IN the Citty of Bristow, not much aboue two twelu [...] moneths past, did liue a Merchant in the bra [...]ery of his youth, in the heigth of full fortunes, and in the excellency of all perfection, both for a [...]mely proportion of bo­dy, and vnmatchable ornaments of minde. Hee had all those things, which in this world make a man to be counted happy, and wanted none of those, the lacke of which teach men to beleeue they are miserable. One onely Blessing was absent, whose pos­session would haue set a Crowne vpon all the other, And that was the mariage of some delicate faire young wo­man, to so wealthy and hansome a young man.

This Gentlemans name will wee call Ferdinand, (his true both Christian name and surname for diuers rea [...]ons shall be concealed.) And albeit, he might haue had in [...] the choise of many Maydens, both an­swerable to him [...]elfe in state and beauty, (that Citty be­ing as richly stored with faire and sweet proportioned women as any be in the world: yet M. Ferdinand vsing often (by way of Trafficke in Merchandize) to repaire to London, ha [...]pened to cast his eye on the most beauti­full face of a very worthy, and very wealthy Citizens daughter of London, her name being Annabell, but how she was called otherwise, her succeeding fortunes forbid mee to discouer.

[Page]The parents and friends of this beauteous Damo­zell (who was called the starre of this Citty, a [...] well [...]or her delicacie of body, as for modesty.) giuing way to a Match so suitable to their owne desires, and their daugh­ters liking, little wooing needed, so that the marriage was not so ioyfully on all sides appointed, as it was with pompous ceremony of friends inuited, Feastings, Masques, Dauncing, and Reuelling sole [...]zed. No couple through the whole Citty of London, were held so happy as these beauteous payre: Ferdinand and Anna­bell drew all eyes after them wheresoeuer they went. But it was not enough for Ferdinand to be thus follo­wed with praises in London; nor to haue his delicate young wife gazed at, and enuied by the curious Dames of this Citty: No, there was a fire of Uaine-glory in him, to haue all the eyes of Bristow behold what gal­lant Prize he had taken at London, nor was the beauty of his faire Bed-fellow behinde-hand with him, in the same pride and ambition. Her longings that way were as great as his.

Their desires thus spreading the same wing, the pa­rents and friends loath to loose two [...]uch Iewels, yet ne­cessity snatching them from them. Away doe they ha­sten to Bristow. Wonder there lookes vpon them, Ioy and ten thousand welcomes embrace them: It was hard to tell whether the Merchants or that Towne did think him more happy in being Master of such a treasure, as so delicate a Wife, or whether the braue Dames of that Citty did hold her more fortunate, in being l [...]dged eue­ry night within the armes of so hansome a Husband. But Admiration being neuer long-liu'd, let vs after a quarter or halfe a yeares entertainment of Mistris An­nabell, amongst her Husbands friends in Bristow, leaue her there, attended vpon with all those commendable glories which set forth excellent Women, whilst we fol­low him backe againe from Bristow to London.

[Page]Whither being come and welcommed by his [...] father and kindred, Ioyes were red [...]bled to heare of her health, and to see his welfare. In a short time had he [...] dispatched the businesse, for which he came touching his Merchandize, to finish which he made the more half, as thinking euery day spent here, a thousand yeares lost at home, vntill againe hee might rest in the bosome of his beloued, but though the Sayles of [...] desire and affection were spread faire, yet the windes grew churlish, they blustred and conspired to part our two new-married Louers a [...]under: For, the br [...]uery of this Bristow-Merchants minde being obser­ued by our Gallants here in the Citty, his con [...]linesse of person, affability in language, and ioyalty in expen­ces, kindled a fire of good liking in many, to be partners in his society. And hee tooke as great a glory to enioy their appointments and meetings, as they did his.

[...]uth led him on to these ingagements of pleasure: New acqu [...]intance (which still grew faster and faster vpon hi [...]) begat new inuitations, those inuitations br [...]ught forth new delighte, and those delights, seru [...]d as pull [...]es to draw on fresher and larger expences; All these seruing together as [...]o many h [...]kes, nay as [...]o ma­ny cast Anchors, to fasten him from setting forward in his intended voyage homeward.

In this multiplicity of acquaintance, Iollities and Ie [...]all meetings, Ferdinand did often happen into the f [...]miliarity of diuers Merchants Wiues of Lond [...], whose beauties (though they were excellent) and beha­uiours able to tempt any man, to admire and dote vpon them, yet to him they were but as colours to a blinde man th [...] [...] of their enchanting tongues [...] to the deafe: he had (as he thought) a brighter fearre of his owne to [...]ayle by: these p [...]inted [...]ree gaue to him n [...] heate, the sunne-beames that lent wa [...]mth [...]o him, w [...]re those which were shot from the sparkling eyes of his [Page] most dearely-beloued Annabell.

The Fates had [...] good and euen thréeds for him, had they still continued winding vpon this white bot­tome, but then altred the Distaffe, and so drew out his misery, and his Wiues misfortune.

This constancy of his, was but a wa [...]ry s [...]nne shine; it séemed built vpon a rocke, but the foundation was not sound; this Dake that stoode vp so high and strong, in resolution neuer to be shaken with any allurements, is now in danger to be riuen in sunder, and cleft euen to the r [...]e, by the lightning flying fro [...] the eyes of a strange woman.

For one day chancing in a company of young Gal­lants like himselfe, to fall into priuate discourse, with a delicate creature, rich in Attire, costly in Iewels, [...]are in the proportion both of face and body, sweet in voyce, and of a winning bewitching behauiour, Ferdinane was on a [...]uddaine taken prisoner by her beauty. Her charmes were strong, and hee lay fast bound in them. Hee vpon this first com [...]ing into the field, made suite to be her ser­uant, and she after a few slight skirmishing words, yéel­ded her selfe to be his Mistreise. The next day, he wooed his young Mistresse, that her s [...]ruant might be so happy, as to be suffered to visite her at her own lodging: And she féeling what fish nibl [...]d at her bayte, gaue him line and leaue enough to play, and told him, she was not so vnwor­thy as not to bid so new, and so noble a seruant welcome.

The day wearing away, and the assembly in which Fer [...]inand and his new-found Lady had béene merry to­gether, being weary of their pleasures (as feasting, dan­cing, drinking healthes, courting, and such like,) the Spell brake, and dissolued those chaines, which had al­most a whole day bound them within this circle. Night approched, and all parted.

Ferdinand being come home, and locking himselfe in­to his priuate Chamber, hee begins thus to contemplate [Page] vpon the beauties, graces, and perfections of his rare and most admired Mistresse if euer man met an Angell-vp­on earth, in the shape of a woman, this is shee: if euer woman was t [...]o worthy to be touched by any man, this was shee. Had she beene borne when Idolatry was first committed, to her onely had the heathen giuen adoration. In fashioning her [...], or the figure of her body in his phantacy, her eyes through the windowes of his soule, presented themselues to him like a paire of starres. Her face he called the Master-péece of all Art, swéetnesse, and proportion, to equ [...]ll which, nay to come but néere it in picture, it was not possible for any Painter in the world to doe it with his Pensill: Her hand he called his booke of palmestry her foote the first steppe to the stateliest Measure, that euer was prosecuted by Motion: In briefe, her whole body (to the eye of his imagination) appeared a Mine, stored with treasures beyond all valuation. No Arithmetick could [...] vp her excellencies, no figures set downe the hopes of that happiness which he concei­ued in his vnmatchable [...].

But after his cogitations had thus [...]anne diuision on her praises, his Understanding began to fall into ano­ther time, and his Memory to be set to this Note, to call to minde his deare and di [...]consolated [...]nnabell in Bri­stow: presenting her therefore to his Remembrance, and the full volume of all her Uertues, being printed in his soule, he thus brake forth into a passionate reprehension of his new-conceiued [...]olly.

And shall thy youth, thy beauty, thy integrity, mo­desty, and innocence (O my dearest swéet-heart) be by me forgotten? can I proue a traytor to thy pillow, who (I [...]are sweare it) art most true to [...]? Must all my vowes made to thée when I w [...]d thée, all those Matri­moniall obligations, which I sealed to thée be [...]ore An­gels in the holy Temple, and all those protestations I left in kisses vpon thy lips, when I late and last parted [Page] from thée, must all this be forgotten, all written in sand, and left floating on the water! O Uillaine that I am, to fire mine eye on a Beade of worthlesse christ [...]ll, and pre­ferre it before the rarest Diamond in the world: this woman sure, who hath made choyse of mee to be her ser­uant, is some Mermayde enticing mee to runne vpon the rockes of destruction: Stop then thine eares, and auoyde the danger by not listning to her enchantments. A Goddesse is ready to receiue thée into her armes at home, and a painted Witch opens hers, to kill thee in her false embraces abroade; I will not be caught by this forcerous woman, I must not, I dare not.

