t morning
he lift up his eyes, and prepared his soul with a prayer, while one
might tell twenty; and then mounted the cart as merrily, as if he had
been going for a purse.
_Aldo._ You are a sorrowful widow, daughter Pad; but I'll take care of
you.--Geoffery, see her rigged out immediately for a new voyage: Look
in figure 9, in the upper drawer, and give her out the flowered
justacorps, with the petticoat belonging to it.
_Mrs Pad._ Could you not help to prefer me, father?
_Aldo._ Let me see--let me see:--Before George, I have it, and it
comes as pat too! Go me to the very judge that sate upon him; it is an
amorous, impotent old magistrate, and keeps admirably. I saw him leer
upon you from the bench: He will tell you what is sweeter than
strawberries and cream, before you part.
_Enter Mrs_ TERMAGANT.
_Mrs Term._ O father, I think I shall go mad.
_Aldo._ You are of the violentest temper, daughter Termagant! When had
you a business last?
_Mrs Term._ The last I had was with young Caster, that son-of-a-whore
gamester: he brought me to taverns, to draw in young cullies, while he
bubbled them at play; and, when he had picked up a considerable sum,
and should divide, the cheating dog would sink my share, and
swear,--Damn him, he won nothing.
_Aldo._ Unconscionable villain, to cozen you in your own calling!
_Mrs Term._ When he loses upon the square, he comes home zoundsing and
blooding; first beats me unmercifully, and then squeezes me to the
last penny. He has used me so, that, Gad forgive me, I could almost
forswear my trade. The rogue starves me too: He made me keep Lent last
year till Whitsuntide, and out-faced me with oaths it was but Easter.
And what mads me most, I carry a bastard of the rogue's in my belly;
and now he turns me off, and will not own it.
_Mrs Over._ Lord, how it quops! you are half a year gone, madam.--
[_Laying her hand on her belly._
_Mrs Term._ I feel the young rascal kicking already, like his
father.--Oh, there is an elbow thrusting out: I think, in my
conscience, he is palming and topping in my belly; and practising for
a livelihood, before he comes into the world.
_Aldo._ Geoffery, set her down in the register, that I may provide her
a mid-wife, and a dry and wet nurse: When you are up again, as heaven
send you a good hour, we will pay him off at law, i'faith. You have
him under black and white, I hope?
_Mrs Term._ Yes, I have a no
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