FOOTNOTES:

Principio ego vos credere ambos hoc mi vehementer voloMe huius quicquid faciam id facere maxume causa mea.

Principio ego vos credere ambos hoc mi vehementer volo

Me huius quicquid faciam id facere maxume causa mea.

I may be mistaken, but I cannot find that the classical parasite has anyfinetouch of the humour that is inseparable from "humanity," from good nature. The classical parasite is, on account of this deficiency, distinctly inferior to this modern creation.

As completely as in Merygreeke's case, Udall disarms the moralist in the case of Roister himself, whose lying[322]and bragging, whose cowardice, matched only by his vanity, cannot possibly be regarded as setting a bad example, because they have reached dimensions which are grotesque and plainly ridiculous. They result only in the propagation of his folly, and that is allowed to reap its—poor—external fruit: Roister is "invited" to the banquet (and Roister has constitutionally a good "stomach"), and he is made to believe that he is a much "dreaded lion." Fate has fortunately not pressed the mirror into his hands. He is saved the sight of the ass's ears visible to every one else.[323]And as kind as Fate is his "friend" Merygreeke, who never reveals to him his absolute wretchedness, and who has to the last the satisfaction of knowing Roister a "glad man." Here was a great danger for a less skilful writer than Udall—a danger of marring our enjoyment of Merygreeke's part by inserting traits of a finer or grosser brutality, a danger of spoiling the whole feast by some drop of malice. The element of conscious humiliation is absent; the pathetic is consequently avoided.

The other figures of the play are kept in the background; even Custance, and Gawin Goodluck, who comes in at the end of the play to give thecoup de graceto Roister's foolish hopes. As a lover Goodluck is hardly a success. He is so fish-blooded that, in a scene which savours of a judicial procedure, the evidence of Trusty becomes necessary before he can be satisfied of the fidelity of hisbetrothed. Goodluck is obviously no Romeo. In the widow ready to marry again Udall presents a good study of character. Custance is a well-to-do London city-wife of the days of Henry VIII. and Edward VI., ruling like a queen over servants who themselves are happily introduced and capitally delineated. We imagine her neither lean, nor pale, but rather like the wife of Bath—like her, resolute and substantial, but more faithful. She is, to a certain extent, even shrewd; she enjoys fun,—after she has been made to see it,—and she is not without a touch of sentimentality.

Indeed, to Custance Udall has assigned the only serious scene in the play, Act V., Scene iii. This monologue appears pathetic, and sounds like a prayer of innocence, extremely well justified in a woman who finds herself surrounded by difficulties and involved in a complication which seems to question her honour. The last words of the complaint indicate, however, that Goodluck would better not doubttoomuch, because Custance's patience might reach a limit, and her natural independence might sharply bring him to his senses.[324]She appears in that very scene as the match of Goodluck, who will be very happy with her if he gets her.

Udall shows his complete superiority over his predecessors in these delineations of character even more than in the creation of the plot. Though in the development of the latter everything fits together and is arranged in good order and proportion, it is, after all, thedramatis personæthat interest us most. Udall's persons are men and women of flesh and blood, interesting and amusing living beings, not the wax figures of "Sapience" or "Folly," "Virtuous Living" or "Counterfet Countenance." Udall's persons are vastly superior to these wooden "dialoguers," whom one feels to be acting merely for a school-bred morality, and they leave the coarse-grained but witty figures even of Heywood's farces far behind.

If anything, hispersonsshow that Udall had studied his Plautus and Terence as a clear and sharp observer,[325]and that he had learned from them where the originals for a comedy were to be found—in life, in the actual world surrounding the poet.

The Present Textis based upon Arber's reprint of July 1, 1869, which has been carefully collated by Professor Gayley with the unique copy in the library of Eton College. The courtesy of the librarian, F. Warre Cornish, M.A., and the other authorities of Eton College, is hereby heartily acknowledged. In the present text all variations from the original are inclosed in brackets. But, in uniformity with the regulation adopted for this series,jandvhave been substituted forianduwhen used as consonants, anduhas been printed forvwhen used as a vowel. References in the footnotes to previous editions are thus indicated: A., Arber's reprint; C., W. D. Cooper's edition for the Shakespeare Society, 1847; H., Hazlitt's Dodsley (edition in Vol. III.), Lond. 1874; M., Professor J. M. Manly's edition in "Specimens of the Pre-Shaksperean Drama," Vol. II., Boston, 1897. References to the Eton copy are indicated by E.

Ewald Flügel.

