most comical catastrophe!

_Wood._ Happily arrived, i'faith, my old sub-fornicator; I have been
taken up on suspicion here with Mrs Tricksy.

_Aldo._ To be taken, to be seen! Before George, that's a point next
the worst, son Woodall.

_Wood._ Truth is, I wanted thy assistance, old Methusalem; but, my
comfort is, I fell greatly.

_Aldo._ Well, young Phaeton, that's somewhat yet, if you made a blaze
at your departure.

_Enter_ GILES, _Mrs_ BRAINSICK, _and_ JUDITH.

_Giles._ By your leave, gentlemen, I have followed an old master of
mine these two long hours, and had a fair course at him up the street;
here he entered, I'm sure.

_Aldo._ Whoop holyday! our trusty and well-beloved Giles, most
welcome! Now for some news of my ungracious son.

_Wood._ [_Aside._] Giles here! O rogue, rogue! Now, would I were safe
stowed over head and ears in the chest again.

_Aldo._ Look you now, son Woodall, I told you I was not mistaken; my
rascal's in town, with a vengeance to him.

_Giles._ Why, this is he, sir; I thought you had known him.

_Aldo._ Known whom?

_Giles._ Your son here, my young master.

_Aldo._ Do I dote? or art thou drunk, Giles?

_Giles._ Nay, I am sober enough, I'm sure; I have been kept fasting
almost these two days.

_Aldo._ Before George, 'tis so! I read it in that leering look: What a
Tartar have I caught!

_Brain._ Woodall his son!

_Pleas._ What, young father Aldo!

_Aldo._ [_Aside._] Now cannot I for shame hold up my head, to think
what this young rogue is privy to!

_Mrs Brain._ The most dumb interview I ever saw!

_Brain._ What, have you beheld the Gorgon's head on either side?

_Aldo._ Oh, my sins! my sins! and he keeps my book of conscience too!
He can display them, with a witness! Oh, treacherous young devil!

_Wood._ [_Aside._] Well, the squib's run to the end of the line, and
now for the cracker: I must bear up.

_Aldo._ I must set a face of authority on the matter, for my
credit.--Pray, who am I? do you know me, sir?

_Wood._ Yes, I think I should partly know you, sir: You may remember
some private passages betwixt us.

_Aldo._ [_Aside._] I thought as much; he has me already!--But pray,
sir, why this ceremony amongst friends? Put on, put on; and let us
hear what news from France. Have you heard lately from my son? does he
continue still the most hopeful and esteemed young gentleman in Paris?
does he manage his allowance with the same discretion? and, lastly,
has he st