A manifest detection of the moste vyle and detestable vse of diceplay, and other practises lyke the same a myrrour very necessary for all yonge gentilmen [and] others sodenly enabled by worldly abu[n]dace [sic], to loke in. Newly set forth for their behoufe.

¶ Interloquutars R. and. M. R. speaketh .

HAppely as I romyd me in the churche of Paules nowe . xx . dayes a goo , lookynge for certayne my companions , that hither might haue stalled a meting , ther walked vp & downe by me in the body of the Church a gentilman , fayre dressed in Silkes , golde , & Iewels , with iii. or iiii . seruaunts in gaye lyueryes , all brodered with sundry colours attending vpon him I aduised him wel as one that plesed me much , for his proper personage and more for the wearing of his gere , and he agein at eche check made in our walking caste earnest lokes vpon me , not such as by his holowe frowninges , and percyng aspect myght pretend anye malyce or disoayne : but rather shoulde sygnyfye by hys cherefull countenannce that hee noted in me somthinge that lyked him well , and coulde be content to take some occasion , to imbrace myne acquaintance .

Anone whiles I deuised with my selfe what meanes I might make too vnderstand his behauor , & what sort he was of for mans nature ( as ye know ) is in those thinges curious , specially in such as professe courting , he humbled him selfe farre beneth my expectation . & began to speke fyrst after this maner . Sir it seemeth to me that we haue both one errand hither for I haue marked you well nowe more then halfe an houre , stalking vp & down alone without any compani somtime with such heauy and vnchearful countenaunce as if ye had some hammers workinge in your head , and that breache of company had moued your patience , and I for my part , what face soeuer I set on the matter , am not all in quiet : for had all promises bene kept , I shuld or this houre haue sene a good pece of money told here vpon the Fonte . And as many indentures obligations & other writinges sealed as cost me twyse . xl . s. for the drawing & cūsayle , but as to me : let them that be a cold blow the coles , for I am already on the sure syde and if I misse of my hold this way , I doubt not to pynche them as nere by an other shyfte , though in deede I must confesse , the vnkindnes & breache of promys is so much against my nature that nothing can offend me more . And you on the other side , if your greefe & tarrying be the same that I take it , ye cannot do better , then to make little of the matter , for ye seeme to be a man that wadeth not so vnaduisedly in the deepe but that alwaies ye bee sure of an anker holde : and therfore let vs by myne aduise forget such idell grefes and whyles noone tyde draweth on , talke of other matters that may quicken our sprits to make a mery dinner . Perchaunce this occasion may confirm a ioiful acquaintaunce betwene vs . Sir ( quod I ) as touchinge the cause of my long abiding here , it is not very great , neither is it tied to any such thrifte as yee speake of , but lacke of company wyll sone lead a man into a brown studdy . Wel then ( quod he ) if your head be fraught with no heuyer burden it is an easy matter to lighten your ●ode , for a lytle greef is sone forgotten . But I praye you syr , long ye not to the court , me thinkes I haue seene you er now and cannot cal it home where it shuld be .

A good workeman by saint Mary : nowe doo I easly foresee wythout anye instruction further wherto this matter tendeth : but yet tell what further talke had yee .

I tolde him I was yet but a rawe Courtier , as one the came from schole not many monethes afore , and was now become seruant to my Lord Chaunceler of Eng land , partly to see experience of things , the better to gouerne my selfe here after , & cheefly too haue a staffe to leane vntoo to defend mine own . And he again commendid me much therin , declaring , how diuarse notable persons , rashely by ignorance misguiding themselues , were sodeyn ly shaken a sunder , and fallen on the rockes of extreme penury . And how some other euen goodly wittes circumspectly working in all their doinges , haue by want of such a leaning stock , bin ouerthrowen with tirans power . For which cause ( qd he ) like as I cannot but praise your wary working in this your first courting : so for my Lorde your masters sake , you shall not lacke the best that I may do for you . For albeit that I am much beholding to all the Lords of the counsell ( as whom they stick not at al times to take to their bord , and vse sometime for a companion at play ) yit is he my singuler good Lord aboue all the rest , & if I shall confesse the truth , a great part of my liuing hath risen by his frendly preferment , & though I say it my self , I am to olde a courtier , and haue seene to much to bear nothing away , and in case our acquayntaunce hold , & by dayly company gather deepe roote : I shall now and then shew you a lesson worth the learning , and to th end hereafter each of vs may bee the bolder of the other , I pray you ( if ye bee not otherwise be spoken ) take a capon with me at dinner . Though your fare bee but homely , and skante , yet a cuppe of good wine I ●ā promis you , & al other lackes shal be supplied with a friendly welcom . I thank you sir ( qd I ) ye offer me more gentlenes then I can deserue , but sins I haue taried all this while , I will abyde the laste houre , too proue howe well my companyons wyll holde theyr appoyntment , and for that cause I will forbeare too trouble you till an other tyme , nay not so ( quod he ) yet had I rather spende xx . ● . then that my Lorde your Mayster should knowe but that the worst grome of his stable is as dere to me as any kinsman I haue , and therefore laye ail excusis aside , and shape your selfe to kepe mee companye for one dinner , whyle youre man and myne shall walk here togither tyll . xii . of the clocke , and yf your friends happen too come hither hee shall bring them home to vs . I loue too see Gentyll men swarme , and cleaue toogyther lyke Burs .

Howe then , went ye home too gether ?

What els , wonlde ye haue me forsake so gentle a friend , & so necessary acquayntaunce .

Go to , say on . Lo how gentle lambes are ledde to the slaughter mans folde , howe sone rechylesse youthe falleth in suare o● crafty dealinge ,

sone after we cam home to his house : the table was fayre spred with Dyaper clothes , the Cupborde garnyshed wyth much goodly plate , and laste of all came foorth the gentyll woman hys wyfe clothed in Silkes and embrodred workes , the attyre of her head brodred wyth gold and Pearle , a Carkenet about her necke agreable thereto , wyth a flower of Diamondes pendente thereat , and manye faire ringes on her finger . Besse ( qd. he ) bid this gentleman welcome , and wyth that she courteously kyssed me and after moued communication of my ▪ name , my naturall country , what tyme my father dyed , and whether I were Maryed yet or not , alwaies powdring our talk with suche pretye deuyses , that I sawe not a woman in al my life , whose fashions and entertainment I liked better .

