bald by mens abusing it O Histories you soueraigne balmes to the bodyes of the dead that preserue them more fresh then if they were aliue kéepe the fames of Princes from perishing when marble monuments cannot not saue their bones from being rotten you faithfull entelligensers betwéene Kingdomes and Kingdomes your truest councellors to Kings euen in their greatest dangers Hast thou an ambition to be equall to Princes read such bookes as are the Chronicles of Ages gone before thée there maiest thou finde lines drawre if vertue be thy guide to make thee paralell with the greatest Monarch wouldest thou be aboue him there is the scale of him ascending Huntst thou after glory marke in those pathes how others haue run and follow thou in the same course Art thou sicke in minde and so to be diseased is to be sicke euen to the death there shalt thou finde physicke to cure thée Art thou sad where is swéeter musicke then in reading Art thou poore open those closets and inualuable treasures are powred into thy hands Whilest I dwelt vpon the contemplation of this happinesse the dreames of Infants were not more harmelesse then my thoughts were nor the slumbers of a conscience that hath no sting to kéepe it waking more delicate then the musicke which I found in reading but the swéetest flower hath his withering and euery pleasure his ending This full Sea had a quicke fall and the day that was warme and bright in the morning had frosts and gloomy darknesse to spoile the beauty of it ere it grew to be noone for on a suddaine all the aire was filled with noise as if heauen had bin angry and chid the earth for her Villanies people rush headlong together like torrents running into the sea full of fury in shew but loosing the effect of doing violence because they know not how to do it their rage and madnesse burning in them like fire in wet straw it made a great stinking smoake but had no flame Wildnesse and afrightment were ill fauouredly drawne in euery face as if they had all come from acting some fresh murder and that at euery step they were pursued Arme was cryed and swords were drawne but either they had no hearts to strike or no hands for like so many S. Georges on horse-backe they threatned but gaue not a blow euery one fearing to smite first least the rest should make that an occasion to kill him for beginning the quarrell But at the last drummes were heard to thunder and trumpets to sound alarums murmure ran vp downe euery streete and confusion did beate at the gates of euery City men met together and ran in heards like Deere frighted or rather like Beares chased or else séeking for prey But what wild beasts thinke you were these that thus kept such a roaring it was a people sauage and desperate a nation patchd vp like a beggers cloake of the worst péeces that could be gathered out of all nations and put into one They were more scattered then the Iewes and more hated more beggerly then the Irish and more vnciuill more hardy then the Switzers and more brutish giuen to drinke more then the Dutch to pride more then the French to irreligion more then the Italian They were like the Dunkirkes a mingle mangle of countries a confusion of languages yet all vnderstanding one another Such as the people were such was the Princesse whom they followed she had all their conditions they all hers séeming to be made for no other purpose then to gouerne them because none else could be bad inough to be their gouernour They obeyed her not for loue nor feare but made her onely great amongst them because it was their will to haue it so she amongst a number of vices that reigned in her hauing onely this vertue of a Prince not to see her people take wrong Into armes therfore as well for her owne chastity as defence of her subiects doth she determine to put her selfe presently A faithful serious inquisition made I to vnderstād the cause of this suddaine and vniversall vprore and by true intelligence from persons of either side found that the quarrell was old the enmity mortall the enemies puissant and fierce many leagues had béene made and all were broken no conditious of peace would now be looked vpon open warre must be the the sword to stricke open wrong The fires kindled by Guizian Leagues set not France in hotter combustions then these are likely to proue if the flames in time be not wisely quenched The showers of bloud which once rained downe vpon the heads of the two kingly families in England neuer drowned more people not that braue Romane tragedy acted in our time at the battel of Neuport not the siege of Bommell where heads flew from sholders faster then bullets from the Cannon No nor all those late acts of warre and death commenced by Hispaniolized Netherlanders able to make vp a Chronicle to hold all the world reading did euer giue rumour cause to speak so much as the battailes of these two mighty enemies so mortally falling out will force her to proclaime abroade vnlesse they grow to a reconcilement to which by the coniecture of all strangers that haue trauailed into both their dominions and know the hot and ambitious spirits of the quarrellers they cannot easily be drawne for no one paire of scales being able to hold two Kings at one time and this law being ingrauen on the very inside of euery Kings crowne because it is the wedding ring of his Empire to which hée is the Bride-groome that Nulla fides socijs Regni omnisque potestas Impatiens Consortis erit At the sterne of a kingdome two Pilots must not sit nor principality endure a partner and againe that Non capit Regnum duos A Kingdome is heauen and loues not two suns shining in it How is it possible or how agréeable to the politick grounds of state that two such potentates should be vnited in firme friendship sithence their quarrel is deriued from an equall claime of soueraignety Ouer Citties is there ambition to bée Superiours yet not together but alone and not onely ouer London the great Metropolis of England but also ouer Paris in the kingdom of Fraunce ouer Ciuil and Madril in Spaine ouer Rome in Italy Francfurt and Colin in high Germany Antwerp in Brabant Elsinor in Denmarke Prage in Bohemia Craconia in Poland Belgrad in Hungary and so ouer all the other Capitall Citties that bewtifies the greatest Kingdomes of Europe For Signority in these doe they contend Haue you not a longing desire to know the names of the generals that are to commaund these expected armies and from what countries they come what forces march with them and what warlike Stratagems they stand vpon I haue a little before roughly drawne the picture of one of them the Princesse her selfe being barbarous néedy of great power