At this he fetched a deepe sigh, And then his soule and her entring into conference together; Why (quoth hee) though I haue all the delicatest meates standing on m [...]ne owne table, may not I sit downe at another mans [...]. What Wife is true to her Husband. Why then should any Husband be true to his Wife? Wee are all borne free, why should marriage make vs bondslaues? Shall the ceremony onely of a golden King, be a charme to binde me from enioying my pleasures? I am satisfied with a Wife, cloyed with her enioyments, my appetite is young, and must tast varieties. The fishes in the sea are not married: birdes in the ayre ch [...]ose their U [...]len­tines, and that's their wedding: All the beasts vpon earth haue a liberty in desires to range how they will, and to take whom they will, why then should man be made a captiue to any wo [...]an? O my sweetest, dearest, most delicious Mistresse, I dye if I liue not to doe thee seruice, I cannot be beaten from thee with frownes, with swords, with Death: yes, Death onely can force our seperation, no [...]hing else shall.

Hauing thus spent the night in these passionate per­turbations, the morning summoned him to appeare be­fore [...]he Saint he so honoured. Up in all hast hee [...]ses, and [...] to the lodging of his Mistresse, who not [Page] willing to l [...] such a golden Flie, as she ma [...] account this her new Bur [...]ing-s [...]ruant would [...], was [...] her [...], with the best and surest Art she could. For [...]he [...] her [...], to make her face by painting shew more excellent, which of it selfe was ab [...]olute before: He came, and saluted, and kis [...] her, and in that kisse, felt all his bloud put into a terrible bur­ning: he saw her in bra [...]ery, rich as a Que [...]ene, bright in Iewels as the morning-sunne, breathing from her apparell, perfumes more pretious than those which the Spring giues to the earth: hee saw her, and stoode a [...]o­nished to behold her: hee saw her, and forgat that euer he saw a Wife, to whom his eyes did owe that du [...]y and tribute which he payde to a Curtizan. But shee to put him out of this t [...]aunce, tooke her Lu [...]e, which she tou­ched sweetly, and sung to it more swe [...]tly, and by this st [...]iuing to awaken him, shee cast him into a deeper sleepe: out of which againe she startled him by the Ma­gick of her enticing lips, on which dwelling with a lan­guishing delightfull pleasure, tasted, nay was so filled with sweets, that he thought one Apple in this Garden, worth a whole Orchard of his Wifes at home.

Dalliance thus charming them into a liking one of another, [...] vowes euer to be hers, and none but hers, she sweares euer to be his, and none but his.

Dayes, weekes, and moneths were con [...]umed between the [...]e two vnch [...] Louers, in all kindes of varied plea­sures, that ryot could inuent. There was no new fashions in apparell, but she had them; no Iewell (how costly [...]) but shee was Mistresse of it. A Caroach and Coach-hor [...]es he b [...]ught for her, in which he and she together were some [...]mes whorried to Play-houses, som­times to B [...]ainford, to lye there, then to Barner, to lye there, then to [...] to be merry there, then to Black-wall to see the Ships there, and hen to B [...]oomesbury to so­la [...]e themselues there. And so to all bawdy Bees lying neere and about London.

[Page]His Wife seeing her Beloued stay beyond the time limitted by himselfe for his returne, at first began to wonder, then to mistrust, then to lament for his ab­sence. But ill newes being swifter of wing than any other bird, came flying into Bristow, and alighting in Annabells eare, (that was open day and night listning for some good tydings of her lost Husband) did there sing to her a sad note of the lewd and lasciuious courses of Ferdinand with a Courtizan. Hereupon shee tore her haire, beat her white breasts, cursed her hard fortunes, and wish [...]d that either she had beene borne deformed, that none might euer haue loued her, or that her face had been made as enticing as that Strumpets, on whom her Husband doates, for then she had kept him to her selfe, where now in this wandring shee is in danger to loose him foreuer. To poast after him to London, would but proclaime his faults, which shée was willing to hide from the world: to come and teare out those bewitching eyes of his Harlot, she had not a heart to hurt, that which her Husband had chosen to loue so dearely. Wauering thus betwixt many doubts & feares, fed with hopes, that yet he would come home, & fighted with despaire, that she should neuer more sée him, (for sinne is a lu [...]cious meate, and the more we taste it, the more we desire it: It is a Sea, and being once got into it, (without a good Pilot) tis not so easie to returne againe to shoare:) vp­on these considerations, she writ many louing Letters, to call and recall her deare Husband home. But he (as the papers came) still she [...]i [...]g them to his Mi [...]tresse, the passions of a Wife, were commicall Playes to a Strumpet: the teares which the one sent, dropping on the Letters as she writ them, were pledg [...]d in kisses by the other, on her Husbands chéekes, and in Claret-wine and Sugar. The young Womans Father and friends likewise hearing of these dissolute courses taken by Fer­dinand, found him out, and both by soft perswasions, [Page] [...] harsh threatnings did their best to winne him to his Wife, but he laugh'd to scorne their counsell.

At last, the bonefires of his prodigality being almost burnt out, his purse shrinking, his money melting, his credite decaying, and his debts encreasing to such a mountaine, it was not possible for him to climbe well [...]uer them, without tumbling into one of the Co [...]mpters, hée priuately with many ostentations and oathes to his Mistresse, to returne from Bristow so soone as hée could furnish himselfe there with moneyes, tooke his leaue of her, she distilling from her eyes some fewe drops of hot waters, which her faigned sorrow dranke off to him, to comfort his heart, at the farewell: but she hauing other Sickles to cut downe her corne than his, the shower of teares which she rayned vpon her whorish chéekes being soone dried vp, the storme was quickly blowne ouer, and she was to prouide for another golden haruest.

But leaue w [...] her, plucking pleasure and diseases out of one and the same Well: and let vs follow him to Br [...]ow: whither being secretly come, and with all ex­pressions of a noble, louing, and forgiuing Wife, wel­co [...]ed by the vertuous Annabell: shee wéeped for ioy, and as she wéeped, mildly chid him, and as she chid him, gaue him a thousand kisses.

He ashamed to abuse such an excellent Goodnesse, shut vp his wrongs to her in as swéete language, as he could han [...]omly meete with; and told her, there was no stay­ing for him in safety either in Bristow or London: his estate (he said) was weake, yet not so weake, but that he had a staffe to hold it vp from falling, and that was certaine b [...]gges of money, left in a trusty friends hands, when he departed for London, which money hée would closely, and instantly disburse in M [...]rchandize, and in some g [...]od Shippe (of which he himselfe would be Cap­taine) and with a Ging of good fellowes, try his fortune at Sea: Shée vnwillingly, willing, yéelds to this, so in­to [Page] to the Straights hee venture [...].

[...]t Scauderoone hee goes on short, and vents such Commodities as hee had by Carauans, vp at Aleppo, amongst the Turkes, and such Christian Merchants as there were in Trafficke: in so much, that by his indu­strie and knowledge in Commerce, he might haue made a reasonable go [...]d voyage, if vpon the [...]ale of his Wares brough [...] thither, and lading his Ship with Commodi­ties from thence, hee had returned home, without en­countr [...]g any second fortune. But Heauen smiling vp­on him, appointed a [...]urk [...]sh Pirate (richly furni [...]hed) to set vpon [...] Captaine of Bristow, and his mad merry company: who were all English-men, couragious, skil­full, resolute, and fall [...], euery one of them swea­ring to liue and dye with their noble Captaine.

The Turke set vpon them, they brauely returned an English defiance. The Turkes called vpon Mahomer, the Christians cried St. George. but called vpon Him whom they knew could helpe them. The Fight was short, but cruell, the victory doubtfull, but speedy; for the Turkish Pirate being boarded, and as fast throwne ouer-board, as the English could enter, a noble and rich spoile was made, the true man robd the thiefe: Cap­taine [...]erdinands Ship was doubly laden, with trea [...]ure, and with acclamations of ioy, the Turkes went sneak­ing to their holes, and the English put in at a hither part of Christendome, to refresh their wounded men, and to giue them g [...]d victuals.

