University of Virginia Library

Scen. 1.

Enter Lesbia, the Midwife and Mysis Glyceriums maide at one doore, Simo and Dauus at another.
Mys.
I, indeede Lesbia you haue said aright:
A woman hardly findes a faithfull louer.

Sim.
Belongs this maide to th'Andrian here?

Dau.
Yes sir.

Mys.
But this kinde Pamphilus—

Sim.
What ist she saies?

Mys.
Hath giuen her full assurance—

Sim.
Out alas!

Dau.
Would either he were deafe now or she dumbe.

Mys.
That sonne or daughter, he will foster it.

Sim.
Oh Iupiter! what newes is this I heare?
All is lost vtterly: if she speake truth.

Lesb.
You doe describe a yong man honest natur'd.

Mys.
Oh, the best natur'd gentleman—but pray,
Follow me in, for feare she stay for you.

Les.
Yes I follow.

Dau.
What helpe for this now, trow?

Exit Lesbya and Mysis.
Sim.
What, is he mad? a loose land loping strumpet?
Oh! I haue it: old dulhead (as I was)
I scarce at length could hit on't.

Dau.
What has he hit on, saies he?

Sim.
This first knauish practise
Of my man here is now thus put vpon me:
She is to be in childbirth, to fright Chremes.

Glycerium
within doores.
Iuno, Lucina helpe; saue mee, I pray thee.

Sim.
Hoida! such speede? ha, ha, ridiculous:
As soone as ere she heard me at the doore,
The throwes come on: scarce fitly a' my word,
You ranke and place your times scarce fitly Dauus.

Dau.
I sir?

Sim.
Or haue your Actors mist their Cues?

Dau.
I know not what you meane, sir.

Sim.
If this fellow
Had set vpon me, being vnprouided
In a true mariage: oh, what pageants
Would he haue plaid me? Let him now make sure
His owne aduenture; I'm ith' port secure.