<B CEPLAY1A>
<Q E1 XX COME UDALL>
<N ROISTER>
<A UDALL NICHOLAS>
<C E1>
<O 1500-1570>
<M X>
<K X>
<D ENGLISH>
<V VERSE>
<T DRAMA COMEDY>
<G X>
<F X>
<W SCRIPT>
<X MALE>
<Y 40-60>
<H HIGH PROF>
<U X>
<E X>
<J INTERACTIVE>
<I INFORMAL>
<Z X>
<S SAMPLE X>


[^UDALL, NICHOLAS.
ROISTER DOISTER.
THE MALONE SOCIETY REPRINTS.
LONDON: JOHN JOHNSON AND
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS,
1934 (1935) (FACSIMILE).
LL. 131  - 401      (SAMPLE 1)
LL. 1037 - 1188     (SAMPLE 2)^]

<S SAMPLE 1>
<P L. 131>
(^Math. Mer.^) But is your loue tell me first, in any wise,
In the way of Mariage, or of Merchandise;
If it may otherwise than lawfull be founde,
Ye get none of my helpe for an hundred pounde.
(^R. Royster.^) No by my trouth I woulde haue hir to my Wife.
(^M. Mery.^) Then are ye a good man, and God saue your life,
And what or who is she, with whome ye are in loue;
(^R. Royster.^) A woman whome I knowe not by what meanes to     #
moue.
(^M. Mery.^) Who is it; (^R. R.^) A woman yond. (^M. M.^) What  #
is hir name;
(^R. Royster.^) Hir yo~der. (^M. M.^) Who~; (^R. R.^) Mistresse #
ah. (^M. M.^) Fy fy for shame
Loue ye, and know not whome; but hir yonde, a Woman,
We shall then get you a Wyfe, I can not tell whan.
(^R. Royster.^) The faire Woman, that supped wyth us            #
yesternyght,
And I hearde hir name twice or thrice, and had it ryght.
(^M. Mery.^) Yea, ye may see ye nere take me to good cheere     #
with you,
If ye had, I coulde haue tolde you hir name now.
(^R. Royster.^) I was to blame in deede, but the nexte tyme     #
perchaunce:
And she dwelleth in this house. (^M. M.^) What Christia~        #
Custance.
(^R. Royster.^) Except I haue hir to my Wife, I shall runne     #
madde.
(^M. Mery.^) Nay vnwise perhaps, but I warrant you for madde.
(^R. Royster.^) I am vtterly dead vnlesse I haue my desire.
(^M. Mery.^) Where be the bellowes that blewe this sodeine      #
fire;
(^R. Royster.^) I heare she is worthe a thousande pounde and    #
more.
(^M. Mery.^) Yea, but learne this one lesson of me afore,
An hundred pounde of Marriage money doubtlesse,
Is euer thirtie pounde sterlyng, or somewhat lesse,
So that hir Thousande pounde yf she be thriftie,
Is muche neere aboute two hundred and fiftie,
Howebeit wowers and Widowes are neuer poore.
(^R. Royster.^) Is she a Widowe; I loue hir better therefore.
(^M. Mery.^) But I heare she hath made promise to another.
(^R. Royster.^) He shall goe without hir, and he were my        #
brother.
(^M. Mery.^) I haue hearde say, I am right well aduised,
That she hath to Gawyn Goodlucke promised.
<P L. 165>
(^R. Royster.^) What is that Gawyn Goodlucke; (^M. M.^) a       #
Merchant man.
(^R. Royster.^) Shall he speede afore me; nay sir by sweete     #
Sainct Anne.
Ah sir, Backare quod Mortimer to his sowe,
I wyll haue hir myne owne selfe I make God a vow.
For I tell thee, she is worthe a thousande pounde.
(^M. Mery.^) Yet a fitter wife for your maship might be founde:
Suche a goodly man as you, might get one wyth lande,
Besides poundes of golde a thousande and a thousande,
And a thousande, and a thousande, and a thousande,
And so to the summe of twentie hundred thousande,
Your most goodly personage is worthie of no lesse.
(^R. Royster.^) I am sorie God made me so comely doubtlesse.
For that maketh me eche where so highly fauoured,
And all women on me so enamoured.
(^M. Mery.^) Enamoured quod you; haue ye spied out that;
Ah sir, mary nowe I see you know what is what.
