Mrs. Fruit. Sir, here's I and my Husband—[To her Husband.] Let me speak in my turn, Goodman Forward. [To Esop.] Sir, here's I and my Husband, I say, think we have as good Pretensions to the King's Favour as ever a Lord in the Land.
Esop. If you have no better than some Lords in the Land, I hope you won't expect much for your Service.
Mr. Fruit. An't please you, you shall be Judge yourself.
Mrs. Fruit. That's as he gives Sentence, Mr. Littlewit; who gave you Power to come to a Reference? If he does not do us right, the King himself shall; what's to be done here! [To Esop.] Sir, I'm forc'd to correct my Husband a little; poor Man, he is not us'd to Court-Business; but to give him his due, he's ready enough at some Things: Sir, I have had twenty fine Children by him; fifteen of 'em are alive, and alive like to be; five tall Daughters are wedded and bedded, and ten proper Sons serve their King and their Country.
Esop. A goodly Company, upon my Word!
Mrs. Fruit. Would all Men take as much Pains for the peopling of the Kingdom, we might tuck up our Aprons, and cry, A Fig for our Enemies; but we have such a Parcel of Drones amongst us——Hold up your Head, Husband——He's a little out of Countenance, Sir, because I chid him; but the Man is a very good Man at the Bottom. But to come to my Business, Sir, I hope his Majesty will think it reasonable to allow me something for the Service I have done him; 'tis pity but Labour shou'd be encourag'd, especially when what one has done, one has done't with a Good-will.
Esop. What Profession are you of, good People?
Mrs. Fruit. My Husband's an Inn-keeper, Sir; he bears the Name, but I govern the House.
Esop. And what Posts are your Sons in, in the Service?
Mrs. Fruit.. Sir, there are four Monks.