Rich. Flecknoe's ænigmatical characters being rather a new work, than new impression of the old.

Character 50. Of a degenerate Nobleman. Made Anno 1652.

HE is a certain silly thing, who now he ha's no voice in Parliament, scarcely knows what to say. He ha's made the name of Lord onely a mock-name, more ridiculous then the name of Lord of misrule in ancient times; and they shun him, as they do Lord have mercy upon us, upon doors: and this plague he has brought upon himself, by foolishly imagining he shu'd be any thing, when those were nothing who made him all he is. As if the Stars shu'd con∣spire to deprive the Sun of light, or Streams to dry up the Fountain whence they flow'd: when no wonder if every Glow-worm or farthing Can∣dle out-shines them now; or that their great∣ness shu'd be at so low an ebb, as every one

boldly strides over them, who durst not a••∣proach so nigh as their brinks before. So they just••e him now in the streets, who was wont before like Manderins, to make whole streets to give him way▪ and no body takes no∣tice of him, unless some one in scorn points at him (perhaps) and sayes, there goes a Lord▪ and this is all the priviledge of Peerage they have now; besides the having every base fel∣low without Commission to search their house, every Tradesman cite them before their Wor∣ships at next Shire-Towns, and every com∣mon Serjeant drag them away to Prison, where ••hey lye in the Dungeon or Common Goal: And this fine Prerogative they have got, who would needs pluck down the King, onely to be promoted to the Kings Bench themselves.