Scene IV.

Love for Love

by William Congreve

VALENTINE, SCANDAL, JEREMY.

JEREMY
O sir, there's Trapland the scrivener, with two
suspicious fellows like lawful pads, that would knock a man down with
pocket- tipstaves. And there's your father's steward, and the nurse
with one of your children from Twitnam.

VALENTINE
Pox on her, could she find no other time to fling
my sins in my face? Here, give her this, [gives money] and bid her
trouble me no more; a thoughtless two-handed whore, she knows my
condition well enough, and might have overlaid the child a fortnight
ago, if she had had any forecast in her.

SCANDAL
What, is it bouncing Margery, with my godson?

JEREMY
Yes, sir.

SCANDAL
My blessing to the boy, with this token [gives
money] of my love. And d'ye hear, bid Margery put more flocks in her
bed, shift twice a week, and not work so hard, that she may not smell
so vigorously. I shall take the air shortly.

VALENTINE
Scandal, don't spoil my boy's milk. Bid Trapland
come in. If I can give that Cerberus a sop, I shall be at rest for
one day.