the very wickets of the City gates and by the sound of trumpet did often summon Money to appeare in her likenesse and not to hide her proud cowardly head Parlies were nine or ten times called on the Forreners part that dwelt without but no answere returned from those that slept within the Frée-dome Which scornefull disdaine being taken in snuffe by the poore snakes who already began to shiuer with cold Pouertie their Ringleader quickned the chilnesse of ther frozen spirits by the heate of a braue resolution newly kindled in her owne bloud for calling Scatter-good her owne Herald that still rides before her when any tempest of warre is towards him she chargeth vpon his life and allegiance to go to the walles and boldly to throw in her name a proud defiance in the very face of Money telling her that for the safety of liues which ly in the ballance of warre she desires that two onely may arbitrate the quarrell in a Monarchy and that therefore Pouerty challengeth Money to leaue the City if she dare and hand to hand to grapple with her Scatter-good because he was knowne to be an Herald was admitted to haue a sight of Money and vpon first presenting himselfe very stoutly deliuered his Ladies defiance Money was noâ—ed to change colour and to looke excéeding pale all the while the challenge was breathing forth either for very anger or extreame feare but those that knew her qualities swore it was with anger and the conclusion iustified their oath for on a soddaine shaking her golden tresses with a maiesticall brauery she defied that base defiance in regard the sender was of slauish and beggerly condition Her selfe being high-borne of bloud royall of Noble discent the other a penurious fugitiue a méere canting Mort traytor to all kingdomes corrupter to all learning mother of none but such as are â—urdensome to euery Common-wealth They both standing therefore vpon so vnequall bases Money may by the law of Armes refuse the combat and in plaine tearmes did so disdaining to defile her glorious hands vpon so wretched and infamous an enemy but with a full oath swore and vowed to weary Pouerty and all her lank-bellied army by driuing them quite from the gates of the City or else to hold her and them play within so long till she and her suncke-eyed company famish and dye vnder the walles And for that purpose albeit she her selfe swim in pleasures and in plenty and though the earth opens her wombe liberally powring forth her blessing to all thankfull creatures yet will she onely to vndo them and punish their carkases with pennury and famine send her precepts into euery shire to all rich Farmers Land-lords and Graziers that they by exprrsse commandement from her and her Lords vpon their allegiance and loue they owe to Money and as they are her slaues vasâ—â—iles and subiects cause hard times to be made onely to pinch the poore Hungarians and to disable their sallow facd Empresse from once approaching the walles These words she vttred with indignation and high colour in her chéekes and hauing eased the greatnesse of her wrath commanded the messenger away yet ere he went to shew that a true Prince when he wrastleth hardest with his owne passions should be carefull still of his renowne fame and honours she bestowed a golden chaine on Scatter-good which Pouerty tooke from him as scorning to sée any fauours giuen by her enemy worne by any of her subiects especially her housholde seruants Scarce was the Herald turnd out at the Citty gates but the glorious mother of Plenty checking her owne great spirit for giuing her enemy so much cause to triumph ouer her as to proclaime her a coward was halfe mad with rage at her owne folly and in that heate of bloud charged her droms to strike vp her colours to be spread her armies to be put in array and the gates of the City to be set wide open for in a brauado she vowed to issue forth and bid battaile to the beggerly Tartarians that beleagerd her But her councel wiser then so kept her in perforce doubling the guards about her and inchaunting her eare with all the bewitched tunes of musicke to cast her into a slumber till these stormes in her were at quiet which if they had not done but had pitched the field as she once determined it is by many probabilities thought that Pouerty had had a great hand ouer her and would haue put her to the worst They therefore locked her vp as it were by Iron force compelling her against her frée-borne nature and condition to be directed by them and to lye close for a time till noble aduantage should call her into action and making present vse of her owne former spéeches a common councell was called where by the generall head it was ordered that Hard-heartednesse should haue the keyes of the City in kéeping his office and charge being not to suffer Money to goe out of the gates though she her selfe in proper person commanded it and was further ordained that precepts should presently be drawne into all Shires Countries and Cities The tenor of which precepts followeth By the Queene of Gold and Siluer TO all and Singular our Shires Countries Cities Corporations Townes Villages Hamblets c. by what name or title soeuer to whom these presents shall come and to all you our obedient Subiects Slaues and Vassailes commonly stiled by the names of Money-mongers viz. rich Farmers yong Land-lords Engrossers Graziers Forestallers Hucksters Haglers c. with all the residue of our industrious hearty louing people in all or any of these our shires or places formerly recited either now resident or at any time or times hereafter to be resident greeting These are to will and require you vpon especial and expresse commandement deliuered in our owne person and as you will answere the contrary at your vtmost perrils First that you the said rich Farmers by your best power meanes sleights pollicies by-waies and thrifty endeuours cast all the nets you can to get all manner of graine that growes within your reach and being so gotten to aduance raise and heighthen the prices of them worke vpon the least inch of aduantage make vse of all seasons hot cold wet dry foule or faire in one rainy weeke your wheate may swell from foure shillings the bushell to six shillings seuen shillings nay eight shillings Sweepe whole markets before you as you passe through one towne if you finde the corne like mens consciences and womens honesties low-prized sell the same in other townes when the price is enhanced Let the times be deere though the grounds be fruitfull and the Markets kept empty though your barnes like Cormorants bellies breake their butten-holes and rather then any of Pouerties soldiers who now range vp and downe the kingdome besieging our Cities threatning the confusion spoile and dishonour both of you and vs should haue bread to
