Class r I ^^ 
 
 Book .CinZ 
 
O I ' I'v;^ :^. 
 
 .'i -'^ 
 
 % 
 
 SHEA'S 
 
 EARLY SOUTHERN TRACTS. 
 
 No. 11. 
 
 ^'O. 
 
THE 
 
 •ot-toeeli jf actor: 
 
 Or, a Voyage to 
 
 MARYLAND. 
 
 A 
 
 SATYR. 
 
 In which is defcrib'd 
 
 The Laws, Government, Courts and 
 Conftitutions of the Country, and alfothe 
 Buildings, FeaftsjFrolicks, Entertainments 
 and Drunken Humours of the Inhabitants 
 of that Part of A7nerica. 
 
 In Burlefque Verfe. 
 
 By Eben. Cook, Gent. 
 
 / LONDON: 
 
 Printed and Sold by D. Bragg, at the Raven in Pater- 
 Nojler-Row. 1708. (Price 6d.) 
 
Fist 
 
 05 - i57S 
 
E have no means of knowing the 
 hiftoryof Mafter "Ebenezer Cook, 
 Gentleman," who, one hundred 
 and forty-fix years ago, produced 
 the Sot- Weed Faftor's Voyage to 
 Maryland. He wrote, printed, 
 publilhed, and fold it in London for 
 fixpence fterling, and then difappeared forever. We 
 do not know certainly that Mr. Cook himfelf was the 
 adual adventurer who fuffered the ills defcribed by him 
 " in burlefque verfe." Indeed, " Eben: Cook, Gent." 
 may be a myth — a kow deplume. Yet, there is a cer- 
 tain perfonal poignancy and earneftnefs about the 
 whole Story that almoft forbid the idea ofafecond- 
 hand narrative. Nay, I think it extremely probable 
 that it was " Eben: Cook, Gent." or, feme other 
 equally afflifted gentleman affuming that name, who — 
 " Condemn d by Fate to wayward Curje, 
 " 0/ Friends unkind and empty purfe" — 
 fled from his native land to become a Sot-Weed fador 
 
 in America.' 
 
 The adventures and manners defcribed are ludicrous 
 and certainly very unpolilhed. Although Mr. Cook 
 
 1 Sot-Weed, i. e. the fot making or inebriating weed ; a name for 
 tobacco, ufed at that time. A Sot-weed Fador, was a tobacco agent or 
 fupercargo. 
 
[ iv ] 
 
 calls his poem "v^ Satyr" there is, in his account of 
 early habits in Maryland, fo much refemblance to what 
 we obferve in the rude fociety of all new fettlements, 
 that it is poflible the ftory is not fo much a Satire 
 as a hightened defcription of what an unlucky traveler 
 found in certain quarters of the colony, Anno Domini, 
 1700. When " Mr. Cook," with an anathema in his 
 mouth, makes a final bow to his readers, he expreffly 
 adds, in a note, on the laft page, that "the Author 
 does not intend by this any of the Englijh Gentlemen 
 refident there ;" ftill, excepting even all thefe feleft 
 perfonages, he doubtlefs found a«-gentlefolk enough 
 among the rough farmers and fifhermen of obfcure 
 " Pifcato-way " and the adjacent country, to juftify his 
 difcontent. At all events, we may, I imagine, very 
 reafonably fuppofe " Eben: Cook" to have been a 
 London '• Gent:" rather decayed by faft living, fent 
 abroad to fee the world and be tamed by it, who very 
 foon difcovered that Lord Baltimore's Colony was not 
 the court of her Majefty Queen Anne, or its taverns 
 frequented by Addifon and the wits ; and whofe difguft 
 became fupreme when he was " finifhed " on the " Eaft- 
 ern-Shoar,"' by 
 
 "A pious, Concientious Rogue" 
 
 who, taking advantage of his incapacity for trade, 
 cheated him out of his cargo and fent him homewith- 
 
 i The " eaftcni flioar" of the Chcfapcakc bay : this portion of Mary- 
 land is ftill familiarly called fo in that ftate. 
 
 i 
 
[ V ] 
 
 out a leaf of the coveted " Sot-weed !" This poem is, 
 very likely, the refult of that homeward voyage. With 
 proper allowance for breadth and burlefque, angry ex- 
 aggeration and the difcomforts of fuch a " Gentleman " 
 as we may fancy Mafter Cook to have been, it is well 
 worth prefervation as hinting, if not photographing, 
 the manners and cuftoms of the ruder clafles in a Bri- 
 tifh Province a century and a half ago. 
 
 The *' Sot-Weed Fadlor " was firft printed in Lon- 
 don, in 1708, in a folio of twenty-one pages. It was 
 reprinted, with a poem on Bacon's Rebellion, by Mr. 
 Green, at Annapolis, Maryland, in 173 i. Mr. Green 
 cautioufly reminds the reader that it was a defcription 
 written twenty years before, and "did not agree with 
 the condition of Annapolis at the time of its publica- 
 tion ! 
 
 The edition, now publifhed, is taken from the Lon- 
 don copy of 1708, as " Printed and fold by B. Bragg, 
 at the Raven, in Pater-Nofter-row (price 6d.)" 
 
 In Stevens's Eibliotheca Americana, 1861, we find the 
 following title : " Sot- Weed Redivivus ; or the Plant- 
 " ers Looking-Glafs. In Burlefque Verfe. Calculated 
 "for the Meridian of Maryland, by E. C. Gent: 
 " Annapolis; William Parks, for the Author. 1730. 
 " viii and text 28 pp. 4°." Mr. Stevens defcribes the 
 book as " alike curious as an early fpecimen of print- 
 " ing in Maryland, and as an example of American 
 " poetry." 
 
 " E. C. Getit :" of 17JO, at Annapolis, may be the 
 
[ vi ] 
 
 " Ebenezer Cook, Gent:" of London, 1708, — " redi- 
 vivus" — returned to America and turned Author 
 again at Annapolis, under the aufpices of our early 
 Colonial printer, William Parks. But we have never 
 feen this rare book, publiilied twenry-two years after 
 the Sot'Weed FaElor was firft iflued in England, and 
 know nothing of its charader or authorfliip. 
 
