The Fraternity of Vagabonds

The Printer to the Reader

The Fraternity of Vagabonds, both ruffiing and beggarly, Men and Women, Boys and Girls, with their proper names and qualities. Whereunto are adjoined the company of Cozeners and Shifters.

An Abraham Man.

An Abraham Man is he that walketh bare-armed and bare-legged, and feigneth himself mad, and carryeth a pack of wool, or a stick with bacon on it, or suchlike toy, and nameth himself Poor Tom.

A Ruffier.

A Ruffler goeth with a weapon to seek service, saying he hath been a Servitor in the wars, and beggeth for his relief. But his chiefest trade is to rob poor wayfaring men and market women.

A Prigman.

A Prigman goeth with a stick in his hand like an idle person. His property is to steal clothes off the hedge, which they call "storing of the Rogueman," or else to filch Poultry, carrying them to the Alehouse, which they call the "Bousing Inn," and there sit playing at cards and dice, till that is spent which they have so filched.

A Whipjack.

A Whipjack is one that by color of a counterfeit License, which they call a "Gibe," and the seals they call "Jarks," doth use to beg like a Mariner. But his chiefest trade is to rob Booths in a Fair, or to pilfer ware from stalls, which they call "heaving off the Booth."

A Frater.

A Frater goeth with a like License to beg for some Spitalhouse (or Hospital). Their prey is commonly upon poor women as they go and come to the Markets.

A Queerbird.

A Queerbird is one that came lately out of prison, and goeth to seek service. He is commonly a stealer of Horses, which they term a "Prigger of Palfreys."

An Upright Man.

An Upright Man is one that goeth with the truncheon of a staff, which staff they call a "Filtchman." This man is of so much authority that meeting with any of his profession he may call them to account, and command a share or "snap" unto himself of all that they have gained by their trade in one month. And if he do them wrong, they have no remedy against him, no, though he beat them, as he useth commonly to do. He may also command any of their women, which they call "Doxies," to serve his turn. He hath the chief place at any market walk and other assemblies, and is not of any to be controlled.

A Curtal.

A Curtal is much like to the Upright Man, but his authority is not fully so great. He useth commonly to go with a short cloak, like to Greyfriars, and his woman with him in like livery, which he calleth his "Altham" if she be his wife, and if she be his harlot, she is called his "Doxy."

A Palliard.

A Palliard is he that goeth in a patched cloak, and his Doxy goeth in like apparel.

An Irish Tool.

An Irish Tool is he that carryeth his ware in his wallet, as laces, pins, points, and suchlike. He useth to shew no wares until he have his alms. And if the good­man and wife be not in the way, he procureth of the children or servants a fleece of wool, or the worth of twelvepence of some other thing, for a pennyworth of his wares.

A Jarkman.

AJarkman is he that can write and read, and sometimes speak Latin. He useth to make counterfeit licenses which they call "Gibes," and sets to Seals, in their language called "Jarks."

A Swigman.

A Swigman goeth with a Peddler's pack.

A Washman.

A Washman is called a Palliard, but not of the right making. He useth to lie in the highway with lame or sore legs or arms to beg. These men the right Palliards will oftentimes spoil, but they dare not complain. They be bitten with Spear­worts, and sometimes with ratsbane.

A Tinkard.

A Tinkard leaveth his bag a-sweating at the Alehouse, which they term their "Bousing Inn," and in the meanseason goeth abroad a-begging.

A Wild Rogue.

A Wild Rogue is he that hath no abiding place but by his color of going abroad to beg is commonly to seek some kinsman of his, and all that be of his corporation be properly called Rogues.

A Kintchin Co.

A Kintchin Co is called an idle runagate Boy.

A Kintchin Morts.

A Kintchin Morts is a Girl; she is brought at her full age to the Upright Man to be broken, and so she is called a Doxy until she comes to the honor of an Altham.

Doxies.

Note especially all which go abroad working laces and shirt-strings; they name them Doxies.

A Patriarch Co.

