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SCENE i] LOVE FOR LOVE 217<br />
the head is horns.—Dear niece, stay at home; for by the<br />
head of the house is meant the husband; the prophecy needs<br />
no explanation.<br />
Ang. Well, but I can neither make you a cuckold, uncle,<br />
by going abroad; nor secure you from being one, by staying<br />
at home.<br />
Fore. Yes, yes; while there's one woman left, the prophecy<br />
is not in full force.<br />
Ang. But my inclinations are in force; I have a mind to<br />
go abroad; and if you won't lend me your coach, I'll take<br />
a hackney, or a chair, and leave you to erect a scheme, and<br />
find who's in conjunction with your wife. Why don't you<br />
keep her at home, if you're jealous of her when she's<br />
abroad? You know my aunt is a little retrograde (as you<br />
call it) in her nature. Uncle, I'm afraid you are not lord of<br />
the ascendant, ha! ha! ha!<br />
Fore. Well, Jill-flirt, you are very pert—and always ridiculing<br />
that celestial science.<br />
Ang. Nay, uncle, don't be angry;—if you are, I'll rip up<br />
all your false prophecies, ridiculous dreams, and idle divinations:<br />
I'll swear you are a nuisance to the neighbourhood.<br />
—What a bustle did you keep against the last invisible<br />
eclipse, laying in provision, as 'twere for a siege! What a<br />
world of fire and candle, matches and tinderboxes did you<br />
purchase! One would have thought we were ever after to<br />
live underground, or at least making a voyage to Greenland,<br />
to inhabit there all the dark season.<br />
Fore. Why, you malapert slut!<br />
Ang. Will you lend me your coach, or I'll go on?—Nay,<br />
I'll declare how you prophesied popery was coming, only<br />
because the butler had mislaid some of the apostle spoons,<br />
and thought they were lost. Away went religion and spoonmeat<br />
together.—Indeed, uncle, Til indict you for a wizard.<br />
Fore. How, hussy! was there ever such a provoking<br />
minx!<br />
Nurse. O merciful Father, how she talks!<br />
Ang. Yes, I can make oath of your unlawful midnight<br />
practices; vou and the old nurse there—<br />
Nurse. Marry, Heaven defend!—I at midnight practices!<br />
—O Lord, what's here to do!—I in unlawful doings with<br />
my master's worship!—Why, did you ever hear the like<br />
now?—Sir, did ever I do anything of your midnight concerns—but<br />
warm your bed, and tuck you up, and set the
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