The Discovery of a London Monster called The Blacke Dogg of New-gate Profitable for all Readers to take heed by Vide Lege Cave Time bringeth all things to light Printed at London by M. P. for Robert Wilson at his Shop at Grayes-Inne Gate in Holborne 1638. To the Reader MArvell not gentle Reader though in a mad humour I haue thus published the Blacke Dogge of Newgate and here shewne his trickes to the wide world to wonder at he is but a Curre indeed not worth three halfe pence to be sold but if you will accept of my Pen and Paper it may countervaile the charge of sixe pence it is no better then an ill favoured blacke Dogge yet I desire you not to thinke your time ill bestowed in the reading nor the price too great which you pay for it When you have perusde it and like it not reward not my good will with a scoffe But say the Dogge came from Newgate hang him up and rend the Booke in peeces and then I will be your debter in a Work of more worth but let me tell you by the way This Dog with many Doggs of his kinde have I knowne a great while and have received by them great wrong otherwise had I not bestowed so much time in deciphering a Cur nay more let me give you to understand that this Dog thus shadowed under the name of a servant at New-gate was in my sight by head and shoulders thrust out of Newgate and now men chosen instead of Dogs of far more pitie and honestie than that hell-hound ever had Therefore let me thus conclude that never Cur in shape of man in that place shall commit the like abuses No more for the Dog of Newgate But for this Dog of mine wish me well and I will never doe you ill Rest content and I am well pleased Fare you Well The Discovery of a London Monster called The Blacke Dogge of New-gate AWonder a wonder Gentlemen Hels brooke loose and the Blacke Dogge of Newgate is got out of Prison and leapt into a Signe What the Devils here quoth a mad fellow going by seeing the Black Curre ring'd about the nose with a golden Hoope his two sawcer-like eyes and an Iron chains about his necke this cannot choose said he but be a well customed house where such a Porter keeps the doore and cals in company Roome for a customer quoth I so in I went where I found English Scottish Welsh Irish Dutch and French in severall Roomes some drinking the neat wine of Drleance some the Gascony some the Burdeaux there wanted neither Sherry sack nor Charnico Maligo nor Peeter Seeme Ambercolour'd Candy nor Liquorish Ipocras brown beloved Basterd fat Aligant or any quicke spirited Liquor that might draw their witts into a Circle to see the Devill by inâ—nagination I seeing this Gallimaufry of Company set me downe and called for my whole pinte alone which I had not halfe drunk vp but there sits downe by me a poore Thin-gut fellow with a face as red as the gilded knobs of an Aldermans Horse-bridle one as it seemed newly come out of Limbo with commendation to his rugged Devilship Mounsieur Shagg the Blacke Dogge of Newgate who being a fellow as I thought not worth sixe pence in money yet would he spend eight pence to keepe me company I to equall his expences called for as much and thereupon having both our wits set vpon the racke of invention beganne to argue of the Blacke Doggs beginning and how he came first to be called the blacke Dog of Newgate now touching the same I maintained that I had read an old Chronicle that it was a walking spirit in the likenesse of a blacke Dog gliding vp and downe the streets a little before the time of Execution and in the night whilst the Sessions continued and his beginning thus In the raigne of King Henry the third there hapned such a famine through England but especially in London that many starved for want of food by which meanes the Prisoners in Newgate eat vp one another altue but commonly those that came newly in and such as could make but small resistance Amongst many others cast into this Denne of misery there was a certaine Scholler brought thither vpon suspition of Conjuring and that he by Charmes and devilish Whithcrafts had done much hurt to the Kings Subjects which Scholler mauger his Devils Furies Sprits and Goblins was by the famished Prisoners eaten vp and deemed passing good meate This being done such an idle conceit possessed the mindes of the poore Prisoners that they supposed nightly to see the Scholler in the shape of a black Dog walking vp and downe the Prison ready with his rabening Iawes to teare out their bowels for his late humane flesh they