_Nurse._ Indeed I dare not Goody _Compass_: The Father first you know delivered me the Child, and order'd me to let no body see it. He pays me well and weekly for my Pains, and therefore I'll do as be bad me, so I will. _Comp._ Why thou white Bastard-breeder; Is not this Woman here the Mother? _Nurse._ Yes, I grant you that. _Comp._ Do you so? Well, and I grant it too; And is not the Child then my own by the Wives Copy-hold? _Nurse._ The Law must try that. _Comp._ The Law! What then you think I'll be but its Father-in-Law? I tell thee, all the Wit and Law twixt _Cuckolds-Point_ and _Westminster-Hall_, shan't keep my own dear Flesh and Blood from me, I warrant you that. No an't does, I'll be hanged at the Main-yard: Why, who, dost think, uses to get my Children but my self? _Nurse._ Nay, I can't tell; you must look to that, for my part I ne're knew you get any. _Comp._ Say'st thou so? Why, look you, do but put on a clean Smock, and try me, if thou darst, I'll hold thee three to one I get thee with Child before I leave thee: Heh! what say'st thou? [_Offers to lay hold on her._. _Nurse._ I'll see you hang'd first--Nay, pray be quiet, and don't offer to spoil my Milk. Lord, you are as boisterous as my Husband was the first Night we were married: Pray, Goody _Compass_, take off your Cur, or else he'l bite me. _Peg._ No never fear him, Nurse, he's not so furious I assure ye. _Enter Mr._ Venter _and his Wife._ _Nurse._ O! here's my Master, the Child's Father, now talk with him. Mr. _Ven._ Good morrow Neighbour, good morrow to ye both. _Comp._ Both! Good morrow to you and your Wife too, if you go to that. Mr. _Ven._ I wou'd speak calmly with you, Friend, if you think fit. _Comp._ I know what belongs to Calm, and a Storm too; and if you please, a cold word or two wi' you. Mr. _Ven._ With all my Heart. _Comp._ I understand that you have ty'd your Mare in my Ground. Mr. _Ven._ My Mare, Friend, nay I assure you, 'twas only my Nag. _Comp._ Your Nag? Well your Nag then let it be: Harke, Sir, to be short, I'll cut off your Nag's Tail, if e're I catch him there again. Mr. _Ven._ Pray hear me, you are too rough to maintain---- _Comp._ I say, Sir, you shall maintain no Child of mine; my Wife does not bestow her Labour for that purpose. Mr. _Ven._ You are too passionate--I will not maintain---- _Comp._ No marry shall you not. Mr. _Ven._ The Deed I have done to be lawful, I have repented it, and given Satisfaction to the Law, my Purse has paid for't; therefore I wou'd treat milder with you if you'd be pleased. _Comp._ Yes, yes, I am very well pleased, and shall be better pleased if you can serve me so still: For, look you Sir, one of these Days I shall to Sea again, you know where my Wife lives; yet you'l but lose your labour, for get as many Children as you can, I assure you, you shall keep none of them. Mr. _Ven._ I think you are mad. _Comp._ Why, if I am Horn-mad, what's that to you?