_Wid._ Nay, but consider a little: I am your old client, my lord but a new one; or let him be what he will, he will hardly be a better client to you than myself: I hope you believe I shall be in law as long as I live; therefore am no despicable client. Well, but go to your lord; I know you expect he should make you a judge one day; but I hope his promise to you will prove a true lord's promise. But that he might be sure to fail you, I wish you had his bond for't. _But._ But what, will you yet be thus impertinent, mistress? _Wid._ Nay, I beseech you, sir, stay; if it be but to tell me my lord's case; come, in short-- _But._ Nay, then--[_Exit._ _Wid._ Well, Jerry, observe child, and lay it up for hereafter. These are those lawyers who, by being in all causes, are in none: therefore if you would have 'em for you, let your adversary fee 'em; for he may chance to depend upon 'em; and so, in being against thee, they'll be for thee. _Jer._ Ay, mother; they put me in mind of the unconscionable wooers of widows, who undertake briskly their matrimonial business for their money; but when they have got it once, let who will drudge for them. Therefore have a care of 'em, forsooth. There's advice for your advice. _Wid._ Well said, boy.--Come, Mr. Splitcause, pray go see when my cause in Chancery comes on; and go speak with Mr. Quillit in the King's-bench, and Mr. Quirk in the Common-pleas, and see how matters go there. _Enter_ Major OLDFOX. _Old._ Lady, a good and propitious morning to you; and may all your causes go as well as if I myself were judge of 'em! _Wid._ Sir, excuse me; I am busy, and cannot answer compliments in Westminster Hall.--Go, Mr. Splitcause, and come to me again to that bookseller's; there I'll stay for you, that you may be sure to find me. _Old._ No, sir, come to the other bookseller's. I'll attend your ladyship thither. [_Exit_ SPLITCAUSE. _Wid._ Why to the other? _Old._ Because he is my bookseller, lady. _Wid._ What, to sell you lozenges for your catarrh? or medicines for your corns? What else can a major deal with a bookseller for? _Old._ Lady, he prints for me. _Wid._ Why, are you an author? _Old._ Of some few essays; deign you, lady, to peruse 'em.--[_Aside._] She is a woman of parts; and I must win her by showing mine. _Bookseller's Boy._ Will you see Culpepper, mistress? "Aristotle's Problems?" "The Complete Midwife?" _Wid._ No; let's see Dalton, Hughs, Shepherd, Wingate. _B. Boy._ We have no law books. _Wid._ No! you are a pretty bookseller then. _Old._ Come, have you e'er a one of my essays left? _B. Boy._ Yes, sir, we have enough, and shall always have 'em. _Old._ How so? _B. Boy._ Why, they are good, steady, lasting ware. _Old._ Nay, I hope they will live; let's see.--Be pleased, madam, to peruse the poor endeavours of my pen: for I have a pen, though I say it, that--[_Gives her a book._