WANTON TOM: OR, The MERRY History OF Tom STITCH The TAILOR, 
Decked with such pleasing Pastimes of Delight,  
That 'twould invite a Lady, Lord, or Knight  
To Read. It is a Gem, a Mint of treasure,  
It is Sport and Mirth beyond all Measure.   

Licenced,  
R. L. S.   
Printed for R. Butler, and Sold by Richard Kell, next Door to the Sign of the mitre, in St. johnsstreet, 1685.   

The Pleasant HISTORY OF Tom Stitch THE TAILOR:  

CHAP. I. Of Tom Stitch's Parentage and Birth.  
IN Thred-Needle-street, at the upper end of Thimble-Alley, lived one William Stitch by Profession a Tailor, who was Married to Nan Needle, 
Whom many Men did often Thread.  
When they could gain her to their Bed.  She keeping company with many Men, to gain custom, at length she gained the French disease▪ which increasing, she Burnt her Husband's thread; this being known among their Customers, they used to jeer her, and say, She was a hot Needle ●ndeed to burn her Husband's Thread; and when her Husband asked them for Work, they answered, No, no, do you think we will let you be our Tailor, who sows with a hot Needle and a burning Thread. In a short time after they were Married, there arose a great contention between him and his Wife, concerning their Names, she would not have hers buried in forgetfulness, and such a one as his to flourish: Her Husband, to save contention, yielded to let her Name be joined to his, and so was called Stitch-Needle. Soon after that, she lived a more chaste Life than heretofore, so that she proved with Child, but her husband in a quarter of a year after died. He being dead, and she very poor, could not tell whether to go for relief, having scarcely any Friend living, that would regard her; the time soon slipped away, and the day of her delivery drew nigh; but she not thinking it so nigh as it was, caused her to neglect the getting such necessaries us one in her condition required; so one day (unexpectedly) she fell in Travel, no one being with her but only one Maid, who first ran to call the Neighbours, and then the Midwife, but being delivered before she came, a poor Neighbour had dressed the newborn Babe, which was a Boy▪ Then a Minister was sent for to Baptise him, who having order, Named him Tom. Stitch; and a while after the woman asked the Moth●● what she had to give the Child? she answered a with a sigh, that she had nothing in the Hou●● but only a Porringerful of Buttered Cabbage which she had eat part of that day for her dinner 〈◊〉 the Child crying very much, the Woman took i● and warmed it, and then fed the Babe with it who ever since hath loved Cabbage beyond measure.   

CHAP. II. Showing in what manner Tom was brought up of his being put Apprentice, how by a ma 〈…〉 Prank he lay with his Mistress, how his Master, catched him a Bed with her; likewise how he had him before the Chamber 〈…〉 for it, and how by a Jest he was freed.  
IN a few years Tom's Mother Married again and lived very happy, put him to School 〈…〉 there maintained him till he was big enough 〈◊〉 be an Apprentice, than his Mother bid him ma●● choice of what Handicraft Trade he would; 〈◊〉 which he answered, That of all Tradest he lik●● that of a Tailor best. His Mother with 〈◊〉 care imaginable, provided him a Master, who who●● Name was Mr. Deceitful, who had a s 〈◊〉 ●ife to Servants, and Tom being more addicted to Waggery than ordinary, she was the more ●●●ere to him; for every morning, if he lay in past 5 of the Clock, she would go up with 〈◊〉 Cudgel in her hand, and pull Tom out of the ●●d, and beat him like a Stockfish; she using 〈◊〉 serve him so once or twice a week, made him hint 〈…〉 y how to prevent it; so one morning she ●●●ning up to his Bedside in a great rage, fell ●●on him, but he leapt out of the Bed crying, ●omuch that the tears run down his Cheeks, 〈…〉 n she running very eagerly to strike him again, took up the fore-lappet of his Shirt and wiped 〈◊〉 eyes, which when she beheld, forbore to strike 〈◊〉, turning her back to him, and so departed 〈◊〉 of the Room blushing, and never after that ●●uld she call Tom up.  
