_But I have thought it a good thing that such a book should not only be printed, but that it should become known everywhere, in order that men may see and understand how mightily the devil rules in this world; and I have also thought how such a book may help mankind to be wise, and on the look out for him, viz. the devil. Truly, such Beggars’ Cant has come from the Jews, for many Hebrew words occur in the Vocabulary, as any one who understands that language may perceive._ _But the right understanding and true meaning of the book is, after all, this, viz. that princes, lords, counsellors of state, and everybody should be prudent, and cautious in dealing with beggars, and learn that, whereas people will not give and help honest paupers and needy neighbours, as ordained by God, they give, by the persuasion of the devil, and contrary to God’s judgment, ten times as much to Vagabonds and desperate rogues,—in like manner as we have hitherto done to monasteries, cloisters, churches, chapels, and mendicant friars, forsaking all the time the truly poor._ _For this reason every town and village should know their own paupers, as written down in the Register, and assist them. But as to outlandish and strange beggars they ought not to be borne with, unless they have proper letters and certificates; for all the great rogueries mentioned in this book are done by these. If each town would only keep an eye upon their paupers, such knaveries would soon be at an end. I have myself of late years been cheated and befooled by such tramps and liars more than I wish to confess. Therefore, whosoever hears these words let him be warned, and do good to his neighbour in all Christian charity, according to the teaching of the commandment._ _SO HELP US GOD!_ +Amen.+ [Illustration] +Liber Vagatorum;+ THE BOOK OF VAGABONDS AND BEGGARS. +The Mendicant Brotherhood.+ Here follows a pretty little book, called _Liber Vagatorum_, written by a high and worthy master, _nomine Expertus in Truffis_, to the praise and glory of God, _sibi in refrigerium et solacium_, for all persons’ instruction and benefit, and for the correction and conversion of those that practise such knaveries as are shown hereafter; which little book is divided into three parts. Part the first shows the several methods by which mendicants and tramps get their livelihood; and is subdivided into XX chapters, _et paulo plus_,—for there are XX ways, _et ultra_, whereby men are cheated and fooled. Part the second gives some _notabilia_ which refer to the means of livelihood afore mentioned. The third part presents a Vocabulary of their language or gibberish, commonly called Red Welsh, or Beggar-lingo. ¶ PART THE FIRST OF THIS LITTLE BOOK. +Of the Bregers, or Beggars.+