The Second part of The Nights Search Discovering The Condition of the various Fowles of Night. Or, The second great Mystery of Iniquity exactly revealed: With the Projects of these Times. In a Poem, By Humphrey Mill |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| 10. |
Sect. 10. |
| 11. |
| 12. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XV. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
 | XX. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
 | The Second part of The Nights Search |  |
64
Sect. 10.
A Cell of Sharks, the Tutor made,
A falcity, doggs learne his Trade,
He bayts his snares with Rings and Glasse,
To catch the weake, his words shall passe,
To Cheate the Doblt, his strange decipts
An other finding newer baites,
He spies his times, hides ill with Lies,
And rides the Circuit of the Size.
A falcity, doggs learne his Trade,
He bayts his snares with Rings and Glasse,
To catch the weake, his words shall passe,
To Cheate the Doblt, his strange decipts
An other finding newer baites,
He spies his times, hides ill with Lies,
And rides the Circuit of the Size.
About the second Watch I saught the places
Where Sharkes did meet, the Starrs had hid their faces
The vapours were congeal'd into a cloud
With which the shades of night had made a shroud
To wrap poor mortalls in: I being in feare,
Did heare a whispering, but I knew not where.
But gaining courage guided by the sound,
I, spi'd a Cell, where cheats were under ground.
They did divide the spoyle, the lots were throwne,
All had their shares, but no man had his owne.
They brag'd, and told each other how they sped,
How some did take the prize, while others fled.
Where Sharkes did meet, the Starrs had hid their faces
The vapours were congeal'd into a cloud
With which the shades of night had made a shroud
To wrap poor mortalls in: I being in feare,
Did heare a whispering, but I knew not where.
But gaining courage guided by the sound,
I, spi'd a Cell, where cheats were under ground.
They did divide the spoyle, the lots were throwne,
All had their shares, but no man had his owne.
They brag'd, and told each other how they sped,
How some did take the prize, while others fled.
The Tutor first begins: I have to night
Mett with a booty; as I tooke my flight.
I was discover'd I began to cry.
Stop, stop the Theife; to catch him who but I?
I gave my prey unto another man;
I was discharg'd: But finde him if you can.
I have a Dog, that can convey a purse
Vnto my fellowes, what am I the worse?
If hee be tooke, I'm gone, that did the deed.
If hee be hang'd I've others of the breed,
Mett with a booty; as I tooke my flight.
I was discover'd I began to cry.
Stop, stop the Theife; to catch him who but I?
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I was discharg'd: But finde him if you can.
I have a Dog, that can convey a purse
Vnto my fellowes, what am I the worse?
If hee be tooke, I'm gone, that did the deed.
If hee be hang'd I've others of the breed,
I raise a tumult as I walke abroad,
To help my Friends. I'm partner with a Bawd.
Ther's not a tearme, but I doe understand
Where Gamesters lye; with some new slite of hand
I get their gold, new plotts I doe devise,
To gull the world I baite'em fresh with lies.
To cast a Coular'd chaine, a ring of brasse,
An empty purse, or Braceletts made with glasse,
To catch a Country-man; or draw him in
To pick his purse, perswade him we are kin:
To name his Neighbours, or to give a slip
Before to make him fall, while others nip
His purse away, to cut a Cloak-bagg downe,
These trickes are stale; and common in the towne.
I borrow money, other men are bound,
I give my name in wrong: nor am I found
When 'tis to bee repai'd: and those agen
Take names of worth, but they are not the men.
I doe procure it, they will set me free.
'Tis but to give the Scribe a treble fee.
Or any Heire, not come to his estate,
Yet would be brave; paying but twice the rate
I'le bring him one shall fit him, if he will
Morgage his Land: he payes me for my skill:
But if the Land be forfeit, then my paines
Will be rewarded with the greater gaines.
He that has no invention, is not fit
To use this Trade, 'twas Industry and wit
That made me perfect; things both old and new
May help our traffique, and uphold our crew.
But new conceits I love, pray how was he
That had the Carte, and then the Pillorie
Prais'd and belov'd? his witty projects made
Him both gentle, and master of his Trade.
Faine I would give you rules, and tell you how
To cast your plotts, but i'le say nothing now.
To help my Friends. I'm partner with a Bawd.
Ther's not a tearme, but I doe understand
Where Gamesters lye; with some new slite of hand
I get their gold, new plotts I doe devise,
To gull the world I baite'em fresh with lies.
To cast a Coular'd chaine, a ring of brasse,
An empty purse, or Braceletts made with glasse,
To catch a Country-man; or draw him in
To pick his purse, perswade him we are kin:
To name his Neighbours, or to give a slip
Before to make him fall, while others nip
His purse away, to cut a Cloak-bagg downe,
These trickes are stale; and common in the towne.