Enamoured ka; mary sir say that againe,
But I thought not ye had marked it so plaine.
(^R. Royster.^) Yes, eche where they gaze all vpon me and       #
stare.
(^M. Mery.^) Yea malkyn, I warrant you as muche as they dare.
And ye will not beleue what they say in the streete,
When your mashyp passeth by all such as I meete,
That sometimes I can scarce finde what aunswere to make.
Who is this (sayth one) sir (^Launcelot du lake^) ?
Who is this, greate (^Guy^) of Warwike, sayth an other;
No (say I) it is the thirtenth (^Hercules^) brother.
Who is this; noble (^Hector^) of (^Troy^) , sayth the thirde;
No, but of the same nest (say I) it is a birde.
Who is this; greate (^Goliah, Sampson^) , or (^Colbrande^) ?
No (say I) but it is a brute of the Alie lande. 
Who is this; greate (^Alexander^) ? or (^Charle le Maigne^) ?
No, it is the tenth Worthie, say I to them agayne:
I knowe not if I sayd well. (^R. R.^) Yes for so I am.
(^M. Mery.^) Yea, for there were but nine worthies before ye    #
came.
<P L. 199>
To some others, the thirde (^Cato^) I doe you call.
And so as well as I can I aunswere them all.
Sir I pray you, what lorde or great gentleman is this;
Maister Ralph Roister Doister dame say I, ywis.
O Lorde (sayth she than) what a goodly man it is,
Woulde Christ I had such a husbande as he is.
O Lorde (say some) that the sight of his face we lacke:
It is inough for you (say I) to see his backe.
His face is for ladies of high and noble parages,
With whome he hardly scapeth great mariages.
With muche more than this, and much otherwise.
(^R. Royster.^) I can thee thanke that thou canst suche         #
answeres deuise:
But I perceyue thou doste me throughly knowe.
(^M. Mery.^) I marke your maners for myne owne learnyng I       #
trowe,
But suche is your beautie, and suche are your actes,
Suche is your personage, and suche are your factes,
That all women faire and fowle, more and lesse,
They eye you, they lubbe you, they talke of you doubtlesse.
Your peasant looke maketh them all merie,
Ye passe not by, but they laugh till they be werie,
Yea and money coulde I haue the truthe to tell,
Of many, to bryng you that way where they dwell.
(^R. Royster.^) Merygreeke for this thy reporting well of mee:
(^M. Mery.^) What shoulde I else sir, it is my duetie pardee.
(^R. Royster.^) I promise thou shalt not lacke, while I haue a  #
grote.
(^M. Mery.^) Faith sir, and I nere had more nede of a newe      #
cote.
(^R. Royster.^) Thou shalte haue one to morowe, and golde for   #
to spende.
(^M. Mery.^) Then I trust to bring the day to a good ende.
For as for mine owne parte hauing money inowe,
I coulde lyue onely with the remembrance of you.
But nowe to your Widowe whome you loue so hotte.
(^R. Royster.^) By cocke thou sayest truthe, I had almost
forgotte.
(^M. Mery.^) What if Christian Custance will not haue you what;
(^R. Roister.^) Haue me; yes I warrant you, neuer doubt of      #
that,
<P L. 233>
I knowe she loueth me, but she dare not speake.
(^M. Mery.^) In deede meete it were some body shoud it breake.
(^R. Roister.^) She looked on me twentie tymes yesternight,
And laughed so. (^M. M.^) That she coulde not sitte upright,
(^R. Roister.^) No faith coulde she not. (^M. M.^) No euen such #
a thing I cast.
(^R. Royster.^) But for wowyng thou knowest women are           #
shamefast.
But and she knewe my minde, I knowe she would be glad,
And thinke it the best chaunce that euer she had.
(^M. Mery.^) Too hir then like a man, and be bolde forth to
starte,
Wowers neuer speede well, that haue a false harte.
(^R. Roister.^) What may I best doe; (^M. M.^) Sir remaine ye a
while,
Ere long one or other of hir house will appere.
Ye knowe my minde. (^R. R.^) Yea now hardly lette me alone.
(^M. Mery.^) In the meane time sir, if you please, I wyll home,
And call your Musitians, for in this your case
It would sette you forth, and all your wowyng grace,
Ye may not lacke your instrumentes to play and sing.
