A Pleasant DIALOGUE Betwixt Honest John and loving Kate. The Contrivance of their Marriage and way how to Live. Readers, Her's a Loving Pair, Shortly to be Married are, Honest John and Loving Kate To each other prove a Mate, I wish them both in joy to live Since heart to each the other give. LONDON, Printed for J. Clar●● W. Thackery and T. passenger, 1685. A pleasant DIALOGUE. Betwixt Honest John and loving KATE, The contrivance of their Wedding and way how to live. John. GOod morrow my dear Katy, methinks thou lookest coy to day; what's the matter prithee. Kate. If I had been so at first to you I had been wiser. Jo. Why so? Ka. Because I find you flatter me. Jo. I scorn it, I am true to thee, in troth I am Ka. How shall I believe that, when every one you meet, you are courting and kissing them. Jo. Who told you these stories, truly I never kiss any one but in mirth, for I will never mary any but thee my love. Ka. I hear of your Roguery, that I do, pray what was that you said to Peg Ramskin 'tother day, did not you kiss her, and gripe her by the hand, and tell her you loved her dearly? and now she brags about the Town how she hath deceived me, the Devil take such love, if this be the love you have for me. Jo. Be not in such a passion, ' i'le tell you how it was. Ka. I shall not hear you. Jo. Dear heart, hear me, by this kiss i'le tell thee truth. Ka. Well then. Jo. In troth 'twas onely thus, I was going to the mill with Corn, and by the way, I met with Pegg Ramskin, good morrow John said she, her's a could morning, a cup of Ale would do well, I think so too said I, faith John i'le join my penny with thee, I was ashamed to deny her, so we went in and called for one pot, the jade was very kind and took me by the hand and shaked it, John, said she, I believe you are in love you are so dampish, O yes said I, you look so lively this morning, I thought you would fain be kist, I pulled her by the arm, and in troth she e'en fell upon me, this was all and does this bold slut report that I love her? hang her impudence, i'le kick her next time, i'le see how she likes that kind of Love. Ka. This is onely because I know it. Jo. I wish you would believe me, and not be thus jealous, pray be not so cruel to torment me thus, no whore of them all shall entice me from thee, O how I could kick this jade. Ka. Well let this pass, but what was that you said to the widow, these stories John could not be raised of themselves. Jo. What gossipping slut troubles thee with these fooleries, they do't to make difference. Ka. Pray tell me truth of this also, and then I shall be satisfied. Jo. By this kiss I will my dear; I was in a place tother day drinking, and in came the widow crag, how now John said she, what will you die a Batchellour? I think I must do so said I, for Maids are so coy, ther's no dealing with them, what think you of a widow, they are more kind, will you have me said I, O John said she, you love to jest, I could do no less then kiss her, and so partend; when will ye come to my house John said she, what good cheer have you for a man said I, you shall have a cup of the best said she, and a good Gammon of Bacon: now thou knowest Kate I love Bacon well, and because I would not be seen with her alone, I took Will Summers with me, and spent six pence a piece, and did eat up half her Bacon, and when we were merry we kissed her; well widow, quoth I, I find now that widows are more kind than Maids, i'le come again before the Bacon be go●e, with all my heart said she and welcome: This was all truly my sweet love, and does the fool report came a suiting to her, wanton who●e, i'le ne'● come within her doors more; I shall shun both Maids and widdows, unless in thy sight to make thee sport: but who tells thee these stories? prithee Kate tell me, Ka. You must excuse me. Jo. I will not urge but pray believe no more such stories, for by my faith and troth I love thee, an if my year was up once, thou would find it so. Ka. Well John I must believe you. Jo. But dost thou forgive me. Ka. With all my heart. Jo. Pretty heart thou hast no gull in thee, do● thou love me too? Ka. I do. Jo. Sweet soul give me thy hand, and say after me these few words. I love thee John most dearly. Ka, I love thee John most dearly. Jo. Pretty soul, and dost thou truly? methink those words do sound so sweetly, that I mu● needs kiss thee for