FOOTNOTES:[285]Wood'sFasti, quoted by Arber. Arber assigns 1504 as the year of Udall's birth, but makes him "æt. 18" in 1524. Cf. Cooper's Extracts from C. C. C. Register.[286]Cf. Bale,Catal.ed. 1557, Cent. 9, 45 (fol. 717; general statement concerning Udall's Protestantism).Lutheranis disciplinis dum in academia studuit addictus fuit, Tanner after Wood, cf. Cooper, XII. It is remarkable, however, that we do not find Udall in correspondence with the reformers "in exile."[287]In March, 1521, cf. Ellis,Original Letters, I. i, 239sqq.[288]Reprinted from Leland'sCollectanea, V. by Cooper, XII. XIV. XXVI.[289]Cf. the epigram "de liberalitate Nic. Odoualli," quoted by Cooper, XII.[290]Original among theRoyal Mss., 18 A. L. XIV. Cf.Calendars, etc., VI., No. 564;Ib.565, referring to Latin verses on this coronation by Richard Coxe, Udall's predecessor at Eton (fromHarl. Ms.6148, f. 117). Udall's verses are reprinted by Arber,English Garner, 2, 52; parts of them published by Collier and Fairholt. Cf. Cooper (XIII.), who dates the pageant 1532 (as does Ward,Hist. Dram. Poetry, I. 141). This pageant shows Udall's earliest connection with the revels, and may have given him a name at the side of Heywood.[291]U. speaks later of the Eton mastership as "that roume which I was neuer desirous to obtain."[292]Cf. Arber, p. 3.[293]Cf. Warton,Hist. of English Poetry, 3, 308;Interdum etiam exbibet[sc.ludi magister]Anglico sermone contextas fabulas, si quæ babeant acumen et leporem. Eton was the only place wherewe knowofEnglishplays; but Radulphus Radclif at Hitchinmayhave performed some of his school comedies in English, as the "plebs" mentioned by Bale would not much have appreciated Latin performances,Catalogus, 8, 98, fol. 700; Herford,Literary Relations, p. 110, citing the occasional admission of English school plays at Eton, says that to "this concession we owe theRalph Roister Doister." More likely we owe the concession toRoister Doister. Cf. Herford on Udall'sDe Papatu.[294]It seems improbable that theR. D.was ever performed at Court; Udall's "interludes and devices" were pageants, as theLoseley Mss.prove; see below.[295]Tusser's500 Pointes, ed. Payne & Heritage, p. 205.[296]Cooper attributes to Udall's severity the running away from school of "divers" Eton boys alluded to by Roger Ascham (Schoolmaster). But this passage refers to 10 Dec. 1563, twenty-two years after Udall had ceased to swing the rod over the Eton boys![297]Cf. quotation from Nicolas'sProceedings and Ordinances of the Privy Council, 7, 152-53, in Cooper; the date is 14 March 32 Henry VIII. (1541-42) andnot1543, as Arber gives it. Arber dates Udall's letter also wrongly 1543; it is referred to 1541-42 in Ellis'sOriginal Letters of Eminent Literary Men, Camden Soc., 1843, P. 1.[298]"Accepte this myn honest chaunge from vice to virtue, from prodigalitee to frugall livyng, from negligence of teachyng to assiduitee, from playe to studie, from lightness to gravitee." He speaks about his "offenses," does not wish to excuse himself, but says "humana quidem esse, et emendari posse." He begs for a chance to show his "emendyng and reformac̄on," and quotes instances from ancient history of great men who had indulged in a "veray riottous and dissolute sorte of livyng" in their youth, had been "drowned in voluptuousness" and had lived in "slaundre and infamie," but had reformed. Not a word is said about thefts, "robberies," and such "felonious trespasses." Cf. the whole letter from a new collation in Flügel'sLesebuch, I, 351.[299]U. does not beg in this letter for his "restitution," as Arber seems to accept.[300]Cf. Cooper, XXIII.[301]Mars had "the rule" there October, 1542-July, 1543 (Froude, 3, 525-570), then again August, 1547 (Somerset in Berwick, Froude, 4, 288); the naval expedition of Hertford in May, 1544, being here out of the question (Ib.4, 32).[302]This translation (published in September) might also indicate some connection between Udall and Aldrich during the summer of 1542. Aldrich was a great "Erasmian"; he had been thejuvenis blandæ eloquentiæwhom Erasmus used as interpreter on that immortal pilgrimage to Walsingham, and he kept up a correspondence with Erasmus.[303]Udall took as his shareSt. Lukand the "disposition" of the rest with exception ofSt. JohnandSt. Mark; perhaps he assisted also in the translation ofMatthewandActs. The Prefaces are dated 1545, 1548. The whole must have been quite a lucrative business-undertaking, because every parish in England had, by law, to buy a copy of this work and "every parson had to have and diligently study the same conferring the one [the New Testament both in Latin and English] with the other [the paraphrase]." Cf. Cranmer'sRemains, 155, 156 (1548); the Injunctions of Edward, 1547 (Ib.499, 501), etc.; cf. also Grindal'sWorks, 134, 157; Hooper'sWorks, 2, 139, 143 (Parker Soc.).[304]Cranmer too wrote "Answers to the Fifteen Articles of the Rebels, Devon, Anno 1549," reprinted in hisRemains, 163; and a number of references to the Rebellion may be found in the writings of the Reformers, f. i.Letter of Hooper to Bullinger, 25 June, 1549,of John ab Ulmis to Bullinger, May 28, 1550, ofBurcher to Bullinger, 25 August, 1549. But none of these correspondents ever mention Udall.[305]Cf. Cooper, XXX.[306]An interesting letter of Udall's, dated August, 1552, referring to his place at Windsor, was printed inArchæologia, 1869, Vol. XLII. 91, but has not hitherto been utilized for Udall's Biography. The preface to a translation of T. Geminie'sAnatomyby Udall is dated 20 July, 1552; cf. Cooper, XXXI.; Udall'sEpistolæ et Carmina ad Gul. Hormannum et ad Jo. Lelandum, are quoted by Bale, etc., and given under this year by Cooper (who reads: Hermannum). Hormann died 1535, as vice-provost of Eton.[307]This warrant was communicated to the Archæological Society, December 9, 1824, by Mr. Bray (Archæologia, 21, 551), but not printed until 1836 in theLoseley Mss., now first edited by A. J. Kempe; No. 31, p. 63.[308]See below, under Date of the Early Edition ofR. D.Another early allusion to Udall as a playwright is that from Nichols'sProgresses of Queen Elizabeth, 3, 177, according to which "an English play calledEzekias, made by Mr. Udall and handled by King's College men only," was performed before Elizabeth August 8, 1564, at Cambridge; see Cooper's Preface, xxxiii. Bale, who does not mention Udall as a playwright in the edition 1548 of hisCatalogus(he mentions only [Ochino's?]Tragoedia de papatu), says in the edition September, 1557, that Udall wrote "comœdias plures." There is nothing on Udall in hisSupplementof 1559.[309]It is remarkable that these documents should never have been utilized for Udall's biography. Cf. the "Miscellaneous Extracts from Various Accounts relating to the Office of the Revels," printed among theLoseley Mss., p. 90. The Muniment Room of James More Molyneux at Loseley House, Surrey, would furnish these and perhaps other documents most valuable for Udall's History and that of the Early Drama.The "scheme for an interlude, in which the persons of the drama were to bea King,a Knight,a Judge,a Preacher,a Scholar,a Serving-man," which Hazlitt (Handbook, 622) carelessly attributes to Udall, is not connected with his name; cf.Loseley Mss., p. 64.[310]Thesemayrefer to another pageant,l.c.[311]No exact date given by Cooper, XXXIV. Hales gives good reasons for the probability that Udall's mastership commenced in 1553; cf.Englische Studien, 18, 421; cf.ib., a very interesting note on the Terentian Plays, annually performed at the Westminster School. It seems almost as if here, as well as at Eton, Udall's headmastership had some significance for the history of the English school comedy.[312]Funerall Monuments, ed. 1631, fol. 497.[313]See above, p.90, and notes.[314]The Date of the First English Comedy, inEnglische Studien, 18, 408-421.[315]Professor Hales, in his essay on the date ofRoister(Englische Studien, 18, 419) quotes for these usury laws the incomplete account of them in Craik'sHistory of British Commerce, 1, 22, 231.The law of 1545 (sodated by Ruffhead; and not 1546) is far more important on account of its clause about the "yearly interest" than of that about the ten per cent.[316]To Collier has been given the credit of first ("soon after 1820") connecting Udall's name withRoister Doister, the unique copy of which had been published by the finder, the Revd. Thos. Briggs, in 1818. But, in the first place, Collier could not have identified the "ambiguous" letter in "Wilson'sArt of Logic, printed by Richard Grafton, 1551," as he says he did, since "The rule of Reason, contei || nyng the Arte of || Logique, set forth || in Englishe, || by Thomas || Vuilson. ||An.M. D. LI.does not contain the quotation from Roister Doister(copy in the Bodleian kindly examined for me by Professor Gayley),neither does the edition of 1552(cf. Arber). On folio 66 of thethirdedition (1553) appears for the first time: "An example of soche doubtful writing whiche by reason of poincting maie haue double sense, and contrarie meaning, taken out of an entrelude made by Nicolas Vdal." And, in the second place, Collier had been anticipated, in part, for as early as 1748 reference had been made to the passage from Wilson by Tanner, who writes (Bibliotheca, 8. n.): In Thos. Wilson'sLogica, p. 69 [it isleaf67 of edition 1567 in my possession]sunt quidem versus ambigui sensus ex Comœdia quadam huius Nic. Udalli desumpti.[317]With this opinion, and that of p. 90,n.4, contrast Fleay's argument,Hist. Stage, pp. 59, 60.Gen. Ed.[318]Ward inDict. Nat. Biog.26, 332. Ward says that in Heywood's Plays the "bridge had been built" to English Comedy. I think rather that this bridge was a temporary structure, waiting to be replaced by the more solidly planned work of a higher architect.[319]These traits as well as the practical jokes would, of course, be especially enjoyed by the Eton players and their youthful audience.[320]Ward,Hist. Dram. Lit., 1, 157 (Lond.: 1899).[321]Cf. the splendid essay on the RomanColaxand Parasite in O. Ribbeck'sHist. of Roman Lit.(Stuttgart, 1887), 1, 83sqq.[322]"These lies are like their father—gross as a mountain, open, palpable."—Shak.,1 Hen. IV.2, 4.[323]Ward,l.c., calls Roister "a vain-glorious, cowardly blockhead, of whom the Pyrgopolinices of Plautus is the precise prototype." That his character has some fine points, modelled after the Terentian Thraso, is shown in the notes (cf. especially the last scene). Roister's character, indeed, is the least original of the play, but he is not Udall's favourite figure. Udall did not spend as much labour on him as on Merygreeke.[324]This possible complication, which would have yielded a fine scene, seems not to have occurred to Udall.[325]In this respect evenJack Jugglerdeserves credit. I find no trace of Plautus and Terence in Heywood's plays.

[285]Wood'sFasti, quoted by Arber. Arber assigns 1504 as the year of Udall's birth, but makes him "æt. 18" in 1524. Cf. Cooper's Extracts from C. C. C. Register.

[286]Cf. Bale,Catal.ed. 1557, Cent. 9, 45 (fol. 717; general statement concerning Udall's Protestantism).Lutheranis disciplinis dum in academia studuit addictus fuit, Tanner after Wood, cf. Cooper, XII. It is remarkable, however, that we do not find Udall in correspondence with the reformers "in exile."

[287]In March, 1521, cf. Ellis,Original Letters, I. i, 239sqq.

[288]Reprinted from Leland'sCollectanea, V. by Cooper, XII. XIV. XXVI.

[289]Cf. the epigram "de liberalitate Nic. Odoualli," quoted by Cooper, XII.

[290]Original among theRoyal Mss., 18 A. L. XIV. Cf.Calendars, etc., VI., No. 564;Ib.565, referring to Latin verses on this coronation by Richard Coxe, Udall's predecessor at Eton (fromHarl. Ms.6148, f. 117). Udall's verses are reprinted by Arber,English Garner, 2, 52; parts of them published by Collier and Fairholt. Cf. Cooper (XIII.), who dates the pageant 1532 (as does Ward,Hist. Dram. Poetry, I. 141). This pageant shows Udall's earliest connection with the revels, and may have given him a name at the side of Heywood.

