But, tho’ our daily increasing riches, left my pamper’d body no desire unsatisfy’d; and tho’ I flatter’d my self into an opinion that ill fortune had taken her last leave of me, yet not only the thoughts of my present condition, but the means of getting to ’t, wou’d oft break in upon my joys, and bitter all the sweet.  “And what,” said I to myself, “if some one, wiser than the rest, shou’d dispatch a messenger for Africk; shou’d not we soon be discover’d?  What if the slave Eumolpus, pickt up, glutted with his present happiness, shou’d betray us to his companions, and maliciously discover the whole cheat?  We should then be put upon the strole again, and be oblig’d with shame to renew our former beggary.  Heavens, how ill it fares with wicked lives! they ever expect the punishment they deserve.”

Going out full of these thoughts to divert my concern, I resolv’d on a walk, but I had scarce got into a publick one, e’re a pretty girl made up to me, and calling me Polyaemus, told me her lady wou’d be proud of an opportunity to speak with me.

“You’re mistaken, sweet-heart,” return’d I, in a little heat, “I’m but a servant, of another country too, and not worthy of so great a favour.”

“No, sir,” said she, “I have commands to you; but because you know what you can do, you’re proud; and if a lady wou’d receive a favour from you, I see she must buy it:  For to what end are all those allurements, forsooth? the curl’d hair, the complexion advanc’d by a wash, and the wanton roll of your eyes, the study’d air of your gate? unless by shewing your parts, to invite a purchaser?  For my part I am neither a witch, nor a conjurer, yet can guess at a man by his physiognomy.  And when I find a spark walking, I know his contemplation.  To be short, sir, if so be you are one of them that sell their ware, I’ll procure you a merchant; but if you’re a courteous lender, confer the benefit.  As for your being a servant, and below, as you say, such a favour, it increases the flames of her that’s dying for you.  ’Tis the wild extravagance of some women to be in love with filth, nor can be rais’d to an appetite but by the charms, forsooth of some slave or lacquy; some can be pleased with nothing but the strutting of a prize-fighter with a hackt-face, and a red ribbon in his shirt:  Or an actor betray’d to prostitute himself on th’ stage, by the vanity of showing his pretty shapes there; of this sort is my lady; who indeed,” added she, “prefers the paultry lover of the upper gallery, with his dirty face, and oaken staff, to all the fine gentlemen of the boxes, with their patches, gunpowder-spots, and tooth-pickers.”  When pleas’d with the humour of her talk, “I beseech you, child,” said I, “are you the she that’s so in love with my person?” Upon which the maid fell into a fit of laughing.  “I wou’d not,” return’d she, “have you so extreamly flatter your self.  I never yet truckl’d to a waiter, nor will Venus allow I shou’d imbrace a gibbet.  You must address your self to ladies that kiss the ensigns of slavery; be assur’d that I, though a servant, have too fine a taste to converse with any below a knight.”  I was amaz’d at the relation of such unequal passions, and thought it miraculous to find a servant, with the scornful pride of a lady, and a lady with the humility of a servant.