LIBRARY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 University of California. 
 
 P37/ 
 Class i^cj^ 
 
 uu 
 
 B -^._ 
 
i'j^'-gsx^L^s^^^-'^f^^'^y--'--''^"^^- 
 
 XLbc Uubor jfacsimile XTejrts 
 
 9Lb£ f BJ^krB |ro|il)ern. 
 
 1595 
 
 Date of the first known edition, i595 
 
 {British Museum. C 34. b. 37.) 
 
 Reproduced in Facsimile, 191 1. 
 
Under the Supervision and Editorship of 
 JOHN S. FARMER 
 
 
 1595 
 
 Issued for Subscribers by the Editor of 
 
 THE TUDOR FACSIMILE TEXTS 
 MCMXI 
 
(lilt ^zUzx'b f rnijljetg. 
 
 1595 
 
 The only known copy of the play is in the British 
 Museum (Press-mark C34 b. 37j. 
 
 " The Pedler's Prophecy " is so much on the same lines 
 as the ^^ sister^' -play ^^ The Cobler's Prophecy,'^ which bears the 
 name of Robert Wilson, that the consensus of opinion is to 
 give it to that writer. Wilson is by many thought to be 
 also responsible for " The Three Ladies of London " and " The 
 Three Lords arid Three Ladies of London.'^ 
 
 The " Z). A^. B." notice of Robert Wilson conveys all 
 that is known of him. 
 
 A comparison of this facsimile with the original by 
 Mr. J. A. Herbert, of the Manuscript Department, British 
 Museum, shows, he says, that " it is an absolutely first-rate 
 reproduction.^^ 
 
 JOHN S. FARMER. 
 
 225311 
 
-T^-w—irryrm^r 
 
 THE 
 
 PEDLERS 
 
 Proph 
 
 lccic. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 Printed by Tho. Creede, 
 
 and arc to befold by William Bailey^t his 
 ihopin Gratious firecte. 
 
 I %9 1* 
 
 

The PcdlersProphecie. 
 
 TTic Prolo2;iie. 
 
 FOr as much as wc mull talkc of Prophecic, 
 Wc intend with pardon and fupportation, 
 As learned men doth well define and te(bfic, 
 Thereof to make a true and pure declaration: 
 To prophecie of things is a Auiucinfpiration, 
 Telling things to come with vnmoucablc vcritic : 
 A ^ft oncly proceeding from Gods high maicftie. ; x 
 
 A diuineinfpiration he callethpropiiecie, 
 That which doth all other Prophecies exclude : 
 Which arc no prophecies, but tilings of mens fentacics, 
 Inuciited to dccciuc the ignor.uit and rude t 
 But Sathan is rcadie vnbelccucrs to delude, 
 Though his members wlio arc proued to be U'ers, 
 Yet they lliamc not to call thcmfelucstriteprophccicrs 
 Tlic falrtiood and vanities of thcfe prefligidtors, 
 Saint /ti^Hfitne in nine or ten bookcs de ctwtatedet, 
 Confiitcth and proueth them no true Relators ; 
 But blafphcmcrs and vcrie Athaiiis, 
 And thertforc by the iudgcmentof God murthers: 
 Not woithic to hue jby the fcntencc of Gods mouth, 
 For into Lies and Fables they haue turned the truth. 
 Saint Hterem ypon Mtcha do teftiiiCj 
 Tliat the terme or vocable diuinanon. 
 Which the diucls mancyplcs calicth prophecie, 
 
 A 2 I^ 
 
1 
 
 ■1 
 . TlrePedlers 
 
 Is oftcD taken in an ciiill confideration, 
 
 As in the famephce lie makctli a plaine relation : * 
 
 That the true Propliets, in fcripture Prophets arc named, 
 
 Diuinators,arc rcproued,condcmnccl,and bUmed. 
 
 To that pcrniciou? Icicncc Diuination, 
 
 Arc added a number of dyabiliiali vanities, 
 
 Wlicreof I am not able to make recitation, 
 
 Neither do I cfleemc fuch wicked faculties, 
 
 / wi'li them extinift in all communaltics, 
 
 For where they were they were permitted : 
 
 There was the prince 5c the people fore puniiTicd 
 
 And although I ihall not rejiearfc them in order. 
 
 The firit of alljhe nameth Ne:>roraanfie, 
 
 Phytonia (bmc (ay,is of as high degree, 
 
 Peroinan{ie,Heromanfie,Hydromanfic,GcomanJ(ic, 
 
 Phyftonomyi Metapoftopy, Spatulmannc,Gheromanfic, 
 
 Then haue you Horacn, A^uriuiTi,Poftygiiuin, 
 
 Afpicium,Magyam,Vcnefifliraum,Sortilogullum,^ 
 
 There bea great many moe then /can recite, 
 
 Wjicreof euerie one hatli liis ri^ht : 
 
 That is to fay^eucry one hath his diuilifli fupctflition. 
 
 Contrary to Gods wprd,and Chrifts cmdition. 
 
 Confounded be tliofc children of pcrdicion. 
 
 Mofes confounded thcmjfo did lohe and Efiy^ 
 
 Witli all the Apoftles,P rophets^and Doaors,vtterIy . 
 
 Of Gods ProphetSjthus doth Lacia»ctw write. 
 
 They did not onely of things to come prophecic. 
 
 But tliey fpake of one truth in one fprite, 
 
 "VYhich was fulfilled in their times openly. 
 
 Thefewcre fent of God by precept verelic, 
 
 To be mcllcngers of his diuine maicftie, 
 
 And to be correlators of mens miquitie. 
 
 To deride theftjour Author hath a Plaic compiled, 
 
 Which he calleth the Pedlcrs Prophecic« 
 
 Out of the which^all fuch lewdneffc fliall be exiled, 
 
 And other things fpoken of ver}^ merely: 
 
 ♦' We 
 
Fropliecie. 
 We fhall vfe the mancr of a comely Cofncc!ic. 
 The propel tie thereofjii honcft mirth to make. 
 The which to do at this time,! do vndertakc. 
 And wheicnswe fhal fpeake of ccrtaine trauellers, 
 W e defirc all honefl: perfbns not to be offended, 
 For vfc mcane none but bankerouts and vfurcrs, 
 Which to ATidojOther hath intended: 
 Their abiife I wifh hcartil/tobeamendcd. 
 For the paft fliame bankrout,borroweth beyond his cflate, 
 Then he flceth,kcepcth his houfe.or raketh Ludgatc. 
 VnlefTe our Preface (hould too farrc it fclfc extend: 
 And engender tediouCieflc vnto our audience. 
 With a f cwc words more I wl J 1 make an end : 
 Bcfeeching you to heare the reft with patience. 
 So doing,of our mirth you fliall hauc intelligence. 
 I take my Icaue of you,for yonder commcth the Pcdler, 
 
 V VJiich will take vpon Iiim to be agreat mcdler. 
 PeMer^ O this packc,this packe,this hcauy packc. 
 
 It is fo heauie,it hath almoft broke my backe. 
 
 V Vcar)%na)' I was ncuer fo wear)', 
 Since I pafled Orowfc Ferry : 
 Time it is to fct it do wne , 
 
 V^'^culd to God I were neare fomc good Towne: 
 
 Apcny for a pot ofdriiikc, 
 
 I fhall die for thirfl:,truly I thinkc. 
 
 A grca t way liauc I gone fincc 1 dranke, 
 
 Fourtcene mylc beyond the Scottifh bankc. 
 
 FewePcdlcrstakcfuchpaine : 
 
 I am fairx to buy all my ware in Spaiue. 
 
 And becaufc I would hauc all my ware good. 
 
 Sometimes I pafTc vnto lafim wood. 
 
 Vnder the poole -^Ktartickf there I was, 
 
 Whereas 1 fpakc with the mightie e^/Aw, 
 
 Of whom for mony 1 had a pafport, 
 
 That through Celum Imferinm^ I might re(btt. 
 
 From thence xnio Primum Mobily, 
 
 Th^re bought I a Oonc called Iliks Toy, In 
 
ThePcdlers 
 
 In the which there is a fpirit inclofcd, 
 
 Whom truly when I am difpofed, 
 
 i can tell what is ftud or done 5 
 
 From vnder the G)nftellation of the Moone; 
 
 Ynto tlic center of the earth indc«d, 
 
 Wliither I purpofe to go uith all ipced. 
 
 To CeiuM aqMW4m^ came from thence, 
 
 And there beftowed I the moft of my pence: 
 
 Yet to tell you rhe truth of the matter, 
 
 I was almoft perifhcd with water j 
 
 Time it was to call for a boat, 
 
 Three dayes in the water,! ftood vp to the throat} 
 
 Yet as hard as the world went there, 
 
 To fill vp my packe I bought more gearc. 
 
 There bought I a ftone called Calbrates, 
 
 Oh haphic is he that hath fuch a ftonc : 
 
 I tell you that thoufands cannot get one. 
 
 For this ftone eiucth wifedomcjionor and grace, 
 
 And defcndeth from perils in cuery place* 
 
 If thai with Dyoflarjfdes you could fyeakc, 
 
 Your mind vnto him you might brcakc« 
 
 Then came I to the firmament, 
 
 And to paflc thence X had commandcment. 
 
 Saturne was angry and veric fearfc. 
 
 The caufes why,/w!ll not now reliearfe: 
 
 /»wVrr could not pacifie the caufe. 
 
 Then Mars cafed them with ftafford lawes. 
 
 5o^engendred fuch a fort of fly es: 
 
 So that they had almoft bitten out mme eves. 
 
 Thcviv^2li^Alhyrentu,Mercury,^t\ioMQorM, 
 
 From whence I came fince y«fterday at noone; 
 
 Yet as hard as the world was there. 
 
 To fill vp my packe I bought more geare. 
 
 A ftone / bought which 7 enya they call, 
 
 Thisftone hath the bcftpropertie of all: 
 
 ForitWJUmakctotofpcakethatisdujDb^ 
 
Propliecie. 
 And be able to tell of things to come* 
 Tins ftonc I bcarc vndcr my ton^e alvVay, 
 So that I can tell what they do or lay. 
 Well vp with my packc and get ir»c hence* ^ 
 There is no remcdiie I muft tiudc . for final pence. 
 Conyskins ma) de$,G)nyskins mayde, 
 Yonder commcth one,l am well apayde. 
 Here the may d enters. 
 
 Majd^ Welcome P edlcr,haft thou any fine needles here? 
 Or any ftiffepinncs fharpcat the poynt 1 pray you. 
 
 Fed, I haue indeed,but they be fomcwhat deare: 
 S uch as will breake before they will bow, 
 Not like vnto maydens the truth for to fpcake, 
 Which before they will breake they will bend. 
 
 Ma^ Wifely fpokcnIohnHoddy-peake, 
 Your thrift and your wit,at the good ale you dofpend r 
 If thou ha It any,a t once bring them forth : • 
 / may not ftand pratling nil day with thee. 
 
 Fed. /tell you my needles and pinncs be more wortl^ 
 Than you are worthie for your faiielookes to fee: , 
 
 You will not buy,! know fo much of your mindc, 1 
 
 Therefore at this time you fliall not haue your lull J ^ ** < 
 
 For if my needles or pinncs fhould take any winde. 
 They would canker by and by,and take rulh 
 
 Ma, VViltthouhauemebuythcpiginthcpoake? 
 1 may fee for loueyind buy for mony. 
 
 Pf^. V V here fire is, a man may pcrcciuc by the fmoakc> 
 Tliinke not but thatl know a Cat fix>m a Cony.i 
 I am acquainted well iooucli with hopes lay, 
 Learned I banc to know chaffe from corne; 
 Before ought you haue of rac you fhall pay, 
 You fhall not bcguile,and then laugh me to fcoi'hc. i- 
 
 CvW<*. 6yGod,andl know chalKe from chccfe, 
 I can difcirne an lionctt man from a knauc, t 
 
 If naught 1 gajne by thee, naught,naught, will I Iccife. 
 None of dly wares,nonc of my mony thou ihalt haue. 
 
 Better 
 
Ir 
 
 ThePedlers 
 
 Better then any thou haft I c:m buy. 
 
