LIKE WILL TO LIKE

Pray for all Estates.Take heed in time, and note this well,Be ruled always by counsel.Learn of the just to lead thy life,Being free from envy, wrath, and strife:Presumption, pride, and covetousness,With all other ungodliness.Learn of them always to obeyThe Lord's precepts, from day to day,That thou mayest walk, as he doth will,And labour thy fond affects to kill.Always subdue thy beastly lust,And in the Lord put hope and trust;Bridle thine inclinationBy godly conversation.The counsel of the wise embrace,The fool's advice do then deface.Which fast and pray with good delight,That Adam may be killed quite.That joy in us may still increase,That God the Lord may give us peace,That we may be content with TrustTo have our crown among the just.

Pray for all Estates.

Take heed in time, and note this well,Be ruled always by counsel.

Take heed in time, and note this well,

Be ruled always by counsel.

Learn of the just to lead thy life,Being free from envy, wrath, and strife:Presumption, pride, and covetousness,With all other ungodliness.

Learn of the just to lead thy life,

Being free from envy, wrath, and strife:

Presumption, pride, and covetousness,

With all other ungodliness.

Learn of them always to obeyThe Lord's precepts, from day to day,That thou mayest walk, as he doth will,And labour thy fond affects to kill.

Learn of them always to obey

The Lord's precepts, from day to day,

That thou mayest walk, as he doth will,

And labour thy fond affects to kill.

Always subdue thy beastly lust,And in the Lord put hope and trust;Bridle thine inclinationBy godly conversation.

Always subdue thy beastly lust,

And in the Lord put hope and trust;

Bridle thine inclination

By godly conversation.

The counsel of the wise embrace,The fool's advice do then deface.Which fast and pray with good delight,That Adam may be killed quite.

The counsel of the wise embrace,

The fool's advice do then deface.

Which fast and pray with good delight,

That Adam may be killed quite.

That joy in us may still increase,That God the Lord may give us peace,That we may be content with TrustTo have our crown among the just.

That joy in us may still increase,

That God the Lord may give us peace,

That we may be content with Trust

To have our crown among the just.

An Enterlude Intituled Like wil to like quod the Deuel to the Colier, very godly and ful of pleasant mirth. Wherin is declared not onely what punishment followeth those that wil rather followe licentious liuing, then to esteeme & followe good councel: and what great benefits and commodities they receiue that apply them vnto vertuous liuing and good exercises. Made by Vlpian Fulwel. Imprinted at Lǒdon at the long shop adioyning vnto S. Mildreds Churche in the Pultrie by Iohn Allde. Anno Domini 1568. 4º. Black letter.

A Pleasant Interlude, &c. London. Printed by Edward Allde, &c. 1587. 4º. Black letter.

A copy of the latter is among Garrick's books at the Museum.

Of another production by this writer, not of a dramatic character, an account will be found in Mr Collier's "Bibliographical Catalogue," 1865. "Like will to Like" was Fulwell's only performance in this direction, and is now first reprinted from a copy of the 4to of 1568 in the Malone collection at Oxford. Both editions are of the highest rarity.

Five may easily play this Interlude.

}{The Prologue,{Tom Tosspot,For one.{Hankin Hangman,{Tom Collier.}{Hance,{Virtuous Life,For one.{God's Promise,{Cuthbert Cutpurse.}{Lucifer,{Ralph Roister,For one.{Good Fame,{Severity.}{Philip Fleming,{Pierce Pickpurse,For another.{Honour.Nichol Newfangle,the Vice.

}{The Prologue,{Tom Tosspot,For one.{Hankin Hangman,{Tom Collier.

}

{The Prologue,

{Tom Tosspot,For one.

{Hankin Hangman,

{Tom Collier.

}{Hance,{Virtuous Life,For one.{God's Promise,{Cuthbert Cutpurse.

}

{Hance,

{Virtuous Life,For one.

{God's Promise,

{Cuthbert Cutpurse.

}{Lucifer,{Ralph Roister,For one.{Good Fame,{Severity.

}

{Lucifer,

{Ralph Roister,For one.

{Good Fame,

{Severity.

}{Philip Fleming,{Pierce Pickpurse,For another.{Honour.

}

{Philip Fleming,

{Pierce Pickpurse,For another.

{Honour.

Nichol Newfangle,the Vice.

Cicero in his bookDe Amicitia, these words doth express,Saying nothing is more desirous than like is unto like;Whose words are most true and of a certainty doubtless:For the virtuous do not the virtuous' company mislike.But the vicious do the virtuous' company eschew:And like will unto like, this is most true.It is not my meaning your ears for to weary,With hearkening what is the 'ffect of our matter:But our pretence[327]is to move you to be merry,Merrily to speak, meaning no man to flatter.The name of this matter, as I said whilere,Is, Like will to Like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.Sith pithy proverbs in our English tongue doth abound,Our author thought good such a one for to choose,As may show good example, and mirth may eke be found,But no lascivious toys he purposeth for to use.Herein, as it were in a glass, see you mayThe advancement of virtue, of vice the decay:To what ruin ruffians and roisters are brought;You may here see of them the final end:Begging is the best, though that end be nought;But hanging is worse, if they do not amend.The virtuous life is brought to honour and dignity:And at the last to everlasting eternity.And because divers men of divers minds be,Some do matters of mirth and pastime require:Other some are delighted with matters of gravity,To please all men is our author's chief desire.Wherefore mirth with measure to sadness[328]is annexed:Desiring that none here at our matter will be perplexed.Thus, as I said, I will be short and brief,Because from this dump you shall relieved be:And the Devil with the collier, the thief that seeks the thief,Shall soon make you merry, so shortly you shall see;And sith mirth for sadness is a sauce most sweet,Take mirth then with measure, that best sauceth it.

Cicero in his bookDe Amicitia, these words doth express,

Saying nothing is more desirous than like is unto like;

Whose words are most true and of a certainty doubtless:

For the virtuous do not the virtuous' company mislike.

But the vicious do the virtuous' company eschew:

And like will unto like, this is most true.

It is not my meaning your ears for to weary,

With hearkening what is the 'ffect of our matter:

But our pretence[327]is to move you to be merry,

Merrily to speak, meaning no man to flatter.

The name of this matter, as I said whilere,

Is, Like will to Like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

Sith pithy proverbs in our English tongue doth abound,

Our author thought good such a one for to choose,

As may show good example, and mirth may eke be found,

But no lascivious toys he purposeth for to use.

Herein, as it were in a glass, see you may

The advancement of virtue, of vice the decay:

To what ruin ruffians and roisters are brought;

You may here see of them the final end:

Begging is the best, though that end be nought;

But hanging is worse, if they do not amend.

The virtuous life is brought to honour and dignity:

And at the last to everlasting eternity.

And because divers men of divers minds be,

Some do matters of mirth and pastime require:

Other some are delighted with matters of gravity,

To please all men is our author's chief desire.

Wherefore mirth with measure to sadness[328]is annexed:

Desiring that none here at our matter will be perplexed.

Thus, as I said, I will be short and brief,

Because from this dump you shall relieved be:

And the Devil with the collier, the thief that seeks the thief,

Shall soon make you merry, so shortly you shall see;

And sith mirth for sadness is a sauce most sweet,

Take mirth then with measure, that best sauceth it.

[Here enterethNichol Newfanglethe Vice, laughing, and hath a knave of clubs in his hand which, as soon as he speaketh, he offereth unto one of the men or boys standing by.

