The rogue: or The life of Guzman de Alfarache. VVritten in Spanish by Matheo Aleman, seruant to his Catholike Maiestie, and borne in Seuill

CHAPTER VII.

Guzman de Alfarache, being preferr'd to a Gentlewomans seruice, robs her; Vpon this theft hee is apprehended, and condemned to the Gallies during life.

SO great is the force of Custome, as well in the roughnesse of * 1.1 troubles and afflictions, as in the smooth waters of hap∣pinesse and prosperitie, that some ease in the miserable, doth lighten the loade, and doth in some sort helpe to make them seeme more facill in their sufferance; but the greater burthen lights vpon those that haue liu'd well and happily; there is no griefe to this; comfort hardly takes hold on them: Fortune cannot doe a man more harme, then when she hath inuested him with a habit of Happinesse, to dis-robe him thereof, and that disgracefully: for this vn-expected priuation makes it the more insup∣portable.

This Custome is that vncontrouled Lord, that prescribes, and proscribes Lawes at his pleasure; infirming some, and confirming others; ratifying this, and dis-annulling that. He (like a powerfull Prince) prohibits heere, and establisheth there; and consequently, to that side, where-vnto he leanes, he carries all after him, as well in the pursuit of Vice, as in the practice of Vertue. So that, if he apply himselfe to goodnesse, he easily runneth the dan∣ger of losing it; and adhering to that which is euill, it will hardly afterwards be rooted out. There is no force that can subdue it; but hath power & com∣mand ouer all humane actions.

Some haue called Custome a second Nature; but experience teacheth vs, that its power is greater then that of Nature; For Custome will ouerthrow Nature with her little finger. She is no body in her hands: if she affect sowre and bitter things, with such artifice doth shee conserue and sweeten them; that as if they were not bitter at all, she makes them to become sweet and pleasant. But if she clap in close with Truth, and linke her selfe in League with her, she is then the mightiest Monarch that is, and her Fort is in∣expugnable. Who but she makes the poore Shepheard to liue alone by him∣selfe in the solitarie fields, in the depth of the low Vallies, and on the tops of high Mountaines, amidst Bushes, and Thornes, Woods, and Rocks, op∣posing himselfe against the vnmercifulnesse & cruelty of a sharp and rigorous Winter, suffering terrible Stormes, continuall Raines, bitter Windes, and piercing Ayres? And in the Summer, a parching, and scorching Sunne, which doth as it were rost, and sindge the Trees, burne Stones, and melt Metals? And its force being so great, that it tameth the fiercest and wildest beasts, and those that are most venemous, bridling their fury, and allaying their poi∣son, Time at last ouercommeth Custome; it is he, and none but he, that works vpon it, and to him onely it is subiect.

For comparing Custome with Time, her long and strong prescriptions are * 1.2 but as Spiders webs, made to catch an Elephant: For, if Custome be power∣full, Time is prudent and wife. And as Wit goes beyond Strength; so Time subdueth Custome. After night, comes day; after light, darknesse: They tread one vpon the heeles of another; and the shadow that followes after the body, and growing greater and greater, contests with him for superio∣ritie. The fire wageth warre with the Ayre; the Earth, with the Water, and all the Elements goe together by the eares, and are at a perpetuall en∣mitie one with another. The Sunne generates the Gold, it giues it its

essence, and its life. In like manner, Time pursues, prosecutes, and fortifies Custome. It makes and it marres, working wisely with silence, according to the selfe-same order, as she is wont by continued drops, to hollow the hardest stone.

Custome is of others, not ours; but Time is our owne. It is hee that dis∣couereth the thread, manifesting what is most secret, and by the fire of oc∣casion, maketh an essay and tryall of his Art. By experience, hee teacheth vs the quilates and aloy of that gold, & sheweth vs the end where-vnto his pre∣tensions tend; And declar'd himselfe at last to bee one, that neuer tooke any pitie of me. For, in a very short space, he made that publike, which I had la∣boured with all diligence to keepe hid and secret. All that which hath been said, was verified truely of my selfe in its proper termes and cases. O how of∣ten treating of my businesses, trading of my wares, putting money out to vse, framing nets to catch fooles, by raising of my prices, selling my commodities farre dearer to him that went vpon trust, then him that paid ready money, carrying alway my Beads in my hand, my countenance compos'd, and still the same; with a Truely, and a Verily in my mouth (from whence neuer any truth yet came) I did openly (according to my old Custome) coozen and steale from as many as I had to doe withall! but Time did discouer all my rogueries.

How often, and by how many, haue I beene heard to say; I promise you * 1.3 Sir, that it stood me in more, I cannot affoord it you at that price, I vow and protest vnto you, that I get not a Royall by you, in all this whole parcell of Wares that you haue bought of me? I may goe shut vp my shop, if I make many such markets. And if I haue let you haue it better cheape then I could affoord it; it is because I am to make some payment of moneys, and if it were not for that, you should not haue them at this rate. And the same course I tooke in a thousand other things of the like nature, not hauing any other vse then for moneys; more then from their hands to mine, to gaine a hundred in a hundred.