them; lets go somewhere an● drink, and then we will talk. Ka. Whether should we go? Jo. Here's very good drink at the Kings Arm and this is Holy day, so that we need not fear Anger for staying, let's go in, Ka. What you will John. Jo. Have you any room here. Host. Pray walk in Sir. Jo. Bring hither some of your newest Cakes and a pot of your best Ale. Host. You shall have the best Sir, Jo. Come honey, prithee eat. Ka. I thank you John. Jo. Her's to thee my dear, and a fart for all th● wanton Whores, thou shalt know I love thee, Ka. What shall be the sign thereof. Jo. I will mary thee my dear when my year is up if thou wilt consent, what sayest thou, speak. Ka. I must consider of it. Jo. But what thinkest thou, is it not the best way to end all jealousies, and to make all Rascals and Sluts to leave their talking. Ka. I think it must be so at last, but truly you cannot blame me for believing these reports, when in a fortnight or more I have not seen you. Jo. Poor heart I would see thee oftener, but that my Master would think I negliected his business, and besides, there is such flickering and laughing amongst the maids and children at your house when I come, as I am quiter ashamed. Ka. Ashamed. Jo. Not of thee my Birds-ny, and sometimes I meet your mistress and then I sneak, & I could run into an augerhole if possible, Ka. You being so bashful John, I wonder how you came first to woe me. Jo. Oh thy pretty charming eyes would force any man to speak. Ka. Don't flatter me. Jo. Thou knowest I don't let's talk now to the purpose, and observe the old proverb. Ka. What's that John. Jo. Blessed is the woeing, that is not long '●doing, tis half a year since we begun, I think tis time to make an end, is it not, prithee say true Ka. If we know how to live. Jo. How do other folks live. Ka, They ●erh●n●●hem before they mary. Jo. So will we, lets spend this day in contriving for we shall never have the like opportunity again, come lets walk a little if it be not too could. Ka. Better being in the house, for I think it will rain. Jo. What thou wilt my sweet love, well dear heart how shall we live, what will thy friends give thee Ka. O are you come to that, I thought you would have taken me for love onely, and now it is what have you? Jo. Be not angry my dear, if thou hast not a smock to thy back I would have thee, but in knowing what each other hath, we shall know the better how to improve it, do thou the same by me. Ka. Truly I have but ten pounds my father left me, and that is in my Uncle Hodge's hands. Jo. Tis sure I hope. Ka. You need not doubt that, for he cannot keep it from me, and five pound I have gathered since I came to service, besides my Mistress owes me above half a years wages. Jo. O what a happy man shall I be, what a good housewife thou hast been, thou hast good ●●●oathes too. Ka. They will serve. Jo. Now Kate I will tell thee what I have, my Father gave me ten pounds when I came from him, and told me as I did improve that, he would give me more, and with my Masters leave, I have employed it in his Mault-house, and have increased it; besides my master doth owe me my wages ever since I came to him, he would not let me have it for fear I should play the ill husband, and if I please him I know he will give me something when I mary, and so will thy mistress, will she not? Ka. I hope so too. Jo. Now for the best advantage, thy s●ock and mine together, will amount to something; and when we have concluded our marriage day, i'le try if my Master will let me have a little house and ground thou knowest hard by William Jacksons, that will make a great house for us, Ka. And a great Rent too, what should we do with such a house, one Room will serve our turn. Jo. Ay to sleep in my dear. Ka. But what trade ●o you intend to drive? Jo. Give me leave and i'le tell thee, and if thou wilt help me a little, it will be the b●tter, for two heads are better than one, we must not take care only for sleeping places, but a place to get mo●y in. Ka. How, that pleases me well to be getting of Money, for I love it dearly. Jo. I have almost broken my Brains with studying & contriving, but now I think I have hit out. Ka. Tis long coming out. Jo. If my master will let me have the house we will brue good Ale, and we will have malt of our own, for we'l keep a s●ock going in my Master's Mault-house, wlth his leave, and