New.Ha, ha, ha, ha! now like unto like: it will be none other,Stoop, gentle knave, and take up your brother.Why, is it so? and is it even so indeed?Why then may I say God send us good speed!And is every one here so greatly unkind,That I am no sooner out of sight, but quite out of mind?Marry, this will make a man even weep for woe,That on such a sudden no man will let me know,Sith men be so dangerous[329]now at this day:Yet are women kind worms, I dare well say.How say you, woman? you that stand in the angle,Were you never acquainted with Nichol Newfangle?Then I see Nichol Newfangle is quite forgot,Yet you will know me anon, I dare jeopard a groat.Nichol Newfangle is my name, do you not me know?My whole education to you I shall show.For first, before I was born, I remember very well,That my grandsire and I made a journey into hell;Where I was bound prentice before my nativityTo Lucifer himself, such was my agility.All kinds of sciences he taught unto me:That unto the maintenances of pride might best agree.I learn'd to make gowns with long sleeves and wings:I learn'd to make ruffs like calves' chitterlings,Caps, hats, coats, with all kind of apparels,And especially breeches as big as good barrels.Shoes, boots, buskins, with many pretty toys:All kind of garments for men, women, and boys.Know you me now? I thought that at the last!All acquaintance from Nichol Newfangle is not pass'd.Nichol Newfangle was and is, and ever shall be:And there are but few that are not acquainted with me.For so soon as my prenticehood was once come out,I went by and by the whole world about.[Here theDevilentereth in, but he speaketh not yet.Sancte benedicite, whom have we here?Tom Tumbler, or else some dancing bear?Body of me, it were best go no near:[330]For ought that I see, it is my godfather Lucifer,Whose prentice I have been this many a day:But no more words but mum: you shall hear what he will say.[This nameLucifermust be written on his back and in his breast.Lu.Ho! mine own boy, I am glad that thou art here!New.He speaketh to you, sir, I pray you come near.[Pointing to one standing by.Lu.Nay, thou art even he, of whom I am well apaid.New.Then speak aloof,[331]for to come nigh I am afraid.Lu.Why so, my boy? as though thou diddest never see me.New.Yes, godfather, but I am afraid it is now, as ofttimes it is with thee;For if my dame and thou hast been tumbling by the ears,As oftentimes you do, like a couple of great bears,Thou carest not whom thou killest in thy raging mind.Dost thou not remember, since thou didst bruise me behind?This hole in thy fury didst thou disclose,That now may a tent be put in, so big as thy nose.This was, when my dame called thee bottle-nosed knave,But I am like to carry the mark to my grave.Lu.O my good boy, be not afraid,For no such thing hath happened, as thou hast said.But come to me, my boy, and bless thee I will,And see that my precepts thou do fulfil.New.Well, godfather, if you will say ought to me in this case,Speak, for in faith I mean not to kneel to that ill face.If our Lady of Walsingham had no fairer nose and visage,By the mass, they were fools that would go to her on pilgrimage.Lu.Well, boy, it shall not greatly skill,Whether thou stand, or whether thou kneel:Thou knowest what sciences I have thee taught,Which are able to bring the world to naught.For thou knowest that through pride from heaven I was cast,Even unto hell, wherefore see thou make haste.Such pride through new fashions in men's hearts to showThat those, that use it, may have the like overthrow.From virtue procure men to set their minds aside,And wholly employ it to all sin and pride.Let thy new-fangled fashions bear such a sway,That a rascal [may] be so proud as he that best may.New.Tush, tush, that is already brought to pass,For a very skipjack[332]is prouder, I swear by the mass,And seeketh to go more gayer and more brave,Than doth a lord, though himself be a knave.Lu.I can thee thank,[333]that so well thou hast play'd the part;Such as do so, shall soon feel the smart.Sith thou hast thus done, there remaineth behind,That thou in another thing show thy right kind.[334]New.Then, good godfather, let me hear thy mind.Lu.Thou knowest I am both proud and arrogant,And with the proud I will ever be conversant;I cannot abide to see men, that are vicious,Accompany themselves with such as be virtuousWherefore my mind is, sith thou thy part canst play,That thou adjoin like to like alway.New.I never loved that well, I swear by this day.Lu.What, my boy?New.Your mind is, sith I fast three meals every Good Friday,That I eat nothing but onions and leeks alway.Lu.Nay, my mind is, sith thou thy part canst play,That thou adjoin like to like alway.New.Tush, tush, godfather Devil, for that have thou no care:Thou knowest that like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.And thou shalt see, that such match I shall make anon,That thou shalt say I am thy good-good sweet-sweet godson.Lu. I will give thee thanks, when thou hast so done.Here entereth in theCollier.New.Well, godfather, no mo words but mum!For yonder comes the Collier, as seemeth me.By the mass, he will make a good mate for thee.[TheDevilwalketh aside.What, old acquaintance, small remembrance?Welcome to town with a very vengeance!Now welcome, Tom Collier, give me thy hand:As very a knave as any in England.Coll.By mass, god-a-marsy, my vreend Nichol!New.By God, and welcome, gentle Tom Lick-hole!Coll.Cham glad to zee thee merry, my vreend Nichol.And how dost nowadays, good Nichol?New.And nothing else but even plain Nichol?Coll.I pray thee, tell me how dost, good vreend Lick-hole?New.It is turn'd from Nichol to Lick-hole with Tom Collier.I say no more, Tom, but hold thy nose there.Coll.Nay, hold thy tongue, Nichol, till my nose doth come,So thou shalt take part, and I shall take some.New.Well, Tom Collier, let these things pass away;Tell me what market thou hast made of thy coal to-day?Coll.To every bushel cha zold but three peck:Lo, here be the empty zacks on my neck.Cha beguil'd the whoresons, that of me ha' bought;But to beguile me was their whole thought.New.But hast thou no conscience in beguiling thy neighbour?Coll.No, marry, so ich may gain vor my labour,It is a common trade nowadays, this is plain,To cut one another's throat for lucre and gain.A small vau't[335]as the world is now brought to pass.New.Thou art a good fellow, I swear by the mass:As fit a companion for the devil as may be.Lo, godfather Devil, this fellow will match with thee.[He taketh him by the hand.Lu.And good Tom Collier thou art welcome to me.Coll.God amarsy, good Devil, cham glad of thy company.Lu.Like will to like, I see very well.New.Godfather, wilt thou dance a little, before thee go home to hell?Lu.I am content, so that Tom Collier do agree.Coll.I will never refuse (Devil) to dance with thee.New.Then, godfather, name what the dance shall be.Lu.Tom Collier of Croydon hath sold his coal.New.Why then have at it, by my father's soul![Nichol Newfanglemust have a gittern or some other instrument (if it may be); but if he have not, they must dance about the place all three, and sing this song that followeth, which must be done also, although they have an instrument.The Song.Tom Collier of Croydon hath sold his coals,And made his market to-day;And now he danceth with the Devil,For like will to like alway.Wherefore let us rejoice and sing,Let us be merry and glad;Sith that the Collier and the DevilThis match and dance hath made.Now of this dance we make an endWith mirth and eke with joy:The Collier and the Devil will beMuch like to like alway.New.Ha, ha! marry, this is trim singing,I had not thought the Devil to be so cunning;And, by the mass, Tom Collier [is] as good as he:I see that like with like will ever agree.Coll.Farewell, Master Devil, vor ich must be gone.[Exit.Lu.Why, then, farewell my gentle friend Tom.New.Farewell, Tom Collier, a knave be thy comfort![ExitTom Collier.How say'st thou, godfather? is not this trim sport?Lu.Thou art mine own boy; my blessing thou shalt have.New.By my truth, godfather, that blessing I do not crave;But if you go your way, I will do my diligenceAs well in your absence as in your presence.Lu.But thou shalt salute me, ere I go doubtless,That in thy doings thou may'st have the better success.Wherefore kneel down and say after me:[He kneeleth down.When the devil will have it so, it must needs so be.New.What shall I say, bottle-nosed godfather, canst thou tell?Lu.All hail, O noble prince of hell!New.All my dame's cows' tail[s] fell down in the well.Lu.I will exalt thee above the clouds.New.I will salt thee, and hang thee in the shrouds.Lu.Thou art the enhancer of my renown.New.Thou art Hance, the hangman of Calais town.Lu.To thee be honour alone.New.To thee shall come our hobbling Jone.Lu.Amen.New.Amen.Lu.Now farewell, my boy, farewell heartily,Is there never a knave here will keep the Devil company?New.Farewell, godfather, for thou must go alone:I pray thee come hither again anon.[ExitLucifer.Marry, here was a benediction of the Devil's good grace:Body of me, I was so afraid, I was like to bestench the place!My buttocks made buttons of the new fashion,While the whoreson Devil was making his salutation.But, by mass, I am so glad as ever was madge mare,That the whoreson Devil is joined with the knave Collier.As fit a match as ever could be pick'd out,What sayst thou to it, Jone with the long snout?[Tom Tosspotcometh in with a feather in his hat.But who comes yonder puffing, as hot as a black pudding.I hold twenty pound it is a ruffian, if a goose go a-gooding.Tom.Gog's heart and his guts, is not this too bad?Blood, wounds, and nails! it will make a man mad.New.I warrant you, here is a lusty one, [and] very brave:I think anon he will swear himself a knave.Tom.Many a mile have I ridden, and many a mile have I gone:Yet can I not find for me a fit companion.Many there be, which my company would frequent,If to do, as they do, I would be content.They would have me leave off my pride and my swearing,My new-fangled fashions, and leave off this wearing.But rather than I such companions will have,I will see a thousand of them laid in their grave.Similis similem sibi quærit, such a one do I seek,As unto myself in every condition is like.New.Sir, you are welcome; ye seem to be an honest man,And I will help you in this matter, as much as I can,If you will tarry here a while, I tell you in good sooth,I will find one as fit for you as a pudding for a friar's mouth.Tom.I thank you, my friend, for your gentle offer to me:I pray you tell me, what your name may be.New.Methink, by your apparel you have had me in regard;I pray you, of Nichol Newfangle have you never heard?Tom.Nichol Newfangle? why, we are of old acquaintance!New.By my troth, your name is quite out of my remembrance.Tom.At your first coming into England, well I wot,You were very well acquainted with Tom Tosspot.New.Tom Tosspot?Sancti! amen!how you were out of my mind!Tom.You know, when you brought into England this new-fangled kind,That Tosspots and ruffians with you were first acquainted?New.It is even so, Tom Tosspot, as thou hast said.Tom.It is an old saying, that mountains and hills never meet;But I see that men shall meet, though they do not seek;And, I promise you, more joy in my heart I have found,Than if I had gain'd an hundred pound.New.And I am as glad as one had given me a groat,That I have met now with thee, Tom Tosspot.And seeing that thou wouldst a mate so fain have,I will join thee with one, that shall be as very a knaveAs thou art thyself, thou may'st believe me:Thou shalt see anon, what I will do for thee.For you seek for as very a knave, as you yourself are;For, like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.Tom.Indeed, Nichol Newfangle, ye say the verity,For like will to like: it will none otherwise be.EnterRalph Roister.Behold, Tom Tosspot, even in pudding time[336]Yonder cometh Ralph Roister, an old friend of mine!By the mass, for thee he is so fit a mate,As Tom and Tib for Kit and Kate,Now welcome, my friend Ralph Roister, by the mass.Ralph.And I am glad to see thee here in this place.New.Bid him welcome hark, he can play a knave's part.Tom.My friend, you are welcome with all my heart.Ralph.God-a-mercy, good fellow, tell me what thou art.New.As very a knave as thou, though the best be too bad:Tom.I am one, which of your company would be very glad.Ralph.And I will not your company refuse of a certainty,So that to my conditions your manners do agree.Tom.It should appear by your sayings, that we are of one mind,For I know that roisters and tosspots come of one kind;And as our names be much of one accord, and much like,So I think our conditions be not far unlike.Ralph.If your name to me you will declare and show,You may in this matter my mind the sooner know.Tom.Few words are best among friends, this is true;Wherefore I shall briefly show my name unto you.Tom Tosspot it is, it need not to be painted:Wherefore I with Ralph Roister must needs be acquainted.New.In faith, Ralph Roister, if thou wilt be ruled by me,We will dance hand in hand, like knaves all three:It is as unpossible for thee his company to deny,As it is for a camel to creep through a needle's eye.Therefore bid him welcome, like a knave as thou art.Ralph.By my troth, Tom Tosspot, you are welcome with all my heart.Tom.I thank you that my acquaintance ye will take in good part.And by my troth, I will be your sworn brother:New.Tush, like will to like: it will be none other.For the virtuous will always virtue's company seek out:A gentleman never seeketh the company of a lout;And roisters and ruffians do sober company eschew:For like will ever to like, this is most true.Ralph.Now, friend Tom Tosspot, seeing that we are brethren sworn,And neither of our companies from other may be forborne,The whole trade of my life to thee I will declare.Tom.And to tell you my property also I shall not spare.New.Then, my masters, if you will awhile abide it,Ye shall see two such knaves so lively describedThat, if hell should be raked even by and by indeed,Such another couple cannot be found, I swear by my creed.Go to, sirs, say on your whole minds,And I shall paint you out in your right kinds.First, Tom Tosspot, plead thou thy cause and thy name,And I will sit in this chair, and give sentence on the same.I will play the judge, and in this matter give judgment:How say you, my masters, are you not so content?Ralph.By my troth, for my part, thereto I do agree.Tom.I were to blame, if any fault should be in me.New.Then that I be in office, neither of you do grudge?Both.No, indeed.New.Where learn'd you to stand capp'd before a judge?You souterly[337]knaves, show you all your manners at once?Ralph.Why, Nichol, all we are content.New.And am I plain Nichol? and yet it is in my arbitrementTo judge which of you two is the verier knave.I am Master Nichol Newfangle, both gay and brave;For, seeing you make me your judge, I trow,I shall teach you both your liripup[338]to know.[He fighteth.Tom.Stay yourself, sir, I pray you heartily.Ralph.I pray you, be content, and we will be more mannerly.New.Nay, I cannot put up such an injury;For, seeing I am in office, I will be known therefore:Fend your heads, sirs, for I will to it more once.[He fighteth again.Ralph.I pray you be content, good gentle Master Nichol:Tom.I never saw the like, by Gog's soul.New.Well, my masters, because you do intendTo learn good manners, and your conditions to amend,I will have but one fit more, and so make an end.Ralph.I pray you, sir, let us no more contend.New.Marry, this hath breathed me very well:Now let me hear, how your tales ye can tell.And I (master judge) will so bring to pass,That I will judge who shall be knave of clubs at Christmas.[339]Tom.Gog's wounds, I am like Phalaris, that made a bull of brass—New.Thou art like a false knave now, and evermore was.Tom.Nay, I am like Phalaris, that made a bull of brass,As a cruel torment for such as did offend,And he himself first therein put was:Even so are we brought now to this end,In ordaining him a judge, who will be honoured as a god,So for our own tails we have made a rod.Ralph.And I am served as Haman, that prepar'd—New.How was he served, I pray thee, do me tell?Ralph.Who I speak of? thou knowest well.New.Thou art served as Harry Hangman, captain of the black guard.Ralph.Nay, I am served as Haman, that preparedA high pair of gallows for Mordecai the Jew,And was the first himself that thereon was hanged:So I feel the smart of mine own rod, this is true.But hereafter I will learn to be wise,And ere I leap once, I will look twice.New.Well, Tom Tosspot, first let me hear thee.How canst thou prove thyself a verier knave than he?Tom.You know that Tom Tosspot men do me call?New.A knave thou hast always been, and evermore shall.Tom.My conditions, I am sure, ye know as well as I.New.A knave thou was born, and so thou shalt die.Tom.But that you are a judge, I would say unto you,Knaves are Christian men, else you were a Jew.New.He calls me knave by craft, do you not see?Sirrah, I will remember it, when you think not on me.Well, say what thou canst for thine own behoof;If thou provest thyself the verier knave by good proof,Thou must be the elder brother, and have the patrimony;And when he hath said, then do thou reply.Even Thomas-a-Waterings or Tyburn Hill[340]To the falsest thief of you both, by my father's will!Ralph.I pray you, sir, what is that patrimony?New.I pray you leave your courtesy, and I will tell you by and by.If he be the more knave, the patrimony he must have,But thou shalt have it, if thou prove thyself the verier knave;A piece of ground it is, that of Beggars' manor do[th] hold,And whoso deserves it, shall have it, ye may be bold—Call'd Saint Thomas-a-Waterings or else Tyburn Hill,Given and so bequeathed to the falsest by will.Tom.Then I trow I am he, that this patrimony shall possess,For I Tom Tosspot do use this trade doubtless:From morning till night I sit tossing the black bowl,[341]Then come I home, and pray for my father's soul.Saying my prayers with wounds, blood, guts, and heart:Swearing and staring, thus play I my part.If any poor man have in a whole week earn'd one groat,He shall spend it in one hour in tossing the pot.I use to call servants and poor men to my company,And make them spend all they have unthriftily;So that my company they think to be so good,That in short space their hair grows through their hood.New.But will no gossips keep thee company now and then?Tom.Tush, I am acquainted with many a woman,That with me will sit in every house and place;But then their husbands had need fend their face.For when they come home, they will not be afeard,To shake the goodman, and sometime shave his beard.And as for Flemish[342]servants I have such a train,That will quass and carouse, and therein spend their gain.From week to week I have all this company;Wherefore I am worthy to have the patrimony.New.Thus thou may'st be called a knave in grain;And where knaves are scant, thou shalt go for twain.But now, Ralph Roister, let me hear what thou canst say.Ralph.You know that Ralph Roister I am called alway,And my conditions in knavery so far doth surmount,That to have this patrimony I make mine account,For I entice young gentlemen all virtue to eschew,And to give themselves to riotousness, this is true.Serving-men also by me are so seduced,That all in bravery their minds are confused.Then, if they have not themselves to maintain,To pick and to steal they must be fain.And, I may say to you, I have such a train,That sometime I pitch a field on Salisbury plain.