Wily Beguiled anon. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A15549 of text S120127 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 25818). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Nayoon Ahn Hannah Bredar This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A15549.xml A pleasant comedie, called VVily beguilde. The chiefe actors be these: a poore scholler, a rich foole, and a knaue at a shifte. 39 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2009 March (TCP phase 1) 99855327 STC (2nd ed.) 25818. Greg, I, 234(a). 20814 A15549 2248499983

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 A pleasant comedie, called VVily beguilde. The chiefe actors be these: a poore scholler, a rich foole, and a knaue at a shifte. Pleasant comedie, called Wily beguilde. [2], 74, [2] p. Printed by H[umphrey] L[ownes] for Clement Knight: and are to be solde at his shop, in Paules Church-yard, at the signe of the Holy Lambe, At London : 1606. 1606

Wily beguilde.

Partly in verse.

Printer's name from STC.

With a final epilogue leaf.

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

 A15549 shc Wily Beguiled Anon. Nayoon Ahn Hannah Bredar 1602 play comedy shc no A15549 S120127 (STC 25818). 78 25040 0 0 0 9 0 0 3.53 B The rate of 3.53 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

A PLEASANT COMEDIE , Called WILY BEGVILDE .

The Chiefe Actors be these : A poore Scholler , a rich Foole , and a Knaue at a shifte .

First Edition .

AT LONDON , Printed by H. L. for CLEMENT KNIGHT : and are to be solde at his Shop , in Paules Church-yard , at the signe of the Holy Lambe . 1606 .

Gripe : an Vsurer . Ploddall : a Farmer . Sophos : a Scholler . Churms : a Lawyer . Robin goodfellow . Fortunatus : Gripes Son . Lelia : Gripes daughter . Nurse . Peter Ploddall : Ploddals sonne . Pegge : Nurses daughter . Wil Cricket . Mother Midnight . An old man . Syluanus . Clearke .
SPECTRVM . THE PROLOGVE .

WHat hoe , where are these paltrie Plaiers ? stil poaring in their papers and neuer perfect ? for shame come forth , your Audience stay so long , their eies waxe dim with expectation .

Enter one of the Players .

How now my honest Rogue ; what play shall wee haue here to night ?

Play .

Sir you may looke vpon the Title .

Prol.

What , Spectrum once again ? Why noble Cerberus , nothing but patch-pannell stuffe , olde gally-mawfreies and cotten-candle eloquence ? out you bawling bandogge foxfurd slaue : you dried stockefish you , out of my sight .

Exit the Player .

Well t is no matter : I le set mee downe and see 't , and for fault of a better , I le supply the plate of a scuruy Prologue .

Spectrum is a looking glasse indeede , Wherein a man a History may read , Of base conceits and damned roguerie : The very sinke of hell-bred villeny . Enter a Iuggler . Iuggler .

Why how now humorous George ? what as necholy as a mantletree ?

Will you see any trickes of Leigerdemaine , slight of hand , clenly conuayance , or deceptio visus ? what will you see Gentleman to driue you out of these dumps ?

Prol.

Out you soust gurnet , you Woolfist , be gon I say and bid the Players dispatch and come away quickly , and tell their fiery Poet that before I haue done with him ; I le make him do penance vpon a stage in a Calues skin .

Iuggler .

O Lord sir ye are deceiued in me , I am no tile-carrier , I am a Iuggler .

I haue the superficiall skill of all the seuen liberall sciences at my singers end .

I le shew you a tricke of the twelues , and turne him ouer the thumbes with a trice .

I le make him fly swifter then meditation .

I le shew you as many toies as there be minutes in a moneth , and as many trickes as there be motes in the sunne .

Prol.

Prithee what trickes canst thou doe ?

Iuggler .

Marry sir I wil shew you a trick of cleanly conueiance .

Hei fortuna furim nunquam credo , With a cast of cleane conueyance , come aloft Iack for thy masters aduantage ( hee s gone I warrant ye . )

Spectrum is conueied away : and Wily beguiled , stands in the place of it . Prol.

Mas an t is well done , now I see thou canst doe something , holde thee ther s twelue pence for thy labour .

Goe to that barme-froth Poet and to him say , He quite has lost the Title of his play , His Calue skin iests from hence are cleane exil'd , Thus once you see that Wily is beguil'd . Exit the Iuggler . Prol. Now kind Spectators , I dare boldly say , You all are welcome to our Authors play : Be still a while , and ere we goe , Wee le make your eies with laughter flowe . Let Momus mates iudge how they list , We feare not what they babble : Nor any paltry Poets pen , Amongst that rascall rabble . But time forbids me further speech , My tongue must stop hir race : My time is come , I must be dumbe , And giue the Actors place . Exit .
WILY BEGVILDE . Enter Gripe , solus .

A Heauy purse makes a light heart : O the consideration of this pouch , this pouch !

Why hee that has money , has hearts ease and the world in a string .

O this red chink , and siluer coine , it is the consolation of the World .

I can sit at home quietly in my chayre , and send out my angels by sea , and by land , and bid fly villanes & fetch in ten in the hundred , I and a better penny too . Let me see , I haue but two children in al the world to bestow my goods vpon , Fortunatus my son & Lelia my daughter . For my son , he followes the wars , and that which he gets with swaggering , he spendes in swaggering : but I le curbe him , his allowance whilest liue shall bee small , and so hee shall bee sure not to spend much : And if I die I will leaue him a portion , that ( if he will be a good husband and follow his fathers steps ) shall maintaine him like a gentleman : and if he will not , let him follow his owne humor til he be weary of it , and so let him go : now for my daughter she is my only ioy , & the staff of my age , and I haue bestowed good bringing vp vpon hir ( barlady ) : why she is een modesty it self , it does me good to look on hir . Now if I can harken out some wealthy mariage for hir , I haue my only desire .

Mas , and well remembred , heer 's my neighbour Ploddall hard by , has but one only sonne , and ( let me see ) I take it , his Lands are better than fiue thousand pounds ; now if I can make a match betweene his sonne and my daughter , and so ioine his Land and my mony together , O t wil be a blessed vnion . Well I le in , and get a Scriuener , I le write , to him about it presently : But stay heere come M. Churmes the Lawer , I le desire him to do so much .

Enter Churms . Churms .

Good morrow M. Gripe .

Gripe .

O good morrow M. Churms .

What sayes my two debters , that I lent 200. pound to ? wil they not pay vse and charges of suit ?

Churms .

Faith Sir I doubt they are bankrouts : I would you had your principall .

Gripe .

Nay I le haue all , or I le imprison their bodies : But M. Churms ther is a matter I would faine haue you do , but you must be very secret .

Churms .

O sir feare not that I le warrant you .

Gripe .

Why then this it is : my neighbour Ploddall hereby , you know is a man of very faire Land , and hee has but one son , vpon whom he means to bestow all that hee has : Now I would make a match betweene my daughter Lelia and him ; what thinke you of it .

Churms .

Marrie I thinke t would be a good match , but the young man has had very simple bringing vp .

Gripe .

Tush , what care I for that ? so he haue lands and liuing inough , my daughter has bringing vp will serue them both . Now I would haue you to write me a Letter to goodman Ploddall concerning this matter , and I le please you for your paines .

Churms .

I le warrant you sir , I le doe it artificially .

Gripe .

Doe , good M. Churms , but be very secret , I haue some businesse this morning , and therefore I le leaue you a while , and if you will come to dinner to mee anone , you shall be very heartily welcome .

Exit Gripe . Churms .

Thankes good sir I le trouble you .

Now t were a good iest if I could cosen the olde Churle of his daughter , and get the wench for my selfe .

Sounds I am as proper a man , as Peter Ploddall : and though his father bee as good a man as mine , yet farre fetcht and deare bought is good for Ladies , and I am sure I haue been as farre as Cales to fetch that I haue .

I haue beene at Cambridge a Scholler , at Cales a Souldier , and now in the Country a Lawyer , and the next degree shal be a Connicatcher :

For I le goe neere to cosen olde father share-penny of his daughter ! I le cast about I le warrant him ;

I le go dine with him , and write him his Letter ,

And then I le go seek out my kind companion Robin Goodfellow , and betwixt vs wee le make hir yeeld to any thing .

Wee le ha the common law oth to hand , and the ciuil lawe o th tother :

Wee le tosse Lelia like a tennis ball .

Exit . Enter olde Ploddall , and his son Peter , an olde man Ploddals Tenant , and Wil Cricket his sonne . Ploddall .

Ah Tenant , an ill husband ( barlady ) : thrise at thy house and neuer at home ?

You know my minde , will you giue tenne shillings more rent ?

I must discharge you else .

Old man .

Alas Landlord , will you vndoe me ? I sit of a great rent alreadie , and am very poore .

Will . Cr.

Very poore ? y are a very Asse . Lord how my stomach wambles at that same word ( very poore ) ! Father , if you loue your sonne William , neuer name that same word very poore :

For I le stand to it , that its pettilasseny to name very poore to a man that s oth top of his marriage .

Oldman .

Why son , art o th top of thy marriage , to whom I prithee ?

Will .

Marrie to prittie Peg , mistresse Lelias nurses daughter .

O t is the daprest wench that euer danc't after a Taber and pipe .

For shee will so heele it , and toe it , and trip it ,

O hir buttockes will quake like a custard .

P. Ploddall .

Why William , when were you with hir ?

Wil.

O Peter does your mouth water at that ?

Truly I was neuer with hir , but I know I shall speed .

For tother day she lookt on me and laught , and that s a good signe ( ye know ) : and therefore old siluer top , neuer talke of charging or discharging .

For I tell you I am my fathers heire : and if you discharge me , I le discharge my pestilence at you . For to let my house before my lease be out , is cut-throatery : and to scrape for more rent is polepennery .

And so fare you well good Grandsire Vsury : come father let s be gone .

Exeunt Wil. and his Father . Ploddall .

Well , I le make the beggerly knaues to packe for this :

I le haue it euery crosse , income and Rent too .

Enter Chr. with a Letr .

But stay here comes one : O t is M. Churms .

I hope he brings me some good newes .

M. Churms y are well met , I am een almost staru'd for money .

You must take some damnable course with my Tenants : thei le say .

Churms. .

Fayth sir , they are growne to bee captious knaues .

But I le mooue them with a Habeas corpus .

Ploddall .

Doe , good M. Churmes , or vse any other villenous course shall please you .

But what newes abroad ?

Churms. .

●●●th little news : but heer 's a Letter which M. Gripe desires me to deliuer you . And though it stand not with my reputation , to be a carrier of Letters , yet not knowing how much it might concerne you , I thought it better something to abase my selfe , then you should be any waies hindered .

Ploddall .

Thankes good sir , and I le in and reade it .

Exeunt Ploddall and his sonne . Manet Chu . Churms . Thus men of reach must looke to liue , I cry content , and murder where I kisse , Gripe takes me for his faithfull friend , Imparts to me the secrets of his heart ; And Ploddall thinkes I am as true a friend , To euery enterprise he takes in hand , As euer breath'd vnder the cope of heauen : But damme me if they finde it so , All this makes for my auaile , I le ha the wench my selfe , or else my wits shall faile . Exit . Enter Lelia and Nurse gathering of Flowers . Lelia . See how the earth ( this fragrant spring ) is clad , And mantled round in sweete Nymph Floraes roabes . Here growes th' alluring Rose , Sweet Marigolds , and the louely Hyacinth : Come Nurse , gather : A crowne of Roses shall adorne my head , I le pranke my selfe with flowers of the prime , And thus I le spend away my primerose time . Nurse . Ruftie, tuftie , are you so frolicke ? O that you knew as much as I doe , t would coole you . Lelia .

Why what know'st thou Nurse ? prithee tell me .

Nurse .

Heauy newes yfaith mistresse ,

You must be matcht & married to a husband . ha , ha , ha , ha , a husband yfaith .

Lelia .

A Husband , Nurse ? why that s good newes if hee be a good one .

Nurse .

A good one quotha ? ha , ha , ha , ha : why Woman I heard your father say , that he would marrie you to Peter Ploddall , that Puckefist , that snudge snowte , that Cole carrierly Clowne . Lord , t would be as good as meate and drinke to me , to see how the foole woulde woo● you .

Lelia .

No , no , my Father did but iest : thinkest 〈…〉 I can stoope so lowe to take a browne bread crust , a Clowne that s brought vp at the Cart ?

Nurse .

Cart quotha ? I , hee le cart you , for 〈…〉 tell how to court you .

Lelia . Ah Nurse , sweet Sophos is the man , Whose loue is lockt in Lelias tender breast , This hart hath vow'd , ( if heauens doe not denie , ) My loue with his intoomb'd in earth shall lye . Nurse .

Peace Mistresse , stand aside , here comes some body .

Enter Sophos . Sophos . Optatis non est spes vlla potiri : Yet Phoebus send downe thy tralucent beames , Behold the earth that mournes in sad attire , The flowers at Sophos presence gins to droope , Whose trickling teares for Lelias losse Do turne the Plains into a standing Poole : Sweete Cynthia smile , cheere vp the drouping Flowers , Let Sophos once more see a sunne-shine day , O let the sacred center of my heart , I meane faire Lelia Natures fairest worke , Be once againe the obiect to mine eyes . O but I wish in vaine , whilst hir I wish to see , Hir Father he obscures hir from my sight , He pleades my want of wealth , And saies it is a barre in Venus Court . How hath fond fortune by hir fatall doome , Predestin'd me to liue in haplesse hopes , Still turning false hir fickle wauering wheele ! And Loues faire goddesse , with hir Circian cup , Inchanteth so fond Cupids poisoned darts , That loue the only Loadstarre of my life , Doth drawe my thoughts into a labyrinth , But stay : What do I see , what do mine eyes behold ? ( O happie sight ) it is faire Lelias face . Haile heauens bright nymph the period of my grief , Sole guidresse of my thoughts and author of my ioy . Lelia Sweet Sophos welcome to Lelia , Faire Dido Carthaginians beautious Queene , Not halfe so ioyfull was when as the Troian Prince , Enaeas , landed on the sandie shores Of Carthage confines as thy Lelia is , To see her Sophos here arriu'd by chance . Sophos .

And blest be chance that hath conducted me , vnto the place where I might see my deare ,

As deare to me as is the dearest life .

Nurse .

Sir , you may see that Fortune is your friend .

Sophos .

Yet Fortune fauours fooles .

Nurse .

By that conclusion you should not be wife .

Lelia .

Foule Fortune sometime smiles on vertue faire .

Sophos . T is then to shew her mutabilitie : But since amidst ten thousand frowning threats Of fickle fortunes thrice vnconstant wheele , She daines to show one little pleasing smile , Let s do our best false Fortune to beguile , And take aduantage of her euer changing moodes . See , see , how Tellus spangled mantle smiles , And birds do chant their rurall sugred notes As rauisht with our meetings sweet delights . Since then ther fits for loue both time and place : Let loue and liking hand in hand embrace . Nurse .

Sir the next way to win her loue , is to linger her leysure .

I measure my mistresse by my louely selfe , make a promise to a man , and keep it , I haue but one fault , I neere made promise in my life , but I sticke to it tooth and naile : I le pay it home yfaith .

If I promise my loue a kisse , I le giue him two : marrie at first I will make nice , and crie fie , fie , and that will make him come againe and againe ,

I le make him breake his winde with come againes .

Sophos .

But what saies Lelia to her Sophos loue ?

