that it was an office most necessary in the Commonwealth, yet did the poorest wretch despise it, that liued in any estimation among his neighbours.

At last, a couple of Flemings, which were fled into this Land, by reason that their Country was drowned with the sea, hearing the Proclamation, offered themselues vnto the Bayliffes, to serue in this place, who were presently receiued and accepted and according to order had garments giuen them, which were of 2. colors, blue and red their coates, breeches and stockings, whereby they were knowne and discerned from other men.

Within halfe a yeere after, it came to passe, that Thomas Doue of Exeter came vp to London, who hauing by his iollity and goodfellowship, brought himselfe greatly behind hand, was in danger to diuers men of the Cite, among the rest, one of his Creditors feed an Officer to arrest him. The Dutch-man that had not beene long experienced in such matters, and hearing how many of his fellowes had beene killed for attempting to arrest men, stood quiuering and quaking in a corner of the street to watch for Thomas Doue, and hauing long waited, at length he espied him : whereupon he prepared his mace ready, and with a pale countenance proceeded to his Office; at what time comming behind the man, suddenly with his mace he knockt him on the pate, saying, I arrest you, giuing him such a blow, that he fell him to the ground.

The Catchpole thinking he had killed the man, he left his mace behind him and ranne away: the Creditor

he ran after him, calling and crying that he should turne againe : But the Fleming would not by any meanes turne backe, but got him quite out of the City, and tooke Sanctuary at Westminster.

Doue being come to himselfe, arose and went to his Inne, no man hindring his passage, being not a little glad he so escaped the danger. Yet neuerthelesse, at his next comming to London, another Catchpole met with him, and arrested him in the Kings name.

Doue being dismayed at this mischieuous mischance, knew not what to doe: at last hee requested the Catchpole that hee would not violently cast him in prison, but stay till such time as he could send for a friend to be his surety; and although kindnesse in a Catchpole be rare, yet was he won with faire words to doe him this fauour : whereupon Doue desired one to goe to his Oast Iarrat, who immediately came with him, and offered himselfe to be Doues surety.

The Officer, who neuer saw this man before, was much amazed at his sight: for Iarrat was a great and mighty man of body, of countenance grim, and exceeding high of stature, so that the Catchpole was wonderfully afraid, asking if he could find neuer a surety but the deuill, most fearfully intreating him to coniure him away, and he would doe Doue any fauour. What, will you not take my word, qd. Iarrat? sir, qd. the Catchpole, if it were for any matter in hell, I would take your word as soone as any diuels in that place, but seeing it is for a matter on earth, I would gladly haue a surety.

F

Why, thou whorson cricket, (quoth Iarrat,) thou maggat-apie, thou spinner, thou paultry spider, dost thou take me for a deuill? Sirra, take my word, I charge thee, for this man, or else goodman butter-fly, Ile make thee repent it. The Officer, while he was in the house, said, he was cōtent, but as soon as he came into the street, he cryed, saying: Helpe, helpe, good neighbors, or else the deuill will carry away my prisoner: notwithstanding, there was not one man would stirre to be the Catchpoles aide. Which when he saw, he tooke fast hold on Thomas Doue, and would not by any meanes let him goe.

Iarrat seeing this, made no more adoe, but comming to the Officer, gaue him such a fillop on the forehead with his finger, that he fell the poore Fleming to the ground : and while he lay in the street stretching his heeles, Iarrat tooke Doue vnder his arme and carried him home, where he thought himselfe as safe, as King Charlemaine in Mount-albion.

The next morning Iarrat conueyed Doue out of Towne, who afterward kept him in the Country, and came no more in the Catchpoles clawes.

How Duke Robert came a wooing to Margaret with the white hand, and how he appointed to come and steale her away from her Masters. Chap. 10.

THE beautifull Margaret, who had now dwelt with her Dame the space of foure yeeres, was highly regarded and secretly beloued of many gallant and worthy Gen

tlemen of the Country, but of two most especially, Duke Robert, and Sir William Ferris. It chanced on a time, that faire Margaret with many others of her Masters folkes, went a hay-making, attired in a red stammell peticoate, and a broad strawne hat vpon her head, she had also a hay-forke, and in her lappe shee did carry her breake-fast. As she went along, Duke Robert, with one or two of his keepers, met with her, whose amiable sight did now anew re-inkindle the secret fire of loue, which long lay smothering in his heart. Wherefore meeting her so happily, he saluted her thus friendly.

Faire maid, good morow, are you walking so diligently to your labour? Needes must the weather be faire, when the Sun shines so cleare, and the hay wholesome that is dryed with such splendent rayes. Renowned and most notable Duke (qd. she) poore haruest folkes pray for faire weather, and it is the laborers comfort to see his worke prosper, and the more happy may we count the day, that is blessed with your princely presence: but more happy, said the Duke, are they which are conuersant in thy company. But let me intreat thee to turne backe to thy Masters with me, and commit thy forke to some that are fitter for such toyle: trust me, me thinkes thy dame is too much ill aduised, in setting thee to such homely busines. I muse thou canst indure this vile beseeming seruitude, whose delicate lims were neuer framed to proue such painefull experiments.

Albeit, quoth she, it becommeth not me to controule your iudiciall thoughts, yet were you not the Duke, I

would say, your opinion deceiued you: though your faire eyes seeme cleare, yet I deemed them vnperfect, if they cast before your mind any shadow or sparke of beauty in me: But I rather thinke, because it hath beene an old saying, that women are proud to heare themselues praised, that you either speake this, to driue away the time, or to wring me from my too apparent imperfections. But I humbly intreate pardon, too longe haue I fore-slowed my businesse, and shewne myselfe ouer-bold in your presence; and therewith, with a courtly grace, bending her knees to the courteous Duke, shee went forward to the field, and the Duke to the Towne of Glocester.

When he came thither, he made his Keeper great cheare, intreating them they would giue him respit to be awhile with old Gray; for we twaine must haue a game or two, quoth he and for my safe returne, I gage to you my princely word, that as I am a true Knight and a Gentleman, I will returne safe to your charge againe.

The Keepers being content, the Duke departed, and with old Gray goes to the field, to peruse the Workefolkes, where while Gray found himselfe busie in many matters, he tooke opportunity to talke with Margaret; shee who by his letters before was priuie to his purpose guest beforehand the cause of his comming: to whom he spake to this effect:

Faire Maid, I did long since manifest my loue to thee by my letter; tell me therefore, were it not better to be a Duches then drudge! a Lady of high reputation,