Tinker who by wearing the Ring was become invisible she fell to Jogging the other two to know what was become of the Tinker the Tinker Judged her to be mad to ask for him before his Face and therefore said what a P is the Old Jade blind she cannot see me The Old Woman hearing his voice but seeing no Body asked where are ye where are ye with that he gave her such a Box on the Ear as tumbled her down upon Ricardo whose fall awaked him out of his sleep and hearing the Tinker to Curse and Bann because his Hostess could not see him he thought he had gotten away his Ring and feâ—ling in his Pocket found it so indeed wherefore he was ready to swound away with fear but recollecting himself he called to the Tinker saying Honest Brother-give me thy Hand which the Tinker doing he nimbly slipt the Ring from off his Finger and as nimbly put it on his own whereby the Tinker again became visible but Ricardo was no where to be seen The Hostess seeing such Juggling tricks began to call out for her Money with such a loud voice as waked also the Bedlam who asking for his Master I think said she your Master is the Devil for the Tinker and he are in Dock out Nettle sometimes seen and sometimes not and here is Seven Shillings and six pence to pay and now the Young Devil is fled which I much marvel at for I think none of you both have any Crosses about ye to scare him away Whilst they were thus arguing the case Ricardo slipt away from them taking his course directly towards Billerecay where how he sped we shall declare in the next Chapter CHAP. 7. How Ricardo delivered his Letter to Jone Grumball with her Answer to it And several Explcits performed by Ricardo with his Invisible-Ring IT was at such time of the day when the Curl pate Waggoner of Heaven had well near finisht his Diurnal Course and was driving his panting Steeds down towards the Western Hill when the Renowned Squire Errant Ricardo entred into the Town of Billerecay bending his course directly towards the House of Jone Grumball to whom he delivered Sir Billy's Letter with much obsequiousness telling her such Stories of his Master's Valour his Honour of Knight-Hood and of the great affection he bore to her that her heart began to melt towards him even as a pound of Butter melts before the Sun But being she could not read her self she sent for a Journey-man Shoomaker to the further end of the Town to read it one who bore good will unto her and was at that present inditing a Letter to make her know the affection he bore her Crispin having read it over and understanding he had a Knight to his Rival was very much troubled but Jone Grumball was so well pleased with the Sugar-Candy Words he sent unto her that she vowed her self unto him both Body and Breeches asking Ricardo many questions concerning him all which he answered in such lofty Language amplifying his prowess the respects all people shewed unto him with the faithful Love he bare unto her that she was more and more entangled in the Lime-Twigs of Love vowing and protesting her self his for ever Crispin by these presages finding his Suit like to have but a cold reception to avenge himself on Ricardo by whose speeches he thought Jone's Heart was estranged from him he therefore ran to old Thomasio telling him his Son's partner in stealing away his Horses was at that instant at Jone Grumball's whom he might easily take and by that means know what was become of his Son as also of his Horses Thomasio quick as lightning taking a Constable along with him went to Jone Grumballs and seizing upon Ricardo threatned him with all the punishments he could reckon up as Hanging Burning Drowning Killing Stabbing and twenty other kinds of Death besides if he told him not where his Son and Horses were Ricardo nothing daunted at his Domineering but intending to put a trick upon him told him that his Son was become one of the greatest Lords in the World that Kings and Queens craved his Assistance and Lords and Ladies implored his help that he commonly kill'd half a dozen Gyants for his Breakfast and bathed his Sword in the Blood of Monsters and Dragons every day That his Master was at that present in the Sage Freston's Castle where the most excellent Princess Tantabilus courted his Love but that he had vowed himself only to the Service of his Beautiful Dulcina In sum that his Master was a Knight and he was his Squire and that therefore by the Laws of Knight Errantry they were not to be troubled nor molested wheresoever they came But Thomasio being minded not to be put off with such Noninoes charged the Constable to carry him before a Justice of Peace to which Ricardo willingly consented whether they immediately address'd themselves The Justice having heard the Allegations on both sides