_How he ran from his Mother, and what courses he steered in
one whole years Ramble._
It was in _August_ when I undertook this my Knight-errantry; the
fairness of the Season much favoured my enterprise: thinking I should
always enjoy such weather, and never be pincht with necessity, I went on
very couragiously. The first dinner I made was on Blackberries and Nuts,
esteemed by me very delicious fare at first, which delighted me so much
the more, having not my liberty controul’d. When night approached it
seemed very uncouth & strange, finding instead of a feather-bed, no
other thing to lie on but a _Haycock_, and no other _coverlid_ but the
_Canopy of Heaven_. But considering with my self that I had no task to
con over night, nor fear of over-sleeping my self next morning, and so
be fetcht to School by a Guard of my fellow Schollars with a Lanthorn
and Candle, though the Sun appear’d at that time in his full lustre; I
laid my self down and slept profoundly, not without some affrighting
dreams: The last was of the Cat of Nine Tails, which my Master laid so
home me thought that the smart thereof made me cry out, and so I awaked;
as then the early Larke, the winged Herald of the morning, had not with
her pretty warbling Notes, summon’d the bright watchmen of the Night to
prepare for a retreat; neither had _Aurora_ opened the Vermillion
Oriental Gate, to make room for Sols radiant Beams, to dissipate that
gloomy darkness that had muffled up our Hemisphere in obscurity. In the
morning I went on in my progress as the day before; then began a shower
of tears to fall from my eyes, considering how I had left my
disconsolate, and almost heart-broken Mother, lamenting my loss, and
fearing what fatal courses I might take: it was no less trouble to me to
think that I was travelling I knew not whither, moneyless, having
nothing but hazel, and Brambles to address my self for the appeasing of
hungers approaching gripes. Now me thought I began to loath my
aforenamed _Manna_, Blackberries, Nuts, Crabs, Bullies, _&c._, and
longed to taste of the _Flesh-pots_ again, but the _Devil a bit_ could I
get but what the hedges afforded me. All day I thus wandred about, not
daring to come near any Town, having had such bad success in the last
when I first rambled, and now night came on, which put me in mind of
procuring a lodging somewhat warmer than the other. A Barn presently
offered it self to my sight, which I accosted, and without delay or
fear, entred into the inchanted Castle, where I found accommodations for
the most faithful and valiant Knight that ere strode Saddle for Ladies
sake. Here might I take my choice of variety of fresh straw, but my
weariness would not permit to complement my good fortune one jot, and I
so tumbled over head and ears; I had not lain there above an hour before
I heard a noise, and peeping out of the straw, being in a great fear, I
saw a many strange Creatures come into the Barn, for the day was not yet
shut in. My thoughts presently reminded me, that I had heard talk of
Hobgoblings, Fairies and the like, and judged these no other; and that
which confirmed me in this belief, was their Garb and talking to one
another in a Language I understood not, (but since, I understand it to
be Canting.) I lay still as long as my fear would permit me, but they
surrounding me, I was not able to contain my self longer, but cryed out
aloud, _Great God have mercy on me, and let not these Devils devour me_;
and with that, started out from among them: They amazed as much as I,
ran for it too, leaving their children behind them, every one esteeming
him the happiest man which was the foremost. I looking behind me, seeing
them following me, imagined these Devils ran upon all four, and having
started their game were resolved to hunt a sinful Leveret to death:
Concluding them long-winded Hell-hounds, I judgd praying a safer way
than flying, and so fell instantly on my knees: The _Gypsies_ quickly
overtook me, and finding me in that posture, soon understood whence
their fear proceeded. They then spoke to me in a Language I understood,
bidding me not be afraid; but I had heard the Devil was a Lyar from the
beginning, therefore I would not believe them. They would have rais’d me
from my devotion, telling me it was enough, and that made me suspect
them the more; thinking they designed to get me out of a praying
posture, that they might have the more power of me. Nothing prevailing
with me, they vowed and protested they would not injure me in the least,
and if I would go along with them, I should share as deliciously as they
did, this was a potent argument to perswasion, and so I agreed to go
along with them back again. All their cry was now for _Rum-booz_ (_i.
e._) for Good Liquor. Their Captain not induring to hear so sad a
Complaint, and not endeavour the supplying the want complained of,
immediately commanded out four able Maunders, (Beggars) ordering them to
stroule (wander) to the next Town, every one going apart. Some
Countrey-men gave them drink fearing they might fire the houses in the
night, out of revenge, others (out of the more ignorant sort) thought
they could command infernal spirits, and so harm them that way, or else
bewitch their Cattle, and therefore would not deny them: in so much,
that in a short time these four return’d laden with bub and food. It was
presently placed in the middle of us, who sate circularly; then out came
the Woodden dishes, every one provided but my self, but I was soon
suppli’d by a young Rum-Mort that sate next me intended for my sporting
mate. A health went round to the Prince of _Maunders_, another to the
Great Duke of _Clapperdogeons_, a third to the Marquess of _Doxy Dells_,
& _Rum Morts_, a fourth, to the Earl of _Clymes_; neither did we forget,
_Haly_, _Abbas_, _Albumazar_, _Arcandam_, with the rest of the
Waggoners, that strive who shall be principal in driving _Charles_ his
Wain. Most part of the night we spent in Boozing, pecking rumly or
wapping, that is drinking, eating, or whoreing, according to those
termes they use among themselves. Jealousie was a thing they never would
admit of in their Society, and to make appear how little they were
tainted therewith, the males and females lay promiscuously together, it
being free for any of the Fraternity to make choice of what _Doxie_ he
liked best, changing when he pleased. They plyed me so oft with their
_Rum-booz_ (as they called it) and pleased me so well in giving me a
young Girle to dally with, who (though in Rags, and with a skin
artificially discolloured tawny) yet I was not so ignorant, as not to
understand good flesh, and what properties went to the compleating a
votaress for _Venus_ service. I was so tickled in my fancy with this
pretty little wanton Companion, that for her sake, I was very well
content to list my self one of that Ragged Regiment. And that which
added to the induceing me to this resolution, was my want of money, and
what I suffered in those two foregoing hard dayes fare among the Nut
Trees. I first acquainted my _Doxie_ with my intent, who glad to hear
thereof, gave it vent, and broacht it to the rest, who unanimously with
joy imbraced me; and to gratify my inagravation _tipt_ to each other a
Gage of _Booz_, and so went round. The fumes of drink had now ascended
into their brain, wherefore they _coucht a Hogs-head_, and went to
sleep.