W. Small. 'Tis gone, by heaven!
Not a denier is left.
Bout. 'Tis impossible.
W. Small. Impossible! s'heart! I have had two suckers
Able to spend the wealthy Crœsus' store.
Enter Frances.
Bout. What are they?
W. Small. Why, a lawyer and a whore:
See, here comes one. Dost think this petticoat,
A perfum'd smock, and twice a week a bath,
Can be maintain'd with half a year's revenues?
No, by heaven! we annual younger brothers
Must go to't by wholesale; by wholesale, man,[325]
These creatures are maintained: her very face
Has cost a hundred pounds.
Fran. Sir, thank yourself. [Coming forward.
Con. They keep this whore betwixt them. [Aside.
Fran. You know, sir,
I did enjoy a quiet country life,
Spotless and free, till you corrupted me,
And brought me to the court. I never knew
What sleeking, glazing, or what pressing meant:
Till you preferr'd me to your aunt the lady.
I knew no ivory teeth, no caps of hair,
No Mercury water, fucus[326] or perfumes,
To help a lady's breath, until your aunt
Learnt me the common trick.
W. Small. The common trick,
Say you? a pox upon such common tricks!
They will undo us all.