The honour of the gentle-craft expressed in three stories: the first o[f] Hugh and fair Winifred. The second of Crispin and Crispiannus. The third of Sir Symon Eyre; wh[o] all professed the gentle-craft, and were shoo-makers. Newly written. With pleasant new sings to be sung on Crispianus nigh[t.]

Of Saint Winifreds Well . FAir Winifred a Virgin was , Who from the Brittains came , Being Daughter to Donwallo , who In Flint-shire then did raigne . All offers she of love refus'd , And to her prayers did return ; And like a taper of Virgins wax , With holy flames did burn . And as she liv'd , so did she dye . As fame , report , doth tell . By that same spring which yet is cal'd , Saint Winifreds fair Well . Which of her holy virgin life , Doth still these tokens show : The spring is clear , the Mosse is sweet That round about doth grow .

Chap. 1. Of Sir Hughes love to Winifred ; Who suffered death like lovers true : The reason of the Gentle-Craft , And S. Hughes bones you here may view . WHen Cupid with his golden bow Had shot Sir Hugh unto the heart , Then he a lovers griefe did know , For wounds of love doe inward smart ; But that which did increase his pain , Was fair Winifreds disdain . For often times he sought her love , And by fairest meanes assaid , If that her fansy he might move , Who was resolv'd to live a maid , To gain her love Sir Hugh did try , But Winifred did still deny . Who having but some years before , Receiv'd the Christian faith of late : Her former sinnes she did deplore , Forsaking all her fathers state . And to her heades and prayers fell , Living by a Springing well . Which when once Hugh did hear , Vnto the well he did repair , And found his Winifred fiting there Like an angel bright and fair : Whom with these words he did salute , And thus began to urge his suite . All health to fairest Winifred , Have pity on me dearest love , Restore my joyes which now are fled : And of my service now approve , Let me not dye thus unregarded , Love with love should be rewarded . But Winifred with angry look , From chiding him could scarse refrain , And having in her hand a book , She mildly thus reply'd again : Sir Hugh , leave off to seek my love , Which I have plac'd on things above , And take this answer once for all With this sir Hugh to weep began , And like a living funeral , He went from thence both pale and wan , And being full of grief and woe , Vnto the Sea resolves to go . And quickly he arriv'd in France , Where traviling on to Italy , Fair Ladies did begin to glance Vpon sir Hugh with wonton eye . But yet he thought their Beauty rare , Could not with Winifred compare . And when to Venice once he came , The Curtezans much love did shew , To raise in him an amorous flame , But they in vain the fire did blow : For fitting like a male-content , On Winifred his thoughts he bent . Nor could they win him by their art , Which onely brought into his mind , The love of her to whom his heart , Like to a prisoner was confin'd , For still these flames did freshly burn , Which made him back again return . And being now for England bound , The Ship did sail with gentle winds , Till by and by they quickly found , That raging Neptune was inclin'd To cast the Ship and all away : Which made sir Hugh devoutly pray : And at the last his prayers were heard , For now the day began to clear : And Englands chaulky shore appeared , So that the Ship did anchor there , And here sir Hugh did come to shore , At Harwich very weake and poore . For all his money being gone , You may suppose his heart was sad : And to himself he made great moane Vntil he met a merry lad : Who was a Shoo-maker by trade , Who bid him not to be dismade With him sir Hugh had soone agreed . Into the Country for to goe , That he might supply his need , For he was loath himself to show , Or in his tattered cloaths appeare , Vnto his Winifred so deare . Who now in Prison did remaine . For Dioclesian in those dayes , Did like a cruell tyrant raigne , And sought by divers bloody wayes , The Christian faith how to suppress : Which faire Winifred did professe . Which when once sir Hugh did heare , That with a shoo-maker then wrought He tooke his wages for that year , And therewithal new cloathes he bought : And so to Flint-shire back he went , Where Winifred was resident . Where being come he heard by fame , How Winifred inprisoned was : And cause he did extoll by name , Her Virgin faith which did surpasse : Sir Hugh with this beautious Maid , In a Prison strong was laid . And condemned was to dye , With Winifred to suffer death . Who both did shew much constancy , Meaning to resign their breath , Like loving Martyrs , that their love , Might be crowned in heaven above And while these faithful Lovers lay , In the Prison both together : The Shoo-makers came every day , And in kindness did present , Yeelding them so grear reliefe , As did much asswage their griefe . The Shoo-makers most faithfully , Did come unto him in distress , And while he did in prison lye , Much kindness to him did profess . Thus the Shoo-makers were true And faithful ever to Sir Hugh . Who their kindness to require , Gentlemen did name them all , And their trade , to do them right , The Gentle-Craft he then did call , And in this song before his end , The Shoo makers he did commend .

