Heavens, how ill it fares with wicked
lives! they ever expect the punishment they deserve."
Going out full of these thoughts to divert my concern, I resolv'd on a
walk, but I had scarce got into a publick one, e're a pretty girl made
up to me, and calling me Poly?¦mus, told me her lady wou'd be proud
of an opportunity to speak with me.
"You're mistaken, sweet-heart," return'd I, in a little heat, "I'm but
a servant, of another country too, and not worthy of so great a
favour."
"No, sir," said she, "I have commands to you; but because you know
what you can do, you're proud; and if a lady wou'd receive a favour
from you, I see she must buy it: For to what end are all those
allurements, forsooth? the curl'd hair, the complexion advanc'd by a
wash, and the wanton roll of your eyes, the study'd air of your gate?
unless by shewing your parts, to invite a purchaser? For my part I am
neither a witch, nor a conjurer, yet can guess at a man by his
physiognomy. And when I find a spark walking, I know his
contemplation. To be short, sir, if so be you are one of them that
sell their ware, I'll procure you a merchant; but if you're a
courteous lender, confer the benefit. As for your being a servant,
and below, as you say, such a favour, it increases the flames of her
that's dying for you. 'Tis the wild extravagance of some women to be
in love with filth, nor can be rais'd to an appetite but by the
charms, forsooth of some slave or lacquy; some can be pleased with
nothing but the strutting of a prize-fighter with a hackt-face, and a
red ribbon in his shirt: Or an actor betray'd to prostitute himself on
th' stage, by the vanity of showing his pretty shapes there; of this
sort is my lady; who indeed," added she, "prefers the paultry lover of
the upper gallery, with his dirty face, and oaken staff, to all the
fine gentlemen of the boxes, with their patches, gunpowder-spots, and
tooth-pickers.
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