the kings approach presented him with a Garland of sweet stoures yielding him such honour as the Ladies of Rome were wont to doe to their Princes after their victories which the King tooke in gracious part and for his farewell from that country they bore him company ouer part of the Plaine with the sound of diuers swéet instruments of musicke All which when his Grace vnderstood was done at the cost of a Clothier he sayd he was the most honoured by those meÌ„ aboue al the mean subiects in his laÌ„d so his highnes past on to Exceter hauing giuen great rewards to these maydens Thomas Doue and the residue of the Clothiers against his Graces comming thither had ordained diuers sumptuous shewes first there was one that represented the person of Augustus Caesar the Emperour who commanded after the Romane inuasion that their City should be called Augustus after his owne name which beforetime was called Isea and of latter yéeres Exeter There his Maiesty was royally feasted seuen daies together at the onely cost of Clothiers but the diuers delightes and sundry pastimes which they made there before the King and his Nobles is too long here to be rehearsed And therefore I will ouerpasse them to auoide tediousnes His grace then coasting along the country at last came to Gloucester an ancient City which was builded by Glove a Brittish King who named it after his own name Gloucester Here was his maiesty entertained by Gray the Clothier who profest himselfe to be of that ancient family of Grayes whose first Originall issued out of the ancient and honorable Castle and towne of Rithin Héere was the King most bountifully feasted hauing in his company his brother Robert although his prisoner the same time And his Grace being desirous to see the maidens carde and spinne they were of purpose set to their worke among whom was faire Margaret with the white hand whose excellent beauty hauing peaâ—st the eyes of that amorous Duke it made such an impression in his heart that afterward he could neuer forget her and so vehemently was his affection kindled that he could take no rest till by writing he had bewrayed his mind but of this we will speake more in an other place and the King at his departure sayd that to gratifie them hée would make his son Robert their Earle who was the first Earle that euer was in Gloucester Now when his Grace was come from thence he went to Worcester where William Fitz-allen made preparation in all honourable sort to receiue him which man being borne of great parentage was not to learne how to entertaine his Maiesty being descended of that famous family whose patrimony lay about the towne of Oswestry which towne his predecessors had inclosed with stately walles of stone Although aduerse fortune had so grieuously frowned on some of them that thier children were faine to become tradesmen whose hands were to them instead of landes notwithstanding God raised againe the fame of this man both by his great wealth and also in his posterity whose eldest son Henry the Kings god-son became afterward the Mayor of London who was the first Mayor that euer was in that Citty who gouerned the same 23. yéeres and then his son Roger Fitz-allen was the second Mayor The Princely pleasures that in Worcester were shewen the king were many and maruelous and in no place had his Maiesty receiued more delight then here for the which at his departure he did shew himselfe very thankfull Now when his Grace had thus taken view of all his good townes Westward and in that progresse had visited these clothiers he returned to London with great ioy of all his commons How Hodgekins of Halifax came to the Court complained to the King that his priuiledge was nothing worth because when they found any offendor they could not get a hangman to execute him And how by a Fryer a gin was deuised to chop off mens heads of it selfe Chap. 8. AFter that Hogekins had got the priuiledge for the town of Halifax to hang vp such théeues as stole their cloth in the night presently without any further iudgement al the clothiers of the towne were excéeding glad perswaded themselues y â— now their goods would be safe all night without watching them at al so that whereas before the town maintayned certaine watchmen to kéepe their cloth by night they were hereupon dismissed as a thing néedlesse to be done supposing with themselues that seeing they should be straight hanged that were â—ound faulty in this point y â— no man would be so dâ—sperate to enterprise any such act And indeede the matter being noysed through the whole countrey that they were straight to be hanged that did vse such theeuery it made many lewd liuers to refraine such theeuery Neuerthelesse there was at that same time liuing a notable Theese named Wallis whom in the North they called Mighty VVallis in regard of his valor and manhood This man beeing most subtill in such kind of knauery hauing heard of this late priuiledge and therewithall of the townes security sayd that once he would venture his necke for a packe of Northerne cloth and therefore comming to one or two of his companions he asked if they would be partners in his aduenture and if quoth he you will herein hazard your bodies you shal be shaâ—ers in all our booties At length by many perswasions the men consented whereupon late in the night they got them all to a Farriours shop and called vp the folks of the house What the foule ill waâ—â— you haue quoth they at this time of the night Wallis answered saying good fellowes we would haue you to remooue the shooes of our Horses feete and set them on againe and for your paines you shal be well pleased The Smith at length was perswaded when he had pluckt off all the shooes from their horses feete they