The honour of the gentle-craft expressed in three stories: the first o[f] Hugh and fair Winifred. The second of Crispin and Crispiannus. The third of Sir Symon Eyre; wh[o] all professed the gentle-craft, and were shoo-makers. Newly written. With pleasant new sings to be sung on Crispianus nigh[t.]

Of Saint Winifreds Well.

FAir Winifred a Virgin was, Who from the Brittains came, Being Daughter to Donwallo, who In Flint-shire then did raigne.

All offers she of love refus'd, And to her prayers did return; And like a taper of Virgins wax, With holy flames did burn.

And as she liv'd, so did she dye. As fame, report, doth tell. By that same spring which yet is cal'd, Saint Winifreds fair Well.

Which of her holy virgin life, Doth still these tokens show: The spring is clear, the Mosse is sweet That round about doth grow.

Chap. 1.

Of Sir Hughes love to Winifred; Who suffered death like lovers true: The reason of the Gentle-Craft, And S. Hughes bones you here may view.

WHen Cupid with his golden bow Had shot Sir Hugh unto the heart, Then he a lovers griefe did know, For wounds of love doe inward smart; But that which did increase his pain, Was fair Winifreds disdain.

For often times he sought her love, And by fairest meanes assaid, If that her fansy he might move, Who was resolv'd to live a maid, To gain her love Sir Hugh did try, But Winifred did still deny.

Who having but some years before, Receiv'd the Christian faith of late: Her former sinnes she did deplore, Forsaking all her fathers state. And to her heades and prayers fell, Living by a Springing well.

Which when once Hugh did hear, Vnto the well he did repair, And found his Winifred fiting there Like an angel bright and fair: Whom with these words he did salute, And thus began to urge his suite.

All health to fairest Winifred, Have pity on me dearest love, Restore my joyes which now are fled: And of my service now approve, Let me not dye thus unregarded, Love with love should be rewarded.

But Winifred with angry look, From chiding him could scarse refrain, And having in her hand a book, She mildly thus reply'd again: Sir Hugh, leave off to seek my love, Which I have plac'd on things above,

And take this answer once for all With this sir Hugh to weep began, And like a living funeral, He went from thence both pale and wan, And being full of grief and woe, Vnto the Sea resolves to go.

And quickly he arriv'd in France, Where traviling on to Italy, Fair Ladies did begin to glance Vpon sir Hugh with wonton eye. But yet he thought their Beauty rare, Could not with Winifred compare.

And when to Venice once he came, The Curtezans much love did shew, To raise in him an amorous flame, But they in vain the fire did blow: For fitting like a male-content, On Winifred his thoughts he bent.

Nor could they win him by their art, Which onely brought into his mind, The love of her to whom his heart, Like to a prisoner was confin'd, For still these flames did freshly burn, Which made him back again return.

And being now for England bound, The Ship did sail with gentle winds, Till by and by they quickly found, That raging Neptune was inclin'd To cast the Ship and all away: Which made sir Hugh devoutly pray:

And at the last his prayers were heard, For now the day began to clear: And Englands chaulky shore appeared, So that the Ship did anchor there, And here sir Hugh did come to shore, At Harwich very weake and poore.

For all his money being gone, You may suppose his heart was sad: And to himself he made great moane Vntil he met a merry lad: Who was a Shoo-maker by trade, Who bid him not to be dismade

With him sir Hugh had soone agreed. Into the Country for to goe, That he might supply his need, For he was loath himself to show, Or in his tattered cloaths appeare, Vnto his Winifred so deare.

Who now in Prison did remaine. For Dioclesian in those dayes, Did like a cruell tyrant raigne, And sought by divers bloody wayes, The Christian faith how to suppress: Which faire Winifred did professe.

Which when once sir Hugh did heare, That with a shoo-maker then wrought He tooke his wages for that year, And therewithal new cloathes he bought: And so to Flint-shire back he went, Where Winifred was resident.

