The praise and vertue of a iayle, and iaylers With the most excellent mysterie, and necessary vse of all sorts of hanging. Also a touch at Tyburne for a period, and the authors free leaue to let them be hanged, who are offended at the booke without cause. By Iohn Taylor.

THE PRAISE AND VERTVE OF A Iayle , and Iaylers .

WITH THE MOST EXCELLENT 〈…〉 sterie , and necessary vse of all sorts of HANGING .

ALSO 〈…〉 ch at Tyburne for a Period , 〈…〉 uthors free leaue to let them 〈…〉 , who are offended at the 〈…〉ke without cause .

By IOHN TAYLOR .

LONDON , Printed by I. H. for R. B. 1623.

TO THE SENSEABLE , Reader , yo 〈…〉 note that thi 〈…〉 tleman did 〈…〉 mee from FARNE 〈…〉 barrell of 〈◊〉 and Corm 〈◊〉 eggs , by th 〈…〉ing of wh〈◊〉 haue attain 〈…〉 the vnderstand 〈◊〉 of many 〈◊〉 which our 〈◊〉 an 〈…〉 doe speake 〈◊〉 about LON 〈…〉 Reasonable , Affable , Amiable , Acceptable , minded Honourable , in Wit , Iudgement , and Vnderstanding Able , Robert Rugge Gentleman , Reare Adelantado of the HOLY ILAND , the FAIRNE , and the STAPLES , on the Coast of NORTHVMBRIA . NO Hanging , Tap'strie , Quilt , or Couerlet , This dedication of my wit could get : No Mattresse , Blanket , Sheet , or Fetherbed , Could haue these labours of my working head : But ( cold by Nature ) from my Nurses dugge , My inclination still hath lou'd a Rugge : Which makes my thankfull Muse thus bold to be , To consecrate this worthlesse worke to thee ; Thou that within those happie Iles doest bide , Which Neptunes waues doe from our land diuide , Wherein the Holy Iland stands a Fort That can defend , and iniuries retort , That doth command a goodly Hauen nigh , Wherein a hundred Ships may safely lie : Thou in the 〈…〉 Fairn Iland 〈…〉 7. mile the Holy into the sea , Holy Iland seuen miles Barwicke . 〈…〉 Fairne all of Sea-fowle in such a 〈◊〉 nce , as yo 〈…〉 step but Egges or 〈◊〉 : They misse lay on Saint 〈◊〉 es day , and might after 〈…〉 as there is 〈◊〉 to be seene . 〈◊〉 taple Ilands 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 , and stand 〈◊〉 mile from it 〈…〉 he sea , where 〈◊〉 wle vpon the 〈…〉 are so thicke 〈◊〉 vpon the 〈◊〉 and vpon the 〈◊〉 & with such 〈◊〉sitie build 〈◊〉 ests , as the 〈◊〉 man cannot 〈◊〉 hat egge in 〈◊〉 place againe 〈…〉 once taken 〈…〉 abide in the 〈◊〉 place Vpon 〈◊〉 flight the sea 〈◊〉 couered for 〈…〉 a mile , and 〈◊〉 eauens aboue 〈◊〉 obscured for present . Farne and Staples bearst such sway , That all the dwellers there doe thee obey ; Where Fowle are all thy faire inhabitants , Where thou ( Commander of the Cormorants , ) Grand Gouernour of Guls , of Geese and Ganders , O're whom thou art none of the least Commanders , Whereas sometimes thou canst not stirre thy legs , But thou must tread on tributarie Egs , For they like honest , true , plaine dealing folkes , Pay thee the Custome of their Whites and Yolkes , Which to thy friends oft times transported be , As late thou sentst a barrell full to me : And in requitall to so good a friend , This Prisone , and this Hanging here I send . Because within the b b There is but one house there , all the dwellers else being Sea-sowle , who will her know offences nor punishments . Fairne and Staples too , The dwellers doe as they doe please to doe ; Their pride and lust , their stealing & their treason , Is all imputed to their want of reason ; I therefore haue made bold to send thee this , To shew them what a Iayle and Hanging is . Thou hast from Hermes suck'd the Quintessence Of quicke Inuention , and of Eloquence , And thou so well doest loue good wittie Bookes , That makes thee like Apollo in thy lookes : For Nature hath thy Visage so much grac'd , That there 's the Ensigne of true friendship plac'd . A Chaulkie face , that 's like a Pewter spoone , Or Buttermilke , or Greene cheese , or the Moone , Are either such as kill themselues with care , Or hide-bound miserable wretches are . Giue me the man whose colour and prospect , Like Titan when it doth on Gold reflect , And if his purse be equall to his will , Hee 'le then be frolicke , free , and Iouiall still : And such a one ( my worthy friend ) art thou , To whom I dedicate this Pamphlet now ; And I implore the Heau'ns to proue so kinde , To keepe thy state according to thy minde . Yours , with my best wishes , IOHN TAYLOR .

