9-2 9 
 ^833 
 
 *C 25 H20 
 
HEi I 
 
 T^ 
 
 O ( ) S E 
 
HELL'S 
 
 BROKE 
 
 LOOSE. 
 
 LONDON 
 Printed by W. W. and are to be 
 
 fold by G. Loftus in Popes-head 
 
 Allie neare the Exchange. 
 
 1605. 
 
RVf3 
 
 ML 
 
 An Aduertifement 
 
 to the wife and difcreete 
 
 REader; hee that in difcription of a wic- 
 ked man, doth perfonate him, is to 
 fpeake as that wicked man, not befee- 
 ming a good man; or elfe he can not aptly 
 deliuer him in his kinde, fo odious as hee is : 
 In refpeci whereof, let not any fpeach herein 
 be mifconflrued, which is onely fet downe 
 as fpoken by the rebellious Heretiques, the 
 more truely to explaine them as notorious as 
 they were. Vale. 
 
TO THE READER. 
 
 N this vn-weeded Garden of the 
 World, hathfprungvp through alages 
 of the fame, mofi innumerable encn of 
 all forted kindes, that haue been- oppo- 
 fite to Vertue, and purfucrs of Vice; 
 Such as haue with great trauell and 
 labour taken payiies to goe to Hell, and 
 runne the broade zvay path with Hindes feete, in all poafling 
 fpeede that the Diuell could employ them. Amongfl the reft 
 of this fearefull race runners (of their variable qualities) here 
 is a defcriptio7i of the moft notorious Rebels and Heretiques of 
 Europe, certaine Germane A nabaptiftes,fuch as would haue 
 all things common, and all men at free zvill and libertie to do 
 what they lift, without controivle of any Atithoritie: cuery 
 mans Will Lazu; and cuery ones Dreame Doclrine. 
 
 Before the comming of our Sauiour Chrift ; Theudas, and 
 Iudas Galilasus, two f editions felloives of faclious fpirit,f edu- 
 ced the I ewes : Thefirfl of them faying, that hee zvas a Prophet 
 fent from God for mans good ; and that by his owne poiverfull 
 word, hee coidd deuide the zvaters of Iordan in as admirable 
 
 ^ 2 - fort, 
 
 wsoaoos 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 fort, as Iofliua theferuant of the Lord had done. The other \ 
 did earneflly promife to enlarge the Iewes from the fernitnde 
 and yoke of the Romans : both of them by thefe meanes, dra- 
 wing after them great multitudes of people; and both of them 
 comming vnto deferued deflruclion: For Fatus the Gouer- 
 nour of Iury ouertooke Theudas, and fent his head as a mo- 
 nument to Ierufalem: and Iudas likezvife peri/lied, and all his 
 folloiving confederates zvere difperfed. 
 
 After our Sauiour Chrift, in the time of his blefscd Apo- 
 flles, Elimas the Sorcerer mightely withflood the proceeding 
 of Paule & Barnabas, fowing the feed of Herejie in the minde 
 of Sergius Paulus Deputie: but the iudgement of God ouer- 
 tooke him, and he zvas flrucken with blindnejfe. Not long after 
 him, in the raigne of Adrian the Emperour, arofe an other cal- 
 led Bencochab, that prof ejfed himfelfe to be the Mefsias, & to 
 hauc defended from Heauen in the likenes of a Starre,for the 
 fafetie & redemption of the people: by which fallacie, he drew 
 after him a world of f editions people; but at lafl, hec and 
 many of his credulous route wcreflaine, and was called by the 
 Iewes (in contempt) Bencozba (that is) the Sonne of a lie. 
 
 Manes, of whom the Maniches tooke their name and firfl 
 originall, forged in his fooliJJi braine a fiction of two Gods, 
 
 and 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 and two beginners; and reiccling the old Teflament, and the 
 true God, which is reuealed in the fame; publi/Jied a fift Gof- 
 pell of his owne forgerie, reporting himfelfe to be the Holy 
 Ghoft : When he had thus with diimlging his diuelifli Here- 
 fies and Blafphemies tnfeflcd the world, being purfued by Gods 
 iufl iudgement, hee was for other wicked praclizes taken, and 
 his skinne pulled otter his cares aliue. 
 
 Montanus that notorious blafphemous wretch, of whom 
 t/te Montanifts tooke their ofspring, denycd Chrift our Sa- 
 uiour to be GOD, faying: Hee was but Man onely, like 
 other men, without any participation of Diuine efsence: Hee 
 called himfelfe the Comforter, and Holy fpirit, which was pro- 
 mifed to come into the world; and Ids two Wiues Prifcilla 
 and Maximilla, he named his Propheteffes, and their zvritings 
 Prophefes: yet all their cunnmg could not preuent nor fore- 
 tell a wretched and defperate end zvhich befell him; for after 
 he had of long time deluded the ivorld, in imitation of Iudas, 
 hee hanged himfelfe. 
 
 Infinite are the examples that may be collecled out of the 
 regiflers of foregone ages, touchittg the lamentable euilles, 
 flaughters, blood, and death, that haue enfued from the dam- 
 nable heriticall Inflruments of the Diuell; and how the peo- 
 
 A. pie 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 pie (affecling Nouclties, and Innovations) haue concurred 
 from time to time, with the plotters endeuours, Hiftorics are 
 full of their memories. Mofl Rebellions do pretende Religion 
 for them f elites : No Villaine but dare tume a good outfide to 
 the eye, though the infide be as bad, as heart can imagine. 
 
 Thefe infamous Rebels and Heretiques in Germanie, 
 pretended Religion; they would be Reformers of the Church, 
 and State: new Doclrine of their owne franticke conceites: 
 no Childred flwuld be Baptized: all thinges fJiould be com- 
 mon, & no Magij Irate to goucrne, but euery man at his owne 
 liber tie to doe ivhat he lift; take ivhatfoeuer he flood in need of, 
 without pay '■: pluralitie of Wiues: no recouerie of wrong full 
 detayned Goodes, and fuch like villanous roguiflt fluff e, that 
 neuer a Theefe in the world would refufe to fubferibe vnto it. 
 
