CHAP. I.

IN Former Days when the Rose of Eng­land Eclipsed the Lillies of France, and true English Vallour made that Nation stoop; amongst other Brave Gallants that went over to try their Fortune, Mon­ford was one, a Person well Descended, who being naturally inclin'd to war, and greedy of Fame, neither the entreaty of Friends nor the Marriage he had Contracted with a Kind and beautiful woman, could alter his purpose, but taking his Wife Margaret with him, who by no means would be induced to stay behind, he with many hundreds more crossed the Seas, and with the help of a prosperous wind arriving at Callice, Marched to the Royal Standard, [Page] accompanied with his Loving Wife, who in Man-like attire became his inseparable Com­panion in Danger and Hazzard, and was the cause of saving his Life; for many Skirmish­es happening between the English and French, wherein Young Monford behaved himself with wondrous Courage, and in one, following too hotly the persuit, was, with divers others, in­trapped in an Ambush late in the Evening and though he manfully disputed it, making great Slaughter of the Enemy, yet in spight of re­sistance, he was beaten from his Horse by the forcible stro [...]k of a Pole-Ax, given him on the Face, and left in the Field for Dead amongst the dead and Dying-Men, where he had un­doubtedly perished through loss of Blood and the anguish of his Wound, had not his Tender-hearted Love, upon her hearing what had hap­pened, and his not returning, hasted to the field, where amongst the Slain, she by Moon-Light discovered him stripped and strugling for Life, and by the help of a Servant, brought him to a Shepherds Cottage, where she carefully dressed his Wounds, and administred such Cordials as brought him to himself, to her unspeakable joy, though this joy was somewhat abated when she found by the forcibleness of the Blow he had lost his Sight: But true Love work­ing in her heart the alteration or disfigurement [Page] of his Countenance could not alter her affecti­on; but Comforting him in the best she could (though indeed) his natural Courage would not lightly admit of any dejection, she with part of the money she had, procur'd him a homely Suit of Apparel, and brought him (now unfit for Service) back to England, of whose En­tertainment and settlement at Bednal-Green in the County of Middlesex, and course of Life, you shall hear in the following Chapter.

CHAP. II.

MOnford escaping a Storm at Sea, in his Return Landed with his Vertuous Wife on the Coast of Essex, where he had some considerable Relations, to whom in this neces­sity they applyed themselves for succour, but they either not desirous of his [...]ompany, who after the death of his Parents had wasted much of his Patrimony, or fearing in that condition he might be chargeable to them, would not know him, and those that were convinced he was the same Monford that went over into France; gave him but cold Entertainment, in­somuch [Page] that scorning to rely upon their Cha­rity, he told the kind Partner of his joy and sorrow, that he intended early in the morning to hast towards London, and that he would rather trust to Providence then to the ingrati­tude of those who in his prosperous days had Carressed him in a high manner; and so with­out taking Leave of any, Early in the morn­ing they departed; and in two days travelling (having spent the little Money they had reser­ved) necessity that has no Law, so far humb­led his hig [...] Spirit, that he did not think it a­miss (especially in places where he was not known) to crave the Charity of the People as he passed through several good Towns, who understanding that he came by his misfortune in Fighting for the Honour of his Country, gave very Liberally, insomuch that he resol­ved to be of good chear, and thereupon con­sidering with himself that he was never brought up to Labour, or if he had, the Loss of his Sight had rendred him incapable of busi­ness; he reso [...]ved to embrace what Providence had cast in his way: Which was, to live upon Charity, which he found to flow in upon him faster then he expected: Whereupon arriving at Bednal-Green, a place near London, he with the little Money he had got, hired a small Cottage for his Wife and himself, and daily [Page] appearing publick to crave Alms, was from thence called the Beggar of Bednal-Green, and in a short time found it a thriveing Trade, insomuch that his Bed of Straw was changed into Down, and his Earthen Platters and other Vtensils into a better Sort. His Wife whilst he begged abroad not being idle at home, but Laboured at the Wheel and such other mat­ters as in her younger years she had learned.

CHAP. III.

