many suters she had then, and whom she best respected. All which she had privatly learned of an old char-woman that frequented the house much, and whom she had corrupted to her purpose. This done, and many other instructions learned, she cunningly gets a letter to be drawne from a deere friend of this gentlewomans in the country, whom she much respected, and attiring herselfe like a plaine countriwoman, inquires for such a gentlewoman, knocks at her dore, and with many a counterfeit courtesie, delivers it to her. Which when that gentlewoman had read, and understood the contents, she intreats her to sit downe, sends for wine, and desires her of further conference. For that letter contained a particular character of this counterfeit, that she was extraordinarily skilled in magick, could tell fortunes, could tell where any treasure was hid, and obtaine it; besides could advise her in many other things that were for her future good, of which the letter said the gentleman her friend had made perfect and sound triall. After some discourse afar off, shee began to tell her shee was never in London till then, yet could she discours of many things that had privatly hapned to her, tel her what rooms she had in her house, and how they were furnisht, what chests, what rings, what stones in them, and how fashioned, for al these things and more she had privatly learned before, which put the gentlewoman in an undoubted belief of her cunning. She next desired to see her hand, and at sight of it smilingly said she was born to many good fortunes, and much beloved of the king of fayries. Then she asked her if she was not borne in such a place, had not had so many husbandes, and had not so many children so bestowed. To which the simple gentlewoman answered yea, with great admiration how she that never saw her till then, and was never in the citie before, could make such a true relation. And now she begins in her heart to esteeme the care and love of her friend, and so to give way to this womans purpose. Then she told her what suters she had, and smilingly said, and in sooth, and tell me true, doe you not love such a man best? She answered yes, still more and more amazed at her cunning. True saith she, your seller is vauted thus and thus, and there is such a corner in it, is there not? To all which she answered yea. Undoubtedly then, quoth she, but I must sweare you to secrecie, there is much gold and silver hid in that place, but unlesse you protest to keepe it close to yourselfe, and never to call my name in question, I will not undertake the taking of it up. Protestations past on both sides, the one for the undertaking, the other for concealing; she bad her then shew her two such rings of such a fashion, and a chaine which lay in such a casket, for with them she must present the king of fayries, whom she must of necessity use in this busines. The gentlewoman said she had such jewels indeed, and in such a place, and greatly admired at her skill that could know so much. And to be briefe, after many cunning gloses and private wispering in her eare of such passages as had before hapned her, this cunning quean so far perswaded her, that for that time she only tooke survey of the place where the gold was hid. The second time she cleanly carried away the chaine, rings, and certaine money which was to provide things necessary to such ceremonies: but the third time till she was publikly arraigned for many other cosonages, she could never set eye of her. Many ridiculous and frivolus impositios in this busines she put upon this gentlewoman, which for modesty sake I am willing to conceale, as to sit looking so many houres crosse legd towards the East, and so long another way that her predecessor so famous for cheating the tripewife in Newgate market could never equall, much lesse exceed her in these new devised tricks of legerdemaine. CHAP. 13.-Another done by one of her companions. This companion comes to a young shopkeeper, a goldsmith's prentise, one that had the charge of more wealth then wit, and desires to speake with him, and in smooth language so insinuated, that she made him beleeve the queene of fayries did most ardently doat upon him ;* the fellow liking the motion, askt how he might see or speak with her. Why thus, quoth she, bring foure of the fairest silver and guilt peeces of plate in thy masters shop into such a close by S. Giles, and place them at the foure corners of the close, and they shal not onely be turned to perfect gold, but there thou shalt confer with the amorous queen of fayries. The young man the next morning got up early according to his houre, went to the close, and placed the plate at the foure corners, still expecting the queen of fayries, and then this Alice West had plast in a ditch foure of her consorts, who came forth, and with stones and brickbats, so beat the poore prentise, that he ran home, and forgot to take his plate with him. His corage was cold for meeting the Q. of fayries. There remains many other that are not yet revealed, but at their next arainment, when they come to light, we will acquaint you with the projects which appeare to me as things necessary to be divulged, because that such as have not falne in these pitfals, may by this means avoid them, seeing such daily presedents before their eyes of lamentable repentance, wishing withall, that the ancient proverbe in the accedence, may in such hereafter be verifyed. Happy are they whom other mens harmes do make to beware. * This may be considered an illustration of the love between Titania and Bottom the Weaver. XIII. DRAYTON'S NYMPHIDIA. This beautiful poem, without which our collection could not be complete, is not so popularly known as to preclude its insertion. The text is chiefly taken from an early edition, without date, in the editor's possession. There is no doubt that it was a posterior production to the Midsummer Night's Dream, as Drayton himself calls it one of his "latest poems." See Malone's Shakespeare, ed. 1821, v. 206. Old Chaucer doth of Thopas tell, A latter third of Dowsabel, With such poor trifles playing: Another sort there be, that will As they were wedded to them: No tales of them their thirst can slake, So much delight in them they take, And some strange thing they fain would make, Knew they the way to do them! 1 Ritson alters this to ever. I prefer the ancient duplication of the negative, although of course not grammatically correct. Other instances occur in the course of the poem. Then since no muse hath been so bold, Or of the later, or the old, Which lie from others reading; And thou, Nymphidia, gentle fay, This palace standeth in the air, And somewhat southward tow'rd the noon, And thence the fairy can as soon The walls of spiders legs are made, It curiously that builded : |