The delectable history of Poor Robin the merry sadler of Walden Shewing many merry passages of his life, of harmless mirth, to lengthen delight, and frive away melancholly

The delectable history of Poor Robin the merry sadler of Walden Shewing many merry passages of his life, of harmless mirth, to lengthen delight, and frive away melancholly

Table of contents

Title page

To his unknown Friend, POOR ROBIN, the Subject of this merry Hiſtory.

CHAP. 1. The Birth of Poor Robin; how he was bound Apprentice to a Sadler, and what a trick he ſerved his Maſter.

CHAP 2. How poor Robin ſerved his Maſter for ſitting up late at Night.

Chap. 3. How poor Robin ſerved a Rich Miſer.

CHAP. 4. How poor Robin marryed, and ſet up for himſelf.

CHAP. V. How poor Robin ſerved one of his▪ Companions a ſlovens trick.

CHAP. 6. Of a very ſad diſaſter that befel unto poor Robin.

CHAP. 7. How poor Sarah was cheated of her Mutton.

CHAP. 8. How poor Robin kiſt his Wifes Back-ſide inſtead of her Mouth.

CHAP. 9. How poor Robin eat Dogs-ſtones inſtead of Lambs ſtones.

CHAP. X. A witty Jeſt that poor Robin gave to a Serjeant

CHAP. XI. How poor Robin won five ſhillings by kiſſing his Hoſteſs.

Chap. 12. Poor Robins ſayings of Ambitious men.

Chap. 13. Poor Robins Journey to London.

Chap. 14. A Tale of a Pack of Cards.

CHAP. XV. How poor Robin ſerved a Bricklayer.

Chap. 16. A Scottiſh Marriage.

Chap. 17. Poor Robins perambulation about the City.

Chap. 18. Many odd Whimſies and Conceits of poor Robin.

Books printed for and ſold by Joſhua Conyers at the Black Raven in Fetter-lane.

[Page]The Delectable HISTORY of Poor Robin, The Merry Sadler of VValden.

FINIS.

§

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The Delectable Hiſtory OF Poor Robin The Merry Sadler of WALDEN.

SHEWING Many merry Paſſages of his Life, of harmleſs Mirth, to lengthen Delight, and drive away Melancholly.

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Printed for J. Conyers, Bookſeller, at the ſign of the black Raven in Fetter-Lane, near Holborn.

To his unknown Friend, POOR ROBIN, the Subject of this merry Hiſtory.

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SIR, you are happy thus to have your name

Inrolled in the Kalender of fame:

What others with much hazard ſcarce attain,

You by the kindneſs of your friend do gain.

You'l need no Monument over your Grave

To tell the world you were; this book will ſave

Such needleſs coſt, and make your name ſurvive

So long as any one ſhall be alive.

You by his pen have equal honour won,

With Scoggin, Archy, and the Knight o'th'Sun.

Come when it will, your deaths uncertain hour

Which o're your Body only hath a power;

Yet ſhall your fame ſurvive, your name ſhall live

Such grace the Muſes to theſe lines do give.

William Lawſintney.

CHAP. 1. The Birth of Poor Robin; how he was bound Apprentice to a Sadler, and what a trick he ſerved his Maſter.

POor Robin was born in Saffron Walden, in the County of Eſſex, of honeſt plain Parents, who brought him up not as our nice Dames do now adays, by ejecting of him how much he ſhould eat, but as the faſhion was then, full fed with groſs meats; to that in few years he grew a ſturdy Lad and conſidering his growth and manners, a man might well ſay, Better fed than taught: His Father being willing he ſhould be able to live in the World another day, [...]ound him an Apprentice to a [Page] Sadler, one who fitted Robins humour to a hair; for the Maſter loving ſtrong drink, he thought it ſhould go hard if the man likewiſe did not ſometimes wet his lips with it. It fortuned one time his Maſter had brewed a Barrel of Beer ſtronger than ordinary, to the drinking up of which poor Robin one night invites five or ſix of his Comrades, who before the next morning drank it all up: Poor Robin to excuſe himſelf draws the Spigot out, and throws a Pail full of ſmall Beer, and two or three Pails full of Water under the Tap, and by a wile gets a great Sow into the Cellar; ſo the next morning when his maſter aroſe, all was quiet, and the Sow was blamed for what the Boar-Pig had done.

