act ii., sc. 4.--_Cooper.

[130] [Since.] The re-entrance of Merrygreek is not marked in the old copy.--_Cooper._

[131] [Time.]

[132] Earlier. _Rath_, for _early_, occurs in Chaucer and in Milton.--_Cooper._

[133] Plundering--

"Which _polls_ and pills the poor in piteous wise." --_Cooper._ --_Faerie Queene_, Book v., canto 2.

[134] [In the old copy this half-line is wrongly given to the Scrivener.]

[135] Destroy. See "King Lear," act iii., scene 2.--_Cooper._

[136] Head.

[137] [It seems a question, whether this line does not belong to Ralph Roister.]

ACTUS IV., SCÆNA 1.

SIM. SURESBY.

SIM. SURE. Is there any man but I, Sim. Suresby, alone, That would have taken such an enterprise him upon; In such an outrageous tempest as this was, Such a dangerous gulf of the sea to pass? I think verily Neptune's mighty godship Was angry with some that was in our ship, And but for the honesty which in me he found, I think for the other's sake we had been drown'd. But fie on that servant which, for his master's wealth,[138] Will stick for to hazard both his life and his health. My master Gawin Goodluck after me a day, Because of the weather, thought best his ship to stay; And now that I have the rough surges so well passed, God grant I may find all things safe here at last. Then will I think all my travail well-spent. Now, the first point whereof my master hath me sent, Is to salute dame Christian Custance, his wife Espoused, whom he tendreth no less than his life. I must see how it is with her, well or wrong, And whether for him she doth not now think long. Then to other friends I have a message or tway; And then so to return and meet him on the way. Now will I go knock, that I may dispatch with speed; But lo! forth cometh herself happily indeed.

ACTUS IV., SCÆNA 2.

CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE, SIM. SURESBY.

C. CUSTANCE. I come to see if any more stirring be here. But what stranger is this, which doth to me appear?

SIM. SURESBY. I will speak to her. Dame, the Lord you save and see!

C. CUSTANCE. What, friend Sim. Suresby. Forsooth, right welcome ye be. How doth mine own Gawin Goodluck, I pray thee tell?

SIM. SURE. When he knoweth of your health, he will be perfect well.

C. CUSTANCE. If he have perfect health, I am as I would be.

SIM. SURE. Such news will please him well. This is as it should be.

C. CUSTANCE. I think now long for him.

SIM. SURE. And he as long for you.

C. CUSTANCE. When will he be at home?

SIM. SURE. His heart is here e'en now; His body cometh after.

C. CUSTANCE. I would see that fain.

SIM. SURE. As fast as wind and sail can carry it a-main. But what two men are yond coming hitherwards?

C. CUSTANCE. Now I shrew their best Christmas cheeks both togetherward.

ACTUS IV., SCÆNA 3.

CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE, SIM. SURESBY, RALPH ROISTER, MATTHEW MERRYGREEK, TRUEPENNY.

C. CUSTANCE. What mean these lewd fellows thus to trouble me still? Sim. Suresby here, perchance, shall thereof deem some ill, And shall suspect in me some point of naughtiness, And they come hitherward. [_Aside._

SIM. SURE. What is their business?

C. CUSTANCE. I have nought to them, nor they to me, in sadness.[139]

SIM. SURE. Let us hearken them; somewhat there is, I fear it.

R. ROISTER. I will speak out aloud best, that she may hear it.

M. MERRY. Nay, alas! ye may so fear her out of her wit.

R. ROISTER. By the cross of my sword, I will hurt her no whit.

M. MERRY. Will ye do no harm indeed? Shall I trust your word?

R. ROISTER. By Roister Doister's faith, I will speak but in bord.[140]

SIM. SURE. Let us hearken them: somewhat there is, I fear it.