[291]U. speaks later of the Eton mastership as "that roume which I was neuer desirous to obtain."

[292]Cf. Arber, p. 3.

[293]Cf. Warton,Hist. of English Poetry, 3, 308;Interdum etiam exbibet[sc.ludi magister]Anglico sermone contextas fabulas, si quæ babeant acumen et leporem. Eton was the only place wherewe knowofEnglishplays; but Radulphus Radclif at Hitchinmayhave performed some of his school comedies in English, as the "plebs" mentioned by Bale would not much have appreciated Latin performances,Catalogus, 8, 98, fol. 700; Herford,Literary Relations, p. 110, citing the occasional admission of English school plays at Eton, says that to "this concession we owe theRalph Roister Doister." More likely we owe the concession toRoister Doister. Cf. Herford on Udall'sDe Papatu.

[294]It seems improbable that theR. D.was ever performed at Court; Udall's "interludes and devices" were pageants, as theLoseley Mss.prove; see below.

[295]Tusser's500 Pointes, ed. Payne & Heritage, p. 205.

[296]Cooper attributes to Udall's severity the running away from school of "divers" Eton boys alluded to by Roger Ascham (Schoolmaster). But this passage refers to 10 Dec. 1563, twenty-two years after Udall had ceased to swing the rod over the Eton boys!

[297]Cf. quotation from Nicolas'sProceedings and Ordinances of the Privy Council, 7, 152-53, in Cooper; the date is 14 March 32 Henry VIII. (1541-42) andnot1543, as Arber gives it. Arber dates Udall's letter also wrongly 1543; it is referred to 1541-42 in Ellis'sOriginal Letters of Eminent Literary Men, Camden Soc., 1843, P. 1.

[298]"Accepte this myn honest chaunge from vice to virtue, from prodigalitee to frugall livyng, from negligence of teachyng to assiduitee, from playe to studie, from lightness to gravitee." He speaks about his "offenses," does not wish to excuse himself, but says "humana quidem esse, et emendari posse." He begs for a chance to show his "emendyng and reformac̄on," and quotes instances from ancient history of great men who had indulged in a "veray riottous and dissolute sorte of livyng" in their youth, had been "drowned in voluptuousness" and had lived in "slaundre and infamie," but had reformed. Not a word is said about thefts, "robberies," and such "felonious trespasses." Cf. the whole letter from a new collation in Flügel'sLesebuch, I, 351.

[299]U. does not beg in this letter for his "restitution," as Arber seems to accept.

[300]Cf. Cooper, XXIII.

[301]Mars had "the rule" there October, 1542-July, 1543 (Froude, 3, 525-570), then again August, 1547 (Somerset in Berwick, Froude, 4, 288); the naval expedition of Hertford in May, 1544, being here out of the question (Ib.4, 32).

[302]This translation (published in September) might also indicate some connection between Udall and Aldrich during the summer of 1542. Aldrich was a great "Erasmian"; he had been thejuvenis blandæ eloquentiæwhom Erasmus used as interpreter on that immortal pilgrimage to Walsingham, and he kept up a correspondence with Erasmus.

[303]Udall took as his shareSt. Lukand the "disposition" of the rest with exception ofSt. JohnandSt. Mark; perhaps he assisted also in the translation ofMatthewandActs. The Prefaces are dated 1545, 1548. The whole must have been quite a lucrative business-undertaking, because every parish in England had, by law, to buy a copy of this work and "every parson had to have and diligently study the same conferring the one [the New Testament both in Latin and English] with the other [the paraphrase]." Cf. Cranmer'sRemains, 155, 156 (1548); the Injunctions of Edward, 1547 (Ib.499, 501), etc.; cf. also Grindal'sWorks, 134, 157; Hooper'sWorks, 2, 139, 143 (Parker Soc.).

[304]Cranmer too wrote "Answers to the Fifteen Articles of the Rebels, Devon, Anno 1549," reprinted in hisRemains, 163; and a number of references to the Rebellion may be found in the writings of the Reformers, f. i.Letter of Hooper to Bullinger, 25 June, 1549,of John ab Ulmis to Bullinger, May 28, 1550, ofBurcher to Bullinger, 25 August, 1549. But none of these correspondents ever mention Udall.

[305]Cf. Cooper, XXX.

[306]An interesting letter of Udall's, dated August, 1552, referring to his place at Windsor, was printed inArchæologia, 1869, Vol. XLII. 91, but has not hitherto been utilized for Udall's Biography. The preface to a translation of T. Geminie'sAnatomyby Udall is dated 20 July, 1552; cf. Cooper, XXXI.; Udall'sEpistolæ et Carmina ad Gul. Hormannum et ad Jo. Lelandum, are quoted by Bale, etc., and given under this year by Cooper (who reads: Hermannum). Hormann died 1535, as vice-provost of Eton.

[307]This warrant was communicated to the Archæological Society, December 9, 1824, by Mr. Bray (Archæologia, 21, 551), but not printed until 1836 in theLoseley Mss., now first edited by A. J. Kempe; No. 31, p. 63.

[308]See below, under Date of the Early Edition ofR. D.Another early allusion to Udall as a playwright is that from Nichols'sProgresses of Queen Elizabeth, 3, 177, according to which "an English play calledEzekias, made by Mr. Udall and handled by King's College men only," was performed before Elizabeth August 8, 1564, at Cambridge; see Cooper's Preface, xxxiii. Bale, who does not mention Udall as a playwright in the edition 1548 of hisCatalogus(he mentions only [Ochino's?]Tragoedia de papatu), says in the edition September, 1557, that Udall wrote "comœdias plures." There is nothing on Udall in hisSupplementof 1559.

[309]It is remarkable that these documents should never have been utilized for Udall's biography. Cf. the "Miscellaneous Extracts from Various Accounts relating to the Office of the Revels," printed among theLoseley Mss., p. 90. The Muniment Room of James More Molyneux at Loseley House, Surrey, would furnish these and perhaps other documents most valuable for Udall's History and that of the Early Drama.The "scheme for an interlude, in which the persons of the drama were to bea King,a Knight,a Judge,a Preacher,a Scholar,a Serving-man," which Hazlitt (Handbook, 622) carelessly attributes to Udall, is not connected with his name; cf.Loseley Mss., p. 64.

The "scheme for an interlude, in which the persons of the drama were to bea King,a Knight,a Judge,a Preacher,a Scholar,a Serving-man," which Hazlitt (Handbook, 622) carelessly attributes to Udall, is not connected with his name; cf.Loseley Mss., p. 64.

[310]Thesemayrefer to another pageant,l.c.

[311]No exact date given by Cooper, XXXIV. Hales gives good reasons for the probability that Udall's mastership commenced in 1553; cf.Englische Studien, 18, 421; cf.ib., a very interesting note on the Terentian Plays, annually performed at the Westminster School. It seems almost as if here, as well as at Eton, Udall's headmastership had some significance for the history of the English school comedy.

[312]Funerall Monuments, ed. 1631, fol. 497.

[313]See above, p.90, and notes.

[314]The Date of the First English Comedy, inEnglische Studien, 18, 408-421.

[315]Professor Hales, in his essay on the date ofRoister(Englische Studien, 18, 419) quotes for these usury laws the incomplete account of them in Craik'sHistory of British Commerce, 1, 22, 231.The law of 1545 (sodated by Ruffhead; and not 1546) is far more important on account of its clause about the "yearly interest" than of that about the ten per cent.

[315]Professor Hales, in his essay on the date ofRoister(Englische Studien, 18, 419) quotes for these usury laws the incomplete account of them in Craik'sHistory of British Commerce, 1, 22, 231.

The law of 1545 (sodated by Ruffhead; and not 1546) is far more important on account of its clause about the "yearly interest" than of that about the ten per cent.

