_Madam, I’m gone, no wonder, for you know, Lovers encounters are but touch and go._
Arriving at _Billings-gate_, I went straight to a Tavern, where I had an interest with the Drawer, resolving there to consult seriously with my self what course to follow, being as yet unresolved what to do. After I had raised my dulled spirits with a glass or two, I concluded to hazard my Masters good opinion, nay, and my Mistresses affection too; which though at that present it only smoaked, I might easily divine, that in process of time it would burst forth into a flame. Being before confined to my Masters time, I began to consider what an excellent thing Liberty was, equally estimable with Health; which two, though they are the greatest and most precious gifts (next our Redemption) the Creator of the World hath bestowed on mankind; yet we poor mortals value them not till we are sensible of their want, by being deprived of them. This is an infallible maxime, _That the deprivation of a thing shall be so much the more evil, as the possession thereof is good_. Now if Liberty be such an excellent & delectable thing when enjoyed, how miserable are those that want it?
Having moneys in my Pocket, I concluded to experiment the enjoyment thereof, and to participate of such delights the nature of young men is most inclinable to. Now man being a sociable Creature, I thought I should reap but little satisfaction to my self in the expence of my moneys, without an Associate: Wherefore I sent to an Apprentice of my intimate acquaintance contemporary with me, and who had often prompted me to ramble with him. This Lad was his Masters Casheer, which I knew would much assist my design. I made him acquainted with my intention of trying the world: Though it had been formerly his own motion, yet he seemed at the first something startled; but all his doubts I resolved; adding moreover, That to have our wills inslaved to other mens, was a thing insupportable, since that we were, as well as they, created free Denizens of this world. That since our great Grand-Father was Emperor of the whole world, we could not stile our selves less than Princes, and therefore debased our Birth by a voluntary submission to Service and Slavery. I had no great occasion to make use of many Arguments to this purpose; for his own inclination was sufficient to perswade him. The result of our discourse was a firm resolution to become two Knights-errant. I advised him forthwith to go home and bring with him what Cash he had in his possession; which he readily performed, and indeed more then I could expect, being 200_l._ the Fates having so decreed to favour this our first bold exploit, as a tryal of what we durst attempt.