R. ROISTER. I will speak out aloud, I care not who hear it.-- Sirs, see that my harness, my target and my shield Be made as bright now, as when I was last in field: As white, as I should to war again to-morrow; For sick shall I be, but I work some folk sorrow. Therefore see that all shine as bright as Saint George, Or as doth a key, newly come from the smith's forge. I would have my sword and harness to shine so bright, That I might therewith dim mine enemies' sight: I would have it cast beams as fast, I tell you plain, As doth the glitt'ring grass after a shower of rain. And see that, in case I should need to come to arming, All things may be ready at a minute's warning. For such chance may chance in an hour: do ye hear?

M. MERRY. As perchance shall not chance again in seven year.

R. ROISTER. Now, draw ye near to her, and hear what shall be said.

M. MERRY. But I would not have you make her too much afraid.

R. ROISTER. Well found, sweet wife, (I trust) for all this your sour look.

C. CUSTANCE. Wife! Why call ye me wife?

SIM. SURE (_aside_). Wife! This gear goeth a-crook.

M. MERRY. Nay, Mistress Custance, I warrant you our letter Is not as we read e'en now, but much better; And where ye half stomached[141] this gentleman afore For this same letter, ye will love him now therefore; Nor it is not this letter, though ye were a queen, That should break marriage between you twain, I ween.

C. CUSTANCE. I did not refuse him for the letter's sake.

R. ROISTER. Then ye are content me for your husband to take.

C. CUSTANCE. You for my husband to take! Nothing less truly?

R. ROISTER. Yea, say so, sweet spouse, afore strangers hardily.

M. MERRY. And though I have here his letter of love with me, Yet his rings and tokens he sent keep safe with ye.

C. CUSTANCE. A mischief take his tokens, and him, and thee too! But what prate I with fools? Have I nought else to do? Come in with me, Sim. Suresby, to take some repast.

SIM. SURE. I must, ere I drink, by your leave, go in all haste To a place or two with earnest letters of his.

C. CUSTANCE. Then come drink here with me.

SIM. SURE. I thank you.

C. CUSTANCE. Do not miss. You shall have a token to your master with you.

SIM. SURE. No tokens this time, gramercies. God be with you. [_Exeat._

C. CUSTANCE. Surely, this fellow misdeemeth some ill in me; Which thing, but God help, will go near to spill me.

R. ROISTER. Yea, farewell, fellow, and tell thy master Goodluck, That he cometh too late of this blossom to pluck. Let him keep him there still, or at least-wise make no haste; As for his labour hither he shall spend in waste. His betters be in place now.

M. MERRY. As long as it will hold.

C. CUSTANCE (_aside_). I will be even with thee, thou beast, thou may'st be bold.

R. ROISTER. Will ye have us then?

C. CUSTANCE. I will never have thee.

R. ROISTER. Then will I have you.

C. CUSTANCE. No, the devil shall have thee. I have gotten this hour more shame and harm by thee, Than all thy life-days thou canst do me honesty.

M. MERRY. Why, now may ye see what it com'th to in the end, To make a deadly foe of your most loving friend: And i-wis this letter, if ye would hear it now--

C. CUSTANCE. I will hear none of it.

M. MERRY. In faith, ['t]would ravish you.

C. CUSTANCE. He hath stained my name for ever, this is clear.

R. ROISTER. I can make all as well in an hour.

M. MERRY. As ten year. How say ye, will ye have him?

C. CUSTANCE. No.

M. MERRY. Will ye take him--

C. CUSTANCE. I defy him.

M. MERRY. At my word?

C. CUSTANCE. A shame take him! Waste no more wind, for it will never be.

M. MERRY. This one fault with twain shall be mended, ye shall see. Gentle Mistress Custance now, good Mistress Custance, Honey Mistress Custance now, sweet Mistress Custance, Golden Mistress Custance now, white Mistress Custance, Silken Mistress Custance now, fair Mistress Custance.

C. CUSTANCE. Faith, rather than to marry with such a doltish lout, I would match myself with a beggar, out of doubt.

M. MERRY. Then I can say no more; to speed we are not like, Except ye rap out a rag of your rhetoric.

C. CUSTANCE. Speak not of winning me; for it shall never be so.

R. ROISTER. Yes, dame, I will have you, whether ye will or no. I command you to love me! wherefore should ye not? Is not my love to you chafing and burning hot?

