The Rehearsal.

Mist. Mer.Will you so, sir, how say you by that? Come, Mick, let him keep his wind to cool his pottage; we'll go to thy nurse's, Mick, she knits silk stockings, boy; and we'll knit too, boy, and be beholding to none of them all.[ExeuntMichaelandMother.Enter aBoywith a letter.Boy.Sir, I take it you are the master of this house.Merch.How then, boy?Boy.Then to yourself, sir, comes this letter.Merch.From whom, my pretty boy?

[ExeuntMichaelandMother.

Enter aBoywith a letter.

Boy.Sir, I take it you are the master of this house.

Merch.How then, boy?

Boy.Then to yourself, sir, comes this letter.

Merch.From whom, my pretty boy?

Boy.From him that was your servant, but no moreShall that name ever be, for he is dead.Grief of your purchas'd anger broke his heart;I saw him die, and from his hand receiv'dThis paper, with a charge to bring it hither;Read it, and satisfy yourself in all.

Boy.From him that was your servant, but no more

Shall that name ever be, for he is dead.

Grief of your purchas'd anger broke his heart;

I saw him die, and from his hand receiv'd

This paper, with a charge to bring it hither;

Read it, and satisfy yourself in all.

Letter.Merch.Sir, that I have wronged your love I must confess, in which I have purchas'd to myself, besides mine own undoing, the ill opinion of my friends; let not your anger, good sir, outlive me, but suffer me to rest in peace with your forgiveness; let my body (if a dying man may so much prevail with you) be brought to your daughter, that she may know my hot flames are now buried, and withal receive a testimony of the zeal I bore her virtue. Farewell for ever, and be ever happy.—Jasper.

Letter.

Merch.Sir, that I have wronged your love I must confess, in which I have purchas'd to myself, besides mine own undoing, the ill opinion of my friends; let not your anger, good sir, outlive me, but suffer me to rest in peace with your forgiveness; let my body (if a dying man may so much prevail with you) be brought to your daughter, that she may know my hot flames are now buried, and withal receive a testimony of the zeal I bore her virtue. Farewell for ever, and be ever happy.—Jasper.

God's hand is great in this. I do forgive him,Yet am I glad he's quiet, where I hopeHe will not bite again. Boy, bring the body,And let him have his will, if that be all.Boy.'Tis here without, sir.Merch.So, sir, if you pleaseYou may conduct it in, I do not fear it.Humph.I'll be your usher, boy, for though I say it,He ow'd me something once, and well did pay it.[Exeunt.EnterLucealone.Luce.If there be any punishment inflictedUpon the miserable, more than yet I feel,Let it together seize me, and at oncePress down my soul; I cannot bear the painOf these delaying tortures. Thou that artThe end of all, and the sweet rest of all,Come, come, O Death, and bring me to thy peace,And blot out all the memory I nourishBoth of my father and my cruel friend.O wretched maid, still living to be wretched,To be a say to Fortune in her changes,And grow to number times and woes together.How happy had I been, if being bornMy grave had been my cradle?EnterServant.Serv.By your leave,Young mistress, here's a boy hath brought a coffin,What a would say I know not; but your fatherCharg'd me to give you notice. Here they come.Enter two bearing a coffin,Jasperin it.Luce.For me I hope 'tis come, and 'tis most welcome.Boy.Fair mistress, let me not add greater griefTo that great store you have already; Jasper(That whilst he liv'd was yours, now's dead,And here inclos'd) commanded me to bringHis body hither, and to crave a tearFrom those fair eyes, though he deserv'd not pity,To deck his funeral, for so he bid meTell her for whom he died.Luce.He shall have many.[ExeuntCoffin-CarrierandBoy.Good friends, depart a little, whilst I takeMy leave of this dead man, that once I lov'd:Hold, yet a little, life, and then I give theeTo thy first Heav'nly Being. O my friend!Hast thou deceiv'd me thus, and got before me?I shall not long be after, but believe me,Thou wert too cruel, Jasper, 'gainst thyself,In punishing the fault I could have pardon'd,With so untimely death; thou didst not wrong me,But ever wert most kind, most true, most loving:And I the most unkind, most false, most cruel.Didst thou but ask a tear? I'll give thee all,Even all my eyes can pour down, all my sighs,And all myself, before thou goest from me.These are but sparing rites; but if thy soulBe yet about this place, and can beholdAnd see what I prepare to deck thee with,It shall go up, borne on the wings of peace,And satisfied. First will I sing thy dirge,Then kiss thy pale lips, and then die, myself,And fill one coffin, and one grave together.Song.Come you whose loves are dead,And whilst I sing,Weep and wringEvery hand, and every headBind with cypress and sad yew;Ribbons black and candles blue,For him that was of men most true.Come with heavy moaning,And on his graveLet him haveSacrifice of sighs and groaning;Let him have fair flowers enow,White and purple, green and yellow,For him that was of men most true.Thou sable cloth, sad cover of my joys,I lift thee up, and thus I meet with death.Jasp.And thus you meet the living.Luce.Save me, Heav'n!Jasp.Nay, do not fly me, fair, I am no spirit;Look better on me, do you know me yet?Luce.O thou dear shadow of my friend!Jasp.Dear substance,I swear I am no shadow; feel my hand,It is the same it was: I am your Jasper,Your Jasper that's yet living, and yet loving;Pardon my rash attempt, my foolish proofI put in practice of your constancy.For sooner should my sword have drunk my blood,And set my soul at liberty, than drawnThe least drop from that body, for which boldnessDoom me to anything; if death, I take itAnd willingly.Luce.This death I'll give you for it:So, now I'm satisfied; you are no spirit;But my own truest, truest, truest friend,Why do you come thus to me?Jasp.First, to see you,Then to convey you hence.Luce.It cannot be,For I am lock'd up here, and watch'd at all hours,That 'tis impossible for me to 'scape.Jasp.Nothing more possible: within this coffinDo you convey yourself; let me alone,I have the wits of twenty men about me,Only I crave the shelter of your closetA little, and then fear me not; creep inThat they may presently convey you hence.Fear nothing, dearest love, I'll be your second;Lie close, so, all goes well yet. Boy!Boy.At hand, sir.Jasp.Convey away the coffin, and be wary.Boy.'Tis done already.Jasp.Now must I go conjure.[Exit.

God's hand is great in this. I do forgive him,Yet am I glad he's quiet, where I hopeHe will not bite again. Boy, bring the body,And let him have his will, if that be all.

God's hand is great in this. I do forgive him,

Yet am I glad he's quiet, where I hope

He will not bite again. Boy, bring the body,

And let him have his will, if that be all.

Boy.'Tis here without, sir.

Merch.So, sir, if you pleaseYou may conduct it in, I do not fear it.

Merch.So, sir, if you please

You may conduct it in, I do not fear it.

Humph.I'll be your usher, boy, for though I say it,He ow'd me something once, and well did pay it.[Exeunt.

Humph.I'll be your usher, boy, for though I say it,

He ow'd me something once, and well did pay it.[Exeunt.

EnterLucealone.

Luce.If there be any punishment inflictedUpon the miserable, more than yet I feel,Let it together seize me, and at oncePress down my soul; I cannot bear the painOf these delaying tortures. Thou that artThe end of all, and the sweet rest of all,Come, come, O Death, and bring me to thy peace,And blot out all the memory I nourishBoth of my father and my cruel friend.O wretched maid, still living to be wretched,To be a say to Fortune in her changes,And grow to number times and woes together.How happy had I been, if being bornMy grave had been my cradle?

Luce.If there be any punishment inflicted

Upon the miserable, more than yet I feel,

Let it together seize me, and at once

Press down my soul; I cannot bear the pain

Of these delaying tortures. Thou that art

The end of all, and the sweet rest of all,

Come, come, O Death, and bring me to thy peace,

And blot out all the memory I nourish

Both of my father and my cruel friend.

