f the Spirit to the mean
Cunning, how to cheat and chaffer.

_Prince._ A Custom insupportable!--

_Geo._ To this, to this low wretchedness of Life, your Servant, Sir--was
destin'd by his Parents, and am yet this bound indentur'd Slave.

_Prince._ Thou hast no cause to quarrel with thy Stars, since Virtue is
most valu'd when opprest--Are all your Merchants Apprentices thus gay?

_Geo._ Not all--but, Sir, I could not bow my Mind to this so necessary
Drudgery; and yet however, I assum'd my native Temper, when out o'th'
Trading City; in it, I forc'd my Nature to a dull slovenly Gravity,
which well enough deceiv'd the busy Block-heads; my Clothes and Equipage
I lodg'd at this End of the Town, where I still pass'd for something
better than I was, whene'er I pleas'd to change the Trader for the
Gentleman.

_Prince._ And liv'd thus undiscover'd--

_Geo._ With Ease, still lov'd and courted by the Great, ever play'd high
with those durst venture most; and durst make Love where'er my Fancy
lik'd: but sometimes running out my Master's Cash, (which was supply'd
still by my Father) they sent me, to reform my expensive Life, a Factor,
into _France_--still I essay'd to be a plodding Thriver, but found my
Parts not form'd for dirty Business.

_Prince._ There's not a Thought, an Action of thy Soul, that does not
tend to something far more glorious.

_Geo._ If yet you think me worthy of your Favour, command that Life you
have so oft preserv'd.

_Prince._ No more;--Thou hast increas'd my Value for thee.--Oh! take my
Heart, and see how't has been us'd by a fair Charmer, since I saw thee
last--That sullen day we parted, you for _England_, you may remember I
design'd for _Flanders_.

_Geo._ I do, with Melancholy, Sir, remember it.

_Prince._ Arriv'd at _Ghent_, I went to see an _English_ Nun initiated,
where I beheld the pretty Innocent, deliver'd up a Victim to foolish
Chastity; but among the Relations, then attending the Sacrifice, was a
fair Sister of the young Votress, but so surpassing all I'ad seen
before, that I neglecting the dull holy Business, paid my Devotion to
that kneeling Saint.

_Geo._ That was the nearest way to Heaven, my Lord.

_Prince._ Her Face, that had a thousand Charms of Youth, was heighten'd
with an Air of Languishment; a lovely Sorrow dwelt upon her Eyes, that
taught my new-born-Passion Awe and Reverence.

_Geo._ This Description of her fires me.-- [Aside.

_Prince._ Her dimpl'd Mouth, her Neck