IN a towne, where the Praetor is wise, the Counsell wittie, is a slouenly citizen, to whom many are so indebted, that they haue much to doe, to pay for the forbearance, and no man can get a generall quietus est at his hand till he be dead; which yet is longed for of very few. For both the principall agents in the corporation, receiue maintenance from him: and the Maioresse, with the other good wiues, doe so fansie him, and the fore man of his shop, Bawdie Brian, that there is many times much misgouernance thereby in the whole towne: notwithstanding any edict, proclamation, or reclamation that the magistrate can make.

This true Man ſoon aſſembled him beforn: / Three Sons he had that ſtalwart were and bold, / And twenty Men of Kin in his Houſhold.

to drabble for barbels

to mop (or scrub) a floor