_Her Friend being forced from her by his friends she meeting with one of
her old acquaintance, falls again to trading, till in the end, she
meets with the_ Drugster, _who kept her for his private use._
Although I was well enough pleased with my nights lodging, and so was my
bedfellow; yet, as the longest day, so will the longest night have an
end; and no pleasure is lasting, neither would ours continue, for the
morning being come we were again called up by Musick, but being glutted
with that, we ordered them to retire, and I first arose out of our bed
and going to dress me in my ordinary habit, my bedfellow did forbid it,
and intreated me to give him the satisfaction, and delight, to see me
again in my Turkish dress. He having pleased me so well, I was contented
to pleasure him, in a request that was so indifferent; and therefore
dressed my self accordingly.
He was so well pleased with me in every thing, that taking me in his
arms, I remember he sighed, and I demanding the reason of that passion,
he told me, it was out of the extremity of the love he bore me: and
which he desired above all things to continue; Indeed I liked him so
well, that I could have been well enough contented to have been his
wife, and have left all the world for him, for he was of so easie a
plyant nature, that I could have wrought him to any thing: and therefore
being desirous to make use of that opportunity, I desired him not to be
melancholy, for all that I could serve him in, I should readily do: he
finding me so free with him, told me if that I would wait the death of
his Mother, he would make me his wife, and in the mean time, would
entertain me, & provide for me wholly as if I were so: but he durst not
marry me till his Mother was dead, she having a great power over his
estate, his Father who was lately dead, so ordering it; and beside, he
was not as yet of Age to demand it. I being desirous to close with him,
(not only out of a desire I had to leave that course of life I then led;
but also out of Pure love I bore him,) soon agreed to be wholly disposed
by him, & desired him therefore to be constant in his affection; and
take some time to consider how to dispose of me, and I should readily
consent to it, for he knew as well as I, that it would not at all be
convenient for me to remain where I was. This was our discourse, and
then we went from our Chamber into another Room, where we were expected
by our _Matrona_, and some others of my companions: the next day we also
spent in frolicking and mirth; but the whole charge of it, was not born
by my friend, for several of our _Matrona’s_ Friends and Clients did
participate in the cost: as well as the mirth, which was very high, and
lasted all the day and night; and then tyred, though not satisfied with
such delights as _Bacchus_ and _Venus_ could afford: we (having imitated
the Empress _Messalina_ in our debauchery; of whom the Poet saith.
_The Imperial Strumpet, with one maid stole out,
In her night hoods, and having cast about:
Her black hair, a red Perriwig she got,
Into the stewes----
There many thirsted for encounters tryed
Departed tyr’d with men, not satisfied._
This frolick being at an end, I and my friend began to be serious, and
in short time after he provided me a private lodging, and I making up my
pack of cloths, Jewels and Mony which I had gained, and which was
considerable, left our _Madona_ and now retired my self, and resolved to
be very honest, and absolutely constant to my friend: who continued his
love to me in a very great measure.
But at length all the moneys that he brought to Town with him, and all
else that he could get or procure, was spent; (for he had not spared any
thing I desired to content me,) and which was worse, his Mother came to
Town to visit him, and upon examination he could give little account,
how he had spent his time and monyes; wherefore it being concluded that
ill company was the cause, his Mother laid out very diligently to
discover what company he kept: though he abstained from coming so often
to me, as formerly, Yet, he either sent, or came to me every day: that
he might not be absolutly out of favor with his Mother, I furnished him
with what ready mony I had, and he in requital, promised me a
continuance of his love, & a retalliation of my kindness, & which was
more then all, he engaged to marry me (notwithstanding all the
oppositions his mother or friends could make,) if I would stay till he
was of age, and had his estate in his hands; I had this promise from
him, not only by word of mouth, but also by writing; but all these
promises were quickly vacuated and void; for his mother, by her
extraordinary diligence found out his haunts, and discovered his coming
to me; and followed the tract of my actions, and life; that she found
from whence I came, and who I was; and then soon concluded, that I had
been the chief occasion of his mispending his time, and moneys; and now
she mustred up all her wits, to prevent his ruine: which she supposed
would be inevitable, if he continued any longer a correspondency with
me.
