Tom Otter's bull, bear, and horse is known all over England, in rerum natura.

MISTRESS OT. Fore me, I will na-ture 'em over to Paris garden, and na-ture you thither too, if you pronounce 'em again. Is a bear a fit beast, or a bull, to mix in society with great ladies? Think i' your discretion, in any good policy.

OTT. The horse then, good Princess.

MISTRESS OT. Well, I am contented for the horse: they love to be well horsed, I know. I love it myself.

OTT. And it is a delicate fine horse this. Poetarum Pegasus. Under correction, Princess, Jupiter did turn himself into a – Taurus, or Bull, under correction, good Princess.

 

Enter Truewit, Clerimont, Dauphine behind

 

MISTRESS OT. By my integrity, I'll send you over to the bankside, I'll commit you to the Master of the garden, if I hear but a syllable more. Must my house, or my roof, be polluted with the scent of bears and bulls, when it is perfumed for great ladies? Is this according to the instrument, when I married you? That I would be Princess, and reign in mine own house: and you would be my subject, and obey me? What did you bring me, should make you thus peremptory? Do I allow you your half- crown a day to spend where you will, among your gamesters, to vex and torment me, at such times as these? Who gives you your maintenance, I pray you? Who allows you your horsemeat, and mansmeat? Your three suits of apparel a year? Your four pair of stockings, one silk, three worsted? Your clean linen, your bands, and cuffs when I can get you to wear 'em? 'Tis mar'l you ha' 'em on now. Who graces you with courtiers or great personages, to speak to you out of their coaches, and come home to your house? Were you ever so much as looked upon by a lord or a lady before I married you: but on the Easter or Whitsun holydays? And then out at the banqueting-house window, when Ned Whiting or George Stone were at the stake?

(TRU. For God's sake, let's go stave her off him.)

MISTRESS OT. Answer me to that. And did not I take you up from thence, in an old greasy buff- doublet, with points; and green velvet sleeves, out at the elbows? You forget this.

(TRU. She'll worry him, if we help not in time.)

 

They come forward

 

MISTRESS OT. Oh, here are some o' the gallants! Go to, behave yourself distinctly and with good morality; or I protest, I'll take away your exhibition.

 

Scene 2

TRU. By your leave, fair Mistress Otter, I'll be bold to enter these gentlemen in your acquaintance.

MISTRESS OT. It shall not be obnoxious, or difficill, sir.

TRU. How does my noble Captain? Is the bull, bear, and horse, in rerum natura still?

OTT. Sir, sic visum superis.

MISTRESS OT. I would you would but intimate 'em, do. Go your ways in, and get toasts and butter, made for the woodcocks. That's a fit province for you.

 

Exit Otter

 

CLE. Alas, what a tyranny is this poor fellow married to.

TRU. Oh, but the sport will be anon, when we get him loose.

DAU. Dares he ever speak?

TRU. No Anabaptist ever railed with the like licence: but mark her language in the meantime, I beseech you.

MISTRESS OT. Gentlemen, you are very aptly come. My cousin, Sir Amorous, will be here briefly.

TRU. In good time, lady.