sigs Biii verso–Biiii verso

...

Of Bearbaytynge.

What follye is thyse
to kepe wyth daunger,
a greate mastyfe dogge
and a foule ouglye Beare.|
And to this onelye ende
to se them two fyght,
Wyth terrible tearynge
A full ouglye syght
And yet me thynke those men
Be mooste foles of all
Whose store of money
is but verye smale.
And yet euerye sondaye
they wyll surelye spende,
One penye or two
the bearwardes liuyng to mende.
At Paryse garden eche sondaye
a man shall not fayle,
To find two or thre hundredes
for the bearwardes vaile.
One halpenye a piece
they vse for to giue
When some haue no more
in their purse I beleue.
Well, at the laste daye
theyr conscience wyll declare
That the pore ought to haue
all that they maye spare. |
For God hathe commaunded
that what we maye spare,
Be geuen to the pore
that be full of care.
If you giue it therefore
to se a Beare fyght,
Be ye sure goddes curse
wyl vpon you lyght.

...

ff 169–9v ( August)

...

Hanno passato il fiume in un certo loco forse ducento cani richiusi uno separato dall'altro in alcune piciole casele di tauole, e sono de quelli che usiamo a Venetia alla caccia de tori, Hanno anco in un'altra casa molti orsi, et in un'altra alquanti tori saluatici, e nel mezo un loco rittondo circondato de palchi, con li suoi coperti per la pioggia, e per il sole, oue ogni domenica amaestrando li cani si prende un solazzo ‸⸢grande⸣ pagando a star a basso uno denarò, che sono s.2 e doi ad ascender nelli palchi. El solazzo è che ad hora di uespro cominciando fino alla sera ui fanno bellissime caccie. prima menano in esso loco che è richiuso attorno, e non se ui puo uscire se non aprono alcune porte menano dico<..> uno caualo di poco pretio con tutti li suoi fornimenti, et una simia in sella, poi quattro, o sei cani delli piu giouani con li | quali danno uno assalto, e li cambiano, conducendone delli altri piu esprimentati, nella qual caccia e bellissimo uedere el cauallo fugir trando calci, e mordendo, e la simia tenersi forte alla sella, et cridare molte uolte essendo morduta, nella qual caccia poi che hanno intertenuto un pezzo li circostanti con morte spesso del cauallo, conduttolo fuori ui introducono alquanti orsi hora uno alla uolta, e quando piu insieme, ma questa caccia non è molto bella da uedere. Vltimamente poi ui mettono un toro saluatico, e lo ligano con una corda cerca dua passa longa ad un palo fitto nel mezo, e questa caccia piu bella da ueder dell'altre, e con piu pericolo de cani delle altre, delli quali molti ne sono feriti, e morti ‸⸢e⸣ dura fin sera....

sigs Evj verso–Evij (Fifth Satyr)

...

What else but gaine and Money gote
maintaines each Saboth day
The bayting of the Beare and Bull?
What brings this brutish play?
What is the cause that it is borne,
and not controlled ought,
Although the same of custome be,
on holy Saboth wrought?
Now sure I thinke tys gaine or spite,
gainst good and godly lyfe:
It seemes it is t'ynuegle men,
whyles Gods worde is so ryfe:
I cannot any where perceyue
where gaine is gotten well:
I can not see where well tys spent,
I thinke no man can tell |
Or iustlie saye, here goeth one
(for most part now I meane)
That iustly lyues and leades his lyfe:
that doth to vertue leane.

...

sigs Bv–B2v

...

What merry Gale shall wee then wish for? vnles it bee to Ferry ouer the Hellespont, and to crosse from Sestus to Abidus, that is to say, from London to the Beare Garden? The company of the Beares hold together still they play their Tragi-Comædies as liuely as euer they did: The pide Bul heere keepes a tossing and a roaring, when the Red Bull dares not stir. Into this Ile of Dogs did I therefore transport my selfe, after I had made tryall of all other pastimes.

