O Mr. Conscience well-met, whether are you walking so fast; I wonder to sée you here in y^e City, I think you have few friends here to entertaine you, as well as I.

Honest Plain-dealing I am glad to see thee in health, and as I may say I am glad to see thy heels at liberty, for tis a wonder some Knave or other claps thee not in Prison, for telling him of his double dealing.

In truth Conscience, Ile tell thée what I am fain to doe (as many honest. Men do now a days y^t are my Freindes) e'ne say nothing, but give them a touch now & then, and bid them remember thée; there's some will say nothing, & perhaps will harken to mée; and some againe (& the most part too) will tell me that they doe not care if thée & I were both hang'd; for they can live without us.

Well, Mr. Plain-dealing, for I will give you that Title too now? for they are all Masters, & Mistresses here in the Citty. For being the other day with an honest poor man that loves me? for now a days most of all my acquaintance are none of the richest? Drinking a cup of Beer; in comes on for a penny worth of Ale, I seeing her to be a poore Wo­man profferd her a cup of Beer, & cald her Gammer, she gave me such a ugly look, and told me she was as able to give me a cup a Beere, as I was to give her: so going out of doores, I heard the Woman of the House call her Mistris: and told her, that made 16. d. so I asked the Woman, whether she [Page 5] was a Gentle-woman that was brought to Poverty by these times; (as many there be now, the more is the pitty) no, she told me she was a Dung-hill raker, and her Father had bin a Small-cole Crier from his Child-hood, and her Husband was a Map-maker; and truly I think if her Husband should want stock, I thinke all the Clothes of hee Back would scarce a yeelded him 6. d. to make Maps off: and so ever since, I have learn'd to call every on in the Citty Master and Mistris; and I thinke you deserve the Title Mr. Plain-dealing as well as another.

Well Mr. Conscience let it be so, we must Sir every Iack now, & so must you, for there is Sir Iohn, Sir honest-man, & Sir knave too: but com honest Friend let us not talke here in y^e stréet, for I am going to a Friend of ours; I know will bid us both wel­come, for he loves all that loves us, tis but in Cloth-fayre,

Sir, I wilbe ready to goe with you, I know who you mean, he and I am very well acquainted.

So, here's the house, come lets goe in for he will be as glad to enter­taine us, as we are to sée him.

With your leave old Aquaintance, I have made bold to bring a Friend of mine along with mée, I hope he is well come as well as I.

Why Gētlemen, you are both my old aquaintance, & one as wellcome as the other to mee, & ever was, and I desire to entertaine you both as long as I Live, & I desire to entertaine all such as entertaine you, according to my poor Abilitie; and I hope all honest men will doe the like: if I had ne'r met with Knaves, (as 'tis too well known I have) my love to you should be more bounti­fully shown.

For my part I have Travel­ed most parts of this Land, in Coun­trie, Town, & City; I never wanted I must confess, for still found some that would entertaine mée, and they would send mée from one to another in my Travells: but I went still as a Man turn'd out of sevice, and went to séek one. So coming one Friday into Smith­field to y^e sign of y^e Black-boy, & there 3 or 4 Country-like Men drinking, ask't what Country-man I was; I told them a West Countrie-man; they ask't me w^t I came to London for, I told them to séek a service if I could méet with an honest Master; they ak't me w^t I could doe, I told them any thing to get a liv­ing in y^e way of truth & honesty; & they were all willing to entertain mée: one of them ask'd my name; I told them it was Plain-dealing; they laught at me, & ask'd me if I were so simple to come out of y^e Countrie, to séek a service in Lon­don, & especially in Smithfield amongst Horse-scoursers; they told me that my Freind Conscience was gon out of [Page 8] London, long since, Iust as the wars begun, and I had best go after, for I should find but small entertainment hear, & for their parts they were not able to kéepe me; they told me, being y^e Wars was begun, I had best go and be a Souldier; for there was want of me amongst them on both sides, as they heard; so I went downe to West­minster amongst the Lawyers, & others that were there, and about the Citty in other places among the Shop kéep­ers, the Bakers, the Brewers, y^e Cooks the Butchers, y^e Brokers, & the Tay­lors: some entertained me for a whil, and when I told them that conscience would not give me leave to do such things as they would have me doe, they told me that they must not be rul'd by conscience, nor by me neither, for they must do as their Neighbours did, or else they were not able to live, so well as they did: so I could not stay long in a place? so I was resol­ved to séeke out my Friend Conscienc, and now we have met here at my Friends House, pray Mr. Conscience tell me how you parted out of y^e Citty.