perswaded Thomasio to go along with Ricardo and see by fair means to bring his Son home again and if he were so obstinate he would not râ—turn to take away their Horses which would be a means to spoil their Knight-Errantry and that they might go the more lovingly together he called for a Bottle of Sack to drink them into Unity The Bottle was no sooner set on the Table but Ricardo vowed himself Master thereof and thereupon slipping on his Invisible-Ring he boldly steps to the Table and clapping the Bottle of Sack under his Coat marched away with it not being descerned by any The Justice and Thomasio were stricken into a wonderful Amazement to see the Bottle go away without hands as they thought but much more when they missed Ricardo And now remembring what strange stories he had told of Billy they concluded that both the Master and the Man were turned Conjurers and therefore dreaded what further mischief might by his means be shewed unto them In the mean time Ricardo was walked to Jone Grumballs with his Bottle of Sack never pulling off his Ring till he came within the House that not any one might take any Notice of him Here did he tell her what a trick he served the Justice and that therefore he must make all the hast he could to his Master Jone was very well pleased with the Jest but much more with her part she had in the Sack and having drank a Health to Billy she desired Ricardo to stay so long till she got a Letter in answer to his Master which by the School-Master of the Town was performed for her in these woâ—ds My dearest Knight WIth what Joy I Jone Grumball the Lady of thy affections received your Letter may better be 〈◊〉 by Imagination than words for hearâ—â—g of â—he ardent Love that you beare unto me set forth in such Rhetorical Elocution it fared with me as with a Beggar who on a sudden finding a rich Treasure can scarce believe his own Eyes but fears it
further increased so our affections grew more and more and arriving to those years wherein the God of Love maketh the hearts of his subjects to dote more upon a Mistress than an old man on his heaps of Gold I then began to reveal my affections unto her which found such a Friendly reception that by mutual vows and promises we contracted our selves each to other But the foul pale Hog Envy that banquetâ— her self in others miseriâ—s repining at our happiness had caused the heart of a certain Smith of our Town to be Captivated by the charming looks of mâ— Rosaro for so was my Love called who with mucâ— earnestness declared his affection unto her usinâ— many vows and protestations of the reality of hâ—â— Love but her heart was so deeply linked to mâ— that whatsoever she was was only mine she gaâ—â— him so sharp a denial that his Love converting 〈◊〉 hatred he burnt with revengful fury against her and from thenceforth waited only for an opportunity to put his designs in execution which at last he brought to pass as you see for confederating himself with a couple of Fellows the Devils Factors for all wickedness and such whom an honest Man can neither see nor speak of without a blush These having intelligence that Rosaro was to go to an Aunt of hers that liveth hard by and that I was to accompany her way laid us and having seized on us brought us to this Barn where over-powring our weak resistance and having brought cords with them for the Execution of their damn'd intents they in conclusion hanged us up as you saw Sir Billy listened very attentively to this discourse and being exceedingly moved at it he swore by the bloody Falshion of Mars that e'er Don Phoebus had run his diurnal Course three times about our Hemisphire be would take such exemplary punishment on the Smith and his perfidious Mateâ— that Babes unborn shall tremble at the narration of it Whilst he was thus speaking the Smith whose guilty Conscience feared a discovery having found out his Companions returned again with an intent to murther Sir Billy Ricardo and old Geâ—ion to prevent their giving any knowledge of him But having entred the Barn and seeing the Taylor alive whom they supposed to be dead they immediately set upon him and were as quickly set upon by Sir Billy and this being the justest cause he fought in his success was answerable thereunto for at the second stroak he cut the Smith so deep a gash on the Wrist as made him to drop his Club and quite disarmed him of any further resistance which being by the Taylor espyed he snatches up the Smiths Club and seconded by Ricardo they Jointly set upon the other two and now were many blows given and received on each side when old Gerion whose courage was still good though his strength infirm not loving to be Idle when so necessary a work was to be done being armed with a great walking