I must here put you in minde of one thing, which be­fore when Ferdinand was to come from Bristow, I should haue remembred, and that was this: At the time when he was ready to prepare for his Sea-voyage, he told his Wife, All that he could get together, was little enough to furnish him forth for [...]o waighty a businesse, yet hee would leaue sufficient to maintaine her in his ab [...]ence: And then merrily asking her what shee would venture [Page] with him, she answered, shee would aduenture all that she had, a [...]d that was her body, and her poore life: no, sayes her Husband, you shall not: I will not hazard all our substance in one bottome: Why then, quoth [...] though my body must stay at home, my heart shall goe with you, and vpon what shoare so euer yo [...] land, my good wishes for your prosperity, and prayers for your health shall euer wayte vpon you as your seruants: And yet because it shall not be said, but that both by Sea and Land, my fortunes shall still set their foote by yours, I will put in my share in your Aduenture: What (my g [...]d swéet-heart said her H [...]sband:) Sir, replyed his Wife, you haue often layd out much money, which ne­uer brought home any profit, I dare therefore not trust you with much: All that I put into your hands, is one­ly one single penny. Hee smiling vpon her, a [...]ked what he should doe with that penny, marry (quoth shee) onely buy and bring home for that mony a penny-worth of [...]it. Hee glad to see her so pleasantly conceited, protested hée would lay out her money, to the best aduantage he could: and so tooke his leaue of her.

You heard before, that af [...]er the Fight was ended be­twéene [...]erdin [...]n [...] and the [...] Captaine went on sheare to [...] his men. Du­ring his absence in a [...]- [...]owne of [...] (called Saint Luc [...]r de [...] in [...] for there h [...] S [...]p put in,) one of the Marriners who stayd aboa [...]d, (being a merry conceipted fellow, and one that knew all the [...] of [...] life, all his wilde hu [...]ours, and [...] fits playde betwéene him, his Wife, and hi [...] Currizan) intending to p [...] some merriment vpon his Capt [...]ines shoulder, di [...]gui [...] his face like to a tann [...]d Gip [...]ey, and put himselfe into [...]thing but ragges, like a begger, and in this manner [...] on the shore, till his Cap­taine was to come [...] to take shipping: Fer [...]inand be [...]ng then passing by hi [...], this supposed Roague, setting [Page] out a wide throate, cryed out in a bigge voyce, Noble Captaine, braue honest Captaine, bestowe one single penny vpon a poore man, vpon an English man, vpon your Countryman; that shall pray you may haue a b [...]tte voyage, g [...]od worthy Captaine, one penny, one p [...]re single penny.

Ferdinan [...] hearing the name of Engl [...]sh-man, and that word, single penny, cast his eye backe vpon my counter­fet beggar, and the sound of single penny put him in minde of his Wife, and her venture of a penny, and wh [...]t he was to buy with it. So, turning to the Fellow, [...]oth honest Countrey-man (said he) for so I perceiue th [...]u art by thy tongue; what thou begg [...]st for I haue a­b [...]ut me, and so drew forth his Wif [...]s penny; looke thou, here [...]s a new single penny, but I haue other imployment for it, than to bestow it on a Beggar, for it is an aduen­ture put into my hands by my Wife, and I am to buy with it, for her, a penny-worth of wit.

O Master, cries the Begger, you were better giue me the penny, than trauaile so long, till you buy [...]o [...]uch a commodity as Witte, for so p [...]re a summe of money. Many come into this Countrey, and others on this side the Seas, and spend they care not what, onely to get wit, and knowledge, and experience, but in the end re­turne home as arrant Corrombes as I did, when I came from trauell. Many a thousand pound haue I layde out to purchase Wit, but I could neuer reach to so much as a farthings worth. Thou many a hundred pounds (said Ferdinan [...],) Yes Captaine (answered the [...]egger) no dispraise to your person, I once held [...]yselfe as braue a Gallant as your selfe: my Silkes and Sattins on my backe, men at my héeles, roaring Boyes at my be [...]k, my Comrades at a call. And how (quoth the Captaine) commest thou to be so p [...]re? I will tell you how (said tother.) One part of my mony ranne away with Come on sixe, and Co [...]e on s [...]uen: I could play at Novum, [Page] Passage, In and In, Mum Chance, at Tables, Itish, [...] any thing, at Cardes, Maw, Sant, Pri­mero, Primauista, Gleeke, Poast and Paire, Whiske, all Games, Noddy, and any Game where a knaue was to be turn [...]d vp. All the money I either wooune or lost this way, went sure to the Deuill, for I had it with damnable swearing, and parted from it, with abomine­ble tearing of God, blasphemy, and cursing. Another part of my money melted away in Sack and Claret, but I lickd my lips prettily well at this Feast; for I met for my money, Wine, g [...]d Cheere, good Fires, g [...]d Wenches, g [...]d Musick, and good knocking Reckonings. A third part of my money I spent, nay, cast away vpon a Whore, a dainty one, a young one, a proud-one. So long as my siluer lasted, her brazen-face was alwayes at my nose, kissing me: but when my cheekes grew l [...]ane, and my Pockets empty, away [...]ies my Wag-tayle. Now my noble Captaine, if (as I know most of our English Gallants doe) you haue a liquorish tooth in your head, and keepe a Punk, hang her, dam her, trust her not, sheele graze vpon thy n [...]eddow so long, as there [...]s a blade of grasse, that gone, shee leapes ouer hedge and ditch in [...]o any Butchers Pa [...]ure. But if (my braue Captaine and Country-man) thou hast a Wife, kisse her, tell h [...]r, trust h [...]r, try her, for shee will [...]unne for Aqua- [...] to recouer thy fortunes, when thy C [...]katrice shall cast them into a [...]. Should [...] Shippe lye here vpon a sand, and could not [...] for want of water to fetch thée off, thy St [...]mnpet would not throw out the Ba [...]on in which shee washes her hands (vnlesse for her own benefit) where thy [...]ife (if thou hast a good-one) would draw a sea out of her eyes to [...]ue thee from s [...]nk­ing.

The Captai [...]e hearing the Bigger-man talke thus, with a smiling [...]mitenance, gaue him his Wifes single penny, and told him, he did not thinke, but that the [...] ­ney [Page] was layde out as she de [...]red: for that penny should peraduenture send him and his Ship home with a richer Lading, than fiue hundred pound could furnish him with: And so thanking the poore Fellow for his Discourse, hee gaue him besides at parting, foure péeces of Eight for a farewell to drinke his Health, which [...] Begger swore he would doe. Ferdinand presently gets aboard to make for England, and the mad Marriner as nimbly teares off his ragges (vnknowne to any man) and leapes into the Ship almost as soone as the Captaine.

In this interim of Ferdinands being at Sea, his faire Mistresse, wondring at his long absence, considering his vehement oathes (with all spéede possible to returne) and being loath to loo [...]e such a Gold-Finch, that sung so swéetly in her ears: shee (partly for a kinde of loue shée bare him (he being a very proper man) but chiefely for his estate, which she knew was great, and to catch which she did angle) came in her thunde [...]ing Caroach like some great Lady to Bristow, with this resolution, If Ferdi­nand were there, then to enioy him as before, if not there, yet the would repaire her losses and charge of the Iourney vpon any other whom she next lighted on, fit to be made a property, as no doubt but B [...]stow had s [...]ore of such fame fowle, as well as any other Citty. Her wishes and intentions hit the markes she shot at: for Tarsell­gentle, in abundance came to the fist of our sh [...]-Faulk­coner.

By this time, (winde and weather faueuring him) Ferdinand is as secretly arriued at [...]ristow: as hee de­parted closely from thence: and slepping priuately to a deare friend, enquires what newes in the Towne, how all the ma [...] Girles did, and what new Wenches were come to Bristow; so that in the end by way of merry Discourse, and descanting vpon other Women, he per­ceiu'd (but conceal'd it) that his Mistresse had followed him thither, and his heart (leaning to his old by as) be­gan [Page] almost to leape for ioy, to thinke that hee found his noble sweet-heart so kinde. But then remembring his Wifes single penny, and the Beggers counsaile, hee meant to make triall what his Wifes Uenture would come to; and so putting himselfe into ragges like a Begger, with a short Cudgell in his hand, he found out her lodging, and knock [...]d to speake with her. One of her seruants beeing such a totterd [...] Rascall, enquired scu [...]uily what he would haue; tother replied as scur [...]uly, I must speake with your Lady or Mistresse: Away you lowzie Slaue, cried the Pandar, my Mistresse a com­panion for such a Nitty-breech as thou art, to talke to her! but my counterfet Bristow-Maunderer, in a very pittifull voyce told him, that hee had Letters from one Ferdinand a Merchant, and somewhat else by word of mouth to deliuer to her.

