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AT such time as the Tartars began to reign, and were first known in the World, there were four Brethren, the eldest of which, Mongu, reigned in Sedia. These purposing to subdue the World, went one to the East, another to the North, to the South a third, which was Vlan, and the other to the West. This Vlan having an Army of an hundred thousand Horse, besides Foot, fought against the
Caliph of Baldach, a great City in the Confines of Tartaria, whom he overcame, and took both him and his City, wherein he found infinite store of Treasure; at which, he greatly wondring, sent for the Caliph, whom he sharply reproved, that having so much Treasure, he would not therewith provide himself of Souldiers for his Defence; and therefore, commanded that he should be inclosed in that Tow∣er where his Treasure was, without any other Su∣stenance, so long as he lived. This (say the Hi∣storians of that time) seemed a just Judgment from our Lord Jesus Christ on him: for he, in the year 1225. seeking to convert the Christians to Mahomet, and taking advantage on that place of the Gospel, that he which hath Faith as much as a grain of Mustard∣seed should be able to remove Mountains; He convent∣ed all the Christians, Nestorians, and Jacobites, and propounded to them in ten days to remove certain Mountains, or turn Mahometans, or be slain, as not having one man amongst them which had the least Faith. They therefore continued eight days in Prayer: after which, a certain Shoo-maker, by Revelation to a Biship, was designed to perform it. This Shoo-maker, once tempted to Lust by sight of a young Woman, in putting on her Shoo, zea∣lously had fulfilled that of the Gospel, and literally had put out his right Eye: he now, on the day ap∣pointed, with other Christians, following the Cross, and lifting his hands to Heaven, prayed to God to have Mercy on his People; and then with a loud Voice commanded the Mountain, in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to remove, which presently, with great Terror to the Caliph and all his People, was effected. And that day was for a long time after kept holy, with fasting also on the Evening.
In Draugiana, a Province of Persia, near unto a City called Mulebet, lived a seditious Persian, named Aladine, commonly called the old man of the moun∣tain; he had, in a pleasant Valley betwixt two Mountains, very high, made a goodly Garden, fur∣nished with the best Trees and Fruits he could find, adorned with divers Palaces and Houses of Pleasure, beautified with Gold Works, Pictures, and Furni∣tures of Silk. There, divers Pipes, ansvvering di∣vers parts of these Palaces, vvere seen to run Wine, Milk, Honey, and clear Water. In them he had placed goodly Damsels, skilful in Songs, and In∣struments of Musick and Dancing, and to make Sports and Delights unto men, vvhatsoever they could imagine. They vvere also fairly attired in Gold and Silk, and vvere seen to go continually sporting in the Garden and Palaces. This Place thus furnished vvith Delights, he had made in imi∣tation of Mahomet, vvho had promised such a sen∣sual Paradise to his devout Follovvers; the entrance into vvhich he fortified vvith a strong Castle called Tigado. Hither he brought all the lusty Youths he could light on, casting them into Prison, vvhere they endured much Sorrovv and Woe. And vvhen he thought good, he caused a certain Drink to be given them, which cast them into a dead sleep: then he caused them to be carried into divers Chambers of the said Palaces, where they saw the things afore∣said as soon as they awaked; each of them having those Damsels to minister Meats and excellent Drinks, and all varieties of Pleasures to them, inso∣much, that the Fools thought themselves to be in Paradise indeed. Having enjoyed this Happiness a whole day, they were in a like Sleep conveyed to their Irons again; after which, he caused them to
be brought into his Presence, and questioned where they had been; which answered, by your Grace, in Paradise, and recounted all the Particulars be∣fore mentioned. Then the old man answered, this is the Commandment of our Prophet, That whosoever defends his Lord, he makes him enter into Paradise: and if ye will be obedient to me, and hazard your Lives in my Quarrel, ye shall have this Grace. This so animated them, that they swore to be obe∣dient to his Commands; and he was thought hap∣py whom the old man would command any thing, though it cost him his Life; so that other Lords, and his Enemies, were slain by these his Assassines, which exposed themselves to all Dangers, and con∣temned their Lives. These men the Italians call Assassines, (whence we use the Phrase to Assassinate) the name importing as much as Thieves or Cut∣throats: such a one was he who murdered the Count of Tripolis, in the Wars for the Holy Land; and such a one was he, who so desperately wound∣ed our Edward the First, at the Siege of Acon, with a poysoned Knife, whose Venome could by no means be asswaged, till his vertuous Wife (propo∣sing herein a most rare Example of conjugal Love) sucked out the Poyson, which her love made sweet to her delicate Pallate; so sovereign a Medicine is a Wife's Tongue, anointed with the Vertue of love∣ly Affection: and indeed, it is no wonder that Love should do Wonders which is it self a Wonder. This Aladine thus playing the Tyrant, and robbing all which passed that way; Vlan, in the Year 1262. sent and besieged his Castle, which, after three years Siege, they took, slew him, and ruined his Paradise, not being able, for want of Victuals, to hold out lon∣ger.