 This zvas no fooner taught by Iohn Leyden, alias Yoncker 
 Hans a Dutch Taylor, Tom Mynter a parifli Clarke, Knip- 
 perdulling a Smyth, and Crafteing a Ioyner; but it was un- 
 braced by thoufandes of the Boorcs, and vulgar illiterate 
 Clozvnes, who in great companies dayly reforted vnto them 
 foorth of all Townes and Villages: A mofl rude rafcall com- 
 panie that regarded 7ieither Gods fear e, nor mans fauour, men 
 HELLE BROKE LOOSE. 
 
 In 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 In their outragious madnes, they attempted much villanic, 
 omitting to put nothing in practize that flood zvith their hu- 
 mours lyking; as good Commons Wealths men, as Iacke 
 Straw, Watt Tyler, Tom Myller, Iohn Ball, &c. in the 
 raigne of Richard the 2. and as found D mines for Doclrine, 
 as Hackets Difciplcs; that preached in Cheapefide in a 
 Peafe-cart: Yet they found of their oivne fratemitie to man- 
 nage the Diuels ajfayres; and muflering tJiemfclues togeather, 
 all compofed of the fcumbe and wafle worfer-fort could be ra- 
 ken vp, they proceeded fo farrc, that they tooke the Toivne of 
 Munfter, and there for a time, domineerd as if they had been 
 Electors apeece to the Emperour; vntill beeing beleagerd by 
 the Dttke of Saxon, they were taught to tafle Iww Extremitie 
 did fauour, finding the bitternejfe of their rafli and graceleffe 
 attemptes, to punifli them mofl fence rely in the end: For when 
 Cattcs, Dogges, Rattes and Mycc, grew fcarce and daintie, 
 (No common difli, but choyce dyet for Iohn Leyden, and the 
 Lordes of his counfaile Knipperdulling the Smyth, Crafteing 
 the Ioyner, and Tom Mynter the Clarke;) They zvere con- 
 ftrayned to frie old grcafic Buffe leather Ierkins, and Parch- 
 ments, Coouers of Bookcs, Bootes in St cakes, and Stciv-pottes of 
 old Shoes, till in the end being famijlied as leane as dryed 
 
 A 2. Stock- 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 Stock-fi/Ji, they were fubdncd ': and Leyden (who had tearmed 
 hintfelfe King of Munfter) with his Nobles, made of Smyth, 
 Ioyner, and Parifh-Clarke, were according to the injl re- 
 ward of all Rebels, pnt to death, with great torture: and be- 
 ing dead, their bodyes were Jiang' d in Iron Cages vpon tJie 
 toppe of tJie Jiigh Steeple in Munfter called S. Lamberts 
 Steeple, for an example to all of Rebell race: TJicir Confede- 
 rates in great multitudes Jiauing perifhed tvitJi tJie Sword and 
 famine, may togeatJier witli all Tray tors witnejfe to tJie world 
 tJirougJiout all enfuing ages, Jww GOD witJi vengeance re- 
 wardes allfucJi State-diflurbers, and factious Rebels. 
 
THE GHOST OF 
 
 IACKE STRAW. 
 Prologue. 
 
 I That did a£t on Smythfeildes bloodie Stage, 
 In fecond Richards young and tender age: 
 And there recei'ud from Walworths fatall hand, 
 The ftabb of Death, which life did countermand: 
 Am made a Prulogue to the Tragedie, 
 Of LEYDEJV, a Dutch Taylors villanie. 
 Not that I ere conforted with that flaue, 
 My rafcall rout in Hollenjhed you haue : 
 But that in name, and nature wee agree, 
 An Englijh Traytor I, Dutch Rebell hee. 
 In my Confort, I had the Prieft Iohn Ball; 
 Mynter the Clarke, vnto his fhare did fall. 
 Hee, to haue all things common did intend : 
 And my Rebellion, was to fuch an end. 
 Euen in a word, wee both were like apoynted, 
 
 A3- 
 
 To 
 
PROLOGVE. 
 
 To take the Sword away from Gods Anoynted : 
 And for examples to the worlds laft day, 
 Our Traytours names fhall neuer weare away : 
 The fearefull Path's that hee and I haue trod, 
 Haue bin accurfed in the fight of God. 
 Heere in this Regifter, who ere doth looke, 
 (Which may be rightly call'd The bloody Booke) 
 Shall fee how bafe and rude thofe Villains bee, 
 That do attempt like LE YDEN; plot like mee. 
 And how the Diu'll in whofe name they begon, 
 Payes them Hells wages, when their worke is don: 
 " Treafon is bloodie; blood thereon attends: 
 " Traytors are bloodie, and haue bloodie ends. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 10 
 
THE ARGVMENT. 
 
 FRom darke Damnations vault, where Horrours dwell, 
 Inf email Furies, forth the lake of Hell 
 Ariu'd on earth, and with their damned euils 
 FiWd the whole world full of Incamat D euils: 
 For all thejinnes that Hells vaflgulfe containes, 
 In euery age, and euery kingdome raignes: 
 Murder, and Treafon, Falfe difloy all plots, 
 Sedition, Herefie, and roguifli knots: 
 Of trayfrous Rebels; Some of highefl place, 
 Andfome of meanefl fort, mofl rafcall bace: 
 Of which degree, behold a curfed crue, 
 Such as Hells-mouth into the World didfpue: 
 10 HN LEYDEN, but a Taylor by his trade, 
 Of Munfler towne a King would needes be made: 
 A Parrifh Clarke, a Ioyner, and a Smyth, 
 His Nobles were, whom hee tooke counf ell with: 
 To thefe adioyned thoufands, Boores and Clownes, 
 Out of the Villages, and Germane Townes: 
 Whereof great lojfe of 'blood greeuous enfew'd, 
 Before that Campe of Hell could befubdewd. 
 