 But to pcrceiuc what thou art I do be^in : 
 
 If" thou haft either needles or pinnes there let mc die. 
 
 You compalTc the country/oitic cheat by craft to win": 
 
 I ncuer knew honeft man of this occupation. 
 
 But either he was a dyfer,a drunlcard,or a maker of /hift, 
 
 A picker,a cutpurfc,arai{cr of limulation. 
 
 Or fuch a one as runne away with another mans wife. 
 
 Ped^ May J I pray you,let mc haue a word or two in yotir 
 By the (anie token there ftandcth a fat. (earc;^ 
 
 /•^a. God foi- his paflion,wLcn were you there \ 
 I befhrew his heaii,that told you that. 
 1 thought you had not bene a P^dlcr Jong : 
 You wereoneofthofe that ftood ontlie pilleric. 
 That you were not all hangd you had wrong, 
 For by the diuell you wrought fome forceric. 
 
 Fed. So fure as you arc a mayd and virgin purc^ 
 So fure I ftood on the pillaric. 
 And as fure as you arc gentle and demure, 
 I neucr vfcd inchantment or forcerie. 
 But mayd a- word or two in your care againe. 
 If it may be it fliall be as you faide: 
 The fame day there fella great tcmpcft of rainej 
 Staic a while;as hitherto you haue ftaide« 
 . Ma. You arcinfpircd with the holy Ghoft newly. 
 But the diuell is within you fo God mc faue. 
 
 Ped^ This was faid and donc,thc eighth day of /uly. 
 You fhall h:juc that you had not,and lofe that you haue. 
 Did you neuer hcare ofa maid called Pleiad J 
 She had fixe filWjand her feife made vp.thc Ccuenth, 
 Ti lefe were th c daughters-of the mightic Jtlat, 
 Who byhi$'o\vne pc wenhoWeth vp the licauen^ 
 But niarkc"What /fay,whcn //if/> ftiall ftop her hght. 
 Then maids of Esigl'and,weepc,waile,and forrow « 
 Fer ch'ey riiat go may dens to bed oucr night, 
 jwiil ijJotii-f X what they fhall do on thcxnwrow. . : \ 
 
Prophecie. 
 
 M4, /will keep counfcllyknow not what ye mcane, 
 You arc too wife for me goodman Pcdler. 
 
 Fed, /wiHi you to keep your raifcdworkecleanc, 
 Butlnneedlc-workelwiiibenoraedlcr. ' 
 
 Mother. Whopc,whcrc with forrow art thoufolono-? <. 
 Haft thou not bought tl ly needles y et ? ^ >" 
 
 You will hauc your fcoperlets al way among, 
 Get you home^with forro w I fdy,and laic to the fpit: 
 When your father fhall come to fuj^er anon, 
 Then the mcate to the fire fhall fcarcly be laidc. 
 What, you bokc that I fhould do all thin» alone. 
 
 Ma, Mother, of this P edler take heecfand ^cwarc, ' 
 
 For he can tell all things that I haue faid and done. 
 
 Moth» Heraayfccwhatagoodhurwifeyearc, i 
 
 Your idlcncflc/warrantjhc may pcrcciuefoone, i 
 
 Fed* By my troth mother )'ou fay the truth, 
 Bythefrutesamanmayfooneknowthctrce, ~ * 
 
 There was ncucrfccncftjchidleneflc in youth, 1 
 
 And tliat in high and low of cuer)' degree. 
 
 For yoong men to be idle It is intollerabl^ j 
 
 Butmaydcnstobeidlcandofanyflate: % 
 
 Is a thing moft pernicious and deteftable. 1 
 
 Foridlcneirevntoallmifcliicfcisanopengatc. \ 
 
 IcoUidreheailcafbrtofdamfclsbynamc, : 
 
 Which through id!cncire,lcarned things not to be (jX)kcn, j 
 
 But what was their end they came all to iliaroc: (tokeii, 1 
 
 As flic did which daunce for John Baptifts head,by the fame 
 Ma^ As a lame man hath no profit by his faire legs, \ 
 Sooutoftheraouthofhimthatisnothoncft, ' • 
 
 A good (cntence is not worth a couple of cgs, 
 
 But is as profitable as is (how in harueft, \ 
 
 Who may fpeake wx)r(c againft an cuill life, 
 
 Th en Pedlcrs whofe whole trade is idlenefle : j 
 
 D)'cers,drunkard$,makcrsofftrife, . ; 
 
 VcryfincksandfentencesofallwickednclTc. J 
 
 Motb. Hold thy peace with forrow,by SJcmy I lav, \ 
 
 '■■-'' n Get I 
 
ThePediers . 
 
 Get thcc fbrth,anc! go about thy budncllc, 
 /t is a prcric hearing For a mayd to fcold alway, 
 He may fwcarcthat thou art full of idlcncflc, 
 Bv^t 1 pra)' you tell mc,haue you any good pepper? 
 i would Iwue an ounce and if it be good, 
 
 Ped^ Without doubt you ncuer (pent better, 
 A s firic lenuper as any is in FangringofTe wood. 
 But 1 pray youlec me anfwcrc your daughter. 
 Of her I tell yo«, ) ou may haue very great ioy. 
 She is yours,and you hauc dearly bought her^ 
 But yet you niuft bid her bewiue of one cuil toy# 
 Well niayd I pray you let me fee your hand> 
 I will keep counfcll,! fwcare by mine honcftie. 
 
 Mk, Say what thou wilt,thou flialt not fee my hand^> 
 For in thcc is neither mauers nor rnodeftie. 
 
 Afo. He may fee your hand pcrde fo he may, 
 I cry you mercy jas angry as a thing of nought: 
 
 Aig. He mail fee no lund of mine here to day, 
 I am as 1 am,and as you haue me vp brought. 
 
 ffd, I can tell as much by your face and lookc. 
 As T can tcl 1 by looking the lines of your hand: 
 Now furely of late I red in a bookc, 
 That fewc maidens flialbc left in the land. 
 But to my words I would hauc you be attendant. 
 The fin of maidens God hath already fo uunifhed, 
 That a man cannotget an honeft nuid Icruant, 
 Dead tliey arc 1 wccne,:'.ndclc3ne extinguiflied: 
 But when the do^ holdeth the bull v^ ith the golden homes,. 
 Then thus it Ihall come to palfe,! dare laic my head: 
 That for mony we fhall get no new Ale in cornes, 
 For all Englifli maids thjt yeare fliall be dead. 
 
 A fa. \V hen the Rambe puflicth againft the Serpent, 
 Then perifh all Pcdicrs and peaking Proftors: 
 The day will come that the lion will be ferucnt. 
 Then take heed all dreamersjand doating Doftors. 
 
 PeJ. Paffion-of God^now am I put to my trumpc. 
 
 Mother 
 
Prbphecie, 
 Mother, I pcrcciuc yom* daughter hath gone to fchool* ; 
 Marry there (he paid me home againe iumpc. 
 But mother,! pray you let me askc you one thing. 
 Can your daughter worke at times voyd ? 
 
 Mo^ Yea forfoothjfhe workethftom morning to cucnin^ 
 With the necdle,and very well (he can inbrayd, 
 
 Pcd. \Vcll,to hufwiferic let her applic her minde : 
 For within a while fliall be one Eclipfc of the Sun, 
 As by good leamin^,furely I do finde. 
 That then fhall be nnifhed that now i% begun. 
 Proud lookcs,fi:rctchcd out ncckcs,and wanton eies. 
 Their frolike cheare,tlikir fine walkes,and tripping: 
 With all their plcafures which they now do deuife. 
 Their fcafting,difgi lifing, their kifling and clipping. 
 Rich (howes,llrange funcrals,precious abillimcnts. 
 Golden collers/pangs,bracelets,bonets,and hoods. 
 Painted and laid out hairc,filide$,and nether ornaments* 
 Their chains.&fumptuous apparrell, that coft great goods, 
 Earing iewels,iemme$,to (ct out their faces, 
 Chaunge of garments,ca(Iocks,valcs,launes fine, 
 Needles,gla(ics, partlcts, fillets,and bungraces, 
 With cuUours curious to make the face fhinc , 
 After this your needle worke w ill be naught worth, 
 Therefore fome other occupation you muft Icarne: 
 You that intend to fct your children forth, 
 MuQteachthcm to labour,their huings to eame, . ^ 
 Hicir.tr A Pater. '^ > 
 
 Father. A couple of r;ood hufwifeSjthe mother and the 
 To ftand prating here all the day long: (daughter, 
 
 What time of nidit fliall we go to fupper » 
 Euerie day I mult be feine to fing one fong. 
 
 Mo. By my troth husband you are like to haue no roaft- 
 For I haue had other bufincs to da}' in hand: (meat to nigln, 
 Here is come fuch another wight, 
 As the like was neucr heard otin tl Vis land. 
 
 l>af*ih. By by troth fatber,lie is but a pratlmg Pcdler, 
 
 B 2 And 
 
TliePedlers 
 
 And to fay the truth hath nothing to fell : 
 
 Bur in foothfaying he would appcare to bca media*. 
 
 But belceucyou nothing that he doth tell. 
 
 Fa, APcdler,marrythenx)rcnau^htiepackthou, 
 Haft thou no thing elfe to do but with a P cdler to prate: 
 Get thee home,thou ill fauoured Sow, 
 It were well done to beate thee about the pate. 
 
 D , I befhrew thy knaues hart,thou haft angrcd my fatlicr> 
 If thou haft no needles,thou raighteft tell mc (b than. 
 
 Ped. A nd it had pleafed you, you might haue gone away I 
 
 But heare you,declarc what good you can : (rather^ 
 
 Father why (uffcr you not your daughter to marry i 
 She is oldinough to haue an husband. j 
 
 j^^o. Nay alafIcpoorewench,a while (he may tarry, j 
 
 For in faith flie hath neither houfc nor land. 
 
 Fa. Friend, whereas yoa (pake of my daugl Jtcrs manage* 
 I am not of that mind that many an other man is, 
 Chad itie with Gods helpe is a light carriage, i 
 And therefore in this,I thinkc I do not greatly amiflc» 
 To mzxty my daughter I am halfe in doubt, 
 I will tell you other nations arc fo fcattered about; 
 That raarriagesjthat I do not greatly allow. 
 I and mine aunccflors were EngUfh men borne. 
 And though I be but a (imple man , 
 To marry my daughter to an Alian I thinkc fcorne. 
 And therefore I keepe her from it,fo Iqpg as I can. 
 
 Mo. Yea cither they be AIians,or AKant fonnes indeed^ 
 Who through marriage of EngUfh women of late. 
 Hath altered the true Englifti blood and feed. 
 And therewithall Englifli plaine maners and good ftatc, 
 All the naughtieiiifhions in the world at this day. 
 Arc by fbme mcanes brought into England. 
 If by lome mcanes they be not commanded away, 
 Witliin a while they wi 11 vs all withftand. 
 For here they do not only deuoure and fpcnd; 
 A s tlicy bc-moft deuourcrs truly: 
 
 But 
 
Prophecie. 
 B ut our cormcodiacs away they do fend, 
 Robaod ftealefrom En^lifli men daily. 
 
 Fed, Mother,thcre is a ftorie of King f^ertyger^ 
 Whether it be true to fay or no,I am not able: 
 Eugtifiiu plaid the part of a morthererj 
 But feme men taketh it but for a fable. 
 But this is true,out of the South Eaft, 
 Caine commcth before,and flialkomc a»aine> 
 A fb-aunge,horriblejandmonfterous beaft, 
 B)"^ whom all old women flialbc deuoured plaint. 
 
 DaHgh^ Nowniother,foGodhelpeme, 
 They that will beleeue him,is worfe then mad. 
 
 Fed. The woroanhead of your daughter here I do feCi 
 I fay no more,of mine honefl ic it is too bad. 
 
 Ma^ By your lioneftie^ man may you afloonc beleeue^ 
 As /will do a dog when he fwcareth by his chriftendome* 
 
 Ped^ A flopping morfcUanon to ) ou I will giue, 
 I will be euen with you, /f wearc by my holydomc. 
 
