2 Boy. Nay, nay, I can’t tell that neither: My Master loves it as well as if it were his own, and for ought I see better than my Dame.
Comp. A very good Lad by my Troth!
2 Boy. But, Goodman Compass, I can tell you News, Your Wife has a brave Boy too of her own, not above a Quarter old, as big as two of this.
Comp. Ha! say’st thou so, Jack? Ha, ha, ha, by my Troth I am heartily glad to hear it: I’ll give thee a dozen of Ale, and thy News be true, Boy.
1 Boy. I assure you ’tis very true: All your Neighbours can tell you the same.
Comp. Ha, ha, ha! But a Quarter old, and so lusty, say you? What plaguy thundering Boys are got now-a-days: I Gad, I shall split my Sides with Laughing; Ha, ha, ha.—But Jack, I have been loth to ask thee all this while, for fear of ill News, how does my Wife?
2 Boy. O never better, nor ever so lusty and handsome—And truly she wears better Clothes than she was wont, especially on Holy-days: she has Silk-Gowns, and Lac’d-Petticoats, and fine Holland-Smocks too, they say, that have seen ’em: And some of our Neighbours say, they were taken up in Cheap.
Comp. Like enough, Jack; and there they must be paid for—Well, good Lads, go and tell my Wife the joyful Tidings of my Return.
2 Boy. That I will with all my Heart, for she heard you were dead long ago.
1 Boy. Nay, I’ll go along with you Jack.