The good man in the meane season had bin in the Kitchin , and sodeynly retournyng and breakyng our talke , somwhat sharpely blamed his wife that the dyner was no further forward , and whiles she withdrew hir from vs , by like to put all thinges in a good readines , come on ( qd he ) you shal go see my house the while , it is not lyke your large country houses , ●oumes ye wote in London be straight , but yet the furnyture of them is costly enough , and victayles bee heere at such hygh pryses , that much money is soone consumed , specially with them that maintaine an ydell houshold , neuertheles assure your selfe , that no man is welcommer than you to such cheere as ye fynde . And consequently bringing me through diuers wel trimmed chambers , the worst of them appareled with verdures , some with rich cloth of Arras , all with beds , Chayres , and Cusshins of Silke , and Gold , of sundry colours sutably wroght . Lo heere quod hee a poore mannes lodgynge , which if ye thinke it may do you any pleasure ( for the Innes of London be the worst of England ) take your choyce and hartely welcome , reseruing but one for my Lord my voyfes Cosin , whome I dare not disapoint least happely he shuld lowre and make the house to hot for vs . I gaue him thanks as meete it was I should , neither yet refusing his gentil offer , for in deed mine own lodging is somwhat lothesome , and pestered with com pany : nor yit imbracing it , bycause hytherto I had not by any meanes , deserued so great a pleasure .

So downe we came againe into the parlour , and found there dyuerse gentilmen , all straungers to me , & what should I say more , but to dinner we went .

Let me here them what matters were moued at dinner time , and how ye passed the after none , tyll the company brake vp , and sundred themselues .

R ,

That can I readily tell you , I haue not yet forgotten it sins , don it was so late , as touchinge our fare , though pertrych , and quayle , were no daintyes , and wyues of sundry grapes flowed abunbantly , yit spare I to speake thereof , bycause ye haue demaunded a contrary question . So soone as wee had well viteled our selues , I wot not how , but easely it came to pas that we talked of ne wes , namely of Bullin , how hardly it was won , what pollicy then was practised too get it , and what case the Souldiers had in the se●dge of it , in so much that the least progresse the King maketh into the inlend partes of the Realme , dislodgeth mo of his trayne , and leaueth them too theyr owne prouision , with lesse relefe of vyttels , then had the worst , vnwaged auenturer ther.

From this the goodman lead vs to talk of home pleasures , enlarginge the beaulties of peace , & London pastimes , & made so ●oly a discourse therof y● to my iudgement he semed skilfull in al thinges . My thinkes ( qd he ) such simple fare as this taken in peace , without feare & daunger of gonshot , is better then a princes puruciance in warre , where eache morsel hee eateth shall bring with it a present feare of sodein mischaunce or vyolent hostilitie : & though that in the open cam●e none myght haue more familiar accesse to the nobilitie then here at home , yet for my part ( I thanke God ) I haue no cause to complain , eyther bycause of their gentlenes , no vssher kepes the dore betwen me and them when I come to visit them , or y● the greatest princes refuse not somtimes to hallow my pore table & house with their person . Which ( be it , spoken without bost or imbraiding ) doth somtyme cost me . xx . li a day . I am sure that some of this company doo remember what a braue company of Lords supt with me the last term , and I thinke how yee haue hard , howe some of them gat an . C. ●i . or . ii . by their comming , with this and that lyke talke consumed was our dinner , and after the table was remoued , in came one of the wayters with a fayre syluer boule full of Dyce and Cardes , now maysters ( quod the goodman ) who is so disposed , fal to : here is my . xx . li. win it & weare it . Then eache man chose his game , some kepte the good man company at the hasard , some matched themselues at a new game called Primero .

And what did you the whyle ?

They egged me to haue made one at Dice , and tolde me it was a shame for agentleman not to kepe gentlemen company for his xx . or xl . crownes neuerthelesse bycause I alledged ygnorance , the gentilwoman sayd I should not sit ydel al the rest being occupied , and so we ii . fel to saunt fiue games a Crowne .

And how spedde you in the end ?

In good fayth , I passed not for the losse of . xx . or xl . s , for acquayntance , and so muche I thinke it cost me , and then I left of , marie the Diceplayers stacke well by it and made very fresh play , sauing one or two that were cleane shriuen , & had no more money to lose . In the end when I shuld take my leaue to depart , I could not by any meanes be suffered so to breake company , onlesse I would deliuer the gentilwoman a Ring , for a gage of my return to supper , & so I did , and to tel you al in few words , I haue haunted none other since I got that acquaintance , my meat and drinke and lodging is euery way so dilicate , that I make no hast to chaunge it .

And what pay you , nothing for it ? haue ye not an ordinary charge for your meales ?

None at all , but this deuice wee haue , that euery Player at the fyrst hand he draweth , payeth a Crowne to the box , by way of a releef towards the house charges .

Ye may fare well of that price at the starke staring stewes .

In good fayth and me thinketh it an easy burden , for him that wil put his xl . l. in aduenture to pay the tribute of a crowne ▪ and fare well for it , whose chaunce is to lose a. C. crownes or . ii . wold neuer haue spared one to make a newe stocke wyth al. And whose hap is to wine , were a very churle to be a nigarde of so lytle ,

Is euery man a player there or doo some go scotfre :

Who so listeth not to put muche in hazard plaieth at mumchaunce for his crowme with some one or other . So some goeth free & some be at double chardge , for alwayes we haue res pecte that the house bee releued , and it standeth so muche the more with good reason , because that besydes the greate charges of vittels , and great attendance of the seruants , and great spoyl of napery and houshold stuff the good man also loseth his . xx . or . xl li. to kepe vs company .

And what do you the whyles ▪ I am sure ye be not yet so cunuinge as too keepe such workemen company .

And why not I pray you is it so hard a thing to tel . xx . or to remember . ii . or . iii. channces : but yet in dede I play litell my selfe , onlesse it be at the Cardes , otherwyse I am the goodmans half ●or the most part , and ioyne both our luckes to●ither .

How spe● ye ther for the most part ?

Not alwa●s so wel as I wuld wish I will bee playne with you as with my frende , it hath coste me . xl . ● . within this seuyght . But I vouchsafe my l●sse the better , I had such fayre play for it , and who would not hazarde . xx . pounde amonge suche quyet company , where no man gyues a soule woorde , at one good hande , a man maye chaunce as I haue often seene to make his fourty pounde a hundred . And I haue seene again a man beginne to play with v. c. marke landes and once yet er the yere went about wold haue old land if he had had it .

Perchaunce so to .

But his locke was too badde , the lyke falleth scarcely once in a hundred yeres

That is but one doctors opinion . I see it beetyde euery day , though not in this so lardge a proporcion and bicause I se you so raw in these things , that ye accounte that for moste vnfained frendshippe wher most deceite is ment , and being alredy giuen to play , may in fewe dayes come further behind then al your trauaile of your latter yeres can ouer take agayne . I can neyther for beare thee for the zeale I beare vntoo you , or the hatred I beare too the occupacion too make you vnderstande some partes of the sleyghtes and falshoddes that are commonly pracised at Dice and Cardes . Opening and ouerturning the things , not so that I would learne you to put the same in vse , but o●ē theyr wicked snares .

