THE NEW HELP TO DISCOURSE OR, WIT, MIRTH, and JOLLITY. intermixed with more serious Matters, Consisting of pleasant Astrological, Astronomical, Philosophical, Grammatical, Physical, Chyrurgical, Historical, Moral, and Poetical Questions and Answers.  
AS ALSO Histories, Poems, Songs, Epitaphs, Epigrams, Anagrams, Acrostics, Riddles, Jests, Poesies, Compliments, etc. With several other Varieties intermixed;  
Together with The Country Man's Guide; CONTAINING Directions for the true knowledge of several Matters concerning Astronomy and Husbandry, in a more plain and easy Method than any yet extant.  
By W. W. Gent.  
The Second Edition.  
That Author best of all doth write, Who mixeth Profit with Delight.  
London, Printed by T. S. and sold by the Booksellers of London and Westminster, 1680.   
THE NEW HELP TO DISCOURSE.  

Quest. WHat is the chief end of writing Books?  
Answ. For instruction and information; whereas idle Books are no other than corrupted Tales in Ink and Paper; or indeed Vice sent abroad with a Licence, wherein two are guilty of evil, he that writes them, and he that reads them; being in effect like the brutish sin of Adultery, wherein two are concerned in the same sin; and therefore his resolution was good who said, That for bad Books he would write none, lest he should thereby hurt others in the reading of them; nor would he read any of them, for fear the Author should answer for his sin, by being corrupted by them.  
Quest. What Book of all others is the best?  
Answ. The Holy Scriptures, contained in 〈◊〉 Old and New Testament, wherein the Mysteries of our Salvation are contained, being the Book of all books, and in compa●●●on of which no book is comparable.  
Qu. Of how many chapters doth this Book consist?  
An. In the Old Testament or Bible, there are 777. In the new Testament 260. In the Books of Apocrypha 173. The total being 1210. And for the number of Verses in the Old Testament, the Jewish Rabbins have computed them thus: In the Books of the Law, Verses 5845. In the Prophets, 9294. and in Haggai 8064. Total 23203.  
Q. Are there no other Books mentioned in the Old Testament, but those which we have now at this day?  
A. Yes: there were the Books of Iddo and Gad the Seers; besides, Solomon wrote three thousand Parables, and five thousand Songs, with a Book of the Nature of all Herbs, Trees, and Plants, from the Cedar to the Hyssop upon the wall. Samuel also writ a Book of the Office and Institution of a King. There were also Chronicles of the Kings of Judah and Israel, besides those we have in the Scripture, being, as is judged, written far larger; all which Were supposed to be lost in the Jewish Captivity at Babylon.  
Q. What was St. Augustine 's answer to one who demanded what God did before he made the World?  
A. That he was ordaining a Hell for such kind of Enquirers. Where the Scripture hath not a mouth to speak, we ought no● to have a tongue to ask.  
Q. What was the greatest love that ever w● shown in this World?  
A. The love of God to poor sinners, wh● gave his only begotten Son to die for us of which one thus writeth:  
God is my gift, himself he freely gave me,  
God's gift am I, and none but God shall have me.  
Q. In what things had woman the Pre-eminence of man in the Creation?  
A. In these three: First, that whereas man ' was made of the dust or slime of the earth, woman was made of that dust or slime refined. Secondly, man was made out of Paradise, woman in Paradise. And thirdly, when God is said to be about to make woman, he is said to build her, as being about to make a curious Edifice, or more excellent structure than that of man.  
Q. What Book next to the Holy Scripture would you chiefly desire, the rest being taken away?  
A. Theodore Beza being asked this question, answered, Plutarch, an excellent, Author for his Lives and Morals. Another said Seneca, whose divine Sentences in his Book are so squared by the Rules of Christianity, that St. Hierom concluded him amongst the Catalogue of Divine Writers. Another preferred the Thesaurus Historiarum, being a Compendium of most Histories and worthy Examples: And that Ornament of History, Dr. Heylin, gives the preeminency to Sir Walter Raleighs History of the World, which he calls Primus in Historia.  
Q. St. Bernard a learned Father of the Church greatly wondered at three Conjunctions, the like whereof never was, nor never will be: and what were they?  
A.  

1. Conjunction of God and man.  
2. Of a Mother and a Virgin.  
3. Of Faith and the heart of man to believe the same.   
The first whereof is most wonderful, that the Deity should be joined to the Humanity, Heaven to Earth, Majesty to Infirmity. The second also very wonderful, that a Maid should be a Mother, and yet remain a pure Virgin. The third (though inferior to the two first) yet wonderful that a man's heart should have power to believe the same.  
Reason doth marvel how Faith tell can,  
That a Maid should be a Mother, God a man;  
But cease so to marvel, and believe the wonder,  
For Faith is above, and Reason is under.  
Q. How long (according to the opinion of some men) shall the world continue from the Creation to the end thereof?  
A. The Thalmudists were of opinion that it should continue six thousand years; of which opinion also were some of the fathers and others of our Modern Writers; because that as God created the World in six days, and rested the seventh; so in six thousand years, which are in account of God but as six days, it shall again be annihilated, when shall follow an eternal Sabbath of rest to all the Faithful. Others reckon it after this manner, two thousand years before the Law, two thousand years under the Law, and two thousand years under the Gospel. But this account agreeth not right with the Calendar of Time, and therefore we may conclude that those who account not right the years which are past must needs be ignorant of those which are to come. Besides, our Saviour saith, that of that day and hour the very Angels in Heaven themselves are ignorant: Let us therefore rather labour to prepare ourselves against that day, than curiously seek to pry into such hidden and unrevealed things.  
Q. In what part of the world was it where the Cock crowed so loud, that all the men of the world heard it?  
A. In Noah's Ark.  
Q. What is the Anagram for the name of the Virgin Mary?  
A.  
MARY.  
Anagramma.  
ARMY.  
And well her Name an Army doth present,  
In whom the Lord of Hosts did pitch his tent.  
Q. What answer gave Queen Elizabeth, when being a prisoner in the Reign of her Sister Queen Mary, she was by one of the Bishops demanded her opinion concerning the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament.  
A.  
Christ is the Word that spoke it,  
He took the Bread and broke it,  
And as the Word did make it,  
I do believe and take it.  
Q. Who are those that cannot, will not, may not, do rightly understand the ways of God?  
A. 1 Dead men, who neither do, nor can understand his ways.  
2 Wicked men, who may, but care not to understand them.  
3 Fools, who desire, but have not the apprehension to do it.  
4 The godly who both understand and practise the same.  
Q. How many sorts of Fasts are used in the world?  
A. Six. The sick man's Fast, the poor man's Fast, the miser's Fast, the gluttons Fast, the hypocrites Fast, and the godly man's Fast; all which are set down in these following Verses.  
Experience out of Observation says,  
Six sorts of people keep their Fasting days,  
Which if you will in order have them shown,  
Then thus they are distinguished every one.  
The sick man fasts because he cannot eat,  
The poor man fasts because he wanteth meat.  
The miser fasts with greedy mind to spare,  
The glutton fasts to eat a greater share.  
The hypocrite he fasts to seem more holy,  
The righteous man to punish sinful folly.  
Q. Who be those that lie most freely, and without control?  
A.  

1. Great men, that few dare reprove.  
2. Old men, that few can gainsay.  
3. Poets, who do it Poetica Licentia.  
4. Travellers that may lie by authority.   
Q. What two things are those by which many persons are quite ruined, and lost both in their Estates and Reputations?  
A. Hounds and Dice; of the first of which one thus writeth:  
It is not poor Actaeon 's case alone,  
Hounds have devoured more Masters sure than one.  
And for Dice, the far worse of the two, it is almost an infallible forerunner of misery, accompanied with cursed swearing, banning, fight, and many other mischiefs attendant to it, the final end of it being beggary, according as one thus Writes:  
Ludens taxillis bene respi●e quid sit in illis,  
Spes tua, res tua, sors tua, mors tua pendet ab illis.  
In English.  
He may suppose who ventureth at Dice,  
Hope, health, wealth, life may be lost in a trice.  
Some to evade these reasons pretend a cunning that they have in the Art, to which I answer, That the more cunning any is in this Art, the more wicked he is in his life, and therefore I conclude, that the best cast at Dice, is to cast them quite away.  
Q. What witty invention was that of him who having placed the Emperor and the Pope reconciled in their Majestic Thrones, placed the States of the world before them, and what was their several Mottoes?  
A.  

1 A Counsellor of State had this, I advise you.  
2 Then a Courtier, with, I flatter you.  
3 Then a Husbandman, I feed you.  
4 Then a Merchant, I match you.  
5 Then a Lawyer, I fleece you.  
6 Then a Soldier, I fight for you.  
7 Then a Physician, I kill you.  
8 Then a Priest, I absolve you all.   
Q. Who was he that in the confusion of Tongues, kept both his Language and Religion pure and unchangeable?  
An. Heber the Father of Abraham, who when all the rest of the world fell to Idolatry, relapsed not from the truth, but kept himself free from the impiety of Nimrod and his followers, who sought to erect a Building that should reach to Heaven, but could not go forward with their design, being confounded with the diversity of Languages which was sent amongst them, whereby one understood not the other; Of which thus writeth the Divine Du Bartus:  
Bring me (quoth he) a Tro●el, quickly, quick;  
One brings him up a Hammer: hue this Brick  
Another bids, and then they cleave a Tree;  
Make fast this Rope, and then they let it flee;  
One calls for Planks, another Mortar lacks,  
They bring, the first a Stone, the last an Ax.  
Q. In what place (according to the opinion of some) shall the General Judgement of mankind be?  
A. In the Valley of Jehosaphat, because it is said in one place of the Scripture, Behold, I will bring all Nations together in the Valley of Jehosaphat, and plead with them there; though others with more reason do think that the place as well as the time is unknown.  
Q. Which deserves the greatest punishment, the body or soul, for the committting of sin?  
A. Some are of opinion the Soul; because without it the Body were nothing, which actuates only what the Soul infuseth. Others would have the Body, as being the chief organ and actor of sin: but that they are both culpable and deserve alike punishment, is proved by this similitude. A master committeth the charge of his Orchard to be kept by two, whereof the one is blind, the other lame: The lame man having persect sight, sees golden Apples hanging upon a Tree, of which he informs the man that is blind; they both covet after them, notwithstanding they are forbidden, and to attain their desires, the blind man that was strong of his limbs, takes up the seeing Cripple on his shoulders, by which means they accomplish their desires, pluck the Fruit, and eat thereof: Soon after, the Master of the Orchard enters, inquires, and soon finds by whom it was done; they were both equally culpable, and so are punished with alike punishment, according as they had equally deserved. In like manner, both Body and Soul lending their furtherance to sin, being alike guilty, are inseparably punished together for ever.  
Q. What ways did Philip King of Macedon use, that he might not forget his mortality?  
A. He had every morning a Page which used to awake him with these words, Remember, Sir, that you are a man; according as writes.  
Philip King of Macedon,  
Was daily ro●●s'd and called upon  
By a shrill Page, whose Bonjours ran,  
Remember, Sir, you are a man.  
Q. What said the same King Philip, when his Horse casting him on the ground, he saw the print of his body in the dust?  
A. See (said he) we covet the whole earth and how little sufficeth!  
Q. Whether do fools profit more by wise men, or wise men by fools?  
A. Cato who himself was a wise man, saith, that fools are the most profitable to wise men, who seeing their folly endeavour to avoid it; whereas fools on the Contrary can make no profit of the wisdom of the wise, by reason of their folly.  
Q. How came Beda that ancient Father of the English Church, to be called Venerabilis?  
A. Some assign this reason, that when he was old he became blind, and keeping an unhappy Boy to guide him as he walked abroad, this Boy one day led him to preach to a heap of stones, where concluding his Sermon with Gloria Patri, he was by them answered, Amen, Amen, Venerabilis Beda. Others say, that at his death an unlearned Monk going about to write an Epitaph on him, blundered thus far on a Verse,  Hic sunt in Fossa— Bedae ossa. 
leaving a space before the two last words, and so went to bed, which in the morning he found supplied by an unknown hand, with the Title of Venerabilis, so he made his verse and Beda got his name.  
Q. What Persons of all others do lie in the greatest state?  
A. Beggars, who have the Heavens for their Canopy.  
Q. What is that which hath a voice, but no Body; speaks, yet understands not itself what it says; is often heard but never seen?  
A. It is an Echo said by Ovid to be a fair Maid that pined herself away to nothing for love.  
Qu. Who are those amongst men that attempted to fly like birds?  
A. Daedalus and Icarus; Also one of our British Kings (if the History of Geoffry of Monmouth be true) who attempting to play the Fowl, or rather the Fool, fell down and broke his neck. This King's name was Bladud. It is also said, that of late years an Italian flew from the top of St. Mark's Tower in Venice, and did it without hurt.  
Q. What likeness have false men to countterfeit money?  
A.  
Man and money a mutual falsehood show,  
Man makes false money, money makes man so.  
Q. To what are Soldiers in peace compared unto?  
A. To Chimneys in Summer; for though in hot weather we have no extraordinary need of Chimneys, yet we do not pull them down, as knowing that Winter will come; in like manner Soldiers are continued in Peace, either to prevent, or to be ready if War do come.  
Q. Amongst all Beasts and Birds, which are of most beautiful and various colours, yet not without some parts of great deformity?  
A. The Peacock among Birds, and the Panther among Beasts; the first hath a very goodly Train, but foul Feet. The other a gay Body, but deformed Head; and therefore it is said, that wanting Food, and being a Beast but of slow pace, she hideth her head, whereat all the other Beasts come about her to wonder at her Beauty, but coming within the reach of her Claws, she catcheth them, and makes them become her food.  
Q. To what are outside Gallants likened unto?  
A. To Cinnamon trees, whose bark is better than their whole body.  
Q. What was the old saying concerning Friends?  
A. That it was good to have Friends, but bad to need their help, since true friendship indeed is very rare. No such friends to be found now adays as was Damon and Pythias; Alexander and Lodowick; Musidorus and Pyrocles. Friendship extending now no further than profit, according as one wittily versifies.  
Friends like to leaves that on the Trees do grow  
In Summers' prosperous state, much love will show;  
But art thou in adversity, than they  
Like leaves from trees in Autumn fall away.  
He happy is that hath a friend indeed,  
But he more happy that no friend doth need.  
Q. What makes silver look so pale?  
A. To this Diogenes the Cynic answers, that it is because so many lies in wait for it.  
Q. Why is it said, 'tis good to have a wolf cross the way, and bad to have a Hare cross it?  
A. By this is meant that when a Wolf crosses away from us, it is good luck that we scape him; and if a Hare, it is bad luck that that escapes us: but for any future things that is boded by them, I am of the opinion of Cato, who when one would needs know what harm attended him by reason that Rats had gnawn his Hose, he answered; That it was no strange thing to see that, but it had been much more strange, if his Hose had eaten the Rats.  
Q. Who was the two men, the one whereof was never born, but died; the other was born but never died?  
Ans. Adam and Enoch.  
Q. Why do so many men praise poverty, and yet covet after riches?  
A. Their actions show they mean not as they say; for although the poor are accounted blessed, yet most of them are of Ovid's mind:  
Non tamen haec tanti est, pauper ut esse velim.  
Though blessings be for them in store,  
To be their Heir I'd not be poor.  
Q. Who was the greatest Traveller in his time?  
A. Sir Francis Drake who first put a Girdle about the world; of whom a Wit in that Age thus descants:  
Drake, who th' encomapssed Earth so fully knew,  
And whom at once both Poles of Heaven did view!  
Should men forget thee, Sol could not forbear  
To Chronicle his Fellow-Traveller.  
Q. What is the most beautiful thing in the world?  
A. One said, the Sun; which if so, then were blind men of all others most miserable; but certainly virtue is most resplendent of all things, and which is to be discerned by the eyes of the Soul, wherein blind men of all others have the greatest help of Contemplation.  
Q. What is the heaviest burden that the earth bears?  
A. Sin, which is more ponderous than the biggest Mountains, or greatest Piles of buildings; for it weigheth down even to Hell.  
Q. Which is the longest Letter in the Alphabet?  
A. The letter L. which is more than a yard long.  
Q. Which is the most unnecessary Letter in the Alphabet?  
A. K. because C. is of the same sound.  
Q. What three Vowels are most pernicious to Debtors?  
A. These three, JOU.  
Q. What two words are those that trouble the world?  
A. Meum and Tuum, Thine and Mine.  
Q. What are the principal causes of the greatness of Cities?  
A. Although they are many in number, yet they are reduced principally to these seven.  
1. A Navigable River, by which there may be continual concourse of Merchants, as may be seen by Venice, Amsterdam, Constantinople, and our Metropolitan City of London, which as it is thought had it not been for the River of Thames, would not have gone on so forward in the rebuilding, since that terrible conflagration thereof by fire, which may be evidenced in that the buildings towards the River side were the first begun, and are the forwardest in finishing.  
2. The Palace of the Prince; for where the Court is, there will be continually store of Nobility and Gentry, which enriches Tradesmen by selling commodities to them; one instance whereof we have by Madrid in Spain, which is grown from a mean Village to a very populous City, only by the King's Court.  
3. The Residence of the Nobility, by whom beautiful Buildings and stately Structures are raised to the great adornment thereof, as may be seen in the Cities of Italy, where their Nobles and Gentry constantly reside, as ours do in Towns and Villages.  
4. The Seat or Tribunal of Justice, which invites Lawyers and their Clients thither in abundance, to the great enriching thereof, as may be evidenced by the Parliamentary Cities of France, and Spiers in Germany.  
5. Universities, or public Schools of Learning, which draw thither the Sons of several Noble persons and Gentlemen from the adjoining Counties, to the great benefit and profit thereof, as Paris well knoweth, Oxford, Collen, and several other places.  
6. Immunities from Taxes and Impositions, which cause many persons to come and inhabit in such places, their Income being thereby greatest, and their Privileges most, as in Naples, Florence, and Venice, which being almost desolate by a Plague, were again very suddenly peopled, by granting Immunities to all Comers.  
7. The last, but not the least, is opinion of Sanctity, as was evidenced in former times bp the City of Canterbury, to which Pilgrims from all places come to visit the Tomb of Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury, who was there enshrined, as witnesseth Chaucer.  
fro all England do they wend The Holy blissful Martyr's Tomb to see. etc.  
And now also of the City of Loretto in Italy which at first was but a mean Village, but is now grown a rich and populous City, for the opinion that the chamber of the Virgin Mary is there, the Legend whereof here followeth.  
This Chamber (they say) was the same wherein the Virgin Mary was saluted by the Angel, with those joyful tidings of the Conception of our Saviour, being then at Nazareth in Judaea, and was after the Virgin's death had in great Reverence by the Christians, where it remained untouched till all Palestine was subdued by the Turks and Saracens, Anno 1291. than was it most miraculously transported into Sclavonia; but that place being unworthy of the Virgins divine presence, it was by the Angels carried over into the Sea-cost of Italy. An. 1294. but that place proving as bad as the other, being infected with Thiefs and Pirates, the Angels removed it to the little Village of Loretto, where her miracles being quickly divulged, drew thither a great concourse of People, insomuch that Paul the second Pope of Rome built over this chamber a most stately Church, whither Pilgrims from all places resort to this day, to the great enriching thereof, which by this means it is now from a poor Village grown to be a wealthy City.  
Q. Which is the chief City in England?  
Ans. London, which is accounted to contain in circuit 8 miles, is enriched with a Navigable River, the Palace of the King, divers houses of the Nobility and several Colleges for the Study of the Laws, the next to which is the City of York according to the verse,  
Londinum caput est & regni urbs Brittanni,  
Eboracum à prima jure secundae venit.  
London is England's chiefest Town well known.  
The second place York claimeth as its own.  
Q. Who was the first builder of London?  
A. The common received opinion is, that it was Brutus the Son of Silvius, and Grandchild to Aeneas, who having by accident killed his Father, was for the fact banished his Country, with whom accompanied him many worthy persons, to be partakers of his fortune; who after many wander and adverse fortunes, at last arrived in England, at a place called Totnes in Devonshire, as the Poet Neckam sings.  
The Gods did guide his sail and course, the winds were at command,  
And Totnes was the happy shore where first he came on Land.  
This Land was then inhabited with Giants, the chief of which was named Gogmagog, with whom Corineus one of Brutus' followers encountered, though he were a Giant of twelve Cubits high, and of such puissance, that he could pull up a great Oak at one pull, as if it had been a small Wand: when they came together, Corineus laid by his armour, and challenged his Combatant to Handy-gripes, who at first came upon him with such fury and violence, that he crushed in pieces three of Corineus' ribs, where with he being mightily enraged, redoubling his strength, threw him upon his shoulder, and so carried him to the top of a Rock, and threw him down headlong into the Sea, where he perished with the fall; which place is called to this day Gogm●gogs-Leap. In reward of his valiant act, Brute bestowed upon the noble Corineus that part of the Land which he after his name called Coriner, afterwards by corruption of speech it was called Cornubia, and now Cornwall. Brute afterwards having the Land of those Giants erected a City on the River of Thames, which he named (after the Seat of his Ancestors) New Troy, which is the same that is now called London, as one writes:  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 razed Troy to rear a Troy, sit place he searched then,  
And Viewing first the Northern parts, these fit, quoth he, for men  
That trust as much to Flight as fight, our Bulworks are our breast,  
A Trojans Courage is to him a Bulwark of unrest;  
Then casting a more pleasant eye, where Thames did fairly glide,  
Resolved he to erect the same upon that River's side;  
He many Houses built therein, and closed it in with Wall,  
Which Lud did after beautify, and Ludstown did it call.  
Q. What do the common Country people think of London?  
Ans. Those who have never seen it, account it a very strange wonderful place. One having a Brother living there, directed his Letter thus; To his loving Brother T. W. living at London. Another had a great mind to see the City, only he said, he was not acquainted with any of the Porters to open the Gates, and let him in.  
Q. Which are the Principal Rivers in England?  
A. The chief is the Thamesis or Thames, compounded of the two rivers Thame & Isis, the former whereof rising somewhat beyond Tame in Buckinghamshire, and the latter beyond Cirencester in Glocestershire, meet together about Dorcester in Oxfordshire; the issue of which happy conjunction is the Thamesis or Thames, the most glorious River of all Europe. The second is the Severn, which taketh its beginning in Plinlimon Hill in Mountgomery-shire, and his end about seven miles from Bristol, washing in the mean space the walls of Shrewsbury, Worcester, and Gloucester: this River is said to take its name from Sabrina, the daughter of Estrild, who being taken by Queen Guendeline, was cast into this River, and there drowned. The third River of note is Trent, so called for that thirty kind of Fishes are found in it; or for that it receiveth thirty lesser Rivulets; it hath its Fountain in Straffordshire, and gliding through the Counties of Nottingham, Lincoln, Leicester, and York, burieth its self in the turbulent Current of the Humber. The fourth is Medway, a Kentish River, the Common Harbour for the Royal Navy. The fifth is Tweed, the North east bound of England, on whose fertile banks is seated the strong and impregnable Town of Barwick. The sixth is Tine, which mightily enricheth the Town of Newcastle, by the conveyance from thence of her plenty of Coals. These and the rest of most principal concern, are thus comprehended in one of Mr, Drayton's Sonnets:  
Our Floods, Queen Thames for Ships and (Swans is crowned,  
And stately Severn for her Shore is praised,  
The Crystal Trent for Fords and Fish renowned,  
And Avons fame to Albion's Cliffs is raised.  
Carlegion Chester vaunts her holy Dee,  
York many wonders of her Owse can tell,  
The Peak her Dove whose banks so fertile be,  
And Kent will say her Medway doth excel.  
Cotswal commends her Isis to the Tame,  
Our Northern Borders boast of Tweeds fair Flood:  
Our Western parts extol their Willies fame,  
And the old Lea brags of the Danish blood.  
Q. Who is the most renowned for memory that we have heard, or read of?  
An. In former times Seneca, who writes of himself, that he was able to recite two thousand words after they were once read unto him; and of late days we find Mr. Fuller to be therein most exquisite, who is reported that he would walk any street in London and by the strength of his memory tell how many, and what Signs they were hanging in that street, from the one end to the other according as they were in order: As also, if five hundred strange names were read unto him, after the second or third hearing of them, he would repeat them distinctly, according as they have been read unto him.  
Qu. What difference is there betwixt Prophets and Poets?  
An. Thus much, according to the old Verse:  
Of things to come the first true Prophets are,  
What the other of things past do false declare.  
Qu. What creature is that which at once brings forth, nourisheth her young, and goeth with young again?  
An. The Hare, that fearful, but fruitful creature, who is represented as the Emblem of good providence, because she sleeps with her eyes open.  
Qu. Why do men commonly deck their Houses with Ivy at Christmas?  
An. Ivy is said to be dedicated to Bacchus the God of wine and good cheer, at which time men commonly eat and drink hard; as one writes:  
At Christmas men do always Ivy get,  
And in each corner of the House it set:  
But why do they then use that Bacchus' weed?  
Because they mean then Bacchus - like to feed.  
Q. Who brought up the first custom of Celebrating the Twelve days in Christmas, with such Feasts and Sports, as are still retained in some gentlemen's houses?  
A. The famous King Arthur one and the chief of the World's nine Worthies; an Institution which the Scottish Writers of these late times very much blame, as being a time fitter for our devotion than for our mirth.  
Qu. What is it which being contained in its self, yet from it thousands do daily spring and issue?  
A. The Egg, from which is produced Fowls, Fishes, Birds, and Serpents.  
Q Was the beard created before the man, or the man before the beard?  
A. This seems to be a ridiculous question; for most will think that the man must needs be created before the Beard; and yet we find it otherwise, for all beasts were made before man was made, and amongst others the bearded Goat.  
Q Whether was the Egg or Bird first?  
A. Some will say the Egg, because all Birds are produced from the Egg; but we must know that the first rank of creatures was immediately from God, without secondary causes, and not produced by the Egg, as is since by the course of nature.  
Q. In what part of the world is it that trees bear living Creatures?  
A. In the Isles of Orcades in Scotland, wherein grows a Tree that bears fruit like unto a Fowl, which dropping down into the water, becomes a living creature like to a Duck; to which Mr. Cleaveland alludeth in these verses:  
A Scot when from the Gallow-tree got loose  
Drops into Styx and turns a Soland Goose  
Q. What Custom was that observed formerly in Scotland the like whereof we hardly read: be practised in any Country?  
A. It was called Marcheta Mulieris, and took its beginning as the Scottish Write say in the reign of Ewen the third, who i● the fifteenth King in their Catalogue after the first Fergus. This Ewen being a Prince much addicted, or rather wholly given over unto lasciviousness, made a Law, That himself and his Successors should have the Maidenhead, or first night's lodging with every woman, whose Husband held Land immediately from the Crown: and the Lords and Gentlemen of all them, whose Husbands were their Tenants, or Homagers. This was it seems the Knights-service which men held their Estates by; and continued till the days of Malcolm Comner, who married Margaret the Sister of one Edgar Etheling, at whose request he abolished this lascivious ungodly Law, ordaining that in the room thereof, the Tenants should pay unto their Lords a Mark in money; which Tribute the Historians say is yet in force.  
Qu. Who was the most famous whore in her time?  
An. Corinthian Lais, who exacted ten thousand Drachmas for a night's lodging, which made Demosthenes to cry out, Non emam tanti paenitere, I will not buy repentance at so dear a rate, and occasioned the old verse:  
Non cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum,  
'Tis not fit for every man's avail,  
Unto Corinth for to sail.  
She was afterwards for her extortions, and spoiling the trade of the other petty whores, set upon by a company of those strumpets, and by them stoned to death, as one writes of her.  
At last a Crew of whores did set upon her,  
A whore she was, and whores to death did stone her  
Q. What Laws were those that were so severe, and yet were kept and continued for the space of seven hundred years together?  
A. The Laconian, or the Laws of Lacedaemonia, once a famous Commonwealth in Greece, which Laws were compiled by Lycurgus, who going a Journey, bound the people by oath to observe all his Laws till he returned; and being gone from thence commanded, that when he was dead and buried, his ashes should be cast into the Sea, by this means his Laws endured for a long time in Sparta, which by reason thereof flourished in great prosperiry.  
Q. What place is it that is accounted the middle or centre of the Earth?  
A. Some say Palestine, and in particular the Valley of Jehosaphat; of which opinion are many of our ancient and modern Divines but some of our Historians and Poets, allo● the same to Pytho, or Pythia, a Town in Greece; of which they say, that Jupiter desirous once to know the exact middle of the Earth, let fly two Eagles, one from the East, the other from the West; these Eagles meeting in this place, showed plainly that it was the Navel or mid part of the Earth.  
Q. What are the causes of ebbing and flowing of the Sea?  
A. Several men are of several minds Some ascribe it to the Moon, who by her approaching to the South, doth by her beams and influences make warm the Sea, whence the rising & exhalations do proceed wherewith so swelling to empty itself, it floweth to the Shores and Havens; but descending to the Horizon and Wane, as her beams by little and little diminish, the waters do fall and abate, which causeth her Eddy, or Ebb. Others impute it to God, and his Spirit moving upon the waters moveth the waters, which job expresses by the similitude of fire under a pot, saying, It is God that maketh the Sea boil like a pot: which fire is taken to be partly in the saltness of the waters, which in the night shows like fire, and causes a moving in the same: Another reason is, for that the Earth hath more fire in it than water, which fire lieth hid in the subterraneous stones, and this fire doth partly cause the motion of the Sea, an Element of itself liquid and active, and subject to motion; which thereto when once by this fire occasioned, the precedent part is thrust forward by the subsequent. Others again give this reason; that the Earth being round, and the Waters of themselves liquid and movable, when they have run their course as much as they can one way, then meeting with the other waters drawn by the same attraction from other places, they then return back again, but encountering with that huge Mountain of the Sea, are beaten back again, and so by this means forced to continual motion.  
Qu. Is the Sea higher than the Earth?  
An. This is affirmed to be so; and the reasons given therefore are these: First, because it is a body not so heavy: Secondly, it is observed by Saylors, that their Ships fly faster to the shore than from it, whereof no reason can be given but the height of the Water above the Land. Thirdly, to such as stand on the shore, the Sea seemeth to swell into the form of a mountain, till it putteth a bound to their sight. But some than will lay how comes it to pass that the Sea hover thus over the Earth, doth not overwhelm it? To which I answer, that must be attributed to him only who hath made the waters to stand on a heap, who hath set them a bound which they shall not pass, nor turn again to cover the Earth.  
Qu. Why is the form of Money round?  
An. Because it is to run to every man, though it commonly runs up hill to the rich. I remember I saw once the picture of a Shilling, which had upon the top of it a pair of Wings, flying as it were from spades and oars that were portrayed on the one side, to the picture of an Usurer who was deciphered on the other side, underneath was the figure of a Snail, with the shilling on his back creeping a slowly peace towards the Oars. The explanation of all being set forth by these verses.  
Twelvepences here first presents him to your Eye,  
Who from the Spades and Oars with wing do fly.  
To the rich Usurer, who ready stands  
To entertain him with a Purse in's hands;  
Where long being kept at last returns as slo●  
Back to the Oars, as the poor Snail doth g●●  
Qu. Why is Nummus Latin for Money?  
An. Of Numa Pompilius, second King of the Romans, the first that caused Money to be made; though the Jews attribute the invention thereof to Cain, as the Grecians to Hermodice the wife of Midas, and some of the Romans to Janus. That money was not in former Ages the only Bartery, or way of exchange, we read in Homer, where Glaucus Golden Armour was valued at a hundred Kine, and Diomedes Armour at ten only; which kind of bartery is to this day used amongst some of the Irish, as at the Barbadoss, and Virginia it is commonly by Tobacco, or Sugar. Our Ancestors the Britain's, used brass Rings and Iron Rings for their Instruments of Exchange; The, most usual material of Money amongst the Roman Provinces was seldom Gold or Silver, most times Brass, sometimes Leather; Corium forma publica percussum, as Senecae hath it. This last kind of Money was by Frederick the Second made currant when he besieged Milan: the like is said to have been used here in England, at the time of the Baron's wars, which is thought to be the same that is now commonly shown in the Tower, and why not? since the Hollanders no longer ago than in the year 1574 being in their extremities, made Money of Pasteboard.  
But now such things we in derision hold  
Nothing will pass but Silver, or fine Gold.  
I shall therefore annex here certain Verses describing the person and quality of that ●hild of chase, or Lady Pecunia, which is so ●uch sought after and catcht at by every ●e, giving you assured marks whereby to ●ow her, if you can find her:  
She is a Lady of such matchless carriage,  
Wedded to none, tho' sought of all in marriage.  
She may be kissed, yet neither washed nor clipped,  
And if you woo not wary, soon o'reslipt.  
She may be common, yet be honest too,  
Which is far more than any Maids can do:  
Who e'er achieves her, speaks her ne'er so fair,  
She'll not stay long before she take the air.  
She is so proud, she'll not with poor men stay,  
But strait takes pet, and goes from him away.  
A rich man may her for a time entreat,  
And with the Usurer she'll sit i' th' seat.  
She goes in Cloth of silver, Cloth of gold,  
Of several worths and values manifold:  
But when she goes in golden Robes best dight,  
Then she's suspected for to be most light.  
She needs no Physic to recover Health,  
For she's still currant, and as rich in Wealth:  
Some Irish Lady born we may suppose,  
Because she runs so fast, and never goes.  
If she be wronged in name, and ill abide it,  
Of all men Justice Touchstone must decide it.  
She is a Vagrant sure, else there is none,  
Because she's always rambling from home,  
Nothing can cause her for to take her rest,  
But clip her Wings, and lock her in a Chest.  
Qu. What City is that which is Founded the Waters, compassed in with waters, and ha●● no other walls but the Sea?  
An. The City of Venice, situate in the be some of the Adriatic Sea, which hath continued unshaken or conquered since the fi●● building 1152 years; it hath for convenience of Passage 4000 Bridges, and very near 1200● Bo us. They have an Arsenal in which a● kept 200 Galleys; in their Magazine of W● they have Armour sufficient for 100000 Soldiers, amongst which are 1000 Coats of Plate garnished with Gold, and covered with velvet; so that they are sit for any Prince in Christendom; there are said to be 200 Houses therein, fit to Lodge any King whomsoever; they have several Houses stored with Masts, Sails, and other Tackle, and are at this present, the chiefest Bulwark of Christendom against the Turk.  
Qu. When a Man dies, which is the last part of him that stirs, and which of a Woman?  
An.  
When Man and Woman dies, as Poets sung,  
His Heart's the last that stirs, of her the Tongue.  
Qu. What Answer gave one to a Barber, who bragged that Kings sat bare to their Trade?  
An. He bid him that they should remember, as well, that they must stand to Beggars whilst they did sit.  
Qu. What is the common saying that is appropriated to Poland?  
An. That if a man have lost his Religion, there he may find it, there being tolerated Papists, Lutherans, Calvinists, Arrians, Anabaptists, Antitrinitarians, and all Sects whatsoever. The same saying is now applied to Amsterdam in Holland.  
Qn. What other thing is remarkable there?  
An. It is a custom there, that when in the Churches the Gospel is reading, the Nobility and Sentry of that Country draw out their Swords, to signify that they are ready to defend the same if any dare oppugn it. The same reason questionless gave beginning to our custom of standing up at the Creed, whereby we express how prepared and resolute we are to maintain it, although in the late times of Rebellion, some tender Consciences holding it to be a Relic of Popery, being more nice than wise, did undiscreetly refuse the same.  
A short English Catechism.  
We must believe twelve, and we must do ten,  
And pray for seven, if we'll be godly men.  
Qu. What strange custom is that which is reported of the Muscovia women?  
An. That they love those Husbands best, which beat them most, and think themselves neither loved nor regarded, unless they be twice or thrice a day well-favourdly banged. To this purpose there is a story reported of a Germane Shoemaker, who travelling into this Country, and here marrying a widow used her with all kindness that a woman could (as he thought) desire, yet still she was discontented, and the more he sought to please her, the further off was from any content; at last learning where the fault was, and that his not beating her was the cause of her discontent, he took such a vein in cudgelling her sides, that in the end he killed her. I suppose it would be a very hard matter to bring up this custom in England, or to persuade our women that their Husbands beat them out of pure love which they bear unto them.  
Qu. How comes it to pass that there be more women in the world than men?  
a, Some assign this reason, because that women are freed from the Wars, which devoureth many thousands of men, few of them pass the dangers of the Sea, suffer imprisonment, and many other troubles and hazard of the Land to which men are incident, and this they think to be a sufficient reason; others there are who argue more merrily, alleging, that in the whole course of Nature, the worst things are ever the most plentiful, hence we have more Weeds than Herbs, more Lead than Silver, more Crows than Partridges, more Women than Men, and therefore one thus merrily writes of that Sex:  
If women were as little as they're good,  
A Peascod shell would make them Gown and Hood.  
And another to the like purpose.  
There is not one good woman to be found,  
And if one were, she merits to be crowned.  
Qu. Who was the first that invented Printing?  
An. He who first taught it in Europe was one John Gutthenburg a German, about the year of our Lord 1440. at Haarlem it is said to be first practised, and at Menez perfected. M. C. T. de officiis was the first Book which ever was printed, which Copy is to this 〈◊〉 reserved in the public Library in Frankford; though many are of the opinion that the Chynoys had it long before us who print not as we use from the left hand to the right nor as the Jews from the right to the left, but from the top of the leaf downward to the bottom: whoever invented it, no question but it is a most noble and profitable Art, we having that done in one day by one man, that without it many could not do in a year by writing. Only I wish this most exquisite invention were not so much abused and prostituted to the lust of every foolish and idle Paper-blur, the treasury of Learning being never so overcharged with froth and scum, of foolish and unnecessary Discourses, as by this means; many people having a great ambition to be known in the world, though they get nothing thereby but only to become Fools in print.  
Qu. Who invented Guns.  
An. That fatal Instrument the Gun was first found out by one Bartholdus Swart a Franciscan Friar, and a great Alchemist, who being one time very studious to find out some experiments in his Art, was tempering together Brimstone, dried Earth, and certain other Ingredients in a Mortar, which he covered with a stone. The night growing on, he took a Tinderbox to light him a candle; where striking fire, a spark by chance flew into the Mortar, and catching hold of the Brimstone and Salt-petre, with great violence blew up the stone. The Friar guessing which of his Ingredients it was that produced this effect, made him an Iron pipe, crammed it with Sulphur and stones, and putting fire to it, saw with what great fury and noise it discharged its self; then longing to put his invention in execution, he communicated the same unto the Venetians, who having been often vanquished by the Gensueses, and driven almost to a necessity of yielding to them, by the help of these Guns gave their enemies a notable overthrow. This was about the year of our Lord 1330. being the first battle that ever those warlike pieces had part in, which not long after put to silence all the Engines and devices where with the Ancients were wont to make their Batteries; of which Engine we may say as the Poet formerly did of that weapon the Sword.  
Of murdering Guns who might first Author be,  
Sure a steel heart and bloody mind had he;  
Mankind's destruction so to bring about,  
And death with horror by near ways find out.  
Qu. Where was wildfire invented?  
An. At the siege of Canstantinople by Caliph Zulciman, about the year of our Lord 730. with which the Grecians did not a little molest the Saracens Ships. This fire we for the violence of it call Wildfire, and the Latins because the Greeks were the inventors of it, Graecus ignis.  
Qu. Who invented the Battle-Axe?  
An. Penthesilea who came with a troop of brave Viragoes to the aid of Priam King of Troy, she fought with the Battle-Axe, and was slain by Pyrrhus Son to Achilles, not long after her death was Troy taken by the Greeks, who lost of their own men 860000. and slew of the Trojans and those that came to help them 666000. so as that of Ovid may be truly inferred.  
Jam seges est ubi Troja fuit, resecandaque falce,  
Luxuriat Phrygio sanguine pinguis humus.  
Corn sit for siches now grows where Troy once stood,  
And the Soyl's fatted with; he Phrygian blood.  
Qu. By whom were the games of Dice and Chess first invented?  
An. By the Lydians, a Country of Anatolia, who being sorely vexed with famine, invented the games, that by playing at them they might beguile their hungry bellies. Necessity thereunto informing, according to that of Persius:  
Artis Magister ingeniique largitor venture.  
Qu. Who were the first Inventors of Paper and Parchment?  
An. Paper was first found out in Egypt, and made of thin Flakes of Sedgy-weeds growing on the banks of Nilus called Papyri, from whence it tooks it name. By means of this invention, Books being easier to be transcribed and reserved, Ptolomeus Philadelphus made his excellent Library at Alexandria, and understanding how Attalus King of Pergamum by the benefit of this Egyptian Paper, strove to exceed him in that kind of magnificence, prohibited the carriage of it out of Egypt. Hereupon Attalus invented Parchment, called from the place of its invention, Pergamena, from the materials thereof being Sheepskins, Membrana; the conveniency whereof was the cause why in short time the Egyptian Paper was quite worn out; in place whereof succeeded our Paper made of rags. The Author of which invention our progenitors have not committed to memory, the more is the pity, that he who found out the use of Paper, should not have his memory perserved by Paper. In former ages men wrote in the dust, upon stones, pencilled upon Laurel leaves, upon barks of Trees, according to the Poet.  
In barks of Trees Shepherds their loves engraved,  
Which remained i'th' hole, when the rind away was shaved.  
Qu. Who first invented Letters?  
An. Cornelius Tacitus an approved Latin Historian, ascribeth it to the Egyptians, his words are these: Primi per formas animalium Egypti, etc. The Egyptians first of all expressed the conceptions of the mind by the shapes of beasts; and the most ancient monuments of man's memory, are seen graven in stones, and they say, that they are the first inventors of Letters; then the Phoenicians because they were strong at Sea, brought them into Greece, and so they had the glory of that which they received from others; for there goeth a report, that Cadmus sailing thither in a Phoenician ship, was the Inventor of the Art amongst the Greeks, when they were yet unexpert and rude. Some record, that Cecrops the Athenian, or Livius the Theban, and Palamedes the Grecian, did find out sixteen Characters at the time of the Trojan war, and that afterward Simonides added the rest. But in Italy the Etrurians learned them of Demaratas the Corinthian, and the Aborigines of Evander the Arcadian: thus far Tacitus. But Lucan the Historical Poet attributeth the first invention of them to the Phoenicians; in these verses of his Pharsalia.  
Phoenices primi (fama si ereditur) ausi,  
Mansuram rudibus vocem signare figuris.  
Phoenicians first (as fame to us affords.)  
Dared in rude Characters engrave our words.  
But notwithstanding this of Tacitus and Lucan, no question but the Jews were herein skilled before either of them, and that there was writing before the Flood, which St. Judas doth somewhat insinuate of the writing of Enoch; and Josephus and others write that he erected two Pillars, the one of brick, and the other of stone, wherein he wrote of the twofold destruction of the world, the one by water, and the other by fire, which by Tradition was preserved to the days of the Apostles.  
Qu. By whom was Brachygraphy or the Art of Shortwriting invented?  
An. This is uncertain, Dion saith that Maecenas that great Favourite of Augustus, and Favourer of Learning, did first find out certain Rules and Figures ad celeritatem scribendi, for the speedier dispatch of writing; and for those less vulgar Letters, which the Latins call Ciphrae, and whereof every exercised Statesman hath peculiar to himself, they were first invented by Julius Caesar, when he first began to think of the Roman Monarchy, and were by him in his Letters to his more private and tried friends used; that if by misfortune they should be intercepted, the contents of them should not be understood. Augustus' one of the greatest Politics of the world, had another kind of obscure writing; for in his Letters of more secrecy and importance, he always used to put the Letter immediately following in the order of the Alphabet, for that which in ordinary writing he should have used. As for the Art of Shortwriting, or Brachygraphy aforesaid, it is grown to a great perfection in our Age, the chief Masters whereof have been Mr. Skelton, Mr. Jeremiah Rich, etc.  
Qu. Who were the Inventors of Ships, and Shipping?  
An. No doubt but it came first from the Ark of Noah, which he had provided for the safety of him and his, in the universal Deluge; which Ark settling on the Mountains of Ararat, and there a long time remaining, gave the Phoenicians, a Sea-people, a pattern whereby they might make the waters passable. The Heathen writers which knew not Noah, attribute the Inventing of Shipping to several persons: Strabo to Minos' King of Crete: Diodorus Siculus, to Neptuno who was therefore called The God of the Sea: Tibullus the Poet referred it to the Tyrians, a famous flourishing Commonwealth among the Phoenicians, saying,  
Prima ratem ventis credere docta Tyros.  
The Tyrians first the Art did find,  
To make Ships travel with the wind.  
The Egyptians received this Invention from the Tyrians, and added much unto it; for whereas first the vessels were either made of an hollow tree, or of sundry boards joined together, and covered with beasts skins, (which kind of Vessels are still in use in America) the Phoenicians brought them to strength and form; but the Egyptians added Decks unto them; they also invented the Galley of two banks on a side, which vessels by length of time grew so large, that Ptolemy Philopater made one of no fewer than fifty banks of oars on one side, Large Ships of burden called Circera, we owe to the Cypriots: Cock-boats or Skiffs, to the Illyrians; Brigantines, to the Rhodians; and Frigates, or swift Barks to the Cyrenians. As for the Tackle, the Boetians invented the Oar: Daedalus and his son Icarus, the Masts and Sails, which gave the Poet occasion to feign, that those two made wings to their bodies, and fled out of Crete; and that Icarus soaring too high, melted his wings, and was drowned: the truth indeed being, that presuming too far on his new invention, he ran against a Rock, and so perished. For Hippagines Ferry-boats or vessels for the transporting of Horse, we are indebted to the Salaminians; for Grapling-hooks to Anacharsis; for Anchors to to the Tuscans; and for the Rudder, Helm, Stern, or Art of steering, to Typhis, who seeing that a Kite when she flew, guided her whole body by her tail, effected that in the devices of Art, which he had observed in the works of Nature. About the year 1300. one Flavio of Melphi in the Kingdom of Naples found out the Compass or Pyxis Nautica, consisting of eight Winds only, the four principal, and four collateral; and not long after the people of Bruges and Antwerp perfected that excellent Invention; adding twenty four other subordinate Winds, or Points, so that now they are in all to the number of thirty two. By means of this excellent Instrument, and withal by the good success of Columbus the Portugals Eastward, the Spaniards Westward, and the English North-wards, have made many a glorious and fortunate Expedition.  
Qu. Having thus shown by what means Navigation hath arrived to the height that now it is; next tell what Commodities are most proper to several Countries, whither our Merchants go to traffic?  
An. Our most provident and wise Creator hath so ordered it, that there might be a sociable Conversation betwixt all Country's, that there is none of them so plentifully stocked, but hath need of the Commodities of another Country; nor is any Country so barren or destitute, but it hath some one or more Commodities to invite Merchants to traffic with them; some of which are thus set down by the divine Poet Du Bartus in his Colonies:  
Hence come our Sugars from Canary Isles,  
From Candie Currant, Muscadel, and Oils.  
From the Molucco's Spices, Balsamum  
From Egypt, Odours from Arabia come.  
From India Gums, rich Drugs, and Ivory.  
From Syria Mummy; black red Ebony  
From burning Chus; from Peru Pearl & Gold,  
From Russia Furs, to keep the rich from cold.  
From Florence Silks; from Spain Fruit, Saffron, Sacks:  
From Denmark Amber, Cordage, Furs, and Flax.  
From France and Florence, Linen, Wood, and Wine;  
From Holland Hops; Horse from the banks of Rhine.  
From England Wool; all Lands as God distributes,  
To the World's Treasure pay their sundry Tributes.  
Qu. What did our Ancients hold to be the greatest wonders in the world?  
An. The Tower of Pharaoh, the walls of Babylon, the Temple of Diana at Ephesus, the Tomb of Mausolus, and the Pyramids of Egypt, which are supposed by some to be in part built with the same Bricks which the children of Israel did burn. Of those Pyramids two are most famous; the first and greatest was built by Cheops, who in this Work employed 100000 Men the space of twenty years. The charges of Garlic, Roots, and Onions only, came to sixteen hundred Talents of Silver. The Basis of this Pyramid contained in circuit sixty Acres of Ground, and was in height ten thousand Foot, being made all of marble. Now when Cheops wanted money, he prostituted his Daughter to all comers, by which dishonest means he finished his Building; and she besides the money due unto her Sire, (for father I cannot call him) desired for herself of every man that had the use of her body, one stone, of whom she got so many, that with them she made the second Pyramid, almost equal to the first, as Herodotus a Grecian Author observeth:  
Stonebuildings, Cities, & Brick-works decay.  
Virtue's immortal, and doth live for aye.  
Qu. What Trees were those that brought-forth their fruit at the instant of their first planting?  
An. The Trees which God made in the beginning of the world, which immediately brought forth their fruit, according as God spoke the word.  
Qu. What two Countries are those which are endued with these two most excellent prerogatives, of breeding no venomous worms or hurtful Creature, neither will any live if brought thither from foreign Countries?  
An. Creta or Candie, an Island of Greece, now in the possession of the Venetians, and our neighbour Country of Ireland; of which last, one writing thus maketh that Land to speak;  
Illa ego sum Graiis Glacialis Hibernia dicta,  
Cut Deus & melior rerum nascentium origo  
Jus commune dedit, cum Creta altrice Tonantis,  
Angues ne nostris diffundant sibila in oris.  
I am that Island, which in days of old  
The Greeks did call Hibernia Icie-cold:  
Secured by God and Nature from this fear  
(Which gift was given to Crete, Jove's mother dear)  
That poisonous snakes should never here be bred,  
Or dare to hiss, or hartful venom shed.  
Qu. What is accounted the worthiest sign of liberty above all others?  
An. The covering of the head, or wearing of the Hat; as is well known to those which are conversant in Antiquity. The Lacones a people of Peloponnesus, after they had obtained to be made free Denizens of Lacedaemon, in sign of their got Liberty, would never go into the Battle but with their Hats on. Amongst the Africans as it is written by good Authors, the placing of a Hat on the top of a Spear, was used as a token to incite the people to their liberty which had been oppressed by Tyrants. But amongst the Romans we have more variety. The taking off the Hat o● Tarqvinius Priscus by an Eagle, and the putting of it on again, occasioned the Augur to prophesy unto him the Kingdom, which fell out accordingly. In their Sword-plays when one of the Gladiators, had with credit slain his adversary, they would sometimes honour him with a Palm, sometimes with the Hat; of these the last was accounted the worthier, the Palm only honouring the Victor, but the Hat enfranchised him on whom it was conferred. Erasmus in his Chiliads maketh the Hat to be the sign of some eminent worth in him that weareth it; on this he conjectureth that the putting on of Caps on the heads of such as are created Doctors or Masters, had its original; which custom is still of force in the Universities of England, the putting on of the Cap being never performed but in the solemn Comitia, and in the presence of all such as are either Auditors or Spectators of that days exercise.  
Qu. Why have some people affirmed that women have no souls, and how is it to be proved by Scripture that they have?  
An. It is to be proved by Scripture that they have out of those words in Luke, 1. 46. My soul doth magnify the Lord, etc. which were the words of a woman, yet some envying against that Sex, and because of the faults of some few, condemn them all; amongst others hear these verses of the Comedian:  
Trust women! ah fond man, nay rather trust  
The Summer winds, th' Ocean's constancy,  
For all their substance is but levity:  
Light are their waving vails, light their attires,  
Light are their heads, and lighter their desires:  
Let them lay on what coveriure they will  
Upon themselves, of modesty and shame,  
They cannot hide the woman with the same.  
Trust women! ah fond man, nay rather trust  
The false devouring Crocodiles of Nile.  
For all they work is but deceit and guile:  
What have they but is feigned, their hair is feigned,  
Their beauty feigned, their stature feigned, their pace;  
Their gesture, motion, and their grace is feigned,  
And if that all be feigned without, what then  
Shall we suppose can be sincere within?  
For if they do but weep, or sing, or smile;  
Smiles, tears and tunes, are engines to beguile;  
And all they are, and all they have of grace,  
Consists but in the outside of a face, etc.  
Qu. By what Aera or computation do they in Transilvania compute their time, besides that of the birth of our Saviour Christ?  
An. The transmigration of their Children; which happened the 22. of July Anno 1376. which marvellous accident is thus delivered by Verstegan, an Author of good credit, who saith; that the Country being beyond credit troubled with Rats, a Musician whom they called the Pied Piper, undertook for a great mass of money to destroy them: they agree, hereupon he tuneth his Pipes, and all the Rats in the Country came after him dancing, and were drowned in a great River: this done he asketh his pay, but is denied, whereupon he striketh up a new fit of mirth and all the Children Male and Female follow after him dancing into the Hill Hamelet which presently closed again; since which time the Transilvanians permit not an● Drum, Pipe, or other Instrument to be sounded in that place; and established a Decree that in all writing of Contract or Bargain after the date of our Saviour's Nativity, th● date also of this their children's Transmigration should be added thereto.  
Qu. What three Creatures are the Dutch French, and Spanish Nations compared unto?  
An. The French is said to be like a fle● quickly skipping into a Country, and a● soon leping out of it: the Dutch is compared to a ●ouse, slowly mastering a place and as slowly being driven from their hold the Spaniard is likened to a crab, which being crept into a place almost at unawares is there so fast rooted, that nothing but the extremity of violence can force him ou● again.  
Qu. In what things do the French, Dutch and Italians agree?  
An.  
The French hath valour, but with Vanitatem & Levitatem.  
The Dutch hath honest dealing, bu● Gulam & Ebrietatem.  
The Italian discreet Carriage, bu● Procreationem & Libidinem.  
Moreover of these three Nations it thus further added,  