had so hungerly eaten withall they hourely heard as they thought strange groanes and cries as if it had beene some creature in great paine and torments whereupon such a nightly feare grew amongst them that iâ— turned to a Frenzie and from a Frenzie to Desperation in which desperation they killed the Keeper and so many of them escaped forth but yet whither soever they came or went they imagined the blacke Dog to follow and by this means as I doe thinke the name of him began Not so quoth Signior Thin-gut I thinke it rather an idle fiction then a probable truth but this I must tell you Sir said he I know it for a truth that there is no other blacke Dog that I ever saw or heard of but a great blacke stone standing in the dungeon called Limbo the place where the condemned Prisoners be put after their Iudgement vpon which they set a burning candle in the night against which I haue heard that a desperate condemned Prisoner dâ—shed out his braines and that is all the Blacke Dogs that I know or heard of But if you be so pleased as to publish it I will satisfie the wondring world with a discourse of the Blacke Dog in the best manner I can and the very same that the wisest judgements thinkes it to be In so doing quoth I you please God benefit your Country and satisfie your â—riends so with a stayed looke and in sober manner he began as followeth Sir quoth he the Blacke Dog is a black Conscience haunâ—ing none but blacke conditioned people such as Newgate may châ—llenge to be guests yet this rugged Curre hath his sevâ—rall abidings as in the bosoms of Traytors Murtherers Theeues Cut-purses Cunny-catchers and such like who being the Devils blacke Parator summons them one after another to appeare personaily at his Hempton-hall of his three-lâ—g'd-Tiborne but in the meane time they commit many notable fellonies and cozonings to the great hurt of plaine minded people as for example I will first begin with a Woman Theefe which in my minde is a limb of the Devill for at any not able Robbery where still a woman is an Actor there likely is committed some murther or other for as they be
agreed home they goe to the Gentlemans house and receiue their money but now marke the Iâ—st whilest the money was a telling Master B. cunningly convaies the copper Chaine into the place where the gold Chaine lay vpon the Table being like to it put in a Buckram bag and all that one could not know one from the other so having received the money away goes Master A. and B. well contented for their journey leaving the Northerne Gentleman nothing but a Copper chaine for his forty pound who perhaps like a wise man never perceived till the guilt was worne off and then where should he look my two Gallants marry God knows where vnlesse it were howling at the grate at New-gate omongst those pittifull creatures Having told this tale the Bell began to ring nine a clocke whereupon the Uintner calling shut vp the doores it is late caused my friend and I to breake company who paid for our Wine thanking each other and so departed hee to his lodging and I to mine where being no sooner laid in my bed and calling to minde our passed discourses of the Blacke Dog and his first beginning I fell into a most vnquiet slumber and was all the night long troubled with a most fearefull dreame for mee thought I was my selfe prisoner in New-gate lying loden with Iâ—onâ— in great misery where being destitute of friends money-lesse and forsaken of all my acquaintance this following Dialogue is â—h subiect passed betwixt my selfe and one Zâ—â—â— who was like wise a prisoner as I was and perfectly acquainted with matters touching the discovery of the sâ—â—â—arlatiue degree of Cunny-catchers pithy pleasant and profitable for all the Readers hereof The Interlocutors The Author and Zany a prisoner Author ZAny I haue many times been in hand with thee to giue me some notes vpon thy knowledge as concerning the notable abuses committed by a sort of dissolute fellowes who are in very deed the worst members in a Common-wealth I meane infamous Cunny-catching Knaues who continually seeke the spoile of others to inrich themselues and now is the time thy helpe will doe me some pleasure for at the request of a very friend I was mooved to write something of worth whereupon I made choise of the Blacke Dogge of Newgate to be a subiect to write vpon wherein I could not choose divers strong reasons especially mooving thereunto but in that title shadow the Knavery Uillany Robbery