foole that i was, who had so faire a state ... this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a87727 of text r210386 in the english short title catalog (thomason 669.f.4[90]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. 2 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo 2017 a87727 wing k451 thomason 669.f.4[90] estc r210386 99869191 99869191 160712 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a87727) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 160712) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; 245:669f4[90]) foole that i was, who had so faire a state ... killigrew, thomas, 1612-1683, attributed name. hollar, wenceslaus, 1607-1677, engraver. 1 sheet ([1] p.) : ill.(port.) s.n., [london : 1642] "an engraved portrait, by hollar, of thomas killigrew the elder, with satirical verses." -thomason catalogue. verse attributed to thomas killigrew by wing. title from first line of text. verse "foole that i was, who has so faire a state,". imprint from wing. reproduction of the original in the british library. eng killigrew, thomas, 1612-1683 -humor -early works to 1800. prostitution -early works to 1800. a87727 r210386 (thomason 669.f.4[90]). civilwar no foole that i was, who had so faire a state, fower or five thousant by the yeare at least, [killigrew, thomas] 1642 220 10 0 0 0 0 0 455 f the rate of 455 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the f category of texts with 100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 2007-09 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2007-10 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2007-12 elspeth healey sampled and proofread 2007-12 elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion ●oole that i was , who had so faire a state power or five thousant by the yeare at least . and was● it so as i have done of late . on whores and bawdes and like a filthie beast caught fowle diseases , which consume mee sore . and all proceedes from loving everie whore . as manie as i ere have laine withall ▪ see heere their faces how they face my gowne of all sortes ▪ little middle sizd and tall some lovelie faire ▪ some black and some are browne some wiwes ▪ some maidens some rich and others poore ●●me old , some young vel overie one a whore . with all these sometime i have beene acquainted which were they in their livelie cullors limn'd , some should you see how they themselves have painted ▪ how others with their borrowed haire are trimmd how like this monkey sick themselves they faine when in their bones ▪ indeede , lies all the paine but since these daie are done all warning take how with their wealth they do their bodies wast and then themselves to hospitalls betake or scorned beggars do become at last vice ▪ then by my example learne to flie but most of all ( the basest ) letcherie . strange nevves from bartholomew-fair, or, the wandring-whore discovered her cabinet unlockt, her secrets laid open, vnvailed, and spread abroad in whore and bacon-lane, duck-street and the garrison of pye-corner. vvith the exact manner of conveighing st. jameses bawbyes to st bartholomews-fair, for the use of all the noble hectors. trappans, pimps, dicks merry cullys aud [sic] mad-conceited lads of great-bedlam. also the mad flights, merry-conceits tricks, whimsies and quillets used by the wandring-whore, her bawds, mobs, panders, pads and trulls for the drawing in of young hectors, with the manner of her traffick by morter-pieces, and new invented engines never discovered before. by peter aretine. aretine, peter. 1661 approx. 11 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 5 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2005-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a61777 wing s5886 estc r222171 99833392 99833392 37868 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a61777) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 37868) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2198:12) strange nevves from bartholomew-fair, or, the wandring-whore discovered her cabinet unlockt, her secrets laid open, vnvailed, and spread abroad in whore and bacon-lane, duck-street and the garrison of pye-corner. vvith the exact manner of conveighing st. jameses bawbyes to st bartholomews-fair, for the use of all the noble hectors. trappans, pimps, dicks merry cullys aud [sic] mad-conceited lads of great-bedlam. also the mad flights, merry-conceits tricks, whimsies and quillets used by the wandring-whore, her bawds, mobs, panders, pads and trulls for the drawing in of young hectors, with the manner of her traffick by morter-pieces, and new invented engines never discovered before. by peter aretine. aretine, peter. [2], 6 p. printed for theodorus microcosmus, london : 1661. peter aretine is a pseudonym. reproduction of the original in the guildhall library, london. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng prostitution -humor -early works to 1800. 2004-11 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2004-12 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-01 mona logarbo sampled and proofread 2005-01 mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-04 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion strange nevves from bartholomew-fair , or , the wandring-whore discovered , her cabinet unlockt , her secrets laid open , vnvailed , and spread abroad in whore and bacon-lane , duck-stret , and the garrison of pye-corner . vvith the exact manner of conveighing st. jameses bawbyes to st. bartholmews-fair , for the use of all the noble hectors ▪ trappans , pimps , dicks merry cullys and mad-conceited lads of great-bedlam . also the mad-slights , merry-conceits tricks , whimsies and quillets used by the wandring-whore , her bawds , mobs , panders , pads and trulls for the drawing in of young hectors , with the manner of her traffick by morter-pieces , and new invented engines never discovered before . by peter aretine . london , printed for theodorus mi 〈…〉 , 166● . a conference betwixt the wandring-whore , bonny besse of whore and bacon lane , merry moll of duck street , and pretty peg of py-corner . bonny bette . what newes now merry moll ? is trading quick or dead ? moll . as dead as a dore nail , but whether away so fast bette ? bettee . to seek for imployment that i may be able to hold out a winters siege . moll . what is thy design , or how do you intend to go on with the work . bette . i am just now going to see the dancing on the ropes ; for except i can draw out a dick or two from thence , to view my rare agility of body on the ground , with bending backward and forward , heaving , thrusting and other recreation , i shall have little profit this fair ; yet i know our tumbling exceeds their recreation as far as gold doth the evacuation of a young gentlewomans back salliport ; but how trad'st thou pegg ? peg. marry , i meet with merry hectors , and trade with none but such as come on nobly ▪ fall on neatly ▪ and retreat gallantly ; they give me py-cornor law and py-corner pay , and i am contented to the life . moll . well then , thou hast the quintissence of happiness , we enjoy no pleasure like thine , no nor profit neither ; for though we get by our canns , we lose by informers and such like varlets that steal away our profit , so that i am destitute of any thing but the p — and the praise , a common benefit to all the female sex ; but i want the half-crowns , through neglect of a chuck-office . bette . would i had thought of that before , i might then have borrow'd jack-a-newberrys six wind-mills , they being hung out at my dore would have brought custom enough , but now i must lose a hog for a half-penny-worth of tar , for custome is so dull , there 's nothing to be got but by impudence , which i am well furnisht with , but dare not be too publick , lest like our dear sister tory rory , i be forc'd to beat out my living at the hemp-block , or be transported as some of my brethren were yesterday . yet hang sorrow , fear no colours , for they that want impudence , may be supply'd here with kettles , pans , ladles , skillets or skimers , to rub their faces on , whereby they may be as well brass'd as any morter-piece that was in st. jameses fair ; therefore let 's venter a hazzard , all are not taken that use our profession ; but stay who comes here , the wandring-whore ? i think 't is she , if not , my eyes grow dull , 't is shee faith , see how she spreads her sails , view but the motto on her standard moll , two rampant vvh — are turning up their tayles . vvand . vvh — the very same in sooth , for i have wandred too and fro through the fair , pickt up many a dick and gull'd many a cully of his nab , tipt his bung , and sent his callee to egypt , but this is nothing to the high trade i drive at home , when they come there , i spread my colours , and receive the spanish rogue into my french quarters , where he turn'd the pig so long till one of his best members was lost in the dripping-pan , yet the jack-weights are secure and hang fast still , but this whelp of scoggin complains of a losse i never was , or at least will be sensible of , which was by a pinch in the pocket , but that i own not his which i my self have in possession . for when the cole is gone , the simple elf is not the owner of it , but my self . bette . but sister , how drive you this trade , to insert anothers account so neatly in the almanack of your pocket ? vvand . -vvh — by two long fingers made for that purpose , to dive into the pockets of such gulls , who after the receit of two or three cups , forget the strength of their own estates . moll . that 's a pure strain , but how do you begin , or what means use you forr the enticing young hectors into your garrison ? vvand . -vv — to entice young punys . i lye as open as noon-day , sit down at the dore , set one foot to the right , the other to the left , as far distant as i can spread my imperfect limbs , and cry lads : her 's a can of the best liquor in the fair , claping my hand on my market-place , and saying , here 's your ware boys , which invitation with a wink , a smile and a chuck under the chin , brings in the bonny lads as easily as a hungry foul eats dry bread . peg. and i for my part cry , here boys , here 's the best pigs head in the fair , a rare quarter of lamb , pure mutton , and the best buttock bief in england ; but how comes in your profit when they are in your garrison ? wandring-w — i spread my shrouds , vnvail my cabinet ▪ disclose my secrets , and open the pure linnen curtains that hang before my chief fortress , drink a cann or two , smoak , sing old rose , dance , and when the gull is elivated , i hull him asleep as delilah did sampson , and then turn philistine , tip his bung , and deprive him of the strength of his estate , so he rises when he awakes as poor as job , thinking he hath been in heaven when indeed newly crept out of the devils vestry . marching off like a sencelesse piece of iniquity , not thinking of his losse till he comes into the fair , to lay out his mony in bawbles for his sweet-beart , it may be in gloves , ribbons , rings , beads , bracelets or other such like fancies , yet coming to pay , diving in his pocket for coal , he finds all as clear as a room new swept ; thus by my free entertainment , i free him from the sin of covetousnesse . mol. and i in good sooth am as common and free to my customers , as a cream-pot to a dary maid , and that brings them in as fast as water runs through a scieve . they come in with their fowl pipes , and i like an able doctress cleanse them with a p — i clear the stem and also burn the bowle till it 's as white as pot-hooks or char-coale . peg. i but tell me , what dost thou do with a company of varlets call'd permoters , for i am more plagu'd with them then any other vermine whatever ? mol. marry peg , in our duck quarters , if they once appear , we know the knaves so well , that we put them in an upper room , then borrow a quart pot , and fill that frothing full to blind them , whilest-we pinch the cans of our gulls to secure our own profit . for though by them our getting is but small the noble hectors sure to pay for all . mol. come you are an old wandring who — know all postures , and turn up your tayl to all sorts of culls , what do you for a contented coxcomb to keep the dore , whilst you do excercise with your hectors , by the turks entring the castle of comfort ? wand . -wh — i tell the moll , though my hvsband be a mere mopus to a man of mettle , yet my gusmond is a man able to defend me , and a pure rogue that i dare trust with the cabinet of venus , with the key to unlock it , and indeed with all my secreets ; hee 'l pimp purely for half a crown a day besides his vails , i and trapan young gallants too , whereby my trade daily increases , customers come in nimbly , and go out as merrily as thieves to tiburn . so to the world my hector young appears , when he comes out with nought but hanging ears . bess. i 'le tell thee peg i thrive as well as any of them all , for a young bump coming late to bacon-lane , full of coale , my pretty mob nell with the wink of an eye drew him in to my garrison , we two so smoakt him , after a collation of bread and bacon , that by drinking , sporting-and-kissing the fool lost his purse , but how he knew not ; for the reckoning being suddainly brought in , his quids were vanisht , his pocket saying no point larshon , the pennyless puppy , supposing his bung had bin tipt in the fair before he came in , was forc'd to leave his callee for the reckoning ; this tuskin being a zealot was loath to tumult lest he should be discovered : therefore he durst not out-face us , whose impudence might well have startled a more able hectors . yet when the bump was marcht off ; we sustained by his losse 5 pound advantage towards our house-rent , a few such jobs at lady-fair will find puppy-dog-water for the refreshing our beautys till next fair : besides silk-gowns smock-petty-coats and white-aprons . thus did this gull for fear our secreets smoother lest he should counted be a sinful brother . we gave him leave to drink , to sport and play , whilst we his purse and coal convey'd away . peg. sister bette let 's away , break off our discourse and betake our selves to our heels , for here comes two pittiful fellows call'd beadles , therefore our best way is to secure our own quarters . bettee . come be of good chear , but'let's not make more hast then good speed , go fare and softly , least jealousie cause suspicion , and they seize on us before our time , for these blood-hounds will soon fcent enough by our discourse to put a stop to our further trading . for if our secrets should discover'd be we know the worst , a whipping sets us free . finis . the fifth and last part of the wandring whore a dialogue between magdalena, a crafty bawd, julietta, an exquisite whore, francion, a lascivious gallant, and gusman a pimping hector : discovering their diabolical practises at the half-crown chuck-office : with an additional list of the names of the crafty bawds, common whores, wanderers, pick-pockets, night-walkers, decoys, hectors, pimps and trappanners ... wandering whore. part 5. 1661 approx. 35 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 9 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a41293 wing f888 estc r21972 12408938 ocm 12408938 61457 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a41293) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 61457) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 276:14) the fifth and last part of the wandring whore a dialogue between magdalena, a crafty bawd, julietta, an exquisite whore, francion, a lascivious gallant, and gusman a pimping hector : discovering their diabolical practises at the half-crown chuck-office : with an additional list of the names of the crafty bawds, common whores, wanderers, pick-pockets, night-walkers, decoys, hectors, pimps and trappanners ... wandering whore. part 5. aretino, pietro, 1492-1556. puttana errante. 16 p. s.n.], [london? : 1661. probably an english adaptation of: puttana errante / pietro aretino. cf. nuc pre-1956. first ed. cf. nuc pre-1956. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng prostitutes in literature. prostitution -england -london. 2006-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-03 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-04 andrew kuster sampled and proofread 2006-04 andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the fifth and last part of the wandring whore : a dialogue between magdalena a crafty bawd , julietta an exquisite vvhore , francion a lascivious gallant , and gusman a pimping hector . discovering their diabolical practises at the half-crown chuck-office . with an additional list of the names of the crafty bawds , common whores , wanderers , pick-pockets , night-walkers , decoys , hectors , pimps and trappanners . delivered to the publisher hereof by a late hector , several deep pyemen , and decayed gamesters amongst them . sine cerere & baccho friget venus . printed in the year 1661. the wandring whore continued . magdalena . silence in the court , not a word amonst us three confederates , but what 's spoken under the rose , it is not fit to let francion go off thus for 135 pounds ; wee 'l make him marry thee julieta , or make thee a good joynture all thy life time ; hee 'l believe all to be gospel that we say , whilst we agree in one and the same tale , he won't be long absent from us , therefore le ts be forewarn'd and fore-arm'd against his coming . gusman . the project will hit doubtless , we have such a grand earnest of his folly before-hand , 't is but making him believe shee 'l turn and be honest ever after , which if it were not so , you know cuckolds have the best luck , for my part , i wish i were the richest cuckold in europe : ju is not overworn , therefore not past turning , and a good two leav'd book left to look in still . magdalena . ay , and a good fat a — too thou mayst lay thy lips on 't but 't is customary here to receive mony with wives , ( who like light gold will not pass without allowance , ) but give mony for wenches , and that hee 'l do i warrant yee , wee 'l make thee a president for others to imitate and follow : what must matrimony be made a matter of mony where there 's a dainty cunny ? i 'le make him believe she hath as many suitors as there are days in the year , to make him more zealous of cozening his orrivals should such an amazonian beauty , accomplisht with such transcendant endowments both of body and mind , proportion'd with such equal parts , enrich'd with silver and golden habiliments , be parted , with at an easy rate , so , as to make a slave her master , or a servant her commander . julietta . my very teeth water at the contrivance , if it falls right , expect i will reward you both out of his estate , 't is but his believing that i will be honest after all my lusts and lechery , and that 's all one to a fool ; for what the eye sees not the heart rues not , i shall not be the first where that has turn'd honest , in the flower of her age , 't is but your getting another to supply the place during my absence , for common jades ( such as mal. savory , honor brooks , and nan. jones , ) are numerous enough , and will sit with their leggs spread over the sides of a chair with their petticoates and smocks in their mouths , whilst their comrades run a tilt at their touch holes in that posture , paying twelve pence a time for holing ; and for his part and mine we have taken a sure course to try each others abilities before-hand ; we shall not fear commencing of law-suites for want of due benevolence , or for being unpenetrable , yet i le have him sign and seal these following articles for an assurance of his future affections , viz. inprimis , that i mounsieur francion do freely , and willingly settle 300 l. per annum upon julietta , for and during her life time . item , that i will allow her a coach and four horses , with attendants answerable . item , that i wont be jealous of any man's coming , or visiting her , of what quality , rank or condition whatsoever . item , that i will allow her a lusty black , to hold up her train whilst she walks from room to room . item , that she shall have free liberty to make choise of her own chamber-maids , and others belonging to the family , and chuse a-new every month , if they do not keep close their chaps , what ever they do with their legs . gusman . they are singular ways to provide horns for his head , but i would not wish you to stand upon such iunctilios , if he will but marry thee ju , for if he should deny to let thee have thy will and pleasure afterwards , 't is but taking a touch or two with a counceller , ( who freqently takes his fees that way , if his client be handsom , ) and hee 'l sue him for alimony , and make him maintain thee out of his estate in spite of his teeth , and then play the where under his nose as many brave lasses have done before thee , and he shall not help himself , whereof we have a thousand presidents of women running from their husbands , and chusing other stallions for their guardians , as appears by a late treatise emituled the trapp●n , written by mr. vernon in the case of goodwin the dyer , &c. julietta . thou hast done well to satisfy me so cleerly , i le follow the example of yong starky the hosiers wife , who receiving some seeming abuses from her husband , ( when the major part of her portion grew due ) ranaway from him , carrying all his bonds , bills , goldwatch , jewels , rings , &c. suing him for maintenance , as he found by woful experience , and the leaving off of his trade , under the pretence of his having the pox. gus . i shall tell thee of another way besides that , if thou hast a mind to make him run mad ; take a handsom gentleman usher to satisfy thy luxury , and please thy lechery , into the house , love and lie with him and hate thy husband , lie naked in the bed rather then have thy smock sow●d to his shirt , when thou wouldst under pretence of rising to piss , or going to a close stool , go to bed with thy gentleman-usher , and if he be angry , call him rogue , raskal , and jealous cuckeld ; and if that fayls comb his head with a joint stool , or break his pate with a bed-staff , and it will cool his courage quickly . magdalena . thou' rt a prime tutor indeed , if thou hadst but a whore to match thee , for to read a lecture in a two-leav'd book , thou hast evermore had a natural propensity to , as to venery , and knowst how to ride post to the devils mansions ; for i dare swear there 's scarse a rule in all aretines postures , but thou hast it ad unguem , readier then thy pater noster ; for thy zeal , ( like harry martins with the beggar wench , thom. scots with the bonelace-wench of wickham , and hugh peters when the butcher cudgel'd the 5 pounds out of his carkass for lying too neer his brindle ) is lockt up in a down-diddle more then honesty , yet i like thy merry devices . gusman . every man to his trade , as the rat-trapmaker said to the parson , be sure i have not my name gusman , an old beaten soldier for nothing : i have told , ju , a woman will have her will , and you are not to seek in that point , i m'e sure on 't . magdalena . thou say'st very true , good wits wll jump together , as thou didst with my cousin , but methinks we are grown huge modest in our debates bewixt each other , but i wonder francion tarries all this , while , i wish we had so me pleasant tale , told to drive away the tedious night . gusman . rather then want , i would invent a story , but this i shall tell you stands upon record , is very true , and was try'd at salisbury assizes of a bouncing girl , who was courted by a neighbor whom she did not fancy : this yong enamorato out of spight , reports she had no c — and scarce a pissing place ; a second suitor engages her affections , but upon noise of the rumor relinquishes her ; a crafiy lawyer ( as most of that function are ) tells her he would sue this slaunderer in her behalf , and demand nothing till recovery , to which she assented , the party being arrested the suit was shortly brought to tryal , where a jury of women were summoned ( not men ) to search her , who upon demand from the judge , what they had to say in the business , one of the eldest matrons answer'd that she had a good thing ( meaning the maid , not her self , ) the judge told her that was not enough to satisfy the jury , she must speak broader and plainer ? why , then ( quoth she ) she hath a very good commodity : i tell thee again woman thou must speak plain ; why , then if i ●ust i will , and will swear it again and again , before your worship and the jury , she hath a c — large enough for the beggest mans p — in the parish , at which they all laughed , and the jury ( for that she was a handsom wench ) fined her adversary threescore pounds