THese foure are bro­thers by the fathers fide, begotten by Sultan Sathan, on foure Succubuses: the first was borne in Heluetia: the second in Tartaria: the third in Slauonia: and the fourth in Barbaria.

THe first (which is the knaue of Spades) he was borne when Saturne was in coniun­ction with the moone: therefore he will proue a melancholy mischieuous knaue, of the nature of the earth, which he claimes for his birth-right (though he haue no right there­unto:) [Page] this knaue is couetous, enuious, mallici­ous, and trecherous: of haire thinne, blacke, sooty. Balductus Rimarius (a late writer) reports him to be the sonne of a Sexton, preferd to the ends of Court by helpe of the last great sick­nesse, An ill winde that blowes no man to profit. and so made a Lawyer: this carries some probabillity: but I am not of his opinion, for he is called the knaue of Spades, because he is al­waies digging, plotting, vndermyning, and for­ging (with that clubfooted Cuckolds Iourney-men, Brontes, S [...]cropes, and Pyracmon) of some damned Engines of villany. Take heede of this knaue for hee's a dogged knaue, and will bite before he barke: he hath vnder him 6. subordi­nate knaues, Lying, Forswearing, Backbiting, Insi­nuating, and Detracting.

His deuise is, a Waterman, looking one way and rowing another: his Motto is,

[Page] AT twelue a clocke enters the knaue of Harts, he was borne when Mars was in Coniunctiō quadrature with the Moone, Iupiter being retrograde. This portends that he will proue a villanous hearty knaue, or a knaue at the heart: he is of cōplexion sanguin, bloody, hot as fire, as may appeare by his red head: you know Mack bogg foole, an Irish Histo­riographer, repors tthat he was St, Patricks Lac key, but (although he be accounted like an Irish Lackey, yet I am not of his opinion: for St. Pa­tricke himselfe (as more authenticke authors report) went alwaies afoot, I and bare foot to, for the sinnes of his countrymen: he is giuen by Constellation to be proud, Iealous, lunatick, and sometimes horne-mad: his time is (though he seldome or neuer keepe time, order, or ho­nest courses) to set about 6. a clocke in the af­ternoone, and giues place to as very a knaue as himselfe: his 6. vicegerents are: Vaine-glory, High-mindednes, Arrogancy, self-loue, Masterfulnes, New-fanglenes.

His Deuise, Acteon turned into a Hart, and torne in peeces by his Hounds. his Word is,

THis third knaue is a Clubbish, black haird, broad backt, cole-rake knaue: yet one that will carry no coales neither: at this knaues natiuity Mars was in coniunction with Venus, in the house of Saturne, when Iupiter was re­trograde: therfore I finde by my Astronomical Inspection, that he will proue a mutinous martiall knaue, one that speakes nothing but powder and shot: this Caualeero Snaphance, though he breake vp at midninght, yet if you moue him (and hee's quickely moued I can tell you) then he will be Lord of the Ascendant, though he be not in his owne house: therefore wheresoeuer you meete him let him passe, for he is hot and dry in the third degree, and will passe though it be to his own destruction. This Don Colbrand is well knowne to the Watchmen of London: when he hath finished his quarter, he retires himselfe most commonly (but sore against his will) to the Counter, or Newgate, and thete he studies Brookes Cases: til he be cal­led to plead at the Barre, Not Brooke the great. Lawyer, but Brooke the Taylor. and then to his last supper prepared by 12. bones et Legales homi­nes. &c. His six petty Captaines are Oppression, [Page] Contempt, Swearing, Frowardnes, Impatience, Des­peration.

