York  
Canter.    

A NEW DISPUTATION Between the two Lordly Bishops, YORK and CANTERBURY.  
With a Discourse of many passages which have happened to them, before and since that they were committed to the Tower of LONDON.  
Being very necessary for observation, and well worth the Reading.  
The second Edition, corrected and enlarged.  
Written in English PROSE by Laurence Price, February the 15. 1642.  
The simple sort lives most at rest,  
Whilst Lordly Bishops are distressed.  
London Printed for J. Wright. 1642.   

A New DISPUTATION Between the two Lordly Bishops, YORK and CANTERBURY.  York. 
FEllow and friend as a man may say, you're well overtaken; who would have thought to have seen you here at this time of the day?  Cant. 
Prithee York be meddling with some others matters, and talk not to me. I am not thy fellow yet; and thou knowest I was never thy friend, 'tis well for you that you are so light-hearted, I tell you truly I am heavy.  Yor. 
Why Canterbury, if I may not be so bold as to call you fellow nor friend, yet I am sure we are neighbours; how long ever 'twill last I cannot tell: and whereas you say you are very heavy (if I am not much mistaken) You will be made lighter by the head before three months come to an end, I am sure you have well enough deserved for it.  Cant. 
Neighbour York, if you will be so called, here we are both forthcoming though not coming forth, if thou hast any thing to charge me with, speak thy mind and spare not, I fear thee not.  Yor. 
And shall I speak my mind freely?  Cant. 
Ah, say what thou canst.  Yor. 
I am in doubt I shall make you angry?  Cant. 
Fear not that, nor spare no speech.  Yor. 
Then Canterbury mark what I shall say to thee, I verily think if thou were rewarded answerable to thy deeds, thou shouldest be served as the two Romish Priests were in January, which were benefactors for the Pope.  Cant. 
Why how were they served?  Yor. 
Thus, first they took shipping at Newgate, afterwards sailed up Holborn, and came a shore at Tyburn.  Cant. 
And have I deserved to be drawn hanged and quartered?  Yor. 
If thou were as sure to have it as thou hast deserved for it, thy turn would be the next.  Cant. 
I wonder York why thou shouldest be so ambitious, and to pass rash judgement against me? thou art like him that can discern a little mote in another man's eye; but thou canst not see a beam in thine own eye: for any thing I can perceive, our cases are both a like, I am in the Tower of London, so are you, I am here kept a Prisoner, so are you, I am like to suffer death for my misdeeds, and so are you. Wherefore then should you not rather study to cure your own diseases, then to apply a plaster to my wound.  Yor. 
Stay, stay, a little my little Lord, you put me in mind of wounds and grievances, I pray you tell me one thing if you can remember it, how hath your body fared since your Doctor gave you the purge, which made you vomit up the Crosskeys and the Mitre? me thinks you look very costive upon the matters?  Cant. 
Now you speak of my looks, have you forgot my Lord, how the Devil made two looks over Lincoln? I would wish you to beware the third, lest you come home by weeping cross.  Yor. 
d'ye hear me Canterbury, since your mind runs so much upon crosses, I can tell such strange news of a Cross, which I think will cross your humour to hear it. It is for certain spoken, that Cheapside Cross is quite defunct, and stands like one forsaken of her former Solicitors.  Cant. 
Why, what have they done to Cheapside Cross? I thought that had not offended any body?  Yor. 
It seems it hath offended some body, For I am sure they have torn down part of the portraiture of the body of Christ, and the Cardinal's Crosier staff, and the Crown that was placed upon the Virgin Maries head.  Cant. 
Now by my Holidame, I think that they were no Papists, that did it, but how can you approve this to be true, I am sure that you were not there to see it?  Yor. 
Are you so hard of belief, that you cannot believe any thing to be true unless you see it? Then you will not believe that the two Popish Priests were drawn hanged and quartered for offending the King's Laws; whose heads were no sooner set upon London Bridge, but Bensteed your young watchman turned his towards the Tower, expecting a third man. Then you will not believe that the Lord Digby is gone beyond Sea? Then you will not believe that Colonel Lunsford is taken, If you will not believe nothing but what you see, it is in vain to tell you any news at all.  Cant. 
But are you in mind that the disfiguring of Cheapside Cross, is a greater distaste to me than it is to yourself?  Yor. 
Ited please your graceless grace my little Lord, you know that I ever hated Papistry from the beginning; for which cause you caused me to suffer a long time imprisonment. Moreover you thought to have seen an end of my life, but now I may chance to live to see your end.  Cant. 
You talk like one that is overioy'd, but tell me one thing at your leisure, have you given in your answer to the charge, which was the other day laid in against you at the Parliament? or have you never seen the Welch-man's Protestation?  Yor. 
1. I would have you answer me to this question, and then I shall answer you the better? What news do you hear from Rome? hath your ghostly father the Pope ever a pardon in store for you? are you sure that when you die you shall be Canonised for a Saint? resolve me that question Canterbury.  Cant. 
Me thinks your tongue runs a little too fast York, have you any more questions to ask me?  Yor. 
Yes, Yes, more I think then you will be willing to answer to.  Cant. 
Let me hear your excellent wits; 'tis very well known that I have answered too many great matters in my time, therefore I make no doubt but I shall be ready to give you satisfaction to the full.  Yor. 
Then I would have you tell me what you hear from the Cardinals, Monks, Friars, Nuns, Popish Priests, Jesuits, Seminaries, and Seducers in Rome, and other Countries, are they all friends with you? Is your grace in such high favour with them, that they will send some of their Agents privily to convey you out of this strong Tower. They intent sure a practice, let them take heed of the London Prentices, for Bensteeds death is not forgotten.  Cant. 
Fie York forbear, thou talkest to me in such a railing manner, that although I can, I will not answer thee; therefore rest thyself content for this, I am persuaded to that, if all thy faults were written in thy forehead, thou wouldst appear to be as bad, as who's worst.  Yor. 
Canterbury, if you are weary of my talking, I would also have you to be weary of your wicked deeds, and labour to serve your Maker as a true Protestant ought to do, and to be faithful to the King's Majesty, and the Honourable Houses of Parliament; in so doing, you may have peace of Conscience in this life, and after death, your fins may be remitted, through the merits of our Saviour.  Cant. 
Hark, hark, there is a Messenget comes, which hath brought me tidings that my dinner is ready, so York adieu far this time.  Yor. 
Canterbury farewell, remember the last counsel that I gave you, and as for my part I conclude, Hony soit qui mal I penny.  Cant. 
Stay York, yet a little longer, I have one question more to ask thee, which I had almost quite forgot.  Yor. 
I thought you were troubled with the simples, you have so many things to think on, that I think you'll forget every thing are it be long: what would you say to me if you could speak?  Cant. 
Tell me this one thing in courtesy.  Yor. 
What thing is that?  Cant. 
What is the reason that so many Countrymen came up to London lately? I hear that thousands of men came up in troops, some on foot, and some on horse back. What was the meaning of their coming?  Yor. 
Sure enough Camerbury, they came not for any good will they bore to you.  Cant. 
Why should they bear me any ill will?  Yor. 
They say you have caused them to have worshipped Idols, and that you would erect new Crosses, with Popish Pictures about them, and that they were forced to set up Altars in their church by your means, These are things which Protestant's neither can, nor will endure.  Cant. 
Why, doth the Law lie in their hands?  Yor. 
For certain they made Petitions to the honourable Houses of Parliament; to the end, that they would have all the Bishops put down for your sake.  Cant. 
And do you understand that all the Bishops shall be put down?  Yor. 
Yea, all the Popish Bishops.  Cant. 
Then what think you will become of all the Romish Catholics?  Yor. 
The Priests and Friars may take their chance,  
And walk a journey into France;  
The Jesuits they may trudge to Spain,  
And never more return again;  
The Papists all may pack to Rome,  
And stay there till the day of doom.  Cant. 
If all these things you live to see,  
Then will a merry England be.  
Come a way to dinner.   

