M. Mery.There can be no fitter thing. Now ye must vs tellWhat to do.R. Royster.Now forth in ray sirs, and stoppe no more.M. Mery.Now sainct George to borow, Drum dubbe a dubbe afore.T. Trusty.What meane you to do sir, committe manslaughter.R. Royster.To kyll fortie such, is a matter of laughter.T. Trusty.And who is it sir, whome ye intende thus to spill?R. Royster.Foolishe Custance here forceth me against my will.T. Trusty.And is there no meane your extreme wrath to slake,She shall some amendes vnto your good mashyp make.R. Royster.I will none amendes.T. Trusty.Is hir offence so sore?M. Mery.And he were a loute she coulde haue done no more.She hath calde him foole, and dressed him like a foole.Mocked him lyke a foole, vsed him like a foole.T. Trusty.Well yet the Sheriffe, the Iustice, or Constable,Hir misdemeanour to punishe might be able.R. Royster.No sir, I mine owne selfe will in this present cause,Be Sheriffe, and Iustice, and whole Iudge of the lawes,This matter to amende, all officers be I shall,Constable, Bailiffe, Sergeant.M. Mery.And hangman and all.T. Trusty.Yet a noble courage, and the hearte of a man.Should more honour winne by bearyng with a woman.Therfore take the lawe, and lette hir aunswere therto.R. Royster.Merygreeke, the best way were euen so to do.What honour should it be with a woman to fight?M. Mery.And what then, will ye thus forgo and lese your right?R. Royster.Nay, I will take the lawe on hir withouten grace.T. Trusty.Or yf your mashyp coulde pardon this one trespace.I pray you forgiue hir.R. Royster.Hoh?M. Mery.Tushe tushe sir do not.Be good maister to hir.R. Royster.Hoh?M. Mery.Tush I say do not.And what shall your people here returne streight home?T. Trustie.Yea, leuie the campe sirs, and hence againe eche one,R. Royster.But be still in readinesse if I happe to call,I can not tell what sodaine chaunce may befall.M. Mery.Do not off your harnesse sirs I you aduise,At the least for this fortnight in no maner wise,Perchaunce in an houre when all ye thinke least,Our maisters appetite to fight will be best.But soft, ere ye go, haue once at Custance house.R. Royster.Soft, what wilt thou do?M. Mery.Once discharge my harquebouseAnd for my heartes ease, haue once more with my potgoon.R. Royster.Holde thy handes else is all our purpose cleane fordoone.M. Mery.And it cost me my life.R. Royster.I say thou shalt not.M. Mery.By the matte but I will. Haue once more with haile shot.I will haue some penyworth, I will not leese all.Actus. iiij. Scæna. viij.M. Merygreeke.C. Custance.R. Roister.Tib. T.An. Alyface.M. Mumblecrust.Trupenie.Dobinet Doughtie. Harpax.Two drummes with their Ensignes.C. Custance.W (What)Hat caitifes are those that so shake my house wall?M. Mery.Ah sirrha now Custance if ye had so muche witI woulde see you aske pardon, and your selues submit.C. Custance.Haue I still this adoe with a couple of fooles?M. Mery.Here ye what she saith?C. Custance.Maidens come forth with your tooles.R. Royster.In a ray.M. Mery.Dubba dub sirrha.R. Royster.In a ray.They come sodainly on vs.M. Mery.Dubbadub.R. Royster.In a ray.That euer I was borne, we are taken tardie.M. Mery.Now sirs, quite our selues like tall men and hardie.C. Custance.On afore Truepenie, holde thyne owne Annot,On towarde them Tibet, for scape vs they can not.Come forth Madge Mumblecrust, so stande fast togither.M. Mery.God sende vs a faire day.R. Royster.See they marche on hither.Tib. Talk.But mistresse.C. Custance.What sayst you?Tib.Shall I go fet our goose?C. Custance.What to do?Tib.To yonder Captain I will turne hir looseAnd she gape and hisse at him, as she doth at me,I durst ieoparde my hande she wyll make him flee.C. Custance.On forward.R. Royster.They com.M. Mery.Stand.R. Royster.Hold.M. Mery.Kepe.R. Royster.There.M. Mery.Strike.R. Royster.Take heede.C. Custance.Wel sayd Truepeny.Trupeny.Ah whooresons.C. Custance.Wel don in deedeM. Mery.Hold thine owneHarpax, downe with them Dobinet.C. Custance.Now Madge, there Annot: now sticke them Tibet.Tib. Talk.All my chiefe quarell is to this same little knaue,That begyled me last day, nothyng shall him saue.D. Dough.Downe with this litle queane, that hath at me such spite,Saue you from hir maister, it is a very sprite.C. Custance.I my selfe will mounsire graunde captaine vndertake,R. Royster.They win grounde.M. Mery.Saue your selfe sir, for gods sake.R. Royster.Out, alas, I am slaine, helpe.M. Mery.Saue your self.R. Royster.Alas.M. Mery.Nay then, haue at you mistresse.R. Royster.Thou hittest me, alas.M. Mery.I wil strike at Custance here.R. Royster.Thou hittest me.M. Mery.So I wil.Nay mistresse Custance.R. Royster.Alas, thou hittest me still.Hold.M. Mery.Saue your self sir.R. Royster.Help, out alas I am slainM. Mery.Truce, hold your hands, truce for a pissing while or twaine:Nay how say you Custance, for sauing of your life,Will ye yelde and graunt to be this gentmans wife?C. Custance.Ye tolde me he loued me, call ye this loue?M. Mery.He loued a while euen like a turtle doue.C. Custance.Gay loue God saue it, so soone hotte, so soone colde,M. Mery.I am sory for you: he could loue you yet so he coulde.R. Royster.Nay by cocks precious she shall be none of mine.M. Mery.Why so?R. Royster.Come away, by the matte she is man-kine.I durst aduenture the losse of my right hande,If shee dyd not slee hir other husbande:And see if she prepare not againe to fight.M. Mery.What then? sainct George to borow, our Ladies knight.R. Royster.Slee else whom she will, by gog she shall not slee mee.M. Mery.How then?R. Royster.Rather than to be slaine, I will flee.C. Custance.Too it againe, my knightesses, downe with them all.R. Royster.Away, away, away, she will else kyll vs all.M. Mery.Nay sticke to it, like an hardie man and a tall.R. Royster.Oh bones, thou hittest me. Away, or else die we shall.M. Mery.Away for the pashe of our