_How an _Irish-Footman_ was drawn into a Bawdy-House and what
followed._
It happen'd not long since that a _Dear Joy_ for his Dexterity in running,
was entertain'd into the Service of an English-Gentleman, who had put him
into a good new Livery; and his Master having occasion to send him for a
pair of Shooes he had bespoke, gave him five Shillings to pay for them;
which a Bawd happening to see, and over-hear, thought presently she might
bring in _Teague_ for a Customer; and therefore as soon as he had parted
with his Master, she catches hold of him, as he came by her door & told him
that a Countrey-man of his was within, and had a great Mind to drink one
Pot of Ale with him; _A Country Mons of mine_, says the Shamrogshire Nimble
Heels! _Now Pox tauk you but me tank you for your Loof, and be me Shoul, so
mush baust as I been, I shall mauk Drink upon my Country-Mons; for fait and
trot now dear Joy, Eirish Mons never been base_; and so in a doors he
comes; and the Bawd has him into a Room presently, and tells him she'll go
call his Country-man; but instead of his Country-man, sends in a Whore to
him; who at her coming, thus accosted him, Country-man I am very glad to
see you; I have got a Pot of Ale at your Service for St. _Patrick_'s sake;
and the old Bawd having brought in a Pot, the Wench takes it up, Here, says
she, here's a good health to St. _Patrick_: _Wid all mine heart_, said the
Teague-Lander, _& Pox tauk me as I no mauk Pledge upon him_; and thereupon
pledg'd her, & drank a good draught; and then the Jade beginning to be
sweet upon him, he was so well pleas'd, that he forgot his Errant; and fell
a kissing her; upon which she ask'd him to go up stairs, to which he
readily consented: and there she let him take all the Liberty he had a Mind
to; for which to recompence her, the Bog-trotter gave her Six-pence.--But
when he came down, the Bawd ask'd him how he lik'd his Country-Woman, and
whether she had pleas'd him? _Fait and Trot now, dear Joy_, says he, _I
have made very good like upon her; the Devil confound-ye, but she's a foin
Lass and a Cuttin-down-lass: And I have maud pay a whole half Shilling for
her Business_; and so he was a going out of door; but the Bawd Pulling him
by the Coat, Hold Sir, says she, Do you think I can keep Wenches at this
rate? _Bridget_, says she, what did this man do, and what did he give you?
He did what he wou'd, answer'd the Whore; he danc'd the Corranto's two or
three times; and might have done it oftner if he wou'd: But he gave me but
Sixpence: How Wench, says the old Bawd, but Sixpence! Why who shall pay the
rest? I thought Sir you wou'd have been more open-handed, I sell no
Coranto's at such rates. Five Shillings is the lowest Price I take of any;
and that you are like to give me before you and I part; and so shut the
Door upon him. Poor _Teague_ found he was in a bad condition; and was glad
to part with his Money, that he might get out of her Clutches. And instead
of carrying home his Masters Shoes, he was forc'd to tell his Master he had
gotten a Misfortune, and some Rogue or other had made pick upon his pocket:
but his Master not being Satisfied with that account, examin'd into the
matter more narrowly, and at last found out the whole Truth; and striping
the Dear Joy of his new Livery, turn'd him out of his Service, that he
might have the more leisure to make another Visit to his Country-woman. But
alas! He had no need to Visit her again, for she had done his Business
already, having so pepper'd him with the Pox, that in a little time he was
neither able to go nor stand. And not having Money to pay for his Cure, he
perish'd for want of that assistance that others, who are better furnished,
can purchase.
_Thus still the Bawd drives on her Trade of Sin;_
_By whom unthinking Fools are often drawn in_
_Her Feet are Snares, infectious is her Breath;_
_The Pox her Punishment, her end is Death._
* * * * *