of fine gold thy waters like frindges of siluer hang at the hemmes of thy garments Thou art the goodliest of thy neighbors but the prowdest the welthiest but the most wanton Thou hast all things in thee to make thee fairest and all things in thee to make thee foulest for thou art attir'de like a Bride drawing all that looke vpon thee to be in loue with thee but there is much harlot in thine eyes Thou sitst in thy Gates heated with Wines and in thy Chambers with lust What miseries haue of late ouertaken thee yet like a foole that laughs when hee is putting on fetters thou hast bin merry in height of thy misfortunes She that for almost halfe a hundred of yeeres of thy Nurse became thy Mother and layd thee in her bosome whose head was full of cares for thee whilst thine slept vpon softer pillowes than downe She that wore thee alwayes on her brest as the richest Iewell in her kingdome who had continually her eye vpon thee and her heart with thee whose chaste hand clothed thy Rulers in Scarlet and thy Inhabitants in roabes of peace euen she was taken from thee when thou wert most in feare to lose her when thou didst tremble as at an earth-quake to thinke that bloud should runne in thy Channels that the Canon should make away through thy Portcullises and fire rifle thy wealthy houses then euen then wert thou left full of teares and becamst an Orphan But behold thou hadst not sat many howres on the banks of sorrow but thou hadst a louing Father that adopted thee to be his owne thy mourning turnd presently to gladnes thy terrors into triumphs Yet lest this fulnesse of ioy should beget in thee a wantonnes and to try how wisely thou couldst take vp affliction Sicknes was sent to breathe her vnholsome ayres into thy nosthrils so that thou that wert before the only Gallant and Minion of the world hadst in a short time more diseases then a common Harlot hath hanging vpon thee thou suddenly becamst the by-talke of neighbors the scorne and contempt of Nations Heere could I make thee weepe thy selfe away into waters by calling back those sad and dismall houres wherein thou consumedst almost to nothing with shrikes and lamentations in that Wonderfull yeere when these miserable calamities entred in at thy Gates slaying 30000. and more as thou heldst them in thine armes but they are fresh in thy memory and the story of them but halfe read ouer would strike so coldly to thy heart and lay such heauy sorrow vpon mine Namque animus meminisse horret luctuque refugit that I will not be thine and my owne tormentor with the memory of them How quickly notwithstanding didst thou forget that beating The wrath of him that smot thee was no sooner in meere pitty of thy stripes appeased but howrely againe thou wert in the company of euill doers euen before thou couldst finde leysure to aske him forgiuenes Euer since that time hath hee winckt at thy errors and suffred thee though now thou art growne old and lookest very ancient to goe on still in the follyes of thy youth he hath ten-fold restor'de thy lost sonnes and daughters and such sweete liuely fresh colours hath hee put vpon thy cheekes that Kings haue come to behold thee and Princes to delight their eyes with thy bewty None of all these fauours for all this can draw thee from thy wickednes Graces haue powrd downe out of heauen vpon thee and thou art rich in all things sauing in goodnes So that now once againe hath he gone about and but gone about to call thee to the dreadfull Barre of his Iudgement And no maruaile for whereas other Citties as glorious as thy selfe and other people as deare vnto him as thine haue in his indignation bin quite taken from the face of the earth for some one peculiar Sinne what hope hast thou to grow vp still in the pride of thy strength gallantnes and health hauing seuen deadly and detestable sinnes lying night by night by thy lasciuious sides O thou beawtifullest daughter of two vnited Monarchies from thy womb receiued I my being frō thy brests my nourishment yet giue me leaue to tell thee that thou hast seuen Diuels within thee and till they be cleane cast out the Arrowes of Pestilence will fall vpon thee by day and the hand of the Inuader strike thee by night The Sunne will shine but not be a comfort to thee and the Moone looke pale with anger whē she giues thee light Thy Louers will disdayne to court thee thy Temples will no more send out Diuine oracles Iustice will take her flight and dwell else-where and that Desolation which now for three yeeres together hath houered round about thee will at last enter and turne thy Gardens of pleasure into Church-yards thy Fields that seru'd thee for walks into Golgotha and thy hye built houses into heapes of dead mens Sculs I call him to witnes who is all Truth I call the Cittizens of heauen to witnes who are all spotlesse that I slander thee not in saying thou nourishest seuen Serpents at thy brests that will destroy thee let all thy Magistrates and thy officers speake for me let Strangers that haue but seene thy behauiour be my Iudges let all that are gathered vnder thy wings and those that sleepe in thy bosome giue their verdict vpon me yea try me as thy brabblings are by all thy Petit and Graund Iurors and if I belye thee let my Country when I expire deny me her common blessing Buriall Lift vp therefore thy head thou Mother of so many people awaken out of thy dead and dangerous slumbers and with a full and fearelesse eye behold those seuen Monsters that with extended iawes gape to swallow vp thy memory for I will into so large a field single euery one of them that thou and all the world shall see their vglinesse for by seeing them thou mayst auoyd them and by auoyding them be the happiest and most renowned of Citties Politick Bankruptisme Or The first dayes Triumph of the first Sinne. IT is a custome in all Countries when great personages are to be entertained to haue great preparation made for them and because London disdaines to come short of any City either in Magnificence State or expences vpon such an occasion solemne order was set downe and seuen seuerall solemne dayes were appointed to receiue these seuen Potentates for they carry the names of Princes on the earth and wheresoe're they inhabit in a short time are they Lords of great Dominions The first dayes Triumphs were spent in méeting and conducting Politick Bankruptisme into the Fréedome to receiue whom the Master the Kéepers and all the Prisoners of Ludgate in their best clothes stood most officiously readie for at that Gate his Deadlinesse challenges a kind of prerogatiue by the Custome of the Citie and there loues he most to be let in The thing they stood vpon was a