[343]And much more, if need were, I could say verily:Wherefore I am worthy to have the patrimony.New.He, that shall judge this matter, had need have more wit than I;But, seeing you have referred it unto my arbitrement,In faith I will give such equal judgment,That both of you shall be well-pleased and content.Tom.Nay, I have not done, for I can say much more.New.Well, I will not have you contend any more.But this farm, which to Beggars' manor doth appertain,I will equally divide between you twain.Are you not content, that so it shall be?Both.As it pleaseth you, so shall we agree.New.Then see, that anon ye come both unto me.Ralph.Sir, for my part, I thank you heartily:I promised of late to come unto a company,Which at Hob Filcher's for me do remain:God be with you, and anon I will come again.Tom.Farewell, brother Ralph, I will come to you anon.[ExitTom.[344]New.Come again, for you shall not so suddenly be gone.Here enterethHancewith a pot, and singeth as followeth.See ye not who comes yonder? an old friend of yours:One that is ready to quass at all hours.[He singeth the first two lines, and speaketh the rest as stammeringly as may be.Quass in heart, and quass again, and quass about the house-a:And toss the black bowl to and fro, and I brinks[345]them all carouse-a.Be go-go-gog's nowns, ch-ch-cha drunk zo-zo-much to-day:That be-be-mass, ch-cham a-most drunk, ich da-da-dare zay.Chud spe-spe-spend a goo-goo-good groat:Tha-that ich cud vi-vind my ca-ca-captain To-To-Tom Tosspot.[He setteth him in the chair.New.Sit down, good Hance, lest thou lie on the ground,He knoweth not Tom Tosspot, I dare jeopard twenty pound.Tom.[346]He will know me by and by, I hold you a crown.How dost thou, servant Hance? how comes this to pass?Hance.Ma-ma-master To-To-Tom, ch-ch-cham glad by-by mass—[He drinketh.Ca-ca-carouse to-to-to thee, go-go-good Tom.New.Hold up, good Hance, I will pledge thee anon.Ralph.Well, there is no remedy, but I must be gone.Hance.Ta-ta-tarry, good vellow, a wo-wo-word or twain:If tho-tho-thou thyself do-do-do not come again.Bi-bi-bid Philip Fleming co-co-come hither to me,Vo-vo-vor he must lead me home, now ich do ze.Ralph.Then, farewell, Hance, I will remember thy errant:He will be here by and by, I dare be his warrant.[ExitRalph Roister.New.Farewell, Ralph Roister, with all my heart:Come anon, and I will deliver thee thy part.Tom.Now, Hance, right now thou drank'st to me,Drink again, and I will pledge thee.Hance.Omni po-po-po-tenti, all the po-po-pot is empty.New.Why, Hance, thou hast Latin in thy belly methink:I thought there was no room for Latin, there is so much drink!Hance.Ich le-le-learned zome La-La-Latin, when ich was a la-la-lad:Ich ca-ca-can zayTu es nebulo, ich learn'd of my dad.And ich could once he-he-help the p-p-priest to say mass:By giss, ma-man, ich ha' been cu-cu-cunning, when 'twas.Tom.I knew Hance, when he was, as he say'th:For he was once a scholar in good faith;But through my company he was withdrawn from thence,Through his riot and excessive expense.Unto this trade, which now you do in him see:So that now he is wholly addicted to follow me;And one of my guard he is now become.Well, Hance, well, thou wast once a white son![347]New.Now, so God help me, thou art a pretty fellow, Hance;A clean-legged gentleman, and as proper a paunch,As any I know between this and France.Hance.Yes, by-by-by God, ich co'd once dance.New.I speak of no dancing, little-bellied Hance;But, seeing thou say'st thou canst so well dance,Let me see where thou canst dance lively.Hance.Tha-tha-that ca-ca-can I do vull trimly.[He danceth as evil-favoured as may be demised, and in the dancing he falleth down, and when he riseth, he must groan.New.Rise again, Hance, thou hadst almost got a fall:But thou dancest trimly, legs and all.Body of me, Hance, how doth thy belly, canst thou tell?By the mass, he hath beray'd his breeches, methink by the smell.Tom.I will help thee up, Hance, give me thy hand.[He riseth.Hance.By-by mass, ch-ch-chwas almost down, I think ve-verily.New.Wast thou almost down, Hance? marry, so think I,But thou art sick, methink by the groaning:He grunts like a bear, when he is a-moaning.Hark, how his head aches, and how his pulses do beat:I think he will be hang'd, his belly is so great.Hance.Go-Go-God-amercy, good Tom, with all my heart:New.If thou canst not leap, Hance, let me see thee drink a quart,And get thee out abroad into the air.Tom.Tush, he had more need to sleep in this chair.Sit down, Hance, and thou shalt see anon,Philip Fleming will come to fetch thee home.[Hancesitteth in the chair, and snorteth, as though he were fast asleep.New.I pray thee, Tom Tosspot, is this one of thy men?Tom.He is a companion of mine now and then.New.By the faith of my body, such carpenter, such chips,And as the wise man said, such lettuce, such lips.For, like master, like man: like tutor, like scholar;And, like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.Tom.It is no remedy, for it must needs so be;Like will to like, you may believe me.[Philip Flemingentereth with a pot in his hand.New.Lo, where Philip Fleming cometh even in pudding time!Tom.He bringeth in his hand either good ale or else good wine.Philip Flemingsingeth these four lines following:Troll the bowl and drink to me, and troll the bowl again,And put a brown toast in [the] pot for Philip Fleming's brain.And I shall toss it to and fro, even round about the house-a:Good hostess, now let it be so, I brink them all carouse-a.Philip.Marry, here is a pot of noppy good ale.As clear as crystal pure and stale.Now a crab in the fire were worth a good groat,That I might quass with my captain Tom Tosspot.What? I can no sooner wish, but by and by I have!God save mine eyesight, methink I see a knave.What, captain! how goeth the world with you?Why, now I see the old proverb to be true;Like will to like, both with Christian, Turk, and Jew.Marry, Philip, even as I was wont to do:Philip.Ralph Roister told me that I should find Hance here,Where is he, that he doth not appear?New.I hold twenty pound the knave is blind.Turn about, Philip Fleming, and look behind.Hast thou drunk so much that thy eyes be out?Lo, how he snoreth like a lazy lout.Go to him, for he sleepeth sound:Two such paunches in all England can scant be found.Philip.Why, Hance, art thou in thy prayers so devoutly?Awake, man, and we two will quass together stoutly.Hance.Domine, dominus noster;Me-think ich a spied three knaves on a cluster.New.Stay a while, for he sayeth hispater noster.Hance.Sanctum benedictum, what have I dreamed?By Gog's nowns, chad thought ich had been in my bed.Chad dreamed such a dream, as thou wilt marvel to hear,Me-thought I was drowned in a barrel of beer.And by and by the barrel was turned to a ship,Which me-thought the wind made nicely to skip.And I did sail therein from Flanders to France:At last ich was brought hither among a sort of knaves by chance.New.Lo, Hance, here is Philip Fleming come now,We will go drink together now, how say'st thou?Hance.I pray thee, good Vilip, now lead me away:Philip.Give me thy hand, and I will thee stay.Hance.How say you, Master Nichol, will you keep us company?New.Go before, Master Lick-hole,[348]and I will come by and by.Mates matched together, depart you three;I will come after, you may believe me.[They three are gone together, andNichol Newfangleremaineth behind, but he must not speak till they be within.]New.Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!He sings.Now three knaves are gone, and I am left alone,Myself here to solace;Well done, gentle Jone, why begin you to moan?Though they be gone, I am in place.And now will I dance, and now will I prance,For why I have none other work:Snip snap, butter is no bone meat:Knave's flesh is no pork.Hey tisty-toisty, an owl is a bird,Jackanapes hath an old face;You may believe me at one bare word,How like you, this merry case?A piece of ground they think they have found,I will tell you what it is:For I them told of Beggars' manor it did hold,A staff and a wallet i-wis.Which in short space, even in this place,Of me they shall receive:For when that their drift hath spent all their thrift,Their minds I shall deceive.I trow you shall see more knaves come to me,Which whensoever they do,They shall have their meed, as they deserve indeed,As you shall see shortly these two.When they do pretend to have had a good end,Mark well, then, what shall ensue:A bag and a bottle, or else a rope knottle,This shall they prove too true.But mark well this game, I see this gear frame;Lo, who cometh now in such haste?It is Cuthbert CutpurseAnd Pierce Pickpurse,Give room now a little cast.Here enterethCuthbert CutpurseandPierce Pickpurse.[Cuthbert Cutpursemust have in his hand a purse of money or counters in it, and a knife in one hand and a whetstone in the other; andPiercemust have money or counters in his hand and jingle it, as he cometh in.]Cuth.By Gog's wounds, it doth me good to the heart,To see how cleanly I play'd this part.While they stood thrusting together in the throng,I began to go them among;And with this knife, which here you do see,I cut away this purse cleanly.New.See to your purses, my masters, and be ruled by me,For knaves are abroad, therefore beware.You are warn'd: and ye take not heed, I do not care.[Aside.Pierce.And also, so soon as I had espiedA woman in the throng, whose purse was fat,I took it by the strings, and cleanly it untied:She knew no more of it than Gib our cat.Yet at the last she hied apace,And said, that the money in my hand she saw.Thou whore, said I, I will have an action of the case,And seeing thou say'st so, I will try the law.Cuthb.How say'st thou, Pierce Pickpurse, art thou not agreedThese two booties equally to divide?Then let us count the total sum,And divide it equally, when we have done.New.My masters, here is a good fellow, that would fain have some.Cuthb.What, Nichol Newfangle, be you here?So God help me, I am glad with all my heart.Pierce.Then, ere we depart, we will have some cheer,And of this booty you shall have your part.New.I thank you both even heartily,And I will do somewhat for you by and by:Are not you two sworn brothers in every booty?Both.Yes, that we are truly.New.Then can I tell you news, which you do not know:Such news as will make you full glad, I trow.But first tell me this, Pierce Pickpurse,Whether is the elder, thou or Cuthbert Cutpurse?Pierce.In faith, I think we are both of one age well nigh.Cuthb.I suppose there is no great difference, truly:But wherefore ask you? I pray you, tell me why?New.I will tell you the cause without any delay:For a piece of land is fallen, as I hear say,Which by succession must come to one of you:A proper plot it is, this is most true.For thou, Cuthbert Cutpurse, was Cuthbert Cutthroat's son,And thou, Pierce Pickpurse, by that time thou hast done,Canst derive thy pedigree from an ancient house:Thy father was Tom Thief, and thy mother was Tib Louse.This piece of land, whereto you inheritors are,Is called the land of the two-legged mare;[349]In which piece of ground there is a mare indeed,Which is the quickest mare in England for speed.Therefore, if you will come anon unto me,I will put you in possession, and that you shall see.Cuthb.I cannot believe that such luck is happen'd to us.New.It is true, that I to you do discuss.Pierce.If you will help us to this piece of ground,Both of us to you shall think ourselves bound.New.Yes, in faith, you shall have it, you may believe me;I will be as good as my word, as shortly you shall see.Cuthb.Then, brother Pierce, we may think ourselves happy,That ever we were with him acquainted.Pierce.Even so we may of a certainty,That such good luck unto us hath happened.But, brother Cuthbert, is it not bestTo go in for awhile, and distribute this booty?Whereas we three will make some feast,And quass together, and be merry.Cuthb.What say you, Nichol?New.I do agree.Here enterethVirtuous Living.But, soft, awhile be ruled by me,Look, yonder a little do you not see,Who cometh yonder? awhile we will abide;Let him say his pleasure, and we will stand aside.V. L.O gracious God, how wonderful are thy works,How highly art thou of all men to be praised:Of Christians, Saracens, Jews, and also Turks,Thy glory ought to be erected and raised.What joys hast thou prepared for the virtuous life,And such as have thy name in love and in awe;Thou hast promised salvation to man, child, and wife,That thy precepts observe, and keep well thy law.And to the virtuous life what doth ensue?Virtutis premium honor, Tully doth say;Honour is thy guerdon for virtue due,And eternal salvation at the latter day.How clear in conscience is the virtuous life!The vicious hath consciences so heavy as lead.Their conscience and their doing is alway at strife;And altogether they live yet to sin they are dead.New.God give you good-morrow, sir, how do you to-day?V. L.God bless you also both now and alway.I pray you, with me have you any acquaintance?New.Yea, marry, I am an old friend of yours, perchance.V. L.If it be so, I marvel very much,That the dulness of my wit should be such,That you should be altogether out of my memory.Tell me your name, I pray you heartily.New.By the faith of my body, you will appose me by and by;But, in faith, I was but little when I was first born;And my mother to tell me my name thought it scorn.V. L.I will never acquaint me with such in any place,As are ashamed of their names, by God's grace.New.I remember my name now, it is come to my mind:I have mused much, before I could it find.Nichol Newfangle it is; I am your old friend.V. L.My friend? marry, I do thee defy,And all such company I do deny.For thou art a companion for roisters and ruffians,And not fit for any virtuous companions.New.And, in faith, art thou at plain defiance?Then I see I must go to mine old acquaintance.Well, Cuthbert Cutpurse and [Pierce] Pickpurse, we must go together;For, like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.V. L.Indeed, thou say'st true, it must needs be so,For like will ever to his like go;And my conditions and thine so far do disagree,That no familiarity between us may be.For thou nourishest vice both day and night:My name is Virtuous Life, and in virtue is my delight.So vice and virtue cannot together be united;But the one the other hath always spited.For as the water quencheth fire, and the flame doth suppress,So virtue hateth vice, and seeketh a redress.Pierce.Tush, if he be so dangerous, let us not him esteem,And he is not for our company, I see very well;For if he be so holy, as he doth seem,We and he differ as much as heaven and hell.New.You know, that like will to like alway,And you see how holily he is now bent:To seek his company why do we assay?Pierce.I promise you, do you what you will, I do not consent:For I pass not for him, be he better or be he worse.New.Friend, if you be wise, beware your purse.For this fellow may do you good when all comes to all;If you chance to lose your purse in Cutpurse Hall.But, in faith, fare ye well, sith of our company you be weary:We will go to a place, where we will be merry.For I see your company and ours do far differ;For like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.Cuthb.Well, let us be gone, and bid him adieu:For I see this proverb proveth very true.Pierce.Then let us go to Hob Filcher's house,Where we will be merry, and quass carouse.And there shall we find Tom Tosspot, with other mo,Meet makes for us: therefore let us go.Then, seeing we are all of one mind,Let us three go, and leave a knave here behind.[ExeuntNew.,Cuthb.,andPierce.They sing this song[350]as they go out from the place.Good hostess, lay a crab in the fire, and broil a mess of souse-a:That we may toss the bowl to and fro, and brinks them all carouse-a.And I will pledge Tom Tosspot, till I be drunk as a mouse-a:Whoso will drink to me all day, I will pledge them all carouse-a.Then we will not spare for any cost, so long as we be in house-a:Then, hostess, fill the pot again, for I pledge them all carouse-a.[When this is spoken,V. Livingmust pause a while, and then say as followeth.

