Humour, Wit, & Satire of the Seventeenth Century

Young Katy she seemed something Coy, because she would make them eager grow, As knowing thereby she might enjoy what beautiful Damsels long to know, On complements they did not...

A trifling Toy, a Jest of no account, pardie. The Knight, perhaps, you think for to bee I: Think on so still; for why, you know that thought is free, Sit still a while, I'le sen...

[26.] A man was condemned the last Sessions to be hang'd for a Robbery; but before and after he was condemned, his careful, dear, and loving wife bid him take no care; for she h...

"Next to a collection of the chap-books themselves, nothing could give a better idea of this branch of the popular literature of the eighteenth century than the volume before us...

With merry solaces, quite voyd of all malice, with honest good fellowes thats here, No cursing nor swearing, no staring nor tearing, amongst us do seeme to appeare. When we have...

[105.] After a while _Scogin_ came to London, hee married a young woman, taking her for a maid, as other men doe. At last he thought to prove his wife, and fained himselfe sicke...

[95.] That we the poor distressed Souldiery under the Parliaments Service in Ireland, having heretofore served the Parliament under the Lord Generall Essex, Valiant Massey, and...

Hur being a weary and willing to rest, Hur would not be one of the worst of the guest, But call'd for a Pitcher of Ale of the best. _Sing O brave_ &c.

Sir _Francis_, Sir _Francis_, Sir _Francis_ his Son, [121.] Sir _Robert_ and eke Sir _William_ did come, And eke the good Earl of _Southampton_ March't on his way most gallantly...

Sirrah, you are base [12.] To spit in my face, That he vow'd, he wou'd him kill; Sir, I pray forbear, I thought no hurt here, Nay, I'le tread it out, if you will.

[82.] An unhappy boy that kept his father's sheepe in the country, did use to carry a paire[F. 161] of Cards in his pocket, and meeting with boyes as good as himselfe would fall...

[4.] A Wine Cooper in _Mark Lane_ taking a Gentleman down into his Cellar to Treat him, he, finding no Seat there for him to sit on, asked him the reason of it; _Why_, says the...

But another being by, to fit him in his Story; and to make it appear to be truth (as you know it was) began to confirm what t'other had said, with some Oaths too. For, says he,...

All you that pass along, [35.] Give ear unto my song, Concerning a youth that was young, young, young; And of a Maiden fair Few with her might compare But alack, and alas, she _...

[26.] One swore pretty largely too, That he knew a Hare, that after he was taken and garbaged,[F. 209] did give the Dogs a chase for five or six miles together; then they cry'd...

[52.] A Certaine Gentleman in Lincolneshire, being also a Justice of Peace, had an old servant many yeares called _Adam Milford_, who upon a time came unto his Master, and desir...

Fye _Nell_, this news is worse and worse, and doth increase my trouble, That I must now unstring my purse, doth make my sorrow double: From hence I thought for to convey what in...

The jolly Farmer brisk and bold, as soon as he the Sword beheld, He cry'd what is there to be sold? what! is your Room with Rapiers fill'd? The Valiant Fencer did reply I come m...

[78.] One hearing a Usurer say he had been on the pike of _Teneriff_ (which is supposed to be one of the highest hils in the worlde) asked him why he had not stay'd there, for h...

[103.] A Gentleman having left a Bag of Money in a Hackney Coach, besides an Advertisement in the _Gazet_, he put up a paper at the _Exchange_, that he would give a sixth part (...

Astrology (in the middle of the seventeenth century) was beginning to fall into disrepute, and Butler, in _Hudibras_, as well as Ben Jonson in _The Alchemist_, satirised unmerci...

_Busy._ Verily, for the disease of longing, it is a disease, a carnall disease, or appetite, incident to women: and as it is carnall, and incident, it is naturall, very naturall...

[105.] When that _Scogin_ had taught his scholler that hee with helpe might be Sub deacon, he said to him, thou shalt goe to take orders, and I will go with thee. And if thou do...

An honest Vicker, and a kind consort, [102.] That to the Alehouse friendly would resort, To have a game at Tables now and than, Or drinke his pot, as soone as any man: As faire...

[17.] One that had sore eyes, was jeer'd by another that was clear ey'd; who told him they were not so sore, but that he could see a knave: It may be so, says he, _but you must...

[52.] Three loytring companions that fell in company together, domineered and swaggered so long, that all their mony was quite consumed and gone. So being pennilesse, and having...

At which words a grave man of the towne being much moved, said, My friend, you have spoken little better than treason, for it is the Queene's _Ape_, and therefore beware what yo...

_A NOTE of some LEGACY of a creat deal of Coods, bequeathed to hur Wife and hur two Shild, and all hur Cusens, and Friends and Kindred in the Manner as followeth._

[82.] A Fellow having more drinke than wit, in a winter evening made a foolish vowe, to take the wall of as many as hee met betwixt the Temple bar, and Charing Crosse; and commi...

[77.] 12,331, b. 42. Tarlton's Jests. Drawne into these three parts. 1. His Court Witty Iests. 2. His found City Iests. 3. His Countrey-pretty Iests. full of delight, Wit and ho...