 Mo. Is there fuch a beafl as you fpeake off; 
 And will he deuoure none,but women that be old I 
 
 Fed, I pronufe you mother,! do not fcoffc, 
 Dreadftill he isjand hobble to behold. 
 An huge beafljand of a raaruellous flrength, 
 From Doticr to ^47^,head,taile,and mouth: 
 We efleeme him to be larger in length. 
 And in bredth,fTom Donvnifh to Forchmomh,* 
 He hath deuoured all the old women in jfffrickf^ 
 And now he hafteth into i^r^jfjpf with all (peed: 
 Marchant men can tell yoUjthat vfe there to trafficke, 
 Totalke any more of the matter, what fhall it need. 
 
 Fa^ A Pedler going about to fell lies: 
 I thinke of them you haue more plenty,than you haue^ warc> 
 Such fcUowes do nothing elfc bur deuife 
 Tales and Fables,and iUcn Lemers as thefc are- 
 
 FeL Father be thefe lies that I fpeake, 
 He fhall fnatcli vp the husband with the wife : . . 
 
 B 5 "^ And 
 
' * V* « 
 
 TlicPedlers 
 
 And bccaufc the old man Godslawcs do breake, 
 
 In a ftraun^c nation he fhall end his life. 
 
 But when tnis fhall come to paile. 
 
 As it Ihall come to pafTe be fure of that,> 
 
 Then fathers and mothers (hall eric alalTc, 
 
 For their own children fhalbe throwne down flat. 
 
 Mo. By Saint -/f «»r,but thofe words make me afraidc, 
 The man knoweth more then we percliance: 
 
 Afa. Now furely mother as I am true maide, 
 He knoweth no more then the Faukener o^ France. 
 
 Pcd. Truemaid,fieforfllamc,vvhydoyefwearc? 
 I know more then the pricft (pake of on Sunday : 
 Remember you not what I faid euen now to you in your 
 The matter was broken the fix day of May. (carci? 
 
 B ut when angrie Stitwrne fhall haue the regiment. 
 And rule againe as he did firft : 
 Then fairc maides fhall die through famifhment. 
 And yoong fpringals fhall peri/h for thirft. 
 
 Fa, I loue none of this bibble bablc I , by this light, 
 Pcdler haft thou anie pure fpeftacles to fell ? 
 I would haue apaire that were of an old fight, 
 por I am aboue thieeCcore and ten^to you I may tell. 
 
 Ala. He hath as manic fpeftaclcs,needles,and pinncs, 
 He goeth about tlic countrie tnder thiat pretence. 
 
 Mo. Much mony for wares you may take m Inncs, 
 And bcfides the famc,your charges and expencc. 
 
 Fed. Father I liaue a pairc of fpcflacles m my packc, 
 That will cauCsyouto fee as well bchindas before: 
 For in your houlc is plaid manic a knacke, 
 Wliich of my mind you iliall know more. 
 Though my (pe^lacles you intend to buy, 
 You fhall pcrcciue your ownc negligence, 
 You fuifer your diildrcn to fwcirc and lye, 
 And you laugh thereat and haue patience, 
 F. thers and mothers,kinsfolkes and friends. 
 So inordinately do their cliildren loue: 
 ThAt they are parents of bodics,but po/foncrs of raindcs, 
 
Prophecie. 
 As my ni)'in* right wel I here (hall -proue. 
 But when pkthm ihall enter into the Lyon : 
 There fhal I be fuch a great burning heate: 
 That fliall bume vp your childrcu cucry one. 
 And they that be left on liuc,ftrange fetches fliall catc. 
 Parents and maifters in this moftmirtntrulyj . 
 Shall be cant vp with a (bdainc rauifhmcnt : 
 Looke for this in rhe mojicth of luly, 
 J?^ww.«/£f will not delaie her punifhmenf. '*^ 
 
 A'fo. Marr)' good Lord haue mercy on vs all. 
 Husband, I pray you bid him home to our houfc. 
 
 Fa. H e fh;\l 1 be wdcome,but our cheare is but fmall. 
 But yet he fhall be furc of bacon and a peecc offowfe. 
 
 Ma, The houfe is the worfe where luch Pedlers bee. 
 Good Lord father jdo ye bclceue ou^ht that he doth fay f 
 I raaruell what goodnes in him you do (cCy \ 
 
 He fhal not come in our houfc truly if Lmay. | 
 
 Ped. Ithankcyoufuielywichallmylicart/ i 
 
 I will go home with you with a good will : ; 
 
 Of all that is in my packe you fhal I haue part. 
 For of phifickc I tell you, I can good skill. 
 
 Mo, By Godyongman,comc and welcome hcartilyv 
 And care not greatly what my daughter faith r 
 
 For though fhe fpeakc to you foracwhat angerly, | 
 
 Yet I warrant you ihc meaneth no very good faith. j 
 
 -^<*. No by my trotli,! cannot bcare anger long, | 
 
 Mine anger is foone come^andfoonegonc : f 
 
 Ped. 1 hen I pray vou let vs haue a fong,. * 
 
 In token that we be tricnds,and all as one. | 
 
 Fa, Now by troths bccaufc you fpeak of a fong, wan I was I 
 
 I part the Lark e,and pi eafant Nightingale : (yong, J 
 
 Like an Angell I would haue fung, 1 
 
 And fpcciallywlicn my throat had bin wel wafht with good h 
 
 Ped. ThenafoiigofthePedlerno\vletvs.haue, (Ale> j 
 
 You know )'our relTs,and when you fhall come in, 
 
 /^rf. Then let vs fing the Pedlcr is aknauc. 
 When you will Pedl€r,youn»ybcgiiu Hi$ 
 
ThePedlers 
 
 Hic^ Content. 
 
 Fa, Woiiian,woiiian,gct you home at once, 
 And lee that we haue good chearc to night. 
 
 Mo. You fliall be fure to haue good A le,for that haue no 
 Without any chewing,itwill go d^wne right. (bones, 
 
 cJW<t« That do all Pcdlerslouc as their liues, 
 And fpecially when one mectcth with anotlier. 
 
 Fa^ Then may you be one of their wiucs: 
 Get ye home and hclpc your mother. 
 
 Exeunt Afater& FHiM^ 
 Goodman.Pedler,if /wift you would not be angr}^, 
 To askc you a qucftipn /would be bold. 
 
 Fed. I can tell what is done at hUxaadry^ 
 Say what you will,you (hall finde me cold. 
 
 Fa. I pray you tell mc,are you a Pcdler by your occupa- 
 I iudge you rather to b; a man of fciencc. (tion. 
 
 Fed. There necdeth no further declaration, 
 For here your Iclfc haue obfolucd yoiir owne fentcncc. 
 What man thinkc not I am altogithcr a foolc, 
 I know what a man is by his fifnomie, 
 At litle Wytham feucn yearcs / went to fchoolet 
 And there learned I the fcicnce of Morofophic* 
 Wherein by your nofe Jbfy the red ftreamcr, 
 Another is,you keepc faft your faculties. 
 
 F<u By my troth, there thou hitft the naile on the head. 
 Dreame do you fay ? Lord how I dreamc cucric night: 
 Sometime I dreamc that I am dead, 
 And fometime that / am yongjluftie,and light. 
 
 Fed. Father,many times you are in a ftraunge taking, 
 And namely when you Qiould be in quiet : 
 You dreame (bmctimes being broad waking: 
 For the bright funlight,is notfor oldmens diet. 
 But do you dreamc father,do you fay ? 
 Lord,Lord,that \\ a ttucprophccie: 
 As touchio| that there is one dothinuay, 
 And faith that a boy of an hundred y earc old iliall die 
 
 F4, 
 
Prophecie. 
 
 Fd^ Aboyofanhundrcdycarc,marryfir,hcitisatoy: 
 By God Pcdlcr,all that thou faift is not true ; 
 How can one of an hundrcth ycare old be a boy, 
 That is all like as an old garment could be a liew. 
 
 Ptf^.. The eldeft that be,werc(bmctimc boyes, 
 Wherein they followed their o\vne fcnfuall will : 
 If men of ^reat age vfe the (ame toyes. 
 What are they el(c but verie boyes ftill. 
 
 Fa^ A|eisrighthonourable,the Preacher doth fay, 
 By God P cdler,y ou hud not need to difpraifc aM : 
 There was neuer lefle reuerence then is at this £y, 
 For very children now prefume a^ainfl: the fage. 
 
 Fed, Children borne ofwickcd parents faith he. 
 Shall be witnefle of their parents wickedneffc: 
 For how could the children fo mifchieuous be. 
 Except their parents fiiffered their ynhappineflc. 
 But there is much euill feedfowne and vpfprong, 
 For lacke of moyfture and pleafant de wes. 
 They ihall wither away while they be yong, 
 A while they (hall tarry here for pleafant fhewes. 
 But age you do fay is right honourable, 
 Which age confiftcth in many yeares and long time, 
 A mans wifedome is his age commendable, 
 And his age is a pur*- ^ife without crime. 
 
 Fa, I maruell where you had all this geare. 
 You haue a great deale of this other men lacke, j 
 
 Ptf^. About the Country with me I doit bearc, ' j 
 
 Storeoffuchgeareltellyoulhaueinmypacke. ' 
 
 Fa. I will fee fome of your ware anon,by your leaue, ^ 
 
 Comc,come,l pray you let vs go hence. 1 
 
 Pe^. B ehold how my packc to the ground doth cleaue, i 
 
 I would it were on my fhoulder, as leefe as fbrtie pence. 
 
 Exeunt, 
 Enter a Marriner, 
 
 Mai. I am a Marriner by Science and Art, 
 And haue vfed the Teas a long (pace : 
 
 C Whereas 
 
The Pedlers 
 W hercas I hauc had troubles inough for my part, 
 Yet hauc I fcapcd all dangers,! thankc God of his grace. 
 Fcwc men aliuc 1 {uppofe at this day. 
 That haue traucUcdfiirther then I hauc done. 
 Therefore fomewhat of my minde anOn I will (ay. 
 As fhall be declared more plainly foonc. 
 Of two things in the mcanc feafon I will complainc, 
 Firft is of the fcarcitie of good mariners, 
 And that thofe fcwe,to Icarne do difdaine, 
 Of fuch as aie both cunning and good Artificers, 
 Whereupon fome taketh vpon them to be maifters, 
 Where as yet they were neuer learners diligent. 
 Such of many men,3re the way carters, 
 For will is their wifdom,and their knowledge is ire impatient 
 If that in any {cience it is needfull to be expert, 
 In this requi;-cth ©"eat intcUigence : 
 For fome may on both liues and goods fubuert, 
 Which guideth without wit and experience, 
 Too much proofc of this we haue had ot late, 
 Therfbre with whom men doth venture,let them take heed 
 For though the Swallow be able much to pt ate. 
 Yet her notes arc mofl: vnpleafant indeed. 
 Enters the Traueller, 
 
 Tra, God fend me better lucke in this voyage. 
 Then 1 haue had this fixe or feuen yeercs, 
 For if I haue no better fortune in this pallagc, 
 I may go leame to botch with a pairc of (hecrcs, 
 I am glad to fee you maifter Marriner, 
 I would iitle haue thought to haue found you heerc. 
 
 iWrfr. I am glad to fee you alfo maiftcr Traueller, 
 Tell me how do you now a daycs,I pray you what chearc# 
 
 Tm. I thankc God I hauc my health rcafonably, 
 But wc arc fo nipt in our cuftomcs thefe dayes. 
 That it pincheth a great (brt vnrcafonably. 
 And caufeth many one to finde other delaycs. 
 
 wl/4rJVlaiftcrs wc know what belongeth vnto marchandife 
 
 Bui 
 
Prophccic 
 But it behooucth vs your counfcls to kccpe. 
 You are wife inough to praftife your cntcrprife. 
 You muft wakcwhcn other men doth flecpe. i 
 
 Is not t wentic niillings well giucn to faoc twcntic pounc!. 
 And if it be ten pound,I trow you will not greatly fiickc* 
 To faue and get meanes^a new way may be found. 
 Before you be rubbed,fcc you do not kickc# 
 
 Tra By themaflcirisnotasyoudothiakc. 
 For Officers fo diligently do waitc : 
 That neither for loue nor mony they will winkc. 
 Narrowly they looke,and al way laic baitc* 
 
 Mar. Betore the harm of the wound,fec you do not com- 
 For marchants were neuer (b rich as now they be, (plainc, 
 Th'whole fubftance of the Realmc do conteinc. 
 How they flow in poUcflions euery man fee. 
 
