R. ^REENE: THE BLACK BOOKS MESSENGER, FROM GROSART, VOL.11 GROSART VOL. 11,P.5,L.3 TO P.27,L. 26 GENTLEMEN, I KNOWE YOU HAVE LONG EXPECTED THE =COMMING FOORTH OF MY ?20140 BLACKE BOOKE, WHICH I LONG HAVE PROMISED, AND WHICH I HAD MANY DAIES ?20150 SINCE FINISHED, HAD NOT SICKENES HINDERED MY INTENT:@ NEVERTHELESSE, BE ?20160 ASSURED IT IS THE FIRST THING I MEANE +TO PUBLISH AFTER I AM RECOVERED.@ ?20170 THIS MESSENGER TO MY BLACKE BOOKE I COMMIT TO YOUR CURTEOUS CENSURES, ?20180 =BEING WRITTEN BEFORE I FELL SICK, WHICH I THOGHT GOOD IN THE MEANE TIME ?20190 +TO SEND YOU AS A =FAYRING, =DISCOURSING NED BROWNES VILLANIES, WHICH ARE ?20200 TOO MANY +TO BEE DESCRIBED IN MY BLACKE BOOKE.@ I HAD THOUGHT +TO HAVE ?20210 IOYNED WITH THIS TREATISE, A PITHY DISCOURSE OF THE REPENTANCE OF A ?20220 CONNYCATCHER LATELY EXECUTED OUT OF NEWGATE, YET FORASMUCH AS THE METHODE ?20230 OF THE ONE IS SO FAR =DIFFERING FROM THE OTHER, I ALTERED MY OPINION, AND ?20240 THE RATHER FOR THAT THE ONE DIED RESOLUTE AND DESPERATE, THE OTHER ?20250 PENITENT AND PASSIONATE.@ FOR THE CONNYCATCHERSREPENTANCE WHICH SHALL ?20260 SHORTLY BE PUBLISHED, IT CONTAINES A PASSION OF GREAT IMPORTANCE.@ FIRST ?20270 HOW HE WAS GIVEN OVER FROM ALL GRACE AND GODLINES, AND SEEMED +TO HAVE NO ?20280 SPARKE OF THE FEARE OF GOD IN HIM: YET NEVERTHELESSE, THROUGH THE ?20290 WOONDERFULL =WORKING OF GODS SPIRITE, EVEN IN THE DUNGEON AT NEWGATE THE ?20300 NIGHT BEFORE HE DIED, HE SO REPENTED HIM FROM THE BOTTOME OF HIS HART, ?20310 THAT IT MAY WELL BESEEME PARENTS +TO HAVE IT FOR THEIR CHILDREN, MASTERS ?20320 FOR THEIR SERVANTS, AND +TO BEE PERUSED OF EVERY HONEST PERSON WITH GREAT ?20330 REGARD.@ AND FOR NED BROWNE OF WHOME MY MESSENGER MAKES REPORT, HEE WAS A ?20340 MAN INFAMOUS FOR HIS BAD COURSE OF LIFE AND WELL KNOWNE ABOUT LONDON:@ ?20350 HEE WAS IN OUTWARD SHEW A GENTLEMANLIKE COMPANION, ATTYRED VERY BRAVE, ?20360 AND +TO SHADOWE HIS VILLANY THE MORE WOULD NOMINATE HIMSELFE +TO BE A ?20370 MARSHALL MAN, WHO WHEN HE HAD NIPT A BUNG OR CUT A GOOD PURSE, HE WOULD ?20380 STEALE OVER IN TO THE LOWE COUNTRIES, THERE +TO TAST THREE OR FOURE ?20390 STOAPES OF RHENISH WINE, AND THEN COME OVER FORSOOTH A BRAVE SOULDIER:@ ?20400 BUT AT LAST HEE LEAPT AT A DAYSIE FOR HIS LOOSE KIND OF LIFE, AND ?20410 THEREFORE IMAGINE YOU NOW SEE HIM IN HIS OWNE PERSON, =STANDING IN A ?20420 GREAT BAY WINDOWE WITH A HALTER ABOUT HIS NECKE READY +TO BE HANGED, ?20430 DESPERATELY =PRONOUNSING THIS HIS WHOLE COURSE OF LIFE AND CONFESSETH AS ?20440 FOLLOWETH.@ IF YOU THINKE (GENTLEMEN) +TO HEARE A REPENTANT MAN SPEAKE, ?20450 OR +TO TEL A LARGE TALE OF HIS PENITENT SORROWES, YE ARE DECEIVED: FOR AS ?20460 I HAVE EVER LIVED LEWDLY, SO I MEANE +TO END MY LIFE AS RESOLUTELY, AND ?20470 NOT BY A COWARDLY CONFESSION +TO ATTEMPT THE HOPE OF A PARDON.@ YET, IN ?20480 THAT I WAS FAMOUS IN MY LIFE FOR MY VILLAINIES, I WILL AT MY DEATH ?20490 PROFESSE MY SELFE AS NOTABLE, BY =DISCOURSING TO YOU ALL MERRELY, THE ?20500 MANNER AND METHODE OF MY KNAVERIES, WHICH IF YOU HEAR WITHOUT =LAUGHING, ?20510 THEN AFTER MY DEATH CALL ME BASE KNAVE, AND NEVER HAVE ME IN ?20520 REMEMBRANCE.@ KNOW THERFORE (GENTLEMEN) THAT MY PARENTS WERE HONEST, OF ?20530 GOOD REPORTE, AND NO LITTLE ESTEEME AMONGST THEIR NEIGHBOURS, AND SOUGHT ?20540 (IF GOOD NURTURE AND EDUCATION WOULD HAVE SERVED) +TO HAVE MADE ME AN ?20550 HONEST MAN: BUT AS ONE SELFE SAME GROUND BRINGS FOORTH FLOWERS AND ?20560 THISTLES; SO OF A SOUND STOCKE PROOVED AN UNTOWARD SYEN; AND OF A ?20570 VERTUOUS FATHER, A MOST VICIOUS SONNE.