University of Virginia Library

Scene I.

Needle. Item.
Nee.
Troth Mr. Item, here's a house divided,
And quarter'd into parts, by your Doctors ingine.
H'has cast out such aspersions on my Ladies
Neice here, of having had a Child; as hardly
Will be wip'd off, I doubt.

Ite.
Why, is't not true?

Nee.
True! did you thinke it?

Ite.
Was shee not in labour?
The Mid-wife sent for?

Ite.
There's your errour now!
Yo' ha' drunke o' the same water.

Item.
I beleev'd it,
And gave it out too.

Nee.
More you wrong'd the party;
She had no such thing about her, innocent creature!

Iem.
What had she then? only a fit o' the Mother!
They burnt old shoes, Goose-feathers, Assa fœtida,
A few horne shavings, with a bone, or two,
And she is well againe, about the house;—

Ite.
Is't possible?

Nee.
See it, and then report it.

Ite.
Our Doctors Vrinall-Judgement is halfe crack'd then.

Nee.
Crack't i' the case, most hugely, with my Lady,
And sad Sir Moath, her brother; who is now
Vnder a cloud a little.

Ite.
Of what? Disgrace?

Nee.
He is committed to Rud-hudibras,
The Captaine Ironside, upon displeasure,
From Mr. Compasse, but it will blow off.

Ite.
The Doctor shall reverse his, instantly,
And set all right againe: if you'll assist
But in a toy; Squire Needle, comes i' my nodle now.

Nee.
Good, Needle and Nodle! what may't be? I long for't.

Ite.
Why, but to goe to bed: faine a distemper
Of walking i' your sleepe, or talking in't
A little idly, but so much, as on' it,
The Doctor may have ground, to raise a cure
For's reputation.

Nee.
Any thing, to serve
The worship o' the man I love and honour.