The lives of sundry notorious villains, memorable for their base and abominable actions together with a novel as it really happened at Roan in France.

A True and Pleasant NOVEL, As it really hapned At Roan in France.

POverty bringeth oftentimes great alterations and changes in our Humours; Necessity pouring in a great deal of constraint in our Passions, even so far, that a man lets himself be carried away to the commission of those things which otherways would be looked upon by him as infamous, if Necessity con∣strained not to embrace them. There has been ever seen them, who being constrained by their Poverty, al∣though that inwardly they have ac∣knowledged their faults, yet however have suffered themselves to be car∣ried

away to do what they could and of this the History which write will give credit, wherein wi•• be seen how many and great evi•• are begotten and brought up b•• Poverty; and that 'tis not witho•• reason that every one with such ca•• and fear avoids it, drawing with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such dangers and misfortunes.

In the City of Roan, chief Sea•• port, and one of the most famou•• Havens of France, lived a perso•• whom I shall call Meris, whose you•• promised no small fortune, as havin•• great correspondencies in Englan•• and Spain, by means of several Navi•• gations and Voyages which he ha•• made sundry times there; but For tune changed quickly the good coun•• tenance which she had at first shewe•• him two years after he was married about which time he fell into such mean and poor condition, that scarce•• ly could he get enough to subsi•• on.

Variable are the effects of For∣••ne; such a one thinks himself to ••ay in surety, being shaded with all ••e Happiness and Prosperity that an•• be hoped for in this world, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a trice he findes himself thrown ••own more low than ever before ••e was high; such is the inconstan∣••y of all things here below, which ••ake growth and nourishment in Chance and Change: for amongst all ••hose who walk under the cope of Heaven, there is not any one can ••uely say he is exempted from the Tribute which we owe to this fickle Goddess, she engraving her Laws upon Empires and on Republicks the most flourishing and Trium∣phant.

Meris found her favourable in the beginning, but in the end he was constrained to assert, that the Rose ••s not found but amongst Thorns and Briers. All his loss came from a Ship, wherein was the greatest part

of his Estate, which by means o•• mighty Tempests was cast away up∣on the Coast of England.

This Tempest was the first stroke that Fortune gave to his happiness, which since was seconded by many others; so that poor Meris saw him∣self in a short time reduced to the lowest fate that could be: never∣theless Fortune could not shake his courage, nor the generous resolution of his Wife, who was called Helene. These two Hearts were insensible to the strokes of Fortune, although re∣duced to such meanness: The con∣stancy of this married couple was not a thing the least remarkable; for they lived 10 years together af∣ter this sort the best that they could; but to say truely, all this space they could not really be said to live, but to lead a lingering death.

Now although that Chance had spoiled both the one and the other of all temporal Commodities, yet Na∣ture

howsoever was pleased to bestow with prodigality every thing that ••as beautiful and comely on He∣••ne.

She was an Abridgement and E∣••itome of all the perfections desira∣••le in a Woman. She had the Mein, ••he Order, and the Port altogether ••oble. In short, nothing was wan∣••ing her that goes to the making up of a compleat Creature: but that which was most admirable in this Wo∣man was, that she loved her Hus∣band so greatly, that notwithstanding all the Addresses which many of Roan made to her, and even of the richest, who promised her Money enough, yet she would never be false to her Husband; but as one deaf to all their amorous complaints and desires, she universally despised them, and made a flout at their Prayers; in which Meris saw himself happy in his Misfortune, and could not chuse but prize her as she deserved.

Amongst all those who shew'd he•• most affection, and who gave greates•• proofs of it, there was a certai•• Lawyer, whom I shall call Carildus•• that I may not trouble the repose o•• his Ashes, and bring afresh again the•• day of his death in the memory o•• his Friends. This Lawyer was a person come of a good stock, and had as well by his Birth as Practice got a very considerable Estate.

He was one of the chief who with most affection sollicited Helene; but never could obtain his desire, his at∣tempts being all of them vain and un∣profitable: For her admirable Chastity was the Buckler and Target on which were broken all the blows of the amorous Lawyer; all his treats ser∣ved him to no purpose in this busi∣ness; which having at last known, he would employ the Rhetorick of a Neighbour of his, one who like∣wise sollicited to as little purpose as himself.

Helene had all this while dissem∣••ed and concealed their importuni∣••es, without making her Husband ••cquainted; but perceiving that ••heir impudence increased every day ••ore and more, she resolved no lon∣••er to forbear, but to let her Hus∣••and know of it; whereupon one ••ight she discourses him after this manner.

My dear Meris, saith she, you know ••ow entire my affection hath been to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 since the day we first met: you ••annot but know it; and the great love I have continually bore you may serve as a sufficient proof. I am im∣••ortuned by three or four persons who attempt mine Honour; amongst others by Carildus, whom you know; he endeavours to shake my Constancy; but his attempts have been hitherto un∣profitable, and ever shall be. Far be it from me that I should ever do this thing, and so falsifie my conjugal Vow••; Hell it self shall open and swallow

me up, rather than I will be disloyal: And 'tis for this I desire your Coun∣sel how we shall be rid of all these importunities.

