And by their Losses to Repentance brought:
Who will not say I serv'd him in his Kind?
For he had that to which he had most mind.
And since his Watch has left its empty Place,
I leave, him to bemoan his own light Case.
For he may now by dear Experience say,
Time oftentimes unknown will Slip away.
The next Week after this, I was pick'd up by a brisk Spark, who likewise had me to the Tavern, and seeing me in a rich Garb, (and tho' I say it, tolerably handsome then) was very civil to me, and treated me with much respect, giving me a good Dish of Fish for Supper, which with good Store of Wine, serv'd as a fit Provocative for that which follow'd after. But before we began those Pleasures to which the Treat was but an Introduction, he flung me down a Guinea, and told me he design'd that for a pair of Gloves for me; which when I seem'd unwilling to accept of, as looking somewhat mercenary; No, Madam, says he, this is what I freel'y offer, and cann't therefore be thought mercenary: But now you talk of that, I'll tell you a good Jest was put last Week upon a Friend of mine, a Linnen-Draper, who 'tho he'd so much Holland of his own, wou'd needs be taking up of other Folk's. For this old Cuckold-Maker being got Fluster'd, and something late out one Night the last Week, picks up a Gentlewoman and has her to the Tavern—(and so repeated the whole Story I before have told you, Madam; with this addition, which but for him I never shou'd have known). That when the old Fornicator was come home, he had a severe Lecture from his disgruntl'd Lady, who told him he had either been asleep or worse; for that it was near two a Clock. But the old Cuss thinking to pacifie her Anger by convincing her it wan't so late, wou'd needs go look upon his Watch; but quickly finding that altho' the Nest was there, the Bird was flown, put up the Case again, with only saying, Good lack a day! How strangely time will slip away in Company, before a Man's aware! But the next Morning being to pay a Merchants Man a Bill for a small parcel of Hambrough-Cloth that came to 22 Guineas, and his Cashier going to reach the Money, he put his hand into his Fob, Hold (says he to his Man) I have Twenty Guineas here, and I can make them up in Silver, and so flings his Supposed Guineas down upon the Counter; But was exceedingly surpriz'd to see that they had lost their Colour, and were all White instead of Yellow. However at the present he stifled his Resentments, and told his man that he must fetch the Money out of the Till, for he remember'd now he had paid away all his Guineas. Presently after which, (says my Gallant, that told the Story to me) he came to me, and I perceiving him extreamly out of humour, ask'd what the matter was? Never was Man, says he, so Trick'd as I have been last Night. For being out somewhat late, says he, and somewhat Fluster'd, I pick'd up a small Girl, which I thought was the honestest that ever I met with, but she has prov'd the veriest Jilt that e'er I had to do with, and Trick'd me out of a Gold Watch and Twenty Guineas. And then, said he, related all that I have told you; and bid me besure to have a care of them that wou'd pretend they were not mercenary, for they'll be trebly paid for what they do. But you, Madam, said he to me, look like a Gentlewoman above such shifts as those. If you respect me, Sir, said I, you have the Remedy in your own hands; and therefore if you please I will withdraw. No, Madam, by no means, says he, I only told you this Story to divert you, Madam: In short, we soon agreed; for he was much a Gentleman, and perform'd what he undertook to my great Satisfaction; and I (or else he flatter'd me) gave him as much content.
But 'twas not always I had such good Luck, for not long after, I met with one, who tho' he appear'd very well to sight, gave me more than I car'd for; and more than I cou'd rid my self on for a great while after. 'Twas then, Madam, by taking Mercury, and using Salivations, to be rid of that unwelcome Guest, the Pox, that I lost all that Beauty which I once cou'd boast of. And then, as one misfortune seldom comes alone, my Husband, whilst I was in this condition, dy'd; who while he liv'd, allow'd me some small Maintenance; but hearing on his Death-Bed the Misfortune that had then befallen me, he became so exasperated against me, he only left me Twenty Shillings to buy a Coffin for me, as thinking I shou'd ne'er Recover; whereas before, as I have since been told by the Executors, he design'd at least a hundred Pounds for me.
The great Expences of my Sickness (which had besides made me unfit for Business) had brought me pretty low; and I was now quite destitute of any other way to help my self but the old Trade of Whoring; and yet I was afraid of being now a Common Night-walker, lest I shou'd meet with such another Job as I had met withal before; which wou'd have ruin'd me to all Intents and Purposes: But by a Friend of mine, that had been a Well-wisher to the calling, I was advis'd, as much the safer way, to list my self as a Retainer to a Private Vaulting School; where I was told (and indeed found it so) that there were none admitted but what were Sound and Tight. To this, altho the Gains to me was less, yet since there was less hazard of the Pox, I thought it best to hire my self: And this Madam, was such a House as now I keep my self. Where we don't only take special care, that none but what are free from all Distempers be admitted; but likewise have Surgeons and Apothecaries with whom we are in Fee, who, if we but suspect the least miscarriage, straight give us something that may carry't off.