University of Virginia Library

Casta, quam nemo rogauit.

Why tempt you me (qd. Win) with words vnchast?
Or doe you loue to spend your breath in wast?
I am not Syr, the Wench you take me for,
But scorne the motion, and your words abhorre.
T'is knowne how well I liue without disgrace,
And therefore chosen haue this priuate place.
Where, since the time we may not long inherit,
Your Welcome must be therefore as you merit.
Alas (good Syr) you are to mee a stranger,
But that's all one, when you are free from daunger
I am perswaded (though your yeares be young)
You haue a subtil and inticing toung,
Able to tempt a Woman goe astray,
Should shee not haue the grace to say you nay.
Fye, who would trust these men vpon their words?
The world mongst twenty scarce one true affoords.
But to giue each his due, I must confesse,
You nere as yet haue wrongd me more or lesse.
Nay, pray forbeare, my Maide heares all your wooings,
Shee knowes I am not vsde vnto such dooings.
You talke of matters worth as much as nought,
But not a word what Money you haue brought.
Nor euer dreame you at what charge wee liue,
That for our Lodgings thus much weekly giue.
Which such as you (alas) nere thinke vpon,
That once haue had your pleasures, and are gone.
What, will you Syr dispatch and make an ende?
Come: you shall see Ile vse you as a Frende,
And as befits a man of your estate,
Nor loue I many words expostulate.
Belieue Syr, as you are a Gentleman,
I tooke no handsell since the Terme began.
Then in a manner thinke your selfe so spedde,
As purchase may my second Maydenhed.
Which though I say't, and doe not vse to flout,
Good Knights haue sude for oft, and gone without:
Whats there? Two shillings six pence? mary muffe:
You thinke belike wee are some common stuffe:
Yes, in good time, t'were more then fitte I graunt yee,
You need but aske and haue, yes Syr I waunt yee.
I thought as much how franck you were before,
Dee vse to giue your Hackney-Iades no more?
Twer good you kept it still Syr and were going,
Assure your selfe I am not for your mowing,
Nor any mans that me so basely scan,
My Maide gets so much of each Seruing-man.
Make you no difference pray twixt her and mee?
Or must wee both alike reputed bee;
Well Sir is that the mayne you will disburse?
Or haue you no more Money in your purse?
The time I spend about this idle chat,
May loose and hinder mee I know not what.
Pish; yet more dooing? pray Syr hold your hand,
And iest with those you boldly may command.
Had I not thought you one of better proofe,
You nere should entred haue within my roofe.
A man of your sort, sparing his expence?
I pray Syr hold me not I must goe hence.
But ere I part, knowe without more relate,
A French Crowne is my least and lowest rate.
Which if you haue not, you may leaue some pawne,
Nor will I to a dodkin lesse be drawne.
But scorne for thrice as much I tell you true,
Thus prostitute my selfe, wert not to you.
Tut, nere tell me youl come againe and pay,
I haue too oft bene vs'de with such delay.
Nor talke of Oaths as promise once gone hence,
Wee loue the Present, not the Future Tence.
You know my minde: the'res now no more to say;
Doe this, or here's the Dore, and ther's the way. [OMITTED]

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------ Cetera deficiunt.