Meris, who attentively lent his ear to these words, knowing that his Wife bore him a great and singu∣lar affection, and that on the other side she would never deceive him, made answer, My dear, I know not which way 'twill be possible for me to recompence the greatness of the affe∣ction and fidelity which you on your part have ever shew'd me. Yet never∣theless you see to what Fortune hath reduced us, and how greatly we are tormented with Poverty; wherefore I am of advice that you pretend to Carildus that you will content his desires, provided there be some con∣siderable sum of Money: as for the rest, let me alone, I'll finde means to disentangle my self and be rid of him.

Helene, who heard her Husband

speak after this manner, began to ca∣••ss Carildus with her Eyes more than ••er. He perceiving this unusual and ••xtraordinary good will, as he interpre∣••ed it, joyful above measure, perswades ••imself that 'twas best beating the Iron whilst it was hot, and that he could ••ot hope for a bad issue in what he ••romised himself; for he saw that ••igour wherewith his desires were wont to be opposed, altogether laid aside, and his love reciprocally re∣ceived of his Mistriss; wherefore he advertises his Confident, who par∣ticipated already with him in his joy.

Carildus familiarizeth himself e∣very day more and more with He∣lene, and he thinks himself at the top of Felicity. In the end, she who feigned in the beginning to be drawn by his promises, began to lay aside more and more her averseness; saying, that not onely her Poverty constrained his reception, but that

he had likewise acquired such an ad vantage in her favour, that she coul•• not live without seeing of him.

These dissimulations so wrough•• upon Carildus, that he parted not from her till he had gotten her con∣sent, and knew the day and hour in which he should come to her, having promised her 500 Crowns. The day come, Carildus failed not to tarry at a Church-door, where the night before was given the assignation, where he found his Mistriss in expe∣ctation of him.

When scarcely had they seen one another, but Carildus asks of Helene if her Husband was at home, and when she expected his return; to which she answered, that he would not be at home this eight days; For he has, saith she, some business ••hich has called him to Paris, where∣••ore you may come to me with securi∣ty.

Carildus, who on the other side

burned and consumed in his own flame, gives her a Purse full of Gold, and immediately comes to her Lodg∣ing, where Meris had hid himself in order to the finishing of his En∣terprize; for he would together with the Money have the Cloaths too of Carildus.

As they were entred, there was a good Fire made, and the Lawyer began already to undress himself, when Meris came with a Club and discharges it on his Head, felling him with the blow to the Ground; and redoubling his blows, he never left striking of him till he had killed him.

Helene, not thinking that he would ever have killed him, was very much astonished in seeing him lie dead at her Feet: her Husband how∣soever assured her, telling her, that she should not trouble her self, fore would so order it, that it should ne∣ver come to be known that he killed

him: Wherefore, bidding her go to bed, he takes the dead Lawyer on his Back, and enters directly by a Back-door (being well acquainted with the House) into the Lawyer's Lodging, where, the Night and Sleep favouring of him, he immediately discharges the Corpse in the place where people used to ease themselves; and so placed him on the Seat, that whosoever should come in there, would judge that he had died in this place and posture.

Now the day before, Carildus told his Companion all the affair, and how Helene had promised him ac∣cess into her Lodging: It happened therefore that this Confident of his, rising at Mid-night by reason of the Gripes wherewith he had been for these four or five days troubled, as he came to the said place to ease him∣self, he perceived that 'twas occupi'd by Carildus; wherefore he was some time (being not willing to disturb

him) a staying for him; but seeing that he came not out, he goes to him, pulling him by the Sleeve, which made the Corpse fall down at his Feet.

This man being much astonished, takes his flight, and knows not what could be said in this matter; but being at length assured, he comes back again, and seeing Carildus dead, he doubts presently that he had been betray'd in Helene's house to Meris her Husband, whom he had known of a long time to be a man of his hands. Wherefore for fear lest he should be accused that he had mur∣thered him, (for he was seen to rise) he takes him up on his Back, with intention to carry him before Meris's Door. Hitherto we have seen the mischief which Poverty doth bring with it, instigating men to the doing of those things which o∣therwise would be abhorr'd by them. Let us see now what hapned to Ca∣rildus

after his death: for there is Plaisantrie and Adventures perhaps never before heard or thought of.