But he being not contented with what he had 〈…〉 ady done, soon contrived a way to be revenged 〈◊〉 her: For he imagined she kept company with 〈◊〉 Gallants, unknown to her Husband, 〈…〉 efore resolved to find her out if possible. Tom 〈…〉ing an opportunity, one day in the middle 〈◊〉 ●he week, he saw her warining a clean Smock ●●ich was not usual,) began to mistrust she was 〈◊〉 meet a Gallant abroad, so after she had dressed ●●●self, and gone out, Tom followed her, t 〈…〉 〈◊〉 ●ngth she flitted into a noted School of Ve●●● where none but the Sons of Venus went Practitioners, who had each a rich wrought Bed for a Study, and a Daughter of Venus for a Book, which is according to the Poet, who saith, 
A Woman is a Book, and often found,  
To prove far better in the sheets than bound.  
No wonder then why men take such delight,  
Above all things to Study in the Night.   
Tom seeing where she went in, returned back to a Broker's shop, and hired a very rich Suit, Coat, Sword, and a Periwig: In this attire he walked much like a Gentleman to that door where his Mistress went in, and enquired whether that was not a School of Venus, where a Gentleman might have entertainment, to whom the Servant replied, he might: Tom hearing this, entered in, and the first he met was his then kind, though before cruel Mistress, decked with all the tempting dresses Art could produce, her face looked like Alabaster, a Tower upon her head to conquer her Lovers, nay, her Smiles seemed to overcome her greatest Enemies; in this dress she beheld his beautiful Looks (which was scarcely to be equaled by any) thought him to be some highborn Person, and herself happy, only to admire him; at length, she broke silence, and gave him this Courteous Salutation; Much Honoured Sir, your looks do presage you are of some Noble Extraction, your Majestical presence forceth my tongue to express what my heart thinks, yet I hope, Noble Sir, I shall not presume in so high a Nature, but that you will forgive. I shall think myself happy to be reckoned in the number of your Servants. He hearing her salute him, at his entrance with such inviring expressions, imagined what she would be at, so taking her by the hand desired her to be his Pilot into some haven of felicity; she yielded to his request, and conducted him up stairs into a Chamber; after he had entered the Chamber, he complemented her in this sort, Bright Madam, your matchless beauty hath Captivated my senses, and if you will but vouchsafe to honour me with your Sweet and Delightful Company, I shall think myself more happy than Pari●, who enjoyed the Grecian Queen; to which she replied, Dear Sir, Command me as your own, while you remain here, nay, your sweet Looks hath so charmed me, that I could die in your Arms, She yielding up herself so wholly to him, he entertained her with all the choice vainties the house could afford; but as he was taking his repose with her, he slipped a pair of Scissors out of his pocket and cut off a piece of her bew Petticoat, and after he had enjoyed her, made what haste he could and discharged the reckoning and departed. At his departure she hoped to have his company there again such a day of the following week, to which he consented, promising not to fail.  
Tom made haste and sh●fted his clothes, and went home laughing to think how he had served his Mistress, & how he could have her at his beck.  