[316]To Collier has been given the credit of first ("soon after 1820") connecting Udall's name withRoister Doister, the unique copy of which had been published by the finder, the Revd. Thos. Briggs, in 1818. But, in the first place, Collier could not have identified the "ambiguous" letter in "Wilson'sArt of Logic, printed by Richard Grafton, 1551," as he says he did, since "The rule of Reason, contei || nyng the Arte of || Logique, set forth || in Englishe, || by Thomas || Vuilson. ||An.M. D. LI.does not contain the quotation from Roister Doister(copy in the Bodleian kindly examined for me by Professor Gayley),neither does the edition of 1552(cf. Arber). On folio 66 of thethirdedition (1553) appears for the first time: "An example of soche doubtful writing whiche by reason of poincting maie haue double sense, and contrarie meaning, taken out of an entrelude made by Nicolas Vdal." And, in the second place, Collier had been anticipated, in part, for as early as 1748 reference had been made to the passage from Wilson by Tanner, who writes (Bibliotheca, 8. n.): In Thos. Wilson'sLogica, p. 69 [it isleaf67 of edition 1567 in my possession]sunt quidem versus ambigui sensus ex Comœdia quadam huius Nic. Udalli desumpti.

[317]With this opinion, and that of p. 90,n.4, contrast Fleay's argument,Hist. Stage, pp. 59, 60.Gen. Ed.

[318]Ward inDict. Nat. Biog.26, 332. Ward says that in Heywood's Plays the "bridge had been built" to English Comedy. I think rather that this bridge was a temporary structure, waiting to be replaced by the more solidly planned work of a higher architect.

[319]These traits as well as the practical jokes would, of course, be especially enjoyed by the Eton players and their youthful audience.

[320]Ward,Hist. Dram. Lit., 1, 157 (Lond.: 1899).

[321]Cf. the splendid essay on the RomanColaxand Parasite in O. Ribbeck'sHist. of Roman Lit.(Stuttgart, 1887), 1, 83sqq.

[322]"These lies are like their father—gross as a mountain, open, palpable."—Shak.,1 Hen. IV.2, 4.

[323]Ward,l.c., calls Roister "a vain-glorious, cowardly blockhead, of whom the Pyrgopolinices of Plautus is the precise prototype." That his character has some fine points, modelled after the Terentian Thraso, is shown in the notes (cf. especially the last scene). Roister's character, indeed, is the least original of the play, but he is not Udall's favourite figure. Udall did not spend as much labour on him as on Merygreeke.

[324]This possible complication, which would have yielded a fine scene, seems not to have occurred to Udall.

[325]In this respect evenJack Jugglerdeserves credit. I find no trace of Plautus and Terence in Heywood's plays.

THE SCENE

LONDON[327]]

FOOTNOTES:[326]Cf. stage-direction, III, iii, 83, and AppendixB.[327]St. Paul's is mentioned, II, iv, 40; Sym Suresby seems to come directly from the landing place; the house of Custance might, therefore, safely be located in theCityproper.

[326]Cf. stage-direction, III, iii, 83, and AppendixB.

[327]St. Paul's is mentioned, II, iv, 40; Sym Suresby seems to come directly from the landing place; the house of Custance might, therefore, safely be located in theCityproper.

Roister Doister

The Prologue.

What Creature is in health, eyther yong or olde,A iiBut som mirth with modestie wil be glad to useAs we in thys Enterlude shall now unfolde,Wherin all scurilitie we utterly refuse,Avoiding such mirth wherin is abuse:Knowing nothing more comendable for a mans recreationThan Mirth which is used in an honest fashion:7For Myrth prolongeth lyfe, and causeth health.Mirth recreates our spirites and voydeth pensivenesse,Mirth increaseth amitie, not hindring our wealth,Mirth is to be used both of more and lesse,Being mixed with vertue in decent comlynesse.As we trust no good nature can gainsay the same:Which mirth we intende to use, avoidyng all blame.14The wyse Poets long time heretofore,Under merrie Comedies secretes did declare,Wherein was contained very vertuous lore,With mysteries and forewarnings very rare.Suche to write neitherPlautus[328]norTerencedyd spare,Whiche among the learned[329]at this day beares[330]the bell:[331]These with such other therein dyd excell.21Our Comedie or Enterlude which we intende to play.Is named Royster Doyster in deede.Which against the vayne glorious doth invey,Whose humour the roysting sort continually doth feede.Thus by your pacience we intende to proceedeIn this our Enterlude by Gods leave and grace,And here I take my leave for a certaine space.28

What Creature is in health, eyther yong or olde,A ii

But som mirth with modestie wil be glad to use

As we in thys Enterlude shall now unfolde,

Wherin all scurilitie we utterly refuse,

Avoiding such mirth wherin is abuse:

Knowing nothing more comendable for a mans recreation

Than Mirth which is used in an honest fashion:7

For Myrth prolongeth lyfe, and causeth health.Mirth recreates our spirites and voydeth pensivenesse,Mirth increaseth amitie, not hindring our wealth,Mirth is to be used both of more and lesse,Being mixed with vertue in decent comlynesse.As we trust no good nature can gainsay the same:Which mirth we intende to use, avoidyng all blame.14

For Myrth prolongeth lyfe, and causeth health.

Mirth recreates our spirites and voydeth pensivenesse,

Mirth increaseth amitie, not hindring our wealth,

Mirth is to be used both of more and lesse,

Being mixed with vertue in decent comlynesse.

As we trust no good nature can gainsay the same:

Which mirth we intende to use, avoidyng all blame.14

The wyse Poets long time heretofore,Under merrie Comedies secretes did declare,Wherein was contained very vertuous lore,With mysteries and forewarnings very rare.Suche to write neitherPlautus[328]norTerencedyd spare,Whiche among the learned[329]at this day beares[330]the bell:[331]These with such other therein dyd excell.21

The wyse Poets long time heretofore,

Under merrie Comedies secretes did declare,

Wherein was contained very vertuous lore,

With mysteries and forewarnings very rare.

Suche to write neitherPlautus[328]norTerencedyd spare,

Whiche among the learned[329]at this day beares[330]the bell:[331]

These with such other therein dyd excell.21

Our Comedie or Enterlude which we intende to play.Is named Royster Doyster in deede.Which against the vayne glorious doth invey,Whose humour the roysting sort continually doth feede.Thus by your pacience we intende to proceedeIn this our Enterlude by Gods leave and grace,And here I take my leave for a certaine space.28

Our Comedie or Enterlude which we intende to play.

Is named Royster Doyster in deede.

Which against the vayne glorious doth invey,

Whose humour the roysting sort continually doth feede.

Thus by your pacience we intende to proceede

In this our Enterlude by Gods leave and grace,

And here I take my leave for a certaine space.28

FINIS.

Mathewe Merygreeke.He entreth singing.A iib

As long lyveth the mery man (they say)[332]As doth the sory man, and longer by a day.Yet the Grassehopper for all his Sommer pipyng,Sterveth in Winter wyth hungrie gripyng,Therefore an other sayd sawe doth men advise,5That they be together both mery and wise.Thys Lesson must I practise, or else ere long,Wyth mee Mathew Merygreeke[333]it will be wrong.In deede men so call me, for by him that us bought,What ever chaunce betide, I can take no thought,10Yet wisedome woulde that I did my selfe bethinkeWhere to be provided this day of meate and drinke:For knowe[334]ye that for all this merie note of mine,He might appose[335]me now that should aske where I dine.My lyving lieth heere and there, of Gods grace,15Sometime wyth this good man, sometyme in that place,Sometime Lewis Loytrer[336]biddeth me come neere,Somewhyles Watkin Waster maketh us good cheere,Sometime Davy Diceplayer[337]when he hath well castKeepeth revell route as long as it will last.20Sometime Tom Titivile[338]maketh us a feast,Sometime with sir Hugh Pye I am a bidden gueast,Sometime at Nichol Neverthrives I get a soppe,Sometime I am feasted with Bryan Blinkinsoppe,[339]Sometime I hang on Hankyn[340]Hoddydodies sleeve,25But thys day on Ralph Royster Doysters by hys leeve.For truely of all men he is my chiefe bankerBoth for meate and money, and my chiefe shootanker.[341]For, sooth Roister Doister in that he doth say,[342]And require what ye will ye shall have no nay.30But now of Roister Doister somewhat to expresse,A iiiThat ye may esteeme him after hys worthinesse,In these twentie townes and seke them throughout,Is not the like stocke, whereon to graffe a loute.All the day long is he facing[343]and craking[344]35Of his great actes in fighting and fraymaking:But when Roister Doister is put to his proofe,To keepe the Queenes[345]peace is more for his behoofe.If any woman smyle or cast on hym an eye,Up is he to the harde eares in love by and by,40And in all the hotte haste must she be hys wife,Else farewell hys good days, and farewell his life,Maister Raufe Royster Doyster is but dead and gonExcepte she on hym take some compassion,Then chiefe of counsell, must be Mathew Merygreeke,45What if I for mariage to suche an one seeke?Then must I sooth it, what ever it is:For what he sayth or doth can not be amisse,Holde up his yea and nay, be his nowne[346]white[347]sonne,Prayse and rouse him well, and ye have his heart wonne,50For so well liketh he his owne fonde fashionsThat he taketh pride of false commendations.But such sporte have I with him as I would not leese,Though I should be bounde to lyve with bread and cheese.For exalt hym, and have hym as ye lust in deede:55Yea to hold his finger in a hole for a neede.I can with a worde make him fayne or loth,I can with as much make him pleased or wroth,I can when I will make him mery and glad,I can when me lust make him sory and sad,60I can set him in hope and eke in dispaire,I can make him speake rough, and make him speake faire.But I marvell I see hym not all thys same day,I wyll seeke him out: But loe he commeth thys way,I have yond espied hym sadly comming,A iiib65And in love for twentie pounde, by hys glommyng.