(^R. Royster.^) Thou knowest I can doe that. (^M. M.^) As well  #
as any thing.
Shall I go call your folkes, that ye may shewe a cast;
(^R. Royster.^) Yea runne I beseeche thee in all possible       #
haste.
(^M. Mery.^) I goe. (\Exeat.\) (^R. R.^) Yea for I loue singyng #
out of measure,
It comforteth my spirites and doth me great pleasure.
But who commeth forth yond from my swete hearte Custance;
My matter frameth well, thys is a luckie chaunce.

[} (\ACTUS. J. SCAENA. IIJ.\) }]

(^Mage Mumble crust, spinning on the distaffe. Tibet Talk
apace, sowyng. Annot Alyface knittyng. R Roister.^)

(^M. Mumbl.^) If thys distaffe were spoonne Margerie            #
Mumblecrust.
(^Tib Talk.^) Where good stale ale is will drinke no water I
trust.
(^M. Mumbl.^) Dame Custance hath promised vs good ale and white #
bread.
<P L. 263>
(^Tib Talk.^) If she kepe not promise, I will beshrewe hir      #
head:
But it will be starke nyght before I shall haue done.
(^R. Royster.^) I will stande here a while, and talke with them #
anon,
I heare them speake of Custance, which doth my heart good,
To heare hir name spoken doth euen comfort my blood.
(^M. Mumbl.^) Sit downe to your worke Tibet like a good girle.
(^Tib Talk.^) Nourse medle you with your spyndle and your       #
whirle,
No haste but good, Madge Mumblecrust, for whip and whurre.
The olde prouerbe doth say, neuer made good furre.
(^M. Mumbl.^) Well, ye wyll sitte downe to your worke anon, I   #
trust.
(^Tib Talk.^) Soft sire maketh sweete malte, good Madge         #
Mumblecrust.
(^M. Mumbl.^) And sweete malte maketh ioly good ale for the     #
nones.
(^Tib Talk.^) Whiche will slide downe the lane without any      #
bones.
(\Cantet.\)
Olde browne bread crustes must haue much good mumblyng,
But good ale downe your throte hath good easie tumbling.
(^R. Royster.^) The iolyest wenche that ere I hearde, little
mouse,
May I not reioyce that she shall dwell in my house;
(^Tib Talk.^) So sirrha, nowe this geare beginneth for to       #
frame.
(^M. Mumbl.^) Thanks to God, though your work stand stil, your  #
to~g is not lame
(^Tib Talk.^) And though your teeth be gone, both so sharpe &   #
so fine 
Yet your tongue can renne on patins as well as mine.
(^M. Mumbl.^) Ye were not for nought named Tyb Talke apace.
(^Tib Talk.^) Doth my talke grieue you; Alack, God saue your
grace.
(^M. Mumbl.^) I holde a grote ye will drinke anon for this      #
geare.
(^Tib Talk.^) And I wyll not pray you the stripes for me to     #
beare.
(^M. Mumbl.^) I holde a penny, ye will drinke without a cup.
(^Tib Talk.^) Wherein so ere ye drinke, I wote ye drinke all    #
vp.
(^An. Alyface^) By Cock and well sowed, my good Tibet Talke     #
apace.
(^Tib Talk.^) And een as well knitte my nowne Annot Alyface.
(^R. Royster.^) See what a sort she kepeth that must be my      #
wife.
Shall not I when I haue hir, leade a merrie life;
(^Tib Talk.^) Welcome my good wenche, and sitte here by me      #
iust.
(^An. Alyface.^) And howe doth our olde beldame here, Mage      #
Mumblecrust;
(^Tib Talk.^) Chyde, and finde faultes, and threaten to         #
complaine.
<P L. 297>
(^An. Alyface.^) To make vs poore girles shent to hir is small  #
gaine.
(^M. Mumbl.^) I dyd neyther chyde, nor complaine, nor threaten.
(^R. Royster.^) It woulde grieue my heart to see one of them    #
beaten.
(^M. Mumbl.^) I dyd nothyng but byd hir worke and holde hir     #
peace.
(^Tib Talk.^) So would I, if you coulde your clattering ceasse:
But the deuill can not make olde trotte holde hir tong.
(^An. Alyface.^) Let all these matters passe, and we three sing #
a song,
So shall we pleasantly bothe the tyme beguile now,
And eke dispatche all our workes ere we can tell how.