 S. R. 
 
 ii 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 OF IOHN LEYDEN. 
 
 "\ 7"\ 7"Hen nights blacke mantle ouer th' earth was laide, 
 V V And Cinthias face all curtaine-drawne with clouds : 
 When vifions do appeare in darkfome fhade, 
 And nights fweet reft, dayes care in quiet fhrowds; 
 About the hower of twelue in dead of night, 
 A mangled Corfe appeared to my fight. 
 
 Skin torne, Flefh wounded, vgly to behold: 
 A totterd Body peece-meale pull'd in funder: 
 Harken (quoth hee) to that which fhall be told, 
 And looke not thus amaz'd with feare and wonder: 
 Though I am all beftabbed, flafh'd, and torne, 
 I am not Ccefar, him, an's ghoft I fcorne. 
 
 Icke bin Hans Ley den; vnderftandft thou Dutch? 
 IOHN LEYDEN King of Munfler, I am hee, 
 That haue in Germanie bin feard as much, 
 As any Ccefar in the world could bee : 
 From the firft houre that I armes did take, 
 I made the Germaine Gallants feare and quake. 
 
 B. By 
 
 13 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 By facultie at firft, I was a Taylour, 
 But all my minde was Kingly eue'ry thought : 
 For e'en with Cerberus, Hels dogged Iaylour, 
 A combat hand to hand I durft haue fought : 
 Then with my trade, what's hee that hath to doo ? 
 Old Father Adam was a Taylour too: 
 
 Hee made him Fig leaue Breeches at his fall, 
 
 And of that ftuffe his Wife a Kirtle wore : 
 
 Then let both Needle, Threed, my Sheares and all, 
 
 Keepe with the trade ; a Noble minde I bore : 
 
 And let this Title witnes my renowne, 
 
 IOHN LE YD EN Taylour, King of Munjler towne. 
 
 My Councellers were thefe, a valiant Smyth, 
 As tall a man as euer ftrooke a heate, 
 Call'd Knipperdulling; wondrous full of pith: 
 Crafting the Ioyner, one of courage great : 
 Tom Mynter, a madd Rogue, our Parrifh Clarke, 
 Whofe do6trine wee with diligence did marke. 
 
 Hee 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN. 
 
 Hee taught on topp of Mole-hill, Bufh, and Tree, 
 The Traytors text in England; Par/on Ball 
 Affirming wee ought Kings apeece to bee, 
 And euery thing be common vnto all: 
 For when old Adam delu'd, and Euah fpan, 
 Where was my filken veluet Gentleman? 
 
 Wee Adams Sonnes; Hee Monarch of the Earth, 
 How can wee chufe but be of Royall blood? 
 Beeing all defcended from fo high a birth? 
 Why mould not wee fhare wealth, and worldly good ? 
 Turn Maifters (quoth Tom Mynter) reafon binds it, 
 Hee that lacks Mony, take it where he finds it. 
 
 Why, is not euery thing Gods guift, we haue? 
 Doe Beaftes and Cattell buy the Graffe they eate? 
 Shall that be fould, which Nature freely gaue? 
 Why mould a Man pay Mony for his Meate, 
 Or buy his Drinke, that parboyld Beere and Ale, 
 The Fyfhes broth, which Brewers do retayle? 
 
 B2. 
 
 Pray 
 
 15 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 Pray who is Landlord to the Lyons den ? 
 Or who payes Houfe-rent for the Foxes hole ? 
 Shall Beaftes enioy more priuiledge then Men? 
 May they feed dayly vpon that is ftole, 
 Eating and drinking freely Natures ftore, 
 Yet pay for nought they take, nor goe on fcore? 
 
 Do not the Fowles fhare fellow like together, 
 And freely take their foode eu'en where they pleafe, 
 A whole yeeres dyet coftes them not a Fether? 
 And likewife all the Fyfhes in the Seas, 
 Do they not franckly feed on that they get, 
 And for their victu'als are in no mans debt ? 
 
 And fhall Man, being Lord of all the reft, 
 
 (Vnto whofe feruice thefe were all ordayned) 
 
 Of meate, nor drinke, nor clothing, be poffeft, 
 
 Vnleffe the fame by Mony be obtayned ? 
 
 Pay Houfe-rent, buy his foode, and all his clothing, 
 
 When other Creatures haue good cheare for nothing? 
 
 Wee'le 
 
 16 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN. 
 
 Wee'le none of that (quoth I, to my conforts.) 
 No (quoth Tom Mynter) frends, it ought not bee : 
 Come Libertie, and Wealth, and Princely /ports : 
 Why, Kings are made of Clay; and fo are wee: 
 Wee'le ayme our thoughts on high, at Honors marke : 
 All rowly, powly; Tayler, Smyth, and Clarke. 
 
 Wee are the men will make our Valours knowne, 
 
 To teach this doting world new reformation : 
 
 New Lawes, and new Religion of our owne, 
 
 To bring our felues in wondrous admiration : 
 
 Let's turne the world cleane vpfide downe, (mad flaues) 
 
 So to be talk'd of, when w'are in our Graues. 
 
 Braue K nipper dulling, fet thy Forge on fire. 
 It fhall be done this prefent night (quoth hee,) 
 Tom Mynter, leaue Amen vnto the Quier. 
 Quoth Tom, I fcorne hencefoorth a Clarke to bee, 
 Corncllis, hang thy woodden Ioyners trade, 
 For Noble-men apeece you fhall be made. 
 
 B3- 
 
 And 
 
 17 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 And fellow mates; Nobles and Gallants all, 
 To Maieftie you muft your mindes difpofe : 
 My Lord Hans Hogg, forfake your Butchers flail. 
 Hendrick the Botcher, ceafe from heeling Hofe. 
 Claffe Chaundler, let your Weick and Tallow lye, 
 And Peetcr Cobler, caft your old Shooes by. 
 
