The WARRANT.

Know all men by these presents, that we, Sir Resolute Rednose, of the Town of Taplow, in the County of Cumberland, with our dear and trusty Cosins Sir Ferdinando Fiery Face, Lord Sigismund Ruby Nose, together with our associates and fellow Commissioners, Sir William Swill-boule, Sir Gregory Toss-pot, Sir Thomas Spend-all, Sir Alexander Dry lips, Sir Lewis Lick-Spiggot, Edward Barley, Thomas Maltster, Richard Brewer, and Geffery Tapster Esquires &c. By vertue of a Mandamus, or a fieri facias, issued unto us from the great Wine Cellar in Bacchus Prerogative Court, near to Stumbling Alley, from the Lord James Fill-Pot, and Signeur Jeronymo Tap-lash, do Enact, appoint, and ordaine, that any and every person, male or female, of what Countrey soever, being taken so drunk, that they are without wit, sence, or reason, shall forthwith pay to the under Officers herein named, viz, to John Bottle nose, William Suck-all, Gerard Turn-Tub, and Jenkin ap Morgan of Ale-ton, or to their Deputy, or Deputies, the full and just sum of 4^d without any resistance or delay upon the next Morning; but in case of any of the Delinquents in the Premises, shall be so ingenuous as to confesse their fault without distraining, that then this Penalty shall not exceed above 2^d. But in case the parties are resolved to ride the old ridden Jade called Cut, or a Dog of the same Haire [²²¹] next morning, without any remorse, and will presume to hunt the Fox againe, that then our said Bayliffs, and Deputies are forthwith either to joyne with them, or else to suspend the execution of this our said Warrant, till he or they may be sober, which is much feared will not quickly be effected; and therefore, for the better and surer progresse herein, that Justice may be the sooner executed, we enjoyn all Constables of Burroughs and Parishes as well high as Petty, to be assisting to this our merry Warrant, and do desire them if they or any of their substitute Officers can find leasure from sleep, or their nodding benches, to examine the Premises and Persons, to shew due respects unto them, considering well that the case and cause not only hath been their own, but suddenly and shortly will be again, as soon as they can either meet with merry Company or good moneys. Hereof they or any of them are not to faile at their utmost perils.

To all Constables, Head boroughs, and other petty Officers, and stout Drinkers, whom this specially concernes.

Given at our Mannour of Flushing in the Full Moone Tavern at Sun rising

Anno 155432.

Upon the last day of the first of March.

Ut Supra.

[²²¹] Sic in orig.

[26.] One told a Story (which he swore was of certain as you know all these things are,) For, says he, I was riding to Saint Albans, and riding through a Lane, that was of stiff Clay, as I was galloping, my Horses foot sticking in, pluckt off shoe and hooff too, and so I gallopt on for three or four Miles; and my horse never complained, that I never saw a horse gallop so well on three legs in my life; at length he began to limp, then I lighted to see what he ailed and found both shooe and hooff gone; so, fearing to pay for the horse, got presently up agen, and gallopt as fast as I could drive; and fortunately my Horse leg lighted agen in the same place, and pull'd up hooff, shoe and all, which was better fastened than when I came out; and so I performed my journy, and got that night as far as I rid.

[91.]One evening as Cold as Cold might be,

With frost and haile, and pinching weather,

Companions about three times three

Lay close all in a pound together.

Yet one after another they tooke a heate,

And died that night all in a sweat.

Resolution. A pound of Candles.