord, here are some witnesses to prove the truth of what I have spoken.  Judg. 
Let them come in.  Coun. 
Cryer, call Humility.  
O yes, Humility.  Judg. 
Come friend, can you testify any thing against any of the Jury?  Hum. 
My Lord, I am convinced, that all that hath been spoken by the worshipful councillor is true, but especially I can speak something more against Mr. All-pride than hath been yet declared: for may it please your Honour, he hath endeavoured to murder me, and my Neighbour Patience: all his practice is in brave clothes, big looks, swearing and swaggering, and insulting over his poor Neighbours, there was one Mr. Good-work lived in the house before this fellow threw him out of the doors; he spent more in Mustard every year, than this gaudy Gentleman doth in Beef, he keeps two wicked men to his Servants; the one is called Stony-heart, the other Bribe, and these help to keep him up in his wicked courses.  
My Lord, here are many more witnesses if your Lordship please to examine them.  Judg. 
No, no, this is no Joshad's day; Mr. sheriff, let another Jury be impanneld immediately, a pack like the former, if they be to be gotten,  Council. 
Before he find their Fellows, he must rake  
Tophet throughout, and the infernal Lake.  
The Jury being chosen, were called as followeth.  

Mr. Love-friend one.  
Mr. Hate-strife two.  
Mr. Freeman three.  
Mr. Cloth-back four.  
Mr. Warm-gut five.  
Mr. Good-work six.  
Mr. Neighbourhood seven.  
Mr. Ope-house eight.  
Mr. Scorn-use nine.  
Mr. Soft-heart ten.  
Mr. Merry-man eleven.  
Mr. True-love twelve.   
No man taking any exception against this Jury, the Clerk read the indictment against old Christmas, as followeth.  Cler. 
Christmas harken to they indictment.  Christmas, 
thou art here indicted by the name of Christmas, of the Town of Superstition in the County of Idolatry, and that thou hast from time to time abused the people of this commonwealth, drawing and enticing them to drunkenness, Gluttony, and unlawful Gaming, wantonness, Uncleanness, Lasciviousness, Cursing, Swearing, abuse of the Creatures, some to one Vice, and some to another, all to Idleness: what sayest thou to thy indictment, guilty, or not guilty? he answered not guilty, and so put himself to the trial.  
After this, the Parties that can give Evidence against him are called.  Council. 
His innocence appears; I lay a Crown,  
Whiter than untrod Snow, or Culver down.  Cler. 
Cryer call in Gregory grutchmeat.  
O yes Gregory Grutchmeat.  Iudg. 
Come you thin belly, what can you say against the Prisoner at the bar, dost thou know him?  Greg. 
Know him, yes my Lord, his name is Christmas, a great waster & spendthrift, he hath been all his days nothing like Samson's lion, out of that eater came forth meat, but this old fellow devours all, and produces nothing, he passes the great eater of Kent, his mind is wholly set upon his belly, for satisfaction of which, he murders the poor innocent Creatures: My Lord, let the Records be searched; and before the flood, we cannot find, that man ever eat any thing but fruit or herbs, but this Cormorant is all for flesh flesh, and eats it with the blood thereof, which is the cause that he is so beastly minded, a mere Esau, he will sell, his birthright to satisfy his belly, he is a Bastard, begotten of the horseleeches Daughter continually crying, give, give; Some people of this Nation are so besotted by this old fool, that they make a world of provision against his coming, and invite him to be Gossip to all their pies, and call them after his name, christmas-pies.  
My Lord, here is an honest Neighbour of mine called pinchgut, can testify as much as myself.  Council. 
Hear me a word my Lord, and if you please,  
Pharaoh's ill-favoured Kine were fed by these.  Clerk, 
Cryer call pinchgut.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Pinchgut.  Iudg. 
Come fellow, what can you say against the Prisoner?  Pinch. 
I perceive my Lord the councillor is purposed to abuse us, to please his client, as all the fraternity will do, but I would have him know, that I was well descended, my Father was called Saving, and my mother's name was Spare, a very good housewife; and of great repute amongst the Farmers.  Iudg. 
Fellow, I am not come here to examine pedigrees, were they as authentic as a Welch-man's. But come let me hear what thou canst say in the behalf of the commonwealth, against the Prisoner at the Barr.  Pinchgut, 
My Lord, I can say that this Old man is an Epicure, all his delight is to please his palate, his throat is an open Sepulchre, he is the Canker of the commonwealth; worse than the Locust; or the Palmer-worm, and this is the sum of what I can testify.  Council. 
This is a liberal fellow 'tis confessed,  
He will keep all, and give away the rest.  Iudg. 
