CHAP. IV.

IT was in July when I undertook this my Knight-errantry; the fairness of the Season much favoured my Enterprise: thinking I should always enjoy such weather, and never be pincht with ne∣cessity, I went on very couragiously. The first dinner I made was on Blackberries and Nuts, esteemed by me very delicious fare at first, which delighted me so much the more, having not my liberty controul'd. When night approached it seemed very uncouth and strange, finding, instead of a Feather-bed, no other thing to lie on but a Haycock, and no other coverlid but the Canopy of Heaven. But considering with my self that I had no task to con over night, nor fear of over sleeping my self next morning, and so be fetcht to School by a Guard of my fellow Schollars with a Lanthorn and Candle, though the Sun ap∣pear'd at that time in his full lustre; I laid my self down and slept profoundly, not without some af∣frighting dreams: The last was of the Cat of Nine Tails, which my Master laid so home me thought Page  34 that the smart thereof made me cry out, and so I awaked; as then the early Lark, the winged He∣rald of the morning, had not with her pretty war∣bling Notes, summon'd the bright watchmen of the Night to prepare for a retreat; neither had Aurora opened the Vermillion Oriental Gate, to make room for Sols radiant Beams, to dissipate that gloomy darkness that had muffled up our Hemis∣phere in obscurity. In the morning I went on in my progress as the day before; then began a show∣er of tears to fall from my eyes, considering how I had left my disconsolate, and almost heart-bro∣ken Mother, lamenting my loss, and fearing what fatal courses I might take: it was no less trouble to me to think that I was travelling I knew not whi∣ther, moneyless, having nothing but Hazel, and Brambles to address my self for the appeasing of Hungers approaching gripes. Now me thought I began to loath my aforenamed Manna, Blackber∣ries, Nuts, Crabs, Bullies, &c. and longed to taste of the Flesh-pots again, but the Devil a bit could I get but what the hedges afforded me. All day I thus wandred about, nor daring to come near any Town, having had such bad success in the last when I first rambled, and now night came on, which put me in mind of procuring a lodging som∣what warmer than the other. A Barn presently offered its self to my sight, which I accosted, and without delay or fear, entered into the inchanted Castle, where I found accommodations for the most faithful and valiant Knight that ere strode Sad∣dle for Ladies sake. Here might I take my choice of variety of fresh •…raw, but my weariness would not permit to complement my good fortune one joy &c I so tumbled over head and ears; I had not Iain there Page  35 above an hour before I heard a noise, and peeping out of the straw, being in a great fear, I saw a many strange creatures come into the Barn, for the day was not yet shut in. My thoughts presently re∣minded me that I had heard talk of Hobgoblings, Fairies and the like, and judged these no other; and that which confirmed me in this be•…ief, was their Garb and talking to one another in a language I understood not (but since, I under∣stand it to be Canting.) I lay still as long as my fear would permit me, but they surrounding me, I was not able to contain my self longer, but cryed out aloud, Great God, have mercy on me, and let not these Devils devour me; and with that, started out from among them: They amazed as much as I, ran for it too leaving their children behind them, every one esteeming him the happi∣est man which was the foremost. I looking behind me, seeing them following me, imagined these De∣vils ran upon all four, and having started their game were resolved to hunt a sinful Leveret to death: Concluding them long-winded Hell-hounds, I judgd praying a safer way than flying, and so fell instantly on my knees: the Gypsies quickly overtook me, and finding me in that posture, soon understood whence their fear proceeded. They then spoke to me in a Langage I understood, bidding me not be afraid; but I had heard the Devil was a Lyar from the beginning, therefore I would not believe them. They would have rais'd me from my devotion, tel∣ling me it was enough, and that made me suspect them the more; thinking they designed to get me out of a praying posture, that they might have the more power of me. Nothing prevailing with me, they vowed and protested they would nor injure me Page  36 in the least, and if I would go along with them, I should fare as delitiously as they did, this was a po∣tent argument to perswasion, and so I agreed to go along with them back again. All their cry was now for Rum-booze (i. e.) Good Liquor. Their Captain not induring to hear so sad a complaint, and not en∣deavour the supplying the want complained of, im∣mediately commanded out four able Maunders, (Beggars) ordring them to stroule (wander) to the next Town, every one going apart. Some Coun∣trey-men gave them drink fearing they might fire the houses in the night, out of revenge, others (out of the more ignorant sort, thought they could com∣mand infernal spirits, and so harm them that way, or else bewitch their Cattel, and therefore would not deny them: in so much that in a short time these four return'd laden with bub and food. It was pre∣sently placed in the middle of us, who sate circular∣ly; then out came the Wooden dishes, every one provided but my self, but I was soon supply'd by a young Rum-Mort that sate next me intended for my sporting mate. A health went round to the Prin∣ce of Maunders, another to the Great Duke of Clap∣perdogeons, a third to the Marquess of Doxy Dells, and Rum-Morts, a fourth, to the Earle of Clymes; nei∣ther did we forget, Haly Abbas, Albumazar, Arcan∣dam, with the rest of the Waggoners, that strive who shall be principal in driving Charles his Waine. Most part of the night we spent in boozing, pecking rum∣ly or wapping, that is drinking, eating or whoreing according to those terms they use among them∣selves Jealousie was a thing they never would admit of in their Society, and to make appear how little they were tainted therewith, the males and females lay promiscuously together, it being free for any of Page  37 the Fraternity to make choice of what Doxie he liked best, changing when he pleased. They plied me so oft with their Rum-booz (as they called it) and plea∣sed me so well in giving me a young Girle to dally with, who (though in Rags, and with a skin arti∣ficially discolloured tawny) yet I was not so igno∣rant, as not to understand good flesh, and what pro∣perties went to the compleating a votaress for Venus service. I was so tickled in my fancy with this pretty little wanton Companion, that for her sake, I was very well content to list my self one of that Ragged Regiment. And that which added to the inducing me to this resolution was my want of money, and what I suffered in those two foregoing hard days fare among the Nut Trees. I first acquainted my Doxie with my intent, who glad to hear thereof, gave it vent and broacht it to the rest who unanimously with joy imbraced me; and to congratulate my ina∣gravation tipt to each other a Gage of Booz, and so went round. The fumes of drink had now ascended into their brain, wherefore they coutcht a Hogs-head, and went to sleep.