Where being come he heard by fame, How Winifred inprisoned was: And cause he did extoll by name, Her Virgin faith which did surpasse: Sir Hugh with this beautious Maid, In a Prison strong was laid.

And condemned was to dye, With Winifred to suffer death. Who both did shew much constancy, Meaning to resign their breath, Like loving Martyrs, that their love, Might be crowned in heaven above

And while these faithful Lovers lay, In the Prison both together: The Shoo-makers came every day, And in kindness did present, Yeelding them so grear reliefe, As did much asswage their griefe.

The Shoo-makers most faithfully, Did come unto him in distress, And while he did in prison lye, Much kindness to him did profess. Thus the Shoo-makers were true And faithful ever to Sir Hugh.

Who their kindness to require, Gentlemen did name them all, And their trade, to do them right, The Gentle-Craft he then did call, And in this song before his end, The Shoo makers he did commend.

THe Shoo-makers I needs must praise, Who ready were at all assayes, To help me at my want and need, Such friends are true friends indeed.

For when I was most cast down, And fortune seem'd on me to frown. The Gentle-craft I took in hand, And thereby I my living gain'd.

Our shooes we sowed, and merry were, Our Land lords rent we did not fear. And now to raise the Shoo-makers fame, The Gentle-Craft I will it name.

ANd this same title they keep still, Which unto them sir Hugh then gave, And ever mor•• continue will: For in their mi•••• they did engrave The memory of good sir Hugh: Who to the trade much love did flew.

But now the dismal day was come, That Winifred and sir Hugh must dye: Who like the Lambs receiv'd their doom. The Tyrants thirst to satisfie. And so unto that spring they came, Which retaineth still her name:

There a Scaffold raised was, On which these prisoners mounted were: She in beauty did surpass, He with a countenance most clear, No thine could their hearts dismay: It seem'd to them a marriage day.

Kindly then they did embrace. Being full of chaste desires, Fear could never them deface, While their love to heaven aspires, And having so with earth made even. They kist in hopes to meet in heaven.

Then Winifred her love to show, Desired thot she first might dye: And did desire her freind sir Hu••h, To learn of her true consta••••y, And learne how to resign his breath, Who like a Lamb there bled to death.

Tyrant, saith she, I sacrifice My blood to wash away my sins, And I see even with these eyes, When life doth end then joy begins; With that she began to faint, And as She liv'd dy'd like a Saint,

And all the while that she did bleed, Her blood in basons they did keep: And with it poyson with all speed, Was mixt to bring eternal sleep, Vnto sir Hugh who there did dye, Like to a Martyr constantly.

And greedily he drank a cup Of Winifreds sweete crimson blood: And then another he drank up, Vntil he reeld whereas he stood: For now the poyson did enflame, And cruelly burn in each vaine.

Thou cruel tyrant, then sayes he, To Winifred I sacrifice My life by thy soul cruelty: And with those words he forthwith dies, And now they are called being dead, Saint Hugh and Saint Winifred,

But Saint Hughes body did remain, Hanging up even in that place, Which the Shoo-makers did claime. And finding him in so bare a case, The Shoo-makers without delay, Did steale Saint Hughes bones away

And all of them to shew their love, They and Saint Hugh while he did live, His bones from thence they did remove Which he to them before did give: And their tooles they for his sake, Of Saint Hughes bones did make.

And now when they do go abroad, Into the Countrey to and fro, They travel with a litte load, For S. Hughes bones must with them go, And if you would their numbers know, Read these verses here below.

A drawer, a dresser, two Wedges, and a heel-block Squar'd like a Dye, whereon we may knock, A hand-leather, & thumb-leather, to pull out shoo-thred: Of needle and thimble we must too be sped, The pincers, the pricking aule, and rubbing stone, The aule, steele, and tackes, and sow-haires well grovvn, The Whetstone, stopping stick, and paring knife Do all belong to a Journey mans life, And in our apron, made of Lambs leather, We shrovvd S. Hughes bones from all vveather.

