Alith. He only, not you, since my honour is engaged so far to him, can give me a reason why I should not marry him; but if he be true, and what I think him to me, I must be so to him. Your servant, sir.

Har. Have women only constancy when ’tis a vice, and are, like Fortune, only true to fools?

Dor. Thou sha’t not stir, thou robust creature; you see I can deal with you, therefore you should stay the rather, and be kind.

[To LUCY, who struggles to get from him.

Re-enter PINCHWIFE.

Pinch. Gone, gone, not to be found! quite gone! ten thousand plagues go with ’em! Which way went they?

Alith. But into t’other walk, brother.

Lucy. Their business will be done presently sure, an’t please your worship; it can’t be long in doing, I’m sure on’t.

Alith. Are they not there?

Pinch. No, you know where they are, you infamous wretch, eternal shame of your family, which you do not dishonour enough yourself you think, but you must help her to do it too, thou legion of bawds!

Alith. Good brother—

Pinch. Damned, damned sister!

Alith. Look you here, she’s coming.

Re-enter Mrs. PINCHWIFE running, with her hat full of oranges and dried fruit under her arm, HORNER following.

Mrs. Pinch. O dear bud, look you here what I have got, see!

Pinch. And what I have got here too, which you can’t see.

[Aside, rubbing his forehead.

Mrs. Pinch. The fine gentleman has given me better things yet.

Pinch. Has he so?—[Aside.] Out of breath and coloured!— I must hold yet.

Horn. I have only given your little brother an orange, sir.

Pinch. [to HORNER]. Thank you, sir.—[Aside.] You have only squeezed my orange, I suppose, and given it me again; yet I must have a city patience.—[To his Wife.] Come, come away.

Mrs. Pinch. Stay, till I have put up my fine things, bud.

Enter Sir JASPER FIDGET.

Sir Jasp. O, Master Horner, come, come, the ladies stay for you; your mistress, my wife, wonders you make not more haste to her.

Horn. I have stayed this half hour for you here, and ’tis your fault I am not now with your wife.