I with my Fol­lowers, and Hangers-on; salute thee with one a Corde: not forgetting, but alwayes remembring my love to both thy wives, and thy Heire apparant, whom we doubt not but in time will be brought up to the Gal­lowes, to equall, if not exceed his father Gregory; well mayst thou remaine praise-worthy in the most lasting memory of Officers, that so carefully against a time of such great imployment didst provide two such wives, which in case of extremity, are as two strings to your Bow; or (according to our Cordage phrase) like a Rope and Butter, if one slip the other will hold; But setting aside this preambulation, I shall at large de­clare to thee my Embasie, and the cause of it; I have [Page 4]beene inform'd, that there is a lasting tye of friendship conferr'd of, and confirmed betwixt you and the De­stinies, that Atropos the third fatall Sister, hath resigned her office, converted the thred of Life, to the Halter of Death, and onely left it to thy cutting.

These are humbly to certifie thee, that the late ho­nesty of our Nation, have almost undone us; they are growne so unworthy, that there is scarce one man amongst twenty that deserves Hanging (more is the pitty) but it is reported (to your joy and comfort) that in your Countrey, scarce one amongst forty de­serve lesse. It is reported to us, that Treason is but a trifle with you, and (if your civill warre goe on) Murthers will seeme but modest Mischiefes; w^ch if it be your fate to out-live, there will be worke in abundance for you; but if Treason, Murther, Rapine, (by strange Rhetoricke) be proved no lesse then the Liberty of the Subject, I will not give a Whipcord for your Office; the Rope-maker will not trust you, and then you may hang your selfe in your owne. Garters; but for mine owne hopes I wish things may be otherwise. My re­quest to you therefore is that you will provide me a house neere Wapping, for it is my intention (since I know I shall escape drowning) to take shipping for London, where, I doubt not but I shall performe the Office of an absolute Journiman, and very cheape (in time of full doings.) I will execute Man or Woman for two pence a person, which (according to the English account) is three slips for a Tester; upon con­dition, that when the Rebellion is concluded, you will make me your deputy in Ireland, where I hope I shall lay my sword at the root of the tree; and shew my [Page 5]selfe (for your honour, and my owne) not much infe­riour to you, we will divide our labours into fit sea­sons; The Papists shall suffer one day, the Brwnists the second, and the Anabaptist the third, because the first hath occasion to stay in Purgatory, till the other two are ready for a further journey; And that we might bee famed the greatest Noose-mongers in Europe, wee will have the forme of our Engines of Execution con­trary to all that ever was; my Gallowes shall be made Square, and yours shall be Round, you shall hang with a Corde, and I with a With, you behead with an Axe, and I with a Sword. If you like well of these honest propositions, which are but modest & civill, I will not Hang-an-Arse, but presently present my service to you; My brother Breake-necke of Amsterdam, My Cozen Cut throat of Rotterdam, with my honest friend Hans-van-stripe (the Beadle) commend their service to you, and would thinke them selves very happy to wait upon you: so likewise would my Uncle Burne-in-hant, with his honest son Brand-well van Crop-eare; all waiting the execution of your will: I pray faile not to send me a speedy answer, as you respect,

I Have received your last Packet, dated the 18. of August, wherein you became an humble Petitioner for my Service, and fully expresse how laborious a Rea­per you would be in my harvest. It is most certaine, I shall have daily use for such Artists as your selfe; but as yet I am some­what doubtfull in my choice, I would entertaine none but knowne and approved men of honest lives and con­versation, whose credits have hung up faire in the sight of people, and whose reputations can endure the Rack; For it is not unknowne to you my predecessors (of happy memory, were no lesse, who have been nearly and dearly acquainted with great States-men, and many well borne (though ill heed) Gentlemen; Who have [Page 7]so devoutly loved him, they would sooner lose their lives then part with them (and oftentimes it happened so) Therefore if you can bring over with you an Epistle commendatory, or a Letter of your Commendations for you and your friends, no question but I shall give you favourable attention, and a gentle hearing, and when I have disposed you to your severall quarters, I hope (like loving Cord-crackers) you will hang toge­ther in the chaines of amity. I must confesse, I doe daily expect imployment; for (as you say) Treason is such a trifle with us, that some can speake no other language, their mouthes so flowing over with Blasphemy, as if they intended transversion of Christendome to its first Paganisme. I doe very well approve your fancy for a Round and Square Gallowes; we shall have use for them.

I thanke you for your kind commendations to my two wives; but since you heard last from me, the Law will allow me but one, and for that fault have confined me to my Office, which as times happen, will appeare to me an easie bondage. You will converse with men of great birth in Ireland, nor shall I treate with men much inferiour in England, if they give not over their Ma­lignancy, which if they doe, they will in spight of my teeth preserve an old Prouerbe, And Couzen the Hang­man. I pray come over as well accoutred as you can, and give the same advice to your Hangers-on; It will be for my credit, as for your owne imployment; I be­leeve you are almost as skilfull as my self, but for your followers they are but newly come to it; therefore you may be their instructors, and Hang till they mend.

Much more I should write, but the high affaires which are my hourely cogitations Cut me off from many things. I thanke you Friends for their kinde commendations, and returne my love to all of them.

Iohn-Swing-thief of Maidstone, remembers his com­mendations to you, and thanks you for your love when he was in Holland. Stephen Strangle-man of Bambery salutes you with his service, and bid me tell you (if you are well furnished) Hemp will be a good commodity, and be good chaffer for very choice ware in this King­dome, so in expectation of your speedy arrivall at Wapping, I bid you twise God-buie.