LAMBETH Faire ENDED. OR A DESCRIPTION OF THE BISHOPS HOLY CHOST lately set to sale at Lambeth fair.  
The Faeire is ended, all their trinkets sold,  
The Holy Ghost remains, for that no Gold,  
Could buy't, at which Dame Fortune she,  
Spurns down the Prelates climbing up her Tree.  
Printed in the year, 1641.   

LAMBETH Faire ENDED.  

A fair at Lambeth late the Bishops kept,  
Where all their purtenance to sale was set,  
Their Rochets, Tippits, Gowns, Cassocks & Hoods,  
Lawn sleeves, slippers, Caps, all spiritual goods,  
The wonder of the World, their great Library,  
Containing prayers, as good as Ave Mary,  
Teaching how Priests and Deacons may be made,  
How they or any fool may work o'th' Trade;  
But that which is most strange of all to tell,  
'Twas said they had a holy Ghost to sell,  
The rarest thing that e'er was set on sale,  
It's breathed with th'bishops' mouth, not with his tail,  
The news whereof being blundred everywhere,  
Hath brought a Chapman to the town I hear,  
Would give five pound at least this Ghost to buy,  
If first to him some friend would but descry  
The properties thereof, and whence he came,  
What fears and works a man may do byth' ●ame;  
To satisfy him herein, as I may,  
One word or two thereof I mean to say:  
The witch of Endor had a Ghost we know,  
That secret things unto the witch could show,  
Secrets as great as those this Ghost can tell,  
He knows Belzebubs mind what's done in hell,  
This makes our Bishops and each Jesuit  
To know such depths because they have this spirit.  
Laud, Wren, and Waller ne'er had been so wise,  
But that this Ghost did each of them advise.  
This Ghost is not more wise than he is meek,  
He looks not like a wolf, but like a Sheep,  
He'll neither bite nor scratch except a Scot,  
Or factious puritan, I had like forgot,  
For faction yet this Ghost could ne'er abide,  
there's always peace where this strong man doth guide,  
The broils in Scotland late had never been,  
Had this Ghost still been harboured therein.  
This holy ghost in England was not known,  
Till Austin monk was hither sent from Rome,  
Therefore he brought it with him men conceive,  
And when he died, at Lambeth did it leave,  
Providing then, that each of his successors  
Of this his holy ghost should be possessors,  
wherefore so soon as bishops there are seated,  
With this his holy ghost they are completed.  
The feats which by this holy ghost are done,  
Are easiest seen if that we look upon  
The reverend rout, in whom this ghost doth dwell,  
And mind how they in feats all men excel,  
Sir John the least and meanest parish priest,  
Wha● by this ghost he doth thou daily seest,  
Matt●ns and evensong how fine he chanteth,  
Which none besides can do this ghost that wanteth,  
A sowgelder or cobbler may have skill,  
To read the same in some place if they will,  
Within a bulk or chimney by the fire,  
But to the pulpit, they may not aspire;  
A buttonmaker haply may attain,  
To say a preach or homily amain;  
But what of this we see all men repine  
Thereat, he wants this Ghost, he's no Divine.  
Cannot each little boy, if there were need,  
Say all verbatim which sir John doth read?  
When he in marriage N. and E. doth join,  
Yet little boys thereby can get no coin:  
None but sir John by reading this can merit,  
Cause he alone enjoys the Bishop's spirit,  
The difference thus twixt Laity and priest,  
This holy ghost doth make hereby thou seest.  
