Page:History of the blind beggar of Bethnal Green (2).pdf/10

10 a daughter born, who was very beautiful which made him think himself the happiest man alive. An hundred times he kissed and dạndled her in his arms, and at her christening, which was performed with decency and prudence, caused her to be named Elizabeth, from whence she was called pretty Bessy.

As she grew up, her beauty, wit, shape, and other perfections, were so extraordinary, that her praises were always spoken of, especially by the young men, which made the young maids seek all opportunities to affront her openly, frequently calling her Beggar's Brat, which she bore as long as she could, with a becoming patience, and strove by gentle persuasions to make them leave off their reflections, but all proving to no purpose, she desired her parents to let her go and seek her fortune, to which they both consented with tears in their eyes, though they long opposed it, using many arguments to persuade her to the contrary: but finding her reasons weighty and tending to her advantage, they left her to her own discretion.