Now he a forfeiture doth pay, That cannot reckon his tooles in rime: Sir Hughes bones unto this day, The Shoo-makers do still enshrine In their aprons thereby to shew Their faithfull love unto sir Hugh.

Chap. 2.

How the Emperours daughter Ursula, with Crispine fell in love, And were married by a Fryer: and how the Emperour at last Did of her choyce approve? and granted their desire And how the Shoo-makers with delight, do sing on Chrispianus night.

WHen Maximinus ruled here, Then Crispine and his brother Young Crispianus counsel'd were By their most tender mother, To travel forth into the Land, That they might scape the Tyrants hand,

So being from their Mother gone, The two young Princes went together, Like two pretty Lambs alone, Straying on they knew not whethet: Vntil at last by chance they came, Vnto a Town cal'd Feversham.

But as they travel'd on the way, Being now come unto the Town: Some Shoemakers by peepe of day Vnto their work were now set down, Who merrily did sit and sing, As their work they did begin.

These brothers knocked at the doore, And for a service they did ask: Telling them they were true but poor For povertie is like a mask. Which did their princely beauty hide, Or else they would have been discryde.

The Shoo-maker both and his wife, Did like the pretty boyes right well: And ask'd them of their former life, While they a fained tale did tell: But at the last short work to make, They for their servants did them take.

Thus they unto their work did frame, And pleased their Master so, That he these brothers did maintaine, That they no want did know. Who in a little time did learn, The trade, and did their living earne.

And now their masters fame was spread, His Shooes was sent for farre and neere: And t'was reported that he bred His Iourney-men with love and feare: So that he did often use, Vnto the Court to send his Shooes.

It hapened that young Crispine came, To bring some shooes unto the Court: Where the Emperors daughter soon became In love with him in earnest sort: For Cupid with a powerful shaft. Did mean to grace the Gentle-craft.

And having wounded thus her brest, Fair Ursula did now begin, ••o be with pangs of love opprest: But yet she knew not how to winne Crispine to her hearts desire, Who durst not to her Love aspire.

Yet love did make her now grow bold, And when he came with shooes again Her love to him she did unfold: Which quickly did his heart enflame, Yet at the first he was amaz'd, While he on her beauty gaz'd.

But yet at last he thus reply'd, Madam, stuce you are inclin'd, To make your self poor Crispines bride I shall be glad to please your minde; And here my faith to you I bow: If my service you allow.

This being said they both agreed, That they should meet within the parke, Where a blind Fryer with all speed, Should marry them in the darke The Fryer this knot had quickly tide, Thus Uusula was Crispines bride.

And so the Fryer they did dismiss And royally they did him pay: That the poor Fryer he did wish All joy unto their wedding day, And that they might be a happy pair, Free from sad annoy and care.

But now the place did them invite, Being in the Park thus met, For to tast of loves delight: And while they were together set, Vpon her Virgin wax he seal'd The band of Love, which time reveal'd.

But now these lovers parted were, Fair Ursula was pleased well: But Crispine comming home did hear The Iourney-men begin to tell: How Crispianus was lately prest, To be a Souldier with the rest,

For Maximinus hath sent to France, An army of stout men and tall, In war to try their doubtfull chance, Against the Persian General, Who meeting bravely in the field. Both sides scorned much to yeeld,

How Crispianus get much fame, And when the Prince of Gaules did fight, With brave Iphricrates by name, Who rescu'd him there in their fight, And by his valour bore away, All the glory of the day,

Thus nine moneths he abroad did spend, But when once that time expir'd, Fair Ursula did to Crispine send, To have his counsel she required: For now Ursula did feel A Timpany with a double heel.

But Crispine with his dame did plot, Entreating her for secrecy: And so at last a place they got, Where she might deliver'd be, And here the Lady was brought a bed, Who from her Fathers anger fled,

And just unto the Christning day, Come Crispianus back again, VVho long in France had been away, And there had gotten endlesse fame. Thus every thing did hit out right, To increase joy and delight.