New.Ha, ha, ha, ha! now like unto like: it will be none other,

Stoop, gentle knave, and take up your brother.

Why, is it so? and is it even so indeed?

Why then may I say God send us good speed!

And is every one here so greatly unkind,

That I am no sooner out of sight, but quite out of mind?

Marry, this will make a man even weep for woe,

That on such a sudden no man will let me know,

Sith men be so dangerous[329]now at this day:

Yet are women kind worms, I dare well say.

How say you, woman? you that stand in the angle,

Were you never acquainted with Nichol Newfangle?

Then I see Nichol Newfangle is quite forgot,

Yet you will know me anon, I dare jeopard a groat.

Nichol Newfangle is my name, do you not me know?

My whole education to you I shall show.

For first, before I was born, I remember very well,

That my grandsire and I made a journey into hell;

Where I was bound prentice before my nativity

To Lucifer himself, such was my agility.

All kinds of sciences he taught unto me:

That unto the maintenances of pride might best agree.

I learn'd to make gowns with long sleeves and wings:

I learn'd to make ruffs like calves' chitterlings,

Caps, hats, coats, with all kind of apparels,

And especially breeches as big as good barrels.

Shoes, boots, buskins, with many pretty toys:

All kind of garments for men, women, and boys.

Know you me now? I thought that at the last!

All acquaintance from Nichol Newfangle is not pass'd.

Nichol Newfangle was and is, and ever shall be:

And there are but few that are not acquainted with me.

For so soon as my prenticehood was once come out,

I went by and by the whole world about.

[Here theDevilentereth in, but he speaketh not yet.

Sancte benedicite, whom have we here?

Tom Tumbler, or else some dancing bear?

Body of me, it were best go no near:[330]

For ought that I see, it is my godfather Lucifer,

Whose prentice I have been this many a day:

But no more words but mum: you shall hear what he will say.

[This nameLucifermust be written on his back and in his breast.

Lu.Ho! mine own boy, I am glad that thou art here!

New.He speaketh to you, sir, I pray you come near.[Pointing to one standing by.

Lu.Nay, thou art even he, of whom I am well apaid.

New.Then speak aloof,[331]for to come nigh I am afraid.

Lu.Why so, my boy? as though thou diddest never see me.

New.Yes, godfather, but I am afraid it is now, as ofttimes it is with thee;For if my dame and thou hast been tumbling by the ears,As oftentimes you do, like a couple of great bears,Thou carest not whom thou killest in thy raging mind.Dost thou not remember, since thou didst bruise me behind?This hole in thy fury didst thou disclose,That now may a tent be put in, so big as thy nose.This was, when my dame called thee bottle-nosed knave,But I am like to carry the mark to my grave.

New.Yes, godfather, but I am afraid it is now, as ofttimes it is with thee;

For if my dame and thou hast been tumbling by the ears,

As oftentimes you do, like a couple of great bears,

Thou carest not whom thou killest in thy raging mind.

Dost thou not remember, since thou didst bruise me behind?

This hole in thy fury didst thou disclose,

That now may a tent be put in, so big as thy nose.

This was, when my dame called thee bottle-nosed knave,

But I am like to carry the mark to my grave.

Lu.O my good boy, be not afraid,For no such thing hath happened, as thou hast said.But come to me, my boy, and bless thee I will,And see that my precepts thou do fulfil.

Lu.O my good boy, be not afraid,

For no such thing hath happened, as thou hast said.

But come to me, my boy, and bless thee I will,

And see that my precepts thou do fulfil.

New.Well, godfather, if you will say ought to me in this case,Speak, for in faith I mean not to kneel to that ill face.If our Lady of Walsingham had no fairer nose and visage,By the mass, they were fools that would go to her on pilgrimage.

New.Well, godfather, if you will say ought to me in this case,

Speak, for in faith I mean not to kneel to that ill face.

If our Lady of Walsingham had no fairer nose and visage,

By the mass, they were fools that would go to her on pilgrimage.

Lu.Well, boy, it shall not greatly skill,

Whether thou stand, or whether thou kneel:Thou knowest what sciences I have thee taught,Which are able to bring the world to naught.For thou knowest that through pride from heaven I was cast,Even unto hell, wherefore see thou make haste.Such pride through new fashions in men's hearts to showThat those, that use it, may have the like overthrow.From virtue procure men to set their minds aside,And wholly employ it to all sin and pride.Let thy new-fangled fashions bear such a sway,That a rascal [may] be so proud as he that best may.

Whether thou stand, or whether thou kneel:

Thou knowest what sciences I have thee taught,

Which are able to bring the world to naught.

For thou knowest that through pride from heaven I was cast,

Even unto hell, wherefore see thou make haste.

Such pride through new fashions in men's hearts to show

That those, that use it, may have the like overthrow.

From virtue procure men to set their minds aside,

And wholly employ it to all sin and pride.

Let thy new-fangled fashions bear such a sway,

That a rascal [may] be so proud as he that best may.

New.Tush, tush, that is already brought to pass,For a very skipjack[332]is prouder, I swear by the mass,And seeketh to go more gayer and more brave,Than doth a lord, though himself be a knave.

New.Tush, tush, that is already brought to pass,

For a very skipjack[332]is prouder, I swear by the mass,

And seeketh to go more gayer and more brave,

Than doth a lord, though himself be a knave.

Lu.I can thee thank,[333]that so well thou hast play'd the part;Such as do so, shall soon feel the smart.Sith thou hast thus done, there remaineth behind,That thou in another thing show thy right kind.[334]

Lu.I can thee thank,[333]that so well thou hast play'd the part;

Such as do so, shall soon feel the smart.

Sith thou hast thus done, there remaineth behind,

That thou in another thing show thy right kind.[334]

New.Then, good godfather, let me hear thy mind.

Lu.Thou knowest I am both proud and arrogant,And with the proud I will ever be conversant;I cannot abide to see men, that are vicious,Accompany themselves with such as be virtuousWherefore my mind is, sith thou thy part canst play,That thou adjoin like to like alway.

Lu.Thou knowest I am both proud and arrogant,

And with the proud I will ever be conversant;

I cannot abide to see men, that are vicious,

Accompany themselves with such as be virtuous

Wherefore my mind is, sith thou thy part canst play,

That thou adjoin like to like alway.

New.I never loved that well, I swear by this day.

Lu.What, my boy?

New.Your mind is, sith I fast three meals every Good Friday,That I eat nothing but onions and leeks alway.

New.Your mind is, sith I fast three meals every Good Friday,

That I eat nothing but onions and leeks alway.

Lu.Nay, my mind is, sith thou thy part canst play,That thou adjoin like to like alway.

Lu.Nay, my mind is, sith thou thy part canst play,

That thou adjoin like to like alway.

New.Tush, tush, godfather Devil, for that have thou no care:Thou knowest that like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.And thou shalt see, that such match I shall make anon,That thou shalt say I am thy good-good sweet-sweet godson.

New.Tush, tush, godfather Devil, for that have thou no care:

Thou knowest that like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

And thou shalt see, that such match I shall make anon,

That thou shalt say I am thy good-good sweet-sweet godson.

Lu. I will give thee thanks, when thou hast so done.

Here entereth in theCollier.

New.Well, godfather, no mo words but mum!For yonder comes the Collier, as seemeth me.By the mass, he will make a good mate for thee.[TheDevilwalketh aside.What, old acquaintance, small remembrance?Welcome to town with a very vengeance!Now welcome, Tom Collier, give me thy hand:As very a knave as any in England.

New.Well, godfather, no mo words but mum!

For yonder comes the Collier, as seemeth me.

By the mass, he will make a good mate for thee.[TheDevilwalketh aside.

What, old acquaintance, small remembrance?

Welcome to town with a very vengeance!

Now welcome, Tom Collier, give me thy hand:

As very a knave as any in England.

Coll.By mass, god-a-marsy, my vreend Nichol!

New.By God, and welcome, gentle Tom Lick-hole!

Coll.Cham glad to zee thee merry, my vreend Nichol.And how dost nowadays, good Nichol?

Coll.Cham glad to zee thee merry, my vreend Nichol.

And how dost nowadays, good Nichol?

New.And nothing else but even plain Nichol?

Coll.I pray thee, tell me how dost, good vreend Lick-hole?

New.It is turn'd from Nichol to Lick-hole with Tom Collier.I say no more, Tom, but hold thy nose there.

New.It is turn'd from Nichol to Lick-hole with Tom Collier.

I say no more, Tom, but hold thy nose there.

Coll.Nay, hold thy tongue, Nichol, till my nose doth come,So thou shalt take part, and I shall take some.

Coll.Nay, hold thy tongue, Nichol, till my nose doth come,

So thou shalt take part, and I shall take some.

New.Well, Tom Collier, let these things pass away;Tell me what market thou hast made of thy coal to-day?

New.Well, Tom Collier, let these things pass away;

Tell me what market thou hast made of thy coal to-day?

Coll.To every bushel cha zold but three peck:Lo, here be the empty zacks on my neck.Cha beguil'd the whoresons, that of me ha' bought;But to beguile me was their whole thought.

Coll.To every bushel cha zold but three peck:

Lo, here be the empty zacks on my neck.

Cha beguil'd the whoresons, that of me ha' bought;

But to beguile me was their whole thought.

New.But hast thou no conscience in beguiling thy neighbour?

Coll.No, marry, so ich may gain vor my labour,It is a common trade nowadays, this is plain,To cut one another's throat for lucre and gain.A small vau't[335]as the world is now brought to pass.

Coll.No, marry, so ich may gain vor my labour,

It is a common trade nowadays, this is plain,

To cut one another's throat for lucre and gain.

A small vau't[335]as the world is now brought to pass.

New.Thou art a good fellow, I swear by the mass:As fit a companion for the devil as may be.Lo, godfather Devil, this fellow will match with thee.[He taketh him by the hand.

New.Thou art a good fellow, I swear by the mass:

As fit a companion for the devil as may be.

Lo, godfather Devil, this fellow will match with thee.[He taketh him by the hand.

Lu.And good Tom Collier thou art welcome to me.

Coll.God amarsy, good Devil, cham glad of thy company.

