A new discouery by sea, with a vvherry from London to Salisbury. Or, a voyage to the West, the worst, or the best That e're was exprest. By Iohn Taylor.

A Discouery by Sea , from London to Salisbury . AS our accompt in Almanacks agree , The yeare cal'd sixteen hundred twenty three : That Iulyes twenty eight , two houres past dinner , We with our Wherry , and fiue men within her , Along the christall Thames did cut and curry , Betwixt the Counties , Middlesex and Surry : whilst thousands gaz'd , we past the bridge with wonder , Where fooles & wise men goe aboue & vnder . We thus our Voyage brauely did begin Downe by St. Katherines , where the Priest fell in , By Wapping , where as hang'd drownd Pirats dye ; ( Or else such Rats ,

Any Ra● that eats Pye , is a Py●rat .

When past down the Riuer there was not any Post or Horne there , bu● since it is most worthily Repaired .

I thinke as would eate Pye . ) And passing further , I at first obseru'd That Cuckolds-Hauen was but badly seru'd , For there old Tyme , had such confusion wrought , That of that Ancient place remained nought . No monumentall memorable Horne , Or Tree , or Poste , which hath those Trophees born , Was left , whereby Posteritie may know Where theire forefathers Crests did growe , or show . Which put into a maze my musing Muse , Both at the worlds neglect , and Times abuse , That that stout Pillar , to Obliuions pit Should fall , whereon Plus vltra might be writ , That such a marke of Reuerend note should lye Forgot , and hid , in blacke obscurity ▪ Especially when men of euery sort Of countries , Cities , warlike Campes or Court , Vnto that Tree are plaintiffs or defendants , All estates or degrees doe either loue or feare this Hauen . Whose loues , or feares , are fellowes , or atendants : Of all estates , this Hauen hath some partakers By lot , some Cuckolds , and some Cuckold-makers . And can they all so much forgetfull be Vnto that Ancient , and Renowned Tree , That hath so many ages stood Erected , And by such store of Patrones beene protected , And now Ingloriously to lye vnseene As if it were not , or had neuer beene ? Is Lechery wax'd scarce , is Bawdery scant , Is there of Whores , or Cuckolds any want ? Are Whore-masters decaide , are all Bawdes dead , Are Panders , Pimps , and Apple-squires , all fled ? No surely , for the Surgeons can declare That Venus warres , more hot then Marses are . Why then , for shame this worthy Port maintaine , Let 's haue our Tree , and Hornes set vp againe : That Passengers may shew obedience to it , In putting off their Hats , and homage doe it . Let not the Cornucopiaes of our land , Vnsightly and vnseene neglected stand : I know it were in vaine for me to call That you should raise some famous Hospitall , Some Free-schole , or some Almes house for the poore That might encrease good deeds & ope heau'ns dore 'T is no taxation great , or no collection Which I doe speake of , for This great erection , For if it were , mens goodnesses , I know Would proue exceeding barren , dull , and slow : A Post and Hornes , will build it firme and stable , Which charge to beare , there 's many a begger able ; The place is Ancient , of Respect most famous , The want of due regard to it doth shame vs , For Cuckolds Hauen , my request is still , And so I leaue the Reader to his will . But holla Muse , no longer be offended , 'T is worthily Repair'd , and brauely mended , For which great meritorious worke , my pen Shall giue the glory vnto Greenwich men . It was their onely cost , they were the Actors Without the helpe of other Benefactors , For which my pen , their praises here adornes , As they haue beautified the Hau'n with Hornes . From thence to Debtford we amaine were driuen , Whereas an Anker vnto me was giuen With parting pintes , and quarts for our farewell We tooke our leaues , and so to Greenwich fell . There shaking hands , adiews , and drinkings store We tooke our Ship againe , and left the shore . Then downe to Erith , 'gainst the tyde we went Next London , greatest Mayor towne in Kent Or Christendome , and I aproue it can , That there the Mayor was a Waterman , Who gouernes , rules , and reignes sufficiently , And was the Image of Authority : With him we had cheap Reck'nings & good cheere , And nothing but his friendship we thought deare . But thence we rows'd our selues and cast off sleepe Before the day-light did begin to peepe . The tyde by Grauesend swiftly did vs bring before the mounting Larke began to sing , And e're we came to Lee , with speedy pace The Sun gan rise with most suspicious face , Of foule foreboding weather , purple , red , His Radient Tincture , East , Northeast o'respread , And as our Oares thus downe the Riuer pul'd , Oft with a Fowling-peece the Gulls we gull'd , * * His name is Arthur Bray a Waterman of Lambeth , & a good Markman . For why the Master Gunner of our ship , Let no occasion or aduantage slip , But charg'd and discharg'd , shot , and shot againe , And scarce in twenty times shot once in vaine . Foule was the weather , yet thus much I le say If 't had beene Faire , fowle was our food that day . Thus downe alongst the spacious Coast of Kent By Grane , and Sheppeies Ilands downe we went , We past the Nowre-head , and the sandie shore Vntill we came to th' East end of the Nowre , At last by Ramsgates Peere , we stiffly Rowed The winde and tyde , against vs blowed and flowed , Till neere vnto the Hauen where Sandwich stands , We were enclosed with most dangerous sands . There were we sowsd & slabberd , wash'd & dash'd , And grauell'd , that it made vs * * We were fiue men & two of vs were afraid two were not afraid , and I was halfe afraid . halfe abash'd : We look'd and pry'd , and stared round about From our apparant perils to get out , For with a Staffe , as we the depth did sound , Foure miles from land , we almost were on ground . At last ( vnlook'd for ) on our Larboord side A thing turmoyling in the Sea we spide , Like to a Meareman ; wading as he did All in the Sea his neather parts were hid , Whose Brawney limbes , and rough neglected Beard And grim aspect , made halfe of vs afeard , And as he vnto vs his course did make I courage tooke , and thus to him I spake . Man , monster , fiend or fish , what e're thou be That trauelst here in Neptunes Monarchy , I charge thee by his dreadfull Three-tin'd Mace Thou hurt not me or mine , in any case , And if thou be'st produc'd of Mortall kinde Shew vs some course , how we the way may finde To deeper water , from these sands so shallow , I which thou seest our ship thus wash and wallow . With that ( he shrugging vp his shoulders strong ) Spake ( like a Christian ) in the Kentish tongue , Quoth he , Kinde sir , I am a Fisherman Who many yeares my liuing thus haue wan By wading in these sandy troblous waters For Shrimps , Wilks , Cockles , and such vsefull matters , And I will lead you , ( with a course I 'le keepe ) From out these dangerous shallowes to the deepe . Then ( by the nose ) along he led our Boate Till ( past the flatts ) our Barke did brauely floate , Our Sea-horse , that had drawne vs thus at large I gaue two groates vnto , and did discharge . Then in an houre and a halfe , or little more , We throgh the Downes at Deale went safe on shore . There did our Hostesse dresse the Fowle we kill'd , With which our hungry stomacks well we fill'd , The morrow being Wednesday ( breake of day ) We towards Douer took our weary way : The churlish windes awak'd the Seas high fury , Which made vs glad to land there , I assure yee . Blinde Fortune did so happily contriue , That we ( as sound as bells ) did safe ariue At Douer , where a man did ready stand To giue me Entertainment by the hand . A man of mettle , marke and note , long since He graced was to lodge a gratious Prince , And now his speeches sum , and scope and pith Is Iack and Tom , each one his Cosin Smith , That if with pleasant talke you please to warme ye He is an Host , much better then an Army , A goodly man , well fed , and corpulent Fill'd like a bag-pudding with good content , A right good fellow , free of cap and legge , Of complement , as full as any Egge : To speake of Him , I know it is of Folly , He is a mortall foe to Melancholly , Mirth is