CAPT. The parson's grown witty, and prophesies upon the strength of bridecake. If I guess aright, thou'lt be hanged: for 'tis a truth, I have been endeavouring to make it appear her fears were mistaken in me; but I find the witch more implacable than the devil. The waiting-woman is harder to forgive [for] her part than my lady. Faithful will not be reconciled: the merciless bawd is all fire and sword, no quarter. Bless me from an old waiting-woman's wrath! She'll never forgive me the disappointing her of a promise when I was drunk. Her lady and she are coming, but in such a fury, I would not have the storm find you out in the street: therefore I counsel you to avoid the boys, and take shelter in the next house. WILD. No, let's home, and with all diligence get our dinner to defend us; and let the porter dispute it at the wicket, till she signs articles of peace. OMNES. Agreed. [CARELESS _is kind to the_ WIDOW. _As he goes out_, WILD _and_ PLEASANT _go together_; JOLLY _and the_ PARSON'S _wife go together_. WILD. See how they pair now! 'Tis not threescore year will part 'em, now he has tasted a kiss or two. JOLLY. Parson, I'll be your brideman. PAR. 'Tis well, sir; I shall ha' my time too. JOLLY. Ay, by this hand. Nay, we'll share fairly. CAPT. That's but reason, Wanton; and since he grows tame, use him kindly, for my sake. PAR. Can any of you digest sponge and arsenic? CAPT. Arsenic! what's that? PAR. An Italian salad, which I'll dress for you, by Jove, ere I'll walk in my canonical coat lined with horn. Death! if I suffer this, we shall have that damned courtier pluck on his shoes with the parson's musons. Fine, i' faith! none but the small Levite's brow to plant your shoeing-horn seed in? How now? [_As he is going off, the_ CAPTAIN _stays him_. CAPT. Prythee, Jack, stay, and say something to the gentlemen by way of epilogue. Thou art a piece of scurvy poet thyself; prythee, oblige the author, and give us a line or two in praise of his play. PAR. I oblige him! hang him and all his friends, and hurt nobody. Yes, I am likely to speak for him. You see how I ha' been used to-day betwixt you. I shall find a time to be revenged. Let go my cloak; I have a province within of mine own to govern: let me go. CAPT. Who, thy wife? Faith, stay and give them an opportunity; thy pain will be the sooner over. You see, 'tis a thing resolved betwixt 'em; and now thou'rt satisfied in the matter, be wise and silent; who knows what good she may do thee another time? I dare say, if she had as many souls in her as she had men, she'd bring thee a cure of herself. PAR. Let me go, or I shall be as troublesome as you are injurious, for all your titles, sir. CAPT. Lend me your cloak then, to appear more decent; you'd not ha' me present epilogue in buff,[279] whoreson dunce, with a red nose? PAR. Sir, my business is praying, not epilogues.