M. Mery.Well mocke muche of hir, and keepe hir well I vise ye.I will take no charge of such a faire piece keeping.M. Mumbl.What ayleth thys fellowe? he driueth me to weeping.M. Mery.What weepe on the weddyng day? be merrie woman,Though I say it, ye haue chose a good gentleman.R. Royster.Kocks nownes what meanest thou man, tut a whistle.[M. Mery.]Ah sir, be good to hir, she is but a gristle,Ah sweete lambe and coney.R. Royster.Tut thou art deceiued.M. Mery.Weepe no more lady, ye shall be well receiued.Vp wyth some mery noyse sirs, to bring home the bride.R. Royster.Gogs armes knaue, art thou madde?I tel thee thou art wide.M. Mery.Then ye entende by nyght to haue hir home brought.R. Royster.I tel thee no.M. Mery.How then?R. Royster.Tis neither ment ne thought.M. Mery.What shall we then doe with hir?R. Royster.Ah foolish harebraine,This is not she.M. Mery.No is? why then vnsayde againe,And what yong girle is this with your mashyp so bolde?R. Royster.A girle?M. Mery.Yea. I dare say, scarse yet three score yere old.R. Royster.This same is the faire widowes nourse of whome ye wotte.M. Mery.Is she but a nourse of a house? hence home olde trotte,Hence at once.R. Royster.No, no.M. Mery.What an please your mashipA nourse talke so homely with one of your worship?R. Royster.I will haue it so: it is my pleasure and will.M. Mery.Then I am content. Nourse come againe, tarry still.R. Royster.What, she will helpe forward this my sute for hir part.M. Mery.Then ist mine owne pygs nie, and blessing on my hart.R. Royster.This is our best friend man.M. Mery.Then teach hir what to sayM. Mumbl.I am taught alreadie.M. Mery.Then go, make no delay.R. Royster.Yet hark one word in thine eare.M. Mery.Back sirs from his taile.R. Royster.Backe vilaynes, will ye be priuie of my counsaile?M. Mery.Backe sirs, so: I tolde you afore ye woulde be shent.R. Royster.She shall haue the first day a whole pecke of argent.M. Mumbl.A pecke?Nomine patris, haue ye so much spare?R. Royster.Yea and a carte lode therto, or else were it bare,Besides other mouables, housholde stuffe and lande.M. Mumbl.Haue ye lands too.R. Royster.An hundred marks.M. Mery.Yea a thousandM. Mumbl.And haue ye cattell too? and sheepe too?R. Royster.Yea a fewe.M. Mery.He is ashamed the numbre of them to shewe.Een rounde about him, as many thousande sheepe goes,As he and thou and I too, haue fingers and toes.M. Mumbl.And how many yeares olde be you?R. Royster.Fortie at lest.M. Mery.Yea and thrice fortie to them.R. Royster.Nay now thou dost iest.I am not so olde, thou misreckonest my yeares.M. Mery.I know that: but my minde was on bullockes and steeres.M. Mumbl.And what shall I shewe hir your masterships name is?R. Royster.Nay she shall make sute ere she know that ywis.M. Mumbl.Yet let me somewhat knowe.M. Mery.This is hee vnderstand,That killed the blewe Spider in Blanchepouder lande.M. Mumbl.YeaIesus, William zee law, dyd he zo law?M. Mery.Yea and the last Elephant that euer he sawe,As the beast passed by, he start out of a buske,And een with pure strength of armes pluckt out his great tuske.M. Mumbl.Iesus, nomine patris, what a thing was that?R. Royster.Yea but Merygreke one thing thou hast forgot.M. Mery.What?R. Royster.Of thother Elephant.M. Mery.Oh hym that fledde away.R. Royster.Yea.M. Mery.Yea he knew that his match was in place that dayTut, he bet the king of Crickets on Christmasse day,That he crept in a hole, and not a worde to say.M. Mumbl.A sore man by zembletee.M. Mery.Why, he wrong a clubOnce in a fray out of the hande of Belzebub.R. Roister.And how when Mumfision?M. Mery.Oh your coustrelyngBore the lanterne a fielde so before the gozelyng.Nay that is to long a matter now to be tolde:Neuer aske his name Nurse, I warrant thee, be bolde,He conquered in one day fromRome, toNaples,And woonne Townes nourse as fast as thou canst make Apples.M. Mumbl.O Lorde, my heart quaketh for feare: he is to sore.R. Roister.Thou makest hir to much afearde, Merygreeke no more.This tale woulde feare my sweete heart Custance right euill.M. Mery.Nay let hir take him Nurse, and feare not the deuill.But thus is our song dasht. Sirs ye may home againe.R. Roister.No shall they not. I charge you all here to remaine:The villaine slaues a whole day ere they can be founde.M. Mery.Couche on your marybones whooresons, down to the ground.Was it meete he should tarie so long in one placeWithout harmonie of Musike, or some solace?Who so hath suche bees as your maister in hys head,Had neede to haue his spirites with Musike to be fed.By your maisterships licence.R. Roister.What is that? a moate?M. Mery.No it was a fooles feather had light on your coate.R. Roister.I was nigh no feathers since I came from my bed.M. Mery.No sir, it was a haire that was fall from your hed.R. Roister.My men com when it plese them.M. Mery.By your leue.R. Roister.What is that?M. Mery.Your gown was foule spotted with the foot of a gnat.R. Roister.Their maister to offende they are nothing afearde.What now?M. Mery.A lousy haire from your masterships beard.Omnes famulæ.And sir for Nurses sake pardon this one offence.We shall not after this shew the like negligence.R. Royster.I pardon you this once, and come sing nere the wurse.M. Mery.How like you the goodnesse of this gentleman nurse?M. Mumbl.God saue his maistership that so can his men forgeue,And I wyll heare them sing ere I go, by his leaue.R. Royster.Mary and thou shalt wenche, come we two will daunce.M. Mumbl.Nay I will by myne owne selfe foote the song perchaunce.R. Royster.Go to it sirs lustily.M. Mumbl.Pipe vp a mery note,Let me heare it playde, I will foote it for a grote.Cantent.R. Royster.Now nurse take thys same letter here to thy mistresse.And as my trust is in thee plie my businesse.M. Mumbl.It shalbe done?M. Mery.Who made it?R. Royster.I wrote it ech whit.M. Mery.Then nedes it no mending.R. Royster.No, no.M. Mery.No I know your wit.I warrant it wel.M. Mumbl.It shal be deliuered.But if ye speede, shall I be considered?M. Mery.Whough, dost thou doubt of that?Madge.What shal I haue?M. Mery.An hundred times more than thou canst deuise to craue.M. Mumbl.Shall I haue some newe geare? for my olde is all spent.M. Mery.The worst kitchen wench shall goe in ladies rayment.M. Mumbl.Yea?M. Mery.And the worst drudge in the house shal go betterThan your mistresse doth now.Mar.Then I trudge with your letter.R. Royster.Now may I repose me: Custance is mine owne.Let vs sing and play homeward that it may be knowne.M. Mery.But are you sure, that your letter is well enough?R. Royster.I wrote it my selfe.M. Mery.Then sing we to dinner.Here they sing, and go out singing.Actus. j. Scæna. v.Christian Custance.Margerie Mumblecrust.C. Custance.W (Who)Ho tooke thee thys letter Margerie Mumblecrust?M. Mumbl.A lustie gay bacheler tooke it me of trust,And if ye seeke to him he will lowe your doing.C. Custance.Yea, but where learned he that manner of wowing?M. Mumbl.If to sue to hym, you will any paines take,He will haue you to his wife (he sayth) for my sake.C. Custance.Some wise gentleman belike. I am bespoken:And I thought verily thys had bene some tokenFrom my dere spouse Gawin Goodluck, whom when him pleaseGod luckily sende home to both our heartes ease.M. Mumbl.A ioyly man it is I wote well by report,And would haue you to him for marriage resort:Best open the writing, and see what it doth speake.C. Custance.At thys time nourse I will neither reade ne