HANDBOUND AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS
PRINTED FOR THE MALONE SOCIETY BY
HORACE HART M.A., AT THE
OXFORD UNIVERSITY
PRESS
THE
OLD WIVES TALE
1595
<\ ^
THE MALONE SOCIETY
REPRINTS rfj,
1908
This reprint of the Old Wives Tale has been pre pared by the General Editor and checked by Frank Sidgwick.
FA. 1909. W. W. Greg.
The following entry is found in the Registers of the Stationed Company :
xvjto die Aprilis [159?] •/• • •
Entred for his Copie vnder thandes of bothe the wardens Ralph Hancock a booke or interlude intituled a pleasant Conceipte called the
owlde wifes tale vjd./.
[Arber's Transcript, II. 196.]
Within the year appeared an edition in quarto, the only one known to have been issued. It was printed by John Danter, and the name of John Hardy was associated with Hancock's as publisher. The address without Cripplegate given in the colophon, being neither Banter's nor Hardy's, presumably belonged to Hancock, who appears in the Registers as publishing from 15-93 to 15-9 5-, though no other book connected with him seems to have survived. The title-page reports that the comedy was c played by the Queenes Maiesties players ', a company whose fortunes began to decline soon after 1^90 and whose career had probably come to an end, at least so far as London was concerned, before the play was published. There is added the further information that the piece was c Written by G. P.' None of the early bibliographers of the drama had seen the play. In 1770 Chetwood invented the entry, cAn olde Wyfe her Tale, 1^98,' which is sufficient evidence
that neither had he. In 1782 the Biograpbica Dramatica, quoting his entry, added that of the Stationers' Register. Not till the edition of 1 8 1 2 was any account of the play from actual inspection included. Meanwhile a fairly correct description had been given, and the identification of the initials as those of George Peele made, by Herbert in his Typographical Antiquities of 1785"— 90. The source of his information is doubtful, but the identification has never been challenged.
The date of composition is pretty certainly about 15*90, a date suggested by the burlesque hexameters of Huanebango. One of these (11. 8 1 3-4) is taken verbatim from Gabriel Harvey's Encomium Lauri (in the Three Letters of 15-80). Another (11. 801-2) is practically made up of tags from Stanyhurst (Aeneis, &c., 15-82), similar to those ridiculed by Nashe in his preface to Greene's Menapbon (i 789). Points of resemblance have also been noticed between the Old Wives Tale and Orlando Furioso. Thus 11. 1072-5- are largely identical with Orlando, 73-6; while the expression < Three blue beanes in a blue bladder, rattle bladder rattle '(11. 819-20), which however was no doubt proverbial, recurs in the Dulwich manuscript of Orlando (11. 136-7, fol. 2*3). Thus a connection is established between the two plays, but the
vi
question of priority left open. This is settled by the name Sacrapant in the Tale^ corresponding to Sacrepant in Orlando. Greene, of course, took the name from Ariosto (Sacripante), and Peele must therefore have borrowed from Greene.
Of the original quarto copies are extant in the British Museum (162. d. 5-3), and the Dyce collection. The second is imperfect, having the leaves F 2-3 in facsimile, but it preserves the initial leaf with the signature < A' wanting in the Museum copy. F4 is absent in both. Both copies have been collated for the present reprint. That in the Dyce collec tion presents variants owing to its having an uncorrected inner forme to sheet E : they are recorded in the list of readings below. The quarto is printed in the ordinary roman fount of a body closely approximating to modern English (20 11. = 94 mm.).
No attempt has been made to divide the play into scenes, since no satisfactory arrangement appears possible. The quarto almost certainly represents a mutilated text and the indications of staging are confused, while the fact that certain characters remain on the stage throughout renders the ordinary principle of division inapplicable.
vii
LIST OF IRREGULAR AND DOUBTFUL READINGS
3 Frantickey (Frolicke,)
17 (not indented)
68 barke. .
71 thethrefhold,
122 Of Of
193 fnow :
200 comes
140 afwell
285 trees j (trees,)
373 thougts,
382 Huau: (Huan: but ? Booby:)
385 Huanaiango
394-5 fuper-|fantiall
449 Sacr: (speech should run on)
451 for meate for
4-79 or (nor) for (from ?)
49* is
495 a fide
511 arts hath
541 thy (my)
544 Corobus, (Corebus,)
552 Simon: (i.e. Church warden = Steven Loach, 1. 597)
560 Corobus: (Corebus:)
563 buriall. (period doubtful)
564 aflure (as fure) comes
Who hawe
gold 774 laies 787 birde (beard — cf. 11. 971,
809 Foe, (Foh, ?)
%^^ rim (rude Dyce copy)
844 knaue,-
845-6" ka wil-|fliaw.
%66 Who's (Whofe Dyce copy)
898-9 impor-|nate
914 Exeunt
came
941 daunced
950 halfes
9 71,978 goulde beard (goulden
bird Dyce copy)
989 iuft . . . coiners . . . coine (toft . . . quoiners . . . quine Dyce copy) 995 come, 1006 (not indented) 10 1 8 pearft, 1075 Cuts
1092-3 h[e fe-]|med (a partial impression of the e- is all that appears of the bracketed letters in the original)
1157 windowes fhuts 627 of (/'. e. on)
N.B. — The error in 1. 71 arose in the course of printing off. A space somehow dropped out and the type closed up. In the Dyce copy the last word still stands almost at the end of the line, but the type gradually crept back, and in the B. M. copy there is about an en-space blank at the end. Other copies may perhaps show the space in its right place.
viii
LIST OF CHARACTERS
in order of entrance
ANTIC \
FROLIC L three pages. FANTASTIC j CLUNCH, the smith. MADGE, his old wife.
CALYPHA ) first and second
^ALiirrlA I i i • i /»
^ Y brother in search of
THELEA J their sister Delia.
ERESTUS, the old man at the
cross.
VENELIA, his betrothed. LAMPRISCUS, a countryman. HUANEBANGO, a braggart. COREBUS, or BOOBY, the clown. SACRAPANT, a Thessalian magi-
tian.
DELIA, daughter of Thenores, King of Thessaly.
a Friar.
EUMENIDES, the wandering knight, in search of Delia.
WIGGEN, fellow of Corebus.
STEVEN LOACH, a Church warden.
a Sexton.
ZANTIPPA, the ^ curst
CELANTA, or ZE- LANTO, the fouL
a Voice from the Well of Life.
the ghost of JACK.
the Hostess.
daughters
of Lampriscus,
Harvest-men and women singing (11. 306, 64.0), two Furies (11. 504., £78?, 773), Fiddlers (1. 5,17).
Calypha is first named at 1. 4.84, Thelea at 1. noi ; their father's name appears in 1. 508. The old man's name is first given as Erestus in 1. noo. Venelia enters at 11. a$3, loya, 1098, but has no part assigned her. Corebus is called Booby throughout his first entry, 1. ^I^ and following. The Churchwarden is named at 1. £97, but cf. 1. 5-51. The foul daughter is named Celanta in IT 7^3 and Zelanto~in 1. 960. The name does not elsewhere occur in full, but the C-form is found consistently as a prefix in her first entry, and the Z-form in her second. The first speech of the Voice from the Well is assigned to c Head ' (1. 786), but on the second occasion two heads appear though there is only one speech (1. 970). The c Voice ' of 1. 6^ comes from the cell and is probably Sacrapant's.
ix b
A/
THE
Old Wiucs Talc.