Tom's Mistress after she had miss the piece of her Petticoat, and thought Tom had been some Gentleman her Husband had sent (fearing he had heard she was there) on purpose to betray her (but never thought 'twas her man Tom) she vexing herself a long time, could not tell what she had best do, sometimes, thinking one thing, sometimes another, in this perplexity, at last she pined up her Petticoat, and resolved to venture home, let what would be the event; so home she went and found her Husband sitting by the Fire (poor Cuckold) warming himself, not thinking where his wife had been, or whose Fire had warmed her. When she perceived he was Ignorant where she had been, thought he made himself so on purpose, to hear what she would say; she sitting by the Fire very melancholy, at length her Husband asked her what made her so disconsolate? she answered, she was not very well; the Cuckold (being very kind, as most are) caused a Caudle to be made for her; yet she could not be well for 3 or 4 days; Tom taking no notice of her at that time, but at last resol●●● to speak to her in this manner; Good Mistress I am very sorry to see you so Melancholy a● you have been these last 3 or 4 days, if you are any ways discontented, I will venture my life 〈◊〉 purchase your content; or if any hath done you wrong, i'll spend every drop of blood in my body to right you, so you will but let me know the cause of your being thus sad and sorrowful; she hearing him speak thus to her, (which he never did before) checked him for his Sawcyness, ●●●ding him begun, which he instantly did, but for as he was going out, Though I have offended you now, some body else will please you befor● night, (that being the day he appointed to me●● her,) she hearing him say so, mistrusted he knew, (having a Guilty Conscience) asked him wh●● 'twas he said? Tom replied suddenly to her again, I hope you'll be pleased before night, and though you think I know nothing, yet you'd 〈◊〉 glad if I did not know what I do; she being touched to the quick, gave him half a Crown 〈◊〉 tell her what he meant; this is the thing that 〈◊〉 mean, said he, and pulled the piece of her Petticoat out of his Pocket; she blushing, gave him a piece of Gold, begging him not to tell her Husband hoping he did not know already: No, said Tom, he does not know, nor I will never let him; when he had promised her not to tell, she asked him how he came by it? he answered, I ●m he that cut it off; then she blushing more and more, said, Dear Tom, 
●f thou this secret wilt to none impart,  
A Purse of Gold i'll give thee with my heart  
Nay, i'll kiss & love thee without measure,  
And study day & night to yield, thee pleasure.  
〈◊〉 have no power to frown nor angry be,  
●'le not resist, do what thou list with me:  
Tom hearing this, gave her a Kiss,  
But first he ran to shut and lock the door,  
Then did he to her as he had done before;  
The scene is changed, no more in awe he'll stand  
For now the Man the Mistress doth command.   
Now Tom lived more like her Husband than a Apprentice, having store of choice dainties given him daily to eat, money enough, fine clothes, his 〈…〉ed warmed every night (in the Wintertime) and when his Master was out of Town, lay with his Mistress, but unknown to the Maid or his fellow Apprentice. Tom's Mistress proving so kind, at length his Master took notice of it, and grew jealous, yet thought 'twas only a Fancy of his, till at length 'twas so plain, that he could not but take notice of it, and therefore resolved (if possible) to find them out; so one day he feigned that a Lord who lived in the Country, ●ad sent for him, to take measure to make him a Suit, and that he was to lie there 〈◊〉 night; but acquainted the Maid with his 〈◊〉 (giving her a piece of Gold) charging her at 〈◊〉 of the Clock at night, to open the door when 〈◊〉 gave but one knock; he hired a horse, and had 〈◊〉 brought to thee door, (the better to blind his wif● then mounted and Rid away.  