Wel I wil Sir, I did live here in the Citty a little before these Wars began pretty well? and had many Friends that did entertaine me, but then Pride, and Covetousness, and Envy got in, & never left til they had banished me clean out; and then the difference begun between the King & Parliament, and here was like to be Wars, and I seeing that, resolv'd to goe into the Countrey, to see what Friends I could find there, that I might live quiet if I could, for that was my desire, and there I found som Friends now & then, but they could not do as they would, nor dare not keepe me long, for either one Army or other was with them still; and there was some Knaves on both sides that could not indure me, and would make the poore People for to deny mee, and say anything to save their Goods: They would Pray very heartily for them before their faces, and wish that they were Hang'd, or that the Devill had them, behind their Backes: Looke what Side soever came, they must be for them & say as they say; [Page 10] when it was sore against me, but some Souldiers would be to ha [...]d for them & tell them they were on on side, when they were on another? when it may be they had perswaded the People out of there Religion; then when they had known all there minds tell them they were of the other side; it may be raile on that side, and cal them Rogues to their faces, but then the great Crock and little Crock, and all must go, I & carry away the man of the house too, & I along with them; so then if the poore man would not turn me off, and deny me his purse-strings must pay soūdly fort; for som of the Souldiers could not in­dure me; then none of the poore people durst entertaine me any longer: then I was fain to go into the Armies, and to speak the truth, I found Gentlemen on both sides that did love me, and would entertain me; and I prevaild much with a great many of them, so that whereso­ever my Masters marcht, the Countreys fair'd the better, and they fair'd never the worse; for to be sure what soe­ver mishap befell them, I would never leave them; if my Masters on eîther side [Page 11] were taken Prisoners, I would stir up on or other of that side that were their enemies to helpe them, and to be sure either releas'd or relieved, so I conti­nved in the wars, til som of my Mas­ters had spent and lost all their estates, and som left off when they saw things did not goe as they thought it would do, so I left off too: and when I saw there was no hopes of peace, but stil there was like to be Rising, and Mu­tring, and murmuring still; so I took my leave of those masters I had that was resolvd to stay in the Army, and prayd them to remember me in all there martches and they promised me they would, and I told them I should be very glad to hear the welfare of all them that loved me so taking my leave I came to London,

But jle go and visit som Friends in the Countrey somtimes, and to see fashions, and to discover the knaveryes of those that doth not love thee nor me, (Bro­ther Plain-dealing.) And jle discover them all, for jle favour none let them take it how they will: for Conscienc [Page 12] must speak the truth, but pray how was your progresse in the Countrey the time of the War.

Why in truth Brother Consci­ence, even such another Progresse as you had, indéed they that did love me, sufferd most; for them that would sweare, and dominéere, and be on both-sides, and speake against their Neighbours, and tell the Souldiers, such was Round-heads, and such was Cavaliers, and all to save them­selves; such perhaps scapt well e­nough: but since the times hath béen quiet, I have séene abundance of such Rogues, that can scarce get a bit of Bread, to put in their heads, for no honest body can abide them, nor will set them aworke, and for my part jle nere pitty them, and they were hangd I should nere grive for them; for many an honest man that loved thee & mée, hath bin undone by them: I and there was many Souldiers that were as bad: some would run from the King to the Parliament, and [Page 13] then they would tell that such and such were Caveliers;, and that such a Man had sent the King Money, and that another had sent a Horse, y^t another had sent Vittalls? when a­lack, twas taken from them by force; which made the poore men be Plun­dered by both Armies; for what the one left the other tooke: and some a­gaine would run from the Parlia­ment, to the King, and tell that such and such was Round-heads, and so cause them to be plundered, I think either side might have spared such as those to the Hang-man, and the Armies nere the more weakned, for when the Armies were a Fighting to be sure they would be a Plunde­ring, and never go in danger, for feare of taking: for they knew whereto they must, ean put on their Hempen band and up be trust: but well leave off this discourse for there are some heare that would faine heare our opinion of the times and prithy Brother Conscie [...]ce what dost thou thinke of them, dost thinke we shall have peace now.

Why Brother Plain-dealing I must say as many now will say, if you aske me I cannot tell, but jle tell thee my opinion, so long as thee and I are so little regarded as we are, there wilbe on hart-burning or another, what saiest thou Brother.

And truly Brother Consci­ence be plaine and briefe, God cannot be pleased with us so long as these Sinns Raignes thus in the Land; Pride raigns instead of Humility; Covetousnesse, instead of Charity, Drunkennesse, instead of Sobriety; Wrath and Envy, instead of Love, & Vnity: instead of Peace, Discention, Backbiters, and Slanderers; and in­stead of Plain-dealing Cusening and Cheating: these are the sins that hinders our Peace, for the Lord saith there shalbe no Peace to the wicked.

