And was so kind to him that being arrested by his Landlord for five pound for Lodging and Diet, he furnished him with the some, and set him at liberty, he promising to repay him in a short time, by such things as he should bring in. But he being at liberty and following his old Trade, and finding that although he brought much grist to the Mill, still carried some of his Commodities to the Broker, yet he had but little money of him, for in the first place he gave him less price, and then withal stop’d most part of the money for the old Debt, he considering of this was resolved to leave the Broker and make the best of his markets elsewhere, and so he did; but the Broker soon discovered him, and in revenge caused him to be arrested and clapt up into the Counter, from whence he had lately redeemed him.
Our Extravagant bearing close enough sent to his Mother, but she was as deaf to him as he had been to her, and was resolved to let him bite on the bridle, wherefore he being weary of that Prison, and understanding that _Ludgate_ was far better, resolved to remove himself thither, but first he again tryed what his Mother would do, but she although the Debt was but four pounds would not pay it, but if he could get off for forty shillings, she gave him some hopes that she would disburse it, but the Broker was inexorable, would have all or none which he understanding, in a humour writ these Lines.
_Oh how with misery I my Mothers Darling To be thus chackled but for four pound_ Starling, _By a base Broker who I know’s a thief, And merits_ Newgate _and wants relief, And now I’m forc’d to go Guds Dud To the dwelling of that old King_ Lud. _If e’re I pay him I am soundly cheated, If I ne’re pay him then he is defeated, But if he will take half the debt for whole, My Mother then i’m sure will pay the Cole._
_Our extravagants wild humours whilst he is in the Compter, from whence he being released falls into the Company of House-Breakers, and by their assistance robs a Milliners Shop where the Constable kept his Watch._
Thus did necessity cause our Extravagant to be witty, and he shewing these Verses to some friends they promised to assist him with his Mother, but she rather chose to maintain him in Prison then pay the debt, all the small moveables, as Cloak, Sword and Belt, Half-Shirts, Bands, Caravats, and all other things that he could spare, he parted from and converted them into Ale. Some friends one Fast day went to see him, and he being glad of Company caused them to stay most part of the day, but it being Fast-day, the Parson belonging to the Compter, according to custom gave the Prisoners a Sermon, during that time the Cellar door was shut up, no drink was delivered out, all were ingaged to assist and hear the Parson, our Extravagant was very much troubled at this obstruction in his drinking, and his friends could not perswade him to any patience, but he when the Parson was in the middle of his Sermon, looking out at a Window neer the Pulpit heard him say I have two or three points more and then I conclude, I would you would said our Extravagant that we might have some drink. The Parson stared at him, and so did the people who were near him and heard his words, but he seeing the Parson went on, turned away, saying come since we can have no drink, lets take Tobacco till we can, and so went away.