who filches a piece of cloth compared to a squire who steals from the
mountain-side half a parish? Ought the latter not be called a worse
robber than the former, who only takes a shred from him, while he
deprives the poor of pasture for his beast, and consequently of the means
of livelihood for himself, and those depending upon him? What is the
stealing a handful of flour in the mill compared with the storing up of a
hundred bushels to rot, in order to obtain later on for one bushel the
price of four? What is a threadbare soldier who robs thee of thy clothes
at the swords' point when compared with the lawyer who despoils thee of
thy whole estate with the stroke of a quill, and against whom thou canst
claim no recompense or remedy? What is a pickpocket who steals a five-
pound in comparison to a dice-sharper who robs thee of a hundred pounds
in the third part of a night? And what the swindler that deceives thee
in a worthless old hack compared with the apothecary who swindles thee of
thy money and life too, for some effete, medicinal stuff? And moreover,
what are all these robbers compared with that great arch-robber who
deprives them all of everything, yea, of their hearts and souls after the
fair is over?"

From this foul and disorderly street we proceeded to the street of the
Princess of Pleasure wherein I saw many English, French, Italians and
Paynims. The Princess is very fair to behold, with mixed wine in one
hand, and a fiddle and a harp in the other; and in her treasury,
innumerable pleasures and toys to gain the custom of everybody, and
retain them in her father's service. Yea, many were wont to escape to
this pleasant street to drown their grief for losses and debts they had
incurred in the others. It was exceedingly crowded, especially with
young people; whilst the Princess is careful to please everyone, and to
have an arrow ready for every mark. If thou art thirsty, here thou will
find thy favorite beverage; if thou lovest song and dance, here thou