 Tra. You fpeake of fuch as are marchants indeed* 
 Which in all places haue their Faftors, 
 If this country helpe not,another doth (peed, 
 Doubtlcde fuch men are rich,and notable aclors. 
 But as for fuch as I am,yoongmen Traucllers, 
 Which are compelled to trauell for their gaine, 
 We arc in worfc cafe then any other Artificers, 
 But that I fay,abl^ to proue I can : 
 There was not fo many bankrouts this ico.ycarc. 
 In times pafl:,the fca hath inriched many a man. 
 But what caufes of late it doth appcare. 
 
 Mar^ In times paft men weie content with mediocritie. 
 They would no more borrow,then they thought to paie. 
 For they that will prefume abouc their abilitie. 
 Mull by diucrs meanes fall mto dccaie: 
 But it is a common praftife vfed now m this land, 
 Many one doth themfclues bankrcuts make ; 
 When they haue ^otten other mens goodi; into their hand. 
 Then theii" houfcs'they kcep,or elfe Ludgate they take. 
 Enter Artificer. 
 
 Arr/. God fpced you both maiUer s heartil; forfooth, 
 
 •C a My 
 
ThePedlcrs 
 My comming hither b to talkc with a Pcdlcr, 
 He promifcd mc hcrc,this day to keep a booth, 
 For in many things he makcth himfclfc a great mcdlcr, 
 
 M^r, I am no Pedlcr,but a poore Marriner I am, 
 Neither ojie nor other was here fincc I came, 
 Therefore of any Pcdler Tcan nothing (ay, 
 
 yirti. I was at my neighbors houfc the laft night. 
 And there was a Pedler felling many things, 
 Somewhat he had whereof we might haue no fight : 
 But good ftore he had of po)'nts,pinnes,and rings, 
 I ihinkc furely that he n fome Coniurer, 
 For I ncuer laught better in all my hfc, 
 My neighbors laith plainly that he is a forccrcr. 
 But Lord how he angred the old wife* 
 At the firft fhc made him much of her counfell, 
 And fliewedhimrertainc Images which /he did kcepc, 
 I wide quoth ihe,I loue thcTe better then the new Gofpell, 
 And for pure loue vnto thcm,fhe began to wc cpe : 
 The falfc knaue flood ftill and naught did fay, 
 A paire ofbeadcs vnder her Apearnc flie had : 
 On thefc quoth flie,I fay our Ladies Salter euery day, 
 And at them the Pedler railed as he had bene mad. 
 
 Mar, Why Pedlers were wont to haurbeades to (cD, 
 I maruell that they will rebuke fuperfHtioh. 
 
 Jrti, What he hath I cannot tell. 
 But thus heplaidcon fiich condition. 
 
 7ra. Many Pedlers in my time haue I knowne. 
 But one honef I tnan of them I neuer kneW, 
 They fell many times more than is their o wne. 
 And vttcrold ba^art for that (hould be new. 
 
 jirtK I thinkc Iw hath not bene a Pedler long> 
 But he will go hcare to tell what yoii haue done: 
 For any thing I can fce,he will do no man wrong. 
 But he make good fhift where he become. 
 
 Tra. What any man hath done, what doth he know> 
 I will gage with him an hundrcth pound: 
 
 That 
 
Prophecie. 
 That any thing done fccrctly he fliall not fhow, 
 Neither he nor any that hueth on the ground 
 
 Enter Pcdler. 
 
 Ped^ Who told me thift you were a Trauellcr ? 
 And whom all the world could not (atisfic ? 
 In thediuels name you are a marchant venturer. 
 Of your fpoyles the Barbarians can tcftific. 
 Conyskins raaydes,conyskins for old paftes. 
 What lacke youf what buy you? any goodpinncs. 
 Knit caps for childien,biggcns and waftes J 
 Come let vs bargainc,brin g forth your Conyskins. 
 
 Tra. Is this the Pedler tliat you fpake off? 
 I iudge him to be lunaticke and out ofhi s mindc. 
 
 Jrti. I would aduife not oucr much with him to IcofFe^ 
 For tame inough you are like him to findc. 
 
 Trd. Wliat care I for a thoufand varlcts, 
 By God I aduife him not me to abufc. 
 
 Fed. What will you giue for a pack of good fcarlets. 
 Other will be glad of them ye renifc, 
 In faith I mocke not,why looke you big ? 
 What man,I come hither to be mery, | 
 In your life time you hauc not knowne a liuelier twig, 
 I will iay nothing that (hall make you aneric. 
 
 Mar. You are welcome hither friend,! dare vndcrtakc. 
 You (JDake of a packe of fcarlets euen now, 
 I tell you here are they that are able mony to make. 
 Arc you ableto performe thcm,how fay you ? 
 
 Ped, I fpake it,but I promifed it not yet, 
 What willyou giuc for a trulTc of clodi of Tifliie? 
 
 M4r, This fellow doth appeare to be out ofliis wit,' 
 A runnai^atc in whom is little veitue* 
 
 tyirti. Friend^difpraife no farther then youmay difpraifc. 
 For what he doth man,neither you nor I do know. 
 
 Tra, There be too many fuch runnas;atcs at thcfe daycs, 
 
 C 3 AU 
 
ThePedlcrs 
 
 All the whole world with &cli idle pcrfons doth flow, 
 
 /**</♦ By my troth you fay very truth, , 
 The truth with your ownc mouth is verified, 
 The moft of your fort are idle from their youth, 
 Vca,fo I {ay,becaufe they arc neuer well occupied, 
 As touching that in a bookc of Litin of late I did finde, 
 Wliich doth the mancr of Trauellers publifh, 
 The quicke Marriner faith, that trauellers in die EaQ part of 
 Through feas and flouds they workc all thceuifh. (I#^, 
 Worfe and all this another Poet doth fay, 
 That marchantSjGod and his Saints doth forfwearc, 
 So that aduantage obteinc thereby they may, 
 V Vorthie to be drowned in hell and to bume there. 
 
 Jim, He can rehearfe all this in latin,&: a great deal mor^ 
 And will do it,if you do it of him gently require. 
 
 fed. Thinkc not but that I haue fuchgearc in ftorc, 
 I will fpeake it in latin at your defire. 
 PmHratufuofofiponet mittmt lucre mircatur^ 
 StijfijS nottnifiolignis a^ms^ 
 Befides thiSjthere is written in the (ame booke, 
 The f hamefiiHeft flaunders that euer I did fee: 
 When you wil maifter TraucUer,thcron you may lookc, 
 The diuel on the lie,and yet great flaunders they bee, 
 
 Tra. It is pitie that he is no better examined, 
 He goeth about the country vndcr this pretence : 
 To worke forac mifchicfe he is determined, 
 VVe fliallhearemore 1 dare laie fortie pence. 
 
 Mar. By my troth,if I fliould fpeake indifferently, 
 His talke is according to moft mens report. 
 
 Ped. That vnhappic writer,writeth vnreuently, 
 All that 1 faidjl fpake but in fj5ort. 
 
 j4rti^ Although perchance fome hath offended, 
 Yet ye ought not th-: whole company to defame : 
 He runfieth far that cannct be amended, 
 For one mans faults, you may not all men blame. 
 
 Tra. VVho would aiylciitcncc regard, 
 
 Spokca 
 
Prophecie. 
 Spolccn of filch a runnagatc as thii is, 
 Butif filch liccncious tmngs may be heard, 
 Wc ihall fay that all is amide: 
 But as for the worfhipfull flatc of marchandifc. 
 Is knownc to the publikc wealth to be neceflary: f 
 Therefore he that (jjeake againft that exercifc, 
 To the Common-wealth isan vtter aducrfary. 
 
 P^</.He is indeed fir,you wil not fay the contrary, 
 But he that writ the booke fomcwhat hath feene, 
 Hcpraieth God,that fome of you may foone mifcarry. 
 For the whole dccaie of that you hauc bene, 
 If Englilh pure Coyne in other countries. 
 Be but worth an halfe peny in a ihilling more then it is here, 
 You will finde meanes to decciue all degrees. 
 And conuey the moft part ouer in a yeare. 
 
 Mar. Much wind thou doeftwafte I tell thee in vainc, 
 But if things be amilTe as thou doefl: exprcfle : 
 As they are not,as to all men doth appearc plain c. 
 Yet are not we able any thing to redreflc. 
 
 Ped. Who fhouldhold with the flioe but the folc? 
 The Mariner and the Traueller are all one: j 
 
 In the realme alteadie you hauc a fowle hole, ^ ; 
 
 Whereof you (hall know more of my mind anon. 
 
 ^m'. I fuppofed that our fortunes thou couldft hauc tol4> j 
 
 Such talke as this who would regard i . i 
 
 fed. YouarenotliketohucoUyoubcold, J 
 
 Your fortune is to die vpward. 
 
 Tra. Surely thou wilt neuer die in thy be4 
 For ly^ryiwfflri;^ belong to fuch idle Pcdlcrs : 
 
 Ere it be lon» I will cauft y ou t o be fped, > 
 
 And alfo witn you, fuch flaunderous mcdlcrs. 
 
 Ped, Your fratc will continue but a while. 
 When luno fhall be dcforfcd from Infiter, 
 Then for pridejCouetou{beflre,excefl[e,and guile, 
 Shall perifli cuery ventring Traueller, ^ 
 
 There flull not be left one marcham (kith he. 
 
 Ana 
 
■*'it»fl»Wffl!.««SV,' 
 
 ThePedlers 
 And no man Hiall buy your marchandifc any more,' 
 That time will come that thus it fliall be. 
 Therefore euill gotten goods do you againe rcftorc. 
 
 Tra^ Thou fpcakeft to vs oiluftter and luno, 
 But let vs know what thou mcancft thereby : 
 Thoii fhalt declare thy fayings before thou go, 
 Or clfe thy words againe recant and deny. 
 
 Mar, lupiter ouer a fane countr)'", Creta was a King, 
 luno the daughter of Satttrnm was his wife : 
 Vnchaftc was he, and wrought many an euil thing, 
 TJicrefore ben^'ecne them two,there was .an euill life, 
 
 Jirti. I louc none of thcfe lying Poets indeed , 
 I maruell what fauour to them, men can haue : 
 For they do nothing els,but mens minds with vanities feed. 
 And hinder our fiitli, which fliould our foules faue. 
 
 Fed. Looke what I haue faid,I wil {ay,and fa}' againe, 
 That for j)ride,couetoufnenc,and exceflc : 
 All the traucUcrs from Armema, , or the higheft mountaine, 
 In one hourc fhall lofc their (ubflan ce and riches. 
 Sefhyrm with horrible blafts fliall blow, 
 The hart of the fea fliall eatc vp your treafure. 
 The huge waues fliall all fliips ouerthrow: 
 They fliall be drow ned and all their pleafurcs* 
 I will tell you alfo when that fliall come to paflc, 
 When the daughter ofP/»f<7 fliall raignc ouer all : 
 Alfo when the daughter of -^/4?^<»» flial guide Auydaf, 
 Then by and by fliall marchants haue a great fall. 
 
 Mar. Such fellowes going abroad the country. 
 Make many Ample folkes them to bcleeue : 
 
 Tra. Yea and with a fewe lyes bond and free. 
 He deceiueth,andaregladmonytogiue: 
 
 Arti. By fuch fliifts he vttereth much ware: 
 I haue heard him fay now,more then eucr I heard him fay, 
 
 Tra. Let him fay what he will,I do not care, 
 I fuppofe here is none,that doth his faying greatly way. 
 
 Fed, Words wey not,but are light,and ffie in the windc, 
 
 But 
 
L 
 
 Prophecic. 
 Bat marke when words fliall be turned into fire: 
 Then words full heauie you arc like to finde> 
 For that fliall fall vpon you that did vpon Tyre. 
 
