2nd Luce. ’Tis strange the ignorant should be thus fooled! What can this witch, this wizard, or old trot, Do by enchantment, or by magic spell? Such as profess that art should be deep scholars. What reading can this simple woman have? ’Tis palpable gross foolery. [_Exit_ Countryman. Wise-woman. Now, friend, your business? Taber. I have stolen out of my master’s house, forsooth, with the kitchen-maid, and I am come to know of you whether it be my fortune to have her or no. Wise-woman. And what’s your suit, lady? Kitchen-maid. Forsooth, I come to know whether I be a maid or no. Wise-woman. Why, art thou in doubt of that? Kitchen-maid. It may be I have more reason than all the world knows. Taber. Nay, if thou comest to know whether thou be’st a maid or no, I had best ask to know whether I be with child or no. Wise-woman. Withdraw into the parlour there; I’ll but talk with this other gentlewoman, and I’ll resolve you presently. Taber. Come, Cicely, if she cannot resolve thee, I can; and in the case of a maidenhead do more than she, I warrant thee. [_Exeunt_ Taber _and_ Kitchen-maid. 1st Citizen Wife. Forsooth, I am bold, as they say---- Wise-woman. You are welcome, gentlewoman. 1st Citizen Wife. I would not have it known to my neighbours that I come to a wise-woman for any thing, by my truly. Wise-woman. For should your husband come and find you here-- 1st Citizen Wife. My husband, woman! I am a widow. Wise-woman. Where are my brains? ’Tis true, you are a widow; and you dwell--let me see, I can never remember that place. 1st Citizen Wife. In Kent-street. Wise-woman. Kent-street, Kent-street! and I can tell you wherefore you come. 1st Citizen Wife. Why, and say true? Wise-woman. You are a wag, you are a wag: why, what do you think now I would say? 1st Citizen Wife. Perhaps to know how many husbands I should have. Wise-woman. And if I should say so, should I say amiss? 1st Citizen Wife. I think you are a witch. Wise-woman. In, in: I’ll but read a little of Ptolemy and Erra Pater[4.16]; and when I have cast a figure, I’ll come to you presently. [_Exeunt_ Citizens’ Wives.] Now, wag, what wouldst thou have? 2nd Luce. [_Aside_.] If this were a wise-woman, she could tell that without asking. Now methinks I should come to know whether I were a boy or a girl.--Forsooth, I lack a service. Wise-woman. By my fidelity, and I want a good trusty lad. 2nd Luce. [_Aside_.] Now could I sigh, and say “Alas! this is some bawd trade-fallen, and out of her wicked experience is come to be reputed wise.” I’ll serve her, be’t but to pry into the mystery of her science. Wise-woman. A proper stripling, and a wise, I warrant him.--Here’s a penny for thee, I’ll hire thee for a year by the Statute of Winchester;[4.17] prove true and honest, and thou shalt want nothing that a good boy--