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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2008 with funding from
IVIicrosoft Corporation
http://www.archive.org/details/comedyofgeorgegrOOgree
PRINTED FOR THE MALONE SOCIETY BY
HORACE HART M.A., AT THE
OXFORD UNIVERSITY
PRESS
THE COMEDY
OF GEORGE A GREEN
1599
THE M ALONE SOCIETY
REPRINTS
191 1
This reprint of George a Green has been prepared by F. W. Clarke with the assistance of the General Editor.
Oct. 191 1. W. W. Greg.
In the Stationers' Register appears the following entry : l^t\
primo die Aprilis [i5:()y]
Entred for his copie under the wardens handes an Enterlude called the Cuchbert
Pynder of Wakefeilde vj"* ^"^''/'^ /
[Arber's Transcript, 11. apy.]
Whether Burby delayed acting upon this entry, or whether
the original edition has perished, there is no means of telling,
but no edition bearing an earlier date than 1^99 is at
present known. Of the edition of 1/99 various copies are
recorded. In the preparation of the present reprint those
in the Bodleian and British Museum have been collated
throughout, while reference has also been had to others in
the possession of the Duke of Devonshire and Mr. T. J.
Wise. No differences have been observed. The play is
in quarto and is printed in an ordinary roman fount of
which 20 lines measure 112 mm. This size is intermediate
between modern English and Great Primer, and in the
reprint it has consequently been necessary to replace it by
English thin leaded.
The piece is known to have been performed, apparently
as an old play, by the Earl of Sussex' men at the Rose
playhouse in the winter of 15-93-4, the following entries
regarding it appearing in the Diary of Philip Henslowe
(fol. 8^) :
1^ at gorge a gren the 19 [?i8] of desembj 15:93 iij" x"
^ at gorge a grene the x of lenewarye 1 5*93 xviij^
$: at the piner of wiackefelld the 8 of lenewary 1593 xxiij^
^ at gorge a grene the 15- of lenewarye i5'93 xx«
J^ at gorge a grene the ii [? z^] of lenewarye xxv'
The text as we have it has almost certainly been cut down for some reason or other, and contains various inconsistencies, though these do not necessarily imply composite authorship.
V
p*,'
On the question of authorship there is important but rather perplexing evidence. The copy of the play, namely, in the possession of the Duke of Devonshire has the
following notes on the title-page. ' Written by a
minister, who ac[ted] the piners pt in it himself. Teste W Shakes pea[re.]' 'Ed luby saith that the play was made by Ro. Gree[ne.] ' The ends of the lines have been cropped in binding and the ' r' in the last word has apparently been altered, possibly from 'n'. There is no doubt that these two notes are in two different hands of the early seventeenth century, but their bearing is less clear. The writer of the first evidently did not know the name of the author but put a line of dots in its place. The second writer (who may also have inserted some smaller dots) has left it doubtful whether his note is intended as a confirmation or a correction. There is no evidence that Robert Green the author was ever in orders. Edward Juby was a well-known actor of the Lord Admiral's (subsequently Prince Henry's) company, but his history previous to 1795- is not known. It remains doubtful, however, how much importance should be attached to such anonymous memoranda as these in the absence of greater internal support for the attribution than can be claimed in the present case. The provenance of the inscribed copy seems rather doubtful : it apparently did not form part of the Kemble collection.
It has been suggested that both the ^ lohn Taylour ' of 1. 18 and the 'Will Perkins ' of 1. 11 78 are names of actors which have accidentally crept into the text. This seems likely enough, but no record survives of either.
The main story of the play is also found in a prose
vi
romance preserved in manuscript at Sion College. Whether an early printed edition ever existed is not known. That the romance was the original of the play seems likely, though it is not certain whether or not the actual manuscript that has survived is earlier than the seventeenth century. A different romance, which knows nothing of the chief events of the play, was printed in 16^2. To this was appended a ballad on the same subject of which a late broadside is also known.
The thanks of the Society are due to His Grace the Duke of Devonshire for allowing the reproduction of the title- page to his copy of the play, to his librarian, Mr. J. P. Maine, for information as to readings, and to Mr. T. J. Wise for kindly placing his copy at the disposal of the editor.
List of Irregular and Doubtful Readings
zo lofjn {lohn.) tell,
a I lame
81 fo euer 105- efteeeme
II 5" c.w. George (11.6 George.) i<)6 Right
11C) {belongs after x^o) 166 [belongs after x67) i8o lame xy^ Not
7^(^6 Exeunt omncs. (? Exeunt belovj.) 418 blew, (blew.)
4.19 Who
4.31 hoorfen
4.5" 4, lacke (i.e. lenkin)
549 yonr
^6'^ confidering
y8o reafon (reafon.)
587 them them
i)C)6 c.w. Goe (^97 Go)
6zo goes alone, (? gods a loue,)
6z6 hard-by
6'47 Exit. {Exit Wily.)
6()() pcrfeuerance
[i.e. perceiverancc)
vu
737 But {ie. But it)
74.1^ will, (Pvvilht,)
795" ground (} goiune)
8a8 Gramercie, (? Gramcrcie)
889 him (?them)
893 their (? our)
^c6 Kend.
^6<) plunke,
9^0 Wakefield, (? Bradford,) 104.3 {belongs after 1044) iii8 c.w. There- (1119 Therefore)
115-^ flirub
\\6i me, In
\\6\ vpou
1 181 fece
1 1 84. here : [colon doubtful)
1213 merit
1 23 1 a b odie
1170 kneele (Pftand)
1283 The hold of both:
1332 lamie.
List of Characters
in order of appearance
Henry Momford, Earl of
Kendal Lord BoNFiELD yrebels.
Sir Gilbert Armstrong Sir Nicholas Mannering John Taylor, a post.
a Justice jof Wakefield.
a Townsman j
George a Greene.
William Musgrove.
Cuddy, his son.
Grlme.
Bettris, his daughter.
James, king of Scotland.
Lord Humes.
Ned, son of Jane a Barley.
Jane a Barley.
a Messenger.
Jenkin, a clown, servant to George.
Wily, boy to George.
Edward, king of England.
The Earl of Warwick.
Robin Hood.
Maid Marian ]
Scarlet ■ his followers.
Much )
a Shoemaker of Bradford.
Followers of Kendal, Scottish soldiers, English nobles, townsmen, shoe- makers, attendants.
vui
PLEASANT
CONCEYTED CO-
medic of George a Greene^ the Pinner
of yiy^akcficld. C . . r
7>tj-y*i fN\^. >^/^' -^1
-• - ♦ -
kjfs it rcas/ufjdry times aUcdby thcfcrudtttsofthc right Honourable the Earle of Suffix,
/J ^ '
I mprintcd at London by Simon Stafford,
tor Ciichbcrt Burby : And arc to kt k Id :' his (hop occrc the llo) al! liXihan^c. l^9^>
A I RECTO (Devon.)
A pleafant conceyted Comedie of George aGrecnc, the Pinner of VVakcficld.
E^ntcr the Earit of Kendall, rv it h himthe LordBoufild, Sir Gilbert K^rmcjlrong, mdlobtu
Earlcof KtndalL
r^^'v^fip^Ekomc to Bradford, m.irtiall gentlemen, l^pi^ L.Bonfild,^{)X Gilbert ^rmjlronghoih. And all my troiipSjCuC to my bafcft groomc. Courage and welcome, for tlic day is ours : ^ Our caule is good, it is for the lands auayle; Then let vs figlir, and dye for Englands good. 0////;ci-. V/c will, my Lord. KendalL As I am Hcririe Mom ford, KcndaU EarlV You lionoiir me with tliis afTent of yours. And here vpon my fword I make protcft,
A.2. For
A Z RECTO (BODL.)
A
PLEASANT
CONCEYTED CO-
medie oiGeorge aGreene^t\\e?mnev of Wakefield.
As it wasfundry times acted by theferuants of the right Honourable the Earle ofSuJfex,
Imprinted at London by Simon Stafford,
forCuthbertBurby: Andaretobefoldathisdiop
neere the Royall Excliange.
IS 99-
A pleafant conceyted Comedie of
George a Greene^ the Pinner of Wakefield.
Enter the Earle of Kendal!^ with him the Lord Bonfildy Sir Gilbert Armefirong^ and lohn.
Sc. i
Earle of Kendall.
Elcome to Bradford, martiall gentlemen,
WL. Bonfld.^ & fir Gilbert Armflrong both, And all my troups, euc to my bafeft groome. Courage and welcome j for the day is ours :
lOur caufe is good, it is for the lands auayle:
Then let vs fight, and dye for Englands good.
Omnes. We will, my Lord.
Kendall. As I am Henrie Momford^ Kendals Earle,
You honour me with this aflcnt of yours.
