Vox Graculi, OR Iacke Davves PROGNOSTICATION.

NO lesse wittily, then wondrously rectified, for the Eleuation of all Vanity, Villany, Sinne, and Surquedrie sublimate, keeping quarter in the Courts, Cities, and Countries, of all Christendome; For this yeere 1623.

Saepe malum hoc vobis praedixit ab aethere Cornix.

Published by Authority.

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TO THE GENTLE­men READERS, J wish no worse, then white Bootes, and wet WEATHER.

GAllants, (and yet I hope no Gulls neither) As on a time I sate musing on the very verticke point of Hie-gate-hil, (with as little coyne in my Pocket, and as much cunning in my Craneon, as most of our Starre-gazers haue) To make experiment of my skill, if it could reach so high, as to take the iust Altitude of the Blindmans Bottle-ale at Holloway. I spied such a cluster of Knaues below in the valley, (like so many Danske Crowes summon'd on Douer sands against a storme) as that by my A­strolabe I began to collect; That this Producing more won­ders then Pla­to's Mirabilis Annus. Yeere would proue intemperate, by reason of an extreame heate in Summer; insomuch that the stones in Cheapside shall [Page] be so hot, that diuers Steeletto-bearded Scape-thrifts shall feare to goe from Paules to the Counter i'th Poultrie: Whereupon I betooke me to my Ephime­rides, and erecting a figure, haue found such strange Accidents to fall out this yeere (Mercury being Lord and predominate in the house of Fortune) that many fooles shall haue full Bellies, and cramm'd Coffers; when wise men shall walke vp and downe with hun­gry stomackes▪ and emptie pockets: and that many (who haue newly buried their Sires, and leap▪t into their Lands, before they be come to their wits) shall this yeere drowne many an Acre of their Ancestors, in the bottome of a wine-seller; and burie their Quae malè parta, malè dilabuntur.De­mesnes in the Bellies of Brothell houses: More­ouer, if Iupiter were not ioyned with Mercurie in a more fauourable aspect, Butchers wines should haue little or nought to doe all Lent, but ride out of towne with their Iourneymen, and prouide Prickes against Easter: Seeing therfore the wonders that are like to ensue this succeeding yeere, I haue taken vpon me (for the beneficiall content of all my Countrymen) to com­plie this Prognostication, discoursing & discouering briefly the disposition of the foure Quarters of the yeere 1623. the Ecclipses both of Sun and Moone, with their dangerous and subsequent effects: by which (if Pisces play not the Porter) many poore men, wan­ting money, are like to fast on Sundayes for Lacke of food; and such as haue no Shooes, to goe bare-foot; if certaine deuout Coblers proue not the more propici­ous: Yet Astrologie is not so certaine, but that it may faile: and therefore diuers Ale-stufft-beleeuing [Page] Hostesses, may perhaps chalke vp more this yeere, then shall by their Customers be wiped out in two yeeres af­ter; But V. P. for that: Monedula capiet muscas, and digest them as easily, as some Church-men doe two liuings, and neuer surfet on them neither. Now as touching my Dedication; I was at first halfe way suggested to haue cull'd out some Church-warden or other for my Maecenas, who perhaps would haue bid me once a yeere to dinner, or haue fisted me with Forty-pence out of the poore-mans Boxe: But in the very rumination on this merry-thought, steps in a good Starre, and plainely told me, that Cum insipi­entibus ludere, insipidum est. Therefore, with the rest of my weather-beaten brethen, I must needs con­clude, that Sapiens dominabitur astris.

Your vnparalleld Practitioner in Astrologie, I. D.

Health to all my friendly Acquaintance.

ME thinkes I heare you whisper (Sirs) that I
Present you with a piece of Beggerie,
Or conceal'd Crauing: And that here I show
More Wit than's good: what would you haue me do?
Vse Citty-fashion? heard you with braue speaking,
And make the nearest show, at nearest breaking?
If Pouerty be it, you so much hate;
O pardon that; for tis the
Hen quanta Poeta patiun­turt
Muses Fate.
'Tis better begge an almes, then fall to
Yet Viro esu­rienti, necesse est furari, saith Suidas.
stealing;
And worse to be dishonest, then
Appare quod es, aut esto quod appares. Aug.
plaine-dealing.
The hide-bound Earth, of all reliefe me barres,
I'm faine to picke a liuing from the Starres:
And that's the mightie Motiue, which excites me
To this Attempt. Acceptance, full requites me
In amplest measure, and contents me best:
But (faith) I'm poore: You may conceiue the rest.

Of the Ecclipses that shall hap­pen in the yeere 1623. to the wonderfull amazement of the beholders.

IF we may credit the au­thenticall Censures of Al­bumazar and Ptolomey, a­bout the circumuolutions of celestiall Bodies, whose influence doth excitate and procure perpetuall Muta­bility in this lower Regi­on: we shall finde, that the Moone this yeere shall be ecclipsed; which shall happen in one of the twelue Moneths, and in some one of the foure Quarters of the yeere, whose dozen of poynts, as they shall be totally darkened, so the effects shall follow most strange and wondrous. For Cancer being the sole house of the Moone, doth presage, That this yeere, fruits shall be rauenously deuou­red by Caterpillers; as Petifoggers, Brokers, and Flatterers, who feeding on the sweate of other mens browes, shall greatly blemish the Beauty of the Spring of Goodnesse, and disparage the for­ward [Page] growth of all wholesome & hottest hearbes, vnlesse some Northerly blast of Heauens ven­geance, cleare the plants of suc [...] Catterpillers, with a sweeping plague. But Cancer being a li­quide signe, and cheife Water-Baylife ouer Flouds and Streames, it foresheweth, that Fishmongers (if they bee not narrowly lookt vnto) shall goe downe as farre as Grauesend in Wherries to fore­stall the Market, to the great preiudice of the poore, who all Lent long doe partly relie on the benefit of Saltfish and red Herring. Moreouer, it signifieth, that Brewers shall make hauocke of Thames water, and put more liquor then they ought amongst their Mault; to the vtter vndoing of certaine red-nos'd Ale-Knights, whose mor­ning draughts of strong liquor, is a sufficient Bari­cado against cold weather; a lamentable case, if it bee not lookt into, and preuented by some speciall Supplication to the strong Copperna­tion, and worshipfull Company of Ale-cunners. But in this we haue great hope, that because the Effects cannot surpasse the Cause, that diuers Tapsters shall trust out more in a moment, then they can get in, in a moneth; and although they fill their Iugges with frothy emptinesse, yet for want of true dealing shall they die in the Brewers debt. Thus much for the watry Signe of Can­cer: And because this Ecclipse is like to play vn­derboard, and to be little visible in our Horizon, though it will haue great operation in it, I passe it ouer with this prouiso to all Sea-faring men, that [Page 3] they carry more shirts then one with them a Ship-board, left to their great labour they bestow many houres in searching slike-wormes on the hatches.

Of the Ecclipse of the Sunne.

THe Ecclipse of the Sunne, according to A learned Author in the Antipodes. De­mogorgons opinion, is like to produce many hote and pestilent infirmities, especially amongst Sumners and Petifoggers, whose faces being com­bust with many fierie inflammations, shall prog­nosticate the scarcitie (that by their deuout drin­king) is like to ensue of Barly, if violent surfets sweepe not away speedily such deuouring Mault­wormes.

There are many also who are like to be trou­bled with such hote rheumes in their heads, by walking the purlewes, that their haire shall fall off without the helpe of a The Pockes▪ a sharpe sha­uer.Barber; and such hote agues shall raigne this yeere, with strange feuers and calamities, that if Sol were not placed in a cold Signe, Renish wine would mount to ten­pence a Quart, before the latter end of August: But some few good and auspicious Planets being retrograde, foretelleth, that Lemmans this yeere shall be plenty, insomuch that many shall vse them to Bed-ward, for the qualifying of their hote and inflamed stomackes.

By all coniecturall arguments, the influence of Mars this yeere shall be so violent, that here in [Page 4] our Clime, great quarrels shall be stirred vp be­tweene man and man, especially in cases of Law: Muli se mu­tuò scabunt. Cic.Iustice and Gentrie shall conniue with each o­ther, and coine shall out-countenance the iustest cause.

The dissentious Corid [...]n shall sell his Coate to striue for a straw, and Lawyers laugh such fooles out of their Liuings, as cannot keepe their sediti­ous spirits from wronging their neighbours.

Further, there will be certaine fond Sects of Religion, who are like to pester the Common­weale; as sanctimonious selfe-Conceiters, holy White Deuils.Counterfeits, whose profession and practise dwell as farre a sunder, as Diues did from Laza­rus, when he cryed out for water to coole his toung; these, I say, shall bandy themselues against Ecclesiasticall Authoritie, and be ready to out­stare ciuill Gouernement, were it not that Sa­turne with a frowning influence, did menace them with the strangling euill.

But whereas the Sunne is darkened but by di­gits, and that vpon the South-points, it presageth great miseries to Southerly Countries; for there shall Friars and Monkes, so heate themselues this yeere with confessing of Harlots, that their crownes shall grow bald of their owne accord, to the vtter im­pouerishing of all Barbers.

Many braue Spirits, this yeere, and men of high merit, shall be so well respected, as that for their magnanimous atchieuements, they shall be re­compenced with a Date obolum Belisario, quim in [...]dia, non [...]utpa caec [...]uit. Belisarian almes, and haue [Page 5] the eyes of their Reputation, popt out by the in­fectious fingers of Enuie and base Neglect, and so cast out of fauour, as vnworthy of humane so­cietie.

Furthermore, let me not omit this remarkable Obseruation, that this Ecclipse affordeth vnto me: For this yeere there shall happen some strange Births of children, produced in an hide­ous and formidable shape, as thus: Some chil­dren shall be borne, that when they come to age, shall not know their owne fathers: Others shall haue their fingers of the nature of Polypus, quic­quid tetigit, tenet. Diog.Lime-twigs, to get most part of their liuing with fiue and a reach: Some shall be borne with feete like Hares, who shall runne so swift, as that they neuer shall tary with any Master, but trudge from post to pillar, till they take vp Beggers-bush for their lodging: Others shall haue noses like Swine, that there shall not be a feast within a mile, but they will smell it out: But this is shroudly to be fea­red, that some women this yeere shall be borne with two tongues, to the terrible griefe of those that shall marry them, thundering in their furie such Caninam sa­cundiam exer­cent. Salust.rough-cast Eloquence that No better hopes of a Scold. Aquad Pu [...]ice non postulanda. Knaue and Slaue, shall be but Holy-day words to their hus­bands; dropping as fast from their litigious lips, as oathes doe from the chaps of a cholericke Cooke, against a long Sermō, (frying in his own grease) when his ioynts scorch, and are ouer roasted: of which ranke or range of men I must confesse, that some of them are already profane [Page 6] enough, if they could but once leaue A bad cu­stome, hardly left.swearing. And whereas this fearefull Ecclipse doth conti­nue but an houre and an halfe, it fore signifieth, that this yeere, womens loues to their husbands shall be very short, and in some so Mulier Lu­n [...] mutabilior.mutable, that it shall scarce continue from the Church doore to the wedding house: and that Hens, Capons, (Geesse especially,) and Chickens, shall be banisht from poore mens houses; and be faine to flie a­way with spits in their bellies to fat Churles ta­bles, whose panches iutte foorth like an Alder­mans dining roome, or King Harries Codpiece, in the Tower, with bumbasting them with delici­ous Viands.

Many other effects are to be prognosticated in the subsequent predictions; giue me leaue in the meane season, to lay in this Caution between my Countrimen, and this wonderfull Ecclipse: No worse Counsell gi­uen, then I would be con­tent to take my selfe. Frustrasapit, qui sibi non sa­pit, Eurip. Let such as haue cloathes enow, keepe themselues warme, for feare of taking cold; and I would wish rich men all this Winter to sit by a good fire, and seldome to goe to bed without a Cup of Sacke, and that so thickly qualified with Sugar, as they may not grow rheumaticke. Let them take ease enough, and feed daintily, then no doubt, (consonant to the learned Iudgment of Albuma­zar) they are like to liue as long as they can, and not die one houre before their time: But in speci­all, let them take this premonition along with them; That they be drunke twise aweeke, and then (vnder pretence of taking Too com­mon a shift in these times, to couer the rich mans ex­cesse.Physicke) lie [Page 7] yawning two dayes after to euaporate the ex­cesse of a Surfet; no matter, though the poore Caitiffe lie staruing in the streets without respect or pitie.

And thus haue I led you through the adum­brageous Ecclipse of the Sunne.

A PREDICTION OF THE GENERALL DISPOSITION OF SVNDRIE CONCEITED QVALI­ties, incident vnto mens minds and natures through­out the foure quarters of the yeere, 1623. by the merry Influence of the Planets, with some o­ther tragicall Obseruations, comprised vnder each separated Re­uolution.