To this end she called her Son before her, and examined him in the
presence of all those of his Relations and friends which were then in
Town. She laid the business so plain, and home to him, that he could not
deny the matter, somewhat of the manner he did; for whereas she reported
me an absolute _Prostitute_, he alleged me _virtuous_ and _modest_, as
indeed well he might (for I had, ere since my first acquaintance with
him, been constant to him) but it being proved from whence I came, and
how immodest I had lived, it was sufficient argument to make out what I
was, and that I could not be a fit Wife for him: She was a very discreet
Woman, and one who had known the World, and I suppose was well enough
acquainted with that saying of the _Poet_.
If Modesty and Women once do sever,
Farewel their name, farewel their fame for ever.
And therefore it being evident enough what I had been, she from thence
concluded what I would be: In fine, she so scooled her son, and ordered
the matter, that he was contented to relinquish my company; and because,
she would be sure he should doe so, she never left, till she had got him
in the mind to travel: and so putting him in an equipage befitting his
quality, she sent him for _France_.
Thus, when I thought my self near the greatest happiness I ever yet
arrived to: (which I earnestly hoped, and expected, by being married to
this young Gentleman) was I stripped of all joy, and comfort, in his
suddain and absolute departure from me; his Mother, and Friends, were so
strict with him, that they would not permit him, to take his farewel of
me; I only received a short letter from him, wherein, he complained of
his ill fortune, in being thus forced from me: but more especially at
the manner of it; for he had not the opportunity, nor power to be civil
to me, in reimbursing me, with the moneys I had lately furnished him
with; for his Mother gave him no more ready moneys, then he should have
present occasion for; promising him, to supply him with more by Bills of
Exchange, when he should arrive at the place he was designed for; and
then he promised that I should hear further from him.
This was the substance of his letter; and indeed I could not well
complain of him; for what moneys he had lately received of me had
formerly been his own; but I was now reduced to a very bad, and low
condition: having no ready money, so that I was forced to sell some of
my Jewels; and for a while supplyed my occasions, with the moneys they
yielded me; I living a very solitary, and retired life; and all my
pleasure was in reading Playes, and Romances: in which I spent much
time, and took great delight; I waited long in expectation of letters
from my friend, according to his promise; but whether he sent, and they
were intercepted, or how: or whether he forgot me, or no, I know not;
for I never after that heard of him.
Being somewhat weary with this solitary life; and finding no effects, of
my friends promise to send to me; I began to consider, what course I was
to take; I was very unwilling to visit my old _Matrona_ again; but one
day, walking out, I was met by one of my old sweethearts: one of those
whom I had known in her house; but I saw by his habit, and afterwards by
the strength of his Pocket, that he was but in a low condition, and was
more ready to receive, than give; he fastned on me for old acquaintance
sake, I was forced to drink with him; but he ingeniously told me, that
_Hector_ was not in Field, he had no money in his Pocket; wherefore I
(though money was not very flush with me, as having had a long time of
vacation:) not only paid our reckoning: but at his intreaty, doubly
hors’d him, by lending him, (or I may rather say giving him) two half
crowns.
This put him in stock and heart, and he gratefully acknowledged my
civility, telling me he would requite it, and talking of thousands he
was to receive. He was very earnest to know my Lodging, but I concealed
that place from him, and, as I thought, parted from him warily enough,
and went many ways about before I went home; but he dog’d me, and seeing
me hous’d, waited, lest that might not be the place; but after a
sufficient stay he was better satisfied; for I came no more out, and so
he went to his Quarters.
This my old acquaintance, as he had formerly been bit, and had others
lived upon him, so now he only lived upon others; and though it was not
above a twelve month since he was very gallant, and spent very highly
with me, yet he had made hast and consumed above 3000_l._ he was young
enough, and as wanton and desirous as ever of my Company; but he knew
very well I would not consent, unless there were money in the case; he
being destitute of that necessary commodity, therefore sought out for
one who was better supply’d with it; he needed not to look long, neither
did he, till he found one, who was now, as not long since he had been,
better stor’d with mony than wit, and as desirous of pleasure, being
willing to purchase it at any rate; him he tells of a rare purchase, a
Lady whom he had the happiness, to be acquainted with, that was rarely
handsome, of an excellent good nature, and he questioned not but she
might be flexible. The monyed Gallant did not ask many questions, but
desired by all means to see this celebrated beauty; for he doubted not
but she must needs be handsom, whom the other so cried up for beautiful.
