rt to
take his orders. Bring us a pint apiece.

_Carey._ Thou naughty man! [_Slaps his jaws._] A pint apiece? [_Exit._

_Butts._ Aye. Now, lads, bargain out your time; ye'll not see a
petticoat for many a day. [_Lights pipe and sits._

_Sailors._ Aye, aye, sir.

_CITIZENS cross stage, singly and in groups, all going in the same
direction. Enter MOTHER CAREY from house with ale, serves it, looks
up and down street as in expectation of some one, then goes in._

_Butts._ Mother Carey's lost one of her chicks. Here lads! here's
to the mousey Puritan lassies! They won't dance, they can't
sing--Ah! well! here's to them till we come again! [_All drink._

_Enter along the street two COUNCILORS._

_Arnold._ 'Tis very true; but, sir, though many break this law and
go unpunished, our godly Company should not wink at known adultery.

_Langdon._ In other words, we must find scape-goats to bear our
sins.

_Arnold._ Nay, not exactly that. We vindicate God's laws, and----
[_Exeunt Councilors._

_Butts._ He must be Privy Councilor to the Lord Himself!

_Enter a group of WOMEN._

_First Woman._ Her beauty, say'st thou? Pretty is as pretty does,
say I. I'd beauty her! Go to! Who knows the father of her brat; can
any tell?

_Second Woman._ Thou dost not doubt thy goodman?

_First Woman._ Trust none of them. I know mine own; dost thou know
thine? As for her she hath shamed our sex, and I would--
[_Exeunt Women._

_Butts._ God's-my-life, there's more poison in their tongues than in
a nest of rattlesnakes? What's all this pother, lads?

_Sailor._ There's a trial, sir, on a charge of bastardy.

_Butts._ Ha! ha! ha! You rogues had better ship elsewhere; if the
wind sits in that quarter, you'll find foul weather here.

_Sailors._ Ha! ha! ha!

_More people cross the stage._

_Butts._ Cheapside on a holiday!

_Re-enter MOTHER CAREY, dressed for walking._

_Carey._ O, dear! O, dear! I'll be late; I'm sure I'll be late. Oh!
dear, dear, dear! why will that Ursula still lag?

_Butts._ What's the matter, Mother?

_Carey._ Matter? Matter enough! a gentlewoman tried for adultery and
me sure to miss it all! [_Looks around._] Why doesn't Ursula come?
O, dear! O, dear!--why, here she is!

_Enter URSULA._

What kept thee, Ursula?

_Ursula._ Such a crowd! Whew! I'm out o' breath. [_Sits