How often likewise, when I was in my prosperitie, during this my good * 1.4 fortune, and studying dayly to grow greater and greater (onely that I might get my selfe a good opinion in the world, meerely for vaine-glory, and not for the loue of God: for I did not so much as dreame vpon him, nor thinke vpon any thing else, saue onely to be well thought of, and to haue the peoples eyes vpon me, who taking me to be a charitable minded man, and a giuer of almes, would gather there-vpon, that I was a man of a good Conscience, and that I had a care of my soules health, and therefore might the better trust me) did I cause a great number of poore, morning after morning to come to my doore, and keeping them there two or three houres, that there might be good notice taken of them, and seene ouer and ouer by those that past along by my house, did I afterwards send away with (God hee knowes) a poore slender almes, whilest with that no nada, that thing of nothing which they re∣ceiued from me, I did gaine my selfe a good reputation, which like a stalking horse, I made vse of, the better to get other mens goods into my hands? How often haue I diuided a loafe of bread in twaine, (when I was no whit hun∣gry, but as full as my belly could hold) and of that which remained, as if it were a thing to be lost, or to be cast away to the dogges, did I part in a thou∣sand pieces, and bestow it afterwards on the poore? Nor did I giue it vnto those, who, I knew had most need of it; but to those, by whose mouthes, I knew, it would be most spoken of, and divulged to the world. And how often (hauing a bloudy heart, and a damnable intention, being naturally cowardly, timorous, and feeble) did I pardon, and put vp iniuries, putting them in pub∣like to Gods account, mine owne thoughts secretly condemning me, did I in secret dissemble them, not sticking to say in publike, God be thanked for it;

when I was truly inwardly offended, and that no other thing in the world did hinder my reuenge, but that I was fearefull, and found my selfe vnable to put it in execution? But the coales thereof were aliue, and did burne with∣in my soule, whose flames I had much adoe to suppresse. How often at other times, did I shew my selfe an abstinent and orderly faster, not for any other thing in the world, then to seeme to bee such a one, and that I might spend lesse, and spare the more? But when I did eate at another mans cost, or spend vpon another mans Purse, I did then swallow downe my victuals like a Cor∣morant, then I had a Wolfe in my belly, and was still afraid, that I should ne∣uer haue enough. I did continually visit the Churches, I would often both goe and send to the Prisons, only to get my selfe credit amongst the Officers there, and such other Ministers as belonged vnto them, and not for to doe a∣ny good offices for the Prisoners, or any gratefull worke vnto God. But rather to the end, that if it should be my ill hap at one time or other to come thi∣ther, being formerly knowne by them, they might vse me the more kindely, and beare me the better respect. If I repaired to the Hospitals, if I went vpon Pilgrimage, if I did frequent places of Deuotion, kissing, nay, gnawing as it were the Altars, out of a hungry zeale; if I would not lose a Sermon, nor a Iubilee, nor any publike deuotion, all those steps that I trod, and all that paines that I tooke, were only directed to the getting me a good name, to the intent that vnder the colour thereof, I might the better coozen my neighbour, and take his cloake from off his backe.

Moreouer, I must not forget to tell you, that diuers things were now and then told me, and those very secret ones, touching such, or such a person; the which were kept so close, that when afterwards, when I did chance to talke with those persons, whom they concerned, counselling them to leaue off such and such courses, or rather correcting and reprouing them for it, they imagi∣ned of me, that I had come to the knowledge of them by some diuine reuela∣tion. And so by indirect wayes, and a seeming kinde of holinesse in mee, I gaue them to vnderstand their faults: by which meanes, I got my selfe a great deale of reputation, especially amongst the women, who after these things, and Gypsies, runne as swift as the winde; being facill in beleeuing, and nim∣ble in publishing. Out of whose mouthes, my praise and commendation went spreading it selfe abroad.

Many a time and oft, when some poore body was willing to vse my helpe, making especiall choyse of me, as one that was well esteemed and reputed of all men, I would stand in the open street with a Dish in my hand, publikely begging Almes for him, of those that I was acquainted withall: and hauing got a pretty round summe of money, I gaue him the least part of it, and kept the rest to my selfe. I lickt vp the Creame, and left him the Whey.

When I was minded to doe some notable villanie, the first thing that I went about, for the better effecting of such a businesse, was to get me a very faire and goodly large Iesuiticall cloake, wherewith to couer it; and for the better dissembling of it, I would put on all the gestures of outward Sanctity, as submission, mortification, and good example; hauing the true turning vp of the white of mine eye, a sober looke, a graue vtterance, seldome spetting, but when I was to speake to the purpose, a broad-waking Hat, a little Band, and a lesse paire of Breeches. And with this kinde of habit, and posture, I bore the Ball before me, and tript vp the heeles of all those that stood in my way. Which if in nothing else, yet was it plainly to be seene in this; that I had there-with so easily deceiued this holy man, this good honest Frier, that wisht me so well, nay had already done so well for me. Nor did I only doe him this harme alone, but a greater mischiefe followed vpon the necke of it. That he by no meanes lost that good opinion, which the world had of him: But say hee had not lost it; and admit, that hee kept it whole and sound, as

before; yet, what a villanous instrument was I, and what iust cause had I giuen of preiudicing, and that in no meane measure, the credit and reputati∣on of so honest and innocent a creature as he was?

