_Old Mer._ How? Why how have I done hitherto these forty years? I never came into my dining-room, but at eleven and six o'clock I found excellent meat and drink o' th' table. My clothes were never worn out, but next morning a tailor brought me a new suit, and without question it will be so ever! Use makes perfectness; if all should fail, it is but a little straining myself extraordinary, and laugh myself to death. _Wife._ It's a foolish old man this: is not he, George? _Cit._ Yes, honey. _Wife._ Give me a penny i' th' purse while I live, George. _Cit._ Ay, by'r lady, honey hold thee there. _Mist. Mer._ Well, Charles, you promised to provide for Jasper, and I have laid up for Michael. I pray you pay Jasper his portion, he's come home, and he shall not consume Michael's stock; he says his master turned him away, but I promise you truly, I think he ran away. _Wife._ No indeed, Mistress Merry-thought, though he be a notable gallows, yet I'll assure you his master did turn him away, even in this place, 'twas i'faith within this half-hour, about his daughter; my husband was by. _Cit._ Hang him, rogue, he served him well enough: love his master's daughter! By my troth, honey, if there were a thousand boys, thou wouldst spoil them all, with taking their parts; let his mother alone with him. _Wife._ Ay, George, but yet truth is truth. _Old Mer._ Where is Jasper? He's welcome, however, call him in, he shall have his portion; is he merry? _Mist. Mer._ Ay, foul chive him, he is too merry. Jasper! Michael! _Enter_ JASPER _and_ MICHAEL. _Old Mer._ Welcome, Jasper, though thou runn'st away, welcome! God bless thee! It is thy mother's mind thou should'st receive thy portion; thou hast been abroad, and I hope hast learnt experience enough to govern it. Thou art of sufficient years. Hold thy hand: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, there is ten shillings for thee; thrust thyself into the world with that, and take some settled course. If fortune cross thee, thou hast a retiring place; come home to me, I have twenty shillings left. Be a good husband, that is, wear ordinary clothes, eat the best meat, and drink the best drink; be merry, and give to the poor, and believe me, thou hast no end of thy goods. _Jasp._ Long may you live free from all thought of ill, And long have cause to be thus merry still. But, father? _Old Mer._ No more words, Jasper, get thee gone, thou hast my blessing, thy father's spirit upon thee. Farewell, Jasper. "But yet, or e'er you part (oh cruel), Kiss me, kiss me, sweeting, Mine own dear jewel." So, now begone, no words. [_Exit_ JASPER. _Mist. Mer._ So, Michael, now get thee gone too. _Mich._ Yes forsooth, mother, but I'll have my father's blessing first.