A Patriarch Co doth make marriages, and that is until death depart the married folk, which is after this sort: when they come to a dead Horse or any dead Cattle, then they shake hands and so depart, every one of them a several way.

The company of Cozeners and Shifters.

A Courtesy Man.

A Courtesy Man is one that walketh about the back lanes in London in the daytime, and sometimes in the broad streets in the night season, and when he meetethsome handsome young man cleanly apparelled, or some other honest Citizen, he maketh humble salutations and low curtsy, and sheweth him that he hath a word or two to speak with his mastership. This child can behave himself mannerly, for he will desire him that he talketh withal to take the upper hand, and shew him much reverence, and at last like his familiar acquaintance will put on his cap and walk side by side and talk in this fashion: "Oh, sir, you seem to be a man, and one that favoreth men, and therefore I am the more bolder to break my mind unto your good mastership. Thus it is, sir, there is a certain of us, though I say it, both tall and handsome men of their hands, which have come lately from the wars, and as God knoweth, have nothing to take to, being both masterless and moneyless, and knowing no way whereby to -earn one penny. And further, whereas we have been wealthily brought up, and we also have been had in good estimation, we are ashamed now to declare our misery and to fall a-craving as common Beggars, and as for to steal and rob, God is our record, it striketh us to the heart to think of such a mischief, that ever any handsome man should fall into such a danger for this worldly trash. Which if we had to suffice our want and necessity, we should never seek thus shame­ fastly to crave on such good pitiful men as you seem to be, neither yet so dangerously to hazard our lives for so vile a thing. Therefore, good sir, as you seem to be a handsome man yourself, and also such a one as pitieth the miserable case of handsome men, as now your eyes and countenance sheweth to have some pity upon this my miserable complaint, so, in God's cause, I require your mastership, and in the behalf of my poor afHicted fellows, which though here in sight they cry not with me to you, yet wheresoever they be, I am sure they cry unto God to move the hearts of some good men to shew forth their liberality in this behal£ All which, and I with them, crave now the same request at your good mastership's hand." With these or suchlike words he frameth his talk. Now, if the party which he thus talketh withal proffereth him a penny or twopence, he taketh it, but very scornfully, and at last speaketh on this sort: "Well, sir, your good will is not to be refused. But yet you shall understand, good sir, that this is nothing for them, for whom I do thus shamefastly entreat. Alas, sir, it is not a groat or twelvepence I speak for, being such a company of Servitors as we have been; yet nevertheless, God forbid I should not receive your gentle offer at this time, hoping hereafter, through your good motions, to some suchlike good gentleman as you be, that I, or some of my fellows in my place, shall find the more liberality." These kind of idle Vagabonds will go commonly well apparelled, without any weapon, and in places where they meet together, as at their hostelries or other places, they will bear the port of right good gentlemen, and some are the more trusted, but commonly they pay them with stealing a pair of sheets or Coverlet, and so take their farewell early in the morning, before the master or dame be stirring.

A Cheater or Fingerer.

