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Taverne； then to another； living without any rule or measure； which
they might very easily doe； because every one of them； （as if he
were to live no longer in this World） had even forsaken all things
that hee had。 By meanes whereof； the most part of the houses were
become common； and all strangers； might do the like （if they pleased
to adventure it） even as boldly as the Lord or owner； without any
let or contradiction。
Yet in all this their beastly behaviour； they were wise enough； to
shun （so much as they might） the weake and sickly： In misery and
affliction of our City； the venerable authority of the Lawes； as
well divine as humane； was even destroyed； as it were； through want of
the lawfull Ministers of them。 For they being all dead； or lying sicke
with the rest； or else lived so solitary； in such great necessity of
servants and attendants； as they could not execute any office； whereby
it was lawfull for every one to do as he listed。
Betweene these two rehearsed extremities of life； there were other
of a more moderate temper； not being so daintily dieted as the
first； nor drinking so dissolutely as the second； but used all
things sufficient for their appetites； and without shutting up
themselves； walked abroad； some carrying sweete nosegayes of flowers
in their hands； others odoriferous herbes； and others divers kinds
of spiceries； holding them to their noses； and thinking them most
comfortable for the braine； because the ayre seemed to be much
infected by the noysome smell of dead carkases； and other hurtfull
savours。 Some other there were also of more inhumane minde （howbeit
peradventure it might be the surest） saying； that there was no
better physicke against the pestilence； nor yet so good； as to flie
away from it； which argument mainely moving them； and caring for no
body but themselves； very many； both men and women； forsooke the City；
their owne houses； their Parents； Kindred； Friends； and Goods；
flying to other mens dwellings else…where。 As if the wrath of God；
in punnishing the sinnes of men with this plague； would fall heavily
upon none； but such as were enclosed within the City wals； or else
perswading themselves； that not any should there bee left alive； but
that the finall ending of all things was come。
Now albeit these persons in their diversity of opinions died not
all； so undoubtedly they did not all escape； but many among them
becomming sicke； and making a generall example of their flight and
folly； among them that could not stirre out of their beds； they
languished more perplexedly then the other did。 Let us omit； that
one Citizen fled after another； and one neighbour had not any care
of another； Parents nor kinred never visiting them； but utterly they
were forsaken on all sides： this tribulation pierced into the hearts
of men； and with such a dreadfull terrour； that one Brother forsooke
another； the Unkle the Nephew； the Sister the Brother； and the Wife
her Husband： nay； a matter much greater； and almost incredible；
Fathers and Mothers fled away from their owne Children； even as if
they had no way appertained to them。 In regard whereof； it could be no
otherwise； but that a countlesse multitude of men and women fell
sicke； finding no charity among their friends； except a very few；
and subject to the avarice of servants； who attended them
constrainedly； （for great and unreasonable wages） yet few of those
attendants to be found any where too。 And they were men or women but
of base condition； as also of groser understanding； who never before
had served in any such necessities； nor indeed were any way else to be
imployed； but to give the sicke person such things as hee called
for； or to awaite the houre of his death； in the performance of
which service； oftentimes for gaine； they lost their owne lives。
In this extreame calamity； the sicke being thus forsaken of
neighbors； kinred； and friends； standing also in such need of
servants； a custome came up among them； never heard of before； that
there was not any woman； how noble； young； or faire soever shee was；
but falling sicke； shee must of necessity have a man to attend her；
were hee young or otherwise； respect of shame or modesty no way
prevailing； but all parts of her body must be discovered to him； which
（in the like urgency） was not to be seene by any but women： whereon
ensued afterward； that upon the parties healing and recovery； it was
the occasion of further dishonesty； which many being more modestly
curious of； refused such disgracefull attending； chusing rather to
die； then by such helpe to bee healed。 In regard whereof； as well
through the want of convenient remedies； （which the sicke by no meanes
could attaine unto） as also the violence of the contagion； the
multitude of them that died night and day； was so great； that it was a
dreadfull sight to behold； and as much to heare spoken of。 So that
meere necessity （among them that remained living） begat new
behaviours； quite contrary to all which had beene in former times； and
frequently used among the City Inhabitants。
The custome of precedent dayes （as now againe it is） was； that
women； kinred； neighbours； and friends； would meete together at the
deceased parties house； and there； with them that were of neerest
alliance； expresse their hearts sorrow for their friends losse。 If not
thus； they would assemble before the doore； with many of the best
Cittizens and kindred； and （according to the quality of the
deceased） the Cleargy met there likewise； and the dead body was
carried （in comely manner） on mens shoulders； with funerall pompe of
Torch light； and singing； to the Church appointed by the deceased。 But
these seemely orders； after that the fury of the pestilence began to
encrease； they in like manner altogether ceased； and other new
customes came in their place； because not onely people died； without
having any women about them； but infinites also past out of this life；
not having any witnesse； how； when； or in what manner they departed。
So that few or none there were； to deliver outward shew of sorrow
and grieving： but insteed thereof； divers declared idle joy and
rejoycing； a use soone learned of immodest women； having put off all
feminine compassion； yea； or regard of their owne welfare。
Very few also would accompany the body to the grave； and they not
any of the Neighbours； although it had beene an honourable Citizen；
but onely the meanest kinde of people； such as were grave…makers；
coffin…bearers； or the like； that did these services onely for
money； and the beere being mounted on their shoulders； in all hast
they would runne away with it； not perhaps to the Church appointed
by the dead； but to the neerest at hand； having some foure or sixe
poore Priests following； with lights or no lights； and those of the
silliest； short service being said at the buriall； and the body
unreverently throwne into the first open grave they found。 Such was
the pittifull misery of poore people； and divers； who were of better
condition； as it was most lamentable to behold； because the greater
number of them； under hope of healing； or compelled by poverty； kept
still within their house weake and faint； thousands falling sicke
daily； and having no helpe； or being succoured any way with foode or
physicke； all of them died； few or none escaping。
Great store there were； that died in the streetes by day or night；
and many more beside； although they died in their houses； yet first
they made it knowne to their neighbours； that their lives perished；
rather by the noysome smell of dead and putrified bodies； then by
any violence of the disease in themselves。 So that of these and the
rest； dying in this manner every where； the neighbours observed one
course of behaviour； （moved thereto no lesse by feare； that the
smell and corruption of dead bodies should harme them； then charitable
respect of the dead） that themselves when they could； or being
assisted by some bearers o