That the Italian is wise before hand;  
The Germane wise in the Action,  
And the French after it is done.   
Qu. In what three properties doth England exceed all other Country's?  
An. For the fairest Women, the goodliest Horses, and the best breed of Dogs whatsoever.  
Qu. How many things are required in a ●oman to be perfectly beautiful?  
An. It is said that all the beauties in the world serve but to make up one perfect beauty, where one brings a good Cheek, another a comely nose, a third a fair forehead, a fourth ruby Lips, a fifth an Alabaster neck, etc. so one is wise till she speaks; another handsome till she goes; a third pretty till she laughs; one hath a slender body, another a winning eye, some carry loveliness, and others Majesty in their very countenances, all which must concur to make up one absolute beauty. And therefore it is said that when Apelles the fanious Painter of Greece, was to portray the Goddess Venus, he assembled all the chief beauties of the Country, that from the several perfections of them he might make one excellent composition; to which one alludes in this Sonnet:  
Apelles - like, when Nature did thee make,  
She viewed the beauties of the Earth each one;  
And from them all the best of all did take,  
That thou shouldest excelled be by none.  
And thus with Venus' beauty she endowed thee,  
And Pallas - like she wisdom to thee gave,  
The learning of Cornelia she allowed thee,  
That thou no lack of any thing shouldst have.  
To thee than thou great Empress of all beauty,  
I consecreate these Lines in thankful duty.  
Some other there are that say, that a woman to be perfectly beautiful should have all these endowments and oppositions, viz three hard, three soft, three short, three long, three black, three white: which they thus distinguish, three hard, her two breasts and buttock; three soft, her two hands and her belly; three short, her nose, and her two feet; three long, her fingers and her side; three black, her two eyes and her hair; three white, her two hands and her neck.  
All these fair Letters in one golden Book,  
What Cynic might be blamed to unclasp and look!  
But now for the most part instead of these perfections, the imperfections of women are so covered by Art, that the most piercing understanding may be deceived, according to that of the Poet,  
With Tires and clothes our Judgements bribed be,  
And Woman is least part of what we see.  
Sir Thomas Moor in his Utopian Commonwealth, telleth us how there is the Custom, for some Reverend Old-Father, to bring in naked the young man; and some hoary Oldmatron to present naked the young woman, between whom a marriage is motioned, for (saith he) in buying a Horse the Chapman not only vieweth his naked carcase, but taketh off also his Trappings and Saddle, lest under him some blame might lie hidden, and why then in choosing of a wise should we take one of whom we see no more than the face. (unius palmae spatium) and perhaps scarce that. These are the words of Sir Thomas Moor, which though I do not like his plot, as being too libidinous, yet no question but the hasty marriages, and want of due acquaintance be●●re the celebration of the Nuptials, makes many to be sped with such a fortune as is here described by the Poet:  
Who takes her breakfast daily in her bed,  
And spends the morn in dressing of her head,  
And sits at dinner like a Virgin Bride,  
And talks all day of nothing but of pride;  
God in mercy may do much to save her,  
But what a case is he in that shall have her?  
Qu. What three Nation's parts is it said that required to the making up of an absolute woman?  
An. The Italians will tell you, that for the performance of this, there is required, first the parts of a Dutch-woman from the Girdle downwards. Secondly, the parts of French-woman from the Girdle to the Shoulders; over which must be placed an English Face for a grace to all the rest; and ●et Dr. Heylin in his Survey of France, saith, that this position doth not hold good in the French women; their shoulders and backs ●ing so broad, that they hold no proportion with their middles:  
But every one our women thus doth grace,  
There is none like unto an English face.  
Qu. In what Country is it that women have the greatest Prerogatives?  
An. In England, where there are not kept to severely submiss as the French, nor so jeaously guarded as the Italian, as being, as of a finer mould, so of a better temper than to yield to an inordinate servility, or incontinency, which makes them endued with so many privileges amongst us, that England is termed by Foreigners The Paradise of women as it is by some accounted The Hell of Horses and Purgatory of Servants. And it is a common by word among the Italians, that there were a Bridge built over the Narrow Seas, all the women in Europe would run into England; they having here the upper hand i● the streets, the uppermost place at the Table the Thirds of their Husband's Estates, an● their equal shares in all Lands, yea, eve● such as are holden in Knight's service; previledges wherewith women of other Countries are not acquainted. So that we see is as well a Paradise for women, by reason ● their privileges, as a Paradise of women, b● reason of their unmatchable perfections.  
Qu. Who was accounted the most brave Virago woman that ever France bred?  
An. Joan D' Arc, a Maid of Vancolem ● Lorraine, whom they call La Pusille; wh● when the English had almost overrun a France, stoutly stood up for the defence her Country; and having obtained an A●my, marched up and down with the sam● in the habit of a man, giving to the English many overthrows, and taking some of the prime Commanders prisoners. At last s● was taken prisoner herself at the siege ● Compeigne, and delivered over to the Du● of Bedford, then Regent of France, who se● her unto Roven, where she was burnt for Witch on the sixth of July, Anno 1431. thou●● some adjudge it extreme cruelty in the English, and that she was rather a Saint than Witch: of which two different opinions he● one thus writing her Epitaph.  
Here lies Joan of Arc, the which  
Some count Saint, and some count Witch;  
Some count Man, and some count more,  
Some count Maid, and some count Whore;  
Her Life's in question, wrong or right,  
Her death in doubt, by Laws, or Might.  
Mean time France a Wonder saw,  
A Woman Rule 'gainst Salic Law.  
But Reader be advised and stay  
Thy Censure till the Judgment-day,  
Then shalt thou know, (and not before)  
Whether Saint, Witch, Man, Maid, or Whore▪  
The Statute of this noble Virago all in Brass, being habited all in complete Armour, standeth at this day in Orleans, upon the middle of their Bridge.  
Qu. Wherein doth Man chiefly differ from Beasts?  
An. In two things especially, Ratione & Oratione, Reason and speech.  
Qu. How do Philosophers divide the parts of Life?  
An. Into three; the Vegetive, the Sensitive, and the Rational: the Vegetive is that of Plants, Trees, etc. the Sensitive is of Beasts, Fowls, Fishes, and the like; but the Rational is only peculiar to Man; though I must confess many are of opinion, that several beasts are endued with more than an ordinary reason, of which they instance the Elephant, and of whom they deliver this story, That in the great Battle betwixt Alexander the Great, and King Porus (an Indian Emperor) the Elephant which King Porus road on, seeing his Master strong and lusty, rushed into the thickest of Alexander's Army; but when he perceived Porus to grow faint, he withdrew himself, and kneeling down, received all the Arrows shot against his Master in his own Trunk.  
Qu. By what means may every man be accounted an honest man?  
An. By endeavouring to be what he desires to seem.  
Qu. What was an excellent Motto which comprehendeth it in the means whereby a man may quickly grow rich? (Counsel I know will quickly be harkened unto by all.)  
An. Nec habeo, nec careo, nec curo: I have not, I want not, I care not; which he enjoyeth that hath only content, as the Divine Poet said,  
My wishes are but few, all easy to fulfil;  
I make the limits of my power the bounds unt● my will.  
Qu. What are the differences or kinds Music?  
An. Among the Ancients I have met with three kinds of Music, viz. First, that of the Greeks, which consisteth altogether of lon● Rules, or Spendans. This was the gravest and saddest of the rest, called by Aristotle Moral, because it settled the affections Boetius, whom we account the Classical Author in this Faculty, calleth it Lydian, because in much use with those of that Nation, and now as generally received by the Italian This is the Music which Elisha called for ●● invite unto him the Spirit of prophecy, King. 3. 15. and this is it which is yet sung ● Church's, a practice which we derive fro● the Ancients, though some of late have opposed it, and which is much commended ●● that Doctor of the Latin Church, St. Austin. The second kind consisteth of a mixture of long and short Notes, or of the Dactylus, which is termed active, because it raiseth up the affections. Boetius calleth it the Dorian, because it had been in much esteem amongst the Dorians, a Greek People: we may now call it English, as being much used by us; and is that Music which cleareth the Spirits, and is so sovereign an Antidote to an afflicted mind. The third sort is that which consisteth altogether of short Notes, or Tribrachy, and is by Aristotle said to be ravished, because it unhingeth the Affections, and stirreth them up to lasciviousness. Boetius termeth it Phrygian, as being the strain of that wanton and luxuriant people; in these days we may call it French, as being most delighted in by the striving Spirits, and lightness of that Nation.  
But the best Music, far more sweet than honey,  
Is when a man's own Purse jingles with money.  
Qu. In what do several Nations differ, concerning their Aera, or computation of Time, from which every reckoning takes its beginning?  
An. The Christians make their Epoch the Birth of Christ, which happened in the year of the world 3962. but this reckoning they used not till the year 600. Follow in the mean ●ime the civil Account of the Empire. The mahometans begins their Hegira, or Computation, from the return of their Prophet to Mecha, after he was driven thence by the Philarchae, Anno Christi 617. The Grecians reckoned by Olympiads, the first of which is placed in the year of the World 3187. but this Account perishing under the Donstontinopolitan Emperors, they reckoned by Indictions, every Indiction containing 15 years; the first beginning whereof was about the year of Christ 313. which among Chronologers is still used. The Romans reckoned first from the building of their City, which was A. M. 3213. and afterwards from the 16 year of the Emperor Augustus, A. M. 1936. which beginneth somewhat before our Epoch from the Birth of Christ. This reckoning was used among the Spaniards, till the Reign of Ferdinand the Catholic. The Jews had divers Epoches, as the Creation of the World in the beginning of Time. Secondly, from the universal Deluge, Anno 1565. Thirdly, from the confusion of Tongues, Anno 1786. Fourthly, from Abraham's Journey out of Chaldea into Canaan, Anno 2021. Fifthly, from the departure of the Children of Israel out of Egypt, Anno 2451. Sixthly, from the year of Jubilee, Anno 2499. Seventhly, from the building of Solomon's Temple, Anno 2432. And eightly, the Captivity of Babylon, Anno 3357 The most usual reckoning in England, is only that of the World's Creation, and Christ's appearance in the flesh: the first seldom used but only by Chronologers, and Writers of Histories.  
Qu. Since Adam, Methusalem, and some other of the Patriarches lived nine hundred and odd years, why did God never suffer any man to accomplish a thousand?  
An. Some learned Persons give this reason, because a thousand years hath in it a type of perfection; and God never suffered any to fulfil it, to show that there is no absolute perfection in this world.  
Qu. What two Philosophers were those who were so eminent for two notable qualities wherewith they were endued, the like of them not to be foundin our modern Histories?  
An. Democritus and Heraclitus; the first whereof always laughed, the other continually wept: which two different passions are much canvased by Authors, which of them is most suitable to humane Nature; indeed our appetites are most greedy to desire the first, but sound reason rightly weighed will conclude for the last: Solomon tell us, that it is better for us to go into the house of mourning, them into the house of laughter: and that the laughter of fools is madness. Besides, History tells us, that Agelastus, the Grandfather of Crassus, a very wise man, was so reserved, that he never laughed in all his life but once, which was when he saw the Ass eating of Thistles. But what need we go any farther than 〈◊〉 Holy Wtit? if we consider our blessed Saviour, we cannot find in the Scripture that he laughed, but that he wept, we read of these three times,  

1. When Lazarus was dead.  
2. Over Jerusalem.  
3. Upon the Cross, when he delivered up his Spirit with cries and tears.   
Qu. What four things are those which we are by Divinos advised often to meditate upon?  
An. Death, Judgement, Heaven, and Hell; to which may be added the death of Christ, and the Temptations of the World, as one hath neatly couched in these Verses:  
Mors tua, Mors Christi, Fraus Mundi, Gloria Coeli,  
Et dolor inferni, sunt meditanda tibi.  
Thy death, the death of Christ, the world's temptation,  
Heaven's joys, Hell's torment, be thy meditation.   

