ROBIN CONSCIENCE, Or, CONSCIONABLE ROBIN His Progress through Court City and Country: With his bad tertainment at each several place, & ●  
 man with animal and human figures around him   

ROBIN CONSCIENCE: His Progress through the Court, City, and Country.  

I Have been quite through England wide,  
With many a faint and weary stride,  
To see what people there abide,  
that loves me.   

Poor Robin Conscience is my name,  
Sore vexed with reproach and blame,  
For all where ever yet I came  
rep●●ve me.   

Few now endure my presence here,  
I shall be banished quite I fear,  
I am despised ,  
and scorned.   

Yet 'tis my Fortune now and then  
To meet some good woman or man.  
Who have (when they my woes did scan)  
sore mourned.   

To think that Conscience is despised,  
Which ought to be most highly prized:  
This trick the Devil hath devised  
to blind men.   

'Cause Conscience tells them of their ways,  
Which are so wicked now a days,  
They stop their ears to what he says,  
unkind men.   

I first of all went to the Court,  
Where Lords and Ladies did resort,  
My entertainment there was short,  
  

As soon as ere my name they heard,  
They ran away full sore afraid,  
And thought some Goblin had appeared  
from hell come.   

Consciene quoth one, be gone with speed,  
The C●u●● few of thy name doth breed,  
We of ●hy presence have no need:  
be walking.   

Tho● tell'st us of our pride and lust  
Which spite of thee we follow must:  
So out of Court was Conscience thirst,  
no talking.   

Thus vanished from the Court I went  
To Westminster incontinent.  
Where I (alas) was sorely shent  
for coming,   

The Lawyers did against me plead,  
It was no great matter some there said,  
If Conscience quite were knocked it'h head,  
then running   

From them I fled with winged haste  
(They did so threaten me to ●aste,)  
Thought it was vain my breath to waste  
in Counsel.   

For Lawyers cannot me abide,  
Because for falsehood I them chide,  
And he that holds not on their side,  
must down still.   

Unto the City hied I then,  
To try what welcome there's Tradesmen  
Would give poor Robin Conscience, when  
I came there   

The shop keepers that use deceit  
D●d come about me and did threat,  
Unless I would be gone, to beat  
me lame there   

And every one both high and low  
Held Conscience as a mortal foe  
Because he doth ill vices show  
each minute:   

Therefore the City in uproar  
Against me risen, and me so tore  
That I am resolved I'll never more  
come in it.   

On Friday I to Smithfield went  
Where being come incontinent  
The Horse coursers with one consent  
did chide me:   

They said that I was not myself  
And said that I was a pinching else  
And they could get more store of pelts  
beside me,   

I told them of a cheating trick,  
Which makes the Horses run and kick,  
By putting in an Eel that's quick  
i th' belly.   

Another which they use full oft  
To bear their lame jades heads aloft.  
And beat their buttocks till they're s●ft,  
as jelly.   

I told them that their wealth would rot,  
That they be cheating men thus got,  
But they for this same tale would not  
abide me,   

And charged me quickly to be gone,  
Quod they, of Conscience we use none,  
Those whom I follow with my moan,  
outride me.   

From thence I stepped into Long-lane,  
Where many Brokers do remains,  
To try how they would entertain  
poor Conscience,   

But my name when I them told,  
The women did begin to scold,  
The men said they that word did bold  
●   

For Conscience is so hard a word,  
That scarce a Broker can afford  
To read it, for his mouth is stored  
with lying.   

He knows not what this Conscience means,  
That is no cause unto his gains,  
Thus I was scorned for my pains,  
all crying   

Away with Conscience from this Lane,  
For we his presence do disdain,  
They said, if I came there again,  
among them,   

They said they'd bang me back and side,  
Being menaced thus away I hid:  
Thus worldlings think that when I chide  
I wrong them.   

Among the Butchers than went I,  
As soon as ere they did me spy,  
They threatened me most spitefully  
to kill me.   

Quoth one, if Conscience here should dwell  
We were not able to live well,  
Nor could we gain byth' meat we sell,  
nor will we   

Be bound to follow Conscience nice,  
Which would confine us to a price,  
Robin, be ruled by my advice,  
quoth he then,   

And get thee to some other place,  
We hate to look thee in the face,  
I hearing this, from thence apace  
did fly then.   

To New gate market went I then,  
Where Countrywomen, maids and men,  
Were selling needful things, and when  
they saw me;   

● me one Butter woman rails.  
Another comes and with her nails,  
did claw me.   

The Bakers which stood in a row  
Began to brawl at me also;  
And charged me away to go,  
because I   

Told them that they'd make lesser bread,  
Did not the Law put them in dread,  
there's some of them would wish them dead  
might laws die.   

Thus chid of them my way I took  
Unto Pie corner, where a Cook  
Glanced at me as the devil did look  
o'er Lincoln.   