Upon this he was called vp into her Chamber, and then requesting to del [...]uer his message in priuate; all were commanded out of the [...]me, but him selfe and her, and then asking, if she knew him not by his voyce, (for by his tattred attire and face she could not) he told her, he was that Ferdinand, whom eu [...]e she loued so dearely, and shee that Mistresse of his that commanded both his life and fortunes; all the happinesse hee had on earth, was to enioy her presence: tells her how he was taken Prisoner by the Turke, made a Gally-slaue, tugg'd at the Dore, had an hundred blowes on the naked backe with a Bulls peezell, fed on course browne-bread and water, and hardly got away (but most miraculously) with life; entreates her (what needes intreaties) hée pre­sumes shee is so noble, that she will lodge him in her bo­some as shee had woont; prayes her to send into the Towne for cloathes to make him [...]raue, for good cheere to fill his belly, for some cleane linnen, for he was low­zie, and that hee might h [...]ue [...] fire to shift himselfe by: But she casting an eye of sco [...] at his [...] re­uiled [Page] him, kick [...]d at him, bid him Auant, called for her seruants to thrust him out of dores: but he falling on his kn [...]s, begg [...]d as shee was a Woman, to let him lye in some Hay-loft, in some Stable, vpon a heape of Hor [...]e­dung, for sin [...] his comming to shoare, hee had killed a man that misu [...]d him: and if shee turned him out of dor [...], it was h [...] assured death and confusion. Nay, you ba [...]e scum (cried she) and [...]o tumbling him into the street, shut the dores vpon him.

H [...] then (all ragged as he was) went in priuate home to his Wife; shee for all the misery round about him, knew his face, hung about his necke, wept for ioy, and enquired what mischance sent him to her in this pittifull estate. He told her, his Ship was burnt by Pirates, his G [...]ods taken from him, his me [...]slaine, and himselfe one­ly scaped with life. And that's all (quoth his Wife) which I desire: let Ship, G [...]ods, and all be lost, so I finde thee: my Rings, Iewels, Plate, nay, my owne ap­parell Ile presently pawne, or sell out-right, to furnish my déere Husband fitting to his worth: but he ouer-ioyed at this her admirable loue, and vnfaigned expressions of a noble Wife, pluck'd off his ragges, and vnder them discouered a faire habite; but entreating her, to pardon his absence for an houre or two, for the dispatch of a most especiall businesse, hee leaues her full of ioy, both at his vnexpected Arriuall, and at his prosperous Uoyage, of which in some fewe words, hee gaue her a firme assu­rance.

Ferdinand then richly attiring himselfe, and taking foure or fiue of his Marriners, neatly apparelled, passed by the Curtizans dore once or twice; shee spying him, sent after him, the seruant saying, his Mistresse entrea­ted him by any meanes to come backe, and speake with her. He did so, when she at his entrance into her Cham­ber, ranne and fell vpon his chéekes, printing on them and his lips an 100. kisses, and telling him that a base [Page] Rascall, in shape of a Begger, came to her, and tooke his name vpon him. That very Begger, swéetest Mistresse (quoth Ferdinand) was I my selfe, and came to you in that pouerty, to try if you would reléeue mee, but it was an easre matter for you to scorne me, as not knowing me in that loath some apparence, I therefore pardon it; and to shew, how déepely (euen in absence) you were printed in my memory, and that you are to me the same beloued Mistris, that heretofore you haue bin; behold, as a part of my good Uoyage, I present to your white hands this rich Cabinet, full of the most pretious Iewels, that are to be found in this part of the world. Shee was reaching out her hands to lay hold vpō them. But (quoth he) my most endeared Mistresse, I remember I haue giuen you many Rings, Bracelets of Diamonds, Chaines of Pearles and Gold, and many costly Iewels, I doubt in my ab­sence you haue bestowed these vpon some other swéet­hearts: shew mée these therefore, and I shall be in the better hope, that for my sake you will preserue these like­wise.

Hereupon, shee fetches all the braueries, and costly gifts that he euer presented to her; which séene, he seiz'd vpon them, told her, he found her to be a Bristow Dia­mond, she was a cunning, a cheating, and hard-hearted Curtizan; and so giuing her sufficient meanes and mo­ney (for his owne reputation sake) to rid her from Bri­stow, and ship her for London: on his Wife he besto­wed all those Iewels, and tolde her, that the Wit which hee bought with the single Penny, shee ventured in his Ship, was worth all the Merchandize he brought home besides.

The Bed where a Husband and Wife [...] is that Musicke-r [...]me, where the soules of them [...] lay in the most excellent Consort: All Discords [...] here put into time, all Iarres so winded vp, with [...] Strings [Page] of Co [...]cord, that no Harmony can be sw [...]eter. Such a Bed is an Altar, where a paire of louing Hearts are of­fered, and no gall mingled with the Sacrifice. Such a Bed is a Cradle, where pleasure, content, and all earth­ly happinesse rocke man and wife a sleepe: kisses perfu­ming the pillowes, as if they were bankes of Roses, and warme teares of ioy (there to be reconciled one to ano­ther) being the soft showers, that make those Rosie kisses grow fairer, and in more abundance.

Ferdinand (our young and now rich Merchant of Bri­stow,) enioying his beauteous Annabell, a whole night together: the pleasure of their embraces, were encreased, by his relation of his wilde courses, dalliances, and de­lights which he tooke at London, in that bewitching Mi­stresse of his (the Curtizan) but ten times more doubled in her fr [...]e, and noble forgiuene [...]e, of whatsoeuer had passed betweene them. Hee (thereupon) promised to be to his Wife, a new man, a new-molded Husband, and she vowed to him, to be an euer-loyall, and euer-louing Wife.

Whilst thus they lay talking, the Sunne casting his eye vpon them in at the window, tolde them, it was time to rise, and that the Marriners who ventured their liues and fortunes with him in his Uoyage, were all attend­ing for him. Upon this summons of the Sunne, they both forso [...]ke their Beds, made them ready, and came downe: Fer [...]inand deliuering to euery one of them, whatsoeuer in right they could claime for wage [...], or any thing else, and withall (because they should not report they met with an vnworthy or ingratefull person) hee bestowed vpon them (as his bounteous gift) twenty pounds amongst them all, ouer and aboue their due, to drinke his Wifes Health and his, at a Dinner or Sup­per, which they with merry countenances, swere to per­forme. And then Ferdinand (his Wife the faire Anna­bell being by) relating how happily he met with a poore [Page] Begger, at his returne to his Ship, when they went a shoare in Spaine, and that bestowing his Wifes single Penny vpon that pooreman; hee found since, that the penny-worth of Wit (which the Begger gaue him there, and serued him well to for so little money) had done him a great deale of good since his Arriuall, and that to the last day of his life, hee would be a faire gayner by the Beggers bargaine. Annabell smiling, tolde him, Hée was as much or more beholding to her, as to that p [...]re man, for that her Uenture of a single Penny, was the first and principall occasion of méeting so excellent and vn-valluable a commodity as Wit. Hee confess it, and tolde his wife, before all those witnesses, that hee was de [...]epe in her debt.

But then the Marriner, who counterfaited the Beg­ger, not being able to glew vp his lips any longer, tolde them all, that hee was that Rag-a-muffin, who begg'd an Almes on the shoare, onely to put his Captaine in minde of his Wife, and her Penny, because hee knew how the single Penny was deliuered, and therefore in his Beggerly Oration to him, hée touch'd him to the quicke, as knowing into how many wilde and crooked currents the streame of his Captaines life had runne; yet if this bolde attempt of his had succéeded well, hée hoped his offence, was the more easily pardoned. Par­doned (quoth Annabell!) yes, and rewarded too: and thereupon, remembring and putting her Husband in minde of his owne words in Bed to her, which were, that but for the aduice the supposed Begger gaue him for his Penny, he had neuer put that triall vpon his Curti­zan, but doubtlesse (comming home so rich) had both po [...]ored and rayned downe golden showers into her lap­and his soule (as before) into her bo [...]ome: she therefore hung about her Husbands necke, and for the content she her selfe enccuntred with, by this Marriner (whose name was Theobald) as also for the blessing heauen crown'd [Page] his owne life with, by the hands of that good Sea-man, she entreated, nay, importunately begg'd, nay by all the bonds of affection betwéene them, coniured him, to make vp that single Penny hee gaue him, a full one hundred pounds, and so set him a floate in the world.