Lu.Like will to like, I see very well.

New.Godfather, wilt thou dance a little, before thee go home to hell?

Lu.I am content, so that Tom Collier do agree.

Coll.I will never refuse (Devil) to dance with thee.

New.Then, godfather, name what the dance shall be.

Lu.Tom Collier of Croydon hath sold his coal.

New.Why then have at it, by my father's soul!

[Nichol Newfanglemust have a gittern or some other instrument (if it may be); but if he have not, they must dance about the place all three, and sing this song that followeth, which must be done also, although they have an instrument.

The Song.

Tom Collier of Croydon hath sold his coals,And made his market to-day;And now he danceth with the Devil,For like will to like alway.

Tom Collier of Croydon hath sold his coals,

And made his market to-day;

And now he danceth with the Devil,

For like will to like alway.

Wherefore let us rejoice and sing,Let us be merry and glad;Sith that the Collier and the DevilThis match and dance hath made.

Wherefore let us rejoice and sing,

Let us be merry and glad;

Sith that the Collier and the Devil

This match and dance hath made.

Now of this dance we make an endWith mirth and eke with joy:The Collier and the Devil will beMuch like to like alway.

Now of this dance we make an end

With mirth and eke with joy:

The Collier and the Devil will be

Much like to like alway.

New.Ha, ha! marry, this is trim singing,I had not thought the Devil to be so cunning;And, by the mass, Tom Collier [is] as good as he:I see that like with like will ever agree.

New.Ha, ha! marry, this is trim singing,

I had not thought the Devil to be so cunning;

And, by the mass, Tom Collier [is] as good as he:

I see that like with like will ever agree.

Coll.Farewell, Master Devil, vor ich must be gone.[Exit.

Lu.Why, then, farewell my gentle friend Tom.

New.Farewell, Tom Collier, a knave be thy comfort![ExitTom Collier.How say'st thou, godfather? is not this trim sport?

New.Farewell, Tom Collier, a knave be thy comfort![ExitTom Collier.

How say'st thou, godfather? is not this trim sport?

Lu.Thou art mine own boy; my blessing thou shalt have.

New.By my truth, godfather, that blessing I do not crave;But if you go your way, I will do my diligenceAs well in your absence as in your presence.

New.By my truth, godfather, that blessing I do not crave;

But if you go your way, I will do my diligence

As well in your absence as in your presence.

Lu.But thou shalt salute me, ere I go doubtless,That in thy doings thou may'st have the better success.Wherefore kneel down and say after me:[He kneeleth down.When the devil will have it so, it must needs so be.

Lu.But thou shalt salute me, ere I go doubtless,

That in thy doings thou may'st have the better success.

Wherefore kneel down and say after me:[He kneeleth down.

When the devil will have it so, it must needs so be.

New.What shall I say, bottle-nosed godfather, canst thou tell?

Lu.All hail, O noble prince of hell!

New.All my dame's cows' tail[s] fell down in the well.

Lu.I will exalt thee above the clouds.

New.I will salt thee, and hang thee in the shrouds.

Lu.Thou art the enhancer of my renown.

New.Thou art Hance, the hangman of Calais town.

Lu.To thee be honour alone.

New.To thee shall come our hobbling Jone.

Lu.Amen.

New.Amen.

Lu.Now farewell, my boy, farewell heartily,Is there never a knave here will keep the Devil company?

Lu.Now farewell, my boy, farewell heartily,

Is there never a knave here will keep the Devil company?

New.Farewell, godfather, for thou must go alone:I pray thee come hither again anon.[ExitLucifer.Marry, here was a benediction of the Devil's good grace:Body of me, I was so afraid, I was like to bestench the place!My buttocks made buttons of the new fashion,While the whoreson Devil was making his salutation.But, by mass, I am so glad as ever was madge mare,That the whoreson Devil is joined with the knave Collier.As fit a match as ever could be pick'd out,What sayst thou to it, Jone with the long snout?[Tom Tosspotcometh in with a feather in his hat.But who comes yonder puffing, as hot as a black pudding.I hold twenty pound it is a ruffian, if a goose go a-gooding.

New.Farewell, godfather, for thou must go alone:

I pray thee come hither again anon.[ExitLucifer.

Marry, here was a benediction of the Devil's good grace:

Body of me, I was so afraid, I was like to bestench the place!

My buttocks made buttons of the new fashion,

While the whoreson Devil was making his salutation.

But, by mass, I am so glad as ever was madge mare,

That the whoreson Devil is joined with the knave Collier.

As fit a match as ever could be pick'd out,

What sayst thou to it, Jone with the long snout?

[Tom Tosspotcometh in with a feather in his hat.

But who comes yonder puffing, as hot as a black pudding.

I hold twenty pound it is a ruffian, if a goose go a-gooding.

Tom.Gog's heart and his guts, is not this too bad?Blood, wounds, and nails! it will make a man mad.

Tom.Gog's heart and his guts, is not this too bad?

Blood, wounds, and nails! it will make a man mad.

New.I warrant you, here is a lusty one, [and] very brave:I think anon he will swear himself a knave.

New.I warrant you, here is a lusty one, [and] very brave:

I think anon he will swear himself a knave.

Tom.Many a mile have I ridden, and many a mile have I gone:Yet can I not find for me a fit companion.Many there be, which my company would frequent,If to do, as they do, I would be content.They would have me leave off my pride and my swearing,My new-fangled fashions, and leave off this wearing.But rather than I such companions will have,I will see a thousand of them laid in their grave.Similis similem sibi quærit, such a one do I seek,As unto myself in every condition is like.

Tom.Many a mile have I ridden, and many a mile have I gone:

Yet can I not find for me a fit companion.

Many there be, which my company would frequent,

If to do, as they do, I would be content.

They would have me leave off my pride and my swearing,

My new-fangled fashions, and leave off this wearing.

But rather than I such companions will have,

I will see a thousand of them laid in their grave.

Similis similem sibi quærit, such a one do I seek,

As unto myself in every condition is like.

New.Sir, you are welcome; ye seem to be an honest man,And I will help you in this matter, as much as I can,If you will tarry here a while, I tell you in good sooth,I will find one as fit for you as a pudding for a friar's mouth.

New.Sir, you are welcome; ye seem to be an honest man,

And I will help you in this matter, as much as I can,

If you will tarry here a while, I tell you in good sooth,

I will find one as fit for you as a pudding for a friar's mouth.

Tom.I thank you, my friend, for your gentle offer to me:I pray you tell me, what your name may be.

Tom.I thank you, my friend, for your gentle offer to me:

I pray you tell me, what your name may be.

New.Methink, by your apparel you have had me in regard;I pray you, of Nichol Newfangle have you never heard?

New.Methink, by your apparel you have had me in regard;

I pray you, of Nichol Newfangle have you never heard?

Tom.Nichol Newfangle? why, we are of old acquaintance!

New.By my troth, your name is quite out of my remembrance.

Tom.At your first coming into England, well I wot,You were very well acquainted with Tom Tosspot.

Tom.At your first coming into England, well I wot,

You were very well acquainted with Tom Tosspot.

New.Tom Tosspot?Sancti! amen!how you were out of my mind!

Tom.You know, when you brought into England this new-fangled kind,That Tosspots and ruffians with you were first acquainted?

Tom.You know, when you brought into England this new-fangled kind,

That Tosspots and ruffians with you were first acquainted?

New.It is even so, Tom Tosspot, as thou hast said.

Tom.It is an old saying, that mountains and hills never meet;But I see that men shall meet, though they do not seek;And, I promise you, more joy in my heart I have found,Than if I had gain'd an hundred pound.

Tom.It is an old saying, that mountains and hills never meet;

But I see that men shall meet, though they do not seek;

And, I promise you, more joy in my heart I have found,

Than if I had gain'd an hundred pound.

New.And I am as glad as one had given me a groat,That I have met now with thee, Tom Tosspot.And seeing that thou wouldst a mate so fain have,I will join thee with one, that shall be as very a knaveAs thou art thyself, thou may'st believe me:Thou shalt see anon, what I will do for thee.For you seek for as very a knave, as you yourself are;For, like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

New.And I am as glad as one had given me a groat,

That I have met now with thee, Tom Tosspot.

And seeing that thou wouldst a mate so fain have,

I will join thee with one, that shall be as very a knave

As thou art thyself, thou may'st believe me:

Thou shalt see anon, what I will do for thee.

For you seek for as very a knave, as you yourself are;

For, like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

Tom.Indeed, Nichol Newfangle, ye say the verity,For like will to like: it will none otherwise be.

Tom.Indeed, Nichol Newfangle, ye say the verity,

For like will to like: it will none otherwise be.

EnterRalph Roister.

Behold, Tom Tosspot, even in pudding time[336]Yonder cometh Ralph Roister, an old friend of mine!By the mass, for thee he is so fit a mate,As Tom and Tib for Kit and Kate,Now welcome, my friend Ralph Roister, by the mass.

Behold, Tom Tosspot, even in pudding time[336]

Yonder cometh Ralph Roister, an old friend of mine!

By the mass, for thee he is so fit a mate,

As Tom and Tib for Kit and Kate,

Now welcome, my friend Ralph Roister, by the mass.

Ralph.And I am glad to see thee here in this place.

New.Bid him welcome hark, he can play a knave's part.

Tom.My friend, you are welcome with all my heart.

Ralph.God-a-mercy, good fellow, tell me what thou art.

New.As very a knave as thou, though the best be too bad:

Tom.I am one, which of your company would be very glad.

Ralph.And I will not your company refuse of a certainty,So that to my conditions your manners do agree.

Ralph.And I will not your company refuse of a certainty,

So that to my conditions your manners do agree.

Tom.It should appear by your sayings, that we are of one mind,For I know that roisters and tosspots come of one kind;And as our names be much of one accord, and much like,So I think our conditions be not far unlike.

Tom.It should appear by your sayings, that we are of one mind,

For I know that roisters and tosspots come of one kind;

And as our names be much of one accord, and much like,

So I think our conditions be not far unlike.

Ralph.If your name to me you will declare and show,You may in this matter my mind the sooner know.

Ralph.If your name to me you will declare and show,

You may in this matter my mind the sooner know.

Tom.Few words are best among friends, this is true;Wherefore I shall briefly show my name unto you.Tom Tosspot it is, it need not to be painted:Wherefore I with Ralph Roister must needs be acquainted.

Tom.Few words are best among friends, this is true;

Wherefore I shall briefly show my name unto you.

Tom Tosspot it is, it need not to be painted:

Wherefore I with Ralph Roister must needs be acquainted.

New.In faith, Ralph Roister, if thou wilt be ruled by me,We will dance hand in hand, like knaves all three:It is as unpossible for thee his company to deny,As it is for a camel to creep through a needle's eye.Therefore bid him welcome, like a knave as thou art.

New.In faith, Ralph Roister, if thou wilt be ruled by me,

We will dance hand in hand, like knaves all three:

It is as unpossible for thee his company to deny,

As it is for a camel to creep through a needle's eye.

Therefore bid him welcome, like a knave as thou art.

Ralph.By my troth, Tom Tosspot, you are welcome with all my heart.

Tom.I thank you that my acquaintance ye will take in good part.And by my troth, I will be your sworn brother:

Tom.I thank you that my acquaintance ye will take in good part.

And by my troth, I will be your sworn brother:

New.Tush, like will to like: it will be none other.For the virtuous will always virtue's company seek out:A gentleman never seeketh the company of a lout;And roisters and ruffians do sober company eschew:For like will ever to like, this is most true.

New.Tush, like will to like: it will be none other.

For the virtuous will always virtue's company seek out:

A gentleman never seeketh the company of a lout;

And roisters and ruffians do sober company eschew:

For like will ever to like, this is most true.

Ralph.Now, friend Tom Tosspot, seeing that we are brethren sworn,And neither of our companies from other may be forborne,The whole trade of my life to thee I will declare.

Ralph.Now, friend Tom Tosspot, seeing that we are brethren sworn,

And neither of our companies from other may be forborne,

The whole trade of my life to thee I will declare.

Tom.And to tell you my property also I shall not spare.

New.Then, my masters, if you will awhile abide it,Ye shall see two such knaves so lively describedThat, if hell should be raked even by and by indeed,Such another couple cannot be found, I swear by my creed.Go to, sirs, say on your whole minds,And I shall paint you out in your right kinds.First, Tom Tosspot, plead thou thy cause and thy name,And I will sit in this chair, and give sentence on the same.I will play the judge, and in this matter give judgment:How say you, my masters, are you not so content?

New.Then, my masters, if you will awhile abide it,

Ye shall see two such knaves so lively described

That, if hell should be raked even by and by indeed,

Such another couple cannot be found, I swear by my creed.

