Cutter of Coleman-street/Act 2 Scene 2

by Abraham Cowley

Scene 2.

Aurelia, Jane.

Jane.Ha, ha, ha! for the love of goodness hold me, or I shall fall down with laughing, ha, ha, ha! 'Tis the best humor———no—I can't tell it you for laughing———ha, ha, ha! the prettiest sport, ha, ha, ha!

Aur.Why, thou hast not seen him lie with her, hast thou?
The Wench is mad; prethee what is't?

Jane.Why (hee, hei, ha!) My Mistris sits by her Servant in a long Veil that covers her from Top to Toe, and says not one word to him, because of the Oath you know that the old man forc'd his son to take after your Father had forbid him the house, and he talks half an hour, like an Ass as he is, all alone, and looks upon her hand all the while, and kisses it, But that which makes me die with laughing at the conceit (ha, ha, ha!) is, that when he asks her any thing, she goes to the Table, and writes her answer, you never saw such an innocent Puppet-play!

Aur.Dear Jane (kiss me, Jane,) how shall I do to see 'em?

Ian.Why, Madam, I'l go look the key of my Mistris Closet above, that looks into her Chamber, where you may see all, and not be seen.

Aur.Why that's as good as the trick o' the Veil; do, dear Jane, quickly, 'twill make us excellent sport at night, and we'l fuddle our Noses together, shall we, dear Jane?

[Exit Jane.Jane.I, dear Madam! I'l go seek out the key.

Aur.'Tis strange, if this trick o' my Cousins should beget no trick o' mine, That would be pittiful dul doings.