And here vpon my fword I make proteft,
A.2. For
The pleafant Comedie of For to relieue the poore, or dye my felfe : And know, my Lords, that lames^ the King of Scots, Warres hard vpon the borders of this land : Here is his Poft : fay, lohn Taylour, What newes with King lames ?
io lohn Warre, my Lord : tell, and good newes I trow : For king lame vowes to meete you the 16. of this month, God willing, marie doth he lir.
Kendall. My friends, you fee what we haue to winne. Well, lohn, commend me to king lames. And tell him I will meete him the x6. of this month, And all the reft : and fo farewell. Exit lohn,
Bonfild^ why ftandft thou as a man in dumps ? Courage : for if I winne. He make thee Duke : I Henry Momford will be King my felfe,
30 And I will make thee Duke of Lancalter, And Gilbert Armeftrong Lord of Doncafter. Bonfild. Nothing, my Lord, makes me amazde at all, But that our fouldiers findes our victuals fcant : We muft make hauocke of thofe countrey Swaynes : For fo will the reft tremble and be afraid, And humbly fend prouifion to your campe. Gilb. My Lord Bonfild giues good aduice, They make a fcorne and ftand vpon the King : So what is brought, is fent from them perforce j
40 Aske Mannering elfe.
Kend. What fayeft thou, Mannering?
Man. When as I fliew'd your high commifsion,
They
the Pinner of Wakefield.
They made this anfwere,
Onely to fend prouifion for your horfes.
Kend. Well, hye thee to Wakefield, bid the Towne
To fend me all prouifion that I want ;
Leaft I, like martiall Tamberlaine, lay wafte
Their bordering Countries,
And leauing none aliue that contradicts my Commifsion.
Man. Let me alone, my Lord, He make them jo
Vayle their plumes : for whatfoere he be.
The proudeft Knight, luftice, or other, that gaynfayeth
Your word, He clap him fall, to make the reft to feare.
Kend. Doe fo Nick : hye thee thither prefently.
And let vs heare of thee againe to morrowe.
Man, Will you not remooue, my Lord >
Kend. No : I will lye at Bradford all this night.
And all the next : come, Bonfield, let vs goe.
And liften out fome bonny lafles here. Exeunt omnes.
Enter the lujlice^ a Townefman., George a Greene^ and Sc. a
Sir Nicholas Mannering with his Commifsion.
Iiiflice, M. Mannering, ftand afide, whileft we conferre 6i
What is beft to doe.
Townefmen of Wakefield, the Earle of Kendall
Here hath fent for victuals j
And in ayding him, we fhewe our felues
No lefle than traytours to the King :
Therefore let me heare, Townefmen,
WJiat is your confents.
A. 3. Toivnef.
The pleafant Comedle of 70 Towncf. Euen as you pleafc we are all content.
luflice. Then M. Mannering we arc rcfolu'd.
Man. As howe >
lufiice. Marrie fir, thus.
We will fend the Earle of Kendall no victuals,
Becaufe he is a traytour to the King ;
And in ayding him we fliewe our felues no lelle.
Man. Why, men of Wakefield, are you waxen madde 5
That prefent danger cannot whet your wits,
Wifely to make prouifion of your felues? 80 The Earle is thirtie thoufand men ftrong in power,
And what to wne fo euer him refift,
He layes it flat and leuell with the ground :
Ye filly men, you feeke your owne decay :
Therefore fend my Lord fuch prouifion as he wants,
So he will fpare your towne, and come no neerer
Wakefield then he is.
luflice. Mafl:er Mannering, you haue your anfwere.
You may be gone.
Man. Well, WoodrofFe, for fo I gefle is thy name, 90 He make thee curfe thy ouerthwart deniall j
And all that fit vpon the bench this day,
Shall rue the houre they haue withftood my Lords
Commifsion.
luflice. Doe thy worft, we feare thee not.
Man. See you thefe feales ? before you palle the towne,
I will haue all things my Lord doth want,
In fpitc of you.
George
the Pinner of Wakefield.
George a Greene. Proud dapper lacke, vayle bonnet to
The bench,
That reprefents the perfon of the King; loo
Or lirra, He lay thy head before thy feete.
Man. Why, who art thou >
George. Why, I am George a Greene,
True liegeman to my King,
Who fcornes that men of fuch efteeeme as thefe.
Should brooke the braues of any trayterous fquire :
You of the bench, and you my fellowe friends.
Neighbours, we fubiects all vnto the King,
We are Englifh borne, and therefore Edwards friends,
Voude vnto him euen in our mothers wombe, iio
Our mindes to God, our hearts vnto our King,
Our wealth, our homage, and our carcafes,
Be all King Edwards ; then iirra, we haue
Nothing left for traytours, but our fwordes.
Whetted to bathe them in your bloods.
And dye againft you, before we fend you any victuals.
lufiice. Well fpoken, George a Greene.
Townef. Pray let George a Greene ipeake for vs.
George. Sirra you get no victuals here,
Not if a hoofe of beefe would faue your Hues. no
Man. Fellowe, I itand amazde at thy prefumption :
Why, what art thou that darelt gaynfay my Lord,
Knowing his mighty puiflance and his ftroke }
Why, my friend, I come not barely of my felfe :
For fee, I haue a large Commifsion.
George
The pleafant Comedie of
George. Let mc fee it, firra.
Whofc feales be thefe?
Math This is the Earle of Kendals fcale at armes,
This Lord Charnel Bonfields, 130 And this fir Gilbert Armeftrongs.
George. I tell thee, firra, did good King Edwards fonne
Seale a commifsion againlt the King his father,
Thus would I teare it in defpite of him. He teares the Commifsion.
Being traytour to my Soueraigne.
Man. What? haft thou torne my Lords Commifsion?
Thou flialt rue it, and fo fliall all Wakefield.
George. What, are you in choler ? I will giue you pilles
To coole your ftomacke. 140 Seeft thou thefe feales?
Now by my fathers foule, which was a yeoman,
When he was aliue, eate them,
Or eate my daggers poynt, proud fquire.
Man. But thou doeft but ieft, I hope.
George. Sure that fhall you fee, before we two part.
Man. Well, and there be no remedie, fo George,
One is gone : I pray thee no more nowe.
George. O fir, if one be good, the others cannot hurt.
So fir, nowe you may goe tell the Earle of Kendall, I JO Although I haue rent his large Commifsion,
Yet of curtefie I haue fent all his feales
Backe againe by you.
Man. Well, fir, I will doe your arrant. Exit.
George.
the Pinner of Wakefield.
George. Nowe let him tell his Lord, that he hath
Spoke with George a Greene,
Right pinner of merrie Wakefield towne.
That hath phificke for a foole,
Pilles for a traytour that doeth wrong his Soueraigne.
Are you content with this that I haue done ?
lujlice. I, content, George : i^o
For highly haft thou honourd Wakefield towne,
In cutting of proud Manner ing fo fhort.
Come, thou flialt be my welcome gheft to day ;
For well thou haft deferu'd reward and fauour.
Exeunt oinnes.
Enter olde Mufgroue^ and yong Cuddie his fonne. Sc m
Cuddle. Nowe gentle father lift vnto thy fonne. And for my mothers loue, That earft was blythe and bonny in thine eye, Graunt one petition that I fhall demaimd. 170
Olde Mufgroue. What is that, my Cuddie > Cuddie. Father, you knowe the ancient enmitie of late, Betweene the Mufgroues and the wily Scottes, Whereof they haue othe, Not to leaue one aliue that ftrides a launce. O Father, you are olde, and wayning age vnto the graue : Olde William Mufgroue, which whilome was thought, The braueft horfeman in all Weftmerland, Is weake, and forft to ftay his arme vpon a ftaffe, That earft could wield a launce : 180
B. I. Then,
The plcaflmt Comedie of
Then, gentle Father, refigne the hold to me ;
Giue armes to yoiitli, and honour vnto age.
MnJ. Auaimt, falfe hearted boy, my ioynts doe quake,
Euen with anguiili of thy verie words.
Hath William Mulgroue feene an hundred yercs.^
Haue I bene feard and dreaded of the Scottes,
That when they heard my name in any roade,
They fled away, and polted thence amaine ?
And fliall I dye with fliame nowe in mine age } 190 No, Cuddie, no, thus refolue I,
Here haue I liu'd, and here will Mufgroue dye.
Exeunt omnes. Sc. h Enter Lord Bonfld^ Sir Gilbert Armefirong^
M. Grime^ and Bettris his daughter.
Bon. Now, getle Grime, God a mercy for our good chere,
Our fare was royall, and our welcome great ;
And fith fo kindly thou haft entertained vs,
If we returne with happie victorie.
We will deale as friendly with thee in recompence. 200 Grime. Your welcome was but dutie, gentle Lord :
For wherefore haue we giuen vs our wealth.