Ferdinand being willing to winne his Annabell to him by any meanes, sithence hee had giuen her iust cause for euer to loose her: and considering, the request, easie (in regard it was but a droppe to the full-Sea his riches s [...]um in) and [...], in respect of the golden haruest, his Wifes Penny, and the Marriners counsell brought him; He not onely, very nobly, freely, and chéerefully deliuered an hundred pounds as his Wifes gift, but to shew how much hee desired to make her ioyes full in all things, hee lent one hundred pound more to I heo­bald, without script or sorowle, to be payd him, when it should please the heauens to command the winds and the waues, to send him home, a merry, a prosperous, and a wealthy voyager.

Theobald with infinite thankes for these vndeserued courtesies on her part, and vnexpected on his, acknow­ledges his life euer to be their debter; and so in a very short time (hauing so many golden starres to sayle b [...]) away puts he to Sea: where we wil leaue him carefully, in [...]ustriously, and like a toyling Ant, prouiding suf [...]ici­ent in the Summer of his youth, how to maintaine him in the winter of his age.

And now let vs cast our eyes once more vpon Ferdi­nand and Annabell, who grew vp in Bristow, (like two faire free [...]) l [...]ked at by all, admired by all, and loued by all. That reputation of his, which ran-a-ground at London, is in Bristow fetchd off safely from all shelfes, and sandes: a harlot vndid his fortunes there, a wife restores them here. His former Riots, are no turned to good h [...]sbandry, his feasting in [...]auernes, to a ciuill entertainement in his owne house, his rearing-b [...]s [Page] companyes, to a braue society of Merchants, and his roaging beggerly noyses of scraping Fidlers, to the most excellent musicke of sweet and harmlesse stories told betwéene him and his wife, or els, to the cunning touch of her hand vpon the stringes of her Lute, guided by the ecchoes of a rauishing voice, in both of which shée excee­ded euen skilfull Musitians. What woundes hée got in his estate by borrowing, hée now cured by paying eue­ry penny: so that vpon his word hee might either in Bristow or London, haue taken vp more money, then many that caryed their heads higher in the Aire, and more proudly [...]et on the Stage of opinion, could procure vpon their bondes.

Abundance filled his bagges, rich Merchandise his Cellers and Warehouses, Cupb [...]rds of Plate waited on his Table, and both Men-seruants, and Mayd-ser­uants on him and his wife; superfluitie of all wordly blessings, thus casting his youthfull mind into a surfet: hee began not onely to be weary of Bristow, but of his owne naturall countrey, burning with an immoderate and vnquenchable desire to trauell beyond the Seas, to come acquainted with the manners, fashions, and con­ditions of for [...]en nations. The bellows that kindled these flames within him, were the praises giuen to him by young Merchants and gallants that had trauelled, of the delicate faces of other women abroad, of their queint dressings, cu [...]ious attires, and most bewitching complements our english Ladies, and Merchants wiues of London being but course creatures, dowdyes and dod­dipolls, either to the Germaine Frow, the french pret­ty, pailying Madamoiselle, or the cher [...]ylipd, wanton­eyed, plu [...], Italian, Bona [...], and besides these Spurres of longings clapd to his heeles to set him going; his wife (albeit a delicate creasure) began (after this frenzy of dreaming after other women, though hée neuer saw them) not to seeme s [...] hansome in his eye as shee was [Page] wont or if she did, lett our owne pasture be neuer so fatt, neuer so full, neuer such wholesome feeding, wee thinke our neighbours better, though farre worse. As in Ta­uernes, when fault is found in the wine, though there be none in it, If the drawer goes but to change it, and brings the same againe O cryes all the company, now drawer thou hast gon right indeed: so that the sick part about vs is our opinion; tis our iudgement is poisned.

Ferdinand therefore being thus (as it were) with childe to sée fashions abroad, could finde no ease in minde or body vntill he fell into Trauell; and for that pur­pose, he fraighted a Ship with rich and vendible com­modities to be sent to Venice, and himselfe to goe as Chiefe in her.

His wife was much against his going, shee feard her bi [...]d whom shee had kept so long, getting now out of the Cage, would fly shee knew not whither, and grow wilde. But he shewing many reasons for his ven­turing in person, as that it was hard trusting Factors, his gaines might be trebled by his being there; the eye of the Master fatts the Horse: It would besides the double profit, returne to his minde an infinite pleasure to behold other Cities, other people, and conuerse with other Merchants: his knowledge would hereby growe perfect, his experience be con [...]rmed, and that little knowledge he hath in the Italian tongue be much bet­terd, his ambition hauing euer be [...]ene to be cunning in that language. These reasons and others, being put into the ballance, weighed downe her feares, and so she yeilded at length to let him goe.

Ferdinand (hauing winde and water, as swift as his owne wishes) in a short time arriued at Venice (one of the wonders, for a City, in the world, as hauing the foun­dation layd in, and the whole frame of the building raised out of the Mediteranean Sea.) His commodities being excellent good, and excéeding rich, dwelt not long in the [Page] shippe, But on Siluer pullies were drawne into Uene­tian-merchants h [...]uses, who payd him downe for them presently: so that his purse was soone full, but his eyes and longings empty, or inioying the Rarities of that re­nowned Citie▪ Some few dayes made him Master of them all: The R [...]alta was as familiar to him, as the Exchange [...]n Cornehill is to Merchants, or the new Bar [...]e in the Strand is to Courtiers, and Lawyers: Saint Markes Church, hée knew as well as Paules St [...]ple, and the Murano, where all the Ven [...]c [...] glasses are made, hee visited more often then Vintners doe the glasse [...] in Broadst [...]ete, to furnish then s [...]lues there with these brittle car ow [...]ing bowles. The Arsenale, (which is a Store, house, to arme both men, and gallyes with all warlike prouision) by mony and friendship, he went into with desire, and came forth with admiration. The many thousands of bridges, which cr [...]sse euery streete through the whole Citie, put him into as much wonder, as London bridge did a Northren man, who at first gaping at it, swore hée thought in his con [...]ence it cost aboue vortie shillings.

His eyes could neuer haue béene bloodshotten had they onely fed vpon these obiects: as it was no hurt for him to l [...]ke vpon wood, and stone, and workemen: nor to haue beene caryed in one of their Uenetian G [...]nde­loes, rowing vp and downe the riuer (that embraces the Citie) called the Grand Canale. None of these in­ticing [...]wers caryed po [...]son in their sent. No: As be­fore in London hee was insnar [...] by one English whore, so here found hée ten thousand Uenetian [...]urtizan [...], the worst of them all, h [...]u [...]ng [...]r [...]ery enough in her eyes and beha [...]tor, to inchant him. With the butterfly hée flew from herbe to he [...] be, and from [...] to weed, but in the end alighted vpon one, which he liked ab [...]ue all the rest. Here he stayed, Here hee set vp his rest. It was a creature sufficiently faire, ha [...] she bene indifferently [Page] good and resonably-good shée might haue béene, but that the custome of the countrey (which authorizeth Bro­thelry) makes her beleeue, it is not sinne in her, so to sell and prostitute her body, and in her body her soule.

You talke of the p [...]ore Cat-a-mountaines in Turne­bull, who venture vpon the pikes of damnation for singlemoney; and you wonder at the fethered Estridges in Westmin [...]ter, Strand, Bloomsbury &c. how they can liue; where these Venetian Madonaes, carry the ports of Ladyes, liue in houses faire enough to entertaine Lords. Into such a lodging was Fer [...]n [...]nd [...] receiued, vpon such a Curtizan did he fasten his lus [...]full affection.