What witnesses are there more?  Clerk. 
call Mr. Allwork.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Allwork Allwork Allwork.  Iudg. 
Friend, what's the matter you must have so much calling, and so long coming?  Counc. 
It must be so my Lord, even snails keep state,  
When with slow pace, their horns peep forth the gate.  Allwork. 
I was very busy my Lord, in my shop.  Iudg. 
Can you evidence any thing against the Prisoner?  Allw. 
I can witness that he is a very idle fellow: I saw a warrant the other day under the Lord chief Justices own hand; Commanding us to work six days, and this old villain would persuade us to play twelve: he teaches also revelling and rebellion, we cannot bear any rule with our servants when he come, for if we command them to follow their work, they will murmur and deny it, saying is it not Christmas time?  
Thus my Lord, and several other ways, he is the Author of Rebellion and sedition, in fine my Lord, he brings with him, both fire, fuel, and bellows of contention, thus being extreme hasty, about my labour, I desire your honour to excuse me.  Counc. 
Go too industrious fool, labour for those,  
Which ne'er will thank thee; nay, perhaps thy foes.  Iudg. 
Are there any more?  Clerk. 
Call Mr. Meanwell.  Cr. 
O yes, Mr. Meanwell.  Iudg. 
Come fellow, what can you say?  Moan. 
My Lord, I can say that this Old man is a spendthrift, a riotous spoil-good, he is the chief cause that the good Creatures are abused, he is a superstitious and an Idolatrous fellow, an observer of times, he makes his belly his God, a mere Dives, he faresdeliciously every day, but his feasting is the cause of poor Eazarus his fasting.  
He provokes only to wanton fullness, & lustful love, he makes those that love him, and his company, unfit for any good duties; but on the contrary, he makes them ready for all evil, as uncleanness, scurrility, vain talking, and the like, he is like the Idolatrous Israelites, they eat and drank, no mention of grace before meat; and rose up to play; there's no mention of grace after meat, just so doth he, he teaches that which the people of the old World practised; only eating and drinking, and such other delights▪ This was he my Lord that invited jobs sons to dinner.  
He overcomes men with surfeiting, and Drunkonn●sse, and makes them that they cannot pronounce Shiboleth: he hath twelve sons, all follow the steps of their Father, and they keep company with one Mr. Prodigul, Mr. wasteful, Belly-chear, and Idle, with Mr. Gamester, and such others like them, all the accursed Brats of base men, here is a friend of mine, called Mris. Prudence, she can inform your honour of some thing else.  Council. 
Thy name is Mean-well friend, I know 'tis so  
That thou art called, yet so thou ne'er didst do.  
Thy Father he was called Curious, he would know,  
Whither the rainbow had a string or no  
What wood, the man that's in the Moon doth carry,  
Or whither he intend or no, to marry.  
Such monsters, yea such Salyres, and mad strains,  
Danced in the wilderness of his wild brains.  Cler. 
Call Mris. Prudence.  Cr. 
O yes, Mris. Prudence.  Iudg. 
Make room for that Gentlewoman to come in, Come good woman, are not you a stranger-hereabouts.  Prud. 
My Lord, wheresoever your honour is, I desire to be your handmaid, as for my residence, it is most in the University, & here and there, sometimes in the country, I am found as soon in a lowly Cottage, as under a lofty Crown.  
I have a Sister called wisdom, we always travel and dwell together.  Iudg. 
Jury take a special notice of this woman's testimony, and get as much acquaintance with her & her sister as you can, Come virtuous woman, let me hear what thou canst say, in the behalf of the commonwealth against the Prisoner.  Prud. 
My Lord, much hath been already spoken, and much more I can say, this Old man hath been one chief instrument that I & my Children have been abused. I have three Daughters, My Lord, the first is called Patience, the second Temperance, and the third Chastity, & one so named Sobriety, all these by this Christmasses means, are injuriously dealt withal, and violently handled: which before his coming, were in good estimation in gentlemen's houses; my daughter Patience is an admirable good servant, she uses to look to the Children, and servants, & would keep them in love, peace, and quiet, if at any time she were reviled, she would not revile again.  
Joseph's words were often in her mouth, see that ye fall not out by the way: she is an excellent Labourer▪ and in the winter time of adversity, no Christian able to live without her, yet this naughty fellow, hath much wronged this my Daughter, and caused her to be thrown out of doors: for wheresoever he is entertained he carries a very base fellow called Gamester with him, and he hath two companions, the one called Spendall, and the other Careless; these will ride abroad night times, vizarded to glean money, to maintain their play, and make men stand, that would fain be going, and leave the stranger with a heavy heart, and light purse: This Gamester hath also one chief man called Anger, and also two Pages, the one called Swearing, the other Cursing, and when there is any difference about their Master's play, these two presently call in two others as good as themselves, one named Quarrelling, the other named Fighting; and these murder my daughter Patience.  