MOnford resolving in this kind of way to spend the remainder of his Days, that he might humble himself for his former offen­ces, having plyed it with good success in the place where he lived, by the Road side he was incountred one day by an Old Proficient at that Trade, who seeing him Diligent, be­came greatly desirous of his acquaintance, and to know what Gang he belonged to, and be­gan to Cant (as is usual amongst such sea­soned Sticks of that Profession) of which kind of Speech being known to none but themselves, [Page] Monford being ignorant, could make him no direct answer; which the other, whose Name was Snap, perceiving, and thereby knowing him to be a young beginner▪ invited him to their Feasts or rende [...]vouze in White-Chappel, whi­ther he having promised to come, and they be­tween them tip'd off four Black Pots of Hum they at that time parted.

CHAP. IV.

MOnford upon his coming home, declared to his Wife what a merry Companion he had met with, and what discourse they had, as likewise what he had promised, entreating her to get things in a readiness, that she might be at leasure to conduct him thither, where ap­peared, instead of a ragged Regiment of Lame, Blind, and Dumb, there was a rout of jovial Dancers, as gay as the Spring, and as merry as the Maids; which made them imagine they were either mistaken in the place, or had been imposed upon, and therefore were about to re­tire, had not Snap who knew Monford at the first Blush, started from his Chair where he sat Supervizor in all his Gallantry, and ta­king [Page] him by the hand, let him know who he was, and afterward presented him to the whole Assembly, who received him as a Bro­ther or Member of their Society, each (by the order of Snap) paying him a Complement: and that for the future he might not want a Guide on all occasion, Snap in the name of the rest presented him with a Dog and a Bell train­ed to the Business, and had before been the Companion of an Eyeless Beggar deceased; and so having Feasted him and his Spouse in a Spl [...]ndid manner, they dismissed him, upon his promise that he would not be wanting at that yearly meeting; and being dismissed, he trudged home with his tractable Guide, which ever after proved serviceable to him.

CHAP. V.

THe Blind Beggar by these Fortunate ad­ventures, being in a manner Master of his Trade, scorned to be confined to his former plying places, but by the help of his Dog trud­ged often to London; and having the perfect Tone, had for the most part the luck to return with his Pockets well Lined with Chink, and [Page] by long practice, his way of begging became so pleasing to him, that he would often profess it the happyest part of his Life, and thus Tune his Pipes upon occasion.

He being by this time in a warm condition, to add further to his joy, and make him amends for his loss of Sight, his Loving and careful Wife fell in Labour, and brought forth the Loveliest Girl imaginable, whose birth made him quite forget his former misfortunes, and think himself the happiest man alive; an hun­dred times he kissed her, and dandled her in his arms, and at her Christening (which was man­naged with decency and prudence) caused her to be Named Elizabeth, from whence she was afterward deservedly called pretty Betty; for as she grew up she exceeded in Beauty to a de­gree of wonder, and courteous and seemly be­haviour [Page] no less obliging, so that in her very Childhood some began to dote upon her admira­ble Perfections, and the better to qualifie her, gave her such Learning as was suitable to her Degree, which she improved to the height, so that her Beauty and Wit, her skill in Sing­ing, Dancing, and playing on Instruments of Musick, procured her the envy of the Vir­gins thereabout; who supposing themselves much superiour in Birth and Fortune, could ill endure to hear her praises every where spoken of, especially by the Young Men, whilst they stood neglected, insomuch that not knowing other­ways how to vent their Spleen, they would of­ten take an occasion openly to affront her in the Street, and at Merry-making, calling her Beggars Brat, (and uttering many other un­seemly Speeches) which she bore as long as she could endure with a becoming patience, and strove by gentle perswasions and reproofs to win them to a reconcilement, and often with tears in her lovely eyes, she would be apt to say, you should not methinks envy me at this rate, who never injured you, but strive to do you all the good Offices I can. What if my Parents are as you suppose them, mean, and I not so well Descended as your selves, though in that you may be mistaken; it might have been your Case had Heaven seen fit, and had it been so, [Page] tell me which of you would not have been aflict­ed to have been used as you unkindly use me? These or the like Expressions being uttered in vain, and many ways being contrived by her Ill-willers to discourage those Suitors that sought her Love; she being by this time Fif­teen years of Age, wherefore to end the strife, and in hopes to be kindly used amongst Stran­gers, she resolved to make it her Request to her Parents, that she might take her Lot in search of her Fortune▪ The which she did with tears in her eyes, telling them the cause, but they long time opposed it; using many arguments to perswade her to the contrary: But finding the reasons she urged weighty, and tending to her advantage, they left it to her discretion.