Paulus Venetus reporteth, that in a City called Samarchan, subject to the Nephew of the Great Cham of Tartary, the Brother of the Great Cham, named Zagatai, governed that Country; who be∣ing persuaded to become a Christian, the Christians, thorough his Favour, built a Church, in honour of St. John Baptist, with such Cunning, that the whole Roof thereof was supported by one Pillar in the midst; under which, was set a square Stone, which by favour of their Lord, was taken from a Building of the Saracens. Zagathai's Son succeeded after his Death in the Kingdom, but not in the Faith; from whom, the Saracens obtained, that the Christians should be compelled to restore that Stone: and when they offered a sufficient valuable Price, the Saracens refused to receive any other Composition than the Stone; but the Pillar lifted up it self, that the Saracens might take away their Stone, and so continued.
About the Year of our Lord 400. one Agilmond was King of the Lombards, inhabiting Pannonia, now called Hungary. This King one morning go∣ing a hunting, as he was riding by a Fish-pond he spied seven Children sprawling for Life, which one (as saith Paulus Diaconus) or (it may be) many Harlots had been delivered of, and most barbarously thrown into the Water. The King amazed at this Spectacle, put his Boar-spear or Hunting-pole among them; one of the Children's hands fastned to the Spear, and the King softly drawing back his Hand, wafted the Child to the Shore. This Boy he na∣med Lamissus, from Lama, which in their Language signified a Fish-pond. He was in the King's Court carefully brought up, where there appeared in him such Tokens of Vertue and Courage, that after the
Death of Agilmond, he was by the Lombards cho∣sen to succeed him.
In the time of the Emperour Frederick Barbarossa, Anno 1161. Beatrix the Emperour's Wife, coming to see the City of Millain in Italy, was, by the irre∣verent People, first imprisoned, and then most bar∣barously handled; for, they placed her on a Mule, with her Face towards the Tail, which she was compelled to use instead of a Bridle: and, when they had thus shewn her to all the Town, they brought her to a Gate and kicked her out. To re∣venge this Wrong, the Emperour besieged and for∣ced the Town, and adjudged all the People to die, save such as would undergo this Ransome: Between the Buttocks of a skittish Mule a bunch of Figs was fastened; and such as would live, must, with their hands bound behind, run after the Mule, till, with their Teeth, they had snatched out one or more of the Figs. This Condition, besides the hazard of many a sound Kick, was by most accepted and performed. Since which time, the Italians, when they intend to scoff or disgrace one, use to put their Thumb between two of their Fingers, and say, Ec∣co, la fico; which is counted a Disgrace answerable to our English Custom, of making Horns to that Man whom we suspect to be a Cuckold.
Giraldus Cambriensis, who wrote an History of Ire∣land, reporteth, that in his time, in the North of Eng∣land, a knot of Youngsters took a Nap in the fields. As one of them lay snorting with his Mouth gaping, as though he would have caught Flies, it happened that a Snake or Adder slipt into his Mouth, and gli∣ded down into his Belly, where harbouring it self, it began to roam up and down, and to feed on the young man's Entrails. The Patient being sore di∣stracted,
and above measure tormented with the bi∣ting pangs of this greedy Guest, incessantly prayed to God, that if it stood with his gracious Will, ei∣ther wholly to bereave him of his Life, or else of his unspeakable mercy to ease him of his Pain. The Worm would never cease from gnawing the Pati∣ent's Carcass, but when he had taken his repast; and his Meat was no sooner digested, than it would give a fresh onset in boring his Guts. Divers Remedies were sought, as Medicines, Pilgrimages to Saints, but all could not prevail. Being at length schooled by the grave Advice of some sage and expert Father, who willed him to make his speedy repair to Ireland, where neither Snake nor Adder would live. He pre∣sently thereupon would tract no time, but busked himself over Sea, and arrived in Ireland. He had no sooner drank of the Water of that Island, and eaten of the Victuals thereof, but forthwith he killed the Snake, avoided it downward, and so being lusty and lively, he returned into England.