M. MERRY. To her! that is well said.

R. ROISTER. Shall I so break my brain,[142] To doat upon you, and ye not love us again?

M. MERRY. Well said yet.

C. CUSTANCE. Go to, thou goose.

R. ROISTER. I say, Kit Custance, In case ye will not haze, well; better yes, perchance.

C. CUSTANCE. Avaunt, losel![143] pick thee hence!

M. MERRY. Well, sir, ye perceive, For all your kind offer, she will not you receive.

R. ROISTER. Then a straw for her, and a straw for her again: She shall not be my wife, would she never so fain; No, and though she would be at ten thousand pound cost.

M. MERRY. Lo, dame, ye may see what an husband ye have lost.

C. CUSTANCE. Yea, no force;[144] a jewel much better lost than found.

M. MERRY. Ah, ye will not believe how this doth my heart wound. How should a marriage between you be toward, If both parties draw back, and become so froward?

R. ROISTER. Nay, dame, I will fire thee out of thy house, [though I die;[145]] And destroy thee and all thine, and that by and by.

M. MERRY. Nay, for the passion of God, sir, do not so.

R. ROISTER. Yes, except she will say yea to that she said no.

C. CUSTANCE. And what, be there no officers, trow we, in town, To check idle loiterers, bragging up and down? Where be they by whom vagabonds should be represt, That poor silly widows might live in peace and rest? Shall I never rid thee out of my company? I will call for help. What, ho! come forth, Truepenny!

TRUEPENNY.[146] Anon. What is your will, Mistress? Did ye call me?

C. CUSTANCE. Yea: go, run apace, and, as fast as may be, Pray Tristram Trusty, my most assured friend, To be here by and by, that he may me defend.

TRUEPENNY. That message so quickly shall be done, by God's grace, That at my return ye shall say, I went apace. [_Exeat._

C. CUSTANCE. Then shall we see, I trow, whether ye shall do me harm.

R. ROISTER. Yes, in faith, Kit, I shall thee and thine so charm, That all women incarnate by thee may beware.

C. CUSTANCE. Nay, as for charming me, come hither if thou dare. I shall clout thee, till thou stink, both thee and thy train, And coil[147] thee mine own hands, and send thee home again.

R. ROISTER. Yea, say'st thou me that, dame? Dost thou me threaten? Go we, I will see whether I shall be beaten.

M. MERRY. Nay, for the paishe[148] of God, let me now treat peace; For bloodshed will there be, in case this strife increase. Ah, good dame Custance, take better way with you!

C. CUSTANCE. Let him do his worst!

M. MERRY. Yield in time.

R. ROISTER. Come hence, thou! [_Exeant Roister and Merry._

ACTUS IV., SCÆNA 4.

CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE, ANNOT ALYFACE, TIBET TALKAPACE, M. MUMBLECRUST.

C. CUSTANCE. So, sirrah! If I should not with him take this way, I should not be rid of him, I think, till doom's day. I will call forth my folks, that without any mocks, If he come again, we may give him raps and knocks. Madge Mumblecrust, come forth, and Tibet Talkapace; Yea, and come forth too, Mistress Annot Alyface.

AN. ALYFACE. I come.

TIB. TALK. And I am here.

M. MUMBL. And I am here too, at length.

C. CUSTANCE. Like warriors, if need be, ye must show your strength. The man that this day hath thus beguiled you Is Ralph Roister Doister, whom ye know well enou'; The most lout and dastard that ever on ground trod.

TIB. TALK. I see all folk mock him, when he goeth abroad.

C. CUSTANCE. What, pretty maid, will ye talk when I speak?

TIB. TALK. No, forsooth, good mistress.

C. CUSTANCE. Will ye my tale break? He threateneth to come hither with all his force to fight; I charge you, if he come, on him with all your might:

M. MUMBL. I with my distaff will reach him one rap.

TIB. TALK. And I with my new broom will sweep him one swap; And then with our great club I will reach him one rap. And I with our skimmer will fling him one flap.