 BRANTZ MAYER. 
 
 Baltimore, Oftober 20, 1865. 
 
 o'^-f^l'^ 
 
THE 
 
 Or, a Voyage to 
 
 Maryland, &c. 
 
 Condemn'd by Fate to way-ward Curfe, 
 Of Friends unkind, and empty Purfe; 
 Plagues worfe than fill'd Pandora s Box, 
 
 : I took my leave of Albioti s Rocks : 
 With heavy Heart, concerned that I 
 Was forc'd my Native Soil to fly. 
 And the Old World muft bid good-buy 
 But Heav'n ordain'd it Ihould be lo. 
 And to repine is vain we know : 
 
 ' Freighted with Fools from Plymouth found 
 To Mary-Land our Ship was bound, 
 Where we arrived in dreadful Pain, 
 Shock'd by the Terrours of the Main; 
 For full three Months, our wavering Boat, 
 Did thro' the furley Ocean float. 
 And furious Storms and threat'ning Blafl:s, 
 Both tore our Sails and fprung our Mafl:s ; 
 
 Wea- 
 
[ ^ ] 
 
 Wearied, yet pleaf'd we did efcape 
 
 Such Ills, we anchor'd at the (^) Cape ; 
 
 But weighing foon, we plough'd the Bay, 
 
 To {^) Cove it in {^) Pifcato-'way, 
 
 Intending there to open Store, 
 
 I put myfelf and Goods a-fhoar: 
 
 Where foon repair'd a numerous Crew, 
 
 In Shirts and Drawers of (^) Scotch-cloth Blue 
 
 With neither Stockings, Hat nor Shooe, 
 
 Thefe Sot-weed Planters Crowd the Shoar, 
 
 In hue as tawny as a Moor : 
 
 Figures fo ftrange, no God defign'd. 
 
 To be a part of Humane kind : 
 
 But wanton Nature, void of Reft, 
 
 Moulded the brittle Clay in Jeft. 
 
 At laft a Fancy very odd 
 
 Took me, this was the Land oi Nod ; 
 
 Planted at firft, when Vagrant Cain, 
 
 His Brother had unjuftly flain ; 
 
 Then Confcious of the Crime he'd done 
 
 From Vengeance dire, he hither run. 
 
 And in a hut fupinely dwelt. 
 
 The firft in Furs and Sot-weed dealt. 
 
 And ever fince his Time, the Place, 
 
 Has harbour'd a detefted Race; 
 
 Who when they cou'd not live at Home, 
 
 For refuge to thefe Worlds did roam ; 
 
 (») By the Cape is meant tlie Capes of Virginea, the firft Land on the 
 Coaft of Virginia and Mary-Land. 
 
 ('')To Cove is to lie at Anchor fafe in Harbour. 
 
 (c) The Bay of Pifcato-way, the ufual place where our Ships come to an 
 Anchor in Mary-Land. 
 
 C) The Planters generally wear Blue Linnen. 
 
 In 
 
[ 3 ] 
 
 In hopes by Flight they might prevent, 
 
 Tlie Devil and his fell intent ; 
 
 Obtain from Tripple-Tree reprieve. 
 
 And Heav'n and Hell alike deceive ; 
 
 But e're their Manners I difplay, 
 
 I think it fit I open lay 
 
 My Entertainment by the way: 
 
 That Strangers well may be aware on, 
 
 What homely Diet they mull fare on. 
 
 To touch that Shoar where no good Sense is found. 
 
 But Converfation's loft, and Manners drown'd. 
 
 I crof 't unto the other fide, 
 
 A River whole impetuous Tide, 
 
 The Savage Borders does divide; 
 
 In fuch a fhining odd invention, 
 
 I fcarce can give its due Dimention. 
 
 The Indians call this watry Waggon 
 
 {^) Cafioo, a Veflel none can brag on ; 
 
 Cut from a Popular-Tree or Pz«f, 
 
 And fafliion'd like a Trough for Swine: 
 
 In this moft noble Fifiiing-Boat, 
 
 I boldly put myfelf afloat ; 
 
 Standing eredt, with Legs ftretch'd wide. 
 
 We paddled to the other fide : 
 
 Where being Landed fafe by hap, 
 
 As Sol fell into Thetis Lap. 
 
 A ravenous Gang bent on the ftroul, 
 
 Of (*) Wolves tor Prey, began to howl; 
 
 if) A Canuo is an Indian Boat, cut out of the body of a Popular-Tree. 
 (_<" j Wolves are very numerous in Mary-Land. 
 
 B This 
 
[ + ] 
 
 This put me in a pannick Fright, 
 
 Leaft I fliould be devoured quite : 
 
 But as I there a mufing ftood, 
 
 And quite benighted in a Wood, 
 
 A Female Voice pierc'd thro' my Ears, 
 
 Crying, Ton Rogue drive home the Steirs. 
 
 I liften'd to th' attradive found, 
 
 And ftraight a Herd of Cattel found 
 
 Drove by a Youth, and homeward bound; 
 
 Cheer'd with the fight, I ftraight thought fit, 
 
 To aflc where I a Bed might get. 
 
 The furley Peafant bid me ftay. 
 
 And afk'd from whom (g) I'de run away. 
 
 Surprized at fuch a faucy Word, 
 
 I inftantly lugg'd out my Sword ; 
 
 Swearing I was no Fugitive, 
 
 But from Great-Britain did arrive, 
 
 In hopes I better there might Thrive. 
 
 To which he mildly made reply, 
 
 I beg your Pardon, Sir, that I 
 
 Should talk to you Unmannerly ; 
 
 But if you pleafe to go with me. 
 
 To yonder Houfe, you'll welcome be. 
 