But to make our betters welcome when they come?
O, this goes hard when tray tours muft be flattered:
But life is fweete, and I cannot withftand it.
God (I hope) will reuenge the quarrell of my King.
Gilb. What laid you, Grime?
Grime. I fay, fir Gilbert, looking on my daughter,
I curfe the houre that ere I got the girle:
For
the Pinner of Wakefield.
For fir, file may haue many wealthy futers,
And yet fhe difdaines them all, to haue no
Poore George a Greene vnto her husband.
Bonfild. On that, good Grime, I am talking with thy
Daughter;
But file in quirkes and quiddities of loue,
Sets me to fchoole, llie is fo ouerwife.
But, gentle girle, if thou wilt forfake
The pinner, and be my loue, I will aduaunce thee high:
To dignifie thofe haires of amber hiew,
He grace them with a chaplet made of pearle.
Set with choice rubies, fparkes, and diamonds, 2zo
Planted vpon a veluet hood to hide that head.
Wherein two faphires burne like fparkling fire :
This will I doe, faire Bettris, and farre more.
If thou wilt loue the Lord of Doncafter.
Bettris. Heigh ho, my heart is in a higher place,
Perhaps on the Earle, if that be he.
See where he comes, or angrie or in loue;
For why, his colour looketh difcontent.
Kendall. Come, Nick, followe me.
Enter the Earle of Kendall and Nicholas Mannerin^. 230
Bmfild. Howe nowe, my Lord } what newes >
Kendall. Such newes, Bonfild, as will make thee laugh.
And fret thy fill, to heare how Nick was vfde :
Why, the luftices ftandon their termes;
Nick, as you knowe, is hawtie in his words;
B. 2. He
The pleafaiit Comedie of
He layd the lawe vnto the luitices, With threatning braues, that one lookt on another, Ready to Itoope : but that a churle came in, One George a Greene, the pinner of the towne,
240 And with his dagger drawne layd hands on Nick, And by no beggers fwore that we were traytours, Rent our Commifsion, and vpon a braue. Made Nick to eate the feales, or brooke the ftabbe: Poore Mannering afraid, came pofting hither ftraight. Bettris. Oh lonely George, fortune be ftill thy friend. And as thy thoughts be high, fo be thy minde, In all accords, euen to thy hearts delire. Bo7ifild. What fayes faire Bettris? Grimes. My Lord, flie is praying for George a Greene:
250 He is the man, and fhe will none but him. BonfiU. But him ? why, looke on me, my girle : Thou knoweft, that yefternight I courted thee. And fwore at my returne to wedde with thee : Then tell me, loue, Ihall I haue all thy faire > Bettris. I care not for Earle, nor yet for Knight, Nor Baron that is fo bold : For George a Greene the merrie pinner, He hath my heart in hold. Bonfild. BootlefTe, my Lord, are many vaine replies.
z6o Let vs hye vs to Wakefield, and fend her the pinners head. Kend. It Ihall be fo. Grime, gramercie, Shut vp thy daughter, bridle her affects. Let me not miffe her when I make returne :
Therefore
the Pinner of Wakefield.
Therefore looke to her, as to thy life, good Grime. Grime. I warrant you, my Lord.
Ex. Grime & Bettris. Ken. And Bettris, leaue a bafe pinner, for to loue an Earle. Faine would I fee this pinner George a Greene. It fliall be thus :
Nick Mannering fhall leade on the battell, Z70
And we three will goe to Wakefield in fome difguife : But howibeuer, lie haue his head today. Ex. omnes.
Enter the King of Scot s.^ Lord Humes ^ Sc. v
with foiddiers and lohnie.
King. Why, lohnie: then the Earle of Kendall is blithe.
And hath braue men that troupe along with him.
lohnie. I marie, my liege, and hath good men
That come along with him.
And vowes to meete you at Scrasblefea, God willing.
King. If good S. Andrewe lend King lame leaue, 280
I will be with him at the pointed day.
But foft : whofe pretie boy art thou >
Enter lane a Barleys fonne. Ned. Sir, I am fonne vnto Sir lohn a Barley, Eldeft and all that ere my mother had, Edward my name.
lame. And whither art thou going, pretie Ned? Ned. To feeke fome birdes, and kill them, if I can : And now my fcholemailer is alfo gone :
So haue I libertie to ply my bowe : 290
B. 3. For
The pleafaiit Comedie of
For when he comes, I llirre not from my booke.
lames. Lord Humes, but marke the vifage of this child ^
By him I gefle the beautie of his mother :
None but Lseda could breede Helena.
Tell me, Ned, who is within with thy mother.
Ned. Not but her felfe and houfliold feruants, fir:
If you would fpeake with her, knocke at this gate.
lames. lohnie, knocke at that gate.
Enter lane a Barley vpon the rvalles. 300 lane. O, I am betraide : what multitudes be thefe }
James. Feare not, faire lane : for all thefe men are mine.
And all thy friends, if thou be friend to me :
I am thy louer lames the King of Scottes,
That oft haue fued and wooed with many letters,
Painting my outward pafsions with my pen.
When as my inward foule did bleede for woe :
Little regard was giuen to my fute,
But haply thy husbands prefence wrought it :
Therefore, fweete lane, I fitted me to time j 310 And hearing that thy husband was from home,
Am come to craue what long I haue deiirde.
Ned. Nay, foft you, fir, you get no entrance here,
That feeke to wrong fir lohn a Barley fo.
And offer fuch diflionour to my mother.
lames. Why, what diflionour, Ned ?
Ned. Though young, yet often haue I heard
My father fay,
No greater wrong than to be made cuckold.
Were
tlie Pinner of Wakefield.
Were I of age, or were my bodie ftrong,
Were he ten Kings, I would flioote him to the heart, 3Z0
That fliould attempt to giue fir lohn the home.
Mother, let him not come in,
I will goe lie at lockie Millers houfe.
lames. Stay him.
lane. I, well faid, Ned, thou haft giuen the King
His anfwere :
For were the ghoft of Cefar on the earth.
Wrapped in the wonted glorie of his honour.
He ftiould not make me wrong my husband fo :
But good King lames is pleafant, as I gefle, 330
And meanes to trie what humour I am in ;
Elfe would he neuer haue brought an hoite of men,
To haue them witnes of his Scottiili luft.
lames, lane, in faith, lane.
lane. Neuer reply : for I proteft by the higheft
Holy God,
That doometh iuft reuenge for things amifle,
King lames of all men fliall not haue my loue.
lames. Then lift to me, Saint Andrewe be my boote,
But He rafe thy caftle to the verie ground, 340
Vnlefle thou open the gate, and let me in.
lane. I feare thee not. King lamie, doe thy worft :
This caftle is too ftrong for thee to fcale :
Befides, to morrowe will fir lohn come home.
lames. Well, lane, fince thou difdainft King lames loue,
He drawe thee on with fliarpe and deepe extremes :
B. 4. For
The plcadint Comedic of
For by my fathers fbule, this brat of thine
Shall periHi here before thine eyes,
Vnlelle thou open the gate, and let me in. ■i-yo lane. O deepe extremes: my heart begins to breaker
My little Ned lookes pale for feare.
Cheare thee, my boy, I will doe much for thee.
Ned. But not fb much, as to dilhonour me.
lane. And if thou dyeft, 1 cannot liue, fweete Ned.
Ned. Then dye with honour, mother, dying chafte.
lane. I am armed :
My husbands loue, his honour, and his fame,
loynes victorie by vertue.
Nowe, King lames, if mothers teares cannot alay thine ire, 3^0 Then butcher him; for I will neuer yeeld:
The fonne lliall dye, before I wrong the father.
lames. Why then he dyes.
Allarum within : Enter a MeJJenger. MeJJenger. My Lord, Mufgroue is at hand. lames. Who, Mufgroue > The deuill he is. Come, My horfe. Exeunt omnes.
Enter olde Mufgroue with King lames prijoner. Muf. Nowe, King lames, thou art my prifbner. lames. Not thine, but fortunes prifoner.
3 7 o En te r Cuddie.
Cuddie. Father, the field is ours : their colours we
Haue feyzed:
And Humes is llayne : I flewe him hand to hand.
MuJ,
the Pinner of Wakefield.
Muf, God and Saint George. Ciiddie. O father, I am fore athirft.
lane. Come in, young Cuddie, come and drinke thy fill: Bring in King lame with you as a gheft:
For all this broile was caufe he could not enter. ,78
Exeunt omnes.
Enter George a Greejie alone. Sc vi
George. The fweete content of men that Hue in loue, Breedes fretting humours in a reillelle minde, And fanfie being checkt by fortunes fpite, Growes too impatient in her fweete defires: Sweete to thofe men whome loue leades on to blifle, But fowre to me, whofe happe is Hill amiile.