staff as commonly Beggars go so guarded he gave one of the Rogues such a rap on the pate as made him to stagger and seconding it with another laid him at his Feet streaking his heels the Third party seeing this would have run for it but being surrounded by them all four he was forced to abide his fate and whilst he was defending himself against old Gerion and Ricardo who faced him with their Weapons Sir Billy being behind him gave him such a wound on the head as felled him to the earth and sent his Soul to dwell in the lower Regions there to inhabit with the damned in burning Beds of Steel Roasted in Sulpher and washt in deâ—p vast gulphs of Liquid Fire The Smith in the mean time through the loss of so much Blood as issued from his Wound was fallâ—n into a deep swound so that he seemed for the present to be inroled in the Regiment of Death but his Companion who had been knockt down by old Gerion being of a strong robustious Nature reviving again began for to bustle as if he would again try for the Victory which being perceived by Sir Billy he ran to him and with his Sword gave him such a Blow on the head as made him once more to measure his full length on the Earth and then setting his Foot on his breast and the point of his Sword to his Throat he said to him Vile Mâ—screant or rather Devil in Hose and Doublet the impostume of all corruptions and abstract of all wickedness Now will I send thy Soul to be an inhabitant in the glooming dwellings of Damâ—ed Spirits there to bathe it self in pools of Scalding Oyl and Sulpher which thou hast worthily deserved by contracting such a Load of Guilt that lies heavy on thy blood-thirsty Conscience The Murthering Villain hearing such thundring Words roared out like a Town Bull craving and crying out for Mercy when a new crotchet coming into Sir Billy's noddle he said unto him I yield thee Mercy though unworthy of it but upon condition that thou go and present thy self upon thy knees as vanquished by my Yiâ—â—orious Arm unto the Lady of my Affections the most renowned Dulcina of Billerecay and this you shall Swear to do upon my Sword I willingly yield to your conditions said the dissembling Villain and shall swear Faithfully to perform it Whereupon Sir Billy let him rise and was about to give him his Oath which the young Man perceiving and that he intended to let him go Sir said he It is not fase nor convenient so to do for this Man being a Murtherer ought according to the Law to be had before a Justice of the Peace to be by him examined and secured that he may receive the reward of his deserts Sir Biâ—ly having heard what he said with a vehement indignation replyed Thou speakest said he like one altogether ignorant of the Laws of Knight Errantry ought not the Conquerer to dispose of the Conquered as he pleases was not he suâ—dued by the Force of mâ— invincible Arm and therefore to be by me dâ—â—poseâ— of according to my own will and pleasure now since my valour whereby I conquered him came by the inspiration of my Lady Dulcina ought not she in retribution thereof to have the honour of this submission as being magnetically performed by her But this said the Taylor is so notorious a villain and his crime so Capital that being once got free he will never come near her nor ever make any submission unless he be forced to do it to the Gallows Why said Sir Billy have I not his Oath to perform it His Oath quoth the Taylor is not to be regarded for he who fears not to commit Murther will make no Conscience to forswear himself Whilst they were thus arguing the Case the Constable of the Parish who had a Warrant for the pressing of some Soldiers being guarded with Four lusty men came to that place it being a Common receptacle for sturdy loytering Beggars and Vagabonds when beholding the
is a Dream or some fond Illusion Even so my dearest Knight did it happen unto me hardly could I believe my one Ears much less imagine that so Heroick Renowned a Champion as thou art wouldest become the Load-stone of my Affections But know that I am as much over Head and Ears in Love as thou Nor do not think me light for yielding so soon for what Heart can hold out at the Battery of thy E'oquence thou being a Conqueror of Affections as well as Gyants I shall think the time long till I hear from thee again mucâ— more till such time I see thee till when I subscribe my self Thine in indeared Friendship Jone Grumball Ricardo having received the Letter of her promised to be very careful in the delivery of it and she for her part promised him that when she came to be his Knights Lady she would be a good Mistress unto him and help him now and then to a Bitt which her Knight should never know of Ricardo with these promises went away well satisfied yet resolved