TIB. TALK. Then Truepenny's fire-fork will him shrewdly fray: And you with the spit may drive him quite away.

C. CUSTANCE. Go, make all ready, that it may be e'en so.

TIB. TALK. For my part, I shrew them that last about it go. [_Exeant._

ACTUS IV., SCÆNA 5.

CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE, TRUEPENNY, TRISTRAM TRUSTY.

C. CUSTANCE. Truepenny did promise me to run a great pace, My friend Tristram Trusty to fet into this place. Indeed he dwelleth hence a good start, I confess; But yet a quick messenger might twice since, as I guess, Have gone and come again. Ah! yond I spy him now.

TRUEPENNY (_To T. Trusty_). Ye are a slow goer, sir, I make God a vow; My Mistress Custance will in me put all the blame; Your legs be longer than mine: come apace, for shame.

C. CUSTANCE. I can[149] thee thank, Truepenny; thou hast done right well.

TRUEPENNY. Mistress, since I went, no grass hath grown on my heel: But Master Tristram Trusty here maketh no speed.

C. CUSTANCE. That he came at all, I thank him in very deed; For now have I need of the help of some wise man.

T. TRUSTY. Then may I be gone again, for none such I am.

TRUEPENNY. Ye may be by your going; for no Alderman Can go, I dare say, a sadder[150] pace than ye can.

C. CUSTANCE. Truepenny, get thee in; thou shalt among them know, How to use thyself like a proper man, I trow.

TRUEPENNY. I go. [_Exit._

C. CUSTANCE. Now, Tristram Trusty, I thank you right much: For at my first sending to come ye never grutch.

T. TRUSTY. Dame Custance, God ye save; and while my life shall last, For my friend Goodluck's sake ye shall not send in waste.

C. CUSTANCE. He shall give you thanks.

T. TRUSTY. I will do much for his sake.

C. CUSTANCE. But alack! I fear great displeasure shall he take.

T. TRUSTY. Wherefore?

C. CUSTANCE. For a foolish matter.

T. TRUSTY. What is your cause?

C. CUSTANCE. I am ill accumbred with a couple of daws.

T. TRUSTY. Nay, weep not, woman; but tell me what your cause is. As concerning my friend is anything amiss?

C. CUSTANCE. No, not on my part; but here was Sim. Suresby--

TRUSTY. He was with me, and told me so.

C. CUSTANCE. And he stood by, While Ralph Roister Doister, with help of Merrygreek, For promise of marriage did unto me seek.

T. TRUSTY. And had ye made any promise before them twain?

C. CUSTANCE. No, I had rather be torn in pieces and slain. No man hath my faith and troth but Gawin Goodluck, And that before Suresby did I say, and there stuck But of certain letters there were such words spoken--

TRUSTY. He told me that too.

C. CUSTANCE. And of a ring and token; That Suresby, I spied, did more than half suspect, That I my faith to Gawin Goodluck did reject.

T. TRUSTY. But was there no such matter, Dame Custance, indeed?

C. CUSTANCE. If ever my head thought it, God send me ill speed! Wherefore, I beseech you, with me to be a witness, That in all my life I never intended thing less. And what a brainsick fool Ralph Roister Doister is, Yourself knows well enough.

T. TRUSTY. Ye say full true, i-wis.

C. CUSTANCE. Because to be his wife I ne grant nor apply, Hither will he come, he sweareth, by and by, To kill both me and mine, and beat down my house flat; Therefore I pray your aid.

T. TRUSTY. I warrant you that.

C. CUSTANCE. Have I so many years lived a sober life, And showed myself honest: maid, widow, and wife, And now to be abused in such a vile sort? To see how poor widow live, all void of comfort!

T. TRUSTY. I warrant him do you no harm nor wrong at all.

C. CUSTANCE. No, but Matthew Merrygreek doth me most appal; That he would join himself with such a wretched lout.

T. TRUSTY. He doth it for a jest, I know him out of doubt. And here cometh Merrygreek?

C. CUSTANCE. Then shall we hear his mind.

ACTUS IV., SCÆNA 6.

