University of Virginia Library

Scena I.

Stathrift. Ms Seathrift. Ms Holland. Ms Scruple.
Seath.
I did commit her to your charge that you
Might breed her, Ms Scruple, and doe require
Her at your hand. Here be fine tricks, indeed;
My daughter Susan to be stolne a week,
And you conceale it; you were of the plot,
I doe suspect you.

Ms Scru.
Sir, will you but heare
Me meekly?

Seath.
No, J'le never trust againe
A woman with white eyes, that can take notes,
And write a Comment on the Catechisme.
All your devotion's false; ist possible
She could be gone without your knowledge?

Ms Scru.
Will you
Attend me, Ms Seathrift? If my husband
To weane her from love courses, did not take
More paines with her then with his Tuesday Lectures,
And if J did not every day expound
Some good things to her gainst the sinne oth' flesh,
For feare of such temptations, to which fraile girles
Are very subject, let me never more
Be thought fit to instruct young Gentlewomen,
Or deale in Tent-stitch. Who ere twas that seduced her,
She took my daughter Emlins gowne and ruffe,
And left her owne clothes: and my Schollers say
She often would write Letters.

Seath.
Why tis right
Some silenc't Minister has got her: that J
Should breed my daughter in a Conventicle!

Ms Seath.
Pray husband be appeas'd.

Seat.
You are a foole.

Ms Seath.
You heare her Ms could not help it.

Seath.
Nor
Your sonne help being a fish.

Ms Holl.
Why, Sir, was he
The first that was abus'd by Captaines?

Seath.
Goe
You talke like prating Gossips.

Ms Holl.
Gossips? slight
What Gossips, Sir?

Ms Seath.
What Gossips are we? speak.

Seath.
J'le tell you since youd know: my wife and you,
Shrill Ms Holland, have two tongues, that when
Th'are in conjunction, are busier, and make
More noise then country faires, and utter more tales
Then blind-folkes, Mid-wives, Nurses. Then no show
Though't be a Jugler scapes you. You did follow
The Elephant so long, and King of Sweden,
That people at last came in to see you. Then
My sonne could not be made a Fish, but who
Should I finde there much taken with the sight
But you two? I may now build Hospitals,
Or give my mony to Plantations.
Exit Seath.

Ms Seath.
Lets follow him, come Ms Scruple.

Ms Holl.
Just
As your Sue left her Schoole-mistresse, my Pen
Left me.

Ms Scru.
They'l come againe J warrant you.

Exeunt.