When David Bruce was King of Scotland, in the beginning of his Reign, for the better proof of exer∣cising Justice among them that coveted to live by truth, and to have more ready occasion to punish others that meant the contrary; he commanded that Saddles and Bridles, with all other such Instruments and Stuff as pertained to Husbandry, should be left abroad both day and night without the doors: and if it chanced that any of them were stollen or taken away, the Sheriff of the Shire should either cause the same to be restored again, or else to pay for it out of his own Purse. During the time, whilst such strait punishment was executed against Offenders, it for∣tuned that a Carle of the Countrey, because he durst not steal other mens goods, stole his own Plow-Irons,
that he might have the value of them recompenced to him by the Sheriff: but such diligence was used in the search and tryal who had the Plow-Irons, that finally the truth came to light; whereupon for his crafty falshood, the Party guilty was hanged, as he had well deserved.
Heliogabalus being chosen Emperour of Rome, as∣sumed the name of Antonine. His Apparel was ex∣treme brave and gorgeous, and yet he never wore one Garment twice. His Shoos were embellished with Diamonds, and Oriental Pearls of the greatest price. His Seats were strewed with Musk and Amber. His Beds were covered with Cloth of Gold, tissued on Purple, and embossed with Gems of inestimable value. His Way was strewed with filings of Gold and Silver. His Vessels, even of basest use, were of the purest Gold. His Lamps burned with precious Balms and Gums of India and Arabia. His Fish-Ponds were filled with Rose-water. His Ships, in their Theatrical Sea-fights, floated in Rivers of Wine. His Baths, most magnificently built, when he had once used them, were pulled down, and new built. His Plate was of refined massy Gold; but never ser∣ved twice to his Table. His Rings and Jewels infi∣nitely rich, yet never worn twice. His Concubines numberless, yet never lain with twice. Every Sup∣per in his Court cost a thousand pound Sterling. When he lay near to the Sea, he would eat no Fish, when he was farthest in the Continent, he would eat no Flesh. Whole meals were furnished with Tongues of singing Birds, and Brains of the rarest Creatures. All Asia, Europe, and Africa, with the adjacent Islands; in a word, the whole Globe of Earth and Sea (whereof he was Lord Paramount) was not able to fill this Gulph. In his Progresses he was at∣tended
with six hundred Chariots, fraught with Con∣cubines, Catamites, and Panders: for whom he built a Seraglio in his Court, where himself (in the Habit of a Courtezan) used to make solemn Speeches un∣to them, terming them his brave Fellow-souldiers, and Companions in Arms. He caused to be gathered in Rome ten thousand weight of Spiders, ten thou∣sand Mice, and a thousand Pole-cats, which he ex∣hibited to the Roman Peers and People in a Publick Show and Solemnity, professing that now he perfect∣ly understood how mighty a City Rome was. Last∣ly, he summoned a Parliament of Women, to con∣sult about Tires, Fashions, Dresses, Tinctures, and the like weighty and important Affairs.
In the Province of Chamul, belonging to the Cham of Tartaria, the Inhabitants are Idolaters, have a peculiar Language, and seem to be born for no other purpose but to apply themselves to Sporting, Singing, Dancing, Writing and Reading after their fashion, playing on Instruments, and to give them∣selves to delight. When any Traveller passing by, turneth into any man's House for entertainment, the Master of the Family receiveth him with great Joy, and commandeth his Wife and all the Family, that they, as long as he will abide with them, obey him in all things. In the mean space, he departeth, not to return so long as the Guest remaineth in his House: and mean while he lieth with the Wife, Daughter, and the rest, as with his own Wives. The Women of that Countrey are beautiful, and ready to obey all those Commandments of their Husbands, who are so besotted vvith this folly, that they think it a glorious thing for them, and accep∣table to their Idols, for vvhich they prosper vvith plenty of all things. Mangu Can having heard of
this Folly, commanded them to observe this dete∣stable Custom no longer; which they did about three Years, and then seeing not their wonted Fer∣tility, and troubled with some domestical Crosses, sent Ambassadors to the Cham, and earnestly en∣treated that he would revoke so grievous an Edict, and not abolish that Tradition which they had re∣ceived from their Elders. The Cham answered, Seeing you desire your Reproach and Shame, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it be granted you; go and do herein after your wont. The Messengers returning with this Answer, brought great Joy to all the People. This Custom is ob∣served in that Country to this day.