MERRYGREEK, CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE, TRIST. TRUSTY.

M. MERRY. Custance and Trusty both, I do you here well find.

C. CUSTANCE. Ah! Matthew Merrygreek, ye have used me well!

M. MERRY. Now, for altogether,[151] ye must your answer tell. Will ye have this man, woman, or else will ye not? Else will he come, never boar so brim,[152] nor toast so hot.

C. CUSTANCE. But why join ye with him?

T. TRUSTY. For mirth?

C. CUSTANCE. Or else in sadness?

M. MERRY. The more fond of you both: hardily the matter guess.

T. TRUSTY. Lo, how say ye, dame?

M. MERRY. Why, do ye think, dame Custance, That in this wooing I have meant ought but pastance?

C. CUSTANCE. Much things ye spake, I wot, to maintain his dotage.

M. MERRY. But well might ye judge, I spake it all in mockage; For why is Roister Doister a fit husband for you?

T. TRUSTY. I dare say ye never thought it.

M. MERRY. No, to God I vow. And did not I know afore of the insurance Between Gawin Goodluck and Christian Custance? And did not I for the nonce, by my conveyance, Read his letter in a wrong sense for dalliance? That if you could have take it up at the first bound, We should thereat such a sport and pastime have found, That all the whole town should have been the merrier.

C. CUSTANCE. Ill ache your heads both! I was never wearier, Nor never more vexed since the first day I was born.

T. TRUSTY. But very well I wist, he here did all in scorn.

C. CUSTANCE. But I feared thereof to take dishonesty.

M. MERRY. This should both have made sport, and showed your honesty; And Goodluck, I dare swear, your wit therein would 'low.[153]

T. TRUSTY. Yea, being no worse than we know it to be now.

M. MERRY. And nothing yet too late: for, when I come to him, Hither will he repair with a sheep's look full grim, By plain force and violence to drive you to yield.

C. CUSTANCE. If ye two bid me, we will with him pitch a field, I and my maids together.

M. MERRY. Let us see; be bold!

C. CUSTANCE. Ye shall see women's war.

T. TRUSTY. That fight will I behold.

M. MERRY. If occasion serve, taking his part full brim, I will strike at you, but the rap shall light on him. When we first appear--

CUSTANCE. Then will I run away, As though I were afeard.

T. TRUSTY. Do you that part well play, And I will sue for peace.

M. MERRY. And I will set him on; Then will he look as fierce as a Cotsold lion.[154]

T. TRUSTY. But when goest thou for him?

M. MERRY. That do I very now.

C. CUSTANCE. Ye shall find us here.

M. MERRY. Well, God have mercy on you. [_Exit._

T. TRUSTY. There is no cause of fear; the least boy in the street--

C. CUSTANCE. Nay, the least girl I have, will make him take his feet. But, hark! me-think they make preparation.

T. TRUSTY. No force, it will be a good recreation.

C. CUSTANCE. I will stand within, and step forth speedily, And so make as though I ran away dreadfully.

ACTUS IV., SCÆNA 7.

R. ROISTER, M. MERRYGREEK, C. CUSTANCE, D. DOUGHTY, HARPAX, TRISTRAM TRUSTY.

R. ROISTER. Now, sirs, keep your 'ray, and see your hearts be stout. But where be these caitiffs? Me-think they dare not rout.[155]

How sayest thou, Merrygreek? What doth Kit Custance say?

M. MERRY. I am loth to tell you.

R. ROISTER. Tush, speak, man. Yea or nay?

M. MERRY. Forsooth, sir, I have spoken for you all that I can; But if ye win her, ye must e'en play the man: E'en to fight it out ye must a man's heart take.