Of Winter.

VVInter, the sworne Enemie to Sum­mer, friend to none but Colliars, Chandelers and Woodmongers: The frost-bitten Churle, that hangs his dropping nose still ouer the fire: the Dogge that bites fruits, and the waste-good, that fels wood; the vnconscio­nable binder vp of Vintners fagots, and the onely consumer of burnt Sacke and Sugar. This kins­man to Death, furtherer to Sicknesse, and bro­ther to Old-age, shall not put foorth his hoarie Bald-pate in this Climate of ours, according to our vsuall computation, vpon the 12. of Decem­ber, at the first entring of the Sunne into the first minute of the Signe Capricorne, &c. With much more such fustian futilitie, then euer any reasona­ble [Page 9] man could truly vnderstand; but take this from me, as an infallible rule, that Winter be­ginnes, when Charitas lau­datur, & al­get. Charity blowes her nailes, and is ready to sterne, yet not so much as a drowsie Watchman will lend her a flap of his freeze Gowne to keepe her warme:

When Payd in their owne coine; for Malo herclè▪ vestro, tam versutè vi [...]itis, Plaut.Tradesmen shut vp shops, by reason that their frozen-hearted Creditours exact more for dayes of trust, then they are able to raise (and play the Knaues too) out of their Commodities so taken vp:

When the price of Sea-coale riseth, and the rate of poore mens labours is pulled downe:

When euery Chimney or rather Tobacco Pipe vomits out smoake, but scarce any doore o­pens, to hurle out so much as a Marrow-bone for a Dogge to breake his fast on:

When Beasts die for want of fodder in the field, and mens Molestus in­terpellat [...]r ven­ter, Plaut.bellies cry out, who are ready to famish for lacke of food in the Citie:

When the first word that a Punke speakes at her Ingles comming into her Chamber in a Mor­ning, I pray thee send for some Fagots; and the cold comfort a Lawyer heates you withall, is to say; What will you giue me?

When Gluttons blow their pottage to coole them; and Prentises blow their nailes to heate them: And lastly,

When the A hard time for Water­men. Thames is couered ouer with yce, and mens hearts caked ouer, and crusted with Cruelty; then may any man boldly sweare it is Winter.

[Page 10] But let vs wade a little further into the foun­taine of Infallibilitie, and then shall we find, that Winter this yeere, (being the first Astronomicall Quarter, according to my coniecturall Computa­tion) whatsoeuer Ptolomee sayes, beginnes sooner with poore men, then with rich; and so graun­ted; by the malignant influence of Saturne, whose constellation maleuolent, portends; That such as haue no money nor credit, shall want Coles and Wood, and be faine to beate their iawes one against another with cold, while your old peny-fathers sit and toste themselues by the fire.

And by reason that this Winter will beginne, when Sol makes his entrance into the degree of Capricorn, that Hyemall solstitial Signe foreshewes, that the Bakers basket shall giue the wall to the Brewers barrell; and an halfepenny dry, shall do homage to an halfepeny wet. The weather like­wise shall be so vnseasonably cold, that diuers for feare of being frost-bit, shall Aleator, quanto est in arte peritior, tanto est nequi­or, Syr.craftily sit all day at Cardes and Tables, while their poore wiues and families knocke their heeles, and fast at home for their thriftlesse follies.

And for that I find, three of the Planets to be drencht in aquaticke Signes, as Iupiter, Mars, and Luna, it plainely demonstrates; That di­uers pretenders to good fellowship shall for want of strong Taplash, goe sober to bed against their wils.

That there shall be coagulated Frosts, so as vp­on [Page 11] small acquaintance men and women shall creepe to bed together, and some of them lie so long, till they be fetcht out with a Beadle, and a Basen.

That Sea-faring men (if they be not the better prouided of skilful Pilots) shall either sticke in the sands, or split their Shippes against the sturdie Rockes, and so condemne them to the bottome; * Quicquid sc­let nocers, ide [...] solet docer [...].or else loose their goods by Pyracie and Palliar­dise.

Saturne falling retrograde in Gemini, shewes, That there shall fall this Winter such tenebrous fogges, and stifling Mists, that many rich Chuffes shall loose their purses by the high-wayes side; and poore men be so weather-beaten by the vn­conscionable craft of Qui infiniti [...] aucup [...]js emu [...] ­gunt pecuniant.Vsureres, that they shall be forc't to beg their bread by the extremity of such Extortion: But Mercury and Venus being congregated in Sagittarius, prognosticate; That for want of faire weather, such as haue but one shirt, shall goe wool-ward, till that be a washing; and that Watermen who want Fares, shall sit and blow their fingers, or lie in Ale-houses till they be drunke, and then for want of better employ­ment, bast one another with their vnmercifull Stretchers.

And for that Mars, that rugged Planet, hath no predominance in this Brumall Reuolution, Souldi­ers for the more part, though their fare bee hard, yet shall they lie in field beds, and not bee too much molested neither with more money then [Page 12] shall be necessarie:

And it is greatly to be feared, that through ex­treame cold, diuers pooremen shall die not dine, at rich mens gates: Pitty shall be exiled; Good­workes thrust out of dores with Iack-a-lent, and Hospitality whipt out of the Country as a relicke of the old Religion; and were it not that some moyst showers of Mercie shall mollifie the obduration of the frost, Charity, should for want of house-roome lie and freeze to death in the heart of our highest Cities.

Impetuous stormes are this yeare to bee ex­pected, especially in houses where the wiues weare the breeches; and such loud Winds, that the husbands shall be whurld out of dores; and withall there are like to fall huge Hailestones, as big as ioyn'd-stooles, that some shall be sure to haue their crownes crackt, and all through the petulant disposition of Venus. But Mars shall come in, and play the tall man, who beeing placed in Gemini, that gouernes the armes and shoulders; and he presageth, that sundry tall fel­lowes shall take heart of grasse, who armed with soure Cudgels shall so Lambeake their irregular huswiues, that the wind shall turne into another quarter, and so the weather waxe more Post nubila, Ph [...]bu [...].calme and temperate.

Such superfluxe of waters are like to ensue, through this Hyemall distemperature, that many bold-braines shall be drowned on drie hills; and fish, if they could not swim, were in great danger [Page 13] totally to perish. Eeles are like to bee deare, if there be few or none taken: But plenty of Pouts shall be had in al places, especially in those Coun­tries where women haue not their owne wils.

Now (patient Reader) in respect of diuers particular circumstances drawne from the quoti­dian motions, progressions, stations, retrograda­tions, aspects, and other appointments of fixed and extrauagant Starres, I am induced to de­clare, that such as haue no fire, shall feele most cold; That Wier-drawers and Presse-men, if they follow not their worke close, shall feele no great heat; and that Compositors, let them ply the Boxe neuer so fast, shall share a great part of extreame cold; and be Stulti fortu­nati mis [...]r [...]s co [...] ­temn [...]t.laught at for their la­bour.

The distemperance of this Quarter, is like to breed sundry sicknesses as well in yong as in old, proceeding either of vicious blood, or of the superabundance of inordinate guzling; as Catching diseases, that spare none who come in their vvalkes. Ce­phalagies, Quirimobs, or Whimsies in the head, that shall make men so dizzie, as that some shall stagger and stumble vp and down the streets, till they haue stollen a nappe to settle their di­stempered Coxcombes.

Aches in the shoulders shall bee rife amongst diuers Women that haue Knaues to their hus­bands; and diuers Drunken Sots shall bee pestered with Surfets.

[Page 14] Maydens this Winter shall haue strange A malady as vnauoydable, as incurable.stitches and gripings about the girding place, which diseases principally will proceed, by their situation in Supinity: and many actiue men shall bee troubled with such paine in their eies, that they shal not Wilfull mis­prisions.know their chamber maydes from their owne wiues.

Now because I find in the Ephimerides of hea­uen, certaine vnluckie, criticall, and dangerous dayes pointed out, whose foreheads are full of Plagues, and vnder whose winges doe lurke o­ther dismall calamities, that threaten this Region; it shall not be impertinent, if I open the foule bo­some of Winter before he passe further, and shew vnto you what contagious maladies do hang vp­on him, and harbour within him. I find therfore, that a browne Twelue strange plagues to happen this yeere.dozen of ineuitable plagues, shall heauily light on the heads and hearts of this our English Nation; and thus I bring them out in orderly ranke:

1. Plague of Po­uerty.The first, is the plague of Animi gene­rosi neruos ege­stas execat. Pouerty, When a man ha's neuer a peny in's purse, credit with his neighbours, nor a hole to hide his head in: Alas! how many will lie languishing of this frensie? how many that haunt Bowling alleyes, and fill vp Play-houses with their infection; nay, how many that stalke in the middle-Ile of Paulcs in indifferent good clothes too, will be strucke with this Plague? It is harder to reckon them, then to summe vp the vertues of a wandring woman which are numberlesse.

[Page 15] Plague of Discontent. 2. The second, is the Plague of Discontent; when a husband shall find cold cheare, and hote words, from a scolding wife: Many Coblers will be subiect to this disease; yet they will not lie long vpon it, but euery houre be of the mending hand; marry it is supposed, their wiues will proue worse and worse.

Plague of Contention. 3. The third, is the Plague of Contention: when a Trauailer hath a long iourney, a tyred horse, and a little money: This Plague will meete with many poore Yorke-shire Clients; and (vn­lesse they keepe it off with their hookes) with some Welch-men too.

Plague of Deceit. 4. The fourth, is the Plague of Deceit; when a man hath fraudulently congested heapes of ri­ches, enioyes it but a while, and leaues a foole behind him to spend it: It is to be feared, that some wealthy Citizens, and quirking Lawyers cannot escape this Plague.

Plague of Extortion. 5. The fifth, is the Plague of Extortion; when a man is growne old in yeeres, yet a child in goodnesse; when his wife is a Drunkard, and his daughter a wanton, his sonne a Lecher, and his seruant a pilferer: This Plague is sure to shake hands with exacting Vsurers, and extorting Landlords; but chiefly with Brokers, their bo­dies being subiect to many infections, and their Consciences to much corruption. So that it is thought, Lord haue mercy vpon vs, will sticke on most of the doores in Hounds-ditch and Long­lane: and that all people who loue themselues, [Page 16] for honestie sake, will shunne those places, and those persons, whereof but one of them is suffici­ent to poison a whole Citie.

Plague of Lust. 6. The sixt, is the hote Plague of Lust: when a Maide is faire, and hath no portion; of ripe yeeres, yet troubled with the Greene-sicknesse; and longs for a husband, yet No-body will haue her. This Plague will tickle poore Chamber­maids, and though it fall hard vpon them, yet will it not proue so mortall, because they haue a tricke to helpe themselues: It is to be suspected, that some Citizens daughters will be tainted too, vnlesse they take a priuate receipt against it, of their fathers Prentises: Yong Gentlewomen like­wise would hardly escape, were it not that the Gentlemen-Vshers, and smooth-faced Pages, must stand betweene them and infection.

Plague of Marriage. 7. The seuenth, is the Plague of Mariage: when a woman possesseth a husband that is very poore, yet iealous: young, yet a cholericke foole. Seruingmens wiues (it is thought) will turne vp their heeles of this Disease; or if not die, yet lie for it a long time.

Plague of Debt. 8. The eight, is the Plague of Debt: when a man hath much to pay; little to discharge, and an vnmercifull Creditour. This Plague (I feare me) will flie as farre as Bohemia, and pitifully pes­ter our English Souldiers, who will take more care how to wipe off the Rundles in chalke, then to winne a Towne from the enemie.

Plague of Hunger. 9. The ninth, is the Plague of Hunger: when [Page 17] a man sees or smels good cheare, and hath an ex­cellent stomacke, but knowes not how to get it: if any complaine of this maladie, it will be those that are the attendants at a scamling feast, or else, such as walke snuffing vp and downe in Winter Euenings through Pie-corner, yet haue not one crosse to replenish their pasternes.

Plague of Prodigality. 10. The tenth, is the Plague of Prodigalitie: when a man marying a Wagtaile, and letting her out to the full length of her owne Lust, Pride and Pleasure; must thereby be beholden to his enemie, must honour him, that hornes him, yet dares not be reuenged: The tokens of this Plague will stand thicke on a number of young Bankrupts, who haue had dealing with Cour­tiers.

The Horn-Plague. 11. The eleuenth, is the Horne-plague: It will be too common both in Court, Citie, and Coun­trie: and albeit, it be incurable, yet none can die of it: this aking Plague takes a man first in the head, and he must needs sicken of it, that is either a Cuckold, a Wittall, or a Suffragatour. In very many streets (besides Cheapfide and the Strand) will there be houses contaminated with this monstrous disease.