THe Shoo-makers I needs must praise , Who ready were at all assayes , To help me at my want and need , Such friends are true friends indeed . For when I was most cast down , And fortune seem'd on me to frown . The Gentle-craft I took in hand , And thereby I my living gain'd . Our shooes we sowed , and merry were , Our Land lords rent we did not fear . And now to raise the Shoo-makers fame , The Gentle-Craft I will it name .

ANd this same title they keep still , Which unto them sir Hugh then gave , And ever mor● continue will : For in their mi●● they did engrave The memory of good sir Hugh : Who to the trade much love did flew . But now the dismal day was come , That Winifred and sir Hugh must dye : Who like the Lambs receiv'd their doom . The Tyrants thirst to satisfie . And so unto that spring they came , Which retaineth still her name : There a Scaffold raised was , On which these prisoners mounted were : She in beauty did surpass , He with a countenance most clear , No thine could their hearts dismay : It seem'd to them a marriage day . Kindly then they did embrace . Being full of chaste desires , Fear could never them deface , While their love to heaven aspires , And having so with earth made even . They kist in hopes to meet in heaven . Then Winifred her love to show , Desired thot she first might dye : And did desire her freind sir Hu●h , To learn of her true consta●●y , And learne how to resign his breath , Who like a Lamb there bled to death . Tyrant , saith she , I sacrifice My blood to wash away my sins , And I see even with these eyes , When life doth end then joy begins ; With that she began to faint , And as She liv'd dy'd like a Saint , And all the while that she did bleed , Her blood in basons they did keep : And with it poyson with all speed , Was mixt to bring eternal sleep , Vnto sir Hugh who there did dye , Like to a Martyr constantly . And greedily he drank a cup Of Winifreds sweete crimson blood : And then another he drank up , Vntil he reeld whereas he stood : For now the poyson did enflame , And cruelly burn in each vaine . Thou cruel tyrant , then sayes he , To Winifred I sacrifice My life by thy soul cruelty : And with those words he forthwith dies , And now they are called being dead , Saint Hugh and Saint Winifred , But Saint Hughes body did remain , Hanging up even in that place , Which the Shoo-makers did claime . And finding him in so bare a case , The Shoo-makers without delay , Did steale Saint Hughes bones away And all of them to shew their love , They and Saint Hugh while he did live , His bones from thence they did remove Which he to them before did give : And their tooles they for his sake , Of Saint Hughes bones did make . And now when they do go abroad , Into the Countrey to and fro , They travel with a litte load , For S. Hughes bones must with them go , And if you would their numbers know , Read these verses here below .

A drawer , a dresser , two Wedges , and a heel-block Squar'd like a Dye , whereon we may knock , A hand-leather , & thumb-leather , to pull out shoo-thred : Of needle and thimble we must too be sped , The pincers , the pricking aule , and rubbing stone , The aule , steele , and tackes , and sow-haires well grown , The Whetstone , stopping stick , and paring knife Do all belong to a Journey mans life , And in our apron , made of Lambs leather , We shrowd S. Hughes bones from all weather .