I thank you for your gentyl offer , I would bee glad to know the worst , least happely I should fall in such craftye company , but youder at my lodginge commeth none but men of woors●pe , some mounted vpon mules faire trayped , some vppon fyne hackeneyes with foote clothes , all such as I dare saye would not practyse a poynte of legyerdymeyne for an hundred pound .

Well , as to that , there lay a strawe tyll anone , that the matter lede vs to speake more of it . And in the meane season , let this be sufficient . That so sone as ye begonne your decbaration of the firste acquayntaunce in Poules , I felte afore hande the hookes were layed too pycke your purse wyth all .

Wyste I that , I would from henceforth stand in dout of myne owne hands , the matter hath such appearaunce of honestie .

Well harken to me a whyle . There is no man I am sure that hath experyence of the world , and by reading of hystories conferreth our time to the dais of our elders , but wyll easely graunte that as tyme hath growen and gathered increase by running , so witte ●irst planted in a feaw , hathe in tyme taken so many rootes , that in euery corner ye may finde new braunches budding and issewinge from the same . For profe wherof to speake of one thing amonge many that at this tyme may serue our purpose . Although the greke and latin histories be ful of notable examples of good princes , that vtterly exiled Dicinge , out of their seygn ories & cuntries , or at the least held them as infamed persons . yit fynde I not that in those our forefathers dayes , any the like slyght and crafty deceit was practised in play , as now is common in euery corner . Yea and he namely Hodge setter whose sirname witnesseth what opinion men had of him , though xl . yeres agone was thought pereles in crafty playe , and had as they say neyther mate nor felowe , yet nowe towardes his death was so farre behind some yonger men in that knowledge , that I my selfe haue knowen mo then . x● that could make him a foole : and cannot suffre him to hame the naue of a workeman in that facultie .

And it is not yet . xx . yeres agone sins al that sought their liuing that waye , as then were few in nomber , scarcely so many as were able too maintayne a good ●ray so were they much of Hodge setters estate , the next doore too a begger , nowe such is the misery of our tyme , or such is the licentious outrage of idel misgouerned persones , that of only dycerse a man myght haue halfe an army , the greatest nomber so gayly bee seene , and so full of money that they bash not to infinuat them selues intoo the company of the hiest , & loke for a good hour to creepe into a gentlemans roome of the pryuie chamber .

And heere of you may right well assure your self that if their cost were not exceding great , it were not possible by the on ly helpe thereof , to leade so sumptuous a lyfe as they do alwaies , shynynge lyke blasynge starres in their apparell .

By nyght , tauerning with Trumpetes , by day spoiling Gentlemen of their inheritaunce , and to speake all at once , lyke as all good and lyberall scyences had a rude beginninge , and by the industrye of good men , beeinge augmented by lytle and by litell at laste grewe to a iuste perfection : so this detestable priuy robery from a few and deceytful rules is in few yeres grown to the body of an arte , and hath his perculiar termes , and therof as great a multitude applied to it , as hathe Gramer or Lodgicke , or any other of the approued sciensis , neyther let this seeme straunge vnto you ▪ bycause the thinge is not commonly knowen , for this facultie hath one condition of iugling , that yf the sleght be once discouered marde is al the market . The firste precepte thereof is to be as secret in working , as he that keepeth a man company from London too Maydenhead . & makes good chere by the way , to the ende in the thycket to turne his pricke vpward , and cast a weauers knot on both his thumbs behind him , & they to th entent that euer in al companyes they may talk familierly in all apperance & yet so couertly in dede , that their purpose may not bee espied : They call theyr worthy arte by a newe found name , callinge them selues Chetors , and the di●e chet●rs , borowing the terme from among our lawers , with whom all such casuals as fall vnto the Lord at the holding his lets , as waifs , straies & such like bee called chetes , & are accustomably said to bee escheted to the lords vse .

Trow ye them that they haue any affinity with our men of Law

Neuer with those that he honest , mary with suche as bee ambydexters & vse to play on both the hands they haue a great League , so haue they also with all kynde of People , that from a good order of ciuilitie , are fallen and resolued as it were from the hardnesse of vertuous liuing : to the delycasy and softnesse of vncareful ydelnesse , and gainfull deceyte .

For gayne and ●ase be the only prickes that they shote at . But what righte or honest meanes they myght acquire it , that parte neuer commeth in question among them .

And hereof it riseth that lyke as lawe When the terme is trewly considered , signifieth an ordinaunce of good men , established ●or the common wealth , to represse all vic●us lyuing : so these Chetors turned the cat in the pan , geuing to diuerse vile patching shyftes , an honest , and godly titell , calling it by the name of a law . ●ycause by a multitude of hateful rules a multytude of dregges and draffe , as it were all good lerning , gouerne and rule their ydel bodies , to the destruction of the good laboring people . And this is the cause that dyu●se crafty sleyghts deuised only for guyle , hold vp the name of a Lawe , ordayned ye wote to mayntayne playne dealing . Thus giue they their owne con uer auce the name of cheting law , so doo they other termes , as sacking law : high law , Fygging law , and such lyke .

what meane ye herby , haue ●e spoken brod English al this while , & now begin to choke me with misteries , and queiut termes ?

No not for that but always ye must consider , that a carpenter hath many termes familier inough to his pretensis that other folke vnderstand , not at al , & so haue the chetors not without greate nede ( for a falsehod once detected ) can neuer compasse the desired effect : neither is it possible to make you grope the bottome of their arte , onles I acquaint you with some of their termes . Therefore note this at the first : that S●ckynge Lawe signifieth horedome , Hyghe law , robbery . Figginge law , picke purse crafte .

But what is this to the purpose , or what hane chetors a do with hores or theues .

As moch as with their very entere frende , that hold all of one corporation . For the first & origynall ground of Chetinge is , a coūterfea●e countenaunce in all things : a studdy to seme to be , & not to be in deede . And bycause no great dysceyte can be wrought but where speciall trust goeth before , therfore the chetor when he pitcheth his haye to purchace his profit en●orceth all his wittes to win credite & opinion of honesty , and vprightnes . Who hath a great outward shew of sim plicity than the pickpurse : or what woman wil seeme so seruent in loue as wil the con mon h●rlot : so as I told you before the foundation of all those sortes of people is nothing els but mere simulation , & b●g in hand . And like as they spring all from one rote , so tend , they al to one end , idely to lyue by rape , and rauin , deuouring the frute of othermens labors , al the ods be twene them be in the meane actions , the leade towards the end & final purpose

I am almost wery of my trade alredy to heare y● out gay gainsters are so strongly allied with theues , and pickpurses But I pray you procede & let me heare what sundry shyftes of disceyt they haue to meete all wel togither at the close ?