@ IT BOOTES LITTLE +TO REHEARSE THE ?20580 PETTIE SINNES OF MY NON-AGE; AS DISOBEDIENCE TO MY PARENTES, CONTEMPT OF ?20590 GOOD COUNSAILE, =DESPISING OF MINE ELDERS, =FILCHING, PETTILASHERY, AND ?20600 SUCH =TRIFLING TOYES: BUT WITH THESE FOLLYES I INURDE MYSELFE, TILL ?20610 =WAXING IN YEARES, I GREW INTO GREATER VILLANIES.@ FOR WHEN I CAME TO ?20620 EIGHTEENE YEARES OLDE, WHAT SINNE WAS IT THAT I WOULD NOT COMMIT WITH ?20630 GREEDINESSE, WHAT ATTEMPT SO BAD, THAT I WOULD NOT ENDEVOUR +TO EXECUTE; ?20640 =CUTTING OF PURSES, =STEALING OF HORSES, =LIFTING, =PICKING OF LOCKES, ?20650 AND ALL OTHER NOTABLE COOSSENAGES.@ WHY, I HELD THEM EXCELLENT QUALITIES, ?20660 AND ACCOUNTED HIM UNWORTHY +TO LIVE, THAT COULD NOT, OR DURST NOT LIVE BY ?20670 SUCH DAMNABLE PRACTISES.@ YET AS SINNE TOO OPENLY MANIFESTED TO THE EYE ?20680 OF THE MAGISTRATE, IS EYTHER SORE REVENGED OR SOONE CUT OFF:@ SO I +TO ?20690 PREVENT THAT, HAD A NETTE WHEREIN +TO DAUNCE, AND DIVERS SHADOWES +TO ?20700 COLOUR MY KNAVERIES WITHALL, AS I WOULD TITLE MY SELFE WITH THE NAME OF ?20710 A FENCER, & MAKE GENTLEMEN BELEEVE THAT I PICKT A =LIVING OUT BY THAT ?20720 MYSTERIE, WHEREAS GOD WOT, I HAD NO OTHER FENCE BUT WITH MY SHORT KNIFE, ?20730 AND A PAIRE OF PURSE STRINGES, AND WITH THEM IN TROTH MANY A BOWT HAVE I ?20740 HAD IN MY TIME.@ IN TROTH?@ O WHAT A SIMPLE OTH WAS THIS +TO CONFIRM A ?20750 MANS CREDIT WITHALL?@ WHY, I SEE THE HALTER WILL MAKE A MAN HOLY, FOR ?20760 WHILEST GOD SUFFERED MEE +TO FLOURISH, I SCORND +TO DISGRACE MY MOUTH ?20770 WITH SO SMAL AN OATH AS IN FAITH: BUT I RENT GOD IN PEECES, =SWEARING AND ?20780 =FORSWEARING BY EVERY PART OF HIS BODY, THAT SUCH AS HEARD MEE, RATHER ?20790 TREMBLED AT MINE OATHES, THAN FEARED MY BRAVES, AND YET FOR COURAGE AND ?20800 RESOLUTION I REFER MY SELFE TO ALL THEM THAT HAVE EVER HEARD OF MY ?20810 NAME.@ THUS ANIMATED +TO DO WICKEDNES, I FELL +TO TAKE DELIGHT IN THE ?20820 COMPANIE OF HARLOTS: AMONGST WHOME, AS I SPENT WHAT I GOTTE, SO I ?20830 SUFFERED NOT THEM I WAS ACQUAINTED WITHALL +TO FETHER THEIR NESTES, BUT ?20840 WOULD AT MY PLEASURE STRIPPE THEM OF ALL THAT THEY HAD.@ WHAT BAD WOMAN ?20850 WAS THERE ABOUT LONDON, WHOSE CHAMPION I WOULD NOT BE FOR A FEW CROWNES, ?20860 +TO FIGHT, SWEARE, AND STARE IN HER BEHALFE, TO THE ABUSE OF ANY THAT ?20870 SHOULD DOO IUSTICE UPON HER?@ I STILL HAD ONE OR TWO IN STORE +TO ?20880 CROSBITE WITHALL, WHICH I USED AS SNARES +TO TRAP SIMPLE MEN IN: FOR IF I ?20890 TOOKE BUT ONE SUSPITIOUSLY IN HER COMPANIE, STRAIGHT I VERST UPON HIM, ?20900 AND CROSSE BIT HIM FOR ALL THE MONEY IN HIS PURSE.@ BY THE WAY (SITH ?20910 SORROW CANNOT HELPE +TO SAVE ME), LET MEE TELL YOU A MERY IEAST HOW ONCE ?20920 I CROSSE-BIT A MALTMAN, THAT WOULD NEEDES BEE SO WANTON, AS WHEN HEE HAD ?20930 SHUT HIS MALT +TO HAVE A WENCH, AND THUS THE IEAST FELL OUT.@ THIS ?20940 %SENEX %FORNICATOR THIS OLDE LETCHER, =USING CONTINUALLY INTO WHITE ?20950 CHAPPELL, HAD A HAUNT INTO PETTICOTE LANE TO A =TRUGGING HOUSE THERE, AND ?20960 FELL INTO GREAT FAMILIARITIE WITH A GOOD WENCH THAT WAS A FREEND OF MINE, ?20970 WHO ONE DAY REVEALED UNTO ME HOW SHE WAS WELL THOUGHT ON BY A MALTMAN, A ?20980 WEALTHIE OLDE CHURLE, AND THAT ORDINARILY TWISE A WEEKE HE DID VISITE ?20990 HER, AND THEREFORE BAD MEE PLOT SOME MEANES +TO FETCH HIM OVER FOR SOME ?21000 CROWNES.@ I WAS NOT +TO SEEKE FOR A QUICKE INVENTION, AND RESOLVED AT HIS ?21010 =COMMING +TO CROSSE BITE HIM, WHICH WAS (AS LUCK SERVED) THE NEXT DAY.