Page:History of John Cheap the chapman (2).pdf/2

 THE

OF

THE CHAPMAN.

PREFACE.

JOHN CHEAP the Chapman, was a very comical short thick fellow, with a broad face and a long nose both lame and lazy, and something leacherous among the lasses: he chose rather to sit idle than work at time, as he was a hater of hard labour. No needed to offer him cheese and bread, after he  it he would not have it; for he would blush at  and milk, when hungry, as a beggar doth at a bawbee. He got the name of John Cheap the chapman by his selling twenty needles for a penny, and leather laces for a farthing.

He swore no oaths but one, which was, Let never sin.

He used no imprecations, Lut let me neither nor be cheated, but rather cheat, &c.

He gave bad counsel to none but children, to the bone combs, that their mother might buy another when he came again.

He never fought with any but dogs, and the goodwives' daughters in their daffing, and that's not dangerous.