University of Virginia Library

SECT. XXII.

A Monster raisd, that is espi'd
And by a ragged bawd descry'd
And pointed out, the monster pleads
To justifie the Life it leades.
And blames that fowl, and all her geese
That roost with all for pence a peece,
Provoking meates; this must be try'd
When that is to the gallows ty'd.
Before the Queen of night, had made dispatch
of her resignment, or discharg'd the watch
Of Lanthorn-service, or the blushing maid
Before old Tython had her flags displaid
Or fairer Venus had unmask'd her face,
To tempt the Shepherd from his warmer place.
I to perform my task, did walk the round,
And search't about; at last a thing I found,
Which made me wonder: as it there did stand
'Twould fight with man, or woman hand to hand.
It's face was like a womans, but behind
A seem'd a Divill of the better kind,
It was nor man, nor woman, bird, nor beast
It was bespoke of Hell, to make a Feast.
It was a fearfull Monster: no man may
Without a blush behold it in the day,

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I did conclude at last, (I veiw'd it's pitch)
'Twas not a Divell, but the divells witch.
'Twould rob, and steal mens goods, and cut a purse
And help all them that could but swear and curse.
Yet it had learn'd some charity from hell,
For those that would beleive, 'twould raise a spell,
Bring in the mould-bred Divells, call'em men,
And help you to your goods and Purse agen:
But you must call it Mistris; and confesse
'Tis truly Divell fi'd: then 'twill expresse
A Serpents love: 'twill swagger, strut, and roar,
Save that the gender's wrong 'twould turn a whore,
And Pimping is away it doth applaud,
But being old enough 'twill be a Baud.
'Twas fed with dainties (being puft with pride)
And something for a monkie left beside.
It overcharg'd mine eyes. I turnd about,
And presently I found a woman out,
Being poor diseas'd, and ragged, and her Crime
Had made her turn a Bawd before her time.
She spi'd that pamper'd Monster, and she ran
To take the prize; she thought t'had bin a man.
But finding 'twas a thing that did invade
Her Custome (coming on) to spoyl her trade,
She did disgorge her selfe; and to begin
Thus she accus'd it of a Common sin.
What mankind stuft art thou? thou art in rage
To lead the front of Sinners on the Stage.
They say thou wast a man; but since the Devill
Made one part like a Woman, that thy Evill,

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To all that see thee may appear: the rest
Is doubled in thy shame to make a beast.
Thou entertainst the Roysters of the age,
And high-way Theeves; each one a hackney page,
Drest like a Man: they domineer and roar;
At such a price thou dost provide a whore
For him that is unfurnish't. But the rate
Is alwayes double when the Thief comes late.
One that with friends, and Husband lives at strife,
A broken Madam, or a Courtiers Wife,
A chamber-maid that's weded to her crime,
Or Gentlewomen, that are past their prime,
Starch't o're with painting, fitting them for vice,
Out of the Wardrop suiting to the price.
If any be in danger for his theft,
Or any whore of whiping, thou art left.
To fetch'em off: for at the Sessions still
Thou brib'st the men, or els keep'st back the bill.
(We know when Sessions is begun by thee)
And for thy service thou dost get a fee.
Thy Ruffians go in Scarlet, or in plush;
Thy Truls in silks: There's not a modest blush
Amongst them all. Thou, thou dost hide their sin
And this the evidence that I give in
Against thy knot, and thee, another day.
Come, slash and Cut, hast any thing to say?
Thou thred-bare witch! what beggerly and bold!
Am I thy fellow? I can hardly hold
My tallens from thy flesh: should I deprive
My self of proffits? any way to thrive

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I mean to use. How should brave hacksters be
Preservd, and furnish't, were it not for me?
No lowe pris'd ware, shall come within my dore;
(She that will truck for sixpence is a whore)
I company with Gallants, Lords, and Knights,
And please their humors, to encrease delights,
I furnish them with Lasses: who dare say
I am a Bawd to deal with such as they?
I fear no Law, nor Prison: now and then
I have bin in; but I came out agen.
The Justices, the Jury, and the clarks
Do know and favour me: the velvet Sparks
Will plead my cause: Or any thing they'l do,
Run, ride, make friends, drop down a peece or two.
To make my cause run smooth: why then should I
Fear or forsake my trade untill I die?
I live in pleasure: Cocks, Bears, Bulls and Playes:
Bring fresh delights. What sweet and merry dayes
Have I enjoy'd! Then Doggs, and Monkies be
At other times good Companie for me:
I drink Tobacco, wine, but towards the shot
I break a jest; but never pay a Jott.
Why speak I thus to such a one as thou?
I've justifi'd my self. I'le taxe thee now.
How dos my spirit boyl, to hear what trade
Thou driv'st for death? how every Common Jade
Is entertain'd by thee? thy seely Geese
Will dable in the durt for pence a peece;
Thy halfe-fac'd frows will put a man to fright;
They beg all day, and play the whore at night.

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The'r slic't and dry'd: yet one of them must be
Extreamly modest; hardly woon: for she
Is tyred at the Brokers, she must seek
A penny more: she payes a groat a week.
Another's soon perswaded, she will yeild
With words on trust: for in the open field
She keeps a Market: there the vermine play,
Who scapes at night, she takes him in the day.
The third is mark't with reding: she will try
(Tempt, fawn and call upon the passers by
To come to Hell, if she can draw them (so)
She burnes them half alive before they go.
The last lies to be cured of her curse;
She'l deal wi' ye even hand, and spare your purse.
She hath provoking meanes to'stir up lust,
One must be whip't with rods; another must
Be beaten out of dores, and for his sin
Coole at the gates of Hell; 'tis hot within.
Another's made a skullin: he must wash
The dishes, and be knock't: and then the trosh
Must kisse to make amends, untill desire
Is by degrees, converted into fire.
The common cheaters when they take a prey
Doe come to thee by turnes: (the more fooles they)
Thou canst not help them in a dang'rous case!
Nor at the Sessions dar'st thou shew thy face.
Who come to thee to night, the next be
Hid in a hole, for feare when thou do'st see
A Gorget, that's for Cis; a handsome Dresse
Must be for Gin; the wastcoate is for Besse,

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Being trim'd with stolne goods, their price is rais'd
Thou art maintain'd, and hell and thee both praisd:
Thou art a baud, a theif, an out-worn whore,
If e're I come to Tyburn I'le say more.
I was in hope the morn by this would smile,
But 'tis grown darker then it was ere while;
A tedious night! nor can I once forecast
To ease my Muse, untill the night be past.
Those that do sin in State, do here foretell
That they shall have the hottest room in hell.
For those that live to sin, and sin to live,
Shall find what Motto Death and Hell do give.
They purchase pain and shame with greedie sinning,
Whose life is death, whose end is deaths beginning.
Sin is at ods, I need not tell you how;
Hell did agree, but 'tis divided now.
She'l never yeeld, till she hath all she had;
When she is chok't, her Tenants will grow mad.