O wretched maid, still living to be wretched,

To be a say to Fortune in her changes,

And grow to number times and woes together.

How happy had I been, if being born

My grave had been my cradle?

EnterServant.

Serv.By your leave,Young mistress, here's a boy hath brought a coffin,What a would say I know not; but your fatherCharg'd me to give you notice. Here they come.

Serv.By your leave,

Young mistress, here's a boy hath brought a coffin,

What a would say I know not; but your father

Charg'd me to give you notice. Here they come.

Enter two bearing a coffin,Jasperin it.

Luce.For me I hope 'tis come, and 'tis most welcome.

Boy.Fair mistress, let me not add greater griefTo that great store you have already; Jasper(That whilst he liv'd was yours, now's dead,And here inclos'd) commanded me to bringHis body hither, and to crave a tearFrom those fair eyes, though he deserv'd not pity,To deck his funeral, for so he bid meTell her for whom he died.

Boy.Fair mistress, let me not add greater grief

To that great store you have already; Jasper

(That whilst he liv'd was yours, now's dead,

And here inclos'd) commanded me to bring

His body hither, and to crave a tear

From those fair eyes, though he deserv'd not pity,

To deck his funeral, for so he bid me

Tell her for whom he died.

Luce.He shall have many.[ExeuntCoffin-CarrierandBoy.Good friends, depart a little, whilst I takeMy leave of this dead man, that once I lov'd:Hold, yet a little, life, and then I give theeTo thy first Heav'nly Being. O my friend!Hast thou deceiv'd me thus, and got before me?I shall not long be after, but believe me,Thou wert too cruel, Jasper, 'gainst thyself,In punishing the fault I could have pardon'd,With so untimely death; thou didst not wrong me,But ever wert most kind, most true, most loving:And I the most unkind, most false, most cruel.Didst thou but ask a tear? I'll give thee all,Even all my eyes can pour down, all my sighs,And all myself, before thou goest from me.These are but sparing rites; but if thy soulBe yet about this place, and can beholdAnd see what I prepare to deck thee with,It shall go up, borne on the wings of peace,And satisfied. First will I sing thy dirge,Then kiss thy pale lips, and then die, myself,And fill one coffin, and one grave together.

Luce.He shall have many.[ExeuntCoffin-CarrierandBoy.

Good friends, depart a little, whilst I take

My leave of this dead man, that once I lov'd:

Hold, yet a little, life, and then I give thee

To thy first Heav'nly Being. O my friend!

Hast thou deceiv'd me thus, and got before me?

I shall not long be after, but believe me,

Thou wert too cruel, Jasper, 'gainst thyself,

In punishing the fault I could have pardon'd,

With so untimely death; thou didst not wrong me,

But ever wert most kind, most true, most loving:

And I the most unkind, most false, most cruel.

Didst thou but ask a tear? I'll give thee all,

Even all my eyes can pour down, all my sighs,

And all myself, before thou goest from me.

These are but sparing rites; but if thy soul

Be yet about this place, and can behold

And see what I prepare to deck thee with,

It shall go up, borne on the wings of peace,

And satisfied. First will I sing thy dirge,

Then kiss thy pale lips, and then die, myself,

And fill one coffin, and one grave together.

Song.

Come you whose loves are dead,And whilst I sing,Weep and wringEvery hand, and every headBind with cypress and sad yew;Ribbons black and candles blue,For him that was of men most true.

Come you whose loves are dead,

And whilst I sing,

Weep and wring

Every hand, and every head

Bind with cypress and sad yew;

Ribbons black and candles blue,

For him that was of men most true.

Come with heavy moaning,And on his graveLet him haveSacrifice of sighs and groaning;Let him have fair flowers enow,White and purple, green and yellow,For him that was of men most true.

Come with heavy moaning,

And on his grave

Let him have

Sacrifice of sighs and groaning;

Let him have fair flowers enow,

White and purple, green and yellow,

For him that was of men most true.

Thou sable cloth, sad cover of my joys,I lift thee up, and thus I meet with death.

Thou sable cloth, sad cover of my joys,

I lift thee up, and thus I meet with death.

Jasp.And thus you meet the living.

Luce.Save me, Heav'n!

Jasp.Nay, do not fly me, fair, I am no spirit;Look better on me, do you know me yet?

Jasp.Nay, do not fly me, fair, I am no spirit;

Look better on me, do you know me yet?

Luce.O thou dear shadow of my friend!

Jasp.Dear substance,I swear I am no shadow; feel my hand,It is the same it was: I am your Jasper,Your Jasper that's yet living, and yet loving;Pardon my rash attempt, my foolish proofI put in practice of your constancy.For sooner should my sword have drunk my blood,And set my soul at liberty, than drawnThe least drop from that body, for which boldnessDoom me to anything; if death, I take itAnd willingly.

Jasp.Dear substance,

I swear I am no shadow; feel my hand,

It is the same it was: I am your Jasper,

Your Jasper that's yet living, and yet loving;

Pardon my rash attempt, my foolish proof

I put in practice of your constancy.

For sooner should my sword have drunk my blood,

And set my soul at liberty, than drawn

The least drop from that body, for which boldness

Doom me to anything; if death, I take it

And willingly.

Luce.This death I'll give you for it:So, now I'm satisfied; you are no spirit;But my own truest, truest, truest friend,Why do you come thus to me?

Luce.This death I'll give you for it:

So, now I'm satisfied; you are no spirit;

But my own truest, truest, truest friend,

Why do you come thus to me?

Jasp.First, to see you,Then to convey you hence.

Jasp.First, to see you,

Then to convey you hence.

Luce.It cannot be,For I am lock'd up here, and watch'd at all hours,That 'tis impossible for me to 'scape.

Luce.It cannot be,

For I am lock'd up here, and watch'd at all hours,

That 'tis impossible for me to 'scape.

Jasp.Nothing more possible: within this coffinDo you convey yourself; let me alone,I have the wits of twenty men about me,Only I crave the shelter of your closetA little, and then fear me not; creep inThat they may presently convey you hence.Fear nothing, dearest love, I'll be your second;Lie close, so, all goes well yet. Boy!

Jasp.Nothing more possible: within this coffin

Do you convey yourself; let me alone,

I have the wits of twenty men about me,

Only I crave the shelter of your closet

A little, and then fear me not; creep in

That they may presently convey you hence.

Fear nothing, dearest love, I'll be your second;

Lie close, so, all goes well yet. Boy!

Boy.At hand, sir.

Jasp.Convey away the coffin, and be wary.

Boy.'Tis done already.

Jasp.Now must I go conjure.[Exit.

EnterMerchant.Merch.Boy, boy!Boy.Your servant, sir.Merch.Do me this kindness, boy; hold, here's a crown: before thou bury the body of this fellow, carry it to his old merry father, and salute him from me, and bid him sing: he hath cause.Boy.I will, sir.

EnterMerchant.

Merch.Boy, boy!

Boy.Your servant, sir.

Merch.Do me this kindness, boy; hold, here's a crown: before thou bury the body of this fellow, carry it to his old merry father, and salute him from me, and bid him sing: he hath cause.

Boy.I will, sir.

Merch.And then bring me word what tune he is in,And have another crown; but do it truly.I've fitted him a bargain, now, will vex him.Boy.God bless your worship's health, sir.Merch.Farewell, boy.[Exeunt.EnterMaster Merry-thought.Wife.Ah, Old Merry-thought, art thou there again? Let's hear some of thy songs.Old Mer."Who can sing a merrier noteThan he that cannot change a groat?"

Merch.And then bring me word what tune he is in,And have another crown; but do it truly.I've fitted him a bargain, now, will vex him.

Merch.And then bring me word what tune he is in,

And have another crown; but do it truly.

I've fitted him a bargain, now, will vex him.

Boy.God bless your worship's health, sir.

