Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/102

 Cit. To win that armour, all the Companies of the city ventured general sums of money [i.e. money belonging to their several Corporations]. But because you desire to hear some news of this last lottery that now tempteth the people together, I will tell you so much of it as I certainly know for truth; referring your ear, if you would know more, to the great voice of the vulgar, of whom you may be sure to have more than willingly you will carry home.

Coun. Oh, Sir, the wild beast with many heads must needs have as many tongues; and it is not possible those tongues should go true, no more than all the clocks do. But, I pray you, speak on.

Cit. This lottery, as I said before, consisteth all of plate. It is a goodly goldsmith's shop to come into: and to behold so many gilt spoons, cups, bowls, basons, ewers, &c., fairly graven and richly gilded, who would not be tempted to venture a shilling—for that is a stake for a lot—when for that shilling he may haply draw a piece of plate worth a hundred pounds [= £1000 in present value], or a hundred and forty, fifty, or threescore pounds; if he can catch it, which he may if fortune favour him.

Conn. Oh, Sir, that sound of a hundred pounds makes good music in the ear, and draws men to hearken to it. Those are the sweet baits; but upon what hooks, I pray you, are those lickerish baits hung?

Cit. Upon villanous long ones. For to every prize there are put in forty blanks; so there are so many tricks to set a man beside the saddle, and but one to leap in. There are 7,600 prizes and 42,000 blanks. A number of hard-choked pears must be swallowed before the delicate fruit can be tasted.

Conn. And yet I hear that the people fly thither like wild geese.

Cit. You may well say like wild geese: for some of them prove such goose caps by going thither, that they leave themselves no more feathers on their backs than a goose hath when she is plucked. I have sat there and beheld the faces of all sorts of people that flock to this fair of silver household stuff. It is better than ten comedies to note their entrances into the place and their exits: and yet, in good truth, I have been heartily sorry to see what tragical