Conscience, quoth he thou showst no wit  
In coming to this place unfit.  
I'll run thee thorough with a spit:  
then think on   

These words to thee which I have said  
I cannot live well by my trade,  
If I should still require thy aid  
in selling,   

Sometimes one joint I must cost thrice,  
Ere I can sell it at my price,  
Then here's for thee (who art so nice)  
no dwelling,   

Perforce he drove me backwards still  
Until I came unto Snow-hill,  
The Sale-men there with voices shrill  
fell on me:   

I was so irksome to their sight  
That they conjured me to flight,  
Or else they swore (such was their spite)  
they'd stone me.   

At Turn-againe-Laine the Fish wives there  
And wenches did so rail and swears.  
Quoth they no Conscience shall come here▪  
we hate him: 〈◊〉   

Their Bodges which for half pecks go,  
They vowed at my head to throw:  
No Conscience they were bred to know  
but prating.   

Away thus feighted by those Scolds,  
To Fleet street straight my love it holds  
Where men whose tongues were made in moulds  
of flattery,   

Did cry what lack you Country man?  
But seeing me away they ran,  
As though the enemy had begun  
his battery:   

One said to others, Sir ill news,  
Here Conscience comes us to abuse,  
Let us his presence all refuse  
together,   

And boldly stand against him all,  
We ne'er had use of him, nor shall  
He live with us, what chance did call  
him hither?   

The Haberdashers that sell hats,  
Hit Robin Conscience many pats,  
And like a company of Cats,  
they seracht him   

Quoth they why comest thou unto us:  
We love not Conscience ruffling thus,  
They gave him words opprobrious,  
and matched him.   

The Mercers and Silk men also  
That live in Pater-noster-row  
Their hate against poor Conscience show,  
and when I   

Came to that place, they all did set  
On me cause I their gain would let  
Who will both swear and lie to get  
one penny.   

From thence unto Cheapsside I passed,  
●here words in vain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
Out of the place I soon was chased,  
Quoth one man,   

Conscience, for thy presumption base,  
Intruding to this golden place,  
Thou death deserv'st, therefore apace  
be gone man.   

Dost think that we have so much gold  
Before our eyes still to behold,  
Will thus by Conscience be controlled  
and kerbed?   

Oh no, poor fellow, half away,  
For if long in this place thou stay,  
Thou shalt be (I le be bold to say)  
disturbed.   

From thence I turned down Bread-street,  
A Cheese monger I there did meet,  
He hied away with winged feet  
to shun me.   

How now quoth I, why run you so?  
Quoth he, because I well do know,  
That thou art Conscience my old foe,  
thou'st done me   

Great wrong, while I made use of thee  
And dealt with all men honestly,  
A rich man I could never be;  
but since then   

I banished have thy company,  
And used deceit with those that buy,  
I thrive, and therefore Robin high  
thee hence then.   

I left him with his had intent  
And into Fish-street strait I went,  
Among those Lads who wish that lent  
were all year:   

As soon as ere they me espied,  
They all at once upon me cried,  
And swore that Conscience should not guide  
〈…〉 there   

I seeing things thus seeming strange,  
That all men did from goodness range  
Did high me strait to the Exchange,  
a Merchant   

Was so affrighted when I came,  
But presently he blushed for shame,  
His countenance did show the same  
in searchant.   

Quoth he friend Robin, what dost thou  
Here among us Merchants now,  
Our business will not us allow  
to use thee.   

For we have traffic without thee  
And thrive best if thou absent be:  
I for my part will utterly  
refuse thee.   

I being thus abused below  
Did walk up stairs where on a row  
Brave shops of ware did make a show  
most sumptuous.   

But when the shop-folke me did spy  
They drew their dark light instantly  
And said in coming there was I  
presumptuous.   

The gallant Girls that there sold knacks  
Which Ladies and brave women lacks,  
When they did see me they did wax  
in choler.   

Quoth they, we ne'er knew Conscience yet,  
And if he comes our gains to let  
We'll banish him he'll hear not get  
one Scholar.   

I being feered thus and scorned,  
Went down the stairs, & sorely mourned,  
To think that I should thus be turned  
a begging.   

To Gracious-street I went along,  
Where dwell a 〈…〉  
That will deceive both old and young,  
with cogging:   

As Drapers, Poulterers, and such  
Who think they never get too much  
The word Conscience to them is Dutch,  
or Spanish.   

And harder too, for speech they'll learn  
With all their heart to serve their turn:  
But Conscience (when they him discern)  
they banish.   

I seeing all the City given  
To use deceit in spite of Heaven,  
To leave their company I was driven  
perforce then.   

So over London-bridge in haste,  
I hist and scoffed of all men, past,  
Then I to South w●rk taken at last,  
my course then.   

When I came there, I hoped to find  
Welcome according to my mind,  
But they were rather more unkind  
than London:   

All sorts of men and women there,  
Asked how I durst to them appear,  
And swore my presence they would clear  
abandon.   

I being sore a thirst, did go  
Unto an Alehouse in the row,  
Meaning a penny to bestow,  
in strong Beer.   