Lelia . Ah Sophos , that fond blind boy , That wrings these passions from my Sophos hart , Hath likewise wounded Lelia with his dart , And force perforce I yeeld the fortresse vp : Here Sophos take thy Lelias hand , And with this hand receiue a loyall hart . High Ioue that ruleth heauens bright Canopie , Grant to our loue , a wisht felicitie . Sophos . As ioyes the wearie Pilgrim by the way , When Phebus waues vnto the westerne deepe , To sommon him to his desired rest : Or as the poore distressed Mariner , Long tost by shipwracke on the foming waues , At length beholds the long wisht hauen , Although from farre , his heart doth dance for ioy : So Loues consent at length my mind hath eas'd , My troubled thoughts , by sweet content are pleas'd . Lelia . My father recks not vertue , But vowes to wed me to a man of wealth , And sweares , his gold shall counterpoyse his worth ; But Lelia scorn's proud Mammon's golden mines , And better likes of learnings sacred lore , Then of fond Fortunes glistering mockeries : But Sophos trie thy wits , and vse thy vtmost skill To please my father , and compasse his good will . Sophos . To what faire Lelia wills , doth Sophos yeeld content , Yet that s the troublous gulfe my silly ship must passe : But were that venture harder to atchieue Then that of Iason for the golden fleece , I would effect it for sweet Lelias sake , Or leaue my selfe as witnesse of my thoughts . Nurse .

How say you by that , mistresse ? hee l doe any thing for your sake .

Lelia . Thankes gentle loue . But least my father should suspect , Whose iealous head with more than Argus eyes , Doth measure euery gesture that I vse , I le in and leaue you here alone , Adieu sweet friend vntill we meet againe , Come Nurse follow me . Exeunt Lelia and Nurse . Sophos . Farewell my loue , faire fortune be thy guide . Now Sophos , now bethinke thy selfe How thou maist win her fathers will to knit this happie knot . Alas thy state is poore , thy friends are few , And feare forbids to tell my fates to friend : Well , I le trie my Fortunes ; And finde out some conuenient time , When as her fathers leysure best shal serue To conferre with him about faire Lelias loue . Exit Sophos , Enter Gripe , olde Ploddall , Churms and Will . Cricket . Gripe .

Neighbour Ploddall , and Master Churms , y are welcome to my house .

What newes in the Countrie , neighbour ? you are a good husband , you ha done sowing barley I am sure .

Ploddall .

Yes sir an t please you , a fornight since .

Gripe .

Master Churms , what saies my debters ? can you get any money of them yet ?

Churms .

Not yet sir , I doubt they are scarce able to pay , You must eene forbeare them a while , they le exclaime on you else .

Gripe .

Let them exclaime and hang and starue and beg , let me ha my monie .

Ploddall .

Here s this good fellow too , Master Churms , I must eene put him and his father ouer into your hands , they le pay me no Rent .

Will . Cric.

This good fellow quotha ? I scorne that base , broking , brabbling , brauling , bastardly , bottlenos'd , beetlebrow'd , bean-bellied name .

Why , Robin Goodfellow is this same cogging , pettifogging , crackeropes Calue-skin companion :

Put me and my father ouer to him ? olde Siluer top and you had not put me before my father , I would ha —

Ploddall .

What woulst ha done ?

Will .

I would haue had a snatch at you , that I would

Churms .

What art a dogge ?

Will .

No : if I had beene a dog , I would ha snapt of your nose ere this , and so I should haue cosend the D● of a Marriebone .

Gripe .

Come , come , let me end this controuersie .

Prithee go thy waies in , & bid the boy bring a cup of Sacke here for my friends .

Will .

Would you haue a sacke Sir ?

Gripe .

A way foole , a cup of Sacke to drinke .

Will .

O I had thought you would haue had a sacke to haue put this lawcracking cogfoystin , in stead of a paire of stockes .

Gripe .

Away foole , get thee in I say .

Will .

Into the buttrie you meane ?

Gripe .

I prithee doe .

Will .

I le make your hogshead of Sack rue that word .

Exit Will . Cricket . Gripe .

Neighbour Ploddall , I sent a Letter to you , by Master Churms , how like you of the motion ?

Ploddall .

Marrie I like wel of the motion : my sonne I tel you is eene all the stay I haue : and all my care is , to haue him take one that hath something : for as the world goes now , if they haue nothing they may begge .

But I doubt hee s too simple for your daughter . For I haue brought him vp hardly , with brown bread , fat bacon , puddinges and souce , and ( barlady ) wee thinke it good fare too .

Gripe .

Tush man , I care not for that , you ha no more children : you le make him your heire , and giue him your lands , will you not ?

Ploddall .

Yes , hee s eene all I haue , I haue no body else to bestow it vpon .

Gripe .

You say well .

Enter Wil. Cricket and a Boy with Wine and a napkin . Wil.

Nay here , you drinke afore you bargaine .

Gr.

Mas , an t is a good motion : oy , fill some wine .

He fills them wine & giues them the napkin .

Here Neighbour and M. Churms I drink to you .

Both .

We thanke you Sir .

Wil.

Lawer wipe cleane : do you remember ?

Churms .

Remember , why ?

Wil.

Why since you know when .

Churms .

Since when ?

Wil.

Why since you were bumbasted , that your lubberly legges would not carrie your lob cocke bodie ;

When you made an infusion of your stinking excrements , in your stalking implements :

O you were plaguy frayd , and fowly raide .

Gripe .

Prithee peace Will . Neighbour Ploddall , what say you to this match : shall it go forward ?

Ploddall .

Sir , that must be as our children like .

For my sonne , I thinke I can rule him :

Marrie , I doubt your daughter will hardly like of him , for God wot hee s very simple .

Gripe . My daughters mine to command , haue I not brought her vp to this ? She shal haue him : I le rule the roste for that , I le giue her pounds and crownes , gold and siluer : I le way her downe in pure angell gold , Say man , is t a match ? Ploddall .

Faith , I agree .

Churms .

But Sir , if you giue your daughter so large a dowrie , you le haue some part of his land conueied to her by iointure .

Gripe . Yes marrie that I will : And wee le desire your helpe for conueiance . Ploddall .

I , good Master Churms , and you shall be very well contented for your paines .

Will .

I marrie , that s it he lookt for all this while .

Churms .

Sir , I will do the best I can .

Will .

But Landlord : I can tell you newes yfaith ,

There is one Sophos , a braue genman , hee le wipe your sonne Peters nose , of Mistresse Lelia , I can tell you he loues her well .

Gripe .

Nay , I trow :

Will .

Yes I know , for I am sure I saw them close together at Pupnoddie , in her Closet .

Gripe .

But I am sure she loues not him .

Will .

Nay , I dare take it on my death she loues him ,

For hee s a scholler : and ware schollers , they haue tricks for loue yfaith , for with a little Logicke & pitome colloquium thei le make a wench do any thing :

Landlord , pray ye be not angrie with me , for speaking my conscience .

In good faith , your sonne Peters a verie Clowne to him :

Why , hee s as fine a man as a wench can see in a sommers day .

Gripe . Well , that shall not serue his tourne , I le crosse him , I warrant ye . I am glad I know it : I haue suspected it a great while . Sophos ? why , what s Sophos ? a base fellow . Indeed he has a good wit , and can speake well , Hee s a scholler forsooth : one that has more wit then mony , And I like not that : he may beg for all that . Schollers ? why what are schollers without money ? Ploddall .

Faith , eene like puddings without suet .

Gripe . Come , Neighbour , send your sonne to my house , For he shall be welcome to me : And my daughter shall intertaine him kindly . What ? I can , and will rule Lelia . Come let s in , I le discharge Sophos from my house presently . Exeunt Gripe and Ploddall and Churms . Will . A horne plague of this money , For it causes many hornes to bud : And for money many men are hornd . For when maids are forc't to loue where they like not , It makes them lye where they should not . I le be hangd , if ere mistresse Lelia will ha Peter Ploddall , I sweare by this button cap ( do you marke ) And by the round , sound , and profound contents ( do you vnderstand ) Of this costly Codpeece , ( being a good properman as yee see ) that I could get her as soone as he , my selfe : And if I had not a moneths mind in another place , I would haue a fling at her that s flat : But I must set a good holiday face on t , And go a wooeing to prittie Pegge : well , I le too her yfaith While t is in my mind ; But stay , I le see how I can woo before I goe : they say , Vse makes perfectnesse : Looke you now , suppose this were Pegge , Now I set my cap oth to side on this fashion ( do ye see ? ) then say I , Sweet hony , bonny , suger candie , Pegge , Whose face more faire , then Brocke my fathers Cow , Whose eyes do shine like bacon rine , Whose lips are blew of azure hew , Whose crooked nose downe to her chin doth bow . For you know I must begin to commend her beautie ,

And then I will tell her plainely , that I am in loue with her , ouer my high shooes , and then I will tell her that I do nothing of nights but sleepe and thinke on her , and specially of mornings :

And that does make my stomacke so rise , that I le be sworn , I can turne me three or foure bowles of porredge ouer in a morning afore breakefast .

Enter Robin-Goodfellow . Robin Goodfellow .

How now sirra , what make you here , with all that timber in your necke ?

Will . Timber ? Sounds , I thinke he be a witch , How knew he this were Timber ? Mas I le speake him faire , and get out on s companie : for I am afraid on him . Robin .

Speake man , what art afraid ? what makest here ?

Will .

A poore fellow Sir , ha bin drinking two or three pots of ale at an alehouse , and ha lost my way Sir .

Robin .

O , nay then I see thou art a good fellow ,

Seest thou not Master Churms the Lawer to day ?

Will .

No Sir , would you speake with him .

Robin .

I marrie would I .

Will .

If I see him , I le tell him you would speake with him .

Robin .

Nay , prithee stay , who wilt thou tell him would speake with him ?

Will .

Marrie you Sir .

Robin .

I , who am I ?

Will .

Faith Sir I know not .

Robin .

If thou seest him , tell him Robin Goodfellow wold speake with him .

Will .

O I will Sir .

Exit . Wil. Cr. Robin . Mas , the fellow was afraid , I play the Bugbeare wheresoere I come , And make them al afraid , But here comes Master Churms . Enter Churms . Churms .

Fellow Robin , God saue you , I haue beene seeking for you in euerie Ale-house , in the Towne .

Robin .

What , Master Churms ? What s the best newes abroad ? t is long since I see you .

Churms .

Faith little newes : but yet I am glad I haue met with you .

I haue a matter to impart to you , wherein you may stand me in some stead , and make a good benefit to yourselfe : if we can deale cunningly , t will be worth a double fee to you , ( by the Lord . )

Robin . A double fee ? speake man , what is t ? If it be to betray mine owne father , I le do ot for halfe a fee : And for cunning let me alone . Churms .

Why , then this it is .

Here is Master Gripe hard by , a Clyent of mine , a man of mightie wealth , who has but one daughter , her Dowrie is her waight in gold .

Now Sir , this old penny father would marry her , to one Peter Ploddall , rich Ploddalls sonne and heire .

Whom though his father meanes to leaue verie rich , Yet hee s a verie Idiot and Browne bread Clowne : And one I know the wench does deadly hate , And though their friends haue giuen their full consent , And both agreed on this vnequall match . Yet I know that Lelia wil neuer marrie him : But there s another riuall , in hir loue , one Sophos , And hee s a Scholler , One whom I thinke faire Lelia dearely loues , But hir Father hates him as he hates a toad , For hee s in want , and Gripe gapes after golde , And still relies vpon the olde sayd Saw ; Si nihil attuleris &c. Robin .

And wherein can I doe you good in this ?

Churms .

Marrie thus Sir :

I am of late growne passing familiar with M. Gripe ,

And for Ploddall he takes me for his second selfe ;

Now Sir , I le fit my selfe to the olde crummy Churls humors , and make them belieue I le perswade Lelia to marry Peter Ploddall , and so get free accesse to the wench at my pleasure :

Now oth other side I le fall in with the Scholler , and him I le handle cunningly too ;

I le tell him that Lelia has acquainted me with hir loue to him :

And for because hir Father much suspects the same , He mewes hir vp as men do mew their hawkes , And so restraines hir from hir Sophos sight . I le say , because she doth repose more trust , Of secrecie in me , then in another man , In courtesie she hath requested me , To do hir kindest greetings to hir Loue , Robin .

An excellent deuise , yfaith .

Churms .

I Sir , and by this meanes , I le make a very gull of my fine Diogenes .

I shall knowe his secrets euen from the very bottome of his heart :

Nay more Sir , you shall see me deale so cunningly , that he shall make me an instrument to compasse his desire ;

When God knowes I meane nothing lesse . Qui nescit dissimulare , nescit vivere . Robin . Why this will be sport alone , But what would you haue me doe in this action ? Churmes . Marry as I play with to hand , play you with tother . Fall you aboard with Peter Ploddall , Make him belieue you le worke miracles , And that you haue a powder will make Lelia loue him .

Nay what wil he not belieue , and take all that comes ( you know my mind )

And so wee le make a gull of the one , and a goose of the other .

And if wee can inuent any deuise , to bring the scholler in disgrace with hir : I doe not doubt but with your helpe to creep between the bark and the tree , and get Lelia my selfe .

Robin .

Tush man , I haue a deuise in my head already to doe that :

But they say hir brother Fortunatus loues him dearely .

Churms .

Tuthees out of the Countrey ,

He followes the drumme and the flagge .

He may chance to be kild with a double Canon before hee come home againe :

But what s your deuise ?

Robin .

Marrie I le do this ;

I le frame an Inditement against Sophos , in manner and forme of a Rape , and the next Law day you shall preferre it ; that so Lelia may loath him ,

Hir Father still deadly hate him , And the young Gallant hir brother vtterly forsake him . Churms .

But how shall we prooue it ?

Robin .

Sounds wee le hire some Strumpet or other to be sworne against him .

Churms .

Now ( by the substance of my soule ) t is an excellent deuise .

Well , let s in , I le first try my cunning otherwise , and if all faile , wee le trie this conclusion .

Exeunt . Enter Mother Midnight , Nurse and Pegge . Mother M.

Yfaith Marget you must eene take your daughter Pegge home againe ,

For shee le not bee rul'd by mee .

Nurse .

Why Mother ? what will she not doe ?

Mother M.

Faith she neither did nor does , nor will do any thing :

Send hir tuth market with egs : shee le sell them and spend the money ,

Set hir to make a pudding , shee le put in no suet ,

Shee le run out of nights a dancing , and come no more home till day peepe :

Bid hir come to bed , shee le come when she list . Ah t is a nastie shame to see hir bringing vp . Nurse . Out you Rogue , you arrant &c. What know'st not thy Granam ? I know hir to be a teatie olde foole , Shee s neuer well , grunting in a corner . Mother M.

Nay shee le campe ( I warrant ye ) O she has a tongue .

But Marget eene take hir home to your Mistresse , and there keepe hir : for He keepe hir no longer .

Nurse .

Mother pray yee take some paines with hir , and keep hir a while longer ; and if she doe not mend , I le beat hir blacke and blew , yfaith I le not faile you Minion .

Mother M.

Faith at thy request , I le take hir home and try hir a weeke longer .

Nurse .

Come on huswife please you Granam , and bee a good wench , and you shall ha my blessing .

Mother M.

Come follow vs good Wench .

Exeunt Moth . Mid. and Nurse : Manet Peg. Pegge .

I , farewell , faire weather after you .

Your blessing quotha ? I le not giue a single halpennie for t ,

Who would liue vnder a Mothers nose & a Granams tong ?

A Maid cannot loue , or catch a lip clip , or a lap clap , but heer s such tittle tattle , and doe not so , and be not so light , and be not so fond , and do not kisse , and do not love , and I cannot tell what ,

And I must loue an I hang for t : A sweet thing is loue Shee singes . That rules both heart and mind , There is no comfort in the World To Women that are kinde . Well I le not stay with hir : stay quotha ? To be yold and iold at , and tumbled , and tumbled , and tost and tourn'd as I am by an olde Hagge , I will not , no I wil not yfaith . Enter Will Cricket .

But stay , I must put on my smirking lookes and smiling countenance .

For here comes one makes bomination suit to be my sprus husband .

Will .

Lord , that my heart would serue me to speake to hir , now she talks of hir sprus'd husband .

Well I le set a good face on t ,

Now I le clap me as close to hir as Iones buttockes of a close stoole , and come ouer hir with my rowling , rattling , rumbling eloquence .

