And hath made Thee her choice alone,
Ensnared again to be.

Bridewell, London, 1662.


In this sort did I spend some leisure hours during my confinement in
Bridewell, especially after our return from Newgate thither, when we
had more liberty, and more opportunity and room for retirement and
thought: for, as the poet said,


Carmina scribentes secessum et otia quaerunt.

They who would write in measure,
Retire where they may, stillness have and pleasure.


And this privilege we enjoyed by the indulgence of our keeper, whose
heart God disposed to favour us. So that both the master and his
porter were very civil and kind to us, and had been so indeed all
along. For when we were shut up before, the porter would readily
let some of us go home in an evening, and stay at home till next
morning; which was a great conveniency to men of trade and business,
which I being free from, forbore asking for myself, that I might not
hinder others.

This he observed, and asked me when I meant to ask to go out; I told
him I had not much occasion nor desire, yet at some time or other,
perhaps, I might have; but when I had I would ask him but once, and