Enter a poor Musitioner with a new SONG.  

FIDLER.  
May it please both your graces to hear a new Song,  
In which on my word I mean no body wrong.   Cant. 
Is't worth the hearing?  Fid. 
I hope it will give your Lordship's content.  Yor. 
Come let's hear your Song.   

Here beginneth the Song, to the tune of, Banks his Bill of Fare.  

1.  
I Am a poor man and scarce worth a shilling,  
As unto my neighbours is too too well known,  
Yet to live upright in the world I am willing,  
I covet for nothing but what is mine own:  
2. And now in the first place to tell you my mind,  
For falsehearted people I care not a straw,  
This is my conceit by experience I find,  
There's none but offenders that feareth the Law.   

3.  
I am not in question called for my Religion,  
From every vile Sect I myself can withhold,  
Both Papist and Atheist I hold in derision,  
I'll not wrong my conscience for lucre of gold:  
4. My tongue I will govern by the line of reason,  
From every dissembler myself I'll withdraw.  
I hate all such Rebels that dares to speak Treason,  
There's none but offenders that feareth the Law.   

5.  
I marvel what harm hath old Cheapside Cross done,  
That some mere mechanics hath wrought it spite,  
To disfigure Picture of Mary and her Son,  
And dare not to show forth their heads by daylight:  
6. They also have pulled down the Crosier Staff  
Which once was fast plac'tin the Cardinal's claw,  
This sport cannot choose but make Lucifer laugh,  
There's none but offenders that feareth the Law.   

7.  
One thing above all the rest I do admire  
Why so many vulgars' are in an uproar?  
To put down the Bishops is that they desire.  
Although they can show no good reason wherefore:  
8. But now to conclude lest I should you offend,  
And you for my Song would no money me draw,  
I'll shut up my Pipes and so make an end,  
There's none but offenders that feareth the Law.   Yor. 
Why there's no hurt at all in this Song upon my word.  Cant. 
If all that reads Pamphlets, and sings Ballads about the City of London and in the Country, did no worse than this, I should be a great deal better pleased with them: Hold there is something for thy reward.  

My Lords I thank you both, although your lives stands in jeopardy.  
The Fiddler hopes to live so long, to see your heels at liberty.   
L. P.  
FINIS.