 Encountring loon the fmoaky Seat, 
 
 The Planter old did thus me greet: 
 
 " Whether you come from Goal or Colledge, 
 
 " You're welcome to my certain Knowledge; 
 
 " And if you pleafe all Night to ftay, 
 
 " My Son fhall put you in the way, 
 
 (g) 'Tis fuppofed by the Planters that all unknown Perfons run away 
 from fomc Mafter. 
 
 Which 
 
[ 5 ] 
 
 Which offer I moft kindly took, 
 
 And for a Seat did round me look ; 
 
 When prefently amongft the reft, 
 
 He plac'd his unknown Englijh Gueft, 
 
 Who found them drinking for a whet, 
 
 A Cafk of (h)Syder on the Fret, 
 
 Till Supper came upon the Table, 
 
 On which I fed whilft I was able. 
 
 So after hearty Entertainment, 
 
 Of Drink and Viftuals without Payment; 
 
 For Planters Tables, you muft know. 
 
 Are free for all that come and go. 
 
 While (i) Pon and Milk, with (k) MuHi well floar'd. 
 
 In Wooden Dirties grac'd the Board; 
 
 With (') Homine and Syder-pap, 
 
 (Which fcarce a hungry dog wou'd lap) 
 
 Well rtuff'd with Fat from Bacon fry'd. 
 
 Or with Mollofus dulcify'd. 
 
 Then out our Landlord pulls a Pouch, 
 
 As greafy as the Leather Couch 
 
 On which he fat, and ftraight begun 
 
 To load with Weed his Indiati Gun ; 
 
 In length, fcarce longer than one's Finger. 
 
 (h) Syder-pap is a fort of Food m.ide of Syder and fmall Homine, liite 
 our Oatmeal. 
 
 (') Pon is Bread made of Indian-Corn. 
 
 (k) Mufh is a fort of hafty-pudding made with water and Indian 
 Flower. 
 
 (') Homine is a difh that is made of boiled Indian Wheat, eaten with 
 Moloffus, or Bacon-Fat. 
 
 His 
 
[ 6 ] 
 
 His Pipe fmoak'd out with aweful Grace, 
 With afpedl grave and Iclemn pace ; 
 The reverend Sire walks to a Cheft, 
 Of all his Furniture the beft, 
 Clofely confined within a Room, 
 Which feldom felt the weight of Broom ; 
 From thence he lugs a Cag of Rum, 
 And nodding to me, thus begun : 
 I find, fays he, you don't much care 
 For this our biJian Country Fare ; 
 But let me tell you, Friend of mine. 
 You may be glad of it in time, 
 Tho' now your Stomach is fo fine ; 
 And if within this Land you ftay. 
 You'll find it true what I do fay. 
 This faid, the Rundlet up he threw. 
 And bending backwards ftrongly drew : 
 I pluck'd as ftoutly for my part, 
 Altho' it made me fick at Heart, 
 
 And got fo foon into my Head 
 
 I fcarce cou'd find my way to Bed ; 
 
 Where I was inftantly convey'd 
 
 By one who pafiT'd for Chamber- Maid, 
 
 Tho' by her loofe and fluttifh Drefs, 
 
 She rather feemed a Bedlam- Befs : 
 
 Curious to know from whence (he came, 
 
 I preft her to declare her Name. 
 
 She Blufhing, feem'd to hide her Eyes, 
 
 And thus in Civil Terms replies; 
 
 In better Times, e'er to this Land, 
 
 I was unhappily Trapann'd ; 
 
 Perchance 
 
[ 7 "J 
 
 Perchance as well I did appear. 
 
 As any Lord or Lady here, 
 
 Not then a Slave for twice two (^) Year. 
 
 My Cloaths were fafhionably new. 
 
 Nor were my Shifts of Linnen Blue; 
 
 But things are changed, now at the Hoe, 
 
 I daily work, and Bare-foot go. 
 
 In weeding Corn or feeding Swine, 
 
 I fpend my melancholy Time. 
 
 Kidnap'd and Fool'd, I hither fled, 
 
 To (hun a hated Nuptial {^) Bed, 
 
 And to my coft already find, 
 
 Worle Plagues than thole I left behind. 
 
 Whate'er the Wanderer did profefs. 
 
 Good-faith I cou'd not chufe but guefs 
 
 The Caufe which brought her to this place, 
 
 Was fupping e'er the Priefl: faid Grace. 
 
 Quick, as my Thoughts, the Slave was fled, 
 
 (Her Candle left to lliew my Bed) 
 
 Which made of Feathers foft and good, 
 
 Clofe in the (<^) Chimney-corner flood ; 
 
 I threw me down expelling Reff, 
 
 To be in golden Slumbers bled : 
 
 But foon a nolle difturb'd my quiet, 
 
 And plagu'd me with nodlurnal Riot; 
 
 ('') 'Tis the Cuftom for Servants to be obliged for four Years to very 
 fervile Work; after which time they have their Freedom. 
 
 (l*) Thefc are the general Excufes made by Englijh Women, which arc 
 fold, or fell themfclves to Mary-Land. 
 
 (•=) Beds ftand in the Chimney-corner in this Country. 
 
 A 
 
[ 8 ] 
 
 A Pufs which in the afhes lay, 
 With grunting Pig began a Fray ; 
 And prudent Dog, that feuds might ceafe. 
 Mod ftrongly bark'd to keep the Peace. 
 This Quarrel fcarcely was decided, 
 By ftick that ready lay provided; 
 But Reynard, arch and cunning Loon, 
 Broke into my Appartment loon : 
 In hot purfuit of Ducks and Geefe, 
 With fell intent the fame to feize: 
 Their Cackling Plaints with ftrange furprize, 
 Chac'd Sleep's thick Vapours trom my Eyes; 
 Raging I jump'd upon the Floar, 
 And like a Drunken Saylor Swore; 
 With Sword I fiercely laid about. 
 And foon dil'perf'd the Feather'd Rout : 
 The Poultry out of Window flew. 
 And Reynard cautioufly withdrew : 
 The Dogs who this Encounter heard. 
 Fiercely themfelves to aid me rear'd, 
 And to the Place of Combat run, 
 Exadtly as the Field was won. 
 Fretting and hot as roafting Capon, 
 And greafy as a Flitch ot Bacon ; 
 I to the Orchard did repair. 
 To Breathe the cool and open Air ; 
 Expefting there the rifing Day, 
 / Extended on a Bank I lay; 
 
 But Fortune here, that faucy Whore, 
 Difturb'd me worfe and plagu'd me more. 
 Than (he had done the night before : 
 
 Hoarfe 
 
[ 9 ] 
 
 Hoarfe croaking {'^) Frogs did 'bout me ring. 
 
