Page:Jealous man convinced that he is no cuckold, or, The way of the world represented.pdf/3

( 3 ) I don't doubt but I ſhall do as all other women would do my endeavours to convince you to the contrary. And I boldly ſay, huſband, you are no cuckold, and I ſhall ſhow you a reafon for it.

H. My love, if you can ſhow me a reaſon that I am not a cuckold, I ſhall ſleep in peace.

W. Indeed, huſband, that I can eaſily do;- but firſt you ſhall ſhow me your reaſon for lodging ſuch treacherous, envious, jealous thoughts in your breaſt againſt her who bas always been a faithful and honeſt, ſober, and loving wife.

H. My dear, what makes me under this conſternation is, that I have obſerved you have not been ſo ready, loving, affable, dutiful, and obedient of late, either night or day, as you uſually uſed to be. If I ſpeak, you heed me not; If I go to bed, or ſet up, It's all one to you; If I eat, or let it alone, you care, not; you never caſt a ſmile on me, or Speak a comfortable word to me. There is a ſtrange alteration at our houſe.

W. My dear ſpouſe, let all women judge, If I have not reaſon enough to be out of humour, Can I have a gold chain, a watch, a locket, a diamond ring, or any thing elſe neceſſary to ſet a woman off handſomely, like the reſt of my neighbours. There's many of them who had leſs fortune that myſelf, and leſs deſerve them, enjoy them all without this noiſe or clamour.

H. Come hold your peace, love, thoſe things I cannot afford ---And as for your portion, God knows I never had any ſuch thing with you; neither have you brought me any thing in theſe five ar ſix years I have been married to you

W. That's falſe, you lubber!now you put me in a rage---Though I have been married theſe five or ſix years, yet I have brought you ſix or ſeven children, with little help of yours.

H. I crave your mercy, my dear, I had forgot that. But nevertheleſs, if you are an honeſt woman