Sweet Pegge , honny Pegge , fine Pegge , daintie Pegge , braue Pegge , kind Pegge , comely Pegge , my nutting , my sweeting , my Loue , my doue , my honnie , my bonnie , my ducke , my deare and my deareling :

Grace me with thy pleasant eyes , And loue without delay : And cast not with thy crabbed lookes A proper man awaie . Pegge .

Why William what s the matter ?

Will

What s the matter quotha ?

Faith I ha been in a faire taking , for you , a bots on you .

For tother day after I had seene you , presently my belly began to rumble :

What s the matter , thought I ?

With that I bethought my selfe , and the sweete comportenance of that same sweet round face of thine came into my mind :

Out went I , and I le bee sworne I was so neere taken , that I was faine to cut all my points .

And dost heare Pegge ?

If thou dost not grant mee thy good will in the way of marriage ;

First and for most I le run out of my cloathes , and then out of my wits for thee .

Pegge .

Nay William I would bee loth you should doe so for me .

Will .

Will you looke merrily on me and loue me then ?

Pegge .

Faith I care not greatly if I doe .

Will .

Care not greatly if I doe ? what an answers that ?

If thou wilt say , I Pegge take thee William to my spruce husband .

Peg.

Why so I wil , but we must haue more company for witnesses first .

Will .

That needes not : heer s good store of yong men & maides here .

Pegge .

Why then heer s my hand .

Will . Faith that s honestly spoken : say after me . I Pegge Pudding promise thee William Cricket , That I le hold thee for mine owne sweet Lilly , While I haue an head in mine eye , and a face on my nose , a mouth in my tongue , and all that a woman should haue , from the crowne of my foote , to the sole of my head , I le claspe thee and clip thee , coll thee and kisse thee , Till I be better then naught , and worse than nothing : When thou art ready to sleepe , I le be ready to snort : When thou art in health , I le be in gladnesse : When thou art sick , I le be ready to dy : When thou art mad , I le run out of my wits : And thereupon I strike the good lucke , Well sayd yfaith : O I could find in my hose to pocket thee in my heart . Come my heart of golde , let s haue a daunce at the making vp of this match : Strike vp Tom Piper . They dance . Come Pegge I le take the paines to bring thee homeward , And at twylight , looke for me againe . Exeunt . Enter Robin Goodfellow , and P. Ploddall . Robin .

Come hither my honest friend : M. Churms tolde me you had a suit to me ,

What s the matter ?

Peter .

Pray ye Sir is your name Robin Goodfellow ?

Robin .

My name is Robin Goodfellow .

Peter .

Marrie Sir I heare y are a very cunning man Sir ;

And sirreuerence of your worship Sir , I am going a woeing to one M. Lelia a Gentlewoman here hard by ,

Pray ye Sir tel me how I should be haue my selfe , to get hir to my wife .

For Sir there is a Scholler about hir : Now if you can tell mee , how I should wipe his nose of hir , I would bestow a fee of you . Robin . Let mee se et , and thou shalt see what I le say to thee . He giues him money . Well , follow my counsaile and I le warrant thee , I le giue thee a loue powder for thy wench , And a kinde of Nux vomica in a potion , shall make hir come off yfaith . Peter . Shall I trouble you so farre to take some paines with me ? I am loth to haue the dodge ; Robin .

Tush feare not the dodge ;

I le rather put on my flashing red nose , and my flaming face , and come wrapt in a Calue skin and crie bo ho :

I le fray the Scholler I warrant thee . But first go to hir , try what thou canst doe , Perhaps shee le loue thee without any further a doe ,

But thou must tell hir , thou hast a good stocke , some 100. or 200. a yeare , & that will set hir hard I warrant thee .

For by th Mas , I was once in good comfort to haue cosend a Wench :

And wots thou what I tolde hir ?

I tolde hir I had a hundred pound land a yeare , in a place where I haue not the breadth of my little finger .

I promised hir to infeoffe hir in 40. pounds a yeare of it : & I think of my conscience , if I had had but as good a face as thine ,

I should haue made hir haue curst the time that euer she see mee .

And thus must thou doe , cracke , and lye , and face ,

And thou shalt triumph mightily .

Peter . I need not do so , for I may say and say true , I haue lands and liuing inough for a countrey fellow . Robin .

Barlady so had not I , I was faine to ouerreach as many times I doe .

But now experience has taught me so much craft , that I excell in cunning .

Peter . Well Sir , then I le be bold to trust your cunning , And so I le bid you farewell and goe forward , I le too hir , that s flat . Robin .

Do so : and let me heare how you speede .

Peter .

That I will Sir .

Exit Peter . Robin . Well , a good beginning makes a good end , Heer s ten groats for doing nothing , Icon M. Churmes thankes for this , For this was his deuise : And therefore I le goe seeke him out , and giue him a quart of wine , And know of him how he deales with the scholler . Exit . Enter Churmes and Sophos . Churmes . Why ? looke you Sir , by the Lord I can but wonder at hir Father , He knowes you to be a Gentleman of good bringing vp : And though your wealth be not answerable to his ; Yet by heauens I thinke you are worthy to doe farre bet - then Lelia , yet I know she loues you dearely . Sophos . The great Tartarian Emperour Tamor Cham , Ioyd not so much in his imperiall Crowne , As Sophos ioyes in Lelias hop't-for loue , Whose lookes would pierce an Adamantine heart , And make the proud beholders stand at gaze , To draw Loues picture from hir glancing eye . Chur. And I wil stretch my wits vnto the highest straine To further Sophos in his wisht desires . Sophos . Thankes gentle Sir . Enter Gripe . But truce a while , here comes hir Father , I must speake a word or two with him . speakes to himselfe . Churms

I hee le giue you your answere ( I warrant ye )

Sophos .

God saue you Sir .

Gripe . O Mr. Sophos : I haue longd to speake with you a great while , I heare , you seeke my daughter Lelias loue , I hope you will not seeke to dishonest me , nor disgrace my daughter . Sophos . No Sir : a man may aske a yea , A Woman may say nay , Shee is in choice to take hir choice : Yet I must confesse I loue Lelia . Gripe .

Sir I must be plaine with you : I like not of your loue ,

Lelias mine , I le choose for Lelia ,

And therefore I would wish you not to frequent my house any more ,

It s better for you to ply your booke , and seeke for some preferment that way , than to seeke for a wife before you know how to maintaine hir .

Sophos . I am not rich , I am not very poore , I neither want nor euer shall exceede , The meane is my content , I liue twixt two extreames . Gripe .

Well , well , I tell yee , I like not ye should come to my house , and presume so proudly to match your poore pedigree with my daughter Lelia , and therefore I charge you to get you off of my ground : and come no more at my house :

I like not this learning without liuing , I .

Sophos .

He needs must goe that the diuell driues .

Sic virtus sine Censu languet .

Exit Sophos . Gripe .

O Ma. Churms , cry you mercy Sir , I saw not you :

I think I haue sent the scholler away with a flea in his eare .

I trow hee le come no more at my house .

Churms .

No , for if he doe you may indite him for comming of your ground .

Gripe . Wel , now I le home , and keepe in my daughter , She shal neither go to him , nor send to him , I le watch her ( I le warrant her , )

Before God Master Churms , it is the peeuishest girle , that euer I knew in my life , shee will not be rul'd I doubt .

Pray ye sir , do you indeuour to perswade her to take Peter Ploddall .

Churms .

I warrant ye , I le perswade her : feare not .

Exeunt . Enter Lelia and Nurse . Lelia . What sorrow seiseth on my heauy heart ? Consuming care possesseth euerie part : Heart-sad Erinnis keeps his mansion Here , Within the Closure of my wofull breast ; And blacke despaire with Iron Scepter stands , And guides my thoughts , downe to his hatefull Cell . The wanton windes with whistling murmure beare My pearcing plaints along the desert plaines , And woods and groues do eccho forth my woes , The earth below relents in Crystall teares , When heauens aboue by some malignant course Of fatall starres are authors of my griefe . Fond Loue , go hide thy shafts in Follies den , And let the world forget thy Childish force , Or else flye , flye , pearce Sophos tender breast , That he may helpe to sympathize these plaints That wring these teares from Lelias weeping eyes . Nurse .

Why , how now Mistresse ; what , is it loue that makes you weepe , and tosse and tourne so a nights when you are in bed ?

Saint Leonard grant you fall not loue sicke .

Lelia . I , that s the point , that pearceth to the quicke , Would Atropos would cut my vitall threed And so make lauish of my loathed life : Or gentle heauens would smile with faire aspect , And so giue better fortunes to my loue . Why , is t not a plague to be a prisoner to mine own father ? Nurse .

Yes , ants a shame for him to vse you so too .

But be of good cheare Mistresse : I le go to Sophos euery day I le bring you tidings and tokens too from him ( I le warrant yee , ) and if he wil send you a kisse or two , I le bring it , let me alone , I am good at a dead lift .

Marry , I cannot blame you for louing of Sophos . Why , hee s a man as one should picture him in waxe . But Mistresse , out vpo ns , wipe your eyes . For here comes another wooer . Enter Peter Ploddall . Peter .

Mistresse Lelia , God speed you .

Lelia .

That s more then we neede at this time , for we are doing nothing .

Peter .

I were as good say a good word as a bad .

Lelia .

But it s more wisedome to say nothing at all , then speake to no purpose .

Peter .

My purpose is to wiue you .

Lelia .

And mine , is neuer to wed you .

Peter .

Belike , y are in loue with some body else .

Nurse . No , but shee s lustily promis'd : Heare you : you with long rifle by your side , do you lacke a wife ? Peter .

Call you this a rifle ? it s a good backe sword .

Nurse .

Why , then you with backe sword , let s see your backe .

Peter .

Nay , I must speake with Mistresse Lelia before I goe .

Lelia .

What would you with me ?

Peter . Marry , I haue heard verie wel of you , and so has my father too . And he has sent me to you a woeing , And if you haue any minde of marriage , I hope I shal maintaine you as wel as any husbandmans wife in the Countrie . Nurse .

Maintaine her with what ?

Peter .

Marrie , with my Lands and liuings my father has promis'd me .

Lelia .

I haue heard much of your wealth : but I neuer , knew your manners before now .

Peter .

Faith , I haue no Mannors , but a prittie homestall , and we haue great store of Oxen , and Horses , and Carts , and Plowes , and houshold stuffe bomination :

And great flocks of sheepe , and flocks of Geese , and Capons , and Hens , and Duckes ; O , we haue a fine yarde of Pullen .

And thanke God : here s a fine weather for my fathers Lambes .

Lelia . I cannot liue content in discontent . For as no musicke can delight the eares , Where all the parts of Discords are composed : So wedlocke bands will still consist in iarres , Where in condition there s no sympathie . Then rest your selfe contented with this answere , I cannot loue . Peter .

It s no matter what you say . For my father tolde me thus much before I came , that you would be something nice at first : but he bad me like you nere the worse for that for I were the liker to speede .

Lelia .

Then you were best leaue of your suit till some other time : and when my leasure serues me to loue you , I le send you word .

Peter .

Will you ? wel then I le take my leaue of you , and if I may heare from you , I le pay the messenger well for his paines .

But stay : Gods death , I had almost forgot my selfe .

Prayee let me kisse your hand ere I goe .

Nurse .

Faith Mistresse , his mouth runs a water for a kisse : a little would serue his turne belike .

Let him kisse your hand .

Lelia .

I le not sticke for that .

He kisses her hand . Peter .

Mistresse Lelia , God be with you .

Lelia . Farewell Peter . Exit Peter . Thus Lucre , set in golden Chaire of state , When learning 's bid , Stand by , and keepes a loofe : This greedie humor fits my fathers vaine , Who gapes for nothing but for golden gaine . Enter Chur. Nurse .

Mistresse take heede you speake nothing that will beare action , for here comes Master Churms the Pettifogger .

Churms . Mistresse Lelia rest you merrie , What s the reason you and your Nurse walke here all alone ? Lelia .

Because , Sir , wee desire no other companie but our owne .

Churms . Would I were then your owne , That I might keepe you companie . Nurse .

O Sir , you and hee that is her owne are farre asunder .

Churms .

But if shee please , we may be neerer .

Lelia . That cannot bee : mine owne is neerer then my selfe . And yet my selfe , alas , am not mine owne : Thoughts , feares , despaires , tenne thousand dreadfull dreames : Those are mine owne , and these do keepe me companie . Churms . Before God , I must confesse , your father is too cruell , To keepe you thus sequestred from the world , To spend your prime of youth thus in obscuritie , And seeke to wed you to an Idiot foole That knowes not how to vse himselfe : Could my deserts but answere my desires , I sweare by Sol faire Phoebus siluer eye , My heart would wish no higher to aspire , Then to be grac't with Lelias loue . By Iesus , I cannot play the dissembler , And wooe my loue with courting ambages , Like one whose loue hangs on his smooth tongues ende , But in a word , I tell the summe of my desires , I loue faire Lelia . By her my passions daily are increas'd , And I must die , vnlesse by Lelias loue they be releas'd . Lelia .

Why Master Churms , I had thought you had been my fathers great Counsellor in all these actions .

Churms . Nay , Damne me if I be : By heauens , sweet Nymph I am not . Nurse .

Master Churms , you are one can doe much with her father : and if you loue her as you say , perswade him to vse her more kindly , and giue her libertie to take her choise , for these made mariages prooue not well .

Churms .

I protest I will .

Lelia . So Lelia shal accept thee as her friend : Meane while , Nurse let s in : My long absence I know , will make my father muse . Exeunt Lelia and Nurse . Churms . So Lelia shal accept thee as her friend ? Who can but ruminate vpon these words ? Would she had said , her loue : But t is no matter : first creepe and then goe , Now her friend : the next degree is Lelias loue . Well , I le perswade her father to let her haue a little more libertie . But soft : I le none of that neither , So the Scholler may chance cosen me . Perswade him to keepe her in still : And before shee le haue Peter Ploddall , shee le haue any bodie , and so I shal be sure that Sophos shal neuer come at her . Why I le warrant ye , shee le be glad to run away with me at length . Hang him , that has no shifts . I promis'd Sophos , to further him in his suite : But if I do , I le be peckt to death with hens . I swore to Gripe , I would perswade Lelia , to loue Peter Ploddall . But God forgiue me , t was the furthest ende of my thought . Tut , what s an othe ? euerie man for himselfe . I le shift for one , I warrant ye . Exit . Enter Fortunatus , Solus . Fortu. Thus haue I past the beating billows of the sea , By Ithacs rocks , and watry Neptunes bounds , And wafted safe , from Mars his bloudie fields Where trumpets sound Tantara to the fight , And here arriu'd for to repose my selfe , Vpon the borders of my natiue soyle . Now Fortunatus bend thy happie course , Vnto thy fathers house , to greet thy dearest friends . And if that still thy aged sire suruiue Thy presence wil reuiue his drouping sprites , And cause his withered cheekes bee sprent with youthfull bloud , Where death of late was portraid to the quicke . But soft , who comes here ? Stand aside . Enter Robin Goodfellow . Robin . I wonder I heare not of Master Churms , I would faine know how he speedes , And what successe he has in Lelias loue : Well , if he cousen the Scholler of her , T would make my worship laugh : And if he haue her , hee may say god a mercy Robin Goodfellow . O ware a good head as long as you liue . Why , Master Gripe he casts beyond the moone , And Churms is the only man , he puts in trust with his daughter , and ( I le warrant ) the old Churle would take it vpon his saluation , that he wil perswade her to marry Peter Ploddall : But I le make a foole of Peter Ploddall , I le looke him i th face and picke his purse , Whil'st Churms cosen him of his wench , And my old gandsir Holdfast of his daughter . And if he can do so : I le teach him a tricke to cosen him of his gold too . Now for Sophos , let him weare the willow garland , And play the melancholie Malecontent And plucke his hat downe in his sullen eyes , And thinke on Lelia , in these desert groues : T is ynough for him to haue her , in his thoughts ; Although he nere imbrace her in his armes . But now , there s a fine deuise comes in my head , To scarre the Scholler : You shall see , I le make fine sport with him . They say , that euery day he keepes his walke Amongst these woods and melancholy shades , And on the barke of euerie senselesse tree In graues the tenour of his haples hope . Now when hee s at Venus altar at his Orisons ; I le put me on my great carnation nose And wrap me in a rowsing Calueskin suite , And come like some Hob goblin or some diuell , Ascended from the griefly pit of hell : And like a Scarbabe make him take his legges : I le play the diuel , I warrant ye . Exit Robin Goodf Fortunatus . And if you do : ( by this hand ) I le play the coniurer . Blush Fortunatus , at thy base conceit , To stand aloofe , like one that s in a trance , And with thine eyes behold that miscreant Impe ( Whose tongue more venome then the serpents sting ) Before thy face thus taunt thy dearest friends , I , thine owne father with reproachful tearmes , Thy Sister Lelia , shee is bought and sold , And learned Sophos , thy thrice vowed friend , Is made a stale by this base cursed Crew And damned den of vagrant run agates . But here in sight of sacred heauens I sweare , By all the sorrowes of the Stygian soules , By Mars his bloudie blade and faire Bellonas bowers I vow , these eyes shal nere behold my fathers face , These feete shal neuer passe these desert plaines : But Pilgrim like I le wander in these woods Vntill I find out Sophos secret walkes , And sound the depth of all their plotted drifts , Nor will I cease vntill these hands reuenge Th' iniurious wrong that s offred to my friend , Vpon the workers of this stratageme . Exit . Enter Pegge , Sola . Pegge .