Now he a forfeiture doth pay , That cannot reckon his tooles in rime : Sir Hughes bones unto this day , The Shoo-makers do still enshrine In their aprons thereby to shew Their faithfull love unto sir Hugh .

Chap. 2. How the Emperours daughter Ursula , with Crispine fell in love , And were married by a Fryer : and how the Emperour at last Did of her choyce approve ? and granted their desire And how the Shoo-makers with delight , do sing on Chrispianus night . WHen Maximinus ruled here , Then Crispine and his brother Young Crispianus counsel'd were By their most tender mother , To travel forth into the Land , That they might scape the Tyrants hand , So being from their Mother gone , The two young Princes went together , Like two pretty Lambs alone , Straying on they knew not whethet : Vntil at last by chance they came , Vnto a Town cal'd Feversham . But as they travel'd on the way , Being now come unto the Town : Some Shoemakers by peepe of day Vnto their work were now set down , Who merrily did sit and sing , As their work they did begin . These brothers knocked at the doore , And for a service they did ask : Telling them they were true but poor For povertie is like a mask . Which did their princely beauty hide , Or else they would have been discryde . The Shoo-maker both and his wife , Did like the pretty boyes right well : And ask'd them of their former life , While they a fained tale did tell : But at the last short work to make , They for their servants did them take . Thus they unto their work did frame , And pleased their Master so , That he these brothers did maintaine , That they no want did know . Who in a little time did learn , The trade , and did their living earne . And now their masters fame was spread , His Shooes was sent for farre and neere : And t' was reported that he bred His Iourney-men with love and feare : So that he did often use , Vnto the Court to send his Shooes . It hapened that young Crispine came , To bring some shooes unto the Court : Where the Emperors daughter soon became In love with him in earnest sort : For Cupid with a powerful shaft . Did mean to grace the Gentle-craft . And having wounded thus her brest , Fair Ursula did now begin , ●o be with pangs of love opprest : But yet she knew not how to winne Crispine to her hearts desire , Who durst not to her Love aspire . Yet love did make her now grow bold , And when he came with shooes again Her love to him she did unfold : Which quickly did his heart enflame , Yet at the first he was amaz'd , While he on her beauty gaz'd . But yet at last he thus reply'd , Madam , stuce you are inclin'd , To make your self poor Crispines bride I shall be glad to please your minde ; And here my faith to you I bow : If my service you allow . This being said they both agreed , That they should meet within the parke , Where a blind Fryer with all speed , Should marry them in the darke The Fryer this knot had quickly tide , Thus Uusula was Crispines bride . And so the Fryer they did dismiss And royally they did him pay : That the poor Fryer he did wish All joy unto their wedding day , And that they might be a happy pair , Free from sad annoy and care . But now the place did them invite , Being in the Park thus met , For to tast of loves delight : And while they were together set , Vpon her Virgin wax he seal'd The band of Love , which time reveal'd . But now these lovers parted were , Fair Ursula was pleased well : But Crispine comming home did hear The Iourney-men begin to tell : How Crispianus was lately prest , To be a Souldier with the rest , For Maximinus hath sent to France , An army of stout men and tall , In war to try their doubtfull chance , Against the Persian General , Who meeting bravely in the field . Both sides scorned much to yeeld , How Crispianus get much fame , And when the Prince of Gaules did fight , With brave Iphricrates by name , Who rescu'd him there in their fight , And by his valour bore away , All the glory of the day , Thus nine moneths he abroad did spend , But when once that time expir'd , Fair Ursula did to Crispine send , To have his counsel she required : For now Ursula did feel A Timpany with a double heel . But Crispine with his dame did plot , Entreating her for secrecy : And so at last a place they got , Where she might deliver'd be , And here the Lady was brought a bed , Who from her Fathers anger fled , And just unto the Christning day , Come Crispianus back again , Who long in France had been away , And there had gotten endlesse fame . Thus every thing did hit out right , To increase joy and delight . Aftet this same day was past , Being spent in mirth and sport , Crispianus did make hast , With his letters to the Court , Which when the Emperour did view , With wonder he astonisht grew . And Crispianus he did commend , Taking a jewel from his neck , Which he only did intend , That he himself therewith might deck : Thus it was Crispianus chance , That the wars should him advance . But this being past and done : News was to the Emperour brought , That his daughter was newly come , For whom before they had so sought : And gave the Emperour to understand That a Shoo-maker led her by the hand , The Emperour did them welcome make , And welcom'd Crispine too by name Bidding young Crispianus take His daughter to advance his fame . But Ursula did the same deny , And to her Father thus reply . Crispine sayes she deserves my love , Although a Shoo-maker be seem , Of him I always will approve , And now to marry him I mean , Dear father look upon this boy , Which I do hope will prove your joy . And so Crispines Dame did bring Within her armes the pretty child , And dandling it began to sing , While that the Infant sweetly smil'd , Yet though it lookt with cheerfull eyes , The Emperour did the have dispise . But when that once he knew , His Daughter was the Mother : And that Crispine then in view Was Crispianus brother , The Emperour greatly did rejoyce , And confirm'd his daughters choyce . Then there was joy and triumph great , And the story here doth say , The Shoo-makers did leave their seat , And did make it holy-day . And Poets did new masks invent , For the Emperors merriment . And afterward still every year , Vpon that day at night , The Shoo-makers do make great cheer , With solace and delight , This day doth light still in October The Shoo-makers are then scarce sober .