 For you my valiant Lords, are men of witt, 
 And farre too good for bafe and feruile trades, 
 Your Martiall power may be compared fitt, 
 Vnto the ftrength of our flrong Germane lades : 
 Who if they had but knowledge to their force, 
 What whittling Car-man could commaund his Horfe? 
 
 Your guifts are rare, and fingular to finde, 
 Beeing full of courage, refolute, and wife : 
 Yet to behold thefe parts you haue bin blinde. 
 Oh could you fee your Valour with mine eyes, 
 You would exclame that Ignoraunce fo long, 
 Hath done fo worthy Men, fuch open wrong. 
 
 But 
 
 is 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN. 
 
 But now my Lyon-harted Caualiers, 
 
 Let vs march after war-like Mars his Drome, 
 
 Your Prentifhips are out of fubieft yeeres ; 
 
 Now let vs fhow the Houfes whence wee come: 
 
 For wondrous matters there are to be done, 
 
 Crownes muft be conquerd, Kingdoms muft be wonne. 
 
 Tom Mynter, goe and preach vnto the Boores 
 All Libertie, all Freedome, Eafe, and Wealth: 
 And if they will, alow them Queanes and Whores : 
 Bid them Drinke free, and pledge Good-fellows health : 
 Say Goods are common, each man to fuffize, 
 The Rich-mans purfe, is Poore-mans lawfull prize. 
 
 Tell them, they need not ftand on honeft dealing, 
 To borrow Mony, and to pay againe : 
 And thofe that haue occafion to be ftealing, 
 May take a Purfe, if need do fo conftraine: 
 Poore Men muft haue it : Gentlemen muft Hue : 
 Good-fellowes cannot ftay till Mifers giue. 
 
 B 4 - 
 
 Ther's 
 
 19 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 There's none of vs (my Maifters) but may want, 
 Our Purfes may haue emptie ftomackes all, 
 But he mall finde his dyet to be fcant, 
 Whofe credit's fcord vpon an Ale-houfe wall, 
 I owe a debt my felfe onely for Beere, 
 Amounts to more then I haue earnd this yeere. 
 
 And let me come to a bafe Tapfters houfe, 
 Where I but owe fome twentie doofen of Beere, 
 The rafcall will not giue me one carowfe, 
 But tels me ftraight how eu'ery thing is deere: 
 Tis a hard world, the Brewer muft be pay'd : 
 Thus on my emptie Purfe the Villaine play'd. 
 
 This is his ftate, whofe Purfe is lyned thin, 
 And goes on truft, beholding for his fhot, 
 With, By your leaue, hee muft come creeping in : 
 I pray you Brother, let vs haue a Pot, 
 How does all heere? pray is mine Hoftes well? 
 Curffe not your debters: How doeft honeft Nell. 
 
 This 
 
 20 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN 
 
 This fhaking humor, I do much deteft, 
 
 Which emptie Purfes do inflict on fome : 
 
 I can not be beholden, I proteft, 
 
 Mony muft make mee welcome where I come : 
 
 If Siluer in my Pockets do not ring, 
 
 All's out of tune with mee in eu'ry thing. 
 
 What extreame griefe doth Monyes want procure? 
 How madd and franticke doth it make the minde ? 
 Againe, how chearefully can Mony cure? 
 When Phificke comes in Gold, and Siluer's kinde, 
 To thinke on this, what's hee, that would not craue it, 
 And fight himfelfe out of his skin to haue it? 
 
 Thus my braue Caualiers, you plainely fee, 
 Vpon what golden ground wee fet our foote, 
 Courage Dutch bloods, I fay couragious bee, 
 Wee will haue Wealth, and Libertie to boote : 
 Let vs goe forward as we haue begone. 
 And wee'le make bloody fport before ti's done. 
 
 C. 
 
 Iohn 
 
IOHN LEYDEN, TOM MINTER, 
 
 KNIPPERDVLLING, and their 
 
 confortcs; thefirji inucntors of the 
 
 Drcames and Dotages of the 
 
 hcriticall Anabaptifts 
 
 in Germanic. 
 
 THere neuer was fo odious a pretence, 
 Nor any Act fo wicked and fo vile, 
 But fome would take vpon them a defence 
 To colour it; the eafier to beguile 
 The fimple fort, which haue vnftayed mindes, 
 Whofe haftie Iudgment Errour eafly blindes. 
 
 So thefe leawd wretches, fprung from Villain race, 
 
 That had all Pietie in deteftation : 
 
 A Rafcall fort, that were eu'en fpent of Grace, 
 
 Would take on them Religions reformation : 
 
 And in the fore-front of their villanie, 
 
 Tom Mynter vtters new fond Herezie. 
 
 C 2. 
 
 Deare 
 
 23 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 Deare Friends (quoth he) that wee may haue fucceffe, 
 
 In this our honorable enterprife: 
 
 Which you fhall fee the very heau'ens will bleffe, 
 
 If from a Chriftian zeale it do arife, 
 
 Let's mende the Church in matters are amiffe, 
 
 Efpecially in one thing; which is this, 
 
 Chrijl gaue commifsion to the twelue, faying: 
 Into all Nations', Preach, and there Baptize. 
 So that you fee the very wordes doe fhowe, 
 And from the fubftaunce of them doth arife, 
 Wee firft muft be of yeeres to vnderftand, 
 Before wee take that Sacrament in hand. 
 
 Goc 
 
 Therefore wee'le haue no Babes to be Baptized, 
 Vntill thy come to yeeres of ripe difcretion, 
 That of the Fayth they may be firft aduifed 
 And yeeld the world accompt of their profefsion ; 
 For you may fee, vnleffe your fight be blinde, 
 Belief e is firft, and Baptifme comes behinde. 
 