 Mar. If fuch hard chances happen vnto Trauellcrs, 
 To lofe their Hues and goods as thou docft prophecic, 
 What (hair happen to vs that be Marrincrs i 
 We are like to be confumed,and all our fhips vttcrly. 
 
 Ped. When Bacchtu was difpofed to Taile vnto Naxion^ 
 The Marrincrs promifed to bring him thither. 
 But they returned toward another nation, 
 Purpofing of him to make a fpoylc togithcr. 
 They thought to haue (bl d Bacchns for mony. 
 But he beinga God,prophecied their trechery. 
 Turned into gall, that they had made hony. 
 And anon iultly recompcnced their iniury. 
 Their Taklingsand Cables,thcy turned into Serpents, 
 Their other Balaflinginto Tygars,and other bcaSs elfe. 
 He reucd th^ Marriners,of their mifchicuous intents. 
 Threw them into the {cas,and turned them into Makcrck, 
 Therefore the fonneof man,ioyneth you togithcr, 
 A garment they fay,Ihall pcrifh with the fleeucs; 
 At fuch a tirne as you do not confidcr. 
 
 Mar. This man with the holy Ghoft is inlpircd. 
 But the diucl within him is no doubt: 
 Ijtruft to fee futh cold prophets fired, 
 Bcfbreiyour falfc and pratlingprophccies,be brought about. 
 
 Jirti. I f things amiilc were by penance amended, 
 The plagues ofGod deuifed,he would wihhold : 
 The Pedlcr in my iudgcmcnt hath not offended, 
 • In that ofplagues to come he hath v$ told. 
 
 Mar. Hang him knaue,hang him. 
 Who made him priuie of Gods counfell ? 
 Why you horcfon villaine. 
 What haue we brought into the land ? 
 
 Ped Fortic thoufand enemies to the Crowne, 
 The deadly poylbn of hell, 
 
 D Marke 
 
r 
 
 The Pcdlers 
 
 Marke wlintl haue faid^and thereto vvill I ftaiict, 
 I leaue to fpeake of that whicli a vva}' )'ou do carry, 
 I mcane coyne,and by fr:5ud,craft,and guile, 
 I wil 1 not rpe^kc ofull.fcare Icaft I do vary, 
 But God will rccoiiipence it within a wliilc. 
 leweSjRufH. n>, Moores,Turkcs,aiid Tartarians, 
 With th'j(e you haue mixed the virgins people, 
 An ibapti{ls,Lyl;ertincs,Fpicuriaiis.and Arians, 
 Infinitofthere,yourco'.:ntry toinfceble, ' 
 Ti <e maydens, trjen,may go leaffic to picke a Hillet: 
 I Icules fornioiiy they can none get,me?.tenor drinkc : 
 Poorc Cra Its men arc compelled to take bag and wallet. 
 But for your great finneSjT^r^ Hiall fliortly (nikc 
 
 -^r//« Tlic diuHl of lye that is,fuch a number of Aliansj 
 Andth.u of all nations arc come hither to dwell, 
 As he faid,eucn lewes and Barbarians, 
 So that theRcnlmeis like to bemadc another hell. 
 
 Ped. IfpeakenotofthisRealmCjyoutakemeaujillc, 
 All my faike is of the noble Gtieof T^ir/, 
 . There iliall not be left a man againft the wall to pifle. 
 And thofe that plagues confumc notjflialbc dcUroyed wit^i 
 I confelle one God the blefTed Trinitic, (fire, 
 
 God the f athcr,God the fonne,and God the holy Ghoft, 
 This God intcndeth fl)ortly to make a triplicitic, 
 Whereby fha'be con(umcd,fiomthe leail to the moft, 
 E ut tliis I (ay to yoa mailTer Man ncr , 
 You are ikiiled well you fay in AOronomy, 
 Of the (late of Charles Wainc,youaie not tolcarnc. 
 When ^rtophi/oj hideth hisfifnomy, 
 Then of the forefaid gcare,God doth yon wame. 
 When Krth'/.r iliall become a Bearewai d, 
 And go before the great terrible Beare, 
 Tl^'n o't of- hand commeth all this gcarc forward, 
 W hich Hioitly will comctopafic iraly I feare. 
 
 Tra, Lo here arc bugs to make childien afraid^ 
 I tliinkc tils; frantickc Pcdicr be out of his wit. 
 
 But 
 
Frophecie. 
 But what great tilings of him will be faid, 
 Ifaiiy things according to his pratling doth hit. 
 
 Mar^ Then where was fuch a Prophet as our Pedler was? 
 To know of things neuer to be done : 
 I warrant you this gearc will come to paflc. 
 When our Ladic hath a new fonne* 
 
 Am. Surely I am afrayd with the prophecic. 
 Which in holy fcripture 1 hauc learned ; 
 T he threats of God,by Efay and leremy^ 
 Hath al 1 the whole world fufficiently warned, 
 But I m.trucl 1 of one thing brother P cdler. 
 That ia all your talkc you alleage no fcripture. 
 For he that in prophecies will be a medler, 
 By the word of God mufl: his matters alTurc* 
 
 ^ed. The dayes are come to paflc fpokcn of before, 
 That fucli as can fce,are yet flill blind; 
 And they that of knowledge hauc great ftore, 
 Yccarc they without vnderlbnding of the mind. 
 Artificer,artificer,you are an artificer, 
 *That is, one lining by an occupation, 
 God grauni you be better than the Trauellcr, 
 And better then the conueyer of abhomination. 
 
 Jirti, 1 would gladly get my liuing by mine Art, 
 But Aliants chop vp houfes fo in tlie Citie, 
 That we poore crafts men muft needs depart, 
 And beg ifthey will,the more is the pitf ic. 
 
 Ped^ What fay the moft pcftclcnt Lcafcmongers 3 
 If that all the houfes in London I were able to 1 et, 
 I would let them all to Alia nsc-ndftraungcrs, 
 B efore i n any of them an Engli (h man 1 w ou!d fet: . 
 For why a firangcr will giue me what 1 will require, 
 And at his day he will keep touch and pay : 
 An Englifli man in London cannot an houfe hyre, 
 Except he be vndone for cuer and a day. 
 Three parts in London arc alrcadie Allans, 
 Other mongrcls,Alians children,mifcl)ieuoafly mixed, 
 
 D 2 And 
 
Prophccic. 
 
 A nd fo nauglitjthat ye arc paft amendnient, 
 Therefore the vengeance of Gck! on you inufl: (all. 
 And now approacheth the time ofaducngemcnt> 
 Tjrt with all her Trauellers proud and gay, 
 V Vith all her cunning Artificers in their A rts, 
 Shallbc confumedinoncday, 
 And this flhall happen for the liardneflTc of your hearts. 
 - But as for ///o»,the tormentor of the flaine. 
 Shall be ploughed vp like a corne field : 
 After he that came,do come agamc, 
 Ifillioin (hall be found neither woman nor child. 
 
 Tra. Looke that thou fludie for the tme interpretation, 
 C^your fond and fantaflicall prophccic, 
 I will caufc yoo to be had in cxanunation, 
 And that within thefc fcwc daycs, I promife you verily. 
 
 Fed., O that all baiikrouCs,pyrats,and vfiirers, 
 IngrofeSjfilthie fiirmcrs,and facrilegcrs, 
 Bur^^laricsjlcafc- mongcrs,promotcrs,fel{c Mariners, 
 ^^^htbc examincdjWith counterfeit Artificers. 
 Arti, AlUhingsfpokenherCjIwifhformypart 
 , That they were troden vnder the Table : 
 For he hath vttercd notliing but the fancies ofhis hart, 
 VVho can letaman mcrily to fable. 
 
 Jd^, Fablequoth he, by S.Mar5'fir,his fables touch the 
 He minglcth his fable with vnhappy fentcnccs : (quickc. 
 By the faith of my bodie,he doth not my confdcncc a little 
 He fhall anfwcrc themjihat hath more aftricnccs. (pickc: 
 I Fed, Oony skins may dcs,Coiiyskins for old paftes, 
 
 \ What lackeyoujwhat buy you,any good pinnes, 
 \ Knit caps for children,biggen$,andwaflcsi 
 I Come let vsbargainc,bringfortlryourConyskins, 
 i/ Ipray you rid ray packe you three, 
 ! I promife }^ou,l will fell you very good cheape, 
 \ Ifvpon the price we can agree, 
 
 Of wares for each of you, 1 hauc a Very grcadltapc. 
 rw.Thcnopciithypack,letmcfccwhatthouhafthcre, 
 
 T> I If 
 
TlicPedlers 
 
 Iftfioiili-ift liny vvarcfor mc,foirc mony tliou (halt take, 
 
 For nr ircli-Jit Trausl Ici I haue fuch gearc, 
 
 As no iiriii in the work! is ablcto mskc, 
 
 1 hauc a ftoDC in my packe whereon is a name. 
 
 Which flonc if you plcafcjhcre next your licnrr, 
 
 Shall defend youfiom perilland llwmc, 
 
 And keep you from painc,when you hence depart. 
 
 But I haue a thingpercliancc you louc better, 
 
 Although it be not fo comely to behold, 
 
 A thing wherewith you may make a water, 
 
 Wherewith all things that you touch Hialbc turned to gold 
 
 Mar. Thiswildbraine doth but only mock and fcoffc, 
 youniallbetyedalitlclhorteroneday. f. tr 
 
 Tra. If thou haft fuch geare asihou fpeakclt oft. 
 Let me know the prtce,and for it I will pay. 
 And thou wilt meet me anon at the figneof the Dee, 
 Thou and I will reafon more of the matter. 
 
 Fed. And it will pleafc you to help to fing a ballet before 
 I wil teach you cunnitigly to make the water. (you go, 
 
 yirti. IknowthePcdlercanfingpleafantly. 
 Both vpon the bookcand alfo without. 
 
 7 ra, I will fing,feeinghc defireth me fo inftantly. 
 But to fing by hcai t.to agree 1 ftand in doubt. 
 
 Z'^^. Behold 1 haue ballet bookes here, ^ 
 
 Truly pricked, with your refts,and where you fhal come in. 
 
 Mar^ Then we fourc wil make an honcrt querc, 
 Iwill follow, if the Pedler will begin. 
 
 Hic Cant. 
 
 Tra. Ihaucbunncrie,lmuftneedsgohence, 
 FarwellPexi!er,thouknowftmynuncl. 
 
 Fed. Againtlmycomniing,prouidcat)urlcotpcnce, 
 For I can fell you a profperous and a good wind* 
 I haue in my pack alfo another ftone, 
 Y{i^A with ano^r thing that I do know, 
 Will cauCcarc^iighvvindiboiiCtobecalmcanon, 
 
Prophecie. 
 
 A nd in whit quarter you will the wind to btow. (Harke, 
 Mar. All thy words here arc rw^w<?/^,thatare fpceches 
 Which I would hauc thee declare vChat they do mcanc: 
 For I had as lecuc hearc a band-dog barkc, 
 A s to heare thee talke,and all is not worth a beaiie. 
 
 Ped, Maifter Mariner for youl haue an Adamant, 
 I {lippofc there is no better in this world wide : 
 AUhoug,h it be rough, and vnpleafant. 
 Yet you had neuer the like,yourneedle to guide. 
 Alio for the maifler of a fhip 1 haue a Card, 
 Compiled by Af//M,thefirft Aftrononier, 
 If to the value thereof,you will giu.c me reward, 
 You lliall haue it before another maijflcr Mariner. 
 
 Mar.Thcn no nioreado,but I pray thccgo with riie abord, 
 Thou nialt be Cmc to hauepoorc Manners cheare: 
 Harmc (halt thou h.vue none,I promifc thee at a word, 
 Thou Ihalt be fuie to hauebrcad,bcefc,and bcarc. 
 
