The life and adventures of Buscon the witty Spaniard.: Put into English by a person of honour. To which is added, the provident knight. By Don Francisco de Quevedo, a Spanish cavalier.

The Prosecution of the Tricks of the Knights of Industry: How they were all imprison∣ed, and Buscon clap'd up with them.

HE had hardly ended his relation of this notable Encounter, when behold in came one of our Fra∣ternity, with a good Cloak on his back, which he had exchanged for his own, made in 88. at a Billiaad-Table, where he made as if he would play; but having the Industry not to make one, he got to the place where the Cloaks lay, and bor∣rowed the best of them, leaving his own in the stead; and upon this account he always frequented bowling-Allies, and

gaming-houses. This was nothing in comparison of the next that came in, at∣tended by a number of children, all trou∣bled with one disease or other, as some with the Kings-evil, some with Tetters, others with Cankers, dis-jointed mem∣bers, hurts and the-like: That which drew such a rout after him, was his pre∣tending to cure and charm all those sick∣nesses, either by saying certain words o∣ver them, or by giving them little scrowls of Paper to carry about them; by which means he pick'd up a pretty income: in case his Patient brought any thing under his Cloak, (as the Country man did the Rosting Pig to the Justice of peace) some good Capon in his basket, or chink'd his money in his Pocket, then his disease was nothing, else incurable. He made any thing pass for current amongst them; for to say the truth, he was very industri∣ous in lying, a thing so natural to him, that he could not speak truth, though it had been to save his life: He had a Pas∣port would carry him into any place, viz.

Deo Gratias, The Holy Ghost be with you; he had always with him the whole Ensignes of an Hypocrite; in his hands a great string of Beads, with a discipline under his Coat, which hanged down be∣low his knees, as if by accident, though purposely by him intended; his Coatall bloodied, but with that of the Shambles, not of his own: He would feel the Pulse and pick the Pocket; hold with the Hare and hunt with the Hound; he would make you beleeve his great hunger was but the effects of his voluntary fastings, though indeed willingly he never went to bed supper-less, but when he had no∣thing to eat: He never named the Devil, but he always added, God bless us; when he entred the Church he kiss'd the ground he never cast his eyes on any woman, nor never car'd for any of them, but how to take away their Petticoats; so artificially did he gull the people, that every one re∣commended himself to him in his Pray∣ers, which signified as much as if he had recommended himself to the Devil.

After him, in came another of the Fraternity, one Polanque, keeping a clutter for his Wallet, his great Cross, his Hermites Beard, and his Bell: His trade was to go thus accoutred at night through the streets, crying, Amend your lives, think upon your latter ends, and do good unto faithful sinners; by this device he got store of money; if in his walk he chanced to find any door open, in he went with a great deal of confidence; if he found no one within, or that they were asleep, he went not out until he had lin'd himself with some good thing or other; in case he found any one, or that they chanced to wake; he told them how he came in finding the doors open, to advise them of it, and that they had need to be careful of night-walkers; and always his Conclusion was with a Memento Mori.

I pass'd one Moneth in observing the many ways of stealing, which were practiced in our society, and at last, I related unto them the passage of my gold

beads, of which I had gull'd my two La∣dies of pleasure; they highly extolled my Industrie, and concluded the old wo∣man should have them to be sold, and the money brought into the publique Tre∣sure. At any time when she had any such like things to sell; she used to go from house to house, saying she was a poor necessitous woman, forc'd to fell her goods, one thing after another, to buy her bread; when she had hapned upon any compassionate people, as some such there are, she brought home her own toyes as she said, and some of their Alms. She would weep at every word, and cros∣sing her hands would sob and sigh like a child; she wore a frock of grey course freeze, which she had stolen from an Her∣mite, with which, and her other industries she used to cheat charitable people, and and sometimes to good purpose. This right venerable and no less Reverend old woman, was grand Protectress of our Order and chief Treasuress of our raggs. But upon a certain day as the Devil (who

is never idle in such things as concern his good subjects) would have it, our good woman going to sell an old Suit, and some other things, fell upon one who knew amongst the rest, somewhat which once belonged unto himself; Presently he got a Constable, and layd her up; she was no sooner in custody, but she con∣fessed all, and impeached our whole Or∣der; whereupon we were secured, and guarded to Prison, from which all our In∣dustry could not redeem us.