A pleafant conceite
die, played by the Q iefties players.
Written by G. p
Printed at London by lohn Danter, and arc to be fold by Rtfb Hwecke, Hardic. i
;
A 2 RECTO (162. d.
The old Wiues Talc.
Enter Anticke, Frolickc andFantaftich*
Anticke.
Ow nowc fcllcwc Franticke, what all a mort ? Doth this fad- nes become thy madncsMhat though wee haue loft our way in the woodes, yet nevier hang the head, as though thou hadit no hope to line till to morrow : for Fantastic kt and I will warrant thy life to night for twenty in the hundred
F roll eke: AttkkewA Fwtasiicke, as latn frollicke franion , neuer in all my life was I fo dead flaine . \\7hat? to loofe our way in the \vo(;de, without either tire cr candle fo vncom- f ortable? 0 c&luml O terra ! O wana! O Ncftuncl A
A RECTO
: What Gammer, a fleepe? oldvcom: By the Was fonne tisalmcft day, and my windowes fhuts at the Cocks crow.
Frol : Boo you heare Gammer, mce thinkcs ithis lacke bcrc a great fway afnongft thenv.
oUwom: Oman, this was thcghoftdf the
Tpoorc man, that they kept fuch a coylc to burie,
: & that makes him tolieJp the wandring knight
fo much : But come let vs in,we will haue acup
of ale and a toft this morning and fc depart.
Font : Then you hauc made aii end of your talc Gammot •• ^ *
Oldw&ni Yes faith : Whf n this was done I tookcapeececf bread and cheefe, end came myway, andibflr.allyou hauctoo before you goe,to your breakefaft.
.
,
Printed at London by lokn Darter, for K^b Hwctxke, and / cbn Hardic , and are to be foldeat the (hep oucragainft Saint Giles his Church with out Criplcgatc. '
* S fi /•
•
F 3 VERSO
THE Old Wiues Tale
A pleafant conceited Gome- die, played by the Queenes Ma- iefties players.
Written by G. P.
Printed at London by lohn Danter, and are to
be fold by Kafh Hancocke, and lohn
Hardie. 1.
The old Wiues Tale.
Enter Jlnticke, Frolicke and Fantasticke.
Anticke.
Ow no we fellowe Franticke, what all a mort? Doth this fad- nes become thy madnes? What though wee haue loft our way in the woodes, yet neuer hang the head, as though thou hadft no hope to liue till to morrow : for Fantasticke and I will warrant thy life to night for twenty in 10 the hundred.
Frolicke: Anticke and Fantasticke, as I am frollicke franion, neuer in all my life was I fo dead flaine. What? to loofe our way in the woode, without either fire or candle fo vncom- fortable? 0 ccelum! 0 terra! 0 marial 0 Neptune!
A 3 Fan-
The Old VViues Tale.
Fantas. Why makes thou it fo ftrange, feeing Cupid hath led our yong mafter to the faire La dy and fhe is the only Saint that he hath fworne 10 to ferue.
Frollicke. What refteth then but wee com mit him to his wench, and each of vs take his Hand vp in a Tree, and fing out our ill fortune to the tune of O man in defperation.
Ant. Defperately fpoken fellow Frollicke in the darke : but feeing it falles out thus, let vs re- hearfe the old prouerb.
Three merrie men, and three merrie men,
And three merrie men be rvee. 30 I in the wood, and thou on the ground,
And lacke Jleepes in the tree.
Fan. Hufh a dogge in the wood, or a wooden dogge, O comfortable hearing! I had euen as liue the Chamberlaine of the white Horfe had called me vp to bed.
Frol. Eyther hath this trotting Cur gone out of his cyrcuit, or els are we nere fome village,
Enter a Smith with a Lanthorne & Candle. which fhould not be farre off, for I perceiue the 4oglymring of a Gloworme, a Candle, or a Cats eye, my life for a halfe pennie. In the name of my own father, be thou Oxe or Afle that appea- reft, tell vs what thou art.
Smith. What am I? Why I am Clunch the Smith, what are you, what make you in my ter ritories
The Old V Vines Tale. ritories at this time of the night r
Ant. What doe we make doll thou aske f> why we make faces for feare : fuch as if thy mortal I eyes could behold, would make thee water the long feames of thy fide flops, Smith. 50
Frol. And in faith Sir vnlefle your hofpitalitie doe releeue vs, wee are like to wander with a forrowfull hey ho, among the owlets, & Hob goblins of the Forreft : good Vulcan, for Cupids fake that hath coufned vs all : befriend vs as thou maieft, and commaund vs howfoeuer, wherefoeuer, whenfoeuer, in whatfoeuer, for e- uer and euer.
Smith. Well Matters it feemes to mee you haue loft your waie in the wood : in confide- 60 ration whereof, if you will goe with Clunch to his Cottage, you fhall haue houfe roome, and a good fire to fit by, althogh we haue no bedding to put you in.
All. O blefled Smith, O bountifull Clunch.
Smith. For your further intertainment, it fhall be as it may be, fo and fo.
Heare a Dogge barke..
Hearke this is Bali my Dogge that bids you all welcome in his own language, come take heed 70 for (tumbling on thethrefhold, open dore Madge take in guefts. Enter old woman.
01 Welcome Clunch £ good fellowes al that come with my good ma for my good mans fake
come
The old VFiues tale.
come on lit downe here is a peece of cheefe & a pudding of my owne making.
Anticke: Thanks Gammer a good example for the wines of our towne.
Frolicke: Gammer thou and thy good man 80 fit louingly together, we come to chat and not to eate.
Smith: Well Mafters if you will eate no thing take away : Come, what doo we to pafle away the time ? Lay a crab in the fire to roft for Lambes-wooll ; what ftiall wee haue a game at Trumpe or Ruffe to driue away the time, how fay you >
Fantasticke: This Smith leades a life as mer-
rie as a King with Madge his wife ; Syrrha Fro-
9° licke^ I am fure thou art not without fome
round or other, no doubt but Clunch can beare
his part.
Frolicke; Els thinke you mee ill brought vp, fo fet to it when you will. they Jing.
Song.
as the Rie reach to the chin^ And chopcherrie chopcherrie ripe within^ Strawberries fwimming in the creame^ And fchoole boy es playing in thejlreame: ioo Then 0, then 0, then 0 my true loue faid^ Till that time come againe^ Shee could not Hue a maid.
Anticke
The old Wtues tale.
Ant: This fport dooes well : but me thinkes Gammer, a merry winters tale would driue a- way the time trimly, come I am fure you are not without a fcore.
Fantast: I faith Gammer a tale of an howre long were as good as an howres fleepe.
Fro I: Looke you Gammer, of the Gyant and the Kings Daughter, and I know not what, no I haue feene the day when I was a litle one, you might haue drawne mee a mile after you with fuch a difcourfe.
Old woman : Well, fince you be fo importu nate, my good man Ihall fill the pot and get him to bed, they that ply their worke muft keepe good howres, one of you goe lye with him, he is a cleane skind man I tell you, without either fpauin or windgall, fo I am content to driue a- way the time with an old wiues winters tale. no
Fantast: No better hay in Deuonfhire, a my word Gammer, He be one of of your audience.
Frolicke: And I another thats flat.
Anticke: Then muft I to bed with the good man, Bona nox Gammer, God night Frolicke.