These commonly be such kind of idle Vagabonds as scarcely a man shall discern, they go so gorgeously, sometimes with waiting men, and sometimes without. Their trade is to walk in such places, where as gentlemen and other worshipful Citizens do resort, as at Paul's, or at Christ's Hospital, and sometimes at the Royal Exchange. These have very many acquaintances, yea, and for the most part will acquaint themselves with every man, and feign a society in one place or other. But chiefly they will seek their acquaintance of such (which they have learned by diligent inquiring where they resort) as have received some portion of money of their friends, as young Gentlemen which are sent to London to study the law, or~lse some young Merchantman or other kind of Occupier, whose friends hath given them a stock of money to occupy withal. When they have thus found out such a prey, they will find the means by their familiarity, as very courteously to bid him to breakfast at one place or other, where they are best acquainted, and closely among themselves will appoint one of their Fraternity, which they call a Fingerer, an old beaten child, not only in such deceits but also such a one as by his age is painted out with gray hairs, wrinkled face, crooked back, and most commonly lame, as it might seem, with age; yea, and such a one as to shew a simplicity shall wear a homely cloak and hat scarce worth sixpence. This nimble-fingered knight, being appointed to this place, cometh in as one not known of these Cheaters, but as unawares shall sit down at the end of the board where they sit, and call for his penny pot of wine, or a pint of Ale, as the place serveth. Thus sitting, as it were, alone, mumbling on a crust or some such thing, these other yonkers will find some kind of merry talk with him, sometimes questioning where he dwelleth, and sometimes inquiring what trade he useth, which commonly he telleth them he useth husbandry. And talking thus merrily, at last they ask him, "How sayest thou, father, wilt thou play for thy breakfast with one of us that we may have some pastime as we sit?" This old Carl, making it strange at the first, saith, "My masters, Ich am an old man, and half blind, and can skill of very few games, yet for that you seem to be such good Gentlemen as to proffer to play for that of which you had no part but only I myself, and therefore of right Ich am worthy to pay for it, I shall with all my heart fulfill your request," and so falleth to play, sometimes at Cards, and sometimes at dice. Which, through his counterfeit simplicity in the play, sometimes overcounteth himself, or playeth sometimes against his will, so as he would not, and then counterfeiteth to be angry, and falleth to swearing, and so losing that, proffereth to play for a shilling or two. The other thereat having good sport, seeming to mock him, falleth again to play, and so by their legerdemain and counterfeiting winneth each of them a shilling or twain, and at last whispereth the young man in the ear to play with him also, that each one might have a fling at him. This young man, for com­pany, falleth again to play also with the said Fingerer, and winneth as the other did, which when he had lost a noble or six shillings, maketh as though he had lost all his money, and falleth a-entreating for part thereof again to bring him home, which the other knowing his mind and intent, stoutly denieth, and

jesteth and scoffeth at him. This Fingerer, seeming then to be in a rage, desireth them, as they are true gentlemen, to tarry till he fetcheth more store of money,

or else to point some place where they may meet. They seeming greedy hereof

promiseth faithfully and clappeth hands so to meet. They thus tickling the young man in the ear willeth him to make as much money as he can, and they will make as much as they can, and consent as though they will play booty

against him; But in the end, they so use the matter that both the young man

loseth his part and, as it seemeth to him, they losing theirs also, and so maketh as though they would fall together by the ears with this fingerer, which by one wile or other at last conveyeth himself away, and they, as it were, raging like mad bedlams, one runneth one way, another another way, leaving the loser indeed all alone. Thus these Cheaters at their accustomed hostelries meet closely together, and there receive each one his part of this their vile spoil. Of this fraternity there be [those] that be called helpers, which commonly haunt taverns or alehouses, and cometh in as men not acquainted with none in the company, but spying them at any game, will bid them Godspeed, and God be at their game, and will so place himself that he will shew his fellow by signs and tokens, without speech commonly, but sometimes with far-fetched words, what cards he hath in his hand, and how he may play against him. And those between them both getteth money out of the other's purse.

A Ringfaller.

