[76] The 4o reads _nap_; and I am not certain of the propriety of the alteration, as the Clown may allude to Stephen's dress.
_Enter_ ALDERMAN BREWEN, SIR GODFREY SPEEDWELL, INNOCENT LAMBSKIN, _and_ MISTRESS JANE.
BREW. Gentlemen, you're welcome; that once well-pronounced has a thousand echoes. Let it suffice, I have spoke it to the full. Here's your affairs, here's your merchandise--this is your prize. [_Pointing to_ JANE.
If you can mix your names and gentle bloods With the poor daughter of a citizen, I make the passage free, to greet and court, Traffic the mart of love, clap hands, and strike The bargain through; she pleas'd, and I shall like.
SPEED. 'Tis good ware, believe me, sir: I know that by mine own experience, for I have handled the like many times in my first wife's days. Ay, by knighthood! sometimes before I was married, too; therefore I know't by mine own experience.
LAMB. Well, sir, I know by observation as much as you do by experience; for I have known many gentlemen have taken up such ware as this is, but it has lain on their hands as long as they lived. This I have seen by observation.
JANE. [_Aside._] I am like to have a couple of fair chapmen. If they were at my own dispose, I would willingly raffle them both at twelvepence a share. They would be good food for a new plantation. The one might mend his experience, and the other his observation very much.[77]
SPEED. Sir, let me advise you; I see you want experience. Meddle no further in this case; 'twill be the more credit for your observation, for I find by my experience you are but shallow.
LAMB. But shallow, sir? Your experience is a little wide; you shall find I will be as deep in this case as yourself. My observation has been where your experience must wait at door; yet I will give you the fore-horse place, and I will be in the thills[78], because you are the elder tree, and I the young plant. Put on your experience, and I will observe.
SPEED. Sweet virgin, to be prolix and tedious fits not experience. Short words and large deeds are best pleasing to women.
SPEED. My name is Speedwell by my father's copy.
JANE. Then you never served for't, it seems[79].
SPEED. Yes, sweet feminine! I have served for it too; for I found my nativity suited to my name. As my name is Speedwell, so have I sped well in divers actions.