Smith: Come on my Lad, thou {halt take thy vnnaturall reft with me.
Exeunt Anticke and the Smith.
Frollicke: Yet this vantage fhall we haue of them in the morning, to bee ready at the fight 130 thereof extempore.
B Old
The Old Virtues Tale.
Old worn: No we this bargaine my Mafters muft I make with you, that you will fay hum & ha to my tale, fo fhall I know you are awake.
Both: Content Gammer that will we doo.
Old worn : Once vppon a time there was a King or a Lord, or a Duke that had a faire daugh ter, the faireft that euer was ; as white as fnowe, and as redd as bloud : and once vppon a time his 1 4o daughter was ftollen away, and hee fent all his men to feeke out his daughter, and hee fent fo long, that he fent all his men out of his Land.
Frol: Who dreft his dinner then?
Old woman: Nay either heare my tale, or kifle my taile.
Fan : Well fed, on with your tale Gammer.
Old woman: O Lord I quite forgot, there was a Coniurer, and this Coniurer could doo any thing, and hee turned himfelfe into a great i jo Dragon, and carried the Kinges Daughter away in his mouth to a Caftle that hee made of ftone, and there he kept hir I know not how long, till at laft all the Kinges men went out fo long, that hir two Brothers went to feeke hir. O I forget : fhe (he I would fay) turned a proper yong man to a Beare in the night, and a man in the day, and keeps by a crofle that parts three feuerall waies, & he made his Lady run mad : gods me bones who comes here? Enter the two 'Brothers. 160 Frol: Soft Gammer, here fome come to tell
your
The Old Wiues Tale. your tale for you.
Fant: Let them alone, let vs heare what they will fay.
/. Brother: Vpon thefe chalkie Cliffs of Albion We are ariued now with tedious toile, And compaffing the wide world round about To feeke our filter, to feeke faire Delya forth, Yet cannot we fo much as heare of hir.
2. Brother : O fortune criiell, cruell & vnkind, Vnkind in that we cannot find our lifter ; i70
Our lifter haples in hir cruell chance : Soft who haue we here. Enter Senex at the Crojje ftooping to gather.
1. Brother: Now father God be your speed, What doo you gather there?
Old man: Hips and Hawes, and ftickes and ftrawes, and thinges that I gather on the ground my fonne.
/. Brother: Hips and Hawes, and ftickes and ftrawes, why is that all your foode father? 180
Old man: Yea fonne.
2. Brother: Father, here is an Almes pennie for mee, and if I fpeede in that I goe for, I will giue thee as good a Gowne of gray as euer thou diddeft weare.
/. Brother: And Father here is another almes pennie for me, and if I fpeede in my iourney, I will giue thee a Palmers ftaffe of yuorie, and a fcallop fliell of beaten gold.
B 2 Old
The Old VViues Tale. ipo Old man : Was fliee fay re?
2. Brother: I the faireft for white, and the pu- reft for redd, as the blood of the Deare, or the driuen fnow : (old fpell :
Old m : Then harke well and marke well, my Be not afraid of euery ftranger, Start not alide at euery danger : Things that feeme are not the fame, Blow a blaft at euery flame : For when one flame of fire goes out, 200 Then comes your wifhes well about : If any aske who told you this good, Say the white Beare of Englands wood.
/. Brother: Brother heard you not what the old man faid :
Be not afraid of euery ftranger, Start not afide for euery danger : Things that feeme are not the fame, Blow a blaft at euery flame : If any aske who told you this good, no Say the white Beare of Englands wood.
2. Brother: Well if this doo vs any good, Wei fare the white Bear of Englands wood. ex.
Old ma : Now fit thee here & tel a heauy tale. Sad in thy moode, and fober in thy cheere, Here fit thee now and to thy felfe relate, The hard mifhap of thy moft wretched ftate. In TheJJalie I liu'd in fweete content, Vntill that Fortune wrought my ouerthrow;
For
The Old VViues tale. For there I wedded was vnto a dame, That liu'd in honor, vertue, loue, and fame : But Sacrapant that curfed forcerer, Being belotted with my beauteous loue : My deerelt loue, my true betrothed wife, Did feeke the meanes to rid me of my life. But worfe than this, he with his chanting fpels, Did turne me ftraight vnto an vgly Beare ; And when the funne doth fettle in the well, Then I begin to don my vgly hide : And all the day I fit, as now you fee, And fpeake in riddles all infpirde with rage, 1}0 Seeming an olde and miferable man : And yet I am in Aprill of my age. Enter Venelia bis Lady mad ; and goes in again e. See where Venelya my betrothed loue, Runs madding all inrag'd about the woods ; All by his curfled and inchanting fpels.
Enter Lamprifcus with a pot of Honny.
But here comes Lamprifcus my difcontented neighbour. How now neighbour, you looke towarde the ground afwell as I, you mufe on 140 fomething.
Lamp: Neighbour on nothing, but on the matter I fo often mooued to you : if you do any thing for charity, helpe me ; if for neighborhood or brotherhood, helpe me: neuer was one fo combered as is poore Lampryfcus: and to be gin, I pray receiue this potte of Honny to mend
B 3 your
The Old VViues Tale. your fare.
Old man: Thankes neighbor, fet it downe, i5oHonny is alwaies welcome to the Beare.
And now neighbour let me heere the caufe of your comming.
Lamprifcus: I am (as you knowe neigh bour) a man vnmaried, and liued fo vnquietly with my two wiues, that I keepe euery yeare holy the day wherein I buried the both ; the firft was on faint Andrewes day ; the other on faint Lukes.
Old man : And now neighbour, you of this z6o country fay, your cuftome is out : but on with your tale neighbour.
Lamp: By my firft wife, whofe tongue wea ried me aliue, and founded in my eares like the clapper of a great Bell, whofe talke was a conti- nuall torment to all that dwelt by her, or liued nigh her, you haue heard me fay I had a hand- fome daughter.
Old man : True neighbour.
Lampr: Shee it is that afflictes me with her 270 continuall clamoures, and hangs on me like a Burre: poore fhee is, and proude fhee is, as poore as a fheepe new Ihorne, and as proude of her hopes, as a Peacock of her taile well growne.
Old man: Well faid Lampryfcus, you fpeake it like an Englilhman.
Lampr :
The Old VViues Tale.
Lampr: As curft as a wafpe, and as frowarde as a cnilde new taken from the mothers teate, ftiee is to my age, as fmoake to the eyes, or as vi negar to the teeth. *8o
Old man : Holily praifed neighbour, as much for the next.
Lampr: By my other wife I had a daughter, fo hard fauoured, fo foule and ill faced, that I thinke a groue full of golden trees ; and the leaues of Rubies and Dyamonds, would not bee a dowrie aunfwerable to her deformi- tie.
Old man: Well neighbour, nowe you haue fpoke, heere me fpeake ; fend them to the Well 190 for the water of life : there fhall they finde their fortunes vnlooked for ; Neighbour farewell.
Exit.
Lampr: Farewell and a thoufand, and now goeth poore. Lampryfcus to put in execution this excellent counfell. Exeunt.
Fro I: Why this goes rounde without a fid- ling ttick ; but doo you heare Gammer, was this the man that was a Beare in the night, and a man in the day? 3°°
Old woman : I this is hee ; and this man that came to him was a beggar, and dwelt vppon a greene. But foft, who comes here ? O thefe are the harueft men ; ten to one they fing a fong of mowing.