R. ROISTER. Yes, they shall know, as[156] thou knowest, I have a stomach.

M. MERRY. A stomach (quod you), yea, as good as e'er man had.

R. ROISTER. I trow, they shall find and feel that I am a lad.

M. MERRY. By this cross, I have seen you eat your meat as well As any that e'er I have seen of, or heard tell. A stomach, quod you? He that will that deny, I know was never at dinner in your company.

R. ROISTER. Nay, the stomach of a man it is, that I mean.

M. MERRY. Nay, the stomach of an horse or a dog, I ween.

R. ROISTER. Nay, a man's stomach with a weapon, mean I.

M. MERRY. Ten men can scarce match you with a spoon in a pie.

R. ROISTER. Nay, the stomach of a man to try in strife.

M. MERRY. I never saw your stomach cloyed yet in my life.

R. ROISTER. Tush, I mean in strife or fighting to try.

M. MERRY. We shall see how ye will strike now, being angry.

R. ROISTER. Have at thy pate then, and save thy head, if thou may.

M. MERRY. Nay, then, have at your pate again, by this day.

R. ROISTER. Nay, thou mayest not strike at me again in no wise.

M. MERRY. I cannot in fight make to you such warrantise: But as for your foes here let them the bargain[157] by.

R. ROISTER. Nay, as for [that,] they shall every mother's child die. And in this my fume a little thing might make me To beat down house and all, and else the devil take me.

M. MERRY. If I were as ye be, by Gog's dear mother, I would not leave one stone upon another. Though she would redeem it with twenty thousand pounds.

R. ROISTER. It shall be even so, by his lily wounds!

M. MERRY. Be not at one with her[158] upon any amends.

R. ROISTER. No, though she make to me never so many friends. Not if all the world for her would undertake: No, not God himself neither shall not her peace make. On therefore, march forward! Soft, stay a while yet.

M. MERRY. On!

R. ROISTER. Tarry.

M. MERRY. Forth!

R. ROISTER. Back.

M. MERRY. On!

R. ROISTER. Soft. Now forward set.

_Enter_ C. CUSTANCE.

C. CUSTANCE. What business have we here? Out, alas, alas!

R. ROISTER. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Didst thou see that, Merrygreek, how afraid she was? Didst thou see how she fled apace out of my sight? Ah, good sweet Custance! I pity her, by this light.

M. MERRY. That tender heart of yours will mar altogether; Thus will ye be turned with wagging of a feather.

R. ROISTER. On, sirs, keep your 'ray.

M. MERRY. On forth, while this gear is hot.

R. ROISTER. Soft, the Arms of Calais, I have one thing forgot.

M. MERRY. What lack we now?

R. ROISTER. Retire, or else we be all slain.

M. MERRY. Back, for the pash of God! back, sirs, back again! What is the great matter?

R. ROISTER. This hasty forth-going Had almost brought us all to utter undoing; It made me forget a thing most necessary.

M. MERRY. Well remembered of a captain, by Saint Mary.

R. ROISTER. It is a thing must be had.

M. MERRY. Let us have it then.

R. ROISTER. But I wot not where or how.

M. MERRY. Then wot not I when. But what is it?

R. ROISTER. Of a chief thing I am to seek.

M. MERRY. Tut, so will ye be, when ye have studied a week. [_Aside._ But tell me what it is?

R. ROISTER. I lack yet an headpiece.

M. MERRY. The kitchen collocavit the best hens to grease; Run, fet it, Dobinet, and come at once withal, And bring with thee my potgun,[159] hanging by the wall.[160] I have seen your head with it, full many a time, Covered as safe as it had been with a scrine: And I warrant it save your head from any stroke, Except perchance to be amazed with the smoke: I warrant your head therewith, except for the mist, As safe as if it were fast locked up in a chist. And lo, here our Dobinet cometh with it now.

