Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T41: master, house, door, iohn, old, mistress, basket, lord, gentleman, ick.
But I see coming and going, Maids, or such as go for Maids, some of them, as if they were ready to lie down, sometimes two or three delivered in one night; then suddenly leave their Brats behind them, and convey themselves into the City again: what becomes of their Children? Those be Kitchenmaids, and Chambermaids, and sometimes good men's Daughters; who having catched a clap, and growing near their time, get leave to see their friends in the Country, for a week or so: then hither they come, and for a matter of money, here they are delivered. I have a Mid wife or two belonging to the house, and one Sir Boniface a Deacon, that makes a shift to christian the Infants: we have poor, honest, and secret Neighbours, that stand for common Gossips. But dost not thou know this? Yes, now I do: but what after becomes of the poor Infants? Why, in the night we send them abroad, and lay one at this man's door, and another at that, such as are able to keep them; and what after becomes of them, we inquire not. And this is another string to my Bow. Most strange, that woman's brain should apprehend Such law less, indirect, and horrid means For covetous gain! How many unknown Trades Women and men are free of, which they never Had Charter for? but Mistress, are you so Cunning as you make yourself: you can Neither write nor read, what do you with hose Books you so often turn over? Why tell the leaves; for to be ignorant, and seem ignorant, what greater folly? Believe me, this is a cunning Woman; neither hath she her name for nothing, who out of her ignorance, can fool so many that think themselves wise. But wherefore have you built this little Closet close to the door, where sitting, you may hear every word spoken, by all such as ask for you. True, and therefore I built it: if any knock, you must to the door and question them, to find what they come about, if to this purpose, or to that. Now they ignorantly telling thee their errand, which I sitting in my Closet, over hear, presently come forth, and tell them the cause of their coming, with every word that hath passed betwixt you in private: which they admiring, and thinking it to be miraculous, by their report I become thus famous. This is no Trade, but a Mystery; and were I a Wise-woman, as indeed I am but a foolish Boy, I need not live by your service. But Mistress, we lose ourselves in this discourse, is not this the morning in which I should be married? Now, how had I forgot myself? Mistress Luce promised to be with me half an hour ago, but masked and disguised, and so shalt thou be too: here's a black Veil to hide thy face against the rest come.
seed 43: unassigned · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
But I see comming and going, Maids, or such as goe Maids, some of them, as if they were ready to lie downe, sometimes two or three delivered in one night; then suddenly leave their Brats behind them, and conveigh themselves into the Citie againe: what becomes of their Children? Those be Kitchin-maids, and Chamber-maids, and sometimes good mens Daughters; who having catcht a clap, and growing neare their time, get leave to see their friends in the Countrey, for a weeke or so: then they come, and for a matter of money, here they are delivered. I have a Mid wife or two belonging to the house, and one Sir Boniface a Deacon, that makes a shift to christe the Infants: we have poore, honest, and secret Neighbours, that stand for common Gossips. But dost not thou know this? Yes, now I doe: but what after becomes of the poore Infants? Why, in the night we send them abroad, and lay one at this mans doore, and another at that, such as are able to keepe them; and what after becomes of them, we inquire not. And this is another string to my Bowe. Most strange, that womans brain should apprehend Such law lesse, indirect, and horrid meanes For gaine! How many unknowne Trades Women and men are free of, which they never Had Charter for? but Mistris, are you so Cunning as you make your selfe: you can Neither write nor reade, what doe you with hose Bookes you so often turne over? Why tell the leaves; for to be ignorant, and seeme ignorant, what greater folly? Beleeve me, this is a cunning Woman; neither hath shee her name for nothing, who out of her ignorance, can foole so many that thinke themselves wise. But wherefore have you built this little to the doore, where sitting, you may heare every spoken, by all such as aske for you. True, and therefore I built it: if any knock, you must to the doore and question them, to find what thy come about, if to this purpose, or to that. Now they ignorantly telling thee their errand, which I sitting in my Closet, heare, presently come forth, and tell them the cause of their comming, with every word that hath past betwixt you in private: which they admiring, and thinking it to miraculous, by their report I become thus famous. This is no Trade, but a Mysterie; and were I a Wise-woman, as indeed I am but a foolish Boy, I need not live by your service. But Mistris, we lose our selves in this discourse, is not this the morning in which I should be married? Now, how had I forgot my selfe? Mistris Luce promist to be with mee halfe an houre , but and disguis'd, and so shalt thou be too: here's a blacke Vaile to hide thy face against the rest come.