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
_Since we then such freedom have,
Wee’l purchase money, or a grave:
’Tis better so, then live a slave_.
About to have proceeded in this manner round, we were interrupted by
Dinner coming up, which came as seasonable as our stomacks could
require. Waving all Ceremonies, we instantly fell to it without the
tediousness of long-winded Graces; neither were we long at it, our hands
and appetites being alike nimble and quick to give the body its required
satisfaction.
After Dinner we had various discourses about the vanity and imbecility
of the female sex: winding up our Argument, one said, She would not be a
meer Woman for the whole universe, and wondered that man, so noble and
rational a Soul, should so unman himself in his voluntary inslaving
himself to a Womans will: I wonder how they dare boast of Conquests,
when they must acknowledge they are daily overcome by a weak and feeble
Creature, Woman, a thing which for want of heat sunk into that Sex.
With suchlike prattle we entertained our selves for an hour or two: and
now it was put to the vote what course we should steer, and what design
we should next put in execution. Different were our opinions for a
while, but at last we concluded unanimously about the evening to set out
and rob joyntly: the manner which we laid down was thus: The youngest
sister should ride behind the eldest Sister on a Pillion in her own
proper apparel, and my _Virago_ behind me in the like female garb; and
this we judged to be the safest project we could propound: for who could
be so senseless to imagine us Robbers, riding in that manner
double-horsed, and attended with the greatest symptomes of innocency?
Hereupon we presently fell to work, that is to say, endeavoured to get
such necessaries as were most convenient for our enterprise, as
Pillions, Safeguards and short Swords for my females: Pocket-Pistols
they had already. Having gotten what womans attire we wanted, and all
things ready, we mounted with Boots, which we dirted on purpose, to the
intent those which saw us might not suspect but that we had rid many
miles that day. It was about six of the Clock in the evening when we did
set forth; we had not rid above two hours, but there overtook us four
Horsemen, and demanded whither we were travelling? I answered them, To
such a place. Now did our two subtil Queans which rid behind us play
their parts to the life, pretending a great fear of being robbed, and
carried their business so craftily, that they gave the Gentlemen to
understand their pretended fear and jealousie: and the better to cloak
our design, pray thee my Dear (said I) in a voice not over-loud, but
just so that they might hear me, do not be afraid, I am confident they
are no other then what they appear, that is, honest civil persons.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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