PEREGRINE

All the world over have you been already? In the Antipodes? I think there's none beyond it; and that Mandevile Whose excellent work this is, was the only man That ever came near it. Beyond all English legs that I can read of. Drake was a Dy'dapper to Mandevile, Candish, and Hawkins, Furbisher, all our voyagers Went short of Mandevile: But had he reached To this place here — yes here — this wilderness, And seen the trees of the Sun and Moon, that speak, And told King Alexander of his death, he then Had left a passage open for Travelers: That now is kept and guarded by wild beasts, Dragons, and Serpents, Elephants white and blue Unicorns, and Lyons of many colours, And monsters more, as numberless, as nameless. Read here else: can you read? Is it not true? Read here again then: it is written here, That you may live four or five hundred year. Since you speak reverently of him, say on. What people sir (J pray proceed) what people Are they of the Antipodes? are they not such As Mandevile writes of, without heads or necks, Having their eyes placed on their shoulders, and Their mouths amid their breasts? The furthest off. have they good game I pray Sir? Hugh, hugh, hugh. Hugh, hugh, hugh. No I could hear you a whole fortnight, but A Bowl on the table. Let's lose no time, pray talk on as we pass. give mee't. What's he? One sent Wee'll not be stayed. A health then to the willing winds and seas, And all that steer towards the Antipodes. Are we arrived so far? What world's of lands and Seas have I passed over, Neglecting to set down my observations, A thousand thousand things remarkable Have slipped my memory, as if all had been Mere shadowy phantasms, or Fantastic dreams. But how long do you think I slept? Eight Months — I think I have read it in their famous History. I do remember, as we passed the Verge O'th' upper world, coming down, downhill, The setting Sun then bidding them good night, Came gliding easily down by us; and struck New day before us, lighting us our way; But with such heat, that till he was God far Before us, we even melted. I never was at London. I do remember that relation, As if you had but given it me this morning. Pray what are those? And what are those? Do men of such fair years here go to school? Have you no young men scholars, sir I pray; When we have beard leffe doctors? 'Tis a wise nation; and the piety Of the young men most rare and commendable, Yet give me as a stranger leave to beg Their liberty this day; and what they lose by't, My father when he goes to school, shall answer. I thank you Sir, for the poor men's release, It was the first request that I have made Since I came in these confines. All I have seen since my arrival, are Wonders. But your humanity excels. I have not known such down right equity, If he proceeds as he begins, isle grace him.— Most admirable Justice. Kneel down Again. Give me a sword some body. Give me a sword, I say, must I call thrice? Yours! what are you? He may be loyal; he's a wondrous plain one, I'll none of this, Give me that Princely weapon. It is enchanted. Rise up our trusty well beloved Knight. My followers, where are they? 'Tis well, led on the way. And so isle cherish, or severely punish. What is my game? Boy did he say? This custom I have seen with us. Call you this justice? Here's much to be reformed, young man thy virtue Hath won my favour, go, thou art at large. And you sir, take that sober seeming wanton, And clap her up, till I hear better of her, I'll strip you of your office and your ears else. They are and ignorant nation, And have my pity mingled with correction: And therefore, damsel (for you are the first Offender I have noted here, and this Your first offence (for ought I know) Go and transgress no more, And as you find my mercy sweet, see that You be not cruel to your grandmother, When she returns from bearbaiting. And what are these? It does amaze me. They pass over. What can her husband be, when she's a Fencer? 'Tis most miraculous and wonderful. Man scold within. Rogues, Varlets, Harlots, would you done Your worst, or would you drown me? would you take my life? Women within. Duck him again, duck him again. What noise is this? A man for scolding? Is this a man? I ask not by his beard, but by his tears. Sure these are dreams, Nothing but dreams. Can men and women be so contrary In all that we hold proper to each sex? It'll ask long time and study to reduce Their manners to our government. Do such eat Pompions? Call you these Courtiers? They are rude silken Clowns; As course within, as watermen or Carmen. From Court? Before I reign A Month among them, they shall change their notes, Or isle ordain a course to change their Coats. I shall have much to do in reformation. Here's a wise business! 'Tis monstrous, this. Would! what for thieves? Still worse and worse! abominable! horrid! You shall not get it him. Do you provide whips, brands; and ordain death, For men that suffer under fire, or shipwreck, The lose of all their honest got wealth: And find relief for Cheaters, Bawds, and Thieves? I'll hang ye all. 'Tis a fair protestation: And my mercy Meets your submission. See you merit it In your conformity. Stand up you have our favour. What voice was that? A Crown secures not and unlawful marriage. I have a wife already. How know you that? Indeed she's wondrous Like her. Mandivell writes Of people near the Antipodes, called Gadlibriens : Where on the wedding-night the husband hires Another man to couple with his bride, To clear the dangerous passage of a Maidenhead. She may be of that Serpentine generation, That stings oft times to death (as Mandevile writes) I am what you are pleased to make me; but withal, so ig norant of mine own condition; whither I sleep, or wake, or talk, or dream; whither I be, or be not; or if I am, whither I do, or do not any thing: for I have had (if I now wake) such dreams, and been so far transported in a long and tedious voy age of sleep, that I may fear my manners can acquire no welcome, where men understand themselves. How! your daughter sir? I ink so. Yes. Indeed I find me well. And from our Travails in the Antipodes. We are not yet arrived from off the Seas: But on the waves f desperate fears we roam Until your gentler hands do waft us home. Are these but labouring men, and tother Courtiers? What if I craved? a counsel from New England ? The old will spare me none. Will you make me mad? How's this?