Curtezan Did make Caraxus spend his whole estate And so through want of meanes turne Pirate than Whereby he aid incurre a mortall hate And on himselfe a lasting scandall brought So hath my luxury consum'd to nothing Rich heires and made them steale for meat and clothing 24. How many men have perisht by my fault And how am I made guiltie of their sinne Can I be ever sound that thus doe halt And by my winding plots and cunning ginne Intrap't the simple and ensnar'd them in Can I a ransome pay for this offence Or e'r be able to make recompence 25. Oh noe I cannot for beside my owne Other mens guilt lies heavie on my soule I have not beene content to sinne alone But caused others to make mine more foule And in their filihinesse did likewise rowle Their follies with mine owne I did conjoine And by commixtion made their vices mine 26. I was as common as the Proetides Receiving all that came with joy and mirth I thought on nothing but my owne delights Thinking there was no other heaven but earth Ah wicked wretch as e'r received birth My spotted life hath made me sathans denne Fuller of fiends then Mary Magdalene 27. Her sinnes I doe commit but want her sorrow Of all the ill she had I am possest I get the bad the good I cannot borrow I have her vices all but want the rest Her worst acts I embrace but leave the best My Saviours feete I wash not with my teares Nor with her doe I wipe them with my haires 28. I want the gifts of grace that she had given And her repentance my hard heart to move I cannot apprehend the joies of heaven Nor love my Saviour with her ardent love My hearts desire with hers flies not above I feele no spirituall comfort in my soule Nor can I thoroughly my state condole 29. All will be ready to report my shame And blaze my infamie in everie eare But none will pleade my cause to quit my blame Or for my sorrow that will shed a teare Or else excuse my fault when they it heare Indeed they cannot for my foule abuse Is farre beyond the reach of an excuse 30. How then shall I finde comfort in my griefe Or drive sad desperation from my heart My selfe unto my selfe yeelds no reliefe And other men no comfort will impart But rather adde more torment to my smart If thou shouldst leave me too in my distresse Then must I die in all my wickednesse 31. Oh teach me truely to lament my sinne And humble my proud heart by low submission Rowse me out of the sleepe that I am in That of my state I may have true cognition And make my peace with God by my contrition Instruct me in the perfect way of prayer Lest I fall headlong into deepe despaire 32. Helpe me to pray to God that he would showre Into my heart the graces of his Spirit That through his mercy and his saving power I may escape the guerdon of my merit And after life his heavenly blesse inherit Teach me to pray teach me sweete friend I say For I have almost quite forgot to pray 33. My heart is willing oh my heart is willing I feele my conscience terrified by sinne Oh by my teares by these my teares downe trilling Lift up thy heart with mine come come begin Lord ope my brest that grace may enter in Rowse my dead heart out of his drowsie den Pardon my faults sweete Iesus say Amen 34. Then from her eyes the teares did gush apace And downe she fell upon her bended knees Wringing her hands she did lament her case With sighes expressing her soules miseries In forcible and strong Hiperbolees My sinnes my sinnes she cries with heav'd-up-hands Are more in number then the Starres or Sands 35. Then beating of her brest in wofull wise With high swolne sobs and heavie heart-sicke grones Now woe is me now woe is me she cries My stinking sinnes lie boiling in my bones And kils my soule as Bees are starv'd by drones And whilst like furies round about they hem me As a just Iudge my conscience doth condemne me 36. Listen oh listen to my sad complaint I have no friend to moane to but to thee I need not with my follies thee acquaint Thou know'st my steps how retrograde they be And how my vices have overwhelmed me Pity my case and my sad state condole And adde some comfort to my sicke-growne soule 37. Be thou my Pharos to direct me home Vnto the harbour of my heavenly rest Without a helpe to guide me I shall roame And get a curse in seeking to be blest Good counsell to a soule that is distrest Comes in fit season and doth comfort bring To a sad heart that 's full of sorrowing 38. My Parents have forsooke me long agoe Detesting the vile course that I have led Brothers and sisters neither will me know My neere alliance wish that I were dead My friends that sometime were from me are fled My Parents Brothers Sisters Kindred Friends My very name their modest eares offends 39. All have forsaken me to let me perish And sinke my soule into the Stygian deepe Denying any comfort me to cherish But in sinnes cradle suffering me to sleepe That thence I have no heart at all to peepe But snorting in a dead security I want the sence of my impuritie 40. Nor have I hoarded treasure for my issue But brav'd it out in Iewels and in Gold In rich Embroider'd Silkes and cloth of Tissue And when t was bought it was not long unsold I thought not how to live when I was old But chang'd and pawn'd for