His extraordinary indulgence to the too liberal converse with the multitude of his applauders, drew him to such an immoderate way of living, that he was seldom out of Gentlemens company, and as it often happens that in drinking high quarrels arise, so there chanced some words to pass betwixt Mr. _Randolf_ and another Gentleman, which grew to be so high, that the Gentleman drawing his Sword, and striking at Mr. _Randolph_, cut off his little finger, whereupon, in an extemporary humour, he instantly made these Verses: Arithmetick nine digits and no more Admits of, then I have all my store; But what mischance hath tane from my Lefthand, It seems did only for a cypher stand, Hence, when I scan my Verse if I do miss, I will impute the fault only to this, A fingers loss, I speak it not in sport, Will make a Verse a foot too short. That he was of a free generous disposition, not regarding at all the Riches of the World, may be seen in the first Poem of his Book, speaking of the inestimable content he enjoyed in the Muses, to those of his friends which dehorted him from Poetry. Go sordid earth, and hope not to bewitch My high born Soul, which flies a nobler pitch; Thou canst not tempt her with adulterate show, She bears no appetite that flags so low, &c. His Poems publish'd after his death, and usher'd into the World by the best Wits of those times, passed the Test with general applause, and have gone through several Impressions; To praise one, were in some sort to dispraise the other, being indeed all praise-worthy. His _Cambridge Duns_ facetiously pleasing, as also his _Parley with his Empty Purse_, in their kind not out-done by any. He was by _Ben. Johnson_ adopted for his Son, and that as is said upon this occasion. Mr. _Randolph_ having been at _London_ so long as that he might truly have had a parley with his _Empty Purse_, was resolved to go see _Ben. Johnson_ with his associates, which as he heard at a set-time still kept a Club together at the _Devil-Tavern_ near _Temple-Bar_; accordingly at the time appointed he went thither, but being unknown to them, and wanting Money, which to an ingenious spirit is the most daunting thing in the World, he peep'd in the Room where they were, which being espied by _Ben. Johnson_, and seeing him in a Scholars thredbare habit, _John Bo-peep_, says he, come in, which accordingly he did, when immediately they began to rime upon the meanness of his Clothes, asking him, If he could not make a Verse? and withal to call for his Quart of Sack; there being four of them, he immediately thus replied, I _John Bo-peep_, to you four sheep, With each one his good fleece, If that you are willing to give me five shilling, 'Tis fifteen pence a piece. By _Jesus_ quoth _Ben. Johnson_, (his usual Oath) I believe this is my Son _Randolph_, which being made known to them, he was kindly entertained into their company, and _Ben. Johnson_ ever after called him Son.