As long lyveth the mery man (they say)[332]

As doth the sory man, and longer by a day.

Yet the Grassehopper for all his Sommer pipyng,

Sterveth in Winter wyth hungrie gripyng,

Therefore an other sayd sawe doth men advise,5

That they be together both mery and wise.

Thys Lesson must I practise, or else ere long,

Wyth mee Mathew Merygreeke[333]it will be wrong.

In deede men so call me, for by him that us bought,

What ever chaunce betide, I can take no thought,10

Yet wisedome woulde that I did my selfe bethinke

Where to be provided this day of meate and drinke:

For knowe[334]ye that for all this merie note of mine,

He might appose[335]me now that should aske where I dine.

My lyving lieth heere and there, of Gods grace,15

Sometime wyth this good man, sometyme in that place,

Sometime Lewis Loytrer[336]biddeth me come neere,

Somewhyles Watkin Waster maketh us good cheere,

Sometime Davy Diceplayer[337]when he hath well cast

Keepeth revell route as long as it will last.20

Sometime Tom Titivile[338]maketh us a feast,

Sometime with sir Hugh Pye I am a bidden gueast,

Sometime at Nichol Neverthrives I get a soppe,

Sometime I am feasted with Bryan Blinkinsoppe,[339]

Sometime I hang on Hankyn[340]Hoddydodies sleeve,25

But thys day on Ralph Royster Doysters by hys leeve.

For truely of all men he is my chiefe banker

Both for meate and money, and my chiefe shootanker.[341]

For, sooth Roister Doister in that he doth say,[342]

And require what ye will ye shall have no nay.30

But now of Roister Doister somewhat to expresse,A iii

That ye may esteeme him after hys worthinesse,

In these twentie townes and seke them throughout,

Is not the like stocke, whereon to graffe a loute.

All the day long is he facing[343]and craking[344]35

Of his great actes in fighting and fraymaking:

But when Roister Doister is put to his proofe,

To keepe the Queenes[345]peace is more for his behoofe.

If any woman smyle or cast on hym an eye,

Up is he to the harde eares in love by and by,40

And in all the hotte haste must she be hys wife,

Else farewell hys good days, and farewell his life,

Maister Raufe Royster Doyster is but dead and gon

Excepte she on hym take some compassion,

Then chiefe of counsell, must be Mathew Merygreeke,45

What if I for mariage to suche an one seeke?

Then must I sooth it, what ever it is:

For what he sayth or doth can not be amisse,

Holde up his yea and nay, be his nowne[346]white[347]sonne,

Prayse and rouse him well, and ye have his heart wonne,50

For so well liketh he his owne fonde fashions

That he taketh pride of false commendations.

But such sporte have I with him as I would not leese,

Though I should be bounde to lyve with bread and cheese.

For exalt hym, and have hym as ye lust in deede:55

Yea to hold his finger in a hole for a neede.

I can with a worde make him fayne or loth,

I can with as much make him pleased or wroth,

I can when I will make him mery and glad,

I can when me lust make him sory and sad,60

I can set him in hope and eke in dispaire,

I can make him speake rough, and make him speake faire.

But I marvell I see hym not all thys same day,

I wyll seeke him out: But loe he commeth thys way,

I have yond espied hym sadly comming,A iiib65

And in love for twentie pounde, by hys glommyng.

Rafe Roister Doister. Mathew Merygreeke.

