The City Bride | Page 5

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, th? 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 done: Come Brother we are mist I warrant you amongst the Young Fry, let's to 'um and, Dance till our Legs ake again, come I'll lead the way.
Mr. Ven. We follow you.
[Exeunt.
Enter Friendly Reading the Letter.
Fr. Heaven in its excess of Goodness, bestow'd no greater Blessing on Mankind than that of Friendship--To Murder any one is a Crime unpardonable! But a Friend!--And of all Friends the nearest to my Heart,--'Tis such an Imposition that Hell it self 'till now cou'd never parallel; And yet this Devil of a Woman has power over me beyond all Virtue. I am distracted in my Thoughts, and know not what to do; yet something must be done without delay, or else I lose her quite: And yet I fear 'tis most Impossible, for Friendship left the World, when Justice fled,