(^Tib Talk.^) I shrew them that say nay, and that shall not be  #
I.
(^M. Mumbl.^) And I am well content. (^Tib. Talk.^) Sing on     #
then by and by.
(^R. Royster.^) And I will not away, but listen to their song,
Yet Merygreeke and my folkes tary very long.

   (^Tib, An, and Margerie, doe singe here.^)
   Pipe mery Annot. & c.
   Trilla, Trilla. Trillarie.
   Worke Tibet, worke Annot, worke Margerie.
   Sewe Tibet, knitte Annot, spinne Margerie.
   Let vs see who shall winne the victorie.
(^Tib Talk.^) This sleue is not willyng to be sewed I trowe, 
A small thing might make me all in the grounde to throwe.
   (^Then they sing agayne.^)
   Pipe merrie Annot. & c.
   Trilla. Trilla. Trillarie.
   What Tibet, what Annot, what Margerie.
   Ye sleepe, but we doe not, that shall we trie.
   Your fingers be nombde, our worke will not lie.
(^Tib Talk.^) If ye doe so againe, well I would aduise you nay.
In good sooth one stoppe more, and I make holy day.
   (^They sing the thirde tyme.^)
   Pipe Mery Annot. & c.
   Trilla. Trilla. Trillarie.
   Nowe Tibbet, now Annot, nowe Margerie.
<P L. 330>
   Nowe whippet apace for the maystrie,
   But it will not be, our mouth is so drie.
(^Tib Talk.^) Ah, eche finger is a thombe to day me thinke,
I care not to let all alone, choose it swimme or sinke.
   (^They sing the fourth tyme.^)
   Pipe Mery Annot. & c.
   Trilla. Trilla. Trillarie.
   When Tibet, when Annot, when Margerie.
   I will not, I can not, no more can I.
   Then giue we all ouer, and there let it lye.
(^Lette hir caste downe hir worke.^)
(^Tib Talk.^) There it lieth, the worste is but a curried cote,
Tut I am vsed therto, I care not a grote.
(^An. Alyface.^) Haue we done singyng since; then will I in
againe,
Here I founde you, and here I leaue both twaine. (\Exeat.\)
(^M. Mumbl.^) And I will not be long after: Tib Talke apace.
(^Tib Talk.^) What is the matter; (^M. Mumb.^) Yond stode a man #
al this space
And hath hearde all that euer we spake togyther.
(^Tib Talk.^) Mary the more loute he for his comming hither.
And the lesse good he can to listen maides talke.
I care not and I go byd him hence for to walke:
It were well done to knowe what he maketh here away.
(^R. Royster.^) Nowe myght I speake to them, if I wist what to
say.
(^M. Mumbl.^) Nay we will go both off, and see what he is.
(^R. Royster.^) One that hath hearde all your talke and singyng #
ywis.
(^Tib Talk.^) The more to blame you, a good thriftie husbande
Woulde elsewhere haue had some better matters in hande.
(^R. Royster.^) I dyd it for no harme, but for good loue I      #
beare,
To your dame mistresse Custance, I did your talke heare.
And Mistresse nource I will kisse you for acquaintance.
(^M. Mumbl.^) I come anon sir. (^Tib. T.^) Faith I would our    #
dame Custance
Sawe this geare. (^M. M.^) I must first wipe al cleane, yea I
must.
(^Tib Talk.^) Ill chieue it dotyng foole, but it must be cust.
(^M. Mumbl.^) God yelde you sir, chad not so much ichotte not
whan,
Nere since chwas bore chwine, of such a gay gentleman.
<P L. 364>
(^R. Royster.^) I will kisse you too mayden for the good will I #
beare you.
(^Tib Talk.^) No forsoth, by your leaue ye shall not kisse me.
(^R. Royster.^) Yes be not afearde, I doe not disdayne you a    #
whit.
(^Tib Talk.^) Why shoulde I feare you; I haue not so little     #
wit,
Ye are but a man I knowe very well. (^R. R.^) Why then;
(^Tib Talk.^) Forsooth for I wyll not, I vse not to kisse men.
(^R. Royster.^) I would faine kisse you too good maiden, if I   #
myght.
(^Tib Talk.^) What shold that neede; (^R. R.^) But to honor you #
by this light.