with himself to keep secret the vertue of his Invisible-Ring But he was not so mindful of returning to his Master as to act some Waggeries with his Invisible Ring which he thought was a better Trade than his Master's killing of Gyants or relieving distressed Damosels and Ladies And Fortune was very favourable to his intentions herein for he had not gone far but his Stomach which was most commonly craving invited him into an Inn to refresh himself where a Couple of Bayliffs or Shoulder flappers were sitting down to dinner with a Shoulder of Mutton and a Capon having the same day seized on a poor Man's Goods for an inconsiderable value which they Sold and Imbezzel'd away at their pleasure to the utter Ruine of the poor Man and maintainance of their Luxury and Drunkenness going shares with the Buyers of their seiz'd Goods which by this means they make the greatest part their own Ricardo understanding what Harpies they were how that they liv'd by others Ruines resolved to put a Trick upon them and thereforâ— they being set down to their Victuals without saying Grace as Men unacquainted with any Goodness he presently slips on his Ring and conveys the Capon under his Coat giving to each of them a blow on the Mouth with his Fist which though they perceived not from whence they came yet felt they it smart to some purpose and each thinking the other had struck him the one snatches up the Shoulder of Mutton and therewith struck his fellow on the Face who half blinded with Greese and his Cloaths all besmeared with dripping to revenge the affront got up the platter and throwing it at the others head beat him over a Joynt-stool who half dazled with the fall yet recovering his legs took the Loaf and therewith brake the others head who in requital snatcht up a Flaggon of Beer and dashing it in his Fellows Face he so laid on him with the Pot as if he intended to make Mummy of his Flesh Ricardo all this while stood by laughing heartily to see how they mawled each other and still at opportunity served lending to each of them some blows on the Face which they not knowing from whence they came sought to retaliate upon one another Ricardo to make his revenge more compleat spying a pair of scissers in the Window took them and cut off their locks of hair so that when they were parted fighting what witâ— their bloody Noses batter'd Faces anâ— crapt Hair they look'd most rufully But now another Quarrel began 〈◊〉 arise the Capon is missing and the twâ— Bayliffs joyning in one Swear that thâ— Host had couzened them of it whilst they were fighting He on the other side callâ— them cheating Rogues and that theâ— quarrelled on purpose to steal away hâ—â— platter and defraud him of his Reckoning but vows though they had undone hiâ— Neighbour they should not undo him with their cheating tricks and thereupon sends for a Constable vowing he would be paid both for his Meat and the Platter Ricardo seeing matters broughâ— to this pass marched away with his prize leaving them to wrangle it out as theâ— could Now he had not gone far buâ— as if he had been born for the punishment of Knaves he overtakes a Horse-Courser one who had shaken hands witâ— Honesty as no fit Companion for his Calling Him Ricardo accosts proffering hiâ— a Dinner and Wine to wash it down 〈◊〉 the next Town they came at which thâ— Horse Courser kindly accepts wondrinâ— at this new Friendship and thinking 〈◊〉 had got some young Cully flusht witâ— Money whom he was resolved to Milk dry e'er he parted with him So away they went to the next Town and entring an Inn call'd for Accommodations to their Capon which was presently brought them and the Glasses of Wine trouled about lustily Whilst they were thus in their Jollity there came in a Man from the former Inn who had seen Ricardo's coming thither but not his going away And remembring how the Capon and Platter were missing and seeing such utensils upon the Table he challenges Ricardo with it whereupon a great contest arose The Horse-Courser who had thought he had gotten a prize of his Companion fearing it would prove a blank if he were brought in Partnerâ— of his Stealth began with the first to fall foul on him The Hostess seeing she had got Cheats to her Guests was as busie in calling for Money for their Reckoning so that the whole House was on a sudden in a great Uproar Ricardo knowing that all their stir was aimed at him thought it high time to shift for himself and thereupon slipping on his Invisible Ring took the remainders of the Capon and threw it in his Hostesses Face and sent the Platter on the same Arrand to the Horse Courser who therewith half blinded and sadly mortified began to cry out in a hideous manner and that the Informer might not go Scot-free he also up with