Scaffold erected for the purpose stuck round about with a few gréene boughes like an Alehouse booth at a Fayre and couered with two or thrée thréed-bare Carpets for prisoners haue no better to hide the vnhandsomnes of the Carpenters worke the boughes with the very strong breath that was prest out of the vulgar withered like Autumnian leaues dropt to the ground which made the Broken Gentleman to hasten his progresse the more and the rather because Lud and his two sonnes stood in a very cold place waiting for his comming Being vnder the gate there stood one arm'd with an extemporall speech to giue him the onset of his welcome It was not I would you should well know the Clarke of a country parish or the Schoolemaster of a corporate towne the euery yéere has a saying to Master Maior but it was a bird pickt out of purpose amongst the Ludgathians that had the basest and lowdest voice and was able in a Terme time for a throat to giue any prisoner great ods for the bor at the grate this Organ-pipe was â—unde to rore for the rest who with a hye sound glib deliuery made an Encomiastick Paradoxicall Oration in praise of a prison prouing that captiuity was the only blessing that could happen â—o man and that a Politick Bankrupt because he makes himselfe for euer by his owne wit is able to liue in any common wealth and deserues to go vp the ladder of promotion wheÌ„ fiue hundred shallowpâ—ted feollwes shall be turnd off The poore Orator hauing made vp his mouth Bankruptisme gaue him very good words a handful or two of thanks vowing he would euer liue in his debt At which all the prisoners rending the ayre with shouts the key was turnd vp in state was he led into king Luds house of Bondage to suruey the building and to take possession of the lodgings where he no sooner enâ—red but a â—usty peale of welcomes was shot out of Kannes in stead of Canons and though the powder was excéeding wet yet off they went thick and thréefold The day was proclaymed Holiday in all the wardes euery prisoner swore if he would stay amongst them they would take no order about their debts because they would lye by it too and for that purpose swaâ—md about him like Bées about Comfit-makers and were drunke according to all the learned rules of Drunkennes as Vpsy-Freeze Craâ—bo Parmizant c. the pimples of this ranck and full-humord ioy rising thus in their faces because they all knew that though he himselfe was broken the linings of his bags were whole though he had no conscience but a crackt one yet he had crownes that were â—ound None of all these â—ookes could fasten him to them he was like their clocks to strike in more places than one though he knew many Citizens hated him and that if he were encountred by some of them it might cost him déere yet vnder so good a protection did he go as he said because he owed no ill will euen to those that most sought his vndoing and therefore tooke his leaue of the house with promise to be with them or send to theÌ„ once euery quarter at the least So that now by his wise instructions if a Puny were there amongst them he might learne more cases and more quiddits in law within seuen dayes that he does at his Inne in fourtéene moneths The Politician béeing thus got into the City caries himself to discreetly that he steales into the hearts of many In words is he circumspect in lookes graue in attire ciuill in diet temperate in company affable in his affaires serious and so cunningly dooes he lay on these colours that in the end he is welcome to and familiar with the best So that now there is not any one of all the twelue Companies in which at one time or other there are not those that haue forsaken their owne Hall to be frée of his yea some of your best Shop-kéepers hath he entited to shut themselues vp from the cares and busines of the world to liue a priuate life nay there is not any great and famous Streete in the City wherein there hath not or now doth not dwell some one or other that hold the points of his Religion For you must vnderstand that the Politick Bankrupt is a Harpy that lookes smoothly a Hyena that enchants subtilly a Mermaid that sings swéetly and a Cameleon that can put himselfe into all colours Sometimes hée 's a Puritane he sweares by nothing but Indéede or rather does not sweare at alâ— and wrapping his crafty Serpents body in the cloake of Religion he does those acts that would become none but a Diuell Sometimes hee 's a Protestant and deales iustly with all men till he sée his time but in the end he turnes Turke Because you shall beléeue me I will giue you his length by the Scale and Anatomize his body from head to foote Héere it is Whether he be a Tradesman or a Marchant when he first sets himselfe vp and séekes to get the world into his hands yet not to go out of the City or first talks of Countries he neuer saw vpon the Change he will be sure to kéepe his dayes of payments more truly then Lawyers kéepe their Termes or than Executors kéepe the last lawes that the dead inioyned them to which euen Infidels themselues will not violate his hand goes to his head to his meanest customer to expresse his humilitie he is vp earlier then a Sarieant and downe later then a Constable to proclaime his thrift By such artificiall whéeles as these he winds himselfe vp into the height of rich mens fauors till he grow rich himselfe and when he sées that they dare build vpon his credit knowing the ground to be good he takes vpon him the condition of an Asse to any man that will loade him with gold and vseth his credit like a Ship freighted with all sorts of Merchandize by ventrous Pilots for after he hath gotten into his hands so much of other mens goods or money as will fill him to the vpper deck away he sayles with it and politickly runnes himselfe on ground to make the world beléeue he had sufferd shipwrack Then flyes he out like an Irish rebell and kéepes aloofe hiding his head when he cannot hide his shame and though he haue fethers on his back puld froÌ„ sundry birds yet to himselfe is he more wretched then the Cuckoo in winter that dares not be séene The troupes of honest Citizens his creditors with whom he hath broken league and hath thus defyed muster themselues together and proclaime open warre their bands consist of tall Yeomen that serue on foot coÌ„manded by certaine Sarieants of their bands who for leading of men are knowne to be of more experieÌ„ce thâ—n the best Low-countrey Captaines In Ambuscado do these lye day night to cut off this enemy to the City if he dare but come
