Why did you send for me out, Sir Father?

To see thy nown Mother, Child.—Go and meet her, and give her a Kiss.

What Mother?

She there, that's ready to dye for want of ye.

Who's that you'd ha'me kiss?

Your Daughter.

What this?

Yes.

What kiss this Creature?

Why not, since she's your own Daughter?

Sure you've lost your Senses.

I?

Yes you, Sir.

Why so?

Because I neither know this Creature, have had any Acquaintance, or so much as laid Eye on her till now.

I know whence comes your Mistake; she has got other Cloaths and Dresses, since you had her.

All Creatures ha'their several ways of knowing their Young. But I declare I never knew this.

Heavens bless us all! What strange thing is this? Have I made my House a Bawdy-house? have I brought Strangers into't, who have suck'd up my Mo∣n•…?—Pray why did you kiss me, and call me Father? Why stand ye like a Mum-chance? What are ye tongue∣ty'd?

What wou'd y' ha' me say?

She declares she's none o'your Mother.

If she won't, she may let it alone. By Iago, I'll be my Mother's Daughter in spight of her Teeth. 'Tis n't fair Play to force her to be my Mother, whether she will or no.

But why a plague did ye call me Father?

That's your Fault, not mine. Did I e'r call you Father, till you call'd me Daughter? And if she call'd me Daughter, I'd give her the Title o' Mother: But she disowns me for a Daughter, and I'll cast her off for a Mother. In short, I'm not to blame; I've only said as my Master Epidicus taught me.

Undone! I've pull'd an old House upo' my Head.

Have I offended ye in any thing?

By Cocks nowns, call me Father again, and I'll break your Neck, you damn'd Bitch Whore.

I'll obey ye, Sir. When e'r you've a Mind to be my Father, you may; if not, do as you please.

What? Did you buy her, thinking she had been your Daughter? What tokens had you for't?

None.

What made ye believe her to be our Child?

I had it from my Rogue Epidicus.

Tho your Servant has been mistaken, I hope you know her again.

Know her, how shou'd I? when I ne'r saw her but once since she came into the World.

I'm in a wretched condition

Prethee, Woman, leave weeping; go in and chear up. I'll warrant ye find her out somewhere or other.

'Twas a young Athenian Gentleman that bought her.

I'll find him out: Be satisfied. Go in, and guard this young Shipton, the Devil's Grand-child.—I'll leave all Works to go hunt out this Dog Epidicus. If I catch him, I'll put him past playing any more Rogues Tricks.