Give me leave to say, sir, in answer to what you hint, That you may in

a twelvemonth's time marry me, on the continuance of my good behaviour;

that this weighs less with me, if possible, than any thing else you have

said: for, in the first place, there is an end of all merit, and all

good behaviour, on my side, if I have now any, the moment I consent to

your proposals: And I should be so far from expecting such an honour,

that I will pronounce, that I should be most unworthy of it. What, sir,

would the world say, were you to marry your harlot? That a gentleman of

your rank in life should stoop, not only to the base-born Pamela, but to

a base-born prostitute?--Little, sir, as I know of the world, I am not

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to be caught by a bait so poorly covered as this!

Yet, after all, dreadful is the thought, that I, a poor, weak,

friendless, unhappy creature, am too full in your power! But permit me,

sir, to pray, as I now write on my bended knees, That before you resolve

upon my ruin, you will weigh well the matter. Hitherto, sir, though you

have taken large strides to this crying sin, yet are you on this side

the commission of it.--When once it is done, nothing can recall it! And

where will be your triumph?--What glory will the spoils of such a weak

enemy yield you? Let me but enjoy my poverty with honesty, is all my

prayer, and I will bless you, and pray for you, every moment of my life!

Think, O think! before it is yet too late! what stings, what remorse

will attend your dying hour, when you come to reflect, that you have

ruined, perhaps soul and body, a wretched creature, whose only pride

was her virtue! And how pleased you will be, on the contrary, if in

that tremendous moment you shall be able to acquit yourself of this foul

crime, and to plead in your own behalf, that you suffered the earnest

supplications of an unhappy wretch to prevail with you to be innocent

yourself, and let her remain so!--May God Almighty, whose mercy so

lately saved you from the peril of perishing in deep waters, (on which,

I hope, you will give me cause to congratulate you!) touch your heart

in my favour, and save you from this sin, and me from this ruin!--And

to him do I commit my cause; and to him will I give the glory, and

night and day pray for you, if I may be permitted to escape this great

evil!---




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