His deuise, a Brewers Horse got loose, saltant with a broken halter vpon his head pendant. his word,

THe last but not the least, is your Dia­mond Knaue: this is your onely Knaue (or a Knaue alone) that loues to be alone in most of his businesses. This Knaue was borne when Mercurie was in a Trine aspect with Ve­nus in the house of Luna: a flegmaticke false knaue he is that loues to be conuersant in watery places: his variable minde you may knowe by his variable couloured haire of head and beard, more variable in his apparell and coun­tenance, most variable in his lust. This fellow (for he hath many fellowes in these daies) pre­dominats [Page] from midnight to morning, a night walker he is, and (as he saith) is neare of kin to Oberon the king of Fayries, and it should seem [...] so, for all his exercise is the workes of dark­nesse: he is a knaue in print, and takes his place with the first that euer studies in the Aca­demy of the seauen liberall sinnes, To be short, he is such a cunning baudy knaue, that I can not with all my skill discouer him sufficiently vnto you, and therefore I will leaue him amongst you, to comment further of him: His six vnder­takers are Intemperance, Shamelesnesse, Idlenes, Dissembling, fawning, Lying.

His deuise, An old Ram-goat, stalking vp and downe in a Barne: his Motto,

• 1. Little and loud,
• 2. Long and lazy:
• 3. Fat and lickrish,
• 4. Blacke and gasie
• 5 Sad and suttle,
• 6. Red and rauing:
• 7. Pale and peeuish.
• 8. Old and hauing.

[Page] THere be also foure Queanes of neere al­liance to the aforesaid 4. Knaues, which I thought to serue in, instead of Quayles, (Rayles I might say) to your second course (for they are corse I'le be sworne to you) but I for­beare them, for if I should put them together there would be foule rule, and I stand doubt­full how you would taxe me, or so: therefore I will first see how youle digest their comrades.

Their names are.

A Bridewell Queane commonly called a Puncke.

A Newgate Queane, commoly called a Doxe.

A Cuckstoole Queane, commonly called a Scowlde.

A Cage Queane commonly called a Bawde.

• 1. From a Queane of her tongue,
• 2. And a Queane that's lasie:
• 3. From a lickorish Queane,
• 4. And a Queane that's gasie, Parce nos Domine. From a filching Queane,
• [Page]6. And a Queane or her taile,
• 7. From a mischieuous Queane,
• 8. And a Queane of sale. Libera nos Domine.

AS in all other parts of Phisicke, so in Phle­botomy, you are circumspectly to consi der, and certainely to knowe the cause, as when the Impatient is infected with some naughty, superfluous, and vnnaturall humors, Internally and Externally: and so the ministra­tion of Phisicke is to be vsed: accordingly.

[Page] The mischieuous melancholick, you must let blood or purge in Aries and Taurus.

The cruell chollericke in Taurus and Leo, but if the diseases be not too violent in Pisces.

The filthy flegmaticke in Gemini and Libra.

The insulting sanguin, in Capricornus, A­quarius and Pisces.

NOw as these foure knaues (by vsurpati­on) haue got the gouerment of the day: so by my Extronomicall calculation, I finde also the whole yeare by a Colaterall re­signation to fall vnto them. For the Prince of darkenes, Sultan Lucifer, hauing got the Cards into his owne hands (like a cunning Iugler) and discarded the foure Kings, viz: Truth, Mercy, Iu­stice and Temperance, hath foisted in their stead, these foure knaues: who for that they will ne­uer be idle (as they wil neuer be well occupied) haue deuided the twelue Months amongst thē: and so interchangeably subdeuided them into weekes, dayes, houres, and minutes, that for my life I cannot tell where to haue them by my fi­guratiue conspection, but onely by their villa­nous effects. Somtimes I finde some of them together in a trine aspect, the signe being in A­ries and Taurus: some in a Quartile aspect, in Libra and Cancer: then all in a most ominous coniunction ( Inter aquam & ignem) the Moone [Page] being entred the Dragons taile, certaine de­grees in Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio, they co­clude in an oposition (with such a terrible com­bust) as though an other deluge with domes-day would reduce the world to her olde Chaos

Then hurling by my Ephemerides, Terrible tanq­u [...] [...]on tru. in all haste I betooke me to my Prospectiue-glasse, wherein I foresaw, that ( Iupiter being euen then Lord of the Ascendant, & Saturne retrograde) they are brought Coram nobis, in Capricornus & Aquaries, (with cap & knee) with Humilianus, & so conclude by the heeles in Pisces, till the celestiall Dominator Sol appearing in his glory, Dominus Iu­dex. brings to light their deedes of darknes: and so (with a writ of Co [...]pus cum causa) sends some to needy Newgate; some to biting Bridewell, some to the costly Counter, and some to the colde Cage.