I vse to kisse all them that I loue to God I vowe.
(^Tib. Talk.^) Yea sir; I pray you when dyd ye last kisse your  #
cowe.
(^R. Royster.^) Ye might be proude to kisse me, if ye were      #
wise.
(^Tib Talk.^) What promotion were therin; (^R. R.^) Nourse is   #
not so nice.
(^Tib Talk.^) Well I haue not bene taught to kissing and        #
licking.
(^R. Royster.^) Yet I thanke you mistresse Nourse, ye made no   #
sticking.
(^M. Mumbl.^) I will not sticke for a kosse with such a man as
you.
(^Tib Talk.^) They that lust: I will againe to my sewyng now.
(^An. Alyfac.^) Tidings hough, tidings, dame Custance greeteth  #
you well.
(^R. Royster.^) Whome me; (^An. Al.^) You sir; no sir; I do no  #
suche tale tell.
(^R. Royster.^) But and she knewe me here. (^An. Al.^) Tybet    #
Talke apace,
Your mistresse Custance and mine, must speake with your grace
(^Tib Talk.^) With me; (^An. Aly.^) Ye muste come in to hir out #
of all doutes.
(^Tib Talk.^) And my work not half done; A mischief on all      #
loutes. (\Ex.am.\)
(^R. Royster^) Ah good sweet nourse. (^M. Mumb.^) A good sweete #
gentlema~. (^R. R.^) what;
(^M. Mumbl.^) Nay I can not tel sir, but what thing would you;  
(^R. Royster.^) Nowe dothe sweete Custance, my heart of gold,   #
tell me how;
(^M. Mumbl.^) She dothe very well sir, and commaunde me to you.
(^R. Royster.^) To me; (^M. M.^) Yea to you sir. (^R. R.^) To   #
me; nurse tel me plain
To me; (^M. Mu~mb.^) Ye. (^R. R.^) That word maketh me aliue
again.
(^M. Mumbl.^) She commaunde me to one last day who ere it was.
(^R. Royster.^) That was een to me and none other by the Masse.
(^M. Mumbl.^) I can not tell you surely, but one it was.
(^R. Royster.^) It was I and none other: this commeth to good   #
passe.
I promise thee nourse I fauour hir. (^M. Mumb.^) Een so sir.
(^R. Royster.^) Bid hir sue to me for mariage. (^M. Mumbl.^)    #
Een so sir.
<P L. 398>
(^R. Royster.^) And surely for thy sake she shall speede. (^M.  #
Mumb.^) Een so sir.
(^R. Royster.^) I shall be contented to take hir. (^M. Mumb.^)  #
Een so sir.
(^R. Royster.^) But at thy request and for thy sake.            #
(^M. Mumb.^) Een so sir.
And come hearke in thine eare what to say. (^M. Mumb.^) Een so
sir.

<S SAMPLE 2>
<P L. 1037>
[} (\ACTUS. IIJ. SCAENA. IIIJ.\) }]

(^Custance. Merygreeke. Roister Doister.^)    
(^C. Custa~ce.^) What gaudyng and foolyng is this afore my      #
doore;
(^M. Mery.^) May not folks be honest, pray you, though they be  #
pore;
(^C. Custa~ce.^) As that thing may be true, so rich folks may   #
be fooles,
(^R. Royster.^) Hir talke is as fine as she had learned in      #
schooles.
<P L. 1043>
(^M. Mery.^) Looke partly towarde hir, and drawe a little nere.
(^C. Custa~ce.^) Get ye home idle folkes. (^M. M.^) Why may not #
we be here;
Nay and ye will haze, haze: otherwise I tell you plaine,
And ye will not haze, then giue vs our geare againe.
(^C. Custa~ce.^) In deede I haue of yours much gay things God   #
saue all.
(^R. Royster.^) Speake gently vnto hir, and let hir take all.
(^M. Mery.^) Ye are to tender hearted: shall she make vs dawes;
Nay dame, I will be plaine with you in my friends cause.
(^R. Royster.^) Let all this passe sweete heart and accept my   #
seruice [^SOURCE TEXT: sernice^] . 
(^C. Custa~ce.^) I will not be serued with a foole in no wise,
When I choose an husbande I hope to take a man.