his life and trade , and I thinke very That he was got when all the world was merry : Health vpon health , he doubled and redoubled , Till his , and mine , and all our braines were troubled , Vnto our absent Betters there we dranke ; Whom we are bound to loue , they not to thanke , By vs mine Host could no great proffit reape Our meate and lodging , was so good and cheape , That to his praise thus much I le truly tell , He vs'd vs kindely euery way and well . And though my lines before are merry writ , Where ere I meet him I le acknowledge it . To see the Castle there I did desire , And vp the Hill I softly did aspire , Whereas it stands , impregnable in strength Large in Circumference , heigth , bredth , and length , Built on a fertile plat of ground , that they Haue yearely growing twenty loads of Hay , Great Ordnance store , pasture for Kine and Horses , Rampiers and Walls , t' withstand inuasiue forces , That be it well with truth and courage man'd , Munition , victuall'd , then it can withstand The powers of twenty Tamberlaines ( the Great ) Till in the end with shame they would Retreat . T is gouern'd by a graue and prudent The right Ho: the Lo: Zouch Lord Warden of the Cinque ports . Lord , Whose Iustice doth to each their right afford , Whose worth ( within the Castle , and without ) The fiue Ports , and the country all about , The people with much loue , doe still recite , Because he makes the wrongers render Right . The kindnesse I receiued there was such , That my remembrance cannot be too much . I saw a Gun thrice eight foot length of Brasse , And in a Wheele I saw a comely Asse ( Dance like a Dogge ) that 's turning of a Spit , And draw as it were from the infernall pit , ( Whose deepe Abisse is perpendicular One hundred fathome ( or well neere as farre ) So christaline , so cleere , and coole a water , That will in Summer make a mans teeth chatter , And when to see it vp , I there had stood , I dranke thereof , and found it sweet and good . So farewell Castle , Douer , Douer Peere , Farewell Host Bradshaw , thanks for my good cheere . My bonny Barke to Sea was bound againe ; On Thursday morne , we launchd into the maine , By Folstone , and by Sangates ancient Castle , Against the rugged waues , we tugge and wrastle By Hyde , by Rumney , and by Rumney Marsh , The Tyde against vs , and the winde blew harsh , 'Twixt Eolus and Neptune was such strife , That I n're felt worse weather in my life . Tost and retost , retost and tost againe ; With rumbling , tumbling , on the rowling Maine , The boystrous breaking Billowes curled locks Impetuously did beate against the Rockes , The winde much like a Horse whose wind is broke , Blew thicke and short , that we were like to choake , As it outragiously the billowes shaues The Gusts ( like dust ) blowne from the bryny waues , And thus the windes and seas robustious gods Fell by the eares starke mad , at furious ods . Our slender Ship , turmoyld 'twixt shores and Seas , Aloft or Iowe , as stormes and flawes did please : Sometimes vpon a foaming Mountaines top , Whose heigth did seeme the heau'ns to vnderprop , When straight to such profunditie she fell As if she diu'd into the deepest Hell , The Clowdes like ripe Apostumes burst & showrd , Their mattery watery substance , headlong powr'd ; Yet though all things were mutable and fickle They all agreed to souse vs in a pickle , Of waters fresh and salt , from Seas and skye , Wihch with our sweat ioynd in triplicitie , That looking each on other , there we saw We neither were halfe stewd , nor yet halfe rawe , But neither hot or cold , good flesh or fishes For Canniballs , we had beene ex'lents dishes . Bright Phoebus hid his golden head with feare , Not daring to behold the dangers there , Whilst in that straight or Exigent we stand , We see and wish to land , yet durst not land , Like rowling Hills the Billowes beate and roare Against the melancholly Beachie shore , That if we landed , neither strength or wit Could saue our Boate from being sunke or split . To keepe the Sea , sterne puffing Eols breath Did threaten still to blow vs all to death , The waues amaine ( vnbid ) oft boorded vs , Whilst we almost three houres beleaguerd thus On euery side with danger and distresse Resolu'd to runne on shore at Dengie Nesse . There stands some thirteene Cottages together , To shelter Fishermen from winde and weather , And there some people were as I suposd , Although the dores and windowes all were closd : I neere the land , into the Sea soone leapt To see what people those same houses kept , I knockd and cald , at each , from house to house , But found no forme of mankinde , man or No dwelling within neere three miles of those Cottages . Mouse . This newes all sad , and comfortlesse and cold Vnto my company I straightwaies told , Assuring them the best way I did thinke Was to hale vp the Boate , although she sinke . Resolued thus , we altogether please To put her head to shore , her sterne to Seas , They leaping ouerboord amidst the Billowes We pluck'd her vp ( vnsunke ) like stout tall fellowse . Thus being wet , from top to toe we strip'd ( except our shirts ) and vp and downe we skip'd , Till winde and Sunne our wants did well supply The towns name is Lydd , two miles from Rumney in Kent . And made our outsides , and our insides drie . Two miles from thence , a ragged town there stood , To which I went to buy some drinke and food : Where kindely ouer reckon'd , well misus'd , Was , and with much courtesie abusde . Mine Hostes did account it for no trouble , For single fare to make my paiment double : Yet did her minde and mine agree together That I ( once gone ) would neuer more come thither . The Cabbins where our Boate lay safe and well , Belong'd to men which in this towne did dwell : And one of them ( I thanke him ) lent vs then The Key to o'pe his hospitable Den , A brazen Kettle , and a pewter dish , To serue our needs , and dresse our flesh and fish , Then from the Butchers we bought Lambe & sheep Beere from the Alehouse , and a Broome to sweepe Our Cottage , that for want of vse was musty , And most extreamly rusty-fusty-dusty . There , two dayes space , we Roast , & boyle & broyle And toyle , and moyle , and keepe a noble coyle , For onely we kept open house alone , And he that wanted Beefe might haue a Stone . Our Grandam Earth ( with beds ) did all befriend vs And bountifully all our lengthes did lend vs , That laughing , or else lying Our beds were Cables and Ropes euery feather at the least 20. fatham long . downe did make Our backs and sides sore , and our ribs to ake . On Saturday the windes did seeme to cease , And brawling Seas began to hold their peace , When we ( like Tenants ) beggerly and poore , Decreed to leaue the Key beneath the doore , But that our Land-lord did that shift preuent Who came in pudding time , and tooke his Rent , And as the Sunne , was from the Ocean peeping We launch'd to Sea againe , and left house-keeping . When presently we saw the drisling skyes Gan powt and lowre , and Windes and Seas gan rise , Who each on other playd their parts so wilde As if they meant not to be Reconcilde , The whilst we leape vpon those liquid hills Where Porposes did shew their finns and Gills , Whilst we like various Fortunes Tennis ball At euery stroake , were in the Hazzard all . And thus by Rye , and I walk'd to Winchelsey , where I thanke my Couzin Mr. Collins , the Mayor there , he made me kindely welcome . Winchelsey we past By Fairleigh , and those Rockie cliffs at last . Some two miles short of Hastings , we perceiu'd The Lee shore dangerous , and the Billowes heau'd , Which made vs land ( to scape the Seas distresse ) Within a harbour , almost harbourlesse . ( We giue God thankes ) amongst the Rocks we hit , Yet were we neither wash'd or sunk , or split . Within a Cottage nigh there dwels a Weauer Who entertain'd vs , as the like was neuer , No meat , no drinke , no lodging ( but the floore ) No Stoole to sit , no Locke vnto the doore , No straw to make vs litter in the night , Nor any Candlesticke to hold the light , To which the Owner bid vs welcome still Good entertainment , though our cheare was ill . The morrow when the Sun with flushed face In his diurnall course began