sweete Lord Iesus Christ.C. Custance.Away loute and lubber, or I shall be thy priest.Exeant om.So this fielde is ours we haue driuen them all away.Tib Talk.Thankes to God mistresse, ye haue had a faire day.C. Custance.Well nowe goe ye in, and make your selfe some good cheere.Omnes pariter.We goe.T. Trust.Ah sir, what a field we haue had heere.C. Custance.Friend Tristram, I pray you be a witnesse with me.T. Trusty.Dame Custance, I shall depose for your honestie,And nowe fare ye well, except some thing else ye wolde.C. Custance.Not now, but when I nede to sende I will be bolde.Exeat.I thanke you for these paines. And now I wyll get me in,Now Roister Doister will no more wowyng begin.Ex.Actus. v. Scæna. j.Gawyn Goodlucke.Sym Suresby.S (Sym)Ym Suresby my trustie man, nowe aduise thee well,And see that no false surmises thou me tell,Was there such adoe about Custance of a truth?Sim. Sure.To reporte that I hearde and sawe, to me is ruth,But both my duetie and name and propretie,Warneth me to you to shewe fidelitie,It may be well enough, and I wyshe it so to be,She may hir selfe discharge and trie hir honestie,Yet their clayme to hir me thought was very large,For with letters rings and tokens, they dyd hir charge.Which when I hearde and sawe I would none to you bring.G. Goodl.No, by sainct Marie, I allowe thee in that thing.Ah sirra, nowe I see truthe in the prouerbe olde,All things that shineth is not by and by pure golde,If any doe lyue a woman of honestie,I would haue sworne Christian Custance had bene shee.Sim. Sure.Sir, though I to you be a seruant true and iust.Yet doe not ye therfore your faithfull spouse mystrust.But examine the matter, and if ye shall it finde,To be all well, be not ye for my wordes vnkinde.G. Goodl.I shall do that is right, and as I see cause why.But here commeth Custance forth, we shal know by and by.Actus. v. Scæna. ij.C. Custance.Gawyn Goodlucke.Sym Suresby.C. Custance.II come forth to see and hearken for newes good,For about this houre is the tyme of likelyhood,That Gawyn Goodlucke by the sayings of Suresby,Would be at home, and lo yond I see hym I.What Gawyn Goodlucke, the onely hope of my life,Welcome home, and kysse me your true espoused wife.Ga. Good.Nay soft dame Custance, I must first by your licence,See whether all things be cleere in your conscience,I heare of your doings to me very straunge.C. Custance.What feare ye? that my faith towardes you should chaunge?Ga. Good.I must needes mistrust ye be elsewhere entangled.For I heare that certaine men with you haue wrangledAbout the promise of mariage by you to them made.C. Custance.Coulde any mans reporte your minde therein persuade?Ga. Good.Well, ye must therin declare your selfe to stande cleere,Else I and you dame Custance may not ioyne this yere.C. Custance.Then woulde I were dead, and faire layd in my graue,Ah Suresby, is this the honestie that ye haue?To hurt me with your report, not knowyng the thing.Sim Sure.If ye be honest my wordes can hurte you nothing.But what I hearde and sawe, I might not but report.C. Custance.Ah Lorde, helpe poore widowes, destitute of comfort.Truly most deare spouse, nought was done but for pastance.G. Good.But such kynde of sporting is homely daliance.C. Custance.If ye knewe the truthe, ye would take all in good parte.Ga. Good.By your leaue I am not halfe well skilled in that arte.C. Custance.It was none but Roister Doister that foolishe mome.Ga. Good.Yea Custance, better (they say) a badde scuse than none.C. Custance.Why Tristram Trustie sir, your true and faithfull frende,Was priuie bothe to the beginning and the ende.Let him be the Iudge, and for me testifie.Ga. Good.I will the more credite that he shall verifie,And bicause I will the truthe know een as it is,I will to him my selfe, and know all without misse.Come on Sym Suresby, that before my friend thou mayAuouch the same wordes, which thou dydst to me say.Exeant.Actus. v. Scæna. iij.Christian Custance.C. Custance.OO Lorde, howe necessarie it is nowe of dayes,That eche bodie liue vprightly all maner wayes,For lette neuer so little a gappe be open,And be sure of this, the worst shall be spokenHowe innocent stande I in this for deede or thought?And yet see what mistrust towardes me it hath wroughtBut thou Lorde knowest all folkes thoughts and eke intentsAnd thou arte the deliuerer of all innocentes.Thou didst helpe the aduoutresse that she might be amended,Much more then helpe Lorde, that neuer yll intended.Thou didst helpeSusanna, wrongfully accused,And no lesse dost thou see Lorde, how I am now abused,Thou didst helpeHester, when she should haue died,Helpe also good Lorde, that my truth may be tried.Yet if Gawin Goodlucke with Tristram Trusty speake.I trust of yll report the force shall be but weake,And loe yond they come sadly talking togither,I wyll abyde, and not shrinke for their comming hither.Actus. v. Scæna. iiij.Gawyn Goodlucke.Tristram Trustie.C. Custance.Sym Suresby.Ga. Good.A (And)Nd was it none other than ye to me reporte?Tristram.No, and here were ye wished to haue seene the sporte.Ga. Good.Woulde I had, rather than halfe of that in my purse.Sim Sure.And I doe muche reioyce the matter was no wurse,And like as to open it, I was to you faithfull,So of dame Custance honest truth I am ioyfull.For God forfende that I shoulde hurt hir by false reporte.Ga. Good.Well, I will no longer holde hir in discomforte.C. Custance.Nowe come they hitherwarde, I trust all shall be well.Ga. Good.Sweete Custance neither heart can thinke nor tongue tell,Howe much I ioy in your constant fidelitie,Come nowe kisse me the pearle of perfect honestie.C. Custance.God lette me no longer to continue in lyfe,Than I shall towardes you continue a true wyfe.Ga. Good.Well now to make you for this some parte of amendes,I shall desire first you, and then suche of our frendes,As shall to