Yfaith , yfaith , I canot tell what to doe ,

I loue , and I loue , and I cannot tell whoe , Out vpon this loue .

For wat you what ? I haue suitors comes huddle , twoes vpon twoes , and threes vpon threes , and what thinke you troubles me ?

I must chat and kisse with all commers , or else noe bargaine .

Enter Wil Cricket , and kisses hir . Will .

A bargain yfaith : ha my sweet honnie sops how doost thou ?

Pegge .

Well I thanke you William , now I see y are a man of your word .

Will .

A man of my word quotha ? why I nere broke promise in my life that I kept .

Pegge . No William I know you did not , But I had thought you had forgotten me . Will . Dost heare Pegge ? if ere I forget thee , I pray God I may neuer remember thee . Pegge .

Peace here comes my Granam Midnight .

Enter Mother Midnight . Mother M. What Pegge ? what ho ? what Pegge I say ? what Pegge my wench ? Why where art thou trowe ? Pegge .

Here Granam , at your elbow .

Moth. M. What mak'st here this twatter light ? I thinke th art in a dreame , I thinke the foole haunts thee . Will .

Sounds , foole in your face : foole ? O monstrous intitulation :

Foole ? O disgrace to my person : sounds , foole not me , for I cannot brooke such a colde rasher I can tell you : giue me but such an other word , and I le be thy tooth-drawer een of thy butter tooth , thou toothlesse trot thou .

Moth. M.

Nay William pray ye be not angry , you must beare with olde folkes ,

They be olde and teastie , hot and hastie : set not your wit against mine William ,

For I thought you no harme by my troth .

Will .

Well , your good words haue something laide my coller .

But Granam shall I be so bolde to come to your house now and then to keep Pegge company ?

Moth. M.

I , and beshrowe thy good heart and thou doost not .

Come , and wee le haue a piece of a barley bagpudding or something ,

And thou shalt be very heartily welcome that thou shalt ,

And Pegge shall bid thee welcome too : pray ye maide bid him welcome and make much on him , for by my vay hee s a good proper springold

Pegge .

Granam : if you did but see him dance t woulde doe your heart good :

Lord , t would make any bodie loue him , to see how finely hee le foote it .

Moth. M.

William , prithee goe home to my house with vs , and taste a cup of our beere , and learne to knowe the way , againe another time .

Will .

Come on Granam , I le man you home yfaith : Come Pegge .

Exeunt . Enter Gripe , olde Ploddall , and his sonne Peter and Churmes the Lawyer . Ploddal .

Come hither Peter , hold vp your head : where s your cap and leg sir boy , ha ?

Peter .

By your leaue master Gripe .

Gripe .

Welcome Peter , giue me thy hand : th art welcome ; Barlady , this a good proper tall fellow , Neighbour ? call you him a boy ?

Ploddall .

A good prittie squat square springold Sir .

Gripe .

Peter , you ha seene my daughter I am sure : how do you like hir ?

What sayes she to you ?

Peter . Faith I like hir well , and I haue broken my mind to hir , and she would say neither I nor no ; But , thanke God Sir , we parted good friends , For she let me kisse hir hand and bad Farewel Peter . And therfore I thinke I am like enough to speed : how think you Master Churms ? Churms . Marry I thinke so too , For shee did show no token of any dislike of your motion , did she ? Peter .

No not a whit Sir .

Churms . Why , then I warrant ye : For we hold in our Law , that Idem est non apparere & non esse . Gripe . Maister Churms , I pray you do so much as call my daughter hither , I wil make her sure here to Peter Ploddall , and I le desire you to be a witnesse . Churms .

With all my heart Sir .

Exit Churms . Gripe .

Before God , neighbour , this same Master Churms is a very good Lawer : for I le warrant , you cannot speake any thing , but he has law for it ad vnguem ,

Ploddall . Marrie eene the more ioy on him , And hee s one that I am very much beholding to : But here comes your daughter . Enter Churms , Lelia and Nurse . Lelia .

Father did you send for me ?

Gripe . I wench I did , come hither Lelia , giue mee thy hand . Mr. Churms , I pray you beare witnesse , I here giue Lelia to P. Ploddall . She pluckes away hir hand . How now ? Nurse .

Shee le none she thankes you Sir .

Gripe . Will she not ? why how now I say ? What ? you pewling peeuish thing , you vntoward baggage ? Will you not be rul'd by your Father ? Haue I tane care to bring you vp to this ? And will you do as you list ? Away I say , hang , starue , begge ; be gone , packe I say : out of my sight , Thou nere getst penny-worth of my goods , for this : Thinke on t , I do not vse to iest : Exeunt Lelia , and Nurse . Be gon I say ; I will not heare thee speake . Churms .

I pray you Sir patient your selfe : shee s young .

Gripe . I hold my life this beggerly Scholler hankers about hir still , makes hir so vntoward : But I le home , I le set hir a harder taske : I le keep hir in , and look to hir a little better then I ha done , I le make hir haue little mind of gadding , I warrant hir .

Come Neighbour , send your sonne to my house , for hee s welcome thither , and shall be welcome , and I le make Lelia bid him welcome too ere I ha done with hir :

Come Peter follow vs .

Exeunt all , but Churmes . Churms . Why this is excellent , better and better still , This is beyond expectation : Why now this geare begins to worke ,

But beshrew my heart , I was afraide that Lelia would haue yeelded , when I saw hir father take hir by the hand & cal me for a witnesse , my heart began to quake .

But to say the truth shee had little reason to take a Cullian , lugloafe , milkesop stave ;

When she may haue a Lawyer , a Gentleman , that stands vpon his reputation in the Country :

One whose diminutiue defecte of Law may compare with his little Learning .

Well : I see that Churmes must be the man must carrie Lelia when all s done .

Enter Robin Goodfellow . Robin .

How now Master Churmes , what newes abroad ? Me thinke you looke very spruce : y are very frolicke now a late .

Churms .

What fellow Robin , how goes the squares with you ?

Y are waxen very proude alate , you will not know your olde friends .

Robin .

Faith I eene came to seeke you , to bestow a quart of wine of you .

Churms .

That s strange : you were nere wont to be so liberall .

Robin .

Tush man , one good turne askes another : cleare gaines man , cleare gaines :

Peter Ploddall shall pay for all : I haue guld him once ,

And I le come ouer him againe and againe , I warrant ye .

Churms .

Faith , Lelia has een giuen him the doff off here , and has made hir father almost starke mad .

Robin .

O all the better : then I shall bee sure of more of his custome .

But what successe haue you in your suit with hir ?

Churms . Faith all hitherto goes well , I haue made the motion to hir , But as yet we are growne to no conclusion : But I am in very good hope . Robin .

But doe you thinke you shall get hir fathers good will ?

Churmes . Tut , if I get the wench I care not for that : That will come afterward : And I le be sure of something in the meane time . For I haue outlaw'd a great number of his debtors , And I le gather vp what money I can amongst them , And Gripe shall nere know of it neither . Robin . I , and of those that are scarse able to pay , Take the one halfe and forgiue them the other , rather then sit out at all . Churmes . Tush let me alone for that : But sirra I haue brought the Scholler into a fooles Paradise : Why he has made me his spokesman to M. Lelia , And Gods my Iudge I nere so much as name him to hir . Robin . O by th Mas well remembred , I le tell you what I meane to doe , I le attire my selfe fit for the same purpose , Like to some hellish Hag or damned fiend , And meete with Sophos wandring in the woods , O I shall fray him terribly . Churms . I would thou couldst scarre him out of his wits : Then should I ha the wench cocke sure , I doubt no body but him . Robin . Well , let s go drinke together ; And then I le go put on my diuelish roabes , I meane my Christmas Calues skin sute , And then walke to the woodes , O I le terrifie him I warrantye . Enter Sophos , solus . Sophos . Will heauens still smile at Sophos miseries , And giue no end to my vncessant mones ? These Cipresse shades are witnesse of my woes , The senselesse trees do grieue at my laments , The leauie branches drop sweete Myrrhas teares , For loue did scorne me in my mothers wombe , And sullen Saturne pregnant at my birth , With all the fatall starres conspir'd in one , To frame a haplesse constellation , Presaging Sophos lucklesse destinie . Here , here , doth Sophos turne Ixions restlesse wheele , And here lies wrapt in labyrinths of loue . Of his sweete Lelias loue whose sole Idea still Prolongs the haplesse date of Sophos hopelesse life : Ah , said I life ? a life farre worse then death . Then death ? I then ten thousand deaths . I daily die , in that I liue loues thrall , They die thrise happie , that once die for all . Here will I stay my weary wandring steps , And lay me downe vpon this solid earth , He lies downe . The mother of despaire and balefull thoughts , I , this befits my melancholy moodes : Now now me thinkes I heare the prettie birds , With warbling tunes record faire Lelias name , Whose absence makes warme bloud drop from my heart , And forceth watrie teares from these my weeping eyes , Me thinkes I heare the siluer sounding streames , With gentle murmur summon me to sleepe , Singing a sweete melodious lullabie : Here will I take a nap and drowne my haplesse hopes , In the Ocean seas of Neuer like to speed . He fals in a slumber and Musicke soundes . Enter Syluanus . Syluanus . Thus hath Syluanus left his leauie bowers , Drawne by the sound of Ecchoes sad reports , That with shrill notes and high resounding voice , Doth pearce the very Cauerns of the earth , And rings through hils and dales the sad laments Of virtues losse and Sophos mournefull plaints . Now Morpheus , rowse thee from thy sable den , Charme all his senses with a slumbering trance , Whil'st old Syluanus send a louely traine Of Satyrs , Driades , and watrie Nymphes , Out of their bowers to tune their siluer strings , And with sweete sounding musicke sing . Some pleasing Madrigalles and Rowndelayes , To comfort Sophos in his deepe distresse . Exit Syluanus . Enter the Nymphes and Satyres singing .
THE SONGE . 1 SAtyres sing , let sorrow keepe hir Cell , Let warbling Ecchoes ring , And sounding musicke yell Through hils , through dales , sad griefe and care to kill In him long since alas hath grieu'd his fill . 2 Sleepe no more , but wake and liue content , Thy griefe the Nymphes deplore , The Syluan gods lament To heare , to see thy mone , thy losse thy loue : Thy plaints , to teares , the flinty rockes do mooue . 3 Grieue not then , the Queene of Loue is milde , Shee sweetly smiles on men , When reasons most beguil'd : Hir lookes , hir smiles , are kind , are sweet , are faire , Awake therefore and sleepe not still in care . 4 Loue intends , to free thee from annoy His Nymphes Syluanus sendes , To bid thee liue in ioy , In hope , in ioy , sweet loue delights imbrace , Faire loue hir selfe will yeeld thee so much grace .
Exeunt the Nymphes and Satyres . Sophos . What do I heare ? what harmony is this ? With siluer sound that glutteth Sophos eares ? And driues sad passions from his heauy heart , Presaging some good future hap shall fall , After these blustring blasts of discontent : Thanks gentle Nymphes and Satyres too adiew , That thus compassionate a loyall louers woe , When heauens sit smiling at his dire mishaps . Enter Fortunatus . Fortunatus . With weary steps I trace these desert groues And search to find out Sophos secret walkes , My truest vowed friend and Lelias dearest loue . Soph . What voice is this sounds Lelias sacred name ? He riseth . Is it some Satyre that hath vew'd hir late , And s growne inamour'd of hir gorgeous hew ? Fortunatus . No Satyre Sophos ; but thy ancient friend , Whose dearest bloud doth rest at thy command . Hath sorow lately blear'd thy watry eyes , That thou forgetst the lasting league of loue , Long since was vow'd betwixt thy selfe and me ? Looke on me man : I am thy friend . Sophos . O now I know thee , now thou nam'st my friend : I have no friend to whom I dare vnload the burthen of my griefe , But onely Fortunatus , hee s my second selfe , Mi Fortunateter Fortunate venis . Fort. How fares my friend ? me thinks you look not wel : Your eyes are sunk , your cheekes looke pale and wan , What meanes this alteration ? Sophos . My mind sweet friend is like a mastlesse ship , That s huld and tost vpon the surging seas , By Boreas bitter blasts and Eoles whistling winds , On Rockes and sands , farre from the wished port Whereon my silly ship desires to land , Faire Lelias loue that is the wished hauen , Wherein my wandring mind would take repose , For want of which my restlesse thoughts are tost : For want of which , all Sophos ioyes are lost . Fort.

Doth Sophos loue my sister Lelia ?

Sophos . She , she , it is whose loue I wish to gaine : Nor neede I wish , nor do I loue in vaine , My loue shee doth repay with equall meede : T is strange you le say that Sophos should not speed . Fortunatus . Your loue repaid with equall meede ? And yet you languish still in loue ? t is strange : From whence proceeds your grief ? vnfold vnto your friend , A friend may yeeld reliefe . Sophos . My want of wealth is author of my griefe , Your father sayes , my state is too , too lowe . I am no hobbie bred ; I may not soare so high , as Lelias loue : The loftie Egle wil not catch at flies . When I with Icarus would soare against the Sun He is the onely fierie Phaeton denies my course , And feares my waxen winges , when as I soare aloft : He mewes faire Lelia vp from Sophos sight , That not so much as paper pleades remorse : Thrice three times Sol hath slept in Thetis lap , Since these mine eyes beheld sweet Lelias face . What greater griefe ? what other Hell then this ? To be denied to come where my beloued is . Fortunatus . Do you alone loue Lelia ? Haue you no riuals with you in your loue ? Sophos . Yes , onely one , and him your father backs , T is Peter Ploddall , rich Ploddalls sonne and heire , One , whose base rusticke rude desert Vnworthy farre to win so faire a prize , Yet meanes your father for to mart a match , For golden Lucre with this Corydon And scornes at vertues lore : hence growes my griefe . Fortunat. If it be true I heare , there is one Churms , beside , Makes suit to win my sister to his bride . Sophos . That cannot be : Churms it my vowed friend , Whose tongue relates the tenour of my loue To Lelias eares , I haue no other meanes . Fortu. Well , trust him not : the Tiger hides his clawes When oft he doth pretend the greatest guiles . But stay : here comes Lelias Nurse . Enter Nurse . Sophos . Nurse , what newes ? How fares my loue ? Nurse .

How fares shee quotha ? Marrie shee may fare how she will for you : Neither come to her , nor send to her of a whole fortnight ?

Now I sweare by my maydenhead , if my husband should haue seru'd me so , when hee came a wooing to me : I would neuer haue lookt on him with a good face as long as I had liued .