THE VERTVE of a IAYLE , and necessitie of Hanging . MY free borne Muse of Bondage rudely treats , And strange vagaries in my Braine-pan beats : Whilst I vnmaske , vnuisor , or vnueile , The vertues of a Iaylor , and a Iayle ; And then of Hanging , and the Hangmans Art My lines doe end , and at the Gallowes part . First I doe finde , in Histories enrold , Iayles for antiquity , are very old : For Ioseph was in Prison , ( false accus'd , That he his Masters Wife would haue abus'd . ) And all the world doth vnderstand , a Prison Is not an vpstart Fable , newly risen . And Ieremie , was vnder bolts and locks , By Pashur once imprison'd in the Ier. 22.2 . stocks : And after that he twice was put in Chap. 32. Chap. 37. Thrall , For true foretelling Israel , Iudah's fall . The Sacred Histories doe well declare , That Prisons for their time most ancient are . Yet though my lines doe speake of Iayles , I see That mine inuention and my Muse is free : And I doe finde the name of Prisone , frames Significant Alluding Anagrams . As thus . 1. PRISONE . Anagramma . NIP SORE . 12. Anagrammes of Iayles , Iaylors & Seriean●s . THere men are Nip'd with mischiefes manifold , With losse of freedome , hunger , thirst , & cold ▪ With Mourning shirts , and sheetes , & lice some store ; And thus a Prison truly doth Nip sore . 2. PRISONE . Anagramma . IN ROPES . AGaine the very word portends small hopes , For he that 's in a Prisone is In Ropes . 3. PRISONE . Anagramma . IN PROSE . TO all good verses Prisons are great foes , And many Poets they keepe fast In Prose . 4. PRISONE . Anagramma . NO PRISE . INdeed it is no profit , or No Prise , But woefull purchase of calamities . The name of Iayles ( by letters transposition ) Doth very well discouer their condition . 5. IAYLES . Anagramma . I SLAYE . ANd well it doth befit it euery way , The Nature of all Iayles is still to slay : There are men slaine most strange tormenting waies , In name , fame , state , and life , with long delaies . 6. BONDAGE . Anagramma . BANDOGE . ANd Bondage like a Band●gge still doth gnaw , Fangd with the tushes of the byting law . 7. IAYLER . Anagramma . I RAYLE . THis doth befit the Iayler wondrous trimme , He at the prisoners railes , and they at him . 8. ARESTING . Anagramma . A STINGER . A Resting very well with this agrees , It is A Stinger worse than Wasps or Bees . OR , 9. ARESTING . Anagramma . IN GRATES . THis very word includes poore prisoners fates , Aresting briefly claps em vp In Grates . 10. SERIEANT . Anagramma . IN ARESTE . TO turne this word vnto the very best , A Serieant In Areste doth breed vnrest . OR , 11. SERIEANT . Anagramma . IN TEARES . IN cares and Teares he leaues men to lament , When Credit , Coine , and goods , and all is spent . 12. WARDES . Anagramma . DRAWES . A Prisoners purse is like a Nurse , for why His Ward or lodging drawes or sucks it dry : A Iu●y here of Anagramms you see , Of Serieants and of ●ailes empanneld be , And now my pen intends to walke a station , And talke of Prisons in some other fashion . That Iailes should be , there is Law , sense and reason , To punish Bawdry , Cheating , Theft and Treason , Though some against them haue inuectiue bin , And cal'd a Iaile a magazin of sin , An Vniuersity of Villany , An Academy of foule blasphemy , A sinke of drunkennesse , a den of Theeues , A Treasury for Serieants and for Shreeues , A Mint for Baylifes , Marshalls men and Iailors , Who liue by losses of captiu'd bewailers : A Nurse of Roguery , and an earthly hell , Where Deuils or Iaylers in mens shapes doe dwell : But I am quite contrary to all this , I thinke a Iaile a Schoole of vertue is , A house of study and of contemplation , A place of discipline and reformation , There men may try their patience , and shall know , If they haue any friends aliue or no : There they shall proue if they haue fortitude , By which all crosses stoutly are subdude , A Prison leades the Creditor vnto His cozning debter , that would him vndo , T is Physicke that preserues a common wealth , Foule Treasons snaffle and the curbe of stealth , The whip of hellish pride , the scourge of lust , The good mans helpe in plaguing the vniust . Were Theeues and Villaines not in prison put , A world of Throats ( past number ) would be cut : For when diseases are growne desperate , then They must haue desperate Remedies , and when Men mend not for Reproofe , or Admonition , A Iaile then is the Surgion or Physitian . The roaring Knaue , that like a Horse or Mule , His parents , master , or no friends could rule , But that he daily would be drunke and sweare , And like a demy-deuill domineere , Thogh to good course he neuer meant to bend him , A prison at the last will mend or end him . Excellent reformation● The deeds of darknesse that doe hate the light , Fraies , brawls & bloudshed which start out by night : The watch like cunning Fowlers lie in wait , And catch these Woodcocks in their Sprindges strait , These Birds are in the Iaile mew'd vp from riot , Where they may learne more manners and be quiet . A Iail's a glasse wherein old men may see , The blemish of their youths deformity ; And young men quickly may perceiue from thence , The way to wisdome and experience . And though the lights of prisons are but dim , A prisoners candle yet may shew to him At midnight , without light of Sunne or Moone , More than he euer could perceiue at noone ; It shewes the fleeting state of earthly pelfe , It makes him wisely learne to know himselfe , The world vnto his view it represents , To be a Map or masse of discontents , It shewes his fained friends like Butter-flies , That