same extravagant pursuits of pleasure, and would
even use freedoms with that Prince, whom he had before so much
offended; for his satire knew no bounds, his invention was lively, and
his execution sharp.

He is supposed to have contrived with one of Charles's mistress's the
following stratagem to cure that monarch of the nocturnal rambles to
which he addicted himself. He agreed to go out one night with him to
visit a celebrated house of intrigue, where he told his Majesty the
finest women in England were to be found. The King made no scruple to
assume his usual disguise and accompany him, and while he was engaged
with one of the ladies of pleasure, being before instructed by
Rochester how to behave, she pick'd his pocket of all his money and
watch, which the king did not immediately miss. Neither the people of
the house, nor the girl herself was made acquainted with the quality
of their visitor, nor had the least suspicion who he was. When the
intrigue was ended, the King enquired for Rochester, but was told he
had quitted the house, without taking leave. But into what
embarassment was he thrown when upon searching his pockets, in order
to discharge the reckoning, he found his money gone; he was then
reduced to ask the favour of the Jezebel to give him credit till
tomorrow, as the gentleman who came in with him had not returned, who
was to have pay'd for both. The consequence of this request was, he
was abused, and laughed at; and the old woman told him, that she had
often been served such dirty tricks, and would not permit him to stir
till the reckoning was paid, and then called one of her bullies to
take care of him. In this ridiculous distress stood the British
monarch; the prisoner of a bawd, and the life upon whom the nation's
hopes were fixed, put in the power of a ruffian. After many
altercations the King at last proposed, that she should accept a ring
which he then took off his finger, in pledge for her money, which she
likewise refused, and told him, that as she was no judge of the value
of the ring, she did not chuse to accept such pledges. The King then
desired that a Jeweller might be called to give his opinion of the
value of it, but he was answered, that the expedient was
impracticable, as no jeweller could then be supposed to be out of bed.
After much entreaty his Majesty at last prevailed upon the fellow, to
knock up a jeweller and shew him the ring, which as soon as he had
inspected, he stood amazed, a