The City Bride | Page 5

he seemed somewhat
displeased, thô Son, Hah, What think you?
Bon. No sure Sir, he cannot be Angry, when his Friend's so happy.
Mer. I can't tell Boy, but I believe there's something more than
ordinary in the matter. Why should he leave the Company else? And
Mrs. Clara I miss her too. Why Gentlemen, why do you suffer this?
Ara. Unknown to any Sir, she withdrew soon as we rise from Table.
Mer. Sick of the Maid perhaps; because she sees you Mrs. Bride her
Quondam Play fellow Married before her; Heh Gentlemen, heh!

Mr. Ven. 'Troth like enough Brother Merry-man.
Mer. Go, go, find her out for shame Gentlemen; and do not stand idle
thus, Od's bobs, when I was a Young fellow and invited to a Wedding, I
used to frisk and Jump, and so bestir my self, that I made all the
Green-sickness Girles in the Room blush like Rubies. Ah, hah! I was a
brisk Fellow in those Days, I'faith, and used to Cut Capers a Yard high:
Nor am I yet so Old, but I can take a round or two still--Come, come
Gentlemen, lets in again and firk it away, shall we not?
Spr. With all my Heart Mr. Justice.
Mer. Why that's well said Mr. Spruce, Ods bobs it was, and I thank you
heartily.
Spr. Come Madam, you must along with us, without you all's nothing.
Arab. I'll wait on you Gentlemen; if you will give me leave Sir. [To
Bonvile.
Bon. Oh my best Joy! This Day you may Command.
Mer. That's right, that's right I'faith Gentlemen! This Day she
Commands, and he for ever after. Ods bobs I have done so my self, and
hope I shall do so still. Sister Venter, May I presume to ask if my
Brother can say as much?
[Exit Bonvile, Arab. Spruce, and the rest of the Guests.]
Mrs. Vent. Yes Brother, I think he may, I freely Give him leave.
Mer. Observe that Brother, she freely gives you leave: But who Gives
leave the Master or the Servant?
Mr. Ven. You are Merry Brother, and truly you have reason, having
but one Daughter and see her Married as you would have her.
Mer. Yes, I have one thank Heaven! You wou'd be glad Sister you cou'd
say so, but your Barrenness does give your Husband leave (if he please)

to look for Game elsewhere.
Mrs. Ven. Well, well Sir, thô you jeer me, and make a scorn of my
Sterility--
Mer. No, no, not I Sister, I scorn not your Sterility, nor your Husbands
Virility neither.
Mrs. Ven. My Husband's Virility! Pray spare my Husband; for he has
not been so idle as you imagin; He may have an--Offspring abroad for
ought you know, that you never heard of.
Mr. Ven. Oh fye Wife, You will not make it publick will you?
Mrs. Ven. And yet he keeps himself within compass for all that.
Mr. Ven. If you love me Winny--
Mrs. Ven. Na, I say no more, but thereby hangs a Tale.
Mer. Say'st thou so old Girle? What and has he been stragling then?
Nay; nay I know he is a Ventersome Man; And a--Merchant of small
Wares sometimes, especially when he can get a good Commodity: I
love him the better for't I'faith, Ods bobs I do--A notable spark with a
Young Wench in a corner, Is he not? A true Chip of the old block, his
Father I warrant him--But Sister, I have something to say to you in
private, concerning my Daughter.
Enter Nurse.
Nurse. By your leave Good Folks, Is Master Venter the Merchant here
I pray?
Mr. Ven. Oh Nurse! I am glad to see thee, How does my Boy?
Nurse. Very well, I thank Heaven Sir! He grows bravely I assure you.
'Tis a Chopping lad I promise you, and as like your good Worship; As
if he had been spit out of your Mouth.

Mr. Ven. Softly, Nurse softly.
Nurse. I protest 'tis one of the forward'st Infants in the Universe; Lord!
how it will Crow, and Chirup like a Sparrow! I am afraid Sir he is
about Teeth, for he Dribbles extreamly, if so, Your Worship must
provide him a Silver Corral with a Whistle and Chain.
Mr. Ven. Well, well, he shall have everything Nurse, my Wife shall
send them to ye; in the mean time, there, there's a Piece, to buy thee a
Pair of Gloves, and so leave us, for I am busie at present, therefore
steal away behind me, and slip out at the back Door.
Nurse. Yes Sir, I am gone, Heavens bless your Worship, a Piece! Marry!
and that's a sufficient Charm to lye up any Nurses Tongue in
Christendom.
[Ex. Nurse
Just. Mer. Well well, it shall be