it to the trial. Why Judith, come out, come out,
huswife.

_Enter_ JUDITH, _trembling._

What villain have you hid within?

_Jud._ O Lord, madam, what shall I say?

_Mrs Brain._ How should I know what you should say? Mr Brainsick has
heard a man's voice within; if you know what he makes there, confess
the truth; I am almost dead with fear, and he stands shaking.

_Brain._ Terror, I! 'tis indignation shakes me. With this sabre I'll
slice him as small as atoms; he shall be doomed by the judge, and
damned upon the gibbet.

_Jud._ [_Kneeling._] My master's so outrageous! sweet madam, do you
intercede for me, and I'll tell you all in private. [_Whispers._
If I say it is a thief, he'll call up help; I know not what of the
sudden to invent.

_Mrs Brain._ Let me alone.--And is this all? Why would you not confess
it before, Judith? when you know I am an indulgent mistress.
[_Laughs._

_Brain._ What has she confessed?

_Mrs Brain._ A venial love-trespass, dear: 'tis a sweetheart of hers;
one that is to marry her; and she was unwilling I should know it, so
she hid him in her chamber.

_Enter_ ALDO.

_Aldo._ What's the matter trow? what, in martial posture, son
Brainsick?

_Jud._ Pray, father Aldo, do you beg my pardon of my master. I have
committed a fault; I have hidden a gentleman in my chamber, who is to
marry me without his friends' consent, and therefore came in private
to me.

_Aldo._ That thou should'st think to keep this secret! why, I know it
as well as he that made thee.

_Mrs Brain._ [_Aside._] Heaven be praised, for this knower of all
things! Now will he lie three or four rapping volunteers, rather than
be thought ignorant in any thing.

_Brain._ Do you know his friends, father Aldo?

_Aldo._ Know them! I think I do. His mother was an arch-deacon's
daughter; as honest a woman as ever broke bread: she and I have been
cater-cousins in our youth; we have tumbled together between a pair of
sheets, i'faith.

_Brain._ An honest woman, and yet you two have tumbled together! those
are inconsistent.

_Aldo._ No matter for that.

_Mrs Brain._ He blunders; I must help him. [_Aside._] I warrant 'twas
before marriage, that you were so great.

_Aldo._ Before George, and so it was: for she had the prettiest black
mole upon her left ancle, it does me good to think on't! His father
was squire What-d'ye-call-him, of what-d'ye-call-em shire