 Such Peals the Dead to Life wou'd bring, 
 
 A Noile might move their Wooden King. 
 
 I ftufFed my Ears with Gotten white, 
 
 For fear of being deaf out-right, 
 
 And curfl: the melancholy Night ; 
 
 But foon my Vows I did recant, 
 
 And Hearing as a Bleffing grant ; 
 
 When a confounded Rattle-Snake, 
 
 With hiffing made my Heart to ake: 
 
 Not knowing how to fly the Foe, 
 
 Or whither in the Dark to go; 
 
 By Grange good Luck, I took a Tree, 
 
 Prepar'd by Fate to fet me free; 
 
 Where riding on a Limb a ftride. 
 
 Night and the Branches did me hide. 
 
 And I the Devil and Snake defy'd. 
 
 Not yet from Plagues exempted quite. 
 
 The curil: Mufkitoes did me bite ; 
 
 Till rifmg Morn' and blufhing Day, 
 
 Drove both my Fears and Ills away ; 
 
 And from Night's Errors fet me free. 
 
 Difcharg'd from hofpitable Tree ; 
 
 I did to Planter's Booth repair, 
 
 And there at Breakfafl: nobly Fare 
 
 On rafhier broil'd of infant Bear : 
 
 I thought the Cub delicious Meat, 
 
 Which ne'er did ought but Chefnuts eat ; 
 
 ("*") Frogs are called yirginca Bells and make (both in that country and 
 Mary-Liind) during the Night, a very hoarfe ungrateful Noife. 
 
 Nor 
 
[ 
 
 10 
 
 ] 
 
 / 
 
 Nor was young Orfin's flefli the worfe, 
 
 Becaufe he fucked a Pagan Nurfe. 
 
 Our Breakfaft donf^, my Landlord ftout. 
 
 Handed a Glafs of Rum about ; 
 
 Pleaf'd with the Treatment I did find, 
 
 I took my leave of O a ft fo kind; 
 
 Who to oblige me, did provide. 
 
 His eldeft fon to be my Guide, 
 
 And lent me Horfes of his own, 
 
 A Ikittirti Colt, and aged Rhoan, 
 
 The four-leg'd prop of his Wife 'Joan: 
 
 Steering our Barks in Trot or Pace, 
 
 We fail'd diredlly for a place 
 
 In Mary-Land, of high renown. 
 
 Known by the Name of Battle-Town. 
 
 To view the Crowds did there refort, 
 
 Which Juftice made, and Law their fport. 
 
 In that fagacious County Court : 
 
 Scarce had we enter'd on the way, 
 
 Which thro' thick Woods and Marfhes lay; 
 
 But Indians flrange did foon appear, 
 
 In hot perfuit of wounded Deer; 
 
 No mortal Creature can exprels. 
 
 His wild fantaflick Air and Drefs; 
 
 His painted Skin in Colours dy'd, 
 
 His fable hair in Satchel ty'd, 
 
 Shew'd Savages not free from Pride; 
 
 His tawny Thighs, and Bolom bare, 
 
 Difdain'd a ufelefs Coat to wear, 
 
 Scorn'd Summer's PTeat, and Winter's Air; 
 
 His manly (houlders fuch as pleafe 
 
 Widows and Wives, were bathed in greafe. 
 
 Of 
 
[ " ] 
 
 Of Cub and Bear, whofe fupple Oil 
 Prepar'd his Limbs 'gainfl: Heat or Toil, 
 Thus naked Pict in Battel fought. 
 Or undifguif'd his Miftrefs fought ; 
 And knowing well his Ware was good, 
 Refuf'd to fcieen it with a Hood; 
 His vifage dun, and chin that ne'er 
 Did Raizor feel or Sciffers bare, 
 Or knew the Ornament of Hair, 
 Look'd flernly Grim, furprized with Fear, 
 I fpur'd my Horfe as he drew near : 
 But Rhoan who better knew than I, 
 The little Caufe I had to fly; 
 Seem'd by his folemn fteps and pace, 
 Refolv'd I fliou'd the Sped:er face. 
 Nor fiifler mov'd, tho' fpur'd and lick'd. 
 Than Balaam s Afs by Prophet kick'd. 
 Kekicknitop (==) the Heathen cry'd ; 
 How is it, Tom, my Friend reply'd. 
 Judging from thence the Brute was civil, 
 I boldly fac'd the Courteous Devil ; 
 And lugging out a Dram of Rum, 
 I gave his Tawny worlhip fome : 
 Who in his language as I guefs, 
 (My Guide informing me no lefs,) 
 Implored the i^) Devil, me to blefs. 
 
 (") Kekicknitop is an Indian Expreffion, and fignifies no more than this, 
 How do foil do ? 
 
 ('') Thcfe Indians worlhip the Devil, and pray to him as we do to 
 God Almighty. 'Tis fuppoPd, that America was peopled from Scylhia 
 or Tarlaria, which Borders on China, by rcafon the Tartariiins and 
 Americans, very much agree in their Manners, Arms and Government. 
 
 C I 
 
[ '^ ] 
 
 I thank'd him for his good Intent, 
 
 And forwards on my Journey went, 
 
 Difcourfing as along I rode, 
 
 Whether this Race was framed by God, 
 
 Or whether fome Malignant pow'r, 
 
 Contriv'd them in an evil hour, 
 
 And from his own Infernal Look, 
 
 Their Dufky form and Image took : 
 
 From hence we fell to Argument 
 
 Whence Peopled was this Continent. 
 