breake.M. Mumbl.He promised to giue you a whole pecke of golde.C. Custance.Perchaunce lacke of a pynte when it shall be all tolde.M. Mumbl.I would take a gay riche husbande, and I were you.C. Custance.In good sooth Madge, een so would I, if I were thou.But no more of this fond talke now, let vs go in,And see thou no more moue me folly to begin.Nor bring mee no mo letters for no mans pleasure,But thou know from whom.M. Mumbl.I warrant ye shall be sure.Actus. ij. Scæna. j.Dobinet Doughtie.D. Dough.W (Where)Here is the house I goe to, before or behinde?I know not where nor when nor how I shal it finde.If I had ten mens bodies and legs and strength,This trotting that I haue must needes lame me at length.And nowe that my maister is new set on wowyng,I trust there shall none of vs finde lacke of doyng:Two paire of shoes a day will nowe be too litleTo serue me, I must trotte to and fro so mickle.Go beare me thys token, carrie me this letter,Nowe this is the best way, nowe that way is better.Vp before day sirs, I charge you, an houre or twaine,Trudge, do me thys message, and bring worde quicke againe,If one misse but a minute, then his armes and woundes,I woulde not haue slacked for ten thousand poundes.Nay see I befeeche you, if my most trustie page,Goe not nowe aboute to hinder my mariage,So feruent hotte wowyng, and so farre from wiuing,I trowe neuer was any creature liuyng,With euery woman is he in some loues pang,Then vp to our lute at midnight, twangledome twang,Then twang with our sonets, and twang with our dumps,And heyhough from our heart, as heauie as lead lumpess:Then to our recorder with toodleloodle poopeAs the howlet out of an yuie bushe should hoope.Anon to our gitterne, thrumpledum, thrumpledum thrum,Thrumpledum, thrumpledum, thrumpledum, thrumpledum thrum.Of Songs and Balades also he is a maker,And that can he as finely doe as Iacke Raker,Yea andextemporewill he dities compose,FoolisheMarsiasnere made the like I suppose,Yet must we sing them, as good stuffe I vndertake,As for such a pen man is well fittyng to make.Ah for these long nights, heyhow, when will it be day?I feare ere I come she will be wowed away.Then when aunswere is made that it may not bee,O death why commest thou not? by and by (sayth he)But then, from his heart to put away sorowe,He is as farre in with some newe loue next morowe.But in the meane season we trudge and we trot,From dayspring to midnyght, I sit not, nor rest not.And now am I sent to dame Christian Custance:But I feare it will ende with a mocke for pastance.I bring hir a ring, with a token in a cloute,And by all gesse, this same is hir house out of doute.I knowe it nowe perfect, I am in my right way.And loe yond the olde nourse that was wyth vs last day.Actus. ij. Scæna. ij.Mage Mumblecrust.Dobinet Doughtie.M. Mumbl.II was nere so shoke vp afore since I was borne,That our mistresse coulde not haue chid I wold haue sworne:And I pray God I die if I ment any harme,But for my life time this shall be to me a charme.D. Dough.God you saue and see nurse, and howe is it with you?M. Mumbl.Mary a great deale the worse it is for suche as thou.D. Dough.For me? Why so?M. Mumb.Why wer not thou one of them, say,That song and playde here with the gentleman last day?D. Dough.Yes, and he would know if you haue for him spoken.And prayes you to deliuer this ring and token.M. Mumbl.Nowe by the token that God tokened brother,I will deliuer no token one nor other.I haue once ben so shent for your maisters pleasure,As I will not be agayne for all hys treasure.D. Dough.He will thank you woman.M. Mumbl.I will none of his thanke.Ex.D. Dough.I weene I am a prophete, this geare will proue blanke:But what should I home againe without answere go?It were better go toRomeon my head than so.I will tary here this moneth, but some of the houseShall take it of me, and then I care not a louse.But yonder commeth forth a wenche or a ladde,If he haue not one Lumbardes touche, my lucke is bad.Actus. ij. Scæna. iij.Truepenie.D. Dough.Tibet T.Anot Al.Trupeny.II am cleane lost for lacke of mery companie,We gree not halfe well within, our wenches and I,They will commaunde like mistresses, they will forbyd,If they be not serued, Trupeny must be chyd.Let them be as mery nowe as ye can desire,With turnyng of a hande, our mirth lieth in the mire,I can not skill of such chaungeable mettle,There is nothing with them but in docke out nettle.D. Dough.Whether is it better that speake to him furst,Or he first to me, it is good to cast the wurst.If I beginne first, he will smell all my purpose,Otherwise I shall not neede any thing to disclose.Trupeny.What boy haue we yonder? I will see what he is.D. Dough.He commeth to me. It is hereabout ywis.Trupeny.Wouldest thou ought friende, that thou lookest so about?D. Dough.Yea, but whether ye can helpe me or no, I dout.I seeke to one mistresse Custance house here dwellyng.Trupenie.It is my mistresse ye seeke too by your telling.D. Dough.Is there any of that name heere but shee?Trupenie.Not one in all the whole towne that I knowe pardee.D. Dough.A Widowe she is I trow.Trupenie.And what and she be?D. Dough.But ensured to an husbande.Trupenie.Yea, so thinke we.D. Dough.And I dwell with hir husbande that trusteth to be.Trupenie.In faith then, must thou needes be welcome to me,Let vs for acquaintance shake handes togither,And what ere thou be, heartily welcome hither.Tib. Talk.Well Trupenie neuer but flinging.An. Alyface.And frisking?Trupenie.Well Tibet and Annot, still swingyng and whiskyng?Tib. Talk.But ye roile abroade.An. Alyface.In the streete euere where.Trupenie.Where are ye twaine, in chambers when ye mete me there?But come hither fooles, I haue one nowe by the hande,Seruant to hym that must be our mistresse husbande,Byd him welcome.An. Alyface.To me truly is he welcome.Tib. Talk.Forsooth and as I may say, heartily welcome.D. Dough.I thank you mistresse maidesAn. Alyface.I hope we shal better knowTib. Talk.And when wil our new master come.D. Dough.Shortly I trow.Tib. Talk.I would it were to morow: for till he resorteOur mistresse being a Widow hath small comforte,And I hearde our nourse speake of an husbande to dayReady for our mistresse, a riche man and a gay,And we shall go in our frenche hoodes euery day,In our silke cassocks (I warrant you) freshe and gay,In our tricke serdegews and billiments of golde,Braue in our sutes of chaunge seuen double folde,Then shall ye see Tibet sirs, treade the mosse so trimme,Nay, why sayd I treade? ye shall see hir glide and swimme,Not lumperdee clumperdee like our spaniell Rig.Trupeny.Mary then prickmedaintie come toste me a fig,Who shall then know our Tib Talke apace trow ye?An. Alyface.And why not Annot Alyface as fyne as she?Trupeny.And what had Tom Trupeny, a father or none?An. Alyface.Then our prety newe come man will looke to be one.Trupeny.We foure I trust shall be a ioily mery knot.Shall we sing a fitte to welcome our friende, Annot?An. Alyface.Perchaunce he can not sing.D. Dough.I am at all assayes.Tib. Talk.By cocke and the better welcome to vs alwayes.Here they sing.A thing very fitteFor them that haue witte,And are felowes knitteSeruants in one house to bee,Is fast fast for to sitte,And not oft to flitte,Nor varie a whitte,But louingly to agree.No man complainyng,Nor other disdayning,For losse or for gainyng,But felowes or friends to bee.No grudge remainyng,No worke refrainyng,Nor helpe restrainyng,But louingly to agree.No man for despite,By worde or by writeHis felowe to twite,But further in honestie,No good turnes entwite,Nor olde sores recite,But let all goe quite,And louingly to agree.After drudgerie,When they be werie,Then to be merie,To laugh and sing they be freeWith chip and cherieHeigh derie derie,Trill on the berie,And louingly to agree.Finis.Tib. Talk.Wyll you now in with vs vnto our mistresse go?D. Dough.I haue first for my maister an errand or two.But I haue here from him a token and a ring,They shall haue moste thanke of hir that first doth it bring.Tib. Talk.Mary that will I.Trupeny.See and Tibet snatch not now.Tib. Talk.And why may not I sir, get thanks as well as you?Exeat.An. Alyface.Yet get ye not all, we will go with you both.And haue part of your thanks be ye neuer so loth.