Enter the Clorvne. lenkin. Marie amen, fir. George. Sir, what doe you crye, Amen at ? lenkin. Why, did not you talke of loue? 390
George. Howe doe you knowe that } lenkin. Well, though I fay it that lliould not fay it. There are fewe fellowes in our parifh. So netled with loue, as I haue bene of late. Geor. Sirra, I thought no lefle, when the other morning. You rofe fo earely to goe to your wenches. Sir, I had thought you had gone about my honeft bufines. lenkin. Trow you haue hit it : for mafter, be it knowne To you.
There is fome good will betwixt Madge the Soufewife, 400 And I,
C. I . Marie
The pleafant Comedie of
Marie flie hath another louer.
George. Canlt thou brooke any rkials in thy loue? hf]. A rider? no, he is a fow-gelder, and goes afoote. But Madge pointed to meete me in your wheate clofe. Gcor^. Well, did flie meete you there? len. Neuer make queftion of that: And firft I faluted her with a greene gowne, And after fellas hard a wooing, 410 As if the Prieft had bin at our backs, to haue married vs. Georg. What, did flie grant >
len. Did flie graunt? Neuer make quellion of that: And fhe gaue me a fhirt coler, Wrought ouer with no counterfet ftufle. Georg. What, was it gold } Jen. Nay, twas better than gold. Georo;. What was it >
o
len. Right Couentrie blew,
Who had no fooner come there, but wot you who 420 came by.
Georg. No, who ?
Jen. Clim the fow-gelder.
Georg. Came he by?
len. He fpide Madge and I fit together.
He leapt from his horfe, laid his hand on his dagger, and
Began to fweare.
Now I feeing he had a dagger.
And I nothing but this twig in my hand,
I gaue him faire words and faid nothing.
He
the Pinner of Wakefield.
He comes to me and takes me by the bofome, 4jo
You hoorfen ilaue, faid he, hold my horfe,
And looke he take no colde in his feete.
No marie lliall he fir, quoth I,
lie lay my cloake vnderneath him :
I tooke my cloake, fpread it all along.
And his horfe on the midft of it.
Georg. Thou clowne, didll thou fet his horfe vpon
Thy cloake }
len. I, but marke how I ferued him :
Madge and he was no fooner gone downe into the ditch, 440
But I plucked out my knife.
Cut foure hoales in my cloake, and made his horfe Itand
On the bare groimd.
Geor. Twas well done : now fir, go and furuay my fields :
If you finde any cattell in the corne, to pound with them.
len. And if I finde any in the pound,
I fhall turne them out. Exit lenkm.
Enter the Earle of Kendal.^ Lord Bonfield^ fir Gilbert^ all dijguifed^ with a traine of men.
Kend. Now we haue put the hories in the corne, 4jo
Let vs ftand in fome corner for to heare. What brauing tearmes the pinner will breathe. When he fpies our horfes in the corne.
Enter lacke blowing of his home, len. O mafter where are you } we haue a prife. Georg. A prife, what is it ?
C. 2. len.
The pleafant Comcdic of
Icnkin. Three goodly horfes in our wheate clofe.
George. Three liorfes in our wheat clofe ? whofe be they P
lenkin. Marie thats a riddle to me: but they are there:
4^0 Veluet horfes, and I neuer fawe fuch horfes before. As my dutie was, I put off my cappe, and faid as followeth : My maftcrs, what doe you make in our clofe? One of them hearing me aske what he made there, held vp his head and neighed, and after his maner laught as heartily as if a mare had bene tyed to his girdle. My mailers, faid I, it is no laughing matter ; for if my mafter take you here, you goe, as round as a top, to the pound. Another vntoward Jade hearing me threaten him to the pound, and to tell you of them, call vp both his heeles, and let fuch a monftrous
470 great fart ; that was as much as in his language to fay, A fart for the pound, and a fart for George a Greene. Nowe I hearing this, put on my cap, blewe my home, called them all iades, and came to tell you.
George. Nowe lir, goe and driue me thofe three horfes To the pound.
lenkin. Doe you heare? I were beft take a conftable With me. George. Why fo ? Why, they being gentlemens horfes, may Hand on their
480 Reputation, and will not obey me. George. Goe doe as I bid you, fir. lenkin. Well, I may goe.
The Earle of Kendall^ the Lord Bonfild., and jir Gilbert Armcfl.rong meete them.
Kend.
the Pinner of Wakefield.
Ketid. Whither away, fir >
lenkin. Whither away? I am going to put the horles
In the pound.
Kend. Sirra, thofe three horfes belong to vs, and we put
Them in, and they muft tarrie there, and eate their fill.
lenkin. Stay, I will goe tell my mailer. 490
Heare you, mafter ? we haue another prife :
Thofe three horfes be in your wheate clofe ftill,
And here be three geldings more.
Georg-e. What be thefe >
lenkin. Thefe are the mailers of the horfes.
George. Nowe, gentlemen, I knowe not your degrees,
But more you cannot be, vnlelle you be Kings,
Why wrong you vs of Wakefield with your horfes >
I am the pinner, and before you paffe.
You fhall make good the trefpaife they haue done. 500
Kend. Peace, faucie mate, prate not to vs :
I tell thee, pinner, we are gentlemen.
George. Why fir, fo may I fir, although I giue no armes.
Kend. Thou ? howe art thou a gentleman ?
lenkin. And fuch is my mafter, and he may giue as good
Armes, as euer your great grandfather could giue.
Kend. Pray thee let me heare howe ?
lenkin. Marie my mafter may giue for his armes,
The picture of Aprill in a greene ierkin.
With a rooke on one fill, and an home on the other : 510
But my mailer giues his armes the wrong way ;
For he giues the home on his fift :
C. 3. And
The pleafiint Comedie of
And your grandfather, becaufe he would not lofe his
Armcs,
Weares the home on his owne head.
Kend. Well pinner, fith our horfes be in.
In fpite of thee they now fliall feede their fill.
And eate vntill our leafures ferue to goe.
George. Now by my fathers foule, 520 Were good king Edwards horfes in the corne,
They fliall amend the fcath or kifle the pound,
Much more yours fir, whatfbere you be.
Ke?id. Why man, thou knoweft not vs.
We do belong to Henry Momford Earle of Kendal,
Men that before a month be full expirde,
Will be king Edwards betters in the land.
Georg. King Edwards better, rebell, thou lieft.
George Jlrikes him.
Bonfld. Villaine, what hafl thou done > thou haft ftroke 530 An Earle.
Gear. Why what care 1> A poore man that is true,
Is better then an Earle, if he be falfe :
Traitors reape no better fauours at my hands.
Kend. I, fo me thinks, but thou flialt deare aby this blow.
Now or neuer lay hold on the pinner. Enter all the ambush.
Georg. Stay, my Lords, let vs parlie on thefe broiles :
Not Hercules againft two, the prouerbe is.
Nor I againft fo great a multitude. 540 Had not your troupes come marching as they did,
I would
the Pinner of Wakefield.
I would haue ftopt your paflage vnto London :
But now lie flie to fecret policie.
Kend. What doeft thou murmure, George >
George. Marie this, my Lord, I mule.
If thou be Henrie Momford Kendals Earle,
That thou wilt doe poore G. a Greene this wrong,
Euer to match me with a troupe of men.
Kend. Why doeft thou ftrike me then >
Geor. Why my Lord, meafure me but by yonr felfe :
Had you a man had feru'd you long, jjo
And heard your foe mifufe you behinde your backe,
And would not draw his fword in your defence,
You would cailiere him.
Much more, king Edward is my king :
And before He heare him fo wrong'd,
He die within this place,
And maintaine good whatfoeuer I haue faid.
And if I fpeake not reafon in this cafe.
What I haue faid He maintaine in this place.
Bon. A pardon my Lord for this pinner, y^o
For truft me he fpeaketh like a man of worth.
Kend. Well, George, wilt thou leaue Wakefielde and
Wend with me,
He freely put vp all and pardon thee.
Georg. I my Lord, confidering me one thing.
You will leaue thele armes and follow your good king.
Ken. Why George, I rife not againft king Edward,
But for the poore that is oppreft by wrong,
C. 4. And
The pleafant Comedie of
And if King Edward will redrefle the lame, 570 1 will not offer him difparagement,
But otherwife; and fo let this fuffife :
Thou hear'ft the reafon why I rife in armcs.
Nowe wilt thou leaue Wakefield, and wend with mc,
He make thee captaine of a hardie band,
And when I haue my will, dubbe thee a knight.
George. Why, my Lord, haue you any hope to winne?
Kend. Why, there is a prophecie doeth fay,
That King lames and I Ihall meete at London,
And make the King vaile bonnet to vs both. 580 Geo. If this were true, my Lord, this were a mighty reafon
Ken. Why, it is a miraculous prophecie, and cannot faile.