to maintaine my pride And for the present onely did provide 41. For all the money that I have obtain'd And golden fees by playing of the Whore Vnto my selfe no riches have I gain'd But all is quite consum'd and I left poore Onely my wearing clothes and nothing more Sinnes golden gaines I see long will not last Suddenlie got as suddenlie doe wast 42. For as a Mill that 's set upon a river Purposelie ' built t' indure both winde and wether By force of a strong current for to drive her Receives all Corne to grinde that is brought thither And all the Countrey neere is served with her Some bringing to her others sent abroad And all of them deliver there their load 43. She shifts her worke and serves the turnes of all And everie one paies tribute for her paine Some giving single and some double toll Herselfe thereby not onely doth maintaine And keepe her in repare by such her gaine But to the Miller that doth keepe the Mill Supplies his wants and doth releeve him still 44. The like did I for by my commontrade From everie one that came I had a share And by that custome a rich living made And therewith kept my selfe in good repare And so maintain'd my clothing and my fare And what beside I did lay up in store My friends that kept
her tongue and spake no more Wiping her eyes and bending downe her head And sitting at my feete upon the stoare Which with her teares she had bewatered Then reaching forth her hand to me she sed Oh my sweet friend on thee my comfort lies Blest be the time that e'r I saw thine eyes 68. As by the hand thou raisest me from ground With that she rose and looked in my face And sounding of my heart that was unsound Didst by thy meanes assisted with Gods grace Awaken me and let me know my case So fall not backe but let thy constant love Rowse up my thoughts to raise them up above 69. Speake wilt thou tell me what thou dost intend Thou know'st my purpose let me now know thine Wilt thou continue unto me a friend Thou seem'st to tender this poore soule of mine Dost thou unto my future good encline Boldly goe on leave not the worke undone Finish the thing thou hast so well begun 70. This said she paus'd againe and stopt her voice Earnestly looking when I would replie Her sweete sad lookes did make my heart rejoice Seeing her sorrow was so heavenlie And from a heart voide of all fallacie And noteing thus how her desire was bent I made this answer without complement 71. I see Amanda what I joy to see And what I did desire I might behold I hope thou dost not meane to flatter me And seeme to make that hot which is but cold And so make Brasse to shine like perfect Gold I doubt not but thy manners are refin'd And being melted will be better coin'd 72 I trust thy sorrow is a reall sadnesse By thy foule life and mortall sinnes procured And then that sorrow breeds in me such gladnesse To thinke that grace is in that heart immured Which hath so many unto vice allured That all the powers I have with free consent Shall be applied to further thy intent 73. By a free gift unmerited from any Had I receiv'd a thousand pounds in Gold Titles of honour priviledges many And faithfull friends as I am minutes old With other blessings more than may be told They could not more rejoice this heart of mine Then this long-wisht conversion of thine 74. For I le assure thee I such pleasure take In this thy dolour for thy follies past That since thy sinne doth cause thy heart to ake This bitter is so sweet unto my taste That if thy sorrow with thy life doth last And thou repentest of thy wickednesse As now to me thou seem'st to doe no lesse 75. Here take my hand and with my hand my heart And what I say beleeve it to be true These eyes of mine out of mine head shall start The day that 's past shall be begun anew And things consum'd shall come againe to view Before I faile unto my utmost power To adde unto thee comfort every houre 76 Take thou no thought for clothing or for foode Nor any thing that may procure content My care shall be so much to doe thee good Both for thy soules and bodies aliment That thou shalt want nothing convenient Reforme thy life conforme thy will to mine I will informe thee in the path divine 77. Such things as are not for thy wearing fit Thy gorgeous cloathes thy jewels and the rest Leave them to me I will dispose of it And change them for thy good as I thinke best Vnto thy ranke thou shalt be neately drest In civill manner but for gay attire It must not suite at all with thy desire 78. Thy goods dispos'd of I will thee provide Of all things fit for a reformed minde A Bible and some holy bookes beside Wherein thou mayst a heavenly comfort finde I will procure thee as thou hast enjoyn'd Set formes of prayer for a contrite sinner Thou shalt not want fit for a young beginner 79. I have a mother vertuously dispos'd An ancient matron pious and devout To whom I have this my intent disclos'd And what herein at first I went about Whilst I of thy conversion was in doubt She shall receive thee with the greatest care Providing for thy lodging and thy fare 80. I have a sister much about thy yeeres A hopefull mayd religious and chast And such a one as the Almighty feares That all uncivill actions doth distaste