dogg'd his summer of prosperities : And in a word it truly doth set forth The world , and all that 's in it nothing worth . These things vnto a wisemans iudgement brings , A ha●e to earth , and loue to heauenly things . T' a wise man nothing in a Iaile doth bide , But it to some good vse may be applide : He heares a Ruffin sweare , and so doth heare That he doth stand in feare , and hate to sweare , He spies another drunke , and so doth spy That such vnmanly beastlinesse hee le fly . He notes the curtall Cans halfe fild with froth , Tobacco piping hot , and from them both His iudgement doth discerne , with wisdomes eie , The world is vapour , froth , and vanity . His homely Bed and Vermines sundry formes , Doth make him mind his graue , & crawling worms ; The Spiders Cobweb , Lawne , or Tapestry , There are too few that make this good vse of imprisonment . Shewes odds 'twixt Idlenesse and Industry . The Churlish Keepers , ratling chaines and fetters , The Hole or Dungeon for condemned debters , Blaspheming wretches of all grace bereauen , Doth make him thinke on hell and wish for heauen . And thus though wise mens corps in prison be , Their minds are still at liberty and free . Besides Experience daily teacheth this , The Soule a Prisoner in the Body is : Our Reason should the Keeper be to guide , The Heart doth lodge within the Masters side ▪ The Braines the Knights Ward may be termed fit , There lies the Vnderstanding and the Wit : The Dungeons where the Prisoners starue and die , Is in the Brest where sad despaire doth lie : Our Sinnes the Manacles , and Bolts and Ginos , Which fetter vs in bondage all our liues : Sad melancholy sorrow , griefe and care , Continuall waiters in those Prisons are , Our partiall selfe-loue all our crimes excusing , Our Consciences true euidence accusing , Our sighs and teares the Messengers we send To God , that all our sorrowes may haue end , And then through faith and hope we doe beleeue , To gaine a pardon better than repreeue , Then lastly death doth free the soule from thrall , And makes a Iaile deliuery vnto all . Thus is our flesh the walls , our bones the grates , Our eies the windowes , and our mouthes the gates , The Nose the Chimny , Or stomac● Kitchen is the brest , Our tongue the taster of the worst and best , Our hands the Caruers , teeth the Cookes to mince , The diet of a Peasant or a Prince ; Our hunger is best sawce , as I doe thinke , Our bellies sellers where we lay our drinke : And in these corps of ours deciphered thus , Our soules are prisoners vnto all of vs . As grace guides vs , so we by grace guide them , The way vnto the new Ierusalem . Sterne rugged winter , with frosts , stormes and gusts , Close prisoners yeerely in the earth it thrusts , The earth Prison . Herbs , roots , flowers , fruits , & worms til sun & raine With Summers heat doth baile them forth againe . But of all men aliue , A strait 〈◊〉 is a Tailor Prison . I find a Tailor Is an approued artificial Iailor : Some doe commit themselues vnto his charge , And may but will by no meanes goe at large . I haue seene many in the Taylors Iailes , Haue labour'd till they sweat with tooth and nailes , ( The whilst a man might ride fiue miles at least ) To get their clothes together on the brest , And being then in prison button'd vp , So close that scarcely they could bite or sup , Yet I haue heard their pride how loud it lide , Protesting that their clothes were made too wide : These men loue bondage more then liberty , And 't is a gallant kinde of foolery , When thus amongst themselues they haue a Law , To decke and dawbe the backe , and pinch the Maw . Me thinkes their soules should be in mighty trouble , Poore Animals , they are imprison'd double ; In Corps and Clothes , and which is true and plain , They seeme to take great pleasure in their paine . Shooma 〈…〉 rs Prison . A Shoomaker 's a kind of Iailor too , And very strange exploits he dares to doe : For many times he hath the power and might , To clap into his Stocks a Lord or Knight , The Madam and the Maid he cares not whether , He laies them all fast by the heeles in lether . ●●uth and ●●nesty pri●●ners . Plaine Honesty and Truth , both Prisoners are , Although they seldome come vnto the barre , Yet are they kept so closely day and night , That in an age they scarcely come in sight . And but for many of our Countries pillers , True Tailers , Weauers , and cleane finger'd Millers , Good Serieants and kind Brokers did releeue them , ●●●hard case . I know not who would any comfort giue them . No doubt but many a Lasse that faine would wed , Is her owne Iailor to her maiden head , A maid●● head of times 〈◊〉 Prisoner With much vnwillingnesse she keepes it close , And with her heart shee le gladly let it lose . But looke to 't wenches , if you giue it scope , 'T is gone past all recouery , past all hope , Much like old Time which ceaselesse doth run on , But neuer doth returne once being gone . The Gowt's a sawcy Prisoner , The G 〈…〉 Prisone State . and will haue His keepers to maintaine him fine and braue ; His Iailors shall no needy beggers bee , But men of honour and of high degree , And ouer them he beares such great command , That many times they can nor goe nor stand ; And if he would breake Iaile and flie , 't is thought , He by his keepers neuer should be sought . And mony is close Prisoner I thinke sure , Money close P●●●●ner . Where no man can its liberty procure : The Deuils Stewards and his Bailifes vow , That monies freedome they will not allow , Vnlesse vnto a Miser or a Whore , But by all meanes fast hold it from the poore . I wish Coine were