A Ringfaller is he that getteth fair copper rings, some made like signets and some after other fashions, very fair gilded, and walketh up and down the streets, til he spyet~ some man of the country or some other simple body whom he thinketh he may deceive, and so goeth a little before him or them, and letteth fall one of these rings, which when the party that cometh after spyeth and taketh it up, he having an eye backward, crieth, "Half part!" The party that taketh it up, thinking it to be of great value, proffereth him some money for his part, which he not fully denyeth but willeth him to come into some alehouse or tavern, and there they will common upon the matter. Which when they come in, and are set in some solitary place (as commonly they call for such a place), there he desireth the party that found the ring to shew it him. When he seeth it, he falleth a-entreating the party that found it, and desireth him to take money for his part, and telleth him that if ever he may do him any friendship hereafter he shall command him, for he maketh as though he were very desirous to have it. The simple man, seeing him so importune upon it, thinketh the ring to be of great value, and so is the more loather to part from it. At last this ringfaller asketh him what he will give him for his part. "For," saith he, "seeing you will not let me have the ring, allow me my part, and take you the ring." The other asketh what he counteth the ring to be worth; he answereth, "Five or six pounds." "No," saith he, "it is not so much worth." "Well," saith this Ringfaller, "let me have it, and I will allow you forty shillings for your part." The other party standing in a doubt, and looking on the ring, asketh ifhe will give the money out of hand. The other answereth, he hath not so much ready money about him, but he will go fetch so much for him, ifhe will go with him. The other that found the ring, thinking he meaneth truly, beginneth to proffer him twenty shillings for his part, sometimes more or less, which he very scorn­fully refuseth at the first, and still entreateth that he might have the ring, which maketh the other more fonder of it, and desireth him to take the money for his part, and so proffereth him money. This ringfaller seeing the money, maketh it very strange, and first questioneth with him where he dwelleth, and asketh him what is his name, and telleth him that he seemeth to be an honest man, and therefore he will do somewhat for friendship's sake, hoping to have as friendly a pleasure at his hand hereafter, and so proffereth him for ten shillings more he should have the ring. At last, with entreaty on both parts, he giveth the Ring­faller the money, and so departeth, thinking he hath gotten a very great Jewel. These kind of deceiving Vagabonds have other practices with their rings, as sometimes to come to buy wares of men's Prentices, and sometimes of their Masters, and when he hath agreed of the price, he saith he hath not so much money about him, but pulleth off one of these rings off from his fingers, and proffereth to leave it in pawn til his Master or his friends hath seen it, so promising to bring the money. The seller, thinking he meaneth truly, letteth him go, and never seeth him after, til perhaps at Tyburn or at suchlike place. There is another kind of these Ringchoppers, which commonly carry about them a fair gold ring indeed, and these have other counterfeit rings made so like this gold ring, as ye shall not perceive the contrary, till it be brought to the touchstone. This child will come to borrow money of the right gold ring; the party, mistrusting the Ring not to be good, goeth to the Goldsmith with the party that hath the ring and tryeth it whether it be good gold, and also weigheth it to know how much it is worth. The Goldsmith tryeth it to be good gold, and also to have his full weight like gold, and warranteth the party which shall lend the money that the ring is worth so much money according to the weight. This yonker coming home with the party which shall lend the money, and having the gold ring again, putteth up the gold ring, and pulleth out a counterfeit ring very like the same, and so delivereth it to the party which lendeth the money, they thinking it to be the same which they tried, and so delivereth the money or sometimes wares, and thus vilely be deceived.

The .xxv. Orders of Knaves, otherwise called a quartern of Knaves, confirmed forever hy Cock Lorel.

1Troll and Troll by.

Troll and Troll by is he that setteth naught by no man, nor no man by him. This is he that would bear rule in a place and hath no authority nor thanks, and at last is thrust out of the door like a knave.

2 Troll with.

Troll with is he that no man shall know the servant from the Master. This knave, with his capon his head like Capon hardy, will sit down by this Master, or else go cheek by cheek with him in the street.

3 Troll hazard of trace.

Troll hazard of trace is he that goeth behind his Master as far as he may see him. Such knaves commonly use to buy Spicecakes, Apples, or other trifles, and do eat them as they go in the streets like vagabond Boys.

4 Troll hazard of tritrace.

Troll hazard of tritrace is he that goeth gaping after his Master, looking to and fro til he have lost him. This knave goeth gazing about like a fool at every toy, and then seeketh in every house like a Masterless dog, and when his Master needeth him, he is to seek.

5 Chase Litter.

Chase Litter is he that will pluck up the Featherbed or Mattress, and piss in the bedstraw, and will never rise uncalled. This knave berayeth many times in the comers of his Master's chamber, or other places inconvenient, and maketh clean his shoes with the coverlet or curtains.

6 Obloquium.

Obloquium is he that will take a tale out of his Master's mouth and tell it himself. He of right may be called a malapert knave.

