Page:History of John Cheap the chapman (5).pdf/2



OHN 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 ſit idle than work at any time, as he was a hater  hard labour. No man needed to offer him cheeſe and bread after he curſt he would not have it; he would blush at bread and milk, when hungry, as a beggar doth at a baubee. He got the name John Cheap the Chapman, by his ſelling twenty needles for a penny, and twa leather laces for a farthing.

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

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

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

He never fought with any but dogs, and good wifes' daughters in their daffing, and  not dangerous.