 My Friend luppol'd Tartaria?is wild. 
 
 Or Chinefe from their Home exiled. 
 
 Wandering thro' Mountains hid with Snow 
 
 And Rills did in the Vallies flow 
 
 Far to the South of Mexico : 
 
 Broke thro' the Barrs which Nature caft 
 
 And wide unbeaten Regions paft, 
 
 Till near thofe Streams the humane deludge roll'd, 
 
 Which fparklingfliin'd with glittering Sands of Gold 
 
 And fetch'd {^) Pizarro from the {") Iberian Shoar, 
 
 To rob the Natives of their fatal Stoar. 
 
 I I'niil'd to hear my young Logician 
 
 Thus realbn like a Politician ; 
 
 Other pcrlbns are of Opinion, that tlie Chinefe firft peopled the Wejl- 
 Indies ; imagining China and the Southern part of America to be con- 
 tiguous. Others believe that the Phoenicians who were very (kilful Mari- 
 ners, firll planted a Colony in the Iflcs of America, and fupply'd the 
 Perfons left to inhabit there with Woinen and all other Ncccflarics: till 
 either the Death or Shipwreck of the firft Difcovcrers, or fome other Mif- 
 fortune, occafioned the lofs of the Difcovcry, which had been purchafed 
 by the Peril of the firft Adventurers. 
 
 el) Pizarro was the Perfon that conquer'd Peru; a Man of a moft 
 bloody Difpofition, bafe, treacherous, covetous and revengeful. 
 
 («) Spanijh Shear. 
 
 Who 
 
[ 13 ] 
 
 Who ne're by Father's Pains and Earning 
 Had got at Mother Cambridge Learning; 
 Where Lubber youth jufl: free from birch 
 Moft ftoutly drink to prop the Church; 
 Nor with (*) Grey Groat had taken Pains 
 To purge his Head and Cleanfe his Reines : 
 And in obedience to the Colledge, 
 Had pleaf'd himfelf with carnal knowledge: 
 And tho' I lik'd the youngfter's Wit, 
 I judg'd the Truth he had not hit ; 
 And could not chufe but fmile to think 
 What they could do for Meat and Drink, 
 Who o'er fo many Defarts ran 
 With Brats and Wives in Caravan ; 
 Unlefs perchance they'd got the Trick, 
 To eat no more than Porker fick ; 
 Or could with well contented Maws 
 Quarter like (§) Bears upon their Paws. 
 Thinking his Reafons to confute, 
 I gravely thus commenc'd Difpute, 
 And urged that tho' a Chinefe Hoft, 
 Might penetrate this Indian Coaft, 
 Yet this was certainly moft: true, 
 They never cou'd the Ifles fubdue ; 
 For knowing not to fteer a Boat, 
 They could not on the Ocean float, 
 
 (f) There is a ven,' bad Ciiftom in fomc Colledges, of giving the Stu- 
 dents A Groat ad furgandai Rherui, which is ufually employ'd to the ufe 
 of the Donor. 
 
 (S) Bears are faid to Uvc by fucicing of their Patvs, according to the 
 Notion of fome Learned Authors. 
 
 Or 
 
[ H ] 
 
 Or plant their Sunburnt Colonies, 
 
 In Regions parted by the Seas ; 
 
 I thence inferr'd (^) Phanicians old, 
 
 Difcover'd firfl with VelTels bold 
 
 Thefe Weftern Shears, and planted here. 
 
 Returning once or twice a Year, 
 
 With Naval Stoars and LafTes kind. 
 
 To comfort thofe were left behind ; 
 
 Till by the Winds and Tempeft toar. 
 
 From their intended Golden Shoar, 
 
 They fuffer'd Ship-wreck, or were drown'd, 
 
 And loft the World fo newly found. 
 
 But after long and learn'd Contention, 
 
 We could not finifh our difTention ; 
 
 And when that both had talk'd their fill. 
 
 We had the felf fame Notion ftill. 
 
 Thus Parfon grave well read and Sage, 
 
 Does in difpute with Prieft engage; 
 
 The one protefts thf-y are not Wife, 
 
 Who judge by (') Senfe and truft their Eyes ; 
 
 And vows he'd burn for it at Stake, 
 
 That Man may God his Maker make; 
 
 The other fmiles at his Religion, 
 
 And vows he's but a learned Widgeon : 
 
 And when they have empty'd all their Stoar 
 
 From Books or Fathers, are not more 
 
 Convinc'd or wiler than before. 
 
 (y)T)\e Phankians were the bell and boldcll Saviors of Antiquity, 
 and indeed the only Perfons, in former Ages, who durft venture thein- 
 fclves on the Main Sea. 
 
 (')The Priejis argue. That our Scnfcs in point of Tranfubftantiathn 
 ought not to be believed, for tho' the Confccralcd Bread has all the acci- 
 dents of Bread, yet they affirm, 'lis the Body of Chrift, and not of Bread 
 but Fle(h and Bones. 
 
 Scarce 
 
[ 15 ] 
 
 Scarce had we finiHi'd ferious Story, 
 But I efpy'd the Town before me, 
 And roaring Planters on the ground. 
 Drinking of Healths in Circle round: 
 Difmounting Steed with friendly Guide, 
 Our Horfes to a Tree we ty'd, 
 And forwards pafs'd among the Rout, 
 To chufe convenient ^larters out : 
 But being none were to be found. 
 We fat like others on the ground 
 Caroufing Punch in open Air, 
 Till Cryer did the Court declare; 
 The planting Rabble being met 
 Their Drunken Worfhips likewife fet ; 
 Cryer proclaims that Noife (liou'd ceafe 
 And ftreight the Lawyers broke the Peace : 
 Wrangling for Plantiff and Defendant, 
 I thought they ne'er wou'd make an end on't : 
 With nonfenfe, ftufFand falfe quotations. 
 With brazen Lyes and Allegations; 
 And in the fplitting of the Caufe, 
 They ufed fuch Motions with their Paws, 
 As (hew'd their Zeal was ftrongly bent. 
 In Blows to end the Argument. 
 A reverend Judge, who to the fhame 
 Of all the Bench, cou'd write his i^) his Name; 
 At Petty-fogger took offence, 
 And wonder'd at his Lnpudence. 
 