you seeme best, to suppe at home with me,Where at your fought fielde we shall laugh and mery be.Sim Sure.And mistresse I beseech you, take with me no greefe,I did a true mans part, not wishyng you repreefe.C. Custance.Though hastie reportes through surmises growyng,May of poore innocentes be vtter ouerthrowyng,Yet bicause to thy maister thou hast a true hart,And I know mine owne truth, I forgiue thee for my part.Ga. Goodl.Go we all to my house, and of this geare no more.Goe prepare all things Sym Suresby, hence, runne afore.Sim Sure.I goe.Ex.G. Good.But who commeth yond, M. Merygreeke?C. Custance.Roister Doisters champion, I shrewe his best cheeke.T. Trusty.Roister Doister selfe your wower is with hym too.Surely some thing there is with vs they haue to doe.Actus. v. Scæna. v.M. Merygreeke.Ralph Roister.Gawyn Goodlucke.Tristram Trustie.C. Custance.M. Mery.Y (Yond)Ond I see Gawyn Goodlucke, to whome lyeth my message,I will first salute him after his long voyage,And then make all thing well concerning your behalfe.R. Royster.Yea for the pashe of God.M. Mery.Hence out of sight ye calfe,Till I haue spoke with them, and then I will you fet,R. Royster.In Gods name.M. Mery.What master Gawin Goodluck wel metAnd from your long voyage I bid you right welcome home.Ga. Good.I thanke you.M. Mery.I come to you from an honest mome.Ga. Good.Who is that?M. Mery.Roister Doister that doughtie kite.C. Custance.Fye, I can scarce abide ye shoulde his name recite.M. Mery.Ye must take him to fauour, and pardon all past,He heareth of your returne, and is full yll agast.Ga. Good.I am ryght well content he haue with vs some chere.C. Custance.Fye vpon him beast, then wyll not I be there.Ga. Good.Why Custance do ye hate hym more than ye loue me?C. Custance.But for your mynde sir, where he were would I not be?T. Trusty.He woulde make vs al laugh.M. Mery.Ye nere had better sport.Ga. Good.I pray you sweete Custance, let him to vs resort.C. Custance.To your will I assent.M. Mery.Why, suche a foole it is,As no man for good pastime would forgoe or misse.Ga. Good.Fet him to go wyth vs.M. Mery.He will be a glad man.Ex.T. Trusty.We must to make vs mirth, maintaine hym all we can.And loe yond he commeth and Merygreeke with him.C. Custance.At his first entrance ye shall see I wyll him trim.But first let vs hearken the gentlemans wise talke.T. Trusty.I pray you marke if euer ye sawe crane so stalke.Actus. v. Scæna. vj.R. Roister. M. Merygreeke.C. Custance.G. Goodlucke.T. Trustie.D. Doughtie.Harpax.R. Royster.M (May)Ay I then be bolde?M. Mery.I warrant you on my worde,They say they shall be sicke, but ye be at theyr borde.R. Royster.Thei wer not angry then.M. Mery.Yes at first, and made strangeBut when I sayd your anger to fauour shoulde change,And therewith had commended you accordingly,They were all in loue with your mashyp by and by.And cried you mercy that they had done you wrong.R. Royster.For why, no man, woman, nor childe can hate me long.M. Mery.We feare (quod they) he will be auenged one day,Then for a peny giue all our liues we may.RRoyster.Sayd they so in deede.M. Mery.Did they? yea, euen with one voiceHe will forgiue all (quod I) Oh how they did reioyce.RRoyster.Ha, ha, ha.M. Mery.Goe fette hym (say they) while he is in good moode,For haue his anger who lust, we will not by the Roode.R. Royster.I pray God that it be all true, that thou hast me tolde,And that she fight no more.M. Mery.I warrant you, be boldeToo them, and salute them.R. Royster.Sirs, I greete you all well.Omnes.Your maistership is welcom.C. Custance.Sauyng my quarell.For sure I will put you vp into the Eschequer.M. Mery.Why so? better nay: Wherfore?C. Custance.For an vsurer.R. Royster.I am no vsurer good mistresse by his armes.M. Mery.When tooke he gaine of money to any mans harmes?C. Custance.Yes, a fowle vsurer he is, ye shall see els.R. Royster.Didst not thou promise she would picke no mo quarels?C. Custance.He will lende no blowes, but he haue in recompenceFiftene for one, whiche is to muche of conscience.R. Royster.Ah dame, by the auncient lawe of armes, a manHath no honour tofoilehis handes on a woman.C. Custance.And where other vsurers take their gaines yerely,This man is angry but he haue his by and by.Ga. Goodl.Sir, doe not for hir sake beare me your displeasure.M. Mery.Well, he shall with you talke therof more at leasure.Vpon your good vsage, he will now shake your hande.R. Royster.And much heartily welcome from a straunge lande.M. Mery.Be not afearde Gawyn to let him shake your fyst.Ga. Goodl.Oh the moste honeste gentleman that ere I wist.I beseeche your mashyp to take payne to suppe with vs.M. Mery.He shall not say you nay and I too, by Iesus.Bicause ye shall be friends, and let all quarels passe.R. Royster.I wyll be as good friends with them as ere I was.M. Mery.Then let me fet your quier that we may haue a song.R. Royster.Goe.G. Goodluck.I haue hearde no melodie all this yeare long.M. Mery.Come on sirs quickly.R. Royster.Sing on sirs, for my frends sake.D. Dough.Cal ye these your frends?R. Royster.Sing on, and no mo words make.Here they sing.Ga. Good.The Lord preserue our most noble Queene of renowne,And hir virtues rewarde with the heauenly crowne.C. Custance.The Lorde strengthen hir most excellent Maiestie,Long to reigne ouer vs in all prosperitie.T. Trusty.That hir godly proceedings the faith to defende,He may stablishe and maintaine through to the ende.M. Mery.God graunt hir as she doth, the Gospell to protect,Learning and vertue to aduaunce, and vice to correct.R. Royster.God graunt hir louyng subiects both the minde and grace,Hir most godly procedyngs worthily to imbrace.Harpax.Hir highnesse most worthy counsellers God prosper,With honour and loue of all men to minister.Omnes.God graunt the nobilitie hir to serue and loue,With all the whole commontie as doth them behoue.AMEN.
