Wood. Because he was too saucy, and was ever offering to give me counsel:  Mark that, and tremble at his destiny.

Gerv. I know the reason why I am kept; because you cannot be discovered by my means; for you took me up in France, and your father knows me not.

Wood. I must have a ramble in the town:  When I have spent my money, I will grow dutiful, see my father, and ask for more.  In the mean time, I have beheld a handsome woman at a play, I am fallen in love with her, and have found her easy:  Thou, I thank thee, hast traced her to her lodging in this boarding-house, and hither I am come, to accomplish my design.

Gerv. Well, heaven mend all.  I hear our landlady’s voice without; [Noise.] and therefore shall defer my counsel to a fitter season.

Wood. Not a syllable of counsel:  The next grave sentence, thou marchest after Giles.  Woodall’s my name; remember that.

  Enter Mrs SAINTLY.

Is this the lady of the house?

Gerv. Yes, Mr Woodall, for want of a better, as she will tell you.

Wood. She has a notable smack with her!  I believe zeal first taught the art of kissing close. [Saluting her.

Saint. You are welcome, gentleman.  Woodall is your name?

Wood. I call myself so.

Saint. You look like a sober discreet gentleman; there is grace in your countenance.

Wood. Some sprinklings of it, madam:  We must not boast.

Saint. Verily, boasting is of an evil principle.

Wood. Faith, madam—­

Saint. No swearing, I beseech you.  Of what church are you?

Wood. Why, of Covent-Garden church, I think.

Gerv. How lewdly and ignorantly he answers! [Aside] She means, of what religion are you?

Wood. O, does she so?—­Why, I am of your religion, be it what it will; I warrant it a right one:  I’ll not stand with you for a trifle; presbyterian, independent, anabaptist, they are all of them too good for us, unless we had the grace to follow them.

Saint. I see you are ignorant; but verily, you are a new vessel, and I may season you.  I hope you do not use the parish-church.

Wood. Faith, madam—­cry you mercy; (I forgot again) I have been in England but five days.

Saint. I find a certain motion within me to this young man, and must secure him to myself, ere he see my lodgers. [Aside.]—­O, seriously, I had forgotten; your trunk and portmantua are standing in the hall; your lodgings are ready, and your man may place them, if he please, while you and I confer together.

Wood. Go, Gervase, and do as you are directed. [Exit GER.

Saint. In the first place, you must know, we are a company of ourselves, and expect you should live conformably and lovingly amongst us.