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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1808 Excerpt:...Marg. Nay, pray you, Hodge, stay, and let me speak to you a bit. Hodge. Well; what sayn you? Marg. Dear heart, how can you be so barbarous? and is this the way you serve me after all? and won't you keep your word, Hodge? Hodge. Why, no I won't, I tell you; I have chang'd my mind. Marg. Nay, but surely, surely--Consider, Hodge, you are obligated in conscience to make me an honest woman. Hodge. Obligated in conscience!--How am I obligated? Marg. Because you are; and none but the basest of rogues would bring a poor girl to shame, and afterwards leave her to the wide world. Hodge. Bring you to shame! Don't make me speak, Madge, don't make me speak. Marg. Yes dov speak your worst. Hodge. Why then, if you go to that, you were fain to leave your own village, down in the West, for a bastard you had by the clerk of the parish, and I'll bring the man shall say it to your face. Marg. No, no, Hodge, 'tis no such thing,'tis a base lie of Farmer Ploughshare's--But I know what makes you false-hearted to me, that you may keep company with young madam's waiting woman, and I am sure she's no fit body for a poor man's wife. Hodge. How should you know what she's fit for? She's fit for as much as you, mayhap; don't find fault with your betters, Madge--Seeing Young MeaDows. O, Master Thomas! I have a word or two to say to you:--Pray did not you go down the village one day last week, with a basket of something upon your shoulder? Y. Mead. Well, what then? Hodge. Nay, not much, only the ostler at the Green-man was saying as how there was a passenger at their house as see'd you go by, and said he know'd you; and axt a mort of questions--So I thought I'd tell you. Y. Mead. The devil! ask questions about me! I know nobody in this part of the country; there nrust be some mistake in it...