But (alack the while here they stay not long, for one claymes kindred of this great perso­nage: another that he and his predecessors doe and haue serued long that great man.

The third sweares he hath spent his blood in his maiesties seruice, and (if he can neither will nor choose) will spend it againe.

And the fourth being of a more Aprill de­sposition, protests like a Pewterane, it's not the first, nor shall be the last, if they wil pardon this fault. Then altogether with a thousand sorts of [Page] lyings, and cryings, for swearings & tearings, wringings and flingings, vowing neuer to doe so againe, that is (like equiuocating Knaues as they are) subintellegitur (with a mentall reserua­tion) so heed [...]esly.

By these and such meanes, with the helpe of their honors letters, v [...]z. a nonobstant, the knaues creepe out at the back-dore, and finding them­selues in statu quo prius, Plus valet sa­uor in Iudice: qua [...] lex in C [...] ­di [...]t. they fall to their olde trade againe; but with more caution: for they will so shuffle themselues amongst other ho­nest Cards, that you shall very hardly perceiue them, but on the white side: so that you shall neuer knowe them till it be vpon the winning of the set, and then will they shew themselues in their kinde, knaues at a dead lift.

NOw hauing discouered these 4. knaues in part, I wil produce (like iugling Feats, the di­uels Iournyman) the whole packe before you, that is to say, 52 Cards: that at the first sight you would thinke them to be good, honest, plaine Cards, without any Legerdemaine; yet tis but dec [...]ptio visus for all that; but I will fetch them off with a hey passe and repasse, and then you shall see they are all knaues indeed, and all their knauery too, as far as by my Astronomicall spe­culation and skill, I can display them vnto you.

But first, before you can well vnderstand this mystery of iniquity, you must obserue 4. points [Page] most exactly: viz.

1. The Spades be all long, to cut long-waies.

2. The Clubs fall short, to cut broad waies.

3. The Hearts are equall, to cutt both wayes.

4. And the Diamonds haue a principall marke on the left corner, the better to be knowne, yet so as that you shall not easily perceiue them, but by obseruation and dexterity in cutting them.

Well (if all may be well) being thus suted, they are Cards for the deuills owne playe on holidayes, and for his dam a [...]l the weeke after.

• In the Court, like Controlers:
• In the Campe, like Commaunders:
• In the Cittie, like Cormorants.
• In the Country, like Constables.
• In the Terme time, like Pettifoggers.
• In the Vacation, like Promoters.
• In the Visitation, like Sumners.
• In time of peace, like Iustices of Peace.
• In Warre, like Captaines or Mustermasters
• In sicknes, like Phisitions or Surgeons.
• In health, like orethwart Neighboures.
• In prosperity, as false freinds.
• [Page] In Aduersitie, as Fell Foes.
• In profession, are Pharesies.
• In life, Saducies.
• In the light Angells.
• In the Night diuells.

On Sundayes pray with the people, and all the weeke after pray on them.

Yea these two are such Nigromancers, that they can with a trice Metamorfoze themselues into a thousand shapes, and like Ignes Fatu [...], with their false light, lead you in the night, out of the way, and in the day (like Cheating com­panions) deceiue you in the way.

To conclude, their conditions like their coat of many cullours, fitting (like a cheuerel gloue) euery mans fingers.

These 4 principall knaues (as you haue heard before) haue vnder each of their Iudas dictions, 6. subordinat knaues, and those 24. haue each of them one deputy, which makes the whole packe 52. with their Cheiftaines: cum multis alijs Rascalibus, (que) nunc perscribere longum est.

The names of the other 24. are Inprimis, Am­bition, Presumption, Stubbornes, Churlishnes, Bitter­nes, Maliciousnes, Commotion, Traitery, Striuing, Fighting, Oppression, Vexing, Cursing, swearing, scoffing, Pratling, Vnseemely-iesting, Theeuery, Bau­dry, Beggery, Atheisme, Hipocrisie, Curiosioty, Vnad­uisednes, [Page] selfelone.

