+Quart.+ We take a shilling, sir. +Sale.+ It is no less. +Sea.+ Pray God your fish be worth it. What, is't a whale, you take so dear? +Quart.+ It is a fish taken in the Indies. +Ware.+ Pray despatch then, and show't us quickly. +Sale.+ Pray, forbear: you'd have your head broke, cobbler. +Ware.+ Yonder is my nephew in his old gallantry. +Sea.+ Who's there too? my wife And Mistress Holland! Nay, I look'd for them. But where's my wise son? +Ware.+ Mass, I see not him. +Quart.+ Keep out, sir. +Sale.+ Waterman, you must not enter. [_+Cypher+ presses in like a waterman._ +Quart.+ This is no place for scullers. +Cyph.+ I must needs speak With one Master Plotwell---- +Quart.+ You must stay. +Sale.+ Thrust him out. +Cyph.+ ----and one Master Seathrift On urgent business. +Sale.+ They are yet employ'd In weightier affairs. Make fast the door. [_They thrust him out._ +Quart.+ There shall no more come in. Come in, boy. +Sea.+ Don't they speak as if my son were in the room? +Ware.+ Yes, pray observe and mark them. +Quart.+ Gentlemen And gentlewomen, you now shall see a sight Europe never show'd the like. Behold this fish! [_Draws a curtain; behind it +Timothy+ asleep like a strange fish._ +Mis. Hol.+ O Strange! Look How It Sleeps! +Bright.+ Just like a salmon upon a stall in Fish Street. +Mis. Sea.+ How it snorts too! just like my husband. +Ware.+ 'Tis very like a man. +Sea.+ 'T has such a nose and eyes. +Sale.+ Why, 'tis, a man-fish; An ocean centaur, begot between a siren And a he stock-fish. +Sea.+ Pray, where took ye him? +Quart.+ We took him strangely in the Indies, near The mouth of Rio de la Plata, asleep Upon the shore, just as you see him now. +Mis. Hol.+ How say ye, asleep! +Ware.+ How! Would he come to land? +Sea.+ 'Tis strange a fish should leave his element! +Quart.+ Ask him what things the country told us. +Sale.+ You Will scarce believe it now. This fish would walk you Two or three mile o' th' shore sometimes; break houses, Ravish a naked wench or two (for there Women go naked), then run to sea again. +Quart.+ The country has been laid,[226] and warrants granted To apprehend him. +Ware.+ I do suspect these fellows: They lie as if they had patent for it. +Sea.+ The company, Should every one believe his part, would scarce Have faith enough among us. +Ware.+ Mark again. +Sale.+ The States of Holland would have bought him of us, Out of a great design. +Sea.+ Indeed! +Sale.+ They offer'd a thousand dollars. +Quart.+ You cannot enter yet. [_Some knock._