But he was as kind a wretch , as euer laid lips of a woman : He would ha come through windowes or doores , or wals , or any thing , but he would haue come to me .

Marrie , after we had beene maried a while , his kindnesse began to slake , for I le tell you what hee did :

He made me beleeue , he would go to greene goose faire , and I le bee sworne hee tooke his legges and ranne cleane away :

And I am afraide you le prooue eene such another kinde peece to my Mistresse : for she sits at home in a corner weeping for you , and I le be sworne shee s ready to die vpward for you :

And her father oth tother side , he yoles at her , and ioles at her : and shee leades such a life for you it passes , and yoo le neither come to her , nor send to her :

Why , shee thinkes you haue forgotten her .

Sophos . Nay , then let heauens in sorrow end my dayes And fatall Fortune neuer cease to frowne , And heauen and earth , and all conspire to pull me downe , If blacke obliuion seise vpon my heart Once to estrange my thoughts from Lelias loue . Sophos , Fortunatus . Why Nurse , I am sure that Lelia heares from Once a day at least by Churms the Lawyer , Who is his onely friend . Nurse . What , yong Master ? God blesse mine eye sight : Now by my maydenhead y are welcome home , I am sure my Mistresse will be glad to see you . But what said you of Master Churms ? Fortu. Marrie , I say hee s a well willer to my sister Lelia , And a secret friend to Sophos . Nurse .

Marrie the Diuel he is : trust him and hang him . Why , hee cannot speake a good worde on him to my olde Master , and he does so ruffle before my Mistresse with his barbarian eloquence , and strut before her in a paire of Polonian legges , as if hee were gentleman Vsher to the great Turke , or the Diuell of Dowgate :

And if my Mistresse would be rul'd by him , Sophos might go snick vp : But he has such a buttermilke face , that shee le neuer haue him .

Sophos . Can falshood lurke in those inticing lookes ? And deepe dissemblance lie where truth appeares ? Fortunatus .

Iniurious villaine to betray his friend .

Nurse .

Sir , do you know the Gentleman ?

Fort.

Faith not well .

Nurse .

Why Sir , hee lookes like a red herring at a Noble mans table on Easter day , and he speakes nothing but Almond butter and suger Candie .

Fortu.

That s excellent .

Sophos . This worlds the Chaos of confusion : No world at all but Masse of open wrongs , Wherein a man , as in a Map man see The high road way from woe to miserie . Fort. Content your selfe , and leaue these passions , Now do I sound the depth of all their drifts , The Diuels deuise and Churms his knauerie , On whom this heart hath vowed to be reueng'd . I le scatter them : the plots alreadie in my head . Nurse hye thee home , commend me to my sister : Bid her this night send for Master Churms , To him she must recount her many griefes , Exclaime against her fathers hard constraint , And so cunningly temporize with this cunning Catso , That he may thinke she loues him as her life . Bid her tell him , that if by any meanes He can conuey her forth her fathers gate , Vnto a secret friend of hers ; The way to whom lyes by this forrest side , That none but he shall haue her to his bride . For her departure let her point the time To morrow night : when Vesper gins to shine , Here will I be when Lelia comes this way Accompanied with her gentleman Vsher , Whose amorous thoughts do dreame on nought but loue ; And if this Bastinado hold , I le make him leaue his wench with Sophos for a pawne : Let me alone to vse him in his kind , This is the trap which for him I haue laid , Thus craft by cunning once shal be betraid , And for the Diuell , I le coniure him : Good Nurse be gon : bid her not faile , And for a token , beare to her this Ring Which well shee knowes , for when I saw her last It was her fauour , and she gaue it me . Sophos . And beare her this from me : And with this ring bid her receiue my heart . My heart ? alas , my heart I cannot giue , How should I giue her that which is her owne ? Nurse . An your heart be hers , her heart is yours , And so change is no robberie . Well , I le giue her your tokens , and tell her what yee say . Fortunatus .

Do , good Nurse : but in any case let not my father know that I am here , vntill we haue effected all our purposes .

Nurse . I le warrant you , I wil not play with you , As Master Churms does with Sophos , I would ha my eares cut from my head first . Exit Nurse . Fortunatus . Come Sophos , cheare vp your self man , Let hope expell these melancholie dumps , Meane while , let s in , Expecting how the euents of this deuise wil fall , Vntill to morrow at th' appointed time , When wee le expect the comming of your loue . What , man , I le worke it through the fire , But you shall haue her . Sophos .

And I wil study to deserue this loue .

Exeunt . Enter William Cricket , Solus . Will . Looke on me , and looke of Master Churms , A good proper man : Marrie Master Churms has something a better paire of legs indeede : But for a sweet face , a fine beard , comely corps , And a Carowsing Codpeece , All England if it can Show mee such a man , To win a wench by gis , To clip , to coll , to kisse As William Cricket is . Why , looke you now : If I had been such a great long , large , Lobcockt , loseld lurden , as Master Churms is ; I le warrant you , I should neuer haue got Pegge , as long as I had liu'd : for ( do you marke ) a wench will neuer loue a man that has al his substance in his legges . But stay : here comes my Landlord , I must go salute him . Enter olde Ploddall , and his sonne Peter . Ploddall .

Come hither Peter , when didst thou see Robin Goodfellow ? Hee s the man must do the feate .

Peter .

Faith father , I see him not this two daies ; but I le seeke him out : for I know hee le do the deed , and she were twentie Lelias .

For father hee s a verie cunning man : for , giue him but ten groates , and hee le giue me a powder , that will make Lelia come to bed to me :

And when I haue her there : I le vse her well ynough .

Ploddall .

Will he so ? Marrie , I will giue him vortie shillings , if he can do it .

Peter .

Nay , hee le do more then that too ,

For hee le make himselfe like a diuell ; and fray the Scholler that hankers about her , out on s wits .

Ploddall .

Marrie Iesus blesse vs : will hee so ?

Marrie thou shalt haue vortie shillings to giue him , and thy mother shall bestow a hard cheese on him beside .

Will .

Landlord , a pox on you , this good morne .

Ploddall .

How now foole ? what , dost curse me ?

Will .

How now foole ? how now Caterpiller ?

It s a signe of Dearth , when such Vermine creepe hedges so early of morning .

Peter

Sirra , Foule manners , do you know to whome you speake ?

Will .

Indeed Peter , I must confesse I want some of your wooing manners , or else I might haue tournde my faire bush tayle to you instead of your father : and haue giuen you the ill salutation this morning .

Ploddall . Let him alone Peter , I le temper him well ynough . Sirra , I heare say you must be married shortly , I le make you pay a sweete fine for your house , for this . Ha ? sirra am not I your Landlord ? Will .

Yes , for fault of a better , but you get neither sweet fine , nor sower fine of me .

Ploddall .

My masters , I pray you beare witnesse :

I do discharge him then .

Will . My masters , I pray you beare witnesse , My Landlord has giuen me a general discharge , I le be married presently , my fines paied : I haue a discharge for it . He offers to goe away . Ploddall .

Nay prithee stay .

Will . No I le not stay , I le goe call the clearke , I le be cried out vpon i th Church presently , What ho ? What Clearke I say ? where are you ? Enter Cleark . Clearke .

Who cals me ? what would you with me ?

Marrie Sir , I would haue you to make proclamation , that if any manner of man , oth Towne , or oth Country , can lay any claime to Pegge Pudding , let him bring worde to the Crier , or else William Cricket will wipe his nose of her .

Clearke .

You meane you would be askt i th Church ?

Will .

I that s it : a bots on t , I cannot hit of these marrying tearmes yet .

And I le desire my Landlord here and his sonne , to be at the Celebrauation of my marriage too :

Yfaith Peter , you shal cramme your guts ful of Cheesecakes and Custards there .

And sirra Clearke , if thou wilt say Amen stoutly : Yfaith my powder beefe slaue , I le haue a rumpe of beefe for thee , shal make thy mouth 〈…〉 side . Clearke .

When would you haue it done ?

Will .

Marrie eene as soone as may be : let me see :

I wil be askt i th Church of Sunday at morning prayer , and againe at Euening prayer : & the next holiday that comes I will be askt i th forenoone , and married i th afternoone : For ( do you marke ) I am none of these sneaking fellowes that wil stand thrumming of Caps , and studying vppon a matter , as long as Hunkes with the great head has beene about to show his little wit in the second part of his paultrie poetrie : but if I begin with wooing , I le ende with wedding .

And therefore good Clearke , let me haue it done with all speede : for I promise you , I am verie sharpe set .

Cleark .

Faith you may be askt i th Church on Sunday at morning prayer , but Sir Iohn cannot tend to do it at Euening prayer : For there comes a Company of Players tuth Towne , on Sunday i th after noone ; and Sir Iohn is so good a fellow , that I know hee le scarce leaue their companie , to say Euening prayer .

For ( though I say it ) hee s a verie paineful man , and takes so great delight in that facultie , that hee le take as great paine about building of a Stage or so , as the basest fellow among them .

Will .

Nay , if he haue so lawfull an excuse , I am content to deferre it one day the longer :

And Landlord , I hope , you and your sonne Peter wil make bold with vs , and trouble vs .

Ploddall .

Nay William , we would be loath to trouble you : but you shal haue our companie there .

Will .

Faith you shal be very heartily welcome , and wee wil haue good merry rogues there that wil make you laugh till you burst .

Peter .

Why William , what company doe you meane to haue ?

Will .

Marrie , first and for most , there wil bee an honest Dutch Cobbler , that wil sing ( I wil noe meare to Burgaine goe ) the best that euer you heard .

Ploddall .

What , must a Cobbler be your chiefe guest ? Why hee s a basefellow .

Will .

A basefellow ? you may be asham'd to say so ,

For hee s an honest fellow , and a goodfellow :

And he begins to carrie the verie badge of good fellowship vpon his nose ; that I do not doubt , but in time he wil prooue as good a Copper companion as Robin Goodfellowe himselfe .

I and hee s a tall fellow , and a man of his hands too ,

For I le tel you what : tie him tuth Bull-Ring , and for a bag-pudding , a Custard , a Cheescake , a hogges cheeke , or a Calues head , turne any man i th towne to him ; and if he do not prooue himselfe as tall a man as he , let blind Hugh bewitch him , and tourne his bodie , into a barrel of strong Ale , and let his nose be the Spigat , his mouth the Fosset , and his tongue a Plugge for the bunge hole .

And then there wil be Robin Goodfellow , as good a drunken rogue as liues : and Tom Shoomaker ; and I hope you wil not deny that hee s an honest man , for hee was Constable oth Towne .

And a number of other honest rascals , which though they are growne bankroutes and liue by the reuersion of other mens tables :

Yet ( thankes bee to God ) they haue a penny amongst , at all times at their neede .

Ploddall . Nay , if Robin Goodfellow be there , you shall be sure to haue our company . For hee s one that we heare very well of ; And my sonne here has some occasion to vse him : And therefore if we may know when t is , wee le make bolde to trouble you . Will .

Yes I le send you word .

Ploddall .

Why then farewell , till wee heare from you .

Exeunt Ploddall and his sonne . Wil.

Wel Cleark , you le see this matter brauely performed : let it be done as it should be .

Clearke .

I le warrant ye , feare it not .

Will .

Why then go you to Sir Ihon , and I le to my wench , and bid hir giue hir Maidenhead warning to prepare itself : for the destruction of it is at hand .

Exeunt . Enter Lelia , Sola . Lelia . How loue and fortune both with eger moode , Like greedy hounds do hunt my tired hart , Rows'd forth the thickets of my wonted ioyes ! And Cupid windes his shrill note bugle horne , For ioy my silly hart so neere is spent . Desire that eager Curre pursues the chace , And Fortune rides amaine vnto the fall : Now sorrow sings , and mourning beares a part , Playing harsh descant on my yeelding heart . Enter Nurse .

Nurse , what newes ?

Nurse . Faith a whole sackefull of newes : You loue Sophos and Sophos loues you ; And Peter Ploddall loues you , and you loue not him , And you loue not Master Churmes , and he loues you , And so heer s loue and no loue , And I loue and I loue not , And I cannot tell what : But of all , and of all , Master Churmes must bee the man you must loue . Lelia . Nay , first I le mount me on the winged wind , And fly for succour to the farthest Inde . Must I loue Master Churmes ? Nurse ,

Faith you must and you must not .

Lelia .

As how I pray thee ?

Nurse .

Marry I haue commendations to you .

Lelia .

From whom ?

Nurse .

From your brother Fortunatus .

Lelia .

My brother Fortunatus ?

Nurse .

No : from Sophos .

Lelia .

From my Loue ?

Nurse .

No from neither .

Lelia .

From neither ?

Nurse .

Yes from both .

Lelia .

Prithee leaue thy foolery , and let me knowe thy newes .

Nurse .

Your brother Fortunatus , and your loue , to morrow night will meet you by the forrest side ,

There to conferre about I knowe not what :

But t is like , that Sophos will make you of his priuy councell , before you come againe .

Lelia .

Is Fortunatus then retourned from the warres ?

Nurse . He is with Sophos euery day , But in any case you must not let your Father know , For he hath sworne he will not be discried , Vntill he haue effected your desires : For he swaggers and sweares out of all crie , That he will venture all , Both fame and bloud , and limme and life , But Lelia shall be Sophos wedded wife . Lelia Alas Nurse , my fathers iealous braine Doth scarce allow me once a month to goe , Beyond the compasse of his watchfull eyes , Nor once affords me any conference , With any man except with Mr. Churms , Whose craftie braine beguiles my father so , That he reposeth trust in none but him : And though he seekes for fauour at my hands , He takes his marke amisse and shootes awrie . For I had rather see the diuel himselfe , Then Churms the Lawyer : Therefore how I should meete them by the forrest side , I cannot possibly deuise . Nurse . And Master Churms must be the man must work the meanes , You must this night send for him : Make him beleeue you loue him mightily , Tell him you haue a secret friend dwels farre away beyond the Forrest . To whom if he can secretly conuay you from your father , Tel him you wil loue him , better then euer God loued him . And when you come to the place appointed , Let them alone to discharge the knaue of clubs . And that you must not faile , Here receiue this ring , which Fortunatus sent you for ●●oken , That this is the plot that you must prosecute , And this from Sophos as his true loues pledge . Lelia . This ring my brother sent I know right well , But this my true loue pledge I more esteeme Then all the golden mines the solide earth containes : And see , in happy time here comes M. Churms : Enter Chur. Now loue and fortune both conspire , And sort their driftes to compasse my desire . M. Churms y are well met , I am glad to see you . Churms . And I as glad to see faire Lelia , As euer Paris was to see his deare , For whom so many Troianes bloud was spilt ; Nor thinke , I would do lesse then spend my dearest bloud , To gaine faire Lelias loue , although by losse of life . Nurse . Faith mistresse , he speakes like a gentleman : Let me perswade you , Be not hard hearted : Sophos ? why what s hee ?

If hee had lou'd you but halfe so well , he would ha come through stone walles , but he would haue come to you ere this .

Lelia . I must confesse , I once lou'd Sophos well , But now I cannot loue him , whom all the world knowes to be a dissembler . Churmes . Ere I would wrong my loue with one dayes absence ; I would passe the boyling Hellespont , As once Leander did for Heroes loue , Or vndertake a greater taske then that , Ere I would be disloyall to my Loue . And if that Lelia giue hir free consent That both our loues may sympathize in one , My hand , my heart , my loue , my life and all , Shall euer tend on Lelias faire command . Lelia . Mr. Churms , mee thinkes t is strange , you should make such a motion : Say I should yeeld , and grant you loue ; When most you did expect a sunneshine day , My fathers will would mar your hop't for hay , And when you thought to reap the fruits of loue , His hard constraint would blast it in the bloom . For he so dotes on Peter Ploddals pelfe , That none but he forsooth must be the man , And I will rather match my selfe , Vnto a groome of Plutoes griesly denne , Then vnto such a silly golden asse . Churms .