For my second Daughter Temperance, she is a very abstemious maid, and uses always to wait upon the Table, before this wicked wretch comes, & then she is banished, or choked, at the best thrown out of the doors: and then perhaps, must lie without in the street, no entertainment can get, if he be in the Town, unless it be at some honest tradesman's house, it may be at the Ministers, if he be one of the last edition.  
My third Daughter Chastity is as beautiful as the Sun, and she is a chambermaid, and this fellow is the cause that she is abused also, for Gluttony hath two Associates, Chambering & wantonness, and these kick my poor Daughter diverse times down the stairs; Thus my Lord, my Children whom I have so educated, as they are fit Companions for Princes, are by this vile Varlet abused: my Lord in few words, he is the cause that many men make their Tables and altar to their belly, and a snare to their souls.  Iudg. 
Prudence many women have dont virtuously, but thou hast excelled them all.  Pru. 
Good my Lord pity me?  Iudg. 
I do, and will pity thee.  Coun. 
Good my Lord, your pity a while hold,  
One Tale is good, until the others told then.  
Hear but old Christmas what he says, and  
You will reserve some pity for old men.  Iudg. 
Old Christmas hold up thy head and speak for thyself, thou hast heard thy indictment, & also what all these Witnesses have evidenced against thee: what sayest thou now for thyself, that sentence of condemnation should not be pronounced against thee?  Christm. 
Good my Lord be favourable to an old man, I am above one thousand six hundred years old, & never was questioned at Sizes or Sessions before: my Lord, look on these white hairs, are they not a Crown of glory?  Iudg. 
Yea, if they be found in a good way.  Christm. 
I hope you shall not find these in a bad way.  
And first my Lord, I am wronged in being indicted by a wrong name. I am corruptly called Christmas, my name is Christ-tide, or time.  
And though I generally come at a set time, yet I am with him every day that knows how to use me.  
My Lord, let the Records be searched, and you shall find, that the Angels rejoiced at my coming, and sung gloria in excelsis: The patriarchs, and Prophets; longed to see me.  
The fathers have sweetly embraced me, our modern Divines all comfortably cherished me, O let me not be despised now I am old. Is there not an injunction in Magna Charta, that commands men to inquire for the old way, which is the good way: many good deeds do I do, O why do the people hate me? we are commanded to be given to Hospitality, and this hath been my practice from my youth upward: I come to put men in mind of their redemption: to have them love one the other, to impart with something here below, that they may receive more and better things above: the wiseman saith, there is a time for all things, and why not for thankfulness? I have been the cause, that at my coming Ministers have instructed the people every day in the public: telling the people how they should use me, and other delights, not to effeminate or corrupt the mind▪ and bid them abhor those pleasures from which they should not use bettered, and that they should by no means turn pastime into Trade: And if that at any time they have stepped an inch into excess, to punish themselves for it, and be ever after the more careful to keep within compass.  
And did also advise them, to manage their sports without Passion: They would also tell the people, that their feasts should not be much more than nature requires, and grace mederates: not pinching, nor pampering: And whereas they say that I am the cause they sit down to meat, and rise up again graceless, they abundantly wrong me: I have told them, that before any one should put his hand in the dish, he should look up to the owner; and hate to put one morsel in his mouth unblessed: I tell them they ought to give thanks for that which is paid for already, knowing that neither the meat, nor the mouth, nor the man, are of his own making: I bid them fill their bellies, not their eyes, and rise from the board, not glutted but only satisfied: and charge them to have a care, that their guts be no hindrances to their brains, or hands: and that they should not lose themselves in their feasts; but bid 'em be soberly merry, and wisely free. I also advise them to get friendly thrift to be their Caterer, and Temperance to Carve at the board, and be very watchful that Obscenity, detraction, and scurrility, be banished the Table: But let their discourse be as savoury as the meat: and so feed as though they did eat to live, not live to eat: and at last, rise as full of thankfulness, as of food: This hath, this is, and this shall be my continual practice: now concerning the particulars that these folks charge me with, I cannot answer them, because I do not remember them; my memory is but weak, as old men's use to be: but methinks they seem to be the seed of the dragon, they send forth of their mouths, whole floods of impious inventions against me, and lay to my charge things that I am not guilty of: which hath caused some of my friends to forsake me, and look upon me as a stranger: My Brother Good-works broke his heart, when he hear done't: my sister Charity was taken with the NumPalsy, so that she cannot stretch forth an hand: O tell it not in the City, nor publish it in the Country: my Lord, I am but a bad Orator, therefore I humbly desire your honour, to harken to my council and witnesses.  