Well, he had now placed me with this Gentle-woman, being verily per∣swaded of me, that I would doe her all true and faithfull seruice, as he might very well presume by those particular Actions, which I had made shew of vn∣to him of this my rare and singular (shall I say knauerie, or) perfection? Well, what so e're I was, I am sure he tooke mee to be a very honest man. He gaue his word for me, and trusted me with much of his owne: I could not lacke any thing, if it lay in his power to pleasure me, so good an opinion had he conceiued of me. She willingly (vpon his recommendation) receiu'd * 1.5 me into her seruice. Shee trusted me with her wealth and her familie. Shee had ordained a very good lodging for me, prouided a delicate soft bed for me, and all other necessaries that were fitting for mee. Shee vsed mee in all things else, not as a seruant, but as a Kinsman, and as such a one, for whose sake, she did verily beleeue, that God would throw many fauours vpon her. Sometimes she would intreat me, to say an Aue-Mary for the health and good successe of her Husband. I made answer to all her demands, as if I had beene some Oracle, and with such a deale of mortification, that I made her many times to shead teares. By this meanes I came to coozen her, to rob her, and which was worst of all, to iniure her, by wronging her house. For you shall vnderstand, that this Gentle-woman had a certaine faire white slaue (none I wisse of these blacke Moores, but a handsome well-fauoured Wench) to her Maid-seruant, whom for a long time, I tooke to bee free-borne, and she likewise seemed to be a good, and holy creature. But in very truth, she was such a one, that she and I might very well shake hands; of vs both, there was neuer a barrell better Herring: Well, were she better or worse then my selfe, be she what she will be, let it suffice you, she and I had tumbled together * 1.6 vpon one bed. I know not how we did smell out one another, that in so short a time, we had growne to be so well acquainted. For within some few dayes that I had beene in the house, there was no ho with her, I could not keepe her out of my Chamber, would I neuer so faine, but she would come in whe∣ther I would or no. To all the rest of the seruants, she seemed to be a Saint, and looked as though butter would not haue melted in her mouth; but with me she shewd her selfe most loose and dissolute, as if she had beene bred vp in some Brothell house, or trained to this geare in the publike Stewes, yet stil carryed her selfe with that wisdome and discretion, that none of the house, except my selfe, no not her Mistresse could come to know, or the least way to suspect, that there was any such secret businesse betweene vs. Besides, she did so cherish me, and make so much of me, that my Chest was neuer without good store of Collations, and other sweet-meates. So that my Chamber, was like a Comfit-makers shop. She furnished me with a great deale of fine Lin∣nen, as white as the curd, neatly folded vp, neat and sweet it was. And her Mistresse was glad to see it; for she tooke vs both to be Saints. Shee likewise gaue me money to spend, not knowing whence she had it, nor how she came by it, or from whose hands she receiued it.

I had a glimpse of some things: but because I would not fall from those good tearmes wherein I stood, I would not be too curious in the search of them; as well that I might not lose her company, while I continued there; as also that I might thereby oblige her the more vnto me: I went intertaining her with faire words, and good hopes, telling her, that when time should serue, I would seeke to redeeme her out of her captiuitie, and afterwards make her my Wife. This seasoned the pot, made her rowze vp her spirits, and like a Spaniell, to wait diligently vpon mee, and to serue mee in any thing that she thought would please me. For, considering the loue which I

feigned to be are vnto her, (though she were a crafty subtill Wench) she did euermore make sure account of me, as if I were not a free-man, and shee a Slaue. And yet not so free, as you thinke neither, hauing a Wife (for ought I knew to the contrary) still aliue.

My Mistris knew nothing concerning her owne estate and wealth, nor did finger any other moneys, then what I gaue her. All things that were in the Citie, went through my hands; I likewise had the command of all her stocke abroad in the Country, and did take and gather in all the fruits and profits thereof. For my designe was, to make a reasonable good round booty, and so, get mee gone, to seeke out a new world. I had a great minde to goe to the Indies, and did but watch for an opportunitie to imbarke my selfe, how∣soeuer it should afterwards fall out with mee. But I could not handsomely put this blow home. For my Mistris fore-seeing her certaine ruine, for that her Farmers and Tenants had told her, that they had paid in their rents to me; the Shepheards, that I had sold her flockes; the Baylife of her Vine∣yards, that I had conuaid all her Wines out of their Vaults and Sellars, where they were wont to be kept; and that of all this one penny-worth thereof was not come to her purse; she resolued with her selfe to communicate this matter in priuate onely to one Gentleman that was her neere kinsman. She then acquainted him with all that had passed, and what an ill account I had made her, intreating him to apply some conuenient remedy for the same. Hee, without speaking so much as a word thereof vnto mee, when as I was going one euening to cast vp my reckning, and to deuise with my selfe, how I might make cleane worke of all that my Mistris had, not thinking (God wot) on any such thing, being deuoyd of all care, and free from the least suspition of any such matter, the weather being hot, and my selfe very drowzie, I fell fast asleepe.