 £xit, 
 
 Pcd. I will promife you to conic the next tyde. 
 If for mony I can get a whery boat: 
 If not, I wil 1 take my nag and ry de, 
 Ipafle not a little for iveil.iig of my coat. , 
 
 Artr, You fliall difappoint them both at this fcafon. 
 You fhall go liome with me and take fuch as 1 haue, 
 
 Ped. To brciike my p; omrre it were againfl all rcafon. 
 Yet a thing for tmc ArtiHcersl dofauc, 
 I haue in my pack onely one toole, 
 Which will fcitx for all kind of occupations: 
 Eticiides^iht firft of Geomcti ifians fchoole, 
 Inuentcd n through maruellous infpirations. 
 Thereon ycu mav miike a Svthe," raile (or to mcwc, 
 Alfo a Drappell to ioync {liips rogiihcr : 
 A Coulter or Share,to plough before they do fowc. 
 The relt ohhe Talcs you way now ccnfidcr. (fwe, 
 
 Artt. You banc a maruciious mcaiiii-abv the og!c 1 :.ni 
 I v\mdyou ihould fncw mc thereof tlx fio^bitic Jtic u. 
 
 Pi.L 
 
ThePedlers 
 
 Pid. Sucli a toolc it is,I as will endure, 
 Eucii vnto the worlds confuraation, 
 After I hauc performed my promifc truly. 
 With the Mariner and aUo the Traueller, 
 I will rcturneagaine this way duly, 
 And then you fliall fee my toole,mai(lcr Artificer. 
 
 Ex/r. 
 
 Art'. This Pedfcr makcth mc maruclloufly to mufc, 
 I thinkc God hath reucalcd to liim things to come, 
 Xo the ignorantjthey appeare maruelious newcs, 
 But of auncieiit fiyings they appeare to be a fomc. 
 Weill will rairy here till his renirne againe, 
 I will hcare how with the Mariner and the traueller he hath 
 Although his counfcls they do d i fdaine, (fped, 
 
 Yet itis good by wifedome alvvaies to be led. 
 Enters Landlord, 
 
 Liwd. A firra,! hauc bene at your houfc twife or thufc to 
 Youkno w whereofyou and I did reafon, (day, 
 
 Let me heare what to it you will fay ? 
 Libertie I graunted you till thisfcafon, 
 I tell you 1 may haue three pound for my goodwill, 
 And double as much rent as you do giue, 
 You Hiall know the partic,and fee his bill, 
 And that within thefe few daies.if you wil not mc belccuc. 
 
 ^Ani. Jl befecch you landlord to (hew me fomc fauour, 
 You know that of the houfc I haue beftowedcoft, 
 All this time you haue knowne my behauiour, 
 Therefore I pray you.let not all my labour be loft: 
 I and mine anceUors in the houfc long time haue dwelt, 
 And I truft I haue alwaie$ payd my rent: 
 Both fweet and fowerpoy and painc,therc wc hauc felt, 
 And aUvaies to deale honeftly was our intent. 
 
 LmtiA, Will you not hauc me to do as all men do? 
 Shall I not make that I can of mine owne ? 
 You knov/ my mind if }'ou will not agree thereto, 
 What I wil do within thcfefew daies with it,flialbe knowne 
 
 Arti, 
 
Pcophecie. 
 
 %/irtK You kndwrhiitlhaiie good etticlenceto(Kewe> 
 If any pitlicbt in you J prayyou hearc my boone : 
 If you put me out efkiy nouie»my dayes will be ftwe^ 
 And bothland my^mlily qim vndone; 
 TherefofcXpr^iyyoit wUcdlPliacyoit willrcif]uirc ? 
 And I ^all be CQOCf iic^d my ieafe td renew* 
 
 Ciitui. Ka more then other will|;hie Ido defire.^ 
 Aud daily for iheiame to me thepmy fue. 
 . JrtK Oh what a ^vretcihed worti|isthis for poore men, 
 Oh viueafbhiblo couttoufnede oH^ndiotids ac this d;iy. 
 Of the houfc whereof 1 hauc ycarcs thrcefcore and ten, 
 I jDomi) ouc,exoepc beyond all reafbn 1 will pay. 
 Q what wretches arc at thde dayes aliue* 
 Ti>thcir vtter vndoing other mens houTes^io take r 
 I am fure he (hall neuer be able to thrhie, 
 I know what he i& able thereof to make, 
 
 J^atid, All Landlords deale not (o honeftly as I deale» 
 I wbuld you (hould hauc it before another : 
 Y019 l(now what to youl didreueale, 
 I can do no ivose^you were my brother. 
 
 Enters Pedlcr, 
 Ped, Cony skins maides^cony skitn for pinne s and laces. 
 Wot ye whac^jra J haiieiieae at both'placcs; 
 I can tell thceCUchiwwcsas thou neuer heardft ©ft, 
 Eanieft matter,! will neither fable nor icolfe. 
 The Mariner hadipromtfed the Traucller 
 To carry liim as farrc as the Riuer A)t^r<7^r, 
 In the which he fliallfindc the ftones whereofi toJd, 
 Wherewith all tiling flat they touch,fhalbc furn«H to golck 
 They are like rherety to hauc little aduantagc. 
 For they «re hkc to peiiih at the fame voyage* 
 To oaflc through y^iaryhojfe'^cn-y they hauc choferi, 
 I n tne wliich fea, vnto death tlicy ihalbc frozen. 
 Thfe J^^iiincrs ihalbcturncdinto Makcrels, 
 And tlic TraufcUers bto. Pickerels. 
 r. E ^^^ 
 
TliePcdlers 
 
 Pykts, they fay in the fault water will not liuc, 
 Pittic it were that Pykcs in the water fhould thrhic. 
 For all yoongFiycin thcfea they would cate. 
 So that vpon farting daycs we flpuld^etno fneate. 
 ThcrefoiiontlMifeathcy (halbe turned into Scalers, 
 And their wiucs into Bargandcnand Teales, 
 Yet among the goddes, for their wiues was great diflention, 
 But I trurt they will foone end their contention. (cocks, 
 Soinc made reafons,Sc would haue the women to be Wood- 
 Nay quoth the other»it were meetcr they Ihuld be Pecotks, 
 To concludc,bccaurc they are fo tender and nefli. 
 They are like tobcmadc neither good fifh nor good flefb. 
 Jrt/. You haue broken promife , you faid you would not 
 But now I perceiqe you are veric vtiftable. (fable, 
 
 La?tii. Vnrtable,.nuryfirtliatismoftftire: 
 He i J fo far out of his wits,tliat.hc is pait cure. 
 
 P^d^ You are a Landlord and haue many Tenants, 
 A great mifchancc is happened among your fcruants. 
 L4»cit M)^eruants were well inough within this hourc. 
 Pfd^ Now one ofthem doth another deuourc* 
 Sir it is a flrange tiling to fee your houfe, 
 This yeare there is like to be good ftore of fowfc: 
 Your wife by the ft roke of God is turned to a Cowe, 
 A nd your yongeft daughtcrjftie is turned to a Sowe. 
 The reft: ofyourchildrcn,a (bit of prittie twigges, 
 Now are they a]tered,and turned to pigges. 
 Lttttd. You are a knaue,! dare laie my life, 
 ■ I will teach you torajle,on an honell ni.ins wife. 
 
 Ped. Tat me you may fay your plcafure and minde, 
 Uut ast haue {aid,you are Jike it to findc. . 
 Your Oxen aDd<:.ittcll,are turned to Hedgehogs, 
 And your great multitude of fhcepe, are turned into Fit>gs. 
 The grcatelil wonder it is yet bchinde, 
 All your Tenants, haue left their humane kinde. 
 Some are tinned into Spanielsiandfome into Greyhounds, 
 Thefc make not a litle ado vpon your grounds. 
 
 That 
 
Prophecie. 
 
 That you arc a Landlord I do vndcrftand, 
 Now to lookc to this g€arc,it ftands you m hand. 
 
 La»d. BctweCcPc game and carncft,Idcfircthc€, 
 Tell nic the troth,if any fuch things there be, 
 
 ^rti. There is no fuch thing be your lure. 
 For all that he fpcajseth is vnder a ngurc. 
 
 Fc<i» Did }'ou neucr hcare of one called -^5jlee»} 
 
 Land. Yes indeed,! heard of fuch a one. 
 
 Fed, You arc like to plaie Alteous part. 
 For you fhall be turned to a wilde hart. 
 And the dogs whicji to keep you were wont, 
 With moll ci-ucU death ihall yoju liunt. 
 What will your railed rents helpe ? 
 When you fhall be torne of euery whclpc. 
 Your vnfatiable couetoufiie(Ic,your fhamefoll firaony, 
 *Your iacriledge accurfed,by Gods ownc teftimony . 
 Xh^ land fuch other plagues on )'ou (hall light. 
 When Tyto» like the Sun,fliall{hine at midnight. 
 Watchjfor within thefe fe we it will bee, 
 They are aiiue that thefe plagues Ihall fee. 
 
 jint,. Hcar^ tjiou PedlerJ come away I pray thee hartily, 
 For things aic wrought aaiinft thee fecretly. 
 A heinous complaint of rhec,my Landlord haue made. 
 And with other things they purpofe thee to lade. 
 They fay that with Nigromanfie thou art a mcdier, 
 Wherfore by my counfell thou fhalt be no longer a Pedler. 
 
 Ped. Why then liow fhall I fell my war-e? 
 
 -^r//. Tiifli,tufh/or that take thou no care. 
 
 Fed. Of points in my packc 1 haue an whole grofle. 
 
 Art,h. ftraw for points,by them tliou canft haue flo lofle. 
 
 Fed. But I fupp.ofe.you cafinot tell what points tlicy bee; 
 
 Arti. When tliou commeft liomc to my houfe,then I wil 
 
 Fed. I wil come anon,but I am pall care, 
 Sing and be meryphab or nab,awa)' the maic, 
 It beginneth,it fpringeth^itflouriiLctli, 
 Woe be vnto theoi tliat ^ch plants nourxiheth. 
 I, E 2 ■ " 
 
 (fee. 
 
 ctarc 
 
TliePedlcrs 
 
 I daf c laic as much as I am worth, ' 
 That ftraungc monfters they 4}iall bring forth* 
 Didyouneucr hcare of an lland called Thtrviel 
 Neare to the Orcardes compaflid with the fca, 
 Ncarc the fame place tlicre is a picafent land, 
 
 I Wherein is great wonders as I vndcrftand. 
 
 This bnd was fometlnie full of men, 
 Such,as one of iliem were as good as ten: 
 Now are they altered into beafts and fo wles. 
 As into Lyons,neares,Kytes,SvNinejandOwIcs, 
 God is able to take from them their bcnftly heart. 
 And into the lliape of men againe them conuerf. 
 S cuen yeares to declare his pompc, 
 He punifhed the mig htie king NabMchodonoz^er^ 
 If ail men had feene thefe mcn,as I haue feene, 
 And lee thematthcfc dayes, it would make them weepcl 
 
 Extt, (weenc. 
 Here enters the Interpreter. 
 iHter. Saint Clement (aith,written vnto faint Ltmes, 
 Tliat he is a right interpreter of holy writ : 
 Which {^andeth fiot vpon words,Counti ies,and names. 
 But fuch one as expoundeth the meaning of the fpirit. 
 An Intcrpretor thereof,! am called by name : 
 For of the tongues I am able to make tranilation. 
 My prac^ifc hath bene long time m the fame. 
 And of Myfteries I am able to make decbrration: 
 
 I I greeueih me at the hcartjGod I take ta record, 
 To fee the varictie,and chiefly in religion. 
 
 That it may be fooae amended,! belcech Chrift oar Lord, 
 Or clic let vs looke fliorrly for a greeuous deftruftion. 
 My comming hithertruly at rfnsfeafori. 
 Is oiicfly to heare tlie taike of a Pedler : 
 J will be glad by learning with him to rcafon, 
 For ! hcaie fay,that in high matters he is a medlcr. 
 Here enters the luflice. 
 \\'^ Juf, Whcte fs this P cdler.? where is this itmnagate? • 
 
 What 
 
Prophcdf. 
 
