The City Bride | Page 9

me--Here on my Knees, in
sight of Heaven, I make this solemn Protestation, That if you'l but
forbear the Rifling of this Chain and Bracelets, and go but with me
Home, by all the Vows which I this Day have plighted to my dearest
Husband, I will deliver you in Money the full Value of these I wear, and
cannot for my Life get off.
Sum. Ha! Ready-money is the Prize I look for; it passes without
suspicion every where, when Chains and Jewels are often stop'd and
call'd for before the Magistrate: But----
Ara. Nay never doubt! You saw I gave you my Advantage up, and
questioned not my safety at your hands, pray fear not yours in mine.
Sum. I know not what to do.
Ara. Pray tell me, Sir, did you ever think a Woman true?
Sum. I have heard of some, but very few.
Ara. Will you add one more to your belief?
Sum. I think I may, for they were fewer than the Articles of my Faith,

therefore I have room for you, and will believe you--Yet stay, you say
you'l ransom your jewels with Ready-money when you come Home; so
you may, and then discover me.
Ara. Shall I repeat the Vows I made?
Sum. No, for I'll trust you; and if you do betray me, then Mercy upon
me, and Farewel. I knew a Gentleman that had been a Courtier at
Whitehall fifteen Years, and he was buried e're he took a Bride: 'Tis
very strange you'l say; and may be my Case in another way.
Ara. Come, Sir, never fear: A Man and afraid; Fie, fie!
Sum. Give me your Hand, I'll wait on you; and if you are (as I believe
you) True and Just, you are the World's Wonder! Come, Madam.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
Enter two Boys, one with a Child in his Arms. Compass on the other
side.
1 Boy. Jack, Who's this?
2 Boy. O Jeminy! I'll be hang'd if it ben't Goodman Compass, that they
said was dead three Years ago.
1 Boy. Od's Life, and so it is!
Comp. O London! sweet London! Do I live to see thee once again? My
Eyes are full of Brine for Joy. And if my dear Peggy be but living still, I
shall cry 'em out.
1 Boy. Goodman Compass, I am glad to see you; You are welcome
home.
Comp. Thank you, good Lad: Honest Jack here too? Why, thou art
grown a little Man since I saw thee last: What, is that thy own, heh?

2 Boy. I am fain to keep it, you see, whoever got it; it may be other
Mens Cases as well as mine.
Comp. Thou say'st true Jack: But whose pretty Knave is it?
2 Boy. My Dame's where I live.
Comp. And not thy Master's?
2 Boy. Nay, nay, I can't tell that neither: My Master loves it as well as
if it were his own, and for ought I see better than my Dame.
Comp. A very good Lad by my Troth!
2 Boy. But, Goodman Compass, I can tell you News, Your Wife has a
brave Boy too of her own, not above a Quarter old, as big as two of
this.
Comp. Ha! say'st thou so, Jack? Ha, ha, ha, by my Troth I am heartily
glad to hear it: I'll give thee a dozen of Ale, and thy News be true, Boy.
1 Boy. I assure you 'tis very true: All your Neighbours can tell you the
same.
Comp. Ha, ha, ha! But a Quarter old, and so lusty, say you? What
plaguy thundering Boys are got now-a-days: I Gad, I shall split my
Sides with Laughing; Ha, ha, ha.--But Jack, I have been loth to ask thee
all this while, for fear of ill News, how does my Wife?
2 Boy. O never better, nor ever so lusty and handsome--And truly she
wears better Clothes than she was wont, especially on Holy-days: she
has Silk-Gowns, and Lac'd-Petticoats, and fine Holland-Smocks too,
they say, that have seen 'em: And some of our Neighbours say, they
were taken up in Cheap.
Comp. Like enough, Jack; and there they must be paid for--Well, good
Lads, go and tell my Wife the joyful Tidings of my Return.
2 Boy. That I will with all my Heart, for she heard you were dead long

ago.
1 Boy. Nay, I'll go along with you Jack.
2 Boy. Come then.
[Exeunt 2 Boys.
Comp. Well, Peggy, if I am one of the Livery, I thank thee for it: The
Cuckolds are the greatest Company in all the City: And we have more
Aldermen among us, than all the other put them together.
Enter Peg, Compass's Wife.
Peg. O my dear sweet Honey-suckle! Art thou alive? I