George. Well, my Lord, you haue almoft turned me.
lenkin, come hither.
lenktn. Sir.
George. Goe your waies home, fir.
And driue me thofe three horfes home vnto my houfe.
And powre them them downe a bufliell of good oates.
lenkin. Well, I will. Mull I giue thefe fcuruie horfes
Oates ? Exit lenkin.
590 Gfor. Will it pleafe you to commaund your traine afide?
Kend. Stand afide. Exit the trayne.
George. Nowe lift to me :
Here in a wood not farre from hence.
There dwels an old man in a caue alone.
That can foretell what fortunes Ihall befall you,
For he is greatly skilful! in magike arte :
Goe
the Pinner of Walcefielcl.
Go you three to him early in the morning,
And queftion him if he faies good,
Why then my Lord, I am the formoft man.
We will march vp with your campe to London. ^oo
Kend. George, thou honoureft me in this:
But where fliall we finde him out >
George. My man fliall conduct you to the place :
But good my Lords tell me true what the wife man faith.
Kend. That will I, as I am Earle of Kendal.
George. Why then, to honour G. a Greene the more,
Vouchfafe a peece of beefe at my poore houfe,
You fhall haue wafer cakes your fill,
A peece of beefe hung vp lince Martilmas,
If that like you not, take what you bring for me. ^lo
Kend. Gramercies, George. Exeunt omnes.
Enter George a Greenes hoy VVily.^ difguifed Sc. vU
like a woman to M. Grimes. Wily. O what is loue > it is fome mightie power, Elfe could it neuer conquer G. a Greene : Here dwels a churle that keepes away his loue, I know the worfl and if I be efpied, Tis but a beating, and if I by this meanes Can get faire Bettris forth her fathers dore. It is inough, Venus for me, and all goes alone, ^,0
Be aiding to my wily enterprife.
He knocks at the do ore.
Enter Grime.
Gri. How now, who knocks there } what would you haue >
D. I. From
The pleafant Comedie of
From whence came you ? where doe you dwell ?
FVily. I am, forfooth, a femtters maide hard-by,
That hath brought worke home to your daughter.
Grime. Nay, are you not Ibme craftie queane,
That comes from George a Greene, that rafcall, ^30 With fome letters to my daughter >
I will haue you fearcht.
Wily. Alas, fir, it is Hebrue vnto me.
To tell me of George a Greene, or any other :
Search me good fir.
And if you finde a letter about me.
Let me haue the punifliment that is due.
Grime, Why are you mufled? I like you the worfe
For that.
Wily. I am not, fir, afham'd to lliew my face, ^40 Yet loth I am my cheekes fliould take the aire.
Not that I am charie of my beauties hue.
But that I am troubled with the tooth-ach fore.
Grime. A pretie wench of fmiling countenance,
Olde men can like, although they cannot loue,
I, and loue, though not fo briefe as yong men can.
Well, goe in, my wench, and Ipeake with my daughter.
Exit.
I wonder much at the Earle of Kendall,
Being a mightie man, as ftill he is, 6%o Yet for to be a traitor to his king,
Is more then God or man will well allow :
But what a foole am I to talke of him ?
My
tlie Pinner of Wakefield.
My minde is more heere of the pretie lalle : Had fhe brought fome fortie pounds to towne, I could be content to make her my wife : Yet I haue heard it in a prouerbe faid, He that is olde, and marries with a lafle, Lies but at home, and prooues himfelfe an afle.
Enter Bettris in VVilies apparell to Grime. How now, my wench, how ill > what not a word ? ^60
Alas, poore foule, the tooth-ach plagues her fore. Well, my wench, here is an Angel for to buy thee pinnes, And 1 pray thee vfe mine houfe,
The oftner the more welcome : farewell. Exit.
Bettris. O blefled loue, and blelled fortune both. But Bettris, ftand not here to talke of loue, But hye thee ftraight vnto thy George a Greene : Neuer went Roe-bucke fwifter on the downes, 66Z
Then I will trip it till I fee my George. Exit.
Enter the Earle of Kendall.^ L. Bonfield^ jir Sc. ■via
Gilbert^ and lenkin the clowne. Kend. Come away lenkin.
Ie7i. Come, here is his houfe. Where be you, ho.^ Georg. Who knocks there f*
Kend. Heere are two or three poore men, father, Would fpeake with you.
Georg. Pray giue your man leaue to leadc me forth. Kend. Goe, lenkin, fetch him forth. len. Come, olde man.
Enter George a Greene difguifed. 6Z0
D. 2. Kend.
The pleafant Comedie of
Kcnd. Father, hcerc is three poore men come to qucition
Thee a word in fecrete that concernes their lines.
George. Say on my ionnes.
Kend. Father, I am fure you heare the newes.
How that the Earle of Kendal wars againft the king,
Now father we three are Gentlemen by birth,
But yonger brethren that want reuenues,
And for the hope we haue to be preferd,
If that we knew that we fliall winne, 6^0 We will march with him :
If not, we will not march a foote to London more.
Therefore good father, tell vs what fliall happen,
Whether the King or the Earle of Kendal iliall win.
George. The king, my fonne.
Kend. Art thou fure of that >
George. I, as fure as thou art Henry Momford,
The one L. Bonfild, the other fir Gilbert.
Kend, Why this is wondrous, being blinde of fight.
His deepe perfeuerance fliould be fuch to know vs. 700 Gilb. Magike is mightie, and foretelleth great matters :
In deede Father, here is the Earle come to fee thee,
And therefore good father fable not with him,
George. Welcome is the Earle to my poore cell.
And fo are you my Lords : but let me counfell you,
To leaue thefe warres againft your king,
And line in quiet.
Kend. Father, we come not for aduice in warre,
But to know whether we fliall win or leefe.
George.
the Pinner of Wakefield.
Georg. Lofe gentle Lords, but not by good king Edward :
A bafer man lliall giue you all the foile. 710
Kend. I marie father, what man is that ?
George. Poore George a Greene the pinner.
Kefid. Whatlhallhe?
George. Pull all your plumes, and fore diflionour you.
Kend. He, as how ?
George. Nay, the end tries all, but fo it will fall out.
Kend. But fo it fliall not by my honor Chrift.
He raife my campe, and fire Wakefield towne.
And take that feruile pinner George a Greene,
And butcher him before king Edwards face. 710
George. Good my Lord be not offended.
For I fpeake no more then arte reueales to me :
And for greater proofe,
Giue your man leaue to fetch me my flaffe.
Kend. lenkin, fetch him his walking ftaffe.
len. Here is your walking ftaffe.
George. He proue it good vpon your carcafes :
A wifer wifard neuer met you yet.
Nor one that better could foredoome your fall :
Now I haue iingled you here alone, 730
I care not though you be three to one.
Kend. Villaine, halt thou betraid vs >
Georg. Momford, thou lieft, neuer was I traitor yet •
Onely deuis'd this guile to draw you on.
For to be combatants.
Now conquere me, and then march on to London :
D. 3. But
The pleafant Comedie of
But fliall goe hard, but I will hold you taske.
Gilb. Come, my Lord, cheerely. He kill him hand to hand.
Kend. A thoufand pound to him that ftrikcs that ftrokc. 740 Gcorg. Then giue it me, for I will haue the firft. Here they fights George kils Jir Gilbert^ and takes the other two prifoners.
Bo?ifild. Stay, George, we doe appeale.
George. To whom.
Bo?i. Why, to the king :
For rather had we bide what he appoynts.
Then here be murthered by a feruile groome.
Kend. What wilt thou doe with vs.^
Georg Euen as Lord Bonfild wilt, 750 You fliall vnto the king.
And for that purpofe fee where the luftice is placed.
Enter lufiice.
luft. Now, my Lord of Kendal, where be al your threats >
Euen as the caufe, fo is the combat fallen,
Elfe one could neuer haue conquerd three.
Kend. I pray thee, WoodrofFe, doe not twit me :
If I haue faulted, I muft make amends.
Geor. Mailer WoodrofFe, here is not a place for many
Words, i6q I befeech ye iir, difcharge all his fouldiers.
That euery man may goe home vnto his owne houfe.
hflice. It fhall bee fo, what wilt thou doe George?
Geor, Matter Woodroffe, looke to your charge,
Leaue me to my felfe.
Jufl.
the Pinner of Wakefield.
lufl. Come, my Lords. Exit all but George.
Gear. Here fit thou, George, wearing a willow wreath, As one defpairing of thy beautious loue : Fie George no more.
Pine not away for that which cannot be : I cannot ioy in any earthly bliile, 770
So long as I doe want my Bettris.