Plague of Ingratitude. 12. The twelfth, is the fearefull Plague of In­gratitude: when a man hath much wealth, and no wisdome; much coine and no consci­ence; continuall health, and no grace to re­turne thankes vnto him that bestowes it on him: when he talkes of God, yet keepes company [Page 18] with the diuell. This Plague strikes deepe, euen to the wounding of the Soule, and yet stickes by many, euen of the better sort: Besides these capi­tall Plagues, there be many Boyles, Carbunkles, and Blisters of Impieties, that will lie sucking the bones of common people, which I omit.

Thus may you discouer a farre off, how sharpe a Winter we are like to haue: let vs now make tri­all if the Spring will looke vpon our Horizon with a more fauourable aspect, or accorst vs with a more chearefull salutation.

Exit Hyems.

Of the Spring.

Discription of the Spring. NExt enters vpon her Cu, that odoriferous Lady Ver, or the Spring, attended with all her Attributes of Honor: For she is the Bride of the Sunne, the Nosegay-giuer to weddings, the richest Hearbe-wife in the world: the rarest Gar­diner, sweetest Perfumer, cunningst Weauer, pu­rest Dyer, and noblest Musitian; for all the Qui­risters of the Groues are her Schollers: This mo­ther of health, Physitian to the sicke, Surgeon to the wounded; this daughter of Plenty, and sister to Sommer, comes not attired in her verdant robes, as by Poets and Printers she is published, vpon the tenth day of March, after the Sunne (with an Herculean Vigor) hath conquered his twelue Labours, and like a skilfull Charioter) hath hurried his golden Wagon through the twelue Signes, ready againe (as some will haue it) to beginne his taske afresh, by making his en­trance vpon the first Minute of the Equinoctiall Signe of the Ramme, whose hornes stand in such an euen proportion a sunder, as that the Day and Night take them for their measure, and are con­tented to be of an equall length.

Reformation of bad man­ners, is the propagation of a good Spring. Shall I tell you then at what Signe the Spring dwelleth at? turne vp your eyes and behold; for by these markes shall you know her, when she comes: When Philomele sits singing with a bri­ar at her breast, and the Adulterer stands sighing [Page 20] at the thornes which pricke his C [...]science: When young teares of Repentance [...] Liueries, and Old Whoremongers plucke off the Vizars of their Vices: when the big-bellied Earth beares all kinds of flowers, and the O [...]Conrts of Princes bring forth all sorts of Vertues: When Gardens beginne to be dressed, and abuses in the Church reformed: When Lords leaue falsifying their promises, and Ladies leaue sophisticating their faces: When Courtiers pay their debts, and Citizens surcease to sell counterfeit Wares: When Players turne Preachers, and Poets cary money in their purses: When Lawyers plead without Fees, and Taylors cary true Billes to their Custo­mers: When Vsurers giue all they haue to the poore, and Brokers lend money without pawnes: When Vintners doe not mixe their Wines, nor Tapsters froth vp their lugges: When Ostlers leaue greasing of Horses teeth, and Chamber­laines forbeare to lie with Country Wenches: When Beasts waxe wanton by nature, without violating her Lawes, onely to multiply their kind for the good of man; and when men abhorre to change themselues into the nature of Beasts: Then, and onely then shall the vernall gates flie wide open; then may you boldly sweare, it is the Spring.

But as the S [...]pè dissi­dent ab animis gratu [...]antium vultus.slickest horse may haue the slow­est pace, and oftentimes the fairest Atterá [...]anu [...]ert aquam, ul­ter [...], ignem, Plutare.Brow may haue the foulest Body, so this beautifull daughter of old Ianus, who is Master Porter to the twelue [Page 21] Moneths, by dealing with some few vnsalubri­ous Planets, is thought not to be free from disea­ses. A spice therefore of one Plague or other, will lie in her tender bones, by which meanes this Spring to some people (especially the French, and I feare the English cannot goe Scot-free) will proue as fatall, and as busie in priuie Searches, as the fall of the Leafe▪

The Dugges of this delicate young bed fellow to the Sunne, will so flow with the milke of Profit and Plenty; that (of all other) Some Players (if Praestat for­tunatum, qu [...] sapere. Fortune, turned Phoenix, faile not of her pro­mise) will lie sucking at them with their fulsome forcastings, for pence and two-pences, like young Aurisacra fames, quid non mortalia pect [...] ­ra coget? Virg.Pigges at a Sow newly farrowed, for that they are in danger to meet with a hard Winter, and be forced to trauell softly on the hoofe.

It is coniectured likewise, That in this time of coalition betweene the Planets and the Earth, Lawyers will grow vp so thicke, as that they will scarce liue But one step lower then Impossibility.honestly one by another; and most of them shall proue to their Clients, as tares to a field of Corne: for they shall prosper best when they choake those by whom they were nourish­ed: yet on the contrary side, shall Maiden-heads be so scant, that if Lust, like death, sweeps all before it.two hundred be to be had ouer-night, one hundred ninety and nine of them will be strucke off before the next Morning.

Notwithstanding all this, I finde, that Winter finishing with the last grade of the watrie Signe Pisces, at Sols ioyfull Progresse into the first de­gree [Page 22] of Aries, then must the Spring needs march vp in the next rancke, and shew her face An infallible signe of the Springs ap­proach.when grasse begins to sprout, and trees to bud. By which I gather, That this Spring will bee very ill for Schollers for they shall study much, and gaine little: They shall cary more wit in their pates, then white. [...]ney in their purses. Rebus Imma­nis, ordine nullo, fortuna regit, spargit (que) manu m [...]nera c aeca pejora fouens, Sen.Dunces shall proue more wealthy then Doctors; inso­much that sundry vnlettered sots shall scrue thē ­selues into the Ministery, if the prouident care of reuerend Bishops doe not iustle them aside. And by the opinion of Proteus, Plent, rident, sapiunt, insani­unt, &c.women are like to grow wilfull, and so variable, that they shal laugh and weepe, chide and chat, and all with a breath.

Butchers shall sell their meate as deare as they can, and if they be not carefull, hornes shall bee hurtfull vnto them: and some shall be so wedded to swines flesh, that they shall neuer be without a Sow in their house as long as they liue.

This vernall Reuolution being naturally hote and moist, is like to be very forward for flowrie fields and blooming trees: and because Saturne will reside in his proper mansion, Old men are like to be very wayward, and crafty Scriueners (or Error ex amo­re, non ex more.Knaues, all is one) shall neede no Brokers: Vsury, shall be called, good Husbandrie; and men shall be esteemed honest for their wealth, not for their Quarenda pecunia primum est, virtus post numnos. Horat▪Vertues. And because Aquarius must keepe some leuell-coile this Quarter, it is to be doubted that many Springs of water will rise vp [Page 23] in Vintners Sellars, to the great weakning of their Gascoine Wine, and to the vtter dissolution of the ancient Order of the Red-noses. March Beere shall also be more set by, then small Ale.

Multiplicity of Sects, dan­gerous to a State. Out of the Old Stocke of Heresie, it is to be expected this Spring, will sprout foorth new schismaticall Opinions, and strange Sects, as Se­paratists, Armanists, with other exoticke Niceties and Balductum diseases, to the disturbance of the vnity of the Church, and disquieting of good mens consciences: but I could wish, that the learned Doctor, Sir T. Tyburne might bee put to that taske, as to confute such vpstart Statists, with his rope-ripe conclusions.

Because Cancer will bee busie this Spring-tide, it is therefore likely, that the flourishing blos­somes of young vnstayed Gentlemen, shall bee so vnmercifully annoyed with Caterpillars, who shall entangle them in such Statutes and Recogni­zances, that they shall cry out against Brokers, as Ieremie did against the false Prophets. Be­sides, though this last Winter nipt vp many Picke-pockets, yet this Spring is like to affoord twice as many; so thāt at euery Read me a Riddle, what's this?Tearme shall bee found an Hundred at least in Westminster-Hall.

Barbers also shall become poulers of the Com­mon-wealth; and latronicall Lease-mongers, pil­lers of their poore Tenants.

[Page 24] Mercury combust shall so set men together by the eares, that many Lawyers shall grow rich, get the Diuell and all, no matter Si L [...]nina pelli [...] non suffi­ [...]ie, vulpina ad­d [...]nda, Zenod.how; and weare side gownes, and widé Consciences; still keeping their mouths open to call for a feeling, and their purses shut, when they should bestow an almes. Ostlers shall steale Hay in the night from Gentlemens horses, and rub their teeth with tallow, that they may eate little prouender while they stand at Liuery: but this I prognosti­cate against them, that being extruded from hu­mane societie, they shall die in Hay-lofts, and that so poorely too, as all their wealth shall scarce purchase them Christian buriall.

Wonderfull euents pre­monstrated. But let me not hide these secrets from you (my Country-men) that Iupiter, being in milde aspect with Venus, discouereth; which are; That diuers shall drinke more then they bleed; That Taylors shall steale nothing but what is brought vnto them: That Poulterers shall bee stinkingly pestered with rotten Egges; and that Butchers dogs shall make Libels against Lent, for affording no better diet then Herring-cobs, for their slab­bring Chappes.

Other diseases incident to this Quarter, as by Astrologicall Coniectures I can gather, are these▪ Discouery of diseases.Prentises that haue beene soundly cudgel'd shall be troubled with a sorenesse on their shoulders; and it shall be very ill for them that haue sore eies to haue sand thrown in them, or to looke against the Sunne. This plague shall raigne mightily a­mongst [Page 25] poore stage-keepers, that they shall not be able to change a groat for a boxe o'th eare. Beside, sicke folkes shall haue queasier stomacks, then those that bee sound: and men that can­not sleepe, shall take very little rest: with other accidentall infirmities, which for breuity sake I am content to flurre ouer.

A Prediction of Summer, 1623,

Description of Summer. NOW steps in the Minion of the yeere, Sum­mer: the Mistris of the earth, daughter and heire to the Spring, and Empresse ouer many Kingdomes; whose robes are fields of standing corne; whose crowne is a garland playted of all varieties of fruites. Summer, the poore mans Alm­ner, and the rich mans Land-lady: the Plough­mans Goddes to whom he praies, the shepheards Queene to whom he does homage: the filler of Barnes, the feeder of Birds, the fatner of men and beasts, the worlds Magazine, the Nurse of Plenty, the sworne-enemy to dearths and scarcity. Sum­mer, that's the Saint, to whom Bowyers, and Flet­chers kneele; in whose praise, Archers send out shouts, and Hay-makers mery Songs.

This red-lipt, liuely-fac'd, rosie-finger'd Dam­sell, comes not by turne to her Coronation, on the Eleuenth day of Iune, according to vulgar Astronomicall computation, when the Sunne [Page 26] hath fetcht his cariere vp as high, as the first de­gree of the Estiuall Solstice (Cancer,) which is the vtmost declension from the North to the Equi­noctiall, &c. but I find that she hath forsaken those celestiall houses, wherein she did vse to lie, in her illustrious progresse, and hath taken vp her lodging in sublunarie Mansions, from whence she must issue: And these that follow shall be the Harbingers, to make way, or the Heralds to pro­claime her comming.

Entrance of Summer. When our exuberant, though superanuated Grandam (the Earth) shall (albeit in her dayes of morositie) be great with child of Corne, Flowers, and Fruites, and be ioyfully deliuered of them; yet that Non est dig­ [...] dandis, qui non agit grates pro datis, Greg in Morall.vngratefull creature, enriched with Reason onely, shall be barren of all good­nesse:

When the heate of the Sunne-beames begets Gold in the Veines of the Earth, yet Gold when it is brought foorth, shall beget a coldnesse in the hearts of men:

When Riuers shall swell with Spring-tides, and the fountaines of Learning be drawen drie; and stopped vp with the rubbish of Disreputati­on. When sheepe hurrie to broad trees, to shroud their carkeises vnder their shades from the wrath of Heauen, and when Innocencie is protected vn­der the wings of Greatnesse, from the furie of Op­pression:

When Cuckooes sing merrily; and Cuckolds laugh at their owne hornes:

[Page 27] When Courtiers ride the Wild-goose chace; and Farmers stand by, and neuer curse their Horsemanship.

When Haruesters come singing from the field, because their corne is bound vp in sheaues; and when Citizens Wiues walke to their Gardens, yet bring from thence to their husbands no Nose­gayes bestucke with Columbines:

These, and many other like these, are the Bad­ges that Summer weares; and neuer comes, but when she puts on these and such like Liueries: yet for all this, that Originall curse which at first was layd vpon her, shall this yeere 1623. so crush her beautifull structure, insomuch that her lusty and neruall limbes shall grow weake, and her entrailes be ready to drie and rumple vp to nothing, by reason of a strange famine, which shall most vnmercifully feed vpon her.