to trace , The winde exceeding stiffe and strong and tough , The Seas outragious , and extreamely rough , Our Boate laid safe vpon the Beachy sand Whilst we to Hastings went or walk'd by land . Much ( to that Towne ) my thankfulnesse is bound , Such vndeserued kindnesse there I found . Three nights we lay there , and three daies we spent Most freely welcom'd , with much merriment . Kinde Mr. Mayor his loue aboue the rest ; Me and my crew , he did both feed and feast , He sent vs Gold , and came himselfe to vs ; The Mayors name was Mr. Richard Boyse , a Gentleman whose laudable life , and honest gouernment is much beloued and aprou'd . My thankes are these , because his loue was thus . Mine Host and Hostesse Clayton both I thanke And all good fellowes there , I found so francke , That what they had , or what could there be got They neither thought too heauy or too hot . The windes and seas continued still their course Inueterate seem'd their rage , vntam'd their force , Yet were we loath to linger and delay : But once againe to venture and away . Thus desperatly resolud , twixt hope and doubt Halfe sunke with launching , madly we went out , At twelue a clorke at noone , and by Sun set To Miching , or New Hauen , we did get . There almost sunke ( to saue our Boat at last ) Our selues into the shallow Seas we cast : And pluck d her into safety to remaine Till Friday that we put to sea againe . Then mongst our old acquaintance ( storms & flaws ) At euery stroake neere deaths deuouring iawes : The weary daye we past through many feares , And land at last quite sunke ore head and eares . All dropping drie , like fiue poore Rats halfe drownd From succour farre , we halde the Boate on ground : Cast out our water , whilst we brauely drop'd , And vp and downe to drie our selues we hop'd . Thus we our weary Pilgrimage did weare , Expecting for the weather calme and cleare : But stormes , flawes , windes , seas , tooke no minutes rest , Continuall fiercely blowing , West Southwest . A Towne call'd Goreing , stood neere two miles wide To which we went , and had our wants supplide : There we relieu'd our selues ( with good compassion ) With meate and lodging of the homely fashion . To bed we went in hope of rest and ease , But all beleaguer'd with an host of Fleas : Who in their furie nip'd and skip'd so hotly , That all our skins were almost turn'd to motly . The bloudy fight endur'd at least sixe houres , When we ( opprest with their encreasing powres ) Were glad to yeeld the honour of the day Vnto our foes , and rise and runne away . The night before , a Constable there came , Who ask'd my Trade , my dwelling , and my name : My businesse , and a troope of questions more , And wherefore we did land vpon that shore ? To whom I fram'd my answers true , and fit ( According to his plenteous want of wit ) But were my words all true , or if I lyde , With neither I could get him satisfide . He ask'd if we were Pyrates ? we said no , ( As if we had , we would haue told him so . ) He said that Lords sometimes would enterprise T' escape , and leaue the Kingdome in disguise : But I assur'd him on my honest word , That I was no disguised Knight or Lord , He told me then that I must goe sixe miles T' a Iustice there , Sir Iohn , or else Sir Giles : I told him I was loath to goe so farre , And he tolde me , he would my iourney barre . Thus what with Fleas , and with the seuerall prat Of th' Officer , and his Ass-ociates , We arose to goe , but Fortune bad vs stay : The Constable had stolne our Oares away . And borne them thence a quarter of a mile , Quite through a Lane , beyond a gate and stile , And hid them there , to hinder my depart , For which I wish'd him hang'd with all my hart . A Plowman ( for vs ) found our Oares againe , Within a field well fill'd with Barly Graine : Then madly gladly out to Sea we thrust , Gainst windes and stormes , & many a churlish Gust : By Kingston Chappell , and by Rushington , By little Hampton , and by Midleton , To Bognors fearefull Rockes , which hidden lie Two miles into the Sea , some wet , some drie , There we suppos'd our danger most of all , If we on those remorcelesse Rockes should fall , But by th' Almighties mercy , and his might , We Row'd to Selsey , where we stay'd all night . There , our necessity could haue no Law , For want of beds we made good vse of Straw , Till Sol , that olde continuall Trauailer From Thetis lap , gan mount his flaming Car. The weather kept it's course , and blow'd , and rag'd , Without appearance it would e're be swag'd , Whilst we did passe those hills , & dales , & Downes , That had deuour'd great Ships , & swallow'd Towns . Thus after sixe or fiue houres toyle at least , We past along by Wittering , West and East , Vpon the Lee shore still the winde full South , We came neere Chichesters faire Hauens mouth . And being then halfe sunk , and all through wet , More fear'd then hurt , we did the Hauen get . Thus in that harbour we our course did frame To Portsmouth , where on Monday morne we came . Then to the Royall Fleete we Row'd abord , Where much good welcome they did vs afford . To the Lord Generall , first my thanks shall be , His bounty did appeare in gold to me , And euery one abord the Prince I found , In sted of want , to make their loues abound , Captaine Penrudduck there amongst the rest , His loue and bounty was to vs exprest , Which to requite , my thankfulnes I 'le showe , And that I 'le euer pay , and euer owe . On Tuesday morning we with maine and might , From Portsmouth crost vnto the I le of Wight : By Cowes stout Castle , we to Yarmouth hasted , And still the windes and Seas fierce fury lasted . On Wedn'sday we to Hursts strong Castle crost , Most dangerously sowsd , turmoyl'd and tost : Good harbour there we found , and nothing deere , I thank kinde M. Figge , * * Mathew Figge , a right good fellow . the Porter there , He shew'd vs there a Castle of defence Most vsefull , of a round circumference : Of such command , that none can passe those Seas Vnsunk , or spoil'd , except the Castle please . On Thursday we , our Boat row'd , pull'd and hal'd Vnto a place which is Key Hauen call'd . The winde still blowing , and the Sea so high , As if the losty waues would kisse the skie , That many times I wish'd with all my hart , My selfe , my Boat , and Crewe , all in a Cart ; Or any where to keepe vs safe and dry , The weather raged so outragiously . For sure I thinke the memory of man ( Since windes and Seas to blowe or flowe began ) Cannot remember so stormy weather In such continuance , held so long together For ten long weekes ere that , t is manifest , The winde had blowne at Sowth or west Southwest , And rais'd the Seas : to shew each others power , That all this space ( calme weather ) not one hower , That whether we did goe by Sunne or Moone , At any time , at midnight , or at noone : If we did launch , or if to land we set , We still were sure to be halfe sunk , and wet . Thus toyling of our weary time away , That Thursday was our last long look'd for day : For hauing past , with perill , and much paine , And plow'd , & furrow'd , o're the dangeroas maine , O're depths , and flats , and many a ragged Rock , We came to Christ-Church hau'n at fiue a clock . Thus God , in mercy , his iust iudgement sparing ( Gainst our presumption , ouer bold , and daring ) Who made vs see his wonders in the deepe , And that his power alone aloft did keepe , Our weather-beaten Boate aboue the waues , Each moment gaping to be all our Graues . We sinking scap'd , then not to vs , to Him Be all the Glory , for he caus'd vs swim . And for his mercy was so much extended On me ( whose temptings , had so farre offended ) Let me be made the scorne and scoffe of men , If euer I attempt the like agen . My loue , my duty , and my thankfulnesse , To Sir George Hastings I must here expresse : His deedes to me , I must requite in words , No other payment , poore mens state affords . With fruitlesse words , I pay him for his cost , With thanks to Mr. Templeman mine Host. So leauing Christ-Church , and the Hauen there , With such good friends as made vs welcome cheere : Some serious matter now I must compile , And thus from verse to prose I change my stile .

