University of Virginia Library

A Politique Theefe.

Amongst free-booters by the hye way side,
Such as mens pursses wofully misguie,
Vnto some Inne the owner neuer ment,
To be beyond a Lordships lowance spent,
A Gentileman that could dispend by yeare,
Fiue hundred pounds (when purchase came in cleere)
Whose liuing onely made him to repine,
Because the Hangman was to haue a fine,
At Burstow-causie, Gads-hill, and Coome-parke,
Had taken vp about some hundred-marke,
With which to London he was forced to flye,
And get him cleere of fearefall Hue and Crye,
Meeting with one iust of his owne dispose,
With him he plotted to escape his foes,
And tould him in what tearmes his case did stand,
What extreame danger eminent at hand,
But (saith he) if thou wilt afforde consent,
My policy their purpose shall preuent.
I'le frame a bill that I am in thy debt,
And to the same an Ante-date will set,
Thou shalt arrest me, I'le to prison go,
And they may search vntill their hearts ake so,
No man will looke for me in that same place,
T'will be my castle for some three monthes space,
while they search Tauerne, rifle victualing-house
There I secure will drinke a healths carouse,
This was agreed vnto, the bill was made,
Purse-taker was arrested, there he staide,
Vntill no further danger did appeare,
Then with his creditor the debt did cleere,
And being discharg'd, they to a Tauerne went,
Quoth plotter, here's an angel to be spent
Onely in kindnes prethy back restore,
VVhat J haue paid in iest, six angels more
The other wisht God might his soule confound,
If he paid back a penny of that three pound,
I sau'd thy life (quoth he) and will be paide,
Although the plot thereof by thee was laide
Th'effecting it by me thou didst obtaine,
Nay, I haue venterd hanging for my paine,
And dost thou thinke ten shillings spent in wine,
Sufficient pay for this good turne of mine?
My staying here in towne to pleasure thee,
Is many a purse out of the way to me,
Had bin mine owne as sure as this is plate:
Drinke, no more words, a penny I'le not bate.
Quoth tother, wilt not? and his poniard drew,
Stabs at him, saying, villaine thou shalt rue
This cheating of a better man then thou:
Saies t'other, th'art an arrant theefe I vow,
Drawing his dagger, wounding him againe.
With that, house-guests prest in amaine,
And vnderstanding how their quarrell grew,
The robbery, and plot that did ensew,
The falling out for challenging three pound,
They present were for new-gate voyage bound,
From thence vp Holborne-hill they were conuaid
And so at Tiburne all their quarrell staid.