R. Royster.Come death when thou wilt, I am weary of my life.M. Mery.I tolde you I, we should wowe another wife.R. Royster.Why did God make me suche a goodly person?M. Mery.He is in[348]by the weke, we shall have sport anon.R. Royster.And where is my trustie friende Mathew Merygreeke?5M. Mery.I wyll make as I sawe him not, he doth me seeke.R. Roister.I have hym espyed me thinketh, yond is hee,Hough Mathew Merygreeke my friend, a worde with thee.[349]M. Mery.I wyll not heare him, but make as I had haste,Farewell all my good friendes, the tyme away dothe waste,10And the tide they say, tarieth for no man.R. Roister.Thou must with thy good counsell helpe me if thou can.M. Mery.God keepe thee worshypfull Maister Roister Doister,And fare well the lustie Maister Roister Doister.R. Royster.I muste needes speake with thee a worde or twaine.15M. Mery.Within a month or two I will be here againe,Negligence in greate affaires ye knowe may marre all.R. Roister.Attende upon me now, and well rewarde thee I shall.M. Mery.I have take my leave, and the tide is well spent.R. Roister.I die except thou helpe, I pray thee be content,20Doe thy parte wel nowe, and aske what thou wilt,For without thy aide my matter is all spilt.M. Mery.Then to serve your turne I will some paines take,And let all myne owne affaires alone for your sake.R. Royster.My whole hope and trust resteth onely in thee.25M. Mery.Then can ye not doe amisse what ever it bee.R. Royster.Gramercies Merygreeke, most bounde to thee I am.A ivM. Mery.But up with that heart, and speake out like a ramme,Ye speake like a Capon that had the cough now:Bee of good cheere, anon ye shall doe well ynow.30R. Royster.Upon thy comforte, I will all things well handle.M. Mery.So loe, that is a breast to blowe out a candle.But what is this great matter I woulde faine knowe,We shall fynde remedie therefore I trowe.Doe ye lacke money? ye knowe myne olde offers,35Ye have always a key to my purse and coffers.R. Royster.I thanke thee: had ever man suche a frende?M. Mery.Ye gyve unto me: I must needes to you lendeR. Royster.Nay I have money plentie all things to discharge.[350]M. Mery[aside]. That knewe I ryght well when I made offer so large.40R. Royster.But it is no suche matter.[351]M. Mery.What is it than?Are ye in daunger of debte to any man?If ye be, take no thought nor be not afraide,Let them hardly[352]take thought how they shall be paide.R. Royster.Tut I owe nought.45M. Mery.What then? fear ye imprisonment?R. Royster.No.M. Mery.No I wist ye offende not so,[353]to be shent.But if [y]e[354]had, the Toure coulde not you so holde,But to breake out at all times ye would be bolde.What is it? hath any man threatned you to beate?R. Royster.What is he that durst have put me in that heate?50He that beateth me, by his armes,[355]shall well fynde,That I will not be farre from him nor runne behinde.M. Mery.That thing knowe all men ever since ye overthrewe,The fellow of the Lion whichHerculesslewe.[356]But what is it than?55R. Royster.Of love I make my mone.M. Mery.Ah this foolishe a[357]love, wilt neare let us alone?But bicause ye were refused the last day,Ye said ye woulde nere more be intangled that way:"I would medle no more, since I fynde all so unkinde,"[358]R. Royster.Yea, but I can not so put love out of my minde.60Math. Mer.But is your love tell me first, in any wise,A ivbIn the way of Mariage, or of Merchandise?If it may otherwise than lawfull be founde,Ye get none of my helpe for an hundred pounde.R. Royster.No by my trouth I would have hir to my Wife.65M. Mery.Then are ye a good man, and God save your life,And what or who is she, with whome ye are in love?R. Royster.A woman whome I knowe not by what meanes to move.M. Mery.Who is it?R. Royster.A woman yond.M. Mery.What is hir name?R. Royster.Hir yonder.70M. Mery.Who[359][?]R. Royster.Mistresse ah—M. Mery.Fy fy for shame[!]Love ye, and know not whome? but hir yonde, a Woman,We shall then get you a Wyfe, I can not tell whan.R. Royster.The faire Woman, that supped wyth us yesternyght—And I hearde hir name twice or thrice, and had it ryght.M. Mery.Yea, ye may see ye nere[360]take me to good cheere with you,75If ye had, I coulde have tolde you hir name now.R. Royster.I was to blame in deede, but the nexte tyme perchaunce:And she dwelleth in this house.M. Mery.What Christian Custance.R. Royster.Except I have hir to my Wife, I shall runne madde.M. Mery.Nay unwise perhaps, but I warrant you for madde.80R. Royster.I am utterly dead unlesse I have my desire.M. Mery.Where be the bellowes that blewe this sodeine fire?R. Royster.I heare she is worthe a thousande pounde and more.M. Mery.Yea, but learne this one lesson of me afore,An hundred pounde of Marriage money doubtlesse,85Is ever thirtie pounde sterlyng, or somewhat lesse,So that hir Thousande pounde yf she be thriftie,Is muche neere[361]about two hundred and fiftie,Howebeit wowers and Widowes are never poore.R. Royster.Is she a Widowe?[362]I love hir better therefore.90M. Mery.But I heare she hath made promise to another.R. Royster.He shall goe without hir, and[363]he were my brother.M. Mery.I have hearde say, I am right well advised,That she hath to Gawyn Goodlucke promised.R. Royster.What is that Gawyn Goodlucke?B i 95M. Mery.a Merchant man.R. Royster.Shall he speede afore me? nay sir by sweete Sainct Anne.Ah sir, Backare quod Mortimer to his sowe,[364]I wyll have hir myne owne selfe I make God a vow.For I tell thee, she is worthe a thousande pounde.M. Mery.Yet a fitter wife for your maship[365]might be founde:100Suche a goodly man as you, might get one wyth lande,[366]Besides poundes of golde a thousande and a thousande,And a thousande, and a thousande, and a thousande,And so to the summe of twentie hundred thousande,Your most goodly personage is worthie of no lesse.[367]105R. Royster.I am sorie God made me so comely doubtlesse,[368]For that maketh me eche where so highly favoured,And all women on me so enamoured.[369]M. Mery.Enamoured quod you? have ye spied out that?Ah sir, mary nowe I see you know what is what.110Enamoured ka?[370]mary sir say that againe,But I thought not ye had marked it so plaine.R. Royster.Yes, eche where they gaze all upon me and stare.M. Mery.Yea malkyn, I warrant you as muche as they dare.And ye will not beleve what they say in the streete,115When your mashyp passeth by all such as I meete,That sometimes I can scarce finde what aunswere to make.Who is this (sayth one) sirLauncelot du lake?[371]Who is this, greateGuy[372]of Warwike, sayth an other?No (say I) it is the thirtenthHerculesbrother.120Who is this? nobleHectorofTroy, sayth the thirde?No, but of the same nest (say I) it is a birde.Who is this? greateGoliah,Sampson, orColbrande?[373]No (say I) but it is a brute[374]of the Alie[375]lande.Who is this? greateAlexander?[376]orCharle le Maigne?125No, it is the tenth Worthie, say I to them agayne:I knowe not if I sayd well.R. Royster.Yes for so I am.M. Mery.Yea, for there were but nine worthies before ye came.B ibTo some others, the thirdCato[377]I doe you call.And so as well as I can I aunswere them all.130Sir I pray you, what lorde or great gentleman is this?Maister Ralph Roister Doister dame say I, ywis.O Lorde (sayth she than) what a goodly man it is,Woulde Christ I had such a husbande as he is.O Lorde (say some) that the sight of his face we lacke:[378]135It is inough for you (say I) to see his backe.His face is for ladies of high and noble parages.[379]With whome he hardly scapeth great mariages.With muche more than this, and much otherwise.R. Royster.I can thee thanke that thou canst suche answeres devise:140But I perceyve thou doste me throughly knowe.M. Mery.I marke your maners for myne owne learnyng I trowe,But suche is your beautie, and suche are your actes,Suche is your personage, and suche are your factes,[380]That all women faire and fowle, more and less,145They[381]eye you, they lubbe[382]you, they talke of you doubtlesse,Your p[l]easant looke maketh them all merie,Ye passe not by, but they laugh till they be werie,Yea and money coulde I have[,] the truthe to tell,Of many, to bryng you that way where they dwell.150R. Royster.Merygreeke for this thy reporting well of mee:M. Mery.What shoulde I else sir, it is my duetie pardee:R. Royster.I promise thou shalt not lacke, while I have a grote.M. Mery.Faith sir, and I nere had more nede of a newe cote.R. Royster.Thou shalte have one to morowe, and golde for to spende.155M. Mery.Then I trust to bring the day to a good ende.For as for mine owne parte having money inowe,I could lyve onely with the remembrance of you.But nowe to your Widowe whome you love so hotte.R. Royster.By cocke thou sayest truthe, I had almost forgotte.160M. Mery.What if Christian Custance will not have you what?R. Royster.Have me? yes I warrant you,[383]never doubt of that,I knowe she loveth me, but she dare not speake.B iiM. Mery.In deede meete it were some body should it breake.R. Royster.She looked on me twentie tymes yesternight,165And laughed so.M. Mery.That she coulde not sitte upright,R. Royster.No faith coulde she not.M. Mery.No even such a thing I cast.[384]R. Royster.But for wowyng thou knowest women are shamefast.But and she knewe my minde, I knowe she would be glad,And thinke it the best chaunce that ever she had.170M. Mery.Too[385]hir then like a man, and be bolde forth to starte,Wowers never speede well, that have a false harte.R. Royster.What may I best doe?M. Mery.Sir remaine ye a while [here[386]]?Ere long one or other of hir house will appere.Ye knowe my minde.175R. Royster.Yea now hardly[387]lette me alone.M. Mery.In the meane time sir, if you please, I wyll home,And call your Musitians,[388]for in this your caseIt would sette you forth, and all your wowyng grace,Ye may not lacke your instrumentes to play and sing.R. Royster.Thou knowest I can doe that.180M. Mery.As well as any thing.Shall I go call your folkes, that ye may shewe a cast?[389]R. Royster.Yea runne I beseeche thee in all possible haste.M. Mery.I goe.Exeat.R. Royster.Yea for I love singyng out of measure,It comforteth my spirites and doth me great pleasure.185But who commeth forth yond from my swete hearte Custance?My matter frameth well, thys is a luckie chaunce.

R. Royster.Come death when thou wilt, I am weary of my life.

M. Mery.I tolde you I, we should wowe another wife.

R. Royster.Why did God make me suche a goodly person?

M. Mery.He is in[348]by the weke, we shall have sport anon.

R. Royster.And where is my trustie friende Mathew Merygreeke?5

M. Mery.I wyll make as I sawe him not, he doth me seeke.

R. Roister.I have hym espyed me thinketh, yond is hee,Hough Mathew Merygreeke my friend, a worde with thee.[349]

R. Roister.I have hym espyed me thinketh, yond is hee,

Hough Mathew Merygreeke my friend, a worde with thee.[349]

M. Mery.I wyll not heare him, but make as I had haste,Farewell all my good friendes, the tyme away dothe waste,10And the tide they say, tarieth for no man.

M. Mery.I wyll not heare him, but make as I had haste,

Farewell all my good friendes, the tyme away dothe waste,10

And the tide they say, tarieth for no man.

R. Roister.Thou must with thy good counsell helpe me if thou can.

M. Mery.God keepe thee worshypfull Maister Roister Doister,And fare well the lustie Maister Roister Doister.

M. Mery.God keepe thee worshypfull Maister Roister Doister,

And fare well the lustie Maister Roister Doister.

R. Royster.I muste needes speake with thee a worde or twaine.15

M. Mery.Within a month or two I will be here againe,Negligence in greate affaires ye knowe may marre all.

M. Mery.Within a month or two I will be here againe,

Negligence in greate affaires ye knowe may marre all.

R. Roister.Attende upon me now, and well rewarde thee I shall.

M. Mery.I have take my leave, and the tide is well spent.

R. Roister.I die except thou helpe, I pray thee be content,20Doe thy parte wel nowe, and aske what thou wilt,For without thy aide my matter is all spilt.