[Exeant omnes.D. Dough.So my handes are ridde of it: I care for no more.I may now return home: so durst I not afore.Exeat.Actus. ij. Scæna. iiij.C. Custance.Tibet.Annot Alyface.Trupeny.C. Custance.N (Nay)Ay come forth all three: and come hither pretie mayde:Will not so many forewarnings make you afrayde?Tib. Talk.Yes forsoth.C. Custance.But stil be a runner vp and downeStill be a bringer of tidings and tokens to towne.Tib. Talk.No forsoth mistresse.C. Custance.Is all your delite and ioyIn whiskyng and ramping abroade like a Tom boy.Tib. Talk.Forsoth these were there too, Annot and Trupenie.Trupenie.Yea but ye alone tooke it, ye can not denie.Annot Aly.Yea that ye did.Tibet.But if I had not, ye twaine would.C. Custance.You great calfe ye should haue more witte, so ye should:But why shoulde any of you take such things in hande?Tibet.Because it came from him that must be your husbande.C. Custance.How do ye know that?Tibet.Forsoth the boy did say so.C. Custance.What was his name?An. Alyface.We asked not.C. Custance.No did?An. Aliface.He is not farre gone of likelyhod.Trupeny.I will see.C. Custance.If thou canst finde him in the streete bring him to me.Trupenie.Yes.Exeat.C. Custance.Well ye naughty girles, if euer I perceiueThat henceforth you do letters or tokens receiue,To bring vnto me from any person or place,Except ye first shewe me the partie face to face,Eyther thou or thou, full truly abye thou shalt.Tibet.Pardon this, and the next tyme pouder me in falt.C. Custance.I shall make all girles by you twaine to beware.Tibet.If euer I offende againe do not me spare.But if euer I see that false boy any moreBy your mistreshyps licence I tell you aforeI will rather haue my cote twentie times swinged,Than on the naughtie wag not to be auenged.C. Custance.Good wenches would not so rampe abrode ydelly,But keepe within doores, and plie their work earnestly,If one would speake with me that is a man likely,Ye shall haue right good thanke to bring me worde quickly.But otherwyse with messages to come in postFrom henceforth I promise you, shall be to your cost.Get you in to your work.Tib.An. Yes forsoth.C. Custance.Hence both twaine.And let me see you play me such a part againe.Trupeny.Maistresse, I haue runne past the farre ende of the streete,Yet can I not yonder craftie boy see nor meete.C. Custance.No?Trupeny.Yet I looked as farre beyonde the people.As one may see out of the toppe of Paules steeple.C. Custance.Hence in at doores, and let me no more be vext.Trupeny.Forgeue me this one fault, and lay on for the next.C. Custance.Now will I in too, for I thinke so Godme mende,This will proue some foolishe matter in the ende.Exeat.Actus. [i]ij. Scæna. j.Mathewe Merygreeke.M. Mery.N (Nowe)Owe say thys againe: he hath somewhat to dooingWhich followeth the trace of one that is wowing,Specially that hath no more wit in his hedde,Than my cousin Roister Doister withall is ledde.I am sent in all haste to espie and to markeHow our letters and tokens are likely to warke.Maister Roister Doister must haue aunswere in hasteFor he loueth not to spende much labour in waste.Nowe as for Christian Custance by this light,Though she had not hir trouth to Gawin Goodluck plight,Yet rather than with such a loutishe dolte to marie,I dare say woulde lyue a poore lyfe solitarie,But fayne would I speake with Custance if I wist howTo laugh at the matter, yond commeth one forth now.Actus. iij. Scæna. ij.Tibet.M. Merygreeke.Christian Custance.Tib. Talk.A (Ah)H that I might but once in my life haue a sightOf him that made vs all so yll shent by this light,He should neuer escape if I had him by the eare,But euen from his head, I would it bite or teare.Yea and if one of them were not inowe,I would bite them both off, I make God auow.M. Mery.What is he, whome this little mouse doth so threaten?Tib. Talk.I woulde teache him I trow, to make girles shent or beaten.M. Mery.I will call hir: Maide with whome are ye so hastie?Tib. Talk.Not with you sir, but with a littlewag-pastie,A deceiuer of folkes, by subtill craft and guile.M. Mery.I knowe where she is: Dobinet hath wrought some wile.Tib. Talk.He brought a ring and token which he sayd was sentFrom our dames husbande, but I wot well I was shent:For it liked hir as well to tell you no lies,As water in hir shyppe, or salt cast in hir eies:And yet whence it came neyther we nor she can tell.M. Mery.We shall haue sport anone: I like this very well.And dwell ye here with mistresse Custance faire maide?Tib. Talk.Yea mary doe I sir: what would ye haue sayd?M. Mery.A little message vnto hir by worde of mouth.Tib. Talk.No messages by your leaue, nor tokens forsoth.M. Mery.Then help me to speke with hir.Tibet.With a good wil that.Here she commeth forth. Now speake ye know best what.C. Custance.None other life with you maide, but abrode to skip?Tib. Talk.Forsoth here is one would speake with your mistresship.C. Custance.Ah, haue ye ben learning of mo messages now?Tib. Talk.I would not heare his minde, but bad him shewe it to you.C. Custance.In at dores.Tib. Talk.I am gon.Ex.M. Mery.Dame Custance god ye saue.C. Custance.Welcome friend Merygreeke: andwhat thing wold ye haue?M. Mery.I am come to you a little matter to breake.C. Custance.But see it be honest, else better not to speake.M. Mery.Howe feele ye your selfe affected here of late?C. Custance.I feele no maner chaunge but after the olde rate.But wherby do ye meane?M. Mery.Concerning mariage.Doth not loue lade you?C. Custance.I feele no such cariage.M. Mery.Doe ye feele no pangues of dotage?aunswere me right.C. Custance.I dote so, that I make but one sleepe all the nightBut what neede all these wordes?M. Mery.Oh Iesus, will ye seeWhat dissemblyng creatures these same women be?The gentleman ye wote of, whome ye doe so loue,That ye woulde fayne marrie him, yf ye durst it moue,Emong other riche widowes, which are of him glad,Lest ye for lesing of him perchaunce might runne mad,Is nowe contented that vpon your sute making,Ye be as one in election of taking.C. Custance.What a tale is this? that I wote of?whome I loue?M. Mery.Yea and he is as louing a worme againe as a doue.Een of very pitie he is willyng you to take,Bicause ye shall not destroy your selfe for his sake.C. Custance.Mary God yelde his mashyp what euer he be,It is gentmanly spoken.M. Mery.Is it not trowe ye?If ye haue the grace now to offer your self, ye speede.
M. Mery.Well mocke muche of hir, and keepe hir well I vise ye.I will take no charge of such a faire piece keeping.
M. Mery.Well mocke muche of hir, and keepe hir well I vise ye.
I will take no charge of such a faire piece keeping.