a Quart pot and therewith knockt him down and then Triumphantly marcht away No sooner was he gone but the Hostess a little recovering her self falls foul upon the Horse-Courser saying he had brought the Devil into her House but notwithstanding the Devil and all his Imps she Swore she would make him pay for all the harms was done before he went The Horse-Courser excused himself saying he met with him by chance and that she might see by his batter'd Face and broken Head he was none of his Confederate The other Fellow who had lain all this while in a swound being now a little revived began to rail upon him more than the Hostess so that the poor Horse-Courser though more batter'd than the other two could not tell what to do for notwithstanding all the excuses he could make nothing would be believ'd but that he was the Devil's partner in all this mischief and therefore should suffer for him if he did not produce him Now was the Horse-Courser at his
unto her But Ricardo said the Sage Freston you have not as yet told us what Song your Lady or Mistress was then singing when you came unto her O that said he can I well Remember for I have seen it in a Ballad glewed upon many an Ale house wall and it begins thus When as King Henry rul'd this Land The Second of that Name Besides his Queen he dearly Lov'd A fair and Princely Dame c. Indeed said the Sage Freston I guess'd it was either that or the Ballad of Chevy-Chase as consisting the one of Love the other of War being both Concomitants of Knight Errantry Now by the Honour of my Knighthood said Sir Billy I question not but in time to perform such Acts as shall surpass e'er a Percy or Dowglass of them all and make Work for all the Ballad-makers that shall live in succeeding Ages when they have once read the History that shall be written of my Life And therefore Ricardo let it be your Care to provide for our sudden departure since Knights Errant were not born to sleep out their time in the Beds of Ease but to be still seeking out for Adventures as Men made all of Fire of such undaunted high erected Spirits as to make the Dead quake in their Graves to think of them Ricardo who was always more addicted to feeding than fighting as one who had indented with the Grave to bring all his Limbs thither and not to lose one Joynt of them by Quarrelling liked not at all of this proposal having found better Entertainment from the Gentleman than he could expect from his Master yet trusting to the vertue of his Invisible Ring by which he questioned not but to help himself in all his Extremities he freely condescended unto it But the Sage Freston desirous to see what was contained in Jone Grumball's Letter thus spake to Sir Billy I make no question most Heroick Knight but the Lady of your affections who is so much Honour'd in having such a Servant has so pleased your expectation in her most gracious Answer as hath given you satisfaction in her Love and Loyalty unto you and were it not an high presumption in me to beg such a boon I should think my self happy in the perusal of such lines as must needs fall from such a mellifluous Pen. I were very unworthy said Sir Billy of such transcendent Favours I have received from you should I deny you such a small request and thereupon he shewed him her Letter which when the Sage Freston had read as it were in admiration he brake forth into these expressions O the excellency of Natural Wit the Magazine of Eloquence rich Soul of Language a tenth Muse whom all the Muses Court the whole Monopoly of Wit a branch of Minerva's Olive well worthy the Affeâ—tions of the most Heroick Knight in the whole World How happy art thou Sir Billy in the Choice of such a Mistress whose parts are so transcendent she may well be stiled the Epitomy of all Perfections Sir Billy was not a little proud of his Ladies praises verily conceiting her to be such a one as the Sage Freston had painted her forth the Wonder of Nature and Quintessence of perfection saying he would have a Solemn Justs proclaimed in the next Prince's Court he came at wherein by the strength of his Invincible Arm he would maintain his Lady Dulcina to be the Phoenix of Beauty and the Non-parelia of this Age and accordingly gave order to be gone the next Morning but that Ricardo stayed his Journey by a new devised Trick which he brought to pass in this manner Sir Billy used every Evening to walk in the Garden with his hands indented one with another as melancholy as a Gyb'd Cat his Thoughts of Chevalry being made so habitual to him as it was now become part of his Nature In this posture as he was walking his trusty Squire slipping on his Invisible-Ring saluted him with a Crab-Tree Cudgel â—â—erthwart his shoulders laying it on so â—ustily that Sir Billy