as painfull as the Gout , Amen ▪ To ●hose that hoard it ; and I make no doubt But miserable Iailers would agree To ope their Prisons , and let money flee . And were it not a lamentable thing , That some great Emperour or some mighty King Should be imprison'd by a vassall slaue , And lodg'd aliue ( as 't were within his Graue . ) Such is the case of Siluer and of Gold , The chiefest of all mettals fast in hold , And darknesse lies held in the Misers stocks , 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 kept in 〈…〉 age by 〈…〉 . In steele and yron bars , and ●o●ts and locks . Though gold and siluer royall mettals be , Yet are they slaues to yron as we see . But leauing Gold and Gowt , ●e turne my pen , To what I haue digrest from Iayles and men : Let man examine well himselfe , and he 〈…〉 men 〈…〉 their 〈…〉 ene 〈…〉 . Shall find himselfe his greatest enemie ; And that his losse of liberty and pelfe , He can accuse none for it , but himselfe ; How passions , actions , and affections cluster , And how to ruinate his state they muster , His frailty armes his members and his senses , To vndertake most dangerous pretences . The backe oft tempts him vnto borrowed brauery , And all his body suffers for 't in slauery ; His Belly tempts him to superfluous fare , For which his corps lies in a Iaylors snare ; His Eyes from beauty to his heart drawes lust , For which he 's often into prison thrust , His Eares giue credit to a knaue or theefe , And 's body suffers for his eares beleefe . His Tongue much like a Hackney goes all paces , In City , Country , Court and Campe , all places , It gallops and false gallops , trots and ambles , One pace or other still it runnes and rambles ; Of Kings and Princes states it often prattles , Of Church and Common-wealth it idly rattles , Of passing of it's word and suretiships , For which at last the Iayle the Carkasse nips . Mans Hands haue very oft against him warr'd , And made him of his liberty debarr'd : A stab , a blow , a d●shing of a pen , Hath clap'd him closely in the Iaylors den . The Feet which on the ground men daily tread , The way to their captiuity doe lead . Now for the inward faculties , I find Some lie in Prison for their haughty mind , Some for their folly , some because too wise , Are mew'd vp in the Iaylors custodies ; Some for much gaming or for recreation , Doe make a Iayle their homely habitation ; And thus it plainely may be proued well , Mans greatest foes within himselfe doe dwell . And now two contraries I will compare , To shew how like and how vnlike they are : A Iayle , our birth , our death , and setting free , These foure doe all agree and disagree ; For all degrees , our birth and life we know Is naturall , We are al● borne in forme , an● come into world of fashion , we die 〈◊〉 leaue the world in●●●nite waie one way , for high and low : But death hath many thousand waies and snares , To take our liues away all vnawares . And therefore of our liues it is no doubt , That ther 's but one way in and many out , But to a Iayle there 's many waies to win , Ten thousand tricks and sleights to clap men in : And ther 's but one way out as I doe know , Which is by satisfying what we owe . O west thou the law thy life , dispatch and pay , And from the Prison thou art freed away : Dost thou owe mony , quickly pay thy score , And farewell , goe thy waies man , ther 's the dore . As men in all that 's ill , are Satans Apes , So sundry sinnes bring death in sundry shapes ; Life from the God of life , which is but one , To all degrees one way giues life alone . And so our seuerall frailties , seuerall waies Our wretched Carkasses in prison laies , But ther 's but one way out that e're I saw , Which is by satisfying of the law . The faults we doe in spring-time of our youth , In Summer of our man-hood gather growth : Then Haruests middle age doth make them ripe , Which winters old age doth in prison gripe ; And thus the very seasons of the yeare , Fit emblemes of our thraldome doe appeare . 〈…〉 To 〈…〉 In London and within a mile , I weene , There are of Iayles or Prisons full eighteene , And sixty Whipping-posts , and Stocks and Cages , Where sin with shame and sorrow hath due wages . 〈…〉 des Pole 〈…〉 , Parti 〈…〉 , Hal 〈…〉 , Iaue 〈…〉 , Battle 〈…〉 , Cros 〈…〉 ves , halfe 〈…〉 es , Pistols 〈…〉 d Pettro 〈…〉 s. For though the Tower be a Castle Royall , Yet ther 's a Prison in 't for men disloyall : Though for defence a Campe may there be fitted , Yet for offence , men thither are committed . It is a house of fame , and there is in 't A Palace for a Prince , a Royall Mint , Great Ordnance , Powder , Shot , Match , Bills and Bowes , Shafts , swords , pikes , lances , shouels , mattocks , crows , Bright armor , muskets , ready still I say , To arme one hundred thousand in a day . And last it is a Prison vnto those That doe their Soueraigne or his lawes oppose . The Gatehouse for a prison was ordain'd , 2 2 The 〈◊〉 house . When in this land the third king Edward reign'd : Good lodging roomes , and diet it affoords , But I had rather lie at home on boords . Since Richards reigne the first , 3 3 Th● Fleet. the Fleet hath beene A Prison , as vpon records is seene , For lodgings and for bowling , there 's large space , But yet I haue no stomacke to the place . Old Newgate I perceiue a theeuish den , 4 4 New 〈…〉 But yet there 's lodging for good honest men . When second Henry heere the Scepter swaid , Then the foundation of that gate was laid . But sixty six yeeres ere our Sauiours birth , By Lud was Ludgate founded from the earth , 5 5 Lud 〈…〉 No Iayle for theeues , though some perhaps as bad , That breake in policie , may there be had . The Counter in the Powltry is so old , 6 6 Pe 〈…〉 Count 〈…〉 That it in History is not enrold . And Woodstreet Counters age we may deriue , 7 7 Wo 〈…〉 street . Since Anno fifteene hundred fifty fiue . For me the one 's too old , and one's too new , And as they bake a Gods name let them brew . Bridewell vnto my memorie comes next ; 8 8 Bri 〈…〉 Where idlenesse and lechery is vext : This is a royall house , of state and port , Which th' eight king Henry built , and there kept Court . King Edward somewhat ere his timelesse fall , Gaue it a way to be an Hospitall , Which vse the city puts it well vnto , And many pious deeds they there doe doe : But yet for Vagabonds and Runnagates , For Whores , and idle knaues , and such like mates , 'T is littell better than a Iayle to those , Where they chop chalke , for meat and drinke and blowes . In this house those that 'gainst their wills doe dwell , Loue well a Bride ( perhaps ) but not Bridewell . White 〈…〉 , Kings 〈…〉 , Ma● 〈…〉 a , 〈…〉ter , and 〈…〉 Fiue Iayles or Prisons are in Southwarke plac'd , The Counter ( once S. Margrets Church defac'd ) The Marshalsea , the Kings Bench and White Lion , Where some like Tantalus , or like Ixion , The pinching paine of hunger daily feele , Turn'd vp and downe with fickle Fortunes wheele : And some doe willingly make there abode , Because they cannot liue so well abroad . Then ther 's the Clinke , where handsome lodgings be , The hole ● Kathe●●●● . And much good may it doe them all , for mee . Crosse but the Thames vnto S. Katherins then , There is another hole or den for men . East 〈…〉 chfield 〈…〉 . Another in East-Smithfield little better , Will serue to hold a theefe or paltry debter . New 〈…〉 . Then neere three Craues a Iayle for Hereticks , For Brownists , Familists , and Schismaticks . The 〈…〉 Went 〈…〉 . Lord Wentworths Iayle within White Chappell stands , And Finsbury , God blesse me from their hands . These eighteene Iayles so neere the City bounded , Are founded and maintain'd by men confounded : As one mans meat may be anothers bane , The keepers full , springs from the prisners wane ▪ This hath beene still the vse , and euer will , That one mans welfare , comes from others ill . But ( as I said ) mans selfe is cause of all The miseries that to him can befall . Note but our corps , how euery member lies , Their seuerall offices , and faculties : And our owne iudgement will informe vs than , The likenesse 'twixt a prison and a man : For as man hath his limbs and linaments , His sinewes , muscles , nerues , and ligaments : His Panicles , his Arteries , his Veines , His ioynts , his membranes , and his beating braines : So hath a Iayle , Were 〈…〉 for the 〈…〉 Iayle 〈…〉 haue 〈…〉 Writs , Warrants , and Attachements , Arestings , Actions , Hues , Cries , & Appeachments : With Garnish , Sharing fees , and Habeas Corpus , ( Which feedes some Iaylors fatter than a Porpus ) And last for euerlasting Executions , Vntill the prisoners bodies dissolutions ; And if a man be hurt in legge or arme , Or head , or heele , t is said the man hath harme : If inward griefe doe pinch in any part , The anguish is a terror to the heart , And should a Iayle want these things nam'd before , It quickly would be miserable poore : Like men dismembred or of sense bereft , With scarcely any life or being left . For in mans corps ( like prisners ) alwaies lies His vertues , and his foule iniquities . And which of these his fancy liketh best , Shall still be kept in bondage , or releast . As Wisdome , Bounty , and Humanity . ( Despised in these daies of vanitie ) Some keepe so close , not suffering them to walke , So much as in bare thoughts , or deeds , or talke ; Whilst Folly , and close fisted Niggardize , With Barbarisme , haue ease and liberties . Faith , Hope , and Charitie , are pent vp close , And doubt , despaire , and cruelty let loose . Lust reuels it , rich clad in Robes of Pride : Friendship , and Loue , are liberty denide . Whereby the liberall Arts in number seuen , Are of their liberall liberties bereauen , The whilst the seuen delightfull deadly sinnes The game and glory , of the whole world winnes . The Cardnall vertues , at vnworthy prices , Are made but vassals to all Carnall vices . The Muses are mew'd vp , with woes and wants , Whilst fortune followes knaues , and Ignorants ; And thus within mans little Common-weale , He like a partiall Iaylor oft doth deale : Permits his goodnesse neuer to appeare , And lets his badnesse ramble any where . So Rorers , rascals , Banquerouts politicke , With mony , or with friends will finde a tricke Their Iaylor to corrupt , and at their will They walke abroad , and take their pleasure still : Whilst naked vertue , beggerly , despis'd , Beleaguer'd round , with miseries surpris'd , Of hope of any liberty defeated , For passing of his word is meerely cheated : And dungeond vp , may tell the walls his mones , And make relation to the senselesse stones , Where sighes and groanes , and teares may be his feast , Whil'st man to man , is worse than beast to beast . Till death he there must make his sad abode , Whil'st craft and cousenage walke at will abroad . Thus these comparisons doe well agree , Man to a Iayle may fitly likened bee : The thought whereof may make him wish with speed To haue his prisoned soule releast and freed . Thus Iayles and meditations of a Iayle , May serue a Christian for his great auaile . But now my Muse , thus long in bondage pent , Beginnes to thinke of her infranchizement : And hauing of a Prison spoke her part , She mounts vnto the Hangman and his Art .