That is more then I promised you at the beginning , & more then I intended to perform at this time , for euery of them kepeth as gret scoles in their own faculty , as the chetors do . And if I should make an open discourse of euery wrynkel they haue to couer and worke disceit with al , I should speake of mo sundry queint conueiances , then bee rockes in Milfourd hauen , to defend the ships from the boisterus rage of weather . But I wil first go forward with that I haue in hand , & by the way as occasion shall serue , so touch the rest that ye may see their workmanship , as it were a farre of , more then halfe a kenning . The chetor for the most part neuer receyueth his scholler to whom he wil discouer the secrets of hys arte , but such one as before he had from some welth and plenty of things , made so bare , and brought to such misery , that he wil re●use no labor ▪ nor leane no stone vnturned , to pick vp a penny vnderneth . And this he doth not , but vpon a great skyll . For like as it is an old Prouerbe and a trew , that hee must n●edes goe , whome the Dyuell dryueth , so is there not such a Dyuell to force a man to an extreme refuge , as is necessity and want , specially wher it hath proceded of abundance .

Therfore the chetor vsing necessitie for & great part of perswasion , when he hath sucked this nedy companion so dry that there remayneth no hope too presse any drop of further gayne from him , taketh some occasion to shew him a glinse of his faculty , and if happely he fynd him egle eyed , & diligent to marke , auone shapith him in such a fashion , as that he wil raise a new gayne by him , and with all somewhat releue his vrgent pouerty . Then walking asyde intoo some solitary place he maketh the first waye to his purpose after this or the like maner . I am sure it is not yet oute of youre remembraunce how late it is since yee firste fell into my company , how great losse ye had at play before we entred in any acquaintance , & how litle profit redounded vnto me , sins ye first haunted my house , neither can ye forget on the other syde , how frendly I haue enterteyned you in euery condition making my house , my Seruauntes , my Horses , myne apparel , and other things whatsoeuer I had , rather common to vs both than priuate to my selfe . And now I perceyue that of a youthfull want ones & as it were a childish ouersight , ye haue so dēly brought your self ( vnwares to me ) so far vnder the hatches , and are shaken with lauish dispence that ye cannot find the way to rise agein , and beare any sayle among men as heretofore you haue done , Which thing whyles I deepely consider with my self , I can not but lament much youre neglygence , and more the harme that is like to ensu vpon it : For first your friendes beeinge as I haue hard many in nomber , and all of worship , shall conceyue such inward greef of your vnthriftines , that not one will vouchsafe a gentyll playster to quench the malice of this srettinge corosie , that penury hath applyed . And I againe bycause my happe was to haue you in my house , and too gaine a litle of other mens leauings , shal be counted the cause of your vndoing , & slaundred ●or taking a fewe fethers out of the nest when other had stolen the birds alredi , for which causes , & specially to help you to maintain your self like a gentleman as hitherto of your self ye haue bin able . I can be content to put you in a good way so as treading the step̄s that I shal appoint you , neither shall ye neede to run to your frends for succor , & al men shal be glad to vse you for a companion . But wi● I that I shuld find you crafting with me in any point & void of the fidelity , & secretnes ( some spar ks wherof I haue noted in your nature ) assure your selfe , that I would neuer make you priuy to the matter , but giue you ouer to your own prouision , perchance to end your life with infamy & wretchednes . The yong man that lately flowed in plenty & pleasures , & nowe was pinched to the quick with lack of al things , humbled himself anone to be wholy at his deuocio● , & gaue him a thowsand thankes for his great kyndnes . Then forth goeth the chetor , and further saies : though your experience in the world be not so great as mine , yet am I sure ye see that no man is able to liue an honest man , onles he haue som priuy way to help himself with al , more then the world is witnes of . Think you that noble men could do as they do if in this hard world they shuld maintain so great a port only vpon their rent ? Think you that laweiers could bee such purchassers if their pleas were short , & al their iudgements , iustice , & conscience . Suppose ye the offices would be so derely bought , & y● biers so sone enriched if thei counted not pillage an honest point of purchace Could marchaunts with out lies false making their wares , & selling them by a croked light to deceiue the chapman in the thred or colour grow so sone rich , & to a barons possessions , & make al their posterity gentlem●n ? What wil ye more who so hath not some ankerward way to helpe himself , but foloweth h● nos● ( as they say alwais straight forward ) may wel hold vp the head for a yere or ii . but y● iii. he must nedes sink & gather the wind into beggers hauen . Therfore mine aduise shal be y●●e beate al your wittes , & spare not to breke your brains alwais , to saue and help one Your acquaintaunce I know is great , amongs your country men , such as be rich and ful of money , neuerthelesse more simple then that they know what good mai be done in play , and better it is that eche man of them , smart a litle , then you to liue in lack . Therfore seke them out besely at their lodginges : but alwais beare them in hand that ye met them by chaunce , then wil it not be hard to call them hyther to take part of a supper , and hauinge them once within the house dores dout ye not but they shal haue a blow at one pastime or other , that shall lighten their pursis homeward , my selfe wil lend you money to kepe them company , & neuerthelesse make you partaker of the gain , & to the end ye shal not bee ignorant by what meanes I wil compasse the matter , come on go we vnto my closet , & I shal giue you a lesson worth the lernyng , Then bringeth he forth a gret box with dice , & first teacheth him to know a 〈◊〉 .

a gods name what stuf is it ▪ I haue often hard men talk of false dice , but I neuer yet heard so dainty a name giuen them .

so much the soner may ye be deceued , but suffer me a while & breke not my talk , & I shal paint you anon a pro per kind of pouling , ●o here saith the chetor to this yong Nouisse , a well fauored die that semeth good & square : yet is the forhed longer on the cater and tray , then any other way , and therfore holdeth the name of a langret , such be also called bard cater tres , bicause commonly the longer end will of his owne sway draw downwards , and turne vp to the eye sice sinke , deuis or ace , the principal vse of them is at Nouem quinque . So long as a paier of bard quater tres be walking on the bord so long can ye cast neither v. nor . ix . onles it be by a great mischance that the roughnes of the bord , or some other stay , force them to stay and run against their kind . For without quater trey , ye wot that , vnor . x. can neuer fall .

By this reason he that hath the first dice is like alwaies to strip , & robbe all the table aboute ?