My old acquaintance was as willing as he to attend him to this Lady,
which was my self; and therefore to me they came, and believing that
Confidence was the best way of speaking with me; he boldly asked to see
and speak with me; pretending great business, not so much as questioning
whither I lived there or no. The people of the house believing him one
of my intimate acquaintance, directly brought him and his friend up into
my Chamber.
I was somewhat surpriz’d at the sight of him; but after the first
salutes he took me to one side, and privately told me all his design;
and that this party whom he had brought, was a very well-money’d man, &
much might be squeez’d out of him. Although I was not yet resolved to
fall to my old trade, yet now he was come, I knew not how to put him
off, wherefore I indifferently entertained, and I may very well say
indifferently: because, I was yet cold in my desires, and had very
little appetite, however some bottles of Wine being sent for, we drank
them off: and my young Gentleman being warm in his gears, began to talk
a little boldly, but it was to no purpose, for I forbid all actions, and
at that time he only purchased a kiss, but (that I may draw to a period
to my discourse,) I did not long continue so cold to him, for he
bringing meat in his mouth, good store of Gold in his pocket, which he
willingly and freely gave me, I permitted him to take all the pleasure
he could receive by me.
Thus did I renue my old trade, and my old friend, who had brought this
new acquaintance, finding some benefit and profit in the case; for he
had money of his acquaintance, whom he had brought, as also of me,
neither could I at convenient times, deny him the pleasure he had
formerly tasted with me; he, I say, having both pleasure and profit,
turned Broaker for me, and brought me several Merchants, who traffiqued
with me for pleasure: which I commonly afforded them a good pennyworth,
though sometimes a dear one, for I would not deal with every ordinary
fellow, and therefore was paid the better, by those who were my
customers.
But let me do what I could, I saved little or nothing at the months end,
(years I will not say, because I was weary of this trade in six months
time:) for I now had not only my self, but this my old acquaintance,
tance and new Broker to provide for; For he finding that most of my
profit, came in by those he brought me, would be very bold in demanding
a share with me: and his expences were so high, which he pretended, was
only to bring me of the better sort of customers, that I was now poorer
then ever, and he now became so impudent, that he would not only command
my money, but my Rings, and other Jewels, which he would sell or pawn as
he listed; and indeed it is the fortune, or misfortune, of all those of
our Quality, to be troubled with some such fellows, hangers on as these,
or else we should or might in little time gain sufficient estates; but
as I say commonly, what we got one way, these followers spend the other,
so that at length all that we are likely to purchase, if we have not a
great care, is only a disease, which may stick long enough by us. I
being fearful of this, for my Friend or Hector, I may call him both, was
now grown so intemperate, that he kept all companies: and if I refused
him money, or a nights lodging, he would go to any other common woman,
the first he met withal, and so afterwards comming to me, I might be
spoiled; to prevent this, I privately left my lodging, and hearing of
two of my own sex, and quality, that were going a progress into the
Country, to take a frollick, I made the third, and had a man as well as
they to attend me; and as I expected, to bear my charges; but we all
reckoned without our host, for we were basely trappand, by those who
went with us, and left in pawn for a reckoning that was considerable; we
were in a strange place, many miles from _London_, and much distressed,
but at length a resolution was taken, that one of us should go to
_London_, and fetch money to redeem the rest, it fell to the lot of one
of my companions, who being on her Journey, had the good luck to meet
with honest _Gregory_, our now companion, and he very liberally relieved
us, by sending mony to us, whereby we had the freedom to come to our
companion, and him, who attended us. She being come to this part of her
Relation, I told her, that I heard it already by _Gregory_, who among
other passages of his life, acquainted me with that.
Well then replyed she, if you know that account, I have little more to
acquaint you with, for not long after my arrival in _London_, I
fortunately met with my honest friend the _Drugster_, and he liking me
for a Mistress, and I him for a servant or Master which you please,
agreed to obey his pleasures, he providing for me, which he hath
hitherto done in a very plentiful manner: and I on the other side, have
bin as constant and obedient to him.