A scene in Bridewell prison with Moll Hackabout and the other inmates beating hemp under the supervision of a stern warder holding a cane. Moll is still dressed in her finery, but a one-eyed female attendant fingers the lace lappet hanging from her cap and her serving-woman sits before her in Moll's elegant shoes; next to her a fellow inmate picks vermin off her clothes. Next to Moll is a gambler, a torn playing card on the floor in front of him; behind her, a man stands with his hands in a pillory on which hangs a sign "Better to Work than Stand thus." Further down the wall is a whipping post with the words "The Wages of Idleness." On a shudder against the back wall is an effigy of Sir John Gonson ("Sr. J G").
Alternative Title:
Moll Hackabout and her fellow inmates at work in Bridewell prison
Description:
Title, publisher, date, and state from Paulson., State before black Latin cross added in the middle, below design. See Paulson., "Plate 4"--Lower left corner., and Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