Now, whilest I was thus taking my rest, and thinking no body any harme, * 1.7 an Alguazil comes in suddenly vpon mee, takes hold on mee, and without telling me why, or wherefore; (for that (said he) I should know hereafter at better leisure) hee carried mee away to prison. The businesse was thus carried, that neither our house, nor the street, should bee in a hurry and tu∣mult, by any stirre or coyle that I should make, when I should come to know by whose order I was apprehended, and committed. I went along very sad and heauy, and knew not in the world what to thinke of it; one while deui∣sing with my selfe, whether this my Commitment were by vertue of some Requisitoria, or Commission come out of Italy? Whether it were at the suite of my Creditors in Castile? Or for some of my new thefts, that I had so lately committed in that Citie, which perhaps for want of good carriage, were now come to light? And albeit euery one of these had weight inough to presse downe my heart, and to make it sinke vnder so many, and such heauy burthens; yet did it grieue me more then all the rest, that I should now lye no more at racke and manger, as I was wont to doe; and that together with my good name, I should likewise lose my credit and estimation, and that men would not trust me, as they had done heretofore. But what reme∣die but patience? But seeing it was no better, God bee thanked it was no worse. For this mis-fortune befell mee iust at such a time when as my Crowne was shauen, and had not any thing worth the speaking, that was to be found either about me, or at home in my lodging. For in regard that my Mother was a single woman, and liu'd alone by her selfe, by a little and a little, I carried all that I had scrap't together, to her, and she kept it for mee. Afterwards they broke open my Chest, but found nothing in it, but a Bull of the last yeere, and a few of old ragges. Where-vpon, they came to prison to take an account of mee; giuing them so bad a one, as might well bee pre∣sumed from such a one as I was, who would alwayes receiue, but neuer pay.

I did not giue them such a Bead-roll, as they doe, that pray vpon their Beads. They laid great sums to my charge, but could meet with nothing but Blankes. They made strict inquisition to finde them out; They looked heere, and they looked there, but they could not light vpon any thing, for I had not so much as one farthing of it in my custodie. When they saw that, they got them to the Frier, and gaue him a large account of the case how it stood with them.

He (like a wise man) did neither condemne, nor absolue me, till he should heare, what I could say for my selfe, that hee might the better iudge thereof, when hee had heard both parties. Hee came to the prison to visit mee, and talking with me about this businesse, I deny'de all, and stood stiffely to it; affirming, that they had suborn'd false witnesses against me; and that I was as innocent as the child that was new borne; and that no man knew lesse thereof then I did. And therefore my hope was in God, and that hee would helpe mee; and that, as he had freed Ioseph and Susanna; so would he defend the iustnesse of my cause, and would not suffer the vprightnesse of my dea∣ling to perish: Acknowledging withall, that this, and much more chastise∣ment my sinnes had deserued, for many other my former offences, which I had committed against his diuine Maiestie.

The good religious man knew not what to doe, nor to which of vs hee should giue most credit Hee was much perplexed within himselfe, and stood doubtfull to which side hee should leane. But for the present, hee inclined to that part that was falling, seeking to support the weakest. He gaue me com∣fortable words, promising his best care and paines in my defence, recom∣mending my businesses vnto God, who would (when he saw fit) free mee out of my troubles, and afford me his helping hand. Hee tooke his leaue of me; from thence he went to the Escriuanos office, for to abonar, and make good my Cause, desiring him for charities-sake, that hee would haue an espe∣ciall care of it, and looke well into it, telling him that he was verily perswa∣ded, that I was a religious honest man, one that feared God, and was a Saint vpon earth.

But when the Escriuano heard him lash out so farre into my commenda∣tion, laughing heartily thereat, hee pull'd forth some Processes, that had been put in against me, and making a relation vnto him of the particular points therein contained, laying there before him, what a lewd kinde of fellow I was; the thefts that I had committed; and the coozening tricks that I had vsed; the poore Frier was ashamed of himselfe. There-vpon, this good holy Father, with all the sinceritie and simplicitie in the world, vp and told him, what had past betwixt him and mee, and by what meanes hee came to the first knowledge of mee, and how, and for what cause, hee gaue mee so much trust and credit; not thinking (good man) thereby, to doe mee any harme; but did onely tell him this, that he might bee the better perswaded of me, and that he himselfe had some reason to speake for me, and to doe me all the lawfull fauour he could.

When the Escriuano had heard this Tale, hee grew Hart-angry, and his soule was vexed at this my villany, to see that I had no more grace with me, but to make so graue a person a stale for my roguery; and that I should put so grosse a iest vpon so good a man. He was herewith so incensed against me, and his choller did rise in that aboundance, that if hee had had the Law in his owne hands, I had presently beene hang'd out of the way, without any more adoe. He left the Office, and went presently to the Te•…•…e, or Deputy Lieutenant, to whom hee made a large relation of all the whole matter, and set it downe all vnder his owne hand, and finding himselfe as much af∣fronted with this wrong I had done the Fryet, and that the parties aggrie∣ued had past ouer all their power vnto him to prosecute it for them, as if it

had beene his owne cause, they laid more and more to my charge, forming another new processe against me of farre greater aggrauation then the for∣mer; and commanding me stricter imprisonment, willing the laylor to put me downe into the dungeon.