THE NECESSITIE of Hanging . OF Hangings there 's diuersity of fashions , Almost as many as are sundry Nations . For in the world al things so hanged are , That any thing vnhang'd is strange and rare . Earth hangs in the concauity of Water , And Water hangs within the Ayerie matter , The Ayre hangs in the Fierie continent : Thus Element doth hang in Element , ( Without foundation ) all the Massie Globe Hangs , which the skies encompasse like a Robe . For as an Simile . egge , the yolke within the white , The white within the skinne 's enuellop'd quite , The skin within the shell doth outmost lie : Eu'n so these Elements hang midst the skie . First all the world where mortals liue , we see Within the Orbe of Luna Hanged be ; Aboue her Mercurie his course doth steere , And next aboue him is bright Venus Sphere . And in the fourth , and middle firmament , Sol keepes his hot and fiery Regiment . Next aboue that runnes Mars , that starre of warre , Beyond him Iupiter , that Iouiall starre , Then last is sullen Saturnes ample bounds , Who once in thirty yeeres the world surrounds ; This earthly Globe ( for which men fight and braule ) Compar'd to Heauen , is like an Attom small , Or as a Needles point compar'd to it , All the world is in comparison for greatnes to the Heauens as a handwo●●● or a Nit may be compared to the world . We liue in ● Hanging world . So it to Heauen may be compared fit , And it doth Hang , and hath its residence I' th centre of the skies circumference . Thus to proue Hanging naturall , I proue , We in a Hanging world doe liue and moue . Man is a little world , wherein we see , The great worlds abstract or epitomie , And if we note each linament and lim , There are not many parts vnhang'd of him , His haire which to his head and beard belongs , Hangs , if not turn'd vp with the Barbers tongs , His armes , his hands , his legges and feet we know ▪ Doe all hang pendant downewards as they grow , Ther 's nothing of him that doth hanging skip , Except his eares , his nether teeth and lip , And when he 's crost or sullen any way , He mumps , and lowres , and Hangs the Lip , they say : That I a wise mans sayings must approue , Man is a tree , whose root doth grow aboue Within his brains , whose sprigs & branches round , From head to foot grow downward to the ground . Thus world to world , and man to man doth call , And tels him Hanging is most naturall : The word Dependant doth informe our reason , That Hanging will be neuer out of season . All that depends doth hang , which doth expresse , Rich men are poore mens Gallowses . All Dependants are Hangers on . That Great men are like Iybbets for the lesse . It is an old phrase , many yeeres past gone , That such a Lord hath many hangers on ; Thereby describing , that all mens Attendants As it were hangers on , were cald Dependants : And sure of all men , they are best indeed , Who haue most hangers on to cloath and seed ; For he that hath the meanes , and not the grace , To helpe the needie , is a Miser base . Hee 's no good Steward , but a hatefull Theefe , That keepes from good Dependants their releefe : And of all the Theeues , he hanging doth deserue , Who * * That s a Rogue . hath the power to feed , and lets men sterue . To end this point , this consequence I 'le grant , He that hath wealth , no Hangers on can want ; For since the time that mankinde first began , It is a destinie ordain'd to man , The meane vpon the mightie should depend , And all vpon the Mightiest should attend . Thus through all ages , Countries and dominions , We each on other hang like Ropes of Onions . Some wealthie slaues , whose consciences condem , Will hang themselues , lest others hang on them ; And some spend all on Hangers on so fast , That they are forc'd to steale , and hang at last . If they from these Extremes themselues could wean , There is betwixt them both a Golden meane , Which would direct their superfluities , They would not hang themselues for niggardize , Nor wastfully or prodigally spend , Till want bring them to hanging in the end , And they and many others , by their purse , Might scape that hanging which is cald a curse . There 's many a * * That s an Asse . Gallant , made of foole and feather , Of Gold and Veluet , Silke and Spanish leather , Whose ragged Hangers on haue mou'd my minde , To see pride goe before , and shame behinde , With scarce a button , or an Elboe whole , A breech , or any shooe that 's worth a sole : Those are like Golden Iybbets , and their Traines Are like poore tatterd Theeues hang'd vp in chains . He that doth suffer Whores , or Theeues , or Knaues , Base flattering Villaines , or such kinde of slaues , To hang vpon him , and knowes what they are , That man vnto a Gallowse I compare . That Vintner I account no friend of mine , Who for good money , drawes me scuruie wine , And by the rule of Conscience ( not of Law ) That he is fitter made to hang , than draw . The Lawyer that at length doth spin mens causes , With false delayes , and dilatorie clauses , Who makes a trade to broach and draw contention , For him a hanging were a good preuention . But holla , Muse come backe , you beare my Rime To hanging in good earnest ere the time . There are a many sorts of hangings