CHAP 2. How poor Robin ſerved his Maſter for ſitting up late at Night.

POor Robins Maſter had gotten a Cuſtom that the man did not like of, which was that after he had tippled all day, (ſometimes till ten or eleven a Clock at night) he would then come home, and fall aſleep in a Chair: during which time his man muſt not go to Bed, but wait until his Maſter awaked. Poor Robin to break him of this evil Cuſtom: one night when his Maſter came home ſoundly fuddled, and [Page] fallen aſleep in his Chair, as he was uſed to do, he made a great fire, and then draws his maſters Legs ſo near thereto, that his Toes touched ſome of the Coals; which being done, he ſits him down in the other corner, to obſerve the ſequel: long had he not ſate, but his maſters Shooes began to fry, whereupon he ſuddenly awakes, and jumps about as if he had been mad: the man all this while Counterfeits himſelf aſleep, nor would not ſeem to awake for a good ſpace: at laſt ſeeming much to pitty his Maſters misfortune, they went to bed: but never after that would his maſter ſit up again to ſleep in his Chair.

Chap. 3. How poor Robin ſerved a Rich Miſer.

IN the ſame Town lived a Rich Miſer, who had wealth enough to have been Treaſurer of the Town, and Wisdom anſwerable for a Beadle of a Pariſh: this man fuller of faith than good Works, would neither feaſt the Poor, to relieve their wants, nor yet the Rich, to maintain Brotherly Unity. Poor Robin, who hated bad houſe-keeping as he hated the Devil, reſolved to put a trick upon him, the time of year (being then Chriſtmas) made fit for his purpoſe, and counterfeiting himſelf to be the Gentlemans man, about ten or eleven a [Page] Clock at night, juſt when people were in Bed, he calls at ſundry mens doors, inviting them the next day to his Maſters (naming the Gentlemans name) to Dinner; whereupon the next day appeared the number of two and twenty in their Roaſt-meat Apparel, but contrary to their expectation, finding ſmall preparation towards a Dinner, they began to wonder wherefore he had invited them: the Gentleman as much wondered wherefore they came: at laſt the truth being cleared on both ſides, ſome laugh'd, and ſome frown'd, and ſo they all departed home.

CHAP. 4. How poor Robin marryed, and ſet up for himſelf.

POor Robin having ſerved out his Apprentiſhip, would needs ſet up for himſelf, and thereupon hires him a Houſe and Shop; yet conſidering it was inconvenient for him to live alone, and that two heads were better than one, he reſolv'd to do as many others have done, marry in haſte, though he repented at leiſure. But yet his fortune was better than his deſerts: for though ſhe were but a homely Woman with▪whom he joyned in Matrimony, yet was ſhe provident to live in the World▪ and for his own part, he ſtood not much upon beauty, but had rather have a fat Purſe than a fair Wife, ſeeing there was great profit in the [Page] one, and leſs danger of being made a Cuckold by the other; never did couple agree more lovingly together than did this pair at firſt; inſomuch, that Duck and Lamb were the ordinary terms he beſtowed upon her: Whereupon a Wit▪ of the Town hearing this loving language betwixt them, made this Epigram to be read by any that can underſtand it.

Poor Robin thinks his Wife excells moſt Dames,

And calls her Duck and Lamb, with ſuch kind Names;

A Duck's a Fowl, a Lamb's a Beaſt we know

Poor Robin's Wife's a foul Beaſt then I trow.

CHAP. V. How poor Robin ſerved one of his▪ Companions a ſlovens trick.

