More Knaues yet? :: :: University of Virginia Library

How can a man refraine but he must laugh,
To see old birds deceiu'd and caught with chaffe?
This age hath beene by such experience taught,
A man would thinke no Conie could be caught.
VVho will be drawne at Dice and Cards to play,
VVith one he meets as stranger on the way,
And be fetch'd in for all that's in his purse,
Except some franticke madman, foole, or worse?
I pitty not such asses, I haue knowne
To borrow mony when th'aue lost their owne,

To feed a cheater in his rogish play,
Yea from their backs haue pawn'd their cloaks away,
Such rather ought with shame to be derided,
That of their wits haue been so ill prouided,
Nor such as will in secret (like close Foxes)
Be guld with these same gold and counter boxes,
Made both as like in fashion and in show,
As those are like to fooles, are cousned so.
For when they thinke they haue good gold in pawne,
On which some twentie pounds away is drawne,
Viewing the lyning of the box within,
They find but copper Counters, lead, or tinne.
But roome for one that thinkes his art far better,
The deuils secretarie with his letter,
And tels you he is sent from such a friend,
For certaine mony he entreats you lend,
And for assurance, shews the parties hand,
Whereby his meaning you may vnderstand.
Or with acquittance, else to you he's sent
From such a Lord or Lady, for some rent,
Hauing their hands so cunning counterfait,
Many are wronged with most false deceit.
But Plutoe's pen-man you did late mistake
The deuils errand for your Maisters sake,

To bring a letter in a Maltmans name
Vnto a Brewer, twenty pounds to claime.
Such customers they neuer will abide,
The deuils Malt is filthy ouer-dride:
It stincks of Brimstone, bad for beere and ale,
As you by this time stincke in Newgate Iayle.
Where we will leaue you till the Cart do call,
To ride vp Holborne to the Hangmans Hall,
To be made free, after some howers swing,
To cheate, to cosen, to doe any thing.