Qu. What was the Sentence, according to the opinion of some, that Christ wrote with his Finger in the dust of the pavement of the Temple, when they brought the Woman before him which was taken in adultery?  
An. Some say it was that which he then spoke, He that is without fault, let him throw the first stone at her: Others imagine it to be thus, Festucam in oculo fratris cernis, trabem in tuo non vides, Thou seest the mote in thy Brother's eye, but not the beam in thy own. But this case is doubtful, and for such questions I like the answer of him that said, Where the Scripture hath not a Mouth to speak, do not thou have a Tongue to ask.  
Qu. In what respect is our Birth and Death compared the one to the other?  
An. In grief and sorrow, only herein is the difference, that the first is most painful to our Mothers, the last to ourselves.  
Qu. What is Life? and what is it to Live?  
An. The beginning of man's life is sorrow, the end of it sorrow, and the middle nothing but grief and sorrow; which conjoins both the middle and end, and makes one complete mass of sorrow; of which one writes,  
What joy to live upon the earth can be,  
Where nought but grief and misery we see.  
Hear therefore what old age adviseth youth, Young men, hear us old men; that being young men, heard old men, and have both by relation and experience found the truth hereof.  
Qu. Which is the best way to overcome wrongs?  
An. By neglecting them, according to that of the Poet,  
Wrongs if neglected, vanish in short time;  
But heard with anger, we confess the crime.  
Qu. How many are they among other Faculties, that the whole world is governed by?  
An. Three, Divinity, Law, and Physic, as one wittily explains it in this Verse.  
Theologis animum subjecit lapsus Adami,  
Et Corpus Medicis, & bona Juridicis.  
Our souls, our bodies, goods by Adam's Fall,  
Are to Divines, Physicians, Lawyer's thrall▪  
Much to the same purpose is that which an excellent Poet writ concerning our humane Bodies;  
Our bodies are like Shoes, which off we cast,  
Physic their Cobbler is, and Death the last.  
Qu. How many times was that stately Fabric at Jerusalem built?  
An. Three, the first by Solomon, in providing the Materials whereof there were thirty thousand Workmen, who wrought by the ten thousand a month in Lebanon, seventy thousand Laborers that bear Burdens, eight thousand Quarry-men that hewed in the Mountains; and to expedite the business, that it should not be according to the Proverb, Church-work goes on slowly, there were no less than three thousand and three hundred Officers and Overseers.  
What manner of Fabric this was, you may read in the first of Kings, the sixth and seventh chapters, where it is fully described: It was destroyed by Nabuchadnezzar King of Babylon, An. Mundi 3350. After the return of the Jews again from the Babylonian Captivity it was rebuilt, but far short of that stateliness and grandeur which it had at first; so that the Prophet Haggai had good occasion to say unto the People, Who is left among you that saw this House in her first glory? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? Haggai 2. 5. Now besides the stateliness of the building, in five other things it was defective: for first it wanted the Pot of Manna; which the Lord commanded Moses to lay up before the Testimony for a memorial, Exod. 6. 22. Secondly, the Rod of Aaron, which only amongst all the Rods of the Princes of Israel budded, and was by God commanded to be kept before the Testimony, for a token against the Rebels, Corath, Dathan, and Abiram, Num. 17. 10. Thirdly, the Ark of the Covenant, which was placed in the Sanctum Sanctorum, 1 King. 6. 19 Fourthly, the two Tables of the Law, written by Gods own Finger, which were by Moses placed in the Ark of the Covenant, Exod. 4. 20. And fifthly, the Fire of sacrifice which came down from Heaven, which Fire was by the Priests to be kept continually burning.  
The third Building thereof was by Herod the Ascalonite, who plucked down the second Building, and erected it more sumptuous and magnificent than before. In this Temple our blessed Saviour and his Apostles preached Salvation to Jew and Gentile; so that we may say the glory of this latter Temple exceeded that of the first. It was finally destroyed by the Romans under the conduct of Titus the Son of Vespasian, according to the words of our Saviour, that that generation should not pass away, until they should not see one stone thereof lying upon another.  
Why wonder we then that frail people die,  
When such fair Monuments in ruin lie?  
Qu. Which is accounted the chief Church of all Paris in France?  
An. That of Nostre Dame, said to be first founded by St. Saminian, afterwards re-edified, or rather new built by Philip Augustus, Anno 1196. It is a very fair and awful Building, adorned with very beautiful Forts, and two Towers of especial height: At your first entrance on the right hand, is the Effigies of St. Christopher, with our Saviour on his shoulders, of a very Gigantic stature: It hath in it four ranks of Pillars, thirty in rank, and forty five little Chapels, or Mass-closets, built between the outermost range of Pillars, and the Walls; it is in length one hundred seventy four paces, and sixty in breadth, and just so many high. The two Towers are seventy yards higher than the rest of the Church, and is indeed a very beautiful Building, yet far short of what our Church of St. Paul in London was, when it was in its glory:  
Before such time age made her ruinous,  
Which Reverend Laud sought to revive again,  
And make her to appear fair and gorgeous,  
That she as Queen of all the rest might reign,  
When as at last her glory did expire,  
In that sad fate of London 's dismal Fire.  
Qu. What three English Churches are those that have their several Prerogatives before any other in the Land?  
An. Paul's, Westminster, and Salisbury; Paul's for her Antiquity, Westminster for her curious Workmanship, and Sansbury for vatiety of Pillars, Windows, and Gates, Secondly, Paul's before the late conflagration of Fire was famous, for the continual Society of the Living, Westminster is renowned for her Royal Sepulchre of the Dead; and Salisbury famous for her Tripartile Calculation of the Year, having in it as many Windows, Pillars, and Gates, as there are Days, Hours and Months in the Year; of which Mr. Cambden the famous Antiquary thus writeth:  
Mira canam. Soles quot continet annus, in una  
Tam numerosa, ferunt, aede fenestra micant.  
Marmoreasque tenet fusas tot ab arte columnas,  
Comprensas horas quot vagus annus habet:  
Tota gaudet portis, quot mensibus annus abundat:  
Res mira, at vera res celebrata fide.  
How many days in one whole year there be,  
So many windows in one Church we see;  
So many Marble Pillars there appear,  
As there are hours throughout the flitting year.  
So many gates as Moons one year does view  
Strange tale to tell, yet not so strange as true.  
For our other Churches, the most renowned is; First, the Cathedral of Lincoln. 2 For a private Parish-Church, that of Ratcliff in Bristol. 3 For a private Chapel, that of Kings-Colledge in Cambridge. 4 The Minster of Ely, though now much defaced by the injury of the late rebellious times. 5 For the curious workmanship of the Glass; that of Christ-Church in Canterbury. 6 For the exquisite beauty of the Fronts, those of Wells and Peterborough. 7 For a pleasant lightsome Church, the Abbey-Church at Bath. And 8 For an ancient and reverend Fabric, the Minster of York: though many of these Churches which our hotheaded Zealots pretended, were beautified by superstition, were in the late times of rebellion, by sacrilegious ignorance, much defaced and ruined.  
Qu. Who was it (according to report) that built the Church of Sopham in Norfolk?  
An. Tradition tells us, that in former times there lived in that Town a certain Pedlar, who dreamt that if he came up to London, and stood on the Bridge there, he should hear very joyful News, which he at first slighted; but afterwards his Dream being doubled and trebled unto him, he resolved to try the Issue of it, and accordingly to London he came, and stood on the Bridge there for two or three days, but heard nothing which might give him any comfort in the least, that the profit of his journey would be equal to his pains. At last it so happened, that a Shopkeeper there hard by, having noted his fruitless standing, seeing that he neither sold any Wares nor asked an Alms, went to him, and demanded his business; to which the Pedlar made answer, that being a Countryman he dreamt adream that if he came up to London he should hear News. And art thou (said the Shopkeeper) such a fool to take a Journey on such a foolish Errand? why I tell thee this last night I dreamt that I was at Sopham in Norfolk, a place utterly unknown to me; where me-thought behind a Pedlar's house, in a certain Orchard, and under a great Oak-tree, if I digged there I should find a mighty Mass of Treasure: now think you that I am so unwise to take so long a Journey upon me, only by the instigation of a foolish Dream! No, no, far be such folly from me, therefore honest Countryman, I shall advise thee to make haste home again, and not to spend thy precious time in the expectation of the event of an idle Dream. The Pedlar, who noted well his words, and knowing all the things he had said to concentre in himself, glad of such joyful News, went speedily home, and digged under the Oak, where he found an infinite Mass of Money, with part of which, the Church happening to fall down, he very sumptuously re-edified the same; having his Statue therein to this day cut out in stone, with his pack at his back, and his dog at his heels; his memory being also preserved by the same form of picture in most of the glass-windows in Taverns and Alehouses of that Town to this day.  
Qu. Wherefore on the top of Church-steeples is the Cock set upon the Cross, of a long continuance?  
An. The Papists tell us, it is for our instruction; that whilst aloft we behold the Cross, and the Cock standing thereon, we may remember our sins, and with Peter seek and obtain mercy.  
Qu. What is the cause why the Pope Christens his Bells?  
An. That being by him thus sanctified, the sound of them might drive devils out of the air, clear the Skies, chase away storms and tempests, quench fires, and give comfort to all the dead that hear them: as the Bells themselves will tell you, being rung to this tune:  
Behold our uses are not small,  
That God to praise Assemblies call;  
That break the Thunder, ' wail the dead,  
And cleanse the air of tempests bred,  
With fear keep off the Fiends of Hell  
And all by virtue of my Knell.  
Qu. What three things is it wherein the Town of Saffron-walden in Essex doth excel?  
An. A Magnificent House, a sumptuous Church, and a large pair of Stocks. The House that is commonly called Audley-End House, built by Thomas Howard Earl of Suffolk, in the time of King James, a most gallant uniform Building, little inferior to any of the choicest Statues in Europe. The Church stands in the middle of the Town upon a Hill, having an ascent each way unto it, which makes it appear the more graceful: It is very large, and adorned with curious Workmanship, hath an excellent Ring of Bells, and hath from time to time been continually kept in good repair. The Stocks are made of one entire Tree, and will by the legs, wrists, and Thumbs, hold above forty several persons, and are by the Inhabitants of that town shown to strangers as a great rarity.  
Qu. In what place did the Ancients, commonly use to bury their dead?  
An. Former Ages would not permit any dead Corpse to be buried within the walls of their Cities. Thus we read that Abraham bought a field wherein to bury his dead; and we find in the seventh of Luke, that the widow of Naims' son was carried out to be buried. This instance also we find to be used amongst the Athenians, Corinthians and other of the Grecians. Amongst the Romans it was the fashion to burn the bodies of the dead within their City, which custom continued till the bringing in of the Laws of Athens, commonly called The Laws of the Twelve Tables; one of which Laws runneth in these words, In urbe ne sepelito, nemo urito. After this Prohibition, their dead Corpse were first burned in Campus Martius, and there was covered in sundry places in the fields. The frequent Urns, or Sepulchral Stones digged up amongst us here in England, (as of late days were many in Spittle-fields near London) are sufficient testimonies of this assertion. Besides, we may find in Appium, that the chief reason why the rich men in Rome would not yield to that Law, called Lex Agraria or the Law of dividing the Roman possessions equally among the people was, because they thought it an irreligious thing that the monuments of their Fore fathers should be sold unto others. The first that is Registered to have been buried in the City, was Trojanus the Emperor; afterwards it was granted as an honorary to such as had deserved well of the Republic: but afterwards when Christian Religion prevailed o'er heathenism, Churchyards (those Dormitories of the Saints) were consecrated, and the liberty of burying within the walls was alike granted to all.  
Qu. Which is the surest way to make a man's name immortal, either by strong stone buildings and calling them after their own names; or like Homer, Virgil, or Ovid, by leaving behind them some witty Poem, or Invention in Paper?  
An. To this the Poet will give you a ready Answer.  
Marmor a Maeonii vincunt monument a libelli;  
Vivitur ingenio, caetera mortis erunt.  
The Muse's Works, Stone Monuments outlast,  
'Tis Wit keeps Life, all else death will down cast.  
Qu. What death (according to History) do we find that Aristotle that great Philosopher, and Searcher out of the Secrets of Nature, died of?  
An. History tells us that he drowned himself in the River Euripus, which being a small River betwixt Eubeo and Achata, and ebbing and flowing seven times in a day, contrary to the nature of other Rivers, when he could not find out the reason thereof, it is said that he threw himself therein, with these words: Quia ego non capio te, tu capias me. If I cannot contain thee, thou shalt contain me.  
Qu. Who was the first man that publicly in writing set forth a tractate of the Antipodes?  
An. Many are of opinion that the Antipodes was known to the Ancients, although they were by them never discovered; and therefore it is said, That in former times it was known that there were Antipodes, although the Antipodes were not known: but the first that declared it in writing, was Virgilius Bishop of Salizburg in Germany, which Boniface Bishop of Mentz in that Country happening to see, and supposing that under that strange name some damnable Doctrine was contained, made complaint first to the Duke of Bohemia, and next to Pope Zachary, Anno 745. By whom the poor Bishop (unfortunate only in being learned in such a time of Ignorance) was condemned of Heresy for that which now every ordinary Seaman can demonstrate for truth.  
Qu. Who first broached the opinion of the mutability of the Earth, that it turns round about the Centre of the Sun?  
An. The first that publicly declared himself of this opinion was Copernicus, a Doctrine so strange in those times, that an able Poet thus writ to him:  
Thou thinks the Earth moves round, that's a strange tale,  
When thou didst write this, thou wert under sail.  
And yet now this opinion is taken up by our ablest Astrologers, as Mr. Vincent, Wing, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Leyburn, and others.  
Qu. Why is virtue more talked of, than practised?  
An. Because every one desires the name of Virtuous, although he do not deserve it, according to the Poet:  
Virtue we praise, but practise not her good,  
(Athenian-like) we act not what we know;  
So many men do talk of Robin Hood,  
Who never yet shot arrow from his Bow.  
The old Roman built a Temple to Honour, which whosoever would come to, must first pass through the Temple of Virtue, intimating thereby that Honour was the reward of Virtue, and that without virtuous actions none could come to Honour's preferments.  
Qu. What people lie in most state?  
An. Beggars, who have the Heavens for their Canopy.  
Qu. What is the right part of a Judge?  
An. To hear both sides indifferently, and not to be prepossessed in any case, for thereby though he do Justice, yet himself errs, according to the Poet;  
He that doth Judge, and will but one side hear,  
Though he Judge right, he's no good Justicer.  
Qu. What is that that bears all, forms all, nourisheth all, increaseth all, creates all, buries all, and receives all into her again?  
An. The Earth.  
Qu. Why can no man be said to be truly happy, or miserable in this life?  
An. Because as the Poet said,  
Unmedled Joys here to no man befall,  
Who least hath some, who most hath never all.  
Qu. Who first found out the use of weights and measures?  
An. One Phidon an Argine, in the time of Arbanes the Mede, An. M. 3146.  
Qu. What makes it that few people are content with their condition?  
An. Because the desire of riches increases ●n the getting of them, few people being contented with that state which God hath allotted to them.  
The poor have little, Beggars none,  
The rich too much, enough not one.  
Qu. Why was Diogenes accounted an Epicure?  
An. Because out of love to Wine, when it was all drunk out, he would live in the Cask.  
Qu. Why do Beggars go with hungry bellies?  
An. Because it is Money rules the Roast.  
Qu. What is that is spoken of in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin Tongues?  
An. That the Hebrew is most sacred, the Greek most rich, and the Latin most copious.  
Cue, How came the word Harlot first in use among the English?  
An. From Arlet, King William the Conqueror's Mother, whose Father Robert Duke of Normandy, passing through Falaise a town in France, and seeing this Arlet being a Skinner's daughter, nimbly to trip it in a dance, he thought he would not be sluggish in a bed, and therefore sent for her to accompany him that night; to which she readily condescended, and the Duke that night begat on he● William the Bastard, King of England; inspite to whom and disgrace to his Mother, the English called all whores Harlots, a word yet in use with us unto this day,  
Qu. Who first brought up that use of pledging one another, being drunk unto?  
An. This Custom took its original on such time as the Danes Lorded it in this Land, who used when the English drank, to stab them, or cut their throats: to avoid which vill any, the party then drinking would request some of the next sitters by, to be his surety or pledge, whilst he paid Nature his due. And hence have we our custom of pledging one another which begun at first upon necessity, is now grown to be a Compliment, and common to all.  
Qu. What two Letters are those, that at ou● entrance into the world we all cry out upon?  
An. A and E, as the Poet explains in this verse.  
Clamant A, vel E. quot quot nascunour ab Eva,  
All cry out of E and A,  
That are born of Eva.  
Qu. What is delivered in Histories concerning the three Kings of Collen, or the wise men that came out of the East to worship our Saviour?  
An. It is said that those wise men were three Kings, and that they came out of Arabia; first in respect that Arabia is East from Jerusalem and secondly because it is said in the 72 Psalms, The Kings of Arabia shall bring gifts. Their bodies are said to have been translated from Palestine by Helena the Mother of Constantine, to Constantinople, from thence by Eustasius Bishop of Milan, unto Milan; and finally brought to Collen in Germany by Rainoldus Bishop thereof, Anno ● 164. where they lie interred; the first of them being called Melchior, an old man with a long beard, who offered Gold as unto a King. The second called Gaspar, a beardless young man, who offered Frankincense ●s unto God. The third called Balthasar, a Black Moor with a spreading Beard, who offered Myrrh, as unto a man ready for his sepulchre.  
Three kings to th' King of Kings, three Gifts did bring,  
Gold, Incense, Myrrh; as Man, as God, as King.  
Three Holy Gifts be likewise given by thee  
To Christ, even such as acceptable be.  
For Myrrh, tears; for Frankincense, impart.  
Submissive prayers; for pure Gold, a pure heart  
Qu. Wherefore did Pilate wash his hands after he had condemned our Saviour?  
An. Vainly thinking by that Ceremony to wash the blood off from his guilty Conscience▪  
O faciles animi, qui tristia crimina, caedes, Fluminea tolli posse putatis aqua.  
Too facile souls, which think such heinous matters,  
Can be abolished by the River waters.  
We before spoke of the Pope's Christening of Bells, now we will show you in what manner it is done.  
The Bell that is to be baptised, is so hanged that it may be washed within and without. Then in comes the Bishop in his Episcopal Robes, attended by one of his Deacons, and sitting by the Bell in his Chair, saith with a loud voice, the 50, 53, 56, 66, 69, 85, and 12 Psalms, or some of them: then doth he exercise severally, salt and water, and having conjured these ingredients into an Holy-water, he washeth with it the Bell, both on the inside and the outside, wiping it dry with a Linen Cloth, he than readeth the 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, and 150 Psalms, than he draweth a Cross on it with his right thumb dipped in hallowed Oil, (Chrism they call it) and then prayeth over it. His Prayer finished, he wipeth out that Cross, and having said over the 48 Psalms, he draweth on it with the same Oil, seven other Crosses, saying, Sanctificetur & consecretur, Domine, Campana ista, in nomine, etc. After another Prayer the Bishop taketh the Censor, and putting into it Myrrh and Frankincense, setteth it on fire, and putteth it under the Bell, that it may receive all the fume of it. This being done, the 76 Psalms read, and some other prayers repeated, the Bell hath received his whole and entire baptism, and is from thenceforth very fit and able to ring out, Ding, Dung, Dung.  
Qu.  
Who are those that pray for all,  
Defend all,  
Feed all,  
Devour all?  
An. In the representation of an ancient picture, it was thus resolved: The Pope with his Clergy says, I pray for you all; The Emperor with his Electors, I defend you all: The Clown with his sack of Corn, I feed you all; at ●ast comes Death and says, I devour you all; For,  
— Mors ultima linea rerum.  
Death is a Pursuivant with Eagles wings  
That strikes at poor men's doors, and gates of Kings.  
Further Verses upon Death.  
Death is a Fisherman, the world we see  
His Fishpond is, and we the Fishes be.  
He sometimes Angler-like doth with us play,  
And slily takes us one by one away:  
Diseases are the murdering hooks, which he  
Doth catch us with; the bait, Mortality,  
Which we poor silly Fish devour, till struck,  
At last too late we feel the bitter Hook.  
At other times he brings his Net, and then  
At once sweeps up whole Cities full of men,  
Drawing up thousands at a Draught, and saves  
Only some few, to make the other Graves;  
His Net some raging Pestilence: Now he  
Is not so kind as other Fishers be;  
For if they take one of the smaller Fry,  
They throw him in again, he shall not die;  
But Death is sure to kill all he can get,  
And all is fish with him that comes to Net.  
Qu. Why do the affections of Parents run upwards to their Children, and not their children's un downward to them?  
An. Experience tells us, that Parents are more tender and loving to their Children by far, than Children are dutiful and obsequious to their Parents. Even as the Sap in the Root of a Tree ascends into the Branches thereof, but returns not from the branches to the Root again, but runs forth from thence into seed; so parents love their Children, who return not that love to them again, but their affections run forwards to a further procreation. Hence comes it to pass, that one father with more willingness brings up ten children, than ten children in his want, will sustain one Father. And whereas you hear of one unnatural Parent, you shall hear of ten disobedient children.  
Qu. Have the Heavens a particular influence upon the same Climate, though the Inhabitants be changed?  
An. Yes they have; for as these Celestial bodies considered in the general, do work upon all sublunary bodies in the general, by light, influence, and motion; so have they a particular operation on particulars. An operation there is wrought by them in a man, as born at such and such a minute, and again as born under such and such a Climate. The one derived from the setting of the Houses, and the Lord of the Horoscope at the time of his Nativity, the other from that Constellation which governeth as it were the Province of his birth, and is the Genius, or Deus Tutelaris loci.  
Qu. In what Points doth the Greek and Muscovite Church differ from that of the Romesh and the reform?  
An. In these ten.  
1. Denying the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son.  
2. Denying Purgatory, but praying for the dead.  
2. Believing that holy men enjoy not the presence of God before the Resurrection.  
4. Communicating in both kinds, but using leavened bread, and mingling warm water with wine: which both together they distribute with a spoon.  
5. Receiving children of seven years old to the Sacrament, because than they begin to sin.  
6. Forbidding extreme Unction, Confirmation, and fourth Marriages.  
7. Admitting none to Orders but such as are married, and prohibiting marriage to them that are actually in Orders.  
8. Rejecting carved Images, but admiring the painted.  
9 Observing four Lents in the year.  
And tenthly, reputing it unlawful to fast on Saturdays.  
The main points in which the Grecians and Muscovite differ, is in this manner of distributing the Sacrament, and the exacting of Marriage at the Ordination of Priests.  
Qu. Wherein do the Cholchians differ from other Christians their Neighbours?  
An. In three circumstances.  
1. In not Baptising their Children till the eighth year.  
2. In not entering into Churches till the sixtieth year, but hearing Divine Service without the Temple.  
3. In dedicating their youth to theft and rapine; their old Age to the difficult work of Repentance.  
Qu. Whereon do the Jacobites differ from the Greek and Roman Church?  
An. In four several opinions.  
1. They acknowledge but one Will, Nature, and operation in Christ.  
2. They use circumcision in both Sexes.  
3. They sign their children with the sign of the Cross, imprinted with a burning Iron.  
4. They affirm Angels to consist of two substances, fire and light.  
These Jacobites are so called from Jacobus Syrus, who lived Anno 530. the Patriarch of this Sect is always called Ignatius, he keepeth residence at Garani in Mesopotamia, and is said to have 160000 Families under his jurisdiction.  
Qu. Of what Sect are those Christians called Melchites?  
An. They are of the same Tenets with the Grecians, excepting only that that they celebrate Divine Service as solemnly on the Saturday, as the Sunday. They take their denomination from Melchi, which in the Syriac● signifieth a King; because in matters of Religion the people followed the Emperor's Injunctions, and were of the King's Religion, a● the saying is.  
Qu. What Sect of Christians are those calls Maranites?  
An. They are a People found only in Moun● Libanus: their Patriarch is always called Peter, he hath under his jurisdiction nine Bishops, and resideth commonly at Tripoli▪ They held heretofore divers opinions with the Grecians, but in the Papacy of Clement the eighth, they received the Roman Religion, which they do still adhere to.  
Qu. What different Tenets are those of the Armenian Christians from the rest of their Neighbours?  
An. Four.  
1. In receiving Infants to the Lords Table immediately after Baptism.  
2. In abstaining from unclean Beasts.  
3. In fasting on Christmas-day.  
4. In holding their Children over the fire, as a necessary circumstance in Baptism, because John the Baptist told the people which followed him, that Christ should Baptism them with the Spirit, and with fire.  
This Sect is very numerous, and is governed by two Patriarches, whereof the one hath under his jurisdiction all Turcomania, a great Province in Armenia the greater, comprehending 150000 Families, besides very many Monasteries: and the other hath under him the two Provinces of Armenia the lesser, and Cilicia, comprehending 20000 Families or thereabouts.  
Qu. What are those Christians called Georgians?  
An. They are the inhabitants of Georgia and consent in most Doctrinal points with the Grecians, only they acknowledge not the Patriarch of Constantinople, but have a Patriarch of their own, who is for the most part resident in his house on Mount Sinai in Palestina, and hath under his jurisdiction eighteen Bishops  
Qu. What were the different opinions of the Indian Christians, before such time they embraced the Doctrine of the Church of Rome?  
An. 1. To administer the Sacrament with bread seasoned with salt.  
2. In stead of Wine, to use the juice of Raisins, softened in water one night, and so dressed forth.  
3. Not to baptise their children till forty days old, unless in danger of death.  
4. To permit no Images in their Churches, but of the Cross only.  
5. To debar their Priests from second marriages.  
And sixthly, to paint God with three heads on one body, denoting thereby the Trinity.  
Qu. Wherein do the Copties or Christians of Egypt differ from other Christians?  
An. In these four particulars.  
1. They confer all sacred orders, under the Priesthood, upon Infants immediately after Baptism, their Parents till they come to sixteen years of age, performing their office for them.  
2. They allow marriage in the second degree of Consanguinity, without any dispensation.  
3. They observe not the Lordsday, nor any other Festivals, but only in the Cities.  
4. They embrace and read in their Liturgies a Gospel, written (as they say) by Nicodemus.  
Qu. What special Sects were amongst the Jews?  
An. These four, Scribes, Pharisees, Essenes' and Sadduces.  
Qu. What were the Scribes?  
An. Their office was double; first to read and expound the Law in the Temple and Synagogues; and secondly to execute the office of a Judge, in ending and composing actions.  
Qu. What were the Pharisees?  
An. The Pharisees owe their name to Phares, which signifieth both interpretari & separare, as being both interpreters of the Law, and Separatists from the rest of the Jewish Church, besides the Pentateuch, or five Books of Moses, they adhered also to traditions. They denied the sacred Trinity, and held the fulfilling of the Law to consist in the outward Ceremonies. They relied more on their own merits than God's mercy, attributing most things to destiny, and refused commerce with Publicans and Sinners.  
Qu. What were the Essenes'?  
An. The Essenes' had their name from Ascha, that is, facere; because they wrought with their hands. They lived together as it were in Colleges, and in it every one had their Chapel for their devotion. All their estates they enjoyed in common, and received no man into their fellowship, unless he would give all that he had into their Treasury; and not then under a three years' probationership.  
Qu. What were the Sadduces?  
An. The Sadduces received their Name from Sedec●●, which signifieth Justice. They believed not the being of Angels or Spirits, the resurrection of the body, nor that there was a Holy Ghost: and received for Scripture only the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses.  
Qu. Wherein doth 〈◊〉 Fundamentals of the Mahometan Religion consist?  
An. The whole is delivered in the book of their Religion called the Alcoran, and is but an Exposition and Gloss of these eight Commandments.  
1. Every one ought to believe that God is a great God, and only God, and Mahomet is his Prophet.  
2. Every man must marry to increase the Sectaries of Mahomet.  
3. Every one must give of his wealth to the poor.  
4. Every one must make his prayers five times in a day.  
5. Every one must keep a Lent one month in the Year.  
6. Be obedient to thy parents.  
7. Thou shalt not kill.  
8. Do unto others, as thou wouldst be done unto thyself.  
Many other Injunctions he laid upon them, as forbidding them Wine, and the eating of Swines-flesh. Friday he ordained to be the Sabbath day, to distinguish his Followers from Jews and Christians, who solemnize the days following. To those who observed his Religion, and faithfully kept his Laws, he promised Paradise, spread here and there with Silk Carpets, adorned with verdant flowery Fields, watered with Crystalline Rivers, and beautified with trees of Gold, and Arbours of pleasure, in whose cool shade they shall spend their time with amorous Virgins, whose mansion shall not be far distant. The men shall never exceed the age of thirty years, nor the women of fifteen; and both shall have their Virginities renewed as fast as lost.  
Thus whereas men no knowledge have within them,  
This was the only way to take to win them.  
A carnal heart minds only sordid pleasure,  
And never looketh after Heavenly Treasure.  
Many idle, ridiculous Opinions do they hold concerning the end of the world; that at the winding of a Horn, not all flesh only, but the Angels themselves shall die; That the Earth with an Earthquake shall be kneaded together lke a lump of Doughty: That a second blast of the same Horn, shall after forty days restore all again: That Cain shall be the Captain or Ringleader of the Damned, who shall have the countenances of Dogs and Swine: That they shall pass over the Bridge of Justice laden with their sins in Satchels; that the greater sinners shall fall into Hell, the lesser into Purgatory only. That all those who professed and practised any Religion should go into Paradise; the Jews under the Banner of Moses, the Christians under the Banner of Christ. And that himself should be metamorphosed into a great Ram, and all those of his followers into little fleas, who should shroud themselves in his long fleece, when he would jump into Heaven, and so convey them all thither. With a thousand of the like fopperies.  
Qu. Which Heretic in his time had the most followers?  
An. Arius, a priest of Alexandria, who hatched that devilish Doctrine against the perpetual Divinity of Christ; to beat down which Heresy, the first Council of Nice was called, wherein was made the Nicene Creed, and the Clause, of one substance with the Father, proved to be agreeable to the Word. Constantine being then Emperor, sent for Arius to subscribe to the Decrees of this Council, who went to Constantinople with his own heretical Tenets written in a paper, and put into his bosom; where reading before the Emperor the Decrees of the Council, he writ a Recantation of his Heresy, laying his hand on his breast, and swearing, he meant as he had written: but though thereby he blinded the Emperor, God manifested his hypocrisy; for passing in great triumph through the streets of the City, a necessity of Nature enforcing him, he withdrew aside into a House of Ease, where he voided out his Guts, and sent his soul as a Harbinger to the Devil, to provide room for his body. However his Heresy died not with him, but overspread so far, that one of the Fathers complained, The whole world is turned Arian. And long time it was ere this Serpent of Error was knocked on the head by the Hammer of God's Word, though very powerful then in the mouths of many faithful Ministers.  
Many other Heresies might be reckoned up, which were frequent in the primitive times, as the Nicholaitans, Donatists, etc. but we descend to speak of some more modern.  
Qu. Who was the first that broached that ridiculous Schism of the Adamites?  
An. One Picardus a Native of Belgia, or the Low Countries, who coming into Bohemia, drew a great sort of men and women unto him, pretending to bring them to the same state of perfection that Adam was in before his fall: and having gotten a great many disciples, they betook themselves to an Island called Paradise, and went stark naked, having no respect unto marriage, yet would they not accompany any woman until the man coming to Adam, said unto him, Father Adam, I am inflamed towards this woman: and Adam made answer, Increase and multiply. But long they had not lived in this lascivious course of Irreligion, but Zisca that renowned Bohemian Captain hearing of them, with a selected Band of Soldiers, entered their Fool's Paradise, and put them all to the Sword, An. Dom. 1416:  
The same pretence to bring men to Paradise, though in a different way, was once practised by Aladine a seditious Persian, who inhabited a Valley in that Country, which he fortified with a strong Castle. Hither he brought all the lusty Youths, and beautiful Maidens of the adjoining Provinces; The women were confined to their Chambers, the men to prison, where having endured much sorrow, they were severely cast into dead sleeps, and conveyed to the women, where they were entertained with all the pleasures youth and lust could desire, or a sensual mind affect. To the eyes were presented curious Pictures, and other costly Sights, the Ears were charmed with melodious Music, the Nose delighted with odoriferous Smells, the Taste satiated with costly Viands, and the Touch satisfied with whatsoever might be pleasing unto it, nothing was wanting which a sensual appetite could desire to enjoy. Having lived in this happiness a whole day, they were in a like sleep conveyed to their Irons. Then would Aladine come unto them and inform them how they had been in Paradise, in which place it was in his power to seat them eternally, and which he would do if they would hazard their lives in his Quarrels. They (poor souls) thinking all to be real, swore to perform whatsoever he requested: whereupon he destinated them to the massacre of such Princes as he had a mind to be rid out of the way; which for the hopes of this Paradise, they willingly put in execution, refusing no dangers to be there the sooner. One of these was he who so desperately wounded our King Edward the first, when he was in his Wars in the Holy Land.  
Qu. Who was the most notorious Heretic of these latter times?  
An. One David George, born at Delft in Holland, who called himself King, and Christ immortal. He fled with his wife and children Anno 1544 to Basil, where he divulged his doctrine; the chief heads whereof were,  
1. That the Law and the Gospel were unprofitable for the attaining of Heaven, but his doctrine able to save such as received it.  
2. That he was the true Christ and Messias.  
3. That he had been till that present kept in a place unknown to the Saints.  
And fourthly, that he was not to restore the house of Israel by death or tribulation, but by the love and grace of the Spirit.  
He died in the year 1556. and three years after his doctrine was by them of Basil condemned, his Goods confiscated, and his bones taken up and burned. He bound his disciples to three things.  
1. To conceal his name.  
2. Not to reveal of what condition he had been.  
And thirdly, Not to discover the Articles of his doctrine to any man in Basil.  
Thus every age produces Heretics,  
Who against Christ, and true Religion kicks.  
Qu. From whence had the Sect of the Anabaptists their first original?  
An. From Germany about the year 1527. being very ripe in the Province of Helvetia, where one of them in the presence of his Father and Mother, cut off his brother's head, and said (according to the humour of that Sect, who boast much of dreams, visions, and enthusiasms) that God had commanded him to do it. Since which time this Sect, like a pernicious infection, hath spread itself into many Countries, having been very baneful to England, in our late uncivil wars.  
I might instance many examples more of our late Schismatics; as of the Ranters, Fifth-Monarchy-men, etc. but we will now turn our pen to other matters.  
Qu. What women of all others are most fruitful?  
An. Beggars wives, that of all others, one would think, should be most barren.  
Qu. What is man's ingress and egress in this world?  
An. He is born headlong into this world, and carried to the grave with his feet foremost; of which one thus writes:  
Nature which headlong into life did throng us,  
With our feet forwards to our grave doth bring us;  
What is less ours than this our borrowed breath?  
We stumble into life, we go to death.  
Qu. What is that State comparable unto, wherein is most Nobles and Gentry, and the Husbandmen are made their mere drudges?  
An. Sir Francis Bacon in his History of Henry the Seventh, likens them to Coppice-woods, in which if you let them grow too thick in the stadles, they run to bushes or briers, and have little clean under-wood. This may be evinced by the Country of France, which is very numerous of Nobles and Gentry, but the poor Peasants kept in a miserable servitude; by which means although their Cavalry or Horse be very good, yet their Infantry or Foot comes infinitely far short of those of ours in England, where the Commons enjoy such privileges as the French Peasants neither have, nor can hope for.  
Qu. What said the Poet concerning those who first adventured to plough the Ocean waves with a Ship?  
An.  
Illi robur & aes triplex,  
Circa pectus erat, qui fragilem tru●i  
Commisit pelago ratem.  
Hard was his heart as brass, which first did venture  
In a weak Ship, on the rough Seas to enter.  
Qu. What King of Scotland was he, on whom the Prophecy concerning jacob's stone was fulfilled, that a King of that Nation should live to be crowned thereupon?  
An. King James, the first of that name of England, and the sixth of Scotland, who was Crowned at Westminster, whither the same was brought by our Edward the first at such time as he harassed Scotland with Fire and Sword, on which stone was this written:  
If Fates go right, where ere this Stone is pight,  
The Regal Race of Scots shall rule that place.  
This Stone is said to be the same on which Jacob slept, when to avoid his brother's fury he fled to Padan-aram, to Laban his mother Rebeckahs' brother. Of which stone one thus further writes:  
The Stone reserved in England many a day,  
On which old Jacob his grave head did lay,  
And saw descending Angels whilst he slept,  
Which since that time by sundry Nations kept  
From age to age I could recite you how,  
Could I my pen that liberty allow.  
A King of Scotland ages coming on,  
Should live for to be crowned upon that Stone.  
Qu. What three things are those which are accounted very strange, or rather miraculous in the Country of Scotland?  
An.  
1. The Lake of Mirton, part of whose waters do congeal in winter, part of them not.  
2. The Lake of Lenox twenty four miles round, in which are thirty Islands, one of which is driven to and fro in every tempest.  
3. The Deaf-stone twelve foot high, and thirty three cubits thick; of this rare quality, that a Musket shot off on the one side, cannot be heard by a man standing on the other.  
Qu. In how many forms doth a Physician appear to his Patient?  
An. In these three.  
1. In the form of a skilful man, when he promiseth help.  
2. In the shape of an Angel, when he performs it.  
3. In the form of a Devil, when he asketh his reward.  
And therefore it is the Physicians Rule.  Accipe dum dolet, 
Take the second Fee, while the Sick hand giveth it.  
But if Diseases thou hast none,  
Let the Physician then alone;  
For he thereby may purge thy purse,  
And make thy body ten times worse.  
Qu. What Trade is set up at the least charge?  
An. A Scriveners: for the Wing of a Goose sets up forty of them.  
Qu. Of what four parts should a good History consist?  
An. Of Annals, Diaries, Commentaries, and Chronologies, borrowing from them all somewhat to beautify herself withal; especially from Annals the year, and Diaries the day in which any remarkable business happened; from Commentaries is derived matter, and from Chronologies consent of Times, and Coetanity of Princes.  
Qu. What is it that makes Physicians well?  
An. Other men's sickness, according to the Poet:  
Physicians are most miserable men,  
That cannot be denied:  
For they're ne'er truly well, but when  
Most men are ill beside.  
Qu. What were the names of the seven wise men of Greece?  
An. Bius, Solon, Chilon, Cleobules, Pitarus, and Periander, but now our age is grown so wise, or selfconceited, that as the Poet hath it,  
The wise men were but seven, now we scarce know  
So many fools, the world so wise doth grow.  
And yet I think I may safely say with another Poet,  
In these two terms all people we comprise,  
Some men are wise, but most are otherwise.  
Qu. Into how many parts is the world divided?  
An. Into four parts and four Religions, Asia, Africa, America, Europe,  
Jewish, Mahometan, Pagan, Christian hope.  
Qu. Why did Godfrey of Bulloign, when he took upon him the Title of the King of Jerusalem, yet by no means would be persuaded to he crowned King?  
An. Because he judged himself unworthy to wear a Crown of Gold, where his Lord and Saviour was crowned with thorns.  
With Golden Crown it is not fit t' adorn,  
The servants head, where the Master's Crown was thorn.  
Such was the humility of great men in former times; thus we read of Saladine, Emperor of the Turks, that at his death he caused a black shirt to be fixed on a spear, and carried round about his Camp with this proclamation, This black shirt was all that Saladine Conqueror of the East, (after all his Victories and successes) carried with him to his grave,  
Who then would credence give to humane glory,  
Since that the best of all is transitory.  
Qu. By what means (according as it is delivered by Authors) was Constantine the great first converted to the Christian Faith?  
An. Socrates Scholastius writing thereon, saith, That when Constantine was appointed Emperor in Britain, Maxentius was by the Praetorian Soldiers chosen at Rome, and Lycinius nominated Successor by Maximinius. Against these Constantine marching, and being in his mind somewhat pensive, he cast his eyes up to Heaven: where he saw in the Sky a lightsome Pillar in the form of a Cross, wherein were engraven these words, In hoc vince. The night following our Saviour appeared to him in a Vision, commanding him to bear the figure of that Cross in his Banners, and he should overcome his Enemies. Constantine obeyed the vision, and was accordingly victorious, after which he not only favoured the Christians, but became himself also one of that Holy profession,  
This Constantine, as most Writers agree, was the Son of Helena, daughter to Caelus or Coylus a British Prince; and Colchester was the place where he beheld the light, as the Poet Necham learnedly sung,  
From Colchester there rose a Star,  
The Rays whereof gave glorious light,  
Throughout the World in Climates far,  
Great Constantine, Rome's Emperor bright.  
Helena his Mother was she that built the Temple of the Sepulchre at Jerusalem, and found out the Holy Cross; much ado had the good Lady to find the place where Christ was buried, for the Jews and Heathens had raised great Hillocks thereon, and built there a Temple to Venus. This Temple being plucked down, and the Earth digged away, she found the three Crosses whereon our blessed Saviour and the two Thiefs had suffered; to know which of these was the right Cross, they were all carried to a woman, who had long been visited with sickness, and now lay at the point of death. The Crosses of the two thiefs did the weak woman no good; but as soon as they laid on her the Cross on which our Lord died, she leapt up, and was restored to her former health; or this Cross there are in several places shown so many pieces, that (as one saith) were they all put together, they would break the back of Simon of Cyrene to carry them: but these are pious frauds, and so much the more tolerable, in that they bring great gain into the Pope's Treasury.  
Of the Temple thus built, was afterwards instituted an Order of Knights Templars, by Hugh of Payennes, Anno 1113. and confirmed by Pope Eugenius; their Ensign was a red Cross, in token that they should shed their blood to defend Christ's Temple. They were Cross-legged, and wore on their backs the figure of the Cross, for which they were by the common people called cross-back or crouk-back, and by corruption crook-back. Edmund Earl of Lancaster, second Son to our Henry the third, being of this Order, was vulgarly called Edmund Crook-back, which made Henry the fourth conceited, that this Edmund (from whom he was descended) was indeed the eldest Son of King Henry, but that for his crookedness and deformity, his younger Brother was preferred to the Crown before him. These Knights in process of time grew very rich, having in all Provinces of Europe their subordinate Governors, in which they did possess no less than 16000 Lordships. The House of our Law Students in London, called the Temple, was the chief House of the Knights of this order in England, where at this day some of their Images are to be seen, with their legs across, as they were here buried; amongst whom was William Marshal the Elder, a most powerful man in his time, William and Gilbert his Sons, Marshals of England and Earls of Pembroke; upon Willa●m the Elder his Tomb, some years since, was read in the upper part Comes Pembrochia, and on his side this verse,  Miles eram Martis, Mars m●●ltos vic●rit armis. 
This Order, which at first was very poor, insomuch that their common seal, was two riding upon one Horse; in little time with insatiable greediness, they hoarded up great wealth, by withdrawing Tithes from the Church, appropriating spiritual things to themselves, and other bad means; which riches of theirs turned to their ruin; for Philip the fair King of France, having a plot to invest one of his Sons with the Title of King of jerusalem, procured of the Pope the revenue of this Order, which he thought to do the better, because Clement the fifth than Pope, for the love he bore to France, had transferred his seat from Rome to Avignon. But though he affected the one, he was deceived in the other; for this Order being dissolved, and many of them cruelly, and (as it is thought) unjustly put to death, the Lands thereto belonging were by a general Council given to the Knights Hospitallers, of St. John: which said Knights of that Order in England, (whose principal mansion was in Smithfield,) sold the aforesaid House of the Templars, to the Students of Laws, for the yearly rent of ten pound, about the middle of the Reign of Edward the third, in whose hand it is continued unto this day.  
Qu. What four Countries in England are those which are famoused for four principal qualities?  
An. Staffordshire, Darbyshire, Cheshire, and Lancashire.  
Staffordshire for Beer and Bread,  
Darbyshire for Wool and Lead,  
Cheshire the Chief of Men,  
And Lancashire for fair Women.  
Queen What place in England is accounted most safe in the time of War, according as we find it proverbially said?  
An.  
When as wars are aloft,  
Safe is he that's at Christ's Croft;  
And where should this Christ's Croft be,  
But betwixt Rible and Mersie?  
Qu. What may be said of these four Latin words?  
Quid Puer, Quid Senex.  
An. Take away the first letter from Puer, or a Boy, and there remains Ver, which signifieth the Spring.  
Take two first letters from Senex, for an old man, and there remaineth Nex, which signifieth death: and thus are both their natures expressed in both their Names.  
Ver. Nex.  
Ver is the Spring, most fragrant, fresh and gay;  
Nex is the Night, that doth conclude life's day.  
Qu. What may we think of such as are Jesters to Noblemen or Princes, or such as are Jaok-puddings on Mountebanks stages?  
An. That a fool cannot perform the place, and none but Fools will undertake it.  
Qu. What Book do not married men love to learn in?  
An. The Hornbook.  
Qu. What be the three properties belonging to a Whore?  
An. Nimble of her hand, quick of her tongue, and light of her tail.  
Qu. Whether are Whores or Thiefs most prejudicial to a Commonwealth?  
An. Whores by far; for Thiefs do only steal and purloyn from men, and the harm they do is to embellish men's goods, and bring them to poverty, this is the only end of men's thieving, and the prejudice that grows from robbing and filohing: but if a man fall into the company of a Whore, she flatters him, she inveagles him, she bewitcheth him, that he spareth neither goods nor lands to content her, that is only in love with his coin. If he be married he forsakes his Wife, leaves his Children, despiseth his friends, only to satisfy his lust with the love of a base whore, who when he hath spent all upon her, and he brought to beggary, beateth him out like the prodigal Son, and for a small reward brings him, if to the fairest end, to beg; if to the second, to the Gallows; or at the last and worst, to the Pox, or as prejudicial diseases.  
Qu. What is the Art and cunning of a Whore?  
An. Their eyes are Stauls', and their hands Lime-twigs; Cyrces' had never more charms, Calypso more enchantments, nor the Sirens more subtle tunes, than they have crafty sleights, to inveigle young Cullies to their deceitful embraces.  
Qu. Who were the most famous whores in former Ages?  
An. Lais, Thais, Rhodope, the Lady Rosamond, Jane shore, etc. nor must we think our present age to be altogether free.  
For thus the Poet on his word engages,  
Whores are in this, as well as former ages.  
Qu. What is the Character of an honest Man?  
An. That his Tongue is the Interpreter of his heart, though now considering the hypocrisy and falsehood of most men, we may say with the Poet,  
The tongue was once a servant to the heart,  
And what it gave she freely did impart:  
But now Hypocrisy is grown so strong,  
She makes the heart a servant to the tongue.  
Qu. What is that which of running becomes stayed, of soft becomes hard, of weak becomes strong, and of that which is infinite becomes but one?  
An. Ice.  
Qu. Who were the first that brought Tobacco into England?  
An. It was first brought hither by the Mariners of Sir Francis Drake, Anno 1585. but brought into more request and custom by Sir Walter Raleigh, who is reported to have taken two pipes thereof as he went to execution. This Drug, as it hath found many friends, so hath it met with divers enemies, who report it not only consumptive to the purse, but that it impaireth the inward parts, corrupteth the natural sweetness of the breath, stupifieth the brain, and is so prejudicial to the general esteem of our Countrymen, that one saith of them, Anglorum corpora qui huic plantae tantopere indulgent, in Barbarorum naturam degenerasse videntur. The two chief vertures ascribed to it are, that it is good against Lues Venerea, that loath some disease, the Pox; and that it voideth Rheum: for the first like enough it is, that so unclean a disease may be fitted with so unwholesome a medicine: for the second good quality attributed unto it, I think it rather to consist in opinion than truth, the Rheum which it voideth, being only that which itself engendereth. We may as well conclude that Bottle-Ale breaketh wind, for that effect we find to follow the drinking of it, though indeed it is only the same wind which itself conveyed into the stomach. I confess in some respects being moderately taken, it may be serviceable for Physic; but Tobacco is by few taken now as medicinal, it is grown a good fellow, and fallen from a Physician to a Compliment.  
He's no good fellow that's without the POX,  
Burnt Pipes, Tobacco, and his Tinderbox.  
Hear his farewell to it, who once much doted on this heathenish weed.  
Farewell thou Indian smoke, Barbarian Vapour,  
Thou enemy to life, foe to waste paper,  
Thou dost diseases in the body breed,  
And like a Vulture on the purse dost feed,  
Changing sweet breath into a stinking loathing,  
And with three pipes turn two pence into nothing.  
Grim Pluto first invented it I think,  
To poison all the world with Hellish stink;  
And though by many it hath been defended,  
It makes men rotten ere their life's half ended:  
Base Heathenish weed, how common is it grown,  
That but a few years past was scarcely known!  
When for to see one take it, was a riddle,  
As strange as a Baboon to tune a Fiddle:  
Were it confined only to Gentlemen,  
It credit were to take Tobacco then;  
But Bedlams, Tinkers, Cobblers, Water-bearers,  
Your common Drunkards, and most common Swearers,  
Are them that use it most, which makes me muse,  
That men of quality the same should use.  
Things common, commonly are most neglected  
Saving Tobacco, that is still respected.  
If Man's flesh be like Hogs, as it is said,  
It sure by smoking thus, is Bacon made.  
Then farewell smoke, good for such things as these,  
'Gainst Lice, Sore heads, Scabs, Mange, or French Disease.  
Qu. What Country in all the whole world is most commended for the equal and just manner of the Rule thereof?  
An. England; wherein there is referred to the King, absolute Majesty; to the Nobles, convenient Authority; to the People, an incorrupted Liberty: all in a just and equal proportion, a rare mixture of government, a perfect and happy Composition; wherein the King hath his full prerogative, the Nobles all due respects, and the people, among other blessings, perfect in this, that they are Masters of their own purposes, and have a strong hand in the making of their own Laws.  
Qu. Who was the first that planted the Christian Religion in England?  
An. joseph of Arimathea, whose body is affirmed to be buried at Glassenbury in Somersetshire, in which place grew a Tree, that on the 24 of December would be bare and naked as other trees, but on the next day being Christmas day, it would be full of blossoms, and flourishing as other trees in Summer. This Hawthorn (for such it was) by ignorant zeal in the late times of Rebellion, was hewn down. I have heard also of an Oak in Staffordshire, that every year on the same day, would bring forth green leaves fresh and flourishing, though the day before it were sear and dry; an evident argument of the truth of Christ's appearing in the flesh: though of late, some more nice than wise, reject all such things, accounting them no other than mere superstitions, the rags and relics of the Smock of the Whore of Babylon.  
Qu. Who first erected Charing-Cross?  
An. Edward the first, in honour of his wife Queen Elinor, whom he loved so dearly, that dying in his company in the North Country, intending to bury her in Westminster-Abbey, in every place where her Corpse rested, he erected a most magnificent Cross, the last of which was this at the end of the Strand, commonly called Charing-Cross; which having stood the space of 350 and odd years, it was by avaricious blinded zeal commanded to be pulled down.  
Thus Charing-Cross, which lasted many lives,  
Was turned to Saltsellers, and Hafts of Knives.  
It being built of fine Marble, there were many useful things made of the same; else, had not the profit thereof been more than the superstition, it might (for aught I know) have stood there still.  
Qu. What was Diogenes' opinion concerning Marriage?  
An. That for young men it was too soon, for old men too late. So that by his rule, men should not marry at all.  
Qu. What was the Epitaph, or Writing upon Diogenes grave?  
An. Epitaphium Diogenis Cynici, in cujus Sepulchro, pro Titulo, Canis signum est. Dic Canis, hic cujus tumulus? Canis. At Canis hic quis? Diogenes obiit? Non obiit sed abit.  
Englished.  
Diogenes' Epitaph written on his Tomb, with a Dog standing over it.  
Tell me Dog, whose Tomb is this?  
A Dogs: What Dog? Diogenes.  
Diogenes: why died he?  
Because no honesty he could see.  
Qu. How many Letters are there in the holy Tongue?  
An. As many as there are Books in the Old Testament: of which one thus further observes, that as two and twenty Letters forms our Voice, so two and twenty Books contains our Faith.  
Qu. What is the difference betwixt Art, Fortune and Ignorance?  
An. I shall tell you in the words of the Poet.  
When Fortune fell asleep, and Hate did bind her,  
Art Fortune lost, and Ignorance did find her,  
Sith when, dull Ignorance with Fortune's store  
Hath been enriched, and Art hath still been poor.  
Qu. In what place was it, wherein there was together, a whole world of men and Languages?  
An. In Noah's Ark.  
Qu. What said Budoeus concerning Plutarch's Books?  
An. That if all the learning in the world were lost, it might be found again in his Works.  
Qu. What do you find to be abominable superstition in the Papists?  
An. The carrying about of their breaden God, or the Host, as they call it, being of the Sacrament reserved; which is carried of a couple of Priests under a Canopy, ushered with Torches, and attended by a company of people which have no other employment. Before it, goes a Bell continually tinkling, at the sound whereof all such as are in their houses, being warned that then their God goeth by them, make some show of Reverence; those which meet it in the street, with bended knees and elevated hands doing it honour. The Protestants of this Bell make a use more religious, and use it as a warning, or watch-peal, to avoid that street through which they hear it coming▪ This invention of the Bell hath some what in it of Turkism, it being the custom in all those Countries where the Mahometan Religion is professed, that at their Canonical hours, when they hear the Criers bawling in the Steeples, to fall prostrate on the ground wheresoever they are, and kiss it thrice, so doing their devotion to Mahomet. The carrying it about the streets hath, no question, in it a touch of the Jew, this Ceremony being borrowed from that of carrying about the Ark on the shoulders of the Levites. The other main part of it which is the Adoration, is derived from the Heathens, there never being a people but they which afforded divine honours to things inanimate. But the people indeed I cannot blame for this Idolatrous devotion, their Consciences being persuaded, that which they see pass by them is the very body of their Saviour. Certainly could the like belief possess the understanding of Protestants, they would meet it with as great devotion. The Priests and Doctors of the people therefore, are to be condemned only, who impose and enforce this sin upon their Hearers, and doubtless there is a reward which attendeth them for it. Pope Innocent about the year 1215. in a Council at Rome, was the first ordained it, ordering that there should be a Pix made to cover the Bread, and a Bell bought to ring before it. The Adoration of it was enjoined by Pope Honorius, An. 1226. both afterwards increased by the new Solemn Fast of Corpus Chrisbi day; by Pope Urban the fourth, An. 1264. and confirmed for ever with multitudes of Pardons, in the Council of Vienna by Clement the fifth, An. 1310.  
Qu. What other Popes were they which brought up as ridiculous Customs, still used amongst them?  
An. Sergius the second, was the first that changed his name, for thinking his own name Bocca de Porco, or Swine's mouth, not consonant to his dignity, he caused himself to be called Sergius, which precedent his Successors have followed, varying their names contrary to their natures: So if one be a Coward he is called Leo; if a Tyrant, Clement; if an Atheist, Pius, or Innocens; if a Rustic, Urbanus; and so of the rest.  
Sextus the fourth brought in Beads, and our Lady's Psalter.  
Sergius the third, instituted the bearing about of Candles, for the purification of the blessed Virgin Mary.  
Celestine the second, was the Inventor of that mad kind of Cursing by Bell, Book and Candle  
Sergius the fourth, was the first that on Christmas night, with divers Ceremonies, consecrated Swords, Roses, or the like, which afterward are sent as a Token of love and honour to such Princes as they like best. Leo the tenth sent a consecrated Rose to Frederick Duke of Saxony, desiring him to banish Luther. The like did Clement the seventh to our Henry the eighth, for writing against Luther. Paul the third sent an hallowed Sword to James the fifth of Scotland, when he began the War with our Henry the eighth: The like did Julius the second to our Henry the seventh in his Wars against his Rebels.  
Boniface the eighth instituted the Roman Jubilee, and decreed that it should be solemnised every hundred years; but by Clement the sixth it was brought to fifty.  
Clement the fifth first brought in Pardons, and Indulgences, and such like trumpery.  
Qu. What is the Pope's chief stile, wherein the number of the Beast is reckoned, as in the thirteenth of the Revelation, and the last Verse is manifested in these words: Here is wisdom; let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666?  
An. Vicarivs' generaL Is DeI In terris.  
Englished,  
God's General upon Earth.  
Thus reckoned,  
DCLWIIIIII.  
Qu. What is the Anagram of Roma, the Latin word for Rome?  
An. Amor, or Love, which one cast into this Distich.  
Hate and Debate Rome through the world hath spread,  
Yet Roma Amor is, if backward read:  
Then is't not strange, Rome hate should foster? No;  
For out of backward love all hate doth grow.  
Qu. What number was most fatal to Rome?  
An. The sixth number according to this Verse;  
Sextus Tarquintus, Sextus Nero, Sextus & iste (Scilicet Papa Alexander 6.)  
Semper sub sextis perdita Roma fuit.  
What other names or numbers to her won,  
In the sixth still she lost, was Rome undone.  
Qu. Why is Rome taken to be Babylon, mentioned in the Revelations?  
An. Because it is said there, that the whore thereof sitteth on a beast with seven heads, which cannot so properly be understood of any place as this, being built upon seven hills, namely; 1 Palatinus, 2 Capitolinus, 3 Viminalis, 4 Aventinus, 5 Esquilinus, 6 Caetius, 7 Quirnialis; governed by seven Kings, viz. 1 Romulus, 2 Numa, 3. Annus Martius, 4 Tullus Hostilius, 5 Tarquin Priscus, 6 Servius Tullus, 7 Tarquin superbus; And acknowledging several sorts of Rulers, 1 Kings, 2 Consuls, 3. Decemviri, 4 Tribunes, 5 Dictator's, 6 Emperors, and 7 Popes.  
Qu. How many times hath Rome been taken by foreign Nations?  
An. Ten.  
1. By the Gauls, under the conduct of Brennus, the brother of Belinus' King of Britain.  
2. By Alarick King of the Goths, who conquered Rome, Campania and Naples.  
3. By Genserick King of the Vandals, a people which inhabited the Country now called Swethland.  
4. By Totila King of the Goths.  
5. By Odoarer King of the Heruli, who drove Augustus out of Italy, and twice in thirteen years laid the Country desolate.  
6. By Theodoricus, King of the Goths, called by Zeno the Emperor, to expel Odoarer.  
7. By Gundebald King of the Burgundians, who having ransacked all Italy, returned home, leaving the Goths in possession of the same, who after they had continued there seventy two years, were at last subdued by Belisarius and Narses, two of the bravest Captains that served the Roman Emperors. This Belisarius was a true Example of the mutability of Fortune, who having served his Country in great Command for many years, was at last brought to that necessity, as to stand by the highwayside and beg, Date obolum Belisario, Give a halfpenny to Belisarius.  
8. The eight time was by the Moors and Saracens, followers of Mahomet his Law, Gregory the fourth being Pope.  
9 By Henry the fourth Emperor of Germany, Gregory the seventh being Pope.  
10. By Charles Duke of Bourbon, An. 1528. in which Rome suffered more, than by the siege and sacking of the most barbarous Nations, Clement the seventh being then Pope.  
Qu. How many Natural Languages, or Mother Tongues, which have no affinity with others, are spoken in Europe?  
An. Fourteen.  
1. Irish, spoken in Ireland, and the West of Scotland.  
2. British, in Wales.  
3. Cantabrian, or Biscany, nigh unto the Cantabrian Ocean, and about the Pyrenian Hills.  
4. Arabic, in the Mountains of Granada.  
5. Finnique, in Findland and Lapland.  
Dutch (though with different Dialect) in Germany, Holland, Denmark, Swethland, and Norway,  
7. Chanchian, which the East Friezlanders (or Canchi) speak among themselves; for to strangers they speak Dutch.  
8. Slavonish, of great extent and use, especially in the Turkish Countries.  
9 Illyrian, on the East side of Istria, and in the Isle of Veggin.  
10. Greek.  
11. Hungarian.  
12. Epirotique, in the Mountainous parts of the Kingdom of Hungary.  
13. Jaxygian, on the North-side of Hungary, between Danubius and Tibisius.  
14. Tartarian, in the Taurica, Chersonessus, and European seats of that people.  
Besides these fourteen several Languages, there is another used generally in most countries of Europe, called the Canting tongue or Language, and spoken by a company of stout Rogues, Vagabonds, and Gypsies, which are divided into these eighteen sorts of the Male kind:  

