strong places of the countrey, where there wonted refuge was most, I suppose there will few stand out, or if they doe, they will shortly bee brought in by the eares: But yet afterwardes, lest any one of them should swerve, or any that is tyed to a trade, should afterwardes not follow the same, according to this institution, but should straggle up and downe the countrey,[o 1] or mich in corners amongst their friends idely, as Carrowes, Bardes, Iesters, and such like, I would wishe that a Provost Marshall should bee appointed in every shire, which should continually walke about the countrey, with halfe a dozen, or halfe a score horsemen, to take up such loose persons as they should finde thus wandering, whom hee should punish by his owne authority, with such paines as the person shall seeme to deserve; for if hee be but once so taken idely roguing, hee may punish him more lightly, as with stockes, or such like; but; if hee bee found againe so loytering, hee may scourge him with whippes, or rodds, after which if hee bee againe taken, let him have the bitternesse of marshall lawe. Likewise if any reliques of the olde rebellion bee found by any, that either have not come in and submitted themselves to the law, or that having once come in, doe breake forth againe, and walke disorderly, let them taste of
- ↑ or mich in corners] The word micher is used by Chaucer to denote a thief or vagabond, Rom. R. 6541. edit. Urr. And Mr. Tyrvvhitt cites the following; usage of the verb: "Mychyn or pryvely stelyn smale thyngs. Surriuio. Prompt. Parv." See also Cotgrave in V. "To miche, etre vilain." Todd.