damage which was accordingly paid the plaintiff . julietta . that was honestly done of them , and is neer a kin to a passage i have heard of a fellow who helping a gentlewoman on horse-back , slipp't his hand under her belly and tore a tufft of hair off her commodity , waring it in a bnavido in his hat ; which her husband hearing of , su'd him for it , and it cost him forty pounds for his frolick . magdalena . well i am bound to tell a tale or let a fart , therefore give ear to this following , concerning a gentleman who had continu'd with a great deal of eagerness a suitor to a gentlewoman , whose inciv●ities could not retract him , nor perswasions withdraw him , at length when nothing would serve his turn , she uncover'd her breast naked , ranckled , rotted and corrupted , which he espying took leave of her , and never set eye on her after . gusman . i believe neither of you two would have uncover'd your infirmities , in such a case , but for my part i conceive it lawful for men and women , to go naked , and were it customary as in preceding times , your enticing habits , perfum'd carkasses , and stately gestures would be less in request , both with your selves and other's , and fewer provocations to lust and lechery , which is seldom occasion'd by a brown skin , a crook'd back or legs , or poor habit , but often by holland smocks , silk stockins , rich gowns and petticoats , with other costly garments , which cover your greatest foulness and deformities : i have known many women , taken out of ( their better part ) their cases would have been a loathing to themselves and others , who otherwise were doted upon in their bravery . julietta . should you men , see all onr actions in a true , ( and not a counterfeit ) glass , we should be the most dispised wretches in the world , but we can order you in that point , as most of your citizens wives do their coxcombs , who if they won't let them have their desires and pride to boot , 't is but dissembling a tertain or quotidian ague , a burning feaver , or some other distemper , and their lying in shall cost them more mony in doctors visits , apothecaryes bills , ( who now and then cornute them into the bargain ) caudles , potions , and cock-broths , then if they had granted their desires at first . cusman . i am no stranger to those tricks , for if i were , i should have a better opinion of your sex , then they have deserved ( the number of wicked women , being numberless ) amongst which number are mr. savage in white cross-street , who broke her husbands head with a marrow-bone , and had like to have kill'd him with it , mrs. barron a fidlers wife , who us'd to comb her husbands head with a base viol , into which his head was strick as if he had been in the pillory , or got a ruff about his neck , mrs hewson at the further end of white-chappel , a tearing ranter , who is never quiet but when clark the hatband-maker in hounsditch , is at work in her saw-pit , and mrs. blakesly , who notwithstanding her husbands lawful and due correction , will tempt , jack hunt the butcher in white-chappel , to make her husband a cuckold : well if you think to have francion i hear , and see coming iu , you must behave your self with more discretion , as a chaundlers wife in ab church lane , said her husband did her . julietta . prithee cusman keep thy breath to cool thy pottage , but stick close to us in our new found plots ; mounsieur francion , truly devoted of your servants salutes you , and rejoyces at your appearance , why so long absent from her so deerly loves you , why at such a distance from her whose life and fortunes lie and truckle at your foot-stood , whose presence is my life and absence death . francion . thy company 's no less to me my sweet-heart , my deer , and my beloved one , of whom i le say : in twining armes let me my deer conceal and from thy rosy lipps long kisses steal let me thy complete parts touch without light , and with sweet joyes protract the pleasing night , in thy sweet armes hugg thou my hanas and face let me in my kind bosom thee embrace , 't is not for gold that lovers do complain they 'r rich enough if they theyr ladies gain . magdalena . that you have gain'd julietta is no news , i would advise you sit to marry her , you may meet with a slut , and that 's worse then a whore , but she hath vow'd chastity for the future . gusman . i can assure that to be true , that she 's resolved to turn if you l marry her . francion . i thought i had remov'd all scruples in that point , is the motion of your mentioning julietta ? julietta . truly sir , i am very weary of this life , and would gladly turn , would you let me be devoted wholly to your service . francion . 't is no sleight question to answer , much more to execute , so that you must pardon me in that point . magdalena . why then you must allow her a yeerly revenue to maintain her for your self , and keep her in her quondam equipage and gallantry . gusman . there 's all the reason in the world for 't , what would not some men give for a dainly bit in a corner , the forbidden fruit is sweetest . francion . well what 's your demands , what will maintain her from the scourge of necessity , come speak out or let magdalena do 't for you , but marry i may not . magdalena . sixty pounds a year is as little as can be to maintain her honesty and bravery . francin . well , provided she layes no claim 's to marriage with me , i 'le settle 50 pounds per annum durante vita . magalena . come she shall do 't , i le be her advocate , fill us some wine to seal the bargain . jul. content till our next days meeting . a new additional list of the names . crafty bauds , &c. mrs. linley ▪ by whetstone park . mrs. waller , mrs. bull in puxfield-lane . k — on horseback istington mrs. kerby , bell in finsbury robin hood and little john , in holborn common whores &c. mrs. barker a barbers wife in thames-street betty winn — mrs. webb neer thames street . mal. peatley mrs. everet mrs. hewson in white chappel mrs. barron at shadwel mrs. blackesley , jack hunts mob the butcher bitty sydney , in heartsborn court in white chappel mal. cooper , at the globe in east-smith field mal. thresher mrs. drue and mrs. buck neer thames-street mrs. osbridges scolding daughter iud. mills a paviers wife mrs. peacham a colemeters wife mrs. bedberry nel. maddocks jone arras betty lemmon in checquer-ally neer bun-hill mrs. rod in poplar mrs. gill mrs. hench in white chappel hectors , pyemen , &c. — griffith — warren — jackson john clark in hounsditch farmer a poulterer burges a turner robin hicks th. latimer jack ruddock jack hunt sam , peel tho. middleton george darby thom. clark pimp . ledsum jack hyde . another additional list . crafty bawds . old bawd fotheringham in cow lane mrs. pope in petty france mrs. redman at cow-cross mil. ames mal. lovel , in patridge alley in holborn mother daniel . gridiron in seacoal lane horseshooe in beech lane. mrs. treely in bloomsbury . common whores . jane campion in hollowel court in white-chappel nan. jones , a pockey whore mal. foster nan. farr , an oyster wench mrs. watson , an orangeseller mal. thomas . orange nan grace cull bess sturdy mrs. walters , in st. katherines mrs. popes daughters mal. gummer , in seacoal lane. franck hancock mrs. simpkins mrs. sadler mrs. elwick mal. bennet , a paviers wife in cock lane nan. greek in seacoal lane mal. marten mrs. worster mrs. jane , and mrs. louse , belonging to mrs. treely hectors , &c. nicolls in thames-street , a spunge sweetman , a spaniard mason , the lobster tim. holly nich. pits , a sollicitor in little queen street tom. w — a t — another list of crafty bawds , maiden-sellers , common whores , night walkers , pick-pockets , wanderers , shop-lifters , foylers , kidnappers , decoys , hectors , pimps and trappaners , and their usual meetings . crafty bawds damrole page p●●…ss , fotheringham at the chuck-office mrs mason , in hors-shoo-ally in more-fields mas farle , in pepper-lane by grayes-inn mrs cater senior betty farmer , tom. beards , wise and savages mobb pimp allens , wife , in goodmans yards john baker bess and mal. walsgrave , in dog and bitch yard elean . north , in crosslane abigail littleton gravener's in morefields mal pulver prudence maisters frances coleman elizabeth herbertson , in new-market mal winter grace holland rachel war in dog-yard nan hartcock frances sands : ragged-staff in chiswel-street wiggins , in checquer ally in white-cross-street green lettice i'●● minories mrs crosbow , in the minories mrs eaton a maiden-headseller on the ditch-side neer hogsden pimp yopes wife jon harman , a runnin baud mrs hughes , in r●n-ally mal. ceco mrs. stone . mrs. creswel mrs. garrish mrs. habbiger turks-head in moorfields mother baker sn. lemmon mrs. whetston mrs. george mother lockyer mother baxter mrs. arnol mrs. jo●es mrs salmon virginia , going to hackney crow , white-cross-street mrs osbridg , bedlam mrs gletberel mrs waller , thomazin in white chappel mrs thomas , stepney jeremyes and services , booths by hackney river mrs bull mrs halfpenny mrs harrison three sugar-leaves in grub-street ship , in long ally turns jones , at the cock in long aere mrs barber , a midwife in holborn mrs howard , in lincolns in-feild mrs hughes mother cunny the cherry garden black swan , in st. martins-le-grand mrs brooks , mile-end hanna hickman , baud and whore margaret leech margery wilson mrs. page , old-street ann price houkins , baud paskins at the armitage margery lawson alice hulburt mrs burges joyce ebbs nel yate mrs wellaston mrs stockwel mrs lawton , by hatton-wall mal ledger mrs sadler mrs gibbins frank tilt mrs davies a midwife black pegg doctor sherleys wife mrs dennis mrs glover mrs love betty buly mrs windbo mrs roberts mrs sammond nel lawrence mrs woodburst jane haywar nan. bennet bess mundel keeps three baudy-houses in dog and bitch-yard . mrs thomzin mrs brooks jacobs well j. well-street mrs lockyer nan evans mrs jones in cross-lane mrs simpson mrs plikering the last and lyon , in east-smith-feild . mrs. saunders mrs. kemp mrs abigail mrs kempster common whores , night-walkers pick-pockets , wanderers , shop lifters , and whippers . mrs. snow nan langsden mrs phaenix , neer jewen-street mrs farmer betty cater , junior bess cox , jone broithwait , amy butler , shop-lifters rebecca wharton tho. langley's mobb nan lidford shop-lifter ursula bunny johanna white , a buttock-whore jone horton , alias singleton rebecca tentch marget read nan. williams in new-gate marget gladwel grizel conference alias wood nan stanley martha chester mrs debbenham , mrs. clark-two crackt-brain'd whores mrs smith , a bricklayers wife in white-chappel mrs fletcher mrs ives mrs holland mrs lettice mrs wells betty hyde mrs elwick mrs betty , at crosbows peg the seamans wife at mrs crosbowes ruth shaw in morelane mal crumwel alias hyam nan rob●●…on penelope mantle alias fleteher jane johnson thomzin cobb , alias day nan stacy jane powel mrs reading betty edwards betty holly mal. nun welsh nan mal. avory esther clark nan love mrs. warren nell gulliford sarah & nan fullam betty yong faith clayton — cross betty orange mrs. curtes betty laurence mrs. sherley the yonger mrs smith jane stamford mrs. spencer mrs. taverner mrs. marten mrs. watson mrs berry mrs. green green m●ll , alias joan godfrey mall chauncy betty cox mall hogg mall horsfield mall savory peg williams alice spilman kate hare mall tremain mrs. westover , bandstring-seller to the offices in chauncery-lane peg cross nan bret ursula higgins betty white betty farmer margery noble jane dixon mall peak sarah martin nan glascock mrs. honor queen of morocco mrs mate toothless betty bess gering g●●zzel wood mrs. holli●and mrs. diamond mrs cupid mal grey nan carper betty cooper mrs ames nan wats betty bates betty eton mal. bell butter and eggs jane thebey mrs owen mal fink betty baxter betty gansford black betty nan taylor neck lunn mrs love mrs lote bess whit●le bess b●unt mrs simmonds betty downes . luce brook nel syder mal craford mal bell mrs wood mal rose mrs. flower p●e●y frank ●●●●…er , alias ulls foyth anderson dutch whore wilkis , a weavers wife at smock ally-end mrs dawes denues wife in shoreditch mrs swails maid bess , mrs joy mrs bulls daughters mrs bourn a scribes wife mrs tippit shards wife in dunning-alley mrs mail , by the curtain play-house su ●edge jone thorn at newington butts ensign websters wife mrs harfed — robinson woodst compter mr● sweetman long-haird mrs spencer in spittle-fields mrs wroth , grubstreet mrs phillips peg angel greens satchel — . mall rose nan rash betty knight su harris nan braithwilt boulrun the bayliffs wife wil martins wife mrs fransces , alias mal. robinson pimp hollilands pockey pug-nasty mrs spicer , in mobb-lane , alias browns mrs de-maroy mrs carr in rose-lane mrs bonsly tanners wife wheeler str . mrs dickinson jane glisson alias roberts frank evitt tracyes wife mrs taverner wheeler-street frank rigs , alias robinson , a thieving whore betty wilson — king sarah price kate wilkinson grace steel . elizabeth smith betty blunt mary de-gret , mobb to tho. crouch allice jones mall . cole nan lowe — fox mary , paget mrs cadman sarah & joyce price bess cox cock birch sarah bostwid jone bouner jone bouder nan southern frank p●almer silver-lac't bess frank ouden fair rosamond sug●r-c — a constant wanderer & night-walker mrs dodman peg hodgson nan stephens sarah blades mrs bli●s mrs russel mrs ●herman mrs king a sempstress . foylers , kid-nappers , decoys , hectors , pimps and trapanners . armstrong pets pierce savage thom. beard joseph riches thom. allein john baker gravener beyond bedlamgate wil. cox. lion breithwait tho largley harry baily , ned jervois , peter goodjeway , tho. orrel , shop-lifters and foylers , pimp singlecton the extemporary poet wil peise , an entorting pimp in long acre , who is burnt in the band ned tope roger kiffner , with a wen over his eye john pierson , by hatton-wall tho blackberry jack miller . tim. thornher , newgate birds damon a hardy hector . fox tho. hurst wil. taverner dick gartwright george clark will gill holliland , a great cheat gladwin , an ignorant whelp tho. stern barr higgins tho. dodson nat. lummocks , apoth . anniseed robbin wil nash . man. middleton frank ashburn jack jones wat. gulliford carter , rabbit-seller dick de lane jo. cocks robin thrower tho. rand wil. overrit wat. stainton . raymon , trump-alley crone green by newgate harry martin , vintner pimp skipwith . ned brooks traey a hector brown a chyrurgion raiford a troiper tho. player n●d traford h●rry bird will ●ossel will 〈◊〉 jack daines taylor the prigg little taffy sam pink , a slovenly pimp james at dog-yard gandamore shatterwait , scribe hopper , writing-master winch the nailer jack berry , & jack harris , billiard-players pimp howard fair rosamonds pimp george paskins , a kid-catcher , at the crooked-billet at the armitage pimp glover jack gould jack wallis ralph ashington , alias shitten-arse , gr●●●● tho. ebbs dick stockwel will ledger will sadler wat. gibbins tho. hayward c — jackson pimp sh●●●●… hammond finis . the miss display'd, with all her wheedling arts and circumventions in which historical narration are detected, her selfish contrivances, modest pretences, and subtil stratagems / by the author of the first part of the english rogue. head, richard, 1637?-1686? 1675 approx. 170 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 70 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2009-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a43169 wing h1264 estc r10113 12148515 ocm 12148515 55016 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work 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(eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a43169) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 55016) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 33:2) the miss display'd, with all her wheedling arts and circumventions in which historical narration are detected, her selfish contrivances, modest pretences, and subtil stratagems / by the author of the first part of the english rogue. head, richard, 1637?-1686? [6], 133 p. printed and are to be sold by the several booksellers, london : 1675. "the epistle to the reader" signed: r.h. written by richard head. cf. halkett & laing (2nd ed.). reproduction of original in harvard university libraries. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng prostitutes in literature. prostitution -early works to 1800. 2008-08 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2008-10 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2008-11 john pas sampled and proofread 2008-11 john pas text and markup reviewed and edited 2009-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion brothel scene love not lewd women , for yo 'ule find em worse than all that 's bad , attended with a curse the miss display'd , with all her wheedling arts and circumventions . in which historical narration are detected , her selfish contrivances , modest pretences , and subtil stratagems . by the author of the first part of the english rogue . london , printed and are to be sold by the several booksellers . 1675. the epistle to the reader . sensuall satisfaction was the midwife to originall sin , and was the means to bring it first into the world ; and though it hath brought so much misery , and all manner of mischief on man-kind , yet m●n still huggs and embraces it , though they are not ignorant , that by so doing , they seem to enjoy a ( fools ) paradise here , and lose thereby a reall heaven hereafter . fond , foolish man , that do●st inconsiderately make pleasures the mark , which thy insatiate affections aim at ; an● when thou hast given thy self that satisfaction , the effect of thy great cost and labour will prove , vanity and vexation of spirit . to make thee a proselyte to continency , consider what the objects are , that too many men too often do at upon ; and to be in the fashion , will have their dangerous dalilah's called miss , forsooth , and do take pains to perswade themselves , that they are chast to all but them : appearing like a merchant man , richly laden , but by boarding , proves a fire-ship that infallibly blows up , where-ever she comes . like a watch from a fire-ship she will turn her self to a caterpillar , and destroys many a hopefull young gentlemans health and estate in the blossom ; and when she turns land-syren● , she proves more dangerous then those in the ocean ; for , he that falls into her hands runs a threefold hazard of shipwracking , not onely his fortune , but soul and body to boo● . to deterr the reader from ever having to do with these pernicious people , though seeming angels of light. i could here produce ten thousand instances of what remediless evils have hapned , by the society of l●wd and lascivious women ; but since th●y are so many , that folio's can't contain them , let this following treatise suffie● , wherin is described part of th● life of a notorious irish-english whore ; i could not compleat it , since she is yet living , and gone into france to learn language , and to add to her experience ; and i fear upon her return , as she is young enough , so assure your self she is so ingeniously subtil , that she will make triall thereof to her best advantage ; i solicitously wait her r●turn , and then you shall hear more of her ; in the mean time , give me leave to give a word of advice to honest females , not yet vitiated , or debauched by the cunning insinuations and vitious perswasions of the huffing crew . of all things , have a speciall care of being insensible of any good hereafter , then what is to be had in this life , preferring the pleasures thereof , before those that are yet invisible , yet eternall ; if heaven hath been more kind to you then others , in bestowing on you large estates , you should not therefore be the more prodigal in your delights . you may safely sail with a gentle breez in the ocean of pleasure ; but let your course be steered by vertues compass , and then you need not fear splitting against the rocks of pride , luxury and incontinence ; if vice ( which comprehends the sins of whoredom and adultery ) be the pilot of your fairly built and well-rigged vessel , she will steer it a quite contrary way ●o vertues course , and so in stead of bringing her home to him that built her , will infallibly run her upon the quick-sands of destruction ; which that your weakness and frailty may avoid , is the hearty prayer of him , who is an admirer of the glorious female sex , when vertuous . r.h. the miss displayd , with all her wheedling arts and circumventions . this true history of a late famous or infamous whore , laying open her cunning contrivances . intrigues , cheats , plots and projects , either for pleasure or profit , is made publick to no other end then to the reformation of vice , which is good mens wishes , and to the advancement of vertue , which is the aim of all honest affections ; so that making my sum just with mine account , i doubt not but i shall discharge my self to posterity , and by one and the same act give all encouragement to chastity , and will not put modesty to the blush , though i strip the courtezan out of all her finery , leaving her nakedly to be exposed to the view of all , to the perpetual infamie of debautched women . they onely are the subjects of my present discourse , whom , though i shall severe and roughly handle , yet in their dissection i will neither foul a finger of mine own , nor offend the eye , nor ear of any modest person . neither do i herein design any affront to the rest of that lovely loving sex ; those sweet , whom , if beautiful , continent and vertuous , i ever honoured in my thoughts , whilst my saucy arms , in spight of me , would be familiar with their persons . mistake me not , i mean not lasciviously , but lawfully ; he that otherwise makes use of a woman , abuses himself and her too , and by so doing differs not from a beast , but in form , having the same bruitish appetites : men absolutely blind , and irrational , who having wives of their own , whose beauties might dispute for preheminence with the choicest in a whole city , whose prudence and discretion , by any foolish act , was never call'd in question ; whose love to her children , fidelity to her husband , and spotless honesty , white as innocence her self , was a matchless pattern to all her neighborhood ; yet notwithstanding all these excellencies which are possessed by a brave woman of their own , they must ramble abroad , either invading other mens rights , or hazarding their healths amongst prostitutes , not regarding much the courseness of the face , so the crack does but humour him ; and because they grow so numerous of late , that they swarm in all places , ( some making it a trade , onely others a recreation ) they will not stick to scruple the honesty of the whole female sex , and are so censorious to all , that they will not swear for the honesty of their own mothers ; a maid cannot be so ( they say ) after eleven , and will justifie that a woman will fee her stallion well at fourscore . these are a sort of cattel , whom wise men look on as a shame to mankind , for their ingratitude to that sex which was instrumental in their production , and tenderly careful of their preservation ; and yet these magi , these misanthropes , whilst they accuse them , are more too blame themselves , not only in lessning the real worth of that charming piece of excellency , called woman , but by throwing their unjust opprobriums on her , whilst they stand indicted themselves of a thousand errors , and unpardonable fopperies ; and these are wont to say , ( to magnifie their own prerogative ) that woman is an errour , or imperfection in nature ; others imagine woman to be born into the vvorld , onely for the exercise of mans patience , and trial of his passions ; others , for the affliction of mankind , the abridgement of his life , and the disannuller of his contentment , the debaser of his grandeur , the murdress of his valour , the decay of courage , the ruine of his advancement , and the envy of his happiness . she doubles his afflictions , captivates his freedom , obstructs all his noble enterprizes , drowns his fortune , disquiets his repose , and involves him daily in a thousand inquietudes ; lastly , she is the rise of most quarrels , and the chief incendiary of mischief and dissention . it is incongruous to my present purpose , to vindicate them at this time from these aspersions ; onely this i shall say , that doubtlesly there are good vvomen in the vvorld , but they are so few , by reason of the spreading contagion of their vicious inclinations , that thereby some are are induced to believe , that it is onely a supposed goodness , and as imaginary as a circle in the firmament . begging pardon for this digression , i shall leave the good and