This vnfortunate day did not catch me so naked, that I wanted money to be able to draw out my thread to its length, and to wage Law with them. But the Prison is of the nature and qualitie of fire; it consumeth all that * 1.8 come vnto it, conuerting it into its owne proper substance. Large experien∣ces had I made thereof, and by my account I found it to be a Winde-Mill, and a May-game for children. There is not any one that comes thither, but is a Miller, and grinds there; crying out, that his imprisonment is but for a thing of nothing, a toy, a trifle; when as sometime it so falleth out, that they are committed thither for three or foure murders, for a robbery vpon the High∣way, or for some other the like foule and odious offences. It is a place where fooles set vp their rest, a forced tryall of a mans patience, a deare-bought ex∣perience, a too late repentance, a proouall of a mans friends, and a reuenge∣ment of his enemies, a confused Common-wealth, a short Hell, a long Death, a hauen of Sighs, a vally of Teares, a house of Mad-men, a very Bedlame, where euery one cryes out, and loues to heare himselfe talke of his owne foo∣lish and wilde prankes. And all of them being guilty, not a man of them that will confesse he is faulty, nor that his crime is any thing heinous.

They that are prisoners, are like vnto your Grapes on a Vine Bower, which as soone as they waxe ripe, there is not a sprigge or bough of them which is not laden with Waspes, who insensibly (they hauing no feeling of it) sucke all the iuice and sweetnesse out of them, leauing onely the Caskes and Husks of them empty, hanging vpon the Arbour; And as are the Grapes, so is the swarme; if great and more, the more Waspes; if few and small, the lesse. As it is with this Vine, and its Grapes; so is it with those that are led to Prison.

The Officers and Ministers, that belong there-vnto, come thicke & three∣fold about him, clinging so close vnto him, and sucking so hard from him, that they neuer leaue him, till they haue drawne him dry, and taken all his pyth and substance from him. And when the poore Prisoner hath not longer where-withall to feede their hungry maw, and that they haue squeez'd all his sweetnesse out of him, they fly away from him, and forget him, as if there had neuer beene any such man, leauing him to himselfe poore, and comfortlesse. And this is as it were but a flea-biting, and a little euill, in comparison of a greater, which is too vsuall and common amongst them. For if the prisoner be poore, and haue no money, they presently pronounce sentence against him, leauing him starke naked, and vndone.

As soone as they consigne and deliuer him ouer to the Master Keeper, or * 1.9 head-Iaylor, who hath the keeping and disposing of the vpper-Wards, and the best lodgings, they giue him that intertainment as his purse shall de∣serue. For that Keeper or Iaylor does like him that buyes; who has no respect to the qualitie of him that sels, but to the thing that he selleth: so to him it matters not, whether the prisoner be more one, then another; Noble, or base; Gentleman, or Clowne; all is one for that: He lookes onely vnto that which he giues him. When his Commitment is not a matter of importance, nor meriting corporall punishment, and is not of that heinous nature, as murder, theft, the foule sinne, and other such like, they leaue him at large to take the pleasure of the prison, alwayes prouided, that they pay him well for this his liberty. I was well vs'd at the first, (for my cause was not criminall) and hand∣somely lodg'd, before that I had giuen securitie either to satisfie, or answer to that debt, wherewithall I was charged. By this time they all knew me, and all of vs vnderstood one another well inough, we were all Camerades, and

hayle fellow, well met, one with another. I gaue them content, and stayd be∣low amongst them, talking and passing away the time with them, but had euermore an eye, to see if I could safely get to the doore, and stood still, watch∣ing an opportunitie, when I might conueniently doe it, and so giue them the slip.

But vpon my first apprehending, as soone as I was come within sight of * 1.10 the prison; as also, after that I was committed, there presently flockt about mee twenty seuerall Proctors, Attourneys, and Sollicitours, (who liu'd by the sinnes of the people) who with their pen and Paper, (which they neuer went without) tooke both my name, and the cause of my imprisonment; all of them making it a matter of nothing, and an easie suite to goe through with. One of them would tell me, that the Iudge was his very good friend, and did fauour all the causes that he brought before him; another, that hee had a great interest in the publike Notary; a third, that within two houres he would get me bailed; a fourth, that my businesse was a toy, a meere trifle, a thing of no consideration in the world, and that for sixe Royals, hee would instantly vndertake to free mee. Euery one of them would make himselfe Master of my cause, saying, that it did properly belong vnto him, for that he had accompanied me, & come along with me, from the time of my Arrest. This man I intertained, for his plea of preuention, being vnwilling to crosse that Prouerbe; of First come, first seru'd. Where-vpon I intreated him, that hee would call such an Escriuano, a friend of mine vnto me. Another, for that he was the first that put pen to paper, and had drawne my Petition for mee to the Teniente. But to my selfe, I laught at them all. For I knew them well inough, and the manner of their proceeding. For they onely liue by what they can get and wring from a man before-hand; but afterwards you shall not draw them along, with two yoke of Oxen, they will so hang the Arse. And there was one of them that hauing a Power or Warrant to free a Thiefe, was not ashamed to aske him money for to make his Interrogatories, after that he should be condemned to the Gallies.