Diuers deare yeeres haue crept out of the Chronicles of precedent ages, to show their visa­ges to this present time, but the face of this shall looke more grizly then them all. In the time of Holinshed cum multis alijs. Edward the second there was such a famine, that horse-flesh then was accounted as dainty, as Hares-flesh now; and fat O quantum cogit egestas!Dogs snapt vp as fast then, as fat Pigs are now with vs at Bartlemew­tide; for that Oxen and Sheepe, and other proui­sions, were drawen vp to such an excessiue rate, as that people of the meaner ranke could not reach vnto it. But this yeere, 1623. Oxen and Calues shall not be sold so deare in Smithfield; [Page 28] men shall be sold as cheape: nay men shall turne Homo homi­ni lupus. Omophagi, and deuoure one another. Country Gentlemen shall eate vp the industrious Farmers: Citizens, the Country Gentlemen: Courtiers, the Citizens: Lease-mongers, their Tenants: the diuell, the Lease-mongers. The Shop-keepers, or crafty-handed men, shall feed on the handi­crafts men: Lawyers shall swallow their Clients, and many of them be suddenly choked, with a bad Cause sticking crosse their throats: And Vsu­rers shall cramme downe young Heires, as if they were pickled greene Geese, or bakt Woodcocks.

But here Albumazar steps in with a crosse­point to counterbuffe mine opinion, and he will needs affirme: That when the Sunne hath made his voyage through the germinall Signes, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, and takes vp his Inne at the solsticiall estiuall Signe Cancer, then shall the third part of the yeere, called Summer, beginne his raigne: But I positiuely conclude, (and to maintaine the Prouerbe, will haue mine owne say­ing,) That An infallible rule to know when Sum­mer beginnes. Summer beginnes, when the weather waxeth so hote, that beggars scorne Barnes, and lie in the fields; and the night-Crowes of Saint Pancrace-church, build their nests vnder the shades of Colman-hedge, or the new found vaulting Schoole adiacent.

This Quarter therefore will prooue so immo­derately hote, that diuers Mechanickes shall hurle their cloakes into Hounds-ditch, doffe their Cantabit v [...]e [...]us coram [...]rom pota­ [...]r.doublets and damme them in Debt-lane; and [Page 29] walke in their Waste-coates and greasie apernes, for nimblenesse-sake, for that they must trudge to prouide a cooling-card for their inflamed Li­uers. And by reason that the flammigerous, and fire-foming Dog-star shall snuffe vp the Planets, and with his flaring tong, licke vp the grasse off the tops of hills, parch the corne-fields, seare the low-layd Valleys, and dye the face of Ceres as tawnie as a Gypsies, all Tobacco-shops shall smoke for it; but especially the Katherine-wheele, An honest man, is his owne praiser.where (by the confluence of Kind-hearts) shall be found these three Contentus in pace bibere▪ Contentments: Great Pipes, Good Tobacco, and gentle Vsage.

If this yeere, Aquarius pisse freely after quaf­fing, then at the Signe of the Cerulean-coloured sauage Boare, shall, (this yeere,) be had for ready money, all sorts of precious Waters; as your Aquafrigida, refecta, calida, colorata, limpida, luctu­osa, fucosa, feculenta, potabilis, portabilis, vtilis, futi­lis, Bumme, Humme, and Hawberna: The which Hawberna, (as it is reported by a famous, and fu­mous Radulphus Brutus. Iseldonius.Historian) the great Duke of Mosco drinkes of, but vpon Festiuals: for if he should drinke it daily, the reuenues of his whole Empire could not maintaine it.

But because that Vrsa-maior shall be auspici­ously inclined to Homogeneall Congruity, and simi­liancie of condition, by his appointment shall Or; the white Beare. Vrsa-minor be vnmuzzled, and blurt out more Because stopt with Corke.light-headed Bottle-beare then halfe Barbican; the which being once let loose, will furiously flie [Page 30] in any mans face; nay, if hee gape, to gallop downe into his guts too: but being discharged, if it happen to bounce or hit against a Goodfel­lowes nose, it will hisse like a Snake bathing in the Sunne vnder the skirts of a Groue, or as Oyle poured downe vpon an ouer-heated Anuile. Bot­tle-ale likewise shall be as busie as a foolish Con­stable; and mad-brain'd Malt, shall bee ready to doe the offices of a knauish Sic figulus fi­gulum, sic Fa­ber fabrum oditBeadle against meale-mouth'd Wheat. Of purpose to enter­taine the Sunnes glorious returne from the Anti­podes, innocent More-fields shall this Quarter bee cloathed all in white: For the shirts of Masters, the smockes of Maydes; the smockes of Mistris­ses, and the shirts of seruants, shall bee there so A fearfull confusion to happen this Summer in Moore-fields.promiscuously layd together, that it would al­most make a sinner of a Saint to behold them: And (three to one) if they dare lie so neere to­gether abroad, they will venter to lie closer when they are at home; as questionlesse they do, when (being folded vp) they lie one vpon another: so that this is the forcible occasion, that will stirre vp shirts and smockes to Citizens, old smel-smocks.s;mell after each other; or at least wise, shirts to smell after smockes all the yeere after.

Mercury, moreouer, hath so constituted, that those who are drunke ouer-night will bee drie in the morning: those that be-pisse their beds shall be Optimum est pati, quod c­mendare non potes, Sen. Epi. 4. lib. 18.vexed with Fleas; and such as want meat, and haue no Feras non culpes, quod vi­t [...]ri non potest.money to buy it, shall bee very likely to goe supperlesse to bed.

[Page 31] Besides, this Quarter, great hurly-burlyes are to be expected, and horrible Stratagemes like to bee performed: for Butchers shall make vn­mercifull hauocke amongst Flies, and Beggers on Sunne-shine dayes shall commit monstrous murthers vpon their neuer-ceasing blood-suc­kers. The Assistants like wise of Copersmiths-hall shall doe mightie deeds of armes vpon Cuppes, Kannes, Pots, Glasses, and Blew-anckour Iackes; not giuing ouer the skirmish as long as they are able to stand, or wagge a finger.

Further it is to be doubted, that because Venus soiournes in the house of Mars; That Millars, Weauers, and Taylors, will proue as theeuish, as they are knauish: and Maids this Quarter will make sillibubbes for their Louers so long, till at the length some of them calue with the Cow for company. But Iupiter in his exaltation presageth, that diuers Semelenbidi, decies pallidi▪ Suidas.Gallants shall creepe further into the Mercers booke in a moneth, then they can get out in a yeere. If there be such excessiue plenty of Cherries this Quarter, that Fruterers know not what to doe with them, they perchance may fall to sixe-shillings the pound: and Costard-mongers this Summer shall bee licenc'd by the Wardens of their Hall, to weare broad baskets on their heads, to keepe them from the heate of the Sunne.

But Libra adust, and retrograde, foretelleth, that there is like to be a League betweene diuers Bakers and the Pillorie, for making their bread too light; and the Sunne shall be so hot, that it shall [Page 32] melt away the Qu [...] plus sunt pota, plus siti­unt [...]r aqua.dropsie consciences of couetous men; & that by the amorous aspects of Venus, re­siding in the lodge of Scorpio, women shall fall so loue-sicke, that ciuill Lawyers; Sumners, & Sur­geons shall feed vpon their sins, and fare the bet­by them all their life time after; and besides di­uers of these Lying spirits shall bee seene to stand in white sheets like Ghosts, in Churches, of pur­pose to affright such like offenders.

But by the way learne this of mee, That Shoo­makers will grow so proud, that they shall refuse the name of Souters: And the Taylor and the Louse shall stand so vpon the poynt, in defence of each other; That were it not, the worshipfull Company of Botchers haue set down this Order; That he who lies a bed, till his cloathes bee men­ded, needs not keepe a man to looke to his War­drobe. But amongst all, the Necessary Impositions on Pot-hun­ters. Smiths haue exhi­bited a Supplication to the Ale-cunners, That he who goes drunke to bed, and assoone as hee wakes i'th morning, dares not carouse a hearty draught next his heart, shall be adiudged to drink small Ale for his penance, prouided hee can get no strong.

Consonant to the variation of this Season, shall variable diseases be predominant; as namely, the In omnibus rebu [...] magis of­fendit nimium, quàm parùm, Cicero. Plurisie, which shall so abound in many, that in ill, they shall exceed their patterne, though in goodnesse they fall short of their samplar. Fluxes also, and those in poore mens purses; for they shall be so laxatiue, that money shall runne out [Page 33] faster, then they are able to put in. The small Pockes amongst children, and the great amongst Cum magnis, magna cresennt.great men: Infirmities also in the tongue; for some shall doe nought but lie, and oftentimes with those they should not.

But because wee would not swelt, and waxe faint, vnder the heate of this vnseasonable Sum­mer, let vs make haste out of it, and descend to the next Quarter, to make trial what benefits that will participate vnto vs.

Of Autumne or the Fall of the Leafe.

Description of the fall of the Leafe. AVtumnus, the chiefe Barber to the right Honorable Lord Annus, that mad sha­uer of Bushes, Hedges, and Trees: the ragged Prodigall that consumes all, and leaues himselfe nothing: the arrantest Raggamuffin amongst all the foure Quarters, and the most diseased, as be­ing alwayes troubled with the Falling-sicknesse, and (French-man like) not suffering an haire to stay on his head. This murderer of the Spring, this theefe to Summer, and bad companion to Winter, scornes to come in according to his old wont, when the Sunne sits Iustice with a paire of scales in her hand, weighing no more houres to the day, then he does to the night, as he did be­fore in his Vernall progresse, when he rode on a Ram: But this Dominatur vt in grege Taurus, Liu. Quod non po­test, vult posse, qui nimium po­test. Bald pate will be seene walking vp and downe Groues, Gardens, Medowes, Fields, Woods, Parkes and Pastures, Dominatur vt in grege Taurus, Liu. Quod non po­test, vult posse, qui nimium po­test. blasting of fruits, beating leaues from their liuings; and tram­pling the gawdy garments of his Sister, the Spring, vnder his feete.

Signes of his comming. By these tokens also shall you perceiue his ap­proach, when the World lookes like the old Chaos; and the Ground, like a young Prodigall, [Page] new shorne by an Vsurer: when Lust rides to the Ba [...]be, and is at great charge with Cornelius to keepe him company: when Luxurie flies amongst Hen-sparrowes, and brings not halfe the feathers home he carried out: when Lust, its owne pu­nisher. Whoredome craules along with a staffe in his hand, saddle-sunke Nose on his face, and a night-cap, in stead of haire, on his naked scalpe: when Bawdes cry out of their bones; Punkes, pray for the morning; and Pan­ders put off their Calues with their stockings when they goe to bed▪ when many Great Ones cry, Oh, with a poxe to them; and some too, who would be entitled, Gentlemen; shall not be able to lift their Armes, to shew them.

But all these are the fond fancies of Aesoulapi­us, whose iudgement in these kinds I would be lothe to embrace. Therefore mine opinion is, (and that must cary it) That this Tatterdemalian Autumne, (whom Physicians call, The fall of the Leafe, and the Farmers Harnest,) beginnes to shew his ill-fauoured face, True en­trance of Au­tumne.when co [...]e is ripe, and calls to be reaped, and when the sinnes of men are shot vp to that height, as that they cry out for the sickle of Gods vengeance to cut them downe▪

When the issue of the Earth are disroabed of all their Verdures, and the brood o [...] man stipt naked of all their Vertues:

[Page] When Greatnesse sits pruning her feathers, (and those borrowed too) in the Sunne-shine of Repu­tation, and Goodnesse be faine to lie sculking in the shadow of Contempt:

When Flattery is euery Lords fellow in the Exeat aula qui vult esse piu [...].Court, and Honesty is forced to goe a begging in in the Country, because the Citie will not enter­taine her:

When Cousnage shall Foxe-like, be coopt and chained vp in the darke corners of Sale-mens shops, and vpon aduantage, be let loose on the buyer, to gnaw out the bowels of his purse, and yet he neuer feele it.

When Churches shall be empty of sound­hearted professors, and Ale-houses cram'd full of Vbiregnat Ebrieta [...] ▪ ibi exulat Ratio.bestiall and pernitious Pot-suckers▪

When Murther shall be held but manly re­uenge, and the maine act of man-slaughter, made but the light Scaene of mans-laughter:

When Vsury shall be tearmed Thrift, and Le­chery, a tolerable tricke of youth: Extorsion, warie husbandrie; Pride, comlinesse; and Drunkennesse, a laudable recreation.

