WEll met my Lord, it seemes that you have taken flight over the great Pond, pray what newes in Eng­land?

Faith I durst not stay to heare what newes, for I feare if I had tarried a lit­tle longer, my wings would have beene clipt, and then I am sure, I had never came hither.

I commend your policy, for you being sure to flye, were sure to es­cape, but I pray good my Lord, what do they say of me in England?

Newes more than I can relate, thinke you and I have bin the best bene­factors to the ragged Regiment of Po­ets, that ever came since Noah's floud?

Why good my Lord?

Why I beleeve there hath bin more Impressions of severall kinds of lamentable Ballads and Pamphlets, (made upon us two) then ever was of the Practice of Piety, or Crums of Com­fort.

But I pray some more seri­ous newes good my Lord.

I will tell you so much as I durst stay to heare, and some other which I have had by proxie since my flight hither.

I should be glad to heare it, proceed good my Lord.

They say that your great Grape-sucker, Alderman Medium and his great adversary the politicke solici­tor, are fast friends, they may be found at their lodging at any time of the day.

Truely you give the Alder­man Medium a very fit name, for I be­leeve he hath suckt more sweetnes from Grapes, than any man in the Kingdome besides.

I, I thinke no lesse, but it seemes he hath suckt so much that he hath taken a surfeit.

Good my Lord proceed, if you have any more newes concerning the Alderman.

There is another costive Alder­man, which hath swallowed a barrell of white Soape, & it is thought it will give him such a purge that the Physicke in all the Apothecaries shops in London, will hardly give any man the like.

Truly my Lord, your newes pleaseth me well: yet one thing I had almost forgot, I pray what's become of your kinsman Ren.

Faith he had taken flight too before this, had his wings beene but as long as mine, but I beleeve he is cadged before this, how sweetly he will sing I know not.

I heare some newes my Lord, concerning your selfe, which I know your Lordship can resolve me.

I prethee what's that?

The newes goeth in these parts, that in England they picture your Honour with wings.

Tis true, good reason, for they have done me as good service as ever my dry palmes did me.

I? Thinks your honour so?

I am sure I know so, for had not my wings beene long, I am very cer­taine I had beene shorter by a head ere this.

But what other newes have you my Lord? What becomes of the man i'th great ruffe?

Why faith I know not, but if I were his Judge, I would have the sets fild with Gunpowder, and fire set to it, and if that blow not off his head, hee should be hang'd.

My Lord, your judgement's very hot. But I pray what more newes? I heare they will have no Bishops in England.

I heare so too, and I beleeve it, for they have already began with your great Metropolitan, he is fast (I faith) in a stronger house then ever was built by a Clothier of Red [...]ing.

I am very sorry he had so much grace and so little wit, for he might have trusted to his footmanship, and shewed himselfe as wise as wee, but what is become of the great Lord Deputy?

Faith, the report goes that he is gon to God without a head.

He should rather have taken his head with him, & gon without his heart. For I beleeve that was the most faultie, but my Lord, I pray resolve what's be­come of your project concerning the ship-money, will the Subjects pay it willingly?

Pox on't, prethee speake not of that, I heare it is quasht.

I heare so too by some, that your Lordship was pleased to lye at stake for all.

There let them lye, I beleeve the Parliament will pay them their wages.

I beleeve they had rather doe your honour service here Gratis, then tarry to receive their pay there.

Now I pray good Master Se­cretary, now I have wearied my selfe with telling you newes, let me heare some from you.

About two dayes agoe, I met with Corpus juris civilis, or the bulke of the Civill Lawes, Doctor Rhoane who told me that the Canons had murthered the canonists themselves.

You meane the Booke of Ca­nons that was lately made, but I pray what is become of the oathes of ex officio? and &c.

Faith they have bin sworne so often, that they are sworne out of fashion with your Civill Lawyers.

I pray tell me what is like to be­come of the Civillans, I heare they be­gin to droope?

Faith the Ducks wings will be pluckt, and Lambe begins to be out of season; I am afraid they'l starve the Rats and Mice, in the Doctors-Com­mons now, for I beleeve they will live more sparingly then they have done formerly.

Master Secretary, I have more newes to tell you, which I had almost forgot.

What is that good my Lord?

Why not long agoe I met with witty Sir Iohn, & some other of the ry­ming crew, and he made a great com­plaint to me of an houre long, all in pittifull meeter.

What was the substance of his complaints I pray?

That he had beene a great while a studdying a new play, and the plot be­ing none of the best, he was forced to run off the Stage, and durst not stay to see the first Act.

Why I heard that he is gon with a troope of horse into Portugall, to ayde the King there against the great Don of Spaine.

It may be there was some such report, but it is like there were false dice in hand, for I am sure there hath beene but little faire play.

Indeed it is very probable, or else he hath much mistaken his way.

Well Master Secretary, I can stay no longer with you at this time, for I am now going to the Post to receive letters from England, at our next mee­ting I will informe you all other newes my letters affords, in the mean time I commit you to your good fortunes nd bid you farwell.

May your Lordships flight be swift and prosperous.

1641.