Thus, all of them striuing, which of them should be imploy'd in my busi∣nesse, there comes mee rushing in violently thorow the midst of them, a ve∣ry bold and confident fellow, that thought to rule the rost, and to carry all away before him, one that had beene my Proctor heretofore in criminall causes, and said vnto mee; What, Sir, are you heere? I told him, yes. Which question he might haue sau'd; for he saw I was sure inough. Then he askt me, What was the cause of my imprisonment? When I had told it him, hee re∣plyde: Tush, Laugh and be merry, Sir, take no care for this, it is a toy, a trifle, I warrant you Sir, wee will take order for this, and therefore let it neuer trouble you. Haue you any money, Sir, that I may carry it to the Escriuano? I will poast presently with a Petition to the Teniente, that you may put in Sureties to answere the matter, and in the meane time to haue your libertie to follow your businesse. And if he shall refuse to grant you prouision in this Case, we will haue a Writ of remoue, to bring the matter into the open Hall, and those that assist there in Counsell, shall presently giue order for your re∣lease. I shall speake to one of them, who is my singular good Lord, and I dare pawne my word to you, that you shall not tarry heere aboue halfe a day.

When the others heard this, they said, Ha? how now? what's this? is the winde in that doore? Heere is a pretty kinde of forme of framing a Petition withall my heart. Is this the course you meane to take? Wee haue beene some twenty of vs and vpward, these two long houres and better taking paines in this businesse, and will you now take the same out of our hands? Shall the hindermost dogge beare away the Hare? Must he now follow the suite?

My Proctor there-vpon, made them this answere; My Masters, had you

beene writing and labouring about this businesse these two moneths and more; yet not withstanding vpon my comming vnto him, I am the man that must goe thorow with it. For this Gentleman is my very good friend, and I am to dispatch all his businesses. And therefore a Gods name ye may be gone; and let my Clyent alone.

When they heard him say so, they replyde vnto him; O what a sweet and seemely manner of negociating is this? What a faire flourish does hee make? Where has he washt his hands, that hee should shaue vs on this fashion, and carry away this cause so cleanely? You may be gone, Sir, and it please you; for this Gentleman knowes reason, and will intertaine him in his cause that he hath most minde to: and therefore what need so many words? In conclusi∣on, one said I; and the other said no; and in the end, they differr'd so long a∣bout it, that they grew at last so hot and so angry one with another, that they began to rip vp each others faults, and to tell (without any other bodies help) who they were; there was not that spot in their practice, which they did not lay open to view; nor that staine in their life, which they did not disco∣uer; shewing how, and in what manner they did coozen the poore prisoners, and picke their money out of their purses. Which was a Dialogue (for those that heard it) of excellent intertainment, and passing good mirth; for that they were truthes, represented to the life. And this (I assure you) is a common Trade amongst them, and this coozening course they take at all houres, and with all persons, as well prisoners, as others.

Now, when this heat was ouer-past, and all was quiet; I came to my old Proctor, intreating him to doe what was fitting, and I would see him well contented for his paines. I gaue him foure Royals to begin withall: which when he had fingred, I could see my friend no more in fifteene dayes after. I knew well enough before, what he meant to doe; and that he had no other errand vnto me but this, to lick something from me, though it were neuer so little, the better to secure the seething of the Pot, against the next day follow∣ing, and to haue where-withall to goe to the Market-place. But I was driuen perforce to make choyce of him, because I stood in feare of him: Who, for that he was wel acquainted with all my old causes, if I should haue refused him, or shewd him any but the least vnkindenes, & that he should haue taken a stitch there-vpon against mee, hee would haue discouered the pot of Roses, and throwne open the cloake that couered all my knaueries, and would in two houres haue heapt vpon me a hundred seuerall accusations. So that partly choosing him, (by refusing the rest) and partly leauing him, (in the poorenesse of his Fee) as wel to haue him hold his peace, as to get him to follow my busi∣nesse; for I must haue paid some body; I held it the best course to make him my Proctor, though this were not a businesse that required much following; but did mainely consist on matter of money. But afterwards when I began to be examined, and thorowly sifted of that my audacious delusion, and impo∣sture, which I had put vpon that good Religious Fryer, and that they came to compare cause with cause, then did I need a Proctor.

Now things began to goe on in good earnest; they call'd mee vp, and went about to clap bolts on my legges: but those I redeem'd with my money. I paid the Keeper, who had the keeping of them, and the yong fellow, that was to put them on, had his Fee likewise of me. My Escriuano now often visits me; my Petitions runne vp and downe from place to place; Giue me thus much, sayes my Sollicitour; Where is my Fee, quoth my Aduocate? Thus by little and little, like so many Horse-leeches, they went sucking all my bloud from mee, till they had scarce left me one drop. So that now I was like a cluster of Grapes, that was quite dry'de away, and withered to nothing. Yet notwith∣standing all these miseries, it is not fit, that I should passe ouer in silence, that which passed betwixt my Wench, and my selfe. For as much that euery mor∣ning,

as soone as it was day, she rayned downe Manna vpon me; in her I found some helpe, for that she furnished me with all things that were neces∣sary for me; and when the rigour of my imprisonment was vpon me, being sentenced by the Teniente to the Gallyes, she sent me a letter: which, for that it is a pleasant and a witty one, I thought good to make it knowne vnto you; as also, because it is not amisse, to slacken the string, and vnbend the bowe, by recounting of something, that may serue for intertainment. Which letter spake after this maner:

To Sen̄or Guzman de Alfarache, my hearts-ioy, and my hopes comfort.