Carildus's Companion having ta∣ken up the Corpse on his Back, went and placed it at the same House it came out of, setting it upright against Meris's Door; then returns to his Lodging without any bodies taking notice of him. Helene, by chance too, through default of Nature, would go out of doors, it being about half an hour after Midnight, but was ve∣ry much astonished that she had no sooner opened it, but the dead Body fell into the House. She cries out being affrighted, and tells her Hus∣band that the Lawyer was come back again to their Lodging; upon which Meris rising up in haste out of his sleep, assures her, telling her she should not be troubled at the dead, pro∣testing that he would carry him so far that he should never finde his way back again. Wherefore he takes

him up again the second time; and as he goes along the Street to carry him to the River, he hears a great noise, coming, as he thought, from the end of the Street; whereupon, fear, which before had no effect on him, seizes on his Courage, making him dread the just punishment he deserved; which made him stand up close in a Street which went across, that he might see them whom he heard com∣ing, and shun their meeting: but his fear quickly changed into joy; for them from whom he heard that noise were night-Adventurers, who just came from stealing two Flitches of Bacon from out of the House of a Baker named Philip duBois. As these Fellows passed along by this Lane where was Meris, who had got un∣der a Bulk, he heard them talking that there was a man drew good Wine in that Street, and that they would leave their Bacon somewhere, and see whether they could make

'um rise. The proposal was agreed to, and they put their Sack into the descent of a Cellar, covering it with some Straw which they by chance there met with; and there left it. Meris, who had observed all this from his Bulk, imagines that he needs not go any further to unload him∣self; wherefore he makes up to the place where the Thieves had laid the Sack, and having opened it and felt Bacon in it, he takes it out, and puts in lieu of it the dead Lawyer, and returns to his Lodging, where he findes his Wife up, and who was so concerned at what had unexpe∣ctedly befallen her, that she could not (so much was she affrighted at what had passed) go to bed.

But when she perceived that he came back again, she thought she should have died immediately with fear; for the imagined that her Hus∣band could not be rid of the dead Corpse: but he quickly appeased

when he shew'd the Bacon, and gave ••er an account of his adventure; ••pon which they go to bed again, ••eing not a little pleased at the dou∣••le booty they had got, which was ••ot discovered till a little while af∣••er.

Come we now to our Thieves, who by and by will finde work e∣••ough. Whilst that Meris was re∣••urning to his Lodging, they had got to the house, drinking stoutly up∣on the account of their Merchandise, which they did intend to chaffer a∣way to the Vintner. When they had drank sufficiently, they reckon, ••nd for payment tell the Vintner ••hat they had a good quantity of Bacon to sell him, and he might pay himself out of it. The Vintner re∣••lied, that he was not used to buy a ••ig in a Poke; wherefore he bid ••hem let him see it, and then he ••new what he had to say to them.

The Thieves then go to the place

where they had left their Sack; and having there found it, not at all dreaming of the exchange, they take it up, fancying it though to be some∣what heavier than it seem'd to be before; but of that they took no far∣ther notice, and brought it straight to the House where they were drink∣ing; which they had no sooner o∣pened, but the Vintner sees poor Ca∣rildus's Head peeping out of the Sack: whereupon he begins presently to cry out upon them (for he knew the per∣son) Oh! villains, what have you done? cries he, You have killed the Sieur Carildus, and are so impudent to bring him here to me to sell him for Bacon. The Thieves, more asto∣nish'd than he, stood as men amazed staring one upon another, and knew not what Countenance to keep: the other cried out still against them, threatning to have them soon laid by the heels, and to send for the friends of the defunct. They on the other

side desired him to have patience, and not to speak of it; for they knew where they had this booty: and to accuse them of intended theft they might, but not of murther; but howsoever they would carry the Corpse back again where they had it; which they did, wondering and tempesting at this their rencounter, asking one another what they thought of it, whether this was not a strange Metamorphosis, and how 'twas possi∣ble for them to be so much mistaken as to take a Lawyer for Bacon; which saying, they come to the Ba∣kers House, where getting up to the place from whence they had taken the Bacon, they there place the Law∣yer, and withdraw. During this time, the Baker, who had a great deal of work that day to do, called a Servant of his, named Martin, to have him go to the Mill; whereupon he rises at four a clock in the Morning; the Baker commands him to make

ready to go to the Mill; Marti•• swears Zoons that he'd not stir a foo•• before he breakfasted; and that h•• would have a rasher of Bacon. Wel•• having receiv'd permission so to do•• he takes a Ladder, and as he was go•• up to the top of it, both Lawye•• Servant, and Ladder fall on th•• ground, and tumble one upon ano∣ther. The Baker runs with his Wif•• to their man's assistance, thinking that he had been dead on the ground howsoever he told them that h•• had received no hurt, and that h•• had escaped any mischief by reaso•• that he fell on the Bacon: at whic•• the Baker was well enough satisfied but when he came to look dow•• and saw the Head of the Lawyer which just peep'd out of the Sack it being unti'd, he had like with a stonishment to fall backwards in a Swoon; neither could his Wife scarcely make him come to himsel•• again. In the end, astonisht as they

were at this business, they consulted how to get him from thence. The Baker had a young Colt never yet back'd, whom he causes his Man to bring-him; and having clapt on him a Saddle, he fastens the Lawyer on him, so that he could not fall off, putting likewise Spurs to his shooes; and thus equipag'd they lead him out into the Street, it being not past six in the Morning in the shortest days of Winter; the Baker believing that losing the sight of him he should lose him altogether, as indeed he did; for as this young Colt went on the way, it hapned that one of the Spurs struck by mishap into his Side, which made him so fall a running, that he cast off his Rider into a Well, where he was never more heard of.

FINIS.