But cause I for a quart did call,  
My host is swore she'd bring me small  
Or else I should have none at all,  
thus wronged there,   

I bade her on her Licence look,  
Oh sir, quoth she, you are mistake,  
I have my Lesson without book,  
  

If I my Licence should observe,  
And not in any point to swe●ve,  
Both I and mine alas would starve,  
not surfeit   

In stead of the quart pot of Pewter,  
I all small iuge, and need no tutor:  
I Quarterage give to the Geometer  
most duly,   

And he will see, and yet will be blind,  
A knave made much on will be kind;  
If you be one, Sir tell your mind,  
no truly.   

No, no, quoth I, I au● no Knave  
No fellowship with such I have,  
My name is Robin Conscience brave,  
that wander   

From place to place, in hope that some  
Will as a servant give me room:  
But all abuse me where I come,  
with slander.   

Now when my hostess heard me fell,  
My name, she swore I should not dwell  
With her, for I would make her sell  
full measure.   

She did conjure me to departed:  
Hang Conscience, sates she, give me art,  
I have not got by a penny a quart  
my treasure.   

So out o'th' doors I went with speed;  
And glad she was to be thus freed,  
Of Conscience, that she might speed  
in frothing   

Into the King's Bench I needs would go,  
The jailor did me backwards throw;  
Quoth he, for Conscience here you know  
is nothing   

Through Blackmanstreet I went where  
Stood gazing 〈…〉  
There two or three bawds against me rores  
most loudly,   

And bade me get me hence apace,  
Or else they'd claw me by the face:  
They swore they scorned me and all grace  
most proudly.   

I walked in S. George's Field  
Where ●ooking Rascals I beheld  
That all the year their hopes do build  
on cheating:   

They were close playing at nine pins.  
I came and told them of these sins:  
Then one among the rest gins,  
entreating,   

That I would not torment them so:  
I ●●ld them that I would not go:  
Why then▪ quoth he, I let thee know,  
we care not   

And yet we'll banish thee perforce:  
Then he began to swear and curse  
And said, prat on till thou art hearse  
and spare not,   

I left them in their wickedness,  
And went along in great distresss  
Bewailing of my bad success,  
and spied   

A windmill standing there hard by,  
Towards the same then passed,  
But when the Miller did me spy  
he cried,   

Away with Conscience I'll none such,  
That smell with honesty so much,  
I shall not quickly fill my hutch  
by due toll.   

I must from every bushel of meal,  
A peck, if not three gallons steal,  
Therefore with thee I will no deal  
thou true soul.   

Then leaving City, skirts and all,  
Where my welcome it was but small,  
I went to try what would befall  
i'th' Country.   

There thought I to be entertained:  
But I was likewise there disdained,  
A long time bootless I complained  
tothth' Gentry.   

And yet no service could I have,  
Yet if I would have played the Knave  
I might have had maintenance brave  
among them.   

Because that I was Conscience poor,  
Alas they thrust me out of door,  
For Conscience many of them swore,  
did wrong them.   

Then went I to the Yeomanry,  
And Farmers of the Country,  
Desiring them most hearty  
to take me;   

I told them I would sell their corn,  
Unto the poor: but they did turn  
Me out of doors and with great scorn,  
forsake me,   

One said he had no use of me,  
To sell his corn, for I quoth he  
Must not be only ruled by thee  
in selling.   

If I shall Conscience entertain,  
he'd make me leave ingressing gain,  
Here is for thee I tell the plain,  
no dwelling.   

Thus from the rich men of the world,  
Poor Conscience up and down is hurled  
Like angry Curs at me they snarled  
and checked me,   

Alas what shall I do, thought I,  
〈◊〉 Robin must I starve and 〈◊〉  
I that I must, if no body  
respect me.   

At last I to myself bethought,  
Where I must go: and heaven brought  
Me to a place where poor folks wrought,  
most sorely.   

And there they entertained me well,  
With whom I ever mean to dwell,  
With them to stay, it thus befell  
though poorly.   

Thus people that do labour hard,  
Have Robin Conscience in regard;  
For which they shall have their reward,  
in Heaven.   

For all their sorrow here on Earth,  
They shall be filled with true mirth,  
Crowns shall to them at second birth  
be given.   

And all those Caitiffs that denied  
To entertain him for their guide,  
When they by Conscience shall be tried,  
and judged,   

Then will they wish that they had used  
Poor Conscience whom they have refused,  
Whose company they have abused,  
and grudged.   

Thus Robin Conscience that hath had  
Amongst most men but welcome bad,  
He now hath found to make him glad,  
abiding.   

Mongst honest folks that have no lands,  
But got their living with their hands,  
These are his friends that to him stands,  
and's guiding.   

These still keep Conscience from grim death  
And near gainsay what ere he saith,  
These lead their lives so here beneath,  
  

They may ascend from poverty,  
To Glory and great Dignity,  
Where they shall live and never die,  
while frying   

In hell the wicked lie, who would  
Not use true Conscience as they should,  
This is but for a moral told,  
you in it.   

He that observes, may somewhat spy,  
That savours of divinity,  
For conscionable folks do I  
begin it.   

And so I'll bring all to an end,  
It can no honest man offend,  
For those that Conscience do defend,  
it praises.   

And if that any galled jade kick,  
The Author hath devised a trick  
To turn him lose i'th' fields to pick  
up Daisies,   
FINIS.