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The LIFE of the

should clear them from the Imputation os being concern-ed in any more pernicious to his Majesty and his easyGovernment. These two Conjonctu-es meeting, theythought themselves obliged to dispatch two importantAdventures, which they had not yet been able to com-pass. There was an old covetous Hur.ks in the Neigh-bourhood, who had, notwithstanding his Age, got a verypretty young Wife : In the Poetical Age, (he would havebeen taken for one of the Wood Nymphs : Salmaciswas not more charming, nor more sit for the Joy. HerHusband was as watchful of her as of his Money, norever trusted her out of his Sight, but under the Custody,of an old ill-natur’d, ugly, hypocritical Sister, who hav-ing never experienced the Joys of Love herself, had thetrue Envy of an old Maid to all that were young andhandsome. Our noble Hosts had no Manner os Doubtof his accepting a Treat, (for he had done many) lov-ing a Debauch with all his Heart, when it cost him no-thing, else the most temptiate and abstemious Manalive ; but then they could never prevail on himto bring his Wife along with him, notwithstandingthey urged the Presence of so many good Wives of theNeighbourhood to keep her Company. All their Studywas then, how to charm the Dragon that he left behindto guard the delicious Hesperian Fruit, which lie couldneither eat himself, nor would suffer any one else.

Such Difficulties as these did not use to puzzle theirInventions : It was therefore agreed, that my Lord Rt-chefter should be drest in Women’s Cloaths; and whilethe Husband was engaged by my Lord Duke, and thegood Liquor, he should go and try his Luck with the oldBeldam at Home. He knew that she was a mighty Loverof a Dram at the Bottle, when she could come by it-With that Viaticum he marches, equipp’d like a Country

Less,