GOD , who of his infinite wisedome made Man , of his vnmeasurable mercy redeemed him , of his boundlesse bounty , immense power , and eternall eye of watchfull prouidence releeues , guards , and conserues him ; It is necessary , that euery man seriously consider & ponder these things , and in token of obedience and thankfulnesse say with Dauid : What shall I render , and the man hauing thus searched considerately , the causer of his being , then let him againe meditate for * * Men should consider why God hath giuen them a being in this life . what cause hee hath a being : indeede it may be obiected that almost euery thing hath a being , as stones haue being , trees , hearbs , and plants , haue being and life : Beasts , fowles , and fishes , haue being , life , and sence : but to man is giuen a Being , life , sence , and reason , and after a mortall an immortall euer being ; this consideration will make a man know that hee hath little part of himselfe , which hee may iustly call his owne : his body is Gods , he made it ; his soule is his , who bought it ; his goods are but lent him , by him that will one day call him to a reckoning , for the well or ill disposing of them : so that man hauing nothing but what he hath receiued , and receiued nothing but what is to be imployed in the seruice of God , and consequently his Prince and Countrey , it is plainely to be perceiued , that euery man hath , No man is owner of himselfe . the least share or portion of himselfe to boast of .

I haue written this Preamble , not onely to enforme such as know not these things already ; but also to such whose knowledge is , as it were fallen into a dead sleepe , who doe liue as though there were no other being then here , and that their life and being was ordained onely of themselues , neither God , Prince , or Countrey , hauing no share or portion of them or of what they call theirs . But oh you Inhabitans of Salisburie , I hope there are no such crawling Cankerwormes , or Common-wealth Caterpillers amongst you . Nay , I am assured of the contrary , that there are many who ( with religious piety open hands and relenting hearts ) doe acknowledge that your goods are but lent in trust vnto you , and doe patiently beare the ouer-burthensome relieuing of many hundreds of poore wretches , which ( were it not for your charity ) would perish in your streetes .

