Dau. Ay, marry; but how will't be done? Tru. I'll undertake the directing all the ladyguefts thither, and then the meat must follow.

Cler. For heaven's fake, let's effect it; it will be an excellent comedy of affliction, so many several noifes.

Dau. But are they not at the other place already, think you?

Tru. I'll warrant you, not the college-honours: one o' their faces has not the priming-colour laid

on yet.

Cler. O, but they'll rife earlier than ordinary to a feast.

Tru. Beft go, and fee, and affure ourselves.
Cler. Who knows the house?

Tru. I'll lead you; were you never there yet?
Dau. Not I.

Cler. Nor I.

Tru. Where ha' you liv'd then? not know Tom Otter!

Cler. No: What is he?

Tru. An excellent animal, equal with your Daw or La-Foole, if not fuperior; and does Latin it as much as your barber: He is his wife's fubject, he calls her Princess, and at fuch times as these follows her up and down the houfe like a page,

with

with his hat off, partly for heat, partly for reverence. At this inftant he is marshalling of his bull, bear, and horse.

Dau. Bull, bear, and horfe! What be those, in the name of Sphinx?

Tru. Why, Sir, he has been a great man at the Bear-garden in his time, and from that sport has ta'en the witty denomination of his chief caroufing cups. One he calls his bull, another his bear, another his horfe. And then he has his leffer glaffes, that he calls his deer and his ape; and feveral degrees of them too; and never is well, nor thinks any entertainment perfect, till these be brought out, and fet o' the cupboard. Nay, he has a thousand things as good. He will rail on his wife, with certain common-places, behind her back; and to her face

Dau. No more defcription of him. Let's go fee him, I petition you.

[Exeunt.

ACT

NAY

ACT III.

Scene, Otter's houfe.

Enter Otter, and Mrs. Otter.

Otter.

AY, good princefs, hear me pauca verba ! Mrs. Otter. By that light I'll have you chain'd up, with your bull-dogs and bear-dogs, if you be not civil the fooner. I'll fend you to kennel, i'faith. You were beft bait me with your bull, bear, and horfe! Never a time that the courtiers or collegiates come to the houfe, but you make it a Shrove-Tuesday! I would have you get your Whitfontide velvet cap, and your staff i'your hand, to entertain 'em; yes in troth, do.

Otter. Not fo, princefs, neither; but, under correction, sweet princess, gi' me leave-These things I am known to the courtiers by: It is reported to them for my humour, and they receive it so, and do expect it. Tom Otter's bull, bear, and horse, are known all over England, in rerum naturâ.

VOL. III.

S

Mrs.

.

Mrs. Otter. 'Fore me, I will na-ture 'em over to Paris-garden, and na-ture you thither too, if you pronounce 'em again. Is a bear a fit beaft, or a bull, to mix in fociety with great ladies?

Otter. The horse thén, good princess.

Mrs. Otter. Well, I am contented for the horse. Otter. And it is a delicate fine horse; 'tis Poetarum Pegafus. Under correction, princess, Jupiter did turn himself into a-Taurus, or bull, under correction, good princefs.

Mrs. Otter. By integrity, I'll send you over to the Bank-fide, I'll commit you to the master of the garden, if I hear but a fyllable more. Is this according to the inftrument, when I married you, That I would be princefs, and reign in mine own house; and you would be my fubject and obey me? Do I allow you your half-crown a-day, to fpend where you will, to vex and torment me at fuch times as these?

Enter Truewit, Dauphine, Clerimont, behind.

Who graces you with courtiers, or great perfonages, to speak to you out of their coaches, and come home to your houfe? Were you ever so much as look'd upon by a lord or a lady, before I married you, but on the Eafter or Whitfon holidays? and

then

then out at the Banqueting-house window, when Ned Whiting or George Stone were at the stake? Tru. Let's go ftave her off him.

Mrs. Otter. Anfwer me to that. And did not I take you up from thence, in an old greafy buffdoublet, with points and green velvet fleeves, out at the elbows? You forget this.

Tru. She'll worry him, if we help not in time. Mrs. Otter. Oh, here are fome o' the gallants! Go to, behave yourself distinctly, and with good morality; or, I protest, I'll take away your exhi

bition,

Tru. By your leave, fair Mistress Otter, I'll be bold to enter these gentlemen in your acquaintance. Mrs. Otter. I fhall not be obnoxious, or difficil, Sir.

Tru. How does my noble captain? Is the bull, bear, and horfe in rerum naturâ still?

Otter. Sir, fic vifum fuperis.

Mrs. Otter. I would you would but intimate 'em, do. Go your ways in, and get toafts and butter made for the woodcocks: That's a fit province for you.

Otter. [going out.] Sic vifum fuperis!

[Exit.

Cler. Alas, what a tyranny is this poor fellow

married to!

S 2

Tru.