thought himself engaged in one of those imaginary fights which he had read in his Books of Knight-Errantry and drawing his Sword began to strike but knew not at what at last he heard a Voice which spake to him in this manner Sir Knight before thou dost depart From forth the place whereas thou art Thou must maintain thy Ladies Fame ' Gainst any shall oppose the same Which if thou dost refuse then know Thou shalt receive full many a blow Sir Billy hearing a voice but seeing no Body might have thought it an Illusion but that the blows which he felt assured him the contrary wherefore to avoid receiving any more he thus said whosoever thou art that thus speakest unto me know thy mind shall be fulfilled But let me desire to know from whence this message came that when I have finished the Adventure I may know by whose appointment I undertook it To whom the voice answered I am a Spirit sent from the wise Urganda the Lady of the Woods to warn thee not to stir whilst thou hast performed my Command else shall I haunt thee with revenge whethersoever thou goest And having thus said he withdrew himself without the Garden Gate and slipping off his Invisible-Ring came walking towards his Master who with great earnestness told him of this Adventure and so both of them together went to the Sage Fresâ—on and acquainted him with it wherefore it was agreed on all sides that a Challenge should be written and Messengers sent abroad into all parts to publish the same which Challenge Sir Billy himself would needs endite which he did in these words Whereas the renowned Knight at Arms Sir Billy of Billerecay hath by the Command of the wise Urganda the Lady of the Woods taken upon him to Justifie and Maintain his Lady Dulcina to be the Paragon of Beauty above all others These are to certifie that the said Sir Billy is ready by force of Arms to maintain the same at the Castle of the Sage Freston against any that shall oppose it either by Justs Turnament or any other Martial Exercise belonging to Knight Errantry Signed Sir Billy Eight days after was the time appointed when those Martial Exercises should be performed in the mean time Messengers were sent abroad to publish the same in all the Towns thereabouts which caused much Wondring amongst many people who this Sage Freston should be and of Justs and Turnaments which few could remember ever to have heard of but the Messengers soon resolved the Riddle informing them of the mad Whimzies of Sir Billy and how all was intended by their Master for sport and divertisement whereupon many Gentlemen thereabouts promised to come and to bring some of their Servants accoutred like Knights Errant to encounter with Sir Billy but how they sped in their enterprize you shall hear in the next Chapter CHAP. 9. How Sir Billy was forced to run from his Challenge the Mirth Ricardo had at a
or to live by the shifts of his Invisible-Ring at last he resolved with himself to go to his Master knowing his Necessities to be so great that without his help he was not able to support them having left behind him both his Horse and Armor by which he appeared at least in show not like a Knight Errant and therefore neither he nor his Squire acceptable to those places whether they should come Now as he travelled along often taking a sup of the Bottle to cheer his heart he overtook a Fidler who was going to play at a Wedding at the next Village with whom Ricardo consorted and to endear his Company the more as they went sitting down under an aged Oak whose spreading boughs sheltered them from the heat of Solâ— burning rayes which with his orient tresses cast a radient lustre over the world there they â—mpti'd the remainder of the two Bottles and new having their Spirits heightned with the generous Wine they went Merrily on till they came to the House where the Wedding was kept Here the Bridegroom and Bride entertained Ricardo right heartily and a great Company being met together there was Fiddling Dancing Singing Kissing and Playing which so delighted the Heart of Ricardo that now he forgot both the affrightment of the Justice Freston and also the necessity which his Master Billy might be in for the Amorous smiles and Odoriferous Kisses of those Country Wenches were such inticing Charms unto Ricardo that he thought himself in Elizium being in their Company And now the Nuptial Couple were going to Church to tye that Knot with their Tongues which afterwards they could not untye with their Teeth having the Fiddlers playing before them and all the way thither strowed with Rushes though afterwards Nettles might more properly serve the turn Now in most parts of Essex where this Wedding was kept it is a common Custom when Poor People Marry to make a kind of a Dog-Hanging or Mony-gathering