, and never but once_. With
that his Wife with open mouth came to him, _O Villain_, said she, _art not
thou asham'd thus falsly to accuse me to my Husband, because thy own base
wicked inclinations are now brought to light? Hast thou not been soliciting
of me to act Uncleanness with thee, a long time, and I refus'd it always?
Nay, didst thou not intice me to it Yesterday, and I appointed thee to come
to Night, because I knew my Husband wou'd be at home to give thee thy
Reward? Let the Maid speak, I won't be my own Judge_--_Yes, Sir_, reply'd
the Maid, _I know that what my Mistress says is true_--

The Goldsmith then seeming to look more wistly at him, _What, Mr._
Bramble__ says he, as if he'd been surpriz'd: _Is't you that did intend to
claw me off thus? And then to mend the matter, go to accuse my Wife too, as
if she had been Dishonest with you; when I am satisfied there e'nt an
honester Woman in the Kingdom. Why to be plain with ye, 'tis she that has
discover'd all your Roguery_: As soon as he heard that, lifting up his
Hands and Eyes, _O the Deceit_, said he, _that is in Women!_ Pray give me
leave to put my Cloaths on, and then hear me what I have to say--_No_, says
the Goldsmith, _I'll not part with these Cloaths; but yet I'll lend you
something to cover your Nakedness with all_; and then bid the Maid to reach
him an old Suit of his. Which having put on, _Now_, says he, _give me but
leave to speak, and I will tell you how false that Woman is_: Come, said
the Goldsmith, let's hear what you have to say. Upon which _Bramble_ thus
began.

I must confess my Fault; I do acknowledge I did oft-times solicite your
Wife to let me lie with her, and I must do her that Justice to tell you
that she still refus'd it; until at last I borrow'd fifty Guineas of you on
a Ring, and that I gave her, and she thereupon permitted me to lie with
her. And I ne'er thought of Lying with her more, until she sent for me
yesterday morning; and told me how much she lov'd me, and that you were to
come home on Friday-night, and she wou'd have me Lie with her on Thursday
night; and that to let me know how well she lik'd me, she wou'd return me
back again the fifty Guineas that I gave her, and also give me back the
Ring I pawn'd to you for fifty Guineas. And that was the Occasion of my
coming here to Night.

_But_ said the Goldsmith, _Pray resolve me one thing; What made you bring
the Pick-locks in your Pocket?_

I brought these Pick-locks, _reply'd