THE BISHOPS POTION, OR, Dialogue betweene the Bishop of [...]ANTERBURY, and his phisitian, wherein [...]e desireth the Doctor to have a care of his Bodie, and to preserve him from being let blood in the neck, when the signe is in Taurus.

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Printed in the Yeer, 1641.

CANTERBURIES POTION.

WElcome good M. Doctor.

Doct.

I understand by one of your Gentlemen, your Grace was pleased to send for me.

Can.

Not without cause, good M. Do­ctor, for I find my selfe diseased in all parts, insomuch that without some speedy remedy, I cannot long con­tinue, I have a great desire to take Physick, in case the time of the yeare be seasonable.

Doct.

Yes, the time of the yeare may be seasonable, but we must have a care of the constitution of your Lordships body, the nature of the disease, and the quality of the medicine. our Cordials, Potions, Ele­ctuaries, Syrrops, Plaisters, Unguents; Glysters, Vo­mits, Bathes, Suppositories, and the like, must bee duly regarded, with a due care what Planet is predo­minant.

Can.

I approve your learned skill good M. Do­ctor, in having respect to the Constellations, for I am of opinion (which the Brethren forsooth call su­perstition) if I be let blood in the necke, when the signe is in Taurus, I shall certainely bleed to death.

Doct.
[Page 2]

That may very well be, unlesse your Chirur­gion have a more saving skill then my Lord Deputies had, but I pray my Lord, let me see your Graces wa­ter, for by it I shall easily perceive the state of your Body.

Cant.

Reach that Vrinall there, looke you Master Doctor, this water I made last night, after my first sleepe, what doe you thinke by it?

Doct.

My Lord, your water is a most thick, dense, solid heavy, almost ragged, putrid, stinking, and rot­ten Vrine, your grace hath kept a very bad dyet, there are certaine raw crudities, that lye heavy and indige­sted upon your stomack, which will without remedy, and that speedily, ascend so high, untill it stifle, and suffocate your Grace.

Cant.

I pray good M. Doctor use your learned skil, in removing them, I must confeffe I owe a Death, which I would be loath to pay, before it be due, wher­fore if it be within your power to prolong my life, spare no cost for the effecting it.

Doct.

My Lord, it is within the power of my art, to prolong your life, in case it be not cut off untime­ly, I have here prepared a Vomit for your Grace, which I doubt not, but will have a speedy operation, downe with it my Lord, feare not, twill bring some­thing up by and by, and see, it begins to worke al­ready.

Cant.

Hold my head good M. Doctor, Ough, Ough.

Doct.

Well done, up with it my Lord, what's here a great piece of Parchment, with a yellow seale to it, the writing is obscure, I cannot read it, but what's this that comes next, a rout of Tobacco, I protest [Page 3] tis pure Spanish, how comes this to passe, had your Grace any hand in the Tobacco Patent?

Cant.

Yes, it hath stickt on my stomack these four yeares at least, and I could never digest it before, hold the Bason.

Doct.

Whats this, a Booke, Whosoever hath bin at Church may exercise lawful recreations on the Sunday, whats the meaning of this?

Cant.

Tis the Booke for Pastimes on the Sunday, which I caused to be made, but hold, here comes some­thing, what is it?

Doct.

Tis another booke, the Title it, Sonday no Sabbath, did you cause this to be made also.

Cant.

No, Doctor Pocklington made it, but I licen­ced it.

Doct.

What, he that lookes so like a Nicroman­cer, he that was for his paines preferred besides his benefices? But whats this, a Paper. tis if I bee not mistaken, a Star-Chamber order made against Mr. Prinne, Mr. Burton, and Dr. Bastwicke, had you any hand in that?

Cant.

I had, I had, all England knoweth it: but oh here comes something that makes my very back ake, oh that it were up once, now it is up I thank Heaven, What is it?

Doct.

Tis a great Bundle of papers, of presentati­ons, and suspensions, these were the instruments my Lord, wherwith you created the tongue tied Doctors and gave them great Benefices in the Countrey, to preach some twice a yeare at the least, and in their place to hire some journey-man Curate, who will onely read a Sermon in the forenoone, and in the af­ternoone be drunke with his parishionera for compa­ny; [Page 4] and with or hers you silenced the long winded Ministers.

Cant.

I must confesfe it is true, but here is some­thing that paines me extreamely, oh that it were up, this troubles me more then all the rest, see what it is good Doctor, for it is up.

Doct.

Why my Lord, the booke of Canons, charged with the horrible Monster.

Cant.

Now I am pretty well at ease, but I pray Master Doctor what was this made of:

Doct.

Why my Lord, 3 ounces of Tobacco, 3 scruples of pillory powder, 1 scruple of his braines that looked over London-Bridge, and three handfuls of the hearbs gathered by the Apprentices, wrapt up in a high Commission Roll, and boyled in a pottle of Holy-water, to the third part, and strained through a paire of Lawne sleeves.

Cant.

Nay if this bee your phisicke, Ile take no more of it: oh, there comes something else, I protest the Miter, alas I had almost broke my Longs.

Doct.

Nay if the Miter be come, the Divell is not far off, farewell good my Lord.

FINIS.

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