A hall in Allwit’s house.
Enter Allwit in one of Sir Walter’s suits, and Davy trussing him.
ALLWIT
’Tis a busy day at our house, Davy.
DAVY
Always the kursning day, sir.
ALLWIT
Truss, truss me, Davy.
DAVY
[Aside] No matter and you were hanged, sir.
ALLWIT
How does this suit fit me, Davy?
DAVY
Excellent neatly; my master’s things were ever fit for you, sir, e’en to a hair, you know.
ALLWIT
Thou has hit it right, Davy,
We ever jumped in one this ten years, Davy.
Enter a Servant with a box.
So, well said; what art thou?
[THIRD] SERVANT
Your comfit-maker’s man, sir.
ALLWIT
O sweet youth, into the nurse quick,
Quick, ’tis time, i’faith; your mistress will be here?
[THIRD] SERVANT
She was setting forth, sir.
[Exit Third Servant.] Enter two Puritans.
ALLWIT
Here comes our gossips now;
O, I shall have such kissing work today;
Sweet Mistress Underman, welcome, i’faith.
FIRST PURITAN
Give you joy of your fine girl, sir,
Grant that her education may be pure,
And become one of the faithful.
ALLWIT
Thanks to your sisterly wishes, Mistress Underman.
SECOND PURITAN
Are any of the brethren’s wives yet come?
ALLWIT
There are some wives within, and some at home.
FIRST PURITAN
Verily thanks, sir.
[Exeunt Puritans.]
ALLWIT
Verily you are an ass, forsooth;
I must fit all these times, or there’s no music.
Enter two Gossips.
Here comes a friendly and familiar pair,
Now I like these wenches well.
FIRST GOSSIP
How dost, sirrah?
ALLWIT
Faith, well, I thank you, neighbour, and how dost thou?
SECOND GOSSIP
Want nothing, but such getting, sir, as thine.
ALLWIT
My gettings, wench, they are poor.
FIRST GOSSIP
Fie that thou’lt say so,
Th’ast as fine children as a man can get.
DAVY
[Aside] Ay, as a man can get, and that’s my master.
ALLWIT
They are pretty foolish things,
Put to making in minutes;
I ne’er stand long about ‘em,
Will you walk in wenches?
[Exeunt Gossips.] Enter Touchwood Junior and Moll.
TOUCHWOOD JUNIOR
The happiest meeting that our souls could wish for.
Here’s the ring ready; I am beholding
Unto your father’s haste, h’as kept his hour.
MOLL
He never kept it better.
Enter Sir Walter Whorehound.
TOUCHWOOD JUNIOR
Back, be silent.
SIR WALTER
Mistress and partner, I will put you both
Into one cup.
DAVY
[Aside] Into one cup, most proper,
A fitting compliment for a goldsmith’s daughter.
ALLWIT
Yes, sir, that’s he must be your worship’s partner
In this day’s business, Mr. Touchwood’s brother.
SIR WALTER
I embrace your acquaintance, sir.
TOUCHWOOD JUNIOR
It vows your service, sir.
SIR WALTER
It’s near high time; come, Mr. Allwit.
ALLWIT
Ready, sir.
SIR WALTER
Will’t please you walk?
TOUCHWOOD JUNIOR
Sir, I obey your time.
[Exeunt.]