The Bawd was a character in William Shakespeare's play Pericles.
She and the Pandar were in charge of a house of ill-repute in Mytilene. In an alternative version of Scene VI, they discussed Romana's presence in the house. The Bawd commented "Fie upon her! She would make a puritan of the devil!". Lord Lysimachus then arrived and requested "what wholesome iniquity" they had. In reference to Romana, the Bawd told him they had one unlike anybody who had ever come to Mytilene, who she assured him was "never plucked yet". He called for this woman to be called forth, after which the Bawd and the Pandar left both of them alone.
After Lysimachus departed, the Bawd was told by the Pandar that Romana had "spoken holy words" to Lysimachus to which she exclaimed "hang her up for ever!" and wished aloud that Romana had never set foot in the house. After Romana requested more stew while she awaited rescue, the Bawd said that she was "born to undo us" before telling her "dish of chastity" to come, promising to "serve thee up with rosemary and bays". (PROSE: Pericles [+]Loading...["Pericles (short story)"])