No gold was spared to warme her white hands with the fires of such sparckling Sunne-beames: No musick keepe dumb by her whose voice shée knew would entice him to heare it. This Strumpets name was Liuia Fer­ramonti, well-descended, and therefore taught by her e­ducation, how to winne, and how to hold fast, when once shée had a man in her nets. Her behauiour was plea­sing, her complements courtly, her apparence Stately, yet how strongly-guarded soeuer this Castle of beauty, seemed by her eyes, (in shew disdainefull) and a tongue proud in parlies, yet Fernand mounting his siluer Or­dinance, chargde with golden bullets, the Fort of wo­manish frailty, quickly yeilded, but vpon this composi­tion, that hee should suffer no other Italian dame but her­selfe share in her embraces; ielozie is a booke that all our Italian dames, and signiors reade, and if (quoth shee) you euer giue me cause to open that book (strung with yellow ribbon) I shal giue you cause to curse my acquaintance, and you wil teach me hereafter to hate for euer an Eng­lishman. Hee told her, (nay most v [...]hemently protested, by the faith of a gentleman, and by all those fires bur­ning in the breast of a Louer,) that she should haue no cause to speake to him that language. And so, shee (be­ing a Merchantesse for the flesh, and to sell her ware, as [Page] de [...]re as shée could-hold it vp) agréed with Ferdinand, that for 500 crownes a moneth, hee should Inioy her body, her bed, her house, and all that belonged to her command. The greatest Magnific [...] in Venice (shee told him) would bee glad to bee sharer with two more, and so inioy her by tournes, yet each of them to allow her so poore a Summe: nay the brauest Clarissimo, to inioy her, as now shee comes to him, (alone) would in­to her Apron euery moneth cast a thousand cr [...]wnes, but hee being an englishman, and gratio [...]s in her eye, shee would exa [...] but that [...]lender hire: It being the custome of Venice, that whatsoeuer a Courtizan, and a whoremaster bargaynes for, (be it for a day, a night, a weeke, a moneth, or a yeare) shee has law on her side to recouer it, and make him pay it, and she is his (for that time) as absolutely as a beast bought in Smyth­field, or a rotten ioynt of mutton sold at pye-corner: Her Enauiorato being likewise (during the continuance of this agreemēt) more sure of his Itliā hackney, thā many englishmen are of their wiues, though a houshold full of eyes be [...]ixed vpon them; for if shee flyes out from him to any other, an action at the case here is nothing to that case, which the Bona roba, shall be in there, if once shee be found faulty: moneths, and moneths were con­s [...]ned in libidinous and adulterous embraces, by the [...]e two; Ferdinand, euer and anon, sending into England some slight Italian toyes to his wife with letters, ex­pressing his great care to increase his estate, kept him so long from her, and that the delight hee tooke in see­ing those Cities, and noble entertainement hee found amongst those Merchante, had caryed him vp higher in­to the countrey, but that hee would shorten his iourney and cut off much of his imployment, out of a desire to be agen in the armes of his Annabell.

Shee good soule belieued all this, vpon receipt of her husbands letters; but he intended no such matter. Hee [Page] was too fast entangled in the all [...]rements of a Wa [...] ­ton, and too farre engaged in purse and reputation to get off without excéeding losse, if not danger of life. For when an Italian Strumpet féeles her L [...]uer flying from her, and in disdaine leauing her, a poysoned ban­quet, or a stab from a Panderly Bra [...]o, soone ends her discontentment.

But our Bristow Merchant was too farre plunged in affection, to fall off, or grow [...]oole in desires to her, vpon whose beauties he did more than doate: And therefore to shew that he was a right English-man, who will ven­ture life and liuing, and all that hee hath in the world, before hee will loose his Wench, hee not onely (more than his bargaine, tyed him, of 500. crownes a moneth) had in banquets, costly Dinners and Suppers, and rich new Gownes and Tires for her, spent a world of money vpon her: but also, (the faster as he thought to tye her to him, though he could not easily shake her off) hee be­stowed a company of admirable faire Iewels vpon his dearest Li [...]ia.

Faire were those Iewels in outward shew (as the wearer of them was) but many (or rather most) of the Stones were counterset. For Ferdinand, by meanes of keeping company with many braue Italian Merchants, came acquainted with a [...]enetian Iew, (who [...]e name was Caleb Mosolomon. This Iewe was wondrous wealthy and wondrous wary, and as wicked in his wayes to get mony (especially from Christians) as any of his Hebrew tribes could be. [...]erdinand came oft to his house, and was as often welcommed, but this feast of Iewish welcomes should be payd for at last in the tale of the reckoning. Mo [...]olomo had abundance of as cost­ly, true, and preti [...]us Iewels of all fashions, as could be made, or bought for gold and siluer in the world, for it was his trade to deale with most Princes in Christes, dome by his Fact [...]urs for such Commodities; but as [Page] amongst men and women some are good, some bad: So Caleb (our subtill Iew) perceiuing Ferdinand to be an vnthrift, that his Ships rich lading was swallowed vp, in a Uenetian gulph, (a Uenetian Whore) and that to fill such a Barne, a foole cared not, what corne field hee reaped, nor from whose Sheafes he stole (were it but a handfull) hee saw he would sinke, and therefore to rid him out of his p [...]ine, hee would tye some of his Plum­mets to his héeles. Hereupon, shewing one day, to our Bristow Lapidarie (that dealt in none but false Stones) a goodly heape of counterfet Iewels, (as faire to the eye, as any that were worne in Italy, and the falshood not ea­sie to be found out, but by a very cunning workman) hée liked them so well, that being wondrous importunate to buy them, albeit the Iew held them at an vnreasonable rate, yet he had them for Time, a Bond being drawne to pay to Mosolomon, double the value, if he had not his mony iust vpon the day. The match pleased them both, the Iew laughed in his sléeue, to see how hee had [...]uer­reached a leacherous Christian, and the other as proud­ly hastned to his Italian Hen-Sparrow, to shew what costly and glorious Feathers he had bought to stick her with; the Iewels were with thousands of thanks re­ceiued, and as many kisses payd backe to him on his lips, which he accepted as a sufficient satisfaction.

The day of payment for these Iewels being come, the Iew (as busie as a Kite ouer his prey) soares ouer Ferdinands lodging, still looking when the money would be tendred: but a day or two being past ouer, and no Cash appearing, Caleb leapes for ioy, that now he shall haue the double: the Forfaiture to him would be as a feast: a Christian to lye in Prison at his Suite, was a brauer triumph than when Turkish Gallies boord En­glish Pirates: he sweares by his Hebrew Tribe from whence he is de [...]cended: hee will flea him aliue with miseries, if he hath not his monies: not a Christian [Page] Farthing of Copper, or Brasse, no, not an [...] Leaden Chandlers Token should be abated.

An Officer, (nay a whole kennell of Hounds are lef loose to seize vpon him, and to dragge him to Prison. But [...] being an English-man, and vnder­standing by his experience of Lon [...]on and Bristow, what it was to fall into Catchpoles hands, and how such Beagles where they fastned, did not onely bite, but draw bl [...], kept hims [...]l [...]e out of the way, so that Ben [...] was ready to runne mad with ange [...]: that Iewes-t [...]ump in his mou [...]h (his tongue) playd nothing but cur [...]es, his great nose [...]swell [...] so much as it [...] before, by his thumping and plucking it, almost off from his face, in rage, to thinke he should be so e [...] ­soned by a wenching Rascall, a Christian Whorema­ster, and yet he said to himselfe, It was no wonder for him to be so gull [...]d, [...] was too well knowne that English-men are as cunning as any Cheaters in the world.

In this interim of Ferdinand his wasting of his youth, his es [...]ate, and his h [...]n [...]ur, and the hazarding both of life and soule vpon [...] Strumpet; O [...]d one Sign [...]or [...] from [...] hee had before he went, made cheife (amongst all the [...] that [...]) of this [...] to be [...].

Shee perce [...]ing by the Iew [...] and others of whom [...] had taken vp [...] of money, how the windes blew, and that the breath of his for [...] colder and [...]older, and being glad to hea [...]e that [...] was come home, writ a few wanton, but witty [...], (for the Italian Women are excellent in those [...]) to welcome him from Trauell, and to [...] him so her lodging, vnknowne to her [...] the wing, as being full of [...]

[Page] A stately Banquet ( [...]e appointed euening) was prepared at the Curtizans House, to which Signior [...], attended vpon with one man onely [...] [...], with resolution to renew his loue to his [...] Mi| stresse, and that night to pay such tribute to her em| braces, as was due to her by his so long absence.

Ferdinand not daring in the day to walke the streeter, came mufled in his cloake in the darke, with a Rapier by his side, to [...] his Lady; and spying euery [...]me so full of lights, as if all the Starres had forsa [...]ke the [...] and shine in her lodging, and (withall) hearing admirable voyces and [...]stru| ments within, for shee had prouided all content, to please [...]ouann [...]: Ferdinand boldly knock'd at dore, presuming he had payd deere enough for the opening of her Wicket.

A Brauo [...] or ru [...]ianly hee-Bawde, comes, and tels him, there was no Cushion for him to sit vpon to night; another was made [...] of his Italian Chaire; the [...] which hee l [...]ud to cut vp, was to be [...] vp, and be [...] on a Uenetian Gen| tlemans Trencher (the Signior Iouann [...] [...]anes, Sonne to [...] of the chiefest [...] and so bidding him to be [...]acking, or if he were so hot for a Whore, there were enough i'th Citty, and it hee could not fall upon them, Stand there still and [...] his [...], and (with that) shut the dores vpon him.

