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 he, at her desire, to open the Cabinet, wherein the Ring was put.

By that, answer’d the Goldsmith, I know that what you have said is false.  For what need she to have desir’d you to bring Picklocks to open the Cabinet withal, when as the Key of it was in her keeping? for I left it with her when I went out of Town.

’Tis very true, my Dear, reply’d his Wife, and here it is.  And then going to her Chest of Drawers, she gave him out the Key of the Cabinet.

No, Sirrah, says the Goldsmith, you’re a Rascal; and you accuse my Chaste and Vertuous Wife because she has discover’d your Baseness—­’Tis plain enough that your Design was to debauch my Wife, and then to Rob my House; and I will make you suffer for’t, before I’ve done with you.  I’ve lost above Five hundred pounds already; and for ought I know you may be the Thief; for I have found you in my Chamber underneath my Bed, with Picklocks in your Breeches—­Here Boy go call a Constable.

The poor Beau finding himself in such bad Circumstances, begg’d him for Heavens sake, he wou’d not to call a Constable; for if he shou’d be sent to Goal, his Reputation wou’d be lost for ever.  Matters were private now, and if they might be kept so, let him but make his own Demands, and he wou’d satisfie ’em.—­This Generous submission did somewhat qualifie the Goldsmith’s Passion.  And calling of his Man to fetch his Books up, he look’d what he had lost by Mr Theif, and finding there about four hundred Pounds set down, he told him, That he’d use him kindly, and take his Bond for Three hundred and fifty pound, including in it the fifty Guineas he had lent him; and for the Ring, since he had in so gross a manner abus’d his Wife, he shou’d bestow that on her, to make her Satisfaction.

These were hard Terms poor Bramble thought; but yet considering his Circumstances, he judg’d ’twas better to comply than go to Goal, which wou’d be the Result of being had before a Justice.

The Bonds being made and Seal’d, he fetches him the Ring, which he, (with begging of her Pardon,) presents the Goldsmith’s Wife, and desires her to accept of it for the affront he so unworthily had put upon her.  And then, after a Bottle of Wine at parting, they let him go; restoring him his Cloaths and all things again.  She telling of him, as he was going out of Doors, She hop’d that this wou’d be a warning to him how he hereafter went about to put Tricks upon Gentlewomen, or make his Boast what private Favours he had receiv’d from ’em.

    Thus still the Bawd tempts all she can to Sin,
  And leaves them in the Lurch, when once they’re in:
  To heap up Gold, which she so much adores,
  She makes Men Atheists, and makes Women Whores,
  She lives by Sin; and if she can but gain,
  She has her End, let those that list Complain.