The Gentle Craft.

A

DISCOURSE

Containing many matters of Delight, very pleasant to be read:

Shewing what famous men have been SHOO-
MAKERS
in time past in this Land, with
their worthy deeds and great Hospitality.

Set forth with Pictures, and variety of Wit and Mirth.

Declaring the cause why it is called the G E N T L E
C R A F T :
and also how the Proverb first grew.


A Shoomakers Son is a Prince born. T. D.


With gentlenesse judge you,
At nothing here grudge you;
The merry Shoomakers delight in good sport.
What here is presented,
Be therewith contented;
And as you do like it, so give your report.


Haud curo invidiam.


LONDON, Printed for John Stafford and are to be sold at his
house in Saint Brides Church-yard. 1648.


To all the good Yeomen of the

GENTLE CRAFT.

You that the Gentle Craft professe, list to my words both more and lesse;
And I shall tell you many things, of worthy and renowned Kings,
And divers Lords and Knights also, that were Shoomakers long a goe;
Some of them in their distresse, delighted in this businesse;
And some, for whom great wait was laid, did saue their hues by this same trade:
Other some, in sport and game, delighted much to learne the same.
No other Trade in all the Land, they thought so fit vnto their hand;
For evermore they stil did find that shoomakers bore a gallant mind:
Men they were of high conceit, the which wrought many a merry feat;
Stout of courage were they still, and in their weapons had great skill,
Travelers by sea and land, each Country guise to understand.
Wrong they wrought not any man, with reason all things did they scan:
Good houses keept they evermore, releeving both the sicke and poore.
In law no many would they spend, their quarrels friendly would they end.
No malice did they beare to any, but shew’d great favaur unto many;
Offences soone they would forgive, they would not in contention hue;
Thus in joy they spent their dayes, with pleasant songs and roundelayes,
And God did blesse them with content; sufficient for them He so sent
And never yet did any know, a Shoomaker abegging goe:
Kind are they one to another, using each stranger as his brother.
Thus liv’d Shoomakers of old, as ancient Writers have it told:
And thus Shoomakers still would be, so fame from them shall never flee.


Vol I.

Introduction
Chapter 1   S. Hugh.
Chapter 2   S. Hugh.
Chapter 3   S. Hugh.
Chapter 4   S. Hugh.
Chapter 5   Crispianus and Crispine
Chapter 6   Crispianus and Crispine
Chapter 7   Crispianus and Crispine
Chapter 8   Crispianus and Crispine
Chapter 9   Crispianus and Crispine
Chapter 10 Simon Eyre
Chapter 11 Simon Eyre
Chapter 12 Simon Eyre
Chapter 13 Simon Eyre
Chapter 14 Simon Eyre
Chapter 15 Simon Eyre

THE

GENTILE

CRAFT.


Tbe second Part.


Being a most merrie and pleasant
Historie, not altogether vnprofitable nor
any way hurtfull: verie fit to passe away the
tediousnesse of the long winter evenings.

By T. D.

Newly corrected and augmented.

Haud curio invidium.

LONDON
Printed by Elizabeth Prarflow, dwelling neere


Vol II.

Introduction
Chapter 1   Richard Castler
Chapter 2   Richard Castler
Chapter 3   Richard Castler
Chapter 4   Round Robin
Chapter 5   Peachy
Chapter 6   Peachy/Harry Neuell
Chapter 7   Peachy/Harry Neuell
Chapter 8   Harry Neuell
Chapter 9   Harry Neuell
Chapter 10 Greene King
Chapter 11 Greene King