This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

14

put into his hand a plate of comfortable sweetmeats, consisting of eringoes &c. for his spouse and he to regale themselves, which done, she fills them a bowl of muscadine, and drops therein a new laid egg, which the bridegroom presenting to the partner of his pleasure, the mother fills another for himself, which, without entreating, he then drank quickly off.—But Mother Midnight, who longed to know how the bridegroom performed, and how many attacks he had made on the virgin fort, comes to the bride, and, with a whisper in her ear, would have her confess; but the lady replied only with a blush, which made the bridegroom guess what she meant, and therefore told her it was an unfair question as yet; you ought, said he, to tarry till we rise; and since we are recruited thus pray wait till the physic has done working, and then take the whole account together. Upon this, the mother and midwife retired. But to digest what they had eaten and drank, by taking a nap, but the drums and trumpets began to sound, and, in a moment, the street was full of benedictions to the bride and bridegroom; and this must be another