1 An Upright-man.  
2 A Ruffler.  
3 An Angler.  
4 A Rogue.  
5 A wild Rogue.  
6 A Prigger or Praneer.  
7 A Palliard.  
8 A Frater.  
9 A Choir Bird.  
10 An Abraham man.  
11 A Whip-Jack.  
12 A Counterfeit Crank.  
13 A Dummerar.  
14 A Jack-man.  
15 A Patrico.  
16 An Irish Toil.  
17 A Swigman.  
18 A Cynchin-Co.   
Of all which I shall give you a short description; and first, the Upright-man is the Chief or Prince of the rest, who commonly walks with a short Truncheon in his hand, which he calls his Filchman, he claims a share of whatsoever is gotten by any others, and can command any of their Morts or Doxies to leave another man, and to lie with him.  
2. Rufflers, are such as go under the pretence of maimed Soldiers, robbing country people that come late from Markets, exacting also tribute of the other inferior sorts of Rogues.  
3. Anglers, are such as with a Rod having an Iron hook at the end of it, angle at men's windows about midnight, where all is fish to them that comes to net; in the day time they beg from house to house, to spy best where to plant their designs, which at night they put in execution.  
4. Rogues, whose very name denote their natures, they have fingers as nimble as the Upright-men, have their Wenches and meeting places, where whatsoever they get, they spend; and whatsoever they spend, is to satisfy their lust. Their company is dangerous, their lives detestable, and their ends miserable.  
5. Wild Rogues, are such as are begotten of Rogues, and marked for villains in their swaddling Clouts, which all their lives after they put in practice.  
6. Priggers or Prancers, are Horse-stealers for to Prig in the Canting language signifies to steal; and Prancer signifies a Horse. These have their female spies, that survey Meadows and Closes, whereby the better to take their prey.  
7. Palliards, who are also called Clapperdudgeons, are such as with their Morts beg from door to door; who to draw the greater pity towards them, with Spere-wort or Arsenic will draw blisters on their Legs, which at their pleasure they can take off again.  
8. Fraters, are such as with a counterfeit Patent beg for some Hospital or Spittle-house; they are dangerous persons for any to meet alone, by reason of the frequent robbories which they commit.  
9 Choir Birds, are those who have sung in such Cages as Newgate, or some Country Goal, who having got loose, fall to their old trade of roguing and thieving again.  
10. Abraham-men, are those we call Tomazin Bedlams, terrible enemies to Poultery-ware, shifting their Wenches ofter than most people shift their linen.  
11. Whip-jacks, are counterfeit Mariners, who talk of nothing but fights at Sea, Piracies, Drown and Shipwrecks; they are very expert in robbing Booths at Fairs, which they call Heaving the Booth; they have always about them a counterfeit Licence, which they call a Gibe, & the Seals to it Jarks.  
12. Counterfeit Cranks, are such as counterfeit the Falling-sickness, to kindle in men the greater compassion, foaming at their mouths, which they do by conveying a piece of white Soap into one corner of their Jaws, that causeth the froth to come boiling forth.  
13. Dummerars, are those that dissemble dumbness making a strange noise in stead of speech, to move people's charity towards them.  
14. Jack-men, are such as can write and read whose office it is to make them counterfeit Licenses and Passes, for which he is well rewarded of them.  
15. Patricos, are their Priests, every hedge is his Parish, and every wand'ring Rogue and Whore his Parishioners; the service he says is only the marrying of couples, the solemnities whereof is thus. The parties to be wedded find out a dead Horse, or any other beast, and standing one on the one side, and the other on the other; the Patrico bids them live together till death them part, and so shaking hands the Wedding is then ended.  
16. Irish Toils, are such as carry Pins, Points, Laces and such like wares about, who under the pretence of selling such commodities, commit many villainies as it were by warrant.  
17. Swig-men, are such as we call Pedlars, who carrying a pack at their back, and are little different from the Irish Toils.  
18. Kynchin-Coes, are little boys whose parents (having been Beggars) are dead, or else such as have run away from their Masters, and in stead of a Trade to live by, follow this kind of life to be lousy by. These Kynchins the first thing they do is to learn how to count and the only thing they practise, is to creepin at Windows or Cellar doors.  
Of the women kind there are only these seven several sorts.  

1 Glymmerers.  
2 Bawdy Baskets.  
3 Autem Morts.  
4 Walking Morts.  
5 Doxies.  
6 Dells.  
7 Kynchin Morts.   
1. Glymmerers, are such as travel up and down with Licenses to beg, because their Houses have been consurned with fire; they shed great store of tears at the mention of their losses, and tell a lamentable story, how the fire destroyed their Barns, Stables, and outhouses, to move the people to the greater charity. These Glymmerers are defended by the Upright-men, who never walk along with them but kept aloof.  
2. Bawdy-Baskets, are such as walk about with baskets on their arms, wherein are Pins, Needles, Laces, etc. under pretence of selling which, they steal Linen, Pewter, or what comes next to their hand.  
3. Autem Morts, are such as are married, being always attended with children, whom they employ to pilfer away what they can light on, which in their Language they call, Nilling of the Ken.  
4. Walking Morts, are such as pretend themselves Widows, travelling about from County to County, making Laces upon staves, Beggar's tape: or the like, they are subtle Queans, hardhearted, light-fingered, cunning in dissembling, and dangerous to meet, if any Ruffler or Rogue be in their company.  
5. Doxies, are such as are neither Maids, Wives, nor Widows; they will for good victuals, or a small piece of money prostitute their bodies, are common pick-pockets, and oftentimes secret murderers of those infants which are begotten of their bodies.  
6. Dells, are young Wenches, ripe for the act of Generation, but as yet not spoilt of their Maidenheads, which is commonly done by the Upright-men, and then are they free for any of the brother hood.  
7. Ky●chia Morts, are Girls of a year or two old, which the Morts their Mother's carry at their backs in their Slates, (which in the Canting tongue are Sheets) if they have no Children of their own they will steal the, from others, and by some means disfigu●g, them, that by their Parents they shall never be known.  
Qu. Wherein are beggars and rich men alike?  
An. In the Grave; which shade Diogenes to say, being searching in the Charnel-house amongst the dead skulls: that he could find no difference betwixt the skull of King Philip and another man's.  
All in the Grave alike are made,  
The Sceptre, and the scythe and Spade.  
Qu. What would become of a great sort of men, if every one were served in their kind?  
An. A number of Tailors would be damned for keeping a Hell under their Shopboard: many Brokers would make their Wills'at Tyburn, if the searching for stolen Goods which they have received, should like a plague but once come amongst them. Two parts of of the Land, should be whpped at Bridewell for Lechery, and three parts be set in the stocks for drunkenness.  
Qu. Wherein hath the Beggar a privilege over great persons?  
An. In that he cannot fall lower than he is; whereas the great man is subject to that of the Poet,  
In ways to greatness think on this,  
That slipp'ry all Ambition is.  
Qu. What was the diet of former ages, in those days which were called the Golden Age of the world?  
An. They catcht not their surfeits with eating of Capon, Partridge, and Pheasant; their diet was, Apples, Roots, Nuts, Dates, ●igs, etc. and sometimes for rarities, Butter, Cheese, and Eggs; and for drink instead of Sack, Claret, Muscadine, Hippocrase, Mum, Beer or Ale, their beverage was the cool streams distilling from some uncorrupted Fountain; a description whereof we have in the eighth Book of Ovid's Metamorphosis, concerning the entertainment, which Philemon and Bancis gave to Jupiter and Mercury.  
Ponitur hic bicolor sincerae bacca Minervae,  
Intibaque, & radix, & lactis massa coacti,  
Ovaque non acri leviter versata familla,  
Prunaque, & in patulis redolentia mala camestris.  
Hic nux, hic mixta est rugosis carica palmis;  
Et de purpureis collectae vitibus uvae;  
Omnes fictilibus nitidae.—  
They on the table set Minerva's fruit;  
The double coloured Olive, Endive root;  
Radish and Cheese; and to the Board there came,  
A dish of Eggs rare roasted by the flame:  
Next they had Nuts, course dates, and Lenten Figs,  
And Apples from a basket made of twigs,  
And Plums, and Grapes cut newly from the Tree,  
All served in Earthen dishes, Housewifely.  
Qu. What passion is most natural unto Man?  
An. Love, which entereth in at the eyes, and pierceth the heart, many settling their loves on such objects for which they can give no reason.  
Qu. Whether is Love the cause of likeness, or likeness the cause of love?  
An. Both.  
Qu. What creatures are those, some living, and some dead, that rule all the world?  
An. The Sheep, the Goose, and the Bee; for the Sheep yields Parchment, the Goose Quills to write it, and the laborious Bee brings Wax to seal it, as one hath wittily delivered in these verses,  
The Bee, the Goose, the Sheep,  
Do so maintain the might  
Of Monarches, Kings, and States,  
That wrong suppress not right:  
The Bee brings sealing Wax,  
The Goose our writing Quills,  
The Sheep his Parchment coat or skin,  
For Deeds and dead men's Wills.  
Qu. What is the general saying concerning the Italian women?  
An. That they are Magpies at the door, Saints in the Church, Goats in the Garden, Devils in the House, Angels in the Streets, and Sirens in the Windows.  
Qu. What Passion is most prevailing over the nature of man?  
An. Fear; of which we read that it hath in one night turned the hair of the head from black to white, but most memorable is that example of one, who was pretended to be let blood to death, for being blinded, and his arms bound, the Chirurgeons that were about him only saying, How bravery he bleeds on his arm; How gallantly on that, although they did nothing to him, at last one saying, Now the blood comes from his very heart; when they came to unblind him, they found him liveless, struck stark dead with a panic fear.  
Qu. Why is man called Microcosmus, or the little world?  
An. As being the Epitome of the great Volume of Nature, borrowing from the Angels, soul; from the brute Animals, sense; from Plants, life; from other creatures, bigness: but above all inferiors is endued with that prerogative of casting up his eyes to Heaven, to behold the excellencies of the Creation; wherein other Creatures are deficient.  
Pronaque cum spectent anim alia caetera terram,  
Os homini sublime dedit, coelumque videre  
Jussit, & erectos ad sydera tollere vultus.  
And where all beasts look with grovelling eye,  
He gave to man looks mixed with Majesty,  
And willed him with bold face to view the Sky.  
Qu. What Art is that which makes use of the vilest things in the world?  
An. Physic, which makes use of Scorpions, Flies, Wasps, Serpents, Ear-wiggs, Toads, and such like; nothing, though to our apprehension never so seeming vile, but serves to some use, according to that of the Poet;  
There's nought so vile that on the Earth doth live,  
But to the earth some special good doth give;  
Nor ought so good, but strained from that fair use,  
Revolts from virtue, stumbling on abuse:  
Virtue itself turns Vice, being mis-applyed;  
And Vice sometimes by action's dignified.  
Qu. Whether is the life of a rich covetous Citizen, that swims in wealth and treasure, caring for none, nor beloved of any; or the lives of a Country Yeoman or Farmer, who lives in a mediocrity betwixt poverty and riches, yet content with his estate; which of these two is first to be preferred?  
An. Better it is in the solitary woods, and in the wild fields to be a man among beasts, than in the midst of a peopled City, to be a beast among men. In the homely village art thou more safe, than in a fortified Castle; the stings of Envy, nor the bullets of Treason, are never shot through those thin wall: Sound Healths are drunk out of the wooden dish, when the Cup of Gold boils over with poison. The Country cottage is neither battered down by the Cannon in the time of War, nor pestered with clamorous Suits in time of Peace. The fall of Cedars that tumble from the tops of Kingdoms, the ruin of great Houses that bury families in their overthrow, and the noise of shipwreck that beget even shricks in the hearts of Cities, never send their terrors thither; that place stands as safe from the shock of such violent storms, as the Bay-tree does from lightning.  
Qu. Who are the subjects that pay tribute to the Country Farmer?  
An. The Meadow gives him her pasture, the Trees pay custom with their fruit, the Plough sends him in Corn, the Ox bestows upon him his labour, and the Sheep clothes him with his wool.  
Qu. How came the famous Poet Buchanan off, when travelling into Italy, he was for the freeness of his writing, suspected of his Religion and taken hold of by some of the Pope's Inquisitors?  
An. By writing to his Holiness this Distich:  
Laus tua, non tua fraus, virtus, non copia rererum,  
Scandere te fecit hoc decus eximium.  
Thus Englished.  
Thy praise, not fraud; thy virtue, not thy store,  
Made thee to climb that height which we adore.  
For which Encomion he was set at liberty, and being gone out of the Pope's Jurisdiction, he sent to his Holiness, and desired according to his own true meaning, to read the self same verses backward, which then run thus,  
Eximium decus hoc fecit te scandere rerum:  
Copia; non virtus, fraus tua, non tua laus.  
Englished.  
The height which we adore, what made thee climb?  
Nor virtue, nor thy worth; rather thy crime.  
Qu. What Inscription. or Motto, was that which Martin de Arsello fixing over his Gate, by reason of false pointing of the Painter, cost him his Bishopric?  
An. Porta patens esto nulli, claudaris honesto.  
Where the Painter mistaking himself, made the Comma at nulli, by which it was thus: Gate be open to none, but shut out all honest men.  
The Pope riding that way, before Martin had corrected his inscription, taking it for a a grand abuse towards him, discarded him of his bishopric, and placed another in his house; who kept the inscription still, but only added the Comma, and made it thus;  
Porta patens esto, nulli claudaris honesto.  
Adding thereto.  
Ob unum punctum caret Martinus Asello.  
Gate open to the good and shut out none; For one poor point, all is from Martin gone.  
The like fallacy was used to our King Edward the second, who being made a prisoner by his Rebellious Subjects; to his Keeper was sent this verse;  
To seek to shed King Edward's blood,  
Refuse to fear I hold it good.  
Where his Keeper making the comma at fear, when it should have been at refuse, the unhappy Prince by that disloyal Legerdemain of words, lost his life.  
Qu. In what Aenigma, or Riddle, was that Grand Traitor, Oliver Cromwel's name included?  
An.  
The Heart of the Loaf, and the head of the Spring,  
Is the name of the man that murdered the King.  
The heart of the Loaf is the Crom, and the Head of the Spring is the Well, which put together is Cromwell.  
Qu. Which were the ten general Persecutors so famously known in the primitive Church?  
An. The first was under Nero that bloody persecutor, and enemy of mankind, who set the City Rome on fire, and ripped up his Mother's belly to see the place of his conception, Anno 67. The second was under Domitianus, Anno 96. The third under Trajan, Anno 100 The fourth under Marcus Antoninus, Anno 167. The fifth under Severus, Anno 195. The sixth under Maximinus, Anno 237. The seventh under Decius Anno 250. The eight under Valerianus, Anno 259. The nineth under Aurelianus, Anno 278. The tenth under Dioclesian, Anno 293. Yet notwithstanding these cruel Persecutions, wherein (as one of the Fathers writeth) there were murdered five thousand every day in the year, excepting only the first day of January, yet were they like Camomile, the more they were trodden on, the thicker they grew, and the blood of the Martyrs proved to be the seed of the Church.  
Qu. How many were the Sibyls, and what were their names?  
An. They were in number ten viz 1 Persica, 2 Lybica, 3 Delphica, 4 Cumea, 5 Samis, 6 Helespontiaca, 7 Tiburtina, 8 Albunea, 9 Erythrea, 10 Cumana.  
The first was of Persia, called Samberta, which among other prophecies, said, The womb of the Virgin shall be the salvation of the Gentiles.  
The second was of Lybia, one of her Prophecies were, The day shall come that men shall see the King of all living things,  
The third was Themis sir-named Delphica, because she was born and prophesied at Delphos, where was the Oracle and Temple of Apollo; one of her Prophecies runs thus, A Prohet shall be born of a Virgin.  
The fourth was Cumea, born at Campagnia, in Italy, of whom Virgil maketh mention in his book of Aeneids, who prophesied, That God should be born of a Virgin, and converse among sinners.  
The fifth was called Samia, born in the Isle of Samos which said, He being rich should be born of a poor Virgin; the creatures of the earth should adore him and praise him for ever.  
The sixth was called Hellespontiaca, born at Marmiso in the Territory of Troy, she prophesied, A woman shall descend of the Jews, called Mary, and of her shall be born the Son of God, his Kingdom shall remain for ever.  
The seventh was Albunea, sir'named Tyburtina, because she was born at Tybur, fifteen miles from Rome; one of her prophecies was this, The invisible word shall be born of a Virgin, he shall converse among sinners, and shall of them be despised.  
The eighth was Albunea, who prophesied, The Highest shall come from Heaven, and confirm the Counsel in Heaven, and a Virgin shall be showed in the Valleys of the Deserts.  
The ninth was the famous Erythrea, born in Babylon, who especially prophesied a great part of our Christian Religion, in certain Verses recited by Eusebius; the first Letters of every which Verses being put together, makes these words. Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour. These verses are translated into Latin by St. Augustine, Lib. 11. Cap. 25. of The City of God, where they may be read at large and are excellently well translated be Sir John Beaumond, where they may be found amongst his Poems.  
The tenth was called Cumana, from the name of the place where she lived; she prophesied That he should come from Heaven, and reign here in poverty.  
This last Sibyl is affirmed to be she who writ the Nine Books of the Sibyls, which were by an old woman presented to Tarqvinius Superbus, demanding for the same a great sum of money, which he being unwilling to pay, the old woman burnt three of them before his face, requiring as much money for the other six; which being denied, she also burned three more of them, ask as much for the three remaining, as for the rest; which Superbus amazed, gave, and the old Trot vanished. These books containned manifest Prophecies of the Kingdom of Christ, his Name, his Birth, and Death. They were all afterwards burned by the Arch-traitor Stilico, so that those Prophecies which are now extant, are only such as are extracted out of others writings, wherein mention of them was made.  
Qu. What is it that may be said concerning the ubiquity of Marriage?  
An. One Bed can hold a loving man and wife A whole house cannot hold them being at strife.  
Queen What is the difference between the love and lust of a Courtesan?  
An. That her love is like breath on steel, soon on and soon off; but her lust is as the Ocean, still ready for an another's embraces, and prostitutes her body to every new comer.  
Qu. What is the difference betwixt saying nothing, and doing nothing?  
An. The Poet will tell you in these verses.  
Little or nothing said, soon mended is;  
But they that nothing do, do most amiss.  
Qu. What may Law in the abuse thereof, fitly be compared unto?  
An. To a thicket of Brambles, into which by tempest the poor sheep being driven from the plains, come there for refuge, and so loose their fleeces; or like to the Spider's web, in which the little flies are catcht, but the great ones break through with ease.  
Qu. Wherein did the old Romans show the love that they bear unto Virtue?  
An. In erecting a Temple to Honour, into which none could come but he must first pass through the Temple of Virtue; to signify that those that trod in the paths of Justice and Virtue, should at last be crowned with honour and dignity.  
Qu. What is the reason that women love their ease more than men?  
An.  
When man lay dead-like, woman took her life,  
From a crooked emblem of her nuptial strife;  
And hence (her bones would be at rest) her ease  
She loves so well, and is so hard to please.  
Qu. Wherein consists the praises of a Country life?  
An. The Countryman is thrice happy in this, that he plays not with his wings in the golden flames of the Court, nor setteth his foot into the busy throngs of the City, nor runneth up and down in the intricate mazes of the Law; but resting contented in the Winter to sit by a country fire, and in the Summer to lay his head on the green pillows of the Earth; where his sleep is soft slumbers, and his waking pleasant as golden dreams; His highest ambition is to get up unto the Mountains, where he thinks himself a petty King, the greatest Trees standing trembling before him, to do him reverence, which he calleth his Nobles, on each side of him, he beholdeth ranks of Oaks▪ which he counteth his Guards, the Willows that bend at every blast, he accounteth his flatterers, and the Valleys humbled at his feet, he termeth his slaves. No Prince in the world keeps more skilful Musicians, the Birds are his consort, and the wind instruments they play upon, yield ten thousand several tunes.  
Thus doth he rest secure, whilst he doth lie,  
Too low for Envy, and for scorn too high.  
Qu. Who are the most proud and imperious of all others?  
An. Such as have been raised from the Dunghill to some preferment, according to that old English Proverb of ours, Set a Beggar on Horseback, and he will ride to the Devil; With which agreeth that of the Poet,  
None looks to be accounted,  
More than a Beggar mounted.  
Qu. What is the difference of valour in several persons?  
An. Some are truly valorous, and those are such who will nobly engage in a just quarrel; others are cowardly valorous, to which alludeth the Proverb, Make a Coward fight, and he will kill the Devil; and to this purpose we have a story of a Gentleman that kept a Welshman to his man: It so fortuned that as they rid abroad, they were set on by two thiefs; The Gentleman defended himself for a good space, while his man stood still looking on, but offering no help to his master: At length the Gentleman having received some wounds, was forced to yield and deliver up his money to the thiefs, but withal requested them, that since his man would not fight, he yet might receive some of the blows, and therefore desired them to give him three or four good strokes over the back: this was no sooner desired, but as readily granted, and as soon performed: But Taffy feeling the smart of the blows, his welsh blood was soon up, he thunders lightning and revenge upon them, soon disarms one of the thiefs, and with his sword deeply wounds the other, so that in a little space they both became the objects of his mercy, the money they received is re-delivered, and upon their knees they ask pardon. The third are such as are only valiant in their drink; of which last the Poet thus writes;  
Qu. Who only in his Cups will fight, is like,  
A Clock that must be oiled well ere it strike.  
Qu. How many veins are there in the body of a man?  
An. As many as there are days in the year, according as it is set down in this verse.  
For that in us all things may vain appear,  
We have a vein for each day in the year.  
Qu. How many bones are there in a perfect man?  
An. 284. which are thus singlely collected; i● the head forty nine, in the breast sixty seven in the arms and hands sixty one, in the fee● sixty; in all 284. according to the Poet.  
The bones which do support our Earthly Tower,  
Are numbered, two hundred eighty four.  
Qu. How many teeth hath a man, according to the Poet's Rule?  
An. Sunt homini dentes triginta duo comedentes.  
The Grinders which in time are said to cease,  
Are numbered thirty two at best increase.  
Qu. Which were the most famous Tyrants in their time?  
An. 1. Nero, a Heathen Roman Emperor, who commanded Rome to be set on fire and then accused the Christians for doing it, he also most unnaturally caused his Mother's belly to be ripped up, that he might see the place of his conception.  
2. Caligula, another Roman Emperor, who wished that all the people of Rome had but one neck, that he might strike it off at a blow.  
3. Phalaris, a Tyrant of Agrigentum in Sicily, for whom Perillus made a brazen Bull, into which, those whom he intended to torture, were put, a fire being made under it, the extremity of the heat, causing them to roar out, made the brazen statue to bellow like a Bull; the Tyrant (only just in this) causing Perillus to handsel it first himself, upon which Ovid thus writes,  
— Nec enim lex justior ulla,  
Quam necis Artificis arte perire sua.  
Most just it is, a man should be tormented.  
With that which first his cruel wit invented  
4. Dionysius, a King of the said country of Sicily, whose Tyrannies were so odious that there were continual execrations poured on him, only one old woman prayed for his life, who being asked the cause, made answer, that she knew his Grandfather to have been bad, and after by prayers, they had obtained his death, his Son succeeded far worse than the Father: and after their curses had also prevailed over him, came the present Tyrant worse than either: for whose life she was resolved to pray, lest after his decease the Devil himself should come amongst them.  
Qu. Why do great persons bear themselves up high over their inferiors, seeing we are all made of one mould?  
An. Because too much familiarity breeds contempt, the Eagle scorns to meddle with the Kite, the Lion with the Mouse; to conend with an ignoble enemy is an act inglorious, and to conquer them almost as much dishonour, as by them to be overcome.  
Qu. Wherefore do the Jews break the Glass in which the Bride, and Bridegroom drink?  
An. To admonish them that all things in this world are transitory and brittle as the Glass, and therefore they must be moderate in their pleasure and desires.  
Qu. What custom had they of Boeotia in Greece, concerning their marriage of the daughters?  
An. When the Bride was carried home to her betrothed Husband, they used to burn before the door the Axletree of the Coach in which she came thither; giving her by that ceremony to understand, that she must restra in herself from gadding abroad, and that being now joined to an Husband, she must frame herself to live and tarry with him, without any hope of departure.  
Qu. Wherein is a good wife compared to a Snail?  
An. Because she carries her house on her head; but a bad wife makes her husband headed like a Snail.  
I know not which lead most unnatural lives,  
Horn-headed husbands, or light wag-tayled wives.  
Qu. Whether is better wealth, or wit?  
An. This may be resolved by several circumstances, that folly is the most hatefullest thing in the world; a man without wisdom is but a moving block, and though adorned with golden trappings, his long ears will show him to be an Ass; for folly in a man's breast like the sin of murder, will not be hid.  
Qu. Why do rich men love more servently than poor men?  
An. Though some do say that in Love there is no lack, yet when once wealth Loves fuel is spent, we oftentimes see Love thereby is also extinguished, according to that of the Poet: Love is maintained by wealth when all is spent, Adversity then breeds the discontent.  
Qu. What four things be those that be grievous to our eye sight?  
An.  