No sooner was I entred but the very noyse of the place put me in mind of Hel: the beare (dragd to the stake) shewed like a black rugged soule, that was Damned, and newly committed to the infernall Charle, the Dogges like so many Diuels, inflicting torments vpon it. But when I called to mind, that al their tugging together was but to make sport to the beholders, I held a better and not so damnable an opi|nion of their beastly doings: for the Beares, or the Buls fighting with the dogs, was a liuely representation (me thought) of poore men going to lawe with the rich and mightie. The dogs (in whom I figured the poore creatures) and fitly may I doe so, because when they stand at the dore of Diues, they haue nothing (if they haue but there but bare bones throwne vnto them, might now & then pinch the great ones, & perhaps ver them a little by drawing a few drops of blood from them: but in the end, they commonly were crushed, & either were carried away with ribs broken, or their skins torne & hanging about their eares, or else (how great so euer their hearts were at the first encounter) they (stood at the last) whining and barking at their strong Adversaries, when they durst not, or could not bite them. At length a blinde Beare was tyed to the stake, and in stead of baiting him with dogges, a company of creatures that had the shapes of men, & faces of christians (being either Colliers, Carters, or watermen) tooke the office of Beadles vpon them, and whipt monsieur Hunkes, till the blood ran downe his old shoulders: It was some sport to see Innocence triumph ouer Tyranny, by beholding those vnnecessary tormentors go away with scratchd hands, or torne legs from a poore Beast, arm'd onely by nature to defend himselfe against Violence: yet me thought this whipping of the blinde Beare, moued as much pittie in my breast towards him as ye leading of poore starued wretches to the whipping posts in London (when they had more neede to be releeued with foode) ought to moue the hearts of Cittizens, though it be the fashion now to laugh at the punishment.

The last Chorus that came in, was an old Ape drest vp in a coate of changeable cullers (on horsebacke) and he rode his circuit with a couple of curres muzled, that like two footemen ran on each side of his old Apes face, euer and anon leaping vp towards him and making a villanous noise with their chappes, as if they had had some great suites to his Apishnes, and that he by the haste he made no lei=|sure to heare such base and bashfull Petitioners.

The hunny that I sucked out of this weede, was this: That by seeing these, I called to minde the infortunate condition of Soldiers and old seruitors, who when the stormes of troubles are blowne ouer, being curbd of meanes and so burying that courage and worth that is in their bosoms, are compeld (by the vilenesse of the time) to follow ye heeles of Asses with gay trappings, not daring so much as once to open their lips in reprehension of those apish beastly and ridiculous vices, vpon whose monstrous backes they are carried vp and downe the world, and they are flattered onely for their greatnes, whilst those of merit liue in a slauish subiection vnder them.

...

pp 16-17

...Now my plot was to haue him to the Beare-garden, and there before a house full of people, he should haue eaten a wheele barrow full of Tripes, and the next day, as many puddings as should reach ouer the Thames (at a place which I would measure betwixt London and Richmond) the third day, I would haue allowed him a fat Calfe, or Sheepe of twenty shillings price, and the fourth day he should haue had thirty Sheepes Geathers, this from day to day, he should haue had wages & dyet with variety; but he fearing that which his merits would amount vnto, brake off the match, saving, that perhaps when his Grace, (I guesse who he meant) should heare of one that ate so much, and could worke so little, he doubted there would come a command to hang him: whereupon our hopefull Beare-garden busines was shiuerd, and shatterd in pieces.

Indeed hee made a doubt of his expected performance in his quality, by reason of his being growne in yeeres, so that if his stomack should faile him publikely, and lay his reputation in the mire, it might haue beene a disparagement to him foreuer; and espeically in Kent, where he hath long beene famous, hee would be loth to be defamed...

sig F2v

...and aboue all the rest, she was most taken with the report of three famous Amphytheators, which stood so neere scituated, that her eye might take view of them from her lowest Turret, one was the Continent of the World, because halfe the yeere a World of Beauties, and braue Spirits resorted vnto it; the other was a building of excellent Hope, and though wild beasts and Gladiators, did most possesse it, yet the Gallants that came to behold those combats, though they were of a mixt Society, yet were many Noble worthies amongst them; the last which stood, and as it were shak'd handes with this Fortresse, beeing in times past, as famous as any of the other, was now fallen to decay, and like a dying Swanne, hanging downe her head, seemed to sing her owne dierge;...

pp 66–9

...

