_'Gainst keepers we petition, Who would inclose the common: 'Tis enough to raise sedition In the free-born subject, woman. Because for his gold, I my body have sold, He thinks I'm a slave for my life; He rants, domineers, He swaggers and swears, And would keep me as bare as his wife._ II. _'Gainst keepers we petition, &c. 'Tis honest and fair, That a feast I prepare; But when his dull appetite's o'er, I'll treat with the rest Some welcomer guest, For the reckoning was paid me before._ _Wood._ A song against keepers! this makes well for us lusty lovers. _Trick._ [_Above._] Father, father Aldo! _Aldo._ Daughter Tricksy, are you there, child? your friends at Barnet are all well, and your dear master Limberham, that noble Hephestion, is returning with them. _Trick._ And you are come upon the spur before, to acquaint me with the news. _Aldo._ Well, thou art the happiest rogue in a kind keeper! He drank thy health five times, _supernaculum_,[2] to my son Brain-sick; and dipt my daughter Pleasance's little finger, to make it go down more glibly:[3] And, before George, I grew tory rory, as they say, and strained a brimmer through the lily-white smock, i'faith. _Trick._ You will never leave these fumbling tricks, father, till you are taken up on suspicion of manhood, and have a bastard laid at your door: I am sure you would own it, for your credit. _Aldo._ Before George, I should not see it starve, for the mother's sake: For, if she were a punk, she was good-natured, I warrant her. _Wood._ [_Aside._] Well, if ever son was blest with a hopeful father, I am. _Trick._ Who is that gentleman with you? _Aldo._ A young _monsieur_ returned from travel; a lusty young rogue; a true-milled whoremaster, with the right stamp. He is a fellow-lodger, incorporate in our society: For whose sake he came hither, let him tell you. _Wood._ [_Aside._] Are you gloating already? then there's hopes, i'faith. _Trick._ You seem to know him, father. _Aldo._ Know him! from his cradle--What's your name? _Wood._ Woodall. _Ald._ Woodall of Woodall; I knew his father; we were contemporaries, and fellow-wenchers in our youth. _Wood._ [_Aside._] My honest father stumbles into truth, in spite of lying. _Trick._ I was just coming down to the garden-house, before you came. [TRICKSY _descends._ _Aldo._ I am sorry I cannot stay to present my son, Woodall, to you; but I have set you together, that's enough for me. [_Exit._ _Wood._ [_Alone._] 'Twas my study to avoid my father, and I have run full into his mouth: and yet I have a strong hank upon him too; for I am privy to as many of his virtues, as he is of mine. After all, if I had an ounce of discretion left, I should pursue this business no farther: but two fine women in a house! well, it is resolved, come what will on it, thou art answerable for all my sins, old Aldo--