Brauely resolued yfaith .

Lelia . But to be short : I haue a secret friend that dwels from hence , Some two dayes iourney , that s the most , And if you can , as ( wel I know ) you may , conuay me thither secretly : For company I desire no other then your owne , Here take my hand : That once perform'd my heart is next . Churmes . If on th' aduenture all the dangers lay , That Europe or the westerne world affords , Were it to combate Cerberus himselfe , Or scale the brasen walles of Plutoes court ; When as there is so faire a prize propos'd , If I shrinke backe or leaue it vnperform'd , Let the World canonize me for a Coward : Appoint the time and leaue the rest to me . Lelia . When nights blacke mantle ouerspreads the sky , And dayes bright lampe is drenched in the west , To morrow night I thinke the fittest time , That silent shade may giue our safe conuoy , Vnto our wished hopes vnseene of liuing eye . Churms . And at that time I will not faile , In that or ought may make for our auaile . Nurse . But what if Sophos should meet you by the forrest side : And incounter you with his single rapier ? Churms . Sophos ? a hop of my thumbe , a wretch , a wretch . Shoulde Sophos meete vs there accompanied with some Champion , With whome t were any credit to encounter , Were he as stout as Hercules himselfe , Then would I buckle with them hand to hand : And bandy blowes as thicke as hailestones fall , And carrie Lelia away in spite of all their force . What ? loue will make Cowards fight : Much more a man of my resolution . Lelia . And on your resolution I le depend , Vntill to morrow at th' appointed time , when I looke for you : till when I le leaue you , and go make preparation for our iourney . Exeunt Lelia and Nurse . Churms .

Farewell faire loue , vntill we meet againe .

Why so : did I not tel you she would be glad to run away with mee at length ?

Why this falles out , een as a man would say , Thus I would haue it .

But now I must go cast about for some money too ,

Let mee see : I haue outlaw'd three or foure of Gripes debters .

And I haue the bonds in mine owne hands :

The summe that is due to him , is some two or three hundred pounds :

Well , I le to them : if I can get but one halfe ,

I le deliuer them their bonds , and leaue the other halfe to their owne consciences ; and so I shall be sure to get mony to beare charges :

When all failes wel fare a good wit . But soft , no more of that : Here comes Mr. Gripe , Enter Gripe . Gripe .

What Mr. Churms ? what alone ? how fares your body ?

Churms .

Faith Sir , reasonable well : I am eene walking here to take the fresh ayre .

Gripe . T is very holesome this faire weather , But M. Churms : how like you my daughter ? Can you doe any good on hir ? wil she be rul'd yet ? How stands she affected to P. Ploddall ? Churms . O very well Sir : I have made hir very conformable . O let me alone to perswade a woman : I hope you shall see hir married within this weeke at most , I meane to my selfe . He speakes to himselfe . Gripe . Master Churmes . I am so exceedingly beholding to you , I cannot tell how I shall requite your kindnesse , But i th mean time heer s a brace of angels for you to drink , for your paines , This newes has eene lightned my heart , O Sir , my neighbour Ploddall is very wealthie . Come M. Churms , you shall go home with me , Wee le haue good chear & be merry for this , to night , yfaith . Churms .

Wel : let them laugh that winne .

Exeunt . Enter Pegge and hir Granam . Pegge . Granam , giue me but two crownes of red golde , And I le giue you two pence of white siluer , If Robin the diuel be not a water witch . Moth. M.

Marrie , Iesus blesse vs : why prithee ?

Pegge . Marrie I le tel you why . Vpon the morrow after the blessed newe yeare , I came trip , trip , trip , ouer the Market hil , Holding vp my petticote to the calues of my legs , To show my fine coloured stockins , And how finely I coulde foote it in a paire of newe corkt shooes , I had bought : And there I spyed this Mounsier Muffe , lie gaping vp into the skies , To know how many Maides would be with childe in the towne all the yeare after : O t is a base vexation slaue , How the country talkes of the large ribd varlet ! Mother M. Marry out vpon him : what a Friday fac't slaue it is ! I thinke in my conscience , his face neuer keepes Holiday . Pegge . Why his face can neuer be at quiet , He has such a cholerick nose , I durst has worne by my maiden-head , ( God forgiue me that I should take such an oath ) That if William had had such a nose , I would neuer ha lov'd him . Enter Will . Cricket . Will .

What a talking is here of noses and faces ?

Come Pegge , wee are towarde marriage ; let vs talke of that may doe vs good : Granam , what wil you giue vs toward howse-keeping ?

Moth. M. Why William , we are talking of Rob Goodfellow : What thinke you of him ? Will . Marrie I say he lookes like a tankerd bearer , That dwels in Petticoate lane , at the signe of the Mearemaide ; And I sweare by the bloud of my codpiece , An I were a woman I would lug off his laue eares , Or run him to death with a spit : and for his face , I thinke t is pittie there is not a lawe made , That it should be fellonie to name it in any other places , then in baudie houses : But Granam what wil you giue vs ? Moth. M. Marrie I wil giue Pegge a pot and a pan , Two platters , a dish and a spoone , a dogge , and a cat : I trow shee le prooue a good huswife , And loue hir husband well too . Will .

If she loue me I le loue hir , yfaith my sweet honny combe , I le loue thee , A per se A .

We must be askt in Church next Sunday , and wee l be married presently .

Pegge .

Yfaith William wee le haue a merry day on t .

Mother M.

That wee will yfaith Pegge : wee le haue a whole noise of fiddlers there :

Come Pegge let s hie vs home , wee le make a bag-pudding to supper ,

And William shall go and sup with vs .

Will .

Come on yfaith .

Exeunt . Enter Fortunatus and Sophos . Fort. Why how now Sophos , al a mort ? stil languishing in loue ? Wil not the presense of thy friend preuaile ? Nor hope expell these sullen fits ? Cannot mirth wring , if but a forged smile , From those sad drouping lookes of thine ? Relye on hope , whose hap wil lead thee right , To her , whom thou dost call thy hearts delight ; Looke cheerely man : the time is neere at hand , That Hymen mounted on a snow white coach , Shal tend on Sophos and his louely bride . Sophos . T is impossible : her Father , man , her father , Hee s al for Peter Ploddall . Fortunatus . Should I but see that Ploddall offer loue , This sword should pearce the pesants breast , And chase his soule from his accursed corps By an vnwonted way vnto the griesly lake . But now the appointed time is neere , That Churms should come with his supposed loue : Then sit we down vnder these leauie shades They sit down . And waight the time of Lelias wisht approach . Sophos . I : here I le waight for Lelias wisht approach , More wisht to me , then is a calme at seas , To shipwrackt soules , when great God Neptune frownes . Though sad despaire hath almost drown'd my hopes ; Yet would I passe the burning vaults of Orke , As erst did Hercules to fetch his loue , If I might meete my loue vpon the strond Enter Robin Goodfellow . And but enioy her loue one minute of an hour . But stay : what man , or diuell , or hellish fiend comes here , Transformed in this ougly vncouth shape ? Fortunatus .

O , peace a while : you shal see good sport anone .

Robin . Now I am cloathed in this hellish shape , If I could meete with Sophos in these woods , O , he would take me for the Diuell himselfe , I should ha good laughing , beside the fortie shillings Peter Ploddall has giuen mee : and if I get noe more I am sure of that . But soft : now I must trie my cunning , for here he sits . The high commander of the damned soules Great Dis the Duke of Diuels and Prince of Limbo Lake , High Regent of Acheron , Styx and Phlegeton , By strict command from Pluto , Hels great Monarch , And faire Proserpina the Queene of Hell , By full consent of all the damned Hagges And all the fiends that keepe the Stygian plaines , Hath sent me here from depth of vnder ground , To sommon thee to appeare at Plutoes Court . Fortunatus . A man or Diuell ? or what so ere thou art , I le trie if blowes will driue thee downe to hell . Belike thou art the Diuels Paritor , The basest officer that liues in Hell , For , such thy words imports thee for to be : T is pittie you should come so farre without a fee . And because I know mony goes lowe with Sophos , I le pay you your fees : [ Hee beates him , ] take that , & that , and that : Robin .

O good Sir , I beseech you , I le do any thing ;

Fortunatus .

Then downe to Hell , for sure thou art a Diuell .

Robin .

O hold your hands , I am not a Diuell by my troth .

Fortunatus .

Sounds , dost thou crosse mee ? I say thou art a Diuell .

Beate him againe . Robin .

O Lord sir saue my life : and I le say as you say , or any thing else you le ha me doe .

Fortunatus .

Then stand vp and make a preachment of thy Pedigree , and how at first thou learnd'st this diuelish trade : vp I say .

Beate him . Stands vpon a stoole . Robin . O I wil Sit : Although in some places , I beare the title of a scuruy gentleman : By birth I am a boate writes son of Hull , My father got me of a refus'd hagge , Vnder the olde ruines of Boobies barne , Who as she liu'd , at length she likewise died , And for her good deedes went vnto the Diuell . But , Hell not wont to harbour such a guest , Her fellow fiends do daiely make complaint Vnto grim Pluto , and his louely Queene , Of her vnruly missebehauiour : Intreating that a pasport might be drawne For her to wander till the day of doome , On earth againe to vex the mindes of men , And swore she was the fittest fiend in Hell To driue men to desperation . To this intent her pasport straight was drawne , And in a whirle wind forth of Hell she came ; Ore hills she hurles , and scowres along the plaines : The trees flew vp by th rootes , the earth did quake for feare , The houses tumble downe , she playes the Diuell and all : At length not finding any one so fit To effect her diuelish damned charge as I : She comes to me , as to her onely childe , And me her instrument on earth she made , And by that meanes I learnd this diuellish trade . Sophos .

O monstrous villane !

Fortunatus .

But tell me : what s thy course of life , & how thou shiftest for maintenance in the world ?

Robin . Faith Sir , I am in a manner a promoter , Or more fitly term'd a promoting knaue : I creepe into the presence of great men , And vnder colour of their friendships , Effect such wonders in the world That babes wil curse me , that are yet vnborne . Of the best men , I raise a common fame , And honest women rob of their good name : Thus dayly tumbling-in comes all my thrift . That I get best is got but by a shift : But the chiefe course of all my life , Is to set discord betwixt man and wife . Fortunatus . Out vpon thee Canniball , He beate them . Dost thou thinke thou shalt euer come to heauen ? Robin . I little hope for heauen or heauenly blisse : But if in hell doth any place remaine , Of more esteeme then is another roome , I hope , as guerdon for my iust desert , To haue it for my detestable acts . Fort. Wert not , thy tongue condemnes thy guiltie soule , I could not thinke that on this liuing earth Did breath a villane so audacious . Go get thee gone , and come not in my walke . Beate him . For if thou dost , thou comest vnto thy woe . Rob.

The diuel himself was neuer coniur'd so .

Exit Rob. Sophos . Sure hee s no man , but an incarnate diuel , Whose ougly shape bewrayes his monstrous mind . Fortunatus . And if he be a diuel , I am sure hee s gone : But Churms the Lawyer wil be here anone , And with him comes my sister Lelia : T is he I am sure you looke for . Sophos .

Nay , she it is that I expect so long .

Fort. Then sit we down vntil we heare more newes : This but a prologue to our play ensewes . They sit downe . But see where Churms and Lelia comes along : Enter Churms and Lelia . walks as stately as the great Baboone . Sounds , he lookes as though his mother were a midwife . Sophos . Now gentle Ioue , great Monarke of the world , Grant good successe vnto my wandring hopes . Churms . Now Phoebus siluer eye is drencht in westerne deepe And Luna gins to show her splendant raies , And al the harmlesse quiresters of wood Do take reprose , saue onely Philomele : Whose heauie tunes do euermore record , With mornefull aies the losses of her loue . Thus farre faire loue we passe in secret sort , Beyond the compasse of thy fathers bounds , Whilst he on down-soft bed securely sleepes And not so much as dreames of our depart . The dangers past , now thinke on nought but loue , I le be thy deare , be thou my hearts delight : Sophos .

Nay first , I le send thy soule to cole blacke night .

Churms .

Thou promis'd loue : now seale it with a kisse .

Fort. Nay soft Sir , your mark 's at the fairest . For weare her loue , and seale it with a kisse , Vpon the burnisht splendor of this blade ; Or it shal rip the intrailes of thy pesant hart . Sophos .

Nay , let me do it , that s my part .

Churms .

You wrong me much to rob me of my loue .

Sophos .

Auant , base braggard : Lelias mine .

Churms .

She lately promis'd loue to me .

Fortunatus . Peace , Night-Rauen , peace , I le ende this controuersie . Come Lelia , stand betweene them both , As equall Iudge to ende this strife : Say which of these shal haue thee to his wife : I can deuise no better way then this , Now choose thy loue : and greete him with a kisse . Lelia .

My choice is made : and here it is [ she kisses Sophos . ]

Sophos . See here the mirrour of true constancie : Whose stedfast loue deserues a Princes worth . Lelia . Master Churms are you not well ? I must confesse I would haue chosen you , But that I nere beheld your legs till now : Trust me I neuer lookt so low before . Churms .

I know you vse to looke aloft .

Lelia .

Yet not so high as your crowne .

Churms .

What if you had ?

Lelia .

Faith I should ha spied but a Calues head .

Churms . Sounds , cosend of the wench and scoft at too ? T is intolerable : and shal I loose her thus ? Ho wt mads me , that I brought not my sworde and buckles with me ! Fort. What , are you in your sword & buckler tearms ! I le put you out of that humor : There Lelia sends you that by me , Beates him . And that , to recompence your loues desire : And that , as payment for your wel earn'd hire . Go get thee gon , and boast of Lelias loue . Churms . Where ere I goe I le leaue with her my curse , And raile on you with speeches vilde . Fortunatus . A craftie knaue was neuer so beguil'd . Now Sophos hopes haue had their luckie haps , And he enioyes the presence of his loue , My vow 's perform'd , and I am full reueng'd Vpon this Hell-bred brace of cursed Imps : Now rests nought but my fathers free consent To knit the knot that time can nere vntwist . And that , as this , I likewise wil performe . No sooner shal Auroraes pearled deaw , Orespread the mantled earth with siluer drops And Phoebus blesse the Orient with a blush , To chace blacke night to her deformed Cell , But I le repaire vnto my fathers house , And neuer cease with my inticing words , To worke his wil to knit this Gordian knot , Till when I le leaue you to your amorous chatte , Deare friend a dieu , faire sister too farewel , Betake your selues vnto some secret place : Vntil you heare from me how things fall out . Exit Fortunatus Sophos .

We both do wish a fortunate goodnight :

Lelia .

And pray the Gods to guide thy steps aright .

Sophos . Now come faire Lelia , let s betake our selues Vnto a little Hermitage hereby : And there to liue obscured from the world Till fates and Fortune call vs thence away , To see the sunshine of our Nuptiall day . See how the twinkling Starres do hide their borrowed shin As halfe asham'd their luster so is stain'd , By Lelias beautious eyes that shine more bright , Then twinkling Starres do in a winters night : In such a night did Paris win his loue . Lelia .

In such a night , Aenaeas prou'd vnkind .

Sophos .

In such a night did Troilus court his deare .

Lelia .

In such a night , faire Phyllis was betraid .

Sophos .

I le proue as true as euer Troylus was .

Lelia .

And I as constant as Penelope .

Sophos . Then let vs solace , and in loues delight , And sweet imbracings spend the liue-long night . And whilst loue mounts her on her wanton wings , Let Descant run on Musicks siluer strings . Exeunt .
A SONG 1 OLde Tithon must forsake his deare , The Larke doth chante her chearefull lay : Aurora smiles with merry cheere , To welcome in a happy day . 2 The beasts do skippe , The sweete birds sing : The wood Nymphs dance , The Ecchoes ring . 3 The hollow caues with ioy resounds : And pleasure euery where abounds : The Graces linking hand in hand , In loue haue knit a glorious band .
Enter Robin Goodfellow , olde Ploddall , and his sonne Peter . Ploddall .