Merch.Farewell, boy.[Exeunt.

EnterMaster Merry-thought.

Wife.Ah, Old Merry-thought, art thou there again? Let's hear some of thy songs.

Old Mer."Who can sing a merrier noteThan he that cannot change a groat?"

Old Mer."Who can sing a merrier note

Than he that cannot change a groat?"

Not a denier left, and yet my heart leaps; I do wonder yet, as old as I am, that any man will follow a trade, or serve, that may sing and laugh, and walk the streets. My wife and both my sons are I know not where; I have nothing left, nor know I how to come by meat to supper, yet am I merry still; for I know I shall find it upon the table at six o'clock; therefore, hang thought.

"I would not be a serving-manTo carry the cloak-bag still,Nor would I be a falconerThe greedy hawks to fill;But I would be in a good house,And have a good master too;But I would eat and drink of the best,And no work would I do."

"I would not be a serving-man

To carry the cloak-bag still,

Nor would I be a falconer

The greedy hawks to fill;

But I would be in a good house,

And have a good master too;

But I would eat and drink of the best,

And no work would I do."

This is it that keeps life and soul together, mirth. This is the philosopher's stone that they write so much on, that keeps a man ever young.Enter aBoy.Boy.Sir, they say they know all your money is gone, and they will trust you for no more drink.Old Mer.Will they not? Let 'em choose. The best is, I have mirth at home, and need not send abroad for that. Let them keep their drink to themselves.

This is it that keeps life and soul together, mirth. This is the philosopher's stone that they write so much on, that keeps a man ever young.

Enter aBoy.

Boy.Sir, they say they know all your money is gone, and they will trust you for no more drink.

Old Mer.Will they not? Let 'em choose. The best is, I have mirth at home, and need not send abroad for that. Let them keep their drink to themselves.

"For Jillian of Berry, she dwells on a hill,And she hath good beer and ale to sell,And of good fellows she thinks no ill,And thither will we go now, now, now, andthither will we go now.And when you have made a little stay,You need not know what is to pay,But kiss your hostess and go your way.And thither, &c."Enter anotherBoy.2nd Boy.Sir, I can get no bread for supper.Old Mer.Hang bread and supper, let's preserve our mirth,and we shall never feel hunger, I'll warrant you; let's have acatch. Boy, follow me; come sing this catch:"Ho, ho, nobody at home,Meat, nor drink, nor money ha' we none;Fill the pot, Eedy,Never more need I."So, boys, enough, follow me; let's change our place, and weshall laugh afresh.[Exeunt.

"For Jillian of Berry, she dwells on a hill,

And she hath good beer and ale to sell,

And of good fellows she thinks no ill,

And thither will we go now, now, now, and

thither will we go now.

And when you have made a little stay,

You need not know what is to pay,

But kiss your hostess and go your way.

And thither, &c."

Enter anotherBoy.

2nd Boy.Sir, I can get no bread for supper.

Old Mer.Hang bread and supper, let's preserve our mirth,and we shall never feel hunger, I'll warrant you; let's have acatch. Boy, follow me; come sing this catch:"Ho, ho, nobody at home,Meat, nor drink, nor money ha' we none;Fill the pot, Eedy,Never more need I."So, boys, enough, follow me; let's change our place, and weshall laugh afresh.[Exeunt.

Old Mer.Hang bread and supper, let's preserve our mirth,

and we shall never feel hunger, I'll warrant you; let's have a

catch. Boy, follow me; come sing this catch:

"Ho, ho, nobody at home,

Meat, nor drink, nor money ha' we none;

Fill the pot, Eedy,

Never more need I."

So, boys, enough, follow me; let's change our place, and we

shall laugh afresh.[Exeunt.

Wife.Let him go, George, a shall not have any countenancefrom us, not a good word from any i' th' company, if I may strike stroke in't.Cit.No more a sha'not, love; but, Nell, I will have Ralph do a very notable matter now, to the eternal honour and glory of all grocers. Sirrah, you there, boy, can none of you hear?Boy.Sir, your pleasure.Cit.Let Ralph come out on May-day in the morning, and speak upon a conduit with all his scarfs about him, and his feathers, and his rings, and his knacks.Boy.Why, sir, you do not think of our plot, what will become of that, then?Cit.Why, sir, I care not what become on't. I'll have him come out, or I'll fetch him out myself, I'll have something done in honour of the city; besides, he hath been long enough upon adventures. Bring him out quickly, for I come amongst you——Boy.Well, sir, he shall come out; but if our play miscarry, sir, you are like to pay for't.[Exit.Cit.Bring him away, then.Wife.This will be brave, i'faith. George, shall not he dance the morrice, too, for the credit of the Strand?Cit.No, sweetheart, it will be too much for the boy. Oh, there he is, Nell; he's reasonable well in reparel, but he has not rings enough.EnterRalph.

Wife.Let him go, George, a shall not have any countenancefrom us, not a good word from any i' th' company, if I may strike stroke in't.

Cit.No more a sha'not, love; but, Nell, I will have Ralph do a very notable matter now, to the eternal honour and glory of all grocers. Sirrah, you there, boy, can none of you hear?

Boy.Sir, your pleasure.

Cit.Let Ralph come out on May-day in the morning, and speak upon a conduit with all his scarfs about him, and his feathers, and his rings, and his knacks.

Boy.Why, sir, you do not think of our plot, what will become of that, then?

Cit.Why, sir, I care not what become on't. I'll have him come out, or I'll fetch him out myself, I'll have something done in honour of the city; besides, he hath been long enough upon adventures. Bring him out quickly, for I come amongst you——

Boy.Well, sir, he shall come out; but if our play miscarry, sir, you are like to pay for't.

[Exit.

Cit.Bring him away, then.

Wife.This will be brave, i'faith. George, shall not he dance the morrice, too, for the credit of the Strand?

Cit.No, sweetheart, it will be too much for the boy. Oh, there he is, Nell; he's reasonable well in reparel, but he has not rings enough.

EnterRalph.

Ralph."London, to thee I do present the merry month of May",Let each true subject be content to hear me what I say:For from the top of conduit head, as plainly may appear,I will both tell my name to you, and wherefore I came here.My name is Ralph, by due descent, though not ignoble I,Yet far inferior to the flock of gracious grocery.And by the common counsel of my fellows in the Strand,With gilded staff, and crossed scarf, the May lord here I stand.Rejoice, O English hearts, rejoice; rejoice, O lovers dear;Rejoice, O city, town, and country; rejoice eke every shire;For now the fragrant flowers do spring and sprout in seemly sort,The little birds do sit and sing, the lambs do make fine sport;And now the birchin tree doth bud that makes the schoolboy cry,The morrice rings while hobby-horse doth foot it featuously:The lords and ladies now abroad, for their disport and play,Do kiss sometimes upon the grass, and sometimes in the hay.Now butter with a leaf of sage is good to purge the blood,Fly Venus and Phlebotomy, for they are neither good.Now little fish on tender stone begin to cast their bellies,And sluggish snail, that erst were mew'd, do creep out of their shellies.The rumbling rivers now do warm, for little boys to paddle,The sturdy steed now goes to grass, and up they hang his saddle.The heavy hart, the blowing buck, the rascal and the pricket,Are now among the yeoman's pease, and leave the fearful thicket.And be like them, O you, I say, of this same noble town,And lift aloft your velvet heads, and slipping of your gown,With bells on legs, and napkins clean unto your shoulders ty'd,With scarfs and garters as you please, and Hey for our town! cry'd.March out and show your willing minds, by twenty and by twenty,To Hogsdon, or to Newington, where ale and cakes are plenty.And let it ne'er be said for shame, that we the youths of London,Lay thrumming of our caps at home, and left our custom undone.Up then I say, both young and old, both man and maid a-maying,With drums and guns that bounce aloud, and merry tabor playing.Which to prolong, God save our king, and send his country peace,And root out treason from the land; and so, my friends, I cease.