bad promiscuously one amongst the other ; onely pick one out of the flock ( a scabbed sheep ) whom i shall anatomize , or cut in pieces , for the benefit of such , who will take the pains to read a lecture on her carcass . in vlster in the kingdom of ireland , there lived an english gentleman , whom some misfortunes in his native countrey , had driven thither to seek some shelter from the injury that did attend him . here he had not lived long , ere his own industry ( improving that little he had ) and symmetry of parts , procured him ( with a handsom woman ) a fortune not mean , and inconsiderable ; she was all irish ; for , her relations out of a natural antipathy to their conquerors , would never suffer any of their family to commix , or match with any of english extraction ; yet such was the power of love , that it broke down all oppositions that were rais'd against it ; nay , her religion ( which she should have prized above every thing that is sublunary ) she slighted for the sake of love , and became a protestant , because her husband ( so intended ) was of that persuasion . he was a proper man , accompanied with many inward excellencies , his hair of a bright flaxen , which colour the irish love above any ; so that such as are not born with that happiness ( as they account it , especially the females ) use art to bring their hair to that complexion . the estate he had purchased was not so great that ambition did assail him , nor so low that contempt might follow him ; but anchoring in a smooth low tyde , and a safe harbour , made himself content with things necessary ; not but that his ability might permit a larger expence , but that frugality did countermand it . his vvife , as she was suitable to his quality by birth and education ; so she was agreeable to his love and affection , having comeliness enough to content an honest eye , but skin so white , as most of that countrey have , onely that it is too often powdered with freckles that it was sufficient to tempt a carmelite ; cleanliness she had withal ( which is a jewel in that countrey rarely to be found , ) what might be requisite for a chast bed , or a frugal table ; and discretion at will to govern , and dispose all things committed to her stewardship . that loving correspondence between them gave them the production of a daughter , who was called cornelia ; a maid , in the time of her innocence , and ignorance , so accomplished and accommodated with all the ornament of nature , and education , that she fat surpassed all those of her rank , and might without the offence of modesty , challenge equality with those which were accounted most excellent , for her eye was a magazin , or arsenal of loves choice enchantments ; her hair was like her mothers , the comings of apoll●'s tresses , which for quantity so prodigally adorned her head , she could have spared half a dozen tours , to have supplied the deficient heads of some v●terane ladies , without a visible empair to natures stock b●stowed upon her ; a modest cheek she had , rich with bashfulness , and a face to generally cloth'd with beauty , and blushes , that there was an infinite promise of much vertue : her stature was but low , yet composed with such true symmetry , and so agreeable with every other lineament , through the whole fabrick of her body , that had apelles beheld her , he would have forsworn his idol to have made her his goddess . but to leave off all further circumstance , let it suffice me to say she was truly handsom , exceeding hopeful , and had not the devil bin too malicious , she might have been exceeding happy : but where the house is cleanest , there mans seducer endeavors to enter soonest ; and if the guard of vertue be idle , or unwatchful , repentance may follow , but it cannot prevent surprizal ; and thus it fares with this our poor cornelia ; for as heaven had bestowed upon her all outward embellishments to attract vertue unto her , so had the corruption of her nature , ( whence flow all vicious inclination , ) married to those corporeal excellencies such a wicked spirit , that all goodness became an utter stranger , and modesty became an exile ; in a little time , she grew so haughty , proud and disdainful , so averse and impatient in the encountring any thing that opposed , or withstood her roving fancy , and beloved cogitations , that she would yield to no other power but her own , and acknowledg no god , but her own will and pleasure : and that which laid the basis of her future ruine was , she had from mens praises , womens envy 's , her glasses plain dealing , or its flatteries ; her parents tenderness , her friends carefulness , and her associates amazedness , got such a true knowledge of her handsomness , that she did not only believe it , and love it , but , lost in self-admiration , beyond expression , doated on it : neither did this foolishness of philautie , or self-affection , so bind her to the admiration of her own beauty , as a proud , yet not groundless conceit of the excellency of her wit , ( above the sphere of other womens capacities ) did bind , and slave her to embrace to her self this conclusion , that she onely was excellent . to give her her due , ( besides those excellent natural parts she was endued withal ) she had acquired a competent knowledge in the latin , so rhat she could speak it volubly , nay , elegantly withal : sure she understood so much greek too , as to know what was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies , which may be taken , either for f●emina , or confabulatio , which she understanding as a woman , she would appropriate the other sense to her self , talking . surely , one tongue is enough for one woman , according to the spanish proverb , de mula que haze him , y muger que habla latin , guarte , take heed of a winching mule , and a latin woman . this is true in some sense , where there is not prudence to regulate , and moderate our words and actions ; in that cafe one tongue may be too much ; but discretion doth not consist so much in speaking few words , as no superfluous , or impertinent ones , which was cornelia's praise , and her vain-glory , which made her company acceptable to all , whilest that of others , of her neighboring sex , became insupportable , because they only pratled . now she began to grow in hate with her fathers house , having not that freedom she proposed to her self , where she removed from the careful vigilancy of a parents eye ; and hereupon cries out on the countrey as unpleasant , unhabitable , obscure and dirty ; that housewifely employments were sal●ish engagements ; to live with parents is to lie with bondage ; that all commandmen● are curses , and obedience only a figure of simplicity , and ignorance . she would often argue with her mothers servant ( when in private , with whom she might be as bold as she pleased , ) after this marmer : what is beauty , if not seen ; what seen , if not admired ; what admired , if not desired ; and what any , or all , if not enjoyed ; and where shall these be gathered ? from the blossoms of trees , from stones and mountains , or the over flows of fountains ; or from lakes , loughs , bogs , woods ; or from a rabble of skullogues ; patrick , dermot , mack-devil , & c ? no , 't is the city that is the sphere of beauty ; there are her temples , there live her votaries , and there burns her sacrifice ; the countrey is but a rotten chest that conceals holy reliques ; let m● live in the city , where , if i cannot out-shine all , or at least equal all , yet at worst i shall be hid in a handsom cabinet . upon these and the like resolutions , she threw her self into a deep melancholy ; all meats were but course for her dyet , and though few kingdomes in the world have better flesh and fowl than ireland , with plenty of every thing that is pallatable , yet she slighted whatever nature indulgently provided for her use : sleep is too near a kinsman to death , she hated it : all rurall company seems rude , she loath'd it : all their discourses are unpolisht , her ear would not receive them ; and to conclude , as an exanimated carkass she walk'd with no soul , and but half a motion . her parents quickly perceived this alteration , and like skilfull physicians , laboured to find out the cause to make the cure more easie , speedy , and certain : but she thus had a lock'd-up-soul in a fort impregnable ; what through disdain ( the hand-maid of pride it self , the lord of stubborn resolution ) she became so impenitrable , that sooner might they bring the poles together , than separate her from one tittle of her private resolution ; so that finding her fixt , they forbore any further inquiry , onely observ'd all occasions , and all circumstances , every passage , and every action that might give light to those designs , on which she laboured with such difficulty ; at length finding her set one day in a private room ( all alone , but solitude , and her own perplexed thoughts ) her father , stealing within hearing , might hear her utter these words . o life , which hath deceived so many , seduced so many , blinded so many , thou art nothing at thy beginning ; thy light is nothing but a shadow , thou art but smoke at thy height ; thou art sweet to fools , bitter to the wise ; who loveth thee , knowes thee not ; who knoweth thee , contemns thee ; and here ( with a deep sigh ) she made a stop , when her father pressing upon her , demanded the cause of this quarrel between her and life , urging her with much ingratitude to condemn that , from which her self had received so much lustre ; applying her beauty , youth , wit , and all her inward and outward faculties as unrefellible arguments of infinite obligation to life , who had brought them into the world , and made them beloved of the world : but she with a silent bashfulness ( fuller of deceit than innocence ) forbearing to reply , gave him occasion to assail her with all the strength that nature , love , and a fathers authority could summon up together , and did so urge her to display , and lay open the cabinet of her dearest counsels , that she , unwilling to lose so fair an opportunity , or to apparel her envious grief in the garment of obedience , with a seeming unwilling willingness did disburden her heart of that grief , which so long had afflicted her : yet not without many disguises and subtil fals pretences , as that she was not weary of the countrey for its solitude ; that she was content to live there all her days , but that she had a desire not to be continually a charge or incumbrance to her indulgent parents ; that the city was more hopeful for her advancement ; because the two pillars of posterity , honourable marriage , and wealthy imployment , had there a settled residence , and threw away their favours blind-fold like the ghildren of fortune . there needed but small deliberation , when both parties did agree upon one proposition : for he seemed to outstrip her in willingness , and as if their thoughts had been cast in one mould , an equal diligence made a preparation for her speedy departure ; the mothers consent ( though her only darling , for her daughters good ) was not wanting , so that all drawing by one link , without let or hindrance , the vvork was speedily effected and the daughter was conveyed to 〈◊〉 metrapolis , dublin ; where her beauty would not let her lie long conceal'd , but introduced her into the service of a noble lady , who in a little time loved her so entirely , that she was never satisfied when she was out of her sight and coveted not her service so much as her company ; nor was this lady to be blamed for her forward love and affection to her servant cornelia , since she had so many charms irresistable in her feature and behaviour ; her carriage was so winning and agreeable , that not a menial , male or female in the whole house , but was totally at her devotion ; the greatness of her ladies love made her soon change the scene of her apparel , and though it was gentile enough before , and well befitting her no mean extraction ; yet it was thought too mean forso transcendent a beauty . this lady seldom went any where , but cornelia attended her , which proved very advantageous to her admired beauty , in making the knowledge thereof spread universally : and indeed , in a great city very populous , where men and their minds ( living as it were in a burse of resort ) were continually trucking for new commodities , it was impossible for this rich jewel , which was without foyl , should either stand gaping for a chapman , or like an idle apprentice , blowing his fingers , or hands in his pockets , cry , what lack you , sir ? this unclouded beauty , like the sun , gave light to a whole hemisphere , and so shot her beams through every corner of the city , that her suitors were like corisca's smocks , infinite in number , many in good opinion , and but one at one time in employment ; at first with such severity she governed her passions , which reason hindred from rising in rebellion , that the strictest eye of modesty could not find fault with her government ; it may be she was the rather induced to this austerity , by beholding the pictures of two famous curtezans , which hung in her masters gallery ; the first , which was less fair but more fortunate , had in this inscription , si non caste tamen caute , if not chastly yet cautiously ; the other , which was far beyond all for beauty , and inferiour to none for misery , had written over her , nec caste nec caute , neither chastity nor caution ; on these two plain songs , her resolution made sundry descants , but the close of every strain was , that to sin wisely , was to sin safely ; that after thoughts were foolish , and had-i-wist , childish . many assaults were given to this lovely fortress ; some she withstood , to gain an opinion of goodness , and they were great ones ; some she durst not entertain , for fear of after-repentance , and they were loose ones ; some she held at a distance , waiting for preferment , and they were rich ones ; and some she scorn'd , and they were poor fops , and frivolous persons . but at last observe , the devil himself fearing to lose so rich a prize , which he knew would not come to his kingdom alone with her own lading , but with the spoils and triumphs of a world of unfortunate creatures of both sexes , he sent to assail her one ignatius , a fellow whom the devi● had so instructed , and adorned with all deceivable qualities and inchantments of a seeming sanctity and goodness , that vertue her self could hardly have discovered him without the use of her divine and most prying spectacles : he had what ever was excellent in a good promising face , and a well-shaped body , which he made more glorious with gravity , and good clothes without gaudery ; he had an excellent smooth wheedling tongue , with a wit prompt and ready , which he witnessed in his discourses , being full of whatever delight most suitable to the humour of a woman ; and that his pretended piety might not any way detriment his lascivious design ; he was liberal without prodigality ; his deportment was such , that he made a conquest over a world of poor deluded people ( especially women ) maintaining his exchecquer ; and when the fire of lust was kindled in him by the devils bellows , he was so full of delicate petulance , and bewitching dalliance , that a cold half buried anchorite would have engendred a flame for his embers . this great general or factor for hell came with his legions of inchantments to besiege this redoute , or weak sconce , even at the time when there was a mutiny raised betwixt her and her best souldiers ; for indeed modesty was in disgrace , and accused for a coward ; chastity was scorn'd as a shadow , and no substance ; bashfulness was reputed weak and childish ; honour a chimaera , good-fame a dream ; and indeed all the vertues stood cashier as enemies unto pleasure ; so that there was left none to withstand this bold assailant , but frailty , a canon la● , and a penal statute . against these he raised such a battery of pleasing petulant discourse , and subtile insinuating persuasions , that she stood amazed and staggering at the first onset , and had like to have been surprized in this rencounter , had not fear of the law , and a little love to good report stept betwixt her and the enemy , and beat him back with these or the like arguments . first , that her reputation was so dear and tender unto her , that she durst not give ear to his libidinous insinuations ; but he with a smile ( wherein a good eye might have discerned scorn ) asked her what that thing was , so called , reputation ? she replied , that it was the very manna and nepenthe of generous spirits , the goddess of great courages , and the triumph of all noble actions ; and further said , it was a thing so pure , so delicate and unspotted , that the least excess did blemish it , any unjust action dishonour it , indiscretion , negligence or idleness will deface it ; but prostitution that will wh●lly ruinate it : this reputation is a good friend , and constant , that will go with , and follow any good action ; but if once forsaker , no search , no inquisition , no prayers or tears can ever sinde it out . believe it , sir , ( said she ) there is no greater misery then to out-live reputation , nor greater folly then that which puts in hazard and danger of misery . but he , to whom sophistical delusions , nay , atheistical propositions , ( if they might produce either profit or pleasure ) were more familiar and frequent then sound doctrine , or sincere christian-like expression , perceiving that all his persuasions to down-right whoring , would take no effect , shifted the scene of his discourse into proposals of marriage . pausing a while , she told him , that marriage was a business of too great a consequence to be rashly undertaken ; and that he had not known her long enough to understand her humours and conditions , which are necessary to be known , lest a matrimonial knot tye two persons together , of such different tempers , that in stead of a sweet harmony of affection , there is nothing but harsh , and unpleasant discord between them all their life time . besides , sir , ( said she ) i doubt you have some other end in this proposall then marriage , since you cannot be ignorant of those many inconveniences , that daily , nay , hourly do attend it . you have read , i question not , several books , which have inveighed bitterly against marriage , particularly that author , who writ of love-melancholy , who thus capitulates with him that is over-fond of marriage , to disswade him from it . hast thou means ? thou wilt have then one to spend it . hast none ? thy beggery is increased . art in prosperity ? thy happiness is ended . art in adversity ? like jobs wife , she will aggravate thy misery , vex thy soul , and make thy burden intollerable . art at home ? she will scold thee out of doors . art abroad ? if thou art wise , keep thee so ; she will parhaps graft horns in thy absence , yet scould on thee coming home . nothing gives more content then solitariness , no solitariness like this of a single life . the band of marriage is adamantine , no hope of losing it , though ever so ill linck'd together . thy number increaseth , thou shalt be devoured by thy wives relations . an unchast wife will cornute thee , and so thou shalt b●ing up other folks children instead of thine own . paul commends marriage , yet he prefers a single life . lastly , is marriage honourable , what an immortal crown belongs to virginity ? to this the crafty smec ( ignatius ) thus replied ; madam , you have cunningly produced what that learned author writes against marriage , without mentioning a word which he speakes in praise of it , in an anti-parodia , quite opposite to every question , in this manner hast thou means ? thou hast one to keep and increase it . hast thou none ? thou hast one to help to get it art in prosperity ? thine happiness is doubled . art in adversity ? shee 'l comfort , assist bear a part of thy b●rden , to make it more tollerable . art at home ? shee 'l drive away melancholy . she looks after thee going from home , wishes for thee in thine absence , and joyfully welcomes thy return . there is nothing delightsome without society ; no society so sweet as matrimony . the band of conjugall love is adamantine , and where true love is there is a heaven on earth , and here by this perpetuated . the sweet company of kindred increaseth , the number of parents doubled , of brothers , sisters , nephews . thou art made a father by a fair and happy issue . moses curseth the barrenness of the womb , how much more a single life . if nature escape not punishment , surely thy will will not avoid it . thus , madam , are all your objections answered , and if such happiness accrew to us men by matrimony , surely much more to women . why will you then lye alone , and let your youth , and best days fruitlesly pass away : be not wayward , distrustful , curious , and nice , but let us make triall of that blessed estate in which dwells such sweet delight , and incomparable happiness . tomorrow is valentines day , and , to speak in the language of the heathen , let 's keep it holy-day for cupid's sake , for hymen's sake , and celebrate venus vigil with our ancestours for company sake . hold sir , not so fast ( replyed cornelia ) had you alledged ten thousand arguments more to perswade me to marry , i should not alter my condition for the p●esent ; and though i had no reasonable grounds for my aversion to a married life , yet i should not like it being so much out of fashion . he hearing that word concluded from thence , she had rather be a miss a-la-mode , than a slave to the idle humours of an husband , and from hence assured himself of a future conquest , and began to sing his own triumph ; and to make his conditions the more glorious , the assurance of her affections more serious , and his lascivious pleasures of a long-liv'd continuance , he highly commended that exotick custom of having adjutores tori , assistants to feeble husbands , who were allow'd of by the consent of the wife , to be made choice before the day of marriage ; and though it be not allow'd of as lawful among us , yet you see , said he , how generally it is practiced privately , so that it is become a by-word , that he is no man , or she no beauty , if the one have not a miss and the other a gallant , notwithstanding the one is possest of a wife , and the other of an husband . after this , he discours'd her with the glorious lines , and golden legends , but not the miserable deaths and horrid disasters of divers famous and renowned curtezans . madam , said he , i need ●o inform you , that your 〈◊〉 is in●er our to none , since your own glass , and the report of all that ever had the happiness to see you , fully assure you of that already ; & it is no hyperbole to say , it is superiour to donna olympia's an italian lady , and yet hers was so much esteemed by pope innocent , that it made a total conquest over that holy father , in so much that by that means , and yielding to his desires , by becoming his mistress , she became his master , and disposed of all court-affairs publick and private ; there being not the least business ordered without her good liking , in part at least . for most frequently as he hath been treating with cardinal panzirolo about any particular , it hath been heard come from his holiness's mouth ; what will donna olympia say ? which makes it most palpable , that he was afraid of displeasing her ; and therefore that great cardinal , before he proposed any great business to the pope , he commonly consulted donna olympi● , for fear he might otherwise contract the odium of that aspiring lady . nay , a prince amongst the rest of the most considerable in europe , sent an extraordinary embassador to rome , to whom after having given him his most necessary instructions , he gave in charge at his last farewell ; if by the application of our authority you can make no impression on the pope , indeavour to gain him by bribing his miss donna olympia , to use her power , her excellent features ( though failing of yours ) with her compliance to his desires , unpop'd him ; the pleasure he had with her enervated his power ; so that there was no more talk in the pallace but of donna olympia ; all letters are delivered to her , the memorials were no longer brought to the pope , but to donna olympia , who told him the contents of them ; and had alwayes this duplicate , fate voi , fate voi , as much as to say , pray do you look after it . by her sweet indulging of the popes humour , a man could see nothing but presents still going up to the vatican stairs ; every two or three days you should meet four porters loaded with money . so great was the profit belonging to this papal miss , that she had in a manner the sole command