Heare you Master Goodfellow how haue you sped ?

Peter .

Ha you plaid the Diuel brauely , and scard the scholler out on s wits ?

Robin .

A pox of the Scholler .

Ploddall .

Nay harke you : I sent you vortie shillings , and you shal haue the cheese I promis'd you too .

Robin .

A plague of the vortie shillings , and the Cheese too .

Peter .

Heare you , wil you giue me the powder you told me of ?

Robin .

How you vex me ! powder quotha ? Sounds I ha been powderd .

Ploddall .

Son , I doubt thee wil proue a craftie knaue , and cosen vs of our money :

Wee le go to Master Iustice and complaine on him , and get him whipt out o th Countrie for a Connicatcher .

Peter .

I , or haue his eares naild to the Pillorie : Comes let s goe .

Exeunt Ploddall and his sonne . Enter Churms . Churms .

Fellow Robin , what newes ? howe goes the world ?

Robin .

Faith , the world goes I cannot tell how :

How speed you with your wench ?

Churms .

I would the wench were at the Diuel :

A plague vpon t I neuer say my prayers , and that makes me haue such ill lucke .

Robin .

I think the scholler be haunted with some Demidiuel .

Churms .

Why , didst thou fray him ?

Robin . Fray him ? a vengeance on t , all our shifting knauerie 's knowne : We are counted very vagrants : Sounds , I am afraid of euerie officer , for whipping . Churms .

We are horribly haunted : our behauiour is so beastly , that we are growen loathsome , our craft gets vs nought but knocks .

Robin .

What course shal we take now ?

Churms .

Faith I cannot tell : let s eene run our Countrie , for here s no staying for vs .

Robin .

Faith agreed : let s go into some place where wee are not knowne , and there set vp the art of knauerie with the second edition .

Exeunt . Enter Gripe , Solus . Gripe . Euery one tels me I looke better then I was wont , My hearts lightened , my spirits are reuiued , Why me thinkes I am eene young againe ; It ioyes my heart that this same peeuish girle my daughter wil be rul'd at the last yet : But I shall neuer be able to make Mr. Churmes amends for the great paines he has taken , Enter Nurse . Nur.

Master , now out vpo ns , well aday : we are al vndone !

Gripe . Vndone ? what sodaine accident hath chanc't ? Speake what s the matter ? Nurse . Alas that euer I was borne ! My Mistresse and Mr. Churms are run away together . Gripe .

T is not possible : nere tell me . I dare trust Master Churms with a greater matter then that .

Nurse .

Faith you must trust him whether you will or no , for hee s gone .

Enter Will . Cricket . Will . M. Gripe , I was comming to desire that I might haue your absence at my wedding : for I heare say you are very liberall growen alate . For I spake with three or foure of your debters this morning , that ought you hundred pounds a piece : And they tolde me , that you sent M. Churmes to them and tooke of some ten pounds , And of some twentie , and deliuered them their bondes , And bad them pay the rest when they were able . Gripe . I am vndon : I am robd : my daughter , my mony ! Which way are they gone ? Will . Faith Sir , it s all to nothing but your daughter and M. Churms are gone both one way : Marrie your mony flies some one waies and some another : And therefore t is but a folly to make hue and crie after it . Gripe . Follow them : make hue and cry after them . My daughter , my mony , all s gone , what shall I doe ? Will . Faith if you will be rul'd by me , I le tell you what you shall doe :

( Marke what I say ) for I le teach you the way to come to heauen , if you stumble not :

Giue all you haue to the poore ,

But one single penny , and with that penny buy you a good strong halter ,

And when you ha done so : come to mee and I le tell you what you shall do with it .

Gripe . Bring me my daughter : that Churms , that villane , I le teare him with my teeth . Nurse . Master , nay pray you do not run mad : I le tell you good newes : My young Master Fortunatus is come home : and see where he comes . Enter Fortunatus . Gripe .

If thou hadst sayd Lelia , it had beene something .

Fort. Thus Fortunatus greetes his Father , And craues his blessing on his bended knee . Gripe . I , heer s my sonne : but Lelia shee le not come . Good Fortunatus rise : wilt thou shed teares , And help thy father mone ? If so , say I : if not good sonne be gone . Fort.

What moues my father to these strange fits ?

Will .

Faith Sir , hee s almost mad : I thinke he cannot tell you :

And therefore I presuming Sir , that my wit is something better than his , at this time ( do you marke Sir ? )

Out of the profound circumambulation of my supernaturall wit Sir ( do you vnderstand ? )

Will tel you the whole superfluity of the matter Sir : Your sister Lelia Sir you know is a woman , As another woman is Sir . Fort.

Well , and what of that ?

Will . Nay nothing Sir , but shee fell in loue with one Sophos a very proper wise young man Sir : Now Sir , your Father would not let hir haue him , Sir : But would haue married hir to one Sir , That would haue fed hir with nothing but barly bag puddings and fat bacon : Now Sir to tell you the truth , The foole ye know has fortune to land : But M. Lelias mouth doth not hang for that kind of dyet . Fort.

And how then ?

Will .

Marrie then there was a certaine craking , cogging , pettifogging , buttermilke slaue Sir , one Churms Sir , that is the very quintessence of all the knaues in the bunch ; And if the best man of all his kin had been but so good as a yeoman mans sonne :

He should haue been a markt knaue by letters patents ,

And hee Sir comes me sneaking , and cosens them both of their wench , and is run away with hir :

And Sir belike hee has cosend your father heere of a great deale of his mony too .

Nurse . Sir your father did trust him but too much ; But I alwaies thought he would prooue a crafty knaue . Gripe . My trusts betrai'd , my ioyes exil'd : Griefe kils his heart , my hopes beguil'd , Fort. Where golden gaine doth bleare a fathers eyes , That pretious pearle fetcht from Pernassus mount , Is counted refuse , worse then Bullen brasse ; Both ioyes and hope hang of a silly twine , That still is subiect vnto flitting time : That tournes ioy into griefe , and hope to sad despaire , And ends his dayes in wretched worldly care . Were I the richest Monarch vnder heauen , And had one daughter thrice as faire , As was the Grecian Menelaus wife , Ere I would match hir to an vntaught swaine , Though one whose wealth exceeded Croesus store , Hir selfe should choose , and I applaud hir choise , Of one more poore then euer Sophos was , Were his deserts but equall vnto his . If I might speake without offence ; You were to blame to hinder Lelias choice . As she in Natures graces doth excell : So doth Minerua grace him full as well . Nurse .

Now , by cocke and pie , you neuer spoke a truer word in your life , hee s a very kind gentleman :

For last time he was at our house he gaue me three pence .

Will .

O nobly spoken : God send Pegge to prooue as wise a woman as hir Mother , and then we shall be sure to haue wise children .

Nay if he be so liberall : olde Gransire you shall giue him the good-will of your daughter .

Gripe . She is not mine : I haue no daughter now . That I should say I had , thence comes my griefe : My care of Lelia , past a fathers loue , My loue of Lelia makes my losse the more . My losse of Lelia drowns my heart in woe : My hearts woe makes this life a liuing death : Care , Loue , Losse , Hearts-woe , liuing death , Ioyne all in one , to stop this vitall breath . Curst be the time I gap't for golden gaine , I curse the time , I crost hir in hir choice . Hir choyce was virtuous , but my wil was base , I sought to grace hir from the Indian Mines , But she sought honour from the starrie Mount : What franticke fit possest my foolish braine ? What furious fancie fired so my heart , To hate faire Virtue and to scorne desert ? Fortunatus . Then father giue desert his due , Let Natures graces and faire virtues giftes , One sympathie and happy consort make , Twixt Sophos and my sister Lelias loue : Conioyne their hands , whose hearts haue long beene one , And so conclude a happy vnion . Gripe . Now t is too late : What Fates decree , can neuer be recall'd : Hir lucklesse loue is fall'n to Churms his lot , And he vsurps faire Lelias nuptiall bed . Fortunatus . That cannot be : feare of pursuit must needes prolong his nuptiall rights . But if you giue your full consent , That Sophos may enioy his long wisht loue , And haue faire Lelia to his louely bride , I le follow Churmes what ere betide . I le be as swifte as is the light foote Roe , And ouertake him ere his iournies end : And bring faire Lelia backe vnto my friend . Gripe . I , heer s my hand : I do consent , And thinke hir happie in hir happie choice , Yet halfe foreiudge my hopes will be deceiu'd . But Fortunatus : I must needes commend , Thy constant mind thou bear'st vnto thy friend . The after ages wondring at the same : Shall sait's a deede deseruing lasting fame . Fort. Then rest you here til I returne againe , I le go to Sophos ere I goe along : And bring him here to keepe you company . Perhaps he hath some skill in hidden arts , Of Planets course , or secret magicke spells , To know where Lelia and that Foxe lies hid , Whose craft so cunningly conuaid hir hence . Exit Fortu. Gripe . I : here I le rest an houre or twaine , Till Fortunatus doe returne againe . Will .

Faith Sir , this same Churms is a very scuruy Lawer :

For once I put a case to him : and me thought his law was not worth a pudding .

Gripe .

Why what was your case ?

Will . Marry Sir , my case was a gooses case : For my dog wirried my neighbours sow , and the sow died . Nurse .

And hee sued you vpon wilfull murther ?

Wil .

No : but he went to law with me , and would make me either pay for his sow , or hang my dogge :

Now Sir to this same Retourner I went .

Nurse .

To beg a pardon for your dogge ?

Will . No : but to haue some of his wit for my mony , I gaue him his fee , and promised him a goose beside , for his counsaile . Now Sir his counsaile was to denie all was askt me , And to craue a longer time to answere , Though I knew the case was plaine ;

So Sir I take his counsaile : and alwaies when he sende to me for his goose , I denie it , and craue a longer time to answere .

Nurse . And so the case was yours , & the goose was his : And so it came to be a gooses case . Will . True : but now we are talking of geese , See where Pegge and my Granam Midnight comes . Enter M. Midnight and Pegge . Moth. M. Come Pegge , bestirre your stumpes : make thy selfe smugge , wench ; thou must be married to morrow : Let s goe seeke out thy sweete heart , To prepare all things in readinesse . Pegge .

Why Granam , looke where he is .

Will . Ha my sweet Tralilly , I thought thou couldst spie me amongst a hundred honest men . A man may see that loue will creepe where it cannot goe . Ha my sweet and too sweet : shall I say the tother sweet ? Pegge .

I , say it and spare not .

Will . Nay I will not say it , I will sing it . Thou art mine owne sweete heart ; From thee I le neuer depart : Thou art my Ciperlillie : And I thy Trangdidowne dilly , And sing hey ding a ding ding : And do the tother thing , And when t is done not misse , To giue my wench a kisse : And then dance canst thou not hit it ? Ho braue William Cricket ! How like you this Granam ? Mother M.

Marrie gods bennison light oth thy good hart , for t :

Ha , that I were young againe !

Yfaith I was an olde doer at these loue songs when I was a girle

Nurse .

Now by the Marry 〈…〉 thou hast got the merriest woer in all Womanshire .

Pegge .

Faith , I am none of those that loue nothing but Tum dum diddle ,

If he had not beene a merrie shauer , I would neuer haue had him .

Wil.

But come my wimble lasse , let al these matters passe : And in a bouncing brauation , let s talke of our copulation : What good cheere shal we haue to morrow ?

Old Grandsir Thickskin , you that sit there as melancholy as a mantletree , what will you giue vs towarde this merrie meeting ?

Gripe . Marry , because you told me a merrie gooses case : I le bestow a fat goose on ye : and God giue you luck . Mother M.

Marry wel said old master : eene God giue them ioy indeed , for by my vay , they are a good sweete yong couple .

Will .

Granam stand out o th way , for here come gentlefolke wil run ore ye else .

Enter Fortuna . Soph. & Lelia . Nurse .

Master , here comes your sonne againe .

Gripe . Is Fortunatus there ? Welcome Fortunatus : where 's Sophos ? Fortunatus . Here Sophos is , as much ore-worne with loue , As you with griefe for losse of Lelia . Sophos . And ten times more if it be possible . The loue of Lelia is to me more deare , Then is a kingdome or the richest crowne That ere adornd the temples of a king . Gripe . Then welcome Sophos : thrice more welcome now Then any man on earth to me or mine . It is not now with me as late it was ; I lowrd at learning , and at vertue spurnd : But now my heart and mind and all is tournd . Were Lelia here , I soone would knit the knot Twixt her and thee , that time could nere vntie , Till fatall sisters victorie had wonne , And that your glasse of life were quite outrun Will .

Sounds , I thinke he be spur-blind . Why , Lelia stands hard by him .

Lelia . And Lelia here falles prostrate on her knee . And craues a pardon for her late offence . Gripe . What Lelia , my daughter ? stand vp wench : Why now my ioy is full : My heart is lightned of all sad annoy : Now farewell griefe , and welcome home my ioy . Here Sophos , take thy Lelias hand : Great God of heauen your hearts combine In virtues lore to raise a happie line . Sophos . Now Phaeton hath checkt his fierie steeds , And quencht his burning beames that late were wont To melt my waxen winges when as I soard aloft : And louely Venus smiles with faire aspect Vpon the Spring time of our sacred loue ; Thou great commander of the circled Orbs , Grant , that this league of lasting amitie May lye recorded by Eternitie . Lelia . Then wisht content knit vp our Nuptiall right : And future ioyes our former griefes requite . Will .

Nay an you be good at that , I le tel you what wee le doe .

〈…〉 I must be married to morrow ; and if you will , wee le goe all tuth Church together : and so saue Sir Iohn a labour .

All .

Agreed .