Go to, sirs, say on your whole minds,

And I shall paint you out in your right kinds.

First, Tom Tosspot, plead thou thy cause and thy name,

And I will sit in this chair, and give sentence on the same.

I will play the judge, and in this matter give judgment:

How say you, my masters, are you not so content?

Ralph.By my troth, for my part, thereto I do agree.

Tom.I were to blame, if any fault should be in me.

New.Then that I be in office, neither of you do grudge?

Both.No, indeed.

New.Where learn'd you to stand capp'd before a judge?You souterly[337]knaves, show you all your manners at once?

New.Where learn'd you to stand capp'd before a judge?

You souterly[337]knaves, show you all your manners at once?

Ralph.Why, Nichol, all we are content.

New.And am I plain Nichol? and yet it is in my arbitrementTo judge which of you two is the verier knave.I am Master Nichol Newfangle, both gay and brave;For, seeing you make me your judge, I trow,I shall teach you both your liripup[338]to know.[He fighteth.

New.And am I plain Nichol? and yet it is in my arbitrement

To judge which of you two is the verier knave.

I am Master Nichol Newfangle, both gay and brave;

For, seeing you make me your judge, I trow,

I shall teach you both your liripup[338]to know.[He fighteth.

Tom.Stay yourself, sir, I pray you heartily.

Ralph.I pray you, be content, and we will be more mannerly.

New.Nay, I cannot put up such an injury;For, seeing I am in office, I will be known therefore:Fend your heads, sirs, for I will to it more once.[He fighteth again.

New.Nay, I cannot put up such an injury;

For, seeing I am in office, I will be known therefore:

Fend your heads, sirs, for I will to it more once.[He fighteth again.

Ralph.I pray you be content, good gentle Master Nichol:

Tom.I never saw the like, by Gog's soul.

New.Well, my masters, because you do intendTo learn good manners, and your conditions to amend,I will have but one fit more, and so make an end.

New.Well, my masters, because you do intend

To learn good manners, and your conditions to amend,

I will have but one fit more, and so make an end.

Ralph.I pray you, sir, let us no more contend.

New.Marry, this hath breathed me very well:Now let me hear, how your tales ye can tell.And I (master judge) will so bring to pass,That I will judge who shall be knave of clubs at Christmas.[339]

New.Marry, this hath breathed me very well:

Now let me hear, how your tales ye can tell.

And I (master judge) will so bring to pass,

That I will judge who shall be knave of clubs at Christmas.[339]

Tom.Gog's wounds, I am like Phalaris, that made a bull of brass—

New.Thou art like a false knave now, and evermore was.

Tom.Nay, I am like Phalaris, that made a bull of brass,As a cruel torment for such as did offend,And he himself first therein put was:Even so are we brought now to this end,In ordaining him a judge, who will be honoured as a god,So for our own tails we have made a rod.

Tom.Nay, I am like Phalaris, that made a bull of brass,

As a cruel torment for such as did offend,

And he himself first therein put was:

Even so are we brought now to this end,

In ordaining him a judge, who will be honoured as a god,

So for our own tails we have made a rod.

Ralph.And I am served as Haman, that prepar'd—

New.How was he served, I pray thee, do me tell?

Ralph.Who I speak of? thou knowest well.

New.Thou art served as Harry Hangman, captain of the black guard.

Ralph.Nay, I am served as Haman, that preparedA high pair of gallows for Mordecai the Jew,And was the first himself that thereon was hanged:So I feel the smart of mine own rod, this is true.But hereafter I will learn to be wise,And ere I leap once, I will look twice.

Ralph.Nay, I am served as Haman, that prepared

A high pair of gallows for Mordecai the Jew,

And was the first himself that thereon was hanged:

So I feel the smart of mine own rod, this is true.

But hereafter I will learn to be wise,

And ere I leap once, I will look twice.

New.Well, Tom Tosspot, first let me hear thee.How canst thou prove thyself a verier knave than he?

New.Well, Tom Tosspot, first let me hear thee.

How canst thou prove thyself a verier knave than he?

Tom.You know that Tom Tosspot men do me call?

New.A knave thou hast always been, and evermore shall.

Tom.My conditions, I am sure, ye know as well as I.

New.A knave thou was born, and so thou shalt die.

Tom.But that you are a judge, I would say unto you,Knaves are Christian men, else you were a Jew.

Tom.But that you are a judge, I would say unto you,

Knaves are Christian men, else you were a Jew.

New.He calls me knave by craft, do you not see?Sirrah, I will remember it, when you think not on me.Well, say what thou canst for thine own behoof;If thou provest thyself the verier knave by good proof,Thou must be the elder brother, and have the patrimony;And when he hath said, then do thou reply.Even Thomas-a-Waterings or Tyburn Hill[340]To the falsest thief of you both, by my father's will!

New.He calls me knave by craft, do you not see?

Sirrah, I will remember it, when you think not on me.

Well, say what thou canst for thine own behoof;

If thou provest thyself the verier knave by good proof,

Thou must be the elder brother, and have the patrimony;

And when he hath said, then do thou reply.

Even Thomas-a-Waterings or Tyburn Hill[340]

To the falsest thief of you both, by my father's will!

Ralph.I pray you, sir, what is that patrimony?

New.I pray you leave your courtesy, and I will tell you by and by.If he be the more knave, the patrimony he must have,But thou shalt have it, if thou prove thyself the verier knave;A piece of ground it is, that of Beggars' manor do[th] hold,And whoso deserves it, shall have it, ye may be bold—Call'd Saint Thomas-a-Waterings or else Tyburn Hill,Given and so bequeathed to the falsest by will.

New.I pray you leave your courtesy, and I will tell you by and by.

If he be the more knave, the patrimony he must have,

But thou shalt have it, if thou prove thyself the verier knave;

A piece of ground it is, that of Beggars' manor do[th] hold,

And whoso deserves it, shall have it, ye may be bold—

Call'd Saint Thomas-a-Waterings or else Tyburn Hill,

Given and so bequeathed to the falsest by will.

Tom.Then I trow I am he, that this patrimony shall possess,For I Tom Tosspot do use this trade doubtless:From morning till night I sit tossing the black bowl,[341]Then come I home, and pray for my father's soul.Saying my prayers with wounds, blood, guts, and heart:Swearing and staring, thus play I my part.If any poor man have in a whole week earn'd one groat,He shall spend it in one hour in tossing the pot.I use to call servants and poor men to my company,And make them spend all they have unthriftily;So that my company they think to be so good,That in short space their hair grows through their hood.

Tom.Then I trow I am he, that this patrimony shall possess,

For I Tom Tosspot do use this trade doubtless:

From morning till night I sit tossing the black bowl,[341]

Then come I home, and pray for my father's soul.

Saying my prayers with wounds, blood, guts, and heart:

Swearing and staring, thus play I my part.

If any poor man have in a whole week earn'd one groat,

He shall spend it in one hour in tossing the pot.

I use to call servants and poor men to my company,

And make them spend all they have unthriftily;

So that my company they think to be so good,

That in short space their hair grows through their hood.

New.But will no gossips keep thee company now and then?

Tom.Tush, I am acquainted with many a woman,That with me will sit in every house and place;But then their husbands had need fend their face.For when they come home, they will not be afeard,To shake the goodman, and sometime shave his beard.And as for Flemish[342]servants I have such a train,That will quass and carouse, and therein spend their gain.From week to week I have all this company;Wherefore I am worthy to have the patrimony.

Tom.Tush, I am acquainted with many a woman,

That with me will sit in every house and place;

But then their husbands had need fend their face.

For when they come home, they will not be afeard,

To shake the goodman, and sometime shave his beard.

And as for Flemish[342]servants I have such a train,

That will quass and carouse, and therein spend their gain.

From week to week I have all this company;

Wherefore I am worthy to have the patrimony.

New.Thus thou may'st be called a knave in grain;And where knaves are scant, thou shalt go for twain.But now, Ralph Roister, let me hear what thou canst say.

New.Thus thou may'st be called a knave in grain;

And where knaves are scant, thou shalt go for twain.

But now, Ralph Roister, let me hear what thou canst say.

Ralph.You know that Ralph Roister I am called alway,And my conditions in knavery so far doth surmount,That to have this patrimony I make mine account,For I entice young gentlemen all virtue to eschew,And to give themselves to riotousness, this is true.Serving-men also by me are so seduced,That all in bravery their minds are confused.

Ralph.You know that Ralph Roister I am called alway,

And my conditions in knavery so far doth surmount,

That to have this patrimony I make mine account,

For I entice young gentlemen all virtue to eschew,

And to give themselves to riotousness, this is true.

Serving-men also by me are so seduced,

That all in bravery their minds are confused.

Then, if they have not themselves to maintain,To pick and to steal they must be fain.And, I may say to you, I have such a train,That sometime I pitch a field on Salisbury plain.[343]And much more, if need were, I could say verily:Wherefore I am worthy to have the patrimony.

Then, if they have not themselves to maintain,

To pick and to steal they must be fain.

And, I may say to you, I have such a train,

That sometime I pitch a field on Salisbury plain.[343]

And much more, if need were, I could say verily:

Wherefore I am worthy to have the patrimony.

New.He, that shall judge this matter, had need have more wit than I;But, seeing you have referred it unto my arbitrement,In faith I will give such equal judgment,That both of you shall be well-pleased and content.

New.He, that shall judge this matter, had need have more wit than I;

But, seeing you have referred it unto my arbitrement,

In faith I will give such equal judgment,

That both of you shall be well-pleased and content.

Tom.Nay, I have not done, for I can say much more.

New.Well, I will not have you contend any more.But this farm, which to Beggars' manor doth appertain,I will equally divide between you twain.Are you not content, that so it shall be?

New.Well, I will not have you contend any more.

But this farm, which to Beggars' manor doth appertain,

I will equally divide between you twain.

Are you not content, that so it shall be?

Both.As it pleaseth you, so shall we agree.

New.Then see, that anon ye come both unto me.

Ralph.Sir, for my part, I thank you heartily:I promised of late to come unto a company,Which at Hob Filcher's for me do remain:God be with you, and anon I will come again.

Ralph.Sir, for my part, I thank you heartily:

I promised of late to come unto a company,

Which at Hob Filcher's for me do remain:

God be with you, and anon I will come again.

Tom.Farewell, brother Ralph, I will come to you anon.[ExitTom.[344]

New.Come again, for you shall not so suddenly be gone.

Here enterethHancewith a pot, and singeth as followeth.

See ye not who comes yonder? an old friend of yours:One that is ready to quass at all hours.

See ye not who comes yonder? an old friend of yours:

One that is ready to quass at all hours.

[He singeth the first two lines, and speaketh the rest as stammeringly as may be.

Quass in heart, and quass again, and quass about the house-a:And toss the black bowl to and fro, and I brinks[345]them all carouse-a.

Quass in heart, and quass again, and quass about the house-a:

And toss the black bowl to and fro, and I brinks[345]them all carouse-a.

Be go-go-gog's nowns, ch-ch-cha drunk zo-zo-much to-day:That be-be-mass, ch-cham a-most drunk, ich da-da-dare zay.Chud spe-spe-spend a goo-goo-good groat:Tha-that ich cud vi-vind my ca-ca-captain To-To-Tom Tosspot.[He setteth him in the chair.

Be go-go-gog's nowns, ch-ch-cha drunk zo-zo-much to-day:

That be-be-mass, ch-cham a-most drunk, ich da-da-dare zay.

Chud spe-spe-spend a goo-goo-good groat:

Tha-that ich cud vi-vind my ca-ca-captain To-To-Tom Tosspot.

[He setteth him in the chair.

New.Sit down, good Hance, lest thou lie on the ground,He knoweth not Tom Tosspot, I dare jeopard twenty pound.

New.Sit down, good Hance, lest thou lie on the ground,

He knoweth not Tom Tosspot, I dare jeopard twenty pound.

Tom.[346]He will know me by and by, I hold you a crown.How dost thou, servant Hance? how comes this to pass?

Tom.[346]He will know me by and by, I hold you a crown.

How dost thou, servant Hance? how comes this to pass?

Hance.Ma-ma-master To-To-Tom, ch-ch-cham glad by-by mass—[He drinketh.Ca-ca-carouse to-to-to thee, go-go-good Tom.

Hance.Ma-ma-master To-To-Tom, ch-ch-cham glad by-by mass—

[He drinketh.

Ca-ca-carouse to-to-to thee, go-go-good Tom.

New.Hold up, good Hance, I will pledge thee anon.

Ralph.Well, there is no remedy, but I must be gone.

Hance.Ta-ta-tarry, good vellow, a wo-wo-word or twain:If tho-tho-thou thyself do-do-do not come again.Bi-bi-bid Philip Fleming co-co-come hither to me,Vo-vo-vor he must lead me home, now ich do ze.