another for it ô it would heget a riming Comedy The Challenge of the Germayne against all the Masters of the Noble Science would not bring in a quarter of the money for there is not halfe so much loue betweene the Iron and the Loadestone as there is mortall hate betwéene those two Furies The Usurer liues by the lechery of mony and is Bawd to his owne bags taking a fée that they may ingender The Politick Bankrupt liues by the gelding of bags of Siluer The Usurer puts out a hundred pouÌ„d to bréede and lets it run in a good pasture that 's to say in the lands that are mortgag'd for it till it grow great with Foale and bring forth ten pound more But the Politick Bankrupt playes the Alchimist and hauing taken a hundred pound to multiply it he kéepes a puffing and a blowing as if he would fetch the Philosophers stone out of it yet melts your hundred pound so lâ—ng in his Crusibles till at length to either melt it cleane away or at the least makes him that lends it thinke good if euery hundred bring him home â—iue with Principall and Interest You may behold now in this Perspectiue piece which I haue drawne before you how deadly and dangerous an enemy to the State this Politick Bankrupusme hath bin still is It hath bin long enough in the Citty and for anything I sée makes no great haste to get out His triumphs haue bin great his entertainement rich and magnificent He purposes to lye héere as Lucifers Legiar let him therefore alone in his lodging in what part of the Citty soeuer it be tossed and turmoyled with godlesse slumbers and let vs take vp a standing néere some other Gate to behold the Entrance of the Second Sinne but before you go looke vpoÌ„ the Chariot that this First is drawne in and take speciall note of all his Attendants The habit the qualities and complexion of this Embassador sent from Hell are set downe before He rides in a Chariot drawne vpon three whéeles that run fastest away when they beare the greatest loades The bewty of the Chariot is all in-layd work cunningly artificially wrought but yet so strangely and of so many seuerall-fashiond pieces none like another that a sound wit would misâ—rust they had bin stolne from sundry worke-men By this prowd Counterfet ran two Pages on the left side Conscience raggedly attirde ill-fac'd ill-coloured and misshapen in body On the right side runs Beggery who if he out-liue him goes to serue his children Hipocrisy driues the Chariot hauing a couple of fat well-coloured and lusty Coach-horses to the eye cald Couetousnes and Cosenage but full of diseases rotten about the heart Behind him follow a crowd of Trades-men and Merchants euery one of them holding either a Shop-booke or an Obligation in his hand their seruants wiues and children strawing the way before him with curses but he carelesly runnes ouer the one and out-rides the other at the tayle of whom like the Pioners of an Army march troopewise and without any Drum struck vp because the Leader can abide no noyse a company of old expert Sarieants bold Yeomen hungry Baylifs and other braue Martiall men who because like the Switzers they are well payd are still in Action and oftentimes haue the enemy in execution following the héeles of this Citty-Conqueror so close not for any loue they owe him but only as all those that follow great men do to get mony by him We will leaue them lying in Ambush or holding their Courts of Gard and take a muster of our next Regiment The seuen deadly 2. Lying Or The second dayes Triumph WHen it came to the eares of the Sinfull Synagogue how the rich Iew of London Barabbas Bankruptisme their brother was receyued into the Citty and what a lusâ—y Reueler he was become the rest of the same Progeny being 6. in number vowd to ryde thither in their greatest State and that euery one should challenge to himselfe if be could enter a seuerall day of Tryumph for so he might doe by their owne Customes Another therefore of the Broode being presently aptly acconâ—â—red and armed Cap-a-pe with all furniture fit for such an Inuader sets forward the very next morning and arriu'de at one of the Gates before any Porters eyes were vnglewd To knocke hee thought it no policy because such fellowes are commonly most churlish when they are most intreated and are key-cold in their comming downe to Strangers except they be brybed to stay there with such â— confusion of faces round about him till light should betray him might call his Arriuall being strange and hidden into question besides he durst not send any Spy he had to listen what newes went amongst the people and whether any preparation were made for him or that they did expect his approche because indéede there was not any one of the Damned Crewe that followed his tayle whom he durst trust for a true word He resolues therefore to make his entrance not by the sword but by some sleyght what storme or fayre weather soeuer should happen And for that purpose taking asunder his Charriot for it stood altogether like a Germane clock or an English Iack or Turne-spit vpon skrewes and vices he scatters his Troope vpon the fields and hye-way into small companies as if they had bene Irish beggers till at last espying certayne Colliers with Carts most sinfully loaden for the Citty and behind them certayne light Country Horse-women ryding to the Markets hée mingled his Footemen carelesly amongst these and by this Stratagem of Coales brauely thorow Moore-gate got within the walles where marching not like a plodding Grasyer with his Droues before him but like a Citty-Captayne with a Company as pert as Taylours at a wedding close at his héeles because nowe they knewe they were out of feare hée musters together all the Hackneymen and Horse-courses in and about Colman-streete No sooner had these Sonnes and Heyres vnto Horse-shooes got him into their eyes but they wept for ioy to behold him yet in the ende putting vp their teares into bottles of Hay which they held vnder their armes and wyping their slubberd chéekes with wispes of cleane Strawe prouyded for the nonce they harnessed the Grand Signiors Caroach mounted his Cauallery vpon Curtals and so sent him most pompously like a new elected Dutch Burgomaster into the Citty He was lookt vpon strangely by all whom he met for at the first few or none knew him few followed him few bid him welcome But after hée had spent héere a very little péece of time after it was voyc'd that Monsieur Mendax came to dwell amongst them and had brought with him all sorts of politick falshood and lying what a number of Men Women and Children fell presently in loue with him There was of euery Trade in the City and of euery profession some that instantly were dealers with him For you must note that in a State so multitudinous where so many