(^M. Mery.^) And where will ye finde one which can doe that he
can;
Now thys man towarde you being so kinde,
You not to make him an answere somewhat to his minde.
(^C. Custa~ce.^) I sent him a full answere by you dyd I not;
(^M. Mery.^) And I reported it. (^C. Custance.^) Nay I must     #
speake it againe.
(^R. Royster.^) No no, he tolde it all. (^M. M.^) Was I not     #
metely plaine;
(^R. Royster.^) Yes. (^M. M.^) But I would not tell all, for    #
faith if I had
With you dame Custance ere this houre it had ben bad,
And not without cause: for this goodly personage,
Ment no lesse than to ioyne with you in mariage.
(^C. Custa~ce.^) Let him wast no more labour nor sute about me.
(^M. Mery.^) Ye know not where your preferment lieth I see,
He sending you such a token, ring and letter.
(^C. Custa~ce.^) Mary here it is, ye neuer sawe a better.
(^M. Mery.^) Let vs see your letter. (^C. Custance.^) Holde,    #
reade it if ye can.
And see what letter it is to winne a woman.
(^M. Mery.^) To mine owne deare coney birde, swete heart, and   #
pigsny
Good Mistresse Custance present these by and by,
Of this superscription do ye blame the stile;
(^C. Custa~ce.^) With the rest as good stuffe as ye redde a     #
great while.
(^M. Mery.^) Sweete mistresse where as I loue you nothing at    #
all,
Regarding your substance and richesse chiefe of all,
For your personage, beautie, demeanour and wit,
<P L. 1077>
I commende me vnto you neuer a whit.
Sorie to heare report of your good welfare. 
For (as I heare say) suche your conditions are,
That ye be worthie fauour of no liuing man,
To be abhorred of euery honest man.
To be taken for a woman enclined to vice.
Nothing at all to Vertue gyuing hir due price,
Wherfore concerning mariage, ye are thought
Suche a fine Paragon, as nere honest man bought.
And nowe by these presentes I do you aduertise
That I am minded to marrie you in no wise.
For your goodes and substance, I coulde bee content
To take you as ye are. If ye mynde to bee my wyfe,
Ye shall be assured for the tyme of my lyfe,
I will keepe ye ryght well, from good rayment and fare,
Ye shall not be kepte but in sorowe and care.
Ye shall in no wyse lyue at your owne libertie,
Doe and say what ye lust, ye shall neuer please me,
But when ye are mery, I will be all sadde,
When ye are sory, I will be very gladde.
When ye seeke your heartes ease, I will be vnkinde,
At no tyme, in me shall ye muche gentlenesse finde.
But all things contrary to your will and minde,
Shall be done: otherwise I wyll not be behinde
To speake. And as for all them that woulde do you wrong
I will so helpe and mainteyne, ye shall not lyue long.
Nor any foolishe dolte, shall cumbre you but I.
I, who ere say nay, wyll sticke by you tyll I die.
Thus good mistresse Custance, the lorde you saue and kepe,
From me Roister Doister, whether I wake or slepe.
Who fauoureth you no lesse, (ye may be bolde)
Than this letter purporteth, which ye haue vnfolde.
(^C. Custa~ce.^) Nowe by this letter of loue; is it not fine;
(^R. Royster.^) By the armes of Caleys it is none of myne.
<P L. 1111>
(^R. Royster.^) Fie you are fowle to blame this is your owne    #
hand.
(^C. Custa~ce.^) Might not a woman be proude of such an         #
husbande;
(^M. Mery.^) Ah that ye would in a letter shew such despite.
(^R. Royster.^) Oh I would I had hym here, the which did it
endite.
(^M. Mery.^) Why ye made it your selfe ye tolde me by this      #
light.
(^R. Royster.^) Yea I ment I wrote it myne owne selfe           #
yesternight.
(^C. Custa~ce.^) Ywis sir, I would not haue sent you such a     #
mocke.
(^R. Royster.^) Ye may so take it, but I ment it not so by      #
cocke.
(^M. Mery.^) Who can blame this woman to fume and frette and    #
rage;
Tut, tut, your selfe nowe haue marde your owne marriage.
Well, yet mistresse Custance, if ye can this remitte,
This gentleman otherwise may your loue requitte.
(^C. Custa~ce.^) No God be with you both, and seeke no more to  #
me. (\Exeat.\)
(^R. Royster.^) Wough, she is gone for euer, I shall hir no     #
more see.
