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
Having gained so much money by my own industry and sole procurement, I
resolved neither to acquaint my Brethren therewith, nor associate my
self any longer with them, being so encouraged by this success, that I
concluded I might atchieve gallant things by my self: being belated one
night, & some miles from any town, I knockt at an house that stood in my
road, imagining it at first a publick house for entertainment; one of
the servants coming to the door, I found it no such thing: she demanded
my business: Prithee sweet heart (said I) acquaint your Master, that
there is a Gentleman requests the civility of a nights lodging: she goes
in and informs her Mistress what I said; who came to me with much
respect, telling me, She questioned not but I was a Gentleman, and
therefore should be welcome to the mean accommodation she was capable of
shewing. I rendred her many thanks, and so alighted; strict order was
given to the Groom, that he very carefully lookt after my horse: this
being done, I was conducted into a very fair room; there did I make my
apology in the best Rhetorick I had, for I perceived she was endued with
ingenuity, by the quaintness of her expressions; _Ex pede Herculem_:
Many things I forged, as that the ways being dangerous, I was fearful to
adventure any farther, having a great charge upon me. Such was her
urbanity, that laying aside all niceties, she bore me company till it
was time to go to bed, entertaining me all this while with what the
house afforded, which was beyond my expectation. Every glass of wine, or
bit almost, that I committed to my mouth, she ushered thither with some
Apothegm or other: the whole series, indeed, of her discourse, was
composed of nothing but reason or wit, which made me admire her; which
she easily understood, I perceived by her smiles, when she observed me
gaping, as it were, when she spoke, as if I would have eaten up her
Words. As her soul was beautiful, sparkling with celestial ornaments, so
was the caskanet that contained it very fair, and enricht with Natures
chiefest gifts: She was very clear skin’d, well bodied; a sharp piercing
eye, a proportionable face, an exceeding small and white hand; and then
she lispt a little, which became her so well, that methought it added a
grace to the rest of her internal and external qualifications. Being
about ten o’clock, she advised me to repose my self, supposing I was
weary. I condescended, though with much regret to leave her so soon; but
good manners would not permit me to do otherwise. She conducted me to my
Chamber, where bidding me good night, she betook her self to her own
Chamber. That night I could hardly sleep, not so much for pure love, as
the heat of lust; next morning, very early, I heard her stirring, which
made me wonder; but she told me afterwards, that she got up so soon,
fearing I should have gone away, and she not take her leave of me. About
eight in the morning, the Maid brought me up a Sack-posset; and a little
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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