And is with many spirituall blessings grac't She shall yeeld comforts to thee many a one And be thy loving kinde companion 81. If thou wilt heare I le read to thee each day Precepts for prayer rules for meditation If thou wilt pray I le joyne with thee to pray In private Votes or publique congregation And lead thee in the path to thy salvation And if thy pleasure thereunto inclines I will acquaint thee with profound Divines 82. I le lead thee forth to Sermons every weeke And unto common Service twice a day The most approved Preachers I will seeke That through thy eare shall to thy heart convey Such heavenly comforts that when thou dost pray Thou shalt be rapt with a divine delight Of the Almighties mercy and his might 83. If that the City doth content thee best Live in the City to thy hearts content Or if the Countrey yeeld thee better rest Vnto the Countriey life I give consent All places are alike for to repent If that the heart desires th' Almighties grace God doth accept the person not the place 84. Make thou thy peace with God by thy contrission I with thy friends will labour for thy peace Appease Gods wrath by hearty true submission I doubt not but thy Parents wrath shall cease And their fresh love shall mightily increase That aged couple all thy friends beside Will joy that in thy sinnes thou ha'dst not di'd 85. Be of good cheere and walke along with me This is no fitting place for thee to stay My mother sister and my selfe for thee Will make provision as is fit straightway We will all take thee to our charge this day For nothing but thy soule doe thou take thought We will provide thy body shall want nought 86. Tell me quoth I art thou well pleas'd with this And dost thou freely thereunto assent I am quoth she and thinke the greatest blisse Waites on me now that e'r to me was sent Thy pleasure I le attend incontinent Dispose of me as thou thinkst best to day Vnto thy will I willingly obey 87. With that I cal'd a Porter to the doore And bid him take her Boxes and her Chest Her Trunkes her Bed her Goods and all her store And bring them to my house where they should rest And to be ordred then as I thought best To which command of mine he did consent And so convei'd them thence incontinent 88. Then did I take Amanda by the hand Whilst with my tongue I made her this replie Since thou hast vow'd to be at my command Yeelding thy selfe into my custody Accepting of my offer courteously Be of good courage come along with me I le be thy safegard none
and told her that if she were at leasure if it pleased her I would come over the way to her she told me I should be welcome and desired me to come With that going to my Study and taking some idle pamphlets that I had there I went unto the house where she lay she kindly met me at the doore and so conducted me to her chamber where with reading sometimes and sometimes with talking we spent a good part of the afternoone and after many questions asked her I perceived that a little siege would batter the fortresse of her honesty and understood by her that her meanes was small and her friends not many and her selfe as she seemed willing to take any honest course that should sute with the credite of a Gentlewoman with many other speeches to that purpose but taking leave of her for that time she intreated me that I would be no stranger at her Chamber for that she should take it very kindly if I would come and sit with her at my leasure times when I had nothing else to doe which I promised her to performe But afterwards considering with my selfe if I should often resort thither it might be a cause that some malignant tongue would speake worse of me then I deserved and thereby draw a scandall upon my selfe which once gotten would not be easily shaken off I did therefore forbeare going to her chamber yet every day she sitting in the Embroyderers roome we had conference together and so continued our acquayntance where often talking with her at length she told me she was to goe from thence and to lie in the Towne and asked me if I did not goe sometimes abroad in the City I answered her I did and desired that if she pleased to tell me where she lay in the Towne I would make bold to visit her at her lodging she told me where I should finde her who shortly after going from the place where she then lay sent a note in writing intreating me not to forget my promise to visit her at her lodging and therein set downe the place where I should enquire for her It was not long after but I had occasion to goe into London in company of another Gentleman and passing neere the place where she lay determined to goe visit her and so enquiring for her at her lodging we were told that she lay there but she was that day abroad at dinner with certaine Gentlemen but where or with whom they knew not whereupon we returning thence it came in our minds to goe to a Taverne not farre off to drinke a pint of Wine and if occasion served to enquire whether such a Gentlewoman did lie in the streete and what she was where comming in we were brought into a little roome sitting our company where as we were drinking of our Wine we heard musicke and much mirth in the next roome unto us and enquiring what