_To the Gent._] This, Sir, I suppose, is much what you wou'd be at. _Gent._ Exactly, Sir; I'll be sure to have one drawn up to the self-same purpose: and next Fox-Hunting I'll engage half the Company shall set their Hands to't. Sir, I am your----most devoted Servant; and if you please to let me see you at _Beast-Hall_, here's my Huntsman, _Houndsfoot_, will shew you a Fox shall lead you through so many Hedges and Briars, you shall have no more Clothes on your Back in half an Hour's Time--than you had----in the Womb of your Mother. Haux, haux, haux, &c. [_Exit shouting._ Esop. _O Tempora, O Mores!_ _Enter Mr. ~Fruitful~ and his Wife._ _Mr. Fruit._ Heavens preserve the noble _Esop_, grant him long Life and happy Days. _Mrs. Fruit._ And send him a fruitful Wife, with a hopeful Issue! _Esop._ And what is it I'm to do for you, good People, to make you amends for all these friendly Wishes? _Mr. Fruit._ Sir, here's myself and my Wife-- _Mrs. Fruit._ Sir, here's I and my Husband--[_To her Husband._] Let me speak in my turn, Goodman _Forward_. [_To ~Esop~._] Sir, here's I and my Husband, I say, think we have as good Pretensions to the King's Favour as ever a Lord in the Land. _Esop._ If you have no better than some Lords in the Land, I hope you won't expect much for your Service. _Mr. Fruit._ An't please you, you shall be Judge yourself. _Mrs. Fruit._ That's as he gives Sentence, Mr. _Littlewit_; who gave you Power to come to a Reference? If he does not do us right, the King himself shall; what's to be done here! [_To ~Esop~._] Sir, I'm forc'd to correct my Husband a little; poor Man, he is not us'd to Court-Business; but to give him his due, he's ready enough at some Things: Sir, I have had twenty fine Children by him; fifteen of 'em are alive, and alive like to be; five tall Daughters are wedded and bedded, and ten proper Sons serve their King and their Country. _Esop._ A goodly Company, upon my Word! _Mrs. Fruit._ Would all Men take as much Pains for the peopling of the Kingdom, we might tuck up our Aprons, and cry, A Fig for our Enemies; but we have such a Parcel of Drones amongst us----Hold up your Head, Husband----He's a little out of Countenance, Sir, because I chid him; but the Man is a very good Man at the Bottom. But to come to my Business, Sir, I hope his Majesty will think it reasonable to allow me something for the Service I have done him; 'tis pity but Labour shou'd be encourag'd, especially when what one has done, one has done't with a Good-will. _Esop._ What Profession are you of, good People? _Mrs. Fruit._ My Husband's an Inn-keeper, Sir; he bears the Name, but I govern the House. _Esop._ And what Posts are your Sons in, in the Service? _Mrs. Fruit._. Sir, there are four Monks. _Mr. Fruit._ Three Attorneys. _Mrs. Fruit._ Two Scriveners. _Mr. Fruit._ And an Exciseman.