Not know 'em? Why, thou never had'st to do with anybody that
did not stink to all the town.
TATT. Ha, ha, ha; nay, now you make a jest of it indeed. For there
is nothing more known than that nobody knows anything of that nature
of me. As I hope to be saved, Valentine, I never exposed a woman,
since I knew what woman was.
VAL. And yet you have conversed with several.
TATT. To be free with you, I have. I don't care if I own that.
Nay more (I'm going to say a bold word now) I never could meddle
with a woman that had to do with anybody else.
SCAN. How?
VAL. Nay faith, I'm apt to believe him. Except her husband,
Tattle.
TATT. Oh, that -
SCAN. What think you of that noble commoner, Mrs Drab?
TATT. Pooh, I know Madam Drab has made her brags in three or four
places, that I said this and that, and writ to her, and did I know
not what--but, upon my reputation, she did me wrong--well, well,
that was malice--but I know the bottom of it. She was bribed to
that by one we all know--a man too. Only to bring me into disgrace
with a certain woman of quality -
SCAN. Whom we all know.
TATT. No matter for that. Yes, yes, everybody knows. No doubt
on't, everybody knows my secrets. But I soon satisfied the lady of
my innocence; for I told her: Madam, says I, there are some persons
who make it their business to tell stories, and say this and that of
one and t'other, and everything in the world; and, says I, if your
grace -
SCAN.
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