_Wid._ Nay, since you talk of putting of cases, and will not hear me speak, hear our Jerry a little; let him put our case to you, for the trial's to-morrow: and since you are my chief witness, I would have your memory refreshed and your judgment informed, that you may not give your evidence improperly.--Speak out, child. _Jer._ Yes, forsooth. Hem! hem! John-a-Stiles-- _Man._ You may talk, young lawyer, but I shall no more mind you, than a hungry judge does a cause after the clock has struck one. _Free._ Nay, you'll find him as peevish too. _Wid._ No matter. Jerry, go on.--Do you observe it then, sir; for I think I have seen you in a gown once. Lord, I could hear our Jerry put cases all day long.--Mark him, sir. _Jer._ John-a-Stiles--no--there are first, Fitz, Pere, and Ayle,--no, no, Ayle, Pere, and Fitz; Ayle is seised in fee of Blackacre; John-a-Stiles disseises Ayle; Ayle makes claim, and the disseisor dies; then the Ayle--no, the Fitz-- _Wid._ No, the Pere, sirrah. _Jer._ Oh, the Pere! ay, the Pere, sir, and the Fitz--no, the Ayle,--no, the Pere and the Fitz, sir, and-- _Man._ Damn Pere, Mere, and Fitz, sir! _Wid._ No, you are out, child.--Hear me, captain, then. There are Ayle, Pere, and Fitz; Ayle is seised in fee of Blackacre; and, being so seised, John-a-Stiles disseises the Ayle, Ayle makes claim, and the disseisor dies; and then the Pere re-enters, the Pere, sirrah, the Pere--[_to_ JERRY.] and the Fitz enters upon the Pere, and the Ayle brings his writ of disseisin in the post; and the Pere brings his writ of disseisin in the Pere, and-- _Man._ Canst thou hear this stuff, Freeman? I could as soon suffer a whole noise of flatterers at a great man's levee in a morning; but thou hast servile complacency enough to listen to a quibbling statesman in disgrace, nay, and be beforehand with him, in laughing at his dull no-jest; but I--[_Offering to go out._ _Wid._ Nay, sir, hold! Where's the subpœna, Jerry? I must serve you, sir. You are required by this, to give your testimony-- _Man._ I'll be forsworn to be revenged on thee. [_Exit, throwing away the subpœna._ _Wid._ Get you gone, for a lawless companion!--Come, Jerry, I had almost forgot, we were to meet at the master's at three: let us mind our business still, child. _Jer._ Ay, forsooth, e'en so let's. _Free._ Nay, madam, now I would beg you to hear me a little, a little of my business. _Wid._ I have business of my own calls me away, sir. _Free._ My business would prove yours too, dear madam. _Wid._ Yours would be some sweet business, I warrant. What, 'tis no Westminster Hall business? would you have my advice? _Free._ No, faith, 'tis a little Westminster Abbey business; I would have your consent. _Wid._ O fy, fy, sir! to me such discourse, before my dear minor there! _Jer._ Ay, ay, mother, he would be taking livery and seisin of your jointure by digging the turf, but I'll watch your waters,[98] bully, i'fac.--Come away, mother. [_Exit, haling away his_ Mother.