1. Smoke out of the moist Wood  
2. Wind in a storm.  
3. An empty purse.  
4. To see our enemies fortunate, and our 〈…〉.   
Qu. In what place of Europe is it where the Barrels are so much preferred before the Bar?  
An. Hamburg in Germany, in which Town are 777 Brewers, and but one Lawyer: the reason why there is such a huge disproportion between the number of Brewers and Lawyers, is because their differences are sooner divided over a Can than by course of Law; thus strong beer, which in some Countries breeds quarrels, here ends them, & where strife ceaseth, there is little need of the Lawyer.  
Qu. What man of all others is most worldly miserable?  
An. He who having once sat on the top of Fortune's Wheel, is after by the blind Goddess brought to want and penury, according to the Poet:  
Adversity hurts none, but only such,  
Whom whitest Fortune dandled has too much.  
Qu. Of which Country were the seven Sleepers, what were their names, and how long (according to tradition) was the time that they slept?  
An. History tells us that they were born in Ephesus, and lived in the time of the seventh persecution under Decian the Emperor, their names were 1. Maximilian, 2. Malchus, 3. Marcianus, 4. Denis, 5. john, 6. Seraphion, and 7. Constantius: These men to avoid the heat of the persecution fled to a Cave in the mount of Celion, where they fell fast a sleep; which Caves mouth was stopped up by their persecutors, and they remained sleeping therein 208 years, until the time of Theodosius the Emperor, when it being again opened, they came out of the same well and lively,. as if they had slept but one night.  
Qu. Who is the Father of all Lies and untruths?  
An. We read in the Scripture that the Devil is the Father of lies, to which we may add as a second cause wide-mouthed tattling Fame, according to that of the Poet:  
Error by Error, tales by tales great grow;  
As Snowbals do, by rolling to and fro.  
To which also we may add that of Ovid.  
The thing false told, grows great as it would burst,  
And every one adds second to the first.  
Qu. What is the Character that one giveth in his censure of several Kings in Europe?  
An. That the Emperor of Germany, is Rex Regum, because he hath under him such a number of Reguli, or free Princes, the King of Spain, Rex Hominum, because of his subjects reasonable obedience; the King of France, Rex Asinorum, because of their infinite Taxes and impositions; and the King of England, Rex Diabolorum, because of his subjects often insurrections against, and depositions of their Princes.  
Of the River Nilus in Egypt.  
It is uncertain where this famous River hath its head or Fountain, whether in the Mountain of the Moon, or the Lake Zembre in Aethiopia interior: but certain it is that it runneth in one continual Channel, till it washeth the midland of Egypt, having in the mean space several Cataracts, which is a great fall of the waters that maketh such a hideous noise, as not only deafeth the by-dwellers, but the Hills also are torn with the sound, as Lucan hath it.  
Cuncta tremunt undis, & multo murmure montus  
Spumen invictis albescit fluctibus amnis.  
The noise the mountains shakes, who roar in spite  
To see th'unvanquished waves clothed all in white.  
Before it taketh its influx into the Sea, it divideth itself into seven Channels or Mouths namely, 1. Heracleoticum, 2. Bolviticum 3. Schanitium, 4. Patinicum 5. Mendesium, 6, Caniticum, 7. Pebusiacum. This Nilus from the 15. day of June, swelleth above his banks the space of forty days, and in as many more gathereth his waters again to their proper bounds. If it flow not to the height of fifteen Cubits, than the earth is deficient in her abundance of increase for want of moisture; and if the waters surmount the superficies of the earth, more than seventeen Cubits, then like a drunken man it cannot produce its natural operations, as having its stomach (as it were) over-laid, and surcharged with too much liquor: but if the mean be granted, no Country can brag of such abundance; whereof the aforesaid Lucan,  
Terra suis contenta bonis, non indiga mercis,  
Aut jovis, in solo tanta est fiducia Nilo.  
the Earth content with its own wealth, doth crave  
No foreign Mars nor Jove himself, they have  
Their hopes alone in Nilus' fruitful wave.  
During this inundation, the Beasts and cattle live on the Hills, and in the Towns to which they are before hand driven; and there are till decrease of the waters fodderd As for the Towns and Villages, they stand all on the tops of the Hills, and at the time of the Flood appear like so many Islands; commerce and intercourse is not a jot diminished; for Skifs and the like Boats, supply the places of Horses and Camels, transporting safely and speedily the market-men and their commodities, from one Town to another, Now beside the fertility, a second commodity arising from this inundation of the Nile, is the health it bringeth with it; for the plague, which here often miserably rageth, upon the first day of the Flood doth instantly cease▪ insomuch that whereas 500 die in Cairo the day before, the day following there dyeth not one. A third strangeness in this River is, that keeping its waters together, it changeth the colour of the Sea farther into the Mediterranean than the Sea can thence be discerned. A fourth miracle is, that not in fruit only, but in producing live creatures also, it is even to wonder fruitful, according to Ovid:  
Namque ubi discernit madidos septemsluus agros  
Nilus, & antiquo, sua flumina reddidit alveo;  
Plurima Cultores versis animalia plebis  
Inveniunt—  
For when the seven mouthed Nile the Fields forsake  
And to his ancient Channel him betakes  
The tilers of the ground live Creatures find  
Of sundry shapes, i'th' mud that's left behind  
This River is in length almost 3000. miles, being the only River of Egypt, and is for its varieties sufficiently famous all the World over.  
Of the fortunate Islands.  
The Air of those Islands is reported to be of that singular temperature, and the Earth of that fruitfulness, that the Husbandmen have their Harvest in March and April. Here all good things do abound useful or delightful for the life of man, plenty of Fruits, store of Grapes, the Woods and Hedges bringing forth excellent Apples of their own accord. The grass being mowed down, in five days space will grow up to the length of a Cubit, the ground is so fertile, At Christmas they have Summer, and all fruits ripe. The Earth yields her fruit five or six times a year; the Mountains are always beautified with variety of Flowers, the Trees and Hedges-rows evermore green, Dame Flora hath here her continual habitation, and Ceres therein a continual Mansion: In their sowing, every two grains bringing forth a thousand.  
Qu. How many Kings did formerly 〈◊〉 in these Countries, whereof our now 〈…〉 Sovereign King Charles the second, is the most absolute Monarch?  
An. In England itself were seven, during the time of the Saxon Heptarchy; which were,  
1. The Kingdom of Kent, containing Kent only, begun by Hengist the Saxon Captain, and ending in Baldred, having a succession of eighteen Kings, and the continuance of two hundred forty and two years.  
Queen's County, Weishford, and Dublin,  
Scotland had formerly two Kings, whereof one was of the Scots, the other of the Picts: Besides these there was a King of the Isles of Scotland, and one of the Isle of Man, and Henry the sixth created Henry Beauchamp Earl of Warwick, King of the Isle of Wight: so that reckoning seven Kings in England, three in Wales, five in Ireland, two in Scotland, and three in the other Islands, and you will find the whole number to amount to twenty Kingdoms.   

A Discourse of Wonders, Foreign and Domestic.  

And first of Foreign.  
AN Artisan in the Town of Norenburg in Germany, made a wooden Eagle, which when the Emperor Maximilian was coming thither, flew a quarter of a mile out of the Town to meet him; and being come to the place where he was, turned back of its own accord, and accompanied him home to his lodging.  
2. There is a Lake about Armach in Ireland, into which if one thrust a piece of wood, he shall find that part which remaineth in the mud, converted to Iron; and that which continueth in the water, turned to a Wherstone.  
3. The Hill Aetna in Sicily, which continually vomiteth forth flames of Fire, to the astonishment of all beholders. The reason of these flames (as is conjectured) is the abundance of Silver and Brimstone contained in the bosom of this Hill, which is blown by the wind, driving in at the chaps of the Earth, as by a pair of bellows, through which chinks also, there is continually more fuel added to the fire, the very water administering an operative virtue to the combustible matter; as we see that water cast on coals in the Smith's Forge doth make them burn more ardently. The reason of this flame is thus rendered by the witty Ovid in his Metamorphosis.  
Is't ● bitumine● rap●un●t incendi●● vices,  
Luteaque exiguis ard●scunt Sulphura slammis,  
Atque ubi terra cibos alimentaque debita slamma;  
Non dabit, absumptis, per longum viribus annum:  
Naturaeque su●m nutrim●ntum decrit edaci;  
Non f●cit Aetna famem, desertaque deseret ignis.  
A resin mould these fiery flames begin,  
And clayje Brinstone aids the sire within;  
Yet when the slimy soylconsumed, shall  
Yield no more food to feed the sire withal,  
And Nature shall restrain her nourishment,  
The flame shall cease, hating all famishment.  
4. A Lake in Aethiopia superior, of which whosoever drinketh, either falleth immediately mad, or is for a long time troubled with a drowsiness; of which the aforesaid Ovid thus reciteth,  
Aethiopesque Lacus; quos siquis faucibus hausit,  
Aut fu●i●, aut patitar mirum gravetate soporem.  
Who doth not know the Aethiopian Lake,  
Whose waters he that drinks his thirst to slake,  
Either groweth mad, or doth his soul oppress;  
With an unheard of drowsiness.  
5 The three wonders of which Spain boasteth of, viz.  
1. A Bridge over which the water flows, that is used to run under all other Bridges.  
2. A City compassed with fire which is called Madrid, by reason of the Wall that is all of Flints environ it round about.  
3. Another Bridge on which continually feed ten thousand cattle, the River Guadiana (which hath his head in the Mountain Seira Molina, afterwards runneth under ground the space of fifteen miles; the like doth the River Lycus in Anatolia, according to Ovid.  
Sic ubi terreno Lycus est epotus hiatu,  
Exsilicit procul hinc, alioque renascitur ore.  
So Lycus swallowed by the gaping ground,  
At a new mouth far off is rising found.  
6. The Tomb of Mansolus, built by his Wife Artunesia Queen of Halicarnassus, accounted one of the world's seven wonders; it being five and twenty Cubits high, and supported by six and thirty curious Pillars, of which thus writeth the witty Poet Martial:  
Aere nam vacuo pendentia Mansolaea,  
Laudibus immodicis Caris ad astra ferunt,  
The Mansolaea hanging in the Sky,  
The men of Caria's praises Deify.  
7. The Temple of Diana at Ephesus; accounted also one of the world's seven wonders, It was two hundred years in building, being four hundred twenty five foot long, and two hundred twenty broad: sustained with a hundred twenty seven Pillars of Marble seventy foot high; whereof twenty seven were most curiously graven, and all the rest of Marble polished. It was fired seven times, and lastly by Herostratus, the same night in which Alexander the great was born; which made the Poets say, that Diana, who was the Goddess of Midwifery, was so busy at the birth of that great Potentate, that she had no time to defend her own Temple.  
8. The Pyramid of Egypt, reckoned also for one of the world's seven wonders, which have outlived devouring time; They were built nigh to the City of Memphis, whereof two are most famous; The first and greatest was built by Cleops a King of that Country, who in the work employed a hundred thousand men, the space of twenty years. The Basis of which Pyramid contained in circuit sixty Acres of ground, and was in height a thousand foot, being made all of Marble.  
This work was begun of such a prodigious vastness, that King Cleops wanted money to finish the same, whereupon (as Herodotus writeth) he prostituted his Daughter to all comers, by which dishonest means he perfected his building: and she, besides the money due to her father, exacted of every man that had the use of her body, one stone; of whom she got so many, that with them she made the second Pyramid, almost equal to the first.  
8. A Tree in Mexico in America, called Meet, which they plant and dress as we do our vines. It hath forty kinds of Leaves, which serve for many uses; for when they be tender, they make of them Conserves, Paper, Flax, Mantles, Mats, Shoes, Girdles, and Cordage. On these leaves grow certain prickles, so strong and sharp, that they use them instead of Saws; from the root of this Tree cometh a juice like unto Syrup, which if you settle it will become Honey, if you purify it, it will become Sugar: you may also make Wine and Vinegar of it. The rind roasted, healeth hurts and sores; and from the top boughs issueth a Gum, which is an excellent Antidote against poison.  
1. A Tree in the Isles of Orcades in Scotland, near the Sea side, that beareth a fruit which dropping on the dry Land, putrifies away, and turns to nothing; but falling into the water, becomes a living Creature like unto a Duck.  
And by this means as Authors they have said,  
A Soland Goose is hatched up and bred.  
11. The River Styx in Arcadia, which for its poisonous nature, the Poet feigned to be the River of Hell; on which plied Charon the Ferryman, whose description take thus from the Poet:  
Charon grim Ferryman these streams doth guard,  
Ugly, nasty, his huge hairy beard  
Knit up in Elflocks; staring, fiery eyed,  
With Robe on heastly shoulder hung knottyed.  
12. Near unto the Lake where once stood the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, grow certain Trees, which bear Apples in colour, and show like unto Gold, but being touched, fall to ashes.  
13. The Psylli a people of Lybia, of so venomous a nature, that they would poison a Snake: insomuch that when their Wives were delivered, they would throw their Children amongst a herd of Serpents, supposing that child to be born of an adulterous bed, the very smell of whose body would not drive away a whole brood of the like poisonous vermin.  
Other Foreign Wonders.  
It is recorded by Guicciardine, L. Vives, Erasmus, and Dr. Heylin in his Microcesmus, how that Margaret Sister to Earl Floris, the Fourth of Holland, being the age of forty two years, brought forth at one birth three hundred sixty three Children, whereof half were Males, half Females, and the odd one an Hermaphrodite: They were Christened in two Basins at the Church of Lo●sdunen, by Guido suffragan to the Bishop of Utrecht, who named the Males john's, the Females Elizabeth's; all which immediately after died, and with them their Mother, the Basins are yet to be seen in the aforesaid Church.  
Their runneth a story concerning this miraculous accident, how that a certain poor Beggar woman with three twinchildrens came to this Countess' door, and begged an Alms of her, which she not only denied, but also called her Harlot and Strumpet; telling her withal, it was impossible she should have so many by one man: which this Beggar hearing, besought God, who knew her innocency, to manifest it unto her, by giving her so many at one birth by her Husband, as there are days in the year; which fell out accordingly.  
Much to this purpose is the story of one Jermentrudis, wife to Isenbardus Earl of Altorse in Suevia; which Countess grievously accused one of her neighbour women of adulteries, and had her punished, because she had not long before been delivered of six Children at a birth. It fortuned that she herself, her Husband being abroad in the Fields, was delivered at one birth of twelve Children all Males, she fearing the like infamous punishment, which by her instigation had been inflicted on the former woman, commanded the Nurse to kill eleven of them; The Nurse going to execute the will of her Mistress, was met by her Lord, then returning homeward; He demanded what she carried in her Lap? She answered, Puppies; He desired to see them, she denied him. The Lord on this growing angry, opened her Apron, and there found eleven of his own Sons, pretty sweet babes, and of most promising countenances. The Earl examined the matter, found out the truth, enjoined the Nurse to be secret, and put the children to a Miller to nurse. Six years being passed over in silence, the Earl making a solemn Feast, invited most of his wives and his own Friends. The young boys he attired all in the same fashion, and presenteth them to their mother, she misdoubting the truth, confesseth her fault, is by the Earl pardoned, and acknowledgeth her Children.  
A like strange thing we have of one Agilmond, a King of the Lombard's in the Land of Hungary, who going forth one morning a Hunting, as he was riding by a Fish pond, he spied seven children sprawling for life, which some Harlots had been delivered of, and most barbarously thrown into the water. The King amazed at this spectacle, put his Boar spear, or hunting-pole among them, on which one of the children's hands fastened, and the King softly drawing back his hand, wafted the Child to the shore. This child he named Lamissus, from Lama, which in their Language signified a Fishpond. He was in the King's Court carefully brought up, where there appeared in him such tokens of virtue and courage, that after the death of Agilmond, he was by the Lombard's chosen to succeed him.  
Nor is that less strange which is reported of Claudia, a Roman Vestal Virgin, the story whereof is this: The Romans were once told by an Oracle, that they should be Lords of the world, if they could but get the Goddess Cybele from the Phrygians, which was there worshipped in a City called Pesinus. Hereupon they sent unto the Phrygians to demand it, who being willing to please a potent Neighbour, especially the Romans being their Countrymen, as descended from Aeneas and his Trojans, granted their request, and the Goddess is shipped for Rome. But when it came into the River of Tiber, it there made a stand, neither could it be again moved forward by force or sleight. It happened that this Claudia having been accused of incontinency, to clear herself, tied her Girdle to the Ship, praying the Goddess, that if she were causelessly suspected, she would suffer the Ship to go forward; which was no sooner said, than granted, Claudia by her Girdle drawing the Ship to Rome, by the same clearing herself from all imputation of Uncleanness or Incontinency.  
Pharo a King of Egypt, being blind, was told by an Oracle, that if he washed his eyes with the Urine of a woman, which being a wife had known but one man, he should recover his sight. After many vain trials, h● found one woman whose Urine helped him her he married and causing all the other whom he had tried to be gathered together in a Town called Latthus, he set fire on th● same, burning them all for their Incontinency.   

Domestic Wonders.  
IN the Year of our Lord 1151. and in the 33 year of the Reign of King Henry the second, near unto Oxford in Suffolk, certain Fishers took in their Nets a fish having the shape of a man; which Fish was kept by Bartholemew de Glanvile, Custos of the Castle of Oxford, in the same Castle for the space of six months and more, for a wonder; he spoke not a word, all manner of meat he would gladly eat, but most greedy was he after raw flesh or fish: at length he stole away from his Keeper, and ran to the Sea again.  
Anno 1350. in the Reign of King Edward the third, in Oxford shire near Chipping norton, was found a Serpent having two heads, and two faces, like women; one face attired of the new fashion of women's attire, the other face like the old attire, and had wings like a Bat.  
Anno 1545. in the last year of King Henry the eight, one William Foxely Potmaker for the Mint, in the Tower of London, fell asleep the 27 of April, who could not be awakened neither by kicking, cramping, or pinching, till the first day of the next Term, which was full fourteen days and fifteen nights. The cause of this his thus sleeping, could not be known, ●ough the same were diligently enquired ●●ter by the King's Physicians, and men of ●earning; yea, the King himself examined ●●m, and he was in all points found as if he had ●ept but one night, living till the year of our ●ord, 1587.  
Anno 1552. in the Reign of King Edward ●he sixth, at Middleton eleven miles from Oxford, a woman brought forth a child which ●ad two perfect bodies from the Navel upwards, and were so joined together at the Navel, that when they were laid out at length, the one head and body was west, ●nd the other east; the legs of both the bodies were joined together in the midst, they ●ived eighteen days, and were Female children.  
In the last year of Queen Mary, within a mile of Nottingham, a rempest of thunder as ●t came through two Towns, beat down all ●he Houses and Churches, the Bells were cast to the outside of the Church Yard, and some webs of Lead four hundred foot in the field writhe like a Glove; The River of Trent running between the two Towns, the water running was with the wind carried a quarter of a mile, and cast against trees; Trees were pulled up by the roots, and cast twelve score off; a child was pulled out of a man's hand, and carried a hundred foot, and then let fall and died: five or six men were killed: there fell some Hailstones that were fifteen inches about.  
Anno Domini 1571. in the thirteenth year of Queen Elizabeth, at Kinnaston in Hereford shire, the Ground was seen to op●● and certain Rocks with a piece of groun● removed, and went forward the space ●● four days: it removed itself between ●● of the Clock in the Evening, and seven th● next morning forty paces, carrying grea● Trees and Sheepcoats along with it, som● with threescore sheep in them. The depth of the hole where it first broke out, is thirty foot, the breadth of the breach was eight score yards; it overthrew in its passage Kinnaston Chappel, also two Highway were removed nigh a hundred yards, with Trees and Hedge rows: the ground in all is twenty six Acres; and where Tillage ground was, there is Pasture left in place and where was Pasture, there is Tillage ground gone upon it.  
In the seventeenth year of Queen Elizibeths' Reign, the 24 of February at Tewksbury, a strange thing happened after a Flood: In the afternoon there came down the River Avon, a great number of Flies and Beettles, such as in the Summer Evenings use to strike men on the face, in great heaps, a foot thick on the water, so that to credible men's judgements, there were with a pair of Butts length, of those Flies about an hundred Quarters: the Mills theroabout were quite dammed up with them, for the space of four days after. and then were cleansed by digging them out with shovels. From whence they came is yet unknown, but the day was cold, and a hard Frost.  
The twentieth of next June following in the same year, one William Lumley a poor man in the Parish of Ernley, in the County of Worcester, being kept in prison by a wealthy Widow,, he having a mare of two and twenty years old, with a Foal, within three days ●fter foaled a mare-colt, the which immediately had an Udder, out of which was mil●ed the same day a pint of milk, and every ●ay after gave above three pints, to the great relief of his wife and children.  
Thus when that men and women cruel be  
God will provide for those oppressed, we see.  
We shall next tell you of a wonder in workmanship, one Mark Scaliot a Blacksmith of London, for trial of his skill, made one Lock of Iron, Steel, and Brass, of eleven several pieces, and one Pipe key, all clean wrought which weighed but one Grain of Gold, He also at the same time made a Chain of Gold of forty three Links; to which Chain the Lock and Key being fastened, and put about a Fleas neck, she drew the same with ease; all which lock and key, chain and flea, did weigh but one grain and a half.  
Anno 1580, in the Parish of Blansdon in Yorkshire, after a great tempest of lightning and thunder, a woman of fourscore years of age, named Alice Perin, was delivered of a hideous Monster, whose head was like unto a Saller, the forepart of him like a man, only he had eight legs not one like another, and a tail of half a yard long.  
The same year in the Marshes of Dengy-hundred, in a place called South-Minster, in the County of Essex, there suddenly appeared an infinite number of Mice, which overwhelmed the said Marshes, and did gnaw and shear the grass by the roots, spoiling and tainting the grass with their venomous teeth in such sort, that the Cattle that grazed there on were smitten with a murrain, and died thereof; which vermin could not be destroyed by the policy of men, till it came to pass tha● there flocked about the Marshes such a company of Owls, as all the Shire was not able to yield; whereby the Marsh-holders' were shortly delivered from the vexation of those Mice: the like of those was once in Kent.  
In Suffolk at the time of a great dearth, upon a hard Rock, grew above six hundred quarters of Pease, without any manner of tillage; to the great relief of poor people at that time.  
Anno 1581. the four and twentieth of Queen Elizabeth, on the 17 of January, in the Parish of Armitage, at a place called Blackmore, in Dorsetshire, a piece of ground containing three Acres, removed itself from the place where it was first planted, and was carried clean over another Close, where Elder and Willow-Trees grew, the space of forty Goad, every Goad containing fifteen foot, and stopped up a Highway that directed towards the Market Town of Cearn; and yet the Hedges wherewith it was enclosed, environ it still, and the Trees stand thereon bolt upright, saving an Oak of almost twenty load which was tumbled down; the ground remaining a deep pit.  
August 4. Anno 1584. At the end of the Town called Nottingham in Kent, eight miles from London, the ground began to sink; three great Elms being swallowed up, and driven into the Earth past man's sight.  
March 17. 1586. A strange thing happened, Mr. Dorrington of Spaldwick, in the County of Huntingdon Esquire had a Horse which died suddenly, and being ripped up to see the cause of his death, there was found ●n a hole of the heart of the Horse, a Worm, of a wondrous form; it lay on a round heap ●n a Kall or Skin, in the likeness of a Toad, which being taken out, and spreed abroad, was in form and fashion not easy to be described; the length of which worm divided into many grains, to the number of eighty, spread from the body like the branches of a Tree, was from the snout to the end of the longest grain seventeen inches, having four Issues in the grains, from whence dropped forth a red water. The body in bigness round about, was three inches and a half; the colour was very like the colour of a Maycril: This monstrous worm crawling about to have got away, was stabbed in with a dagger, and so died; which after being dried, was shown to many persons of account for a great rarity.  
Sunday December 5. in the thirty eighth year of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, a great number of people being assembled in the Cathedral Church of Wells in Sommersetshire; in the Sermon time before noon, a sudden darkness fell among them, and storm and tempest followed after, with lightning and thunder, such as overthrew to the ground them that were in the body of the Church; and all the Church seemed to be on a ligat fire, a loathsome stench followed; some stones were stricken out of the Bell-Tower, the Wires and Irons of the Clock were melted; which tempest being ceased, and the people come again to themselves, some of them were found to be marked with strange figures on their bodies, and their garments not perished, nor any marked that were in the Chancel.  
How daily ought we then for to pray thus,  
From Lightning and Tempest Lord deliver us.  
Anno 1604. in the Reign of King James, John Lepton of Kepwick in the county of York Esquire, a Gentleman of an ancient Family, and of good reputation, his Majesty's Servant, and one of the Grooms of his most honourable privy Chamber, performed so memorable a journey, as deserves to be recorded to future ages, because many Gentlemen, who were good Horsemen, and divers Physicians did affirm, it was impossible for him to do, without apparent danger of his life.  
He undertook to ride five several times betwixt London and York in six days to be taken in one week, betwixt Monday morning and Saturday night; He began his journey upon monday being the 26 of May in the year aoresaid, betwixt two and three of the Clock n● the morning, forth of Saint Martin's near Aldersgate within the City of London, and came to York the same day betwixt the hours of five and six in the afternoon, where he rested that night; The next morning being Tuesday about three of the clock, he took his journey forth of York, and came to his lodging in Saint Martin's aforesaid, betwixt the hours of six and seven in the afternoon, where he rested that night. The next morning being Wednesday, betwixt two and three of the clock, he took his journey forth of London, and came into York about seven of the clock the same day, where he rested that night; the next morning being Thursday, betwixt two and three of the Clock, he took his journey forth of York, and came to London the same day, betwixt seven and eight of the clock, where he rested that night; the next morning being Friday, betwixt two and three of the clock, he ●ook his journey towards York, and came thither the same day betwixt the hours of seven and eight in the afternoon; so as he finished his appointed journey to the admiration of all men in five days according to his promise, and upon Monday the seven and twentieth of the same Month he went from York, and came to the Court at Greenwich upon Tuesday the 28. to his Majesty, in as fresh and cheerful manner as when he first began.  
Anno 1608. in the fifth year of King James, upon the 19 of February, when it should have been low water at London-Bridge, quite contrary to coarse it was then high water, and presently it ebbed almost half an hour, the quantity of a foot, and then suddenly it flowed again, almost two foot higher than it did before, and then ebbed again until it came to its course almost as it was at first, so that the next flood began in a manner as it should, and kept its due course in all respects as if there had been no shifting nor alteration of Tides; all this happened before twelve a clock in the forenoon, the water being indifferent calm.  
And now we are come to our own memory, viz. the Reign of King Charles the First; in which we find that there was a Fish taken and sold in Cambridge Market, which had in its belly, a book of an ancient print, part whereof was consumed, but enough left to be legibly read, as you may find in Mr. Hammond Lestrange his History of King Charles the first.  
The wonder of his time, old Thomas Parr a Shropshire man, who attained to the age of 152 years and odd months; being afterwards brought up to the Court as a miracle of nature, but having changed his air, and diet, he soon after died, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.  
The Woman at Oxford which was condemned upon a supposed crime, having hanged a good space, and being by the Soldiers knocked divers times on the breast with the butt-end of their Muskets, to put her the sooner out of her pain; yet afterwards when she was cut down, and ready to be Anatomised, there was life perceived in her, and by applying some things unto her she recovered her memory and senses, was afterwards found guiltless of the fact, married, and had three or four children.  
June the second Anno 1657. a Whale of a prodigious bulk being sixty foot in length, and of a proportionable bigness, was cast on shore not far from Green-wich, which was looked upon to be a great presage of some wonderful matters soon after to ensue; and indeed the event proved it to be true; for not long after, Cromwell full sore against his will, in a great wind was hurried away into another World.  
The last, but not the least wonder, is of one Martha Taylor hear to Packwel in Darbyshire, who from Saint Thomas day in the year ● four Lord 1667. to the present writing hereof being the 11. day of January 1668. hath not tasted any sustenance, in all that time; she ●s still living and audible to be heard, but more like an anatomy or Picture of death, than ● living creature.  
Qu. What other wonders are there to be found ●n our Isles of Britain?  
An. In the Isle of Man are found at this day, certain Trees of Timber and other Wood in great abundance, many fathoms under the ground, which were thought to be brought thither and 〈◊〉 in Noah's flood, and not discovered till of late years.  
At Barry Island in Glamorgan-shire, upon ● Clift or Hole of a Rock, laying your ear unto it, you may hear sometimes as it were ●he noise of blowing the Bellows, others of smith's striking at the Anvil; sometimes ●iling, clashing of Armour, and the like: this ●s said to be by enchantment by the great Merlin, who bound certain Spirits to work here in making of Armour for Aurelius Am●rosius and his Britain's, until his return: but he being killed, they by the force of his harm are constrained to labour there still.  
Qu. By how many several Nations hath this Land been inhabited?  
An. The first Inhabitants hereof were the Britain's, whose offspring at this day is the Welsh, our seeming ancient Historians de●ive them from the Trojans, who came hither under the conduct of one Brutus; but this by Mr. Cambden and our late Antiquaries is rejected as a fable, who by many unanswerable arguments prove them to be descended from the Gauls; they were questionless a warlike Nation, and stoutly with stood the Romans in their invasion of them, being at last more over come by the treachery o● Androge●s and others, than by the Roman puissance.  
The next were the Romans, who entered the Island under the conduct of Julius Caesar, some few years before the birth of our Saviour. It continued a Roman Province till after the year 400 when Proconsul Aetite taking with him away the Legoniary Soldiers, to defend Gallia from the Franks and Burgundians, left South Britain a prey to the Scots and Picts, quitting our Island of themselves, to defend those Provinces nearer home.  
The third Nation were the Saxons, a people of Germany called in by Vortiger Kin● of the Britain's, in aid against the Scots and Picts, who then overrun this Island; bu● these Guests soon become their Masters, wh● under the leading of Hengist and Horsus, ● planted themselves in this Island, that the native Inhabitants could never recover it from them.  
These Saxons came not in all at once, b● at seven several times, each under their Lender's, gaining a part from our British Monarchy, till at last they engrossed the who● to themselves; then was England divide● into a Heptarchy, or seven several Kingdom all which were united into one by Egb● King of the Westsaxons, who was the first English Monarch.  
The fourth people were the Danes, who made violent eruptions in this Island under the Reign of King Ethelred the Saxon; and so far they prevailed, that he was contented to pay them the yearly Tribute of 10000 pounds, which at last they enhanced to 48000 pounds. This Tyranny Ethelred not able to endure, warily writ to his Subjects, to kill all the Danes as they slept on St Brices' night being the 12. of November, which being executed accordingly, Swain King of Denmark came with a Navy of three hundred and fifty sail into England, drove Ethelred over into Normandy, and tyrannised over the English with a very high hand, every English house maintaining one Dane, whom they called Lord, who living idly and receiving all the profit of the English labours, gave occasion to after-ages when they saw an idle fellow, to call him a Lurdan. And so imperious were they that if an English man and a Dane had met on a Bridge the English man must have gone back, and stayed till the Dane had come over They used also when the English drank, to stab them, or cut their throats, to avoid which villainy, the party then drinking used to request some of the next sitters by to be his surety or pledge, whilst he paid Nature her due▪ and hence have we our usual custom of pledging one another, finally after the Reign of three Kings, the English threw off their yoke, and the Saxons were reinthronized.  
The fifth Conquest thereof was by William Duke of Normandy, Anno 1066. who with a strong Army entered the Land, flew King Herald, and with him 66654 of his English Soldiers. Somewhat before that time was a great Comet, which portended as it was thought this change of Government, of which one wrote thus:  
A thousand six, and sixty year,  
It is as we do read,  
Since that a Comet did appear,  
And English men lay dead;  
Of Normandy Duke William then  
To England ward did sail,  
Who conquered Harold and his men,  
And brought this Land to bale.    