CHAP. VI.

THe Day being come that Pretty Betty the Blind Beggars Daughter should depart, being furnished with Cloaths, Money, & other necessaries, she fell upon her knees and craved her Parents Blessing, which b [...]ing given, with many Prayers to Heaven for her Prosperity, they took a sad Farewell, and each betook them [Page] viz. Monford to his Mumping Trade, his Wife to her Wheel, and the Daughter to seek her Fortune.

Pretty Betty having left her Fathers House or rather Smoak-Loft, went pensive along the Road towards Stratford, as one not resolved whether to go, but rather trusting Fortune and her good Angel to direct her; and so travelling all night by the Light of the Moon, by Sun-Rise she came to Rumford in Essex, where finding her self Faint, she betook her self to an Inn, and there sitting down, called for some­what wherewith to refresh her, looking pensive and sad, and often sighing at her hard fortune; which the Mistriss of the house percieving, as also her neat Guarb and modest Behaviour, be­gan to question her, from whence she was, or whether she was bound? who told her she was one that had been well educated by Indulgent Parents, but was now contrary to her former expectation, forced to seek her Fortune; and that she was Born near London: Vpon this the good woman being more and more taken with her Carriage, demanded if she would be content to stay with her till she could better pro­vide for her advantage, and that she would use her as a Daughter rather then a Servant; to this after a while having weighed and consider­ed it▪ she consented, and in the performance of [Page] what ever she undertook, discharged her self so well that she gained the love and applause of all that observed her, insomuch that her Name for Beauty and Ingenuity began to spread, and a­bundance of Young men resorted to the House, which created a great Trade, on purpose to see her, who generally took a likeing, for Nature had made her so Lovely and Charming that she could not but be admired, insomuch that many of them as they found opportunity began to buz Love-Stories in her Ears, to which she gave but little heed, till four Suitors of greater worth beat off these little Assailants, and layed a closer Siege, as the following Chapter will appear.

CHAP. VII.

IT being by this time secretly whispered that pretty Betty must be more then she seemed as to her Parentage, it made her Reputation grow higher, insomuch that the Inn-Keepers Son, a London Merchant, a Gentleman of a Good Estate, and a Rich Knight, Courted her Favour; against whose importunities she ur­ged the meanness of her Birth, and inequality [Page] of Fortune; intreating them if they were in [...]est as she could not otherways imagine, to spare the Blushes of an Innocent Maid, or if in earnest, to consider how much whoever of them had her, would impair himself by so une­qual a Match, and place his affection else where, least he not meeting in her his expectation, his love after Marriage should decay and turn to Reproach, which she said would break her poor Heart. This modest objection possessed them with further thoughts of her concealing the worth of her Birth and Parentage, and gave more Fuel to their passion; so easie is man to believe the thing he would have, insomuch that they began to renew their protestations of Love [...]ndintire affection, offering her Rings, gloves [...]nd Iewels, but she would not accept them, [...]east the taking the Gift without the Man might be prejudicial to her Fame; for all of [...]hem she well knew she could not have, or whe­ [...]her any of them, when they came to know [...]hat her Father was a Beggar would have her, [...]he could not well believe, though they severally [...]romised to Love her as dear as Life, and maintain her in the hight of Gallantry; whose [...]ddresses her Master and Mistris suffered for [...]he sake of their Profit; yet she growing con­ [...]cious of the injury she might do them by hin­ [...]ring their Fortunes, made a Resolution to [Page] discover her Parents, and that way try the sincerity of their affections, and accordingly did it.

CHAP. VIII.

