Comp. The Father, Why who am I?
Nurse. Not the Father sure, the Civil Law has found it otherwise.
Comp. The Civil Law found it otherwise! Why then the Uncivil Law shall make it mine again, I’ll be as dreadful as a Shrove-Tuesday to thee; for I’ll besiege thy squalling catterwauling Castle, with my Friends the Mob, and gut thy stinking Nursery, but I’ll both see and have my Child.
Nurse. Harkee, Goodman Swabber, say but half so much again, and I’ll call the Constable, and lay Burglary to your Charge. You wou’d not be so hot if the Enemy were in View, nor if you had to do with any body but a poor innocent Woman, so you wou’d’nt.
Peg. Good Husband be patient, and let me alone with her: Come, come, good Nurse, let him see the Boy.
Nurse. Indeed I dare not Goody Compass: The Father first you know delivered me the Child, and order’d me to let no body see it. He pays me well and weekly for my Pains, and therefore I’ll do as be bad me, so I will.
Comp. Why thou white Bastard-breeder; Is not this Woman here the Mother?
Nurse. Yes, I grant you that.
Comp. Do you so? Well, and I grant it too; And is not the Child then my own by the Wives Copy-hold?
Nurse. The Law must try that.