[...] eue| ry Italian, layd hold (vpon this [...] out of the [...]) on Ferdinand, the [...] of the people, and the inconstancy of the Woman, [...] [Page] selues. Taking therefore this abuse [...]ffered to him by the Brano, for an act of the Mistris, as knowing hee [...] not haue done so without her consent, hee dowes to hill this [...]ouanni, whatsoeuer hee should be, leauing his body at her very dores, as the monument of a Strumpets falseshood, and an englishmans noble reuenge vpon a corriuall, and this done by the ayde of darknes to escape, get a gundelo, and so shifting from Venice to fly first into France, ouer the Alpes, & after that into England. For this purpose the Spleene­full Ferdinand, [...] vp and downe, watching when this gallant should come forth; but hee was too fast lo [...]kd in his Mistresses armes, to take any danger from a naked rapier: yet going to bedde with his beloued Madona, hee commanded his man to get him to his lodging, and attend for him next morning.

The fellow being lighted out of dores, and Ferdi­nand, who stood watching, not knowing the Master from the man, tooke this to bee the gentleman that wrougd him, and so running at him, the glimps [...] of the candle made him spie the weapon, which nimbly though hee put by, yet was hee wounded in two or three places, murder then being cryed, and more can­dles being held out at seuerall windowes, the ser­uant that was hurt, was carryed off, and Ferdinand haled to prison.

The next morning, criminall Iudges hauing the examination of this businesse, the Brauo giuing in euidence that he came to his Mistresses house, to quar­rell, and doe some mischiefe, and Ferdinand being halfe mad that his reuenge fell so vnluckily on a poore vnworthy fellow, his aime being (as hee confest free­ly) to haue sped that [...] who lodged there that night, in the armes of a Strumpet, whose flesh hee had bought, and paid dearely for: the matter then [Page] grew more fowle in that besides the drawing-blood from one, his intent was to murder another, yea and to murder such a gentleman so nobly descended as Guidanel was, for the loue, which all Venice bar [...], both to father, and sonne, the whole senate set a hea­uy [...]ine on Ferdinands head, for his intent of murder, and albert the fellowes wounds were not mortall, yet was hee (besides a doome of imprisonment) adiudged to pay for the cure, and to satisfie the seruant for his [...].

The Iew (hearing of this imprisonment) laughed, and leaped for ioy, that the great fish was taken, which brake through his net, but [...]ithence hee was in, h [...] would weare [...] his fingers ends, with tying knots, but h [...] should be fast enough, and [...]o la [...]d a [...] Action vpon him of 14000. crown [...]s.

He then hoping for all [...] finde some [...] at his Mistrisses hands, writ in Ita [...]an to her, but shee vnderstood not his language: to him shee [...] not send, (without loosing an Italian-friend wor [...]h [...] English) and come to him shee would not.

Upon this, casting his eyes backe at his fore-passed [...]ortimes, and his now present miseries, hée began t [...] thinke that heauen had iustly layd this shame and these crosses vpon him, for not still making vse of [...] that counsell which the Marriner in shape of a Beg­gar, gaue to him for his wifes single Penny: had h [...] followed it, comming to this Curtizan in Venice as hée did when hee tryed that other in England, hee had neuer met such occasion to [...]urse his folly, in making himselfe a mo [...]kery to all his country-men, especial­ly to [...], but mou e [...]pe [...]ally to the Mer­chants in [...]. To call to minde the wrongs done to his wi [...]e, was to [...] more then a death to thinke what [...] of money [...], and [...] had in [...] con [...]umed, euery piece of siluer fetchd drops [Page] of blood from his heart. Hée that [...] away pounds, would now [...] himselfe in his owne [...] in some high way beg­ging one [...] with no worse a [...] than tho [...]e p [...]re [...], his country-men doe, that so liue [...]: would hee (hee cryes out) had liued so [...]uer: hee [...]hould not then answere for the [...] of that, which was sufficient to maintaine thou [...]nd [...] wher [...] now, the remembrance of those [...] e [...]pences as much torment his soule, as the want of the money affli [...]ts his body, happy, he protests, are those that begging a farthing- [...]oken, and making vp, foure of them, peradue [...]ture [...] now in England by a good fire, with a [...] drink in their hand, where I in this [...] and s [...]cking dungeon, would be glad of cleane water to que [...]ch my thirst, and of a c [...]ale of fire to blow my nay [...]es ouer.

Being driuen almost to the very dores of despaire, by these miseries, the last refuge hee had was to sens for his wi [...]e from Bristow, and to perswade her with all possible speede to turne all the estate hee left with her, all his plate, all her chaynes, rings, and [...]ewells, yea euen to sell all his houshold-stuffe, to turne it into money, and if euer shee loued him, now to shew it, by red [...]eming him from a miserable capti­ [...]ty: That word, if euer shée did leue him, was a charme strong enough to make her fly ouer worlds of waters, and wildernesses of land to finde him out, and faund, to set him at liberty, and being free from Iewes, Harlots, hard-hearted Christians, to lay him in her warme bosome, to forgiue whats past, to vp­brayd him with nothing, and in his wants to loue him as dearely, as euer shée did in his greatest abun­dance. And all this did the vertuous woman (his wife.)

Suppose then you see them both come frō be [...]yond [Page] seas, not so beaten with windes and [...], as bitten by hunger. His di [...]lute courses causing all his owne friends to scorne to cast an eye of pitty on him, and the constant loue shee carryed to her distressed husband, ta­king from her friends all desire to helpe or comfort her, lest hée should be a sharer in those be [...]efits. So that not a Sunne-beame of compassion shining from any friends, kind [...]ed, or acq [...]aintance vpon either of them, in the end they both, (by the intercession, and teares, and modest countenance of the woman, got to be trusted with a few pipes, a little [...], and a small narrow [...], which was both their hal [...], bed-chamber, [...] and [...]eller.

This was but a poore liuing for him, that had w [...]nt to fraight ships with rich comm [...]dities, now to sit filling a pipe of tobacco; and f [...]r a penny, that single penny comes oft [...] to his minde, and vpbrayds him with his ill husbandry. The world is changed with him, it runs not now vpon wheeles, as once it did: hée that was wont to make Tauernes roare with the noise of gallon pots, and drawers to run vp stayres, and downe stayres, crying anon, anon, onely at his call, is now glad with­out any roaring or noyse-making, to be any mans draw­er for a penny-pot of ale: his braue fires in a Tauerne chimney, are turn [...]d to alittle panne of small coales, ouer which hée sits blowing, to light his customers pipes; his riotous dinners and Suppers are forgotten, and in­stead of them, a poore dinner of sprats, now and then, for fish dayes, and [...] shéepes Geather or a shéepes head on fl [...]shdayes, and very good chéere too: in former times, neither hee or his wife c [...]uld tell what a fasting day meant, but now they c [...]uld hardly méete with any other; and albeit a man that has euer gon with full pockets, c [...]ntinually fed at full tables, and neuer felt what want was, could not without much repining, cursing, and dis­daine, vndergoe so low and wretche [...] a course of life: yet with such a noble patience did his vertue [...]s wife, [Page] both b [...]are her owne sorrowes, and councelle [...] him not to sinck vnder his, that hee by her example was as Iouia [...]l, in this his pouerty, as euer before hée was in plenty, and (how great soeuer their wants were knowen to them­selues) yet would shee sett a good [...]face vpont, and not once shew a sad or heauy countenance, for feare to dis­please, or disc [...]mfort her husband.

