CHAP. XXXII.
Scouring the Road, he lights on a Farmers house which he intended to rob, but desists from that resolution, falling in Love with his Daughter, who was exceeding beautiful; gets her with Child, under the pretence of Marriage, but afterwards refusing it, She and her Parents tax him with the undoing of the young Woman; whereupon he leaveth them, giving them no other satisfaction then what they could gather out of a Copy of Verses he sent them.
Riding along the Road, I met with a young Girl with a Milk-Pail on her head, but I was amaz’d to see such perfection in one mortal face. I rid up to her very near, purposely to entertain some discourse with her, introductory to a future acquaintance: considering the ground, you may imagine the questions I propounded to this pretty Rural Innocent were frivolous enough; as, which was the readiest way to such a place, &c. which with much respect and modest confidence she resolv’d. She opening a gate to milk her Cows, I followed, and tying my horse to an hedge, I beg’d her an excuse for being so rude, and beseecht her charitable opinion of my present actions, assuring her I would not offer the least injury nor prejudice to her chastity. Being over-perswaded with my protestations and vows to that purpose, she admitted me to sit down and discourse with her whilest she performed the office of a Milk-maid. I could hardly contain my self within bounds when I viewed her pretty little hand stroking the Duggs, which indeed had so heightned my amorous passion, that I soon forgot my Oaths and Promises, but after some dalliance, what by intreaties and love-perswasions, and what by corporal strength, I obtained my desires. We then grew somewhat more familiar, but the burden of the Song was, I had undone her; let him that reads judge the truth thereof. We conclude at length that she should go home to her Fathers house, and that near night I would come thither likewise, according to the time appointed, as if I had never seen her before, and that I casually rid that way for information in the steering of my course regularly in the prosecution of my journey.
She subtilly goes in, and acquaints her Father and Mother that there was a Gentleman (without) whom by his countenance, garb and gesture, shew’d himself no less; that fearing to travel farther, being night, knowing not the way, desir’d to rest himself there till morning. With much respects from her Parents to her own great satisfaction (which I discern’d in her eyes) I was kindly entertain’d, and nobly treated. That night we intended to be better acquainted by the renovation of our late enjoyments; but our unlucky Starrs were impropitious to our amorous designs. Next morning I seem’d to be very ill, that I might have some pretence for my staying, which I acquainted the Daughter withal, the old people were very loving and courteous, so that as soon as they heard thereof, with much pitty they visited me, and with as much care they provided what was necessary for me. I offer’d them money, shewing good store of Gold, that they might have the better esteem of me. Thus I lay for at least a fortnight; several Doctors had been with me, but none knew my distemper. All this while I nightly had the society of my fresh Country Mistres, who deviated from the common customes of her Sex, did not coyishly refuse that which was the center of her hopes, wishes and desires. Fearing least I might be suspected, I left off counterfeiting, and shew’d them some recovery of my strength. When at any time the good old people would come into my Chamber to sit with me, the main subject of my discourse would be the resentments of their favours, and that if I liv’d I would gratefully repay them. Being restor’d to my former healthful condition, I one day told them I could never recompence their love and care of me but by marrying their Daughter, whom I told them I loved most affectionately. Her Parents made many excuses. As that she was but a poor Country Girle, and the like, but glad I perceived they were to hear such an over-prized motion. Enquiries I made in a Neighbouring Town what this farmer was, whom I understood by all to be very wealthy, and that time was not more careful to furnish him with silver Hairs, then he industrious to maintain them by the procuration of a plentiful Estate: My wanton was his only Darling, for whom he furrowed the surface of the Earth, and for whom he chose rather to sell then to eat his better sort of Provision, that he might add to her Portion. It was now he thought he had well bestowed his labour, since he had met with such a blessed opportunity wherein he should add Gentility to his daughters riches. O the slaughter of Piggs, Geese, Capons, which as to some Idol were Sacrifices diurnally offered to procure my favour! And as he was liberal in his Food, so was not I sparing in the sending for Wine, six Dozen of Bottles at a time: So that the Old man was brought to this pass, that he cared not whether he spent his Estate on me, or gave it; and that young Girl so well pleased with her imaginary Paradise here, that I am confident she would never have been induced to have exchanged this for any other on equal terms. Inexpressable was our satisfaction on all hands, but nothing gave them greater content then to see us together, by which we had as many opportunities as we listed. My main aim was still to know of my young Mistress what store of Coyn her Father had, and where it lay, but to my great grief and vexation she told me he had not five pound within doors, having lately bought a purchase. I now thought it was to little purpose to stay longer, since I could not glean from her Fathers harvest, though I had reapt the crop of her Mothers labour, and so resolved to be going, but not without one nights solemn leave taking of her. The night being come, she purposely stayed up till all the rest were gone to bed. But we being too imprudently hasty in the Kitchin, stumbled against two Barrels piled one on the other and fell; and we both were so intangled, that we could not disingage our selves so soon, but that her Father came out crying, In the name of Goodness what is the matter? And groping about caught me by the naked breech. Seeing there was no remedy, I desired him to be silent; and not spread his Daughters disgrace; if so, I would make her shortly a recompence. The old man was very much perplext, and could not forbear telling his Wife of what had past. They both cryed out that their Daughter was undone: The Daughter was in the same tone, unless I would speedily marry her.
I stayed afterwards about some three dayes to colour the matter, and at last marcht off incognito, sending her twenty pieces of Gold, and a Coppy of Verses, which, although I knew they understood not, yet I could not but express my self by writing, if for nothing else but mine own satisfaction.
Is it not strange thou and thy friends should say,
Thou art undone by me? Lets see which way.
Have I not done to my great toyl and pain,
What all thy friends cannot undo again.
Call but to mind the pleasures thou hast tasted,