@ ?21020 MONSIEUR THE MALTMAN =COMMING =ACCORDING TO HIS CUSTOME, WAS NO SOONER ?21030 SECRETLY SHUT IN THE CHAMBER WITH THE WENCH, BUT I CAME =STEPPING IN ?21040 WITH A TERRIBLE LOOKE, =SWEARING AS IF I MEANT +TO HAVE CHALLENGD THE ?21050 EARTH +TO HAVE OPENED AND SWALLOWED ME QUICKE, AND PRESENTLY FELL UPON ?21060 HER AND BEAT HER: THEN I TURNED TO THE MALTMAN, AND LENT HIM A BLOW OR ?21070 TWO, FOR HE WOULD TAKE NO MORE: HE WAS A STOUT STIFFE OLD TOUGH CHURLE, ?21080 AND THEN I RAYLED UPON THEM BOTH, AND OBIECTED TO HIM HOW LONG HE HAD ?21090 KEPT MY WIFE, HOW MY NEIGHBORS COULD TELL ME OF IT, HOW THE LANE THOUGHT ?21100 ILL OF ME FOR =SUFFERING IT, AND NOW THAT I HAD MY SELFE TAKEN THEM ?21110 TOGETHER, I WOULD MAKE BOTH HIM AND HER SMART FOR IT BEFORE WE PARTED.@ ?21120 THE OLDE FOXE THAT KNEW THE OXE BY THE HORNE, WAS SUBTILL ENOUGH +TO SPIE ?21130 A PAD IN THE STRAW, AND +TO SEE THAT WE WENT ABOUT +TO CROSSEBITE HIM: ?21140 WHEREFORE HEE STOODE STIFFE, AND DENIED ALL, AND ALTHOUGH THE WHORE ?21150 =CUNNINGLY ON HER KNEES =WEEPING DID CONFESSE IT, YET THE MAULTMAN FACED ?21160 HER DOWNE, AND SAID SHE WAS AN HONEST WOMAN FOR ALL HIM, AND THAT THIS ?21170 WAS BUT A COOSSENAGE COMPACTED BETWEENE HER AND ME +TO VERSE AND ?21180 CROSSBITE HIM FOR SOME PEECE OF MONEY FOR AMENDS, BUT SITH HEE KNEW ?21190 HIMSELFE CLEARE, HE WOULD NEVER GRAUNT +TO PAY ONE PENNY.@ I WAS STRAIGHT ?21200 IN MINE OATHES AND BRAVED HIM WITH =SENDING FOR THE CONSTABLE, BUT IN ?21210 VAINE: ALL OUR POLLICIES COULD NOT DRAW ONE CROSSE FROM THIS CRAFTY OLDE ?21220 CARLE, TILL I =GATHERING MY WITS TOGETHER, CAME OVER HIS FALLOWES THUS.@ ?21230 I KEPT HIM STILL IN THE CHAMBER, & SENT (AS THOUGH I HAD SENT FOR THE ?21240 CONSTABLE) FOR A FREEND OF MINE, AN AUNCIENT COOSSENER, AND ONE THAT HAD ?21250 A LONG TIME BEENE A KNIGHT OF THE POST: MARRY HEE HAD A FAIRE CLOAKE AND ?21260 A DAMASK COATE, THAT SERVED HIM +TO HAYLE MEN WITHALL.@ TO THIS PERIURED ?21270 COMPANION I SENT +TO COME AS A CONSTABLE, +TO MAKE THE MALTMAN STOUPE, ?21280 WHO (READIE +TO EXECUTE ANY VILLANIE THAT I SHOULD PLOT) CAME SPEEDILY ?21290 LIKE AN AUNCIENT WELTHY CITIZEN, AND =TAKING THE OFFICE OF A CONSTABLE IN ?21300 HAND, BEGAN VERY STEARNLY +TO EXAMINE THE MATTER, AND +TO DEALE ?21310 INDIFFERENTLY, RATHER =FAVORING THE MALTMAN THAN ME: BUT I COMPLAINED ?21320 HOW LONG HE HAD KEPT MY WIFE: HE ANSWERED I LYED, & THAT IT WAS A ?21330 COOSSENAGE +TO CROSSEBITE HIM OF HIS MONEY.@ MAS CONSTABLE =CUNNINGLY ?21340 MADE ?21345 THIS REPLY TO US BOTH:@ MY FRENDS, THIS MATTER IS BAD, AND TRULY I CANNOT ?21350 IN CONSCIENCE BUT LOOK INTO IT.@ FOR YOU BROWNE, YOU COMPLAINE HOW HE ?21360 HATH ABUSED YOUR WIFE A LONG TIME, & SHEE PARTLY CONFESSETH AS MUCH: HE ?21370 (WHO SEEMS +TO BEE AN HONEST MAN, AND OF SOME COUNTENANCE AMONGST HIS ?21380 NEIGHBORS) FORSWEARS IT, AND FAITH, IT IS BUT A DEVISE +TO STRIP HIM OF ?21390 HIS MONY:@ I KNOW NOT WHOM +TO BELEEVE, AND THERFORE THIS IS MY BEST ?21400 COURSE: BECAUSE THE ONE OF YOU SHALL NOT LAUGH THE OTHER TO SCORN, ILE ?21410 SEND YOU ALL THREE TO THE COUNTER, SO +TO ANSWERE IT BEFORE SOME IUSTICE ?21420 THAT MAY TAKE EXAMINATION OF THE MATTER.@ THE MALTMAN LOTH +TO GOE TO ?21430 PRISON, AND YET =UNWILLING +TO PART FROM ANY PENCE, SAIDE HE WAS =WILLING ?21440 +TO ANSWERE THE MATTER BEFORE ANY MAN OF WORSHIPPE, BUT HE DESIRED THE ?21450 CONSTABLE +TO FAVOUR HIM THAT HEE MIGHT NOT GOE TO WARD, AND HE WOULD ?21460 SEND FOR A BREWER A FRIEND OF HIS +TO BE HIS BAILE.@ IN FAITH SAIES THIS ?21470 =CUNNING OLD COSENER, YOU OFFER LIKE AN HONEST MAN, BUT I CANNOT STAY SO ?21480 LONG TILL HE BEE SENT FOR, BUT IF YOU MEANE AS YOU PROTEST +TO ANSWER THE ?21490 MATTER, THEN LEAVE SOME PAWNE AND I WILL LET YOU GOE WHITHER YOU WILL ?21500 WHILE TOMORROW, AND THEN COME TO MY HOUSE HERE HARD BY AT A GROCERS ?21510 SHOP, AND YOU AND I WILL GOE BEFORE A IUSTICE, AND THEN CLEARE YOUR ?21520 SELFE AS YOU MAY.