there is pasture enough to keep two beasts, and convenicnces for hogs and poultry, so thou mayest have all things about thee, and keep a maid and live like a Lady. Ka. This will be brave indeed John, but what shall we do with our Ale. Jo. Sell it my sweet one; let me see, there are eight rooms in the house besides the Cellar, and with a little painting and a few benches it will be very fine, & a handsome sign to draw in company. Ka. What shall that be. Jo. The three fair maid●, I think. Ka. Not for a hundred pound I would not have such a sign. Jo. Why prithee. Ka. Why man ●hey'd think surely we keep t a bawdy house. Jo. What then shall we have, do you tell me? Ka. The th●ee F●●●lers I think and then they will judge they may have music. Jo. Thou hair pleased me mightily, but how dost like my motion and contrivance, Ka. Very well indeed, I thought you had not had so much in you. Jo. Oh ho Katy, though I am but a Clown, I amno fool I think, but how dost thou like such an employment? Ka. Very well truly if it will not make thee an ill Husband. Jo. Thou pretty Pig-ny thou, that word sounds so finly out of thy mouth, that I must needs kiss thee for it; be sure my dear I shall mind my business and when I have drink always by me I shall not desire it, only to drink a cup with thee in the morning. Ka. That will please me, for I love Ale very well but good lack, I shall grow as fat as a bear with drinking every day. Jo. No matter for that, thou wilt be the better to kiss. Ka. I like all very well, but pray be speedy, least another take it before you, and get a licence, for time runs away apace. Jo. I know he will not deny me to morrow I will move it to him & bring thee word, but a pescods out, I cant abide to be seen at your house. Ka. Cannot you meet me in the fields when I am milking my Kine. Jo. I will, that's well thought on. Ka, Well now, we had as good make an end since we have begun, what shall we make a money dinner, or not, that would help us well. Jo. mary would it: dost think thy mistress will not let thee keep our Wedding at her house: Ka, I doubt not but she will, for I have been a good servant to her though I say it. Jo. If she will do so, it will be a grace and advantage to us, and then I will invite my master & his Family, wilt thou then resolve to mary with me at Easter. Ka. It had as good be done and past, since it must be done at last. Jo. I think so too, but how shall we do to lay out the money for all things, for if we let the stock go, I shall fear the gathering of it together again but now I think out, my credit is good. Ka. What shall we do for Clothes. Jo. In troth Kate we will fave that money, those that we have will serve very well. Ka, I think so too. Jo. Only I will have a hat & a Gold ring for thee Ka. Who shall we bid to our Wedding. Jo. All who we can think of, the more the merrier Ka. What music shall we have. Jo, We will have old Rowly and his company. Ka. They will make a roaring noise. Jo. And they will sing well too, to please the young people; why dost laugh, does the thoughts of it please thee. Ka. I laugh to think how the young men will turn the Lasses about in dancing, and how they will buss them, methinks I see them already, but good lack how shall I do to behave myself at that time amongst so many; I shall be so ashamed I shan't know what to do. Jo, Why priethee all people will adore thee that day, and I shall be woundy proud of thee my Dear to see thee sit as a Virgin-Bride, and I shall wait upon thee too that same day, as it is my duty. Ka. Is that the fashion. Jo, Yes my dear, hast thou never observed it at weddings. Ka. I shall observe my own the more, but you must not look towards me, for then I shall laugh and that will shane me quiter. Jo. No my dear a smile sometimes will do well they'l think there's the more love. Ka. Must I dance too. Jo. Ay pretty one, every body will strive to dance with the Bride. Ka. Ide rather dance with thee John, than with them all. Jo. So thou shalt my dear. Ka. What Favours shall we give. Jo. read and blew I think. Ka. They will look gloriously, but all this while who shall led us to Church. Jo. Tom Sims, and Roger Blackwel shall led thee, and Mary Tomkins and Bess Ruglas stall led me. Ka. I shan't be able to go along the street, the folk will so look at me. Jo. No matter for their looking, ' i'le warrant thee who