 And 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN. 
 
 And yet (my Maiftars) you may dayly fee, 
 In any Country where fo ere you come, 
 Such ftore of little Children chriftned bee : 
 T'is infinite for one to count the fumme : 
 But let vs take another courfe, I pray; 
 Thofe forward Sucklings fhall hereafter ftay. 
 
 What fay you to it? are you all agreed, 
 
 That this fame do6lrine fhall be our chiefe ground ? 
 
 It fhall (fayd Leydcn) and I haue decreed, 
 
 That it be helde for holfome, good, and found : 
 
 And for example I haue thought it beft, 
 
 To be new Chriftned heere, before the reft. 
 
 Let's haue a Bafon, and fome Water ftraight, 
 
 With all the prefent fpeed it may be brought : 
 
 For I perceiue this matter is of waight, 
 
 My Chrift'ning when I was a Child, is nought : 
 
 Surely I thinke I am no Chriftian yet, 
 
 A Booke good honeft Myntcr quickly get. 
 
 C3- 
 
 Well 
 
 2* 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 Well fayd, ar't readie? Shall wee need God-father? 
 
 Yes : take you Harman Cromme, or any other : 
 
 I haue a minde to Knipperdulling rather: 
 
 And Tannckin may feme to be God-mother, 
 
 Or Knipperdulling ioyn'd with Harmon Cromme : 
 
 Let it be fo: fome water; quickly come. 
 
 Thus on they goe, with errours foule defil'd, 
 
 In rude prophaning Holy ordinaunce: 
 
 And My nter asketh, Who doth name the Child ? 
 
 Call him (quoth Knipperdulling) Yoncker Hans, 
 
 His noble minde, and nature do agree, 
 
 And therefore hee a Yoncker Hans fhall be. 
 
 Now (quoth Tom My nter) let mee make a motion, 
 To which I do befeech you all incline : 
 Let euery man that's heere, with one deuotion, 
 Come follow mee to drinke fome Rennifh wine; 
 Our inward loue, let outward deedes reueale it, 
 And to the Tauerne let vs goe and feale it. 
 
 The 
 
 26 
 
The Rebels dayly increafing in great multitudes of the 
 rude Boores, and illiterate Clozuues, propounded vnto 
 themfelues diners monflrous abfurditics, confir- 
 med by their Captaines Yoncker, Hans, and 
 Knipperdulling : which by them are 
 Intituled Tzvelue Articles of 
 Chriflian Libertie. 
 
 WHat is it from the Cocatrice doth paffe, 
 But fuch a natur'd Serpent as him felfe ? 
 What fees an Ape within a Looking-glaffe, 
 But a deformed, and ill fauour'd elfe? 
 What Good fruite commeth from an euill tree? 
 Or how mould Villains ought but Villains bee? 
 
 Like defper'at mad-men, voyde of Reafons vfe, 
 
 They run to any outrage can be thought : 
 
 And Libertie is made the Rebels fcufe, 
 
 Which now by Dreames and Fancies fo hath wrought, 
 
 That Yoncker Hans vnto his rable rout, 
 
 Twelue Articles of Libertie giues out. 
 
 And 
 
 27 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 And firft fets downe : They need not ftand in feare 
 
 Of Magiftrate or Ruler, for offence : 
 
 But they themfelues might caufes freely heare, 
 
 And fo end matters; fauing much expence 
 
 Of Coyne in Fees, which vnto Lawyers fall : 
 
 For wee'le (quoth Yonker Hans) be Lawyers all. 
 
 If that a wrong to any man be done, 
 Let him repaire to mee, and my two Lords, 
 Wee'le end the ftrife fo foone as ti's begone : 
 For halfe a doozen of Beere, in quiet words, 
 And make them drinke together, and be friends, 
 Shake hands, and like good fellowes make amends. 
 
 Next, if a man's difpofed for to ride, 
 And hath no Horfe, nor doth intend to hire, 
 Hee may take one vpon the high-way fide, 
 To feme, as his occafion doth require, 
 All-wayes prouided, when his Iournye's don, 
 Hee is to turne him loofe, and let him run. 
 
 Alfo, 
 
 28 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN. 
 
 Alfo, if any Woman chaunce to marrie, 
 And that her Husband prooue not to her minde, 
 Shee fhall be at her choyce with him to tarrie, 
 Or take an other whom fhe knowes more kinde: 
 Wee thinke it meete no Woman mould be bound, 
 To him in whom no kindnes can be found. 
 
 For if fhee match for Wit, and hee turne Clowne, 
 Or any way her bargaine prooueth ill, 
 Shee may ftay with him till her wedding Gowne 
 Be worne, and then be at her owne free-will, 
 To take another, and exchange the Lout : 
 This Law of our's, fhall ferue to beare her out. 
 
 Yea, further (which fliould haue bin fayd before) 
 That man which hath not Wife enough of one, 
 Why, let him (if he pleafe) take halfe a fcore : 
 Wee'le be his warrant, for to builde vpon : 
 Wee in our wifedomes do alow it fo, 
 For good found reafons that wee haue to fhow. 
 
 D. 
 
 For 
 
 29 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 For fay, you meete with fuch, as moft men do, 
 Of this fame proud, and idle hufwife brood, 
 Shrewifh, and toyifh ; foolifh, queanifh to : 
 Full of bad faults, and nere an inch that's good : 
 What mould men do with fuch vngratious wiues ? 
 Turne them to graffe, and fo liue quiet Hues. 
 
 Befides, Tenants mall need to pay no rent, 
 
 The Earth's the Lord's, and all that is therein: 
 
 Land-lords may hang them-felues with one confent ; 
 
 And if they pleafe, next Quarter day begin : 
 
 Wee will not be indebted vnto any, 
 
 But be Free-holders, paying not a penny. 
 
