The Hiſtory of the famous Moll Flanders.
THE moſt remarkable account
can give of my parents is, that
my father was hang'd for felony,
and my mother tranſported for
the ſame fact, after ſhe was delivered of
me in Newgate, from whence I was
taken by ſome gypſies, who left me at
Colcheſter, I then not being above three
years of age.
There the magiſtrates taking pity on
me, and took care of me till I was
thirteen years of age; and then being
fancied by a rich gentlewoman, I
ſhared in the eduation of her daugh-
ters, learning to dance, ſpeak French,
and play upon muſical inſtruments.
Theſe qualifications, together with my
beauty, caued my lad's eldeſt ſon to
pretend love to me; and at laſt with
his alluring ſpeeches, his powerful gold,
melting kiſſes, and fair promiſes that
he would marry me when he came to
his eſtate, prevailled upon me to ſurre-
nder my virginity to him, and permit
him to uſe me whenever he had will
and opportunity.
But ſcarce a year was gone before
