CHAP. 1.
Of the Birth, Parentage and Education of the Knight of Fond Love.
IN the Reign of Oliver, Protector of England, there dwelt in the famous City of London, the chief Me∣tropolis thereof, a Gentleman, who being well skilled in the Art of Physick, first got Practice, then a Wife, and then Children.
His name was Crispe: some say, Of the ancient Family of Crispus Salustius; though Antiquity hath quite worn away Salust, and left one Crispe behinde.
Among the rest of his Issue, he had thrée sons; the elder christened Toby, the younger ycleped Samuel, and the young∣est sirnamed Rowland.
It is reported, that the Mother, while she was with child of these two striplings, dreamt that she brought forth two lumps of Chalk, and a pound of Pomecitron: upon which she went to an Astrologer, who did thereupon portend the swéetness of the young mens dispositions, and that they should be long'd after, by young Virgins.
All these, as they grew up, grew straight and proper; and for their Faces, they séem'd, if they pleas'd, made to save charges; for they were so good, they néeded no Bands. Their Page [unnumbered] Father was not forgetful in their younger years to instil in∣to them she wholesome Precepts contained in the Psalter, Primer and Hornbook, as well for instruction, as to make them capable of reading their Mother Language. But as they grew in years, higher Designes crept into their pates; and they resolved to enrich themselves with such accomplish∣ments as should make them eminent. Prudently therefore considering at what mark to aim, in the first place, they re∣ject Natural Philosophy, as too serious; they spurn away the Mathematicks, as too hard a Science for their tender capa∣cities; they kick away Law, calling the Terme thereof, Conjuring. Being thus in a déep Debate, quoth Toby to Samuel:
As I am elder then you, so I may perhaps speak as wisely as you: 'Tis true, I am a Merchant, yet I have idle time e∣nough to spare, and can follow any other handsome imploy∣ment, to waste leisure-hours: Some men follow drinking; but I cannot maintain quarrels, and therefore I like it not. Some follow gaming; but there's mischief and danger in that, too, especially if a man question the Dice; so that I abjure it. Therefore I am of opinion, that there is no Art so suitable to our Dispositions, as the Art of Love; 'Tis a fine Calling, and a civil: for, Ladies, Brothers, will not only not fight, but love; and doubtless love us, being proper and handsome: Besides, Brother, as I take it, there is a Duty lying upon young men, to serve and wait upon young Ladies and Gentlewomen.
Toby having ended this Spéech, Samuel shouted for joy, saying to his Brother, that he was wiser then Solomon, and had more discretion then his Namesake, who was Iudge of Israel: But Brother, two heads are better then one; and therefore, as you have begun the invention, you shall sée how bravely I will contride the rest: For you must know, Bro∣ther, that before we can practise this Art, to wait upon La∣dies, as we should do, we must be knighted, and assume unto our selves certain Titles, after we have studied those things which are most requisite to accomplish us. Thus was St. George knighted before he could conquer the Dragon, for the Page [unnumbered] Kings Daughters sake, and was called, The Knight of the Red Cross. So likewise, the Grocers Apprentice, before he could be fit to wait on his Mistrusses daughter, was knigh∣ted, and called, The Knight of the Burning Pestle. First, therefore, let us learn to dance, then let us read the several Books and Treatises that may better our complemental Language, and then I shall not question but to find out some person or other, who may give us our Order.
