The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Second PartHead, Richard
General
The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Second Part
Head, Richard
Rogues and vagabonds -- England -- Fiction
I being now come to the place intended, was entertained by a Grave
ancient Matron, in whose face might be seen the ruines of no common
beauty; and the defects of that being occasioned by age, was
sufficiently supplied in a deportment and garb that was not common,
though it were very pleasant. She gave me many welcomes, and told me
that she had a very great respect for me, having heard of my
misfortunes, and hoping that she might put an end to my sorrows, and
afford me fresh pleasures: she had to that end employed that antient
woman as her Messenger, to perswade me to leave that house of Mourning
wherein I was, for hers, which was a Pallace, nay, a Paradice of
pleasure, wherein I should be accompanied with all manner of
contentment. I told her I should be willingly obedient to her commands,
in expectation of those pleasures she promised. Several other Discourses
we had, whereby she gave me instructions how to behave my self; and,
said she, since you intend to make one of my family, I shall give you an
account of my manner and method in governing the same.
My house; continued she, being frequented by persons of all Qualities,
it is therefore necessary that I should be furnished with women, who
should be proper and fit for their respective accommodations, for the
Servants and Pages must be sometimes served as well as their Masters; I
therefore distinguish those women that belong unto me into three several
sorts and distinctions; and because I intend to make use of you only in
the first and principal, I shall therefore be more particular in my
Discourse to you of that.
You are therefore to know, that as my house is well enough furnished
with women to accommodate my ordinary Guests, so I have several who are
kept abroad, who serve for the extraordinary accommodation of my best
sort of Guests, and those are such as are so squeamish stomacked, that
will not see one face above two or three times; with these a Maidenhead
is a very great dainty, for they lay out with me for one, sometimes a
quarter or half a year together. Now though I know you have parted from
yours already, yet I question not but to make a good Merchandize of
yours, and get a good round sum of money for you and my self; and if you
will be ruled by me in every thing, I shall so manage the business, that
you shall not have to do with above two or three in a twelve moneths
time, and they shall be such, as shall not only maintain you in a brave
garb and equipage, but you shall gain many Jewels, and a good round sum
of money. To this Discourse I replied, that I hoped she would perform
what she said, and in expectation thereof, I should dispose my self to
be wholly directed by her.
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