ever sees thee will wish her self in the same condition, who are not married already. Ka. Will they think you. Jo. I faith i'l warrant you. Ka. Who shall mary us. Jo. M. Timson. Ka. Oh dear he will keep such a do to have me speak out that I shan't know what to do with myself Jo. Thou must not be ashamed my dear, for it is an honour to be a bride. Ka. Who shall be my Father to give me. Jo. Thou mayest ask Jack Wheeler, but I know he had rather had thee himself. Ka. Oh fie no, I will not ask him, he will take it for an affront, I will rather ask old father Randol for he used to call me Daughter, and he will take it kindly. Jo. Do then. Ka. Does it not make you ashamed to talk of these things. Jo. No I promise thee, I am proud of it, and so art thou I believe, but that thou wilt not confess it Ka. I would it were once over. Jo. So would I, i'd as live as a groat. Ka. Who shall make the Sack Posset. Jo. The Bride-maids will take care of that. Ka. Good lack they will keep such a do when they come in to eat it, and taking their leaves of us, and throwing the stocking, and one thing or other, that I shall wish them all far enough. Jo. So shall I but we must lie the longer next ●rning. Ka. But I forgot one thing, who shall dress me. Jo. It is a thousand pities but thou shouldst ●arry, thou thinkest of every thing so, the Bride●aids my dear will dress thee Ka. Where shall we lie the next night. Jo. In our own house that will be the best, and herefore we must furnish it before, and lay in ●me Ale, that we may be able to invite all the ●edding people to drink with us, and then we ●oll have good handsel indeed, and we will also ●ve a good Gammon of Bacon, and that will ●ake the drink go down merrily. Ka. What maid shall we have? Jo. We will 〈◇〉 lusty wench, who may be ●le to do our work, ●●r forty shillings the year and may have one. Ka. Now I think we have thought of every thing ●t's consider what time of the day it is. Jo. Will thy mistress chide thee thinkest thou Ka. Ay and your Master too I believe if you do ●ot make hast home. Jo. What's a Clock, not above six I trow. Ka. Loves Dial goes but slow, I believe it is six ●t the least, and then I shall be hanged. Jo. Alas poor thing hanged, call me and I will ●ut the Rope, what humors thy mistress of, she ●ooks frowningly. Ka. Truly she is very good when she is please● but she is devilish peevish, she will fret and f●m● sometimes for a very small matter. J. sI that the goodness, the Devil's good whe● pleased, my Master he is angry too, but faith I f● him for it, for when he begins to chide, I get m out of doo●s, and come no more in that night. Ka. Youl serve me so I fear. Jo. Ay if you chide. Ka. In troth I shall chide you if you come hom● drunk, for ime sure they that love drinking lov● whoring. Jo. Thou shalt see what a husband ' i'le be. Ka. I would I could once, but now John I sit upon thorns, my mistress will be very angry with me. Jo. So shall if you go 〈◇〉 you must learn t● humour me now. Ka. Dont hold my hand for I must be gone, y● cannot tell how humour some she is, there chanced to b● but one hair in the pudding tother day at table, bu● she did maunder, I thought she would never hav● been quiet. Ile tell you a good jest above a week ag● she sent me to the shoemaker for her new shoes, an● because she had them not, she made a hundred ver● faces at me, and sate fleering in her Looking-glas● an hour or more, that I could not forbear laughing. Jo. She is horrible proud I believe, pox on he● humour I am humoursome too. Ka. Pray dont hold me I must be gone. Jo. Come, come over boots over shoes, we'● as good make up the day now, & then one chiding will serve for all, I look for a storm too, but my M●ster is pretty good natured if he ask me where ● have been, i'le be plain to him, and tell him I have been with thee, ay, and bid him to our wedding too, he loves mirth. Ka. You do not think how impatient I am with staying Oh my mistress, my mistress. Jo. You shall have a Master shortly worth ten of her, come stay a little, i'll sing thee a fine Song of my own making. Ka. I never knew you were a Poet before, let me hear it quickly. Jo. Love makes me very eloquent, I never had so much wit, as since I met with thee, I think it comes from thee to me. Ka. Perhaps so too, for I'm sure I never had so little as since I met with you I did wonder what was become