AMBROSIA

By my troth I am glad to see thee well my little Gallow-clapper; how hast thou done this many a day? would! What trades were they, thou Wertenberg too young for any occupation yet. You'll never leave your crackery, but tell me prithee sirrah, is Athens a fine Town? What be these Colle ge, Like? didst thou go to school there? Now by my troth I think it were a very good place for a stale shopkeepers wife of the City to set up in: o'my conscience, a woman of our occupation might thrive there. Dost remember him? let me see—o'my hone sty, I never saw him since his last moral Lecture against the sins of the flesh—yes heaven forgive me to swear, now I remember me, the same day my husband went a duck-hunting; and then he came hither, and brought me many good things: wilt thou go to him again sometime for me? I'll give thee some figs and Tobacco. Prithee come to me when my husband is out of the shop. exit. Isle ensure you it's true Mistress Abigail, my Husband was called from my side at midnight by the Dukes Pursuivant at Arms, commanded to bring his weapon ready with him, because they would reprehend my Lady Iulia's daughter in her bed; nay, I am served so many times in the year; and if it were not for a little honour we have by being the Constables wife of the Parish, or leave to built a new Pue in the Lecture house, or meeting at the Quest-house sometime; we had better never be in authority, than have so many hewings and cryings, such pasportings; that the whole year while our Husbands be Magistrates, we be very widows, for any feeling we have of the ̄ ; and if we had not their company in the day sometime, we should eene forget we were married: it's too true Mistress Abigail: but you have a happy turn. Oh, why she was in love with my young Lord Lucilio, and would have, God bless us, stabb'd' the Duke with a panado, and then be married where the Duchess would or no. I cannot tell that; but a Friend I have in the Court was here before break of day and told me all. I these seven years, Mistress Abigail, have I had friends there, and acquaintance too, I thank my beauty, three years before I was married. I'll tell you Mistress Abigail, these Courtiers be the finest, sweetest smelling Gentlemen that be; they will have some friends in the City now and then, for varieties sake, but they'll pick and choose: and for mine own partly I'll en sure you, that before I was married, of a browne-wench, mark what I say, to speak of a browne-wench, I was as sweet a crea ture as lived. There was a Nobleman here in Florence —I, there was a Knight too that would eat but little meat except—how ever it was my hap to fell figs in the City; I'll ensure you that my flesh was so tender, that if a fellow with a strong breath had kissed me, all my lips would have blistered. I wore my silk Stoc kins then, and my Bodkins of beaten Gold, I thank my own wit, and had Velvet Cloaks, and Velvet Coloches come to see me. I'll ensure you Mistress Abigail, many of them be able to do a woman a good pleasure sometime; and yet there be some again that promise more than all their strength can per form too, when they be put to it; for alas, Courtiers do for so many, that they cannot do for all: for mine own partly, I have tried them, and tried them again; and some of them have stood to me very sufficiently and friendly, when I have come to see the Masking and Bearbaiting there. Oh, abomination: they'll so shift for corners and places to be at it, that their waiting gentlewomen can seldom come to the pastime. And how does your good husband Master Damasippus? Faith it's a fine time o'day to come home at: Gods my precious, do you think to leave me so still? from twelve a Clock till I rise I must he alone dreaming, and dreaming, sometime that you are dead; sometime that I am with child, and a lust for a thing that I cannot have; sometime again that you have fallen down the Stairs, and broke your back; and such fear full dreams that I cannot rest and hour, because I can do no thing but dream. Focation me no Vocation: for as true as I am married, if you put me in such frights by going away, and leaving me in the dark, I'll get me a bedfellow shall stick closer to me, so I will; cannot you have a Deputy as well as and Alderman? I hope you are in authority too. I Mistress Abigail, if a woman had such a hus band as you have, that were able to put patience into a woman; she might easily be content and have mortal virtues enough too. Why Debora I say! why Debora. Come bring away the Napkins quickly, and make ready here, (these heavy Arsed wenches are so slow) and do you hear, bid one of the Boys fetch me a Pint of Oligant, Bulls Blood, and a quart of Canary; and look that the white Broth with Eringoes and Marrow be not over-boyl'd; I know M. Dam masippus loves it well. You are so full of learned sayings still: I have studied too a great while, would I could read once. Ah sweet man! he does so labour, and labour to fill us with morality, that he's ee'n tired out in the City a amongst us. Can you do so M. Damasippus? Oh the blessings of these Philosophers! Come sweet M. Damasippus, fit, and lets sup quickly. Charitable M. Damasippus, get in here till I can shift them—so, it's well, She hides him. No forsooth, my stomach does so wamble: when Supper was dressing methought I could eat such a deal; and now the sighed of—the meat does so fill me: I pray Husband bring Mistress Abigail into my Chamber, I think I shall be very ill. In pure morality M. Damasippus, you are most heartily welcome— Would this wench would come away that we had Supper once.