Page:History of John Cheap the comical chapman.pdf/3



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

He swore me oathes but one, which was let me never sin.

He used no imprecations, but let me never cheat, nor be cheated, but rather cheat, &c.

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

He never fought any but with dogs, and the good wives daughters in their dafting, and that's not dangerous.