In another Province, called Tebeth, likewise un∣der the Great Cham, they had a Custom, that no Man married a Wife who was a Virgin: for, when Travellers and Strangers, coming from other parts, pass thorough this Country, and pitch their Pavilli∣ons, the Women of that place having marriageable Daughters, bring them unto Strangers, desiring them to take them, and enjoy their Company as long as they remain there: thus the prettier are cho∣sen, and the rest return home sorrowful. And when they will depart, they are not suffered to carry any away with them, but faithfully restore them to their Parents: the Maiden also requireth some Toy or small Present of him who hath defloured her, which she may shew as an Argument and Proof of her deflouring. And she that hath been loved, and abused of most men, and shall have many such Fa∣vours and Toys to shew to her Wooers, is account∣ed more noble, and may more easily and honou∣rably be married: and when she will go gallantly attired, she hangeth all her Lovers Favours about her Neck, and the more acceptable she was to ma∣ny,
of so much the more Honour is she adjudged worthy. But, when they are once married to Hus∣bands, they are now no more suffered to be coupled with strange men: and the men of this Country are very wary that they offend not one another in this matter.
In China, such there as be imprisoned for Debt, lye there until it be paid; the Taissu, or head Officer of that place, calling him many times before him by vertue of his Office; who understanding the cause wherefore they do not pay their Debts, ap∣pointeth them a certain time to do it, within the Compass whereof, if they discharge not their Debts, being Debters indeed, then they be whipped, and condemned to perpetual Imprisonment: If the Cre∣ditors be many, and one is to be paid before ano∣ther, they do contrary to our manner, pay him first of whom they last borrowed, and so ordinarily the rest, in such sort, that the first Lenders be the last Receivers. The same order is kept in paying Legacies; the last named receiveth his Portion first.
In the same Country, all such Thieves as are ta∣ken, are carried to Prison from one place to ano∣ther, in a Chest, upon mens Shoulders, hired there∣fore by the King: the Chest is six handfuls high; the Prisoner sitteth therein upon a Bench, the Cover of the Chest is two Boards, amidst them both, a Pillory-like hole for the Prisoner's Neck; there sitteth he, with his head without the Chest, and the rest of his Body within, not able to move or to turn his Head this way or that way, nor to pluck it in; the Necessities of Nature he voideth at a hole in the bottom of the Chest; the Meat he eateth is put into his Mouth by others. There abideth he day and
night during his whole Journey: if haply his Por∣ters stumble, or the Chest do jog, or be set down carelesly, it turns to such great Pains unto him, that all such Motions are near as bad as a hanging.
The Emperours of Russia, to shew their Sove∣reignty in their Exactions for Money, have used very strange Cavillations. One of them, named Ivan Vasilowich sent into Permia for certain Loads of Cedar Wood, whereof, he knew that none grew in that Country: The Inhabitants returned answer they could find none there; whereupon, he assessed their Country in 12000 Rubbels or Marks, as if they concealed the Commodity of purpose. Again, he sent to the City of Mosko, to provide for him a Colpack or Measure full of live Fleas, for a Medicine. They returned Answer, that the thing was impossi∣ble; and if they could get them, yet they could not measure them for leaping out: whereupon, he praved, or beat out of their Skins 7000 Rubbles for a Mulct. By like Cavillation he extorted from his Nobility 30000 Rubbles, because he missed of his Game when he went a hunting for the Hare; as if their Hunting and murthering of Hares had been the cause of it.
When any Child is born, it is not baptized till the next Sunday, and if it chance that it be not baptized then, it must tarry until the second Sun∣day after the Birth; and it is lawful for them to take as many God-fathers and God-mothers as they will; the more the better.