M. Mery.There can be no fitter thing. Now ye must vs tellWhat to do.
M. Mery.There can be no fitter thing. Now ye must vs tell
What to do.
R. Royster.Now forth in ray sirs, and stoppe no more.
M. Mery.Now sainct George to borow, Drum dubbe a dubbe afore.
T. Trusty.What meane you to do sir, committe manslaughter.
R. Royster.To kyll fortie such, is a matter of laughter.
T. Trusty.And who is it sir, whome ye intende thus to spill?
R. Royster.Foolishe Custance here forceth me against my will.
T. Trusty.And is there no meane your extreme wrath to slake,She shall some amendes vnto your good mashyp make.
T. Trusty.And is there no meane your extreme wrath to slake,
She shall some amendes vnto your good mashyp make.
R. Royster.I will none amendes.
T. Trusty.Is hir offence so sore?
M. Mery.And he were a loute she coulde haue done no more.She hath calde him foole, and dressed him like a foole.Mocked him lyke a foole, vsed him like a foole.
M. Mery.And he were a loute she coulde haue done no more.
She hath calde him foole, and dressed him like a foole.
Mocked him lyke a foole, vsed him like a foole.
T. Trusty.Well yet the Sheriffe, the Iustice, or Constable,Hir misdemeanour to punishe might be able.
T. Trusty.Well yet the Sheriffe, the Iustice, or Constable,
Hir misdemeanour to punishe might be able.
R. Royster.No sir, I mine owne selfe will in this present cause,Be Sheriffe, and Iustice, and whole Iudge of the lawes,This matter to amende, all officers be I shall,Constable, Bailiffe, Sergeant.
R. Royster.No sir, I mine owne selfe will in this present cause,
Be Sheriffe, and Iustice, and whole Iudge of the lawes,
This matter to amende, all officers be I shall,
Constable, Bailiffe, Sergeant.
M. Mery.And hangman and all.
T. Trusty.Yet a noble courage, and the hearte of a man.Should more honour winne by bearyng with a woman.Therfore take the lawe, and lette hir aunswere therto.
T. Trusty.Yet a noble courage, and the hearte of a man.
Should more honour winne by bearyng with a woman.
Therfore take the lawe, and lette hir aunswere therto.
R. Royster.Merygreeke, the best way were euen so to do.What honour should it be with a woman to fight?
R. Royster.Merygreeke, the best way were euen so to do.
What honour should it be with a woman to fight?
M. Mery.And what then, will ye thus forgo and lese your right?
R. Royster.Nay, I will take the lawe on hir withouten grace.
T. Trusty.Or yf your mashyp coulde pardon this one trespace.I pray you forgiue hir.
T. Trusty.Or yf your mashyp coulde pardon this one trespace.
I pray you forgiue hir.
R. Royster.Hoh?
M. Mery.Tushe tushe sir do not.Be good maister to hir.
M. Mery.Tushe tushe sir do not.
Be good maister to hir.
R. Royster.Hoh?
M. Mery.Tush I say do not.And what shall your people here returne streight home?
M. Mery.Tush I say do not.
And what shall your people here returne streight home?
T. Trustie.Yea, leuie the campe sirs, and hence againe eche one,
R. Royster.But be still in readinesse if I happe to call,I can not tell what sodaine chaunce may befall.
R. Royster.But be still in readinesse if I happe to call,
I can not tell what sodaine chaunce may befall.
M. Mery.Do not off your harnesse sirs I you aduise,At the least for this fortnight in no maner wise,Perchaunce in an houre when all ye thinke least,Our maisters appetite to fight will be best.But soft, ere ye go, haue once at Custance house.
M. Mery.Do not off your harnesse sirs I you aduise,
At the least for this fortnight in no maner wise,
Perchaunce in an houre when all ye thinke least,
Our maisters appetite to fight will be best.
But soft, ere ye go, haue once at Custance house.
R. Royster.Soft, what wilt thou do?
M. Mery.Once discharge my harquebouseAnd for my heartes ease, haue once more with my potgoon.
M. Mery.Once discharge my harquebouse
And for my heartes ease, haue once more with my potgoon.
R. Royster.Holde thy handes else is all our purpose cleane fordoone.
M. Mery.And it cost me my life.
R. Royster.I say thou shalt not.
M. Mery.By the matte but I will. Haue once more with haile shot.I will haue some penyworth, I will not leese all.
M. Mery.By the matte but I will. Haue once more with haile shot.
I will haue some penyworth, I will not leese all.
Actus. iiij. Scæna. viij.
M. Merygreeke.C. Custance.R. Roister.Tib. T.An. Alyface.M. Mumblecrust.Trupenie.Dobinet Doughtie. Harpax.Two drummes with their Ensignes.
C. Custance.W (What)Hat caitifes are those that so shake my house wall?
C. Custance.
W (What)
Hat caitifes are those that so shake my house wall?
M. Mery.Ah sirrha now Custance if ye had so muche witI woulde see you aske pardon, and your selues submit.
M. Mery.Ah sirrha now Custance if ye had so muche wit
I woulde see you aske pardon, and your selues submit.
C. Custance.Haue I still this adoe with a couple of fooles?
M. Mery.Here ye what she saith?
C. Custance.Maidens come forth with your tooles.
R. Royster.In a ray.
M. Mery.Dubba dub sirrha.
R. Royster.In a ray.They come sodainly on vs.
R. Royster.In a ray.
They come sodainly on vs.
M. Mery.Dubbadub.
R. Royster.In a ray.That euer I was borne, we are taken tardie.
R. Royster.In a ray.
That euer I was borne, we are taken tardie.
M. Mery.Now sirs, quite our selues like tall men and hardie.
C. Custance.On afore Truepenie, holde thyne owne Annot,On towarde them Tibet, for scape vs they can not.Come forth Madge Mumblecrust, so stande fast togither.
C. Custance.On afore Truepenie, holde thyne owne Annot,
On towarde them Tibet, for scape vs they can not.
Come forth Madge Mumblecrust, so stande fast togither.
M. Mery.God sende vs a faire day.
R. Royster.See they marche on hither.
Tib. Talk.But mistresse.
C. Custance.What sayst you?
Tib.Shall I go fet our goose?