M. Mumbl.What ayleth thys fellowe? he driueth me to weeping.
M. Mery.What weepe on the weddyng day? be merrie woman,Though I say it, ye haue chose a good gentleman.
M. Mery.What weepe on the weddyng day? be merrie woman,
Though I say it, ye haue chose a good gentleman.
R. Royster.Kocks nownes what meanest thou man, tut a whistle.
[M. Mery.]Ah sir, be good to hir, she is but a gristle,Ah sweete lambe and coney.
[M. Mery.]Ah sir, be good to hir, she is but a gristle,
Ah sweete lambe and coney.
R. Royster.Tut thou art deceiued.
M. Mery.Weepe no more lady, ye shall be well receiued.Vp wyth some mery noyse sirs, to bring home the bride.
M. Mery.Weepe no more lady, ye shall be well receiued.
Vp wyth some mery noyse sirs, to bring home the bride.
R. Royster.Gogs armes knaue, art thou madde?I tel thee thou art wide.
R. Royster.Gogs armes knaue, art thou madde?
I tel thee thou art wide.
M. Mery.Then ye entende by nyght to haue hir home brought.
R. Royster.I tel thee no.
M. Mery.How then?
R. Royster.Tis neither ment ne thought.
M. Mery.What shall we then doe with hir?
R. Royster.Ah foolish harebraine,This is not she.
R. Royster.Ah foolish harebraine,
This is not she.
M. Mery.No is? why then vnsayde againe,And what yong girle is this with your mashyp so bolde?
M. Mery.No is? why then vnsayde againe,
And what yong girle is this with your mashyp so bolde?
R. Royster.A girle?
M. Mery.Yea. I dare say, scarse yet three score yere old.
R. Royster.This same is the faire widowes nourse of whome ye wotte.
M. Mery.Is she but a nourse of a house? hence home olde trotte,Hence at once.
M. Mery.Is she but a nourse of a house? hence home olde trotte,
Hence at once.
R. Royster.No, no.
M. Mery.What an please your mashipA nourse talke so homely with one of your worship?
M. Mery.What an please your maship
A nourse talke so homely with one of your worship?
R. Royster.I will haue it so: it is my pleasure and will.
M. Mery.Then I am content. Nourse come againe, tarry still.
R. Royster.What, she will helpe forward this my sute for hir part.
M. Mery.Then ist mine owne pygs nie, and blessing on my hart.
R. Royster.This is our best friend man.
M. Mery.Then teach hir what to say
M. Mumbl.I am taught alreadie.
M. Mery.Then go, make no delay.
R. Royster.Yet hark one word in thine eare.
M. Mery.Back sirs from his taile.
R. Royster.Backe vilaynes, will ye be priuie of my counsaile?
M. Mery.Backe sirs, so: I tolde you afore ye woulde be shent.
R. Royster.She shall haue the first day a whole pecke of argent.
M. Mumbl.A pecke?Nomine patris, haue ye so much spare?
R. Royster.Yea and a carte lode therto, or else were it bare,Besides other mouables, housholde stuffe and lande.
R. Royster.Yea and a carte lode therto, or else were it bare,
Besides other mouables, housholde stuffe and lande.
M. Mumbl.Haue ye lands too.
R. Royster.An hundred marks.
M. Mery.Yea a thousand
M. Mumbl.And haue ye cattell too? and sheepe too?
R. Royster.Yea a fewe.
M. Mery.He is ashamed the numbre of them to shewe.Een rounde about him, as many thousande sheepe goes,As he and thou and I too, haue fingers and toes.
M. Mery.He is ashamed the numbre of them to shewe.
Een rounde about him, as many thousande sheepe goes,
As he and thou and I too, haue fingers and toes.
M. Mumbl.And how many yeares olde be you?
R. Royster.Fortie at lest.
M. Mery.Yea and thrice fortie to them.
R. Royster.Nay now thou dost iest.I am not so olde, thou misreckonest my yeares.
R. Royster.Nay now thou dost iest.
I am not so olde, thou misreckonest my yeares.
M. Mery.I know that: but my minde was on bullockes and steeres.
M. Mumbl.And what shall I shewe hir your masterships name is?
R. Royster.Nay she shall make sute ere she know that ywis.
M. Mumbl.Yet let me somewhat knowe.
M. Mery.This is hee vnderstand,That killed the blewe Spider in Blanchepouder lande.
M. Mery.This is hee vnderstand,
That killed the blewe Spider in Blanchepouder lande.
M. Mumbl.YeaIesus, William zee law, dyd he zo law?
M. Mery.Yea and the last Elephant that euer he sawe,As the beast passed by, he start out of a buske,And een with pure strength of armes pluckt out his great tuske.
M. Mery.Yea and the last Elephant that euer he sawe,
As the beast passed by, he start out of a buske,
And een with pure strength of armes pluckt out his great tuske.
M. Mumbl.Iesus, nomine patris, what a thing was that?
R. Royster.Yea but Merygreke one thing thou hast forgot.
M. Mery.What?
R. Royster.Of thother Elephant.
M. Mery.Oh hym that fledde away.
R. Royster.Yea.
M. Mery.Yea he knew that his match was in place that dayTut, he bet the king of Crickets on Christmasse day,That he crept in a hole, and not a worde to say.
M. Mery.Yea he knew that his match was in place that day
Tut, he bet the king of Crickets on Christmasse day,
That he crept in a hole, and not a worde to say.
M. Mumbl.A sore man by zembletee.
M. Mery.Why, he wrong a clubOnce in a fray out of the hande of Belzebub.
M. Mery.Why, he wrong a club
Once in a fray out of the hande of Belzebub.
R. Roister.And how when Mumfision?
M. Mery.Oh your coustrelyngBore the lanterne a fielde so before the gozelyng.Nay that is to long a matter now to be tolde:Neuer aske his name Nurse, I warrant thee, be bolde,He conquered in one day fromRome, toNaples,And woonne Townes nourse as fast as thou canst make Apples.
M. Mery.Oh your coustrelyng
Bore the lanterne a fielde so before the gozelyng.
Nay that is to long a matter now to be tolde:
Neuer aske his name Nurse, I warrant thee, be bolde,
He conquered in one day fromRome, toNaples,
And woonne Townes nourse as fast as thou canst make Apples.
M. Mumbl.O Lorde, my heart quaketh for feare: he is to sore.
R. Roister.Thou makest hir to much afearde, Merygreeke no more.This tale woulde feare my sweete heart Custance right euill.
R. Roister.Thou makest hir to much afearde, Merygreeke no more.
This tale woulde feare my sweete heart Custance right euill.
M. Mery.Nay let hir take him Nurse, and feare not the deuill.But thus is our song dasht. Sirs ye may home againe.
M. Mery.Nay let hir take him Nurse, and feare not the deuill.
But thus is our song dasht. Sirs ye may home againe.
R. Roister.No shall they not. I charge you all here to remaine:The villaine slaues a whole day ere they can be founde.
R. Roister.No shall they not. I charge you all here to remaine:
The villaine slaues a whole day ere they can be founde.
M. Mery.Couche on your marybones whooresons, down to the ground.Was it meete he should tarie so long in one placeWithout harmonie of Musike, or some solace?Who so hath suche bees as your maister in hys head,Had neede to haue his spirites with Musike to be fed.By your maisterships licence.
M. Mery.Couche on your marybones whooresons, down to the ground.
Was it meete he should tarie so long in one place
Without harmonie of Musike, or some solace?
Who so hath suche bees as your maister in hys head,
Had neede to haue his spirites with Musike to be fed.
By your maisterships licence.
