Page 418
Scene 44.
God give you Joy, I have not seen you since you were maried.
You are welcome into the maried Society.
I thank you Madam. Truly I am so tyr'd.
With what, Madam?
With helping my Neighbour the Lady Breeder to hold her back.
VVhy, is she in Labour?
She is brought to Bed; but on my word she hath had a hard bar∣gain: for she hath had a sore Labour.
VVhat hath God sent her?
A lusty boy. Indeed it is one of the goodliest children that ever I saw.
But how chance she did not send for me to her Labour?
She came on such a sudden, as she had hardly Time to send for the Midwife; but she was mightily troubled you were not there, she doubts you will take it ill.
We have reason: for if we could not have come time enough to her Labour, we might have come time enough to the cup of Rejoycing.
But she will bid you to the Christening.
That's some amends: But this hard labour of the Lady Breeders will fright you.
No: for I have as much courage as other maried Wives have, though truly, Sir Anthony Gosling, my Husband, was very loth I should goe: for (said he to me) prethee sweet Duck do not go: I answer'd and said to him, my hony-love I must go, for it is the part of one wife to help another; besides, a gossipping company doth help to ease the womens pains; and if I go not to their Labour, they will not come to mine.
Why, are you with Child?
No, but I hope I shall be shortly.
Come, we will go and chide your Husband, that he hath been ma∣ried a week, and his Wife not with child.
Yes, pray goe chide him, and I will bear your company.