Enter
The Old Values Tale. Enter the karuest men a Jinging^ with this
Song double repeated. All yee that lonely loners be^ fray you for mey Loe here we come afowing^ a J owing, 310 And fowe Jweete fruites of lone :
In your jweete hearts well may it prooue. Exeunt. Enter Huanebango with his two hand fword^
and Booby the Clowne. Fant : Gammer, what is he ? Old woman : O this is one that is going to the coniurer, let him alone, here what he fayes.
Huan: Now by Mars and Mercury ', lupiter and lanus^ Sol and Saturnus, Venus and Vefla^ Pallas and Proferpina, and by the honor of my 3*0houfe Polimackeroeplacydusy it is a wonder to fee what this loue will make filly fellowes aduen- ture, euen in the wane of their wits, and infanfie of their difcretion. Alas my friend what fortune calles thee foorth to feeke thy fortune among brafen gates, inchanted towers, fire and Brim- ftone, thunder and lightning. Beautie I tell thee is peerelefle, and fhe precious whom thou af- fecteft : do off thefe defires good countriman, good friend runne away from thy felfe, and fb jjofoone as thou canft, forget her; whom none muft inherit but he that can monfters tame, la- boures atchiue, riddles abfolue, loofe inchant- ments, murther magicke, and kill coniuring : and that is the great and mighty Huanebango.
Booby:
The Old Wiues tale.
Booby : Harke you fir, harke you ; Firft know I haue here the flurting feather, and haue giuen the Parifli the ftart for the long ftocke: Nowe fir if it bee no more but running through a little lightning and thunder, and riddle me riddle me whats this, He haue the wench from the Con- 340 iurer if he were ten Coniurers.
Huan: I haue abandoned the Court and ho nourable company, to doo my deuoyre againft this fore Sorcerer and mighty Magitian : if this Ladie be fo faire as fhe is faid to bee, (he is mine, fhe is mine. Meusy mea^ meum^ in con temp turn omnium Grammaticorum.
Booby : 0 falfum Latinum ! the faire maide is minum^ cum apurtinantibus gibletes and all.
Huan: If mee bee mine, as I afliire my felfesfo the heauens will doo fomewhat to reward my worthines ; fhee lhall bee allied to none of the meaneft gods ; but bee inuefted in the molt fa mous ftocke of Huanebango Polimackeroeplaci- dus^ my Grandfather: my father Pergopolyneo: my mother, Dyonora de Sardynya: Famouflie defcended.
Booby : Doo you heare fir ; had not you a Cofen, that was called Gustecerydis >
Huan : Indeede I had a Cofen, that fomtime 360 followed the Court infortunately, and his name Bustegustecerydis.
Booby : O Lord I know him well : hee is the
C knight
The Old VViues Tale. knight of the neates feete.
Huan : O he lou'd no Capon better, he hath oftentimes deceiued his boy of his dinner, that was his fault good Bustegustecerydis.
Booby : Come fhall we goe along? Soft, here is an olde man at the Crofle, let vs aske him the 370 way thither. Ho, you Gaffer, I pray you tell where the wife man the Coniurer dwells?
Pluan: Where that earthly Goddefle kee- peth hir abode ; the commander of my thougts, and faire Miftres of my heart.
Old man: Faire inough, and farre inough from thy fingering fonne.
Huan : I will followe my Fortune after mine owne fancie, and doo according to mine owne difcretion.
380 Old man : Yet giue fome thing to an old man before you goe.
Huau: Father mee thinkes a peece of this Cake might ferue your turne.
Old man : Yea fonne.
Huan: Huanabango giueth no Cakes for Almes, aske of them that giue giftes for poore Beggars. Faire Lady, if thou wert once fhri- ned in this bofome, I would buckler thee hara- tantara. Exit.
390 Booby: Father doo you fee this man, you litle thinke heele run a mile or two for fuch a Cake,
or
The Old Wines tale.
or pafle for a pudding, I tell you father hee has kept fuch a begging of mee for a peece of this Cake, whoo he comes vppon me with a fuper- fantiall fubftance, and the foyfon of the earth, that I know not what he meanes : If hee came to me thus, and faid, my friend Booby or fo, why I could fpare him a peece with all my heart ; but when he tells me how God hath enriched mee aboue other fellowes with a Cake: why hee 400 makes me blinde and deafe at once : Yet father heere is a peece of Cake for you as harde as the world goes.
Old man : Thanks fonne, but lilt to mee, He fhall be deafe when thou (halt not fee ; Farewell my fonne things may fo hit, Thou maift haue wealth to mend thy wit.
Booby: Farewell father, farewell; for I muft make haft after my two hand fword that is gone before. Exeunt omnes. 410
Enter Sacrapant in his ftudie.
Sacrapant: The day is cleare, the Welkin bright and gray,
The Larke is merrie, and records hir notes ; Each thing reioyfeth vnderneath the Skie, But onely I whom heauen hath in hate : Wretched and miferable Sacrapant^ In TheJJalie was I borne and brought vp,
C 2 My
The Old V Vines Tale.
My mother Meroe hight a famous Witch, 420 And by hir cunning I of hir did learne. To change and alter fliapes of mortall men. There did I turne my felfe into a Dragon, And ftole away the Daughter to the King ; Faire Delya, the Miftres of my heart : And brought hir hither to reuiue the man, That feemeth yong and pleafant to behold, And yet is aged, crooked, weake and numbe. Thus by inchaunting fpells I doo deceiue, Thofe that behold and looke vpon my face ; 430 But well may I bid youthfull yeares adue :
Enter Delya with a pot in hir hand. (grow, See where fhe corns from whence my forrows How now faire Delya where haue you bin?
Delya : At the foote of the Rocke for run ning water, and gathering rootes for your din ner fir.
Sacr : Ah Delya, fairer art thou than the run ning water, yet harder farre than fteele or Ada mant. 44o Delya : Will it pleafe you to fit downe fir.
Sacr: I Delya, fit & aske me what thou wilt, thou fhalt haue it brought into thy lappe.
Delya : Then I pray you fir let mee haue the beft meate from the king of England* table, and the beft wine in all France, brought in by the ve- rieft knaue in all Spaine.
Sacr: Delya I am glad to fee you fo pleafant,
well
The old Vyiues tale. well fit thee downe.
Sacr: Spred table fpred ; meat, drinke & bred Euer may I haue, what I euer craue : When I am fpred, for meate for my black cock, And meate for my red.
Enter a Frier with a chine of Beefe and a pot of 'wine.
Sacr : Heere Defya, will yee fall to.
Del : Is this the belt meate in England ?
Sacr: Yea.
Del: What is it?
Sacr: A chine of Englifh beefe, meate for a And a kings followers. (king 4*0
Del : Is this the belt wine in France >
Sacr: Yea.
Del: What Wine is it?
Sacr: A cup of neate wine of Orleance, That neuer came neer the brewers in England.
Del: Is this the verieft knaue in all Spaine*
Sacr: Yea.
Del: What is he a Fryer?
Sacr : Yea a Friar indefinit, & a knaue infinit.
Del: Then I pray ye fir Frier tell me before 470 you goe, which is the molt greedieft Englifh- man?
Fryer: The miferable and moft couetous Vfurer.