POor Robin having ſet up for himſelf, (as you have heard) he would oftentimes travel abroad into the Country, to get acquaintance amongſt the Gentry; it happened one time, being belated homeward, and his Brain intoxicated with the juice of Bacchus, that he took up his Quarters in a Country Alehouſe, where notwithſtanding he had gotten a luſty jag before, yet fell he to drinking of Beer and Sider as if his belly▪ were bottomleſs: at length growing ſleepy, he went to [Page] bed, where it was his chance to be lodged in the ſame Chamber where one of his Acquaintance was already in Bed: who as he lay down ſooner than poor Robin, ſo the next morning was he ſooner got up, providing a Pot and a Toaſt ready againſt poor Robin aroſe, but a foul miſchance befell poor Robin in the mean time, for the Wine, Beer, and Syder not agreeing together in his Body, he very mannerly (ſir reverence) beſhit the Bed. Whereupon not knowing what to do, and being loath to be diſcredited, a Crotthet came in his Crown, which he preſently put in Execution: he takes the ſtinking Sheets from off his own bed, and lays them on his Friends, and then takes his and lays them on his own bed: ſo ſpreading the Coverlid, as if nothing were amiſs, he makes himſelf ready, and down Stairs he goes; no ſooner was he below, but his friend Arreſts him at Mr. Fox's Suit, and by all means would make him pay his Groat for being drunk; poor Robin excuſed himſelf as well as he could, and would be judged by his Landlord whether he was fuddled or no; whilſt they were thus brangling about paying the Groat, the Maid went up into the Chamber to make the beds; but▪ finding the one of them in a pittiful pickly, ſhe came chafing down, calling [Page] the man beaſtly fellow, and naſty Knave, with other Billings-gate Language, ſuch as came firſt at her tongues end, the man imagined her to be mad, thus to ſcold for nothing, till in the end ſhe told him in plain terms, he had beſhit the bed. La ye now, quoth poor Robin, I will be judged by my Landlord, whether of us was moſt fuddled laſt night: Truly, ſaid the Hoſt, I can judge no other ways but that he was, elſe would he never a plaid ſuch a naſty Trick: Whereupon it was adjudged by all the company that the man ſhould pay his Groat, and poor Robin go ſcot-free.

CHAP. 6. Of a very ſad diſaſter that befel unto poor Robin.

IT hapned on a time during theſe late unhappy Warrs, that all the Eſſex Train-Bands were aſſembled at Walden, to Reſiſt the Kings Forces, who in a Bravado had made their Excurſions as far as unto Huntington: amongſt other Military Weapons of Deſtruction, they brought with them a Drake, which they planted juſt under poor Robin's Chamber window, to be ſhot off at nine of the Clock in the night, for a warning to all people to repair home. Poor Robin and his wife were at that time newly gone to Bed: now it is to be underſtood, that the Chamber [Page] where they lay went but half way over the Room below, a Rail of about ſome four foot high being ſet up by the ſide to [...]ep them from falling, cloſe by which Rail was poor Robins Bed: the ſeaſon then being indifferent warm, and poor Robin apt for Uenerial Exerciſes, he would needs have a touch upon Cracket with his Wife, but whilſt they were buſie at their port, the Drake was ſhot off, which poor Sarah his wife hearing▪ in a marvellous fright, gave a ſudden ſtart, and threw poor Robin quite over the Rail into the Room below, and very fouly be wrayed the bed, poor Robin himſelf much bruiſed in body, and half dead, at length got up, but his Courage was ſo cooled with the greatneſs of the fall, that he had more mind to go to a Chyrurgion than a wench.

CHAP. 7. How poor Sarah was cheated of her Mutton.

POor Sarah on a time had made a very great Pye, wherein ſhe had put a whole Loin of Mutton, beſides ſtore of other Meat, ſo that it was valued to be worth fiue or ſix ſhillings at ſeaſt; this Pye ſhe ſent to the common Oven to bake, which being perceived by three or four mercy Blades, they reſolved if they could poſſibly to cheat her of the Pye, which at laſt [Page] they brought to paſs, in this manner: at ſuch time as the Baker uſed to draw, two of them went and held poor Sarah in a Tale, whilſt the other ſent one of her Neighbours boys to the Bake-houſe with a Peal, a Nap [...]in, and Money for the baking. The Baker miſtruſting no Knavery, delivered the Boy the Pye, which was preſently carried to the next Ale-houſe, whither inviting ſome more of▪ their Companions unto them, with much mirth and laughter they eat it up: and becauſe the ieſt ſhould be publiquely known, they ſet the Cryer to work, [...] publiſhed the ſame in euery. Corner of the Town.

CHAP. 8. How poor Robin kiſt his Wifes Back-ſide inſtead of her Mouth.