@ THE MALTMAN =TAKING THIS CRAFTY KNAVE +TO BE SOME ?21530 SUBSTANTIALL CITIZEN, THANKED HIM FOR HIS FRIENDSHIP AND GAVE HIM A SEALE ?21540 RING THAT HE WORE ON HIS FOREFINGER, =PROMISING THE NEXT =MORNING +TO ?21550 MEETE HIM AT HIS HOUSE.@ ASSOONE AS MY FRIEND HAD THE RING, AWAY WALKES ?21560 HE, AND WHILE WE STOOD =BRABLING TOGETHER HE WENT TO THE BREWARS HOUSE, ?21570 WITH WHOME THIS MALTMAN TRADED, AND DELIVERED THE BREWAR THE RING AS A ?21580 TOKEN FROM THE MALTMAN, =SAYING HE WAS IN TROUBLE, AND THAT HE DESIRED ?21583 HIM BY THAT TOKEN +TO SEND HIM TEN POUND.@ THE BREWAR =SEEING AN AUNTIENT ?21585 CITIZEN ?21590 =BRINGING THE MESSAGE AND =KNOWING THE MALTMANS RING, STOOD UPON NO ?21600 TEARMES, SITH HE KNEW HIS CHAPMAN WOULD AND WAS ABLE +TO ANSWERE IT ?21610 AGAINE IF IT WERE A BRACE OF HUNDRETH POUNDS, DELIVERED HIM THE MONEY ?21620 WITHOUT ANY MORE ADOO: WHICH TEN POUND AT NIGHT WE SHARED BETWIXT US, AND ?21630 LEFT THE MALTMAN +TO TALKE WITH THE BREWAR ABOUT THE REPAIMENT.@ TUSH, ?21640 THIS WAS ONE OF MY ORDINARY SHIFTS, FOR I WAS HOLDEN IN MY TIME THE MOST ?21650 FAMOUS CROSBYTER IN ALL LONDON.@ WELL AT LENGTH AS =WEDDING AND =HANGING ?21660 COMES BY DESTENIE, I WOULD +TO AVOIDE THE SPEECH OF THE WORLD BEE MARRIED ?21670 FORSOOTH AND KEEPE A HOUSE, BUT (GENTLEMEN) I HOPE YOU THAT HEARE MEE ?21680 TALKE OF MARRIAGE, DO PRESENTLY IMAGINE THAT SURE SHE WAS SOME VERTUOUS ?21690 MATRONE THAT I CHOSE OUT.@ SHAL I SAY MY CONSCIENCE, SHE WAS A LITTLE ?21700 SNOWT FAIRE, BUT THE COMMONEST HARLOT AND HACKSTER THAT EVER MADE FRAY ?21710 UNDER THE SHADOWE OF COLMAN HEDGE: WEDDED TO THIS TRULL, WHAT VILLANIE ?21720 COULD I DEVISE BUT SHEE WOULD PUT IN PRACTISE, AND YET THOUGH SHEE COULD ?21730 FOYST A POCKET WELL, AND GET ME SOME PENCE, AND LIFTE NOWE AND THEN FOR A ?21740 NEEDE, AND WITH THE LIGHTNES OF HIR HEELES BRING MEE IN SOME CROWNES: YET ?21750 I WAXT WEARIE, AND STUCKE TO THE OLDE PROVERBE, THAT CHAUNGE OF PASTURE ?21760 MAKES FAT CALVES:@ I THOUGHT THAT IN =LIVING WITH MEE TWO YEARES SHE ?21770 LIVED A YEERE TOO LONG, AND THEREFORE =CASTING MINE EYE ON A PRETTY ?21780 WENCH, A MANS WIFE WELL KNOWNE ABOUT LONDON, I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER, ?21790 AND THAT SO DEEPELY THAT I BROKE THE MATTER TO HER HUSBAND, THAT I LOVED ?21800 HIS WIFE, AND MUST NEEDS HAVE HIR, AND CONFIRMD IT WITH MANY OTHES, THAT ?21810 IF HE DID NOT CONSENT TO IT, I WOULD BEE HIS DEATH: WHERE UPPON HER ?21820 HUSBAND, A KIND KNAVE, AND ONE EVERIE WAY AS BASE A COMPANION AS MY ?21830 SELFE, AGREED TO ME, AND WE BET A BARGAINE, THAT I SHOULD HAVE HIS WIFE, ?21840 AND HE SHOULD HAVE MINE, CONDITIONALLY, THAT I SHOULD GIVE HIM FIVE ?21850 POUNDES TO BOOTE, WHICH I PROMISED, THOUGH HE NEVER HAD IT: SO WEE LIKE ?21860 TWO GOOD HORSE-CORSERS, MADE A CHOPPE AND CHANGE, AND SWAPT UP A ROGISH ?21870 BARGAINE, AND SO HE MARIED MY WIFE AND I HIS.@ THUS GENTLEMEN DID I ?21880 NEITHER FEARE GOD NOR HIS LAWES, NOR REGARDED HONESTIE, MANHOOD, OR ?21890 CONSCIENCE: BUT THESE BE TRIFLES AND VENIALL SINNES.@ NOW SIR, LET ME ?21900 BOAST OF MY SELFE A LITTLE, IN THAT I CAME TO THE CREDITE OF A HIGH ?21910 LAWYER, AND WITH MY SWORD FREE BOOTED ABROAD IN THE COUNTRY LIKE A ?21920 CAVALIER ON HORSEBACKE, WHEREIN I DID EXCELL FOR SUBTELTY:@ FOR I HAD ?21930 FIRST FOR MY SELFE AN ARTIFICIALL HAIRE, AND A BEARD SO NATURALLY MADE, ?21940 THAT I COULD TALKE, DINE, AND SUP IN IT, AND YET IT SHOULD NEVER BEE ?21950 SPIED.