would needes haue them all set on againe quite contrary with the caâ—kins forward y â— should stand backward How fay fay man quoth the Smith are you â—â—ck fules what the deell doo you meane to breake your crags gud faith I tro the men be wood Not so Smith qd they do thou as wee â—id thee thoÌ„ shalt haue thy money for it is an old Prouerbe Bee it better or be it worse Please you the man that beares the purse Gud faith and see I â—all qd the Smith and so did as he was willed When VVallis had thus caused their Horses to be shod to Hallifax they went where they without any let laded their Horses with cloth and so departed a contrary way In the morning so soone as the clothiers came to the field they found that they were robd whereupon one ranne to another to tell these tidings Now when Hogekins heard thereof rising vp in haste â—e wild his neighbours to marke see if they could not descâ—ie eyther the footesteps of men or Horses Which being done they perceiued that horses had
had not the name of â—ergeants and you shall vnderstand that their office was then so much hated and detested of Englishmen that none of them would take it vpon him so that the Bayliffes were glad to get any man whatsoeuer and to giue him certayne wages to performe that office It came to passe as I sayd before that two of their officers by arresting of a man were at one instant slaine by meanes whereof the Bayliffes were inforced to seeke others to put in their roomes but by no means could they get any wherefore according to their wonted maner they made proclamation that if there were any man that would present himself before them he should not onely be settled in that office during their liues but also should haue such maintenance and allowance as for such men was by the City prouided and notwithstanding that it was an office most necessary in the common-wealth yet did the poorest wretch despise it that liued in any estimation among his neighbours At last a couple of Flemings which were fled into this land by reason that their country was drownd with the sea hearing the proclamation offered themselues vnto the Bailiffes to serue in this place who were presently receiued and accepted according to order had garments giuen theÌ„ which were of ij colors blue red their coats breeches stockings whereby they were known and discerned from other men Within halfe a yéere after it came to passe that Thomas Doue of Exeter came vp to London who hauing by his iollity and good felowship brought himselfe greatly behind hand was in daunger to diuerse men of the citie among the rest one of his creditors feeâ—d an officer to arrest him The dutch man that had not been long experienced in such matters and hearing how many of his fellowes had bin killed for attempting to arrest men stood quiuering and quaking in a corner of the stréet to watch for Tom Doue and hauing long waited at length he spien him whereupon he prepared his mace ready and with a pale countenance proceeded to do his office at what time comming behind the man sodainly with his mace he knockt him on the pate saying I arrest you giuing him such a blow that he felld him to the ground The catchpole thinking he had killed the man he left his Mace behind him and ranne away the creditor hee ran after him calling and crying that he should turne againe But the Fleming would not by any means come backe but got him quite out of the city and took sanctuary at Westminster Doue being come to himselfe arose and went to his inne no man hindring his passage being not a little glad he so escaped the danger Yet neuerthelesse at his next comming to London another catchpole met with him and arrested him in the Kings name Doue being dismayd at this mischieuous chance knew not what to do at last he requested the catchpole that hee would not violently cast him in prison but stay till such time as he could send for a friend to be his surety and although kindnes in a catchpole be rare yet was he won with faire words to do him this fauor whereupon Doue desired one to goe to his host Iarrat who immediatly came vnto him and offred himselfe to be Doues surely The Officer who neuer sawe this man before was much amazed at his sight for Iarrat was a great and a mighty man of body of countenance grim and exceeding high of stature so that the catchpole was wonderfully afraid asking if he could find neuer a surety but the diuell most fearefully intreating him to conâ—ure him away and he would doe Doue any fauor What wil you not take my word qd Iarrat sir qd the Catchpole if t were for any matter in hel I would take your word as soone as any diuells in that place but séeing it is for a matter on earth I would gladly haue a surety Why thou whorson criket quoth Iarrat thou magget a pie thou spinner thou paultry spider dost thou take me for a Diuell Sirra take my word I charge thée for this man or else goodman butterfly I le make thee repent it The officer while he was in the house said he was content but so sone as he came into the street he cried saying Help help good neighbours or else the Diuell will carry away my prisoner notwithstanding there was not one man would sturre to be the Catchpoles aide Which when he saw he tooke fast hold on Thomas Doue and would not by any meanes let him go Iaâ—ret seeing this made no more to doe but comming to the officer gaue him such a fillippe on the fore-head with his finger that he felld the poore Fleming to the ground while he lay in the stréete stretching his héeles Iarret tooke Doue vnder his arme and carried him home where he thought himselfe as safe as king Charlemaine in mount Alben The next morning Iarret conueied Doue out of towne who afterward kept him in the countrey and came no more in