When they go to the Church, the Midwife go∣eth fore-most, carrying the Child, and the God-fathers
and God-mothers follow into the midst of the Church, where there is a small Table ready set, and on it an earthen Pot full of warm Water, about which the God-fathers and God-mothers with the Child settle themselves: then the Clark giveth to every one of them a small Wax-candle, burning; then cometh the Priest, and beginneth to say certain words, which the God-fathers and God-mothers must answer word for word; among which, one is, that the Child shall forsake the Devil, and as that name is pronounced, they must all spit at the word as often as it is repeated. Then he blesseth the Wa∣ter which is in the Pot, and doth breathe over it; then he taketh all the Candles which the Gossips have, and holding them all in one hand, letteth part of them drop into the Water, and then giveth eve∣ry one his Candle again; and when the Water is sanctified, he taketh the Child and holdeth it in a small Tub, and one of the God-fathers taketh the Pot with warm Water and poureth it all upon the Child's Head. After this, he anointeth the Ears and Eyes with Spittle, and maketh certain Crosses with Oyl upon the Back, Head, and Breast of the Child; then taking the Child in his Arms, carrieth it to the Images of St. Nicholas and our Lady, &c. and speak∣eth unto the Images, desiring them to take charge of the Child, that he may live, and believe as a Chri∣stian Man or Woman ought to do, with many o∣ther words. Then coming back from the Images, he taketh a pair of Shears and clippeth the young and tender hairs of the Child's head in three or four places, and then delivereth the Child; whereunto every one of the God-fathers and God-mothers lay a hand: then the Priest chargeth them, that the Child be brought up in the Faith and Fear of God
and Christ, and that it be instructed to cringe and bow to the Images, and so they make an end. Then one of the God-fathers must hang a Cross about the Neck of the Child, which he must alwayes wear.
First, when there is Love between the Parties, the Man sendeth unto the Woman a small Chest or Box, wherein is a Whip, Needels, Thred, Silk, Lin∣nen-cloth, Shears, and such like Necessaries as she shall occupy when she is a Wife, and perhaps sendeth therewithall Raisins, Figs, or some such things, gi∣ving her to understand, that if she do offend, she must be beaten with the Whip; and by the Nee∣dels, Thred, Cloth, &c. that she should apply her∣self diligently to sew, and do such things as she could best do; and by the Raisins or Fruits, he mea∣neth, if she do well, no good thing shall be with∣drawn from her, nor be too dear for her: and she sendeth unto him a Shirt, Hand-kerchiefs, or some such things of her own making.
When they are agreed, and the day of Marriage appointed when they shall go towards the Church, the Bride will in no wise consent to go out of the House, but resisteth and striveth with them that would have her out, and feigneth her self to weep; yet in the end two Women get her out, and lead her towards the Church, her Face being covered close, because of her dissimulation, that it should not be openly perceived: for she maketh a great noise, as though she were sobbing and weeping, until she come at the Church, and then her Face is uncover∣ed. The Man cometh after, among other of his Friends, and they carry with them to Church a
great Pot of Wine or Mead; then the Priest cou∣pleth them together much after our Order, one promising to love and serve the other during their Lives together, &c. which being done, they begin to drink, and first the Woman drinketh to the Man, and when he hath drank he letteth the Cup fall to the Ground, hasting immediately to tread upon it, and so doth she, and whether of them tread first upon it must have the Victory, and be Master at all times after; which commonly happeneth to the Man, for he is readiest to set his Foot upon it, because he letteth it fall himself. Then they go home again, the Womans Face being unco∣vered. The Boys in the Streets cry out, and make a noise in the mean time with very dishonest Words.
When they come home, the Wife is set at the up∣per end of the Table, and the Husband next unto her: they fall then to drinking till they be all drunk; they perchance have a Minstrel or two, and two naked men which led her from the Church, dance naked a long time before all the Company. When they are weary of drinking, the Bride and the Bridegroom get them to Bed; for it is in the Evening always when any of them is married: and when they are going to Bed, the Bride-groom put∣teth certain Money, both Gold and Silver if he have it, into one of his Boots, and then sitting down in the Chamber, crossing his Legs, then the Bride must pluck off one of his Boots, which she will, and if she happen on the Boot wherein the money is, she hath not only the money for her Labour, but is al∣so at such choice, as she need not ever, from that day forth, to pull off his Boots; but, if she miss the Boot wherein the money is, she doth not only lose
the money, but is also bound, from that day for∣wards, to pull off his Boots continually.