of it. Jo. Thou hast enough still methinks, and that thou hast lent me, I will improve it if I can. Kate. What's your song then I shall judge. Jo. Come sweet Duck, I will begin, I made it the other day as I was in the Mault-house, & when I had done turning the malt, I sat down and repeated it, and played the tune on my Flagellet, & methought it went so sweetly, it ravished me. Ka. I would I could hear it. Jo. Hum, hum, hum. Ka. You'd best wet your whistle first, for I see thy Popes are stopped. Jo. I'll take thy council, hers to thee Katy. Ka. I thank you John now pray begin. Jo. Phillis loved her Corrydon. Phillis loved her Corridon. So does Katy her dear John. If I may believe her: For which I ever will prove true, And never will I leave her. I have danced with her full oft I have danced with her full oft She gives me many kisses soft And winks on me with pleasure. She is my dear and only joy. She is my greatest treasure. If she will be ruled by me If she will be ruled by me Shortly married we will be And live in mirth and gladness For now we do but lose our time And always live in sadness. To her always will I prove To her always will I prove Constant as the Turtle Dove In no wise i'll deceive her Till death us part None has the art Of my Love to bereave her Ka. Obrave John I see you think on me when you do not see me, I did not think indeed you had been so good a scholar pray how long did you go to School. Jo. Not long, for I had more mind to go to plow and look after my Fathers Horses, then to learn my book, yet I was pretty apt, for by that time I was fourteen I could red the Psalter pretty well now Katy prithee do thou sing a song, and then we will part for this time. Ka. What song shall I sing, I know not. Jo. Any one will be sweet from thee. Ka. If you will not laugh at me, I will sing as well as I can, I promise you I was counted good at singing once but now I have forgot, love hath spoiled my voice Jo. Love mends it, prithee begin. Ka. My love is to New England gone And leaves me here a mourning, There's nothing I can eat or drink, I spend my time in groaning: If he will but return to me. I will show him more kindness I never will be coy no more, F●r sure tis a blindness. If he will be but kind to me, To please him i'le be willing, Ile wash his hands his shirts and hose, And daily will I mend them. And nere shall he want money more. For mine sle freely lend him, Sweet George if thou knowest my heart, Thou wouldst make hast unto me. I do repent of what is past, Thy absence doth undo me. god Cupi● o●ce ●ore draw thy bow, And wound his ●●art f●ll sorely For if he ne●er come again I shall live ●●●e but poorly. Maidens all be rul d by me, To true love be not slighting, For rather then men will love such maids They will go forth to sighting. Then let all ma●●s w●ll sp●nd their time, And while the● may go mary, For if they stay till t●e● g●ow stale They may fo● ever tarry. There's all John now do you like it. Jo. Very well, a kind Lass i'll warrant her, well I will not serve the●●●, i'le stay & live with my love Ka. Well let's go, in troth we shall go near to spoil our wedding with this dayes work, for certainly we shall both be soundly chidden. Jo. For my part I will begin with my master first and tell him that I am coming into the honourable estate of Matrimony, and that I hope he will grace my notwithstanding with his company, & if he storm at me, I will desire him to remember his own condition, & if it be an evil thing to mary I will ask him why his worship did fet me such an example? for and loved his wife so well that he doth adore the ●ery thoughts of her, and so talks of her, that he made me almost mad to know what a wife was, ●ure some hidden treasure is in a married life, because every one strives to be of that rank. Ka. I believe so too, or else so many would not desire it, Maids are only made much of by young men, and if they be too kind they are laughed at, but married folks are accepted of in all company; and invited to Weddings, christenings, Gossipings, Buri●als, & to all merry meetings, which please me well. Jo. I hope they shall come a gossipping to thee shor●ly, and by that time I shall look soberly, and bid ●he women welcome, what dost blushy at it? Ka. It would make one blushy to hear you talk? Jo. Well, what wilt thou say to thy mistress? Ka. My best way