R. Roister.What is that? a moate?
M. Mery.No it was a fooles feather had light on your coate.
R. Roister.I was nigh no feathers since I came from my bed.
M. Mery.No sir, it was a haire that was fall from your hed.
R. Roister.My men com when it plese them.
M. Mery.By your leue.
R. Roister.What is that?
M. Mery.Your gown was foule spotted with the foot of a gnat.
R. Roister.Their maister to offende they are nothing afearde.What now?
R. Roister.Their maister to offende they are nothing afearde.
What now?
M. Mery.A lousy haire from your masterships beard.
Omnes famulæ.And sir for Nurses sake pardon this one offence.We shall not after this shew the like negligence.
Omnes famulæ.And sir for Nurses sake pardon this one offence.
We shall not after this shew the like negligence.
R. Royster.I pardon you this once, and come sing nere the wurse.
M. Mery.How like you the goodnesse of this gentleman nurse?
M. Mumbl.God saue his maistership that so can his men forgeue,And I wyll heare them sing ere I go, by his leaue.
M. Mumbl.God saue his maistership that so can his men forgeue,
And I wyll heare them sing ere I go, by his leaue.
R. Royster.Mary and thou shalt wenche, come we two will daunce.
M. Mumbl.Nay I will by myne owne selfe foote the song perchaunce.
R. Royster.Go to it sirs lustily.
M. Mumbl.Pipe vp a mery note,Let me heare it playde, I will foote it for a grote.
M. Mumbl.Pipe vp a mery note,
Let me heare it playde, I will foote it for a grote.
Cantent.
R. Royster.Now nurse take thys same letter here to thy mistresse.And as my trust is in thee plie my businesse.
R. Royster.Now nurse take thys same letter here to thy mistresse.
And as my trust is in thee plie my businesse.
M. Mumbl.It shalbe done?
M. Mery.Who made it?
R. Royster.I wrote it ech whit.
M. Mery.Then nedes it no mending.
R. Royster.No, no.
M. Mery.No I know your wit.I warrant it wel.
M. Mery.No I know your wit.
I warrant it wel.
M. Mumbl.It shal be deliuered.But if ye speede, shall I be considered?
M. Mumbl.It shal be deliuered.
But if ye speede, shall I be considered?
M. Mery.Whough, dost thou doubt of that?
Madge.What shal I haue?
M. Mery.An hundred times more than thou canst deuise to craue.
M. Mumbl.Shall I haue some newe geare? for my olde is all spent.
M. Mery.The worst kitchen wench shall goe in ladies rayment.
M. Mumbl.Yea?
M. Mery.And the worst drudge in the house shal go betterThan your mistresse doth now.
M. Mery.And the worst drudge in the house shal go better
Than your mistresse doth now.
Mar.Then I trudge with your letter.
R. Royster.Now may I repose me: Custance is mine owne.Let vs sing and play homeward that it may be knowne.
R. Royster.Now may I repose me: Custance is mine owne.
Let vs sing and play homeward that it may be knowne.
M. Mery.But are you sure, that your letter is well enough?
R. Royster.I wrote it my selfe.
M. Mery.Then sing we to dinner.
Here they sing, and go out singing.
Actus. j. Scæna. v.
Christian Custance.Margerie Mumblecrust.
C. Custance.W (Who)Ho tooke thee thys letter Margerie Mumblecrust?
C. Custance.
W (Who)
Ho tooke thee thys letter Margerie Mumblecrust?
M. Mumbl.A lustie gay bacheler tooke it me of trust,And if ye seeke to him he will lowe your doing.
M. Mumbl.A lustie gay bacheler tooke it me of trust,
And if ye seeke to him he will lowe your doing.
C. Custance.Yea, but where learned he that manner of wowing?
M. Mumbl.If to sue to hym, you will any paines take,He will haue you to his wife (he sayth) for my sake.
M. Mumbl.If to sue to hym, you will any paines take,
He will haue you to his wife (he sayth) for my sake.
C. Custance.Some wise gentleman belike. I am bespoken:And I thought verily thys had bene some tokenFrom my dere spouse Gawin Goodluck, whom when him pleaseGod luckily sende home to both our heartes ease.
C. Custance.Some wise gentleman belike. I am bespoken:
And I thought verily thys had bene some token
From my dere spouse Gawin Goodluck, whom when him please
God luckily sende home to both our heartes ease.
M. Mumbl.A ioyly man it is I wote well by report,And would haue you to him for marriage resort:Best open the writing, and see what it doth speake.
M. Mumbl.A ioyly man it is I wote well by report,
And would haue you to him for marriage resort:
Best open the writing, and see what it doth speake.
C. Custance.At thys time nourse I will neither reade ne breake.
M. Mumbl.He promised to giue you a whole pecke of golde.
C. Custance.Perchaunce lacke of a pynte when it shall be all tolde.
M. Mumbl.I would take a gay riche husbande, and I were you.
C. Custance.In good sooth Madge, een so would I, if I were thou.But no more of this fond talke now, let vs go in,And see thou no more moue me folly to begin.Nor bring mee no mo letters for no mans pleasure,But thou know from whom.
C. Custance.In good sooth Madge, een so would I, if I were thou.
But no more of this fond talke now, let vs go in,
And see thou no more moue me folly to begin.
Nor bring mee no mo letters for no mans pleasure,
But thou know from whom.
M. Mumbl.I warrant ye shall be sure.
Actus. ij. Scæna. j.
Dobinet Doughtie.
D. Dough.W (Where)Here is the house I goe to, before or behinde?I know not where nor when nor how I shal it finde.If I had ten mens bodies and legs and strength,This trotting that I haue must needes lame me at length.And nowe that my maister is new set on wowyng,I trust there shall none of vs finde lacke of doyng:Two paire of shoes a day will nowe be too litleTo serue me, I must trotte to and fro so mickle.Go beare me thys token, carrie me this letter,Nowe this is the best way, nowe that way is better.Vp before day sirs, I charge you, an houre or twaine,Trudge, do me thys message, and bring worde quicke againe,If one misse but a minute, then his armes and woundes,I woulde not haue slacked for ten thousand poundes.Nay see I befeeche you, if my most trustie page,Goe not nowe aboute to hinder my mariage,So feruent hotte wowyng, and so farre from wiuing,I trowe neuer was any creature liuyng,With euery woman is he in some loues pang,Then vp to our lute at midnight, twangledome twang,Then twang with our sonets, and twang with our dumps,And heyhough from our heart, as heauie as lead lumpess:Then to our recorder with toodleloodle poopeAs the howlet out of an yuie bushe should hoope.Anon to our gitterne, thrumpledum, thrumpledum thrum,Thrumpledum, thrumpledum, thrumpledum, thrumpledum thrum.Of Songs and Balades also he is a maker,And that can he as finely doe as Iacke Raker,Yea andextemporewill he dities compose,FoolisheMarsiasnere made the like I suppose,Yet must we sing them, as good stuffe I vndertake,As for such a pen man is well fittyng to make.Ah for these long nights, heyhow, when will it be day?I feare ere I come she will be wowed away.Then when aunswere is made that it may not bee,O death why commest thou not? by and by (sayth he)But then, from his heart to put away sorowe,He is as farre in with some newe loue next morowe.But in the meane season we trudge and we trot,From dayspring to midnyght, I sit not, nor rest not.And now am I sent to dame Christian Custance:But I feare it will ende with a mocke for pastance.I bring hir a ring, with a token in a cloute,And by all gesse, this same is hir house out of doute.I knowe it nowe perfect, I am in my right way.And loe yond the olde nourse that was wyth vs last day.
D. Dough.
W (Where)
Here is the house I goe to, before or behinde?
I know not where nor when nor how I shal it finde.