Ralph."London, to thee I do present the merry month of May",

Let each true subject be content to hear me what I say:

For from the top of conduit head, as plainly may appear,

I will both tell my name to you, and wherefore I came here.

My name is Ralph, by due descent, though not ignoble I,

Yet far inferior to the flock of gracious grocery.

And by the common counsel of my fellows in the Strand,

With gilded staff, and crossed scarf, the May lord here I stand.

Rejoice, O English hearts, rejoice; rejoice, O lovers dear;

Rejoice, O city, town, and country; rejoice eke every shire;

For now the fragrant flowers do spring and sprout in seemly sort,

The little birds do sit and sing, the lambs do make fine sport;

And now the birchin tree doth bud that makes the schoolboy cry,

The morrice rings while hobby-horse doth foot it featuously:

The lords and ladies now abroad, for their disport and play,

Do kiss sometimes upon the grass, and sometimes in the hay.

Now butter with a leaf of sage is good to purge the blood,

Fly Venus and Phlebotomy, for they are neither good.

Now little fish on tender stone begin to cast their bellies,

And sluggish snail, that erst were mew'd, do creep out of their shellies.

The rumbling rivers now do warm, for little boys to paddle,

The sturdy steed now goes to grass, and up they hang his saddle.

The heavy hart, the blowing buck, the rascal and the pricket,

Are now among the yeoman's pease, and leave the fearful thicket.

And be like them, O you, I say, of this same noble town,

And lift aloft your velvet heads, and slipping of your gown,

With bells on legs, and napkins clean unto your shoulders ty'd,

With scarfs and garters as you please, and Hey for our town! cry'd.

March out and show your willing minds, by twenty and by twenty,

To Hogsdon, or to Newington, where ale and cakes are plenty.

And let it ne'er be said for shame, that we the youths of London,

Lay thrumming of our caps at home, and left our custom undone.

Up then I say, both young and old, both man and maid a-maying,

With drums and guns that bounce aloud, and merry tabor playing.

Which to prolong, God save our king, and send his country peace,

And root out treason from the land; and so, my friends, I cease.

EnterMerchant,solus.Merch.I will have no great store of company at the wedding: a couple of neighbours and their wives; and we will have a capon in stewed broth, with marrow, and a good piece of beef, stuck with rosemary.EnterJasper,with his face mealed.Jasp.Forbear thy pains, fond man, it is too late.Merch.Heav'n bless me! Jasper!

EnterMerchant,solus.

Merch.I will have no great store of company at the wedding: a couple of neighbours and their wives; and we will have a capon in stewed broth, with marrow, and a good piece of beef, stuck with rosemary.

EnterJasper,with his face mealed.

Jasp.Forbear thy pains, fond man, it is too late.

Merch.Heav'n bless me! Jasper!

Jasp.Ay, I am his ghost,Whom thou hast injur'd for his constant love:Fond worldly wretch, who dost not understandIn death that true hearts cannot parted be.First know, thy daughter is quite borne awayOn wings of angels, through the liquid airToo far out of thy reach, and never moreShalt thou behold her face: but she and IWill in another world enjoy our loves,Where neither father's anger, poverty,Nor any cross that troubles earthly men,Shall make us sever our united hearts.And never shalt thou sit, or be aloneIn any place, but I will visit theeWith ghastly looks, and put into thy mindThe great offences which thou didst to me.When thou art at thy table with thy friends,Merry in heart, and fill'd with swelling wine,I'll come in midst of all thy pride and mirth,Invisible to all men but thyself,And whisper such a sad tale in thine ear,Shall make thee let the cup fall from thy hand,And stand as mute and pale as death itself.Merch.Forgive me, Jasper! Oh! what might I do,Tell me, to satisfy thy troubled ghost?Jasp.There is no means, too late thou think'st on this.Merch.But tell me what were best for me to do?Jasp.Repent thy deed, and satisfy my father,And beat fond Humphrey out of thy doors.[ExitJasper.EnterHumphrey.Wife.Look, George, his very ghost would have folks beaten.Humph.Father, my bride is gone, fair Mistress Luce.My soul's the font of vengeance, mischief's sluice.Merch.Hence, fool, out of my sight, with thy fond passionThou hast undone me.Humph.Hold, my father dear,For Luce thy daughter's sake, that had no peer.Merch.Thy father, fool? There's some blows more, begone.[Beats him.Jasper, I hope thy ghost be well appeasedTo see thy will perform'd; now will I goTo satisfy thy father for thy wrongs.[Exit.Humph.What shall I do? I have been beaten twice,And Mistress Luce is gone. Help me, device:Since my true love is gone, I never more,Whilst I do live, upon the sky will pore;But in the dark will wear out my shoe-solesIn passion, in Saint Faith's Church under Paul's.[Exit.

Jasp.Ay, I am his ghost,

Whom thou hast injur'd for his constant love:

Fond worldly wretch, who dost not understand

In death that true hearts cannot parted be.

First know, thy daughter is quite borne away

On wings of angels, through the liquid air

Too far out of thy reach, and never more

Shalt thou behold her face: but she and I

Will in another world enjoy our loves,

Where neither father's anger, poverty,

Nor any cross that troubles earthly men,

Shall make us sever our united hearts.

And never shalt thou sit, or be alone

In any place, but I will visit thee

With ghastly looks, and put into thy mind

The great offences which thou didst to me.

When thou art at thy table with thy friends,

Merry in heart, and fill'd with swelling wine,

I'll come in midst of all thy pride and mirth,

Invisible to all men but thyself,

And whisper such a sad tale in thine ear,

Shall make thee let the cup fall from thy hand,

And stand as mute and pale as death itself.

Merch.Forgive me, Jasper! Oh! what might I do,Tell me, to satisfy thy troubled ghost?

Merch.Forgive me, Jasper! Oh! what might I do,

Tell me, to satisfy thy troubled ghost?

Jasp.There is no means, too late thou think'st on this.

Merch.But tell me what were best for me to do?

Jasp.Repent thy deed, and satisfy my father,And beat fond Humphrey out of thy doors.[ExitJasper.

Jasp.Repent thy deed, and satisfy my father,

And beat fond Humphrey out of thy doors.[ExitJasper.

EnterHumphrey.

Wife.Look, George, his very ghost would have folks beaten.

Humph.Father, my bride is gone, fair Mistress Luce.My soul's the font of vengeance, mischief's sluice.

Humph.Father, my bride is gone, fair Mistress Luce.

My soul's the font of vengeance, mischief's sluice.

Merch.Hence, fool, out of my sight, with thy fond passionThou hast undone me.

Merch.Hence, fool, out of my sight, with thy fond passion

Thou hast undone me.

Humph.Hold, my father dear,For Luce thy daughter's sake, that had no peer.

Humph.Hold, my father dear,

For Luce thy daughter's sake, that had no peer.

Merch.Thy father, fool? There's some blows more, begone.[Beats him.Jasper, I hope thy ghost be well appeasedTo see thy will perform'd; now will I goTo satisfy thy father for thy wrongs.[Exit.

Merch.Thy father, fool? There's some blows more, begone.[Beats him.

Jasper, I hope thy ghost be well appeased

To see thy will perform'd; now will I go

To satisfy thy father for thy wrongs.[Exit.

Humph.What shall I do? I have been beaten twice,And Mistress Luce is gone. Help me, device:Since my true love is gone, I never more,Whilst I do live, upon the sky will pore;But in the dark will wear out my shoe-solesIn passion, in Saint Faith's Church under Paul's.[Exit.

Humph.What shall I do? I have been beaten twice,

And Mistress Luce is gone. Help me, device:

Since my true love is gone, I never more,

Whilst I do live, upon the sky will pore;

But in the dark will wear out my shoe-soles

In passion, in Saint Faith's Church under Paul's.[Exit.

