Page 821 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

I have done. Come, you promised me a tawdry-lace and a pair of sweet
gloves.

CLOWN
Have I not told thee how I was cozened by the way and lost all my money?

AUTOLYCUS
And indeed, sir, there are cozeners abroad; [250] therefore it behoves men to
be wary.

CLOWN
Fear not thou, man, thou shalt lose nothing here.

AUTOLYCUS
I hope so, sir; for I have about me many parcels of charge.

CLOWN
What hast here? ballads? [255]

MOPSA
Pray now, buy some: I love a ballad in print, a life, for then we are sure they
are true.

AUTOLYCUS
Here’s one, to a very doleful tune, how a usurer’s wife was brought to bed of

twenty money-bags at a burden, and how she longed to eat adders’ heads
and [260] toads carbonadoed.

MOPSA
Is it true, think you?

AUTOLYCUS
Very true, and but a month old.

DORCAS
Bless me from marrying a usurer!