_Gripe._ Ah----the pox take her; but enough. 'Tis resolv'd, and I will put a stop to the course of her life, or I will put a stop to the course of her blood, and so she shall know, the first time I meet with her; [_Aside._] which tho' we are man and wife, and lie under one roof, 'tis very possible may not be this fortnight. [_Exit ~Gripe~._ _~Flippanta~ sola._ Nay, thou hast a blessed time on't, that must be confess'd. What a miserable devil is a husband! Insupportable to himself, and a plague to every thing about them. Their wives do by them, as children do by dogs, teaze and provoke 'em, 'till they make them so curs'd, they snarl and bite at every thing that comes in their reach. This wretch here is grown perverse to that degree, he's for his wife's keeping home, and making hell of his house, so he may be the devil in it to torment her. How niggardly soever he is of all things he possesses, he is willing to purchase her misery at the expence of his own peace. But he'd as good be still, for he'll miss of his aim. If I know her (which I think I do) she'll set his blood in such a ferment, it shall bubble out at every pore of him; whilst hers is so quiet in her veins, her pulse shall go like a pendulum. [_Exit._ +ACT+ III. +SCENE+, _Mrs._ Amlet's _House_. _Enter ~Dick~._ Where's this old woman?----A hey. What the devil, nobody at home? Ha! her strong box!----And the key in't! 'tis so. Now fortune be my friend. What the duce----Not a penny of money in cash!----Nor a chequer note!----Nor a Bank bill----[_Searching the strong box._]----Nor a crooked stick! Nor a----Mum----here's something----A diamond necklace, by all the Gods! Oons the old woman----Zest. [_Claps the necklace in his pocket, then runs and asks her blessing._] _Enter Mrs. ~Amlet~._ ----Pray mother, pray to, _&c._ _Aml._ Is it possible!----_Dick_ upon his humble knee! Ah my dear child!----May heaven be good unto thee. _Dick._ I'm come, my dear mother, to pay my duty to you, and to ask your consent to---- _Aml._ What a shape is there! _Dick._ To ask your consent, I say, to marry a great fortune; for what is riches in this world without a blessing? And how can there be a blessing without respect and duty to parents? _Aml._ What a nose he has! _Dick._ And therefore it being the duty of every good child not to dispose of himself in marriage, without the----