of the datary ; multitude of benefices she sold , and received vast summs for composition of law-suits besides the sale of offices ; and by her instigation were many taxes . imposts and gabels laid upon the people : in short , such was her interest , that she was mistriss over court , church , state and pope , only for being the popes miss ; and it was thought , when she dyed , she left more than two millions of c●owns in ready money , besides land and moveables inestimable . i could give you , said he , a thousand of these instances , how persons of a low fortune have raised themselv● to the height of wealth and honour , only by submitting to the humours of great men : but especially above the rest , and as 〈◊〉 history best agreeing and paralelling with her own fortunes , he insisted much upon the life and fortunes of lollea paulina , the greatest whore , and most deceitful bawd that ever rome acknowledged ; but here you must understand , that this subtile engineer play'd but the flattering historian ; for he only touch'd at her felicities , but either forgat or leap'd over her miseries , which were infinite : he shewed how she was born in the city of fano in italy , of good but mean parentage , how after her fathers decease , necessity compell'd her to look out sharply for a place of shelter , having no other attendants then a divine beauty , an unparallel'd personage , a boundless and undaunted courage . here hipolito the great cardinal of est , and brother to the duke of ferrara , beholding her , fell in love with her , bought her at an infinite price , and maintained her above the rank of the greatest princes : insomuch , that at an enterview of embassadors before the pope in mount angelo , ( being by torch-light ) she came among the ladies , so cover'd over with diamonds , and the richest jewels , that excepting her face , ( which the sun it self was not able to darken ) there could nothing be discerned but a moving flame of most glorious fire , and those that had skill did value her at more then a million . it is not to be express'd , with what greediness of spirit , and wonderful delight cornelia's ears , drunk in these stories and such like , of which he was no niggard , since this age doth every where so plentifully abound therewith ; and she was the more pleased with them , being infinitely covetous , but not in that nature avaricious , to heap up treasure only to look upon , but as a discreet prodigal , to fill her pockets ; placing her delight in fine clothes , high spending , treats , plays , balls , guilt coaches , rich hangings , with lodgings furnish'd richly and most splendidly ; all manner of wasteful delights were to her such dear companions , that rather then lose them , she would lay both life and soul in a pawn for their ransom ; nay , she was such a true admirer of pleasure , that if at any time a melancholy thought did chance to seiz her , she was observed to start from the seat she sate on , and force her self into a pleasant humour ; and if she found no agreeable diversion at home , she would travel through the whole city but she would finde it out ; nor could she belong in search for it , since dublin is a place of as much jollity and mirth as any city in the three kingdoms , saving england's metropol● ; and setting aside beating the watch idle breaking of glass . windows in morning-rambles , and killing naked men for no other cause then to gain the dis-reputation of a desperate man ; i believe dublin hath as many witty frolicking h●●k in her as any other city , sworn servants to madam venus , and as true bucchanalians as ever help'd to raise the price of wines . cornelia's humour ignatius quickly perceived , and finding her spirits take fire at his words , he again pursued his former subject , and shewed her how paulina , having nothing but the revenue of a beauteous countenance , and a well-proportion'd body , was three times the greatest and most respected lady of all rome ; and here he paus'd , for had he followed the truth of the story , it would have discovered , that she was three times also the poorest most dejected , basest , most miserable and despised creature , that rome or the world had ever reserved for memory ; nay ▪ so exceeding hateful was her condition , and so infinite her contempt , that she gave her body in prostitution to the common hangman for one meal to satisfie her hunger , and in the end died without pity , and was buried without ceremony : had he amplified any thing on this text , he had marr'd his own market , and made a proselite in stead of a prostitute ; but they were whites beyond his aim : confusion was only within the reach of his arrow , and that he hit ; for his words did so well please her , and his rich promises so assure her , that ( not without some reluctancy , she gave him an assignation , and that their contract might be neither obstructed nor suspected she would not presently resign her self up to his embraces , but desired him to have a little patience , and time would produce a convenient opportunity , wherein they might enjoy each other uncontroulably . every day , nay , every hour offered them an occasion to discourse , for he lived in this ladies house in the nature of a chaplain , not to read common-prayer to her , that was an abomination to this lady-saint , but to say grace , till the guests in their hearts cursed him , for letting the meat be cold ; and to pray at night the whole family asleep ; this was a precious man in the eye of the lady , though not of the knight ; for she loved him for the workings of the spirit , and he hated him therefore ; and because he would be even with his lady , this knight had had some conference with cornelia , and being an honest blunt gentleman , he went not about to preach her into a compliance , with a tedious story of i-know-not-what , but told her his meaning in plain english ; and to that end told her , that very speedily he would invent a way to effect his design , but did not acquaint her in what manner he would do it ; one day , when his lady and cornelia took coach to take benefit of the air he took the opportunity to get the key of cornelia's chamber-door , and got another made by it , before her return , and was so eager in the prosecution of his amour , that he resolv'd that very night to put his stratagem in practice , which was the very night ign●tius and cornelia had compleated to lye together , and that she might not be interrupted by her lady ( who frequently did call her unto her at midnight , when she ail'd any thing ; and for that purpose that she might be within call she lodg'd her the very next chamber to hers ) i say , to prevent interruption , told ignatius , that she would feign an indisposition upon her return from taking the aire , and so she should have the priviledge of going to bed betimes , and he of coming the sooner unto her . this double plot took not its desired effects ; for the knight caused his lady to go to bed with him , an hour and a half sooner than they were wont , and that he might lull her to sleep the sooner , he gave her in a glass of wine , a very smal quantity of opium , which so successfully wrought upon her , that as she was as desirous as himself to go to bed , so she soon fell asleep ; the knight , by her snoring finding that she was fast enough stole out of bed , and being in haste , forgot to shut his own door , being so eager to open cornelia's , which he did without making the least noise . in the mean time , ignatius in his shirt forsook his own bed , to enjoy of that of cornelia ; but mischief on 't , as he was groaping in the dark he found a door open , and entring love , though blind , and he in obscurity , soon directed him to the bed , and quickly found the way into it ; but expected not to find cornelia in that careless posture , as if she valued not the loss of a thing she seem'd so highly to esteem , being troubled to find her asleep , he pulld her by the arm again and again , but could not awake her ; tried to wake her by kisses ; and now the vertue of the opium was evaporated , so that waking she spake somewhat angerly , saying , prithee , what 's the matter , dear , that thou wilt not let me sleep quietly ? indeed you were a naughty man to wake me . what 's this , said ignatius ? why , sure my cornelia is not distracted ; is not this the night you appointed me , wherein we should commence our happiness ? the lady , not knowing what to say or think , cryed out , lord husband , what 's the matter you talk after this manner ? this is enough alone to create a jealousy in me : why should you talk thus of cornelia ; i am your wife , whom legally you are bound to love , and have not injur'd hitherto that love you owe me . it is true , said he , and dearest madam grant me your pardon , and i 'le confess the truth . i have injured that love you hitherto have shown me , by affecting any other but your self , and therein i have blackned my conscience blacker than that hypocriticall coat i use to wear , by breaking those many thousand promises i made you to be faithful : i am ignatius and this night i should have enjoyed by agreement cornelia , but i find i mistook her chamber . this discovery so nettled the lady , that she knew not what to say or doe , to find her friend false , could not but trouble her ; but to think what was become of her husband troubled her more ; not knowing what to conclude on , she in a rage bid him be gone and see her face no more , so seeing that there was no remedy , he was even content to sneak away to his own chamber ; being gone , the lady a rose and lockt her chamber door ; and going to bed again , her thoughts were seriously employed about her husband , that he was gone a catter-wouling , she question'd not ; neither did she doubt he was gone to any other person but cornelia , but whether to stay within her own chamber and wait her husbands return , or in a rage go to cornelia , and revenge her self on the whore her servant , and the adulterer her husband , she could not presently determine : whilst she was in this consultation , her husband came to the door , but finding it shut , he was at his wits ends ; for now he knew he was discovered , and it was but a folly to go about to palliate his crime , since it was so palpable , wherefore he knockt at the door , his lady within , as seemingly not knowing who was without , ask't , who was there . by reason of the coldness of the night , and the thinness of his cloathing ( being in his shirt ) his teeth so chattered , that he could not in the return of his answer be understood . the lady knew well enough who it was , and therefore to punish his concupiscence , she thought it requisit to let him stand without , and instead of a sheet , make him do pennance in his own shirt . prithee , dearest wife , said he let me in , am half starv'd with cold . what saucy jack is that , said she that calls me wife there , what bold impudent scoundrell ; my husband 's here in bed with me ; sirrah , you were best be gone , ●'le raise the house upon you else ; nay , good dear hony , don't do so , quoth he , let me not be a reproach to my servants , whose tittle tattle , it may be , abroad will engage all the riming tatter-demallion crew of the town , to write lampoons upon me , and my reputation will he rackt , nay drawn , hang'd and quarter'd by a parcel of ballads , compos'd of ill tun'd non sense , if this nights action be discovered . the lady could be no longer cruell , and fearing what dammage her husband might sustain , she arose and let him in ; but poor gentleman his condition was but little better'd ; for he did but leap , as i may say , out of a cold grave into a purgatory ; heated by a womans flaming passion . i shall not trouble you with those bitter taunts , and sharp invectives , she then uttered , you may imagine they were not a few . there is nothing more certainly discovers the perpetuall notion in a womans tongue , than her jealousy or the knowledge of her husband's infidelity . in short he endeavoured to lesson his own error , by telling her of hers ; which he said he should in a little time have told her to some purpose , whither this accident had hapned or no ; and therefore desiring her silence , and requesting a pardon on both sides , for each others infirmity , with protestations never to do the like , and promises the next day to remove those persons who had occasoned all this disorder , in their family affections they seald the bargain , — which made them the more desirous of their natural rest . ignatius , that precious , deforming , non-conforming , dissembling holder-forth slept not , nor could he close his eyes that whole night , his thoughts were so busied about this strange adventure ; and whilst he was ready to tare his flesh for very vexation , to think how he had irrecoverably lost that fair opportunity , of enjoying the fair cornelia ; when he considered how highly he had disobliged his lady miss , who loved him but too well , and cherisht him too much , he was then desperatly resolved to hang himself . whilst thus ruminating his misfortune , a servant came and told him that he must rise immediatly , and come to his master ; this started ignatius , and the fear of what the event of this message might be , put him upon a hundred projects , and guilt would have wing'd him for a flight , had not a little remaining reason prompted him to stay ; whereupon dressing himself , not without a universal trepidation , he appear'd before the knight , who taking him aside , in few words told him that he was an ungreateful raskal , to repay those kindnesses he had received , by debauching and abusing his wife , that were it not more in respect of kindness to himself , than mercy to him , he would cut his throat ; however he told him , he should not escape circumcising , since he believed he would make a better jew than a christian ; and immediately hereupon he stept within him , and with that dexterity threw him on his back , that the others amazedness , by this suddain surprize , gave the knight time enough to draw a razor , with which he did cut off his fore-skin . but this was not all his punishment , he was immediately turn'd out of doors , with menaces to this purpose , that if ever he revealed what he had done , and who it was that dealt with him thus , and the cause wherefore ; he should certainly dye for it , whereever he met him . whilst the knight was thus severely handling the man ; the mistress was taking to task her woman , who had not the patience to capitulate with her , who had shared with her in her enjoyments , forgetting the quality of her lady-ship , was as furious as an incensed fish-woman at billings-gate , using her tongue all the while she was managing her hands upon a face so pure , so fair , that cruelty her self at sight thereof , would forbear to do it any harm or prejudice ; yet this enraged lady persisted , and had not only embrued it in blood , hut had tore off her head-clothes , and was dragging her by the hair , just as the knight came in , who imagined the tragedy would not end in his part . his late revenge was now turn'd into grief and sorrow , to see the fair , and his beloved cornelia thus used , yet durst not seem over hasty in rescuing her out of the hands of her cruel● mystriss ; hut by degrees he so ordered the matter , that by holding his wife , he gave cornelia the opportunity to escape ; who took to her own chamber as a sanctuary , and there lockt her se● in , and rectified that disorder the lady● had put her in . she had now some little time to consider what was best to b● done ; she saw there was no thoughts 〈◊〉 staying there any longer , where for● packing up no more then what she coul● easily carry with her , she watch● her opportunity , and march'd off , st. patrick's close was the place where she first repair'd to , having there an acquaintance , who very lovingly entertain'd her , and lodg'd in one of the best rooms of the house , this gentle woman had been wanton her self , and was now a private bawd , and therefore could the better advise her friend in the whole course of her vitious practice , and so crafty and subtile she was , it was to no purpose to endeavor to hide any thing from her , wherefore cornelia told her the true history of her misfortunes how her master had enjoy'd her , and how her mystriss had abused her for it ; that she believed that her master loved her still very well , but knew not whether she was gone . hold , hold , ( quoth polyandria ) give me leave to call her by that feigned name , since what is proper to her she may be asham'd to own . doth not your master know whither you are gone ? he loves you without doubt , and how shall he extend his love if he be ignorant of your abode ? he must be therefore acquainted therewith , and that very privately for fear of discovery ; let me see — i think i had best to undertake the work , as being long enough experienced in such affairs ; but d' ye hear me , quoth this reverend matron ( whom cornelia suspected not to be , what she soon found she was , and was therefore at first troubled at her coming thither ) i say , quoth she , you must be ruled by me if i undertake your business ; you are very yong , and want wholesom instruction , you shall not want it as long as you are under my roof : the greatness of your beauty may be the ruine , instead of the rise , of your fortunes , if it be not house-wiv'd to the best advantage , &c. polyandria was informed by cornelia , that the knight did frequently drink , when he was in the city , at the clobe near the castle , and in the suburbs at the nags-head in oxman-town ; this was intelligence sufficient for her purpose ; for going to the first , she found him alone , expecting company to come to him : glad of this opportnnity , she gave him to understand , that there was an ancient gentlewoman below would speak with him ; he wondring who it should be , in haste comes to her ; and she ( to free him quickly from that amazement he was involved in at the fight of this veterane female stranger ) took him aside , and whispering said , sir , it is necessary i he short in a business of this nature ; cornelia lies at such an house , &c. she languishes for none but you , and none but you can give her ease . the knight , like a man transported , was ready for joy to have hugg'd the old matron for her welcome message ; but considering how inconvenient it was to talk so publickly , he dismiss'd her , and promis'd to be there as soon as she , and he was as good as his word , for he left his company immediately , for , though a short , yet more ravishing enjoyment . love soon conveyed him to the place where cornelia lay , and was there received by her , not as a loose prostitute does her lecher , but as a deluded maid does her long absent lover , with silence , sighs and blushes ; whereas he , raptur'd at the fight of her he now so dearly lov'd , made all the outward demonstrations of vigorous and sincere affection ; polyandria minded every passage and expression , and was no less joyful then they , in that she could by what she saw , promise her self no small advantage . as an earnest penny of this knights affection , he first gave cornelia twenty guinny's , and then promis'd polyandria that he would pay for her diet , lodging , and what other necessaries she wanted ; for such fair promises as these polyandria thought her self obliged to withdraw , and leave them alone , which the knight interpreting to his best advantage , made use of that time to renew his former enjoyment , and to assure his miss , that her constancy should be gratified with such an annuity as should gentilely maintain her , but it should revert if ever she admitted a competitor . cornelia left behind her all her gowns but what she then wore , and carried off only some of her best linnen , and some jewels she had given her by some that had hopes to have tempted her that way , which had she stayd , undoubtedly had taken effect . being thus but thinly , though finely , garb'd ; the good old gentlewoman that took upon her to be her tutoress , thought fit to put her into a garb , not only fashionable , but rich and costly , as far as that mony would go : 't was the first-fruits of the knights second enjoyment of cornelia , who at his next coming , seeing her so good an hous-wife as to lay out her money in clothes , gave her as much more , which was disposed of to make the splendid furniture of her delicate body exact and compleat . frequent were the visits of this knight , and as he allow'd his miss an annual pension , so he bestowed costly presents , of which contributions polyandria would not be deny'd her dividend . cornelia observing this , and how her benefits were much empair'd by the avarice of this strepo-grana , began to consider , that she had wit and under standing enough to manage her own affairs , and needed not the auxiliary counsels and instructions of polyandria , nor ●●●ught her self obliged to the unnecessary and impertinent trouble of books , when her chief study was to read men , i.e. glance in their faces , and suck the honey out of their pockets , wherefore she resolved to trust to her self , wisely measuring her hopes and advantage , by the sure standard of her beauty , well-weighing that by an oversupple compliance with her grandam tutoress , she should unadvisedly prostitute that to an old woman ( whose respects to her were as uncertain as her tail ) which she might at her choice and liberty bestow upon any young gallant , her lucky stars , and bewitching eyes , might offer , notwithstanding , her vows and protestations to her knight made to the contrary , and the hazard of losing her annual allowance . but lest she should discover her design of inconstancy , she demeaned her self to polyandria with such a reservedness , that might rather be construed an innate severity , and reverence of her self , derived from her fathers gentile strain ( which indeed wholly makes a gentleman , that should live not according to the fashion , but the vertuous mode of his mind , and reckon vertue his only nobility ; ) then any shy averseness or indisposition to her veterane governess , that might at pleasure over-rule her with bawdy experiences , and pocky probatum's . in whose affection ( if you can believe that crocodile tears may be limbeck'd into compassion ) she seem'd to have gain'd exceedingly . notwithstanding all which tenderness , set off with all the endearments her guardian thirty years practice , in the mysteries of her art , could suggest unto her . cornelia kept within her self , after a long contest , wherein she plainly told her , it was sufficient she was largely recompenced , for diet , lodging , and other necessaries , and therefore told her it was unconscionable to expect , besides all these benefits , an excise or income from her bodily exercise . she took up this resolution so firmely , that she could not be won from her main strength to wit , a purpose of reserving her growing fortunes wholly to her self . and herein the young gentlewoman did ( something above her yeares ) very prudently forecast what a slavery she should bring her self to ; if her patroness once came to an absolute soveraignty over her affections , or by imperiousness , or forcible insinuation , make her self secretary of state to all her thoughts , which would have rendred her only a cypher , and serve to multiply the incomes and revenues of her guardian ; a rock upon which many featur'd and well formed females have split , and undone themselves for ever : for argier slavery is not so intollerable , as the unreasonable and unconscionable usage of these beldams . a baudy-house , or the community of two or three bauds , and their well affected people the wenches , is as like our late commonwealth as may be , where all should share alike , and the emoluments should be equally universally distributed , but in effect it all comes into private hands , no regard being had to those that drudge for it , and sweat not with their brows for their daily provision . just as cornelia in a great measure had got the mastery over her mistress , she perceived she was with child , which very much disordered her thoughts , and was the occasion of her suddain pensiveness , and melancholy . polyandria taking more than ordinary notice thereof , was very inquisitive to know the cause ; but cornelia , thinking it might tend to her prejudice , conceal'd it as long as she could ; but in a little time it discovered it self , by various symptoms and appearances ; this venerable matron perceiving the cause of her unwonted sadness , came one day to her with a countenance more cheerful than usuall and said , come daughter , be not thus troubled in your thoughts the grief that thus internally afflicts you will in a short time be in your arms , and then all will be well again , in the mean time , be of good cheer , the father is able to maintain the bantling , and we will make him pay dearly for the pains he shall put you to , in bringing his stolne delights into the world . cornelia was now constrein'd to tell the truth , confessing she was with child , and had concealed it some ten weeks : that , that was indiscretion , quoth the mother , this should have been revealed sooner ; however , it is well enough , the father shall know of it at his next comeing , and as she spake the word , in came the knight , who had formerly taken notice of cornelia's melancholy , and severely check't her for 't , and now finding her in the same moody posture , blam'd her as before . this gave polyandria occasion to discourse him after this manner , sir , i am not ignorant of what familiarity hath past between you , before she came to my house and since ; and it is no wonder , if a person so young , plump and tender as she is , meet with a person like your self , middle-aged , strong and lusty , should conceive with child , since there have been made so many endeavors between you to that end and purpose . now sir , if she be sad and melancholy her eat , blame her not , since she now fears a general publication of her shame and infamy , and that her reputation will be for ever ruin'd ; besides , having never tried man before you , and hearing how variable they are in their affections , she is fearful after this you may desert her . if that be all the cause of thy discontented countenance , said he , be cheerfull and assure thy self , cornelia , prove but constant still , and this will cause my love daily to increase ; and to divert her , entertain'd her with pleasant discourse , caressed her affectionately , treated her in her own chamber most sumptuously , and taking his leave of her , left her fifty broad pieces , till his return , for he was going into the county of tipperary . in his absence , polyandria consulted nothing more than where and how she should lye in , what costly things to be bought , and where the child should be nurst , and all with the greatest privacy . for her delivery she judgd her own house as convenient as any other , but that she must then pretend that she is a gentlewoman whose husband is gone for england , about some urgent affair , and that would spoil her design after she was brought to bed , for she intended that she should pass for a maid , till she was detected to the contrary , wherefore she pitch'd upon an obscure place , and agreed with the people , ( payin'g down twenty pounds ready money ) they should keep the child , and never more return it to the parent ; this they greedily yielded to , since they nor their frye-fathers never saw such a sum of arraget saffenagh ( english money ) before in their life-time . the time of child-bearing drawing on , the knight was consulted about the charge , how necessary it was for her to remove into the countrey , how expensive her lying in would be , having been so tenderly and gentilely educated , and that it would be altogether expedient , to provide for the child for his life-time ; and lest any thing should miscarry by negligence , or for want of prudent management she would accompany cornelia , and stay with her till her up-rising , though it would considerably prejudice her business at home , since she must leave all to the guidance of her servants , and so she might without any great damage , for as yet she kept no pubick house , having lived but a little while in that place , having furnished her house very gallantly for the entertainment of lodgers to begin with . all these items for charge of one lyng in , made the knight scratch where it did not itch ; but seeing there was a necessity that things must be carried privately and that the way propounded could not but be very chargeable , he ordered them two hundred pounds , to defray all expences , a great part whereof cornelia , notwithstanding her former conquest , could not keep from polyandria . being safely delivered , and secretly too , without prejudice to her honor , they return'd with triumph to dublin , where burroughing again , co●nelia appeard then after the purification of her body , a thousand times more fair and lovely , than formerly , if it were possible ; she sweetly bloom'd , ready to bud to the first golden rayes that should dart on her ; and her glad and greedy foster-mother , was almost made young again , with the hopes her lovely and enchanting pupill did promise her . but part of her hopes were quickly dash't , by the discontinuance of the knights visits , which were not so frequent as formerly , more cold or indifferent , and not half so beneficial . it seems he was cloyd with this delicate bit , ( sweetest meats are most subject to surfeit ) and was wearied with his annual charge , and diurnal expences , which caused his life to be so vext and discontented , that he saw there was no remedy for his grief but a positive resolution to abandon this lady errant , and be content with his domestick recreations , and that he might have a pretext to acquit himself of his obligation , to allow his miss a considerable annuity in case of constancy , he charg'd her one day ( seemingly in a great rage and passion ) with disloialty , and breach of promise , and as in his expressions , he became discourteous , and uncivil , so his actions were rude and boisterous ; in so much that mother-damuable was forced to flye for it , to save her a sound kicking , whilst he in the mean time compel'd very unhandsomely cornelia to deliver up to him a paper , he had sign'd for the payment of the annuity aforesaid , and going down the stairs , he vow'd he would never see her more . poor cornelia was so amazed at this sudden causeless change , that she was in a manner senseless , and seem'd to be converted into a well-fram'd white marble statue , and as that moody stone drops tears sometimes , when heaven seems to look angrily , so she for the loss of that for which she had an equal estimation , had her eyes delug'd in tears , whilst her heart o're-charg'd with sighs , threatned a breaking every minute . as she was in this pitifull posture , in came the old gentlewoman , limping and cursing all the way she came , a pox on him cry'd she , he a knight if he had been a gentleman , he would have scorn'd to have done as he did ; to frighten a poor old woman in this manner . — may an hospitall convert him , h● bath been the cause of the breaking of my bones and almost my neck , — for a pla●ne on him , i fled from his fury , th● first pa●r of stairs i got down w●ll enough , but comming to the cellar stairs , thinking to have hid my self from the ra● all in the cole-hole , i stumbled on the mastiff dog , and tumbleing over him topsy turvy down the stairs , i butted down the ferkin of ale , which we keep for our own use , and had like to have dash't my brains out against the hogshead . — see the vanity of the female sex , their levity and mutability , like a shower in april , the sun shine out clear , and yet so raine it would have wet one to the skin ; cornelia at this pleasant report of her mothers disaster , fell out into so loud a fit of laughter , that polyandria thought her daughter was distracted , and so continued laughing , till the old one put a stop to it , by saying , 't is well that you can sust●in so great a loss as this of your friend , as to be so little concern'd is to laugh at the mischief that befell me for your sake partly ; these words were deliver'd with so much gravity , attended with a countenance severe , that they stopt the career of cornelias mirth , and reminded her of her tottering condition , thus will a cloud o're-cast the face of luna , and then she 's totally obscur'd , and in a trice b●ing blown over , sh●shines as bright as ever , and as at boe peepe , seems to sport with her inconstancy a fit emblem for the female s●x ; thus cornelia reassuming her former sadness , appear'd the most discontented perion now , that was the merriest but one minute past ; and now lest her sadness should take reall rooting , polyandria began to comfort her , telling her there was no such scarcity of men that she should despair of having his place supplyed , every whit as advantagiously , since the sam b●a●ty that had that efficacy over him was so far from being empair'd , that it was much emprov'd , that there was enough gotten by the former to maintain them till another came , and that if it should not happen to be speedily , sh● had contriv'd a plot how to hook some more money out of the knights pocket , which should largely gratify both their necessities and revenge . this pleased cornelia so well , that drying up her tears , she frankly told her mother , that as she had wiped off all appearances of sorrow from her face , so she had a desire to wash off with wine what might casually stick to her heart ; it was mutually agreed , and over the glass she consults in what place this bright star shall appear , in what horizon she should next shoot her killing beams , for they concluded it not safe to stay longer there , since cornelia's lady had some inkling where she was . cornelia as yet was but a novice in the politicks of queen venus ; and fearing lest the greenness of her experience should cause the miscarriage of her enterprizes , for the present the thought it convenient to leave the guidance of her affairs to her governess polyandria , who was resolved , the first thing she acted should be some trick that should give her satisfaction and revenge upon the knight that had abused them ; and in this manner she plotted it : she had an acquaintance at the folly ( so called ) at lazie-hill , butting over against rings-end , who was one of the craftiest queans of all those ori●ntal parts adjacent to the city ; her governess for cunning was very famous , in so much that she became tutoress-universal to city and suburbs , both to privateers , and publick prostitutes : to these she laid open the whole matter , being her confidents , and omitted no particular of the prec●eding story . a business of thi● weight required more assistance to advise what was best to be done , wherefore some of the sage aged counsel thereabouts were sent for , who having heard all that was done and said before , a general silence was proclaim'd , and before any thing should pass , it was ordered that two dozen of cans should be brought in , with a quart of burnt brandy , pipes , and tobacco ; and because some of them were irish ( who were admitted rather for their inexpressible impudence than intelligence ) some snuff was sent for , who dote so much on a clock●t'a sneezing , that they will not omit it in their very prayers , making each snuff a silent parenthesis in their very devotions . the cans went briskly about , nor was the brandy so neglected , as to stand and cool , the room was fill'd with smoak & the clacking nois of their tongues was so great , that the poor sneezing cnram-a-c●rees that sate below , could neither be seen , heard nor understood . silence again proclaim'd , polyandria undertook to speak to this purpose , ( several circumstances i shall omit for brevity sake ) that whereas her daughter cornelia , servant to a knight , had been got with child by him , and that having given her but a small recompence for all her pains , only providing for the child for life , and allotting her an inconsiderable sum of about 200 li. she thought it reasonable to make him sensible of his niggardly unworthiness , by forcing him to a more liberal contribution . to this end ( said she ) here is a daughter of ours that broke her leg , much about the time mine broke hers ; she must be the instrument to do my business , by carrying her own child to the knight , pretending to be nurse to cornelia , and that having received nothing of her promis'd salary , let her threaten to leave the child at his gate ; and that his lady should not suspect any thing , this woman was ordered to wait near the house with polyandria , to shew her which was the man. in less then four houres she spake with the knight , and so cunningly carried the business , that he verily believed all she said to be true ; and that he might not raise the leastsuspicion in his lady's breast that he kept a bastard ; and to be sure for the future of not being served so again , he appointed her to meet him at kilmanam a mile out of the city , the next day , where he would endeavour to make her satisfaction ; mrs. craftsby you may be sure was punctually there at the time appointed neither was polyandria far off from her ; the knight came accordingly with some friends he durst trust , who after they had bandied the business to and fro , it was concluded , that she should have an hundred pounds to take him off clearly from keeping the child , with this proviso , that her husband would enter into bond for performance of the agreement : i sir , said she , with all my heart , i will send for him ; and going out seemingly for a messenger , she stept to polyandria , and told her what was required , and therefore told her she must immediately go into saint francis street , and at such a sign lodg'd her gallant , giving her instructions what to do , that is , to acknowledge her for his wife , and enter into bond upon the premisses . this was done in an instant , and all things b●ing concluded and agreed upon . polyandria appeared , and told the knight plainly , that though he had stopt the mouths of others , yet hers was not sufficiently stopt , and that if he did not open his purse , she would open her mouth so wide , that his lady should hear what would not tend neither to his quiet nor reputation ; and know sir , this is a plot of my own contrving , and i have more of them , this is not your naturall child , though a bastard , as well as yours . the knight hearing this , made presently diligent search for the cheating nurse , but she was not to be found , for having received her money , the same coach that brought her gallant and polyandria , carried her and her bully back again ; leaving this projecting matron to shift for herself . you cannot imagine what a heat our knight was in , he walkt up and down like a man bereft of his senses , and sometimes in his rage would offer to beat the old gentlewoman ; but his friends hindred him from that as an act ignoble ; not being able to use his hands , he was resolved his tongue should not be idle , which tumbled out nothing but the basest expressions intermixt with menaces ; as that he would indite her for a cheat , baud , and what not ; and that he would procure a riding in state . to all these worst of names , and dreadful threats , polyandria only laugh'd , and bid him do his worst , advising him withal , to have a care how he farther provoked her , lest in a very short time he should dearly repent of it . the knight's friends observing the impudence and subtilty of this long experienced matron , advised him by all means to make a speedy end with her , cunningly instructing him to offer her so much money , on condition she and her adopted daughter would sign an instrument , wherein they should acknowledge that it was a lye , and a meer invention of their own to get money , by causing cornelia to lay a bastard to his charge , which was none of his . polyandria paus'd a while , and found that this was nothing but a meer trick of theirs , to make them acknowledge under their own hands that they are cheats , which would be a sure evidence against them , and make them liable to the punishment of the law ; but considering this would not injure them much if they had somthing under his hand to bear them harmless upon this confession ; she made this proposition , that if the knight would give her and cornelia , a bond of a thousand po●nds , to be payd to them , or either of them , their executors , administrators , o● assigns , if either of them should sustain any di●ge , by indictment or otherwise , by reason of the confession aforesaid that they would put their hands to such an instrument . the knight and his friend , seeing their policy defeated , and that there was no d●aling with this woman , in any thing that concern'd her sex , consented to her motion , and whilst the writings were drawing , polyandria by general agreement was dispatcht to bring thither cornelia , who , poor girl , was all b●bl●bber'd for the long absence of her mother , but was soonoverjoy'd to hear ( as they rid in the coach ) how admi●ably their p●ots did hit , and how successful they were like to prove . just as they arrived at the house , the writings were finished , but the devil a bit would either of them seale , till she had old over , and secur'd the money , which was one hundred and fifty pounds : and having interchangably set their hands , polyandria and cornelia stood not upon complem●nts , but taking coach ( hardly taking leave they gallop'd away for dublin and through the city to the to the folly ; where they found the counsel afoersaid sitting , expecting the return of polyandria , who for joy at the success of the counterfeit nurse , they were all got maudling drunk ; but polyandria coming in at that juncture , added to their merriment , that she had escaped the hands of the knight , and his dainty squires , who ( as they fear'd ) would look them up in some enchanted castle . she had not been long among them ( concealing what she had received by this other project ) before she told them gravely and gratefully , that the inventer deserv'd a reward , and the labourer her hire ; to be short , pretending business , said she it was my plot , therefore i will have fifty pound of the hundred ; for nurses assistance , she shall have twenty pound , and the other twenty shall be divided equally amongst you , for your counsel equally i say , that there may be no quarrel and dissention among the prosessors of our sacul●y of sister-hood met together . this proposall was generally liked , and each taking her share , as it was agreed upon , polyandria took her leave of them , taking her precious charge with her . resolving with her self to change her habitation with all expedition , finding therein many inconveniences ; as first the rooms lay too contiguous to each other , without winding meanders , and multiplicity of doors ; no variety of stair-cases , and but one avenue to the house , which was the fore-door , there were no salliports but one , and never a postern for an escape , if need should require . &c. these & many other weighty considerations moved her to aspeedy removall , but whether near the court , into the city , or country , she could not well determine . she had a months mind to have tried an old lord , but she feared his state was diminished with his strength , the first deterred her , and she well knew the latter would never please her curious young cornelia , whose second maiden-head she would sacrifice in an equall flame of youthfulness , where a large contribution and donations might supply and feed the fire . such a match , or a westminster-wedding , she could easily , and in a short time doubted not but to find in the city ; to which place the old gypsie was the more inclinable ; for that she had been so long , and so well versed and insighted in the fashions and humours thereof ; but she feared her darling was too raw and tender , to endure so many importunities , and thrusts of so many suitors , as cornelia would attract , whom it was impossible to conceal long from same and report , with what competence she had to support the lustre of so great a beauty . she concluded therefore to retire for a while with her jewel into the country , in that privacy the better to confirm and ground her yet not well experienc'd disciple , withall to give her a taste of the country simplicity , that would rarely set off her other accomplishments , and be a masqne , or disguise , to what ever subtilty , or designs her imployment might put her upon : but herein polyandria came short of her measure ; for she that had at first so great an aversion to the country , must now have a greater , since she had so freely tasted of those city-delights , the country is incapable of enjoying ; however cornelia for a short stay , to gratify the request of her governess , did willingly condescend . cornelia coming into the country , and being lodgd in a place within four miles of kilkenny ( a place the baud pitched upon for convenience , for there is not a purer air throughout the kingdom than thereabout ) in a little time after she had been there , either through some inward discontent , for the loss of her knight ( who , though she was mutable , and whorish enough , could not but be troubled when she thought on him , who had cropt her virgin flower , or through change of the air , she began to abate of that orient vermillion in her cheeks ; and when all the flowers were in their prime , she onely droopt , and flagg'd the head , as if the rivall pride of the gardens , had put down and vanquished her before matchless , and incomparable beauty . they lodg'd at a widows house under pretence of summering , where they had all the conveniences that health required , and their landlady a good debonair woman , and who was infinitely taken with mistriss cornelia , and more than polyandria liked or approved of ; but she was more discontented at the sick symptom of her daughter ( for now she cal'd her by no other name ) the decay of whose complexion , or least empairment of her beauty , was as gloomy to her thoughts , as the decay of the universe at the suns losing his light ; for to the wash-boul , or some infected hot-house , to kindle the bavins , she must betake her self , if the empire of cornelia's eyes should waine or be eclipsed ; but venus was loth to cast off an old trusty pensioner , and besoaght her brother apoll ; neither did she forget to address her self to priapus , to cure pretty lovely cornelia , and send her an honest aesculapius . polyandria hearing of a fam'd quacking doctor ( that ran out of england to settle in ireland , where his mean extraction , and baser education was not known ) living in kilkenny , in all hast she hy's to him with an urinal , and with such anxiety and grief of mind , that it would have melted a kitchin-stuff tub , to have seen the poor old hagg trot , that her face lookt like an hogs-countenance in sowce , her eyes sunk as low altogether ; or like a dark lauthorn in a rainy night , betwixt ambling and trotting , she got to the doctors , & up stairs she bustled , to the great offence of the waspish ●uack , who at the same time handling such another patient as cornelia , what 's the matter , quoth this mighty doctor ? with a low courtesy , answered polyandria , i have brought you a maids , water and 't shall please your worship , desiring your advice , for i am an undone old woman if my daughter iniscarry . what ( said he ) a maid and miscarry , come not to me with your bawdy inaladies , and away hurles the vrinal into the chimney without any further enquiry . polyandria lookt like the picture of ill luck , and could have found in her heart to have embroidered his great wide jowls with her nail ; but in a cruel rage and indignation she flew out of the chamber , ●sing and railing on him , calling him an hundred bungling , cobling , rascally . empyricks , ( for it seems he had formerly exercised himself with st. hugh's bones ) wishing him no other patients then such as were infected with the plague , poverty and pox incurable . she was now in a peck of troubles , and in such a h at , for she had no leisure to cool her self , that she was almost sweltred ; never was there a sultred fat hostefs in r●m alley in trinity-tearm , nor pig-roaster in rartholome● fair , could complain so justly : but what added misery to her vexation , she could not tell to whom 〈◊〉 impart hers and cornelia's condition ; 't was bootless to think of another doctor without a urinal , for she could give no account or signes of the distemper ; as she was walking in the street , musing with her self , she met with an old acquaintance who was come down too upon some notable design , a gossip that had with some success practised physick , and was , to compleat her skill , mother-midnight : this doctress hearing all that polyandria spake freely said no more then what frier bacon's du● servant thought not worth notice to his master , t●ne is ; intimating , that if her former enjoyments were not repeated and renewed she would absolutely fall into some desperate distemper , which might deprive her of her life . let us leave these two matrons pecking at one another in brandy , white anniseed and ale , talking of their adventures while they are drunk , and fall a tearing one anothers head-gear , and return to fair languishing cornelia , who by the pleasant conversation of her landlady , and the desired absence of polyandria , had already advanced to such a degree of sanity , as to have her mind