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Although, good reader, I write in plain terms, and not so plainly as truly concerning the matter, meaning honestly to all men, and wish them as much good as to mine own heart, yet as there hath been, so there is now, and hereafter will be, curious heads to find faults. Wherefore I thought it necessary, now at this second impression, to acquaint thee with a great fault, as some taketh it, but none as I mean it, calling these vagabonds cursitors in the entitling of my book, as runners or rangers about the country, derived of this Latin word curro. Neither do I write it cooresetores, with a double oo, or cowresetors, with a w, which hath another signification. Is there no diversity between a gardein and a garden, maynteynaunce and maintenance, streytes and stretes? Those that have understanding know there is a great difference. Who is so ignorant by these days as knoweth not the meaning of a vagabond? And if an idle loiterer should be called of any man, would not he think it both odious and reproachful? Will he not shun the name? Yea, and whereas he may dare, with bent brows will revenge that name of ignominy. Yet this plain name vagabond is derived, as other be, of Latin words, and now use makes it common to all men. But let us look back four hundred years sithence, and let us see whether this plain word vagabond was used or no. I believe not. And why? Because I read of no such name in the old statues of this realm, unless it be in the margin of the book, or in the Table, which in the collection and printing was set in. But these were then the common names of these lewd loiterers: faitours, Roberdsmen, draw-latches, and valiant beggars. If I should have used such words, or the same order of writing as this realm used in King Henry the Third or Edward the First's time, Oh, what a gross barbarous fellow have we here! His writing is both homely and dark, that we had need to have an interpreter. Yet then it was very well, and in short season a great change we see. Well, this delicate age shall have his time on the other side. Eloquence have I none; I never was acquainted with the Muses; I never tasted Helicon. But according to my plain order, I have set forth this work simply and truly, with such usual words anf terms as is among us well known and frequented. So that, as the proverb saith, "Although truth blamed, it shall never be shamed." Well, good reader, I mean not to be tedious unto thee, but have added five or six more tales, because some of them were done while my book was first in the press. And as I trust I have deserved no rebuke for my good will, even so I desire no praise for my pain, cost, and travail. But faithfully for the profit and benefit of my country I have done it, that the whole body of the realm may see and understand their lewd life and pernicious practices, that all may speedily help to amend that is amiss. Amen, say all, with me. |
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ogues, Vagabonds, and Sturdy Beggars