R. Roister.I die except thou helpe, I pray thee be content,20

Doe thy parte wel nowe, and aske what thou wilt,

For without thy aide my matter is all spilt.

M. Mery.Then to serve your turne I will some paines take,And let all myne owne affaires alone for your sake.

M. Mery.Then to serve your turne I will some paines take,

And let all myne owne affaires alone for your sake.

R. Royster.My whole hope and trust resteth onely in thee.25

M. Mery.Then can ye not doe amisse what ever it bee.

R. Royster.Gramercies Merygreeke, most bounde to thee I am.A iv

M. Mery.But up with that heart, and speake out like a ramme,Ye speake like a Capon that had the cough now:Bee of good cheere, anon ye shall doe well ynow.30

M. Mery.But up with that heart, and speake out like a ramme,

Ye speake like a Capon that had the cough now:

Bee of good cheere, anon ye shall doe well ynow.30

R. Royster.Upon thy comforte, I will all things well handle.

M. Mery.So loe, that is a breast to blowe out a candle.But what is this great matter I woulde faine knowe,We shall fynde remedie therefore I trowe.Doe ye lacke money? ye knowe myne olde offers,35Ye have always a key to my purse and coffers.

M. Mery.So loe, that is a breast to blowe out a candle.

But what is this great matter I woulde faine knowe,

We shall fynde remedie therefore I trowe.

Doe ye lacke money? ye knowe myne olde offers,35

Ye have always a key to my purse and coffers.

R. Royster.I thanke thee: had ever man suche a frende?

M. Mery.Ye gyve unto me: I must needes to you lende

R. Royster.Nay I have money plentie all things to discharge.[350]

M. Mery[aside]. That knewe I ryght well when I made offer so large.40

R. Royster.But it is no suche matter.[351]

M. Mery.What is it than?Are ye in daunger of debte to any man?If ye be, take no thought nor be not afraide,Let them hardly[352]take thought how they shall be paide.

M. Mery.What is it than?

Are ye in daunger of debte to any man?

If ye be, take no thought nor be not afraide,

Let them hardly[352]take thought how they shall be paide.

R. Royster.Tut I owe nought.45

M. Mery.What then? fear ye imprisonment?

R. Royster.No.

M. Mery.No I wist ye offende not so,[353]to be shent.But if [y]e[354]had, the Toure coulde not you so holde,But to breake out at all times ye would be bolde.What is it? hath any man threatned you to beate?

M. Mery.No I wist ye offende not so,[353]to be shent.

But if [y]e[354]had, the Toure coulde not you so holde,

But to breake out at all times ye would be bolde.

What is it? hath any man threatned you to beate?

R. Royster.What is he that durst have put me in that heate?50He that beateth me, by his armes,[355]shall well fynde,That I will not be farre from him nor runne behinde.

R. Royster.What is he that durst have put me in that heate?50

He that beateth me, by his armes,[355]shall well fynde,

That I will not be farre from him nor runne behinde.

M. Mery.That thing knowe all men ever since ye overthrewe,The fellow of the Lion whichHerculesslewe.[356]But what is it than?55

M. Mery.That thing knowe all men ever since ye overthrewe,

The fellow of the Lion whichHerculesslewe.[356]

But what is it than?55

R. Royster.Of love I make my mone.

M. Mery.Ah this foolishe a[357]love, wilt neare let us alone?But bicause ye were refused the last day,Ye said ye woulde nere more be intangled that way:"I would medle no more, since I fynde all so unkinde,"[358]

M. Mery.Ah this foolishe a[357]love, wilt neare let us alone?

But bicause ye were refused the last day,

Ye said ye woulde nere more be intangled that way:

"I would medle no more, since I fynde all so unkinde,"[358]

R. Royster.Yea, but I can not so put love out of my minde.60

Math. Mer.But is your love tell me first, in any wise,A ivbIn the way of Mariage, or of Merchandise?If it may otherwise than lawfull be founde,Ye get none of my helpe for an hundred pounde.

Math. Mer.But is your love tell me first, in any wise,A ivb

In the way of Mariage, or of Merchandise?

If it may otherwise than lawfull be founde,

Ye get none of my helpe for an hundred pounde.

R. Royster.No by my trouth I would have hir to my Wife.65

M. Mery.Then are ye a good man, and God save your life,And what or who is she, with whome ye are in love?

M. Mery.Then are ye a good man, and God save your life,

And what or who is she, with whome ye are in love?

R. Royster.A woman whome I knowe not by what meanes to move.

M. Mery.Who is it?

R. Royster.A woman yond.

M. Mery.What is hir name?

R. Royster.Hir yonder.70

M. Mery.Who[359][?]

R. Royster.Mistresse ah—

M. Mery.Fy fy for shame[!]Love ye, and know not whome? but hir yonde, a Woman,We shall then get you a Wyfe, I can not tell whan.

M. Mery.Fy fy for shame[!]

Love ye, and know not whome? but hir yonde, a Woman,

We shall then get you a Wyfe, I can not tell whan.

R. Royster.The faire Woman, that supped wyth us yesternyght—And I hearde hir name twice or thrice, and had it ryght.

R. Royster.The faire Woman, that supped wyth us yesternyght—

And I hearde hir name twice or thrice, and had it ryght.

M. Mery.Yea, ye may see ye nere[360]take me to good cheere with you,75If ye had, I coulde have tolde you hir name now.

M. Mery.Yea, ye may see ye nere[360]take me to good cheere with you,75

If ye had, I coulde have tolde you hir name now.

R. Royster.I was to blame in deede, but the nexte tyme perchaunce:And she dwelleth in this house.

R. Royster.I was to blame in deede, but the nexte tyme perchaunce:

And she dwelleth in this house.

M. Mery.What Christian Custance.

R. Royster.Except I have hir to my Wife, I shall runne madde.

M. Mery.Nay unwise perhaps, but I warrant you for madde.80

R. Royster.I am utterly dead unlesse I have my desire.

M. Mery.Where be the bellowes that blewe this sodeine fire?

R. Royster.I heare she is worthe a thousande pounde and more.

M. Mery.Yea, but learne this one lesson of me afore,An hundred pounde of Marriage money doubtlesse,85Is ever thirtie pounde sterlyng, or somewhat lesse,So that hir Thousande pounde yf she be thriftie,Is muche neere[361]about two hundred and fiftie,Howebeit wowers and Widowes are never poore.

M. Mery.Yea, but learne this one lesson of me afore,

An hundred pounde of Marriage money doubtlesse,85

Is ever thirtie pounde sterlyng, or somewhat lesse,

So that hir Thousande pounde yf she be thriftie,

Is muche neere[361]about two hundred and fiftie,

Howebeit wowers and Widowes are never poore.

R. Royster.Is she a Widowe?[362]I love hir better therefore.90

M. Mery.But I heare she hath made promise to another.

R. Royster.He shall goe without hir, and[363]he were my brother.

M. Mery.I have hearde say, I am right well advised,That she hath to Gawyn Goodlucke promised.

M. Mery.I have hearde say, I am right well advised,

That she hath to Gawyn Goodlucke promised.

R. Royster.What is that Gawyn Goodlucke?B i 95

M. Mery.a Merchant man.

R. Royster.Shall he speede afore me? nay sir by sweete Sainct Anne.Ah sir, Backare quod Mortimer to his sowe,[364]I wyll have hir myne owne selfe I make God a vow.For I tell thee, she is worthe a thousande pounde.

R. Royster.Shall he speede afore me? nay sir by sweete Sainct Anne.

Ah sir, Backare quod Mortimer to his sowe,[364]

I wyll have hir myne owne selfe I make God a vow.

For I tell thee, she is worthe a thousande pounde.

M. Mery.Yet a fitter wife for your maship[365]might be founde:100Suche a goodly man as you, might get one wyth lande,[366]Besides poundes of golde a thousande and a thousande,And a thousande, and a thousande, and a thousande,And so to the summe of twentie hundred thousande,Your most goodly personage is worthie of no lesse.[367]105

M. Mery.Yet a fitter wife for your maship[365]might be founde:100

Suche a goodly man as you, might get one wyth lande,[366]

Besides poundes of golde a thousande and a thousande,

And a thousande, and a thousande, and a thousande,

And so to the summe of twentie hundred thousande,

Your most goodly personage is worthie of no lesse.[367]105

R. Royster.I am sorie God made me so comely doubtlesse,[368]For that maketh me eche where so highly favoured,And all women on me so enamoured.[369]

R. Royster.I am sorie God made me so comely doubtlesse,[368]

For that maketh me eche where so highly favoured,

And all women on me so enamoured.[369]

M. Mery.Enamoured quod you? have ye spied out that?Ah sir, mary nowe I see you know what is what.110Enamoured ka?[370]mary sir say that againe,But I thought not ye had marked it so plaine.