the Catehpoles clawes How Duke Robert came a wooing to Margaret with the white hand and how he appointed to come and steale her away from her masters Chap. 10. THE beautifull Margaret who had now dwelt with her dame the space of foure yeeres was highly regarded and secretly loued of many gallant Gentlemen of the countrey but of two especially Duke Robert and Sir William Ferris It chaunced on a time that faire Margaret with many other of her Masters folkes went a hay-making attired in a redde stamell petticoate and a broad strawne hatte vpon her head she had a hay forke and in her lappe she bore her breakfast As she went along Duke Robert with one or two of his keepers met with her whose amiable sight did now anewe kindle the secret fire of loue which long lay smothering in his heart Wherefore méeting her so happily he saluted her thus frendly Faire maid good morrow are you walking so diligently to your labour Néeds must the weather be faire where the sun shines so cleare and the hay holsome that is dried with such splendant raies Renowned and most notable Duke qd she poore haruest folkes pray for faire weather and it is the laborers comfort to see his work prosper and the more happy may we count the day that is blessed with your princely presence but more happy sayd the Duke are they which are conuersant in thy company But let me intreat thee to turne back to thy matters with me and commit thy forke to some that are fitter for such toile trust me me thinks thy dame is too much ill aduisâ—e in setting thee to such homely busines I muse thou canst indure this vile beséeming seruitude whose delicate limmes were neuer framed to proue such painefull experimentes Albeit quoth she it becommeth not mee to controule your iudicical thoughts yet were you not the Duke I would say your opinion deceiued you though your faire eyes seeme câ—eere yet I
occasion he said to his Nobles That it would neuer grieue a King to die for the defence of a fertile countrie and faithfull subiects I alwayes thought quoth he that Englands valour was more than her wealth yet now I see her wealth sufficient to maintaine her valour which I will seek to cherish in all I may and with my Sword keepe my selfe in possession of that I haue Kings and Louers can brooke no partners and therefore let my brother Robert thinke that although hee was heyre to England by birth yet I am King by possession All his fauourers I must account my foes and will serue them as I did the vngratefull earle of Shrewsbury whose lands I haue seized and banisht his body But now we will leaue the King to his â—ourney into Wales and waiting his home returne in the meane time tell you of the meeting of these iolly Clothiers at London How William of Worcester Gray of Gloucester and old Cole of Reading met all together at Reading of their communication by the way as they â—ode to London Chap. 2. VVHen Gray of Gloucester and William of Worcester were come to Reading according to their custome they always called old Cole to haue his company to London who also duly attended their comming hauing prouided a good breakefast for them and when they had well refreshed themselues they tooke their horses and rode on towards the Citie and in their iourney William of Worcester asked them if they had not heard of the Erle of Moraigne his escape out of the land what is he fled quoth Gray I muse much of that matter being in such great regard with the king as he was but I pray you do you not know the cause of his going quoth Cole The common report quoth Gray is this that the couetous erle who through a greedy desire neuer left begging of the King for one thing or other and his request being now denied him of méere obstinacie and wilfull frowardnesse hath banished himselfe out of the land and quite forsaken the Countrey of Cornewall hauing made a vow neuer to set foote within England againe and as report goeth he with the late banisht Earle of Shrowsbury haue ioyned themselues w t Robert duke of Normandy against the king the which action of theirs hath inflamed the kings wrath that their Ladies with their children are quite turned out of doores succorlesse friendlesse so that as it is told me they wander vp and downe the countrie like forlorne people and although many do pittie them yet few do releeue them A lamentable hearing qd William of Worcester and with that casting their eyes aside they espied Tom Doue with the rest of his companions come riding to méete them who as soone as they were come thither fell into such pleasaunt discourses as did shorten the way they had to Colebroke where alwaies at their comming towards London they dined and being entred into their Inne according to olde custome good chaere was prouided for them for these Clothiers were the cheefest ghests that trauelled along the way and this was as sure as an acte of Parliament that Tom Doue could not digest his meat without musicke nor drinke wine with out women so that his hostesse being a merrie wench would often times call in two or three of her neighbours wiâ—es to keepe him companie where ere they parted they were made as pleasant as Pâ—es And this being a continuall custome amongest them when they came thither at length the womens husbands beganne to take exceptions at their wiâ—es going thither whereupon great controuersie grew betweene them in such sort that when they were most restrayned then they had most desire to worke their willes now gip quoth they must we so be tied to our taske that we may not drinke with our friends ste fie vpon these yellow hose will no other die serue your turne haue wee thus long vin your wines and do you now mistrust vs verily you eate two much salt and that makes you grow cholericke badde