or
perhaps both must go to pot. For all whatsoever the Doctor hath
prescribed, or that hath been fetcht from the Apothecaries; nay the
very girdle of Saint _Francis_ can work here no miracle.

Uds bud, this is but a sad spectacle. Oh, says Peg the maid, doth this
come by marrying? I'l never venture it as long as I live. I do beleeve
that it is very pleasurable to ly with a Gentleman, but the
Child-bearing hath no delight at all in it. Oh I am affraid, if there
come not a sudden change, that my good Mistris will not be able to
undergo it. Oh sweet pretty blossom as she is.

'Tis most true, that here wants crums of comfort both for the husband
and the wife; yea for the Midwife and all the rest of the Women
beside; for they all cry that the tears run streaming down their
cheeks; and neither their Cinamon-water, nor burnt wine, can any waies
refresh or strengthen her. Uds-lid: if there come no other tiding the
sweetness of this pleasure will prove but bitter to them.

But hark a little! there comes something of a tiding, that brings us
five pounds worth of courage with it. Two or three more such, would
make every one of our hearts a hundred pound lighter, and the great
Caudle Skellet would begin to quake and tremble.

Pray have a little patience, tarry, and in the twinkling of an eye you
shall be presented with a Child, and saluted with the title of Father.

* * * * *

THE EIGHTH PLEASURE.

_The Womans brought to bed._

Ha boys! after all the toiling, the happy hour is at last arrived,
that the good Woman, finally is delivered & brought to bed: well this
is a mirth and pleasure that far surpasseth all the other; for the
good man is, by a whole estate, richer than he was before.

Who can imagine or comprehend the jollity of this new Father? O he is
so overjoyed that it is inexpressible: Doll and Peg must out
immediately to give notice of it to all the friends and acquaintance;
thinking to himself that every body else will be as jocund and merry
at it as he is. Do but see how busie he is! behold with what
earnestness he runs up and down the house to give order that the great
Caudle Skillet may be in a readiness!

[Illustration: Folio 127. _Published by the Navarre Society, London._]

What a pleasure is it for him that he sees Mistris _Do-all_ attending
the Midwife, and giving her all manner of warmed beds and other
Clouts, the number and names whereof are without end; and t