When Hypocrisie gets on the gabbardine of Quod simile Ʋero est, pess [...] ­mum est men­dacium, Quint. D [...]cl. 11. Sanctitie, to goe to Church in on a Sabbath [Page] day, where he will sit sighing at a Sermon, and turne vp his eyes, as though he would shoote them through the Churches roofe into Heauen; and being returned home, fals to an vndigested seeming-deuout prayer, and that so lowde too, as his Aliud palàm agere, aliud clam, dedecet probos. Plin. lib. 4.neighbours round about may heare him: yet neuerthelesse, all the weeke after will practise no worse, then to lie for aduantage, falsifie his promise, filch himselfe drunke, if he can catch it a free-cost, traduce his neighbour se­cretly, defraud his friend, and then fliere in his face:

When children shall fling vp oathes and ex­ecrations against the face of heauen, in the streets, and their Parents sit laughing at their doores, to heare them so forward of their tongues:

When Qui scel [...]is parcit, o [...]nes perditum it bo­n [...]s, Salust. Iustice is so troubled with the palsey in her hand, that when she is to poyze her ballance, she makes a solide cause seeme light, and a light cause, he auie and downe-waight; and when she heaues her sword, and strikes more out of rage then right; mad-man like, wounding those that stand neerest vnto her.

When the grafs of Grace lie starke deaded in the hearts of men, and Goodnesse is excluded from humaine societie.

These, with a supernumerarie multitude of [Page] the same breed, shall bee the vndoubted signals of the Fall of the Leafe, or rather of the finall dis­solution and desolation of this wide, wilde, and wicked Vniuerse.

But for the nature of this Autumnall Reuolu­tion, because it begins in Libra, I find, That Grocers, Chandlers, and such like, shall vse little weights in their publike Shoppes, and lesser measures in their priuate Chambers: That Knaues shall weare smockes, and Women haue Warrens in their hearts, that as fast as Loue creepes in at one hole, it runnes out at an­other.

Yet Leo, being an igniferall Signe, foresheweth; That diuerse men shall weare their teeth longer then their Monstrum horrendum, informe, ingens, quo crinis ad­emptus.Beards, and some shall be so Sunne­burnt with sitting in the Ale-house, that their noses shall Match like, light a Candle. Others shall for want of money pawne their Cloakes, and stalke mannerly in their hose and Doub­lets. Some also this Quarter shall haue barnes, yet want corne to fill them with.

Rie, this Quarter shall bee common and plentifull euery where, and Knaues shall haue licence to sell it by the mouthfull: and hee that will not spend a penny with his friend, by the counsell of One of the learned Doctors of the Labour-in- [...]ains. Drinkalius, shall be thrust quire out of all good Company for a Hoggrub­ber.

[Page 35] It may be doubted, that some vncouth mala­dies will be obuious & obnoxious this quarter: as Hollownesse of the heart, so as one shall hardly know a Knaue from an honest man: lingring * Consumptions also of the liuer, that diuers men Plutus claudus est, cùm accedit, cùm recedit ali­ger. Lucian in Timone.of good wealth shall (by the perswasion of their kind hearts) spend all, and die bankrupts: Some shall bee troubled with suffocations in their throates, which cannot be helpt, vnlesse Brandon the hang man, play the skilfull Chyrurgion. Amongst the rest, many that haue wiues with faire faces, and soule hearts, shall be troubled with an inuisible swelling in their browes; a mis­chieuous Malady as incurable, as vnauoydable. Some shall be troubled with the Stone, and seeke to cunning women to asswage the fury of that disease; an infirmity easily cured, were it not, that the Doctors of Bridewell did punish such feminine Phisitians by a Statute. But the most grieuous disease that is to be feared, is the * Ca­taphalusie An vncouth Malady ne­uer knowne before.(that is) when good fellowes (for want of money) shall oft times be contented to breake vp company.

Thus farre haue you heard of imminent Plagues, Famines, and Diseases, that hang in the tumerous clouds, euery minute striuing to burst out, and fall vpon our criminall Coxcombes; Misfortunes are not borne alone, but like mar­ried fooles they come in couples. Now must a ciuill War march at the heeles of these by-past miseries, and in this variable Quarter will hee [Page 36] first strike vp his Drum at Strange ca­lamities to ceize on Westmin­ster. Westminster: who in the beginning thereof, shall lie sicke of a long Vacation, and being enraged with the furious operation of this disease, shee buffets her owne cheekes, teares her haire, and would drinke her owne heart-blood in the anguish of her soule. Then sits shee like a Proh dolor binc lachryme!Widdow in the midst of her mourning; then doe her goodly Buildings looke like infected Pest-houses, from whence the Inhabitants are fled: then are her Chambers empty, and her common pathes vntroden. Thus shall the beginning of the Fall of the leafe trouble her, insomuch that she feeles the state of her bo­dy very weake, and lyable to infirmities: for these Canker-wormes, called Vacations, corrode her carkasse, and then leaue it in a long and wasting consumption, more grieuous to her memory, then the comming on of a tedious Winters night to a man tormented with sick­nesse, or a marriage delayed, to those that lye sighing for the delights thereof.

But now note with mee, how suddenly the Tem [...]ora tem­poribus mutan­tur tristia laetis: Succedunt [...]ummis, gaudia sun▪ ma malis.streame of her sorrow is * turn'd another way: for iust in the necke of this, shall come in the Meditullium, or middle part of this interchange­able season, and bring her Balme to cure her fore-receiued wounds; and that's the Law, (which lies in ateuery Vacation) who is brought a bed foure times a yeere, and deliuered of foure sonnes, that is, the foure Tearmes; one of which comes to visite her: At whose first sight, her [Page 37] heart leapes Lanolto's in her bosome; Now shall Character of her exces­cessiue ioy.ye see her as * iocund, as a damsell fast folded in the embracements of her Louer: now shall her cheekes looke red, with an high and Iusty colour, for she will wash them in Wines: now shall her Tenants sleepe securely, for they will drinke soundly: now dares she talke * any thing, for she Quid non?ha's the Law on her side: now shall her Inhabi­tants bee contented to take crack't crownes, though at another time, they would goe neere to stab him, that should but play with their noses.

Description of a well­custom'd Ta­uerne. Now shall Vintners be as busie, as Bees in a Hiue; for as Bees flie from one flower to ano­ther to sucke out Honey, so shall the Drawers leape from one Hogshead to another to let out Wines. In euery roome are the Pottle-pots working, to bring in gaines to their Master, as the other labour to bring forth Waxe for their Hiues. The stings which should be placed in their tayles, are brought in their tongues, to those that at the end of Cup-emptying, are sum­mon'd Qui bibit, sol­ua [...], is Ta­uerne law.to the * Barre for a reckoning; for none but men of Reckoning can there be entertained: now the Drones, are such, as guzzle downe that, which would doe others good, yet hurt them­selues.

Neither shall Tauernes alone fall into this profitable and healthfull sweating * sicknesse: but Morbus vtilis, non eget medi­camme bono.all other Trades, Occupations, Mysteries, and Professions, shal row vp and downe this Spring­tide [Page 38] streame of busines: and such good draughts shall they haue, that all shall prooue Fish that come into their nets.

Besides, in the open streets shall be such wal­king, such talking, such running, such riding, such clapping too of windowes, such rapping at Chamber-doores, such ratling of pen and Inkehornes, such rustling of Buckram-bags, such balling for Prouant, such calling vpon Shots, and such ruffling of stuffe Gownes, that at this time, some shall verily thinke themselues in a Towne of Warre, and it shall truly fall out so to be.

For in the height and heat of this irregular combustion, shall a most heauie, blacke, and Tanto be [...]o, in­nocens, ac noxi­us iuxta cadit. Tacit. lib. 1. Anual. cap. 48.bitter * conflict happen (if the Starres doe not gull mee) betweene Lawyers, and their Clyents; and Westminster-hall shall bee the field where it shall be tryed out: what thundring, what thum­ping, what threatning, what mustring, what marching, what Baricadoing, what counter­muring, what wheelings, what windings, what summoning to parlees, what defiances will there be racketed on either side? dismall shall this ex­pedition be to some, deadly to others, and ioy­full to a third sort. It is not yet doom'd by the Palma in medio posita est, acci­piat qui potest, Terent. Metaphysicall Moderators, on whose side the * vi­ctory will flie, but by all Metempsichosicall con­iectures, it is thought the Lawyers will carie away the day, be it but with wrangling: For those that goe armed with Buckram-bagges, in [Page 39] stead of Muskets; with Pen and Inkehornes by their sides, in stead of Touch-boxes, and shoote nothing but Paper-pellets, shall haue those in terrible execution, * who match with blacke Weakest goe to the walles.Boxes at their girdles, and white Billes in their hands.

And albeit, it goe hard on either side ouer­night, or that the one part be put to the worse, yet the next morning, shall there be siding into Factions; * Lawyer, against Lawyer; Client a­gainst Lis lit [...]m parit, Phocylid.Client, and all of them endeauour to re­assume fresh courage and magnanimity. Then shall these men of Law march againe into the Hall, as it were to the field: The Councellers shall be the Leaders, Atturnyes, & Clerkes, petty Com­manders, and Officers of both the Armies: the trained old weather-beaten Soldadoe's, shall be those that haue followed the Law a long time, and by brabbles haue made themselues, and their families Beggars: The fresh-water Souldiers, shall be those, as were but the last Tearme em­barqued in the Action.

En quo discor­dia ciues, per­duxit miser [...]! Virg. In which * March of theirs, if you should but fall in amongst the Ranckes, you will presently suppose your selues in the Turkish Leaguer: for as the Souldiers there, so these heere, talke of no­thing but Stratagems and points of Warre. Some threaten to ouerthrow their Foe-men, vp­on Assaults and Batteries: Some (as if an enemy were to be blowne vp in a Cittadell) sweare to driue them out by way of Eiections: Others, as if [Page 40] they came to the sacking of Constantinople, vpon nothing but Attachments, both of body and goods.

But because I haue wit enough to keepe my selfe out of Gunshot, and to remember an old­said Saw, which long agoe I learn't of my Gran­dame, That it is wholesome sleeping in a whole skin; I will heere leaue them together by the eares Tutissimum in portu nauigare.: Fight Dog, fight Beate; and for me the Deuill part them.

A briefe Prediction of the 12. Months of the Yeare. 1623.

BVt for I scorne to vndervalue so my Skill, as to serue vnder the Standard of vulgar Astronomy, I should heere lay downe some Documents, when to eate hote meates, and when to drinke new Wines: but because euery Widgin (that ha's money in his purse, and eyes in his head to stumble to a Tauerne) can doe this without a Kalendar, I pretermit it, as friuolous and feeulent.

Moreouer, I should show you how many fol­lowers euery Month maintaines, as some Thirty, some One and thirty, and one onely but Eight and twenty; because hee is fallen to decay, and therefore keepes but a colde house: amongst which seruing Creatures, I should giue you the names of the Gentlemen, who are the Dominc all [Page 41] Letters, wearing Red liueries both Winter and Sommer: but because I would not willingly haue a hand in grinding such base Colours, giue me leaue to ayre your thoughts on a nimbler wing, where they shall flye in a high place; and from whence (as if you sate in the most perspi­cuous Twopenny Gallery of a Playhouse) you shall with perspicacity behold all the partes, which I (your new-come Astrologer) shall Act a­mong the Starres; and thus I begin:

The working dayes of euery Month, shall not be obserued this Yeare, as in times of yore; by reason of certaine morball infirmities, that are vnauoydably to domineere ouer Tradesmen, as the Wonder­full Maladies amongst Tradesmen. Lazie-euill, the Lethargie, and the Whiripuffe; which is, a forgetfull carelesnesse of their owne State: Dizzinesse of the pate, (arising from the fumes of Tap-lash) and the like. For men of oc­cupations shall in spite of Order; or the rules of Almanacke-makers, transpose Workidayes into the roomes of Holidayes: yea, by my fea, and women shall hold Holy-dayes in such base contempt, that though their Husbands doe then shut vp Shops, and lay not abroad their Wares; yet shall the Wiues fall close to worke in their secret Chambers.

Diuers Grocers this yeare perhaps may breake, for many Reasons, best knowne to them­selues: but (if Agrippa soble me not) those Apo­thecaries must haue maine good doings, whose Wiues are surpassing [...]aire, and their Doctors su­perlatiuely [Page 42] famous for their practick & Chance-medley Science.

This yeare shall Religion bee Mockers of Religion, are in the high way to Re­probation.scoft at, and a deepe scandall struck on the Professors thereof: so that Holinesse shall bee faine to hide its head, for feare of being branded with that irreligious Nick-name of Puritan; and many zealous Saints shall not dare, outwardly to shew the fruits of that Profession, which inwardly hath taken deepe roote in their hearts, lest they should be snapt vp with the thorny teeth of calumnious Reproach. But woe to the world (cry I) because of offences: For my better Genius tels me, that had it not beene for these Moseses, these heauen­ly stop-gaps, who by their powerfull Ejaculati­ons and prayers, haue from time to time, bung'd vp the vessels of Gods wrath, it long ere this, had been, in no lesse fearefull manner, then plen­tifull Measure, powred downe vpon this King­dome, to its vtter demolishment and perdi­tion.