7 Rinse Pitcher.

Rinse Pitcher is he that will drink out his thrift at the ale or wine, and be oft-times drunk. This is a lickerish knave that will swill his Master's drink, and bribe his meat that is kept for him.

8 Jeffrey God's Foe.

Jeffrey God's Foe is he that will swear and maintain oaths. This is such a lying knave that none will believe him, for the more he sweareth, the less he is to bebelieved.

9 Nichol Heartless.

Nichol Heartless is he that when he should do aught for his Master, his heart faileth him. This is a Trewand knave that feigneth himself sick when he should work.

10 Simon soon agone.

Simon soon agone is he that when his Master hath anything to do, he will hide him out of the way. This is a loitering knave that will hide him in a corner and sleep or else run away.

11 Green Winchard.

Green Winchard is he that when his hose is broken and hang out at his shoes, he will put them into his shoes again with a stick, but he will not amend them. This is a slothful knave, that had liefer go like a beggar than cleanly.

12 Proctor.

Proctor is he that will tarry long and bring a lie when his Master sendeth him on his errand. This is a flibber-gibber Knave that doth feign tales.

13 Commitor of Tidings.

Commitor of Tidings is he that is ready to bring his Master Novels and tid­ings, whether they be true or false. This is a tale-bearer: knave that will report words spoken in his Master's presence.

14 Guile Rather.

Guile Hather is he that will stand by his Master when he is at dinner, and bid him beware that he eat no raw meat, because he would eat it himself. This is a pick thank knave that would make his Master believe that the Cow is wood.

15 Bawd Phisick.

Bawd Phisick is he that is a Cook when his Master's meat is evil dressed, and he challenging him therefore, he will say he will eat the rawest morsel thereofhim­self. This is a saucy knave, that will contrary his Master always.

16 Munch present.

Munch present is he that is a great gentleman, for when his Master sendeth him with a present, he will take a taste thereof by the way. This is a bold knave that sometimes will eat the best and leave the worst for his Master.

17 Cole prophet.

Cole prophet is he that when his Master sendeth him on his errand, he will tell his answer thereof to his Master ere he depart from him. This ti ttiwell knave commonly maketh the worst of the best between his Master and his friend.

18 Curry favel.

Curry favel is he that will lie in his bed, and curry the bedboards in which he lieth instead of his horse. This slothful knave will buskill and scratch when he is called in the morning for any haste.

19 Dying thrift.

Dying thrift is he that will make his Master's horse eat pies and ribs of beef, and drink ale and wine. Such false knaves of times will sell their Master's meat to their own profit.

20 Eavesdroppers.

Eavesdroppers be they that stand under men's wales or windows, or in any other place, to hear the secrets of a man's house. These misdeeming knaves will stand in corners to hear if they be evil spoken of, or wait a shrewd turn.

21 Choplogic.

Choplogic is he that when his master rebuketh him of his fault, he will give him twenty words for one, else bid the devil's Paternoster in silence. This proud prating knave will maintain his naughtiness when he is rebuked for them.

22 Unthrift.

Unthrift is he that will not put his wearing clothes to washing, nor black his own shoes, nor amend his own wearing clothes. This reckless knave will always be lousy, and say that he hath no more shift of clothes, and slander his Master.

23 Ungracious.

Ungracious is he that by his own will, will hear no manner of service, without he be compelled thereunto by his rulers. This knave will sit at the alehouse drinking or playing at dice, or at other games at service time.

24 Nunquam.

Nunquam is he that when his Master sendeth him on his errand he will not come again of an hour or two where he might have done it in half an hour or less. This knave will go about his own errand or pastime and saith he cannot speed at the first.

25 Ingratus.

Ingratus is he that when one doth all that he can for him, he will scant give him a good report for his labor. This knave is so ingrate or unkind that he con­sidereth not his friend from his foe, and will requite evil for good and being put most in trust, will soonest deceive his master.

FINIS

Speech