perfectly well and her body in some measure subservient to it . the widow-woman , who could see as far into a milstone as another , taking cornelia by the hand , desired her to walk into the garden with her , which for the beauty scite , and variety of it , was one of the best thereabouts ; here note , that this widow was little less honester in her body ( as we use to say ) then polyandria had been heretofore , but of a far more noble and ingenious soul ; but the decay of nature by age , had now in a manner extinguisht all youthful desires in themselves , yet still took delight to incourage them in others . this made her deal candidly and freely with cornelia , and after a demurr or two , which this under-feeling of a persons condition , not well acquainted with her , put upon the freedom of her discourse , she began in this manner . madam , to divert something of that untoward disease which hangs upon you , i will without further enquiry into the cause , or putting you to the expence of a blush , tell you a good story , which hath good credit here , and the example of it may be of very good use to you hereafter ; as i suppose , the relation of it may be pleasant at this present ; pardon the tedi●sness of an old womans relation , which is intended onely for your diversion ; for i profess , i do hate melancholy my self , although length of years incline me to it ; but more abominably i detest it in the juni● of our sex whom nature ( where she has been pro●use of her excellencies ) has decreed to the fruition of the most delightful part of life ; and when i consider those transcendent perfections you are adorn'd with , i cannot but wish to you all those joys and pleasures my younger years and j●veniled sires , ever longed after ( not imagining she had already tasted thosesw ets , which formerly bewitched her the remembrance wherof put her upon a yawn●nst ad of a pause . cornelia heard now a●sh thought the second part of polyandria to the same rune , but to less disadvantage ; for she rec●oned all her avis●ments would be free-cost and partake of the free air she breath'd in , and was exceeding desirous to have a full knowledge of this pleasant and profitable story she was going to relate , and there with dropt her a most obliging courtesie , requesting her , since she had vouchsafed so much favour to her , in the demonstration of her undeserved kindness , she would give her the satisfaction of her promise . you may understand then quoth polyandria , that an honest collier , or one who got his living by carrying kilk●nny coals up and down the country , had a young daughter , this girl was proud , though seemingly modest , she would not let an english bumpkin , no● an irish skullogne , though the first had never so many ribbands in his hat , and the latter never so much snuff and u●q●ebaugh about him , she would let neither of them touch her with a hop-●ole but there was a young gentleman of a large estate living near , who by intelligence had smelt her out , and was resolved to carry her at any rate , for she was extraordinary handsome , and that she knew right well , which made her stand somwhat the more upon her pantables , especially when she considered that carbonero her father , though he had a sooty face , he had white money ; which by length of time , and great labour he had raked together . this young gallant employed a gentleman that waited on him in his chamber , who after many good-morrows to her parents , by selling him a wood or cops ( for he sometimes made charcoal ) and under such pretences got acquaintance with the daughter , and with rich unusuall presents had quickly won her , so that upon all opportunities she could find , she gave her friend his desired satisfaction ; but by the way let me tell you , he was so ingenious to himself as to serve his own turn first , by promising marriage , if she was got with child by either of them ; the proposal she lookt upon so reasonable , by reason of the present benefit she had received , and future advantage she expected , that she consented the articles should be seal'd between th●m . this wash●r first step into the world , and it dislocated all the ligam●nts of her vertue and honesty ; and to help the matter , she had worms in her b●lly , with over-gre●dy eating of apple-pye , and that medicine of marriage was not so easy to come by , as wormseed and alloes . she was complemented by the squire in the words of the spanish-curat● , even as you please , either for a husband or a friend , and like master like man , all promises were forgot , having obtain'd that by them , which after trial they found not worth the performance of them . so this young gentlewoman was forced to kiss the plough-tail , and long for a wake , or a fair to put off her great belly , and in a short time her pleasant compliance , and her witty dispatches , whither fortune helpt her to a broad-shouldred yeoman in a neighbouring village ; and she proved the arrantest whore , in all this part of the country . now i speak not this in the dishonor of her , nor any way in reflection to your self , little lady ( said the widow ) for i know it is the frailty of our sex , but to give you a warning , to avoid the errour that she committed . it is indispensable solly , for a beauty fresh as a rose , to suffer it self to be cropt , and wither in the hand of a wanton hot-spur , witho●t soundly pricking his fingers for his feeling ; such tender buds should be worn in the bosome for ornament , the inward and most close affections , and though now and then sense were gratified , yet always a chariness should be used to it , and a valew ●tupon it , that might preserveit . but super-excellent faces , without the help of the looking glass of good fortune , s●ldome discover that blemish , while sorrow and repentance have wrinkled and furrowed their foreheads , or impudence and prostitution have brazened them . this is a lesson , pretty heart , i would have you excellently well read in , and i press it , not so much out of any fear i have of you , as in humanity to your worth ; though i suppose your mother , that reverend matron polyandria , hath anticipated this councel ; and now i think on 't , i marvell what 's become of her . you need not question , said cornelia , but she will be here quickly ; for her tender care to me is so great , that she would not lye one night from me , to be a sharer in the king of spain's indies : and now i must give you thanks , not only for the relation of this pleasant story , but for the good counsel , you so seriously and friendly give me , though to deal ingeniously with you ( since i perceive you have so well acquainted your self with my condition ) i have no other sampler , nor ever set my eyes to any other work , but cupids love-knots . however , i should take it as a very great happiness , if my sojourning here procure your friendship , which i hope you will shew in being co-adjutant to a weak and imbecile maiden , if ought otherwise than a prosperous course my fates shall appoint me . as she was proceeding with her complement , in came polyandria , and stopt the residue , who stunk so loathsomely of mandungus , ale. and strong waters , that cornelia was forced to keep the weather-gage of her , and answer with but half a face to her drunken discourse ; polyandria observing how careless her daughters deportment was towards her , in a passion cry'd out , is this all the thanks i have for my labour ? nay , be sick and full in too , if you will : i thought to have told you some good news , but let that pass ; why mother , replyed cornelia , are you so displeased ? i was taken with a sudden qualm , and those sits you know i have been lately troubled with and therefore be not offended but let me hear how matters go . why. there is a young gentleman , saith she , that will be here to morrow , and therefore i would desire you to cloath your face with your best looks , and wear again your rosie vermilion colour , for these lillies in your cheeks will hardly admit those blushes which your virgin modesty did wear , as snares for such as this young paris . for all other things i hope you are well enough provided ; and i am loth you should be beholden to paint or art , to ill ustrate and grace your first view and appearance : and to whether appetite , nothing was talkt of , but what savoured of too mnch petulancy , and wanntonness . such discourse were for the most part the entertainment of cornelia's second loathed rurall life , who considering only to what her mother and tutoress ( not bountifull nature ) had designed her , applied her self wholly to the cyprian-language and customs . she had liv'd a nuns life she thought in that age , which by the laws of venus , was scarce past adolescency , and yettook her virginity for a work of supererogation . but now the time was come , wherein she was to be manumitted from the slavery of her unsatisfied desires , whose restless importunities had so long vexed her . lust is a gangrene , and having once poison'd a member , never leaves spreading till the whole body be confounded ; she hath now broken one link in the golden chain of chastity , and she cares not if all the rest be molten with confusion ; hence it comes that she entertains more devils , variety is pleasant ; one ship yields small custome , great navies sill large treasures , and by this means she thought her revenews would flow in such full tydes , that false pleasure made her believe there would never come an ebbing . but to proceed , you may imagine this night was one of the longest she ever yet counted , from the disappointed assignation she gave that puling precious saint ignatious , that was to present the morning and her gallant together . as soon therefore as aurora with her flattering smiles had saluted her windows , she leapt out of bed , from the side of that sepulchre ( whose corrupt unsavory stench had tainted this sweet morsel of flesh ) and before polyandria had recovered her crapula ; and into the garden she went to sacrifice unto flora. according to appointment , and by that time , that usefully ill piece of antiquity had more then snackt to herself her customary share of bob , and was upon her trotters , a gentleman and his foot-boy alighted at the door , and was so hasty of admitance , that cornelia could scarce recover her chamber , to attire her self in her most splendid dress , of which she had good store of her late gallants providing . in the entring , this gentleman was desired to walk in the garden , and that immediately , mistress cornelia should wait upon him , which accordingly he did , and after half an hours space , his fair unknown mistress entred , and with a winning , or rather commanding aspect , and most obliging deportment , presented her self at the descent of the garden steps , to which our young lover , to prevent her further coming , and that such a venerable beauty might keep due state , with all expedition hastened . having admired and complemented her with an elegant address , and saluted both mouth and hand , he began his commendatory discours with his own ravishments , telling her , her perfections ought not , nor could not , without extream boldness , be medled with . in short , that he intended himself a servant to her , but his ambition was too high , and had failed him ; for her excellencies had so captivated him , that he could be no other than her slave ; to which cornelia was no way wanting for answer , nor did she like other weak women dissemble her sentiments of his true praises , nor extenuate , much less , deny her beauty , but with a generous confidence told him , that he had taken some pains to extoll that which her own pride and her glass could flatter sufficiently , that she conceived the felicity of a beauty con●sted not in encomiums , or in fame , which are but perfumed air and wind , artificial trophies of natures conquests , which she needed not . she looked now to our enamour'd gallant so wantonly , as that he thought it was a cupidian challenge , though she left off without inferring ; that use was that only , that gave the right value and esteem to beauty ; yet the imperiousness of her eyes over-aw'd his liberty of questioning her meaning , or to entreat her to proceed . this first smart rencounter almost puzled the young gentleman ; for his intention was to marry a fortune as well as a face , and that brought him thither , but such pertinent , home and uncircumstanced discourse would put him off from any enquiry into her estate , and withal he might chance to marry fortune pluraliter ; for such a sprightly girl could not but be suspitions . neither could he handsomly retreat without some devoir , that might be construed to a love-visit , and to render an account of his days proceedings to polyandria's factors , ( for you must know she trotted , not so far to dusty it away only , but to settle a correspondence , that might contribute assistance to her dangerous designes ) to attempt her , he considered it was both unmannerly and dangerous ; and on the other hand , it was a cow-baby trick to say nor do nothing to the purpose , and betwixt these two extreams he was engaged , and there was no medium . the way he dis-●ngaged himself out of this labyrinth , was thus , after he had warded some other dangerous flings , which cornelia's wit had brandished about him , to invite her to kilkenny for a treatment , which would either open his way to a more familiar a quaintance with her , or else give him an honest civil congee , and this was as much as crasty cornelia expected , for she found this gentleman not for her pallat , and therefore to give him no breathing-time , or respite of another day , she most kindly accepted of his court●sie , and if he would please to take a small repast there , while she should put her self in a convenient posture to wait upon him , she and her mother would attend him to kilkenny . done and done , and the widow their landlady must go for company ; and soon after away they went , and coming into town , he planted them in a tavern , the most noted on all that side of the country for good wine , and noble entertainment , to which place this gentleman had sent for some of his acquaintance ; in the mean while the woman drunk something freely , and the rather to disguise the open-heartednes● of cornelia , who was this day to begin and set up a new . presently in came a crowd of gentlemen , whom the young esquire had sent for , and now cornelia might pick and chuse her lover . such a flight of butterflies ( the gaudy birds of summer ) as they did delight cornelia's eyes , so they pretended hot weather , a scorcht harvest , and early but smutcht and rotten fruit . such pracoce , and soon ripe gear , being either first seiz●d on by such locusts and the beauty and sapidness defaced and exhausted , or else wanting its due heat to concoct its crudities , ( the just temperature of discretion ) presently putrifies and corrupts . these gallants kept a huge buzzing about cornelia ; and with a deal of soft courtship , by turns , did light on her lips , about which they wantoned off and on , till they were most damnably drunk with the juice that pearl'd on the brinks of them ; nor did she refuse , or pettishly or unwillingly afford them the pleasure , nor with any particular or kinder aspect to one more than another , entertain their caresses ; whomsoever notwithstanding her fancy did best and chiefest commend to her affection : only some greater and freer familiarity she manifested to that gentleman that invited her from her country lodging to kilkenny , which she might doe the better from their supposed acquaintance , and polyandria was observed to be very open hearted to that person , between whom cornelia was afraid there was some compact and bargain , that might tend to the forestalling of her market . in the mean while , the wine went merrily off , with a thousand healths to mistress cornelia , and her servant , and his happy fortunes extolled to the sky , that had any interest in her breast , nothing but admiration , and such like hyperboles , from the one youngster to the other , vying who should best and with most rhetorick set off her excellencies and perfections . to all which grandezzas of complements ; and liberal elogies , cornelia made no other return but in bewitching language of her eyes , which ( like the beauty of a good picture ) look'd with the same aspect on them all , and that too with a smileing and serene brow . every one fancied himself to be the person whom she would peculiarly admit for her servant , and was the rather loth to obtrude his respects upon her in publick before his comerades , least he should offend her that was resolved to serve them all . now the wine and her incomparable beauty had intoxicated them all , so that from admiring and kissing they began to amend their pace , and gave a more then decent liberty , while by strugling she disengages her self , and being free , cries , fy , gentlemen , are ye not asham'd ? by this time polyandria was laid a sleep , in a great groaning chair , and her landlady out of pure kindness to bear her company , sitting in another chair next to her , snoar'd as bad as hogs-nor●ons-organs ; now cornelia was to stand upon her own legs , and defend her self as well as she could , kisses flew about with such smacks , you would have taken them for crackers fired with her eyes , that sparkled with vehement burning desires ; and to such a pass was her ardency grown that it impetuously spread it self to all . these gallants had by this time good assurance , that helena was as they would have her ; but it is impossible she could serve them altogether , and he that could claim the first share in her , her first visitant was grown very squeamish , from the impulse of those honourable thoughts he brought with him to her at his first address ; not but that he was glad he had miss'd a snare , ( if he had married such a dissolute female , ) and withal , he was assured in himself , that his interest in her would be as great , if not greater then the rest , and that without any more expence or cost then what fell to the club. procul jam culmin● fumant , the evening now came riding post into their horizon , so that it was high time for cornelia to bethink her self of her lodgement , which she ( for all the freedom given and received between them , ) thought not honourable to acquaint them with , ( for all her favours were clear of any engagement upon her ) or to obtrude her self upon their harbinging , while she was consulting with her self what was best to be done , seeing her self involved in so great an extremity , as hitherto she had e●countred , being in a strange place where she had no acquaintance ; and being bereft withal of the assistance of her governess and landlady , whose eye-sight , was extinguisht by excess of liquor ; i say , while she was in this profound study , one of the briskest of the whole company , taking her aside , told her in a low voice , that it was later then she imagin'd , and that it was impossible for hereto go home that night , without extrem● danger , affrighting her with the supposition of meeting tories by the way , and therefore humbly entreated her to be his guest at his lodging ( for he was onely an attendant on the court ) and that for the smoother carrying on the business , she should go by the name of ish cousin newly come to town . cornelia , as she was young , credulous , and little experienced in the humours of men , so she was desirous above all things to be freed from the slavery she groaned under of an insufferable governess , who never prompted the young one to enjoy herself , but when the beldam did design to encrease her own profit by that means ; this made cornelia the more forward to express a seeming consent in the return of her thanks to this her confident ; his comrades being acquainted with the proposal of her lodging , gain-say'd it not , bieng very well acquainted in the same house , by a constant converse with their lodger , contenting themseives with future hopes of kindness ; and it was agreed , that they should all for the lesser suspition honour their friend and his cozen to his lodging : withall cornelia designed to give polyandria and her landlady the slip , and leave the two sleepers to shift for themselves , and to make her self free from any further government of her tutores● ; so calling for a reckoning , and commending the care of the old drousy siners to the drawers , they paid and departed . to omit all the lewd practices of this witty wanton cornelia , which she exercised in this lodging , doe but cast your eye back , and think what a wretched condition polyandria was in when she awaked , raving and tearing , like a she-bear rob'd of her only cub , and ingaged in a mortall fray with her landlady whom she charged with the spiriting away this young white-devil , beautiful cornelia , and although she denied it with many vows and protestations , yet this would not any ways qualifie the inraged passion of our furious matron , nay , what ever she alledg'd in her own defence was so ineffectuall , that instead of lessning the others anger , it rather added thereunto , so that since words would not doe , the feud grew to that height , that to 't they went tooth and nail , so that it may be conjectured the dispute was both sharp and bloody , and might have prov'd fatal , but that the mystriss of the house stept in between them , and parted them , for that great love and esteem she ever had for their venerable occupation ; and to reunite their friendship , invited them to lie in her house that night , which accordingly they did ; and the next morning she treated them very gentilely during their little stay ; for polyandria , being impatient for the loss of her cornelia , would not be detained from making all the speedy enquiry she could after her daughter , who now was on the ramble , and that she might the better do it , dismiss'd her landlady , sending her home , while she hunts hotly through the town in quest of this out-lying deer . all her pains , though she was indefatigable in her search , availed nothing ; for cornelia , fearing she should be discovered if she stirr'd abroad , kept close within , not only prompted thereunto by that which she enjoy'd , but more encouraged thereunto by large presents , liberally bestowed upon her , conditionally for some time she would stay within . for some short time she yielded to their proposals , but they growing weary of this , acquainted other tumblers what game they lately had found out , who coming in afresh were greedy , and by their eagerness had like to have spoil'd all , for these blood hounds opened so wide , that they noised every where , and by this unlucky means polyandria came to know where her lost daughter did inhabit ; cornelia had knowledge of her di●covery , and to prevent her falling into the hands of her former governess , she singles out one of her admirers , ( whom the thought most feasible for her purpose ) and in a private conference tells him how the multiplicity of her visitants had betray'● her being and actions to the knowledge of her mother , that should she stay a day longer , she should inevitably fall into her hands , from whence no redemption could be expected , and therefore perswaded him , if he had any love for her , that he would think of some expedient , whereby they might secretly and speedily remove from thence to dublin . the gentleman overjoy'd to think himself so much her favourite beyond the rest , express'd in his face and gestures all the symptoms of the greatest satisfaction ; and being eager to put her proposals in practice , trifled away no time in vain and empty complements , but taking his leave of her , assured her he would return immediately , and gratifie her expectations . in the interim , polyandria hearing where her beloved daughter was , come in such haste , that her over-heated moisture had laid her waste-coat under water . so furious was her knock at door , that cornelia and her gallants were very much startled at it ; she knowing her self to be principally concern'd , peeps out at window , and seeing that it was the good gentlewoman her mother , that had thus put them into a fright , she whipt down stairs , and before the maid could get to the door to open it , cornelia met her , and charging her to deny that she was within , but that she would be within by and by , she slipt into the garden , through which there was a passage out into the high-way , and withal enjoyn'd the maid to tell that gentleman that was gone to contrive a way for her escape , that she attended him in the garden . whilst polyandria was longingly expecting the return of cornelia , this gentleman entring the house , was inform'd where cornelia was , who hastning to her , immediately convey'd her through the garden-door to an inn where his horse stood , and having with more then ordinary expedition provided necessaries for their journey mounted and directed their course for dublin , leaving the rest of the gallants behind , with the aged and experienced matron , to procure them other necessaries to supply the place of cornelia , coming to dublin , they for the present setled themselves in st. francis-street , where this gallant briskly prosecuted his business as long as his money lasted ; but finding his amorous appetite satiated , and his stock wasted , he gave her the liberty to be a free trader , which indeed he could not help , for in that small time they sojourned together , she had privately contracted a considerable acquaintance , which very much advanc'd her interest both in money and apparel . how to work with her hands she knew not , yet was well acquainted with the way to the theatre , the rendezvouz of gallants of both sexes , and the place of amorous intrigues ; there she knew how to plant her self to the best advantage , and how to pick and chuse the self admiring fops ; having first consulted her glass , with the help of art , to make her appear as lovely as was possible ; but certainly , that beauty is most perfect where the face graceth the apparel , and not the apparel the face , for none will deny , that the truth of nature exceeds the falshood of all artificial beauty ; so incomparable was hers , that through the natural whiteness and smoothness of her front , neck , and plump breasts , a man might with wonderful delight perceive the azure of her veins , circling about in their several meanders ; the splendor of her eyes made her beholders dim-sighted , their radiant influence being so strong and penetrating ; and to compleat her excellency , the rare symmetry of every part of her body was so charming and magnetical , that it was impossible to look on and not be attracted to her . as play-houses were her chappels of ease , so she had several publike walks , in which she subtly contrived a way to make her self known ; nor did she refuse to be courted and treated by the gallants that frequented those places , provided they were the more noble and civiler sort of amorous combatants . rings-end she had little reason to slight , by reason of the excellency of the air , and prospect into the ocean ; nor could she think her time ill spent in a coach , for a miles riding thither over the strand , if for nothing else then for those delicate large pole-beg oisters , which are there plentifully to be had , so large an overgrown mouth would hardly contain the moiety of one of them ; nor could she choose , but now and then for variety , resort to chappel-izard , or to santry , ( in-land towns not far remote . ) none ever enjoy'd her company once , but they were impatient till they were in it again ; for to gain her self esteem and credit , she shewed her self ( seemingly ) modest , yet very merry and facetious ; and to say the truth , wit she had rather too much , by which she gain'd an absolute power over her lovers persons and purses . in this unchaste progress she took an essay or taste of all degrees , professions and conditions , from the noble to the gentile , from the camp to the city , her fars had heard all languages that were charming , her purse had received all coins that were tempting , and had not her fortune been ever more favourable then her affections a her body had been confounded . whilst cornelia was endeavouring to work her self into a general esteem , ( as she had in a little time indifferently well done it ) and had thereby collected a considerable sum together , polyandria found her out , which raised a different passion in them both , for the one could not be so glad as the other was sorrowful , the one having found the staffe of her life , ( as she vainly did imagine ) while the other from that minute concluded her self to be the most miserable creature living . it will not import much to my present purpose , to relate the variety of talk this first interview did produce ; you may conjecture that polyandria was not meally mo●th'd , whilst poor cornelia knew not what excuse to make for her self ; in short , after a storm of words were blown over , they drank themselves friends , and concluded once more to cohabit in one habitation , which they agreed should be an ordinary for flesh ; and for the better entertainment of their guests , they thought it not irrequisite to vend such liquid● 〈◊〉 were not sold by every vulgar person , 〈◊〉 onely such wines as were most desired by the gentry . polyandria had no sooner setled her self in this resolution , and sealed it before hell and her own evil conscience , but presently she puts in execution ; and that she might frame all accommodations suitable to her design , she immediately made search for a better house then what she had before , for that wanted elbow-room , she must have many meanders , and many passages , many holes and many hides deeds of darkness do ever require many dark corners . at last , she chanc'd to light upon an house near an old castle , commodiously placed , both for her home-bred customers and foreign visitants , as well for the hawk or buzzard that flies by day , as for the owl or bat that flutters in the night , that she could not wish for a place of better convenience . the sea was on the one side , which though its billows did not beat against the walls , yet any ship of never so great a burthen might safely ride at anchor . on the other side , it had some small or sleight intrenchments , which though they were but weak and assailable , yet the sea upon all assaults did grant her both munition and provision . and that a good name might patronize her many evil actions , she caused it to be called , the cape of good hope . by contract she got possession of this house , and her purse being well filled , and wide open , emptied it self for ornament and furniture . there wanted nothing for state , nothing for magnificence , nothing for delight , nothing for beauty , and nothing for necessity ; howsoever , some bones that lodg'd in it were rotten and unwholesom , yet the monument it self was stately and splendid , she wanted nothing now but living furniture , and that she divided into two stations . the first were two bulleys , appointed at night for her black guards , the second a parcel of lusty queans , to supply offices according to their quality . the first of these she saved from the gallows by ransoming their forfeited lives , and the last she picktup out of several bawdy-houses , having had not time as yet to keep any of her own dragging up : for these there needed not much search or enquiry , since sin is found in every corner , and these creatures , plying a wealthy faire , will thrust themselves into the devils arms , beyond hope , beyond redemption . there was not a ship that brought in any person fit for her turn , from any part of wales , or england , but she had pieces of eight , of greater weight to exchange for it , not any young or tender pullet , that came fluttering out of the country , whether english or irish , of they were plump and bandsome , but she had speedy intelligence thereof , and quickly found out a way to insinuate into their company , and diving into their present condition , she by that means knew how to steer her course to her best advantage , and by pretending to do them kindnesses by helping them to advantagious services , she served her own turn first , and by her flatteries & large pretences made them her absolute creatures . in short , she had variety of charms to intice the simple , money to bewitch the needy , splendid habiliments , and other gaudy ornaments for the proud and ambitious , ease for idleness , pleasure for wantons , and indeed any thing , or all things , to keep her commonwealth from falling . being thus generally accommodated , and her mart , or fair proclaimed , she need not doubt the want of customers , every man hath a penny for a new taverne . she had wound her self into so good a credit among some young wine merchants , this added much to the gaining her a vast custome , and as the wine did in part attract them , so when drawn in , it was no eas●e matter for them to get out quickly , so powerful were the charms of those beautiful inchanteresses therein plying or inhabiting : she had no sooner discovered her publick and private profession , but that her visitants came tumbling in so fast for entertainment , that her kitchin was like mongibel , ever flaming ; her hall , like augeus stable , ever stinking with broken meat ; her dining-room , like babel , a mixture of nothing but confused noises ; and her inward and private lodgings , like hell it self , where damn'd or wicked creatures , by bathing themselves in lust as souls infernal , lie pickled up in sulphur ; thus she continued her debautcheries for a long season , boasting her self in the strength of her wickedness , and not grieving for any thing more , then that she could be no more wicked . carnelia was the chiefest jewel in her whole cabinet , whom she exposed not to common view , but reserved her for her best customers , such as valued not the expence of their money in the prosecution of their pleasure ; one where of being a very ingenious man , though sensual , after his enjoyment of cornelia , wrote these lines upon her . 't was summer-time , the sweltry time o' th day , when on a bed to ease my limbs i lay ; t●e curtains thin were round about me drawn , which form'd a twilight like the day at dawn ; thus as i lay , and thought no one was near , i look'd and saw my lov'd cornelia there ; all thoughts of sleep were on a sudden gone , as mists that vanish at the sight o' th' sun ; thirsty of bliss , into her arms i flew , and drank up kisses as the sun doth dew ; she strugling , seemed to dispute the field , but strugled so , as though she strove to yield . heat of resistance had enoreas'd her fire , her weak defence was turnd to strong desire ; lock'd in each others arms , by passion led , insensibly she drop'd upon the bed . i 'le say no more , now you may think the rest , good the beginning was , the end was best . the abuses in baudy-houses are so generally known , that i need not here relate the several tricks and straragems polyandria used to augment her profit , nor what devices she found out to assist cornelia , in the attracting such company to the house , that may dearly pay her for her own wantonness . but though they lived thus splendidly and pleasant , yet there were judgments registred above , and shame and disgraces preserved below , and when either the one or the other falls , wo to the offender ; judgment may forbear , and justice seem to sleep , but neith●r will pardon ; it is only to raise the arm higher , that the thunder may fall with the greater fury . and now the noise of these offences awakened a●thority , and that joyning with piety , both send forth their ministers to dissipate or apprehend them . at first , polyandria play'd the rebel , and withstood their summons ; but finding her self environed on ●ll sides , and that neither sea nor land afforded her safety ; however unwilling , yet with a seeming willingness , she yielded up her self and the bandy utensils of her inchanted castle into the hands of mercy . upon examination , being found guilty of various villanies , besides the too customary common sin of uncleanness ; her ruffians were sent to the black-dog ; the females whom this crafty bawd had divelishly seduced , were sent over to the house of repentant hemp-beating strumpets , commonly known by the name of bridewel , near oxman-town ; but polyandria and cornelia , who were the chief authors and framers of all this iniquity , were sent to a prison , much like one of of our compters , there to remain till their cause was heard , and due punishment put in execution . all this , as it was decreed , so it was performed , and each one went to their several place of sadness ; but polyandria , although she ran in a superlative way of wickedness , yet did she not want friends , neither was the without her daily visitants , for the love they bore cornelia , for there is a correspondency even among the worst ; birds of a black hellish colour will flock together . she had counsels of all manner of creatures , ●uirks to avoid statutes , quillits to defraud judgments , and demurres to protract and put off the days of her triall ; she wanted no advocates to plead for compassion to blanch her offences , and make her black sins white ones ; there needed no tears , she commanded more crocodiles than nilus , and was not in the least slack-handed in her bribery . all these , and a world of others , being put up togeth● in a b●dle , and put in the seale a●ainst h●r intolerable mi●hiefs , w●●o light and ●m●ah able , that but di● a● and di●gra● , she could find no comfort● . 〈…〉 thus hard beset , she now 〈…〉 to call into her the st●th of a woman wit , and concludes in h● , that a● th● 〈◊〉 deceived the first woman with his slattery , he may ( ●am 〈◊〉 , give some reliefe with his ●bti●ry ; and ind●d her cause wa●o foul , that there was no hope but in strat●m , and to that co●●se she onely bends h●r study , and in this sort she effects it . some few days before her trial , there came to visit polyandria for cornelsa's sa● , a gentleman of very grave and good de●tm●nt , one that had in his looks and behaviour both rever●nce and autho●ity h●saluted the old one by the nam● of ●ister ; and the younger by that of neece , who with much h●mility , and a river of w●ll commanded t●ars blushing that she could not blush faster , re●rn'd his sal●tations with the name of an uncle ; b●t casting down her countenance she seem●d to be ashamed to look upon him ; whilst he on the other side endeavored to give her comfort , but so mixt with severe and bitter councell , that the standers by might perceive he came neither to flatter nor●d ject her ; these complement finished they f●ll to private discourses ; those ended according to the custome of these places , and the use of such visitants , he call for b● ale , wine , and other liq●d that th● ho●●● affo●ded , there is no spare of ●ost ; his cobs flew about as if they had been purpo●ly wing'd for such a motion the keeper care●es , and ●d sts it away briskly his servants sup●ly thing wanting , and no man neer them but hath busy imployment . after this conflictend●d , and the gentleman preparing so 〈◊〉 ture , he bestow'd on the 〈◊〉 p●ivately something that was worth his acceptance ; nor were his servants ●nrewarded ; nay as if h● had been confin'd himself to express the largness of his soul , he b●stow'd a large ga●nish on the poorer sort of prisoners . descending the stair● , ●e took his absolute leave of pol 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , begging leave of her , ●hat his neece should attend him as far as the limits of the house will give her sufferance , and so she accompanied to the very gate , where talking a little while , he at length proposes to the keeper that he hath a great desire to drink one bottle or two more at a tavern , but a little way from the prison ; and that if he would favour him so far as to let his neece go and participate with them , he should think himself infinitely engaged . the keeper imediately exprest much willingness to attend him , saying further , that cornelia's offence was neither felony nor treason , neither is she liable to bond nor execution , and therefore my self will be her guardian , and she shall wait upon you ; and so together they went all three to the tavern ; the uncle called for pottle upon pottle , and to avoid idleness , the glass never stood still , which the greedy keeper tost off so often , that one would have thought he had an aetna in his belly , and that he endeavoured to quench the flames thereof by drinking . several healths having past round , the gentleman and ●the keeper fell into a serious discourse , not minding any thing but their own expressions : cornelia taking especiall notice hereof , rises from the table ; and as if the wine had stir'd in her some office of secret occasion , steals out of doors , and knowing that at the very entrance of th● back-door stood a sanctuary for the distressed , looking back , and seeing her argus more and more inchanted with mercury , like light salmacis , having her heels at liberty , away she runs , and finding the door of her refuge wide open , like a poor affrighted dove , shot from the talons of an eager faulcon , in she enters for safety ; to the first brother she meets she falls on her knees , and having taught her eyes to weep at her own pleasure she delivers him so pitiful a story of her misfortune , that had he been as cold as a carthusian , yet it would have moved in him a flame of infinite compassion ; wherefore taking her up , and being as all his order are , faithful and helpful to womans afflictions , he promised her all relief , all safety ; which done , he conveyed her through the dark corners and intricate passages of that cloyster , whether he shew'd her his own cell or no , it is uncertain ; but it is an apparent truth , that he never forsook her till he had placed her in that safety , which her self desired . by this time the grave old gentleman , and the keeper having tyred themselves with needless complements , began to give their tongues a little ease , that their eyes with more liberty might look about them . the uncle perceiving that his work was effected , pretended his time was fully expired , and that his departure must be speedy . the keeper , supposing his prisoner was with the mistress of the house , conducteth him to the door , and there took his have , expecting speedily such another advantagious meeting ; after this he called for his charge , but she i● missing , and by a generall and strickt search through the whole house , she was no where to be found . it will be to no purpose to trouble your ears with the keepers amazement . fury , fretting , damning , sinking , &c. let it fusti●e , c●li●● is gone , her escape is known , but the place where in she hath absconded her self , is a secret yet that 's unreveal'd ; here she lay hid like the minataure in the labyrinth , and although her person lay conceal'd , yet her mind was full of action , and busily imploy'd in a thousand several cogitations . sti● abroad she durst not , for fear of being detected ; and her amorons visitants , as formerly , she could not with safety admit of , for fear of being discovered by their means ; wherefore she look'd on nothing more expedient for her future preservation , than to set her labouring acquaintance on work to sue , if not for a pardon , yet at least for some fair and reasonable composition , and having the experience of others misfortunes in things of this nature , she knew no way so safe or speedy as that of bribes ; wherfore like a prodigal , she s●arters with her hands what moneys they never wrought for , and would not ●urfer any man to be imployed for her , but he should have profit before he under took her business ; neither must she undertake any mean instrument ro prosecute her designs , especially at this time , wherein arose the whores greatest persecution in dublin , from st. p● clearing the kingdom of all venomous creature , to the establishing a new-more-fields upon st. stephens green. for such was the extraordinary zeale of the chief magistrate of the city , that though he was an annuall lord , yet it put him on the office of a skavinger , to clense the streets of menstruousraggs , filthy lusts , and whorish impurities ; to that end , he had more than a compleat regiment of informers , whose sole business was to inspect baudy-houses , and to register the names of the offenders , who were immediatly seiz'd by warrants , and confined ; whose numbers were so great , that in that dreadful year all the common prisons in or about the city , were cram'd with them . in the end , cornelia's project proved prosperous ; and upon good security , that she would lead a new life , and be a true penitent for crimes past , her peace was made but at so dear and high prized conditions , that looking into the remainder of her money , she sound so little , that did she not speedily study for a supply , she could not reasonably from thence expect subsistence . session ; being now at hand , polyandr● , with a whole herd of the baudy-sisterhood , were brought to the bar , where their lives and conversations were found so lewd , and notorio●sly wicked , that the sentence which past upon them , was , that they should be carted through the city . polyandria led the van , being the most experienced crafty bawd of them all , whose sufferings were somewhat greater than the rest and although she had her brains almost beaten out with rotten eggs , yet such was the indefatigable pains-taking of the communalty , that by continually pouring on her their dirt she seem'd to be in pickle for the devil and was going to hell for a token . after this , at the towns-end , she ( by command ) was saluted by a firz-bush , and so dismist ; but what became of her afterwards was unknown to most , though some confidently affirm she was drowned in her passage to west-chester . this persecution grew so hot , that the whores for fear fled out of dublin , and such as durst stay behind were forced to play the hypocrites , having no other way left to blind the eyes of justice . whoring grew now so out of fashion , through fear of punishment , that cornelia had nothing to do , which rendred her condition very miserable and indigent . these afflictions every one thought to be adamants , powerful enough to attract her soul to heavenly meditations ; but the effect proved quite contrary 〈…〉 ●er carried the devils balm in her bosome , and could anoint over every disafter of fortune ; with , what will be shall be ; she often perused this adage ; things past cure , past care , and whether it were envy or fury , or both , she became in a manner desperate . after some small time thus spent in languishment , looking at no mark , but the old one , ( for she could with the least trouble hit it ) she labours all her spirit , all her imaginations , puts her friends , flat●erers and companions to the test leaves no way no means ●nessayd how she might set up again , and advance her former trade . it was not long ere she had renewed her trade , and by running over her former practices , she made a shift to cram her baggs pretty well again . among the rest of her gallants , she used to frequent with a most affectionate dotard , an old fellow that for fear of taxes , &c. had betaken himself to the privacy of a lodger . something near cornelia's lodgings , and made it his business to enquire o●ther fortune and reputation , where he met with an answer that had laya leger there ever since cornelia came to the house , that she was an orphan well descended , allied to such a gentleman , and was a most modest virtuous lady ; this and his own conceit of her , led him into the snare . hereupon he forthwith addrest himself to her , having prepared his way by the landlady his good neighbour , who omitted not to commend him , his baggs , parts , and aldermans abilities , which cornelia well approved of by a slight and careless laughter at the story . but yet it would hardly down with her , although she foresaw the necessity of being married , untill the advice , and importunate counsels of her voluptuary friends had perswaded her to it ( and the old fop never came to visit , but he saw one of her cozens , townsmen , or the like , in her company ; ) for they told her that the cold dew gave the sweetness to flowers , and that catarrhs , and rheums were the irrigations and moisture that would still keep her blooming , while the violent heat of youth would soon wither her , as , ●tha considering her own intemperancy and immoderateness , she could find no better expedient than one , whose weakness of body and mind would afford her liberty , whereas should she marry a young one , as he could not satisfy her , so also would a raging jealousy , and a sowre usage discount her portion . now the match went on amain , and cornelia well satisfied with a pregnant reason one of them had given her , in reverence to his age , professed her self bis hand-maid , and gave him assurance of her most entire affections , which so blinded this old fribbling sink-kater , that without any more ado , and with all the privacy that could be , as if he had got a most inestimable jewel , they were presently married ; and the old bride-groom , and the young bride , were the lovingest couple , as ever eyes and looks beheld . now horn-fair began , such a concourse of chapmen followed her , as was hardly ever seen before , all forsooth to honour the espousals of cornelia , and to see the bridal-bed , the old man still inventing new ways of courtship , and