I said, my bonds did me from coin enjoin, I thanked and prayed him to put up his chink, And willingly I wished it drowned in drink. Away rode he, but like an honest man, I found at _Hockley_ standing at the Swan, A formal tapster, with a jug and glass, Who did arrest me: I most willing was To try the action, and straight put in bail, My fees were paid before, with sixpence ale, To quit this kindness, I most willing am, The man that paid for all, his name is _Dam_, At the Green Dragon, against _Grays-Inn_ gate, He lives in good repute, and honest state. I forward went in this my roving race, To _Stony Stratford_ I toward night did pace, My mind was fixed through the town to pass, To find some lodging in the hay or grass, But at the _Queen's Arms_, from the window there, A comfortable voice I chanced to hear, Call _Taylor, Taylor_, and be hanged come hither, I looked for small entreaty and went thither, There were some friends, which I was glad to see, Who knew my journey; lodged, and boarded me. On Friday morn, as I would take my way, My friendly host entreated me to stay, Because it rained, he told me I should have Meat, drink, and horse-meat and not pay or crave. I thanked him, and for his love remain his debtor, But if I live, I will requite him better. (From _Stony Stratford_) the way hard with stones, Did founder me, and vex me to the bones. In blustering weather, both for wind and rain, Through _Towcester_ I trotted with much pain, Two miles from thence, we sat us down and dined, Well bulwarked by a hedge, from rain and wind. We having fed, away incontinent, With weary pace toward _Daventry_ we went. Four miles short of it, one o'ertook me there, And told me he would leave a jug of beer, At _Daventry_ at the Horse-shoe for my use. I thought it no good manners to refuse, But thanked him, for his kind unasked gift, Whilst I was lame as scarce a leg could lift, Came limping after to that stony town, Whose hard streets made me almost halt right down. There had my friend performed the words he said, And at the door a jug of liquor staid, The folks were all informed, before I came, How, and wherefore my journey I did frame, Which caused mine hostess from her door come out, (Having a great wart rampant on her snout.) The tapsters, hostlers, one another call, The chamberlains with admiration all, Were filled with wonder, more than wonderful, As if some monster sent from the _Mogul_, Some elephant from _Africa_, I had been, Or some strange beast from the _Amazonian_ Queen. As buzzards, widgeons, woodcocks, and such fowl, Do gaze and wonder at the broad-faced owl, So did these brainless asses, all amazed, With admirable _Nonsense_ talked and gazed, They knew my state (although not told by me) That I could scarcely go, they all could see,