Knowing what an ill Husband she had, that he had given her a blow upon the belly with his foot. Part of her guts hung down-up the share-bone like the bag of a Bag-pipe. The Womb jutted out, so when the time came the Infant had not liberty to turn itself. The Midwife, seeing she could not have the Child without losing the Woman was feign to make use of the Chirgurgeon. He, giving her a wrap of cloth to place around the stomach, said never to rise without this, whether big or not. She did, and still does, and bears as fine Children and lyes in as well as any other Woman.

Originally published in White Wall Review 40 (2016)