liuers iudge all other the like but in faith you shall not bridle vs so like Asses but wee will go to our friendes when wee are sent for and do you what you can Well quoth their husbands if you be so head-strong we will teme you it is the duty of honest women to obey their husbands sayings And of honest men quoth they to thinke well of their wiues but who doo sooner inpeach their credite then their husbands charging them if they do but smile that they are subtill and if they doe but winke they account them willy if sad of countenance then sullen if they be froward then are they counted shrewes and sheepish if they be gentle if a woman keepe her house then you will say she is melancholie if shee walke abroade then you call her a gadder a Puritane if shee be pretise and a wanton if shee be pleasant so there is no woman in the world that knowes how to please you that wâ—s thinke our selues accurst to be married wiues liuing with so many woes These men of whose company you forwarne vs are for aught that euer we sawe both honest and curteous and in wealth farre beyond your selues then what reason is there why we should refraine to vsite them is their good will so much to be requited with scorne that their cost may not be counteruayled with our company if a woman be disposed to play light of loue alas alas do you thinke that you can preuent her Nay wée will abide by it that the restraint of liberty inforceth women to belewd for where a woman cannot be trusted she cannot think her selfe beloued and if not beloued what cause hath she to care for such a oneâ— therefore husbands reforme your opinions and do not worke your owne woes with our discredit These Clothiers we tel you are tolly fellowes and but in respect of our curtesie they would scorne out company The men hearing their wines so wel to plendfor themselues knew not how to answer but sayd they would put the burden on their consciences if they dealt vniustly with them and so left them to their owne willes The women hauing thus conquered their husbands conceits would not leaue the fauour of their friends for frownts and as about the rest Tom Doue was the most pleasantest so was he had in most reputation with the women who for his sake made this Song Welcome to towne Tom Doue Tom Doue The merriest man aliue Thy company still we loue we loue God grant thee well to thriue And neuer will depart from thee For better or worâ—e my ioy For thou shalt still haue our good will Gods blessing on my sweete Boy This song went vp and downe through the whole countrey and at length became a dance among the common sort so that Tom Doue for his mirth and good fellowship was famous in euery place Now when they came to London they were welcome to the host larrat
will see what she will say to me and with that hee sâ—ept into the kitchin saying God speed you hostise It must be when you are away theÌ„ sayd she What is your reason sayd the other Because God neuer comes where knaues are present Gip gooddy draggletaile qd he had I such a wife I would present her tallow face to the diuell for a candle With that shee bent her browes and like a fury of hel began to fly at him saying Why you gag-toothd Iack you blinking companion get thee out of my Kitchin quickly or with my powdered Beefe brâ—th I will make your pate as â—alde as a Friers Get me gone quoth he thou shalt not bid mee twise out you durty heeles you will make your husbands hayre grâ—we through his hood I doubt and with that hee got him into the Hall and sate him downe on the bench by his hoast to whom he sayd T is pitty my host that your aged yéeres that loues quietnesse should be troubled with such a scolding queane I God help me God helpe me quoth the old man and so went toward the Stable which his wife watching sodainly stept out and gaue Cutbert a kisse Within an houre after the old man craftily called for his Nag to ride to field but as soone as he was gone Cutbert and his Hostesse were such good friends that they got into one of the Ware houses and â—ockt the doore to them but her husband hauing set a spye for the purpose sodainly turned backe and called for a capcase which lay in the Warehouse The seruant could not find the key by any meanes Whereupon hée called to haue y â— lock broke open Which they within hearing opened the doore of their owne accord So soone as her husband spied her in that place with admiration he sayd O the passion of my hart what do you heer what you two that cannot abide one another what make you so close together is your chiding and rayling brabling and brawling come to this O what dissemblers are these Why my hoast qd Cutbert what need you take the matter so hotte I gaue a Cheese to my country man Hodgekins to lay vp and deliuered it to your wife to bee kept and then is it not reason that she should come and seeke me my Cheese O qd the old man belike the doore was lockt because the cheese should not run away The doore said his wife vnknowne to vs clapt to it selfe and hauing a spring lock was presently fast Wel hus-wife qd he I will giue you as much credit as a Crocadile but as for your companion I will teach him to come hither to looke cheeses And with that he caused his men to take him presently and to binde him hand and foote Which being done they drew him vp in a basket into the smokie louer of the hall and there they did let him hang all that night euen till the next day dinner time when he should haue beene at the banquet with the princes for neither Hodgekins nor Martin could intreat their inflamed hoast to let him downe And in such a heate was he driuen with drawing him vp that he was faine to cast off his gownes his coats and two paire of his stockings to coole himselfe making a vow he should