Enter lenkin. len. Who fee a mafter of mine } George. How now, firrha, whither away } len. Whither away ? why who doe you take me to bee ? Georg. Why lenkin my man.
len. I was fo once in deede, but now the cafe is altered. George. I pray thee, as how > len. Were not you a fortune teller to day > Georg. Well, what of that .^ 780
len. So fure am I become a iugler. What will you fay if I iuggle your fweete heart > George. Peace, prating lofell, her ielous father Doth wait ouer her with fuch fufpitious eyes. That if a man but dally by her feete, He thinks it ftraight, a witch to charme his daughter. len. Well, what will you giue me, if I bring her hither ? George. A fute of greene, and twentie crownes befides. len. Well, by your leaue, giue me roome. You mult giue me fomething that you haue lately worne. 790 George. Here is a gowne, will that ferue you > lenkin. I, this will ferue me : keepe out of my circle,
D. 4. Leaft
The plcafaiit Comedic of
Leaft you be torne in pecccs with fliec dcuils :
Miltres Bcttris, once, twice, thrice.
He throTves the ground in^ and she comes out.
Oh is this no cunning?
George, Is this my loue, or is it but her fliadow ?
lenkin. I this is the (liadow, but hcere is the fubftance.
George. Tell mee fweete loue, what good fortune 800 Brought thee hither :
For one it was that fauoured George a Greene.
Bettris. Both loue & fortune brought me to my George,
In whofe fweete fight is all my hearts content.
Gcor. Tell mee fweete loue, how camft thou from thy
Fathers ?
Bettris. A willing minde hath many flips in loue :
It was not I, but Wily thy fweete boy.
Geor. And where is Wily now?
Bettris. In my apparell in my chamber ftill. 810 Geor. lenkin, come hither : Goe to Bradford,
And liiten out your fellow Wily.
Come, Bettris, let vs in.
And in my cottage we will fit and talke.
Exeunt omnes. Sc. ix Enter King Edward., the king of Scots^ Lord
VVarwicke., yong Cuddy ^ and their traine.
Edward. Brother of Scotland, I doe hold it hard,
Seeing a league of truce was late confirmde
Twixt you and me, without difpleafure offered, 820 You fhould make fuch inuafion in my land.
The
the Pinner of Wakefield.
The vowes of kings fliould be as oracles,
Not blemiflit with the ftaine of any breach,
Chiefly where fealtie and homage willeth it.
lames. Brother of England, rub not the fore afrefli.
My confcience grieues me for my deepe mifdeede,
I haue the worlt, of thirtie thoufand men,
There fcapt not full fine thoufand from the field.
Edrvard. Gramercie, Mufgroue, elfe it had gone hard.
Cuddie, He quite thee well ere we two part.
lames. But had not his olde Father William Mufgroue 830
Plaid twice the man, I had not now bene here,
A ftronger man I feldome felt before.
But one of more refolute valiance.
Treads not 1 thinke vpon the Engiilh ground.
Edward. I wot wel, Mufgroue fliall not lofe his hier.
Cuddie. And it pleafe your grace, my father was
Fiue fcore and three at Midfommer laft paft.
Yet had king lamie bene as good as George a Greene,
Yet Billy Mufgroue would haue fought with him.
Edrvard. As George a Greene, I pray thee, Cuddie, 840
Let me queftion thee.
Much haue I heard fince I came to my crowne.
Many in manner of a prouerbe fay.
Were he as good as G. a Green, I would ftrike him fure :
I pray thee tell me, Cuddie, canft thou informe me.
What is that George a Greene.
Cuddie. Know, my Lord, I neuer faw the man,
But mickle talke is of him in the Country,
E They
The pleafant Comedie of
They fliy he is the Pinner of Wakefield towne, 850 But for his other qiiaUties, I let alone.
War. May it pleafe your grace, I know the ma too wel.
Edward. Too well, why fo, Warwicke ?
War. For once he fwingde me, till my bones did ake.
Edward. Why, dares he itrike an Earle >
VVarw. An Earle my Lord, nay he wil ftrike a king,
Be it not king Edward.
For ftature he is framde.
Like to the picture of ftoute Hercules,
And for his carriage paileth Robin Hood. %6o The boldeft Earle or Baron of your land.
That offereth fcath vnto the towne of Wakefield,
George will arrelt his pledge vnto the pound.
And who fo refifteth beares away the blowes.
For he himfelfe is good inough for three.
Edward. Why this is wondrous, my L. of Warwicke,
Sore do I long to fee this George a Greene.
But leaning him, what fliall we do, my Lord,
For to fubdue the rebels in the North?
They are now marching vp to Doncafter. 870 Enter one with the Earle of Kendal prijoner.
Soft, who haue we there >
Cuddle. Here is a traitour, the Earle of Kendal.
Edward. Afpiring traitour, how darlt thou once
Caft thine eyes vpon thy Soueraigne,
That honour'd thee with kindenes and with fauour >
But I will make thee buy this treafon deare.
Kend.
the Pinner of Wakefield.
Kend. Good my Lord. Edw. Reply not, traitour.
Tell me, Cuddy, whofe deede of honour
Wonne the victorie againft this rebell.
Cuddy. George a Greene the Pinner of Wakefield. 880
Edward. George a Greene, now Ihall I heare newes
Certaine what this Pinner is :
Difcourfe it briefly. Cuddy, how it befell.
Cud. Kendall and Bonfild, with fir Gilbert Armftrong,
Came to Wakefield Towne difguifd.
And there fpoke ill of your grace.
Which George but hearing, feld them at his feete^
And had not refcue come into the place,
George had llaine him in his clofe of wheate.
Edward. But Cuddy, canlt thou not tell 890
Where I might giue and grant fome thing,
That might pleafe, & highly gratifie the pinners thoughts }
Cuddle. This at their parting George did fay to me.
If the king vouchjfafe of this my feruice,
Then gentle Cuddie kneele vpon thy knee.
And humbly craue a boone of him for me.
Edward. Cuddie^ what is it >
Cuddie. It is his will your grace would pardon them,
And let them liue although they haue offended.
Edward. I thinke the man ftriueth to be glorious.
Well, George hath crau'd it, and it fliall be graunted.
Which none but he in England fbould haue gotten.
Liue Kendall, but as prifoner.
So fhalt thou end thy dayes within the tower.
E 2. Kend.
900
The pleafaiit Comedie of
Kmd, Gracious is Edward to offending fubiects.
lames. My Lord of Kend. you are welcome to the court.
Edward. Nay, but ill come as it fals out now,
I, ill come in deede, were it not for George a Greene,
But gentle king, for fo you would auerre, 910 And Edwards betters, I falute you both.
And here I vowe by good Saint George,
You wil gaine but litle when your fummes are counted.
I fore doe long to fee this George a Greene :
And for becaufe I neuer faw the North,
I will forthwith goe fee it :
And for that to none I will be knowen.
We will difguife our felues and fteale downe fecretly,
Thou and I king lames, Cuddie, and two or three.
And make a merrie iourney for a moneth. 910 Away then, conduct him to the tower.
Come on king lames, my heart muft needes be merrie.
If fortune make fuch hauocke of our foes. Ex. omnes.
Sc. X Enter Robin Hood^ Mayd Marian^ Scarlet^
and Much the Millers fofme.
Robin. Why is not louely Marian blithe of cheere?
What ayles my Lemman that flie gins to lowre ?
Say good Marian why art thou io fad.
Marian. Nothing, my Robin, grieues me to the heart.
But whenfoeuer I doe walke abroad, 930 1 heare no fongs but all of George a Greene,
Bettris his faire Lemman paileth me.
And this my Robin gaules my very foule.
Robin.
the Pinner of Wakefield,
Robin. Content, what wreakes it vs though George a Greene be ftoute,
So long as he doth proffer vs no fcath > Enuie doth feldome hurt but to it felfe, And therefore, Marian, fmile vpon thy Robin. Marian. Neuer will Marian fmile vpon her Robin, Nor lie with him vnder the green wood (liade, Till that thou go to Wakefield on a greene, 940
And beate the Pinner for the loue of me. Robin. Content thee, Marian, I will eafe thy griefe, My merrie men and I will thither ftray. And heere I vow that for the loue of thee, I will beate George a Greene, or he Ihall beate me. Scarlet. As I am Scarlet, next to little lohn, One of the boldeft yeomen of the crew, So will I wend with Robin all along. And try this Pinner what he dares do.
Much. As I am Much the Millers fonne, 950
That left my Mill to go with thee, And nill repent that I haue done. This pleafant life contenteth me. In ought I may to doe thee good, lie liue and die with Robin Hood. Marian. And Robin, Marian fhe will goe with thee. To fee faire Bettris how bright fhe is of blee. Robin. Marian, thou flialt goe with thy Robin. Bend vp your bowes, and fee your firings be tight, The arrowes keene, and euery thing be ready, ^^^o
E. 3. And
The pleafant Comcdie of
And each of you a good bat on his necke, 1
Able to lay a good man on the ground.