Trew it is , wer ther not another help , & for the purpose an od man is at hand , called a flat cater tre , & none other numbre . The graunting that tre or quater be alwaies one vpon the one die , if ther is no chaunce vpon the other die but may serue to make v , or ix . ● so cast foorth & lose all , therefore ( sayth the maister ) marke well your flat & lerne to know him surely when he runneth on the bord , the whiles he is abrode , ye for beare to cast at much , & keping thꝭ rule to auoyd suspection , bicause I am knowen for a plaier , yee shal see me bring al the gain into your hands

But what shift haue they to bring the flat in & out :

A ioly fine shifte that properly is called foysting , & it is nothing els but a sleight to cary ease ly within the hand , as often as the foister list . So that when either he or his partener shall cast the dice , the flat comes not abrod , til he haue made a great hande , and won as much as him list . Otherwise the flat is euer on onles at few times that of purpose he suffer the s●ly soules to cast in a hand or it . to giue them courage too continew ther play and liue in hope of winning .

R .

This gere seemeth very straung vnto me , & it sinketh not yet into my brain , how a man might carry so many dice in one hand & chop them & chaunge them so often & the thing not espied :

so iugglers conueiance semeth to exceede the compasse o● reason til ye know the feat . But what is it that labor ouercommeth not ? And trew it is , to ●oyst finely , & redily , & with the same hand to tel money , to & fro is a thing hardly learned , & asketh a bold sprite , & long experience though it be one of the first be lerned . But to return to the purpose , if happely this young scholler haue not so redy and so skilful an eye , to deser●e the flat at euery time that hee is foysted in ( for vse maketh mastery , aswell in this as in other thinges ) then partely too helpe this ignoraunce withall , and partly too teache the younge Cocke to crowe , all after the chetors kind , the old col● instructeth the yong in the termes of his arte after this maner . Y● know that this outragious swering and quarelling that some vse in play , giueth occasion to many to forbear , that els would aduenture much mony at it , for this we haue a deuise among vs that rather we relent & giue place to a wrong , then we wold cause the play , by stryfe to cause any company to break , neither haue we any othes in vse but lightly these : of honesty , of truth , by salt , Martine , which when wee vse them affirmatiuely , wee meane always directly the contrary . As for example , it haply I say vnto you when the dice commeth to your hands of hone sty cast at all , my meaning is that ye shal cast at the bord or els at very little . If when a thing is offered in gage I swere by saint Martine I thinke it fine golde , then meane I the contrary , that it is but copper . And like as it is a gentle and old prouerbe , Let losers haue their wordes : so by the way take forth this lesson , euer ●o shew gentlenes to the silly foles , & crepe ●f ye can into their very bosoms . For harder it is to hold them when ye haue them , them for the first time to take them vp . For this yong wits bee so light , & so wauering , that it requireth great trauel , to make them alwais daunce after one pipe . But too folow that we haue in hand bee they young be they old , that fauleth into our laps , & be ignorant of our arte , we call them all by the name of a cosin , as men that wee make as much of , as if they were of our kinne in dede the gretest wisdome of our faculty resteth in this point , dy●yg ently to forsee to make the cosin sweat , that is to haue a wil to kepe play , & company , and al waies to beware that we cause him not smoke , least that hauing any fele or sauor of gyle intendid agaynste hym , he slyppe the collor as it were a hound , & shake vs of for euer . And whensoeuer ye take vp a cosin , be suer as nere as ye can to knowe a forehand what store of byt he hath in his buy , that is what mony he hath in his purse , & whether it bee in great cogs or in small , that is gold or siluer , and at what game he wil sonest stoupe that we may fede him with his owne humor & haue coules redy for him . For thousands therbee , that wilnot play a grote at nouen & yet wil lose a hundred pound at the hasard , & he that wil not stoupe a dodkin at the dice , per chaunce at cardes wil spend Gods cope , therfore they must be prouided for euery way . Generally your fine chets though they be good , made both in the kings bench & in the marshalsea , yet Bird in Holburn is the finest workman , acquaint your self with him , and let him make you a ba●e or ii . of squarters of sundry sisis , some lesse , some more , to throw into the first play , til ye per ceiue what your company is . Then haue in a redines to be roisted in when time shal be , your fine chetes of all sorts , be sure to haue in store of such as these be . A bale of bard sink deusis & flat sink deusis , a bale of bard ●i . easis , & flat vi . easis : a bale of bard quater tres , & flat quater tres . The aduantage wherof is al on y● one side , & consisteth in the forging . Prouide also a bale or . ii . of Fullans for they haue greate vse at the hasard , and though they be square outward . Yet being within at the corner with lead , or other pōdorus matter stopped , minister as great an aduantage as any of the rest . ye must also be furnished with high men , & low men for a mūchāce , & for passage . Yea & a long die for euen and od , is good to strike a small stroke with al for a crown or ii . or the price of a diner As for Gords and bristle dice be now to grose a pracise to be put in vse , light grauiers there be , demies , contraryes & of all sortes , forged cleane against the apparaunt vantage . Which haue speciall , and sundry vses . But it is inough at this time to put you in a remembrance what toles yee must prepare too make you a workeman . Hereafter at more leasure ▪ I shall in structe you of the seuerall vses of them al , and in the mean season take with you also this lesson , that ▪ when fine squariers only be stirring , ther rests a great help in cogging , that is when the vndermost dy standeth dead by the weighty fall of his fellow , so that if v● . be my chaunce , and x. yours , graunt that vpon the die I cogge and keepe alway an ace , deuce , or tray , I may perhaps sone cast vi . but neuer x. and there be diuers kindes of cogging , but of all other the spanish cogge bears the bel , & seldome rayseth any smoke . Gramercy sayeth the scholer , and now thinketh he himself so ripely instructed , that though he be not yit able to begyle others , yit he supposeth himselfe sufficiently armed against al falshod that might be wrought to bringe him to an afterdeale , and lyttle seeth he the while how many other ends remain , how many points ther be in slipper● chetors science , that he shall not yit be skilfull inough to tagge in their kind , perchaunce in iiii . or . v. yeres practise .

Why haue they any deper reaches to lift a man out of his saddel , and ridde him of his money , then ye haue opened already ?