Wife.George, call Ralph hither; if you love me, call Ralph hither. I have the bravest thing for him to do, George; prithee call him quickly.Cit.Ralph, why Ralph, boy!EnterRalph.Ralph.Here, sir.Cit.Come hither, Ralph, come to thy mistress, boy.Wife.Ralph, I would have thee call all the youths together in battle-ray, with drums, and guns, and flags, and march to Mile End in pompous fashion, and there exhort your soldiers to be merry and wise, and to keep their beards from burning, Ralph; and then skirmish, and let your flags fly, and cry, Kill, kill, kill! My husband shall lend you his jerkin, Ralph, and there's a scarf; for the rest, the house shall furnish you, and we'll pay for't: do it bravely, Ralph, and think before whom you perform, and what person you represent.Ralph.I warrant you, mistress, if I do it not, for the honour of the city, and the credit of my master, let me never hope for freedom.Wife.'Tis well spoken i'faith; go thy ways, thou art a spark indeed.Cit.Ralph, double your files bravely, Ralph.Ralph.I warrant you, sir.[ExitRalph.Cit.Let him look narrowly to his service, I shall take him else; I was there myself a pike-man once, in the hottest of the day, wench; had my feather shot sheer away, the fringe of my pike burnt off with powder, my pate broken with a scouring-stick, and yet I thank God I am here.[Drum within.Wife.Hark, George, the drums!Cit.Ran, tan, tan, tan, ran tan. Oh, wench, an' thou hadst but seen little Ned of Aldgate, drum Ned, how he made it roar again, and laid on like a tyrant, and then struck softly till the Ward came up, and then thundered again, and together we go: "Sa, sa, sa," bounce quoth the guns; "Courage, my hearts," quoth the captains; "Saint George," quoth the pike-men; and withal here they lay, and there they lay; and yet for all this I am here, wench.Wife.Be thankful for it, George, for indeed 'tis wonderful.EnterRalphand his Company, with drums and colours.Ralph.March fair, my hearts; lieutenant, beat the rear up; ancient, let your colours fly; but have a great care of the butchers' hooks at Whitechapel, they have been the death of many a fair ancient. Open your files, that I may take a view both of your persons and munition. Sergeant, call a muster.Serg.A stand. William Hamerton, pewterer.Ham.Here, Captain.Ralph.A croslet and a Spanish pike; 'tis well, can you shake it with a terror?Ham.I hope so, captain.Ralph.Charge upon me—'tis with the weakest. Put more strength, William Hamerton, more strength. As you were again; proceed, sergeant.Serg.George Green-goose, poulterer.Green.Here.Ralph.Let me see your piece, neighbour Green-goose. When was she shot in?Green.An' like you, master captain, I made a shot even now, partly to scour her, and partly for audacity.Ralph.It should seem so, certainly, for her breath is yet inflamed; besides, there is a main fault in the touch-hole, it stinketh. And I tell you, moreover, and believe it, ten such touch-holes would poison the army; get you a feather, neighbour, get you a feather, sweet oil and paper, and your piece may do well enough yet. Where's your powder?Green.Here.Ralph.What, in a paper? As I am a soldier and a gentleman, it craves a martial court: you ought to die for't. Where's your horn? Answer me to that.Green.An't like you, sir, I was oblivious.Ralph.It likes me not it should be so; 'tis a shame for you, and a scandal to all our neighbours, being a man of worth and estimation, to leave your horn behind you: I am afraid 'twill breed example. But let me tell you no more on't; stand till I view you all. What's become o' th' nose of your flask?1st Sold.Indeed, la' captain, 'twas blown away with powder.Ralph.Put on a new one at the city's charge. Where's the flint of this piece?2nd Sold.The drummer took it out to light tobacco.Ralph.'Tis a fault, my friend; put it in again. You want a nose, and you a flint; sergeant, take a note on't, for I mean to stop it in their pay. Remove and march; soft and fair, gentlemen, soft and fair: double your files; as you were; faces about. Now you with the sodden face, keep in there: look to your match, sirrah, it will be in your fellow's flask anon. So make a crescent now, advance your pikes, stand and give ear. Gentlemen, countrymen, friends, and my fellow-soldiers, I have brought you this day from the shop of security and the counters of content, to measure out in these furious fields honour by the ell and prowess by the pound. Let it not, O let it not, I say, be told hereafter, the noble issue of this city fainted; but bear yourselves in this fair action like men, valiant men, and free men. Fear not the face of the enemy, nor the noise of the guns; for believe me, brethren, the rude rumbling of a brewer's car is more terrible, of which you have a daily experience: neither let the stink of powder offend you, since a more valiant stink is always with you. To a resolved mind his home is everywhere. I speak not this to take away the hope of your return; for you shall see (I do not doubt it), and that very shortly, your loving wives again, and your sweet children, whose care doth bear you company in baskets. Remember, then, whose cause you have in hand, and like a sort of true-born scavengers, scour me this famous realm of enemies. I have no more to say but this:Stand to your tacklings, lads, and show to the world you can as well brandish a sword as shake an apron. Saint George, and on, my hearts!Omnes.Saint George, Saint George![Exeunt.Wife.'Twas well done, Ralph; I'll send thee a cold capon a field, and a bottle of March beer; and, it may be, come myself to see thee.Cit.Nell, the boy hath deceived me much; I did not think it had been in him. He has perform'd such a matter, wench, that, if I live, next year I'll have him Captain of the Gallifoist, or I'll want my will.EnterOld Merry-thought.Old Mer.Yet, I thank God, I break not a wrinkle more than I had; not a stoop, boys. Care, live with cats, I defy thee! My heart is as sound as an oak; and tho' I want drink to wet my whistle, I can sing,

Wife.George, call Ralph hither; if you love me, call Ralph hither. I have the bravest thing for him to do, George; prithee call him quickly.

Cit.Ralph, why Ralph, boy!

EnterRalph.

Ralph.Here, sir.

Cit.Come hither, Ralph, come to thy mistress, boy.

Wife.Ralph, I would have thee call all the youths together in battle-ray, with drums, and guns, and flags, and march to Mile End in pompous fashion, and there exhort your soldiers to be merry and wise, and to keep their beards from burning, Ralph; and then skirmish, and let your flags fly, and cry, Kill, kill, kill! My husband shall lend you his jerkin, Ralph, and there's a scarf; for the rest, the house shall furnish you, and we'll pay for't: do it bravely, Ralph, and think before whom you perform, and what person you represent.

Ralph.I warrant you, mistress, if I do it not, for the honour of the city, and the credit of my master, let me never hope for freedom.

Wife.'Tis well spoken i'faith; go thy ways, thou art a spark indeed.

Cit.Ralph, double your files bravely, Ralph.

Ralph.I warrant you, sir.[ExitRalph.

Cit.Let him look narrowly to his service, I shall take him else; I was there myself a pike-man once, in the hottest of the day, wench; had my feather shot sheer away, the fringe of my pike burnt off with powder, my pate broken with a scouring-stick, and yet I thank God I am here.[Drum within.

Wife.Hark, George, the drums!

Cit.Ran, tan, tan, tan, ran tan. Oh, wench, an' thou hadst but seen little Ned of Aldgate, drum Ned, how he made it roar again, and laid on like a tyrant, and then struck softly till the Ward came up, and then thundered again, and together we go: "Sa, sa, sa," bounce quoth the guns; "Courage, my hearts," quoth the captains; "Saint George," quoth the pike-men; and withal here they lay, and there they lay; and yet for all this I am here, wench.

Wife.Be thankful for it, George, for indeed 'tis wonderful.

EnterRalphand his Company, with drums and colours.

Ralph.March fair, my hearts; lieutenant, beat the rear up; ancient, let your colours fly; but have a great care of the butchers' hooks at Whitechapel, they have been the death of many a fair ancient. Open your files, that I may take a view both of your persons and munition. Sergeant, call a muster.