 AirBonds and Bils, mail be of no effect : 
 And hee that will not pay his Debt, may chufe : 
 This Hand, and Seale, no man mall need refpect: 
 Day of the month; and toyes that Scriueners vfe: 
 Sheepe-skins, and Waxe, fliall now no more preuayle, 
 To bring a man into the dolefull Iayle. 
 
 All 
 
 30 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN 
 
 All Prifons fhall be prefently pul'd downe, 
 For wee will haue good Fellowes walke at large: 
 A paire of Stocks fhall not appeare in Towne : 
 This in our names, wee very ftraightly charge : 
 What reafon is it when the hands haue ftole, 
 To put the Legs into a wodden hole ? 
 
 No man fhall need obay any Areft, 
 
 Let th' action be what t'will, trefpaffc or debt : 
 
 All Surety-fhip, fhall be an idle ieft : 
 
 No Creditor thereby fhall vantage get : 
 
 All Beafts and Cattell, Oxen, Sheepe, and Kine, 
 
 Shall be his that will haue them : yours, and mine. 
 
 All Forrefts, Parks, and Chafes, fhall be free 
 
 For each man that delighteth in the game : 
 
 Orchards and Gardens likewife common bee : 
 
 All Fruites and Hearbs, let him that will come clayme : 
 
 And euery thing that any man fhall need, 
 
 According to his will, let him proceed. 
 
 D2. 
 
 Who 
 
 31 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 Who will not draw his weapon in this caufe, 
 And fight it out, as long as he can ftand? 
 Which of you all will difalow thefe Lawes, 
 And will deny our Articles his hand? 
 Then all cry'd out, This Doctrine wee'le defende, 
 And Hues a peece about it wee will fpende. 
 
 Our Will's our Law; our Swordes the fame fliall pen, 
 What wee decree, let's fee who dare refift ? 
 Wee care not for the Lawes of other men, 
 But will without controule do what wee lift : 
 Wee are growne ftrong ; and wee are very wife, 
 My honeft Gentlemen, let this fuffize. 
 
 With courage now let vs our felues addreffe, 
 
 Attempting on the fodaine Munjler Towne : 
 
 Let euery one be in a readines, 
 
 Kind Fortune fmyles : regard not who doth frowne : 
 
 At euery Church wee'le hang a Tauerne figne, 
 
 And wafh our Horfes feete in Rennifh-wine. 
 
 The 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN. 
 
 The Rebels in a furious refolution, enter the Toivne of 
 
 Munfter: where zvith infolent proude audatious 
 
 Spirits, they inflict moft iniurious wrongcs 
 
 vpon the inhabitants, taking greateft 
 
 glorie in acting villanie. 
 
 With defp'rat Refolution, mad-braine heat, 
 Munfter they enter like to fauage Beares : 
 The Cittizens no fauour could entreat, 
 For all their goods are common, Lcyden fweares 
 Catch that catch may; hee bids his Souldiers fhare, 
 Deuide the fpoyle, and take no further care. 
 
 Freely fupply your wants, who euer lackes : 
 Chearely my harts ; eate, drinke, and domineere, 
 Ryfell the rich and wealthy Marchants packes : 
 Make all things cheape that heeretofore were deere : 
 And where you finde an Vfurer, be bold 
 To cut his throat, and take away his gold. 
 
 D3- 
 
 Adorne 
 
 33 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 Adorne your felues in princely braue attire, 
 
 Put downe with State the Emperours of Roome: 
 
 And giue the foolifh world caufe to admire, 
 
 And fay, wee paffe, each bafe and common Groome : 
 
 Though fome of you (my Lords) came from the Plow, 
 
 Wee'le make them ftoope, that haue difdaind to bow. 
 
 Haue you not heard that Scythian Tamberlainc 
 Was earft a Sheepheard ere he play'd the King? 
 Firft ouer Cattell hee began his raigne, 
 Then Countries in fubiection hee did bring: 
 And Fortunes fauours fo mayntain'd his fide, 
 Kings were his Coach-horfe, when he pleaf'd to ride. 
 
 Do you not fee our valorous fucceffe, 
 How eafily wee haue attayn'd this Towne? 
 What thinke you then in time wee fhall poffeffe, 
 When Greatnes comes to backe vs with renowne? 
 Why fure I thinke our fhares will fo increafe, 
 That wee fhall let out Kingdomes by the leafe. 
 
 Fill 
 
 34 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN 
 
 Fill Bowles of Wine, and let vs drinke a health: 
 Carowfe in Glaffes that are fiue foote deepe : 
 You worthy members of the Common-wealth, 
 Munjler is ours, and Munftcr wee will keepe : 
 Boone-fier the flreets ; fet Bells a worke to ring 
 For ioy a Taylour is become a King. 
 
 Bring foorth all Pris'ners prefently to mee, 
 And let the Magiftrates fupply their place ; 
 Prifons for true-men now mail only bee : 
 Braue Theeues, with many fauours wee will grace, 
 Such men as they, with courage do proceed, 
 And of their feruice wee mall ftand in need. 
 
 For Theeues (you know) of feare make no account, 
 
 They'le hazard hanging, for a little gaine : 
 
 And though vnto the Gallowes top they mount, 
 
 Both Halter and the Hang-man they disdaine, 
 
 How many die at Tyburne in a yeere? 
 
 Would make vs gallant Souldiers, were they heere. 
 
 D 4 . 
 
 He 
 
 3$ 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 He tell yee Maifters, I haue knowne men die, 
 That haue out-brau'd the Hang-man to his face : 
 Such as would giue an Empcrour the lie, 
 And valiant take a Purfe in any place, 
 Bid a man fland vpon the hige-way fide, 
 When he hath had exceeding; hafte to ride. 
 
 As full of courage as their skins could hold, 
 Spending as franckly as they freely got : 
 Scowring the ruft from Siluer and from Gold, 
 That Mifers hoorded vp and vfed not : 
 As honeft men as wee, in all their dealing, 
 And yet are hang'd for nothing but for ftealing. 
 
