Town. You lascivious brute you.
Fos. Passion is but the tempestuous cloud that obscures reason; be calm and I'll convince you. Friend, how come you to bring the infant hither?
Sail. My wife, poor woman, could give him suck no longer, for she died yesterday morning. There's a long account, master. It was hard to trace him to the fountain-head. I steer'd my course from lane to lane, I spoke to twenty old women, and at last was directed to a ribbon-shop in Covent-Garden, and they sent me hither, and so take the bantling and pay me his clearings.
[Offers him the child.
Fos. I shall find law for you, sirrah. Call my neighbour Possum, he is a justice of peace, as well as a physician.
Town. Call the man back. If you have committed one folly, don't expose yourself by a second.
Sail. The gentlewoman says well. Come, master, we all know that there is no boarding a pretty wench, without charges one way or other; you are a doctor, master, and have no surgeons bills to pay; and so can the better afford it.
Town. Rather than you should bring a scandal on your character, I will submit to be a kind mother-in-law.
Enter Justice Possum, and Clerk.
Fos. Mr. justice Possum, for now I must so call you, not brother Possum; here is a troublesome fellow with a child, which he would leave in my house.
Pos. Another man's child? he cannot in law.