But when I saw I could not thus get free,
I asked, what business else he had for me?
'Sir,' answered he, 'if learning, parts, or sense
Merit your friendship, I have just pretence.'
'I honour you,' said I, 'upon that score,
And shall be glad to serve you to my power.'
Meantime, wild to get loose, I try all ways
To shake him off; sometimes I walk apace,
Sometimes stand still; I frown, I chafe, I fret,
Shrug, turn my back, as in the Bagnio, sweat;
And show all kinds of signs to make him guess
At my impatience and uneasiness.
'Happy the folk in Newgate!' whispered I,
'Who, though in chains, are from this torment free;
Would I were like rough Manly[1] in the play,
To send impertinents with kicks away!'
He all the while baits me with tedious chat,
Speaks much about the drought, and how the rate
Of hay is raised, and what it now goes at;
Tells me of a new comet at the Hague,
Portending God knows what, a dearth, or plague;
Names every wench that passes through the park,
How much she is allowed, and who the spark;
Who had ill hap at the groom-porter's board,
Three nights ago, in play with such a lord;
When he observed I minded not a word,
And did no answer to his trash afford,
'Sir, I perceive you stand on thorns,' said he,
'And fain would part; but, faith, it must not be;
Come, let us take a bottle.' I cried, 'No;
Sir, I'm an invalid, and dare not now.'
'Then tell me whither you desire to go :
I'll wait upon you.''Oh! sir, 'tis too far:
I visit cross the water; therefore spare
Your needless trouble.'’Trouble! sir, 'tis none:
'Tis more by half to leave you here alone.
- ↑ A character in the Plain-Dealer.