hang there vij yeares except the kings sonnes came in person to beg his pardon which most of all grieued Cutbert When Cole and the rest of the westerne yeomen â—eard hereof they could not chuse but laugh to think that he was so taken tâ—â—dy The yong princes hauing giuen promise to be with the clothiers kept their houre but when al the rest went to giue them entertainment Simon was so busie in supping his pottage that he could not spare so much time Which when the princes sawe with a smiling countenance they said Sup Simon there 's good breath or else beshrew our hostesse quoth he neuer looking behind him to sée who spake till the prince clapt him on the shoulder But good Lord how blanke he was when he spied them knowing not how to excuse the matter Well the princes hauing ended their banket Garrat coms and with one of his hands took the table of 16 foot long quite from the ground ouer their heads from before the princes and set it on the other side of the hall to the great admiration of all them that beheld it The princes being then ready to depart the Clothiers moued them in pleasant maner to be good to one of their company that did neither sit lie nor stand Then he must néedes hang qd the princes And so he doth most excellent princes qd they and therewithal told them the whole matter When they heard the story downe to Bosoms inne they goe where looking vp into the roose spied poore Cutbert pinned vp in a basket and almost smoked to death who although he were greatly ashamed yet most pittifully desired that they would get him released What is his trespasse said the prince Nothing if it shall like your Grace qd he but for loking for a cheefe But he could not find it without my wife said the good man the villaine had lately dined with mutton and could not digest his meate without cheese for which cause I haue made him to fast these twenty houres to the end he may haue a better stomacke to eate his dinner then to vse dalliance Let me intreate you quoth the prince to release him and if euer hereafter you catch him in the corne clappe him in the pownd Your Grace shall request or commaund any thing at my hand said the old man and so Cutbert was let downe vnbound but when he was loose he vowed neuer to come within that house more And it is said the old man â—osome ordainâ— that in remembrance of this déed euery yeare once all such as came thither to aske for cheeses should be so serued which thing is to this day kept How Simons wife of South-hampton being wholy bent to pride and pleasure requested her husband to see London which being graunted how she got good wife Sutton of Salisbury to go with her who tooke Crab to go along with them and how he prophecied of many things Chap. 6. THe Clothiers being all come from London Suttons wife of Southhampton who was with her husband very merry and pleasant brake her mind vnto him in this sort Good Lord husband wil you neuer be so kind as let me go to London with you shall I be pend vp in South-hampton like a patrat in a cage or a capon in a coope I would request no more of you in lieu of all my paines carke and care but to haue one weeks time to sée that faire citie what is this life if it be not mixt with some delight and what delight is more pleasing than to see the fashions and maners of vnknowne places Therefore good husband if thou louest me deny not this simple request You know I am no common gadder nor haue
oft troubled you with trauell God knowes this may be the last thing that euer I shall request at your hands Woman quoth he I would willingly satisfie your desire but you know it is not conuenient for both of vs to be abroad our charge is great and therefore our care ought not to be small If you will goe your selfe one of my men shall goe with you and money enough you shall haue in your purse but to go with you my selfe you sée my busines will not permit me Husband said she I accept your gentle offer and it may be I shal intreat my gossip Sutton to go along with me I shal be glad quoth her husband prepare your selfe when you will When she had obtained this licence she sent hir man Wessell to Salisbury â—o know of good wife Sutton if she would kéep her company to London Suttons wife being as willing to go as she was to request neuer rested till she had gotten leaue of her husband the which when she had obtained casting in her minde their pleasure would be small being but they twayne thereupon the wily woman sent letters by collerick Crack her man both to Grayes wife and Fâ—â—zallens wife that they would meet them at Reading who liking wel of the match consented and did so prouide that they met according to promise at Reading and from thence with Coles wife they went al together with each of them a man to London ech one taking vp their lodging with a seuerall friend When the Marchants of London vnderstood they were in towne they iraâ—â—ited them euery day home to their owne houses where they had delicate good cheere and when they went abroade to see the commodityes of the City the Marchants wiues euer bore them company being attyred most dainty and fine which when the Clothiers wiues did sée it grieued their hearts they had not the like Now when they were brought into Cheapeside there with great wonder they beheld the shops of the Goldsmiths and on the other side the wealthy Mercers whose shops shined of al sortes of coloured silkes in Watlingstreete they viewed the great number of Drapers in Saint Martines Shoomakers at Saint Nicholas church the flesh shambles at the end of the old change the fishmongers in Candlewéeke stréete the Weauers then came into the Iewes stréete where all the Iewes did inhabite then went they to Blackwel hall where the country clothiers did