Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 7.djvu/34



O their Excellencies the Lords Justices of Ireland, The humble petition of Frances Harris, Who must starve, and die a maid, if it miscarries: Humbly showeth, That I went to warm myself in lady Betty's chamber, because I was cold; And I had in a purse seven pounds, four shillings, and six pence, beside farthings, in money and gold; So, because I had been buying things for my lady last night, I was resolved to tell my money, to see if it was right. And, instead of putting it into my pocket, down it slipp'd; Then the bell rung, and I went down to put my lady to bed; And, God knows, I thought my money was as safe as my maidenhead. So, when I came up again, I found my pocket feel very light; But when I searched, and miss'd my purse, Lord! I thought I should have sunk outright. Lord!