Page:The Works of Ben Jonson - Gifford - Volume 6.djvu/196

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186
A TALE OF A TUB.
Tell me, Turfe's wife, when was my son with Awdrey?
How long is it since you saw him at your house?

Pup. Dame, let me take this rump out of your mouth.

Dame T. What mean you by that, sir?

Pup. Rump and taile's all one,
But I would use a reverence for my lady:
I would not zay, sur-reverence, the tale
Out of your mouth, but rather take the rump.

Dame T. A well-bred youth! and vull of favour you are.

Pup. What might they zay, when I were gone, if I
Not weigh'd my words? This Puppy is a vool,
Great Hannibal's an ass; he hath no breeding:
No, lady gay, you shall not zay
That your Val. Puppy, was so unlucky,
In speech to fail, as to name a tail,
Be as be may be, 'vore a fair lady.

Lady T. Leave jesting; tell us when you saw our son,

Pup. Marry, it is two hours ago.

Lady T. Since you saw him?

Pup. You might have seen him too, if you had look'd up;
For it shined as bright as day.

Lady T. I mean my son.

Pup. Your sun, and our sun, are they not all one?

Lady T. Fool, thou mistak'st; I ask'd thee for my son.

Pup. I had thought there had been no more sons than one.
I know not what you ladies have, or may have.

Pol. Didst thou ne'er hear my lady had a son?