. What think
you, little Judith? do I know him now?

_Jud._ I suppose you may be mistaken: my servant's father is a knight
of Hampshire.

_Aldo._ I meant of Hampshire. But that I should forget he was a
knight, when I got him knighted, at the king's coming in! Two fat
bucks, I am sure he sent me.

_Brain._ And what's his name?

_Aldo._ Nay, for that, you must excuse me; I must not disclose little
Judith's secrets.

_Mrs Brain._ All this while the poor gentleman is left in pain: we
must let him out in secret; for I believe the young fellow is so
bashful, he would not willingly be seen.

_Jud._ The best way will be, for father Aldo to lend me the key of his
door, which opens into my chamber; and so I can convey him out.

_Aldo._ [_Giving her a key._] Do so, daughter. Not a word of my
familiarity with his mother, to prevent bloodshed betwixt us: but I
have her name down in my almanack, I warrant her.

_Jud._ What, kiss and tell, father Aldo? kiss and tell! [_Exit._

_Mrs Brain._ I'll go and pass an hour with Mrs Tricksy. [_Exit._

_Enter_ LIMBERHAM.

_Brain._ What, the lusty lover Limberham!

_Enter_ WOODALL, _at another door._

_Aldo._ O here's a monsieur, new come over, and a fellow-lodger; I
must endear you two to one another.

_Brain._ Sir, 'tis my extreme ambition to be better known to you; you
come out of the country I adore. And how does the dear Battist[8]? I
long for some of his new compositions in the last opera. _A propos!_ I
have had the most happy invention this morning, and a tune trouling in
my head; I rise immediately in my night-gown and slippers, down I put
the notes slap-dash, made words to them like lightning; and I warrant
you have them at the circle in the evening.

_Wood._ All were complete, sir, if S. Andre would make steps to them.

_Brain._ Nay, thanks to my genius, that care's over: you shall see,
you shall see. But first the air. [_Sings._] Is it not very fine? Ha,
messieurs!

_Limb._ The close of it is the most ravishing I ever heard!

_Brain._ I dwell not on your commendations. What say you, sir? [_To_
WOOD.] Is it not admirable? Do you enter into it?

_Wood._ Most delicate cadence!

_Brain._ Gad, I think so, without vanity. Battist and I have but one
soul. But the close, the close! [_Sings it thrice over._] I have words
too upon the air; but I am naturally so bashful!

_Wood._ Will you oblige me, sir?

_Brain._ You might command me, sir; for I sing