MY deare Loue; (though now to my great griefe, a poore condemned Slaue) * 2.1 I write these lines to no other end vnto thee, saue only to perswade thee to cast away sorrowe, and to take comfort vnto thee. Let it suffice (sweet∣heart) that I haue none; and let me alone mourne for thee: for euer since Saint Iames his day, about two of the clock in the after-noone, when thou wast first appre∣hended whilest thou lay'st quietly asleepe, who (hard-hearted as they were) would not let thee take out thy nap, my Soule hath much sorrowed for thee. But that which farther increaseth my affliction, is; that this sad newes is brought to day to my eares, that the Teniente hath adiudged thee to two hundred stripes, and tenne yeeres continuance in the Gallyes. God lash his shoulders for it with whips of wyer, and the knottiest, and seuerest scourges of his wrath; Let him liue a slaue all the dayes of his life in the Gallies, and then rot, and dye. It well appeares, that he wishes thee not so well as I doe; nor knowes the bitternes of those teares that I shed for thee. Little does he thinke how deare thy loue costs me.

Iuliana wishes me to tell thee, that thou shouldst foorth-with appeale from him. Appeale twenty times, and more (if more shall seeme fitting vnto thee) and take care for nothing; for (by the grace of God) I doubt not, but all shall goe well inough in the end: And then, this Tyrannicall Teniente shall see (though it grieue him) that thou shalt not for euer remaine a prisoner to his pride: for I sweare and vowe vnto thee by this my a 2.2 Mulata face, that I will make him to remember as long as hee liues, the teares which hee hath drawne from mine eyes; which haue beene so many, that I had much adoe to keepe them from the worlds knowledge; And I should haue powred them foorth, till they should haue growne to be great riuers, had I not feared, I should haue beene drowned in them, and so neuer haue inioyed thee more. By the faith that I owe vnto thee, I will neuer cease weeping, till the foun∣taines of my teares swell so high, that I may come swimming vnto thee, and drawe thee out of that dungeon, where-vnto my Soule is chayned, and remayneth there prisoner with thee. Iuliana can tell thee, how I tore my haire, when I heard this bad newes. By her I haue sent thee twenty Royalls, that thou may'st followe thy suite, be as merry as thou may'st, and that thou would'st thinke on me, howbeit I knewe the time, when such ceremonies needed not betweene thee and mee: For had I beene but a minute of an houre from thee, staying no longer away, then while I had put a fewe coles vnder the pot, thou didst thinke it a thousand yeeres. Remember (my sweet Slaue, my pretty Cage-bird) that I both loue, and adore thee: And receiue this greene girdle from my hands, in token of the good hope which I haue, that mine eyes shall quickly see thee set free. And if for to supply thy wants, it were needfull that I should be sold, brand this my face with two hot yrons, and set a Slaues marke in eyther cheeke, and make sale of me in the open market: for assure thy selfe, I shall esteeme it the greatest happines that can be fall me, that my bondage may worke thy freedome.

Thou tell'st me, that Soto, thy Camarade is ill, and was neuer well, since the Hang-man dealt so roughly with him, and strand the strings so hard, that he made him change his note; racking as much from him, as there needed no farther confessi∣on;

it grieues me to the very heart, that a man of his spirit, should be so cow'd by such a vile and base fellow, that for very feare, he should be forced to confesse, not only his owne, but other mens faults. Commend me vnto him (though vnknowne) and tell him, that I am hartily sorry for him; share part of these Conserues with him, which I send you, which (my deare Loue) I haue made a shift to saue for thee.

Tomorrow is our kneading day, wherein we must mould vp our bread, and put the loaues into the Ouen; then shall I make thee such a friendly cake, and but∣ter it so finely for thee, that thou shalt not be ashamed to bid thy best friends to the eating of it.

Send me your foule linnen, and shift dayly, that you may keepe your selfe cleane and sweete: For since that these mine armes cannot imbrace thee, they shall tyre and weary out themselues in thy seruice; as being most willing to doe any thing, that may giue thee content. My Mistris sweares that shee will hang thee, because she sayes, you haue rob'd her, of you knowe what; but I am sure, you haue rob'd an∣other * 2.3 of more then she; of I knowe what, you knowe; To a wise man, a 2.4 a word is sufficient.

If Usher Gomez shall come to see thee, talke not with him, or if thou doest, be very circumspect, what thou sayst vnto him: For he is a man, that carries two faces vnder one hood; He seekes to insinuate himselfe into other mens bosomes, only to fift them: And besides, he is a great friend to a cup of wine; And a drunken tongue (which I neeed not to tell thee) will blab out all it knowes. I aduertise thee of all: And because this is for no other end, I heere end: yet neuer end to pray vn∣to God, that he will preserue thee for me, and that he will free thee out of this filthie dungeon. From this thy chamber, about an houre before mid-night, my cont empla∣tion (sweet heart) being solely and wholy bestowed on thy best-beloued selfe.

Thy Slaue till death.

