ACT IV., SCENE I.

_+Seathrift+, +Mistress Seathrift+, +Mistress Holland+, +Mistress Scruple+._

+Sea.+ I did commit her to your charge, that you Might breed her, Mistress Scruple, and do require Her at your hand. Here be fine tricks, indeed! My daughter Susan to be stol'n a week, And you conceal it. You were of the plot, I do suspect you.

+Mis. Scr.+ Sir, will you but hear me meekly?

+Sea.+ No, I'll never trust again A woman with white eyes, that can take notes, And write a comment on the catechism: All your devotion's false. Is't possible She could be gone without your knowledge?

+Mis. Scr.+ Will you Attend me, Mistress Seathrift? If my husband, To wean her from love-courses, did not take More pains with her than with his Tuesday lectures, And if I did not every day expound Some good things to her 'gainst the sin o' th' flesh, For fear of such temptations, to which frail girls Are very subject, let me never more Be thought fit t' instruct young gentlewomen Or deal in tent-stitch. Whoe'er 'twas that seduced her, She took my daughter Emlin's gown and ruff, And left her own clothes; and my scholars say, She often would write letters.

+Sea.+ Why, 'tis right: Some silenc'd minister has got her. That I Should breed my daughter in a conventicle!

+Mis. Sea.+ Pray, husband, be appeas'd.

+Sea.+ You are a fool.

+Mis. Sea.+ You hear her mistress could not help it.

+Sea.+ Nor your son help being a fish.

+Mis. Hol.+ Why, sir, was he The first that was abus'd by captains?

+Sea.+ Go: you talk like prating gossips.

+Mis. Hol.+ Gossips! 'slight, what gossips, sir?

+Mis. Sea.+ What gossips are we? speak.

+Sea.+ I'll tell you, since you'd know. My wife and you, Shrill Mistress Holland, have two tongues, that when They're in conjunction, are busier, and make More noise than country fairs, and utter more tales Than blind folks, midwifes, nurses. Then no show, Though't be a juggler, 'scapes you: you did follow The Elephant so long, and King of Sweden, That people at last came in to see you. Then My son could not be made a fish, but who Should I find there, much taken with the sight, But you two! I may now build hospitals, Or give my money to plantations. [_Exit +Seathrift+._

+Mis. Sea.+ Let's follow him. Come, Mistress Scruple,.

+Mis. Hol.+ Just as your Sue left her schoolmistress, My Pen left me.

+Mis. Scr.+ They'll come again, I warrant you. [_Exeunt._