The English Rogue: Described in the Life of Meriton Latroon, a Witty ExtravagantHead, Richard
General
The English Rogue: Described in the Life of Meriton Latroon, a Witty Extravagant
Head, Richard
Rogues and vagabonds -- England -- Fiction
In this manner I spent a moneth, but all this while no tidings of my
Goods and money; that which I had brought with me was all consumed. My
Landlady (as it is customary there, having as little trust or faith as
they have Religion) called upon me for what I owed her. For a little
while, I stopt her mouth, by telling her I had a considerable quantity
of Goods and Money too coming, which I expected by every fair wind. A
little while after I heard the Ship in which they were was cast away.
Now did I absolutely conclude Gods just judgement attended my fraud and
knavery. My loss I did not in the least discover to any, knowing I
should reap at first only some pitty, and afterwards be undervalued and
disrespected. My Hostess again was very importunate with me to have her
Reckoning: I endeavoured to put her off, saying, I expected daily Bills
of Exchange; but she would not believe me; for I perceived that she had
been often cheated with such delusions.
Now did I not know what to do: I thought good to try another way; she
being a Widdow, I fancyed I could work upon her Female frailty: I used
all means possible to get her alone; which I did but seldom, and then
did I make use of all my Rhetorick to perswade her into a belief how
dearly I loved her: she replyed little, but would laugh at me till she
held her sides again. I verily believe she understood my drift, which I
might argue from her expressions. Sometimes she would say, Come, come,
away with these love-fooleries, and pay me what you owe. Then would I
tell her, all I enjoyed, & my self too, were properly hers, and that she
might take them when she pleased into her possession. No, no, she would
say, my youthfull days are past, and it is time for me to look
Heavenwards; wherefore let fall your suit, _&c._
Since words would no ways prevail, I resolved to try something else,
knowing how difficult it is for a Woman when in bed to refuse a Venereal
proffer. To that purpose one night I came softly into her Chamber, and
groping with my hand for her face, I caught a man by the Beard: at which
he awaked, and thinking the Devil was come to trim him, or rob him of
his Wash-balls, would have cryed out aloud, but that fear had so lockt
up his voice, that his highest note was little louder then whispering; I
could but just hear him say, _In the name of —— what art?_ I am, said I,
(and then she wak’d too) no Ghost, but a living witness of your
leachery; to that intent I came hither, to be fully satisfied of what I
have a long time suspected. As for you Madam, _your youthful days are
past_, but your lust will endure for ever. If this be your way to
Heaven, why were you so uncharitable as not to let me go along with you?
As for your part, Sir, I believe that you are traveling that way too;
for if I mistake not, you lately came out of Purgatory.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
The English Rogue: Described in the Life of Meriton Latroon, a Witty Extravagant — John Shaqi
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