Sacr : Holde thee there Frier, Exit Friar. But foft who haue we heere, Delia away begon.
C 3 Enter
The Old VViues Tale. Enter the two Brothers. Delya away, for befet are we, But heauen or hell fhall refcue her for me. 480 7. Sr. Brother, was not that Delya did appeare ? Or was it but her fhadow that was here ?
2. Bro: Sifter, where art thou? Delya come again He calles, that of thy abfence doth complaine. Call out Calypha that fhe may heare, And crie aloud, for Delya is neere. Eccho: Neere.
7. Br : Neere, O where, haft thou any tidings ? Eccho: Tidings.
2. Br: Which way is Delya then, or that, or 490 Eccho: This. (this?
7. Br: And may we fafely come where Delia Eccho: Yes. (is
2. Bro: Brother remember you the white Beare of Englands wood : Start not a fide for euery danger, Be not afeard of euery ftranger ; Things that feeme, are not the fame. (enter. j. Br: Brother, why do we not the coragioufly 2. Br: Then brother draw thy fword & follow 500 Enter the Coniurer ; it lightens & thun- (me.
ders3 the 2. Brother falles downe. 7. Br: What brother dooft thou fall? Sacr: I, and thou to Calypha.
Fall i. Brother. Enter trvo furies. Adeftes Damones : away with them,
Go
The old Wiues tale.
Go cary them Itraight to Sacrapantos cell, There in defpaire and torture for to dwell ; Thefe are Thenores fbnnes of Theffhly^ That come to feeke Delya their filter forth : But with a potion, I to her haue giuen, My arts hath made her to forget her felfe. He remooues a turfe^ and j\j ewes a light in a glajje. See heere the thing which doth prolong my life With this inchantment I do any thing. And till this fade, my skill fhall ftill endure, And neuer none fhall breake this little glafle, But fhe that's neither wife, widow, nor maide. Then cheere thy felfe, this is thy deftinie, Neuer to die, but by a dead mans hand. Exeunt.
Enter Eumenides the wandring Knight^ jio and the old man at the crojje.
Eum: Tell me Time, tell me iuft Time, Whenlhall I Delia fee?
When fhall I fee the loadftar of my life ? (fight ? When fhall my wandring courfe end with her Or I but view my hope, my hearts delight. Father God fpeede, if you tell fortunes, I pray good father tell me mine.
Old man : Sonne I do fee in thy face, Thy blefled fortune worke apace ; 730
I do perceiue that thou halt wit, Beg of thy fate to gouerne it, For wifdome gouern'd by aduife, Makes many fortunate and wife.
Beftowe
The Old Wines Tale. Beftowe thy almes, giue more than all, Till dead mens bones come at thy call : Farewell my fonne, dreame of no reft, Til thou repent that thou didft belt. Exit Old m. Eum. This man hath left me in a Laborinth, 540 He biddeth me giue more than all, Till dead mens bones come at thy call : He biddeth me dreame of no reft, Till I repent that I do beft.
Enter Wiggen, Corobus, Churchwar den and Sexten.
Wiggen: You may be afhamed, you whor- fon fcald Sexton and Churchwarden, if you had any fhame in thofe fhamelefle faces of yours, to let a poore man lie fo long aboue ground vnbu- *jo ried. A rot on you all, that haue no more com- pafsion of a good fellow when he is gone.
Simon : What would you haue vs to burie him, and to aunfwere it our felues to the par- rifhe?
Sexton : Parifh me no parifhes, pay me my fees, and let the reft runne on in the quarters ac counts, and put it downe for one of your good deedes a Gods name, for I am not one that cu- rioufly ftands vpon merits.
5£o Corobus: You whorefon fodden headed fheepes-face, fhall a good fellow do lefle feruice and more honeftie to the parifh, & will you not when he is dead let him haue Chriftmas buriall.
Wiggen :
The Old Wines Tale.
Wiggen : Peace Corel us, allure as lack was the frollickft frannion amongft you, and I Wiggen his fweete fworne brother, lack fhall haue his funerals, or fome of them ftiall lie on Gods deare earth for it, thats once.
Churcbrva: Wiggen I hope thou wilt do no more then thou darft aunfwer. 570
Wig : Sir, fir, dare or dare not, more or lefle, aunfwer or not aunfwer, do this, or haue this.
Sex: Helpe, helpe, helpe, VViggen fets vpon the parifh with a Pike ftaffe.
Eumenides awakes and comes to them.
Eum : Hould thy hands good fellow.
Core : Can you blame him fir, if he take lacks part againft this fhake rotten parifh that will not burie lack.
Eum: Why what was that lack? 780
Coreb : Who lack fir, who our lack fir? as good a fellow as euer troade vppon Neats lea ther.
VViggen : Looke you fir, he gaue foure fcore and nmeteene mourning gownes to the parilh when he died, and becaufe he would not make them vp a full hundred, they would not bury him ; was not this good dealing?
Cburchrvar: Oh Lord fir how he lies, he was not worth a halfepenny, and drunke out euery 59° penny: and nowe his fellowes, his drunken companions, would haue vs to burie him at the
D charge
The Old Wines Tale.
charge of the parifh, and we make many fuch matches, we may pull downe the fteeple, fell the Belles, and thatche the chauncell : he fhall lie a- boue ground till he daunce a galliard about the churchyard for Steeuen Loache.
VViggen : Sic argumentaris domine Loache ; and we make many fuch matches, we may pull 600 downe the fteeple, fell the Belles, and thatche the chauncell : in good time lir, and hang your felues in the Bell ropes when you haue done, Domine oponens pr&pono tibi bane queftionemy whether will you haue the ground broken, or your pates broken : firft, for one of them (hall be done prefently, and to begin mine, ile feale it vpon your cockefcome.
Eum: Hould thy hands, I pray thee good fellow be not too haftie.
610 Coreb: You Capons face, we fhall haue you turnd out of the parifh one of thefe dayes, with neuer a tatter to your arfe, then you are in worfe taking then lack.
Eumen. Faith and he is bad enough : this fel low does but the part of a friend, to feeke to bu- rie his friend ; how much will burie him ?
Wivgen: Faith, about some fifteene or fix- teene ftnllings will beftow him honeftly.
Sexton : I euen there abouts fir. 610 Eumen: Heere hould it then, and I haue left me but one poore three halfe pence ; now do I
remem-
The Old Values Tale.
remember the wordes the old man fpake at the crofle ; bettowe all thou halt, and this is all, till dead mens bones comes at thy call, heare holde it, and fo farewell.
Wig: God, and all good, bee with you fir; naie you cormorants, ile beftowe one peale of lack at mine owne proper colts and charges.
Caret: You may thanke God the long ftafie and the bilbowe blade, croft not your cockef-*3° combe ; well weele to the church ftile, and haue a pot, and fo tryll lyll.
Both: Come lets go. Exeunt.
Fant: But harke you gammer, me thinkes this lack bore a great fway in the parifh.
Old woman : O this lack was a maruelous fel low, he was but a poore man, but very well be- loued: you fhall fee anon what this lack will come to.
Enter the harvest men finging^ with wo- £40 men in their hands.
Frol: Soft, who haue wee heere ? our amo rous harueft ftarres.
Fant: I, I, let vs fit ftill and let them alone. Heere they begin to jing^ the
Jong doubled.
Loe heere we come a reaping, a reaping^ To reape our haruest fruite. And thus we pajje the yeare fo long. And neuer be we mute. Exit the harueft me.