 (•'jln the County-Court of Mary-Land, very few of the Jullices of the 
 Peace can write or read. 
 
 My 
 
[ '6 ] 
 
 My Neighbour DaJ}:> with fcorn replies. 
 And in the Face of Juftice flies ; 
 The Bench in fury ftreight divide, 
 And Scribble's take or Judge's fide; 
 The Jury, Lawyers and their Clyents, 
 Contending fight like earth-born Gyants ; 
 But Sheriff wily lay perdue. 
 Hoping Indidlments wou'd enfue, 
 
 And when 
 
 A Hat or Wig fell in the way, 
 
 He feized them for the ^een as ftray : 
 
 The Court adjourn'd in ufual manner 
 
 In Battle Blood and fradlious Clamour; 
 
 I thought it proper to provide, 
 
 A Lodging for myfelf and Guide, 
 
 So to our Inn we march'd away. 
 
 Which at a little diftance lay; 
 
 Where all things were in f'uch Confufion, 
 
 I thought the World at its conclufion ; 
 
 A Herd of Planters on the ground, 
 
 O'er-whelm'd with Punch, dead drunk, we found; 
 
 Others were fighting and contending. 
 
 Some burnt their Cloaths to fave the mending. 
 
 A few whole Heads by frequent ufe. 
 
 Could better bare the potent Juice, 
 
 Gravely debated State Affairs. 
 
 Whilfl: I moft nimbly trip'd up Stairs; 
 
 Leaving my Friend dilcourfing oddly, 
 
 And mixing things Prophane and Godly ; 
 
 Jull: then beginning to be Drunk, 
 
 As from the Company I flunk, 
 
 To 
 
[ -7 ] 
 
 To every Room and Nook I crept, 
 
 In hopes I might have fomewhere flept ; 
 
 But all the bedding was poflefl 
 
 By one or other drunken Gueft : 
 
 But after looking long about, 
 
 I found an antient Corn-loft out. 
 
 Glad that I might in quiet deep, 
 
 And there my bones unfradlur'd keep. 
 
 I lay'd me down fecure from Fray, 
 
 And foundly fnoar'd till break of Day ; 
 
 When waking frefli I fat upright, 
 
 And found my Shooes were vanifli'd quite ; 
 
 Hat, Wig, and Stockings, all were fled 
 
 From this extended IndiaJi Bed; 
 
 Vext at the Lofs of Goods and Chattel, 
 
 I fwore I'd give the Rafcal battel. 
 
 Who had abui'd me in this fort, 
 
 And Merchant Stranger made his Sport. 
 
 I furioufly defcended Ladder; 
 
 No Hare in March was ever madder ; 
 
 In vain I fearch'd for my Apparel, 
 
 And did with Oaft and Servants Quarrel ; 
 
 For one whofe Mind did much afpire 
 
 To if) Mifchief, threw them in the Fire; 
 
 Equipt with neither Hat nor Shooe, 
 
 I did my coming hither rue. 
 
 And doubtful thought what I fhould do: 
 
 Then looking round, I faw my Friend 
 
 Lie naked on a Table's end ; 
 
 C) 'Tis the Cuftom of the Planters to throw their own, or any other 
 Perfon's Hat, Wig, Shooes or Stocicings in the Fire. 
 
 A 
 
[ i8 ] 
 
 A fight fo difmal to behold, 
 
 One wou'd have judg'd him dead and cold. 
 
 When wringing ol his bloody Nofe, 
 
 By fighting got we may iuppofe; 
 
 I found him not fo faft afleep, 
 
 Might give his friends a caufe to weep: 
 
 Rife (°) Oronooko, rife faid I, 
 
 And from this Hell d-nd Bedlam fly. 
 
 My Guide ftarts up, and in amaze. 
 
 With blood-fhot Eyes did round him gaze; 
 
 At length with many a figh and groan. 
 
 He went in fearch of aged Rhoan ; 
 
 But Rhoan, tho' feldom uf'd to faulter, 
 
 Had fairly this time flipt his Halter; 
 
 And not content all Night to flay 
 
 Ty'd up from Fodder, ran away : 
 
 After my Guide to ketch him ran, 
 
 And fo I loft both Horfe and Man: 
 
 Which Difappointment tho' fo great. 
 
 Did only Mirth and Jefts create: 
 
 Till one more Civil than the reft. 
 
 In Converfation for the beft, 
 
 Obferving that for want of Rhoan, 
 
 I ftiould be left to walk, alone; 
 
 Moft readily did me intreat. 
 
 To take a Bottle at his Seat; 
 
 A Favour at that time \o great, 
 
 I bleft my kind propitious Fate; 
 
 And finding loon a frefh (upply. 
 
 Of Cloaths from Stoar-houfe kept hard by, 
 
 {y 1 Planters aie iifiially call'd by the Name of Qronotiko, from their 
 Planting Oronooko-Tntacco. 
 
[ 19 ] 
 
 I mounted ftreight on Tuch a Steed, 
 Did rather curb, than whipping need ; 
 And [training at the ufual rate, 
 With Ipur ot Punch which lay in Pate, 
 E'er long we lighted at the Gate : 
 Where in an antient Cedar Houle, 
 Dwelt my new Friend a [^) Cockerou!e; 
 Whole Fabrick tho' 'twas built of Wood, 
 Had many Springs and Winters ftood ; 
 When iKirdy Oaks, and lofty Pines 
 Were level'd with i}^) Mulmillion Vines, 
 And Plants eradicated were. 
 By Hurricanes into the air; 
 There with good Punch and Apple Juice, 
 We Ipent our Hours without abufe ; 
 Till Midnight in her lable Veft, 
 Periuaded Gods and Men to reft ; 
 And with a pleafing kind furprize, 
 Indulg'd Ibtt Slumbers to n:iy Eyes. 
 Fierce {'^) Mthon courier of the Sun, 
 Had half his Race exactly run ; 
 And breath'd on me a fiery Ray, 
 Darting hot Beams the following Day, 
 When fnug in Blanket white I lay: 
 But Heat and \^) Chinees raii'd the Sinner, 
 Molt opportunely to his Dinner; 
 Wild Fowl and Fifh delicious Meats, 
 As good as Neptune s doxy eats. 
 Began our Holpitable Treat; 
 
 (») Cockeroufc, is a Man of Quality. 
 
