The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 46 · Section 5
Proverbs.
From Hell, Hull, and Halifax,—deliver us.]
This is part of the Beggars and Vagrants Letany. Of these three frightfull things unto them, it is to be feared, that they least fear the first, conceiting it the furthest from them. *Others conceive it onelyonly to relate to the dangerous Haven thereof.Hull, is terrible unto them, as a Town of good government, where Vagrants meet with Punitive Charity, and 'tis to be feared are oftner Corrected then Amend ed. Halifax, is formidable unto them for the Law thereof, whereby Theeves taken foreign in the very Act of stealing of cloath, are instantly beheaded with an Engine, without any further Legal Proceedings.
A Scarborough warning.]
That is none at all, but a s…dain surprize, when a mischief is felt before it be suspected. This Proverbe is but of 104. years standing, taking its Originall from *Godwin in his Annals of Q Mary.Thomas Stafford, who in the raign of Queen Mary, Anno 1557. with a small company seized on Scarborough-castle, (utterly distitute of provision for resistance) before the Towns-men had the least notice of his approach. However, within six days, by the industry of the Earl of Westmerland, he was taken▪ brought to London, and Beheaded. So that since the Proverb accepteth a secondary (but no genuine) sense; and a Scarborough-warning may be a Caveat to any, how he undertaketh a treacherous design. But if any conceive this Proverbe of more antient original, fetching it from the custome of Scarboroughcastle in former times, with which, it was not a word and a blow, but a blow before and without a word; as using to shoot ships which passed by and strook not sail, and so warning and harming them both together; I can retain mine own, without opposing their opinion.
As true Steel as Rippon Rowels.]
It is said of trusty Persons, men of metall, faithfull in their imployments. Spurs are a principal part of Knightly Hatchments, yea, a*Mr. D…aiton in his Poly-ol…, Song 2. pag. 71. Poet observes,
The Lands that over Ouze to Barwick forth doe bear,
Have for their Blazon had the Snaffle, Spur, and Spear.
Indeed, the best Spurs of England, are made at Rippon a famous Town in this County, whose rowels may be inforced to strike through a Shilling, and will break sooner then bow. However the horses in this County are generally so good, they prevent the Spurs, or answer unto them, a good sign of thrifty metall for continuance.
An Yorkshire * way-Bit.]
That is an Over-plus not accounted in the reckoning, which sometime, proveth as much as all the rest. Ask a Country-man here on the high-way, how far it is to such a Town, and they commonly return, So many miles and a way-bit, which way-bit, is enough to make the wearied Travailer surfet of the length thereof. If such over-measure be allowed to all Yards, Bushels, &c. in … Shire, the Poor therein have no cause to complain of their penny-worths, in buying any Commodities.
But hitherto we have run along with common report, and false spelling, (the way not to win the race) and now return to the starting place again. It is not Way-bit, though generally so pronounced, but Wee-bit a pure Yorkshirisme, which is a small bit in the Northern Language.
Merry Wakefield.]
What peculiar cause of mirth this Town hath above others, I doe not know, and dare not too curiously inquire, left I turn their mirth among themselves, into anger against me. Sure it is seated in a fruitful soyl, and cheap Country, and where good chear and company are the Premisses, mirth (in common consequence) will be the Conclusion. Which, if it doth not trespass in time, cause and measure, Heraclitus the sad Philosopher, may perchance condemn, but Saint Hilary, the good Father will surely allow.