Aftet this same day was past, Being spent in mirth and sport, Crispianus did make hast, VVith his letters to the Court, VVhich when the Emperour did view, VVith wonder he astonisht grew.

And Crispianus he did commend, Taking a jewel from his neck, VVhich he only did intend, That he himself therewith might deck: Thus it was Crispianus chance, That the wars should him advance.

But this being past and done: News was to the Emperour brought, That his daughter was newly come, For whom before they had so sought: And gave the Emperour to understand That a Shoo-maker led her by the hand,

The Emperour did them welcome make, And welcom'd Crispine too by name Bidding young Crispianus take His daughter to advance his fame. But Ursula did the same deny, And to her Father thus reply.

Crispine sayes she deserves my love, Although a Shoo-maker be seem, Of him I always will approve, And now to marry him I mean, Dear father look upon this boy, VVhich I do hope will prove your joy.

And so Crispines Dame did bring VVithin her armes the pretty child, And dandling it began to sing, VVhile that the Infant sweetly smil'd, Yet though it lookt with cheerfull eyes, The Emperour did the have dispise.

But when that once he knew, His Daughter was the Mother: And that Crispine then in view VVas Crispianus brother, The Emperour greatly did rejoyce, And confirm'd his daughters choyce.

Then there was joy and triumph great, And the story here doth say, The Shoo-makers did leave their seat, And did make it holy-day. And Poets did new masks invent, For the Emperors merriment.

And afterward still every year, Vpon that day at night, The Shoo-makers do make great cheer, With solace and delight, This day doth light still in October The Shoo-makers are then scarce sober.

The Shoo-makers song on Crispianus night.

YOu that the Gentle-craft profess, unto my song give ear, You shall the story of Crispine, and Crispianus hear.

They vvere the sons unto a King, of Logria by name, Whom Maximinus put to death and cruelly had slain.

The sons novv fearing to partake, of his sad tyranny, Were by their Mother most disguis'd who bid them for to flie.

Unto a Shoomaker they came, and entertained were: Whereby the Gentle-craft much graced did appear.

These Princes were of this same trade, who both grevv up in fame: For Crispianus went to the Wars, and Crispin to Court came.

And so it happened Ʋrsula, the Emperours daughter fair, Did fall in love with Crispine young, which bred her grief and care.

For not long after Ʋrsula with child by him did prove, Such are the fruits which always do proceed from stolen love.

But he at length by help of friends, the Emperours love did gain: And Crispianus from the vva••s, did back return with fame

Then let us all be merry here, vvith solace and delight: And drink a health unto them both, on Crispianus night.

Chap. 3.

How Sir Simon Eyre, a Shoo-maker by trade: A feast for all the Prentices, upon Shrove-Tuesday made.

OVr English Chronicles do declare A story worthy to be known Of one by name sir Simon Eyre, Who in a short time full rich was grown, His parentage mean, yet his name Liveth still in lasting fame.

This man came young out of the North, And here he was a Prentice bound, Vnto a Shoo-maker of good worth: His Master no dislike yet found, With his Prentice but all was well, And afterwards it thus befell.

Simon with other Prentices more, Vpon a Sunday morning went, As they had often done before, To eae some pudding-pyes was their intent. But when the shot came once to pay, Simon thus to them did say,

My Masters and friends here all, Of my empty purse take pitty; And I do vow if it so befall, That I am Lord Major of this City, If you my word will now but take, A breakfast for you I will make.

The other Prentices took his word, And for that time they paid the shot: But afterward it was restor'd, For he such wealth and treasure got, That in short time this Simon Eyre, VVas made Sheriff, and after Major.

His promise then he kept in mind, So that a breakfest he did make, For all the Prentices he could find, VVho kept it holiday for his sake. And that his love might be exprest, Vpon Shrobe Tuesday did them feast.

And afterward Sir Simon Eyre, Did build up Leaden-Hall: That Shoo-makers might so repair Vnto the Tanners stall. Thus for Shoo-makers he did provide, And afterwards in honour dy'd.

FINIS.