SECOND LUCE

Cold comfort for me. Heigh ho : have I disguised my self, and stolen out of the Country thus far, and can light of no better news to entertain me? O this wild-headed wicked Chartley, whom nothing will tame. To this Gallant was I poor Gentlewoman betrothed, and the Marriage day appointed: But he out of a fantastic and giddy humour, before the time prefixed, posts up to Lon done. After him come I thus habited, and you see my welcome, to be and are-witnesse of his second Contra cting. Modesty would not suffer me to discover my self, otherwise, I should have gone near to have marred the match. I herd them talk of Hogsdon, and a Wise-wo man, where these Aims shall be brought to Actium. I'll see if I can insinuate my self into her service: that's my next project: and now good luck of my side. Just so much as is told her. It's strange the Ignorant should be thus fooled. What can this Witeh, this Vizard, or old Trot, Do by Enchantment, or by Magic spell? Such as profess that Art should be deep Scholars. What reading can this simple Woman have? 'Tis palpable gross foolery. If this were a Wisewoman, she could tell that without asking. Now me thinks I should come to know whither I were a Boy or a Girl; forsooth I lack a service. Now could I sighs, and say, Alas, is some Bawd trade-fallen, and out of her wicked experience, is come to be reputed wise. I'll serve her, be't but to pry m to the mystery of her Science. Here Wisewoman you are oh to again, I shall want what a good Boy should have while I live: well, here I shall live both unknown, and my Sex unsuspected. But whom have we here? And will these wild oats never sown ? Patience, weet Mistress. Mistress, I wish you would, he's a mere Mad cap, and all his delight is in misusing such reverend Ma trons as your self. I am even little better that n a Turn-broach, for my name is Jack. Mistress, there is a way, and this it is; To morrow morning does this Gentleman Intend to marry with one M ris Luce, A Goldsmiths Daug ; you know the Maid? Do but prevent this Gallant of his Wife, And then your wrongs shall bereveng'd at full. He should be wise, because he speaks few words. Take them Mistress, to be revenged on Chartley. If it concern the crossing of the marriage with Mistress Luce, I'll do't what ever it be. Doubt not of me, that act them naturally. O super, superexcellent! And a Wife I'll warrant him. Mistress! As I am and honest Lad, I am yours to come manned. But Mistress, what mean all these women's pictures, hanged here in your withdrawing room? But I see coming and going, Maids, or such as go Maids, some of them, as if they were ready to lie down, sometime two or three delivered in one night; then suddenly leave their Brats behind them, and convey themselves into the City again: what becomes of their Children? Yes, now I do: but what after becomes of the poor Infants? Most strange, that woman's brain should apprehend Such law less, indirect, and horrid means For gain! How many unknown Trades Women and men are free of, which they never Had Charter for? but Mistress, are you so Cunning as you make your self: you can Neither write nor read, what do you with hose Books you so often turn over? Believe me, this is a cunning Woman; neither hath she her name for nothing, who out of her ignorance, can fool so many that think themselves wise. But where before have you built this little to the door, where sitting, you may hear every spoken, by all such as ask for you. Fear not me, I have as good a face in a Mask, as any Lady in the Land could wish to have: but to my heart, he comes, or he comes not; now am I in a pitiful rlexity, until I see the event of all. I warrant you Mistress: that it happens so luckily, that my name should be Luce too, to make the marriage more firm! I know what shall become of me already. All happy joys betide you. I am stolen out of doors, to see if I can meet my Husband; with whom I purpose to make some sport, ere I suddenly disclose my self: what's he? It's Mistress Luces Husband, I'll not leave him thus. Do you not know me? I hope so, or else I were in a woe case. Then you have no reason, but to enjoy both them and me too, and so you are Like; I should be loath to divorce Man and Wife. I belong to the old Gentlewoman of the house. But I hope you will not bobb me. Both, and neither; I was a Lad last night, but in the morning I was conjured into a Lass: And being a Girl now, I shall be translated to a Boy anon. Her is all I can at this time say for my self: Fare well. Whose there? What would you have. Oh belike you lost somewhat. I am somewhat thick of , pray speak out. The you belike are cro in Love, and come to know what success you shall have. What is it, you say sir: I pray in, isle bring you to my Mistress Who's there, what are you. And that would grieve any wench to be so, I know that by my self, not Luce. In some private talk with a Gentleman? I'll fetch her to you presently. Married to morrow, Oh me! My husband marry another wife tomorrow? Oh changeable destiny, no sooner married to him, but in stantly to lose him. Nor death it grieves me so much that I am a wife, but that I am a maid too, to carry one of them well is as much as any is bound to do, but to be tid e to both, is more then flesh and blood can endure. I'll add one night more to the time, I have said. I have not many I hope to live a maid. That shall be my prayer too. Mistress. The Knight you seek was here, or will be reight, and if you be the man you name your self. You are most welcome, and you shall not back, sill you have scene si Harry. In that name I a poor child's partly. I hope so too, I'll sc tch her eyes out first, although I love her. Heeres one says nay to that, Then I dare confidently undertake to help you to a wife who desires to have and honest man or none, look on me well, simple though I stand here I am your wife, blush not at your folly man, perhaps I have more in me, then you expect from me. You and I have been better acq inted and yet search me not too far least you shame me, look on me well, nay better, better yet, isle assure you I left of a petti coat when I put on these breeches, What say you now, she skatters her hair. Let me be both or neither. This is no Trade, but a Mystery; and were I a Wisewoman, as indeed I am but a foolish Boy, I needs not live by your service. But Mistress, we loose our selves in this discourse, is not this the morning in which I should be married? And you are welcome sir, I pray.