C. Custance.What to do?
Tib.To yonder Captain I will turne hir looseAnd she gape and hisse at him, as she doth at me,I durst ieoparde my hande she wyll make him flee.
Tib.To yonder Captain I will turne hir loose
And she gape and hisse at him, as she doth at me,
I durst ieoparde my hande she wyll make him flee.
C. Custance.On forward.
R. Royster.They com.
M. Mery.Stand.
R. Royster.Hold.
M. Mery.Kepe.
R. Royster.There.
M. Mery.Strike.
R. Royster.Take heede.
C. Custance.Wel sayd Truepeny.
Trupeny.Ah whooresons.
C. Custance.Wel don in deede
M. Mery.Hold thine owneHarpax, downe with them Dobinet.
C. Custance.Now Madge, there Annot: now sticke them Tibet.
Tib. Talk.All my chiefe quarell is to this same little knaue,That begyled me last day, nothyng shall him saue.
Tib. Talk.All my chiefe quarell is to this same little knaue,
That begyled me last day, nothyng shall him saue.
D. Dough.Downe with this litle queane, that hath at me such spite,Saue you from hir maister, it is a very sprite.
D. Dough.Downe with this litle queane, that hath at me such spite,
Saue you from hir maister, it is a very sprite.
C. Custance.I my selfe will mounsire graunde captaine vndertake,
R. Royster.They win grounde.
M. Mery.Saue your selfe sir, for gods sake.
R. Royster.Out, alas, I am slaine, helpe.
M. Mery.Saue your self.
R. Royster.Alas.
M. Mery.Nay then, haue at you mistresse.
R. Royster.Thou hittest me, alas.
M. Mery.I wil strike at Custance here.
R. Royster.Thou hittest me.
M. Mery.So I wil.Nay mistresse Custance.
M. Mery.So I wil.
Nay mistresse Custance.
R. Royster.Alas, thou hittest me still.Hold.
R. Royster.Alas, thou hittest me still.
Hold.
M. Mery.Saue your self sir.
R. Royster.Help, out alas I am slain
M. Mery.Truce, hold your hands, truce for a pissing while or twaine:Nay how say you Custance, for sauing of your life,Will ye yelde and graunt to be this gentmans wife?
M. Mery.Truce, hold your hands, truce for a pissing while or twaine:
Nay how say you Custance, for sauing of your life,
Will ye yelde and graunt to be this gentmans wife?
C. Custance.Ye tolde me he loued me, call ye this loue?
M. Mery.He loued a while euen like a turtle doue.
C. Custance.Gay loue God saue it, so soone hotte, so soone colde,
M. Mery.I am sory for you: he could loue you yet so he coulde.
R. Royster.Nay by cocks precious she shall be none of mine.
M. Mery.Why so?
R. Royster.Come away, by the matte she is man-kine.I durst aduenture the losse of my right hande,If shee dyd not slee hir other husbande:And see if she prepare not againe to fight.
R. Royster.Come away, by the matte she is man-kine.
I durst aduenture the losse of my right hande,
If shee dyd not slee hir other husbande:
And see if she prepare not againe to fight.
M. Mery.What then? sainct George to borow, our Ladies knight.
R. Royster.Slee else whom she will, by gog she shall not slee mee.
M. Mery.How then?
R. Royster.Rather than to be slaine, I will flee.
C. Custance.Too it againe, my knightesses, downe with them all.
R. Royster.Away, away, away, she will else kyll vs all.
M. Mery.Nay sticke to it, like an hardie man and a tall.
R. Royster.Oh bones, thou hittest me. Away, or else die we shall.
M. Mery.Away for the pashe of our sweete Lord Iesus Christ.
C. Custance.Away loute and lubber, or I shall be thy priest.Exeant om.So this fielde is ours we haue driuen them all away.
C. Custance.Away loute and lubber, or I shall be thy priest.Exeant om.
So this fielde is ours we haue driuen them all away.
Tib Talk.Thankes to God mistresse, ye haue had a faire day.
C. Custance.Well nowe goe ye in, and make your selfe some good cheere.
Omnes pariter.We goe.
T. Trust.Ah sir, what a field we haue had heere.
C. Custance.Friend Tristram, I pray you be a witnesse with me.
T. Trusty.Dame Custance, I shall depose for your honestie,And nowe fare ye well, except some thing else ye wolde.
T. Trusty.Dame Custance, I shall depose for your honestie,
And nowe fare ye well, except some thing else ye wolde.
C. Custance.Not now, but when I nede to sende I will be bolde.Exeat.I thanke you for these paines. And now I wyll get me in,Now Roister Doister will no more wowyng begin.Ex.
C. Custance.Not now, but when I nede to sende I will be bolde.Exeat.
I thanke you for these paines. And now I wyll get me in,
Now Roister Doister will no more wowyng begin.Ex.
Actus. v. Scæna. j.
Gawyn Goodlucke.Sym Suresby.
S (Sym)Ym Suresby my trustie man, nowe aduise thee well,And see that no false surmises thou me tell,Was there such adoe about Custance of a truth?
S (Sym)
Ym Suresby my trustie man, nowe aduise thee well,
And see that no false surmises thou me tell,
Was there such adoe about Custance of a truth?
Sim. Sure.To reporte that I hearde and sawe, to me is ruth,But both my duetie and name and propretie,Warneth me to you to shewe fidelitie,It may be well enough, and I wyshe it so to be,She may hir selfe discharge and trie hir honestie,Yet their clayme to hir me thought was very large,For with letters rings and tokens, they dyd hir charge.Which when I hearde and sawe I would none to you bring.
Sim. Sure.To reporte that I hearde and sawe, to me is ruth,
But both my duetie and name and propretie,
Warneth me to you to shewe fidelitie,
It may be well enough, and I wyshe it so to be,
She may hir selfe discharge and trie hir honestie,
Yet their clayme to hir me thought was very large,
For with letters rings and tokens, they dyd hir charge.
Which when I hearde and sawe I would none to you bring.
G. Goodl.No, by sainct Marie, I allowe thee in that thing.Ah sirra, nowe I see truthe in the prouerbe olde,All things that shineth is not by and by pure golde,If any doe lyue a woman of honestie,I would haue sworne Christian Custance had bene shee.