A Legion of these Packets hath Don Lucifer sealed vp with his priuy seale, and deliuered them to his three Groom porters, Minos, Eccus, Three great Iudges. and Rh [...]damanth, to be foysted in with other plaine Cards, with twenty thousand bales of false dice; as high-men and low-men, viz. Gyp­seys and Iuglers, baudy Constables, and thee­uish boyes, &c. Fex populy.

Therefore take heede, you that be ga [...]esters at these Comi-tragicall sports, least you be cheated of your goods and goodnes, and with the Prodigall be sent to keepe Swine, neuer to returne home (the premises considered) but by weeping crosse, or Beggers bush.

Now hauing euacuated my head of these grosse infectious humors, wherof it may seeme to haue bin fully charged: and falling into a browne studie what might become of these Locusts, that like the Grashoppers of Egipt did couer the whole earth: Commaunding Mor­pheus (like a theefe in the night) came stealing behind me before I was aware, and clapt his soft hand vpon my eyes, and I dreamt: And me thought I was (like Abacuck in the painted cloath) carried (not downe to a denn) but (vp to a high hill) inuironed with a deepe riuer: Microcosmo [...] & beyond the riuer a great champion feeld, in the midst whereof there was a faire Castle in the forme of an Heart.

[Page] This Castle was beleagard by two huge Armies: the one on the South-East side, and the other on the No [...]th-west.

Forthwith I heard two Trumpets summo­ning a parley: where unto an answer being re­plyed, [...]ogetations. I did behold (or thought I did behould) a goodly young Damsell vpon the toppe of the Castle, couered with a white vaile, that I could not see her face: who demaunding the cause of their s [...]mmons, a dubble reply was made by two Herralds, with my Lord, and my Lord: but the North west Herrald (whose boystrous bouldnes like blubd-cheekt Boreas bewrayed his meger manners) cryed in the Slauonian tongue, my Lord Vycioso, base sonne and heire aparant to Sultan Pluto (sole Emperor of the North, from Babilon to Egipt and so to the further part of Mare Rubrum to Mare Mortuum, Domine fac­totum. euen from the Sunne set to the Sunne rising) doth require entrance and friendly entertainment for him and his followers: Who sweares and vowes vnto you (by his Horror and vpon the word of a Souldier) all loue and seruice: And to that end (if you please) will send his commissioners with authority, to treat with you of a perpetual league, as also of a mariage: and to con­clude on Articles and conditions therunto be­longing, &c.

All which she hauing heard at large, (not answering one word) turned her about to the [Page] right side, to heare what th'other would say: who to the same purpose (though after an o­ther manner) protested his Lords intire loue and affection: And further putting hir in re­memberance of a former alliance and neigh­bourly cōmerce held and continued between his Lord Virtuoso, and her deceassed Father, who vpon his death-bed mocioned a contract of mariage betweene them; which if she would stand vnto, then a large dowry should be rati­fied vnder his hand and seale to her, and the h [...]ires of their two bodies for euer. &c.

His Embassie ended, she breefly thus replied: Sir you that spake last I answer, first thus:

I finde not my self inioyned by my deceassed fathers Will, to any such contract vpon a pe­nalty, therefore I hould my­selfe free to mine owne will.

But sithens both your Lords professe loue (as you say) vnto me, and each offereth very largely, I thanke them both, And that I might know which loueth me best, I will that he that can approue himselfe most Puissant by the o­thers Conquest shall be Lord of me and mine.

This answer returned (as fast as Imagination could carry them) away they went to their Lords: who vnderstanding her resolution, though they were both doubtfull of their suc­cesse (for the victory lay partly in her affecting) yeat resolued notwithstanding on both sides to trye the euent.

[Page] Then Lord Virtuoso speedily despacht three Commissioners, Reason, Descretion and good Remembrance to solicit her the second time: And so did Pharo Neco Vitioso: viz. Temptation, Folly and Sensuallity to vse their best deuoir to draw her to their parts.

But Madam Cogitations stoodfully resolued to behold the fight first, and then as she saw occa­tion so she would conclude.