company was there we understood that there were two or three Gentlewomen with divers gallants in their company that dyned there that day but what they were we could by no meanes understand whereupon I intreated one of the drawers to helpe me privately to a sight of them for I thought I did heare the voyce of one that I knew he presently brings me to a secret place where I might discover the whole company and amongst them all I perceived the same Gentlewoman that I came that day to visit and noteing her carriage with the rest of her associats she seemed to me more jocund merry and familiar than any woman respecting her honesty and her credit would have beene I desired the Gentleman that was with me that we might stay and see the conclusion and parting of that company who was contented and thereupon understanding that they intended to sup there we resolved to sup there also by our selves in the little roome where we were at the first placed by which meanes we both heard and saw most of their conversation presently after supper they dismissed their musicke and having all of them well steeped their braines in Wine they then began to shew of what metall they were made where after much rude and unseemely behaviour they discharged the house and went their way my friend and I having likewise payd our reckoning followed after them to see the uttermost event of this meeting they had not gone farre from the Taverne but the company parted and onely one Gentleman conducted my acquaintance to her lodging where so soone as we saw them to enter the house we betooke our selves likewise to our lodgings having by that daies worke sounded more of her disposition then I had done in all the time of my acquaintance before For whereas I was till then led by report and some suspition which I drew from my owne conjecture I now saw so much of her carriage that I could not conceive that her former report had wronged her Not many daies after I tooke an occasion to write unto her and the effect of my Letters was this That I had lately bin at her lodging to have seene her but could not be so happy as to finde her within therefore I desired in regard that I had not the priviledge to goe often abroad that she would give me leave to write unto her and withall that liberty in writing that she would not take any thing distastefully but to read it over with patience and deliberation and desired likewise her answer in writing This Letter I sent unto her and received an answer in writing that she was sorry that she was not at home at the time of my being there which if she had knowne of she would have remedyed and desired she might see me if I could coveniently otherwise if I would take the paines to write unto her she would be so farre from taking offence at any thing that I should write of that she would thinke her selfe much bound unto me for the same and did faithfully promise to reade it with patience and due consideration and withall desired me that I would write unto her in verse because it was a thing she much affected and would be pleasing unto her in the reading Having understood thus much by her answer I determined to use the strongest arguments that I could for her reformation hoping that my writing might perchance worke so much with her as it might bring her into a loathing of her former life and perswade her to such courses as might be more profitable both to her soule and body Wherefore taking some paines for her conversion I wrote these lines following and making them up in a little booke sent the same unto her the successe whereof you shall afterwards heare To the faire Amanda 1. BOld of thy promise and obliged word From which I doe presume thou wilt not start Whereby thou didst so willingly afford Acceptance of my lines with gentle heart And what I write to take is in good part This is one ground that
moves me to discover My will to thee then freely read it over 2. But looke not here for pleasant tales of love Nor sycophanticke speech to please thy sence No lines encomiasticke thee to move Nor oyly words of guilded eloquence My humble Muse avoyds such eminence I doe not strive to please thee yet well know I am a friend of thine and not a foe 3. My purpose is to call thee to account How thou hast wasted thy fore passed time Whether thy vertue doth thy vice surmount And how thou conquer'st passion in thy prime I must examine it in this my rime Nay start not backe nor throw it now away Thy word stands good against me thou must stay 4. Thou art arrayned and indicted here Of many impious and vile offences Vse thy best policy thy selfe to cleere They are not vaine surmises nor pretences But direct proofes apparant inferences What sayes thy conscience to it dar'st thou pleade Not guilty so thy doome to supersede 5. No no thou canst not it is too apparant The tincture that remaines upon thy name Is rooted in the marrow ther 's no warrant Can shroud thee from an ignominious shame Reproach and infamy doth blast thy fame And such a scandall hangs upon thy head As wall not be by time abolished 6. For know Amanda to thy griefe even I Have pri'd into thy secret passages And have observed with a watchfull eye Such as to thee come with