This ghost yet further that we may applaud,  
Let's leave sir John and come to little Laud,  
This worthy wight hath well become his place,  
Since first he was partaker of his grace,  
Which will be true by every man's confession,  
If Land agree with those of right succession,  
Compare him then with the first of Lambeth race,  
Austin the monk, Lord Canterbury's grace,  
Who in the least this pope did not excel,  
His Ghost did rule this pope hereby we spell,  
What did that monk that any man can name,  
That this pope doth not do the very same,  
This ghost that Monk then of the church made head  
This ghost set up this pope late in his stead,  
That Monk by this ghosts help then priests did make  
This ghost this pope herein did ne'er forsake;  
This Pope hath made as many good Divines,  
As any that monk made in former times:  
That monk for worship then set up the mass,  
This ghostly Pope hath brought the same to pass;  
That monk by this Ghost; help Canons did indite,  
This Ghost did teach this Pope to make the like;  
That monk for any thing that I can hear,  
Made none more good than this Pope made last year,  
Such as that monks Canons would not obey,  
By his Ghosts means their lives were ta'en away;  
This Pope in that monks rode hath rid full trot,  
To take away both English lives and Scot,  
Because the Scot his laws would not accept,  
And Protestants in England them reject,  
This Pope that Monk in some things doth outstrip,  
That monk had neither Pillory nor whip,  
This Pope hath both to curb and keep in awe,  
Such elvish folks as will not keep his law;  
That monk had but two ears for aught I know,  
This Pope had 6. or 8. at least to show;  
Hereby since 'twas that Bensteeds drum did beat,  
This Ghostly Father did so quickly hear't.  
Yet more of late, no man durst speak for fear,  
This Holy Father was so quick o'th' ear,  
And all was from this Ghost, deny't who can,  
For since't hath left him he's like another man.  
Another man said I, stay there, I doubt,  
Benedicite, he walks not now abroad, sure has the gout  
Whether in his head or toe I am not sure,  
But 'tis reported that he's grown past cure.  
And more than this, at which he cannot laugh,  
To save his life his toe or head must off.  
What shall I say this Ghost more to extol,  
Ask Doctor Wren, he'll say 'tis all in all.  
Would any one o'th' holy Order be,  
Get but this Ghost, o'th' Company he's free.  
If any one desire great wealth to get,  
Buy but this Ghost he will their humour fit?  
Would any live in pomp, state, pride, or ease,  
Procure this Ghost, he will your fancy please?  
In Cassock, Gown and Tippit would you flaunt it,  
Purchase this Ghost, and then you shall not want it,  
If these should chance now to grow out of wear,  
He hath something else will fit you do not fear;  
Would you in each man's purse still have a hand,  
Then gain this Ghost, and none dare you withstand  
It is no theft, robbery, nor cheat,  
Having this Ghost, you each man's field may reap?  
Wouldst thou have all winds to blow in thy gain,  
Once get this Ghost, and this thou shalt obtain,  
For this is clear for all to see that will,  
All winds do turn these Ghostly father's mill,  
Hath any one a Christen soul to make,  
The Holy Priest therein will have a Stake,  
This Christen soul if next day chance to day,  
This Holy Priest will find no cause to cry;  
Is any one disposed a wife to wed,  
Sir John must have ten groats 'fore he be sped,  
A Spit in Lent turns not in any fashion,  
Without these Ghostly father's approbation.  
How come the Hood and Surplice to be holy,  
It's from their Ghost we know they have it wholly:  
And if I fail not in my observation,  
Without this Ghost no holy consecration,  
Of Temples, Altars, Crucifix, or Tables,  
Of Fonts, or Bells, or any the Pope's babbles,  
Without this Ghost a Bishop knows not how,  
To make a Priest more holy than a Sow,  
And were it not for this unholy spirit,  
What parish Clarke could holiness inherit.  
But for this Ghost I pray you tell me when,  
Our Correstors would become holy men.  
A hundred other things this spirit doth,  
Which this time to declare I'm very loath.  
This that is writ may please the chapman's mind,  
He may imagine the rest which is behind,  
Hereby to him it plainly doth appear,  
He cannot buy this Holy Ghost too dear,  
But if he think herein I do but scoff,  
Ask Sir John Lamb, he'll swear all's true by's troth.   
FINIS.