D. DOUGH. It will cover me to the shoulders well enou'.

M. MERRY. Let me see it on.

R. ROISTER. In faith, it doth meetly well.

M. MERRY. There can be no fitter thing. Now ye must us tell What to do.

R. ROISTER. Now forth in 'ray, sirs, and stop no more.

M. MERRY. Now, Saint George to borrow![161] Drum, dub-a-dub afore.

T. TRUSTY. What mean you to do, sir? Commit manslaughter?

R. ROISTER. To kill forty such is a matter of laughter.

T. TRUSTY. And who is it, sir, whom ye intend thus to spill?

R. ROISTER. Foolish Custance here forceth me against my will.

T. TRUSTY. And is there no mean your extreme wrath to slake? She shall some amends unto your good maship make.

R. ROISTER. I will none amends.

T. TRUSTY. Is her offence so sore?

M. MERRY. And he were a lout, she could have done no more. She hath call'd him fool, and 'dressed him like a fool, Mocked him like a fool, used him like a fool.

T. TRUSTY. Well, yet the Sheriff, the Justice or Constable, Her misdemeanour to punish might be able.

R. ROISTER. No, sir, I mine own self will, in this present cause, Be Sheriff and Justice, and whole Judge of the laws. This matter to amend all officers be I shall: Constable, Bailiff, Sergeant--

M. MERRY. And hangman, and all. [_Aside._

T. TRUSTY. Yet a noble courage and the heart of a man Should more honour win by bearing with a woman. Therefore take the law, and let her answer thereto.

R. ROISTER. Merrygreek, the best way were even so to do. What honour should it be with a woman to fight?

M. MERRY. And what, then, will ye thus forego and lese your right?

R. ROISTER. Nay, I will take the law on her withouten grace.

T. TRUSTY. Or, if your maship could pardon this one trespass-- I pray you, forgive her.

R. ROISTER. Hoh!

M. MERRY. Tush, tush, sir, do not.

T. TRUSTY. Be good master to her.

R. ROISTER. Hoh!

M. MERRY. Tush, I say, do not. And what! shall your people here return straight home?

R. Roister. Yea, levy the camp, sirs, and hence again each one. But be still in readiness, if I hap to call;[162] I cannot tell what sudden chance may befall.

M. MERRY. Do not off your harness, sirs, I you advise, At the least for this fortnight, in no manner wise. Perchance in an hour, when all ye think least, Our master's appetite to fight will be best. But soft, ere ye go, have once at Custance house.

R. ROISTER. Soft, what wilt thou do?

M. MERRY. Once discharge my arquebus; And for my heart's ease, have once more with my potgun.

R. ROISTER. Hold thy hands! else is all our purpose clean fordone.

M. MERRY. And it cost me my life!

R. ROISTER. I say, thou shalt not.

M. MERRY. By the matt,[163] but I will have once more with hail-shot. I will have some pennyworth; I will not lese all.

ACTUS IV., SCÆNA 8.

M. MERRYGREEK, C. CUSTANCE, R. ROISTER, TIB. T., AN. ALYFACE, M. MUMBLECRUST, TRUEPENNY, DOBINET DOUGHTY, HARPAX.

_Two drums with their Ensigns._

C. CUSTANCE. What caitiffs are those, that so shake my house-wall?

M. MERRY. Ah, sirrah now Custance, if ye had so much wit, I would see you ask pardon, and yourselves submit.

C. CUSTANCE. Have I still this ado with a couple of fools?

M. MERRY. Hear ye what she saith?

C. CUSTANCE. Maidens, come forth with your tools, In a ray.

M. MERRY. Dubba-dub, sirrah!

R. ROISTER. In a ray! They come suddenly on us.

M. MERRY. Dub-a-dub-dub!

R. ROISTER. In a ray! That ever I was born! we are taken tardy.

M. MERRY. Now, sirs, quit yourselves like tall men and hardy.

C. CUSTANCE. On afore, Truepenny! Hold thine own, Annot! On toward them, Tibet, for scape us they cannot! Come forth, Madge Mumblecrust! so, stand fast together.

M. MERRY. God send us a fair day!

R. ROISTER. See, they march on hither.

TIB. TALK. But, mistress--

C. CUSTANCE. What say'st thou?

TIB. TALK. Shall I go fet our goose?