This being entred into my consideration , that your Citie is so much ouercharged with poore , Here is an honest course set downe for the inriching of your rich , and the relieuing of your poore . as hauing in three Parishes neere 3000. besides decayed men a great many , and that those fewe which are of the wealthier sort , are continually ouerpressed with sustaining the wants of the needy , the Citie being as it were at the last gaspe , the poore being like Pharaohs leane Kine , euen ready to eate vp the fat ones : I haue made bold to write this Treatise ensuing , both to entreat a constant perseuerence in those who haue begun to doe good workes , and an encouragement or animating of all others , who as yet seeme slowe in these good proceedings . And if any thing here written by me , be either impertinent , extrauagant , rude , harsh , or ouer bold , I humbly entreate you to impute it rather to my want of iudgement , learning , and capacity , then to any presumption , or want of loue and duty to the Citie and cause , which is hereafter handled .

It is sufficiently knowne that my intent and purpose at this time , was not to make any profit to my selfe vpon any aduenture ( as it is deemed by many ) by my passage from London to Salisbury with a Wherry , His name is Gregory Bastable , and his ordinary place where he plyes , or attends his labour , is at the Temple , and there also plyes Thomas Estman another Wiltshire man , which went with me . but I was entreated by a Waterman , which was borne in Salisbury , that I would beare him company for the discouery of the sands , flats , depthes , shoales , Mills , and Weares , which are impediments and lets , whereby the Riuer is not Nauigable from Christ-Church , or the Sea to Salisbury . Which after many dangerous gusts , and tempestuous stormes at Sea , ( which I haue recited in verse before ) it pleased God that at the last we entred the Riuer , which in my opinion is as good a Riuer , and with some charge may be made as passable as the Riuer of Thames is vpwards from Brentford to Windsor , or beyond it ; the shallow places in it are not many , The Mills neede not be remoued , and as for the Weares , no doubt but they may with conscience be compounded for . By which meanes of Nauigation , the whole City and Countrey would be relieued , loyterers turned into labourers , penurie into plenty , to the glory of God , the dignity and reputation of your Citie , and the perpetuall worthy memory of all benefactors , and well-willers vnto so noble a worke .

If you will but examine your owne knowledges , you shall finde that in the whole dominion of England , there is not any one Towne or Citie which hath a Nauigable Riuer at it , that is poore , nor scarce any that are rich which want a Riuer with the benefits of Boates : The Towne of Kingston vpon Hull in Yorkshire , the Riuer there was cut out of Humber , by mens labours 20. miles vp into the Countrey , and what the wealth and estate of that Towne is , ( by the onely benefit of that Riuer ) it is not vnknowne to thousands : but you men of Sarum may see what a commodity Nauigation is , neerer hand ; there is your neighbour Southampton on the one side , and your deere friend Poole on the other , are a payre of hansome looking-Glasses for you , where you may see your want in their abundance , and your negligence in their industry .

God hath placed your being in a fertile soyle , in a fruitfull valley , enuironed round with Corne , and as it were continually besieged with plenty : whilst you within ( hauing so many poore amongst you ) are rather lookers vpon happinesse then enioyers : moreouer ( by Gods appointment ) Nature hath saued you the labour of cutting a Riuer , for I thinke you haue one there as olde as your Citie ready made to your hands , if you will bee but industrious to amend those impediments in it , I dare vndertake to be one of the 3. or 4. men which shall bring or carie 16. or 20. Tunnes of goods betwixt the Sea and your Citie ▪ Now , with extreame toyle of men ; Horses & Carts , your wood is brought to you 18. or 20. miles , whereby the poore which cannot reach the high prices of your fewell , are enforced to steale or starue in the Winter , so that all your neere adioyning woods are continually spoyled by them : which faults by the benefit of the Riuer would be reformed , for the new Forrest standeth so neere to the water , that it is but cut the wood and put it into a Boate , which shall bring as much to your Citie as 20. Carts , and fourescore Horses : besides , by this Riuer you might draw to you a trade of Sea-coale , which would enrich you , and helpe the plaine and inland Townes and Villages where no wood growes . And for the Exportation of your Corne from Port to Port , within our owne Countrey , as it is well knowne what abundance of your Barley is continually made into Mault amongst you : which if you had cariage for it , might be brewed into Beere , wherewith you might serue diuers places with your Beere , which is now serued with your Mault : besides cariages of Brickes , Tyles , Stones , Charcoales , and other necessaries , which is now caried at deere rates by Horse or Carts , which now you send in Carts , or on Horses backes , to Southampton , to Bristow , and to many other places : so that the deerenesse of the Cariages eates vp all your commodities and profit , which discommodity may be auoyded , if your Riuer be cleansed : and what man can tell what good in time may redownd to your Citie from the Sea , by forraigne goods , which may be brought into Christ-Church Hauen by Shipping ? nor can it be truly imagined , what new and vsefull profitable businesses may arise in time by this meanes .

Our Forefathers and Auncestors did in their liues time in former ages doe many worthy and memorable workes , but for all their industrie and cost , they did not ( or could not ) doe all ; but as there was much done to our hands , so there was much left for vs to doe , and very fitting it was that it should be so , for it is against common sence and reason our Fathers should toyle in good workes like drudges , and wee spend our times loytring like Drones : no , what they did was for our imitation . And withall , that wee should be leaders of our posterities by our examples into laudable endeuours , as our progenitours hath before shewed vs : we are their sonnes and offspring , wee haue their shapes and figures , wee beare their names , we possesse their goods , we inherit their lands ; we haue materials of stones , Timber , Iron , and such necessaries which they had , ( if not in greater abundance ) and hauing all these , let vs withall haue their willing and liberall hearts , and there is no question to be made , but that our Riuer of Auon will quickly be cleansed to the honest enriching of the rich , and the charitable relieuing of the poore .