and Cunny-catching committed daily by divers who in the name of Service and Office were as it were attendants at Newgate Againe I did choose to give my booke that title as well to satisfie some who yet thinke there is some spirit about that prison in the likenesse of a black Dog of which fond imagination to put them out of doubt I thought good to give them to understand that indeed there is no such matter The third reason was for I being in Newgate a prisoner and overthrowne by these kind of bad people with their cunny-catching in most vile and wicked manner in so much that whilest I there languished in great extremitie I did both heare and see many outragious iniuries by them committed on divers sorts of people the premisses considered I doe intreat thee to let me have thy helpe to set downe some of their villanies committed in thy knowledge and I will not be flacke to present this booke being finished into their godly hands who will assuredly give them condigne punishment as also provide that the like mischiefs shal be never any more put in practise by any notable villaines Zany Indeed you say well and I agree but yet you know I am a poore man and am a Prisoner Againe it is ill mâ—dling with edge tooles As you comprehend them in the name of a Dog so if they be angry they will bite and play the Devill in their likenesse They haue parlous heads store of money and some good friends all which I want Neither will I name any but if their knaveries were knowne it would be thought the gallows as fit for these CuÌ„ny-catchers as Newgate is for me who am rather kept in to bribe them then to answer any offence I haue committed yet seeing you haue begun well I would wish you end no worse and for my part tell you one of their knaueries and I le tell another so that ere we haue done if we tel al the Cunny-catcher wil think we haue told too much But by your lâ—aue a word I wil name no man for if they should be named their friends would be angry and more then that I rather wish their amendment than their publike infamy of which motion if you like begin when you will and when you are weary rest you and I will go on with it for our matter being all one no doubt our conclusion will be to the like effect Godly wise honourable worshipfull and gentle Reader know first there be an infinite number of this sect and company of cunny-catchers therefore it were an endlesse peece of worke to name them all but for I know too many of them and haue likewise paid for my acquaintance with them it may be expected I should name some of them which for the inconvenience might thereby insue I thought good to craue your patience on that behalfe assuring you that they are easie enough to be known by their colours but what wicked parts they haue performed I will not faile but make manifest Therfore first I desire you to imagine that these fellowes these Cunny-catchers I would say doe promise to the world great matters as for example They will vndertake if a man be robd by the way they will helpe the party offended to his money againe or to the theeues at the least Likewise if a purse be cut a house broken a peece of Plate stole they will promise the like mary to further this good peece of service they must haue a warrant procured from some Iustice at the least that by the said generall warrant they may take vp all suspected persons which being obtained then mark how notably therwith they play the knaues how shamefully they abuse the Iustices who granted the warrant and how notoriously they abuse a great sort of poore men who neither the warrant mentioneth nor the party agreeved in any wise thought to molâ—st or trouble and for they shadow all their villanies vnder colour of some especiall warrant let it suffice thee to read the sequell and then judge of their abuses as they deserue Now first will I begin with their petty practises in their lewd actions Say there is a man or two robb'd by the high way not far from London the rumor hereof being bruited in the City these fellowos will be sure to haue intelligence with the first in what maner the men were robd how much mony they lost and where they dwel the reason is this The Cunny-catchers haue alwaies abroad some odd fellows which are inquisitors of purpose who alwaies what they heare
