Enter the Bridegroom, and a company of Gentlemen and Knights; then enters a ser∣vant with a rich night-gown or Mantle, another servant with a rich Cap, Waste∣coat, and Slippers: Then the Bridegroom first pulls off his patch from his Eye, then pulls off his bumbast Doublet, and then his wooden Leg, and his snarled Periwig, having a sine head of hair of his own; then puts on his wastcoat, cap, slippers, and night-gown, he then appearing very handsome, the company staring upon him, the mean time they as in amazement, He speaks to the Ladies.
Bridegroom.
Fair Ladies, as other men strive to adorn themselves, to mend their broken Bodies, and patch up their decays with false and feigned shews, to cozen credulous women, that think them such as they appear, when they abuse your sweet & gentle natures: But lest my Wife should think me better than I am, or expect more than I could give her, I formed my self far worse than Nature made me; nor have I promised more than well I can perform.
And if she lov'd me crooked, lame, and blind,
Now I am perfect, she'll not be less kind.
The Bed drawn off, the Bridegroom follows, the men go out with him as in a maze, only Mistris Trifle, Va∣nity, and Parle slays.
Parle.
Heyday, Riddle me, riddle me, what's this? A man blind, and not blind, lame, and not lame, crooked, and not crooked, ill-favour'd, and handsome.
Trifle.
'Faith it is like the Tale of the great Bear of warwick.
Vanity.
What Tale was that?
Trifle.
Why of a King that had three Daughters, and when they were of mariageable years, the King their Father ask'd them whether they had ra∣ther to have a Husband that were a man a days, and a beast at nights, or a Husband that was a beast at days, and a man at nights? and if they would marry, they must choose one of those that were sometimes men, and some∣times beasts, or otherwise they must never marry; but they, rather than to live old Maids, were resolved to marry, were their Husbands at all times beasts: so the two eldest chose to have their Husbands men a days, and beasts at nights; for, said they, we can conceal their beastliness at nights, but not a days, for the light will divulge them to the publick view of the World; but the youngest chose a Husband, one that was a beast a days, and a man at nights: for, said she, I will please my self, not caring what the World thinks or says: for I am sure, said she, the World cares not what I think or say; whereupon they were all three maried, and the youngest Ladies Husband was a great Bear a days, but a very handsome man at nights.
Parle.
O that every woman were so well match'd! for then they would be always pleased, and never jealous: for in the day-time, when men doe Court and plead Loves Sute, and point out private meetings,
They have no words to wooe, nor persons for to win,
And in the night their Wives their Arms do circle in.
Trifle.
But say your Husband the He-bear, should meet a Mistris She-bear, I believe you would be jealous then.
Parle.
I confess I should be somewhat lumpish.