Alas this is but a warning , and as it wer the shaking of a rod to a young boye , too feare him from places of perill . All that I haue told you yit or that I haue minded to tell you , greeth not too the purpose , too make you skilfull in chetors occupacion . For as sone would I teach you the next way to Tyburn , as to learn you the practise of it : only my mening is to make you see as farre into it , as shuld a cobler into a tanners facultie , to know whether his lether be wel lyquored , and well & workmanly drest or not . And like as I wold not wish a cobler a currier , lest two sundry occupations running to gither into one , might perhaps make a leawd London medley in our shoes , the one vsing falshod in working , the other facing and lying in vttering . ▪ So seeke I to auoyd , that ye should no ●oth be a courtier ( in whome a lyttle honest moderate play is tollerable ) and withall a Chetor , that with all honesty hath made an vndefensable dormant ●efyance . For euen this new nurtured nou●s ( notwithstanding hee is receiued into the Colledge of these dubble dealers , & is become so good a scoller that he knoweth redily his flats and barris , and hath bin snapper with the old cole . at . ii . or . iii. deepe stroks , yea and though he haue learned to verse , and lay in ●he reason well fauoredly to make the cosin stoupe , al the cogges in his buy ) yet if he once wex slow in seeking out cosins , and be proud of his new thrift , & so good ly a passage to recouer his olde losses , the knappe of the case , the goodman of the house , calleth secretly vnto him the third person for the most part a man that might be warden of his company , & talketh with him after this maner . Here is a younge man in my house , if ye knowe him , that hath bene one of the swetest cosins aliue , so long as he was able to make a grote , nowe at the laste I wote not howe hee came by it , but he hath gotten some knoledge and talkes of a greate deale more then he can in dede . Mary a langret hee knoweth metely wel and that is al his skil . I made much of him all this month bycause he hath great acquaintance of men of the country , and specially the clothe men of the west partes , and at the beginning wuld euery day fil the case with ioly fat cosins , and albeit he had no knowledge too worke any feate him selfe , yet did I vse him alwais honestly , and gaue him his whole snappe , too the end hee should be painfull and dilygent too take the cosyns vp , and bringe them to the blow . Now waxen is he so proud of hys gain bicause he hath gotten ● new chaine fyet new , apparell , and some store of by te , that I can not gette him once out of the dore , to go about any thing . Take some paynes your self ( sayth he ) & bryng some of your owne Cosins home or els iet al alone for me . Thus if ye see that nothing marres him , but that he is to fat , & might we make him once leane again as he was within this month , them shuld we see the hungry horson trudge .

Ther shold not be sturring a cosin in any quarter but he wuld wind him straight . Therefore come you in anone like a straūger & he shal see him take you vp roundly . If yee lacke contraries to crossebite him with all , I shall ●end you a payre of the same sise that his chetes be .

Is ther no more fydelity amonge them can they not be content one false knaue to be true to his felow , thogh they conspire to rob al other men ?

Nothing lesse did not I warne you in the beginninge that the end of the sci●ce is mere disceyt , & would ye haue themselues against their kynde , to work contrary to their profession . Nay they be euer so like themselues , that when all other deceytes fayle , looke which of them in play gett●s any store of money into his hands , he wyll euery fote as he draweth a hand , be fygging more or les and rather then fayle crame it & hyde it in his hose , to make his gaine greatest . Then when they falle to the diuysion of the gayn , & the money that the cosin hath lost is not forth comming , nor wil be confessed among them , it is a world to here what rule thei make , & how the one imbradeth the other with disshonesty , as if ther were some honestie to be found among them . What shuld I then speke of swearing & staring wer they alwaies as liberal of 〈◊〉 , as they bee of othes , I had rather ●ring a b●gger to haue the reward of a cheter , them to the best almes knights roome y● the king giues at Wyndser . But these stormes neuer fal but in secret counsels within themselues & then peraduenture the sironger part wil strip the weaker out of his clothes rather then he shuld flocke away with the stuffe , & make them lou●s to labour for his luker .

Then is it but foly to recouer my lossis in yonder company , & if ther can not be one faithful couple found in the hole band how might I hope that am but a straunger to win an vnfayned friend amonges them

As for in that case neuer spek more of the matter , & be as sure as ye are of your Creade , that al the frendly entertainement ye haue at your lodging is for no other end but for to perswade you to play , & bring you to losse , nether was it any better than falshod in felowship when the goodman got yōu to be half , and seemed vnwilling ly to lose both your monies .

By these meanes other must I vtterly for beare to hasard any thing a the dice , or liue in dout & suspection of my frend , whensoeuer I fall to play .

No question therof , for the contagion of chetinge is uowe so vniuesall the they swarme in euery quarter , & therfore ye cannot be in safty from deceit , onles ye shun the company of hasarders , as a man wuld flie a scorpion .

Then am I sufficiently lessoned for the purpose , but bicause at the first our talke matched Dice and cardes toogether like a couple of frendes that draw both in a yoke , I pra● you is ther as much crafte at cardes as ye haue rehersed at the dice ?

Altoogether , I wuld not giue a point to chuse , they haue such a sleyght in sortinge , and shufflinge of the Cardes , that playe at what game ye will al is lost afore hand . If. ii . be confederated to begyle the third , the thing is compassed with the more ease , then i● one be but aloue , yet ar ther many wais to deceiue . Primero now as it hath most vse in court , so is there most disceyt in it , some play vppon the pricke , some pinch the cards priuily with their nayls , some turne vp the corners , some mark them with fine spots of inke One fine trick brought in a spaniard , a finer than this innented an Italian , & wan much money with it by our doctours , & yet at the last they wer both ouerreched by newe sleyghtes deuysed here at home . At trump , saint , & such other like , cutting at the neck is a great van tage , so is cutting by a bum card ( finely ) vnder & ouer , stealing the stocke of the decarded cardes if there brode lawes be forced aforehand . At decoy , they drawe easily . xx . handes together , & play al vpon assuraunce when to win or lose . Other helps I haue hard of besides , as to set the cosin vpon the bench with a great looking glasse behinde him on the wall , wherin the chetor might alwais see what cards were in his hand . Somtimes they work by signes made by some of the lokers on . Wherefore me thynkes this amonge the rest proceded of a fine in●encion . A gamster after he had bin oftentunes bitten among the chetors , & after much losse , grew very suspicious in his play , that he could not suffer ani of the sitters by to be priuy to his game : for this the chetors deuised a new shift . A woman should sit sowing besides him , & by the shift or slow drawing hir needell , giue a token to the chetor what was the cosins game , so that a few examples in sted of infinit that might be rehearsed , this one vniuersall conclusion may be gathered , that giue you to play , & yeld your self to losse .

I feele well that if a man happen to put his money in hasarde , the ods is great that he shall rise a loser , but many men are so continent of their hands that nothing can cause them to put ought in aduenture : & some again vnskilful , the lack of running forceth them to forbeare .

I graunt you wel both . But neuertheles I neuer yet saw man so hard to bee vanqu●shed but they would make him stoupe , at one law or other .