 Example to you of a friend He make, 
 And I befeech you all, to note the thing : 
 Who being to be married, went and fpake 
 Vnto a Goldfmith for a wedding Ring, 
 And comming for it when he mould be wed, 
 The dores were fliut, and e'ry one abed : 
 
 Hee 
 
 36 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN. 
 
 Hee had no reafon (land and knocke all day, 
 But brake the windowes open, in a left, 
 Taking all Rings he found, with him away, 
 To chufe his owne the better, from the reft : 
 Meaning to put the Gold-fmith but in feare, 
 In making him fuppofe fome Theefe were there. 
 
 Well, this poore fellow hee was apprehended, 
 Brought to the Barr, and as a Fellon try'd, 
 And yet you fee hee ieftingly offended, 
 Hauing good reafon for it on his fyde : 
 But all his proteftations were in vaine, 
 For he was hang'd in earned for his paine. 
 
 Another honeft fellow as hee went, 
 
 Did draw a Halter after him along, 
 
 Thinking no hurt, nor hauing an intent 
 
 To offer any kind of creature wrong: 
 
 One comes behind him was the Hang-mans frend, 
 
 And tyde a Horfe vnto the Halters end. 
 
 E. 
 
 The 
 
 37 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 The owner met him leading of his beaft, 
 And charged him with fellony (poore man) 
 Although in this fame matter he knew leafl, 
 There is no remedie, fay what he can 
 To prifon, hang him for an arrant thiefe. 
 How fay my maifters is not this a griefe? 
 
 But wee'le take order for fuch matters now, 
 For theeues and Gentlemen fhall be all one, 
 To take a purfe, or horfe, we will allow, 
 And let him boldly do it that hath none: 
 Take any thing that any man fhall lacke / 
 To fill the belly and to cloth the backe. 
 
 If any finde himfelfe herewith agreeued, 
 Let him be whipt and banifht forth the towne, 
 With rich mens goods we meane to haue releeued 
 The very pooreft meane and bafeft clowne, 
 Weele haue it fo my Lords, it fhall be thus, 
 Lets fee who dare but ftand on tearmes with vs. 
 
 Tom 
 
 31 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN. 
 
 Tom Myntcr, prethc fearch the towne with fpeed, 
 Chufc out the fayreft of the female kinde, 
 Some luftie wenches of the Germane brecde, 
 For to the flefh I feel my felfe inclinde : 
 Some halfe a dofen wiucs for me prouide, 
 And ftocke me with fome Concubines befide. 
 
 Go to the Goldfmithes in my princely name, 
 Will and commaund them prefently forthwith 
 They fend fuch chaynes and Iewels as I clayme 
 By K nipper dullings mouth, my Lord the Smith, 
 Without demaunding any thing therefore, 
 I neither meane to pay, nor go on fcore. 
 
 Let others to the Mercers fhops repayre, 
 And tell them we do filke and veluet lacke, 
 Our feame-rent Souldiers are exceeding bare, 
 Scant any tatters hanging on their backe. 
 Rich Taffata and Veluet of three pile, 
 Muft feme our vfe to fwagger in a while. 
 
 E2. 
 
 Com- 
 
 39;- 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 Commaund the Marchants to fupply our Court 
 With all abundance of the choyfeft Wine : 
 Vnto the Butchers likewife make refort, 
 Bid them prouid vs Oxen, Sheepe, and Swine: 
 Charge Brewers to prefent vs with their trade, 
 And that their Beere be fomewhat ftronger made. 
 
 The Baker in his office to appeere, 
 His Mealy-worfhip wee do greatly want: 
 And ftore of Cookes let vs haue likewife heere, 
 To dreffe our dimes, that they be not fcant : 
 All things in plentie, and abundant ftore, 
 Bee merry, eate, and drinke, and call for more. 
 
 This for a Refolution wee fet downe, 
 And do ordaine that it continue ftill : 
 All is our owne that is within the Towne, 
 And wee are men that haue the world at will : 
 Fill Bowles of Wine, carowfe a High-Dutch round, 
 For Cares lye conquerd, and our Ioyes are croun'd. 
 
 Munfter 
 
 40 
 
Munfter being befeiged by the Duke of Saxonie, the Rebels 
 indure great myferie, and extremitie by famifliment ; but 
 conjlrained in the end to yeelde: their principall 
 Captaines Leyden, Knipperdulling, and Myn- 
 ter, are torttir'd and put to death, for exam- 
 ple to all of Rebellious damned difpofz- 
 tion, ending as defperate, as their 
 Hues were dmelifh. 
 
 AMbitions wheele, which Traytors do afpire, 
 Hath brought the Rebels to their altitude : 
 And now declining, downe-ward they retire, 
 By iuft Reuenge a downe-fall to conclude, 
 From top of Treafon, thus they turne about : 
 For now behold, their curfed date run out. 
 
 The Martiall Duke layd feige vnto them now, 
 
 Preuenting them of needfull wants fupply, 
 
 With Hungers fharpeft fword, to make them bow: 
 
 No expectation but refolue to dye, 
 
 Their length of life was meafur'd by their ftore, 
 
 Which could not be enlarg'd a crum the more. 
 
 E3- 
 
 Yet 
 
 41 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 Yet moft extreame hard cruell fhift they made, 
 
 Holding the towne befieg'd aboue a yeere, 
 
 In which fharpe time their paunches were betraide 
 
 Of all their former feaftes and belly cheere, 
 
 For each man's ftomack deem'd his throat was cut, 
 
 There was fuch emptineffe in ery gut. 
 
 When wholefome foode was all confumde and gone, 
 
 After a hard allowance they had paft, 
 
 Horfes and Dogges they lickt their lips vpon, 
 
 Then Rats and Mife grew daintie meate at laft, 
 
 Olde fhooes they boyld, which made good broth befide, 
 
 Buffe-lether Ierkins cut in Steakes they fride. 
 