A brief Epitome or Chronical-discourse of the Kings of England, since the Norman Conquest.  
William the First surnamed Conqueror, bastard Son to Robert Duke of Normandy, who having conquered the Country, used such policies as utterly disheartened the English from hopes of better fortune, who thereupon yielded to him, and he having for twenty two years ruled, or rather tyrannised over the English Nation, died, and was buried at Cane in Normandy.  
William the second surnamed Rufus, the second son of the Conqueror, took the Crown upon him, his eldest Brother, Robert being then busy in the Holy-Land, who when the Christians had conquered Jerusalem chose him King thereof, but he hoping for the Crown of England refused it, but his brother William taking possession in his absence, stoutly defended his Title, brought Duke Robert to composition, and having reigned twelve years and eleven months wanting eight days, he at last hunting in the new Forest, was by the glance of an arrow shot by Sir Walter Tirrel, struck in the breast whereof he immediately died, and was buried at Winchester, Anno 1100.  
Henry the first, the youngest Son of the Conqueror, yet too old for his brother Robert in policy, took the advantage of time, and stepped into his Throne in his absence, against whom he warring, was by him taken, and had his eyes put out; this Henry was for his learning surnamed Beauclark, he reduced the measures of England to that proportion which we now call an Ell, he left behind him only one Daughter, reigned thirty five years, and lieth buried at Reading.  
Stephen, Earl of Blois, Son to Alire Daughter to the Conqueror, usurped the Crown; he was a man of Noble parts and hardy, passing comely of favour and personage, he excelled in martial policy, gentleness and liberality towards men: to purchase the people's love, he released them of the tribute called Darn-gelt; he had continual War against Maud the Empress, and after a troublesome Reign of eighteen years, ten months and odd days, he died, and lieth buried at Font Everard.  
Henry the Second, Son to Maud the Empress, Daughter to Henry the first, and to Maud Daughter to Malcolm King of Scotland, and Margaret Sister to Edgar Etheling; by which means the Saxon blood was restored to the Crown. This Henry was a most magnanimous Prince, and by his father's inheritance added many of the French Provinces to the English Crown, as also the Duchy of Aquitain, and the Earldoms of Guienne and Poictou by Elbiner his wife; and a great part of Ireland by conquest, towards the latter end of his Reign he was much troubled with the unnatural Rebellion of his Sons. He died the sixth day of July Anno 1189. and Reigned twenty four years and seven months lacking eleven days.  
Richard the first, for his valour and magnanimous courage, surnamed Coeur de Lion, he with a most puissant Army warred in the Holy-Land, where by his acts he made his name very famous, overcoming the Turks in several Battles, whom he had almost driven out of Syria, he also took the Isle of Cyprus which he afterwards exchanged for the Title of King of Jerusalem, after many worthy achievements performed in those Eastern parts, returning homewards to defend Normandy and Aquitain against the French, he was by a Tempest cast upon the Coast of Austria, where he was taken prisoner, and put to a most grievous Ransom; finally he was slain at the siege of Chaluz in France, by a shot from an Arbalist, the use of which warlike Engine he first showed to the French, whereupon a French Poet made these Verses in the person of Antropos.  
Hoc volo, non alia Richardum mart perire,  
Ut qui Francigenis Balistae, primitus usum  
Tradidit; ipse sui rem primitus experiatur,  
Quamque aliis docuit, in se enim sentiat artis.  
It is decreed thus must great Richard die,  
As he that first did teach the French to dart,  
An Arbalist; 'tis just he first should try,  
The strength, and taste the Fruits of his own Art.  
In his days lived those Outlaws, Robin Hood, Little John, etc.  
King John next succeeded, or rather usurped the Crown, his eldest Brothers Son Arthur of Britain being then living; He was an unnatural Son to his Father, and an undutiful subject to his Brother, neither sped he better in his own Reign, the French having almost gotten his Kingdom from him, who on the Pope's curse came to subdue it, with whom joined many of his Subjects, by which the Land was brought to much misery. Finally, after a base submission to the Pope's Legate, he was poisoned by a Monk at Sw●nested-Abby, after he had reigned seventeen years and five months lacking eight days, and lieth buried at Worcester.  
Henry the third, Son to King John, against whom the rebellious Barons strongly warred; yet however he expelled the intruding French out of England, confirmed the Statutes of Magna Charta, and having reigned fifty six years and twenty eight days, was buried at Westminster, of which Church he built a great part.  
Edward the first, surnamed Longshanks, who warred in the Holy-Land, where he was at the time of his Father's death; a most Heroic magnanimous Prince, he awed France, subdued Wales, and brought Scotland into subjection, disposing of the Crown thereof according to his pleasure, he brought from thence the Regal Chair, still reserved in Westminster-Abby; he was a right virtuous and fortunate Prince, Reigned thirty four years, seven months and odd days, and lieth buried at Westminster.  
Edward the second, a most dissolute Prince hated of his Nobles, and contemned by the vulgar, for his immeasurable love to Pierce Gaveston and the two Spencers, on whom he bestowed most of what his Father had purchased with his Sword, as one writeth in these Verses:  
Did Longshanks purchase with his conquering hand,  
Albania, Gascoyn, Cambria, Ireland,  
That young Carnarvan his unhappy Son,  
Should give away all that his Father won?  
He having Reigned nineteen years, six months and odd days, was deposed, and Edward his eldest Son Crowned King.  
Edward the third, that true pattern of virtue and valour, was like a rose out of a Briar, an excellent Son of an evil Father; he brought the Scots again to a formal obedience, who had gained much on the English in his Father's life time, laid claim to the Crown of France in right of his Mother, and in pursuance of his Title, gave the French two great overthrows, taking their King prisoner, with divers others of the chief Nobility: he took also that strong and almost impregnable Town of Calais, with many other fair possessions in that Kingdom. Reigned fifty years, four months and odd days, and was buried at Westminster.  
Richard the second, Son to Edward the black Prince, the eldest Son of King Edward the third, an ungoverned and dissolute King; He rejected the sage advice of his Grave Counsellors, was most ruled by his own self-willed passions, lost what his Father and Grandfather had gained, and at last his own life to the Lancastrian faction: in his time was that famous, or rather infamous rebellion of Wat Taylor and Jack Straw. He having Reigned twenty two years, three months and odd days, was deposed and murdered at Pomfret Castle.  
Henry the fourth, Son to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, third Son to Edward the third, obtained the Crown more by force than by lawful succession: he was a wise prudent Prince, but having gotten the Crown unjustly, was much troubled with insurrection of of the subjects, which he having quieted, surrendered to fate, having reigned thirteen years, six months and odd days, and was buried at Canterbury.  
Henry the fifth, who from a dissolute vicious Prince, became the mirror of Kings, and pattern of all Heroic performance, he pursued his Title to the Crown of France; bear the French at Again Court, and was in a Parliament of their Nobility, Clergy and Commons, ordained Heir apparent to the French Crown, but lived not to possess it, dying in the full carrier of his victories at Vincent Boys in France, and was brought over into England and buried at Westminster. He Reigned nine years, five months and odd days.  
Henry the sixth, surnamed of Windsor his birthplace, of whom it was prophesied, that What Henry of Monmouth had won, (which was his Father) Henry of Windsor should lose. He was a very pious Prince, and upheld his State, during the life of his Uncles, John Duke of Bedford, and Humphrey of Gloucester: after whose deaths, the Nobility growing factious, he not only lost France to the French but England and his life to the Yorkish faction. He having reigned thirty eight years, was overthrown by Edward Earl of March, descended by the Mother's side from Lionel Duke of Clarence, second Son to King Edward the third, was arrested and sent to the Tower: where within a while after he was murdered, and buried at Cherlsey, since removed to Windsor.  
Edward the fourth, a prudent politic Prince; He after nine bloody Battles, especially that of Tawton, in which were slain of the English thirty six thousand on both sides was at last quietly seated in his dominions of England and Ireland. Reigned twenty two years, one month and odd days, and was buried at Windsor.  
Edward the fifth, his Son, a King proclaimed, but before his Coronation was murdered in the Tower.  
Richard the third, brother to Edward the fourth, was Crowned King, ascending to the same by steps of blood, murdering King Henry the sixth, and Prince Edward his Son, 3. George Duke of Clarence his own Brother, with many faithful servants to King Edward. 4. Edward the fifth his lawful Sovereign, with Prince Richard his brother. 5. Henry Duke of Buckingham his great friend, and sixth one Collingborn an Esquire, who was hanged, drawn and quartered, for making this Verse:  
The Cat, the Rat, and Lowel our Dog,  
Rule all England under a Hog.  
Finally, having reigned two years and two months, he was slain by Henry Earl of Richmond, and buried at Grey Friars Church at Leicester.  
Henry the seventh, who united the two Houses of York and Lancaster, by marrying with Elizabeth the Daughter and Heir to Edward the fourth. He was a Prince of marvellous Wisdom, Policy, Justice, Temperance and Gravity; and notwithstanding great troubles and wars, which he had against homebred Rebels, he kept his Realm in right good order; He builded the Chapel to Westminster-Abby, a most accurate piece of Work, wherein he was interred after he had reigned twenty three years and eight months.  
Henry the eight, who banished the Pope's supremacy out of England, won Bulloign from the French: lived beloved and feared of his Neighbour Princes, the last of our Kings whose name began with the Letter H. which Letter had been accounted strange and ominous, every mutation in our State being as it were ushered in by it, according as I find it thus versed in Albion's England.  
Not superstitiously I speak, but H this Letter still  
Hath been accounted ominous to England's good or ill.  
First Hercules, Hesion, and Helen were the cause  
Of war to Troy, Aeneas seed becoming so Outlaws.  
Humber the Hum with foreign Arms did first the Brutes invade,  
Helen to Rome's Imperial Throne the British Crown conveyed.  
Hengist and Horsus first did plant the Saxons in this Isle,  
Hunger and Hubba first brought Danes that swayed here long while.  
At Harold had the Saxons end, at Hardy Cnute the Dane,  
Henry's the first and second did restore the English Reign.  
Fourth Henry first for Lancaster did England's Crown obtain.  
Seventh Henry jarring Lancaster and York unites in peace,  
Henry the eighth did happily Rome's irreligion cease.  
King Henry having Reigned thirty seven years, nine months and odd days, died and was buried at Windsor.  
Edward the sixth, a most virtuous religious Prince, whose wisdom was above his years, and whose piety was exemplary, he perfected the Reformation begun by his father King Henry. At the age of sixteen years he departed this life, having Reigned six years, five months and odd days, and was buried at Westminster.  
Marry his Sister whom King Henry begat of Katherine of Spain, she restored again the Mass, set at liberty those Bishops imprisoned in her brother's Reign, and imprisoned those who would not embrace the Romish persuasion. She was very zealous in the cause of the Pope, for not yielding to which, many godly Bishops, and others of the Reformation suffered Mattyrdom, In her time was Calais lost to the French, the grief whereof it was thought broke her heart, she Reigned five years, four months and odd days, and was buried at Westminster.  
Elizabeth, daughter to Henry the eighth by the Lady Ann of Boulogne; a most Heroic virtuous Lady, she again banished the Pope's power out of England, reduced Religion to its primitive purity, and refined the Coins which were then much corrupt. For the defence of her Kingdom, she stored her Royal Navy with all warlike munition, aided the Scots against the French, the French Protestants against the Catholics, and both against the Spaniard, whose invincible Armado (as it was termed) she overthrew in 88 Holland found her a fast friend against the force of Spain; the Ocean itself was at her command, and her name grew so redoubted, that the Muscovite willingly entered into League with her. She was famous for her Royal Government amongst the Turks, Persians, and Tartars; which having endured forty four years, five months, and odd days, she died, being aged about seventy years, and was buried at Westminster.  
King James, a Prince from his Cradle, the sixth of that name in Scotland, and the first in England. He excelled for Learning and Religion a second Solomon, in whose Reign during all the time thereof, our Land was enriched with those two blessings of Peace and Plenty. He died in a good old age, notwithstanding the Treason of the Gowries and the Powder-plot. Reigned twenty two years and three days, and was buried at Westminster.  
Charles the first, Son to King James, a most pious, prudent, virtuous Prince, enriched with all excellencies both of mind and body: He was by his own Subjects most barbarously murdered before his PallaceGate at Whitehall, Jan. 30. An. 1648. after he had Reigned twenty three years, ten months and 3 days.  
Twit Papists now not with the Powder-plot,  
This blacker deed will make the same forgot.  
Charles the second, the Heir of his Father's virtues and Crown, who having been long detained from his right, by the prevailing sword of Rebels, was miraculously restored to his Subjects and Kingdom, May the 29. 1660. Who God grant long, long, long to Reign.  
May they be all Rebels and Traitors reckoned,  
Who wish the least hurt unto Charles the Second.   

Hereafter followeth the Histories of St Denis the Titulary Saint of France, St. Romain, and some others, being after used in discourse, for the Readers better information and delight, according as we find it in the Legend of them.  
SAint Denis is said to be the same Dionysius of Areopagita, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles; who being converted himself, thirsted after the conversion of others, and ●o that end he with Rusticus and Elutherius ●ravelled into France, then called gaul's, where he converted many to Christianity, and become the first Bishop of Paris, making Rus●icus his Archpriest, and Elutherius his Dea●on. Afterwards in the Reign of Domitian the Emperor, persecution growing hot, Fes●ennius Governor of Paris commanded that ●e should bow before the Altar of Mercury, and offer Sacrifice unto him, which St. Denis with the other two beforenamed refusing to do they were all three of them condemned to be beheaded, which was accordingly executed on Montmatre, distant about a mile from Paris. Now it came to pass that when the Executioner had smitten off Saint Denis his head, that he caught it up, between his Arms, and ran with it down the Hill as fast as his legs could carry him; half a mile from the place of his Execution, he sat down and rested; and so he did nine times in all, till he came to the place where his Church is now built, where he met with a very old woman whom he charged to bury him in that place, and then fell down and died, being three English miles from Montmatre, and there he was buried together with Rusticus and Elutherius; who were brought after him by the people. Afterwards by the succeeding ages, when Christianity had gotten the upperhand of Paganism, in the nine several places where he rested, are erected so many handsome Crosses of stone all of a making.  
To the memory of this Saint, did Dagobert the first build a Church in the place where he was buried; for so it happened that this Dagobert during the life of Clotoyre the second his Father, had cruelly slain Sadrasegille h●● Governor. To avoid the fury of his Father much incensed with that Unprincely action, he was compelled to wander up and down France, hungry and thirsty. In this miserable condition coming to the Sepulchre of S● Denis, he laid him down and slept, when there appeared to him an old man with a staff i● his hand, who told him that his Father wa● dead, and that he should be King, and desired him that when it came so to pass, he would build a Church there in the honour of St. Denis; which Dagobert coming to be King accordingly did, and a Bishop was sent for i● all haste to bless it. But it happened the night before the Bishops coming, that there cam● to the Town an ugly Leper, who desired to lie in the Church. And when he was ther● about twelve a clock at night, our Saviour came into the Church in white Garments, and with him the Apostles, Angels, and Martyrs with most delicious Music. And then Christ blessed the Church, and bid the Leper tel● the Bishop, that the Church was already blessed, and for a token of it, he gave the Lep●● his health, who on the next morning wa● found to be sound and perfectly whole.  
The Legend of Saint Romain.  
SAint Romain was Bishop of Roven i● France; It happened that in his time there was a poisonous Dragon, which had done much harm to all the country thereabouts, many ways had been tried to destroy him but none prospered; at last Romain being then Bishop of the Town undertook to do it; and accompanied only with a Thief and a Murderer, he marched towards the place where the Dragon lay; upon sight of the Dragon the Thief stole away, but the Murderer went on, and saw the Holy man vanquish the Serpent and only with a Stole ● which is a neck habit sanctified by his Holiness of Rome, and made much after the manner of a Tippet) with this stole tied about the neck of the Dragon, doth the Murderer ●ead him prisoner to Roven, the people much admiring at the same, highly extolling the Bishop, pardoned the Murderer, and burned the Dragon to ashes. In memory of this marvellous act, King Dagobert the first, (who Reigned in France Anno 632) granted unto Andoin or Owen, successor to St. Romain, that from that time forwards the Chapitre of the Cathedral Church of Roven, should every Ascension day, have the faculty of delivering ●ny Malefactor, whom the Laws had condemned. This that King then granted, and all the following Kings even to this time have successively confirmed it.  
Of Saint Dunstan.  
SAint Dunstan was Archbishop of Canterbury in the time of Etheldred the Saxon King; he was (according to the opinion of these times) of great sanctity of life, being ● sleep one day in the Church he dreamt some thing of the Devil, whereupon he ran about pursuing him even to the top of the Church, and came down again in his sleep without any hurt. At another time the Devil came to tempt him in the likeness of a beautiful Damosel, but St. Dunstan caught up a pair of tongs being red hot, and therewith so pinched the Devil by the Nose, a● quite spoiled his countenance, and for ever taking Tobacco throw the nose again. He also coming once into a Gentleman's house where were several Instruments hanging up against the Wall, at his entrance in, they of their own accord fell on playing. It is reported of him that when he Christened King Ethelred, the child with his ordure defiled the Fount, whereupon Sr. Dunstan said, By God's Holy Mother, this Child if he live will prove a slothful person, which accordingly came to Pass, the Danes in his time overrunning England. This Saint Dunstan flourishing about the year of our Lord 978.  
Of Thomas Becket.  
THomas Becket was the Son of one Gilbert Becket which Gilbert being taken prisoner among the Saracens, the King's daughter of that country fell in love with him, gained his liberty, and came over into England, where she was baptised in the Church of S. Paul, and married to this Gilbert, who upon her begot this Thomas, afterwards made Archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry th● second, in which place he behaved himself very high; as well against the King as against the Nobles; nor was he it seems much beloved of the Commons, for coming one day into Town in Kent, the people cut off his Horse tail, whereupon the Children of that Count for a long time after (as the Legend reports were born with long tails like Horses, he was at last slain in his Cathedral Church of Canterbury by four Knights; and after his death by the Pope Canonised for aSaint. Many miracles are said to be by him performed, as namely, how a fellow for stealing a Whetstone was deprived of his eyes, but praying to St. Thomas, he had his sight again restored; nay a Bird flying out of a Cage, and being pursued by a Hawk, and ready to be seized on, the Bird crying out only Saint Thomas help me, the Hawk immediately fell down dead, and the Bird escaped. His Tomb was afterwards much enriched with costly gifts and visited by Pilgrims from all places, according to what we find in Chaucer,  
From every Shires end  
Of England do they wend,  
The Holy blissful Martyr's Tomb to seek,  
Who hath them holpen wherein they beseek.   

JESTS.  
A new way to know the Father of a Child.  
A Wench that lived in a Knight's service was gotten with child, and brought to bed of a goodly Boy, before it was publicly known in the house: after her uprising, being examined before a Justice of the Peace, to know who was the Father of the child, she said, she could not tell well herself; for there was two of the Knight's servants that had to do with her about the same time, whereof one was a Welsh man, the other an English man: one of them she said was the father, but which of the two she was not certain. This doubtful case put the Justice in a great quandary, upon which of them to lay the charge of bringing up the child, but the Clerk said he would soon decide the controversy whose the child was; and thereupon went into the Kitchen, and toasted a bit of Cheese, and then brought it and offered it the child, putting it to his mouth, which made the Child to cry, refusing it as much as it could. Whereupon the Clerk said, upon my life the Welshman is not the father of it, for if he were, it would have eaten toasted cheese at a day old.  
The King of sweden Goose.  
THe King of Swethland coming to a town of his enemies with a very little company, they to slight his force, did hang out a Goose for him to shoot at; but perceiving before night that these few soldiers had invaded, and set their chiefest Holds on fire, they demanded of him what his intent was? To whom he answered, To roast your Goose.  
Upon Latin.  
A Company of Country fellows disputing of Learning, and what a crooked, hard, and intricate a thing it was to be a good Scholar: Truly says one, and so it is; for I have heard your best Latin is in Crooked-Lane.  
The Fellow and Miller.  
ONe being much abused by a Miller, the fellow at last told him, that he thought that there was nothing that he could imagine more valiant than the Collar of a miller's shirt; and being asked what reason he had to think so? he answered, Because every morning it had a thief by the neck.  
Of women's pride.  
AN ancient Tradesman living in London, had a wife who carried a very stately ●ind, and delighted very much in brave apparel. Upon a time walking abroad with other women her neighbours, they espied pair of silk Stockings upon her Legs; which made them not to let their Husband's ●e in quiet, till they also had the like. Their ●●sbands unwilling to be at that charge, and ●t loath to displease their wives, went to the ●●cient Gentleman, and said, Sir, the suffe●nce of your wife's pride, hath spoiled all ●rs, for since she hath worn Silk Stockings, ●r wives have grown so importunate, that ●ey must needs have the like, and you are ●e chiefest cause in suffering her to wear the ●●me. O my good neighbours (said the Gentleman) I have great cause in doing so, for seeing I ●●nnot please my wife above the knees, I must ●eds please her below the knees, and the only ●ay to please a woman, is to let her have her will.  
A Gentleman and his Huntsman.  
A Gentleman that used to hunt very much, being at the fall of a mighty Stag, whilst he was breaking open, he began to fall in●● discourse with this Huntsman, averring, ●●at not any creature upon earth had a more ●ick and tough skin, than a well grown Stag. ●o which the Huntsman answered. Sir, if it ●e not offensive to correct you, I am not of ●our Worship's mind; for I do think many ●●ke creatures have skins tougher than any ●ag in the Forest. His Master desirous to ●ow the reason of his opinion, asked him that creatures those were? To which the Huntsman answered, Marry Sir, Cuckolds for I could never meet with any Stag whose hide was so tough, but that his horns would break out, and branch from his brows: but the skin of a Cuckold's forehead is so hate and impenetrable, that be his horns never so wide and large, they are kept so within, that they are never known to be outwardly visible.  
On a Spanish Soldier.  
A Spanish Soldier being very sick, expecting death every moment, made hi● Will, bequeathing amongst other things hi● Pistol, in an especial manner to his Physician who demanding his reason for so doing? O Sir (said he) that Instrument joined with you● Practice, you need not to fear, but you may kill whom you please.  
On a Gallants Cloak.  
ONe seeing a Gallant who had on a Cloak which was all plain without, and plush within, said, that Cloak is far different from the Wearer, who is worst within, and be● without.  
Horses to be Lett.  
A Country fellow riding to London, by chance casting his eyes upon a Sign read these words: Here are Horses to be Let 1664. which was the year when the Sign wa● first set up, but he imagining it to be th● number of the Horses; turned to his Companion and said, so many Horses in one plac● to be hired* I much marvel what shift they make for stable-room.  
Upon a Pint of Claret.  
TWo Gentlemen coming into a Tave● one of them called for a pint of Clare● why do you love Claret, said the other! for my part I'll see it burnt before I'll drink a drop of it.  
Of Rape-seed.  
A Handsome young fellow having seen a Play at the Red-Bull, after it was done came to one of the Players, and desired him ●f his leisure would permit to accept of a bottle of Wine, for his better acquaintance, which being accepted, the Player desired him ●o go as far as the Kings-head in St. Johns●treet, and he would, as soon as he had made himself ready attend him there. In the mean time to keep him company, he desired ●s friend of his to go along with him, promising to come to them instantly. But staying ● pretty space, his friend desired to be excused, he having some business to do, but engaged to be there in a quarter of an hour. The ●layer comes in the mean space, and finding ●he Gentleman alone, when his friend came, ●e began to chide him, for his absence: He presently craved pardon, and begins to excuse himself, that he had been abroad to buy Rape-seed, and that he stayed to feed his birds. ●t the word of Rape-seed, the man rose from ●he Table in great anger, telling the Player, ●hat he came in courtesy to desire his acquaintance, and to bestow the Wine upon ●im, not thinking he would have called that ●ellow up to abuse him, (they wondering that he meant) he proceeded. 'Tis true indeed I was arraigned the last Sessions at newgate for a R●pe, but I thank God I came ●ff like an honest man, l●●●le thinking to be w●●ted of it here. Both began to excuse themselves as well as they might, pleading ignorance of the knowledge of any such thing. But he that gave the offence, thinking the better to express his innocence; young Gentleman, said he, to show you how far I was from any intention of wronging you, look you here; as I have Rape-seed in one pocket for one Bird, so here is Hempseed on this side for another. At which word Hempseed, saith the young man, why villain dost the● think I have deserved hanging? and took up the pot to fling at his head, but his hand was stayed; and as error and mistake began the quarrel, so wine ended it.  
A Lady's Servingman.  
A Lady sending her Servingman to the Playhouse to know what was played that day, one of the Players told him, 'Tis pity she was a Whore, (a Play so called) which the fellow misunderstanding, told them they were base rogues to call his Lady Whore, who was as honest as any of their Mothers.  
On a Playbook.  
ONe having a Playbook called the Wit● which he much valued, by chance lo●● it, for which he fell in a very great passion one of his friends coming in the interim, an● ask the cause of his distemper: it was answered, that he had lost his Wits.  
An Ignorant Constable.  
TWo Gentlemen of Stepny, going home wards over moorfield's, about twelve of the Clock at night, were stayed by an impetinent Constable with many frivolous questions, more by half to show his Office than 〈◊〉 wit: one whereof was, If they were not afraid to go home at that time of the night? They answering no: Well said he, I shall let you pass at this time, but if you should be knocked on the head before you get home, you cannot but report that there was a good Watch kept in Moorfields.  
On the Hangman  
ONe hearing that the Hangman was forced to noose up the Vintner's Boy at Ratcliff-Cross, twice, before he was quite dead; said, that he thought the Hangman thereby had so much discredited his place, that after his death an honest man would scarcely accept of it.  
On a drunken Husband.  
A Fellow that was drunken, fell a beating of his wife, telling her of many faults that she had committed; to which she answered, you tell me of a great many crimes, but you will not stand to a word of what you speak  
A Countryman and Constable.  
A Simple Countryman having Term-business in London, and being somewhat late abroad in the night, was stayed by a Constable, ●nd somewhat hardly entreated; the poor man observing how imperiously he commanded him, asked him what he was? to which he replied, I am the Constable, and this is my Watch; and I pray you Sir (said the man) for whom do you watch? the Constable replied, ● watch for the King; for the King said the Countryman simply, than you may let me pass quietly home to my Lodging, for I can give you a Certificate from some of my Neighbours who are now in Town, that I am not the King, but Gaffer Jobson of Derbyshire.  
The Reversion of a house.  
ONe came bragging from the Court of Aldermen, overjoyed with the obtaining of a Suit, for saith he, they have promised me the Lease of the next House that falls. To whom one standing by replied, but had it been my case I should rather have petitioned for a House that had stood.  
The thief's Destiny.  
A Fellow being tried for his life before a Judge, alleged for himself, that he could not avoid it, because it was his destiny, that he should steal; If so, said the Judge then know also, It is your destiny to be hanged.  
A Spaniard whipped.  
A Spanish Cavalero being for some faults by him committed, whipped through the principal streets of Paris, and keeping a sober pace, was advised by a friend to make more haste, that he might the sooner be ou● of his pain; but he half in choler replied, That he would not lose the least step of his pace for all the Whipping in Paris.  
The distressed Mariner.  
A Mariner in a great storm prayed devoutly to the Virgin Mary, promising her, that if she would deliver them from that danger, when he came on shore, he would offer at her Altar a Candle as big as the Main Mast of his Ship; which when one of h●● Companions overheard, he jogged him o● the elbow, telling him, it was impossible to be done, Tush (said he) we must now speak h● fair because we are in trouble, but if I get safe ●● shore, I will make her be content with one of si● in the pound.  
Lame Verses.  
ONe was telling his friend of some Verses which he made as he was riding upon the Road on a trotting Horse; to whom the other answered, Nay if you had not told me, I should have known by your verses what pace your Horse went.  
A Medicine for the Tooth ache.  
A Gentleman and a Gentlewoman sat together talking, which Gentleman had a great pain in one of his teeth, and said thus; Mistress, I have a tooth in my head that grieveth me sore, I would it were in your tail: to whom she answered, in faith, Sir if your tooth were in my tail, it could do but little good: but if there be any thing in my tail that can do your tooth good, I would it were in it.  
The Country-fellow and Doctor.  
A Country-fellow was sent with his Father's urine to the Doctors, and knocking at the door, the Physician opening unto him, he presented him the Urinal; who, as he took it from his hand, asked him withal from whence he came? to whom the fellow made answer, I hope your Worship is wise enough to find that in the water.  
The Country-fellow and Judge.  
A Country-fellow was sub-poenaed for a witness upon a Trial of an action of defamation, at a quarter Sessions holden in the country, he being sworn, the Judge bid him to say the very same words that he heard spoken; the fellow was loath to speak, and humed and hawed for a good space; but being urged by the Judge, he at last spoke, My Lord, said he, you are a Rogue. The Judge seeing the people begin the laugh, called to him, and bid him speak to the Jury, for there were twelve of them.  
A Lame Horse.  
UPon a Friday in Smithfield one willing to put off a lame Horse, and therefore not willing to have him rid, had tied him by the Bridle to the Rails, a Chapman liking the Nag, came somewhat near the price, because the Seller warranted him sound of wind and limb; but before he would part with his money desirous to see what metal he had, he rid him upon the stones, and perceived the poor Jade to halt down right: at which the Chapman vexing, asked the other if he was not ashamed to put a lame unserviceable Jade upon him, and warrant him sound. To whom the other answered, I assure you, he is as sound as any Horse in England, but that it was your fortune to try him when his foot was asleep.  
The Unthrift and his Sweetheart.  
A Fellow that was a great Spendthrift told his Sweetheart that he loved her like any thing, what thing do you mean said she: Any thing Sweetheart, quoth he what you please. Then (replied she) do not love me like money. for than I am sure you will not keep me.   

POEMS.  
A farewell to folly by Sir Kenelm Digby.  
FArewel ye gilded follies, pleasing troubles;  
Farewell ye honoured rags, ye crystal bubbles;  
Fame's but a hallow echo; Gold, poor clay  
Honour, the darling but of one short day;  
Beauties chief Idol, but a damask Skin;  
State, but a Golden Prison to live in,  
And torture freeborn minds; embroidered Trains,  
But goodly Pageants: proudly swelling veins  
And blood allied to greatness, is but loan  
Inherited, not purchased, nor our own.  
Fame, Riches, Honour, Beauty, Gold, Trains, Birth,  
Are but the fading blessings of the earth.  
I would be rich, but see man too unkind  
Digs in the bowels of the richest mine.  
I would be great, but yet the Sun doth still  
Levelly his beams against the rising Hill.  
I would be fair, but see the Champion proud  
The world's fair eye, oft setting in a Cloud.  
I would be wise, but that the Fox I see  
Suspected guilty, when the Fox is free.  
I would be poor, but see the humble Grass  
Trampled upon, by each unworthy Ass,  
Rich, hated; wise suspected; scorned if poor;  
Great, feared; fair, tempted; high, still envied more.  
Would the world then adopt me for her heir  
Would Beauties Queen entitle me the fair;  
Fame speaks me Honour's Minion; and could I  
With Indian Angels, and a speaking eye,  
Command bare heads, bowed knees, strike Justice dumb,  
As well as blind, as lame, and give a tongue  
To stones by Epitaphs, be called great Master  
In the loose lines of every Poetaster;  
Could I be more than any man that lives,  
Great, wife, rich, fair, in all superlatives:  
Yet I these favours would more free resign,  
Than ever Fortune would have had them mine:  
I count one minute of my holy leisure,  
Beyond the mirth of all this earthly pleasure  
Welcome pure thoughts, welcome ye careless Groves,  
These are my Guests, this is the court age loves.  
The winged people of the skies shall sing  
Me Anthems, by my sellers gentle Spring  
Divinity shall be my Looking glass,  
Wherein I will adore sweet Virtues face.  
Here dwells no heartless Loves, no pale faced Fears,  
No short Joys purchased with eternal tears.  
Here will I sit and sing my hot youth's folly,  
And learn to affect an holy Melancholy;  
And if Contentment be a stranger, then  
I'll ne'er look for it but in Heaven again,  
Humane Life Charactered by Francis Viscount St. Albans.  
THe World's a Bubble,  
And the Life of Man,  
Less than a span.  
In his Conception wretched,  
From the Womb,  
So to the Tomb;  
Cursed from his Cradle,  
And brought up to years,  
With Care and Fears.  
Who then to frail Mortality shall trust,  
But lines the water, and doth write in dust.  
Yet whiles with sorrow  
Here we live oppressed,  
What life is best?  
Courts are but  
Superficial Schools  
To dandle fools:  
The Rural parts  
Are turned into a Den  
Of savage men:  
And where's a City from all vice so free,  
But may be termed the worst of all the three:  
Domestic Care  
Afflicts the Husband's bed,  
Or pains his head:  
Those that love single,  
Take it for a Curse,  
Or do things worse:  
Some wish for Children,  
Those that have them, none,  
Or wish them gone;  
What is it then to have, or have no wife,  
But single thraldom, or a double strife.  
Our own affections  
Still at home to please,  
Is a Disease;  
To cross the Seas  
To any foreign Soil,  
Peril or toil:  
Wars with their noise affrighe us,  
And when they cause,  
We are worse in peace:  
What then remains? but that we still should cry,  
Not to be born, or being born, to die,  
A Prisoner's Complaint.  
I La●e used to resort unto the Brook,  
To catch the fish, with either net or hook:  
Where as 〈◊〉 creatures did I le●rn unto me,  
From danger neither land nor waters free:  
For whilst on Fowls, Fishes, and Beasts we feed,  
Earth, Air, and Water shall be ransacked,  
The gluttonous belly to satisfy,  
Thus to preserve one Creatures life, how many creatures die?  
I late used to walk abroad i'th' fields,  
To take the pleasure spring and summer yields  
Whereas the Flowers denote to me;  
Of our short life the mutability.  
One day in pomp, next day i'th' dirt they lie;  
This day we live, too morrow we may die.  
For this our life's so short, and full of sorrow,  
None can assure himself to day, he shall live till to morrow.  
I once used to rise early in the morn,  
To hunt the Fox that enemy to Corn:  
And chase the timorous Hare, and by that way,  
I had both pleasure, and sometimes a prey.  
But of those Joys I am now quite bereft,  
And unto me (alas) is nothing left,  
But the remembrance only: poor relief,  
To think on Joys that now are past, to ease my present grief.  
The Description of a chaste Mistress.  
LIke the Violet, which alone  
Prospers in some happy shade.  
Such my Mistress lives unknown,  
To no loser eye betrayed.  
For she's to herself untive,  
Who delights i'th' public view.  
Such her beauty as no Arts,  
Have enriched with borrowed grace;  
Her high Birth no pride imparts,  
For she blushes in her place.  
Folly boasts a glorious blood,  
She is noblest being good,  
Cautious, she knew never yet  
What a wanton Courtship meant;  
Nor speaks loud to boast her wit,  
In her silence eloquent.  
Of herself survey she takes,  
But between men no difference makes.  
She obeys with speedy will,  
Her grave Parents wise commands;  
And so innocent, that ill  
She nor acts, nor understands.  
women's feet run still astray,  
If once to ill they know the way.  
She say is by that Rock, the Court,  
Where oft Honour splits her Mast,  
And Retir'dness thinks the Port,  
Where her Fame may Anchor cast.  
Virtue safely cannot sit,  
Where Vice is enthroned for Wit.  
She holds that days pleasure best,  
Where sin waits not on delight;  
Without Masque, or Ball, or Feast,  
Sweetly spends a winter's night.  
O'er that darkness whence is thrust,  
Prayer and sleep oft governs lust.  
She her throne makes reason climb,  
While wild passions captive lie;  
And each article of time,  
Her pure thoughts to Heaven fly.  
All her Vows religious be,  
And her Love she vows to me.  
The Surprisal: Or Loves Tyranny.  
THere's no dallying with Love,  
Though he be a Child and and blind:  
Then let none the danger prove,  
Who would to himself be kind.  
Smile he does when thou dost play,  
But his smiles to death betray.  
Lately with the Boy I sported,  
Love I did not, yet love feigned;  
Had no Mistress, yet I courted:  
Sigh I did, yet was not pained;  
Till at last his love in jest,  
Proved in earnest my unrest.  
When I saw my fair One first,  
In a feigned fire I burned,  
But true flames my poor heart pierced,  
When her eyes on mine she turned:  
So a real wound I took,  
For my counterfeited look.  
Slighted Love his skill to show,  
Struck me with a mortal dart,  
Then I learned that 'gainst his Bow,  
Vain are all the helps of Art.  
And thus captived found that true,  
Doth dissembled Love pursue.  
'Cause his fetters I disclaimed,  
Now the Tyrant faster bound me,  
With more scorching Bonds in flamed,  
'Cause in love so cold he found me,  
And my sighs more scalding made,  
'Cause with winds before they played.  
Who love not then, o make no show:  
Love's as ill deceived as Fate;  
Fly the Boy, he'll cog and woe,  
Mock him, and he'll wound the straight.  
They who dally, boast in vain,  
False love wants not real pain.   