I borrow money, other men are bound,
I give my name in wrong: nor am I found
When 'tis to bee repai'd: and those agen
Take names of worth, but they are not the men.
I doe procure it, they will set me free.
'Tis but to give the Scribe a treble fee.
Or any Heire, not come to his estate,
Yet would be brave; paying but twice the rate
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Morgage his Land: he payes me for my skill:
But if the Land be forfeit, then my paines
Will be rewarded with the greater gaines.
He that has no invention, is not fit
To use this Trade, 'twas Industry and wit
That made me perfect; things both old and new
May help our traffique, and uphold our crew.
But new conceits I love, pray how was he
That had the Carte, and then the Pillorie
Prais'd and belov'd? his witty projects made
Him both gentle, and master of his Trade.
Faine I would give you rules, and tell you how
To cast your plotts, but i'le say nothing now.
Just, as hee stop't, another broke his minde:
I Walke the City round, and where I finde.
A doore left open, if it be but late,
I slinke in quick, and take a peece of plate,
Or any thing of worth: if any spie mee
I'le hide the prize, and sweare they doe belye me.
Or els to cover and prevent all feare,
I aske for such a one, or call for beere?
I tooke it for an Alehouse, if the maid
Will be familliar, I am not affraid
To trye agen, perhaps i'le be her Suitor,
To bring my ends about sh'ell be my Tutor.
If all be closse, or if there be a hatch
Where I have laid my gin, then I must watch
Walke to and fro, untill I finde the slight
To turne the wards; it is a hatefull spight
That they were e're devis'd, tha're alter'd still;
I am to seeke; I strive to learne the skill
Where they be sold, when I have found the way
Let me alone, i'le quickly take my prey.
I Walke the City round, and where I finde.
A doore left open, if it be but late,
I slinke in quick, and take a peece of plate,
Or any thing of worth: if any spie mee
I'le hide the prize, and sweare they doe belye me.
Or els to cover and prevent all feare,
I aske for such a one, or call for beere?
I tooke it for an Alehouse, if the maid
Will be familliar, I am not affraid
To trye agen, perhaps i'le be her Suitor,
To bring my ends about sh'ell be my Tutor.
If all be closse, or if there be a hatch
Where I have laid my gin, then I must watch
67
To turne the wards; it is a hatefull spight
That they were e're devis'd, tha're alter'd still;
I am to seeke; I strive to learne the skill
Where they be sold, when I have found the way
Let me alone, i'le quickly take my prey.
I change my walkes: for where I shew my face
This night; the next i'm in another a place;
Vnlesse it be full tearme: then I doe stand
To take my turne in Fleet-streete, or the strand.
I were a Livery, and what I can
That men may thinke I am a Serving-man;
I counterfeit a Letter, or a Bond,
A Justice-warrant; any thing will stand
When I am wittnes too't, if I am found
'Tis but a whip, or snip: 'twise turning round
Will weare it out; and for a single fee
I'le sweare a lye, as others will for mee.
This night; the next i'm in another a place;
Vnlesse it be full tearme: then I doe stand
To take my turne in Fleet-streete, or the strand.
I were a Livery, and what I can
That men may thinke I am a Serving-man;
I counterfeit a Letter, or a Bond,
A Justice-warrant; any thing will stand
When I am wittnes too't, if I am found
'Tis but a whip, or snip: 'twise turning round
Will weare it out; and for a single fee
I'le sweare a lye, as others will for mee.
At any meeting, revelling, or feast
I make up one, when I am neatly dreast
Who will distrust me? then I take my time
To snap a bone, as perfect in the crime.
I goe to Church; if there I doe but spye
A man that on the Preacher hath his eye,
I'le seeme as strict as hee; and with a grace
I'le shake my head and looke upon his face,
Till I have got his purse, or cut his cloake,
Then looke on still: I care not what is spoke.
I make up one, when I am neatly dreast
Who will distrust me? then I take my time
To snap a bone, as perfect in the crime.
I goe to Church; if there I doe but spye
A man that on the Preacher hath his eye,
I'le seeme as strict as hee; and with a grace
I'le shake my head and looke upon his face,
Till I have got his purse, or cut his cloake,
Then looke on still: I care not what is spoke.
68
Nay, more, I ride the circuit, cheat and steale
Before the Judge: I see him every meale,
And taste his fare: and yet I scapt' till now:
I keepe a Whoore or two; can tell you how
I spend my meanes. Come, rise, let us dispatch
To quitt this place: for yonder comes the Watch.