 Not an olde payre of Bootes did walke the ftreete, 
 Their bellies could not fpare their legs the lether, 
 But flew'd they were, and hunger made them fweete, 
 For with that fauce they fhar'd alike together. 
 Couers of Bookes were in like maner dreft, 
 And happie he was fuch a dimes gheft. 
 
 The 
 
 42 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN. 
 
 The Chaundlers crawling tallow vtt'red well, 
 It feru'd Hans Ley den and his Lords owne table, 
 There was no fault found with the tafte nor fmell, 
 Their onely griefe was this, they were not able 
 To maintaine that good cheere, which grew fo fcant, 
 Of filthie kitchin ftuffe they found great want. 
 
 When they had eaten vp the Chaundlers trade, 
 As likewife all the ware Shoomakers had, 
 The Scriueners fhops for parchment they inuade, 
 And feize vpon it euen hunger mad, 
 Cancelling with their teeth both bond and bill, 
 Looke after debts and pay them he that will. 
 
 In thefe extreames (quoth Leyden to the reft) 
 What fhall we doe in this accurfed cafe? 
 Aduife me now Tom Mynter what were beft, 
 What's to be done in this fame hungry place? 
 Speake Knipperdulling lets haue thy aduice, 
 There's no prouifion left of Rats and Mice. 
 
 Why 
 
 43 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 Why, fire the Towne, as late I did my Forge, 
 (Quoth Knipperdulling) I do thinke it meete, 
 Lead Saxon imitate Englifh Saint George, 
 And trample vs like Dragons vnder feete: 
 Like Troy, let flame and fmoake afcend the skyes, 
 Wee burne like Phenix, that in fier dyes. 
 
 Or let vs on a fodaine iffue out, 
 
 And rufh vpon thofe rafcals keepe vs in : 
 
 Moft defperat in that wee go about, 
 
 As not reflecting if wee lofe or win : 
 
 Be as it will, wee haue but Hues to fpend, 
 
 A puffe of breath, and therewithall an end. 
 
 In this eftate defpayring of their Hues, 
 Iohn Ley den plots in his fantaftique hed, 
 To fend out of the Towne one of his Wiues 
 Vnto the Duke, to tell him fhee is fled 
 From thofe accurfed Rebels, to his grace, 
 To fignifie the Citties weakeft place. 
 
 Thou 
 
 44 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN. 
 
 Thou muft (quoth hee) play Iudiths part for all, 
 
 And free vs from this fame Afsirian hoft : 
 
 Bring Holofemes head vnto the wall, 
 
 That thus againft Bethulia doth boft : 
 
 I had a Vifion did appeare to mee, 
 
 Which fignified thou fhould'ft our Indith bee. 
 
 And by thy meanes deliueraunce procure, 
 Sauing our Hues, to thy immortall prayfe : 
 Then holy woman, put this worke in vre, 
 Thou feeft we die, if wee indure delayes : 
 Thou haft rare beautie, on with rich attire, 
 And good fucceffe incline to thy defire. 
 
 This filly Woman eafdy deluded, 
 Prepares her felfe vnto the enterprife : 
 Departs the Towne as Leydefi had concluded, 
 Vnto the Duke, attyred in difguife, 
 As if fhee had by fecret made efcape, 
 Taking on her an Hipocrites true fhape. 
 
 F. 
 
 Deliuers 
 
 45 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 Deliuers all the cunning fhe was taught, 
 
 To gaine her credit, and to free fufpect. 
 
 The Duke mifdoubts her practize to be nought, 
 
 And by examination findes direct 
 
 The plot, and all the drift why fhee was fent, 
 
 And thus to worke with this falfe Itidith went. 
 
 A Scaffold was erected in the fight 
 Of all the Rebels, that they might perceiue 
 Their Gentlewoman playd not Iudith right : 
 Becaufe her head behind her fhe did leaue : 
 " For Treafon neuer is fo well contriu'd, 
 " But ftill the plotter is the fhorteft liu'd. 
 
 Then did the Duke affault them very ftrong, 
 Who being weake, vnable to refift, 
 Tir'd out with Famine they endured long, 
 And did fubdue them euen as he lift : 
 Such leane Anotamies they feemed all, 
 Like thofe dry bones in the Chirurgeons hall. 
 
 And 
 
 46 
 
OF IOHN LEYDEN. 
 
 And heere ends LE YDENS kingdome and his raigne, 
 
 His counterfayted tytle's out of date, 
 
 Hee is lohti Leyden Taylor now againe: 
 
 And thofe that were his Noble-men of late, 
 
 Are eu'en reftored to their firft degree, 
 
 Smyth, Clarke, and loyncr, arrant Knaues all three. 
 
 To their deferued deaths they are appoynted, 
 
 For all their villanies, and extreame wrongs : 
 
 Drawne through the Cittie ftreets, and then disioynted, 
 
 Their flefh torne from the bones with fiery tongs : 
 
 And as their liues did to all mifcheife tend, 
 
 So did the defp'rat vnrepentant end. 
 
 Being dead, there were three Iron Cages made 
 For ftrength and fubftaunce to endure and laft, 
 And into them their bodyes were conueyd, 
 And on the Citties higheft Steeple plaft, 
 Leyden hung higheft, to expreffe his pride, 
 Mynter, and K nipper dulling, on each fide. 
 
 F2. 
 
 The 
 
 47 
 
THE LIFE AND DEATH 
 
 The like reward, be like offenders due. 
 Let Traytors ends be violent, and euill : 
 And as thefe paft, fo all that fhall enfue, 
 Let them receiue their wages from the Deuill : 
 Hee fets a worke, and ftirres them to afpire, 
 And is to pay them vengeaunce for their hire. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 4» 
 
M203098 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIl