will put a sudden Period to my Life unless your Compassion will grant me a
Reprieve: for nothing can retrieve it, but the Enjoyment of your Love, and
Beauty.--I can't believe, Sir, says she, that that poor Stock of Beauty I
am Owner of, can ever produce any such fatal Effects as those you speak of.
But 'tis the common Theam that you are pleas'd to entertain our Sex withal,
tho there be nothing in it. However, 'tis methinks a great Peice of Folly
to love at that rate, where you can have no hopes of Enjoyment: for I am
otherways dispos'd of: And there are young Ladies enough that are single,
that are more worthy of you. I question not Madam, _replyed he_, but I
might have choice of Mistresses: But, 'tis you only that have wounded me,
and therefore 'tis you alone that can effect my Care.--What wou'd you have
me do to cure you, Sir, said she? Do, Madam, said he! Grant me the
Enjoyment of your Love, for that alone can give me Ease. Why, said she,
wou'd you have me wrong my Husband's Bed? Shou'd I do so, how do you think
he'd take it? E'en bad enough, I do believe, said he; if you shou'd let him
know it; but sure there's no necessity of that. And if you keep your
Counsel, I shall take nothing from him he can miss.--Hold, Sir, says she,
you talk as if we were already both agreed; but you shall find there will
be two Words to the making of that Bargain. Besides you dont--But here's my
Husband coming, says the Jilt--Indeed Sir; I have sold you a Pen'worth in
it: I'll be Judg'd by my Husband. (Her Husband coming then into the Shop)
the Gentleman perceiving how cunningly she turn'd off her Discourse, told
her he did believe she had'nt wrong'd him much, and he was satisfied. And
then shewing her Husband what he had bought, and what he paid for it, he
told him his Wife had us'd him very well: And so he took his leave of 'em;
and went to his old Crone the Bawd, and told her what had past. You may
depend upon it, says the Bawd, that sh'll comply; but you must Fee her
pretty high, or it won't do. This made him Shrug; for tho he had a great
mind to enjoy her, he was not willing to be at too much charge Which the
Old Bawd perceiving, told him he cou'd not hope to carry her under a