It was a sort of harlequin people, all composed of rags.

To recruit a man was to sew on a tatter.
To wander was the Comprachicos' law of existence--to appear and disappear.

What is barely tolerated cannot take root.

Even in the kingdoms where their business supplied the courts, and, on occasions, served as an auxiliary to the royal power, they were now and then suddenly ill-treated.

Kings made use of their art, and sent the artists to the galleys.