NOr farre from the Citie of Yorke, there dwelt an honest man, who had a very handsome proper wo­man to his Wife, and which is strange, she was as honest as fair, as the sequell of the story plainly sheweth.

A certain Priest lighting in the Towne, was go­ing up to his Chamber, saw this honest woman come into the house for a pot of strong beer for her Husband that was newly come from his worke. My man, who was so weary before, as he could scarce go up the staires, (as he made mine Host beleeve) at this beautifull object, was as nimble as Mercurie, and went not up so softly, but came downe as faste; so magneticke was the beauty of this Female. Being come downe the passionate man as one that could not [Page] [Page 1] [...] [Page 2] bridle his nature, presently layes her on the lippes, and calles for a quart of wine, and sweares she must needs drinke ere she went; the woman prayes to be excused, she could not tarry, and she was loath to incur her Husbands displeasure for any man; but upon much intreaty, resolving to dye rather than yeeld to any basenesse, said, she would pledge him, on condition he would then let her go: this hypo­theticall proposition, though it had no sympathy with his desires, yet rather than he would prevent a future happinesse, condiscends (though faintly) and begins thus to her in a full bowle. Fair Mistris, from the bottom of my heart, as one admiring your perfections, I drinke to you. Sir quoth she, (after she had pledged him) you are too deep for me, and therefore least you drowne me, farewell. And so ab­ruptly without further thankes, took her leave. But my Gentleman being well read in the theory of her beauty, could not rest satisfied, till he had enjoyed the practick. And so once more ascends the staires, all male-content, where we will leave him to his im­ploring of the Pope for his redemption out of that Purgatory. Sub Galli cantum, as soon as the day ap­peared the next morning, up he rises, and calling for pen, inke, and paper, writes thus to his adored saint, the woman I mean, he dranke with the night before.

This Lettter was delivered to the Chamberlain, who in all haste (as he was commanded) gives it the woman, who calling for her Husband shewes it him: and so he read it: when he had done, and had fully understood the contents, applauding his Wife for her constancy, with mutuall consent, returnes him this answer, as written from his Wife.

This being come to him, and read, never was poor Mariner in a storme more joyfull when he had got his Ship in a safe Port, than he was of this Letter: and therefore without procrastinating, as soon as ever night was come, he repares to his beloved, whom he findes all alone, and after some few embra­ces, she conducts him to a chamber. O the raptures that this man was in! Iason thought not himselfe more happy in the fruition of Madea, than he by en­joying her company.

But Sodomes Apples though they appear like gold, when a man would taste of them they vanish into smoake: so it hapned to this gaol-like Priest, for this bitter Pocanium marred all the sweetnesse he tast­ed afore. Before she would seem to grant, she prayed him to resolve her, if the sin were pardonoble or no. Tush, quoth he, nothing more veniall, fear not sweet heart, I warrant thee. Well, if it be so Sir, pray to bed, and I will come to you. To bed he goes imme­diately, but before he was scarce warme, in rushes her Husband with two more, well armed with good whips, and so taking him out of the bed, pulling his shirt over his eares, did so whip his posteriours, that my man look'd just like the bloody man in our Al­manacks, wounded by the twelve Signes; whiles the Woman jearing him, bid them have a care that he [Page 5] got not cold, for he was extreme hot. The Priest cried out pitifully, but it would not serve the turne; for when they had done, they tied him to the bed, and made a Capon of him, cutting out his stones, to cool his courage. Were all Romish Priests so hand­led, they would say Marriage were lawfull, and no more abuse other mens Wives.