POor Robin having been out very late one night, his underſtanding being Eclips'd, he miſtook himſelf, and went in at the Beds-feet inſtead of the head of it: where remembring how by his ll husbandry he had offended his Wife, to appeaſe her anger, he falls to kiſſing her poſteriors, imagining it had been her Mouth, but finding the platform bigger than his face, he asks her the queſtion if her Cheeks were ſwell'd: ſhe for anſwer returns him a Foiſt, which made him to ask [Page] her again, if her breath did ſtink: whereupon ſhe burſting out in a very great laughter, let fly ſuch a crack, that the grains flew about his face: whereupon in a great rage turning him on the other ſide, You beaſtly quean (quoth he) muſt you ſpit in my face, the Devil himſelf ſhall kiſs you, e're I will kiſs you again.

CHAP. 9. How poor Robin eat Dogs-ſtones inſtead of Lambs ſtones.

AS poor Robin was more addicted to fleſh than to fiſh, ſo of all ſorts or fleſh he loved a diſh of Lambs-ſtones beſt: a merry-diſpoſed Companion knowing his Appetite, reſolved to put a trick upon him: a Gentleman of the Town who kept a park of Hounds, having gelt his Dogs, he gets the Stones, and with a few Swéet-kreads, preſents them to poor Revin as a dainty diſh. Poor Robin very thankful for ſo great a kindneſs, would not ſtay, but preſently had them dreſſed, making all the haſte he could for fear any ſhould come in to be partakers with him in his Dinner: but having eaten them and underſtood the truth, he fell on ſpewing as if his Gall would come up with it: Poor Sarah in like manner diſgorged her Stomach. that who ſhould have ſeen them, would have concluded them drunk with eating.

CHAP. X. A witty Jeſt that poor Robin gave to a Serjeant

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THe Bleu Regiment of Train Souldiers being on a time at Walden, one of the Serjeants to ſhow his bravery, had gotten a great Bleu Scarf about his middle, being as much or more than the Enſign had in his Colours. Poor Robin thinking him to be too fine to fight, would venture to put a jeer upon him: and calling to him, asked if he wanted any work, why, quoth the Serjeant, what makes you to ask? O, cry you mercy, quoth poor Robin, I was miſtaken in you, I took you at firſt for a Shoo-maker, becauſe you had gotten your Eleu Apron before you.

CHAP. XI. How poor Robin won five ſhillings by kiſſing his Hoſteſs.

POor Robin with ſome other of his Mates, being drinking in an Ale-houſe where was an exceeding tall Hoſtels, one of them proffered to lay five ſhillings, (becauſe poor Robin was low) that he ſhould not kiſs her as [Page] he ſtoo [...] upon the ground: Poor Robin nothing daunted at his words, accepted the challenge and covered the Money: but when he went to kiſs her, his mouth would not reach much higher than her Apron ſtrings: Whereupon proffering as though he would put his hand under her Coats, he made her ſtoop to put it by; then he claſping his Arms about her neck, gave her a kiſs, and ſo won the wager.

Chap. 12. Poor Robins ſayings of Ambitious men.

POor Robin being in company with ſome Gentlemen, who were talking of the Ambition of many men now a days, that would venture the loſs of their Souls for the gaining of a Kingdom: yea, (quoth poor Robin) but the ſucceſs of many of them is far different from King Saul's: for he in ſeeking for Aſſes found a Kingdom: and they in ſeeking a Kingdom, find themſelves to be Aſſes.

Chap. 13. Poor Robins Journey to London.