Being out of al hope on either side to obtaine her fauourable aspect, (which would be very furthersom to the party affected) they prepare to the Battaile: but the night before Don Vitioso like a craftie knaua knauorum sent his sworne seruant Sinior Sensuallity secretly (like a spie) to sow his slippery seede all ouer the Field, that Lord Virtuoso his souldiers should not be able to stand, their ground should be so slippery.

Now this right worthy Lord Virtuoso very early the next morning preparing to Battaile: Thus marched forward with his whole army: himselfe sitting in an Iuory Chatiot richly gar­nished with Gould, Pearles, & precious stones: there attending on the Chariot foure worthy Knights: viz. Righteousnesse, Prudence, Strength & Temperance: Next to the Chariot Road seuen Captaines.

The first was Humility riding on a Lambe: on his helme a Faulcon gentill stood.

Next him followed Charity riding on a Tiger, [Page] who carried a Pellican on his helme.

The third was Patience on a Camell, he had on his Crest a Phenix.

The fourth was Liberality on a Dromedary, and on his Crest an Ospray.

The fift was Abstinence riding on a Hart, on his healme a Popini [...]y.

The sixt was Chastity, who bestred an Vnicorn, on his crest a Turtledoue was placed.

Good exercise was the seuenth who was mounted on a Panther: and a Crane he had on his Creast.

Many pettie Captaines there were besides, as Pitty, Meeknes, Goodnes, Concord, Vnitye, Patience, Honestie,, true Friendship, Simplicity, Stedfastnes, Quietnes, Peaceablnes, Helpfullnes, Discreetnes, Seruiceablenes, Meserablenes, Orderlines, Iustnes, Contentednes, Sufferance, Foresightfulnes, Cōtempla­tion, Reuerence, Curtesie, Indifferencie, Lowlynes, Affection, &c,

All these were dubd Knights of the holy crosse by their Generall Don Virtuoso:

Don Vicioso also dub'd other 24 Knights, of the Post-haste to animate them two to the con­quest of the gilt spurres. Iuanis Ho [...].

Cunning, also brought to the ayd of Don vir­tuoso certain companies whose Captains were Nigromancie, Geomancie, Magick,, Adriomancie, Phissiognomy, Palmestry, Ornomancie & Pi [...]omancy: but Tresnoble Virtue (scarse thanking him for his [Page] offer) tould him that he neuer vsed (nor would) any such companions in the warres.

Whereupon Cunning, with his consorts be­ing thus casherd, went to Don Vicioso, who (with all respect) gladly receiuing him and his com­rages, and placed them in his rearward.

To be breefe, in hearing on both sides rain­ged their maine Battalyons: Vicioso Abbadono most couragiously gaue the first onset, dis­charging his great Ordinance (which was bast­sterd Cannons in all his Army) which the Lord Grace (who commanded the Vangaurd of the Prince Virtuosos Army) auoided, by help of a rising hill on the Southeast side, and intrenched on the North east side, well manned and main­tained by right puisant Patience and heauenly Humilytie: so that all the shot past ouer their heades without any detriment.

Then they drew nere their enimy scirmiging with th [...]ir small shot, which the Lord Virtuoso his party manly bore off, with their Targets of proofe not yeelding one foot: Ioyning Battails, they fell to it pell mell, with such fury, that many were slaine, many wounded, and many taken Prisoners on both sides: But the wicked weed that Sensuallity had sowed, made the ground so slippery, that Lord Virtuoso his com­pany could not stand: which Infidellety (stand­ingon the left side of Madam Cogitacions) per­ceiuing, inticed her to leane to Vicioso Apollyon [...] [Page] his party: But true Faith on the right side counselled her to the contrary: but al in vaine, for she not onely fauoured Mounser Gogmagogo Vicioso, but tooke part with him also.

All which, Lord Virtuoso perceiuing, in great discontent left the Feild for that time: and Sig­nior Gracioso commaunded a retreat to be soun­ded: that hearing Doggodomado Viciosissimo, his Army made a great showte, and cryed follow, follow, for we shall all be Conquerers. But the Lord Grace hauing recouered the intren­ched Hill, with Faith and Hope; maintained the fight till Sunne-set.