Serg.A stand. William Hamerton, pewterer.

Ham.Here, Captain.

Ralph.A croslet and a Spanish pike; 'tis well, can you shake it with a terror?

Ham.I hope so, captain.

Ralph.Charge upon me—'tis with the weakest. Put more strength, William Hamerton, more strength. As you were again; proceed, sergeant.

Serg.George Green-goose, poulterer.

Green.Here.

Ralph.Let me see your piece, neighbour Green-goose. When was she shot in?

Green.An' like you, master captain, I made a shot even now, partly to scour her, and partly for audacity.

Ralph.It should seem so, certainly, for her breath is yet inflamed; besides, there is a main fault in the touch-hole, it stinketh. And I tell you, moreover, and believe it, ten such touch-holes would poison the army; get you a feather, neighbour, get you a feather, sweet oil and paper, and your piece may do well enough yet. Where's your powder?

Green.Here.

Ralph.What, in a paper? As I am a soldier and a gentleman, it craves a martial court: you ought to die for't. Where's your horn? Answer me to that.

Green.An't like you, sir, I was oblivious.

Ralph.It likes me not it should be so; 'tis a shame for you, and a scandal to all our neighbours, being a man of worth and estimation, to leave your horn behind you: I am afraid 'twill breed example. But let me tell you no more on't; stand till I view you all. What's become o' th' nose of your flask?

1st Sold.Indeed, la' captain, 'twas blown away with powder.

Ralph.Put on a new one at the city's charge. Where's the flint of this piece?

2nd Sold.The drummer took it out to light tobacco.

Ralph.'Tis a fault, my friend; put it in again. You want a nose, and you a flint; sergeant, take a note on't, for I mean to stop it in their pay. Remove and march; soft and fair, gentlemen, soft and fair: double your files; as you were; faces about. Now you with the sodden face, keep in there: look to your match, sirrah, it will be in your fellow's flask anon. So make a crescent now, advance your pikes, stand and give ear. Gentlemen, countrymen, friends, and my fellow-soldiers, I have brought you this day from the shop of security and the counters of content, to measure out in these furious fields honour by the ell and prowess by the pound. Let it not, O let it not, I say, be told hereafter, the noble issue of this city fainted; but bear yourselves in this fair action like men, valiant men, and free men. Fear not the face of the enemy, nor the noise of the guns; for believe me, brethren, the rude rumbling of a brewer's car is more terrible, of which you have a daily experience: neither let the stink of powder offend you, since a more valiant stink is always with you. To a resolved mind his home is everywhere. I speak not this to take away the hope of your return; for you shall see (I do not doubt it), and that very shortly, your loving wives again, and your sweet children, whose care doth bear you company in baskets. Remember, then, whose cause you have in hand, and like a sort of true-born scavengers, scour me this famous realm of enemies. I have no more to say but this:Stand to your tacklings, lads, and show to the world you can as well brandish a sword as shake an apron. Saint George, and on, my hearts!

Omnes.Saint George, Saint George![Exeunt.

Wife.'Twas well done, Ralph; I'll send thee a cold capon a field, and a bottle of March beer; and, it may be, come myself to see thee.

Cit.Nell, the boy hath deceived me much; I did not think it had been in him. He has perform'd such a matter, wench, that, if I live, next year I'll have him Captain of the Gallifoist, or I'll want my will.

EnterOld Merry-thought.

Old Mer.Yet, I thank God, I break not a wrinkle more than I had; not a stoop, boys. Care, live with cats, I defy thee! My heart is as sound as an oak; and tho' I want drink to wet my whistle, I can sing,

"Come no more there, boys; come no more there:For we shall never, whilst we live, come any more there."Enter aBoywith a coffin.Boy.God save you, sir.Old Mer.It's a brave boy. Canst thou sing?Boy.Yes, sir, I can sing, but 'tis not so necessary at this time.Old Mer."Sing we, and chaunt it,Whilst love doth grant it."Boy.Sir, sir, if you knew what I have brought you, you would have little list to sing.Old Mer."Oh, the Mimon round,Full long I have thee sought,And now I have thee found,And what hast thou here brought?"Boy.A coffin, sir, and your dead son Jasper in it.Old Mer.Dead!"Why farewell he:Thou wast a bonny boy,And I did love thee."EnterJasper.Jasp.Then I pray you, sir, do so still.Old Mer.Jasper's ghost!"Thou art welcome from Stygian-lake so soon,Declare to me what wondrous thingsIn Pluto's Court are done."Jasp.By my troth, sir, I ne'er came there, 'tis too hot for me, sir.Old Mer.A merry ghost, a very merry ghost."And where is your true love? Oh, where is yours?"Jasp.Marry look you, sir.[Heaves up the coffin.Old Mer.Ah ha! Art thou good at that i'faith?"With hey trixie terlerie-whiskin,The world it runs on wheels;When the young man's friskingUp goes the maiden's heels."Mistress Merry-thoughtandMichaelwithin.Mist. Mer.What, Mr. Merry-thought, will you not let's in?What do you think shall become of us?Old Mer.What voice is that that calleth at our door?Mist. Mer.You know me well enough, I am sure I have not been such a stranger to you.Old Mer."And some they whistled, and some they sung,Hey down, down:And some did loudly say,Ever as the Lord Barnet's horn blew,Away, Musgrave, away."Mist. Mer.You will not have us starve here, will you, MasterMerry-thought?

"Come no more there, boys; come no more there:For we shall never, whilst we live, come any more there."

"Come no more there, boys; come no more there:

For we shall never, whilst we live, come any more there."

Enter aBoywith a coffin.

Boy.God save you, sir.

Old Mer.It's a brave boy. Canst thou sing?

Boy.Yes, sir, I can sing, but 'tis not so necessary at this time.

Old Mer."Sing we, and chaunt it,Whilst love doth grant it."

Old Mer."Sing we, and chaunt it,

Whilst love doth grant it."

Boy.Sir, sir, if you knew what I have brought you, you would have little list to sing.

Old Mer."Oh, the Mimon round,Full long I have thee sought,And now I have thee found,And what hast thou here brought?"

Old Mer."Oh, the Mimon round,

Full long I have thee sought,

And now I have thee found,

And what hast thou here brought?"

Boy.A coffin, sir, and your dead son Jasper in it.

Old Mer.Dead!"Why farewell he:Thou wast a bonny boy,And I did love thee."

Old Mer.Dead!

"Why farewell he:

Thou wast a bonny boy,

And I did love thee."

EnterJasper.

Jasp.Then I pray you, sir, do so still.

Old Mer.Jasper's ghost!"Thou art welcome from Stygian-lake so soon,Declare to me what wondrous thingsIn Pluto's Court are done."

Old Mer.Jasper's ghost!

"Thou art welcome from Stygian-lake so soon,

Declare to me what wondrous things

In Pluto's Court are done."

Jasp.By my troth, sir, I ne'er came there, 'tis too hot for me, sir.

Old Mer.A merry ghost, a very merry ghost."And where is your true love? Oh, where is yours?"

Old Mer.A merry ghost, a very merry ghost.

"And where is your true love? Oh, where is yours?"

Jasp.Marry look you, sir.[Heaves up the coffin.

Old Mer.Ah ha! Art thou good at that i'faith?"With hey trixie terlerie-whiskin,The world it runs on wheels;When the young man's friskingUp goes the maiden's heels."

Old Mer.Ah ha! Art thou good at that i'faith?

"With hey trixie terlerie-whiskin,

The world it runs on wheels;

When the young man's frisking

Up goes the maiden's heels."

Mistress Merry-thoughtandMichaelwithin.

Mist. Mer.What, Mr. Merry-thought, will you not let's in?What do you think shall become of us?

Mist. Mer.What, Mr. Merry-thought, will you not let's in?

What do you think shall become of us?