vse to méete Afterward they procéeded and came to S. Pauls church whose steeple was so hye that it seemed to pierce the clouds on the top whereof was a great and mighty whethercocke of cleane siluer the which notwithstanding seemed as small as a sparrow to mens eyes it stood so exceeding high the which goodly weathercocke was afterwards stolen away by a cunning cripple who found meanes one night to climbe vp to the toppe of the stéeple and tooke it downe with the which and a great summe of mony which he had got together by begging in his life tune he builded a gate on the North-west side of the city which to this day is called Criple gate From thence they went to the Tower of London which was builded by Iulius Caesar who was Emperour of Rome And there they beheld salt and wine which had laine there euer since the Romans inuaded this land which was many yeares before our Sauiour Christ was borne the wine was growne so thicke that it might haue bin cut like a ielley And in that place also they sawe money that was made of leather which in ancient time went currant amongst the people When they had to their great contentation beheld all this they repaired to their lodgings hauing also a sumptuous supper ordained for them with all delight that might be And you shall vnderstand that when the country weauers which came vp with their dames saw the weauers of Candlewikestréet they had great desire presently to haue some conference with them and thus one began to challenge thother for workmanship quoth VVeasell I le worke with any of you all for a crowne take it if you dare and he that makes his yeard of cloth soonest shall haue it You shall be wrought withall said the other and if it were for tenne crownes but we wil make this bargaine that each of vs shall wynde their owne quilles Content quoth VVeasell and so to worke they went but VVesel lost Whereupon another of them tooke the matter in hand who lost likewise so that the London weauers triumphed against the country casting forth diuers frumps Alas poore fellowes quoth they your hearts are good but your hands are ill â—ush the fault was in their legges quoth another pray you friend were you not borne at home Whie doe you aske quoth VVeasell because said hee the biggest place of your legge is next to your shoe Cutbert hearing this being cholericke of nature chafed like a man of law at the barre and he wagers with them foure crowns to twain the others agreed to work they go but erab conquered them all Whereupon the London weauers were nipt in the head like birds and had not a word to say Now saith Crab as we haue lost nothing so you haue won nothing and because I know ye cannot be right weauers except you be good fellowes therefore if you will go with vs wee will bestow the ale vpon you That is spoken like a good fellow and like a weauer quoth the other So along they went as it were to the signe of the red Crosse. When they were set downe and had drunk well they began merrily to prattle and to ertoll Crab to the skies Whereupon Crab protested that he would come and dwell among them Nay that must not be sayd a London weauer the king hath giuen vs priuilege that none shal liue among vs but such as serue seuen yeeres in London With that Crab according to his old manner of prophesing sayd thus THe day is very neere at hand VVhen as a King of this faire land Shall priuiledge you more then so Theâ— weauers shall in scarlet go And to one brotherhood be brought The first that is in London wrought VVhen other trades-men by your fame Shall couet all to doe the same Then shall you all liue wondrous well But this one thing I shall you tell The day will come before the doome In Candleweeke streete shall stand no loome Nor any weauer dwelling there But men that shall more credit beare For clothing shall be sore decayed And men vndone that tâ—e that trade And yoâ— the day some â—en shall see This 〈…〉 shall raised be Whenas Bay liffe of Sarum towne Shal buy and purchase Bishops downe When there neuer man did sow Great store of goodly corne shall grow And woad that makes all colours sound Shall spring vpon that barren ground At that same day I tell you plaine Who so aliue doth then remaine A proper mayden there shall see Within the towne of Salisbury Of fauour sweete of nature
kind VVith goodly eies and yet starke blind This poore blind mayden I do say In age shall go in rich array And he that takes her to his wife Shall lead a ioyfull happy life The wealthiest Clothier shall he be That euer was in that country But clothing kept as it hath beene In London neuer shal be seene For weauers then the most shal win That worke for clothing next the skin Til pride the commonwealth doth peele And causeth huswiues leaue their wheele Then pouerty vpon each side Vnto those workemen shall be tide At that time from an Egles nest That proudly builded in the West A sort shal come with cunning hand To bring strange weauing in this land And by their gaines that great will fall They shall maynetaine the weauers hall But long they shall not flourish so But folly will them ouerthrow And men shall count it mickle shame To beare that kind of Weauers name And this as sure will come to passe As here is ale within this glasse When the silly soules that sate about him heard him speake in this sort they admired and honoured Crabbe for the same Why my masters said VVeasel do you woÌ„der at these words he will tell you twenty of these tales for which cause we call him our canuas Prophet his attire fits his title said they and we neuer heard the like in our liues and if this should be true it would be strange Doubt not but it will be true qd Weasel for I le tell you what he did but once sée our Nick kis Nel and presently