Scarlet. I will haue Frier Tuckes.
Much. I will haue little lohns.
Robin. I will haue one made of an allien plunke,
Able to beare a bout or two.
Then come on, Marian, let vs goe.
For before the Sunne doth (hew the morning day, 96^1 wil be at Wakefield to fee this Pinner George a Greene.
Exeunt omnes. Sc. A» Enter a Shoomaker fitting vpon thejlage
at rvorkey lenkin to him.
len. My mafters, he that hath neither meate nor money,
And hath loft his credite with the Alewife,
For any thing I know, may goe fupperlefle to bed.
But foft who is heere ? here is a Shoomaker :
He knowes where is the beft Ale.
Shoomaker, I pray thee tell me.
Where is the beft Ale in the towne ? 980 Shoomaker. Afore, afore, follow thy nofe :
At the figne of the eggefhell.
lenkin. Come Shoomaker, if thou wilt.
And take thy part of a pot.
Shoomaker. Sirra, Downe with your ftafFe,
Downe with your ftafFe.
lenkin. Why how now, is the fellow mad }
I pray thee tell me, why iliould I hold downe my ftafFe ?
Shooma. You wil downe with him, will you not fir?
lenkin.
the Pinner of Wakefield.
lenkin. Why tell me wherefore >
Shoo. My friend, this is the towne of merry Wakefield, 990
And here is a cuftome held,
That none fliall palle with his ftaffe on his flioulders.
But he muft haue a bout with me,
And fo fliall you fir.
lenkin. And fo will not I fir.
Shoo. That wil I try. Barking dogs bite not the foreft.
lenkin. I would to God, I were once well rid of him.
Shooma. Now, what, will you downe with your ftaffe ?
lenkin. Why you are not in earneft, are you }
Shoomaker. If I am not, take that. 1000
lenkin. You whoorfen cowardly fcabbe.
It is but the part of a clapperdudgeon,
To ftrike a man in the ftreete.
But dareft thou walke to the townes end with me >
Shoomaker. I that I dare do : but ftay till I lay in my
Tooles, and I will goe with thee to the townes end
Prefently.
lenkin. I would I knew how to be rid of this fellow.
Shoom. Come fir, wil you go to the townes end now fir?
lenkin. I fir, come. 10 10
Now we are at the townes end, what fay you now }
Shoomaker. Marry come, let vs euen haue a bout.
lenkin. Ha, ftay a little, hold thy hands, I pray thee.
Shoomaker. Why whats the matter?
lenkin. Faith I am vnder-pinner of a towne.
And there is an order, which if I doe not keepe,
E 4. I fliall
The pleafant Comedie of
I fliall be turned out of mine office.
Shoomaker. What is that, fir }
lenk'in. Wheiifoeuer I goe to fight with any bodie, lozo I vfe to flourifli my ftafFe thrife about my head
Before I ftrike, and then fliew no fauour.
Shoomaker. Well fir, and till then I will not ftrike thee.
Imkin. Wei lir, here is once, twice, here is my hand,
I will neuer doe it the third time.
Shoomaker. Why then I fee we fliall not fight.
lenkin. Faith no : come, I will giue thee two pots
0( the belt Ale, and be friends.
Shoomak. Faith I fee it is as hard to get water out of a flint,
As to get him to haue a bout with me : 1030 Therefore I will enter into him for fome good cheere:
My friend, I fee thou art a faint hearted fellow,
Thou hall no ftomacke to fight.
Therefore let vs go to the Alehoufe and drinke.
lenkin. Well, content, goe thy wayes and fay thy prayers,
Thou fcapft my hands to day. Exeunt omnes.
^^ ^.■- Enter George a Greene and Bettris.
George. Tell me fweet loue, how is thy minde content,
What canft thou brooke to Hue with George a Greene >
Bettris. Oh George, how litle pleafing are thefe words? 1040 Came I from Bradford for the loue of thee >
And left my father for fo fweet a friend >
Here will I liue vntill my life doe end.
Enter Robin Hood^ and Marian^ and his traine.
George. Happy am I to haue fo fweet a loue.
But
the Pinner of Wakefield.
But what are thefe come trafing here along?
Bettris. Three men come Itriking through the corne,
My loue.
George. Backe againe, you foolifli trauellers,
For you are wrong, and may not wend this way.
Robin Hood. That were great fhame. lo^o
Now by my foule, proud fir,
We be three tall yeomen, and thou art but one :
Come, we will forward in defpite of him.
George. Leape the ditch, or I will make you skip.
What, cannot the hie way ferue your turne,
But you muft make a path ouer the corne ?
Robin. Why, art thou mad? dar'ft thou incounter three?
We are no babes, man, looke vpon our limmes.
Geo. Sirra, the biggelt lims haue not the ftouteft hearts.
Were ye as good as Robin Hood, and his three mery men, lo^o
lie driue you backe the fame way that ye came.
Be ye men, ye fcorne to incounter me all at once,
But be ye cowards, fet vpon me all three.
And try the Pinner what he dares performe.
Scarlet Were thou as high in deedes,
As thou art haughtie in wordes.
Thou well mighteft be a champion for a king :
But emptie veflels haue the loudeft founds,
And cowards prattle more than men of worth.
George. Sirra, darell thou trie me } j^^o
Scarlet. I firra, that I dare.
They fight^ and George a Greene beats him.
F Much,
The pleafant Comedle of
Much. How now ? what art thou downe f*
Come, fir, I am next.
They fighty and George a Greene heates him.
Robin Hood. Come firra, now to me, fpare me not,
For lie not fpare thee.
George. Make no doubt, I will be as liberall to thee. They fighty Robin Hoodjiayes. 1080 Robin Hood. Stay, George, for here I doo proteft,
Thou art the ilouteft champion that euer I layd
Handes vpon.
George, Soft you iir, by your leaue you lye,
You neuer yet laid hands on me.
Robin Hood. George, wilt thou forfake Wakefield,
And go with me.
Two liueries will I giue thee euerie yeere,
And fortie crownes fhall be thy fee.
George. Why, who art thou > 1090 Robin Hood. Why, Robin Hood :
I am come hither with my Marian,
And thefe my yeomen for to vilit thee.
George. Robin Hood ? next to king Edward
Art thou leefe to me :
Welcome, fweet Robin, welcome, mayd Marian,
And welcome, you my friends.
Will you to my poore houfe.
You fhall haue wafer cakes your fill,
A peece of beefe hung vp fince Martlemas, "00 Mutton and veale, if this like you not.
Take
the Pinner of Wakefield.
Take that you finde, or that you bring for me.
Robin Hood. Godamercies, good George,
He be thy gheft to day.
George, Robin, therein thou honoureft me.
He leade the way. Exeunt omnes.
Enter King Edward^ and King lames sc. xin
dijguifedy with twoflaues. Edward. Come on, king lames, now wee are Thus difgnifed.
There is none (I know) will take vs to be kings : mo
I thinke we are now in Bradford, Where all the merrie fhoomakers dwell.
Enter a Shoomaker. Shoomaker. Downe with your ftaues, my friends, Downe with them.
Edward. Downe with our ftaues ? I pray thee, why fo ? Shoomaker. My friend, I fee thou art a ftranger heere, Elfe wouldeft thou not haue queftiond of the thing. This is the towne of merrie Bradford,
And here hath beene a cuftome kept of olde, mo
That none may beare his ftaffe vpon his necke, But traile it all along throughout the towne, Vnlefle they meane to haue a bout with me. Edward. But heare you iir, hath the king Granted you this cuftome ?
Shoomaker. King or Kaifar, none llmll paile this way. Except King Edward, No not the ftouteft groome that haunts his court :
F 2. There-
The pleafant Comedie of
Therefore downe with your ftaues. ^^l^ Edivard. What were we belt to do ?
lames. Faith, my Lord, they are ftoute fellowes.
And becaufe we will fee fome fport.
We will traile our ftaues.
Edward. Heer'ft thou, my friend >
Becaufe we are men of peace and trauellers,
We are content to traile our ftaues.
Shoomaker, The way lyes before you, go along.
Enter Robin Hood and George a Greene difguifed.
Robin Hood. See George, two men are pafsing 1 140 Through the towne.
Two luftie men, and yet they traile their ftaues.
George. Robin, they are fome pefants
Trickt in yeomans weedes. Hollo, you two trauellers.
Edward. Call you vs, fir >
George. I, you. Are ye not big inough to beare
Your bats vpon your neckes,
But you muft traile them along the ftreetes >
Edwar. Yes fir, we are big inough, but here is a cuftome
Kept, that none may pafle his ftaffe vpon his necke, ujo Vnleffe he traile it at the weapons point.
