To many a whore gave privilege,
And whipt for want of quarteridge;
Cart-loads of bawds to prison sent,
For b'ing behind a fortnight's rent:
And many a trusty pimp and croney

To Puddle-dock for want of money:

585

Engag'd the constable to seize

All those that would not break the peace;
Nor give him back his own foul words,

Tho' sometimes commoners or lords,

And kept 'em prisoners of course,

For being sober at ill hours,

That in the morning he might free,

Or bind them over for his fee:
Made monsters fine, and puppet-plays,

590

595

For leave to practice in their ways;

600

Farm'd out all cheats, and went a share

With th' headborough and scavenger;

And made the dirt i' th' streets compound

For taking up the public ground;

The kennel, and the king's highway

605

For being unmolested, pay;

Let out the stocks, and whipping-post,

And cage, to those that gave him most:

And

pay church-duties, and his fees:

But was implacable and aukward,

Like nest-eggs, to make clients lay,

625

And for his false opinion pay;

To whom the Knight, with comely grace,
Put off his hat, to put his case;
Which he as proudly entertain'd
As the other courteously strain'd;
And, to assure him 't was not that
He look'd for, bid him put on 's hat.

H

630

635

Quoth he, There is one Sidrophel, Whom I have cudgell'd.-Very well. And now he brags t' have beaten me.Better and better still, quoth he. And vows to stick me to a wall, Where-e'er he meets me.-Best of all. 'Tis true the knave has taken 's oath That I robb'd him.-Well done, in troth. When h' has confess'd he stole my cloak, And pick'd my fob, and what he took ; Which was the cause that made me bang him, And take my goods again—Marry, hang him. Now, whether I should beforehand

Swear he robb'd me?—I understand.

Or bring my action of conversion,

And trover for my goods.-Ah! whoreson.

Or if 't is better to indite,

And bring him to his trial.-Right.

Prevent what he designs to do,

And swear for th' state against him.-True.

Or whether he that is defendant,

'In this case has the better end on't;
Who putting in a new cross bill,
May traverse th' action.-Better still.

1

640

1

645

650

655