Tom and his Mistress being glad of the opportunity thinking themselves safe, at night 〈◊〉 went to Bed, and he to her as soon as his fellow Apprentice was asleep, and there enjoyed the wished desires. But what should prove the mishap, at twelve of the Clock her Husband knocked at the Door, and being let in by, the Maid, went directly up stairs to his Wife's Bedside, drawed the Curtains, and there beheld his Wife and his Man Tom circled in one another's Arms, both being fast asleep; when he beheld them lying so lovingly, could scar●● contain himself in the bounds of reason, but was ready to pull them out of the Bed, yet pausing a while upon it, resolved to make an example of them both, and first of Tom; when he had called his Maid up to see, and be a witness of it, left the room, and left them both asleep; so about 2 or 3 of the Clock in the afternoon the next day, he came home, taking no notice of what he had seen in the night. The next day in order to Tom's punishment, had him warned before the Chamberlain, which started him and his Mistress when they heard it, she wondering that she did not know it; neither of them mistrusting it was for that. But she (that morning as he was to appear before the Chamberlain) asked her Husband what Tom had done that be should he had before the Chamberlain; to which he replied, You shall know before night. When the time came, that Tom appeared before the Chamberlain, his Master made this complaint of him, Worshipful Sir, I have warned my man before you, to have him severely punished for being so impudent and saucy as to lie with my Wife; and to prove the truth of it, I have brought my Maid to Witness it, therefore I entreat your Worship to have him punished with all the severity the Law can inflict. The Chamberlain hearing what a fool he was, to proclaim himself a Cuckold, smiled in Conceit, then called Tom and asked him whether that were true which his Master objected against him? To which he answered, If it please your Worship, I cannot deny it; You are, said the Chamberlain, an impudent Rogue; not, said Tom, such an impudent Rogue as your Worship— tacks me to be; Come Sirrah, said the Chamberlain, I'll teach you to set your words closer together. He perceiving Tom to be very Arch, rep 〈…〉 him for lying with his Mistress, telling him 〈◊〉 a great sin it was, bidding him Fly the E● braces of his Mistress, as Joseph did: Ma 〈…〉 please your Worship, said Tom, if his M 〈…〉 had been so fair as mine, he would not ha●● forborn her: When the Chamberlain h●●●● this jest he fell a laughing, (as likewise all 〈◊〉 than were present) and dismissed him without a Punishment.  
Tom's Master seeing him dismissed so, m●●● what haste he could home, and told his Wife ever she let Tom lie with her again he w 〈…〉 turn them both out of doors; but if she w 〈…〉 promise never to lie with him again, he w 〈…〉 forgive all that was passed; yet for all her promi 〈…〉 she could not but love and steal some sweet embraces of her pretty Tom.   

CHAP. III. Showing how Tom was revenged on the Maid for not telling him of his Master's design, in taking him and his Mistress in Bed together; of his Mistress' death, and of his being turned out of doors.  
WHen this Quarrel was over, and all things quiet, Tom studied how to be revenged on the Maid, for not acquainting him ●nd his Mistress of his Master's Plot, in catching ●im with his Mistress: Tom at length imagined 〈◊〉 and his fellow Apprentice was Married, and sometimes he missed him in the night, yet never thought of any thing but that he rose to make water, etc. So now he resolved to watch his water, and the next night slept Dog sleep, till ●bout one of the Clock he began to jog him, and all to know if he were awake or no: Tom perceiving his design, lay still and said not a word, it seemed as if he were asleep; the other thinking him so, rose out of his Bed and went to the supposed Maid, staying with her two hours before 〈◊〉 returned again, where he found Tom (as he ●●ought) asleep. Tom sleeping Dog Sleep for ●●ree or four nights together, observed him constantly to go to her. But the next night wh〈…〉 he was at Supper, he put Sleeping Pow●●● into his Drink, to make him Sleep sound 〈◊〉 about one of the Clock (the same hour he 〈◊〉 to rise) he jogged him, to know whether 〈◊〉 was asleep: When Tom perceived he 〈◊〉 asleep, rose and went to his Fellow Prent 〈…〉 Wife (but resolved if she spoke, only to whis 〈…〉 she lying awake ready to receive him; when 〈◊〉 heard him, she desired him to drink that 〈◊〉 of Sack, thinking Tom to be her Husband, when he had drank it up, she received him in her Arms, Embracing him very lovingly, t 〈…〉 remaining two hours enjoying his Heart's ●●light, and then with a parting Kiss, 〈…〉 her adieu. When Tom came to his own 〈◊〉 he found his Fellow Apprentice fast asleep as left him. In the morning about Six of 〈◊〉 Clock, Tom rose (leaving him asleep) 〈◊〉 went down (the supposed Maid being up) to th●●● her for the Sack he drank, and the kind Entertainment she gave him in her Bed. O 〈…〉 vens, said he, was it you? I beg you on 〈◊〉 knees, never to reveal it to any, for if yo● do, I am undone! For I thought you to 〈◊〉 your Fellow Apprentice, to whom I am Marry●● No, said he, i'll be even with you: 〈◊〉 more he threatened to tell, the more she persuaded him not, proffering him any thing would desire, Since you are so willing to have it concealed, said he, I will take some pity on you, though you would not of me; fetch me down half a years' wages: and she yielded to give him the money, but not to lie with him. No, said he, I will lie with you, or tell. When she found she could not prevail, yielded to him; but shortly after she proved with Child, and left her service, desiring him never to reveal it, which he promised never to do.  