OVr Beautiful Virgin being hardly pressed for Love and enjoyment, found her self oblieged to take a course that might rid her of her Lovers, or allot one of them to her share; wherefore she told them she was not really at her own disposal her Parents being alive, there­fore if they Loved her as they said, and seeing but one could enjoy her, she was contented her Father should choose for her, of whose choice she would approve.

This set them in a manner at Daggers-Drawing who should get thither first, but whither to go they knew not: Therefore desi­red to be informed, every ones heart being fil­led with joy, not doubting to carry the prize; when thus she began.

My Parents Worthy Sirs, Live on Bednal-Green, my Father is the Beggar that is lead with a Dog and a Bell, Living upon the cha­rity [Page] of good people; and my Mother a poor Woman that Spins for bread, yet these are my Parents, therefore I will not be induced by any means, to Marry without their Con­sent.

This struck our Gallants for a while as mute as a Mouse in a Cheese, after which they made some difficulty to believe it, saying, it could not be, that such home-spun Creatures could be the Parents of so Beautiful a Maid; but she insisting on it, and giving them an ac­count of the Leaving them, and the reason, they began to scratch their Noddles, and stamp on the ground, drawing in their Horns faster then they had put them out, the Merchant, the Gentleman, and the Inn-Keepers Son, swear­ing if so, it was no Wife for them, for they would not be Nosed with one of a Beggars de­gree, and so they troopt off. But the Young Knight who was inflamed with Love, and ha­ving a great Estate, stood not upon intrest so much as pleasing his Fancy; after he had pau­sed a while, took the Blushing Maid by the hand, and said, you see my dearest, how those that Courted you in hopes you were a great Fortune, are vanished now they find their mistake: Say, will you yield to one more constant, who truly loves you for your beau­ty and good Parts, and you shall be without [Page] delay, sole Mistris of him, and all that is his.

To which she answered with a Sigh, alas, Sir, I dare not expect so great a happiness, or if I durst, I would not dispose of my self even to you, who (though blushing) I must confess I ever esteemed above the rest, without consent of my Parents, for though they are poor, they are my Parents still.

This modesty kindled his passion more and more, wherefore after much discourse, and ma­ny vows of Constancy, it was agreed that he should be ready with a Horse and Servants the next Morning early, and that she would come to him, that they might Ride to Bednal-green to require the Old Man's consent; yet this was not carried so secretly, but Spies being abroad [...]covered it, not onely to the Knights Vncl [...] who managed his Estate, to most of the Young-Men of Rumford, who [...]e her admirers.

CHAP. IX.

OVr Beautiful Virgin meeting her cour­teous Knight at the time and place ap­pointed, [Page] relying upon his Fidelity, made no scruple to use his Servants help in setting her behind him; but scarcely were they out of the Town, but the Knights Vncle coming to the Inn and finding neither of them there, suspected what had been told him to be true, and there­upon he followed to prevent the March, as also did divers Young-men who were deeply in love with her, to rescue her from the Knight, whom they supposed had carried her away by force.

So that great was the hurry and confusion, and the Towns-Men taking the nearer way, got before him e're he arrived at Bednal-green, and fell upon him without giving [...]im leave to spe [...]k for himself, or suffering hi [...] Mistriss to excuse it; so that there began a sh [...] [...]onflict, till such ti [...] [...]as divers persons that [...]e tra­vell [...] Road came in and parted them, where [...]y they came to a right understanding; which made those that had mis [...]sed him bee his Pardon, which he granted, and dismissing them, kept on his way, till coming to the Old Man's Door they allighted; which made h [...]m upon the hearing of Horses trample, (being a thing very unusual) start from the Fire, and put [...]is head out of his Window, and not un­derstanding the meaning of it, e're the Knights Vnckle came puffing and blowing at a strange rate; Crying why how now Nephew, what's [Page] this I hear of you, are you mad to disgrace your family by marrying a Beggars-Brat, for shame, for shame, consider better then to make your self a Laughing-stock to the World, by such an unseemly Match: Pray how came this about you Baggage you? But however, I say Nephew, leave her, and I will provide you a Fortune, Rich, and Suit­table to your Condition.