POor Robin having never been at London in his Life, and very deſirous to ſee the City. whoſe ſame rang ſo ſoud in every Mans mouth, he reſolved to make a Journey thither, and ſpend ſome time in viewing the Rarities of the ſame: but becauſe he was unacquainted [Page] with the City cuſtoms, he got a companion of his to go along with him: no ſooner were they paſt Aldgate, but poor Robin ſeeing ſuch a number of ſigns, he whiſpered with his friend, Certainly (quoth he) they muſt néeds he all drunkards that lives in this place, I never ſaw ſo many Ale-houſes together in my Life: and thereupon beckoning to his Companion, enters into one of the Shops, and calls for a Jugg of Beer: but they making him acquainted with his errour, how they Sold no drink, but if he wanted any thing elſe they could furniſh him with it: he preſently without any ſtudying, asks them to ſhew him a pair of Hedging Gloves: whereupon changing their opininion, inſtead of a fool they took him for a jeering Companion: and to fit him for his Gloves, had him to the Pump, and ſoundly vedrencht him from the head to the foot. Yet notwithſtanding this [...]art [...] Entertainment at firſt, having occaſion to go through Birching-Lane, and being asked by the Sales-men, Country-man, what lack▪ you? Marry, quoth he, that which I fear you cannot furniſh me withal: and being importuned by them to know what it was, Why, (quoth he) that which you have none of, I mean Honeſty. Night approaching, Poor Robin and his walking Mate repaired [Page] to their Inn, where after they had ſupt, and drank five or ſix Juggs of Beer with the Hoſt of the Houſe and ſome of his men, (for Innkeepers ſervants drink moſt of their Beer at other mens coſt) his Friend loving no Tobacco, and poor Robin himſelf defying that Heatheniſh Weed, to paſs away the time, they agreed amongſt themſelves, that every one of the Company ſhould either tell a Tale, or ſing a Song. Poor Robin, who firſt mentioned the ſame, beginning in this manner.

Chap. 14. A Tale of a Pack of Cards.

NOt many Ages ſince, a Parſon of a Country Uillage, was accuſed to a Committee that he was a great Gameſter at Cards: being ſo addicted thereunto, that he would oftentimes play on Sundays: the Committee thus informed, ſent forthwith for the Parſon, to anſwer his accuſation: who receiving the Warrant, made no excuſes or delay, but with all the haſte he could, made his appearance before them; with whom alſo came the Informer to juſtifie his Accuſation. Being thus met together, the Committee began to ſchool the Parſon, that one of his calling ſhould be addicted to ſuch Uice, as to be noted for a Common player at Cards. Indeed, ſaid the Parſon, I am ſo far from the ſame, that I do not know [Page] what a pair of Cards meaneth. Sir, qd. the Informer, if you pleaſe to ſearch his Pockets, I believe you will find a pair there at this preſent, for he ſeldom goeth without ſuch tackling; whereupon the Committee commanding his pockets to be ſearcht, they found a pair of Cards there indeed: but the Parſon denied them for to be Cards, ſaying, they may be Cards to you, but to me they are an Almanack: and being demanded how he could make it appear, he anſwered thus: Firſt (quoth he) here is as many ſuits of Cards as there be quarters in a year; and as many Court Cards as there be months in a year; as many Cards as there are weeks in a year; and as many ſpots as there be days in a year. Then when I look upon the King, it puts me in mind of the allegiance that I owe to my Soveraign Lord the King, looking upon the queen, puts me in mind of the like Allegiance that I owe to the Queen; the ten puts me in mind of the ten Commandments, the nine of the nine Muſes; the eight of the eight Altitudes; the ſeven of the ſeven liberal Sciences; the ſix of the ſix days we ought to labour in: the five of the five Senſes; the four of the four Evangeliſts; the three of the Trinity; the two of the two Sacraments: & the Ace, that we ought to worſhip but one God. Truly, quoth the Committee, [Page] if this he all the uſe you can make of them. I can ſind no great fault with you; but Mr. Parſon, of all the Cards that you have nominated, you have forgotten the Knave, pray what uſe make you of him? O ſir, ſaid he, pointing to him that was his accuſer) that I ſuppoſe is your Worſhips Informer.

CHAP. XV. How poor Robin ſerved a Bricklayer.

NOt long after, poor Robin having been late abroad amongſt his Pot-companions and being elevated with Béer, he reſolved once more to counterfeit himſelf a Gentlemans man, at the ſame time was a very deep Snow, whereupon he calls at a Bricklayers houſe, telling him his Maſter (naming a Gentleman that lived ſome two mile off, and where he knew that Bricklayer uſed to work) would have him come on the morning, and bring. a bunch of Lath with him, to mend up a ſeiling which the Snow had broken down; the next morning the Bricklayer got up be times, and with a bunch of Lath on his ſhoulder, went to the Gentlemans houſe, being each ſtep almoſt up to the knees in Snow, but the weather was not more cold than his entertainment, for the Gentleman thinking he came to jeer him, ſwore at him like a Cut-purſe. Whereupon the poor Bricklayer was forced to go home again like a fool as he came.