In a month after she was gone, his Mistress fell sick and died, and he out of his Time in a fortnight after. His Master being incensed against him, turned him out of doors that very day his time was expired, so that poor Tom could not tell whether to go, nor what to do, now his best Friend and loving Mistress was dead, being ashamed to go near any of his Relations, he proving so ungrateful to them in his Apprenticeship.   

CHAP. FOUR Showing how Tom forsook London, his sad Lamentation at his departure; of his being entertained by an Old Woman (who was very Rich) in Leeds in Yorkshire; likewise how he promised to marry her, and sixteen Maids in one day, which he got with Child in Fifteen weeks; and lastly he appointed them all to meet him in a particular place; and how he deceived them, and left the Town.  
SOon after Tom's Dear Mistress was dead (being almost in despair) resolved to take Ramble into the Country, hoping to find employment there; So in order thereunto he provided what necessaries he could, and the next week set forwards on his journey, and when he was about a Mile from London, in a Pleasant Field upon a green bank, on a bright Sunshine day, he sat down and made this sad Lamentation. 
O Fortune frown no more as thou hast done,  
But let my joys shine bright as doth the Sun:  
Let me no more upon the rock of fate be tossed  
Nor think of her whom I have lately lost;  
My loving mistress (which I made my Slave)  
Is fled from me, for to embrace her grave.  
Triumphing grief, I fear my heart will break,  
My tears gush forth my tongue can scarcely speak.  
None ever yet did mourn and weep like me,  
Nor none, sure yet, had the like destiny;  
But hold, in vain I grieve for her that's gone,  
I'll no more to the regardless air moan;  
If fortune will but smile on me again,  
I'll quit myself from all this grief and pain;  
Farewell rich London, and my Mother too,  
For unto both I now must bid adieu.   
Tom having eased his mind, rose up and went on till he came to Leeds where he was entertained very kindly by an Old Rich Woman both at Board and Bed; for he no sooner asked her but she consented, and was very glad when he sued to her for affection, whom she daily wished to enjoy; yet kept off at a seeming distance for some time tho' not long.  
This Old Woman doting on him, gave him any thing he desired, and Tom having her purse as well as her heart at Command, asked one day (when he was Kissing and playing with her) to lend him some money to set him up; 〈◊〉 having not the power to deny him, let him 〈◊〉 what money he desired; when he was set 〈◊〉 (though in her house) made himself acquainted with all the Maids he could, who thought themselves never so happy as when they were in 〈◊〉 Company, and brought him all the work 〈◊〉 possibly could, Tom seeing them so loving kind to him, tickled their Fancies with prett● Love stories, and one above the rest, named 〈◊〉 Betty, who procured him much work. Th● pretty Betty imagined Tom loved her, (〈◊〉 having a Sweetheart before) therefore every 〈◊〉 she would constantly carry him a Leg of a Go● or a Turkey, or some of her choice daintys. To● seeing how kind and loving she was, made he● really think he loved her, but resolved never 〈◊〉 Mary her.  