G. Goodl.No, by sainct Marie, I allowe thee in that thing.
Ah sirra, nowe I see truthe in the prouerbe olde,
All things that shineth is not by and by pure golde,
If any doe lyue a woman of honestie,
I would haue sworne Christian Custance had bene shee.
Sim. Sure.Sir, though I to you be a seruant true and iust.Yet doe not ye therfore your faithfull spouse mystrust.But examine the matter, and if ye shall it finde,To be all well, be not ye for my wordes vnkinde.
Sim. Sure.Sir, though I to you be a seruant true and iust.
Yet doe not ye therfore your faithfull spouse mystrust.
But examine the matter, and if ye shall it finde,
To be all well, be not ye for my wordes vnkinde.
G. Goodl.I shall do that is right, and as I see cause why.But here commeth Custance forth, we shal know by and by.
G. Goodl.I shall do that is right, and as I see cause why.
But here commeth Custance forth, we shal know by and by.
Actus. v. Scæna. ij.
C. Custance.Gawyn Goodlucke.Sym Suresby.
C. Custance.II come forth to see and hearken for newes good,For about this houre is the tyme of likelyhood,That Gawyn Goodlucke by the sayings of Suresby,Would be at home, and lo yond I see hym I.What Gawyn Goodlucke, the onely hope of my life,Welcome home, and kysse me your true espoused wife.
C. Custance.
I
I come forth to see and hearken for newes good,
For about this houre is the tyme of likelyhood,
That Gawyn Goodlucke by the sayings of Suresby,
Would be at home, and lo yond I see hym I.
What Gawyn Goodlucke, the onely hope of my life,
Welcome home, and kysse me your true espoused wife.
Ga. Good.Nay soft dame Custance, I must first by your licence,See whether all things be cleere in your conscience,I heare of your doings to me very straunge.
Ga. Good.Nay soft dame Custance, I must first by your licence,
See whether all things be cleere in your conscience,
I heare of your doings to me very straunge.
C. Custance.What feare ye? that my faith towardes you should chaunge?
Ga. Good.I must needes mistrust ye be elsewhere entangled.For I heare that certaine men with you haue wrangledAbout the promise of mariage by you to them made.
Ga. Good.I must needes mistrust ye be elsewhere entangled.
For I heare that certaine men with you haue wrangled
About the promise of mariage by you to them made.
C. Custance.Coulde any mans reporte your minde therein persuade?
Ga. Good.Well, ye must therin declare your selfe to stande cleere,Else I and you dame Custance may not ioyne this yere.
Ga. Good.Well, ye must therin declare your selfe to stande cleere,
Else I and you dame Custance may not ioyne this yere.
C. Custance.Then woulde I were dead, and faire layd in my graue,Ah Suresby, is this the honestie that ye haue?To hurt me with your report, not knowyng the thing.
C. Custance.Then woulde I were dead, and faire layd in my graue,
Ah Suresby, is this the honestie that ye haue?
To hurt me with your report, not knowyng the thing.
Sim Sure.If ye be honest my wordes can hurte you nothing.But what I hearde and sawe, I might not but report.
Sim Sure.If ye be honest my wordes can hurte you nothing.
But what I hearde and sawe, I might not but report.
C. Custance.Ah Lorde, helpe poore widowes, destitute of comfort.Truly most deare spouse, nought was done but for pastance.
C. Custance.Ah Lorde, helpe poore widowes, destitute of comfort.
Truly most deare spouse, nought was done but for pastance.
G. Good.But such kynde of sporting is homely daliance.
C. Custance.If ye knewe the truthe, ye would take all in good parte.
Ga. Good.By your leaue I am not halfe well skilled in that arte.
C. Custance.It was none but Roister Doister that foolishe mome.
Ga. Good.Yea Custance, better (they say) a badde scuse than none.
C. Custance.Why Tristram Trustie sir, your true and faithfull frende,Was priuie bothe to the beginning and the ende.Let him be the Iudge, and for me testifie.
C. Custance.Why Tristram Trustie sir, your true and faithfull frende,
Was priuie bothe to the beginning and the ende.
Let him be the Iudge, and for me testifie.
Ga. Good.I will the more credite that he shall verifie,And bicause I will the truthe know een as it is,I will to him my selfe, and know all without misse.Come on Sym Suresby, that before my friend thou mayAuouch the same wordes, which thou dydst to me say.Exeant.
Ga. Good.I will the more credite that he shall verifie,
And bicause I will the truthe know een as it is,
I will to him my selfe, and know all without misse.
Come on Sym Suresby, that before my friend thou may
Auouch the same wordes, which thou dydst to me say.Exeant.
Actus. v. Scæna. iij.
Christian Custance.
C. Custance.OO Lorde, howe necessarie it is nowe of dayes,That eche bodie liue vprightly all maner wayes,For lette neuer so little a gappe be open,And be sure of this, the worst shall be spokenHowe innocent stande I in this for deede or thought?And yet see what mistrust towardes me it hath wroughtBut thou Lorde knowest all folkes thoughts and eke intentsAnd thou arte the deliuerer of all innocentes.Thou didst helpe the aduoutresse that she might be amended,Much more then helpe Lorde, that neuer yll intended.Thou didst helpeSusanna, wrongfully accused,And no lesse dost thou see Lorde, how I am now abused,Thou didst helpeHester, when she should haue died,Helpe also good Lorde, that my truth may be tried.Yet if Gawin Goodlucke with Tristram Trusty speake.I trust of yll report the force shall be but weake,And loe yond they come sadly talking togither,I wyll abyde, and not shrinke for their comming hither.
C. Custance.
O
O Lorde, howe necessarie it is nowe of dayes,
That eche bodie liue vprightly all maner wayes,
For lette neuer so little a gappe be open,
And be sure of this, the worst shall be spoken
Howe innocent stande I in this for deede or thought?
And yet see what mistrust towardes me it hath wrought
But thou Lorde knowest all folkes thoughts and eke intents
And thou arte the deliuerer of all innocentes.
Thou didst helpe the aduoutresse that she might be amended,
Much more then helpe Lorde, that neuer yll intended.
