The honest ghost, or, A voice from the vault

A Postscript.

NO sooner was my Grate closed, than I from my Prospect barred; re∣tiring my self to my rest, which was as restlesse as my fortunes haplesse, my friends hopelesse and helplesse. Neither did this lessen, but heighten my misery, to have mine eye barred from liberty, by being shut from my Prospect of vanity: But beggars must be no choosers, nor prisoners disposers; with Patience I retired, re∣solving to enjoy my selfe, though of all outward joyes deprived and joy in the liberty of my minde, though of bodily freedom restrained. Neither indeed (to doe As surlie Cerberus right) was my Argus-eyed Por∣ter so relentlesse, as wholly to restrain mee; for his promise was unto mee, next morning betime to tender mee a courtesie, by giving mee free recourse to my Grate; where I resolved to spend the next day in a se∣rious survey of such passengers and passages as happily might encounter mee, and make themselves objects to an embleme of misery. But see how humane purpo∣ses are diverted! implying, that nothing can bee by man, so long as hee is man, firmly resolved: For, next day, addressing my selfe to my old taske, I understood

by One of the Knights-ward, that divers broken and decayed Merchants, whose estate, howsoever it seeme to the eye of the world, razed, yet (so wise is humane policy) their supposed Heirs are to great fortunes rai∣sed; were inquisitive how they might procure a trustie and faithfull Retainer, who had knowledg in keeping of a booke, casting an account, and such necessary parte at properly concerned men of their ranke. Upon which enquiry, she whole House, to doe mee a courtesy, and add some small comfort to my present misery▪ preferred mee; knowing mee to have a little smattering in A∣rithmetick, and in that respect fittest to bee imployed for such an instrument; since which time I have used all diligence to tender them all possible content; where∣in I have so far prevailed, as with the generall suf∣frage of these decayed Magnificoes, it is lately conclu∣ded, that if it come to passe (as much may bee) that they may eyther by meanes of Protection, or some o∣ther enfranchisement to them granted, attaine to the honour of a Company, I shall forthwith bee made their Remembrancer; which place I shall right willingly accept, intending to remember them upon all occasi∣ons. Hence then appeareth the cause why I am from further survey restrained, being in affaires of higher consequence imployed; having no time to betake mee to writing or from wasting my Spleene with laughing; to see so many deluded Creditors bemoaning the fall of my politick Masters, whose well-cram'd coffers are so well stored, as they will feed the Breaker, though the Creditor bee starved. To discover their Treasure,

were to betray their Trust; I were a knave then i•…•… bee lesse then trustie, although they bee knaves in grain that doe trust mee; only know thus much, there are many here in this City, to my knowledge, that beare their heads high, keepe their shops ope, walke the Exchange, and retaine an opinion of mighty Mer∣chants, who come many thousands short of these in substance. So as my comfort is (for gold to the eye∣sight is very soveraign) I have enjoyed the sight of more treasure since I was restrained, then ere I enjoy∣ed being freed. But silence becomes a man of m•…•… place; let this suffice, I enjoy more by sight then e∣ver their thirstie Creditors are like to possesse; s•…•… high am I in trust with those who have advanced their fortunes by best be trust. Now to these, wh•…•… would have mee proceed further in my Survey or Dis∣play of vanity; having found Poveety an individuate to Poetry, my answere it; when I have hope to gain•…•… so much by my Reader as by my Breaker, hee shall heare further from meee. Now to my charge.

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"Thus my wise-Masters burnish though they burst; "Foxes fare ever best, when they are curst.