there be erected one sound sufficient and well painted whipping poste the very sight of which wil not only scarre them worse then the scowting face of a Serieant being seen peeping through a red lettice frights a yong gallant but also in time driue the whole band of Tatterdemalions from poste to piller Dixi. No sooner was Dixi sounded but the maine points of this Parsimonions oration came backe againe like an eccho from all the rest of the voices there present All their breath blew one way all their councels were directed and went only by this compasse Money weighing in the vpright scales of her iudgement their wise and thirsty opinions found them not halfe a graine too light and therefore very royally yâ—elded to whatsoeuer they consulted vpon whereupon sodaine order was giuen and all speedy preparation made for the entertainment and receiuing of Money into the Citie whose presence all the Cittizens day and night thirsted to behold To set downe all the deuices the intended merriments the shâ—wes the ceremonies the diligence of workemen for standings and scaffoldings the inexplicable ioy of Poets who did nothing but pen encomious Gratulatorie to bid her welcome drinking healths in rich malago to the honour of her and their mistresses the nine Muses and on the other side to point to the life the seuerall glad faces gestures and action of the players who had pined for her absence a long and tedious vacation or to t 〈◊〉 what dressing vp of howses there were by all the neate dames and Ladies within the fréedome what starching of ruffes what poaking whaâ— stiffning of falles what painting of chéekes lips as if they had béene yâ— two leaued gates of a new choseÌ„ Alderman are able if they were set down at large to adde a third volume to our English Chronicles Time at length turned vp his Glasse and the Holliday so gapingly looked for was come Diuisum imperium cum Ioue Nummus habet had Ioue béen hidden to dinner to the Guyld hall on Simon and Iudes day he could not haue had more welcomes giuen him then Money had Oh! with what iocund hearts did the Cittizens receiue her The Mercers swore by their maydenhead that all their polliticke pent-houses should bee clothed in cloth of siluer so they were The silkemen guarded their very posts with gold lace and thereupon euer since the fashion of larding suites with so much lace is come vp But aboue all the Company of the Goldsmiths receiued her with the greatest honour and she againe to pay their loues home did as much or more honour them for they spread all their stalles with gréene cotten and so adorned their shoppes that they looked like a spring garden in which grew flowers of gold set in such order comely equipage it would haue rauished any poore mans eie to behold them Here in the very midst of the rowe she allighted from her Chariot staid a prety space enriched both the shopkéepers and their wiues with her presence cheapning of 2. or 3. of them some of their fairest iewels the beautie of their faces béeing of farre richer value then the costliest iewels there and more worth beeing rightly estimated then the best stone in the whole rowe and by this her staying at their stalles heaped on their heads this grace besides All her chosen Courtiers came hereby acquainted with their delicate wiues and euer after their husbands had of them perpetuall custome At last mounting againe into her Chariot she rode on being as richly attended as her selfe was glorious Desert and Learning ran by her side as her footemeÌ„ Bounty guided the horses that drew her Lust Epicurisme Pride and Follie were 4. Querries of the Stable and had much adoe to leade a goodly-coloured fatte beast called Sensualitie that for more state went emptie by Money neuer riding on the backe of that spotted Panther but onely for speede and to ride away Beautie Honestie Youth and Pleasure came in a Caroach behinde her as her wayting women Old Age her Treasurer rode bare-headed before her Thrift carried the priuie purse Riot a smooth-fac'd Ganimed slept in her lap whose chéeke she would so often kiâ—â—e that he grew proud and carelesse of her fauours What a world it was to see men whose backe bones were almost growne compasse because their eies should still be fixed vppon their graues running more gréedily after her then after Physitions to take off those diseases that hang most spitefully vpon Age. Some ran out of the Church to sée her with greater deuotion following her all the way that she went then the former deitie they worshipped Young men did onely cast a glaunce at her and staid not long in her â—â—ght other women pleased them better if they weâ—e young Courtiers they had their Mistresses if Merchants men their maisters maides that go fine by weight and measure imitating in darke corners their maisters profession if Seruingmen the waiting wenches doe commonly fit them a peniworth in this state Magnificence and royalty this Empresse arriues in the very heart of the City a strong guard being planted about her Trenches Bulwarkes and Fortifications inuincible as walles of Iron being cast raised vp and manned against the assaults of her tottred enemies who brake like so many wilde Irish and are left without the Citie onely to rub their backes against the walles Presently for more defence were all the gates shut the Porcullises let downe double lockes put to making thicke barres to hammering and all the subtilties which the wit of man could possibly find out were put in practise to kéepe Money safe within the City To second which prouident courses proclamations went presently forth to banish all those that were like to be of Pouerties company for feare they should reuolt in time of most néede wherupon many thousands with bagge and baggage were compelled to leaue the citie and cling onely to the Suburbs In whose roomes Money entertaines rich strangers of al nations hauing those that should be these she puts into office and traines them vp for Soldiers to be néerest about her because shee sées they come well prouided and armed out of forraine countries and therefore dares trust their diligence against those her halfe-shirted enemies the rather because they cannot abide to sée a begger amongst them especially if he be of their owne nation The fires of this dissention growing hotter and hotter on both sides were more likely to flame more fiercely then to be quenched by the aproach of Pouerty and her ragged regiments who by her scoutes vnderstanding that the golden Idoll which so many fooles knéele to was carryed and kept close within the walles of the City being as the Pollodium was to Troy thither she marches with all spéed but perceiuing all places of entrance barred vp she pitcheth her tents round about the Suburbs planteth her artilery against the walles leuelleth her great ordnance vpon