yet Behinde , which I by no meanes must forget : A Swing or ●tretch for exercise and wealth . One hanging is a necessary thing , Which is a pretty Gamboll , cald a Swing , And men of good repute I oft haue seene To hang , and stretch , and totter , for the spleene , This hanging is a militarie course , Not by the Law , but strength of armes , and force : Thus euery morning for a little spurt , A man may hang himselfe , and doe no hurt . This hanging oft ( like Tyburne ) hath a tricke , Saues charge of physicke , or of being sicke . Besides the word Hang is so much in vse , That few or none will tak 't as an abuse ; It doth a great mans kindnesse much approue , When he shall bid a man Be hang'd in loue ; And with some men 't is common courtesie , To say , Farewell , be hangd , that 's twice God ●wy . The pictures of the dearest friends we haue , Although their corps are rotten in the graue , We hang them for a reuerend memorie , To vs and vnto our posteritie . Some hang their wiues in picture , which haue cause To hang their persons , wer 't not for the lawes : Some hang their heires in picture , who would faine Wish their good fathers hang'd , their lands to ga●ne . I oft haue seene good garments for mens wearing , Haue very thriftily beene hang'd to airing , And I haue seen those garments ( like good fellows ) Hang kindly with their master at the Gallowse , And then into the Hangmans Wardrobe drop , Haue beene againe hang'd in a Broakers shop , Which after by a Curpurse bought might be , And make another iourney to the Tree , Twixt which , and twixt the Broaker , it might goe Or ride , some twelue or thirteene times , or moe . Thus th' hangmans haruest , and the Brokers grow , They reape the crop , which sin and shame doth sow , There are rich Hangings made of Tapestrie , Of Arras , and of braue embroderie , Those are for Princes , and for men of worth , T' adorne their Roomes , and set their greatnes forth . But as dead bones in painted Tombes doe bide , These * * If all traitors , Hypocrites , flatterers , extortioners , oppressors , Br●betakers , Cheaters , Panders , Bawds , &c. were hang'd vp in the woods on seueral Trees , there is no Arras , or Tapestry can grace and adorne , in Princes Court as those Hangings could become a Common-wealth . Hangings , filthy rotten walls doe hide . A Harts horne to a post fast nailed on , Serues well for men to Hang their hats vpon : But if they knew their heads would serue the turne , They would not shift their hats from horn to horn . Mens swords in Hangers Hang , fast by their side , Their Stirrops Hang , when as they vse to ride : Our Conies and our Deere , are Hang'd in toiles , Our meat hangs o're the fire when as it boiles ; Our light Hangs in the Lanthorne , all men sees Our frui● we eat was hang'd vpon the trees , Signes hang on posts shew where as tradesmen dwels , In steeples all men know are Hang'd the Bels , The scales or ballance hangs where things are weigh'd , Goods Hang'd in Cranes , that 's in or out conue●'d ; Yards , sailes , shears , tacks , lists , caskets , bolins , braces , Are fitly hang'd in their conuenient places . The compasse that directs where windes doe blow , Is Hang'd vpon the Needles point we know : In stately buildings , Timber , Lead and Stone , Are Hang'd and hoist , or Buildings would be none . 〈…〉 is an 〈…〉 my of 〈…〉 angings . Our Maps wherein the world described be , Are all Hang'd vp against the walls we see : Our Cazements Hang as they doe ope and shut , Our Curtaines Hang , which 'bout our beds we put , Our Hogs are Hang'd , else Bacon we might looke , Doores Hang on Hinges , or I am mistooke , And many a trusty Padlocke Hangs no doubt , To let in honest men and keepe Knaues out . Sea Cabins Hang , where poore men sleepe & rest , Our Clokes Hang on our backs 't is manifest ; The Viall , Citterne , the Bandore and Lute , Are cas'd or vncas'd , all Hang'd vp and mute , Our Linnen ( being wash'd ) must Hang to dry , Or else Lice will Hang on and multiply : Thus Hanging 's beneficiall to all States , Whilst Gods dread curse Hangs o're the reprobates . And as for those that take my Lines amis , And will be pleas'd to be displeas'd with this , For groats a peece , nay lesse , for three pence either , I 'le giue them all leaue to to be Hang'd together ; Since Hanging then is prou'd so naturall , So beneficiall , so generall , So apt , so necessary , and so fit , Our reason tels vs we should honour it . It is a good mans life , and 't is their death , That rob and rifle men of goods and breath : This kind of Hanging all offences ends , From which God euer blesse me and my friends . I from the Hangman this conclusion draw , He is the fatall period of the Law : If theeues or traytours into mischiefe runne , If he haue done with them , then they haue done . 'T is often seene that many haplesse men Haue beene condemn'd and Iudg'd , reprieu'd agen And pardon'd , haue committed new transgressions , And in againe oft many a Size and Sessions : When many warnings mend them not therefore Th● Hangman warnes them , they offend no more . Hee 's the Catastrophe and Epilogue Of many of the desperat Catalogue ; And he is one that cannot wanted be , But still God keepe him farre enough from me .

