were as

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man's house, acquainteth his wife what an excellent man she had at her house; protesting he was the best seen in physic, and had done the most strangest cures that ever she heard of; saying, that if she would but send for him, no question he would do him good. The gentlewoman, glad to hear of any thing that might procure the health of her husband, presently sent one of her men to desire the doctor to come and visit her husband. Which message when George heard, he wondered; for he had no more skill in physic, than in music; and they distant both from him, as heaven from hell. conclude, George set a bold face on it, and away went he to the sick gentleman; where when he came, after some compliment to the gentlewoman, he was brought to the chamber, where the ancient gentleman lay wonderful sick, for all physic had. given him over. George begins to feel his pulses, and his temples, saying, he was very far spent : yet, quoth he, under God, I will do him some good, if nature be not quite extinct. Whereupon he demanded whether they had ever a garden? That I have, quoth the gentlewoman. I pray you direct me thither, quoth George. Where when he came, he cut a handful of every flower, herb and blossom, or whatsoever else in the garden, and brought them in the lappet of his cloak, boiled them in ale, strained them, boiled them again; and when he had all the juice out of them, of which he made some pottle of drink, he caused the sick gentleman

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to drink off a maudlin cupful, and willed his wife to give him of that same at morning, noon, and night; protesting, if any thing in this world did him good, it must be that; giving great charge to the gentlewoman to keep him wonderful warm: and at my return, quoth George, some ten days hence, I will return and see how he fares; for, quoth he, by that time something will be done, and so I will take my leave. Not so, quoth the gentlewoman; your worship must needs stay and take a simple dinner with me to-day. Indeed, quoth George, I cannot now stay; my haste is such, I must presently to horse. You may suppose George was in haste until he was out of the gentleman's house: for he knew not whether he had poisoned the gentleman or not, which made him so eager to be gone out of the gentleman's house. The gentlewoman, seeing she could by no means stay him, gave him two brace of angels, which never shined long in his purse, and desired him at his return to know her house; which George promised, and with seeming niceness took the gold, and towards Oxford went he, forty shillings heavier than he was, where he bravely domineered while his physical money lasted. But to see the strangeness of this. Whether it was the virtue of some herb which he gathered, or the conceit the gentleman had of George Peele, but it so pleased God the gentleman recovered; and in eight days walked abroad; and that fortunate potion which George made at random, did him more good

than many pounds that he had spent in half a year before in physic. George, his money being spent, he made his return towards London; and when he came within a mile of the gentleman's house, he inquired of a country fellow how such a gentleman did? the fellow told him, God be praised, his good landlord was well recovered by a virtuous gentleman that came this way by chance. Art thou sure of it, quoth George? Yes, believe me, quoth the fellow; I saw him in the fields but this morning. This was no simple news to George. He presently set spurs to his horse, and whereas he thought to shun the town, he went directly to his inn: at whose arrival, the hostess clapped her hands; the ostler laughed; the tapster leaped; the chamberlain ran to the gentleman's house, and told him the doctor was come. How joyful the gentleman was, let them imagine that have any after healths. George Peele was sent for; and after a million of thanks from the gentleman, and his friends, George Peele had twenty pounds delivered him, which money, how long it was a spending, let the taverns in London

witness.

HOW GEORGE HELPED HIS FRIEND TO A SUPPER.

GEORGE was invited one night by certain of his friends to supper, at the White Horse in Friday Street; and in the evening as he was going, he met

with an old friend of his, who was so ill at the stomach, hearing George tell him of the good cheer he went himself being unprovided both of, meat

and money, that

that he swore he had rather have gone a mile about than have met him at that instant. And believe me, quoth George, I am heartily sorry that I cannot take thee along with me, myself being but an invited guest; besides, thou art out of clothes, unfitting for such a company: marry, this I'll do, if thou wilt follow my advice, I'll help thee to thy supper. Any way, quoth he to George; do thou but devise the means, and I'll execute it. George presently told him what he should do; so they parted. George well entertained, with extraordinary welcome, and seated at the upper end of the table, supper being brought up, H. M. watched his time below; and when he saw that the meat was carried 19% hi up, up he follows, as George had directed him: who when George saw, you whoreson rascal (quoth George) what make you here? Sir, quoth he, I am come from the party you wot of. You rogue, quoth George, have I not forewarned you of this? I pray you, sir, quoth he, hear my errand. Do you prate, you slave? quoth George, and with that took a rabbit out of the dish, and threw it at him. Quoth he, H you use me very hardly. You dunghill, quoth George, do you outface me? and with that took the other rabbit, and threw it at his head; after that a loaf; then drawing his dagger, making an offer to throw it, the gentlemen staid him. Mean

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while H. M. got the loaf, and the two rabbits, and

away he went: which when George saw he was gone, after a little fretting, he sat quietly. So by that honest shift he helped his friend to his band was never suspected for it of the company.

supper,

HOW GEORGE PEELE WAS SHAVEN, AND OF THE REVENGE HE TOOK.

THERE was a gentleman, that dwelt in the west country, and had stayed here in London a term longer than he intended, by reason of a book that George had to translate out of Greek into English ; and when he wanted money, George had it of the gentleman: but the more he supplied him of coin, the further off he was from his book, and could get no end of it, neither by fair means, entreaty, or double payment; for George was of the poetical disposition, never to write so long as his money lasted; some quarter of the book being done, and lying in his hands at random. The gentleman had plotted a means to take such an order with George next time he came, that he would have his book finished. It was not long before he had his company. His arrival was for more money: the gentleman bids him welcome, causeth him to stay dinner; where falling into discourse about his book, found that it was as near ended as he left it two months ago. The gentleman, meaning to be gulled no longer, caused