Early in the morning by the breake of day, worthy Signior Gracioso (with a heauenly Ora­tion) perswaded his followers to a second in­counter: which Faith & Hope no sooner heard, but with a fresh courage they led foorth their Vangard, aduancing their Banners in the name of Iesus, and made a second and a suddaine as­sault (the enemy being in their Tents) At the charge whereof, came thrice puisant Perseue­rance to their aide, with a mighty Hoast from the Lord Virtuoso: which Signior Gracioso, with Faith & Hope perceiuing, redoubled their cou­rage, and cryed Vertue and Victory.

The Enemy this hearing, in all poast haste trussed vp their trinkets, and in a disorderly or­der, aswell as they could (vpon such curtoll warning) defended thēselues: but most worthy [Page] Perseuerance perceiuing that, tooke the aduan­tage, and so wel behaued himselfe that day, that he made his foes to flie before his face: com­maunding Constancy with his couragious com­pany, Plectrumani­nims. following close after, that it reioyst my heart to see it.

Now Madam Cogitations seeing this, (vsherd by her olde seruant Goodwill) secretly stole to hir Castle: Acusation compeling her and meeting Lady Conscience at the Gate (in great sorrow) craued hir counsel how she might recouer Lord Virtuoso his fauour. Marry (quoth Conscience) you must goe to Hu­millity and Repentance: Magn [...] cum [...] [...]rore. So disguising hirself, that she might passe the better vnknowne, she met with Contrition, who, with Repentance, brought her the next way to Humilities Tent, which was plac't at the foot of the Hil fast by the intrench­ment: whome Humillity seeing a farre off, made haste to meete, and very louingly imbraced and kissed them: Cogitations discouering all her in­tent, intreated her best aid in her sute to Lord Virtuoso, which he most willingly condiscended vnto, and went with her to the Generals Paui­lion, and there with Repentance and Contrition, (falling downe flat before his Excellency) con­fessed her amisse, and most earnestly and hear­tely craued pardon, which he most louingly graunting, Remorse. lifted her vp, set her on her feet be­fore him, and most friendly communed with her.

[Page] In the meane while Perseuerance with Constan­cy so behaued themselues, that Don Vitioso with al his whole rout, was vndone, and cleane ouer­throwne horse and foote: when (as the Diuell wood) in rusheth a mad rogue, one Caualero Desperatio with a Chariot (for his Lord was so sore wounded that he could not ride) and spee­dily conuayed him by a secret way out of the feild.

In this ouerthrow was taken Prisoners, seauen Captaines of note or notorious Captaines, viz. Enuy, Wrath, Couetousnes, Pride, Gluttony, Letchery, Sloth: with a number of the Rascaldry: among the rest were my foure compictious knaues you wot of: who in hope they would change their coppies, and in time mend their manners, were banished the Island: Spadado Mellancollico, with Caine to the land of signifieth barking. Nodd bordering on sad A­cheron: there to picke a Sallet of Rue, Wormewood, Sorrell, and Colloquintida: Sanguinato cordato, to Mount Etna, bordering on burning Flegiton: there to offer flesh and fuell, to that neuer-en­ding fire.

Fustifurato Colerato to the Torrida Zona, deuided frō the Mount by infectious Stix: there to car­bonado his Collops with the Canibals.

And that Flegmatico Diademono, to the land of waste, neere mourning Cocitus, neuer to returne but vpon perpetual paine of the Poxe the Gho­norrhae: with the grand consumption of the [Page] lungs and marrow: And all this to stand firme & irreuocable, according to the law of the Medes and Percians. Some were ransommed for others that were taken prisoners by the Enemy: others committed to perpetuall imprisonment: and some (like Hammon) were hanged for examples to others.

There were also ordained seauen special Offi­cers for the good gouerment of this noble Isle of Man, Microcosmus. for preuention of future inuasions: viz.

• 1. Prudence, Lord Channcelor.
• 2. Temperance Lord Treasurer.
• 3. Iustice, Earle Marshall.
• 4. Perseuerance, Leiftenant Generall.
• 5. Grace Lord Warden of the cinque ports.
• 6. Reason cheefe Secretary.
• 7. Memory, M. of Requests and Recor­der.