Chap. 16. A Scottiſh Marriage.

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VVE don't uſe to Wad in Scotland as you wad in England; Jocky comes to the Kirk, & takes ſir Donkyn by the Rochet and ſays good morn ſir Donkyn. What's the matter Jocky, what's the matter? a Wadding, a Wadding ſays he, Deant you ſee the Hoppets and the Skippets, and all the Lads of the Gang? Iſe do, Iſe come to you believe. Then Sir Donkyn Gangs to the Kirk; I ſpee, and I ſpee; ho a Deal do you ſpee? Jocky of the high Lane, and Jenny of the long Cliff: if any know why theſe twa may not be wadded together, let them now ſpeak, or hold their tongues in the Deals Name. Jocky, wilt thou ha Jenny to thy wadded Wife? I ſha, Jocky ſan after me, I ſha; Jocky wilt thou ha Jenny to thy wadded Wife, forſaking all Soons, Lubbar-loons, ſwig-bellied Calves, black Lips, and blew Noſes? ay forſooth. If theſe twa be not as well wadded as e're I wadded two theſe ſeven years, the Deal and St. Andrew part them.

The wadding being ended, all the company went to bed; where we will leave them till the next morning, to relate poor Robins perambulation about the City.

Chap. 17. Poor Robins perambulation about the City.

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NO ſooner did Apollo begin to appear in the Eaſtern Horizon, but poor Robin ſhaking off melaneholly ſleep rouzed his companion to prepare himſelf for their intended perambulation: and having armed themſelves with a pot of happy Ale, they took their firſt walk to ſee the Royal Exchange, a moſt magnificent ſtructure, built by Sir Thomas Greſham, from thence they went to take a view of Leaden Hall, but, the exceeding bravery of the Exchange had ſo dimned the beauty of this place, that was nothing pleaſing to poor Robins eye, he made no tarrying there, but went preſently down to the Tower, where having ſeen the Lyons, and from the Wharf taken a ſuperficial view of the Bridge, as alſo of ſome Ships, upon the River of Thames, weary of beholding ſuch triaial matters as theſe, he had far more devotion to go ſee a Puppet-play; where for one penny charges he ſaw that which gave him far more content than any thing he had ſeen before, ſo admirable pleaſing to his fancy was it, to ſee how thoſe little pretty things hop'd about: but leſt he ſhould take a ſurfeit with ſuch raviſhing delights, his Friend perſwaded him to go ſee the ancient Cathedral of St. Paul, being at that preſent made a [Page] Horſe-guard by the Souldiers, which poor Robin beholding, What bleſſed Reformation, quoth he, have we here, for in our Country can we ſcarce perſwade men to go to Church, and here comes men and horſes too; but having quickly ſatisfied themſelves with the ſight of Pauls, they would in the next place to viſit Weſtminſter, the rather becauſe it was at that preſent Term time; where beholding ſuch a number of Lawyers in their Gowns, Good God, ſaid he, ſend me ſafe out of this place, if two or three make ſuch a quarter in our Town, certainly there would be no abiding there for men in their wits. A Country Gentleman over-hearing hint, I remember (quoth he) I over-heard a ſtory of a certain man, that went down into Hell, wherein he beheld men of all profeſſions, age, and conditions, ſaving only Lawyers, which made him the more to wonder, becauſe he imagined them all there, and asking the Devil the reaſon thereof, he made this reply, We have them here though you ſee them not, but we are forced to keep them in a Room by themſelves, leaſt they ſhould ſet all the devils in Hell at variance. Poor Robin laughed very heartily at this tale, and having now ſatisfied his mind concerning London, he returned to his Inn, and having diſcharged all reckonings, his friend and he returned home.

Chap. 18. Many odd Whimſies and Conceits of poor Robin.