@ I WILL TELL YOU THERE RESTS NO GREATER VILLANY THAN IN THIS ?21960 PRACTISE, FOR I HAVE ROBBED A MAN IN THE =MORNING, AND COME TO THE SAME ?21970 INNE AND BAYTED, YEA AND DYNED WITH HIM THE SAME DAY: AND FOR MY HORSE ?21980 THAT HE MIGHT NOT BE KNOWNE I COULDE RIDE HIM ONE PART OF THE DAY LIKE A ?21990 GOODLY =GELDING WITH A LARGE TAYLE =HANGING TO HIS FEETLOCKES, AND THE ?22000 OTHER PART OF THE DAY I COULD MAKE HIM A CUT, FOR I HAD AN ARTIFICIALL ?22010 TAILE SO =CUNNINGLY COUNTERFEITED, THAT THE OSTLER WHEN HEE DREST HIM ?22020 COULDE NOT PERCEIVE IT.@ BY THESE POLLICIES I LITTLE CARED FOR HUES AND ?22030 CRIES, BUT STRAIGHT WITH =DISGUISING MYSELFE, WOULD OUTSLIP THEM ALL, ?22040 AND AS FOR MY CLOAKE IT WAS %TARMOSIND% (AS THEY DOE TEARME IT) MADE WITH ?22050 TWO OUTSIDES THAT I COULD TURNE IT HOW I LIST, FOR HOWSOEVER I WORE IT ?22060 THE RIGHT SIDE STILL SEEMED +TO BE OUTWARD:@ I REMEMBER HOW PRETTILY ONCE ?22070 I SERVED A PRIEST, AND BECAUSE ONE DEATH DISCHARGETH ALL, AND IS AS GOOD ?22080 AS A GENERALL PARDON, HEARE HOW I SERVED HIM.@ I CHAUNCED AS I ROAD INTO ?22090 BARKESHIRE +TO LIGHT IN THE COMPANY OF A FAT PRIEST THAT HAD =HANGING AT ?22100 HIS SADDLE BOW A CAPCASE WELL STUFT WITH CROWNS THAT HE WENT +TO PAY FOR ?22110 THE PURCHASE OF SOME LANDS:@ =FALLING IN TALKE WITH HIM (AS COMMUNICATION ?22120 WILL GROWE BETWIXT TRAVELLERS) I BEHAVED MY SELFE SO DEMURELY, THAT HE ?22130 TOOKE ME FOR A VERY HONEST MAN, & WAS GLAD OF MY COMPANY, ALTHOUGH ERE WE ?22140 PARTED IT COST HIM VERY DEARE: AND AMONGST OTHER CHAT HE QUESTIONED ME IF ?22150 I WOULD SELL MY HORSE (FOR HEE WAS A FAIRE LARGE =GELDING WELL SPREAD AND ?22160 FORHEADED, AND SO EASILY AND SWIFTLY PACED, THAT I COULD WELL RIDE HIM ?22170 SEAVEN MILE AN HOURE):@ I MADE HIM ANSWERE THAT I WAS LOTH +TO PART FROM ?22180 MY =GELDING, AND SO SHAPTE HIM A SLIGHT REPLY, BUT BEFORE WEE CAME AT OUR ?22190 BAITE HEE WAS SO IN LOVE WITH HIM THAT I MIGHT SAY HIM NO NAY, SO THAT ?22200 WHEN WEE CAME AT OUR INNE AND WERE AT DINNER TOGETHER WE SWAPT A ?22210 BARGAIN:@ I HAD THE PRIESTS AND TWENTY NOBLES TO BOOTE FOR MINE.@ WELL ?22220 ASSOONE AS WE HAD CHANGDE, I GOT MEE UNTO THE STABLE, AND THERE SECRETLY ?22230 I KNIT A HAIRE ABOUT THE HORSE FEETLOCK SO STRAIGHT UPON THE VEINE THAT ?22240 HEE BEGAN A LITTLE +TO CHECKE OF THAT FOOTE, SO THAT WHEN HE WAS BROUGHT ?22250 FOORTH THE HORSE BEGAN +TO HALT; WHICH THE PRIEST =ESPYING MARVELD AT IT, ?22260 AND BEGAN +TO ACCUSE ME THAT I HAD DECEIVED HIM.@ WELL QUOTH I TIS ?22270 NOTHING BUT A BLOOD, AND ASSOONE AS HEE IS WARME HEE WILL GOE WELL, AND ?22280 IF IN =RIDING YOU LIKE HIM NOT, FOR TWENTY =SHILLINGS LOSSE, ILE CHANGE ?22290 WITH YOU AT NIGHT: THE PRIEST WAS GLAD OF THIS, AND CAUSED HIS SADDLE +TO ?22300 BE SET ON MY =GELDING, AND SO =HAVING HIS CAP-CASE ON THE SADDLE PUMMELL, ?22310 RODE ON HIS WAY, AND I WITH HIM, BUT STILL HIS HORSE HALTED, AND BY THAT ?22320 TIME WE WERE TWO MYLES OUT OF THE TOWNE HEE HALTED RIGHT DOWNE: AT WHICH ?22330 THE PRIEST CHAFT, AND I SAIDE I WONDRED AT IT, AND THOUGHT HE WAS PRICKT, ?22340 BAD HIM ALIGHT, AND I WOULD SEE WHAT HE AYLED, AND WISHT HIM +TO GET UP ?22350 OF MY HORSE THAT I HAD OF HIM FOR A MILE OR TWO, AND I WOULD RIDE OF HIS, ?22360 +TO TRIE IF I COULD DRIVE HIM FROM HIS HAULT.@ THE PRIEST THANKT ME, AND ?22370 WAS SORROWFULL, AND I =FEELING ABOUT HIS FOOTE CRACKT THE HAIRE ASUNDER, ?22380 AND WHEN I HAD DONE, GOT UP ON HIM, =SMILING TO MY SELFE +TO SEE THE CAP ?22390 CASE HANG SO MANNERLY BEFORE MEE, AND =PUTTING SPURS TO THE HORSE, MADE ?22400 HIM GIVE WAY A LITTLE, BUT =BEEING SOMEWHAT STIFFE, HE HALTED FOR HALFE A ?22410 MILE, AND THEN BEGAN +TO FALL INTO HIS OLDE PACE, WHICH THE PRIEST ?22420 =SPYING, SAID:@ ME THINKS MY =GELDING BEGINS +TO LEAVE HIS =HALTING.@ I ?22430 MARRY DOTH HEE MAISTER PARSON (QUOTH I) ILE WARRANT YOU HELE GALLOP TOO ?22440 FAST FOR YOU +TO OVERTAKE, AND SO GOOD PRIEST FAREWELL, AND TAKE NO ?22450 THOUGHT FOR THE CARRIAGE OF YOUR CAPCASE.@ WITH THAT I PUT SPURRES TO ?22460 HIM LUSTILY, AND AWAY FLUNG I LIKE THE WIND: THE PARSON CALDE TO MEE, AND ?22470 SAYDE HEE HOPED THAT I WAS BUT IN IEAST, BUT HE FOUND IT IN EARNEST, FOR ?22480 HE NEVER HAD HIS HORSE NOR HIS CAP CASE AFTER.@ GENTLEMEN, THIS IS BUT A ?22490 IEAST TO A NUMBER OF VILLANIES THAT I HAVE ACTED, SO GRACELESSE HATH MY ?22500 LIFE BEENE.@ THE MOST EXPERT AND SKILFUL ALCUMIST, NEVER TOOKE MORE PAINS ?22510 IN EXPERIENCE OF HIS METTALLS, THE PHISITION IN HIS SIMPLES, THE ?22520 MECANICALL MAN IN THE MYSTERIE OF HIS OCCUPATION, THAN I HAVE DONE IN ?22530 =PLOTTING PRECEPTS, RULES, AXIOMES, AND PRINCIPLES, HOW SMOOTHLY AND ?22540 NEATELY +TO FOIST A POCKET, OR NYPPE A BUNG.@ IT WERE TOO TEDIOUS +TO ?22550 HOLDE YOU WITH TALES OF THE WONDERS I HAVE ACTED, =SEEING ALMOST THEY BEE ?22560 NUMBERLESSE, OR +TO MAKE REPORTE HOW DESPERATELY I DID EXECUTE THEM, ?22570 EYTHER WITHOUT FEARE OF GOD, DREAD OF THE LAW, OR LOVE TO MY COUNTRY: FOR ?22580 I WAS SO RESOLUTELY, OR RATHER REPROBATELY GIVEN, THAT I HELD DEATH ONLY ?22590 AS NATURES DUE, AND HOWSOEVER IGNOMINIOUSLY IT MIGHT HAPPEN UNTO MEE, ?22600 THAT I LITTLE REGARDED: WHICH CARELESSE DISDAIN +TO DIE, MADE ME THRUST ?22610 MY SELFE INTO EVERY BRAULE, QUARRELL, AND OTHER BAD ACTION WHATSOEVER, ?22620 =RUNNING HEADLONG INTO ALL MISCHIEFE, NEYTHER =RESPECTING THE ENDE, NOR ?22630 =FORESEEING THE DANGER: AND THAT SECURE LIFE HATH BROUGHT ME TO THIS ?22640 DISHONORABLE DEATH.@ BUT WHAT SHOULD I STAND HEERE =PREACHING?@ I LIVED ?22650 WANTONLY, AND THEREFORE LET ME END MERRILY, AND TEL YOU TWO OR THREE OF ?22660 MY MAD PRANKS AND SO BID YOU FAREWELL.@ AMONGST THE REST I REMEMBER ONCE ?22670 =WALKING UP AND DOWNE SMITHFIELD, VERY QUAINTLY ATTIRED IN A FUSTIAN ?22680 DUBLET AND BUFFE HOSE, BOTH LAYDE DOWNE WITH GOLDE LACE, A SILKE STOCKE ?22690 AND A NEW CLOKE:@ I TRACED UP AND DOWNE VERIE SOLEMPNLY, AS =HAVING NEVER ?22700 A CROSSE +TO BLESSE ME WITHALL, WHERE =BEEING IN MY DUMPS THERE HAPPENED ?22710 TO ME THIS ACCIDENT =FOLLOWING.@ THUS GENTLEMEN =BEEING IN MY DUMPS, I ?22720 SAWE A BRAVE COUNTREY GENTLEWOMAN =COMMING ALONG FROM SAINT BARTLEMEWES ?22730 IN ?22735 A SATTEN GOWNE AND FOURE MEN =ATTENDING UPON HER: BY HER SIDE SHEE HAD ?22740 =HANGING A MARVELLOUS RICH PURSE EMBROYDRED, AND NOT SO FAIRE WITHOUT, ?22750 BUT IT SEEMED +TO BE AS WEL LINED WITHIN:@ AT THIS MY TEETH WATERED, AND ?22760 AS THE PRAY MAKES THE CHIEFE, SO NECESSITY, AND THE SIGHT OF SUCH A FAIRE ?22770 PURSE BEGANNE +TO MUSTER A THOUSAND INVENTIONS IN MY HEADE HOW +TO COME ?22780 BY IT: +TO GOE BY HER AND NIP IT I COULD NOT, BECAUSE SHEE HAD SO MANY ?22790 MEN =ATTENDING ON HER: +TO WATCH HIR INTO A PRESSE THAT WAS IN VAINE, FOR ?22800 =GOING TOWARDS S. JOHNS STREETE, I GEST HER ABOUT +TO TAKE HORSE +TO RIDE ?22810 HOME, BECAUSE ALL HER MEN WERE BOOTED.@ THUS PERPLEXED FOR THIS PURSE, ?22820 AND YET NOT SO MUCH FOR THE BOUNG AS THE SHELS:@ I AT LAST RESOLUTELY ?22830 VOWED IN MY SELFE +TO HAVE IT THOUGH I STRETCHT A HALTER FOR IT: AND SO ?22840 =CASTING IN MY HEAD HOW +TO BRING MY FINE MISTRIS TO THE BLOW, AT LAST I ?22850 PERFORMED IT THUS.