As they were in consultation about the fu­ture good of this litle cōmon weale, & election of inferior Officers, I heard one knocke hard and hastely at the Councell-chamberdore. And with that I wak't.

[Page] Now concerning Signiorissimo Virtuoso his par­ly with Madonna Cogitatio: the articles of agree­ment, the marriage, her relapse, and second re­concilement, with the secret and subtile return of your foure irreligious Sadduces, to foure hypocriticall Pharesies, will require an other discourse, and you shall heare more when our old Post-maister Morpheus returnes, and that I see your strong stomacks do well digest these my homely, but I hope wholesome cates: crauing pardon for what is amisse: and if I may vnderstand what is my error in this, I will mend it in the next: for the plain truth is, I am but one of Dame Reasons sculs, as may appeare by my cookery and cloathing. But yet I haue seene good worke in my daies I cantel you.

THy deuoted suppliant & Micro-cosmographer T. Goodwill: who doth not onely, but also ad­mire thy mightinesse: a­dore thy virtue, and im­plore thine Excellence (O thou Metamor­phoser of mindes thou that art a releaser of Captiues, and a Captiuer of the released: a [Page] comforter of the comfortles, & a tormenter of tormenters: a Messenger to the good of gladnes, to the bad of sadnes: a iust Iudge twixt high and low, the poore mans wealth and the rich mans woe: a Prophet of the night, to the bad a false, to the good a right: the balme of greefe and the bane of spite) Thine Excellence I implore, that thou wilt vouchsafe thy poore Goodwill a deepe ca­rowse of thy Nectar, which may infuse a dreaming reuelation into my Piamater, that so I may by way of prophesie foreshew what will follow of these aforesaid foure knaues, exiled for the testimony of a bad conscience: I cannot thinke that they are dead, for they are ingendred of im­mortal seed but (they are Metamorphosed into some other shapes, the better to de­ceiue) and my spirits are kindled with a dri­uine fire, & thou must not deny me as thou tendrest the fauour of my good Lady Cogitations, in whose name I charge thee, nay more, I coniure thee (marke what I say) with Bell, Booke and Candle, that thou satisfie this my request, least in my furye I [Page] turne Renegado, & write a most lewd Bal­lad against thee, and that to some filthy tune, to thy no small dishonor: but if thine Excellence vouchsafe to answere mine ex­pectation, I vowe (by the life of Pharo) to offer vpon thine Alter; (viz, a Feather-bed and a Downe-pillowe) a Heccatomb of ver­ses to be hung vp in thy Temple (viz. A sweete Chamber without fleas, in memori­all of thy perpetuall prayses: and when I a­wake, I'le wash my braines in Madera, and sing Madrigals in praise of thy person and power.

[Page] HAuing fraught this my little Fleeboat, with such marchandise as I could meete with in the Isle, I found a prosperous wind in the East-south-East, which made meset sail, directing my conrse to the cape Bona Speranza, whichafter a few daies I had (a far off) disco­uered, but before I could recouer the point, I was chekt with a northerly winde, which per­force draue me vpon the coast of the Canaries, Ile of Dogs. where comming to an anchor, I was boarded by a couple of copesmates (called Zoilus and Momus) that haue Authority there to search strangers: who dealt strangely with me indeed: but it was my pride to be pryed into by them, being forewarnd by many worthy men (whose card and compas I am not worthy to catty af­ter them) of their paltry dealing.

A second sort that assaulted me, was a cock-boat laden with Coxecombes, that being not able to apprehend, would reprehend: whome after I had (with a volly of small shot, well pel­ted, I pardoned: for alas they did they knew not what.

The third sort were a rapsedy of Raskals, that would frowne or fauor as they sawe others affected: these detracting knaues would come off with their buts, ifs and ands, but and if I liue (I will threaten nobody) but I know what I will doe.

The last were a company of the last edition, [Page] that tooke occasion to poue a confiscation of my Ship and goods, producing against me such a chapter, such a verse, against my com­modities of prophane iesting: &c. Assyrians. &c. These Mar­tinists like Salomons fooles, Pro: 26. c, & Esay. 5. they would faine be singuler, and single they are, and so I left them.