_For he may now by dear Experience say,_
_Time oftentimes unknown will Slip away._

The next Week after this, I was pick'd up by a brisk Spark, who likewise
had me to the Tavern, and seeing me in a rich Garb, (and tho' I say it,
tolerably handsome then) was very civil to me, and treated me with much
respect, giving me a good Dish of Fish for Supper, which with good Store of
Wine, serv'd as a fit Provocative for that which follow'd after. But before
we began those Pleasures to which the Treat was but an Introduction, he
flung me down a Guinea, and told me he design'd that for a pair of Gloves
for me; which when I seem'd unwilling to accept of, as looking somewhat
mercenary; No, Madam, says he, this is what I freel'y offer, and cann't
therefore be thought mercenary: But now you talk of that, I'll tell you a
good Jest was put last Week upon a Friend of mine, a _Linnen-Draper_, who
'tho he'd so much Holland of his own, wou'd needs be taking up of other
Folk's. For this old Cuckold-Maker being got Fluster'd, and something late
out one Night the last Week, picks up a Gentlewoman and has her to the
Tavern--(and so repeated the whole Story I before have told you, Madam;
with this addition, which but for him I never shou'd have known). That when
the old Fornicator was come home, he had a severe Lecture from his
disgruntl'd Lady, who told him he had either been asleep or worse; for that
it was near two a Clock. But the old Cuss thinking to pacifie her Anger by
convincing her it wan't so late, wou'd needs go look upon his Watch; but
quickly finding that altho' the Nest was there, the Bird was flown, put up
the Case again, with only saying, _Good lack a day! How strangely time will
slip away in Company, before a Man's aware!_ But the next Morning being to
pay a Merchants Man a Bill for a small parcel of _Hambrough-Cloth_ that
came to 22 Guineas, and his Cashier going to reach the Money, he put his
hand into his Fob, _Hold_ (says he to his Man) _I have Twenty Guineas here,
and I can make them up in Silver_, and so flings his Supposed Guineas down