Thou didst helpeSusanna, wrongfully accused,
And no lesse dost thou see Lorde, how I am now abused,
Thou didst helpeHester, when she should haue died,
Helpe also good Lorde, that my truth may be tried.
Yet if Gawin Goodlucke with Tristram Trusty speake.
I trust of yll report the force shall be but weake,
And loe yond they come sadly talking togither,
I wyll abyde, and not shrinke for their comming hither.
Actus. v. Scæna. iiij.
Gawyn Goodlucke.Tristram Trustie.C. Custance.Sym Suresby.
Ga. Good.A (And)Nd was it none other than ye to me reporte?
Ga. Good.
A (And)
Nd was it none other than ye to me reporte?
Tristram.No, and here were ye wished to haue seene the sporte.
Ga. Good.Woulde I had, rather than halfe of that in my purse.
Sim Sure.And I doe muche reioyce the matter was no wurse,And like as to open it, I was to you faithfull,So of dame Custance honest truth I am ioyfull.For God forfende that I shoulde hurt hir by false reporte.
Sim Sure.And I doe muche reioyce the matter was no wurse,
And like as to open it, I was to you faithfull,
So of dame Custance honest truth I am ioyfull.
For God forfende that I shoulde hurt hir by false reporte.
Ga. Good.Well, I will no longer holde hir in discomforte.
C. Custance.Nowe come they hitherwarde, I trust all shall be well.
Ga. Good.Sweete Custance neither heart can thinke nor tongue tell,Howe much I ioy in your constant fidelitie,Come nowe kisse me the pearle of perfect honestie.
Ga. Good.Sweete Custance neither heart can thinke nor tongue tell,
Howe much I ioy in your constant fidelitie,
Come nowe kisse me the pearle of perfect honestie.
C. Custance.God lette me no longer to continue in lyfe,Than I shall towardes you continue a true wyfe.
C. Custance.God lette me no longer to continue in lyfe,
Than I shall towardes you continue a true wyfe.
Ga. Good.Well now to make you for this some parte of amendes,I shall desire first you, and then suche of our frendes,As shall to you seeme best, to suppe at home with me,Where at your fought fielde we shall laugh and mery be.
Ga. Good.Well now to make you for this some parte of amendes,
I shall desire first you, and then suche of our frendes,
As shall to you seeme best, to suppe at home with me,
Where at your fought fielde we shall laugh and mery be.
Sim Sure.And mistresse I beseech you, take with me no greefe,I did a true mans part, not wishyng you repreefe.
Sim Sure.And mistresse I beseech you, take with me no greefe,
I did a true mans part, not wishyng you repreefe.
C. Custance.Though hastie reportes through surmises growyng,May of poore innocentes be vtter ouerthrowyng,Yet bicause to thy maister thou hast a true hart,And I know mine owne truth, I forgiue thee for my part.
C. Custance.Though hastie reportes through surmises growyng,
May of poore innocentes be vtter ouerthrowyng,
Yet bicause to thy maister thou hast a true hart,
And I know mine owne truth, I forgiue thee for my part.
Ga. Goodl.Go we all to my house, and of this geare no more.Goe prepare all things Sym Suresby, hence, runne afore.
Ga. Goodl.Go we all to my house, and of this geare no more.
Goe prepare all things Sym Suresby, hence, runne afore.
Sim Sure.I goe.Ex.
G. Good.But who commeth yond, M. Merygreeke?
C. Custance.Roister Doisters champion, I shrewe his best cheeke.
T. Trusty.Roister Doister selfe your wower is with hym too.Surely some thing there is with vs they haue to doe.
T. Trusty.Roister Doister selfe your wower is with hym too.
Surely some thing there is with vs they haue to doe.
Actus. v. Scæna. v.
M. Merygreeke.Ralph Roister.Gawyn Goodlucke.Tristram Trustie.C. Custance.
M. Mery.Y (Yond)Ond I see Gawyn Goodlucke, to whome lyeth my message,I will first salute him after his long voyage,And then make all thing well concerning your behalfe.
M. Mery.
Y (Yond)
Ond I see Gawyn Goodlucke, to whome lyeth my message,
I will first salute him after his long voyage,
And then make all thing well concerning your behalfe.
R. Royster.Yea for the pashe of God.
M. Mery.Hence out of sight ye calfe,Till I haue spoke with them, and then I will you fet,
M. Mery.Hence out of sight ye calfe,
Till I haue spoke with them, and then I will you fet,
R. Royster.In Gods name.
M. Mery.What master Gawin Goodluck wel metAnd from your long voyage I bid you right welcome home.
M. Mery.What master Gawin Goodluck wel met
And from your long voyage I bid you right welcome home.
Ga. Good.I thanke you.
M. Mery.I come to you from an honest mome.
Ga. Good.Who is that?
M. Mery.Roister Doister that doughtie kite.
C. Custance.Fye, I can scarce abide ye shoulde his name recite.
M. Mery.Ye must take him to fauour, and pardon all past,He heareth of your returne, and is full yll agast.
M. Mery.Ye must take him to fauour, and pardon all past,
He heareth of your returne, and is full yll agast.
Ga. Good.I am ryght well content he haue with vs some chere.
C. Custance.Fye vpon him beast, then wyll not I be there.
Ga. Good.Why Custance do ye hate hym more than ye loue me?
C. Custance.But for your mynde sir, where he were would I not be?
T. Trusty.He woulde make vs al laugh.
M. Mery.Ye nere had better sport.
Ga. Good.I pray you sweete Custance, let him to vs resort.
C. Custance.To your will I assent.
M. Mery.Why, suche a foole it is,As no man for good pastime would forgoe or misse.
M. Mery.Why, suche a foole it is,
As no man for good pastime would forgoe or misse.
Ga. Good.Fet him to go wyth vs.
M. Mery.He will be a glad man.Ex.
T. Trusty.We must to make vs mirth, maintaine hym all we can.And loe yond he commeth and Merygreeke with him.
T. Trusty.We must to make vs mirth, maintaine hym all we can.
And loe yond he commeth and Merygreeke with him.
C. Custance.At his first entrance ye shall see I wyll him trim.But first let vs hearken the gentlemans wise talke.
C. Custance.At his first entrance ye shall see I wyll him trim.
But first let vs hearken the gentlemans wise talke.