If I had ten mens bodies and legs and strength,
This trotting that I haue must needes lame me at length.
And nowe that my maister is new set on wowyng,
I trust there shall none of vs finde lacke of doyng:
Two paire of shoes a day will nowe be too litle
To serue me, I must trotte to and fro so mickle.
Go beare me thys token, carrie me this letter,
Nowe this is the best way, nowe that way is better.
Vp before day sirs, I charge you, an houre or twaine,
Trudge, do me thys message, and bring worde quicke againe,
If one misse but a minute, then his armes and woundes,
I woulde not haue slacked for ten thousand poundes.
Nay see I befeeche you, if my most trustie page,
Goe not nowe aboute to hinder my mariage,
So feruent hotte wowyng, and so farre from wiuing,
I trowe neuer was any creature liuyng,
With euery woman is he in some loues pang,
Then vp to our lute at midnight, twangledome twang,
Then twang with our sonets, and twang with our dumps,
And heyhough from our heart, as heauie as lead lumpess:
Then to our recorder with toodleloodle poope
As the howlet out of an yuie bushe should hoope.
Anon to our gitterne, thrumpledum, thrumpledum thrum,
Thrumpledum, thrumpledum, thrumpledum, thrumpledum thrum.
Of Songs and Balades also he is a maker,
And that can he as finely doe as Iacke Raker,
Yea andextemporewill he dities compose,
FoolisheMarsiasnere made the like I suppose,
Yet must we sing them, as good stuffe I vndertake,
As for such a pen man is well fittyng to make.
Ah for these long nights, heyhow, when will it be day?
I feare ere I come she will be wowed away.
Then when aunswere is made that it may not bee,
O death why commest thou not? by and by (sayth he)
But then, from his heart to put away sorowe,
He is as farre in with some newe loue next morowe.
But in the meane season we trudge and we trot,
From dayspring to midnyght, I sit not, nor rest not.
And now am I sent to dame Christian Custance:
But I feare it will ende with a mocke for pastance.
I bring hir a ring, with a token in a cloute,
And by all gesse, this same is hir house out of doute.
I knowe it nowe perfect, I am in my right way.
And loe yond the olde nourse that was wyth vs last day.
Actus. ij. Scæna. ij.
Mage Mumblecrust.Dobinet Doughtie.
M. Mumbl.II was nere so shoke vp afore since I was borne,That our mistresse coulde not haue chid I wold haue sworne:And I pray God I die if I ment any harme,But for my life time this shall be to me a charme.
M. Mumbl.
I
I was nere so shoke vp afore since I was borne,
That our mistresse coulde not haue chid I wold haue sworne:
And I pray God I die if I ment any harme,
But for my life time this shall be to me a charme.
D. Dough.God you saue and see nurse, and howe is it with you?
M. Mumbl.Mary a great deale the worse it is for suche as thou.
D. Dough.For me? Why so?
M. Mumb.Why wer not thou one of them, say,That song and playde here with the gentleman last day?
M. Mumb.Why wer not thou one of them, say,
That song and playde here with the gentleman last day?
D. Dough.Yes, and he would know if you haue for him spoken.And prayes you to deliuer this ring and token.
D. Dough.Yes, and he would know if you haue for him spoken.
And prayes you to deliuer this ring and token.
M. Mumbl.Nowe by the token that God tokened brother,I will deliuer no token one nor other.I haue once ben so shent for your maisters pleasure,As I will not be agayne for all hys treasure.
M. Mumbl.Nowe by the token that God tokened brother,
I will deliuer no token one nor other.
I haue once ben so shent for your maisters pleasure,
As I will not be agayne for all hys treasure.
D. Dough.He will thank you woman.
M. Mumbl.I will none of his thanke.Ex.
D. Dough.I weene I am a prophete, this geare will proue blanke:But what should I home againe without answere go?It were better go toRomeon my head than so.I will tary here this moneth, but some of the houseShall take it of me, and then I care not a louse.But yonder commeth forth a wenche or a ladde,If he haue not one Lumbardes touche, my lucke is bad.
D. Dough.I weene I am a prophete, this geare will proue blanke:
But what should I home againe without answere go?
It were better go toRomeon my head than so.
I will tary here this moneth, but some of the house
Shall take it of me, and then I care not a louse.
But yonder commeth forth a wenche or a ladde,
If he haue not one Lumbardes touche, my lucke is bad.
Actus. ij. Scæna. iij.
Truepenie.D. Dough.Tibet T.Anot Al.
Trupeny.II am cleane lost for lacke of mery companie,We gree not halfe well within, our wenches and I,They will commaunde like mistresses, they will forbyd,If they be not serued, Trupeny must be chyd.Let them be as mery nowe as ye can desire,With turnyng of a hande, our mirth lieth in the mire,I can not skill of such chaungeable mettle,There is nothing with them but in docke out nettle.
Trupeny.
I
I am cleane lost for lacke of mery companie,
We gree not halfe well within, our wenches and I,
They will commaunde like mistresses, they will forbyd,
If they be not serued, Trupeny must be chyd.
Let them be as mery nowe as ye can desire,
With turnyng of a hande, our mirth lieth in the mire,
I can not skill of such chaungeable mettle,
There is nothing with them but in docke out nettle.
D. Dough.Whether is it better that speake to him furst,Or he first to me, it is good to cast the wurst.If I beginne first, he will smell all my purpose,Otherwise I shall not neede any thing to disclose.
D. Dough.Whether is it better that speake to him furst,
Or he first to me, it is good to cast the wurst.
If I beginne first, he will smell all my purpose,
Otherwise I shall not neede any thing to disclose.
Trupeny.What boy haue we yonder? I will see what he is.
D. Dough.He commeth to me. It is hereabout ywis.
Trupeny.Wouldest thou ought friende, that thou lookest so about?
D. Dough.Yea, but whether ye can helpe me or no, I dout.I seeke to one mistresse Custance house here dwellyng.
D. Dough.Yea, but whether ye can helpe me or no, I dout.
I seeke to one mistresse Custance house here dwellyng.
Trupenie.It is my mistresse ye seeke too by your telling.
D. Dough.Is there any of that name heere but shee?
Trupenie.Not one in all the whole towne that I knowe pardee.
D. Dough.A Widowe she is I trow.
Trupenie.And what and she be?
D. Dough.But ensured to an husbande.
Trupenie.Yea, so thinke we.
D. Dough.And I dwell with hir husbande that trusteth to be.
Trupenie.In faith then, must thou needes be welcome to me,Let vs for acquaintance shake handes togither,And what ere thou be, heartily welcome hither.
Trupenie.In faith then, must thou needes be welcome to me,
Let vs for acquaintance shake handes togither,
And what ere thou be, heartily welcome hither.
Tib. Talk.Well Trupenie neuer but flinging.
An. Alyface.And frisking?
Trupenie.Well Tibet and Annot, still swingyng and whiskyng?
Tib. Talk.But ye roile abroade.
An. Alyface.In the streete euere where.
Trupenie.Where are ye twaine, in chambers when ye mete me there?But come hither fooles, I haue one nowe by the hande,Seruant to hym that must be our mistresse husbande,Byd him welcome.
Trupenie.Where are ye twaine, in chambers when ye mete me there?
But come hither fooles, I haue one nowe by the hande,
Seruant to hym that must be our mistresse husbande,
Byd him welcome.
An. Alyface.To me truly is he welcome.
Tib. Talk.Forsooth and as I may say, heartily welcome.
D. Dough.I thank you mistresse maides
An. Alyface.I hope we shal better know
Tib. Talk.And when wil our new master come.