This wenches oyle maintained the weeke aliue, all the time of my trou∣bles, which otherwise would haue gone out. For I liu'd at a great charge, my expences were many, and though I had made my haruest, and gathered a great deale together, yet all was melted away, like salt in water, or butter a∣gainst the fire. My Mother likewise, when she sawe in what bad tearmes my suite stood, told me; That she was rob'd of all that she had; but as I did con∣ceiue (and I thinke truly) her meaning was to hold that fast which she had, when she saw it was to no purpose to let it goe. Whereupon, I was inforced to doe as the rest did, and to follow the currant. My plea still went on, and I wanted money to maintayne my cause. I could not corrupt the Escriuano, (for I had nothing, where-withall to bribe him) The Iudge, he was so highly incenst against me, that there was no hope of working him; My Proctor, hee slept in the busines, and would not stirre a foote; and my Solicitor fled as far from me, as his legs would carry him. There was now no more iuyce in my bunch of grapes, the Wasps were now gone their way, and had left me all alone; they had pronounced Sentence against me, the effect whereof was, That I should be set vpon an Asse, and so ride stript to the waste, round about the Towne, receiue so many stripes; the Cryer proclayming my offence before me; and this done, to remaine for six yeeres in the Gallyes.

When I saw I must bee made a Gally-slaue, and that there was no re∣demption of this my punishment, I put on a brazen face on the matter, and grew carelesse of any mans either sight, or censure. I playd my part without feare, or shame, as being now the Kings Slaue, and out of all other mens reach and danger, they hauing nothing more to doe with me. Yet was it some com∣fort vnto me, that my Camarade Soto was condemned to the like punishment, and that we should, like a couple of louing Curres, bee ty'de together in one payre of couples. And as wee were fellowes and Companions in one Prison,

and in one and the same Dungeon, and had runne both of vs one and the same Carreere; so was I very willing, that there might haue beene that good ami∣tie betweene vs, and that true loue that ought to haue been; which if he had beene the same man he should haue been, it had gone better both with him and me, then now it did. But (as you shall see hereafter) he playd the Traytor with me.

He was a notable squeeze-grape, a huge quaffer, his glasse should bee alway brim-full, and he would vp with it de profundis; his vsuall draught was a large pint & a halfe: and hauing drunke liberally before he came to the rack, think∣ing that would haue made him lesse sensible of his paine, he confest at the first, whatsoeuer they would haue him. Seeing I had now receiu'd my doome, and that there was not any remedy, nor the least hope thereof, for my redemption, I was willing to try my fortune; but I neuer had her yet to friend: So that it had beene a miracle, if she had not fayl'd me now. I feign'd my selfe sicke for some fifteene dayes, neuer came out of the dungeon, nor rose from my bed.

At the fifteene dayes end, hauing prouided my selfe of womans apparell, and hauing shau'd my Beard cleane away with a Razour, putting on those * 2.5 cloathes, casting a Mantle ouer them, and painting my face, dawbing it first with white, and then giuing it a little tincture of Red; now when night was in, I past thorow the two vpper doores, that belonged to the Galleries, and neither of those Porters said a word, but let me passe quietly, yet were they both of them quicke-sighted inough, and had their eyes cleere and sound.

But when I came downe to the doore that opens to the street, and was rea∣dy to put my foot ouer the threshold, a blinke-ey'de Porter, that had but one * 2.6 eye, (would to God he had beene blinde on the other) claps his arme athwart the Posterne, kept me backe, lookt vpon me, and presently knew me: Where∣vpon, he shuts to the doore. I had prouided my selfe of a good short arming sword, one, that if need had been, would haue done the deed, which I carried closely about me, if I should chance to be put to my shifts, and haue occasion to vse it. But as ill lucke would haue it, I bore it about mee at such a time, when as it could doe me no good, nor stand me in any stead in the world. This was such an aggrauation of my fault, that my accusation was now made cri∣minall.

Well, they turn'd me vp stayres, and fulminating a new Processe against me, * 2.7 they condemn'd me to the Gallies, during life. And it was no small courtesie, that they did mee, that they did not make mee ride in those cloathes vp and downe the Citie, as they had heretofore done the like disgrace vnto others. I thought to haue auoided danger, and fell vpon my death.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of Custome, and the force thereof.
• * 1.2

  Custome must yeeld to Time.
• * 1.3

  The common course of Trades∣men.
• * 1.4

  Guzman deli∣uers some things worthy our con∣sideration, but to be auoyded by vs.
• * 1.5

  Guzman enter∣tained into ser∣uice by a Gentle-woman.
• * 1.6

  Guzman lies with his Mi∣stresses maid.
• * 1.7

  Guzman ar∣rested and car∣ried to Prison.
• * 1.8

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.9

  Touching layors, and Keepers of Prisons.
• * 1.10

  The fashion of Attourneys, and Sollicitours, and the like Officers of your Courts of Iustice.
• * 2.1

  A letter of Guz∣mans wench la∣menting his mis∣fortunes.
• a 2.2

  Mulata, is a maid child, that is borne of a Ne∣gra, and a fayre man; and so on the contrary. And because it is an extraordinary mixtur•…•…, they cō∣pare such a one is a Mule.
• * 2.3

  Prouerb.
• a 2.4

  A Buen en∣tendedor, po∣cas palabras.
• * 2.5

  Guzman seekes to break prison.
• * 2.6

  Guzman pre∣uented of his purpose.
• * 2.7

  Guzman con∣demned during life to the Gallies.