M. Mery.Enamoured quod you? have ye spied out that?

Ah sir, mary nowe I see you know what is what.110

Enamoured ka?[370]mary sir say that againe,

But I thought not ye had marked it so plaine.

R. Royster.Yes, eche where they gaze all upon me and stare.

M. Mery.Yea malkyn, I warrant you as muche as they dare.And ye will not beleve what they say in the streete,115When your mashyp passeth by all such as I meete,That sometimes I can scarce finde what aunswere to make.Who is this (sayth one) sirLauncelot du lake?[371]Who is this, greateGuy[372]of Warwike, sayth an other?No (say I) it is the thirtenthHerculesbrother.120Who is this? nobleHectorofTroy, sayth the thirde?No, but of the same nest (say I) it is a birde.Who is this? greateGoliah,Sampson, orColbrande?[373]No (say I) but it is a brute[374]of the Alie[375]lande.Who is this? greateAlexander?[376]orCharle le Maigne?125No, it is the tenth Worthie, say I to them agayne:I knowe not if I sayd well.

M. Mery.Yea malkyn, I warrant you as muche as they dare.

And ye will not beleve what they say in the streete,115

When your mashyp passeth by all such as I meete,

That sometimes I can scarce finde what aunswere to make.

Who is this (sayth one) sirLauncelot du lake?[371]

Who is this, greateGuy[372]of Warwike, sayth an other?

No (say I) it is the thirtenthHerculesbrother.120

Who is this? nobleHectorofTroy, sayth the thirde?

No, but of the same nest (say I) it is a birde.

Who is this? greateGoliah,Sampson, orColbrande?[373]

No (say I) but it is a brute[374]of the Alie[375]lande.

Who is this? greateAlexander?[376]orCharle le Maigne?125

No, it is the tenth Worthie, say I to them agayne:

I knowe not if I sayd well.

R. Royster.Yes for so I am.

M. Mery.Yea, for there were but nine worthies before ye came.B ibTo some others, the thirdCato[377]I doe you call.And so as well as I can I aunswere them all.130Sir I pray you, what lorde or great gentleman is this?Maister Ralph Roister Doister dame say I, ywis.O Lorde (sayth she than) what a goodly man it is,Woulde Christ I had such a husbande as he is.O Lorde (say some) that the sight of his face we lacke:[378]135It is inough for you (say I) to see his backe.His face is for ladies of high and noble parages.[379]With whome he hardly scapeth great mariages.With muche more than this, and much otherwise.

M. Mery.Yea, for there were but nine worthies before ye came.B ib

To some others, the thirdCato[377]I doe you call.

And so as well as I can I aunswere them all.130

Sir I pray you, what lorde or great gentleman is this?

Maister Ralph Roister Doister dame say I, ywis.

O Lorde (sayth she than) what a goodly man it is,

Woulde Christ I had such a husbande as he is.

O Lorde (say some) that the sight of his face we lacke:[378]135

It is inough for you (say I) to see his backe.

His face is for ladies of high and noble parages.[379]

With whome he hardly scapeth great mariages.

With muche more than this, and much otherwise.

R. Royster.I can thee thanke that thou canst suche answeres devise:140But I perceyve thou doste me throughly knowe.

R. Royster.I can thee thanke that thou canst suche answeres devise:140

But I perceyve thou doste me throughly knowe.

M. Mery.I marke your maners for myne owne learnyng I trowe,But suche is your beautie, and suche are your actes,Suche is your personage, and suche are your factes,[380]That all women faire and fowle, more and less,145They[381]eye you, they lubbe[382]you, they talke of you doubtlesse,Your p[l]easant looke maketh them all merie,Ye passe not by, but they laugh till they be werie,Yea and money coulde I have[,] the truthe to tell,Of many, to bryng you that way where they dwell.150

M. Mery.I marke your maners for myne owne learnyng I trowe,

But suche is your beautie, and suche are your actes,

Suche is your personage, and suche are your factes,[380]

That all women faire and fowle, more and less,145

They[381]eye you, they lubbe[382]you, they talke of you doubtlesse,

Your p[l]easant looke maketh them all merie,

Ye passe not by, but they laugh till they be werie,

Yea and money coulde I have[,] the truthe to tell,

Of many, to bryng you that way where they dwell.150

R. Royster.Merygreeke for this thy reporting well of mee:

M. Mery.What shoulde I else sir, it is my duetie pardee:

R. Royster.I promise thou shalt not lacke, while I have a grote.

M. Mery.Faith sir, and I nere had more nede of a newe cote.

R. Royster.Thou shalte have one to morowe, and golde for to spende.155

M. Mery.Then I trust to bring the day to a good ende.For as for mine owne parte having money inowe,I could lyve onely with the remembrance of you.But nowe to your Widowe whome you love so hotte.

M. Mery.Then I trust to bring the day to a good ende.

For as for mine owne parte having money inowe,

I could lyve onely with the remembrance of you.

But nowe to your Widowe whome you love so hotte.

R. Royster.By cocke thou sayest truthe, I had almost forgotte.160

M. Mery.What if Christian Custance will not have you what?

R. Royster.Have me? yes I warrant you,[383]never doubt of that,I knowe she loveth me, but she dare not speake.B ii

R. Royster.Have me? yes I warrant you,[383]never doubt of that,

I knowe she loveth me, but she dare not speake.B ii

M. Mery.In deede meete it were some body should it breake.

R. Royster.She looked on me twentie tymes yesternight,165And laughed so.

R. Royster.She looked on me twentie tymes yesternight,165

And laughed so.

M. Mery.That she coulde not sitte upright,

R. Royster.No faith coulde she not.

M. Mery.No even such a thing I cast.[384]

R. Royster.But for wowyng thou knowest women are shamefast.But and she knewe my minde, I knowe she would be glad,And thinke it the best chaunce that ever she had.170

R. Royster.But for wowyng thou knowest women are shamefast.

But and she knewe my minde, I knowe she would be glad,

And thinke it the best chaunce that ever she had.170

M. Mery.Too[385]hir then like a man, and be bolde forth to starte,Wowers never speede well, that have a false harte.

M. Mery.Too[385]hir then like a man, and be bolde forth to starte,

Wowers never speede well, that have a false harte.

R. Royster.What may I best doe?

M. Mery.Sir remaine ye a while [here[386]]?Ere long one or other of hir house will appere.Ye knowe my minde.175

M. Mery.Sir remaine ye a while [here[386]]?

Ere long one or other of hir house will appere.

Ye knowe my minde.175

R. Royster.Yea now hardly[387]lette me alone.

M. Mery.In the meane time sir, if you please, I wyll home,And call your Musitians,[388]for in this your caseIt would sette you forth, and all your wowyng grace,Ye may not lacke your instrumentes to play and sing.

M. Mery.In the meane time sir, if you please, I wyll home,

And call your Musitians,[388]for in this your case

It would sette you forth, and all your wowyng grace,

Ye may not lacke your instrumentes to play and sing.

R. Royster.Thou knowest I can doe that.180

M. Mery.As well as any thing.Shall I go call your folkes, that ye may shewe a cast?[389]

M. Mery.As well as any thing.

Shall I go call your folkes, that ye may shewe a cast?[389]

R. Royster.Yea runne I beseeche thee in all possible haste.

M. Mery.I goe.Exeat.

M. Mery.I goe.

Exeat.

R. Royster.Yea for I love singyng out of measure,It comforteth my spirites and doth me great pleasure.185But who commeth forth yond from my swete hearte Custance?My matter frameth well, thys is a luckie chaunce.

R. Royster.Yea for I love singyng out of measure,

It comforteth my spirites and doth me great pleasure.185

But who commeth forth yond from my swete hearte Custance?

My matter frameth well, thys is a luckie chaunce.

Mage Mumble crust,[390]spinning on the distaffe.Tibet Talk apace,sowyng.Annot Alyface,knittyng.R. Roister.

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