@ SHEE =STANDING AND =TALKING A WHILE WITH A GENTLEMAN, ?22860 I STEPT BEFORE HIR AND LEANED AT THE BARRE TILL I SAW HIR LEAVE HIM, AND ?22870 THEN =STALKING TOWARDS HIR VERY STOUTLY AS IF I HAD BEENE SOME YOUNG ?22880 CAVALIER OR CAPTAINE, I MET HER AND CURTEOUSLY SALUTED HER, & NOT ONELY ?22890 GRETED HER, BUT AS IF I HAD BEEN ACQUAINTED WITH HER I GAVE HER A KISSE, ?22900 AND SO IN =TAKING ACQUAINTANCE =CLOSING VERY FAMILIARLY TO HER I CUT HER ?22910 PURSE: THE GENTLEWOMAN =SEEING ME SO BRAVE USED MEE KINDLY, & =BLUSHING ?22920 SAID, SHEE KNEWE ME NOT.@ ARE YOU NOT MISTRES QUOTH I, SUCH A ?22930 GENTLEWOMAN, AND SUCH A MANS WIFE?@ NO TRULY SIR, QUOTH SHE, YOU MISTAKE ?22940 ME: THEN I CRY YOU MERCIE QUOTH I, AND AM SORRY THAT I WAS SO SAUCILY ?22950 BOLDE.@ THERE IS NO HARME DONE SIR SAYDE SHEE, BECAUSE THERE IS NO ?22960 OFFENCE TAKEN, AND SO WE PARTED, I WITH A GOOD BUNG, AND MY GENTLEWOMAN ?22970 WITH A KISSE, WHICH I DARE SAFELY SWEARE, SHE BOUGHT AS DEARE AS EVER ?22980 SHEE DID THING IN HER LIFE, FOR WHAT I FOUND IN THE PURSE THAT I KEEP TO ?22990 MY SELFE.@ THUS DID I PLOT DEVISES IN MY HEAD HOW +TO PROFIT MY SELFE, ?23000 THOUGH IT WERE TO THE UTTER =UNDOING OF ANIE ONE:@ I WAS THE FIRST THAT ?23010 INVENTED THE =LETTING FALL OF THE KEY, WHICH HAD LIKE +TO COST ME DEARE, ?23020 BUT IT IS ALL ONE, AS GOOD THEN AS NOW: AND THUS IT WAS.@ =WALKING UP AND ?23030 DOWNE PAULES, I SAW WHERE A NOBLE MANS BROTHER IN ENGLAND CAME WITH ?23040 CERTAINE GENTLEMEN HIS FREENDES IN AT THE WEST DOORE, AND HOW HEE PUT UP ?23050 HIS PURSE, AS =HAVING BOUGHT SOME THING IN THE CHURCHYARD:@ I =HAVING AN ?23060 EAGLES EYE, SPIED A GOOD BUNG =CONTAINING MANY SHELS AS I GEST, CARELESLY ?23070 PUT UP INTO HIS SLEEVE, WHICH DRAVE ME STRAIGHT INTO A MUTINIE WITH MY ?23080 SELFE HOW +TO COME BY IT.@ I LOOKT ABOUT ME IF I COULD SEE ANY OF MY ?23090 FELLOW FRENDS =WALKING THERE, & STRAIGHT I FOUND OUT THREE OR FOURE ?23100 TRUSTY FOISTS WITH WHOM I TALKT AND CONFERD ABOUT THIS PURSE: WEE ALL ?23110 CONCLUDED IT WERE NECESSARY +TO HAVE IT, SO WEE COULD PLOT A MEANES HOW ?23120 +TO CATCH IT.@ AT LAST I SET DOWNE THE COURSE THUS: AS SOONE AS THE ?23130 THRONG GREW GREAT, AND THAT THERE WAS =IUSLING IN PAULES FOR ROOME, I ?23140 STEPT BEFORE THE GENTLEMAN AND LET FALL A KEY, WHICH =STOOPING +TO TAKE ?23150 UP, I STAID THE GENTLEMAN THAT HE WAS FAINE +TO THRUST BY MEE, WHILE IN ?23160 THE PRESSE TWO OF MY FREENDS FOISTED HIS PURSE, AND AWAY THEY WENT ?23170 WITHALL, AND IN IT THERE WAS SOME TWENTIE POUND IN GOLD: PRESENTLY ?23180 =PUTTING HIS HANDE IN HIS POCKET FOR HIS HANDKERCHER, HEE MIST HIS PURSE, ?23190 AND SUSPECTED THAT HE THAT LET FALL THE KEY HAD IT; BUT SUPPOSITIONS ARE ?23200 VAINE, AND SO WAS HIS =THINKING =SEEING HE KNEW ME NOT, FOR TILL THIS ?23210 DAY HE NEVER SET EYE OF HIS PURSE.@ THERE ARE A NUMBER OF MY COMPANIONS ?23220 YET =LIVING IN ENGLAND, WHO =BEEING MEN FOR ALL COMPANIES, WILL BY ONCE ?23230 =CONVERSING WITH A MAN, SO DRAW HIM TO THEM, THAT HE SHALL THINKE NOTHING ?23240 IN THE WORLD TOO DEARE FOR THEM, AND NEVER BEE ABLE +TO PARTE FROM THEM, ?23250 UNTILL HEE HATH SPENT ALL HE HATH.@ IF HE BEE LASCIVIOUSLY ADDICTED, THEY ?23260 HAVE ARETINES TABLES AT THEIR FINGERS ENDES, +TO FEED HIM ON WITH NEW ?23270 KIND OF FILTHINESS: THEY WIL COME IN WITH ROUS THE FRENCH PAINTER, AND ?23280 WHAT UNUSUALL VAINE IN BAWDERY HEE HAD: NOT A WHORE OR QUEANE ABOUT THE ?23290 TOWNE BUT THEY KNOW, AND CAN TELL YOU HER MARKS, AND WHERE AND WITH WHOM ?23300 SHE HOSTS.@ IF THEY SEE YOU COVETOUSLY BENT, THEY WIL TEL YOU WONDERS OF ?23310 THE PHILOSOPHERS STONE, AND MAKE YOU BELEEVE THEY CAN MAKE GOLDE OF ?23320 GOOSE-GREACE: ONELY YOU MUST BEE AT SOME TWO OR THREE HUNDRED POUNDS ?23330 COST, OR SUCH A =TRIFLING MATTER, +TO HELPE +TO SET UP THEIR STYLLES, AND ?23340 THEN YOU NEED NOT CARE WHERE YOU BEGGE YOUR BREAD, FOR THEY WILL MAKE YOU ?23350 DOO LITTLE BETTER IF YOU FOLLOWE THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS.@ DISCOURSE WITH ?23360 THEM OF COUNTRIES, THEY WILL SET YOU ON FIRE WITH =TRAVAILING, YEA WHAT ?23370 PLACE IS IT THEY WILL NOT SWEARE THEY HAVE BEENE IN, AND I WARRANT YOU ?23380 TELL SUCH A SOUND TALE, AS IF IT WERE ALL GOSPELL THEY SPAKE: NOT ?23390 A ?23400 CORNER IN FRAUNCE BUT THEY CAN DESCRIBE.@ VENICE, WHY IT IS NOTHING, FOR ?23410 THEY HAVE INTELLIGENCE FROM IT EVERY HOURE, & AT EVERY WORDE WILL COME IN ?23420 WITH %STRADO %CURTIZANO% AND TELL YOU SUCH MIRACLES OF MADAM %PADILIA% ?23430 AND ?23435 %ROMANA %IMPERIA THAT YOU WILL BEE MAD TYLL YOU BEE OUT OF ENGLAND.@ ?23440 AND IF HEE SEE YOU ARE CAUGHT WITH THAT BAIT, HE WILL MAKE AS THOUGH HEE ?23450 WOULD LEAVE YOU, AND FAINE BUSINESSE ABOUT THE COURT, OR THAT SUCH A ?23460 NOBLE MAN SENT FOR HIM, WHEN YOU WIL RATHER CONSENT +TO ROBBE ALL YOUR ?23470 FREENDS, THAN BE SEVERED FROM HIM ONE HOWER.@ IF YOU REQUEST HIS COMPANY ?23480 +TO TRAVEL, HE WIL SAY IN FAITH I CANNOT TELL:@ I WOULD SOONER SPEND MY ?23490 LIFE IN YOUR COMPANY THAN IN ANY MANS IN ENGLAND, BUT AT THIS TIME, I AM ?23500 NOT SO PROVIDED OF MONEY AS I WOULD, THEREFORE I CAN MAKE YOU NO PROMISE: ?23510 AND IF A MAN SHOULD ADVENTURE UPON SUCH A IOURNEY WITHOUT MONEY, IT WERE ?23520 MISERABLE AND BASE, AND NO MAN WILL CARE FOR US.@ TUT, MONEY SAY YOU ?23530 (LIKE A LIBERALL YOUNG MAISTER) TAKE NO CARE FOR THAT, FOR I HAVE SO ?23540 MUCH LAND AND I WIL SELL IT, MY CREDITE IS SO MUCH, AND I WILL USE IT:@ I ?23550 HAVE THE =KEEPING OF A COOSENS CHAMBER OF MINE, WHICH IS AN OLD ?23560 COUNSELLOR, & HE THIS VACATION TIME IS GONE DOWNE INTO THE COUNTRY, WE ?23570 WIL BREAKE UP HIS STUDIE, RIFLE HIS CHESTS, DIVE IN TO THE BOTTOME OF HIS ?23580 BAGS, BUT WEE WILL HAVE +TO SERVE OUR TURNE: RATHER THAN FAILE, WE WIL ?23590 SEL HIS BOOKS, PAWNE HIS =BEDDING AND =HANGINGS, & MAKE RIDDACE OF ALL ?23600 HIS HOUSHOLD STUFFE +TO SET US =PACKING.@ TO THIS HE LISTENS A LITTLE, ?23610 & SAYES:@ THESE ARE SOME HOPES YET, BUT ?23615 IF HE SHOULD GO WITH YOU, AND YOU HAVE MONEY & HE NONE, YOU WILL ?23620 DOMINEERE OVER HIM AT YOUR PLEASURE, AND THEN HE WERE WELL SET UP, +TO ?23630 LEAVE SUCH POSSIBILITIES IN ENGLAND, AND BE MADE A SLAVE IN ANOTHER ?23640 COUNTREY:@ WITH THAT YOU OFFER +TO PART HALFES WITH HIM, OR PUT ALL YOU ?23650 HAVE INTO HIS CUSTODIE, BEFORE HEE SHOULD THINKE YOU MEANT OTHERWISE THEN ?23660 WELL WITH HIM.@ HEE TAKES YOU AT YOUR OFFER, AND PROMISETH +TO HUSBAND IT ?23670 SO FOR YOU, THAT YOU SHALL SPEND WITH THE BEST AND YET NOT WAST SO MUCH ?23680 AS YOU DOE: WHICH MAKES YOU (=MEANING SIMPLY) PUT HIM IN TRUST AND GIVE ?23690 HIM THE PURSE:@ THEN ALL A BOONE VOYAGE INTO THE LOW COUNTRIES YOU ?23700 TRUDGE, SO +TO TRAVEL UP INTO ITALIE, BUT %PER %VARIOS %CASUS AND %TOT ?23710 %DISCRIMINA %RERUM IN A TOWNE OF GARRISON HE LEAVES YOU, RUNNES AWAY WITHU23720 YOUR MONEY, AND MAKES YOU GLAD +TO BETAKE YOUR SELF TO PROVANT, AND +TO ?23730 BE A GENTLEMAN OF A COMPANY.@ IF HEE FEARE YOU WILL MAKE AFTER HIM, HEE ?23740 WILL CHANGE HIS NAME, AND IF THERE BE ANY BETTER GENTLEMAN THAN OTHER IN ?23750 THE COUNTRY WHERE HEE SOIOURNES, HIS NAME HEE WILL BORROWE, AND CREEPE ?23760 INTO HIS KINDRED, OR IT SHALL COST HIM A FALL, AND MAKE HIM PAY SWEETELY ?23770 FOR IT IN THE END, IF HE TAKE NOT THE BETTER HEEDE.@ THUS WILL HE BEE ?23780 SURE +TO HAVE ONE ASSE OR OTHER A FOOTE, ON WHOM HEE MAY PRAY, AND EVER ?23790 +TO HAVE NEWE INVENTIONS +TO KEEPE HIM SELFE IN =PLEASING.@ ?23800