requested it might be at beggers bush But euery soldier swore that was a lowzy place and so for a day or two it rested vncertaine and vndetermined In which Interim a murmuring went vp and downe that not onely Pouerty had maintained this terrible Siege against the City but that Dearth also Famine and the Plague were lately ioyned with the same Army besides many strange and incurable diseases were crept into the camp that followed Money for Ryot her minion was almost spent and lay in a consumption A hundred in a company were drowned in one night in French bowles fiue times as many more were tormented with a terrible gnawing about their consciences All the Usurers in the Army had hung themselues in chaines within lesse then three howers and all the Brokers being their Bastards went crying vp and downe The Diuell the Diuell and thereupon because they should not disquiet the rest of the Soldiers they were fetched away These and such other vnexpected mischifes put Money into many feares doubts and distractions so that she inwardly wished that these vnlucky warres had either neuer béene begun or else that they were well ended by the conclusion if it might be of some honourable peace And as these stormes of misery fell upon Money and her troopes so was the army of Pouerty plagued as much or more on the other side nothing could be heard amongst the Souldiers but cries complaints cursings blasphemies Oathes and ten thousand other blacke and damned spirits which euer hawnted them and their Generall herselfe Want pinched them in the day and wildnesse and rage kept them waking and raueing all the night Their soules were desperate their bodies consumed they were weary of their liues yet compelled to liue for furder miseries and nothing did comfort them but a foolish hope they had to be reuenged vpon Money So that so many plagues so many diseases so many troubles and inconueniencies following both the armies by meanes of the tedious Siege a perpetuall truce league and confederacy was confirmed by Money and Pouerty and the councellors on either part that in euery Kingdome euery Shire and euery City the one should haue as much to doe as the other that Pouerties subiects should be euer in a redinesse as the Switzers are for pay to fight for Money if she craued their aid that Money againe should help them whensoeuer they did néede and that sithence they were two Nations so mighty and so mingled together and so dispersed into all parts of the world that it was impossible to seuer them A 〈…〉 presently enacted that Fortune should no longer bee blinde but that all the Doctors and Surgeons should by waters and other 〈◊〉 helpe her to eies that she might see those vpon whom shee bestowes her blessings because fooles are serued at her doale with riches which they know not how to vse wise men are sent away like beggers from a misers gate with empty wallets The Armies hereupon brake vp the Siege raised the Citty gates set wide open Shop keepers felâ—â—â— their old What doe you lacke The rich men feast one another as they were wâ—nt and the poore were kept poore 〈◊〉 in pollicy because they should doe no more hurt FINIS 〈◊〉 Elizaâ—ethâ— death King Iames his Coronation * A Booke so called written by the Author describing the horror of the Plague in 1602 when there dyed 30578. of that disease King of England and Christierne King of Denmarke The maner how Bankâ—uptisme is entertained and at what Gate Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris Misery makes men cunning His qualities His disguises His policy Against forced Mariages Against cruell Creditors Against vnconsionable Maisters 2700 and odde yeeâ—es since London was first builded by Bâ—ute Against want of places for Buriall in extremity of sicknes 1602. Against want of prouision for those that dye in the fields The Conclusion The miseres that a Plague brings to Men. Play-houses stand empty Poets walke in meâ—ancholy Neâ— dant proceres â—eque histriones Ignauum corrumpunt otia corpus The Beares are hardly put downe Paris garden an Image of hell Poore men coÌ„tending with rich men are as dogâ— fighting with Beares Innocence punished No slaue like the soothing vp of fooles in their vices Nulla est sincera â—aiâ—â—taâ— Excellence of Histories Et quae mox imitêre legas Discitur hinc nullos merâ—tis obsifiere casus Discitur hinc quantum pauâ— Pertas sobreâ— possit A Commotion O quantum cogit egestus VVhat vices are companions for the most part with pouerty The quarrel betweene money and pouerty Diuitis hoc vitiâ—â—â— eâ—t auri Ciuell waâ—res of Fraunce Diuision of the two Houses Low country warres The chiefe Cities of Christendome The Princes that raise these warres Pouerty her Army Mony and her Army Auri sacra â—ames quid non mortalia cogâ—s Pectora Poore men fall not first out with the rich but the rich with them Rich men hate poore men The poore may begge O nosiri infami◠〈◊〉 Onites Diomediâ— Equi Eusidis â—ra Clementes Sors vbi peâ—â—iâ—â— riâ—um sub pedibus timor est Qui nil potest sperare desperet nihil Money hard to be spoken with Open warre Pouerties speech to her councell The villany of Bank-routes Dum ciuitas erit pauperes er unt Pouertie brings any man on his knees Discontent described Aâ—â—â—icâ—â—â—gaâ—dereget Despaire Hunger Sloth Repining Industry Beggery Misery A presse for soldierâ— to serue Pouerty Low country soldiers come from thence to fight vnder Pouerty here Hals of euery company furnish men on both sides Carelesnesse Learning held â—n contempt Yonger brothers Old Seruingmen the gaurd to Pouerty Banckrowtes come to Pourty but as spies Masters vndon by seruants serue in the Rareward Poore Attorneys Pandors euer poore Baudes seldom rich The life of a sensuall man Riches make men cowards Councellors to Money Couetousnesse Couetous men are slaues to that which is a slaue to them Prouidence Parsimonie Monopoly Deceipt hath many great friends in the Cittie Violence Might ouercomes right Nullum violentum perpetuum Vsurie A Broker is an Vâ—â—â—ers Baude Parsimony Praises of Money 〈…〉 mana 〈…〉 parenâ— Money entertayned into the Citty And by whomâ— Mercers Silkemen Goldsmiths Hee is wise enough that hath wealth enough Any thing to be had for money Old men most greedy of mony when money they are vpon paâ—ting for euer Some for money will sell religion Riches are yong mens Harâ—ots How carefull rich men are of their wealth Strangers Pouerty layes siege to the City Rich men are deafe and cannot heare poore mens cries Scatter good â—ent to mony They that haue nothing enâ—y 〈◊〉 that are wealthy Money giues men courage How scarcity of victuals groâ—â—â— in the Land Couetousnesse of â—â—ch Farmers makes the country poore and the people to pine How corne riseth in prise maketh deere the markets Cruelty of Land-lords in â—acking of 〈◊〉 is the vndoing of many â—ousholders How 〈◊〉 cheeâ—e grow deere Hagglers Bakers Euery man pin 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Pouerty comforteth her followers Paupertatemque ferendo â—ffeâ—ere leâ—em nec iniqua mente ferendo Et laris et sundi paupertas mapulet aâ—dax vt versus face em No trade loues one another The Citty besiâ—ged Tutum carpit inanis Iter Prodigall heirs meete soonest with Pouerty Dead termes times that are cold in doings pinch the rich as well as â—he poore A supplication from the inhabitants of the Suburbs Mony takes a view of all her army Lords Knights Lawyers Aturnies Brokers come well armde Famine and the plague come along with Pouerty to besiege the City Nulla salus bâ—llâ— pacem to poscimus omnes A Truce The Siege is raised
