_Fail_. Let us begone in time, Burr. [_Exeunt_ BURR, FAILER, _and_ TIMOROUS. _Franc_. You shall not bail him. _Bib_. I know I am a rogue to do it; but his wit has prevailed upon me, and a man must not go against his conscience. There, officers. _Lov_. to _Non_. Old man, if it were not for thy daughter-- _Non_. Well, well; take your course, sir. [_Exeunt_ NONSUCH _and Bailiffs_. _Lov_. Come, Will, I'll thank thee at the tavern. Frances, remember this the next time you come up to make my bed. _Franc_. Do your worst, I fear you not, sir. This is twice to day, William; to trust a gentlewoman, and bail a ragamuffin: I am sure he called you cuckold but yesterday, and said he would make you one. _Lov_. Look you, Frances, I am a man of honour, and, if I said it, I'll not break my word with you. _Bib_. There he was with you again, Frances: An excellent good jest, i'faith la. _Franc_. I'll not endure it, that I won't, so I won't: I'll go to the justice's worship, and fetch a warrant for him. _Lov_. But, landlady, the word cuckold will bear no action in the law, except you could prove your husband prejudiced by it. Have any of his customers forsook him for't? Or any mercer refused to trust him the less, for my calling him so? _Franc_. Nay, I know not for the mercers; perhaps the citizens may take it for no slander among one another, as they say: but for the gentlemen-- _Lov_. Will, have they forsaken thee upon it? _Bib_. No, I assure you, sir. _Lov_. No, I warrant 'em: A cuckold has the signification of an honest well-meaning citizen; one, that is not given to jealousies or suspicions; a just person to his wife, &c.; one that, to speak the worst of him, does but to her, what he would be content should be done to her by other men. _Franc_. But that another man should be the father of his children, as they say; I don't think that a civil thing, husband. _Lov_. Not civil, landlady! why all things are civil, that are made so by custom. _Bib_. Why may not he get as fine children as I, or any man? _Franc_. But if those children, that are none of yours, should call you father, William! _Bib_. If they call me father, and are none of mine, I am the more beholden to 'em. _Franc_. Nay, if that be your humour, husband, I am glad I know it, that I may please you the better another time, as they say. [_Exit_ FRANCES. _Bib_. Nay, but Frances, Frances! 'tis such another woman. [_Exit_ BIBBER. _Lov_. 'Tis such another man:--My coat and sword, boy, I must go to Justice Trice's; bring the women; and come after me. [_Exit_ LOVEBY. ACT IV. SCENE I. _A Table set with Cards upon it_. TRICE _walking: Enter Servant_. _Serv_. Sir, some company is without upon justice-business.