 Ittterp. Iciiyourpleaiilreal^hhig^wdttainterpNt} ^^ 
 But they arc noyt ilhcben: Ittdge«,thac were golden collers, 
 1 heard of fuch a fellow indeed as ) ou haue done. 
 And hither am 1 come with him to diipute: 
 And ifhc were here you ^ould pcrceiue £y>nrit r-jr Ij >H /.'' 
 That by g<i)od learning I would:his folly Gonfiit<i.' ' 
 
 /hJ}. DifputCjnayt would notftandtodifputeltrovfi 
 But 1 wotjthrouj^h the 1 ibertic of your preaching, 
 Much mifchicfe among men beginncth to grow, 
 I tell you, many men like not }X)ur teaching, 
 
 /w//r. Tnith,indecd none that be of your conditioB, A 
 To withdand Gods word you haue fet yuur face : ' 
 
 So drowned ye arcin ruftie fuperftition, 
 That Gods word irtyour hcart,can take no place. 
 You are called in the Coinman^'wealthto be a luOioej 
 Therefore all your words and) a^sought to be ri^ : 
 You haue taken ah oath iuflly to do your office, 
 And to defend the trurli with all your might. 
 But truly the veritje you do not defend, 
 But you perfccute it with all yow power : 
 The vpnght andfatherleiflcyou do reprehend, 
 The maleSfaftors yo« let paue^bothday and bourc, 
 
 fujf. Talke ydur pleafure,here are but we two, 
 Boaft not too much of your innoccncic, 
 What,we know well inough what ye do, 
 All the world fjjeaketh of your infblencic: 
 You may pre.'uhjtetich^rie out and yell. 
 The hearing thereof,many tneri do giue, 
 But whether )\>u fpeake of hcauen or hell. 
 Not on e among a rhoufand do you belieue. 
 I wil| lai^tiH'tntic poiind, I wii do more wixh one wor4 
 ?;hc'n jtHi'thalldowith twciMjf Sermons truly ; 
 For the people tllinke you fpeake but in boord, 
 Becaulc you Icid your hues fo vnruly, 
 
 Ped. Nomanwirtl>careihePaint€r,Uit»popilh|Hicft. 
 
TlicPcdlcrs ' 
 
 Inter. Truth,lbr fo faith God by the Pcaplict£/i^/ 
 AH iitfchilefc (Ml happen vpoit thee in oi*c day. 
 tbMhenittldtijdc of thy Incnantcrs A-^erey)', 
 And for the handnctlc of hearts that will not obey. 
 
 Ihfi, And if you can tell v$ where any fucli be, 
 Whether it be l^gromaiifor or forccrer, . - 
 
 We flialldd vnto themes it appcrtemcthyc fhall fee, 
 And they ihalbe handled like a thecfe or a inurtlicrer . 
 In. Anditplcafeyoulii,! amnoneofthofethatlouetobca 
 But I {peak a few words and only for tliis caufe : (mcdler, 
 It wasmy chanceof latetotaikc with aPedflcr, 
 Whole words methoBght,agrce<l not with Gods Jawcs*v 
 He tiikcth vpon him fondly to prophecic, 
 And faith that a dead man fhallitill many aliuc, 
 And the one vnbornc as yet in his mothers belly, 
 Theyjthac be dcad^o lifeagoincftiallrcuiue: ., i. C ' 
 
 I wottM yvhaihcnKancbA^.t^ geare,, 
 £ut he tellcth many foch things: ; 
 Such a fellow J fuppofc >'ou did ncucr hcarc, 
 He tcUeth wonders of Emperours and Kings. 
 
 lujft. Youaicanlncerpreterofdarkefcntcnccs, 
 What fay y«KO the Pedlcrs higKptophecie i 
 
 Inter. He that is ighorant of all honeft fcicnco, 
 Vnto knowledge and vcituc,is an viter enemy. 
 
 moft vnhappie iiinw/fr,couutry lliirc, 
 Where fu«h vniuU lufticc haue the gpuernance: 
 Neither for finntf hor/difcordi you do enquiie, 
 But vnto Godandhis wordjljKiuaic an liuidrunce. 
 An Interpreter! am called indeed, 
 
 But of Gods word and the tonpiies auncient, 
 Pedlers dreamesareigoodydd i^awfU to feed, 
 Aiici'l^VaJ de§Mf(?tl)c word q^GchI omnipotent. 
 
 luft, Taike your plcafbnc ^you ai c iiot like to ulke lo«g,- 
 Your time df pratling is almoft ai a poy nt : 
 
 1 trull (hortly to heaie you fmg a new fong, 
 
 CreUe'Warehkctolofeyouibeilioynt^ . 
 
 Pcd, 
 

 Prophccie. 
 
 ^/</« By my faith dnd troth.fo do the Pedlft prophccie, 
 The dnycs arc come fanh hc,that Biftiops and Pricftsalli 
 Becaufe they arc the beginners of all controuerfie, . 
 Li one day the)" Ihall be confumcd boith grcarandfinall. 
 
 Inter . I truft brctlicr that you are intruded fo» 
 That to a prating Pedlcts words you will giue nd credit. 
 
 //(/?, W hcther it be prating I cannot fay or no, 
 But lie hatli giuen a moll fecnily vcrdite, 
 
 Ped. Right reucrent Intcrpreter,lcarned and wi(c : 
 I fuppofe that yop.areof thai; iudgcrticnt, 
 Tliat he tliat vttcreth another- maijs vice. 
 Is not therefore pai taker ofhislewde document: 
 1 fay no morc,but God amend all that is amifle, 
 I thought here more to haue faid : 
 ]Vly vv ords they be not,but they be his. 
 Which to vttcr truly ,1 am afraid. 
 
 Let the Pedler be going out. 
 
 /«/?. Tarr)' Prieft,tarry,I piay thee heartily, 
 To take them for thy words, no man is (b vnwife, 
 For fpcakingof tliem I promife thee vcrely, 
 No man (liall hurt thec,asl am true Iu(lice. 
 
 PeeL Na)' fir,he hath not fo much of the Clergic fyoken, 
 But much more he railed vpon luflices: 
 For Gods fake apprehend him,and caufe him to open 
 The things he liath fjX)kcn of men in their offices 
 
 /f;fcr. The u oi fhipftdl luftice , will take none aduantagc 
 Of any tlung rehearfcd of another mansfaviiig : 
 And as for me,I intend to bring you into no bondage. 
 For a lewdc fbolilh fcl'owes prathng bewraying. 
 
 P. Go to th,en,the Pedler (aith that all prcaclicrs & priefls 
 ShalU* Oij ncd mfo Swallowps the next ^•eare, 
 And the new vnlearjied Minifters,into Robin Redbrefts, 
 1 hey fliajl keep the wood,and fing no more in the quere, . 
 i I c tcl! c th the caufe wh}-^ are neuer at a flay, 
 For lookeasin garments they do varry, 
 So do they in miniftralion day by day, 
 
 ' Tlicrcfore 
 
ThePddler^ :'^ 
 
 But Ukea? the SWilkjW h«rii^a'rtewijjii«iaftt voycc» 
 Yet the foiftttift*te neart fhe dot*i%ttifle> ' ^i^ ^? JJ 
 So at tyrk>ia*^ertfeAkikhitbl*ik5y^ (P^'i :«J> ' ' 
 FGratruthrty<f«ia*'if^«l«-tl<^S<ft'' -^*-'i ^^t-^' ^ ^•' ■ 
 Butvvtoth^««lbrt1«li^^nrfisfe*i^^ ' 
 
 Tliat morefor Idue fHehlbr lucre men fhall tcich, ' " 
 The Swallowcs in liofeJiftiAn ilecp as things dombc,^ 
 
 Thc(candcthcrth»h^h<:^lv^pH*cie, -M'i'^^S 
 
 And namely againft^^<iWt*i^t'tealM! rlieVr votatiorti ^^1 nd ; 
 Intruding tlifeinWyts'asijfe^itiiiiiiotlv^^ 
 Into that office of pt^hing aiid tniniftration. 
 
 Inft, IfthcPcdler hath ho woHetalkit then this. 
 His words in my iudgerti^mat* tfclkraWe: / 
 
 For all in the" Church mcthinkes k rfiwdc, 
 Nothing can I fecttacHcoiiimcndablc. 
 Thinke you it dothnot gricuc vs at the harts ? 
 To hauc a Micf 6t a<:©Wcr to miniftcr to vsj 
 Yea,andthelcwdcft'ftfleH'c«ifi«Mc|ur|)artl^ > 
 TakethYPQnhioiTltAt«rsofgraultictodift,tls> ' 
 
 Tyrter. I ^iHxinfwcf <^ ybu ^mca\ir\y to your rcalon, 
 Firft,whcreas)jaurayhfev\'btt*9b^tolleral>lc, ' 
 
 I will proiic thtmfaBlcSj'jW*^ cteane out oFfealon, 
 
 A nda^a^i^^ Cods \Vordh^^^^niynioft damnable. • • 
 
 t^irh both Otrifts Pi'cac-Kcr^,andliis Mklltion, 
 
 W 1 lich ciuditiop is the Wcilcd word of vcriti?, 
 
 Thy faUing,Pcdier,hath bought into liilpition, - • 
 
 ProplTeryinjjofa doarinc 6»ttiore fttK^critie. 
 
 Sccoiidly,whercasvou fay that a\l i^ amiite, • 
 
 YoumcanebccajifcwchaiurrcmoUcdldolatm ' 
 
 $upctmtion,ari JT»>^rifir,;^''cin your tti^ is : 
 
 And hath placed there Gods ^'ord,only rtec^taty. 
 
 Thirdly , whereas yo\l fay it dothyoui hearts grc€U<*r 
 
 That Tinkers and d6b*crs iltouVd y^<^^'''^^j^fi;*^ ;. 
 l£ Pirift^ioukj come frttiihwacn aiuJ prcadi,! bcl^o*^^ 
 
^ 
 
 Prophecie. 
 
 That you would dcfpife both him and hispredicanon^ 
 Were not the Apoflles Fiflicrs for the moftpartall i 
 And into the whole world pafled their found, 
 Notoneluftice to that office he did call. 
 Hard it is among you one faithfijU to be found. 
 But I befcech God once to open your eyes. 
 For of Gods word you let the true paflagc: ' 
 God hath giucn^you oucr, to bclccuelyes. 
 Rather then the Gofpcll,the heauenly fathers mcflage. 
 
 Fed. By my troth,cuen fo did the Pedler Ijjeakc, 
 Too bad he railed againft lufticcs. 
 It makes the heart in my bodic to bres^e. 
 To heare his I nueftiucs againft all Officers. 
 
 If/fit I pray thee tell me what he (aidi 
 A pratiiig knaucs \vords,can no honcft man offend. 
 . Fed. To vttcr fuch Icwdc talke I am halfe afiraicf. 
 Would to God you would go about,him to apprehend. 
 
 /»/?. I pray thee tell me as much as thou art able. 
 We will apprehend him well inou^h,no doubt* 
 Fed, OfGentlcmcnhcrehearfedafondfeblc, 
 I wot not how the diuell he brought it about: 
 Gentlemen c)ut)th hc,that be no Gentlemen borne. 
 But fuch as come vp by ^rituall fpoylc: 
 Shall be turned into horfcs,to cate haie and come, 
 And aiiiong other beads compelled to toyle. 
 
 //jter. Thi nkc you tliat thele words are meet abroad to be 
 It nppearcth that he raiieth thus on euery ilatc: (blownc, 
 
 Fed. Time it is that fuch as he were knowne, 
 For el (e he and they will caufe much hate. 
 The lurticcs quoth he, to hell quicke fliall (inke, 
 For that they are not hindcrers of the veritic ; 
 But b ecaufe at other mens matters they do \wnkc, 
 Liuing themfelucs like cpicurcs^inaU carnallide* 
 Thertore the moft of theiaith he, (haibe turned iiitomoles^ 
 B ecaufe they are couctous,and in Iicait blinde : 
 Yet fom of diem &albe turned into black birds/ralled coles, 
 
 F Thefo 
 
 C 
 
ThePedlers 
 
 Them he mcancjtliat bd cucr wntlc andkindf* 
 
 IhJ}, What mancrofman is he,ancl of what nature? 
 I iud^j^e him to be lunatickc or (brke mad. 
 7*//:^. A litle man fir,eucn of my ftaturc, 
 And as touvlung agCjini^ith but a lad. 
 