is to let her chide so long as she pleases, and then i'le confess myself in a fault & ask pardon, and then she will be pleased again. Jo. Thou hast a great deal of patience, I commend thee for it, I hope thou wilt have some with me. Ka. We must bear with one another, but if we displease a Master or mistress, some are so crabed, they will turn one out of doors, but if we be angry one with another, we must be friends again, wh●n my mistress hath spoken all her mind, and is again in a good humour, then I will make her my counsellor and bid her to my Wedding, for she loves one should trust her with secrets: the mischief 〈◇〉. I know not how to go in first of all, had I but m●●e a bargain I would not care, and now it is dark, I fear I shall lose my way. Jo. Well I will go with thee now, I cannot be seen, and if she falls out foul with thee, call me and i'le take thy part, for thou shalt not be a slave to her, no mary shalt thou not. Ka. If goody Sho hath not milkt my kine, it will be worse, I wish she have, I would have bid her do so if I had known I should have stayed so long. Jo. Let's reckon what is to pay; let me see, we have had three Cakes and four Pots of Ale, and two Pipes of Tobacco, that's fifteen pence. Ka. We must not use to spend so much in an Alehouse. Jo. The best bargains are made there & I hope thee and I have made a good one. Ka. I should be sorry else. Jo. I would it were sealed once. Ka. All in good time. Jo. Host good buy to you. Host. You are welcome Sir, Jo. Give me thy hand prithee. Ka, My heart doth ache! know not what to do. Jo. Pluck it up woman do not fear. Ka. I would I were out of this slavery. Jo. 'Tis but four months and thou shalt, how pleasant it is to walk with thee, though in the dark. Ka. I pitty your journey home, but I shall never trouble you again for such another, well now John ●ood buy to you, remember all things, order your matter wisely, and not forget to sand me word, for ● shall long to hear, I shall look for you every minute ●o morrow in the evening, and if you deceive me, you will break my heart. Jo. Fear not, if it reins Cats and Dogs I will come. Ka. That's true love indeed, I shall go about my work so merrily if my mistress will but forgive me ●his one fault, that I shall not feel the ground I go on, oh what it is to be pleased, God be with you good John. Jo. God be with you sweet one, my Duck my dear, my Pig's-ny, when we do meet to morrow, we will conclude all more firmly; here, take my heart and a hundred kisses besides with it, and keep them till I see thee. Ka. I cannot see neither. Jo. They are only felt my dear, once more, far thee well, heavens favour me as I prove true to thee. Kate speaks to her self as she goes home; My poor John, how loving has he been to me this day; I am hearty sorry I snapped him up so, surely he was innocent, must I be married suddenly and be called goody laurence. I shall then hardly know myself, my dear John, what a many pretty charming words he had for me, & what a fine song he made himself of me, surely I shall not sleep till I do hear how our business goes forward, neither do I believe will he, for love is a terrible thing. It wounds the heart it breaks the brain, It makes one alwaps live in pain. John talks to himself as he goes, what a joyful day this hath been; If I could but recount every days action to be so good, surely then I should, without doubt, get to Heaven in a short space, let me but reckon up what I have done to day; I have seen my dear love to day, & made my peace with her, and have gotten her consent to mary, and we have appointed the very time, and have contrived all things to my hearts content, that I could even leap for joy, poor heart, she was almost jealous of me, but now I have fully satisfied her, and shortly all fears will vanish away from us, I will have a special care for the future how to order things, & surely be with her to morrow in the evening, for fear I should anger her again, for she doth look so prettily when she smiles, that it is a thousand pities that ever she should be displeased any more. Well my dear Katy, I must think on my master now, and study what to say to him for my long absence from him, therefore my dear Katy I must forbear the sweet thoughts of thee for a season. Farewell a while, to thee my Love adieu, To thee, dear Kate, I will for ay prove true. FINIS.