I would have told you more; but now I must
Commit my skill and secrets to your trust.
Before the Judge: I see him every meale,
And taste his fare: and yet I scapt' till now:
I keepe a Whoore or two; can tell you how
I spend my meanes. Come, rise, let us dispatch
To quitt this place: for yonder comes the Watch.
I would have told you more; but now I must
Commit my skill and secrets to your trust.
As doth the snake in Summer first begin
To shift his hole, and then to change his skin;
So, doe those Vermine, when the light appeares
Change place and skin: their necks, backs, nose, or eares
Will beare the brunt on't, they'l be made a prey,
Sweepe down the Cobwebs, th' Spiders creepe away.
Those noysome flies that on the dunghills feed,
And buz about, though now they are agreed
To read to one an other, yet they'l finde
The meat they feed upon, will make'm blind.
They lay the Sceane above ground: but they make
The Vult et exit in th' infernall Lake.
To shift his hole, and then to change his skin;
So, doe those Vermine, when the light appeares
Change place and skin: their necks, backs, nose, or eares
Will beare the brunt on't, they'l be made a prey,
Sweepe down the Cobwebs, th' Spiders creepe away.
Those noysome flies that on the dunghills feed,
And buz about, though now they are agreed
To read to one an other, yet they'l finde
The meat they feed upon, will make'm blind.
They lay the Sceane above ground: but they make
The Vult et exit in th' infernall Lake.
They crawle together, growing still more vilde,
If one repenting dies, their plots are spoil'd.
Humanitie with them is out of date,
All Right and Justice, till it be to late.
They praise themselves for sin: what art from Hell
They can but learne (till there they come to dwell)
Shall be prefer'd, but ah! how soone they slide
Downe to their mourning shade! who can abide
To reckon up their woes? such cheating slaves
Are brought full soone to their unwelcome Graves.
If one repenting dies, their plots are spoil'd.
Humanitie with them is out of date,
All Right and Justice, till it be to late.
They praise themselves for sin: what art from Hell
They can but learne (till there they come to dwell)
Shall be prefer'd, but ah! how soone they slide
Downe to their mourning shade! who can abide
69
Are brought full soone to their unwelcome Graves.
Who can rehearse the miserie that they
Doe meet withall towards Hell? when all the way
Is full of snares and feares, which will undoe
Their Mirth at best: it's joyn'd with torments too.
Doe meet withall towards Hell? when all the way
Is full of snares and feares, which will undoe
Their Mirth at best: it's joyn'd with torments too.
A serious looke, the shaking of a hand,
A Dogge that barkes, or any thing will stand
To let in shame upon them, all they get,
Or makes them lasting Gins, or weaves a Net
To keepe them for the triall: when they must
Be sent from whence they came; from thence to Dust.
And as at first, when cheating they begun,
They lov'd the darkest shade, and loath'd the Sun;
Now darknesse is their portion: where Death have
Tooke all their cheats to purchase them a Grave.
A Dogge that barkes, or any thing will stand
To let in shame upon them, all they get,
Or makes them lasting Gins, or weaves a Net
To keepe them for the triall: when they must
Be sent from whence they came; from thence to Dust.
And as at first, when cheating they begun,
They lov'd the darkest shade, and loath'd the Sun;
Now darknesse is their portion: where Death have
Tooke all their cheats to purchase them a Grave.
Poore Sotts! that were bewitch't! you did but finde
A smacke of Hell: what follow'd on behind
You could not see till now. Oh let my Quill
Display, not teach, nor countenance such ill!
Oh, that my Muse could shew what horrid state
Hell meetes with sin and death! Then sinners fate
In mournfull measures would be ever sung
By all that love the Muses; every tongue
Would move in order. But my slender quill
Sutes with my Muse, compared with my skill.
Vile sinners are in life and death distrest
Read but this Epitaph then take your rest.
A smacke of Hell: what follow'd on behind
You could not see till now. Oh let my Quill
Display, not teach, nor countenance such ill!
Oh, that my Muse could shew what horrid state
Hell meetes with sin and death! Then sinners fate
In mournfull measures would be ever sung
By all that love the Muses; every tongue
Would move in order. But my slender quill
Sutes with my Muse, compared with my skill.
Vile sinners are in life and death distrest
Read but this Epitaph then take your rest.
70
The Epitaph.
Two Sharkes being dead, alive did feare no weatherThey pawn'd themselves or any ill they'd doe:
The Hangman put'm in a hole together:
Their hopes are earth, now they are private too.
Beware of Theft, 'twill raise a horrid blast.
These sherking Rogues did cheat themselves at last.
| The Second part of The Nights Search | |