C. CUSTANCE. What to do?

TIB. TALK. To yonder Captain I will turn her loose. And she gape and hiss at him, as she doth at me, I durst jeopard my hand she will make him flee.[164]

C. CUSTANCE. On forward!

R. ROISTER. They come.

M. MERRY. Stand!

R. ROISTER. Hold!

M. MERRY. Keep!

R. ROISTER. There!

M. MERRY. Strike!

R. ROISTER. Take heed!

C. CUSTANCE. Well said, Truepenny!

TRUEPENNY. Ah, whoresons!

C. CUSTANCE. Well done, indeed!

M. MERRY. Hold thine own, Harpax! Down with them, Dobinet!

C. CUSTANCE. Now, Madge; there, Annot; now stick them, Tibet!

TIB. TALK. All my chief quarrel is to this same little knave, That beguiled me last day; nothing shall him save.

D. DOUGH. Down with this little quean, that hath at me such spite! Save you from her, master, it is a very sprite.

C. CUSTANCE. I myself will mounsire grand captain undertake.

R. ROISTER. They win ground!

M. MERRY. Save yourself, sir, for God's sake!

R. ROISTER. Out, alas! I am slain; help!

M. MERRY. Save yourself!

R. ROISTER. Alas!

M. MERRY. Nay, then, have at you, mistress.

R. ROISTER. Thou hittest me, alas!

M. MERRY. I will strike at Custance here.

R. ROISTER. Thou hittest me!

M. MERRY. (_aside._) So I will. Nay, mistress Custance.

R. ROISTER. Alas! thou hittest me still. Hold!

M. MERRY. Save yourself, sir!

R. ROISTER. Help! out alas! I am slain.

M. MERRY. Truce, hold your hands! truce, for a pissing while or twain.[165] Now, how say you, Custance, for saving of your life, Will ye yield, and grant to be this gentleman's wife?

C. CUSTANCE. Ye told me he loved me; call ye this love?

M. MERRY. He loved a while, even like a turtle-dove.

C. CUSTANCE. Gay love, God save it! so soon hot, so soon cold.

M. MERRY. I am sorry for you: he could love you yet, so he could.

R. ROISTER. Nay, by Cock's precious, she shall be none of mine.

M. MERRY. Why so?

R. ROISTER. Come away, by the matt, she is mankine.[166] I durst adventure the loss of my right hand. If she did not slee her other husband. And see, if she prepare not again to fight!

M. MERRY. What, then, Saint George to borrow, our Lady's knight?

R. ROISTER. Slee else whom she will, by Gog, she shall not slee me.

M. MERRY. How then?

R. ROISTER. Rather than to be slain, I will flee.

C. CUSTANCE. To it again, my knightesses! down with them all!

R. ROISTER. Away, away, away! she will else kill us all.

M. MERRY. Nay, stick to it, like an hardy man and a tall.

R. ROISTER. O bones, thou hittest me! Away, or else die we shall.

M. MERRY. Away, for the pash of our sweet Lord Jesus Christ!

C. CUSTANCE. Away, lout and lubber, or I shall be thy priest! [_Exeant Om._[167] So this field is ours; we have driven them all away.

TIB. TALK. Thanks to God, mistress, ye have had a fair day.

C. CUSTANCE. Well, now go ye in, and make yourself some good cheer.

OMNES PARITER. We go.

T. TRUSTY. Ah, sir! what a field we have had here.

C. CUSTANCE. Friend Tristram, I pray you be a witness with me.

T. TRUSTY. Dame Custance, I shall depose for your honesty. And now fare ye well, except something else ye would.

C. CUSTANCE. Not now, but when I need to send, I will be bold. [_Exeat._ I thank you for these pains. And now I will get me in. Now Roister Doister will no more wooing begin. [_Ex._

FOOTNOTES:

[138] Welfare. Udall uses the word in this sense in his letter to the Cornish men.--_Cooper._

[139] In seriousness.

[140] In jest.

[141] Disliked or resented. See "Antony and Cleopatra," act iii.,