To this the Young Knight would have re­plyed, but the Begger growing Chosterick to hear his Daughter so used, interrupted him.

I cannot says the Old man, see you at all, but Sir, (what ever you are) I hear you too much, and more then becomes a Civil Gentle­man; nor do I count my Girl so mean, to suffer her to be Railed on at my own Door; therefore pray Sir hold your pra [...]ing, or I shall feel for you, with my Staff: I have known the day, when a Taller Fellow then you, durst not have put me in a passion; If your Kins-man does not think my Child a fit Match for him, let her alone, and welcome: But I think in Beauty, and good Breeding she is not wanting. And as for Money, be it known to you, her Father is ready to drop Angels with you for his Girl, if you have any of your own; d'ye mark me there?

This smart speech, put the Gentlemen to [Page] a Non-pluss for a while; but coming to mil­der terms, the dropping buisines was conclu­ded on.

And the Gentleman imediately sending his Servants, to fetch what Gold he had, whilst the Beggar from under a heap of Raggs, and Old-Shooes, pull'd out a Cats-kin or two stuffed with Gold, whereby it appeared his Trade had been very advantageous; and each party being ready, they rained a golden shower so plentifully, that the Gentleman's Stock failed him, and the Begger not hearing it Chink, fell into a Laughter, and said, how now Sir, is your Money done so soon? I thought at first you had more words then Mo­ney; pray for your Credits sake, try your friends; for I have three or four Cats-kins with Golden Puddings in their Bellys yet: Indeed, said the Gentleman, I am content to own you have out-done me; and think you have the Philosophers-Stone, or keep a Fami­liar, to bring it you from the Golden-Moun­tains; But seeing the World goes so well with you. I shall no further go about to per­swade my Nephew from being your Son-in-Law; but begg pardon for what I have done: O do you so, said the Begger; then things may be better perhaps then you expect; when turning to the Knight, gather up said he, the [Page] loose Corns I have scattered, and here's a Cat-skin to make that up three Thousand Pounds, besides a hundred more to buy her a Gown. Take this as her present Portion, and as you behave your self, expect more here­after: Remember I give her you, and with her my Blessing; go to Church, and be Mar­ried, a Gods Name: Vpon which the Kt. and his fair Mistriss falling on their Knees, gave him twenty thanks, and departed, whilst those that had been Suitors, hearing what had happened, were ready to Hang themselves for madness.

CHAP. X.

THings being come to this pass, great preperations were made for the Wed­ding; to which resorted many worthy persona­ges, no cost being spared, either in ri [...]h Ap­parel or sumptuous fare, whilst the lovely Bride was led to Church by her worthy Bridegroom, feasting the Eyes of the b [...]hol­ders with her Beau [...]y; and when the sacred bands were ty'd, they return'd with the like Splendor to the place of Festival, Excel­lently becoming and gracing what they [Page] wore, as if Nature had made her the most exact pattern of Beauty; being arrived and the Tables sp [...]ead, the Bride now of a beg­gers Daughter made a Lady took her place, out-shining other Beautys that were there as far as the Moon is out shone by the Sun: and now nothing but the old Beggar and his Wife wanting, when they soon came richly dressed in silk and Velvet Imbroidered with Gold, so that all things went on in Ioy and Merriment, and great was the sat­isfaction the company received in their re­past, but more in the Musik, Dancing, Mas­querading, and the like; while the old Man had prepared to celebrate the happy Nup­tials, and in the end, craving attention, he Sung this SONG,

The Name of Monford which had been held so famous for Vertue and Valour in those days, did not a little cause wonder in the hearers, who desiring him to explain him­selfe, he p [...]ainly told them his adventures in France and England, and how he took up the trade of Begging and the like, which c [...]used a general joy, since all that had formerly known him by that name, supposed him to be dead; and the Bridegroom was pronoun­ced now more happy then ever. So his [...]ove­ly Bride, whose birth and fortune equal [...]ed his in all degrees; and so old Monford pro­mising, for the credit of his Daughter, to leave of the Beging trade, and live upon what he had got. The day was concluded, to the Ioy and satisfaction of all Partys.