D 2 Enter
The Old VViues Tale. Enter Huanebango, and Corebus the downe.
Frol: Soft, who haue we here>
Old w: O this is a cholerick gentleman, all you that loue your liues, keepe out of the fmell of his two hand fworde : nowe goes he to the coniurer.
Fant: Me thinkes the Coniurer fhould put the foole into a lugling boxe.
Huan : Fee, fa, fum, here is the Englilhman, Conquer him that can, came for his lady bright, To prooue himfelfe a knight, And win her loue in fight.
Cor: Who hawe maifter Bangp are you here ? heare you, you had beft fit downe heere, and beg an almes with me.
Huan: Hence bafe cullion, heere is he that commaundeth ingrefle and egrefle with his weapon, and will enter at his voluntary whofo- euer faith no.
670 A voice and flame of fire : Huanebango falletb downe.
Voice: No.
Old rv : So with that they kift, and fpoiled the edge of as good a two hand fword, as euer God put life in $ now goes Corebus in, fpight of the coniurer. Enter the Coniurer^ & ftrike Corebus blinde.
Sacr: Away with him into the open fields, To be a rauening pray to Crowes and Kites :
And
The Old Wines Tale.
And for this villain let him wander vp & downe 680 In nought but darkenes and eternall night.
Cor : Heer haft thou flam Hud a flafhing knight And robbed poore Corebus of his fight. Exit.
Sacr: Hence villaine hence. Now I haue vnto Delya giuen a potion of for-
getfulnes, That when fhee comes fliee fhall not know hir
Brothers :
Lo where they labour like to Country flaues, With fpade and mattocke on this inchaunted 69o
ground.
Now will I call hir by another name, For neuer fhall Ihe know hir felfe againe, Vntill that Sacrapant hath breathd his laft. See where fhe comes. Enter Delya.
Come hither Delya take this gode, Here hard at hand two flaues do worke and dig
for gold, Gore them with this & thou {halt haue inough.
He giues bir a gode. 7oo
Del : Good fir I know not what you meane.
Sacra : She hath forgotten to be Delya^ But not forgot the fame fhe fhould forget: But I will change hir name. Faire Berecyntkia fo this Country calls you, Goe ply thefe ftrangers wench they dig for gold
Exit Sacrapant.
Delya: O heauens ! how am I beholding to D 3 this
The Old VViues Tale. this faire yong man.
7 ro But I muft ply thefe ftrangers to their worke. See where they come.
Enter the two Brothers in their Jhirts with fpades digging.
1. Brother: O Brother fee where Defya is.
2. Brother: O Defya happy are we to fee thee here.
Defya : What tell you mee of Defya prating
fwaines ?
I know no Defya nor know I what you meane,
7*0 Ply you your work or elfe you are like to fmart.
/. Brother : Why Defya knowft thou not thy
Brothers here ?
We come from Theffalie to feeke thee forth, And thou deceiueft thy felfe for thou art Defya. Defya : Yet more of Defya, then take this
and fmart :
What faine you fliifts for to defer your labor ? Worke villaines worke, it is for gold you digg.
2. Br : Peace brother peace, this vild inchanter 730 Hath rauifht Defya of hir fences cleane, And fhe forgets that fhe is Defya.
1. Br: Leaue cruell thou to hurt the miferable ; Digg brother digg, for fhe is hard as fteele. Here they dig & defcry the light vnder a title hill.
2. Br : Stay brother what haft thou defcride > Del: Away & touch it not, it is fome thing, that
my Lord hath hidden there. Jhe covers it agen.
Enter
The Old Wiues Tale.
Enter Sacrapant.
Sacr: Well fed, thou plyeft thefe Py oners well, goe get you in you labouring flaues. 740 Come Eerecynthia^ let vs in likewife, And heare the Nightingale record hir notes.
Exeunt omnes.
Enter Zantyppa the curft Daughter to the well,
with a pot in hir hand.
Zant : Now for a husband, houfe and home, God fend a good one or none I pray God : My father hath fent me to the well for the water of life, and tells mee if I giue faire wordes I fhall haue a husband. 7JO
Enter the fowle wench to the well for water with a
pot in hir hand.
But heere comes Celanta my fweete fifter, He Hand by and heare what fhe iaies.
Celant : My father hath fent mee to the well for water, and he tells me if I fpeake faire, I fhall haue a husband and none of the worft : Well though I am blacke I am fure all the world will not forfake mee, and as the olde prouerbe is though I am blacke, I am not the diuell. 760
Zant: Marrie gup with a murren, I knowe wherefore thou fpeakeft that, but goe thy waies home as wife as thou camft, or He fet thee home with a wanion.
Here
The Old VViues Tale. Here Jhe Jlrikes hir Pitcher againft bir Jitters,
and breakes them both and goes hir way. Clant : I thinke this be the curfteft queane in the world, you fee what fhe is, a little faire, but as prowd as the diuell, and the verieft vixen that 770 Hues vpon Gods earth. Well He let hir alone, and goe home and get another Pitcher, and for all this get me to the well for water. Exit. Enter two Furies out of the Coniurers Cell and laies Huanebango by the well
of life.
Enter Zantippa with a Pitcher to the Well. Zant : Once againe for a husband, & in faith Celanta I haue got the ftart of you ; Belike huf- bands growe by the Well fide ; now my father 780 fayes I muft rule my tongue : why alas what am I then ? a woman without a tongue, is as a foul- dier without his weapon ; but ile haue my wa ter and be gon.
Heere Jhe offers to dip her Pitcher in^ and a
head fpeakes in the Well. Head: Gently dip, but not too deepe, For feare you make the golden birde to weepe, Faire maiden white and red, Stroke me fmoothe, and combe my head, 790 And thou lhalt haue fome cockell bread.
Zant : What is this, faire maiden white & red, Combe me fmooth, and ftroke my head : And thou fhalt haue fome cockell bread.
Cockell
The Old VViues tale.
Cockell callelt thou it boy, faith ile giue you cockell bread.
Sbee breakes hir Pitcher vppon his heade, then it thunders and lightens^ and Huanebango rifes vp : Huanebango is deafe and cannot heare.
Huan : Phylyda phylerydos, Pamphylyda
(floryda flortos, 800
Dub dub a dub, bounce quoth the guns, with a
(fulpherous huffe fnufFe :
Wakte with a wench, pretty peat, pretty loue,
(and my fweet prettie pigsnie j
luft by thy fide fliall fit furnamed great Huane-
(bango
Safe in my armes will I keepe thee, threat Mars
(or thunder Olympus.
Zant: Foe, what greafie groome haue wee here? Hee looks as though hee crept out of the 810 backefide of the well ; and fpeakes like a Drum perifht at the Weft end.
Huan : O that I might but I may not, woe to
(my deftenie therefore ;
Kifle that I clafpe but I cannot, tell mee my de-
(ftenie wherefore ?
Zant: Whoope nowe I haue my dreame, did you neuer heare fo great a wonder as this? Three blue beanes in a blue bladder, rattle blad der rattle. 810
E Huan :
The Old Wiues Tale.
Huan : He nowe fet my countenance and to hir in profe, it may be this rim ram ruffe, is too rude an incounter.
Let me faire Ladie if you be at leifure, reuell with your fweetnes, and raile vppon that cow ardly Coniurer, that hath caft me or congealed mee rather into an vnkinde fleepe and polluted my Carcafle.