You speak truth Brother, the Countrey complaines, and Citty too of the Excise, and Taxes, and Rates, and the deadnesse of Trading; and they do not consider it is their sinns [Page 15] that hath caus'd these burthens, to be laid upon the Land,

Indéed Brother Conscience, I must confesse, in my travells, I have heard great complaint in the Inns & Ale-houses, of the Excise: for my part jle be plain with them, that if it were taken off no body would be the better for't, vnless it were them; unless there were some strickt cours taken in ordering what Béere they should Brew, and how they should sell it, for there is no body payes the Excise but Trades-men, Good-fellows, and Travellors; let Malt be cheap or deare, y^e Ale is all at on price, and all on goodnesse; a Iug or a Flaggon for 2. d. Indéed they cannot live un­lesse they get 9. d. in the shilling, and so I thinke they do many times in their misreckonings, their Fro­thing of Iugs, and their halfe bot­tom'd Flaggons: with your eight penny, and ten penny ordinaries to your Passengers & Travellers when they scarce eat a penny-worth of vic­tuals, and your Waggoners and [Page 16] Carriers payes a great or 6 d or nothing perhaps, and eats a shillings worth of victuals: you had néed be eas'd of your Excise; you are not fatt enough already; Silke-gownes and Peticotes and Bever-hats is not good enough for you; your Chil­dren, in Silver-lace, when it may be your Parents could scarce bring you up without the Almes of the Parish; some of you knows it, and I know't too: for I am Plain-dealing and must tell you of it, if good-fellows would be ruled by me, you should vse a better Conscience to get your Money, and not maintaine you in Silks, when many an honest Far­mer, and Trades-mans Wife; is glad to get good Cloth on their backs: tis true I could wish the poore Far­mers were eased of their Taxes and Rates, for the Lord make us thankfull all things are so plentifull that he m [...]st be a good Husband whe­ther he will or no; or else he were not able to undergoe them: but for your proud unconscionable Hostises I pitty them not much, if I should see [Page 17] some course taken with them, for y^e ex­acting on Travellers, as I should of a Baker, when he is to go to the Pillory for making of light Bread, I hope ere long there will be a course taken for both, and when they sée it, they must make vse of me more then they did.

Now you talke of Bakers Bro­ther, Ile speake my Conscience I thin [...]e they are as unconscionable in many places as the Ale-Wives: and I could name some Chiefe places of my Travels where I think they should have been better look't after, there is Noridge an anchient Cit­ty I thinke there penny Bread was full as big as halfe-penny Bread in o­ther places, I told my Landelord at Abra­hams-hall that I would have them in Print, there is Bristow and Salisbury too, and many other places that I could name, Conscience must néeds tell their Maiestrates that they are in the blame.

Well Brother Consc [...]ence, ile tell thée what we'l do; we'l go travell once more? thou shalt goe North-ward [Page 18] and Ile goe West-warde, and so we'l Cercuit till we méet at London againe, we'l visit every great Fayre, for there wée shall find out aboūdance of Knav­ery, for y^e Proverb goes thers Knavery in all Trads: and I hope wée shall find some honest Men of all Trads which will entertaine us. I intend to sée Bristoll Fayre (God willing) for there comes Trads-men from all Parts; and aboundance of Londoners, and y^t Coun­try people are very fearfull of them.

And for any thing as I sée, there is as much double dealing vsed in y^e Coun­trie by your Trads-men there, as there is by your Londoners? and you are too hard for them sometimes? when your Sop-kéepers in y^e Countrie gives such a Crack, which makes such a Sound in the Londoners eares, that they are the worse fort a great while afterward.

Honest Plain-dealing I am will­ing to take thy Advice & sée the Coun­trey once more? and now every thing is so Plentifull we'l sée what enter­tainment thée and I shall have: Ile stay Bartholomew-Fayre at London, and then to Sturbridge, and so to Yorkshire [...] for there I had vsed to be much regard­ed amongst Them.

Good Ale is the dearest Penny worth there? for Vitalls will cost you little or nothing, if you be a good-fellow.

But honest Brother, prethe let me give thée some Instructions in your Travell: and I would desire some of yours, for where I am, ile put them in minde of you: and where you are, bid them remember mée.

Well I will, and now tell me what I shall doe, for Plaindealing must be ruld by Conscience and Conscience by Plaindealing? for he that vseth one, must vse the other.