Old Mer.What voice is that that calleth at our door?

Mist. Mer.You know me well enough, I am sure I have not been such a stranger to you.

Old Mer."And some they whistled, and some they sung,Hey down, down:And some did loudly say,Ever as the Lord Barnet's horn blew,Away, Musgrave, away."

Old Mer."And some they whistled, and some they sung,

Hey down, down:

And some did loudly say,

Ever as the Lord Barnet's horn blew,

Away, Musgrave, away."

Mist. Mer.You will not have us starve here, will you, MasterMerry-thought?

Mist. Mer.You will not have us starve here, will you, Master

Merry-thought?

Jasp.Nay, good sir, be persuaded, she is my mother. If her offences have been great against you, let your own love remember she is yours, and so forgive her.Luce.Good Master Merry-thought, let me entreat you, I will not be denied.Mist. Mer.Why, Master Merry-thought, will you be a vext thing still?Old Mer.Woman, I take you to my love again, but you shall sing before you enter; therefore despatch your song, and so come in.Mist. Mer.Well, you must have your will when all's done. Michael, what song canst thou sing, boy?Mich.I can sing none forsooth but "A Lady's Daughter of Paris," properly.

Jasp.Nay, good sir, be persuaded, she is my mother. If her offences have been great against you, let your own love remember she is yours, and so forgive her.

Luce.Good Master Merry-thought, let me entreat you, I will not be denied.

Mist. Mer.Why, Master Merry-thought, will you be a vext thing still?

Old Mer.Woman, I take you to my love again, but you shall sing before you enter; therefore despatch your song, and so come in.

Mist. Mer.Well, you must have your will when all's done. Michael, what song canst thou sing, boy?

Mich.I can sing none forsooth but "A Lady's Daughter of Paris," properly.

Mist. Mer.[song.]"It was a lady's daughter," &c.Old Mer.Come, you're welcome home again."If such danger be in playing,And jest must to earnest turn,You shall go no more a-maying"——

Mist. Mer.[song.]"It was a lady's daughter," &c.

Old Mer.Come, you're welcome home again."If such danger be in playing,And jest must to earnest turn,You shall go no more a-maying"——

Old Mer.Come, you're welcome home again.

"If such danger be in playing,

And jest must to earnest turn,

You shall go no more a-maying"——

Merch.[within.]Are you within, Sir Master Merry-thought?Jasp.It is my master's voice, good sir; go hold him in talk whilst we convey ourselves into some inward room.Old Mer.What are you? Are you merry? You must be very merry if you enter.Merch.I am, sir.Old Mer.Sing, then.Merch.Nay, good sir, open to me.Old Mer.Sing, I say, or by the merry heart you come not in.

Merch.[within.]Are you within, Sir Master Merry-thought?

Jasp.It is my master's voice, good sir; go hold him in talk whilst we convey ourselves into some inward room.

Old Mer.What are you? Are you merry? You must be very merry if you enter.

Merch.I am, sir.

Old Mer.Sing, then.

Merch.Nay, good sir, open to me.

Old Mer.Sing, I say, or by the merry heart you come not in.

Merch.Well, sir, I'll sing."Fortune my foe," &c.Old Mer.You are welcome, sir, you are welcome: you see your entertainment, pray you be merry.Merch.Oh, Master Merry-thought, I'm come to ask youForgiveness for the wrongs I offered you,And your most virtuous son; they're infinite,Yet my contrition shall be more than they.I do confess my hardness broke his heart,For which just Heav'n hath given me punishmentMore than my age can carry; his wand'ring sprite,Not yet at rest, pursues me everywhere,Crying, I'll haunt thee for thy cruelty.My daughter she is gone, I know not how.Taken invisible, and whether living,Or in grave, 'tis yet uncertain to me.Oh, Master Merry-thought, these are the weightsWill sink me to my grave. Forgive me, sir.Old Mer.Why, sir, I do forgive you, and be merry.And if the wag in's lifetime play'd the knave,Can you forgive him too?Merch.With all my heart, sir.Old Mer.Speak it again, and heartily.Merch.I do, sir.Now by my soul I do.Old Mer."With that came out his paramour,She was as white as the lily flower,Hey troul, troly loly.With that came out her own dear knight,He was as true as ever did fight," &c.

Merch.Well, sir, I'll sing."Fortune my foe," &c.

Merch.Well, sir, I'll sing.

"Fortune my foe," &c.

Old Mer.You are welcome, sir, you are welcome: you see your entertainment, pray you be merry.

Merch.Oh, Master Merry-thought, I'm come to ask youForgiveness for the wrongs I offered you,And your most virtuous son; they're infinite,Yet my contrition shall be more than they.I do confess my hardness broke his heart,For which just Heav'n hath given me punishmentMore than my age can carry; his wand'ring sprite,Not yet at rest, pursues me everywhere,Crying, I'll haunt thee for thy cruelty.My daughter she is gone, I know not how.Taken invisible, and whether living,Or in grave, 'tis yet uncertain to me.Oh, Master Merry-thought, these are the weightsWill sink me to my grave. Forgive me, sir.

Merch.Oh, Master Merry-thought, I'm come to ask you

Forgiveness for the wrongs I offered you,

And your most virtuous son; they're infinite,

Yet my contrition shall be more than they.

I do confess my hardness broke his heart,

For which just Heav'n hath given me punishment

More than my age can carry; his wand'ring sprite,

Not yet at rest, pursues me everywhere,

Crying, I'll haunt thee for thy cruelty.

My daughter she is gone, I know not how.

Taken invisible, and whether living,

Or in grave, 'tis yet uncertain to me.

Oh, Master Merry-thought, these are the weights

Will sink me to my grave. Forgive me, sir.

Old Mer.Why, sir, I do forgive you, and be merry.And if the wag in's lifetime play'd the knave,Can you forgive him too?

Old Mer.Why, sir, I do forgive you, and be merry.

And if the wag in's lifetime play'd the knave,

Can you forgive him too?

Merch.With all my heart, sir.

Old Mer.Speak it again, and heartily.

Merch.I do, sir.Now by my soul I do.

Merch.I do, sir.

Now by my soul I do.

Old Mer."With that came out his paramour,She was as white as the lily flower,Hey troul, troly loly.With that came out her own dear knight,He was as true as ever did fight," &c.

Old Mer."With that came out his paramour,

She was as white as the lily flower,

Hey troul, troly loly.

With that came out her own dear knight,

He was as true as ever did fight," &c.

EnterLuceandJasper.Sir, if you will forgive 'em, clap their hands together, there's no more to be said i' th' matter.Merch.I do, I do!Cit.I do not like this. Peace, boys, hear me one of you, everybody's part is come to an end but Ralph's, and he's left out.Boy.'Tis long of yourself, sir, we have nothing to do with his part.Cit.Ralph, come away, make on him as you have done of the rest, boys, come.Wife. Now, good husband, let him come out and die.Cit.He shall, Nell; Ralph, come away quickly and die, boy.Boy.'Twill be very unfit he should die, sir, upon no occasion, and in a comedy too.Cit.Take you no care for that, Sir Boy; is not his part at an end, think you, when he's dead? Come away, Ralph.EnterRalphwith a forked arrow through his head.

EnterLuceandJasper.

Sir, if you will forgive 'em, clap their hands together, there's no more to be said i' th' matter.

Merch.I do, I do!

Cit.I do not like this. Peace, boys, hear me one of you, everybody's part is come to an end but Ralph's, and he's left out.

Boy.'Tis long of yourself, sir, we have nothing to do with his part.

Cit.Ralph, come away, make on him as you have done of the rest, boys, come.

Wife. Now, good husband, let him come out and die.

Cit.He shall, Nell; Ralph, come away quickly and die, boy.

Boy.'Twill be very unfit he should die, sir, upon no occasion, and in a comedy too.