D. Dough.Shortly I trow.
Tib. Talk.I would it were to morow: for till he resorteOur mistresse being a Widow hath small comforte,And I hearde our nourse speake of an husbande to dayReady for our mistresse, a riche man and a gay,And we shall go in our frenche hoodes euery day,In our silke cassocks (I warrant you) freshe and gay,In our tricke serdegews and billiments of golde,Braue in our sutes of chaunge seuen double folde,Then shall ye see Tibet sirs, treade the mosse so trimme,Nay, why sayd I treade? ye shall see hir glide and swimme,Not lumperdee clumperdee like our spaniell Rig.
Tib. Talk.I would it were to morow: for till he resorte
Our mistresse being a Widow hath small comforte,
And I hearde our nourse speake of an husbande to day
Ready for our mistresse, a riche man and a gay,
And we shall go in our frenche hoodes euery day,
In our silke cassocks (I warrant you) freshe and gay,
In our tricke serdegews and billiments of golde,
Braue in our sutes of chaunge seuen double folde,
Then shall ye see Tibet sirs, treade the mosse so trimme,
Nay, why sayd I treade? ye shall see hir glide and swimme,
Not lumperdee clumperdee like our spaniell Rig.
Trupeny.Mary then prickmedaintie come toste me a fig,Who shall then know our Tib Talke apace trow ye?
Trupeny.Mary then prickmedaintie come toste me a fig,
Who shall then know our Tib Talke apace trow ye?
An. Alyface.And why not Annot Alyface as fyne as she?
Trupeny.And what had Tom Trupeny, a father or none?
An. Alyface.Then our prety newe come man will looke to be one.
Trupeny.We foure I trust shall be a ioily mery knot.Shall we sing a fitte to welcome our friende, Annot?
Trupeny.We foure I trust shall be a ioily mery knot.
Shall we sing a fitte to welcome our friende, Annot?
An. Alyface.Perchaunce he can not sing.
D. Dough.I am at all assayes.
Tib. Talk.By cocke and the better welcome to vs alwayes.
Here they sing.
A thing very fitteFor them that haue witte,And are felowes knitteSeruants in one house to bee,Is fast fast for to sitte,And not oft to flitte,Nor varie a whitte,But louingly to agree.
A thing very fitte
For them that haue witte,
And are felowes knitte
Seruants in one house to bee,
Is fast fast for to sitte,
And not oft to flitte,
Nor varie a whitte,
But louingly to agree.
No man complainyng,Nor other disdayning,For losse or for gainyng,But felowes or friends to bee.No grudge remainyng,No worke refrainyng,Nor helpe restrainyng,But louingly to agree.
No man complainyng,
Nor other disdayning,
For losse or for gainyng,
But felowes or friends to bee.
No grudge remainyng,
No worke refrainyng,
Nor helpe restrainyng,
But louingly to agree.
No man for despite,By worde or by writeHis felowe to twite,But further in honestie,No good turnes entwite,Nor olde sores recite,But let all goe quite,And louingly to agree.
No man for despite,
By worde or by write
His felowe to twite,
But further in honestie,
No good turnes entwite,
Nor olde sores recite,
But let all goe quite,
And louingly to agree.
After drudgerie,When they be werie,Then to be merie,To laugh and sing they be freeWith chip and cherieHeigh derie derie,Trill on the berie,And louingly to agree.
After drudgerie,
When they be werie,
Then to be merie,
To laugh and sing they be free
With chip and cherie
Heigh derie derie,
Trill on the berie,
And louingly to agree.
Finis.
Tib. Talk.Wyll you now in with vs vnto our mistresse go?
D. Dough.I haue first for my maister an errand or two.But I haue here from him a token and a ring,They shall haue moste thanke of hir that first doth it bring.
D. Dough.I haue first for my maister an errand or two.
But I haue here from him a token and a ring,
They shall haue moste thanke of hir that first doth it bring.
Tib. Talk.Mary that will I.
Trupeny.See and Tibet snatch not now.
Tib. Talk.And why may not I sir, get thanks as well as you?Exeat.
An. Alyface.Yet get ye not all, we will go with you both.And haue part of your thanks be ye neuer so loth.[Exeant omnes.
An. Alyface.Yet get ye not all, we will go with you both.
And haue part of your thanks be ye neuer so loth.[Exeant omnes.
D. Dough.So my handes are ridde of it: I care for no more.I may now return home: so durst I not afore.Exeat.
D. Dough.So my handes are ridde of it: I care for no more.
I may now return home: so durst I not afore.Exeat.
Actus. ij. Scæna. iiij.
C. Custance.Tibet.Annot Alyface.Trupeny.
C. Custance.N (Nay)Ay come forth all three: and come hither pretie mayde:Will not so many forewarnings make you afrayde?
C. Custance.
N (Nay)
Ay come forth all three: and come hither pretie mayde:
Will not so many forewarnings make you afrayde?
Tib. Talk.Yes forsoth.
C. Custance.But stil be a runner vp and downeStill be a bringer of tidings and tokens to towne.
C. Custance.But stil be a runner vp and downe
Still be a bringer of tidings and tokens to towne.
Tib. Talk.No forsoth mistresse.
C. Custance.Is all your delite and ioyIn whiskyng and ramping abroade like a Tom boy.
C. Custance.Is all your delite and ioy
In whiskyng and ramping abroade like a Tom boy.
Tib. Talk.Forsoth these were there too, Annot and Trupenie.
Trupenie.Yea but ye alone tooke it, ye can not denie.
Annot Aly.Yea that ye did.
Tibet.But if I had not, ye twaine would.
C. Custance.You great calfe ye should haue more witte, so ye should:But why shoulde any of you take such things in hande?
C. Custance.You great calfe ye should haue more witte, so ye should:
But why shoulde any of you take such things in hande?
Tibet.Because it came from him that must be your husbande.
C. Custance.How do ye know that?
Tibet.Forsoth the boy did say so.
C. Custance.What was his name?
An. Alyface.We asked not.
C. Custance.No did?
An. Aliface.He is not farre gone of likelyhod.
Trupeny.I will see.
C. Custance.If thou canst finde him in the streete bring him to me.
Trupenie.Yes.Exeat.
C. Custance.Well ye naughty girles, if euer I perceiueThat henceforth you do letters or tokens receiue,To bring vnto me from any person or place,Except ye first shewe me the partie face to face,Eyther thou or thou, full truly abye thou shalt.
C. Custance.Well ye naughty girles, if euer I perceiue
That henceforth you do letters or tokens receiue,
To bring vnto me from any person or place,
Except ye first shewe me the partie face to face,
Eyther thou or thou, full truly abye thou shalt.
Tibet.Pardon this, and the next tyme pouder me in falt.
C. Custance.I shall make all girles by you twaine to beware.
Tibet.If euer I offende againe do not me spare.But if euer I see that false boy any moreBy your mistreshyps licence I tell you aforeI will rather haue my cote twentie times swinged,Than on the naughtie wag not to be auenged.
Tibet.If euer I offende againe do not me spare.
But if euer I see that false boy any more
By your mistreshyps licence I tell you afore
I will rather haue my cote twentie times swinged,
Than on the naughtie wag not to be auenged.
C. Custance.Good wenches would not so rampe abrode ydelly,But keepe within doores, and plie their work earnestly,If one would speake with me that is a man likely,Ye shall haue right good thanke to bring me worde quickly.But otherwyse with messages to come in postFrom henceforth I promise you, shall be to your cost.Get you in to your work.
C. Custance.Good wenches would not so rampe abrode ydelly,
But keepe within doores, and plie their work earnestly,
If one would speake with me that is a man likely,
Ye shall haue right good thanke to bring me worde quickly.
But otherwyse with messages to come in post
From henceforth I promise you, shall be to your cost.
Get you in to your work.