Zantyppa: Laugh, laugh Zantyppa^ thou 830 haft thy fortune, a foole and a husbande vnder one.
Huan : Truely fweete heart as I feeme, a- bout fome twenty years, the very Aprill of mine age.
Zantyppa: Why what a prating Afle is this?
Huanebango : Hir Corall lippes, hir crimfon chinne,
Hir filuer teeth fo white within : 840 Hir golden locks hir rowling eye, Hir pretty parts let them goe by : Hey ho hath wounded me, That I muft die this day to fee.
Za : By gogs bones thou art a flouting knaue,- Hir Corall lippes, hir crimfon chinne : ka wil- fhaw.
Huan : True my owne and my owne be caufe mine, & mine becaufe mine ha ha : Aboue a thoufand pounds in poflibilitie, and things fit ting
The Old VViues tale. ting thy defire in pofleffion. 8f o
Zan : The Sott thinkes I aske of his landes, Lobb be your comfort, and Cuckold bee your deftenie : Heare you fir ; and if you will haue vs, you had beft lay fo betime.
Huan : True fweete heart and will royallize thy progeny with my petigree. Exeunt omnes.
Enter Eumenides the rvandring Knight.
Eu : Wretched Eumenides^ ftill vnfortunate, Enuied by fortune, and forlorne by Fate ; Here pine and die wretched Eumenides. 8£o
Die in the fpring, the Aprill of my age ? Here fit thee down, repent what thou haft don I would to God that it were nere begon.
Enter lacke.
lacke: You are well ouertaken fir. Eum : Who's that ? lacke: You are heartily well met fir. Eum : Forbeare I fay, who is that which pin- cheth mee?
lacke : Trufting in God good Matter Eume- 870
j that you are in fo good health as all your friendes were at the making hereof: God giue you God morrowe fir, lacke you not a neate handfome and cleanly yong Lad, about the age of fifteene or fixteene yeares, that can runne
E 2 by
The Old VViues Tale.
by your horfe, and for a neede make your Ma- fterftiippes fliooes as blacke as incke, howe fay you fir.
Eum : Alafle pretty Lad, I know not how to ssokeepe my felfe, and much lefle a feruant, my pretty boy, my ftate is fo bad.
lacke : Content your felfe, you fliall not bee fo ill a Mafter but ile bee as bad a feruant : Tut fir I know you though you know not me ; Are not you the man fir, denie it if you can fir, that came from a ftrange place in the land of Catita, where lacke a napes flies with his taile in his mouth, to feeke out a Ladie as white as fnowe, and as redd as blood ; ha, ha, haue I toucht you 890 now.
Eum : I thinke this boy be a fpirit, How knowft thou all this >
lacke : Tut are not you the man fir, denie it if you can fir, that gaue all the money you had to the burying of a poore man, and but one three-halfe-pence left in your purfle : Content you fir, Ile ferue you that is flat.
Eum : Well my Lad fince thou art fo impor-
nate, I am content to entertaine thee, not as a
900 feruant; but a copartner in my iourney. But
whither fliall we goe for I haue not any money
more than one bare three-halfe-pence.
lacke: Well Mafter content your felfe, for if my diuination bee not out, that fhall bee
fpent
The old Wives tale.
fpent at the next Inne or alehoufc we come too : for maifter I knowe you are paffing hungrie; therefore ile go before and prouide dinner vn- till that you come, no doubt but youle come faire and foftly after.
Eum: I, go before, ile follow thee.
lack: But doo you heare maifter, doo you • know my name?
Eum, : No I promife thee not yet.
lack : Why I am lack. Exeunt lack.
Eum : lack^ why be it fo then. Enter the Hoftes and lack, fetting meate on the
table^ and Fidlers came to play, Eumenides rvalketh vp and downe^ and will eate no meate.
Hoft : How fay you fir, doo you pleafe to fit 910 downe?
Eum : Hoftes I thanke you, I haue no great ftomack.
Hoft: Pray fir, what is the reafon your mai fter is fo ftrange, doth not this meate pleafe him.
lack : Yes Hoftes, but it is my maifters faftii- on to pay before hee eates, therefore a recko ning good hoftefle.
Hoft: Marry fliall you fir prefently. Exit.
Eum: Why lack what dooft thou meane, 93° thou knowett I haue not any money: therefore fweete lack tell me what fhall I doo.
lack : Well maifter looke in your purfle.
E 3 Eum :
The Old Wiues Tale.
Eum : Why faith it is a follie, for I haue no money. (for me.
lack : Why looke you maifter, doo fo much
Eum: Alas lack my purfle is full of money.
lack: Alas, maifter, does that worde belong to this accident ? why me thinkes I fhould haue 940 leene you caft away your cloake, and in a bra- uado daunced a galliard round about the cham ber ; why maifter, your man can teach you more wit than this, come hoftis, cheere vp my maifter.
Hoflis : You are heartily welcome : and if it pleafe you to eate of a fat Capon, a fairer birde, a finer birde, a fweeter birde, a crifper birde, a neater birde, your worfhip neuer eate off.
Eum: Thankes my fine eloquent hoftefle.
lack : But heare you maifter, one worde by [9fothe way, are you content I fhall be halfes in all you get in your iourney ?
Eum : I am lack, here is my hand.
lack : Enough maifter, I aske no more.
Eum: Come Hoftefle receiue your money, and I thanke you for my good entertainment.
Hojl: You are heartily welcome fir.
Eum : Come lack whether go we now ?
lack : Mary maifter to the coniurers prefently.
Eu : Content lack : Hoftis farewell. Exe. om. 96o Enter Corebus and Zelanto the foule
wench, to the well for water.
Coreb: Come my ducke come: I haue now
got
The old V Vines tale. got a wife, thou art faire, art thou not ?
Zelan: My Corebus the faireit aliue, make no doubt of that.
Cor : Come wench, are we almoft at the wel.
Zela. I Corebus we are almoft at the Well now, ile go fetch fome water : fit downe while I dip my pitcher in.
Voyce : Gently dip : but not too deepe ; 970 For feare you make the goulde beard to weepe,
A bead comes vp with eares of Corne^ and Jhe
•^ combes them in her lap. Faire maiden white and red, Combe me fmoothe, and ftroke my head : And thou flialt haue fome cockell bread. Gently dippe, but not too deepe, For feare thou make the goulde beard to weep. Faire maide, white, and redde, Combe me fmooth, and ftroke my head ; 9g0
And euery haire, a fheaue lhall be, And euery fheaue a goulden tree.
A head comes vp full of golde^Jhe combes it into her lap.
Zelan : Oh fee Corebus I haue combd a great deale of golde into my lap, and a great deale of corne.
Coreb. Well faid wench, now we (hall haue iuft enough, God fend vs coiners to coine our golde : but come fhall we go home fweet heart ? 990
Zelan: Nay come Corebus I will lead you.
Coreb.
The Old VViues Tale.
ICoreb : So Corebus things haue well hit, Thou hall gotten wealth to mend thy wit. Exit.
Enter lack and the wandring knight. lack: Come away maifter come, Eum: Go along lack^ ile follow thee, lack, they fay it is good to go crofle legged, and fay his prayers backward : how faieft thou ?
lack : Tut neuer feare maifter, let me alone, loooheere fit you ftill, fpeake not a word.^ And be- caufe you fhall not be intifed with his inchan- ting fpeeches ; with this fame wool! ilejlop your eares : and fo*maifter fit ffiffl, for 1 miift to the Coniurer. Exit: lack.