he powred out this rime That kisâ—e O Nel God giue the ioy VVill nine monthes hence breede thee a boy And I le tell you what you shall heare we kept reckoning and it fell out as iust as Iones buttockes on a close stoole for which cause our maids durst neuer kisse a man in his sight vpon this they broke company went euery one about his busines the London weauers to their frames and the country fellowes to their dames who after their great banqueting and meriment went euery one home to their owne houses though with lesse money then they brought out yet with more pride Especially Simons wife of South-hampton who tolde the rest of her gossips that shée sawe no reason but that their husbands should mainetaine them aswell as the Marchants did their wiues for I tell you what quoth she we are as proper women in my conceit as the proudest of them all as handsome of body as faire of face our legs as well made and our féete as fine then what reason is there séeing our husbandes are of as good wealth but we should be as well maintained You say true gossip said Sâ—ttons wife trust me it made me blush to sée them braue it out so gallantly and we to goe so homely but before God said the other I will haue my husband to buy me a London gowne or in faith he shall haue little quiet so shall mine said another and mine too qd the third and all of them sung the same note so that when they came home their husbands had no little to do Especially Simon whose wife daily lay at him for London apparell to whome he sayd Good woman be content let vs go according to our place and ability what will the Bailiffes thinke if I should prancke thee vp like a Peacocke and thou in thy attire surpasse their wiues they would eyther thinke I were madde or else that I had more money then I could well vse consider I pray thée good wife that such as are in their youth wasters doe prooue in their age starke beggars Beside that it is inough to raise me vp in the Kings books for many times mens coffers are iudged by their garments why we are country folkes and must kéepe our selues in good compasse gray russet and good home-spun cloth doth best become vs I tell thée wife it were as vndecent for vs to go like Londoners as it is for Londoners to go like courtiers What a coyle kéepe you quoth she are not we Gods creatures aswell as Londoners and the Kings subiects aswell as they then finding our wealth to be as good as theirs why should we not goe as gay as Londoners No husband noâ— héere is the fault we are kept without it onely because our husbands are not so kind as Londoners why man a Cobler there kéepes his wife better then the best Clothier in this country nay I will affirme it that the London Oyster-wiues and the very Kitchin-staffe cryers do excéed vs in their Sundayes attyre nay more then that I did see the Water-bearers wife which belongs to one of our Marchants come in with a Tankered of water on her shoulder and yet halfe a dozen gold rings on her fingers You may then thinke wife quoth he she got them not with idlenesse But wife you must consider what London is the chiefe and capitall City of all the land a place on the which all strangers cast their eyes it is wife the Kings chamber and his Maiesties royall seate â—o that City repaires of all Nations vnder heauen Therefore it is most méete and conuenient that the cittizens of such a City should not goe in their apparell like Peasants but for the credit of our countrey weare such seemely habites as doo carry grauity and comelinesse in the eyes of all beholders But if we of the countrey went so quoth she were it not as great credit for the land as the other Woman qd her husband it is altogether needlesse and in diuers respects it may not be Why then I pray you quoth she let vs go dwell at London A word soone spoken said her husband but not so easie to be performed therefore wife I pray thée hold thy prating for thy talke is foolish yea yea husband your olde churlish conditions will neuer be left you keepe me here like a drudge and a droyle and so you may keepe your money in your purse you care not for your credit but before I will goe so like a shepheardesse I will first goâ— naked and I tel you plaine I scorn it greatly that you should clappe a gray gowne on my backe as if I had not brought you two pence before I was married you swore I should haue any thing that I requested but now all is forgotten And in saying this she went in and soone after she was so sicke that needes she must goe to bed and when she was laid she draue out that night with many grieuous groanes sighing and sobbing and no rest she could take God wot And in the morning when she should rise the good soule fell downe in a swowne which put her maidens in a great flight who running downe to their master cried out Alas alas our Dame is dead our Dame is dead The good man hearing this ran vp in all haste and there fell to rubbing and chafing of her temples sending for aqua vitae and saying Ah