I am assured that there are many good men in the Citie & Country of Wiltshire , and others of worth and good respect in this Kingdome , who would willingly & bountifully assist this good work : but ( like Gossips neere a Stile ) they stand straining curtesie who shal go first : or the Mice in the Fable , not one will aduenture to hang the Bell about the Cats neck , So that if one good man would begin , it would be ( like a health drank to some beloued Prince at a great feast ) pledged most heartily , and by Gods grace effected most happily .

You haue already begun a charitable worke amongst you , I meane your common Towne Brew-house , the profit of which you entend shall be wholy imployed for the supply of the poore and Impotents which liue in your Citie ; from which sort of people ( being such a multitude ) the Brewers there haue found their best custome ; for no doubt but the meanest begger amongst you , is ( in some sort ) more valiant then the richest man : because the one dares to spend all he hath at the Alehouse , so dares not the other ; for the poore man drinks stifly to driue care away , and hath nothing to loose , and the rich man drinks moderatly , because he must beare a brain to look to what he hath . And of all Trades in the world a Brewer is the Loadstone , which drawes the customs of all functions vnto it . It is the marke or vpshot of euery mans ayme , and the bottomlesse whirlepoole that swallowes vp the profits of rich and poore . The Brewers Art ( like a wilde Kestrell or vnmand Hawke ) flies at all games ; or like a Butlers box at Christmasse , it is sure to win whosoeuer looses : In a word , it rules and raignes ( in some sort ) as Augustus Caesar did , for it taxeth the whole earth . Your Innes and Alehouses are Brookes and Riuers , and their Clyents are small Rills and Springs , who all ( very dutifully ) doe pay their tributes to the boundlesse Ocean of the Brewhouse . For all the world knowes , that if men and women did drinke no more then sufficed Nature , or if it were but a little extraordinary now and then vpon occasion , or by chance as you may terme it ; if drinking were vsed in any reason , or any reason vsed in drinking , I pray yee what would become of the Brewer then ? Some make a profit of quarelling , some picke their lyuings out of contentions & debate , some thriue and grow fat by gluttonie : many are brauely maintained by Bribery , theft , cheating , roguery , & villany : but put all these together , and ioyne to them all sorts of people else and they all in generall are drinkers , and consequently the Brewers Clients and Customers . Surely wee doe liue in an age wherein the seauen deadly sinnes are euery mans Trade and liuing . Pride is the maintainer of thousands , which would else perish ; as Mercers , Taylers , Embroyders , Silk-men , Cutters , Drawers , Sempsters , Laundresses , of which functions there are millions which would starue but for Madame Pride with her changeable fashions . Leachery , what a continuall crop of profit it yeelds , appeares by the gallant thriuing , and gawdy outsides of many he and she , priuate and publike sinners , both in Citie and Suburbs . Couetousnesse is Embroidered with Extortion , and warmely lined & furred with oppression . And though it be a deuill , yet is it most Idolatrously adored , honoured , and worshipped , by those simple Sheepe-headed fooles , whom it hath vndone and beggered . I could speake of other vices , how profitable they are to a Common-wealth ; but my inuention is thirsty , and must haue one carouse more at the Brewhouse , who ( as I take it ) hath a greater share then any , in the gaines , which spring from the worlds abuses : for Pride is maintained by the humble , yet one kinde of Pride doth liue & profit by another : Leachery is supported by the cursed swarme of Bawdes , Panders , Pimps , Applesquires , Whores , and Knaues , and so euery sinne liues and thriues by the members , Agents , Ministers , and Clyents , which doe belong vnto them : but Drunkennesse playes at all , all trades , all qualities , all functions and callings can be drunk extemporie , not at any great Feast , or but at euery ordinary dinner or supper almost , when men are well satisfied with sufficiency , that then the mysterie of quaffing begins , with healths to many an vnworthy person ( who perhaps would not giue the price of the Reckoning to saue all them from hanging ( which make themselues sicke with drinking such vnthankfull healths ) I my selfe haue oftentimes dined or sup'd at a great mans Boord , and when I haue risen , the seruants of the house hath inforc'd me into the Seller or Buttry , where ( in the way of kindenesse ) they will make a mans belly like a Sowse-tub , and inforce me to drinke as if they had a commission vnder the deuills great seale to murder men with drinking , with such a deale of complementall oratory , As , off with your Cup , winde vp your bottome , vp with your taplash , and many more eloquent phrases , which Tully or Demosthenes neuer heard of ; that in conclusion I am perswaded three dayes fasting would haue beene more healthfull to me , then two houres feeding and swilling in that manner .

If any man hang , drowne , stabbe , or by any violent meanes make away his life , the goods and lands of any such person , is forfeite to the vse of the King : and I see no reason but those which kill themselues with drinking , should be in the same estate and be buryed in the highwayes , with a stake droue through them : And if I had but a graunt of this suite , I would not doubt but that in seauen yeeres ( if my charity would but agree with my wealth ) I might erect Almes-houses , Let these Lines be considered if I lye or not . Free-schooles , mend highwaies , and make Bridges ; for I dare sweare , that a number ( almost numberlesse ) haue confessed vpon their death-beds , that at such and such a time , in such and such a place , they dranke so much which made them surfeit , Let these Lines be considered if I lye or not . of which surfeit they languished and dyed . The maine benefit of these superfluous and man-slaughtering expences comes to the Brewer , so that if a Brewer be in any office , I hold him to be a very ingratefull man if he punish a Drunkard , for euery stiffe pot-valiant drunkard is a Post , beame , or Piller which holds vp the Brew-house : for as the barke is to the tree , so is a good drinker to a Brewer .

But you men of Salisbury , wisely perceiuing how much Euill to your Citie , hath come by the abuse of Good drinke , you would now worke by contraries , to drawe Good for your poore out of these forepassed and present Euils . To drawe euill out of good is deuillish , but to worke or extract goodnesse out of what is euill is godly , and worthy to be pursued . The abuse of good drinke , and excessiue drinking hath made many beggers amongst you , to the inriching of a few Brewers , and now you would turne the world off from the Barrels , as I would off from the Coach-wheeles , that the benefit of your new built Towne Brew-house might relieue many of those poore amongst you , who haue formerly beene impouerished by the inriching of your Towne-Brewers . It is no doubt but they will oppose this good worke of yours , as the Image-makers in Ephesus did Paul , when 〈◊〉 preached against their Idolatrous worshipping Diana ; Tobyah . Arabians . Amonites . but be not you discouraged , for Nehemiah ( in time ) did build the Temple , although Sanballat and many others did oppose him , for as your intents are Pious , so no doubt but God will make your euents prosperous .