Diuers likewise this yeare, shall surfet in sinne and sensuality, wholly anchoring their hopes on the Spanish Prouerbe, A Roma por todo, At Rome there are Gr [...]ale a Frier in the fist, then liue as you list. Ablolutions enow for all manner of Transgressions: and so nuzzeling themselues in all sortes of Naughtinesse, at last shall dye of the A Disease, of which ma­ny dye laugh­ing. Sardinian Disease. O may the Sunne of Grace so shine into them, that at last they may see (with melting soules) the Cimmerian blindnesse of their caltginous Errors! And that's all the harme I wish them.

[Page 43] This yeere, shall more Newes be coyn'd by the numerous * Multitude, in a minute of an [...]Phocyl.houre, then shall fall out to be true, in a Million of yeeres: For diuers, out of an ill-season'd, dis­compos'd, and vn-occasion'd Affection, and fa­naticall Fancie, shall conclude infinite Infalli­bilities.

Many Monster-Muliers also of our Age, shall lay out large summes of Time, about white-li­ming their cheekes, and blemishing the bright­nesse of their Creation; beginning their worke in their beds betimes in the morning, and end­ing it at Noone a little before the Cloth is layd: So that I may iustly take vp this Spanish Pro­uerbe; and (if I dare come neere them, for feare of Infection) hurle it at their impious Impu­dence; That these painted * Puppets, the more Que la Muger, quento mas mi­rare la cara, tanto mas de­struye la casa.curious they are about their faces, the more carelesse they are about their houses; the repa­ration of the one, being the ruination of the other.

The losse of Memorie, or the Lethall Euill, shall ceize vpon them that shall goe drunke to bed: but to those who recluse themselues in Counters or other places of deere reckoning, because they abhorre the vanities of the world; and to those that shall be swinged with French-Birch, or be strucke with a Gentleman-like disease; the cur­tallest day in Winter shall seeme more tedious, Annulus arctus, non gestandus, Pythag.yea, and indeed shall produce more * wearisome houres, then S. Bar [...]abies day, which Nature [Page 44] ha's decreed to be the longest in the yeere.

The Sundayes (as if it were Bissextile, or Leape­yeare) shall be by a number leaped ouer, so that a filme of Sensuality being drawne ouer their eyes, they shall not for foure, fiue, or sixe mo­neths together, be able (by the aduice and helpe of those that make the best waters, to recouer eye-sight) to see a Church, but shall be struck with such Megrimes, and Vagaries of the braine, that in stead of going to Church, they will (if my cun­ning faulter not) stumble into a Tanerne.

The Dogge-dayes will all this yeere rage twice a weeke, and that very furiously; but their forest out-rage will be about the Beare-garden. The rising also and declination of the Sunne, shall be so miraculous; that albeit, it shine neuer so brightly in our Horizon, yet there shall be certaine persons (and those close fellowes too) that shall not haue power at high-Noone to be­hold it. The Moone also shall be so various in her influence, that as well men as women shall be as mad in all the rest of the moneths, as in that of Midsommer.

The setting vp of a An intolle­rable liberty in a Christi­an Common­wealth. Whorehouse this yeere, shall be as common, as the setting vp of a Trade, yea, and shall passe vnder that name. For a stock of two beds and foure Wenches, shall be suffi­cient to put a Madame Pimpernelle into present practise, and bring them into reasonable doings. In these Shops of the World, the flesh, and the di­uell, many soules shall be set to sale, and bodies [Page 45] exposed to Shipwrack: for men and women there shall as Consuetude vim naturae ob­tinet propter vetustatem, Cicero.familiarly goe into a Chamber to endanger one another on a Flock-bed, as in­to a Tauerne to make one another merry with Wine.

But giue me leaue (my little sweet sinfull Ci­tizens) to season your dis-rellisht palates with this saucie counsell: That when you are mis-led with lust (that Will-with wispe,) to those caues of Cockatrises, gather your selues within this thought, That notwithstanding you seeme to suck coole and supple blandishments from their * moist-warme tongues, yet are they but like [...]. Binis fidibus con [...]t, Aristid. Non omnes qui habent Cytha­ram, sunt Cy­tharaedi, Nar. Sampsons Foxes, and carie fire in their tayles: I meane, when you are hurried with the heat of Concupiscence to any of those Limbo-patrums, and are at poynt of entrance, then start backe, as from a bed of Snakes, or as you would doe from a house, where a Red-crosse affronts the vpper post of the doore, and be sure to recall this anci­ent Adage into your memory; Quicquid agis, prudenter agas, & respice finem: the which for the lesse-learneds benefit I conster thus: On what ex­ploit soeuer you venter, be first well aduis'd, and re­member the end. For this is probatum, whosoeuer rides long on the belly of Lechery, shall be sure at last to be hurl'd at an Hospitall gate.

A Paradoxe. On St. Lukes day is there likely to happen such a confusion of Caterpillars at Cuckolds­haven; as that this yeere there shall not die one Scricant; and yet in all the 24. Wards of London, [Page 46] shall there be scarce one honest man found aliue of that claw-back Faculty.

Aliud agit, ali­ud simulas, Cic. Drunkennesse this yeere, shall turne * Machia­uell, and play the Polititian; for though shee can­not haue lycence to keepe open-house on the Sabbath-day, and get her full swinge, to out-stare the Lam, to reele & ramble out of euery tipling-Schoole; by reason of some wholesome Inhibi­tions conceiued against her Irregularity; yet will she in the midst of diuine Seruice, slily filtch her selfe into the Tauerne vnder a Church-wardens Gowne; where she suddenly will sacrifice more pence in pintes of Sack to her spoungie Lungs, then shall be after the Sermon, distributed to the poore of the Parish; and at her comming soorth, shall wipe her iudicious chinne with such a compos'd grauity, as if shee had beene searching those nests, for some birds of the same feather.

The gouernance of Scorpio, this yeere, shall be so flammigerous; that Court-bloods shall so boyle in their burning bosomes; as that the most monstrous or manlike Lady of them all, shall be glad (not withstanding her Stilletto) to runne behind the Arras (perhaps you will thinke, of purpose to be found there) to hide and preserue her Chastity from their vnresistable fury; but in Lust, law­l [...]sse,this jumbling * combustion, poore Chamber­pot Wenches shall be sure (how ere the game goes) to goe to the walles; where, to cry out, will be bootlesse, for they shall bee put in no [Page 47] stronger hopes, then to bee vsed without pitty, vntill the storme be layde and ouerblowne. Abs (que) vata [...] au­da virtus, man­ca [...] ▪ Orbis glo­ria, Syn. Epist, 49.

Poets * who are vertues Crutches, and keepe life in the dying world, this yeare, shall bee in a poore case: for if they bee but taken napping with Haec rarò aus nunquam.good Cloathes on their backes, and store of money in their pockets; they shall presently be apprehended by the Citties Anniuersaries, and clapt into the Chronicles: but to preuent this danger, I hope, that Opus and Vsus, their two dai­ly Companions, will continually lye knocking at their Chamber doores, to keepe them waking.

Proh dolor! hinc lachryma!

Very few Foot-men this yeare shall purchase Land: for that in the course of their liues, they commonly are vnstayed fellowes, and most an end, carry running heads.

This is likely to be an heauy yeare to poore * Q [...]is (que) portabit Onus.Porters too: For though sundry Commutatiue differences fall betweene Marchant and Mar­chant, Sale-men and Countrey-Chapmen, with other like accidentall occurrences; yet the Por­ters must beare the burthen of it; and by the helpe of * Pattence shall carry it away willingly: Patientia asini­num onus, saith a Spaniard.And besides, for that they are generally reputed, men of the best vnder-standing, they shall this yeare be trusted with the weightiest matters of the Common-wealth.

Trumpetters, of all other men, this yeare, had most need to carry Aqua-vitae Bottles at their girdles; and the reason is; for that they are most [Page 48] subiect to sounding. And as for common Fid­lers; they shall scrape out a poore liuing out of dryed Cats-guts; and many of them shall this yeare be troubled with abhominable noyses and singings in their heads, insomuch as the most part of them shall dye Beggers; or at the best, as bare as their Cloakes, or a base Vyoll vncased; and those that suruiue, shall often feed on melo­dy for want of better meate.

And wheras the Ecclipses of this yeare shall be farre remote from the signe Pisces, it shewes, that there shall bee much stinking Fish at Belinsgate; and that Queene-borrow Oyster-boates shall carry more Knaues then Honest men: but let Fish­wiues beware, left most of them this yeare, proue not insufferable Scolds: yet because Pisces is a Signe that gouernes the feete, they shall weare out more Shooes in Lent, then in any 2. moneths besides throughout the whole yeare, and get their liuing (liking the wandring * Iew) Read Trundle, in his 1. Tome of the Wan­dring Jew. by walking and Crying; because they will rayle against Pye­corner, and call her, The foule-fac'd fulsome Slut of the Citty.

I should heere vnlock the Casket of my know­ledge, (hauing well nie forgot) and lay open some rarities concerning Qui b [...]na, bo­n [...]; mala malo redduns. Players: but because the Cōmon-wealth affoords them not their due desert; and for they are men of some parts, & liue not like lazy Drones, but are still in Action; I am content silently to referre them to three Sublu­nary Felicities; which are these: A Faire Day, a [Page 49] Good Play, and a Gallant Audience, and so let them shift for their liues.

But now haue I an horrible Monthes minde, to cut through the Mayne of the 12. Monthes, in a particuler successiue Order: but the Glasse which Time ha's lent me, being not fill'd with many howers, I will hoyst Sayle, and onely dis­couer sixe of them, and then cast Anchor.

Behold them therefore at hand, how they come frisking in single file one after another, like so many Morice-Dancers, (my selfe being the Hobby-horse) and euery Month wearing in his Cap, in stead of a Feather, Foure vnhandsome holesome Rimes; conformable to the fashion of our Neo [...]ericke Prognosticators. And thus heare the Foreman of the Morice deliuer his speach.

IANVARY.

This Mon'th drink you no Wine commixt with Dregs,
Eate Capons, and fat Hens with dumpling Legs:
Whether it bluster, Sleete, hayle, freeze, or Snow,
Be sure, that from the Fire you doe not goe.

Disposition of January. THE First day of Ianuary being raw, colde and comfortlesse to such as haue lost their mony at One being asked, what his Opinion was of Ga­ming, thus re­plyed: Hee that looseth, looseth Hea­uen, and hee that winnes, winnes Hell. Dice at one of the Temples ouer-night, strange apparitions are like to be seene: Marchpanes mar­ching [Page 50] betwixt Leaden-Hall and the little Conduit in Cheape, in such aboundance, that an hundred good fellowes may sooner starue, then catch a corner, or a Comfit to sweeten their mouthes.

It is also to be feared, that through frailty, if a slip be made on the Messengers default that carries them, for non-deliuery at the place ap­pointed; that vnlesse the said messenger, be not the more inward with his Mistris, his Master will giue him ribrost for his Newyeares-gift the next morning.

This day shall be giuen many more gifts then shall be asked for: and Apples, Egges, and Oren­ges, shall be lifted to a lofty rate; when a Pome­water bestucke with a few rotten Cloues, shall be more worth then the honesty of an Hypo­crite: and halfe a dozen of Egges of more esti­mation, then the Vowes of a Strumpet. Poets this day shall get mightily by their Pamphlets: for an hundred of Eleborate Lines shall be lesse esteemed in London, then an hundred of Wal­fleet Oysters at Cambridge.

Be not proude my nimble pated Mercuries: you that send forth your Pamphlets flutt'ring about the City to fetch in Crownes: for ere this yeares Semicircles meet, (if I ouershoot not my skill in Astrologie) Quo Fata tra­bunt, retra [...]unt­que sequamur, Virg. Latine shal be set at a lower rate, then a Lobster; and Fat [...] cuiq, quid fleat, quid [...]dea. Sen. Prou. Greeke stand begging in Paules with a Paper on its brest, as a punishment, that it should be so presumptuous, as to begge with an Heathen Tongue, in this our Iewish Nation; [Page 51] and all this, long of a malignant Aspect of some pursie Planet, that had rather heare an Oxe of his owne lowe in his Pasture, then a Scholler de­claime of Hospitality in his Larder.

The 2. 3. 4. and 5. of this Month, to begin the New yeare thriftily; He that ha's any businesse of import abroad; the first thing he do's, must be sure, first to rise in the morning, before he goe any whether. For though Albumazar and Ptolo­mee talke of these Circumstances, yet my Bookes * warrant me; That about Soper-Lanes end, (Hea­uen keepe Printers from thence) these dayes ear­ly Tant [...] quisq [...] i [...] ­tus amplius stul­tior, quanto o [...] ­natur exteri [...], sapiens videri. Greg.in the morning, if you set sixe double ribbes of rost-Beefe, with Bread and Drinke sutable; ere a Sergeant can goe to Paules to say his prayers with a sound Conscience, will be no more reliques seene of the Rost-meate (I trow well) then is at this day of great Illium.

