_Foss._ I am thunderstruck at her impudence! several times!
_Clink._ I have had one returned upon my hands every winter for these five years past. I may perhaps be excell'd by others in judgment and correctness of manners, but for fertility and readiness of conception, I will yield to nobody.
_Foss._ Bless me, whence had she this luxuriant constitution!
_Pos._ Patience, Sir. Perhaps the lady may be married.
_Town._ Tis infamous, Mr. Fossile, to keep her in your house; yet though you turn her out of doors, use her with some humanity; I will take care of the child.
_Clink._ I can find no _Denoüement_ of all this conversation. Where is the crime, I pray, of writing a tragedy? I sent it to Drury-Lane house to be acted; and here it is return'd by the wrong goùt of the actors.
_Pos._ This incident has somewhat embarrassed us. But what mean you here, madam, by this expression? Your offspring.
_Clink._ My tragedy, the offspring of my brain. One of his majesty's justices of the peace, and not understand the use of the metaphor!
_Pos._ Doctor, you have used much artifice, and many demurrers; but the child must lie at your door at last. Friend, speak plain what thou knowest of this matter.
_Foss._ Let me relate my story. This morning, I married this lady, and brought her from her lodgings, at Mrs. Chambers's, in King-street, Covent-Garden.
_Sail._ Mrs. Chambers! To that place I was directed, where liv'd the maid that put the bantling out to be nurs'd by my wife for her lady; and who she was, 'tis none of our business to enquire.
_Pos._ Dost thou know the name of this maid?
_Town._ I'll turn her out of my house this moment, Filthy creature!
_Pos._ The evidence is plain. You have cohabitation with the mother, doctor, _currat lex_. And you must keep the child.
_Foss._ Your decree is unjust, Sir, and I'll seek my remedy at law. As I never was espoused, I never had carnal knowledge of any woman; and my wife, Mrs. Susanna Townley, is a pure virgin at this hour for me.
_Pos._ Susanna Townley! Susannah Townley! Look how runs the warrant you drew up this morning.
Madam, a word in private with you. [_whispers her_] Doctor, my Lord Chief Justice has some business with this lady.
_Foss._ My Lord Chief Justice business with my wife!