Now to turne from Beere and Ale to faire water , ( your Riuer I meane ) which if it be clensed , then with the profit of your towne-Brewhouse , and the commodity of the Riuer , I thinke there will be scarce a begger or a loyterer to be found amongst you : I haue written enough before concerning the benefit of it , and to encourage such as seeme slow towards so good a worke , which had it beene in the Low-Countries , the Industrious Dutch would not so long haue neglected so beneficiall a blessing , witnesse their aboundance of Nauigable Riuers , and ditches , which with the onely labour of men they haue cut , and in most places , where neuer God or Nature made any Riuer ; and lately there is a Riuer made nauigable to St. Yeades in Huntington-shire , wherein stood seauen Mills as impediments in the way . And now the Citie of Canterbury are cleering their Riuer that Boates may passe to and fro betwixt them and Sandwich hauen : the like is also in hand at Leedes in Yorkeshire ; Now , if neither former or present examples can moue you , if your owne wants cannot inforce you , if assured proffit cannot perswade you , but that you will still be neglectiue and stupid , then am I sorry that I haue written so much , to so little purpose , but my hopes are otherwaies ; 〈◊〉 blinde , lame , and couetous excuses be laid aside , then those who are willing will be more willing , and those who are slacke or backward , will in some reasonable manner drawe forward : And there is the mouth of an vncharitable obiection which I must needs stop , which is an old one , and onely spoken by old men , for ( say they ) we are aged and stricken in yeares , and if we should lay out our moneys , or be at charges for the Riuer , by the course of Nature we shall not liue to enioy any proffit to requite our costs ; this excuse is worse then Heathenish , and therefore it ill becomes a Christian , for as I wrote before , man was not created , or had either the goods of minde , body , or Fortune bestowed on him by his Maker , but that he should haue the least part of them himselfe , his God , Prince and Countrie , claiming ( as their due ) almost all which euery man hath . The oldest man will purchase land , which is subiect to barrennesse , and many inconueniences , he will buy and build houses , which are in danger of fire , and diuers other casualties , he will aduenture vpon Wares or goods at high prises , which to his losse may fall to lowe rates : he will bargaine for cattell and Sheepe , who are incident to many diseases , as the Rot , the Murraine , and diuers the like , and all this will he doe in hope to raise his state , and leaue his heires rich ; at his death perhaps ( when hee can keepe his goods no longer , when in spight of his heart he must leaue all ) he will giue a few Gownes , and a little money to Pious vses , a Groce or two of penny loaues , and there 's an end of him , so that there remaines no more memory of him .

But this good worke of your Riuer is not subiect to barrennesse or sterilitie , but contrarily it will be a continuall haruest of plenty , it is not in danger of being consumed , or wasted , but it is assured of a perpetuall encrease . The names and memories of contributors towards it , shall be conserued in venerable and laudable remembrance , to the eternizing of their fames , the honour of their posterities , and the good example of succeeding times to imitate . Therefore you men of Salisbury I entreate you in this case to be good to your selues . Or else you may say hereafter , If we had beene Industrious we had beene happy : If we had not beene couetous , wee had beene Rich.

Now , to returne to my trauels and entertainements : as I passed vp the Riuer at the least 2000. Swans like so many Pilots swam in the deepest places before me , and shewed me the way : When I came to the Towne of Ringwood ( 14 miles short of Salisburie ) . I there met with his Maiesties Trumpeters , and there my fellows Mr. Thomas Vnderhill , and Mr. Richard Stocke , Mr. Thomas Ramsey , Mr. Randall Lloyd , with others , which I name not , did walke on the banke and gaue me two most excelent flourishes with their Trumpets , for the which I thanke them in print , and by word of mouth . At last I came to a Towne called Forthing Bridge , where ( not many dayes before ) a grieuous mischance hapned , for two men being swimming or washing in the Riuer , a Butcher passing ouer the bridge ( with a Mastiffe Dogge with him ) did cast a stone into the water and say a Duck , at which the Dog leapd into the Riuer and seasd vpon one of the men and kild him , and the Butcher leaping in after thinking to saue the man , was also slaine by his owne Dog , the third man also hardly escaping , but was likewise bitten by him .

From thence I passed further , to a place called Hale , where we were welcommed by the Right Worshipfull Sir Thomas Penrudduck Knight , whom we carried there in our Boate , and who I am assured will be a forward and a liberall Benefactor towards cleering of the Riuer .

So passing on our course by the Villages of Burgate , Breamer , Chartford , Downton , and Stonelye , we came at last to Langfoord , where we were well entertained by the Right Honourable the Lord Edward Gorge , ( Lord barron of Dundalke , and Captaine of his Maiesties strong and defencible Castle of Hurst , in Hantshire ) to whom in loue and duty we profferd the gift of our tattered windshaken and weatherbeaten Boate , which ( after our being at Salisbury , being but two miles from thence ) his Lordship accepted . And though he knew she was almost vnseruiceable , yet his noble bounty was such , that he rewarded vs with the price of a new Boate. I had some conference with his Honour concerning the impediments and clensing of the Riuer , and I know he is most forwardly and worthily affected towards it , and no doubt if it be pursued , that then he will doe that which shall become a Gentleman of his Honourable calling and Ranke .

So on the same Friday at night we came to Salisbury where we brought our Boate through Fisherton Bridge , on the West side of the Citie , taking our lodging at the signe of the Kings head there , with mine Host Richard Estman , whose brother Thomas , was one of the Watermen which came in the Boate thither from London ; on the morrow I with my company footed it two miles to Wilton , where at the Right Honourable the Earle of Pembrooks , my Lord Chamberlaines house , I was most freely ( and beyond my worth and merit ) kindely welcommed , by the Right Worshipfull Sir Thomas Morgan Knight , with whom I dined , and by whose command I was shewed all or the most part of the admirable contriued Roomes , in that excellent , and well built house , which Roomes were all richly adorned with Costly and sumptuous hangings ; his Maiestie some few dayes before hauing dined there with most magnificent Entertainment , as did expresse the loue of so noble a House-keeper for so Royall a Guest : vpon the sight of which house with the Furniture , I wrote these following verses .