Sir, we are men of peace, and loue to fleepe
In our whole skins, and therefore quietnes is beft.
George. Bafe minded pefants, worthlefle to be men,
What, haue you bones and limmes to ftrike a blow.
And be your hearts fo faint, you cannot fight ?
Wert not for fliame, I would flirub your Ihoulders well,
And
the Pinner of Wakefield.
And teach you manhood againft another time.
Shoom. Well preacht fir lacke, downe with your ftafFe.
Edrvar. Do you heare my friends ? and you be wife,
Keepe downe your ftaues, n^o
For all the towne will rife vpon you.
George. Thou fpeakeft like an honeft quiet fellow.
But heare you me, In fpite of all the fwaines
Oi Bradford town, beare me your ftaues vpou your necks.
Or to begin withall. He bafte you both fo well.
You were neuer better bafted in your lines.
Edward. We will hold vp our ftaues.
George a Greene fi^ts with the Shoomakers^ and heates them all downe. George. What, haue you any more } ji7o
Call all your towne forth, cut, and longtaile.
The Shoomakers fpy George a Greene. Shoomaker. What, George a Greene, is it you > A plague found you, I thinke you long'd to fwinge me well. Come George, we wil crufli a pot before we part. George. A pot you flaue, we will haue an hundred. Heere, Will Perkins, take my purfe, Fetch me a ftand of Ale, and fet in the Market place. That all may drinke that are athirft this day, nSo
For this is for a feee to welcome Robin Hood To Bradford towne.
They bring out theflande of ale., and fall a drinking. Here Robin, fit thou here : for thou art the beft man
F 3. At
The pleafant Comedie of
At the boord this day.
You that are ft rangers, place your felues where you will.
Robin, heer's a caroufe to good King Edwards felfe,
And they that loue him not, I would we had
The bafting of them a litle. 1190 Enter the Earle of Warrvicke with other noble
men^ bringing out the Kings garments: then George a Greene and the reji kneele downe to the Ki?ig.
Edward. Come, mafters, all fellowes.
Nay, Robin, you are the beft man at the boord to day.
Rife vp George.
George. Nay, good my Liege, ill nurturd we were then:
Though we Yorkefliire men be blunt of fpeech,
And litle skild in court, or fuch quaint falhions, 12 00 Yet nature teacheth vs duetie to our king :
Therefore I humbly befeech you pardon George a Green.
Robin. And good my Lord, a pardon for poore Robin,
And for vs all a pardon, good King Edward.
Shoomaker. I pray you, a pardon for the Shoomakers.
Edward. I frankely grant a pardon to you all.
And, George a Greene, giue me thy hand :
There is none in England that fliall doe thee wrong.
Euen from my court I came to fee thy felfe j
And now I fee that fame fpeakes nought but trueth. 1 110 Georg. I humbly thanke your royall Maieftie.
That which I did againft the Earle of Kendal,
It was but a fubiects duetie to his Soueraigne,
And
the Pinner of Wakefield.
And therefore little merit fuch good words.
Edward. But ere I go, lie grace thee with good deeds.
Say what King Edward may performe,
And thou fhalt haue it, being in Engiands bounds.
George. I haue a louely Lemman,
As bright of blee as is the iiluer moone,
And olde Grimes her father will not let her match
With me, becaufe I am a Pinner, 1220
Although I loue her, and flie me dearely.
Edward. Where is flie }
George. At home at my poore houfe,
And vowes neuer to marrie vnlefle her father
Giue confent, which is my great griefe, my Lord.
Edward. If this be all, I will difpatch it ftraight.
He fend for Grime, and force him giue his grant.
He will not denie king Edward fuch a fute.
Enter lenkin., and fpeakes. Ho, who faw a matter of mine ? 1230
Oh he is gotten into company, and a b odie fhould rake Hell for companie.
George. Peace, ye flaue, fee where King Edward is. Edward. George, what is he ?
George. I befeech your grace pardon him, he is my man. Shoomaker. Sirra, the king hath bene drinking with vs. And did pledge vs too.
lenkin. Hath he fo > kneele, I dub you gentlemen. Shoomaker, Beg it of the King, lenkin.
lenkin. I wil. I befeech your worfhip grant me one thing. 1240
F 4. Edward.
The pleafant Comedie of
Edward. What is that ?
lenkin. Hearke in your eare.
He whifpers the king in the care.
Edward. Goe your wayes and do it.
lenkin. Come downe on your knees, I haue got it.
Shoomaher. Let vs heare what it is firft.
lenkin. Mary, becaufe you haue drunke with the king.
And the king hath fo gracioufly pledgd you.
You fhall be no more called Shoomakers. 1x50 But you and yours to the worlds ende.
Shall be called the trade of the gentle craft.
Shoomaker. I befeech your maieftie reforme this
Which he hath fpoken.
lenkin. I befeech your worfhip confume this
Which he hath fpoken.
Edward. Confirme it, you would fay.
Well, he hath done it for you, it is fufficient.
Come, George, we will goe to Grime,
And haue thy loue. \^6o lenkin. I am fure your worfhip will abide :
For yonder is comming olde Mufgroue,
And mad Cuddie his fonne.
iSIafter, my fellow Wilie comes dreft like a woman.
And mailer Grime will marrie Wilie : Heere they come.
Enter Mufgroue and Cuddie^ and mafler
Grime^ VVilie.^ Mayd Marian
and Bettris.
Edward. Which is thy old father, Cuddie ?
Cuddie.
the Pinner of Wakefield.
Cuddle. This, if itpleafe your maieftie.
Edward. Ah old Mufgroue, kneele vp, 1170
It fits not fuch gray haires to kneele.
Mufgroue. Long Hue my Soueragine,
Long and happie be his dayes :
Vouchfafe, my gracious Lord, a fimple gift,
At Billy Mufgroues hand :
King lames at Meddellom caftle gaue me this,
This wonne the honour, and this giue I thee.
Edward. Godamercie, Mufgroue, for this friendly gift
And for thou feldft a king with this fame weapon.
This blade fhall here dub valiant Mufgroue knight. izSo
Mufgr. Alas what hath your highnes done? I am poore.
Edw. To mend thy lining take thou Meddellom caftle,
The hold of both : and if thou want liuing, complaine.
Thou fhalt haue more to mainetaine thine eftate.
George, which is thy loue >
George. This, if pleafe your maieftie.
Edward. Art thou her aged father }
Grime. I am, and it like your maieftie.
Edwar. And wilt not giue thy daughter vnto George?
Grime. Yes, my Lord, if he will let me marrie 1290
With this louely lafle.
Edward. What fayft thou, George ?
George. With all my heart, my Lord, I giue confent.
Grime. Then do I giue my daughter vnto George.
VVilie. Then fhall the mariage foone be at an end.
WitnefTe, my Lord, if that I be a woman,
G For
The pleafant Comedie of
For I am Wilie, boy to George a Greene,
Who for my mafter wrought this fubtill fliift.
Edrvar. What, is it a boy? what fayfl thou to this Grime? 1300 Grime. Mary, my Lord, I thinke this boy hath
More knauerie, than all the world belides.
Yet am I content that George lliall both haue
My daughter and my lands.
Edward. Now George, it refts I gratifie thy worth :
And therefore here I doe bequeath to thee,
In full pofTeffion halfe that Kendal hath.
And what as Bradford holdes of me in chiefe,
I giue it frankely vnto thee for euer.
Kneele downe George. 1310 George. What will your maieftie do ?
Edward. Dub thee a knight, George.
George, I befeech your grace, grant me one thing.
Edward. What is that ?
George. Then let me liue and die a yeoman ftill:
So was my father, fo muft liue his fonne.
For tis more credite to men of bafe degree,
To do great deeds, than men of dignitie.
Edward. Well, be it fo George.
lames. I befeech your grace difpatch with me, 1310 And fet downe my ranfome.
Edward. George a Greene, fet downe the king of Scots
His ranfome.
George. I befeech your grace pardon me.
It pafleth my skill.
Edward.
the Pinner of Wakefield.
Edward. Do it, the honor's thine.
George. Then let king lames make good
Thofe townes which he hath burnt vpon the borders,
Giue a fmall penfion to the fatherlelle,
Whofe fathers he caus'd murthered in thofe warres,
Put in pledge for thefe things to your grace, 1330
And fo returne. King lames, are you content.
lamie, I am content : and like your maieftie,
And will leaue good caftles in fecuritie.
Edward. I craue no more. Now George a Greene,
lie to thy houfe : and when I haue fupt, lie go to Aske,
And fee if lane a Barley be fo faire,
As good King lames reports her for to be.
And for the ancient cuftome of Fade fiaffe^ keepe it ftill,
Clayme priuiledge from me :
If any aske a reafon why? or how.^ 1340
Say, Englifh Edward vaild his (lafFe to you.
FINIS.
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