17. Paris-Garden.

This may better bee termed a foule Denne then a faire Garden. It's pitty so good a piece of ground is no better imploied: Heere are cruell Beasts in it, and as badly vs'd; heere are foule beasts come to it, and as bad or worse keepe it, they are fitter for a Wildernesse then a City:| idle base persons (most commonly) that want imployment, or else will not be otherwise imploy'd, frequeut this place; and that money which was got basely here, to maintaine as bad as themselues, or spent lewdly; here come few that either regard their credit, or losse of time: the swaggering Roarer, the cunning Cheater, the rotten Bawd, the swearing Drunkard, and the bloody Butcher haue their Rendeuouz here, and are of chiefe place and respect. There are as many ciuil religious men here, as thei're Saints in Hell. Here these are| made to fight by Art, which would agree by Nature: They thriue most when the poore beasts fight oftenest: their imployment is all vpon quarrels as vnlawfull, as vnseemely, they cause the Beasts first to fight, and then they put in first to part them: It's pitty such beastly Fellowes should bee so well maintain'd, they torment poore creatures, & make a gaines and game of it. The Beasts come forth with as ill a will, as Beares to the stake. A Beare-ward and an Atturney are not much vnlike, the Atturney seemes the more cruell, for these| baite but Beasts; but these men, their Clients: The Beareward striues to recouer the hurts of his Beasts, but the Atturney regards not the dammages of any, and they both follow the Trade for profit. Well, I leaue the place, and when I intend to spend an houre, or two, to see an Asse and an Ape, to losse and charges, I may perhaps come hither: But as long as I can haue any imployment elsewhere, I will not come to see such a great Company so ill occupied, in so bad a place.

sigs B1v–B2 (More worthy and remarkable observations of the Bull)

...

For our Beare-Garden Bull, a Bull of war,
A stout, a valiant, and a Head-strong-Beast,
Which did not fight this 18 Moneths at least;
A Beast of mighty policy and power,
That at his Dog foes will looke Grim, and Lower,
Hee'le Knit the Brow with terror, in such sort,
That when he chafes most, then he makes most sport;
At push of Pike, he with his head will play,
And with his feet spurne injuries away;
Hee'l turne and wind as nimble as an Eele,
And kicke, and skornes abuses with his Heele;
Hee'le fling and throw, hee'le bravely tosse & turn,
Hee'le hurle and heave, and dangerously spurne,
Note but his valour, when hee's at the stake,
How he prepares himselfe the Dog to take:
His feet fix'd fast, disdaining once to stirre,
His wary eye upon the angry Cur.|
Whilst politickly with his Head he weaves,
And with advantage up his foe he heaves,
With such a force, that often with the fall
Hee's dead, or lam'd, or hath no power to sprawle.
Thus hath our Bull fought in his owne defence,
And purchas'd (for his Master( Crowns and pence.
And for that purpose may do so agen,
(I wish I had the knowledge to know when)
For since the time a Bull a Dog could tosse,
Our Beare-Garden had never such a losse:
But lets not lay the fault upon the Times,
But let us blame our selves, and cease our Crimes.

sigs D5–D5v (A Beare)

...

Being growne unto Maturity and strength,
And having hither past the seas, at length,
At Beare-Garden, (a sweet Rotuntious Colledge)
Hee's taught the Rudiments of Art and knowledge.
There doth he learne to dance, and (gravely grumbling)
To fight & to be Active (bravely tumbling)
To practise wards, and postures, to and fro,
To guard himselfe, and to offend his foe;|
Upon his hind feet, Tipto stiffe to stand,
And cuffe a Dog off with his foot-like hand;
And afterwards (for recreations sake)
Practise to run the Ring about the stake.
Whilst showts, and Mastives mouthes do fill the sky
That sure Acteon ne're had such a cry.
Thus Beares do please the hearing and the sight,
And sure their sent will any man invite:
For whosoer'e spends most, shall finde this favour,
That by the Beares and Dogs, hee's made a favour.
And as a Common-wealth, (oft by Ill-willers)
Is vex'd by prowling knaves, and Caterpillars,
So is a Beare (which is a quiet Beast)
By Curres and Mungrels, oftentimes opprest.
And tyde to what he doth hee's bound to see,
The best and worst of all their cruelty.
And for mens monies, what shift ere they make for't,
What ere is laid or paid, the Beare's at stake for't.
Though he be hardly drawne to't 'gainst his will,
Hee's bound to see and beare, and bide much ill
Besides the baiting of a Beare is rare,
Unlike the baiting of a Horse or Mare:
The Horse hath Provender, and Hey for Bait,
And doth in peace and quiet eate his meat;
When as the Beare, is Tugg'd, Lugg'd, Bit & Beaten
And eates no Bait, but likely to be Eaten.

...

D7v–D8v

...

