ledging his dutie) hee may adventure into the companie of the best. 12. An epitaphe on the death of the Right Worshipful Maister Robert Wingfield of Upton in the countie of Northampton, Esquier. 13. An epitaphe on the death of the Right Worshipfull Maister John Ayleworth, Esquier. 14. An epitaphe, in the order of an admonition, written on the death of his verie friend John Note of Grayes Inne, Gent. untimely slaine the 2 of November, 1575. 15. An epitaphe on the death of his especiall friend Thomas Cornelius, Gent. slaine in the Prince of Orange his service in Holland. 16. Whetstons invective against Dice, (a poem of 17 pages, in short metre.) 17. Fiftie Apples of Admonition, late growing on the Tree of good Government: bestowed on his especiall friends and companions, the gentlemen of Furnivals In. 18. A Caveat to G. W. at his going into Fraunce, written by his friend R. C. 19. Whetstons Dreame, (a poem of 8 pages.) 20. Inventions of P. Plasmos, touching his hap and hard fortune, unto the which is annexed the sundrie Complaintes of foure notable couseners, the instrumentes of his greatest troubles; which in the prime of their mischievous enterprises, with soudaine death and vexation were straungelie visited. At the end of every the said inventions, for the more plaine knowledge of them, is the Reporter's Admonition i prose, both pleasant and profitable. P. Plas P. Plasmos triumphe. P. P. to his Mishap. His digression from one action of miserie unto another. His description of Couseners. His invective against his toung. His farewell to wanton pleasures. His recantation. His farewell to Folly. The Complaint of one Lyros, a notable Cousener, supposed at the houre of his death. Frenos' Complaint. Caphos' Complaint. Pimos' Complaint at the houre of his death. The Reporter's conclusion, as touching the report of Paulus Plasmos' adventures; and Lyros', Frenos', Cuphos', and Pimos' falles. Epilogus, "(recapitulating the subjects treated of, in the last portion of the work.") Such are the copious contents of a volume whose known rarity has been the chief incentive towards describing it so circumstantially. In his epistle dedicatory the author earnestly requires, that "this first increase of his barren brain may be. used so rightly, as to encourage him hereafter to beat his head about some matter of more worth." What this head-beating produced, will be seen by a reference to CENSURA, Vol. IV. p. 273. At the close of his "Touchstone for the Time," 1584, which was intended to expose the tricks and frauds of the town, he utters utters the following exultation and allusion to this volume: "No man was ever assaulted with a more dangerous stratageme of cosonage than myself, with which my life and living was hardly beset. No man hath more cause to thank God for a free delivery than myselfe; nor anie man ever sawe more suddaine vengeance inflicted upon his adversaries, than I my selfe of mine; as lively appeareth in the ende of my booke intituled The Rocke of Regard, imprinted many years past." Paulus Plasmos, therefore, may be read with an alias for George Whetstone. T. P. ART. II. The History of Frier Rush, how he came to a House of Religion to seek a service, and being entertained by the Priour, was first made Under Cook, being full of pleasant mirth and delight for young people. [Remainder of the title-page torn off.]* 4to. The signatures extend to G 3. This is a book of great rarity, which Mr. Ritson had ranked as a desideratum, and of which Mr. Beloe has given an account from a copy in the rich library of the Marquis of Stafford. Another copy having fallen in my way, I take the opportunity of giving an extract, from the first chapter. Mr. Beloe adds "Imprinted at London by Edw. All-de, and are to be solde by Francis Grove, dwelling on Snow-Hill. 1626." See Anecdotes of Literature and scarce Books, I. 249. "A plesant "Aplesant history, how a Divell (named Rush) came to a religious house to seek him a service. "There was sometime beyond the sea edified and founded a certain house and cloister of religious men, which house was founded at a great forrest's side, for to maintain the service of Almighty God, and daily to pray for their benefactors and founders, and for the salvation of their own souls; which place by reason of their founders and well disposed people, (which gave unto it largely of their goods and possessions) increased in riches, and every man had gold and silver at their will; and also of meat and drink they had great plenty: insomuch, that they were so much at ease, and had so much, that they wist not what to do, they were so full of wantonness, whereby the service of Almighty God was not well maintained among them: for oftentimes they said neither mattins nor even song: and through their great negligence they forgate clean the charge that they were bound to, when they entered into their religion, and they lived more like beast without reason, then like men of good and holy conversation: for they haunted harlots and lived viciously, and the goods that was given them by good and well disposed people, they spent in unthriftinesse and ribaldry. And when the great Princes of Divells, which are the patrons of ill vices, understood of the great misrule and vile living of these religious men; consulted to keep them still in that state, and worse if it might be. "And these be the names of the Devills-Belphegor, who was Prince of Glutony; Asmodeus, Prince of Lechery; and Belzebub, Prince of Envy; with many other Devils assembled together; which rejoiced for the the misorder of these religious men. And as they were all assembled together with one accord, they chose a Devill to go and dwell among these religious men, for to maintain them the longest in their ungracious living, which Devil was put in rayment like an earthly creature, and went to the Religious house, and there he stood at the gate a certain space, all alone with an heavy countenance. Then within a while after, the Priour came unto the gate, and espied Rush the young man, standing there all alone. Anon he said unto him, "What dost thou here? and what wouldst ' thou have?" The young man with great reverence answered and said; "Sir, I am a poor young man, and am out of service, and fain would have a master. And, Sir, if it please you to have me, I shall do you diligent service, and shall do so well that you and all your brethren and convent shall be glad of me, for I shall keep so well your secrets, that I trust to obtain at all times. your good love and favour, and all theirs also." And when the Priour heard these words, he was moved with pitty, and said! "Go into the kitchen to the cook, and shew him that I have sent thee thither, and bid him shew thee, what thou shalt do; for thou shalt be with him a certain season, till that time other better thing fal." Then the young man made his reverence to the Priour, and thanked him, and forthe, he went to the kitchen, where he found the master cook. Anon hee made reverence unto him, and said: "Sir, my master the Priour hath sent me hither unto you, and commandeth me to shew you what I shall do, for I must be here and help you." The master cook answered and said; "you be welcome." And anon he set him to such business as he had to do. And thus the Devill became |