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
I was by this time grown so feeble by fasting, or by the manner of my
feeding, which was either Cheese or hard Eggs, (there being great
plenty) that I could hardly go; and so light I was by continual smoking,
that I questioned often whether I was not a meer fume my self; fearing
still when I walkt abroad, to be extracted by the Sun for an exhalation.
Fortune so favour’d me one day, that I found a Groat, which put me into
a extasie of joy. I know not what Magical power there was in that vast
sum of _four pence_, for in an instant, not knowing by what means, I
found my self in a Victualling-house, so speedy was my conveyance, as if
I had been riding some _Dæmon_ through the air. I call’d for some meat,
but my voice sounded so hollow, as if I had spoken in a vault. Some
said, it was the _Eccho_ of some person speaking in the next house:
others of the wiser sort believed me to be some _Spectrum_, or
Apparition; and that the Devil had assum’d a body speaking in that
_mortuum cadaver_. The truth of it is, ’twas something hard to
determine, whether I spake or no, but that they might perceive my lips
to open. There was a Physician in the house at that time, who looking on
me narrowly, openly proclaim’d that I was the workmanship of some
Mortal, who having first gotten the Skeleton, or bones of a Man, had
artificially skin’d them over, and that German Clock-work caus’d my
motion. I would have laught heartily at their ridiculous apprehensions,
but that I had forgot how. I had some Gall left in me still, which made
me start up in as great a rage as my feeble body was able to declare,
intending to demonstrate to them how grosly they were mistaken, but
perceiving me to approach, they all fled but Mr. Doctor, whom shame
retain’d, otherwise by a fit of an Ague (which just then possest him) I
knew he would willingly have been gone too. _Speak_ (said he
tremblingly) _what art?_ I was somewhat puzled at his question, for I
knew not well what I was: I am a living man, said I. _Why then thou
wouldst have flesh_, said he. After several discourses to this purpose,
I at length made him partly believe that I was no such thing he
imagined, and yet he would be asking me still a many impertinent
questions, as whether I could see; and his reason was, because he could
discern no eyes. Whether I was born without eyes, or lost them since
accidentally, _&c._ I was forced to tell him at last that it was the
Country disease that had reduced me to this condition. Hearing me say
so, he pitied me much, and told me he would fetch instantly something
that should do me much good. I thankt him, and away went Mr. Doctor. The
good Woman over-hearing our discourse drew neer then confidently, and
demanded what I would have? I told her, any thing which was eatable, as
far as a groat would go. She brought me some hot Meat, and setting it
before me, went for some drink, but before she could return I had
swallowed it all: she fetcht me more, which went the same way with as
much celerity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account