Choice Songs, which sometimes may be used for the sweetening of tedious Discourse.  
The Baseness of the Whores.  
TRust no more a wanton Whore,  
If thou lov'st health and freedom,  
They are so base in every place,  
'Tis pity that bread should fed 'em,  
All their sense is impudence,  
Which some call good conditions,  
Stink they do above ground too,  
Of Surgeons and Physicians.  
If you are nice they have their spice,  
On which they'll chew to slour you:  
And if you not discern the plot,  
You have no Nose about you.  
Together more they have in store,  
For which I deadly hate 'em,  
Presumed gear to stuff each ear,  
And for their cheeks Pomatum.  
Liquorish sluts, they feast their guts  
At Chuffins' cost, like Princes,  
Amber Plums, and Macaroons,  
And costly candied Quinces.  
Potato-pies supports the Rump,  
Eringo strengthens Nature,  
Viper wine to heat the Chine,  
They'll gender with a satire.  
Name's they own are never known  
Throughout their generation,  
Noblemen are kin to them,  
At least by approbation:  
If any dote on a Gay-coat,  
But mark what there is stamped on't,  
A Stone-horse wild with Tool defiled,  
Two Goats, a Lion Rampant.  
Truth to say, Paint and Array,  
Makes them so highly prized,  
Yet not one well of ten can tell,  
If ere they were baptised.  
And if not, then 'tis a blot  
Past cure of Sponge or Leather,  
And we may sans question say,  
The Devil was their Godfather.  
Now to leave them, he receive them,  
Whom they most confide in,  
Whom that that is, ask Tib or Sis,  
Or any whom next you ride in:  
If in sooth she speaks the truth,  
She says excuse I pray you,  
The beast you ride, where I confide,  
Will in due time convey you.  
A Song.  
MIstake me not,  
I am as cold as hot:  
For though thine eyes betrays my heart o'er night,  
Ere morn, ere morn, ere morning all is right.  
Sometimes I burn,  
And then do I return,  
There's nothing so unconstant as my mind,  
I change, I change, I change even as the wind.  
Perhaps in jest,  
I said I loved the best,  
But 'twas no more, than what was long before,  
I'd vowed, I'd vowed I'd vowed to twenty more.  
Then I prithee see,  
I give no heart to thee,  
For when I ne'er could keep my own one day,  
What hope, what hope, what hope hadst thou to stay?  
A Song.  
I Loved a Lass, alas my folly!  
Was full of her coy of disdaining,  
I courted her thus, what shall I sweet Molly  
Do for thy dear loves obtaining?  
At length I did dally so long with my Molly,  
That Molly for all her feigning,  
Had got such a Mountain above her Valley,  
That Molly came home complaining.  
The Invitation.  
Why sit you here so dull  
You lively Lads that love  
The pleasure of the Plains,  
And sport enchanting Jove?  
My merry Muse brings other News,  
And time invites to go,  
Fill Nectar's cup, the Hare is up,  
We come to sing soho.  
My pipe is of the pure  
Cane of a Winter-corn,  
By force of Cynthia's lure  
Transformed into a Horn.  
Aurora's look hath changed my Crook  
Into a bended bow,  
And Pan shall keep my patient sheep  
While here we sing so ho.  
Let us be like the Swains  
That only undergoes  
The pleasures of the Plains,  
In place where Boreas blows.  
And every night take our delight,  
With our she-friend and so  
Both night and day we'll sport and play,  
And merrily sing So Ho.  
To make much of Time.  
GAther your Rosebuds whilst you may,  
Old time is still a flying,  
And that same flower that smiles to day,  
To morrow will be dying.  
The glorious Lamp of Heaven, the Sun,  
The higher he is getting,  
The sooner will his Race be run,  
And nearer to his setting.  
That age is best which is the first,  
When youth, and blood are warmer,  
And being spent, the Worst and worst  
Times still succeed the former.  
Then be not coy, but use your time,  
And while you may, go marry,  
For having lost but once your prime,  
You may for ever tarry.  
The Prisoner.  
When Love with unconfined wings  
Hovers within my Gates,  
And my divine Althaea begins  
To whisper at the Grates,  
When I lay tangled in her hair,  
And fettered to her eye,  
The Gods that wander in the air,  
Know no such liberty.  
When flowing Cups run swiftly round,  
With no allaying thames,  
Our careless heads with Roses round,  
Our hearts with loyal flames,  
When thirsty grief in wine we steep  
When Healths and Draughts go free,  
Fishes that tipple in the deep  
Know no such liberty.  
When like committed Linnets I  
With shriller throat shall sing,  
The Sweetness, Mercy, Majesty,  
And Glories of my King.  
When I shall sing aloud how good  
He is, how great should be,  
●nlarged winds that curl the floods  
Know no such liberty.  
●tone walls do not a Prison make,  
Nor Iron bars a Cage,  
Minds innocent and quiet take  
That for an Hermitage,  
●● I had freedom in my love,  
And in my soul am free,  
Angels alone that soar above,  
Enjoy such Liberty.  
A Song.  
Earned shade of Tycho Brache, who to us  
The Stars prophetic Language didst impart,  
And even in life their mysteries discuss,  
My Mistress has o'erthrown my strongest art  
When custom stragles from her beaten path  
Then accidents must needs uncertain be;  
●or if my Mistress smile, though winter hath  
●ockt up the rivers, Summer's warm in me.  
And Flora by the miracle revived  
Doth even at her own beauty wondering stand;  
●ut should she frown, the Northern wind arrived  
●n midst of Summer, hands his frozen band,  
Which doth to Ice my youthful blood congeal,  
●et in the midst of Ice still flames my zeal.  
The Lover.  
I Must confess I am in love,  
Although I thought I never should:  
It is with one dropped from above,  
Whom Nature made of purer mould,  
So sweet, so fair, so all divine.  
I'd quit the world to make her mine.  
Have you not seen the Stars retreat,  
When Sol salutes the Hemisphere;  
So shines the Beauty called great,  
When fair Rosella doth appear;  
Where she as other women are,  
I need not court her, nor despair.  
But I could never bear a mind,  
Willing to stoop to common faces:  
Nor confidence enough could find,  
To aim at one so full of graces;  
Fortune and Nature did agree,  
No woman should be fit for me.  
Yet when her mind is firmly set,  
To lend a smile to none but me,  
Then shall I all my joys forget,  
And smile at quondam misery.  
He who hath such a heavenly mate,  
May think himself most fortunate.  
My dear Rosella make my bliss,  
Happy by your most sweet consent,  
Then shall I think no life like this,  
Which brings to me so much content,  
And you shall by this bargain win,  
Although you lose the Fort within.  
What life so sweet as natural love,  
It doth expel all worldly care,  
It makes us like the gods above,  
And shows us truly what we are.  
Where true love reigns, there is small odds,  
betwixt us mortals and the Gods.  
Upon passionate Love.  
NO man loves fiery passion can approve,  
As either yielding pleasure or promotion,  
● like a mild and lukewarm zeal in love,  
Although I do not like it in devotion,  
●esides, man need not love unless he please,  
No destiny can force man's disposition,  
How then can any die of that disease,  
When as himself may be his own Physician?  
Some one perhaps in long Consumption dried,  
And after falling into love, may die,  
But I dare lay my life he ne'er had died,  
Had he been healthy at the heart as I.  
Some others rather than incur the slander  
Of false Apostates, may true Martyrs prove,  
But I am neither Iphis, nor Leander,  
I'll neither hang nor drown myself for love,  
Yet I have been a Lover by report,  
And I have died for love as others do,  
But praised be Jove, it was in such a sort,  
That I revived within an hour or two.  
Thus have I loved, thus have I lived till now  
And know no reason to repent me yet,  
And he that any otherwise shall do,  
His courage is no better than his wit.   

EPIGRAMS, New and Old.  

To the Reader.  
THou that readest those, if thou commendest them all,  
Thou'st too much milk; if none, thou'st too much gall.   

Another.  
MY Book the World is, Verses are the men,  
You find as few good here, as amongst them.   

On Rubinus.  
RUbinus is extreme in Eloquence,  
For he creates rare Phrase, but never sense:  
Unto his Serving man, alias his Boy,  
He utters speech exceeding acquaint and coy,  
Diminutive, and my defective slave,  
My pleasure's pleasure is, that I must have  
My Corpse Coverture, and immediately,  
T'insconce my Person from frigidity.  
His man believed all Welsh his Master spoke,  
Till he rails English, Rogue, go fetch my Cloak.   

On Mambrino.  
MAmbrino having spent all his Estate;  
Went to the wars to prove more fortunate;  
Being returned, he speak such warlike words,  
No Dictionary half the like affords.  
He talks of Flankers, Gabions: and Scaladoes  
Of Courtneys, Parapets, and Palizadoes,  
Retreats, and Triumphs, and of Cammisadoes,  
Of Sallies, Halfmoons, and of Ambuscado's,  
I to requite the fustian terms he uses,  
Reply with words belonging to the Muses,  
As Spondes, Dactyls, and Hexameters,  
Stops, Commas, Accents, Types, Tropes, and Pentameters,  
Madrigals, Epicediums, Elegies,  
Satyrs, iambics, and Apostrophes,  
Acrostics, Palinodes, and Anagrams,  
●glogues, Sapphicks, Lyr'ck, Epigrams.  
Thus talking, & being understood by neither,  
We part as wise as when we came together.   

On Doctor Bond.  
DOctor Bond to avoid all further strife,  
Riding before, turned back to kiss his kind, wife,  
And was not Doctor Bond then wondrous  
Riding before to kiss his wife behind?   

In Dolentem.  
DOlens doth show his Purse, and tells you this,  
●t is more horrid than a Pesthouse is;  
For in a Pesthouse many mortals enter,  
But in his purse one Angel dares not venture.   

On Frances.  
FRanks flesh is free, and yet it is not free;  
Strange this may seem to some how it should be:  
Franks flesh is free to any who so pleases,  
Franks flesh is not free from French Diseases.   

Bess' Bravery.  
BEss does not only hide her privy ware,  
But breast and neck, where coyest maids go bare;  
Yet there is one foul unbeseeming place,  
Uncovered left, what call you that? her face.   

Of a Dwarf, Old.  
A Dwarf upon a Pismires back,  
Did get him up to ride,  
He deemed a tamed Elephant,  
He did as then bestride:  
But while he did advance himself,  
To hold upon his back,  
He ambled down, and had a fall,  
That made his Guts cry quack.  
When as the Dwarf was thus unhorsed,  
Each laughed both great and small,  
Why laugh you Masters, quoth the Dwarf,  
What? Phaeton had a fall.   

On the Compter.  
BEdlam, fate bless thee, thou want'st enough but wit,  
And having gotten that, we're freed from it  
Bridewell, I cannot any way dispraise thee,  
For thou dost feed the poor, & jerk the lazy  
Newgate, I cannot much of thee complain,  
For once a month, thou freest men out o● pain;  
But from the Compter, goodness itself defend us  
To Bedlam, Bridewell, or to Newgate send us,  
For there in time, Wits, Work, or Law set free;  
Nothing but Money here gets liberty.   

On a Prison.  
A Prison is a house of care,  
A grave for men alive,  
A Touchstone, for to try a friend,  
No place for men to thrive.   

Self-Love.  
WE to ourselves most partial Judges be,  
And faults in others, not ourselves can see;  
Our enemies, we would have them be haltered,  
But when we judge ourselves, The Case is altered.   

In Cornutum.  
Toms' wife is sick, and therefore he doth run  
In haste to fetch the Midwife, which being doubt,  
He runs to call the women in with speed,  
To help his wife in this her extreme need.  
The Child being born, than Tom about doth troth,  
●nd never leaves till he hath Gossips got.  
Tom, I needs must say thou hast hard measure,  
●o take such pains, when others had the pleasure.   

Mysus and Mopsa.  
MYsus and Mopsa hardly can agree,  
Striving about superiority.  
●he Text which saith that man and wife are one,  
Was the chief Argument they stood upon,  
●he held they both one woman should become.  
●e held they should be man, and both but one,  
●o they contended daily, but the strife  
Could not be ended, till both were one wife.   

De Sanitate & Medico.  
HEalth is a Jewel rich, which when we buy,  
Physicians value it accordingly.   

On Perfumes.  
THey that smell least, smell best; which intimates,  
They smell like Beasts, that smell like Civet-Cats.   

Of Tyndarus. Old.  
A Wight whose name was Tyndar, would  
Have kissed a pretty Lass;  
Her nose was long, (and Tyndar he  
A flouting fellow was)  
Wherefore unto her thus he said,  
I cannot kiss you sweet,  
Your Nose stands out so far, that sure  
Our lips can never meet.  
The maiden nipped thus by the Nose,  
Strait blushed as red as fire,  
And with this gird displeased, thus  
She spoke to him in Ire.  
Quoth she if that my Nose do let  
Your lips from kissing mine,  
You there may kiss me where that I  
Have neither nose nor eyen.   

An old Lecher.  
REmbombo straddling goes in great distress  
As if he had the French P— yet confess  
He will it not, nor can I think the same,  
Sith he in France at any time ne'er came:  
Then since he never came whereas they grew,  
Let all men be appeased, the tale's untrue.  
For how should he be troubled with French sores,  
Who never used any but English Whores?   

The fencer and Physic Doctor.  
LIe thus (the Fencer cries) thus must you guard,  
Thus must you slip, thus point, thus pass, thus ward;  
And if you kill him Sir, this trick learn then,  
With this same trick you may kill twenty men.  
Both you and he to me may come to School,  
Thou dost but prate, my deed shall show my Skill,  
Where thou hur●stone an hundred I do kill   

On Epigrams.  
AN Epigram that's new, sharp, near, and witty,  
Is like a Wench that's handsome, fine young, pretty,  
Whilst they are private they are much respected,  
Once common, though still good, they are neglected.   

On Saint George.  
SAint George 'tis writ, his cutting morglay drew,  
And with the same a burning Dragon slew;  
Some say there are no Dragons, yet the story  
Says he preserved a Virgin to his glory.  
That Dragons were into my mind doth sink,  
But for a maid, I know not what to think.   

Conclusion of the Epigrams.  
Here Muse cast Anchor for a little while,  
And to more mournful matter turn thy stile.    

EPITAPHS.  

On a Hocus Pocus.  
HEre Hocus lies with his tricks and his knocks,  
Whom Death hath made sure as a Juggler's box;  
Who many hath cozened by his Leigerdemain,  
●s Presto conveyed. and here underlain:  
Thus Hocus is here, and here he is not,  
While Death played the Hocus, and brought him to th' pot.   

On a Baldpate.  
HEre lieth John Baker wrapped in mould,  
Who never gave penny to have his head pol'd;  
Now the Pox and the Plague light on such a device,  
That undid the Barber and starved the Lice.   

On a Drunkard.  
HEre now into this Grave a man is thrust,  
Who is by drinking drunk as dry as dust.   

On Bernard.  
IF Heaven be pleased when men do cease to sin,  
And Hell be pleased when it a soul doth win,  
If men be pleased when they have lost a knave,  
Then all are pleased; here's Bernard in his Grave.   

On a Cobbler.  
HEre lies an honest Cobbler, whom cursed fate,  
Perceiving near worn out, would needs translate,  
'Twas a good thrifty soul, and time hath been,  
He would well liquored wade through thick and thin;  
But now he's gone 'tis all that can be said,  
Honest John Cobbler, is here-under-laid.   

On John Taylor the water-Poet.  
HEre lies the Water-poet honest John,  
Who rowed on the streams of Helicon:  
Where having many Rocks and dangers past,  
He at the Haven of Heaven arrived at last.   

On a Man and his Wife buried together.  
REader, cease thy pace and stay,  
Harken unto what we say;  
As you are, such once were we,  
As we are such shall you be.  
Then provide whilst time ye have,  
To come Godly unto your grave.   

An ancient Epitaph on an Earl of Devonshire.  
HOstay, who lies here?  
I the good Earl of Devonshire,  
And Manned my Wife that loved full dear,  
We lived LXV. year.  
What we spent, we had;  
What we gave, we have;  
What we lent, we lost.   

On John Lilburn.  
UNtimely, cause so late, and late because,  
To some much mischief it no sooner was:  
●s John departed, and is Lilburn gone?  
Farewell to both, to Lilburn and to John:  
Yet being dead, take this advice from me,  
Let them not both in one Grave buried be;  
Lay John here, and Lilburn thereabout,  
For if they both should meet, they would fall out.   

On Hugh Peter.  

HEre lies the first and last edition,  
Of Hugh, the Teacher of Sedition;  
Whose fatal thread, that thread of Life,  
Was cut in two by Squire Donne's Knife:  
His jests and Drols could not him save,  
To go untimely to his Grave;  
Mean time Tyburn felt the loss,  
That he was hanged at Charing-Cross.  
On William Summer, King Henry the Eights Jester.   

STay Traveller, guess who lies here,  
I tell the neither Lord nor Peer:  
●o Knight, no Gentleman of note,  
●hat boasts him of his ancient Coat,  
Which Heralds curiously emblazon,  
For men (well skilled therein) to gaze on;  
●now then, that this was no such man,  
●nd I'll express him as I can.  
He that beneath this Tombstone lies,  
●ome called fool, some held him wise,  
●or which who better proof can bring,  
●hen to be favoured by a King:  
●nd yet again we may misdoubt him,  
A King hath always fools about him.  
Is he more Idiot than the rest,  
Who in a guarded coat can jest?  
Or can he wisdoms honour gain,  
That is all bravery, and no brain?  
Since no such things, wit truly bred,  
I'th' habit lies not, but i'th' head.  
But whether he was Fool or Knave,  
He now lies sleeping in his Grave;  
Who never in his life found match,  
Unless the Cardinal's fool, called Patch:  
Of whom some Courtiers, who did see  
Them two alone, might say, We three.  
And 'tmay be feared it is a phrase,  
That may be used still in these days.  
Well more of him what should I say:  
Both fools, and wise men turn to clay:  
And this is all we have to trust,  
That there's no difference in their dust.  
Rest quiet then beneath this stone,  
To whom late Archy was a drone.    

Stultorum plenasunt omnia. On Hobson the merry Londoner.  
HEre Hobson the merry Londoner do● lie,  
And if that you would know the reas●● wh●  
It was because when as his Jests grew dry,  
He thereupon took pet and so did die.   

On a very fat Man.  
UNder this same stone,  
Here fast sleepeth one,  
And that is not two;  
Yet was without doubt  
Far bigger about,  
Than both I and you.  
His Kidneys increased,  
So much, that his Waste  
Was hooped all round;  
But his Girdle Death cuts,  
And down fell his Guts,  
'Bout his heels to the ground.   

On an Usurer.  
HEre lies at least ten in the hundred,  
Shackled up both hands and feet,  
That at such as lent Money gratis wondered,  
The gain of Usury was so sweet;  
But thus being now of life bereaven,  
'Tis a hundred to ten, he's scarce gone to Heaven.   

On a Miller.  
DEath without question was as bold as brief,  
When he killed two in one, Miller and thief.   

On a Tailor who died of a Stitch.  
Here Stitch the Tailor in his grave doth lie,  
Who by a Stitch did live, and by it die.   

On Death.  
THe death of all men is the total sum,  
The Period unto which we all must come.  
He lives but a short life that lives the longest  
And he is weak in death, in life was strongest.  
Our life's like Cobwebs be we ne'er so gay,  
And death the Broom which sweeps us all away.    

RIDDLES, or dark Propositions ' oftentimes used in Discourse.  

Riddle 1.  
UNto the Exchange I went, some knacks there for to buy,  
Within a Cloister there was poned a Monster certainly:  
Feet and hands it had full eight,  
Four eyes clear of sight:  
Four ears whereby to hear,  
And two bodies exceeding clear,  
Kesolution.  
It was an Exchange woman big with Child.   

Riddle 2.  
I went to the wood and I got it,  
I sat me down and I sought it;  
I kept it still against my will,  
And so by force home I brought it.  
Resolution.  
It was a man that had a thorn in his foot.   

Riddle 3,  
A Beggar once exceeding poor,  
A penny prayed me give him,  
And deeply vowed ne'er to ask more,  
And I ne'er more to give him.  
Next day he begged again, I gave,  
Yet both of us our oaths did save.  
Resolve. He gave him but a penny.   

Riddle 4.  
Beyond Sea there is an Oak, and in that Oak's an Nest, and in that Nest an Egg, and in that Egg there is a Yolk, which calleth together all Christian folk.  
Resolution.  
The Oak is the Church, the nest is the Belfry, the Egg is the Bell, and the Yolk the Clapper.   

Riddle. 5.  
In thickest Woods I hunt with Beagles ten,  
After the chase; which when I do descry,  
I dispossess me of, not useful then,  
And what I take not, only that keep I.  
Resolution.  
One scratching his head with both his hands.   

Riddle 6.  
I went and I went I cannot tell whether, I met and I met with I cannot tell who, I had a gift given me I shall never forgo; and yet I came a true maid home.  
Resolution.  
It is a Child went to be Christened,   

Riddle 7.  
What is that is as white as snow,  
And yet as black as any Crow;  
And more pliant than a wand  
Tied in a silken band  
And every day a Prince's Peer,  
Look on it with a mirth that's clear.  
Resolution.  
It is a Book tied with a silken lace,  
Whose paper is as white as snow,  
Ink as black as any Crow,  
And leaves more pliant than any wand.   

Riddle 8.  
My Coat is green and I can prate,  
Of divers things within my grate;  
In such a prison I am set,  
That hath more Trap-holes than a Net.  
Resolution.  
A Parrot in a Cage of wire.   

Riddle 9  
There was a Bird of great renown,  
Useful in City and in Town,  
None work like unto him can do;  
He's Yellow, Black, Red, and Green,  
A very pretty Bird I ween,  
Yet he is both fierce and fell,  
I count him wise that can this tell.  
Resolution.  
The painful Bee.   

Riddle 10.  
I am called by the name of a man,  
Yet am as little as a mouse,  
When Winter comes I love to be  
With my red Target near the house.  
Resolution.  
A Robin Red breast.   

Riddle 11.  
What part of Man may that part be,  
That is an Implement of three,  
And yet a thing of so much stead,  
No woman would without it wed;  
And by which thing, or had or lost,  
Each marriage is quite made or crossed.  
Resolution.  
The heart of a man, a Triangular figure, the beginning of Love.   

Riddle 11.  
Two legs sat upon four legs, and eight legs run before; in came three legs and upon eight legs fell, I count him wise that doth this Riddle tell,  
Resolution.  
It is a Man upon a Horse, driving two sheep before him, and a Wolf that hath lost one of his legs, seizeth the two Sheep.   

Riddle 13.  
Four and twenty white Bulls sat upon a stall,  
Forth came the Red-Bull, and overlicked them all.  
Resolution.  
It is one's Tongue and his Teeth.   

Riddle 14.  
Learning hath bred me, yet I know no letter,  
I have lived among books, yet am never the better;  
I have eaten up the Muses, yet know not a verse.  
What Student is this, I pray you rehearse?  
Resolution.  
A Worm bred in a Book.   

Riddle 15.  
It was not, it is not, nor never will be,  
Hold up your hand, and you shall see.  
Resolution.  
It is the little finger, that was not, nor is not, nor never will be so great as the other fingers.   

Riddle 16.  
All day like one that's in disgrace,  
He resteth in some secret place,  
And seldom peepeth forth his head,  
Until Day light be fully fled;  
When in the maids or Goodwives hand,  
The Gallant first had Grace to stand;  
Whence to a hole they him apply,  
Where he will both live and die.  
Resolution.  
A Candle.    

Posies for Rings.  


GOd did decree  
Our unity.  
Rings and true friends,  
Are without ends:  
We are agreed,  
In time to speed.  
In comely hue,  
None like to you,  
In thy breast,  
My heart doth rest.  
I trust in time,  
Thou wilt be mine.  
Faithful love,  
Can ne'er remove.  
No force can move  
A fixed love.  
'Tis love alone,  
Makes two but one.  
My fancy is,  
Endless as this.  
I seek to be,  
Not thine, but thee.  
In thee each part  
Doth catch a heart,  
My love to thee,  
Like this shall be.  
So decreed,  
And so agreed,   
The love I owe,  
I needs must show.  
As I affect thee,  
So respect me,  
My love for this,  
Deserves a kiss.  
In body two,  
In heart but you,  
As I to thee,  
So wish to me.  
When Cupid fails,  
Thy eye prevails.  
Where hearts agree.  
No strife can be.  
God above  
Increase our love.  
Heart and hand,  
At your command.  
Where this I give,  
I wish to live.  
Best election,  
Is constant affection.  
Though far apart,  
Yet near in heart.  
Nothing for thee,  
Too dear can be.  
Love's delight,  
Is to unite.   
As I expect so let me find,  
A faithful heart a constant mind,  
The sacred purpose and decree,  
Is manifest in choosing thee.  
My faith is given, this Pledge doth show,  
A work from Heaven, performed below.  
The eye findeth, the heart chooseth,  
The hand bindeth, and death looseth.  
Wit, Wealth, and Beauty, all do well,  
But constant love doth far excel.  
Fear God, and love thou me,  
That is all I crave of thee.  
Be it my fortune, or my fault,  
Love makes me venture this assault.   

ACROSTICS.  
On these words.  
If thou hadst granted.  
I Joy had wanted.  

To a proud, rich, but deformed Gentlewoman.  
In danger puffed, you say I prove,  
Fraught with the steam of lust, not love,  
Time was you say, I prized the face,  
High and renowned, as if its grace  
O'erpast compare, but now I seem,  
Urged unto wrath, to disesteem.  
Honour's attendant unto thy praise,  
And to disrobe thee of thy rays;  
Disgorging thus such surfeits, you  
Sound forth these words, I am untrue,  
'T'Tis true, I said three Goddesses.  
Graced thy rare parts, as like to these;  
Rich Juno was but like a Sow,  
As foul, as fat, and so art thou:  
Next wisdom was in Pallas, but  
Thou like to her, art turned a slut.  
Eye-pleasing Venus would admit,  
Delight in bed, and you love it.  
Incensed by thy wily mind,  
I thus requite thee in thy kind,  
o'er charged with anger, venting spleen,  
Yearst to one Fool, one Slut, one Quean,  
Harbound in one, I did compare thee,  
Although truth known, I seemed to spare thee.  
Digest me as you please, yet know,  
Will ne'er did mean, what wit did show:  
And though Art taught me to be bold,  
No part I loved in thee but Gold,  
Take this from me, pray that a fool,  
Espouse thee, so thy filth may rule.  
Detain no wise man; for thyself,  
No such will love thee but for thy wealth:   

A cross Acrostic on two crossed Lovers.  
Though crossed in our affections, still the flames  
Of Honour shall secure our noble Names;  
Nor shall our fate divorce our faith, or cause  
The least Mislike of Love's diviner Laws.  
Crosses sometimes are cures: Now let us prove,  
That no strength shall Abate the power of Love.  
Honour, wit, beauty, Riches wise men call,  
Frail fortunes Badges: In true love lies all.  
Therefore to him we yield, our Vows shall be  
Paid— Read, and written in Eternity:  
That all may know when men grant no Redress.  
Much love can sweeten the unhappiness.   

Acrostic on Malt  
Malt is the grain of which we make strong Ale,  
Ale is the liquor that doth make us merry,  
Let but a Toast be put in't, 'twill not fail,  
To make the heart light, and to sing down derry.   

Another.  
Malt is the grain by which a Fox we gain,  
Ale is the liquor, makes our tongues run quicker;  
Let these two boast, but the honour of a toast,  
Then sit and tipple, 'twill your sense's cripple.   

Acrostic on time.  
Time with his Sith brings all to their last home.  
In vain to plead, none can withstand his doom.  
Monarches by Death's triumphant hand are made,  
Equal i'th' grave unto the Sith and Spade.   

An Acrostic Epitaph on a virtuous Gentlewoman.  
Askest thou Reader who it is lies here?  
No common corpse: then list and thou shalt hear.  
Goodness, rare meekness, zeal, pure chastity,  
Interred together in this ground do lie,  
Behold her acts whilst here she made abode,  
She lived beloved of men, died loved of God.   

Acrostic on Death.  
Death is the last end of our mortal Race;  
Each hour we spend, we thither high apace;  
A little time it is in life we have,  
Today w' are here, tomorrow in our Grave;  
Help us then Lord, no aid but thee we crave.    

ANAGRAMS.  

Anagram. 

TOAST.  
A SOT.    

Exposition.  
A TOAST is like a Sot, or what is most  
Comparative, a Sot is like a Toast;  
For when their substances in liquor sink,  
Both properly are said to be in drink.    

Anagram. 

SMOCK.  
MOCKS.    

Exposition.  
Strait-smocks to whoremasters do oft prove Mocks;  
Who thereupon do ban and curse Strait-smocks.    

Anagram. 

ROUNDHEADS.  
HEAVEN'S ROD.    

Exposition.  
When Cavaliers by sin offended God,  
The bloody Roundheads were made Heavens Rod.    

Anagram. 

JOHN TAYLOR. Water Poet.  
LOYAL IN HART.    

Exposition.  
And well he did deserve this Anagram,  
Who was unto his end a Loyal man.   
Or thus:  

Well was thy Anagram Loyal in Hart,  
Who from thy Loyalty did never start.    

Anagram. 

LOST.  
STOLE.    

Exposition.  
This Anagram mysterious sense may boast,  
For what is stole is found in what was lost.    

Anagram. 

JAILER.  
A RAIL,    

Exposition.  
This doth befit the Jailor wondrous trim,  
He at the Prisoners Rails, and they at him.     

FANCIES.  
A Fancy upon words.  

HE that's devoted to the— GLASS,  
The Dice, or a Lascivious— LASS,  
At his own price is made an— ASS.   

He that is greedy of the— GRAPE,  
On reason doth commit a— RAPE.  
And changeth habit with an— APE.   

The Lover whose devotion— FLIES,  
Up to the Sphere where bounty— LIES,  
Makes Burning-glasses of his— EYES,   

If long he to that Idol— PRAY,  
His sight by Loves inflaming— RAY,  
Is lost for ever and for— AY.   

He that loves Glass without a G,  
Leave out L, and that is he.   

EVANK is a word of fame,  
Spell it backward, it is your name.   

These Lines may be read backwards or forwards, being both ways alike.  

Dear Madam Reed,  
Deem if I meed.   
Another to the same effect.  
Lewd did I live, and Evil did I dwell.   

Thoughts  valued   c  may B. Searching  Love  ICUB 2 yy for me.  
Queen  a  d  tr  fu  stra   os  nguis  irus  isti de  near  vit. H  Sa  m  Chr  vul  la.   

Quos anguis dirus tristi de funere stravit.  
Hos Sanguis mirus Christi de vulnere lavit.     


The Countryman's Guide; OR, AN APPENDIX For the Use Of the Countryman.  
Containing divers necessary and useful Rules, and Instructions of the Year, Months, and Days; With other things of delight and profit.  
Being brief Explanations of many things, which to an intelligible Reader may seem ambiguous.  
Calculated by Art for the Benefit of all those, which desire to understand what they buy or read.  
London, Printed in the Year 1680.   

The Countryman's Guide.  
Of a Year, what it is, with the difference betwixt the English and Gregorian Account.  
A Year is that space of time wherein the Sun runs his perambulation through the twelve Signs of the Zodiac, containing 12 Solar months, 13 Lunar, 52 weeks, 365 days, 6 hours, and 6 minutes, which 6 hours in four years' space being added together, make one day, which we commonly call Bissextile, or Leap-year, and is added to the Calendar on the 25 of February, making that month every fourth year 29 days long, which at other times is but 28. This account was thus named by Julius Caesar, the first Roman Emperor, who reduced the year to a better method than before, and from him it was called the Julian Account, yet still the six minutes remained unnumbered, which in tract of time arose to some days, and therefore Gregory Pope of Rome to make the year exactly answerable to the Sun's diurnal course, casting up the days which those minutes amounted unto, placed his Festivals exactly answerable to the Sun's progress, which in sixteen hundred years hath amounted to ten days, and is from him called the Gregorian Account, being used in all those parts beyond Sea which acknowledge the Pope's Supremacy.  
Qu. From whence do the twelve Months derive their Names?  
An. January is so called from Janus, who was pictured with two faces, signifying the beginning or entrance of the year. February took its name from Febura, March from Mars the God of War. April signifieth the growth or springing of the year. May is the Majors, and June the Juniors' season. July was so called from Julius Caesar. August, from Augustus the second Roman Emperor. September signifieth the seventh month, for the Romans before the time of Julius Caesar reckoned their months from March; so October signifieth the eighth, November the ninth, and December the tenth; which if you reckon from January, the account will be otherwise.  
Qu. How many days is in each month?  
An.  
Thirty days hath September,  
April, June, and November,  
All the rest hath thirty and one,  
Except it be February alone,  
But every Leap year at that time,  
February hath twenty nine.  
Of the day, with several divisions thereof.  
An Artificial day consists of 12 hours, a Natural Day 24 hours. The Athenians began their Day from Sunset; but the Jews, Chaldeans, and Babylonians, from Sun-rise: The Egyptians and Romans from midnight, of whom we took pattern to count the hours from thence; the Umbrians from noon. The parts of a politic or civil day, (according to Macrobius) are these; The first time of the day is after midnight; the second in Latin Gallicinium, Cock's crow; the third Canticinium, the space between the first Cock and Break of day; the fourth Diluculum, the break or dawn of the day; the fifth Mane, the morning; the sixth Meridies, noon, or Midday; the seventh Pomeridies, the afternoon; the eighth Serum diei, Sunset: the ninth Suprema tempestas, twilight; tenth Vesper, the Evening; the eleventh Prima Lux, Candle time; the twelfth Nox concubia, bedtime; the thirteenth Nox intempesta, the dead time of the night.  
The Jews did divide their Artificial day into four Quarters, allowing to every Quarter three hours, accounting the first hour of the first Quarter at the Rising of the Sun, and the third hour of the second Quarter, they called the third hour; and the third hour of the second Quarter, they called the sixth hour, which was midday; The third hour of the third Quarter, the ninth hour; and the second hour of the fourth Quarter, the eleventh hour; and the twelfth and last hour of the day, they call Eventide.  
The day is accounted with us for the payments of money between Sun and Sun; but for Indictments of murder, the day is accounted from midnight to midnight; and so likewise are fasting days.   