T. Trusty.I pray you marke if euer ye sawe crane so stalke.
Actus. v. Scæna. vj.
R. Roister. M. Merygreeke.C. Custance.G. Goodlucke.T. Trustie.D. Doughtie.Harpax.
R. Royster.M (May)Ay I then be bolde?
R. Royster.
M (May)
Ay I then be bolde?
M. Mery.I warrant you on my worde,They say they shall be sicke, but ye be at theyr borde.
M. Mery.I warrant you on my worde,
They say they shall be sicke, but ye be at theyr borde.
R. Royster.Thei wer not angry then.
M. Mery.Yes at first, and made strangeBut when I sayd your anger to fauour shoulde change,And therewith had commended you accordingly,They were all in loue with your mashyp by and by.And cried you mercy that they had done you wrong.
M. Mery.Yes at first, and made strange
But when I sayd your anger to fauour shoulde change,
And therewith had commended you accordingly,
They were all in loue with your mashyp by and by.
And cried you mercy that they had done you wrong.
R. Royster.For why, no man, woman, nor childe can hate me long.
M. Mery.We feare (quod they) he will be auenged one day,Then for a peny giue all our liues we may.
M. Mery.We feare (quod they) he will be auenged one day,
Then for a peny giue all our liues we may.
RRoyster.Sayd they so in deede.
M. Mery.Did they? yea, euen with one voiceHe will forgiue all (quod I) Oh how they did reioyce.
M. Mery.Did they? yea, euen with one voice
He will forgiue all (quod I) Oh how they did reioyce.
RRoyster.Ha, ha, ha.
M. Mery.Goe fette hym (say they) while he is in good moode,For haue his anger who lust, we will not by the Roode.
M. Mery.Goe fette hym (say they) while he is in good moode,
For haue his anger who lust, we will not by the Roode.
R. Royster.I pray God that it be all true, that thou hast me tolde,And that she fight no more.
R. Royster.I pray God that it be all true, that thou hast me tolde,
And that she fight no more.
M. Mery.I warrant you, be boldeToo them, and salute them.
M. Mery.I warrant you, be bolde
Too them, and salute them.
R. Royster.Sirs, I greete you all well.
Omnes.Your maistership is welcom.
C. Custance.Sauyng my quarell.For sure I will put you vp into the Eschequer.
C. Custance.Sauyng my quarell.
For sure I will put you vp into the Eschequer.
M. Mery.Why so? better nay: Wherfore?
C. Custance.For an vsurer.
R. Royster.I am no vsurer good mistresse by his armes.
M. Mery.When tooke he gaine of money to any mans harmes?
C. Custance.Yes, a fowle vsurer he is, ye shall see els.
R. Royster.Didst not thou promise she would picke no mo quarels?
C. Custance.He will lende no blowes, but he haue in recompenceFiftene for one, whiche is to muche of conscience.
C. Custance.He will lende no blowes, but he haue in recompence
Fiftene for one, whiche is to muche of conscience.
R. Royster.Ah dame, by the auncient lawe of armes, a manHath no honour tofoilehis handes on a woman.
R. Royster.Ah dame, by the auncient lawe of armes, a man
Hath no honour tofoilehis handes on a woman.
C. Custance.And where other vsurers take their gaines yerely,This man is angry but he haue his by and by.
C. Custance.And where other vsurers take their gaines yerely,
This man is angry but he haue his by and by.
Ga. Goodl.Sir, doe not for hir sake beare me your displeasure.
M. Mery.Well, he shall with you talke therof more at leasure.Vpon your good vsage, he will now shake your hande.
M. Mery.Well, he shall with you talke therof more at leasure.
Vpon your good vsage, he will now shake your hande.
R. Royster.And much heartily welcome from a straunge lande.
M. Mery.Be not afearde Gawyn to let him shake your fyst.
Ga. Goodl.Oh the moste honeste gentleman that ere I wist.I beseeche your mashyp to take payne to suppe with vs.
Ga. Goodl.Oh the moste honeste gentleman that ere I wist.
I beseeche your mashyp to take payne to suppe with vs.
M. Mery.He shall not say you nay and I too, by Iesus.Bicause ye shall be friends, and let all quarels passe.
M. Mery.He shall not say you nay and I too, by Iesus.
Bicause ye shall be friends, and let all quarels passe.
R. Royster.I wyll be as good friends with them as ere I was.
M. Mery.Then let me fet your quier that we may haue a song.
R. Royster.Goe.
G. Goodluck.I haue hearde no melodie all this yeare long.
M. Mery.Come on sirs quickly.
R. Royster.Sing on sirs, for my frends sake.
D. Dough.Cal ye these your frends?
R. Royster.Sing on, and no mo words make.
Here they sing.
Ga. Good.The Lord preserue our most noble Queene of renowne,And hir virtues rewarde with the heauenly crowne.
Ga. Good.The Lord preserue our most noble Queene of renowne,
And hir virtues rewarde with the heauenly crowne.
C. Custance.The Lorde strengthen hir most excellent Maiestie,Long to reigne ouer vs in all prosperitie.
C. Custance.The Lorde strengthen hir most excellent Maiestie,
Long to reigne ouer vs in all prosperitie.
T. Trusty.That hir godly proceedings the faith to defende,He may stablishe and maintaine through to the ende.
T. Trusty.That hir godly proceedings the faith to defende,
He may stablishe and maintaine through to the ende.
M. Mery.God graunt hir as she doth, the Gospell to protect,Learning and vertue to aduaunce, and vice to correct.
M. Mery.God graunt hir as she doth, the Gospell to protect,
Learning and vertue to aduaunce, and vice to correct.
R. Royster.God graunt hir louyng subiects both the minde and grace,Hir most godly procedyngs worthily to imbrace.
R. Royster.God graunt hir louyng subiects both the minde and grace,
Hir most godly procedyngs worthily to imbrace.
Harpax.Hir highnesse most worthy counsellers God prosper,With honour and loue of all men to minister.
Harpax.Hir highnesse most worthy counsellers God prosper,
With honour and loue of all men to minister.
Omnes.God graunt the nobilitie hir to serue and loue,With all the whole commontie as doth them behoue.
Omnes.God graunt the nobilitie hir to serue and loue,
With all the whole commontie as doth them behoue.