The first part of youths errors. Written by Thomas Bushel, the superlatiue prodigall

To the Right Worshipfull, his indeered Friend, Sir Matthew Gary.

WOrthy Sir, knowing you to be of a Noble, free, af∣fable disposition, makes me to feare some Parasite might worke an impression vpon the goodnesse of your nature, where∣in I haue presumed to bequeath these experimentall lines, as an Antidote to preserue you from the assault of familiar Flatterers; For when my selfe was entring into af∣fectation of popular applause, I

chose mee an old stagger of the times, as a bosome friend to dis∣close my secret thoughts, accor∣ding to the course of the world; but hauing made knowne my fan∣tasticall humor, hee seem'd to bee so much delighted in my vaine glorious speech, as perswaded me they were but tricks of youth, and sutable to others, which soone kindled the fire of my affection in∣to the flame of Prodigalitie: for of my selfe I was prone by nature, but being back't proued a mastiue curre; yet after the period of one yeeres experience, I assur'd him I much doubted, that my soule and bodie must answere for my con∣tinuall pr••de, bribing, drinking, and wenching; desiring his opi∣nion,

whether it were not better to leaue off seruice, by reason cu∣stome had wrought such a priui∣ledge that I should hardly bee re∣cal'd, liuing among so many that were addicted to the same follies; and that my selfe spent more idle∣ly, then I got lewdly; but his re∣ply to mee was like some insinua∣ting Statesman, that applaudes his Souereigne whatsoeuer hee sayes, be it right or wrong; not for that their Iudgements are weake, but by reason their hopes, fortunes, and greatnesse depends vpon the frowne or fauour of them. Euen so, this Sycophant, in expectation of pettie curtesies, gaue way to what my fantasticke humour de∣sired; guilding ouer the foulenesse

of my vices, with those pleasing delights; that my pride was but fit for the place, and equall to my fellowes; For drinking, it was but according to my betters, and ex∣pected from others; for my bri∣bing they were but gratuities pra∣ctised by my predecessours, and as for my wenching, they were only errours of youth bred by nature, and subiect to all men. But touching my reuolt from seruice, by no meanes hee would not con∣sent, alleadging I might profit my selfe, pleasure my friends, and help the distressed. Thus did this cock∣atrising Matchauill sooth mee vp in all my loathsome pleasures, till at last I told him I was credibly enformed that the world laugh't

at me; who presently replyed, It was but the liuery shee gaue to all men, intimating, if I would but continue one yeere more, my selfe should so much goe beyond the spungie braine of common know∣ledge, that humanitie would dis∣solue their crueltie into curtesie, alleaging it were Romane like to spurne at the frowne of fortune, and in sleighting the calumnious tongues of men, I was more then heroicall: Which eleuated my weather-cocke disposition into laughter and action, vntill, I had both equal'd the dog to his vomit, and ruinated mine owne soule. Wherein, Christ knowes, I now daily wish the plagues of Egypt had been my delights, rather then

he my associate, or those my cōm∣panions. For I call God to witnes, I would cancell the debt I owe to nature, but to call in the errours of my former follies. O then, sweet Sir! let the infortunate spectacle of your friend, preuent the danger in your selfe, and beware of these smooth factors for the Deuill, whose inchanting wordes I feare doeth hazard more young mens soules, then the originall sinne of nature: Hoping my late repen∣tance will extract a timely refor∣mation, if you finde cause by the faithfull friend your owne consci∣ence.