THE DESCRIPTION of Tyburne . I Haue heard sundry men oft times dispute Of trees that in one yeere will twice beare fruit . But if a man note Tyburne , 't will appeare , That that 's a tree that beares twelue times a yeere . I Muse it should so fruitfull be , for why I vnderstand the root of it is drie , It beares no leafe , no blossome , or no bud , The raine that makes it fructifie is blond . I further note the fruit which it produces , Doth seldome serue for profitable vses : Except the skilfull Surgions industry , Doe make Defection or Anatomy . It blossomes , buds , and beares , all three together , And in one houre , doth liue , and die , and wither . Like Sodome Apples , they are in conceit , For touch'd they turne to dust and ashes streight . Besides I finde this Tree hath neuer bin Like other fruit trees , wall'd or hedged in , But in the high way standing many a yeere , It neuer yet was rob'd , as I cou●d heare . The reason is apparent to our eies , That what it beares are dead commodities : And yet sometimes ( such grace to it is giuen ) The dying fruit is well prepar'd for heauen , And many times a man may gather thence Remorse , deuotion , and true penitence . And from that Tree , I thinke more soules ascend To that Celestiall ioy , which ne're shall end : I say more soules from thence to heau'n doe come , Than from all Except Paules ●●urchyard and not Gregories , 〈…〉 many in 〈…〉 & then 〈…〉 there ; whom I doe 〈◊〉 beleeue haue ●ules . Also I except the 〈◊〉 at Salisbury , with all Cathedrall Churchyards , and others , where any body dwels , if it be but a Summer , or a Sexton . Churchyards throughout christendome The reason is , the bodies all are dead , And all the soules to ioy or woe are fled . Perhaps a weeke , a day , or two , or three , Before they in the Churchyards buried bee . But at this Tree , in twinckling of an eye , The soule and body part immediatly , There death the fatall parting blow doth strike , And in Churchyards is seldome seene the like . Besides , they are assisted with the almes Of peoples charitable Praiers , and Psalmes , Which are the wings that lift the hou'ring spirit , By faith , through grace , true glory to inherit . Concerning this dead fruit , I noted it , In stead of paste it 's put into a pit , And laid vp carefully in any place , Yet worme-eaten it growes in little space . My vnderstanding can by no meanes frame To giue this Tyburne fruit a fitter name , Than Medlers , for I finde that great and small ( To my capacitie ) are Medlers all . Some say they are Choak'd peares , and some againe Doe call them Hartie Choakes , but 't is most plaine , It is a kinde of Medler it doth beare , Or else I thinke it neuer would come there . Moreouer where it growes I finde it true , It often turnes the Herbe of Grace to Rue . Amongst all Pot-herbes growing on the ground , Tyme is the least respected , I haue found , And most abus'd , and therefore one shall see No branch or bud of it grow neere this Tree : For 't is occasion of mans greatest crime , To turne the Vse , into Abuse , of Time . When Passions are let loose without a bridle , Then pretious Time is turn'd to Loue and Idle : And that 's the chiefest reason I can show , Why fruit so often doth on Tyburne grow . There are inferiour Gallowses which beare ( According to the season ) twice a yeare : And there 's a kinde of watrish Tree at Wapping , Wheras Sea-theeues or Pirates are catch'd napping : But Tyburne doth deserue before them all The title and addition capitall , Of Arch or great Grand Gallowse of our Land , Whilst all the rest like ragged Laqueyes stand ; It hath ( like Luna ) ‛ full , and change , and quarters , It ( like a Merchant ) monthly trucks and barters ; But all the other Gallowses are fit , Like Chapmen , or poore Pedlers vnto it . Thus Iayles and Iaylors being here explain'd , How both are good , and for good vse ordain'd , All sorts of Hanging which I could surmise , I likewise haue describ'd before your eyes ; And further hauing shew'd what Tyburne is , With many more inferiour Gallowsis , My pen from paper with this Praier doth part , God blesse all people from their sinnes desart . FINIS .

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