Cit.Take you no care for that, Sir Boy; is not his part at an end, think you, when he's dead? Come away, Ralph.

EnterRalphwith a forked arrow through his head.

Ralph.When I was mortal, this my costive corpsDid lap up figs and raisins in the Strand,Where sitting, I espy'd a lovely dame,Whose master wrought with lingel and with awl,And underground he vampéd many a boot.Straight did her love prick forth me, tender sprig,To follow feats of arms in warlike wise,Through Waltham Desert; where I did performMany achievements, and did lay on groundHuge Barbaroso, that insulting giant,And all his captives soon set at liberty.Then honour prick'd me from my native soilInto Moldavia, where I gain'd the loveOf Pompiana, his beloved daughter;But yet prov'd constant to the black-thumbed maidSusan, and scornéd Pompiana's love.Yet liberal I was, and gave her pins,And money for her father's officers.I then returnéd home, and thrust myselfIn action, and by all men chosen wasThe Lord of May, where I did flourish it,With scarfs and rings, and posie in my hand.After this action I preferréd was,And chosen City Captain at Mile End,With hat and feather, and with leading staff,And train'd my men, and brought them all off clean,Save one man that berayed him with the noise.But all these things I, Ralph, did undertake,Only for my belovéd Susan's sake.Then coming home, and sitting in my shopWith apron blue, Death came unto my stallTo cheapen aquavitæ, but ere ICould take the bottle down, and fill a taste,Death caught a pound of pepper in his hand,And sprinkled all my face and body o'er,And in an instant vanishéd away.Cit.'Tis a pretty fiction, i'faith.Ralph.Then took I up my bow and shaft in hand,And walkéd in Moorfields to cool myself,But there grim cruel Death met me again,And shot his forkéd arrow through my head.And now I faint; therefore be warn'd by me,My fellows every one, of forkéd heads.Farewell, all you good boys in merry London,Ne'er shall we more upon Shrove Tuesday meet,And pluck down houses of iniquity.My pain increaseth: I shall never moreWhen clubs are cried be brisk upon my legs,Nor daub a satin gown with rotten eggs.Set up a stake, oh never more I shall;I die! Fly, fly, my soul, to Grocers Hall! Oh, oh, oh, &c.

Ralph.When I was mortal, this my costive corps

Did lap up figs and raisins in the Strand,

Where sitting, I espy'd a lovely dame,

Whose master wrought with lingel and with awl,

And underground he vampéd many a boot.

Straight did her love prick forth me, tender sprig,

To follow feats of arms in warlike wise,

Through Waltham Desert; where I did perform

Many achievements, and did lay on ground

Huge Barbaroso, that insulting giant,

And all his captives soon set at liberty.

Then honour prick'd me from my native soil

Into Moldavia, where I gain'd the love

Of Pompiana, his beloved daughter;

But yet prov'd constant to the black-thumbed maid

Susan, and scornéd Pompiana's love.

Yet liberal I was, and gave her pins,

And money for her father's officers.

I then returnéd home, and thrust myself

In action, and by all men chosen was

The Lord of May, where I did flourish it,

With scarfs and rings, and posie in my hand.

After this action I preferréd was,

And chosen City Captain at Mile End,

With hat and feather, and with leading staff,

And train'd my men, and brought them all off clean,

Save one man that berayed him with the noise.

But all these things I, Ralph, did undertake,

Only for my belovéd Susan's sake.

Then coming home, and sitting in my shop

With apron blue, Death came unto my stall

To cheapen aquavitæ, but ere I

Could take the bottle down, and fill a taste,

Death caught a pound of pepper in his hand,

And sprinkled all my face and body o'er,

And in an instant vanishéd away.

Cit.'Tis a pretty fiction, i'faith.

Ralph.Then took I up my bow and shaft in hand,And walkéd in Moorfields to cool myself,But there grim cruel Death met me again,And shot his forkéd arrow through my head.And now I faint; therefore be warn'd by me,My fellows every one, of forkéd heads.Farewell, all you good boys in merry London,Ne'er shall we more upon Shrove Tuesday meet,And pluck down houses of iniquity.My pain increaseth: I shall never moreWhen clubs are cried be brisk upon my legs,Nor daub a satin gown with rotten eggs.Set up a stake, oh never more I shall;I die! Fly, fly, my soul, to Grocers Hall! Oh, oh, oh, &c.

Ralph.Then took I up my bow and shaft in hand,

And walkéd in Moorfields to cool myself,

But there grim cruel Death met me again,

And shot his forkéd arrow through my head.

And now I faint; therefore be warn'd by me,

My fellows every one, of forkéd heads.

Farewell, all you good boys in merry London,

Ne'er shall we more upon Shrove Tuesday meet,

And pluck down houses of iniquity.

My pain increaseth: I shall never more

When clubs are cried be brisk upon my legs,

Nor daub a satin gown with rotten eggs.

Set up a stake, oh never more I shall;

I die! Fly, fly, my soul, to Grocers Hall! Oh, oh, oh, &c.

Wife.Well said, Ralph, do your obeisance to the gentlemen, and go your ways. Well said, Ralph.[ExitRalph.Old Mer.Methinks all we, thus kindly and unexpectedly reconciled, should not part without a song.Merch.A good motion.Old Mer.Strike up, then.Song.

Wife.Well said, Ralph, do your obeisance to the gentlemen, and go your ways. Well said, Ralph.[ExitRalph.

Old Mer.Methinks all we, thus kindly and unexpectedly reconciled, should not part without a song.

Merch.A good motion.

Old Mer.Strike up, then.

Song.

Better music ne'er was known,Than a quire of hearts in one.Let each other, that hath beenTroubled with the gall or spleen,Learn of us to keep his browSmooth and plain, as yours are now.Sing though before the hour of dying,He shall rise, and then be cryingHeyho, 'tis nought but mirthThat keeps the body from the earth.[Exeunt omnes.

Better music ne'er was known,

Than a quire of hearts in one.

Let each other, that hath been

Troubled with the gall or spleen,

Learn of us to keep his brow

Smooth and plain, as yours are now.

Sing though before the hour of dying,

He shall rise, and then be crying

Heyho, 'tis nought but mirth

That keeps the body from the earth.[Exeunt omnes.

EPILOGUS.

Cit.Come, Nell, shall we go? The play's done.Wife.Nay, by my faith, George, I have more manners than so, I'll speak to these gentlemen first. I thank you all, gentlemen, for your patience and countenance to Ralph, a poor fatherless child, and if I may see you at my house, it should go hard but I would have a pottle of wine, and a pipe of tobacco for you, for truly I hope you like the youth, but I would be glad to know the truth. I refer it to your own discretions, whether you will applaud him or no, for I will wink, and whilst, you shall do what you will.—I thank you with all my heart: God give you good night. Come, George.

Cit.Come, Nell, shall we go? The play's done.

Wife.Nay, by my faith, George, I have more manners than so, I'll speak to these gentlemen first. I thank you all, gentlemen, for your patience and countenance to Ralph, a poor fatherless child, and if I may see you at my house, it should go hard but I would have a pottle of wine, and a pipe of tobacco for you, for truly I hope you like the youth, but I would be glad to know the truth. I refer it to your own discretions, whether you will applaud him or no, for I will wink, and whilst, you shall do what you will.—I thank you with all my heart: God give you good night. Come, George.

——♦——

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

Bayes.Johnson.Smith.Two Kings of Brentford.Prince Prettyman.Prince Volscius.Gentleman-Usher.Physician.Drawcansir.General.Lieutenant-General.Cordelio.Tom Thimble.Fisherman.Sun.Thunder.Players.Soldiers.Two Heralds.}Four Cardinals.{Mayor.{MutesJudges{Serjeant-at-Arms.{Amaryllis.Cloris.Parthenope.Pallas.Lightning.Moon.Earth.Attendants of Men and Women.

}

SCENE.—Brentford.

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