dye each man Iudgement is given that cord shall stop their breath For haynous facts as murther theft and treason Unworthy life to dye Law thought it reason The Sermon ended the men condemn'd to dye Taking theâ—e leaves of their acquainted friends With â—orry lookes paysing their steps they ply Downe to a Hall where for them there attends A man of Office who to daâ—nt lives hopes Doth â—â—rd their bands and scarâ—e their necks with ropes Thus rop't and corded they descend the staires Newgates Blacke Dog bestirres to play his part And doth not cease for to augment their cares Willing the Cerman to sâ—t neare his Cart. Which done these men with feare of death orepang'd Bound to the Cart are carried to be handg'd This rufull sight yet end to their doom'd sorrowes Makes me agast and forces me bethinke Woe upon woe and so from wofulst borrowes A swarâ—â—e of griefe and then I sounding sinke But by Tâ—nes ayde I did revive againe Might I have dyed it had beene lesser paine For now againe the Dog a fresh assaults me As is my spâ—yle were next to be inacted And like a subtill Curre in speeches halts he With thousand fleighty wiles old shifts compacted Charging me off with that I never did In his smooth'st looks are cruell bitings hid I spake him faire as if I had offended He treats me foule who never did him ill He playes the gripe on Tytius intended To tire his heart yet never hath his fill Even so this Dog doth tire and prey on me Till quite consum'd my golden angels be Then wofull want did make me oft complaine Hunger and cold doe pinch me at the heart Then am I thrust out of my bed againe And from my chamber must I needs depart To lowest Wards to lye upon the boords Which nought but filth and noysome smels affords Midst forty men surpriz'd with care and griefe I lye me downe on boords as hard as chennell No bed nor boulster may afford releefe For worse then Dogs lye we in that foule kennell What might I thinke but sure assure me then That metamorphos'd we were beasts not men Griefe upon griefe did still oppresse my minde Yet had I store Copartners in my woe No ease but anguish my distresses finde Hâ—re lies a man his lâ—st livâ—s breath doth blow And ere the sorry man be fully dead The Rats doe prey upon his face or head Whilst thus I languish in my woes appeares Time in his manâ—lâ— looking fresh and blâ—â—he Yet whiles his eyes did shed some drops of teares Wherewith he seem'd as he would whet his â—â—the Quoth Time by mâ—â—shall sorrowes be appeased And now 's the time thou shalt of cares be eased I did present this Booke which I did writ Into Times hands who tooke it and perused it Yea but saith Time thou must discover yet Who this Dog is who else will be excused For able I so clear'd thine eyes to see him So may not others yet Time would have all flye him And for thy verses covertly disclose The secret sense and yet doth shadow truth Explaine this Blacke Dog who he is in Prose For more apparant then thy Poem sheweth Truth needs no colours then this Dog by kinde Make knowne before as he is knowne behinde My Sythe quoth Time is now prepar'd to cut There is no sithâ—â—â—t Times shall longer dure Newgates Blacke Dog must Time to silence put I le brâ—â—ke his teeth and make his biting sure The shâ—â—es of Mâ—â—â— on Dogs of cruell kinde Time shall confound that beare so bad a minde Haue thou no doubt but Time shall set thee free And 〈◊〉 hâ—râ—after learne â—hee to beware Of 〈◊〉 Blacke Dog and doe his dangers flee Gâ—ve othâ—rs wâ—rning least like fall their share Sâ—â— to 〈◊〉 world when thou â—rt freed from hell Newgates Blacke Dog thou saw and knew too well And for thy Poem drawes to a conclusion Times plâ—â—sâ—re is that thou this Dog expresse Iâ— shape in nâ—turâ— man yet mens confusion A madding Câ—r who doth from kinde regrâ—sse A mothers sonne and most for to be wondred Of mothers sonnes this Dog hath spoyl'd a hundred In lowly sort complaine to highest â—owers Truth will be heard and truth must not be hid With for like wiles this Dog poore soules devoures This Dog of meâ— desipher I thee bid And though there be Curs many of his kindâ— Say but the truth and yet leaue nought behinde When time had said I from my feare awake Yet had I writ what premises containes I was no illusion mov'd me this Poem make But griefes indured and woes my heart sustaines Greefe care and woe my silly heart doe clog Fettered to shame by this Cur Newgates Dog Now as I haue describ'd him in some sort As he is fearefull vnto all him see His devillish practises given to report And set them downe as wicked as they be Here ends my Poem Newgates Blacke Dog by name As it deserues either commend or blame FINIS