entertainment for these his friends , whilst her whole time was taken up in studying how to make them welcome . this trade continued till the young gentlewoman came within ken of her nine months time , and a swelling in her belly to an usuall bulk at five months time , signified a forward inchoation of the marriage-rites ; and it was souniversally taken notice of , that at last the old chance himself had so much sagacity , as to suspect some body had been tempering there before which he could not longer dissemble ; but one night in bed told her of it . cornelia began first moderately to refute his jealousy , and protested her innocency and spotless chastity ; but the old man growing somewhat wayward and testy , she fell down-right a railing on him , telling him , that she would acquaint her friends with his language , whose honour would oblige them to call him to a strickt account of that scandalous imputation ; it is true ( said she ) i was told of this before , but my indiscreet affection to such a worm-eaten slave hath overborn my felicity , which i might have enjoyed with a noble young person , who hath courted me with the greatest passion ; but since it is as it is , i would have you know that you have not married a fool , telling him further , that she would take a severe revenge of that his affront done to her honour , and unblemisht reputation , and mounted this disgrace to such a height , that sh● swore she would never bed again with him , till he had made reparation . the next morning her usuall visitants came to give them the good-morrow , and found her and her old husband quite out of t● but her especially so dogged & so discomposed , that they feared she had vowed penitence , and would loure such sinners ought of her sight , when to save the fear of such a thought , she presently tells the story , and with all aggravation either female wit or malice could invent , reports his usage of her . in the interim , the old gentleman slips out of doors , to avoid the storms he feared from these friends of his wife , who presently , upon notice of his absence , falls to the old game , with all the mirth and jollity imaginable ; but however , she did not wholly forget her husbands words , which she knew a little longer time would manifest to be true . so she resolved whatever befell , to make the feud irreconcileable , and in order to that to leave him . but before she did this , it was advised that two of her pretended cousens , should go and expostulate the case with gaffer gray beard , and give him a juniper lesson in some publick place , to make cornelia's departure from him , just and honourable . this counsel was well followed , and her husband well told of the insufferable wrong he had done their kinswoman , but gave him no such hint as leaving him , for now was she packing up her best moveables , jewels , and plate , with a good summe of moneys , and withall , stretching her husbands credit for more ( where ever she knew any thing could be raised ) and thus viis & modis , she had amassed together near the value of a thousand pounds . so with two of her intimate and confiding friends , she that afternoon departed from dublin , and went to tredath , twenty miles from thence remote , where like the only beauty , the only gallant of that place , she was admired by all , but kept at a distance from any thing further , by her paramours , who were very strict in observing her , and very carefull of her slipping . the forlorn elder at home , missing his wife , and seeing his trunk● and cabin●ts broke open , was almost ready to hang himself . he was ashamed to make any loud complaint , for who would pitty him ? what to do he knew not and before he could well recollect himself , people were knocking at door for money for the wares she had taken up that day , and had appointed them to bring their b●lls of parcels that night . these dons , and undons , had quite cured my gentleman of his longing ( which cornelia would by no means gratifie , she was so squeamish and coy to his embraees ) and made him scratch where it needed not ; and to summe up his miseries , his wives relations , as they called themselves , were ubiquitaries , and in his unlucky mansion he was sure never to see them again ; and which was worse than all , after his young wise had thus liberally taken her pleasure , and was gone incognito to droghedaugh , new stratagems were set on foot by the policy of her privado'● , to make the viellago bear the charge , and cost of their sport . to which end they advised with a lawyer ( that was to go snip with them ) to set a foot her claim for alimony , and accordingly drew up a bill in chancery , and suppaelig ; na'd the old man to answer ; in which bill there wanted not such invectives , as their plot ( and the modesty and severity of the law could suffer ) did require , especially they exagitated , and urged strange things unto him . after much trouble , and many vexatious orders which her agents had the opportunity , and pleasure of procuring him ; and no end except of a good one , either in hope or view . at length he makes an overture of a treaty , which with much ado was condescended to , but with such stiff obstinate terms on her side ( which for a weight to her lightness , were managed by learned counsel ) that it was as bad as holding the the wolf by the eare . but the desire of quiet prevailed , which he purchased at the rate of five hundred pounds ready money , to be paid down , with a condition of two hundred pounds more to be paid by way of legacy , if he died before her , and releases good in law to be given each other . shortly after this agreement , this old fellow broke his heart , and died , ●nd left cornelia a most triumphant , rich , and eminent whore through the whole kingdome . flusht with this gre● success , and tumbling in money , she began to circumscribe the familiarity of her former deportment , and taking state upon her , would admit but few into her society , and such only who had either wealth , or honour , or both . after the manner of a splendid debauchee , she lived several years in ireland , scorning to be confined to the narrow limits of any one city , though the metropolis thereof ; and therefore she gave her self the liberty of roving to and fro the country . her reputation being worn almost thread-bear , and moneys coming in too slowly , to gratify her inlarged expectations , she resolved to leave her native country , and try her fortunes elsewhere , and concluded no place so requisite for that purpose , as the famous city of london . she need not wait long in the expectation of a fair wind for england , since southerly and west winds are there so srequent ; but left she should be troubled with an expensive male-attendant , converting what goods she had into ready money , she privately , and without acquainting any of her friends with her departure , stole aboard , and having a prosperous gale , arrived in twenty four hours at a place called nessen , within eight miles of chester , and having layn there one night , went thither , and took coach for london , where being arrived , she found the splendour of that unparalel'd new-built-city , so far exceeding all report , that she esteemed it her terrestrial heaven , and doubted not to enjoy a happiness agreeably lasting . the exchanges were her marts for fashions , whither she repair'd , and was supplied with what she best fancied , she visited the kings and dakes theatres by turns there , to expose to publick view her rich and fashionable ornaments and habiliments . all places of gentile resort she frequented in or about the city , and in a little time became as familiar acquainted with epsom , and tunbridge , that few of their visitants knew more of the humours which attend them than did cornelia , and was as much crowded with the visits of gallants . at london she had gain'd the reputation of a matchless beauty , and indeed her features were so excellent , the greatest critick in handsome faces knew not where to take away , or what to add ; in short , she was a book without an errata ; neither did ever such a perfect impression come from natures press : by these irresistable charms she won more hearts than a new drammatick poet gains praises , and was burden'd by their importunate , and some impertinent visits , that she resolved to seclude her from that vexatious trouble , by dedicating her time and pleasure to one only that would maintain her gentilely . such a person ( sit as she thought for her purpose ) she soon found out , but she found her de●gns soon frustrated by her gallant inconstancy , and looking on this as the fa●lt or errour of few men , so the first relinquishing her , she resolved to go on in her wickedness and debaucheries , and had so many , till her own wofull experience did largely inform her , that as astra● had forsook the earth , so sidelity and constancy to a woman had left mankind . wherefore she resolved to be a miss to o● nolon●er , but to any one that would b● 〈◊〉 allant and , by ass●ming this freedom procured her self vast numbers of friends and acquaintance . but in the end , looking back into her self , and observing into what a crasie and rotten bark sh● had shipt her self , on a rough and tempestuous sea , where insinite diseases lay gaping to swallow her up , the rigour of th● laws ready to devour her , sham● and beggary striving to overtake h●r , and at last the curse of all curses , to make her last will on a dunghill , or at best in an hospit all , pandora's boxes of most distempers ; this did so perplex her , that being cloy'd with such lewdness , and sin a●weary of her , as she was weary of sinning , she began to turn over the lease of h●r wickedness , and though she had no thought of amendment , yet she resolved to take a new course , for the safety of her health and person . as she had formerly been a be witching whore , she knew no reason , but that she might practice the art of a deceiving bawd , making others sins maintain her own ; resolving not to venture herself again singly on the surges , but to traffique by factors . as a pattern for this her wicked and destractive purpose , she made a severe inspection into the platform of her mother polyandria's bawdy commonwealth ; but finding many faults in her government , and having seen the wofull consequences of that matrons foul and villainous miscarriages , she thought it requisi● to regulate that form , and to frame to her self new laws of severer condition , and therefore would have taxes and gatherings of an higher and more prositable nature ; all her ryot was in the shape or with th● shadow of frugality ; her instruments shall be fair and handsome , yet but few in number ; for whensupplies are wanting , she knew how to fetch them from places of fair reputation ; she made choice of such for her ordinary servants that were comely and industrious , that when extremity should fall upon her , with her disguises , she may make them appear like glorious d●mi-angels . in short , that old commonwealth , wherin she drew her first experience , and the beneficiall nowledg of most humors , she turn●d topsy-turvy , and made 〈◊〉 new one so strong and permanent , as she thought , that it should be to all the impudent an everlasting president . upon these resolutions she thought her work was half finished , till looking better , and more strictly into her design , she found the basis , and ground-work whereon she was to build the foundation of her proceedings , was yet to find out , though not beyond her reach and ability , and that was a convenient house , standing in a convenient place , for the exercises of her deeds of darkness ; an house so impregnable , that when all shall be vanquisht , it shall stand in defiance ; and that she might attain to so great a safety , she ranged through every part , and promising place of the city : half tyred with her search , she is at length informed of a place sit for her purpose , being very commodiously planted for all accommodations . it was without the walls of the city , bordering upon one of the most eminent pleasant walks that do belong thereunto , and not far distant from that famous , or rather infamous place , which had like to have been defaced , nay , utterly ruin'd by the giddy many headed-multitude . this fort or citadel , which she had chosen for her mansion , was so fortified , and invyroned with all manner of fortifications , that had impregnable rhodes taken thence it's pattern , neither the turks wealth , nor the traytors wit could ever have betray'd it ; for e're any foe could approach this , he must march a long way , and so narrow , that but two could march a breast , and at last no entrance at the port , unless they were known to be friends by a word given out for that purpose . within this citadel , were bullworks , orchards , gardens , base-courts , and inferiour offices , every one being capable of maintaining a several fight , and every fight able for many hours to play with a rabble army ; and should she be over-powered with multitude of men , she had severall posterns to permit her escape in great necessity . for the better and securer management of this famous infamous house of hospitality , she thought it convenient to prepare men , and munition for defence , as for household-ornaments , those she intended to increase according to the plenty of her incomes . her desires were so great , that her hast in the execution could not be little , she would not lose a minute , but according to the proverb , turn'd every stone , and making hay while the sun shined , she had all things befitting this her new design . and that which made her more confident in this work , she was inwardly acquainted with a fellow whose face look'd no less furious than a lyons , when hunger prompts him to hunt after prey , to this great monster both in shape and condition , she gave the charge of her gate . these whom she entertained in the house she placed in their true equipage , gave them their severall charges , read them the orders of the house , proclaiming a strict penalty for the breach of every condition ; this done , she hung forth her flagg for custome , proclaims her preparations , and invited all wealthy chapmen to a generall entertainment . as greedy eagles prey on dead carcasses , crows and ravens feed on carrion , or hungry doggs tear and devour the entrails of stinking beasts , so abundance came ( sinful creatures of all qualities ) to be undone by her , only the empty purse expulsed , and could get no admittance , nay , a reasonable stock many times perished in the mid-way , & could not get to the end of his purpose , her taxes and customes were so many , and so mighty ; for her cerber us at the first port had a double impost , one for the gate , and another for the word he must deliver at the inner entrance , or else he was to proceed no further ; nay as i have been informed there were those who had fees for the hall , for the dining room , and the with-drawing-chamber , the rest which were peculiar to the bawd her self ( beauty blown cornelia ) report , hath affirmed they were infinite , all her entertainments ( proteus like ) were full of variety and changes , and she would ever suit them to the nature of him that was entertained ; if he were a man of worth and respect , he was respectively used , hating over-reckonings and sold her winesas good as most commonly sold , at little more than the rate of taverns ; if other wise , besides the expence of his money a hat , cloak , or sword were forfeited for his rude behaviour , with a good beating many times to boot . these mill dews could not chuse but breed her a world of honey , and true it was , that her baggs were so many , and so massy that she had searce trunks enough to contain them . this wealth made her proud , and pride renew'd her former curiosity , she will not now live at so low a rate as lately she hath done ; but as she hath plenty of money , so she will have plenty of attendants ; and hereupon she instantly contracted , and hired severall retainers , but more especially an able chyrurgion , who was a batchelour , for whom she had more than a common kindness , and loving him so well , perswaded him to lodg in her house , that he might oversee , and be continually ready to offer his assistance to those whose infected bodies stood in need of his medicament● but this sun-shine must not continue long without some clouds , for now a crew of those disobliged queans , whom she had cast off , with the accusations of those whom she had either abused or robbed , with the detestable enormities which spring from such wicked examples , came all with one voice before the throne of justice , not onely appealing for satisfaction , but secretly accusing with suspition of murder . the complaint was received , approved , and pittied , and presently the city-marshall , with other officers , were dispatcht for her apprehension . it being spread a broad what these officers of justice were going about , they were follow'd by a great number of the younger fort , who hoopt and hollow'd strangely , thinking now they were going to the best of pastimes . coming near the place , the corporall or constable with a stout band of halberdiers and bill-men beleaguer'd this fortress ; and though the whole body of the rabble drew up in battalia , she hung out her flagg of defiance , and bids them enter at their peril ; they which were fortified with double armour , a good cause , and lawfull authority , scorning to be out-brav'd , prepare for an assault ; she on the other side with her devil incarnate , and she-faries stand to receiv'●m . never was combate for the time so dreadful as between these assailants and defenders : the first scene in the first act of the mock tempest , or enchanted castle represents not half the noise , horrour , and confusion they were involved in ; what with bar up the doors , bar up the doors ; another crying , le ts make all fast enough , and then let 'em roar the devils head off . oaths and curses were the materials of the fiery rain , which poured down upon the affailants heads , whilst they cry out for jourdans full of water , to quench the flame of the inraged vulgar ; but all to little purpose , for at length like a sea they break in upon them , and overwhelme the castle . cornelia , the governess thereof , was the first person seized ; in the mean time her man-devil made his escape through one of the posterns , her gaudy crew were likewise laid hold on , and whilst they were carrying before a justice , the rabble indeavour'd to pull down the house , but finding they could not easily do it , defaced it as much as they could , spoiling a great deal of good goods , and so left it to those menials , left to take careof it for the benefit of their mystress , who with her hopeful daughters , being examin'd before a justice , were found guilty of crimes innumerable , and therefore justly commited the mother to newgate , and her children to bridewell ; whose tender delicate backs , were there severely lasht , and afterwards dismist ; but cornelia was forc'd to suffer confinement till her triall at the sessions-house in the old baily , where , i know not by what means , she found so much favour as to be acquitted of her indictment , and had her liberty granted her . having her freedome , the first thing she did was to remove her goods from her former house , and dismissing her servant● , she resolved to lye private for a while , till she could find some expedient to renew her occupation . cornelia , finding she could not presently satisfy her expectations , in taking a house that may fitly suit with her purpose , resolved she would not live idly ( sat●us est male ager● , quam nihil ager , ) and therefore was willing to play at small game rather than sit out . to this end , she joyn'd in partnership with a famous bawd of her acquaintance in whetstones park , with whom she lived peaceably above a twelve-month , with little disturbances from justices , being in see with some of their clerks . though bawds and whores are a sort of cattel that can agree well enough against the common enemy , that is , to rook and cheat those that are rogues and fools that go among them ; yet it is well known to all verss'd in those mysteries , that there have been continual feuds , and sometimes civil wars among themselves , about sharing the wages of iniquity . now cornelia , she was looked upon as the chief oracle of the park whither resorted continually the doe : for advice in case of extremity , and was esteemed the most famous that ever the sun did look upon , for her skill in that wicked profession . cornelia , finding ( by woful experience ) that the meretricious reputation of the park , fell much to decay , by the decrease of the famous patroness thereof nab c — and for want of prudent conduct in her infamous successors , she left that place as too inglorious for her to inhabit in , by her subtile inquisition , with advice of her cunning friends , ( professors in the same wicked occupation ) she removed to a place as difficult to finde out as the head of nilus , where now , as being not much antiquated , she re-assumes the name of miss , and acts accordingly ; and so endeavors by becoming gallantry , to make her self a help meet for any wealthy prodigal , who will not be out of fashion to marry an honest woman ; or if he be contrary to the idle opinion of the looser persons of this wicked age , she knows how to benefit herself , by being a little side-pillow , to render the yoke of matrimony more easie , and proves an excellent conveniency for such , who have more money then wit , who spend their estates upon her to her profit , and their own misery , and bring themselves by that means to the stool of repentance , which for ought i know , if the person be truly penitent for his sins past , he may do well . nature ( as i have told you before ) gave her an incomparable countenance , furnished with the best of creatures ; neither was her stock of confidence , ( which some call convenient boldness ) deficient , which she , by prudent management hath now improved into impudence , though at some times , when she hath a design on foot that is prositable , she will seem more modest then a bashful blushing maiden . though she is wicked enough of all conscience , yet i never could hear that she was so base and low-spirited , as to sally abroad in the night , to pick up drunken fellows , and in a tavern , whilst he was ever-busily employ'd , pick out the stragling guinny's in his pocket , or anything else that is valuable ; she hath found out a far safer way , which she calls commendable , by perswading her gallant to this opinion , that the blood cannot be always kept in a full tyde , without extraordinary treats and high feeding ; by such like subtile insinuations , she hath perswaded many to keep her in a better equipage then they have done their wives ; having costly clothes , rooms hung with the greatest gallantry , and the variety of servants , male and female , to attend her , whom she hath taught to call her , madam , that she may be look'd on as a person of quality : in short , by long experience , she hath arrived to so great a knowledge in this profession , that there was never any subtile whorish invention yet invented , of what she is ignorant , and knows how to emprove them best to the accomplishment of her desires ; either as a rambling dinah , trading or coaching the streets , a jael standing at the door , a jezabel looking out of the window , or as an insatiate messalina . when the appetites of her gallants begin to be cloyed , their purses exhausted , or their eyes enlightned , and thereupon withdraw , she soon finds out some other fool to bubble , with whom , for security sake , she will not trade without a pension per week , or sometimes an annuity for life ; and having plurality of gallants , commands what moneys she pleases , which she expends as profusely , for now the gallantty of her high spirit will not stoop to the mean arts of frugality and good housewifery , she is now arrived to a great height of unexpected glory , her boys are in livery , her house splendidly furnish'd , and rarely stirs abroad without sedan or coach , she glitters in the boxes of the play-houses , she draws all eyes after her whereever she comes , to the amazement of vertuous women , and encouragement of the vitious , who delight only in finery , costly treats , dancing , singing , balls , masks , masquerades , plays , frolicks , rambles , assignations , and all manner of idleness , in imitation of such a thriving example . i hear she is gone to paris in company of one of her gallants , to the intent , by her language and deportment she may pass for an outlandish miss : as you like this present narrative , on her return you may hear more of her life and conversation . finis . 