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A Nobleman of France did very late∣ly fall in love with a Citizens Wife of Paris, and left no means unattempted till he had made her all compliance: This Lord being one day at Court saw the Husband of this Female Friend come into the Palace 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and by en∣quiry
sound that his business would not quickly be dispatcht, where∣upon away he slunk out of the Court, and got privately (as he thought) into the house o this Citi∣zen, but it seems he was discovered by this Citizens Brother, who detest∣ed the debauchery of his Sister, and therefore presently dispatcht away a Messenger to Court to acquaint his Brother what unhappily he had discovered. The Citizen presently takes his Alarm, and thinking his feet too flow, took Coach and drove Je••∣like, to hinder what was allready past prevention. His Wife hearing a Coach come in that Furious manner to her door, imagin'd she was betray'd, and therefore advised the Lord that was in bed with her to rise and abscond himself in a place she had provided, in case any such discovery should hap∣pen: hearing as he thought some body coming up stairs, for hast left his Cloaths on the bed, which shee seeing, in as great haste and confusion, threw them into a Chest, but so unadvisedly, that the embroidered sleeve of the Doublet hung out, of which she took
no notice, but fell to dressing her self as little concern'd, as if she had no more harm in her than in a little Fe∣male Devil newly arrived at the Teens, Her Husband entring the Chamber, said, Madam, I understanding that my Lord came to visit you this morning, I thought he might also have some business of great importance to whis∣per in my ear, and this made me re∣turn sooner than you expected. The Gentlewoman confidently replyed, that he was mis-informed, for there had no body been with her that day. Her Husband looking about the Room espied the Lords embroydered sleeve hang out of the Chest, and ask't whose it was, and how it came thither, this subtle Woman, who like the rest of her sex, never wants an excuse in time of extremity, replyed, (but trembling) Sweet heart, I beg your pardon, for my forgetfulness; A•• Gentle∣woman, wanting money brought it me to shew you, defiring to have but forty Crowns lent upon it; let mee see it (said he) and looking upon it presently knew whose it was, and without discovering any passion, pull'd off his own Coat, and
put on that Embroydered with Gold; when he had so done, come come said he, I must examin your Wardrobe, and looking into the Chest found what appertain'd thereunto, as Hat, Cravat, Breeches, &c. which he took up and habited himself therewith from top to toe; being thus gallantly, nay, nobly attired, ••he struts to and fro the Chamber, admiring himself in his Walk, and when he had left off adore∣ing himself, said he, now prethee Wife tell me, don't I look like a Lord? have not I his very Mein? I cannot believe but I am one now; do thou believe so to, and we shall hug one the other oftner; but all this while I pitty the poor Gentleman that owns them, for doubtless he hath been at Play to Night, and losing all, is for∣ced to deposit his Garments, and is it may be now a cold for his heat of Fan∣cy. This Noble-man being in a strange confusion, knew not what to do, nor say; at length collecting a little cou∣rage, she had the confidence to say, Sir, you strangely impose upon me; for why is it not as-Lawful for me to go to the Court of Aids, as for you to go so often to the Ex∣change?
No, replyed he since you have fitted me for the Court, I'••e no more to the Exchange; and thereupon instant∣ly went down stairs, and calling for a Coach, ordered the Coach-man to drive him instantly to the Palace Royal, where dismounting, he betook himself to the long Gallery, where the Nobi∣lity usually frequented, at his ap∣proach, the Eyes of all the Court were upon him, every one wondering what this Fine thing should be, after several opinions were spent upon him, it was concluded by the most, that as he was a stranger, he could by his ha∣bit be no less than a Nobleman; at length a Courtier, drawing near to Caress and Complement this Noble stranger, looking steadfastly in his face, knew him, and cryed out aloud, O the Devil, is it you Mr. Coqu••lineux; and thereupon made all the haste from him he could to inform his Majesty first of a strange sight was newly come to Court, viz. his Mercer as fine as any Lord. His Majesty commanded him to be brought in, which was as the o∣ther designed and desired. At first fight the King knew the Person, and
to whom those fine Cloathes properly belong'd, and was strangely surprized at the fight of both so improperly con∣joyn'd. At length says the King, Co∣quelineux, prythee thy meaning for this thy phantastical appearance: wouldst thou by this Garb (because I am in thy Books) perswade me to make thee what thou dost personate? Though I owe thee Money, yet Iowe thee no such honour; besides, if thou wouldst only barely represent a Lord, thou art mi∣staken in the time, for this is no day of State. The Mercer heard his Majesty with great attention, and perceiving an Answer was expected, replyed, May it please your Majesty, my intent of coming hi∣ther, was to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other ••nd then to restore to the right owner his due. This splendid Suit with the appurtenances I found in my Wives Chamber, and discovered where she ••ad laid them by the sle••ve of this embroydered Coat hanging out of the Chest carelesly: upon a full view, I asks whose they were; she very ingeniously told me, A Gentlewoman brought them to her to shew to me, to know how much I would lend upon them, but I mistrusting they may be stoln from some person of Quality, thought fit to put
them on, and walk publickly at Court, for by that means the right owner may come to a better knowledge of his goods by sight, than any discription. The King could not forbear laughing heartily to see so much seeming honesty, and simplicity in his Mercer; and that which added to his further mirth was the consideration of what a condition the Lord was in, whom he concluded to be left without Garments: now that his Majesty might not lose so brave an opportunity for delight, he caused two Pursuivants to be sent immediatly to the Mercer's House, and there search for this Noble-man, and, if found, to bring him instantly to Court, sans all excuse of going any where else. This Lord fearing some such design, thought any delay danger∣ous in staying, cloath'd himself in the habit of the M••rcer, and as an assistance to his disguise, he put on a black Gown which he found hanging up, which be∣long'd to a Doctor of Physick then lying in the House; and in this Equipage thinking to go home undiscovered, as he was sneaking out of the doors he was met by the Pursuivants, who knowing him by his Countenance, told him in
few words, what his Majesty had com∣manded them, and that without excuse or delay he must instantly appear before His Majesty: he seeing there was no a∣voiding it went (not without great dis∣order in his thoughts) with the Officers. The King and several of the Nobles see∣ing this Lord in such an Antique dress, fell into such a Laughter, that they ut∣terly forgot the civility that was due to the Royal Presence; The King having laught his sides sore, had at last leisure to say; how now Cozen, whence came you? the Nobleman, who was very facetious, presently replyed, from Hell I think an't please your Majesty, for I came from a bottomless pit: Indeed (said the King) by your Garb you look as if you had been a Conjuring somewhere. You are in the right Sir (said the Lord) for I can assure your Majesty this Morning I raised the Devil, and laid his Damm: in short, I will tell your Majesty the whole Truth; a Friend of mine was in a high Fever, and wanted a cooling Clyster, and would have none to administer it but my self: I pittying her condition, in compliance to her desires performed this Morning the part of a Cha∣ritable Physitian. The King by these words
very well understood what his Cozen had been doing, and in railery checkt him: saying, indeed you are to blame to give any Woman Physick without the consent of her Husband; for the time to come forbear such practices, if for no other cause than to shun making such a Metamorphosis as you have done already: for see there, a Mercer chang'd into a Lord, and here a Lord chan∣ged into a Conjurer; and so dismist them, allotting the Mercer that gorgeous Suit in part of satisfaction of the wrong he had received, whilst the others shame was a sufficient punishment.