The sixt of this Month; if your businesse aske not much hast, it will be better going by Land then by water to Brainford: and being like to be colde and a close Skye, better putting into an * Testudo [...] tegumen tut [...] est. Luc.Alehouse at Putney, then to wing against winde and tide without a tilt-Cloath to Richmond banke.

About sixe a clocke in the morning (the tide seruing well at Queen-hiue) he that sups not ouer­night, and lands at the Court with Purse and sto­macke empty, vnlesse hee finde some friend to comfort him, sixe to foure, he could finde in his heart to venter the stealing of the Guards Chine [Page 52] of Beefe: which thing to doe, would be an Her­culean taske, considering the great Fire-forke so neare, and so many sharpe shauers at hand, Champions for the Beefe and the Bombard.

This day about the houres of 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. and 10. yea in some places till midnight well nigh, will be such a Massacre of Spice-bread, that ere the next day at noone, a Two-penny browne Loafe will set twenty poore Folkes teeth on edge: which hungry humour will hold so violent, that a number of good fellowes will not refuse to giue a statute Marchant of all the Lands and goods they enioy, for halfe a Crowned worth of Two-penny pasties.

And if on this night there bee neuer so much Masking in the Strand, Cheapside, Holburne, or Fleetstreet, yet it is to bee thought, (propter Sympathiam) there will be as hote Reuels without Libido nullo lo­co excluditur.Torch-light, in * White-friers, Turnbull, Field­lane, &c. at Noone dayes, as you shall finde at Antwerpe in Lepwel-Street, or London in Peticote-Lane.

For the residue of the dayes dispositions of this Month, I finde they will be conformable to the former, and farre different from that, which our annuall Prognosticators shall foretell of them: Therefore lest my Pen should freeze to my fin­gers ends, I will abandon the Company of this Clumzy-fisted Gray-bearded Ianuary, and leaue him to blow his Nayles.

FEBRVARY.

If thou hast store of Cash, drinke Muskadine,
And chuse a young Wench to thy Valentine:
For shee that's queasie, ouer-worne and Olde,
Can make no musicke in a Month so Colde.

FEBRVARY fill-dike: An olde saying and a true; for it is like this yeare to fill Dike, I can tell you, but not fill Dickes belly: For according to the course of Astrologie, the Charity of men will refrigerate extreamely with the wea­ther; both being as colde as the Harrowes Bottle-Beere was the last yeare on Christmas euen, which warm'd me at the heart, like the croking Call of a carrion Constable at midnight, abetted by his barbarous Bill-men to encounter me. Twenty seauen of these 28. dayes, Men, Women, & Chil­dren, are like to fill the Ditches in some Coun­tries, & make poore Cabbins in high wayes, for want of warmer Stowage, long of a swarme of cruell Caterpillars, that * Quis metus aut pudor est v [...] ­quam proper ax­tis [...]ari!Cormorant-like shall swallow the patrimonies of the Widowes and Fatherlesse, who disburse no more beneuolence at their doores, then comes from the poore, out of the backe Gate of the Sauoy.

But that I am a Prognosticator and no Prea­cher, (my small honest friends) I could else ren­der you some sauory Sentences out of holy Writ, against this hardnes of heart, contempt, and co­uetousnes, [Page 54] that might perhaps moue you neuer a whit to amend: but because you care as little for Sermons as Almanackes, and all one, I will leaue you to your Idolatry, who haue seen more Angels on Earth, then euer you shall see in Hea­uen; (vnlesse you repent) hang me else (Vsurers) and let me lacke no Rope.

To the Ninth day of this Month, such will be the sharpnesse of the weather for the most part; that it will be as good walking in a fur'd Gowne, as in a Doublet cut vpon starke naked: and as good Dining well in a matted Chamber, as Di­aloguing with Duke Humphrey in Paules.

This day will be such stormy weather in West­minster-Hall, that some through the fulnesse of griefe, and emptinesse of Purse, will goe nie to burne his Capcase, & be glad to take 13. groates de claro for his gray-Maro.

The 10. 11. and 12. dayes, such a slaughter shall be cōmitted in East-Cheape, St. Nicholas Sham­bles, Southwarke, & Smithfield-Barres, that for 6. weekes and vpward, some one or two Carnifices in those corners, are like to doe Penance, & stand all day vnder a white Sheet, selling that for two Shillings, that they might well affoord for 16. pence; if they did not pay some 40. Markes for a License: which indeed forceth the Fishmongers take vp this colde complaint, and say truely: Li­centiâ sumus omnes deteriores; and wish wisely besides, that such Patents did not proue Patent oppressions?

[Page 55] Description of Shroue-Tuesday. But now stand off (my friends) giue roome I say: for here must enter that wadling, stradling, bursten-gutted Carnifex of all Christendome; vulgarly enstiled Shroue-Tuesday, but more perti­nently, sole-monarch of the Mouth, high Ste­ward to the Stomack, chiefe Ganimede to the Guts, prime Peere of the Pullets, first fauorite to the Frying-pans, greatest Bashaw to the Batter­bowles, Protectour of the Pan-cakes, first Foun­der of the Fritters, Baron of Bacon-flitch, Earle of Egge-baskets, and in the least and last place, lower Warden of the Stinke-ports. This cor­pulent Commander of those chollericke things, called Cookes, will shew himselfe to be but of ig­noble education; for by his manners, you may finde him better fed then taught where euer hee comes: For he feedes fulsomly on nothing but flesh, of purpose to empty Plenties Pallace, to fill the dirty draught; and deuoures with de­light, onely to impouerish Heauens Bounty, and quite eraze the race of Rost-meate.

By the reuolution of the Starres, this is also infallible, the signe being in Pisces; That Fish­mongers shall sell more fish in sixe weekes this yeere, then in sixteene after Easter: by which I diuine, That he that makes his dinner with red Herrings on a Sunday, would be Esurienti (Lu-po) ne occurras, Thcocrit.glad with all his heart of a loyne of Veale, to close his sto­mack; which because he cannot so conueniently cate at noone dayes in new Fish-street, I wish him to the Barres in Smithfield, or a little be­yond, [Page 56] where for money he may haue flesh at all times of the day.

From the 13. to the 20. of this present Mo­neth, what weather soeuer comes, ye shall at all times of the day finde such good Customers in Paules, that for three single yards of Sattin, will seale with you to a * Cùm maximè fallit, bonus vir videri vult. Recognizance of an hun­dred pound howsoeuer: but it is to be feared, Mercury being predominant, that a day or two before the day of payment, one March blast will blow them to Virginia; who when once being gone, you shall finde a measure of Hercules foot, as sufficient, as their obligation euer after.

For the residue of the dayes of this Moneth, if the snow fall but a foote thicke, are like to be seene such formidable Monsters, Beares, Lyons, Elephants, and Vnicornes, in Cheapside, Corne­hill, Fleetstreet, and Paules-Church-yard, that some shall not dare to put their heads out of doore, or walke the streets for feare of snapping: others, shall gather vp on credit, as much as they can, and then take Ludgate for Sanctuary: nay, and I feare me too, that the proudest Astro­loger of vs all, shall not dare to * Semper plus a­ [...]nus metuit, ignorans [...]. venter by the Poultry gate; lest he should be ceaz'd on, and hurried too into a Gulfe, where he shall see no­thing but Miserie charactred on the naked walls, lowzie lodging, and men walking vp and downe like affrighted Spirits in Purgatory, crying out on Conscience, and Cousnage, their continuall Companions.

Dij talem terris auertite pestem.

MARCH.

Walke warme within thy Chamber or thine Hall;
March not too fast, lest thou doe catch a fall:
And better is the dust (when windes doe rise,)
To lie beneath thy feete, then in thine eyes.

MARCH, my books say, is this yeere like to be wet and windie. The 1. 2. 3. 4. and 5. day, such weather, that if it rayne a pace, it will be bet­ter and dryer going in Thames­streete in a payre of liquor'd Neates-leather Bootes, then in a payre of Spanish leather Pumpes: and farre worse marching ouer Hown­slow heath without a Cloake, then with one.

The 6. 7. 8. and 9. dayes; if it powre downe­right in the after noone, it will be as good tary­ing at an honest Alchouse, and take impost, as going to a bowling Alley, and loose euery bet.

The 10. 11. and 12. if the Clouds swell, and tend to skuds, though it thunder not aloft, yet sixe to foure, once ere night, it will so thunder in Turne-againe-Lane, that the * Fish-wiues will Caninam fa­cundiam exer­cent, Salu [...]fight a combat with Belins-gate Playce: whereof this yeere shall be such stinking store, that a man had better hang them at his backe, then put them in his belly.

Till the 26. of this Moneth, the weather will [Page 58] be so raw and raynie, that neuer a Merchant, Metcer, Grocer, Draper, Fishmonger, Gold­smith, Haberdasher, Skinner, Salter, Iron-mon­ger, or Vintner, but had as lieue deliuer for rea­dy money, as for dayes, to the best Chapman, Courtier, or Customer he hath: and moreouer, will arise such gales of pestiferous gusts, that not a Physitian, or Chirurgeon in the Towne, but had rather haue a rich man to his Patient, then one who hath neither money to giue in earnest nor in ieast.

The 26. 27. and so to the end of this Moneth, you can guesse as well as I, what weather will happen: marie this I finde in many moe Au­thors, then either you or I haue euer seene or heard of, That he that hath not his Pecuniae sunt necessariae, sine quibus n [...]l rectè geripotest, Demost. 3. Olynth.Rent ready some one of these dayes, being the last of March; may perchance hop without his house in Aprill, vnlesse happily his Featherbed reprieue him, and his Land-lord freely and friendly giue him leaue to lie in the straw, till the day of Redime come on.

A few flawes are like to fall the latter end of this Moneth; which foule weather, if it hold, will keepe some so fast in the Counter, as that without an Habeas corpus, or a better compri­mise, they are not likely to walke abroad in hast. As for thunder and lightning, you shall be sure to haue more store this Moneth, at the Fortune in Golding-lane, then in Graues-end Barge, or in Westminster-hall, in a long Vacation.

APRILL.

Aprils softshowers, as ancient Authors say,
Bring in and beautifie the flowres of May:
Whether thy Doublet be or thicke or thinne,
Tis better to be warme, then wet to'th skinne.

APRILL showers bring May flowers. This is as true as February fill-dike: and indeede if showers fall fast in Aprill, it is like enough that some bodies money and gold will bee cleane washt out of their purses ere May: For the 1. 2. and 3. day of this Moneth, a shoulder of Mutton will then be in as good request, as at any time of the yeere before or after.

The 4. or 5. and sixt, shall be many more suites of apparell worne, then will be payed for: and more money Nullum bo­num est, quo quis male non vtatur.bestowed on fat Lambes in East­cheape, then will be giuen to all the poore be­tweene the Tower and Westminster.

The 7. 8. 9. and 10. young men shall waxe so couetous, that they shall seeke to ceize on all the prety Wenches they can come by; and old men so lusty and wanton, that a wealthy Wid­dow shall be better welcome vnto them, then a pure poore virgine, that ha's ne're a penny to her marriage. Batchelours wiues, and maydens chil­dren in these dayes are like to be well taught, [Page 60] and more seeming-friendship to be had in an house of Transgression for a French-crowne, though it be a bald one, then at Belins-gate for a boxe o'th eare.

The 11. 12. and 13. shall be much deluing with Spade and Pick-Axe, amongst Gardeners: But this I must tell you, that not one pot of gold so found or taken vp, shall euer be drawne in que­stion at the Exchequer, or come into the Cryers mouth at Fortuna fa­ue [...]atuis. Alders-gate. And if peraduenture one or other with his Mattocke hit vpon any such mischance; if hee repaire the ruines of some Church with it, presently hee forfeits his eye­sight, and ten to one, will lacke money, ere hee dies, to buy his dinner.

From the 13. to the 21. the weather shall be so variable, that he who lies in Lud-gate, and be­comes a close fellow, shall not weare out so ma­ny shooes in a day, as a foot-post will doe in a whole twelue-moneth; and those that lye en­countred, shall be sure to haue a dry house ouer their heads, when their Creditours (perhaps) goe dabbling vp and downe in the durt: but for that Venus will be in coniunction with Mars, it presageth; that many a sturdy knaue-Ostler will be busie with the Sinon castè, [...]men cautè.Kitchin-maid in the manger, while their Mistresses siluer Whistle keepes time to their Trench-more.

About this time, new Playes will be in more request, then old▪ and if company come currant to the Bull and Curtaine, there will be more mo­ney [Page 61] gathered in one after-noone, then will be giuen to Kings-land Spittle in a whole moneth. Also, if at this time, about the houres of foure and fiue, it waxe cloudy, and then raine downe­right, they shall sit dryer in the Galleries, then those who are the vnderstanding men in the yard.