Fortunatus . Then march along , and let s be gon , To solemnize two marriages in one . Exeunt Omnes . FINIS .
THE EPILOGVE . GEntles , all compast in this circled rounde , Whose kind aspects do patronize our sports : To you I le bend as low as to the earth , In all the humble complements of curtesie . But if there be , ( as t is no doubt there is ) In all this round some Cinique censurers , Whose onely skill consists in finding faults , That haue like Midas mightie Asses eares , Quicke iudgements that will strike at euerie stale , And perhaps such as can make a large discourse Out of Scoggins iests , or the hundred merrie tales : Marrie if you go any further , t is beyond their reading ; To these I say , I scorne to lend a looke , And bid them vanish vapours , and so let them passe . But to the other sort , that heare with loue , and iudge with fauour , To them we leaue , to censure of our play : And if they like our playes Catastrophe , Then let them grace it with a Plaudite . Exit . FINIS .
Machine-generated castlist A15549-cricket 76 A15549-churms 71 A15549-gripe 56 A15549-nurse 53 A15549-lelia 52 A15549-robin 47 A15549-sophos 44 A15549-fortunatus 43 A15549-ploddall 30 A15549-peter 29 A15549-peg 19 A15549-mother_midnight 18 A15549-prologue 6 A15549-clerk 5 A15549-juggler 3 A15549-oldman 2 A15549-player 1 A15549-robin_goodfellow 1 A15549-all 1 A15549-both 1 A15549-granam 1 A15549-sylvanus 1 A15549-unassigned 1
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Panles KNIGHT : and are to be solde at his Shop , in Paules Church-yard , at the signe of the Holy Lambe foxf●rd cotten-candle eloquence ? out you bawling bandogge foxfurd slaue : you dried stockefish you , out of ha●d any trickes of Leigerdemaine , slight of hand , clenly conuayance , or deceptio visus t●●ecarrier Lord sir ye are deceiued in me , I am no tile-carrier , I am a Iuggler . ●he tricke of the twelues , and turne him ouer the thumbes with a trice . W●●y Spectrum is conueied away : and Wily beguiled , stands in the place of it . d●e Mas an tis well done , now I see thou canst doe something , holde thee thers twelue pence ▪ holde thee thers twelue pence for thy labour . 〈…〉 like a gentleman : and if he will not , let him follow his owne humor til he be weary of 〈…〉 Tush what care I for that ? so he haue lands ▪ cosen olde father share-penny of his daughter ! Ile cast about Ile warrant him ; ciuilllawe Weele ha the common law oth to hand , and the ciuil lawe oth tother : ●it Alas Landlord , will you vndoe me ? I sit of a great rent alreadie , and am very poore Taberand the daprest wench that euer danc't after a Taber and pipe . tak●●●●e You must take some damnable course with my Tenants : theile ●ay damnable course with my Tenants : theile say . Churms Churms. . ▪ Churms . ●ir Fayth sir , they are growne to bee captious knaues 〈…〉 But what ●ewes abroad ? ●ewes But 〈…〉 newes abroad ? abro●● But 〈…〉 ●ewes abroad ? Churms Churms. . ▪ Churms . desi●●● news : but heer's a Letter which M. Gripe desires me to deliuer you . And though it stand ▪ You must be matcht & married to a husband . ha , ha , ha , ha , ● husband yfaith . ● married to a husband ▪ ha , ha , ha , ha , a husband yfaith . ne●●● A Husband , Nurse ? why thats good newes 〈…〉 be a good one . 〈…〉 A Husband , Nurse ? why thats good newes if hee be a good one . mea●e carrierly Clowne . Lord , twould be as good as meate and drinke to me , to see how the foole would● meate and drinke to me , to see how the foole woulde woo● you . butiest No , no , my Father did but iest : thinkest 〈…〉 I can stoope so lowe 〈…〉 can stoope so lowe to take a browne ▪ bread crust, a Clowne thats brought vp at the Cart ▪ ▪ 〈…〉 a Clowne thats brought vp at the Cart ? wi●e By that conclusion you should not be wife . b●●● This good fellow quotha ? I scorne that base , broking , brabbling , brauling , bastardly b●●tlebrow'd brabbling , brauling , bastardly , bottlenos'd , beetlebrow'd , bean-bellied name . p●rifogging , Robin Goodfellow is this same cogging , pettifogging , crackeropes Calue-skin companion : 〈…〉 I would haue had a snatch at you , that I would Sackrue Ile make your hogshead of Sack rue that word . hi●●our children : youle make him your heire , and giue him your lands , will you not ? ●ere Here Neighbour and M. Churms I drink to you . ▪ , Ile too her yfaith While tis in my mind ; But stay , Ile see how I can woo before shinelike then Brocke my fathers Cow , Whose eyes do shine like bacon rine , Whose lips are blew of rin● fathers Cow , Whose eyes do shine like bacon rine , Whose lips are blew of azure hew , Whose swo●n does make my stomacke so rise , that Ile be sworn , I can turne me three or foure bowles of porredgeoner , I can turne me three or foure bowles of porredge ouer i● a morning afore breakefast . i● me three or foure bowles of porredge ouer in a morning afore breakefast . ▪ ale at an alehouse , and ha lost my way Sir . ▪ O , nay then I see thou art a good fellow , speakeman A double fee ? speake man , what ist ? If it be to betray mine ●i●ere nothing lesse . Qui dissimular 〈…〉 nescit vivere . ho●● Faith at thy request , Ile take hir home 〈…〉 try hir a weeke longer . 〈…〉 Faith at thy request , Ile take hir ho●● and try hir a weeke longer . be●● Come on huswife please you Granam , and bee a good wench , and you shall ha my blessing fo●● quotha ? Ile not giue a single halpennie fort ▪ ▪ quotha ? Ile not giue a single halpennie fo●● , 〈…〉 Who would liue vnder a Mothers nose & a Granams ●ong ▪ ●ong Who would liue vnder a Mothers nose & a 〈…〉 tong ▪ ▪ would liue vnder a Mothers nose & a 〈…〉 ●ong ? 〈…〉 Maid cannot loue , or catch a lip clip , or a lap clap, but heers such tittle tattle , and doe not 〈…〉 such tittle tattle , and doe not so , and be not so light, and be not so fond , and do not kisse , no● be not so fond , and do not kisse , and do not 〈…〉 I cannot tell what , 〈…〉 not so fond , and do not kisse , and do no● love, and I cannot tell what , crabbedlookes loue without delay : And cast not with thy crabbed lookes A properman awaie . properman delay : And cast not with thy crabbedlookes A proper man awaie . comport●nance that I bethought my selfe , and the sweete comportenance of that same sweet round face of thine came Iam And sirreuerence of your worship Sir , I am going a woeing to one M. Lelia a Gentlewoman ▪ paines with me ? I am loth to haue the dodge ; ▪ you to be a Gentleman of good bringing vp : And though your wealth be not answerable h●● And though your wealth be not answerable to his ▪ Yet by heauens I thinke you are worthy ▪ though your wealth be not answerable to h●● ; Yet by heauens I thinke you are worthy to ●ter by heauens I thinke you are worthy to doe farre bet - then Lelia , yet I know she loues you dearely b●●●l'd that euer I knew in my life , shee will not be rul'd I doubt . Eri●●●● Consuming care possesseth euerie part : Heart-sad Erinnis keeps his mansion Here , Within the Closure S●epter wofull breast ; And blacke despaire with Iron Scepter stands , And guides my thoughts , downe 〈…〉 his hatefull Cell . The wanton windes with whistling murmure beare My pearcing plaints along de●ert murmure beare My pearcing plaints along the desert plaines , And woods and groues do eccho cour●● teares , When heauens aboue by some malignant course Of fatall starres are authors of my griefe n●●●r And mine , is neuer to wed you . ●word Call you this a rifle ? its a good backe sword . some● thus much before I came , that you would be something nice at first : but he bad me like you nere fo● first : but he bad me like you nere the worse for that for I were the liker to speede . Lilea Lelia . 〈…〉 Will you ? wel then Ile take my leaue of you , and if I may kisse●● He kisses her hand . ●● as her friend : Meane while , Nurse lets in : My long absence I know , will make my Good● Exit Robin Goodf Imp● And with thine eyes behold that miscreant Impe ▪ ( Whose tongue more venome then the serpen●●●●ing serpen●●●●ing Impe ▪ ( Whose tongue more venome then the serpents sting ) Before thy face thus taunt thy dearest friends friend● serpen●●●●ing Before thy face thus taunt thy dearest friends ▪ I , thine owne father with reproachful ▪ Before thy face thus taunt thy dearest friends , I , thine owne father with reproachful tearmes advnguem speake any thing , but he has law for it ad vnguem , s●aue reason to take a Cullian , lugloafe , milkesop stave ; 〈…〉 destinie . Here , here , doth Sophos turne Ixions restlesse wheele , And here lies wrapt in Id●● loue . Of his sweete Lelias loue whose sole Idea still ▪ Prolongs the haplesse date of Sophos ▪ their bowers to tune their siluer strings , And with sweete sounding musicke sing . musickeyell Let warbling Ecchoes ring , And sounding musicke yell Through hils , through dales , ●ad ●ad musicke yell Through hils , through dales , sad griefe and care to kill In him ●ong since ●ong dales , ●ad griefe and care to kill In him long since alas hath grieu'd his fill . moo●● plaints , to teares , the flinty rockes do mooue . mi●●● Grieue not then , the Queene of Loue is milde , Shee sweetly smiles on men ▪ When reasons ▪ Loue is mi●●● , Shee sweetly smiles on men , When reasons most beguil'd : Hir lookes 〈…〉 , hir smiles , are kind , are sweet , are faire, Awake therefore and sleepe not still in 〈…〉 Loue intends , to free thee from annoy His Nymphes Syluanus sendes , To bid thee 〈…〉 , In hope , in ioy , sweet loue delights imbrace, Faire loue hir selfe will yeeld 〈…〉 〈…〉 delights 〈…〉 Faire loue hir selfe will yeeld thee so much grace. ▪ What do I heare ? what harmony is this ? With siluer sound that glutteth Sophos eares ▪ With siluer sound that glutteth Sophos eares ? And driues sad passions from his heauy heart in amour'd Satyre that hath vew'd hir late , Ands growne inamour'd of hir gorgeous hew ? 〈…〉 I know thee , now thou nam'st my friend : I have no friend to whom I dare vnload the burthen 〈…〉 onely Fortunatus , hees my second selfe , Mi Fortunateter Fortunate venis. 〈◊〉 Fort. po●● Rockes and sands , farre from the wished port Whereon my silly ship desires to land , ▪ proceeds your grief ? vnfold vnto your friend , A friend may yeeld reliefe . 〈…〉 I with Icarus would soare against the Sun He is the onely fierie Phaeton denies my course 〈…〉 the onely fierie Phaeton denies my course , And feares my waxen winges , when as I soare aloft 〈…〉 my waxen winges , when as I soare aloft : He mewes faire Lelia vp from Sophos sight , That g● scornes at vertues lore : hence growes my griefe. I If ●it be true I heare , there is one Churms ●it I it be true I heare , there is one Churms ▪ ▪ ●it be true I heare , there is one Churms , beside , Makes suit to win my sister to Churm● That cannot be : Churms it my vowed friend , Whose tongue relates 〈…〉 loue ▪ To Lelias eares , I haue no other meanes. ●ee would go to greene goose faire , and Ile bee sworne hee tooke his legges and ranne cleane shoole But he has such a buttermilke face , that sheele neuer haue him . fal●hood Can falshood lurke in those inticing lookes ? And deepe dis●nce lurke in those inticing lookes ? And deepe dissemblance lie where truth appeares ? Cats● so cunningly temporize with this cunning Catso , That he may thinke she loues him as her ●e hers ; The way to whom lyes by this forrest side . That none but he shall haue her to his . ; The way to whom lyes by this forrest ●e , That none but he shall haue her to his bride no● Do , good Nurse : but in any case let not my father know that I am here , vntill we selfeman Come Sophos , cheare vp your self man , Let hope expell these melancholie dumps ▪ , Let hope expell these melancholie dumps , Meane while , lets in , Expecting how the 〈…〉 out : for I know heele do the deed , and she were twentie Lelias . S●●●a alone Peter , Ile temper him well ynough . Sirra , I heare say you must be married shortly witnesse● My masters , I pray you beare witnesse: ●●de beefe for thee , shal make thy mouth 〈…〉 side . basestfellow about building of a Stage or so , as the basest fellow among them . honestfellow For hees an honest fellow , and a goodfellow : tallfellow I and hees a tall fellow , and a man of his hands too , ▪ hir Maidenhead warning to prepare itself : for the destruction of it is at hand . do●es constraint would blast it in the bloom . For he so dotes on Peter Ploddals pelfe , That none but fide if Sophos should meet you by the forrest side : And in counter you with his single rapier ▪ conscience , his face neuer keepes Holiday . hasworne , He has such a cholerick nose , I durst has worne by my maiden-head , ( God forgiue ▪ forgiue me that I should take such an oath ) That if William had had such a nose , I halov'd William had had such a nose , I would neuer ha lov'd him . 〈…〉 yfaith my sweet honny combe , Ile loue thee , A per se A. ▪ home , weele make a bag-pudding to supper , fiendcomes stay : what man , or diuell , or hellish fiend comes here , Transformed in this ougly vncouth 〈…〉 good laughing , beside the fortie shillings Peter Ploddall has giuen mee : and if I get noe Phloget●● Lake , High Regent of Acheron , Styx and Phlegeton, By strict command from Pluto , Hels great hea●●● Dost thou thinke thou shalt euer come to heauen ▪ ▪ thou thinke thou shalt euer come to heauen ? heauen I little hope for heauen or heauenly blisse: But if in hell doth any place remaine 〈…〉 I little hope for heauen or heauen blisse: But if in hell doth any place remaine , Le●●a here anone , And with him comes my sister Lelia : Tis he I am sure you looke for . ●lks walks as stately as the great Baboone . Sounds splendantraies westerne deepe And Luna gins to show her splendant raies , And ?? the harmlesse quiresters ●● Luna gins to show her splendant raies , And al the harmlesse quiresters of wood Do take mornefullaies Whose heauie tunes do euermore record , With mornefull aies the losses of her loue . Thus farre ▪ And not so much as dreames of our depart . The dangers past , now thinke on nought ●●●●● fairest . For weare her loue , and seale it with a kisse ▪ Vpon the burnisht splendor 〈…〉 bl●●●●● ▪ weare her loue , and seale it ●●●●● kisse , Vpon the burnisht splendor 〈…〉 bl●●●●● ▪ 〈…〉 ●●●●● kisse ▪ Vpon the burnisht splendor of this bl●●●●● ▪ Or it shal rip the intrailes of bl●●●●● ●●●●● kisse ▪ Vpon the burnisht splendor 〈…〉 blade; ▪ Or it shal rip the intrailes of thy pesant Ileende Peace , Night-Rauen , peace , Ile ende this controuersie . Come Lelia , stand ▪ which of these shal haue thee to his wife : I can deuise no better way then this , Now 〈…〉 Now choose thy loue : and greete him with a kisse. 〈…〉 My choice is made : and here it is [ she kisses Sophos. ] 〈…〉 See here the mirrour of true constancie: Whose stedfast loue deserues a Princes worth ▪ Whose stedfast loue deserues a Princes worth . ▪ Sounds , cosend of the wench and scoft at too ? Tis intolerable : and shal I loose her thus buckl●● mads me , that I brought not my sworde and buckles with me ! ▪ , are you in your sword & buckler tearms ! Ile put you out of that humor : There Lelia ●●●se Where ere I goe Ile leaue with her my curse , And raile on you with speeches vilde ▪ ▪ curse , And raile on you with speeches vilde . S●NGE A SONG for sake OLde Tithon must forsake his deare , The Larke doth chante her Eccho●●ring birds sing : The wood Nymphs dance , The Ecchoes ring . doubthee Son , I doubt thee wil proue a craftie knaue , and cosen ▪ Why , didst thou fray him ? ▪ Fray him ? a vengeance ont , all our shifting knauerie's knowne : We ● Faith I cannot tell● lets eene run our Countrie tell● Faith ● cannot tell: lets eene run our Countrie , for heres no ▪ Exeunt . ▪ three or foure of your debters this morning , that ought you hundred pounds a piece : ▪ I am vndon : I am robd : my daughter , my mony ! Which way are they gone ? ●●●ll will be rul'd by me , Ile tell you what you shall doe : v●●●●th What moues my father to these strange fits ? Leli● superfluity of the matter Sir : Your sister Lelia Sir you know is a woman , As another woman Whtere Where golden gaine doth bleare a fathers eyes ▪ I , heers my hand : I do consent , And thinke hir happie in ▪ wirried my neighbours sow , and the sow died . o● No : but to haue some of 〈…〉 for my mony , I gaue him his fee , and 〈…〉 No : but to haue some o● his wit for my mony , I gaue him his fee , and promised h●● fee , and promised him a goose beside , for his counsaile . Now Sir his counsaile was to ▪ sing it . Thou art mine owne sweete heart ; From thee Ile neuer depart : Thou art my ▪ ding a ding ding : And do the tother thing , And when tis done not misse , To giue my ▪ thou not hit it ? Ho braue VVilliam Cricket ! How like you this Granam ▪ ▪ VVilliam Cricket ▪ How like you this Granam ? be●niso● Marrie gods bennison light oth thy good hart , fort : l●●●t Marrie gods bennison light oth thy good hart , fort : you●● Ha , that I were young againe ! 〈…〉 Yfaith I was an olde doer at these loue songs when 〈…〉 olde doer at these loue songs when I was a girle 〈…〉 Now by the Marry 〈…〉 thou hast got the merriest woer in all Womanshire . ▪ those that loue nothing but Tum dum diddle , ▪ Enter Fortuna . Soph. & Lelia . ▪ Master , here comes your sonne againe . ▪ Is Fortunatus there ? Welcome Fortunatus : wheres Sophos ? ▪ mind and all is tournd . Were Lelia here , I soone would knit the knot Twixt her and vnti● Twixt her and thee , that time could nere vntie , Till fatall sisters victorie had wonne 〈…〉 , And that your glasse of life were quite outrun