Poor Robin's jests: or, The compleat jester Being a collection of several jests not heretofore published. Now newly composed and written by that well-known gentleman, Poor Robin, knight of the burnt island, and well-willer to the mathematicks. Together with the true and lively effigies of the said author. Licensed Feb. 2. 1666. Roger L'Estrange.

A tale of a pack of Cards.

A Precise Gentleman kept a Serva•• that was a great player at Cards, wh•• was complained thereof to his Master by one of his fellow-Servants. The Gentle∣man, who would not endure such wicked∣ness as he thought to raign in his Family, had his man in examination, charging hi•• very deeply for a great Gamester: Sir, said the Servant, I am so far from being a player at Cards, that I know not what a pair of Cards means. No, said the Gentleman to the tell-tale, did not you say he was a great player at Cards? Yes and please your Wor∣ship, quoth he, he is so, and so addicted to them, that he seldom goes without a pair in his pocket. Upon these words the Gentle∣man commanded his pockets to be search∣ed, wherein was a pair found indeed. What is this? said the Gentleman, did not you say you knew not Cards? then pray what things are these? O that, quoth the man, is my Almanack, which I carry con∣tinually about with me. Pray, said the Gentleman, make it appear how these Cards can be an Almanack. Why thu•• Sir, said the man; there are in these thing•• you call Cards, as many suits as there are

••••y! for Heavens sake! It is I, It is I, our di∣••tressed Sister, and unfortunate Journey-man Ri∣chard, who innocently sporting together, have most unhappily Twined our selve•• in this manner; out of which it is impossible for us to get free, without some Assistance from your helping hand: Therfore, I beseech you as a tender Brother, have some Compassion for your miserable Sister, and her unhappy Companion, in the Condition we are now in, and our utmost Endeavours shall be, for the future, to retaliate your kindness in the highest manner we shall be ever capable of perfor∣ming, (the Fellow groaning and sighing all the while, not speaking one Word for himself, but expecting to be sent immediately into another World, for the affront put upon his Master, in being so over familiar with his Sister) her Bro∣ther starting to hear his Sister's Voice fancy'd himself to be in a Dream▪ by reason of some Fa∣miliarity that had passed between them, at other times; but her repeated Importunities and crying out, soon convinc'd him of the reality of what he before had but barely imagin'd. And considering withal, what an Odium their Family would un∣dergo, first turn'd his Sister upon the Man, re∣solving to pin them both to the Ground with his Spit, and was just ready to pierce it through their Bodies, had not another of the Family, who perceived now the worst of the danger, fortunate∣ly ••topping his hand: prevented the fatal stroak, and interceded for their Pardon. The Brother at first could not easily be appeased, but his Passion a∣bating, and considering the best way would be, to keep it as private as they could from the Ears of their Neighbours, he promised to unloose them: but with this proviso, That they should tye them∣selves faster together by a Matrimonial Conjunct∣ion, and by that means prevent the Scandal which unavoidably would be brought upon their Family.

To this they very joyfully consented, and loving∣ly Kissing on the Ground, swore Constancy and Fidelity to each other, and in a few days after, were marry'd and liv'd very happily together.