which they call a Wedding-Dinner to which they invite Tag and Rag all that will come where after Dinner upon Summons of the Fiddler who setteth forth his voice like a Town-Cryer a Table being set forth and the Bride set simpering at the upper end of it the Bridegroom standing by with a White Sheet overthwart his shoulders as if he did pennance for the Folly he had committed that day whilst the people invited to it like the Soldiers of a Country Train-Band March up to the Bride present their Mony and Wheel about After this offering is over then is a pair of Gloves laid on the Table most monstrously bedaub'd about with Ribbeâ— which by way of Auction is set to Salâ— at who gives most and he whose hap â—â— for to have them shall withal have a Kisâ— of the Bride which many times is noâ— much worth because her breath is not 〈◊〉 sweet-scented as her Gloves Ricardo who had some Mony still leftâ—â— that which he had taken from the Usureâ— was very liberal at this Wedding anâ— very bountiful amongst the Maids of 〈◊〉 Kisses two things which indeared hâ—â— very much to their Company And 〈◊〉 the juice of the Malt began to worâ— their Crowns and every Coridon had selected his Lass to conferr with Amongst the rest an Ancient Batchellor whose Head was covered with an Hoary Fleece and whom one would have thought to have had nothing but Ice in his veins and earth in his Vissage had gotten in his Arms a brisk Lass as youthful as the early day Hugging and Kissing her as if he meant to make a perpetual feast of her lips Ricardo beheld this with an envious Eye and thinking it unequal that January and May should so twine together he resolved to hinder their Conjunction and to that end having put on his Invisible-Ring sat down close by them to hear their discourse where unperceiv'd he could here the Old Letcher make great asseverations of his affection to her colouring all under the notion of Love although his thoughts were as lustful and as libidinous as a Goat The Wench a crafty Baggage one well skill'd in Venus School seem'd with some Coy words to push him away from her and then with a flattering smile to allure him again He seeing his words not prevalent enough to batter the Fort of her supposed Chastity gave her Golden promises remembring what he had read in the Poet. Nor less may Jupiter to Gold ascribe For when he turn'd himself into a Bribe Who can blame Danaae or the brazen Tower That they withstood not the Almighty Shower Never till then did Loveâ—make Jove put on A form more bright and noble than his own O the powerful oratory of a Golden Tongue his gifts prevails with the Damosel she consents so it may be done privately Si caste non caute a fit place they agree upon and he being hot upon the spur will admit of no delay Ricardo heard all their discourse and followed them as close as the shadow doth the Sun until they came to the place appointed And now a new parley began betwixt them for the Wench belike having had false dealings before would do nothing without Mony in hand with that the old Letcher told her out twenty Shillings be ing the price agreed on betwixt them which the Wench very wary in her baâ—gaining would likewise tell over if iâ— were right which whilst she was doinâ— Ricardo laid hold of it and snatchinâ— it out of her hands bellowed forth the Words Thou Rogue and VVhore must go with me Away to Limbo presenâ—ly These words struck them into a panick fear so that instead of an Amorous heat a chilling sweat over-run their trembling Joynts and a sudden amazement made their Hair to stand an end whereupon they betook them to their Heels and fear adding VVings to their Feet in an instant they were out of sight Ricardo was well pleased with their flight he leaving behind him his Cloak and she her Scarf besides the Mony he had gotten before so that now he thought himself well satisfied for what he had spent at the Wedding besides the pleasure he had in spending his Mony whereupon he resolved to proceed on in his Journey where how he found his Master and what befel Sir Billy after his parting from him shall be declared in the next Chapter CHAP. 10. Sir Billy's encounter with a Dancer on the Ropes how he was carried before a Justice of the Peace and set free by Ricardo by the help of his Invisible-Ring SIR Billy after he had parted from Ricardo was in a very bad condition for Mony he had none without which it is but bad Travelling either amongst Friends or Foes and though he had read that Knights Errant never carried any Mony about them but that they were to be entertained Gratis where-ever they came yet it troubled him not a little that he was equipped neither like a Knight nor Squire having left both his Horse and Armor behind him at the Sage Frestons yet