Page:A Journal of the Plague Year (1722).djvu/167

 Plague in London, which devours thouſands every Week: We wonder how you, could be ſo unmerciful!

Conſt. Self-preſervation obliges us. John. What! to ſhut up your Compaſſion in a Caſe of ſuch Diſtreſs as this? Conſt. Well, if you will paſs over the Fields on your Left-hand, and behind that part of the Town, I will endeavour to have Gates open’d for you. John. Our Horſemen cannot paſs with our Baggage that Way; it does not lead into the Road that we want to go; and why ſhould you force us out of the Road? beſides, you have kept us here all Day without any proviſions but ſuch as we brought with us; I think you ought to ſend us ſome Proviſions for our Relief. Conſt. If you will go another Way, we will ſend you ſome Proviſions.

John. That is the way to have all the Towns in the County ſtop up the Ways againſt us.

Conſt. It they all furniſh you with Food, what will you be the worſe, I ſee you have Tents, you want no Lodging. John. Well, what quantity of Proviſions will you ſend us? Conſt. How many are you?

John. Nay, we do not ask enough for all our Company, we are in three Companies; if you will ſend us Bread for twenty Men, and about ſix or ſeven Women for three Days, and ſhew us the Way over the Field you ſpeak of, we deſire not to put your People into any fear for us, we will go out of our Way to oblige you, tho’ we are as free from Infection as you are.