 (l") IVIufmilleon Vines are what we call Mufk milleon Plants. 
 
 (<=) uEthon is one of the Poetical Horfes of the Sun. 
 
 i^) Chinas are a fort of Vermin like our Bugs in England. 
 
 D Fat 
 
[ 20 ] 
 
 Fat Venfon foUow'd in the Rear, 
 And Turkies wild [^ Luxurious Chear : 
 But what the Feafl did moft commend. 
 Was hearty welcom from my Friend. 
 Thus having made a noble Feaft, 
 And eat as well as pamper'd Prieft, 
 Madera ftrong in flowing Bowls, 
 Fill'd with extream delight our Souls; 
 Till wearied with a purple Flood, 
 Of generous Wine (the Giant's blood. 
 As Poets feign) away I made. 
 For fome refrelhing verdant Shade ; 
 Where mufing on my Rambles ftrange. 
 And Fortune which fo oft did change; 
 In midfl: of various Contemplations 
 Of Fancies odd, and Meditations, 
 
 I flumbered long 
 
 Till hazy Night with noxious Dews 
 Did fleep's unwholfom Fetters lofe ; 
 With Vapors chil'd, and mifty air. 
 To fire-fide I did repair; 
 Near which a jolly Female Crew, 
 Were deep engag'd at LanBre-Looe ; 
 In Night- rails white, with dirty Mein, 
 Such Sights are fcarce in England i>ttn : 
 I thought them hrrt Ibme Witches bent. 
 On Black Dcfigns in dire Convent, 
 Till one who with affcdled air. 
 Had nicely learn'd to Curfe and Swear ; 
 
 (f ) Wild Turkies arc very good Meat, and prodigioufly large in Mary- 
 
 '^""'- Cry'd 
 
[ ^' ] 
 
 Cry'd Dealing's loft is but a Flam, 
 
 And vow'd by G — d (lie'd keep her Pam. 
 
 When dealing through the board had run, 
 
 They afk'd me kindly to make one; 
 
 Not ftaying often to be bid, 
 
 I fat me down as others did ; 
 
 We fcarce had play'd a Round about. 
 
 But that thefe Indian Froes fell out. 
 
 D — m you, fays one, tho' now fo brave, 
 
 I knew you late a Four- Years Slave; 
 
 What if for Planter's Wife you go. 
 
 Nature defigned you for the Hoe. 
 
 Rot you replies the other ftreight, 
 
 The Captain kiff'd you for his Freight; 
 
 And if the Truth was known aright, 
 
 And how you walk'd the Streets by night 
 
 You'd bludi (if one cou'd blufh) for fhame. 
 
 Who from Bridewell or New gate came : 
 
 From Words they fairly fell to Blows, 
 
 And being loath to interpofe, 
 
 Or meddle in the Wars of Punk, 
 
 Away to Bed in haft I flunk. 
 
 Waking next day, with aking Head, 
 
 And Thirft, that made me quit my Bed; 
 
 I rigg'd myfelf, and foon got up. 
 
 To cool my Liver with a Cup 
 
 Of (^) Succahana freOi and clear. 
 
 Not half io good as Englijh Beer ; 
 
 Which ready ftood in Kitchin Pail, 
 
 And was in fadl but Adain s Ale ; 
 
 (*) Succahana is Water. 
 
 For 
 
[ " ] 
 
 For Planter's Cellars you mufl: know, 
 
 Seldom with good OSiober flow, 
 
 But Perry Quince and Apple Juice, 
 
 Spout from the Tap like any Sluce ; 
 
 Untill the Caik's grown low and ftale, 
 
 They're forc'd again to i^) Goud and Pail : 
 
 The foathing drought fcarce down my Throat, 
 
 Enough to put a (hip afloat. 
 
 With Cockeroufe as I was luting, 
 
 I felt a Feaver Intermitting ; 
 
 A fiery Pulfe beat in my Veins, 
 
 From Cold I felt relembling Pains: 
 
 This curled teafoning I remember, 
 
 Lafted from March to cold December ; 
 
 Nor would it then its Quarters fliift 
 
 Until by Cardiis turn'd adritt, 
 
 And had my Dodirefs wanted Ikill, 
 
 Or Kitchin Phyfick at her will, 
 
 My Father's Son had loft his Lands, 
 
 And never (t:en the Goodwin Sands: 
 
 But thanks to Fortune and a Nurk 
 
 Whole Care depended on my Purfe, 
 
 I law myfelf in good Condition, 
 
 Without the help of a Phyfitian : 
 
 At length the fliivering ill relieved. 
 
 Which long my Head and Heart had grieved ; 
 
 I then began to think with Care, 
 
 How I might fell my Britijh Ware, 
 
 That with my Freight I might comply, 
 
 Did on my Charter party lie : 
 
 {}) A Goud grows upon an Indian Vine, refenibling a Botilo, when 
 riDC it is hollow ; this the Planters make use of to drink water out of. 
 