There was many other Maids he pretend●● the like kindness for which his Old Landlady perceiving, grew jealous of him: so one 〈◊〉 after Tom had been Kissing one before her 〈◊〉 quarrelled with him, threatening to turn him 〈◊〉 of doors, and to arrest him for fifteen shillings he owed her. Tom soon quelled her passi●● with some sweet loving words, and was 〈◊〉 into favour again: But resolved not to kiss any of the Maids before her face, but went he● to their houses, there being sixteen of them which he had got with Child in Fifteen weeks, promised to marry them all; sometimes one came 〈◊〉 him to Marry her, Sometimes another; ●ut he pretending sometimes one thing, sometimes another, so that he could not marry them. however (one day to blind them) bought a Gold ●ing, and told first his Lanlady, (if she would ●end him five pounds) he would Marry her with ●hat Ring; to which his old Landlady agreed, 〈◊〉 than she thought herself sure of him. When he had the five pounds, appointed her to meet him in such a style, about half a mile from Leeds, at ●ight of the Clock precisely, and from thence to be married privately. So likewise he went to all the sixteen supposed Maids, which he had got with Child, showing them the Ring, that he would marry them with, who rejoiced as much to see it, as if they were already married, & gave to each of them one yard of scarlet Ribbon, to wear under their Chins that day, desiring every one in particular to meet him the next morning at 8 of the clock exactly, and from thence to go & 〈◊〉 Married, to which they agreed: But yet he requested one thing of every one, and that was, ●o lend him what Money they could, for he had, as he feigned, laid all his Money out to buy a Bargain of Cloth; they believed him, so one lent him 5 pounds, some more, some less, according as they had; and when he had got what Money he could, returned home to Bed. The next Morning rising very early▪ desired his Landl●●● to dress herself to be married, which she did, 〈◊〉 went directly to the place appointed. After 〈◊〉 was gone, Tom made what haste he could 〈◊〉 the Town, but not to meet his Landlady 〈◊〉 the rest that he had appointed; and after she 〈◊〉 gone he writ these following Lines, and 〈◊〉 them under his Landlady's Pillow.  
Farewell old hostess, my smooth flattering 〈◊〉  
Hath proved to old for you, tho' i'm but yo●  
You had me sure, you thought, & that this 〈◊〉  
I should with licence grant you much delight  
You that oft times claimed debts of me, must  
For I resolved, myself, to double pay.  
Could you so much a fool think me to be,  
To one that's old and cold to bride and 〈◊〉  
No, the case is far more just as it doth sta●●  
For you too oft had me at your command  
Before his old Landlady was arrived at place appointed, there overtook her first one 〈◊〉 Maid with a Red Ribbon under her 〈◊〉 then another, and another, till eleven had pass 〈◊〉 The old Woman seeing so many pass by 〈◊〉 with Ribbons under their Chins, wondered 〈◊〉 much, till at length she came near the 〈◊〉 where she saw all those that had passed by he, 〈◊〉 about five or Six more, all sighing and wondering at each other, thinking every minute an hour till they see him coming; at length they spied a man coming towards them, made what hast they could to meet him; but when they saw it was not him, all their hearts were ready to break together; yet none broke silence, for fear of betraying themselves; but the man spoke to them, and said, I hav● a Message to deliver to you, but was charged not to declare it till I approached the Style, impatiently waiting for her Bridegroom; as the others did. They being gathered round about him; he pulled these following Lines out of his Pocket, they being sent by wanton Tom to be read to ●hem. 
To you poor Lasses, I these lines do send,  
Confessing each of you have been my Friend  
Some brought me Work, some dainties for to eat,  
Not thinking I should ever prove a cheat:  
〈◊〉 true your hearts and Maidenheads I pierced,  
〈◊〉 who will laugh? You're all alike distressed;  
Nay my old Hostess thought this day to Marry,  
Yet she, like you, for me must longer Tarry.  
And I your Money will as freely spend,  
As e'er your Maidenheads to me you lend,  
Now for your Maiden heads you may comp●●  
Your hearts, your money to return again,  
Sigh and lament, but 'twill be all in vain.  
Then farewell you, from Leeds I now am g●  
And not contracted unto any one.  
When I again do hear where he doth dwell,  
A Second Part all his Mad Pranks shall tell▪    
The End of the First Part.