LADY SOM. So, stay him, officers. Sir, 'tis not your tricks of wit can carry it. Officers, attach him and this gentleman For stealing away my heir.
W. SMALL. You do me wrong; Heart! I never saw your heir.
THROAT. That's a lie: You stole her, and by chance I married her.
THROAT. Ask the butler else. Therefore, widow, release me; for by no law, Statute, or book-case of _Vicesimo_ _Edwardi secundi_, nor by the statute Of _Tricesimo Henrici sexti_, Nor by any book-case of _decimo_ Of the late queen, am I accessory, Part, or party-confederate, abettor, Helper, seconder, persuader, forwarder, Principal, or maintainer of this late theft, But by law. I forward, and she willing, Clapp'd up the match, and by a good statute Of _Decimo tertio Richardi quarti_, She is my leeful, lawful, and my true Married wife, _teste_ Lieutenant Beard.
W. SMALL. Who lives would think that you could prate so fast, Your hands being bound behind you? foot, he talks With as much ease, as if he were in's shirt.
OLIVER. I am witness thou hadst the heir.
BOUT. Hear me but speak; Sit you as judges. Undo the lawyer's hands, That he may freely act, and I'll be bound That William Small-shanks shall put your throat to silence, And overthrow him at his own weapon.
JUS. TUT. Agreed: take each his place, and hear the case Argued betwixt them two.
JUS. TUT. Now, Throat, or never, stretch yourself.
W. SMALL. Here stand I for my client this gentleman.
THROAT. Right worshipful, I say that William Small-shanks, madman, Is by a statute made in Octavo Of Richard Cordelion guilty to the law Of felony for stealing this lady's heir. That he stole her, the proof is most pregnant-- He brought her to my house, confessed himself He made great means to steal her. I lik'd her, And finding him a novice (truth to tell), Married her myself, and (as I said), By a statute Richardi Quarti, She is my lawful wife.
W. SMALL. For my client I say, the wench I brought unto your house Was not the daughter to rich Sommerfield.
THROAT. Tut, tut, He is a party in the cause. But, sir, If't were not the daughter to this good widow, Who was it? answer that.
W. SMALL. An arrant whore, Which you have married, and she is run Away with all your jewels--this is true; And this Lieutenant Beard can testify: It was the wench I kept in Hosier Lane.