downe But the politick Bankrupt barricadoing his Sconce with double locks treble dores inuincible bolts and pieces of â—imber 4. or 5. storyes hye victuals himselfe for a moneth or so and then in the dead of night marches vp higher into the country with bag and baggage parlies then are summond compositions offâ—ed a truce is sometimes taken for 3. or 4. yéeres or which is more common a dishonorable peace séeing no other remedy is on both sides concluded he like the States being the only gayner by such ciuill warres whilst the Citizen that is the lender is the loser Nam crimine ab vno disce omnes looke how much he snatches from one mans â—heaâ—e hée gleanes from euery one if they bée a hundred The victory being thus gotten by basenes trechery back comes he marching with spred colours againe to the City aduances in the open stréete as he did before seâ—s the goods of his neighbor before his face without blushing he iets vp and downe in silks wouen out of other mens stocke féeds deliciously vpoÌ„ other meÌ„s purses rides on his ten pound Geldings in other mens saddles is now a new man made out of wax that 's to say out of those bonds whose seales he most dishonestly hath canceld O veluet-garded Theeues O yea-and-by-nay Cheaters O ciuill ô Graue and Right Worshipfull Couzeners What a wretchednes is it by such steps to clime to a counterfetted happines So to be made for euer is to be vtterly vndone for euer So for a man to saue himselfe is to venture his own damnation like those that laboring by all meanes to escape shipwrack do afterwards desperatly â—rown themselues But alas how rotten at the bottom are buildings thus raised How soone do such leases grow out of date The Third House to them is neuer heard of What slaues then doth mony so purâ—hast make of those who by such wayes thinke to find out perfect fréedome But they are most truly miserable in midst of their ioyes for their neighbors scorne them Strangers poynt at them good men neglect them the rich man will no more trust them the begger in his rage vpbraydeâ— them Yet if this were all this all were nothing O thou that on thy pillow lyke a Spider in his â—oome weauest mischeuous nets beating thy braynes how by casting downe others to rayse vp thy selfe Thou Politick Bankrupt poore rich man thou ill-painted foole when thou art to lye in thy last Inne thy loathsome graue how heauy a loade will thy wealth bée to thy weake corrupted Conscience those heapes of Siluer in telling of which thou hast worne out thy fingers ends will be a passing bell â—olling in thine â—are and calling thée to a fearefull Audit Thou canst not dispose of thy riches but the naming of euery parcell will strike to thy heart worse then the pangs of thy departure thy last will at the last day will be an Inditement to cast thée for thou art guilty of offending those two lawes enacted in the vpper House of heauen which directly forbid thee to steale or to couet thy neighbors goods But this is not all neither for thou lyest on thy bed of death and art not carde for thou goest out of the world and art not lamented thou art put into the last linnen yâ— euer thou shalt weare thy winding-shéete with reproch and art sent into thy Graue with curses he that makes thy Funerall Sermon dares not speake well of thée because he is asham'd to belye the dead and vpon so hate full a fyle doest thou hang the records of thy life that euen when the wormes haue pickt thée to the bare bones those that goe ouer thee will set vpon thée no Epitaph but this Here lyes a knaue Alack this is not the worst neither thy Wife being in the heate of her youth in the pride of her beawty and in all the brauery of a rich London Widow flyes from her nest where she was thus fledg'd before her time the City to shake off the imputation of a Bankrupts Wife and perhaps marries with some GallaÌ„t thy bags then are emptied to hold him vp in riots those hundreds which thou subtilly tookst vp vpon thy bonds do sinfully serue him to pay Tauerne bills and what by knauery thou gotâ—t â—rom honest men is as villanously spent vpon Pandars and Whores thy Widow being thus brought to a low ebbe grows desperat curses her birth her life her fortunes yea perhaps curses thée when thou art in thy euerlasting sléepe her conscience perswading strongly that she is punished from aboue for thy faults and being poore friendlesse comfortlesse she findes no meanes to raise her selfe but by Falling and therfore growes to be a common womaÌ„ Doth not the thought of this torment thée She liues basely by the abuse of that body to maintaine which in costly garments thou didst wrong to thine owne soule nay more to afflict thée thy children are ready to beg their bread in that very place where the father hath sat at his dore in purple and at his boord like Diues surfeting on those dishes which were earnd by the sweat of other mens browes The infortunate Marchant whose estate is swallowed vp by the mercilesse Seas and the prouident Trades-man whom riotous Seruants at home or hard-hearted debters abroad vndermine and euerthrow blotting them with the name of Bankrupts deserue to be pitied and relieued when thou that hast cozend euen thine owne Brother of his Birth-right art laught at and not remembred but in scorne when thou art plagued in thy Generation Be wise therefore you Graue and wealthy Cittizens play with these Whales of the Sea till you escape them that are deuourers of your Merchants hunt these English Wolues to death and rid the land of them for these are the Rats that eate vp the prouision of the people these are the Grashoppers of Egypt that spoyle the Corne-fields of the Husband-man and the rich mans Uineyards they will haue poore Naboths piece of ground from him though they eate a piece of his heart for it These are indéede and none but these the Forreners that liue without the fréedome of your City better than you within it they liue without the freedome of honestly of conscience and of christianitie Ten dicing-houses cheate not yong Gentlemen of so much mony in a years as these do you in a moneth The théefe that dyes at Tyburne for a robbery is not halfe so dangerous a wéede in a Common-wealth as the Politick Bankrupt I would there were a Derick to hang vp him too The Russians haue an excellent custome they beate them on the shinnes that haue mony and will not pay their debts if that law were wâ—ll cudgeld from thence into England Barbar-Surgeons might in a few yéeres build vp a Hall for their Company larger then Powles only with the cure of Bankrupt broken-shinnes I would faine sée a prize set vp that the welfed Usurer and the politick Bankrupt might rayle one against