First bid the Shop-kéepers and Sails-men, provide them light Shops, and not dark Romes? whereby to deceive their Customers, to make them take old Cloath instead of new, and course Cloath instead of fine. And bid the Whole-saile Men sell good Peny-worths to their Customers, and when they trust them not take to much Gaines: For here they get nought but Inke and Paper for their paines: and pray bid all Trades-Men their, have a care of Lying, for it m [...]y be they dare not Sware, for feare they are made pay for't? and bid their Customers not [Page 20] believe them when they say they loose by their comodities, or get nothing by them, for such as those will cheat them most? and pray invite all the Horse-scorcers in the Fayre that makes much of thée and me, and bid them to din­ner but to be sure do not provide too much vittals, for feare your company be so small, you must be glad to eat it your selfe, pray invite them to the Sign of the Logger-head, for that is néere the Fayre: and pray bid the Hop-merchants kéepe there Flemish Hopps, and sell there English if they have any; bid them have a care they do not sell Flemmish instead of En­glish, for if they Love mée, they will not: and bid the Bakers remember me, and tell them you are a Friend of mine, and must take notice of such as Loves not Conscience and Plain-dealing; bid them all remember thée and I? and tell them that the Faire would be a great deale the bet­ter, (and all Fayres, and Markets else) if they would make vse of thée and I, to helpe them in their Buy­ing and Selling? and not vse false Waights and Measures, and deceitfull­nesse in their Trading: for light gains, & quick saile, wil mak a heavy Pursse.

Well Brother Consc [...]ence, I intend to follow thy directions, and prithy where thou goest bid them re­member mée: and let not Shop-kéep­ers and Trads Men use double dealing so much as they doe? nor kéep but one sort of Waights, and Measures, to buy and sell by: and let them turne out Hypocracy out of their Shops, for a great many have kept him to be the Fore-man of the Shop instead of mée? and so haue deceived the People: but I hope we shall discover them all: for the People begin to find them out al­ready, for indeed, and forsooth, and in truth? they have cheated many an honest Man: not an Oath, but as ma­ny Lyes as you please: I advise all to have a care of them, and nor deale with any, if you know them to be such: for he that will Sware, will Ly, and he that will Ly would Sware too, if it were not in hopes to Coussen you the more.

Pray remember me to all the honest Inns, and Ale-houses that you goe too in your Travells, and tell them they will be near the poorer for entertain­ing you. For indéed in the North parts, & especially in Yorkshire they vse some Conscience there, therefore you néed not feare entertainment. Remember [Page 22] me to al our Friends at Shefield, and bid the Cutlers there not glaze their knives so much as they do, nor Bromygum nei­ther, for they leave so little Stéele on, y^t when they are vs'd a while the heat of the meat melts al the stéel away: there is a place cal'd Cuckolds-haven néere Shefield, where I hard, the Host of the House formerly dealt so much with that Ware, and had so much credit of his dealers in Sheffield; & got so much cre­dit by his Ware, by Sea and Land, y^t he hath built him this plac cal'd Cuc [...] ­olds-haven? which by report cost his dealers thrée hundrd pound y^e building: wher they got so much by him I know not? but good brother Conscience come not there, for he'l turn you out of doors, for by report he never knew you in his life, & he cares not for strangers, its y^e trick of a knav youl say: tis pitty knavs should flourish so in Town and Citty.

Pray Brother Conscience bid y^e Cloathyers to br [...]ng as much Cloth as they can this Summer, while the weather is dry? but let them give good measure when they sell it? & perswade y^e people y^t buys it: to take enough for feare they should find none to match it when tis shrunke: & pray advise all Coun rey-men and wmoen y^t comes to Markets and [Page 23] Fayres, to have a care how that they part from their Money, and let them not part from it to them that will tak't at a venter, and never tell it, for then they will have nothing for it; but trou­ble to find it againe: & pray let all coun­trey men and others where they are merry, & in drinke: have a care of Ga­ming, for fear they méet with a dish of Rooks that wilbe so saucy they,l not be able to disgest them in a good while af­ter, and I would advise Young men to have a care of their pockets, and Maids have a care of their plackets, for when y^t drinke is in y^e wit is out, for both may have sowre sance to their swéet meat, if they have not a care.

And in the next place I advise all, let them be rich or poore, old or young, to hate swearing, and lying, cusening and cheating, quarling & fighting, do as they would be don by? kéep a good conscience, and love plaindealing. Let a man be honest, Iust & faire, then where he goes he néed not care; So once more wée are resolvd to sée, where conscience & plain­dealing best entertain'd shall-be. And when we have gon our circut roūd we'l tell you wher conscience & plaindealing may be found: so fare well tell wée doe méet again: for conscience & plaindeal­ing, mongst some doth still remain. The