Enter the Coniurer to the tvandring knight. Sa : How now, what man art thou that fits f o fad Why doft thou gaze vpon thefe ftately trees, Without the leaue and will of Sacrapant ? What not a word but mum, ioio Then Sacrapant thou art betraide.
Enter lack inuifible, and taketh off Sacrapants wreath from his heady and his f word out
of his hand.
Sac: What hand inuades the head of Sacrapdt* What hatefull fury doth enuy my happy ftate ? Then Sacrapant thefe are thy lateft dayes, Alas my vaines are numd, my finews mrinke, My bloud is pearft, my breath fleeting away, And now my timelefle date is come to end : 1010 He in whofe life his actions hath beene fo foule,
Now
The Old VViues Tale.
Now in his death to hell defends his foule.
He dyeth.
lack : Oh Sir are you gon : now I hope we fliall haue fome other coile. Now maifter how like you this; the Coniurer hee is dead, and vowes neuer to trouble vs more. Now get you to your faire Lady, and fee what you can doo with her : Alas he heareth me not all this while ; but I will helpe that.
He pulles the Wooll out of his eares. 1030
Eum : How now lack^ what news ?
lack : Heere maifter, take this Iword and dig with it, at the foote of this hill.
He digs and f pies a light.
Eum : How now lack, what is this ?
lack: Maifter, without this the Coniurer could do nothing, and fo long as this light lafts, fo long doth his arte indure, and this being out, then doth his arte decay.
Eum : Why then lack I will foone put out 1040 this light.
lack : I maifter, how ?
Eum : Why with a ftone ile breake the glafle, and then blowe it out.
lack: No maifter you may as foone breake the Smiths Anfill, as this little vyoll ; nor the big- geft blaft that euer Boreas blew, cannot blowe out this little light ; but ftie that is neither maide,
F wife,
The Old VYiues Tale.
wife, nor widowe. Maifter, winde this home; io?oand fee what will happen.
He rvindes the home.
Heere enters Venelia and breakes the glajje^ and
blowes out the light, and goeth in againe. lack: So maifter, how like you this; this is Ihe that ranne madding in the woods, his be trothed loue that keepes the crofle, and nowe this light being out, all are reftored to their for mer libertie. And now maifter to the Lady that you haue fo long looked for. 1060 He dratveth a curten, and there Delia
Jitteth a Jleepe.
Eum : God fpeed faire maide fitting alone : there is once.
God fpeed faire maide ; there is twife : God fpeed faire maide, that is thrife. Delia : Not fo good fir, for you are by. lack : Enough maifter, fhe hath fpoke, now I will leaue her with you.
Eum: Thou faireft flower of thefe wefterne 1070 Whofe beautie fo reflecteth in my fight, (parts : As doth a Chriftall mirror in the fonne : For thy fweet fake I haue croft the frofen Rhine, Leauing faire P0, I faild vp Danuby, As farre as Saba whofe inhanfing ftreames, Cuts twixt the Tartars and the Ruffians*
Thefe
The Old ¥ Vines tale.
Thefe haue I croft for thee faire Delia : Then grant me that which I haue fude for long.
Del: Thou gentle knight, whofe fortune is fo good :
To finde me out, and fet my brothers free, 1080 My faith, my heart, my hand, I giue to thee.
Eum : Thankes gentle Madame : but heere comes lack, thanke him, for he is the beft friend that we haue.
Enter lack with a head in his hand.
Eum : How now lack, what haft thou there ?
lack : Mary maifter, the head of the coniurer.
Eum : Why lack that is impoffible, he was a young man.
lack: Ah maifter, fo he deceiued them that 1090 beheld him : but hee was a miferable, old, and crooked man; though to each mans eye h med young and frefh, for maifter ; this Coniurer tooke the fhape of the olde man that kept the crofle : and that olde man was in the likenefle of the Coniurer. But nowe maifter winde your home. He tvindes his home.
Enter Venelia, the two brothers^ and he
that was at the crojje.
Eu: Welcome Ereftus, welcome faire Venelia^ noo
F 2 Wei-
The Old Wiues Tale. Welcome Thelea, and Kalepba both, Now haue I her that I fo long haue fought, So faith faire Delia, if we haue your confent.
/. Bro : Valiant Eumenides thou well deferueft To haue our fauours : fo let vs reioyce, That by thy meanes we are at libertie. Heere may we ioy each in others fight, And this faire Lady haue her wandring knight.
lack: So maifter, nowe yee thinke you haue 1 1 10 done: but I muft haue a faying to you; you know you and I were partners, I to haue halfe in all you got.
Eum: Why fo thou fhalt lack.
lack: Why then maifter draw your fworde, part your Lady, let mee haue halfe of her pre- fently.
Eumenid: Why I hope lack thou dooft but ieft, I promift thee halfe I got, but not halfe my Lady.
1 1 10 lack: But what elfe maifter, haue you not gotten her, therefore deuide her ftraight, for I will haue halfe there is no remedie.
Eumen: Well ere I will falfifie my worde vnto my friend, take her all, heere lack ile giue her thee.
lacke: Nay neither more nor lefle Maifter, but euen iuft halfe.
Eum : Before I will falfifie my faith vnto my
friend.
The Old Wiues Tale.
friend, I will diuide hir, lacke thou fhalt haue halfe.
/. Brother: Bee not fo cruell vnto our filter gentle Knight.
2. Brother : O fpare faire Delia Ihee deferues no death.
Eum: Content your felues, my word is pad to him, therefore prepare thy felfe Delya for thou mutt die.
Delya: Then farewell worlde, adew Eume- nides.
He offers to ftrike and lacke Jtaies him. n4o
lacke : Stay Matter, it is fufficient I haue tride your conftancie : Do you now remember fince you paid for the burying of a poore fellow.
Eum: I very well lacke.
lacke: Then Matter thanke that good deed, for this good turne, and fo God be with you all. lacke leapes downe in the ground.
Eum: lacke what art thou gone? Then farewell lacke. Come brothers and my beauteous Delya^ Erestus and thy deare Venelia : We will to TheJJalie with ioyfull hearts.
All: Agreed, we follow thee and Delya.
Exeunt omnes.
F 3 Font:
The Old VViues Tale.
Fant: What Gammer, a fleepe?
Old worn : By the Mas fonne tis almoft day, and my windowes fhuts at the Cocks crow.
Frol: Doo you heare Gammer, mee thinkes this lacke bore a great fway amongft them. i 160 Old worn: O man, this was the ghoft of the poore man, that they kept fuch a coyle to burie, & that makes him to help the wandring knight fo much : But come let vs in, we will haue a cup of ale and a toft this morning and fo depart.
Fant: Then you haue made an end of your tale Gammer?
Old worn : Yes faith : When this was done I tooke a peece of bread and cheefe, and came my way, and fo fhall you haue too before you , to your breakefaft.
FINIS.
Printed at London by lobn Danter^ for Rapb
Hancocke^ and lobn Hardie^ and are to
be folde at the fhop ouer againft
Saint Giles his Church with
out Criplegate.
BINDING SECT. OCT 2 2 666
PR 2734 04 1908
cPeele, George3
The old wives tale
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