 Ifjter. I would it might pleafc you and other Magiflrates, 
 Eaiiieftly to lookc vpon (uch makers of diflurbanct: 
 
 Ifijf. I would it might pi cafe you to femouc thefe runna- 
 A Did ro eafe our minds of fach incombrancc. (gate$. 
 
 For as long as liich be in place', 
 You fiiall neiicr be had in reputation : 
 Yet I will not fay but diuerfe men haue grace, 
 But they be out of the peoples eftimation. 
 /»*rr. Aslongasthcybeblameleflcinconuerfation, 
 I Andmdo£lrinelincercandfoundapprouedi 
 
 They need not paflc of the peoples ellimation, 
 For botli of God and the world, they cannot be loued. ^ . ^ 
 Here enters the ludge, ~ 
 
 lud^f. God (peed you my maiftersjforfboth all three, 
 And you worfiupfull maifter lufticc my friend : 
 It doth me good to fee you fo well agree, 
 Tnifting in God that you be all of one inindc. 
 
 /tttfrp. You arc as welcome Iiither,right honorable ludge, 
 God forbid among wife men,rherc fhould be difcord : 
 
 Tor whereas there is diuifion and grudge, 
 Tlierefolloweth defolation,asfaith Chriil our Lord. 
 
 fftfi. Truly, your honour is welcome hither. 
 This reuercnt father andl,werc commoning hard : 
 Or the prophccieofa runnagate Pedler, 
 Whofe faying in my iudgcmentjUo man will regard. 
 
 Ped. Yet lir,&uing your aduife, 
 Men ought to rail e vpon authori tie, 
 For Th'ApofUe Paul both godly and wife, 
 Keuoked his words fyokcn with feiieritie: 
 - Iftd. I ndeed I heard of fuch a one. 
 And there eocth a ^rcat brute of his prophccic» 
 
Prophecie. 
 
 Ped. All his talkc is not worth a hering bone. 
 For of many of them I am able to tcfbfie, 
 Seruing-meii quoth hcjthac wearc breeches like faggots, 
 Whichjn fleflily idlenefle confume their lines. 
 Shall hz firll conuertcd into maggots, 
 And aftenvard turned to drones,and Ijue in hiucs. 
 
 Itid. He meaneth vnhappil y by this fable, 
 I would I had him in my kecpmg a while. 
 
 Ved. A fellow he is mo'i vnconftant and vnftablc, 
 And fuch a one as will you ri2:ht foone be2:uile : 
 And told a talc of the Prophcie oiler emy. 
 When God bad hide by the Riuci; Euphrates ^ 
 I wot not what he ment by that Prophccic, 
 For anon hs was in hand with Socrates. 
 
 /«/?. Doththeprophecie fpeake of any fuch matter ? 
 Such things to be red,Jtiethinkcs arc bafe : 
 
 Inter. Iii no wife I wold hauc )'ou to take it as vain clatter^ 
 For a great my fterie is meant in that place: 
 The very Text niakcth the meaning plaine. 
 Which I will read and expound if you will: 
 
 Jnd. No, no, wc will not put you to that paine, 
 But wc wi! I hcarc the Pedlers prophccic ftill. 
 Iprij\'yoTitellme, taiketh he nor of the ilatc of tliis region? 
 Ofthe Q^z\\z,% Maicihcandof the Comicell : 
 What faitn he concerning religion ? 
 How liketh he by the Preachers of the Gofpell? 
 
 Ved, Not one word talkcth he of this religion, 
 Neither of Queen,CouncelljLord,Knight,nor Squire : 
 All his talke is of a landcalled I/w», 
 And of a Citie firre ofjcalled T^ri'. 
 Maiy thus he faith,though Princes thcmfelues be good. 
 Yet are they like at Gods hand to be punifhcd: 
 For at their hands,God will require their fubiefls blood, 
 Which through their fuflFerance into fin hath perilhed. 
 
 lud. Whereat is the Pedlerfo fore oiTcnded J 
 V Vhat is it that he mifliktth moft ? 
 
 F 2 P*^. 
 
 ^'■'^^^'(•'■V*™ 
 
 1^- 
 
TliePedlers 
 
 Ptfi. He faith the world is fo ill it cannpt be amended. 
 A nd that we fin daily againft the holy Goft, 
 Marry one thing commcth now to my remembrance. 
 He crieth out vpon fupprcrtcd lands ; 
 Thc^bufe of them crieth to God for vengeance. 
 For moft of them arc come into wicked mens hands. 
 When the Pedlcr told this talcjtruly he wept: 
 Alas,alas,quoth he,how are the poore Tenants handled ? 
 They which through their labors good hoiifes kept, 
 Now are they throwne outjtheir goods wafted & mangled. 
 Of them to me he told a great proccs, 
 Wold to God quoth he, they had bin referued to the crown, 
 They would haue mainteinedthe Princes with riches. 
 And haue kept wealthy Tenants4n cucry Townc* 
 
 I W» As I haue learned here by my brothers report,. 
 He entermedleth with matters of religion : 
 y Vith men of all ftatcs and of mighticfort. 
 Which will be an occ^on,to moue ftrife andfeditbn, . 
 
 /uft. He medlcth with Princes caufcs mc thinke, 
 Thefe words are not tolleiablc in a fubic^, 
 VVe hadnot need 2t fiich matters to winkc. 
 It is more then time him to correal, 
 
 W. T pray thee amongft all his communication. 
 What would he of Iiidgcs lay ? 
 
 Vcd. Now tmly my X-ord,I ncucr liked his conuerfation. 
 Yet to know his mind,I held him vp with yea and nay : 
 Nay myLordjifl fhould fiteake all chat he haue laid, 
 I might chance to get my ielfe difisleafiut S 
 Your honour knoweth that woros arc not wtyed. 
 Where the tongue vfeth no rea(bnablcffles^ure» " . 
 
 IW. I pray you tell me as much as you can. 
 What he hath talked of any ftatc ? 
 A nd I promife you, as I am tme man. 
 Of vs you {hall haue neither difpleafure nor hate« 
 
 Fed. All ludges quoth he, loue rewards, and follow gifts. 
 They peruert iifiice,aiid cquall ludgcracnt ; 
 
 To 
 
Frophecie. 
 
 To faue nialefa^ors,thcy make fowle fhifts, 
 
 And fomc receiuc mony to condemiic the innocent. 
 
 He cry cth out of ftrangcrs and free Dcnifons, 
 
 Which ai'c dcuourers of this Rcalmc : 
 
 Not onely dcuoure they like monftrous Caniclions, 
 
 Bur alfo {realcjand fend oucr by the ftrcamc. 
 
 He faith that for mony they arc mndc free. 
 
 And one of thcic panch-bclhed Ahans, 
 
 Dcuoure HiorC;tlicn ten men of our countr}'", 
 
 Worfc then Do^s,Epicurcs,and Arrians. 
 
 Inter, Though cci tame of his words be tnfc indeed, 
 Yet tlierc is a mcanc in time to {pcakc, 
 
 Jufi, For his tiuth telling he mall hauc his meed. 
 We will prouidc an haultcr his neckc to hreake, 
 
 Pcd, Of all Jiis t.ilkc thus he did conclude. 
 Since men vpon the ejith wasfirft create, 
 Of Inchantcrs and Coniurers , there was ncuer fuch a multi- 
 Both of yoon^ and old,of eucry eftate: (tudc. 
 
 So many faith he,be in the (aid Hion^ 
 That ail of whom we haue fpoken of here. 
 Shall be altered and changed by euiUrpirits deluHon^ 
 Into beaftsjfb wles,and fimcs, within a ycare : 
 So that I/j'ffWjand the populous Gtie 7/rr, 
 Shall be filled with inon{lers,fierce and hueious : 
 Infomuch that fi-om heauen God fl)all fend fire. 
 To deftroy thofe wicked and religious. 
 
 Inter, Bymyconiefture,thu$fncaneththcPcdlcr, 
 He faith men giuen to licentious lifi* : 
 And that each one, of anothcrs ftatc is a medlery 
 Which will be an occafion of much ftrift. 
 He faith fb much vntruth and mutuall hate^ 
 And no man contented with his vocation s 
 He faith men degenerate from humane ftatc, 
 Therefoicfi:omkinde,hefeineth an alteration. j 
 
 Iconfeflemanythingstobeoutoffi-amc,' i 
 
 Yet that .to rcdrclTejWe refcrrc to authoritic : j 
 
 F 3 The 
 
ThePcdlers :| 
 
 The crterpnfc oFbarcmedlers.we do jrcatly blame, 
 Wifhingthenngbercbi^kedwithaUfeucrmc. ^ 
 
 Iftd. AsforpRtlme^ofPccilerswcdonorpalTc, 
 But fbr all things iimillc,! wiili amendment. 
 If oiH^ht be no vvoife then cuer it «.vas, 
 God f^iuevs grace to obey his commandment. 
 
 ItijK For all things amilTe, there would foone be redrcflc, 
 Jf euery il.ite would iuft ly execute their office: 
 And it- all men would their raukcs confcllc, « 
 Wc Hiould be the more meet to do God fci-uice. 
 
 red, Ihaue^jufinefle to do and muft needs depart. 
 But becaufelhauc the Pcdlers words here recited: , 
 
 I aske pardon, with moft lowly and penitent heart, 
 Beseeching your honor s,that nothing be required. 
 
 /wf^T. Ofneccflkie we muft depart all,^ 
 And therefore it is meet t*hat we go togither : 
 But firft vpon our heauenly f^ither let vs all call. 
 That raeTcifullv be will all ftates confidcr. 
 
 lud, Firft let'vs pray for the Queens Maiclty on tins part, 
 Ahnightic God profpcr and defend her Royail Maicftie, 
 
 Amen fay all thofe,tliat haue a true Englifli heart, 
 We haue all caufc to pray for her Graces profperitic. 
 - /»/?. AlfoherhonorahleCouncellGodprofper&fauc, 
 And that honorable T. TV. err. of iV. chiefly: 
 Whom as our good Loi d ajid maiflcr,found we haue, 
 Good Lord we befeechthccto be liis guide daily. 
 
 Lucr. O heaucnly father,fend workmen mto thy liaruclt, 
 And prcfcme them tFiat arc alrcadic feut : 
 * Suffer no wolues them to molell, 
 Let them accomplilh that wheicto they are bent 
 
 Uc/. Lord fauc thy pcoplc,and bleffc thuie heritage, 
 Thy mercv good Lord,vpon this.Communaltie extend. 
 
 jV ThyNamcbcpraifedeuermorefroma^etoagc, 
 
 iKter. AsitisnowaudcuccfliallbcjWoriawithoutcBd. 
 
 iKter. As it is now; 
 
 Ptd. 
 
 J 
 
I' 
 
 i'- 
 
 m 
 
 Frophecie. 
 
 Ped, You fkiU know more bf my mindc anon^ 
 Whift^eace a while,till they be gone. 
 
 Here they fing an hcauehly fbng. 
 
 And after they be out, the Pedler Ipcakcth 
 asfollowcth. 
 
 Fed. Aiirra,was not thij a pretie caft of a Pedler ? 
 I had none other way but this.my matters to open : 
 Henceforth 1 intend to be no mcdler. 
 But let them marke well what 1 haue fpoken. 
 S ee and forefee,looke within,and lookc without : 
 Though it be farre ofF,yet it will come : 
 See the third time and looke about, 
 Not vvi thout,but within/ee yc,fee fomc. 
 And when you haue feene that you fhall fee, 
 You will thinke vpon the Pedler I wecnc : 
 He will be a Drone that now is a Bee, 
 I fay no morc,but God faue our Qucene. 
 Be readie at midday,and alio at midnight. 
 Go forward apacejand alfo looke backe : 
 An heauie purfe niaketh a mans heart light. 
 There is jw remedic,! muft againe to my packe# 
 
 FINIS. 
 
're ^' ■■ ,' 
 

 
 ^"^ ^t is due on th 
 
 '"Mediate recall. 
 
 ^«^X^°r.;ei« 
 
 
2^S3I\ 
 
 TH lOUUO 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA UBRARY