Tib.An. Yes forsoth.
C. Custance.Hence both twaine.And let me see you play me such a part againe.
C. Custance.Hence both twaine.
And let me see you play me such a part againe.
Trupeny.Maistresse, I haue runne past the farre ende of the streete,Yet can I not yonder craftie boy see nor meete.
Trupeny.Maistresse, I haue runne past the farre ende of the streete,
Yet can I not yonder craftie boy see nor meete.
C. Custance.No?
Trupeny.Yet I looked as farre beyonde the people.As one may see out of the toppe of Paules steeple.
Trupeny.Yet I looked as farre beyonde the people.
As one may see out of the toppe of Paules steeple.
C. Custance.Hence in at doores, and let me no more be vext.
Trupeny.Forgeue me this one fault, and lay on for the next.
C. Custance.Now will I in too, for I thinke so Godme mende,This will proue some foolishe matter in the ende.Exeat.
C. Custance.Now will I in too, for I thinke so God
me mende,
This will proue some foolishe matter in the ende.Exeat.
Actus. [i]ij. Scæna. j.
Mathewe Merygreeke.
M. Mery.N (Nowe)Owe say thys againe: he hath somewhat to dooingWhich followeth the trace of one that is wowing,Specially that hath no more wit in his hedde,Than my cousin Roister Doister withall is ledde.I am sent in all haste to espie and to markeHow our letters and tokens are likely to warke.Maister Roister Doister must haue aunswere in hasteFor he loueth not to spende much labour in waste.Nowe as for Christian Custance by this light,Though she had not hir trouth to Gawin Goodluck plight,Yet rather than with such a loutishe dolte to marie,I dare say woulde lyue a poore lyfe solitarie,But fayne would I speake with Custance if I wist howTo laugh at the matter, yond commeth one forth now.
M. Mery.
N (Nowe)
Owe say thys againe: he hath somewhat to dooing
Which followeth the trace of one that is wowing,
Specially that hath no more wit in his hedde,
Than my cousin Roister Doister withall is ledde.
I am sent in all haste to espie and to marke
How our letters and tokens are likely to warke.
Maister Roister Doister must haue aunswere in haste
For he loueth not to spende much labour in waste.
Nowe as for Christian Custance by this light,
Though she had not hir trouth to Gawin Goodluck plight,
Yet rather than with such a loutishe dolte to marie,
I dare say woulde lyue a poore lyfe solitarie,
But fayne would I speake with Custance if I wist how
To laugh at the matter, yond commeth one forth now.
Actus. iij. Scæna. ij.
Tibet.M. Merygreeke.Christian Custance.
Tib. Talk.A (Ah)H that I might but once in my life haue a sightOf him that made vs all so yll shent by this light,He should neuer escape if I had him by the eare,But euen from his head, I would it bite or teare.Yea and if one of them were not inowe,I would bite them both off, I make God auow.
Tib. Talk.
A (Ah)
H that I might but once in my life haue a sight
Of him that made vs all so yll shent by this light,
He should neuer escape if I had him by the eare,
But euen from his head, I would it bite or teare.
Yea and if one of them were not inowe,
I would bite them both off, I make God auow.
M. Mery.What is he, whome this little mouse doth so threaten?
Tib. Talk.I woulde teache him I trow, to make girles shent or beaten.
M. Mery.I will call hir: Maide with whome are ye so hastie?
Tib. Talk.Not with you sir, but with a littlewag-pastie,A deceiuer of folkes, by subtill craft and guile.
Tib. Talk.Not with you sir, but with a littlewag-pastie,
A deceiuer of folkes, by subtill craft and guile.
M. Mery.I knowe where she is: Dobinet hath wrought some wile.
Tib. Talk.He brought a ring and token which he sayd was sentFrom our dames husbande, but I wot well I was shent:For it liked hir as well to tell you no lies,As water in hir shyppe, or salt cast in hir eies:And yet whence it came neyther we nor she can tell.
Tib. Talk.He brought a ring and token which he sayd was sent
From our dames husbande, but I wot well I was shent:
For it liked hir as well to tell you no lies,
As water in hir shyppe, or salt cast in hir eies:
And yet whence it came neyther we nor she can tell.
M. Mery.We shall haue sport anone: I like this very well.And dwell ye here with mistresse Custance faire maide?
M. Mery.We shall haue sport anone: I like this very well.
And dwell ye here with mistresse Custance faire maide?
Tib. Talk.Yea mary doe I sir: what would ye haue sayd?
M. Mery.A little message vnto hir by worde of mouth.
Tib. Talk.No messages by your leaue, nor tokens forsoth.
M. Mery.Then help me to speke with hir.
Tibet.With a good wil that.Here she commeth forth. Now speake ye know best what.
Tibet.With a good wil that.
Here she commeth forth. Now speake ye know best what.
C. Custance.None other life with you maide, but abrode to skip?
Tib. Talk.Forsoth here is one would speake with your mistresship.
C. Custance.Ah, haue ye ben learning of mo messages now?
Tib. Talk.I would not heare his minde, but bad him shewe it to you.
C. Custance.In at dores.
Tib. Talk.I am gon.Ex.
M. Mery.Dame Custance god ye saue.
C. Custance.Welcome friend Merygreeke: andwhat thing wold ye haue?
C. Custance.Welcome friend Merygreeke: and
what thing wold ye haue?
M. Mery.I am come to you a little matter to breake.
C. Custance.But see it be honest, else better not to speake.
M. Mery.Howe feele ye your selfe affected here of late?
C. Custance.I feele no maner chaunge but after the olde rate.But wherby do ye meane?
C. Custance.I feele no maner chaunge but after the olde rate.
But wherby do ye meane?
M. Mery.Concerning mariage.Doth not loue lade you?
M. Mery.Concerning mariage.
Doth not loue lade you?
C. Custance.I feele no such cariage.
M. Mery.Doe ye feele no pangues of dotage?aunswere me right.
M. Mery.Doe ye feele no pangues of dotage?
aunswere me right.
C. Custance.I dote so, that I make but one sleepe all the nightBut what neede all these wordes?
C. Custance.I dote so, that I make but one sleepe all the night
But what neede all these wordes?
M. Mery.Oh Iesus, will ye seeWhat dissemblyng creatures these same women be?The gentleman ye wote of, whome ye doe so loue,That ye woulde fayne marrie him, yf ye durst it moue,Emong other riche widowes, which are of him glad,Lest ye for lesing of him perchaunce might runne mad,Is nowe contented that vpon your sute making,Ye be as one in election of taking.
M. Mery.Oh Iesus, will ye see
What dissemblyng creatures these same women be?
The gentleman ye wote of, whome ye doe so loue,
That ye woulde fayne marrie him, yf ye durst it moue,
Emong other riche widowes, which are of him glad,
Lest ye for lesing of him perchaunce might runne mad,
Is nowe contented that vpon your sute making,
Ye be as one in election of taking.
C. Custance.What a tale is this? that I wote of?whome I loue?
C. Custance.What a tale is this? that I wote of?
whome I loue?
M. Mery.Yea and he is as louing a worme againe as a doue.Een of very pitie he is willyng you to take,Bicause ye shall not destroy your selfe for his sake.
M. Mery.Yea and he is as louing a worme againe as a doue.
Een of very pitie he is willyng you to take,
Bicause ye shall not destroy your selfe for his sake.
C. Custance.Mary God yelde his mashyp what euer he be,It is gentmanly spoken.
C. Custance.Mary God yelde his mashyp what euer he be,
It is gentmanly spoken.
M. Mery.Is it not trowe ye?If ye haue the grace now to offer your self, ye speede.
M. Mery.Is it not trowe ye?
If ye haue the grace now to offer your self, ye speede.