bin there and sâ— king to pursue them by their footesteps they went a cleane contrary way by reason that the horses were shod backward when in vaine they had long persube them they returned being neuer the â—éere Now VVallis vsde his feate so long that at length he was taken and two more with him whereupon according to the priuiledge of the Towne they put Halters about the théeues neckes presently to hang them vp When they were come to the place appointed VVallis and the rest being out of all hope to escape death prepared themselues paciently to suffer the rigor of the law And there with the rest laying open the lewdnesse of his life greeuously lamenting for his sinnes at length commending their soules to God they yeelded their bodyes to the graue with which sight the people were greatly mooued with pitty because they had neuer séene men come to hanging before but when they should haue beene tyed vp Hodgekins willed one of his neighbours to play the Hangmans part who would not by any meanes do it although he was a very poore man who for his paines should haue beene possest of all their apparell When he would not yeeld to y â— office one of those which had his cloth stolen was commaunded to do the deed but he in like maner would not saying When I haue the skil to make a man I will hang a man if it chance my workmanship do not like me And thus from one to another the office of the Hangman was poasted off At last a Rogue came by whom they would haue compelled to haue done that deed Nay my Masters qd he not so but as you haue got a Priuiledge for the Towne so you were best to procure a Commission to make a hangman or else you are like to be without for me Neighbor Hogekins quoth one I pray you do this office your selfe you haue had most losse and therefore you should be the most readiest to hang them your selfe No not I quoth Hodgekins though my losse were ten times greater than it is notwithstanding look which of these théeues will take vppen him to hang the other shall haue his life saued otherwise they shall all to prison till I can prouide a hangman When Wallis saw the matter brought to this passe he began stoutly to reply saying My masters of the towne of Halifax though your priuiledge stretch to hang vp men presently that are found stealing your goods yet it giues you no warrant to imprison them till you prouide them a hangman my selfe with these my fellowes haue here yéelded our selues to satisfie the Law and if it be not performed the fault is yours and not ours and therefore we humbly take our leaue from the gallowes the xviij of August And with that he leapt from the ladder and cast the halter at Hodgekins face When the Clothiers saw this they knew not what to say but taking them by the sléeues intreated to haue their owne againe Not so qd VVallis you get not the valew of a plack or a â—awby we haue stolne your cloth then why do you not hang vs Here we haue made our selues ready and if you wil not hang vs chuse A plague on you quoth he you haue hindred me God knowes what I made account to dine this day in heauen and you keep me here on earth where there is not a quarter of that good cheare The foule euill take you all I was fully prouided to giue the gallows a box on the eare and now God knowes when I shall be in so good a mind againe and so he with the rest of his companions departed When Hodgekins saw that notwithstanding their théeuery how they flowted at their lenity he was much moued in mind and as he stood in his dumps chewing his cud making his dinner with a dish of melancholy a grey Frier reuerently saluted him in this sort All haile goodman Hodgekins happinesse and health be euer with you and to all suppressors of lewd liuers God send euerlasting ioyes I am sory goodman Hodgekins that the great priuiledge which our King gaue to this towne comes to no greater purpose better far had it bin that it had neuer beene graunted then so lightly regarded the towne hath suffred through their owne yéeâ—ishnes an euerlasting reproch this day onely because foolish pitty hath hindred iustice Consider that compassion is not to be had vpon théeues robbers pitty onely â—ppertayneth to the vertuous sort who are ouerwhelmed with the waues of misery and mischaunce What great cause of boldnes haue you giuen to bad liuers by letting these fellowes thus to escape and how shall you now kéepe your goods in safety séeing you fulfill not the law which should be your defence neuer thinke that theeues will make any conscience to carry away your goods when they find themselues in no danger of death who haue more cause to prayse your pitty then to commend your wisdome wherefore in time seeke to preuent the insuing euill For my owne part I haue that care of your good that I would work al good means for your benefit yet not so much in respect of your profit as for the desire I haue to vpholde iustice and seeing I find you and the rest so womanish that you could not find in your hearts to hang a theefe I haue deuised how to make a gin that shal cut off their heads without mans helpe and if the King will alow thereof When Hogekins heard this he was somewhat comforted in mind and sayd to the Frier that if by his cunning he would performe it he would once againe make suite to the King to haue his grant for the same The Frier willed him to haue no doubt in him and so when he had deuised it he got a Carpenter to frame it out of hand Hodgekins in the meane time posted vp to the Court and told his Maiesty that the priuiledge of Halifax was not worth a pudding Why so sayd our King Because quoth Hodgekins we can get neuer a hangman to trusse our theeues but if it shall like your good Grace quoth he there is a feat Frier that will make vs a deuice which shall without the hand of man cut off the cragges of all such Carles if your Maiesty will please to alow thereof The King vnderstanding the full effect of the matter at length granted his petition whereupon till this day it is obserued in Halifax that such as are taken stealing of their cloth haue their heads choyt off with the same gin How the Bailifes of London could get no man to be a catch pole and how certaine Flemings tooke that office vpon them whereof many of them were fled into this Realm by reason of certaine waters that had drowned a great part of their country Chap. 9. THe City of London being at this time gouerned by Bayliffes it came to passe that in a certaine fray two of their catch-poles were killed for at that time they