A FAIR IN Spittle Fields, where all the Knick Knacks of ASTROLOGY Are Exposed to open sale, to all that will see for their Love, and buy for their Money. WHERE, First Mr. WILLIAM LILLEY presents you with his pack, wherein he hath to sell. 1. The Introduction, 2. Nativities Calculated, 3. The great Ephimeredies, 4. Monarchy, or no Monarchy 5. The Caracture of K. Charles, 6. Annus Tenebrosus. Second, NICHOLAS CULPEPER, brings under his Velvet Jacket. 1. His Chalinge against the Docttors of Phuisick, 2. A Pocket Medicine, 3. An Almanac, & Conjuring Circle, Third Mr. Bowker unlocked his Pack, wherein is, 1. The 12. signs of the Zodiac 2. The 12. Houses, 3. The 7. Planets, 4. The year's predictions, and the Starry Globe, Written by J. B. Gent. And Printed by J. C. In the Year 1652 The Prologue, IN greener Studies, much I have admired The Muse's rare inventions; and desired For recreation of't; to play upon The flwory banks, of sugared Helicon And venturing first, to tread the fatal stage Of Love, had fancy for my Equipage. Where having traversed, with but small success The boundless bounds, of that vast wilderness. I found my slagging wings, would soon betray My judgement to a Nonplus: Since the prey I aimed at; soared abave my reach, and then Resolved to cease, I laid aside my pen: Which for some years repose her drowsy head In Silence lap; until awakened By friends entreaties, who would needs go try To raise her, from this slumbering Malady Urged by persuasions and disturbed from rest; Suddenly roused, obsequiously addressed Her Morning wings, to slit the air, and soar A higher pitch, than she had done before And in even Numbers, then with equal care She writ this New— found Astrologicke fair: To show, the hairbrained world, how mad they be In courting, this Ambiguous foolery. A FAIR in Spittle Fields, where the Astrologers Knavery, is exposed to the view. and their Trinkets to all that will see for their Love, and buy for their Money. UPon a time, whose date hath unaware Slipped my remembrance; the Astrologers, Began to prate, as if the world should see Some sudden change, or great Catastrophe. Each Libel spoke a great Eclipse to come, The Scourge of Europe, and the fall of Rome; The amazement of spectators, great affright, Terror of Mortals, and a day like night. Yea, some presumed to say the Eclipse would be So wonderful as that obscurity Which spread earth's superficies, and befell, At the Jews slaughtering of Emanuel. These and the like things being published Abroad in Pamphlets, many minds were led To strange conceits, thinking each day a year, Till the long-looked for Monday should appear. But he that makes the drooping spirits glad, That frusterats Tokens, makes Diviners mad, Whose mighty wisdom ruleth all things made The Sun shine glorious, no Cimmerian shade, Made dark our dwellings; their predictions failed; Their Tales proved fables, and the People railed Against these Jugglers, whose prevarications Had filled their minds with such vain expectations; Th' Astrologe●s, perceiving it would try, In one poor day to vent their Foolery. Wherefore resolve to constitute a Fair, In Spittle-Fields, exposing each man's ware To public view; and 'ere a full decay, Having once sold their Trinkets, post away. The time being now at hand, that hasty Sun Which lately scorched their credit had begun, His daily course; when lo, a Crier stands Uttering with loud voice, and erected hands (Indeed his hands were lifted up on High, Because the matter much concerned the Sky.) O yes, will will any buy, The knick-knacks of Astrology. Quirks and Quillets, such like things Rare inventions, waxed wings, To soar above let them repair. And purchase what they want in Spittle Fair No sooner had he thus divulged this Note, Through the wide cranney of his hollow throat, But every Pedlar furnished his Stall, With pretty whimsies to be sold; though all, Demuried a while, and fixed their eyes upon, Their Captain General, who thus begun; Good People, Stand not amazed at this unusual Fair, 'Tis our Preservative against Dispair. And which must secure us by and by From the swift vengeance of a Hue and Cry. Come then before the lowest of my fall, And buy these writings Astrological. Lo her's an Introduction, 'tis as rare, A piece as ever breathed Celestial Air. By it are Questions of all sizes stated By it Nativeties are Calculated. The Delphic God ne'er did such tricks as these. It is the world's great Ephemerideses. Also, I have a Libel that will show Whether we shall have Monarchy or no. And at the end whereof there is prefixed Rats, Dragons, Lions, with a thousand tricks. To please men's fancies, news of peace and strife Besides King Charles his Character and life. He'rs Anus Teneborus; buy it will ye 'tis a rare piece Composed by Mr. Lillie. These and some more I have, yet none will buy The famous Gewgaws of Astrollogy. Exit Next to him entr'd one whose active shape, Had some assimulation with an Ape. On whom a Doctur (pleased with what he Spoke) In courtesy, bestowed a velvet Cloak, Which being metamorphesed to a jacket Under the threadbare skirrs he brought a Packet, With Medicables fraught; though some deny To couple Phuisick with Astrollogy. This man indees the Vicar of St. Fools, Yet contradicts Physicians and the Schoolls, And with a handful of conceited knowledge. Dare challenge all the Doctors in the College: Absurdly and presumptuously of late Usurped the Pulpit, when intoxicate. And now as Master of the Fair-place: this, His worship uttered with an Emphasis, What lack ye Gentlemen, come buy this Spell 'twill fetch grand Pluto from the nether Hell. Buy this Conjuring Circle which of late Preserved th' Exorcist, Tapers consecrate With Garments washed: bid money though but little, For night comes on, and we must leave the Spittle. Oh, fie upon't, how these dull markets plague us, Happy were I to speak with Simon Magus. How well my Portage, would fit him to carry, And our brave Books replete his Library. there's much more in my Pack which I'll not open, Since my condition is so void of hope. Her's my last work, Catastrophe Magnatum, And her's Receipts are sealed with Probatum. Her's a Fool's Cap lined with a Knavish brain, And Cripsies Riddles, but 'tis all in vain. Wherefore I am resolved to smoke my Nose, Then strait way to the Fuddling-School he goes. Where you may find him sucking when he list, The fuming Pipe, or play the Organist. These two were chief, but yet another came, Of great esteem, whom I forbear to name, A man well known, whose face would fright a Razor He much resembled stern-lookt Abbumaser. Crowding into the midst of the throng Cries out, who is it that hath done us wrong. Unluckey stars, that would not let us know, The near approach of our sad overthrow. But in revenge thereof I mean to sell, The twelve fair Houses where the Planets dwell. I'll sell the whole reversion of my pack, Who buys these twelve Signs of the Zodiac. Besides each years Predictive Almanac. My treasure far exceeds the Golden Feece, And her's good Fortunes sold for pence a piece. Nay more! I have the starry Globe! See here, Will this not tempt you; a Celestial Sphere. Methinks 'tis strange the spangles of the Sky, Are to be sold, and yet there's none will buy. This said: as all the rest had done before, He trust his Pack, put up, and was seen no more. Within the Fair-place, though to tell you plain, The man I think, lives now in Creed-church Lane Those were the Grandees, but a number more, (Whom I forbear to mention) brought their store, To this great Fair, and every man was glad, To sell those simple whimsies which he had. But none would buy, wherefore they left the fair While people's shouts, might seem to rend the air. This the World's great Moon Calf Died Being in the height of pride. FINIS.