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POor Robin daily frequenting the Tavern and Alehouſe, had learned of his Companions many drunken Whimſies and other odd Conceits, as the five properties that belongs, to an Hoſt, that He muſt have the Head of a Stag, the back of a Nag, the Belly of a Hog, skip up and down like a Frog, and lye and fawn like a Dog. As alſo. four ingrepients whereof a womans tongue is made, viz. The ſound of a great Bell, the wagging of a Dogs tail, the ſhaking of an Aſpen-leaf, tempered with Running Water. Theſe following Paradoxes were alſo very often rehearſed by poor Robin.

Spurs would be out of faſhion were it not for Horſe-courſers.

True men would be ſcarce, were not Taylors ſo plentiful.

Many men are fore'd to climb the Gallows, yet few like Dogs are hanged for their skins.

A Miller is a right time-obſerver, for he evermore turns with the Wind.

A ſilent Woman is a Creature to be admired, (if ſcarceneſs may breed admiration.)

When poor Robin had gotten a cup in his crown, as it oftentimes happened, he would [Page] be then playing the Poet, and nothing but rhime ſhould come out of his mouth; for as one writes:

Poet and Pot do differ but one letter,

And that makes Poet love the pot the better

Amongſt other of his Conceits, this following Compariſon was much uſed by him.

Like a purſe that hath no chink in't,

Or a Celler, and no drink in't;

Like a Iewel never worn,

Or a Child untimely born:

Like a Song without a foot,

Or a Bond and no Hand to it:

Such doth ſhe ſeem vnto mine eyes

That lives a Virgin till ſhe dyes.

Women, ſaid he, are all in extreams, either too willing, or too wilful; too forward, or too froward; too courteous, or too coy; too friendly, or too fiendly, the mean they alwaies meanly account of. This made [...] a Ruler in Carthage, refuſe to [...]; ſaying. If I marry a Wife, ſhe will be wilfull, if wealthy, then wanton; if poor, then [...]; if beautiful, then proud; if deformed, then loathſome, and the leaſt of theſe is able to kill a thouſand men.

Books printed for and ſold by Joſhua Conyers at the Black Raven in Fetter-lane.

[Page]

1. THe Rules of Civility, or the Art of good Breeding and Behaviour.

2. Lillies new E [...]a pater, or prognoſtication for ever.

3. The Engliſh Fortune-teller, deſcribing by the Moles of the Face, and by palmiſtry by the Lines of the hand, and Dreams, the good and bad fortune of Men and Women.

4. The Shepherds new Kalender, a Book of Fortune.

5. A hundred notable things for a peny.

6. The Engliſh Mountebanks new Book of Merry Conceits.

7. Second part of Dr. Fauſtus.

8. The Hiſtory of Fortunatus.

9. A new Academy of Complements, with new Songs, ſung at Court and play-houſe.

10. A new parliament of Women.

11. Dr. Lillies laſt Legacy, a Book of choice Receipts of phyſick.

12. Dr. Culpeper's Engliſh phyſicians daily practiſe, a Book of choice Receipts of phyſick

13. Dr. Salvator Winter's new Book of choice Receipts of phyſick and Chyrurgery.

14. The Ladies cabinet, a new Book of cookery

15. The Hiſtory of Reynard the Fox.

Where Chapmen may be furniſhed with all ſorts of Books and Baltads.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

The delectable history of Poor Robin the merry sadler of Walden Shewing many merry passages of his life, of harmless mirth, to lengthen delight, and frive away melancholly

Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.

Edition statement

1680

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2006-02 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A66690

ID [STC]

Wing W3057C

ID [STC]

ESTC R220037

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99831475

ID [PROQUEST]

99831475

ID [VID]

35938

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A66690)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 35938)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2122:05)

Source

— The delectable history of Poor Robin the merry sadler of Walden Shewing many merry passages of his life, of harmless mirth, to lengthen delight, and frive away melancholly, Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698..

Extent

[24] p.

Printed for J. Conyers, bookseller, at the sign of the black Raven in Fetter-Lane, near Holborn,. [London] :: [c. 1680]. (Attributed by Wing to William Winstanley.) (Place and date of publication from Wing.) (With a title-page woodcut.) (Signatures: AB⁴.) (With a final advertisment page.) (Copy has the word "delectable" crossed out on the title page and the word "damnable" written above it.) (Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library.)

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