Richard Head, English Rogue (1665)

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Excerpt

Chap. XXIV

The protagonist arrives in Ireland, near Dublin, having a new name. He’s got no possessions for the ship bringing those sunk. Difficulties to understand the Irish and their habits occur. He takes a “coach” to Dublin which he describes as a place filled with mischief. He finds a place to stay, has his hair cut off and gets a wig to be able to stay incognito. He’s got problems to got used to his new self. When his Landlady demands payment, which he can’t give her, he tries to flatter her. This doesn’t help much and, partly by good luck, he finds her in bed with another man one day. In order to stay silent about this incidence he receives ten pounds. (Swantje Mahn)

Chap. XXV

He loses this money as soon as he received it, by gaming, and soon has to live from water and little food only. At the same time he tries hard to pretend to be living and eating as good as he used to. His stomach begins to act up, he can’t sleep, loses weight and looks like a “walking skeleton”. (Swantje Mahn)

Chap. XXVI

He happens to end up at a house where he meets “Mr.Doctor” who has a look at him and where an old lady takes care of him and offers him food which his body can’t hold onto for too long. Eventually though, he begins to get better for the lady feels sorry for his misery and makes sure he gets back to his former state. As payment though, he has to sleep with her. (Swantje Mahn)

Chap. XXVIII p.2-94

Chapter XXXVIII page 75 - 78 summary :

He walks down the street and notices a man with an interesting and very used wardrobe. He describes the man´s hat, doublet, cloak, breechea and skirts. He invites the man into an Ale-house an questions him about his stange outfit. He brings the man new clothes and walks with him in the streets.They see an easy to steal hogshead of wine. The man "hires" two or three more Rouges and they steal the hogshead at night. (Manuela Leidel)

Chapter XXXVIII page 94-102 summary:

He meets a young country girl while riding down a road and is amazed by her beauty. He stays the night at her family´s house and pretends that he is very sick the next day so that he can stay longer. After beeing sick for about two weeks he asks the girls parents to let him marry her. They accept. Her father catches them naked and wants them to marry quickly.The man leaves unknown and sends the girl twenty pieces of gold and a poem. (Manuela Leidel)

Chap. XXIX p.2-102

Chapter XXIX page 79-83 summary:

The same night the man hears that his Landlady is very sick and that she wants to see him. But when he reaches her place she has already died. He takes her hand and finds ten pieces of gold in it and puts them secretly into his pocket. He stayes another two or three days in her house and returns to his new friend who tries to persuade him to commit another crime with him. The man refuses and they part in anger.His friend is caught and is sentenced to death. He visits him in prison and they have a discussion about God. A couple of days later he watches his friends execution. (Manuela Leidel)

Chapter XXIX page 102-105 Summary:

After leaving the country girl he stops an an Inn.In the evening he continues his trip and meets an armed gentleman along the way.They get into a fight and kill eachothers horses. He manages to get on top of the other man an wants to steal his money. He finds no gold underneath the clothes but breasts. The gentleman is a woman. A robber woman. She takes him to her place and they become friends. (Manuela Leidel)

Chap. XXX

Chapter XXX page 105-110 summary:

The man stays at the robber women`s house for a while and she tells him about her life. How she was raised, that her father was a sword cutler and that she was taught how to fight with a sword. She tells him that she got married to an Innkeeper at the age of fifteen and how her husband treated her badly. She descided to become a robber and took revenge by stealing her husbands money and leaving him. The man gets to know some of her robber friends and leaves after some days. (Manuela Leidel)

Links

• [Richard Head] The English rogue described in the life of Meriton Latroon, a witty extravagant. London: Francis Kirkman, 1666. EEBO Anglistik Server Oldenburg
• [A shortened cheap book version:] The life and death of the English rogue, or, His last legacy to the world. London, 1679. EEBO