(^M. Mery.^) What weepe; fye for shame, and blubber; for        #
manhods sake,
Neuer lette your foe so muche pleasure of you take.
Rather play the mans parte, and doe loue refraine.
If she despise you een despise ye hir againe.
(^R. Royster.^) By gosse and for thy sake I defye hir in deede.
(^M. Mery.^) Yea and perchaunce that way ye shall much sooner   #
speede,
For one madde propretie these women haue in fey,
When ye will, they will not: Will not ye, then will they.
Ah foolishe woman, ah moste vnluckie Custance,
Ah vnfortunate woman, ah pieuishe Custance,
Art thou to thine harmes so obstinately bent,
That thou canst not see where lieth thine high preferment;
Canst thou not lub dis man, which coulde lub dee so well;
Art thou so much thine own foe. (^R. R.^) Thou dost the truth
tell.
(^M. Mery.^) Wel I lame~t. (^R. R.^) So do I. (^M M.^) Wherfor; #
(^R R.^) For this thing
Bicause she is gone. (^M. M.^) I mourne for an other thing.
(^R. Royster.^) What is it Merygreeke, wherfore thou dost       #
griefe take;
(^M. Mery.^) That I am not a woman my selfe for your sake,
I would haue you my selfe, and a strawe for yond Gill, 
And mocke much of you though it were against my will.
<P L. 1145>
I would not I warrant you, fall in such a rage,
As so to refuse suche a goodly personage. 
(^R. Royster.^) In faith I heartily thanke thee Merygreeke.
(^M. Mery.^) And I were a woman. (^R. R.^) Thou wouldest to me
seeke.
(^M. Mery.^) For though I say it, a goodly person ye bee.
(^R. Royster.^) No, no. (^M. M.^) Yes a goodly man as ere I dyd
see.
(^R. Royster.^) No, I am a poore homely man as God made mee.
(^M. Mery.^) By the faith that I owe to God sir, but ye bee.
Woulde I might for your sake, spende a thousande pound land.
(^R. Royster.^) I dare say thou wouldest haue me to thy         #
husbande.
(^M. Mery.^) Yea: And I were the fairest lady in the shiere,
And knewe you as I know you, and see you nowe here,
Well I say no more. (^R. R.^) Gramercies with all my hart.
(^M. Mery.^) But since that can not be, will ye play a wise     #
parte;
(^R. Royster.^) How should I; (^M. M.^) Refraine from Custance  #
a while now.
And I warrant hir soone right glad to seeke to you,
Ye shall see hir anon come on hir knees creeping,
And pray you to be good to hir salte teares weeping.
(^R. Royster.^) But what and she come not; (^M. M.^) In faith   #
then farewel she.
Or else if ye be wroth, ye may auenged be.
(^R. Royster.^) By cocks precious potsticke, and een so I       #
shall.
I wyll vtterly destroy hir, and house and all.
But I woulde be auenged in the meane space,
On that vile scribler, that did my wowyng disgrace.
(^M. Mery.^) Scribler (ko you) in deede he is worthy no lesse.
I will call hym to you, and ye bidde me doubtlesse.
(^R. Royster.^) Yes, for although he had as many liues,
As a thousande widowes, and a thousande wiues,
As a thousande lyons, and a thousand rattes,
A thousande wolues, and a thousande cattes,
A thousande bulles, and a thousande calues, 
And a thousande legions diuided in halues,
He shall neuer scape death on my swordes point, 
Though I shoulde be torne therfore ioynt by ioynt.
<P L. 1179>
(^M. Mery.^) Nay, if ye will kyll him, I will not fette him,
I will not in so muche extremitie sette him,
He may yet amende sir, and be an honest man,
Therfore pardon him good soule, as muche as ye can.
(^R. Royster.^) Well, for thy sake, this once with his lyfe he  #
shall passe,
But I wyll hewe hym all to pieces by the Masse.
(^M. Mery.^) Nay fayth ye shall promise that he shall no harme  #
haue,
Else I will not fet him. (^R. R.^) I shall so God me saue.
But I may chide him a good. (^M. M.^) Yea that do hardely.
(^R. Royster.^) Go then. (^M. M.^) I returne, and bring him to  #
you by & by. (\Ex.\)



