MRS. TRAPES. The hard Times oblige me to go very near in my
Dealing.--To be sure, of late Years I have been a great Sufferer by
the Parliament.--Three thousand Pounds would hardly make me amends.--
The Act for destroying the Mint, was a severe Cut upon our Business--
'Till then, if a Customer stept out of the way--we knew where to have
her--No doubt you know Mrs. Coaxer--there's a Wench now ('till to-
day) with a good Suit of Clothes of mine upon her Back, and I could
never set Eyes upon her for three Months together.--Since the Act too
against Imprisonment for small Sums, my Loss there too hath been very
considerable, and it must be so, when a Lady can borrow a handsom
Petticoat, or a clean Gown, and I not have the least Hank upon her!
And, o' my Conscience, now-a-days most Ladies take a Delight in
cheating, when they can do it with Safety.
PEACHUM. Madam, you had a handsom Gold Watch of us 'tother Day for
seven Guineas.--Considering we must have our Profit.--To a Gentleman
upon the Road, a Gold Watch will be scarce worth the taking.
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