Enter six Ladies, one after another.
So, here comes one of my promis'd Virgins!
Nay, a second too—a third—a fourth—a fifth—
A sixth—Welcome, blessed half-dozen; now will I go
Muster my nurses and children too, and go
Against the Great Turk. I am glad to see
They have brought ne'er a coffin, for I expect
Nothing but death from them. I wonder they don't
Begin to ring my funeral peal. See every
One of them beckons to me, as much as to say,
I'd speak with you in private; but the devil
Take me if e'er a one of them do; I find
By this they would not have their business known
To one another; this may be a means for me
To get off for this time—Ladies, you all
Look as if you had something to say to
Me; pray make me so happy as to let
Me know what 'tis. They dare not speak aloud. [Aside.] Will you,
Madam? or you? or you, madam? or you,
Madam? [What] not one of you tell me what
The honour of these visits mean? I see
I am troublesome to you all? therefore
I'll not be longer rude; and so I take
My leave—This was good luck, that they should come
All together; for I had rather be [Beckon him.
Alone six hours with the devil, than with
E'er a one of them an half hour—I'll stand close
In this corner till they are all gone.
1st Lady. Now the pox take him for a cunning rogue!
2d Lady. A plague take him!
3d Lady. The devil take him!
4th Lady. If there be e'er a devil worse than another,
Take him thou!
5th Lady. O, that I had him alone!
6th Lady. Was there ever such a rascal?
[Exeunt at several doors.
Phil. So the coast is clear again— [Peeps out.