And for that purpose their first trauel is after that they haue taken vp the cosin & made him somwhat sweat , to seke by al means thei can to vnderstand his nature , and whervnto hee is inclined . If they find that he taketh pleasure in the company of femals , then seke they to strike him at the sacking law . And take this alwais for a maxime that al the bauds in a contrey be of the chetors familiar acquaintaunce . Therfore it shal not be hard at al times to prouid for this amorus knight , a lewed lecherous lady , to kepe him louing company . Then fal they to banketing , to minstrels , masking , and much is the cost that the sily cosin shal be at in Iewels , apparell and otherwise : he shal not ones get a graunt to haue scarsly a licke at this dainty ladiys lappes . And euer among she layeth in this reason . For hir sake to put his xx . or . xl . crowsau in aduenture ye wot not ( saith she ) what may be a womans lucke . If he refuse it , lord how vnkindly she taketh the mater & cannot be reconsiled with lesse then a gown or a k●rtyl of sylk , which commenly is a reward vnto hir by knap of the case , and the cut throtes his complites , to whom the matter is put in daying . Ye and the more is if haply they perceiue that he estemed not brou●id ware , but is enamored with virginitie , they haue a fine cast within an houres warning , too make Iohn sylu●rpin as good a mayde , as if she had nēuer come at stewes nor openid to any man hir quiuer . The mistery thereof ye s●all vnderstande by this my tale which I my selfe sawe put in experience . A young roisterly gentylman desyring a mayden make to content his wanton lust , resorted to a baude , and promised her good wages to prouide him a maide against the next day he declared vnto hir that he toke more plesure in virginitie , then beuty , but if both came together the pleasure was much the more thankefull , & her reward shuld be the better . This mother baud vndertoke to serue his turne according to his desire , & hauing at home a well paynted , manerly harlot as good a maid as fletchers mare that bare three great foles , went in the morning to the Apothecaries for halfe a pynt of swete water that commonly is called Surfulyng water , or Clynkerdeuice , & on the way homeward turned into a noble mans house to visite his coke , an old acquaintance of hirs : vnneth had she set hir ●ete within the kitchin , & set downe hir glasse the more hansomely to warme hir afore the raunge , but anone the Coke had taken hir in his armes , and whyles they wrastled more for maners sake of the light , then for any sqemishe besines , had she bene behinde the dore . Down fel the glas & spilt was the water , out alas ꝙ the woman quiet your selfe qd the coke , let vs go into the buttry to brekefast , & I will by the a newe glas , & pay for the filling . Away they went out of the kitchin , & the boye that turned a couple of spits deliting with the sauor of the water , let first one spite stand & after another always with one hande taking vp the water as it dropped from the bord by him , & washed his eyes , his mouth , & all his face withall . Sone after that this likor was with the heat of ye●ier dried , & soked vp in the boies face , down came the coke again into the kitchin , & finding the breste of the capon all burnt , for lacke of turning , caught vp a great basting stycke to beate the turnspytte , & happly casting a sower loke vpon him , espyed the boyes mouth & eyes drawn so togither & closid that nether had he left an eye to loke withall , & scarsly myght ye turne your lyttell fynger in his mouth . The cooke abashed with the soden chance , ●anne about the house half out of his wit , and cried the kitchen boy is taken , he can nether se nor speke , & so the pore boy with his starched face continewed more then halfe an houre a woderyng stocke to all the house , tyl a man of experience , bad bath his face with hot fat be● broth , wherby forth with he was resto red to as wide a mouth , & as open eies as he had before ▪

A good miracle & soone wrought . If maydes be so easy to make no meruel it is we haue such store in London . But forth I pray you with your purpose , when whoredome hath no place what other shifts haue they to raise ther thrifte vpon ▪

a. C. mo then I can reherse , but most comenly one of these that folow . If it be winter season when masking is most in vs● , then missing of theyr chept helps , they spare not for cost of the derer . Therfore first do they hyer in one place or other , a sute of ryghte maskinge aparel , and after inuites diuers gestes to a supper all such as be ther of estimacion to giue them credit by their acquaintance or such as they thinke , will be liberall to hazard some thing in a mumchance : by which meanes they assure themselues at the least to haue the supper schot free . Perchaunce to win . xx . li. aboute . And how soeuer the commen people esteme the thing I am cleane out of dout that the more halfe of your gay maskes in London ar groundid vpon such cheting craftes , and tend on ly the pouling , & robbing of the kinges subiectes . An other ioyly shift & for the subtyle inuenc●ō and finenes of wit excedeth far al the rest , is the barnardes law .

Which to be exactly practised asketh iiii . persons at the least , eche of them to play a long seueral part by him selfe . The firste is the taker vp , of a skilful man in all things , who hath by long trauill cunnid with oute the boke a. C. resons to insimate him selfe into a mans acquayntaunce . Talke of matters in law , and he hath plenty of casis at his fingers ends that he hath sene tried & rewlid in euery of the kinges courtes . Speke of grasyng and husbandry no man knoweth mo shires then he , no man knoweth better where to rayse a gayn : & how the abusis & ouerture of pricis might bee redressed . Finally enter into what discorse of things they li●t , were it into a browm mans facultie , hee knoweth what gaine they haue for old boots & shoes , & whence their gain commeth , yea & it shall escape him hard , but that ere your talk break of he wil be your cuntry man at least , & peraduenture either of kinne , or aly , or some soule si● vnto you , if your reach surmount not his too far . In case he bring to passe that ye be glad of his acquaintance , and content with his company , playd is the cheef of his part , and he gyueth place to the principall player the barnard , neuerthelesse he lightly hath in his company a man of more worship than himself , that hath the countenance of a possessioner of land and he is called the verser . And though it be a very hard thing to be a perfite taker vp , and as it were a man vniuersally practised in all accidentes of a mans life , yit doth the Barnard go so farre beyond him in cunning , as doth the suns somer brightnes exceede the glimmering light of the winter sterres . This bodyes most comon practise is , to come stumbling into your company , like some rich farmor of the cuntry , a stranger to you al , that had bin at some market town there abouts , bying and selling , & there tipled so much Malmsy , that he had neuer a redy word in his mouth , & is so careles for his money that out he throweth an hundreth or . ii . of old aungels vpon the bordes ende , and standyng some what a loofe calleth for a pot of ale and sayeth : masters I am some what bold with you , I pray you be not agreuid that I drinke my drinke by you : and minister such idel dronken talke , that the verset who coūterfeatith the gentilman commeth stoutly , and sittes at your elbowe , praing you to call him neare , too laugh at his folly , betwene them . ii . the matter shal be so workmanly conueied & so sinely arguid , y● out cōith a pair of old cardes wherat the barnarde teacheth the verser a newe game , that he supposeth coste him . ii . potts of ale for the lerning not past Turrian hour , or . ii . before . The first wager is drink , the next . ii . pence , or a grote , & lastli to make the tale shorte they vse the matter so that he that hath . lxxx . yeres of his backe , and neuer played for a grote in his life , cannot refuse to be the verseres halfe , & consequently at one cutting of the Cardes to louse all they play for , be it an . C. li. and if perhap pes when the money is lost , the cosin begins to smoke and sweare that the dronken knaue shal not get his money so then standeth the rubber at the dore , and draweth his swerd , and picketh a quarel to his owne shadow : yf he lacke an osteler , or a tapester , or some other to fall out with al. That whiles the strete & company ga ther to the fray , as the maner is , the barnard steales away with all the stuffe , & pickes him to one blinde tauerne or other , such as before is appointed among them , & ther abidith the comming of his companions to make an equall porcion of the gain , & whensoeuer these shiftes may not take place , them lede they the cosin to the gase of an enterlude , or the beare baytyng at paris garden , or some other place of throng where by fyne fingered Fegge boye , a grounded disciple of Iames Elis , picked shal be his purse , and his money lost in a moment , or els thei run to the last refuge of all , and by a knot of lusty companions of the h●gh law , not only shake the harm lesse body out of all his clothes , but bind him , or bob him to bote , that lesse had bin his harm to haue stouped low at the first , and so to haue stopped their greedy mouthes , then to saue himselfe so long , and in the end to bee fleesed as bare as a new shorne shepe , and perchaunce so farr from his freends , that he shal be forced to trip on his ten to●s homeward for lacke of a hackney to ryde on , and beg for hys charges by the way .