Then they continue in drinking and making good Chear three days following, being accompa∣nied with certain of their Friends; and during the same three days, he is called a Duke and she a Dutch∣ess, although they be very poor Persons. One common Rule is amongst them, if the Woman be not beaten with the Whip once a Week she will not be good, and therefore they look for it order∣ly; and the Women say, that if their Husbands did not beat them they should not love them. It is reported of a German Shoo-maker, who travelling into this Country, and here marrying a Widdow, used her with all Kindness that a Woman could (as he thought) desire, yet did not she seem content; at last learning where the Fault was, and that his not beating her was the cause of her Pensiveness, he took such a Vein in cudgelling her sides, that in the end the Hang-man was fain to break his Neck for his Labour.
When any Man or Woman dieth, they stretch him out, and put a new pair of Shoos on his Feet, because he hath a great Journey to go, and a Pen∣ny in his Mouth to bear his Charges by the way; then do they wind him in a Sheet as we do, but they forget not to put a Testimony in his right hand, which the Priest giveth him, to restifie to St. Nicho∣las, whom they deem to be the Porter of Heaven, that he died a Christian Man or Woman. And they put the Corse always in a Coffin of Wood, al∣though the Party be very poor: and when they go towards the Church, the Friends and Kinsmen of the
Party deceased, carry in their Hands small Wax Candles, weeping, and howling, and making much Lamentation. They that be hanged, or beheaded, or such like, have no Testimony with them; how they are received into Heaven it is a Wonder, with∣out their Pasport.
For their Priests, it is lawful to marry for the first time; but, if the first Wife die, he cannot take a second but he must lose his Priest-hood, and his Living withal: the Reason they make out of that place of St. Paul to Timothy, 1. 3, 2. not rightly un∣derstood: thinking that to be spoken of divers Wives successively that the Apostle speaketh of at one and the same time. If he will needs marry again after his first Wife is dead, he is no longer called Papa, but Rospapa, or Priest quondam. This maketh the Priests to make much of their Wives, who are accounted as the Matrons, and of best Re∣putation among the Women of the Parish.
For the Stipend of the Priest, their manner is not to pay him any tenths of Corn, or ought else; but he must stand at the Devotion of the People of his Parish, and make up the Incomes towards his Main∣tainance so well as he can, by Offerings, Shrists, Marriages, Burials, Dirges, and prayers for the Dead and the Living; (which they call Molitua) for besides their Publick Service within their Churches, their manner is, for every private Man to have a Prayer said for him by the Priest, upon any occasi∣on of Business whatsoever, whether he ride, go, sail, plough, or whatsoever he doth else; which is not framed according to the occasion of his Business,
but at Randome, being some of the ordinary and usual Church-prayers; and this is thought to be more holy and effectual, if it be repeated by the Priest's Mouth, rather than by his own. They have a Custom besides, to solemnize the Saints day that is Patron to their Church, once every Year; what time all the Neighbours of their Country and Parishes about, come in to hear Prayers said to that Saint for themselves and their Friends, and so make an Offering to the Priest for his Pains: This Offering may yield them some ten pounds a Year, more or less, as the Patron or Saint of that Church is of Credit and Estimation among them. The manner is, on this day, (which they keep Anniver∣sary for the Priest) to hire divers of his Neighbour-Priests to help him, as having more Dishes to dress for the Saint than he can well turn his hand unto. They use besides to visit their Parishioners Houses with holy Water and Perfume, commonly once a Quarter; and so having sprinkled and becensed the good Man and his Wife, with the rest of their Houshold and Houshold-stuff, they receive some Devotion, more or less, as the man is of Ability. This and the rest laid altogether, may make up for the Priest, towards his maintainance, about thirty or forty Marks a Year; whereof, he payeth the tenth part to the Bishop of the Diocess.
First, the Abbot strippeth him of all his Secular or ordinary Apparel; then he putteth upon him, next to his Skin, a white Flannel Shirt, with a long Garment over it down to the Ground, girded unto him with a broad Leather Belt. His uppermost Gar∣ment
is a Weed of Garras or Say, for colour and fa∣shion much like to the upper Weed of a Chimney-Sweeper: then is his Crown shorne a hand breadth, or more, close to the very Skin; and these, or like Words pronounced by the Abbot, whilst he clippeth his Hair: As these Hairs are clipped off, and taken from thy Head, so now we take thee, and separate thee clean from the World and worldly things, &c. This done, he anointeth his Crown with Oyl, and put∣teth on his Cool, and so taketh him in among the Fraternity. They vow perpetual Chastity, and Ab∣stinence from Flesh.