 ^ To 
 
[ n ] 
 
 To this intent, with Guide before, 
 I tript it to the Eaftern Shear ; 
 While riding near a Sandy Bay, 
 I met a ^aker. Tea and Nay ; 
 A Pious Confientious Rogue, 
 As e'er woar Bonnet or a Brogue, 
 Who neither Swore nor kept his Word 
 But cheated in the Fear of God ; 
 And when his Debts he would not pay. 
 By Light within he ran away. 
 With this fly Zealot foon I Itruck 
 A Bargain for my Englijh Truck 
 Agreeing for ten thouland weight, 
 Of Sot- weed good and fit for freight, 
 Broad Oronooko bright and found. 
 The growth and prodiiifl ot his ground; 
 In Cafk that fliould contain compleat. 
 Five hundred of Tobacco neat. 
 The Contradt thus betwixt us made. 
 Not well acquainted with the Trade, 
 My Goods I trufted to the Cheat, 
 Whofe crop was then aboard the Fleet ; 
 And going to receive my own, 
 I found the Bird was newly flown : 
 Curfing this execrable Slave, 
 This damn'd pretended Godly Knave; 
 On dire Revenge and Juftice bent, 
 I inflantly to Counfel went, 
 Unto an ambodexter {'=) ^uack. 
 Who learnedly had got the Kn.xk 
 
 (■<:) This Fellow was an Apothecary, and turned an Attorney at Law. 
 
[ H ] 
 
 i^ Of giving Glifters, making Pills, 
 
 Of filling Bonds, and forging Wills ; 
 
 And with a ftock of Impudence, 
 
 Supply'd his want of Wit and Senfe; 
 
 With Looks demure, amazing People, 
 
 No wifer than a Daw in Steeple; 
 
 My Anger flufhing in my Face, 
 
 I ftated the preceeding Cafe : 
 
 And of my Money was fo lavifh. 
 
 That he'd have poyfon'd half the Parifh, 
 
 And hang'd his Father on a Tree 
 
 For fuch another tempting Fee ; 
 
 Smiling, faid he, the Caufe is clear, 
 
 I'll manage him you need not fear ; 
 
 The Cafe is judg'd, good Sir, but look 
 
 In Galen, No — -in my Lord Cook, 
 
 I vow to God I was miftook : 
 
 I'll take out a Provincial Writ, 
 
 And trounce him for his Knavifli Wit; 
 
 Upon my Life we'll win the Caufe, 
 
 With all the eafe I cure the {^) Yaws : 
 
 Refolv'd to plague the holy Brother, 
 
 I fet one Rogue to catch another ; 
 
 To try the caule then tully bent, 
 // Up to {^) Annapolis I went, 
 
 A City Situate on a Plain, 
 
 Where fcarce a Houfe will keep out Rain ; 
 
 The Buildings framed with Cyprus rare, 
 
 Refembles much our Southwark Fair : 
 
 ('')The Taws is the P«x 
 
 («)The chief of Mj/^-ZiJ/z^/ containing about twenty-four Houfes. 
 
 But 
 
[ ^5 ] 
 
 But Stranger here will fcarcely meet 
 With Market-place, Exchange, or Street ; 
 And if the Truth I may report, 
 'Tis not \'o large as Tottenham Court. 
 St Marys once was in repute. 
 Now here the Judges try the Suit 
 And Lawyers twice a year difpute. 
 As oft the Bench moft gravely meet, 
 Some to get Drunk, and fome to eat 
 A fwinging fhare of Country Treat. 
 But as for Juftice right or wrong, 
 Not one amongfl: the numerous throng, 
 Knows what they mean, or has the Heart, 
 To give his Verdift on a Stranger's part : 
 Now Court being call'd by beat of Drum, 
 The Judges left their Punch and Rum, 
 When Pettifogger Dodler draws. 
 His Paper forth, and opens Caufe ; 
 And leaft I fhou'd the better get, 
 Brib'd ^uack fuppreft his knavifh Wit. 
 So Maid upon the Downy Field 
 Pretends a Force, and Fights to yield : 
 The Byaft Court without delay, 
 Adjudg'd my Debt in Country Pay; 
 In (f) Pipe ftaves, Corn or Flefh of Boar, 
 Rare Cargo for the EjigUp Shoar ; 
 Raging with Grief, full fpeed I ran 
 To joyn the Fleet at (s) Kicketan ; 
 
 (f) There is a Law in this Country, the Plantiff may pay his Debt in 
 Country pay, which confills in the produce of his Plantation. 
 
 (g) The home ward bound fleet meets here. 
 
 Embarqu'd 
 
[ 26 ] 
 
 Embarqu'd and waiting for a Wind 
 I left this dreadful Curfe behind. 
 
 May Canniballs tranlported o'er the Sea 
 Prey on thefe Slaves, as they have done on me ; 
 May never Merchant's trading Sails explore 
 This Cruel, this inhofpitable Shoar ; 
 But left abandon'd by the World to ftarve, 
 May they fuftain the Fate they well deferve; 
 May they turn Savage, or as Indians Wild, 
 From Trade, Converfe and Happinefs exil'd ; 
 Recreant to Heaven, may they adore the Sun, 
 And into Pagan Superftitions run 
 
 ^t^" 
 
 For Vengence ripe 
 
 May Wrath Divine then lay thole Regions waft 
 
 Where no Man's (*) Faithful, nor a Woman Chaft. 
 
 (*) The Author docs not intend by this any of the Englijh Gentlemen 
 refident there. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
GLOSSARY. 
 
 Cockeroufe : 
 
 a man of Quality. 
 
 Chinees : 
 
 chinches, — bed-bugs. 
 
 Froes : 
 
 women ; ifrau (German) 
 1 vroww (Dutch). 
 
 
 Hoc (at the): 
 
 working in the field. 
 
 Landlre-Looe : 
 
 the game at cards o^ loo. 
 
 Night-rails : 
 
 night cloathes. 
 
 Oaft: 
 
 hoft. 
 
 Oronooko : 
 
 tobacco, alfo a nick-name, in thofe days, for a planter. 
 
 Pam : 
 
 / in loo the knave of clubs generally, and fome- 
 
 
 -< times the knave of trumps, is agreed on as the 
 
 
 thighefl card, and called Pam. 
 
 Sot-weed : 
 
 tobacco. 
 
 Sot-weed Fadlor : 
 
 tobacco-ageat or fupercargo. 
 
 Succahana : 
 
 water. 
 
 Tripple-Tree : 
 
 gallows. 
 
^