It was a wonder to see, and heare, how people would descant vpon these two, for their making shift to liue in this order: Some laughed him to scorne, and said, pride had now caught a fall, the Peacocks fethers were pluc­ked, and such like, others were glad to sée him take any honest course to liue, considering in what high brauery hee spread his [...]ailes before, but all persons (both men and women, d [...] mightily comm [...]n) the wife, who in all these misfortunes was neuer séene to knit a brow, or heard to vpbrayd her husband with any of his dissolute forme [...] courses, by which they were both brought to this beggery. It being then b [...]nted vp and downe the City, that Ferdinand, the braue young Merchant that came from Bri [...]ow, was fallen to decay, and liude in that meane manner as you haue heard before, a gentleman who knew him when hee was in his Iollity, and had taken notice of the state hee was in now, came to the Courtizan vp [...]n whom hée spent so much in London, when he called her Mistris, and as a most strange nowe & told her, that her seruant [...]erdinand, (whom she followed to [...]ristow) was in London, but excéeding poore. A [...] on him quoth shee) so when I was in Bri [...]ow, hee put a trick vpon mee, and came like a roague to mee in his plymouth [...]cloake, and cheated mee of all the rings, Ie­wells, bracelets, and any thing of any worth, that euer he gaue me, sending me home like a sheepe new sh [...]rne with scarce any wooll on my back: why then said the gentleman, hees payd in the same crackd money, which he [...] deliuered to you: Hee that shaued is now shaue [...] ▪ [Page] and so close [...]ut, that what wooll, you carryed on your back, I know not, but I feare hee has scarce wooll, or skin on his back, for hée is so poore that his wife and he are glad to kéepe a tobacco-shop: a tobacco-shop (cryed his quondam Mistris) O strang. It shall neuer be said, that I l [...]ued a man, in his brauery, and would not l [...]ke vpō him in his necessity, the iniury he did me at Bristow, I deserued it, and pardon it: his wrongs I forget, but not him, the many iouiall dayes and nights hee and I haue spent together, are so freshly, and deepely printed in my memory, that if I should not with gladnesse call them to minde, I would count my selfe ingratefull. It shall neuer be reported that a man, a gentleman, a no­ble-minded young fellow, spent his money vpon mée, when hee was full of golden pieces, and let them fly, but now hee wants those pieces, and is become poore, I will spend part of what I haue, vpon him. This is not the common humor of mad wenches (such as I am) about the Citie, that get their liuing by the labour of their thighes, and care not so they such mens estates (like their bodies) to the bare bones: I am altred from the creature, I was at Bristow▪ and so, intreating the gen­tleman, to direct her to the shoppe which Ferdinand kept, shee making herselfe very gallant, went thither, whom hee beholding, blushed, as red as fire, for shame shee came vpon him so vnwares, into so homely a roome, his wife and hee being so meanely habited: But this Mistris of his, (being a wench of a lusty spirit) stepd to his wife, and kissing her, told her, shee was come to begge par­don for a robbery shee had committed, in stealing away her husband, [...]ome dayes from her board, and some nights from her pillow▪ but protests hée shall neuer play the trewant more with her: is sorry for what was past▪ and wishes hee had layd out his riots at no worse a market in Venic [...], then hee met with, in London, and that his Italian banquet had beene no dearer then that which [Page] shée inuited him to in England. Annabell in [...] voice, tels her partner, that shée has [...] the booke of all former reckonings: the debt of her anger (both at her, and her husband) is all payd, shée forgiues them both, so, they runne no more vpon a new score with her, which both of them vow neuer to doe, and then the [...] [...]wearing likewi [...]e neuer againe to breake into her or­chard, to steale a way those apples, which are for her owne eating, nor if shee can helpe it, neuer hereafter to come into the company of her husband, in some part of satisfaction towards all expences betweene them, shee deliuers to his wife as a free gift, twenty Pieces, and so takes her leaue in this vnexpected kindnesse, conque­ring all ill opinion conceiued against her, and that small su [...]me of money of twenty peices, redee [...]ng [...]ll the lauish spendings vpon his [...], and making more amends to [...] wife, then all his riotous lay [...]ngs out, did doe her hurt before.

Misfortunes seldome walke alone, and so when ble [...] ­ [...]ings doe knocke at a mans dore, they lightly are not without followers and fellowes. For iust vpon this golden visitation (not vsually put in practice by crea­tures of her quality) came home Theobald, the [...] from Sea, vpon whom our Bristow Merchant at his Wifes request, bestowed one hunded pound, for the good he receiued by the single Penny; and trusted him with another hundred pound to be repayed, if euer hea­uens should send him a [...]oone voyage, that he [...]ight be able to spare it: With those two hundred pounds this Marriner playing the good Husband beyond the Seas, in [...]arbary, and other places within the Straights, had so [...]ncreased his Stocke, that hee was estéemed a rich man, and his credite very good vpon the [...]: He com­ming to this [...]-Shop, his face much sunne-burnt with trauell, and his chéekes growne ouer with haire, called for a Pipe of smoake, and was not knowne. Fer­dinand [Page] perceiuing by his [...] compl [...]ion, and habite, that he was a Sea-man, asked in what part of the world he had lately b [...]ene, and the other replying, both in Bar­bary, and some other places within the Straights, Fer­dinand prayes him to tell him, if hee knowes not one Theobald, and whether he saw him not in Barbar [...], yes (quoth Theobald) I both knew him, and saw him; but n [...]w hée's past either my knowledge or [...] in this world, for these very hands help'd to bury him in the bottome of the Sea, where he dyed. Ferdinand started at this, and l [...]king pa [...]e, with a deepe sigh from his heart, exprest a great deale of sorrow for the losse of so faithfull and honest a friend; and his Wi [...]e hearing the sad Sto­rie, clapping her hand on her knée (as she sate) O sweet h [...]art ( [...] she) if [...]heobald be gone, the best of our hopes lye a dying▪ f [...]r it was likely, if euer heauen had pro­spered him, he would not haue showne himselfe vnthank­full to you or to me, for the cou [...]tesies you and I did him. No remedy (quoth her Husband) wee must all dye one day, and since one of our best Cards is out of the bunch, let vs [...] and cut in the world as well as wee can: one g [...]d, true friend as he was, (reckoning the treachery amongst men in these dayes) is worth a rocke of Dia­monds, and though we are cheated of him by death, yet let vs two be true to one another, for the loue of man and wife is the noblest friendship.

By this time, our Marriner, or rather now our Mer­chant, had whi [...]'d off thrée Pipes of Tobacco, for which he was to pay thrée pence. And drawing out a whol [...] handfull of gold, told them, he had no white mony, & they could not change any one péece; yet looking in another pocket, hee asked if they would take Tokens, yes (said Ferdinand) they are as welcome to mee now, as Angels and double Soue raines haue béene in diebusillis, in my mad dayes, (for I haue spent some.) The other then told him, he could make but eight Tokens, and that was [Page] but two pence, a penny lesse than his due; no matte [...] Sir (answered our new Tobacco-man) for his sake whom you say you knew, and saw him bur [...]ed at Sea, let it alone, you shall pay nothing, and if you please, drinke as much more: nay, cryed tother, shall I goe a [...]th score, or drinke in forma pauperis, my Pockets hauing such gay lynings in them.

See, see, I now can make vp your money, for there's eight Tokens, and a single penny in siluer (looke you) tyed with a string through the hole in it, for feare of run­ning away, and I can tell you, I part very vnwillingly with that Penny: Ferdinand and his Wife seeing the silke string, and noting the Penny, O (cryed she) Hus­band, this is the single Penny you had of me, when you went to Sea, and which afterwards you tyed about his arme that is dead. I did indeede (said he) and he swore, it should neuer from his arme, so long as there was any breath in his body.

He was as good as his word then (replyed Theobald) for when he yeelded vp the ghost, I (as before he bid me) tooke it from his arme: And because you shall know I am no counterfet Messenger, looke vpon me well, hath my kissing the sunne so altred my face, I am that Theo­bald, this is the same Penny, for which you gaue me an hundred pound in gold, for the good it did you: that Pen­ny hath done me good too, I am a made man by it, and shall not onely my selfe euer loue a Penny, but counsell euery man else to make much of a Penny when he hath it▪ It is a Beggers stock, and a rich mans stewardship. You my noble Captaine, and worthy Master, made one lucky Uoyage with it, and brought home Witte for it, (though since I heare, by your trauelling without it, you came home a [...]:) I haue made another Uoyage with the same Penny, and praise be giuen to heauen, I haue brought home wealth by it: Much am I in your debt, but am come honestly to pay you all: you bestowed this [Page] [...]ingle Penny vpon me, when you tooke me for a Begger, I returne your owne Penny backe againe vpon you, whom I now take, not to be very rich: the one hundred pound my good Mistresse [...] you to giue me, behold I lay for them an hundred golden pictures in her lap, with the other hundred pound you trusted me with, to be payd, when the Seas and I playing together, I should get a lucky hand: that houres come, I now haue it, and all that I am owner of, comming to mee by your meanes, not onely euery Penny that is mine shall be yours, but euery pound be sent of an errand to fetch in profit. Hée was as good as his word, for he lent them so much money, as put him againe into his trade of Merchandize, and at this houre is he a very worthy Merchant in London.