In the mean space, I'll weep I cannot hold,  
Good works is dead, & charity's half cold.  Iudg. 
Councillor, what can you say.  Coun. 
Me thinks my Lord, the very Clouds blush, to see this old Gentleman thus egregiously abused▪ if at any time any have abused themselves by immoderate eating, and drinking or otherwise spoil the creatures, it is none of this old man's fault; neither ought he to suffer for it; for example the Sun and the Moon are by the heath is worship'● are they therefore bad because idolised? so if any abuse this old man, they are bad for abusing him, not he bad, for being abused: These Bastards of Amon, have abused him, and therefore now would banish him: far beit from my Lord, to cashier a good thing, with the base use annexed thereunto: They term his charity wasting and spoiling, the making of Idlers, and increasing of beggars: But where too much charity hath slain her thousands, too little hath slain her ten thousands some of these witnesses did hint at Religion, but I believe they are maidens for that, the first that woos them may win them they tax him of Rebellion, and sedition, but how can love and peace be the Author of that: for that is his Motto:  
As for Mris. Prudence, because your honour is pleased to give more credence to her testimony, than to any of the rest; I shall answer her in particulars: and first for her children, I must confess as she said, they are fit Companions for Princes, but she standers Old Father Christmas, to say that he ever wronged any of them: no, he ever had a good esteem of them, it was one Anger, a fiery fellow, with Wrath and Rage his Sons; that threw her daughter Patience out of doors, and not he and for her daughter Temperance it was Gluttony, and unsatiable appetite, that abused her and not this old man.  
And for her daughter Chastity, it was a scurvy scabby fellow, called Carnal Concupiscence: that forced her, therefore I beseech your honour; give not any ear to these false reports: then said the Judge, Mr. sheriff give order for the apprehending of these fellows, and presently after apprehending of them, execute them.  
Then aragg them to the ditch, where let them lie,  
So long as one man hath a memory.  Coun. 
My Lord here are some honest men, desire to give in their evidence in the old mansbehalf.  Iudg. 
Who are they, let them be called.  Clerk. 
Cryer, call Simon Servant.  Cr. 
O yes, Simon Servant.  
Call Peter Poor.  Cr. 
Peter Poor.  
Call, Nicholas neighbourhood.  Cr. 
Nich. neighbourhood.  Iudg. 
Come Simon Servant, what can you say in behalf of the Old man here.  Serv. 
My Lord, I live at the Town of Bond, in the County of little Rest; my Master is called Mr. Hard-heart, a great enemy to his old father at the bar: but for mine own part, I will speak upon my oath; that I had suffered more than an Egyptian bondage had it not been for him.  
I had had a Sabbathlesse pursuit of my Master's Labour, had it not been for him: the very beasts that groan under the burden are beholden to him for ease, for when the ox and the ass's neck, seemed married to the yoke, he divorced them, the very Jews had their Jubilees, times of rest, therefore good my Lord, if you give us nothing, keep not our brick and straw from us.  Iudg. 
Peter Poor, what can you say.  Poor. 
My Lord, I dwell at the Town of Want, in the County of Needs, Poor in name, and poor in estate: and had it not been for old Christmas I had been poorer, if poorer I could have been; had it not been for him, my best friend God-free Giving, had lost his life: all that have spoke against him, are all Gadarens, and of the lineage of Naball, (Mris. Prudence only excepted) if you take away this merry old Gentleman from us, you take away all our Joy, and comfort that we have on earth.  
Hear us good judge, we for thy favour call;  
Save him alive, or else destroy us all.  Clerk. 
Call Mr. Neighbourhood.  Cr. 
O yes, neighbourhood.  Iudg. 
Come friend what can you say?  Neighbor. 
May it please you my Lord, I dwell at the Town of Amity, in the County of Unity, my Father was the good Samaritan, and my Mother was called Dorcas, and all that I can say for this Old man is, that he is a very kind and loving man; inoffensive to all: a hater of strife, a lover of harmless mirth: our whole Town & County are much beholding to him when he comes, for he uses all means to bring us together, & to renew friendship: he is a great Peacemaker, if there have been any difference betwixt party, & party, he will endeavour to end it in an amicable way: he always uses to tell me (next God) I must love my name sake, to gloify the first, & tenderly affect the second: in