HISTORY OF
JOHN CHEAP,
THE CHAPMAN.
preface.
JOHN CHEAP the Chapman, was a very comical short thick fellow, with a broad face and long nose : both lame and lazy, and something lecherous among the lasses. He chose rather to sit idle than work at any time, as he was a hater of hard labour. No man needed to offer him cheese and bread, after he curst it lie would not have it; for he would blush at bread and milk when hungry, as a beggar doth at a bawbee. He got the name of John Cheap the Chapman, by selling 20 needles for a penny, and twa leather laces for a farthing.
He swore no oaths but one, which was, Let me never sin.
He used no imprecations, but let me neither cheat nor be cheated, but rather cheat than be cheated.
He gave bad counsel to none but children, to burn the bone combs, that their mother might buy another when he came again.