If Wholsome Ayre , Earth , woods , & pleasant springs Are Elements , whereby a house is grac'd : If strong and stately built , contentment brings , Such is the house at Wilton , and so plac'd . There Nature , Art , Art-Nature hath embrac'd ; Without , within , belowe , aloft compleate : Delight and state , are there so enterlac'd With rich content , which makes all good , and great The Hangings there , with Histories repleate Diuine , profane , and Morrall pleasures giuing With worke so liuely , exquisite , and neate , As if mans Art , made mortall creatures liuing . In briefe , there all things are compos'd so well , Beyond my pen to write , or tongue to tell .

Then was I shewed a most faire and large Armorie , with all manner of prouision and Furnitue , for Pike , Shot , Bills , Halberts , Iauelins , with other Weapons and munition , which for goodnesse , number , and well-keeping , is not second to any Noblemans in England : Afterwards I went to the Stables , and saw my Lords great Horses , whom I saw such and so good , that what my vntutour'd Pen cannot sufficiently commend , I am forced with silence to ouerpasse . But amongst the rest , the paines and industrie of an ancient Gentleman Mr. Adrian Gilbert , must not be forgotten , for there hath he ( much to my Lords cost and his owne paines ) vsed such a deale of intricate Setting , Grafting , Planting , inocculating , Rayling , hedging , plashing , turning , winding , and returning circular , Trianguler , Quadranguler , Orbiculer , Ouall , and euery way curiously and chargeably conceited : There hath he made Walkes , hedges , and Arbours , of all manner of most delicate fruit Trees , planting and placing them in such admirable Artlike fashions , resembling both diuine and morrall remembrances , as three Arbours standing in a Triangle , hauing each a recourse to a greater Arbour in the midst , resembleth three in one , and one in three : and he hath there planted certaine Walkes and Arbours all with Not a Tree stands there , but it beares one good or rare fruit or other . Fruit trees , so pleasing and rauishing to the sense , that he calls it Paradise , in which he plaies the part of a true Adamist , continually toyling and tilling . Moreouer , he hath made his Walkes most rarely round and spacious , one Walke without another , ( as the rindes of an Onion are greatest without , and lesse towards the Center ) and withall , the hedges betwixt each Walke are so thickly set , that one cannot see thorow from the one walke , who walkes in the other : that in conclusion , the worke seemes endlesse ,

A round worke is endlesse , hauing no end .

I touch not the matchlesse adioyning wood and walkes of Rowlington here , whose praises consists in it selfe , my pen being insufficient .

and I thinke that in England it is not to be fellowed , or will in hast be followed . And in loue which I beare to the memory of so industrious and ingenious a Gentleman , I haue written these following Annagrams .

Adryan Gilbert , Annagrams Art redily began A breeding tryal .

Art redily began a breeding tryal When she inspir'd this worthy Gentleman For Natures eye , of him tooke full espiall , And taught him Art , Art redily began , That though Dame Nature , was his Tuteresse , he , Out-workes her , as his workes apparent be . For Nature brings but earth , and seeds and plants , Which Art , like Taylers , cuts and puts in fashion : As Nature rudely doth supply our wants , Art is deformed Natures reformation . So Adryan Gilbert , mendeth Natures features By Art , that what she makes , doth seem his creatures .

THus with my humble thankes to Sir Thomas Morgan , and my kinde remembrance to all the rest of my Lords Seruants there , My legges and my labouring lynes returne againe to Salisbury , and from the next day ( being Sunday ) to Langford to my Lord Gorge his house , with whom I dined , & left my humble thanks for the reckoning . In briefe , my fruitlesse and worthy lip-labour , mixt with a deale of Ayrie , and non-substantiall matter I gaue his Lordship , and the like requitall I bestowed on the right Worshipfull M. Thomas Squibb , Mayor of Sarum , with M. Banes , M. Iohn Iuy , M. Windouer , with all the rest ; and more then thankes , and a gratefull remembrance of their Honourable , Worshipfull , and friendly fauours , I know they expect not , and lesse then such a common duty as Gratitude I must not , or cannot pay . To shut vp all in few words , I know his Maiesties pious inclination is so ample , that he will be graciously pleased with any of your laudable endeuours for your welfare and commodity , if you take good and speedy aduice , then no doubt but the effects will be according to your honest intendments .

So farewell Salisbury till we meete againe , which I hope will be one day : in the meane space I pray thee take this poore Pamphlet as a louing pledge of my returne . Me thinks I see already , Men , Horses , Carts , Mattocks , Shouels , Spades , Wheelebarrowes , Handbarrowes , and Baskets at worke for the clearing of your Riuer : But if my thoughts doe deceiue me , and my expectation faile , I shall euer hereafter giue small credit to their intelligence . So once more Salisbury I wish thee thankfully well to fare .

On Thursday the 21. of August , I tooke Winchester in my way homewards ; where I saw an ancient Citie , like a body without ● soule : and I know not the reason of it , but for aught which I perceiued , there were almost as many Parishes as people . I lodged at the signe of the Cock , being recommended to the Host of the house , by a token from Salisbury , but mine Host dyed the night before I came , and I being weary , had more minde to goe to bed then to follow him so long a iourney , to doe my messuage , or deliuer any commendations : but the whole Citie seemed almost as dead as mine Host , and it may be they were all at Haruest worke : but I am sure I walked from the one end of it to the other , and saw not 30. people of all sorts : So that I thinke if a man should goe to Winchester for a Goose , he might lose his labour for a Trader cannot liue there , by venting such commodities .

On Friday I gallop'd a foote pace one and twenty miles , from Winchester to Farneham ; where I and one of my company hired a couple of Hampshiere Ienets with seauen legs , and three eyes betwixt them , vpon whom wee hobled seauenteene miles , to Stanes , whence on Saturday the 23. of August we footed it to Brentfoord , and Boated it to LonDON .