Embassages And understood their private messages I know their suits and whereunto they tend And see destruction wait upon the end 7. I well perceive what thy companions are Rough roaring roysters young untamed fellowes Gallants from Court and Captaines from the warre These to thy fire of lust doe blow the bellowes Of such men I have reason to be jealous To thy bed chamber they have free accesse And revell there in beastly wantonnesse 8. Th' acquaintance that thou hast are whores bawds God dammees drunkards cheaters swearers thieves Young bold fac't Queanes and old fore-ridden Iades Such company as those thy want relieves These are thy mates thou hang'st upon their sleeves And then besides thou alwaies hast in store Thy Patronesse a Bawd thy Mayd a Whore 9. Thou think'st thou art not bad enough unlesse Thou dost invoke on God to sinke and damne thee Nor that thou canst sufficiently transgresse Because no wickednesse at all will shame thee It is thy praise thou think'st and none can blame thee To tip thy tongue with fearefull three-pil'd oathes And that they grace thee better than thy clothes 10. Familiarly thou swear'st by life and death By flesh bloud wounds heart foote and soule of God Three or foure severall times within a breath Carelesse and almost fearelesse of his rod. As if thy life would have no period It is thy grace and glory for to rore And use strange oathes unheard of heretofore 11. Hath God forbid to take his Name in vaine And thee commanded that thou shalt not sweare Dost thou despaire of mercy as did Cain That nothing will constraine thee to forbeare Hast thou within thee neyther love nor feare The reines that thou dost give unto thy will Makes thee runne headlong unto all that 's ill 12. Oh that one sinne should get another thus And thy foule lust to be the cause of all Thy oathes and actions are so odious They daily doe to Heaven for vengeance call Prevent it then in time before it fall Make peace with God before it be too late Prevent his wrath thy sinnes abominate 13. I have observ'd the wicked course thou lead'st And know the places thou doest use to haunt I see the path wherein thou dayly tread'st I heare thee proudly honest vertue taunt And of thy base and wicked actions vaunt I see the little feare of God thou hast At no time sorry for thy follies past 14. This doe I know and see it with mine eyes It is not blaz'd unto me by report I see thy Minion come in a disguise And his kinde welcome hugging of him for 't And whilst he staies debarring all resort You as neere match'd and undistinguish't twins Wallow in filthy pooles of stinking sinnes 15. I see thy wanton thy unseemely carriage And loose behaviour unto every commer More bold then wert thou links to them in marriage Spending thy youth and vigour of thy summer Sometimes with common Souldiers or a Drummer Nay if thy lust but once begin to burne A Dray man or a Porter serves thy turne 16. I see it and it makes me tell thee thus Thou art unchast alas a word too milde Thou art a strumpet and more odious Then Furies or Hobgoblins to a childe Thou art too tame by being too too wilde Thou art a Harlot or if it be more Thou art a shamelesse and a bold-fac'd Whore 17. Did not I tempt thee minding for to try And sound the depth of thy too loose condition Remember well didst thou not answer I When as that answer strooke in me contrition Sorry to see so ready a submission And no repulse at all but giving fire Vnto the fuell of a hot desire 18. I durst not thee condemne without a tryall Knowing the great uncertainety of fame I thought perchance I might have had deniall Although I greatly did not doubt the same But rather feared thou wert voide of shame And now thou hast confirmed my suspition By manifesting thy too base condition 19. This was the marke at which I level'd first And the chiefe cause to satisfie my minde Though knowing nought I did suspect the worst Conjecturing which way thou wert inclinde And now as I supposde I truely finde Here therefore I my chiefest force will bend And put in practise what I did intend 20. I thought within my selfe that if I could Worke into thy acquaintance for to know Thy secret disposition then I would Finding the same as I imagin'd tho And as I did conjecture to be so Vse the best art and policy I might To make thee a reformed convertite 21. For when I first beheld that face of thine I could not but commend the workes of nature A looke so pleasing as it were divine Of a well fashion'd and a comely feature I thought thou wert an admirable creature Adorn'd with such a presence that I saw It well deserved reverence and awe 22. O Lord thought I what pity is 't that thou And those sweete beauties should be put to sale Why should they unto every peasant bow Till they are worne out or waxed stale And their fresh colour turn'd into a pale I st not a misery that such a woman Should as a thing of nought be usde in common 23. In pity therefore of thy wretched state And meerely in compassion of that face I vow'd my best thy life to renovate And see if in thy brest there were a place That would give entertainement unto grace For doubtlesse in my heart I should condole The losse of such a body and a soule 34.