Now speake ye indeed of a redy way to thrift but it hath an yll fauoured successe many times .

I wot what you meane , you thinke they come home by Tiburne , or S. Thomas of Watrings , and so they do in dede , but nothing ●o sone as a man wold suppose , they be but pety figgers , and vnlessoned laddes that haue such redy passage to the gallowes . The old theues go thorow with their vsies wel . xx . or xxx . yeres together & be seldome taken , or tainted , specially the figge bodies , that haue a goodly corporacion for the relefe . Their craft of all others requireth most slyght , and hath a meruelus plenty of terms & strange language , and therfore no man can attayne to bee a workman therat , til he haue had a good time of scoling , and by that meanes they do not only know eache other well , but they be subiecte to an order , suche as the elders shal prescribe . No man so sturdy to practise his feate but in the place apoynted , nor for any cause once to put his fote in an others walke . Some . ii . or . iii. hath Pauls church in charge , other hath west minister h●ule in terme tyme . Diuerse chepesyde with the flesh and fish shambles , some the borough & 〈◊〉 , some the court , & part folow marketts & fayres in the country with pedlers footepackes , and generally to all places of assemb●y . Some of them are certeinly pointed as it were by their wardens to kepe the haunt with comission but a shorte whyle , and too enterchaunge their places as order shal be made to auoyde suspicion . By occasion wherof when soeuer any stroke is workemanly striken though it were at new castel the rest of the Fygge boyes that keapes residente in London , come forth with pronosticate by whome the worthi feate was wrought , & one great prouision they haue : that is a soueren salue at all times of nede a tresurer thei chuse in som blind corner . a trusty secret frende . That whensoeuer ther commeth any Iuels plate , or such geare to their share , the present sale therof might chaunce to discouer the matter , the same els committed in●o his hands in pledge as it wer of money lent , & he taketh a byll of sale in default of repayment as if all thinges were done by good fayth , and playne dealing . So that whensoeuer he shall seke to make money of this gages , at the end of ii . or iii. monethes , if any question arise how he came by them he sheweth anone a fayre byll of sale for his discharge , from Iohn a knocke or Iohn a stile , a man that neuer was , ne uer shal be found . And such theft by this occasion is euer manerly couered .

An other help they haue that of euery purse that is clenly conueyed , a ratable porcion is dewly deliuered into the tresu rers hands . to the vse that when soeuer by some misaduenture any of them happen to be taken , & layd in prison , this com mon stock may serue to satisfie the party greued and to make frendes to saue them from hanging . Now haue ye a kalender as it were to put you in remembrance of the che●e poyntes & practises of cheting , inough I suppose to serue for a warning that ye withdraw your self from yonder costly company , wherin if my experience may serue to giue you occasion to eschew such euils , I shal be glad of this our happy metyng .

Yes doubt ye not thereof but that this talke hathe wrought alredy such effectes in me that though I liue a. c. ●eres . I shall not lightly fall into the chetors snares ●ut because ye spake of the principal pointes , wherby I conceiue that yet some smal sparkes remaine vntouched , I pray you put mee oute of doubt therof , and then on gods name ye shal gladly departe , with as many thankes as if ye had disbursed a large sum of mony for redemption of my land , & saued it from selling . For had not forewarnyng come , the marchaunt and I muste with in fewe dayes haue coped together , as did my bedfelow but now the last weke , whose lossis I pytie so muche the more , as that now I vnderstand by what chetory it was woon .

The feat of losyng is easely learned , & as I told you in the beginning that the chetors beate & besy their brayues , only about fraude & subtyltie , so can it not be chosen but geue them selues ouer al to that purpose , & must euery day forge out one new poynt of knauety or other , to deceyue the simple withall : as of late I knew a young gentliman so wary in his doings that neither by dice or cardes nor by damosels of daliaunce , nor of the wais afore rehersed , could be made stope one penny out of his purse . For this the chetor consulted with the leawd lady in this case deuysed . That she should dally with the gentleman , & playing with his cheine should find the meane to ●epe it a whyle , till they might fyg a ly●ke or i● , to make a lyke by . Done it w● anone , & within few dayes after another made of copper equall in length to that . At the gentlemans next returning to the house , the Damoselles dallied so long with the chaine , sometyme putting it about her necke , and sometimes about his , that in the end she foysted the copper chayne in the othe●s place , and therby robbed him of better then xl ● . This and the like shifts I forbere to remember . Soner bicause the deceit resteth not in any slyght practyse at dice , and cardes , neuertheles bycause chetors were the first inuentors as well of this as of all other falshod in felowship that now dayely is put in vse at all maner of games , as when one man lost not many yeares agon an C. li. lande ●t shooting , by occasion that some that shot with him on his side , were boty felowes againste him , another was ryd of ●i . C. li. at the tennis in a weke , by the ●raud of his stopper . Me think they cannot bee better rewarded then sent home to the place they came fro .

And since chetors were the first autors therof , let them also bear the blame . And hauing disclosed vnto you as briefefly as I can the principal practises of the chetors crafty facultie , & other workemen of their alliance , I wyl byd you farewel , for this tyme .