University of Virginia Library

Scæna tertia

Enter Brainsick, Miniona,, Maide,, ffew:, Clutch, &c [Shackle]
Brain:
Nowe Ladie,
I tould you alwaies the old man was mortall, though somewhat longe
winded, alas, what are our transitory dayes, they will haue an end,
[Life eu'lastinge is the thinge wee must trust to] [wee must all to't,], wee are only to haue
Care; that wee leaue some of our breed behinde vs, [that] the [full number]
[of People may be made vpp,] [that the world may not [end] [breake of] abruptly]

ffew:
If wee might cupple prittie one, what a braue race of Gyants
would there issue from vs, for the Pigmie warr,.

Maide.
Nay if you come soe vppon mee, there wilbe little betwixt [vs]—
[Vs,] the matter wilbe [sau'd] soone ended

Brain:
You see Sweete Hearte, what fortunes are befalne mee, on the death
of this ould man, as I am the elder Brother, I am the Stallion of
the howse,, I must gett theis Children to hould vpp the name, If
you will be pleased to accept mee in the way of Matrimony, soe, if not, soe,

Minio:
I like this blunt way, now; some do't thus,—
Diuinest Ladie, if youl'e vouchsafe to create mee, your second selfe, you—
will diefie my mortalitie,, Soe shall I neither admire, nor envie, the—
happines of the Gods aboue,? ffaugh—could thou be tyed thinkest
thou,? to the strict rules of marriage,? haveinge beene soe great a [wencher] [whoremaster,?]

Brain:
I haue whor'd a little I must confesse, for the good of myne yssue
That is to come, [as the Pott on the fier, soe boyles Mans—nature,]
[What comes first is froth & scum'd, what remaines in mee is—
[pure, & ≼fect.,] [my Youthly blood boyld high: the courser parte]
[[OMITTED] I allowd [an] a naturall vent, what now remaines]
[[OMITTED] is full of vigor. strength, most pure & perfect,]

Minio:
Is this Certaine/?

Brain:
Why are soe many elder Brothers ffooles,? but because theire
ffathers vsed not my prevention,?

Minio:
Haue not I need of the same Cure?,? I would willingly be right, & straight?

Brain:
Noe, noe, noe, t'is but when two Maydenheads meete, you knowe ye Proverbe,

[Minio:]
[You haue brought yor. bodie to such a custome, yt. I doubt you cannot leaue it.,]

[Brain:]
[I Confesse I vse to haue a whore after dynner for Concoction, and]
[drinke drunke att night, or I cannot rest, you shall serue turne]
[for the one, and Ile goe sometimes [sober] to Bedd [sober], tis noe matter]
[where I sleepe, whilst you are wt h mee, I shall finde other imployment.,]

Minio:
I loue Boyes dearely well, If you come drunke to Bedd, you
will gett nothinge but Girles,
Ile crosse yee that Proverbe

Brain:
If 'twere as you saie, ther's not a gentleman about vs would
eu' gett a girle at home, for when they are drunke, whilst there
is a Bawdie howse in the Towne, they will thither rather
Then lye with their owne wiues, bee they nere soe handsome.,

T'is a vild fault [in them] that

(Interlined note)

Minio:
[Promise but one thinge I am thine sweete hearte, Nowe the]

[Brain:]
[But heare mee, nowe the] old Vndermyne is, falne to ruine, if hee comes to vs to begg
his bread, weele see him starue first, if hee soe impudently
Disgraces mee, as to call thee Daughter, I will not owne him,
That's the only Cittie Custome I affect, ffor the proud Knaves
soe vse the poore Clownes their ffathers, when they come vpp a begging

[Min:]
[a begginge,] And I cannott blame them, Rascalds disparage their
owne Children;

Brain:
Nay weele haue him whipt,, & sett in the Stocks, and then sent
to the Place where hee was borne,

Minio:
[And] that hee knowes not, has lived soe longe in the Cittie, [must]

Brain:
[he not] [Why] then [hee must] bee whipt round about the world as a wandringe Iewe,?

[Brain:]
[I marry must hee,] but hearke yee, there is one faulte in you, I
must haue mended too, you must not turne yor. Cheeke, when gentl salute you.,

Minio:
In troth Sr. but I will, is it not in fashōn? Come come, wee haue
not all sweete breathes, besides

[ther is something els wee that vse that trick haue more minde to, [and therfore wee t]]

(Interlined note)

[wee must wriggle,, and wriggle,]
[& wriggle thus, to shewe wee would doe [th'other] [some] thinge [ells] with]
[all our hearts Then [And therefore wee]] turne the Cheeke, to intimate Kissinge
[is but drye sporte.] /

dose not well wt hout [it]

(Interlined note)

(Enter Hodge & Shackle
Brain:
Come come I saie leave it.,

[Minio:]
Why then lett them all leave it for shame,

Brain:
Hodge, Come hither Hodge, what thinkst thou of my Mistrisse.?

Hodge.
Tis a marlus zappie wench, chill warrant hur.,

Brain:
I must instantly be marryed, there are some appurtenances
wantinge, Hearke in your eare, you must disburse Hodge;

Hodge.
Chill with all my hearte,,

Brain:
Goe & direct him Shackle, Hodge, about it, with all the speed
thy nimble shankes can carry,

Hodge:
Chill bee shanke all ore, to make the weeder strides.,

exeunt Hodge & Shackle
Brain:
Thou art a good naturall, noe artificiall Clowne;