Hance.Ta-ta-tarry, good vellow, a wo-wo-word or twain:

If tho-tho-thou thyself do-do-do not come again.

Bi-bi-bid Philip Fleming co-co-come hither to me,

Vo-vo-vor he must lead me home, now ich do ze.

Ralph.Then, farewell, Hance, I will remember thy errant:He will be here by and by, I dare be his warrant.[ExitRalph Roister.

Ralph.Then, farewell, Hance, I will remember thy errant:

He will be here by and by, I dare be his warrant.[ExitRalph Roister.

New.Farewell, Ralph Roister, with all my heart:Come anon, and I will deliver thee thy part.

New.Farewell, Ralph Roister, with all my heart:

Come anon, and I will deliver thee thy part.

Tom.Now, Hance, right now thou drank'st to me,Drink again, and I will pledge thee.

Tom.Now, Hance, right now thou drank'st to me,

Drink again, and I will pledge thee.

Hance.Omni po-po-po-tenti, all the po-po-pot is empty.

New.Why, Hance, thou hast Latin in thy belly methink:I thought there was no room for Latin, there is so much drink!

New.Why, Hance, thou hast Latin in thy belly methink:

I thought there was no room for Latin, there is so much drink!

Hance.Ich le-le-learned zome La-La-Latin, when ich was a la-la-lad:Ich ca-ca-can zayTu es nebulo, ich learn'd of my dad.And ich could once he-he-help the p-p-priest to say mass:By giss, ma-man, ich ha' been cu-cu-cunning, when 'twas.

Hance.Ich le-le-learned zome La-La-Latin, when ich was a la-la-lad:

Ich ca-ca-can zayTu es nebulo, ich learn'd of my dad.

And ich could once he-he-help the p-p-priest to say mass:

By giss, ma-man, ich ha' been cu-cu-cunning, when 'twas.

Tom.I knew Hance, when he was, as he say'th:For he was once a scholar in good faith;But through my company he was withdrawn from thence,Through his riot and excessive expense.Unto this trade, which now you do in him see:So that now he is wholly addicted to follow me;And one of my guard he is now become.Well, Hance, well, thou wast once a white son![347]

Tom.I knew Hance, when he was, as he say'th:

For he was once a scholar in good faith;

But through my company he was withdrawn from thence,

Through his riot and excessive expense.

Unto this trade, which now you do in him see:

So that now he is wholly addicted to follow me;

And one of my guard he is now become.

Well, Hance, well, thou wast once a white son![347]

New.Now, so God help me, thou art a pretty fellow, Hance;A clean-legged gentleman, and as proper a paunch,As any I know between this and France.

New.Now, so God help me, thou art a pretty fellow, Hance;

A clean-legged gentleman, and as proper a paunch,

As any I know between this and France.

Hance.Yes, by-by-by God, ich co'd once dance.

New.I speak of no dancing, little-bellied Hance;But, seeing thou say'st thou canst so well dance,Let me see where thou canst dance lively.

New.I speak of no dancing, little-bellied Hance;

But, seeing thou say'st thou canst so well dance,

Let me see where thou canst dance lively.

Hance.Tha-tha-that ca-ca-can I do vull trimly.[He danceth as evil-favoured as may be demised, and in the dancing he falleth down, and when he riseth, he must groan.

Hance.Tha-tha-that ca-ca-can I do vull trimly.

[He danceth as evil-favoured as may be demised, and in the dancing he falleth down, and when he riseth, he must groan.

New.Rise again, Hance, thou hadst almost got a fall:But thou dancest trimly, legs and all.Body of me, Hance, how doth thy belly, canst thou tell?By the mass, he hath beray'd his breeches, methink by the smell.

New.Rise again, Hance, thou hadst almost got a fall:

But thou dancest trimly, legs and all.

Body of me, Hance, how doth thy belly, canst thou tell?

By the mass, he hath beray'd his breeches, methink by the smell.

Tom.I will help thee up, Hance, give me thy hand.[He riseth.

Hance.By-by mass, ch-ch-chwas almost down, I think ve-verily.

New.Wast thou almost down, Hance? marry, so think I,But thou art sick, methink by the groaning:He grunts like a bear, when he is a-moaning.Hark, how his head aches, and how his pulses do beat:I think he will be hang'd, his belly is so great.

New.Wast thou almost down, Hance? marry, so think I,

But thou art sick, methink by the groaning:

He grunts like a bear, when he is a-moaning.

Hark, how his head aches, and how his pulses do beat:

I think he will be hang'd, his belly is so great.

Hance.Go-Go-God-amercy, good Tom, with all my heart:

New.If thou canst not leap, Hance, let me see thee drink a quart,And get thee out abroad into the air.

New.If thou canst not leap, Hance, let me see thee drink a quart,

And get thee out abroad into the air.

Tom.Tush, he had more need to sleep in this chair.Sit down, Hance, and thou shalt see anon,Philip Fleming will come to fetch thee home.[Hancesitteth in the chair, and snorteth, as though he were fast asleep.

Tom.Tush, he had more need to sleep in this chair.

Sit down, Hance, and thou shalt see anon,

Philip Fleming will come to fetch thee home.

[Hancesitteth in the chair, and snorteth, as though he were fast asleep.

New.I pray thee, Tom Tosspot, is this one of thy men?

Tom.He is a companion of mine now and then.

New.By the faith of my body, such carpenter, such chips,And as the wise man said, such lettuce, such lips.For, like master, like man: like tutor, like scholar;And, like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

New.By the faith of my body, such carpenter, such chips,

And as the wise man said, such lettuce, such lips.

For, like master, like man: like tutor, like scholar;

And, like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

Tom.It is no remedy, for it must needs so be;Like will to like, you may believe me.[Philip Flemingentereth with a pot in his hand.

Tom.It is no remedy, for it must needs so be;

Like will to like, you may believe me.

[Philip Flemingentereth with a pot in his hand.

New.Lo, where Philip Fleming cometh even in pudding time!

Tom.He bringeth in his hand either good ale or else good wine.

Philip Flemingsingeth these four lines following:

Troll the bowl and drink to me, and troll the bowl again,And put a brown toast in [the] pot for Philip Fleming's brain.And I shall toss it to and fro, even round about the house-a:Good hostess, now let it be so, I brink them all carouse-a.

Troll the bowl and drink to me, and troll the bowl again,

And put a brown toast in [the] pot for Philip Fleming's brain.

And I shall toss it to and fro, even round about the house-a:

Good hostess, now let it be so, I brink them all carouse-a.

Philip.Marry, here is a pot of noppy good ale.As clear as crystal pure and stale.Now a crab in the fire were worth a good groat,That I might quass with my captain Tom Tosspot.What? I can no sooner wish, but by and by I have!God save mine eyesight, methink I see a knave.What, captain! how goeth the world with you?Why, now I see the old proverb to be true;Like will to like, both with Christian, Turk, and Jew.Marry, Philip, even as I was wont to do:

Philip.Marry, here is a pot of noppy good ale.

As clear as crystal pure and stale.

Now a crab in the fire were worth a good groat,

That I might quass with my captain Tom Tosspot.

What? I can no sooner wish, but by and by I have!

God save mine eyesight, methink I see a knave.

What, captain! how goeth the world with you?

Why, now I see the old proverb to be true;

Like will to like, both with Christian, Turk, and Jew.

Marry, Philip, even as I was wont to do:

Philip.Ralph Roister told me that I should find Hance here,Where is he, that he doth not appear?

Philip.Ralph Roister told me that I should find Hance here,

Where is he, that he doth not appear?

New.I hold twenty pound the knave is blind.Turn about, Philip Fleming, and look behind.Hast thou drunk so much that thy eyes be out?Lo, how he snoreth like a lazy lout.Go to him, for he sleepeth sound:Two such paunches in all England can scant be found.

New.I hold twenty pound the knave is blind.

Turn about, Philip Fleming, and look behind.

Hast thou drunk so much that thy eyes be out?

Lo, how he snoreth like a lazy lout.

Go to him, for he sleepeth sound:

Two such paunches in all England can scant be found.

Philip.Why, Hance, art thou in thy prayers so devoutly?Awake, man, and we two will quass together stoutly.

Philip.Why, Hance, art thou in thy prayers so devoutly?

Awake, man, and we two will quass together stoutly.

Hance.Domine, dominus noster;Me-think ich a spied three knaves on a cluster.

Hance.Domine, dominus noster;

Me-think ich a spied three knaves on a cluster.

New.Stay a while, for he sayeth hispater noster.

Hance.Sanctum benedictum, what have I dreamed?By Gog's nowns, chad thought ich had been in my bed.Chad dreamed such a dream, as thou wilt marvel to hear,Me-thought I was drowned in a barrel of beer.And by and by the barrel was turned to a ship,Which me-thought the wind made nicely to skip.And I did sail therein from Flanders to France:At last ich was brought hither among a sort of knaves by chance.

Hance.Sanctum benedictum, what have I dreamed?

By Gog's nowns, chad thought ich had been in my bed.

Chad dreamed such a dream, as thou wilt marvel to hear,

Me-thought I was drowned in a barrel of beer.

And by and by the barrel was turned to a ship,

Which me-thought the wind made nicely to skip.

And I did sail therein from Flanders to France:

At last ich was brought hither among a sort of knaves by chance.

New.Lo, Hance, here is Philip Fleming come now,We will go drink together now, how say'st thou?

New.Lo, Hance, here is Philip Fleming come now,

We will go drink together now, how say'st thou?

Hance.I pray thee, good Vilip, now lead me away:

Philip.Give me thy hand, and I will thee stay.

Hance.How say you, Master Nichol, will you keep us company?

New.Go before, Master Lick-hole,[348]and I will come by and by.Mates matched together, depart you three;I will come after, you may believe me.

New.Go before, Master Lick-hole,[348]and I will come by and by.

Mates matched together, depart you three;

I will come after, you may believe me.

[They three are gone together, andNichol Newfangleremaineth behind, but he must not speak till they be within.]

New.Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

He sings.

Now three knaves are gone, and I am left alone,Myself here to solace;Well done, gentle Jone, why begin you to moan?Though they be gone, I am in place.

Now three knaves are gone, and I am left alone,

Myself here to solace;

Well done, gentle Jone, why begin you to moan?

Though they be gone, I am in place.

And now will I dance, and now will I prance,For why I have none other work:Snip snap, butter is no bone meat:Knave's flesh is no pork.

And now will I dance, and now will I prance,

For why I have none other work:

Snip snap, butter is no bone meat:

Knave's flesh is no pork.

Hey tisty-toisty, an owl is a bird,Jackanapes hath an old face;You may believe me at one bare word,How like you, this merry case?

Hey tisty-toisty, an owl is a bird,

Jackanapes hath an old face;

You may believe me at one bare word,

How like you, this merry case?

A piece of ground they think they have found,I will tell you what it is:For I them told of Beggars' manor it did hold,A staff and a wallet i-wis.

A piece of ground they think they have found,

I will tell you what it is:

For I them told of Beggars' manor it did hold,

A staff and a wallet i-wis.

Which in short space, even in this place,Of me they shall receive:For when that their drift hath spent all their thrift,Their minds I shall deceive.

Which in short space, even in this place,

Of me they shall receive:

For when that their drift hath spent all their thrift,

Their minds I shall deceive.

I trow you shall see more knaves come to me,Which whensoever they do,They shall have their meed, as they deserve indeed,As you shall see shortly these two.

I trow you shall see more knaves come to me,

Which whensoever they do,

They shall have their meed, as they deserve indeed,

As you shall see shortly these two.

When they do pretend to have had a good end,Mark well, then, what shall ensue:A bag and a bottle, or else a rope knottle,This shall they prove too true.

When they do pretend to have had a good end,

Mark well, then, what shall ensue:

A bag and a bottle, or else a rope knottle,

This shall they prove too true.

But mark well this game, I see this gear frame;Lo, who cometh now in such haste?It is Cuthbert CutpurseAnd Pierce Pickpurse,Give room now a little cast.

But mark well this game, I see this gear frame;

Lo, who cometh now in such haste?

It is Cuthbert Cutpurse

And Pierce Pickpurse,

Give room now a little cast.

Here enterethCuthbert CutpurseandPierce Pickpurse.

[Cuthbert Cutpursemust have in his hand a purse of money or counters in it, and a knife in one hand and a whetstone in the other; andPiercemust have money or counters in his hand and jingle it, as he cometh in.]

Cuth.By Gog's wounds, it doth me good to the heart,To see how cleanly I play'd this part.While they stood thrusting together in the throng,I began to go them among;And with this knife, which here you do see,I cut away this purse cleanly.