Now once againe, pray lend your eyes and eares,
Ile write of baiting of the Bulls and Beares.
It is a Game so ancient, that I wot
Records can scarce shew when we usde it not.
Except now, in these sad infectious times,
That heav'ns just hand doth plague us for our crimes,
The Game is by aucthority supprest;
And Beares, and Bulls, and Dogs, have too much rest,
Through want of baiting growne to such a straine,
(Hard to be tam'd, or brought in frame againe)
Almost all mad for want of exercise,
Filling the Aire with roaring and with cries,
That those who neer the Bear-Garden are dwelling
Do heare such bellowing, bawling, yawling, yelling,
As if Hell were broake loose, or (truth to speake)
The Devils at foot-ball were or Barley-breake.
There's three couragious Bulls, as ever plaid,
Twenty good Beares, as er'e to stake was taid.|
And seventy Mastives of such Breed and Races,
That from fierce Lions will not turne their faces;
A male and female Ape (kind Jacke and Jugge)
Who with sweet complement do kisse and hugge,
And lastly there is Jacke an Apes his Horse,
A Beast of fiery fortitude and force.
As for the Game I boldly dare relate,
'Tis not for Boyes, or fooles effeminate,
For whoso'ere comes thither, most and least,
May see and learne some courage from a Beast:
And 'tis not only a base Rabble Crew,
That thither comes, It may be proved true,
That to the Beare-Garden comes now and than,
Some Gamesters worth ten thousand pounds a man.
For rough behaviour that's no great disgrace,
There's more hors-play us'd at each deere hors-race,
More heads, or legs, or necks, are broake each day,
At Cards, Dice, Tables, Bowles, or foot-ball-play.
The Game hath been maintain'd, and will, we hope
Be so againe (now favour gives it scope)
For Kings, for Princes, for Ambassadors,
Both for our Countreymen, and forreigners.
Which hath been held, a Royalty and Game,
And (though ecclips'd) will be againe the same.
But now (to make an end) must be explain'd,
How it the name of Paris-Garden gain'd:
The name of it was from a Royall Boy,
(Brave Illions fire-brand, wracke and sacke of Troy)|
Paris (King Priams sonne) a sucking child
Was throwne away into the woods so wilde,
There that young Prince was cast to live or perish,
And there a Bear with sucke, the babe did cherish;
And as a rare memoriall of the same,
From Paris, Paris-Garden hath the name.
Those that will not beleeve it, let them go
To France, in Paris, they may find it so,
Or if not there, let them looke narrowly,
In Mathew Paris famous History.
And that we have obtain'd againe the Game,
Our Paris-Garden Flag proclaimes the same.
Our Beares, and Bulls, and Dogs, in former state,
The streets of London do perambulate,
And honest sport, and lawfull merriment,
Shall thrice a weeke be shew'd, to give content.|

Heere followes the Names of the
Bulls and Beares at the Beare-
Garden now.

The Bulls are,

1 Goldilocks.

2 Emperour.

3 Dash.

4 Iugler.

The Beares are,

1 Ned of Canterbury.

2 George of Cambridge.

3 Don Iohn.

4 Ben Hunt.

5 Nan Stiles.

6 Beefe of Ipswich.

7 Robin Hood.

8 Blind Robin.

9 Iudith of Cambridge.

10 Besse Hill.

11 Kate of Kent.

12 Rose of Bedlam.

13 Nan Talbot.

I4 Mall Cut-Purse.

I5 Nell of Holland.

16 Mad Besse 17 Will Tookey

two white Beares

18 Besse Runner.

19 Tom Dogged.

If any will have one of these, or some,
Or all, let them to our Beare-Garden come:
These beasts are for their service bound & tide,
And there their pleasures may be satisfide.

sigs E3v–4

...

But leaving stately horses, it is found þ
The Bear-garden is circular, or rovnd,
Where Iack-an-Apes his horse doth swiftly run
His circuit, like the horses of the Snn
And quicke as lightning, his will trace and track,
Making that endlesse round his Zodiacke,
Which Iacke (his Rider) bravely rides a straddle,
And in his hot Careere perfumes the saddle;|
Hee's active, and hee's passive in his pace,
And sprung from ancient and approved race,
His grandsires grandsire, was begot perforce,
Between the Night-mare, and the Trojan Horse,
That female Horse of Sinon, in whose wombe
A hundred well-arm'd mad Colts had their roome,
Which being soald, spoild Troy, with sword & flame,
And from that Jade, our jade descent doth claime,
For (as his parents oft have done before)
He alvvayes keepes a jadish tricke in store.

FINIS.