The Shoo-makers song on Crispianus night . YOu that the Gentle-craft profess , unto my song give ear , You shall the story of Crispine , and Crispianus hear . They were the sons unto a King , of Logria by name , Whom Maximinus put to death and cruelly had slain . The sons now fearing to partake , of his sad tyranny , Were by their Mother most disguis'd who bid them for to flie . Unto a Shoomaker they came , and entertained were : Whereby the Gentle-craft much graced did appear . These Princes were of this same trade , who both grew up in fame : For Crispianus went to the Wars , and Crispin to Court came . And so it happened Ursula , the Emperours daughter fair , Did fall in love with Crispine young , which bred her grief and care . For not long after Ursula with child by him did prove , Such are the fruits which always do proceed from stolen love . But he at length by help of friends , the Emperours love did gain : And Crispianus from the wa●s , did back return with fame Then let us all be merry here , with solace and delight : And drink a health unto them both , on Crispianus night .

Chap. 3. How Sir Simon Eyre , a Shoo-maker by trade : A feast for all the Prentices , upon Shrove-Tuesday made . OVr English Chronicles do declare A story worthy to be known Of one by name sir Simon Eyre , Who in a short time full rich was grown , His parentage mean , yet his name Liveth still in lasting fame . This man came young out of the North , And here he was a Prentice bound , Vnto a Shoo-maker of good worth : His Master no dislike yet found , With his Prentice but all was well , And afterwards it thus befell . Simon with other Prentices more , Vpon a Sunday morning went , As they had often done before , To eae some pudding-pyes was their intent . But when the shot came once to pay , Simon thus to them did say , My Masters and friends here all , Of my empty purse take pitty ; And I do vow if it so befall , That I am Lord Major of this City , If you my word will now but take , A breakfast for you I will make . The other Prentices took his word , And for that time they paid the shot : But afterward it was restor'd , For he such wealth and treasure got , That in short time this Simon Eyre , Was made Sheriff , and after Major . His promise then he kept in mind , So that a breakfest he did make , For all the Prentices he could find , Who kept it holiday for his sake . And that his love might be exprest , Vpon Shrobe Tuesday did them feast . And afterward Sir Simon Eyre , Did build up Leaden-Hall : That Shoo-makers might so repair Vnto the Tanners stall . Thus for Shoo-makers he did provide , And afterwards in honour dy'd .

FINIS .