Cuth.By Gog's wounds, it doth me good to the heart,

To see how cleanly I play'd this part.

While they stood thrusting together in the throng,

I began to go them among;

And with this knife, which here you do see,

I cut away this purse cleanly.

New.See to your purses, my masters, and be ruled by me,For knaves are abroad, therefore beware.You are warn'd: and ye take not heed, I do not care.[Aside.

New.See to your purses, my masters, and be ruled by me,

For knaves are abroad, therefore beware.

You are warn'd: and ye take not heed, I do not care.[Aside.

Pierce.And also, so soon as I had espiedA woman in the throng, whose purse was fat,I took it by the strings, and cleanly it untied:She knew no more of it than Gib our cat.Yet at the last she hied apace,And said, that the money in my hand she saw.Thou whore, said I, I will have an action of the case,And seeing thou say'st so, I will try the law.

Pierce.And also, so soon as I had espied

A woman in the throng, whose purse was fat,

I took it by the strings, and cleanly it untied:

She knew no more of it than Gib our cat.

Yet at the last she hied apace,

And said, that the money in my hand she saw.

Thou whore, said I, I will have an action of the case,

And seeing thou say'st so, I will try the law.

Cuthb.How say'st thou, Pierce Pickpurse, art thou not agreedThese two booties equally to divide?Then let us count the total sum,And divide it equally, when we have done.

Cuthb.How say'st thou, Pierce Pickpurse, art thou not agreed

These two booties equally to divide?

Then let us count the total sum,

And divide it equally, when we have done.

New.My masters, here is a good fellow, that would fain have some.

Cuthb.What, Nichol Newfangle, be you here?So God help me, I am glad with all my heart.

Cuthb.What, Nichol Newfangle, be you here?

So God help me, I am glad with all my heart.

Pierce.Then, ere we depart, we will have some cheer,And of this booty you shall have your part.

Pierce.Then, ere we depart, we will have some cheer,

And of this booty you shall have your part.

New.I thank you both even heartily,And I will do somewhat for you by and by:Are not you two sworn brothers in every booty?

New.I thank you both even heartily,

And I will do somewhat for you by and by:

Are not you two sworn brothers in every booty?

Both.Yes, that we are truly.

New.Then can I tell you news, which you do not know:Such news as will make you full glad, I trow.But first tell me this, Pierce Pickpurse,Whether is the elder, thou or Cuthbert Cutpurse?

New.Then can I tell you news, which you do not know:

Such news as will make you full glad, I trow.

But first tell me this, Pierce Pickpurse,

Whether is the elder, thou or Cuthbert Cutpurse?

Pierce.In faith, I think we are both of one age well nigh.

Cuthb.I suppose there is no great difference, truly:But wherefore ask you? I pray you, tell me why?

Cuthb.I suppose there is no great difference, truly:

But wherefore ask you? I pray you, tell me why?

New.I will tell you the cause without any delay:For a piece of land is fallen, as I hear say,Which by succession must come to one of you:A proper plot it is, this is most true.For thou, Cuthbert Cutpurse, was Cuthbert Cutthroat's son,And thou, Pierce Pickpurse, by that time thou hast done,Canst derive thy pedigree from an ancient house:Thy father was Tom Thief, and thy mother was Tib Louse.This piece of land, whereto you inheritors are,Is called the land of the two-legged mare;[349]In which piece of ground there is a mare indeed,Which is the quickest mare in England for speed.Therefore, if you will come anon unto me,I will put you in possession, and that you shall see.

New.I will tell you the cause without any delay:

For a piece of land is fallen, as I hear say,

Which by succession must come to one of you:

A proper plot it is, this is most true.

For thou, Cuthbert Cutpurse, was Cuthbert Cutthroat's son,

And thou, Pierce Pickpurse, by that time thou hast done,

Canst derive thy pedigree from an ancient house:

Thy father was Tom Thief, and thy mother was Tib Louse.

This piece of land, whereto you inheritors are,

Is called the land of the two-legged mare;[349]

In which piece of ground there is a mare indeed,

Which is the quickest mare in England for speed.

Therefore, if you will come anon unto me,

I will put you in possession, and that you shall see.

Cuthb.I cannot believe that such luck is happen'd to us.

New.It is true, that I to you do discuss.

Pierce.If you will help us to this piece of ground,Both of us to you shall think ourselves bound.

Pierce.If you will help us to this piece of ground,

Both of us to you shall think ourselves bound.

New.Yes, in faith, you shall have it, you may believe me;I will be as good as my word, as shortly you shall see.

New.Yes, in faith, you shall have it, you may believe me;

I will be as good as my word, as shortly you shall see.

Cuthb.Then, brother Pierce, we may think ourselves happy,That ever we were with him acquainted.

Cuthb.Then, brother Pierce, we may think ourselves happy,

That ever we were with him acquainted.

Pierce.Even so we may of a certainty,That such good luck unto us hath happened.But, brother Cuthbert, is it not bestTo go in for awhile, and distribute this booty?Whereas we three will make some feast,And quass together, and be merry.

Pierce.Even so we may of a certainty,

That such good luck unto us hath happened.

But, brother Cuthbert, is it not best

To go in for awhile, and distribute this booty?

Whereas we three will make some feast,

And quass together, and be merry.

Cuthb.What say you, Nichol?

New.I do agree.

Here enterethVirtuous Living.

But, soft, awhile be ruled by me,Look, yonder a little do you not see,Who cometh yonder? awhile we will abide;Let him say his pleasure, and we will stand aside.

But, soft, awhile be ruled by me,

Look, yonder a little do you not see,

Who cometh yonder? awhile we will abide;

Let him say his pleasure, and we will stand aside.

V. L.O gracious God, how wonderful are thy works,How highly art thou of all men to be praised:Of Christians, Saracens, Jews, and also Turks,Thy glory ought to be erected and raised.What joys hast thou prepared for the virtuous life,And such as have thy name in love and in awe;Thou hast promised salvation to man, child, and wife,That thy precepts observe, and keep well thy law.And to the virtuous life what doth ensue?Virtutis premium honor, Tully doth say;Honour is thy guerdon for virtue due,And eternal salvation at the latter day.How clear in conscience is the virtuous life!The vicious hath consciences so heavy as lead.Their conscience and their doing is alway at strife;And altogether they live yet to sin they are dead.

V. L.O gracious God, how wonderful are thy works,

How highly art thou of all men to be praised:

Of Christians, Saracens, Jews, and also Turks,

Thy glory ought to be erected and raised.

What joys hast thou prepared for the virtuous life,

And such as have thy name in love and in awe;

Thou hast promised salvation to man, child, and wife,

That thy precepts observe, and keep well thy law.

And to the virtuous life what doth ensue?

Virtutis premium honor, Tully doth say;

Honour is thy guerdon for virtue due,

And eternal salvation at the latter day.

How clear in conscience is the virtuous life!

The vicious hath consciences so heavy as lead.

Their conscience and their doing is alway at strife;

And altogether they live yet to sin they are dead.

New.God give you good-morrow, sir, how do you to-day?

V. L.God bless you also both now and alway.I pray you, with me have you any acquaintance?

V. L.God bless you also both now and alway.

I pray you, with me have you any acquaintance?

New.Yea, marry, I am an old friend of yours, perchance.

V. L.If it be so, I marvel very much,That the dulness of my wit should be such,That you should be altogether out of my memory.Tell me your name, I pray you heartily.

V. L.If it be so, I marvel very much,

That the dulness of my wit should be such,

That you should be altogether out of my memory.

Tell me your name, I pray you heartily.

New.By the faith of my body, you will appose me by and by;But, in faith, I was but little when I was first born;And my mother to tell me my name thought it scorn.

New.By the faith of my body, you will appose me by and by;

But, in faith, I was but little when I was first born;

And my mother to tell me my name thought it scorn.

V. L.I will never acquaint me with such in any place,As are ashamed of their names, by God's grace.

V. L.I will never acquaint me with such in any place,

As are ashamed of their names, by God's grace.

New.I remember my name now, it is come to my mind:I have mused much, before I could it find.Nichol Newfangle it is; I am your old friend.

New.I remember my name now, it is come to my mind:

I have mused much, before I could it find.

Nichol Newfangle it is; I am your old friend.

V. L.My friend? marry, I do thee defy,And all such company I do deny.For thou art a companion for roisters and ruffians,And not fit for any virtuous companions.

V. L.My friend? marry, I do thee defy,

And all such company I do deny.

For thou art a companion for roisters and ruffians,

And not fit for any virtuous companions.

New.And, in faith, art thou at plain defiance?Then I see I must go to mine old acquaintance.Well, Cuthbert Cutpurse and [Pierce] Pickpurse, we must go together;For, like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

New.And, in faith, art thou at plain defiance?

Then I see I must go to mine old acquaintance.

Well, Cuthbert Cutpurse and [Pierce] Pickpurse, we must go together;

For, like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

V. L.Indeed, thou say'st true, it must needs be so,For like will ever to his like go;And my conditions and thine so far do disagree,That no familiarity between us may be.For thou nourishest vice both day and night:My name is Virtuous Life, and in virtue is my delight.So vice and virtue cannot together be united;But the one the other hath always spited.For as the water quencheth fire, and the flame doth suppress,So virtue hateth vice, and seeketh a redress.

V. L.Indeed, thou say'st true, it must needs be so,

For like will ever to his like go;

And my conditions and thine so far do disagree,

That no familiarity between us may be.

For thou nourishest vice both day and night:

My name is Virtuous Life, and in virtue is my delight.

So vice and virtue cannot together be united;

But the one the other hath always spited.

For as the water quencheth fire, and the flame doth suppress,

So virtue hateth vice, and seeketh a redress.

Pierce.Tush, if he be so dangerous, let us not him esteem,And he is not for our company, I see very well;For if he be so holy, as he doth seem,We and he differ as much as heaven and hell.

Pierce.Tush, if he be so dangerous, let us not him esteem,

And he is not for our company, I see very well;

For if he be so holy, as he doth seem,

We and he differ as much as heaven and hell.

New.You know, that like will to like alway,And you see how holily he is now bent:To seek his company why do we assay?

New.You know, that like will to like alway,

And you see how holily he is now bent:

To seek his company why do we assay?

Pierce.I promise you, do you what you will, I do not consent:For I pass not for him, be he better or be he worse.

Pierce.I promise you, do you what you will, I do not consent:

For I pass not for him, be he better or be he worse.

New.Friend, if you be wise, beware your purse.For this fellow may do you good when all comes to all;If you chance to lose your purse in Cutpurse Hall.But, in faith, fare ye well, sith of our company you be weary:We will go to a place, where we will be merry.For I see your company and ours do far differ;For like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

New.Friend, if you be wise, beware your purse.

For this fellow may do you good when all comes to all;

If you chance to lose your purse in Cutpurse Hall.

But, in faith, fare ye well, sith of our company you be weary:

We will go to a place, where we will be merry.

For I see your company and ours do far differ;

For like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.

Cuthb.Well, let us be gone, and bid him adieu:For I see this proverb proveth very true.

Cuthb.Well, let us be gone, and bid him adieu:

For I see this proverb proveth very true.

Pierce.Then let us go to Hob Filcher's house,Where we will be merry, and quass carouse.And there shall we find Tom Tosspot, with other mo,Meet makes for us: therefore let us go.Then, seeing we are all of one mind,Let us three go, and leave a knave here behind.[ExeuntNew.,Cuthb.,andPierce.

Pierce.Then let us go to Hob Filcher's house,

Where we will be merry, and quass carouse.

And there shall we find Tom Tosspot, with other mo,

Meet makes for us: therefore let us go.

Then, seeing we are all of one mind,

Let us three go, and leave a knave here behind.

[ExeuntNew.,Cuthb.,andPierce.

They sing this song[350]as they go out from the place.

Good hostess, lay a crab in the fire, and broil a mess of souse-a:That we may toss the bowl to and fro, and brinks them all carouse-a.

Good hostess, lay a crab in the fire, and broil a mess of souse-a:

That we may toss the bowl to and fro, and brinks them all carouse-a.

And I will pledge Tom Tosspot, till I be drunk as a mouse-a:Whoso will drink to me all day, I will pledge them all carouse-a.

And I will pledge Tom Tosspot, till I be drunk as a mouse-a:

Whoso will drink to me all day, I will pledge them all carouse-a.

Then we will not spare for any cost, so long as we be in house-a:Then, hostess, fill the pot again, for I pledge them all carouse-a.

Then we will not spare for any cost, so long as we be in house-a:

Then, hostess, fill the pot again, for I pledge them all carouse-a.

[When this is spoken,V. Livingmust pause a while, and then say as followeth.

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