In the rest of this Moneth will be such moi­sture stirring, that if some doe not looke warily this Spring to the English Rheume, it may chance turne the next fall to the French—P.

In the last quarter, No more pity to see a widow weep, then to see a Goose go [...] bare-foot.Widowes that follow their Husbands howling to the Church, will drill such showers of sorrow from their eyes, as that ere the buriall banquet be fully ended, they will be more then halfe sped of fresh bed-fel­lowes.

For the stormes, showers, gusts, flawes, and Changes incident in this Moone, I might set downe a more: concise Discourse, if I could tell how: but let this satisfie, that in this Moneth, many Ca [...]aclismes will fall in the bottomes, flats, and low grounds, that will bring foorth such fruit in February, as will goe alone with a little helpe within forty weekes after.

MAY.

To Islington and Hogsdon, runnes the streame
Of giddie people, to eate Cakes and Creame.
Which is farre wholesomer, with Sugar in,
Then in the durt, to wade vp to the chin.

MAY is the merry moneth, and may not be put beside his iocund hu­mour: yet on the first day be­times in the morning, shall young Fellowes and Mayds be so inuc­loped with a mist of wandring out of their wayes, that they shall fall into ditches one vpon another, and there shall the young men lie for a little while, not being able to stand, while the Maids after their downe-falls, being astonied, shall rise sooner then they would doe. Yet in the after-noone, if the skie cleare vp, shall be a stinking stirre at Picke-hatch, with the solemne reuels of Morice-dancing, and the Hobbie­horse so neately presented, as if one of the Ma­sters of the Parish had playd it himselfe. Against this high day likewise shall be such preparations for merry meetings, that diuers durty-Sluts shall bestow more in Cit [...] ignomi­ [...]ia fit superbi gloria, Sy r. Omnium super­ [...]ia, procedit ex sui ignoratione.Stuffe, Lace, and making vp of a Gowne, and a Peticote, then their two yeeres wages comes too, besides the benefit of Candles ends, and Kitchin-stuffe.

[Page 63] This day shall be erected long wooden Idols called May-poles; whereat many greasie Churles shall murmure, that will not bestow so much as a Faggot-sticke towards the warming of the Poore: an humour, that while it seemes to smell of Conscience, sauours indeed of nothing but Co­uetousnesse.

From the 1. to the 23. day, he that liues to see them, shall see more broken heads at Cudgels vnder the Zenith of London, then Angels or French Crownes in the poore mens Box at Lud­gate. And within the compasse of these dayes, shall there happen such a tenebrous obfuscation of the Sunne, that in all Great Britaine shall you hardly discerne a common Horse-courser from an arrant Knaue. As for Taylors and Millers, such shall be their Conscience, that worke Mercury neuer so mightily, they shall steale nothing, but that which is brought vnto them.

The residue of this pleasant Month, will bee Congruous to the sweet Season, onely it will be somewhat bleake in the mornings, which will so Difficulter r [...]i­duntur vitia, quae nobiscum creuerunt. Se­neca.coole the Hospitality of many a Country-Gen­tleman, as being in hope to buy Fowles better cheape in St. Nicholas-Shambles, then kill them with his owne Hawkes, he will leaue his Bayliffe, and his Dairy-Maydes to multiply together at home, and either sojourne with some Cittizen, for the loue of his Wife; or keepe a Garden-House, and a fresh Wench, some-where about the Suburbes.

IVNE.

Take heede of tossing Balles vntill you sweate,
And to be swelted with vnkindly heate:
Yet though the time serue, you your Sheepe may sheare,
Tis better haue good Cloaths, then none to weare.

THE 1. 2. and 3. of this Month, the weather is like to be [...] so inconstant in disposition; as that he who ha's made an ill bargaine at Algate, shall Criminis Medi­dicina princeps ipsa poenitentia, Arrian.repent him twice, ere he come to Charing-Crosse. And Painters shall proue the craf­tiest Corporation in the Citty: for whatsoeuer businesse they take in hand, they shall finde some Colour for it.

The 4. 5. 6. and 7. if the weather proue faire, many mens eyes shall be so dazeled with the il­lustrious coruscation of the Sun-beames; That A tricke of legerdumain, called Deceptio visus.they shall meete a * Taylor in the street, and take him to be some Knight: and presently after meet a Knight, and thinke him to bee a Gentleman of some Noble descent.

About this Month's 8. 9. and 10. shall Disea­ses raigne powerfully in this Realme, and especi­ally the swelling-Euill; insomuch as diuers fat gorrell-gutted Churles, shall haue golden Tu­mors and Tympanies in their purses.

But if they be long let alone (an hundred to [Page 67] one) some one or other of them will neuer see wel, till he be Sheriffe of his Shire, or haue bought his neighbors House ouer his head for a fauour. Beggers at this time shall be no choosers, vnlesse it be Robin-Hoods choyse; Either this or nothing. Brewers also shall by exchange, take vp money out of the Thames without Bill or Assurance, and turne Water into double Beere, without miracle.

Hackney-men this Month, shall be prodigiou­sly Planet-strucke: For hee that takes sixe Shil­lings for three dayes hyre of a Curtoll; may happen neuer to set eye of him, till his tayle ha's attained a seauen yeares growth: such kinde * Fallere fallen­tem non est fraus.Customers shall they meete with, this faire wea­ther, that because Hay and Horse-meate are deare, they will giue them the running of a Nag or Gelding all their life-time for nothing.

Till the 20. th of this Month of Iune; the Wea­ther is like to shew so serene a browe; That Wa­termen shall rowe in their Shirts vp and downe the Riuer: And he that plyes a man at Paules-wharse, with his Cap in's hand for a Penny; shall be as ready to out-braue him in scuruy tearmes, the next day on the Banke-side, or the Beare-gar­den, as if he were a Gentleman of Fiue hundred pounds Land per Annum.

The 21. 22. and 23. of this Month, will be good shearing Sheepe, and better owning them. These dayes, it is to be doubted, that Gentlemen and wealthy Countrey-chuffes, will so fleece [Page 66] their poore neighbours, that twenty Tenements shall flye at once into one Manner-house, and a goodly large Common transformed to a Parke, for cumbring the Parish.

These dayes the Ecclipses chancing in Cancer, sole house of the Moone: Colliers, Smithes, Blacking-boyes, Armorers, and Chimney-swee­pers, are like to weare the foulest Faces in the Citty: and Ladyes, Landresses, and curious Sempsters, the fairest hands. &c About this time of the yeare, will be farre better rising to Prayers then at St. Andrewes-tide: and St. Antlins Church better filled at sixe in the morning, then in Febru­ary or March at hye Noone.

In this Season the weather being as faire as it will be, an ambling Nag shall be as easie for an Olde man to ride on, as an hard Trotter: and he that is perplexed with an Ague, shall bee more desirous to keepe his Bed, or the Chimney cor­ner, then to backe a great Horse in a Scottish­saddle. Schollers likewise shall be kindely en­treated, the rather, for it is the latter end of the Quarter; and Tutors as ready to receiue Quar­teridge, as reade Logicke Lectures to their Pupils.

The 24. 25. and so onward to the end of this Month, though the weather shall be extreamely hote, yet shall Satin bee as faire wearing as Sack­cloath; and a perfum'd Leather Ierkin, as good as a payre of Sheepe-skin breeches: Veluet, though it weare best in the Winter, shall bee [Page 67] farre dearer then Buckram; and Silke-stockings not so good cheape, as linnen Boot-hose.

About these dayes, if the Lyons in the Tower roare, as they were wont; a seaming-lac'd Shirt, and an open-sleeu'd Doublet, shall be bought cheaper for ready money, then vpon lackadandies bond; though it bee sealed with his wooden stump at the Wrastling place.

In this Moneth, let Graues-end Barge looke to her fraight; for lie the windes neuer so low; if there be neither Lowse, nor Flea, Knaue, nor Drab; Thiefe, nor Whore in it, it will sinke betweene Wapping and Woolwich, a Noble to a Groat.

For posting betweene Douer and Graues-end; howsoeuer the Tide fall by day or night; the softer you ride, (the sooner I will not say,) the safer you come to your iourneys end. And this I can tell you; though the weather towards the latter end of this Moneth be neuer so hot; yet hee that lies in the bottome of the Thames two houres together, were as good bee on the Temple-stayres starke-naked, with an hundred pound of his owne in a bagge vnder his arme.

The two last dayes of this Moneth, will be as good a time to lay a furr'd Gowne to pawne as in any season of the yeere; vnlesse it be to be vsed for a greater exigent, as to bribe a Sergeant, so to euolue out of a more intricate danger: then (all excuses set apart) pawne Gowne, or what­soeuer, according to the old aduerbe: Better suf­fer a mischiefe then a conuenience.

[Page 70] Now at the close should I lead you vp into those spangled Pallaces aboue vs, and shew you * According to the opini­on of all A­strologers.two and twenty thousand Starres, and tell you the names of them all; then bring you into the Planets banquetting-house, where you might be­hold their glorious Magnificence: but because they are (like bad Tenants here below) alwaies remouing, I know not where to find them: The Sphaeres harmonious conglomerations, &c. but some wiser then some, therefore for these trifles, I referre you to the reading of Doctor Dondolo: Onely take this decurtate conclusiue prediction along with you for a parting blow, as touching obnoxious accidents: That it will be farre bet­ter for the bodies and purses of men to drinke Bottle-Ale moderately, then Claret, or Sacke excessiuely: and farre worse for a woman to re­ceiue a thumpe o'th backe with a stone, or a pop i'th eye with a sticke; then haue a messe of white­broath, or a Iowle of fresh-Cod to dinner.

Lenuoy.

THVS farre (my capricious Construers) haue I guided you, by the slender twist of my cackling Skill, through the Labyrinth of this busie Season of sixe Monthes: So that by this time, I doubt not, but you are sub­stantially instructed in Iacke Dawes Dialect; which is, (su­ting to the garbe of all vs Astrologers) to prattle much, to lit­tle purpose. Therefore, lest my too-much chattering should pester the eares of Patience, I will now take wing, and flye from out this contagious Climate, into some Solitary and sa­cred place; where (after pruning my infected feathers) I will re-edisie my towzed Nest, and there carefully hatch vp the other sixe Monthes; which shall be fledge and ready to flye the next Tearme, or neuer. But heere suppose me to speake Spa­nish; or promise Quous (que) and meane to performe vpon Ad­uantage. Till when, I hopefully Conclude, to haue left behind me such an euident Demonstration of my vnparaleld Practise in Starre-staring, as shall induce the both meanest, and most iudicious, to say; That (well fare his Chaps)— Mouet Cor­nicula risum.

OIONISMA: OR A Cox-comicall Prediction of this succeeding yeares Production. 1623. (*⁎*)

OVt of high Selfe-conceit, I forth could chatter,
Such monstrous Omens, as it makes no matter,
To winne a windy Reputation from
Phlebean Breath, as (* wisely) haue done some;
Sc [...]ptic [...].
[Page 72] And so tho Turne-Key draw vpon my backe:
Qui nescit ta­cere, loqui nes­cit.
But I haue Wit enough to keepe my [...] clacke,
And not ore-swell my Bankes; as did that Flood,
Who soyl'd his purer Current in the Mudde
of Scandall; whose foule stigmaticke deepe Shame,
Was strucke so home, as 'twill out-last his Name.
I cannot Cogge, though I can talke Non-sonse;
Maugre Eaues-dropping slye Intelligence:
For who faines Truth vnto a false Intent;
May some sharpe Vlcer play on's Fundament
The Spanish-Panin; or else the English Horse
Of Wood, dis-mount him, and stop's Natures course.
Heau'ns blesse the King: And God good-speed the Plough:
If Corne be plentifull, wee's haue enough:
If't chance to Raine or Shine; or both, or either,
We shall be sure t'haue foule, or else faire Weather.
If Flatt'ry be sent packing from the Court,
Falshood i'th Citty, shall in Truthfull sort
Then stuffe each Shop: when Good-things come, Bad flye;
If Fish want Water, they must needs be Dry.
If fruitlesse Strife, the Countrey doe dis-ease,
Then Lawyers must (its fury to appease)
Take Fees a both sides. This I dare presage,
That the cleare Sunne ne're look't on such an Age
Of vntam'd Badnesse, as will take's Carreere
Quite through the Circle of this sequent Yeere.
I am not yet excentricke; I know how
To scrue vp Vice, and Vertue to allow.
But to all Knaues this mostly will appeare;
That Fooles had ne're lesse Wit, than th haue this Yeare.
Would I had Crownes▪ enow: I, those for mee;
One thousand and Sixe hundred Twenty three.

And no more.

Some Faults haue scap't: Such Faults Good-men can mend:
The Printer's faultie: for t'was truly pe'd.

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