The Principal Feasts and holidays in the whole year expounded.  
SInce more buy Almanacs than understand them, and are ignorant of our Festival days, for their better understanding I shall briefly yet plainly anatomize and declare the meaning of them.  
Sunday, or our Lord's day (dies Diminicus) is a day dedicated by the Apostles to the more particular service and honour of Almighty God, and transferred from the Jewish Sabbath to the day following, in memory that Christ our Lord rose from the dead, and sent down the Holy Ghost on that day; whence it is called our Lord's Day, and Sunday from the old Heathen denomination of dies Solis, the day of the Sun, to which it was sacred though others think it took its name from the Son of God his rising from the Grave that day, to which thus alluded Mr. Owen in his Epigrams.  
Sunday I'll call that day spite of precise,  
On which the glorious Son of God did rise.  
1. Jan. The Circumcision of our Lord, vulgarly called Newyears-day, was instituted in memory of the Circumcision of our Lord on the eighth day from his Nativity, according to the prescript of the old Law (Gen 17. 12) when he was named Jesus, as the Angel hath foretold (Luk. 1. 14.) and began to shed his infant blood by the stony knife of Circumcision. And it is called Newyears-day, from the account of the old Romans, who began their year from that day.  
6 Jan. Twelfthday, or the Epiphany of our Lord, is a Feast Solemnised in memory and honour of Christ's manifestation and apparition to the Gentiles by a miraculous blazing Star, by virtue whereof three Kings were conducted to adore him in the Manger, where they presented him as on this day, with Gold, Myrrh, and Frankincense, in testimony of his Regality, Humanity and Divinity. The Word Epiphany comes from the Greek, and signifies an apparition, and is called Twelfthday, because celebrated the Twelfthday after Christ's Nativity, exclusively.  
2 Febr. Candlemas-day, or the Purification of the blessed Virgin, is a Feast in memory and honour both of the presentation of our Saviour Christ, and the Purification of the Virgin Mary, in the Temple of Jerusalem, the fortieth day after her happy Childbirth, performed according to the Law of Moses, Levit. 12. 6. And it is called Purification, from the Latin word, which signifieth to Purify; not that the blessed Virgin had contracted any thing by her Childbirth which needed purifying, (being the mother of Purity itself) but because other common Mothers were by this ceremonial right, freed from the Legal Impurity of their Childbirths.  
The four Sundays of Septuagesima, Sexagesima, Quinquagesima, and Quadragesima, were days appropriated for preparation to the devotions of Lent; and take their numeral denominations from Quadragesima-Sunday, so called, because 'tis about the fortieth day before Easter.  
Shrovetide signifies the time of Shrift; for in former time the people used then to confess their sins to a Priest, the better to prepare themselves for a holy observation of Lent, and worthy receiving the blessed Sacrament at Easter.  
Ash-wednesday is so called by the Romanists, from the Ceremony they have on that day of blessing of Ashes, wherewith the Priest signify the people with a Cross on their foreheads, saying unto them, Memento homo quia pulvis es, & in pulverem revertes; Remember man that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt be turned. The Ashes which they use this day, are made of the Palms, blessed the Palm-Sunday before.  
Lent is called in Latin Quadragesima, because it is a Fast of forty days in remembrance of Christ's fasting forty days and forty nights in the Wilderness, which fast has been observed in England near one thousand years, according to Sir Richard Baker in his Chronicle: and hath been continued to these days in the time of Reformation, not out of any superstitious end, but for the increase of the fishing Trade, and preservation of the breed of young Cattle.  
The Sea loath will, the Land doth wish.  
For sparing Flesh to feed on Fish.  
Palm-sunday, was instituted in memory and honour of the triumphant entry of our Saviour into Jerusalem, and was so called from the Palm-Branches which the Hebrew Children strewed under his feet, crying, Hosanna to the Son of David. Math. 21. 15.  
Maundy Thursday is a Feast in memory of our Lords last Supper, when he instituted the blessed Sacrament of his precious body and blood. And it is called Maundy Thursday, quasi, Mandatum or Mandate Thursday, from those words in John 13. 34. Mandatum novum do vobis, etc. I give you a new command, (or mandat) that you love one another, as I have loved you.  
Good-Friday, is that memorable day on which the great and glorious work of our Redemption was consummated by our Saviour Jesus Christ on his bloody Cross, between too Thiefs at Jerusalem.  
25 March. Annunciation of the blessed Virgin, is a Feast in memory of that most happy Embassy brought to her from God by the Angel Gabriel, upon which, through her consent, ●nd the operation of the holy Spirit, God was incarnate in her most sacred Womb.  
Easter-Day (in Latin Pascha) is a great Festival in memory and honour of our Saviour's Resurrection, or rising from the dead on the third day after he was Crucified. Mat. ●8. 6. and it is called Easter from Oriens, the East or rising) one of the Titles of Christ. And his name (says the Prophet) shall be called Oriens,  
Monday and Tuesday following are also kept ●oly, in memory of some of Christ's first Apparitions after his Resurrection; which are commemorated on these two days, for the greater solemnity of the chief Feast.  
Low-Sunday called Dominica in Albis, is the octave of Easter day, and is so named from ●he white Garments, which the Catechumeni ●● Neophites used to wear, which they put ●n at their Baptism, and solemnly put off with this day.  
Holy Thursday, or Ascension day, is a Feast solemnised in memory of Christ's glorious Ascension into Heaven the fortieth day after ●is Resurrection,, in the sight of his Apostles ●nd Disciples, Acts 2. 9, 10.  
3 May. The Invention of the Holy Cross, otherwise called Holy Rood-day, is so called from the Invention or finding out of the Cross on which our Saviour suffered, by Helen mother to Constantine the Great, after it had been hid and buried by the Infidels, 180 years, who erected a Statue of Venus in place of it.  
Rogation Week, (which is always the next but one before Whitsunday) is so called from Rogo to ask and pray, because than Lettanie● were wont to be used, to beg and supplicate the blessing of God upon the fruits of the earth. The Belgians call it Craysweek, and we in England Gang week, from the Ganging or going in procession and perambulation then used about the Parish, etc.  
Whitsunday or Pentecost is a solemn Feast in memory and honour of the coming of the Holy Ghost upon the heads of the Apostles in tongues as it were of fire Acts 2. 3. Pentecost in Greek signifies the fiftieth, it being the fiftieth after the Resurrection. And 'tis called Whitsunday, from the Catechumen, being anciently clothed in White, and admitted o● the Eve of this Feast to the Sacrament o● Baptism. The old Saxons called it Weed Sunday, i. e. holy Sunday; for Wied or Wihe● signifies holy in that Language, which also may have proved one occasion of this name.  
Trinity Sunday is the octave of Whit sunday, dedicated to the honour of the blessed Trinity, to signify that the works of our Redemption and Sanctification, then completed, are common to all the three Persons.  
Corpus Christi day (which is always the next Thursday after Trinity Sunday) is by the Romanists celebrated with greet solemnity, they carrying on that day the Sacrament of the Altar about in Procession, the Priests and all ●he people expressing their highest devotions, with music and lights, and flowers strewed along the streets, and their best Tapestry upon the walls, etc.  
10. Aug. St. Laurence the Deacon, who in ●he Primitive times was most cruelly broiled in a Gridiron for the faith of Christ, which Martyrdom he suffered with incomparable fortitude, in the midst of his torments thus ●rying out to his bloody Persecuter.  
This side is toasted now enough,  
Turn up O Tyrant great;  
Assay whether roasted or raw,  
Thou findest the better meat.  
Aug. 15. Is according to Tradition the day when the blessed Virgin Mary was both Soul and Body taken up into Heaven.  
Sep. 8. Is in memory of her happy birth, ●y whom the Author of all life and safety was born into the world.  
29 Sep. Michael or Michaelmas, is in commemoration of St. Michael the Archangel, and of all the nine Orders of holy Angels; And it is called the Dedication of St. Michael, ●rom the dedicating of a Church in Rome to ●im by Pope Boniface.  
1 Nou. All Saints or All-hallows, is celebrated in commemoration of all the Saints.  
2 Nou. All Souls, is likewise commemorated for the Souls of all the faithful departed, ●nd these two days (All Saints and All Souls) were of so eminent observance, that no Courts were kept on those days in Westminster-hall.  
The four Sundays of Advent are those preceding Christmas day, and were instituted as a commemorative of our Saviour's Advent, or coming to redeem the world by his happy birth.  
Christmas Day, or the Nativity of our Saviour Christ, is a most solemn Feast yearly celebrated even from the Apostles time to this day, in memory of the birth of our Saviour at Bethlehem,  
28 Dec. Holy Innocents', is a Feast in memory of those Babes which Herod slew when he sought for our blessed Saviour; in which massacre it is said that a Child of Herod's being at nurse was murdered amongst the rest, which Augustus hearing of, he said it was better to be Herod's Hog than his Son, because the Jews would eat no Swine's flesh.  
The several Feasts of the Apostles and other Saints, were instituted by the Church to honour God in his Saints, and for us to imitate their holy and godly examples.  
St. Peter and St. Paul are joined in one solemnity; because they were principal and joint co-operators under Christ in the conversion of the world, the first converting the Jews, the other the Gentiles: as also because both were martyred at the same place, Rome and on the same day, 29 June.  
The four Ember weeks (in Latin quatuo●tempora) are times of public prayer of falting, partly instituted for the successful ordination of the Priests and Ministers of the Church, and partly to beg and render thank to God for the fruits and blessings of the earth. Ember comes from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. dies, a day, others call them Ember day from the ancient custom of eating nothing on those days till night, and then only a Cake baked under the Embers or Ashes, which was called Panem subcineritium, Ember bread.  
Wakes or Country Feasts, used always to be observed on the Sunday next after that Saint's day, to whom the Parish Church was dedicated, and took its original from a Letter written by Gregory the Great to Melitus Abbot, who was sent into England with Austin the Monk, in these words. It may therefore be permitted them (meaning the English) that on the Dedication days, or other solemn days of Martyrs, they make them Bowers about the Churches, and (refreshing themselves, and feasting together after a good religious sort) kill their Oxen now to the praise of God, and increase of Charity, which before they were wont to sacrifice to the Devil, etc. Bedes Eccl. Hist. Chap. 30. And they were called Wakes, because on those feasts, the people were wont to awake from sleep at the several Vigils of the Night and go to prayer, but that custom was long ago laid aside, and the Feasting part also little or nothing regarded.  
Besides these, we have three other days by act of Parliament set apart for Religious holy Duties: viz. the fifth of November, when some bloody Papists intended to have blown up the Parliament-House with Gunpowder in the third year of the Reign of King James; the second, the 30 of January, a day of humiliation for the execrable murder of King Charles the first. And the third, the 29 of May, a day of thanksgiving for the happy Restauration of King Charles the second.  
Qu. What is the observation that is commonly made on St. Paul's day being the 25 of January? An.  
If Saint Paul's day be fair and clear,  
It doth betoken a happy year.  
But if it chance to Snow or Rain,  
Then shall be dear all kind of Grain.  
And if that winds be aloft.  
Then shall we hear of wars full oft,  
And if it do thunder that day,  
Great dearth shall be, as wise men say.   

Another Observation.  
When our Lord doth lie in our Lady's Lap,  
Then O England beware a clap.  
Other short Observations for each Month in the year.  
January.  
If the Sun shine the twelfth of January, there shall be store of wind that year.  
February.  
If it thunder upon Shrove-Tuesday, it foretelleth wind, store of fruit, and plenty, the Sun beams being early abroad; and so much as he shineth on that day, the like he will shine every day in Lent.  
March.  
So many Mists as there be in March, so many hoar Frosts there will be after Easter.  
April.  
If it rain upon Ascension day (which most cammonly falleth in April) it doth betoken scarcity of all kind of food for cattle, but being fair, it signifieth plenty.  
May.  
If the Sun shine upon the twenty fifth o● May, wine shall prosper well; also in the end of May, if Oaks begin to bear Blossoms, i● doth foreshow great store of Tallow and Frui●  
June.  
If it rain the twenty fourth day of June, Hazelnuts will not prosper.  
July.  
If it be fair three Sundays before St. Jame's day, Corn will be good; but wet Corn will wither.  
August.  
If the wind change on St. Bartholemews' day at night, the following year will not be ●ood.  
September.  
So many days old the Moon is on Michaelmas day, so many Floods will be that winter.  
October.  
If leaves now hang upon the Trees, it portends a cold winter, or many Caterpillars.  
November.  
If on the tenth of November the Heavens be cloudy, it prognosticates a wet winter; if clear and dry a sharp winter.  
December.  
If Christmas-day comes in the new of the Moon, it is a token of a good year; and so much the better, by how much it is nearer the new Moon; the contrary happeneth in the decrease.  
Thus each month doth procure an observation,  
Which may be made useful unto the Nation;  
For if that we do things but rightly weigh,  
We will believe what our Forefathers say,  
Who by experience knew such things to be,  
And so preserved them for posterity.  
Qu. What is that they call the Golden Number, Epact, Circle of the Sun, Dominical Letter, etc.  
An. The Golden Number is the Revolution of 19 years, in which time all the Lunations or Aspects betwixt the Sun and Moon return to the same place they were in before; and is so called, either because it was sent in Golden Letters from Alexandria in Egypt to Rome, or for that it is written in red or Golden Letters in the Calendar.  
The Epact is the number of 11 days, which the Solar year doth exceed the Lunar; the one consisting of 365 days, the other of 354, so that in every 4 years there is added a number more than 30, which being greater than the Epact can be, (for from change to change there can be but 30 days) therefore 30 being taken from that excess, the remainder is the Epact for the next year.  
The Epact is thus found out; multiply the Golden Number of the year by 11. the product whereof, if it be under 30 is the Epact; but if it be above 30. they divide the product by 30. and the remainder shall be the Epact.  
Qu. What is the Circle of the Sun?  
An. The Circle of the Sun is a Revolution of 28 years, in which time the Dominical Letters make all their several changes, and is called the Solar Circle, because it comprehends all the varieties and changes that the Sunday Letter can have.  
Qu. What is the meaning of the Dominical Letter?  
An. The Dominical Letter is always one of these seven, A. B. C. D. E. F. G. and showeth the Sunday Letter all the year. But in Bissextile or Leap-year, there be two Dominical Letters, whereof the first holdeth from the beginning of January to St. Mathias Eve, and the other to the years end.  
The Golden Number and the Dominical Letter change the first of January, and the Epact the first of March. Easter day never talleth lower than the 23 of March, nor higher than the 25 of April.  
Shrove sunday hath his range between the first of February, and the 7 of March; Whit-sunday between the 10 of May, and the 13 of June: and for a Rule for Shrovetide, the Tuesday after the change of the Moon in February is always Shrove Tuesday.  
Qu. What causes the Eclipses and Full of the Moon?  
An. The Eclipse of the Moon is caused by the interposition of the Earth betwixt the Sun and her; for she being a dark body of herself, and having no light but what she borrows by reflection from the Sun, so far as the Earth interposes, so much of her is darkened. The cause of the Sans Eclipse is when the Moon passes betwixt the Sun and us, and shadows some of the body thereof from our sight, so that what part is interposed by the Moon cannot be seen by us, by reason she is a dark body, hiding the same from our sight. The Moon being in right opposition against the Sun, causes her to be at the full, as her increase is by drawing nearer to opposition, and her decrease by departing further off.  
Qu. Of what substance be the Stars, what are their motions, and what causeth blazing Stars.  
An. The Stars are of the same substance with the Moon, thick, and not transparent as the Heavens, borrowing all their light from the Sun, being otherwise of themselves dark bodies, and shine as well in the day as the night, though by reason of the Sun's refulgent beams, they are not obvious to our sight. And as for their motion, it is the same of the Heavens wherein they are placed.  
Shooting or blazing Stars are hot fumes of a thick substance like glue, which being exhaled above in the air, and bovering aloft until it be kindled, flies like a squib through the Air, but if it mount to a higher place, and there be kindled, it turneth to a blazing Star.   

A brief discourse of the natural cause of Airy Meteors; as Snow, Hail, Rain, etc.  
YOu must first understand that there be four Elements, viz. Fire, Air, Water, and Earth; the Fire is hot and dry, the Air hot and moist, the Water cold and moist, and the Earth cold and dry; These four Elements are the simples whereof all things (under the Moon) are made, compounded and mixed.  
Of Rain.  
Rain is a cold vapour, and earthly humour, drawn from the Earth by the virtue of the Sun and the rest of the Planets, into the middle Region of the Air, where by the extremity of cold it is thickened into the body of a Cloud, which the wind driving before it, it doth dissolve, and fall upon the Earth.  
Of Snow.  
Snow is engendered of Rain, the Cloud congealing through extremity of cold, but not altogether so hard as Hail; Pliny writes, that the Hail sooner melts than Snow, and that Hail falls oftener in the day than the night.  
Of Hail.  
Hail is likewise engendered of Rain, which the excessive cold when the Cloud dissolves, freezes the drops, and congeals into Ice, whereby great and irregular stones do sometimes fall on the Earth. Stow in his Annals reports, that in the time of King Henry the 8. Anno 1545, there fell in Lancashire Hailstones as big as men's fists; and that which is most strange, some were of the shape of men's faces, others were fashioned like Gun-holes, etc. In the 23 year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, August 12. Anno 1581. there fell a great shower of Hailstones which were fashioned like the Rowels of spurs, and were two or three inches about.  
Of Frost and Dew.  
Dew is a thin vapour, which through the faint heat of the Sun's elevating itself but a little from the Earth, presently at night descendeth again, which in the Springtime is called Dew; but in the Winter by means of cold being congealed, it is called Frost.  
Of Wind.  
Wind is hot and dry fumes, drawn from the Earth by the Stars, which seeking to fly to the Sun, is by the freezing cold driven back, but from the fields fumes another fire which carries them back again; so that thereby, together with the confluence of other exhalations rising out of the Earth, his motion is forced to be rather round than right: and the reason why he bloweth more sharply one time than another, and in some places more than others; and sometimes not at all, is, fumes arising out of new exhalations, and out of Floods, Fens, and Marshes, joining with it to increase his force: the defect or dulness whereof may either allay or increase it: as also the Globe or rotundity of the Earth may be the cause of the blowing of it more in one place than in another: or Mountains, Hills, or Woods, may hinder his force from blowing in all places eqnal: whereas upon the Plain, and broad Sea, it bloweth with an equal force: and as for the stillness or ceasing thereof, it cometh to pass divers ways, either by frost, closing, or congealing up the pores of the earth, whence it should issue, or by the heat of the Sun, drying up fumes and vapours that should increase it, and whereof it is engendered,  
Of Earthquakes.  
Earthquakes are caused by plenty of wind, which getting into the holes and caverns of the earth, and wanting a vent, the earth closing again, causeth the shaking or Earthquake, which is more violent according to the quantity of wind so enclosed. Anno 1580. in the 22 year of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, happened a terrible Earthquake at London, and generally throughout all England, by violence whereof, the great Clock-bell a● Westminster struck against the hammer, as divers Clock-bells did both in City and Country: In London a piece of the Temple Church fell down.  
In the late dissolved Church called the Grey-Fryers, now called Christ-Church, in the Sermon time, one stone falling from the Church, killed a young man outright, and another stone, so bruised a Maid, that she lived but four days after, the Man and the Maid being fellow Servants in one House: divers were bruised and run out of the Church. Some stones fell off from the Church of St. Paul's in London, and some from the Church of St. Peter's at Westminster; divers Chimneys lost their tops, and Ships on the Thames, and on the Seas, were seen to totter: this Earthquake did not continue above a quarter of an hour in London, but in divers parts in Kent it held them so terrible, that the people went out of their Houses, for fear they should fall on their heads.  
Of the Rainbow.  
The Rainbow is only the Sun's reflection on a hollow Cloud, which the edge being repelled, and beaten back against the Sun, from thence ariseth much variety of colours, by reason of the mixture of clouds, air, and firelight together.  
If two Rain bows appear at one time, they presage Rain to ensue: but if one Rainbow, presently after Rain, it betokeneth fair weather.  
Of Thunder and Lightning.  
When hot and dry vapours mixed with moisture, is exhaled up into the middle Region, and there enclosed in the body of a Cloud, these two contraries not agreeing together, break forth with great violence; so that fire and water break out of the cloud, making a roaring noise which we call Thunder, and the fire Lightning; the Thunder is first made, but the Lightning first seen, in regard the sight is quicker than the hearing; which to prove, observe but at some distance when a man is cleaving of blocks, or a Carpenter hewing a log, and you shall see the fall of the beetle, or Axe, some little distance of time before you hear the noise of the blow.  
Now of Lightnings there be many sorts: that which is dry burneth not all, but dissipateth and disperseth its self; moist burneth not likewise, but blasts and changeth the colour; but the clear is of a strange property, for it melteth the sword and not singeth the scabbard; it draweth vessels dry without hurt to the vessels; some rich misers have had their silver melted in their bags and purses, and yet neither bag nor purse hurt, nay not so much as the wax that sealeth the bag stirred. It breaketh the bones and hurteth not the flesh, and killeth the Child in the Mother's Womb, not hurting the mother, what great cause have we to pray as it is in the Litany, from thunder and lightning, good Lord deliver us.  What things are not burt with Lightning. 
It entereth not past five foot into the earth; it hurteth not the Laurel-Tree, such are freed that are shadowed with the skins of Seals, or Sea-Calves, the Eagle is likewise free: Pliny saith, Scythia by reason of cold, and Egypt by reason of the heat, have seldom Lightning.   

A Brief Deseri●tion of the World, showing what it is, and of what Parts it consisteth; together with other things well worthy of observation.  
THe world may not unfitly be termed a large Theatre of the heavens and earth wherein are contained all bodies both simple and mixed. The Greeks calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Latin Universitas, or Mandus, all signifying with us the world. It consisteth of two only parts, the one Elemental, and the other Celestial.  
The Elemental part contains the four Elements, as Fire, Air, Water, Earth.  
The Celestial parts contains seven several Orbs for the Planets, and one for the fixed Stars: above which is the Crystalline Heaven, the first mover, (which once in 24 hours carries the other round about the Earth) and last of all the Empereal heaven, the habitation for Saints and Angels, with all the rest of Gods elect. Within this celestial part, not these only are continued, but also the Elemental part itself, and whatsoever it containeth, within the midst of his concavity, by the divine providence of God, hangs this dark and gross body of the Earth, upon which we mortals live; and in respect of the glorious Heavens, we should scarce so much as fix our eyes upon it: for God hath made us not as other Creatures with a dejected countenance; but os homini sublime dedit, he hath given to man a lofty and exact countenance, according to that of the Poet  
And where all Beasts look down with grovelling eye,  
He gave to man looks mixed with majesty,  
And bids him with expansed looks to view the Sky.  
Plato the most divine amongst the Heathen, affirmed, that the chief cause why men had eyes given them, was to behold the Heavens, an admired spectacle of God's Workmanship, for though there be other ends for which we have our senses, yet without question this is one, and a main one; to consider the glorious part of God's creation, and to search into the obstruse Mysteries thereof, for God hath made nothing in vain, he hath not made these glorious bodies only to be gazed at, but to be searched into; there being none of the humane sciences that draw us so near to God: so that Ptolemy not unworthily in the beginning of his Almagest affirmeth, Hanc unam scientiam esse viam ac semitam ad sciendum Deum altissimum: which being understood, cum grano salis, will not be much different from the mind of St. Paul, Rom. 1. 20. for the invisible things of God, etc. are seen by the Creation of the World: In which place as all things created are understood, so especially it should seem the celestial bodies to be intended: for these with their beauty, magnitude, and multitude, and with the perpetual stability, and wonderful variety of their invariable motions and effects, do in a marvellous manner commend the wisdom and goodness of the glorious God, and do exceeding much draw us to the admiration, love, and knowledge of him; according to that excellent testimony of the kingly Prophet, The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the Firmament showeth his handy work. And again, There is neither Speech nor Language but their Voice is heard among them, Psalm 19 1, 2. And in Wisd. 13. 4, 5. saith Solomon, But if they were astonished at their power and virtue, let them understand by them how much mightier he is that made them. For by the beauty and greatness of the Creatures, proportionably the maker of them is seen. And from hence sure it is that the Sideral science is by some not unfitly called, Natural Theology. Solid Orbs and Comets to be in the sublunary Region, have been maintained by many, both elder and later; yet by the infallible observations, and unparallelled instruments, joined with the unwearied assiduity, and almost invaluable expense of the Tres-noble Tyche, they have been found altogether false.  
The Heavens so framed are,  
That they do all declare,  
God's Glory doth excel;  
The Skies and Firmament,  
Bright, clear, and permanent,  
His handy work doth tell.  
Day unto day doth teach,  
And of the Lord do preach,  
His wondrous works relating,  
Night unto night doth show,  
That every one might know,  
His wisdom them creating.  
There is no speech nor Land,  
But this doth understand,  
Though it far distant lies.  
Yet doth it heart the noise,  
Acknowledging the voice,  
And Language of the Skies, etc.  
Qu. At what time of the year (according to the opinion of many men) was the world created?  
An. That the world began in Autumn, is of late the opinion of many, both Divines and Chronologers. And yet of old the ancient Fathers (Eusebius, Basil, Athanasius, Ambrose, Cyril of Jerusalem, Augustine, Nazianzen, Damascen, Bede, Psidore, etc.) were persuaded otherwise. Yea, in a Synod holden in Palestine by Theophilus Bishop of Caesarea, it was agreed that the World was made in the Spring: Nor is that but a great question betwixt two furious Rabbins; for though the Rabbins (for the most part) be for Autumn; yet R. Josua maintains the contrary, against Eleazar another great Rabbi, who contends for Autumn. True it is that the year of Jubilee began always at Autumn: howbeit the first month of the year was to be reckoned from the Spring, which is as Moses saith to the Israelites, Ezod. 12. 2. This shall be to you the beginning of Months: as if he had said, though whilst you were in Egypt you followed another reckoning, yet it was divers from that which ye had at the first: for this is to you the beginning of months, or the natural head of the year. Nor did the Chaldeans with whom Abrabam lived a long time, reckon otherwise. And successively since, Astrologers have accounted the revolutions of the world from the vernal Equinox, at the Sun's entrance into the first scruple of Aries.   

Translated out of Manilius, Lib. 4.  
ALl Animals that be, do grovelling lie,  
Or in the Earth, the Water, or the Sky:  
One rest, one sense, one belly like in all,  
Which they communicate in general,  
But man consists of soul and body linked,  
Of Councils capable, of voice distinct,  
He into natural causes doth inspect,  
And knows what to devise, how to direct.  
Into the world he Arts and science brings,  
And searcheth out the hidden birth of things:  
The unplowed earth he to his will subdues,  
And all it brings forth, he knows how to use.  
The untamed Beasts, he doth at pleasure bind,  
He in the Seas untrodden paths doth find:  
He only stands with an erected breast,  
As the sole Victor over all the rest.  
His Starlike eyes into the Stars inquire,  
The Heavens themselves he scales (if he desire)  
He seeks out Jove, his thoughts will not be tied,  
The Stars from him in vain themselves do hide,  
He not content to look them in the faces,  
Ransacks their Houses, there most secret places.  
This is the scope of man's all prying mind,  
Himself he hopes amongst the Stars to find.   

Of the unfortunate and fatal Days in the Year.  
THe ancient Astronomers have observed certain days in every month to be held very fatal and unfortunate, in which they accounted it ominous to begin, or undertake any matter, which days be as follow.  
January the 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 15, 17, and 19  
February the 8, 10, and 17.  
March the 15, 16, and 19  
April the 16, and 21.  
May the 7, 11, and 20.  
June the 4, and 7.  
July the 15, and 20.  
August the 19, and 20.  
September the 6, and 7.  
October the 5.  
November the 15, and 19  
December the 6, 7, and 9  
Also they will have in every change of the Moon two unfortunate days, in which they advise no man to begin any work, or undertake any journey, because it shall come to no good end. Which days be these.  
In Jan. the 3 and 4 days of the new Moon,  
In February 5 and 7,  
In March 6 and 7.  
In April 5 and 8.  
In May 8 and 9  
In June 5 and 15.  
In July 3 and 13.  
In August 8 and 13.  
In September 8 and 13.  
In October 5 and 12.  
In November 5 and 9  
In December 3 and 13.  
Others there be which note out of the whole year six most unfortunate days above all other, wherein they advise no man to bleed, or take any drink, because the effects of the Constellation work mightily to death, and in other respects they be right unfortunate, which days be these.  


January the 3.  
April the 30.  
July the 1.  
August the 1.  
October the 2.  
December the 30.    
Others again there be which observe three dangerous Mundays to begin any business, fall sick, or undertake any journey, viz.  
First Monday in April, on which day Cain was born, and his Brother 6 bell slain.  
Second Monday in August, on which day Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.  
31 of December, on which day Jadas was born that betrayed Christ,  
Likewise throughout England, the 28 of December being Innocents' day, is called Childermas, or Cros●-day, and is so accounted every week.  
Moreover there be certain unfortunate and bad days in the year, called Dog-Days, which be very prejudicial to man's health, they begin the 19 day of July, and end the 27 of August; the malignity of which days Pliny reporteth Lib: Chap 40. of his Natural History.   

Exact rules to find out the beginning and ending of the Terms, with the number of their Returns.  
HIllary Term begins always the 23 of January, and ends February the 12, and hath four Returns.  
Easter Term begins always on the Wednesday fortnight after Easter; ends the Monday after Ascension day, and hath five Returns.  
Trinity Term begins always the Friday after Trinity, and ends the Wednesday fortnight after, and hath four Returns.  
Michaelmas Term begins October the 23. and ends November the 21. and hath six Returns.  
Note that the Exchequer opens 8 days before any Term begins, except Trinity Term before which it opens only 4 days.   

Of Weights and Measures commonly used in England.  
THe most common Weight used in England are Troy and Avoirdupois; by the first is weighed Wheat, Bread, Gold, Silver, etc. which Troy-weight contains in every pound twelve ounces, every ounce twenty penny weight, and every penny weight twenty four grains, whereby a mark weight ariseth just to eighty ounces.  
By the second and more common weight of Avoirdupois is weighed all kind of Grocery ware, Physical drugs, and gross wares, as Rosin, Pitch, Hemp, etc. and all Iron, Copper, Tin, or other metals: this weight hath sixteen ounces to the pound, and is divided into grains, scruples, drams, and ounces; so that one pound Avoirdupois contains 16 ounces, 128 drams, 384 scruples, and 7680 grains.  
How Ale and Beer it measured.  
These two sorts of Liquors are measured by pints, quarts, pottles, gallons, firkins, kilderkins, and barrels; so that a barrel of Beer contains two kilderkins, four Firkins, thirty six gallons, seventy two pottles, 144 quarts, and 282 pints. A Barrel of Ale is two kilderkins, four firkins, thirty two gallons, sixty four pottles, 128 quarts, and 256 pints, so then the Barrel of Ale is less than the Barrel of Beer, by 32 pints, and 16 quarts.  
The Measure of Wine, Oil, and Honey.  
A Tun of Wine is two Pipes or Butts, three Punchions, 4 Hogsheads, six Tierces, eight Barrels, fourteen Roundlets, 152 Gallons, 504 Pottles, 1008 quarts, 2016 pints: and nor that one gallon of Wine contains 8 pound of Troy weight.  
Measures of Grain.  
All kind of Grain is measured by Troy weight, of which eight pounds makes a gallon, whereof are made pints, quarts, pottles gallons, pecks, half Bushels, Bushels, strikes, Cornooks, quarters and Lasts, Now a Last is ten quarters, twenty Cornooks, forty strikes, eighty Bushels, 160 half Bushels, 320 pecks, 647 gallons, 1280 pottles, 2560 quarts, and 5120 pints.  
Of Iron and Lead.  
Iron is counted by the pound, hundred, and Tun; of which a Tun is 200 or 224 pound. Lead is reckoned by the pound, hundred, and Fodder; a Fodder is nineteen hundred and a half, at a 122 to the hundred; Tin, Copper, and Latin have 112 pounds to the hundred.  
Of F●sh.  
Ling, Cod, or Gaberdine have 124 to the hundred: Herring are counted by the hundred, thousands, and Lasts; a Last is 10000, every thousand 1200, and every hundred, 120. to the hundred.  
Of Paper and Parchment.  
A Bale of Paper is ten Ream, a Ream is twenty quires, and every choir twenty five sheets. A Roll of Parchment is five dozen, and a dozen twelve Skins.  
Of Wool.  
A Last of Wool is twelve sacks, a sack is two ways; a weigh is six Tod and a half; a Tod is two stone, a stone is fourteen pound, and a clear is half a stone; so that a Last of wool contains 312 stone, or 156 Tods.  
Of Fuel.  
Fuel, according to the Statute, is sized in to shids, billets, faggots and coals, a shid is to be four foot long besides the carfe, and according as they are marked or notche, so is the proportion or compass set which they should be about, as if they have 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 notches, than should they be in compass in the midst 16, 23, 28, 33, or 38 inches, and so of the rest accordingly.  
Billets are to be three foot long, whereof there should be three sorts, as the single, a cast, and a cast of two; the first seven inches and a half about, the next ten, and the third fourteen inches.  
Faggots must be three foot long, and the band besides the knot 24 inches, and made round, for flat faggots be much less, though all of one compass about. The sack of coals contains four Bushels.  
How things be numbered.  
Sables, martin's, Minks, Jenits, Filches, and Greys, have four Skins in the timber; Coney, Kid Lamb, Budge, and Cat, have five score to the hundred.  
Goatskins are fifty to the Kip, and tann'd-Calve skin's twelve to the dozen. Leather is numbered by Hides, Dickers, and Lasts; a Last is twenty Dickers, and a Dicker ten Hides,  
How Money is numbered in England.  
The least piece of money with us is a farthing, whereof two makes a halfpenny, four of them a penny, four pence makes a groat, twelve of them a shilling, five shillings a Crown, six shillings eight pence a Noble, two Nobles makes a Mark, three Nobles a Pound. The five shillings or Crown of silver weigheth just an ounce Avoirdupois.  
The Measures of England.  
Three barly-corns makes an inch, twelve inches a fooot, three foot a yard, five yards and a half a perch, four pearches in breadth and ten in length, a Rood, and four Roods make an Acre.  
An English mile is 8 furlongs, 88 scores, 320 pearches, 1056 paces, 408 els, 1560 yards, 5280 feet, 63360 inches, and 190080 barly-corns in length.  
The compass of the Earth is 360 degrees, which makes 21700 Italian miles, 5400 common Germane mills, and 4320 miles of Suevia.  
The Principal Rivers of England.  

Thames  
Severn  
Trent  
Avon  
Tweed  
Dee  
Ouse  
Dane  
Medway  
Merry  
Humbar  
Weamer  
Tine  
Weaner  
Isis.    

Country Proverbs used in discourse  
YOung men think old men to be fools, but old men know young men to be fools.  
Love me and love my Hound.  
Marriage and hanging go by destiny.  
To day a man, to morrow a Cuckold.  
He that marries a Widow and two Children, marries three Thiefs.  
Fair words makes fools feign.  
Hot love is soon cold.  
Make a Coward fight, and he will kill the Devil.  
Near is my Petticoat, but nearer is my Smock,  
Sorrow quits no scores,  
A Ship and a Woman always trimming,  
A Woman and a Glass always in danger.  
Fire is a good Servant but a bad Master.  
A rolling stone ne'er gathers moss.  
To a fair day open you window.  
Building and marrying of Children are two great wasters.  
Dally not with money nor women.  
Too much familiarity breeds contempt.  
Burnt Children dread the fire, when old fools will play with the coals.  
The nearer the Church, the further from God.   

A Brief Chronology of the times wherein these famous men lived.  

Theseus' the founder of Athens Anno Mundi 2716  
Romu●us the founder of Rome Anno Mundi 3198  
Homer the Father of the Poets Anno Mundi 3150  
Solon the Lawgiver to Athens Anno Mundi 3421  
Plato the Philosopher Anno Mundi 3675  
Diogenes the Cynic Anno Mundi 3684  
Aristotle the Philosopher Anno Mundi 3686  
Alexander the Great Anno Mundi 35●●  
Marcus Tullius Cicero Anno Mundi 387●  
Cato Utican Anno Mundi 3890  
Virgil Prince of Latin Poets. Anno Mundi 3999  
Constantine the Great Anno Domini 306  
George Castriot, vulgarly called Scanderbag Anno Domini 1453  
St. Augustine Anno Domini 401  
St. Anselm Bishop of Cant. Anno Domini 1280  
St. Bernard Anno Domini 1131  
St. chrysostom Anno Domini 401  
Tamburlaine the Great Anno Domini 1403  
Erasmus Anno Domini 1529  
Martin Luther Anno Domini 1521  
John Guttenbergh that invented Printing Anno Domini 1442    
FINIS.