Wood. I have nothing to say for her.  Nay, I told her her own; you can both bear me witness.  If a sober man cannot be quiet in his own chamber for her—­

Trick. For, you know, sir, when Mrs Brainsick and I over-heard her coming, having been before acquainted with her wicked purpose, we both agreed to trap her in it.

Mrs Brain. And now she would ’scape herself, by accusing us! but let us both conclude to cast an infamy upon her house, and leave it.

Saint. Sweet Mr Woodall, intercede for me, or I shall be ruined.

Wood. Well, for once I’ll be good-natured, and try my interest.—­ Pray, ladies, for my sake, let this business go no farther.

Trick. and Mrs Brain. You may command us.

Wood. For, look you, the offence was properly to my person; and charity has taught me to forgive my enemies.  I hope, Mrs Saintly, this will be a warning to you, to amend your life:  I speak like a Christian, as one that tenders the welfare of your soul.

Saint. Verily, I will consider.

Wood. Why, that is well said.—­[Aside.] Gad, and so must I too; for my people is dissatisfied, and my government in danger:  But this is no place for meditation.—­Ladies, I wait on you. [Exeunt.

ACT IV.—­SCENE I.

  Enter ALDO and GEOFFERY.

Aldo. Despatch, Geoffery, despatch:  The outlying punks will be upon us, ere I am in a readiness to give audience.  Is the office well provided?

Geoff. The stores are very low, sir:  Some dolly petticoats, and manteaus we have; and half a dozen pair of laced shoes, bought from court at second hand.

Aldo. Before George, there is not enough to rig out a mournival of whores:  They’ll think me grown a mere curmudgeon.  Mercy on me, how will this glorious trade be carried on, with such a miserable stock!

Geoff. I hear a coach already stopping at the door.

Aldo. Well, somewhat in ornament for the body, somewhat in counsel for the mind; one thing must help out another, in this bad world:  Whoring must go on.

  Enter Mrs OVERDON, and her Daughter PRUE.

Mrs Over. Ask blessing, Prue:  He is the best father you ever had.

Aldo. Bless thee, and make thee a substantial, thriving whore.  Have your mother in your eye, Prue; it is good to follow good example.  How old are you, Prue?  Hold up your head, child.

Pru. Going o’my sixteen, father Aldo.

Aldo. And you have been initiated but these two years:  Loss of time, loss of precious time!  Mrs Overdon, how much have you made of Prue, since she has been man’s meat?

Mrs Over. A very small matter, by my troth; considering the charges I have been at in her education:  Poor Prue was born under an unlucky planet; I despair of a coach for her.  Her first maiden-head brought me in but little, the weather-beaten old knight, that bought her of me, beat down the price so low.  I held her at an hundred guineas, and he bid ten; and higher than thirty would not rise.