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.

Mr. Beaumont and Mr. Fletcher.

MR. Beaumont and Mr. Fletcher those Gemini of Wit and Learning, being about to make the Play called, The Maids Tragedy: whiles it was yet in the Embryo, they being walking in the fields contriving their design, of which one part was concern∣ing murdering a King, one saying he would have him stabb'd, the other poysoned; A Country fellow who undiscerned heard their discourse, concluding it no less then high Treason that they were about, fol∣lowed them to the next Town, and ob∣serving the Tavern whither they went to drink, hyed him to the Constable, who taking a strong Guard along with him, apprehended the two Gentlemen; but be∣ing had before a Justice of the Peace, they making the truth of the matter appear, were soon dismist; when returning to the Ta∣vern, they had great store of mirth to see their Tragedy to have such a Comical beginning.

THe same Play being to be acted in the time of the Rump-Parliament; in that part thereof where a Lady was to be sworn to secresie concerning the murther of the

King asoresaid; some being of Opinion to binde her to it one way, and some another: A Gentleman Spectator hearing the Con∣troversie, bid them to give her the Covenant, and he would warrant them that would do it.